December 29, 2017

Mist your way to maximum skin protection, the best beauty-buying mistake I ever made, yet another hair-and-nail supplement to try, my M.A.C. Strobe Cream experience and masking fun with Dr. Jart.

Is your skin REALLY protected from the environment?

Environmental skin damage is no joke, and when I say this notice that I didn’t limit it to sun damage. Sure, UV rays can make us look years older than we really are (and cause skin cancer), but we need to be wary of more than sunshine. Free radicals are all around us, and in addition to being generated by sunlight they are borne from pollution, chemicals we come in contact and more (and they’ll do a number on your complexion, too). As if that weren’t enough, researchers are beginning to take a closer look at infrared radiation as another cause of skin damage, and this type of invisible light-based energy is what causes the sensation of heat when your skin is exposed to the sun, as well as other sources like ovens and blowdryers.

So if you think applying your SPF every morning gets you a gold star for skin protection, guess again. For optimal protection, you should be using an antioxidant under your sunscreen as well—and reapplying throughout the day. I know this can be a bit inconvenient, but it doesn’t have to be with Lumion’s Oxygen Mist + HOCL.

Just a light misting of this protective skin pick-me-up shields skin from environmental aggressors, refreshes your makeup (without ruining it), hydrates and boosts radiance so your skin looks great—and stays that way. In addition to electrolyzed oxygenated water (like Gatorade for your skin) and mineral-rich Dead Sea salt, it features a unique ingredient called hypochlorous acid, which isn’t nearly as scary as it sounds. This is actually an infection-fighting compound found naturally in our bodies that has been found to neutralize the environmental factors that attack our skin while maximizing oxygen available to the cells and stimulating skin healing.

Sounds good, right? So maybe upping your skin protection should be on your pending New Year’s resolution list—and this mist is an easy and affordable way to start.

The best-smelling body wash I ever got by accident

About six months ago I got an unsolicited package from the PR firm that represents Molton Brown, and it was obviously a mix-up because the note enclosed was addressed to someone other than me. Naturally I reached out to them to let them know (as another writer/editor was probably anticipating this delivery), and I was rewarded with three bottles of body wash to add to my already jam-packed shower.

I’ve been alternating between the three, but one scent, the Coco & Sandalwood, has really struck my fancy. I have a big thing for sandalwood (hence my obsession with Le Labo’s Santal 33) and I can’t help but play favorites with this one. And apparently I’m not alone, because this particular body wash is actually sold out on the Molton Brown site at the moment. BTW, other notes in this intoxicating fragrance include cinnamon, milk, jasmine, cedarwood and vetiver. Trust me, it's a winner and your S.O. is sure to be into it, too.

This led me to search the site for the scent and now I have a problem… There’s a lotion, candle, home/linen mist, oil diffuser and myriad gift sets to choose from. (See the collection here.) Needless to say, I’ll be very upset when I finish this bottle of wash, but I have so many other ways to enjoy this incredible scent, so I guess everything will be OK.

A new supplement for better nails and hair

If you’re one of those who thinks beauty supplements are a bunch of hooey, you’ve obviously never tried them (or just tried the wrong ones). I fully credit Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails capsules for taking me from having practically no hair to a full head of healthy, shoulder-length locks in 18 months, and I don’t ever see myself not taking some sort of beauty supplement each and every day. Now there’s a new way to make the most of your hair and nails, and it’s SEVEN Haircare’s Satara Opti.

Featuring a potent blend of biotin (a mainstay in most supplements for nails and hair) plus omega-3 and -6 fatty acids to promote healthy hair follicles and optimal growth, horsetail herb and nettle leaf extract to boost hair strength, elasticity and shine; and antioxidants to protect cells, you’re two capsules away from longer, stronger hair. And unlike a lot of other beauty supplements out there, each bottle gives you a two-month supply instead of one.

Though beauty supplements have yet to get an official stamp of approval from the FDA, these “pretty” pills have a thumbs-up from scores of hair professionals, so what do you have to lose?

IBB Test Drive: M.A.C Strobe Cream

If you’re addicted to beauty blogs, you’ve likely seen more than a few makeup artists and celebrities extolling the virtues of M.A.C’s Strobe Cream. While I’m no stranger to this product, I never actually tried it simply because I’ve never found the need for extra illumination on top of the powder-based highlighters I only bust out for an event or a night out on the town. But then I got a deluxe-sized sample (I think from a recent Nordstrom order) and I’m happy to say I’m not part of the Strobe Cream Club.

I’d say this is more of a moisturizer than a highlighter—although it’s great for adding a little extra glow to my cheekbones after I’ve finished doing all of my other makeup. I’ve also come to find that it very similar to the Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow I’ve been using as a primer under my foundation (and as a radiance-enhancing finishing touch) for the past few years. The main difference between the two is that the Charlotte Tilbury has more of a peachy, skin-toned tint while the M.A.C. (which I received in “Pinklight”) is more silvery despite the name of the shade. And FYI, Strobe Cream is also available in “Silverlight,” which like “Pinklight” is best for lighter skin tones as well as “Goldlight” and “Redlight” for medium to darker skin tones.

The bottom line: I was first intimidated by this product because I thought it was going to be really iridescent, but it’s actually a very subtle way to revive dull skin with a luminizing boost.

With this set of masks, better skin is definitely in your future…

I’m a big fan of psychics, astrology, runes and just about any other means of getting a glimpse of what the future may have in store for me, so when my love for these types of readings join forces with skincare, how can I not get excited? Case in point: Dr. Jart+’s Tarot of Masks gift set.

Featuring seven of the brand’s best sellers (including the Water Replenishment Mask, Micro Jet Brightening Solution Mask, Pore Minimalist Mask, Pore Master Patch Mask, Micro Jet Clearing Solution Mask, Ceramidin Mask and Hydration Lover Rubber Mask), you know your skin’s needs are covered as they arise. Remember, it won’t be winter forever!

So if you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet and there’s someone on your list who loves skincare and any of the aforementioned clairvoyant media, Amazon Prime this STAT!