The Lineup is a monthly series where we're giving you an inside peek at the beauty lineups of cool fashion people, editors, makeup artists, hairstylists, and estheticians—all the people we trust the most. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at all the can't-live-without products that make their worlds go round.
Finding the right skincare for you can be a process and a journey. But when the stars finally align, allowing you to discover your holy grail products, you never want to let them go. That's what celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau's products did for me. As someone who struggled with dehydration, barrier damage, and acne simultaneously, I thought I would never find a routine that worked well for me and didn't dry me out. One day, on a whim, when I was writing, I discovered Rouleau's Rapid Response Detox Cleanser ($43) and never looked back. It's one of the few cleansers that work well for acne-prone skin without harsh exfoliants or skin-drying ingredients.
After that, I proceeded to try a handful of other products from Rouleau's line, and now they're each nonnegotiable items in my skincare routine. This is a testament to the thought and care Rouleau bestows upon her formulas—nothing goes unthought of. In fact, I've learned so many great skincare tips from her at this point that if she told me wearing a trash bag for an entire day would transform my skin, I'd 100% believe her. I'm embellishing a bit here for dramatic effect, but seriously, if you follow Rouleau's advice, you will see amazing results. One of the biggest myths she wants to bust? That you don't have to cleanse your skin in the morning. "I hear a lot of people say this, but washing your face in the morning is just as important as it is at night," she says. "The products you use at night can leave traces on the skin, which make it harder for the products you apply in the morning to soak in fully if not washed off. Your skin also secretes oil overnight, so if you don't cleanse in the morning, all that sebum is sitting on the skin, creating a barrier and ultimately a dirtier slate!"
Are you thinking of splurging on a treatment? Rouleau has some advice for that too. "I always love a good chemical peel—out with the old, in with the new," she says. "There is something incredible about seeing the old skin peel away and reveal not only less pigmented skin, but your pores will look so much smaller, too."
Lastly, Rouleau taught me the "Golden Minute Rule," a crucial step in your skincare routine that you might be missing. "This refers to the minute between cleansing your face and applying your skincare products," she explains. "In those sixty seconds, your bare skin is vulnerable to dehydration due to transepidermal water loss, so it's crucial to start applying products in that window to prevent water loss and lock in hydration."
Tips like these align perfectly with Rouleau's nine-word skincare philosophy: Make your skin a priority— you will see results. I was curious to learn what products Rouleau uses in her own beauty lineup, including the haircare, makeup, and skincare items she can't live without. Keep scrolling for all her favorites.
"For the last 10 years, I have had varying shades of pink hair," Rouleau tells me. "Wherever I go, I get compliments about it, so it's my signature look at this point. I love using Overtone (but diluted with regular hair conditioner to create a really soft, blush color) because a little goes a long way, and it really nourishes my hair with moisture. Here is how I get pink hair at home."
"I have never used a shampoo that I have loved as much as this one," Rouleau says. "My hair is fine and can be a hot mess after shampooing with all the tangles, but this one leaves it feeling soft and moisturized. "
"Despite my hair being fine, it's actually pretty curly and can get frizzy," Rouleau says. "I smooth this over my hair to tame all the flyaways and keep my pink hair looking shiny. And the scent is incredible!"
"This allows me to avoid washing my hair for three to four days," Rouleau says. "It's inexpensive, I like the smell, and it just works. I also love that it sprays white, so when my roots are growing in, it makes the new growth look lighter to blend in with my highlighted hair. The best dry shampoo I have ever used!"
"There just isn't any blowdryer better than this," Rouleau says. "It's super powerful and dries my hair really fast, yet I never feel like it dries my hair out. And I love that a lot of my favorite hotels have these for guests in their bathrooms."
"When I have a little downtime and don't mind my skin getting dry (a side effect of using stronger vitamin A products for sensitive skin types), this powerful retinal formula really boosts my cell turnover to get it looking smoother," Rouleau says. "It's like getting a mini chemical peel at home and I love the results!"
"I travel on airplanes a lot, and they have never done my skin any favors, so this mask gives my skin a total reset post-flight to ensure my skin stays calm and hydrated, and breakouts and bumps don't appear," Rouleau says. "I leave it on my skin for 10 minutes, and it immediately sends a signal to my skin to behave."
"I never leave home without this holy grail of a product," Rouleau says. "While my cystic breakouts are less these days, when a sore bump appears, as soon as I put this on, it goes to work fast to calm the cyst down."
"Between using exfoliating acids and retinol regularly, my skin's barrier can't handle any more acidic products, so this stable, no-sting formula delivers all the skin-brightening results without any redness or irritation," Rouleau says. "I use it faithfully every day on my face, neck, and chest, and I definitely attribute a lot of the compliments I get about my skin to this product."
"This is light enough to feel like I'm almost wearing nothing, yet it gives really beautiful, long-lasting coverage," Rouleau says. "And it makes my pores vanish, which is a miracle!"
"I love a good cream blush, and this one gives the perfect amount of cheek color, along with excellent staying power," Rouleau says. "I have it in almost every color they make, but [the shade] Bang is probably the one I use the most."
"I have zero patience for mascara that gets clumpy, and this formula gives a ton of length while the brush separates the lashes really nicely," Rouleau says. "I also like that it dries pretty fast. I have loved this formula for years!"
"Especially when I'm in a rush, I swipe this over my lids and blend it in with my fingertips," Rouleau says. "It gives a beautiful pop of color while still looking sheer and natural due to the creaminess of the formula. It stays on all day, and it never creases, which is a miracle! I have many different shades, but the Rose Gold is my staple."
"Gone are the days of me having to use prescriptions to manage yeast infections," Rouleau says. "I use these once a week, and it keeps my vaginal pH regulated, so I never have any issues. A true godsend and my gynecologist approves!"
"I used to shower after sex, but now with this cool invention, I can clean up with the simple swirl of this sponge," Rouleau says. "Plus, I think it really helps keep my vaginal pH balanced to prevent any infections."
"From a skin perspective, taking oral vitamin C, which includes the addition of bioflavonoids, helps to keep blood vessels strong, so I take this daily to prevent pesky little red dilated capillaries that can show up on the face with age," Rouleau says.
"As much as I travel and am exposed to all different types of environments, keeping my immune system strong is essential," Rouleau says. "I drink one of these a day, and the taste is delicious—and since I'm not a coffee drinker, it gives me a boost of energy when I'm tired!"
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