June 29, 2018
A solution for sweaty hand and feet, scrunchies are back, a hard-working sunscreen for sensitive skin and fragranced body sprays that deliver a whiff of your favorite fragrance.
Salvation for sweaty hands and feet
Clammy hands and stinky feet don’t have to be part of your summer—at least not when you’re armed with Carpe. With two eucalyptus-scented versions designed for these common high-perspiration spots, they take the anxiety out of hand-shaking and minimize blister potential by stopping sweat at the source (i.e. the sweat glands) and preventing it from reaching the skin’s surface. Best of all, it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and won’t cause dryness, even with daily use.
A few words to the wise: Some users see improvement after one application while it can take up to a month for others to see a sweat reduction. Even more reason to start using it now (and you can find it at CVS stores if you don’t want to wait for it to arrive in the mail)!
"She's wearing a scrunchie!"
Most of us never thought we’d see a scrunchie again after that Sex and the City episode—but alas, we were wrong. This controversial hair accessory is back in a big way, and Slip’s offerings have caught my attention. First and foremost, they’re made of silk so they won’t damage your hair or leave those annoying creases when you’ve been wearing it for a while. They’re also available in an array of colors and two sizes (regular and skinny)—and they look cute on your wrist, too!
A hard-working sunscreen that won’t irritate sensitive skin
While spending this past Saturday on the high seas (OK, the shallow sandbar), sunscreen—more specifically, reapplying what seemed like constantly—was the top priority. Staying on top of my son, husband and myself was a full-time job, as we were in and out of the water and sweating (a lot). Save for a little red spot here and there, my efforts paid off but next time I would do it differently… I’d try La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios 60 Sport and possibly get to relax a little more.
Described as a “heavy duty” lotion, this sun protection is no joke. Let’s just get straight to the point and discuss the benefits:
Broad-spectrum SPF 60
Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
Oil-free and non-comedogenic
Suitable for face and body
Enhanced with antioxidants
Now if you’re saying, The sunscreen I use does all these things, too. What’s the big deal?, here’s the big deal: It contains a volcanic mineral called perlite that absorbs sweat and oil. AND it’s gentle on sensitive skin. This translates to no more sunscreen running into your eyes (or down your back or legs) when it’s so hot and humid you feel like you’re going to die. This also means you won’t look like you’re sweating, and no more stinging or burning as you wear it.
In a nutshell, it offers a high level of sun protection that’s actually comfortable (unlike products that make your skin feel like it’s suffocating). And when you’re comfortable, you’re more likely to use it, and that’s the key to optimal UV and environmental protection (and preventing sunburn and long-term sun damage!
This definitely is not your ‘90s body spray…
Who wasn’t obsessed with Bath & Body Works body spray at some point? It definitely came with me to sleepaway camp and I couldn’t have survived backpacking across Europe for eight weeks without it. (OK, maybe I could have survived but the people who had to sit next to me on sweaty train rides may not have.) My favorite was Cucumber Melon, but I’m pretty sure I had some Warm Vanilla Sugar in there to keep things interesting. I’ve dabbled with body sprays since—Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino being the most recent—and although I still prefer the staying power of a perfume, nothing beats the head-to-toe refreshment of a product designed for all-over use.
Just as with seemingly everything else we loved back in the day, body sprays are back. Fortunately those of us with more sophisticated tastes now have more upscale options to choose from, and I’m actually really excited about the latest launch from the scent-sational Jo Malone’s Jo Loves Fragrance Body Spray Collection. (In case you didn’t know, Malone moved on from her eponymous brand and started Jo Loves, whose Fragrance Paintbrushes are worth checking out, too.)
Likened to “fragrance graffiti,” these cans of body mist sound like spray paint when you shake them, but they smell a heck of a lot better. Available in grapefruit, tuberose, fig and vetiver, they can also be mixed and matched to create your own bespoke scent. Perfect for when it’s just too damn hot for perfume—and when you prefer just a hint of fragrance—they can also be layered over the Fragrance Paintbrushes for a bit more staying power.