beauty and fashion

Last summer, a few of my coworkers and I were sitting outside having a Happy Hour drink. We started talking about the outfit we pictured everyone in when we weren’t around them—and given how much time we all spend together, it wasn’t hard. Abigail loves a good pair of jeans and some kind of bomber jacket; Kelly is our resident minimalist, always looking chic in put-together basics; Beth loves something colorful and on-trend. When it got to me, Abigail said piped in, “I just picture you in basics and some kind of cool jacket.”I’ve been a jacket fiend for as long as I can remember. Summer has always been my least favorite season to dress for because my beloved jacket collection is out of commission for a few months. Long story short, if I’m investing in something, nine times out of 10, it’s going to be a good jacket—and over time, I’ve found that my strategy has paid off.
My jacket collection is out and thriving for the season, and I’ve already been reminded of how grateful I am to my past self for investing in some of the ones that I have. These are the five jackets I find myself reaching for every time fall comes around, time and time and time again. The biggest problem? Deciding which to wear.

1. Leather Moto Jacket

No matter who you are or where you live, a leather jacket is a wardrobe staple. When the temperatures are cold, I wear mine multiple times a week, and they’re one of the first things I reach for once the weather allows. Finding one that you love is the key, and these are the best I’ve come across:

Life Changer Moto Jacket

A few years ago, I got my hands on this jacket during the Nordstrom sale for something around $50. I wore it to death—and still do because of the gold hardware it has (something that’s borderline impossible to find in a leather jacket). Of all of the affordable leather jackets I’ve had, this is hands-down the best.

Faux Leather Moto Jacket

This is a cult-favorite faux-leather option that has crazy good reviews (and comes in multiple colors).

Dalby Leather Biker Jacket

After wearing my BLANKNYC jacket every other day for years in a row, I decided to take the plunge and invest in this bad boy. It’s an investment (although it does occasionally go on sale), and I haven’t regretted it for a single second since. It is, in my opinion, the perfect leather jacket, and I know I’ll have it for years and years to come. It’s also currently 20% off!

2. Suede Moto Jacket

A suede jacket serves a slightly different purpose to me than my leather one, but I reach for it just as much, and choosing between the two would be a real Sophie’s choice for me. Pairing a tan, suede jacket with deep burgundy shades and emerald and even just a crisp white gives an autumnal feel that nothing else can bring.

Vital Signs Suede Moto Jacket

This was another Nordstrom sale find for me that has paid off in spades. There’s just something about a tan jacket that delivers fall vibes in a way nothing else can. It looks amazing with sweaters of all colors and fits and pairs well with basically anything you style it with.

3. Classic Blazer

After seasons of blazers being around, they’ve gone from trendy to just being a wardrobe staple. You can get one in basically any color or pattern or fabric, but my personal favorite is my good ole’ plaid one. They’re impossibly chic and can be styled for everything from the office to after-work drinks (you know, socially-distanced).

Patterned Jacket

H&M adjusts their blazer prints slightly from year to year, but this one is two years old, and I still reach for it more than my much more expensive options.

4. Shearling Jacket

Shearling is the trend all of us needed: it makes you feel simultaneously like Cruella DeVille (the best-dressed villain of all time, you can quote me on that) and is as warm and as cozy as a piece of clothing can come.

Faux Shearling Jacket

I got this jacket on a whim two years ago and can’t believe A. How much I find myself reaching for it, and B. That every year, it’s still in style. It is so warm—I can get away with wearing it as a real winter coat, even here in Chicago—and I love how it can edge up a pair of jeans and sweater.

 
5. Teddy Coat

There’s nothing a teddy coat can’t do; it’ll warm you up, elevate anything else you put on your body, and feel like a hug that your Bumble dates can’t give you because of COVID-19. There are a million different colors and cuts to choose from, but I’m partial to a longer option that can be my wear-everywhere jacket before it gets to tundra temps.

Faux Fur Teddy Coat

This is perfect for the in-between weather where it isn’t quite time for your parka, but it’s too cold to wear anything lighter. More

Changing up your hair is basically a rite of passage once or twice a year. Whether it’s a major cut (hello bangs!) or color or you’re simply ready to ditch your everyday waves for a new style, we can all benefit from a little hair switch up. In fall 2020, however, a hair transformation doesn’t have to be something that takes you back to the salon every six weeks. In fact, it really shouldn’t be. Instead, stylists are recommending low-maintenance cuts, colors, and styles that will last without touch-ups a little while and can easily be taken care of at home. We’ve pulled together some of the season’s hottest hair trends and put them all in one place. The plus? They look just as good with a mask on. 😉

1. Warm, Caramel Tones

2. All-Over Copper

3. Classic Balayage

4. Bright Face-Framing Pieces

5. Babylights

7. Long Lengths

7. Middle Part

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💙🦋
A post shared by Aimee Song (@aimeesong) on Aug 2, 2020 at 9:28am PDT

8. Blunt Cuts

9. Pixie

10. Shag

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zoom bleach
A post shared by Kaia (@kaiagerber) on Aug 15, 2020 at 8:30am PDT

11. At-Home Blowout

12. Bobby-Pinned Curls

13. Curled or Textured Ponytail

14. Glossy / Shiny Waves

15. Jumbo Twists + Other Protective Styles

16. Baby Waves

17. Wispy Top-Knot More

We call this time of year spooky season, and the French call it la rentrée (or the back-to-school season when grown-ups return to work from summer holiday). No matter what you call it, fall fashion is undoubtedly in full force. French girls greet the colder weather like they do everything else: with au natural hair, an iconic lipstick, that signature je ne sais quoi, and a killer wardrobe. Read on for the trends popping up in Paris this fall and shop the pieces that you’ll be spotting on all the cool French girls this season.
1. Brown Faux Leather

There’s something so effortlessly luxurious about leather texture, and French girls know it. This season, leather is taking over blazers, button-ups, and even trousers. However, your favorite style stars are replacing classic black with chocolatey brown for a trend that screams 2020.  

2. Straight-Leg Jeans

Skinnies are not a necessary staple in the wardrobe of French girls like they are in yours or mine. Instead, straight leg jeans with a bit of a flared leg and relaxed fit are the Parisian go-to denim style. Baggier is better! And yes, they do work with even your most oversized knit. Try tucking the front into the waist of the pants to balance proportions. 

3. Layers of Neutrals

Parisian style is synonymous with timeless, so it’s no surprise that they layer up a variety of most timeless colors. French girls don’t do 50 Shades of Grey; they do 50 shades of neutral. Think of layering a range of off-white to dark brown, and every color in between. Try white denim with a beige sweater, or camel trousers and a cream-colored knit, and then throw on your favorite fall jacket and some key brown accessories. 

4. Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater

Not only are they the perfect comfy piece for staying at home all day every day, but sleeveless turtleneck sweaters are ideal to layer under outerwear because they won’t add bulk like chunky knit. Wear with your comfiest trousers to look chic for Zoom meetings or lounging at home, or throw on a blazer or jacket for an OOTD that will keep you warm while staying sleek. 

5. Puff-Sleeve Sweaters

As if we needed more reasons to wear the prettiest sweater style ever, puffed-sleeve knit happens to be a staple in the fall wardrobe of French girls and Parisian style stars alike. Wear as a cardigan or opt for a simple pullover sweater that has way more je ne sais quoi than your average sweater. 

6. Bold Plaid

No, bold plaid is not just for Gwen Stefani in her “No Doubt” days. It can also be incredibly timeless and effortless when done in structured, ladylike pieces like a tailored blazer. Make the trend more Blair Waldorf than ’90s punk by pairing with feminine accessories like a chain quilted purse and pointed-toe shoes. 

7. Shearling Coats

Yes, shearling is so cool that it’s the most popular coat of the season in both our Instagram feeds and in France. Maybe it’s because it looks much more modern than faux fur, or maybe because it’s so freaking cozy, but you can find us in rocking shearling coats until spring. Pair with feminine ruffles and lace à la French it-girl, Jeanne Damas. 

8. Lace-Up Booties

One of the most popular shoe styles of the season (beyond the classic ballet flats, of course) is an edgier version of your classic booties. Lace-up booties are not only functional and comfortable, but pair perfectly with a fall dress and tights. After all, the French girl’s signature is effortless style, so an edgy pair of booties makes a dressed-up outfit a little less structured. C’est parfait! 

9. High-Waisted Miniskirts

Because sometimes a miniskirt is just more feminine and comfortable than a pair of jeans or trousers, French girls bring their shortest styles into fall with knee-high boots and oversized cozy knit tucked into the waist. 

10. Trench Coats

Ah, the trench coat: as essential to French girl style as stripes and classic white tees. The lightweight (but warm) outerwear can be worn from the first day of fall until the last day of spring, making it the perfect investment piece and the simplest way to get your Parisian-girl style on. Make it more 2020 than Breakfast at Tiffany’s by pairing with light-wash denim in a relaxed fit and leaving your hair “I-woke-up-like-this” effortless.

Which French-girl trends are you wearing this seasons? More

Because I’m only going a few select places this fall, my wardrobe is shifting quite a bit, but probably not in the way you’d expect. The “trendiness” of my fashion sense has gone up about ten-fold. If I’m wearing an outfit anywhere, it’s going to be to the nine’s because what other excuse do I have to dress?! I’ve pretty much always dressed with the season’s trends in mind, but I’ve taken it to another level in fall 2020. The icon I’m using for all of my inspiration this fall? Harry Edward Styles. 🥰Does anyone remember that tweet that was like, “Does Harry think we just like the music or does he know that we would actually die for him?” I relate to that a lot. While I obviously fantasize about our adorable children (Xander Styles … is that not the coolest name on Earth?) and the miraculous love life we’d have together, I also just am absolutely enamored with him in every facet. His music? Revolutionary. The fact that he’s socially-conscious and aware? A dream. His sense of humor? Pretty good; I’m still thinking about that Sara Lee skit almost a year later. I’ve never seen a single interview with Harry Styles that makes me be like, “Ah, this guy’s overhyped.” He presents himself in the best way, and that, obviously, includes his style.
I was a One Direction stan in high school, and I still follow about 10 Harry Styles accounts on Twitter and Instagram just for updates about his whereabouts. But the best account I follow is the Harry Styles Fashion Archive, which shares his exact pieces and outfits. After scouring that account for about an hour on a Saturday morning a few weeks ago, I pinned hundreds of Harry-inspired looks on my Pinterest board to copy this year. In the name of sharing everything about me on the Internet, I’ve put together Harry’s key pieces to get the look, plus a few outfits of his I’m dying to recreate. Turn on “Woman” and gush over HS with me!

Key Pieces
There are a few key items you can add to your wardrobe if you want to Harry-fy it just a bit. There’s no need to go full Gucci model to get inspired by his style; instead, grab a few of these pieces and mix-and-match with your personal style to make it your own. Basically, “There’s a piece of you in how I dress” is about us. It’s our Harry Styles capsule wardrobe if you will. 

Old Skool Sneaker

If Harry’s wearing a sneaker, it’s usually these. Pair them with trousers, denim, leggings, and more to make any look more casual.

Stella and Haas
Band Ring

Harry’s always wearing rings, usually one on every single finger. Layer up your rings in your metal of choice (Harry’s a silver guy, which I can appreciate).

Rayon Long-Sleeve Blouse

Harry absolutely loves to layer. He almost never just wears a sweater; he always pairs a button-down collared top underneath. This is a super simple way to upgrade your sweater collection with one simple piece.

Chinese Laundry
Finn Bootie

For Harry’s more dressed-up looks, he’s almost always in leather or suede booties. These are a great heel height, so you can walk in them all day long.

Alice&Wonder
United We Vote Tee

Harry is a graphic tee fiend, and I’ll bet he has a few great voting tees in his closet as we speak. Not only is Harry Styles a talented musician, a lovely-looking person, and a great actor (we’ve all seen “Dunkirk,” right?), but he’s a huge supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter. I have a feeling Harry wants us all to vote in 2020—even if he’s not a U.S. citizen.

Wide-Leg Twill Pants

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a picture of Harry in a skinny pant since 2018. He lives and breathes wide-leg and flare trousers and jeans, especially when they have a pattern like these plaid ones. If the wide-leg scares you, wear these with a bodysuit to keep your shape.

LaPierre Cosmetics
Nail Lacquer

Harry always has manicured nails, usually in a fun, bright shade (or multiple—he loves rainbow nails!). His nails usually ever-so-slightly match a point in the outfit or the color scheme.

Sam Edelman
Notched Collar Wool Blend Coat

In the fall and winter, Harry always dresses up his looks with a wool coat, often in camel or black. You’ll wear this to death, so we recommend investing if you can!

Knit Sweater

You’ll always see Harry in bright sweaters (like the green below!), especially in situations where he can color-block, a major fall trend. But if you’re not quite ready to wear something bright, this sweater also comes in a gorgeous beige I could also see Harry wearing. It’s all in the preppy details.

Copy His Outfits

wide-leg pants / green sweater / sneakers / pearl necklace
The second I saw this outfit, I wanted to compile every piece and wear it myself. This is certainly the most “out there” look on this list, but that’s why I love it. Harry isn’t afraid of mixing colors and styles that seem counterintuitive. The hardest item to source was a sweater—Harry loves his graphic sweaters, but of course, they’re all astronomically priced—but I quickly found a green option that would work just as well. I love how the pearl necklace (a staple in Harry’s closet the last year or so) and trousers dress up this bright sweater and sneakers combo.
If this outfit was a Harry song, it’d be: “Sunflower, Vol. 6”
 

black skinny jeans / leopard button-up / gold ring / ankle boots / canvas tote
This is a classic Harry look circa 2015. At the tail end of One Direction (gone, but never forgotten), Harry sported a version of this look basically every single day: button-up, black skinny jeans, and ankle boots. And even in 2015, I was furiously pinning it to my Pinterest style board. He’s found a way to make even basics look chic, typically by adding a cool bag (I think he’d appreciate this one from Etsy), lots of rings, and unbuttoning the top just enough to see his glorious tattoos.
If this outfit was a Harry song, it’d be: “Sign of the Times”
 

black trousers (plus-size option) / organza top (option 2) (plus-size) / black heels / pearl earrings / nail polish
When I imagined this article, this wasn’t a look that immediately came to mind, but as I kept staring it, I realized this is actually quite an easy outfit to put-together for normal life, just with an added HS flair. Whether you’re going to a wedding this fall (don’t forget your mask!), happy hour on a patio, or just having a pretend girls’ night, this outfit should be top of mind. Tuck the top into the trousers to give the illusion that you’re wearing a jumpsuit, and don’t forget the classic Harry manicure—it truly completes the look.
If this outfit was a Harry song, it’d be: “Lights Up”
 

button-up / sweater vest / trousers (plus-size option) / loafers / sunglasses
I went into our office twice this week, and somehow, I managed to wear a sweater vest both days. I can’t quit. I never thought I’d be so into the preppy style, but staring at photo after photo of Harry Styles absolutely rocking them has convinced me that it’s a must-have. Harry has made this his uniform lately, pairing it atop a button-up with wide-leg trousers and loafers. For a little extra ‘70s the HS way, add big, square sunglasses. Watermelon sugar hiiiiigh.
If this outfit was a Harry song, it’d be: “Adore You”

graphic tee / shacket / flare jeans (plus-size + budget-friendly option) / sneakers / cherry earrings
Harry’s collection of graphic tees make me gasp every time. I love every single one, from the Christopher Kane “Sex” T-shirt (and pajama top!) he wore on SNL to the “But Daddy I Love Him” shirt he was seen wearing in NYC (the same weekend I was there—not saying it’s a conspiracy or anything, but …) to his very own merch while performing with Lizzo (game recognize game), he has mastered the art of the graphic tee, something I cannot say for myself. I love how he dresses them up and makes them look even cooler with plaid jackets and blazers, plus some extra pizazz whether it’s his jewelry, a fun nail design, or a statement pant. For this inspo, I’m head-over-heels for these cherry earrings—they’re handmade in Argentina by artisans using natural materials like glass, metals, and resin. Definitely Harry-approved. 
If this outfit was a Harry song, it’d be: “Cherry” (duh!) More

Can you believe we’re only 30 days away from the election? Us either. While the voting polls aren’t exactly New York Fashion Week, we’re all about doing things in style here at The Everygirl. From accessories to graphic tees, we’re rocking Vote merch proudly over the next few weeks, not only to show we’re proudly exercising our right to vote, but to encourage others to do the same.Side note: If you’re voting by mail or still iffy on where to start, be sure to check these deadlines within your state. 
Happy voting!

  More

Whenever I hear the word “Botox,” I can’t help but think of Luther (Tim Allen) of Christmas with the Kranks, frozen-faced, Spock-browed, and drooling out his beverage post-neuromodulator treatment. That scene gets me every. freaking. time. No part of me wants a Tim Allen-inspired frozen face, but if you describe a treatment as beneficial for “smoothing fine lines” and “preventing wrinkles,” the beauty guru in me eagerly steps up to the plate, wanting to learn more. I’m 25 and started taking the skincare game seriously about one year ago. My goals at the time were to not look so tired (my chronic under-eye bags are designer, it’s fine), to brighten my complexion, to treat and prevent acne, and to prevent further skin damage. After a year of trying products and finding what works for me based on my skin needs, I have my skincare routine down to a science. And what do we do when we meet our goals? That’s right, we make new ones.
My new goal for this year is to work on keeping true to my skincare routine and to prevent further wrinkling/damage. According to Cleveland Clinic, wrinkles are made worse by aging, sun damage, smoking, and repetitive facial muscle contractions. While I can help my cause by wearing sunscreen, avoiding tanning, and not smoking, aging is an inevitable privilege that just happens. Repetitive facial muscle contractions seem similarly unavoidable until you take Botox, a neuromodulator that can help minimize those movements, into consideration. 

So what exactly is Botox? 
Per Medline Plus, Botox is a drug that is used to inactivate chosen muscles through the blocking of specific nerves. Botox is “made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum,” the site added. In large doses, you may know it as the toxin responsible for food-poisoning-related botulism. Sounds like something absolutely none of us want, but in small doses, it has proven helpful in reducing wrinkles, severe sweating, chronic migraines, neck spasms, and overactive bladders. Despite popular belief, Botox isn’t the only brand of botulinum toxin on the market. According to Mayo Clinic, other botulinum toxin products (also referred to as neuromodulators because they affect movement at the level of neurons) include Dysport, Xeomin, and Myobloc. 

Step 1: Finding an injector
When I decided to take my skincare to the next level (some may call it being extra, I call it being proactive), I did plenty of research to find an injector in my area who was a nurse or doctor, practiced safely, boasted a successful before and after, and had rave reviews. I looked to Yelp and RealSelf (basically a Yelp for plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures) and decided upon an injector that fit all of my criteria. I realized that for me, having a neuromodulator treatment would be completely elective, so I was in no rush and set aside an ample amount of time to find the perfect injector to fit my needs. I chose an injector who was near me and had rave reviews on the review sites I researched.

Step 2: The consultation
Two weeks later, I found myself bare-faced in my injector’s procedural chair, ready to talk neuromodulators and to find a treatment plan that worked for me. The consultation that I had with her was so valuable and, in my opinion, is not something that should be rushed through. If you show up to your appointment and your injector immediately starts drawing up neuromodulator, I’d take that as a red flag. 
We talked about my medical history, aesthetic goals (for me, it was wrinkle prevention and looking refreshed), side effects to consider, what would be required of me post-procedure, what to expect as the drug took effect, and cost. She leveled with me and made sure we were on the same page before we even discussed what areas we would treat. She offered me the option to think about all of her considerations and to schedule a follow-up for the procedure, but after doing a lot of my own research and feeling a connection with the injector, I felt ready to move forward. If I was feeling “on the fence” or more hesitant about the procedure based on my feelings towards the cost, the actual procedure, or the injector herself, it would have been a great opportunity for me to reevaluate my decision.
I asked her professional opinion about what areas would be beneficial to treat. My wrinkles aren’t prominent until I make facial expressions, so there wasn’t one area over another that was a non-negotiable for me to treat. Based on her assessment, she stated that I would most benefit from treating a combination of my forehead and frown lines, which she noticed to be particularly strong in my face. After taking my before photos for my chart and for comparison, she got to work. 

Step 3: The treatment
PSA: I’m the biggest baby of all time. If I get my eyebrows threaded, my jaw will be clenched the entire time, I will shed a tear, and I will leave behind an accidental puddle of sweat in the chair. I’m a sensitive little flower whose nervous system is on one. That being said, the actual injecting was exactly what I imagined it to be. The needle they used was super tiny and the Botox solution isn’t very viscous, so I couldn’t feel the medication being injected as I typically do with a flu shot, for instance. On a pain scale of 0-10, I’d say that getting Botox (in my book) was about a 4/10. Take that with a grain of salt. Like I said … I’m sensitive AF.
To treat my forehead and frown lines, she used nine different points of injection and the entire procedure took about three minutes. Afterward, she cleaned up some small droplets of blood on my forehead and gave me post-care instructions which included four hours of activity restrictions (no working out, no lying down, and no massaging the area) to ensure that the product wouldn’t migrate to an area it isn’t supposed to.

Step 4: Recovery
Probably the greatest part of having Botox, for me, was that I could go about my day post-procedure with no downtime at all. Granted, I skipped my workout (tragic, I know) and took my normal Saturday nap sitting upright on my couch (nothing comes between me and my Saturday nap). Other than that, my day was unchanged: I went grocery shopping, cleaned my apartment, and hung out with my friends. All the while, my Botox was kicking into gear.

Did it work?
If you’re considering a neuromodulator treatment or have a consultation with an injector, they’ll likely tell you that it’ll take two weeks for the neuromodulator to take full effect, but allow me to let you in on a little secret—you’ll start feeling the effects much sooner than that. For me, the first signs of muscle relaxation were on day four post-treatment. It’s a weird feeling to describe. My skin wasn’t numb to the touch, but my injected muscles felt numb. I couldn’t frown as forcefully as I normally did and raising my eyebrows was a challenge. 
By day six, I’d say that the Botox took full effect. The movement in my brows and forehead was minimal which, while it sounds odd, felt freaking awesome. It didn’t bother me that I couldn’t move the upper part of my face as much as I normally did. It was a little eerie at first, but I got used to the feeling (or lack thereof) quickly. I noticed that I was frowning a lot when I sleep because I could feel my muscles trying and failing to work upon waking. Overall, my face felt more relaxed and strangely, I liked tuning into it because I carry a lot of stress in my face and it was a good reminder to exhale. It was a zen experience. 
I realized some natural movement started to come back at the one month mark and then for the next few months, more movement returned. After about four months, I’d say that the effects were 85 percent worn off. AKA, I was ready for more.

Was it worth it?
While I will 10/10 get it done again, I am aware that it is a luxury treatment and not a necessity. I liked my results and love the idea of preventing wrinkles (now I’m way more in tune to how strong my frown is, especially upon waking up in the morning), but going back to my injector for more Botox is far from being my top priority. 
The two major pitfalls of getting a neuromodulator treatment, for me, were the cost of the procedure and the longevity of the product. Depending on where you go, what you get done, how many units your injector uses, and what discounts you may have, the price of Botox varies. If I were to go in on a normal day without a discount, the treatment that I got would be $400-$600. While many medspas and injectors offer rewards programs, that’s a large chunk of change for a treatment that offers temporary effects.
My injector warned me of the timeline, but, of course, I wish the effects would have lasted a bit longer based on the price I paid for the service. However, the shorter duration makes it safer for patients if a mistake is made by the injector (i.e., too much product used in one side versus the other) so that you don’t have a permanent deformity. This was partly the reason why I decided I’d give Botox a try: if it’s horrible, I know it’s not permanent.

If you’re thinking about Botox…
If you’re considering a neuromodulator treatment, I think that finding an injector you trust and feel comfortable following up with is the most important part of the experience. It’s helpful to get a vibe for what their goals are. If making money is their top priority as opposed to truly being interested in what’s best for you, you may end up over-treated, and overspend as a result. A good injector should provide contact information (whether it be through their personal platforms or through the office they work for) so that you can comfortably follow up with concerns if issues arise.
I think that Botox is an awesome service that can make a lot of people happy and feel like their best selves, but as with most cosmetic procedures and beauty treatments, they should be considered a luxury and not a necessity. That being said, you bet your bottom dollar I’ll be back once I get to where I want to be financially. More

Nordstrom just surprised us with another sale, and you know what? I’m here for it, even though my bank account might say otherwise. And don’t worry: this sale is not an end-of-season one with all summer items. There are a ton of awesome sweaters, comfy clothes, booties, mules, and accessories (otherwise known as all of my favorite things) marked down up to 40 percent off.So if you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect cozy sweater or to-die-for pair of snakeskin boots to round out your closet this season (I know I have), now is your time! Even though we might not be wearing our favorite outfits out to bars and restaurants like we normally would, getting dressed in a cute outfit is a serious mood booster. I don’t know about you, but that little serotonin boost when I know a package of something I truly love is on its way to me is one of the little things really getting me through the insane year that is 2020.
Check out all of our favorite clothing, shoes, and accessories on sale at Nordstrom right now:  More

Blackheads (and their sinister cousin, whiteheads) have plagued me for years; they simply cannot let me go. Across my T-zone, I have pretty large pores going on that cannot resist getting filled with gunk. After years of skin torture in the form of Biore pore strips and ultra strong peel-off masks, I was left with blackheads and a load of irritation. I have tried anything and everything in my quest to send blackheads to that place that Gandalf fell, including a memorable incident with a pore vacuum, which I can heartily say I do not recommend. While it turns out expecting instant results was getting me nowhere (who knew?), I have stumbled upon a cult favorite product I would happily douse my face in for the rest of my life. 

I routinely spend time google researching blackhead remedies while binging The Great British Baking Show (don’t you?), and unfailingly, the Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliant would appear in comments and on message boards surrounded by words like magic, life-changing, and undeniable. It’s a chemical exfoliator, which means it doesn’t require those skin-shredding granules I used to slather over my face in middle school.  
“I recommend ‘chemical’ exfoliation over physical, meaning using an acid or enzyme to exfoliate instead of physical particles as in a scrub,” said Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, dermatologist and owner of Dr. Loretta Skincare. “With physical exfoliation, you’re removing only surface dead cells. With a chemical exfoliant like AHA/glycolic, BHA/salicylic, or an enzyme, you’re removing cells both in pores as well as on skin’s surface.”

I caved and bought the 2% BHA Exfoliant so I could test the magic for myself about eight months ago. The formula takes a moment to get used to—initially, I was really skeptical since it feels quite oily on the skin. I was expecting more of a light zingy feeling, and instead, it has more of an oil-based slick quality. I apply it with a cotton round and concentrate it on the areas where my blackheads like to congregate—mainly my nose, upper lip (sexy!), and chin. 
Despite my doubts, I’ve actually gotten used to how the formula feels, and after around eight months of use, it’s made my hallowed list of auto-buy repurchases. My favorite part is how gentle it feels with no burning, itching, or stinging like other exfoliators—both chemical and physical—that I’ve tried. All Paula’s Choice products are fragrance-free as well, which is a welcome respite from recent overly-scented launches (Fenty Skin, I’m looking at you). 
I’ve worked up to using it every night, and I’ve found that of all my lotions and potions, BHA (aka salicylic acid) works best for my skin in terms of refining texture and reducing pore blockage (my nemesis). I’m going to be real: I still have some blackheads. I think they may have decided to be with me forever, and who could blame them? But overall, the pores on my nose are less noticeable and enlarged and the skin on my cheeks and forehead feels buttery smooth, which wasn’t my intention in using this product but is a delightful side effect. Here’s a photo I would use to announce the Exfoliant and I are engaged: 

In general when I’m having skin woes, I go back to the drawing board with my tried-and-true products I know work and don’t irritate my skin. The 2% BHA Exfoliant always makes the list, along with a gentle cleanser and hyaluronic acid serum. And of course, sunscreen. 

Final thoughts

If you’re dealing with blackheads, try this. Definitely try it before reaching for a quick-fix solution like a pore vacuum (your skin and I am begging you).
Be prepared to use this for a few months at least. Commit to it! I’m notorious for rotating my skincare too fast and thinking that nothing is working when really I needed to give it more time. 
Always use sunscreen when you’re using this product. You know what, just always use sunscreen full stop. 
On my skin, this is pretty gentle, but I still recommend doing a patch test and working up to using every night, especially if your skin is sensitive. 
According to Paula’s Choice, exfoliants are step three after your cleanser and toner and before your serum and moisturizer. I usually skip toner, but otherwise, follow that order. 
More Paula’s Choice faves from the team

Paula’s Choice
2% BHA Body Lotion

This lotion has been a life-saver for the keratosis pilaris on my upper arms.

Paula’s Choice
10% Niacinamide Booster

I frequently use this serum booster post-BHA exfoliant to fade old acne scars. More