As a beauty editor, I get a ridiculous amount of products sent to me for review and, believe me, that’s not a humble brag, it really is insane how much stuff enters my 700 square foot apartment every month. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE it…but when it comes to my shower routine I tend to stick the the basics. Right now I’m loving a few different products but probably don’t use as many as one might assume, which is mainly because ain’t nobody got time for that, ya know? Here are my current favorites:
11.18.2013
Beauty Products that I’m Using (and Loving)
1. Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water: I know what you’re thinking…spa water? Really? But it’s just soooo good. The Cleansing Spa Water is actually Koh Gen Do’s bestselling skincare product and is easy and gentle to use for all skin types. Made with mineral-rich hot spring water, it’s basically infused with six essential herbs to protect and nurture skin. White birch sap, harvested only three weeks each spring, adds minerals and Xylitol as it removes makeup, oils, and residue. The formula includes the extracts of essential herbs including: rosemary leaf, sage leaf, lavender, artemsia princeps leaf, perilla ocymoides, and ginger root…so yeah, it’s not actually JUST spa water.
2. Jouer Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner: Aside from the awesome animal-themed color names (Panter, Lynx, Fox, Leopard, Mink and Sable), this liquid liner is just ridiculously good…and more importantly, easy to use. The subtle shimmer in each shade offers extreme wearability while the water-base formula allows for a little extra dry-down time; it’s also rich in vitamins A and E…bonus.
3. Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge: This sponge is serious business. The Japanese have traditionally used konjac root as a dietary staple that helps to detoxify and calm the skin so it makes total sense that it now comes in sponge form. Konjac Root is naturally alkaline, and balances the acidity of the skin’s impurities and oils while being naturally enriched with protein, carbohydrate, iron, phosphorus, copper, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and folic acid. Interesting fact: Konjac was originally introduced to Japan as a medicine in the sixth century, and continues to lend its incredible benefits to health foods as well as skincare. Today, it is grown wild and in farms at very high altitudes, which help to keep the sponge extremely pure and free of pollutants.
4. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: First of all, I LOVE that this mascara is inspired by the curves of a woman’s body; the hourglass-shaped brush was designed with extra stiff bristles to maximize the performance of this carbon black, collagen-fueled formula. All it takes is one coat and your lashes are full and defined…this is definitely a mascara winner in my book.
5. Olie Biologique Rejuvenating Oil: I love a good face oil, let me tell you. This product boasts a blend of eight organic plant botanicals and floral extracts that provide all-natural skin quenching properties with lightweight, healing potency. Anti-oxidants, fatty acids and naturally occurring retinoic acid preserve elasticity, plump lines and improve firmness. Oh, and it’s non-greasy for anyone worried about that.
10.02.2013
The Best Gel Moisturizers
Gel moisturizers. Ahhh, yes. I know it’s getting cooler outside, but I just can’t get enough of the cool feeling on my face. Putting gel moisturizer on after a hot shower is THE BEST, and here are my favorites:
1. Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream: This version is wallet-friendly, yet still really hydrating and soothing.
2. SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel: This gel is enriched with vitamin B5, which is known to help with tissue repair. I love that it also contains hyalruonic acid (the body’s natural hydrator).
3. Koh Gen Do Moisture Spa Gel: I haven’t tried many products from this line, but anything I have tried has been awesome. This gel, formulated with mineral-rich hot spring water and botanicals, there’s also emollient capsules that instantly melt into the skin. Yes, please.
4. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream: Kiehl’s is my world, obviously. This oil-free version helps to reduce excess oil on the skin’s surface and also re-balances the skin’s barrier for a smoother appearance.
5. Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Gel Creme: This lightweight, oil-free formula gives an instant boost of moisture that lasts for 24 hours. It immediately cools and refreshes the skin, leaving it feeling softer, smoother.
6. Boscia Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel: This black gel (yes, it is really black) contains a range of powerful ingredients. Artichoke leaf extract improves elasticity to help tighten pore walls. Charcoal absorbs excess oil and impurities as it detoxifies. Glycolic acid helps clarify skin and smooth rough texture. Vitamin C helps brighten skintone and minimize fine lines as it defends from free radical damage. It’s basically a jar full of goodness.
07.30.2013
Reader Question: do I really need toner?
Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner| Biore Blemish Treating Astringent | Kate Somerville Clarifying Treatment Toner | Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion | Boscia Balancing Facial Tonic
Question:
Hey Jamie!
I have a question…what is the purpose of toner? Is it necessary? AND, after I take off my makeup (using Queen of the Quarter Life Crisis-approved Neutrogena makeup removing wipes) and wash my face, when I put the toner on should there be dirt or some kind of grey to brown on the cotton ball or does that mean that my face wash isn’t working well enough?
xo,
“E”
Answer:
Hey “E”!
That’s a great (and really common) question. My first experience with toner was when I did PR for Sea Breeze back in the day…that stuff was hard core, let me tell you, but it had a cult-like following. Here’s the story: toners are greatly misunderstood.
What are they? Toners are traditionally used to balance the skin’s pH and remove anything that your cleanser missed (hence why you see color on your cotton ball after you use it). Newer toners actually can be really hydrating and have added benefits with good-for-you ingredients, depending on the product.
Should I use one? Since there are so many different kinds, you just have to do some research to see which toner is best for your skin (my favorites are above). Some contain alcohol, which removes excess oil and helps prevent breakouts but can also dry out skin. However, most derms say that anyone with eczema or rosacea (ahem, me!) should avoid them due to sensitivity.
- If you have oily skin, look for toners with salicylic acid, sulfur, or tea tree oil
- If you have dry skin, grab ones with panthenol, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and glycerin
Good luck!
Jamie
07.22.2013
4 Things I love right now
Laundry by Shelli Segel Lace Sheath Dress: Sometimes it can be hard to find a good (and yet, still comfortable) cocktail dress. I was recently sent this gorgeous dress and now I’m actually hoping I get invited to something fancy this week so I can wear it. The color is amazing and the fabric feels soft and has some stretch to it, which I love.
Viewfinder app: It’s basically your camera roll re-imagined. So instead of just picking one or a few photos to share with your whole social network via Instagram, Viewfinder takes it up a notch by displaying and organizing all of your memories. It’s a personal assistant of sorts for your photos which, personally, I REALLY need.
Frederick’s Knit Romper: I’ve never been a fancy pajama person but I actually really enjoy wearing this romper around my apartment…though, I definitely DO cover up when the UPS guy comes knocking.
Boscia Cool Blue Calming Mask: I’ve been loving this cool, calming mask for my sensitive skin! It’s also great for summer, since it’s so hot out, and of course it’s also fun to peel off the blue colored mask.
03.05.2013
You’ve Heard of Revenge Sex…But How About Revenge Beauty?
After getting dumped (or generally just treated like crap), everyone will react differently; some girls will eat tons of junk food, others go shopping and splurge on beauty treatments. The latter is THIS GIRL right here. For the amount of money that I’ve spent pampering myself out of depression over the past few years, I could seriously buy a townhouse in SoHo. I wish I were kidding…but here it is, sometimes (ok, most of the time) treating myself just makes me FEEL BETTER and there’s nothing wrong with that. So basically, I take the whole “treat yo self” from Parks and Recreation thing to a whole other level after some douchebag decides that he’s “just not that into me” or stops calling. Here’s a breakdown of what I do for my revenge beauty treatment:
Step 1: Book a massage appointment somewhere fancy, and with a male masseuse.
I don’t really have to explain why massages are awesome. For one, it’ll help you relax and you’ll start thinking about how that asshole didn’t know how to give a proper massage and how much hotter your male masseuse is, compared to that dick you now hate. And here’s a tip, if they ask you what area you want to focus on, say you feel tension in your lower back…this means that you’ll probably end up getting your butt massaged which, I can’t lie, feels pretty amazing.
Step 2: Buy that really expensive beauty product that you previously said “I can’t. It’s too much for what it is” to. I don’t know what it is about face masks but I just can’t bring myself to buy them. I read about Boscia’s Luminizing Black Mask in a few magazines but when I realized that the mask costs $34, I didn’t buy it. It’s actually not THAT much money, in beauty terms, but I’ve always held strong when it comes to face masks since I don’t feel like they actually ever DO anything to my face. But when you’re in beauty revenge mode, you buy that shit right this minute. And here I am…black face mask and all my beauty revenge glory:
Step 3: Drink. It’s a simple one but drink those high-calorie drinks that you normally pass up for a vodka soda. Mimosas! Margaritas! Hell, even go for a Strawberry Daiquiri if that’s your deal. And, if you’re in New York City, I can even do you one better. The wine-based skincare line Caudalie has a spa at the Plaza Hotel where they actually do wine-based treatments and even serve wine in the relaxation/waiting area. I’ve been. And it’s glorious, trust me. You can kill two birds with one stone (steps 1 and 3, and maybe even step 2) just by going there. The Dry Body Fresh Grape Massage is amazing, though very sticky, and you can pretty much get wasted before and after the massage actually takes place.
Step 4: Get a blow out. Nothing, I repeat NOTHING will make you feel better than having good hair. Put on your favorite yoga pants and tank top (you don’t even need to get dressed, really) and get your hair blown out at a fancy salon or blow dry bar. I promise you, you’ll instantly feel chic and put together.
Step 5: Buy a ridiculously frivolous piece of “fine leather goods.” Parks and Recreation said it right. Men don’t understand why we buy pointless small leather shit so NOW is the time to buy that weird Gucci heart-shaped coin purse (who carries a coin purse?) or that Tory Burch shoe key chain, just because those infamous ballet flats make you remember your college glory days. DO IT. Enjoy your coin purse and shoe key chain. The next guy will appreciate them, too…but probably not really.
01.18.2012
Black Beauty
Ever since I tested out Boscia’s black face mask, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of black beauty products. I mean, how fun is it to use something that’s not white or clear, right? I went on a quest for the next big things in black beauty and found two more amazing black beauty products, no pun intended.
Crabtree & Evelyn Black Sea Mud Seaweed Triple Milled Soap: This gentle, vegetable-based soap contains sea silt and conditioning red and brown algae, shea butter and some amazing primrose oils. I mean, it’s black soap, guys. Need I say more?
Elizabeth Grant Black Algae Anti-Aging Mask: Two things- black algae and black pearl extract. Seriously. If you didn’t already know, algae is rich in alginic acid, which heps to fight free radicals responsible for cellular aging. And the pearl? Well it helps to nourish the skin, supporting moisturization and protecting against environmental damage. Plus, it’s really fun to put on a black face mask.
