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I learned a few things from studying abroad in Paris my junior year of college: the best baguettes are the baguettes tradition, you will sound like a douchebag if you keep starting sentences with “this one time when I studied abroad in Paris” when you get back, and every corner pharmacy store is full of beauty product treasure. Walking into a pharmacy in France is like finding a pot of refreshing, moisturizing, and well-scented gold at the end of a très chic rainbow. For a skincare-obsessive like me, it was where I spent a lot of my time and money during my six months in Paris (#blessed that it’s fairly affordable). 

Luckily, you don’t need a passport to try them out for yourself. Here are my favorite French pharmacy products you can order online that will have you saying au revoir to your current skincare routine. 

 

Klorane

S.O.S. Serum with Peony

Scalp care is all the rage these days, but the French have been caring for their scalp for decades. This lightweight scalp treatment reinforces the scalp's natural protection and soothes irritation (like dandruff, dryness, or itchy scalp). Plus, it's is silicone-free, vegan, and pH balanced.

Avène

Calming Facial Mist Spray

I do not leave the house without at least a travel-size of this facial mist in my bag. Just one spray infuses the skin with hydrating and soothing antioxidant water. Layer it under makeup for an extra glow or spritz throughout the day for added hydration.

La Roche-Posay

Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

This is the OG milk cleanser before milk cleansers were even a thing. This creamy face wash is gentle on skin and thoroughly cleanses while maintaining the skin barrier.

Bioderma

Soothing Micellar Cleansing Water

The product that started a revolution: micellar water has taken the beauty world by storm, and you can thank the French for that. This one cleanses the skin while it hydrates and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.

La Roche-Posay

Pure Vitamin C Face Serum

The French don't just have "no-makeup makeup," they actually wear no makeup. To keep skin glowing sans foundation, a good vitamin C product brightens up and corrects imperfections. This one has 10 percent pure vitamin C, neurosensine, and salicylic acid.

Marvis

Whitening Mint Toothpaste

I don't know if you consider toothpaste to be a beauty product, but a French woman knows that good dental hygiene is a crucial part of her beauty routine. Plus, how pretty would this one look on your bathroom counter instead of the basic brand you have now?

Avène

Moisturizing Melt-in Body Balm

You've heard of cleansing balms for your face, but what about a balm for your body? Thermal spring water and shea butter combine to soften the skin, safflower oil protects against oxidative stress; and notes of rose, jasmine, and bergamot are just plain fancy (and smell amazing).

La Roche-Posay

Retinol B3 Serum

When it comes to serums, the French know what they're doing. This one visibly reduces the look of lines, wrinkles, and signs of premature sun damage with ingredient superstars like retinol and vitamin B3.

Avène

Tinted Compact (SPF 50)

A mineral face sunscreen in the form of a tinted compact?? Yep, sign me up. Plus, it contains skin-nourishing vitamin E for potent antioxidant protection and thermal spring water to soften the skin. Your SPF has never looked prettier.

Vichy

Serum-Milk with Hyaluronic Acid Body Lotion

This hydrating, firming lotion is formulated with hyaluronic acid, LHA, and 10 botanical oils, so you're giving your skin the very best. It firms while evening out your skin's complexion for an all-over glow.

La Roche-Posay

Clear Skin Dry Touch SPF Lotion

Ever since first trying this facial sunscreen in Paris, I've been hooked. Not only does it protect against sun damage like a normal SPF, but it absorbs pore-clogging oil to prevent breakouts (can your SPF do that?). As if that didn't sell me already, it also has a matte finish, which means no more greasy sunscreen face.

Avène

Soothing Eye Contour Cream

Anti-aging is big for French women, and they do what they can to prevent wrinkles around delicate areas like the eyes. This eye cream contains antioxidants and vitamin E to protect and moisturize, dextran sulfate to minimize puffiness, and the classic thermal water to relieve irritation.

NUXE

Multi-Purpose Dry Oil

You know when you stumble upon those products that change your beauty routine? For me, finding this multi-purpose dry oil was one of those moments. It can be used on your face, body, or hair for a moisturized and soft feel that isn't greasy. Don't buy multiple oils for your body, face, and hair! You just need this one.

Klorane

Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

Before we were putting oat milk in our lattes, the French were putting oat milk in their dry shampoos. French women do effortless beauty better than anybody, and dry shampoo is a staple in achieving effortless beauty. I love this one because it's nourishing and soothing (thanks to the oat milk!), unlike most dry shampoos.

Vichy

Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector

For an extra brightening boost, this formula contains 15 percent pure Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for brighter skin that feels firmer in a few days. This serum is also really good for protecting against environmental damage from things like pollution or sun exposure.

Avène

Rich Compensating Cream

If you need a super hydrating and thick cream (without feeling too heavy or greasy), look no further than this refreshing Avène product that revitalizes dull and lackluster complexion —without clogging pores.

Vichy

Double Glow Peeling Mask

What would a list of beauty products be without a really good mask? This one is a five-minute radiance booster for luminous and glowing skin, made with natural AHAs from plant extracts to gently exfoliate the skin's surface for immediate results.

Klorane

Anti-Pollution Purifying Mist with Aquatic Mint

If you live in a big city like Paris (or, you know, Chicago), odds are you're exposed to pollution on a regular basis. We're starting to be conscious of protecting our skin, but the French know that our hair and scalps need protection too. This purifying mist uses protection from antioxidants to detoxify and protect from pollution, as well as decreasing odors or irritation.

La Roche-Posay

Retinoid Acne Treatment

Your acne has officially met its match, and it comes in chic packaging. This topical treatment helps clear and prevent blackheads, whiteheads, clogged pores, and blemishes with a prescription-strength retinoid. Plus, it improves the skin's overall tone and texture, as if clearing it up wasn't enough.

Vichy

Peptide-C Anti-Aging Ampoules

Leave it to the French to reinvent skincare altogether. These futuristic capsules provide a daily dose of phyto-peptides, 10 percent pure vitamin C, natural origin hyaluronic acid, and Vichy mineralizing water. The future of skincare is looking efficient, powerful, and a little bit French.

 

The post The French Pharmacy Edit: 20 Beauty Products I’m Obsessed With appeared first on The Everygirl.

I love a good beauty release. 

Even before beauty became a part of my job, you could guarantee I was trying anything new that hit the market. From lipsticks to hair conditioners, I wanted to try it all. With the release of so many products every month, my need to try everything is fading. I am now paying attention to brands that both make inclusivity a part of their mission and use cleaner ingredients with more sustainable packaging. 

Obviously, everything we love isn’t going to fit into those boxes, so we can have beauty cabinets and drawers that are as multifaceted as we are. 

Here are a few new releases we’re excited to try this month:

 

Crunchi

Shattered Mascara

A couple of years back, I tried my first clean mascara, and it is still one of my all-time favorites. I recently discovered a new clean brand of mascara that is water-resistant, made with non-GMO ingredients, and packaged in a glass tube. I know the terms "clean" and "natural" can be a bit confusing, but Crunchi has a list of blacklisted ingredients that defines what clean means to their company. 

Danessa Myricks Beauty

Colorfix 24-Hour Cream Color

I could spend hours watching Danessa Myricks' makeup tutorials. After watching one of her foundation how-tos on IGTV, I stumbled upon her line of makeup and purchased a neon pink eyeshadow that I get compliments on each time I rock it. She has now released a formula that you can use on your lips, cheeks, and eyes. Who doesn't love a multi-purpose product? Neon pink might not be your color of choice (though I think everyone should give a bright color a try), but don't you worry, she has everything from nudes to deep-purple hues. 

Nails.Inc

Coco for Real Nail Polish Duo

If you didn't catch Lizzo's chocolatey-bedazzled nails at the Brit Awards, please Google it—you won't be disappointed. The moment I saw that mani, I had to know more about the rich, brown color on the tips of her nails. The nail color is a part of Nails Inc Coco For Real Duo, and get this: the color smells like chocolate when applied to your nails. 

Glossier

Skywash

When Glossier drops a new product, beauty lovers usually pay attention. Skywash is a fragrance-free, liquid-to-powder, buildable eyeshadow that is applied at the swipe of a wand. Glossier is known for their no-makeup makeup products, and this makes it easy for even the lowest maintenance makeup lovers to add a pop of color to their lids. 

SheaMoisture

Moringa and Avocado Power Greens Reconstructor

Since taking out my box braids, my coils have been significantly drier and more tangled. So, deep conditioning has been my goal every wash week, and with ingredients like glycerin, avocado oil, and shea butter, I knew my hair was in good hands with newly released reconstructor. A pro-tip for my coily girls out there: don't skip the plastic cap and 20 minutes of heat coupled with your conditioner, especially after taking down a protective style. 

Bliss

Rose Gold Foil Sheet Mask

Many sheet masks on the market have fragrance in them, and for those of us with sensitive, reactive skin, even naturally-derived fragrance can cause a breakout. Bliss' latest release is not only pretty to put on, but it is fragrance-free and packed with ingredients like rose flower, glycerin, and colloidal gold. Oh, and be aware that this mask comes in two pieces. 

The Ordinary

Marine Hyaluronics

Hydration, especially in the winter months, is vital to keeping skin looking its best. Leave it to The Ordinary to give us a product that not only hydrates, but is sustainably sourced at the same price as a matcha oat milk latte (well, at least in LA). You can only snag this online, but it will be worth the wait.

Athena Club

Creamy Body Wash

You may know the woman-led startup Athena Club for their period care options that include organic tampons and pads. But, the company is leaning into body care as well, and their naturally fragrant body wash that doubles as shaving cream is one of my new favorites. Fragrance tends to cause breakouts on my face and back, so this dual-use wash will be a staple in my shower. 

SUPERGOOP!

Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40

The sunscreen experts at SUPERGOOP! just dropped an updated gel version of their Unseen Sunscreen. The Glowscreen still has the same SPF coverage and makeup primer benefits, but is now packed with Hyaluronic Acid and Cocoa Peptides (to help protect the skin from blue-light damage from our phones and computers), so our skin glows while staying protected. 

UOMA Beauty

Black Magic Carnival Collection

If you love Jackie Aina and Patrick Starrr, get ready to fall in love with these two YouTubers-turned-beauty-icons’ collaboration with black-owned beauty brand UOMA. The collection will feature two shimmer shade lipsticks, lashes, an eyeshadow palette, and a face and body bronzing highlighter just in time for spring vacations!

OUAI

Shampoo and Conditioners

Famed celebrity hair-stylist Jen Atkin just released six new products: three shampoos (fine, medium, and thick) and three conditioners (fine, medium, and thick). What I love about this release is the bottles are refillable, which helps the brand reduce their carbon footprint by 30 percent. 

Conair

InfinitiPro Natural Texture Dryer

This hair tool has been out for a couple of months, but I wanted to share it with you all because you asked if there were more budget-friendly blow dryer and diffuser options for natural girls in the comment section of a hair story I wrote. I heard you and have been looking for one, and I think I may have found a good option. While the Dyson has some excellent benefits, one being its compact size, the $400 price tag doesn’t make it the most budget-friendly option. I found this diffuser that gave me frizz-free results, which is always the goal for curly girls, no matter your texture. The dryer has three heat settings and two dryer speed settings—my recommendation is to keep both on low for the best results. 

Sow Eden

BLOOM Whipped CBD Body Butter

Spring may be around the corner, but the winter temperatures are still here wreaking havoc on our skin, especially sensitive areas like our hands, knees, and elbows. This body butter whipped up with virgin coconut, shea nut butter, and 150 mg of CBD is the perfect dose of self-care and moisture.

Anisa

Brush Cleaning Pad

Cleaning makeup brushes should be on our weekly to-do lists, but it can be a chore. A silicone cleansing pad can help make the process somewhat easier (and less messy), and on top of that, it will help break down all the product buildup. One thing that makes Anisa's tool stand out is the handle that helps keep the pad securely in the palm of your hand. 

 

The post 14 New Beauty Launches You Need to Know About appeared first on The Everygirl.

A couple weeks back, we discussed all the high-points that you need to hit in your morning skincare routine in order to keep your skin protected throughout the day — while also not spending 30 extra minutes in front of your bathroom mirror. Taking several steps each day to apply skincare products might feel excessive, but as we like to say — you can’t create a youthful complexion later in life, you can only maintain the one you have now.

If you can commit to doing the bare minimum each morning and making that extra time investment into your skin, you’re already well ahead of the curve. However, you’ll need to incorporate just a few more steps, nightly and weekly, into your PM routine in order to keep your complexion in tip top shape.

 

Nightly:

Step 1: Makeup Removal

Your eye area is host to the most sensitive skin on your face and is also this first area to show aging. Avoid having to scrub and tug at this gentle area by using a dissolving eye makeup remover and cotton pad, few makeup removing wipes are saturated with enough product to be effective in this way.

 

Step 2:  Cleanser

A water based cleanser is necessary to lift and remove water based free radical damaging agents at the end of the day. Bonus points if you double wash with an oil-based cleanser.

 

Step 3: Toner

The unsung hero of the skin care regimen, toner is essential for balancing skin pH and prepping skin for all of the ingredients and formulas that follow. After patting skin dry with a towel, apply a quarter-sized amount of product by pressing it onto your face, not swabbing it on with a cotton pad.

 

Step 4: Serum

Serums are the most potent and customizable step in your skincare routine, and, depending on what issues you’re having with your complexion, will determine exactly which product you will need. A good rule of thumb is to focus more on hydration and regeneration with your nighttime formula, while sticking with a Vitamin C or antioxidant-rich option during the day.

 

Step 5: Oil

Applying an oil overnight will enable the skin to combat the overproduction of sebum and pore clogging oil that leads to the breakouts, blackheads, and enlarged pores of combination and oily skin. Dry and sensitive skin will also greatly benefit from the additional moisture.

 

Step 6: Night Cream

The final step in your nightly routine should always be a viscous moisturizer to seal in the effects of all the hard work you’ve put in to the previous steps. Sleeping masks and night creams are intended to still be lingering in the AM, therefore also starting your morning routine with an oil based cleanser is an absolute must in order to begin your day with properly cleansed skin.

 

 

 

Weekly:

Physical Exfoliation

The removal of dead skin cells at the surface level is vital to improving overall texture and tone, but harsh scrubs and granular exfoliants often cause more damage than they do good. It’s important to use gentle powders and polishes. And use them sparingly — physical exfoliants should never be used more than twice a week.

 

Chemical Exfoliation

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids and Beta-Hydroxy Acids are ingredients that your skin requires in order to initiate exfoliation at a deeper level in the skin rather than just sloughing away what is already dead at the surface. Treating with a chemical exfoliation two to three times a week promotes more rapid cell turnover resulting in brighter and clearer skin and slows the aging process.

 

Chemical Peel

If you can’t make it in to see an esthetician once a month for a clinical strength chemical peel, you can still reap the benefits from the milder formulations for home applications. Acid peels should be used once a week at the absolute most, and always be sure to test your product on a small patch of skin before committing to a full application.

 

Tell us about your nighttime skincare routine! What works for you?

The post Nighttime Skincare Routine appeared first on The Everygirl.

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