Shen Beauty’s Jessica Richards Gives Her Top Product Picks for Combatting Stress
Shen Beauty is the type of neighborhood beauty institution where devoted local habitués discover under-the-radar beauty gems and unique good-for-your-skin finds vetted by founder Jessica Richards and her highly discerning staff. Earlier this month, the Brooklyn skincare sanctuary relocated from its original outpost in Carroll Gardens to a much larger 1550-square-foot space built out by the design collective Mythology in the Cobble Hill neighborhood. To ease customers’ concerns, Richards implemented Covid-19 safeguards at her newly refashioned, decade-old beauty haven—with a sink in the center of the store to facilitate hand-washing, thermal imaging devices to monitor shoppers’ temperature and an augmented safe-sampling protocol.
Below, she guides us on the best beauty products to invest in this fall to soothe our nerves and skin during Covid-19 and help us cope with any election stress.
1Volar Ambiance Mist, $36, shen-beauty.com
“Because people are home and because of the state of affairs in this country and around the world, they’re needing to relax, mentally and physically. This spray helps soothe your nerves and calm your aura. A quartz crystal filter is employed to infuse the mist with positive energy. You can spray it on your bed, around the house—and because it’s gentle enough—you can spritz it on your skin.”
2Haoma Earth Bar Body Soap, $15, shen-beauty.com
“Spending more time in the bath helps one to destress and decompress. Haoma just launched a body soap that’s really lovely. It’s gently exfoliating and anti-microbial—so it kills bacteria, but also leaves skin fresh and hydrated.”
3Skin Design London On the Spot Superstar Serum, $125, shen-beauty.com
“We’re seeing a huge increase in anything related to maskne. The Skin Design London acne serum is really effective for acneic skin because it has AHAs and BHAs that decongest the skin, soothe redness, and clean pores. It also has bio sulphur that dries out excess oil. You can use it all over your face or in target areas.”
4Augustinus Bader The Body Oil, $95, shen-beauty.com
“Augustinus Bader has an incredibly luxurious body oil that doesn’t leave a tacky residue. You can jump into bed and not worry about staining the sheets; or throw on a body-hugging dress and not fear ruining it with greasy splotches.”
5Dr. Bielory’s Remedies Sinousal Anti-Viral Cold Remedy, $50, shen-beauty.com
“Because of the pandemic, people are being extra precautionary and more germ-phobic. We recently started stocking this line from Dr. Bielory. He’s worked with Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was his mentor. His anti-viral spray has been a big hit with our customers. This nasal spray acts like a primer in your nose. It’s basically like swabbing your nose with alcohol. When the germs hit, they disperse. ”
