March 29, 2019

Must-have makeup brushes, a hack for a steady-handed manicure and the scoop on the latest Nutrafol supplements.

These brushes put the “art” in makeup artistry

I’ll admit it, I’m a bit intimidated by makeup brushes. With so many shapes and kinds of bristles, I’m always worried I’m using the wrong one for a particular spot or type of makeup. I know I should probably relax and just use what works (considering I’ve basically be using the same ones the same way forever), but easier said than done. And after I took this shot of my current brush collection, it dawned on me that I probably only use about five of them on a regular basis.

Then I received two gorgeous brushes from Artis, and I instantly felt less application-tool anxiety before I even unboxed them. As you can see bel, each box illustrates the many ways each one can be used—and it turns out, the Oval 4 and Oval 6 alone have most of my every-day needs covered.

An attitude shift was already underway, and then I actually touched the brushes. Unlike any others in my current rotation, they are super-dense yet velvety-soft, and best of all can be used with powders, creams and even skincare products without fear of damaging the bristles or sacrificing your final makeup results. 

Their shape is obviously wildly different than traditional makeup brushes, and this is because they are designed to mimic the way you’d use your fingers to apply your own makeup—and you’d be surprised at the difference it makes when your brush’s handle doesn’t obscure your view of the area you’re trying to put makeup on. (Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?)

Just as I was about to attempt my usual makeup look with only these two brushes, a little voice in my head said, “Paige, if you do your eyes first then you’re going to get shadow on your cheeks when you get to blush.” Alas, I was able to shut her down immediately since I also had the Brush Cleaning Pad. This genius microfiber cloth-covered plate prevents unwanted color transfer when moving from one part of the face to another simply by swiping your brush along the surface a few times between products. Problem solved. (The Brush Cleaning Pad can also be used for periodic deeper cleaning by adding a bit of Brush Cleansing Foam.) 

And yes, I was able to create my “usual” look with these two brushes (plus the one that comes along with my Glossier Boy Brow). With spring cleaning on the brain, it might be time to Kondo my current makeup brush situation—and fill in any gaps (if there are any) with the appropriate Artis options. Stay tuned!

My new go-to DIY manicure tool

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have noticed a lack of #manicure posts for the last year or so. No, I’m not hiding my “color of the week” from you—I just haven’t been into getting my nails done. I was getting dip manicures for a while but I got tired of them, and I’ve been enjoying going au naturel (although I file my nails weekly and throw on a coat of clear polish). I have to say this move has given me one less thing to worry about in terms of scheduling, blocking out the time and praying that something doesn’t pop up that makes me cancel. And it’s all good.

But, I was definitely intrigued when I came across “The Poppy,” Olive & June’s Universal Nail Polish Bottle Handle, and I could feel it begging me to buy it. Basically a replacement for your standard nail polish cap and brush, the oversized handle gives you extra stability when doing your own nails—and it can be used with ANY polish.

After ogling (and ordering) The Poppy, I did a little poking around the site and loved everything these three L.A.-based nail salons offer. The neutral polishes are stunning, the nail art stickers are amazing and the sandals are oh-so cute. I’m digging Olive & June’s vibe so much, that I’d probably go back to my weekly manicures if I lived in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica or Pasadena (or if they opened a spa near me).

Hair-growth supplements that go the extra mile

Hardly a day goes by that I don’t pop a hair/nail supplement (along with other beauty boosters). Then I add in a probiotic, a vitamin or two—and before I know it I’m taking a big handful of pills. I’ll never give up my strand-strengtheners, but it would be nice if I could combine multiple benefits in one capsule. As luck would have it, now I can thanks to Nutrafol’s newly expanded range of hair-meets-wellness solutions.

In case you’re not familiar with Nutrafol, this is one of the hair supplements that dermatologists recommend most, which is why I was so excited about the new offerings—and there are a lot of them. Here’s the lowdown on the “core” formulas and the new add-on boosters to help you decide which is best for you and your head-to-toe needs, both inside and out.

Core for Women: Essentially the OG Nutrafol, this supplement targets the most common underlying causes of compromised hair growth to promote the production of new healthy, strong, shiny strands. You also get stress adaptogens (since the craziness of everyday life can have an impact on your hair), and you just might sleep better and be able to chill out a little, too. P.S. It’s also available in a dedicated formula for men. 

Core for Women Plus: Featuring all the benefits of the Core for Women but designed for women who are feeling the effects of menopause, this formula has added Maca to help you deal with hot flashes. 

Liver Support: Toxins can stand in the way of beautiful, bouncy hair, and this antioxidant-enhanced booster gives your liver function a helping hand. If wine is a must for winding down at the end of the day, this one might be for you.

Stress Adaptogen: There’s no doubt that life is stressful—and that it can lead to dull, drab hair. This supplement features Reishi mushroom, Rhodiola rosea and Schisandra nigra to help keep cortisol levels in check. 

Vitamin B-Booster: If you feel like you could use a little extra energy, odds are your hair follicles do, too. Take two droppers under your tongue once a day and let the blend of B vitamins do their thing.

Sugar Balance: Don’t let your sweet tooth stand in the way of luscious locks. This formula helps promote glucose balance—which may translate to less sugar cravings and more energy when you usually experience a mid-afternoon slump (without having to reach for the candy).

Digestive Enzyme: Once upon a time, I was able to eat just about anything without getting a bellyache. With 16 enzymes that help break down food and optimize the digestive process, this formula helps keep bloat at bay while maximizing the available amount of protein and nutrients necessary for optimal hair health and growth.

Hairbiotic: We all know how important “good” bacteria are for gut and overall health, and this must-have formula also contains hair-friendly probiotics that create a growth-friendly environment.

DHT Inhibitor: Hair thinning or loss is often due to elevated levels of DHT, which is a hormonal byproduct of testosterone. This targeted supplement contains a blend of botanicals that help minimize the production of DHT that can disrupt hair-follicle function. 

I know, all these options can be overwhelming, which is why it’s important to take the time to consider the factors that may be having the biggest impact on your life—and your hair. (Or just take this simple quiz that helps you figure it out.) The beauty of these new Nutrafol supplement options is that they multi-task to give your body even more of the nutrients and help it needs.

IBB Tip: One of the biggest challenges for me is remembering to take my supplements daily, which is why I started keeping them next to my desk. This way I know I’ll see them on several occasions throughout the day—and ultimately take them at some point!