January 20, 2017

Clear caps so you can see your lipstick shades, a fresh take on hair elastics, the Venus Waterless razor no one can get their hands on and 3 types of exfoliation in one tube thanks to Exuviance.

Take your lipstick collection to the next level

If you have an extensive lipstick collection, you totally understand the frustration when trying to find a particular shade. You probably have to open a handful of tubes before finally locating the right one, and honestly, this can be pretty annoying especially when you’re tight on time. Alas, I have a brilliant solution for you: Clear caps.

Full disclosure: The Zoe Report gets full credit for sharing this incredible idea, but that makes it no less share-worthy. Available in packs of 4, 12 and 24, these replacement caps allow you to find the color you want instantly, and I have to say they add a bit of vanity appeal as well.

The hitch: They only work for M.A.C. lipsticks. But with so many hues, textures and finishes available from the brand, I think these caps are enough to make M.A.C. you’re first stop when shopping for a new lip color. 

The hair elastics I wish I had a need for

I can’t wait for the day when I find myself searching for an elastic so I can pull my hair back. It’s been 6 years (possibly more) since the big chop, and I was actually letting my hair grow again before the platinum-induced breakage forced me to go shorter than ever.

When that day eventually comes, my go-to will be Blax Hair Elastics. I love how minimal they are, and in the case of the clear ones, how they’re nearly invisible. (They’re available in black, too.) Each pack of 12 comes in a super-cool matchbook-like dispenser, and I’ll inevitably have a pack in my bag, my office and my bathroom so I’m never, ever searching for a hair tie again. A girl can dream, right?

The world’s most elusive razor

I read WWD each and every morning to stay up on the latest fashion and beauty news, and I usually walk away with a new product on my radar. Back in October or November, I read about a new razor by Gillette called Venus Waterless. This palm-sized razor has a shave gel built right in, in turn eliminating the need for water. I’ll admit that I don’t do much shaving on-the-go (without a sink, shower or bathtub nearby) but I’m intrigued regardless.

The razor was supposed to hit stores in late November, but it has yet to appear on shelves or online. Nothing makes me want something more than not being able to get it, so my hunt for the Venus Waterless has become a bit of an obsession. If any of you have seen it, please let me know… I’ll be eternally grateful!

Three exfoliating treatments in one tube

Any conversation about skin—whether its health, its appearance or how to take care of it—should include exfoliation, but this one word can have different meanings for different people. You may think exfoliation is just another step in your skincare routine, but in fact, it’s a natural process that your skin performs on its own. In an ideal (i.e. youthful) world, your skin’s cells reproduce and flake off at a rate that essentially gives you brand-new skin every 28 days—but unfortunately this process slows down with age. That’s why it’s important to give the natural exfoliation process a helping hand with exfoliating products. By removing the buildup of dead cells on the skin’s surface, you reveal and maintain a fresh, radiant, smooth complexion.

But there’s more… In addition to the skin’s natural exfoliation, there are three different types of skincare-based exfoliation: Physical, chemical and enzymatic. Each works in a different way, and some are better for certain skin types than others. Here’s the lowdown…

Physical exfoliation: Also known as manual exfoliation, this method uses granules or bristles that scrub away dead cells with friction.

Chemical exfoliation: Ingredients such as alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids help melt the bonds that keep dead cells on the skin’s surface, in turn making it easier for them to flake off on their own.

Enzymatic exfoliation: Enzymes basically eat dead skin cells (and nothing else), making this the ideal type of exfoliation for sensitive skin.

Are you still with me? I hope so, because the point of this post is to tell you about a product that incorporates all three types of exfoliation—and after using it once, you won’t believe your eyes (or the feeling on your fingertips). It’s called Exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish, and I recommend you get it STAT. Formulated with professional-grade microdermabrasion crystals (physical), glycolic acid (chemical) and papaya enzymes, it’s a sure-fire way to improve your skin’s radiance and texture.

And it’s so easy to use… You massage it over your entire face for 30 seconds to get the physical exfoliation (although it’s not as “scrubby” as you’d think it would be), and then leave it on for two minutes to get the chemical and enzyme exfoliation benefits. After you rinse it off, you’ll love how your skin looks and feels, and you may also notice that your other skincare products absorb just a little bit better. I have a standing date with this skin-smoother twice a week—and you should, too!