Denim blue nails are a major must for fall!

We’re constantly discussing beauty products in our office: the latest and greatest, the hottest trends and the newest ingredients. Right now, though, it’s all about fall nail polish colors! There are so many fun colors coming out for fall—think denim blues, shiny golds and rich reds. Much to the excitement of every girl in our office, DermStore just received the entire Essie collection, as well as the super coveted Butter London line.

Having heard the buzz surrounding Butter London, I was especially eager to try it out. I tend to pick bolder colors when selecting nail polishes. However, after assessing my current cuticle situation, I decided something a little more subtle would be a better choice. I selected “All Hail the Queen,” a shimmery beige that the brand describes as “holographic.” The gorgeous shade is a perfect hybrid of muted and glitter, making my nails look elegant without drawing attention to the fact I’m in dire need of a professional manicure. The glitter specks keep it fresh and not to matronly. The best thing about Butter London? It dries unbelievably fast and doesn’t clump! Three coats and 20 minutes later, I was carelessly fixing my hair with not so much as a smudge!

Below are a few of my coworkers’ favorite fall nail polish colors.

Liz, Editor of DermStore, loves all Chanel nail polish, but this season she’s obsessed with Chanel’s Peridot (more affectionately known to us as “Subdued Beatle”)-”I love this color because it’s out of my comfort zone. It allows me to wear something flashy without being in-your-face about it … and it fuses class with trend the way only Chanel can.”

Beth, Social Media Manager- “I love Turquoise from Pop Beauty. Some people tend to go darker for this season, but I adore this fun color for fall. It adds an awesome pop of color to every outfit!”

Devon, Brand Manager- “My favorite color every fall is a deep red. Reds are always so classic and sophisticated but the richer hues of fall add an edgier feel than the bight reds of spring. Right now, I am wearing Barielle’s  Glammed out Garnet.”

Sara, Copywriter- “My go-to color for fall is by Power Clutch by Essie. It’s a subdued khaki green that will give your fall wardrobe a touch of offbeat color.”

Here’s a small list of simple beauty mistakes you must avoid. There are plenty of skin care dont’s you need to be mindful of, but these little mistakes can make a huge difference in your appearance!

1. Sleeping in your makeup

Had a great night out with the girls and one too many cosmos? You get home and all you want to do is go to sleep, so you wake up the next morning with lipstick smeared on your pillow and a faded smokey eye from the night before. Leaving makeup on your face overnight traps in dirt from the day and clogs pores. We need to wash our faces every night to prepare for the next day and keep a healthy glow. To make cleansing a little easier, use Yes To Cucumbers- Natural Glow Facial Towlettes. These towelettes are biodegradable and gently remove makeup. Quick and easy!

2. Over exfoliating

We read about it everywhere. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Exfoliating is great! Exfoliating IS great. Your skin needs extra help getting rid of dead skin cells, but don’t overdo it! Too much exfoliating can lead to irritation and inflammation plus exacerbate acne.

3. Skimping on sleep!

We all are familiar with the phrase “Get your beauty sleep.” What you may not know is that your skin actually repairs itself at night; it cannot continue this process if you’re not giving it the quality time it needs. Get some Zzzs for your sanity, and remember you skin needs it too.

4. Hanging on to old beauty products

It is very easy for bacteria to build up over time, especially if you frequently apply your makeup with your finger or sponges. Change your foundation every 6 months and your mascaras and eyeliner every 3 months.

Working at a beauty company and spending some time with Dr. Magovern, the awesome and oh-so-knowledgeable dermatologist, has actually started to catch up with me.  I’m a slow learner (or maybe just lazy and stubborn?) when it comes to my beauty care, maintenance and routine.  I’ve made gradual improvements over the years; no more tanning beds, I now wear moisturizer with SPF and I even try to eat antioxidants! Although, I must give myself a pat on the back because I just reached a new milestone- exfoliants! I’ve always known about physical exfoliants, which contain ingredients like sugar or salt and actually scrub off the top layer of dead skin, but I just learned about chemical exfoliation. (I know, I know, I’m a little behind.)

Dr. Magovern recently explained to me the importance of incorporating an exfoliator that uses chemicals, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, and suggested adding one to my current bare-bones regimen. She assured me that, if used properly and in conjunction with sunscreen, my complexion would appear brighter. After doing some research on DermStore, I settled on DDF Skincare Brightening Cleanser. The reviews were extremely positive, 15 reviews with an average of 5 out of 5 stars, so I was sold!

Since I had never used a chemical exfoliator, I started gradually by using it once every other day. It did sting slightly at first but after about a week my skin adjusted to the cleanser. I began using it once a day, at night, and have since noticed some serious improvements in my complexion. I’ve even been getting some compliments on my skin! Not only does my skin seem brighter and clearer—I have even noticed that my blackheads seem to be disappearing. I’m hooked on this now and highly recommend it to anyone interested in a chemical exfoliator! Now I just need to remember to be extra cautious and diligent when it comes to sun protection since the chemicals increase sensitivity to sun… another big skin care step I am about to tackle!

When it comes to maintaining healthy, beautiful skin, prevention is key. With the ever evolving beauty market, it’s hard to keep up with the newest “It” ingredient and the latest and greatest in procedures. I was lucky enough to spend some time with dermatologist Dr. Ashley Magovern, DermStore.com’s Medical Director, and pick her brain regarding skin care tips and what really works in the fight against father time.

Beautyfix: There are a lot of ingredients to sort through when it comes to skin care. What are the top three ingredients you look for when buying anti-aging skin care?

Dr. Magovern: I usually look for a regimen containing retinol, an alpha hydroxy acid or exfoliator, like glycolic acid and an antioxidant, like vitamin C. I especially like vitamin C because it is well studied and it has been proven to have several beneficial effects on the skin, like boosting collagen production, reducing wrinkles and helps fade dark spots.

DermStore: You mentioned Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Why are they so important and what is the best way to introduce them to a regimen?

Dr. Magovern: Antioxidants play an important role in both skin care prevention and protection. They should be used in combination with your daily sunscreen. All antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties. However, they can also help prevent sunburn, they can help prevent and reverse sun damage and photo-aging, and they can improve fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. Some have anti-carcinogenic properties and may be able to prevent skin cancer. Some, like vitamin C, can even stimulate collagen production.  I really like Replenix Power of Three Cream . They are important to use on your skin, but you should also include them in your diet.  Bright colored foods are an easy way to know if you are eating well.