February 22, 2019

A K-beauty serum worth obsessing over, the Glossier brow gel that has become a staple, a hair treatment/styling product and a prescription-based acne treatment without leaving the house.

A new serum to get really excited about

I’ve seen a surge in new products lately and my bathroom countertop seems to be getting more and more crowded by the day. Surprisingly, everything I’ve been trying has been pretty awesome—to the point that I’m having a hard time squeezing everything into my already jam-packed skincare routine, which is why I’m planning on taking inventory this weekend and creating mini treatment-product regimens that I can pick and choose from.

One of the newest additions to my collection is AZN Labs’ Afterglow Ampoule, which launched this last Monday (although I’ve been using it for about a month now). At first I thought this was going to be yet another oil-based serum that would deliver a slew of beneficial ingredients (which isn’t a bad thing—but isn’t exactly anything new) but once I tried it I realized I was completely wrong.

Combining traditional botanical K (Korean) beauty ingredients and formulation technology plus the antioxidant astaxanthin that’s all the rage in J (Japanese) beauty, I’ve never experienced a texture quite like Afterglow Ampoule’s. Somewhat of a hybrid between and oil and a gel, it glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy residue. It also instantly leaves skin feeling tighter and looking significantly healthier and more refined—and the improvement in fine lines and wrinkles is pretty major.

But back to the astaxanthin, because this ingredient is no joke. Sourced from rainwater microalgae (but don’t go splashing puddle water on your face, please), it has been found to be 6,000 (yes, 6,000!) times more potent than vitamin C. The formula includes other super-antioxidants like ubiquinone and ferulic acid, plus arbutin, camellia extract and so much more—which means uneven skin tone, loss of firmness and other visible signs of aging don’t stand a chance. (And it has a nice, slightly peachy scent.)

Afterglow Ampoule also plays nicely with other products, and I haven’t experienced any pilling, even if I’m in a rush and apply additional products in rapid succession. All in all, this serum turned out to be a real gem that has made an impact on my skin and my overall skincare regimen. It’s a winner!

The brow product I didn’t know I needed

A few weeks ago I finished my Glossier Lash Slick so I hopped online to order another. I wasn’t planning on buying anything else, but then Boy Brow was front and center on the homepage. I’ve seen too many glowing reviews of this supposedly life-changing product to count, so I figured I’d give it a whirl once and for all—and it’s a good thing I did because now I know what all the buzz is about.   

I haven’t ever done much to my brows on a daily basis other than brush them into place or pluck a stray hair here and there. I leave the shaping to my brow guru Andra of Boca Brows, and maybe I’ll use IT Cosmetics’ Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil and a bit of Anastasia Clear Brow Gel if I’m going out-out. But ever since Boy Brow came into my life, arch-enhancement has become a part of my morning makeup routine.

I went with the “Brown” shade (don’t let the blonde hair on my head fool you) and I’ll admit I was nervous I’d look like Uncle Leo from Seinfeld when he drew eyebrows on his face with magic marker. What actually happened when I tried it couldn’t have been farther from this scenario. Just a few light swipes miraculously filled in sparse spots, added just the right amount of extra oomph and held my brows in place all day. Although the formula is tinted, the end-result looked completely natural, and so much softer than any brow pencil I’ve ever used.

So, it’s official: Boy Brow is on my mental list of products that I wish I had tried sooner. I’m not sure I would go as far as to say it’s life-changing, but this pomade has been brow-changing for sure. Even if I’m just wearing tinted moisturizer, mascara and a touch of color on my cheeks, Boy Brow makes it all look that much better.

There's not much this unique hair treatment/styling product can't do

My hair product drawer is practically overflowing, as I have products for blowing my hair straight, air-drying slicked back and when I want to go wavy. This has never been a major issue, but I often wish I had one product that could do it all, simply to cut down on clutter. As it would happen, this one elusive multi-tasker does exist—and it’s Fatboy’s Tacky Oil Protective Styler.

For starters, this non-greasy oil-based serum hydrates, strengthens, smoothes and protects against heat damage, pollution and UV rays regardless of how you use it. Whether your goal is stick-straight strands or bouncy curls that hold their shape, you can apply it pre-blow-dry, pre-air-dry or even on dry hair to tame frizz and flyaways as needed—and adding a pump to any other styling product delivers an extra dose of nourishment (thanks to aloe vera juice plus baobab, jojoba, argan and castor oils) and a touch of additional hold.

I’ve tried all of the above and been really happy with the end-results. Most importantly, I haven’t noticed any unwanted greasiness so I’ve been able to stick to my twice-weekly washing schedule no matter how I choose to style my hair on any given day. And best of all, this one bottle essentially replaces four or five others that have been sitting in my drawer, so I’ve also gotten a little extra space that prevents my OCD from kicking into overdrive when it’s time to figure out what I want to do with my freshly-washed hair.

Because being a nag is annoying…

No one ever wants to be a nag, but we’re all guilty of it from time to time. Whether it’s a kid who has forgotten to turn in his homework for three days straight, a husband who fails to put everything away after he makes himself a sandwich, or a co-worker who was supposed to have something done for you last week, odds are these tasks are lingering in the back of your head until they are finally done.

We can all use any extra mental energy (or peace of mind) possible, so why not put your “nag” in writing so you can move on to other things? I’m obsessed with these sticky notes not only because I can include specific details as to what I need to need done without sounding like a broken record—and they say “please” and “thank you” as a polite touch.

P.S. With Amazon Prime you can have them in time for Valentine’s Day in case you need to nag the hubs about getting you a gift.

Get customized prescription-based skincare without leaving the house

I’ll take something customized over something “off the rack” any day of the week—and this includes skincare. I mean, as long as the formulation and ingredients you want are available in a made-to-measure version, I only see upsides in terms of appeal, ease of use and ultimate results.

That’s why I wanted to try Curology, an innovative skincare company that custom-blends prescription-based acne treatments based on your skin’s unique needs. (Yes, I use topical clindamycin and OTC Differin to keep my skin under control.) The process is super-easy, and you can do it anywhere through your phone. First, you answer a simple questionnaire and upload a few makeup-free selfies. Then you’ll get an email from an actual provider (in my case it was a nurse practitioner) confirming your “cocktail.”

My bottle of Curology arrived a few short days later, and the timing was perfect because my skin was having a total temper tantrum. My all-in-one formula contained 0.009% tretinoin (a prescription-based retinoid similar to Differin), 1% clindamycin and 9% azelaic acid (known for anti-acne, discoloration-fighting and soothing benefits). I promptly put away my existing products and began that very night…

I wasn’t expecting anything majorly dramatic, simply because my skin was already accustomed to these ingredients—albeit not in one bottle. After a few days my skin was definitely back on track, and I had absolutely no side effects to speak of—and my practitioner checked in with me about a week or so later to see how things were going. I have nothing but good things to say about Curology, and here’s a short list of pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for you.

Pros
Simplicity: If you want to cut back the number of skincare steps before you go to bed, you can get the benefits of three treatments in one. You can also get a basic cleanser and moisturizer with your customized treatment if you want to keep your regimen extra-lean.

Cost: Curology costs as little as $19.95 for a one-month supply, and you don’t have to go to the doctor so that saves you on co-pay alone (and time).

Con
The only con for me was a personal one—not anything about the process, formula or brand itself. My skin is accustomed to the 0.1% adapalene in Differin, and based on my own research, 0.009% tretinoin is significantly less potent. I did learn that adapalene is often better tolerated than tretinoin (perhaps this is why Curology uses a lower concentration) but I would have liked my formula to contain a higher tretinoin strength, especially for anti-aging purposes.

Every Curology customized blend is different, because everyone’s skin is different. In addition to the ingredients I received in my formula, others include niacinamide, vitamin C and zinc pyrithione. (All formulas contain up to three of these main ingredients max.) If you’re struggling with keeping your skin in the clear and haven’t found an effective combination of treatments, I would definitely tell you to give Curology a shot—what do you have to lose, other than the breakouts?