Glow Recipe’s New Banana Moisturizer Just Became Our Go-To

In less than two years, K-beauty aficionados Glow Recipe has created sell-out product after sell-out product. The trend-quenching brand has transformed some of the most iconic fruits in pop culture – watermelons, avocados, pineapples – from pool float and phone cover necessities into bomb skincare products that feed your skin and your #shelfies with goodness.

From juicy watermelon to the revered avocado, Glow Recipe has made it its M.O. to craft the most fun, at-times viral skin-care products from nature’s fruit basket. Well, insert banana emoji here, because their latest launch has arrived, and unlike anything they’ve done before.

The latest super-fruit to join their family has less of an Instagram following, but its skincare powers are definitely on par with the rest. Meet the Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream, $39, that harnesses the moisturizing, nourishing and calming properties of banana, which launches online at Sephora.com on Dec 5th (and today on the Sephora app)! We were lucky enough to get a first try of this moisturizer, and we’ve been using it non-stop for the last two weeks to ensure we can give you a thorough review!

What it is: The Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream is a lightweight moisturizer bursting with banana, turmeric and chia goodness to give you plump, hydrated and happy skin that smells like banana cream pie filling.

What it does: This bouncy, banana-packed formula helps skin recover from dryness, dehydration, stress, and irritation by delivering an intense hit of magnesium naturally found in bananas to balance moisture levels and recover skin barrier health. Potassium works to hydrate the skin while manganese gets to work on healing stressed skin – aka when you’ve overdone it on AHAs or your skin is hella thirsty.

The ingredients: Well, if not for the color. Glow Recipe’s $39 Banana Soufflé cream is a telltale shade of pastel yellow that looks like the dreamiest, creamiest, banana-filled smoothie ever blended into existence — even though the formula relies on banana water, according to Byrdie’s behind-the-scenes look at how the moisturizer is made. The intriguing ingredient acts as a source of hydrating potassium and useful magnesium, which helps keep your skin barrier happy, healthy, and properly balanced, moisture wise. Take that, other superfruits.

Soothing Centella Asiatica (aka cica, a classic K-beauty ingredient) and turmeric are full of antioxidants to protect the skin while the essential fatty acids in chia moisturize deeply. Added vitamin A, B, and C reduce inflammation and help brighten dull skin. Jojoba seed oil also makes an appearance and is amazing for repairing the skin barrier as it naturally mimics your skin’s sebum while squalane, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin boost hydration.

glow recipe banana souffle moisturizer

Who it’s good for: This is great for all skin types. It’s light enough for those with oily, acne-prone or sensitive skin and will help regulate and balance your skin while it’s also really hydrating so it’s great for dry and normal skin types too. It’s not too heavy for daytime and rich enough to hydrate all night long.

What we thought: Another little glass jar full of goodness! This richly-scented moisturizer is just as potent as its sisters, and although it has no synthetic fragrance, the first thing you’ll notice is the smell – which, as banana pudding fans, we LOVED! The texture is super lightweight and feels whipped, just like a soufflé, with a seriously addictive, gooey-bouncy consistency that melts into the skin and blends out beautifully with no need to tug or pull your skin. A little goes a long way, and once applied the formula sinks in quickly with no heavy feeling, which is rare with a product this nourishing and moisturizing.

The results: True story, trying products non-stop is testing on your skin, and the Banana Soufflé could not have come at a better time. After testing a new toner, our skin was pretty parched, sensitive and tight, and not only did we feel immediate soothing effects with this moisturizer but, within days – we used it morning and night – our skin felt hydrated and plump again. This moisturize really came through to hydrate our skin and help it feel balanced and comfortable. In 10 days, our skin is feeling its best, healthy self, and definitely looks less dull and feels fuller.

We also tried their hack of combining the Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream with the Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Bright Serum, and we loved the feel and the brightening boost this gives.

The verdict: Naturally, Glow Recipe made it easy to integrate the new cream into your pre-established skincare routine. You can pat on a dollop of Banana Soufflé cream as the next step after your serums both in the morning and before you hit the hay, or create an extra-brightening version by mixing in a drop of Glow Recipe’s Pineapple-C Bright Serum.

If you need a moisturizer to keep your skin glowing on happily, we highly recommend this. Although it doesn’t contain ingredients to target any more problematic skin issues, mix this up in the evenings with one of Glow Recipe’s sleeping masks to target other skin concerns. For us, this is the perfect everyday moisturizer that will keep your skin supple, nourished, protected and balanced, which is especially important at this time of year. It works great under makeup too, which is always a win!

Launched Party: The new fruity creation from the brand dropped on Dec. 4 for pre-sale on the Sephora app, and the following day, Banana Souffle will be available to shop online at Sephora. If you do want to test out and feel the product before purchasing, don’t worry. It will be coming to Sephora stores a few weeks later on Dec. 27. The new product will retail for $39 making it the same cost as the brand’s existing Pink Juice Moisturizer.

The Banana Souffle Moisture Cream marks one of the first products to launch from the brand since founders Christine Chang and Sarah Lee decided to eliminate their K-beauty curations. Back in June, the brand announced that it would be focusing on its in house projects (Glow Recipe and affordable brand Sweet Chef) in order to launch more innovative and exciting skin care. Now, one of those creations is here in the Banana Souffle Moisture Cream.

If you were one of the thousands of people who joined Glow Recipe’s wait list when it first launched with the Blueberry Bounce Cleanser and Watermelon Glow Mask, there’s a new product to be added to your wishlist, and this time, you can avoid that waitlist.

Glow Recipe Banana Souffle Moisture Cream $39

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REN PERFECT CANVAS CLEAN PRIMER

Were do I describe my interest in makeup primers, it would hover between mild to semi-interested. Traditional primers? Not so much since I limit my makeup use to an occasional tinted moisturizer application when I’m in a rush or as an emergency intervention. A good eye cream under my Tom Ford Highlighting Illuminating Pen is all I need to avoid the midday crease. 

REN Clean Skincare has recently made a new look at their Clean Makeup Primer. The product now comes in recyclable glass bottle that you can put in your recycling bin once you are done. I love when companies find ways of reducing waste and REN has really made it simple. The REN Skincare Clean Makeup Primer is made to minimize pores and help to keep makeup stay put all day long. Find out more about this below and if it worked out for me. 

Over the last few years, however, I’ve come to see that the recently launched formulas make for intriguing skincare hybrids. The Silk Canvas from TATCHA, for example, fills in my crater-like pores flawlessly and the compact jar lasts forever. So when REN announced the re-launch of Perfect Canvas, their pore minimizing claims got me. I know it isn’t possible to change the size of a pore but if I combine deep cleansing efforts with a formula that helps to refine their appearance, who am I to argue?

At first glance, the Perfect Canvas bottle with dropper dispenser looks just like any daily hydrating serum. The liquid solution has a slightly viscous texture but doesn’t feel sticky or slippery. Since the formula is silicone free, it doesn’t have the spackle-like slip that I forever associate with the original Smash box primer. It doesn’t feel oily and isn’t heavily fragranced. True to the name, it’s perfect in its simplicity.

SO WHAT DOES IT DO AND WHY DO I LIKE IT?

The REN Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Clean Primer ($45) is Silicone-free, Pore-minimizing, and makeup-gripping.  A little bit of this product goes a long way so you only need about 2-3 drops. It works best when you pat it into the skin and then proceed with your makeup routine. It does have a matte finish making this the perfect primer for those with oily skin. Even though it’s matte, I still found the primer to work great on my skin which is on the dry/combination side. It helps to even out my skin and makes it smoother for my makeup to glide with ease. This is a primer that I can see working for everyone, but especially for those with oily skin. You will love this product because it locks makeup down for hours and you can recycle it when you’re done.

I use it as the last step in my skincare routine and it delivers a surprisingly tightening effect. Think super thin layer of latex hugging your skin but not in a creepy American Horror Story kind of way. It’s not quite Spanx for your face but it instantly firms and adds a real life filter effect. 

Whether I choose to wear makeup (and when I do, it’s Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer) or not, Perfect Canvas serves as an impressive pore-refining and line-blurring veil. The glass-like smoothness results in a glow that makes me look like I do eat super-greens. In addition to its makeup extending benefits, the formula boasts alpha-glucans, agave, and probiotic extracts. It’s really a makeup primer with treatment serum benefits.

Do I use Perfect Canvas everyday? No. But I when I want to juice up and tighten my complexion before a tinted moisturizer prior to going out, it’s my go to application. It prolongs the longevity of the tint as well. If you’re not a fan of silicone-based makeup primers, the new and improved REN formula is the perfect choice. 

You can find this product at Sephora stores and online!

DIY: Gold Face Mask

I have always been a fan of gold mask treatments and knew the benefits. But, truthfully, I just started using gold masks around March of this year. If you follow me @beautyleebar then you know I am a firm believer in self care which sometimes include me trying on different face masks.

Discriminating against beauty products based on the suggested retail price isn’t in our DNA. From drugstore steals to luxury splurges — and everything in between — we have more than enough room in our hearts (and medicine cabinets) to embrace beauty products from all over the price-point spectrum. The luxurious 24K gold face masks is very trendy with celebrities at the moment. I can definitely confirm MissSpa Gold Face Mask is the truth at a affordable price range that still gives you that rich luxurious vibe.

I decided to cook up a at-home recipe for Gold Mask.

Ingredients:
Your favorite moisturizer
Gold leaf sheets

Directions:

I order a package of 24K gold leaves from Etsy.com ($30). The gold is food-grade and comes from Thailand, so it takes awhile to arrive in Florida. Because of that, I always make sure to order more before I run out.

Then, I simply wash my face as I normally would, making sure to get every last bit of makeup off. I cleanse two or three times, usually starting with a micellar water makeup remover, then doing 2 rounds of Clarisonic with a cleanser. I want my face to be REALLY clean.

Next, I apply a liberal amount of my favorite moisturizer, Ren Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream ($50) or TATCHA Creams. This is part of what helps the gold stick to my face, so I am very generous with the amount.

I then place the tiny squares of gold all over my T-zone, nose and cheeks, and wait. Sometimes 20 minutes, sometimes an hour. However long I can hang out with a face covered in gold. Then, simply rub it in with (clean) fingertips. (Don’t wash it off! Let the gold absorb into the skin for maximum results.)

I find that this mask makes my skin plump and radiant. It’s not a mask that will magically transform your skin in one use; this is more of a special occasion treat, for when you want that extra bit of glow. In other words, less treatment, more treat.

My favorite part of this discovery is that for $30 and a little patience and DIY, I get a brilliant mask that makes my skin look nearly perfect without makeup. Many luxury brands charge hundreds of dollars for “gold-infused” products, but I feel that I’m getting a superior experience at a relatively inexpensive price point. One package of 100 sheets of gold allows me to do about 5 face masks, which works out to $6 per mask. Luxury at a bargain!

Also, Cleopatra was rumored to do this every night. If it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for me!

Does The NEW Fenty Foundation Deserve All The Hype?

When Rihanna launched her makeup line almost two years ago, it’s pretty fair to say Fenty Beauty shook up the beauty industry. In her first launch, RiRi served up a 40-shade foundation range (now extended to 50), the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, which quickly became a beauty fave among editors and beauty lovers everywhere.

The original formula was a godsend for those with combo and oily skin – finally, a formula designed to keep midday shine at bay! Now, Fenty is broadening their range with a new formula designed for dry, normal and combo skin types, the Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, also in a whopping 50-shade range. We tried it for a week to give you guys the full DL…

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Foundation

The All New Fenty Beauty PRO FILTR HYDRATING FOUNDATION is everything you need in your make up cases!!

This foundation is HYDRATING, MEDIUM TO FULL COVERAGE FOR ALL SKIN TONES.  A hydrating, medium to full-coverage foundation packed with sodium hyaluronate and grapeseed oil that delivers long-lasting wear for normal to dry skin types. The formula is also designed to be humidity and sweat resistant like the Pro Filt’r Matte Foundation.

Rihanna’s groundbreaking 50 shade foundation is the first of its kind. The Pro Filt’r Hydrating Foundation offers serious staying power, comfortable coverage, and the perfect natural finish for normal to dry skin.

Why Did Rihanna Do It?

Recognizing Fenty Beauty needed a hydrating Pro Filt’r formula that normal to dry skin types will love, Rihanna created this foundation with Grape Seed Oil and Sodium Hyaluronate to give skin the nourishing hydration it needs to stay comfortable all day.

Fenty describe the finish as ‘natural – not dewy,’ and we would have to agree; it’s not super luminous and it’s not matte, and we really like the way it makes our skin look. Just like the original Pro Filt’r, Pro Filt’r Hydrating Long-wear Foundation has a sweat and humidity resistant formula that easily builds to medium to full coverage, instantly evening out skin without clogging pores or settling into fine lines. Plus, the long-wearing, light-as-air texture is undetectable on skin—so you always look like you. 

The Wear

The formula wears really well throughout the day and we’re super impressed with its staying power. We tested it on different skin types to see how it wore:

On dry/normal skin: The formula felt really hydrating on and didn’t cake up or emphasize any dry patches like some foundations can. It settled into smile lines a little (we tried setting it with powder and without) but it still looked good around our nose and eyes.

On oily skin: In case you’re a big Fenty fan and wanted to try this hydrating formula, then we can tell you that this foundation also held up really well on oily skin. We applied our usual skin routine, and then a mineral sunscreen, and it didn’t settle into our large pores or break up on our nose at all (v.impressive!), however, it did slightly gather in our smile lines a little more than we’ve seen from some other foundations. Our face did get a little shiny through the day, but much less so than with many other foundations.

Overall we were super impressed with how great this looked from morning till night!

Fenty Beauty Shade Finding Tips:

  • Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation comes in the same 50 shades as the original Pro Filt’r, so if you already know your shade #, you’re good to go!
  • Don’t know your shade #? Start with your shade range (Light, Medium, Tan, Deep), then narrow down your skin’s undertone. For more help, try Fenty Face Shade Finder.

Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation vs Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation

We did a wear test with the new and old foundations (half a face of each) and the matte formula definitely has a more matte finish and was also much more effective at keeping shine at bay throughout the day. The colors we tried were also a direct match, so if you’re shade 380 in the matte formula, you should also be shade 380 in the new hydrating formula. Both formulas gave very similar coverage, but the hydrating formula looked slightly more airbrushed.

Application

The hydrating foundation blended out beautifully, although it doesn’t melt into skin like some other foundation, so you do have to apply a little pressure to work it out across your face. For this reason, try dotting it across your face and stippling the formula on with a brush.

Application tips:

For maximum coverage: Apply two pumps and use a stippling brush or densely-packed foundation brush, then finish with a damp beauty sponge. Use a concealer to target any problem areas and blend again with a sponge.

For a natural finish: Apply one to two pumps and blend out using a damp makeup sponge.

To finish: If you have oily skin, set with a powder. For normal and combo skin types, set your T-zone with a dusting of powder. If you have dry or normal skin, you can get away with not setting this, as the formula does dry down.

What we liked: Other than being impressed with the formula’s shade range, finish, and wear, we would note that the foundation definitely has a scent to it – it’s hard to pinpoint the scent (maybe a little spiced?!) but we did like it and didn’t find it too intense.

What we didn’t like: The only thing we didn’t love was the new plastic packaging, which feels a little drugstore, although it is more convenient for travel. The original matte foundation formula comes in a glass bottle and we would have loved to see a return of the same glass packaging.

The Verdict

Overall, we’re super impressed with the new hydrating formula. It looked beautiful on the skin and held up really well on both dry and oily skin types – it even looked good after a sweaty spin class! The shade range is also amazing, so if you’re looking for a new foundation, we definitely recommend trying it out at the store no matter what your skin type.

Shop the Fenty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation here.

Fenty Beauty Pro Kiss’r Lip-Loving Scrubstick + Luscious Lip Balm

1. Pro Kiss’r Lip-Loving Scrubstick: A fuss-free lip scrub in a twist-up stick, packed with apricot seed scrubbers to gently exfoliate and nourish for instantly smooth, soft kissable lips with every swipe.

2. Pro Kiss’r Luscious Lip Balm: A creamy moisture-lock lip balm with a plush doe-foot applicator that smooths, softens, and preps your pout for instantly luscious, kiss-worthy lips that last.

This set contains:
– Pro Kiss’r Lip-Loving Scrubstick: 3g/.1 oz regular $16 when purchased alone
– Pro Kiss’r Luscious Lip Balm: 0.4 fl oz/ 12 mL regular $18 when purchased alone

Beauties tell us all about your excitement for these new products and all that they can do for your makeup collection. We will definitely be making a Sephora run to update you guys on these products and let you know if they need to become staples in your collection. 

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