Everything She Wants

A few years ago, I was gifted a Foreo LUNA Mini and Foreo UFO. But I was intimidated by the fab and intricate packaging and tech talk that an app connection was necessary for the devices to work. So they remained in my beauty supply closet, pondered but unopened. Fast forward to 2021 and nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic. Maskne happened. My skin was breaking out around my mouth; not a surprise after wearing face masks daily since March 2020. But I also had a few unsightly blemishes on my forehead.  So I went back to the  battle-ready skincare hacks I've used -- salicylic acid cleansers to combat the acne and glycolic/alpha-hydroxy acid to brighten and banish the blemishes.  My adult skincare routine also includes daytime and nighttime moisturizers packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Day and night, I also pamper my skin with different types of masks chocked full of holistic skin savers like aloe, charcoal, turmeric and black...

Several years ago, I wrote a daily blog called Hot Mama Daily for b5media (those were good times).  And one of my most popular posts was on the best daily moisturizers for African-American skin .  There are a lot of options when it comes to beauty and skincare products. But I’ve found that when it comes to finding the perfect moisturizer, skin type matters just as much as skin color. CeraVe works wonders. Since that post, I've discovered a few new moisturizers and added them to my tried-and-true list. Instead of acne, these days my main skin concern is hyper pigmentation (uneven skin tone).  So in no particular order, here are   my picks for the best moisturizers for African-American women   (and probably most women): Oil Control : Decades ago,  Mamie McDonald , an African-American aesthetician in New York City, recommended that I use Dermalogica products and I’ve been using the products on and off ever since.   For moisturizers, I like th...

For those of us who struggled with acne as adolescents, the last thing we want to do is deal with adult acne. Like when we were teens, adult acne can be embarrassing and cause us to feel less confident at work and in social interactions. What causes adult acne? According to WebMD , adult acne is caused by sebum, an oily substance produced by the skin's sebaceous glands. Sebum clogs pores, which attracts bacteria and become inflamed. For some adults, breakouts are a result of hypersensitivity or the overproduction of male hormones known as androgens. An imbalance in both male and female hormones (estrogen) can also cause breakouts. In women, this can happen during pregnancy, perimenopause  and menopause. Besides hormones, some medications and cosmetics also contribute to developing acne. How to treat adult acne? Gentle cleansers are a good option. We apply our favorite cleanser to our Vitagoods Face & Body Cleansing Brush, and that routine has worked wond...

When it comes to skincare, who needs fancy packaging or an expensive price tag? The most important thing is that the product works.  And the more natural the ingredients the better. That's why Everything She Wants is such a fan of Reviva Labs .  Reviva products can be found in most health food stores, and they've really helped me control my adult acne flair-ups.  Here's the successful regimen I've followed for the past three months: Step 1: Cleanse with Camphor Cleansing Milk ($8) for oily or blemished skin. This simple formulation is blended with imported camphor added for its astringent and anti-bacterial properties. Unlike other acne washes, it gently cleanses and doesn't leave my skin feeling dry.  And since I started using it, I haven't had as many breakouts.  I should mention, however, that I also regularly get LED light treatments for acne and anti-aging. Step 2:  After I wash my face with the Cleansing Milk, I use Camphor Toner ($8) . ...

Now that spring is here, Everything She Wants is looking for new beauty products and lighter, fresher mineral makeup.  So it’s only natural that I turned to e.l.f.* (eyes lips face), perhaps the bestselling makeup brand for bargain beauty-nistas. Previously, I’ve written about e.l.f.’s magical Essential Zit Zapper (it’s only a buck).  And since my pesky breakouts persist I’m ready to try out the limited edition Spring Collection Mineral Blemish Set ($5), which promises to heal and disguise blemishes with all-natural ingredients.  The two-piece set comes with a concealer brush and translucent powder with active acne fighting ingredients like sulfur, tea tree and willow bark to treat acne and prevent future breakouts. For spring makeup , e.l.f. has several limited-edition Spring Collection products perfect for Mother’s Day, prom, graduation and birthday gifts including: the 2-Piece Mineral Foundation SPF 15 set ($5) infused with vitamin E to condition an...

It's hard to put your best face forward when your acne flares up. And for women like me, who are way beyond their teen years, adult acne is particularly pesky. So what's a girl to do? e.l.f. Mineral Blemish Kit For a long-term acne solution, it's best to see a dermatologist or skincare specialist.  But in the meantime, Everything She Wants suggests picking up a good over-the-counter acne remedy and concealer. Luckily, my favorite budget makeup brand, e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face) has several options: Heal and hide breakouts with the e.l.f. Mineral Blemish Kit ($8), a translucent powder with natural acne fighting ingredients like sulfur, tea tree and willow bark.  The kit treats acne and prevents future breakouts while penetrating into the pores to control blackheads. Use the sheer powder day and night with the handy concealer brush included. E.l.f.'s weightless mineral concealer ($5) comes in five shades from Fair to Deep, and all the colors seamless...

File this under bright ideas.  On a 90-plus degree afternoon in New York City Everything She Wants visited Cecilia Wong Skincare (215 Park Avenue) for a 30-minute Paprika Hot Stimulating Peel ($100), made with paprika, red pepper and cayenne pepper. Cecilia Wong The peel tingled a bit and my face did feel hot initially. But the pepper mixture helps to stimulate the skin and improve circulation.  It also plumps and hydrates, so I knew it would be worth a little discomfort.  After she applied the peel, Cecilia gave me a LED Light Therapy treatment.  She used a blue light, which kills bacteria, unclogs pores and to help fades acne scars. Although it sounds like it would have the opposite effect, the peel actually made my face cooler the rest of the day. After every treatment with Cecilia, I can instantly see and feel the results.  Her passion for skin care began at an early age because of her own problem skin.  And she discovered that consum...

We spend a lot of cash on skin care products.  And with so many options, it's hard to find the right brands and types of products that address your specific, individual skin care needs. Well, a new interactive website from Philips wants to help us map out a customized skin care strategy.  Simply go to the Crystalize website and join the community.  Then you can set up a Crystalize consultation at one of the site's retail partners .  Savvy New Yorkers may have noticed that some Duane Reade drugstores have been upgraded with a Sephora -worthy beauty section.  That's where you get your free consultation with a specialist who will recommend products based on your online Crystalize profile. I went for my consultation at the Duane Reade in Union Square.  And as a BeautyStat participant in the Crystalize "Skin Secrets" video contest, I was given $75 worth of quality products to try out.  My major concerns are dehydration on my forehead and cheek...

As I mature, blemishes and fine lines are my skin's biggest enemies.  So I'm thankful whenever I discover natural products that effectively help me keep a youthful glow. Reviva Labs is an affordable health food store brand that's been around for 37 years and is used in over 1200 professional skin-care salons.  I received a few samples and I've been using Reviva's gentle Glycolic Acid Cleanser ($12) and Glycolic Acid Toner ($12) to help unclog pores and control pesky blackheads and blemishes.  Reviva's glycolic formulation is made with non-toxic, fruit-based Alpha Hydroxy derivatives without mineral oil or any other pertrolatum derivatives. Each night, I also apply Reviva's Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($22), a high-potency daily moisture booster. The professional strength serum helps keep your skin hydrated in dry climates and heated rooms that rob skin of moisture (New York City apartments are notorious for this). Reviva has been a part of my daily skin-...