While I definitely take care of my skin, hair, bod, I definitely wouldn’t say I’m that diligent or regimented about it. Especially when I’m traveling - I tend to let all my routines slip because I’m usually just too tired at the end of the day. Now I’m trying to get it all back on track. Here’s what I’m using.
MOTHER SCIENCE SET
I was gifted this set of products, then approached for a partnership with the brand, but first I committed to using it for six weeks. I used the Molecular Hero Serum twice a day - it contains Malassezin, which is a super powerful antioxidant (important when you’re going to be outside and in the sun to protect from free radical damage) and can help fade and prevent dark spots. I went through a round of 3 sessions of Pico Sure Pro laser last spring to get rid of my spots, and I desperately did not want them to come back - and they didn’t. The serum gives my skin just enough moisture to look dewy and bouncy, and since I’ve started using it, my skintone is somehow more even and brighter than before. I’m a heavy sunscreen user, and having an extra layer of antioxidants to protect my skin made me feel that much better being outside all summer. But the Retinol Synergist was especially good - it combines Malassezin and Retinol to do a double punch to spots, fine lines, texture, etc, but didn’t give me any of the peeling and sensitivity I usually get with a retinol. My fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes are still there, of course, but they’re softer and don’t jump out at me so much when I look in the mirror. Mother Science Skin Renewal Set, $157
OAK ESSENTIALS CLEANSER
I’m not extremely fussy about cleansers, but I do love to try them out. I go for ones that aren’t scented, that aren’t gritty, that don’t feel drying but also don’t leave too much of a residue - though I do love an oil cleanser. Lately I’ve been using this one from Oak Essentials (Jenni Kayne’s skincare brand - I was gifted this) and I LOVE it. It’s mega gentle, thoroughly cleans, doesn’t sting (or stink), and makes my skin feel so soft and bouncy. I would 10/10 buy it for myself when I run out. It’s everything I look for in a cleanser - especially in the summer when I wear many, many layers of sunscreen. Oak Essentials, $42
UNI BODY CARE
If I’m wearing a million layers on sunscreen on my face, I also have a million layers on my body. I’ve been using this Uni Skin Shield Body Wash with a scrubby mitt to get all of it off my body, and then the 24-Hour Skin Serum after so that I don’t dry up. I’ve only recently started paying close attention to my body skin, and this combo + the Hanni (below) are hopefully going to help halt some of the crepeyness I fear is on my horizon. Body Wash, $33 ; 24-Hour Serum, $43
HANNI BODY CARE
I’ve written a lot about Hanni already, but man, I love it. When I shave, I always use the Splash Salve (a deep moisturizer that you put on while you’re in the shower) and I now always travel with a stick of The Fatty (a super concentrated Omega rich stick moisturizer). I like to rub it on my elbows, knees, heels, and big toes, especially after I’ve been on the beach or in a ton of sun. It’s SO GOOD - I can’t endorse it highly enough. I also love the Water Balm, especially to spray on myself throughout the day to cool off and help keep my skin feeling not roasted. Hanni Splash Salve, $34 ; The Fatty, $28 ; Water Balm, $34
ROZ & CROWN AFFAIR HAIR PRODUCTS
Ok, so I’ve gotten super into my hair lately…ha! After years of doing Keratin treatments to smooth it out so I could wear it really short, I’ve grown it all out and am wearing it BIG and CURLY and it’s making me so happy. I think more than anything, the combination of these two products - Roz’s Milk Hair Serum and Crown Affair Oil (five pumps of Roz, one dropper full of Oil, mixed up in my palm and then rubbed over damp hair, scrunched, then air-dried without touching it) - is the secret to my near perfect, BOUNCY springy curls. They’re like slinkee curls, I can’t get over it. I’m in love. Roz Milk Hair Serum, $52 ; Crown Affair Oil, $40
IRIS & ROMEO SPF
I used this tinted SPF all summer (I also used it all last spring) and I’ve gifted it to a million friends, and I will continue to use it until they stop making it. Nothing has ever made my skin look as good as this - it’s dewy, but not glittery. It evens my skintone, but it’s insanely sheer coverage. It has SPF 50 + Vitamin C and nothing has ever worked magic on me like this has. Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin, $50
SWEED EYELASH SERUM
I’ve also written about this before, but I was so grateful I’d used it all spring because all summer, I never needed to wear mascara. It has made my eyelashes grow SO LONG and they also look thicker and darker. And now going into fall and winter, I’m still happy I don’t need to wear mascara. My makeup routine now is Weekend Skin, and blush across my cheeks and the bridge of my nose, and that’s basically it. I swear by this product, but you do have to use it very consistently every night for at least three months, but then BOOM. Your eyelashes appear and suddenly they’re brushing up against your sunglass lenses and it’s heaven. Sweed Beauty, $55
That’s it!
Your friend,
Laurel
This newsletter is produced with support from Mother Science
I love Roz Milk Hair Serum. I have naturally wavy hair and if I use this right after a shower when my hair is damp and scrunch it in, my hair dries in these great waves. And it doesn’t seem to leave a lot of residue either.
I bought the Hanni water balm after the previous rec, and I can’t get into it. The rose scent is overwhelming at first and even if I get past that, I feel like it makes my skin drier — like I spray it on and after it dries down, it looks ashy, even if I do it right out of the shower. And it doesn’t repel bugs like I’d hoped it would 😂. I wanted to love this so much!