January 3, 2020
It's always a good time to reboot your skincare routine with Emma Hardie, Trinnie London makes makeup fun again and an Amazon find that makes cleansing more fun.
Start 2020 with your best skin yet
I can’t remember exactly when it happened, but New Year’s Eve has lost its luster. I used to bring my A-game complete with fun plans, lots of friends and a new outfit with at least a hint of sparkle—but those days are long gone. Having a child and not wanting to deal with the chore of finding a sitter (or the agony of waking up by 7 a.m. on New Year’s Day) definitely have something to do with it, and hosting a few other families or making a “party” for three with a bottle of champagne and oven-full of Trader Joe’s hors d’oeuvres (I’ll never be able to spell that one correctly on the first try either) are as far as I go these days (wearing a caftan that makes my husband cringe, of course).
But my lack of NYE enthusiasm doesn’t mean I don’t want to ring in 2020 with great skin. I got a jumpstart last night thanks to a holiday treat from Emma Hardie, and the Moringa Renewal Treatment Mask is a gift that keeps on giving. After applying a generous layer of the rich cream and taking care of odds and ends around the house for 10 minutes, I was left with fresh, soft, super-smooth skin and a rosy glow. It tingled a bit but not to the point that it was uncomfortable, and boy was it worth it.
It’s been ages since I used a mask that achieved such great results in hardly any time, so you better believe this product will be with me well into 2020. My attitude about ringing in yet another year may be on the lackluster side—but my skin most certainly is not.
P.S. Hardie’s Moringa Cleansing Balm and Plump & Glow Hydrating Mist are equally as divine, and worthy of a coveted spot in your skincare routine as well!
Because we could all use a makeup refresh right now...
I’ll speak for all of us when I say we’re in the throes of the holiday maelstrom. Yes, we’re still standing on the other side of Christmas and the first half of Chanukah, but we still have another week before we can take down the decorations, get back to business as usual and get on with our lives. As hard as we try to keep soldiering on, we could all use a little pick-me-up—and if you have a gift card or two burning a hole in your pocket, I have the perfect pick…
Meet Trinny London, which offers a full range of perfectly-portable makeup that helps you customize your selections to your unique coloring—and that’s just the beginning. Everything is cream-based, which means brushes are optional, and all of the products are designed to “click” together to make a makeup “stack.” Imagine eschewing the makeup drawer or bag for this:
You can start by taking a brief quiz about your eye, hair and skin’s tones (if you want, it’s not compulsory), and voila, the site serves up the top picks for you. My selections included the BFF Cream SPF 30 in Light-Medium, Just a Touch Foundation/Concealer in Trintron, the Cheekbones in Kate that frankly scares me (although I’m thinking this may be the perfect opportunity to take a risk), The Right Light highlighter, the Golden Glow bronzer, the Face Finish Mattifying Balm and BFF Eye Serum Concealer. The virtual result: A totally natural-looking yet optimized finish that allows your true beauty to show through.
You can also get all the add-ons for cheeks, lips and eyes, including multi-use shimmers and tints that can be used as blush, lip color, eyeshadow and eyeliner. I’m particularly into the matte Lip2Cheek offerings and universally flattering pigment-rich Warrior Queen and Rocketman cream-to-powder shadows, but you can also get pre-assembled “stacks” for face, eyes and lips. Personally, I’m looking forward to taking a deep-dive into the site and assembling my own.
If you’re lucky enough to live in NYC, you can try this intriguing line in person at the John Barrett Salon (and even schedule a personal consultation online here—but if you don’t you can obviously roll the dice and order online. In my honest opinion, I don’t think it’s that much of a gamble if you stick to the basics, and just think of the space and time you can save!
Turn your favorite cleanser into a textural treat
Skincare isn’t just about active ingredients and formulations… The “experience” associated with using products goes a long way for sticking with any routine and getting the results you’re looking for. Case in point: Your cleanser. Though usually just an essential step to wash away makeup, dirt and oil, I found a fun way to breathe new life into setting the stage for products that follow.
Discovered in one of the many “best products on Amazon you never knew you needed” round-ups I’ve perused over the past few weeks, the Nooni Marshmallow Whip Maker is worth adding to your cart right now. This $6 accessory turns any cleanser into a dollop of fluffy, frothy goodness—which is perfect for sensitive skin that gets aggravated by rubbing or tugging.
So if you’re one of those who needs a little incentive to thoroughly cleanse before bedtime—or you just want to shake things up a bit—this easy-to-use tool (from South Korea, of course) is for you.