Welcome to ByJenniferlynn's lifestyle blog & vlog. I look to discuss new trends and top stories that matter through the world of lifestyle, creativity, and personal experiences. A personalized approach allows me to share many tips, ideas. My first priority is making sure my audience is happy and curious about reading, about the different changes in our world and our place and purpose in it.
It’s hard to think there was ever a time when people weren’t spiking their morning cup of coffee with MCT oil or adding a scoop of whey protein into a smoothie — and that’s above and beyond all the things included in your daily multivitamin. Basically, supplements are everywhere these days and, every year, it seems like there’s a buzzy new one that the wellness community is getting behind. And when it comes to the biggest supplement trends of 2020, while some might already be a part of your current regimen, others offering benefits like reducing inflammation or boosting your mood might be totally new to your vocabulary. I will share with you what has worked for me for the better.
It’s safe to say that 2019 was all about CBD tinctures and gummies for reducing anxiety, collagen powder for beauty benefits, and turmeric — especially those trendy golden milk lattes as a way to wind down. And if the experts are correct, this year’s most popular supplements will bring even more to the table. Looking for pain reduction? Improved cognitive function? Increased energy? There might be something among my five suggestions that’s right for your lifestyle — but it’s always advised that you check with your primary doctor first.
Bone marrow supplements are rising in popularity and provide benefits from from skin health to reduced pain. This naturally occurring compound is nutrient dense which gives bone marrow its health benefits. The collagen and glucosamine content make it ideal for skin elasticity and inflammation. It’s a more natural, holistic solution than isolated collagen or glucosamine.
Berberine is a compound that occurs naturally and is extracted from a variety of plants within the alkaloid family. It has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat ailments and health conditions [and] works the same way pharmaceutical drugs work by changing the function of cells once inside. Specifically, berberine promotes heart health, is anti-inflammatory, and promotes a healthy balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract.
Move over turmeric, another vibrant yellow plant is going to be huge in 2020. Saffron is sourced from the beautiful and exotic Crocus sativus flower. The use of saffron for medicinal purposes includes a wide variety of uses such as for mood enhancement, increased energy, and a boosted metabolism.
Nootropics (otherwise known as “smart drugs” or cognitive enhancers) is a term you’ll be hearing a lot more this year, especially with supplements like citicoline and Alpha GPC gaining popularity. In its natural form, [citicoline] it is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body and produced by the brain. It is primarily used to improve and prevent cognitive decline, like memory. It has also been found to be useful in glaucoma and aid in stroke recovery. Alpha GPC [is another] chemical that is naturally occurring. [It is] found in plants, primarily soy, and is a fatty acid byproduct when the plant breaks down. It has been shown most effective in treating a range of cognitive disorders from memory and learning to dementia and Alzheimer’s. Like Citicoline, it is also helpful in stroke recovery.”
This anti-aging supplement as category of supplements as having wide range of health benefits for the body. The most common of their functions include reducing inflammation, improving immune function, lowering blood pressure, and helping prevent blood clots — and they’re naturally antimicrobial and act as antioxidants. “The most common peptide supplement is collagen, but 2020 may bring more variety in supplement form.”
Like many, my first drugstore skincare routine was somewhat lacking. If I remember correctly, it consisted of an apricot scrub (if you know, you know), a salicylic acid face wash, and some salicylic acid pads, all of which were absolutely ravaging my skin and, I’d guess, probably contributed to many of the skin qualms I experience today. Thankfully, I’ve come a long way since my clumsy foray into skincare, and I’m happy to say that I’ve created a drugstore skincare routine for my skin that I’m actually pretty proud of.
However, the road to this point was a long one. After many years of struggling with blemishes and seeing very few results from the high end solutions I’ve tried, I became convinced that affordable products were the problem, instead of the combination of products I was using. Obviously, I was wrong. But, instead of realizing this, I turned to expensive treatments. And as my skin turned from oily and full of breakouts to very, very dry, I remained convinced that only luxurious creams and wildly expensive serums would solve my problems.
Until, that is, the persistent redness in my cheeks set in. Because as anyone who’s experienced any level of breakouts knows, it doesn’t matter how expensive the moisturizer — that dry, patchy blemishes isn’t going away. And when I started doing my research after a few years of fruitless product testing, I discovered that, too. Instead, it seems, it’s all about simplicity and protecting the skin barrier. And that took me straight back to exactly what I’d been avoiding — drugstore products.
One of the first things I searched for in my quest for gentle, redness-reducing products was face wash, because nothing is worse than having a good, calm skin day only to step out of the shower with a beet-red face thanks to your cleanser.
A clear winner, among the thousands on the market? Neutrogena’s Ultra Gentle Hydrating Creamy Facial Cleanser, an $8 find that was recommended to The Strategist by both David Lortscher, a board-certified dermatologist and CEO of Curology, and dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. “The technology in this cleanser prevents the cleansing ingredients from compromising the integrity of the outer skin layer,” Zeichner told the publication in August 2018. And, spoiler alert: It’s amazing. I use it every night before I go to bed, and it never inflames my skin or gives me that horrible taut-skin feeling.
Another frequent recommendation from derms that I discovered was La Roche-Posay’s Rosaliac AR Intense serum, a French drugstore find that further convinced me that affordable products could, in fact, be great. While it costs a little more than the average drugstore treatment, it’s worth it in my book for its ability to soothe and calm inflammation. I’ve made this a daily part of my routine, and I always see improvement when I put it on after cleansing.
After nearly a year of research and testing, I’ve whittled down the many recommendations I’ve found to a simple, affordable lineup, much of which I’m able to buy at my local Walgreens. Ahead, the drugstore skincare routine I swear by to keep redness and dryness in check — on the cheap.
Jennifer Yen, founder and CEO of pūrlisse, talks about the importance of finding beauty in failure and how these lessons can take you even further in your life.
I started my career as an actress when I played the Power Rangers villainess, Vypra. The combination of being under heavy makeup and harsh lights for 15 hours a day took a serious toll on my skin. I developed rosacea, psoriasis, and adult acne – my skin was wrecked.
I tried everything and went to many dermatologists but nothing worked. This led me to re-discover my Chinese heritage. Growing up, my grandmother would brew white tea and use it as an antiseptic. She would also make soy milk to wash her face with. These were some of my grandmother’s beauty secrets that inspired me to create pūrlisse.
However, starting my entrepreneurial journey during the recession, I almost lost everything. Let me tell you, failing at the beginning of my journey wasn’t easy for me. I lost my confidence, pride, and dignity.
Luckily, I had great friends that supported me during this dark time. I believe there is beauty in failure because you have no choice but to rebuild yourself. I chose to get back up after being knocked down. I made a promise to myself that on my way back up, I would use my influence for good and help other women. Now, I’m an entrepreneur and a co-parenting mother, and, thankfully, I’m thriving!
After giving birth to my daughter, my health and complexion took another serious hit. This actually led me to revisit another tradition in Chinese medicine that was used by my mother, grandmother, and many generations past dating all the way back to 2000 years ago. Zuo Yue Zi, also known as “Sitting the Month,” is when a new mother takes a one month break right after birth in order to rest and replenish her body through consuming superfoods. This process led me back to health and completely restored the glow in my complexion, which inspired me to start my second brand YENSA, the Superfood Cosmetic.
Like the blue lotus flower, our lives are constantly evolving and expanding and it’s up to us to keep reinventing ourselves and keep going. All the unexpected challenges that were thrown my way, no matter how painful, were needed to prepare me for the next phase of life. All the experience I’ve gained throughout the years has shaped me into the person I am today.
Babylights are the perfect way to add dimension to your hair without going full blonde. Here, J.Lo added light to her features by using face-framing babylights.
Babylights — Sofia Vergara
Similarly to J.Lo, Sofia Vergara focused on the front of her hair. But, her hair is longer which means there’s a lot more room to play.
Babylights — Miranda Kerr
Babylights don’t have to be blonde. Like Miranda, if your hair is darker, you can opt for light brown highlights.
Babylights — Gisele Bundchen
Gisele Bundchen’s hair always has this lightness and airiness to it and it’s all thanks to babylights. Her babylights also compliment her skin tone and make her look sunkissed.
Babylights — Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston’s babylights are far from what she used to sport back in the 90s as Rachel Greene in Friends. These babylights also compliment her complexion.
Buttercream Blonde — Khloe Kardashian
Khloe Kardashian has always stood out as the blonde Kardashian. But this buttercream blonde, is totally on trend this year, added brown highlights to her hair and made her eyes stand out.
Buttercream Blonde — Blake Lively
Blake Lively’s hair color is the definition of buttercream blonde. It’s the perfect blend between light brown and blonde. She never strays too far from this hair color.
Buttercream Blonde — Perrie Edwards
Perrie Edwards channeled her dark side with this hair color. Although she kept the roots dark, it’s the lightness of her curls that show off this color play.
Buttercream Blonde — Nicole Richie
Buttercream blonde is also a good color for women who like to rock their hair short and wavy. Nicole Richie has stuck by this color for years because it compliments her skin tone and honey-colored eyes.
Buttercream Blonde — Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid sports her buttercream hair color most of the time in a blowout. The long length adds to her youthful look and makes her look like she just stepped out of the beach.
Cinnamon Swirl — Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello’s hair is naturally dark, but the subtle highlights at the end of her hair add a pop of color when the light is just right. She wears her cinnamon-colored hair long, creating a mermaid look without any of the crazy colors.
Cinnamon Swirl — Chrissy Teigen
When Chrissy Teigen wears her hair dark, she often opts for a toasted type of look. The use of babylights on the inside of her hair are what add dimension to her complexion.
Cinnamon Swirl — Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson’s hair technique is similar to that of Chrissy Teigen, where she adds babylights around her face to bring light to her features. However, she keeps the rest of it dark to make her eyes stand out.
Cinnamon Swirl — Selena Gomez
Let’s take a moment to admire this hair color that Selena Gomez recently adopted. The face-framing chocolate highlights at the ends of her hair and around her face are the true definition of what it means to have cinnamon swirl hair.
Cinnamon Swirl — Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra’s hair is very similar to Selena’s in the fact that they both have highlights towards the ends of their hair. And although this curled look doesn’t frame the face like Selena’s, it does add some dimension to the curls and creates an optical illusion of volume.
Copper — Madelaine Petsch
You might remember Madelaine Petsch’s hair a more strawberry color in the show Riverdale. But her natural hair color is more copper than strawberry, and it can even look brown in darker light. This is another great color to try this upcoming year.
Copper — Halsey
Halsey is the type of person who can rock any hair color. And it’s not just because of her complexion (though it helps), but it’s because she shows off each hair color with confidence and it’s not any different when it comes to this hair color.
Copper — Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey’s staple look is being a brunette. However, she often plays it up by adding a little bit of red to her usually chestnut color to make it look more copper. The subtle difference makes her skin look more creamy white, especially when she wears it long.
Copper — Debra Messing
Debra Messing has never strayed away from her usual copper hair color. The color amps up her hazel eyes and unlike the others, her skin is much more sunkissed, which means that you don’t have to be pale in order to be a redhead.
Copper — Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor looks like a completely different person as a redhead. Although she keeps it darker towards her root, she’s added some highlights at the ends to add a pop of color and dimension.
Half and Half — Kesha
Half and halfs are going to be super trendy this year. This look is for the people who are daring, want to try something new, or simply can’t choose what color to dye their hair. There are several ways to do the half and half. You can do it like Kesha who did two pastel colors while keeping her roots dark. You can also see darker highlights and blonde highlights peeking through.
Half and Half — Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish is a role model and her hair is no exception. She opted to add a pop of neon to her roots while maintaining the rest of her hair dark and we don’t hate it at all.
Half and Half — Melanie Martinez
If you’d much rather get inspired by Cruella De Vil, you can do a high contrast half and half hair color. You can choose to go a sandy blonde on one side and jet black on the other.
Half and Half — Nicki Minaj
Similarly to Kesha’s half and half, you can choose a pastel color while keeping the other half of your hair blonde. Just remember that you have to be committed and wear it parted down the middle to really show off the colors.
Half and Half — Hayley Williams
Hayley Williams was ahead of her time when she started doing the half and half look in the early 2010s. Rather than choosing two pastel colors, you can choose two complimenting neon colors like orange and pink, or blue and purple.
Icy Blonde — Ashley Benson
There are several ways to sport an icy blonde hair color — a trend will take over 2020. You can do it like Ashley Benson and keep your dark roots while adding some dimension to the blonde with highlights.
Icy Blonde — Brittany Snow
Or you can do it like Brittany Snow who did a one-dimensional look from roots to ends. Her blunt haircut also adds fierceness to her look. If you want to opt for this option, you have to remember to maintain it properly.
Icy Blonde — Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian is better known for her darker hair color, but this ashy blonde/platinum hair color makes her look like a magazine model. This cool-toned hair color also creates a contrast with her warm-toned skin.
Icy Blonde — Kristen Stewart
Let’s all take a moment to remember Kristen Stewart’s chestnut hair color during her Twilight days. This icy blonde hair color turns her into a punk-rock princess rather than the damsel in distress we all remember Bella to be.
Icy Blonde — Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has always been a blonde, but this icy blonde paired with dark eyebrows creates a clean-cut look. It also kind of reminds us of Ken, Barbie’s boyfriend. Icy blonde is a great color for guys who want to try something completely different.
Jet Black — Demi Lovato
If you’re looking for something you can do at home or with the help of a friend, jet black hair is a good option. You don’t need to create any type of dimension to obtain this hair color.
Jet Black — Halsey
I really meant it when we said Halsey can pull off any hair color. Here, not only is she sporting dark hair, but she made her look even bolder by adding bangs that brushed right above her eyebrows.
Jet Black — Ariel Winter
Ariel Winter has always rocked jet black hair. This hair color makes her skin stand out by creating a high contrast.
Jet Black — Awkwafina
You don’t have to always do straight black hair to achieve a fierce look. You can soften the harshness of the color by adding some loose colors, like Awkwafina did here.
Jet Black — Courtney Cox
Girls with curls can also do jet black hair. Although Courtney Cox doesn’t have curly hair, this curled look frames her features and elongates her face and neck.
Mushroom Brown — Kim Kardashian
Brunettes can have just as much fun as blondes. There are many ways to do brown hair and making the roots darker than the rest of the hair can add a sleek look.
Mushroom Brown — Nathalie Emmanuel
Brown hair and curls can add a more playful tone to your look. And even though Nathalie Emmanuel’s hair color is very similar to her eye color, it makes them stand out.
Mushroom Brown — Ariana Grande
Brunettes don’t have to be one dimensional and they also don’t need to have blonde highlights. Make your highlights one or two tones lighter to add a more chocolate tone to your hair.
Mushroom Brown — Alessandra Ambrosio
If you’re a natural brunette, add a few streaks of light around your face to brighten up your features, just like Alessandra Ambrosio. Brunettes also radiate warmth, which makes them look sunkissed all year-round.
Mushroom Brown — Zendaya
Just like Zendaya, you can also add some copper highlights to your hair to add a toasted feel to your look.
Pastel — Zayn Malik
If you’re looking for a more fun option, you can opt to dye your already blonde or bleached hair a pastel color. You can also keep your roots their natural hair color to avoid having to go to the salon every three weeks to cover them up.
Pastel — KeKe Palmer
You don’t have to do one solid color when doing pastels. You can add some dimension to the color by throwing in some highlights of colors within the same palette.
Pastel — Billie Eilish
Pink isn’t your only option when doing pastels. You can opt for a hair color that compliments your eye color — whether that’s blue, green, or anything in between.
Pastel — Halsey
Don’t be afraid to get a more vibrant color when doing pastels. You can definitely ask your hairdresser to make the color a little more lively so it doesn’t look as muted.
Pastel -— Maisie Williams
Make your pastel hair color even cooler by getting a blunt haircut, like Maisie Williams. She chopped her hair in a straight line and added a fringe that framed her face perfectly.
Strawberry Blonde — Emma Stone
Emma Stone can rock any hair color between brown and blonde, but there’s something about her strawberry blonde hair — which will be a trendy color this year — that makes her look like she could your best friend. Her tousled curls show off the color dimension in her hair.
Strawberry Blonde — Amy Adams
Amy Adams once played a Disney princess in Enchanted, and that’s exactly what this hair color makes her look like. This is definitely a more toned down version of strawberry blonde.
Strawberry Blonde — Isla Fisher
Isla Fisher and Amy Adams are often mistaken for each other, and it’s mainly because of their hair color. However, Isla’s has more blonde highlights towards the bottom that make it look healthy and shiny.
Strawberry Blonde — Jessica Chastain
When you think strawberry blonde, Jessica Chastain most likely pops into your brain. Wearing your fruity hair color in classic waves will make you look almost magical.
Strawberry Blonde — Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan is better known for being a redhead. However, this perfect blend between red and blonde makes her freckles stand out.
I’ll be the first to tell you that I love the convenience of makeup-remover wipes, but the truth is that they’re not actually all that great for your skin. Between foundation, dirt, and pollution, it’s tough to remove every layer with just one sweep of a wipe. But who wants to spend all night hunched over the bathroom sink washing their face?
Enter cleansing balms! This style of cleanser usually features a solid formula that turns into a liquid upon contact with fingertips and skin. It’s weird at first, but you’ll soon love how easy it is to apply, and you’ll really love how quickly makeup dissolves and rinses off. It’s best to still follow up with a cleanser to remove every trace of debris from the day, but cleansing balms are an amazing alternative to face wipes that work just as quickly.
For me, they’ve made it realistic to keep up with a double-cleansing routine … and my skin is so thankful! Here are some of the best options worth giving a try.
Of all the cleansing balms I’ve tried, this is hands-down my favorite. Refinery 29 and Allure love it, too! It’s made with naturally derived ingredients, like sunflower and gingerroot oils, that melt away makeup without drying out skin. Trust me when I say your face will feel sparkling clean. And while not cheap, the jar does last forever.
Even waterproof mascara washes right off with this cleansing balm! Along with removing makeup, it acts as a deep cleanser and exfoliator that’s packed with complexion-improving ingredients, like active botanicals, hot-spring water, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
This cleansing balm falls on the pricier end, but if you’ve ever tried Elemis products, you know the luxurious experience is worth every penny. The key ingredients — almond oil, elderberry oil, starflower oil, and mediterranean algae — leave skin feeling moisturized and sparkling clean. Each jar also comes with a cleansing cloth.
From Clinique’s popular Take the Day Off line, there’s this cleansing balm that’s designed to clear away seriously stubborn products — like eye makeup and even sunscreen. It’s also fragrance-free and nonacnegenic, making it a good choice for those who have sensitive skin.
Who doesn’t love two products for the price of one? Drunk Elephant’s cleansing balm washes away makeup, while also treating skin to antioxidant-rich kiwi and strawberry seed extracts. As a bonus, you’ll also get the Bamboo Booster, which is an exfoliator made with bamboo and charcoal powder that can be used up to twice a week. My favorite part? The spatula is magnetic, and clings to the lid for easy storage!
Consider this the solid version of Pond’s popular cold cream. Like the OG, it dissolves makeup with little effort, and it works as both a cleanser and a moisturizer at the same time. You’ll love the budget-conscious price tag, too.
The best part about this cleansing balm is that unlike a makeup-remover wipe or basic face wash, it infuses skin with collagen, peptides, and antioxidants while rinsing off foundation at the end of the day. The balm also contains an anti-aging serum. We love a multitasking product!
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