November 22, 2019

An insulated makeup bag, taking my injectables to the next level, the sleep supplement I rely on, budget-friendly alternatives to P50 and a way to clean your actual makeup instead of your brushes.

Innovation alert: A climate-controlled cosmetic bag

I always have a cosmetic bag in my pocketbook that has no less than three or so lipsticks, balms and other multi-purpose products just in case I find myself in need of a touch-up on the go. Living in South Florida, I can’t even begin to count the number of times the weather (specifically the relentless heat) has resulted in a literal meltdown when bringing this cosmetic bag with me to the beach or one of my son’s outdoor sporting events. Sadly, I’ve lost a number of beloved products to this drawback of living in the sunny, sweltering south—and I’m sure I’m not alone.

Earlier this week I discovered the brilliance that is Livana’s PerfectTemp Leather Cosmetic Case. More than just a sleek, chic carryall for your cosmetics (available in two sizes), these cases feature GENIUS technology that works to insulate your makeup from melt-inducing heat as soon as temperatures reach 85 degrees (which is basically every day of the year down here). Below 75 degrees, it shuts off and recharges itself without any batteries, wires or any other work on your end. (How it actually does this, I’m not sure.)

Supple leather on the outside and easy-to-clean microfiber on the inside, the large version can hold up to 20 of your favorite makeup essentials, while the smaller case accommodates up to 10. Regardless of the number of products you can’t leave home without, this is an absolute must for anyone faced with the treat of makeup meltdown—especially if your holiday travel plans include a warm-weather destination (or if you live in a place where the mercury rarely drops below 80).

My recent injectables appointment included a few unexpected “firsts”

I made my bi-annual injectable visit to oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Steven Fagien last week, and always it was an educational, eye-opening (literally) and appearance-improving treat! On the agenda: Lips and toxin injections, which I’ve come to personally refer to as my “fill-and-freeze.” Strategically timed so I’m good to go for my birthday and the holidays, this is one of my favorite days of the year. 

With the launch of Jeuveau, the toxin options have expanded since my last visit, so of course learning more than I already know about it (and if it was a good choice for me) was at the top of my list. Dr. Fagien has found that Jeuveau works better for smaller, more targeted areas like the glabellar lines (or “11s” between the brows) and the crow’s feet. Even more, it kicks in faster and may last a bit longer as well. At this point I was sold, and the Jeuveau went into these two areas—and yes, it took full effect within three days!

I also have a very active forehead, which is important to address so my facial expressions don’t always reveal what I’m actually thinking. We discussed Botox versus Dysport and chose the latter for this spot since it tends to diffuse more, which means it spreads out and works better for larger areas. Never one to argue with one of the world’s top injectable experts (no exaggeration here), this was the first time I had different toxins injected in different places, and I am thrilled with the results.

But then things got even more interesting… With the Dysport syringe in hand, Dr. Fagien pointed out that I have a bit of drooping in my left eyelid. (He had mentioned this at my last appointment but we didn’t do anything about it—and miraculously I never fixated on it.) Apparently a teeny-tiny injection in the outer corner of my eyelid would elevate my slightly-lazy left lid and bring it more in line with my right one. (More severe drooping often requires an injection at the inner corner of the eyelid as well.) Although it sounds a little scary, I didn’t feel a thing other than a slightly cold, wet sensation and that was it. (And since no slight imperfection gets past Dr. Fagien, he also put a little Dysport in my chin to relax a minor dimple.)

My lips were also on the appointment’s agenda, and although the numbing injections aren’t exactly comfortable, I couldn’t imagine proceeding without them. After getting marked up with a surgical pen (I don’t even want to know what that looked like) and about 10 minutes of waiting for the anesthetic to kick in (and feeling like my lips were so big that they were flapping in the wind), Dr. Fagien went to work. He injected the top, the bottom, the corners outside my lower lip, my philtrum ridges (those vertical columns that run from your nose to your upper lip), the crease between my lower lip and chin, and probably more—but I didn’t feel a thing so I couldn’t tell you. (I’m fairly certain he did something to smooth my nasolabial folds as well because they are definitely less visible than they were when I woke up the morning of my appointment.) As always, I had zero bruising, even less tenderness than in the past and I barely swelled—which means I still have the lips I was in love with when I left the office with. (Yay!)

The more I go back to Dr. Fagien, the more I appreciate the time he takes to really study my face and discuss the ideal course of treatment that will help me look (and feel) my personal best. I was there for about an hour-and-a-half (which is a rather small time investment for several months of amazing results), and my time with Dr. Fagien is well-spent learning so much about the nuances of different injectables and the latest happenings in the aesthetic world. But perhaps my favorite part is when he says, “You’re going to be so happy” with a giant smile on his face as he heads out the door. And I so am (no makeup, air-dried hair, roots and all)!

Maximize your beauty sleep

Sleep supplements have been a game-changer for me. I’ve tried several over the past few months and have noticed a tremendous difference in how quickly I doze off, as well as the quality of my slumber. I truthfully couldn’t ask for anything more (or at least I didn’t think I could), but then HUM Nutrition’s Mighty Night came along.

Yes, this formula promotes restful sleep with valerian root, but that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. The big news here is that these supplements are also formulated with ceramides, CoQ10, and ferulic acid to create a skin-rejuvenating cocktail in softgel form.

The purported results? A boost in cellular renewal, improved tone and texture, enhanced hydration and free-radical-fighting while you sleep. These claims are pretty much on-par with those associated with the skincare products I apply before bed, so it definitely couldn’t hurt to try to achieve these goals from within as well.

Think about it… You’re just lying there for six, seven or (hopefully) eight hours, so why not make the most of this downtime? I’m all about multitasking, and now I can do it while I sleep—and wake up to smoother, more supple skin!

3 Lotion P50 alternatives to try right now

As shocking as this may be, I’ve never tried Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50. Don’t get me wrong, I want to (in a big way), but I always seem to have some other exfoliating toner on hand that gets the job done. This doesn’t stop me from swearing that I’ll buy the Lotion P50 as soon as my stash is depleted, but I’m still waiting for that day to come. (And when it does, I’ll be going for the OG 1970 version with phenol.)

Although I haven’t personally experienced what is perhaps one of the most-beloved skincare products out there (at least by those who can get past the smell), I have tried several acid-laden toners that have managed to keep my skin in pretty good shape. Here, my top three P50 alternatives…

Glytone Enhance Brightening Solution
A comprehensive anti-ager that pays special attention to unwanted pigment, this toner is packed with glycolic, azelaic and salicylic acids plus niacinamide and malachite extract. You’ll definitely feel more than a slight tingle—and as a subscriber to the “if it hurts is works” philosophy, that’s a plus in my book.

Pixi Glow Tonic
Featuring a blend of glycolic acid, ginseng and aloe vera, this appropriate-for-all-skin-types toner’s gentle exfoliation covers all the skin-concern bases, including excess oil, enlarged pores and dullness.  

Tarte Knockout Tingling Treatment
I got a sample of this with my last Sephora order, and “tingling treatment” is an understatement. Recommended specifically for evening use, it contains a whopping 10% blend of salicylic and lactic acids (along with sulfur, niacinamide and glycerin) making it more geared toward oil, clogged pores and acne-prone skin. I actually gave it to my husband to try (considering he used to use rubbing alcohol on his face before we met—could you die?) and I haven’t seen it since.

Remember… Any type of exfoliation that minimizes the uppermost layer of cells can leave your skin more vulnerable to the sun, because (believe it or not) these cells actually provide a hint of UV protection—but not nearly enough to excuse skipping the sunscreen. I’ll spare you the “you should be using sunscreen every day no matter what” lecture, but it’s especially important tp up the SPF ante when using one of these toners.

Have you ever thought about cleaning your actual makeup?

We all know that we’re supposed to clean our makeup brushes, but what about the powder-, cream- and gel-based products we dip your fingers and aforementioned tools into every day (whether they’re clean or, more likely, not)? We’ve all seen this done with a spritz of alcohol at the makeup counter—because who wants to use a lipstick that’s been tested by who knows how many people? I’ve never thought about doing this with MY stuff at home—but I have to say it makes a lot of sense.

I tend to use my fingers for cream shadows (without always washing my hands) and I swipe blush and highlighter sticks directly on my skin. None of us have to be molecular biologists to know that these common, simple, seemingly harmless acts are introducing bacteria into our makeup. And when we use brushes, our tools basically transport microorganisms from our skin to our eyeshadow, bronzer or any other product they touch as well.

If you’re even the slightest germophobe, you might be feeling a little queasy right now—but ATTN! Beauty’s Makeup Sanitizer Mist is here to quell your fears. Designed to sanitize every type of product in your makeup bag or drawer (including creams, palettes, pans and tools), this fast-drying mist is all-natural, organic, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, nut-free and artificial-fragrance-free. Even more, you don’t have to worry about it changing the consistency of your makeup or leaving an oily residue behind.

Another upside: With cold and flu season upon us, this $16 mist acts as an insurance policy for your makeup—because you’re supposed to toss products that come in contact with your eyes or mouth when you get sick. So, in addition to keeping bacteria to a minimum (especially if you don’t wash your brushes as much as you should) when you’re healthy, it can help you avoid a post-infection purge as well.  

FYI, ATTN! Beauty recently launched two other innovative products as well. There’s also the No-Rinse Makeup Remover Foam, an oil-free, alcohol-free, waterless cleanser that’s a must for anyone who does their makeup on the go (or anytime a sink may not be available). And if you’ve ever experienced a broken powder or dried-up cream-based product, the Makeup Medium Mixing Drops can restore just about anything to its freshly-opened state—or be used to boost the intensity of eyeshadows, transform them into eyeliner and make them waterproof.

Best of all, you can get all three of these game-changing, appropriate-for-sensitive-skin products for $40, which is a small price to pay considering how much money they can save you in the long run by extending the lifespan of all of your makeup!