January 17, 2020
A super-subtle highlighter, sunscreen with CBD (and more), enhancing your signature scent by doing laundry, the oil blonde hair needs and a device that makes it easy to clean your makeup brushes.
This highlighter lets you choose how to go for the glow
When you stop to think about it, it’s interesting how highlighter has infiltrated our makeup routines. Barely on the amateur makeup artist radar 10 years ago, these days most of us wouldn’t consider our makeup complete without a little extra glow on our cheekbones and beyond (thanks KKW). My first foray into highlighting was with Charlotte Tilbury’s powder-based Filmstar Bronze & Glow, but with time (and aging) I’ve come to prefer the versatility of a highlighting cream or liquid.
Never one to pass up a free sample, I opted for a trial-size of CoverFX’s Custom Enhancer Drops when I ordered a foundation stick last month. In the weeks since, I’ve added it to liquid foundation for an extra-radiant finish, dabbed it directly on my cheekbones and even popped a drop in my sunscreen when I was going makeup-less—and I’ve loved the gorgeous glow every time.
I have the “Moonlight” shade, which is a shimmery beige that closely matches my skin. Definitely on the more conservative side (as opposed to the holographic “Halo” shade), these drops have become essential for enhancing the look of my skin. If the idea of highlighting scares you, I definitely suggest starting with “Moonlight” or “Candlelight” if you have darker skin. You can also experiment with the pink “Blossom” in lieu (or on top) of blush. The possibilities are endless…
CoverFX Custom Enhancer Drops
EWG/Skin Deep® Score: 1 (via the “Build Your Own Report” tool)
Free of talc, parabens, fragrance, mineral oil, gluten, sulfates and pthalates
Get a dizzying array of skin-friendly ingredients in one sunscreen
Some days all I can think is, “So many skincare goals, so little time.” Of course I always make room for the essentials—such as antioxidant protection and sunscreen—but there are so many other ingredients on my daily hit list, and it’s nearly impossible to get them all in. That’s why multi-tasking products are so fantastic, and the more innovative the combination the better.
So when I received information about the new Dermaquest CBD Blue Light Defense SPF 30, I couldn’t believe how many of my skincare wish list boxes were ticked.
99% pure CBD for skin-soothing
An advanced delivery system to ensure ingredients get to where they need to be
Zinc oxide for mineral-based broad-spectrum SPF 30
An oil-soluble form of vitamin C to fight free-radical damage, protect collagen and even out skin tone
A botanically-based antioxidant complex to help prevent infrared and blue-light damage (since I basically sit in front of a screen all day)
I already use DermaQuest’s SheerZinc SPF 30 (and have absolutely no complaints) but this new CBD-infused offering seems like an amazing upgrade to an already amazing daily-use sunscreen. There are several other exciting CBD products in this brand-new range, and you can check the rest of them out here.
Dermaquest CBD Blue Light Defense SPF 30
EWG/Skin Deep® Score: 4 (via the “Build Your Own Report” tool)
Elevate your laundry experience with this simple swap
Laundry is unavoidable, and frankly, it can be overwhelming. I only have one child, but between his multiple outfit changes each day and sports uniforms plus towels, my delicates and everything else that needs to get washed, I generally do a load a day.
I’ve been using Gain for as long as I can remember, but as I’ve started transitioning to “cleaner” personal-care products my laundry supplies have been getting the side-eye. I’ve decided that once I finish my current Costco-sized jug I’m going to try The Laundress. This non-toxic and biodegradable line offers a detergent or specialized product for every piece of clothing that winds up in your hamper, whether whites, darks, denim, wool, cashmere and even the really stinky stuff.
But the most exciting highlight of The Laundress’ offerings is the collaboration with Le Labo, and I’m dying to get my hands on the Santal 33 Signature Detergent—which I plan on using exclusively for my delicates. I already wear this perfume on the regular, and the thought of my clothes coming out of the drier infused with its intoxicating unisex scent actually gets me excited about doing laundry. (You can also get Le Labo’s Rose 31 scent, but I don’t think my husband would be so into his “nice” tee shirts or jeans smelling like a bouquet.)
I do believe that (at least some) happiness can be achieved by enjoying the little things in life—so why shouldn’t doing laundry (and wearing clothes infused with one of my favorite scents) spark some joy?
All of The Laundress’ products are non-toxic, biodegradable and free of animal byproducts, allergens, petroleum, phthalates, phosphates, parabens, chlorine, artificial dyes and unnecessary additives.
A better oil for blonde hair
It’s a fact that blonde hair does not reflect light as well as darker tresses—and the bleach used to lighten and brighten makes dulling damage all the more likely. A nourishing oil should be part of any haircare arsenal, but a clear formula is essential to prevent your blonde from looking brassy.
With a lightweight yet hydrating argan oil base that absorbs quickly without weighing hair down, Unite’s new BLONDA Oil can be used on damp hair before styling for heat protection and reduced drying time—or on dry hair to smooth fly-aways and split ends. But no matter how you use it, you get moisture, strengthening, softening, environmental protection and a glossy finish that helps your blonde shine!
Unite Blonda Oil
EWG/Skin Deep® Score: 6 (via the “Build Your Own Report” tool)
This gadget makes brush-cleaning a breeze
My love for devices and life-simplifying doohickeys almost rivals my love for beauty products—so when these two worlds collide I can rarely resist. You’ve probably seen those motorized makeup-brush cleaners by now, and last week I finally caved and ordered one from Amazon. In a stroke of luck, it arrived yesterday so I had the afternoon to play, and I have to say this was a $25 well-spent.
Here’s the scoop… It’s similar to a battery-powered immersion blender, but it comes with eight attachments to accommodate brush handles of virtually every side. You fill the bowl with water and a brush cleanser or gentle facial cleanser, dip the brush in and out of the water a few times to saturate it, and then press the button to start the spinning. After only 10 or so seconds, you lift the brush out of the water and allow it to spin dry.
I literally washed all of my brushes in less than 10 minutes and each one was 95% dry afterwards. (This is a game-changer if you can’t give your brushes at least a day to dry before you need to use them.) I still hung them upside down to dry completely overnight (this is key to prevent water from compromising the glue that holds the brush head to the handle) and they were good to go by morning.
The one downside is that I wasn’t able to use this tool with my ARTIS or oval M.A.C brushes because they won’t spin properly since the weight is not evenly distributed. But these only represent three of the 15 brushes I use regularly and the process was SO much faster and neater than the palm-held textured silicone mat I’ve been using—which means I’ll definitely be washing my brushes a lot more!