What better way to begin this than to cover the world of Facial Oils? Facial Oils are the newest must-have “it” item for most beauty enthusiasts. If used correctly they moisturize, correct, prevent, and treat all skin types! As someone who has oily skin, I was initially reluctant to try these beautiful oils but I’ve found that my skin absolutely loves the stuff and drinks the precious drops with abandon. Below, I’m compiled a list of what I consider to the best and most interesting facial oils on the market today:
RODIN Olio Lusso Facial Oil ($150/1oz)
A top favorite on most beauty editor’s lists, this oil is a blend of 11 essential oils. Those who love Jasmine will be especially delighted with the scent! This luxurious blend is all about the experience of treating ones skin right. I noticed skin was left wonderfully hydrated and non-irritated. As the first facial oil I tried, this opened up my eyes and let me take the plunge with experimenting with facial oils. This celebrity favorite brand is used by Chanel Iman, Gwen Paltrow, and nearly all the Victoria’s Secret Angels.
Stylist Linda Rodin the creator, just wanted to create a very simple line of pure products and started when she tried to create her own custom blend of oils for her face. Through a year of trial and error, she concocted this blend which is now one of the most in demand high end beauty products. Just a few drops of this product morning and evening yields skin that is indulged and pampered. I also put this in my hair to catch a whiff of the beautiful heady jasmine throughout the day.
Who it’s for: Those who want the Creme de la Mer of Facial Oils, particularly with older more mature skin. Think Oscar de la Renta and Donna Karan crowd for the established money set.
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Sunday Riley Juno Transformative Lipid Serum ($125/1oz)
Sunday Riley is a professional who has worked in the marketing side of the beauty industry. Sunday Riley Modern Skincare is one of the fastest emerging brands and is a media darling, with the founder Sunday Riley being hailed by some as the next Bobbi Brown. To know her line is to see the rise of the next great beauty brand.
Another beauty editor darling, Sunday Riley Modern Skincare is a line of products that uses botanicals and advanced chemistry. Juno is known as their “do-it-all” oil and it is composed of 12 oils ranging from Watermelon Seed Oil to Blueberry Seed Oil. This oil is the star of her skincare line, used in many routines as a base, primer, moisturizer – all showing the awesome power of a good facial oil. This fruity concoction is a lighter texture than Rodin and also does not have any distinguishing scent – it smells like what you would expect oil to smell like. Juno’s high lipid content helps to really protect and sooth skin which is perfect for most skin types. After using this, I noticed my skin had that glow that most people who use this talk about. Perhaps more than any other oil because of it’s lack of scent, I find myself blending this with more things including moisturizers and foundations. This is truly a very versatile oil that will add a boost to anything.
Who it’s for: the Barneys girl who can afford the best and has a place for the beautiful bottle. The Vogue beauty editor, and women who want to smile just seeing the beautifully made, expensive to touch bottle. Think Jason Wu, Derek Lam, and Stella McCartney crowd for the youthful sophisticated girl on her way to big things.
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Sjal Sapphir Concentrate Anti-Aging Facial Oil ($175/1oz)
Sjal is comprised of a mother and daughter team who merge their interest in Eastern holistic medicine with Western science. Their spa is New York is one of my favorite in the world, so tranquil and calm. Sjal products are very expensive but also do not cause me irritation. Their products are known to use natural ingredients mixed with something insanely expensive, like a moisturizer made of shea butter but infused with diamonds.
So it should be no surprise that Sjal’s entry into the facial oil market sets it apart from other brands in that it uses actual Sapphire gemstones in the treatment process. Base oils are marinated with the Sapphires for months before they are put into the product which Sjal believes helps to transfer the energy into the oil. The oil itself is special for its pure Chamomile, and high citrus content not found in other oils. The scent is a refreshing blend of the bitter orange peel, rosemary, and lavender oils. I have only used a sample of this and found the oil to be light but very potent! I do get some initial redness but it fades very fast and my skin is happy for the rest of the time.
Who it’s for: Bohemian downtown girls with a trust fund, New Age health enthusiasts. The girl with enough jewelry that she’s now looking for some bling for her face. Think Carvan, Etro, Kenzo crowd for refinement with exoticism.
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May Lindstrom The Youth Dew ($120/.68oz)
A new natural beauty brand created by celebrity make-up artist May Lindstrom, and with a following that includes natural beauty guru, Spirit Demerson, the owner of spiritbeautylounge, and beauty editors from Harpers Bazaar, and People Magazine. May Lindstrom’s line of just 4 products are designed to deliver a precise treatment plan of all natural ingredients. Her products are pretty unique in that they have many functions, a cleanser that is actually a mask, a mask you apply with a foundation brush, a body oil with mica powder to even skin tone, and finally their facial oil which is blended to deeply hydrate even the most parched skin.
The Youth Dew is a silky hydrating oil that is a blend of 20 essential oils. Made for dry/mature skin types, this is perfect for keep skin dewy in the cold winter. There is also time-stopping COQ10 infused into the oils. The rose and lemon scent is intoxicating, and the fragrance is perhaps the strongest of all the oils on this list but your skin will drink every drop of this incredibly nourishing oil. I personally felt this oil was very silky and rich- with Avocado oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, and Jojoba Oil. Standouts are definitely kukui nut oil and rose absolute which gives this product its rose scent. I found that this soothed dry patches around my cheeks and absorbed easily.
Who it’s for: The green beauty who prefers the apothecary to Barneys. The effortlessly cool LA girl. Spirit Beauty Loungers. Think DVF and Missoni crowd – chic, luxurious, refined but down to earth girl with a earthy palette.
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YULI Modern Alchemist ($125/1 oz)
YULI is the epitome of a cult line. They rely solely on word of mouth, preferring to let results speak rather than advertising. And how results have spoken, YULI’s devoted following is well deserved with a diverse clientele ranging from David Furnish and Elton John, to fashion designers such as recent Project Runway favorite Melissa Fleis and emerging designer Alexander Lewis, to the Silicon Valley and Wall Street jetset crowd. YULI is special in that it doesn’t rest on being a green line that uses natural ingredients, true to her chemist background, Yun and her team incorporate each product with the latest in skin technology that rivals the big Swiss brands.
Modern Alchemist is the perfect example. The base is an exquisite facial oil using a blend of rare skin nourishing botanical oils such as Argan, Baobab, Borage, Indian Fig, and Cloudberry. The green technology driven company then infuses the already power-packed potion with a Bio-retinol complex, an Omega-Lipid complex, COQ10, Hyaluronic Acid, and Plant Sterols. This isn’t just a simple facial oil, the luxurious serum is deeply penetrating and instantly uplifts tired dull skin, making it gorgeous and was positively glowing. The glorious golden fluid smells faintly of rose flower petals, made my skin feel like velvet, softened wrinkles, faded fine lines, and gives the wearer the enviable baby-soft skin like no other. This liquid gold is a testament to the power of science + nature.
Who it’s for: Professionals – Silicon Valley, Wall Street types who demand performance over hype; well read beauty junkies who want the most well curated ingredients list. Think The Row, Altuzzara, Alexander Wang crowd of cutting edge, sleek sophistication, infused with modernity.
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Coco Beaute 
