get fit with britt // triceps

Welcome back to Get Fit with Britt! I'm going to be posting some demos of my fave exercises taught at Pure Barre Williamsburg, with the help of their awesome instructors. Pure Barre is a fast, effective, and most importantly, safe way to change your body, and follows a technique that's high-intensity, but low impact to protect your joints! Thanks to Pure Barre, I have been able to build long, lean (not bulky!) muscles while tapering everything in & lifting it up! For this series, we will pick a particular move, explain the focus area and correct form, then demonstrate it so you can practice at home! That way, if/when you come to the studio yourself, you'll be rocking the moves & way ahead of the game ;) These exercises are also a great way to get fit at home or on-the-go! I find myself regularly using Pure Barre exercises during my hotel room workouts. Additionally, you can get all the outfits I'm wearing at the Pure Barre Williamsburg studio, so definitely go by if you're looking for some fun, new workout gear! Come & join me, get that healthy & strong body you've always wanted- come Get Fit with Britt!

Today's exercise focuses on the triceps. While we typically focus more attention on our arms in spring and summer, I like to keep them nicely toned year-round. Muscle definition is key, and this workout defines in all the right places! Make sure to keep your arms as straight as possible, even though it's easy to let them bend a bit once you start to get tired. Try to keep tension in the tube at all times too- you'll get better results this way! Do 10 repetitions of each movement, and repeat the sequence three times for a killer tricep burn.

*I am not a trainer or health professional, so please consult one if you feel you're doing something wrong or could potentially injure yourself.

fave products // glossier stretch concealer

Since my skin gets a pretty regular application of makeup for work, I tend to go more minimal when I'm not shooting. I like giving my skin a chance to breathe, if that makes sense. That being said, there are times when I will do my own makeup, and for those occasions, I have a handful of tried and true products in my arsenal. Glossier has become a favorite brand of mine over the last couple of years- they make affordable skincare and makeup products that keep you coming back again and again. I'm a huge fan of both Haloscope and Boy Brow, so I had high expectations for their Stretch Concealer. 

There's nothing worse than concealer that looks and feels caked onto your skin. On the contrary, I'm always searching for one that let's my skin look like actual skin! For a while now I've been using (and super pleased with!) RMS Beauty "Un" Cover Up, but after finishing my last tub, I was curious to try the Glossier version. Since it's made with elastic micro waxes, I've found that this concealer never actually gets dry or flaky, but rather moves with my skin throughout the day. The buildable formula is made with nourishing avocado and jojoba oils, which leave my skin perfectly dewy and glowing as well! Not to mention, it's totally easy to apply with just your fingertips- so toss it in your bag and go!

get fit with britt // lower back

Welcome back to Get Fit with Britt! I'm going to be posting some demos of my fave exercises taught at Pure Barre Williamsburg, with the help of their awesome instructors. Pure Barre is a fast, effective, and most importantly, safe way to change your body, and follows a technique that's high-intensity, but low impact to protect your joints! Thanks to Pure Barre, I have been able to build long, lean (not bulky!) muscles while tapering everything in & lifting it up! For this series, we will pick a particular move, explain the focus area and correct form, then demonstrate it so you can practice at home! That way, if/when you come to the studio yourself, you'll be rocking the moves & way ahead of the game ;) These exercises are also a great way to get fit on-the-go! I find myself regularly using Pure Barre exercises during my hotel room workouts. Additionally, you can get all the outfits I'm wearing at the Pure Barre Williamsburg studio, so definitely go by if you're looking for some fun, new workout gear! Come & join me, get that healthy & strong body you've always wanted- come Get Fit with Britt!

Today's exercise focuses on the lower back. Although this area is often overlooked during a workout, strengthening the lower back muscles is super important, and can help prevent injuries elsewhere. In addition, it's a great complement to all of the abdominal work that you do. As you press your elbows into the mat, keep your chest lifted and shoulders relaxed as you squeeze your muscles to move your legs. If you can, try to keep your thighs lifted off the mat for an extra challenge. Do 10 reps of each movement, and repeat the sequence three times. 

*I am not a trainer or health professional, so please consult one if you feel you're doing something wrong or could potentially injure yourself.

fave products // sun potion he shou wu

 
 

My Sun Potion experiment began with Ashwagandha, and since I liked what I saw and how I felt after using it, I decided to add another transformational herb to my routine. He Shou Wu, one of the most revered herbs in Chinese medicine, is known as a Taoist herb and Jing tonic for its use as a longevity, beauty, and rejuvenation food. Continued use is believed to tonify and nourish the hair, skin, nervous system, sexual center, Shen (spirit), and Jing (primary essence/life force). It's also said to help reduce cholesterol, tonify the endocrine glands, promote red blood cells, and improve immune function. All pros in my book, and I'd been having some breakage issues with my hair, due to coloring and hot tools, so I was hoping this would help in that regard as well. I mix a serving of He Shou Wu into my coffee along with Ashwagandha and collagen, for a powerful morning boost. The taste is hardly noticeable, but I actually enjoy the warming, slightly spiced notes it adds to my coffee. I'm happy to report positive changes in my hair, skin, and nails since starting use of He Shou Wu, and am definitely sold on its large range of health and spirit boosting properties. As is the case with all powerful Sun Potion foods, they're best consumed in small, regular doses over a long period of time, so stick with it to see for yourself all of the worthwhile improvements that can be made. 

fave products // sunday riley good genes lactic acid treatment

My love for Sunday Riley products is nothing new at this point. I've been continuously impressed by the high level of effectiveness of their oils, toners, and cleansers over the past year. One of their most popular products that I had yet to try, however, was their Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment. This stuff has a cult following, so I figured it was time I give it a try to see what all the hype is about! The serum, which is packed with high-potency purified grade lactic acid, works to exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving you with fresh and bright skin. It's great to combat dullness and uneven texture, and helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Even better, fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed and look visually plumped with consistent usage!

So far I'm really enjoying Good Genes. My skin appears younger and more radiant, and I feel that my complexion is overall more healthy and clarified. It's not something I use every day, as the lactic acid can be a bit intense for my sensitive skin. Every other day or every few days seems to work perfectly for me, and it's super important to remember to use SPF with any AHA product to prevent sun sensitivity. If you're looking for a great Sunday Riley starter kit, my top two favorite products are sold together in this Power Couple kit, which is the ideal transformative duo in my opinion. 

brand love // bioderma

 
 

I was first introduced to Bioderma years ago by several makeup artists on set. Seemingly everyone uses their makeup remover, Bioderma Sensibio H2O, and for good reason. It removes almost any and every product used on your skin, easily and without causing irritation. I love that it simply feels like water on your skin, but it cleans the makeup off your face with no problems, and leaves no oily residue behind! I figured it was time I tried a few more of their products, and am happy to report the positive results! First off and most similar were the Sensibio H2O wipes. These are great for on-the-go, and so easy to travel with, which is perfect for my busy schedule! So many makeup-removing wipes are harsh and leave my skin red and blotchy post-use, but these are gentle and made of the same micellar solution as the liquid remover. Also from the Sensibio collection is the eye contour gel. This one contains hyaluronic acid and helps to reduce puffiness around the eyes and aids in hydration. I love that the Sensibio products are geared towards sensitive skin like mine, and do not cause any breakouts or irritation with unnecessary, weird ingredients.

If you're looking for a light but intensely hydrating moisturizer for every day use, I suggest the Hydrabio gel cream. It'll leave you with a beautifully radiant glow, but without making your skin look greasy! I like to toss the Atoderm lip stick and hand cream in my purse for whenever my lips or hands feel dry. These help nourish and soothe damaged skin, and a little goes a long way! Now, if you've ever struggled with the appearance of pores, the Sebium pore refiner could be helpful for you. This corrective care product helps tighten pores and improves your skin's texture, making it a great base for underneath your makeup! What's super impressive to me about this crazy popular French brand is that their products are not only effective, but they're actually affordable too! No wonder all my friends stock up at the local French pharmacies whenever they go to Paris!