Three finds worth buying

Face powder, hair mask, steel tumbler perform well in product tests.
IGK’s new Prenup Instant Spray Hair Mask. CONTRIBUTED BY IGK

IGK’s new Prenup Instant Spray Hair Mask. CONTRIBUTED BY IGK

Kat Von D Lock-It Blotting Powder

Formulated to appear invisible on the skin, the Kat Von D Lock-It Blotting Powder ($29, Sephora) keeps skin looking beautiful while also blotting away excess oil. The instant matte powder, which is the newest addition to Von D's Lock-It collection, can be used both as a setting powder for your foundation and to touch up your face throughout the day.

First impression

When it comes to the packaging of her cosmetics, Von D doesn’t stray very far from the romantic goth aesthetic that fans have come to know her for. Case in point is the Lock-It Blotting Powder’s compact, which Von D designed to resemble an antique wax seal bearing Von D’s initials. The compact, which is made out of plastic, also features a mirror and a cushion-puff applicator for dabbing and buffing.

Available in four shades (fair, light, medium and deep), the pressed powder is free of animal-derived ingredients, as well as harmful chemicals like parabens and sulfates. The powder is ultra-fine (much like my favorite Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Finish Powder) and feels very soft on the skin. Applied over foundation with a fluffy brush, the face powder leaves a more natural finish compared to other powders I’ve tried that cling to the skin and look cakey.

Result

Keeping my face oil and shine-free during the summer has never been an easy task, but with Kat Von D’s Lock-It Blotting Powder it now is finally achievable. Used daily, I found that the finely-milled powder works wonders on my naturally oily T-zone and keeps my complexion looking flawlessly matte long after I’ve applied it to my face.

The powder has great lasting power and doesn’t settle into your pores, so if on the chance you do have to reapply, you don’t have to worry about your skin becoming cakey.

Prenup Instant Spray Hair Mask

Designed to leave hair silky and smooth, IGK's new Prenup Instant Spray Hair Mask ($32, Sephora) has taken the simplicity and quickness of splash masks to create a conditioning hair mask that works in under a minute. Different from traditional hairs masks, the high-powered product features a lightweight micro-emulsion formula that is sprayed directly onto the hair and then immediately washed out.

First impression

As someone who uses hair masks regularly to help keep my hair healthy from the abuse of hot styling tools, I know firsthand that hair masks are not always convenient for a fast-paced lifestyle. While most masks I’ve tried require a 10-minute wait, a few have stretched out to a full 30 minutes.

Lucky for me, I didn’t have to sacrifice half of my morning to try out IGK’s Prenup spray mask. Made with ingredients such as alma oil, senna leaf extract and cupuacu butter, the mask is used in-shower after shampooing your hair. To apply it evenly, it is recommended that you spray from roots to ends, then comb through hair with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. The mask can then be rinsed out immediately with cold water or (for a deeper treatment), left on 2-3 minutes.

The mask is easy-to-use and foolproof, though it might take some getting used to if (like me) you are used to thick, heavy masks that you slather all over your hair. I also like that the mask has built-in UV protection and is paraben and sulfate free.

Results

Offering convenience that you can’t get with traditional hair masks, the IGK Prenup Instant Spray Hair Mask keeps hair healthy and beautiful while only requiring one minute of your time. The mask’s formula is lightweight and does not leave behind any greasiness or residue. I found the application process to be extremely easy, despite worrying that without a mirror in my shower I couldn’t apply the mask evenly. The hardest part was convincing myself that I could rinse the mask right out. To my delight, it worked.

After blowing out my hair, it looked much shinier and healthier than it did before I used the mask. My hair also smelled absolutely fantastic, which was a bonus.

Orca Chaser Cafe

Since Yeti mania hit retail stores in late 2015, stainless-steel tumblers have become the drink ware of choice for those looking to keep cool during the hot summer months, and it’s not hard to see why.

Unlike traditional drink vessels, double-walled tumblers keep beverages cold for hours after they’ve first been poured. Also, they don’t leave a pool of condensation on your desk or in your cup holder.

After putting Wal-Mart's budget-friendly Ozark Trail tumbler up against the popular Yeti last summer, I decided to revisit the topic of stainless-steel tumblers and add a new competitor to the mix: the Orca Chaser Cafe ($29,99, Bed Bath and Beyond) to see which stainless-steel tumbler really works the best.

First impression

Like the Orca Chaser, the Chaser Cafe is made from 18/8 stainless steel and is double-walled and vacuum-sealed. Unlike the Chaser which holds 27 ounces of liquid, the Chaser Cafe is smaller, at 20 ounces, and also has a polymer handle grip that makes it easier to hold.

The tumbler’s lid, which features a convenient flip top to prevent your beverage from spilling out, is made from BPA-free Tritan copolyester. While the Chaser Cafe was designed primarily with coffee drinkers in mind, the tumbler also can be used for cold beverages.

To test the tumbler, I put it up against the 20-ounce versions of the Yeti and Ozark Trail tumblers. I filled each with 1 cup of crushed ice, then placed them on my hot patio. At the time, the temperature on my iPhone read 93 degrees. Every two hours I would check the tumblers to see how much ice was left in each, pouring out any liquid that had collected into cups marked with each brand’s name.

After 12 hours, I measured the amount of liquid in each cup to see which tumbler’s ice melted the fastest.

Results

In the battle of stainless-steel tumblers, Orca’s Chaser Cafe proved it has what it takes to help cold and hot beverages go the distance. Unfortunately, that distance was not as far as its competitors.

After 12 hours of sitting outside on the porch in 90 degree weather, the Orca still had plenty of ice, as did the Yeti and Ozark Trail. However, measuring the amount of liquid in each tumbler revealed that the ice in the Orca was melting faster than it was in the others.