Tag: skincare hacks

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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Quick Q: Should I Apply Skin-Care Products on Wet Skin?

Published on by Lee6 Comments

Even the most seasoned skincare enthusiasts might have some missteps in their daily routine — like not knowing what order to apply different products in or mixing ingredients that don’t play well together by accident. Another one of these skincare mishaps is a habit we’re all likely doing: drying our face before applying products. And as it turns out, skincare is best applied to wet or damp skin. We spoke with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Farber of Schweiger Dermatology about why this is the case, what the benefits are, and how to know if it might be a vital step for you.

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Why Should You Apply Skincare Products to Damp Skin?

“The benefit is allowing your skin to better absorb the main ingredients in your products,” says Dr. Farber. When your skin is wet and permeable, it allows most products to penetrate through more easily. That being said, with damp skincare application comes responsibility, she adds, like “choosing the right products for your skin, making sure you don’t overdo it with too many products and adding appropriate moisturizers to help keep your regimen balanced.”

What Types of Skin-Care Products Should You Apply to Wet Skin?

By far the best product to apply on wet skin is a moisturizer, says Dr. Farber. “Applying a moisturizer right after the shower is a great way to keep your skin hydrated.” If you need a recommendation, the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a rich face and body moisturizer that we love for it’s a non-greasy formula and ability to deeply hydrate the skin. 

CeraVe
Moisturizing Cream

When it comes to more potent skincare products like serums, however, you want to be careful about how much you’re applying. Because your skin is absorbing more product while it’s wet, it can often increase irritation. As far as skincare masks go, you can go ahead and apply them on freshly washed skin, but products like sunscreen should be applied (and re-applied!) onto dry skin.

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How Often Should I Apply Skin Care to Damp Skin?

Dr. Farber advises being mindful of how your skin reacts to certain products when increasing absorption because you may experience irritation. “Don’t start applying a new product every day, especially on wet skin as it’ll be more potent, but integrate slowly, a few days a week and get your skin adjusted,” she says. Of course, if you’re unsure about what products are going to be safe for your skin, consult your dermatologist.

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HEALTHIER WAYS to Use Fragrance

Published on by Lee5 Comments

THIS BLOG POST WAS SPONSORED BY DOSSIER! HOWEVER, ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE! I SAID WHAT I SAID!

By now it’s been made woefully clear that some of our old tried and true favorite beauty products might not be the very best for our bodies. Potentially harmful chemicals and synthetics can build up in our systems, cause imbalances, and are generally toxic. So what’s a girl to do when her signature scent isn’t squeaky clean?

We won’t make you throw out a fragrance that makes you feel special. You know what we mean—that nostalgic, warm and fuzzy smell that makes tears spring to your ex’s eyes because you’ve always smelled like that—it’s your special smell. Or, maybe you’ve fallen head over heels for a new fragrance and you just can’t get it out of your mind. Chances are, you’re not finding an exact replica that does the same magical mingling with your body chemistry in a non-toxic brand.

Dossier

Discover quality fragrances inspired by the iconic rich scents you love.

price depends, the fragrance is either $29 or $39. Use code: LEE10 for money off!

Here is the link: https://dossier.co/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=bloggers&utm_medium=BELLA%E2%80%99S%20BOUTIQUE10

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What you can do is try using your favorite (not-so-clean-beauty) scents in smarter, healthier ways. Instead of dousing your delicate endocrine system, aka spraying directly onto your lymph nodes at your throat, wrist, or other sensitive places, try somewhere else.

Give your hair a spritz after it’s styled. The scent will cling to your fibrous strands in a heavenly cloud around your face, and create a little breeze of your favorite aroma when you whip around town. It doesn’t need to land directly on your scalp or seep into your skin, and you don’t need a lot.

Or, try misting your clothes. You can spritz it on a scarf, a sweater, or your top, all before putting the piece on so your scent lingers without clinging to your sensitive areas all day, or requiring reapplication. You can spritz a cotton kerchief and tuck it into a drawer to have a subtle tinge of your scent last all day on all your foldables as well!

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Most people assume that applying fragrance is easy. One spritz on your neck and another on your wrist, and that’s pretty much it, right? Trust us, there’s so much more to it! And considering the average price point of designer perfume, we don’t want to waste a drop. The good news is, once you’ve read this post, you’ll be ready to make the most of every last gorgeous drop of your fragrance. Here are four common fragrance mistakes and what you should be doing instead.

Storing Fragrances Incorrectly

Storing fragrances incorrectly degrades the fragrance. Hot temperatures affect the chemical bonds in fragrance while if the temperature is too low, that can also alter the fragrance more quickly. Ideally, your perfumes need to be stored in a cool, dark place with a room temperature between 16 to 22 degrees. This means storing perfume in your bathroom or anywhere the temperature fluctuates is a big no-no. Similarly, direct sunlight will also break down fragrance so do not store them on a window or even shelves near a window. Look for bottles with dark or opaque glass packaging, which will help protect the perfume from sunlight.

Applying Fragrance to Dry Skin

Perfume doesn’t wear well on dry skin, which is just another reason to moisturizer daily. Ideally, you should use the accompanying body lotion that comes with your fragrance or an unscented moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. This will also ensure that there’s no olfactory interference.

Our fave perfume hack: Perfume lasts longer when applied to oily, damp skin, so to lock in the scent, rub vaseline onto your pulse points before application.

Carrying Fragrance in Your Purse

If you carry your fragrance in your purse, you’re not only exposing it to different temperatures, but you’ll also cause the bottle to move around constantly. By shaking the bottle, you’ll expose the perfume to excess air, which will breakdown and disrupt the fragrance over time.

If you do want to carry a scent with you while you’re on the go, we’d recommend the travel scent Dossier gives you when you purchase a 50mL fragrance, $29. You can also buy these Portable Mini Refillable Perfume Spray Bottles, $10, that you can fill with your fave fragrances, which are perfect for when you travel or to keep in your handbag while your perfume is safely stored at home.

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Savoring your Fragrance

As much as we love to savor our beauty products, holding onto your favorite fragrance means that more often than not, by the time you reach the end of the bottle, the fragrance will have altered slightly. The more oxygen into the bottle (like when you’ve used 70% of your perfume), the more the fragrance molecules will break down and modify the fragrance.

This means investing in a large bottle is not always a good idea, in fact, it often better to purchase a smaller bottle to keep the fragrance fresh. If your go-to fragrance is only available in a large bottle, decant the liquid into small vials and store your half-empty bottles in the fridge.

For more fragrance inspo, check out FRAGRANCES TO GIFT YOUR LOVED ONES WITH, PURELY BASED ON PERSONALITY.

THIS BLOG POST WAS SPONSORED BY DOSSIER! HOWEVER, ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE! I SAID WHAT I SAID!

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5 Beauty Accessories That’ll Make Your Routine Easier AND More Effective

Published on by Lee2 Comments

If you’re looking to take your skincare regimen to the next level without adding an extra hour to your daily routine, sometimes a simple beauty accessory is an easy solution. Often, it’s the simplest additions that make the most impact. From a skincare fridge to maximize the benefits of your product formulas to a headband that just makes your routine so much easier (and cuter), these five accessories will boost your routine.

1. To Make Your Routine Easier: Skincare Headband

During the lockdown, Influencers have given us a sneak peek into their skincare routine, and one thing they all can’t get enough of is undoubtedly a skincare headband. They make your routine easier as you no longer have to worry about getting product or water in your hair or trying to move random bits of hair out off your freshly moisturized face! We’re obsessed with these cute kitty ear headbands that come in a pack of ten for $9 – plus they look major for the ‘gram!

2. To Increase Product Absorption and Tone: A Jade Roller

If you ask any supermodel what’s inside their beauty bag, they’ll most likely mention some form of crystal skincare tool – and for good reason! By using a jade roller daily, you’ll help boost blood circulation, and reduce swelling and morning puffiness. Not to mention, they help encourage product absorption so your skincare formulas can reach their full potential.

Our fave jade roller is the Pro Tools Jade Gua Sha Complete Facial Care Stone Massager and Roller, $14 – it’s perfect for the face and neck as the smaller crystal allows you to massage those hard-to-reach areas around your eyes! Use your jade roller as part of your morning and nighttime routine, after you’ve applied your serum and moisturizer. For an added cooling effect, stash your roller in your fridge for the ultimate refreshing wakeup call.

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3. To Maximize your Cleansing Routine: A Cleansing Tool

Cleansing is a fundamental part of any skincare routine. It helps remove makeup, dirt, and any lingering bacteria from your pores, leaving you with clean, fresh skin that’s prepped for the rest of your skincare routine. By adding an effective cleansing tool to your routine, you can maximize this time to get a deeper clean.

However, be mindful of which tool you choose, as some tools may be too intense for your skin type (if you have acne or sensitive skin, cleansing tools may be too intense). Avoid abrasives plastic bristles, and instead look for gentle tools like the Foreo Foreo Luna 3, $159. It uses soft, silicone bristles combined with T-sonic pulsations to help dislodge debris in pores and clean deeply – most importantly, without damaging your skin! The bristles are also made with silicone and therefore don’t harbor any bacteria. It’s definitely an investment, but a good tool will last you years and your skin will thank you for it.

4. To Get Rid of Every Last Bit of Makeup: A Face Halo

The Face Halo Original, $22 for three, has to be one of our fave beauty discoveries of all time – it revolutionized our nighttime routine! With just a splash of water, the double-sided cleansing cloth removes every ounce of makeup with ease.

The cloth uses special fibers that are 100 times finer than a human hair, which are able to trap makeup and dirt, successfully removing it from your skin. It’ll remove everything from foundation and liquid lipstick to mascara and eyeliner. It’s also much better for the environment than using makeup wipes and it feels more gentle on your skin.

So even though we’re double cleansing addicts, we love to use this once we’ve rinsed off our first oil cleanse to remove the last traces of makeup from around our hairline, neck, ears and just to thoroughly remove any last traces of makeup or dirt before our final cleanse with a water-based cleanser. We recommend getting the white version because it’s so satisfying to see what comes off on them!

5. To Enhance Your Product Formulas: A Skincare Fridge

Skincare fridges are a hot commodity in the beauty world. Not only do they make for a great shelfie but they can boost the efficacy of your favorite formulas. The lower temperature does add a nice calming effect to certain products such as face masks, moisturizers, and creams, which are especially helpful when treating irritated or reactive skin. Refrigerating serums to help with inflamed acne, and aloe-based products for a refreshing and soothing feel is recommended. We love The Cosmetics Fridge collection, which has some seriously cute designs, including these marble versions, which can fit all your skincare must-haves.

For more skincare tips, check out 4 REASONS YOU SHOULD ADD APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TO YOUR NEXT BATH.

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