May 4, 2018
The latest perfumes I'm loving, micellar water-based products for your hair, kick off self-tanning season with St. Tropez and a subscription that ensures you never run out of toothpaste again.
The latest from my perfume tray
A new season calls for a new scent, and I’ve been doing a lot of whiffing and sniffing lately! My Olfactif subscription continues to please, and I just picked up a full-size bottle of Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle , which was one of the samples I received a few months ago. I hadn’t stopped thinking about it since I first tried it, mainly because it reminded me so much of Colors de Benetton (which we all wore at some point in the late 80s, right?). The fresh, zingy scent features aldehyde, orange zest, honey, geranium, musk, patchouli and amber notes.
This isn’t my first HdP scent, as Amber 114 is another one of my favorites—but it does stand out from their others by lacking an intricate backstory and the brand’s usual aesthetic. I’ll be reaching for this more often than not for the next few months because the bold blue is the first thing that catches my eye!
I’ve also been spending a little too much time (and money) on ScentSplit lately. Living in Florida, it’s hard for me to smell a lot of niche perfumes in person, but this website delivers samples right to my door! I usually opt for the 6mL glass sprays because I find it hard to gauge how a scent smells on me when I try one of those teeny tiny tubes, and the most recent one I ordered was Le Labo’s Another 13. I’ve literally loved every Le Labo scent that I’ve sniffed (yes, I’m one of those Santal 33 girls) so when I read about this one, and the backstory of how it was only available at Colette in Paris before it closed, I HAD to try it.
With a roster of notes that includes ambrox (obsessed), ambret seeds absolute (I have no idea what that is), green citrus, apple and pear, I figured it could be a refreshing option for spring. As it turns out, Another 13 smells VERY similar to my beloved Byredo Gypsy Water when first sprayed, but there’s a hitch when it dries down. It becomes very earthy—and although ambrox is a synthetic musk that I absolutely love, it’s just a bit too musky for my taste. (That’s what samples are for, right?)
I have about five other scents on my ScentSplit to-try list, and I’ll be sure to keep you posted… Any suggestions that I should add ASAP?
Micellar hair products are the new big thing
Micellar water is a staple in my skincare routine. Whenever I wash my face—in the morning, after working out and in the evening—I use a light swipe of this purifying solution to ensure my skin is spic-and-span. Technology-wise, this little oil-based molecules attract any lingering dirt or residue, in turn helping to gently lift and sweep them away. (Micellar waters are great for sensitive skin because they provide effective cleansing without the need for water.) And guess what… Micellar technology is now available for your hair!
I struggle with an oily scalp, so I’m always on the hunt for a shampoo and conditioner that are able to eliminate oil and associated dry shampoo build-up while leaving my hair feeling fresh, light and clean. Trust me, I’ve tried many, which is why I was so intrigued when I started seeing more and more micellar options. I recently picked up Herbal Essences’ Blue Ginger and Micellar Water Shampoo and Pantene’s Micellar Revitalize Foam Conditioner, and WOW what a diff.
This delightfully scented shampoo leaves my hair thoroughly clean, and despite the conditioner’s featherweight texture, my strands are smooth and hydrated. It doesn’t feel as slippery as regular conditioner, but I can leave it on for a few minutes without worrying that it’s going to weigh my hair down. I haven’t noticed a significant difference in my post-styling end-result after using this dynamic duo—other than the fact that my hair isn’t the slightest bit greasy the next day.
For whatever my two cents is worth, this trend isn’t a flash in the pan. Other brands with their own micellar shampoos and conditioners include Redken, TRESemme, R+Co and DevaCurl, so if you’re loyal to one of these, you probably want to check them out (and I’m confident more options will continue to pop up with time)!
Pre-summer self-tanning starts now!
In what may have been the shortest spring ever, Memorial Day is just 33 days away—which means it’s time to start beefing up your self-tanning arsenal. From in-shower tanners to gradual lotions that let you build color simply by moisturizing (without worrying too much about precision), these formulas have come a long, long way so it’s never been easier to get your glow on. I’m super-excited about a bunch of new products for Summer 2018, and St. Tropez Tan’s Gradual Tan Tinted Everyday Moisturizer + Primer is one of them because it takes the place of at least three products you’re probably already using.
As the name implies, this multitasker serves up this laundry list of benefits:
A natural, gradual tan
Hydration
The sheer coverage of a tinted moisturizer (in one universal shade)
Blurring of imperfections
Enhanced radiance
A priming effect that smoothes skin texture
Used on its own or in conjunction with your usual makeup, it’s been a while since I’ve come across a product that works this hard, while easily fitting into just about any established skincare and makeup regimen. I’m ready to get my glow on for summer, what about you?
P.S. Next month, St. Tropez is introducing the Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mist, which is a hydrating micro-spray designed to maintain your existing faux glow. Currently available in the U.K. if you’re taking a trip, you can spritz it on before makeup in the morning, use it to refresh your makeup throughout the day or at night before hitting the hay. And it’s formulated with antioxidants, moisturizing hyaluronic acid and a refreshing tropical scent to create a treat for the senses and your skin!
Skincare hack of the day
I'm not feeling all that inspired today, so I'll make today's post short and sweet--and oh-so useful...
Don't you hate it when you reach for an exfoliating or makeup remover pad and it feels like it's not wet enough?
Store jars of pads upside down so the top ones are super-saturated with solution when you go to use it.
Never run out of toothpaste (or forget to swap out your toothbrush) again
Subscription services can be a real personal-care savior… As someone who occasionally can’t remember what I had for lunch (at 5pm, no less), how can I be expected to remember to buy razors for myself and my husband? (Thank you, Harry’s, for taking this ongoing struggle off my plate.) I’m sure you moms out there love hearing “I don’t have any more toothpaste!” which translates to making a special stop sometime THAT day so your kid doesn’t have an excuse to not brush their teeth that night—and you’ve probably had this predicament for yourself at some point as well.
In an effort to make this Monday a little less Monday-ish, I’d like to introduce you to Hello Products' "Replenishmint", the oral care subscription that makes sure your entire family’s teeth are covered at all times—and it’s really so simple. First, head over to the site and pick one of the nine toothpaste options, which include charcoal whitening, fluoride-free whitening, extra whitening, mojito whitening, sensitivity relief and watermelon, bubble gum, blue raspberry and training toothpaste for the kiddos. Then, choose how often you’d like your toothpaste delivered, whether once a month, every two months or every three months. Finally, forget about maintaining your toothpaste inventory forever.
Hello Products also quells your concerns about potentially harmful ingredients by eliminating peroxide, artificial sweeteners, synthetic dyes, artificial flavors, microbeads, triclosan and gluten. Even better, every tube comes with a free toothbrush—so you have no excuse for not swapping yours out at least every three months, which (hopefully) you know you should be doing. And while you’re signing up, be sure to check out the refreshing mint and kid-friendly watermelon mouthwashes to round out your clean oral-care routine!