September 10, 2021

Because everyone needs bronzer, giving back simply by shaving, the mascaras I'm eyeing and a product that helps keep skin taut and tight.

My next fall-refresh focus: Bronzer

I wasn’t kidding when I said I was updating my makeup selection for fall… Earlier this week it was all about the mascara (the Surratt Beauty and Victoria Beckham Beauty are en route from Violet Grey), and as of yesterday my bronzer situation officially reached upgraded status as well. Since I like to have a cream and a powder on hand (a girl’s gotta have choices), this bronzer refresh required some consideration—but it all worked out in the end.

I’ve been using Chanel’s Soleil Tan de Chanel (recently reintroduced as Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream) for long enough to almost finish it, and I spent several weeks debating whether I should get another one or try Saie’s Sun Melt. I went with option number-two and so far so good. I chose the lightest shade since we’re headed into fall (not that you’d know it when stepping outside into the oppressive heat), and I’m happy with my decision. I’m using the same It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Wand Ball brush (I washed it before trying the Saie) and loving the blendability and touch of sun-kissed color that’s part of my makeup routine year-round. 

My recent bronzing powder journey was a bit bumpier. I bought Kosas’ The Sun Show Bronzer a few month ago, but (mistakenly) went with the medium shade. Nothing against the formula itself, but it was just too dark for me so it’s been languishing in my makeup drawer ever since. When it was time for my monthly Beauty Pie order last week, it dawned on me to check if they had a bronzer and indeed they did. I opted for the lightest shade and I’m loving it, so just like that I’m all set.

A note about finish… Although I used to be all about a little shimmer, I prefer matte bronzers these days and use my highlighter to add a touch of glimmer to my complexion as needed. (However, I’ve come to find that I get the perfect level of luminosity without the need for highlighter when I apply Saie’s Glowy Super Gel in “Starglow” under the brand’s amazing Slip Tint tinted moisturizer or another foundation.)

Support your cause of choice just by shaving

Shaving cream is one of those products that’s just there. I’m not overtly picky, and generally just choose the least expensive one with a scent I don’t mind. As long as it helps prevent irritation—and doesn’t clog up my razor—we’re pretty much good.

If you thought the only shaving end-game was smooth, stubble-free skin, guess again. As of yesterday, Pacific Shaving Co. gave this mundane task a whole lot of purpose with their colorful new Shave with Purpose initiative—and it might actually make you want to do the deed instead of putting it off for another day.

All you have to do is choose your cause/color and feel good that 10% of the proceeds from your purchase goes to the associated charity. Whether you select based on an issue that’s close to your heart or simply want to match your shaving cream to your bathroom’s décor, that’s up to you. (No judgement.) 

Blue: Prostate Cancer Foundation
Green: Mental Health America
Yellow: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Pink: Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation
Red: Project ALS
Purple: It Gets Better Project (for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion)

BTW, these clean, cruelty-free, rich, moisturizing shaving creams are unisex and the actual foam is the same color as the can! How great is this???

I’m eyeing these mascaras… Help me decide!

I wear mascara every day, even if I’m just hanging around the house. (And in this case the only other “makeup” I’ll use is Natura Bissé’s tinted Diamond Cocoon Sheer Eye.) For me, it’s also imperative to have mascara options for casual days and dressier occasions, and it just so happens I’m running low on my Saie Mascara 101 and MERIT Beauty Clean Lash. This means the hunt is on for replacements, and these are at the top of the list.

 Surratt Beauty Noir Lash Tint
Who remembers the original Helena Rubenstein Long Lash mascara with the metal wand and beautiful gold tube? (I’m going WAY back—like officially vintage way back.) That’s the first thing I thought of when I saw this gorgeous mascara, and the alluring iridescent packaging instantly made me want to make it mine. (I don’t think I can resist any longer.)

Victoria Beckham Beauty Future Lash Mascara
I’m obsessed with post-Posh Victoria Beckham (and her husband), and I bought several pieces from her first makeup collaboration with Estée Lauder. I have yet to try anything from her solo line, but this mascara has my name on it. I love a tube mascara (the kind that coats your lashes and stays put until you wet your lashes and gently rub to remove it) because of the zero-smudge and flake factor, which I only now realized seems like a smart solution for steamy mask situations.

Kosas The Big Clean Mascara
I was first in line to try this mascara when it launched—but the formula recently underwent a renovation to give it more staying power. It promises the same fluffy lashes as its predecessor thanks to the firm, flexible bristles and curved design—and it still has all the lash-loving ingredients that you want with none of the “nasty” ingredients you don’t.

What’s a girl to do???

This skin-tightening treatment is the real deal

There are few things I enjoy more than a good closet or beauty product purge. Although I’ve gotten very comfortable tossing items that don’t spark joy, I’ve also gotten really good at recognizing what I should keep. A few of my best “saves” include my nylon Prada tote from college and a small Gucci crossbody from 7th grade (that I recently had reconditioned so it’s literally like new). Beauty products are a bit more difficult since expiration dates are real, but if they have air-tight packaging and I store them in a dark, cool place they generally last a while.

I received Alastin’s TransFORM Body Treatment about a year and a half ago, just in time for a series of EmSculpt treatments. I applied it twice a day as directed to my stomach, and I definitely think it enhanced the results. Once I was happy with my (temporarily) tauter tummy, I tucked it back into my body product drawer with a dash of wishful thinking that I’d be partaking in another body-contouring treatment in the not-so-distant future.

Alas, I did, but it definitely didn’t come about the way I thought it would. Yes, I finally got the liposuction on my stomach that I wanted for years, but I had to go through breast cancer and a double mastectomy to get it. Fortunately all’s well that ends well, and with cancer behind me and my implants in place, now I can focus on the lipo results. 

It’s been three weeks (today) and I’m still tender and swollen. But I hit major recovery milestone yesterday when I felt OK using my shower mitt on my stomach (rather than washing oh-so carefully with the lightest touch). So the second I was done toweling myself off, I dug out the Body TransFORM and applied the suggested three pumps. (I rubbed the leftover onto my inner-upper arms because time isn’t exactly doing this spot any favors.)

FYI, you can use this award-winning, clinically-proven treatment to help firm up any slack skin (even without professional body-sculpting treatments or surgery). In addition to hydrating as any lotion should, Body TransFORM supports the production of new collagen and elastin while helping to clear out old, damaged collagen and elastin. (Check out the results and science—this isn’t just any old body moisturizer.)

I know I need to give my body about two more months to recover, so I’m still far from seeing final results. But I am committed to using Body TransFORM twice daily until then because I’ve already come too far to not try to get the best outcomes possible. (And this body treatment is definitely on my list of best “saves” ever.)