July 28, 2012
My skincare routine is constantly evolving, but I thought I’d give you a quick look at what I’m doing to keep myself looking as fresh as possible in 90% humidity.
As a first step, I love to use Weleda’s Cleansing Milk. it is very gentle and super natural way to start off your day. There is no lather (aka no sulfates!) so it takes a bit of getting used to, but does a great job of cleansing.
After taking a shower, I quickly slather on Adara’s Coconut Oil when my skin is still moist. It is so hard to find a good moisturizer these days without any parabens, so I just stick with old fashioned coconut oil. I particularly like this brand because of the natural, subtle scents they add, like peach and green tea, so you don’t just smell like coconut cream pie (which is nice too, but just not my thing).
Before makeup, I quickly swipe on Jurlique’s Herbal Recovery Eye Cream. I love that a lot of their ingredients come from their own farm, ensuring that the products you use are filled with safe, high-quality ingredients.
After a few spritzes of the wonderfully refreshing Pangea Organics Toner, I rub on a couple drops of Argan Oil on my face. Works like a dream – it is effective and has just ONE ingredient. It absorbs quickly and leaves a subtle glow. It feels like there are a million different types on the market right now, but the key is to make sure you are getting high-quality argan oil (doesn’t necessarily need to be Josie Maran, which is great too, but kind of expensive IMO). You want an argan oil that is labeled with the “Ecocert” certification.
And that’s it! I used to use a ton of serums and fancy moisturizers, but for the summer, I generally like to keep things relatively simple so I can just move on and get on with my day. As always, I reserve the right to change my mind, so come wintertime, if I have a 25-step skincare routine, don’t be surprised…
Categorized Beauty
Tagged Adara, Argan Oil, Josie Maran, Jurlique, Kahina Giving Beauty, Pangea Organics, Skincare, Summer, Weleda
July 24, 2012
I don’t know what it is about the summer, but I always hate looking too “done” when I know I’m going to be spending most of my days out and about. I’m terrified of looking matte – there is nothing I love more than spraying my face with one of those spring water canisters. But one thing I’ve never been able to do is take my seemingly natural look to the next level – AKA successfully use a highlighter. I obsess over that subtle, lit-from-within glow that not only makes you look alive, but also makes it seem like you don’t sit in a windowless cube all day. I’ve tried them all and always wind up having someone wipe down my face because of all the “weird sparkly stuff” on my cheeks. Woops.
But I think I’ve finally found my holy grail of highlighters. I was recently looking at some pictures of myself and noticed a pretty, subtle sheen on my cheekbones. What could that be?! I wondered. Oh yes. It’s the incredible RMS beauty’s Living Luminizer.
I am a huge fan of all RMS products. Makeup artist to the stars, Rose-Marie Swift, was looking for a natural, toxin-free way to keep using makeup. Alas, toxin-free makeup didn’t really exist and so began the development of the makeup line absolutely that everyone, from bloggers to beauty editors, is raving about. And for good reason – these products really do their job. At $38 bucks a pop, this luminizer is definitely pricier than your average drugstore offering but you can’t really put a pricetag on makeup that actually does what it is supposed to do and is toxin-free.
Available online at Birchbox and if you’re ever in New York, ABC Carpet and Home carries RMS beauty products as well.
Categorized Beauty
Tagged Living Luminizer, RMS Beauty, Summer, Tester Thursdays
July 21, 2012
Let’s face it – the weather has been downright weird. When it’s not hailing or lightening, it’s basically impossible to walk 3 blocks without a little “glow” appearing. These days, I’m always praying that I don’t bump into someone I know on the street before I’ve had a chance to wipe myself down.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to make it through the next few months without looking like a sweaty mess:
1. Drink a TON of water – I know this isn’t exactly news to you (I hope). But it is critically important to drink water when it’s 97 degrees outside. This is doubly important if you are working out. If you must get your caffeine kick, drink an extra glass of water for every caffeinated beverage you consume. Aim to drink a sip of water every 15-20 minutes, even if you are sitting in a cubical all day. Also, I always stay far, far away from super sugary drinks like soda or sports drinks. Try Hint Water or Harmless Harvest Coconut Water instead.
2. Sunscreen your hair - Ok, I promise to not bring up sunscreen after this post (maybe. actually, this probably won’t happen). Anyway, in addition to putting on sunscreen on my face daily, I like to use whatever I have leftover on my hands and run it through my hair. There is no need to shell out any extra money to buy those so-called “UV protectant” sprays that we’ve all been seeing these days. Stick with your regular SPF and get some real sun protection for your hair.
3. Moisturizer is not just for the winter – Notice that your skin is oddly dry this summer? Me too. Because of the ridiculously high temperatures, everyone is blasting their A/C to the max these days. (Fun fact – I actually bought a space heater because of the sub-zero temps in my office) A/C can be VERY dehydrating, so it’s important to keep your skin looking fresh and supple by moisturizing regularly.
4. Ch-ch-ch-chia! - Add chia seeds to your next smoothie or oatmeal. Chia seeds are INCREDIBLY hydrating (they can absorb 10x their weight in water!). Also, chia seeds are packed with omega-3s, which basically = gorgeous, supple skin. In the summer, I love making chia porridge with 2 tbps of chia seeds, 1 cup almond milk, 1 tbsp raw cacao nibs, 1/2 cup of berries and tiny bit of maple syrup (Grade A or B). After mixing and setting in the fridge for 15 mins or so, you have a super quick, filling AND healthy breakfast. Nom!
Categorized Beauty
Tagged Argan Oil, Chia Porridge, Chia Seeds, Raw Cacao nibs, Summer, Sunscreen, UV, Water
