Our bags hold a plethora of treasures, from the necessary and the practical to the unexpected and the items that make us feel special. It’s why I always say our bags mean so much more than just being a bag, holding the items we treasure most. I add pouches to my bags, sometimes I’ll have up to 4 different pouches to carry varying themes of needs ranging from kids items to beauty items. I wanted to highlight a few of those ever-important pouches and the skincare products that live inside them.
I am not a big makeup wearer as I prefer to stick to the basics when it comes to my daily makeup routine. However, I have always had an affinity for skincare products and indulge and delight in finding new products that make my skin feel refreshed, hydrated, and youthful. The past year has been really taxing on all of us and having time to spend on myself, even 10 minutes after I get the kids down to focus on me and my skin may not be the most important thing in life, but we all deserve to feel beautiful.
With my new skincare routine focus, I realized I needed a new makeup bag, as I have a closet full of bags but not as many small leather goods. When I went to Louis Vuitton with the idea to grab a new cosmetic bag, I wound up leaving with two – because of course I did! I wanted one of the Nice travel cases and first bought the BB size but found it was too big so I went back the next day and opted for the Louis Vuitton Nice Mini. It’s just the right size to take your skincare and makeup items along with you while looking good doing so. And if you want something a little smaller, I fell hard for the Louis Vuitton Since 1854 Pochette Cosmetique. The print gives off a vintage vibe with recognizable LV House details and I like this smaller bag to throw in your daily bag with beauty items you want to reapply.
I’ve long been a fan of Guerlain, the Parisian beauty brand founded in 1828 and still producing its products in the heart of the Cosmetic Valley in France to this day. This past year I’ve spent a lot of time on my daily skincare routine discovering products that make my skin both feel and look luminous and I have a few new items I’ve added from Guerlain that have already shown results.
Guerlain Orchidée Impériale
While the Guerlain Orchidée Impériale is an established line for the brand, a new product was added to this skincare range with a focus on adding firmness and tightening: the Guerlain Orchidée Micro-Lift Concentrate. It’s made from 92% naturally derived ingredients and joins a longstanding list of other Orchidée products from the brand. This Micro-Lift concentrate combines the latest generation technology with the power of the orchid’s longevity. The formula works like a series of micro-lifts on the skin and offers a visible lifting and age-defying effect with a 46 degree lifting effect.
Guerlain offers a few lines with orchids as the main component, as they offer revitalizing power naturally. The smell of this product is delightful; mostly floral with hints of orchid and notes of rose, white musk and cedar wood. I apply this morning and evening before my cream and massage it into my face, with motions that mimic a lift and sculpt of your face. I only need one pump of product to cover my face as a little bit goes a long way. The Micro-Lift Concentrate is rich but soaks into your skin quickly and leaves my skin feeling hydrated. I’ve watched my skin appear firmer and firmer after using this product for the past month and I love seeing visible results. It’s best to follow up with a cream, try the Guerlain Orchidée Imperiale The Cream.
Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil
My face tends to get dry, especially in the winter, and this watery oil has been my new go-to. The Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil works as an anti-aging, multitasking facial oil that is a serum, rich oil, and fresh toner all in one which acts to smooth, plump, and revitalize the skin. There are two ingredients in this exclusive to Guerlain: Ouessant Black Bee Honey and Royal Jelly.
The micro-beads in this formula are truly innovative, they pack replenishing micro-drops of oil that release as each bead hits your skin to deliver the ultimate burst of nutrients. The 3-in-1 nature of this product delivers on each front and after use I find this truly works as a serum, oil, and toner. The watery oil contains commiphora oil which plays an important role in the skin revitalizing. The scent is delightful and the watery oil goes on smoothly with my face and neck soaking it in really well. It doesn’t leave me feeling greasy, which is a major plus, and the scent is fragrant but gentle which I adore. There are notes of honey and other fresh and airy fragrances.
Other Items to Keep in Your Cosmetic Bag
The smaller pochette is perfect for daily use in your bag and if you like to take a few makeup items with you, check out these two from Guerlain. My makeup routine is simple, typically a little blush or bronzer then a lipstick and gloss and I’m done. I really like the Guerlain Terracotta Natural Bronzing Powder as it gives me that sun-kissed look without the actual sun. There’s a good range of shades, allowing everyone to find what blends with their skin-tone best. And be sure to use a proper brush for application, this brush is the ideal pairing for the powder.
The other item I adore is one of Guerlain’s lipsticks. Purchasing a lipstick from Guerlain is purchasing an art piece in a way. I really like that you can customize your lipstick by choosing a shade and double mirror case, making each Rouge G de Guerlain Lipstick personal. There are many lipstick hues, from neutral nudes to extravagant reds, along with cases from more subdued to limited edition with crystals. These lipsticks go on smoothly, the color wears long, and the case makes for a beautiful item to store in your cosmetic case.
