Ask the Editor: Beauty Roundup

For the past few years, I’ve kept my beauty routines simple. The older you get the more you realize that sometimes less is more and that the occasional trip to the aesthetician and a really good sunscreen will do more for you than the latest, hottest serum. So here are some answers to some recent beauty questions that have fallen into my inbox and DMs.

How often do you dye your hair, and do you think you’ll let it go grey? Sara

Every 5 weeks.  All of my grey is up front, which is a damn crime, so I need touch ups on the regular.  Luckily, I’ve found a stylist willing to accommodate covering what she views as tiny roots. I’ve also had to start tinting my eyebrows because they’re going a little grey as well.  If I can’t get in, I use this spray.

I plan to keep dying my hair until the grave.  Or until slathering brown dye onto white hair just makes it look silly.  Whichever comes first.  

From the DMs: What’s the dumbest beauty must have you’ve ever purchased?

That’s such a long list.  I tell people that I would like to have ever dollar I ever spent on acne-prevention products back.  I could go on one hell of a trip with that money.  But if you’re looking for a single thing that I was like, what is wrong with me, why did I fall for this — then, I’m going to blame the pandemic for convincing me to buy this split end trimmer.  Don’t get me wrong, the device works, it just gets used very infrequently and takes up space in my vanity.

Hello, 

I recently turned 35 and someone gifted me a $200 serum that I don’t think does anything.  It has retinol but I put it on every night and see no discernible change.  Is serum a scam?  Or just this serum?  I just want some brightening and some wrinkle assistance.

Can’t believe I’ve been following you since college and now I have aging questions… KL

If you buy a skincare product, and after two-to-four weeks of diligent use, and you see no change, it’s a scammy serum.  They’re everywhere and price is no guarantee of results.  Maybe it’s the product in the bottle or maybe you just don’t suffer from the condition this serum was designed to treat.

For brightening, I like either a daytime serum with Vitamin C or a nighttime cream with Niaciniamide, or both.  My go to C-serum is the Prequel option that runs $23.  You can get it on their site, or at Target.  The Outset Restorative Night Cream is my choice right now for a nourishing night produt.  It’s super hydrating and a little goes a long way.

My go-to serum is also a mid-price option from The Outset.  Their Vegan Collagen serum gives me a little moisture, a little plumping, and a little brightening.  I’m also an Outset Partner, so you can get 15% off with code ABRA15 at checkout.  (I bought their products with my own cash, then promoted them, and they sent me some things, so now we’re besties.  They even sent me flowers.  Not even my husband sends me flowers.)

From the DMs: Have you tried a scalp spa?  I see them all over in Seattle and I’m not sure what that’s about.  Like a facial for your head, maybe?

I see a lot of them in Spokane too, maybe it’s a Pacific Northwest thing.  I have not tried a head spa because I’m a little weirded out by someone having that much contact with my scalp, but a couple of friends really seem to like them.  Maybe someone more familiar with the trend can chime in in the comments.

Abra,

Level with me: Is the Dior filter primer stuff really worth that money?  I keep seeing it everywhere and now that you’re hocking it too, I am here for answers.

Not paying 60 bucks for no reason. xx.

Yes. Yes.  And yes again.  But even though I will rebuy it when my bottle runs out, that doesn’t mean it’s worth it for you if spending over $50 on a product hurts your spirit.  The dupe everyone on TikTok recommends is this e.l.f suncreen that has some glowy properties.  Lots of the pool Moms seem to have it in their pool bags.  It keeps selling out everywhere, so I’m pretty sure the only place to get it is the actual e.l.f website.

And I will stress that the most important thing with a tinted makeup product is that you know whether you have warm, cool or neutral undertones.  There are several ways to figure this out, but I like the vein test.  Blue veins in your feet = cool.  Greenish hued veins = warm.  See both?  Neutral.  

From the DMs: How do I make my pedicure last?

Mani or pedi, I keep mine fresh by reapplying this Seche Vite gel top coat every three days.  It keeps that glossy shine going and it protects it from chipping for a bit longer.  I can usually get 9 days with this method before it looks rough.  I also find a little Essie apricot oil on the cuticles of your toes really spruces them up if you haven’t been to the nail salon in a while.  Not that I’m missing appointments and having to call in and leave a tip on the missed appointment charges because getting to the salon is sometimes impossible, I would never do that more than three to four times per year.  

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