October 20, 2017
Cleansing tools that literally have your back, micellar water is coming for your hair, La Prairie's cream blush is the epitome of luxury, BareMinerals enters skincare and a detox mask for your 'pits.
This shower accessory has your back
When I was younger, I was prone to back breakouts, which isn’t all that fun when you live in South Florida and spent a majority of the year in tank tops. After making some changes to my shower routine (i.e. switching to a clear shampoo since the pearlized ones can contain acne-causing ingredients, washing my back after rinsing out conditioner and exfoliating) and using AcneFree Body Clearing Acne Spray as a preventative measure, I can’t remember the last time I had a zit back there.
As luck would have it, I was due to replace my Salux Beauty Skin Cloth (if you’ve never seen this Japanese scrubbing cloth, I highly recommend it) when Daily Concepts’ Your Back Scrubber arrived on my doorstep. I’m loving this exfoliating sponge for a few reasons:
1. It has handles that make it easy to get your entire back.
2. It comes with a suction cup so I can hang it up to dry when I’m finished.
3. The label doubles as an indicator that it’s time to replace it (because let’s admit we’ve all probably had our loofah or shower puff for too long).
Even if you don’t struggle with back breakouts, exfoliation is always a good thing—and this handy shower tool is a keeper!
Micellar cleansers aren’t just for your face
Micellar cleansing waters are wonderful… Strong enough to remove makeup yet gentle enough for sensitive skin, they’re a great stand-in for traditional cleansers when you’re in a rush or on the go—and make a great final step in any multi-cleanse regimen. Micellar waters are unique because they contain little molecules that attract dirt, debris and makeup so they can be swept easily away—but your face isn’t the only part of your body that can get in on the fun.
Micellar shampoos are a thing now, and they work the same way on your hair as they do on your skin. They’re excellent for removing product buildup (like, say, three days’ worth of dry shampoo) without stripping your hair like conventional clarifying shampoos can, these shampoos are great for all hair types. But if you have colored hair, a micellar shampoo is the ideal way to go because it won’t wash away pigment along with all the yucky stuff.
Among the first micellar shampoos to hit the market were DevaCurl’s Buildup Buster, Redken’s Clean Maniac and Pantene’s Pro-V Micellar Revitalize Shampoo, but expect to see a lot more of these products on store shelves. It's micellar madness!
I never knew blush could make me feel so fancy
No makeup look is complete without a pop of color on the cheeks, but blush never receives a whole lot of attention. Bronzer is a big topic of discussion come summer, highlighters have been front and center for quite a few years now, and liquid lipsticks are having a major moment. But despite being a daily staple, blush is stuck on the sidelines.
I’m here to tell you that blush can be exciting—especially when it’s La Prairie’s Radiance Cellular Cream Blush. First impression: The packaging is just so luxe. The compact feels heavy in your hand and the silver-and-gold case make it (and you) feel like a million bucks. Oh, and it comes in a silver leather zippered case that is perfect for jewelry when you travel.
Then there’s the actual blush… This formula is lightweight, creamy and beyond easy to blend. I have the “Peach Glow” and a light dab is enough for a healthy flush—and the subtle shimmer catches the light perfectly. It melds seamlessly with my skin and actually sticks around all day. Even better, it has antioxidants along with hydrating and oil-absorbing ingredients, so my cheeks are protected from the elements while looking picture-perfect all day.
OK, I know that $70 for a blush may seem crazy to some, but I’ve barely made a dent in it so I know it’s going to last a while—and can you put a price on feeling fancy, especially if picking your kid up from school is your day’s main event? I don’t think so.
You probably have no idea one of your favorite foundation brands does skincare
From mineral-based powder foundations to the recently-launched app-based custom liquid foundation, bareMinerals offers one of the most comprehensive complexion-perfection ranges in the beauty world. But you might not know that they have full line of skincare as well—and they just expanded their anti-aging options with the Ageless Genius collection.
Comprised of three products for the face, neck and eyes, this collection targets firmness, elasticity and texture with an advanced blend of botanically-based ingredients, peptides, actual gold and more. The Firming & Wrinkle Smoothing Serum, Firming & Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream and Firming & Wrinkle Smoothing Neck Cream join a bevy of other skincare products (including ones geared toward discoloration and radiance, hydration and breakouts) so you have an even better canvas for your makeup.
If you haven’t checked out bareMinerals lately, now’s the time, because this can be your one-stop shop for better-looking skin—with and without makeup!
Wait, a detox mask for WHERE?
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month (in case you needed a reminder), so there’s no shortage of products (or PR pitches) looking to hop on the ta-ta train. I’m all for supporting breast cancer research since my mom was a survivor and I’m high-risk myself, so sharing is caring, right?
This year’s BCA beauty barrage thus far included a particularly interesting product: The first armpit mask. Now I know a lot of you ladies are concerned about aluminum and chemicals in your deodorant/anti-perspirant—but it’s a fact that there have been no scientific studies linking these products to breast cancer. But to each her own, and you may want to check out Lavanila’s Heathy Underarm Detox Mask.
Used once or twice weekly, this mask is designed to remove buildup from the ‘pits, help you transition to natural deodorant faster and minimize odor, perspiration and irritation while brightening and smoothing under arm skin. Formulated with active charcoal, malic and silica to draw out impurities, you use this mask just like the ones you slather on your face—but the brush applicator keeps it mess-free. All you have to do is leave it on for five minutes before rinsing—and maybe do some arm exercises while you wait.
My thoughts: This product certainly isn’t going to reduce your risk of breast cancer, but it certainly can hurt either (especially since a portion of the proceeds got to breast cancer charity). My main question though, is how are you supposed to get it on if you’re really ticklish?