Amy Keller Laird, Executive Editor of Women's Health
17
If we could raid one beauty closet—and yes, we did say closet—it would be that of Amy Keller Laird. When you stop and think how many peels and scrubs she endured in her years as Beauty Director of Allure and now, as Executive Editor of Women's Health, it's amazing she has any skin left! Well, she does: And it's quite beautiful skin at that. We asked Keller Laird to share her go-to products with us: And not just any old items from the closet, but the lotions and potions that routinely get air-time on her bathroom counter. She delivered in spades. Plus, she revealed the three products that she always has in her purse.
Herewith, the 17 beauty products that Amy Keller Laird turns to all the time.
- 1
Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Almond
This is my go-to, everyday shadow—I've yet to find a prettier taupe for when I want to just slightly darken my lids and define my eyes.
- 2
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo
This powder is messier than the sprays, but when you need serious oil-removal, it's the best. When I was appearing on HSN, I would get a blowout in NYC that had to last through a plane ride to Tampa followed by days of late-night segments and hair touch-ups. This dry shampoo is what pulled my roots through.
- 3
Living Proof No Frizz Conditioner
It used to be that I could never get enough conditioner—until I met this stuff. It's rich and creamy but not overly thick, which means it definitely doesn't weigh down my hair.
- 4
Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream
I'm a germphobe and wash my hands way too much, and this winter they ended up painfully chapped and raw because I strayed from this formula. It's not super-thick, so you might doubt its powers upon first squeeze, but trust me, it's really that good.
- 5
Dolce & Gabbana Crayon Intense Eyeliner
I like the 'Emerald' color, though the name is a slight misnomer—it comes out more of a teal, with subtle gold flecks. When I want to add a little sparkle to my eyes, I line the lower lashes in black, then trace over the line with this and smudge.
- 6
Cover Girl LashBlast 24HR Mascara
I hate it when I look in the mirror at 4PM and see little black flakes under my eyes. This new mascara was formulated to withstand not just crying but also eye rubbing—and it delivers.
- 7
La Prairie Cellular Radiance Cream Blush
I'm obsessed with cream blush because it gives the most natural look. And this one is a splurge, no doubt. It's $70! For a blush! But it is so worth it, and really lasts because you only need a dab at a time. My shade is Berry Glow. I pat it onto the apples of my cheeks and stipple it in with my fingers, then blend up toward my temples. When I only have two minutes to get ready, this is the one product I never skip. It takes 10 seconds to apply, no exaggeration. Blush is so underrated—it changes the look of your skin so dramatically.
- 8
La Mer The Radiant Concealer
This is a solid cream that isn't greasy but also isn't too draggy—I hate the feel of a concealer that's too dry. Plus, it covers my bluish/purplish undereye circles without settling into lines.
- 9
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
I don't know a single dermatologist who isn't a fan of this antioxidant serum. The liquid smells the tiniest bit like hotdogs, but who cares—I rub a dropper-ful over my face as soon as I get out of the shower, then do other get-ready things for a couple minutes before I put on my Estée Lauder cream.
- 10
OPI Nail Lacquer in Thanks A Windmillion
This is a new find, since it's part of OPI's spring collection. It's the color of a sea-foam green that's been tinged with gray. I love that it's a pastel but not in the traditional sense, because the gray makes it less perky.
- 11
Estée Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme
How do I love thee? Oh, I'll tell you on Twitter at least once a month, as I am continually struck by how refreshing the cucumber scent is, how fluffy the texture, how smooth and cooling the feel… I use the normal/combination version, but there's also one for dry skin.
- 12
Shu Uemura Cotton Uzu Defining Flexible Cream & Sachajuan Ocean Mist
This is my daily hair cocktail: After towel-drying, I rub a few dabs of the Shu cream between my fingers, and then rake it through. Once my hair has air-dried—I prefer to wait until around 80 percent, but it's usually more like 50 percent before I have to leave for work in the morning—I spritz on the Sachajuan and scrunch it in to enhance the beachy texture.
- 13
Sally Hansen Seal & Shine Quick Top Coat
I don't know why, but I find topcoats so tedious. Because this one flows through a bristled click pen, it's somehow, strangely, less of a chore
- 14
Molton Brown Fine Liquid Hand Wash
This White Mulberry concoction is the poshest hand soap around.
- 15
Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail Polish
Specifically, I love this in Purple Haze. I don't care what time of year it is or what the current trends are, this slightly moody, shimmer-free violet always looks chic.
- 16
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Évasion
I am so into peach lipstick for spring, and this one has a seashell-ish undertone that makes it so wearable. One layer is sheer; I like to pile on several for a creamy finish.
- 17
Cartier Baiser Vole
This is beyond gorgeous. The bottle is simple and beautiful with a gold flip-top that reminds me of an old-school lighter—it helps that the green-tinged lily scent is so addictive.
The Products I Never Leave Home Without:
Quite simply: Black eyeliner, red lipstick, and nude lipstick. That way, I'm covered if I need to go anywhere last-minute. I line my inner lower rims with the black liner—Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Onyx and Smashbox Limitless Eye Liner in Onyx—since they both stick in that tricky area. Lining the lower rims gives instant definition and is easier to do in the back of a taxi than drawing your upper lash lines. Yves Saint Laurent makes the most amazing lipsticks, most of which are housed in gold tubes that I've been known to use as impromptu mirrors. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture in 1 is a stunning red.
