September 11, 2020
Subtle self-tanning, Tracy Anderson dips her toes into skincare, a tinted sunscreen tip and hair accessories that take your coif to the next level.
You’ll love this post-summer multitasker
Is it just me, or does it not feel like Labor Day weekend? On one hand it’s like the summer never happened, but on the other, it most certainly did (and it was the strangest one on record at that). But as we officially segue into fall (like it or not), a few beauty and skincare tweaks are in order.
As the kids go back to school and weekends at the beach come to an end, you may turn to self-tanner to maintain your summery, golden glow. I’ve always preferred a product I can mix into a serum or moisturizer for a gradual tan, but then I came across Vita Liberata’s Self Tanning Anti Age Serum—which basically does the mixing step for you (and more).
In addition to color you can control (by applying it when you need a boost of bronze), this hydrating, peptide-infused serum plumps the skin, improves fine lines and gives you a natural-looking glow. It’s just what you need for a smooth transition from summer to fall—at least as far as your tan is concerned.
Enjoy the holiday weekend—and please be smart and safe!
Tracy Anderson has set her sights on your skin
If you’ve ever tried one of Tracy Anderson’s workouts, you know they’re no joke—especially if your dance skills are sub-par. My first Tracy Anderson experience was almost 12 years ago after giving birth to my son (since I had about 80 pounds to lose). I would sneak off to some part of the house where my husband was least likely to see me, pop the postpartum workout DVD into my laptop and do my best to keep up (and not die).
Technology—and Tracy—have come a long way, and she’s practically become a household name thanks to countless celebrity endorsements (and the body we all wish we had—or at least I do). She recently launched a new, avatar-driven online portal that is beyond cool, and as close to going to a studio as you can get without leaving the house. Once you’re a member, you “check in” and head to one of the “classrooms,” or to the “Prescription Office” for virtual one-on-one counseling. There’s also a “Locker Room” where you can hang with fellow TA diehards, the “Café” where you can browse recipes and, of course, and online store.
Stocked with super-cute branded swag, all your subscription options, DVDs, essentials like mats, resistance bands and weights—this week marked the launch of a new category: Beauty. Dubbed Skin Sequence by Tracy Anderson and Dr. Doug’s, there’s the hydrating Essential Balm for body, anti-aging Expression Balm for face, sun-protective and insect-repelling Adventure Balm for outdoor sweat sessions, Tightening Balm to boost skin elasticity and the Got Physical Balm to help soothe achy muscles.
Unfortunately these balms won’t replace Tracy’s ass-kicking workouts, but they can certainly help get your skin in shape!
If you wear tinted sunscreen, read this!
I could go on and on about all the reasons I love tinted sunscreen… It allows me (and all of us) to wear mineral-based sun protection without a white, chalky finish—and it’s pretty much the only complexion-perfection product I need these days. But when I checked my email this morning, I found some disconcerting information in my inbox… Apparently those of us who use tinted sunscreen tend to apply less as compared to those who use non-tinted SPF.
A new study published in the International Journal of Dermatology measured the amount of sunscreen applied by 40 women and 40 men—half used regular sunscreen and half used tinted sunscreen. Of the entire group, only 46% applied the proper amount of sunscreen to get adequate UV protection, and even fewer tinted sunscreen users applied enough.
This small-scale study also found that eye area and ears were most often missed during application. Just a friendly reminder that the skin around the eyes is prone to earlier signs of aging—and the ears are a common spot for skin cancer (likely because of inadequate sun protection)—making it all the more important to make sure these areas are covered.
My advice… Don’t hold back when applying any type of facial sunscreen, and consider a separate product for your eye area, such as SkinCeuticals’ Physical Eye UV Defense. This is a great product because it offers broad-spectrum mineral-based SPF 50 with a universal tint that brightens the eye area. It also won’t migrate into the eyes—and it even doubles as a primer for eye makeup!
And another friendly reminder… You still need to screen-up every morning, even if you’re not spending all day outdoors. UV rays can penetrate glass—and the screen you’re reading this on may cause skin damage as well!
When was the last time you upgraded your hair accessories?
Truth be told, I’ve been living with my hair in a slicked-back bun 99% of the time for the last six months. I mean, I have no real reason to blow-dry other than to check on the state of my roots about once a week, or the occasional “important” Zoom that errs more on the side of professional than casual. Sometimes I’ll jazz up my look with a part (thanks to this handy-dandy tool) or throw on a headband if I’m on day-two (or three).
I can’t remember how I found The Hair Edit—but I’m so glad I did. Your go-to source for hair accessories that look expensive (but aren’t), you’ll find headbands, barrettes, bobby pins and brushes galore. I ordered the Ribbon Headbands in beige and black, and I love them for a few reasons. First, they are totally adjustable, so no headband headaches. Second, the interior is lined with a suede-like material so it doesn’t slip or slide.
I also couldn’t resist the Black (faux) Leather Headband, because it gave me major Tom Ford/Kaia Gerber F/W ‘18 vibes—a girl can dream, right? It, too, is super comfortable, and with fall technically just three weeks away, I see this becoming part of my regular rotation.
P.S. These new additions to my hair accessory collection set me back less than $20, and what’s better than that?