After months of eyeing Glossier's line-up of products, I decided to do a haul in hopes that their best sellers were as good as they appeared to be. Known for their minimalist approach to beauty, makeup, and skincare, the Emily Weiss-founded cosmetics company has long since been a favorite of minimalists and maximalists alike. For beauty lovers who gravitate towards "no-makeup" makeup looks, Glossier holds the keys to the kingdom, while makeup afficianados who are more about that beat-face life have their favorite tried and true beauty finds from the brand (Boy Brow, we're looking at you).
As far as my own personal adventure into Glossier Land, I decided to add their cleanser, serums, and moisturizers as well as a few of their top-selling makeup offerings. Keep reading for a quick rundown of my buys and why I cannot get enough of the magic Glossier is selling.
Skincare First
Kandice Guice/xoNecole
As I have matured, skincare has become top priority. Products that make me glow like I am well-loved and stress-free will always be a fave of mine. Glossier gets this right with a full line of products that take my glow to next-level heights. I use a three-part system that leaves me so radiant, makeup isn't a necessity.
For starters, I wash my face with Glossier's Milky Jelly Cleanser. The subtle rosy scent of this cleanser immediately makes me smile but, more than that, the creamy texture infuses my skin with moisture from the onset. With five skin conditioners included, it's no wonder this product is so soothing and nourishing. It is one of few cleansers that doesn't leave my skin feeling dry after it is rinsed away. "Rejuvenating" best describes this one.
Glossier
After rinsing away the Milk Jelly Cleanser, I move right along to the Super Duo. It consists of two top-rated serums infused with vitamins. This combo works together to hydrate and brighten skin. Super Bounce is just what the doctor ordered for soothing moisture that hydrates with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin b5. Although the name speaks for itself, I can confirm that Super Glow indeed brightens skin with its powerful combination of Vitamin C and magnesium.
I follow up with a moisturizer and then jump into Futuredew.
If I had to choose only one Glossier product to live by, Futuredew would be it. You know that dewy fresh face look you get directly after using a good moisturizer or finishing up a facial? Futuredew creates this look with all-day staying power, and I cannot get enough of it. This serum is made of oils and light-reflecting minerals that will leave you looking glorious.
I could stop here and be over the moon, but when I'm feeling really ambitious, I use the following makeup products for a "no-makeup" look:
Makeup Second
Glossier.
Glossier describes its makeup line as "Products that give you options but never cover you up, turn you into someone else, or over-complicate your routine." And I cannot find a single lie. On days where I want to look fresh and lightly done, I go with Glossier all the way.
Starting with Cloud Paint cheek color, I set the tone. It's literally a gel-cream blush you can't mess up. This buildable color blends naturally and is easy to use. No brushes required. Simply dab a bit on your cheeks and use your finger to tap it into your skin. The end results? A slightly flushed look that makes it look like you're truly blushing a bit from the inside out. It's that simple.
Glossier.
Next, I like to follow up with Haloscope in "Moonshine". This crystal-infused highlighter enhances the dewy effect with a barely-there look that is irresistible. It's my second fave product. The moment I FaceTimed my sister and she said, "You look so beautiful. Don't put on makeup today," I KNEW Haloscope would forever hold a special place in my heart.
I add a hint of color to my lips by using Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick for a casual "I didn't try" look. Although a matte finish, it's packed with moisture and is the cherry on top of my "Yassssss, fresh face" look.
Glossier Pulled Up
Kandice Guice/xoNecole
Before going all-in on the dopeness of Glossier, I was sure to visit @pullupforchange to see Glossier's diversity numbers. I was pleased to see the company's commitment to diversity as well as its recent release of a new grant for black-owned beauty businesses. I am happy to report that we can shop Glossier guilt-free. That's good news we can use.
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Again, the answer never changes because, if there is one thing that Shellie Reneé Warren is gonna get, it’s 6-8 (sometimes nine) hours of sleep. However, since my chronotype (check out “Ever Wonder What Personality Traits Make Someone A 'Morning Person'?”) means that I like/prefer to write in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes I will sleep for the night for five hours and take a nap in the day. And y’all, that is just fine with me because I am well aware of the fact that napping does everything from give me more energy, heighten my alertness and even make me more creative to decrease stress levels, strengthen immunity, and reduce my chances of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
My problem is I will oftentimes go “overboard” with my daytime zzz’s. What I mean by that is, in order to get the most out of a nap, they say thatyou shouldn’t sleep for longer than 25 minutes or so; otherwise, you could wake up feeling sluggish (I don’t but…). Also, it can make resting, soundly, at night a bit of a struggle.
So, what are you saying, Shellie? We should get quickies in? Yeah. And it’s funny that the word “quickie” would come up because just like a sex quickie can do wonders for you (and it can — check out “12 Super Solid Reasons To Have A Quickie Every Single Day”), it’s a full-circle moment when I say that something that can improve the quality of your sex life is to have a power nap (a nap that lasts between 10-30 minutes).
Wanna know how the two things correlate? Honestly, it’s no secret that sleep and sex work together to optimize both (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”). Today, though, we’re going to tap into how a nap, specifically, can have you partaking in some of the best sex that you’ve experienced in a minute. I’ll explain.
Naps Reduce Stress
GiphyIf you’re feeling super stressed out right now, you are not alone. There is plenty of data out here that says that most of us are stressed for at least a couple of reasons at a time — and that can impact your sexual health on a few levels. For one thing, it can bring about feelings of depression and/or anxiety. Stress can also throw your hormone levels off (including your cycle) which can weaken your libido. Stress can make you want to put distance between you and your partner (yes, literally).
Stress can also make it challenging to get aroused or to have an orgasm. And just what can help to decrease stress? Taking a nap. Since sleep has a way of helping you to “get off of the clock” and relax a bit, that can lower your stress levels and “reset” your body so that you are calmer — and that, in turn, can do wonders for your sex drive and ultimately your sex life.
Naps Improve Your Mood
GiphyThere is one person in my life, and fairly 80 percent of the time, she’s in a super good mood. Oh, but let that girl go without sleep, and…who is this woman? LOL. There’s research behind why this happens. When a person is sleep-deprived, it messes with their brain chemicals, and that can amplify emotions like anger, restlessness and sadness. In fact, one study revealed that people who had their sleep disrupted throughout the night, they ended up having their positive outlook on life reduced by about 30 percent.
And geeze, who wants to have sex when they’re not feeling very good? Anyway, since serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate your moods, your sleep patterns, and your libido and sleep is what helps to keep it in balance — by taking a nap, not only can it help you to feel better, it can also increase your desire for sex (it can also build up your endurance which is also…sexually beneficial).
Naps Increase Your Focus and Concentration
GiphySomething that some of my clients bring up is how, when it comes to having sex, sometimes the flesh is willing while the spirit is weak because, although the desire for intimacy is there, so much is going on that they aren’t able to get still enough to focus on experiencing copulation with their partner. This also tracks because, when you don’t have enough rest, your brain finds itself not working in harmony and that can make it hard to do everything from approaching life with a sense of flexibility to making necessary decisions.
Certain data also reveal that a lack of rest can cause you to have a really poor attention span and not process things in context (the more you know). So, if you really want to get some yet it’s hard for you to focus long enough to make it happen, ask your bae to lie down with you and take a nap. Between the sleep and the snuggling (check out “Fall's Coming: 8 Wonderful Health Benefits Of Cuddling”) — you may wake up with your mind and body totally on the same page. #wink
Naps Can Make You Feel Better About Your Body
GiphyEven if, overall, you feel really good about your body, I think that we all have moments when we feel less attractive than others — and who wants to have sex when they don’t really feel…very sexy? Well, something else that sleep, in general, can do is increase your confidence in your body.
For one thing, if you want to lose a few pounds, sleep can actually make that happen by helping your body metabolize the glucose (sugar) that’s in it so that you can better manage your appetite. Other studies go on to share that since sleep deprivation can impact one’s mental health and emotional stability in a negative way, of course, getting enough rest would increase body positivity.
Shoot, science even goes so far as to say that insomnia can cause people to have an elevated level of dissatisfaction when it comes to their body image. Don’t take their word for it, though. Look in the mirror before a nap. Then look in a mirror after waking up from me. Do you feel better? I’d be surprised if you don’t.
Makes Your Brain Bigger…Which Could Make Your Orgasms Better
GiphyI saved the best for last by design. Now if you’re wondering how in the world a nap can improve (and possibly increase) your orgasms — oh, there is a method to the madness…trust. For starters, the saying that your biggest sex organ is your brain? That isn’t a myth. Long story less long, the brain is what houses your central nervous system and that is what controls how men and women sexually function (yes, literally).
And since the brain also releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin during sex and brain activity significantly increases in women during sexual activity (especially right before she orgasms) — well, would it trip you out to know that when you take a nap, your brain actually expands? A bigger brain (that’s healthy) can potentially intensify your sexual experiences (and your climaxes) — and who doesn’t want that to go down?
____
Like I said earlier, I never have to be convinced to get a nap in. However, if your sex life has been a bit stagnant lately, you’ve been feeling a little sluggish and you’re not sure what to do — I’m hoping that a nap can get you right.
There’s enough science to prove that it can. All you need to do is give it a shot.
Now where’s your pillow and sleep mask, chile?
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