Month: May 2020

EOS’s New Lip Balms Smell Like Self-Care Should Feel: EXCLUSIVE

Lip balm won’t solve all of the world’s problems, but a certain smell or taste can become the aromatherapy that turns one bad day around in a matter of seconds. Such is the case with the new #eosflavorlab collection, the second iteration of the range created last year alongside a group of influencers across the globe. Think of this annual reveal as the lip balm version of Pantone’s Color of the Year—these standout, one-of-a-kind flavors have been carefully developed and tested to provide the maximum amount of feel-good moisture.

To be honest, it’s the microdose of self-care we need right now, even though the flavors were actually created last year (talk about perfect timing!). Whereas the inaugural range was a hodge-podge of nostalgic summer scents, the essence of this collection is, in a nutshell—that last “ohm” at the end of a really great yoga sesh.

“#eosflavorlab is our opportunity to really push the boundaries of flavor creativity and be the authority on what the leading-edge flavors are,” says eos’ CMO, Soyoung Kang, who gave StyleCaster an exclusive first look at the newest range of flavor creations. 

“Have you ever experienced tasting something that gave you such a visceral reaction, that it just transports you or your mood?  It’s the warm spiced milk your mom used to make or your favorite green juice after a workout. That’s the feeling we were going after.”

eos Flavorlab 2

eos.

The #eosflavorlab collection is made up of four seriously soothing and mood-boosting scents, all of which will give you the feels and moisture, thanks to sustainably sourced shea butter as well as coconut and jojoba oils in the cruelty-free formulas. There’s EXHALE, a green apple tonic for when your chakras feel blocked or you need some mental alignment.

CHILL is a dreamy honey-lavender blend that will remind you of a warm cup of chamomile tea just before bed. When you need a pick-me-up in the middle of the day—or a wake-me-up first thing in the morning—the invigorating scent of cantaloupe and sweet ginger in BOOST will give you a buzz without the caffeine crash.

And if you need to “shh” your mind, my personal favorite DREAM is the equivalent of a glass of warm vanilla milk with a sprinkle of cinnamon spice.

Just like last year’s #eosflavorlab collection, the brand worked with influencers to develop and finalize each product and according to Kang, almost all of them said they believed in the idea of flavor affecting their mood or state of mind. “Nearly 90% of our influencer panel said the CHILL lip balm helped them feel calm or comforted, and over 90% said they would use BOOST lip balm when they wake up or need an afternoon pick-me-up,” Kang added.

We all deserve and quite frankly need the small break from reality right now. Remember, there’s no such thing as too much water, sleep, stretching, and even something as small as lip balm. “Oh, and wine,” says Kang. “Definitely wine.”

“While we couldn’t have predicted the depth of how anxiety-ridden we’re all feeling right now, we certainly had been noticing a general trend in people wanting to indulge in these micro-moments of self-care. And applying lip balm is a small but frequent moment throughout the day, so why not make it a feel-good moment?”

The #eosflavorlab collection will be available at most drugstore retailers starting this month, but right now, you can grab the flavor of your choice at Target. Snag a pair of sticks or a stick and sphere combo below.

eos boost lip balm

eos.

#eosflavorlab 2.0 BOOST Lip Balm

A vitamin C-infused pick-me-up.

eos chill lip balm

eos.

#eosflavorlab 2.0 CHILL Lip Balm

Level up your late nights with this calming balm, supercharged with lavender extract.

eos dream lip balm

eos.

#eosflavorlab 2.0 DREAM Lip Balm

When you need a time-out, this is the lip balm equivalent of slipping into a warm and fuzzy sweater.

eos exhale lip balm

eos.

#eosflavorlab 2.0 EXHALE Lip Balm

It doesn’t get more soothing than cooling mint. Say it with me: woosah.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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EOS’ New Lip Balms Smell Like Self-Care Should Feel: EXCLUSIVE

Lip balm won’t solve all of the world’s problems, but a certain smell or taste can become the aromatherapy that turns one bad day around in a matter of seconds. Such is the case with eos’s Flavorlab 2.0 collection, the second iteration of the #eosflavorlab collection created last year by a group of influencers across the globe. Think of this annual reveal as the lip balm version of Pantone’s Color of the Year—these standout, one-of-a-kind flavors have been carefully developed and tested to provide the maximum amount of feel-good moisture.

To be honest, it’s the microdose of self-care we need right now, even though the flavors were actually created last year (talk about perfect timing!). Whereas the inaugural range was a hodge-podge of nostalgic summer scents, the essence of this collection is, in a nutshell—that last “ohm” at the end of a really great yoga sesh.

“#eosflavorlab is our opportunity to really push the boundaries of flavor creativity and be the authority on what the leading-edge flavors are,” says eos’ CMO, Soyoung Kang, who gave StyleCaster an exclusive first look at the newest range of flavor creations. 

“Have you ever experienced tasting something that gave you such a visceral reaction, that it just transports you or your mood?  It’s the warm spiced milk your mom used to make or your favorite green juice after a workout. That’s the feeling we were going after.”

eos Flavorlab 2

eos.

The eos Flavorlab 2.0 collection is made up of four seriously soothing and mood-boosting scents, all of which will give you the feels and moisture, thanks to sustainably sourced shea butter as well as coconut and jojoba oils in the cruelty-free formulas. There’s EXHALE, a green apple tonic for when your chakras feel blocked or you need some mental alignment.

CHILL is a dreamy honey-lavender blend that will remind you of a warm cup of chamomile tea just before bed. When you need a pick-me-up in the middle of the day—or a wake-me-up first thing in the morning—the invigorating scent of cantaloupe and sweet ginger in BOOST will give you a buzz without the caffeine crash.

And if you need to “shh” your mind, my personal favorite DREAM is the equivalent of a glass of warm vanilla milk with a sprinkle of cinnamon spice.

Just like last year’s #eosflavorlab collection, eos worked with influencers to develop and finalize each product and according to Kang, almost all of them said they believed in the idea of flavor affecting their mood or state of mind. “Nearly 90% of our influencer panel said the CHILL lip balm helped them feel calm or comforted, and over 90% said they would use BOOST lip balm when they wake up or need an afternoon pick-me-up.”

We all deserve and quite frankly need the small break from reality right now. Remember, there’s no such thing as too much water, sleep, stretching, and even lip balm. “Oh, and wine,” adds Kang. “Definitely wine.”

“While we couldn’t have predicted the depth of how anxiety-ridden we’re all feeling right now, we certainly had been noticing a general trend in people wanting to indulge in these micro-moments of self-care,” added Kang. “And applying lip balm is a small but frequent moment throughout the day, so why not make it a feel-good moment?”

The #eosFlavorlab 2.0 collection will be available at most drugstore retailers starting this month, but right now, you can grab the flavor of your choice at Target. Snag a pair of sticks or a stick and sphere combo below.

eos boost lip balm

eos.

#eosFlavorLab 2.0 BOOST Lip Balm

A vitamin C-infused pick-me-up.

eos chill lip balm

eos.

#eosFlavorLab 2.0 CHILL Lip Balm

Level up your late nights with this calming balm, supercharged with lavender extract.

eos dream lip balm

eos.

#eosFlavorLab 2.0 DREAM Lip Balm

When you need a time-out, this is the lip balm equivalent of slipping into a warm and fuzzy sweater.

eos exhale lip balm

eos.

#eosFlavorLab 2.0 EXHALE Lip Balm

It doesn’t get more soothing than cooling mint. Say it with me: woosah.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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Grown-Up Detangling Sprays For Silky-Smooth Strands

Detangling sprays are kind of synonymous with children’s haircare products, but while many of these formulas are often targeted towards kid’s tresses, using a detangler is an essential step post-shampoo for adults as well—at least if you’re trying to avoid breakage, split ends, and of course, giant knots. Without using one of these underrated conditioning products on damp hair, you’re risking major damage to your ends caused by your brush attempting to navigate troublesome tangles.

You may be concerned that using a detangling hair product will leave your scalp and strands looking like an oil slick (especially if you have fine hair), however, if you find a solid, lightweight product to help smooth over matted areas post-shower, these products will also double as a non-oily leave-in conditioner to keep your locks healthy and well-nourished—which is especially key if you use heat styling tools on the regular. So, if you are one to brush or comb your wet hair, make sure that aside from using a hairbrush designed specifically for damp locks, you’re also using a hydrating detangling product to prevent damage.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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If I May, 24 Can’t-Miss Products New to Sephora This Month

Sephora’s big spring sale may be over, but the revolving door of new Sephora products launching every month is always on the move. In the case of May, it’s all about keeping things light, as in lightweight and summer-friendly. I know a lot of us are still doing the stay-at-home thing, but a new season is still on the horizon and your current routine may or may not need some sprucing up.

For the most part, makeup and skincare are dominating this month’s dreamy drops. Armani Beauty and Clinique are just two of many brands with glowy, tinted coverage while Glow Recipe and Fresh have standout formulas for getting sunkissed, dewy skin. However, let’s not overlook a sweet-smelling dry shampoo from Kerastase and clean leave-in from Playa. Ahead, some of our favorite newbies making their Sephora debut this month.

Armani Beauty Neo Nude Foundation

Armani Beauty.

Armani Beauty Neo Nude Foundation

A skincare-infused foundation with buildable coverage for all skin types.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera

Belif.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera

The brand’s iconic True Cream has been reinvented once again; this time with the soothing properties of aloe vera.

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

Charlotte Tilbury.

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

Before applying any of the iconic makeup artist’s classic coverage options, treat your skin to a brightening boost with this vitamin C and polyglutamic acid-infused formula for targeting dark spots and fine lines.

Clinique Moisture Surge SheerTint Hydrator Broad Spectrum SPF 25

Clinique.

Clinique Moisture Surge SheerTint Hydrator Broad Spectrum SPF 25

A lightweight tinted moisturizer with built-in sun protection and 12 hours of hydrated wear.

Dr. Jart+ Cyro Rubber Masks

Dr. Jart+.

Dr. Jart+ Cyro Rubber Masks

Four new versions of the brand’s popular rubber mask to improve skin brightness, moisture, firmness and overall calmness.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Cream Blush

Fenty Beauty.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush

Choose from 10 shades of this light-as-air, natural-looking wash of color.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Cream Bronzer

Fenty Beauty.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer

Pair the blush with this equally lightweight cream bronzer for an illuminated complexion.

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Oil Infused Serum

Fresh.

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Oil-Infused Serum

A lightweight oil made with squalane to deliver hydration and a dewy, non-greasy glow.

Glow Recipe My Glow Vanity Set

Glow Recipe.

Glow Recipe My Watermelon Glow Vanity Set

Three of the brand’s best-selling products in a cost-effective set for your best skin yet: the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream, and Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA BHA Pore Tight Toner

Glow Recipe.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore Tight Toner

There’s already a waiting list for this gentle, exfoliating toner for improved hydration and minimizing the appearance of pores.

Hourglass Veil Eye Primer

Hourglass.

Hourglass Veil Eye Primer

One of the newest additions to Hourglass’s Veil range is a vitamin C and E-infused primer for increasing the wear of your eyeshadow.

Kate Somerville Delikate Recovery Cream

Kate Somerville.

Kate Somerville Delikate Recovery Cream

Somerville’s new “Delikate” range was created for sensitive skin types who want effective skincare solutions sans irritation. The hero product of this collection is a calming moisturizer that minimizes tightness and redness with peptides, ceramides, and standout plant extracts.

Kerastase Fresh Affair Fine Fragrance Dry Shampoo

Kerastase.

Kerastase Fresh Affair Fine Fragrance Dry Shampoo

A lightweight, instant oil-absorber that suits all hair types and leaves behind a clean 24-hour fragrance.

Lancome Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss

Lancome.

Lancome Juicy Tubes Original Lip Gloss

Shine and hydration minus the stickiness is the best way to describe this luminous gloss, available in nine shades.

Mario Badescu Super Peptide Serum

Mario Badescu.

Mario Badescu Super Peptide Serum

If your main skincare concern is age spots, this peptide and green tea-infused serum both reduces and defends against future damage with consistent use.

Milk Makeup Melatonin Overnight Serum

Milk Makeup.

Milk Makeup Melatonin Overnight Serum

Suitable for all skin types, this solid serum proves that melatonin isn’t just an amazing sleep aid. It’s also a source of antioxidants for protection against environmental stressors, like harsh weather and sun exposure.

Ouai Detox Shampoo

Ouai.

Ouai Detox Shampoo

Check out our review to see this clarifying cleanser (made with apple cider vinegar and keratin in action.

Playa Monoi Milk Leave In Conditioner

Playa.

Playa Monoi Milk Leave-In Conditioner

Tahitian monoi oil, the star ingredient of this clean leave-in for chemically-treated or damaged hair, penetrates the hair shaft to heal, soften and strengthen.

(Launches 5/5)

 

Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser

Summer Fridays.

Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser

11 custom-selected amino acids, supercharged seawater, and more make this sensitive skin-friendly cleanser a multi-beneficial solution for excess oil production, elasticity loss, and more.

Supergoop! Glow Screen Sunscreen

Supergoop!.

Supergoop! Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40

This illuminating makeup primer is equipped with blue light protection and a pearlescent finish.

Tarte Sea Hydrocealer Concealer

tarte cosmetics.

Tarte SEA Hydrocealer Concealer

As noted in our review, this lightweight concealer is the perfect alternative for those who love Shape Tape but find it a bit too heavy for their skin.

Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Featherweight Protective Primer

Tatcha.

Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Featherweight Protective Primer

This pre-makeup product is quite literally “liquid silk,” with multiple silk ingredients layered inside the anti-pollutant formula.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Love Collector's Edition

YSL.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Love Collector’s Edition

Your new go-to red lipstick could be one of these four limited-edition, oil and butter-infused lippies, housed in special edition art pop packaging.

Wishful Thirst Trap Cocoon Mask

Wishful.

Wishful Thirst Trap Cocoon Mask

Huda Kattan made sure to pack this soothing and hydrating mask with all of her favorite skincare ingredients: rose, aloe vera, and more.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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Is Now the Best Time to Learn a Musical Instrument?

Is Now the Best Time to Learn a Musical Instrument

We have all seen our lives change due to the Coronavirus. Whether we are in lockdown, observing reduced contact with others (social distancing), or even just pondering the effects of the global economy in turmoil, the impact is hard to truly measure.

With the general tendency to spend more time at home and with fewer people, a great opportunity arises to spend time on self-development and indeed, our hobbies.

A question I am often asked as a musical educator is whether now is a good time to learn a musical instrument.

I believe now is an excellent time to learn for the following reasons:

  • Having personal time that we didn’t have before is great if we use it well.
  • Being busy is truly a gift in these times.
  • Witnessing self-improvement can give us positivity that we really need right now.

If you feel like the time is right, then here are a few things to think about to help you get started. You will need to find three things in order to learn effectively:

  • the right instrument
  • a learning path (teacher/courses)
  • your practice space.

But what do these look like during Coronavirus?

The Instrument

The biggest factor in choosing an instrument to play is passion. For example, if you have always dreamed of playing guitar and you regularly watch YouTube videos of guitar players you admire, don’t go out and buy a piano!

Your passion is the one gift you have that brings you to the practice seat each day. A great question to ask yourself is: “What instrument have I previously dreamed of playing?”

Another important factor during Coronavirus times is how to acquire an instrument. Many stores are closed, and you’ll either have to order online or maybe you are lucky enough and already have an instrument that’s been picking up dust.

If you are ordering an instrument online, then check the reviews of the product on Amazon. Even a lower budget product should have excellent ratings if it’s good value for money.

For example, the Yamaha F310 guitar has excellent reviews at a low price and can be purchased in a starter pack that has everything you would need (capo, straps, strings, plectrums).

It’s also worth checking delivery times for everything you order right now. All delivery services will rightfully prioritize the delivery of essential items and therefore non-essential items (like your musical instrument!) may take longer to arrive.

The important thing is to choose an instrument that you would be really excited to play – and to check reviews and order times before you buy.

The Instruction

During times of Coronavirus, it may not be possible to drive over to a teacher’s house to take lessons. The good news is that there are very effective online courses for every instrument these days.

There are three things to look for when evaluating an online course:

Student Reviews

Reviews are the most important way to evaluate online courses. When checking reviews, you want a popular course (many reviews) and a quality course (high scores). Read the review messages to get more insight into the course and what past students said.

Available Previews

Previews enable you to watch a selection of the lessons without subscribing to the course. This enables you to get a feel of the teacher before you make a decision.

Do you like their way off communicating? Do you feel they have a structured approach? For example, I have made public a few of the lessons on my beginner guitar course. Previews are important because we all learn in different ways, and we need to find a teacher we like.

Course Price

Price is obviously very important. Given that a music teacher may cost $50–100 per individual lesson, many people feel spending that amount or a bit more on a really good online course is justifiable. Bear in mind you want the most effective course rather than the cheapest!

The Space

One of the often under-looked elements of learning a musical instrument is having a space to practice. Ideally, you want to have a place that you can easily visit, that has your instrument waiting, and that won’t be typically used by other people during the time you want to practice.

If you live in a large house with a garden and balcony, then this may not be an issue but if you live in a small 2-bedroom apartment, it may be more of a challenge!

Another thing to consider is how you can practice without disturbing anyone else. As you can imagine, this is harder to accomplish with a full drum kit than it is with a piano or guitar.

Take it from me, when you even suspect you may be annoying someone else, it is very hard to play freely. This is particularly true in the early days of learning the instrument when we’re not going to sound like Mozart!

Don’t Forget

Now is the perfect time to learn a musical instrument! It’s possible to order an instrument online and choose effective online courses for any instrument.

Choose an instrument that you would be passionate to learn and find learning materials that other students have rated and liked.

It won’t be long before your practice area is your favorite space in your house!

What musical instrument do you want to learn to play? Have you looked up instrument options, prices, and available courses? Do you have a space in your house to practice a musical instrument? Let’s have a conversation!

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