Beauty
What’s Inside: Beauty Buyer Sara’s Makeup Bag
Sara Baker applies mascara at NM's flagship.
The beauty buying team scouts, sees, sniffs and samples every product on the market. After assessing it all, what are the industry experts wearing themselves every day? We asked NM assistant beauty buyer Sara Baker to show us the contents of her cosmetic bag, and here they are…
Sara Baker's beauty bag.
What's inside NM assistant beauty buyer Sara Baker's makeup bag.
1. Giorgio Armani Beauty Gloss d’Armani in beige 102
2. Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzer
3. Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Concealer SPF 18 in shade 2
4. Drugstore bobby pins
5. Lancome Hypnose Drama Instant Full-Body Volume Mascara in excessive black
6. Tweezerman point tweezer in black
7. Tom Ford Beauty lip color in bruised plum
8. Le Metier de Beaute Precision Liquid Eye Liner in noir
11. Lancome Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
12. Le Metier de Beaute Visage de Soie Finishing Powder in #2
13. Le Metier de Beaute Dualistic lipliner in rouge
What is your morning beauty routine?
Since working in the beauty world, my beauty regimen has turned into a well-oiled machine. I begin by washing my face with my Clarisonic Mia and Cle de Peau Gentle Cleansing Foam, which makes my skin is squeaky clean! Next, I use Kate Somerville’s Quench Hydrating Serum. I have dry skin, and this oil-based serum helps balance it out. That has to sink in for a minute or two, and then I slather on Le Métier de Beauté Replenishing Daily Solution with SPF 30. Now comes the tricky part. Most mornings I use Kate Somerville’s KateCeuticals Multi-Active Lifting and Lineless Cream. This has everything but the kitchen sink in it, and in the summer months, it can be a bit heavy for my skin. In that case, I use Le Métier de Beauté’s Revitalizing Anti-Aging Day Crème, which is just as potent, but more lightweight. And then there are those days when I am in the mood for something new, and I just open up my cabinet, close my eyes, and use the first thing I grab!
After downing about a gallon of coffee, I begin my makeup. I don’t use foundation. I feel that it is too heavy, so I only use Cle de Peau concealer in Bisque under my eyes and on any problem spots. I then swipe on a little Le Métier de Beauté Visage de Soie Finishing Powder in Shade #4. To add a little color to my face, I use Guerlain’s Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzer in Blondes. This adds just a hint of color. For the eyes, I keep it simple: Le Métier de Beauté’s Precision Liquid Eye Liner in Black –I am very fond of the cat-eyed look –and sweep on neutral shadow from Bobbi Brown’s Tortoise collection. I prep my lashes with Lancôme’s Cils Booster XL Super Enhancing Mascara Base. If you use this, your mascara won’t flake or clump one bit! Then I top off my lashes with Lancôme’s Hypnose Drama Mascara in Black. Last are the lips! I have a number of red, coral, and bordeaux shades that I rotate on a daily basis, but I always apply the lipstick first and then top it off with lip liner last. I was informed of this technique by Jennifer Robinson, a senior buyer here. By putting the lip liner on top of the lip stick, it will reduce the dreaded visible liner line!
Sara's Tom Ford Beauty lip color in bruised plum
What is your favorite product of the moment? Kate Somerville’s Clinic To Go Peel Pads. The Lactic Acid in the pad penetrates into the skin to exfoliate. It is such a unique product that really works.
A few of Sara's favorites.
Is there a product that you are completely devoted to? About a year and a half ago, I was given a sample of the Cle de Peau Gentle Cleansing Foam and I have been obsessed with it ever since. It has literally changed my skin. You only need a pea-sized amount – which makes the tube last forever – and the amount of suds will cover your entire face and neck. The scent is extremely light, which I love as well.
What is your favorite thing about your job? One of the most amazing aspects about working in the beauty world is obviously sampling the products, but more than that, learning about the science behind them. The research, technology and innovation that go into the plethora of creams, serums and whatnot is astounding! Skincare today is not at all what it used to be, and I am fortunate enough to be able to see the science that has taken skincare from monotonous to monumental!
What beauty trends are you trying this season? The coral/red lip. For years, I have been a “smokey eye, nude lip” girl, but recently I have been expanding my lip palette, if you will, with all things red. I have about 15 different lip sticks that I use, most of which are from Le Métier de Beauté, Tom Ford and YSL. It is also a fun trend to follow! My friends say that I wear a different lip color every day, and it is exciting that a simple shade of lipstick can keep people on their toes!
