Early Access To The Violet Grey Put It In The Bag Event
I look forward to Violet Grey’s Put It In The Bag Event every year. Violet Grey is, by far, one of my favorite online retailers for beauty products. Their careful curation makes navigating the vast sea of beauty products much easier. All of their products are “Violet Code Approved” letting us know their staff has meticulously tested all the products on their site, and I for one really appreciate that. To help further narrow down the possibilities, I’ve come up with my top 15 recommendations for this event. Products are marked down AT LEAST 20% and it’s an incredible time to save on some very niche, exclusive, luxury brands.
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Makeup
My picks for makeup are products you’ve heard me recommend over and over again. They are totally worthy of the Violet Code Approved stamp! The Make Beauty Serum Balms are lightly tinted, giving you the most beautiful pout with just the slightest hint of a sheen. They leave my lips feeling so soft like I’ve been wearing a lip mask.
And the Surratt Noir Lash Tint is a gorgeous mascara that holds my curl and has the most interesting wand. No bristles, just a wand with some threading at the end. Makes for an easier and much less messy application!
And I wasn’t sure if the Supergoop! Glow Screen counted as makeup or skincare, but I use it often as my base product so here it landed. It has the most gorgeous sheen along with SPF40 and now it comes in a bronze tint – Golden Hour. The perfect product to get you through the winter months.
Skincare
One of my favorite SPFs is from Revive and I’m so selfishly pleased that this product is included in this sale because I am going to stock up. The Soleil Superieur SPF 50 is so incredible at not only keeping out the sun’s damaging rays, but it makes for a great moisturizer with the silkiest texture ever. It sits so well under makeup, never interfering and feels incredible.
There is nothing better than Sisley-Paris’s Velvet Sleeping Mask for days you’re looking a little tired. It instantly makes you look like you’ve spent the weekend at a spa, or that you’ve never had a bad night’s rest. It’s what I rely on after long plane trips or sleepless nights. And to further plump up your skin, don’t skip out on La Mer’s Neck & Decollette Treatment. It’s only recently I’ve started to focus on my neck and chest area and boy oh boy do I wish I paid closer attention when I was younger. But the La Mer treatment will make up for lost time, instantly plumping fine lines and softening up those deep tech-neck wrinkles.
And I’ve never had that much luck with Hyaluronic Serums until Dr. Barbara Sturm’s. WOW. I am a total convert. My skin has never looked AND felt as hydrated as it did after using Dr. Barbara Sturms Hyaluronic Serum for a few weeks. I am smitten.
My last skincare recommendation is something I stumbled across many many years ago at Barney’s (RIP). I bought it on a whim, and have never looked back. The Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water is absolutely the best makeup remover on the market. It is gentle, but totally effective and leaves your skin feeling so soft with no film. It is utterly magical.
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Tools
If you suffer from puffy eyes upon waking like I do, you’ll love the Angela Caglia Gold Cryo Facial Set. The set is two gold-plated wands that I keep refrigerated. There are at least a couple mornings every week where I need some major depuffing and I just glide these over my eyes, rest them on my closed eyes and voila! The swelling and puffiness are dramatically decreased.
And one of the few synthetic haired brushes I truly love is this Powder Brush from La Bouche Rouge. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, and such a stunning piece to have sitting on your vanity, but the bristles are incredibly soft. But, not too soft where they’re rendered useless not able to pick up any product or place any product down with any meaning. No no, they’re soft, but the bristles pick up powder and blend out powder like the best of them.
Body & Haircare
I don’t take great care of my hands. I admit it. But come wintertime, my dry hands become even drier where they crack and become so scaly that sometimes it’s painful. I always reach for my Susanne Kaufmann Hand Scrub to slough away dead skin and really soften up my hands so they feel healthy again.
Speaking of scaly, my body skin can become incredibly flaky in the wintertime. One of the best body butters I’ve experienced is from MUTHA. So incredibly rich and decadent that a little goes a long way. The first ingredient is Shea Butter and that has always done wonders for my skin.
As for haircare, I’m not always the best at taking care of my hair. I’ll say I take a pretty minimalist approach to my hair. But these two products I can’t live without anymore. First, the Hair Rituel by Sisley-Paris line is absolute perfection. I was introduced to the line by their Revitalizing Fortifying Scalp Serum. I was starting to see some thinning in my hair. Nothing major, just typical results from aging. But when I started using this serum I saw more growth and a fuller head of hair. It didn’t happen overnight. I started to see a difference after 2-3 months of use. And I’ve been using the serum pretty consistently for 3 years now and my hair now constantly feels fuller than it did. And the Leonor Greyl Styling Cream is fantastic for my stubborn gray hairs. It controls them without any stickiness or obvious styling product crispiness or goo. It feels like a mix between a lotion and a pomade and it’s really great for coarse hair. I just use a tiny smidgen of it in the front of my hair and it’s been the best at controlling my flyaway gray hairs.
Fragrance
I have one recommendation for fragrance because it is that special. Promise from Frederic Malle is so spicy and so sensual it literally takes my breath away.
- Top notes: pink pepper, rosemary oil, apple
- Heart notes: Bulgarian rose oil, Turkish rose absolute, clove oil
- Base notes: patchouli, ambroxan, labdanum, cypriol
This fragrance is sometimes difficult to find, so now that there are just a few left on Violet Grey, I would take the opportunity to grab it. It’s perfect for the winter/holiday season with its deep, warm, enveloping aroma. It’s the fragrance equivalent of wrapping yourself in a cashmere blanket in front of a fire, sipping brandy and mulled cider.
Comments
Hi dear Michele!! I love your favorites palette eyeshadows! I used the eye quard cream shadows from Tom Ford and I love them!! Definitely I want to get the Cle de Peau quard eye shadows! The colors are so nice and I saw your video on YouTube about them and you look so pretty!! Thank you for the article!! I really enjoy reading and watching your blog posts and videos on YouTube! You inspire me in many ways! Gracias!! ❣️ Best greetings from Austria 🇦🇹🇲🇽
Thank you so much Claudia!
Love to hear what Fall palettes you’ve been loving, Michele! I’ve recently subscribed to your blog posts and am really enjoying them :). I agree with you about the Natasha Denona I Need A Nude palette. It’s perfect for daily use or for going out at night!! Really quick ? I have regarding makeup is if you had to choose between Prada foundation & the new Shiseido one, which are you choosing & why?! Xoxo
I haven’t tried the Prada one yet!
Wow! Your 49th year on this earth was amazing. Congratulations on turning 50. Hope you’re blessed with many, many more healthy years.
Thank you so much Maria!
Fifty is a milestone. I saw it as my entry into true adulthood and it was a bit scary. But, I am on the other side of it now and, like you, my goal is to keep fit, stay optimistic, and be a joy to my friends and family. Happy Birthday, Michele. Thank you for being, well, you!
Thank you Liz! xoxo
“I want to live a life with no regrets. That’s both a simple and lofty goal, but one worth pursuing.” This is so well said. I enjoyed reading your birthday blog. So many things restarted with me. Thank you.
Thanks so much Janna!
Happiest belated bday, Michele! I certainly second both the method and intentions of celebration. I so enjoy hearing from you here and on YouTube. And I was moved by your discussion there about how relationships, big and small, are what matters. Thank you!
Thank you so much Julie!
Great review! If it was in my budget I would grab it. It’s a gorgeous bag with personality. ~ Charli
Thanks Charli!
This bag went to the top of my wish list as soon as I got the email from Loewe. It’s definitely a new classic. I am of the quiet luxury type. My row bags get the most use and my summer Loewe bag. Squeeze is just what I’ve been looking for.
<3 <3 <3
I love how you show cases the basic or pieces that can be really worn with anything. I miss FALL COLORS , dressing with warm jackets and boots. Living in Az , well if goes from desert, to barely green. It really gets cold at night. But the back north east ? girl in me gets excited for fall (Michigan) love xo Louise
Thanks Louise!!
I’ve worn the same perfume since college —Guerlain, L’Heure Bleue. Nothing else smells like me.
How wonderful! Thank you Susan <3
Catching a whiff of a perfume can send me deep into my memory banks. I love perfume and my collection has grown exponentially over the past 3 or 4 years. At last count I was pushing 80. My latest is Tutu by Gritti which is much more floral than what I normally gravitate towards. It reminds me of Amazing Grace which I wore many many years ago except Tutu is much more sophisticated. I’m a sucker for a gourmand fragrance. Amber and vanilla anything will call my name. Some of my favorite perfumes to wear of late are Coffee Addict by Theodoros Kalotinis, Vicious Cacao by Maison Tahite, Bake by Akro, Nuit et Confidences by Goutal, Apple Brandy and Love Don’t be Shy Eau Fraiche by Killian and L’Interdit Rouge by Givenchy. As I look at this list, I’m sitting here thinking about so many more that I love. Hard to choose favorites! This is a wonderful topic. Thank you.
Thank you so much for all these fragrances I have to check out now! Amazing Brenda! xoxo
What a lovely and welcome topic. I too have a perfume “wardrobe”, but not 75! Mine is closer to 40. For years I wore Houbigant’s Chantilly. My dad was a perfumer, so we had blotters with all kinds of scents all over our house. My mother wore Joy and left me a few bottles that I now treasure. I love Bal a Versailles and Charles Blair of Paris, but I am a Guerlain girl and own a dozen of those that I rotate now. I still wear Chantilly from time to time. I am intrigued by that Sicilian Leather and would like to try it. I am also going to try Izia la Nuit, just love the name. Thanks for this, Michele. I think you are closer to genius than madness, LOL.
Thanks Liz! Wow, that’s amazing that your dad was a perfumer. You must have a very sophisticated scent palette! I definitely have to dabble more into Guerlain.
I absolutely enjoy different fragrances in different seasons. Each winter i look forward to Grand Soir by MFK, it’s so spicy and tobacco, just perfect for cold weather, my knitwear smells of it! It’s too much in summer when i’m living in white flower fragrances or my beautiful Another 13 from Le Labo. I love having many different ones to choose from and always feel like it’s finishing my outfit and matching a mood for my day ❤️
Oh I just got a sample of Grand Soir and I LOVE IT!! It’s so warm and made me think of winter too!And I’ll have to try Another 13. Thank you for the recommendations!
It’s funny, from someone that can never buy anything ..this is more , to me, do I buy it because I want everyone to think I have money ? Or would I buy this if I could ..I don’t see this fitting in really to either. If I were to buy, it would only be for the LOVE of the product. Now since I don’t own a lot of designer brands , would I be in any of these categories? Interesting tho for sure. I do love the way they categorize the two tho. If I were to be able to afford luxury , it’s not to say “hey i bought this so I’m fancy” or “ i can afford it “ it’s for the love of how it’s made, how it feels on, or if it’s something I love to see Quiet luxury isn’t like a label for me. Interesting read tho. Would these be for cars we drive as well? ? I see the difference tho for sure Great read for sure. Thank you
Thank you always for your thoughtful comments, Louise! xoxo
Loved this article! I can’t agree with you more. 😘🩷
Thanks Mona!!
I do definitely tend toward quiet luxury — although I will still occasionally make the “concert t-shirt” type of purchase, something that blatantly yells, “I was there!” I would say that I take quiet luxury one step further, though. I tend to prefer luxury that will last. I’ll spend money on a pair of shoes that will last for years, rather than fresh flowers. When I buy luxury makeup, it’s almost always in classic colors (mostly neutrals) and applications.
Thank you for sharing your insights!
My style is gravitating more towards quiet luxury. Not necessarily luxury bags or shoes (although I do own a couple) but enjoying the expensive hand soap and candles, those little luxuries that only I know. I want to enjoy them for me, not just for others to see. xoxo
Thanks Dee – I love choosing and selecting special little luxuries to spoil ourselves!
I tried your method of application and it worked wonderfully! I have dark under eye circles etc so was pleasantly surprised when I tried the Peau de Rose shade on my fair skin! Love it.
These products look wonderful on you. The colors and tones are a perfect match to your complexion.
My skin is so much more textured (read: large pores) than yours appears in the closeup top of page, I’ve forever been leery of all highlighters, as they exaggerate the pores without fail. But this looks lovely on your already-beautiful skin, Michele!
I ordered the Peau de Rose and am looking forward to it. Your trip to Italy was lovely and I am now considering adding at least Milan and Venice to my trip to France next year. I like the variety in your YT vlogs, Michele. And the fact that you cover luxury items that most people do not. While I can’t buy every luxury item I want, I do purchase some strategically on a regular basis and appreciate seeing them on a real person.
Thank you so much Liz!
I’m also loving the WA Liquid Loaded, mine in the shade Peau de Peche. I did a comparison with the new Chanel Skin Enhancer. Also lovely but I find the WA does a better job of highlighting and natural look appearance. Its such a lovely product.
Thanks Dee!
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Great suggestions! I used to dislike the rose scent when I was younger but as I mature, I’ve started to appreciate it more and more. I’m down for it!
Xoxo
Thank you Dee!
Enjoyed this so much, along with the brand trip to NYC.
Thanks so much Julie!
Michele, your blog has helped me so much. Thank you. I am going through a traumatic experience right now, and your suggestions are resonating with me in a comforting way. I am enjoying your blog posts and hope to hear more life content. Again, thank you! One step at a time!
Thank you for the article. It is very inspirational.
I don’t know what to journal. I literally live such a boring life due to my chronic illness and chronic pain that I don’t know what to journal about. I don’t want to journal about my chronic conditions because that’s depressing to me. I literally just stopped writing here and looked up How To Journal lol. It actually was helpful, there are journal prompts. I do have goals, it’s just hard because of how I feel changes day to day and I can’t count on myself to feel physically well enough to do something each day that I get frustrated and depressed. It’s a lot for me to just do the dishes, take a shower, etc much less do something extra like start a YouTube channel or post more on ig. I’m lucky though, my husband is very supportive and he said just try to post once a week. And that’s what I’m going to try to do.
Thank you for listening <3 xo Charli
Wow Michele! I feel inspired now to start exercising. I used to always take exercise in school. When I moved to the US I took Physical Ed and realized most girls didn’t. I was kind of shocked. I don’t smoke anymore either! But I don’t like running on Rt.66. This Covid made me gain way too much. Moreover, I love to read. Thus the weight gain. Am not sure where to begin. If I had my way I’d have a private instructor. Hah! Any suggestions are always welcome. Thanks Michele.
It’s been in my wishlist for the past few weeks. It’s so unique and practical at the same time. I like how it doesn’t have the brand showing up everywhere, it’s more subtle. So beautiful ♥️
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I love the highlighter. Its smooth and soft, not chalky or glittery. Looks natural too. Just lovely! My favorite is Moonlit (it’s the only one I’ve tried lol); I think it’s the best for my skin tone. Thank you for your review and comparisons. ♥️
Thanks so much Dee!
I went to the outdoor market at Bryant Park while I was in NY during November. I found a store that sold the most amazing candle. Twelve Nights by Fifth&Madison has become my favorite holiday candle. My new addiction for holidays.
Sounds wonderful – thank you for sharing Ellen!
Wow, I want to be at your house for Christmas. Just to meet you, and family.
Along, with the sensory overload! 😊😊❣️
I love candles too! I prefer fresher scents rather than holiday ones (some scents give me a migraine). Regardless, candles do change your mood, and the room’s atmosphere. Thank you for sharing your favorites for this season 🙂
Thanks Dee! -Michele
I’m glad you had a wonderful trip, Michele. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. I am also really enjoying your new website. I feel like we get to see another facet of you through your written posts. You’re the cool older sister I wish I had. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
The trip looks and sounds fabulous. Did you go with a tour? Any suggestions or contacts for booking?
You look great and like you are having a wonderful time! Thanks so much for sharing.
I am so behind on your videos but I cannot wait to get caught up on Morocco! What an amazing trip and I really appreciate hearing what brings you comfort and joy upon returning home. There is nothing like home. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your mom, husband, and Miss Butters! I cannot wait to check out your spreadsheet!
Thank you for sharing these amazing pictures. And your words of travel ! I’m excited you have come back. A comfort to me, and I know we haven’t met , but still getting excited for your posts, tik toks, etc. HAPPY THSNKSGIVING to you all. My Miss MONA (beagle) gives her best to Miss FUZZY BUTTERS. I also spend time with my 93 old mom , my daughter, my man and some some family. I have 10 other brothers and sisters. 🤨🤨😜they all live around. They are 4 here in Az looking forward to your posts ! Thanks Michele
What a lovely meditation on the joys of travel and of home. Thank you Michele for all you share with us. And thanks for the spreadsheet and the amazing discount!
I’m grateful for YOU, Michele, along with my other blessings. I think it’s so valuable that you remind us of that practice and part of what draws me to your vlog, in particular, is your honesty. May we all experience good health, passion and thankfulness!
So good to see you Michele! You look great on a camel!! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure(s) and thanks for the great spreadsheet. You always go the extra mile. Now I am off to look at your store sale! Love, Annette (Armonk, NY)
So enjoyed this post and also your candid vlog posts (been watching old ones)! Thanks
Quick note: link broken….when you click on the tom ford eyeshadow quad, the chanel lipstick link pops up.
Thank you so much!!
What a truly gorgeous site – such perfect design and calm look mixed with content that has your unique voice.
LOVING your new blog. Congratulations!!
Fabulous! Such a beautiful blog! Congratulations Michele! x Charli
I am so very excited for you ! I love the new logo , and I’m so excited for this sweatshirt. It’s so you ! Congratulations. Love you and I am so proud of you. Xo long time follower xo
This is just like you beautiful, sophisticated and fun.
Best wishes
Hi. Where can I see more photos of the shirt would love to purchase one
Thank you