The wait is almost over. While we put the finishing touches on our beautiful space and continue to build an incredible Houston-based team, we thought we’d take a walk down memory lane to share with you the process of creating our very first milk + honey in Houston.
That’s a wrap on awards season — and the Oscars served as the icing on the cake. Leo finally took home his first statue, Stacey Dash made us scratch our heads, and of course, the gowns and glamour took center stage during the most fun part of the night: the red carpet. Here are our Oscars 2016 beauty winners: a well-rounded mix of unexpected hair accents, beautiful styling, and bold makeup choices. Do you agree? Have another “best of” to add? Leave yours in the comments below.
We couldn’t help but stare at Lawrence’s gorgeous platinum lob, which served as a stark contrast to the delicate lace neckline of her gown.
{source: Instagram @jenniferlawrencepx}
Wilde’s side-parted braid headband meets braid-bun proved (once more) that opting for something a little more bohemian can be equally as scene-stealing and elegant as a more traditional, slicked-back updo.
The Olivia Wilde 411
Hair: Harry Josh
Makeup: Melanie Inglessis
{source: Instagram @popsugarbeauty}
Washington is no stranger to a smoldering red-carpet look, but this time around, she edged it up via “glamorous mohawk updo.” Or at least, that’s what we’re calling it. Pair it with sultry black eyeliner and a nude lip, and you’re all set.
The Kerry Washington 411
Hair: Takisha Sturdivant-Drew
Makeup: Carola Gonzalez
{source: Instagram @carolagmakeup}
What else can you say about Robbie’s beachy, tousled hair? It’s not messy but it’s certainly not polished. We love that it fits in perfectly with her warm, golden tones and gilded dress. To us, this look screams “make your appointment for the American Wave.”
{source: Instagram @bip.uk}
At first glance, Vikander’s simple half-updo seemed an almost too-casual look for the red carpet, but a second side view reveals that she styled her strands in a sweet, unexpected half-bun.
{source: Instagram @aprilslook}
Oscar-winning Larson deserves another round of applause for this genius use of a hair accessory. She wore a stunning diamond-encrusted comb with floral accents in her half-up/half-down hair, providing just the right amount of ‘wow’ factor to an otherwise low-key hairstyle.
The Brie Larson 411
Hair: Mara Roszak
{source: Instagram @museblog}
McAdams never fails to impress us, but tonight’s look made us green with envy. Her smoky emerald shadow (Chanel’s Long Wear Luminous Eye Shadow in Griffith Green) on her lower lash line was the perfect accent to a stunning gown.
The Rachel McAdams 411
Hair: Mark Townsend
Makeup: Kayleen McAdams
{source: Instagram @kathrynmu11en + carousel image: Instagram @usweekly}
There are few beauty blogs I trust as implicitly as Into the Gloss. Why? Because Emily Weiss, founder of ITG and Glossier, understands what the beauty-obsessed set want — a real, honest take on products, AM/PM skincare and makeup routines, and voyeuristic trips into people’s medicine cabinets. In a nutshell, ITG offers up expert testimonials, models’ beauty dossiers, and celebrity skincare routines as seamlessly as if you were getting the lowdown from your closest girlfriends over drinks and an endless supply of bar nuts.
So, when ITG’s very own Weiss got married a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t help but wonder: what did her wedding prep routine consist of? Did she take part in some insane glowing-skin rituals/Vitamin-C peel regimen? What was her workout poison of choice? et. al. The funny thing is — my husband and I got married in the Fall of 2014, so I didn’t need these tips for my own wedding prep. I just wanted to know for knowing’s sake. This got me thinking … why not share my own wedding prep journey with you? I hope you find inspiration from my own trials, tribulations, and successes. Much like Weiss expresses in her own bridal beauty recap: I, too, was really happy with how I looked and felt on my big day. Obviously, it was merely the icing on the (wedding) cake, but worth sharing all the same. Have your own set of bridal recommendations to divulge? Leave ’em in the comments!
WELLNESS + DIET
I am so bad at sticking to cleanses and any kind of diet. Really, truly. Even telling me to “eat in moderation” sounds enough like a rule that I am tempted to break it. Despite this truth, here’s what I did: I kept gluten but I cut out dairy (mostly because I don’t like dairy-based products). I adhered to a mostly plant-based diet — lots of juices, smoothies, and salads — with the occasional chicken/turkey entree. I consciously made an effort to drink more water. I did not cut out wine. In fact, I may have increased my wine intake. That’s it for diet and “eating clean.” Sorry, folks.
BODY
For most of my life, I’ve been a non-committal runner. When I lived in NYC, I would drag myself out of bed most mornings and run from my East Village apartment to the East River, down to the Williamsburg Bridge, and back. It was the perfect supplement to all the mileage I accrued while walking everywhere during the day/night. No need for anything else. That changed when I moved to Austin/when I hit my late 20s, which coincidentally happened at the same time. With a less forgiving metabolism, a less than forgiving Texas summer, and an unwillingness to transition to treadmill running, I needed to find something that kept me motivated, stimulated, and on the right path to wearing a back-less wedding dress confidently. Enter Barre3. I started going to class four to five times a week at the studio in downtown Austin, and it changed the way I viewed exercise and my body. More than ever before, I felt strong. They say you start to see results after taking about 10 classes, but I started noticing a trimmed-and-tone difference by the third class.
FACE
I sat down with my esthetician at milk + honey spa about 10 months before the wedding and we discussed skincare goals. Mine were: smaller pores, less redness in my cheeks, clear back (backless dress, remember?), and clear skin so that I didn’t have to wear heavy foundation or airbrush makeup. After that, I got monthly facials and back facials with the bi-monthly peel thrown into the mix. For my AM at-home routine, I used Cosmedix Protect SPF, Cosmedix Mystic Spray, and Cosmedix Phytoclear moisturizer. At night, I washed my face with Murad’s Time-Release Acne Cleanser, then applied Kimberly Sayer Calendula & Tangerine Night Cream and Cosmedix Eye Genius.
NAILS
Three months out, I started getting bi-weekly pedicures so I could play around with SpaRitual polishes and find “the one” for my toes. Ultimately, I chose ‘Love is in the Air’ for toes and a no-polish buff + shine for my fingernails. By the way, I’m notoriously horrible to my fingernails and cuticles. I bite them, chew on them, etc. That didn’t really stop leading up to the wedding — wedding planning is stressful! So, Belinda (my nail therapist at milk + honey) worked her nail magic and made me feel so beautiful despite the fact that I am always the most self-conscious about my hands.
LASHES
Sadly, I didn’t experiment with lash extensions until after the wedding. I don’t know why it took me so long to take the plunge — it’s definitely worth the weirdness of getting your eyelids taped shut for an hour and a half. Now, I’d recommend any of milk + honey’s estheticians for Lavish Lash extensions. For the day of, though, I used a combination of Dior’s Show Blackout mascara and Kevyn Aucoin’s ‘The Essential’ mascara along with individual fake lashes.
BROWS
I’ve been shaping, growing out, taming, and generally spoiling my brows for years. I kept a pretty regular appointment (every three to four weeks) of waxing my brows with Pamela or Annette at milk + honey’s 2nd Street District location. I wish I had tried brow tinting before the wedding; alas, along with lash extensions, I discovered its magic after I was married. My milk + honey makeup artist, Corrie, did a great job of filling my brows so that they looked full and dark but natural.
HAIR
We got married in October. I let my hair grow long, long, long and had it braided to the side, fishtail-style. My hair stylist, Jay at SALON by milk + honey at 2nd Street District, is amazing. She cuts and colors my hair year-round, and for my wedding day, she created the prettiest braid, complete with baby’s breath tucked throughout the crown of the braid.
CREDITS
Hair: Jay R. at milk + honey
Makeup: Corrie at milk + honey
Photography: you are my true
HydraFacial MD® is an invigorating treatment that delivers long-term skin health and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of all skin types. It offers instant, noticeable results with no downtime or irritation.
The HydraFacial MD® resurfacing procedure thoroughly cares for your skin, providing cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, and hydration, including Vortex-Fusion® of antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. It also removes dead skin cells and extracts impurities while simultaneously bathing the new skin with cleansing, hydrating and moisturizing serums. The treatment is soothing, refreshing, non-irritating, non-invasive, non-surgical, and immediately effective.
One treatment per month is recommended for improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, oily and congested skin.
Absolutely not. This is the most pain-free facial you will ever receive. Extractions are automatic and painless with the use of vortex technology.
The HydraFacial MD® treatment is designed for all skin types. Even the most sensitive skin easily tolerates the HydraFacial MD® treatment. The esthetician may choose specific treatment serums and/or customize the treatment for your unique skin conditions and needs. Consult the esthetician for a skin evaluation and sensitivity test.
To schedule your appointment, please call 844.645.5772 or email [email protected].
Have a question we haven’t answered?
Call or email us — we’re happy to help. 🙂
Sneak peek…
Our talented milk + honey estheticians and concierge trained with the HydraFacial MD® experts to master the technique and knowledge of this incredible treatment. As of November 1st, the HydraFacial MD® service is now available at our 2nd Street District location.
Our excitement level is at an all-time high with the impending opening of our first-ever (and largest ever!) spa and salon in Houston.
To celebrate this (soon-to-be) milestone, we’ve launched a selection limited-time offers, exclusive to our West Ave at River Oaks location, valid for purchase through October 31, 2015.
Mark your calendars — and while you’re at it, reserve your spot for our bi-annual Peel Party!
Valid at our 2nd Street District, Hill Country Galleria, and South Lamar locations. All day. September 17 only. There will be bubbles and treats, too!
Yeah, we know we’re biased, but… it’s definitely a spa day not to be missed.
Call us at 512.236.1115 or email [email protected].
Note: A $30 non-refundable deposit is required for reservation.
For many of us at milk + honey, reading provides an outlet for self-reflection, creativity, and inspiration. It’s an action that requires dedicated time away from our phones and computers. And, most importantly, reading allows us to engage our minds in a meditative way.
With the dog days of summer in our midst, herein find our top escape-the-heat picks. Our recommendation? Grab a book, pack your sunscreen and a towel, and head to Barton Springs for an afternoon of lounging and literature.
“Frivolous, fun, and addictive. You’re immediately drawn in, like a fly on the wall of Singapore’s wealthiest [fictional] families. The characters are outrageous and the shopping is the stuff of fashionista dreams. And if you love this one, be sure to add China Rich Girlfriend to your list, too. ” — Marisa, marketing
What better way to get to know someone than with a rapid-fire series of irreverent questions? Quick: what is your most-used emoji? What came first, the chicken or the egg? How do you say “Caribbean”? Are you a morning person or a night owl? Telling stuff, right?
For our inaugural Get to Know post, we put our newly-minted President of Operations, Susan Michele, to the test. And spoiler alert: she’s pretty great.
We’ll let this event speak for itself (with a few added details for posterity, of course).
The first-ever Ultimate Eye Trifecta Event takes over our Hill Country Galleria location on Thursday, April 23, 2015. From 3:00 p.m. ’til close, you can take advantage of our day-only deal: lash flare + brow shaping + brow tint for $99.
Um. Have you made your reservation yet? Call 512.236.1115 to do so.
P.S. If you book with a friend, you both will receive an extra 10,000 VIP points.
P.P.S All eye-related products (like RevitaLash!) will be 20% off.
