February Staff Top Picks

At Camera Ready, we take pride in offering the best products in the industry and have incredibly high standards for the makeup, tools, skincare, and hair care we have within our own collections. This month, we're featuring our top self care picks as part of Self Care Week, and we're proud to include different types of beauty products including skincare, hair care, and even makeup. The most important part of finding a self care routine is finding what soothes your soul, helps you unwind and relax, or what gives you that extra pep in your step! That's why we are sharing our top self care picks to get Camera Ready!

I suffer from seasonal allergies, so my eyes are always slightly puffy even after 8 hours of sleep. The Patchology FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels are a lifesaver for instantly reducing my under-eye bags. I love these patches because they never fall apart, and they stay in place after I apply them. The cooling effect instantly perks up my undereye area and the gel is so soothing. These are great to apply before applying makeup or anytime you want to unwind.

There is something about a classic bold red lip that instantly boosts confidence. I love the Senna Lip Fetish Matte Liquid Lipstick in the shade “ heartthrob.” This is such a beautiful classic red. The formula is so comfortable on the lips. It never makes my lips look or feel dry.

As an esthetician, I've had a very long history of constantly sanitizing and cleaning my hands between services. Safe to say, that amount has increased and the cold weather has been no friend to my very dry skin. I constantly find my hands extremely irritated, dry, and raw feeling, which is definitely not fun. I've been applying Bioderma Atoderm Cream multiple times throughout the day, and instantly my hands feel soothed and smooth again! It doesn’t feel heavy nor greasy, so I am still able to work throughout the day comfortably. Since this cream is actually an occlusive moisturizer, I've found that it's actually helped restore my protective barrier and the strength of my skin!

Pastel colors make me happy, so I felt immediately drawn to the Gavissi UV Pastel Rainbow 6 Color Split Liner! It has six fun colors packed into a slim container, so this size is perfect for my kit. Not to mention they are extremely opaque, which can be hard to find with pastel shades. I can mix shades to create a new one, use them as liners, and as face/body paints. They are also UV reactive and glow under black light. I have so much fun with these!

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water Cloths are unlike any other facial wipes. These are made of pure, unprocessed cotton, and will not strip or dry out the skin. I use these on models before their makeup application, and the soothing effect of the cloth and the pleasant aroma really helps elevate the overall experience. These wipes are also a great first step when double-cleansing to remove makeup.

Koh Gen Do Herbal Spa Mist is my go-to for getting a model's skin quickly hydrated. I also use this to set finished makeup for a more skin-like appearance. The thermal water, botanicals, and nutrients instantly balance the skin’s moisture. As a pro tip, I spray the mist on a cotton swab or wedge sponge and use it to clean up liquid liner or remove mascara smudges.

When Indie Lee launched their Nourishing Lip Tint, I knew I had to try it. So many lip tints dry out my lips or do not offer flattering colors. I decided to try the color “Play” as it is more of a neutral pink, and the minute I put this on, I was impressed. As I continue to wear it, my lips maintain their hydration without becoming dry and the color is beautiful. I also love that it’s not as shiny as some balmy tints. It has become my go-to everyday lip, and I even recently purchased the color “Evoke” for days I want a little more depth.

I usually struggle with finding a moisturizer that is truly hydrating without being too heavy in the winter, and I have fallen in love with the Avène A-OXitive Antioxidant Water-Cream. It's a perfect balance of hydration and contains powerful antioxidants that help fight stressed skin while giving my skin a healthy glow. As a mom and boss that is always on the go, it's everything I need in a bottle. Plus, it works perfectly under my foundation for a flawless finish. Who could ask for more?

I recently entered my late 30s, and I've noticed my heavily hooded monolids have changed in shape as I've gotten older. My NuFACE journey began two years ago when I first started seeing my eyelids looking "heavier", and I can see a difference. I like using the device with the ELE attachment to help lift my eyelid area, and the regular attachment helps sculpt my cheekbones. If I'm in a hurry, I opt for the NuFACE FIX for a temporary lift, but the Trinity has been the go-to treatment that I perform at least three times a week.

I, like many others, experienced hair-loss related to stress the first year of the pandemic, and I actually developed a small balding patch toward the front of my hairline. After talking with our pros, I learned that inflammation of the hair follicles can cause the hair loss that I was experiencing. I started using the Fitish Plumping Hair Serum once a day, and I started seeing results in just one month. Now, that hair has completely grown back, and it has improved the overall health of my hair. I now have a backup bottle of this, at all times, because I never want to be without it again. It has a pleasant fresh scent, is weightless, has no discernable texture, so you won't be left with any residue. It actually gives your hair volume, too!

The winter is always tough on my skin. Between the cold and the heat to keep warm, my skin can't retain enough moisture. I've been focusing on finding time for myself as a new mom, and my skin routine is my time to relax. I have recently started using the Avène Thermal Spring Water after washing my face to calm any problem areas and help retain moisture. I even use it after I apply my makeup to set it and add extra hydration.

I definitely like convenience, so when I find a product that can eliminate multiple steps I usually take that option. I've found that the Stila One Step Correct helps reduce my redness, brightens my skin, and gives a slight blurring effect. I love that I can use it as a primer when I wear foundation or even wear it alone on my no makeup days.

I LOVE using St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Face Serum during the colder months when my skin looks and feels like it needs a boost of vitamins and some sun! I was hesitant at first as my skin is super sensitive, but this formula didn't cause any breakouts nor irritation. It gave me a natural color and a beautiful glow! I give this product a 10 out of 10.

Being a working mom with a toddler (SOS), I, like most parents, don't get as much sleep as I would like. To combat the gorgeous “designer” bags that come with parenthood, the Fraîcheur Paris Ice Globes not only FEEL amazing but really do the trick to calm down my tired eyes! I always have these on standby in the freezer.

Ready to experience the products we can't get enough of? Click here to start exploring or top picks or click below to discover more great products. To learn more about our top picks from 2021, click here.

Want to create your perfect makeup, hair care, of skincare routine? Or team of Beauty Advisors are here to help! Click here to send them a message!

Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.

Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.

If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.