June 18, 2021
My all-time favorite sunscreen is back, the eyeshadow palette you need and a tool that ensures flawless foundation application.
Don't miss this Glossier sale!
I’ve tried so many Glossier products I can’t even recall them all. In fact, I had to peruse the site to refresh my memory—and let’s just say I did some damage because EVERYTHING is 20% off through Monday thanks to the Friends of Glossier sale. (Note: Glossier rarely has sales.)
The growth of Glossier has been a pleasure to watch (and experience), and of course there’s a backstory about the Friends of Glossier sale. Back in March (which either feels like yesterday or years ago—I’m not sure), a 50% off promo code leaked on social media and went viral. Glossier fans’ heads exploded. (This article rounds up some of the best related tweets.) The code was ultimately deactivated, but not before carts everywhere were packed to the brim.
Although the “official” Friends of Glossier sale isn’t giving anyone half-off, a 20% discount is better than nothing! Here are my picks…
FutureDew Oil-Serum Hybrid
Bubblewrap Eye + Lip Plumping Cream
Balm Dot Com Universal Skin Salve
Boy Brow
Stretch Concealer
Lash Slick
Perfecting Skin Tint
Lidstar Glistening Eye Glow
Body Hero Dry-Touch Oil Mist
Body Hero Exfoliating Bar
Glossier You Eau de Parfum
Happy shopping!
My favorite sunscreen of ALL TIME is back!
It was a sad, sad day when I purchased what I was convinced was the very last bottle of Eau Thermale Avene Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Fluid 50+ in existence. (I came to this conclusion because I found it on a website I had never heard of before—and paid roughly twice the regular price—and was never able to procure another bottle again). But it was an even sadder day when I finished that bottle, and I’ve been bouncing from SPF to SPF like a sun-protection vagabond ever since.
Just when I thought I everything that could go my way was (poo poo poo), things got even better this morning when I was scrolling through my daily beauty newsletters. There it was (albeit with a new name and a new look): Eau Thermale Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50+. As if I wasn’t already bursting with gratitude (you know, for being alive and healthy), I am officially on Cloud 9.
Even more, this formula may be even better than the original thanks to niacinamide that helps reduce redness and discoloration and soothing bisabolol. It’s officially on the way—stay tuned for updates!
Who's ready to sparkle again?
I’m happy to report that my love for makeup is back—especially now that I’m running around town with reckless abandon (and no mask)! It’s not like I locked my makeup drawer in March 2020 and never looked back (since I still wanted to put my best face forward on Zooms)—but any purchases I’ve made in the meantime have been basics, and anything far from FUN.
That changed over Memorial Day weekend when I got an email from Roen Beauty, an under-the-radar clean makeup brand that is all about sparkle. Since I’m feeling rather sparkly myself these days (8 weeks healthy today!!!), the timing was perfect for giving my makeup look a little zshush. (For the record, Roen does not use glitter, but rather eco-friendly pearl for shimmer and shine.)
As luck would have it, their 11:11 Set happened to be on sale and I got a lot of bang (and bling) for my 100 bucks. The allure of Roen Beauty is the unique eyeshadow formula, which is a dense cream. Upon first use, the brand suggests swirling each shade with your fingertip using firm pressure to “activate” it so you get maximum pigment payoff when you pat it on. These shadows are super-fun for mixing and matching so you get a different look every time (if you want). You can also apply them with a brush for a lighter wash of color.
In addition to the four warm, earthy eyeshadow shades, you also get the Disco Eye, which is designed to be used on its own or as a “topper” for even more oomph. (Think of it a Stila’s “Kitten” on steroids.) This is just the pop you need to accentuate fresh, dewy skin and a natural lip (courtesy of the Kiss My… Remi nude gloss you get as well). And as icing on the cake, the set also includes the Cake Mascara, because you know you could always use an extra. (The formula is great and the brush is incredibly fluffy, too!)
I also have the 52° COOL palette—which has a totally different vibe. The silvery-blue is to die for! It hasn't gotten any action in a while, but it will now that I’m out and about again. (Finally!)
Get even more out of your makeup
My summer complexion conundrum was deemed solved as soon as Saie’s Slip Tint and Glowy Super Gel took up residence in my makeup drawer—but there’s always a little room for improvement, right? Don’t get me wrong, I’m still obsessed with how healthy and radiant my skin looks when I use these products. However, I’ve been reminded that the sheer (pun intended) ease of applying tinted moisturizer can lead to the assumption that blending is unnecessary. (Newsflash: It is necessary.)
You’re obviously going to need a tool for this, and I may have discovered your foundation’s (or tinted moisturizer’s) new fluffy best friend. Designed to fit into the palm of your hand, Dior’s No. 18 Backstage Face Brush is densely packed with super-soft synthetic bristles that make applying (and blending) and type of liquid, cream, spray or powder foundation a breeze. Best of all, you’re supposed to apply your complexion-coverage product directly to the brush before smoothing it on—which means no more extra mess for your fingers or hands.