My Weekend Beauty Staples

Lord do I miss a normal weekend in New York City. I miss getting all turned around in the Met, seeing a show, taking the train to a new neighborhood, running mundane errands and of course, sitting down to a nice meal inside a gorgeous restaurant with Craig and our friends. You’re never bored during a weekend in NYC.

But we have a new weekend normal right now and I’m trying to make the best of it as we await further updates about our move. We originally thought we would be heading to London in September and now that’s likely going to be pushed another month or so. In the meantime, I’ll be buying a bunch of candles from the bodega and chanting to whatever spirits one can conjure for some good luck.

The past five months have really made me re-examine my relationship with my skin and the products I want to put on it every day. During the week, I’m all about the steps, but when it comes to the weekend, I want my routine to be fast so I can get out the door and into this amazing city. No 30-minute masks or lengthy makeup looks. Half of my face isn’t even showing right now anyway!

So to create my weekend look, I’ve chosen some products that provide quick results and do double duty. They keep my skin protected and healthy as I spend more time outdoors in the sun and pollution. Here are my staples:

Express Mask — The weekend is when I like to indulge when it comes to my diet. That also means my skin can look a bit dull from too much sugar, alcohol or pizza. Zero regrets. To wake it up quickly, I’ve really been enjoying the Vitamin C Paste from Lixir Skin. I’ll wash my face and then smear it on before I hop in the shower. After a couple of minutes in the steam, it washes off so easily and my skin looks instantly brighter. For how rich and balmy it is, my skin never breaks out.

Multitasking Serum — I love to layer serums as much as the next beauty junkie, but on the weekend, I want one that does more. I have fallen more and more in love with Living Libations Rose Glow Serum each time I use it. With a base of sea buckthorn and jojoba oils, it’s moisturizing without being comedogenic. The added rose otto, gernamium, immortelle, neroli, lavender, stone root and palmarosa firm the skin, even tone and keep my face balanced and dewy. It seriously does make your skin glow in a matter of moments and I’ve noticed it helping with some acne scars.

Sunscreen — I use a tinted sunscreen on my face and neck every single day, but on the weekend I’m usually running around more or sitting outside so I need to make sure the rest of my body is covered. This formula from Moroccanoil got me through my entire vacation in Croatia last summer without a single sunburn or body breakout. Their signature argan oil combined with vitamin E means I can skip my other body lotion and it smells lovely.

Eye Enhancers — My makeup look is eyes only now and fairly minimal. I’ve always liked the shape of my large, dark brown eyes so I try to enhance them with some brow gel and a brow pen from Glossier and then a nice coat of black mascara like this one from Saie. Sometimes I’ll use a highlighter for some shimmer on my lids, but with how hot it is right now in NYC, I rarely want more than these three which really stay put.

We actually have some family in town this weekend for some outdoor, properly distanced fun. It will be as close to normal as we’ve been in a while and I cannot wait. Stay hydrated, stay SPF’d and stay safe!