July 27, 2018

My thoughts after being back in the "period" game, must-have sunscreens, La Prairie's easy-peasy foundation, an incredible line of clay masks and a new shaving option that feels oh-so familiar.

We're in the midst of a period revolution

I’m going to skip the personal anecdote today and get right to the point: It’s a whole new world out there when it comes to our periods. Full disclosure: I had a Mirena IUD put in three months after my son was born, so I haven’t gotten my period in almost TEN years—and I still have a package of Always pads and a box of o.b. tampons at the top of my bathroom linen closet to prove it. (Just in case…)

I haven’t been oblivious to the rise of the menstrual cup (which Millennials are apparently crazy about!), and I’m totally up on the latest organic feminine product “memberships” like Rael that ship you menstrual gear based on your cycle. But one thing I can’t wrap my head around is “period panties” like Thinx. So you basically forgo a tampon or pad and just let it flow? Wait, what? I really need someone to explain this to me…

Don’t get me wrong, I’m about as feminist as they come. I think all of our bodies (and what comes out of them as part of the gift that is being able to create life) are beautiful. I just feel like Rip Van Winkle who fell asleep when douche (as in the vaginal cleansing product, not an asshole guy) was a thing, and woke up wearing a “I have my period, YAY!” tee shirt.

Am I alone here?

The sunscreens I'm eyeing for the second half of summer

Visiting Day at my son’s camp this weekend means we’re halfway through the summer—and my sunscreen supply is dwindling. I’ve made it this far without any signs of UV overexposure, and I’m planning to keep it up not only until fall rolls around, but for the indefinite future. My secret for sticking with the SPF? Get a product (or products) you actually want to use! These three are currently at the top of my list…

Volition Beauty Prismatic Luminizing Shield SPF 50
Broad-spectrum SPF 50, hydrating hyaluronic acid and micro-fine pearl powder for a radiant glow? Yes, please!

Moroccanoil Sun Lotion SPF 50
This one had me at “delicately fragranced with a Monoi scent.”

Elemis Daily Defense Shield SPF 30
I need all the protection against blue light I can get.

You’ll love this foundation—even if you’re not a foundation person

Let’s say you were taking a trip to the jungle… Would you bring foundation? Probably not. Summer in south Florida is pretty much the same as the Amazon, which makes me reluctant to wear foundation—but then I received La Prairie’s new Skin Caviar Essence-in-Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Sunscreen and I’ve totally changed my tune.

First, I LOVE a cushion compact because it makes application, touching up and travel so easy. As if La Prairie’s latest product and I weren’t already off to a good start, then I actually tried it. By far the fanciest foundation compact I’ve ever tried, I placed the sponge on the mesh and gave it a few clicks to release a bit of the liquid. Then I gently patted it on all over my face, and although my skin looked instantly smoother and more even, the formula is so lightweight I didn’t even know it was there. Obviously this passes the summer foundation test—and I’ll be wearing it well into fall, too.

But this compact delivers a lot more than natural-looking buildable coverage. You get La Prairie’s famed Caviar Water for all the skincare benefits you could possibly want, plus broad-spectrum SPF 25 to shield skin from the jungle (I mean summer) sun. It also holds up to the heat, and I was surprised that it survived a run-in with a friend that turned into a 20-minute chat. OUTSIDE of Saks Fifth Avenue. At high noon. (And of course there was nary a sign of sunburn in site.)

Truth be told, all of this oohing and ahhing doesn’t come cheap. In fact, it will set you back $195. BUT you get a refill. And it makes you feel fancy. And it makes your skin look amazing. If you’re up for a splurge, you won’t be disappointed.

Mask month continues with these clay-based beauties

I never set out to make July the “month of masks,” but I figure I might as well finish what I inadvertently started. At this point you’d think I’d have the purest pores and smoothest skin on the planet, and while my face is in pretty good shape, I blame summer’s heat and humidity (and resulting non-stop sweating) for the persistent blackheads that seem to return almost immediately after I eradicate them. Then I busted into my stash of Generation Clay masks and I think that maybe I’ve broken the vicious cycle.

These all-natural Australian masks tap into the purifying properties of kaolin and bentonite clays and activated charcoal powder—plus ingredients you’ve never heard of like Old Man Weed and Desert Lime—to detox, brighten and refine your skin while you kick back and relax.

First up was the Detoxifying Charcoal Clay Mask, and there’s something about the mud-like consistency that makes it so easy to apply. (The adorable brush that comes with each mask definitely helps, too.) You know it’s working thanks to a subtle tingle, and the color lightens as it dries so you know when it’s time to rinse. It also gets tight, and there’s nothing more gratifying than seeing those little dark dots that you know are caused by the oil that’s getting sucked out of your pores. After you rinse, your skin is soft, smooth and squeaky clean—with nary a pore in sight.

After a beyond satisfying experience with the charcoal mask, the Urban Defence Purifying Pink Clay Mask was next in line, and even though I hardly live in a bustling metropolis, I’m sure my pores have picked up some of the nasty stuff that’s floating around out there. Hence the vitamin C-rich Kakadu plum, which works to neutralize free radicals while brightening and giving skin a collagen-boosting kick in the pants. It goes on cool and a little tingly and seems to dry faster than the charcoal mask. After rinsing, you’re left with supple, rosy, glowing skin—try it in the morning to put your best face forward!

Now you can shave anytime or anywhere

It’s Visiting Day at my son’s camp this Saturday (YAY!) so naturally I’ve started what we refer to in our house as “pre-packing.” This essentially means pulling clothes and gathering items that need to get packed—before busting out the suitcase. Since I am literally going to be away for 48 hours and the only activities on the itinerary are sitting on a plane, sitting in a car and running around camp for six hours, I am CARRYING ON three pairs of leggings, three tops and a flannel. Hair-wise, I’ll wash before I go and I’m bringing a hat. Toiletry-wise, I’m bringing a Ziploc of miscellaneous samples—and the Sphynx 3-in-1 Portable Razor.

But first, who remembers the Flicker? I remember my mom using it when I was little, and her trying to get me to use one to shave my legs before graduating to an actual razor and shower cream.

Well, the Sphynx is like the next-generation Flicker—except it has everything you need to shave right there in the palm-sized compact of sorts. There’s a mini spray bottle for water, a solid shave bar and a razor, each of which is accessed by twisting the knob. This is perfect for my quick trip (although I will have access to a shower) because I definitely don’t want to be the mom with the hairy pits or calf/ankles. (Note: I did NOT say "cankles" on purpose.)

Whether you throw it in your gym bag or your purse if you’re at the Tinder point in your life, this innovative tool gets major points in my book. How much do you want to bet my husband will forget his razor and he’ll wind up using it, too?