August 31, 2018

An incredible It Cosmetics dupe, Prose lets you customize your haircare with CBD, natural nails have never looked so good, a new CBD serum to try (noticing a trend?) and a lip tint I'm scared to try.

Excerpts:

I found a dupe for one of my favorite It Cosmetics’ products

Every once in a while, I’ll be trying a new product and get major déjà vu. First, I ask myself if it’s possible I’ve used it before—and the answer is usually no since I’m more likely to remember the cleanser I used in 1999 than the name of someone I met yesterday. The natural follow-up question is, What does this remind me of?, and nine times out of 10 I’ll figure it out almost immediately. Sometimes this is the end of the conversation in my head, but sometimes I’ll realize that it more than reminds me of another product—and that it’s actually a dupe. These fleeting moments are one of my greatest joys in life, and it makes me happy to share them with you!

So I’ve been using It Cosmetics’ Confidence in Your Glow since it came out, and I love it because it’s a bronzer, blush and highlighter in one—but you don’t have to use the different shades on different parts of your face. You can also swirl them together and apply them all over for part sunkissed, part healthily flushed and part glowing skin that work together to make you look all fabulous. (It’s also formulated with anti-aging ingredients and light-diffusing pigments for instant skin improvement.) It may sound like a lot is going on, but the end result is so natural that I’ve been using it year-round.

Then, I received Pixi Beauty’s PixiGlow Cake about a month ago and I got that sensation—only this time I knew the second I laid eyes on it. Yup, this bears a striking resemblance to my beloved It Cosmetics, and it too has three complementary shades that can be used individually or blended together. And wouldn’t you know, Pixi’s version contains ceramides, peptides and grapeseed extract for skincare-like benefits.

I know a dupe is supposed to be significantly less expensive than its counterpart, but sometimes a dupe can give you peace of mind if you worry that the original may be discontinued. A dupe can also come in handy if the original is so popular that it’s sold out. With that said, the PixiGlow Cake rings in at $28, compared to It Cosmetics’ $32 price tag. Not a significant difference, but it’s something right? And trust me, either of these products are worthy of a spot in your makeup bag, especially if you want to keep your summer glow going well into fall (and beyond).

You can get CBD in your haircare, too—if you need it

Earlier this week we talked about CBD skincare (in the form of Stacked Skincare’s new serum), which reminded me of another way to get this calming compound: In the shower courtesy of your haircare routine. The bespoke brand Prose has been letting people like us create their own personalized formulas via a quick, easy quiz—and they just added CBD to their list of available enhancing ingredients.

If you’re wondering why your hair needs CBD, it’s actually your scalp that can benefit from this antioxidant-rich ingredient. With the ability to restore balance to this delicate area while reducing redness and irritation, CBD can help quell itching and dryness (and perhaps put the lid on dandruff). For the record, when you get CBD in your Prose shampoo, conditioner or hair mask, you also get licorice and provitamin B5 with it. And this is just one of 16 other natural ingredients you can use to customize your products (and it’s kind of cool that the company discloses the countries their ingredients are sourced from).

We have to say these products have major shelf appeal as well, and they just might elevate your in-shower décor. But don’t save them because they’re so pretty—they aren’t going to help save your hair if they’re sitting in the bottle (or jar).

What to do if your nails need to reset

It’s no secret I’ve been obsessed with NexGen manicures since getting my first one six months ago, and my nails haven’t see the light of day since. But after experiencing a few cracks and breaks (probably because my nails were SO long!) I decided to take a break and give the whole au naturel thing a try—with a little help from the Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System.

For the record, my nails were in relatively good shape after getting my last NexGen removed, but they definitely weren’t great. I figured it was the perfect opportunity to try this nail-repair system, which has been sitting on my desk for the past month, and I’m so glad I did!

Designed to rejuvenate your nails in three easy steps you do once a week, the process starts with a glycolic acid peel (yes, for your nails that you brush on and allow to dry. Then, you prime your nails with each of the three surfaces on the buffing wand before brushing on the Deep Hydrating Formula. Once I finished, my nails were smooth and shiny without the need for a clear polish. (I did apply Duri’s Rejuvacote to give them a little extra TLC, though).

It’s been almost three weeks since my last manicure and I’m still digging this polish-less lifestyle. I have more time on my hands (ha!) and I’ve only now realized how high-maintenance my nails have been. I’m definitely not off manicures for good, but I’m rather enjoying the hiatus.

Get ready to see more CBD in your skincare

I first created a folder for PR emails about CBD products about a year ago (when I started working on this story for Beauty in the Bag). There wasn’t much activity in terms of new and exciting launches for a while, then things started to pick up suddenly—and now not a week goes by without getting a pitch for a hemp- or CBD-infused product. I’m seeing more and more about these offerings in mainstream beauty media now as well (who saw the feature in the last Allure?), and a subject that was once approached with caution is now being embraced with aplomb. The latest launch to come across my desk was Stacked Skincare’s Calming CBD Elixir—and I totally want it.

For the record, CBD is not the cannabis compound that makes you high (that would be THC). But CBD has lots of other amazing benefits to offer, like a high concentration of antioxidants plus anti-inflammatory, barrier-strengthening and healing properties. Stacked Skincare’s foray into the CBD segment features 99.6 pure CBD—and a liposome delivery system that helps get it into the skin. With a hempseed and rosehip oil base, your skin also gets treated to nourishing omega fatty acids, skin-brightening and a dose of hydration as well. (And it’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone.) Beyond a chilled-out complexion, Stacked Skincare says their oil can help with headaches and sleep as well—talk about a multi-tasker!

So what do you think about CBD skincare? Are you in or out?

I’m so into this lip stain, but I’m afraid to try it

Who doesn’t love the idea of lip color that stays put for 12 hours? That sure sounds good to me—but I don’t think I’d want such long-lasting color from a lipstick since I imagine it would get cakey flaky or dry out my lips after so long. A lip stain, on the other hand, could definitely work since I’d be able to apply balm or gloss throughout the day. That’s exactly what Berrisom’s Oops My Lip Tint from South Korea (the land of beauty innovation) is designed to do, AND it uses a peel-off formula to get this said color onto your lips, which makes it seem all that more fun.

So why my trepidation? I read a bunch of reviews and apparently you have to be really careful when you apply it, or else you’ll have a 12-hour stain on the skin surrounding your lips. You also have to apply A LOT of it, and give it a chance to dry before you peel it off. I’m just not that confident in my application skills (and I don’t want to wind up looking like Bozo the Clown).

If anyone’s tried this, PLEASE let me know… Is it worth a try, or should I stay away?