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}
Today — Monday, February 29 — is Leap Day! While many of us will treat today like any other day, here at milk + honey, we’re taking our cue from Modern Family‘s Phil Dunphy’s book and using this “extra” day to do something special. Whether that means creating a fun day that your childhood would be envious of or taking a few minutes to breathe and relax, we’re sharing with you some our favorite ways to spend it.
Needing a little stress relief from Mopac or the Katy Freeway? Let out your inner speed demon with a lap or 10 around the Go-Kart track.
Where to go in Austin: K1 Speed
Where to go in Houston: Track 21
Scared of heights? This Leap Day, tackle one of your biggest fears with a trapeze class! From swinging trapeze and ariel silks to bungee trapeze, you’ll spend the day moonlighting as a Cirque du Soleil performer.
Where to go in Austin: The Flying Trapeze
Where to go in Houston: Vault Houston
Put on your walking shoes and go explore some of the great murals these cities have to offer. From memorial pieces to sweet love gestures, these works of art are a must-see!
Where to go in Austin: You’re My Butter Half | HOPE Outdoor Gallery | Hi, How Are You
Where to go in Houston: Biscuit Paint Wall | Greeting from Houston | Thread Sunshine Wall
Decompress with a yoga class. Strike a pose and unwind.
Where to go in Austin: Black Swan Yoga | Wanderlust | Core Power | BFree | Sukha
Where to go in Houston: Joy Yoga | Your Body Center | Yoga One | Revolution Studio | Pralaya Yoga
Henry David Thoreau said it best, “An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” Shake up your morning routine with a hike or stroll across some of these cities’ beautiful parks!
Where to go in Austin: Barton Creek Greenbelt | Red Bud Isle
Where to go in Houston: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center | Hermann Park
It’s important to stop and smell the roses, and what better way place to do this than at a garden. Both Austin and Houston have many world-renown gardens, filled with stunning greenery and incredible sculptures.
Where to go in Austin: Zilker Botanical Garden | Umlauf Sculpture Garden
Where to go in Houston: Houston Botanic Garden | Bayou Bend Collection and Garden
Photo credits:
Track 21 Facebook
Flying Trapeze Facebook
Joy Yoga blog
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Facebook
Zilker Botanical Garden | Heather Cowper of heatheronhertravels
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.
Our team is growing and we’re always looking for more exceptional talent. Click here to see our career page. But before we get ahead of ourselves, we’d like to introduce you to the newest Spa Partisans.
Meet Alana, concierge. As a certified yoga teacher, Alana has a passion and love for health and wellness, and knew that milk + honey would be the perfect fit for her. Born and raised in Austin, her favorite way to start the day is with a yoga session at Sanctuary Yoga or Wanderlust, a jog around the Greenbelt or Lady Bird Lake, and then have brunch at Justine’s Brasserie.
Meet Shantel, a massage therapist at our 2nd Street location. Originally from Montana, she’s a second generation massage therapist. After seeing her mother help people, she decided this healing and rewarding path was for her too. Though Shantel doesn’t have any pets, her housemates have two precious pups and four chickens! Her number one beauty tip is that people should drink more water and regularly receive messages.
Meet Elizabeth, concierge. She has been living in Austin for three months and is loving every second of it. Originally from Las Vegas, Elizabeth decided to become a concierge because she loves helping people. Outside of milk + honey, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her curious cat, Doug, and cheeky dog, Ringo, both of whom are in her words: spoiled rotten!
Say hello to Jennifer, concierge. She considers herself lucky having lived in Austin all her life and loves to spend her time outside of milk + honey seeing and listening to live music around the city.
Meet Celine, massage therapist at Hill Country Galleria location. Hailing from Chizé, France, she has been in Austin for just over a year and has always had a passion for people and wellness. When she’s not using her healing touch to relax and rejuvenate clients, you can find her enjoying a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse, taking swing dance lessons, or watching the bats take off from under the Congress Bridge.
Meet Dawn, concierge. She has lived in Austin for two years and enjoys visiting all of the various food trucks the city has to offer. What Dawn loves most about milk + honey is the company’s unique culture and loves working with others who enjoy creating a wonderful and excellent experience for guests. After a day of helping people relax and unwind, she loves to spend time with her two furry children, KC and Stogey, who are best buds.
Meet Jackie, concierge at our Houston location. She is passionate about health and wellness and decided to fuse her passion for these industries into milk + honey’s newest location. Born in San Francisco, she has lived in Houston almost her whole life, and has a two-year-old Red Lacy (the official state dog of Texas) named Barley Hops and a bearded dragon named Kitty.
For hair that has curl, texture, body, and movement, it’s time to join the American Wave movement. Available exclusively at our Arboretum Market location with stylists Susanna and Krystal, this new, damage-free, texturizing service creates soft, natural-looking waves and curls.
Perm vs. American Wave
Traditionally, perms create tight, patterned curls by using harsh chemicals in the hair. The American Wave treatment uses different styling tools, such as soft Flexi rods which allow the stylist to create looser more natural-looking curls and waves. Plus, this service doesn’t cause damage to your hair. After the service, the wave will continue to drop and loosen the curl for up to four weeks. This allows the hair to grow out nicely, creating that tousled, beachy look.
For a step-by-step look, check out the ARROJO American Wave video.
Which hair types are best for American Wave?
All hair types are welcomed to try the American Wave. Recently, the American Wave launched the new American Color Wave, which is perfect for clients with color-treated hair.
You’re ready to try the American Wave, now what?
Before booking your American Wave appointment, please call 512.236.1115 to schedule a consultation with our stylists. This service takes about three hours and will transform the way you look. Along with the American Wave service, clients will also receive one complimentary blowout to be used seven days after the service. During this time, our stylist will help you find the perfect shampoo, conditioners, and styling products for your new look.
P.S. the Kevin Murphy Resort Spray is a fantastic choice to quickly enhance and hold the curl.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1955, he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. He unified a nation in 1963 with his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech during the March on Washington, and in 1965 he led a march through Selma to help gain African-Americans the right to vote in the South. He championed for the rights of African-Americans, and it’s because of his work that African-Americans are able to become astronauts, industry leaders, and even the president. On January 18, we honor a man who did so much for our country, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In retrospect, 2015 was an amazing year. We saw love win and the world come together to adopt the first universal climate agreement in Paris. In the African-American community, we witnessed great moments like the 50th Anniversary of the March on Selma and Viola Davis’ impassioned speech, after becoming the first African-American woman in history to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. We saw a football team unite behind a young man at the University of Missouri, who went on a hunger strike to protest the school’s handling of racial tension. It’s moments like these that allow me to believe that Dr. King would be proud to see us and what the future has become. But, as bright as 2015 seemed, it wasn’t without its shadows. So, with all the goodness in my heart, I choose to believe that in 2016 we, as a nation, will revitalize the vision of Dr. King, and what better day than January 18 to breathe life back into his dream.
What many people might not know is that Martin Luther King Jr. Day has evolved from a federal holiday into so much more. In 1983, legislation was signed to create a holiday marking Dr. King’s birth, and Americans first observed this holiday three years later in 1986. Then, in 1994, Congress chose to honor Dr. King by passing the King Holiday and Service Act and marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national day of service. Congress entrusted the Corporation for National and Community Service to lead this effort, and thus a Day of Service was born. On this day, the Corporation for National and Community Service asks us to join hands and serve our community in remembrance of Dr. King. So, on January 18, don’t just take a day off — take a day on and answer one of Dr. King’s most important questions, “ What are you doing for others?”
This year, I’ve decided to take his question to heart, and participate in the Day of Service. I will be volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, where I’ll sort through hundreds of pounds of food that is used to feed Central Texans who suffer from hunger. For those looking to lend a helping hand in your area, click here to find Day of Service events in your community. Volunteering isn’t the only way to experience Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In Austin and Houston, there are many events going on such as parades, speech competitions, and marches in his memory. No matter how you celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s important to remember the man who preached nonviolence, fought for the equality of others, and most importantly, helped move America forward.
If you’re looking to lend a helping hand in your community, or just want to experience the energy at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, check out some of these exciting events in Austin and Houston:
Day of Service in events Austin: Concordia University | Houston-Tillotson University | Austin Parks Foundation| Capital Area Food Bank of Texas
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Activities in Austin: March and Festival | MLK Oratory Competition
Day of Service in events Houston: University of Houston | The Student Conservation Association | Houston Food Bank
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Activities in Houston: Children’s Museum of Houston | Youth Parade | Battle of the Bands | MLK Grande Parade Houston
With the start of the New Year, we’re excited to introduce you to a handful of new products and brands — available at all of our locations.
Meet milk + honey’s latest additions: Body Cream No. 46 and Cream Deodorant No. 33, inspired by our bestselling blends and products. Cream Deodorant No. 33 is aluminum-free, has an invigorating scent of coconut and lemongrass, and keeps you feeling fresh and dry all day long. If you’re wondering — but does it really work? — don’t take our word for it. Read customers’ reviews right here.
If you’ve already fallen in love with the warm, heady scent of our Home Fragrance No. 46, then you are in luck. Crafted in the same bestselling blend, our Body Cream No. 46 delivers deep hydration without the oily/greasy finish. It’s packed with antioxidants and good-for-you ingredients and its earthy notes of sandalwood, vetiver, and cardamom are instantly uplifting.
Benjamin Soap Co. was established in 2014 with the goal of producing pure, additive-free, and affordable bath, body, and home care products. This Round Rock-based company crafts soaps, lotion bars, and candles using raw Round Rock honey, local craft beer from breweries, and homegrown herbs. Plus, all of their products are GMO-free and have no artificial colors or ingredients.
Hailing from Hawaii, Salato Designs is known for its colorful, print-heavy wristlets, leather clutches, and vegan leather clutches — all made from the finest fabrics. Sure, these accessories have the ability to make an eye-catching statement, but it’s also worthing noting: Salato’s designer and founder, Katie Evans, was voted 2015 Accessories of the Year for RAW San Antonio.
Exclusive to our Houston pop-up, Made in Rye offers beautiful jewelry and handcrafted leatherwork by local designer, Abbie Drue. These Sage clutches and bar necklaces are quickly becoming a favorite amongst our Houston milk + honey team. To celebrate this exciting brand, we’re hosting a Made in Rye trunk show on Tuesday, January 5 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Details here.
Rolfing is sophisticated system of manual therapy and movement education that — over a series of sessions — help restore and improve structural alignment and functional movement. From this treatment, clients enjoy improved uprightness and range of motion. Many have reported that they experience an increase in energy, ease, and lightness within the body. In a way, it’s a life hack to better performance and quality of life.
Rolfing can and does get more intense; though, many usually described it as a “good” pain. It’s important that the Rolfing massage therapist know how much intensity the client’s nervous system can accommodate in order for this treatment to remain safe and effective. Some Rolfers are known for the white-light pain they cause. I am not that kind of Rolfer, but I do understand that this may be what some clients want and expect. Regardless, the experience differs quite a bit from massage, but still feels good for the most part. Furthermore, every intervention has a purpose — structurally or relationally — it’s not random.
Most Rolfers model sessions to follow one another in a progressive and thorough series. Traditional Rolfers tailor a Ten Series to meet their client’s needs. Each session may have its own goal, but this series will ultimately aim to align your body vertically within gravity. Many of us believe that it is gravity and its effect on our structure and nervous system that produces the incredible effects of Rolfing.
The story of Rolfing is inseparable from its founder. In the 1920s, Dr. Ida P. Rolf began working as an associate in the chemistry labs at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York City. There, she first began to study fascia. Fascia is the archetypical representation of our bodies’ connective tissue and is the basis of Dr. Rolf’s work.
Later in life, she began remarking on body’s plastic nature, its ubiquity, and its tensile strength. During her study, she found she could elicit astounding changes in posture, function, and stress. During the 1960s, Dr. Rolf was invited to demonstrate her work at Esalen Institute, where she codified her work into a teachable body of craft that she called Structural Integration. Her students and clients called it ‘Rolfing.’ In 1971, she left Esalen and established the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in Boulder, Colorado where students could learn to become Rolfers.
Rolfing is good for people too healthy to receive a diagnosis from a doctor, but not quite as vital as they would desire. It can delay surgeries and it can help people recover faster from surgery. It makes an excellent support for people making a fresh start, people beginning a new fitness regime, or even a new commitment to mental health. It is good for feeling a little younger — for personal “spring cleaning.” It simply helps people to realign themselves in gravity. Obstacles dissolve and people discover what they need when gravity can flow through them in a healthy manner.
