The old adage goes that “eyes are the window to the soul” — and as corny and tired as the usage of this saying might be, we all know it to be true. Our eyes help us convey the depths of our emotions, our pupils will dilate when we look at someone we love, and — unfortunately for me and a lot of other busy women — they also tattle on us for how little sleep we got the night before.

Big, bright, and fully awake eyes are the cornerstone of a youthful and healthy appearance and if you’ve not given the most sensitive skin on your body adequate attention before now, we have a few tips and tricks to help get you in the habit of pampering your peepers.

 

Our Favorite Products

The Routine

Depending on the type of product you’re using, you’ll apply in the morning, in the evening, or both. As a general rule of thumb, always apply products containing Vitamin C in the morning and those containing retinol at night. If your eye cream doesn’t contain any actives ingredients, meaning it’s just a moisturizer, you can apply it twice a day alongside other skincare.

When considering the order in which products should be applied, you typically want to stick to applying the least viscous (most watery) products first and work up to the most viscous (rich creams). With eye products, you want to apply them after your essences and serums but before any other moisturizers – even if your eye product is slightly thicker than what comes after. Because they contain more specialized ingredients, you want to make sure they are being fully absorbed and not blocked by richer skincare products.

Always apply eye products using your ring finger, as it has the gentlest pressure, and be mindful not to tug or pull on this delicate area. Apply your eye products everywhere in the eye area – under your eyes, out to your temples, on your brow bone, and above your eyebrows. Always read the instructions before applying any eye product to your eyelids.

 

 

If You Want to Be Extra

And we know you do. Keep a jade roller in your freezer for those mornings when you really need some help looking alive, not only does the cooling effect help wake you up quicker than 20 oz of black cold brew – most jade rollers are fashioned with a special (smaller) eye roller end to help with lymphatic drainage around your eyes. No more puff!

If you follow Jonathan Van Ness on social media (and if you don’t, what are you doing?) then you already know that he’s all about a gorgeous self-care moment by way of a hydrogel eye patch. No, not like a pirate eyepatch, but rather those sticky apostrophe shaped pads that affix to your under eye area to allow maximum penetration of all kinds of delicate skin-loving ingredients before a big event or just a regular Monday morning. If JVN does it, we do it, and he hasn’t lead us astray thus far.

The post The Best Eye Creams and How to Apply Them Correctly appeared first on The Everygirl.

Got a vacation coming up or unable to make it back to the salon for a few weeks? With your busy life and vacation-planning, your nails should be the last thing on your mind. Enter: the no-chip manicure. No-chip manicures might just be the greatest invention since sliced bread — weeks of un-chipped nail polish bliss, where you can live your life without worrying about a single crack or chip, no matter the color!

Yes, it’s a great invention for when duty (or vacation) calls and you need some un-chipped color for a couple weeks. But no-chip manicures can seriously damage your nails, and can even make them brittle for the long-term after multiple uses. Not to worry though, as there are many ways to rejuvenate your nails after even the most no-chip of no-chip manicures. Here’s how to give the prettiest part of your fingers some TLC after a no-chip manicure:

 

 

Remove polish correctly

First of all, correct removal of the no-chip color is just as crucial as the care afterwards. Removing the wrong way can cause microtrauma, or those white spots and tears on your nail. To take off that no-chip polish the correct way, first file away the top layer of the color to break the seal. Then, apply a cotton ball soaked in pure acetone to each nail and wrap with foil to secure the ball in place and let your nails soak. Wait 10-15 minutes and gently scrape off the rest of the color with a nail file or metal cuticle pusher. You can also go to the salon for no-chip polish removal (some salons make you pay, some don’t), but if they’re not going through the same steps, it could be damaging your nails.

 

Cut them down

Especially if you’ve kept your no-chip on for an extended period of time (hello, two week vacay!), your nails have become used to having a protective coat, so they seem thinner and weaker after the coat comes off. Even just your everyday lifestyle could cause breakage, so consider filing or cutting your nails down to prevent breakage and let them grow back stronger.

 

Treat them properly

Take a break before your next no-chip manicure (they’re not intended to be back-to-back!) and, if possible, take a break from nail color all together. Instead, look for a base coat that contains ingredients like bamboo, gelatin matrix, or field horsetail — all of which strengthen the nail cuticle so they can recover properly, to apply every couple days.

 

 

Moisturize!

Get ready for this mind blow — nails are made up of keratin, aka the same thing that hair is made of. Nails can become brittle and dry, just like hair, after too much “styling” (remember how parched your poor locks were after that horrible bleach job?). So, the key to getting them back to their full, thick, shiny glory? Moisture (just like hair!). Rehydrate your nails by applying cuticle oil once a day, and use a hand cream, especially after washing your hands when water strips away natural oils. For extra moisture if your nails are really suffering, slather on an intensely hydrating hand cream, put a dollop of oil into the fingers of a cotton or rubber glove, and leave the gloves on for a couple hours (or sleep in them if you’re up for a real challenge!) to lock in hydration.

 

Take proper supplements and eat the right foods

Try taking a biotin supplement (with a fat like coconut oil for optimal absorption), folic acid supplement, and zinc — all which help strength nails or help them grow. If you want one kind of supplement to simplify your routine, try taking a hair, skin, and nail vitamin that contains antioxidants (vitamin A, C, and E), biotin, and B vitamins. Think about adding foods to your diet like salmon, eggs, oats, and greens, and make sure to get plenty of protein, which will help to rebuild cells in your nails, in tern strengthening them and repairing any damage.

 

What do you do to get your nails back to strong, shiny, and thick? Do you prefer no-chip or just the standard manicure?

The post How to Bring Your Nails Back After a No-Chip Manicure appeared first on The Everygirl.

The ever-so-popular makeup and skincare brand Glossier might be the coolest thing since sliced bread.  Trust me when I say everyone wants to get their hands on the cult-classic Boy Brow, panic-inducing Cloud Paint (it’s that good), or one of their signature skincare products like the serums or moisturizing masks, if only to take a really chic Instagram (they’re that pretty).

At The Everygirl, we love Glossier. And I mean love it. We obsess over the latest product during the work day, insist our friends must try out our favorite Balm Dotcom or skin tint, and hop on online orders together (“Oh you’re placing an order on Glossier? Get me a new Cloud Paint!” is almost as common around the office as “I need coffee.”) — after all, Glossier is not just a brand, it’s a lifestyle.

Besides just the pretty packaging, we love it because the products are truly unique — you won’t find them anywhere else, and they deliver amazing results. The makeup comes out naturally, blends easily, and is OH so dewy, giving you the best skin of your life (and the best part is that no one will be able to tell it’s makeup).

 

 

Imagine our excitement when a Pop-Up Glossier store popped on up in Chicago, a few blocks away from our office. I mean, how could we stay away! We got to go see the new store, pick the brains of the Glossier editors for the best tips and tricks, stock up on our go-tos, and try out the newest products. Make sure to stop by and check them out before it closes October 28th!

Glossier Chicago
114 N Aberdeen Street

Monday-Friday: 12pm-8pm
Saturday-Sunday: 11am-7pm

 

Here are the products that six of our editors must have with them at all times (I mean, truly, I’d rather have my Balm Dotcom than my phone), and why we love them so much:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post was in partnership with Glossier, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.

The post The Brand in All Our Editors’ Makeup Bags appeared first on The Everygirl.

Something about the fall has me so excited to use nothing but every pumpkin spice scented product ever made, five new throw blankets and of course, my favorite dark, vampy lips. All I want is to snuggle up with a cup of spice tea, put on a face mask, and re-watch Riverdale over and over again until I’ve completely run out of tea. Is that too much to ask? September is perpetually back-to-school for me, and it just screams cozy, nights in and self care.

With this self care comes an aching need (okay, I’m being a bit dramatic) for a new routine. Now that I’ve spent an entire season with the same glowy highlighter and light moisturizer, my vanity definitely could use some change. However, by the time the weather actually feels like fall outside, everything is Halloween themed and/or Christmas related. Why can’t I pretend it’s fall in the comfort of my home with a full-blast AC and (iced) cider?!

Enter FabFitFun, aka the solution to ALL of my problems. FFF is quarterly, so I can start pretending it’s 50 degrees right now. I get products that will take me all the way until I’m ready for Michael Buble’s Christmas album on repeat, and are brands that I already trust and were probably already on my radar (or at least about to be!).

 

 

Here’s why I love my subscription to FabFitFun:

 

#1. You don’t have to be surprised if you don’t want to. If you LOVE this box (see below for all of its gloriousness), you can order for the fall and get this exact one to your door! However, if you do want a little excitement added to your life, you can order without seeing what’s in it. GENIUS.

#2. If you also can’t wait to cuddle up with a blanket and listen to your “sweater weather” playlist, you’ve found the box for you. You’re getting your box just in time for fall, so even if it’s still hot outside, you can totally pretend.

#3. I literally love EVERYTHING, and I always feel like I’m getting my money’s worth. After getting rid of so much in my beauty collection recently, I only want to add products that are worth the space they take up (#400sqftlife). Everything in my box is something I would totally buy on my own, not just keep because I got it in a subscription.

#4. It’s already a good deal, but your first box is $10 off. Could it get any better?

 

Keep scrolling for a peek at the Fall 2018 box that is everything we’ve been waiting for and more. If you want to wait until it hits your doorstep, click here to order and use the code EG10 $10 off your first box. 

 

 

 

Fall 2018 FabFitFun Box Preview

Use code EG10 for $10 off your first box

 

This post was in partnership with FabFitFun, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.

The post Our Favorite New Arrival for Fall Is Finally Here! appeared first on The Everygirl.

This month, Allure magazine made a bold statement on its September issue cover — beneath a glowing and always ravishing Dame Helen Mirren are big black letters demanding “THE END OF ANTI-AGING.” (Insert slow clap) I am so here for this. For a major publication to come right out and say that shaming women for aging is complete BS? That’s huge.

It’s hard to learn and write about skincare without placing the majority of your focus around anti-aging ingredients and products, but an obsession with this type of self-care can lend itself to negative connotations toward a natural process.

I love learning about the science behind skincare, but I’d be remiss to not acknowledge the latent sexism and ageism that the industry puts on us as women for “aging.” No one is telling men that their crow’s feet are an issue. I doubt men ever look in the mirror and fear “volume loss” and rabidly google the differences between Juvederm and Restylane.

That being said, it is entirely possible to enjoy skincare and aim to maintain and improve upon your complexion without playing into the sentiment that getting older is undesirable. From here on out we aim to treat skincare like any other self-love practices, starting with the top five ways to pamper and care for your skin in your 30s.

 

 

1. Increase Hydration

Inside and out, ladies. Topical hydration is important, but properly hydrating your internal organs will have an obvious impact on the health of your skin. In addition to taking in the appropriate amount of water each day (3 liters is considered average, but you can always calculate the amount you need to be sure), you should also consider a daily supplement that will promote healthy and hydrated cells. Collagen, Vitamin E, and Resveratrol are excellent places to start.

Dry skin is not the only skin type that requires extra moisture — it is entirely possible to have oily skin that is dehydrated. In your 30s, your skin really starts to require an extra couple steps to retain moisture as collagen and elastin production starts to dip. Incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum or an antioxidant rich oil will be essential in keeping your skin properly hydrated.

 

 

 

2. Make Acids your BFF

There are few things as important as acids in skincare, and they’re also the hardest component to understand. Start simple, go slow, and see through the “purge” phase when the acids you’ve chosen might bring some underlying acne to the surface.

Ascorbic and L-ascorbic acid, otherwise known as Vitamin C, are best for daytime wear as they mostly act as antioxidants rather than exfoliators. A Vitamin-C serum is one of the purchases in your lineup where a splurge is necessary — these are highly concentrated ingredients and you want to ensure that the formulations keep them stable. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and Algenist GENIUS Ultimate Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum are two that are worth the spend.

Glycolic and Lactic Acid are both Alpha-Hydroxy Acids that are ideal for nighttime use as they act as exfoliators and are best utilized while your skin undergoes its nightly regeneration. They also tend to pill and not layer well under makeup. Deciem The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution and Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment are excellent places to start.

 

 

 

 

3. See a Dermatologist

Your 30s are the turning point for your skin, and if you’ve never sat down for a professional assessment, now is most definitely the time. As your skin’s elastin and collagen production slows, you may begin to experience dryness and inflammation where you hadn’t before. This can be why some women in their 30s experience an increase of acne, sometimes for the first times in their lives.

You’ll need a dermatologist in order to obtain some of the most effective active ingredients available for the treatment of acne and fine lines, such as Tretinoin (Retin-A) and certain types of antibiotics. Even if acne isn’t a main concern, prescription strength retinol is the surest way to maintain a bright and youthful complexion as it promotes the production of collagen and strengthens the skin’s barrier. Also, get a skin cancer screening — you can never be too careful!

 

4. Cozy Up to an Esthetician

In addition to seeing a dermatologist, finding an esthetician that you vibe with is paramount to keeping your skin healthy in your 30s. A standing monthly appointment with a licensed skincare practitioner keeps you from wasting money on products that don’t help you and allows you to check in with someone who can tell if your regimen is working as it should. It takes skin 27 days to renew itself, so a monthly appointment to check in on how products are being received is most beneficial to keeping your skin in tip top shape.

 

 

5. Obsess over SPF

Sun protection is never ever going to be superfluous — in fact, it only becomes more important as we get older. You already know better than to leave the house without your AM application of SPF, but you’d ideally be reapplying every 4 hours for adequate protection — not exactly an easy task when wearing makeup.

Skincare and makeup brands are wisening up to the necessity of over-the-makeup SPF application, and more touch-up suncare products are becoming available. Colorescience Sunforgettable Loose Mineral Sunscreen Brush SPF 50 travels well and keeps your skin protected from UVA/UVB rays for the entire day.

 

 

 

How have you adjusted your skincare regimen in your 30s?

 

This article was originally published on September 24, 2017

The post 5 Skincare Commandments for Your 30s appeared first on The Everygirl.