Beauty Products To Help You Live Your Best Life in 2019 — As Seen On KATU’s “AM Northwest” & “Afternoon Live”
Want to live your best life in 2019? Well, you’d be surprised by how the right beauty products can help in that quest — after all, if you look good and feel good, your self-confidence is bolstered, and that will help you laser in on your goals with greater resolve and a heightened “Yes, I can!” attitude. On that note, I stopped by Portland’s KATU last Friday to chat about some beauty products that will help you feel like the best version of yourself — we’re talking a healthier complexion, a lit-from-within glow, flawless makeup, a whiter smile, and more! You can watch my appearances on “AM Northwest” and “Afternoon Live” above (or click here to view the “AM Northwest” segment and click here to view the “Afternoon Live” segment).
And if you want more details on the products seen on air, read on to get the scoop!
DEFENAGE SKINCARE 1-STEP MULTI-CLEANSE WITH NATURAL PREBIOTICS
Probiotics have been a buzz word in the beauty scene for a while now, and we’re starting to hear more about prebiotics, but what exactly are these ingredients and what’s the difference between them? Well, let’s start with probiotics and their function. The skin is the body’s largest organ and, much like our digestive system, it contains a broad range of microbes. Scientists estimate that there are 1 trillion microbes living on and in our skin – including bacteria. Feeling icky? Well, don’t! This is perfectly natural as the skin has its own ecosystem — and, in fact, it needs this resident bacteria in order to protect itself. When the skin’s microbiome becomes imbalanced due to factors like harsh cleansers, pollution, humidity and heat, it can lead to problems like acne, dehydration, redness, and more. Enter probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that, when applied topically, can help to stabilize the skin’s ecosystem, restoring a healthy pH, reinforcing the skin’s barrier system, and so forth. But here’s the issue: probiotics are notoriously unstable so, for them to thrive and fluorish as they should, they need some fuel and that’s where prebiotics come into the equation. Prebiotics are a type of fiber that serve as an energy source for probiotics, so the two work synergistically to keep the skin’s mirobiome balanced and optimize skin’s health.
A combination of prebiotics and probiotics, then, can help to ensure skin remains smooth, soft, hydrated, and radiant, which is why we’re seeing both touted in numerous skincare formulations.
For instance, DefenAge Skincare, which is known for its breakthrough anti-aging technology, recently launched its 1-Step Multi-Cleanse with Natural Prebiotics ($52 at DefenAge.com). This sulfate- and paraben-free cleanser gently removes makeup, dirt, and debris without stripping the skin and disrupting its barrier function. How? Well, because it’s packed with prebiotics that work to fuel the probiotics naturally found in our skin, thereby helping to stabilize the skin’s delicate ecology. Moreover, this cleanser contain’s the brand’s signature Age Repair Defensins, peptides that stimulate stem cells in the skin, thereby fostering the creation of new and healthy skin cells. By powering skin’s stem cells and activating the skin’s own repair system, Age Repair Defensins work to correct a broad range of visible aging signs, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing pore size, fading dark spots, evening out skin tone, increasing epidermal thickness, minimizing water loss, and more.
JUICE BEAUTY PREBIOTIX COLLECTION
Juice Beauty is known for its high-performance, plant-based, organic skincare formulations — all of which deliver clinically-validated results, showing once and for all that natural beauty products can be efficacious as it synthetic counterparts (and without any of the drawbacks associated with nasty chemicals). This month, Juice Beauty launched its two-piece Prebiotix collection, which takes a holistic approach to balancing the skin’s microbiome, thereby optimizing skin’s health.
The collection includes the Prebiotix Hydrating Gel Moisturizer ($52 at JuiceBeauty.com), an ultra-absorbent, lightweight gel-cream that contains nourishing, hydrating, antioxidant-rich ingredients like fermented bamboo, turmeric root, and prickly pear extract, as well as soothing linseed extract, fermented kumaru to boost skin’s bioluminescence, and a prebiotic blend that includes viola flower, chia seed, and coconut fruit extracts to stabilize the skin’s microbiome. This lightweight cream leaves your complexion looking smoother and more radiant, plus it boasts a calming and serene aroma thanks to a blend of lavender, clary sage, and juniper oils.
And since beautiful skin starts from the inside, the collection also incorporates the Prebiotix Antioxidant Beauty Boost ($35 at JuiceBeauty.com), a nutrient-dense dietary supplement. Each sachet contains a powder mix that can be stirred into a glass of water or mixed into your favorite juice or smoothie. The supplement contains a blend of three probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, and Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG) to maintain a healthy digestive system and boost the immune system — which, in turn, leads to healthier skin. It also contains a prebiotic, organic Jerusalem artichoke inulin, to act as fuel for those probiotics. And it doesn’t end there — this dietary supplement also contains vitamin C-rich acerola cherry and superfoods like moringa, goji berry, acai, blueberry, and pomegranate to hydrate the skin, boost radiance, defend against free radicals, and more.
Viewers and readers alike can enjoy 20% off their purchase at JuiceBeauty.com when they enter the code PORTLAND20 at checkout, so don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy the savings!
DERMAFLASH 2.0 LUXE
If you were mesmerized by Taraji P. Henson’s glowing skin at this year’s Golden Globe Awards, then let me fill you in on a little secret: to give Henson that next-level radiance, her makeup artist made sure to treat the star’s skin using the DERMAFLASH 2.0 LUXE ($189 at Nordstrom and Dermaflash.com), the original at-home dermaplaning device.
What’s dermaplaning? Well, traditionally, dermaplaning has been a simple, non-invasive procedure performed at dermatologists’ offices and medical spas whereby a trained doctor or aesthetician used a scalpel to gently scrape away the uppermost layers of skin, removing dead and dull surface skin cells to reveal a smoother, brighter, more youthful complexion. DERMAFLASH, however, found a way to make dermaplaning accessible to all women, creating this innovative device that’s safe, gentle, and simple to use — and don’t worry, there are no scalpels involved!
The DERMAFLASH 2.0 LUXe combines a stainless steel edge with sonic vibrations; together, these work to remove dirt and debris, slough off those dead surface skin cells that are effectively dimming your glow, and eliminate pesky peach fuzz. The result is softer, smoother, more supple, and next level luminous skin. Not only is your complexion left looking stunning, but the device creates a seamless canvas for makeup application and, by removing those dead surface skin cells, it allows your skin to better absorb any serums and creams you apply.
To use, you start by cleansing your face using the PREFLASH cleanser included in the box. Once your face is dry, you can load a single-use stainless steel edge into your DERMAFLASH wand and begin flashing. Ideally, you want to hold your skin taut with one hand as you flash with the other, making sure to hold the edge at a 45-degree angle and to use light and feathery strokes while treating each area of your skin. Once you’ve completed your session, you can apply the POSTFLASH moisturizer to soothe and hydrate your skin. Next, you simply discard the stainless steel edge and place the device into its charging cradle, making sure the silver side is facing down.
MICHAEL TODD BEAUTY SONICBLEND ANTIMICROBIAL SONIC MAKEUP BRUSH
Once you start using the Michael Todd Beauty SonicBlend Antimicrobial Sonic Makeup Brush ($79 at Macys.com), you’ll never use FaceTune, Perfect 365, or any other photo retouching apps before posting those selfies on Insta. This life-changing makeup brush uses sonic movements to evenly distribute makeup on your face, so you can say goodbye to streaky foundation, visible contour lines, blotchy blush, and more. Each bristle oscillates up to 424 times per second, which is why this brush is so incredibly effective when it comes to buffing and blending. Once done, you’ll be in awe over the airbrush-like finish of your makeup — it’s uncanny! Moreover, it features three speed settings, so you can customize your makeup application experience, and it can be used to apply liquid, cream, and powder foundation, as well as blush, bronzer, powder, luminizers, and more.
The rechargeable SonicBlend has a removable brush head to simplify the cleansing process, but get this: the tool’s antimicrobial technology prevents bacteria formation on the brush head between uses, so it’s beyond convenient for women who don’t always have time to clean their brushes after every single application. Typically, reusing a makeup brush means potentially reintroducing bacteria to your skin (and not healthy, microbiome-friendly bacteria, folks!), but you can use this one for a few days straight without worrying about breakouts, irritation, and so on. It’s like a magic makeup wand!
MAUI MOISTURE DETOXIFYING + VOLCANIC ASH BODY CARE COLLECTION
Around this time of year, most of us are grappling with rough, itchy, flaky skin on at least some part of our bodies — be it our knees, elbows, legs, or heels. Enter the Maui Moisture Detoxifying + Volcanic Ash body care collection, which is comprised of aBody Wash, Body Lotion, and Exfoliating Scrub. As with the brand’s award-winning hair care products, each of these body care products features soothing, refreshing, skin-calming aloe vera juice as its base, an important element that differentiates Maui Moisture from many other brands, which use water as their base ingredient. They also contain coconut water, which is packed with electrolytes and gently hydrates skin. But, of course, the star ingredient in this collection is volcanic ash, a natural combination of elements like bentonite clay and sulphur, that gently removes impurities, drawing toxins away from the skin in a very gentle, non-abrasive way. The products also contain Hawaiian ginger, which can defend the skin from UV rays and pollution, and bergamot oil, which gives the skin with an uplifting citrus scent.
And, just as important as what these products contain is what they don’t— mainly all the questionable ingredients lurking in many other products such as sulfates, silicones, and synthetic dyes. Clean beauty, baby!
Each of the products retails for $8.99 at ULTA, Walmart, CVS, Target, Walgreens and other drugstores and mass market retailers.
JOICO THE BLONDE LIFE COLLECTION
You know how some people say “blonde hair don’t care”? Lies! Blonde hair cares very, very, very much — especially if you’re an intentional blonde (i.e. someone who paid for those golden or platinum tresses). Thankfully, there’s a hair care collection that’s designed for those of us who have unleashed our inner Elle Woods (What? Like it’s hard?). The Joico Blonde Life collection is comprised of hair care and hair styling products for blondes with hair that’s been bleached, processed, highlighted, or lifted to new heights, and it’s designed to address all the challenges blondes face on a daily basis: brassiness and off-tones, dullness, dryness, fading, and damage-related porousness and brittleness.
On the hair care front, the collection includes the sulfate-free Joico Blonde Life Brightening Shampoo ($17.99 at Ulta and Ulta.com); the deeply nourishing Blonde Life Brightening Conditioner ($18.99 at Ulta and Ulta.com); and the Brightening Masque ($20.99 at at Ulta and Ulta.com), a quick-rinse treatment that hydrates, softens, and kicks up gleam. All three products contain tamanu and monoi oils to soften strands, gently and weightlessly hydrate, and maximize shine, as well as Joico’s bio-advanced peptide complex, which targets and reconstructs damaged strands.
Three stylings products complete the collection: the Joico Blonde Life Brightening Veil ($18.99 at at Ulta and Ulta.com), a leave-in product that hydrates strands while protecting them against mechanical, thermal, and UV damage; the Joico Blonde Life Brilliant Tone Violet Smoothing Foam ($21.99 at at Ulta and Ulta.com), which hydrates hair and eliminates frizz while banishing brassiness and toning strands; and the Joico Blonde Life Brilliant Glow Brightening Oil ($22.99 at Ulta and Ulta.com), a lightweight oil that leaves hair silky soft and frizz-free, and which gives your mane a mega-watt shine.
MARC ANTHONY TRUE PROFESSIONAL DREAM BIG VOLUME 7-in-1 THICKENING TREATMENT FOAM
When it comes to hair, my stance is clear: “Go big or go home.” To give limp and lifeless strands a major lift, check out the Marc Anthony True Professional Dream Big Volume 7-in-1 Thickening Treatment Foam ($8.99 at Walgreens), a multi-tasking treatment and styler, that moisturizes, detangles, and nourishes hair while thickening strands and adding lift at the roots. The weightless foam is filled with cellulose-based, body-building microfibers that add extra layers of fullness to hair, giving your mane the va-va-va-voom volume you’ve always wanted.
The sulfate-, paraben-, and phtalate-free formula incorporates hydrolyzed wheat, corn and soy proteins to strengthen and smooth hair, so that it’s truly a treatment and styling aid. You can apply it to damp strands and air-dry for natural volume or blow-dry hair for even more volume and bounce.
HELLO ACTIVATED CHARCOAL TEETH WHITENING COLLECTION
Activated charcoal can absorb 100 times its weight in toxins, which is why it’s become such a buzz-y ingredient in skin care, hair care, and oral care. It’s the signature ingredient in Hello’s Activated Charcoal Whitening collection. You can start your routine by brushing with the Activated Charcoal Fluoride-Free Whitening Toothpaste ($5.99 at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and drugstores nationwide, as well as at Hello-Products.com), a naturally black toothpaste that relies on activated charcoal to kick plaque to the curb and lift surface stains off teeth, leaving them looking whiter and more polishes. The toothpaste also contains coconut oil, which has antimicrobial properties and can eradicate all the germs that lead to tooth decay and bad breath. Once your teeth are nice and clean, you can rinse with the Hello Activated Charcoal Extra Freshening Mouthwash ($6.99 at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and drugstores nationwide, as well as at Hello-Products.com), which is also naturally black in color and will leave your breath smelling minty fresh. Like the toothpaste, it features activated charcoal and coconut oil, as well as tea tree oil to gently cleanse, and a mint flavor that’s refreshing and invigorating. It’s also alcohol-free, so it never burns or aches as you swish away!
For next-level clean and white teeth, make sure to pick up a BPA-Free Toothbrush with Activated Charcoal Bristles ($3.99 at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and drugstores nationwide, as well as at Hello-Products.com), which features a lightweight handle made form plant-based materials and soft charcoal bristles derived from sustainable bamboo.
All Hello Products are sulfate-, phtalate-, and paraben-free, and they contain no artificial dyes or artificial sweeteners and no potentially abrasive ingredients like alcohol, fluoride, or peroxide. That’s why they’re the friendliest oral care brand in the personal care aisle!
