March 26, 2021

Find the best price for your product faves, the Byredo perfume that gets you, a toner for your 'pits and my musings one pandemic year later.

A new way to save money when you shop

I don’t know about you, but I like to save a few bucks whenever possible. As you probably well know, it can be hard to find bargains on your favorite beauty products outside of retailer-wide sales and promotions like “friends and family” events—and you definitely don’t want to be shopping shady sites with lower-than-normal prices because that means you’re likely getting expired or counterfeit stuff.

I’m a huge fan of comparison-shopping on ShopStyle when I’m planning to buy a specific item of clothing or pair of shoes, and I was thrilled to learn about the launch of Cosmetify—which is essentially the same concept for skincare, makeup, fragrance and all things beauty.

My first test was M.A.C Bronzing Powder, and the site served up four different prices from four different retailers—and even includes the shipping fees so you can do the math. I also searched for Le Labo Santal 33 and was shocked to see that it’s actually less expensive to order from Harvey Nichols in the U.K., despite the $15 shipping. Cosmetify also allows you to set price alerts, so if you’re eyeing something you don’t need ASAP you can pull the trigger when a deal arises. (This is also a great way to create a product-reminder list.)

A few dollars here and there can certainly add up—and you might just be able to save up enough to pay full price for a product like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, which rarely goes on sale. (This literally happens like once a year, and I’ll be sure to let you know when it does!)

The perfume we all need right now

I have a major thing for fragrance, and I tend to gravitate to the same notes over and over again, albeit in different combinations and permutations. I’m all about spicy, woody and clean, beguiling synthetic (like Iso-E Super and ambrox) notes, and not a fan of fruity or floral scents (with the rare exception of tiare, orange blossom and certain roses).

The name of a fragrance has never swayed me in any direction, but there’s a first time for everything—and simply learning that Byredo launched a scent called Mixed Emotions piqued my olfactory interest. There’s an undeniable connection between fragrance, memory and mood, and once the name resonated with me (because my moods are all over the place these days) I had to dig a little deeper.

As it turns, out, the actual notes in this scent speak to me as well. With maté (I’m in), cassis (I’ve never turned down a Kir Royale), black tea (not my favorite taste but a common denominator in many of my perfumes), violet leaves (often a pleasant surprise in the right perfume time and place), birch wood (sign me up) and papyrus (an interesting finishing touch), my olfactory imagination is running wild.

I find it so interesting how the reality of the past year started to set in just when a more normal future feels more within reach—and mixed emotions is an understatement. I’m both melancholy about the hugs, laughs and experiences we missed out on, and excited to begin enjoying life again (and appreciating all of the little things I took for granted all the more). My only question is, will I be able to take my mask off to test this fragrance when I finally step foot back in the mall, or will I be given a sample to experience within my safe bubble at home? Seriously.

A toner for where???

To tone or not to tone, that is the question. Frankly, this skincare step comes down to personal preference, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a dermatologist who insists this product is a must. But with that said, this extra step can be used to make sure your skin is free of dirt, makeup and debris, as well as provide extra exfoliation or hydration. I happen to use a glycolic acid toner after my post-workout shower, but I’m not so devoted to it that my skincare world would come crashing down without it.

I had mixed emotions when I first learned about the launch of Bella Skin Beauty’s Watermelon Probiotic Underarm Toner… At first, I was like, why? Then I remembered how I never felt like soap was able to get my ‘pits completely clean before I switched to natural deodorant. Then, I kind of got into the idea of using probiotics and gentle lactic acid to quell odor-causing bacteria and soothe this delicate skin. 

Sure you can use this vegan, organic, non-toxic toner post-shower, pre-deo—but you can also use it if you don’t have time to shower, as an on-the-go refreshing boost or instead of re-applying deodorant throughout the day. Whenever you decide to use it, your skin gets treated to a bevy of antioxidants, amino acids and botanicals as well—and that’s nothing to turn your nose up at.

One year into the pandemic, I have some (beauty-related) thoughts

I was keeping a close eye on coronavirus well before our worlds came to a grinding halt March 13 of last year. A dear friend and I talked about it in late January, and I started taking preparatory steps—like making a major Costco run at the end of February (alas, they were already out of toilet paper) and hoarding any disinfecting wipes I could get my hands on. The stress of it all was making me break out even before schools and everything else shut down, so I made it my business to get a HydraFacial on March 10. (At this point I declined shaking hands with the aesthetician, but had no problem with her breathing in my face for an hour.)

All sorts of panic set in once lockdown began, but I wasn’t too concerned about my personal maintenance because (at the time) we all fooled ourselves into believing that it wasn’t going to be for that long. (Even though Florida opened up way early, the only beauty appointments I’ve made since—rather reluctantly—have been two colors and one haircut. That’s it.)

As time went on, we all discovered the impact lockdown was having on our appearance. Our nails, toes, eyelashes, brows, body hair, Botox, fillers, extensions started to go from bad to worse, and many of us (myself included) tried to do whatever we could at home to hold the pieces together. I asked my colorist if she could give me a DIY formula to go darker, and when that wasn’t an option I begged her to come to my house for highlights. (No dice.) Then, after a few months, a strange thing happened… I started to wonder if I really ever needed to go to a salon for a manicure, pedicure or wax again, and I actually convinced myself I didn’t. (This was obviously some sort of psychological defense mechanism to help me deal with the fact that we had no idea when it would be safe to go back “out there.”)

Fast-forward to now, and I will be fully vaccinated in less than a month. I already feel less anxious being out and about (I went for a smoothie this morning—this was huge for me!) but of course I’m still playing it safe. But I will tell you that the first thing I do two weeks after my second shot is get a pedicure. So, yes, I really do need professionals for my personal maintenance, especially to put all the pieces back together after the dumpster fire that has been the last year. And with that, I’ll share my last DIY pedicure EVER (as long as I can help it):