THE BRAND IS RELEASING THE PERFECT PRODUCT JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE’S DAY.
Popular clean skincare brand, Glow Recipe has just dropped their newest watermelon-inspired beauty product: Watermelon Glow Lip Pop. The new lip product is a hybrid 3-in-1 lip balm, scrub, and tint; that is intended to smooth and hydrate the lips, with a versatile pink tint. The product is half makeup, half skincare, and everything your current lip balm isn’t.
Fruit is the muse for this fun brand, but not in a juvenile Lip Smacker sort of way. Glow Recipe is proving to the beauty industry that fruity flavors and colors can indeed be chic by focusing on the produce’s many skin-benefitting properties. Its moisturizers, masks, and mists are inspired by power ingredients like blueberry, banana, pineapple, and avocado.
The balm is designed to help with uneven texture and dryness on the lips. It is formulated with watermelon seed oil, watermelon extract, coconut oil, coconut flower sugar (hence the exfoliation) , and AHA extracts derived from hibiscus, wild pansy, and hawthorn. The formulation of the lip product has an exfoliating sugar texture, that melts upon application. The balm is also designed to react with the pH of the lips, and give off a customized pink lip tint. The lip balm is infused with Coconut oil and jojoba esters that deliver long-lasting moisture (because unlike the rest of the skin on your face, your lips don’t have oil glands, which makes them extra-prone to chapping).
The scrub-slash-balm leaves you with a glossy, light-pink pout. It can be used on its own or as a primer for richer lip color. The Watermelon Glow Lip Pop is Glow Recipe’s first-ever lip product. It’s joined in the fruit basket by a watermelon sleep mask, a moisturizer, and a mist. The lip balm is vegan, cruelty-free, and ‘Clean at Sephora’ (formulated without blacklist of 50 harmful ingredients). The balm is also free of parabens, mineral oil, sulfates, phthalates, and drying alcohol. Who knew that a summer melon could be so useful for curing winter chapped lips?
The 3-in-1 lip hybrid comes in a twist-up stick form package. It is priced at $22.
You can now view and shop the new Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Lip Pop at GlowRecipe.com and Sephora.com.
Th season of gel texture moisturizers, quick-absorbing serums, and refreshing facial mists is gradually coming to an end, and you’ll soon need to swap in richer, more heavy-duty hydrators as temperatures start to dip and the air dries up. Kick off the skin care shelf transition with Boscia’s new Chia Seed Moisture Cream, which provides intense, long-lasting moisture to dehydrated skin — and uses one of your favorite superfoods to do it.
According to Dr. Kolansky, your skin is drier in the winter because the cold weather causes your blood vessels to constrict, resulting in less blood flow to your skin’s surface. And the changes in temperature between your warm home or office and the bitter outdoors causes an additional loss of moisture. When the weather outside is frightful, I bulk up my regimen with more hydrating ingredients like:
Ceramides
Fatty acids
Hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate
Selected skincare oils
Shea butter
With the cold weather, comes skincare companies releasing more hydrating products and thicker creams. One such product is the Chia Seed Moisture Cream from Boscia. According to the company’s website, “since 2002, plants have been the secret to our skincare success. We use ingredients rooted in nature—plant-to-bottle formulas that show results with fun formulas. Good skin comes naturally because, in our world, beauty really does grow on trees.” And the Clean Beauty Chia Seed Moisture Cream is “a super-rich cream that provides an instant restoration of deep hydration to dry skin while nurturing and locking in moisture for soft and supple skin.”
Is it worth adding to your winter routine? Let’s take a look:
What Can Chia Seeds Do For Your Skin?
Chia seeds are a superfood for the body, but do those superpowers benefit your skin at all? Kind of… Chia seeds are a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory fatty acids naturally found within the skin. Omega-3 fatty acids are documented to be substantially lower in those with dry/very dry skin types than those with normal to oily skin types, though omega-3 supplementation (whether oral or topical) can help this, returning skin to a more youthful, supple state. The topical chia seed oil has also been documented in the journal Annals of Dermatology to relieve severe symptoms of pruritus or skin itching.
The itty bitty seed in pressed oil form is clinically proven to increase skin hydration by reducing moisture loss, aka it locks in all of those skin-plumping omega fatty acids for healthy, glowy skin that lasts. Mineral-dense Swiss Glacier Water joins in to help moisture soak in deeply, protect skin, and improve smoothness, while elderberry extract brings a major dose of vitamins A, B6, C, and E to promote brightness and defend your complexion against stress and environmental pollutants. Long story short, it’s the naturally effective moisturizing cocktail your complexion never knew it needed.
So is chia seed oil going to remove your fine lines and wrinkles? Fix hyperpigmentation? Encourage collagen production? Probably not. However, if you suffer from dry to very dry skin, the chia seed oil is likely to temporarily plump up your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines somewhat.
So the Chia Seed Moisture Cream can be great for temporary hydration (perhaps under makeup in the morning) but the long term benefits aren’t quite there.
Glacier Water; Marketing Gimmick or Effective Ingredients?
One of the ingredients that popped out at me when I first saw this product on Sephora’s website was “Glacier Water.” What does that mean, and does it have any benefit at all or is it simply a gimmicky marketing thing?
After doing some digging, I found that companies use “glacier water” as a hydrator in their products. Glacier water starts as rainfall, snow, and ice residing on, you guessed it, a glacier! As it trickles down it is filtered through the mountains’ porous, volcanic rock, also known as “tuff,” and collects trace minerals before running underground to pick up volcanic minerals from lava rock. And after all of that, it then emerges via ancient lava fields and thermal baths.
According to Tom Vichorski, a chemist who works with Skyn Iceland, this process results in water that is purified naturally. “Think of your standard carbon water filter,” he says, “now think of that filter extending miles beneath the Earth’s surface — that’s why the water is so pure.” So, I’m just going to be honest here… trace amounts of minerals in purified water are not going to do anything life-changing to your skin. There is no peer-reviewed published research that says “glacier water” will result in better skin. But it does make for fun and fancy marketing.
Personal Use and Opinion
The product is housed in a bulky, matte pink jar. For a product that’s selling point is its use of antioxidants, jar packaging isn’t the best as these ingredients aren’t known for being very stable. It’s also not the most hygienic thing in the world to constantly be dipping your fingers into your product and exposing it to the bacteria in the air, however, Boscia includes a funky looking scooper with the product which helps to mitigate this somewhat.
The cream itself is very thick, and a little bit goes a long way. I think that for those with oily skin this would be too heavy, but if you are on the drier side this would be great! I used this nightly for a few weeks and didn’t notice any irritation or adverse effects. Overall it was a solid product, but not sure there are any real long-term benefits outside of hydration.
Bottom Line
While “glacier water” is pretty gimmicky, the Chia Seed Moisture Cream from Boscia is a solid night cream. It’s thick and hydrating and I would recommend it for those who have dry skin.
Disclaimer:
The purpose of this blog is for skin, makeup, and beauty care-related reviews and tips only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. Information posted should not be construed as personal medical advice. Posts are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease.
Chia Seed Moisture Cream
$38 |BOSCIA
The super hero of this incredibly rich moisture cream, chia seed oil, instantly and deeply moisturizes for a healthy and revitalized complexion
Calling all you ladies with textured hair. Let down your curls, kinks and coily patterns and embrace the beauty that is the natural hair community. If you’ve been on the hunt for inspiration on ways to style, take care of and even feel empowered by your hair, what better place to look than the unofficial bible of all things beauty — Instagram. We know you’ve probably already hit follow on some of the most popular nail artists, beautiful French beauty bloggers and dopest makeup artists, but if you’re looking for the ultimate natural hair inspo, we’ve got you covered. Whether you recently joined the naturalista side or have always rocked your natural strands, read on for seven accounts that are sure to give you everything you’re looking for.
Cipriana Quann – @ciprianaquann We consider Cipriana the epitome of fabulous. She was blessed with a gorgeous head of hair and isn’t afraid to show it, along with her très chic outfit ensembles. Scroll through her feed to catch her equally adorable sister Tk Wonder killing the natural hair game, too.
Jasmine – @amazingnaturalhair With a name like @amazingNaturalHair, this account speaks for itself. It was founded by @MsJass_ and showcases several different women embracing their natural hair in all its glory. From afros and ponytails to braids and protective styles, we guarantee you’ll get caught in a two-hour scrolling spell, simply based off pure admiration.
Ky – @laetitiaky There are very few words short of ah-mazing that can accurately describe the masterful creations found on @laetitiaky’s IG account. The artist uses her talented skills to create full-on sculptures out of her natural, long hair. Even if you can’t create the looks on your own, we promise you won’t be disappointed after hitting that follow button.
Jay and Trina – @curltureuk This award-winning empowerment duo is taking Instagram by storm with their natural hair, beauty and lifestyle account. Aside from showing you all their natural hair tips and tricks, you can also catch snippets of their mission to empower black women all over the world.
Alexus Crown – @alexuscrown Meet Alexus Crown who is loved for her incredible style and statement afro. This influencer counts nearly 70-thousand followers on Instagram and it’s a no-brainer as to why: You can find Crown serving you all the looks, as well as giving you product recommendations and different styles for the ultimate natural hair inspiration account.
Romance Cox – @heycurlie Ranging from protective styles to natural styles and everything in between, Romance Cox is sure to give you what you’re looking for. While you’re searching for a new hairstyle, be sure to snag some tips on all things beauty, fashion, skin care, manis and more.
Elle & Neecie – @naturalhairdaily Self-declared “friendly healthy hair enthusiasts,” Elle and Neecie want you to find inspiration for styling while also educating you on how to keep your natural strands healthy. Check out their feed for different looks and the occasional uplifting meme.
If you didn’t see a natural hair page on this list, comment it down below. I don’t know about you guys but I can stay on natural hair pages/protective hair pages for hours, I just find them fascinated especially when it comes to my people hair.
We’ve all experienced it. We apply that finishing swipe of subtle highlighter and feel a quick flash of confidence before stepping out … just to be tagged in a photo later that feels like someone cruelly photoshopped in an extra chin. Captured our worst angle. Some ominous shadows. Some poor light. Hide from profile immediately.
While the camera may not always capture your true essence, there are ways to combat puffiness and tricks of the makeup trade to make your face look sculpted without undergoing the knife or needle.
Play with Bronzer
If going full contour on the daily isn’t your thing, we hear you. But a little strategic application of the right blush tones in the right place can make a big difference. Use a bronzer or a blush with more brown tones. Red blush, especially applied to the apples of your cheeks, can round out the face in a child- or doll-like way. Keep the color just under the cheekbone, and swipe out to the middle of the ear and blend. This creates a more chiseled appearance, as well as adds depth to your look. You can even apply a light layer of bronzer just under the jawline to create the illusion of a shadow, aka a little more chin definition if that’s your worry zone.
Go for More Angular Brows
A higher arch can give the shape of your face a slimmer, more elongated look. Natural brows are very in, but try playing around with the arches in how you pencil them in and brush them up. You don’t necessarily need to go for shock or surprise with the final finish, but the shape of your brows has the power to drastically change your look.
Use Liner Only on the Top Lash Line
Eyes that pop will slim down the rest of your face, so go for a liner applied only on the top lash line (on the bottom lash line will make your eyes appear smaller or closer together). Going for a feline eye and angling up for a more dramatic effect can also elongate the line of your cheekbones, especially if you pair this trick with our bronzer suggestion.
Always Highlight
You don’t need to blind anyone with an ultra-statement reflective highlight, but a soft, dewy look will go a long way when applied to your upper cheekbones and brow bones. It will deepen the use of bronzer or blush so that you can use less with a more architectural effect.
Try Facial Massage
Have you ever noticed that after a great facial, you look more chiseled and awake? Your eyelids are perky, your cheekbones poppin’. It’s not just the amazing treatments, potions, and balms, but more about how they are applied. Massage not only helps your quality products penetrate deeper so that you get true bang for your buck, but it brings blood to the surface and softens up tension in the face so that important muscles can do their thing and let your natural bone structure shine.
While it won’t be exactly the same, you can do a version of this at home. Make sure to “lube up” with your favorite serum, followed by an oil or emollient moisturizer. Use your fingers in an almost pinching position to glide up and down your jaw, your cheekbones, and your eye sockets. Don’t be afraid to be rigorous, but always be more gentle around your eye area. If 30 seconds is all you have, that’s fine. But a longer session while you’re watching your favorite show or even in bed after lights out will have you waking up looking rejuvenated.
Use Facial Tools
Stone instruments like jade rollers and gua sha have had some serious fame recently, but not without good reason. Firstly, they are not new—they’ve been used for ages in Eastern beauty and wellness practices. They are usually made with a beautiful and energetically charged stone such as rose quartz or jade, which retains a cooler temperature even after several passes on our warm skin, so they are fabulous for depuffing.
They are also great for increasing circulation similarly to facial massage, because they also massage and bring blood and nutrients to the surface of the skin. However, they are instrumental in assisting with depuffing because they help promote lymphatic drainage, so stagnant water retention doesn’t hang out along your jawline, cheeks, and under-eyes.
Reduce YourSugar and Salt Intake
Excess sugar and salt will promote water retention and bloat, which isn’t just bad news for your waistline. While massage and tools can help combat the aftermath of said decisions, getting ahead of them when you can is a safe bet. Making sure you stay hydrated and supplement with minerals will bring a plumpness to your skin sans the bloat, so don’t slip on your hydration game—always be sipping.