Beauty Essentials to Transition from the Office to an Evening out

Working in DC and living just outside of the city means I’ve got to be ready to transition from day to evening in a flash – and preferably in as few steps as possible. There are a handful of beauty products that I rely on that make going from the office to a charity event, gala, or hosting a dinner party a breeze.

Here are a few of my secret weapons that keep me party-ready during the week:

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel – My esthetician at Bliss turned me on to these and I absolutely love them. They remove daily grime and reveal brighter skin. My skin is on the sensitive side, so the Ultra Gentle daily peels are perfect for me. You can use them every day. I use them 3-4 times per week.

Bliss Makeup Melt Makeup Remover Wipes – I tried these out on a whim and have been hooked ever since. I keep them in my gym bag since I try to give my skin a break when I work out, especially if I’m going to an intense cardio workout class. These are great for removing foundation when you want to put on a fresh face before an evening event but don’t want to start over completely. One caveat: while they are great for removing foundation and blush, eye makeup is a challenge. I use my Philosophy Purity face wash for eye makeup removal.

La Mer Perfecting Treatment – This is on the pricier side, but I promise it’s worth every penny. I love it as a makeup primer and it lasts for several months. A little goes a long way. It smells wonderful, goes on light, and gives your foundation or powder something to stick to so that it lasts, which is crucial if you’re hosting an 8:00 p.m. dinner party after work!

Smith’s Minted Rose Lip Balm – I love this little tin so much that my hubby always sticks a handful in my stocking at Christmas. The minted rose is my favorite, but they also have a mocha rose that I am currently obsessed with. This works for lips and for dry knuckles and cuticles in a pinch.

Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation – My friend, Leigh, first introduced me to this amazing foundation by Dior a few years ago and I’ve been addicted ever since. It is the absolute best airbrush makeup. It goes on so smooth. I spray it directly on my face and buff it in using a foundation brush. Since it’s on the heavier side, I use this if I have an event after work, especially if it’s an event where we’ll be taking pictures.

Kopari Coconut Deodorant – I recently followed my friend Ashlee from Cobalt Chronicles and made the switch from my anti-perspirant to this aluminum-free deodorant. I haven’t turned back. My skin feels fabulous. It goes on smooth and smells wonderful. There is a bit of a β€œdetox” period (especially if you’ve used antiperspirants for a few years) where you might find that you’ll need to reapply it once or twice a day. I recommend making the switch now during the colder months.

Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powder – If you’re on the market for a highlighter, the search is over. I love this subtle one by Dior. It also lasts forever because I use one swipe from the front of my nose down to the top of my lips and then on my cheekbones. It reflects light beautifully and gives your skin dimension with a fresh, dewy glow.

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base – I didn’t know what I was missing until I discovered this eyeshadow primer. It’s the best. It lasts for hours and hours and my eyeshadow doesn’t crease. I use this every day regardless of what I have after work.

Alterna Haircare Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil Pure Treatment Oil – I apply about a dime’s worth to my wet hair after my hair protectant every day. It helps keep my hair shiny and smooth whether I’m blow-drying it out straight or curling it.

LaNeige Lip Sleeping Mask – My sweetest friend and neighbor, Meredith, surprised me with a gift pack from Sephora and this was one of the goodies inside. It’s fabulous. It goes on and stays on through the night and leaves your lips feeling moisturized when you wake up in the morning, which is something we all need this time of year.

Sara Happ Lip Scrub – I recently rediscovered my love for this lip scrub through The Influencer Podcast’s episode with founder Sara Happ. Her lip scrubs are amazing and great for daily use. They exfoliate chapped lips and give you a perfectly smooth surface to apply that red lip to.

Outfit Details:
Tuckernuck scarf (sold out, but also love this Sabina Savage scarf they have)
Neiman Marcus cashmere sweater (old, but similar ones all on sale here, here, and here)

This post contains affiliate links, but all are tried and true Magnolia Stripes favorites.