Over the past year, we have all had to get used to a new way of life. Part of this is wearing a mask while in public places and in some cases while out and about. This is something that has become the norm for the foreseeable future, but naturally many people hate the way masks affect their appearance.
Some wonder whether it is even worth making an effort when they have to wear a mask everywhere, but you can still wear a mask and look good with the right steps.
There are a few things you can do in order to look good when wearing a mask, and the great thing is that it does not take a huge amount of effort. Remember, while the mask does hide certain parts of your face, the other part is still on show along with your hair. So, focusing on the exposed areas means that you can still look great and stay safe by wearing your mask. In this article, we will find out more about how you can do this.
The Steps You Can Take
There are various steps that you can take in order to ensure you look good while also benefitting from the protection of your mask. Some of these are:
Focus on Your Hairstyle
One of the things to remember is that while part of your face may be covered, your hair is still on full display. So, if you want to look great, focus on your hairstyle. There are lots of hairstyles you can choose from that look great even if you are wearing a mask. Making sure your hair looks great means that you can still express yourself through your appearance.
Maksim Goncharenok Pexels
Keep Your Skin Nourished
Another thing to remember is that when you are wearing a mask for long periods every day, it gives your skin less chance to breathe. This can cause a range of issues including dryness and blemishes, which you naturally want to avoid. Of course, there are times when you will remove your mask while you are out such as to eat and drink. So, make sure you keep your facial skin nourished so that it looks great if and when you need to remove the mask.
Gustavo Fring Pexels
Avoid Heavy Makeup
It is a good idea to avoid heavy makeup when you are going to be wearing a mask for long periods. When your skin is covered by the mask, it cannot breathe properly and the last thing you want is for it to be caked in makeup and then trapped under your mask. In addition, heavy makeup will simply get all over your mask and leave you with a face covering that is caked in makeup products. So, keep the makeup light and fresh. You can focus on the eyes when it comes to makeup, as your eyes will not be covered.
These are a few of the ways you can step out with confidence and looking great when you are wearing your face mask.
We can all agree that 2020 was a year like no other, and it will go down in history as one of the most difficult collective challenges in our lifetimes. As the hashtag says, #weareinthistogether. No matter your level of income, age, skin color, or which part of the world you live in, we all had to rethink how we get from morning to night, facing challenges like working remotely and DIY beauty regimens.
We are grateful that our favorite brands made 2020 easier for us. We figured out how to get through it, even if it meant that our hair colorist had to drop off a premixed color formula so that our dear life partners (or children) could apply.
It may not have been a pretty sight, but from the creative photos on social media, it certainly came with a large dose of humility and humor.
This year we have decided to honor the brands who were there for our company in our Downtown’s 2020 Ultimate Beauty Gift Guide.
Here are a few of our favs!
Supremÿa Eyes at Night. Exceptional night skin care dedicated to revealing the youth of the eyes.
Supremÿa Cream An exceptional night treatment specifically for dry skin or skin lacking comfort, which targets the visible signs of aging to offer noticeably enhanced rejuvenation.
Scent Sational gifts from Sisley Paris. Sisley continues the original collaboration with artist Quentin Jones celebrating Izia in a new package inspired by her colorful ‘rock’ universe. Collages of roses, fluorescent ink, and flecks of paint boldly decorate the box. Its delicacy and lightness contrast with the ‘rock’ design of the box and echo the singular rose at the heart of the fragrance.
A limited-edition holiday bundle of 3 bestsellers from Bali Body, Ultra Dark Self Tan, Face Tan Water & BB Cream, it’s everything you need for the perfect glow. In a festive gift box!
Roam Slippers
ROAM slippers and sandals are all about comfort. They have custom-molded footbeds that are pillow soft while completely supporting your feet. The mid-soles are wrapped in neoprene for wicking and breathability, keeping your feet cool. There is also memory foam added to the uppers that allow the shoes to mold and form to your feet – truly creating a hug for your feet.
TYME
Make travel and everyday styling easier, and faster with Tyme. Combining many different size curling irons with a straightener. No more cluttered drawers, cabinets, and suitcases – just one tool.
One of our Publisher’s new FAV!
Joon Saffron Rose shampoo, this gentle conditioner detangles, hydrates, and smoothes hair. Used in traditional Persian beauty rituals for centuries, the “Antioxidant Powerhouse” created by Saffron, Rose, Pistachio and Pomegranate nourish and strengthen the hair strand while restoring elasticity, making your hair look/feel softer, stronger, and healthier.
Persians have used Saffron, Pistachio, and Rose in beauty rituals for centuries. Saffron, a spice worth more than its weight in gold, is used to strengthen hair. Pistachio nourishes and moisturizes for bouncy and smooth hair.
Coming from a haircare background, Shiva and Kayvon Tavakoli spent their entire lives in the salon haircare world. Their father came to the US when he was 17 years old and after moving to Houston, built a successful salon empire and haircare laboratory.
Joanna Vargas, We needed something to help keep our beauty regiment up, as we all worked from home, spas, and salons were closed during the quarantine. For a wide-awake look, with or without concealer, use the Magic Glow Wand to reduce the appearance of puffiness, invigorating your complexion, bringing your glow back.
Use it with a serum or mask for an unbelievably soft and radiant look!
One of our newest discoveries Deborah Lippman’s, hand and feet moisturizer, trust us, it will change your hands and feet forever. With the hard winter approaching, start now and by spring you will feel like a new person!
Your hands are the first to reveal your age. Keep them guessing with this award-winning cream formulated with shea butter, avocado, and jojoba oil. Winner of Health Magazine’s Healthiest Hand Cream, as voted by leading dermatologists Broad spectrum SPF 25 sunscreen protects from the sun’s UVA and UVB harmful rays Shea butter, Avocado, and Jojoba oil keep hands moisturized Botanical brightening complex helps to even skin tone.
Again for the 3rd year in a row, we are including BrooklynBotany. We cannot get through a winter without their scrubs and now new Sweet Almond oil.
This holiday season we sampled their new Blueberry Scrub, all we can say is THANK YOU Brooklyn Botany. Our dry skin feels renewed, and radiant, the winter dry itch is gone.
Sweet Almond Oil, the perfect name for Brooklyn Botnay’s oil.. sweet it is, very mild, and hypoallergenic. This oil is safe to be used for almost all skin types including sensitive, dry, and oily skin. It can even be used on children and babies skin.
Can’t get to St Barth this year, no worries, they bring their delightful products to you. And, just in time for Christmas with Ligne St. Barth
Feel the beauty of the island – surrounded by warmth, a breath of wind cools your cheeks. Sea Breeze embodies the lightness of a tropical summer day: with the deep blue Blue Lagoon shower gel, tingling like a bath in the surf. Try this sun splash, with grapefruit as an invigorating freshness accord. This beguiling Premium Care Oil gives your body, face, and hair, a golden sheen.
We cannot get enough of this brand. Anything they make it superb. We love the new refill pouch. Sustainability is here for Ouai.
We have tried many dry shampoo’s and it can be hit or miss. But not with Ouai’s Super Dry Shampoo. Works every time and does not leave your hair unruly or limp.
Ready for a private dinner at home for two, or just want to feel sexy? Intensely seductive, Good Girl Eau de Parfum Carolina Herrera’s Suprême reinvents the iconic Good Girl fragrance with a daring new formula. Redefining the emblematic contrast of lights and shadows encourages you to connect with your rebellious side. Grab one for a delicious stocking stuffer.
One does not think about body serum. However, we have been using Immunocologie body serum for years. Yes, it does moisturize, repair, and restore. It’s very light to the touch but deeply moisturizes. A dry oil intended for full-body application. We found that after a bath or shower apply, and leave on your skin all day and or night, it’s silky smooth and your skin will feel radiant and restored.
FourSeasons Hotel New York Downtown Give the gift of luxury to your loved one, or maybe the gift you have been looking for yourself. Join Downtown New York’s newest intimate space Club 27 where you can focus on your personal fitness and wellness goals, surrounded by inspiration and without any distractions.
Mudras.com
With this signature bespoke massage treatment, you will experience the magically unique and tailor-made Body Reset massage. This is considered a secret weapon for many of our #MudrasFam. The BodyReset Technique was developed by Yotam Kafri founder of Mudras.com Holiday special for first-time clients. Get 30% off on your first session!
Mention Downtown Magazine to get your special offer. LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Get your gift certificate now!
For those who are enjoying the sheer pleasure of CDB, these are our picks for the 2020 Holiday Season
Meet our first CBD infused moisturizer specifically formulated for the face. Lord Jones Whole Plant Formula Acid Mantle Repair is a soothing CBD moisturizer formulated to help maintain the acid mantle, support the skin’s moisture barrier, and rebalance the appearance of stressed skin.* Each jar contains 250mg of CBD (<0.3% THC).
These premium tinctures contain 500mg of full-spectrum CBD derived from specially-sourced hemp for unparalleled purity and quality. Each dropper delivers approximately 20mg of CBD. Available in two flavors, Orange and Peppermint.
Her Royal Hempress skincare collection is defined by synergistic, small-batch blends of CBD and potent botanical actives that have been specially crafted with the highest attention to detail. Created by a generational, social-conscious gardener & mother Emma Spivey, Her Highness uses powerful botanical ingredients to complement the transformative CBD to leave skin feeling naturally radiant and for therapeutic relief.
Her Highness is a cannabis lifestyle brand based in New York with a curated collection of cannabis, CBD, and consumption essentials designed with the modern consumer in mind. Her Highness product is thoughtfully designed with the intent of bringing cannabis into a woman’s world, not the other way around. With a dynamic range of stylish, high-quality products for smoking, stress relief, self-care, and pleasure, Her Highness satisfies every cannabis craving.
New Highs CBD hopes to enlighten and empower women and men towards the path of an elevated lifestyle utilizing the healing properties of CBD. New Highs products invigorate the mind, body, and soul-lifting up high while remaining non-intoxicating.
“Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics inspired by his desire to help my patients. In 2013, patients started asking about CBD and their health. He took the opportunity to research, study, and attended conferences in order to confidently provide answers to patients who were asking about the health benefits of CBD. Here are just some of our favorite products.
Deep moisturizing lotion utilizing condensed red ginseng water that strengthens the skin barrier and balances the pH for healthy and luminous skin. Donginbi Red Ginseng.DONGINBI was created in 1899, based on internationally recognized manufacturing company Cheong Kwan Jang’s philosophy of creating Korean red ginseng for external use.
Botanika life has a wide array of products catering to an active and healthy lifestyle. Improving what already works by bringing in nature’s miracle ingredient CBD.
Whatever your plans for this holiday season, stay safe, do not gather in large crowds, think about your loved ones and, wear a mask. We look forward to seeing you in 2021.
Pamper yourself with these eco-friendly products that will glam your style.
LIGHT BRITE Naturally clean teeth are possible with Dr. Brite Naturals Whitening Toothpaste, which is formulated with sustainable and effective plant-based ingredients that are safe to swallow and include no artificial sweeteners or colors. Dr. Brite products are created in small batches in their California headquarters, using ingredients sourced from the United States and India (neem oil), and with minimal packaging. drbrite.com
BRUSH UP Help skin achieve its best glow by invigorating the lymphatic system with The Ritual Brush by Joanna Vargas. Made from all-natural materials, the brush is designed to stimulate circulation when used on dry skin before bathing. All of the beauty powerhouse’s products are packaged in FSC paper, glass, and recycled plastic, and are cruelty-free and 100% vegan. joannavargas.com
DISCO DANCING
A cleansing and energizing body wash for men containing eucalyptus, aloe, and papaya, Disco Body Wash uses clean ingredients that are vegan as well as gluten, aluminum, cruelty, paraben, and sulfate-free. All products come in sustainable and recyclable packaging, and through their membership program, you can put your skincare routine on repeat. letsdisco.com
BODY BEAUTIFUL
More than 95 percent of the ingredients in Kjaer Wise’s The Beautiful Oil come from organic, sustainable, and biodynamic sources and are certified organic by the CCBP. The oil is loaded with nutrient-rich botanicals like moringa, rosemary, and ginkgo biloba. kjaerweis.com
A HIGHER BAR
Luxurious, salon-style shampoo and conditioner bars by HiBar save on packaging and shipping costs without sacrificing quality haircare. Available by subscription or single purchase, in three formulas: Moisturize, Volumize, and Maintain. HiBar arrives in plastic-free packaging, is cruelty-free, and formulated without sulfates, parabens, silicone, or phthalates. hellohibar.com
FULL BLOWN
Achieve maximum volume and airy texture for fine hair with Fekkai’s Full Blown Volume Dry Texturizing Spray. This salon-quality, high-performance products also provide our planet with a deep cleanse by creating packaging from 95% recycled plastic, and they are vegan and cruelty-free, as well as free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, and phthalates. fekkai.com
STRESS LESS
Filled with soothing patchouli, lavender essential oils, antioxidant rosemary, and refreshing eucalyptus, Indie Lee’s DeStress Body Wash is COSMOS-certified, which is a leading third-party global certification process. All products are packaged in glass jars or recycled plastic tubes and use FSC-certified paper. indielee.com
SHINE TIME
Shampoos and conditioners from Davines OI are steeped in nourishing Roucou oil—an antioxidant-rich Amazonian plant that helps repair cell damage from UV rays–to maintain softness, shine, and volume. The company has pledged to align with the Sustainable Development Goals set forth by the UN and compensates for their own CO2 emissions. In 2018 they eliminated the use of fossil fuels in their company headquarters in Parma, Italy. us.davines.com
VITAMIN BEAUTY
All of the essential nutrients you need are included in DL.MD 13.5.1 Multivitamin, without fillers or excess ingredients. It is a liquid formulated for maximum absorption, and the Myron glass bottles that store the formula guard the product’s effectiveness. The company gives back by helping to supply essential vitamins and nutrients to children in need. thedlmd.com
SMART SCENT
Delicate underarm skin can breathe a sigh of relief with Smarty Pits deodorants. Founded by Stacia Guzzo when she decided to go aluminum-free in response to her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, the lightly scented deodorants are powered by prebiotics which helps to nourish the good bacteria living on your skin. They are also phthalate-free, paraben-free, propylene glycol-free, and cruelty-free. Smarty Pits deodorants are available in a super-strength formula as well as a sensitive skin version that is baking soda-free. smartypits.com
REWILD YOURSELF
The Naturally Considerate line of self-care products was created by Manda Kalimian, founder of the Cana Foundation. The range, which includes gentle, sustainable, naturally fragranced cleansers and moisturizers, also comes with ceremonial sage smudge sticks and instructions on how to get back to nature. Naturally Considerate products are designed to work harmoniously with each other and with nature to benefit your skin and bring out the best within your body and life.
The products are free of parabens, dyes, and harsh chemicals, and are never tested on animals. They are formulated with pure, organic, and wildcrafted essential oils. These gifts from nature synergistically assist the skin’s natural desire to revive, refresh, and rejuvenate; while encouraging healing for your mind, body, and spirit.
The line includes Reflection face serum (above), which is formulated with clary sage, hemp, and neroli; Running Creek face wash; Well Being body lotion; Rewild Sacred spritz face toner; Whitewater body wash, and Speak Only Love lip balm. The company’s commitment is based on reducing or eliminating their carbon footprint as much as possible to provide truly sustainable, natural skincare products. All proceeds support the efforts of the Cana Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. dedicated to the conservation and protection of native wild horses. naturallyconsiderate.com
