May 25, 2018

Say "hello" to hydrogen for better skin, Pat McGrath lipgloss has arrived, a super-smart moisturizer, instant leg improvement thanks to Vita Liberata and a chemical-free frizz-fighting treatment.

Hydrogen is having a major moment

A while back I wrote about HTWO Hydrogen Water after I received a few pouches to try. I was intrigued by the potential/purported benefits, including better endurance along with less fatigue and post-workout soreness. I only had a three-day supply, but I can say that after drinking a pouch before and during a Pilates class, I definitely didn’t feel pooped afterwards. Even more, hydrogen is being touted as a skin-booster as well, and there are a variety of lotions and potions that promise to deliver protection against free radicals and re-energize lackluster skin. (You can check out a few here.)

For the record, New York City dermatologist Dr. Jeremy Brauer says, “There is data in the scientific literature to support the idea that molecular hydrogen acts as an antioxidant, and more specifically may protect cells from UVB-induced inflammation and damage, however the underlying mechanisms of action are still being determined.” So in a nutshell, this is definitely an ingredient to watch.

We do know that supplementing our bodies and skin with molecular hydrogen certainly isn’t going to hurt while we await further research, and I found yet another way to get a daily dose: iZO Living’s HydroTab. Simply drop a tablet into a glass of room temperature water and let the blend of pure magnesium and malic acid create hydrogen-packed hydration in minutes. The company recommends drinking it immediately on an empty stomach for maximum effects, which isn’t really a biggie—and also says that HydroTab delivers up to eight times more molecular hydrogen that pre-packaged hydrogen water. And at roughly $1 per tablet, it’s significantly less expensive than other hydrogen waters, too.

The lip glosses I’m lusting for right now

Although more than two years have passed since Pat McGrath launched her much-anticipated eponymous line, the frenzy is showing no signs of slowing down. Maybe it’s the FOMO generated by limited-edition highlighter kits. Maybe it’s the mind-blowing eyeshadow and lipstick and shades. Maybe it’s the pre-assembled kits that make it possible to achieve editorial-worthy looks yourself. Maybe it’s the idea of getting a piece of one of the world’s most talented and revered makeup artists for yourself. Or maybe it’s a combination of all of the above.

I haven’t featured any of PM’s products (yet), simply because I haven’t had a chance to try any of them. Sure I could order online, but the problem is that there are so many I love I can’t decide. So why am I talking about them now? Because I think it’s a pretty big deal that the line became available at the MET after last week’s gala.

Another reason “Mother” (McGrath’s nickname amongst the fashion and beauty set) is finally getting the post she so deserves is my obsession with the new lip glosses that dropped last week. I’ve narrowed my wish list down to four (you can purchase pre-curated sets of four—though two of them are already sold out). I’d love to splurge on the entire collection, but alas, I don’t have $325 in my makeup budget at the moment.

As the saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait,” and I suppose my makeup collection will have to sit tight until the next time I get to New York and meet these products in person. Who am I kidding? I give myself a week at most until I order a handful of glosses from the site.

When you just can't deal with a multi-step skincare routine

Skincare is a labor of love, and taking proper care of your skin with a variety of products in the morning and at night can be a time suck. You probably have a serum for hydration and another for dark spots, one for fine lines and wrinkles and a slew of others. I do, too, and I have those mornings and nights when I’m too exhausted to use them all (in addition to eye cream and moisturizer). I found the perfect solutions for times like there—or every day if you like to keep your routine lean and mean—and it’s MMXV Infinitude.

This multi-tasking moisturizer lets you skip all of the aforementioned serums with a unique technology that essentially analyzes your skin and delivers the appropriate ingredients where they’re needed most. Featuring fermented white truffle, falernum grape extract, olive oil, three types of hyaluronic acid and more, it delivers moisture and nourishment as it goes to work on fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, uneven skin tone, dark spots and dullness—and you only need one jar.

I’ve been using MMXV for a few weeks now, and I have to say I love how it helps me get out of the house in the morning faster, and into bed sooner at night. It has a lightweight, almost gel-like consistency so it absorbs really quickly, and it’s not the slightest bit greasy. I’ve definitely noticed a plumping effect on my skin, and it’s harder to see my fine lines after I apply it.

At $225 a jar, this convenience doesn’t come cheap, but if you add up the cost of all those serums in your medicine chest, I bet you’d come out ahead. I truly hope this is the first of many MMXV products, because I can use all the extra time I can get!

Gorgeous gams in an instant

OK, let’s get something out into the open… I know I’m not alone when I say that wearing shorts or a short skirt becomes a bit more challenging after a certain age. Regardless of fitness level, skin isn’t quite as taut as it used to be (at least in my case), and thanks to years of sitting, standing and those little buggers we call our children, veins of the spider and varicose varieties may be more prominent (again, at least in my case). Pre-planning in the form of self-tanning works for me most of the time, but of course I occasionally forget, or decide to change my outfit without time to tan. But guess what, ladies? Body makeup is your friend, and Vita Liberata’s new Body Blur Sunless Glow gives you lovely legs in an instant and a gorgeous faux tan so you can sport a short hemline tomorrow, too.

I actually used the original tanner-free version this past weekend AND recommended it to a friend last week, which is why I’m psyched to try the latest incarnation. Available in three shades (essentially light, medium and dark), it also serves up moisture and light-reflecting pigments to make your stems look even better. The trick is applying it with a tanning mitt so you get the best blending—and waiting at least four hours before showering so the self-tanner has a chance to take. Honestly, it’s the best new-for-summer solution for giving winter-white skin a sun-kissed glow in a matter of minutes. Don’t leave home in shorts without it (and don't stress about planning ahead)!

Check out this at-home chemical-free frizz fix

I’m not generally one to complain about the weather, but when the forecast calls for rain (at least) for the next full week, yes, I get a little whiny. I’ve lived in Florida on and off for a majority of my life, so I’m not stranger to humidity, and although I don’t really obsess about my hair, it would be nice if blowing it out weren’t a complete waste of my time.

I’ve never had the true need for a keratin or other long-lasting hair-smoothing treatment, but I’m definitely open to trying something affordable at home, which is why Lubricity Labs’ 2-Step Treatment caught my attention. Totally free of toxic chemicals and formulated with natural ingredients like coconut oil and quinoa), this process locks down the surface layers of the hair cuticles to block humidity and ensuing frizz. The products are also vegan, paraben-free, sulfate-free, non-GMO and cruelty-free. The company recommends using their Q-Shampoo and Q-Conditioner to maintain results—and this set comes with travel-sizes of each so you can see for yourself before going all-in on the full-sizes.

An in-salon frizz-fighting treatment may not be on my summer beauty agenda—but after a full week of precipitation, this DIY just might be!