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Posts Tagged ‘Skincare’

Simple Sense: One Week Later

A week ago, Simple Sense told me a few things I could use some help with (including using SPF, exfoliating, and chilling out). Here’s how it’s going so far.

(Click here to get your own personalized skincare recommendations.)



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May 16th, 2013 | Beauty, Video | No Comments »

2-Minute Makeup: No-Time New Mama Beauty

In this video, I go over my everyday makeup routine (less than two minutes, start-to-finish).

But in the past three months, you know what the number-one beauty tip I’ve picked up is? You know that saying “An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure?” Well, Benjamin Franklin originally coined it while talking about fire-prevention (true story; I am full of fun factoids today)…but it’s something to keep in mind when it comes to things like your hair, skin, and nails, as well. Putting a little extra effort into keeping things nice and healthy does wonders for time-saving in the long-term, because it means that you look more or less A-OK with very little accoutrement.

Some of my favorite ways to keep things in order:

Hair: Use a shampoo and conditioner tailored to your hair’s specific needs (moisture-replenishing, damage-repairing, etc), and enhance the effects with a deep-conditioning treatment at least once a week (this makes an enormous difference, I swear).

Skin: Do not go to sleep with your makeup on. I’m going to say it again: Do not go to sleep with your makeup on. This is a lesson that I learned the hard way, and it is an important one. Also: use moisturizer and eye cream like it is your job, and drink water, drink water, drink water.

Nails: If you can’t get to the salon, a quick file-and-buff will keep your fingertips nice and neat-looking. And if you absolutely adore the look of polish, I insist that you try a gel manicure (you can even DIY it to save money).

Video product info after the jump.

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January 25th, 2012 | Beauty, Video | 13 Comments »

It’s Scaly-Toad Time: Dry Skin Help

Q. Hey Jordan,

Well, the cold weather has hit…and my skin instantly turned scaly! Can you recommend some drugstore moisturizers (for the face) for winter?

Thanks,

Mandy

A. Oh, I hear you: I turn into a scaly toad come winter, too. Especially my nose…it basically peels right off my face; it’s disgusting. So I’ve put a lot of thought into my winter skincare regimen over the years, and while I use products from all over the spectrum, there are a couple of standout drugstore products that I really love for combating super-dry skin.

At night, you have to try Pond’s Dry Skin Cream: it’s really rich and thick, but not so rich and thick that it’ll make you break out…and somehow it feels light as air, leaving no gross residue on your skin. In the morning, I use L’Oreal’s YouthCode if I’m feeling extra dry – it’s a bit thicker than my other daytime moisturizer options, and has sunscreen and anti-aging stuff in it, as a bonus.

It’s also important to make sure that your cleanser isn’t stripping your skin of moisture, so go for creams rather than gels, and think “gentle”. I’ve tried all sorts of cleansers, and my favorites for the wintertime are Cor (expensive), and Cetaphil (not). And for exfoliating, I use StriVectin Retexturizing Scrub, but if you’d like to stick to a drugstore brand just go for the St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub – it’s really good stuff (and as an FYI, it’s great for guys, as it helps prevent all those little red bumps that develop from shaving).

You might want to try a mask once a week, too. My three favorites - Borghese’s Fango Ristorativo, Origins Drink Up Overnight Mask, and Boscia’s Intensifying Moisture Pack - aren’t drugstore brands, but they’re not too pricey. And finally, I’d recommend applying a resurfacing serum once or twice a week, at night – Sarah Chapman Overnight Exfoliating Booster is fantastic (but expensive), and Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus is excellent and relatively affordable.

Any other suggestions for Mandy?



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November 18th, 2011 | Beauty | 3 Comments »

Little Luxuries: Eve Lom Cleanser

I’m big on relaxing nighttime routines: I give myself a good hour between turning off the TV or putting down my book and getting into bed, and use it to putter around the house and straighten up, do stretches, apply moisturizer head-to-toe, brush my hair, and play around with various face potions.

I wasn’t always this diligent about my beauty routine – the truth is that I used to forget to remove my makeup more often than not, and rarely achieved more than a cursory swipe with soap before falling into bed (Francesca, who lived with me in LA, can attest to this: she was frequently horror-struck by the sight of my smudgy, be-kohl-ed eyes at 8AM) – but as I get older, I feel more and more like those minutes I spend attending to my skin at night are important ones, both physically and mentally.

What I like about the Eve Lom cleanser is that it’s a process, and so it forces you to take a few minutes to yourself to chill out and get into a sleepy state of mind. It certainly generates its fair share of buzz (Vogue named it the #1 cleanser in the world), and with a multi-step application that approaches the level of ritual, it has all the hallmarks of a cult product. You start with a lymphatic drainage massage, then apply the cleanser (which is more like a paste), and then do kinda weird stuff like place muslin cloths over your face and inhale and exhale three times before wiping it off.

But in theory, since the product is cleanser, toner, makeup remover, exfoliator, and moisturizer all in one, you’re…saving time? Kind of? I don’t know about that, and the ritual is a little ridiculous, sure, but you know what? Ridiculousness in politics is maddening; ridiculousness in skincare products is therapeutic and fun. And it’s never a bad idea to take a minute at the end of the day to pay attention to your breathing and care for yourself. So.

Have any of you tried this stuff? Did you like it?

The full line of Eve Lom products is available at Space.NK. Product sample provided for review.



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October 13th, 2011 | Beauty | 5 Comments »

Absolution L’Eau Soir Et Matin

I was introduced to this new line today at a meeting, and adored it: eco-friendly packaging, organic ingredients, and super-cool, customizable products.

My favorite: L’Eau Soir Et Matin (pictured at left), which is a cleansing flower water/toner that removes all makeup and deposits nice things (like hazelnut oil, Neroli and geranium) onto your skin, and that doesn’t need to be washed off. This is the kind of product you’d keep by the bed with some tissues for an extra-lazy night, or stash in your desk drawer to wipe off your day makeup before freshening up to go out for the evening.

Absolution also offers a lovely basic moisturizer that you mix with various skin-specific “solutions” (anti-aging, revitalizing, etc) right there on the top of the bottle, sort of like an artist’s palette (click here and scroll down to see the illustration).



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September 2nd, 2011 | Play | No Comments »

Reader Question / Dry Winter Skin

Q. Hey Jordan! I noticed you’ve mentioned a few times you have dry skin. I have the *worst* dry skin and am always looking for new ideas. My face is generally OK, but my eyelids and body get very dry and it makes me feel self-conscious. Do you have any favorite products or tips?

Thanks!

-Laura

A. Hi Laura! First, to me the eyelid dryness sounds like it might be an allergy, so I’d recommend consulting a dermatologist on that one. In the interim, I’d suggest using the mildest possible face cleanser and moisturizer (Cetaphil is great), and avoid any new face products you may have picked up. I’m wary of recommending that you put anything on your eye area before you check in with a professional, but once you’ve ruled out any medical problems, try patting a little Vaseline onto your eyelids (either alone or over eyeshadow) for a dewy look.

Now, the body. I am an alligator in the winter – my legs are so dry that they actually get scaly. It’s gross…but I’ve managed to get it under control by moisturizing all the time. I’ve found that what I use is less important than how often I use it, so I prefer cheaper products that I can apply in vast quantities. I keep bottles of moisturizer (lately I like St. Ives and Carmex Healing Lotion) in pretty much every room of our apartment, and apply moisturizer whenever it occurs to me.

You might also want to try using creamy (or even slightly oily) shower products. Victoria’s Secret Stimulating Body Scrub, for example, leaves a slightly oily residue on your skin…not so great during the summer, but when your skin is painfully dry it’s really nice (and long-lasting). Another great product with incredible moisturizing benefits: Borghese’s Fango Ristorativo Hydrating Mud Mask for Face and Body.

Click here for my favorite body oils, and here for more skincare info!

Hope that helps!

xo

Jordan

Image via MakeupBeautyBlog.



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December 14th, 2010 | Home | 9 Comments »

Try This Tuesday / Find A Drafty Spot

You know how you can deflate puffy eyes by placing cold spoons over them for a few minutes? Well, I don’t have the patience to lounge around in the morning with silverware on my face, so I’ve found a great way to get the refreshing effect minus the time suck.

My morning skincare regimen involves one of those anti-puffing eye serums with a metal rollerball tip (lately I’ve been using Clinique’s All About Eyes, but L’Oreal’s new line includes a nice one, too), and to make the effect even more dramatic I leave the thing sitting on my windowsill in the drafty spot created by my air conditioner. Said drafty spot is pretty miserable when I’m running around post-shower in search of a robe…but I love how frosty it keeps my eye serum: the chill both takes down morning puffiness and – bonus! – helps to wake me up.



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December 14th, 2010 | Home | 6 Comments »

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