WELCOME TO THETHE EDITOR’S EDIT
Where real, proven beauty wisdom meets a sensible approach to self care. Think of this as your insider’s guide to the beauty industry—and the latest products that are actually worth purchasing. At The Editor's Edit, I hope to foster an open, elevated dialogue with a contributing beauty editor at W magazine. This isn't about the fleeting allure of some sexy packaging. We're unearthing beauty gems that will transform you from the inside out, and will resonate among those with discerning tastes.
I aim to cover the beauty world with (at times brutal, but necessary) honesty and thoughtfulness, sharing only the most effective, science-backed finds amid a dizzying, saturated market filled with products and brands. The Editor's Edit is a celebration of beauty as an art form, curated for consumers who appreciate quality products—from the award-winning classics to cutting-edge newcomers.
Beyond the realm of potions and lotions, I weave into The Editor's Edit snippets from my own life in L.A.: a tapestry of fashion, travels, and moments as a mom, wife and writer, all shared from the heart of the city. Consider this a glimpse into a world where everyday luxuries are savored, and beauty is an expression of our most creative selves.
With Love and Gratitude,
The Best Beauty Balm For Your Skin
Facing extreme weather, I trust a moisturizing balm with Blue Tansy to soothe and repair my skin. Whether it's harsh winters or scorching summers, it melts into my skin, providing deep nourishment without heaviness. A true skin savior, it keeps my complexion calm and hydrated through all seasons.
The Blue Cocoon by May Lindstrom
An exceptional moisturizing balm that I rely on during hot summers and harsh winters, when my skin faces extreme weather conditions. I slather it on my face every winter night after a day on the slopes or in my hotel room after a beach or boat day when my skin has has endured the inescapable scorching summer heat. This balm is my constant go-to remedy. Formulated with the highest grade of responsibly sourced Blue Tansy, one of nature's most potent antioxidant flower botanicals, it soothes, calms, and repairs my skin. The balm's decadent texture effortlessly melts into the skin, delivering nourishment without any heaviness. It bears repeating that despite protective measures we take such as hats, sunscreen, ski goggles, or face masks, harsh weather conditions, including even ocean reflections, can still leave the skin parched and in need of replenishment.
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The Best Brush For Your At-Home Blowout
Fabulous hair is paramount, right? I firmly believe that even with the most stunning dress or flawless makeup, if your hair is not on point, your overall appearance suffers.
Fabulous hair is paramount, right?
I firmly believe that even with the most stunning dress or flawless makeup, if your hair is not on point, your overall appearance suffers. So, for those of you who blow your own hair out in between salon visits, you know that this at-home task requires several essential elements and tools. Naturally, every blow out aficionado knows that conditioners and heat protectants are crucial, as is the blow dryer itself. However, one often underestimated component is having a well-crafted boar bristle brush. I swear by the MB4 brush from Ibiza. It's a staple in salons worldwide and I see it everywhere from St. Tropez to San Moritz. Thanks to its superior grip—ideal for medium to long hair—and it is easy to grip cork handle, this brush is light and excellent at maneuvering, reaching all angles of the back of the hair too. Boar bristles are unmatched for hair control, and I personally feel from experience that, unless wielded by professionals, round metal brushes can sometimes risk singeing the hair. Lastly, don’t forget that tension is also instrumental to achieving smooth perfection and the grip is fab with this brush.
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The Dream Cream
The neck is one of the first places on the body to show signs of aging. Why? Because our skin is thinner in this area, there is less muscle support, collagen, and fat—and frankly, more than in decades past, we are constantly glancing up and down at our phones.
Revision’s Nectifirm Fights Crepiness, Does Not Disappoint
The neck is one of the first places on the body to show signs of aging. Why? Because our skin is thinner in this area, there is less muscle support, collagen, and fat—and frankly, more than in decades past, we are constantly glancing up and down at our phones. Sun damage is yet another problem: you don’t wear a hat for your neck, do you? And it doesn’t make sense to put on a turtleneck in spring and summer, right?
To help your neck look its firmest and softest, often acupuncture in the areas where you hold tension in your jaw can provide visible results. Sleeping on your back can also help, as well as using silk pillowcases, which can soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, along with a host of other benefits.
Don’t forget about a key step when it comes to keeping your neck smooth: using a topical like a hydrating neck cream. I have found Revision’s Nectifirm neck cream is fantastic when it comes to firming and preventing sagging. It contains lingonberry extract (known for its potently antioxidant properties) which helps maintain elasticity.
Side note: Once a week or before a special event, I also like to scrub my skin with a light physical exfoliant before I apply the neck cream. I find it absorbs better. (I have to point out that I typically avoid over-exfoliating, as it can weaken the skin and make it more susceptible to sun damage.) Again, it bears repeating—rotate this every few months with another neck cream product. I switch it out with SkinCeuticals Tripeptide R-Neck Repair Cream, which is also fabulous.
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Revision’s Nectifirm Neck Cream
SkinCeuticals Tripeptide R-Neck Repair Cream
*The products featured here may contain affiliate links.
Always Keep This Heat Protectant Spray on Hand for At-Home Blowouts
For those of us who don’t have the luxury of making professional salon visits after every shampoo, we've learned to be savvy and invest in exceptional products and tools. Enter the new Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray.
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray
“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” Kate Moss once said. But I am convinced that she never experienced the joy of a smooth, sexy, long-lasting blowout—because that to me is just as satisfying as fitting into a tight LBD. Sleek and controlled hair is a confidence booster, in my opinion—and there's nothing quite like the feeling of a professional blowout by your favorite stylist, is there?
But for those of us who don’t have the luxury of making professional salon visits after every shampoo, we've learned to be savvy and invest in exceptional products and tools. Enter the new Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray. Now, pay attention: I don't use this spray on my hair immediately after showering as a heat protectant. Instead, I reserve it for the next day, or even the day after, when my hair is dry and I'm ready to go over my blowout to keep it smooth and in place again. You can even use it with a flat iron if you want to go straighter on day two or three, as this product protects strands up to 450 degrees. The nourishing spray leaves no residue, smooths out your hair, and enhances the natural path of the original Day One blowout effortlessly, which I love. All it takes is a mere thirty seconds to two minutes to work with (along with an excellent brush and a powerful blow dryer) and voilà! You're left with a flawless finish.
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Why the $150 Prodigy Scientist-Developed Sunscreen is Worth Every Penny
In the realm of skincare, there's an indispensable element you must always prioritize - sunscreen. Think about it: while you weigh the option of shelling out an extra $1k on an unscheduled Botox appointment for a fab party you just found out about or $500 on a tending rejuvenating facial
“I’ve been using PAVISE Sunscreen, developed by genius scientist and entrepreneur Sophie Bai and I could not be happier.”
In the realm of skincare, there's an indispensable element you must always prioritize - sunscreen. Think about it: while you weigh the option of shelling out an extra $1k on an unscheduled Botox appointment for a fab party you just found out about or $500 on a tending rejuvenating facial, it's crucial you recognize that all in all, your daily sunscreen is your first line of defense against the factors that lead you to seek such expensive treatments in the first place. Right? I thought so. So, one should not balk at a $150 high-performance sunscreen that carries a mighty task: protecting your precious skin against wrinkles, dark spots and general sigs of ageing. I’ve been using PAVISE Sunscreen, developed by genius scientist and entrepreneur Sophie Bai and I could not be happier. In fact, other than testing new sunscreens for my vocation, I don’t see myself using anything else for the long run. This innovative mineral sunscreen uses their proprietary diamond core technology, providing comprehensive protection against UVA, UVB, and visible light. The formula is chemical-free, relying on mineral filters and enriched with potent bio-actives like Niacinamide, Tranexamic acid, and my personal favorite, the brightening plant botanical licorice root extract which beautifully evens out skin tone.
I also love the consistency and how it feels on my skin, non-greasy which is a hard task for sunscreens that deliver potent protection. Lastly, it's crucial to highlight the importance of complementing sunscreen with physical protection measures such as wearing a hat and sunglasses for added defense against harmful UV rays.
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My Morning Beauty Staple? A Probiotic Drink
Explore why nourishing your gut with probiotics like Symprove is essential. Beyond fads like celery juice, probiotics enhance gut health, boost energy, and fortify immunity. With 20 years of experience, I've found Symprove to be the best for maintaining vitality and reducing bloating.
I’ve spent 20 years trying scores of brands, and I’ve found nothing better than Symprove. This product is better than anything else available and comparable.
To those who got so into the celery juice, kale chips, and acai bowl crazes: I urge you to take a step back and recognize the importance of simply nourishing your gut microbiome with probiotics. Focus on strengthening our stomach health without getting swept up in fads! Today, in the year of 2024, there are a billion-plus reasons why you should take a probiotic every morning. Aside from gut health serving a paramount function for your well-being, probiotics help increase your energy levels, fortify immune function and (for the sake of our vanity) they address bloating concerns by harmonizing the gut flora. I’ve spent 20 years trying scores of brands, and I’ve found nothing better than Symprove. This product is better than anything else available and comparable. First, it’s a water-based probiotic solution, so it passes through the stomach into the lower gut without compromising any of the powerful bacteria. Symprove’s strains also produce lactate, which feeds the good bacteria in your stomach. And arguably most important: the evidence is clear in how I look and feel. When I stick to my regular diet and exercise routine, but don’t use Symprove and instead try other probiotics, I notice a decline in my energy levels, skin condition, and I experience more bloating. The proof is in the pudding. And this is a staple in my morning routine that I will never forego.
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*The products featured here may contain affiliate links.