you need this – Community Posts https://www.community-posts.com Excellence Post Community Wed, 22 Jun 2022 07:20:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8 This Vitamin C Serum Is Every Bit as Amazing as People Say—And It’s on Major Sale Right Now https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/this-vitamin-c-serum-is-every-bit-as-amazing-as-people-say-and-its-on-major-sale-right-now.html Fri, 18 Feb 2022 16:43:00 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/this-vitamin-c-serum-is-every-bit-as-amazing-as-people-say-and-its-on-major-sale-right-now.html [ad_1]

Great news! Through February 20, you can score the best-selling and Glamour award-winning SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum for 15% off at Dermstore with the code SKINC15. This rarely happens—and the promo code is good for the brands’ entire skin-care line, so read up on the best SkinCeuticals’ products here and get to shopping. 

Looking for more Presidents’ Day 2022 sales? Hop on over to shop the best deals across clothing, beauty, home, and mattresses.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum

On paper, it sounds like it would be tough to fall in love with Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum. It’s a $166 investment, smells like hot dogs, and isn’t packaged in a millennial pink bottle. And yet, like all great tales of love, none of this seems significant because the ending (bright, glowing, luminous skin) is so compelling you’ll completely forget about the rest.

Since its launch, C E Ferulic has become one of the most widely adored products on the market—and not just by pros. Sure, dermatologists have voted it the best overall vitamin C serum, and almost every editor I know owns a carefully guarded stash, but shoppers also love it. Look at Skinceuticals C E Ferulic reviews on any given website and five-star ratings abound. Glamour readers swear by its ability to bring dull, damaged skin back to life—so much so that it won a Beauty Award in our Readers’ Choice category. (Says Ali N. from Utah: “I am not exaggerating when I say that Skinceuticals C E Ferulic completely changed my skin. Monthly acne? Poof. Gone. Fine lines—what fine lines? People say my skin has never looked better.”)

To understand its mass appeal, you just have to look at the star ingredient: vitamin C. The antioxidant is one of the few ingredients experts unanimously recommend for its protective and brightening properties. When formulated to penetrate within the deeper layers of your skin, vitamin C combats free radicals from UV light and environmental aggressors. It also helps stimulate collagen and even skin tone—two clearly visible effects that accompany its invisible shielding properties.

Not all formulations do it equally well, though. Derms tend to prefer L-ascorbic acid (a pure form of vitamin C) because it’s more likely to reach the skin depth where it’s most effective. The problem is it’s highly unstable and works best at a concentration between 10% and 20%, so brands need to formulate carefully to deliver something that actually works. That’s one area where Skinceuticals has definitely done its research. Aside from its 15% concentration of L-ascorbic acid, the brand has also conducted 16 clinical studies on the benefits of this formula alone.

While the hero of the formula is undoubtedly the L-ascorbic acid, the accompanying 1% vitamin E, and 0.5% ferulic acid are there to help it reach its full potential. According to dermatologist and cofounder of LM Medical Morgan Rabach, M.D., the vitamin E “stabilizes vitamin C for maximum skin protection, and ferulic acid helps lower the pH level, so your skin can use the vitamins easily.” The result is a stable, powerful serum that gets the job done.



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Maude’s Cone Helped Me Get Over My Fear of Anal Play https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/maudes-cone-helped-me-get-over-my-fear-of-anal-play.html Mon, 10 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/maudes-cone-helped-me-get-over-my-fear-of-anal-play.html [ad_1]

Let me start by saying that I’m an anal virgin—or, if a butt plug can take your virginity, I at least was until very recently. I first tried exploring anal stimulation with my finger back in college, after a campus sexuality workshop touted the joys of the anus, but felt nothing close to pleasure, so I gave up. A few years later I got a butt plug but just couldn’t seem to get it up there. To be honest, the whole concept of having something in my butt freaked me out.

So, when I first received the Cone—the very first butt plug created by sexual wellness brand Maude—I was skeptical that it would fit inside me, let alone do anything for me. I was pleasantly surprised, though, that I succeeded in the former and even got some of the latter.

Maude’s brand is all about simplicity, and this product is no exception. The Maude Cone doesn’t vibrate like many other butt plugs do—it’s just 4.25 inches of platinum-grade, soft-touch silicone (3.5 of those inches are insertable, and the width is 1.5 inches), with a tapered shape for easy insertion and a flared base so it can’t get stuck in you. The toy is phthalate- and latex-free for those concerned about chemicals—and waterproof for those who want to use it in the shower or bath. It’s intentionally slim for anal beginners like yours truly, and it costs only $30, so if it’s not your thing, it’s not a huge investment. 

Another thing Maude likes to do is create sleek, elegant products that look good on your nightstand. I happened to leave the Cone on my bathroom counter and I did feel strangely comfortable with it there: The green silicone (it also comes in charcoal), petite size, and thin shape make it look more like a tiny, dim lava lamp than a sex toy. (It also comes with a nice canvas bag for storage and travel.) But I eventually had to work up the courage to bring it into bed with me. 

To maximize my chances of being able to actually get it inside me, I played with my clit for a while first. Then came the moment of truth. The whole thing didn’t slide right in immediately, but with excessive-seeming amounts of water-based lube—you shouldn’t use Cone with oil or silicone lube as it will apparently degrade the silicone—and gradual movement, I was surprised that it went in with little discomfort. And once I got the insertion itself out of the way, it stayed snuggly in there thanks to its flared base, which also happens to have a suction cup so adventurous users can attach it to the floor or wall. Getting it in was the hardest part; the rest was a breeze.

I used a vibrator on my clit while the Cone was inside my anus, and when I climaxed, I could feel my anal muscles contracting along with my vagina—sort of like a full-pelvis orgasm. The anal muscles are actually always engaged during orgasm, but feeling them contract against something intensified the pleasure and made the whole sensation more spread out. 

I also tried a few experiments: Even though the Maude Cone doesn’t vibrate, I was able to make it vibrate by holding my vibrator against the base, which created a pleasant buzzing sensation in my anus. I also tried penetrating my vagina with a dildo while the Cone was in me, but it felt like too much—there just wasn’t enough space for them both. When I was ready to call it a night, the plug came out of me fairly effortlessly when I pushed my pelvic muscles outward. 

All in all, while having something up my butt while I masturbated was kind of an odd feeling, it was also a new and interesting one. Is anal pleasure suddenly my thing now? No. But having finally succeeded in using an anal toy, I do feel like I’ve reached a sexual milestone. Anal play no longer intimidates me so much, and even though I don’t know if I’ll want to explore it further, it feels liberating to know that I can. Thanks, Cone! 

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These Top-Rated Faux Leather Leggings Have Replaced All My Denim https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/these-top-rated-faux-leather-leggings-have-replaced-all-my-denim.html Thu, 06 Jan 2022 02:34:53 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/these-top-rated-faux-leather-leggings-have-replaced-all-my-denim.html [ad_1]

Cropped, color-blocked, ribbed—my obsession with leggings knows no bounds, and the dozens of pairs stacked in my wardrobe is definite proof. But the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings were the one style missing from my repertoire. This elusive piece, which has thousands of five-star ratings across the internet, has been on my wish list for years. (Yes, years.) They finally made their way into my arsenal a few months ago, and I’m so happy they did. My only regret? Not buying these best-sellers sooner. 

Before even slipping into the leggings, I was impressed by the glossy material, which felt super luxe to the touch and seemed to have just the right amount of thickness to elasticity. The fabric, which is made of a stretchy blend of nylon, elastane, and spandex, isn’t flimsy at all—it has weight to it (like real leather pants) which I appreciate for wearing during the colder months

As promising as my first IRL impression was, I was still on the fence about how they would actually fit. Some reviewers say they’re compressive like shapewear, so would they be super tight? Would they turn sheer? Would they bunch up in all the wrong places? I’m happy to report the answer is “no” to all of these questions. 

Sure, these leggings are compressive, but nothing more than you would expect from a typical high-intensity workout legging. They feature a thick, high-waist band (the brand describes it as a “contoured power waistband”) that holds you in without rolling down or restricting you the least bit. Oh, and there’s no center seam (read: no awkward bulging or camel toe effect) to deal with. 

Andrea Navarro

I’m 5’4″ and usually wear a size medium in leggings, but the Spanx size chart noted that these run small, so I sized up *just in case*.  I’m glad I did, because the larger size fits like a second skin. I also have an athletic build with a small waistline and muscular thighs, and the faux leather material highlights my features in the best way possible. (Cue the peach emoji.) 

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Augustinus Bader’s $215 ‘Miracle Eye Cream’ Is the Only One I’ll Ever Need https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/augustinus-baders-215-miracle-eye-cream-is-the-only-one-ill-ever-need.html Wed, 05 Jan 2022 19:06:47 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/augustinus-baders-215-miracle-eye-cream-is-the-only-one-ill-ever-need.html [ad_1]

If there’s one beauty brand that significantly changed me last year, it’s Augustinus Bader. Mostly because I never thought I’d get hooked on a $215 eye cream, but here we are. Like many of my beauty industry colleagues, I’ve long subscribed to the “eye creams are a gentle scam” model of thinking. That doesn’t mean I leave the delicate skin around my eyes completely untouched, but I usually call it a day after treating the area with my regular hydrating moisturizer. It doesn’t do much in terms of making me look or feel more awake; that’s what coffee is for. 

So what changed my mind? Augustinus Bader, bottlers of skin-care magic. Since the brand launched in 2018, it has quickly become the most raved-about secret in beauty. Its cult favorite moisturizer—simply dubbed The Cream—has legions of celebrity fans including Ashley Graham, Kate Bosworth, and Victoria Beckham and a Glamour Beauty Award for best moisturizer. The hype extends to beauty editors too; never have I seen a single brand name dropped so much in my Instagram DMs. When I heard that an eye cream was joining the lineup, I had to see if it lived up to my experience with the The Cream (and if it could surpass my lackluster expectations for an eye product).

For those unfamiliar with the brand, all Bader formulas are based on founder Professor Augustinus Bader’s TFC8 (Trigger Factor Complex 8), which he originally discovered while researching treatments for burn survivors. The proprietary cocktail of more than 40 different ingredients, including vitamins and amino acids, is also the key active in The Eye Cream. I will never know exactly what goes in to the secret sauce, but the general idea is that it encourages regeneration and healing by activating your stem cells and supporting your skin’s natural renewal process. 

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Along with TFC8, The Eye Cream also includes an impressive lineup of additional nourishing actives. Niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin B5, and vitamin C treat skin with antioxidants, boost collagen, and help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Botanical extracts like seaweed, arjun tree, and pennywort add even more hydration, plumping, and brightening effects. Firming peptides help your undereye puffiness and dark circles look a little more caffeinated. It’s basically every ingredient you’d want to put in an eye cream, and then some. 

I first tried The Eye Cream on a regular weekday, which means I was in dire need of both coffee and sleep. After finishing the rest of my morning skin-care routine, I popped the metal eye cream bottle out of its very chic refillable container and carefully dispensed half a pump on my ring finger. (At $215 a bottle, I wasn’t about to go slathering my face in the stuff.) Immediately, I noticed that the formula was both lightweight and intensely moisturizing. It sank in right away, allowing me to easily layer makeup over it, but it kept the skin around my eyes feeling dewy and firm, as if I’d treated it to layers of serum and cream. 



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Alo Moves Is Having a Rare 50% Off Membership Sale https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/alo-moves-is-having-a-rare-50-off-membership-sale.html Mon, 03 Jan 2022 14:51:00 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/alo-moves-is-having-a-rare-50-off-membership-sale.html [ad_1]

**UPDATE: January 3, 2022—**Great news! You can now score 50% off your first year of Alo Moves, giving you access to over 3,000 classes for all levels, including yoga, pilates, barre, HIIT, and meditation for just $100. Alo’s best-selling digital membership rarely gets marked down, so sign up now and get moving. 

ORIGINAL STORY: May 14, 2020—At-home workouts are more popular than ever, and if you’re looking to fill a yoga-studio-size hole in your heart, Alo Moves might be the virtual workout of your quarantine dreams. Alo Moves streams on-demand yoga, fitness, and mindfulness classes, and is an extension of Alo Yoga—the athleisure brand that counts everyone from Kendall Jenner to Hailee Steinfeld as fans.

Before social distancing, I used to balk at the idea of “sweating it out” in my apartment. I like running, but between face masks and dodging people on the street, exercising outside is as stressful as it is relaxing these days. Finding a workout routine that I could easily do at home is what first got me interested in Alo Moves—that, and the fact that I used to go to the Alo Yoga studio in SoHo pre-quarantine, but it’s the teachers and variety of lessons that keep me coming back for more.

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An Alo Moves membership works like this: For $20 a month, you get unlimited access to thousands of video classes from beginner level to advanced. But with everything going in the world right now, Alo Moves is making its platform more accessible by offering a 14-day free trial, plus a free month for all new members after signing up. If you want to commit long-term, it’s also offering half off on its annual membership (so $99 instead of $199) for a whole year. It’s a pretty sweet deal if you think about the price of a drop-in class, which can range between $15 and $30 in New York City—or if you did ClassPass, which can be upwards of $49 a month.

One of the most impressive things about Alo Moves—and the reason I’m not bored-in-the-house-and-in-the-house-bored—is how many workouts there are. Every week Alo drops new courses: Some videos target specific concerns like tight shoulders, hips, or hamstrings, while others focus on strengthening individual muscle groups like your arms, legs, and core. And if yoga sequences are really not your thing, the platform also has other options like barre, HIIT, meditation, and prenatal stretching, which you all can pin to your virtual practice board.



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My Favorite Leggings with Pockets Are on Sale for $20 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/my-favorite-leggings-with-pockets-are-on-sale-for-20.html Thu, 30 Dec 2021 15:21:00 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/my-favorite-leggings-with-pockets-are-on-sale-for-20.html [ad_1]

If you’re preparing yourself for the best leggings with pockets to set you back some major coin, take a seat. As a longtime runner and curator of all things spandex leggings, I can confidently announce that I found primo running tights hiding in plain sight at Old Navy for just $20.

Before getting into the specs of the tights, I want to set the benchmark for what I mean when I refer to myself as a “runner.” I mean literally anyone who goes running. Though I seem to only get slower the more mileage I accrue, I’ve spent countless hours pounding the pavement and trying out various leggings in hopes of finding the perfect pair. Leggings need to fit nice and snug, offer decent compression that’s not too restrictive, and, the pièce de résistance, they need to have side pockets—seriously, get out of here with zip pockets that have room for maybe a key. The ability to slide in a phone, packet of electrolyte goop, and money so that I can stride hands-free makes all the difference in the quality of my runs. (Arm bands? Never met her.)

Where previous brands’ leggings with pockets have failed me (the pockets are usually either stiff or too small), the High-Waisted PowerSoft 7/8-Length Side-Pocket Leggings from Old Navy were a pleasant surprise. It’s like Old Navy heard all of the negative things I’d ever said about my leggings and whipped up a pair that would offer just the opposite. I knew people were loyal to the brand’s workout clothes, but I didn’t expect that I’d jump on the bandwagon so quickly.

I chose this specific pair primarily because of the glowing reviews. (Oh, did I not mention over 9,300 people have reviewed them?) Here’s one I found particularly compelling. “These are probably the fourth or fifth pair that I’ve purchased because I love this material and the side pockets. They’re so comfortable, are very flattering and functional, and they move great and keep me dry during a workout.”

Old Navy has eight categories of activewear bottoms, ranging from StretchTech to CozeCore (offering stretchy fits and providing warmth, respectively) and positions the High-Waisted PowerSoft 7/8-Length Side-Pocket Leggings as “light compression with a ridiculously smooth, peachy-soft feel.”

I selected a medium—sizes are offered in XS to 4X—and the minute I slipped my legs into them, I understood what Old Navy meant by “peachy-soft.” In terms of ease, they were like sliding on silk pants. Ordinarily, getting running tights into place can be a journey. I typically have to pull the fabric wide and negotiate around the knee before I can even get to the good thigh-yanking part. And the fit was spot on; they offered a nice compression without feeling tight or rigid. They’re made of 77% polyester and 23% spandex, which creates a stretchy-thin feel.

Getting dressed for a run.

Since I don’t enjoy running with arm bands (they weigh me down and usually slip) I couldn’t wait to see what I could stuff into the side pockets. The first time I took these PowerSofts out for a run, I put my iPhone 12 mini on one side and a mask, chapstick, and zippered wallet in the other. The pockets are made of the same thin polyester-spandex material, so it was easy to slide everything in. 

My wallet in one pocket. 

During the run, everything stayed in place. No jangling, and nothing fell out. After the run, I came home, stretched, and sat in my own filth (for journalism) to see if they’d remain dry once the post-run sweat started. And they did! I’ve continued wearing and washing these, and they hold up up without pilling or losing elasticity. They’re even better for walks—in fact, last week I fit a mandarin in one of the pockets. Bottom line: Go ahead and add my name to the already long roster of PowerSoft fans. 

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Those Instagram-Famous Numi Undershirts Are Saving my Sweaters https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/those-instagram-famous-numi-undershirts-are-saving-my-sweaters.html Thu, 23 Dec 2021 18:24:00 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/those-instagram-famous-numi-undershirts-are-saving-my-sweaters.html [ad_1]

It’s as if my entire torso has gone on vacation without me. I don’t know how else to describe the feeling of wearing Numi undershirts—a sweat-wicking, scent-swallowing basic. Imagine period underwear, but for your upper body. Imagine putting half of your body on ice and going off to do other tasks. For those of us who go through the day highly aware of our own sweat, this could change things.

Why do men so often wear undershirts, and women so rarely? Show me a man with a closet full of pristine white Oxfords, and I will show you his stash of Hanes. Women are sweaty too—something I have been telling people, defensively, my whole life. But we’re less likely to wear undershirts, maybe because our clothing is often made of thinner material, or because expectations on women’s bodies hold that we should look as smooth and bulk-free as dolphin.

For some reason, everyday clothes don’t get the same thoughtful design as, say, a pair of high-performance leggings. “It’s crazy when you think about the technology what we demand from our workout clothes,” says Michelle Shemilt, the creator of Numi. “You wouldn’t buy anything for a workout if it didn’t have a technical component or wicking or whatnot, and you wear it how much? The clothes we wear all day—we really need those to work for us, too.”

Shemilt was working in finance when she realized her cute office wardrobe was going to waste. She avoided her delicate silks and knits, fearing a single wear would result in high dry-cleaning bills and potentially ruinous sweat stains. Even those of us who do not trust ourselves to own tops that cost more than $40 are familiar with the pain of taking off a sweater after one wear and knowing that you won’t see it again for an entire laundry cycle. As a result, “I decided to develop a woman’s undershirt that you could really comfortably and practically fit into and wear under women’s clothes, which tend to need a certain design to make it truly invisible,” Shemilt says.

Numi launched in 2014 using the direct-to-consumer model. I’d seen it dozens of times advertised on Instagram, and felt the draw of the seamless, expensive-looking Tencel fabric, the reinforced cotton underarms, and the models, flipping their hair and laughing at the memory of ever having been sweaty. On top of that, the shirts are made with sustainably minded practices in Canada.

Shemilt sent me two of the Signature Numi undershirts—one in almond, one in pink. Both are cute enough to wear as regular tops, tucked into jeans; they’re reversible, so you can wear them with any neckline. If you’re like me and prefer high-waisted jeans that essentially hit one inch below your bra, you could opt for the cropped version.

Whatever activity I did while wearing the Numi—running for the bus, running errands in too many layers, fast-walking while drinking a latte—I didn’t feel that horrible damp warmth that is so often the sad price of life in the human form. 

Numi also recently launched a second radical take on another basic with a stain-repellant, sweat-repellant, machine-washable silk line. “We dove a little deeper and asked, ‘Okay what are other pain points that women have in their wardrobe?’” Shemilt says. “And what kept coming back is that women love wearing silk because you feel nice, you feel elevated—but it is such a finicky fabric that you put it on and you haven’t done anything and all of a sudden there’s a stain out of nowhere. If you have kids, forget about it,” she laughs. (Kelly Ripa’s a fan—she wears the Numi silk button down regularly on her show.)

And when we say stain-repellant, we mean it: Just watch the mesmerizing TikTok of Shemilt pouring coffee and red wine on the crisp silk Numi blouse. With any other silk, seeing it would surely make me sweat…if I wasn’t already wearing the Numi undershirt. 

Jenny Singer is a staff writer for Glamour. You can follow her on Twitter. 



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This Facial Steamer Completely Saved My Dry Winter Skin https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/this-facial-steamer-completely-saved-my-dry-winter-skin.html Wed, 22 Dec 2021 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/this-facial-steamer-completely-saved-my-dry-winter-skin.html [ad_1]

Hot take: The best part of a facial is the facial steamer. As someone who would live in a sauna if she could, there’s nothing more relaxing than the feeling of warm steam. During the cold winter months, I’ll park it under my shower head, luxuriating in the hot water and steam, and apply a face mask to re-create the spa experience at home. 

During a facial, your facialist will typically use a a facial steamer—a steady stream of ultrafine steam—to help open your pores after cleansing. This allows the skin to loosen up for treatments like exfoliation, extraction, and massaging, and absorb products like face masks, serums, and moisturizer

While these obvious benefits make facial steamers an integral part of any great facial, the steam is also straight-up relaxing. The sensation of warm mist gently caressing my face nearly lulls me to sleep every time. When I’m not half-asleep, I usually try to meditate, focusing on my breathing and inhaling the mist, which helps clear my sinuses as well. So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered Dr. Dennis Gross’s Pro Facial Steamer, which helps me live out my spa dreams at home. 

Dr. Dennis Gross Facial Steamer

The Pro Facial Steamer is exactly like the devices pros use, but in the comfort of your own home. During a time when salon visits and in-person treatments are not for everybody, this device makes it very easy to DIY facials or, in my case, just sit in steam for nine glorious minutes. The device is user-friendly, featuring a removable chamber for storing water, a simple on-off button, a curved nozzle to release steam, and a handle for mobility. 

It’s important to note: This is not like your garment steamer at home. The steam is warm and comfortable, with a consistent stream of mist that never spurts water in your face like some facial steamers. That being said, Dr. Dennis Gross cautions to position your face at least eight inches away from the nozzle to avoid any scalding. 

The steamer also includes a guide to DIY facials, and recommends the brand’s cult-favorite Alpha Beta Daily Peels after steaming, followed by serum and moisturizer. I’m a huge fan of its C+ Collagen Deep Cream, which smells amazing and leaves my skin radiant and dewy. When I want to really amp up the spa feel, I’ll take a glob of Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask with kaolin clay and volcanic ash and massage into my skin while steaming. It even helps with breakouts—after my chin received an influx of zits and whiteheads, I steamed the area and applied the DRx Blemish Solutions Acne Eliminating Gel and woke up to my maskne much smaller in size. 

Courtesy of Author

At $150, the Pro Facial Steamer is definitely a splurge, but well worth it. If you wish every day could be a spa day, well, now it can be. 

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Ilia’s Magical Skin Tint Is on Sale for Only $37—Stock Up Now https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/ilias-magical-skin-tint-is-on-sale-for-only-37-stock-up-now.html Wed, 24 Nov 2021 23:06:00 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/ilias-magical-skin-tint-is-on-sale-for-only-37-stock-up-now.html [ad_1]

Great news! Ilia’s beloved Super Serum Skin Tint is on sale right now for 20% as part of Black Friday, so get it while you can—and don’t miss other incredible Black Friday clothing and beauty deals.

The past six months have been fraught with changes, among them, the fact that I am writing this from my couch. And while some were expected, like wearing jeans a whole lot less, I never thought I would be the girl who pared down her makeup routine.  

I genuinely enjoy wearing makeup—painting my face is often the best part of my day—but foundation is the one thing that feels like a chore. Due to years of acne, slathering on my full-coverage foundation is more of a security blanket. But seven months into working from my apartment, I’m rethinking my approach. 

Thanks to a three-month break from makeup, plenty of pandemic nihilism—acne isn’t the end of the world when the world is literally on fire—and fine, some good skin care, I’m starting to feel better in my own skin than I have in the past few years, even if it’s technically “worse.” A key player in this has been Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint, which has proved my long-running theory I’ve been too scared to test: A healthy glow with visible acne will almost always look better than skin smothered by foundation. 

I generally distrust anything with “tint” in the name, but after it won for best clean foundation in Glamour‘s Beauty Awards this year, it’s become one of my best quarantine discoveries. It takes about two seconds to apply with my fingers (if I’m feeling bougie, I like to use an Artis brush) and basically blends itself. I would say it offers the coverage of a light foundation, which is more than I find most tints provide. It makes my skin look even and blurs acne, and while it doesn’t cover it up completely, I look damn close to flawless on Zoom. For outside-the-house excursions, I’ll toss on a bit of concealer on any major pimples—which blends seamlessly into the tint’s hydrating texture—but most days the tint is all I need.

Most important, though, it gives me the most beautiful dewy glow that makes me look healthy and alive, even when I feel like a zombie inside. The glow comes from the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and plant-based squalane in the formula, which not only gives it a dewy finish to rival most highlighters, but moisturizes and nourishes my skin while I wear it. 

Since it’s a skin-care-makeup hybrid and so lightweight, I feel good about wearing it under a mask. I also love that it has SPF 40, so it’s one less thing to worry about before I have my morning coffee. 

Bella Cacciatore 

Even when we return to a world where I wear jeans more than sweatpants and I swap my tinted balm for red lipsticks, my Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint is here to stay. I just hope my dewy new outlook will be too.

Bella Cacciatore is the beauty associate at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.



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Charlotte Tilbury’s Pinkgasm Beauty Light Wand Is Worth the Wait https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/charlotte-tilburys-pinkgasm-beauty-light-wand-is-worth-the-wait.html Mon, 01 Nov 2021 17:20:07 +0000 https://www.community-posts.com/lifestyle/charlotte-tilburys-pinkgasm-beauty-light-wand-is-worth-the-wait.html [ad_1]

TikTok has completely changed how we shop for beauty products. One viral video can sell out a product for months. The best example is Charlotte Tilbury’s Pinkgasm Beauty Light Wand, which is finally back in stock after being impossible to track down for half a year—so I suggest you grab one while you still can. 

I first saw the Light Wand—a shimmering pink blush and highlighter hybrid—in action in Madison Beer’s Vogue “Beauty Secrets” video back in February, and shortly after, I couldn’t scroll TikTok without seeing it in a tutorial. I was mesmerized by the gorgeous shine and juicy pink flush and couldn’t wait to get it on my cheeks. The only problem? It wasn’t available anywhere, and no amount of beauty-editor favors could get it into my hands. For months it taunted me every time I opened the app. Nothing in my (giant) arsenal of blushes would satisfy me. I needed to be as glowy as Madison Beer.  

Flash-forward six months and a wait list of 50,0000 people later, and the Charlotte Tilbury Pinkgasm Light Wand has finally been restocked—and I haven’t gone a day without using it since it arrived at my doorstep. I was worried that the real thing wouldn’t measure up to the hundreds of videos I’ve seen, but I’m happy to report it’s even better in person. 

The sponge applicator is incredibly easy (and fun) to use, and just a few dabs will go a long way. It blends gorgeously into my skin and can be easily built up from a natural flush to full-on statement blush—like Madison and most of the TikTok girlies, I prefer the latter. I’m generally skeptical of products that claim to be universally flattering, but I have a hard time imagining someone this would look bad on. The blend of rose and gold tones is just so perfect and makes me look as cute as a cartoon princess.

I usually prefer matte blushes, but the shimmer is so fine it doesn’t read as glittery—just fresh and dewy. It doesn’t emphasize the acne scarring on my cheeks and will be clutch this winter, when my skin gets pale and sallow. My confidence has truly suffered in the last year, but when I swiped on this blush, I felt prettier than I ever have—I audibly gasped at the effect.

What hangover? 

Bella Cacciatore 

At $38, it’s a little steep for a blush (though to be fair, it is two products in one), but that feeling is worth any price tag—and well worth the wait. 

Charlotte Tilbury Pinkgasm Beauty Light Wand

Bella Cacciatore is the beauty writer at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_. 



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