When it comes to a tried-and-true active ingredient that actually yields visible results and is backed by years of clinical research confirming its arguably unrivaled efficacy, retinoids are undoubtedly the gold standard. Touted by dermatologists and estheticians for both its anti-aging and anti-acne magical powers, this chemical compound (derived from Vitamin A) helps accelerate cell turnover to reveal a new layer of younger-looking, brighter skin. Of course, finding the right retinol for sensitive skin can be quite the challenge, but more on that later.

Bsically, retinoids are powerful and effective chemical exfoliants that work their magic by sloughing away dead skin cells on the skin’s surface to reveal a new layer underneath.  This exfoliating process has several skin-enhancing benefits, including helping soften the look of fine lines, fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, combat dullness and texture, and unclog congested pores.

Retinol was first introduced to the mainstream skincare market as an acne treatment and was later found (by accident) to have anti-aging benefits as well. While retinoids won’t work to treat cystic acne, they’re a trusted remedy for blasting away blackheads due to clogged pores, and can also help to erase the aftermath of an acne battle by fading scarring and red marks left behind from your teenage years.

While the “shedding” process has some serious transformative effects when it comes to the appearance of our skin, the downside is naturally, well exactly that. Unfortunately, the dead skin cells don’t dissipate into thin air after they turn over, which leads to skin peeling, redness, and ultra-dry skin. Because retinoids are an exfoliating active, peeling and some degree of irritation is to be expected for all skin types (even oily) if you actually want to see some results.

In fact, it’s common for those just beginning a retinoid skincare routine to feel like their skin actually looks worse for a few weeks before seeing an improvement. Of course, it’s always recommended to start slow and gradually when introducing any form of retinol into your skincare routine (and really, do not forget to use SPF), but for those with extra sensitive skin or rosacea, sometimes the slow-and-steady approach is still not enough to avoid the unpleasant (and rather, unsightly) side effects that come along with a daily — or even weekly retinol regimen.

However, for those with sensitive skin, this “transitional period” of extreme dryness, painful (and un-concealable) skin-cracking, and the relentless burning sensation on the skin can be downright unbearable and impossible to hide — even the most hydrating and highest coverage of foundations. If you’ve ever felt utterly defeated after trying your best to get in on the retinol wagon, but ended your journey red and defeated because your dullness and dark spots look better than the flakes of dead skin and red patches, you may simply want to consider using a different form of the Vitamin A derivative.

There are a few different “strains” of retinoids (retinoic acid, retinaldehyde, retinol, and retinyl palmitate), which vary in level of exfoliating intensity from the most potent prescription strength Retonic Acid (most commonly under the names Retin-A and Tretinoin) to the most gentle form in the retinoid family, Retinyl palmitate. If you’ve tried using over-the-counter retinol (the second weakest form) serums to no avail, choosing a product with Retinol Palmitate is going to be your best bet as a starting point. When and if you feel that your skin has adjusted to the active, you can graduate to products containing retinol — but we suggest using them every other evening or twice a week initially. Here are some of the best-reviewed retinoid serums for sensitive and dry skin types.

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Courtesy of SkinMedica.

SkinMedia Retinol Complex

This retinol-based night serum contains a “low dose” of 0.5 retinol content and is also infused with soothing calming ingredients like magnolia bark to counteract any irritation.

Courtesy of First Aid Beauty.

First Aid Beauty Fab Retinol Serum

Ideal for both sensitive skin types and retinol rookies, this gentle serum contains a concentrated 0.25 of retinol, along with plumping hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and prevent over-drying.

Courtesy of RoC.

ROC Retinol Sensitive Night Cream

ROC’s affordable line of retinol-based skincare products has long been a tried and true drugstore beauty staple. This sensitive version of their best-selling Retinol Night Cream is formulated with a milder form of retinol in a moisturizing cream to reduce irritation and keep the skin hydrated – not flaky.

Buy: ROC Sensitive Skin Night Cream $18.99

Courtesy of Paula’s Choice.

Paula’s Choice Intensive Repair Cream With Retinol

This super-rich hydrating cream blends a gentle concentration of retinol to soften lines and promote a brighter complexion, with anti-inflammatory antioxidants to combat redness and soothe irritation.

Buy: Paula’s Choice Intensive Repair Cream $33

Courtesy of Neutrogena.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer

There’s a reason why this drugstore anti-aging moisturizer is backed by 1200 reviews on Amazon alone with a solid 4-star rating. It contains a unique formulation called Retinol SA (“sustained action”) which harnesses the regenerative benefits of retinol along and is enriched with glucose and hyaluronic acid to retain the skin’s moisture balance.

Buy: Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer $15.90

Courtesy of Dermelect.

Dermelect Flawless Bakuchiol Treatment

This newly-launched Bakuchiol (a similar ingredient to retinol with fewer side effects), helps refine pores, soften the appearance of fine lines, and improve texture without leaving the skin red and flaky.

Courtesy of Sunday Riley.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil

There’s a good reason you’ve likely seen this cult-status night oil all over your Instagram feeds and in beauty guru’s top shelves for the past couple of years now. Thanks to its oil formula, this retinol product offers the regenerative powers of retinol while providing ample moisture and preventing the peeling before it begins. It’s pricey, but this stellar two-in-one is worth the investment according to its loyal fans.

Buy: Sunday Riley Luna Oil $55

Although you can easily bring up thousands of wigs to purchase with a quick Google search, it doesn’t mean you’ll find the one you actually want to wear. Finding brands you can trust that are trend-focused and don’t cost a million dollars can be a bit of a struggle. That’s why Mary Imevbore, Susana Hawken and Tiiso McGinty teamed up to launch Waeve. The lifestyle brand aims to empower Black girls to express themselves through wigs.

“The inspiration for Waeve came from me and my co-founders’ personal hair journeys!” says Imevbore, CEO and co-founder. “After going natural and living in a rural college town in Massachusetts, I struggled to find a wig brand that spoke to me or addressed any of the major pain points I was facing.” She found the whole wig shopping process “frustrating, time-consuming, expensive and nearly impossible.” There are more than 10 million vendors on the Internet, many with sketchy secret companies and so-so reviews.

After talking to many other Black women, I realized that I wasn’t alone in feeling neglected or not acknowledged by the beauty industry,” continues Imevbore. “For decades, Black women have been blatantly underrepresented in fashion and beauty spaces.” The Gen-Z trio created Waeve to “fill this gap in the industry that has long overlooked and undervalued Black consumers,” she says.

Waeve.

Imevbore sees the beauty industry changing, with more Black folks looking for natural-hair solutions than ever.  “The timing is perfect because we believe Waeve is an extension of the natural hair movement that, like me, so many other Black women have recently undergone,” she says. “In a way, it feels like we’ve all gone on this journey together and, as a result, there’s now a huge surge in demand for wigs as a great protective style.”

Waeve operates much like a fashion brand by dropping four collections of six trend-focused wigs per year. This way, when you feel inspired by an Instagram or TikTok trend, you can go to Waeve for the latest looks. Prices range from $72 to $398 with synthetic wigs on the lower end of the spectrum and human hair wigs on the higher end. Two percent of sales will go to an organization that uplifts Black girls. First up is Black Girls Code.

Waeve.

“The industry is changing. We’re now ushering in a new era of beauty and fashion that not only prioritizes but champions Black consumers,” continues Imevbore. “Waeve is excited to play a role in this important cultural reckoning by allowing Black women to reclaim their agency and express themselves through products that were made specifically for them, by women who understand.”

Try a new look and shop the first drop on the Waeve website.

Think about your favorite clothing and outfits. What makes them so special to you?

Maybe it’s the way the clothing feels
and flows. Perhaps it’s the colors and the way they complement your look and
style.

And without a doubt, your favorite
clothing fits just right. Because when it comes to looking and feeling
your best in an outfit, fit is everything.

Sadly, many women struggle to find
clothing that fits properly. Instead, they settle for a wardrobe full of
clothes that are a little too big, a little too small, a touch too long, or a
bit too tight.

For mature plus-size women in their 60s
and beyond, this can be a real struggle. Your options are often quite limited
in the plus-size departments of local stores.

But don’t let that get you down! Use
these tips to discover what fits you best and find the plus-size attire that
works best for your body and style.

Find What Already Fits You Best

Before you go shopping for anything new,
take a hard look at the clothing you already have in your closet. Find the
garments that fit you perfectly. What do you love about them?

• Notice the length, sleeve style, and
  neckline of your best fitting tops.
• Consider the cut, hemline, and flow of
  your favorite skirts and dresses.

At the same time, pick out the
clothing you like the look of but just doesn’t fit right. What’s different
about these items?

• Are they too large or too tight in
  specific areas?
• Do they draw the eye to problem areas
  instead of enhancing your natural beauty?

Once you’ve audited your wardrobe this
way, you’ll be better prepared to find more pieces that fit you perfectly.

What if your best-fitting clothing is
far less than the poorly fitting options? That’s fine – and it means you’re
about to discover a beautiful new way to show off your best self.

Shop for Fit First

Step one in creating a wardrobe full
of perfectly fitting pieces is to always
shop for fit first. You may find a plus-size top in a beautiful color, a jacket with a
stunning print,
or a skirt with just the right texture.

And while those details are certainly
worth appreciating, they won’t make any difference if the item doesn’t fit you
right.

If you’re shopping in local stores,
it’s easy enough to try on clothing right then and there. Not comfortable using
the dressing rooms? Bring your new items home, try them on, and see how they
work for you.

Compare them with your best-fitting
pieces. Regardless, be determined that you won’t keep something that doesn’t
fit just right.

When it comes to shopping online, many
plus-size women have understandable concerns about finding the right fit.
That’s why it’s important that you know
your measurements before you shop. Compare them with the online store’s
sizing guide.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to the
retailer directly before you place and order. And find out about their return
policy – because you won’t be keeping it if it doesn’t fit!

Alterations Can Make All the Difference

Stick to your rule – if it doesn’t
fit, don’t buy it. But be willing to acknowledge that even a well-fitting garment might need an alteration to truly fit
perfectly.

Finding a skilled, knowledgeable tailor
is critical to filling your wardrobe with perfectly fitting attire.

While some of the garments you
purchase will be perfect right off the rack, others may need to be taken in,
shortened, lengthened, or otherwise altered. These little adjustments can take
a dress from so-so to stunning, a blouse from acceptable to amazing.

You Deserve the Perfect Fit

You don’t have to settle for clothing that doesn’t fit properly. That’s true no matter your size, shape, or style. Instead, use these tips to fill your closet with gorgeous attire that fits you just right and always makes you look and feel your best.

Where do you shop for clothes? Do you first notice fit or style? What do you do if you like a garment that doesn’t fit just right? How often do you look for the services of a tailor? Please join the conversation!

Sutton Stracke’s Tan Suede Dress and Leopard Boots

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 11 Episode 6 Fashion

While I’m not totally convinced that last night is the last time we will hear of the Sutton Stracke / Crystal Kung Minkoff “walk in gate” this season, I do like that Crystal took to WWHL last night to apologize for making Sutton feel so bad. I am sure that had to make Sutton feel at least a bit better. Just like the fact that Sutton’s tan suede dress is in stock and ready for the taking (for those of you who are rolling with a budget like Sutton) has got to make ya’ll feel pretty good too.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Altuzzara Dress

Originally posted at: Sutton Stracke’s Tan Suede Dress