November 15, 2019

An app that guides you to the perfect products, false lashes that look anything but, a supercharged "clean shampoo, where K- and J-Beauty collide and nail stickers you'll definitely want to try.

Beauty advice at your fingertips

When I sit down to plan my upcoming posts (yes, there’s a method to my madness), my first goal is to share interesting, innovative and under-the-radar products you might not otherwise hear about. Of course I use myself as a guinea pig as much as possible, and I truly hope you appreciate and benefit from all my “hard” work. 

At the same time, I don’t expect you to take my word as gospel, and I understand you might turn to other sources for advice or reviews. If that’s the case, I recommend the Mira Beauty app. When you first register, you’re asked several questions about your skin and complexion, the types of products you’re interested in (makeup and skincare), and topics such as #bestproduct, #beautytips, #beginner, #holygrail, etc.

From there, the app customizes a feed that includes questions from the community you might be able to chime in on, personalized product recommendations, popular conversations and Mira-generated content that just might strike your fancy.

Although I’d never say that the Mira app is a replacement for reading my site or weekly emails (and again, thank for all of your support!), but if you need a bit of beauty advice (and we’re not on textable terms), this is a great way to get the info you’re looking for. And remember you can always email askibb@insiderbeautybuzz.com and I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can!

A new, gorgeous way to lash out

There’s no denying that Anastasia Soare is the Queen of Brows, and with her latest launch she’s about to become the Doyenne of Lashes. Yup, at long last, the woman responsible for the perfectly-plucked eyebrows of celebrities like Oprah, Cindy Crawford and Jennifer Lopez has lashed out into false eyelashes—and your eyes are about to look 1,000 times better.

Launched last week, Anastasia’s collection of six full-strip styles runs the gamut from full and flirty to dense and dramatic. The “Fashion” and “Eleganza” styles are on the more subtle side, while the “Domina” and “Gorgina” are sure to garner attention—and you can even layer multiple strips to create the look you’re after. Each synthetic pair can be used up to 20 times, while the natural ones are good for about five wears.

Just in time for the holidays (when we all like to kick things up a notch), these lashes are worth brushing up on your application skills so you’re ready to rock some fabulous fringe without committing to eyelash extensions. Because we all know how that ends…

This shampoo goes above and beyond cleansing

Shampoo is one of those essential products that serves a very specific purpose, which would be cleansing your hair. Yet, this simple act of personal hygiene has a lot of potential, especially if you use this opportunity to repair damaged strands and care for your scalp.

This is the concept behind Raincry’s Regenerating Shampoo, which serves up a lot more than sulfate-free cleansing (but of course it does that, too). Fortified with plant stem cells to give your scalp and hair follicles a rejuvenating boost, a slew of vitamins to reinforce the strength of your strands and CDB for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, this shampoo sounds more like skincare than haircare.

I haven’t tried it—but I wouldn’t mind giving this phthalate-, paraben-, gluten- and cruelty-free formula a spin. And it’s safe for colored and keratin-treated hair so it would seem that it could help all of our hair. Combined with the Repairing Conditioner and Rebuild Bond Repair, you have a recipe for hair that looks and feels better than ever.

Everything we love about K-Beauty and J-Beauty in one collection

It’s a fact that none of us are getting any younger, but looks can be deceiving, right? As I move further away from my early 40s and closer to my mid-40s, I find myself relying on certain types of products and treatments more than ever—and eye gels have become a regular part of my routine, especially when getting ready for a night out (and when the effects of my Botox begin to wane).

So when AZN Labs, the brand that makes Afterglow Ampoule (one of my all-time favorite products), sent me their brand-new Hydrogel Eye Patches I didn’t waste any time before trying them. Infused with the same super-antioxidant astaxanthin-based complex, it only took 10 minutes to see a visible difference in my eye area. My fine lines were plumped and my dark circles were lighter—and thanks to a powerful ingredient blend that includes shea butter, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide and licorice root extract, I know the results will continue to improve (and stick around) with time. Oh, and their sparkly rose-gold color is really pretty (and Instagrammable), too.

As a lover of virtually any Korean or Japanese product, I’m especially drawn to AZN Labs’ offerings because they feature the latest ingredient and formulation technologies from both of these skincare-centric countries—and I’ve never been disappointed. The “Youthful Glowing Formula” messaging on these products is far from just another lofty skincare claim and I can attest to its truth. And for the record, I will continue to do so until the look of my skin is no longer deceiving.

A quick, easy way to jazz up your nails

I may be taking a break from manicures to give my nails a chance to recover after one too many “dips,” but that doesn’t mean I’m walking around with gnarly-looking fingers. I keep them short and neatly filed, and on a steady regimen of NeoStrata Nail Conditioning Solution (which seems to have been discontinued because I can’t find it online from a reputable retailer) and Duri’s Rejuvacote. I’m happy to report that the visible ridges that mark my last dip manicure are getting closer and closer to the tops of my nails, but I’m anxious to get back to a little fun on my fingertips—and that’s where Olive & June’s Nail Art Stickers come in.

Perfect for adding a little something-something to my nails as they recuperate, these stickers are pretty much foolproof. Simply place on clean or polished nails, apply a swipe of topcoat and you’re good to go. And P.S., they’re great for camouflaging chips until your next manicure, too.

A star, heart or geometric shape on just a few (or all) of my nails is an easy way to take clear polish to a more statement-making level—I just wish I had perused the offerings sooner because they have a sold-out llama set that I’m sorry I missed out on. Boo.