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If there’s one thing I’m obsessed with this spring, it’s finding beauty products that not only enhance our natural features but also solve the everyday problems we encounter. From skincare saviors to makeup miracles, to nail and lash essentials, I am constantly on the lookout for those extraordinary gems that bring joy, confidence, and practical solutions to our beauty routines.
It’s been a little chilly here in New York for May. I’m still not in full self-tanner mode, and I’m still wearing boots, so hopefully, if you are reading this, the weather is warmer, sunnier, and I’m wearing my favorite Louis Vuitton sandals. Despite the fact that it’s been unseasonably chilly here on the east coast, I’m still doubling down on my SPF. My rule of thumb when it comes to sun protection: Apply rain or shine.
I get to try out hundreds of products each year, but only a select few make it to my top shelf. Want to discover something new that’s tried and true? Ahead, I share some of my May 2023 beauty and style obsessions.
LASH IN A FLASH
As a former beauty director of a newsstand magazine for over a decade, I most certainly tried my share of lashes, but nothing ever really stuck with me quite like imPRESS Press-on Falsies ($16.99, impressmanicure.com). If you haven’t tried these high-impact, press-on lashes yet, trust me, you will be pretty amazed. The first ever press-on under lash application lets you lash in one simple step; no mistakes and no mess, and –get this–no glue.
How does it work? The pressure-sensitive adhesive adheres instantly (you apply them under your natural lashes) so all you need to do is literally press them on and you are good to go. I wrote a full review many months ago, you can check it out right here. The best part part is that there’s a variety of lash cluster styles, and you can totally customize a look, stack, or my fave, use as accent lashes. (I like to place a few on the outer corners of my lashes to get an effortless cat-eye look.) Truth be told, I never, ever, EVER, thought I would have mastered the under-lash technique, but, whoa, look at me now. I have so many friends and family members (and even people I have never met) texting and DM’ing me on social about them, saying they never really used false lashes before and they are hooked. So, I’m officially calling it: This is the year we all learn to lash, and Press-On Falsies is the game-changer.
BLOWN AWAY
Leave it to The Beachwaver Co. (once again) to answer my hair prayers. Sure, there are a slew of blow dryer brushes out there but I kind of always felt like Goldilocks in this space ….”this one is too big, this one is too loud, this one just doesn’t…” Ah, I finally found a blow dryer bush that’s “JUST RIGHT!”
The Beachwaver Blow Brush ($189, beachwaver.com) is everything I dreamed it would be. I had a chance to see it in action backstage at NYFW with inventor and cofounder of The Beachwaver Co., Sarah Potempa. (She gave me quite the VIP experience!) Now that I have had a chance to try it out for myself, it’s safe to say I’m blown away. And I’m not even exaggerating, this tool is a Godsend. It comes with four adjustable heads: Oval Nozzle, Diffuser, Round Brush, and Smoothing Brush. This tool is your one-stop shop for endless looks and uses Ionic technology to reduce frizz and static for a healthy, shiny smooth finish. Oh, and my absolute favorite part is the Round Brush. It’s the perfect size to create some major volume and that bouncy-sexy, ‘just stepped out of the salon’ blowout look, and yep, I’m obsessed.
SWEET SENSATION
I recently discovered a Target-exclusive fragrance brand, Fine’ry, and I’m instantly obsessed. The collection consists of nine scents, each with a different colored bottle and packaging. Each perfume comes in a five-ounce body mist or a smaller two-ounce perfume and an even smaller tester pack with five scents included. While I do love to indulge on pricey perfumes here and there, there’s nothing that I love more than saving money and these fragrances not only smell amazing, but they are also super affordable.
My favorite: Fine’ry Magnetic Candy Fragrance Perfume ($15.98, Target). The scent experience is a nostalgic escape into a neon candy fantasy. (Think: super-charged cotton candy.) If you love a scent that’s unapologetically sweet, and a little rebellious at the same time, than this scent is for you.
KEEP IT CLASSY
I change up my nails so often, it’s really hard to pick a fave but the style I’m really into right now is KISS PREMIUM CLASSY NAILS in ‘Ever After’ ($9.99, kissusa.com). These glue-on nails are chic combination of modern French designs paired with fashionable jewel accents. Classic white French tips are the perfect addition to any wedding outfit, so my all means keep these in mind for any upcoming wedding invites.
If you have not tried glue-on nails yet, you are missing on. I have been using KISS nails for years so I’m practically pro-level, but it only took a few minutes to learn how to do it. All you need to do: Clean nails with polish remover and wash hands thoroughly with soap; select correct size nail for each finger and set aside in order. (Nails are sized by number, noted underneath nail.) Apply glue to back of artificial nail, then apply glue to natural nail. Align with your cuticle, gently press on and hold for five seconds, and voilà, your nails are done.
SO WORTH THE SPLURGE
Turn back time and achieve youthful, glowing skin with Silk’n Titan Always ($339, silkn.com ) This at-home anti-aging device literally does it all: Reduces wrinkles and fine lines, restores collagen and elastin fibers, builds volume, tightens skin and lifts facial contours, strengthens the deeper layers of skin and improves skin structure and elasticity, and blurs superficial sun and age spots. I use it ~religiously~ three times a week, mostly in bed when I’m binging on Netflix shows. (It’s cordless, which I love!)
Unlike other anti-aging devices, Titan AllWays combines not one but three energy sources for more efficiency: Bipolar RF (radio frequency) energy, LED light energy, and IR (infrared) heat energy. If you buy only one beauty device this year, make it this one!
BLUSH CRUSH
LYDA Beauty The Dreamy Duo – Cream Blush & Cream Highlighter ($45, Lydabeauty.com) is by far one of my favorite ways to add radiance and a sheer flush of color. To be honest, I was never a fan a crème blushes before, but now I am officially converted! I have been using it for over a month and it blends and melts into my skin like a dream.
This highly pigmented, non-toxic vegan, cream blush with matching cream highlighter can even double-up as lip color and eyeshadow. The cream blush is great for the lips (I layer the two shades) and the cream highlighter is perfect for eyeshadow use—I literally use it all over my face and lips and I’m so in love!
SMOOTH MOVES
It’s not bikini-season yet, but I can finally ditch the opaque stockings, so this next obsession will help me get ready to bare my legs, sans razor burn. Gillette Venus and Rifle Paper Co. have teamed up for the third consecutive year to create a designer shave collection that brings beauty to the everyday, available at Target stores widely and Target.com. This collection of high-performance hair-removal items combines the artistry of Rifle Paper Co. with the expertise of Venus, resulting in an assortment of hair-removal products made to elevate the in-shower experience, revealing smooth skin in bloom.
A staple in my May shower: Rifle Paper Co. + Venus Disposable Razors ($8.59, Target.com). These re-usable, durable, ergonomic, Rifle Paper Co. designer handle has a soft-touch grip that comes with two Smooth Sensitive refill cartridges. I love how pretty it looks in my shower and all the products leave my skin so smooth and soft to the touch.
GOOD TO GO
Although I wear sunscreen all year long, as soon as the weather warms up here, I double down. Even days I just plan to run errands and not doing a full face a makeup, I love to have a lot of sun protection and hydration, plus a little hint of coverage. AVYA Hyroveda Sheer Tinted Moisturizer -SPF 40 ($38, Avyaskincare.com) is my latest discovery and it basically combines skincare, SPF, and light coverage all in a few pumps.
The mineral-based tinted moisturizer Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 protects against UVA and UVB rays. Hyaluronic acid and plant-derived squalane helps lock in moisture and hydrate skin. (It’s formulated with Green Chai Extract, Apple Extract and Vitamin C, as well as mineral pigments to provide natural color and radiance. Infused with modern molecular science and ancient Ayurvedic medicine, this multi-tasking moisturizer protects, hydrates and perfects skin, and it’s perfect to take with you on the go.
LIP SERVICE
When I mentioned earlier that I double-downed on SPF this month, this is exactly a great example of that. It’s easy to forget to protect your lips so I love having a nourishing lip balm on hand at all times. If you’re on the hunt for a new one, the eos SPF 30 Coconut Lip Balm ($3.69, Walmart) is just so delish. With notes of cracked-open coconut with a fruity dash of pineapple, this balm makes me feel like I’m on a tropical vacay. The hydrating formulas are sweat and water resistant for up to 80 minutes, are safe for sensitive skin, and provide long-lasting hydration and moisture.
BETTER SHAPE UP
Wedding season will soon be underway and if you have a formal event or work party coming up and you want to look flawless in a dress, the Built-In 360° Contour Midi Shaping Dress ($66.80, shapellx.com ) is just what you need. The design features 360-degree waist taming power as well as stretchy compression fabric that smooth the tummy and hips. It’s made to adjust to your body perfectly and it’s very flattering.
Shapellx is women’s everyday shapewear brand that offers a variety of flattering silhouettes for any occasion created with sustainable materials and high-quality fabrics. Their shapewear products range from undergarments that can be worn as outerwear and a line of body flattering dresses to be worn under other apparel or stand-alone fashion.
