March 1, 2019

Kevyn Aucoin's irresistible new palette, non-toxic nail polish remover and Rene Furterer's color-specific approach to haircare.

I don’t think I can resist this eyeshadow palette

The last thing I need is another eyeshadow palette, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. I try my best not to double up on color collections I may already have, but I’m always drawn to a palette that has a unique spin. Take Kevyn Aucoin Beauty’s new Emphasize Eye Design Palettes for example. Featuring five coordinating powder shadows plus a new water-resistant Cream Foil Eyeshadow (that has a special applicator for precise placement), they make it easy to create an alluring eye for any occasion. Simply apply from lightest to darkest and use the Cream Foil Eyeshadow as a finishing touch in the inner corners of the eyes (or anywhere else you want extra sparkle). This short tutorial shows you exactly what to do, and you’ll quickly see how uncomplicated it is.

While we’re on the subject, I recently watched Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story and it might be one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen. With rare footage of Aucoin’s youth, a behind-the-scenes look at his meteoric rise and interviews with too many famous fashion faces to count (including The Supers!), it definitely says something that my husband got sucked into it and watched through the end. (He had no idea makeup artists could be such a big deal!) Definitely add it to your watchlist if you haven’t seen it already…

Nail polish remover will never be the same

There’s no denying that nail polish remover is a necessary evil. Though an essential product just about all of us have, it has absolutely no redeeming qualities—other than removing nail polish. Between the caustic smell and drying effect on your skin and nails, it’s basically hell in a bottle. But, as will other less-than-pleasant beauty necessities (ahem, bikini waxes), we do what we have to do when we have to do it.

We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief (and throw away that bottle of nail polish remover that’s been living under our bathroom sink for years) thanks to The Sign Tribe’s Remove and Chill Nail Enamel Remover. This first-of-its-kind cream-based polish remover does away with the nose-hair-singeing scent—and all you have to do is apply a thick layer to your nails and leave on for one minute for each coat (so if you use base, two coats of polish and topcoat, sit back and relax for four minutes). When your time is up, massage the cream and wipe off with a cotton ball or pad and voila… You have soft, smooth skin and polish-free nails.

It might sound crazy, but it uses a blend of macadamia, almond, argan and sesame oils (and other waxes) to get the job done—but keep in mind it doesn’t work on gel or Shellac manicures. This is fine with me since long-lasting polish does a number on my nails, and I prefer a traditional polish that I don’t feel bad changing after about a week.

How well are you caring for your color?

Highlights and any other sort of hair color are an investment. It takes time and money to get (and maintain) the hue you desire, and at-home care can make or break the longevity of your results. This is where shampoo, conditioner and various other treatments come into play, and specially-formulated products are key for protecting the look of your color.

Enter Rene Furterer’s new “Radiance Rituals,” which are designed to meet the needs of specific shades of hair. Including Okara Color (for all color-treated hair), Okara Blond (for natural, highlighted and bleached blondes) and Okara Silver (for gray, white and platinum hair), these targeted haircare ranges are designed to maximize the longevity of your color, prevent fading and enhance healthy shine.

I’ve been using the Okara Blond Radiance Ritual and so far so good! For starters, the golden shimmery shampoo is so pretty to look at—and that’s even before you suds up. Featuring Okara extract (which is actually the protein-rich leftovers that result when soybeans are processed to make tofu and soy milk) along with a unique ReflectLumiere complex of lemon peel and sugar cane extracts with alpha-hydroxy acids that repairs and illuminates blonde hair, the shampoo and conditioner leave my hair feeling soft, smooth and strong. The blonde ritual also includes the Brightening Spray for an extra brightening boost that naturally lightens your color by at least a shade—because there’s no such thing as being too blonde, right? This can be used as a detangling, shine-enhancing leave-in treatment, or on dry hair for extra glossiness between washes.

I also “stole” the Color Protection Mask from the Okara Color range, and this weekly treatment has worked wonders on my hair. With triple the concentration of Okara extract (as compared to the other new products) plus witch hazel to preserve your color, it helps repair damage and maintain radiance for up to eight weeks—and I love the pump dispenser because I always manage to get water in my mask when it comes in a tub.

Let’s be honest… Color upkeep is expensive (regardless of your hue), and I’m a firm believer that using high-quality haircare helps keep my strands silky and prevent them from becoming straw-like. And it turns out, these new Rene Furterer products are the perfect way to do it.