It’s time for another round of beauty favorites! I try a million new things every month but here are six products I am absolutely LOVING this month.
Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum
This is my favorite new product from the month. I talk a lot more about retinol and how I use it in this post but I typically use retinol 2-3x a week. I try really hard to listen to my skin so if it’s getting really dry I will go down to 1-2x a week but for me the sweet spot is 2-3x. This is serious skincare at a decent price. (I assumed it would be well over $100.) It’s 6.5% retinoid which is very strong; and works for every skin type (though I would avoid if you’re really sensitive).
Retinol is great for fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, dullness, and uneven texture. It’s the only product I know of that is clinically proven to reduce fine lines. I apply this 2-3x a week, smoothing about 5 pumps over face, neck, and décolletage. I let it sink in and then apply a thick creamy moisturizer over everywhere I applied retinol. The biggest thing I have noticed from consistent use is a reduction in fine lines and dark spots and a more even skin tone.
NARS Cheek Palette
When I opened up this palette from NARS, I squealed a little bit. It is so pretty! It has everything you need: bronzer… blush… highlighter. I feel like an artist using this!
Beautycounter Citrus Mimosa Body Wash
If you listen to the podcast you know (lolz) I am a bit body wash obsessed. I’m also orange blossom obsessed. So when I partnered with Beautycounter last month, so many of you messaged me and told me I had to try this body wash. You were right… I couldn’t love it more. It smells absolutely AMAZING and I love how creamy it is… it gets your body good and clean without stripping the skin.
Eucerin Roughness Relief Spot Treatment
Full disclosure: I do have a paid partnership coming with Eucerin this month (on Instagram, not the blog). As a part of the partnership I had a consultation with a dermatologist (Dr. Anna Guanche) and she introduced me to the magic of this stuff. This is for those really, really dry patches of skin (for me: knees, elbows, heels). It’s ultra concentrated to exfoliate and smooth those rough scaly patches. I can’t believe it’s only $6.50 because it’s such an effective product. I am obsessed.
Scalp Massager
This scalp massager or “shampoo brush” may be the best $8 I’ve spent in a long time. I find myself wanting to wash my hair more because I love using this! I feel like it can be hard to get your scalp really truly clean and this massages it but also helps to loosen up any dry shampoo that might be stuck to your scalp. It gets your hair/scalp so clean and it feels amazing… a win win!
Beautycounter Brow Gel
This is basically an EXACT clean dupe of boy brow. I love how natural it looks but how it fills in gaps and keeps unruly brows in place all day long. My shade is medium. I could probably use light too but prefer my brows to be a little darker.
photography by Carter Fish.
The scalp massager brush sounds so nice to use! And it’s affordable as well. Thanks for the share, Grace. 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
It’s the best little gadget!
Great post! Just one question…here, do you really mean ” apply this 2-3x a night, smoothing about 5 pumps over face, neck, and décolletage.” OR should it be 2-3x a week?
Thanks! love love love your blog! xx
Sorry about that – I caught that mistake late last night and thought I fixed it – yes, 2-3x a WEEK!!! Imagine applying it 2-3x a night? LOL.
So many great finds – definitely looking into these!
Thanks Jenn!
Oh Nars never disappoints…wow!
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
Never!! This one is magical!
Those seem like great products. Won’t the scalp massager tangle your hair though? Or is there a specific way to use it? My hair tangles very easily so I can only imagine it getting my hair all over the place haha
I haven’t had any problems with it tangling my hair (or maybe mine doesn’t tangle easily)! You have to be careful (don’t be a maniac) but I haven’t had a problem. And if it were to tangle, conditioner afterward always fixes that!
UGH I JUST placed a Sephora order and my bank account hates me. Wish I would have read this before 😉 I just splurged on the Lancer Nourish Moisturizer and Omega Oil… I’m really into overly hydrating my skin LOL.
The Champagne Edit
You can return anything , just saying. 🙂
So so dangerous!!! I’ve heard great things about Lancer products but haven’t tried ’em myself.
Also VERY into overly hydrating… my face is positively slippery with oils at bedtime!
Always love your beauty recommendations Grace! I started using Hairstory’s New Wash about 6 months ago and it came with a scalp scrubber, which is fantastic (BIG plug for New Wash as well – my hair has never been longer and healthier and shinier in my life!). After your previous post about the Sunday Riley retinol treatment, I decided to try the Luna Oil (which has retinoid so it’s not as strong as the retinol version you have) and my uber-sensitive skin loves it. I’m shocked actually. I’m such a Eucerin fan I’m going to check out the spot treatment. I also ordered a small duo of Augustinus Bader’s cream and rich cream so I can’t wait to try it and see how it works for my skin!
I am going to have to check out New Wash!
And sooooo happy Luna Oil is working for you. I’ve heard really good things. And please please report back on how you like Dr. Bader – as you know, his creams are my favorite.
I bought the scalp brush and love it! Forgot about that neutragena shampoo, I used to use it and love it too, so thanks for the reminder. My hair was fluffy and beautiful after. I’m very excited about these other products too. I appreciate all you research Grace.
So happy to hear you bought and love it! It’s such a great little device!
That NARS palette is the prettiest! Definitely have to check out the scalp massager too!
xx
Sam
Isn’t it just so gorgeous? Every time I take it out I get so happy!
Have you ever tried Sunday Riley’s Luna retinoid oil? If so, what the djfference between it and the A+? Strength of reintol? Would you recommend one over the other? I currently use the Luna oil 3 times per week so I’m curious. Thanks!
I have not! My understanding is that the A+ is stronger!
Grace, what was your final verdict on natural deodorant? Was it Kopari? I gave Native a try because the price point, but man, that shit just does not work 🙂 If you give the green light on Kopari after your trials, I’ll give it a go! Thanks!
Love Kopari.
Hated Native. Absolutely hated it!!!
I also really like Vapour – the palo santo/blood orange one. It’s expensive but really effective and I love anything palo santo scented.
I will also say that it really depends SO MUCH on your body chemistry! Kopari, Vapour, and Agent Nateur have been the three that worked for me. But I’ve had readers who have hated those. So it’s so much about finding one that works for your body (and also, sadly, waiting it out through the detox period which is THE WORST) but gets better once you get through it!
For anyone who knows horses, the scalp massager/shampoo brush is basically just a curry comb sold under a different name, haha. With horses it removes shed hair from their coats and promotes healthy skin, so it does make sense that it would work on your scalp as well!
That is so interesting – thanks for sharing!!!
Who knew there was such a thing as a shampoo brush? Thank you for always introducing us to the weird and wonderful things. And I have that Sunday Riley A+ in my bathroom waiting to go, so I can’t wait to try it now!
Briony xox
You know, just here to be everyone’s virtual guinnea pig!
Haha!