Enjoy Some Next-Level R&R With These Pampering Beauty & Wellness Picks — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”

Yesterday was National Relaxation Day so, to keep the chill energy going strong as we head into this week, I decided to offer some ideas on simple ways in which we can add some stress relief —and a bit of tranquility— into our daily lives. After all, part of our overall wellness involves learning how to carve out some “me” time on a regular basis and how to center ourselves — even when our lives seem particularly frenzied and chaotic. So, with that in mind,  I shared some of my relaxation tips today on CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” — which you can check out here . Keep on reading for some of my suggestions and more details on all the products shown on air!

OLAY REGENERIST RETINOL24 NIGHT MOISTURIZER

Yes, we spend one-third of our lives sleeping. And while some may think that’s an excessive number, it truly isn’t — without proper sleep, our cognitive functioning becomes impaired, our ability to focus diminishes, our immune system falters, our muscle mass decreases, and our mood plummets. Not only do we need sufficient sleep to maintain our health, but it’s essential to being productive during our waking hours. So, if you’ve been skimping on sleep in the name of getting more things checked off your to-do list, stop now. You’ll find that, with proper rest, you may actually get through those tasks significantly faster as you’ll be more clear-minded and efficient. And, if not, there’s always tomorrow!

Another reason why our bodies need sleep? Our skin cells undergo intense repair and recovery at night — in fact, some experts estimate that the regeneration process can be up to 3x quicker at night than during the day. In other words: there is some real truth behind the whole concept of beauty sleep.

To help your skin transform itself while you catch some Zzs, pick up the Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer. Formulated with Olay’s transformative Retinoid Complex, which incorporates retinol and retinyl propionate (a gentler retinol ester), this evening face cream works while you sleep so you can wake up to smoother, brighter, more supple skin. Unlike some retinol-packed products that can prove overly drying and irritating, this night cream keeps skin hydrated and soothed thanks to dermatologist-approved ingredients like niacinamide (vitamin B3), which helps to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier so it can lock in moisture more effectively.

This powerhouse nighttime cream is the perfect addition to your evening skincare regiment, and it retails for under $30 at Olay.com. You can also contact your local retailer for curbside pick-up!

SOKE BEAUTY CHEST/DECOLLETAGE TREATMENT & EYE TREATMENT

We’d all love to block out a day every month when we could kick up our heels and enjoy some luxuriously pampering treatments — be it a deep tissue massage, a seaweed wrap, a mud bath, a skin-illuminating facial, a manicure and pedicure, or any other blissfully relaxing and indulgent experience. But, oftentimes, regular spa trips are both a logistical nightmare and a costly proposition. Luckily, you can squeeze in some “me” time without abandoning any of your work or family obligations. How so? Well, meet SOKE Beauty, a line of luxurious skincare treatments designed for women on-the-go.

SOKE Beauty founder Amy Newman Brown set out to create a line of highly effective treatments that would yield visible results in just 30 minutes or less and which could be used while multi-tasking. The result was a line of hydrogel treatments infused with  a potent combination of peptides that boost collagen production, plump fine lines, and brighten skin. Designed with a unique, patent-pending delivery system, each hydrogel treatment features a flexible gel matrix that adheres to skin quickly and seamlessly and, more importantly, stays securely in place. Because of these unique properties, then, you can treat oft-neglected areas of your skin while multi-tasking — whether you’re answering emails, updating spreadsheets,  making dinner, or folding laundry.

To rejuvenate the décolletage area, try the SOKE Beauty Chest/Decolletage Treatment ($75 for a set of 5 treatments at SokeBeauty.com). Each heart-shaped hydrogel helps to hydrate the delicate skin along the neck and chest, plump and minimize the appearance of fine lines, reduce the look of crepiness and sagging, and illuminate dull and lackluster skin.

And to brighten up tired-looking eyes and minimize fine lines and crow’s feet, check out the SOKE Beauty Eye Treatment ($56 for a set of 6 treatments at SokeBeauty.com).

NICHOLE AVONIE BLUE CHAMOMILE CLEANSING OIL AND EXFOLIATING BODY CLEANSER

With the right products, you can turn the most seemingly mundane activities into relaxing rituals of self-care. For instance, something as  simple as cleansing your face can become an exercise in mindfulness. To refresh skin while harnessing your inner Zen, try the Nichole Avonie Blue Chamomile Cleansing Oil ($29.50 at NicholeAvonie.com), an ultra-gentle, naturally blue cleanser formulated with antioxidant-rich, skin-loving botanical extracts like jojoba seed, safflower, sunflower, chamomile, and lemon peel oils. Not only does this cleansing oil remove dirt and impurities, but it melts away even the most stubborn makeup. To use, just shake the bottle well and dispense 2-4 pumps onto your dry palms, then massage the cleanser onto your dry face and finish by rinsing off with warm water. The cleanser’s soothing chamomile aroma makes the experience feel all the more therapeutic!

Another way to level up your beauty regimen is through the Nichole Avonie Exfoliating Body Cleanser ($28.50 at NicholeAvonie.com), a light foaming body scrub that features calming lavender and lemongrass aromas. Featuring sugar and volcanic sand to polish off dead surface skin cells along with glycerin, hemp seed oil and jojoba oils to nourish and hydrate skin, this light foaming body scrub leaves skin looking and feeling smoother, softer, and more luminous. Your skin will feel brand new, and your mind will feel reinvigorated thanks to the product’s calming scents.

ALAFFIA EVERYDAY SHEA BUBBLE BATH IN LAVENDER

Forget soaking your worries away! For an even better alternative, try  turning your troubles into bubbles! All you need is the Alaffia EveryDay Shea Bubble Bath in Lavender ($14.99 at Target.com).

Handcrafted with unrefined, fair trade shea butter, this fragrant bubble bath gently moisturizes, nourishes and soothes skin. And, of course, its natural lavender scent promotes calm, transforming an ordinary bath into an oasis of relaxation.

The Alaffia EveryDay Shea Bubble Bath is paraben-free, gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free, and it contains no synthetic fragrances.

THE BOX BY DR. AVA

Do you get giddy whenever a package arrives for you in the mail? Well, that sense of anticipation, combined with a hefty dose of convenience, is precisely what has enabled the subscription box industry to thrive over the past few years. And while there are tons of beauty subscription boxes out there, most simply contain an arbitrary sampling of trial-sized products. To discover great skincare and wellness products recommended by true experts in the field, check out The Box by Dr. Ava, the first and only dermatologist-curated subscription skincare box.

The brainchild of renowned, board certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, The Box by Dr Ava introduces consumers to high-quality products curated by season and delivered quarterly. Each box is valued at over $600 and contains only full-size products – which is a key point of difference from other beauty boxes that feature sample-sized contents. In fact, Dr. Ava insisted on having members receive full-sized products with the understanding that it takes more than a few applications to truly gauge the efficacy of these formulations. Moreover, this Doc in a Box brings professional products to consumers’ doorsteps, reaching consumers in remote areas or derm deserts (areas where access to dermatologists is limited).

With their subscriptions, members have access to a community forum where they can pose skincare questions and enjoy real-time telehealth consultations with skincare experts trained by Dr. Ava. That’s better than having a a derm on speed dial, right?

Membership options include: Skin Enthusiast, a quarterly subscription, for $250; and Skin Obsessed, an annual subscription for $850. Visit TheBoxbyDrAva.com to get started!

THERAROBE

Most of us are familiar with the anxiety-reducing, sleep-enhancing benefits of weighted blankets. But what if you want that level of tranquility when you’re out of the bed? If you want to wrap yourself in comfort and serenity while drinking a cup of tea, watching a movie, reading a book, or enjoying the sight of a gorgeous sunrise or sunset, you just need to slip on the Therarobe ($250 at Therarobe.com and Brookstone). This groundbreaking weighted robe helps to alleviate stress by simulating the feeling of a hug — which, in turn, increases levels of the feel-good hormones oxytocin (known as the “love hormone) and serotonin (dubbed the “happy hormone”). The robe’s science-backed design incorporates targeted pressure points that relax muscles, boost circulation, and release endorphins that ultimately leave you feeling relaxed and happy.

Therarobe features micro glass beads that are sewn into each panel for an ideal weight distribution throughout the garment, and it offers added shoulder weight in order to soothe tight muscles in this critical area where many of us carry  our tension. Plus, the plush fabric is so soft that it feels heavenly against the skin!

Need more reasons to love Therarobe? Well, here are two more: it’s machine washable (no hand washing!), and it’s available in kids’ and adult sizes so the entire family can enjoy its therapeutic properties.

BAREORGANICS LIQUID DROPS & WATER ENHANCERS

Tired of tossing and turning at night, when all you desperately want is to sink into a peaceful slumber?  Yearn to quiet down your overactive brain when you encounter a stressful situation? Well, in addition to exercise, meditation, and other therapeutic tools, you can help achieve a more relaxed state and thereby improve your overall quality of life by turning to some age-old herbal and botanical remedies. Enter BareOrganics, a leading consumer health brand offering a line of natural, USDA Certified Organic Superfoods that are gluten-free, non-GMO, and great-tasting. BareOrganics offers nutrient-dense superfoods that can be incorporated into countless recipes — from açai berry, turmeric, moringa leaf, spinach, beet root, spirulina and maca root powders to goji berries, chia seeds, and hemp seed protein — as well as liquid drops and water enhancers that can be used to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on the move.

A great example of this type of on-the-go wellness support are the BareOrganics Liquid Drops ($13.99 at BareOrganics.com), which you can take sublingually or add to a beverage such as tea or juice. The Bare Organics Calming Liquid Drops incorporate organic Cordyceps and Ashwagandha to calm the mind and support a healthy response to stress, while the Sweet Dreams Liquid Drops are made with organic valerian, skullcap, hops, passionflower and chamomile extracts to help you get a better nights’ sleep. Both varieties are developed without harsh chemicals or ingredients and are USDA certified organic, non-GMO, alcohol-free, kosher, and gluten-free.

The BareOrganics Water Enhancers ($11.99 for 12-stick pack at BareOrganics.com) are another ultra-convenient choice. Each stick pack contains a powder blend that quickly dissolves in hot or cold water, so you can take these with you wherever you go.  Designed with adaptogens and botanicals to quiet the body and mind, the Calm Enhancer has a delicious vanilla chai flavor and incorporates  Schisandra berry, lemon balm, and Ashwagandha. Featuring a yummy berry-lemonade flavor, the Sleep Enhancer contains valerian, passionflower, and chamomile extracts to help you doze off with ease — and stay peacefully asleep throughout the night. And to support healthy hair, nails, and skin, there’s the Beauty Enhancer, which contains organic collagen types I, II and III as well as vitamin C and biotin.

ENFUSIA BATH BOMBS & SPA BATH SOAKS

If your tub is your happy place, give it an even more blissful ambiance with these goodies from Enfusia, a line of bath and body products made with botanical ingredients boasting skincare and aromatherapy benefits.

Enfusia’s products are vegan and cruelty-free, and they contain no harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates or dyes. For a little fizzy fun during bath time, check out Enfusia’s fragrant Bath Bombs, which quickly dissolve when placed in hot water, creating a colorful, frothy, foamy bath experience. Made with baking soda and skin-loving ingredients like jojoba oil, kaolin clay, and witch hazel, these handmade bath bombs come in an array of scents including Lavender and Eucalyptus Lavender. Prices range from $3.99 for an individual bath bomb to $22 for boxed sets and sampler packs at H-E-B, Central Market and Whole Foods.

And, if you’re feeling a little ache-y or sore, turn to the Enfusia Spa Bath Soaks, which are made with Epsom salt to relax tight muscles and are infused and infused with fragrant essential oils. The Lavender and Eucalyptus Lavender varieties are an ideal choice for a spa-worthy soak at home, but you can also find options like Hibiscus Water, Rose Absolute, and Coriander Rosewood. A 2.5 oz. pouch retails for $3.49 while a 16 oz pouch is $10.99 at H-E-B, Central Market and Whole Foods.

In addition to bath bombs and bath soaks, Enfusia offers soaps, lip balms, bubble baths, soaps, and perfumes— all handcrafted in the brand’s Texas NSF-certified facility.

You can buy each product individually or as part of a gift set such as the Unicorn Gift Set shown last above, which contains: a white Unicorn Heart Bath Bomb kissed with pink, purple, white, and blue hues and featuring biodegradable glitter in its core; a pouch of fizzy Unicorn Heart Dust in a bright pink shade with glistening biodegradable glitter; and a Unicorn Heart Bar Soap that’s as pretty as it is creamy and fragrant. The products in the set feature a magical aroma that combines the floral scents of jasmine, violet and verbena with whimsical fruity notes. The set retails for $14.99 at H-E-B, Whole Foods and Central Market.

SPIbelt Bags

It may seem counterintuitive to suggest working out when speaking of relaxation, but the two are inextricably intertwined. After all, regular exercise does wonders to lower stress levels, improve sleep quality, and enhance your mood. So, whether you’re going on a brisk walk or jog, biking around town, kayaking, or paddle boarding, it’s time to get physical!

As you get to moving and grooving, you’ll want to keep small personal items close without them weighing you down — which is where Austin-based SPIbelt comes to the rescue! The Original SPIbelt ($22.99 at SPIbelt.com) features a secure, low-profile pocket to safely carry essentials like your ID, cash, and keys, while the Large Pocket SPIbelt ($24.99 at SPIbelt.com) is designed to hold larger smartphones including the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

Another great option is the Crossbody SPIBelt ($34.99 at SPIbelt.com), a fashionable, unisex, wrap-around style that can easily double as a running belt when wrapped twice around the waist.

All SPIbelts are bounce-free, expandable, and equipped with a sturdy buckle, plus they feature comfortable and soft elastic to prevent chafing. Check out all the amazing styles and colors available at SPIbelt.com