Favorite Find Friday

Favorite Find Friday: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden

Written on December 21, 2012 at 12:25 pm , by Molly Ritterbeck

I stumbled across this eye makeup gem while perusing how-to makeup YouTube videos. No matter who I was watching, from young girls to seasoned pros, nearly everyone seemed to be using this shadow primer, so I had to try it. I did, and I haven’t stopped using it since. It sounds dramatic to say that the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden ($20, urbandecay.com) can change your life but it comes pretty darn close! It transforms any shadow into a super long-wear, totally crease-free color. I put it on in the morning—yes, it’s an extra, but worth it, step—and my makeup doesn’t budge all day. I tap it on my lids and up to the brow bone until I feel it dry down to a matte finish then I layer over my regular eye shadow. I’ve even started using it under my eyes as well to help hold my concealer in place.

Favorite Find Friday: GoSmile Double Action Whitening System

Written on December 14, 2012 at 10:00 am , by Christie Griffin

Thanks to three of my favorite things — red wine, beer, and coffee — my teeth haven’t been as pearly white as usual. But I don’t have the patience for whitening strips, so I opted for GoSmile…their little ampoules are about the size of a pencil eraser and I loved pretending I was “erasing” the stains from my teeth!

Within just a few days (seriously, like, three days) I already felt more prepared to face the photographer at a wedding I was attending. Even better: GoSmile has toothpaste to keep my teeth white and “touch-up” ampoules that I can use for immediately after I indulge in a glass of Malbec.

Cheers to a brighter, whiter holiday season!

Favorite Find Friday: Matrix Biolage ExquisiteOil Shampoo and Conditioner

Written on November 30, 2012 at 4:51 pm , by Molly Ritterbeck

I’m a big fan of Matrix hair products (they smell fresh but subtle!) and usually rely on their Biolage Volumathérapie shampoo and conditioner ($15, $16, biolage.com for salons) to give my long hair extra lift. But I also believe in switching up your shampoo and conditioner every now and then, so when mine recently ran low, I decided to try one of Matrix’s latest formulas, Biolage ExquisiteOil Micro-Oil Shampoo and Oil Crème Conditioner ($17, $18, biolage.com for salons). Both contain moringa oil, which is packed with antioxidants to protect hair from damage and fatty acids to coat each strand with moisture. My hair looks and feels shiny and silky—and surprisingly, the oils didn’t weigh it down. Bottom line: I can’t stop touching it!

Favorite Find Friday: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss

Written on November 23, 2012 at 9:57 am , by Molly Ritterbeck

Our Nutrition Editor, Juno DeMelo, loves the look of a shiny manicure but can never go more than a day without her polish chipping. While we were working on a nail story, she nabbed one of the new CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Glosses in Toasted Almond ($5, drugstore.com) from the beauty department and hasn’t stopped raving about it since:

“This is day four!” DeMelo bragged. “Granted, I asked my husband to be on dish duty this week, but still: This is the longest a manicure has ever lasted for me, and that’s counting salon ones. It’s also the glossiest looking one I’ve ever had. All this and I didn’t even use a base coat!” she said.

Favorite Find Friday: Lorac Pro Cream Eyeliner

Written on November 16, 2012 at 2:33 pm , by Fitness Magazine

The perfect eyeliner is hard to find. Kohl pencils can smudge easily and liquid—for those of us with a shaky hand—can result in looking like a hot mess. Meet my eyes’ new best friend: Lorac Pro Cream Eyeliner ($19, loraccosmetics.com), available in black, dark brown, navy and plum. It’s a cream liner so it glides on smoother than a pencil but isn’t as slippery or messy as a liquid liner. It’s small and portable—perfect to house in your purse or your gym bag. My favorite part is the tapered eyeliner brush that comes with it. It helps you achieve a neat line plus it fits conveniently inside the cap.

—Daniella Araujo, Beauty Intern

Favorite Find Friday: Schick Hydro Silk for Women Razor

Written on November 2, 2012 at 10:00 am , by Molly Ritterbeck

Shaving can sometimes be a pain, especially after a workout in the cramped shower stall of the locker room. Plus, I don’t want to weigh my gym bag down with a can of shaving cream so instead, I keep a Schick Hydro Silk for Women Razor ($10, drugstore.com) on hand. Its five (yes, five!) blades are surrounded by tiny beads that are jam packed with a water-activated moisturizing serum that’s so hydrating, you don’t even need to use a shaving cream. It’s perfect year-round since it gives me the closest shave, but especially during the chilly winter months that tend to dry out my legs.

Favorite Find Friday: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel Packettes

Written on October 26, 2012 at 10:01 am , by Molly Ritterbeck

One thing I’ve learned since working in the beauty industry is that it’s never too early to start thinking about how your skin will look years down the road. Starting an anti-aging regimen in your 40s is a thing of the past. After years of being concerned with acne, I didn’t quite know what to do when I woke up with skin that was dull and dehydrated yet somehow still oily and starting to reveal fine lines. Feeling intimidated by getting a professional peel at a dermatologist’s office, I reached for Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel Packettes ($28, for pack of 10, dhskincare.com). After just one application of this two-step peel, I saw instant results. The alpha beta hydroxy acids combined with wrinkle-reducing antioxidants including retinol slough away dead skin cells and enrich your skin to reveal a brighter, more youthful and clearer complexion. Although it’s safe to use every day, I use them every other night before bed and now wake up with smooth, radiant skin.

Favorite Find Friday: Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30

Written on October 19, 2012 at 10:36 am , by Molly Ritterbeck

SPF everyday is a must for me, but I can’t be bogged down with a two-step process in the morning, so I need a daily moisturizer that also contains sunscreen. Some can feel heavy and chalky but Mario Basescu Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 30 ($26, mariobadescu.com) is so lightweight and hydrating, you can’t even tell it has broad-spectrum SPF in it. The green tea antioxidants and aloe vera soften and soothe tight skin. I swipe it on every morning before applying my makeup for instant hydration and the daily sun protection I need.

Favorite Find Friday: Revision Retinol Facial Repair

Written on October 12, 2012 at 11:00 am , by Fitness Magazine

One of the top ingredients on my skincare list is retinol. Often referred to as the gold standard anti-aging ingredient, it plumps skin, exfoliates dead cells and best of all, helps fight fine lines and wrinkles. Revision Skincare Retinol Facial Repair ($55, revisionskincare.com) is loaded with high levels of pure retinol. I like how the lightweight formula doesn’t leave my skin feeling smothered or greasy (or irritated!) and I love waking up to a brighter, healthier looking complexion.

 —By Daniella Araujo, beauty intern

Favorite Find Friday: Girlactik Beauty Eye Glaze

Written on October 5, 2012 at 9:59 am , by Molly Ritterbeck

I’m a huge fan of shimmery neutrals on my eyes, especially for a week-day office look—it’s a simple way to look put together without looking overdone. The lightweight formula of Girlactik Beauty Eye Glaze ($18, blush.com) stays put through 9-5 (and then some!). The velvety texture goes on smooth but is still blend-able before locking in place. They each have a pearly finish, which brings out the tiny gold flecks in my eyes. I’m loving these three soft, natural colors right now: Chic, Shine, and Sexy.