The 5 Beauty Products I Bought When I Turned 30

Though some days I feel like Im 19and some weeknights like Im 55the reality is that in January, I turned 30. And while Im happy to report that life in this new decade isnt nearly as different as I once dreaded itd be, its made me reexamine my beauty regimen with a new set of eyes (that have admittedly started to age). My major concerns: Updating my skincare to address my drier, more wrinkle-prone complexion, and finding more sophisticated alternatives to my tried-and-true products. After studying up on similarly aged celebs (hello, Alexa Chung), consulting a dermatologist, and polling my friends, these are the five things I splurged on for my big 3-0.

A Restorative Eye Cream

When fellow 30-something Mindy Kaling tells you to wear eye cream, you do it. After talking to Dr. Debra Jaliman, I knew I wanted one with hyaluronic acid to give my tender undereye area a daily hydration boost, so I went with derma es hydrating eye crme, which blends hyaluronic acid with green tea antioxidants and jojoba oil to plump that particularly finicky skin and minimize the appearance of crows feet.

A Wrinkle-Fighting, Brightening Serum

Towards the end of my 20s, I began to notice a few fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes, along with an overall dullness on my cheeks and chin. Dr. Jaliman advised me to add a serum with concentrated vitamin C to my
regimen, like Caudalies Polyphenol C15 Anti Wrinkle Defense
Serum, which will defend my skin against New York Citys fine line-inducing air and UV pollution while stimulating cell turnover to produce a
younger, brighter complexion.

An Organic Highlighter

For days when my skin is looking particularly lackluster, Im packing my purse with RMS Beautys Living Luminizer. The highlighter, formulated with organic coconut oil and rosemary extract by makeup artist Rose Marie Swift, is the secret behind J. Crew models dewy skin and a staple backstage at fashion week. When applied to cheekbones, under the brows, and on the cupids bow, it says Im awake! faster than you can say grande skim latte.

A Sophisticated Fragrance

Almost every pivotal memory from my 20s is connected to one scent: Stella by Stella McCartney. Rosy and romantic, its always made a soft contrast to my boyish uniform of Docs, denim jackets, and oversized t-shirts. To ring in my 30s, Ive updated my signature perfume to Le Labos Rose 31, a moody, unisex blend of rose (always rose), cedar, and amber that smells deliciously grown up and pulled togethereven if Im still in love with my jean jacket.

A Killer Red Lipstick

As someone who doesnt wear makeup often, red lipstick is the one color product Im down to spend money on. Though I spent my 20s amassing a collection of drugstore reds both too-pink and too-orange, Ive traded them in for Jouers Hydrating Lipstick in Simone, a formula with maximum pigment and nourishing ingredients like Brazilian Cupuau Butter. Because if turning 30 is about anything, its treating yourself to quality over quantityfriends, boyfriends, jobs, and lipsticks included.