December 13, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC My hair has always been pretty long. It wavers between long-as-hell and it’s-short-to-me-but-still-actually-very-long in length, which means that “chopping it” is actually just getting a trim. (Long-haired peeps, you know what I mean.) Right now, my hair is one of the longest lengths it’s ever been, and I’ve found that my low-maintenance routine of shampoo and conditioner and maybe a deep-conditioning treatment now and then hasn’t been working that great. Whether you blame it on my scalp’s oil production or the dry-air season that we’re in, the fact is that I need a product that will help get my hair out of a serious rut—a redo of my ‘do, if you will. Enter: the Kerastase Nutritive 8-Hour Magic Serum ($55). Putting “magic” on a bottle is a bold claim, but they’re not wrong. The second I tried this sleeping serum, which is meant to penetrate your strands as you snooze, I could already tell I was in love. The scent itself does it for me, which is an enticing blend of floral notes. But then I pumped some product into my hand, put it on my dry, unwashed hair, focusing on the ends, and tossed it all into a silk scrunchie bun before I went to bed. The next morning, I let my hair loose to find that I had silky, super-shiny hair that looked like it just had a professional blowout. The serum, a first of its kind, works on each strand with
Category: Beauty
The most popular mascara in the U.S. sells a tube every 3 seconds, and only costs $5
December 13, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC There are certain beauty products that stand the test of time. In my case, the same Clinique moisturizer I used to steal from my mom is now sitting on my vanity, alongside the MAC Ruby Woo lipstick that I’ve been wearing since the early 2000s. And as far as mascara is concerned, there’s one product that has reigned supreme since it was introduced way back in 1971: Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara ($5). The drugstore product has held the title of America’s favorite mascara for years, and 2019 has been no exception. A tube of the iconic lash lacquer sells every three seconds in the U.S., according to the brand, beating both other drugstore options and prestige ones… and it’s all for good reason. The mascara adds both length and volume to make lashes look doubly as long, thick, and luxurious, and gives them a subtle lift without the added step of an eyelash curler. The formula is buildable, so one coat will give your lashes a little oomph, but adding a second and third will amp things up even higher; plus it conditions on top of that. It’s also intensely waterproof, so much so that one of the main complaints that users have with it is that it’s too hard to take off (though, pro tip, this four-ingredient homemade makeup remover should get the job done for you). If you’re looking for something that looks natural, never clumpy or spike-y, and
The best thing I ever bought for my skin, you ask? These $9 ice pop molds
December 12, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC Whenever the Well+Good beauty team calls out for editors’ skin-care picks, I’m not usually one to throw in new product suggestions. See, I have an extremely sensitive and reactive complexion, which means that I never stray from the same set of serums I’ve been using for years. (That would be Marie Veronique and Kristina Holey’s microbiome-balancing collection, ICYWW.) Recently, I added a new step to my regimen that I can’t stop talking about—and it involves a $9 set of silicone ice pop molds that I bought on Amazon. No, I haven’t been making collagen-peptide popsicles in my kitchen. I’ve been using the molds to freeze water and ice my face. My new esthetician, Hannah Land at Corrective Skincare in Los Angeles, turned me on to this technique a few months ago. She explained that ice can help minimize the effects of inflammatory skin conditions, and once I tried it, I was instantly hooked on how perky and poreless this DIY cryotherapy made my complexion. My facialist isn’t the only one who believes in icing your face. According to board-certified dermatologist Anna Guanche, MD, applying ice to the skin causes blood vessels to narrow, resulting in a few key benefits. “The cool temperature of the ice will restrict blood flow to the area and minimize excess fluid accumulation or swelling that presents with inflammation,” says Dr. Guanche, author of Seven Days to Sexy. “This can help with inflamed acne lesions. Local vasoconstriction will then
There’s only one month a year when it’s acceptable to drink eggnog—here’s how to do it vegan, dairy-free, and delicious
December 11, 2019 at 11:00PM by CWC Even if you’re the type of person who likes listening to Christmas music year-round, even if you put your tree up when there are pumpkins on your porch, even if you don’t understand the backlash against Love Actually and are committed to defending it as the best movie of all-time, it’s still socially unacceptable to whip up a batch of eggnog in any month other than December. It just is. Could you imagine if someone offered you the velvety drink in the height of summer, when everyone else is drinking coconut juice cocktails? Or in February, as a Valentine’s Day after-dinner drink? There’s a reason why it’s restricted to the holidays: when else does warm milk sound appealing other than when the weather is outside is frightful? A glass of eggnog is delightful on a cold winter night whether spiked or spirit-free. Traditional eggnog is made with egg whites, egg yolks, heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and an optional shot of brandy, whiskey, or rum —definitely not a combo that was crafted with vegan or dairy-free eaters in mind. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with rich and creamy vegan eggnog recipes. Dairy-free and vegan eggnog recipes that are rich and delicious Photo: Minimalist Baker 1. Coconut milk maple eggnog All it takes is 10 minutes and six ingredients to make a batch big enough to serve a dozen party guests when you follow this eggnog recipe from Minimalist Baker’s Dana Shultz.
The answers to Google’s 5 most-searched makeup questions of 2019
December 11, 2019 at 06:35PM by CWC A person’s search history can reveal a lot about them. Like, do they prefer hot yoga or classic vinyasa? Are they a 20-step chef or a 3-ingredients-or-less kind of person? In 2019, Googlers sought out “how-to” beauty tutorials from the world wide web, and I feel personally validated to report that we’re all very, very confused about how to apply makeup. The top beauty questions from Google’s year in search report (shared with Well+Good via email) reveals mystification surrounding the topics of primer, toner mascara, and more. Below, beauty experts break down the basics so that, come January 1, 2020, you’ll have a brain full of beauty knowledge. You asked, we answered—here’s how to apply makeup 1. The deal with toner According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, you really only need toner if the water pressure in your shower is super hard. Otherwise, skip it! “Toners are liquid skin-care products that have a slightly acidic pH to balance the skin’s natural pH level,” Dr. Zeichner previously told Well+Good. “The outer skin layer, referred to as the acid mantle, has a pH of about 5.5. Harsh scrubs, true soaps, and even hard water can disrupt the outer skin layer, alter the pH, and cause inflammation.” To apply your toner, pour a small amount on a cotton round and apply it gently on freshly-washed skin. 2. Um, so do I need a primer? A primer is the base coat for your #lewk. While it’s
I’m a dermatologist, and these are the 3 kinds of face masks worth buying
December 11, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC When you’re shopping for a face mask, you’ll find that there’s one for practically every skin concern out there. This is great news when you consider all the skin-boosting possibilities that can happen within a 20-minute masking treatment. But anyone who’s slathered on masks to no avail has one question: Which skin conditions are best served by face masks and which ones should you reserve for your serums? “Masks are a huge part of the skin-care market,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist, explaining that they offer benefits through prolonged contact of active ingredients on your skin. “This process enhances the penetration of those active ingredients.” She’s also a fan of the product category because it’s so representative of self care and “encourages the need to stop and sit.” In other words: You get to relax and benefit from a complexion boost. Win-win. That said, there are some skin conditions that leave-on products are best suited for. “For major skin issues like severe acne or rosacea, I would not depend on a short-contact mask to greatly improve [flare-ups],” says Dr. Nazarian. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD FAAD agrees, noting that the skin benefits of face masks tend to be “minimal if anything.” You won’t notice as much of a change, for example, if you use an “anti-aging” face mask with retinol as you would from using a retinol—an active ingredient that’s been studied to better
Chobani is coming for Oatly’s crown with its new oat milk
December 09, 2019 at 08:30PM by CWC When you think of Chobani, you think of Greek yogurt. It’s the top-selling brand in the country. But for the first time ever, the company is entering the non-dairy space—and with that comes its first round of non-yogurt products, including so-creamy-you-won’t-believe-it Chobani oat milk. The company’s biggest expansion to date, Chobani Oat includes multiple flavors of non-dairy yogurts, including some blended with crunchy granola crumbles. The real stars of the show, though, are the oat milks in four flavors: plain, plain extra creamy, vanilla, and chocolate. Expected to hit shelves in January at $4 for a 52 ounce carton, the price is hard to beat. There’s also a special Barista Blend available that acts like steamed whole milk, allowing you to make frothy, coffee shop-level lattes right at home. In addition to the oat milks and yogurts, Chobani will also release non-dairy creamers in four classic flavors, including caramel, sweet cream, hazelnut, and vanilla. One splash, and you’re good to go. I don’t know about you, but I’m sold. Photo: Chobani “Our vision for better food for more people has always spanned further than the yogurt aisle. Now, we’re ready to take that first step beyond the category where our story began,” Niel Sandford, vice president of new product development at Chobani, tells Well+Good. “The demand for plant-based, non-dairy options has significantly grown over recent years, and we see oat as a superior base from both an agriculture and sensory perspective.” These are
I’m a derm, and you should be washing your neck—not just your face
December 08, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC You’re religious about washing your face: gentle cleanser, lukewarm water, twice a day. But a solid skincare routine should involve washing your neck, too. Washing your neck outside the shower isn’t a thing for many people, and derms want to change that ASAP. I mean, think about all the makeup that gets down there—even if it’s just fallout from all your powders. “Many women use makeup on their necks to blend with the rest of their face. Because the neck has oil glands just like the rest of the face, it’s also subject to breakouts,” says Gretchen Frieling, MD, a Boston-based triple board-certified dermatopathologist. When you don’t wash your neck, breakouts are the least of your problems. “When people don’t cleanse their neck, they tend to get ‘dark neck,’” Dr. Frieling says. Aka dermatitis neglecta, a condition where things like makeup, sweat, dirt, and bacteria build up on your neck, causing the skin to become a shade or two darker than your face. To keep your neck skin just as healthy as your face, make sure you’re sticking to a proper skincare routine that benefits both. How to wash your neck like a pro To make sure you’re properly washing your neck, steal this skincare routine straight from Dr. Frieling. step 1: Cleanse Cleanse your neck with a cleansing milk or gentle cleanser a few times a week to make sure there’s no skin or dirt build-up. You can also use a gentle
“Serum cycling” can help you use multiple active skin-care ingredients with less irritation
December 08, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC If your skin is temperamental and likes to flare up with a dramatic outbreak of redness or irritation, serum cycling may be your new flex. What is it, you ask? The idea is that if you alternate the active serum that you’re using each night, your skin will have an easier time working with the powerhouse ingredients, so you’ll get the effect you’re looking for without any negative side effects that might come with overusing a single ingredient. “Rotating serums is helpful when using ones that can be slightly irritating, such as chemical exfoliators like salicylic acid,” says Robert Anolik, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. Though he recommends using retinol nightly, it’s “perfect for rotation” if yours is irritating to your skin (you’ll know because it will feel extra dry and might even get a bit red and itchy). If you find yourself dealing with this, rotate in calming ingredients to help mitigate irritation. “Alternating serums is a good idea, especially if you have sensitive skin,” echoes Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “You still want to use a retinol because it’s going to promote collagen production, but you can use it three times a week and alternate with something else like hyaluronic acid on the others.” It’s also a smart skin-care practice if you’ve got dry skin (which might as well be everyone this winter season). Looking for the best serums to use at night in your cycling regimen? Keep scrolling for
This sheer black lipstick can transform *any* shade into the perfect wintery hue
December 07, 2019 at 09:00PM by CWC I know I promised to tone it down with fancy goth sh–t after I asked for that velvet Victorian mourning hat for Christmas in 2018, that deluxe Cure double record in 2016, and like…17 years’ worth of Nightmare Before Christmas merch before that. But, dear Santa, please believe me when I say that I absolutely need the Lipstick Queen Black Lace Rabbit ($24) lipstick, or I will never be the exquisite midnight princess that I am meant to be. Black Lace Rabbit isn’t just the chicest name for a tube of lipstick ever. It’s a sheer black color with gold—gold!—sparkly flecks in it, which evokes a serious Stevie Nicks aesthetic, first of all. Worn solo, if you dare to be so bold, the hue makes your lips look as though they’re wearing black nylon stockings. Sure, not everyone can be convinced of the idea that a smoky gray-pink pout is chic, but to each their own. But what makes the Black Lace Rabbit shade particularly special is its transformative powers against any lipstick. This shade is actually meant for layering—so, as the temperatures drop and that reddish-coral you got for the summer looks clownish against your winter pallor, a swipe of Black Lace Rabbit morphs it into a deep berry hue that’ll be a big hit at your next holiday party. Santa, you know how very important it is to really Show Up to a holiday party. You want to have options. Really, this multitasking