I’ve been at this beauty thing for a while and come to learn that my favorite part of my job is interviewing founders and executives. Cosmetic Executive Women has been giving me this opportunity for a few years now (and still is!), but then it dawned on me that I can do the same here—and share insights, help spread the word, and give you a glimpse behind the curtain of the beauty industry.
I’m really excited to introduce you to the actual people behind the brands that are shaking things up, so stay tuned for the first installment!
We’re smarter than ever when it comes to skincare, but navigating skincare counters, aisles and websites can be still be tricky—especially because we’re looking for products that really work. We don’t want to waste our time or money, and we want to see the results of our investment when we look in the mirror, am I right?
Hang onto this cheat sheet that will help you cut through the beauty bullshit when shopping for products.
1. Look for independent clinical studies performed on the final formula you’re considering. (I’m not really swayed by consumer-perception studies—i.e. “98% of women report their skin felt smoother.”)
2. Look at the ingredient list and see how long it takes you to get to the active ingredient(s) that product is touting. Lower on the list means lower concentrations—and a lot of brands love saying a formula features ingredient XYZ although there isn’t enough of it to make a meaningful impact.
3. If you’re into “clean” beauty, remember that there’s no exact definition of what this means. However, you can trust retailers’ clean requirements—just keep in mind that some are stricter than others.
Remember… I’m always happy to answer questions!
Manucurist Active Glow in Raspberry
My nails have finally recovered from dip manicures, and I’m really enjoying a short, clean, natural look. Manicures are a lot faster (and cheaper) this way—and this nail tint is my new go-to. One coat is all it takes for unbelievably fast-drying shine that lasts for a week.
Trader Joe’s Vitamin C Firming Body Butter with Glycolic Acid
All I can say is that I’m so glad I got a few days with this body lotion before it got lost in the moving abyss (along with incense, canned goods and a few other completely random items). It ticks all of my body-care boxes, including hydration (obvi) and exfoliation plus an uplifting citrus scent. I’ll be snagging multiples on my next Trader Joe’s run.
Salt Lab Magnesium Oil
I will try anything in the name of better sleep and this slumber-inducing mist is a winner. I rub it into the tops and soles of my feet when I’m ready to turn in—and I swear I sleep more soundly and wake up less frequently throughout the night. My Oura ring has even confirmed this observation!
Future Society Discovery Set
My head nearly exploded when I interviewed MIT-trained scientist and Future Society founder Jasmina Aganovic. Perfumes made from the DNA of extinct flowers… Are you kidding me??? Full-body YES. Even more, each scent’s story includes how each flower became extinct (i.e. wildfire, logging, buffalo migration, etc.). I’ve enjoyed all of the fragrances, but my favorites are the Floating Forest (a woody aquatic) and the fresh, herbaceous Grassland Opera.
Cyklar Perfume Oil
I continued the fragrance fun by trying the VERY affordable ($24!) Naked Neroli and Sex Musk scents—and as you probably suspected, I’m obsessed. Both are incredible on their own, but even better when mixed. I honestly wish I had ordered one of the layering sets to experience the other fragrances, and I’ll definitely be integrating the Naked Neroli scent into my shower and bodycare routines.
I may use affiliate links that allow me to earn a small commission on items purchased through my Substack. I work my hardest to only link products that I have tried or otherwise would purchase myself!
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