▶ Starting at your feet, brush in small circular motions. All skin brushing movements should be focused towards the heart, this will encourage blood circulation and lymphatic flow. Apply very light pressure in areas where skin is thin to avoid broken skin, rashes, or irritation.
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Sophisticated Scent: Chanel Coco Noir
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A 2012 launch I was extremely excited for was Chanel’s new fragrance Coco Noir. The scent is the third in the Coco franchise, joining 1984’s Coco and 2001’s Coco Mademoiselle. As a loyal servant to Coco Mademoiselle, I had to test it’s counterpart.
Created by Jacques Polge, master perfumer at Chanel, Coco Noir marks a return to Oriental fragrances for the House. Recalling his journey to unveil the mystery of black through fragrance, Monsieur Polge explains, “The night vision of the ‘Orient that starts and ends in Venice’ imposed itself upon me, and that is where I wanted to go.”
Striking top notes of Grapefruit and Calabrian Bergamot accentuate the floral accord with Rose and Jasmine, while Indonesian Patchouli, Sandalwood and Bourbon Vanilla notes add warmth to the seductive scent.
The Coco fragrances by Chanel are very personal to me. My mother has worn Chanel Coco ever since I can remember which is why I believe I am so drawn to it’s younger sibling Coco Mademoiselle. As for the newest family member, Coco Noir is an exquisite fragrance that reeks of sophistication and luxury. Saved for a very special occasion, this is no versatile, everyday perfume. One day I will graduate to Coco Noir’s level of sophistication, but as of yet I feel I am still too young.
The Master List: SPACE.NK Event
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Last night I had the privilege of attending a wonderful event at SPACE.NK Costa Mesa hosted by local blogger and friend, Sarah Ollenberger of Juggling in Heels.
SPACE.NK is a luxury beauty retail (located inside Bloomingdales and stand-alone) filled with a well-edited selection of hard-to-find beauty products. Nicky Kinnaird, founder and the initials behind SPACE.NK, taught a master class revealing her must-have beauty products for summer. A weath of knowledge and experience, Nicky Kinnaird travels the world searching for the latest and greatest in beauty. The Master List is compiled of Nicky’s go-to products for protecting, enhancing and beautifying this summer.
THE MASTER LIST:
Eve Lom Treatment Cleanser: This cult favorite is your makeup remover, cleanser, toner, mild exfoliant, skin re-texturizer and brightener in a jar. (One of my favorites: review here)
Cane + Austin Retexturizing Treatment Pads: A one-step exfoliator that evens out skin tone and minimizes pores.
Cane + Austin Retexturizing Body Pads: Glycolic treatment pads reveal a brighter, smoother body complexion while helping to rebuild collagen and firm the skin.
Ren Bio Retinoid Anti-Aging Concentrate: Retinol-like results without the irritation.
Bakel P-Lipic Serum: Deeply hydrating, skin strengthening serum that protects against free radical-damage.
Zelens Triple-Action Eye Cream: Hydrates, smoothes, lifts and minimized the appearance of dark circles.
37 Extreme Actives: The cream that does it all – eyes, face, neck… morning and evening.
Zelens 31 Complex Essential Anti-Aging Cream: Deeply hydrating antioxidant-loaded formula helps to minimize visible signs of aging.
By Terry Baume de Rose SPF15: Cult lip treatment that doubles as a cuticle cream.
NIA 24 Rapid Repigmentation Serum: Best to even out skin tone, addresses sun damage, freckles and age spots.
NIA 24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen: SPF 30, this oil-free formula contains 5%Pro-Niacin to strengthen skin and help repair sun damage. (One of my favorites-review here)
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer: Keeps makeup fresh all day long.
By Terry Hyaluronic Eye Primer: Keeps eye makeup color true and fresh without caking or creasing all day.
By Terry Touche Veloutee: The perfect highlighting concealer brush. It instantly sweeps away any signs of fatigue, redness and minor imperfections. (One of my favorites: review here)
By Terry Terrybly Mascara: Lash growth boosting mascara.
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler: The best one out there.
Kevyn Aucoin Volumizing Mascara: Never smudges, never flakes, sweat-proof yet washes off with water.
Kevyn Aucoin Lip Glosses: On trend colors with a unique chubby applicator that mimics a makeup artist’s pinky.
Rococo Nail Apparel: Fashion-forward colors for the season: Lady Lavender (on trend lavender), T-Cup (vintage baby blue), VIP Red (the perfect red), Wild Roses (hot fuchsia pink).
Oribe Apres Beach Spray: Texturizing spray for tousled, touchable waves and sun-kissed shine.
Oribe Maximista: Maximum volume with thermal protection, gives enduring lify and hold.
Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray: Conceived and tested in Miami.
Institut Esthederm Bronz Repair Anti-Wrinkle Tanning Cream: Cult French anti-aging sunscreen for face.
Institut Esthederm Adaptasun Sea & Tropics Tanning Body Lotion: For safe tanning under extreme sun.
Life NK Japanese Wash Cloth: Unique textured cloth makes all-over body exfolliation simple.
Beautannia Brighton Bath & Shower Gel: Addictively scented paraben-free hydrating body cleanser scented with grapefruit, orris, sea moss and vetiver.
Beautannia Brighton Body Lotion: Moisturize, soften and protect the skin while polypeptides encourage firmness.
Sai-Sei Mineral Revive Body Veil: Super lightweight hydrating body veil with essential minerals from Japan’s Toyama hot springs.
David Kirsch Thermo Bubbles: Thermogenic blend of vitamins, minerals and herbs to help boost metabolism, curb your appetite and promote lean muscle mass.
David Kirsch Ultimate Detox Diet: Comprehensive detox and nutrition system that helps to jumpstart your wellness routine.
Sunday Riley Liquid Diet: Helps relieve swelling, bloating and puffiness, and smooth the appearance of cellulite.
In Peace eau de parfum: A sophisticated yet serence white floral perfume that blends freesia and pimento flower blossom with French iris and mimosa in a sunsual base of sandalwood and tonka bean. Created in partner ship with Women for Women International, 10% of proceeds benefits their sponsorship program for women survivors of war to enable them to rebuild their lives.
How To: Glowing Skin
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Glowing skin is as easy as 1./2./3. For a special occasion or just to pamper yourself try these steps to achieve glowing, healthy skin.
1. Dry Brush: Rejuvenates, invigorates and rids the skin of accumulated toxins. Brushing the skin helps unclog pores, increase it’s ability to absorb nutrients, increase circulation to the skin cells resulting in a better metabolic cellular exchange and correct problem areas like cellulite. Healthy skin needs to breathe. Rid it regularly of dry skin cells and the body will react by producing new skin cells more rapidly. Your skin will immediately loose that dry, pasty appearance and feel silky smooth.
2. Sea Salt Scrub: Sea salt, derived from evaporated seawater, is chock full of minerals and nutrients beneficial to the skin: magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride, sodium and bromide. These nutrients activate the circulatory system, nourish the skin, soothe the nerves and decrease arthritic discomfort. A good sea salt scrub can breathe new life into tired dull skin.
▶ Gently massage the salt scrub into the skin. Again, start from the feet and work towards the heart. Let the scrub rest on your skin for a few seconds to all allow all oils to absorb in the skin. If you can tolerate it, alternate between warm and cool water to really boost circulation – always ending with the cool water.
Favorite: red flower Italian Blood Orange Isla Das Rocas Revitalizing Sea Salt Scrub The fresh scent of orange blossom, grapefruit, lime and orange rind offer instant spa-esque invigoration. Key ingredients include: Salt crystals (harvested in the islands on the south atlantic coastline) unrefined and enriched with health-enhancing minerals / Sea algae, a protein and vitamin rich anti-oxidant / Aloe vera, naturally cooling, healing and moisturizing / Botanical essential oils, fresh and purely scented and certified organic oil.
3. Moisturize: Apply lotion to damp skin immedietly after bath or shower, this is when skin will retain the most moisture. All of the scrubbing done prior, will increase the ability for nutrients to absorb into the skin. Massage deeply into the skin using your favorite cream or lotion and/or my secret weapon…
Secret Weapon: Johnson’s Baby Oil Gel with Shea and Cocoa Butter Ever wonder how Victoria’s Secret models get that healthy dewy skin? This is it. The thick gel locks in moisture for hours and leaves skin soft, supple and shiny. (If the consistency is too thick for you, start with favorite lotion and then apply this product strategically to tops of shins, thighs, forearms and collerbone.)
Natural Detox: Elemental Herbology Detox Bathing Infusion
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Detox Bathing Infusion
After a long weekend away, nothing is better than coming home and diving into a bath. Since the weekend was filled with long nights, food and drink – the Detox Bathing Infusion by Elemental Herbology is what I reach for.
Simply add 2-3 capfuls of this magical elixir to your bath and your body is instantly revived. This detoxifying botanical bath oil helps stimulate circulation, reduce fluid retention, increase lymphatic drainage and eliminate toxins that can manifest in cellulite. Free from parabens, sulfates, preservatives and synthetic fragrances this natural detox will leave your skin soft and nourished and your body energized and “back-to-normal.”
Key Ingredients:
- Grapefruit has a powerful astringent, diuretic and thermogenic action which helps stimulate circulation, fight fatigue, detoxify the blood, shift fluid retention and eliminate cellulite.
- Juniper Berry helps tone the skin and stimulate circulation, aqua-drainage and cell renewal.
- Rosemary helps stimulate circulation and invigorate body and mind. Great oil for helping alleviate depression and improve concentration and focus.
- Geranium has a wonderful ability to harmonise the body while stimulating circulation and encouraging aqua-drainage.
- Sweet Almond, Jojoba and Peach Kernel combine to soften and nourish the skin.
Glow-T 