Black Friday Beauty Sales
Do you start your holiday shopping this week like I do? If you can appreciate saving a few dollars on your favorite beauty brands, here are a few Black Friday & Cyber Monday sales to check out: ARMANI BEAUTY – 30% OFF with code GIFTTHEGLOW30 thru 12/1 BENEFIT COSMETICS – 25% OFF thru 11/29 BIOSSANCE – 30% OFF with code GIVE30 BLOOMEFFECTS – 30% OFF … Continue reading Black Friday Beauty Sales
Active Lifestyle: Fall Finds
It’s finally feeling Fall-ish in LA. Pumpkin lattes are brewing and Holiday Gift Guides are blowing up inboxes. I’ll hold off on gift suggestions for another few weeks but I will share some go-tos I’ve been enjoying during this transitional season.
I’ve always used Secret deodorant. No complaints. But the reported dangers of aluminum have motivated me to switch things up. TBH, unpleasant results of friends trying natural brands have kept me at bay for years.
NATIVE
After listening to an Art of Being Well podcast, I was compelled to try NATIVE deodorant. Coconut & Vanilla to be specific. Results: great! I’ve tried it at the beach, in a heat wave, hiking in Hawaii … and no stink! I even bought my sister a sample size in a scent I thought she’d like. If you’re looking to try a more natural, aluminum-free deodorant, I highly recommend NATIVE. NOTE: This isn’t an anti-perspirant so it doesn’t stop you from sweating if that’s a concern.
Another natural deodorant reco: HiBar. Success with Native got me confident enough to test-drive another natural brand: HiBar Fresh Rain + Cucumber! Results: So far, so good.
CōTZ
I’ve been using the CōTZ primer for years. Love! And now I’ve found another convenient CōTZ formula for face AND body. The Mineral Sun Stick is mess-free and fits in my fanny pack so on-the-trail touchups are simple. The finish is sheer with a touch of luminosity. It doesn’t sweat off and my skin looks healthy without being sparkly. Highly recommend!
Continue reading “Active Lifestyle: Fall Finds”
Searching for SPF
I’ve been searching for a sport-friendly SPF that doesn’t sweat off half a mile into my hike. Truth, I haven’t been that successful on the sweat-free front but I have found some mineral formulas I like. Turns out SPF formulas with chemicals can mess with hormones and hyperpigmentation. No thank you. I’m late reading up on the differences between mineral and synthetic formulated SPFs. Now that I have, I’m a convert. Or I’m trying to be.
While I continue to test-drive sweat-proof formulas, here are 8 lightweight SPF products that I can recommend with full confidence. First are 5 mineral SPF formulas in no particular order:
1. CŌTZ FACE PRIME & PROTECT SPF 40
CŌTZ stands for Contains Only Titanium & Zinc. This sheer primer applies with a silky matte finish. It’s a light airy, tinted cream formula that I’ve worn both alone and under makeup. If you like a tinted formula that’s reef-friendlier and preservative-free, try it!
2. SUPERGOOP MINERAL SHEERSCREEN SPF 30
It’s true, I like EVERYTHING Supergoop makes … even the CC Cream that I bought in the wrong color. While Glowscreen is still my ride-or-die product, Sheerscreen is amazing. It’s great alone or as a foundation primer. Plus it helps block out blue light, which is useful for those of us clocking hours and hours of screen time every day.
3. BLOOMEFFECTS TULIP DEW SERUM VITAMINS & MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF 50
I’ve been wearing this Tulip Dew Serum a lot lately. It’s packed with vitamins and is a serum so it hydrates as it shields from pollution, UVA/UVB rays, blue light and free radicals. There’s no white cast either. I’ve tossed many sunscreens because of a white cast looks even worse with sweat.This SPF serum leaves a gorgeous dewy finish, similar to Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint but with less pigment.
4. CERAVE TINTED MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF 30
The Cerave mineral sunscreen is the most wallet friendly. It applies just like a moisturizer and has a dewy tint. The color isn’t perfect on me but it blends easily enough with blush. Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and essential ceramides keep skin looking healthy, plus it’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores. A great bargain for a tinted mineral formula!
5. TULA MINERAL MAGIC OIL-FREE MINERAL SUNSCREEN
The sun and my face have a love-hate relationship. I’ve got some hyperpigmentation as a result. This Tula brightening formula is said to help counteract sun damage with pre/probiotics that help balance the skin microbiome. It protects from UVA/UVB, blue light and pollution too. I like using this SPF on hormonal days when my skin is irritable and more blemish prone.
Here are 3 hybrid SPF formulas with both chemical and natural ingredients worth considering:
Continue reading “Searching for SPF”
Pucker Up with Paper
As someone who’s easily drawn to a new gloss or lip formula, these paper lips by Laura Richey quickly caught my eye. During the COVID lockdown, Laura started handcrafting 3D paper sculptures in the shape of artistic lips. A must-have for my office! Soon word got out about Pucker Up Paper Lips and other lip enthusiasts took notice.
If you’re looking to support a small female-founded company, check out Laura’s site. Her pieces come in a variety of sizes and make adorable gifts for anyone looking to zhuzh up their office, vanity area or dorm room.
Read on for a quick Q&A with Laura!
Continue reading “Pucker Up with Paper”
Galentine’s Gifts for your Girls
We’ve got a busy weekend coming up in Los Angeles— Valentine’s Monday, Galentine’s Saturday, Palentine’s (Is that one?)… and some big football game in town.
This quick V-Day post goes out to Mel in OC. And thanks for the question:
“I have plans with my husband Monday but am invited to a Galentine’s potluck on Saturday. I know what I am getting him but am not up on cute gal gifts. Any ideas?”
Okay, here goes! Without knowing the crowd or their ages, I’ve got a few suggestions that could work for a range of beauty styles.
IDEA: Pick up a few mascaras and tie them in a red or pink cellophane bag with some candy at the base. Cute, simple!
Ilia’s
Fullest Volumizing Mascara
Fenty Cheeks Out
Freestyle Cream Blush
With the exception of my sister, most women will always welcome a new mascara. Lately I’ve been wearing Ilia’s Fullest Volumizing Mascara. The color is a really deep and rich black, but the natural formula is weightless on your lashes—It also layers easily without flaking. You can also opt for full or travel-sized, which I appreciate.
Same candy bag idea, but with…
BLUSH
Cheek color is huge for 2022! Most women can always use a compact blush that travels well. Check out all the fun shades of Fenty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush. They pat on easy with fingertips and can build from a sheer wash of subtle color to a happy popping cheek. Speaking of popping, Petal Poppin is my favorite shade – with Cool Berry and Rosé Latte close behind.
Moistureglow Plumping Lip Serums
Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm
LIP COLOR
I couldn’t get my hands on the Makeup by Mario Moistureglow Plumping Lip Serums fast enough. And I can honestly say they didn’t disappoint! Sadly, they keep selling out on his site and at Sephora. If you can find them, I highly recommend grabbing a few for your friends–and yourself!
But if you find empty shelves, a great alternative is the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm. It’s a hybrid balm, gloss and color treatment in one good-sized vegan tube. They don’t plump as much as Mario’s, but they make up for it with a buffet of antioxidants and vitamin-packed nutrients. The colors will work on all skin tones, so just tie a few up and gift with confidence.
Continue reading “Galentine’s Gifts for your Girls”
City of Gloss Angeles. 
