April 28, 2017
You might want to consider co-washing, the Tom Ford lippies I can't stop thinking about, "clean" skincare essentials and a little serenity courtesy of Jurlique.
Co-washing targeted for your hair’s needs (and possibly the best dry shampoo ever)
Once upon a time, you could choose between traditional shampoo and a cleansing conditioner—period. (And in the early days, conditioning cleansers were generally too heavy most hair.) We all know that shampoo formulation options span the spectrum for color-treated, damaged, dry, fine and countless combinations of all of the above, yet cleansing conditioners haven’t really diversified all that much. But a brand called Unwash is changing that…
You won’t find a traditional shampoo in this innovative company’s line-up, but you will find options that adhere to their no-poo philosophy. The hero product is the Bio-Cleansing Conditioner, which removes dirt and hydrates the hair like other co-wash products—but that’s just the beginning.
Designed to provide a deeper cleansing, the Anti-Residue Cleanse is still lather-less, yet its blend of coconut, babassu and moringa oleifera seed oil goes to work on product build-up (say, after four days of dry shampoo) without stripping the hair of its natural oils. But unlike the Bio-Cleansing Condition that takes the place of both shampoo and conditioner, the Anti-Residue Cleanse is meant to be followed with the Hydrating Masque. Packed with argan oil and hydrolyzed quinoa, it helps balance moisture levels while leaving strands soft, smooth and shiny. Best of all, this can be used as a regular conditioner no matter your cleansing method of choice, or as a deep-conditioning treatment if you leave it on for a while before rinsing.
Unwash also offers a Dry Cleanser that I am OBSESSED with. Currently holding the top spot in my rotation, it manages to absorb oil and refresh my hair without the powdery residue. Maybe it's the volcanic ash and plant extracts, but it’s that good—and 100% worth a try if you rely on dry shampoo between washes.
So even if you haven’t jumped on the cleansing-conditioner bandwagon yet, Unwash has options that can help you dip your toe in the water or jump in head-first.
The lippie you’ll want to wear all summer
Because there’s no such thing as having too many lip color options, let me introduce you to the latest from Tom Ford, which has summer written all over it. After stalking the TF counter at Neiman Marcus for a month or so, the Clutch-Size Lips Balms finally arrived and now my biggest problem is deciding which one or two to buy (especially because they’re limited-edition so the pressure’s on).
Here’s the scoop… Yes, they’re smaller than Tom Ford’s regular lipsticks—which also means they’re more affordable ($36 each to be exact). Available in six shades, these are super-sheer, super-hydrating and super-shiny, and they serve up a wash of color that you can definitely see while feeling like you’re wearing nothing at all.
I’m leaning toward the hot pink “Cruising” and the more red “Pure Shores,” but I’m thinking the orange-y “L’Odissea” may be an easy way to wear this trendy color-way. I’m not sure how much longer I can wait before heading back over to the mall, so who wants to help me decide?
Is your skincare routine missing these essentials?
No matter how simple or extensive your skincare regimen may be, there are a few basics that everyone needs to have on hand. One is an antioxidant serum to keep environmental damage caused by free radicals at bay, and another is a moisture mask that you can bust out when your skin is feeling parched. I may have a variety of each of these to choose from, but now I have backup thanks to Tu El—and they’re both effective yet “green” since they are 100% vegan and formulated without phthalates, sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, synthetic dyes or fragrance.
I’m really into the C Power Vitamin C Serum because it contains a lot more than straight-up vitamin C (which is one of the best free radical fighters out there). It also features malic and lactic acids for gentle exfoliation, green tea for even more antioxidant protection and vitamin B5 for extra skin nourishment. It’s super-lightweight and absorbs in a flash—and it’s become a staple in my morning skincare sequence. (And at $60, it’s a smart buy.)
The Moisture Plus Treatment Mask is pretty awesome, too, thanks to a majorly hydrating blend of muru muru, sunflower, cocoa and shea butters. Throw in some vitamins, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid and you have a recipe for a skin-soothing, smoothing and softening treat. Slather on a thick layer, kick back and relax for at least 10 minutes once or twice a week—and enjoy plump, radiant, juicy skin without any potentially toxic or irritating ingredients. Who doesn’t want that?
When you find yourself saying, “Serenity now…”
The past week or so has been a bit stressful for me (OK, who am I kidding? The past year has been beyond overwhelming.) I try to meditate as much as possible and medicate as little as possible, but sometimes an email or a phone call while I’m at my desk working is enough to incite a minor freak-out. And without Jurlique’s Calming Blend Aromatherapy Mist, I may have gone over the edge—more than once.
This multitasking spray features a relaxing mix of lavender and grapefruit to chill you the F out naturally. The directions say to close your eyes and mouth and spray over your head and inhale deeply. Even more, you can spray it around the room to infuse your entire space with its aromatherapy benefits, and you can also use it on your pillow and sheets to promote relaxation when you get into bed at the end of a long stressful day.
Maybe it’s the aromatherapy, or maybe it’s just taking a few moments to stop what I’m doing and take a few deep breaths, but it’s calming effects have me contemplating buying the essential oil version for my diffuser. Although I usually light a candle when spending a chunk of time in my office, I’m thinking this would be more beneficial for my state of mind--which is in dire need of improvement! I mean, whose isn't?