May 29, 2020

My ode to bike shorts, you asked about hair loss (I answered), tips for preventing mask and Oribe's solution for quarantine roots.

Summer 2020 is all about bike shorts

When bike shorts reappeared on the fashion scene last spring, I got right on that. The idea of yoga-pant comfort while giving my legs the ability to breathe (and a lot of cute outfit potential) was an absolute win-win. Yes, I found myself on the receiving end of several curious glances, but I wore them several times, including to the hottest camp Visiting Day on record. But then “fall” rolled around and I kind of forgot I had them.

In the early days of quarantine I decided to give my closet drawers a good purge (along with every other square inch of my house) and I was so excited to find them. They’ve since become a staple in my home-bound wardrobe and with summer weather in full swing, I definitely needed to a few more pairs to hold me over between laundry loads. 

Sorry, life-changing mini-vacuum, you no longer rank as best quarantine Amazon purchase. The top spot now goes to these under-$20 bike shorts, which I am thrilled to have in two fun colors. They far exceeded my expectations for several reasons:

• The soft, smooth, substantial material is exactly the same as my favorite $100 workout pants

• They do not show sweat

• The entire wide waistband is a pocket and my phone fits perfectly (No more fanny pack when walking outside!)

• THEY COST LESS THAN $20

I wore them for a kickboxing Mirror workout this morning and the legs never rode up. Even more important, the waist never budged, because I hate constantly having to pull up my pants. I’m looking forward to wearing them with a loose button-down around the house (and out of the house eventually) or any other top for that matter. They are comfortable enough to sleep in, so I can basically wear them 24 hours a day no matter what’s on my schedule. Best of all, after a week or so of wearing them on my daily walk, my legs won’t be 10 shades lighter than the rest of my body.

Stop whatever you’re doing and snag a few pairs for yourself right now!

You asked: “My hair is falling out… What can I do?”

It seems every day brings another quarantine quandary, whether how we’re going to get my husband’s flat tire fixed (it’s been 2 months), what the F we’re going to do all summer or should I start worrying about what school is going to look like in the fall (or August if you live in Florida). There’s no denying that we’re all dealing with a shit-ton of stress while basically being locked in our homes—and hair loss can be an unsettling side effect.

I’ve spoken to so many doctors and written so many stories about hair thinning and loss, and in most cases it’s temporary (which hopefully helps you breathe a little easier). Once you start noticing more hair on your pillow or in the shower drain, there are several steps you can take to get back on track.

Scalp care can go a long way to keep hair growth going strong, especially when you focus on stimulating circulation—which helps provide the hair follicles with more oxygen and nutrients. Scalp scrubs are having a big moment, and I use Renpure’s Apple Cider Vinegar Clarify + Shine about once a week.

After a not-so-great experience with an in-shower scalp brush, I received John Masters Organics Exfoliating Scalp Brush, which I absolutely love. All you do is brush your dry hair before showering to help remove dead cells, loosen product build-up and give blood flow a boost.

You may also want to consider a supplement like Rene Furterer’s Vitalfan for sudden, temporary thinning hair (and it’s 50% off right now!). I gave a box of these to a Pilates friend and she noticed a visible difference before she even finished the month-long supply.

In terms of other hair supplements that you can take indefinitely, the ones derms recommend most are Viviscal Pro and Nutrafol.

I’ve personally taken Hush & Hush DeeplyRooted and SugarBearHair (and was beyond pleased with the results of both).

If you’re truly concerned and are noticing a widening of your part, I wouldn’t waste any time before making an appointment with your dermatologist. In the event that your hair loss isn’t caused by COVID stress, the sooner you intervene, the easier it is to restore healthy hair growth.

Even if the past few months hasn’t caused your hair to start falling out, it’s possible that you’ve started pulling it out—and all of the above can help for that, too!

5 ways to keep your skin happy and healthy now that we're wearing face masks

The last few months have introduced countless things I never thought I’d do, say or write about—and suffice to say, this post is one of them. But now that we’re all living in new world where face masks are essential, what does this mean for our skin? You’ve probably seen the photos of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel with raw, irritated skin caused by wearing PPE for hours on end. This isn’t likely to happen to laypeople like ourselves who wear fabric masks when we leave our homes, but when hot, moist (sorry) breath mixes with oil and sweat, there’s a chance certain skin conditions like acne and rosacea can worsen. So what can you do?

1. Choose your mask fabric wisely
   I saw a photo of an Olsen twin wearing what looked like a leather face mask and didn’t really understand how that could work. (Upon further inspection this couture-level mask did have vents to provide airflow.) I’m all for making a fashion statement whenever possible, but let’s be practical here. Tightly-woven cotton or another natural fabric is the best bet, as synthetics like nylon, polyester and rayon are more likely to make you sweat. 

2. Stop irritation at the source
   If you experience mask-related skin issues, it should be fairly easy to identify when your problem is caused by friction or moisture. But those with especially sensitive skin can react to fabric dyes and detergent as well. In any event, it may be worth trying a free-and-clear detergent or a new mask to see if your skin improves. If not, the good news is most dermatologists are offering virtual consultations that can help figure out what’s going on—and prescribe an effective solution to help get your skin back on track.

3. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
   Extra hydration creates a protective barrier between your skin and your mask that helps reduce friction. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you’ll definitely want to use an oil-free moisturizer and drugstore brands like CeraVe are perfectly suitable for reapplying often when you’re wearing a mask.

4. Stick to gentle cleansing
   While you may be tempted to scrub or aggressively wash your face after wearing a mask for a prolonged period of time, it’s a better idea to take it easy on your skin. A gentle face wash can get the job done without causing extra irritation.

5. Rethink your makeup
   You don’t really need to pile on the foundation and concealer while wearing a mask, do you? This is just asking for clogged pores and subsequent breakouts. And while you’re at it, skip the lipstick and lip gloss as well because once it gets on your mask it can be transferred to skin around the mouth.

Whether you opt for a “fashion” or medical-grade face mask, or a bandana, silk scarf or old tee shirt, just remember that the point of covering our noses and mouths is to protect everyone else around us. We’re all in this together, so don’t leave home without a mask—and wear it, please.

Good (hair) news for week 9 of quarantine

So salons reopened here in South Florida last week. Although I desperately need to get my hair done, I’m not comfortable venturing out just yet (and although I have an appointment for a week from tomorrow I’m probably going to reschedule). With that said, I’m so sick of talking about (and looking at) my roots that I’ll just keep this short and sweet…

Starting today, you can get Oribe’s amazing Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray in an extra-large size that has twice the amount of growth-camouflaging color for just $2 more. Available in six shades to help just about anyone fake the look of a fresh color appointment (or at least help those roots blend), it’s super easy to use and it works double-duty as dry shampoo as well. You’re welcome!