Essentials For All Your Spring Living Needs — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”
Spring is in full bloom: the birds are chirping, colorful Texas wildflowers are dotting the fields, and vibrant annual blossoms like daffodils and hibiscuses are drenching our landscapes with their saturated hues. The sights and sounds of spring remind me of a famous Oscar Wilde quote, “A flower blossoms for its own joy” — which, of course, suggests that we can follow suit by embracing all the adventures, experiences, places, and moments that bring us happiness and fulfillment.
On that note, then, I recently chatted with my friends at CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” and shared some ideas and some suggestions for beauty, wellness, and lifestyle products that will help you seek your own joy and feel like you’re walking on sunshine!
Keep reading for the scoop on everything discussed on air!
FREE + TRUE BRIGHT SIDE SERUM & GENMAI CHAI
We all want skin that’s radiant, that looks like it’s lit from within. And the best way to achieve that coveted glow-up is by adopting a holistic approach to beauty and wellness — i.e. feeding our skin from the outside in and, conversely, from the inside out. Enter this powerhouse duo from Free + True, which will set you on the path to flaunting skin that glows as bright as the sun.
An aesthetician-founded brand, Free + True specializes in clean, botanical-powered products that make skincare simple and effortless. Their goal is to take the worry out of skincare, so you don’t have to spend your precious time scouring through labels and researching ingredients just to make sure they’re safe and effective; instead, you can trust Free + True to do that work for you and free up your time to focus on achieving all your goals and living life to the fullest.
Your first step to achieving a luminous complexion is the Free+ True Bright Side ($72 at FreeandTrueSkincare.com), a vitamin C serum that illuminates the complexion while also firming and plumping skin thanks to vitamin C’s collagen-boosting powers. One of the brand’s most beloved and top-selling offerings, this serum incorporates two forms of stable vitamin C, as well as vitamin B3 (otherwise known as niacinamide), bearberry and mulberry extracts, to brighten skin while also minimizing dark spots and evening skin tone.
To complete your holistic approach to radiant skin, you need to be equally mindful of what you put in your body — after all, what you consume will help you glow from the inside out. Enter the Free + True Genmai Chai ($38 at FreeandTrueSkincare.com), part of the brand’s new line of superfood ingestibles. This turmeric and spice matcha has notes of ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper that help to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, enhance mental clarity, and provide sustained energy. Just stir 1 to 2 teaspoons into your smoothie or plant-based milk each morning, and enjoy!
SEROVITAL BEAUTY SUDDENLY SMOOTH GENTLE RETINALL & DEEP MOISTURE RECOVERY WHIP
You might be acquainted with SeroVital’s healthy aging supplements, but did you know the company has forayed into skincare? That’s right! SeroVital Beauty is a skincare brand at the intersection of science and beauty that specializes in products for women over the age of 40. To that end, all SeroVital Beauty products address concerns ranging from loss of elasticity (due to depleting collagen levels and damaged elastin as we age) to dryness (often the result of a weaker skin barrier), dark spots, redness and irritation. Because mature skin is more sensitive, all SeroVital Beauty products feature an exclusive Epidermal Cushioning Technology that allows powerful ingredients to be delivered in gentle, non-irritating formulas.
On that note, SeroVital Beauty has taken a unique approach to retinol. See, while retinol is widely recognized as an anti-aging powerhouse, many products with this ingredient can cause redness, dryness, peeling, and irritation. To help women reap the benefits of retinol without having to grapple with the unsavory drawbacks, SeroVital Beauty developed an amazing, non-harsh, retinol-based product, the SuddenlySmooth Gentle RetinAll ($89 at SeroVital.com and ULTA.com). This gentle 2% retinol compound also incorporates peptides and Epidermal Growth Factors to reduce the appearance of five types of wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and density, and give the complexion a more sculpted, lifted appearance.
Another common concern among women 45+ is that their skin is more prone to dryness, which is often the result of a weaker, more fragile skin barrier. Once the ski’s barrier function is compromised, any moisture can easily leave skin, leading to dehydration. This, in turn, can lead to more pronounced lines and wrinkles, as well as a duller skin tone, more droopiness, and other woes. The key to addressing this issue, then, is to not only apply a powerful moisturizer but to choose a formula that actively strengthens the skin’s barrier. To keep skin bouncy and quenched, check out the Deep Moisture Recovery Whip ($49 at SeroVital.com and ULTA.com) a comforting face cream made with plant-based ingredients and TripleBiotics to restore lost moisture and improve the skin’s barrier function.
IMBUE CURLS
Tired of haircare products that promise to “tame” or “control” your curls? Me too! Enter Imbue Curls, a vegan haircare brand that seeks to strengthen and nurture curls and coils rather than seeking to control or restrict them. The curly girl compliant brand was designed specifically for curl and coil types 3A (think Zendaya or Sarah Jessica Parker) to 4C (think Lupita Nyong’o). All Imbue products have no sulfates, parabens, or oil-based silicones; instead, they’re formulated with sustainably sourced, curl-loving plant extracts like olive, coconut, avocado, and camellia oils, as well as cupuacu, shea, and cocoa butters.
There collection is comprised of 7 products that allow you to implement a four-step regimen: cleanse, condition, curl, and finish. For your convenience, the products are color-coded so you’ll know which step of the regimen they pertain to (yellow caps and lids for Cleanse, green for Condition, pink for Curl and orange for Finish).
One of my favorite offerings in the collection is the Curl Empowering Crème Gel ($12.98 at ImbueCurls.com) This multi-tasking product enhances your natural curl pattern and hydrates strands — all while offering a flake-free medium hold. And, unlike other styling products that can weigh hair down or leave it feeling stiff and crunchy, this one leaves urls soft, shiny, and springy. Prices range from $12.99 to $19.99 at ImbueCurls.com
PLUS WHITE 5 MINUTE SPEED WHITENING GEL
Brighter days call for a brighter smile, right? To light up the world with your smile, check out the Plus White 5 Minute Speed Whitening Gel, an enamel-friendly gel designed for safe at-home use. This fast-acting, non-abrasive gel is formulated with oxygenating hydrogen peroxide, the same ingredient dentists use to whiten teeth, and it gently lifts away stains on teeth from coffee, wine, and more, while also reducing yellowing, thereby transforming your smile. To use, you just apply the gel onto a toothbrush or mouth tray as instructed in the packaging and wait five minutes before rinsing!
The gel retails for under $10 at PlusWhite.com
BIKINI ZONE ANTI-BUMP SHAVE GEL
We all love lounging poolside and splashing around in the water but, for us ladies, that means a more extensive beauty regimen in order to remain swimsuit ready at a moment’s notice. . Enter the Bikini Zone Anti-Bump Shave Gel ($7 at BikiniZone.com, Amazon, and Walmart), which is exclusively formulated to prevent unsightly bumps from developing after shaving the delicate bikini area. To use, simply apply a generous amount along the bikini area prior to shaving and glide your razor carefully over the region for a close shave without any of the nicks, bumps, and irritation.
The extra gentle formula goes on clear so you can easily see any missed spots and avoid cuts while shaving, and it’s formulated with soothing botanicals, moisturizing microbeads, emollients, and vitamins A and E to keep the bikini area smooth and irritation-free well after the hair removal process.
KICKSBYSAMMY CUSTOMIZABLE POUCHES
If you’re anything like me, you have a predilection for oversize handbags that can quickly transform into black holes. Sure, you can stash anything in your handbag but, if you can’t find anything without having to dump your bag’s entire contents onto a table or passenger seat, that’s not exactly helpful, right? Trying to scoop out a pacifier while holding a crying baby at a public park or searching for a face mask before venturing into a supermarket can make an otherwise casual outing transform into a stressful event. To avoid these anxiety-creating moments, getting organized is crucial. And why not do it in the spring, when we’re all organizing our closets, pantries, and cabinets?
To get organized in style, check out KicksBySammy’s customizable fabric pouches. Featuring colorful, dynamic, hand-drawn designs by artist and company founder Samantha Handler, these pouches are perfect for storing everything from makeup to baby essentials, school and art supplies, face masks and hand sanitizer, first-aid supplies and medications, and more.
Each 12″ x9” pouch can be personalized, so you can add your initials, your first name, or a phrase that captures the mission of the pouch like “Glam” for makeup or “Travel” for passports and boarding passes.Not only are these pretty pouches the perfect way to keep oversize handbags tidy, but they’re also great for storing items neatly in your car, vanity and desk.
Prices range from $32 to $42 at KicksBySammy.com
BUG BITE THING
We all know the saying, “It just wouldn’t be a picnic without the ants.” Well, ants aren’t the only bugs that like to come out and play — particularly in the spring and summer. Just as we swarm outside to enjoy the beautiful weather, so do armies of mosquitoes, flies, bees, and more. And there’s nothing like a painful big bite to zap the fun out of an outdoor activity. Luckily, that doesn’t have to be the case thanks to Bug Bite Thing, which is Amazon’s #1 selling product for insect bite relief, with over 30,000 glowing reviews.
This groundbreaking product, which was seen on Shark Tank, uses suction to extract insect saliva or venom from underneath skin, alleviating the itching, swelling, and discomfort caused by insect bites and stings. It’s completely chemical-free, reusable, and safe to use on adults and children of all ages. Now available in black and white, the latest edition even features handy perforations so you can keep the device on your keychain and have it within reach at all times. It’s under $10 with free shipping at BugBiteThing.com
C4 SMART ENERGY NATURAL ZERO
Making innovative, flavorful, science-backed products that help to maximize human potential —that’s the mantra driving C4 Energy, a global leader in sports nutrition thanks to its line of better-for-you performance energy beverages. Its most recent innovation is the new C4 Smart Energy Natural Zero, a revitalizing and naturally sweetened beverage that contains zero sugars, calories or carbs. Available in refreshing flavors like Blackberry, Cherry Lime, and Grapefruit, C4 Smart Energy Natural Zero provides you with an energy boost while also helping to enhance your cognitive abilities so you can be more efficient and productive — whether you’re tackling a work project or a grueling workout.
C4 Smart Energy Natural Zero incorporates InnovaTea caffeine, which is naturally derived from green tea to offer plant-based energy, as well as Cognizin, a nutrient that supports mental focus, attention and recall. Formulated with no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives, this great-tasting drink includes everything you need to unlock your mental potential with zero compromise.
A 12-pack retails for $25.99 at C4Energy.com and retailers like H-E-B, GNC, and Randalls.
CASILLERO DEL DIABLO ROSE AND SAUVIGNON BLANC WINES
After an anxiety-ridden year of isolating at home and avoiding all social functions, we’re finally getting to mingle (safely, of course) with family and friends — and that calls for a celebration. Toast to old friends and new beginnings with one of Casillero del Diablo’s affordable premium Chilean wines.
Rooted in a mysterious 19th century legend, Casillero del Diablo’s wines reflect the adventurous spirit of Chile and the unique terroir of the Valle Central region, which is nestled between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean.
Casillero del Diablo wines have garnered 170 gold and silver medals at international competitions — and, in 2020, the brand was named New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its portfolio consists of 9 affordable, award-winning wines, including their Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc, both refreshing and light options that are perfect for spring gatherings.
Boasting an intense strawberry color, the Casillero del Diablo Rosé has an aroma characterized by notes of blackberries, raspberries, and cherries, and the palate has expressive plum and strawberry notes. The Sauvignon Blanc, meanwhile, has a fresh, vibrant aroma, with notes of citrus, peach, and gooseberry. It tastes fresh from start to finish, and the citric characteristics from the coastal areas of Northwest Chile shine through with every sip.
Each wine is just $12. Visit CasillerodelDiabloUS.com to order online or find a local retailer
