Skin Care

Well here’s a little secret: you know that elusive “pregnancy glow” everyone talks about? I got mine from a bottle… partially at least. Let me explain: my facial skin condition is already frustratingly fickle (definitely the opposite of “glow”), and when I became preggers last year with hormonal changes to boot, my facial cleanser kicked me to the curb and left me desperately seeking something to adapt to my skin’s new needs.

Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple cleanser came on my radar, and after just trying it a couple times, I was sold.  Just a pea size amount of the milky dew left my skin feeling clean (without any residue like overly “moisturizing” cleansers tend to leave) but not bone dry. It does its job controlling my T-zone while nourishing my cheeks, and I didn’t feel any buildup. Natural oil extracts help condition skin so it’s healthy and primed for moisturizing. Within a few days, my blemishes cleared up and my skin finally gave way to a bit of that elusive “pregnancy glow!”  The scent is light and clean since it’s fragrance-free, without the heavy floral or fruity stuff. (more…)

Once in  blue moon, a product comes up which is the proverbial holy grail — an answer to a plethora of beauty issues (think Windex from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”). Aden+Anais’ Soothing Ointment is just that, ready to tackle your super-dry skin patches, chapped lips, and even insect bites! But before we go any further, consider yourself warned: this ointment is not for the faint of heart. It’s thick, tacky, and so pleasingly salubrious! The ointment is 50% fresh fermented paw paw fruit, which is nature’s answer to our skin dilemmas. Never heard of paw paw fuit? Well, I hadn’t either so I dug around a bit to find out what the big deal was. Turns out, it’s a type of papaya which has been getting a lot of attention lately because  it’s high in antioxidants and has a whole list of health benefits. Australians have long hailed the fruit for its ability to protect and relieve skin ailments. Ellen Gendler, M.D., a leading New York City dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic contact dermatitis, helped develop this ointment, so this formulation is the best of the best. (more…)

Dreaming of spring yet with all this mopey cold and wet winter weather?  Now that the winter sales frenzy has passed, training for spring wardrobes commences!  No, I’m not talking about hitting the gym or juice-cleansing, but rather getting those feet pampered and refreshed and ready for sandals. Elemis’ Treat Your Feet foot cream is the best I’ve ever encountered, hands down. So many creams claim to be rich and potent enough (trust me, I’ve been around the block looking for a good one), but to get my crackly heels in buttery soft condition, it takes something almost nuclear. This emulsion of shea butter and jojoba oil is intensely moisturizing and just melts into your skin and it passes my usual tests of screening out the bad stuff:  it’s free from parabens, SLS, SLES, DEA, mineral oils, artificial colors and silicones.

The texture of this foot butter is luxurious, without any heaviness or greasiness, and it smells fabulous: think aromatic patchouli, eucalyptus, and lemon oils. Just generously apply a layer before bed, slip on some warm comfy socks, and in the morning, say hello to your new soft soles!  Here’s a little secret — I put a coating on my hands before bed as well, and am treated to rejuvenated skin in the morning. With Elemis, you really can have a “spa at home,” every night.  Light a candle, put on some music, and massage away (better yet, have someone do it for you!).

$33.50 at Nordstrom.

One of the best things about having a newborn? Cuddling, of course, and touching that brand new beyond-soft baby skin. I took all that for granted until I started noticing some flaking and rough spots, then a reddish rash starting on our lil girl. Our pediatrician mentioned that it could be a mild form of eczema (which I attributed to her daddy right away!). Then came the not-so-fun task of finding just the right cream to soothe her skin. I literally went through dozens of creams, oils, body washes, and lotions until I found the perfect trifecta: slightly cooler baths avoiding too much soap in eczema prone areas, good ol’ fashioned cocoa butter morning and night, and Exederm’s Hydrating Body Lotion for a good coating midday, or anytime at all. The lightweight but concentrated consistency of the lotion ensures a good amount will cling to skin while it moisturizes and soothes and a little bit goes goes a long way. Within a few days, I noticed problem spots getting better and that smooth baby skin peeking through again!  (more…)

Have you ever dreamed of rolling around in a vat of frothy whipped cream (no, not in that way)?  I for one love anything light and fluffy whether it’s a souffle or cream cheese and can’t get enough of L’Occitane’s just released Shea Butter Honey Whipped Body Cream!  This is one of those creams that make you wonder how you lived before because now you can’t imagine another day without it. I feel decadent every time I lather it on — it’s so light but incredibly moisturizing and because it’s based in natural ingredients, I don’t have to worry about reactions or side-effects of those complicated chemicals. Also, my winter skin just drinks up that 10% shea butter. But the best part is —  instead of feeling heavy and greasy, the cream is soft, delicate, airy and absorbs oh-so-well. The honey component is genius: since it’s a natural humectant, it draws and binds water from the air into your skin. The light lingering scent is lovely and despite being sensitive to perfumes, I found this so natural and even comforting.  Oh and I adore the packaging, especially that cute little bear on the top! (more…)

The word “girl crush” has become massively overused, but I can’t think of a better word to describe Chrissy Teigen, foodie, laugh-out-loud hilarious, beautiful model, and bulldog-lover. Her Twitter is a daily joyful read for me and her relationship with John Legend is the stuff cuteness is made out of. Most importantly–I trust her picks, whether they be for the best ramen in Japan (yea, she’s cool like that), a stellar recipe for eggs in ham cups (changed my breakfast game forever), life changing Google searches (Google “Tom Brady water slide” and you’ll see what I mean), and now: my new favorite razor. Leave it to this culinary school talent to discover a smooth razor that also smells like Creme Brulee: the Olay Gillette Venus razor.  With 5 blades surrounded by two solid conditioning Olay moisturizing bars that negate the need for shaving cream, this is the kind of razor your significant other is going to want to steal. The Olay bars work in tandem with the water from your shower to moisturize your skin for a close shave. And the flexible head that you can bend to-and-from, is just right for getting into every nook and cranny. So crush on with Chrissy and the Olay Gillette Venus razor.

Editor’s Note: When we first started TDO some 7+ years ago, we were all still in high school (ok not really, but it certainly feels that way looking back). Now our set of editors and contributors are all scattered around the country kicking ass in life and career: some with their own successful businesses, many married, all well traveled and with a lot of experience and stories to share. Needless to say, we’ve grown up quite a bit over the majority of the past decade and the content on TDO has also reflected the shift in our interests as we move through different stages and milestones in our lives. This week, we’re excited to bring on a new contributor, Grace, recently a mom and likely the most stylish one you’ll meet. She’ll be blogging about beauty, fashion and lifestyle from her point of view and we could not be more excited to have her on board! 

When I found out I was pregnant, the thought immediately popped into my head that bikini days would be over for good (along with adult conversations, travel, and spontaneous dinners).  Fortunately, beauty-saavy friends pointed me to Elemis’ Japanese Camellia Oil and alerted me to the fact that Victoria Beckham also used it during all her pregnancies. At first, I thought I might prefer a cream to an oil, but I found that the product absorbs beautifully and softens as it works. Most importantly, I didn’t have to worry about anything harsh going through my skin, because it’s a fine blend of Japanese camellia extract and sweet almond oil, free from parabens, SLS, SLES, DEA, mineral oils, artificial colors and silicones.

It soon became a ritual and a luxury to apply the oil twice daily (particularly nice after showering) as I watched my belly grow… and start to move!  I’m convinced my baby loved the in utero massage. Though I was turned onto the product originally because it promised to combat stretch marks, I soon started applying it everywhere on my body, even on my nails. Despite my liberal use of the oil, only a small amount is needed to get the job done — I got through nine months with one bottle, zero stretch marks (Ed. note: so lucky!!!), and even have enough left to moisturize this winter. Now for those other excuses not to get into a swimsuit…

$48 at Nordstrom.

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a relaxing, lovely holiday! I spent most of mine sharing my newest beauty finds with my mom, getting bossed around in the kitchen by my chef-in-training brother, and watching YouTube videos with my dad. Oh yea — and recovering from having a little bit, too good of a time yesterday. Let’s just say that when I returned back to my apartment on what was officially, New Year’s Day, I was not in the place of mind to go through my normal 4-step bedtime skincare routine. Fortunately, I did have enough of my wits about me to grab Alba Botanica Hawaiian 3-in-1 Clean Towlettes. Makeup remover cloths–usually not my thing. My skin just doesn’t feel truly clean unless I’m splashing water on it. But in a pinch, these towlettes make my skin feel as clean as it can, despite not having any water nearby. With an alcohol-free formula, with a faintly sweet pineapple scent, these gentle wipes both remove makeup and contain enzymes to break down oil and grime. With zero post-use sticky residue, these generously-sized towels were gentle enough to remove all of my makeup, while keeping all of my just-applied eyelash extensions intact. And I was able to sleep easy, knowing I hadn’t broken any of my cardinal beauty rules.

Every year, my skin is a super freak in the winter. It’s dry, it’s oily, it’s acne-prone, it’s all over the place — which is why I’m so glad Elave Skincare showed up in my mailbox! Originally conceived as a post-surgery treatment line by one of Ireland’s oldest pharmaceutical companies, it’s now one of Ireland’s top lines and fave of celebrity makeup artist Jemma Kidd. I can see why.

The Oil-Free Skin Balancing Cleansing Gel and Moisturizer, each $32, leave my skin feeling perfectly balanced and refreshed, and they are fragrance-free (always a plus in my book). They also contain Manuka honey, an anti-inflammatory/antibiotic agent. Formulated for sensitive skin types, Elave products are free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, alcohol, lanolin, formaldehyde and dyes.

There are 10 Elave products in the Elave Facial Range (for the face and neck), ranging in price from $8-$40. They even make baby cream. You can find Elave Skincare at Duane Reade Look Boutiques, Walgreens Look Boutiques, Dermstore.com and ElaveSkincareUS.com.

I’m always most excited to write about new products that I’ve discovered, tried, and loved. Finding something (especially skincare) that really works is one of those rare things, that when it does happen, us beauty bloggers feel the need to tell everyone and anyone that will listen about its life-changing properties. The latest product on my bathroom counter that has been getting a lot of love is Algenist’s Concentrated Reconstructing Serum, which I fully credit for transforming my tight, dull (and even a tad wrinkly) patches into soft, radient, and smoother skin.

The Algenist Reconstructing Serum contains a slew of anti-aging ingredients. The heart of the formulation is alguronic acid, a bioactive compound derived from algae that helps simulate and promote cell regeneration. The product promotes the growth of new cells and shed old, damaged cells to improve skin texture, even skin tone, boost radiance  and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to this proprietary compound, the serum also contains a peptide (a protein that instructs skin cells to do certain things i.e. produce collagen) and an algae based alternative to retinoid.  (more…)