August Skin

Beauty with Benefit, Part I

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:09:00 -0400

My very first beauty purchase was Benefit’s “You Rebel” tinted moisturizer. I was in middle school and I remember thinking that the makeup’s name instantly made me more daring than most.

Since then a lot has changed—their array of blushes, bronzers, and highlighters have swelled to include shades like “Watt’s Up,” “One Hot Minute,” and “CORALista” (and more on those in action next week)—but Benefit’s quirky and vintage-girly lineup still remains the fun section of any beauty store.

And speaking of fun, it would be terrible not to mention the brand’s contest that began earlier this week and concludes on Tuesday. One lucky winner will win a trip to New York with a friend, receive two $250 gift certificates for Benefit cosmetics, two Intermix shopping sprees valued at $500, and a Physique 57 fitness package (the gym that helps Kelly Ripa get that body). You can sign up for the contest here.

Skin Story: Isaiah Andrew, Modern Renaissance Man

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:57:19 -0400

A Dynastee Clothing Co. sweater

There are some men who don’t particularly care about appearance—use hand soap as face wash and pull together outfits as carefully as Rihanna censors tweets. Isaiah Andrew isn’t one of them.

He doesn’t shop with a stylist or an interior decorator, but it certainly feels that way. His relationship with fashion bellies on artistry and appreciation (not vanity and ostentation), which leads to a genuine likeability that narrowly defines few members of the fashionisto pack (read: Kanye West). Isaiah’s unabashedly premium aesthetic is a reoccurring theme.

Take skincare, for example, where you’ll need to travel to Bergdorf Goodman (among other luxury retailors) to recreate Isaiah’s regimen. He relies heavily on products from Kyoku—a male generated (and driven) skincare brand, and Kiehl’s. He cleanses with the Kyoku Daily Facial Cleanser and exfoliates weekly. And that scent he wears? That’s Yves Saint Laurent’s (or is it Saint Laurent?) L’Homme—a fusion of every note on Earth associated with the Y chromosome (bergamot, cedar, sandalwood, ginger); it’s definitely all male.

For Isaiah, shaving leads to an unintended consequence—razor bumps. To smooth, correct, and moisturize skin around his face, Isaiah employs the help of Sigma Skin—a subtle tinted moisturizer for men.

If you’re wondering if Isaiah offers seminars to educate the general male population on adequate grooming, you’re out of luck (but one can dream). He does, however, offer a window into his style online at Dynastee Clothing Co.—an online clothier Isaiah launched with his brother in 2001.

Geared towards the collegiate demographic and young adults, Dynastee Clothing Co. features apparel and accessories for men and women. An option that allows shoppers to build clothing on the site based on personal preferences is made possible by his girlfriend, Rachel Brooks, CEO and Co-founder of the customization platform, Citizen Made.

And when he’s not designing clothing, tailoring his apartment to look like a Design Within Reach showroom, or focusing on his skin, there’s always work, work; which for Isaiah is at IBM Design Lab. His role at the new offshoot of the tech giant is to improve the user experience and visuals within IBM Design Lab’s smarter analytics website. In other words, he’s making IBM look good. Is there any doubt he’ll succeed at that too?

Definitely not born with it. Definitely weave.

Thu, 09 May 2013 23:40:00 -0400

me pre-weave

with weave and hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez

one section of the hair Cynthia used

I’ve seen a lot of bad weaves—you know the kind. The plastic ones that look like a DuPont innovation left on the warehouse floor.

It’s because of my familiarity with these highly reflective hair offenders that I never considered wearing one. That is, until I was introduced to Hair Factory.

At Hair Factory’s pop-up shop in New York last week, I was transformed with the help of a few clip-in extensions and celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez. The goal was to recreate one of Kerry Washington’s red carpet hair moments, and I’ll let you be the judge if we succeeded (spoiler alert: I think we did).

Cynthia, who is as talented as she is movie-star gorgeous, added three rows of Remi Wave from Hair Factory’s New York Remi collection. The whole process took less than an hour and was so easy Cynthia says that I can do it at home (and if I can, then you can probably do it blindfolded and bound to the back of a speeding train).

Teasing my roots and cornrowing a small section of hair, Cynthia snapped on the weave (she cornrowed because my hair is fine; if you have thicker strands you can skip this step). Cynthia’s large barrel curling iron created flouncy swirls, and a bit of hair spray set the style in place. No peek-a-boo weave tracks to be found, and nary a trace of uneven texture (my hair blended so well, even I can’t tell where the real hair stops and the Remy hair begins).

This style will last for a week before I need to give my newly acquired strands a wash. Washing, as I learned, can be done separately with the shampoo and conditioner I already own. If I treat the hair with some respect, it should last a year. But who’s looking that far anyway? I’m already plotting curly extensions to join me throughout the summer.

When More Hair is a Good Thing

Thu, 02 May 2013 13:22:01 -0400

This Sunday I’ll join Hair Factory and gifted hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez for something very new (to me). Hair Factory, the veteran purveyor of hair extensions, is hosting a pop-up shop in New York City to deliver discounted goods, hair demonstrations, giveaways, and makeovers.

I’ll be there in the hands of Cynthia Alvarez (that’s her with Tatyana Ali above), getting my first set of extensions ever in front of everyone. Cynthia asked what sort of look I’m angling for, and without hesitation I said Kerry Washington. With any luck, bangs will be a part of the equation so I can give my fivehead some much needed shade.

I have so many questions to ask Cynthia this weekend. How long can I leave the extensions in my hair? Can I wash them? Do they get their own special bath? How is Beyoncé able to swirl her hair like a mop braving the spin cycle? Can I do that?

If you’ll be in the city this weekend, come join me as my hair reaches new lengths.

Hair Factory Pop-Up Shop at John Atchinson Salon & Spa

Sunday, May 5, 12 PM - 5 PM

143 Madison Avenue, New York, New York

RSVP: HFevent@hairfactory.com

Photo courtesy of Outset PR

May (if I had it my way)

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:59:00 -0400

Nasty Gal Gets Sheer — I haven’t been so excited to wear something sheer since Cher Horowitz trotted around Beverly Hills with fluffy pens and her “most capable looking outfits.”
Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer — A luminous formula offered in three shades. I’m dabbing this above my cheekbones and around my eyes for a controlled glow.
Bond No. 9 — This brand gets all the love and I want to know why. I’ll test my way through their fragrances and I’ll let you know which ones get the olfactory seal of approval.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence — I’m not certain, but I believe “treatment essence” is what you’re allowed to call a toner that costs as much as a cable bill. Cate Blanchett uses it, which is good enough for me (the woman looks like an Olsen twin plus five years and 10 inches).
Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat — The claim is that it dries like a gel manicure. I’ll be the judge of that.
Becca Matte Skin Foundation — Allow me to reintroduce myself: I get oily.
Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Sheer Candy in Dewy Papaya — I don’t see my addiction to peach lips ending anytime soon.
Warby Parker Wiloughby frames — I usually wear my contact lenses everyday. Perhaps that will change soon.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

On to Week 3: Vote for Me!

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:18:33 -0400

With your help, I made it to the third week of Allure magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year competition. There are only two more challenges left until the winner is determined.

This week, two bloggers will be eliminated from the competition. I can’t move forward without your help, so please vote for me here once a day, everyday this week. Friday votes must be cast before 11:59 AM. Each time you vote you’ll be entered to win prizes like a trip to Hawaii and a Kindle Fire.

The challenge theme of the week is lazy beauty, and I demonstrated three hair styles that can be created in a matter of minutes.

Don’t delay! Cast your vote now!

In Short/Instagram

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:16:26 -0400

This week on Instagram I took snaps of healthy snacks; reminisced over my moment on Anderson Cooper’s daytime show; stopped by Beauty Night Out at Long View Gallery; shared noteworthy articles from glossies; and sung the praises of a remarkable toner.

As always, you can follow my daily pursuits on Instagram via @aweatherford.

Sun Protection Without the Greasy/Chalky Factor

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:42:08 -0400

A few years ago the wide-legged jeans borrowed from the days of disco reappeared on starlets and tastemakers. They looked smart and blithe, and the Jerry Hall and Farrah Fawcett comparisons danced along.

I wouldn’t covet, let alone purchase, a pair of these jeans if they were given away with gold bars in the back pockets. Despite their former popularity, only one woman looks decent in these pants and she has pencil legs that stretch from Maine to Maryland.

I felt this way about facial sunscreen, too. When one brand wasn’t casting a reflective sheen on my face, another was leaving behind a white-gray residue. I’m guessing I wasn’t the only person with that issue because each year the number of improved sunscreen options grows. Here are my five favorites:

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Daily Anti-Aging Primer with Sunscreen – Appropriate if you’re oily skin is somewhat legendary. It’s a primer so it’s thick, but you’re makeup won’t budge over this.
Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30 – It mattifies without drying while preventing breakouts. It’s perfect.
Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 – A tad glue-like in texture, but it gets the job done.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 45 Ultra Light Fluid for Face – The most lightweight sunscreen you’ll ever try.
Dermalogica Welcome Matte SPF15 – You can forget about shine with this one.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Scandal Thursday: Calm Down

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:35:17 -0400

It’s been three weeks since the last Scandal episode, which made April by and large a terrible month for television. But it’s back tomorrow and it looks like Huck may have traveled back down the rabbit hole to insanity-land while Olivia is recuperating after her fight with good guy–turned bad guy, (turned good guy?) Jake. Like all Scandal episodes it’s bound to be suspenseful, so maybe this week we can make moves to buffer the edge.

Let’s begin with a beverage. Sometime in the past decade it was decided that green tea needed an upgrade from passed over addendum in Chinese takeout. Depending on where you look, green tea fights cancer, stimulates weight loss, prevents diabetes, lowers cholesterol (and the list goes on). Some say that the tea also stabilizes moods to encourage positive thinking. If that’s true, let’s have two cups on Scandal night. My favorite green tea of the moment is Harney & Sons’ Tropical Green.

Commercial break is a fine time to unload. How about unloading some toxins? Lymphatic drainage massage improves circulation in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system carries immune cells throughout the body to ward off infection. When circulation slows, toxins accumulate and inflammation can occur. For me, lymphatic drainage is especially helpful in the spring when I retain fluid better than a ShamWow. Watch this video for instructions and thank me later.

When the episode concludes and we’re left in a state of delirium, there’s only one thing to do to rest our pulse and stave off dreams where we’re secretly stalked by a man named Jake who will always hold a soft spot in our heart after winning us over as a guy named Noel in a 1990s teen series that has yet to meet its match [whew].

Pillow spray.

You can get fancy and spray your pillows with an eau de toilette, or for a more reasonable price-per-ounce selection, try L’Occitane’s Aromachologie Relaxing Pillow Mist or Bath and Body Works’ Sleep Pillow Mist to lavender lullaby your way to a peaceful sleep.

Photo credit

Gaga for Gatsby

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:33:44 -0400

Here’s the deal. In a matter of a few days “The Great Gatsby” media train hit me with full force. The photos—the trailers—the Jay Z/Kanye track that scores it all—“The Great Gatsby” movie is on the horizon and the film’s studio really wants us to know it.

So while I absorbed the media blitz in a flapper-filled trance, I honed in on the hair that marked the sleek styles of the razzle-dazzle era: the smooth bob and cushiony curls.

But there was a problem—in order to create a modified version of the soft waves puttering around in 1920’s West Egg, I would need to apply additional heat to my already straightened strands. As a rule, I try not to fry my hair more than once a month. I could have rolled my hair in curlers overnight, but that would have been as comfortable as sleeping in the bed of a pickup truck driving down a deserted highway.

Still longing for subtle curls but facing limited options, I opted for a comfortable alternative. I twirled my hair in one long strand, secured it with a small band, and then went to sleep. In the morning, I unraveled the solitary twist for super loose, heat-free curls. Like Daisy in the film, I parted my hair deep to one side and added a small clip.

Vote for me, please!

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:26:30 -0400

I’m currently competing in Allure magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year contest. It’s such an honor that I made it to the top 9, especially considering that my competitors are veteran beauty bloggers with a substantial following.

Please vote for me today and everyday this week so I can progress to the next round. Each time you vote, you’ll be entered to win a trip to Hawaii and other tempting prizes.

Vote for me here!

A Clear Skin Diet?

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:52:47 -0400

I think we can all agree that no one likes acne. But like baldness and dimpled thighs, acne is an indelible nuisance that just won’t go away for an unfortunate few.

But we certainly try.

After the spot treatments, masks, and borderline manic cleansing, an enduring theory remains: is it something that we ate? As children we were told sweets lead to breakouts—a tiresome axiom disproven many times over. Recent studies introduce new food enemies that run the grocery gamut.

There’s strong evidence that dairy causes breakouts. Hormones from lactating cows transferred tableside in milk, cream, and cheese; stimulate oil glands in our bodies. This excess oil production leads to clogged pores and blemished skin.

Over the winter, I decided to test this theory and ditched dairy for nearly six weeks. Two weeks into this experience I learned a few things: 1) consciously eliminating dairy is as easy as lifting a baby grand piano onto the third floor of a Brooklyn walkup, and 2) my breakouts actually started to decrease (especially around the chin and forehead). After six weeks with nary an ounce of lactose, I began to integrate dairy back into my diet. This slow integration allowed me to isolate the most problematic foods. Soft, processed cheese marked my skin like it was playing a game of Battleship, while hard cheeses were kinder (especially those made with goat’s milk).

The link between diet and acne doesn’t stop at dairy. A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietics pinned dairy and high glycemic foods as acne aggressors. Another recent study led by the University of Maryland tied gluten sensitivity to acne. Researchers noted gluten sensitivity (which is not as severe as gluten intolerance—Celiac disease), causes inflammation in the gut that spreads to others parts of the body. This inflammation appears on skin in the form of irritated and sometimes painful blemishes.

A trip down any drugstore beauty aisle makes it clear that we’re not alone in our troubled-skin suffering. So in light of the new scientific evidence, is it a good idea to focus less on what we put on our face, and more on what we put in it?

In Short/Instagram

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:03:15 -0400

This week I said hello and goodbye to the cherry blossoms; ventured to the National Cathedral and U.S. Capitol; spotted a few goodies at the Georgetown French Market, and tested a pricey moisturizer.

You can follow all of my snaps on Instagram with my username @aweatherford.

Jet Set Beauty

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:47:35 -0400

Today I contributed to LoveBrownSugar.com and shared five beauty buys that always land in my suitcase. See what made the cut here.

…And please don’t forget to vote for me here as Allure magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year.

An Unexpected Favorite: Blue Tips

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:17:00 -0400

It’s been over a decade since my last blue nail polish purchase. “Titanic” was still in theaters and the Spice Girls were demigods. But there’s something about the deep navy, midnight, and Egyptian blues that make the rich hue a bit more grown up. These shades compliment any skin tone for just about every occasion.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Back to Basics: Wash your Face the Right Way

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:54:56 -0400

Cruising the pages of a thought-provoking website; joining ambrosial flavors to create an aromatic dish; painting your nails while losing yourself in really bad TV – they’re all examples of what is affectionately known as “me time,” and I’m guessing you know it very well.

My “me time” is when I’m cleansing, treating, and moisturizing my face. I know that’s a little weird, but let me live my life, okay?

I mention my “me time” only to let you know that apparently I had been doing it wrong for years—a sad and embarrassing fact on many levels. It’s kind of like a photography enthusiast who shoots photos with the lens cap still attached.

It turns out that there are methods—rules actually—to follow when washing one’s face. Some are obvious: use lukewarm water, avoid cleansing around eyes, and frequently change washcloths.

A new rule (at least to me) redefines the direction you should wash your face. According to estheticians and dermatologists, you should lather soap in circular upward and outward movements around your face and neck (see diagram). Lotion and serums should be applied in this manner too. This method stimulates blood circulation so skin can achieve its own natural glow. It also prevents downward tugging, which over time may increase wrinkle formation.

I’ve tried this approach for a few months now and I like what I see so far. I’ll probably continue because at the end of the day, tending to my face is my “me time,” and I intend to spend these treasured moments how I see fit.

A Celebration

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:41:27 -0400

Last Sunday I gathered a few friends to celebrate the launch of the Allure magazine Blogger of the Year competition. The fête took place at Alaina’s brilliantly decorated apartment. You may remember when I featured her on August Skin a few months ago.

At the party, there was food, makeup, and Taboo. It was an afternoon filled with love and laughter, and I feel so lucky to call these amazing individuals my friends.

Don’t forget to vote for me as Blogger of the Year! A vote for me may land you a trip to Hawaii, $1,000 worth of Revlon products, a Clarisonic Aria, and more.

Prayers for Boston

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:15:36 -0400

“…life is fleeting, impermanent, and uncertain. Therefore, we must make use of every moment and nurture it with affection, tenderness, beauty, creativity, and laughter.” -Deepak Chopra

Cheers to Voting

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:51:47 -0400

Voting for Allure magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year competition begins today. Please vote for me! Voters like you will have the opportunity to win pretty fantastic prizes, like a trip to Hawaii, $1,000 worth of Revlon products, and a Clarisonic Aria.

Some general rules to consider are:

Voters may vote only once per day; and
the voting period takes place over the next 5 weeks, where the online “polls” are open 9 AM Monday to 11:59 AM Friday.

So vote today and everyday! I’ve also included a link to the voting page at the top of my blog for easy access.

Putting on a Pout

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:22:30 -0400

It seems that every season beauty brands tout the quality and density of the pigments coloring their lipsticks. I too, can appreciate the formulas where one swipe ensures a fully-covered lip, but today I wanted something different. Revlon Lip Butters are hydrating lip treatments loaded with just enough color and shine. I’m wearing Juicy Papaya, a pinkish-peach that’s helping me put my best foot forward for spring.