This Is a SoulCycle Instructor’s Entire Skincare Routine + Beauty Essentials

Beth Wischnia
May 06, 2016

There’s always a bit of curiosity and, honestly, a bit of secrecy around the products and routines people use to keep their skin healthy from the inside out. What’s even more intriguing is when you can get a peek into the skincare secrets of industry experts. This series will lift the veil on the products, tips and hacks behind people who are majorly *skinspirational*.

Lauren McHale is a full-time SoulCycle instructor in San Francisco and a total badass chick. Before she began her career at SoulCycle, she was an avid yogi, hiker, skiier and snowboarder, so she’s well versed in skincare best practices for peeps who are physically active. I caught up with Lauren and picked her brain about how she takes care of her skin and freshens up when she’s done tapping it back.

WHAT IS A SOULCYCLE INSTRUCTOR’S SKINCARE ROUTINE?

1. Gentle Face Wash: “I am more of a get-up-and-go kind of girl when I have to teach early-morning “rooster” classes at SoulCycle, so I usually just wash my face quickly with Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser ($7).”

2. Hydrating Lip Balm: “I love the peppermint smell of Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm ($3), and it keeps my lips hydrated all day. I apply it before heading out the door.”

3. Refreshing Face Wipes: “All day, every day and in between classes especially, I use Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Cleansing Wipes ($7) to energize my skin. I love the smell, and they keep my skin feeling fresh. I actually try to avoid using skincare products when I’m teaching the bulk of my classes because I don’t want it to get in my eyes later while I’m teaching and sweating.”

4. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize: “In all honesty, I keep it really simple with my skincare routine, but I’m a big fan of using coconut oil as a natural moisturizer, or sometimes I’ll use some Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum ($24).”

WHAT IS A SOULCYCLE INSTRUCTOR’S BEAUTY ROUTINE?

5. SPF is everything. “Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 ($12) leaves my skin feeling soft and silky, not greasy or shiny, which is great when I’m going from a day at the park to dinner and drinks with friends. My skin feels protected and clean!”

6. Get your glow on. “I love the way bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream ($30) makes my skin feel, and it always gives me a healthy glow.”

7. Hack lashes for days. “Benefit They’re Real Lengthening Mascara ($24) truly lives up to its name and makes my eyelashes look amazing without having to reapply over and over.”

Follow us on Pinterest for more skincare tips.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

(Photo via @lmchale)

‘Riverdale’ Star Lili Reinhart Reveals the Heartbreaking Way She Used to Deal With Acne

As one of the breakout stars of Riverdale, Lili Reinhart is still getting used to life in the spotlight. But the actress has been refreshingly honest with fans about her life behind the scenes, even when the subject is not so glamorous — like her battle with anxiety and her skin issues. In a new interview with Seventeen, Reinhart opened up about her cystic acne, and what she said will totally break your heart.

The Galveston actress told the magazine that she developed “really bad acne” in 7th grade, sharing that she “developed slight body dysmorphia.” She added, “when I would break out, I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror for a couple of months at a time. I remember doing my makeup before school in the dark, which is an awful idea, but it’s because I didn’t want to see myself in that bright light.”

And even though she’s a fan of some of our favorite drugstore beauty buys, she still has cystic acne. As acne sufferers know all too well, zits rarely go away when the teen years are over. Reinhart says that she still faces breakouts, and at times her skin has kept her from leaving the house. “Sometimes when I have a breakout it triggers me back to that time when I was a teen and I feel so self-conscious — like the whole world is looking at my bad skin. I’ve definitely not gone out of the house because of a breakout, which is horrible.”

View this post on Instagram

Back at it again with the best hair/makeup team 👏🏻💋💄

A post shared by Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) on

But she tries to be gentle with her skin, reminding herself that her body is still changing. “I’m still growing up — my body’s still changing. Maybe my acne will go away eventually, but for right now, I try to acknowledge it [like in my] Instagram stories when I’m wearing pimple cream on my face. And poke fun at it in a way, as much as I can. At the end of the day, I tell myself that if I’m walking down the street or having lunch, other people don’t give a shit what my skin looks like — it’s just me, who cares?”

Can you relate to Lili’s struggle with acne? Let us know@BritandCo.

(Photo via Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

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11 Most-Anticipated December Movies You're Going To Love

I literally can't believe I'm writing this, but after a year of keeping up with all the biggest and best 2024 movies, I'm here with a final installment: December movies! This year has had some truly remarkable flicks (Challengers! Wicked! The Fall Guy!) and we're truly going out with a bang. While you're keeping up with all the best December TV shows coming out, here are the best December movies coming next month.

Keep reading for all the new December movies to add to your watchlist in 2024.

Y2K — In Theaters December 6, 2024

A24

Remember that Y2K crisis at the turn of the millennium? This December movie, which follows two high school juniors who crash a New Year's Eve party, reimagines it as a full-blown disaster — blood, guts, and all.

Y2K stars Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, The Kid Laroi, and Fred Durst.

Mary — On Netflix December 6, 2024

Netflix

Get a new look at one of the most famous women in the world when Mary drops on Netflix next month. This movie will give you a whole new look at the titular heroine's life — from being forced into hiding to running for her life, all to protect her baby son from a murderous king.

Mary stars Noa Cohen, Ido Tako, Stephanie Nur, Susan Brown, Ori Pfeffer, Eamon Farren, Hilla Vidor, Mili Avital, Gudmundur Thorvaldsson, Dudley O’Shaughnessy, Keren Tzur, Mehmet Kurtulus, Mila Harris, and Anthony Hopkins.

Nightb—ch — In Theaters December 6, 2024

Searchlight Pictures

Another December movie that will have you looking at motherhood differently is Nightb—ch, which follows Amy Adams character's life as she becomes a mother...and becomes convinced she's also turning into a dog.

Nightb—ch stars Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Patrick Snowden, Emmett James Snowden, Zoë Chao, Mary Holland, Archana Rajan, Jessica Harper.

F Marry Kill — On Digital December 6, 2024

Lionsgate

We all know dating apps can be a really horrifying experience, but when true-crime lover Eva starts to believe one of her three dates could be the “Swipe Right Killer," she finds herself in a life-or-death situation.

F Marry Kill stars Lucy Hale, Samer Salem, Virginia Gardner, Jedidiah Goodacre, Brendan Morgan, Brooke Nevin, and Bethany Brown.

A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter — On Netflix December 6

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

If you're still singing "Nonsense" by Sabrina Carpenter, then this December movie (er, holiday special) is for you. Not only will the popstar perform tunes from her fruitcake EP, but she'll be joined by special guests as well!

A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter stars, you guessed it, Sabrina Carpenter.

Maria — On Netflix December 11, 2024

Pablo Larraín/Netflix

Angelina Jolie's newest film follows iconic performer Maria Callas. After a glamorous, albeit difficult, public life, Maria moves to Paris for some quiet — and must confront her identity, her past, and her future in the process.

Maria stars Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Valeria Golino, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Haluk Bilginer.

Kraven The Hunter — In Theaters December 13

Jay Maidment/Sony

Despite the fact it's coming out around the holidays, Aaron Taylor Johnson's new December movie is not for kids. The flick follows the titular Kraven as he morphs from the son of a gangster to the brutal and fearsome villain comic fans know so well.

Kraven the Hunter stars Aaron Taylor Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, and Russell Crowe.

Carry On — On Netflix December 13

Netflix

One TSA agent is in for a less-than-jolly holiday when he's blackmailed by a traveler hoping to bring a very dangerous package into the airport on Christmas Eve.

Carry On stars Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, and Sofia Carson.

Mufasa: The Lion King — In Theaters December 20

Walt Disney Pictures

Not only is this Lion King sequel giving us a brand new look at a classic story, but it also marks Blue Ivy Carter's acting debut! The movie tells the story of how Mufasa began his journey as an orphaned cub and how a run-in with royal heir Taka changed everything.

Mufasa: The Lion King stars Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Aaron Pierre, John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, and Blue Ivy Carter.

Babygirl — In Theaters December 25

A24

Nicole Kidman's new December movie will add some spice to your holiday, thanks to an affair with her character's much-younger employee. Is it getting hot in here?

Babygirl stars Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.

A Complete Unknown — In Theaters December 25

Macall Polay/Searchlight Pictures

If you're still laughing about the Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest, then you'll definitely want to show up to see this flick, which stars our favorite Timmy as Bob Dylan during his historical move from folk to rock'n'roll.

A Complete Unknown stars Timothée Chalamet Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, Boyd Holbrook, and Nick Offerman.

Let us know which December movie you're most excited for on Instagram!

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Stassi Schroeder Posted a Makeup-Free Vid to Support Fans With Psoriasis

Stassi Schroeder may look picture-perfect when appearing on her reality series Vanderpump Rules, but beneath that seemingly flawless complexion, she wants us to know that she’s every bit as human as the rest of us.

The Straight Up With Stassi podcast host took to Instagram stories over the weekend sans cosmetics to let fans in on a little secret: She actually suffers from psoriasis. “The psoriasis situation is not on fleek,” she said in the accompanying post video. “If anybody else suffers from this and gets it on their face, I’m with you.”

She reiterated her statements with her caption, saying, “If you suffer from Psoriaris, you ain’t alone. Sh*t sucks.”

It’s not the first time she’s opened up about the topic: Back in 2015, she shared a similar selfie while letting fans in on her big beauty secret: Ultra HD Make Up Forever Foundation ($43).

“So many of you ask what makeup I use because It “looks” like I have flawless skin,” she wrote at the time. “I don’t. And these patches are an f-ing b*tch to cover up and make me feel ugly all the time… Feel beautiful today, girls. We all have our issues.”

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Having one of those days where Psoriasis is taking over my life. So many of you ask what makeup I use because it "looks" like I have flawless skin. I don't. And these patches are an effing bitch to cover up and make me feel ugly all the time. So here ya go, a no make up selfie. Feel beautiful today, girls. We all have our issues. PS. I use HD make up forever foundation ;)

A post shared by Stassi Schroeder (@stassischroeder) on

As she told Bravo in a subsequent interview, it’s important for her to be open with her viewers about her looks. “Because I know if I go on another girl’s blog or if I’m looking at her Instagram — I stalk tons of female celebrities too — I don’t like feeling bad about myself,” she shared. “I don’t like when people pretend everything’s perfect, it’s not… And I don’t like when women feel insecure, and I don’t want them to ever look at me and feel that way so that’s why if I need to talk about my psoriasis or the fact that I’m wearing pairs of Spanx, fine.”

Her sentiments echo that of Lorde’s, who shared her own struggles with acne just last week. Kudos to both ladies for showing us all that even with our perceived “flaws,” we’re still beautiful in every way!

What do you think of Stassi’s makeup-free selfie? Share over @BritandCo.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

(Photo via @stassischroeder + Dia Dipasupil/Getty)

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The 16 Best Bougie Trader Joe's Buys Under $10

The chokehold Trader Joe's has on me is atrocious. They truly can do no wrong with their wide array of snacks and sweet treats, and I really appreciate that my TJ's grocery hauls are typically way cheaper than if I did my shopping elsewhere. Trader Joe's is packed to the brim with delicious, life-changing finds under $10. So, if you're balling on a budget (but still want to make room for a lil' 'treat yourself' time), look no further than this list of my absolute favorite finds!

Let's dive into the best Trader Joe's buys you can add to your cart for under $10!

Trader Joe's

Organic Joe Medium Roast Ground Coffee

For just $6.99, Trader Joe's medium roast coffee tastes divine. No matter how you brew it, I promise you'll be thoroughly impressed.

Trader Joe's

Non-Dairy Oat Creamer Gingerbread

Trader Joe's collection of $1.99 non-dairy creamers are all delicious, but this limited-time seasonal offering is the literal cream of the crop.

Trader Joe's

Teeny Tiny Pecan Pies

Nothing says 'bougie' quite like finger foods do. Take the sweet route with this grouping of $4.99 tiny pecan pies!

Trader Joe's

Shaved Parmesan, Romano & Asiago Cheeses

I love topping salads, pastas, and soups with this $3.49 blend of shredded cheeses. Once it gets melty is where the fun really begins.

Trader Joe's

Cheesy Herby Biscuits

Biscuits are undoubtedly a considerably fancy thing to make yourself, but luckily you don't have to put in all that effort just to please a crowd, thanks to this $4.99 box o' biscuits!

Trader Joe's

Butter with Brown Sugar & Maple Syrup

This $2.99 butter infused with brown sugar and maple syrup will instantly elevate any piece of toast or baking project you've got going on.

Trader Joe's

Dark Chocolate Ganache Mini Sheet Cake

I'm simply obsessed with these $4.99 sheet cakes from Trader Joe's. They come in all kinds of flavors, but who can ever resist chocolate?! This is an easy (yet impressive) grab-and-go buy to bring to the office for your team or to share with the fam at home after a long week.

Trader Joe's

Truffle Dip

In my mind, truffle equates to some real fancy stuff. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this creamy dip was just $5.49!

Trader Joe's

Steamed Vegetable Soup Dumplings

I will live and die on the hill that Trader Joe's soup dumplings are some of the best ready-made options around. This $3.49 box is my go-to if I simply don't feel like cooking dinner (which happens more than I'd like to admit), but still want something warm that's gonna fill me up.

Trader Joe's

Sliced Black Truffle Monterey Jack Cheese

Another fun truffle find! Kick your grilled cheeses up a notch for just $4.99.

Trader Joe's

Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This is another one of my TJ's must-haves. If I don't buy this $3.79 box every single time I go, I at least buy it every other visit. Yummm.

Trader Joe's

Coffee Bean Blast Ice Cream

They are not kidding when they say this ice cream is a true coffee blast. It's so full on flavor, luxuriously creamy, and for just $4.49 a pint, I think that's pretty dang good.

Trader Joe's

Chocolate Brooklyn Babka

This rich babka bread is laced with lotsa chocolate. You can get the loaf for $5.99, but beware: it's gonna go fast.

Trader Joe's

Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste

This bourbon-y vanilla bean paste is so fun to use for cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and the like. It has a perfect smoky, woody finish (but still sweet), plus a little goes a very long way. Snag it at your local TJ's for $4.99.

Trader Joe's

Speculoos Cookie Butter

I fear I could eat this entire jar of cookie butter in one sitting. It always tastes expertly crafted and undeniably sweet. I love putting it on toast, ice cream, and even in my morning coffee. The jar sells at $3.99!

Trader Joe's

Candy Cane Green Tea

This $2.79 green tea has become a wintertime staple for me since I discovered it at Trader Joe's last year. I've already bought 3 boxes to stock up for the season.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more of our favorite hidden gems from Trader Joe's!

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24 Devastating TV Deaths That Will Make You Sob Like A Baby

When you connect with a fictional character, and that character dies within their story, it's actually very normal to experience real feelings of grief. Author Oscar Wilde wrote that one of his "greatest tragedies" was the death of the fictional Lucien de Rubempré. He was so upset about it, in fact, that "it haunts me in my moments of pleasure. I remember it when I laugh." And that was in 1899!

If you're a TV fan, you probably know this pain first hand because we've had to say goodbye to a ton of characters in the last few years. After Outer Banks lost one of its beloved characters on November 7, fans flooded social media, proclaiming they felt like they'd lost someone from their own real life. And based on this Reddit thread of the TV deaths that "totally destroyed you emotionally,"OBX fans are definitely not alone. Do you agree with these picks? (Spoilers ahead! But you knew that.)

Keep reading for the most upsetting TV deaths we're still recovering from.

JJ Maybank from 'Outer Banks'

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Okay, considering this one's the most recent, I have to lead with it. Rudy Pankow's JJ died in the final episode of Outer Banks season 4, which was extra devastating for viewers hoping to see a happy ending with Madison Bailey's Kiara. One viewer told me "it feels almost like the show died along with him." Woof.

Marissa Cooper in 'The OC'

Warner Bros. TV

The OC's Marissa and Ryan are one of the ultimate 'ships of the early-2000s...so watching her die in his arms at the end of season 3 almost made me stop believing in love.

Sarah Miller on 'The Last of Us'

Shane Harvey/HBO

Sarah's future is literally so bright when we meet her in The Last of Us. She's spunky and clever, which makes her end one of the saddest TV deaths in recent history. And the fact Joel (Pedro Pascal) screaming "Tommy help me!" was improvised? I need 5-7 business days to process.

Glen Rhee from 'The Walking Dead'

Gene Page/AMC

Viewers of this zombie show will never forget Glen's (Steven Yeun) death-by-baseball-bat, which came in season 7, episode 1. "I couldn't watch that show anymore after that," one Reddit user admitted.

Charlie Pace from 'Lost'

ABC/Disney

The way Dominic Monaghan brought complexity to the character of Charlie — and made everyone fall in love with him — is a really beautiful thing. Even if his death marked the end of an era in the show. "A lot of the LOST deaths were sad, but that one was brutal," another Reddit user adds.

Joyce Summers in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'

Warner Bros. TV

The only thing worse than losing your favorite character is seeing them suffer a loss. Case in point: Buffy losing her mom in season 5, episode 16 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Despite the fact this episode aired 23 years ago, it's still "TOO SOON"for some.

Lydia James on 'One Tree Hill'

Warner Bros. TV

Speaking of moms, watching Haley deal with her mom's death throughout One Tree Hill season 7 is one of the most heartbreaking arcs on TV. I'm so glad she has Nathan to lean on, but it doesn't make it any easier to watch.

Hodor in 'Game of Thrones'

HBO

Game of Thrones is literally filled with tragedy, so when a character death leaves its fans speechless, that's how you know it was a bold choice! "I cry everytime :(," one Reddit user says.

Catelyn & Robb Stark from 'Game of Thrones'

HBO

Another GOT death we're still reeling from? Catelyn and Robb Stark at the Red Wedding. TBH, everyone from the Red Wedding #iykyk.

Bellamy Blake on 'The 100'

The CW

I'm pretty sure The 100 fans all thought the same thing when we got to the final episode of the show: "What?!" To spend 6 years of watching Bellamy and Clarke flirt (and actors Bob Morley and Eliza Taylor get married IRL) only to see her kill him in the end still infuriates me.

Lexa in 'The 100'

Cate Cameron/The CW

Not to mention the fact The 100 had already killed off Lexa, another one of Clarke's love interests, in season 3. One X user called it one of the "top saddest scenes" in the whole show.

Eddie Munson from 'Stranger Things'

Netflix

Outer Banks isn't the first time Netflix viewers have experienced a devastating TV death — Eddie Munson's sacrifice in the final episode of Stranger Things 4 will go down as one of the saddest deaths ever! "One of the few times that a TV show actually made me shed a tear," says another Redditer.

Michael Cordero Jr. on 'Jane the Virgin'

The CW/Warner Bros. TV

This is my most memorable TV death — and one of the first times I was really upset! When I reached the Jane the Virgin season 3 episode where Michael dies after his LSAT exam, I curled up on my roommate's carpet and cried so hard she thought I'd gotten denied from study abroad. Yes, I was that upset.

Amber Volakis  on 'House'

Fox

While TV deaths are already hard to cope with, they can feel like they affect us even more when they cause drama between other characters — like when Wilson's girlfriend passes away on House. One Reddit user points out how it "was a toughie. More so because of how it affected Wilson and caused a wedge in his friendship with House."

Fry's Dog Seymour Asses in 'Futurama'

Fox/Disney

Okay as painful as human deaths are, pet deaths are just as bad! After "Fry's dog in Futurama" died, one Reddit user "was never the same."

Sybil & Matthew Crawley on 'Downton Abbey'

Joss Barratt/Carnival Films

Downton Abbey proved it wasn't afraid to go there when fan favorite Sybil died after giving birth in season 3.

Matthew Crawley on 'Downton Abbey'

Carnival Films

Oh, did I mention the show also killed Matthew in a car accident during the Christmas special that year? Happy holidays, I guess.

Derek Shepherd on 'Grey's Anatomy'

Richard Cartwright/ABC/Disney

Even people who haven't seen an episode of Grey's Anatomy can tell you McDreamy's death changed the show forever!!

Dr. Green from 'ER'

NBC

And speaking of medical dramas, Anthony Edwards' devastating TV death absolutely wrecked one Reddit user, who says "I’ve never cried at a character death before. I stopped watching after he died." All too relatable.

Every Single Death On 'The Sopranos'

HBO

Y'all know we couldn't make a "Devastating TV Deaths" list and not include The Sopranos. Christopher, Johnny Sack, Cosette — you name it, we probably cried.

Jen Lindley on 'Dawson's Creek'

Warner Bros. TV

We fell in love with Michelle Williams on Dawson's Creek — which means when she died (during the series finale no less!!!) we were totally inconsolable.

Danny Matheson in 'Revolution'

NBC

I'll be honest. This is one devastating TV death that totally derailed my interest in the show. RIP Danny, RIP.

Allison Argent in 'Teen Wolf'

MTV

Allison (Crystal Reed) dying in Scott's arms while "Look Out" by James Vincent McMorrow plays in the background? I'm still not over it.

Enzo on 'The Vampire Diaries'

The CW

And finally, I can't NOT include Enzo's death on The Vampire Diaries both because of how difficult it is to watch, and because Bonnie deserved so much better — on every single front.

What do you think the most devastating TV death is? If you're still crying over your fave, check out 21 Feel-Good TV Shows To Watch For Pure Fun.

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