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Violet Grey is one of my favorite retailers that carries a highly curated edit of products from luxury beauty brands. Their curation means that I'm never overwhelmed by quantity. When I shop at Violet Grey, I know I'm shopping from an edit of the best products, including some brands that are harder to get a hold of (and rarely with such a significant discount): Augustinus Bader, La Mer, MAKE Beauty, and Tom Ford.
I’m so excited to share a private sale code for Violet Grey: 25% off with code VIOLETCHEER from now until December 31.*
I’m sharing all of my favorites below, in alphabetical order by brand name.
In my opinion, if you’re going to splurge on one item, it should be the Dr. Dennis Gross Spectralite FaceWare Pro LED Mask.
*The code excludes gift cards, Westman Atelier, Violet Grey, Chanel, Vintner’s Daughter, Victoria Beckham Beauty, gift sets, and Mason Pearson.
Aquis — I use the Rapid Dry Hair Turban after every single hair wash, and I have for years. It’s an extra soft, absorbent towel with a button and loop that is designed to hold your hair comfortable atop your hair as it dries to cut down on drying time overall. The soft fabric also helps to prevent breakage. I love it so much I even travel with it. They also hold up very well to regular machine washing. I hang dry mine.
Augustinus Bader — I have yet to try Augustinus Bader, but 25% is a serious discount for this very luxurious brand. I’m dying to know what the ever-so-hyped the Rich Cream is really like.
BEAUTYBLENDER — Iconic for a reason. I personally go for the beauty blender PRO.
Bioderma — Sensibio H2O micellar water is basically the only micellar water for me. The Atoderm Shower Oil is an absolute staple for me, think a cleansing oil but for the body.
BYREDO — BYREDO’s hero perfumes includeMojave Ghost,Gypsy Water, andBal D’Afrique. I think I may pick up the Tree House candle and the Suede Hand Wash for our house.
Chantecaille — 2021 was the year of Chantecaille for me. If you only get one thing from the brand, let it be theJasmine and Lily Healing Mask. I’ve also been testing theBio Lifting Mask and it is really stunning.
Charlotte Tilbury — Hollywood Flawless Filter is a staple in my collection. I’ve also been loving the Hyaluronic Happiness Color Lipstick Balm in Pillowtalk. Other brand heroes include the Lip Cheat and the Contour Wands.
Christophe Robin — The Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil is my current hair mask, rich and moisturizing and detangling all at once, with a slightly fresh powdery floral scent. The Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt is a must-have for me for scalp scare and a serious clarifying cleanse.
D.S. & Durga — I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to try D.S. & Durga and I think I’m taking the leap. I really want to try the Big Sur After Rain candle (evokes some of my favorite memories!), and I’m curious about the Radio Bombay and Rose Atlantic Eau de Parfums, too.
DERMAFLASH — The Dermapore Extractor and Serum Infuser and the DERMAFLASH dermaplaning device are two at-home devices I actually use and find to be efficacious.
Diptyque — Violet Grey carries some of Diptyque’s most popular candles: Baies, Figuier, Feu de Bois, which evokes a crackling open fire, perfect for winter.
Dr. Dennis Gross — One of the best deals in this sale is theSpectralite Faceware Pro. I’ve spoken about this mask in greater detail in the past, but in brief: it’s a hard shell LED mask with both red and blue light to help treat acne and stimulate collagen and reduce sun damage and redness. It’s a short 2-3 minute cycle. I’ve used my mask consistently since 2017 and I’ve seen huge improvements in my skin. I also love theAlpha Beta Peel Pads.
Frédéric Malle — Portrait of a Lady is the brand’s hero fragrance. I’d also love to try Carnal Flower and Musk Ravaguer.
iS Clinical — VG carries brand favorites like the Cleansing Complex and the Warming Honey Cleanser.
Kevyn Aucoin — The Volume Mascara is the most volumizing, pitch black tubing mascaras I’ve tried, serious volume but with the easy removal of a tubing mascara. I’ve also really enjoyed the Neo-Blush in Rosecliff this year, an ombre glow powder blush that just melts into the skin for a gorgeous sheeny finish.
Kjaer Weis — The cream blush formula (pictured left) is one of my current favorites. It’s a classic cream blush formula: not too dewy, not matte, sets to a lovely skin-like finish. I’d love to pick this up in the shade Sun Touched.
La Mer — This year I stepped into the world of La Mer, and it’s lovely. The Hydrating Infused Emulsion is their most recent launch, and wow, it is stunning: creamy, milky, deeply moisturizing. TheCréme De La Mer is also stunning: rich, luxurious, a fluffy marshmallow texture.
MAKE Beauty — One of my favorite brand discoveries of 2021, I love pretty much everything I’ve tried from the range. Standouts include the Serum Balm, a cushiony lip balm with a chubby doe foot applicator that is incredibly moisturizing and pillowy. Honestly I love every single shade and I’d love the full Serum Balm Set. I’ve also been loving the super juicy and hydrating Succulent Skin Gel Cream and the Pre-cleanse Fluid, a cleansing oil that is lightweight yet uber effective at breaking down makeup and SPF.
Maison Margiela — Two beautiful winter fragrances include By the Fireplace and Jazz Club.
Nécessaire — There isn’t anything from Nécessaire I don’t love. Hits across the board. My favorites include the Body Serum, the Body Oil, and the fragrance free Body Lotion. Of their fragranced products, I love the Body Wash with Eucalyptus and with Sandalwood. Their Hand Cream is also a desk side companion for me.
Olaplex — So many loves, but especially the No. 03 Bond Repair, the No. 04 Shampoo (a moisturizing shampoo!), and the No. 05 Conditioner.
Oribe — Two staples in my routine include the cult favorite Dry Texturizing Spray and the Power Drops Damage Repair Booster, a moisturizing serum for damaged ends. I especially love that this can be used on dry hair.
Rouje Paris — The Lip Palette Les 4 Rouje Powder palette in Signature was a 2021 favorite, a 4-pan palette of cream-to-powder lip and cheek powders. I love this dabbed onto cheeks and lips with either fingers or a brush. I discuss it in detail here!
Sisley-Paris — Brand favorites include the Black Rose Cream Mask and the Double Tenseur primer.
Surratt Beauty — There are so many products I love from Surratt. Standouts include the Noir Lash Tint, one of my favorite lengthening, curl-holding, separating mascara, paired with the Relevée Lash Curler. The Auto-Graphique Liquid Liner is my favorite liquid liner, a brush-tip calligraphy pen with refillable ink cartridges.
Susanne Kaufmann — I’ve recently fallen head over heels with Susanne Kaufmann for an indulgent bath and body moment. The Mallow Blossom Bubble Bath and the Oil Bath for the Senses are both aromatic, fragrant, otherworldly, moisturizing bath products. I’d love to try the Mountain Pine Bath Oil.
T3 — The Lucea ID 1” Smart Flat Iron with Touch Interface is my favorite straightener. Its smart settings assess your hair needs (hair type, chemical treatment, etc.) and heats to the optimal settings. It also remembers your settings for future use. I honestly love all of the T3 hair tools and they truly create shiny hair while minimizing damage.
Tom Ford — Another one of my favorite brands. Two of my holy grail eyeshadow products include the Honeymoon Eyeshadow Quad (pictured right) and the Cream & Powder Eye Duo in Golden Peach and Naked Bronze. For fragrance, Tobacco Vanille is a wintertime staple: a spicy, smoky, warm scent that settles into creamy and musky throughout the day.
U Beauty — The Super Hydrator is a beautifully silky, milky, fluid cream that has been saving my winter skin. It’s almost an emulsion consistency that plumps up my skin and creates long-lasting hydration. It’s a beautiful hydrating layer for dry skins, or a finisher for normal to oily skins.
Yves Saint Laurent — YSL makes beautiful makeup, but I especially love their lip products. The Rouge Volupte Shine Oil-In-Slick is one of my favorite sheer juicy lipsticks.