Have you ever purchased a product that absolutely knocked your socks off and you couldn’t wait to let your friends know about it?

This past summer my husband and I were having lunch with my best friend. She pulled out a plastic wrap product that my husband and I couldn’t wait to purchase. Now granted, this may seem a little strange because after all, what would be so exciting about a roll of plastic wrap? But this plastic wrap had one amazing feature that set it apart.

You know how often you rip off a piece of plastic wrap along that metal edge and it doesn’t rip off evenly or even easily? Well, what got us so excited about this plastic wrap was that it had a plastic slider that cut the plastic wrap off perfectly and easily.

Well, in today’s article and accompanying video, I’m going to share with you 15 skincare and makeup products I tried this past year that generated the same sense of excitement for me and which I still absolutely love using.

Top Skincare “Finds”

Finding a product that can reduce the dark color of age spots can be a challenge. Certainly, prescription strength products can work, but so can this wonderful over-the-counter product from Kiehl’s called Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Corrector.

It not only helps reduce any dark discoloration such as age spots and hyperpigmentation, but it also helps brighten the skin. And it can be used on all skin types – including sensitive skin – and is paraben free. My age spots visibly reduced in color after just four days of regular use at night. It can be used both day and night and can also be used to correct visible skin discoloration on the hands, neck and chest.

As we know, we can each have very different experiences with skincare products. What works for me may not work for you, but these next two products have definitely helped reduce the look of fine lines under my eyes.

The first is the Smooth Landing Advanced Retinol Eye Balm from the clean beauty brand Versed which is available at Target. It melts into the skin and helps to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Of course, the results aren’t permanent, but I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by how well this product works to temporarily reduce the look of fine lines. I put it on after cleansing my face at night.

After cleansing my face in the morning, I apply the second eye product that’s been a game-changer for me: Colorescience Total Eye Firm and Repair Cream. I apply it immediately after using my face serums and before applying my moisturizer so the Colorescience Total Eye Cream can thoroughly soak in before I apply my other eye products.

It’s a beautifully rich moisturizing eye product that includes a number of botanicals, anti-oxidants, peptides and caffeine. And the caffeine is especially important in reducing puffiness and smoothing out the look of fine lines. This product and the Versed Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm pair together wonderfully for a morning and evening undereye routines that help reduce the look of my fine lines.

Help for Our Eyes

And while we’re zeroing in on our eyes, let’s talk about two eye makeup products – one for the brows and one for the lashes. As we know, white and grey brow hairs have a different texture than our regular brow hairs and most brow products won’t adhere to them and therefore won’t cover the white or grey.

But a brow gel I found – after testing many – that did cover white and grey brow hairs was a product from Anastasia of Beverly Hills: their ABH’s Dip Brow Gel. I still recommend this product, but I’ve also found a drugstore option that works equally well. It’s Maybelline’s Brow Fast Sculpt Eyebrow Gel Mascara Makeup. This product has great pigmentation and adheres beautifully to white and grey brow hairs.

Thanks to a purchase I made about a month ago, I now have three mascaras that won’t irritate my sensitive eyes. This newest mascara is from the clean beauty brand Doll 10 Beauty. It’s their gel formula Effortlash Mascara. This mascara helps lashes look both longer and fuller, and it also conditions and separates the lash hairs. And, there is no clumping or flaking.

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

Three Outstanding Foundations

There have been three foundations I’ve tried this year that have risen to the top of my list of Holy Grail foundations. The first is the Kosas Revealer Skin Improving Foundation. Kosas is a clean beauty brand, and they’ve created a top-notch medium coverage natural finish foundation. It blends in like a second skin and helps to blur and visibly smooth out texture which minimizes the look of pores.

Of all the foundations in my collection, my Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation gives the most beautiful, soft, glowing finish. It hydrates, smooths and brightens. If you have dry or combination skin, this foundation can really make the skin look radiant. It probably won’t work as well for those of you with oily skin. But I’ve never found another medium coverage foundation that creates such a lovely soft radiant look.

The third foundation is from the clean beauty brand Doll 10, and it’s their full coverage Anti-Stress Skin Perfector. It’s a skincare and makeup hybrid which smooths the look of skin texture. And although I thought the color I purchased was too light for my skin, I was amazed that it adapted to my skin tone pretty darn well.

The Best Contour I’ve Ever Tried

Although I found several good contour sticks in 2022, the product that stood head and shoulders above the rest was the Huda Beauty Tantour Contour and Bronzer Cream. What sets this product apart is how easily it applies and how easily it blends into the skin.

I like to apply it with one of my other game changing products from 2022: the Huda Beauty Tantour Face Contouring Sculpt and Shade Brush which was specifically designed to work with this product. It’s double-ended so the smaller end can be used to apply the contour and the larger end is designed to blend it into the skin. And one of the reasons this brush really stands out for me is that the smaller end also works beautifully to contour the sides of the nose.

The Most Natural Looking Blush

In the video I combine blush and highlight by using a liquid blush and highlight from the same brand: makeup artist Daniel Sandler’s Watercolour Liquid Blush and highlight. What’s so outstanding about these products is how sheer they are and how foolproof they are to apply. They give the most beautiful, natural-looking flush to the skin which is exactly what we want in a blush.

Now you certainly don’t have to combine the blush with a highlight as I do in the video, but I just love the look of a blush with a soft glow. And to pick the color up off the back of my hand, I use another tool the Sephora 56 brush.

These Two Tools Really Make a Difference

My last two game-changing products are the Sigma E-25 eyeshadow brush – which is absolutely perfect for applying eyeshadow to the crease area of the eye – and the Sigma Beauty Spa Express Cleaning Mat Brush Cleaner. The E-25 brush – which is available at Target – just makes eyeshadow application faster and easier since this brush picks up and applies eyeshadow perfectly.

The Sigma Beauty Spa Express Cleaning Mat Brush Cleaner (also available at Target) gets brushes thoroughly clean because rubbing brushes over its textured surface releases all of the eyeshadow residue and gently removes it.

I have done experiments where I just swished a brush around in soap in my hand and then rinsed it. Then I took the same brush and rubbed it over this Sigma pad and a great deal more eyeshadow came off the brush. So I’ve seen visual proof of what a difference this brush cleaning mat can make in getting our brushes really clean.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What have been your favorite beauty and/or makeup discoveries in 2022? Is there one that you now just can’t do without? Did you find a great drugstore product? If so, please share what it is.

I used to think that gluten-free diets should be reserved solely for those with Celiac Disease. I thought of “going gluten-free” as silly and unnecessary for the general population. I figured that gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, has been a staple in the human diet for centuries, so it couldn’t possibly be problematic! I mean, I ate white bread, pasta, and cereal as a kid, just like everyone else. It’s no big deal, right?

I wondered why everyone was suddenly making such a big deal about eating gluten. It wasn’t until I looked into the science and learned the reasons behind this gluten-free movement that I began to understand and appreciate its applications.

I came to realize that not only is it the gluten in wheat products that is (increasingly) problematic, but it is also the fact that one major thing about human health has changed, too! As a result of this, the way that our body reacts and responds to the gluten has exacerbated its negative effects on our health.

What’s the Problem with Gluten?

First, let’s talk about the potential “problems” with gluten:

Gluten Is an Inflammatory Food

It has been long established that gluten causes significant inflammation in those with Celiac Disease. However, surprising research shows that gluten is also capable of inducing an inflammatory response in “healthy” people who do not have Celiac Disease by increasing the production of inflammatory cytokines. Why does this happen? Please read on.

Gluten Exacerbates “Leaky Gut” Which Leads to Immune Activation

Research shows that gluten activates zonulin, which is a protein that regulates the permeability of the intestinal wall. Did you know that our intestinal wall is only one cell layer thick? Did you know that on the other side of that extremely thin layer lies 70% of our immune system?

That means an extremely thin layer separates our digestive system (basically a toxic waste dump) from our immune system. The release of zonulin directly affects the integrity of the gut wall by increasing the spaces between the “tight junctions” that hold that thin layer together. Increased space between these junctions allows unwanted particles through, such as gluten, which then leads to increased immune activation.

Wheat Products Are Heavily Sprayed with Pesticides

When discussing the effects of gluten, we must also consider the use of herbicides such as glyphosate (AKA “RoundUp”) on our modern wheat crops. Glyphosate is not only used as a weed killer on most wheat fields, but also as a desiccant to dry out the wheat in order to shorten the time to harvest.

Glyphosate leads to increased intestinal permeability, making wheat sprayed with glyphosate a “double-whammy” to our intestinal barrier function. According to the USDA, wheat is the 5th highest sprayed crop with glyphosate behind corn, soybeans, potatoes, and cotton.

Our Own Health Is Another Contributing Factor

Next, we have to discuss the major problem with our health that further exacerbates the negative effects of gluten:

Lifestyle Choices Affect Our Gut Health

Aside from gluten, there are additional factors, which are ubiquitous in our modern society, that contribute to increased risk of intestinal permeability. These include alcohol, high levels of stress, birth control, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, sugar, and processed foods, just to name a few.

Gluten becomes more problematic in the context of increased intestinal permeability, because gluten can only interact with the immune system if it is able to cross the intestinal barrier. This becomes much easier when the intestinal barrier is compromised, which is a likely scenario in many Americans.

Research is showing that this increased intestinal permeability may be a significant contributor to the onset of autoimmunity, and it is likely a major reason why so many people experience symptoms of gluten sensitivity despite not having Celiac Disease. This is known as “non-celiac gluten sensitivity.”

Gluten Is a Part of Many Products We Buy

The pervasiveness of gluten containing products in our grocery stores and homes also plays a role in the negative effects of gluten. According to the USDA, the average American consumed 131.9 pounds of wheat flour in 2019. While that may not have been problematic in an earlier generation when people were healthier, less stressed, less medicated, and had better gut barrier function, it seems that for many of us, our bodies cannot handle the effects of gluten as gracefully today.

When it comes down to it, gluten has been proven to increase inflammation and “leaky gut” on its own. The negative effects of gluten are further exacerbated when eaten in excess and in the context of increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”).

Can Healthy People Consume Gluten?

All in all, for healthy people, gluten is usually okay to consume in moderation (the less processed, the better). However, those with chronic diseases such as autoimmunity may want to consider trying a strictly gluten-free diet for 12-weeks to see how they feel.

Once any underlying imbalances are addressed and rebalanced, it may be possible to add gluten back into the diet with minimal consequences (provided you do not have Celiac Disease!).

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you tried a gluten free diet? Did it help to improve your symptoms? If so, what improvements did you notice? For how long did you eliminate gluten? Would you consider going “gluten-free?”

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

We’ve covered plenty of skincare products that contain lesser-known ingredients, whether it’s the spilanthes acmella flower extract in Kjaer Weis’ age-defying eye balm or the lime pearl in Kate Somerville’s firming eye cream. Not every formula is going to be a straightforward hyaluronic acid or vitamin C situation, and that’s a good thing. One ingredient we have yet to touch on is the byproduct of one extra slimy creature.

Yup, you guessed it: We’re talking about snail mucin. 

K-beauty brand COSRX is known for its Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, which is down to less than $20 at Amazon right now. The unique formula is even beloved by celebs like model and actress Emily Ratajkowski. During the pandemic, she told her followers in an Instagram story that she repaired her stressed pandemic skin with the help of COSRX’s snail mucin essence. 

You might get the creepy crawlies when envisioning applying snail mucin onto your face, but trust us, it’s not nearly as stomach-churning as you’d think. In fact, it’s a popular ingredient in K-Beauty and I put this essence on my skin twice a day every day.

The essence’s near-perfect rating should ease any nerves you might have around using a skincare product that includes snail mucin. 

“I can’t even explain what this did for the calmness of my skin,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “It used to be rough and dehydrated and discolored and now it’s soft, moisturized, and even-toned. absolute holy grail skincare product.”

If you’re ready for all the snail mucus, head to Amazon’s right now, where you can get your bottle for 16 percent off of its original $25 price tag. All you have to do is make sure you’re signed up for a Prime membership or free 30-day trial.

RELATED: The Glossy Italian Leather Boots From My Vision Board Finally Went On Sale—Shop Them For Hundreds Off

Photo: COSRX.

Here’s the deal with snail mucin: It might sound a little off-putting at first; however, it brightens, hydrates and restores your skin to a healthy glow. A dull, dry complexion should no longer be an issue once you start using this essence on the regular, especially since the formula is 96 percent snail secretion filtrate.

The formula also calls on hyaluronic acid to moisturize and the amino acid arginine to boost the skin’s elasticity. Your skin should be plump and glowing after application, which makes total sense since EmRata’s complexion is literally always so beautiful and healthy-looking.

I also got on board with COSRX’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence at some point during the pandemic and am a full snail mucin convert. I initially expected it to be super thick and slimy but was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s not sticky to touch or heavy on my face. My skin feels ultra-hydrated and soothed after application, so much so that sometimes I double up on the essence simply because it feels that good.

You might be new to essences, so here’s where to slip one into your skincare routine. Following your cleanser and toner, gently pat the essence onto your face. Then, finish with your fave moisturizer to lock in all the moisture.

“This has changed my skin. Seriously. The snail mucin is anti-aging and soothing. I can tell a difference in my skin when I don’t use it. It decreases wrinkles, helps decrease hyperpigmentation, and increases cell turnover,” explained one Amazon reviewer. “If I could slather my body in this daily I would lol.”

It’s official: the EmRata-loved Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence from COSRX is up next on your skincare wishlist. Soon, like the model and I, you won’t be able to go a day without it.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

It’s easy to say a good night’s rest will fix your under-eye baggage and dark circles, but for many, that’s merely not the case. Some of us need a little extra TLC to get our faces looking full of life again, especially when dealing with a demanding job or a life crisis. While skincare may not be the end all be all solution, keeping the delicate area around our eyes nourished will pose some visible benefits overnight. 

Just take it from a night shift nurse who quickly came to rely on No7 Beauty’s Lift & Luminate Triple Action Eye Cream: “I use lots of No7 products, so I tried this one. It didn’t seem to work during the first week of use but by the second week I could definitely see the results,” they wrote. “I work 12 hours or more night shifts as a Nurse and this really helps.”

And this isn’t hocus pocus—after an 8 week consumer study conducted by the brand, 83 percent of users agreed their eyes looked brighter. Therefore, you’ll want to stock up on as many as possible during the brand’s friends and family sale, where everything is 30 percent off.

No7 Beauty

The multipurpose eye cream contains No7’s Triple Action technology that quickly and effectively targets three key signs of aging. With continued applications, users will see differences on anything from crows feet to puffiness to eye bags thanks to its group of potent ingredients. Peptides, hyaluronic acid, hibiscus and vitamin C work in overdrive to restore and rejuvenate tired, stressed-out skin.

RELATED: This Facial Cream Brings a ‘Huge Difference’ to Crows Feet & Smile Lines Within 2 Weeks—& It’s BOGO 50% Off

One reviewer claims the eye treatment has minimized eye puffiness and fine lines “considerably” and left their skin looking “tighter and smoother.” A 70-year-old shopper also shared that it “absorbs beautifully” into the skin and left it looking “much younger.”

“I can truly say this eye cream does wonders,” raved a third. “My dark circles are truly fading away for the first time in my life. No7 has found another customer for life.”

Iconic? Quite possibly.

Nicole Martin’s White Suit on Watch What Happens Live

Watch What Happens Live Fashion February 19, 2023

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the pettiest prettiest of them all? With Nicole Martin looking into it we already know the answer. The Miami hot mama wore a white cutout suit on her Watch What Live appearance this week, the perfect look for someone from South Florida hitting New York. And while the mirror didn’t let us know who the designer of her suit is, thankfully the woman looking into it was kind enough to share.

Click Here for Real Housewives of Miami Season 5 Fashion Coverage

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

ALC Carlyle Open Back Jacket

Click Here to Shop her ALC Chelsea Trousers

Click Here to Shop it as a Blazer Dress

Click Here to Shop it in Black

Click Here to Shop the Matching Pants

Photo: @BravoWWHL

Info: @DrNicoleMartin

Originally posted at: Nicole Martin’s White Suit