Makeup: 4. It might experience a bit of tweaking here and there, and NARS Duos are always welcome, but it is quite a settled thing: undereye concealer and vibrant rosy blush, brow pencil, ultrablack mascara and inner-rim definition, dusky sable eyeliner, three shadows (fleshtone shimmer, ethereal lilac, moody sea blue), three lipcolors (burnished raspberry, luscious berry, dramatic red). Oh, and a great powder compact, for touch-ups. Most beauty junkies admit to hundreds of lipsticks and eyeshadows, but I often find the flavor of boastfulness in such "confessions". These women have no intention of curbing their habits, in fact, it is proof of their "expertise" and "taste". I have fourteen products. Fourteen. Each product must meet exceptionally exact specifications, and if that does not refine your taste, I do not know what will.

Skincare: 3 ½ A bit premature to declare 4 (I should wait till a year rolls by to be absolutely certain of its fitness), but it is close: Lancôme Bi-Facil, Primavera Refining Exfoliating Cleanser, Jurlique Herbal Recovery Cream, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré. The heart of this routine is very simple and pure, the Primavera cleanser and the Jurlique treatment, and though softer, brighter skin is apparent from the first, the effects are cumulative. What you end up with is healthy, normal skin. This is hardly a poetic description, but it is exactly what skincare should do, for when the skin is normal and healthy, it takes care of itself. Of course, my skin tends to be dry, and I wear makeup, so some additions are necessary.

Hair: 4 By default, because I'll admit, as long as I have Phyto 7, which I go through as other women do mascara, it does not matter. It keeps the parched ends of my long, dry hair silky soft, and again, the effects are cumulative. I prefer basic products that smell good—a shampoo that does not strip, a conditioner that moisturizes—I daresay I'll return to Nature's Gate. I tried the CO Wash, but I just... don't like the way cheap conditioners smell.

Closet: 3 I have more to say about this, but it is an ongoing project, chronicled in greater detail in Closet Confidential. The ultimate goal is to fit my entire wardrobe in one generous piece of luggage, an ambitious project, to be sure, but I think I'll live. It requires very careful consideration, though, so it has progressed slowly thus far.

Perfume: 2 Pathetic, I need to work on this, though I have begun the process of paring down what I have gathered heedlessly from ebay and the occasional press kit. Thankfully, The Perfumed Court has graciously allowed me to sample a few of their myriad offerings, and the interview and reviews shall be forthcoming, in the ongoing series, The Mnemonic Sense.

Labels: beauty notes, minimalism, philosophy