the glossarie

living proof full shampoo + conditioner + satin hair serum3

POSTED ON Posted on July 25, 2015 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

thanks to the mystery that is postpartum hormones, i am experiencing a second round of ferocious hair loss. i don’t know why since i haven’t nursed since last november (thought i was well over the shedding hump!) but apparently it’s all very normal and a number of my fellow new moms are going through it, too. unfortunately that gives me no solace as my hair continues to come out by the handful, so i reached out to my dear friends at living proof with a cry (i mean, there were actual tears) for help. after trying a couple of things that just did not vibe with my hair’s texture, i have found the most beautiful trifecta for keeping my fresh bob in check.

in the shower, i’m working with full shampoo and full conditioner and they are quite the dynamic duo. since my hair gets real greasy by day three, i need something that cuts through all of the buildup to give me a totally clean slate, but that doesn’t parch my strands in the process. full shampoo is perfect because it’s sulfate-free but it still gives me a ton of lather, leaving my hair pristine, but not squeaky. i use it on my scalp only, then i follow up with full conditioner on the ends below the nape of my neck. this conditioner is the ideal balance between being lightweight for my medium-fine hair, but still slick enough to fully detangle and hydrate. i love, love, love these products.

since i’m still on the straightening streak (going strong for about sixteen years now), but i have no talent with a round brush, i need a styling product to do the majority of the work for me. it must be oil-free (because said hormones are also causing raging acne) and it must smooth things out without stealing volume. living proof suggested their satin hair serum and holy freaking cow, is this stuff awesome. one tiny pump is enough to get my whole head of hair in order. things are left with a natural shape and volume that i can still get my fingers through and i’m obsessed with how smooth and shiny my hair looks when it’s done.

maybe it’s the science behind these products that makes them so good, maybe it’s because they come from my hometown of boston, or maybe it’s jennifer aniston’s golden touch, but these three have not only lifted my hair, they have lifted my spirits. i never mind investing in things that work and my friends, i am telling you, living proof delivers every single time.

Posted in editorial sample, hair | Tagged living proof | 3 Comments

dermelect MEMENTO manicure extender top coat0

POSTED ON Posted on July 22, 2015 by Stefanie Ramos BY Stefanie Ramos

alright, lets’ s talk top coats – because there is nothing more frustrating than rocking a beautiful salon manicure for for a mere 24 hours before boom! chips galore.

to deal with this issue, i have been committed to gel manis for months now because i love the shine and longevity of the polish – although, it can do major damage to my nails. so, when i heard about MEMENTO manicure extender top coat, i had high hopes for its claims of fast-drying, week-long wear and mirror-like shine. it even claims to deliver a gel effect without the UV/LED light – but does it work?

i was a little skeptical about this product because i have used so many top coats before that have made the exact same claims. i wasn’t expecting life-changing results, but i was happily proved wrong. i painted my own nails five days ago and i am here typing this post without a single chip.

if you’re a fan of gel manicures because of how they last, but you don’t love what they do for your nails, you can purchase top coat for the cost of a standard manicure. this little silver bottle has shockingly switched up my strategy and i’m now reaching for regular nail polish. the best part is that i can still enjoy chip-less nails and a gel-like shine that dries almost instantly, without the damage and acetone soak at the end.

do you have a top coat that you love? dermelect has upped my nail game and memento gets a beautiful 10/10 from me!

dermelect memento manicure extender top coat, $16 >

Posted in editorial sample, nails | Tagged dermelect | Leave a comment

one love organics the cleansing sponge rose clay heart3

POSTED ON Posted on July 21, 2015 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i scrub my face with a steaming hot washcloth every other morning. it helps to get the blood flowing and it also ensures that i don’t apply my moisturizer to a dry face (a huge no-no according to my derm). when visiting follain a couple of weeks ago, i was reintroduced to the konjac sponge. tara recommended one love organic’s version as the anti-clarisonic and the ultimate way to encourage cell turnover and keep things glowing.

one love presents an upgrade to the original with the addition of pink clay. this skincare wonder works to absorb toxins and clogged oil while also combatting skin irritation and dryness. the pink version is perfect for rosacea sufferers and those with mature or dry skin because it calms and exfoliates at the same time. in other words, it works miracles.

to use it, i soak this sponge until it’s soft and fully expanded. then i run it over my face, massaging in circular motions. once i’m done, i rinse it in cool water, squeeze out the excess and hang it to dry. it’s a piece of cake to use and i notice that my skin is far less angry since i’ve switched from washcloth to sweet little sponge.

it’s such a simple upgrade and it’s easy to travel with, meaning that my skin stays healthy when i’m away from home. plus, have you ever seen anything more adorable in your life? i just know that you and your skin will find this little heart is extra easy to love.

one love organics the cleansing sponge rose clay heart, $10 >

Posted in skin | Tagged one love organics | 3 Comments

le traveleur the weekender travel kit0

POSTED ON Posted on July 17, 2015 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i’m packing up my stephanie johnsons and heading to atlanta for the wedding of my very best friend this weekend. packing is already pretty much the worst, but there’s nothing more painful than chasing down travel-sized portions of your favorite products. it seems like nothing quality comes in a weekend-sized tube or bottle, so i’m constantly sacrificing my skin and my hair to the hotel product lords – and it has got to stop.

this weekend, however, i’m treating my hair to a leonor greyl shampoo and hair mask, cleansing my face with ursa major, showering up with ayres‘ orange blossom and vanilla, and opting for acca kappa in lieu of my go-to tube of crest. sound heavenly? it should!

all of the above are included in the weekender travel kit by le traveler, a freshly launched, gorgeously curated kit of travel needs. as a road warrior, i am extra obsessed with this concept, but the brand partners are so attractive that i could imagine myself scooping this bag of goodies up just to try several somethings new.

for $35, le traveleur is offering sample sized versions of some high-quality products – but beyond that, they are giving me peace of mind that my skin is going to be pampered all weekend long. alongside the must-haves like face wash and body lotion are some really pretty add ons like those mai couture blush papers and the nuxe dry oil. i also love the idea of testing a new fragrance while away for the weekend! le traveleur has included a vial from one of my very favorite brands – soap and paper factory – and i cannot wait to try.

let me just say that the team at le traveleur has got this one so right. they have already saved me tons of time and worry while prepping for this weekend, eliminating lots of unnecessary drama from my travel routine. i’m curious to know if you think this concept will work for you. please let me know – and happy trails!

le traveleur the weekender travel kit, $35 >

Posted in editorial sample, skin | Tagged le traveleur | Leave a comment

murad healthy skin facial8

POSTED ON Posted on July 15, 2015 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

beauty confession: before last week, i have had one facial in my entire life.

it was in high school, at the peak of my acne battle, it was painful and my face was red and angry for days afterwards. the aesthetician was too aggressive with extractions and she used all kinds of oils that clogged my pores and trashed my skin. because of the negative experience, i have never gone back, but when murad invited me into massage envy for one of their healthy skin facials, i felt confident that they would give my face the tlc it needs – and i was not wrong.

since i was nervous, i made my aesthetician wakena talk me through everything – and she kindly indulged my every whim. first, we talked about my skin type (sensitive, acne-prone) and she asked me about my product regimen. she told me she would cleanse my skin, then take a look and explain her recommended plan of attack.

the cleansing felt like heaven, you guys. it was the most tender facial massage and it was ultra relaxing. once my skin was clean, wakena took a close look and prescribed the following steps:

1 – intensive-c radiance peel with glycolic acid to chemically exfoliate and improve clarity
2 – manual extractions – piece of cake!
3 – clarifying mask with sulfur and zinc oxide to detoxify and calm my skin
4 – essential-c eye cream to improve my dark circles; the addition of caffeine works to combat a fresh crop of fine lines
5 – anti-aging moisturizer to keep me looking young, without causing breakouts

she explained the need for each step along with the ingredients in every product and what they would do for my skin. i was most afraid of the steam being too much (but she gladly adjusted it to my comfort level) and of the extractions – but, they weren’t bad at all! she used her fingers to squeeze the gunk out of the pores on my nose and it was practically painless.

i love how wakena checked in with me along the way and adjusted her pressure if i had any discomfort. i could feel every product working with my skin, not against it, and at the end i felt as though i had just experienced one hour of skin therapy. the whole experience was a pleasure and today, my skin is smoother and clearer.

if you want to experience your own best skin, massage envy is offering $10 off their four murad healthy skin facials and a free murad sample now through august 2nd – and if you pre-book an august facial in july, you will also receive a special skincare kit.

to top it all off, since i have been officially bitten by the facial bug and murad’s incredible product range, i’m offering you the chance to win an environmental shield healthy skin regimen kit. enter below and please tell me about your own feelings on facials in the comments.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in editorial sample, skin | Tagged murad | 8 Comments

we tried it: ombre nail art0

POSTED ON Posted on July 11, 2015 by Stefanie Ramos BY Stefanie Ramos

please welcome new glossarie contributor, stefanie! she comes to us with a cosmetology license, a fierce beauty obsession and a love for trying new things. read along as she shares all of the details of her beauty trials this summer!

when it comes to nail design i usually leave it to the professionals, but sephora’s do-it-yourself ombre kit has me wanting to get creative. it’s definitely out of my comfort zone, but i’m glad that i chose to take the leap – because the results are pretty impressive.

the set comes with one silver base color and four other colors used for the ombre design.
the silver base coat was very opaque and smooth, and it dried almost instantly. the other colors in the kit have a thinner formula, making it easier for the polishes to blend together and create the ombre design. thankfully for this novice, the directions on the box have step-by-step instructions and pictures, making it very beginner-friendly.

the kit comes with three different design options, and i’m not ashamed to admit that i chose the easiest one to tackle. in this case, it turns out that looks were deceiving because as i got started, i quickly found that it was a difficult to keep the darker color at the base of nail as instructed. the colors were so thin that the polishes began to all run together giving my nails more of a tie-dye look then the desired ombre. when i was done, my nails looked different from the pictures on the box, but i was still impressed with the galaxy effect.

so, let’s get down to it: would i still rock these nails?

absolutely.

although they didn’t turn out exactly as i expected, the compliments from people asking if i got my nails done at a salon or what tool i used to accomplish the look are enough of a reward for me. i’m calling my first diy nail art project a grand success – and i will definitely be back to try the other design options.

formula x infinite ombre nail design set, $29.50 >

Posted in nails | Tagged formula x, sephora | Leave a comment

mark. buenos aires vibe eau de toilette spray0

POSTED ON Posted on July 9, 2015 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i like to change up my scent for summer. for me, it’s right up there with increasing the spf in my daily moisturizer and going a touch heavier in the bronzer department. so, what do i want in a fragrance for the warmer months? something fresh and vibrant – something that smells like vacation.

the best scents take us on a sensory getaway and for summer 2015, mark. is taking us to straight to buenos aires with their instant vacation collection. the annual release is always a joy, but this season the tropical locale has inspired some extra pretty products – and at the top of the pack is buenos aires vibe eau de toilette spray.

this gorgeous perfume is ultra affordable. it smells exotic at first spritz and there’s just an easy flirtatiousness that instantly makes you feel good. i love that mark. always brings unique notes together for combinations that you can’t get anywhere else. vibe has passion fruit, violet and musk that result in this kind of spicy sweetness – and it carries me away every time that i wear it.

i can’t help but think that the fragrance is begging to be paired with bold prints, flowy fabrics and all of the carefree, fabulous fun that comes with this time of year. as if the bottle itself isn’t stunning enough, mark. has really helped to ease the sting of working all summer long without relief. i adore catching whiffs of vibe’s feisty florals throughout the day – imagining that a summer escape is right around the corner.

mark. buenos aires vibe eau de toilette spray, $24 >

thank you to mark. for having me as a blogger ambassador again this year!

Posted in editorial sample, fragrance | Tagged mark. | Leave a comment

earth tu face skin stick0

POSTED ON Posted on July 3, 2015 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i have long been needing a nourishing nighttime lip treatment. 33 years of pursing my lips when concentrating, driving and writing blog posts has left me with some major lines in that department and i will do just about anything to counteract further damage. after learning from tara at follain that anti aging products are not doing the nicest things to my skin, i begged store director alyse to point me towards her favorite lip product in the store.

she did not hesitate before handing me earth tu face skin stick, touting its multipurpose healing abilities along with its ultra hydrating formula. “it’s the most soothing balm i’ve ever felt” i believe were her exact words, to which i replied “done!”

now that i’ve got the 100% compostable cardboard tube living permanently in the tray atop my bedside table, i can tell you that a lyse was not wrong. not only has this balm changed the skin on and around my lips, but i have also used it to soothe two (count them, two) cooking-induced stove burns. (domestic i am not.)

the most impressive and different thing about this balm compared to all others in my drawers is that the all natural ingredients gel so nicely with my skin. for as long as i can remember, i have had tiny bumps (pimples!) on the edges of my lips, but they have vanished since bringing earth tu face into my life. beyond that, the ingredient vetiver is actually working some anti aging magic with its proven abilities to regenerate skin tissues and reveal smoother, younger looking skin.

i never imagined that a natural and nontoxic product could outperform my favorite brands, but here i am, never happier to have been proven wrong – and enjoying younger-looking lips to boot.

earth tu face skin stick, $34 >

Posted in lips | Tagged earth tu face | Leave a comment

follain5

POSTED ON Posted on July 2, 2015 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

there’s a new beauty haven in washington dc and i am in love with its owner, its mission, and every single safe (read: free of toxic chemicals) product on its beautifully curated shelves.

tara foley’s follain was born in boston (home!) after she won a national retail business plan competition while pursuing her mba. needless to say i feel very akin to this fellow boston-loving, business-savvy beauty addict so it’s really no surprise that i’m beyond obsessed with her stunning store.

tara is doing beauty with a healthy twist, but she’s not just another “green” or “natural” product pusher. while i have admittedly never given a care in the world to the toxins entering my body through my beauty products, i’m thinking more carefully about what goes onto my skin after meeting tara and falling hard for her whole philosophy.

follain’s pretty portfolio is carefully selected by tara and her team. they procure safe and effective products from 40 brands, all made in the USA, and all proven to address specific skincare concerns. they take their job so seriously that they take precious time to meet each brand’s passionate founder, to get to know them and their story, so that they are able to more fully educate their customers. love that.

follain feels like a beautiful oasis the second you step inside. it smells like heaven and each product is so beautifully packaged, so begging to be played with and tested that i could have stayed there all day talking to tara and soaking up her beauty smarts.

of course i shopped while i was listening to all of the compelling reasons why i should take the ingredients in my beauty routine more seriously. i came away with three things that i have been using every single day and dare i say work far better than the toxic chemical-laden products still littering up my vanity. you can see what i scooped up below and look for full reviews on each pretty product coming your way very soon.

if you’re lucky enough to be based in boston, nantucket or washington, you must go pay this store a visit. i urge you to replace a single product in your routine with one of tara’s non-toxic gems, then hurry back here and tell me what you think. if you live in other cities, you can shop the follain portfolio online and know that you are browsing the very best in healthy beauty products – there is seriously no need to look anywhere else, because tara and her team have done all of the work for you.

if it’s not clear, i’m a big fan of follain and everything that they are doing to make shopping for safe products an indulgent and pampering experience. their dedication to quality is unmatched and i can’t wait to go back for more. i’ll be the bobbed brunette at the basin sink hogging all of the masks and spa treatments, so don’t be shy and say hello!

Posted in natural beauty | Tagged earth tu face, follain, one love organics, tammy fender | 5 Comments

l’oreal true match super-blendable makeup4

POSTED ON Posted on June 29, 2015 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

when it comes to makeup, finding a foundation that matches both your skin type and your skin tone can feel near impossible. in recent weeks, i have sat at multiple department store beauty counters and i have gone through the sephora +pantone color iq system twice only to leave empty handed every single time.

then, while flipping through allure’s best of beauty issue on a recent flight, i was reminded that there is a gem of a l’oreal foundation on shelves at the drugstore. i scooped it up thinking that it would be a temporary placeholder until i found a more permanent solution, but after comparing and wearing it for a couple of weeks now, i think my search might be over.

the color match with this stuff is uncanny! my own eyeballs were able to quickly locate my perfect shade better than multiple nordstrom makeup artists and sephora’s high tech system. it shouldn’t be hard, but my skin tone is fair and neutral, so anything the slightest bit pink or yellow looks all wrong. thankfully, l’oreal has developed a massive range of shades and i quickly found a home with classic ivory N2. it blends invisibly into my skin with a damp foundation brush and it lasts all day long.

i will note that the packing here does have some flaws and that pouring liquid foundation into your hand isn’t the most efficient method, but the high-performance oil-free coverage has me so blissful that i’m willing to overlook it. (please, l’oreal put this into a pump or squeeze tube!)

have you tried this simple and unassuming glass bottle of liquid gold? would love to know your favorite foundation of the moment!

l’oreal true match super-blendable makeup, $5.99 >