A beauty product has to clear a very high bar before it becomes part of someone’s permanent rotation — especially after a certain age, when patience for overhyped miracle creams and mediocre mascaras all but evaporates. And if anyone understands the difference between products that capitalize on passing trends and those with actual staying power, it’s our very own Katie Couric. She’s spent countless hours in hair and makeup, under studio lights, working with professionals in the beauty space, and cataloging what worked so she could master her preferred look herself.
That’s why we included a Katie-approved category in our inaugural Timeless Beauty Awards. If you want expert- and science-backed insight on haircare, tools, and treatments designed for evolving needs, we’ve got you covered. But if you want wisdom from a woman who knows which brands are worth splurging on, lotions that soothe inflamed skin, and makeup that won’t smudge but isn’t impossible to remove, Katie’s your gal.
Consider this her “desert island” beauty lineup: The staples she stashes in her carry-on, repurchases without hesitation, and recommends unsolicited. They may not be flashy or new, but they’ve earned permanent status in her routine for one simple reason: They work.
Timeless Beauty Awards: Katie Couric’s Makeup Routine
Katie’s Cleanser: Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser
“This is the best stuff for removing makeup,” Katie says. “It manages to get everything off, and leaves your skin feeling soft and supple.” She’s been using it for years, and it’s never irritated her eczema-prone skin. Free from fragrances, soaps, parabens, and preservatives, it’s made with only five ingredients: mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, ceresin, and beta-carotene. Sometimes, the simplest formula is the most effective.
Katie’s Moisturizer: Senté Dermal Repair Ultra-Nourish
“It’s expensive, but I’m truly hooked on this moisturizer,” Katie says. And as someone with extremely dry — and extremely sensitive — skin, finding one that didn’t trigger an eczema flare-up was a challenge. “Senté’s cream feels soothing as soon as I put it on,” she says. The main ingredients are a lipid blend, to help restore the skin’s barrier and replace lost hydration; and heparan sulfate analog (HSA), which helps improve skin firmness, elasticity, and overall function. The combo supports your skin’s ability to heal itself and softens fine lines and wrinkles.
Katie’s Sunscreen: Senté Even Tone Mineral SPF
Katie’s all about making her skincare routine as effortless as possible, so she prefers products that do double-duty. This tinted SPF protects her from both UV rays and blue light, while also acting as a skin tint. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide broad-spectrum sun protection without the irritation sometimes associated with chemical sunscreens, while iron oxides help defend against discoloration. This formula also contains the same heparan sulfate (an inflammation fighter) analog as Senté’s Dermal Repair cream.
Katie’s Vitamin C Pick: Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum
“When I get the occasional facial, I go to Mario Badescu,” Katie says. “At home, I find that their vitamin C perks my skin up — I put a couple drops on before my moisturizer every day.” Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it both protects and helps repair your skin from environmental damage, like sun exposure, pollution, and everyday wear and tear. It can help even out skin tone, smooth fine lines, and reduce the appearance of pores with regular use.
Katie’s Shampoo: Pantene Pro-V Miracle Bond Repair
On regular hair-wash days, Katie uses this beloved Pantene shampoo. She says it leaves her hair feeling silky-smooth, and doesn’t irritate her sensitive scalp. That’s likely because the shampoo is sulfate-free, and contains vitamins E and B5, along with keratin, to help hydrate hair from root to tip.
Katie’s Conditioner: Pantene Pro-V Miracle Rescue Deep Repair
Katie follows up her shampoo with Pantene’s complementary conditioner — which is great, because if you buy them as a set, you’ll save some cash. After washing, she’ll use Pantene’s conditioner to ensure her hair stays soft and tangle-free, though it’s not a daily thing: “I don’t use it every time I wash, because it’s very intense,” she says. It’s also great for highlighted or colored tresses: “My hair tends to oxidize very quickly, but I’ve found that Pantene products are very gentle and help my hair color last longer.”
Katie’s Foundation: BareMinerals Pure Serum Radiant Natural Liquid Foundation
“I had an allergy patch test a few years ago, and the dermatologist recommended this foundation,” Katie says. It’s fragrance-free and acts more like skincare than makeup; and thanks to its creamy, serum-like consistency, it doesn’t leave skin looking cakey or dry.
Katie’s Lipstick: MAC Lustreglass Sheer-Shine in Hug Me
For that “your lips, but better” upgrade, Katie goes with MAC’s warm-toned nude, Hug Me. She’s worn it for years, so much so that it’s become her signature lip color. On days when she wants something with some shimmer, she opts for the shade Fabby, which is a cooler-toned pink.
Katie’s Lipliner: MAC Whirl
To ensure the longevity of her lipstick, Katie defines her lips first with liner, specifically this one from MAC in the shade Whirl. “My makeup artist introduced me to this color years ago,” she says. “It looks really natural, it’s not too brown, and it doesn’t look too ‘line-y,’ especially when you use it to color in your lips, too.”
Katie’s Mascara: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions
“I don’t wear much makeup on a day-to-day basis, but I treat my lashes to Thrive mascara when I do,” Katie says. “It’s my new go-to as my lashes get blonder — and, sadly, less voluminous — as I, um, mature. Not only does it make my lashes look super long, but it also comes off with just warm water.” While waterproof mascaras are ideal for watery eyes or oily skin, it can be irritating (literally and figuratively) to remove. But Thrive’s tubing technology eliminates the need to scrub.
Katie’s Eyeliner: Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner
Katie usually avoids eyeshadow because of sensitive skin, but she loves eyeliner: She opts for brown instead of black, and smudges it into her lash line so the color doesn’t look too harsh. This one comes with a built-in smudging sponge — so you don’t have to stash one in your makeup bag.
Katie’s Eyebrow Pencil: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer Deluxe
“I don’t know about you all, but as I’ve gotten older, my eyebrows have gone AWOL,” Katie says. “The triangular-shaped tip on this tool makes it easy to fill in my brows, and the attached spoolie brush helps comb them.” She uses the shade Strawburn, but this pencil also comes in 12 different hues, to match any hair color.
Katie’s Body Lotion: Eucerin Advanced Repair Body Lotion
To nourish her dry skin, Katie slathers on this Eucerin lotion. The ingredients include urea and ceramides to boost moisture levels deep within the skin, and because it’s free of dyes, fragrance, and parabens, it doesn’t cause her any irritation.
Katie’s Body Oil: Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil
“I apply this body oil while I’m still in the shower,” Katie says. “I basically shake off like a dog so I’m not soaked, then I’ll put this on.” It’s infused with seaweed, which is clinically proven to improve skin elasticity and hydration, leading to softer feeling and firmer-looking skin all over.
Katie’s Bronzer and Highlighter: Ogee Sculpted Face Sticks
These sticks from Ogee come in bronzer, blush, and highlighter colors, all of which are essentially giant crayons for your face. The stick formula makes them foolproof to apply, and the product is silky and easily blends with your fingers. Katie’s advice: She uses the highlighter on her cheekbones and on the tip of her nose, to create that “lit-from-within” glow.
Katie’s Concealer: Sarah Creal Face Flex Concealer & Complexion Enhancer with Caffeine
To camouflage any splotchiness or dark circles around the eye area, Katie’s been using this concealer and complexion enhancer from Sarah Creal (whose whole product line is targeted at women 40+). Not only does it even out Katie’s skin tone, but it contains caffeine to depuff and hyaluronic acid to plump fine lines around the eyes.
Katie’s Body Wash: Salt & Stone Body Wash
While Katie usually avoids fragrances to prevent irritation, this scented body wash from Salt & Stone is an exception. “I love how fragrant it is, and it does seem to make my skin feel softer,” she says. It’s infused with hyaluronic acid and seaweed extracts, both of which help skin retain moisture, as well as vitamin C and niacinamide to help smooth texture.
Katie’s Hairdryer: Dyson Airwrap
While admittedly expensive, Katie says that this investment has actually saved her cash in the long run. “The Airwrap was a major game-changer for me,” she says. “I used to go to the salon for a blowout before events or anytime I wanted my hair to look especially polished, but now I can use this instead. I looked at my receipts from all those blowouts, and this thing has paid for itself many, many times over.”
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