In the quiet corners of select Sephora’s and tucked away inside the luxury beauty emporiums of the likes of Barney’s and Net-a-Porter, is the most coveted, cultish makeup line, surratt beauty. There is no ubiquitous social media campaign, the press is merely peppered with word of the line’s genius. In fact, three years into its retail debut, Surratt Beauty, although available if you look for it, is still largely under the radar.

I’m here to share the secret. The secret of the Relevée Lash Curler that is tossing Shu Uemeura off its pedestal. The secret of the surreal skin-like foundation that is undetectable but makes pores disappear. The secret of the customizable eye shadow palette’s that are smooth as silk and do not shatter when dropped!

Makeup artist Troy Surratt trained under the legendary Kevyn Aucoin. He came into his own creating looks for Jennifer Lopez and Adele and Charlize Theron. He spent a lot of time obsessing in Japan over the country’s enviable cosmetic brands, eventually infiltrating them and learning their processes. So, Surratt Beauty is a stellar mix of true artistry and serious chemistry.

I am in love with the entire brand.

surratt beauty might still be a newbie, but it’s an instant classic.

I am not a summer person. I perspire easily. I don’t tan. Humidity is not my friend. I try to embrace the carefree vibe of the season but it’s hard when I feel frizzy and shiny, not to mention on the verge of a sunburn after more than 60 seconds in the blazing sun.

Enter this miraculous multi-tasker. It’s a balm. It’s a sunscreen with a factor of 50. Yes, 50! It blurs pores and imperfections like your favorite BB or CC cream and it’s a dream under makeup or alone. The best part? It keeps my skin matte all day. I’ve never.

For me, this has proven to be the easiest way to add major sun protection with the added benefits of my favorite day creams—collagen-boosting vitamin C and anti-aging antioxidant power from CoQ10. So many benefits in one little tube.

Thoroughly vetted, I love this line that is always rigidly tested and formulated without oxybenzone, octinoxate or aminobenzoic acid (PABA). It’s also free of all the nasties like paraben, Phthalates and sulfates. Also, this product is noncomedogenic, is not tested on animals, and it is free of mineral oil, gluten, and fragrance.

#skincarewin

I’m pretty good with makeup. I can manage a good smokey eye in under five minutes. I can apply false lashes pretty easily. I can create a believable eyebrow where there is none. But its the gleam I covet. That illusive seeming under-glow— it’s somewhere about the apples of cheeks, highlighting cheekbones and attracting soft light to the face. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?

Tom Ford has managed to make it easy and attainable with this beautiful creamy duo. Use the pinkish, coral color as a blush or for subtle contour and pat the shimmering gleam on the tops of cheeks and sides of eyes. Mix ’em together. Dot some shimmer on the insides of eyes, the center of your bottom lip over lipstick at night, on your cupid’s bow. Simply gorgeous. Universally flattering and fool proof.

It’s limited edition but still available.

It’s no secret that I love Tom Ford makeup. This blush and illuminating pen are always in my bag.

I think one of my better traits is that I can admit when I’m wrong. Just yesterday, in fact, I told my three year old I was wrong, and she was right—that yes, if she’s Peppa, than I really am just like like Mommy Pig.

To my big girl’s after school art teacher, I recently admitted “I made a mistake. I totally forgot about class. That’s why Julia was absent.” Sorry. I was wrong. I can say these words.

So I am saying them to you now: I am sorry about:

A: Not telling you about this eyeshadow primer sooner

and

B: Telling you this one was best.

Because it’s not. Urban Decay’s is. By a landslide.

I wasn’t even looking for an eyeshadow primer. But I read an interview with Urban Decay’s rocking’ cool founder, Wende Zomnir, and she was asked if she had a favorite product in her line and she said this one—because it works and she’s just so damn proud of it. Then, that very same week, I went to Sephora for a refill of one of my favorite concealers, and lo’ and behold, they were offering  tiny, cute samples of the UD Primer Potion for just 50 Insider points.

Clearly, it was a sign.

In the simplest terms, this primer does exactly what it says it does. And I don’t even know how. The results are actually stunning. Your eyeshadow just DOESN’T BUDGE. Shimmer stays shimmery. Depth of color doesn’t fade.  Not in the least. I’m good, as in, there is no touch up needed, from 8 a.m. until bedtime. That said, the product actually claims it helps eye makeup stay put for 24 hours.

(For those of you who need that kind of longevity for your smokey eye, all the more power to you.)

I’ve been using the original formula, which has no color. However, I plan to pick up the tinted versions, which can double as a subtle wash of color as well as a highlighter.

On the days I have a really good attitude, I view my shiny t-zone as a sign of youth.

But now that temperatures are on the rise, I find myself needing to blot a few times throughout the day. And I do not want to ruin the flawless finish of my new favorite foundation with yet more powder.

Enter these genius little oil-absorbing sponges that take away shine like magic and leave your makeup looking fresh.

The mirrored compact is a nice little bonus.

Let me say, off the bat, I’m not really an oil person. I dabble in Argan, I tread lightly with Moroccan, but, in general, I’m always trying to control oil and even though I am studied enough to know that oil doesn’t equal oil, I am sparing.

That said: I have been using this oil nightly for over a month and my brighter, tighter, smoother face is ready to shout out about it from the rooftops.

For starters, and most importantly, Luna is a retinol, delivered in Avocado Seed oil basically (the superhero of seed oils). So think of it as your aging preventative, not just your evening moisturizer (although it certainly is that, too). What’s interesting about Luna, is that it contains a next-generation retinol that is definitely kinder and gentler on the skin. I have historically been really sensitive to retinol and irritate easily, but I have used this product daily for a month without incident.

Likely because it contains blue tansy, a skin-soother derived from flowers (similar to chamomile) but with more potent anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, the oil is a cool, deep shade of blue but, don’t worry, the color disappears when you rub it in. You only need a few drops. It is fast absorbing, not at all greasy and benefits all skin types.

Have you tried this oil? Do you want to? Let me know!