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Beauty

Wine Country Picks: Beauty Palette

kathy's wine country picks | via vmac+cheese

I love Kathy’s blog for its fantastic natural beauty recommendations and holistic approach to living. True to form, she’s put together a very unique Napa packing list, perfect if you’re really looking to rejuvenate mind and body!

Hi there! While Victoria is enjoying 10 days wining and dining, I’ve been daydreaming about an upcoming trip I have to Napa Valley this fall. In my mind, a trip isn’t a proper vacation without a ridiculously detailed travel itinerary and packing list. For me, making sure that I am as healthy as possible (within reason) on a trip is a top priority. That usually means bringing along some supplements and herbal teas. But I also like to keep my packing pared down to the essentials, so makeup is usually very minimal – I want to enjoy my trip, not spend it fussing in front of the mirror! With that in mind, keeping my skin in tip top shape is crucial so my skincare favorites are always along for the ride. Enjoy!

1. Dandelion Tea: Drinking dandelion tea is an amazing way to keep your liver operating flawlessly. Why should you care about your liver? On a wine country getaway, you are putting a lot of pressure on your liver. If your liver isn’t working optimally, it can leave you lethargic, bloated and all around uncomfortable. This is my favorite way to provide support for my liver when it really needs it.

2. Everlane Women’s Weekender: So I know I’m no fashion blogger, but with the number of purses I have in my collection – I could probably start another blog on handbags alone. It will shock those who know me well that my favorite travel companion is not some designer bag, but my trusty and super durable Everlane weekender. It’s roomy so you don’t have to worry about editing your travel wardrobe too much. More room for fun sundresses and skincare products? Yes please!

3. Activated charcoal capsules: After a long week of drinking wine and consequently, staining your teeth, instead of reaching for your standard (toxin-filled) white strips – try this natural option instead: activated charcoal. It’s ridiculously easy to use: just open 1 capsule, dip a wet toothbrush in the powder and rub on your teeth. Just leave it on your teeth for a few minutes or so (I personally like to leave it on for 5 minutes) and then spit out and rinse! Fair warning – it looks a little (ok, very) scary while its in your mouth but I promise it will all come out!

4. Yuli Skincare Cell Perfecto PM: Let’s get real here – you’ll be drinking a lot more than usual but you don’t want your skin to show it. So using a brightening serum like this one is the best way to fake it by keeping your skin soft, smooth and radiant.

5. Chlorophyll Capsules: A great supplement to keep my stomach functioning properly after a week of super rich meals. Think of chlorophyll as an internal cleanser that helps keep everything moving smoothly and reduces all the discomforts associated with decadent meals.

6. Tatcha Deep Hydration Lifting Mask: If I’m feeling a little dull and dry, this is the perfect antidote. Whenever I use this mask, my skin feels a little tightened and uplifted, like I just had a facial. And as a bonus, it’s very travel friendly – each mask comes in its own pouch so you can just bring what you need and save some space in your weekender.

 

Fave New Beauty Finds

6 beauty products reviewed | via vmac+cheese

Happy Monday! This weekend was totally what I needed. There’s so much happening around here (you guys will be in the know about what this post referred to really soon, and trust me, it’s CRAY), but versus going into control-everything-mode, I tried to take it easy, let things ride, and just relax for once. I think it might have worked! But I digress…

As promised, I finally wanted to tell you about a few of the beauty products I’ve mentioned lately and how I’m liking them! It always feels like around this time of year I switch up a lot of items in my routine — maybe it’s a pre-summer ritual? Or as the weather starts to change, my hair and skin need different things? Anyway, here are six products I’ve been using recently (as always, you can click on any one to learn more): Read more »

DIY: Yogurt and Green Clay Mask

diy yogurt mask | via vmac+cheese

All I can say is I can’t believe it took me as long as it did to come up with this easiest of face mask ideas. I’ve known for a while how beneficial honey is to the skin (it makes it SO soft and helps retain moisture), and had heard about yogurt’s positive effects too. The two combined? AND with some green clay powder I had lying around thrown in? How could this not be a good thing?

yogurt and green clay mask recipe | via vmac+cheese

I purchased one of the small snack size containers of Fage a week or two ago and still hadn’t gotten around to testing out my mask idea. This week, when I finally whipped it up (in literally about 30 seconds), I couldn’t stop marveling at what a dum dum I’d been. You guys, this yogurt mask feels so wonderful on the skin. If you mix up the mask with yogurt straight out of the refrigerator, the mask feels incredibly refreshing and cooling and just fan-freaking-tastic. This is the perfect thing to whip for yourself and a girlfriend after work one night, or if you’re having a weekend ‘spa afternoon’ together.

If you can’t find the green clay (I get mine from either Whole Foods or local natural foods stores, but you can also get it online here), you can simply omit — the yogurt and honey will be beneficial enough. I also found this article that lists some other recipes and mentions some of the more science-y benefits of yogurt when topically applied to the skin. But, all you need to know is that it will feel really good on your face. Here’s how to make it: Read more »