As someone with dry skin who loves to look as dewy as possible, when I see something oil-absorbing going viral, I usually skip right over it. But when I saw the Revlon Oil Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller, I stopped in my tracks. This magically little rollerball looked like it was applying a FaceTune-like filter to influencer Lexington Hartman. TBH, I thought it was fake at first. “It literally gets rid of all the shine,” she said in her video. “And it doesn’t mess with your makeup at all.”

Hartman’s video was viewed more than eight million times when she posted it back in March of 2020. It was this video that made it totally sell out. But it’s back and going viral on TikTok all over again. Here’s what it really does (because yes, it’s real.) The rollerball is made of volcanic stone, which actually absorbs oil without any powder. Oil gets trapped in the porous stone. All you do is roll the stone over your oiliest areas and seriously matte skin is left behind.

The Revlon Oil Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller is usually around $10-$18 depending on where you buy it. Right now, it’s 30 percent off on Amazon — making it less than $7.

Revlon.

Unlike blotting papers, the Volcanic Face Roller is reusable — but you should clean it pretty often. The ball pops out so you can wash it with soap and water. Still, if you’re using it all the time, you might want to purchase a few to be on the safe side. Fans say one swipe absorbs oil right away and lasts a few hours to all day depending on how oily your skin is. But it’s small and easy enough to keep in your bag to swipe and go when oil pops up again.

This little tool is so cool, it almost makes me wish I had oily skin for the ultra-satisfying before and after. Grab it now on sale before TikTok sells it out again.

Kerry Washington is one of those celebs who makes you feel like you two could be friends. You would have a girls’ night in and wear face masks and watch Shonda Rhimes shows on repeat. So when I got a chance to chat with her over Zoom, I jumped at it. Washington has incredible skin and it glows even through my 7-year-old MacBook. She gave me the rundown on her skincare routine, including a “game-changing” eye cream, as well as her Thanksgiving TikTok plans. You’re going to want to keep reading.

Washington is a Neutrogena spokesperson but she’s way more than just a pretty face. She’s incredibly knowledgeable about the formulas and what works for her specific skin and why. We’re here to talk about the new Rapid Firming Collection, which she adds to her favorites from the hydrating HydroBoost line. The actor admits that she’s doing more to her skin since the pandemic started.

“I don’t know I would have done all that before the pandemic,” she says. “I was in such a rush to go to bed and wake up for the next day but I started really trying to implement some of that stuff, the multi-step approach, to be more generous with myself and I find it to be very effective. And it literally takes less than five minutes to take each of those steps.”

It just so happens that we’re in luck: Practically every item in Washington’s skincare routine is on sale at Amazon for Black Friday, including the firming eye cream she swears by.

Source: Instagram

Washington starts her morning with the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Lightweight Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel ($7.49 at Amazon). If she worked out first, she’ll use a Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Face Wipe (on sale for $8.93 at Amazon) first. Then, she adds the Neutrogena Rapid Firming Collagen Triple Lift Face Serum (on sale for $12.84 at Amazon), which is a lightweight collagen serum to help keep skin firm and bouncy. Last comes sunscreen, because there’s nothing more important for your skin.

One of the new products Washington uses both morning and night is the Neutrogena Rapid Firming Peptide Multi Action Eye Cream (on sale for $20.30 at Amazon), which she calls a “game-changer,” saying: “When I do it, morning and night, I tend to not need concealer. I love that addition to the routine.”

Neutrogena.

Along with the eye cream, Washington loves the new Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum ($42.99 at Ulta). “It’s a really great starter retinol,” she says. “It’s very gentle and it’s really effective. not just for fine lines but for darker spots.”

She plans to show her skincare routine with the new products on TikTok — well, maybe. If she has time. When I tell her I find it hard to keep up with all the platforms and all the trends, she tells me she tries not to buy into that. “I think it’s hard, I think we’re all under that pressure,” she says. “I try to let it inspire me to try new things rather than make me feel pressured to try new things. I’m thinking about doing a Thanksgiving turkey TikTok with my dad. He’s always good for content. I try to rope people in with me to make it more fun.”

Whichever one she decides to do, we’ll definitely be watching.

When setting aside a wee corner of your shopping list for a perfume splurge on Black Friday 2021, consider stepping away from typical designer scents or run-of-the-mill fragrances that have been around for yonks. Instead, think of niche perfumes that are so opulent; uncommon and individual, with notes of the highest calibre and more attention paid to the construction of the scent.

Saks Fifth Avenue has just rolled out a sitewide 15% off Black Friday fragrance sale, and if there’s one place on this planet that is perfect for going luxe, with its huge range of niche beauty brands, it has to be Saks.

Forget mega-brands and gimmicky ad campaigns, just briefly. Niche fragrances are curated by the world’s foremost perfumers, from Francis Kurkdjian to Frédéric Malle, who put craftsmanship, character and personal taste at the forefront. They may be pricier, but just like what couture is to fashion, niche perfumes explore self-expression and individuality, a welcome respite in an age when the beauty industry is so over-saturated. And contrary to popular belief, not all niche perfumes are so heady they send your head spinning; they all vary in degrees of intensity and concentration.

When we saw the huge range of niche brands on sale at Saks, from boutique brands like Byredo to much-coveted favorites of fashion classicists like Aerin Lauder, we jumped. The sale ends today, so get your noses at the ready and check out these five avant-garde perfumes that we love.

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum, $276.25 (originally $325) 

A prime example of a niche perfume that does not smell OTT or overbearing, Baccarat Rouge is a universally flattering scent. One Vogue editor said she was complimented by Rihanna when wearing it (“You smell good.”), so while rather pricey, the number of “What are you wearing?” compliments you’ll get all day long are so worth it. A musky-floral-woody scent, notes of jasmine, ambergris and cedar mesh are softened by base notes of saffron. Just subtly decadent, and oh-so inviting. The 2.5oz size, retailing at $325, is now 15% off and priced at $276.25. 

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Aerin Rose De Grasse Pour Filles Eau de Parfum, $72 (originally $90)

This is a more affordable niche perfume, with a retail price of $90 now reduced to $72. When Rose de Grasse was first released in 2015, it quickly became a beauty editor favorite and was one of those perfumes you can’t stop taking big sniffs of once it’s on you. It has been updated this year to appeal to a younger audience, with ultra-femme notes of rose and soft musk, accented by fruity bursts of pear and orange blossom. The rose notes come from the Rose Centifolia from Grasse, the perfumery capital of the world.

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Creed Aventus for Her, $238 (originally $280)

When the pineapple and bergamot-loaded chypre launched in 2010, it was largely considered as a men’s fragrance but became a huge hit amongst women. Eventually Creed released a For Her counterpart, that amped up the floral notes of the original scent while keeping the other notes intact. Fruity nuances of green apples and berries lighten accords of Bulgarian rose, cassis and ylang-ylang.  A strong fragrance inspired by powerful women, it may not be for everyone, but give it a few minutes — once the notes settle and mellow down, and now with the $45 discount, you’ll be coming back for more.

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Byredo Mixed Emotions Eau de Parfum, $161.50 (originally $190)

Created by Swedish perfumer Ben Gorham, amongst all of Byredo’s most-loved, cult-favorite scents, this one encapsulates how Gorham is able to capture emotion—of these tumultuous COVID-plagued times, specifically—in a fragrance. A tart and herby infusion of tea, blackcurrant, violet leaf, birch, and papyrus, this one takes time to get used to, not due to being overpowering but owing to the unusual notes. Once you grow to love it, Mixed Emotions is a real olfactory indulgence in every sense of the word.

Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue

Frédéric Malle Portrait Of A Lady, $67.15 (originally $79)

If you’re new to Malle’s intoxicating fragrances, start with this one, at a discounted price of $229.50 for 1.7oz, as your go-to fancy scent to wear for big events or nights out. It is a blend of potent Turkish rose, which transcends to middle notes of blackcurrant and clove, all grounded by woody patchouli, sandalwood, and frankincense. While Portrait of a Lady may seem a little intense, it is a classic fragrance that is great way to step into the world of niche perfumes.

When it comes to upmarket fragrances, sales mean huge discounts, making today the best time to jump in and buy one. Consider the notes you love, whether floral, musky, woody or fruity, or simply choose the one that stands out to you, and you’ll never look back. Head over to Saks Fifth Avenue to snap one up, pronto!

If you’ve lived to reach your 60s, most likely you’re a resilient person who has been around the block a few times. Take a minute to think back to a time in your life when you faced a tragic or a traumatic experience. How did you manage to survive and move forward?

I can easily recall distinct periods of heartbreak, rejection, grief, and cancer over my 69 years. Each time, I had to dig deep into myself to find a way to cope with the emotions and choose the path forward. And the hard times always gave way to new beginnings of sorts.

The dictionary defines resilience as the ability to withstand adversity, adapt to traumatic experiences, and bounce back – in some cases, to a stronger place. In this time when, across the planet, we are collectively experiencing different forms of the trauma and loss from the Covid pandemic, we can learn from the research on resilience.

Studying Resilience

Researchers began studying resilience approximately 40 years ago. They carried out long-term studies of people who experienced extreme trauma and managed to live productive lives. For example, they studied Holocaust survivors, war refugees, and people who grew up in violent gang-ridden neighborhoods.

The researchers identified “protective factors,” qualities that contribute to a person’s capacity for resilience. The most significant factor was having a positive relationship with at least one caring person.

Also, other supports from a person’s family, community, and culture contribute to resilience. The knowledge gained from the research opened up the possibility for parents and teachers to intentionally foster resilience in children in themselves and others.

My Mother, a Model and Support

My mother, Eva, was a living model of resiliency in my life. As a child in Nazi Germany, she endured a sudden rejection by her closest friend Gicka, who joined the Hitler Youth. At school, she was sent to the office while her peers attended Hitler Youth Rallies.

School leaders eventually kicked her and the few other Jewish students out of their high school. On Kristallnacht, November 9, 1939, my mother and her parents were terrified as Nazi thugs threw rocks at their house, screaming at them to come outside. Instead, they barely managed to slip out the back.

A few months later, she and her parents fled Germany. They were among the lucky ones who could escape while the Nazis murdered many of our relatives in concentration camps.

Yet, those experiences did not turn my mother into a bitter person. Shortly after Kristallnacht, Lena, a German woman who worked as Eva’s nanny, helped my mom’s family in many ways as they prepared to leave.

The Clark’s, a British Quaker family, invited my mother and her parents to live at their home until they could immigrate to the US a year later. I am sure the kindness of these people contributed to my mother’s sense of hope and resilience.

Once in California, at the age of 17, my mom started a new life, finishing high school, going to college, becoming a teacher, and eventually marrying my father, who also escaped the Nazis. My parents went on to make a good life for their three daughters.

My mother modeled forgiveness by returning to Germany and reconnecting with Gicka, who years later reached out to apologize for rejecting her. Her friends were shocked when my mother became a German teacher. They could not understand how she would choose to have anything to do with Germany. She told us that there were good people and bad ones in every group and culture.

She decided to teach German to highlight the rich heritage of the language, literature, and music. She also instilled in me the values of recognizing diversity and standing up to hate and racism. In addition, my mother drew from our Jewish heritage and traditions, the qualities of kindness, fairness, and the values of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. These turned out to be the values that guide my life to this day.

Our relationship was not always easy, but she came through in ways I will never forget. I was a rebel, which was hard for her. After overcoming all the hardships she faced, she wanted to make an easy life for her children. But I needed to learn about the world my way.

Still, she was willing to listen at least and meet me halfway. In the end, even though I tended to swing to extremes, I ended up coming back toward the middle, closer to her point of view.

Even 20 years after her death, her students and former colleagues still tell me how she influenced them. They describe her caring spirit, her wisdom, and her patience.

Finding Your Resilient Center

Aging in itself is a form of adversity. Our bodies are wearing out – we have everything from insomnia and minor aches to severe conditions like cancer and Parkinson’s. Also, our appearance is changing. But let’s face it, even with all the products from hair dye to wrinkle cream, we cannot stop the physical changes we see in the mirror.

So here is some advice to help you find your rugged inner strength and resilience.

• Take time to reflect. Learn from your past courage and the skills that served you when going through hard times. How do you reduce stress? What helps you heal? Where do you turn for support? You hold all those answers within you.
• Nurture your relationships with family and friends. Don’t let minor disagreements turn into permanent ruptures. Instead, be there to offer understanding and ask for support when you need it.
• Find a caring community. It could be a faith community, a neighborhood, or a shared commitment to a cause.
• Do things you love to do. I always say that in your 60s, “You paid your dues, so you get to choose.” Choose something that connects you to others and the world.
• Engage in self-care. Put that oxygen mask on yourself before you put it on others. To do that, pay attention to good nutrition and exercise, stress reduction, emotional healing, and social connections – set boundaries. At times you need to say “no.”
• Remain hopeful. Sometimes the world seems like it is falling to pieces around us. But you can always find reasons to hope.

My mother died from cancer six weeks after diagnosis at age 77. She managed to stay hopeful and connected even during the shock of a rapid decline. She showed great courage and insisted she would “beat this.” She ordered a wig to allow her to continue attending aerobics classes.

When it became clear the cancer was terminal, she chose to die at home. On the night before she died, when our family came together to say goodbye, she said to us, “What do you think? I’m checking out?”

Resilience Is Healing

At times it feels like the pandemic will never end. But, eventually, it will, and we will face new issues and challenges. Being resilient means we have the courage and grace to move through everything that life places in our path.

What life events have you gone through that have required resilience? Did you come out stronger after it was over? What have you learned about yourself and your limits?  

I began my downsizing journey many years ago. I found that it is more of an ongoing process than an event. Even though there were many events within the process, it was always focused around the removal of things. All of those cherished possessions that were taking up all of my time and space.

Each time I moved, I got rid of as many unwanted and unneeded things as possible. But always, within a short amount of time, they would creep back in. Gifts from family, purchases that I really didn’t need, items I thought were too sentimental to part with, etc. All of it, just stuff.

Very Little of It Actually Enhanced My Life or Well-Being

Most of these things were relics of a life that I no longer live. Their purpose has been served and yet I still hang on. Somehow there is an anxiety about letting go of these things that feels like a loss. That is when I started thinking about what that means in my life today. Am I willing to stay shackled to the past because I refuse to release these things?

I started reading more about minimalism and how it is much more of a mindset than a physical activity. Decluttering and organizing are ways to manage your belongings but neither of them helps to improve your inner environment.

Downsizing vs. Minimalism

For me, looking at a clean, sparsely decorated room feels peaceful. Realizing that truth made me take things to a new level. I wanted that feeling in all areas of my life, not just my home. I wanted to feel that way with work, my relationships, social interactions – everything.

Downsizing: To reduce or decrease in size.

Minimalism: A style or technique that is characterized by simplicity.

When I looked at the definitions of downsizing and minimalism, the word that jumped out at me was simplicity. That is what I am after. It doesn’t have to be small; it just has to be simple.

I have been slowly inching toward being more deliberate in how I live my life. Evaluating what brings purpose and joy to me right now and what does not.

I’ve had to reassess what I truly value and what the cost is to keep it.

Pricing Things in Life

Henry David Thoreau said, “the price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”

Now, in my 60s, life is more precious than ever, and I want to make the most out of this amazing chapter.

As with most new things, I am starting small and taking it easy. I don’t need to rush; I want to be thoughtful about this new lifestyle.

I am noticing that the more changes I make the better I feel and the better I feel the more changes I’m ready to make. I love how it all works together.

Something as simple as turning off the notifications on my email feels like a victory.

Every day I am on the lookout for another area to simplify. Is it a plant that needs repotting or a shelf that has gotten too cluttered? Whatever it is, I just take care of it.

All the little things add up to the big things in your life. It doesn’t matter how much you have as long as you have room for what really matters.

Have you downsized but still feel there is more to be done? Is Minimalism something you would try? Share your stories and join the conversation.