April 14, 2017

I can't recommend RMS Beauty enough, a Kiehl's favorite gets SPF, a next-level hand treatment, eye patches that shoo away crow's feet and medium-coverage foundation and self-tanner in one.

Essie "Altitude Attitude"

Have you jumped on the RMS bandwagon?

If you read any beauty coverage whatsoever (this blog included), odds are you’ve seen RMS Beauty. But despite reading how amazing the Living Luminizer is over and over, it’s possible you haven’t taken the plunge because RMS’ limited brocks-and-mortar distribution makes it difficult to try first hand. For the record, I took a makeup leap of faith and order the original Living Luminizer, the newer Master Mixer and the Buriti Bronzer and never had an ounce of regret.

For all of you who have been reluctant, there’s a brand-new and absolutely perfect way for you to try RMS’ amazing, certified-organic offerings: The Signature Set. Available in two colorways, this palette features RMS’ must-tries, in a convenient, neat and tidy compact.

The Mod Collection: The softer, more neutral of the two, this palette includes Master Mixer, Living Luminizer, Lip2Cheek in “Smile” and “Spell” and Simply Cocoa Lip & Skin Balm.

The Pop Collection is a bit bolder, and it includes Buriti Bronzer, Magic Luminizer, Lip2Cheek in “Demure” and “Beloved” and Simply Vanilla Lip & Skin Balm.

The beauty of these palettes is their versatility. You may notice that there are no brushes—and that’s because none of these products require any tools.

Still a bit unsure or intimidated? The site features lots of how-to videos that show you just how simple and easy this makeup line is designed to be. You’ll be in pro in no time!

A Kiehl’s favorite gets the upgrade we’ve been waiting for

Anyone who’s been around the beauty block a few times has likely tried (and loved) Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. Lightweight yet supremely hydrating, this has been one of my go-to moisturizers for as long as I remember. Though ideal for nighttime (I especially like it after doing an exfoliating treatment or mask because it’s pretty gentle), I’ve never really used it in the morning for one simple reason: It doesn’t have an SPF. But after years of longing for the addition of sun protection, my dream finally came true, and Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30 is here!

Now we can all enjoy the same lightweight, fast-absorbing 24-hour hydration as the cult favorite, and know our skin is protected from UV rays thanks to broad-spectrum SPF 30. The SPF ingredients are chemical-based, so there’s no white or chalky residue, and the formula also helps your skin resist other environmental aggressors courtesy of a glycoprotein called Antarcticine (which has been found to help withstand extreme cold).

Just in time for spring and summer, this effective moisturizer is just what you need to refresh your skincare routine—and shield your skin from sun damage.

What have you done for your hands lately?

It’s no secret that I’m pretty vigilant when it comes to anti-aging skincare for my face, and I try my best to rub extra product from each step on the backs of my hands. This has been working rather well for me, but a few weeks ago I noticed a few new spots so I knew it was time to step up my hand-care game. I happen to be working on a hand story for Beauty in the Bag, so I have a slew of products to test, and the first one I tried was Hand MD’s Restorative Duo, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

Much more than a mere hand cream, this two-step treatment has one chamber of a retinol- and peptide-infused serum to keep fresh, healthy-looking cells on the surface while promoting the collagen production that maintains skin plumpness (and prevents that crepey appearance). The other chamber contains a nourishing moisturizer formulated with protective antioxidants to help ward off further damage.

I’ve been using Hand MD for about a week, and I’m pretty sure those new spots have faded a bit, and my hands are smooth and soft. My nails are also in pretty good shape, which is rare when I skip my manicure (because I just didn’t have the time last week). I’ve also become more diligent about applying sunscreen to my hands in the morning since I don’t want to undo my nightly efforts—or have my hands reveal my age in either the near or distant future.

A different way to smooth crow’s feet

In case you didn’t know, the eye area is the first to show visible signs of aging. The combination of thin skin, a lifetime of smiling and squinting, and a high likelihood of skimping on sun protection does a number on the collagen and elastin in this area, leading to those fine lines we refer to as crow’s feet. Eye cream is the first (and bare minimum) line of defense, and it’s a skincare staple for most of us over a certain age. I certainly don’t have an issue with eye cream, but when I came across Patchology’s FlashPatch Restoring Night Eye Gels, I was eager to give this alternative a try.

Packed with much-needed moisture, rejuvenating retinol, collagen-boosting peptides, soothing arnica and discoloration-fighting Cedrus Atlantica bark extract, simply slap them on for five minutes and let them go to work on those pesky lines, dark circles and other signs of stress and fatigue. I love how they stay put—in turn delivering the potent active ingredients exactly where I want them—and they minimize the product buildup and pilling I sometimes experience when I apply too much or too many products too quickly. They’re a bit thinner are more film-y than the puff-reducing patches I’ve used before, but that has no impact on the final result.

Granted I (naturally) make my eye-area anti-aging regimen a whole to-do with my Tria SmoothBeauty Eye Wrinkle Laser (which you can now get at a whopping 70% off) and Botox like clockwork, I’m really digging these patches for my nightly fight against crow’s feet because let’s just say I’m not getting any younger.

This foundation serves up a faux glow you can control

Last week I told you about the Vita Liberata bronzer that doubles as self-tanner, and this week I have another multitasking makeup to share—and you can get this one at the drugstore!

Brand-new and just in time for warmer days ahead, Almay’s Healthy Glow Makeup + Gradual Self Tan not only saves you a skincare step, it lets you control just how tan you want to be. Offering lightweight medium coverage (and broad-spectrum SPF 20!) in one chamber and a gradual self-tanner in the other, each pump delivers the perfect amount of each so you can see sun-kissed skin in as little as 3 days—and then skip a day or two once you’ve achieved your desired color.

Available in light, light/medium and medium, it’s the perfect way to get a head-start on summer without getting stressed out over color-matching! You glow, girl!