July 6, 2018

Adjustable hair spray is a thing, HUM's collagen tablets will make you want to drink more water (and improve the state of your skin and an affordable body-firming moisturizer.

3 hairsprays, 1 can

I’m a bit of a control freak, so any sort of product (skincare or otherwise) that makes me feel like I’m in charge is a winner in my book. Today’s empowering pick is Design.Me’s Hold Me Three Ways Hairspray, because this one can lets you choose from light, medium or strong hold with a simple twist.

Regardless of the strength you choose, the formula is always flake-free and long-lasting, and it delivers UV protection and volume to boot. The light setting perfect for taming flyaways and creating beachy texture, while the medium hold is great for pre-curl setting and keeping straight, sleek styles in place. The strong hold is ideal for slicked-back looks (which I’ve been going with since summer set in) and making sure your up-do doesn’t let you down—and this versatility has saved a lot of space in my hair-styling drawer.

At least there’s one thing we can control in this crazy world we’re living in, right?

Sip your way to better-looking skin

If you’re the type that tries to thwart aging at every turn, you probably know a thing or two about collagen—and how this supportive protein is responsible for smooth, bouncy, line-free skin. You probably also know that the quality and quantity of collagen declines as the years march on (which is why we try to protect it with sunscreen and antioxidants, and keep it coming with retinoids, microneedling and the like).

So what if you could give your collagen a boost by dropping a tablet in your water bottle? With HUM Nutrition’s new Collagen Pop, you can! Packed with sustainably-sourced, marine-derived collagen peptides and vitamin C (which is essential for collagen production) these tablets are also made with lemon and rose petals that lend a sweet flavor.

Clinical studies on Collagen Pop’s collagen peptides showed an improvement in skin smoothness and firmness in as little as four weeks, so one tablet a day really can help keep wrinkles away. Bottoms up!

A firming moisturizer that really works (for me, at least)

It’s no secret that things start to happen around the time we turn 40, and body changes either become more noticeable, or we’re just paying closer attention. Loss of skin firmness is one of them, and a history of weight gain and loss certainly doesn’t help. No matter how toned or fit your muscles may be, the skin above makes somewhat of a first impression—and in the case of my stomach and thighs, everything could be a bit tauter and tighter. I’m not ready to explore professional skin-tightening treatments just yet, which is why I wanted to give Nivea’s Skin Firming & Toning Gel-Cream a try—and I’m on my second tube.

Working with doctors for so many years definitely trained me to wary of product claims, and anything that says it delivers the results of an in-office procedure (or even a degree thereof) requires realistic expectations. That’s how I approached the Nivea… I need to moisturize, so why not try something that could possibly firm up my skin? No, I definitely don’t look like I got a tummy tuck or a body lift, but I will say that I definitely see some improvement.

Beyond the formula’s Co-Q10, L-carnitine and lotus extract (the ingredients used to improve skin firmness), the lightweight gel absorbs quickly, and it provides a cooling sensation that makes it perfect for summer. It doesn’t leave any greasy residue or make my skin feel like it’s suffocating when I walk outside. I do need to layer another moisturizer over it if I want my bare arms or legs to have a subtle sheen, but that’s obviously no big deal.

As with pretty much any skincare product, consistent use is key for getting the maximum benefits, and now that it’s two-showers-a-day season here in South Florida, I can wait to see what my skin looks like by the time September rolls around!