Totally Achievable Beauty, Wellness, and Style Goals For 2018 — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”
I like to think of every new year as a new notebook filled with blank pages just waiting for us to jot down new adventures, accomplishments, and milestones. When it comes to beauty and wellness goals, then, I find it best to focus on achievable feats that will reinforce a positive outlook, boost confidence, and open up a new world of possibilities. With that in mind, I stopped by CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” yesterday to chat about beauty, style, and wellness goals that anyone can bring to fruition. Check out the two-part segment above and read on for ore details on the goals discussed and the products and services that can help you reach them!
GOAL: TRY A NEW HAIR COLOR
If the new year is a blank slate, then isn’t it time to add some color to it? In the spirit of new adventures and possibilities, why not try a new hair color? After all, there’s an emotionally powerful element to changing your hair color — somehow, by giving your strands a different hue, you can wind up feeling like a new person or, at the very least, like you’re expressing a side of your personality that perhaps has remained dormant for way too long. With the Splat 30 Wash Kits ($10.35 at Walmart), you have the freedom to experiment with bold and unconventional colors like Pink Fetish, Luscious Raspberries, Purple Desire, and Blue Envy, to name just a few options.
Each kit contains a 3.0 oz. semi-permanent hair dye, bleach, oxide, gloves and dyeing instructions. Well, if you want to replicate the high-voltage color shown on the box of each Splat 30 Wash Kit, you need to either have light blonde hair or you need to bleach your strands.
Each semi-permanent hair color lasts up to 30 washes, so you can really test-drive each shade and find out which suits you best!
If you’re considering a major hair transformation but worry you’ll wind up with an unflattering hair color, you can breathe easy knowing you can always correct your handiwork with the Color Oops Extra Conditioning Hair Color Remover ($9.77 at Walmart). Say you’ve been pondering going from dark blonde hair to a deep auburn shade, but you’re concerned that the reality won’t match up to the fantasy. Don’t let your apprehension hold you back! Go for that red hair and, if it looks too dark or isn’t your cup of tea, you can simply remove the color with Color Oops.
How does it work? Well, Color Oops works by shrinking hair dye molecules so that you can simply wash them away, reversing any undesirable hair color situation in just 20 minutes.
The unique formula doesn’t contain any bleach or ammonia, which could potentially damage strands, and it’s enriched with aloe vera and soy protein to condition and strengthen hair during the color removal process. It’s like a magic eraser!
GOAL: ALWAYS REMOVE MAKEUP BEFORE BED
No matter how tired you are, you should always remove your makeup before bed to avoid breakouts. My go-to makeup remover these days is the Collosol Eau de Lait ($18 for 3.4 oz. and $28 for 8.5 oz. at BigelowChemists.com), a cult French beauty product that’s finally available in the US. This gentle water milk removes makeup, cleanses the skin, and leaves it feeling silky soft, plus the product has a subtle floral scent so that it delicately perfumes the skin. Not only is it delightful, but it’s beyond convenient since there’s no rinsing involved: you just pour some of the water milk onto a cotton pad and sweep it over your face!
I love this product’s rich and charming history. Created in the 1950s by a pharmacist who worked near the Champs-Elysées Theater in Paris, the Collosol Eau de Lait became a staple in the beauty arsenal of actresses and dancers who worked at the theater and found the product could remove their stage makeup and soothe their stressed skin. For decades thereafter, Parisian mothers introduced their daughters to this product, so that it became a beauty secret passed down from one generation to the next.
When you smell this wonder product, you’ll likely say, “I could bathe in this stuff!” (just like Trevor did during the segment!) and here’s the good news: you really can do so. If you pour a bit of the Collosol Eau de Lait into your bath water, you can enjoy a relaxing soak — something Karl Lagerfeld has said he does on a daily basis!
GOAL: GO BOLD WITH A STATEMENT LIP
Coco Chanel once said, “If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack.” It’s one of many sayings that captures the way applying lipstick can make us feel like we can take on anything. Perhaps my favorite among these idioms is “Give a woman the right lipstick and she can conquer the world.” This year, then, go ahead and conquer the world by trying a bold statement lip that will make you feel confident and fearless.
I recommend trying one of the Bold Lip Color Sticks by Reina Rebelde ($16 each at ReinaRebelde.com), an independently owned cosmetics company founded by Mexico-born and Dallas-raised entrepreneur Regina Merson that’s dedicated to celebrating the fierce spirit, the rich heritage, and the colorful culture of Latina women.
The Bold Lip Color Sticks are like magic wands — they offer high-density, long-lasting, full coverage color in just one swipe. They come in six shades including the best-selling Brava, a deep red, and Rosa Salvaje, a fun pink. I actually wore Rosa Salvaje the day of the segment taping and I did, in fact, feel like a wild rose!
GOAL: SHED POUNDS WITH A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR YOU
Come January, everyone vows to lose any excess weight — whether it’s by going on a juice cleanse, cutting out dairy or bread, trying a vegan diet, or focusing on portion control. But no matter what diet plan or exercise regimen they try, come March, most people are frustrated, having spent day after day eating healthy and working out — all without seeing the scale budge one bit. Here’s the underlying problem: because everyone has a different genetic makeup, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all weight loss plan. Without taking into account your specific genetic makeup, then, trying to figure out the best way to shed some pounds feels like fumbling in the dark.
Luckily, scientific health and wellness company Arivale devised a way to use genetic data to optimize weight loss and heart health. With the Arivale Beat Your Genes Weight Loss Program ($99 at Arivale.com), you can take a selfie from the inside and get a snapshot of your genetic predispositions — for instance, whether your body will respond better to a low-carb or a low-fat diet; whether you’re more likely to gain weight along the waist; and even whether you have a sweet or bitter taste preference. Using this data, Arivale then helps you develop a diet and exercise program tailor-made for you.
Here’s how it works: after you sign up, you’ll receive a Helix DNA kit in the mail that will walk you through how to collect and send in a saliva sample, which will be used to sequence your DNA. The process is really simple — there’s even a pre-paid box you can pop in the mail. Helix then sequences your DNA at its laboratory facilities and provides Arivale with the relevant genetic data. Once that data is collected, you’ll receive an e-mail allowing you to see the findings on your Arivale dashboard (which you can check out on your computer or mobile device). You can then schedule a one-on-one consultation with a dietitian who will help you interpret the results and who will develop a personalized diet and exercise plan. And, since we all need some support during any weight loss journey, here’s an added bonus: for the first 30 days, you’ll have unlimited access to a personal coach via phone or chat.
It’s like a bespoke weight loss journey!
GOAL: ACHIEVE CLEAR SKIN FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Tired of trying one over-the-counter acne product after the next and seeing lackluster results? Well, consider that the causes of acne aren’t limited to external factors, so topical products alone might not do the trick. To truly achieve a clear complexion, you’ll have to address both the internal and external factors that lead to breakouts. That holistic approach to blemish-free skin is what’s truly extraordinary about the ZSS Clear Skin System ($129 at GNC.com), a “better together” detoxifying and balancing system that combines a topical serum with dietary supplements that work together to minimize breakouts, treat existing blemishes, even skin tone, and calm dry and irritated skin.
The system includes the ZSS Nutri-Serum, which protects the skin against pollutants and locks in moisture, and a 30-day supply of dietary supplement packets. These gluten-free supplements provide pre and probiotics to rebalance intestinal microflora and support gut immune health. What does your gut have to do with your skin? Well, the two have a direct correlation. When your gut lacks enough good bacteria, it can’t properly defend itself against microbial toxins. Once these invaders enter your body, your immune system is likely to react and, in the process, cause inflammation — including acne. By promoting gut health, then, you’ll also be working towards healthier and acne-free skin.
And the supplements contain more than probiotics. For instance, they contain the skin antioxidant zeaxanthin, a carotenoid that neutralizes the free radicals caused by environmental aggressors, leading to healthier skin. They also contain such naturally derived ingredients as green tea, milk thistle, and fish oil
Bottom line: with this system, you can heal your skin from the inside while protecting it on the outside.
GOAL: REDISCOVER YOUR LOVE OF COOKING
If you’ve read enough culinary magazines, scoured through countless recipe books, and binge-watched cooking shows on TV, then you know chefs tend to love their butter. And, while your taste buds may appreciate it, your waist line certainly won’t! If one of your goals this year is to eat healthier, then cooking at home is the easiest way to accomplish this feat since you’ll be able to control the oil, butter, and salt content of your meals.
The challenge, then, is figuring out what to prepare night after night without winding up in a cooking rut. I personally have about 5 to 7 meals on rotation (my husband has maybe 2 of his own), and that limited menu can get exhausting for absolutely everyone. Cooking, which once felt like a joy-filled activity, winds up feeling like a dreaded chore when you have neither the time to shop for fresh new foods or to research new and easy-to-follow recipes. So how does one escape this cycle?
Well, let HelloFresh save the day. This stellar meal subscription service will cover the shopping and meal planning for you, as well as deliver fresh ingredients along with step-by-step recipes right to your doorstep. There are different plans available depending on your household size and your lifestyle, but the Classic Plan is $59 and covers three meals for two people. My husband and I prepared the Maple Glaze Pork Chops shown in the segment, and they were delicious! The sweet potatoes were fresh, the green beans were perfectly crisp, and the pork was juicy and tender, plus the kit included walnuts, cinnamon, balsamic vinegar, and maple syrup to create different sauces and garnishes.
Not only does HelloFresh simplify your life and let you eat healthier, but it takes the guesswork out of dinner, allowing you to achieve the best goal of all: rediscovering your love of cooking.
Visit HelloFresh.com to sign up!
GOAL: ADD SOME PERSONALITY TO ANY OUTFIT
I firmly believe in putting your own personal stamp on your outfits, and what better way to do so than with socks? Even if you have to wear a suit or uniform to work, you can slip on some colorful, whimsical, patterned socks to give your look some personality.
To rock on with your socks on, there’s nothing quite as useful as a Sock Fancy membership. This subscription service ships a random assortment of socks to members each month — one, two, or six pairs depending on the plan. The element of surprise alone is irresistible! You’ll find yourself looking at this mystery box from SockFancy and wondering what clever sock designs await inside.
Not only are these socks quirky and fun, but they’re really comfortable and durable. The socks are made of high quality combed cotton so they make your feet feel cozy, and they feature a reinforced heel and toe so they’re less likely to get any pesky holes, plus they have a 2″ no-slip band so they stay in place (no bending over to pull up your socks as they fall down to your ankles!).
All their designs are created in-house at the company’s Atlanta headquarters, so they’re completely exclusive — and they have options for both men and women (yes, ladies, we can play too!)
Subscriptions start at just $11/month at SockFancy.com.
