Today’s blog post is more or less a catchall beauty post with some new beauty favorites I’ve been using and loving across the following categories: Nails, hair and skincare. If you’re a regular blog reader, you may have seen a sprinkling of these products mentioned in a Things I’m Loving Friday blog post but hopefully some of these finds will stick out at you if you’re like me and always on the lookout for some fun (and effective!) new beauty discoveries.
Recent Beauty Favorites
Skincare
First up: Let’s chat skincare! I have a few new-to-me skincare finds (and one rediscovery) and love them all so much. Below you’ll find a cleanser, a gentle retinol, an exfoliator and the toner I recently brought back into my life after months and months of neglect.
I’ve been meaning to add retinol to my skincare routine and finally pulled the plug with this bottle of Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum. As a retinol newbie, I wanted something gentle that wouldn’t make my skin completely freak out and everything I read about this serum made it sound like exactly what was I was looking for as a first-time retinol user. I liked that it included a small amount of retinol but combined retinol with naturally-derived botanical retinol alternatives (like bakuchiol which I have used in the past and like a lot). I have not experienced any irritation or breakouts (my main concern with introducing retinol into my skincare routine) and have found the serum to be lightweight, silky smooth and gentle.
You know those people you see where you just kind of find yourself looking at them like, “Wait. How are you so beautiful? Why is your skin so perfect? Tell me everything you know.” This recommendation comes from one of those people. During a past girls’ night, we were joking with one of our friends about her cousin who is just drop-dead gorgeous. They had just attended a wedding together and we all noticed how gorgeous her cousin was in the wedding photos and, as it turns out, she’s an esthetician!
We got her to share the “Cliff’s Notes version” of her top skincare recommendations (yes, I know I just majorly dated myself with the Cliff’s Notes reference) and adding an exfoliant to our skincare routines was something most of us were not doing. But now we are! I started using this non-abrasive exfoliant by Paula’s Choice several months ago and there’s no turning back. It’s powerful but gentle (you just gently smooth it onto your skin after cleansing and using your toner) and I swear I’ve noticed improved skin tone and reduced redness. It’s also supposed to help combat enlarged pores, wrinkles, blackheads and aging… I mean I’ll take ALL of that!
In my previous post about my simple skincare routine, I mentioned my love for Botanic Tree Vitamin C cleanser. It’s fantastic and something I continue to use regularly in the shower. During a recent Amazon order, I added another cleanser by the same brand to my cart and began using it in the shower a few times a week as well. Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Cleanser is another great one and I love that the glycolic and salicylic acids in the cleanser work together to exfoliate and brighten sensitive skin. What convinced me to give it a try? When I read that the deep exfoliation works to fade dark spots, scarring and any redness or discoloration. As someone with dark spots and perpetual pinky undertones, this sold me! I’ve been using it a few times a week and will absolutely reorder this one when I run out.
This is not a new discovery for me by any means but for a long time now, I’ve forgotten about toner and haven’t included it in my skincare routine. It wasn’t until I read this blog post from The Stripe that I thought to myself, “Hmm, maybe I should use toner again.” Wouldn’t you know I still had my trusty bottle of Thayer’s Toner chilling in my bathroom vanity? So now it’s back in my skincare routine, all because a blog post told me it would help remove dead skin cells that clog pores and help my serums and moisturizer penetrate deeper.
Nails
Oh my nails. The saga that has plagued me since I got two back-to-back gel manicures that destroyed my nails over the holiday season… that is until you guys saved me with your recommendations! I couldn’t order a few of your tried-and-true healthy nail favorites fast enough when I put out a call for nail help and am so happy to report you’ve turned me onto some amazing nail products I love so much.
This illuminating nail concealer really is a miracle in a bottle. It was recommended repeatedly by you guys which is why it was something I knew I had to try. It’s priced high for a bottle of nail polish but I believe it is worth every penny of the $20 I spent because it really does have the most incredible blurring effect over bumps and ridges. It instantly made my nails look 10 times healthier. I liked it best when I took the time to apply three coats of the “milky” shade and since I first blogged about this nail concealer, I’ve added a few more bottles of Lakur polish to my collection and love them all. It’s just so, so good and it’s non-toxic!
I went on a deep dive learning about Olive & June’s manicure system which led me to watching YouTube videos about nail care and how to do an at-home manicure. While this may sound obvious to nail aficionados out there, I’m definitely a beginner when it comes to really understanding how to do my nails well and ended up walking away with a few helpful tips, especially when it came to cuticle care, buffing nails, etc.
Olive & June’s Cuticle Serum is my #1 favorite find from this company. I’ve been using it 2-3 times a day and have seen a noticeable difference in my nails and cuticles. They’re not nearly as dry and even the skin around my nails looks healthier and less prone to peeling.
The Flat-Bed Nail Trimmer was something I didn’t know I needed but I love the straight edges! In the manicure video I watched, they advise trimming as much as possible and filing less and this flat-bed nail trimmer makes precise nail trimming a little easier.
And Olive & June’s Gentle Nail Polish Remover Pot is absolute magic and speedy! It quickly removes polish from my nails (and has a sponge top on the cap to use on my toes, too) and I really love that it uses a non-acetone formula as it feels more gentle on my nails.
Hair
I’ve had two haircare finds I’ve fallen in love with recently: One magical brush and one leave-in hair strengthening treatment.
First up is this magical Tangle Teezer hairbrush I mentioned in a past Things I’m Loving Friday blog post. It quickly became my best-selling item of March after I shared a quick video of it gliding through knots in my hair post-shower. (Seriously, it’s incredible.) I cannot tell you how many Instagram DMs I’ve received from you guys singing its praises. This find initially came from my friend Carrie and it blew my mind when I first borrowed her Tangle Teezer hairbrush during a girls’ weekend. It combed through my hair like a dream and any brush that makes me feel like I’m not ripping out chunks of hair when I comb through knots is a big-time win in my book.
I’m not sure how I’ve failed to mention this one on the blog in the past because it’s a hair strengthening treatment I’ve been using for nearly a year. I was influenced to buy this one by a beauty influencer a while back and it’s a product I use on my hair once or twice a week. I love it because, unlike many hair masks and treatments out there, this is one you leave in! It offers protection from heat styling and works to make hair stronger (it’s “scientifically proven to make hair 8 times stronger”) while reducing hair damage (including split ends) and preventing breakage and future damage. All things my hair needs!
After using it for months and months, I can honestly say I’ve seen a difference and do feel like my hair is stronger and healthier overall after using it on my hair once or twice a week.
Question of the Day
Tell me about some of YOUR recent favorite beauty finds! I love trying the products you guys recommend so if there’s something you’re loving lately, please let me know!
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Hey Julie, any recommendations for a sweat proof face sunscreen?
I bought that hairbrush right after I saw you post about it and LOVE for wet hair. You just influenced me on the Exfoliate too 🙂 Thanks for the great recommendations!
Regarding Gel Nails – I’ve learned that what causes the damage is actually the removal of the gel. Most nail salons are just trying to get you in and out the door fast so they soak in acetone and then scrape the gel off which usually results in the top layer of nail being scraped up too.
If you ever want to try gel again, look for someone who does a waterless manicure, and uses builder gel (a different product that actually protects your regular nails!) and doesn’t use acetone to remove. I’ve been getting back to back builder gel manicures for like 9 months now and my nails have actually never been healthier! Versus I’ve had the same experience with you where my nails were destroyed in the past.
LOVED THIS POST! Just spent way too much haha but I can’t wait. Thanks friend! PS I just came a cross a picture of us at General Mills and it made me want to do another blogging trip!
Tap secret dry shampoo!! A non aerosol dry shampoo that is unbelievable. The package is a little odd and everyone I know has opened the wrong end, but I can go five days between washes and I’m a pretty regular every other day washer normally.
Hi! Đó you put on the exfoliant and then vitamin c? Would love to know your order of skin care in the am. 🙂
This is such a fantastic post! I especially loved your in-depth reviews of the nail products. I’ve been wanting to try the Lakur illuminating nail concealer – it sounds like a miracle worker for disguising ridges and bumps!
I also bookmarked the Olive & June website – their cuticle serum and gentle nail polish remover pot sound like game-changers.
Do you have any recommendations for strengthening nails that are prone to breakage? Thanks!