2024: A new beauty paradigm

Why now? A new shift is occurring in how we see and experience skincare and personal beauty. We want to be ourselves and express who we are sans a 10-step beauty regime. We seek honesty and the desire to be nourished and healed from our beauty pursuits, honoring the innate wisdom that our skin knows how to heal itself. Pamela Anderson inspired us at Paris Fashion Week as she emerged makeup-free proudly announcing, “I feel like it’s just freedom. It’s like... a relief.” Perhaps many long for that liberty, and as those beauty icons bear all, we, too, are invited to explore the opportunities of au naturel. An era of the overcorrection of filters and foundations may be upon us. And just in time.

My Prediction:

As this curiosity and trust build, we move increasingly away from aggressive topicals, over-exfoliation, and trending peels. We head for a perspective of worthiness, acceptance, and the beauty of science that nature can provide. We seek alignment in all areas of our lives, and the beauty industry will be listening and meeting us in our pursuits. 

Ingredients to watch for in 2024 include Oil of Egg Yolk, yes, that's right. This alchemically derived mega-nutritional compound carries profound healing abilities with epidermal and cell membrane regeneration. It is an antioxidant nutraceutical protecting the everyday skin and supporting trauma such as burn wounds, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. While anti- inflammatory and anti-bacterial, it also creates an ultra-moisturizing protective barrier in the fight against water loss (TEWL). It aids in maintaining our skin's cellular structure. It also supports product delivery systems such as liposomes and micro-emulsions, all the while closely resembling the lipid profile of human skin.

Experience this transformative compound in the formulation "Aurora" by Realea Skincare. Hitting us with a never-before-regenerative balm containing Oil of Egg Yolk and Oil of Gold. Microbiome synergistic care at its finest. This formulation is targeting the entire skin system, another trend to note. We move toward leaving behind products that only work to heal one condition or issue and opt for multipurpose formulations that increase communication between bacteria, skin cells, and immune cells, creating healthy microbiome support while serving our desire for balance, hydration, and luminosity. In my deeper research with the brand, I interviewed Nicholas Grossenbacher, the founder and formulator of Realea Skincare, and he speaks about "The Radiant Intelligence of Nature - bringing the body into greater harmony with nature and its energetic blueprint for the highest expression of the individual system. Alchemical medicine vs. allopathic medicine." Pointing us again toward the system as a whole and away from only targeting acute problems with particular molecules.

Returning to why these ingredients support us in this shift to reach our body's inborn wisdom enters Oil of Gold, with intense curative results and the ability to awaken consciousness; it is referred to as an “oil of the highest order.” Rich with aromatic organic compounds like terpenes, ketones, and phenols. The Realea founder also remarked, “The realm of metallic alchemy is one of the more esoteric and hidden aspects of the alchemical healing tradition. Plant and animal-based products alchemically prepared were once the core constituents of a well-stocked pharmacy.”

What started as a scar healing journey ended with discovering this does-it-all topical powerhouse with everything my skin needs, and it has saved me hundreds. What used to be four products is now joyfully one. It’s my daily moisturizer and hits all my needs from antioxidants to retinol. I’m almost out of my second jar, and everyone who tries it is an instant fan. This one-stop healing shop holds our hands as we enter this new beauty paradigm, and then it leans in and whispers, ”Your skin knows what to do; you know what to do.”

Realea: 15% discount with NVG link below:

https://realea.com/discount/the.nvg

Resources/research/science:

The Effect of Egg Yolk Oil in the Healing of Third Degree Burn Wound in Rats

Egg yolk oil accelerates wound healing in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Role of Egg Oil in Cosmetics: An Icing on a Cake

Terpenes and terpenoids as main bioactive compounds of essential oils, their roles in human health and potential application as natural food preservatives

With love,
NVG

Natasha V. Glasgow
Beauty Adviser and Founder of NVG BEAUTY
https://nvgbeauty.com

GREAT HAIR

We all know the power of the "great hair day." How do we get there consistently, not just on salon day? Healthy hair is born on daily care; it's a slow, steady race. The great news is hair can be improved, nourished, and cared for, and you can see immediate results from incredible masks and treatments. Here are my most beloved and performance-driven products and experiences.

Let’s Get Topical

From natural to the French man who changed the hair product game.

Two times a month, use apple cider vinegar to remove buildup on the scalp and hair. It also balances the scalp and strands to prepare it to take in nourishing ingredients. Wash your hair first. Combine 1/4 cup ACV and 3/4 cup water, lean back, and rinse from the scalp and down through the ends, careful not to get it in your eyes. A great tool to keep in the shower is a tangle teezer. Run it through your hair to pull ingredients down from the scalp to the ends (use this with conditioning treatments as well). Rewash hair before conditioning. 

To elevate the ACV experience, there are two fabulous products by the talented and lovely Justin Anderson that I can no longer live without. The ACV Hair Rinse cleans the scalp and hair without shampooing and stripping. I use this more often than shampoo and have seen a significant difference in my color lasting and strands not so stressed out. Follow that with his ACV Hair Mask, and it's so effective and hydrating.

And then there is the holy grail in shampoo and conditioners. Be not fooled by the many substitutes. Christophe Robin Sea Salt Scrub is the best sea salt scrub shampoo. Chunky coarse sea salt and a little goes a long way—another step to prep your follicles and hair for hydration. It rids the scalp and strands from all the product buildup, and you can feel the difference immediately. This stuff is magic.

Now follow this up with the most luxurious hair mask of your dreams. My absolute favorite for the last five years is Christophe Robin Prickly Pear Mask. So nourishing, and nothing compares. It would help if you switched up your shampoo/conditioner, much like a new "workout" for your body; the hair also needs to be surprised. For an alternative, I love Davines Minu for my color-treated hair and The Renaissance Circle, "hopeless hair extreme repair mask." It comes in a great travel pouch, suitable for 2 or 3 uses. 

Ok, now, I have uncovered THE BEST hair smoothing, shine, and no frizz treatment before you blow dry. This stuff has made it possible to blow out my hair at home. I cannot believe how great it is—presenting Good Behavior 4-in-1 prep spray by IGK. THIS IS IT, ladies and gentlemen.

Now let us talk REPAIR! 

If you color treat your hair, you simply must use OLAPLEX hair perfector, don't argue with me. Get it, use it once a week if you can, and send me a thank you note later. Keep your color vibrant with another superstar product by Christophe Robin, shade variation care. I use "baby blond" to remove brassiness and keep my color vibrant. There are five shades, and one for you. It doubles as a hydrating mask, and there are travel sizes, love. 

Hair Growth Supplements

The "long" game that's worth it, and Nutrafol is my long-time favorite. How do you tell if something is working? Well, in my case, stop using it. It took about three months to start seeing results. AND ONE MONTH AFTER STOPPING TO SEE ALL THE BENEFITS DIMINISH. As a loyal advocate of viviscal, I switched to Nutrafol because it addresses hormones with ingredients like ashwagandha and saw palmetto, and it doesn't contain shark cartilage. I wanted a more plant-based product.

Addressing hormones and stress is where I believe this stuff works. It still includes your classic biotin, etc., that most hair/skin/nail products contain. There's also a men's version—his and hers. I only feel overwhelmed that you have to take four a day. I'm hoping a liquid version is on the horizon. Hint, hint.

Following these treatments and products will create an environment for your hair to thrive daily. I'm always trying new things, and those mentioned above have withstood the test for years. Only the best for you, only the best for us.

With love,
NVG