There are so many beauty tips, tricks, and hacks floating around these days that I think I’m practically a bonafide professional. But delusions of grandeur aside, there’s nothing like a real pro and the hair and skin products pros swear by. Even though I’m positive I can give you a spa-quality facial, actual beauty pros just know more. They’re privy to new products, active ingredient combos that sound like science projects, not to mention genius new procedures for skin and hair. That’s why I swallowed my pride and reached out to three of New York’s finest beauty pros to give me the inside info on some of their favorite products.
For some trendy beauty and skin care insight, I spoke to Jill Freeman at Shen Beauty, a full service spa and shop in Brooklyn. On the hunt for perfect hair, I got tips from Estella Coker, a stylist at Blo, a blow dry bar in Chelsea with many other locations. Because natural products are becoming increasingly popular, I found Jennifer Rasa, the founder of Pretty Please, a spa in the Flatiron District that uses all natural products. They don’t know I’m just building my database of beauty knowledge for my own selfish gain, though. Let’s just keep that between us. Read on for a round-up of their expert products for hair and skin!
First up, Jill Freeman at Shen Beauty chatted with me about the benefits of skin oils and non-powder highlighters:
1. Facial Oils Aren't Bad For Oily Skin — Try This Rosehip Seed Oil
Pai Skincare Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, $40, Amazon
Facial oils are becoming a popular way to nourish skin, but with oily skin, I'm still hesitant to try it. Freeman recommended this Pai oil. This organic skin refining oil is a dryer oil than most, she said, so it's won't feel as heavy. And the way the oil is extracted from the plant doesn't break down the active ingredients, so it's super concentrated — and effective!
2. Finding The Right Oil Is About Knowing Your Skin Type — Sensitive Skin? Try This, Instead
Odacité Ca+C: All Natural Camelina Chamomile Serum Concentrate for Sensitive Skin, $39, Amazon
People with sensitive skin might be anti-oil too, but Freeman said the Odacité line makes an oil for every skin concern, whether it's fine lines from sun damage or or dull skin. This particular skin oil for sensitive skin promised to heal irritated skin (and even eczema), with natural essential oils like chamomile oil, calendula oil, and camelina oil.
3. Forget Highlighting Powders And Try A Creamy Formula
Living Luminizer, $38, Amazon
Highlighting and strobing are major beauty trends and many people are using powder formulas, but Freeman said they just don't work as well. "Powders will always make dry skin look drier, no matter what," she said. Instead, use this cream highlighter as your last step that's like "sprinkles on a cupcake."
For expert hair tips on shiny, soft hair, and prolonging a blowout, Stella Coker at Blo was my guide:
4. Always, Always, Always Use A Heat Protectant
Unite 7 Seconds Condition Leave-In Detangler, $24, Amazon
Coker said her salon stocks this leave-in-conditioner because it softens and detangles wavy and curly hair perfectly for a smooth blowout, but also because it's a great heat protectant — a necessity when using heat tools. Even reviewers are raving about this detangling spray — it has a five-star rating!
5. Use A Multi-Purpose Styling Oil For Post-Blowout Touch-Ups
One 'n only Argan Oil 12-in-1 Daily Treatment, $9, Amazon
According to Coker, this is a miracle product. She uses it before a blowout as a heat protectant and to make hair shinier. You can also use it to smooth hair post-blow, and to tame frizz and flyaways. And you can't forget that the Argan oil is ultra nourishing, too!
6. To Maintain A Blowout, Wrap And Secure Your Hair At Night
Silk Night Cap by One Planet, $11, Amazon
This is a tip that Stella says not everyone can master. It requires wrapping your hair around your head in a way that allows it to lay flat against your scalp. Then, keep it secure with a silky head wrap or bonnet to keep hair smooth. She recommended that beginners could plop hair into a bun, if the wrap was too complicated. Either method you use, she said, should be secured with a soft bonnet like this one, though. In the morning, you should wake up with smooth hair that's still full of body.
For a natural approach to skin care, Jennifer Rasa at Pretty Please introduced me to the world of organic beauty.
7. This Exfoliant From An Organic Hungarian Farm Is A Must-Have
Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant, $35, Amazon
"You cannot see results if you're not exfoliating. ... You're just layering things on top of dead skin cells," Rasa said, so she recommends this exfoliant to all her clients. It uses rice powder to exfoliate, making it gentle enough for everyday use on even the most sensitive skin.
8. A Nourishing Face Bar With Clay And Dead Sea Mud For Problematic Skin
Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap, $24, Amazon
Rasa said she absolutely loves this line, especially this black clay facial bar soap. It's made with black Australian clay and Dead Sea mud to "balance and tone the skin." She added that it also has organic almond, avocado, and castor bean oils to condition the skin, saying, "Your skin feels so soft and nourished after!"
Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (8)
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