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farewell to the cut
August 28, 2013

This Beauty Editor’s Must-Have Products

By Christina Han

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Dear Cut Readers,

It is time to say good-bye. Today is my last day as the Cut’s beauty editor. Fourteen months have passed since my arrival and first post on how to prevent your nail polish from chipping. Since then, you’ve allowed me to broaden your beauty knowledge, from decoding French products to pointing out cosmetics that look like sex toys. You read about that time I switched skin-care routines with my fiancé, and seen me exercise my own makeup-artist skills backstage during New York Fashion Week. Together, we’ve discussed which celebrity features we secretly covet and the beauty sacrifices we continue to make (despite the pain and pinching). I’ve met truly inspiring people like Indie Lee and Thanos Samaras; introduced you to the world of shirtless male models and their deep thoughts on perfume; made GIF tutorials; and culled behind-the-scenes beauty shots found on social media. I’ve covered other non-beauty-related topics as well, like: hot guys laughing, the hot NHL player with serious Vine skills, and a couple of winning guys from this year’s Super Bowl champs, the Baltimore Ravens. The fact that all my non-beauty-related pieces were about attractive men is strictly coincidental.

Thank you for giving me this platform and for being supportive during my first go as an editor on the Internet.

It’s not often that a beauty editor has the opportunity to divulge all of their must-have, favorite, desert-island products, because it’s part of our job description to be as objective as possible. But since I’m saying farewell to the Cut, and switching my job up, I think it’s only right to give you my ultimate beauty loves, once and for all (feel free to click on the video below before you start). The slideshow includes products that I have either been using for years or have no intention of changing for the next several years. Yes, they’re expensive, and I can hear you all complaining already, but each and every one is worth it. They’re all the things I live by to keep my skin in shape (my utmost priority) and my makeup routine minimal (well, minimal-ish). These are all the things that will come with me to L.A., where I will start my next beauty adventure, this time at the forthcoming beauty e-commerce site, Violet Grey.

It’s been real, you guys.

Farewell for now,

Christina

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1 / 16 Photos
The Daily Must-Dos I use these four skin-care products each and every day. Amanda Lacey's cleansing balm washes the day off each night (it pains ... The Daily Must-Dos I use these four skin-care products each and every day. Amanda Lacey's cleansing balm washes the day off each night (it pains me to wash my face with other products, so I usually skip soap if I am without this stuff). Joanna Vargas's Rejuvenating Serum (which is actually an oil) hydrates my skin all year round, even during the humid months of summer. Then, in the morning, it's a quick rinse with warm water, followed by Vargas's Daily Serum (she describes it as "green juice for the skin") and her mineral SPF-loaded moisturizer. Photo: Courtesy photos
The "Extra" I probably don't use it nearly enough (it took me two years to finish my first jar), but it's the only exfoliator I'll allo... The "Extra" I probably don't use it nearly enough (it took me two years to finish my first jar), but it's the only exfoliator I'll allow on my face because it polishes my dry skin without further sucking the moisture out. Vargas has told me that it's gentle enough to sleep in, but I like to just leave it on for ten minutes then rinse. Photo: Courtesy photo
The Zit Buster If you're about to go to sleep and see something ever so slightly pinkish erupting on your face, dab on a dot of Indie Lee's blemi... The Zit Buster If you're about to go to sleep and see something ever so slightly pinkish erupting on your face, dab on a dot of Indie Lee's blemish lotion; not tomorrow, when it's big and red and scary! If you hit it at the right time, the threatening blemish will never get worse. Photo: Courtesy photo
The Only Face Makeup I'll Wear Once, when I was in Paris for Fashion Week, I forgot my regular tinted moisturizer at home. However, the one I tho... The Only Face Makeup I'll Wear Once, when I was in Paris for Fashion Week, I forgot my regular tinted moisturizer at home. However, the one I thought I loved got swiftly replaced with this MAC formula after a quick trip to their Saint Honoré store. This stuff seamlessly matches my Korean skin tone and it doesn't pill up when I layer it over sunscreen. It makes my skin look glowy and radiant without feeling like I have loads of makeup on, which is nice, since I don't wear foundation on a regular basis. Photo: Courtesy photo
Never Leave Home Without: Brows I don't really have brows. Perhaps it's owing to my Asian hairlessness, but the hairs above my eyes are fairly nu... Never Leave Home Without: Brows I don't really have brows. Perhaps it's owing to my Asian hairlessness, but the hairs above my eyes are fairly numbered. This pencil is the only one that provides the right amount of fill-in pigment without appearing too faux. I also love the matte-gold finish on the pencil. Very swanky. Photo: Courtesy photo
Never Leave Home Without: Blush So many professional makeup artists have asked me what kind of blush I wear, because whenever I wear this (which ... Never Leave Home Without: Blush So many professional makeup artists have asked me what kind of blush I wear, because whenever I wear this (which is always) my complexion looks perfectly flushed and subtly radiant. It's the work of La Prairie. One compact will last you a year and you will look seriously magical. Some might mistake you for a unicorn. Photo: Courtesy photo
This Is As Good As It Gets for My Eyes Eyeko's eyelash curler is the newest and most recent addition to my staples. I consider most lash curlers ... This Is As Good As It Gets for My Eyes Eyeko's eyelash curler is the newest and most recent addition to my staples. I consider most lash curlers to have the same effectiveness, but I do love the no-slip, blue-velvet grips. I have a tough time pronouncing it (and spelling it), but Chanel's Inimitable mascara is my jam. I've been a loyal user since it first debuted in 2006. I'm not the type who wants dramatic, Beyoncé-looking lashes, so I'm happy with its clean but slightly amped finish. Photo: Courtesy photo
The Face Saver Blemishes, under-eye scariness, wintry redness: This concealer covers them all up while never flaking away or looking like obvious... The Face Saver Blemishes, under-eye scariness, wintry redness: This concealer covers them all up while never flaking away or looking like obvious concealer. It melts into the skin and does its business without giving itself away. Photo: Courtesy photo
The Luminizer After you've applied foundation and blush, squirt out one pump onto the back of your hand. Slather it on cheekbones, temples, and a... The Luminizer After you've applied foundation and blush, squirt out one pump onto the back of your hand. Slather it on cheekbones, temples, and all around the under-eye region. Everyone claps in astonishment because you look radiant and amazing. Now go forth and wow. Photo: Courtesy photo
The Lip Colors I prefer full-pigment hues rather than pale, muted, or nude colors on my lips. YSL has the perfect moody berry for fall while Hour... The Lip Colors I prefer full-pigment hues rather than pale, muted, or nude colors on my lips. YSL has the perfect moody berry for fall while Hourglass's long-lasting liquid lipstick in Empress is a less intense rose-tinged berry for spring-summer. Nars's Vesuvio is my all-time-favorite red, worn all year round, even though Lipstick Queen's new Black Tie is becoming a close competitor. I'll always love the, Nars though, for its thin bullet (for precise applications) and insanely long wearability. Photo: Courtesy photo
The Scents Crisp, green scents and florals are usually the types of perfumes I'll gravitate toward. Diptyque's solid perfume lives in my bag beca... The Scents Crisp, green scents and florals are usually the types of perfumes I'll gravitate toward. Diptyque's solid perfume lives in my bag because it's a solid and won't spill. It's my workhorse fragrance and great in a pinch, like to protect my nostrils from a stinky airplane neighbor. I reserve Tom Ford's Jasmin Rouge for more special moments due to its price tag. However, it smells so freaking divine that almost every moment of my life is special enough for at least a small squirt of this perfume.  Photo: Courtesy photo
The Lip Balm Not only do I love the hydrating, non-greasy benefits of this lip balm, but so does my fiancé. He appreciates its gender-neut... The Lip Balm Not only do I love the hydrating, non-greasy benefits of this lip balm, but so does my fiancé. He appreciates its gender-neutral-ish design. Photo: Courtesy photo
The Shampoo and Conditioner I was a non-believer in these no-frizz products at first. But then I met Jennifer Aniston and her hairstylist, Chris ... The Shampoo and Conditioner I was a non-believer in these no-frizz products at first. But then I met Jennifer Aniston and her hairstylist, Chris McMillan, and dammit, I drank the Living-Proof Kool-Aid. On days I use these two products, my hair is definitely smoother and less frizzy on the top of my head, which is where my coarse, Korean hair tends to curly-cue. Photo: Courtesy photo
The Hair Awesome-izer Shower. Towel dry. Kerastase hair oil. It's lightweight, smells florally fantastic, and keeps my rather thick locks in plac... The Hair Awesome-izer Shower. Towel dry. Kerastase hair oil. It's lightweight, smells florally fantastic, and keeps my rather thick locks in place and smooth. Photo: Courtesy photo
The (Sometimes) Hair Awesome-izer For the most part, I'm a wash-and-go person. But on days that I need more of a styled effect, I'll spray this s... The (Sometimes) Hair Awesome-izer For the most part, I'm a wash-and-go person. But on days that I need more of a styled effect, I'll spray this stuff all over my head and then use Harry Josh's brushless blowout techinique. It works everytime and doesn't leave my hair crunchy with product. Photo: Courtesy photo
The Nails Not only do I love Jin Soon as a person, she's managed to create the perfect neutral for my skin tone. Her top coat is also one of the ... The Nails Not only do I love Jin Soon as a person, she's managed to create the perfect neutral for my skin tone. Her top coat is also one of the best in the biz; it leaves behind a high-gloss shine and somehow will keep nails from chipping for at least a solid seven days. Photo: Courtesy photo
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