Odds and Ends

Why sexual freedom is killing desire.

I put together a quick round-up of my favorite huggie earrings.

SJP defends her gray hair. #silversister #getoveritmedia

My #1 best skincare pick of 2021 and you can get it for 30% off right now! (My video review is here.)

Cooking from Georgia O’Keeffe’s recipes.

The only brand of bra I wear. (On sale right now!)

Is therapy the best way to make the world happier?

This sweater is adorable and 40 bucks. Love the ivory, camel, and black shades. #neutralsforever

These are the most powerful zodiac signs. (Scorpio, of course!)

A testament to activism and making your voice heard, especially the youth of this country.

Taylor Swift’s quest for justice. (Did you see this Tiktok? lol)

Last weekend for early 30% off access at The Nue Co! Here are my favorite supplements and skincare by the brand.

Bruno Mars + Anderson .Paak = Massive Charisma

The Vogue editor holiday wishlist. I want it all.

Happy Friday! I CANNOT believe next week is Thanksgiving. Hold me.

image credit: xochi solis

Odds and Ends

All I want for Christmas is this robe.

Oh, how I love a new chili recipe. Here are 6 of the best, according to editors.

THIS IS MY LIFE. lololollll

How many quilted/puffer jackets can I own? Couldn’t resist this one so add another one to my tally.

I want to eat these right this very second.

Sephora VIB sale is rolling! I’ve made 3 separate orders. #cantstopwontstop Here are my picks.

Powell’s Books survived the pandemic…now can it reinvent itself? (Does it need to?)

Exclusive 30% sitewide discount at The Nue Co. with the code WHOORLBF30 until 11/21! These are my faves.

The great organic food fraud.

Dude, we all deserve a gravy fountain after what we’ve been through the past two years.

This scarf has all my favorite colors and looks super soft and cozy.

Travel and Leisure’s 2022 Destination of the Year. (And I will be there next month!)

Happy Friday! Wishing you a wonderful weekend…the autumn leaves are sooooo pretty right now.

image credit: boutique japan

The Nue Co Favorites

If you recall my post on supplements last year, I professed to not being a diehard supplement taker, mainly because of my forgetfulness and mild skepticism. However, I definitely take some because my body needs certain vitamins and supplementation, thanks to bloodwork results from my doctor and those supplements have proven to work. So, be sure to always check with your physician if supplementation is right for you!

With that being said, The Nue Co has always been a favorite of mine – not just for their ingestibles, but their skincare (looking to repair your skin barrier? Look no further!), and their fragrances.

They work. Period.

Let’s take a look at my favorites from the brand!

The Nue Co Favorite Products

Prebiotic + Probiotic

The Nue Co’s Prebiotic + Probiotic is their #1 bestseller for a reason. Rather than using a live strain of probiotics, they use spore-based bacteria –  once the spores activate in your small intestine, they begin to multiply, creating tons of good bacteria. Bacillus Coagulans (the strain used) has been proven to work well for those suffering from IBS. A 2016 double-blind placebo trial found a vast improvement in common IBS symptoms including abdominal pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.  

This product is essentially a synbiotic – if you think of probiotic bacteria as a seed, the prebiotic is a fertilizer: It encourages the good bacteria to grow and multiply, giving it the best chance of survival in your gut. Also, I love the vegan delayed-release capsules, which are free from gelatin and plasticizers.

I tend to switch up my probiotics every couple of years or so, and this one has been treating me very well!

Magnesium Ease

Magnesium is so important! This essential mineral is vital for over 325 biochemical reactions in the body and lack of it has been proven to negatively impact sleep quality, muscle, nerve + heart function. Seriously, migraines? Magnesium. (That comes straight from my neurologist.) Sleep issues? Magnesium? Constipation? Magnesium. Stress? Magnesium.

I LOVE The Nue Co. Magnesium Ease Spray because it pairs high-quality magnesium chloride with lavender and arnica oil, which contains helenalin—a potent anti-inflammatory. Together these ingredients efficiently aid relaxation + reduce muscle tension. For me, this means better sleep, fewer aches, and less overall anxiety.

I much prefer this spray over oral methods because magnesium can upset my stomach when taken in pill form. #bathroombreak

I’ve talked about this spray on Instagram many times and it’s just fantastic. 12 sprays to the skin deliver the optimal dosage of 185mg.

(It turns out you love the Magnesium Spray as well! Just read the comments on this post of mine.)

BARRIER CULTURE SKINCARE

Barrier Culture works in 4 ways:

1. Simplify your routine – Using patented technology, the cleanser and moisturizer address over 90% of skin issues in two steps.

2. Repopulate the topical microbiome – Rebuilds the skin’s microbiome with a proprietary blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to support the trillions of microbes (bacteria) that help to maintain pH balance and protect the skin.

3. Lock in moisture – Delivers instant gratification to dry or dehydrated skin, while long-term use reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, deeply nourishing the skin.

4. Protect against pollution – Uses anti-pollution ingredients while offering a condensed skincare routine that reduces landfill waste and subsequent airborne pollution.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, though. How do these products hold up?

Barrier Culture Cleanser

For me to place a daily cleanser in the upper echelon of Whoorl-approved products, it must do two things:

1. It must lather.
2. It must remove all of my eye makeup.

These are non-negotiables for me. Of course, I love a good oil cleanse now and again, but when we are talking about a quick, daily workhorse cleanser, I need a good lather and I need to be able to use it on my eye area without irritation. #contactlenswearersunite

The Barrier Culture Cleanser replaces the need to double-cleanse – it deeply cleans the skin, removing dirt, pollution, and makeup, all without stripping or disrupting the skin’s pH.

Also, yes, it foams, but not due to soap or sulfates! It’s both soap-free and sulfate-free and actively repairs the skin barrier while replenishing the topical microbiome by using prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to leave your skin balanced, smooth, and nourished. I’m a huge fan.

Barrier Culture Moisturizer

Using patented technology, the Barrier Culture Moisturizer repopulates the topical microbiome, protects against pollution, and locks in moisture with Squalane, Niacinamide, and a complex of peptides, ceramides and prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics.

This seemingly simple moisturizer plumps and hydrates my skin without going over the top. It plays super well with my sunscreen and gives my skin moisture without any traces of greasiness or residue.

It’s an especially fantastic moisturizer for the warmer months because while hydrating, it’s also super lightweight.

For those of you with sensitized skin and/or perioral dermatitis, these two products are a godsend. Run, don’t walk!

FYI – My teenage son also uses this line of skincare. His skin is very similar to mine in that it’s sensitive and many products are just “too much,” meaning they can cause pore congestion and/or redness. These two products are perfect in that they provide barrier support and hydration, but aren’t heavy in any way, which keeps his skin clear.

The Nue Co. Skin Filter

Let’s start off with a product that I don’t put on my skin, but I take for my skin. Skin Filter by The Nue Co. has been such a wonderful addition to my skincare regimen this past year.

Designed to improve sun damage, pigmentation, breakouts, and blur impurities in just sixty days, I can say that I’ve seen a visible improvement in my skin since starting in mid-2020. Tested in France under dermatological control, the patented blend of Vitamin C, Zinc, Champagne Grape Seed, and Melon is clinically proven to improve skin luminosity, pigmentation, blemishes, and elasticity.

I don’t use this just for my skin though. We all know that having adequate levels of Zinc and Vitamin C to keep our immune system boosted is key, so I not only take this for my skin but my overall health. I consider it my daily skin and immunity boost.

Defense Drops

It’s germ season! (Wait, it’s always germ season these days.) Your first line of defense against getting sick. This immune-boosting liquid tincture contains a blend of adaptogenic herbs and immunomodulating extracts with naturally antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Use at the first sign of a scratchy throat or sneeze to help support your body’s immune response.

Mind Energy Fragrance

I’m super excited to share this new fragrance supplement with you! MIND ENERGY has done wonders for my mental focus and energy levels when working during the day.

Do you know that fragrance is one of the fastest ways to alter your emotional state? Of the five senses, scent is the only one with a direct line to three of the most important areas of the brain: the orbitofrontal cortex, which signifies awareness; the hippocampus, which is linked to memory; and the amygdala, which helps us sort smells and is directly associated with our emotions and mood. 

MIND ENERGY uses patented neuroscience technology to help invigorate and energize your mental energy by creating a shift in your mood state and stimulating neural pathways. In consumer trials, it has been shown to increase focus, alertness, productivity, and even concentration over a thirty-day period. It is a scientifically-backed functional fragrance designed to address mind fog, lack of focus, and poor productivity. 

I spray this on my wrists while working or even just generally around my work area and it definitely snaps me into full-on focus mode. (It also keeps me from snacking. This is just MY personal experience and there are absolutely no claims by The Nue Co on this, but for some reason, when I want to mindlessly grab a snack because that’s what I annoyingly do, a spritz of this keeps me focused on the task at hand.

Well, what does it smell like, oh Sarah? Peppery and fresh with a warm, velvety base. Clary Sage, Juniper, Pink Peppercorn + Clove are the major players. Formulated using sustainable and upcycled extracts sourced from community-focused projects around the world, including Clove Leaf Oil from Madagascar, upcycled Cedarwood from Morocco, and Egyptian Geranium Oil. Free from parabens, phthalates, and hexanes. Vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free. LOVE LOVE LOVE. It comes in 50ml or a 10ml travel size.

As always, if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments and I will do my best to answer!

Odds and Ends

The Sephora Beauty Event starts today for Rouge members! (20% off!) Here’s a list of my picks.

The fantastical world of haunted dolls on eBay. Yikes.

I’m constantly on the hunt for the perfect joggers (not too tapered!) and I think I finally found them.

True Crime podcast or self-checkout at the supermarket? You decide.

Lightweight waffle robe, I love you.

What becoming a parent really does to your happiness.

Best celebrity Halloween costumes.

This bright cobalt sweater is such a gorgeous shade.

Where can Americans travel right now? A country-by-country guide.

Tons of vegetable side dishes for your Thanksgiving meal.

Every woman needs at least one red lipstick. Here are my 8 favorites.

Happy Friday! Tomorrow’s my birthday so I’m declaring the entire weekend my birthday celebration. Hope you have a great one!

image credit: mark rothko

Odds and Ends

I’m obsessed with these ponytail holders. So much chicer than the plain ol’ counterparts.

Trader Joe wrote a memoir.

Credo Beauty’s biggest event of the year is happening now – 20% off sitewide! (psst – they don’t do this discount for Black Friday so get on it.) Here’s my list of favorites from the store.

Have you all seen Maid? So so so soooooo good.

Bloodless bullfighting. Beautiful photos.

Oversized tunic sweater in every color under the sun.

I am in a HUGE exercise rut right now. This article was helpful.

A psuedo-intellectual comment generator for men. #weallknowaguylikethis

I’m loving this “new work dress code” curation by Nordstrom.

My newest bag obsession. I love the chic simplicity.

30 soup recipes! I LOVE SOUP.

The meaning of life is surprisingly simple.

Woohoo! Notable TV, movies, books, etc releasing this month.

Do you really need to be drinking absurd amounts of water?

10 cult-favorite fall perfumes. My favorite happens to be this one.

23 fall cookbooks to peruse.

I just bought these chunky winter boots so clearly the 90s are sneaking back into my closet.

Happy Friday! Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

image credit: christina stefan