September 7, 2018

I'm obsessed with D.S. & Durga's fragrance enhancer, go big or go home with Bumble and bumble, a lust-worthy NARS palette and I can't get enough of Emma Hardie's facial mist.

Treat your skin this holiday weekend

If you’re not soaking up the sun this long weekend, odds are you’ll be doing a little shopping. With so many amazing sales happening it’s hard to decide where to start—but I have a suggestion… If you haven’t experienced the awesomeness of the Japanese beauty brand Tatcha, now’s the time! Through Sunday, you can get these three dynamic duos at unbelievable prices:

The Ageless Revitalizing Duo ($210—regularly $320): Get a full-size Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream and Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream and you’re on your way to putting your best (and younger-looking) face forward for fall.

The Firming Duo ($115—regularly $180): Say sayonara to saggy skin with the Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum and Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum, which are both infused with 23K gold. Can you say, “Fancy?”

The Nourishing Hydration Duo ($85—regularly $125): You’ll fall for Gold Camellia Beauty Oil and Camellia Goldspun Lip Balm (it’s one of my all-time faves)—and not just because they’re so pretty!

So what’s on your shopping list this holiday weekend?

I'm so obsessed with this fragrance enhancer, I wear it on its own

“Non-perfume perfume” may sound like an oxymoron, but it’s a real thing—and my latest fragrance obsession. It all started with Molecule 01, which consists of a single note, Iso E Super (which isn’t even really a “note,” but rather a synthetic molecule with a woody aroma). The beauty of Iso E Super is that it smells different on everyone because it reacts with your unique skin chemistry, and it’s often included in perfumes to give them a sense of waftiness (if that makes sense). I fell for the enigmatic scent so hard that I even concocted my own blend with a IES fragrance oil from Etsy and grain alcohol (take that Molecule 01!). This might sound crazy, but it’s a winner.

Then I read about D.S. & Durga’s “I Don’t Know What” in Allure and had to get my hands on a sample pronto. With Iso E Super as a main note and Ambrox (another synthetic fave of mine) as a base note, I knew it would be a match in heaven.

Before I go any further, even more intriguing than the blend of notes is the fact that “I Don’t Know What” is billed as a fragrance enhancer that adds an extra level of complexity to any other scent you may wear. I tried it with Le Labo’s Santal 33 (my Fall/Winter signature scent) and it definitely made a noticeable difference. IDKW diffused Santal’s earthiness and added a light, almost powdery element that I really enjoyed.

But truth be told, I like IDKW on its own even more. The ambiguous Iso E Super and Ambrox aromas are mixed with bergamot and vetiver, and the result is a fresh, zesty, effervescent, totally unique unisex scent that I’m really digging—so much so that I’m considering splurging on a full-size bottle (and there happens to be a space for it on my perfume tray.)

2 new ways to give your hair a volume boost

I don’t personally struggle with fine, limp hair, and my styling efforts tend to focus more on smoothing and reducing fluffiness (thanks to Florida humidity)—but I know plenty of gals who go to great lengths for extra bounce and volume. Bumble and bumble’s Bb. Thickening collection has been doing just this for years, and the brand just added two new products to this targeted range that will give your hair a boost in no time flat (sorry, couldn’t help myself).

First, the Go Big Treatment is a concentrated pre-styling mist formulated with new Emblica technology that swells each and every strand and it softens and provides protection against heat styling that follows (without any stiffness or crunchiness). Check out the before-and-after pictures… They’re pretty impressive!

If you really want to take the volume to another level, chase the Go Big Treatment with the Great Body Blow Dry Creme. This hydrating heat-protective cream literally takes your blowout to new heights and helps your style resist deflation over the course of the day.

No matter your hair type or goals, we all need a style refresh from time to time, and I have my eye on the Bb. Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray. Perfect for giving hair an instant lift and tousled texture (minus the chalky residue), it also comes in a perfectly-portable travel-sized can that’s easy to take with you when you’re on the go.

This NARS palette is calling my name

The last thing I need is another palette (or four more eyeshadows, another bronzer and another highlighter). But for some reason, I can’t get NARS’ Atomic Blonde Eye & Face Palette off my mind. Yes, it screams summer thanks to the gold, copper and bronze hues, but the rave reviews make me want it even more (and it can totally work for fall). And the fact that it’s limited-edition definitely factors into the equation.

Maybe it’s the name since I recently went back to blonde—but who cares why I’m obsessed with it? I’m going for it! [Adds to cart.]

I can’t get enough of this face mist

Some might say a face mist is just a face mist, and in some cases they are merely a pleasant way to give your skin a little pick-me-up. But in rare cases, the simple act of spritzing is elevated to a memorable skincare experience. This is how I feel about Emma Hardie’s Plump and Glow Hydrating Facial Mist, and I can’t get enough of it.

First off, if you’re not familiar with Emma Hardie, it’s because this famed British aesthetician just recently launched her eponymous range of products on our shores. She became a skincare sensation after launching her signature Natural Lifting & Sculpting Facial in 1996, and her philosophy is based on natural ingredients along with gentle massage and application techniques that deliver visible plumping, firming and brightening.

Now back to the facial mist that has become my latest obsession… Designed to hydrate, protect and boost skin luminosity, this blend of hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, velvet flower and wild watermint supplies skin with a surge of soothing and plumping moisture. The mist is super-fine (which I love) and you can actually feel it creating a pampering layer over your entire face thanks to its unique Glycofilm technology. I’ve had the tube (no, it doesn’t come in a traditional spray bottle) on my nightstand since I started using it, and I’ll dare to say my skin is definitely plump and dewy (and I still haven’t gotten Botox!).

Your skincare routine doesn’t have to be mundane, and the key is finding products you enjoy using… Trust me, this will be one of them!