Search Results for: best of the best

The Best Cloth Face Masks for Small Faces

by whoorl

The Best Cloth Face Masks for Small Faces

Are you masking up if you can? Wait, not that kind of mask. Cloth facial masks! As expected, the market has become inundated with so many kinds of cloth masks and it’s tough to figure out which ones will work for you. Well, I’m here to share what masks work super well for my adult (yet small and narrow) face!

It goes without saying that I’m fairly particular about things. #ahem #understatementoftheyear But that’s a great thing for you, dear reader, because you know that when I sing the praises of a brand of product, it’s after an immense amount of research and putting it through the wringer.

The Best Cloth Face Masks for Small Faces

The Best Cloth Face Masks for Small Faces

I’m a huge fan of the Everyday Non-Medical Masks by Athleta. I’ve tried many, many types and brands of masks and these ones are tops in my book. Why, you ask?

Lightweight

Made from polyester/spandex with a cotton liner, these masks have 3 layers of fabric – a lightweight outer layer and two inner layers of soft, breathable cotton. They are soft and incredibly easy to wear.

Breathable

Breathability-wise, these masks feel the most similar to disposable surgical masks. I never feel like I’m struggling to get air in, especially on really hot days. Airflow moves easily through the mask.

Adjustable

As a woman with a smaller, narrow face, many adult masks literally hang off my face. Since this mask has adjustable ear loops, I can secure it against my face without worrying that it’s going to slip off.

Also, the encased wire along the nose bridge lends for a better fit and keeps the mask from moving up into your eye area.

All in all, I love these masks. Even my teenage son prefers them, and when do teenagers ever agree with their mamas? #truth Also, my 10-year-old daughter wears the kids’ version too along with these ones by Old Navy.

Hope this helps those of you looking for a top-notch cloth face mask. Let me know if you have any favorites in the comments!

Best Activewear for Hot Weather

by whoorl

Best Activewear for Hot Weather

It’s hot AF this summer and despite wanting to complete the extent of my exercise indoors, there is a certain floofy, fried chicken-looking member of this family who needs to be walked 2-3 miles a day or someone or something will pay the price. (Usually my socks or our fluffy living room rug that’s just too tempting not to chew on.) Basically, I’m hot-weather-walking aficionado so you’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for the best activewear for hot weather!

Best Activewear for Hot Weather

Tank Tops

The key to tank tops is that they have to be ultra-breathable, moisture-wicking, and for me personally, slightly cropped because I wear a fanny pack with necessities (doggy poop bags, keys, my iPhone, etc). Here are my top 3!

Athleta Cloudlight Relaxed Muscle Tank

The Cloudlight Relaxed Muscle Tank is buttery soft and so comfortable. It has deeply cut sides so air keeps moving around your torso while you do. I also love the twist detailing at the hip – a really nice touch!

As for sizing, I go between an XS and S in Athleta, and I chose the S in this style because I wanted a roomier feel overall. I have both white and black.

Athleta Mineral Wash Crop Tank

The Athleta Mineral Crop Tank is my favorite of all – I have 4 out of the 5 colors! This tank is so incredibly lightweight – it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing anything at all. It has a totally seamless construction for maximum comfort and minimal chafing. It’s truly light as air and keeps me as cool as possible.

I wear a Small in this tank as well. (psst – they are almost half off right now!)

Mippo Cropped Muscle Tank

The Mippo Cropped Muscle Tank is my top pick for most affordable. At $15.99, it’s quite a steal! This top is definitely the most cropped of the three – prepare to show a little sliver of your belly. I love how the back of the tank is mesh so you can show off your cute sports bra too.

Word to the wise – this tank runs super small. I ended up with a Medium although I probably could have gone with a large as well. (You can see how it fits on me in the video below.)

Try-On Video and Full Review Below

 

Sports Bras

Fellow busty ladies with smaller rib cages, look no further than the Athleta Exhale Powervita Bra for D-DD cups and the Athleta Formation Longline Bra for D-DD. Finally, a brand figured out that larger busts don’t always equate to larger rib cages!

Up until I found these sports bras, I had to settle for ones that fit my bust but were way too large around my rib cage or fit my rib cage while smashing my bust to oblivion. No longer! (For those of you who feel my pain, I also wrote a post on bras and bralettes that work for our body types.)

These two sports bras also come in A-C sizing as well.

Leggings

Now, I don’t really recommend wearing full leggings in 90+ degree weather, but I have to state for the record that I do love the Lululemon Align Leggings for all other times of the year. I don’t even want to state how many pairs I’ve accumulated over the years. (I wear a size 4, for reference.)

However, this year I found a much more affordable option at Amazon! These Core 10 Nearly Naked Leggings feel EXACTLY like the Lululemon Align Leggings and I adore them. (They also come in the 19″ capri length for warmer days.) I wear a small in both.

Shorts

When it’s hotter than a two-dollar pistol outside, shorts are really the only way to go. (Although I do it kicking and screaming as I really hate shorts in general.)

The only two pairs I wear are the Athleta Mesh Racer Run Short – the mesh hem is a fun touch once in a while but I love the Balaef High-Waisted Lined Running Shorts from Amazon. These are such a steal (under $25!) and they feel great on. No riding up in the middle and they stay super dry when you are sweating buckets. I wear a small in both.

Hats

I always have a hat on for sun protection and to keep my pesky bangs out of my face. My favorite lightweight hat is my Outdoor Voices “Doing Things” hat.

Running Shoes

This is such a personal thing depending on your feet and gait, but I love Brooks running shoes. I need both cushion and stability and the Transcend line has always worked well for me.

Socks

These Bombas are the bomb. Enough said.

Earbuds

I finally went wireless this year and I don’t know why I waited so long. Instead of dropping $130+ for Apple AirPods, I bought these on Amazon and they work great. Did I mention they are only 25 bucks?

Facial Sunscreen

Almost nothing worse than your face feeling like it’s suffocating from sunscreen while working out in the heat. My beloved Fitglow Vita Shield SPF 30 is a godsend. (On its own, it’s sold out, but you can still get it in my Whoorl Favorites Kit at Fitglow through the end of this month! Use the code WHOORL15 for an extra 15% off the already deeply discounted price!)

Fanny Packs

When I need something super streamlined, I always wear the FlipBelt. Otherwise, this fanny pack can hold more stuff.

Walking Playlist

Everybody needs some good tunes, and my walking playlist isn’t half bad if I do say so myself.

Activity Tracker

Yeah. I’m pretty obsessed with my Fitbit Inspire HR. It’s simple and streamlined (big and clunky is not my style) and If you need a little kick in the arse and love data, it’s a must-have.

What am I forgetting?

I’m pretty sure I’ve covered all the bases, but as always, let me know if you have any questions in the comments section. Happy summer to you!

How To Find the Best Nude Lipstick (+ My Faves)

by whoorl

How To Find the Best Nude Lipstick

Dear friends, a good nude lipstick can be hard to find, but never fear for I am here to make things crystal clear! #quarantinepoetry

To find the best nude lip shade for you, three things need to be taken into account:

1. Skin tone (e.g., fair, light, medium, dark)
2. Skin undertone (e.g., cool, warm, neutral)
3. Natural lip color (e.g., beige, pink, brown, tan, etc)

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The Best Cleansers in Clean Beauty

by whoorl

one love organics cleanser

How is it even possible that I’ve never written a post specifically highlighting my favorite facial cleansers? I thought for sure I had, but nope, after doing a deep dive into the dusty corners of this here blog, not a facial cleansing round-up was found.

Well, let’s change that, shall we? Here are my 4 favorite facial cleansers in clean beauty!

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The Best Bakuchiol Products in Clean Beauty

by whoorl

Bakuchiol has quickly become a darling of the clean beauty world – deemed “a natural alternative to retinol,” marketers have gone wild over it. For what it’s worth, bakuchiol does not have many scientific studies backing its efficacy like retinoids do.

First things first, although bakuchiol is a less-irritating alternative to retinol, that doesn’t mean retinol is irritating to everyone. I think we all know by now that I adore the Cell Resurrection Recovery Serum by African Botanics (my detailed post on safer retinol formulations is here) which works great for me on a nightly basis, but it’s always good to have some gentler options to mix things up.

Enter bakuchiol. I’ve had the chance to spend a good amount of time testing all of the following bakuchiol-based products and will share according to categories that I’m asked about most frequently in terms of skincare. But let’s take a brief dive into bakuchiol first!

WHAT IS BAKUCHIOL

In a nutshell, bakuchiol is a less-irritating natural alternative to retinol. This gentle, vegan ingredient is a chemical compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties extracted from bakuchi plant seeds. While there is no structural resemblance to retinol, it has been shown to function in a similar way, increasing cell turnover (thereby stimulating collagen production) and diminishing signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and overall photodamage. However, unlike retinol (for some), bakuchiol has no harsh side effects on the skin and is a more gentle alternative. Studies have also shown bakuchiol’s abilities to reduce acne by fighting inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and roughness.

Bakuchiol has long been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, and a recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that not only did bakuchiol work as well as retinol when it came to addressing signs of aging but that it was clearly less irritating.

Good enough reason to give bakuchiol a shot, right?

Let’s take a look at some great products and then we’ll finish up with my Top 3 and Best All-Around Bakuchiol Products!

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Best All-Around Green Beauty Picks

by whoorl

Memorial Day Weekend is almost upon us and Aillea is jumpstarting the fun today with 15% off your total purchase with the code memorial2019! I thought it would be apropos to share my very favorite products at Aillea with you today so you can get a nice little discount. Promotion is already happening (May 23-27), so let’s get this party started.

Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Cream Texturizer – Just started using this texturizer this year and I am in love! If you are looking for that last finishing step to create a little definition and texture, this is for you. Bonus that it smells so dang good.

Kjaer Weis Cream Blush – You know I’ve talked about these blushes before in detail, but let me just remind you that Sun Touched and Blossoming are SO GOOD for spring and summer. Sunkissed is my summer go-to staple and I get compliments all the time.

RMS Blush Brush – This is the ONLY brush I will use for cream blushes. It creates the most lovely, diffused glow without any obvious stripes or heaviness. You will not be looking like a clown when you use this brush.

Olio e Osso Tinted Balms – Lit from within transparent glow. I have so many shades of these balms and they are the easiest thing to apply ever. You don’t even need a brush with these…just swipe on your cheeks and blend with your finger. I wrote about my favorite shades here.

Vapour AER Deodorant – As we are headed into the summer months, are you happy with your deodorant? The AER deodorant has no competition in my eyes. It is by far the best deodorant in green beauty and I’ve been using it for years.

Lily Lolo Pressed Bronzer in Honolulu – Bronzers make you look like a cheeto? Not this one – it’s brown, not orange, and makes my face look like I’ve spent a weekend in Tulum. Must-have.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser – Oh, how I love this exfoliating cleanser. I’ve tried to move on, but I always come back to using this in the mornings. The perfect, gentle exfoliator for all skin types.

Maya Chia Supercritical Chia Oil – – I’m not even going to start with this one. Just google search “whoorl maya chia oil” and get comfortable. Have been using this every day for years.

Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara – Sammi from Hullo Sam turned me onto this mascara and I’ve used nothing else for the past two months. Long, full lashes with absolutely no flaking or smudging.

Clove + Hallow Conceal and Correct Concealer – Love love love this concealer. As I enter my mid-forties, I’ve noticed many concealers creep into my fine lines and generally make the undereye area look dry and meh. This one does not – I wear shade 2 for brightening under my eyes and shade 3 on the rest of my face for blemishes and/or imperfections.

Kosas Lipstick – Best formula in green beauty and how they make the shades so wearable for so many skin tones, I’ll never know. I am wearing all the shades in this post.

Kjaer Weis KW Red Lipstick – Kosas is my all-time favorite lipstick brand, BUT if I had to pick one lipstick to wear for the rest of my life, it would 100% be KW Red by Kjaer Weis. It is just the most classic strawberry red I’ve ever seen. Here I am wearing it. Always feel like a million bucks when I wear this shade.

(A few more must-haves in my book but aren’t included in the 15% off promotion are Kypris Antioxidant Dew, Josh Rosebrook Active Enzyme Exfoliator, May Lindstrom The Problem Solver.)

Happy Memorial Day weekend!