

I Tried Glossier’s Best Sellers. Here’s What I Think.
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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Featured image by Kandice Guice/xoNecole
Kandice Guice is a lifestyle and beauty writer who doubles as an attorney and entrepreneur. She prides herself on helping multidimensional women discover personal and professional fulfillment by encouraging them to live with ambition, sass, and a whole lot of pizzazz. When Kandice isn't closing corporate transactions or writing blog posts, she is usually cheering on her husband as a football coach or looking for new travel adventures with friends and family. Check her out at kandiceguice.com and follow her on all things social @kandiceguice.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Russell and Nina Westbrook Dish On The Key Ways To Avoid Resentment In Relationships
Russell and Nina Westbrook are one of those low-key, unproblematic couples we don’t talk about enough. They met in college and got married in 2015. They also have a beautiful family with three kids. While Russell is an NBA star, Nina is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a mental health advocate.
She recently launched the podcast The Relationship Chronicles with Nina Westbrook, and in the latest episode, she had none other than her husband on as a guest. The college sweethearts dived into important topics from marriage to children and how they navigate it all.
One of the topics they touched on was dealing with resentment in your relationship. The former MVP highlighted the sacrifices his wife has had to make in order for him to pursue a career in the NBA, and that’s why it’s also important for him to support his wife whenever he can.
“For me is respecting and understanding what your partner do and the time it takes,” Russell said. “Not kind of downplaying what they do, understanding the time and energy and effort they're doing to make sure whether it’s their job or making sure home is taken care of, and understanding that, I think that is the challenge of not being resentful.”
Nina agreed and also shared her thoughts on resentment. According to her, one of the best things couples should do is have their own identity and passions outside of the relationship in an effort to be fulfilled.
“I also think that when you’re in a relationship, that’s why it’s so important that each individual kinda pursue their own passions and follow their own dreams as I feel like it only becomes or leads to resentment when one person is not feeling fulfilled in what they're doing in their lives,” she explained.
“And so, they will start to look at the other partner who’s happy or excelling or promoting or moving along in their journey, then they’re left feeling stuck like they sacrificed themselves, their happiness, their career, their future and have not pursued it in the name of the relationship or their partner. So, it’s so much easier to avoid those feelings of resentment when you’re each equally pursuing your passions.”
The couple has many passions that they work on together and separately. Outside of basketball and his family, Russell has become known for his eclectic style and started the fashion brand Honor The Gift. Nina has her podcast, and she also started the mental health website Bene. Together, they run the Why Not? Foundation, which works with kids in underserved communities.
“I’m a firm believer that one person can’t be everything to you, so you have to sort of seek out those different friendships or groups or hobbies or activities that help to fulfill you,” Nina concluded.
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Feature image by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Religion of Sports