You Can Only Have One = The New Desert Island

7 categories, 7 pieces, 0 regrets. And the beauty version too, because why not?

When it comes to opinions, I tend to be pretty singular, but when it comes to fashion and beauty recommendations, I often get rather expansive. My justification for not giving just one answer is perhaps a sign of my people-pleasing tendencies, because I like meeting people where they are, and a range of options means you’re more likely to suggest something that resonates. Plus, we all contain multitudes, right? Sometimes you want a simple cheeseburger (Yuca’s in Los Feliz) and sometimes you want a special cheeseburger (Au Cheval in Chicago). It happens!

All of this is to explain the conceit for today’s newsletter: You can only have one. 

The idea came to me in a solo shower—a rare and treasured treat as I am so often accompanied by a Frozen-singing four-year-old—when I was contemplating the 23 different shampoo and conditioner options that populate that space. What if I decide to become a minimalist, I thought. What if I decided to stop testing, trying, buying, and looking for something new?

This is the shower situation that sparked this newsletter.

What would that even look like? Could I even do it? Honestly, I get uncomfortable even thinking about it. I like options! I want to have my Pizzana chocolate cake and eat it too! (And yes, if I could only have one cake for the rest of my life, that would be it.) But for the sake of this newsletter, I’m putting on my minimalist, definitive hat and have come up with a list of my ultra-ultra favorites—both fashion and beauty—that I could live with forever.

But here’s the thing: I want you to try this exercise too.

Not to sound borderline codependent, but I feel like a) I would feel less naked if you shared your picks and b) this readership and community is so smart and generous and opinionated, so it would actually be cool to see. And also I am nosy and love to see other people’s picks! So indulge me, please, and add your own You Can Only Have One selections in the comments below? Even if it’s only one YCOHO, I would love to learn about it. And no, you don’t have to follow my categories; feel free to make your own.

As always,  if there’s an item you’re shopping for or you need help sorting through the zillions of options out there, please don’t hesitate to drop me a comment and I will add it to my to-do list. (And why am I prompting you to comment? Because while I love DMs and always try to answer you there, my inbox is messy, and comments here are much easier for me to find and use as source material as I’m working on new things. Also, I love comments; they make me feel seen.)

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YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE (FASHION VERSION) 

And yes, they’re almost all black because that’s what I primarily wear.

Casual Dress: Doen Ischia Dress ($328)

They’re not cheap, but they are machine washable, last forever, make weekend dressing a breeze, pack well, can be styled up or down, work with body fluctuations, and are overall very pleasing.

Fancy Pant: Dries Van Noten Pleated Wool Wide-Leg Pants ($895)

I have thanked the two women who told me that Dries pants would change my life many times—Shiona Turini and Nikki Ogunnaike, I’m saying it again!—but Dries pleated trousers make me feel like a million bucks. They are properly drapey, the fabric works for every season, and require very-little-to-zero tailoring.

Perfect voluminous trousers! In a seasonless fabric! God I love them. Worn with an old Marc Jacobs cardi + Gianvito Rossi heels.

Wear (Almost) Anywhere Skirt: Anine Bing Bar Silk Skirt ($300)

The category of skirt was painful to cut down, as you know that I love my J.Crew Pleated Pull-On Midi Skirt ($128) to distraction. I still very much stand by that pick, but if I could only have one skirt, I would pick this silk one from Anine Bing because it’s approximately 30% more versatile. They both can be worn almost anywhere, but the AB one is just slightly dressier, and can be styled for cocktails or date night a little more easily than the J.Crew skirt, due to the material (silk). Also: The sleekness of this style really works for most occasions, save for fancy events.

My favorite Anine Bing skirt + J.Crew sweater, with (old) Jimmy Choo shoes and Wilder twirling.

Classic Black Blazer: A.L.C. Sedgwick II Jacket ($695)

Everyone needs a power blazer, and this one is mine. It’s a timeless fit and silhouette, and I always feel great in it. Also: If you’re ever feeling a way about your midsection, the secret fix is always a double-breasted blazer.

Have you ever tried to take pictures when your 4-year-old is bored? A.L.C. blazer worn with my favorite @lalignenyc t-shirt + Gianvito Rossi heels.

Staple Sweater: J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Cashmere Crewneck Sweater ($118)

Is it weird that I’m calling out a cashmere sweater in early spring? Perhaps, but it’s basically a year-round wear for me, save for the hottest months of the summer. But even then, I still have one in my bag usually, because you never know when the air-conditioning will get out of control. I like these slightly cropped sweaters (it comes right to the top of most of my trousers and skirts), but I wouldn’t kick the classic-fit style out of bed for eating crackers. 

Simple Summer Sandal: K. Jacques Erika BG Sandal ($300)

I buy a new pair of these sandals once every five to 10 years. That’s how long they last. And obviously I don’t just wear them during the summer, but they’re particularly perfect then. I really like other, less expensive sandals, but when I really do the price-per-wear math, this more expensive pair pays for itself over and over again.

One Tote To Rule Them All: Mansur Gavriel Large Leather Tote ($645)

This is my work bag, fits in my carry-on bag, and I even used it as a diaper bag when my kids were small. I’ve had it for well over a decade, it looks brand new, and I haven’t found another bag I like more. I currently have it filled with a Cuyana Tech Carryall ($198) and a series of pouches to keep my cords, makeup, and receipts organized.

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YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE (BEAUTY VERSION) 

The edit is…intense. I didn’t actually do this yet, but I am thinking about it.

EYE / Mascara: Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara ($33)

People often ask if I’m wearing false lashes when I wear this mascara. It comes off easily with water and iS Clinical Cleansing Complex ($48, plus 20% off today). It never flakes or smears, and it really does it all.

SKIN / Complexion: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation ($69)

If I could only have one complexion product in my bag, this is it. It’s definitely the most full-coverage skin product I own, so at this moment I use it primarily for shoots or events, but I know I could sheer it out pretty easily with a little moisturizer if necessary. It’s glowy and gorgeous, and never does me wrong. I wear shade 4.5, not that you asked!

LIP / Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick ($35) in Tell Laura

Ugh this one was painful. Also, I just got a bunch of new lipsticks from Westman Atelier and Merit that I’m going to try for an upcoming story, so this category is the most perilous. That said, if I had to own only one lipstick, it would be this warm orange-red shade that can be a total statement or blotted to a my-lips-but-better hue. 

NAIL / Nail Polish: Hermes Nail Enamel ($57) in 64 Rouge Casaque

I’m wearing the wine-colored Rouge H right now, and I’m stunned by how long this product lasts. Durable in a way no other polish has ever been for me, plus the colors—including the above linked red—are absolutely flawless. 

ALSO EXCELLENT

Highlighter: Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm ($32) in Cava

The perfect amount of sophisticated sheen, and it just melts into your skin.

Lip Balm: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant ($29, 20% off today)

This balm first pinged my radar back in the late ‘00s when I was interviewing legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath about a look she created for a runway show. She used this product on the models’ eyelids to give them a dewy sheen, and I immediately went out and bought one. It’s a real multi-tasking product—you can use it to moisturize your cuticles, soothe sunburns, and more—but I love it best as a lip treatment. 

Eyeliner: Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner ($28) in Cave

So gentle and blendable. 

Brow: Westman Atelier Bonne Brow Defining Brow Pencil ($38) in Clay

I wear Kosas eyebrow gel on a day-to-day basis, but for the moments that matter the most, I want a pencil to really fill in and shape my brows, and this one is perfect. 

[Note: I didn’t include blush or concealer because I love a few equally, and didn’t include bronzer or contour, because I don’t love either or use them.] 

BODY

Wash: Harry’s Fig Body Wash ($8)

The perfect scent and price. What more do you need? 

Lotion/Treatment: Eucerin Roughness Relief Lotion for Dry Skin ($16)

If you ever get keratosis pilaris like me, you need this lightweight, non-stinging body lotion. 

Lotion/Gentle: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream ($18)

There’s nothing on the market that soothes my skin like Vanicream. It’s so very gentle and lovely, and works on my whole family.

Body Oil: Klur Elements of Comfort Body Oil ($70)

If you ever need your skin to gleam or like smelling great, Klur’s body oil is unparalleled. It’s fragrance free, comes in sustainable packaging, and works on everyone. 

Razor: Flamingo 5-Blade Razor ($11)

Until the day I get my legs fully lasered, this really simple razor is my go-to. 

HAIR

Shampoo: OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo ($32)

Okay I know I said that Roz Hair’s shampoo and conditioner is my favorite—and it still is!—but I wanted to spotlight RH’s new thickening spray (see below), so I’m putting OUAI here because it’s the shampoo I’ve loved the longest. 

Styling: Roz Hair Air Thickening Spray ($39)

I haven’t even written about this spray it’s so new, but it’s EXCELLENT. Frankly I love everything Mara makes—The Foundation Shampoo and Conditioner are bonkers good, the Santa Lucia styling oil will always be on the top of my list, and I adore the Root Lift Spray—but this thickening spray feels next level. 

Hairspray: Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray ($13)

She’s a classic for a reason.

Clips: KS and Co Leaf Hair Clips ($22 for pack of 4)

The incredible brow guru Kristie Streicher makes all kinds of phenomenal products, but her sleeper hit (for me) is this four-pack of no-crease, no-mark, no-bend hair clips. 

SKIN

Daily Serum: Dr. Idriss Major Fade Hyper Serum ($68)

If you want even skin, you need Dr. Idriss’s whole three-part system, but if you can only buy one, this is the product. 

Retinol Serum: Shani Darden Retinol Reform Treatment Serum ($89)

It works, never irritates my skin, and it’s essential on every level.

Sunscreen: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen ($38)

Unfortunately my whole family loves this one, and my kids demand the “dry sunscreen,” as they call it. It has a lightweight, non-sticky formula and feels so soft going on. It’s also perfect under makeup. 

Moisturizer: Tower 28 SOS Daily Skin Carrier Redness Recovery ($24)

Sometimes I just want an incredibly simple, non-irritating moisturizer. This one works for me!

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Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.