If you're looking for something other than your typical body lotion to keep your skin soft and supple, something that truly moisturizes your skin, this is the product for you. Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Energizing Body Oil has been a godsend ever since I first received it as a gift a few months ago. It revives the body & awakens the mind after any sort of strenuous activity when your body really needs the rejuvenation. Plant extracts and jojoba oil come together to create a refreshing & hydrating oil that absorbs quickly and won't leave you feeling greasy. As someone with sensitive skin, I can honestly say that this serves its purpose & then some, without irritating my skin in the least. Even better is that this product is free of parabens, dyes, fragrances & preservatives, and the brand does not test on animals! If you try it out, be sure to let me know what you think!
fave products // ouai dry shampoo
If you're like me, you don't like washing your hair every day (or even every other day). It's better for your hair to skip a day or two anyways, but sometimes it's hard to keep it from looking dirty or greasy. Ouai Haircare is a new line by hairstylist Jen Atkin, and I can say from personal experience that the dry shampoo is totally legit. It allows you to get that extra day or two out of a wash by soaking up the grease, while giving your roots a bit of added texture. Even better is that it doesn't leave any weird color behind, and smells lovely as well! She collaborated with industry experts in both formulation & design, and the result is pure genius. Jen says "With OUAI, I wanted to create 'a breath of fresh hair'- a line for real life, fo real women". This rings true in the effectiveness and affordability of her products. Next up on my must-try list are the texturizing hair spray and wave spray.
top shelf // a la ITG
If you're a follower of Into the Gloss like I am, then you've seen The Top Shelf posts that are featured on both their site and Instagram feeds. #ITGtopshelfie has become super popular, so I wanted to partake in the fun! Here is a peek at my medicine cabinet, featuring tons of my favorite products. You can read more details about each item on my morning routine, bedtime routine, and gettin' glam posts! I will also continue to post new finds, must-have products, and amazing brands that I use & love, so be sure to check back!
bedtime routine
Next up in the daily routine is bedtime! These area all the products I use on any given night. Once again, sometimes all of them get used, other times not. Occasionally I will use the same Osmia Organics set from my morning routine instead of the other moisturizers pictured above, just to keep things more consistent. Glossier balm dotcom is part of yet another routine- I'm kinda obsessed.
First off, if I had makeup on during the day, or sometimes even if I didn't (NYC can feel pretty dirty at times), I remove it using Bioderma Créaline H20. It's pretty universally used by makeup artists because it gets the job done, and doesn't irritate the skin at all. Then I wash using Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap, and may spritz with Avéne Thermal Spring Water if I'm feeling dry. Whenever I feel like my skin needs a bit of exfoliation or deeper clean, I will use my Clarisonic Mia2, either with black clay soap, or another gentle cleanser, like Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Liquid Castile Soap. It's a great one for sensitive skin, as it has no fragrance, contains coconut, olive & jojoba oils, and is certified organic!
Post-cleanser, I use Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 to exfoliate, hydrate & balance my skin. People call it a "facial in a bottle", and it's so true. It's like a magic potion, and they have a suitable version for all various types of skin. If necessary, I will use Mario Badescu Drying Lotion as a spot treatment. Don't shake the bottle, and leave the pink stuff on overnight. I also love Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion, which is better for the deep, underground bumps. I'll use one or the other depending on the type of blemish that arises.
In terms of moisturizer, I apply Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream to the delicate area around my eyes, which promotes collagen production while firming & rehydrating. I have also heard great things about their Illumino Anti-Aging Brightening Mask & am thinking about trying it! If I don't use the Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream, Avéne Tolérance Extrême is another great moisturizer for those with hyper-sensitive or allergic skin. It works to restore the skin's barrier and reduces skin reactivity. During the winter if I feel like I need something even thicker, I will mix in RMS Beauty Oil for extra hydration as well.
Once the face is done, I make sure to moisturize & hydrate the rest of my body as well. I love using organic coconut oil all over- it works wonders on face, body & hair, and is naturally antibacterial & antifungal! You can use it as a moisturizer, eye makeup remover, deep conditioner, highlighter, shaving cream, on dry cuticles, etc. The options are (almost) endless. In a pinch, if I could only take one product with me, coconut oil would likely be it! Glossier balm dotcom goes on my lips and any other super dry spots. Right after washing my hair, I apply a hair oil to the ends to keep them looking healthy. Right now I'm using a wonderful Isle of Roses hair oil given to me by a hair-stylist friend.
gettin' glam
In general, I don't wear a lot of makeup in my everyday, non-working life. I find that since I wear it so often on shoots, it's nice to give my skin a break & let it breathe on my days off. However, if I'm going out, I will step it up and give myself a bit of that "no-makeup" makeup look. I love a defined brow, curled lashes (with or without mascara), and highlighter on my cheek & brow bones. Below are some of my favorite products- I will use a mix of some or all depending on my mood!
For the face, I love Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer as an overall base. I don't wear foundation, but I like the sheer, lightweight coverage that this provides. Plus there's SPF 20 which is a great added bonus. I use RMS Beauty "un" Cover-Up as a concealer to hide any blemishes or redness. It's coconut oil-based and doesn't clog your pores, so you can feel good about putting it on your skin. The Beauty Blender is a great sponge-like applicator that helps apply & blend your base for natural-looking skin. Make sure to wet it before use and always clean it after! I'm also a huge fan of RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, which I use as a highlighter on the cheek bones (applied with a stippling brush!), brow bones, and cupid's bow after I've applied the rest of my makeup. Lastly, I use a couple spritzes of Caudalie Beauty Elixir so that everything sets together nicely. This is also nice & refreshing whenever your skin needs a pick-me-up throughout the day.
Once the base is applied, I may add a bit of NARS Bronzing Powder to my cheekbones, along the sides of my nose, outer edges of my forehead, and along the jawline. I then use an angled blush brush to apply blush to the apples of my cheeks. NARS Blush in Orgasm is a long-time favorite that seems to flatter every skin tone. I then use a short, blunt brush to blend upwards and outwards.
For the eyes, I keep it pretty simple unless I have a fancy event to attend. I curl my lashes with Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, then apply a couple coats of mascara. Right now I'm using Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara, but I like to switch it up. I will separate any lashes that get clumpy, and brush through my brows with the brow brush. I apply Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel to the brows to fill in any sparse areas, and then add definition with the Dior Eyebrow Pencil. I'm almost out of brow gel, and am anxious to try Glossier Boy Brow (if it ever comes back in stock!) next.
I usually keep my lips free of color, but highly moisturized. Lately I'm loving Glossier Balm Dotcom, which you can use as a skin salve on cuticles as well. If I want an easy-to-apply color, Clinique Chubby Sticks are a lovely moisturizing mix of mango & shea butters, and I have them in several colors. Every once in a while, of course, I love a strong red lip. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Le Orange is a bright reddish-orange hue that adds a great pop of color to any look.
Check out some of my fave recent makeup looks:
morning routine
I get a lot of questions about my skincare regimen & what my daily routine is, so I wanted to break it down for you! These are the products I use on any given morning- sometimes it'll be a shortened version if I'm in a hurry, maybe just splashing water on my my face and moisturizing. I realize that all these products may look high maintenance, but I promise the routine goes quickly, and it's definitely worth the effort! I love trying out new things too, so let me know if you have a favorite product for me to try! I've had my Mason Pearson Brush forever- it's great at detangling without breaking or damaging my hair, and it kinda feels like I'm getting a 'lil head massage every time I use it. Throw the Avéne spray and Glossier balm in your bag to keep with you & reapply throughout the day!
I have sensitive skin, so I like to keep my skincare products super clean and minimal in their ingredients. Osmia Organics is a wonderful company that makes a great range of products. This particular set is soothing and full of non-irritating ingredients. The facial soap is made with black Australian clay, Dead Sea mud, organic oils, & coconut milk, and comes with its own soap saver. The gel toner acts as a moisturizing serum with hyaluronic acid & active botanicals. The face cream contains simple, pure ingredients like aloe juice & essential oils.
This is what I like to call the "fresh" section. Pretty self-explanatory- toothpaste and deodorant. I like to keep them more natural when possible (SLS, paraben & fluoride free) so as not to cause any irritation. I love the use of essential oils and lack of antiperspirants in Weleda Sage Deodorant, and Jason Sea Fresh Toothpaste contains blue green algae & both parsley & spearmint extracts to keep you at your freshest.
If I have an extra couple minutes, or feel like quickly pampering myself in the morning, these are my products of choice. Glossier Balm Dotcom has quickly become a favorite, and for good reason. It's a universal salve that can be used on lips, cuticles, or dry skin. I'm dying to try the coconut version. Avéne Thermal Spring Water Spray is a nice way to set everything into the skin, and is also a good refresher throughout the day. I'm currently loving two fragrances by Tom Ford, and switch them up depending on my mood. Violet Blonde has fresh notes of citrus & violet leaf, while Oud Wood is more musty & sexy, with hints of rose wood, cardamom & vetiver.
I try to take these supplements every day to stay as healthy as can be. Oregano oil is one of the most potent natural remedies. It offers intestinal support, supports immune health, and has anti-viral, anti-fungal, & antibiotic properties . Look for one with a high percentage of carvacrol. Dr. Ohira's Probiotics offer a complete probiotic system including prebiotics, enzymes, micronutrients, and organic acids to aid in healthy digestion. They are also shelf-stable and don't require refrigeration due to long-term fermentation, which is an appealing factor to someone like me who is always on the road.