fave products // paula's choice calm exfoliant, serum & moisturizer

If anyone out there has skin that is sensitive to certain ingredients, chemicals, or fragrances like I do, calming skincare products are of the utmost importance. I’ve been a Paula’s Choice fan for a while now- their affordable, yet effective products are hard to beat- so I was excited to try some goodies from their Calm line. After using a gentle cleanser (you could use their Calm Nourishing Cleanser) to wash my face, I apply the Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant to dry skin with my fingertips. It’s a slightly milder version of their cult fave Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid you may have heard about, but still seems to work its magic thanks to potent exfoliator salicylic acid. It feels smooth going on, and gently exfoliates to minimize pore size and smooth the skin. Next up, I followed with the Calm Repairing Serum, which is the perfect overall pick-me-up for sensitive skin. It’s lightweight, yet super hydrating, and is packed with antioxidants that help calm redness and fight signs of aging. I like to use it both morning and night, before applying moisturizer. In the mornings, I follow with the Calm Mineral Moisturizer with SPF 30 to keep my skin protected from UVA & UVB rays from the sun. I always prefer to use sunscreens that are mineral-based (zinc oxide & titanium dioxide) as they don’t irritate my skin like the others. Hyaluronic acid and apricot oil add a wonderful hydrating effect, and help protect the skin’s delicate moisture barrier. Plus, this one doesn’t leave that annoying white film on your skin, and goes on perfectly under makeup! I just discovered there’s a Calm Restoring Moisturizer with hydrating squalane and jojoba oil I think I’ll try next as an evening moisturizer too. Sign me up! I highly recommend checking out Paula’s Choice if you haven’t already!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

owl venice bone broth & mylkshake reset

I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of juice cleanses. I believe, for the most part, that the body is self-cleansing, and find that subsiding solely on juice can be really depleting (not to mention make me hangry as all get out!). I also like to think I take pretty good care of my body overall, so any extreme cleansing is unnecessary. On the flip side, a nutrient-dense reset can be a healthy way to get you back on track if you’re feeling sluggish, overly-tired, or find those sugar cravings getting more and more intense. Over the holidays, for example, when there’s even more sweets and alcohol seemingly everywhere, having healthy options to grab can make all the difference, and help ensure you still flood your body with the nutrients it needs to flourish.

I recently got to try the OWL Reset, an organic “cleanse” of sorts from the lovely team at OWL Venice, that helps with bad digestion, bloating, sugar cravings, and fatigue. It’s designed to heal and seal your gut using the principles of Ayurveda and Chronobiology to nourish your body, and consists of three bone broths and three hemp mylkshakes daily. There’s even a vegan mineral broth if you do not consume animal products. The shakes include matcha, turmeric, ginger, and beets, along with homemade hemp mylk, and are super tasty to boot! I like the idea of having a few of these around to supplement my daily foods even when not on the cleanse.

The OWL Reset is packed with ingredients that restore and repair the gut wall, increase digestive fire, reduce inflammation, and draw toxins and heavy metals from the body. Full disclosure, since I’m breastfeeding and definitely did not want to affect my supply, I supplemented with foods. OWL suggests cooked greens, boiled chicken, steamed squash, and avocado, which left me full of energy, and caused no dip in my milk supply. My digestion was regular and comfortable, and I never felt bloated. Even the sugar cravings subsided (a bit… I am still me, after all!). I also love that the broths and shakes come in reusable 32oz. glass jars instead of disposable plastic. Post-cleanse, I store mine in our kitchen cabinet and use them for drinking filtered water or smoothies at home! If you’re looking for a bit of healthy reset, or even just some tasty broths and shakes to supplement your daily food intake, I highly recommend checking out the OWL Reset. Don’t forget- they ship nationwide too!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // rejuvenated h3o hydration & night repair

With all the traveling I do for work, it's important to give my skin plenty of extra hydration to keep it looking radiant and fresh. On a recent shoot in South Africa, my skin was looking a bit haggard, but luckily the makeup artist saved the day with these Rejuvenated H3O Hydration sachets that are super easy to pop into a glass of water. These provide your skin with key minerals and ions that are super important for maintaining its health, while also enhancing its water absorption. Rich in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C, H3O aids in cell division, reduces the look of fatigued skin, and protects cells from oxidative stress. Hyaluronic acid is the secret weapon here, providing hypotonic hydration and ensuring better days for your skin sooner than later!

Similarly, Rejuvenated H3O Night Repair works its magic while you sleep. Potent herbs and antioxidants join a slew of vitamins and minerals to provide your skin with serious hydration overnight. Pine bark, grape seed extract, and astaxanthin (powerful antioxidant from the sea!) come together to make sure you wake up refreshed and renewed! A huge bonus in my book is that both of these products are perfect for travel too- just pop them in your bag and go! I definitely recommend trying these out along with their Collagen Shots as well for beautiful skin from within.