My Lipstick Effect Part 2
I used to think it didn’t matter to get dressed or “look good” if I wasn’t going to see anyone. I mean why wash my hair and waste all my expensive products or any product for that matter just to, well, sit on the couch??
If the latest world pandemic has taught me anything, it’s how important it is to do things for me. With the added bonus of reminding Si that I’m more than a T-shirt and rats nest of hair…
This week on The Lipstick Effect I am featuring my lil luxuries that are helping me to keep glowing on. Things that I’ve come to love, I have traveled with, things that have been there for me when I was alone on the road or in the air. This list was not easy to make.. Because well, I’ve come to love many of the “things”. I have collected, lotions, oils and potions.. All in the name of skin care.
A buzz word that this bitty in her mid 30s is living for..
I got to meet Sivan when I went to her pop up for LUX Unfiltered in November.
+LUX UNFILTERED -is the sunless tanner Sivan ( who introduced you to last week; owner and creator of TL ) launched last fall.. Just in time to keep that last lil bit of summer glow thru the holidays and well now thru quarantine… or excuse me QUARANTAN ( a term made famous by Sivan via Lux devotee) . I am a FL gal and I reside in HI.. and I am fair skinned ( and freckled ). For me personally, I just can’t physically afford any more sun damage, but as Sivan so perfectly put “I am a much BETTER PERSON WITH A TAN”..the truth in that statement ( bow down bitches ) is beyond... that being said I gave this delish smelling soft cream a go.. I liked the subtle color and truly saw a glow.. Also it kinda just pushed my color along after a day at the beach ( the lil color I get thru my globs of 50+ sunscreen).. No streaking, no weird residue, and I’ve been using it as my secret glow weapon, watching every dip drop ever so carefully as to not waste. As a flight attendant too, I like coming home ( to Hawaii ) and not feeling like I’m missing my “home Glow” after a 2 week stretch. And now being home and well quite literally “grounded” it's a little luxury, properly named, LUX Unfiltered that keeps on giving, for me. .
+Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask - Founded by 2 bloggers Marianna Hewitt + Lauren Gores Ireland. The motto of this brand being “De-stress like it’s FRIDAY” (and what's not better than it being in the summer?), was created by 2 women who wanted nothing more than to have one face cream to do it all- “with good-for-you ingredients for an immediate selfie-worthy glow.” Thus JET LAG MASK was born, a simple mask that would leave skin looking gorgeous whether you’re hopping off a plane or just running out the door. To be honest, I first tried this product ONLY because of the name. To say the marketing was spot on would clearly be an understatement. IF ANYONE KNEW JET LAG it was me. So I had to investigate. That was 2 years ago and I have been toting this mask around the world with me ever since. More recently, I was using her mid-flight for a “fresh” pick me up around my eyes. Now, more than ever tho I wanted to have a “multi cream”. I truly felt the value of this product when I ran out of everything and had only this left, no oils, no eye cream, just JET LAG. She was there for me, gliding on smooth and tucking me in with hydration. It took a random woman to give me a compliment on my skin ( the ones from strangers, women especially, always are the best kind aren't they? ), to think about what I had done differently.. Or consistently- JET LAG MASK. Expanding with more products, I’d say this brand is trustworthy and reasonably priced, considering the many uses!! More recently , Summer Fridays, launched a lip butter.. And with EVERYDAY feeling like FRIDAY rn don’t be surprised if you don’t see me try it ..
+NCLA - right behind the lipstick effect is another well known beauty product- nail polish. And I am completely serious. To be honest, I feel like I have my shit together when my nails are done. NCLA is a LA based vegan cosmetic company founded by two sisters, who's got a hit of what I need right now. A fkn manicure. Owned by 2 sisters and based out of LA, I was initially obsessed with the cuticle oil. Being a flight attendant, and being a compulsive hand washer ( EVEN before COVID19), I used this cuticle oil to hand mask while I worked, that includes my cuticles (FAs wear gloves religiously, so I like to moisturize at the same time, a true multi- tasker). After Gel nail polish was turning my nails into paper, I tried their polish ( Sivans collab was a shoe in ), and to my COMPLETE SURPRISE the nail polish lasted an entire week, I had a touch up by Thursday, but that is to be expected..also I was working a full schedule ( which typically included 3 trips a week which equates to 6 actual landings. ). This nail polish is reasonably priced and the names of each polish never disappoint.. Peach Gelato is on repeat for me.. thats half the fun right? Plus, even when your spinning in circles and you don't feel like you’ve gotten much done, you can look down and feel like “well at least my nails tell me I do”
+Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm - Ummm how did I ever use normal face wash before there were balms?? Not that I don't love a good ol 'suds and scrub, but there is something very well smoothing that a balm provides. And spa like even? Actually that is exactly what this balm provides, a feeling as if the luxury of the spa is right in your home. “This rich balm contains 9 essential oils that lift away dirt and leave skin soft and clean. It is also intensely nourishing and contains powerful marine actives proven to firm your skin.” I mean, just tell this white lady pushing past my mid 30s, something is firming and I’m completely sold, but again, it's the feeling that has me hooked. The shipping is quick ( when I say that, believe it I live in Hawaii ), it can double as a face mask, and I can literally feel the grime dissolve or melting off my face.. That includes the insane amount of mascara that I use for work on any given day.For sure Elemis Cleansing Balm is “a little luxury” that also comes in English Rose which has quickly become my fav- a lipstick effect that I can’t quit.
Honorable mentions are not limited to but do include:
Herbivore Face Roller - You have seen me use this over and over agin on instagram, I also featured it on my gift guide last year.. and although this might be like" “so last year”, ( now that Gua Sha has shown up on the scene ) I swear by it. Chilled, is the preferred way to experience this lil luxury that billows out the puffiness from my flight, the lack of sleep, the countless glasses of wine and coffee in between. I mean essentially, isn’t this what a mini facial is any way? Smooth out my lines like an iron and drain my lymph nodes for that chiseled look I crave. Travels easy, and is the the only thing that can live in your fridge foreves that keeps getting better and better.
Any Face Mask- Lets be honest.. I could recommend any which one , but I’m a sucker for them all. I hoard them actually and with all this time off I have been able to deplete my collection. I recently used Tatcha and especially loved the silky feeling it left my face feeling. But let’s be REAL, an at home face mask of any brand has been life’s lil luxuries for a long time.. and I def don’t discriminate. I’ll take them all!!
Sunday Riley Luna Night Oil - I have been using oils on my face now for about 2 years, which works for me, because to my surprise ( or denial )I have dry skin. And ladies (& gents) its a stark reality to include a retinol in your routine.. I assume the younger the better but it's a MUST in your 30s. I have to say this oil gives me the glow I want and the luminosity of a less wrinkled complexion. If you follow me on insta then you know about 2 weeks ago Sunday Riley was running an ad to give first responders 25% off, and if you haven’t noticed Flight Attendants are usually overlooked, not at all to take away from nurses ( they quite literally are our caretakers during this horrible outbreak and anytime really!), but I reached out to the company, to express that I too was a first responder. Within a day I got an email back thanking me for my job and also receiving the discount. I’ll take it, this magic potion isn’t cheap, but it has been a game changer for me..
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask- I know!! Are you shocked this wasn’t at the top of my list?? I’ve already written and boosted about this magic mask here. But I couldn’t possibly make this list and not include her, The Laneige Water Sleeping mask, really has been with me since Day 1 layovers. While I had been trying to figure out flying and my skin sitch, this water sleeping mask renourished me on the road and now I use her after a day in the water or at the beach. A tride and true blue babe.. I love you hunny you always be my Number 1 !
It's SUPERRR hard to narrow things down these days and I’d be lying if coconut oil wasn’t also an OG filler in the skin routine.. However you're getting it done, just don't forget your still number 1.