Tag: Beauty Tips

5 “Meh” Beauty Products You Really Don’t Need in Your Routine

Published on by Lee8 Comments

As a beauty editor, I spend a lot of time telling you about the stuff you need. You know, the game-changing lotions and potions that will smooth your skin, give you shiny hair, make your hands hella soft, and a whole host of other beauty wish list items. But today, I’m coming at you with a cold, hard fact you might not be ready to hear. Here’s the truth: Mediocrity abounds in the beauty industry. That’s right. So much of the stuff out there marketed as miracle workers don’t do much at all. 

As you can imagine, I get an up-close, firsthand look at the ploys and truth-stretching that takes place, but as a consumer, I’m sure you’ve also had your suspicions. If I’m being totally honest, there are too many products that fall short of their trumped-up claims to even count. I suppose that’s not the most terrible thing—it offers choices and opportunities to indulge in the extras in the name of self-care—but if you’re anything like me, pointless products take up valuable vanity real estate I’d much rather reserve for products that will help me look and feel my best. 

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Of course, it’s true that carrying out prolonged skin, hair, and makeup regimens can be super relaxing and, on the whole, can make us look and feel fab, even if only temporarily. I’m not disputing that at all. But when it comes down to it, there are some beauty products that, on their own, are just mediocre. I sure hope this is a safe space because I’m about to put it all on the line to share five beauty products you can absolutely skip and still be a Megan Thee Stallion-level hot girl. (Okay, maybe not Megan level—she’s in a league of her own.) Without further ado, scroll on for the five mediocre beauty products you can skip and five great ones to hold onto.

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Skip: Essence

Keep: Chemical Exfoliator

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($30)

Let’s face it: Essence is extra. The charged liquids are heavily featured in K-beauty skincare lines and are said to hydrate and rebalance the skin and essentially prime it for moisturizer. But if your routine is already stacked with serums and moisturizers that leave your skin feeling adequately hydrated, this is a step you can skip without consequence. If you’re looking for a liquid to swipe over your face that will actually make a discernable difference, reach for a good chemical exfoliator to boost your glow by keeping dead skin cells at bay. Makeup artists swear by prepping the skin with gentle versions of these liquids for the most flawless application.

MORE FACE:

Pixi Glow Tonic

Pixi Glow Tonic ($18)

Moon Juice Acid Potion Resurfacing Exfoliator

Moon Juice Acid Potion Resurfacing Exfoliator ($42)

Skip: Two-in-One Shampoo and Conditioner

Keep: Hydrating Shampoo

Davines Momo Shampoo

Davines Momo Shampoo ($29)

I’m all about saving time and shower space, but not at the expense of my hair. That’s why I’ve taken a pretty firm stance against products that combine shampoo and conditioner in the same bottle. I’ve been known to carry out the occasional conditioner-only rinse—known in the curly hair community as a co-wash—to keep my hair from drying out, but beyond that, shampooing and conditioning my hair happens in two very separate steps. I’m sure two-in-one hair cleansers can get the job done when you’re in a pinch, but the product buildup situation just isn’t worth it in my opinion. I even learned from a dermatologist recently that decoupling shampoo and conditioner is essential for combatting some inflammatory scalp issues. Hydrating shampoos like this famous Davines one help to infuse nutrients into the hair without weighing it down as certain shampoo and conditioner hybrids can.

MORE HAIR:

Function Beauty Hair Customizable

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo ($12)

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Skip: Sheet Mask

Keep: Serum

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($166)

My love of sheet masks is well documented, which is why it truly pains me to acknowledge their endless online scrutiny. (Skincare Twitter is a brutal place!) In all honesty, the thing I love most about these cloth or hydrogel face coverings is that you can’t really walk around while you wear them, so in essence, they force you to sit still and fully indulge in the act of boosting your skin’s hydration. While I’ve seen the plumping effect of these masks firsthand, I’m woman enough to admit that dropping them from my routine wouldn’t be detrimental to my skin in the slightest. Reaching for my favorite serums with hydrating, plumping, brightening, and tightening ingredients (the same stuff these masks are soaked in) is totally sufficient. And between us, I’m keeping my sheet masks on hand for those days I just need a little luxuriating. 

MORE SERUMS:

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($7)

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum ($20)

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Skip: Foot Cream

Keep: Body Butter

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter ($40)

Yes, feet have entered the chat. This topic isn’t at all glamorous, but footcare is important, too! The only thing worse than dry, cracked heels is investing in a special cream that doesn’t work any better than the thick body butter you already use on your other body parts. As with any skincare woe, smothering creams or oils over dead skin is pointless, so keeping the thick skin on our feet exfoliated is a good start for making sure any product is able to do more than just sit on the surface. Real ones know about the disgusting satisfaction of the Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel ($25), but of course, if you’re experiencing foot dryness that’s severe or concerning, be sure to check in with a trusted healthcare professional.

MORE BODY CARE

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter ( $15) $11

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream ($45)

Skip: Shaving Cream

Keep: Inexpensive Hair Conditioner

FUNCTION OF BEAUTY Take the hair quiz and get yours today!

Shaving cream does its job just fine, but it’s just not the only product that adequately softens and conditions hair ahead of shaving. Hair conditioner, a product most people already have readily available in their showers, also gets the job done. The day I learned conditioner was the perfect substitute for the thick, mousse-like cream I’d been beholden to since the day my mom armed me with my first razor, I stopped buying shaving cream and haven’t looked back. (This happened by accident, by the way.) I like to use Nair Hair Removal Aloe Lotion ($5), it is more gentle than using a razor which causes irritation to skin. But, if I’m ever out of that, I reach for conditioner without a second thought. This hack has come in especially handy for those conditioners I’ve purchased only to discover they don’t agree with my hair. Rather than tossing them in the trash, I instead repurpose them for shaving.

MORE PRIMP TOOLS:

CURLS Coconut CURLada Conditioner ( $10)

Dove Nutritive Solutions Oxygen Moisture Conditioner

Dove Nutritive Solutions Oxygen Moisture Conditioner ($4)

Herbal Essences Shine Collection Conditioner

Herbal Essences Shine Collection Conditioner ($6)

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8 Beauty Trends to Try—Even If You’re Only Wearing Leggings

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Our team has discussed the death of the jean for quite a while now, and with winter ahead, the last thing any of us are putting on is real pants. But just because you’re in an exclusive relationship with your leggings doesn’t mean you can’t look amazing for every Zoom meeting and mirror-walk-by of the day. Putting on a fresh face and experimenting with my makeup looks and hair routine have pretty single-handedly given me something to look forward to and stay motivated throughout my day. Ready to try something new beyond your daily BB cream and top knot? Here are eight beauty trends anyone can wear that take your leggings and a tee to a solid 10/10:

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1. Winged Liner

This trend isn’t going anywhere, and this fall, we’re seeing it in practically every shape, color, and finish. Now that we have a little extra time in the morning, it’s not the worst idea to finally master your perfect winged liner look. Then, you can experiment with different shapes, styles, and colors. I’m loving a classic, deep black wing when I’m just heading to the grocery store because it adds a little bit of interest to my eyes (the star of the show since I’m wearing a mask!) without taking too much effort. But I also love the metallic liner trend, especially for holiday. A wash of gold or silver looks cool and editorial; like you just stepped out of Pat McGrath’s chair.

2. Brushed-Out Curls

https://www.instagram.com/p/CER_8hDpzDL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

If you have naturally curly or textured hair, this is a breeze (although it might feel a little unnatural if you’ve abided by the “don’t brush your curls!” rules of the past). If you are a straight-haired person, you can get the look by curling your hair at night with a small curling wand, set it with a hairspray, sleep on it, and then brush them through in the morning.

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3. Multi-Masking

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHBwpIknrMU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

So, you can’t *exactly* wear this for a work meeting, but I’d be damned if I left out one of the best WFH perks out there: masking while we work. I’m all for a self-care night filled with my skincare favorites, but sometimes my skin calls for an all-day mask situation. Something hydrating is great for dry, winter skin; you can opt for a depuffing, oxygenating mask with a facial massage in the morning with your coffee; or I swear by a purifying mask after a hot, steamy shower when I wake up with a breakout. I especially love this trick with undereye masks. The serum in an undereye mask stays on your skin, leaving it hydrated and plump for the entire day—why would I waste that when I’m just heading to sleep?!

4. Beaming Highlight

There’s nothing like catching yourself in the mirror when your cheekbones are highlighted. And I’m not talking your run-of-the-mill highlight either; I mean “aliens up in space are discussing the beam of light coming from an undisclosed North American location” type of glow. When you’re wearing an otherwise understated look, adding a striking highlighter to your cheekbones can turn up your confidence and make a look seem a lot more intentional (when really you just rolled out of bed). I also love having a bit stronger cheek highlight for Zoom meetings—I typically powder more because the webcam can make you look shiny, so adding extra highlight makes it look like your skin is truly perfect.

5. Grey, Plum, and Taupe Shades

There’s no time like the fall and winter to dive into deeper makeup tones, and instead of opting for your usual pumpkin oranges and rich browns, 2020’s spin involves something a little cooler. Cool-toned makeup is slowly but surely making its way back in the hearts of makeup-lovers everywhere, and we’re starting with rich plums, taupes, and greys. An easy way to tackle the look is a cool, grey-toned purple lip—like this one from The Lip Bar—but if you have a little extra time in the morning, a swipe of a shimmery, taupe eyeshadow looks put-together, glamorous, and chic. Bonus points if the shade has a bit of sparkle too!

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https://www.instagram.com/p/CG2lpOhFGJL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Another iteration of this look is using matte shades for a more retro-style. Think Ariana Grande in the “Positions” music video. Create a wing with a cool-toned medium brown shadow (if you have a medium or dark skin tone, apply a white/cream shadow all over the lid to make this brown pop!) and a brush, and bring the wing over your crease. This look is actually pretty wearable, but looks so impactful (some might say West Wing worthy). 

6. Face-Framing Tendrils

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKC-8RhfSi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The ‘90s have influenced the biggest hair trends of the last few years, and this one is in full-force right now. This look can be done many ways, whether it’s braiding your front pieces—like in the above photo—or pulling out a few pieces from a bun or ponytail. I love adding little braids to frame my face, and it takes seriously no time at all. Whether you have layers and shorter pieces cut already or you want to fake it, this look is probably the easiest on this list with some of the highest impact.

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7. Monochrome

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7t0iEGHAAu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

One of the simplest ways to look put-together, in my opinion, is a monochromatic look. Whether you go for a light neutral eye look with a nude lip or opt for a pink cheek and lip, you’ll look like a professional makeup artist graced your face with seriously minimal effort. The easiest way to do this is using a lipstick and swiping it across your lids (use a primer and set with a translucent powder to make it stay all day with no creasing), on your cheeks as blush, and on your lips! A few shades to try this with include: red cheeks and lips; berry eyes and lips; taupe eyes and lips, rosey-brown eyes, lips, and cheeks; and cinnamon-brown eyes, lips, and cheeks.

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8. Red Lip With A Bare/Natural Face

This look has been around for decades, if not centuries, but it’s a gold standard of the life we’re living in 2020. A simple red lip can improve your mood ten-fold; plus, it makes even a messy bun and “I-was-too-lazy-to-put-in-my-contacts” look chic and intentional. Wearing it with a bare face keeps the look natural while also increasing the impact of the bold red lip.

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The Right Way to Apply Bronzer for Your Face Shape

Published on by Lee3 Comments

Bronzer can give your complexion warmth and a sculpted appearance. Apply too much or apply it incorrectly, however, and it can look unnatural and severe. “Depending on your face shape, strategic placement of bronzer is key to creating the perfect glow and enhancing your complexion,” says makeup artist Rachel Halsey. “The basic rule I follow when applying bronzer is to focus on the areas of the face that the sun would naturally touch: the forehead, bridge of the nose and cheekbones,” says Halsey. 

Because the right placement can differ by face shape, we asked Halsey to share the best way to apply bronzer, whether your face is oval, round, heart or square. Read on for her tips. 

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Where to Apply Bronzer on Oval Face Shapes

With a light hand, apply your bronzer to the top of the forehead along the hairline, as well as on the cheeks. For a more contoured look, apply it in the hollows of cheeks. You can also lightly dust it along the bridge of the nose.

Where to Apply Bronzer on Heart Face Shapes

Similar to that of an oval face shape, bronzer application should hit the top of the forehead and cheeks. For heart face shapes, however, you’ll want to use more product along the hairline and temple area. Finally, add a touch of bronzer on the bottom of the chin — you want to accentuate your natural angles.

Where to Apply Bronzer on Round Face Shapes

To sculpt a round face, apply the bronzer along the cheekbones in a downward motion toward the jaw so it creates a soft shadow. It might be best to use a powder formula like the FENTY BEAUTY SUN STALK’R INSTANT WARMTH BRONZER for this. Blend well for a natural finish. 

Where to Apply Bronzer on Square Face Shapes

If you have a square face shape, sweep your bronzer in a curved line along the middle of the forehead and along the middle of the cheeks (right between the hollows and the top of the cheekbones) to help soften the corners of your face. 

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A Love Letter to Matte Red Lips

Discover the art of matte red lips — soft edges, velvety finish, and layered depth create a modern, intimate statement. From gentle prep to sculpted application, this love letter to red lipstick shows how to wear it with confidence, elegance, and quiet power.

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How to Properly Introduce New SKINCARE INGREDIENTS

Published on by Lee5 Comments

It can be tempting to totally renovate our skincare routine when our skin is not behaving. And for some of us skincare junkies, the arrival of a new active ingredient or miracle treatment can have us rushing to the online checkout and slathering our mugs with the latest buzzworthy potion. But we need to slow our roll. 

Our skin needs time to acclimate to new ingredients, especially intense, effective actives. Otherwise, we risk reactions like dermatitis, peeling, dryness, redness, and breakouts. Here’s how we should go about doing that.

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Read product reviews.

Ok, this may sound either boring or like duh to some, but there is some value to be found in reviews. Look for specifics, like if it made a rash appear, if it did nothing at all, if someone suffered a reaction. Some reviewers will share personal information about their skin so that we can compare. And to the people who do this, thank you so much. Sincerely.

Patch test.

If the product we’re trying out has intense, clinical actives in it, we want to make sure our face isn’t going to explode. Try it on an extra-porous area like the T-zone (opt for chin, near the nose, or on the forehead). This should give an idea, in at least 48 hours, whether the product is a major no-no for us. We can likely skip this step with most super-simple, natural, clean products unless we’re sensitive. In that case, always patch test.

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One thing at a time.

There comes a time when we get fed up and want to try everything, right now. We want to try the new tincture, herbal supplement, face mask, cleanser, and serum all at once. Sometimes, the results are amazing! But other times, we suffer some consequences. In order to understand which products are helping and which are causing problems, we need to pare down how many new products we are using. Just stick to one at a time, and give it at least two weeks of consistent use (unless there is an immediate reaction; then stop immediately).

Don’t do it before a big event.

Just in case our skin will not be pleased with the latest active ingredients we have our sights on, it’s best we don’t get too excited before a date night or big event. The last thing we want is a rash or the beginnings of an inflammatory purge breakout just when we’d hoped to look our very best.

Always ice.

On the occasions that our skin simply is not loving our latest product, of course, stop using it right away, and rinse with cool water. We want to cleanse thoroughly and ice the area to keep inflammation down. When in doubt, always ice. Stay away from steams and hot water, which can make the reaction worse.

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