THE ONLY BEAUTY ROUTINE YOU NEED FOR A FRESH FALL FACE

HERE’S HOW I AM PREPPING MY SKIN FOR THE FALL BREEZE.

TEXT julia restoin roitfeld IMAGE STEPHAN ALESSI

Lately, so it seems, the beauty world espouses the more the merrier philosophy.

“Contour your cheekbones! Plump up your lips! Highlight your highlights!”

Here, we take a less is more approach (no intent to overuse). A little of this, a touch of that and out the door and off we go! Well, kind of...

For me, it all starts with good skin.

The things we know to be true: drink water, it helps flush all the bad’s out; eat as clean as you can, without refusing all the french fries, as to do so is not JRR.com recommended. And care for your skin like the organ it is.

For fall, I love to start the new cooler season with a facial. After a summer of sweat and sunscreen, nothing rejuvenates your skin better than a thorough cleansing by a professional. I have been getting regular facials with Nachi Glick, founder of Mist Beauty for over a decade and each time I leave my skin feels reborn. Nachi makes sure to customize her facials to the needs of her client’s skin type and gives your face the deep cleaning and massage it needs to de-puff and reset. Yes, regular facials are a luxury, but one every three months, or with a change of season, can really make a positive difference.

Take care of your skin, with minimal use of products.

Not to sound like your mother, but cleanse, remember sunscreen, and moisturize. No product must break the bank, and you don’t need more than one of each of the essentials: a good SPF, a solid cleanser, and a penetrating moisturizer for the face/neck and the eyes. Anything else is superfluous (but we won’t judge an additional serum or the like).

My morning and nighttime routines are very similar. The less products I use, the less I have to think about, and the easier my life is. I always start by splashing my face with cold water, and washing with Biologique Recherche’s cleansing milk. Sometimes I’'ll use a wooden face brush or natural sponge to massage in the cleanser when I need an extra level of exfoliation. I follow up with Biologique Recherche’s P50 Exfoliating Toner to help minimize the appearance of my pores. I finish by moisturizing with Embryolisse, one of the oldest French moisturizers (you used to only be able to find it at French pharmacies, but can now find it nearly everywhere). Sometimes, when time permits i’ll use Biologique Recherche’s lip and eye contouring cream, and i’ll throw on a moisturizing face mask on the weekends. I also love to use coconut oil some evening on my lips and body.

Lastly, the goodies.

I really am a minimalist when it comes to makeup. Especially going into fall with the remains of the summer’s sun glow, I find I do not need to do much. If I need to cover a spot, I’ll dab on RMS Uncoverup and may also pat on some Lip2Cheek for an added flush of color. The one thing you will never see me forget to do before I leave the house is brush my eyebrows, fill them in with Tom Ford’s brow pencil and curl my lashes. Easy, painless, and quick.

“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day...”

— Sam Levenson