October 14, 2016

Magnetic false lashes, a heated razor for a smoother shave, Revision Skincare's needle-free alternative to Botox and Joico's BCA bundle.

False lashes that won’t damage your real lashes

As I sit here writing this, Hurricane Matthew is slowly but surely closing in (and it feels like the walls are, too, now that the house is all shuttered up). In an effort to quell the anxiety associated with knowing that we’re not going anywhere for at least a few days, and not knowing if/how long we’ll be without power, I started a list of things that can help keep me busy—and naturally there are a few beauty-related activities that I’ve been putting off for a while. One of them is mastering false-lash application (another is mastering liquid liner application), but I’m going a different route since after waiting for almost three months, my One Two Lashes are finally here!

These falsies are unlike any others you’ve seen or tried, because they attach to your own lashes with magnets. There’s a top lash and a lower lash, and they basically stick to each other—and not your skin or real lashes. I spent a few minutes playing with them when they first arrived, and the real challenge is getting the perfect placement—but a little (or a lot of) practice is well worth it. You can pop them on after applying mascara, or you can apply mascara with them on (although I wouldn’t recommend that because it may pull them out of place).

Each box comes with two pairs of reusable lashes, and they are available in Original for a little boost, Bold for more drama, Accent to add a bit of length to the outer corners and Filler, which are perfect for gaps in or caused by extensions. Check out these images...

"Original"

"Bold"

"Accent"

Again, I’ll emphasize that it takes some trial and error, but One Two has a variety of video tutorials that will help you lash out. I just hope I have electricity and Internet access when I decide to try them!

But seriously, if you’re in Hurricane Matthew’s path as well, please stay safe (and maybe use some of your time on lockdown beefing up your beauty skills!)…

This is the hot new razor (literally)...

Just when you think shaving technology has reached its peak, another innovation comes along. But this time we’re not talking about yet another blade—we’re talking about the addition of heat to ensure the closest, most comfortable shave yet.

Launching on Kickstarter today, the SmartRazor replicates the old-school technique of using a hot towel to soften hair and create an optimal shaving environment—without the extra step. Powered by a rechargeable battery that delivers heat directly to the blades, in turn making it 200% easier to cut through stubble with less tugging and irritation. Since I know some of you may be wondering about the blade-replacement situation, yes, you have to use SmartRazor cartridges to enjoy a warm shave.

The SmartRazor has an estimated delivery date of November 2017, but if you back the Kickstarter now you can get the razor, charger and two cartridges for $79. Our calendar is marked because we can’t wait to try it and do a leg-by-leg comparison… What about you?

An injection-free way to smooth motion-related wrinkles

Ah, those pesky expression lines… You know, the ones that pop up when you smile, squint or are taken by surprise. I’m all about the Botox for eliminating those bad boys—and I’m also all about doing anything and everything in my power to help the results last longer. This includes using a targeted treatment serum designed to minimize the muscle contractions that lead to these motion-related wrinkles, and Revision Skincare’s Revox-7 is one of the best I’ve tried.

This high-tech serum is formulated with seven unique peptides that work to soften the look of lines around the eyes, mouth and on the forehead—whether you go the Botox route or not. This simple extra step is well worth it, and all you have to do is dab it on your problem spots after cleansing and let it dry for one minute before you slather on your moisturizer. The oil-free formula makes it perfect for all skin types (and all ages) who want to keep visible signs of motion to a minimum while smoothing, firming and rejuvenating areas that could add years to your face.

I’m actually hitting up the derm for some Botox today but I’ll be using this daily moving forward to help the results stick around as long as possible and hopefully make this my last visit in my 30s—and 2016. Fingers crossed!

Our first BCA beauty pick for your hair!

How did October happen? And the month that brings us Halloween and Daylight Savings is also all about Breast Cancer Awareness (as if you didn’t already know that). In past years I’ve kicked off the month with personal breast-cancer stories from myself and my mother, since she was a survivor and I’m vigilant about early detection because of my increased risk. Although I’m happy to say that my mom had been cancer-free for almost 40 years after a mastectomy in the 70s and a prophylactic mastectomy a little less than 10 years ago, I’m not happy to say that she passed away this past April.

Truth be told, although she was a huge proponent of research, she wasn’t a big fan of all the pink ribbon brouhaha because she really believed that breast cancer awareness should be a year-round affair. I definitely saw her point, but I think it’s a great way to raise much-needed funds—and I’ll be sharing my BCA beauty picks throughout the month.

First up is Joico’s Instant Bombshell Kit because who couldn’t use a little refresh in the hairstyling department? This insanely priced set includes Heat Set Blowout Crème, Hair Shake Finishing Texturizer Spray, a round brush AND a set of hair clips for less than $21. Beyond being a great deal, Joico is donating $15,000 to the City of Hope Foundation, a leading research and treatment center for cancer as well as diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.