September 29, 2017
NARS has your fall foundation, the app that gives you an on-call derm and probiotics for your face.
The new foundation you need for fall
The official start of fall is sartorially significant—at least to me. This means I can technically start wearing boots (although 90+ degree weather makes this a bit impractical) and long sleeves, and start moving jackets from my upstairs “off-season” closet to my main closet downstairs. Beauty-wise, this means I can swap the bronzy, dewy complexion for a more polished and refined look (as soon as it won’t start running down the face the second I walk outside). A new foundation is always part of my new-season makeup reboot, and this year NARS’ new Velvet Matte Foundation Stick is at the top of my list.
Stick foundation used to mean full coverage, but that’s not really the case anymore. In fact, sticks are among the most versatile formulas of the bunch because you can use them just where you need them (and blend to a seamless finish), or create an overall flawless complexion. You can sheer it out by applying immediately after slathering on moisturizer, or just use it where you need it like concealer—and one stick essentially has you covered.
This new NARS offering is special for a few reasons. First it’s really creamy so it glides on effortlessly, and it’s especially blendable when you use warm fingers to even it out. But the real bonus is the detachable Touch-Up Blender, which helps you achieve more coverage when use use a stippling motion. And not that a foundation stick takes up all that much room in your bag, you can just take the blender part with you for touch-ups on the go. (There’s also a refill for the blender since you’ll probably want to start with a fresh one at some point.) Available in 20 shades, it’s safe to say there’s a perfect match for just about everyone—and I think this will be my perfect foundation match for fall!
This app lets you see a derm STAT
Did you know that compared to other medical specialists, there are the least dermatologists per capita in the United States? This explains why it can take weeks or months to get an appointment—which doesn’t really help when you have a rash like, now. I’m lucky enough to have a bevy of dermatologists on speed dial, and I’ve never hesitated to email or text a photo of something funky just to make sure it wasn’t anything serious. But if you don’t have this luxury, fret not, because the Spruce app has you covered.
Once you download the app, choose a board-certified dermatologist (you can see all of their credentials, such as their certifications and education) from a list of doctors in your area. From there, you provide your medical history as well as photos of your problem, be it acne, eczema, a bite or a mysterious rash that came out of nowhere. Within 24 hours you’ll get a diagnosis and treatment plan, including prescriptions if necessary. Each “visit” also includes 30 days of messaging after you receive your diagnosis in case you have follow-up questions.
The app itself is free, however the charge for each “visit” is $40—which is less than half of my co-pay! How insane is that? This app certainly won’t replace my annual full-body check, but I have it on my phone and ready to go in the event of a dermatological emergency. Just keep in mind that Spruce isn’t available in all states, but it’s definitely worth checking to see if you can use it in yours!
Skincare that's alive!
It’s a no-brainer than anything that’s good enough to put into your body can be put onto your body (i.e your skin), and countless food-based ingredients have found their way into your beauty products. Extracts, oils and acids derived from fruits and vegetables have been used for personal-care purposes since ancient times, but probiotics have only recently become a skincare thing. There’s no disputing the scientific evidence that these live bacteria are beneficial for our digestive (and perhaps overall) health, so it’s no wonder they’ve made their way to the beauty aisle—and a brand-new line called LaFlore is yet another way to give your skin a daily dose.
Featuring a patent-pending probiotic technology that helps make the most of your skin’s existing microbiome (yep, bacteria are having a party on your face right now), LaFlore is formulated to increase “good” bacteria and send “bad” bacteria (like the ones that cause acne) packing. The three-step regimen includes a cleanser, serum and moisturizer (which you can also buy as a kit) that are all formulated with a variety of probiotics and all-natural ingredients—and they are beneficial for all skin types. From anti-aging and acne to rosacea and eczema, everyone can reap the benefits of these good bacteria, which have been found to optimize the skin’s natural exfoliation as well as strengthen the skin barrier, protect against environmental damage, reduce inflammation, increase hydration and more.
I’ve personally seen the difference probiotics make by taking supplements and slathering them on my skin—so what are you waiting for?
Calling all Super Mario Bros. fans!
If you’re hovering somewhere around the age of 40, you most likely spent a chunk of your pre-teen/tween/teen years playing Super Mario Bros. and trying to save the princess. When I hear the music now, it has an uncanny ability to take me back to that time in my life, and even today I find those tunes getting stuck in my head. If this sounds at all familiar to you (and your into makeup and hair products), why not start and end your day with a little nostalgia in the form of Shu Uemura’s limited-edition Mario-inspired collection for Holiday 2017?
From shampoo, conditioner and styling products to skincare, cushion compacts, lipsticks are more, the packaging is too cute to pass up. The makeup case to beyond adorbs, and you can round out your existing makeup arsenal with brushes and Shu’s iconic lash curler. The collection isn’t officially available until October 1, but you can get early access by signing up here!
