October 27, 2017

Noughty's "clean" haircare is oh-so-good, make any nail polish ultra-metallic and easy ways to fix makeup mistakes without starting all over.

Did you know your Clarisonic could do THIS?

The Clarisonic has become a mainstay in many of our skincare arsenals, and one of its biggest upsides is its versatility. With brush heads tailored for sensitive skin, acne, pore cleansing, men, body, feet and more, it’s easy to customize your brush specifically for your skin. But I bet you didn’t know your trusty complexion companion can help you with your makeup as well.

The Sonic Foundation Makeup Brush takes the effort out of blending thanks to 18,000 sonic pulses a minute. With super-soft bristles that rival any foundation brush you may already have, just pop it on any Clarisonic model and get flawless coverage in 60 seconds or less. It’s small enough to get into tight spots like around your nose and under your eyes, yet large enough to tackle your cheeks, chin and forehead quickly and easily. And at $35, it costs less than most high-end foundation brushes—and helps you save your energy for more important things at the same time!

Natural haircare that actually works

I’ve never really had much luck with natural or organic haircare. Maybe I’m just conditioned (no pun intended) to expect suds—or maybe I just haven’t tried the right brands or products. But since I’m always one for second (or third or fourth) chances, I was willing to try again when I received a package from Noughty.

These 97% natural formulas are free of petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates and silicones, and frankly I didn’t even miss them after trying the To The Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner. Packed with sweet almond, jojoba, patchouli, olive and rosemary leaf oils, plus blue mallow flower and super-hydrating shea butter to smooth my strands, this dynamic duo left my hair soft and visibly healthier after just one use. They have a delicious, coconut-y scent—and best of all, they’ll only set you back 10 bucks (each). Definitely a step up from most other chemical-laden drugstore brands, and decidedly less expensive than the fancy stuff, let’s just say this British brand changed the way I feel about natural haircare!

You can nail this beauty trend

Some beauty trends can be hard to pull off—especially if you work in a conservative office or your day-to-day responsibilities take you no further than the supermarket and the school pick-up line. For example, as much as I’m dying to try a glossy lid, I just can’t ever seem to find an appropriate occasion. But some beauty trends do have a place in the boardroom or at your kid’s book fair, and your nails are the perfect place to start.

Chrome nails are all over Instagram these days, and while this look used to require a professional’s help, not anymore. Sally Hansen’s new Salon Chrome kits make it easy to achieve a foil-like metallic finish with just a few simple steps. And you can choose from Rose Gold, Peacock, Holographic, Gunmetal and Mermaid shades.

First, you apply two coats of polish per usual, before dipping your tacky nails in the kit’s Chrome Powder. Then pat the powder into the nail with the included applicator, rub back and forth a few times and watch the magic happen right before your eyes. Finally, top off your mirror-like mani with top coat and you’re good to go! But keep in mind these kits are limited-edition so they won’t be around forever…

Fight wrinkles and breast cancer

It seems like there are more and more beauty brands hopping on the Breast Cancer Awareness bandwagon each year, and October is the perfect time to stock up on your favorites while raising much-needed funding for research. One product that ticks both boxes for me is Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, and if you’ve never tried it, I can virtually guarantee that you and your skin will be hooked once you do. But even better than the skin-smoothing hydration and powerful anti-aging results is the British brand’s commitment to early detection and breast-cancer care—and they’re celebrating 25 years of pink-ribbon action in a big way this year.

First and foremost, Elemis has pledged to donate $30,000 from the sales of this year’s limited-edition Pro-Collagen Marine Cream to the U.K.’s Breast Cancer Care charity. Second, inside this box lies a super-sized 100 mL jar that costs just $32 more than the usual 50 mL jar. And finally, the pretty pink jar serves as a reminder to take care of your own breast health—so remember your monthly self-exam, ok?

Makeup removal hacks you'll want to try

All makeup removers are not created equal, and while a cleansing cloth usually does the job at the end of the day (or night), sometimes you need to bring in the big guns for specific situations.

Case in point: Liquid eyeliner. No matter how hard I try, I still can’t get my application technique down pat, so when I attempt a cat-eye, I usually have to start over at least once—or fine-tune my line at the very least. I’ve tried the whole dipping a Q-Tip in makeup remover thing but it takes multiple passes to fully clean up my mistakes, and it tends to take my eyeshadow along with it. That’s why I recommend LASHFOOD’s new Chamomile Makeup Eraser Pen. Packed with the brand’s bestselling Conditioning Chamomile Eye Makeup Remover, it features a felt tip that’s probably nearly identical to the one on your eyeliner pen, so you get super-precise removal without having to start from scratch. P.S. It's perfect for brow and mascara mishaps as well!

Now onto the lips… Long-wear liquid lipsticks have become a mainstay for color that lasts pretty much all day. But trying to get it off can be a challenge. Enter Maybelline’s SuperStay Eraser Lip Color Remover. Simply swipe it on like lip balm and watch your color melt away with on scrubbing required.

Say bye-bye to the days of irritated lids and lips!