Who: Philosophy
What: Kiss Me Tonight Lip Balm
When: Every night, and sometimes in the morning
Where: My bedroom
Why: This rich but non-sticky lip balm is extremely hydrating and leaves lips instantly looking and feeling healthier. This balm kept my lips from cracking and peeling through bitterly cold winter weather conditions and through Covid. Plus, I like its cheeky name and tagline. Highly recommend.
Who: Too Faced
What: Hangover Rx 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray
When: Whenever you didn’t get enough sleep, and/or had one too many cocktails the night before
Where: Spritz all over your face (and neck)
Why: This coconut-water infused mist contains skin revivers that helps refresh your skin and keep it hydrated. You can mist it on before makeup to use as a primer, after application to set your makeup, or throughout the day as a refresher. I primarily spritz it onto clean skin before makeup on days when I’m feeling run down and could use a little extra glow (and moisture). Also, it smells like coconut and feels really nice on the skin. I always have time for that!
Now that it’s October and pumpkin season is officially upon us, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about these seasonally appropriate hydrogel eye masks. Yes, they are a fun shade of orange, but BLAQ Pumpkin Fresh Peepers also contain pumpkin extract fruit enzymes, red algae and konjac, which all work together to create an extremely soothing, pleasant and effective hydrogel patch.
I recently put these bad boys to the ultimate test after a particularly rough day. Let’s just say I did a fair amount of crying, my dark circles had dark circles, and I had to attend an event where I’d rather not look like the dictionary definition of haggard. I slapped these on, used some eye drops (shout out to Lumify), and 15 minutes later looked like a normal human again. It was incredible. My sister witnessed the whole thing – she’ll back me up, I’m sure.
Is there anything I love more than a whimsical beauty product that actually works? I doubt it. I never want to be without a supply of these eye masks again, but especially not during PSL season.
I received a sample of Clinique’s new Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Cream free from Influenster and Clinique in exchange for my honest review. I’ve been using it for about 3 weeks, and although I can’t say that it’s made much of a difference on my most aggressive lines – I’m looking at you, forehead wrinkle – my overall skin tone is much improved. It is smoother, more even and less red. The moisturizer is fragrance-free and has a lightweight, non-greasy texture that is surprisingly hydrating.
It may not be the holy grail in fighting wrinkles, but it’s a great moisturizer overall. I’d recommend for those who are just beginning their anti-aging journey, and to anyone who is looking for a dependable everyday moisturizer that won’t irritate sensitive skin.
Few beauty woes are more relatable than dark under eye circles, and few beauty finds are as appreciated as a good eye cream. Which is why, upon discovering Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting Eye Cream, I basically shouted it from the mountain tops. And now I’m telling you.
This thick, fragrance-free eye cream claims to “smooth and revive the delicate eye area for a bright, refreshed look.” Having used it daily for a couple of months now, I can confirm that it does just that. It also feels great going on and hasn’t bothered my sensitive eyes at all. My favorite thing about this eye cream? It started working almost instantly. Within days I noticed a difference in my appearance. Apparently, so did everyone else.
About a week after I started using this cream, I was carded. When I showed my ID, the cashier said “WOW I’m so sorry – I thought you were in your twenties!” This did not hurt my late-30s feelings one bit. It’s happened twice more since then, both times with somewhat over-the-top exclamations like “you look GREAT!” and “I guess I’m going to believe you, but you look way younger than this.”
Flattery aside, I’ve noticed this cream definitely brightens my under eyes, even on those extra tired and run down days. My eyes are less puffy and I’m not noticing fine lines like I used to. I convinced my sister and two of my best friends to try it and they are all equally obsessed with it. All agree that it feels wonderful and they noticed a difference in appearance within days. If you’re looking for an eye cream to brighten your day, this is the one for you.
Let’s be real about something for a minute. As much as I might like the concept of natural deodorants in theory, in reality I usually find them disappointing and, if I’m honest, ineffective. After a lifetime of using standard antiperspirants, I find the dampness that natural deodorants leave behind to be disconcerting. Not to mention the traces of B.O. that always seem to make their way through. Occasionally I’ll be drawn to some pretty packaging or rave reviews and will pick a new variety up to test, but I have never found a natural deodorant that tickles my fancy – until now.
I was drifting down the beauty aisles of TJ Maxx when my best friend pointed to an appealing blue and orange labeled tube of Schmidt’s Waves Natural Deodorant and told me it was her absolute favorite. As I trust her with all things beauty-related, I grabbed one and decide to give it a go. I put it in my medicine cabinet and forgot about its existence until I ran out of my usual antiperspirant and needed something to get me through. I swiped it on and hoped for the best.
First let me just say that this deodorant smells like a summer day. It has a coconut sunscreen type of scent that instantly puts me in a good mood. And somehow the scent gets better when it mixes with sweat! I don’t understand it but I will tell you this – this deodorant will have you feeling like a sexy sea nymph cruising the beach on a hot summer day. It hasn’t completely replaced my standard antiperspirant, but it is in my summer rotation. If you’re a natural deodorant skeptic like me, I urge you to give it a try.
You’ve probably heard of retinol. And if you’re anything like me (and pretty much every person I’ve talked to about it), you’re probably wondering if it really works. Out of all the “use this to look younger” products on the market, those containing retinol seem to be the ones that actually live up to the hype. So how does it work?
Retinol is a type of retinoid, which are vitamin A-based topical treatments that are used for a variety of skin concerns. According to Harvard Health Publications, they reduce wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen in the skin. As a person with increasingly aggravating forehead wrinkles, this sounds like great news to me. But it also sounds too good to be true.
So when I received a bottle of L’Oreal Revitalift Derm Intensives Night Serum with Pure Retinol compliments of Influenster for testing purposes, I was eager to give it a try. I completed a 30 day test, following the instructions on the package – use twice a week week one, every other day week two, and nightly as tolerated after that. Retinol can be harsh, so it’s important to follow these instructions to let your skin adjust to the ingredient. I found that using it more than every other day made my skin flaky, so I maintained that schedule through the end of the test. I’ll admit I was skeptical that I’d see much in the way of results in such a short period of time, but I’m here to report that wasn’t the case at all. I was completely floored when I compared my before and after picks:
There was a definite improvement in those pesky forehead wrinkles, and that was from every other day use! I will caution you that retinol can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to always wear SPF when using retinol products. That said, I have never used any anti-aging product that is this effective. If you’re concerned about wrinkles or fine lines, I’d say this serum deserves a place in your skincare routine.
If you’re currently dealing with the kind of sweltering summer heat that makes you want to fling yourself into the sea, please allow me to introduce you to my favorite summer skincare treat: the facial mist. Lovely, refreshing, and with just a hint of unnecessary self indulgence, I use these little beauties to keep me cool all summer long and here’s why you should, too.
Avene Thermal Spring Water is a fine thermal water spray for sensitive or irritated skin. It helps soothe a sunburn, calm redness after a workout, or simply refresh your skin whenever it’s hot or uncomfortable. I keep it in my beach bag so I can use it to cool and hydrate my face after a day of sunning and swimming.
I use Boscia Rosewater Mist with Witch Hazel on an almost daily basis, for three reasons. First, it has a light, pretty wild rose scent that makes me feel like a garden nymph whenever I spritz it on. Second, it has a toning and cooling effect that makes me feel refreshed and instantly more put together every time I use it. And third, the witch hazel makes it extremely effective at soothing brown tail moth rashes. If you don’t have brown tail moths where you live, consider yourself lucky. If you do, do yourself a favor and buy yourself a bottle of this mist!
We’re heading into another few days and nights of hot, humid weather here in my neck of the woods. If you need me, I’ll be chilling over here with my facial mists.
We all have our favorite lip balms. Sure, I’m always down to try the newest lipsticks and tinted balms, but when it comes right down to it, you’re always going to find classic Burt’s Bees in my purse and a candy cane Chapstick in my medicine cabinet. However, come the first week of February with its dry indoor heat, biting outdoor winds, and a level of dehydration that I don’t quite understand, and I start looking for that holy grail of winter beauty products – something that will un-chap my poor lips.
Enter Manna Kadar Beauty Lip Bliss Lip Mask. It came in an Allure Beauty Box last fall, and aside from its cute pink and gold packaging, I didn’t think much of it. Then my lips started to get dry, cracked, and downright angry. My usual chapstick seemed to make them feel worse, so I swiped on some Lip Bliss. Instant relief! The tube said to apply before bed for maximum results, so I did. I woke up with smooth, soft, happy lips. I no longer go to bed without it.
I occasionally use Lip Bliss as a daily lip balm as well. It comes in a tube but isn’t sticky or overly glossy. It has a mild, pleasant, slightly sweet scent and is extremely hydrating. Pro tip: you can use it on cracked cuticles, too!
If you’re searching for a quick and easy fix for chapped winter lips, look no further. You can find Lip Bliss here.
Between festive outings and the dryness that comes with winter weather, I’ve been cycling through a variety of lip products, looking for the perfect balance of hydration and enhancement. Sure, there a times when my lips feel dry or I’m about to venture out into the cold and I opt for my trusty winter standbys, Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm or Candy Cane Chapstick. I remain a loyal fan of both of these classic balms. But sometimes a girl wants something a bit more glam and holiday-worthy than clear Chapstick.
There are so many pretty lip color options around it can be hard to choose. I tried Tarte Color Splash Lipstick in Ocean Drive, a fierce hot pink. The lipstick is surprisingly moisturizing and has a pretty matte finish. Unfortunately this shade of pink isn’t quite right for me, but I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone looking for a hydrating matte lipstick with nice color payoff.
I couldn’t resist the ultra-glam Gucci Lip Balm in No More Orchids, a pretty medium pink tinted balm in even prettier packaging. This balm is more pigmented than I expected, and quite long lasting, but sadly isn’t very hydrating. I imagine I’ll be wearing it nonstop when spring arrives, but probably not to any holiday parties.
On days when I want to look fresh faced with just a hint of lip color, I’ve been reaching for NCLA Beauty Balm Babe 100% Natural Lip Balm in Pink Champagne. It’s a silky, shiny, lightly pigmented pink balm that protects against the cold and tastes great, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a subtle lip look while standing under the mistletoe.
As much as I like the NCLA balm, more often than not I find myself wanting just a bit more color on my lips. Which brings me to my pick for best holiday lip product: Love + Sage Well Red Tinted Balm. Packaged in a perfectly portable tube, this smooth, hydrating balm features the prettiest slightly brick-red shade that goes on sheer and is easy to layer on for more color. I turn to it again and again because the shade feels just right for every occasion, whether I’m heading to the office or going out for holiday cocktails with friends.
What’s your go-to lip product this season?
FOR THE LOVE OF GLOSS 