February 23, 2018

You won't be able to resist this activewear subscription, all the lip balms I'm using right now, someone finally made clear caps for our lipsticks and how to try on any hairstyle or color.

A fitness-gear subscription you can control

I’m a sucker for subscription boxes, and I’ve tried versions for beauty products (obviously), clothes, healthy snacks and even for my dog. I recently signed up for monthly Under Armour and Wantable fitness gear deliveries, and although I’ve been happy with the selections for the most part, it would be a heck of lot better if I had the ability to choose specific items myself. HPE Activewear must have read my mind, because now I can do just this and round out my workout wardrobe with their cool, high-performance basics.

Offering Street Styles, Essentials and All Star subscriptions, each box lets you select a bra, top and pair of leggings. You pay a monthly fee for six or 12 months and after your initial box you get two or four seasonal boxes depending on the subscription length you choose. (If you do the 12-month option, you also get a bonus mystery box.) Since you can also shop the site the traditional way, you can see the prices of each item you select—but you get 50% off if you choose to keep anything that comes in your box.

My biggest problem with this innovative shopping experience is that I literally want everything—and I may never wear anything other than workout gear again.

All the lip balms I'm using right now

It’s Valentine’s Day, so naturally lips are top of mind. Lip balm is a constant in my life whether I’m at home or on the go, and I ALWAYS have one within reach. Today’s post is a shout-out to Cupid—and a glimpse at how I keep my lips soft and kissable 365 days a year.

The balm: Glossier Balm Dotcom in “Coconut”
The locations: Kitchen and office
These are the two places I spend the most time, so that’s where I keep my favorite balm (I bought three the last time I placed an order). Super-hydrating and oh-so-delicious, it stays put for hours at a time even after eating and drinking—and one tube lasts forever. I’ve tried all of the Balm Dotcom options (which include Birthday Cake, Mint, Rose, Cherry and the Original unscented/untinted version) and they’re all amazing.

The balm: Dior Lip Glow
The location: My bag
This balm is my go-to when out and about because the color adapts to my lips for a natural-looking flush. The original version is still a favorite but the recent launch of new shades and finishes (i.e. holographic and matte) make hydrating my lips all that more fun.

The balm: Patchology Lip Service Gloss-to-Balm Treatment
The location: My bathroom
Whether getting ready to head somewhere or simply freshening up before the hubs gets home, I love this product because it’s moisturizing, glossy—and it plumps as well thanks to hyaluronic acid.

The balm: Emile Cordon No. 29 Dorine Cashmere-On Lip Pot
The location: My nightstand
My bedroom is my sanctuary, so I like to keep nightstand clutter to a minimum and take aesthetics to the max. This little pot of lip balm is more than pretty, it’s helps me end my day on a luxurious note. Available in a variety of scents (mine is lemon and neroli—and unfortunately sold out), the anti-aging formula features evening primrose oil and vitamin E, and it can be used on dry cuticles as well. 

What's in your lip-balm line-up?

Your biggest makeup problem solved

If you have multiple lipsticks from the same brand, you probably spend your fair share of time opening each one to find the shade you want to wear. How frustrating is this? 

BEFORE...

AFTER!!!

Recently added to my Why didn’t I think of this? list, clear replacement caps are the solution. ByAlegory offers them for M.A.C, NYX, Bite Beauty and Clinique (for now), and I’m just waiting for NARS and Charlotte Tilbury to be added to their collection.

And if you really want to take your makeup organization to the next level, check out ByAlegory’s other amazing storage solutions… I WANT THEM ALL! 

Try on a new haircut or color with this app

Making a drastic hair change can be both exciting and stressful—and you need to be 100-percent sure before you sit down in the salon chair. One of the best ways to preview a potential new look is with an app that allows you to upload a photo and superimpose the changes your considering—and the latest is L’Oreal Professionnel’s Style My Hair, which was created with the augmented-reality experts at Modiface.

This app is so easy to use that you have absolutely no excuse for not trying a new look before booking a salon appointment. First you upload one of the many selfies you have on your phone and select a style or color. Here’s what I would look like with purple hair—and it literally took five seconds. You can also use the app to create mood boards, which can help you communicate exactly what you want when you sit down with your stylist or colorist.

Even if you’re not thinking about making a change, this app is a fun way to mess with your friends and family… Should I send this to my husband while he’s at work today?