December 30, 2016

The hair ties you need right now, truly customized foundation in a flash and GlamGlow's new magnifying moisturizer.

Step up your hair-tie game

Are you still walking around with a black rubber band on your wrist? If so, it’s time to swap it out for a more grown-up hair accessory—and Pulleez are just the way to do it.

Fret not, you can stick with your basic black elastic, but how about punching it up a bit with crystal-embellished charms? From flowers and owls to more subdued circles and solid silver “nuggets,” these adjustable drawstring ponytail holders deliver secure hold, are gentle on the hair and won’t leave a dent in your fresh blowout. Oh, and they can totally pass as a bracelet when they’re on standby on your wrist.

You never have to shop for foundation again

Shopping for foundation is up there with shopping for bathing suits. No one really wants to deal with it but it’s a necessary evil. Similar to bathing suits, how many times have you gotten home (or stepped outside) with a new foundation, looked in the mirror and said to yourself, It didn’t look like this in the store. Too many to count, right? Well, thanks to MATCHCo and its modern (mobile!) technology, you may not ever find yourself in this predicament ever again. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Download the app.

Step 2: Calibrate your iPhone or iPad’s camera by tapping your device on white paper. (It took me a few tries to do it correctly but don’t get frustrated, it’s worth the effort!)

Step 3: Tap the phone on your skin where instructed (i.e. forehead, cheeks, inner and outer wrist). Be sure to do this indoors (no direct sunlight), and with clean skin.

Step 4: Enter your credit card, or better yet, use Apple Pay!

Step 5: Anxiously await your customized foundation, which got to me in just 2 days!

The verdict: AMAZING! I’ve been lucky enough to try a few customized foundation services over the past few years, and none of them came even close to the color accuracy of MATCHCo. I really like the formulation, too. It’s sheer but buildable. Not too dewy and not too matte. And it’s hydrating. The coverage was perfect for day when I applied it with a damp BeautyBlender, and I was able to amp it up a bit for evening by using primer and applying with a foundation brush.

Although you don’t get to customize anything but the color, the formulation is oil-free and enhanced with anti-aging and antioxidant ingredients like peptides, green tea, vitamin E, ceramides, bisabolol—and it’s free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates. It’s also non-comedogenic, cruelty-free and dermatologist reviewed.

Would I order this again? Absolutely—and I’ll probably do it for the summer so I have a perfect foundation match for when I’m spending a bit more time in the sun. In case you’re wondering, the cost is $49, which is a small price to pay for knowing that you’ll finally have a foundation that’s a perfect match!

P.S. And they put your name on it!

Mattifying moisture for oily skin

Oily skin needs extra moisture, too—especially during winter months. From colder temperatures and blustery winds to artificial indoor heat, thirsty skin can compensate by producing even more oil. This leads to a vicious cycle of dryness and shine, but you can easily sidestep this seasonal problem with the right product. That’s why the timing couldn’t be better for the debut of GlamGlow’s Volcasmic Matte Glow Moisturizer…

Unlike other mattifying moisturizers, this unique product doesn’t leave your skin looking flat. Yes, the volcanic minerals do an amazing job at absorbing excess oil, but it somehow manages to impart a heathy glow at the same time. This makes it ideal for use before makeup, and your skin will feel comfortable all day thanks to the long-lasting moisture. Of course you get nourishment and barrier-reinforcement courtesy of GlamGlow’s antioxidant-rich TEAOXI complex (comprised of prickly pear, cherry tomato leaf and more), making this just the moisturizer shine-prone skin needs anytime of year.