July 3, 2020
An effortless way to go for the glow, next-level loungewear, a professional-grade at-home peel and the best towel for your wet hair.
You're a few drops away from an effortless gorgeous glow
Every once in a while, a new product comes out that gets into my head. These days it’s RéVive’s Glow Elixir Hydrating Radiance Oil. Maybe because I’ve basically lost all interest in wearing makeup, but I still want my skin to look healthy and luminous. Perhaps I’m trying to find a way to brighten my outlook in some way, and an illuminated complexion definitely couldn’t hurt.
This oil toes the line between skincare and makeup by offering hydration, RéVive’s signature skin-rejuvenating ingredient complex and an otherworldly glow that can be achieved in several ways. Add a few drops to your moisturizer for sheer, all-over radiance, or apply as a highlighter with the luxe brush before makeup. For maximum light-catching brilliance, it can also be swept across the skin after makeup. All of these options contribute to this oil’s attractiveness both now and down the line, and since it’s non-comedogenic it’s appropriate for all skin types (including mine, which has been more temperamental over the past few months than ever).
I think we’re all looking for some sort of “ray of light” these days, and I can’t help but think I’ve found mine in this little bottle.
A new "season" means new loungewear!
It’s currently 91 degrees and beyond humid outside, so just the thought of fleece sweatpants makes me, well, sweat. But this doesn’t mean I’m not staying comfy (and cute), and several recent purchases have been helping me keep my cool. I’m all about matching sets these days, and beyond being able to mix-and-match the tops and bottoms, they are totally ready for the outside world (at least when I am).
When I love something, I tend to buy multiples and this Nation Ltd. set proves it. Once I experienced the super-soft grey, I promptly ordered the navy—and at $27 (marked down from $120), stop whatever you’re doing and snag one (or two) of these outfits for yourself.
If you haven’t checked out RicherPoorer yet, you (and your SAH wardrobe) are missing out. Think tees, tanks and a new French terry collection that are perfect for warmer weather—and looking put together when you’re actually comfortable enough to crawl into bed for the night.
Sometimes you just need a good splurge, and these Nili Lotan pants were worth every penny. (Yes, I consider $118 sweats a splurge, but the fact that they are marked down from $295 made the purchase a lot less painless.) From the wide, cropped leg to the raw hem and way-relaxed fit (and back patch pocket), this might be my favorite piece of clothing at the moment.
I CANNOT wait until this TKEES outfit arrives, and once it does I may never take it off. You know I love a drop-crotch (and I basically live in muscle tees), so this set was a no-brainer. I got The Tank and The Shorts in “Dove,” and I have a feeling I’ll be going back for more (as long as my size isn’t sold out).
If you can’t get to the aesthetician, the aesthetician can come to you
I honestly can’t even try to predict when I’ll get my next facial or other aesthetic treatment, but that certainly doesn’t mean I won’t do everything in my power to take matters into my own hands—safely, of course. While I can’t exactly purchase a professional-grade laser machine to keep my skin taut and even-toned, I can give myself a medical-grade chemical peel at home—and you can too thanks to Perfect Image!
When I received a PR email offering to send a bottle of their Glycolic Gel Peel solution directly to my door, I didn’t hesitate to say, “Yes, please!” I had the choice between the daily-use 10%, occasional-use 30% and supercharged 50%—do you want to guess which I chose? Of course it was the 50% since my skin is extremely conditioned and tolerant of exfoliation, and I might not ever actually have to go anywhere to get a professional superficial chemical peel ever again.
Reason #1: After cleansing your face, the actual peel only takes as little as one minute. Points for time-efficiency.
Reason #2: It’s so easy. All you have to do is put the solution on a cotton pad, swipe it all over your face and rinse after 60 seconds.
Reason #3: Once you’re sure your skin can tolerate the peel, you leave it on a bit longer, or add additional layers for extra exfoliation. (It’s best to gradually add more time or layers to your peel to make sure your skin can handle it.)
Reason #4: You get 15-30 peels in one $30 bottle.
The formula itself is no joke—and similar to what would be used in a med-spa or doctor’s-office setting. You get meaningful concentrations of glycolic acid at a low pH (which helps the peel work better), and the solutions are infused with retinol and antioxidant green tea. This means ongoing improvement for fine lines and wrinkles, acne, visible pores and discoloration as well as increased collagen production—and you can use it on your chest, shoulders and hands to tackle visible signs of sun damage and aging. (The formula is also paraben-, phthalate-, gluten- and cruelty-free.)
I started with one, 1-minute layer and I’ll admit I felt stinging (especially on my active/healing blemishes). But after rinsing and applying my Lord Jones Acid Mantle Repair CBD Moisturizer I had no lingering redness—which means I’m ready to try two layers. Other than my skin looking healthy and glowing the next morning, I didn’t experience any after-effects like peeling or sensitivity, but I’ve been doubling-down on the sunscreen when taking the dog for walks or enjoying a dip in the pool.
So even though I’m being beyond cautious about my health by basically not going anywhere, my skin doesn’t have to suffer. This DIY peel is just what the doctor ordered…
A helpful addition to your haircare routine (even if you don’t really have one anymore)
At this point, I blow-dry my hair about every two weeks just to get an accurate assessment of the whole situation (which is slowly but surely spiraling into disastrous territory). I still haven’t gotten a color or a cut, but I don’t really notice all that much since my current hair routine involves washing and slicking my bi-colored mop into a low bun every day. I’ve also come to learn that a little bit of gel helps darken everything as it dries, hence making my roots every so slightly less prominent.
While this lack of heat-styling has definitely helped maintain my hair’s health, I’m still mindful about damage (especially since I’m spending a lot of time in the pool). Just as a reminder, drying your hair by rubbing it with a regular towel is basically begging for breakage and frizz, so I always use some sort of absorbent wrap or special microfiber towel—and Aquis just launched a new one that I would definitely add to my collection.
The Rapid Dry Lisse D’Air is 23% lighter, stretchier and more breathable than its predecessor, which makes it even more comfortable to wear as it helps cut drying time in half. These improvements have me thinking it would be great for wearing with a deep-conditioning treatment on while I’m in the pool without adding to the already oppressive heat. I even have a few bathing suits that would complement the bright, bold blue…
I’ve never hidden my love for turbans, and at the rate my hair (and roots) are growing, I may soon have no other choice than to wear one daily. Even more reason to give this new option a try…