shak-shuka

Aesop's Hands-Down Sanitizer

School's out for the summer! All the kids are finishing school this week and that means we have summer vacation on the brain....or at least I do! I can't wait to get our engines running and blow this popsicle stand!

Not sure if this is happening around you, but people seem to be getting really sick this time of the year - colds, flus, stomach bugs - you name it. Luckily we have been pretty lucky but I'm on guard to keep us in tiptop shape. In combatting the germs, I've been thinking hand sanitizer. Now, I know that topic is very sensitive as it seems to divide people into 2 camps: those who bathe in it (like my own mother) and those who loathe it's existence. I think I fall somewhere in between, but now that I've found Aesop's new Resurrection version, I want to touch every germ in sight to get a chance to use this stuff. Refreshing, wonderful smelling (like all of Aesop's products) and downright slather-worthy, Aesop's Resurrection Rinse Free Handwash will convert any hand sanitzer hater into a Resurrection lover!

In the Netherlands, we buy it at Skins Cosmetics.

Check Aesop's site for other locations worldwide. You won't be disappointed!

Quick Beauty Solutions (the Up'do!)

Being a mother to a 6 month old baby is amazing in so many ways, but with it, comes a few adjustments to life with a teeny weeny one. Case in point: no more earrings, necklaces, or hair being worn down. If you don't do this, you will be left with jewelry being ripped off by a mini thief, and chunks of hair along with it.

Hence my hair dilemma: I've already given up on ever wearing earrings again, but c'mon! my hair? There are only so many times that I can do the disheveled ponytail without looking like a quintessential mother-in-progress. So, I look for something more glamorous to keep my hair intact and out of baby's grasp. I had been searching for ways to do a "fishtail braid" as I saw it on a mama the other day and loved the way it looked. On Youtube I found that BeautyDept does all of these short video tutorials that teach you how to do various beauty tricks like the fishtail braid, the milkmaid braid (soooo tempted!) and even things like "cat" eyeliner. I am loving how easy they are to follow, and they are so short (most are under 3 minutes) so I can brush up on my beauty tips while I'm breastfeeding the baby! How's that for multitasking?!!

Cold Cream? No, Cleansing Balm!

This weekend we'll be in London and that means stocking up on all things British (and English speaking like magazines and books) - visiting haunts like Space NK, Neal's Yard Remedies, and Marks&Spencers for the all-essential Marmite. Yes, I am an American that LOVES Marmite!

One of the things on my "must buy" list is the facial cleanser that I swear by. I grew up watching my mother schmear her face with a buttery cold cream that made her look like something out of a horror movie when she had it on her face, but once she wiped it off - pure, soft and clean skin with not a trace of makeup. If you've ever looked at the ingredients in these cold creams, usually the first ingredient (which means that it consists mostly of this) is Mineral Oil. As you well know, that is a no-no in the eco beauty world, so I thought - there has to be an alternative, right? Yes, Ren No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm. It works the same as a cold cream cleanser (you apply it to dry skin then wipe off with the cloth that's included) but with all natural ingredients. I used to think all cleansers were created equal until I tried this one, as it moisturizes, removes all traces of makeup and dirt, and leaves my skin calm and soft. Even though it's a tad expensive, you use such a little amount each time that one large pot has lasted me months......just about enough time between my trips to London conveniently!

Sage Scented Facial Protection

It may seem like I'm a broken record here, but I am a bonafide Aesop product addict. I think I've tried just about every product they have, and their apothecary-style bottles hypnotize me every time I see them saying "buy me! buy me! even though you've already tried me....buy me again".

Even though I usually don't resist, there are a few products that I keep at-the-ready because they are my staples. One of them is the ever-famous Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm that smells of, well, heaven. And it's the perfect blend of moisturizing and absorbing so that you can touch your iPhone within seconds without it slipping out of your hands and mucking up your screen (I can attest to this). But did I tell you my real secret weapon? The Sage+Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream that has an SPF of 15 and is the best daily facial protection in my opinion. I just use it over my regular moisturizer (Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream - the best for dry sensitive skin like mine) and voila I'm protected all day long. Strangely enough, it has a really gentle natural scent of sage, and when you're kissing people hello or goodbye, almost always people comment on how good my skin - SMELLS! So funny, but an added bonus for one of the world's best products in my humble, tried-everything-opinion.

Aesop products are available around the world, so check their site here and choose your country and languague of choice.

(Organic) Lip Gloss Perfection

Yes it's been a while, but we're back. We've been busy with everything baby-baby-baby but we're back-back-back!

I recently made a purchase at my favorite beauty shop here in Rotterdam (Skins, BTW) and discovered this absolutely amazing lip gloss. Yes I know - you're thinking "OMG if I read about one more "magical" lip gloss I'm going to throw this iComputer across the room" but believe me! From a Swedish organic brand Estelle & Thilde they had me first at the packaging (gorgeous!) then the color (the woman at the counter was wearing it and called me "miss" - of course I had to try it!) then the feel - the perfect blend of gloss shine with the moisturizing features of a lip balm. Consider me hooked. It's not sticky at all so when the spring weather blows your hair around, you won't end up with all of your split ends stuck to your lip! And to top it all off, the lip gloss *faintly* (not nauseatingly) smells of real raspberry, so it's delicious to smell and a good kiss-me-incentive!

 

Priti Pedi Solution

Even though I can't really see my toes, I still dream about pedicures. In New York, women get mani/pedis about every week, and I just love that tradition. Going there with your best girlfriends, laughing and giggling (mostly induced by the vibrating chairs) and enjoying a therapeutic foot soak while your toesies get the royal treatment. Here in the Netherlands they haven't quite caught up to this concept, and people who touch your feet have to be licensed to do so (lucky them!) and they wear surgical gloves during the whole pedicure, which makes for a very "interesting", and sometimes painful foot rub!

Needless to say, I've gotten used to doing my own nails. And yes, I am lucky enough to have access to the best and most eco-friendly nail products on the market: Priti NYC. Usually the smell of nail polish and remover makes me gag, but I have to say, Priti NYC products don't make me gag, in fact I LOVE the smell! Something between a fruity and baby-sweet smell, I just love that I'm not inhaling toxic fumes and it's safe enough for my daughter to use as well. It's been well documented that their Priti polish wears like iron (I wore it for 10 days straight with no chipping - which included a trip to Germany, Denmark and many trade shows!) and their polish remover is a unique formula based on soy and completely non-toxic. For the girls on the go, Priti just came out with a new set of Soy Polish Remover Wipes which I am in LOVE with! Easy peasy and no mess, it's great for getting off the kids nail polish that seems to change every week. And with Halloween just around the corner, I have to say the Glow in the Dark Princess Polish is flying off the shelves and these Soy Polish Remover Wipes are just the ticket once the holidays are over (but not the fun!).

Eco Facial Cleansing Wipes

If you're anything like me, your morning getting-ready routine has now dwindled to a whopping 5 minutes (this of course includes brushing your teeth) and your nighttime routine is even more dismal. There are nights when I literally pass out in my daytime clothes only to wake up on the couch with the dog looking at me like "lady! get it together - wash up and go to BED!". Nothing like being set straight by a 150lb St Bernard....

One of my lazy nighttime guilty pleasures has been that I have very little energy to do my usual nighttime routine of washing my face, patting it dry, putting on nighttime cream, bla bla bla.......zzzz.......I discovered facial wipes which cut down my routine to probably about 3 minutes and I couldn't be more grateful. The earth could do without this lazy habit, as you can imagine how many facial wipes end up in the landfill because of me. Low and behold: an eco-friendly solution! The Body Shop has these great Vitamin E Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes (ok just writing that name made me tired...) that are tough enough to take the day off my face by gentle enough to biodegrade in the earth once I toss it in the garbage! Voila - a match made in lazy eco heaven!

Make-Up Your Mind (+Bag!)

Just as people make fun of me for having too many baskets, I now have become a hoarder of small bags. Now that I have a child it seems to make sense as she has about 100 bags filled with random toys, craft supplies, headbands - you name it, we bag it. But I've noticed that one area where I find it hard to discover a really nice compact bag is the make-up department. You should have seen some of the doozies I've been traveling with lately!

Low and behold one of our newest and favorite brands that we're carrying - Apple & Bee - does a wonderful selection of cosmetic and clutch bags. Love, love and love some more! Made from organic cotton and hemp, covered with a non-toxic, wipeable lining (on the inside so your make-up or creams don't splatter everywhere) are a dream come true for a gal like me. Personally I love them all, and they come in different shapes and sizes to fit your mood, which, if you're like me, are many, so you better just stock up on all of them!

 

Aussie Hair Vacation

Not sure if it's just me and my hairdresser, but it seems that every 8-9 weeks when I see him, he's changed brand loyalty. I suppose it's a great way to learn about new brands, but for a slow product user like myself it's hell. Of course I'm such a sucker and whatever he's using on my hair to make it look fab I just have to buy - as if that's going to give me the salon-worthy look that he's just given me (after countless hours of blowing drying and styling!).

Lately he has been quite good, and the past few visits have been consistent with the same brand - Aussie brand Kevin Murphy. If you don't already know of this brand, hussle to a place that sells it and you will not be disappointed. Everything from the conditioner (I used this one with Kakadu Plum that smells divine) to my current favorite - Hair Resort Spray. Although the name sounds a bit strange, it really does do what it says - gives you sexy, textured beach hair. I am probably the laziest hair-doer ever, as my routine includes sleeping on wet hair so that I can avoid using a blow dryer. In the morning I spritz on this Spray and voila! It's a cross-breed between a styling product and a hairspray, so it's a wonderful combo of the two. Best of all, all of Murphy's products are not tested on animals, based on renewable and sustainable ingredients, and he is part of Al Gore's Climate Project in Australia, so you know he's serious about not only his commitment to hair but also the environment. Put down that Aqua Net ladies and raise your bottle of Hair Resort Spray!

Summer Skin Precious Oil

It's that time of year when we shed the knee-high boots for open-toed sandals which means: it's time for a waxing appointment, a pedicure, and maybe a bit of color? Not sure about you, but after a looooong winter my skin is dry, cracked, and whiter than freshly-bleached teeth. Alabaster is one thing if you're Nicole Kidman, but blinding people with your bare legs is a completely different thing!

Ever since my first trip to Paris, I have relied on Nuxe Multi-Purpose Oil for easing into summertime clothing and showing of skin. You can use this natural oil from your face to your hair to your body, but I have to say I'm most partial to using it on my legs so that it gives me not a fake tan look, but it minimizes the fact that my body hasn't seen the sun in ages! I personally find the smell intoxicating, something like a trip to Tahiti minus the carbon emissions :) The smell is thanks to the combination of 6 precious plant oils (Borage, St John's Wort, Sweet Almond, Hazelnut, Camilla, and Macadamia) - in fact, most of Nuxe's products are based on natural, plant-based ingredients, and another one of my faves is the Nuxe Lip Balm - it's the only pot lip balm that I'll ever dip my finger into!