Mask Era Skincare

What a fun and sexy topic, right?

I am on a veritable crusade against maskne. (Such a cutesy name for the current bane of my existence.) Until recently, my epidermal situation was largely under control, so I'm unsure what changed. Warmer weather? More outings, i.e. prolonged mask-wearing? A combination of complacency and laziness -- to switch up my mask every hour, to wash my face when I get home? Probably all the above.

Whatever the reason, the reality is that I had clearer skin in high school. Points of contact (where mask and skin actually touch) are the worst: cheeks, jawline, under my chin. 

So, I've taken a stubbornly offensive approach to the problem since mid-March, and am finding seeing improvements to my complexion. Here's the routine, in case someone out there might find it helpful :)

  

1. A dime-sized amount of The Inkey List salicylic acid cleanser, used right after my regular face wash, (ideally) morning and night. 

2. Swiping my face with a cotton round soaked in Bioderma Sensibio H2O, both pre- and post- masking up.* The strategy is to prevent bacteria from (shudder) getting trapped inside the mask, thereby building up on your skin.

*Similarly, brushing your teeth before donning a face mask is helpful. 

3. Tea tree oil for spot-treating blemishes -- especially (more shuddering) those extra-painful, cystic-y bumps that lurk just below the surface of your skin in an angry, reddish way. I've used The Body Shop's oil for years, but suspect any generic version will work just as well.

4. Keep skin hydrated! Having a bold action plan for banishing maskne means you risk stripping your skin of necessary moisture, which would just cause a whole other dermatological headache. I'm still using my regular serums, moisturizers, and oils, depending on what my skin seems to be asking for.

5. DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE. Not only does it help stop Covid transmission (the pandemic isn't over just because you're over it), it also prevents zits!

Reminder: This quasi-compulsive routine works for me, but might not work for everyone. You know your skin best -- treat it accordingly... and lovingly :)

Image credit: Stylist

Read More

Recently On Repeat

Long time no see!

Evidently, I haven't felt particularly inspired or motivated to update the blog. Blame the miserably frigid weather, paired with pandemic-related quasi house arrest. Anyway. It's not all bad news! Here is handful of fun things I've really enjoyed recently :)

Eating

Pio Pio's Peruvian chicken sandwiches with seasoned fries. 

Tofu poke bowls from OKOK. Don't forget to mix-and-match sauces!

A corner slice of Pizza Toni's square pepperoni (with spicy hot drizzle) is my new favorite one-handed lunch. Ordered with a can of...

Drinking

...Coconut La Croix! I might be hate-hooked on its strange taste. (Are you sweet or savory??)

Lupi Reali Montepulciano d'Abruzzo a.k.a. the very easy, very tasty red wine that will only set you back $12.

Zab ground espresso -- especially this blend -- with oat milk.

Doing

Playing Redecor day and night.  Please send help!

Technically, this one isn't a game, but I've been having fun with Warby Parker's interactive app while I shop around for new frames.

Indulging

Using Transforming Walnut Scrub from Ole Henriksen weekly. It's an oldie/goodie I reacquainted myself with last month. Easily the best (and best-smelling) facial scrub I've ever used.

Reading:

We're only one month into the new year, but Nothing Good Can Come From This, by Kristi Coulter, already set the bar ridiculously high for favorite book of 2021.

Wearing 

Apologies to all my other cold weather footwear, but I reach for black faux-shearling-lined Timberland boots every single day. Sturdy, warm, understated. Looks like they're on sale at The Bay, too.

What small things are keeping you sane during weary winter days?

Read More

Reliable Drugstore Beauty Basics

Sephora might be the utmost destination for all things beauty-related, but it's a mistake to overlook the usefulness of a well-stocked drugstore. There are loads of quality products tucked away in those seemingly endless aisles of merchandise -- you just need to know what to look for. Here are my main staples from the pharmacy :)

  

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash -- Safe to say, I'm in an extremely committed relationship with this product. It has such a clean, subtle smell, and it's rich, creamy texture feels pretty damn luxurious for something from the drugstore.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water -- If forced to choose, I think this stuff is my favorite skincare product of all time. It can be used as a cleanser, toner, or eye makeup remover, and is generally fabulous at getting rid of face grime lol. Plus, the brand comes from France, so you know it's faaancy ;)

PIXI Glow Tonic (5% Glycolic Acid) -- Welcome to the world of chemical exfoliants! Glow Tonic serves as an excellent bridge between cleanser and moisturizer -- basically stepping in to replace your toner. The gentle formula gives me such soft skin and helps even out my complexion. (Full disclosure: I like to alternate between this product and the slightly more potent version from The Ordinary.)

  

L'Oréal Original Voluminous Mascara -- L'Oréal's super no-frills mascara works as well as any upscale product I've ever tried. In fact, this is the best dupe I've found for my once-cherished Lancôme Hypnôse Drama (at a sliver of the price). The brush bristles are chunky and the formula is perfectly tacky -- combine both these qualities, you have a mascara that really grips and coats every freakin' lash.

Nivea 24h Soothing Care Lip Balm (with SPF 15) -- Smooth, hydrating, long-lasting, with sun protection, and super affordable. It smells nice, too. I dare you to find me a better basic chapstick under three dollars.

Batiste Original Clean & Classic Dry Shampoo -- There's a reason this product is so well-known. I searched for a basic dry shampoo forever. Some made my hair fall out. Others reeked of synthetic florals or baby powder. The rest plain ol' didn't work. At my hairdresser's suggestion, I eventually tried Batiste... and never looked back. Okay, the scent could be more subtle, but I forgive that misstep because the product really zaps away oil without leaving any weird texture on the hair and scalp. 

 

Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Wipes -- Look, these are a better-than-nothing solution for when you really, really, REALLY can't be bothered to wash your face before bed. Good to have them stashed away for those exact moments. I just wouldn't rely on them for a super thorough cleanse (or even everyday use).

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL -- I've raved about this sunscreen before. My feelings have yet to waver :)

Image credit (top): Vogue
Image credit (products): Google

Read More

Solving Shiny Summer Face

Call it dewy if you want, but we all know a shiny summer face when we see one. Mine is particularly aggressive -- even my eyelids get balmy. Needless to say, I was thrilled to discover a product that can fight back against Montreal's vicious summertime humidity.

Allow me to introduce the Mineral Veil Finishing Powder by Bare Minerals.

Technically, this stuff is a setting powder, designed to be the last step in your makeup routine. I, instead, use it completely on its own. After my skin has time to absorb an assortment of serums and moisturizers, I then apply Mineral Veil with a powder brush, being extra generous on areas that are more susceptible to looking slick. I like the Matte Finish because it lets me really double-down on the no-makeup makeup thing. (The brand also makes tinted options if those are more your jam.)

Honestly, this stuff does an AWESOME job reeling back oil (gross sorry) and shine. It smoothes out my complexion and even blurs away some pores. I love how truly transparent it looks -- meaning it will still match your face after the summer tan is gone. The formula is super light, though, so you definitely want to reapply throughout the day.

I snooped around online and, judging from user reviews on different websites, Mineral Veil works on a broad range of skin tones. Heck yes to inclusivity!

All that's left to do is swipe on some lipgloss and brush your eyebrows lol. Your shine-free summer look is complete :)

When it comes to makeup, what are your secret weapons?

Image credit (top): InStyle

Image credit (product): Sephora

Read More

Sunscreen Season

During our rough Montreal winters, I delude myself into thinking sunblock isn't necessary. (Stupid, I know.) Come summertime, however, I try to be more diligent about UV protection. My skin is getting older and I want to keep Botox shots (among other, scarier threats) at bay for as long as possible.

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Lotion is the best sunscreen out there.

Pros:

Smells good and feels vraiment fancy. Not greasy. Doesn't irritate my skin or cause blemishes. Blends in well, no weird white residue left behind. Well-stocked in most mainstream drugstores, but you might have to shop around for your desired SPF coverage. (I'm a 50-60 gal.)

Drawbacks:

Leaves skin a little shiny. (Can that be avoided with any sunscreen?) Also, it costs around $30 for 150ml of product, so the stuff isn't super cheap. 

*

Investing in something from La Roche Posay is normally well worth the price. I particularly love using their sunblock on my face because it's so gentle, and a little goes a long way. Do you swear by another brand? Curious to know if there's a better option I should try :)

Image credit (top): Grey Malin

Image credit (product): Google

Read More

Glossier Top Five

Glossier is so damn appealing.

Genius brand identity (everyone wants to be in their fresh faced faux naturale club!), reasonable price points, inclusive marketing campaigns, pretty packaging, kick ass ambassadors like Katie Jane Hughes... The list of reasons to love Glossier is a long one.

But the company isn't perfect. They've received a ton of criticism (rightly so) for positioning themselves as a clean beauty brand when they're not, and also for their general wastefulness and other non-eco-friendly practices.

Regardless, there is a small handful of Glossier products I genuinely love and have grown totally reliant on. 

Full disclosure: I normally plan my purchases around (a) replacing a damaged pink pouch, or (b) Black Friday, the only time their merch is on promotion. If you need retail therapy this weekend, however, I am happy to share my go-to items :)

    

1. Balm Dotcom in Coconut

Smells like a Caribbean vacation. The formula is oddly pasty, but in a way that feels super nourishing. Apply some before bed and it will usually last until morning.

2. Moisturizing Moon Mask

Gives me plump, baby-soft skin. My favorite mask for when my face is irritated and freaking out.

3. Lip Gloss in Holographic

Sooo glassy and glittery. Thick but not so sticky your hair gets stuck to your lips. Gives me serious early 2000s vibes.

4. Generation G in Cake

The formula is just okay, maybe a little dry. What I love about this lipstick is how the color is super buildable. It's basically sheer to start, then takes four or five swipes for the color to really come through -- making it pretty safe to apply without a mirror.

I especially like Cake for its peachy hue :)

5. Milky Oil

Very gentle and excellent for removing mascara.

Clearly, my tastes lean toward easy skin care products that are foolproof to use.

This next note isn't really in the spirit of Box Cake, but I'd be remiss to skip the call-out. Brace yourself. I am NOT a fan of Futuredew. Like most people, I'm not sure I even understand what it does. It's not a serum, or highlighter, or moisturizer. What I know for sure is that it makes my forehead brutally break out. Pass.

*

Eventually, I'd like to try the Super Bounce serum. Maybe even give Boy Brow a whirl. Do you have a favorite Glossier product?

Image credit (top): Elle UK

Image credit (products): Glossier

Image credit (bottom): Lily Like

Read More

Skin Care: CBD And Your Face

Have you tried any CBD beauty products?

Turns out that smearing cannabinoids onto your skin is similar to ingesting it. You should experience a positive calming effect to some degree, but you won't get high.

I started using CBD skin care recently and only tried two products so far. Maybe it's premature, but I want to share what I learned because BOTH have already earned permanent spots in my skin care rotation. Thinking I should have been drugging my face sooner ;)

*

One night back in March, I impulsively purchased Botanics Simply Calm serum after wandering into the Times Square Walgreen's looking for dry shampoo. (And marshmallow Peeps.) At the time, I was unfamiliar with the brand, the product, or even the effects of CBD in skin care. But the packaging was cute and, full disclosure, I'd had two large glasses of wine just prior at a work dinner, and was feeling slightly business drunk. Buying what appeared to be drug-laced facial serum felt like the right move.

I have since developed a small drug habit. Well, my FACE has.

 

The serum is fantastic! It applies so smoothly onto your face, but is never sticky or greasy. Even better: I don't break out after using the product, which is pretty rare for my temperamental skin. Instead, I wake up to really a soft, even-toned complexion. 

Then I heard about Origins Hello Calm mask.

Origins is already a favorite brand of mine. (Always recommending their active charcoal mask to people, it works so well and is more affordable than other brands.) I liked the idea of pairing my CBD serum with a matching face mask. Before long, a Sephora package was on my doorstep.

On its own, Hello Calm is lovely. The formula feels very gentle and I really like the swamp green color (seems so natural lol). But the combination of both products is the real game changer. Together, they are shockingly soothing and hydrating. My skin looks FRESH and stays soft well into the next day.

Neither product smells funky or weedy at all. Both are definitely fragrant, but in a more spa-like way (think eucalyptus) than I expected. Which is especially nice when your bathroom is the only spa you currently have access to.

Anyway, if someone looking to switch up their beauty routine, or just experiment with CBD products for fun, these two goos are worth a try! I've become a believer and am already on the lookout for the next addition to my cannabinoid collection ;)

*

Wanted to add a disclaimer, so here it is:

For someone who smears all sorts of potions on her face, I am shamefully undereducated when it comes to actual skin care ingredients. I can't speak to the scientific efficacy (or possibly even safety) of any product. I only know which ones work best for me. If my experiences help springboard skin care research of your own, then I'm happy to share :)

Image credit (top): Chatelaine
Image credit (bottom): Paws in Motion
Image credit (products): Sephora, Google

Read More

Hand Cream Heroes

Look, there are WAY worse problems to have than dry hands. Especially now. I wouldn't suggest or pretend otherwise.

But when you're going through a phase of fear-induced compulsive hand-washing (like I am), cracked and chapped hands become an ever-present, painful part of your routine.

After six weeks of being grounded at home, I've worked out a helpful and effective rotation of creams to soothe my scaly mitts. There are hundreds of fancier, more expensive, or just plain BETTER options available. These are the ones that work for me right now. I'm always open to your suggestions and recommendations :)

The only caveats? They should be easy to find in stores or online, and they can't be pricey because I'm blowing through them real fast.

On that note, here are the hand creams currently hanging out in my house. Hope you find the list helpful!

    

1. Nivea Creme

The most heavy duty option.

In the past, I wasn't a fan of Nivea Creme. The formula is sooo thick. Applying it felt super pasty and I found it never fully absorbed into my skin. Looking back, the cream was too heavy for my needs at the time, that was the problem.

Now that my hands are one layer of skin away from disintegration, this stuff is perfect! I smear it quite liberally from wrists to fingertips. My skin soaks it right up. Granted, my hands stay a little greasy, but since a fairly large jar only costs $10 at Pharmaprix, I'll make it work.

2. Nivea Repair & Care (I prefer the unscented version)

Another decent option from the pharmacy. I think a big bottle costs $12 or something. Compared to the cream above, Repair & Care has a much thinner consistency so it smoothes on easier and doesn't leave residue behind. However, it's not the most intense treatment for super dry skin. I like using it after normal hand-washing, not so much when I get back from the grocery store and my hands need an aggressive scrub down.

3. Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

My forever favorite. The quality, the texture, the smell. It's my everyday hand cream and sits on the bathroom counter at all times. Wasting it on Covid-related paranoia annoyed me, so I rounded things out with other products that work well and cost less.

4. Glysomed Hand Cream

I actually use this drug store cream year-round and always keep a small tube in my purse. It's great under normal circumstances. I'm pleased to say it holds up decently these days, too!

5. L'Occitane Almond Hand Cream

Strictly used as an emotional pick-me-up. Because sometimes you get so tired of all the Lysol and Hertel and Purell... And you start feeling a little defeated and powerless... So you briefly indulge in something that smells pretty and reminds you of normal, less worrisome days.

Does that sound precious? Inane? Maybe. But it's also harmless, and you already know I feel strongly about treating yourself to small favors if they have the power to lift your mood off the ground :)

*

Image credit (top): Alana.io
Image credit (products): Google

Read More

In My Cart (Skincare): April 2020

Oy. It's time for Sephora's spring sale and I don't have a job.

We can make this work, right?

Under normal circumstances, I'm the first to argue that skincare is a crucial personal investment (40% joke 60% serious). I also plan my Sephora-related spending around their sales, saving pricier purchases (I see you, Drunk Elephant) for one-time restock each year. Regardless, it's super gross to spend on non-essentials right now, no matter the airtight excuses or delusional self-justifications.

But... I can still share what I would get if checkout wasn't forbidden ;)

Sure Things

    

   

Top to bottom, left to right.

Here is what I intended to order this weekend.

1. Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser -- I really like alternating cleansers throughout the week. This one is inexpensive (if you choose the small format like I do) and very gentle.

2. Origins Hello Calm face mask -- Been on a CBD skincare kick recently, want to pair this with a random cannabis serum I got in NY.

3. Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer -- Does an amazing job covering spots and zits. Super unimpressed with the tiny range of shades, though. There are barely any options for people whose skin is only slightly darker than my own, and I'm very pale. Planning to find a replacement when stores reopen :( truly bummed to see this product go, but would prefer supporting a brand more inclusive to all skin tones.

4. The Ordinary Buffet serum -- Everyone's fave I've been waiting to try.

5. Drunk Elephant B-Hydra serum -- Game changer. Especially combined with...

6. Drunk Elephant C-Firma serum -- I'm convinced these two serums changed the ecosystem of my face. I was buying minis forever, to avoid spending a fortune on the full size version. Eventually I finally caved and bought the big kahuna last April... And it still hasn't run out yet!! A+!!

7. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Sunshine Drops -- What the heck is a "sunshine drop" anyway? Because it sounds like something I want it on my face ASAP.

8. Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 -- The OG. I always apply this before bed and my lips stay balm-y throughout the night.

Want To Try

  

  

These products are on my radar. Waiting for the right moment to try them out.

1. Drybar Prep Rally hair detangler -- Want to start using hair products again and heard good things about this one.

2. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb lipgloss in $weetmouth -- Pretty obvious!

3. Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel -- When it comes to at-home beauty treatments, the words "exfoliating" and "peel" will probably lead to tears.

4. Dior Nail Glow nail polish -- It looks so clean and pretty. Pretty sure I could handle doing my own nails with this polish, without fucking it up completely.

5. Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash -- This smells delicious. Already a huge fan of Fresh's soy cucumber cleanser.

6. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme -- Supposed to be THE BEST. Full disclosure: I usually get super bored of eye creams and never stick with them.

A Girl Can Dream

 

Job or no job, not sure I can bring myself to add these $$$ products into the rotation.

1. Peter Thomas Roth 24k Gold face mask -- Lift. Firm. 24K GOLD. When I grow up, I want to be the fancy lady who uses this product.

2. Tatcha The Water Cream moisturizer -- I use up this wonder cream quickly, can't justify regularly spending $100 to replace it. Will stick to buying minis with my Sephora points.

Image credit (top): Luxury Launches
Image credit (products): Sephora

Read More