What's in My Resort Bag? Spa Swag

Resort faves: BioElixia Body Shapers and Sulwhasoo Age Veil.

Crystal Springs Resort & Spa, Hardyston, NJ I just got back from visiting one of the most beautiful resorts in the NYC/Metro area. We stayed at the Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs Resort in a beautiful one bedroom suite replete with patio, living room, fireplace, kitchen and dining area. The bathrooms have both a shower and a full sized whirlpool tub. The best part was the gorgeous mountain view as seen here from the doorway of the Clubhouse.

View of the mountains that surround Crystal Springs Resort

Resort Amenities
While we always appreciate a beautiful room and a great view, the spa aspect of a resort is also key. Reflections Spa is among the top 30 retreats in the US and number ONE in New Jersey. We also enjoyed the Biosphere Pool and Hot Tub which allowed us to be outdoors in our swimsuits despite the cooler temps.

The Biosphere Pool & Hot Tub.  Relaxing in the shade.

So What's in My Resort Bag?
An upscale resort like Crystal Springs will provide you with towels by the pool and a cotton terry robe but I brought along my:

LMN (Luxe Me Now) Slippers in Bronze Lurex: I wore these downstairs to breakfast and to the pool. Non-slip soles means these posh slippers can be worn outside. Gorgeously feminine, these are the ULTIMATE in resort luxury and comfort. Sold at Saks 5th Ave.

A Swimsuit (or two)! You'll also need a swimsuit when using the spa's sauna and hot tub. I'm wearing my Voda Swim black string bikini here (as seen in Sports Illustrated) but I also brought my Carve Designs Lara Full Piece. It has a halter-tie top and pretty folds at the bust line.

Body Firming Creams: I use Bioelixia Body Shapers before my trip to the spa and while I'm there. Their Firming Toning Body Lotion gives skin an instant tightening boost due to high levels of green tea and caffeine. It's in a class all its own. I also use Bioelixia Cellulite Contour Creme after bathing with their Exfoliating Body Polish. The microdermabrasion beads in the scrub are just what the spas use and give amazing results of ultra smooth skin.

Carve Designs Lara Full Piece Swimsuit in Tulum & Luxe Me Now Slippers

Sunscreen: FACE: The sunblock for my face that I'm loving right now is from Korea. Sulwhasoo Age Veil 30+ UV Protection Creme is more like a skin treatment with added sunscreen. It goes on so smoothly with no white residue. Very moisturizing but light it is made with time honored Korean botanicals like ginseng.
BODY: I just started using this new Australian Gold SPF 50 Sunblock + Bronzer on my body. So rich, it gives you a little instant warmth of subtle color while protecting your skin . Made with Kona Coffee, it gives you a firming boost along with a bit of bronzing.

Spa Swag
Here are some goodies that most of the top resorts provide so you needn't bring them and can take them when you leave: Molton Brown London- Samphire Body Wash, Kumundu Volumising Conditioner, Kumundu Volumising Shampoo, Coco & Sandalwood Nourishing Body Lotion, Ultra Pure Milk Bath Soap.

More Resort Bag Must Haves:

Juicy Couture La La Malibu Eau de Toilette Spray has fresh summery top notes that remind you of the beach. The prefect resort fragrance for the spa and then out to dinner. Love the glass heart on the bottle! Available at Sephora.

G.M. Collin Instant Radiance Eye Patches & Embryolisse Artist Secret Radiant Eye Balm are spa quality treatments you can enjoy in your own hotel suite! The G.M. Collin Eye Patch packets are small enough to throw in your makeup bag and relax with in the whirlpool. The Embryolisse Artist Secret Radiant Eye is cool and refreshing, giving the skin an instant boost of moisture.

Elizabeth Arden Triple Protection Factor TPF50 was just released this spring but has already become one of my must-haves on the go. It's like having a tinted moisturizer and sunscreen (SPF 50+) in one. Wear it alone or over a primer like Miracle Blur and you're good. Read my full review of the TPF50 HERE.

Elizabeth Arden's New Triple Protection Factor

I'm booked for another stay at Crystal Springs Resort this summer. I will definitely be taking my favorites along again. You should too.

Swimsuits c/o Carve Designs & Voda Swim respectively.
Skincare c/o Bioelixia & Amorepacific respectively.
Slippers c/o Luxe Me Now
Fragrance c/o Juicy Couture

Tone It Up! - BioElixia's NEWLY Released BodyShapers

Want tight and toned legs like these? BioElixia's new BodyShaper Line will firm you up in only 4 weeks!

I first reported on BioElixia's BodyShaper Cellulite Control Creme in my Resorts Fashion Week Body & Sol article last month. First of all let me say that I am a fitness advocate and walk, hike and bicycle quite a bit. That having been said, I've seen a marked improvement in my skin's firmness and tone after only 4 weeks of using their BodyShaper creme. I've tried quite a few products over the years, many of them like one from Lancome which was expensive and painful. It consisted of a bar of soap and a bath massager with rubber nubs. I'm not making this up.

BioElixia's BodyShaper Cellulite Control Creme 
This is the first product that I tried from BioElixia and it is a GOOD one. After three weeks I noticed a difference in how firm my thighs and tummy had become. By week four I was sold. It boasts TMP Dermal Delivery Technology developed in Australia.

BioElixia boasts TPM Dermal Delivery Technology for maximum absorption.

How I Use It
I have used this product in conjunction with my Clarisonic Plus Sonic Cleansing System. This unit deeply and thoroughly cleanses the skin and with the handle extension attachment, it's now a back brush. Right after my shower, I apply the BodyShaper Cellulite Control Creme to my warm, moist, skin. I let it completely soak in before applying any extra moisturizing or self tanning products.

My Clarisonic Plus with Body Brush Extension Handle attached. Body Cleansers & Lotions by Embryolisse

NEW BioElixia November 2013 Releases!
Given how pleased I was with the original BodyShaper product, I was happy to learn that the BioElixia line was to be expanded starting this month! Mind you I've just started trying their new additions but I'm already seeing some front runners in the sleek and chic division.

New additions to the BioElixia BodyShaper line!

Radiance Body Cleanser - Made with green tea, trehalose, fruit enzymes and skin conditioning minerals, I like that this cleanser is pure and clear. Leaves no residue and rinses cleanly. 250ml/ 8.45 fl. oz.

Stretch Mark Diminishing Creme - Technically, stretch marks are tears in the skin's collagen. This happens when the skin stretches faster than the collagen can keep up such as when we have quick weight gain during a pregnancy. Yes, I know about that! There's not a whole lot you can do but I'm looking forward to some positive improvement. 125ml/ 4.23 fl. oz.

The Cellulite Contour Creme was the first BioElixia product I tried

Exfoliating Body Polish - Ding Ding Ding, we have a WINNER! Made with Sweet Almond, aloe vera, vitamin E and micro crystals, this product leaves you feeling like you just had a microdermabrasion treatment.
Skin is incredibly smooth, almost slick afterwards and deep cleansing like this allows the other BioElixia products to sink right in. 200ml/ 6.76 fl. oz.

Firming Toning Body Lotion - Another WINNER! You get an almost instant tone-up and tightening with this lotion as it contains aloe vera, shea butter, vitamin E and firming green tea, caffeine and maca herbal extract. 200ml/ 6.76 fl. oz.

Modeling for a photo shoot for Pistil Designs.

Tone it Up!
I model for a number of really great fashion designers and BioElixia BodyShaper products are now part of my over-all beauty regimen. I still have to work out and lift weights but these products really do it and shown results I can see. Like the icing on the cake, (I'm not supposed to eat)! Whatever your lifestyle or if you just need a little extra confidence to rock that bikini, I think you'll be pleased with BioElixia BodyShapers. BioElixia products are currently available at Henri Bendel or online at BioElixia.com

BodyShaper Skincare Products c/o BioElixia