Spring Skincare to Cleanse, Detox and Boost Immunity

Spring Fling II - natural ways to cleanse and detoxify your skin.

Spring is in the air! Unfortunately so are allergens, pollutants and dirt. All the more so when we are outdoors more exercising, running and walking. Sweat and natural skin oils can cause dust and debris to cling and clog pores. Here are some new, cutting edge skincare options to detox and purify.

Dr. Ohhira's Probiotic Kampuku Beauty Bar

NEW Designer Fragrances for Spring

NEW perfumes and fragrance accessories for spring.

Spring 2016
Spring is in the air but so are these lighter, seasonal perfume releases. To start, here are two NEW designer fragrances you should know about:

Scent your world this spring!

Perfume shouldn't stop at the pulse points. Fragrances can extend beautifully to layering via bath salts, body lotions and scented candles. Create that special aura this spring! First let's look at this new fragrance from Lanvin Paris, Eclat de Fleurs:

Eclat de Fleurs

Lanvin, Paris Eclat de Fleurs
Is a new fragrance from Lanvin, Paris. This high fashion design house was founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889. Her first perfume was My Sin created in 1925 and was unique and described as an animalic - aldehyde  based on Heliotrope.  Fast forward to today, Eclat de Fleurs is a more floral expression of their popular previously released, Eclat d' Arpege which came out in 1927. Actually this newer version, Eclat de Fleurs was released in 2015 but is getting a second breath for Spring Summer 2016 due to it's light, fruity/floral top and middle notes: 

Eclat de Fleurs was created by Anne Flipo and Nicolas Beaulieu. Top note is pear; middle notes are jasmine, rose and freesia; base notes are white musk and sandalwood. Available at Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor and other fine stores or online at LanvinParis.com

Frankie by Ariana Grande

Frankie by Ariana Grande, Limited Edition

Frankie is a NEW limited edition perfume,  just released earlier this year and named for Ariana's older brother. This new perfume spray, although unisex is reminiscent of Georgio Armani's "Si". Frankie's strongest top note is pink pepper which blends well with the apricot, pear and wild orchid middle notes.

Base notes for Frankie include: cedar, sandalwood and musk. It is a bit more masculine than the Armani "Si" which is a dedicated woman's fragrance. However, as I mentioned before, Frankie is a unisex perfume, made to appeal to men as well as women. You can remove the little puff charm and add it to your handbag. So posh! Available for a limited time at Ulta.com

Thierry Mugler's Alien Eau Extraordiaire

The first fragrance in the Alien series was simply Alien Eau de Parfum which comes in a purple glass spray bottle. The second, shown here is Alien Eau Extraordinaire and comes infused with gold shimmer offering "luminous freshness". The main notes or accords include warm amber and white floral. It has a "powdery" scent overall with citrus top notes. More suited as a warm weather fragrance but transitions well from spring to summer. See the other fragrances by Thierry Mugler at Mugler.com.

Fig & Yarrow scented bath salts and Maison Louis Marie Candle

Fig + Yarrow Apothecary Pink Love Salts

Something for a relaxing bath from Fig + Yarrow, these Himalayan pink bath salts are infused with: Patchouli, ylang ylang, bergamot, range and geranium. 

The salts add relaxing, muscle soothing minerals to your soak while the essential oils allow you to completely relax, naturally. Handcrafted in Colorado by FigandYarrow.com

Maison Louis Marie Bougie Parfumee Candle

This lovely candle can accompany your bath salts or simply scent your home to relax after a long day. Louis Marie Aubert du Petit Thouars was a pioneer in French Botanical History from the 1700's.

This Lavender Candle (Antidris) has: top notes of fennel, eucalyptus, middle notes of lavender and vanilla with base notes of amber stone, vetiver grass and patchouli. This candle reminds you of fresh linens and French milled soap made from spring lavender. Perfect for purifying your environment with a fresh, clean fragrance. Available at Maisonlouismarie.com

Scentbird Designer Perfume Subscription

Scentbird Designer Perfume Subscription

This is the perfect solution to getting your hands on more exclusive designer perfumes. This monthly subscription allows you to choose fragrances from the major designer/perfume houses such as: Armani, Baleciaga, Hermes and many more. Each month you receive the scent of your choice for that installment. This gives you the chance to try a generous 8 milliliters (0.271 US fluid ounces) of your chosen perfume. Definitely worth it. Visit Scentbird.com online.

Zen Box Essential Oil Subscription

Zen Box Essential Oil Subscription

If you are allergic to perfume or simply want an all natural alternative to pre-formulated or synthetic fragrances, the Zen Box Essential Oil Subscription is for you. What I like about this subscription box is the fun of being surprised and learning something new each month. You receive two pure essential oils like lavender and peppermint plus an oil blend which is great for specific objectives. Over time, you will have a full collection of pure essential oils which you may use to blend your own perfumes, soaps, bath salts, lotions and so much more. Get started today by visiting ZenOilBox.com

The Zen Oil Box is travel friendly!

Spring Break Travel Must Haves

Spring Break means heading someplace warm. Here's what you'll need!

Oh Spring Break. I can remember everyone piling into my college roommate's car and heading for Daytona Beach. Once you got there (about a 2-3 days drive from Rutgers in New Jersey), you'd find that you maybe didn't have what you really needed to make for the beach. Well, don't let this happen to you! Here are some of my favorite travel must haves for Spring Break:

Beach-Me Essentials

Beach Time
There are things that you really want to have if you are going to be anywhere near the water. Everything you see in the photo above arrived in my classic navy striped monogrammed beach tote by Personalize Your Life. Very roomy with a zippered, waterproof pocket inside, I carry a Klean Kanteen of ice water and a packet of Grass Fed Beef Jerky by Think Jerky.

Personalize Your Life Navy Beach Tote, Klean Kanteen and Ray-Ban Wayfarers

Lacoste Luxury Beach Towels SS2016 Collection
Now you know you can't take the towels from the hotel to the beach! They're just too skimpy anyway so bring your own. I like these new bold designs from the Lacoste SS2016 Collection (remember the little green crocodile?)  Shown here in Fizzy Turquoise and Sunset Pink, they are 100% cotton and made in India. Very plush from Lacoste, available at Nordstrom, Macys and online HERE.

Lacoste Beach Towel in Sunset Pink

Your Dream Swimsuit
This is the time to bring it...literally. This beautiful leopard print bikini is by Anabel Arto and has beautiful gold embellishments on the straps and bottom. What I especially like about this collection is that the top (and bottom for that matter) can also double as intimate wear. So it's like having an extra bra and panty along which can help save space when packing. See all her swimsuit styles at Anabel Arto online.

Anabel Arto Swimsuit

Beach to Lunch Footwear - NEW Melissa Charlotte Sandals by Jason Wu
These new SS2016 Melissa Charlotte Sandals by Jason Wu are so NOT flip flops. Bright red perfume infused PVC and completely waterproof with a little heel. These run true to size or even a little small so you may want to go a size up. All the same they are beautiful and a must-pack travel essential. Available at Nordstrom, Bergdoff Goodman, Net-A-Porter or purchase online HERE at Shop Melissa.

Melissa Sandals by Jason Wu

Health & Beauty to Go - Zen Box Essential Oils
The Zen Box is a genius subscription which introduces you to beneficial essential oils for health, beauty and yes, relaxation. Each month you receive two high quality essential oils plus a bonus product to explore. Pop them in your bag and you're ready for anything. What's so great is that each little natural essential oil bottle has a gazillion uses and can even replace many products taking up space in your travel bag: 

Subscribe at ZenOilBox.com

• A few drops of Lavender helps you relax, get to sleep and even repels insects
• A few drops of Frankincense in a 8 oz glass of water makes an amazing mouthwash
• Use the premixed Oil Blends for specific needs and health concerns

Zen Box Essential Oils are travel ready

Beach Beauty Essentials
Wet hair is practically a given for pool parties and trips to the beach. I like to bring along a multi-tasking brush like this one shown above from Monroe Brushes. It's oval core and 100% boar bristle brushes, The Grand Gala can be used for styling with a blow dryer and finishing fine to medium-processed hair. This means it's gentle enough to use on chlorinated tresses or hair that's seen a bit of sea and sun. See The Grand Gala at Monroe Brushes online.

Speaking of sun, I especially like Dr. Obagi's Mineral Sun Shield, Broad Spectrum SPF 50. It's really the best type of non-chemical sunblock. Hawaiian Tropic just launched their new Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 and Sheer Touch After Sun Moisturizer - Ultra Radiance which leaves a subtle glow on the skin. Also Urban Skin Rx Hydrating Lip Treatment contains rich avocado oil and offers long lasting moisture. The Milky Cow hand cream in Sweet Berry is from Korea. 

NEW Summer releases from Hawaiian Tropic

Of course always remember your shades! Shown here are my classic shades, Wayfarers by Ray-Ban and below The Super Model by Jack Eyes, NYC

The Super Model Eyewear in Red Tortoise by Jack Eyes
Lady Angry Dragon Watch by Rapp Black

Detail on Lady Angry Dragon

Air Brushed Makeup to Go - Mineral Air
I've been using Kett Cosmetics Hydro Foundation makeup via compressor & airbrush gun for several years now. High Definition (HD) print work, television and public appearances require a flawless, nearly invisible finish. While I find the coverage and ease of airbrushing to be unparalleled, I've not been able to find a portable unit small enough for travel...until now. Mineral Air is a self contained, cordless mini-compressor, not an aerosol spray like Dior's Airflash Foundation. Mix your airbrush foundation in the unit and close the top. Simple. Small enough to pop in your handbag, I can't wait to take it on vacation!  I will be giving the airbrush unit and the foundation a full review this spring so check back or visit MineralAir.com. Here is the ingredient list for this mineral based foundation:
Sea Salt, Algae Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Olive Squalanne, Pomegranate, Argan Oils, Ceramides 2, 3 and 6 II, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamins C and E.

Mineral Air compact, cordless airbrush compressor and foundation

Accessories & products c/o the designers/companies included herewith.