June 12, 2020
An intriguing stem cell serum, why you need a dry shampoo "wardrobe," Escentric Molecules dupes and my monthly musings.
Your skin could probably use a new serum right now
Quarantine fatigue is real, especially as today marks 13 weeks since schools closed and we’ve barely left the house. Some days I feel like I’m the lockdown queen—like when I made air-fryer chicken wings, cauliflower “tater tots” and creamed corn (from scratch!) for dinner last night. Others, like most Saturdays when I spend my day cleaning bathrooms, mopping and changing sheets, are misery (though usually rewarded with a bottle of wine all for myself). My skin has seen its ups-and-downs as well, vacillating between getting compliments on Zoom calls to beyond broken-out. Despite this dichotomy, I’ve been trying to focus on a solid skincare regimen that targets all my concerns at once—and that’s where FactorFive’s Regenerative Serum comes in.
Designed to target wrinkles, discoloration, texture, firmness (and more!) with just one pump once or twice a day, this isn’t just another anti-aging serum. The main ingredients are human stem cells (which are first on the ingredient list, which means it comprises the highest concentration of all the ingredients in the formula) and copper peptides that signal the skin to produce more collagen.
Human stem cells are interesting because they are particularly good at prompting the production of growth factors within the skin. These growth factors are important when it comes to skin rejuvenation because they help cells act younger and perform their jobs more effectively and efficiently. (For the record, the stem cells found in FactorFive’s products are not the controversial kind.)
This serum has been super-easy to work into my existing regimen. It has a lightweight fluid texture that absorbs quickly, and after giving it a few minutes to sink it I’ve never experienced any pilling when applying other products afterwards.
At this particular point in time my skin is recovering from a major hormonal breakout along my jawline, but I’m well into the healing phase and the rest of my complexion looks pretty amazing. Despite the fact that it’s been months since my last Botox injections, my face is still line-free (at least when I’m not making any facial expressions) and my skin tone is relatively even even though I’ve been spending more time in the pool and walking outdoors.
So if you need a little relief from quarantine fatigue, liking the skin you see in the mirror is a great way to get it. We all might be sick and tired of the endless cooking, cleaning and child entertainment, but with FactorFive at least we don’t have to look like it.
A case for having several dry shampoos
I can tell you from experience that dry shampoo is not one-size-fits-all. Back in the days when I actually blow-dried my hair, I had a product to give day-one hair a little texture, another product for day two and three, and even a dry shampoo designed specifically for overnight use to prevent waking up to a greasy mess in the morning. Apparently, I’m not the only one who has recognized the need for a dry-shampoo wardrobe, and thanks to Unite, you can get three different formulas in one family.
The U:DRY range serves up different formulas for virtually every style-extending need. The U:DRY Clear delivers a lightweight, residue-free refresh, while the U:DRY High absorbs oil while giving volume and texture a boost. For those times when you need maximum help for greasy roots and limp locks, the U:DRY Plus+ comes to the rescue so you can get one last day out of your style before starting all over again.
And just so you know, all of Unite’s dry shampoos are vegan, cruelty-free and safe for color- and keratin-treated hair. Best of all, you can try all three at a discounted price—and get a free cosmetic case!
I found dupes for Escentric Molecules’ most popular scents
Who remembers Designer Imposter perfumes? These drugstore versions of designer fragrances reached their peak in the 80s (Giorgio is one in particular that comes to mind), and they became somewhat of a collective joke. Yes, they offered a semblance of their pricier counterparts at a much more accessible price, but they were far from perfect dupes.
The art of perfumery is a complicated one, and “formulas” are a form of intellectual property that is well-guarded by their respective creators or owners. Yet as I’m prone to do, I found a Designer Imposter-esque work-around for two sought-after scents.
A little background… Several of Escentric Molecules’ pricy unisex perfumes actually don’t have a “formula” at all—and contain merely one note. Molecule 01 is just Iso E Super, a synthetic molecule that has a clean, fresh, almost indistinguishable scent—if you can smell it at all. Yes, some people dole out $135 for a bottle of perfume that they (or those around them) may not even be able to detect. Further proof of this scent’s simplicity is that I’ve been making my own with Iso E Super oil I bought on Etsy and mixing it with grain alcohol. But alas, I can’t seem to get the ratio right, and if I use too much oil the DIY perfume is greasy on my skin.
Molecule 02 features ambroxan, another one of my favorite notes. Also hard to describe, it has a soft, powdery scent (which can also be found solo in Juliette Has A Gun’s “Not A Perfume”). Both of these perfumes ring in at over $100 as well—but I haven’t tried my hand at re-creating these myself since I haven’t been able to procure pure ambroxan.
Back to those Designer Imposters… So if these aforementioned perfumes are the result of one molecule rather than a top-secret formula, is there such a thing as an imposter? My answer is no, because I’ve found them—and tried them.
Tucked away in a deep, dark corner of Amazon are Tribute8’s Molecule Scent 01 and 02. I have bought both and am happy to report that they are indiscernible from their prestige-priced counterparts, and you can get each for less than $25 (although the shipping takes a while). At such a wallet-friendly price, I can spray myself with abandon while remaining guilt-free—and smell so, so good while I’m at it. Maybe they’re Designer Imposters, but I can live with that.
A new month and new clarity about what really matters
Just when you think things can’t get any worse, they do. After spending May fretting about staying healthy, the pending (now-confirmed) cancellation of camp and then watching our society implode before my very eyes, I can’t even fathom what June has in store. This new homebound normal has almost gotten so “normal” that it’s almost hard to remember what pre-pandemic life was like. What I wouldn’t give to have a laundry list of errands that I could do without a “COVID kit” of masks, gloves and hand sanitizer—as well as the joy involved with figuring out what to wear for a day of running around town. (This is not a “Woe is me,” “I miss my clothes/shoes/bags” post—so just stay with me.)
If the past few months have taught us anything, it’s what matters. In late March/early April when we were all panicking at some level, we learned food and basic home supplies (i.e. toilet paper) matter, so we put our efforts into trying to secure online deliveries. These early days also reinforced that family matters, as we all started spending more time together in the form of sit-down meals, non-digital games and family walks. And just when we started our 12th week of quarantine, the civil unrest due to the systemic racial injustice that has pervaded American society for centuries took centerstage.
So what else “matters” now? Black lives matter. Brown lives matter. White lives matter. Kids’ lives matter. ALL lives matter, whether the differences between us include skin color, sexual preference, cultural background or political leaning.
EDIT SINCE ORIGINAL POST: I know a lot of people are taking issue with “All Lives Matter,” but I decided against removing this from my original post because my heart believes this to be true. If not for what’s going on outside all of our front doors, I don’t think anyone would argue against the basic fact that “all lives matter.”
You know what doesn’t matter so much anymore? My closet. I obviously still go in there several times a day since every stitch of clothing I own lives in there—although I haven’t strayed too far beyond the built-in dresser and cabinet that house all of my “off-duty” essentials (i.e. non-hanging clothes). Those 10 pairs of 100mm pumps, 10+ pairs of boots, 10 pairs of loafers, 3 pairs of designer “beach” sandals, 10 pairs of ballet flats and 25+ handbags… Will I ever wear them again, or even more importantly, how often have I actually worn them in the past 5 years? You guessed it… Barely at all. Proof that these things don’t “matter” anymore. And that spring/summer bag I bought in February and never had a chance to use? The only purpose it serves now is a sad reminder of how things used to be.
I’ve made a rule that I’m not buying anything I don’t need or can’t use right now—and this includes clothing and accessories. Moving forward, as we very slowly (but surely) return to some semblance of our former lives, I see myself taking a different approach to how I dress. My footwear of choice will continue to lean toward comfortable sandals and sneakers. I also foresee a simplified capsule wardrobe of basics that can be mixed and matched to suit different occasions, while always being comfortable.
My closet is now basically an archive—a snapshot of the world we once lived in (and may not even live in again). The unworn pieces that once gave me joy just by thinking about that “one day” I’d wear them have lost their luster, and most of them have been transferred to the “sell” bag. Just yesterday I decided to put on a pair of white Vince linen shorts I’ve had forever, only to discover they had a rip on side. I immediately took them off and threw in the trash—and I was happy to. One less thing that doesn’t matter.
There’s never been a better time to reevaluate what really matters and focus on making your little slice of the world (and society as a whole) a hospitable environment for what’s truly important. Today I’m purging my closet (yet again) so I can donate the proceeds to several charities that are committed to racial justice. Beyond monetary donations, I’m also keeping this conversation going within our household. My 11-year-old son has always been “color blind,” but I feel it’s important for him to know that not everyone sees the world like he does, and that he can play a significant role by being an advocate for “justice for all.” Not only does this matter right now, the future of our country (where our children will live for many more decades than us) depends on it.