May 31, 2019
You're hearing about Roen here first, Living Proof wants to keep your color fresh, the sunscreens I'm digging at the moment and the CBD pen you need to stay calm, cool and collected.
This is the new makeup brand to watch
If I’m not writing, I’m probably reading. From magazines (yes, the old-fashioned paper type—old habits die hard) to beauty industry news and countless pop culture sites, I read a lot. When a brand like Glossier launches a new product, I can literally read the same story 20 times (in addition to knowing about it beforehand thanks to their PR), but I’m more interested in the under-the-radar products that experienced beauty editors are buzzing about—even if it’s just one or two.
A few weeks ago, I saw a handful of mentions of a new makeup line called Roen Beauty so I naturally had to see what it was all about. Created by makeup artist Nikki deRoest, this tightly edited range includes two eyeshadow palettes, one single eyeshadow and a two-sided shadow brush (for now, at least).
What makes these eyeshadows special is the “clean,” innovative formula that fall somewhere between a cream and a powder—and it’s best applied with your fingers (although you can use a brush if you really want to). This was magic to my ears (or eyes for that matter) so I ordered the 52° Cool palette. Almost immediately after it arrived, I received an email that included a tutorial video (well played, Roen) and I started playing. The shadows are definitely creamy, easy to apply and buildable, so you can either give yourself a wash of color or make a bold statement. The creaminess dries down a bit after you apply and then the color is somewhat locked in place (as opposed to maintaining its slip like a gloss).
I love, love, love these shadows because they deliver a major pop of sparkle and color with an effortless vibe. Add eyeliner to your inner rims and a few coats of mascara and you’re good to go—without looking like you spent an hour doing your makeup. The only downside: They are too sparkly for daytime (at least for me). If I had known this I would have waited until after school pick-up to play with them.
I’m super-excited about having this palette in my collection, and now I HAVE to make some nighttime plans so I can use it ASAP.
Your hair needs sun protection, too
Yesterday I shared my start-of-summer sunscreen picks, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring up the importance of shielding our hair from UV rays (especially if you highlight or color). A main culprit in color fading and brassiness in blondes, too much sun on your strands can cause dryness and damage—and have you at the salon more often than you’d like. While there are plenty of UV protection products designed specifically for our hair, (as always) Living Proof has taken this concept to the next level with the new-ish Whipped Glaze.
Similar to the glaze treatments you may have tried at the salon, this leave-in mousse revives and rebalances your color with temporary dye pigments to counteract any changes in color between appointments (and help you stretch the time between salon visits). Available in Light for blondes and Dark for redheads and brunettes, this foam also provides UV protection while leaving your hair soft and shiny. Living Proof recommends using it after every other wash, but you can use it every time until you reach your desired color vibrancy if you’d like. I haven’t tried it yet, but I have a feeling I’ll be needing this by the time we hit July!
My current sunscreen rotation—because it’s SUMMER!
Let it be known: I’m officially in summer mode. School ends next Friday, homework is dunzo for the year (YAY!), camp packing is in progress and I’m spending my weekends outside (albeit on the sidelines of a lacrosse field). On the skincare front, this means sunscreen season is at full tilt—and I have a bevy of new bottles and tubes that I’ve been hitting on the regular.
Before I reveal my current go-to sun-protection products, I’ve made a decision for summer 2019. I’m no longer using chemical-based sunscreen ingredients on myself or my family. There are a few reasons for this… First, back in February, the FDA held a little sunscreen pow-wow, and some interesting information emerged. Of the 16 currently-approved active sunscreen ingredients, only two—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—were deemed GRASE (“generally recognized as safe and effective”) and these both happen to be mineral-based UV filters. 14 other approved widely-used ingredients were said to lack sufficient safety data to be categorized as GRASE (seriously!), and two were called out as decidedly not GRASE.
Then, just a few weeks ago, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that found that chemical-based UV filters do in fact get absorbed into the bloodstream—and this is pretty scary considering we don’t know what they do to our bodies once they get in there. Hormone disruption, cancer and birth defects have all been mentioned as potential side effects (and I emphasize potential because this has not been proven).
Yet another reason I’m making the switch to physical sunscreens is that I work with a lot of dermatologists, and virtually all of them recommend mineral filters for a variety of reasons (the most common being acne-prone and sensitive skin). The good news is, physical sunscreens aren’t like the “zinc” we used to paint on our faces when we were younger. A well-made formula won’t leave your skin looking chalky—and you get the peace of mind that comes along with knowing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide leave a barrier on top of your skin to reflect UV rays, rather than getting absorbed.
Lastly, you’ve probably heard that chemical sunscreen ingredients are killing the world’s coral reefs. Chemical or physical sunscreen is your choice, but these are the mineral-based ones I’m currently reaching for…
TIZO Photoceutical AM Replenish Tinted SPF 40
If I’m dropping off at school, hitting a Pilates class and/or running errands, I use this mousse-like sunscreen because the subtle tint evens out my skin and lets me skip the makeup. It also contains antioxidants (although a vitamin C serum is always the first product I apply after I wash my face) and iron oxide, which helps protect your skin from unwanted discoloration caused by the blue light emitted from electronic screens. However, I don’t use it when I’m planning on applying makeup because it tends to pill if I don’t give it enough time to absorb (and some mornings I’m in such a rush I’m lucky that I remember to put on pants).
CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 30
You don’t have to go any further than the drugstore for this wonderful sunscreen—which doubles as a moisturizer as well. It plays nicely with makeup, it’s oil-free and it contains skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide to give you even more bang for your buck.
Tropic Sport
I was recently introduced to this Australian brand and I have to say I’ve never used more effective sun protection on my kid—or myself. Gone are the days of coming home after a long day outside only to find someone is sunburned (despite applying before setting foot in the sun and reapplying throughout the day). I like the lotion for our bodies and the stick for my son’s face—and although it takes a wee bit of rubbing in to render it invisible (I’d rather use too much than too little), it’s well worth the effort.
Regardless of the sunscreen you choose, just remember, slathering on the SPF is not a one-and-done task—especially if you’re going to outside for more than an hour or two. To get the protection stated on the bottle, it’s essential to reapply at least every two hours, or sooner if you take a dip and towel off. Do yourself a favor and set the timer on your phone to help minimize any post-sun aftermath, whether a kid complaining about sunburn or skin damage in the form of wrinkles or skin cancer years from now.
A convenient way to get your CBD fix anytime
From tintures and gummies to facial oils and body creams, it seems you can get your daily dose of CBD in virtually any topical and ingestible form these days. I’m totally onboard the CBD train, and I’ve come to enjoy the portability and ease of a vape pen. Once upon time it was tough to procure them easily—but that was until I received an assortment of CBD Living’s Disposable Vape Pens to try.
I’m fully aware the vaping isn’t a new thing, but what’s better than a pen that’s ready to go right out of the box—without charging or the need to refill? CBD Living’s pens are designed to be used and tossed, making them a fuss-free way to get your chill on. All you have to do is hit away, and the light at the end blinks rapidly when it’s time a for a new one.
Available in six flavors (including Natural, Tangie, Grapefruit, Sour Diesel, Blueberry and Bubblegum), each vape features 250mg of CBD (and zero THC) in an organic MCT oil base. These products also have natural plant terpenes—which means they smell like pot—so be sure to plan accordingly. (My faves are Tangie and Blueberry).
My husband and I literally fought over these, which is why I hid my stash after I gave him his pick of two. As soon as I tried one, I hopped online to see how I could order more, and as of a month ago the only local retailers were two random, not-so-close establishments, which was a bit disappointing. But as luck would have it, I discovered they are now available for purchase on CBD Living’s website—so my Monday is already off to a great start!