On a recent trip to Whisk, I had me a little impulse purchase of a ‘Steel Clean Soup Stainless Steel Hand Odor Remover Bar’. In other words I bought a $4 piece of stainless steel in the shape of a soap bar just because I was curious. How on earth did I not know that stainless steel supposedly removes harsh odors like fish, garlic, and onions just by rubbing your hands on it. No, you don’t need the bar to try this at home, grab a spoon or any stainless steel object, add some water and use it as though you were washing your hands with a regular bar of soap. I felt moderately ridiculous washing my hands with anything that doesn’t lather, although it does look adorable in my kitchen and makes for a good conversation piece. There’s no strong research or science to back up how beneficial it is, but it’s easy enough to try it at home and does seem to be moderately effective.
Yearly Archives: 2009
Steel it Off!
Survive the Holidays – My Must Haves
With the winter and holidays right around the corner, this is generally that time of year our skin begins to experience some of their ramifications. Here are some of my must haves to stay stress free (or at least look like it!), while combating winter dryness this season. They also make great gifts, if for no one else, then yourself, and they get extra points for their great packing.
*These products are in the order of the post below (not in order of my favorites).
Survive Kit by This Works
The Survive Kit from This Works is a travel friendly 5 piece set That includes:
Turbo Balm – A preservative free balm, made from Cocoa Butter, Rose, and Monoi, works great on lips, cuticles, elbows, (basically any chapped area) to sooth dryness.
Quick Spritz – A cool hydrating spritz for the face and body blended from on palmrosa and rosewood to refresh the skin.
One for all – A roller ball with pure lavender and coconut oil, is a natural antiseptic that can be used when skin needs some soothing relief. The calming smell can also help aid sleep.
Breathe in – Aromatherapy to the rescue. This roller ball with frankincense and eucalyptus is useful for clearing the head, or when feeling run down.
Stay Cool Eye Serum – A soothing blend of aloe, arnica, and cucumber. Easy absorption into the skin — this helps me look revived and refreshed after a long night.
For more information click HERE
Relax with some Peppermint
I love the smell of peppermint and it’s ability to relax and relieve my headaches. Right now I’m loving Jurlique’s Peppermint Pure Essential Oil and Origins Peppermint, Basil, Rosemary Glass Candle to help relieve my stress.
Origins Peppermint, Basil, Rosemary Glass Candle
This candle fills any room with it’s soothing blend of peppermint mixed with basil and rosemary, infusing an amazing smell that helps me decompress after a long day. Available in two sizes, 2″x2″ ($10), and 3″x 4″ ($30).
Click HERE for more information
Jurlique’s Peppermint Pure Essential Oil
Jurlique’s Peppermint Pure Essential Oil is great for relieving headaches, sinusitis, congestions, and nausea. This product works great in a vaporizer or I put a little on my temples and palms, take a few breaths and just inhale the oil to relax. I keep one at the office, and I do not fly without it.
For more information click HERE
Skyn Iceland – Detox Kit for Stressed Skin
Skyn Iceland, the natural skincare company that specializes in counteracting the negative effects of stressed skin created the Detox Kit based on 4 of their signature products to help rebalance skin.
Glacial Face Wash with Biospheric Complex – This gentle, foaming cleanser helps relieves skin of impurities and leaves skin soft and refreshed. Key ingredients include white willow bark (helps prevent breakouts), icelandic kelp (to fight inflammation), and cylindrical seed oil (natural antioxidant that helps repair skin’s lipid barrier).
Arctic Face Mist with Biospheric Complex – A refreshing, toning mist, that helps instantly relieve irritated, uneven and inflamed skin. I love this product right after washing my face as well as for a pick me up throughout the day. It’s impressive ingredient roster includes green tea antioxidants, white willow bark, witch hazel (to reduce size of pores), shea butter (hydrates dry skin), and yeast extract (to help calm inflammation).
The ANTIDOTE Quenching Daily Lotion with Biospheric Complex – This lightweight lotion goes on with a cooling sensation to moisturizes and hydrates skin; safe and recommended for acne prone skin. Contains Omega 2, 6, and 9 fatty acids, aloe vera, jojoba, and shea butter to moisturize the skin. There is a mint derivative used to improve microcirculation to relieve redness, and meadow sweet extract to control oiliness and tighten pores. In addition, this product includes white willow bark, Icelandic kelp, and yeast extract (explained above).
Oxygen Infusion Night Cream with Biospheric Complex – This overnight moisturizing cream works with your natural renewal process to energize, and restore tone and texture. Powerful ingredients include anti-aging rice peptides to firm skin, antioxidants, Vitamins A, C, and E to improve elasticity and tone skin, as well as white willow bark and yeast extract.
Basically, a month supply of skincare (cleaner, lotion, mist, and night cream) that works to counteract stress and all the unpleasantness it can create.
For more information click HERE
(Malin+Goetz) Detox Mask
This deep cleansing mask uses innovative, oxygenating cleansing agents, which immerse into pores to clean dirt and makeup, leaving your face clean and refreshed. On contact, it feels like shaving foam and tickles slightly as it works itself into your pores. Leave it on for five minutes, then rinse off with a warm towel, and your skin feels instantly smoother. Contains green tea extract, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and soy protein, which help calm lines, and keep skin radiant and firm.
For more information click HERE
Kiehl’s Imperial Body Balm
I have really dry skin this time of year, so if I could (afford it) I would bathe in this stuff. I love the packaging, the way it smells — a special blend of amber and vanilla essences — and most importantly, the result. This product deeply hydrates my skin all day without being greasy or messy. The gorgeous yellow coloring comes from the natural ingredient, Sea Buckhorn Berry, which is able to survive harsh climates and is known for its healing and protective properties.
More about the Balm:
- Inspired by old-world Russian herbal remedies
- Deeply hydrates, regenerates, and comforts extremely dry, lackluster skin
- Accelerates cell turnover with honey and fruit glycolic acids to immediately reveal a new skin softness and radiance
- High levels of antioxidant-rich butters help protect skin from environmental damage
For more information click HERE
Charity: Ball 2009
December 14, 2009, New York City
Advanced tickets are now available for Charity Water’s annual Charity: Ball.
Click HERE to purchase. Hope to see you there!
What is Charity Water?
Right now, 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. That’s one in six of us.
Charity: water is a non profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. They give 100% of the money raised to direct project costs, funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need. Just $20 can give one person in a developing nation clean water for 20 years.
For more information on Charity Water and how you can get involved, click HERE
Belated Birthday Thank You!
A very belated thank you to everyone who called, texted, emailed, sent cards and came to my birthday. You all made this day very special for me. Leila and Natasha (and Jon), I really appreciate you helping me get ready.
Special thanks to…
Jordi for all the photographs!
Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa for doing my makeup. More details on my look HERE
Brad Stevens, my most favorite tattoo artist who doesn’t know it yet, but is going to draw me a belated birthday picture.
To Daniel Feld for the AMAZING necklace he made me out of a butterfly wing from the Amazon (I love it so much!).
To Spin New York for hosting a wonderful birthday and showing my guests a great time. I think I worked off all the calories from my birthday drinks playing ping pong in my heels.
To Ducks, the restaurant at Spin for the great food and Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Sandwich that was better then any cake I could have asked for!
And especially to the LOVES of my life who got me the jazz band, the Mad Jazz Hatters from one of my favorite restaurants, Moto to play my party. This is probably one of the most amazing gifts I’ve ever received.
The custom lyrics about my life they worked into their songs was really the icing on the cake!
Unconventional Beauty Tips
Sometimes you’re not at home to fix some of life’s little inconveniences. So here are a few quick tips:
- You’re out on the town and you’ve broken a nail. No nail file? Use either a brick off a building to file or even better a matchbook! This should help tie you over until you’re home and can properly file.
- On a trip and you break out? Try eye drops on your blemish to diminish redness. Also, toothpaste can be used to spot treat and help dry out that pimple so that it’s cleared up by morning.
- A little nippy out? Turn your high beams off with Bandaid ActivFlex! They hide amazingly well under clothes. I find this one hilarious!