Beauty buys

Cosmetic craze: Five pop culture-inspired beauty collections worth adding to your makeup bag

I am what you might call an easy-to-target consumer.

If you gloss a pair or flats or platforms with glitter, I'll wear them like it's New Year's Eve 1999. If you tell me that a $40 tube of mascara will make my lashes 150 percent longer, I'm suddenly dropping two Jeffersons on cosmetic goop. If Anthropologie debuts a dress with a fox or squirrel pattern, my inner five-year-old comes out and I'm already walking up to the front register.

I drink the consumer KoolAid willingly every day, and I'm not alone. Many of us have a soft spot for material goods, especially when those goods make us feel a connection to something outside of ourselves we love, such as a book, movie, character or cultural identity.

Take a look around you and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about: Makeup lines, nail polishes, fashion collections and even our favorite foods use pop culture to reel us before we even realize what's hit us. In celebration of that ubiquity, here are five fun, pop culture-inspired products worth adding to your Caboodle.

Urban Decay's OZ The Great and Powerful Collection
With Urban Decay's Oz The Great and Powerful Collection, you get to choose whether to be the good witch or the bad witch. The Glinda and Theodora Paletttes are tailored to fit the personalities of each, with the former more subdued and ethereal and the latter featuring darker earth tones. But who says you have to choose between the two? Embrace both of your witchy ways.

CoverGirl's Catching Fire Collection
Who among us doesn't want to look like (and be best friends with) Jennifer Lawrence? Her bow-wielding alter ego Katniss Everdeen is a beauty to behold, especially in the newest Catching Fire stills. Lucky for us, CoverGirl recently announced a new fall collection inspired by the upcoming blockbuster, which means we'll get to look a shade or two like our favorite heroine. The CoverGirl Catching Fire Collection will be released later this fall. Can't wait that long? The brand has just released a beautiful Flamed Out Collection worth checking out.

OPI's Minnie Mouse Couture Collection
OPI has collaborated with a number of recent films, from The Muppets to James Bond's Skyfall, to create different seasonal nail polish collections. This summer, the popular brand will unveil its Minnie Mouse Couture Collection with an array of beautiful pink, red and glitter shades. True to OPI form, all the new polish names are hopelessly adorable: Minnie Style, Chic from Ears to Tail, Innie Minnie Mighty Bow, A Definite Moust-Have and Magazine Cover Mouse.

Deborah Lippmann's Girls Nail Polish Collection
HBO's Girls has become a cultural phenomenon for all us twenty-somethings. Although we may not want to live through the friendship, career and relationship struggles Hannah, Marnie, Jessa and Shoshanna encounter week to week, who among us hasn't related to these four young ladies at some point? Deborah Lippmann's Girls Collection was directly inspired by these fierce females, so if you're looking for a hip, playful, sexy or feminine shade, you're in luck — this line has all four.

Disney Ariel Collection by SEPHORA
The Little Mermaid is one of Disney's most beloved princesses. Ariel's fiery red locks, porcelain skin and butterfly lashes asserted her as a feminine, animated beauty, in which many of us hope to emulate through red hair dye boxes and $40 tubes of mascara (sorry I'm not sorry). As an ode to all the Disney princesses, SEPHORA is releasing a collection of eye palettes over the coming months, first with Jasmine's collection and up next with Ariel's — from the looks of it, it won't disappoint.

With Urban Decay's Oz The Great and Powerful Collection, you get to choose whether you're a good witch or a bad witch.

Urban Decay

With Urban Decay's Oz The Great and Powerful Collection, you get to choose whether you're a good witch or a bad witch.

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LAUNDRY LOWDOWN

Houston dermatologist's guide to doing laundry for healthier summer skin

Photo by Averie Woodard

Houston's heat and humidity can increase sweat buildup on clothing, towels, bedding, and accessories. A dermatologist shares how often to wash common summer essentials to help prevent skin irritation, breakouts, and other seasonal skin concerns.

Houstonians are familiar with Texas's unofficial fifth season – sweaty season. Rising temperatures, humidity, sunscreen, and the occasional visit to the pool or the beach create the perfect storm for skin irritation. A few extra loads of laundry might not be anyone's idea of summer fun, but healthier skin could make it worth the effort.

Most people know to toss sweaty workout clothes straight into the laundry hamper, but many everyday items don't get the attention they deserve. According to Dr. Radhika Shah of Westlake Dermatology, skipping laundry day could quickly show up on a person's skin.

"Sweat can mix with bacteria and other debris from the skin when it accumulates on clothing, which can lead to odors, skin irritation, and sometimes, infection," Shah tells CultureMap.

The combination of sweat, heat, and moisture can create an environment where several common skin conditions thrive. Shah says she frequently sees issues including acne, folliculitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and yeast-related rashes such as intertrigo and tinea versicolor.

Not all fabrics handle summer heat equally

"People should look for cotton and linen (natural fabrics) over polyester and nylon (synthetic fabrics), as natural fabrics breathe better and tend to release sweat and odors more easily," Shah says.

Many might think that warm weather causes clothing fibers to trap moisture and bacteria more quickly, but Shah explains that how a fabric reacts is heavily dependent on the fabric itself. That means material can make a noticeable difference during Houston's long stretch of heat and humidity.

Laundry routines are important

Summer laundry habits can affect skin health just as much as skincare products. Shah recommends avoiding heavily fragranced detergents whenever possible and skipping fabric softeners altogether.

"Detergents with fragrance can irritate the skin further, especially in those with sensitive skin or eczema," she says. "In addition, I would try to avoid fabric softeners, which can coat fabrics and trap sweat and other skin debris."

While everyone knows to wash underwear and gym clothes on repeat, Shah says there are two commonly overlooked items that deserve more attention.

"Change your pillowcase and your hat," she says. Her recommendation is to wash pillowcases every two to four days and hats after every three to four wears.

The summer washing guide for healthy skin

Not sure how often to wash your favorite warm-weather essentials? Shah offers these guidelines for summer's hottest months.

Swimwear: After every wear. Chlorine, saltwater, sweat, and sunscreen residue can all linger in fabric and irritate skin.
Workout clothes: After every wear. This is non-negotiable during hot summers.
Bras: Every two to three wears.
Sleepwear: Every two to three wears.
Shorts and pants: Every two to three wears.
Dresses: Every two to three wears.
Jeans: Every three to four wears.
Bath towels: After three to four uses.
Beach towels: After every use.
Sheets: Weekly.
Pillowcases: Every two to four days.

Don't forget your beauty tools

Regular maintenance of beauty tools is also important for healthy skin, especially during the summer when sweat and sunscreen use increase. Makeup brushes, especially those used for foundation, concealer, and cream products, can accumulate oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and product buildup. Dermatologists recommend washing foundation and concealer brushes weekly, while powder brushes can typically be cleaned every 1 to 2 weeks.

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