November 29, 2019

Skincare serums that are as fresh as you are, a candle for your vagina, my top tennis-gear picks and justification for a skincare refrigerator.

The freshest skincare serums you can get

If you’re even the slightest skincare hoarder/collector, odds are you have more than a few lotions and potions that have fallen to the back of your medicine cabinet. Then, you likely “rediscover” them at some point and start using them again. Although I’m a huge fan of shopping my closet when I want something new (but don’t actually need to purchase a damn thing), this usually isn’t the best skincare idea. See, active ingredients lose their potency over time—which derails your efforts and could even lead to irritation or skin reactions.

Enter Fresh Chemistry, a new skincare brand that ensures your serums always perform at their peak. Each set includes a serum base and two add-ins that you combine when you’re ready to incorporate them to your skincare regimen. (In addition to being available as a one-time purchase, you can also sign up for a monthly subscription so your skin is never subjected to past-its-prime product.)

The Glow Getter Brightening Serum Set comes with active vitamin C (which is notorious for degrading upon contact with light and air) and alpha-hydroxy acid add-ins. You can also upgrade the kit with double the concentration on vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. The Wrinkle Release Peptide Serum Set comes with active peptide and amazon nut oil add-ins—and it can also be “supercharged” with the Marine Plus Renewal Booster.

Being a beauty geek I’ve always loved products that allow me to play cosmetic chemist. But Fresh Chemistry is about more than just fun (at least for me). It’s about offering your skin the freshest-possible ingredients for the best possible results, and you’ll be surprised at how well-priced these proven-effective serums are!

You definitely don't want to miss this makeup sale

I’m in complete denial that next week is Thanksgiving, despite the fact that I’ve been planning my menu, refining my holiday shopping list and being bombarded by PR emails about Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales. Although I’ll be posting a list of the best beauty discounts to take advantage of while you’re still digesting your turkey, one amazing sale has already started—and now’s your chance to stock up and save on Pat McGrath Labs.

From now through December 2, you can get 25% off all orders under $150 and 30% off orders of more than $150—and I’ve already loaded up my cart with my favorite lip gloss and eyeliner. McGrath’s semi-new mascara is in there, too, and after seeing all the rave reviews I’m quite excited to try it. I still want to give the site a full once-over before placing my order, but this will definitely be sooner rather than later since I have a feeling most fan favorites will be gone once word gets out about this can’t-miss sale. Happy shopping!

IBB poll: Would you buy this candle?

If you’re not familiar with Heretic Parfums, you should be. This clean, niche brand has proven to be a disrupter in the fragrance space by giving traditional (naturally derived) perfume notes a decidedly edgy spin—and this “house” was also the first to launch a CBD-infused scent which is aptly named Dirty Grass.

Heretic’s latest candle offering is just about the last thing I ever expected to see in my email inbox—and I have mixed emotions about it. See for yourself…

I completely understand the subversive point Heretic is trying to make here. In a world where we are made to feel that our vaginas require cleansing, grooming and scenting to the point they no longer resemble their natural state, Heretic’s “vagina” has a sweet, zesty aroma that includes notes of lemon, pepper, bergamot, geranium, clove, rose, black currant and apricot.

And wouldn’t you know, “This Smells Like My Vagina” sold out within the one week that elapsed between getting the heads-up about its debut and writing this (with no indication that it will be restocked). Scent aside (which I’m sure is divine), I could imagine gifting this to one of my friends who is totally no-holds-barred when it comes to talking about any goings-on down there, but there’s a high probability of inappropriate candle placement. For instance, I’d never put this on my desk in my home office since I have a peri-pubescent 11-year-old son who gets weirded out when he sees one of my bras. And if you work in a less-than-progressive “real” office setting, this is sure to elicit a reaction from HR.

But with all of this said, I kind of wish I had ordered one when I had the chance. It would have been perfect for my closet since me and my vagina are the only ones who ever go in there.

Found: The best tennis skirt ever!

So I started playing tennis again a little over a month ago—and I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I got back on the court. I was on the tennis team in high school (though not even close to being at the top of the ranks), probably because my still-bestie and I would tell our coach to f*ck off when he told us to run laps. Now I do a clinic with two of my post-baby besties every Monday, and try to play for an hour with my son or neighborhood bestie one other time a week.

I had an abbreviated tennis wardrobe to start out with thanks to my short-lived summer country club membership a few years ago, but naturally found myself wanting to expand my apparel options with twice-weekly outfit opportunities. The first skirt I scooped up was Outdoor Voices’ Hudson Skort ($55), which gets a solid 9.5 out of ten. The under-shorts don’t ride up, it’s the perfect length and it’s super-thin and lightweight so I can wear an untucked tank without feeling too bulky.

This Outdoor Voices skirt is an ace.

I was totally ready to buy the OV in more colors—but then I found the holy grail of tennis skirts for $20 on AMAZON. With the cutest print EVER (although my husband asked if it was a Fortnite skirt—Um, no), a price that comes along with zero contemplation and Amazon’s fantastic return policy, I hit “click to buy” and hoped for the best. What did I have to lose?

Seriously, what did we do before Amazon?

All I can say is that this skirt is BEYOND a winner. It fit perfectly (thanks to a little internal drawstring), and the under-shorts have ball pockets and silicone strips inside the legs so I’m not spending half of my time on the court pulling them down. And did I mention how cute it is??? After wearing it for the first time, I bought the other available color (an almost unicorn-like ombre!) in the car on my way home.

It’s all about the accessories.

If you know me at all, you won’t be surprised that I felt compelled to round out my refreshed assortment of court attire with a new tennis bag. I bought one and returned it because it wasn’t big enough to fit my shoes (and since I’m playing on clay I won’t even wear them in the car, much less bring them within 10 feet of my house un-quarantined). Then I tried this Nike one and it’s a keeper. Yes, it’s on the extra-large size, but now I have enough room for a towel, balls, my wallet, phone, cosmetic case and an extra outfit if I ever want to change between sets. (Just kidding—seriously.)

This doesn’t mean I’m giving up Pilates—I still go five times a week—but I love getting my heart rate up, and now that it’s FINALLY cooled down it’s the perfect time to add an outdoor sport to my fitness routine. I also find it’s a great way to release pent-up stress and engage in some healthy competition—and who couldn’t use a little of that?

My next skincare indulgence...

I gave my office a major makeover over the summer and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. A fresh coat of paint, new furniture and updated accessories made all the difference, and my new little seating area lets my husband and son “pop in” for a visit. Yet just when I thought I was done (and my budget told me I was cut off), I realized I need one more thing: A skincare refrigerator. Yes, this may sound a little ridiculous, but in my line of work, it seems completely justified.

I knew I found “the one” when I got an email about Vanity Planet’s Fria Skincare Fridge. The prettiest shade of rose gold (which perfectly accents my mostly gray and gold color palette, this is just what I need to keep the many products I open to test fresh for as long as possible—and it takes masks, serums and massage tools to the next level by being cool when I use them. I love the transparent window so I can admire my stash, and the compact size would fit perfectly on my console table. (And maybe even fit a Fresca.)

Sure, I could hide a few things in my kitchen refrigerator, but I’m not sure how the hubs would feel about that—and I’d much rather have my stuff within arm’s reach and away from defrosting meat and such. You understand, right?