The Real Chic Life

Last night, while going through the familiar steps of my skincare routine, I found myself thinking about how much I enjoy reading about the products other people keep tucked away in their medicine cabinets or, in my case, a dedicated drawer. It struck me that while I have shared plenty of beauty recommendations here over the years, I have never really shared all of the products I personally reach for day after day.

There is something intimate about a skincare drawer. Unlike the curated top shelf or the products we neatly line up on the counter for guests to admire, the drawer holds the things we actually use. The dependable staples. The half-empty favorites. The products that carry us through early mornings, late nights, travel days, and seasons of reinvention.

Over time, I have realized that the favorites in my skincare drawer are more about creating rituals that feel grounding and luxurious in small, sustainable ways. These are the products that currently live there and why I continue to come back to them.

The Cleansing Ritual

I firmly believe that removing the day properly is one of the most underrated acts of self-care.

I keep Clinique Take The Day Off in heavy rotation because it melts away eye makeup (and lipstick) without making my skin feel stripped or tight afterward. It is dependable in the way an old cashmere sweater is dependable.

But the real cleansing star is my Elemis Pro-Collagen Fig Cleansing Balm. The texture is rich, and it smells heavenly. The experience feels spa-like, and it turns the simple act of washing my face into something slower and more intentional. My skin feels baby soft after using it. 

The Products That Actually Work

There are certain products that have earned permanent residency simply because they consistently deliver results.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is one of those products I resisted purchasing for years because of the price. Then I tried it. Unfortunately for my wallet, the hype was deserved. My skin looks brighter, more even, and noticeably healthier when I use it consistently.

Another non-negotiable is EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. I love products that make my routine feel simpler, and this one manages to provide protection while also evening out my complexion enough that I can skip foundation on casual days.

And yes, there is always a tube of Carmex Classic Lip Balm floating somewhere in the drawer. Some beauty products become classics for a reason.

Prescription Meets Practicality

Luxury products are lovely, but skincare is also about consistency and practicality.

Tretinoin has probably made the biggest long-term difference in my skin overall. It is not glamorous. It is not particularly aesthetic. But it works.

To keep my skin moisturized , I pair it with CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which has become one of those quietly reliable products I never think to photograph but always repurchase.

When my skin is feeling stressed, dry, or overworked, I swap my daily moisturizer for La Mer The Treatment Lotion. It has become one of those products that makes my entire routine feel more restorative and intentional.

The Extras That Make Me Feel Polished

My skincare drawer also holds the products that blur the line between beauty and personal ritual.

OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil makes ordinary evenings feel elevated, especially after a shower when I have the time to slow down instead of rushing through my routine.

I also keep Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation nearby because sometimes the best beauty product is simply the one that makes you feel like yourself on a good day.

And tucked between everything else is Parfums de Marly Delina La Rosée, which technically is not skincare at all, but feels like an essential part of the ritual nonetheless. The final touch before heading out the door.

What I love most about a skincare drawer is that it tells the truth. It reflects what we genuinely use, what we trust, and what we return to repeatedly when nobody is watching.

Mine is not perfectly curated, overly aesthetic, or filled exclusively with luxury products. It is a mix of dermatologist recommendations, accidental favorites, practical staples, and little luxuries that make ordinary days feel softer around the edges.

And honestly, I think that is what makes it chic.

We’d love to hear about your favorites too.

Xo Tonya