December 8, 2017

Living Proof's new in-shower styling styling cream, Ursa Major has your "clean" skincare covered and a body scrub designed for minimal mess.

Another product to add to your in-shower routine

Kudos to the marketing genius who came up with the idea for making in-shower versions of traditionally post-shower products. First came self-tanner, which was great in theory but not all that fabulous in terms of results. Next up was moisturizer that you can slather on before hopping out of the shower, and while this helps save a minute or two after bathing, I personally never got into it. Now, you can get a jump on your hairstyling before you even step out of the shower with Living Proof’s Perfect hair Day (PhD) In-Shower Styler.

I’m constantly looking for a way to let my hair air-dry without winding up with a big ball of frizz, and I’m starting to think it’s just luck. This innovative (and award-winning) product is designed to just that, so it isn’t just a leave-in conditioner you apply after shampooing and before shutting off the water—and you actually do need to rinse it lightly. Formulated with lightweight conditioners and high-tech molecules that thicken strands, enhance texture and leave your strands soft and shiny.

Take note that this product is ideal for straight to wavy hair, and Living Proof recommends letting straight hair air-dry in braids or buns, which significantly increases dry time so you’ll need to plan ahead. 

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, which is why this is at the top of my list when I use my Sephora Beauty Insider Reward—but I’m going to start with the mini-size because of my inconsistent outcomes when I skip the blowdryer.

Have any of you tried this? If so, please share your thoughts!

NARS’ latest palette packs a powerful pigment punch

If your lid look is more “sheer wash of color” than “full-on fabulous,” this post is not for you. Sure, you can make most shadows go both ways by either building the color or applying with a damp brush—but the new NARSissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette is all about high-impact intensity.

Featuring 12 super-wearable matte, satin, shimmer and metallic shades, the innovative powder suspends in a liquid binding system for maximum color payoff with minimal effort. A little definitely goes a long way and with a dozen hues for $59, it’s a no-brainer!

All-natural skincare sets to get you through the holidays

Whether you’re jetting off to a far-flung locale or staying close to home this holiday season, you’re going to need to take care of your skin, right? And if you’ve started thinking about your resolutions for 2018, perhaps going “green” has crossed your mind. At least one of these situations applies to all of us, and I think Ursa Major’s travel-friendly sets for different lifestyles are the perfect place to start.

Featuring all-natural products that don’t skimp on effectiveness, here’s the low-down on these pre-assembled regimens—and I bet you’ll want at least one.

The Traveler Skin Care Kit: With a Fantastic Face Wash, 4-in-1 Essential Face Tonic, Fortifying Face Balm and 5 individually-wrapped Essential Face Wipes, this kit has your skin happy and hydrated no matter where your travels may take you.

The Exercise Freak Workout Essentials: Designed to help you cool down and freshen up after a sweat sesh, you get Fantastic Face Wash, Fortifying Face Balm, 10 individual Essential Face Wipes and Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant in a perfectly portable (and cute) nylon pouch.

The Minimalist Skin Care Set: Your skincare regimen doesn’t have to be complicated to get the job done, and this well-edited set comes with Fantastic Face Wash, Fortifying Face Balm and 4-in-1 Essential Face Tonic. BTW, this is a great gift if you’re trying to get your S.O. to take better care of his skin.

The Natural Skin Care Junkie Treatment Set: For the lady who likes to keep her skincare routine interesting, this set comes with the Bright & Easy 3-Minute Flash Mask, Golden Hour Recovery Cream and an organic bamboo cleansing cloth.

Perfect for gifting, stocking stuffers and treating yourself, there’s an Ursa Major kit that can help you achieve your skincare goals when you’re on the go, at the gym or in your own bathroom. Which would you choose?

Body scrub just got a lot less messy

I love a good body scrub, but we can all agree that it can be far from neat and tidy. My first pet peeve about jar-based exfoliators is the fact that soaking-wet hands leave water behind when I go in for a scoop. My second pet peeve is when half of this aforementioned scoop falls onto the shower floor when I try to slather it on my body. But, alas, there’s a solution to these two body scrub issues, and it’s Harper + Ari’s Sugar Cubes.

Not to be confused with the sweet squares beloved by horses everywhere, these single-use sugar-based cubes combine exfoliating crystals, skin-smoothing oils and delicious scents in a neat little package. Available in coconut, peach, lemon, tangerine, apricot and blue raspberry (although many are currently sold out), there’s absolutely no waste, no post-scrubbing mess to speak of and the jar is pretty enough to display. And at $22 for about 20 cubes, it makes for a great stocking stuffer or White Elephant gift for that co-worker you rarely speak to (much less shop for). Happy mess-free scrubbing!