November 3, 2017
Let's talk about skin pH, ThirdLove's loungewear is the bomb, L'Oreal's latest for oily hair, a lust-worthy Charlotte Tilbury palette and give your skin its daily dose of vitamin C in powder form.
Why the pH of your skincare matters
If you’re around the age of 40 and you hear the term “pH balanced,” you probably think of Secret deodorant and one of its main selling points. Proper pH doesn’t just apply to your pits, and a skincare line called Phace Bioactive believes that product formulated at the ideal level of acidity are imperative for healthy glowing skin—and minimizing skin issues like dryness, dullness, wrinkles and irritation, as well as environmental damage caused by poor diet, stress, pollution, smoking, etc.
Not to get all scientific on you, but our skin has a protective layer called the acid mantle that helps maintain the skin’s pH naturally. But all the stuff that comes in contact in our skin can compromise its function, so Phace Bioactive is designed to keep this delicate pH in check.
I’ve been using the line for about a week now, and I’m truly enjoying the results. The Detoxifying Gel Cleanser is gentle on the skin (and light on the suds), so I’ve subbed it for the second step in my nightly cleansing ritual. (I still use my Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser in the morning for a little lactic acid exfoliation.)
The Phace regimen is pretty goof-proof, so step two in the morning is the antioxidant-rich Illuminating Serum. Packed with vitamin C, discoloration-fighting botanicals, anti-aging plant stem cells, hydrating hyaluronic acid and more, it’s the perfect cocktail of ingedients for addressing a variety of concerns.
From there, I pat a bit of the Revitalizing Eye Gelee to de-puff and smooth my crow’s feet before topping everything off with the Soothing Day Cream + Primer SPF 46. Offering 100% physical UV protection plus glucosamine, niacinamide, blueberry and grapeseed extracts, plumping hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and antioxidants like vitamin E and superoxide dismutase, you get a lot of benefits in this one bottle.
At night, I do my triple-cleanse before applying the Clarifying Serum, which is designed to ward of blemishes and help firm the skin. Finally, I slather on the Eye Gelee before the Regenerating Night Cream and let its blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, exfoliating fruit acids, brightening botanicals, anti-aging peptides (and more) repair and rejuvenate my skin while I sleep.
Oh, and BTW, all of the products are free of parabens, fragrance, phthalates, sultaftes, synthetic dyes and other nasty stuff, so anyone and everyone can get in on the pH-balanced action. I’m sure happy that I did!
The “lounge” pants I’m totally obsessed with
OK, I know this falls outside of the beauty realm, but when I find something that totally rocks my world, I feel the need to share it. And if I was Oprah and had an annual list of “favorite things” that people actually cared about, ThirdLove’s Seamless Leggings would be at the very top. (Unfortunately, no, I do not have LEGGINGS FOR EVERYONE.)
No, this isn't my body.
A little backstory… When the day begins to wind down (i.e. after homework, lacrosse practice or a basketball game and cooking multiple dinners) I like to slip into something a little more comfortable—and my evening uniform usually consists of soft, cottony yoga pants and a tank top. Hard Tail and SoLow have been my go-tos for years, but the rise of “athleisure” has made actual cotton-based pants hard to come by and I am emphatically against performance fabrics for hanging around the house. I’ve searched high and low, purchased (and returned) countless pairs from so many companies I can’t even recall, but then I took a chance on ThirdLove and stumbled upon the holy grail.
Made of super-soft bamboo (plus nylon and spandex) these leggings are beyond comfy but not the slightest bit frumpy. (I reserve the baggy PJ pants for when I feel bloated or I’m just not in “the mood,” n’est-ce pas?) They hold you in without feeling constrictive, the waist is high enough to prevent bulges and “overflow,” and they are so breathable that there’s no chance of getting hot and bothered when my son resists bedtime and I’m running up and down the stairs a million times. Even more, I can’t sleep in pants unless it’s freezing outside (which is a rarity in South Florida). I’m in boy shorts or nothing at all for sleep. But the first time I wore these leggings I didn’t want to take them off, and I managed to sleep through the night without waking up feeling hot or uncomfortable.
They have a very subtle chevron weave, no seams (which I thought could lead to a uni-bum (i.e. no butt-cheek definition), but they actually flatter my curves and I basically want to live in them 24/7. Good thing I work from home, right?
I got the “Zinfandel” color to step outside my basic black comfort zone, but now I’m totally ordering them in black and grey because I never want to wear anything else once the sun goes down (and I’m in for the night). Now my big question is, when will “loungewear” replace “athleisure,” because I think we could all get onboard with that trend. Trust me, get these on your body ASAP.
The struggle with oily hair is real
I can divide my life in two distinct eras: BDS and ADS (“before dry shampoo” and “after dry shampoo). Before discovering this live-changing product, I could barely skip a day without washing my hair because of my oily scalp—and the greasy mess also known as Day 2. My BDS hair situation was annoying, frustrating and time consuming since my hair was long back then and I would have to blow-dry it daily. My ADS hair situation is remarkably better, and I’ve been able to cut my hair-washing to two or three times a week (depending on the weather and my workout schedule), but as my hair has gotten longer, I’ve noticed it getting greasier, especially underneath.
Sure, I could load on more dry shampoo (I already blow through a can a week), but I decided to try a different tactic: L’Oreal Paris Extraordinary Clay Shampoo and Conditioner. As soon as I saw “for oily roots and dry ends” there was no going back, and I’ve definitely noticed improvement. Formulated with a blend of three clays that absorb oil (similar to clay-based face masks), I guess less greasiness without sacrificing the softness and shine of my hair. Note to self: Try the Pre-Shampoo Mask and Dry Shampoo, too.
I’m definitely not ditching the dry shampoo (quelle horreur!), but this dynamic duo has certainly helped keep my hair looking and feeling fresh longer as it continues to grow. P.S. The price doesn't hurt either!
I have zero regrets about buying this palette
Every time a new eyeshadow catches my attention, a little voice inside my head says, “Paige, you don’t need it.” And considering the number of pans and palettes in my makeup drawer, this voice is always right—but that doesn’t necessarily mean I listen. I have a major weakness for Charlotte Tilbury, and I had to have the new Instant Eye Palette the second I saw it. I definitely did not need 12 more shadows in the neutral category, but I am so happy I told that annoying little voice to shut the F up.
If you’ve never experienced the joy that is a Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow palette, they’re designed to take your look from day to night, simply by using them in a clockwise motion. (It’s a little more nuanced than that, and I highly recommend watching—or binging—CT’s many tutorial videos to see the process in action.) This new limited-edition palette follows a similar premise but with three shades instead of four, but you get FOUR distinct looks in this one compact.
Grouped into “Day Eye,” “Desk Eye,” Date Eye” and “Disco Eye,” these shadows take you from brunch to work to a black-tie affair and everyplace in between. The “Day Eye” is light with a little shimmer, the “Desk Eye” takes a bit of a caramel turn, the “Date Eye” (which I’ve received multiple compliments on) is a blend of cocoa and copper, while the “Disco Eye” (which I have yet to trot out) is a sexy, sultry gold-black.
Back to that little voice in my head… She may have been correct about not needing another eyeshadow (or 12), but this is one time I’m definitely glad I ignored her.
A different way to give your skin a dose of vitamin C
An antioxidant is non-negotiable in my morning skincare routine, and I’ve come to rely on vitamin C serums from SkinCeuticals and iS Clinical for the past few years. They help keep my skin radiant, youthful and just plain healthy-looking—but these products certainly don’t come cheap (however I do believe they are worth every penny). But then I received Vitabrid’s C12 FACE Brightening Powder and I have a new way to work this powerhouse ingredient into my skincare regimen—and at $60, I don’t have to worry about what I’m going to do when I run out!
The best thing about this Korean vitamin C powder is that you can mix it into any (and I mean any) other product you apply, whether a serum, lotion, cream or even sunscreen. You just shake it into your palm, mix it with the product your applying and spread it on your face—and it mixes so well you don’t even know it’s there. The big difference between this powder and vitamin C serums is that you’re supposed to apply it in the morning and at night to give your skin a steady stream of antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. And while the power of serum-based vitamin C has been extensively proven, this powder has the clinical data to back up its effectiveness as well. Available exclusively at Barneys New York, this advanced line also includes a full range of skincare (for acne, sensitive skin and anti-aging) as well as haircare designed to fight thinning.
Mixing a dash of powder into another product is as easy as could be, but if you want to use Vitabrid like skin-obsessed Koreans do, remember the “3-Second Rule.” After cleansing, apply toner directly to wet skin then immediately press some powder all over your face with your fingers. Then bland it all together with a few drops of facial oil and enjoy a dewy, radiant finish. Just remember that speed is key, since you want all of these products to absorb at once for maximum results!