Happy Wednesday, friends! I’m writing to you from sunny Los Angeles, where the weather alone feels like an instant mood booster. I’m here celebrating the launch of Clé de Peau Beauté’s new spring collection, and let me tell you—it’s every bit as luminous and radiant as the city itself.
The collection is inspired by gemstones, which you can see immediately in the shimmer of the lip glosses and the pearlescent glow of the highlighter powders. Everything reflects light in such a natural, jewel-like way that it feels less like makeup and more like wearable radiance.
A Jewel Box of Colors
Among the lip glosses, I’ve fallen hard for two shades: Charm, a soft rose that adds just the right touch of color, and Warm Crystal, a beige with a subtle shimmer that’s impossibly flattering. These glosses don’t just shine—they seem to catch the light in a way that feels multidimensional and fresh.
The real star of the collection for me, though, is the Luminizing Face Enhancer in Lavender (No. 17). At first glance, I was convinced the mix of lavender, green, and pink-beige tones would look chalky or off against my skin. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Once blended, it melts into the skin and leaves behind a natural glow that looks like it’s coming from within. A light dusting on the tops of my cheeks and the bridge of my nose creates that healthy, lit-from-within radiance we’re all after.
Skincare That Works Overtime
If you’ve been with me for a while, you know how careful I am with skincare. My complexion is notoriously sensitive—it reacts at the drop of a hat, whether the product is a drugstore gem or a luxury indulgence. One wrong move and I’m dealing with red bumps, irritation, or worse. That’s why, when I find something that truly works, I hold onto it.
Enter the Clé de Peau Beauté Firming Serum Supreme. I’m not exaggerating when I say this serum feels like magic in a bottle. After just one night of use, I woke up touching my face in disbelief. My skin was smoother, softer, and had this incredible “bounce” to it—firm yet supple, like it had been reset overnight. It’s hard to describe, but my skin felt both lifted and calm, as if it had finally found its balance. Now I actually look forward to my skincare routine, both morning and evening, just so I can use it again.
For context, Clé de Peau Beauté is the number-one luxury beauty brand in Japan, and their reputation for transformative skincare is clearly well-earned.
My Go-To Routine
Since I know many of you ask about specific shades and products, here’s what I’ve been using lately:
- Foundation: Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Fluid in O40
- Concealer: Clé de Peau Beauté in Ocher (a cult classic for good reason)
- Eye Color: Cream shadow in 304, a flattering neutral
- Highlighter: Luminizing Face Enhancer in Lavender
- Lip Gloss: Radiant Lip Gloss in Charm
Together, these products create a look that’s polished yet still natural—perfect for days when I want a little boost without feeling overly made up.
Learning to Go Makeup-Free
One of my big goals, both last year and this year, has been to focus on my skin—really focus—so that I can feel confident even without makeup. And little by little, I’m seeing progress.
Most weeks, I dedicate two days to going completely makeup-free. Usually, I do this at home with my cats as my only audience. But recently, I decided to push myself further. On a trip to LA (and the flight back home to New York), I left my makeup bag closed and boarded the plane bare-faced.
Here’s what I did: after cleansing, I applied an essence, one pump of the Firming Serum Supreme, and a small layer of La Crème (which I typically reserve for nighttime). That was it—no foundation, no concealer, nothing.
When we landed at JFK, something amazing happened. As I was gathering my things, a flight attendant passed by and said, “You have such glowing skin!” My jaw nearly dropped. I probably said “thank you” a dozen times in a row, still grinning long after she walked away.
It was such a small interaction, but it meant so much. It validated all the work I’ve been putting into finding products that truly improve my skin rather than just covering it up.
Closing Thoughts
If this season is teaching me anything, it’s that beauty is about balance—the joy of experimenting with jewel-toned glosses and luminous highlighters, and the quiet confidence that comes from feeling good in your own bare skin.
I’m grateful to Clé de Peau Beauté not only for partnering with me on this experience but also for creating products that deliver on their promises. For someone with sensitive, finicky skin like mine, that’s no small thing.
And thank you, as always, for spending time here with me. Sharing these discoveries with you makes the journey even more special. Here’s to more glow—inside and out—as we step into the new season.
