Summer Beauty, Wellness & Lifestyle Picks — As Seen On CBS Austin!
Every summer has a story, so you’ll want to make this year’s tale one you’ll always remember fondly. To help you look and feel like you’re shining as you create those beautiful memories, I stopped by CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” (virtually, of course!) to share some of my beauty, wellness and lifestyle products picks for the warmest of seasons. Check out the segment above (or click here to view it on CBS Austin’s website) and scroll down for the tea on everything seen on air!
OLAY REGENERIST COLLAGEN PEPTIDE24 HYDRATING MOISTURIZER
We tend to associate dry and dull-looking skin with the winter season, when our complexions often begin to match the dreary, gray, snow-covered surroundings. But, in truth, these gripes aren’t exclusive to the chilly winter months — in fact, they’re quite common in the summer too.
The sun’s rays, the chlorine in our swimming pools, and the A/C in homes, cars and offices can stage a full-on villainous attack on our skin, disrupting its natural barrier function and leading to dehydrated skin. This, in turn, leads to a plethora of related woes — after all, without moisture, our complexions appear less plump, bouncy, and dewy. And who wants tired-looking? No one!
To help skin get its groove back like Stella, reach for the new Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide24 Face Moisturizer (under $30 at Olay.com or contact your local retailer for curbside pick-up). This ultra-hydrating moisturizer is formulated with Olay’s powerhouse peptide formula which utilizes small peptide molecules that penetrate the skin’s surface and boost natural collagen production. The dermatologist-approved formula also contains glycerin, snow mushroom extract and vitamin B3, offering 24-hour hydration and visibly firming skin. In fact, this affordably priced moisturizer hydrates even better than a $400 cream!
JAFRA SUN COLLECTION
Beauty icons like Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lopez, Drew Barrymore, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Jennifer Garner all cite their vigilance about wearing sunscreen daily when asked about how they’ve managed to maintain their skin’s youthful radiance well after turning 40. Regardless of the season, of whether there are rain showers and overcast skies in the weather forecast, and of your age and ethnicity, you need to wear SPF daily to protect your skin against UV exposure, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and prevent premature skin aging.
In other words, if there’s one summer beauty rule you have to follow it’s this: make SPF your BFF. You’re likely to find a great sunscreen upon which to bestow the coveted bestie title within the JAFRA SUN collection, which is comprised of high-performance, water-resistant, lightweight sunscreens that offer SPF 50 protection. The clean formulas contain no oxybenzone or octinoxate — both of which can disrupt our endocrine system and which, moreover, can harm coral reefs and endanger our delicate ecosystem. Instead, these reef-friendly, dermatologist-tested sunscreens utilize a mixture of chemical sunscreens that deliver broad spectrum protection such as avobenzone, homosalate and octisalate, and they incorporate skin-conditioning and moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E, vitamin B5, glycerin, bisabolol and elderberry extract.
The collection includes numerous options for the face and body, as well as a great product to soothe sun-exposed skin after a trip to the beach or lake: the JAFRA SUN Cooling After Sun Relief Lotion ($22 at JAFRA.com), a non-sticky, lightweight lotion that instantly cools skin and delivers both immediate and long-lasting hydration thanks to powerhouse ingredients like sodium PCA, glycerin, aloe, bisabolol, elderberry extract, vitamin B3, and sodium hyaluronate.
If you’re skipping the makeup but want a hint of coverage from your SPF, you’ll love the JAFRA SUN Tinted Face Protector Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($22 at JAFRA.com), a lightweight and oil-free moisturizer that features JAFRA’s Color Match Technology, which is comprised of micro-encapsulated pigments that are released on contact with skin so as to blend in with your skin tone. In other words, though the sunscreen appears white when dispensed, as soon as you rub it onto your skin, you’ll notice it change color, until it blends in seamlessly with your particular skin tone. Yes, y’all, it’s a smart cookie!
Another of my faves is the JAFRA SUN Spray-On Sunscreen SPF 50 ($28 at JAFRA.com), a non-aerosol, sheer, non-greasy, spray-on SPF that dries quickly and helps you access those hard-to-reach areas (like your back and shoulders).
Not only are these sunscreens packed with skin-loving ingredients, but they feature a light and tropical scent that will lift your spirits. Prices range from $22 to $28 at JAFRA.com
LOTTIE LONDON STAMP LINER
From pastel eyeliner to contoured lips and colorful mascara, the TikTok community is always up on the hottest makeup trends — and the best beauty products with which to achieve them. And savvy TikTok users know that, when it comes to creating must-have looks, they can turn to Lottie London, a female-owned, cruelty-free, conscious and cool brand of on-trend, high-quality, and affordable color cosmetics. Remember that killer look Lizzo flaunted during the TikTok Euphoria makeup challenge? Well, her makeup artist used a Lottie London product to pull off the singer’s glossy, glitter-packed, foil-finish lip look. The faux freckles and feathery brows dominating your TikTok feed? Lottie London has something to create those too. Whatever your makeup needs, this cool AF brand has something that will meet and exceed your expectations.
One TikTok-approved product that you need in your makeup bag STAT is the Lottie London Stamp Liner ($5.98 at Walmart). The liner has become a viral sensation because it makes the process of achieving the perfect cat eye so simple and quick! Here’s why the Lottie London Stamp Liner is so genius: it features an adorable, wing-shaped stamp on one end and an ultra-fine precision tip on the other. To create a winged liner look, then, you use the stamp end and press it down at the outer corner of the eye so as to create that perfect feline flick, then turn to the precision tip to fill in any gaps, clean up the edges, and to trace your lash line. Not only will you beautifully achieve that winged shape, but the liner is a super-saturated black shade that adds just the right amount of drama.
FLAMINGO PUBIC HAIR WAX KIT
The internet has spoken, and “vaxed and waxed” is the summer 2021 motto. Flamingo is here to help you wit the latter part of the coveted combo via multiple at-home waxing kits — including its Flamingo Pubic Hair Wax Kit ($10 at ShopFlamingo.com), which will help you stay swimsuit-ready all season long.
This at-home waxing kit features different-sized, no-heat strips designed to remove hair from the upper thigh and bikini line. That’s right: no wax warmers and wooden sticks, and no having to rub wax strips together between your hands to warm them up! The strips come ready-to-use, so there’s little to no prep involved.
The kit also includes easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions as well as post-wax cloths that remove any wax residue, soothe skin and prevent ingrown hairs.
With this kit, then, you can keep the bikini area smooth and hair-free — all without the inconvenience and expense of constant trips to the salon. After all, who wants to miss an opportunity to lay by the pool?
DEHV CANDLE CO.’S SUSTAINABLY CREATED CANDLES
Scent is the sense most closely linked to memory, and it’s one of the reasons why DEHV Candle Co. founder Jade Eknaian became so fascinated with scented candles. She not only mused about their power to trigger nostalgia and spark great conversations, but she felt the desire to create candles with memorable scents that would be present as memories were being made. DEHV Candle Co., then, is a deeply personal endeavor for Eknaian — in fact, the initials DEHV belong to Eknaian’s four grandparents: Dominic, Eleanor, Hagop and Virginia.
Eco-conscious living and sustainable practices are also foundational principles for DEHV Candle Co. Each high-quality, eco-friendly, clean-burning candle is sustainably created using 100% non-GMO soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks. Plus, each candle is hand-poured into a modern-looking vessel that’s made of 100% natural concrete and does not contain any polymers or polyesters, then topped with a metal copper lid. Not only do the candles’ 11 oz. vessels add texture and character to any home’s decor, but they can easily be cleaned out after use and repurposed. For instance, they make excellent planters for succulents or starter pots for herbs.
The brand offers a plethora of mesmerizing scent options, but there are 3 candles that seem to encapsulate the very essence of summer. First, there’s DUSK, which features a smoky and creamy aroma that emulates the scent of a campfire via notes of suede, coconut milk and waterlily. Another great option is CAROUSEL, which perfectly marries sugar and spice. Reminiscent of carnivals and walks along the boardwalk, this candle features notes of pink pepper, rose, brown sugar, plum and oud. Last, there’s RIVIERA, which will remind you of the ocean with its notes of sea salt, driftwood, rosebud, lavender, and lemon.
Each candle is $38 at DEHVCandleCo.com
ENSUENO LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS
Summer is in full swing, which means our laundry piles are probably sweatier and funkier than ever before. To tackle those really tough odors and leave your laundry smelling so fresh and so clean, you can count on Ensueño. The brand is best known for its Fabric Softeners, which deliver weeks of long-lasting fragrance and include plant-based softening agents that make clothes feel like they’re caressing skin. Building on the success of its Fabric Softener, Ensueño recently introduced the new Ensueño Liquid Laundry Detergent and Scent Booster Dryer Sheets, unveiling a trifecta of high-performance yet affordable laundry solutions.
The Ensueño Liquid Laundry Detergent has a 3-in-1 biodegradable formula that deep cleans fabrics, fights stains and protects clothes from fading, while the Scent Booster Dryer Sheets deliver long-lasting aroma and reduce wrinkles and static. Both new products are available in two fragrances: Spring Fresh and Violet Bouquet.
You can find Ensueño at HEB, Family Dollar, Home Depot, Dollar General and Lowe’s.
Check these out — you might just find yourself tumbling and spinning for joy!
BAREORGANICS CARDIO CARE COFFEE AND CHLORELLA POWDER
Summer goes by so fast that it should get a speeding ticket! If there’s ever a season in which to embrace a carpe diem attitude, it’s this one. So, to make the most of every second, you’ll need to put some pep in your step. Luckily, BareOrganics offers some fantastic energy-boosting foods that have ample health benefits.
BareOrganics specializes in high-quality, great-tasting products that are USDA Organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free. To that end, the company sources the highest-quality ingredients from around the world in order to provide consumers with choices that suit their dietary needs and enable healthier lifestyles.
To get a jolt of energy in the morning, reach for the BareOrganics Cardio Care Coffee ($12.99 at HEB). These coffee pods, which can be used in your favorite single-cup coffee maker, contain organic artisan coffee infused with heart-friendly superfoods like cacao, cinnamon, turmeric and ginger, as well as probiotics that promote digestive health. Not only is this a healthier option than traditional coffee, but it has a lovely flavor that’s got a slight kick.
Another great energy-boosting option is the BareOrganics Chlorella Powder ($26.99 at HEB). Chlorella is an edible, single-cell, freshwater algae that’s native to Taiwan and Japan. It’s considered a superfood due to its high content of vitamin A, biotin, and energizing vitamin B12. Other studies indicate that chlorella can support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and help the body’s natural detoxification process. To reap all these benefits, you can simply add this nutrient-dense powder to your smoothie of choice or you can check out many of the great recipes at BareOrganics.com.
THE PICKLE JUICE CO’S PICKLE JUICE SPORT
If you’re working out intensely in this summer heat, you want to make sure you’re replacing not only the fluids but also the electrolytes you lose when you sweat. And the easiest and quickest way to do so is by reaching for an electrolyte-packed sports drink. The problem? Many of these fitness drinks are actually loaded with artificial flavors and dyes, as well as sugar and/or artificial sweeteners, making them a less-than-healthy option. Luckily, you can bypass these options and instead reach for some Pickle Juice, which contains 10 to 15 times the electrolytes found in other sports drinks.
Formulated by The Pickle Juice Company —which is based in Mesquite, Texas — Pickle Juice contains zero calories and zero sugar and it’s made with simple, all-natural ingredients like dual filtered water, organic vinegar, organic dill oil, salt, potassium, zinc, and vitamins C and E.
And here’s something else that sets Pickle Juice apart from other sports drinks: it’s the only product on the market that’s scientifically proven to prevent muscle cramps and speed up recovery time. How so? Well, scientists have discovered that muscle cramps are the result of a neurological phenomenon. These involuntary, painful, continuous muscle contractions are the result of hyper-excited alpha motoneurons, which are the nerve cells project from the spinal cord directly to many skeletal muscle fibers. Studies have found that drinking pickle juice sends a signal to the nervous system that effectively calms down overactive motoneurons, reducing the duration of cramps.
Pickle Juice Sport, then, was developed using solid scientific research and hence has been heralded by countless athletes who rely on the beverage to aid in their recovery process.
You can find Pickle Juice at H-E-B stores. Visit PicklePower.com for more info
