Recently, makeup artist Nam Vo stopped by Birchbox HQ to impart some of her never-ending beauty wisdom. The lesson of the day? How to use different foundation shades to give your face definition. I always assumed the goal of foundation was to get a completely uniform complexion — turns out, that’s not always the case. To get a center-lit, movie star look — think J. Lo or Beyonce — you actually want to make the center plane of your face a little lighter than your cheeks and neck.
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If I told you about a beauty tool that helps minimize cellulite, wrinkles, and scars, but looks like a paint roller and is covered in teeny needles, what would you say? Nothing and run full speed in the other direction? Me too.
But skincare extremists (and its rumored, celebrities like Angelina Jolie) feel differently. This device, called the Dermaroller, can be used at a dermatologist’s office, but you can also buy a different model for at-home use. The consumer roller contains 192 extremely fine microneedles that have a length of 0.20 mm. According to the company: “As the needles are too short to reach the superficial dermal nerve sensors in the dermis, the treatment is absolutely painless.” Regular use two to three times a week should cause the skin to increase its production of collagen, improve micro-circulation, and help your other products to go deeper into your skin.
However, the Hong Kong Consumer Council recently issued a warning against the Dermaroller, claiming that since it’s hard to sterilize, it heightens your risk of contracting bacteria and viruses (including HIV and hepatitis). Warning or no warning, I don’t think I would be able to build up the courage to use this—what about you? Would you take the risk if it promised results?
—Kara
For some less scary ways to take care of your skin, check out our Birchbox Shop.
This week’s guest blogger, Janell Hickman is a Brooklyn native. Formerly a fashion gal, the style-savvy Hickman is now officially going steady with her current love: beauty. In addition to her newly launched blog, Chipped Manicure, she has also written for Refinery29.com, BeautyEtc.com, ESSENCE.com, and contributed to monthly columns as the beauty & fashion assistant at ESSENCE Magazine.
AHAVA Purifying Mud Mask, $30, birchbox.com; Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Exfoliating Mask, $45, ernolaszlo.com. Photo: HarpersBazaar.com.
I had always felt confident about my complexion until a little while back, when a rather abrupt aesthetician pointed out my every skin flaw, from hyper-pigmentation to clogged pores to a blackhead on my cheek. I immediately vowed to treat my skin a little bit better.
One of the easiest ways to turn distressed skin around is an at-home facial mask. There are so many benefits to using a mask, from improving blood circulation to repairing tissues and elasticity to absorbing access oil. Most importantly, masks force you to stay in and relax! When I don’t have much time, I love using AHAVA’s Time To Clear Purifying Mud Mask for two minutes (as directed). The mask is made with blend of mud and minerals from the Dead Sea, so it’s perfect for sensitive skin. I use this mask twice a week to edge off any rising blemishes and keep my skin super soft.
But after a long make-up filled week, I need to bring out the big guns. Erno Laszlo’s Sea Mud Exfoliating Mask is great for drawing out impurities and brightening an overworked complexion. The combination of sea mud, corn starch, and algae provides instant results and after just one use, my skin looks brighter and feels tighter. I usually leave this mask on for 15 minutes once a week for a longer pampering experience.
For more ways to take care of your skin, check out our Birchbox Shop.
We’re already looking forward to the long weekend — thinking about the cute nautical stripes and bright sunnies we’re going to be sporting, and all that yummy barbecue we’re going to eat. But first, a little PSA from our resident skin expert, Rachel. She’s got a list of the five skin products you must — must — keep on hand this weekend (that goes for vacationers and non-vacationers, alike!).
1. Sunscreen. Duh, you’re thinking. But odds are, you aren’t as vigilant with the SPF as you should be. This weekend you’re probably going to be outside picnic-ing, bbq-ing, or doing other fun stuff. And since it’s still late spring you’re not going to be slathering on the major sunblock — which is a big mistake. You can still get majorly burned when it’s cloudy or somewhat cool out, which is why you should slather on the block — SPF 30 or higher — and reapply through the day. Try Dr. Dennis Gross’s SPF 30 wipes, which won’t spill in your bag. Don’t forget your hands!
2. Antibacterial wipes. Not to be a total Dr. Dennis Gross fan girl (though I kind of am one), but I swear by Dr. Dennis Gross’s EZ4U towelettes, which help me quickly ‘wash’ my face when I’m traveling or running around town. Besides giving you a quick refresher, these portable wipes also prevent dirt and bacteria from clogging your pores.
3. A very fashionable hat. Stay protected and on trend with a big floppy number like this chic Babajaan straw hat. For something a little more affordable, try this topper from Old Navy. It’ll shield your skin AND your eyes — excellent double-duty.
4. SPF Lip balm. Yes, your lips get burned too (and chapped). Bonus: use this on the tops of your ears to prevent that oh-so-painful-and-gross ear peeling. We like Mission Skincare’s No Sting Sunscreen Face Stick, which works on face, lips, and anywhere else.
5. Facial Mist. It may seem a little dramatic to whip out a bottle and start spritzing yourself, but a hydrating facial mist is the best way to keep your skin from drying out. Instead of plain old Evian, which can actually dry out your skin, go for a spray with hyaluronic acid, heavy water, or essential oils. Lately, we’re addicted to By Elizabeth Dehn’s Face Spray and Sircuit Cosmeceutical’s Molecular Mist.
Read all of Skin Rx here, and pick up skincare essentials in our Shop!
Acne happens — a lot. We’ve all dealt with it, whether it was the regular teenage stuff, the frustrating mid-20s eruptions, or the dreaded adult acne. Luckily there are tons of blemish-fighting ingredients and products out there. Here are a few of my favorites:
Seaweed extract: This marine ingredient is amazing for detoxing clogged pores. Look for a cleanser that has it, like Erno Lazslo’s Blue Firmarine Treatment Bar.
Calamine: Known for its poison ivy-calming properties, calamine also works wonders on angry, irritated skin. Many spot treatments include it in order to calm down redness and inflammation. Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion is a cult favorite and totally old school — you just dip a cotton swab into the bottle and then dab the formula onto your zits. You look a little nutty but it works!
Kaolin: Generally used in mud masks, this incredible ingredient draws out impurities and toxins. It clears the skin of any dirt, oil, or other icky things that will cause breakouts. I have been loving suki’s Transformative Cleansing Clay because I can use it as an all-over mask or just dab it onto individual pimples as a spot treatment.
Vitamin C: Spot treatments that include vitamin C will not only help the skin heal but they’ll also diminish any scarring or dark spots. Try Juice Beauty’s Blemish Be Gone or you can also look for a serum that includes vitamin C, like Pur~Lisse Ultra Skin Brightening Serum.
—Rachel
Shop all our favorite skincare products here.
Want more skin advice? Ask us a question!
Photo: La Dolce Vita
Whether you love her or hate her, no one can deny that Olivia Palermo is beautiful. Oh, and she has the best style—without the help of a stylist! (Don’t even get me started on her hair. It’s perfection.)
As a drop-dead gorgeous NYC socialite, with tons of dollars to spend on a top-notch beauty arsenal and a Rolodex chock-full of the best people in every business, it was no surprise to learn that Palermo trusts one of our favorite skincare gurus above anyone else: Dr. Dennis Gross. Telling Stylecaster, “I’ve been using him since I was, like, eighteen,” Palermo listed the M.D. as one of her top four best beauty secrets. We can’t agree more! Not only are we avid fans of the dermatologist (he kindly just partnered with us on a sweepstakes and answered several questions from our Facebook fans), but we also love his luxe line of products.
—Meredith
Fun fact: Birchbox founder Katia said earlier today, “I need to buy more Alpha Beta Peel.”
Skincare guru Kate Somerville.
California-based beauty expert Kate Somerville doesn’t make it out to NYC very often (she keeps pretty busy treating Hollywood starlets like, you know, Nicole Richie and Jessica Alba) so when she does make it to Manhattan, it’s a real treat. In town the other day to promote a suite of new products she is adding to her ever-expanding skincare line, I was able to sit down with the guru and get the inside scoop on what will soon be on offer. Here, a breakdown of the three things I am most excited about.
Clinic-To-Go: Resurfacing Peel Pads, $48 for 1.7 oz (Available March)
Somerville spent three years working with a manufacturer to get the packaging for this new product right. A professional-strength peel in a single-use buffing pad, all you need to do is remove the seal to expose the formula and place two fingers inside the clever little sleeve on the back. Jam-packed with skin-boosting goodies, the key ingredients include lactic acid, which softens and exfoliates and Vitamin C, which boosts collagen. Use them two times a week for four weeks and you’ll see a brighter complexion, the diminished appearance of pores and wrinkles, and a smoother skin texture. “It’s good for every skin type,” says Somerville.
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Via our Dr. Dennis Gross Facebook contest, fans submitted their most fervent skincare questions for the guru. Three lucky contestants not only received answers straight from the M.D. himself (see one fan’s query, and Dr. Gross’ advice, below), but they’re also getting free products from his coveted line!
Hydra-Pure Oil-Free Moisture, $78, dgskincare.com
Q: In the winter time, my skin gets really dry. I drink plenty of water and put on tons of lotion, but my skin still gets very flakey. What else can I do to keep my skin moisturized and protected from the cold dry climate?
—Alissa Lofredo McKenzie
Dr. Gross: Skin produces less oil in the winter due to the absence of sunlight and heat. High temperatures (during the spring and summer months) cause our bodies to produce more natural oils. This production slows in the winter, resulting in dry skin.
There is less humidity in winter air and this causes moisture to evaporate off of our skin. Warm baths and hot showers (which we are inclined to take when it’s cold) have a drying effect, plus the chlorination in our tap water is stripping. Skip hot baths and showers and choose cleansers that don’t completely strip the skin of its natural oils. Another great trick is adding bath oils to a bath.
After a shower or bath try this technique for moisturizing—keep the bathroom door closed to preserve the steam. Gently towel dry your body and apply moisturizer to skin that is saturated.
It is still important to exfoliate your skin during the winter because dry skin can clog pores, but stay away from scrub cleansers because they can be too harsh on dry skin. Remember that dry skin is out of balance and it behaves like sensitive skin so it will become easily irritated. To avoid irritation, try chemical exfoliation with products that contain gentle Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids.
Learn about Dr. Dennis Gross and shop his fantastic skincare products.
Via our Dr. Dennis Gross Facebook contest, fans submitted their most fervent skincare questions for the guru. Three lucky contestants not only received answers straight from the M.D. himself (see one fan’s query, and Dr. Gross’ advice, below), but they’re also getting free products from his coveted line!
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hydra-Pure Firming Eye Cream, $90, dgskincare.com
Q: What’s your recommendation for preventing wrinkles around the eyes? I already use a moisturizer but feel like I should be doing more (I’m almost 30).
—Rachel Roland
Dr. Gross: Kick off your anti-aging regimen by using a moisturizing undereye cream or gel. Typically, the eye area is the first part of the face to look a little aged because the skin there is especially thin and so much more prone to the lines caused by wear and tear and sun damage. Treat lines around the eyes with a moisturizing eye cream that also contains antioxidants, sunscreen, Vitamin C, and Retinol.
Believe it or not, retraining ourselves not to make some very basic facial expressions, such as scowling, can make all the difference in minimizing the appearance of lines. Whenever we feel tense or angry, if we consciously take a moment to take a few deep breaths, it will not only benefit our psyche and ability to make a clear decision, but also our skin, since it will force us to relax our facial muscles.
Learn about Dr. Dennis Gross and shop his fantastic skincare products.
Bridezilla? Pshaw. Our lovely Katia was lowkey and low-maintenance on her wedding day, doing her makeup on her own and pinning her hair up with the help of a local stylist. (As far as wedding hair, we agree with fab Joanna Goddard - easy breezy is best.) How’d she achieve her blushing bride look?
Before leaving for Greece, Katia had a on-one-on lesson with Lauren Genatossio, owner of Boston’s Sarra beauty studio. After a primer on perfect brows (see the video here), Genatossio showed her how to create a flawless face.
“Everything has three steps,” Katia says. “Primer, wet makeup, dry makeup.” For her face, she started with Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, then mixed a full coverage foundation with her Dior HydrAction tinted moisturizer. Her favorite new makeup technique is the “press-wiggle” (we’ll get a live-action demo and report back) using a makeup sponge (“so 90s, so good”). According to Genatossio, when you use this method the foundation becomes a part of your skin instead of laying on top of it. After foundation, she applied Bobbi Brown Touch Up stick concealer using a thin, precise brush to blemishes and the dark spots at the corners of her eyes. The final step was an eye primer over the entire lid.
