Beauty Bright Spots – January edition

It might be January 26, but it sure feels like January 260, and if you’ve been doing a little too much doom-scrolling like me, here’s a little beauty break to talk about some of my bright spots of the month.

We’re starting off strong with some skincare:

As I’m firmly in my 30s now, it’s time to pick up a retinol to keep my skin in good shape, and the Mother Science Retinol Synergist has been a fantastic entry into the retinol world. I’ve been using it for over a month now about 3-4 times per week and have noticed visible changes like less texture and bumps, and any clogged pores or breakouts seem to heal quicker with less hyperpigmentation. I had a small breakout a couple weeks into using this, which is quite rare for me, but to be honest I’m not sure if it was purging or if it was my skin being irritated from the extreme dry and cold weather. Either way, the spots healed quickly and dark spots seemed to disappear within days (which I also attribute to dedicated use of this serum also by Mother Science!). Use code BEAUTYUNHYPED for 15% off all Mother Science.

It’s rare that moisturizer really blows me away and this month I have not one, but two moisturizers to share.

First is the newly launched Mother Science Molecular Genesis, which is a rich buttery moisturizer that instantly melts onto my face into a light and nongreasy finish. It’s one of very few moisturizers that can deliver a heavy dose of hydration and barrier support while still leaving a satin-matte finish that I can wear for daytime. This is especially great for people with combination skin who need a little help with moisture, especially in the winter, but try to avoid anything too rich or shiny. Use code BEAUTYUNHYPED for 15% off all Mother Science.

For days I want something with a slightly lighter texture, I have been loving the Phytosurgence Verdant Forcefield Restorative Moisturizer, which is a lotion with almost a gel-like feel to it that gives a satisfying mochi-esque plump look to my skin. It’s nourishing but not heavy at all, and true to its description, leaves my skin feeling so bouncy and smooth. It’s packed with calming ingredients like allantoin, centella, and green tea, and it’s a nice bonus that it also smells like green tea.

Moving on to a few makeup products I keep reaching for over and over again lately…

If this is your first time hearing about how fantastic the R.E.M Beauty Glossy Balm formula is, just trust me that it won’t be your last time. These have a feel of an ultra nourishing lip treatment, with some weight, with the look and pigment of a lip oil-gloss hybrid that isn’t heavy but also doesn’t slip or slide everywhere. The shades are also absolutely beautiful, though Cherry Cola is the brown-red shade I can’t stop reaching for lately. The sheer finish makes this easy to wear and it has just enough balance of both colors so it’s clearly red but muted enough for my preferences. I wore only this gloss as my lip products for a whole day just to be sure I wasn’t fooling myself with how good this formula was, and my lips felt so good after a whole day, even with extremely dry and cold weather. That’s all the convincing I need to know it’s dry lip approved!

I recently repurchased a tube of Victoria Beckham Bitten Lip Tint and I’m reminded why I love it so much. The sheer tint is lightweight and adds a comfortable layer of color that lasts for hours, while the gel texture keeps the formula from feeling dry like many lipsticks can feel. Bisou is also just the perfect deepened brown-plum shade that I’m really craving these days and while it looks beautiful on its own, it is also a gorgeous base under some brighter plum or pink lipsticks and glosses.

I’ve raved about the Make Beauty Heat Stroke Dewy Gel Cheek Tint already, but these gel tints are so fantastic for a watercolor-like kiss of color on my cheeks. I go through phases with different shades in this range and my pick of the moment is Slush, a violet purple mauve that is an absolute dream on olive skintones. The slight bit of purple translates onto olive skin as slightly more pink, making it a brightening shade that looks natural, and this formula lasts well on my skin as well.

Finally, I have one body product that’s saving the skin on my body from being a flaky mess, and it’s the Fenty Skin Cherry Dub Triple Action Body Scrub, which is both a dense gritty physical exfoliator as well as a potent chemical exfoliator. I have KP on my arms and using this just once a week helps keep the bumps and irritation at bay, while making the rest of my body silky soft. I’ve used a lot of body scrubs before, but the combination of the physical and chemical exfoliation of this one makes it one of the most potent and effective scrubs I’ve used.

What are your beauty bright spots lately? What’s making you feel your best? I want to know all your best finds.

Stay well and stay cozy!

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