In our fast-paced lives, managing to pencil in the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep can feel like a tall order. And even though we’ve made the time for some shut-eye, there are days when we wake up feeling groggy and unrested. That’s because we often skip steps to optimize our beauty sleep. There are a lot of strategies on ways to achieve your best rest, so we’re here to simplify. Here are our top four tips to unlock your most peaceful slumber.
Welcome to our Summer edition of “What’s In My Bag?,” which takes a closer look at — you guessed it — the items we’re toting around during the hottest months of the year. From non-toxic suncare to the beauty products that pass the sweat/pool test, glean inspiration from some of our sun-worshipping milk + honey partisans; then, share your own beach-worthy contents in the comments below.
Marisa, milk + honey Marketing Director
Clockwise from top right: Warby Parker Madison Sunglasses in Rum Cherry, $95 | Goddess Garden Everyday Continuous Spray Natural Sunscreen SPF 30, $18 | Repel 100 Insect Repellent, $8 | milk + honey Lip Butter No. 58, $12 | Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara, $32 | Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter, $44 | Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist with SPF 50, $12 | Supergoop! City Sunscreen Facial Serum SPF 30, $42 | OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream, $60 | Evian Mineral Water Spray, $12
What she had to say:
To be fair, not all of this is in my bag at all times, but I wanted to give you a true snapshot of what goes on my face and body during the Summer. Typically, I mix about three pumps of OSEA’s Atmosphere Protection Cream with a couple pumps of Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum and apply to my just-cleansed/serum’d face. I hate feeling weighed down by product and/or feeling instantly greasy, but I’ve found that this combo is excellent. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized, primed, and most importantly, provides protection from the sun. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll add a bit of highlighter to my cheekbones and on my lids. Marc Jacobs’ new Dew Drops version is great — it’s not too shimmery, nor do you need a bunch of product to get the job done. Water-resistant mascara is a must. I’m not going for the creature-of-the-swamp look this summer. I prefer milk + honey’s Lip Butter No. 58 because its sweet notes of lemon and almond scream “Amalfi Coast vacation” to me. I’ll “lock” it all into place with Supergoop! Setting Mist, which smells divine and, whether this is the case or not, this mist makes me feel as if I’ve sealed all the aforementioned important layers with one more SPF-infused cherry on top. I love all of the Goddess Garden sunscreen products, but this one best of all. It’s non-toxic, durable, and because of the spray feature, I feel like I get even coverage wherever I apply. I get a lot of flack for my love of Evian Water Spray, but I’ve learned to tune out the haters. The simple fact of the matter is: I love how cooling and luxurious it feels… one spritz and I’m completely refreshed. It goes with me everywhere. I’m pregnant so I’ve been hyper-vigilant about applying mosquito spray. Usually, I’d reach for a DEET-free version, but these days (and with the encouragement of my doctor), I’m using Repel 100 mosquito spray. So far, no bites! Finally, I can’t forget my trusty sunglasses. I’ve had these red Warby Parker frames since 2013, which is probably the longest surviving pair of sunglasses I’ve ever owned.
What Summer essentials do you swear by? I’m curious! Let me know.
We interrupt London Fashion Week to bring you a different kind of catwalk, courtesy of Hollywood’s A-list: the 2016 Emmys star-studded red carpet, of course. Last night, we weren’t only taking note of the fashion (or the arm candy), but looking for the “best of” beauty as well. Herein find the looks that will inspire our own glamour manifesto as we head straight for a party-filled holiday season ahead.
Kerry Washington is always at the top of our “best” everything list and last night? She did not disappoint. The Scandal actress showed off her baby bump in a custom cutout Brandon Maxwell cape dress, wearing her hair long, voluminous, and curly and her lashes equally dramatic. One word: stunning.
Pens, notebooks, schedules, even the perfect first day of school outfit — you probably think you’re all set for classes. Well, we’ve got you covered on the beauty essentials front. To help you look and feel your best as the new school year approaches, we’ve rounded up our must-have products aka everything you need. From haircuts to teeth-whitening pens, treat this guide like your beauty syllabus.
To keep or not to keep, that is the question. You’ve already swapped out your jeans for shorts, Winter coats for breezy tanks, and boots in favor of open-toed sandals. But what about your everyday beauty products? With Summer almost here, it’s time to give the ol’ heave-ho to some of your traditional staples in favor of some new, all-natural ones.
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
Our annual Valentine’s Day gift guide is here. No matter who you’re shopping for — man, woman, or best friend — in your life, we’ve got you covered.
The 2016 Valentine’s Date Night package includes a 60-minute Couples Massage and side-by-side m + h pedicures.
Set the mood with these Makana candles. Made from USA-grown soybeans, these handcrafted vegan candles will make any place a feel like a romantic getaway.
Treat him to Back Rub 101. You’ll both learn how to give relaxing neck and back massages in a 30-minute hands-on class, followed by a relaxing 60-minute Couples Signature Massage.
For the guy who loves working out, our Active Set is a must have. The set includes the milk + honey Arnica Balm, No. 18 Bath Soak, No. 18 Bath & Body Oil, and Calendula Cream,making sore and achy joints a thing of the past.
If he loves beer and coffee, then Benjamin Soap Co. Coffee Stout Beer Soap is a great gift option. Handcrafted by the Zilker Brewing Company, this luxurious soap is ultra-moisturizing for all skin types.
Indulge your best friend with our 2016 Valentine’s Head-to-Toe Retreat. This spa day includes a 60-minute Signature Massage and Lux Pedicure.
Gift your BFF with some milk + honey staples, such as our Essential Gift Set. This set is packed with beauty greats, including No. 16 Body Cream, No. 14 Body Wash, Everything Roll On, Lip Polish No. 35, and Lip Butter No. 40.
Is your friend a makeup lover? Look no further than Youngblood Cosmetics. From the Contour Palette to the Mineral Matte Lipsticks, this luxurious vegan mineral cosmetics line is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and has become the go-to for celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and long-time fan, Jessica Alba.
You deserve the 2016 Valentine’s Ultimate Retreat. Enjoy a relaxing day at the spa with an Ultimate Massage, Ultimate Facial, and Ultimate Pedicure.
Want healthy, glowing skin for your big date night? Our HydraFacial, — available only at our 2nd Street District location — cleanses and exfoliates your skin while providing nourishing serums to create flawless skin. Head straight from the spa to your romantic rendezvous without any downtime or redness.
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.
{milk + honey cream deodorant no. 20}
It may not be the most glamorous or sexiest of topics, but it sure is an important one.
Fact #1: We all sweat.
Fact #2: Many of us are guilty of using deodorants and anti-perspirants that are chock-full of nasty petrochemicals, synthetic ingredients including hormone-disrupting fragrances, parabens, and aluminum compounds. Whether you’re familiar with the adverse effects attributed to the aforementioned elements or not, the bottom line is: they’re no good.
Fact #3: For most, smelling nice/feeling fresh is a personal hygiene preference and priority. (Right?)
Enter: milk + honey Cream Deodorant
{available in two blends: No. 20 and No. 52}
We’ve created our own plant-based, organic cream deodorant in two blends — a sweet vanilla coconut mix and a warmer bay, clove, and blood orange combo. Yes, these deodorants are effective and smell amazing all day long. More importantly, though, the ingredients found within are simple, straightforward, and good-for-you. Isn’t it nice when you can read the label and actually know what you’re putting on your skin?
Exhibit A
No. 20: Organic Virgin Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil, Organic Shea (Butyrospermum parkii) Fruit Butter, Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), Organic Arrowroot (Maranta arudinacea) Root Powder, Organic Beeswax, Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) Oil.
Exhibit B
No. 52: Organic Virgin Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil, Organic Shea (Butyrospermum parkii) Fruit Butter, Sodium Bicarbonate, Organic Arrowroot (Maranta arudinacea) Root Powder, Organic Beeswax, Wildcrafted Bay (Pimenta racemosa) Leaf Oil, Blood Orange (Citrus sinensis) Peel Oil, Organic Clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) Flower Oil.
Both blends are available for purchase online and in all of our milk + honey spa locations. In addition, the No. 20 blend can be found in Whole Foods Market stores throughout the North Atlantic region.
