Summer may officially be coming to an end, but sunny Austin feels the heat (almost) year-round. That said, us Austinites have a keen sense for seasonal staples. To round out these last couple months of summer, our founder is sharing her favorites. From sun hats to sunglasses, we’ve got you covered.
credit: wuhaus.com
It’s been nearly a month since we re-launched our cult-favorite aluminum-free Deodorant in stick format with a new blend and three new strengths. The verdict is in: it really works. But don’t just take our word for it. We’ve rounded up Instagram mentions, feedback, and tips from early adopters. Scroll on to read the word on the streets (or should I say, the screens.)
If you’re a KEVIN.MURPHY fan, SALON by milk + honey has your back this month. Until the end of July 2018, you’ll receive two minis when you purchase one full size Fresh.Hair, Doo.Over, or Bedroom.Hair at any of our locations. KEVIN.MURPHY minis are TSA-friendly and key for summer travels. (Not to mention, they’re adorable.) Stop by milk + honey to stock up on your favorites this month.
You asked, we listened. Our cult-favorite Cream Deodorant is now available in stick format. Created and tested in sunny Austin, Texas, our clean and cruelty-free deodorant will keep you feeling (and smelling) fresh all day long. The stick format isn’t the only exciting update from milk + honey HQ, though. Here’s what’s new.
Last year, we launched #WhyWeSayYesTo / #WhyWeSayNoTo: an online conversation highlighting ingredients we’ll never use and what we choose instead. Here’s a wrap-up of our preliminary suggestions to clean up your beauty routine — one product at a time.
The U.S. honeybee population has been dying off in droves and the impact of this has a rippling effect on both our economy and on the global food supply. At the commercial beekeeping level, beekeepers are experiencing 30 to 50 percent hive loss (on average!) due to the not-so-mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder. Additionally, there have been major declines in native bee populations, which hold serious consequences for our native landscapes.
Let’s put it in everyday life perspective. Here’s what a meal without honeybees might look like, pictured below.
Consider that 90 percent of the wild plants you see around your neighborhood and 35 percent of the produce section in your local grocery store require bees to survive. Without bees, there will be a significant reduction in the quality and length of our planet’s health and human existence. Scary, right?
This is where our own story began in June 2015.
Alissa Bayer, milk + honey founder and owner, wanted to find a way to help the bees in the most direct way possible. So, in the winter of 2014, she reached out to Anna Gieselman. You may recognize Anna’s name from her gorgeous bee-inspired jewelry line, Bee Amour, which we sell in most of our locations. Or perhaps you know Anna as one of our original massage therapists. She has been a part of the milk + honey since our earliest days in 2006 and she also happens to be an experienced beekeeper.
Together, they partnered up to create an urban apiary, BEES by milk + honey.
Under milk + honey’s sponsorship, Alissa and Anna sourced bees from fourth-generation beekeepers at Bee Weaver, who have been raising bees without the use of chemical interventions for more than 15 years. Our small, but growing, urban apiary started as 10 hives in total — six were hosted on some beautiful land off of Bee Cave Road and four hives are located on a rooftop near 5th Street and I-35 (the old Progress Coffee spot!) — and today, we have more than a dozen thriving hives located in East Austin.
At our apiary, we practice “organic” beekeeping, meaning we choose not to use chemicals to treat the bees for pests. We raise our bees with the intention of supporting them through non-aggressive beekeeping techniques and with the goal of raising healthy strong hives for our environment. We have also started a beekeeping apprenticeship program for milk + honey employees, in the hopes of educating even more people about the importance of bees.
Ultimately, we hope to see the apiary continue to thrive and expand in the coming years, as well as use the bees as a tool to keep the conversation going about the role humans must play in cultivating a healthy ecosystem.
Wondering how you can help, too? Here are a few tips on how to start:
You can follow milk + honey and Anna’s beekeeping adventures on our Instagram as well as on Anna’s Instagram and Facebook page. Plus, stay tuned for more blog posts about what we are up to right here!
Achieve a soft, glowing complexion with the new Vitamin C Probiotic Polish ($108) from OSEA. This gentle exfoliant brightens your skin and reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Here are the five key ingredients:
The Vitamin C Probiotic Polish is gentle enough for most skin types with the exception of super-sensitive skin. Those with sensitive skin should mix this product with OSEA Ocean Cleansing Milk for a more gentle formulation.
How to use: First, dispense 3/4 tablespoon of powder into your hand and add in a couple drops of water. Rub the powder-and-water mixture into your hands until the consistency changes from a powder to a creamy paste. Once it’s in paste form, apply it to your face in a circular motion. Make sure to avoid contact with your eyes. Next, massage the paste into your skin for a minute; then rinse with warm water. For best results, use it at night, two to three times a week.
OSEA Vitamin C Probiotic Polish is available at our 2nd Street District, Hill Country Galleria, South Lamar, and River Oaks locations.
While the skin on your face is delicate, there’s one part of your body that’s even more so: your neck and décollete. The skin on this area of your body is thinner and contains less natural oils than the skin on your face. Combined with sun damage, the skin on those areas can wrinkle and develop age spots faster than any other part of your body. That’s where the new CosMedix Illuminate & Lift Treatment ($70) comes in.
This neck and décollete treatment contains super ingredient, Edelweiss stem cell extract, which helps to brighten skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and firms loose, sagging skin. In an independent study of Edelweiss stem cell extract, people saw up to a 56 percent decrease in sagging skin on their neck in only three weeks and a 10 percent decrease in wrinkle depth in just six weeks.
After cleansing your face and neck, apply a small amount onto your hand. Place that amount on your décollete using upward strokes and gently massage the cream into your skin up to your jawline. For best results, use twice a day.
CosMedix Illuminate & Lift Treatment is available at our 2nd Street District, Hill Country Galleria, South Lamar, and River Oaks locations.
{Photo Credit: InStyle.com}
From rising temperatures to prolonged exposure to the sun, summer can throw your beauty routine out of whack. Now’s the perfect time to go through your beauty bag and toss out those traditional summertime staples in favor of these 11 clean-beauty alternatives.
Say goodbye to blow drying your hair! AQUIS towels and turbans will not only cut your dry time in half, but will also add shine, reduce frizz, and prevent breakage. The proof is in the numbers.
