June 14, 2019
The Charlotte Tilbury gloss you won't be able to live without, tips for keeping your blonde looking its best, why nightgowns are everything and my favorite Jurlique facial mist gets an upgrade.
The only lip gloss you may ever need
I’m a firm believer that everyone should have a good clear lip gloss on hand at all times. I usually have a few in my bag, but when I recently found myself down to one, I was time to buy a back-up. I had been eyeing Charlotte Tilbury’s Collagen Lip Bath since its launch but swore I wouldn’t buy it until I actually needed it—and then the time had come.
Timing was perfect, as Tilbury had just released two new tinted versions of the Collagen Lip Bath—but apparently I ordered the clear original “Refresh Rose” instead of the new “Rosy Glow” I had intended to. But that’s ok.
This gloss ticks all the boxes as far as I’m concerned, serving up moisture and high shine that works with any makeup look. I also like how the tube is significantly larger than Charlotte’s original Lip Lustres. I may have made a mistake in my shade selection, but I certainly didn’t make a mistake by finally adding this gloss to my collection.
Be mindful of your blonde this summer
Don’t hate me, but I’m sitting in the lobby of the SLS Baha Mar in the Bahamas writing this, enjoying the balmy breeze after a day of swimming with dolphins and fun in the sun. Yet as I remember the look of surprise on my son’s and husbands faces when I dunked my head in the ocean, I’m wondering how much damage today’s salt and chlorine did to my hair. Yes, I applied a protective oil throughout the day, and used more after I washed and slicked my hair back—but as many of you know I have post-platinum PTSD.
So as a little public service announcement, I’m sharing these five reasons blondes get brassy, courtesy of INOAR, the professional haircare line from Brazil.
1. Chlorine strips the hair’s natural oils, resulting in loss of shine and flexibility. (Oops.)
2. Too much sun exposure oxidizes and fades color. (Do I get points for using a protective oil?)
3. Sulfate-based shampoos strip toner and color. (I’ll be reading the bottle I brought with me when I get back to the room.)
4. Shampoos not formulated for blondes can turn hair brassy. (I’ll make a note to get a travel-sized bottle for my next vacation.)
5. Excessive use of hot tools can cause color to fade faster. (At least I know I’m good with this one since I hardly ever blow-dry, especially during the summer.)
Apparently the solution to all of the above pitfalls for blonde hair is INOAR’s Absolut Speed Blond Shampoo and Conditioner with argan oil to keep strands smooth, shiny and hydrated. For extra color-reinforcement, the purple-hued Mask helps neutralize brassiness and prevent fading caused by the sun, chlorine and other environmental aggressors.
A note about nightgowns...
Nightgowns are a funny thing. If you’re anywhere north of 40, you likely remember wearing them to bed every night—at least through elementary school. From Disney princesses and then-trending characters to ruffles, there were a lot of lace-trimmed necklines and sleeves and lots of floral prints (plus flannel versions for winter).
Me and my cousin around 1981/1982.
I eventually graduated to oversized tees and boxers, and my adult pre-sleepwear has come to include a random tee shirt, tank top and past-their-prime workout pants that aren’t quite ready to be tossed (although TBH, I’ve never been a fan of sleeping with bottoms).
This “after school” through bedtime outfit formula worked for a long time, but I’ve recently found myself not looking forward to rifling through my loungewear drawer and “slipping into something more comfortable” at the end of the day. Now work out five or six days a week, so I really don’t want to wear anything compressive in my downtime. Suddenly it’s all about the nightgown—again. Not a frumpy grandma schmata, but a casual, swingy dress that’s simply comfortable (and doesn’t require styling because it’s only being seen by two people).
I started my downtime wardrobe renovation with this and this, which I’m totally ordering in additional colors.
One of my favorite products ever just got even better
When I first tried Jurlique's Rosewater Balancing Mist, it was love at first spritz. This was probably about 15 years ago—and it’s been a staple in my product arsenal ever since. Although I thought it was sheer perfection as it was, my favorite formula recently got an upgrade and I’m happy to report it’s still just as amazing (because die-hard fans can be rather persnickety). Among them, a new type of rose extract that can only be found in the flowers on Jurlique’s farm in Australia—and it takes more than 2,000 rose petals to make just one 100mL bottle!
Jurlique has also expanded their mist “menu,” and now you can get all the hydrating, refreshing, radiance-boosting and soothing benefits in two new options. Perfect for unwinding at the end of the day (or de-stressing any time of day), the new Lavender Hydrating Mist captures the proven calming effects of this beneficial botanical. When you need a little pick-me-up, the Sweet Violet & Grapefruit Hydrating Mist and its citrus-floral scent is sure to invigorate your senses (and your skin).
Best of all, all three of these antioxidant-packed mist options are clinically proven to instantly boost hydration by 118% to replenish dehydrated skin—and it’s only getting hotter from here, which makes these mists a must for summer.