January 4, 2019

Double-cleanse benefits in one step, It Cosmetics' CC Cream gets a radiant upgrade, a volumizing paste that takes the place of dry shampoo, my first foray into the world of Pat McGrath and more.

Get the benefits of double-cleansing in one step

I’ve been devoted to a triple-cleanse every evening for quite some time, and although it might sound labor intensive, it really just involves washing with a cleansing oil or balm, following up with a more sudsy wash and finishing with a few swipes of micellar water. I’ve tried scores of oil-based cleansing products over the years, but I recently figured out what makes the difference between one I love and one I just use—and it’s the emulsification factor. Long story short, this means I’m down with an oil or balm that liquifies when I add water—and if it doesn’t liquify and leaves a Crisco-like feeling on my skin after I attempt to wash it off, I’m out.

For example, I’ve been using Shu Uemura’s cleansing oils for years, and never had an issue forking over $80+ for a bottle because it seriously lasts for like a year. I’ve also loved IT Cosmetics’ Bye Bye Makeup and Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm as well, simply because they melt away makeup leave my skin feeling soft and supple. On the other hand, I recently received Omorovizca’s Thermal Cleansing Balm as a thank-you gift for subscribing to Porter magazine. It does not emulsify so it definitely requires extra effort to wash it all away and actually requires follow-up with another cleanser to get it all off.

So when I received DefenAge’s soon-to-be-released 1-Step Multi-Cleanse, I couldn’t help but feel like it was made for me. First you apply a dime-sized amount to dry skin and rub it into dry skin dissolve makeup, dirt and other debris. Then, you add a bit of water with your fingertips to create a cleansing milk that easily rinses away. It’s a truly effective time-saver that I’m happy to have in my cleansing arsenal—especially when I’m not in the mood to do my multi-step cleansing routine.

This tip can make It Cosmetics' CC Cream even better!

Last week, I found myself in need of a new tinted moisturizer for everyday and I decided it was time to upgrade my trusty It Cosmetics CC Cream to the “Illuminating” version. I’ve been adding a drop of M.A.C Strobe Cream to the original for quite some time so it was really a no-brainer. There were no surprises in terms of application and the end result, but I did notice that it was kind of hard to wash it completely off my hands after rubbing it on—so today I tried a different approach.

I dispensed my usual one pump to the back on my hand, used my finger to dot it around my face, and then busted out a foundation brush to blend it in. Low and behold, this was a really good move. The finish was so much more sheer than usual (which made me extremely happy) and I only needed about half the amount of cream that I’ve been using for ages. After this application experiment, my skin looked super-dewy and radiant—and now I love this product even more. (And, of course) washing the remaining product off that small spot on the back of my hand was breeze.) 

If you’re a fan of It Cosmetics’ CC Cream, too, give this a try… I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Streamline your hair-styling with this multitasker

You’ve likely come to know that I’m not all that big on styling my hair, and most of the time I let it air-dry and do its thing. But whether I blow-dry or not, I need two key products to make it look like I actually put a little effort into it (and stretch the time between washing): Dry shampoo and texturizing spray. Although I don’t find these necessities to be the slightest bit excessive, I am definitely intrigued by The One by Frederic Fekkai’s new All In One Dry Shampoo Texturizing Paste.

This brand-new Ulta exclusive (for now) features oceanic clay and South Sea blue seaweed extract to absorb excess oil, revive volume and enhance texture in one quick and easy step. With a matte finish and a fresh scent that helps hide the fact that it’s been a few days since you shampooed, it’s great for the guys, too (so you might want to hide it if your S.O. tends to steal your products).

Just imagine how much space you could save in your bathroom or carry-on bag (too bad I don’t have any holiday travel plans)—and I’m envisioning my own bathroom without the white dry shampoo “dust” that seems to land on just about everything.

I finally tried Pat McGrath—and the risk paid off

I’ve been eyeing Pat McGrath’s makeup collection since it launched last fall—and how could I not? The captivating eyeshadow palettes, innovative highlighter formulas and expansive range of lipsticks (and more) are essentially cosmetic porn. But I’ve held off on placing an order because it’s hard to buy makeup sight unseen and I was always worried the hues would be different in real life than on my computer screen. (And McGrath’s products aren’t exactly cheap.) Then, there was a site-wide 25%-off sale and I decided to take a chance.

After poring over the seemingly endless array of lip options, I decided on the Lust: Gloss in “Flesh Fantasy” and the Lip Fetish Lip Balm in “Love Supreme.” Once I checked out, I anxiously awaited the “your order has shipped” email and then I tracked that bitch like nobody’s business until it arrived a few days later.

Well, there was a little snafu with my order… I received the gloss but got the Permagel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil in “BLK Coffee” instead of the lip balm. This actually worked to my advantage because customer service was awesome and they dispatched the balm right away—and I got to keep the eyeliner.

So here’s the verdict… This just might be the best lip gloss I’ve ever tried. I love the pinky-nude hue because it delivers a touch more color than clear without looking the slightest bit opaque. The formula itself is thick and rich—but not sticky—and it has excellent staying power. The lip balm isn’t as great but it’s still good. There isn’t much color to speak of, but it adds a subtle sheen and leaves long-lasting moisture behind. (Truthfully, I think I love the packaging more than the balm itself.) And lastly, the eyeliner was the best accident that ever happened to me makeup-wise. Luckily I like a brown eye pencil, and this gel-based formula manages to be blendable for a short window of time and then once it sets you can forget it. The color stays put without smudging or budging—it’s a total winner.

BEST OF ALL, the sale is still on, so get to it girls! If you can’t find me, I’ll be going through the lip glosses yet again—and placing another order.

Be one of the first to get your hands on this amazing CBD serum

I’ve slowly but surely been incorporating more and more CBD-based products into my beauty and wellness routines, and I’m convinced the stuff works. Taking Elixinol Hemp Oil Liposomes every morning has definitely balanced me out a bit (not counting this morning’s 6:30am cheesy-egg blowout with my 10-year-old son) and I’ve swapped my OTC hydrocortisone itch cream for Vertly’s Hemp CBD Infused Relief Lotion. I also have CBD & Honey’s Lavender Lip Goo sitting on my desk, and I probably put it on like 10 times a day.

A few weeks ago, I received a bottle of the yet-to-be-launched Saint Jane Luxury Beauty Serum, and it has beyond exceeded my expectations. With a blend of 20 potent, antioxidant-rich botanicals (and 500mg of CBD), this one silky serum provides soothing, clarifying, balancing, brightening, detoxifying and hydrating benefits—and my skin loves it. My renewed radiant glow is undeniable.

Saint Jane doesn’t officially launch until January, but the pre-sale starts today (and I’m willing to bet this serum is going to be a huge hit). If you want to try it for yourself, I definitely recommend signing up here, or you may be waiting for quite some time. It’s that good!