An Interior Designer Walks Into a Sephora

My hero beauty products, if you care...

Let me preface this by saying I don’t actually know anything about beauty and I never walk into Sephora - it scares me. My expertise is in interiors, vintage finds, and the eternal hunt for the perfect textile. But even I have my “bare minimum” products—the ones I reach for every single day, without fail. I don’t do a full face because I don’t have time for complicated routines, but these? These have earned their place.

Skin & Base

Westman Atelier Vital Skin Concealer
A tiny dab where I need it (never all over my face), and it somehow melts in like actual skin. The goal isn’t full coverage, just subtly refreshed. P.S. I also tried the foundation stick and I like this MUCH more.

RMS Living Luminizer
I tap this in the inner corners of my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, on my cupid’s bow, and a dab in the center of each eyelid. Somehow, this one tiny step makes a bigger difference than anything else I do—it magically gives the illusion of being well-rested.

Merit Beauty Flush Balm in Cheeky
I was initially obsessed with the shape and how it feels in hand (because I care about ergonomic blush, apparently), but it’s the formula that made me stay. Every other blush I’ve tried was either too strong or barely there—this one is just right.

Eyes & Brows

Shu Uemura Lash Curler
If you’re not curling your lashes pre-mascara, what are you even doing? It’s the quickest, easiest way to look awake.

Westman Atelier Brown Mascara
The most natural-looking mascara I’ve found for day-to-day, and it doesn’t smudge at all—which is key because I’m not the kind of person who remembers to check her reflection midday for raccoon eyes.

Olivia Chantecaille Brow Pencil
The wonderful woman who does my brows recommended this, and she was (unsurprisingly) right. It’s easy to use, blends seamlessly, and the built-in brush makes it foolproof.

Olivia Chantecaille Clear Brow Gel
Keeps everything in place without feeling sticky or crunchy—because the goal is polished, not plastered.

Lips

Fara Homidi Lip Pencil
My friend Nan sent me this for the holidays, and the hype is real. A natural pink that can be blurred for that slightly imperfect look. I use it all over my lip rather than just as a liner.

Skincare (a.k.a. The Only Routine I Stick To)

I would be remiss not to mention that every night, without fail, I use a thin layer of prescription tretinoin beneath a generous slathering of Vanicream moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. That’s basically my entire skincare routine, as recommended by my dermatologist. No elaborate serums, no 12-step rituals—just this, and I swear by it.

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That’s it! My tried-and-true, no-fuss lineup. What are your hero products? (Because if there’s one thing I WILL always do, it’s fall for a great recommendation.)