Intoxicating Beauty: The Skincare Cocktails That I'm Seriously Obsessed With

Ever heard of skincare products that are not only clean, non-toxic, and cruelty free but are also formulated with wine, spirits, sake and craft brew? Well if you haven’t, you need to know about Intoxicating Beauty, a truly unique skincare line that is actually all of that!

I recently discovered it and was so intrigued - I am automatically drawn to things that resonate with The Gilded Bellini, and Intoxicating Beauty really could not be any more on point! If you thought that wine, spirits, sake and craft brew were only enjoyable to drink, you are pleasantly mistaken (and I was too!). They actually have healing qualities that when formulated together with Intoxicating Beauty ingredients, nourish and heal even the most sensitive skin while respecting the beauty of the environment. Intoxicating Beauty, created by beauty mixologist Tessa Norvell provides powerful skincare solutions for everyone, no matter their skin type.

The two products I’ve been obsessed with? Body Rinse on the Rocks and Salt Emollient Twist!

Body Rinse on the Rocks - Hand & body wash made of… VODKA!

I love cleansing with this and warm water, followed by a quick rinse of cold water to help close the pores. Just like a blast of cold water is good for your hair, it’s the same for your skin.

According to Intoxicating Beauty, “Vodka has been revered for centuries as a natural antiseptic and astringent. It is known for its purifying and beautifying properties. This refreshing, organic vodka-infused formula is enriched in aloe leaf juice and lime oil. It is loaded with hydration and oils to help leave your skin soft, conditioned, and supple after cleansing. It is infused with our intoxicating, signature Lime Vodka Tonic natural fragrance.” To my surprise, vodka is actually a natural antiseptic and astringent. It also helps to purify, balance and tone the skin while simultaneously controlling oil production. As someone who has always struggled with oily skin, this is seriously the coolest news to me. Guess if I’m ever low on toner, I can confidently use vodka as a back up option!

Salt Emollient Twist - An amazing face and body salt polish. I personally LOVE a great body polish. It really makes you feel like a new person once your skin gets that super smooth feel. This luxurious formula uses the power of organic vodka, a beautiful blend of nourishing oils, shea butter and ultra-fine salt crystals to delicately buff away dry, dead skin cells. This moisturizing polish will help promote skin renewal, overall skin hydration and will leave your skin with a healthy glow. Not only does this polish make my skin feel incredibly smooth, but it really leaves such a gorgeous, fresh scent behind on the skin that’s super relaxing. It makes me forget that it’s made of vodka!

I love that these products have an awesome story and concoction behind them, more importantly that they are truly good quality and have been such a treat to my skin. I can’t wait to try the rest of the line. Which Intoxicating Beauty products do you want to try??!

Photography by: Rebecca Gnasso

Under $40 Skin Hangover Fixes with Jouviance

If you're a fellow brunchinista like myself, you probably are brunching every weekend. It's tempting - between indulging in the sweet stuff to having one too many Bloody Mary's or mimosas, your skin is the first thing that shows the damage that's been done. Plus, after brunch you're most likely continuing the party into the night. Due to dehydration and toxins, the skin is especially more prone to puffiness, sagginess and break outs that are hard to get rid of even after a few days. This is what I like to call: THE SKIN HANGOVER.

Not only is your skin out of whack, but your wallet is probably looking a lot less full than it was before the weekend began. But, that doesn't mean you can slack on taking care of your skin. How do you ball out at brunch and still keep up with your skincare routine on a budget? I swear by Jouviance, and all their products are conveniently available at CVS (yay! no fuss of going to a mall to hit up a Sephora). 

I always start off with Jouviance Hydrating Milk ($22): This creamy, milky cleanser is physiologically pH formulated to preserve skin's natural barrier. So while it cleanses surface impurities, unclogs pores, removes makeup and excess oil, this soap and alcohol-free cleanser has 100% natural ingredients, like panthenol to revitalize eyelashes and brows. It also has nourishing Calendula for skin. After I use this, my skin is left so silky soft and I feel like my pores can actually breathe again!

I ward off acne and dull post-mimosa skin with Jouviance Glyco Laser 10% Glycolic Acid Soft Peel Night Cream ($35): It's an overnight peel with 10% glycolic acid in a luxe, creamy formula to gently exfoliate while you sleep. Wake to taut, fresh, radiant even-toned skin. Zap breakouts, get rid of dead skin cells that dull complexion, clog pores and make skin rough - all without the nasty side effects of a chemical peel!

The last thing I do is apply Jouviance Invigorating Eye Serum ($40) to perk up tired, puffy eyes. This caffeine-infused under-eye serum instantly perks, lifts and firms your under-eye contour. Its triple-action pro-collagen peptide complex reduces puffiness and boosts microcirculation to alleviate dark circles. After a long day of brunching continuing on to the night, dark circles are always a dreaded outcome the following day. Ever since I started using this serum, I notice a significant difference in the puffiness of my eyes, even on a daily basis when I don't get as much sleep as I should. 

Now, if only brunch could be as inexpensive as taking care of your skin with Jouviance... 

Summer Skin Detox (After Too Many Mimosas!)

It's August, which means that Summer is finally drawing to a close (cue the tears). You've probably spent most of your days lounging by the rooftop pools sipping on mimosas one after the other, lathering yourself in oil by the beach to achieve that perfect toasty cinnamon tan, riding in your car with the windows and/or top down blasting this season's hottest playlist (exposing yourself to the sun, increasing your chances for a tan) and probably forgetting to drink a good amount of water.

If any of these options apply to you, you know you've lived summer up the right way! But keep reading...

Being out in the sun for an extended period of time + drinking any alcoholic beverage = increased chances for dehydration. I'm no doctor, but I am pretty sure we all know that not hydrating enough to get rid of any toxins leads to this! You may have that bronze glow and be feeling bubbly from all the bubbly, but it doesn't mean that what's going on on the inside is feeling just as good. 

One of my favorite things to do when the summer ends is do a great skin detox by exfoliating, rehydrating, and make sure I constantly make an effort to protect my skin each day. Especially in California, the sun is SO much stronger than it is at home on the east coast, so even a few minutes out in the sun can leave me with a gnarly burn.

Here are my favorite products for the perfect summer skin detox from scrubs to soaks to tea!

Summer Salt Body's Avocado & Lime Scrub and Purify Me Toner

I am SO obsessed with Summer Salt Body's Avocado & Lime Salt Scrub! It's an aromatherapy scrub and is super refreshing and uplifting. It moisturizes, soothes sunburnt skin, softens sough or cracked skin, boosts collagen production, treats age spots, combats dry skin, along with a few other benefits! This is one of my favorite scrubs because its scent is so citrus-y, and in just one scrub I can already feel the essential oils nourishing my skin.

After exfoliating with the Avocado & Lime Salt Scrub, I tone with Summer Salt Body's Purify Me Toning Mist! It is infused with lemongrass, orange blossom and wild lime. It keeps the skin hydrated and bacteria free because it doesn't use any common drying agents like alcohol. In only a few seconds after spritzing my face, my skin feels so clean, a little tightened and smells incredible; it's got a zesty aroma to it. I feel so great using this because it's gentle enough to use morning and night. A treat for me!

Amala Brightening Face Polish

When I'm dehydrated from the sun, I totally notice that my complexion is not as bright. It just looks tired, dull and blotchy because of skin discoloration. Sometimes parts of my face peels, other times it's super burnt. Being out in the sun feels great, but a lot of times I regret it afterwards  - my skin takes the fall!  

I've been using Amala's Brightening Face Polish which helps me get more brightened and toned skin. It's an advanced blend of bio-botanical actives that exfoliate pigmented surface cells that strengthens the skin's ability to resist new dark spots. Since I've started using this, I have totally noticed a difference in my skin - it just looks so much healthier, and you can actually see my complexion's natural glow come back to life. What I love most about this face polish is one of it's core benefits: it's made with algae extract which boosts cell turnover and activates the skin's natural exfoliation enzyme, which eliminates the dullness and brings your skin back to radiant! 

Skinfix Brightening Eye Cream

One of the things I am really cautious about is preventing crow's feet, wrinkles and bags around my eyes. No matter the season, I'm always super committed to taking care of the eye area since it is so delicate.

Kimberly Arnold, Beauty Guru & Skincare Expert says,  "The skin around your eyes is extremely delicate and is one of the first places to show signs of aging. Make sure to moisturize the eye area thoroughly to give your eyes a boost and prevent any sun damage. Some eye creams are also brightening and de-puffing, so if drinking in excess enhances this not so flattering feature, opt for eye creams that cater to puffy, dark eye circles." 

I notice that my eyes are really sensitive in the summer time, especially from all the squinting from the sun. And I'm totally taking Kimberly's advice! I'm loving the Skinfix Brightening Eye Cream because it's really lightweight yet gets the job done - it diminishes dark circles and puffiness in addition to delivering intense nourishment to the delicate eye area. In its formula, Skinfix includes its Healthy Skin Lipid Complex which includes ingredients like Alfalfa Seed Extract, Red Seaweed Extract, Macadamia Oil and Cucumber Extract to help maintain glowing, plump and healthy skin. Not only does it make my eyes look more awake, but it's great knowing that it is actually getting the job done of diminishing any hint of tired, aged skin around the eyes.

Malie Organics Plumeria Therapeutic Bath Soak

After many afternoons laying by the pool and forgetting how many mimosas or bellinis I've ordered over the past few hours (I blame the SoCal heat... and I know I'm not the only one!), I am all about detoxing my body from the inside out! This summer I've said "Aloha" to Malie Organic's Plumeria Therapeutic Bath Soak to purify and detoxify! First off, this smells incredible - the Plumeria scent is a soft, sensual floral with a hint of spice. Fragrances of greens, citrus, peach, plumeria, sandalwood and jasmine all combine into the most perfect, blissful blend. This brand is from Hawaii and I love when I use this soak, it totally takes me there! The soak's rich, organic blend of kukui and macadamia oils along with other soothing botanical oils leave the skin refreshed, nourished and replenished. Just what I need to get my skin back to feeling itself again!

White Girl Sunscreen

The core of my every day, especially as summer draws to a close: sunscreen! Okay, I am just a little bit obsessed with White Girl Sunscreen for more than the obvious reason of it's insanely genius name. Created ultimately to protect skin from the sun's damaging rays, it was made for all of the "little inner white girl" inside of us. Thank goodness for this sunscreen - considering I have very fair skin this has been my go-to this summer. It's a super light-weight 30 SPF that provides protection against UVA/UVB rays and is free from harsh toxins such as oxybenzone and alcohol. It's lightly scented with cucumber and smells so delish.

Literally, I could probably just keep lathering and lathering this on me just because it smells so good. Not to mention, the packaging is so unique and is a serious conversation starter. You can't help but feel a little betchy when you're using this! The sunscreen ultimately restores radiance and gives you that healthy, youthful glow which is so necessary after months of sunkissed and mimosa-ed out skin. Another great thing about WGS? A portion of the proceeds of every pouch purchased are directly donated to the Save The Manatee Foundation! 

DAVIDsTEA's The Glow

I am a firm believer that whatever you put inside your body will reflect on the outside. I love to get gorgeous with DAVIDsTEA organic floral elixir, The Glow! DAVIDsTEA considers this tea a liquid spa, and I totally get why! It's organic and kosher, and made of roobios tea, rose petals, rosehip, and marigold. Sounds magical, doesn't it? Plus, it has cinnamon which is a total complexion saver and is caffeine free so I can have this at any time of the day. Recently, I've found myself drinking this at least twice a day. Hey, the more you drink, the better the detox! It's super easy to make too. 

First, I use David's Perfect Spoon (which, I am obsessed with this gilded one - it actually is part of the Limited Time Only collection for the holidays which will be available in November) and take 1-2 spoonfuls of the tea leaves into my DAVIDsTEA stainless steel infuser and place it into my DAVIDsTEA Nordic Mug.

I let it steep in hot water for a few minutes. Laurie Curtis, DAVIDsTEA expert says that having the water hotter than bath water, but not boiling is the best temperature for steeping the tea.

When it's all done, I take the infuser out and drink my dull complexion and all the toxins away!

Thank goodness for DAVIDsTEA's new location in Culver City so I can get re-stocked on this whenever I need... knowing me, I'll finish my entire tin of The Glow  before the summer is over. Not like that's a bad thing!

I love all these fab products and hope you will too. Let me know what you think after you've tried!

Happy Summer Skin Detoxing! Try not to reward yourself with too many mimosas ;)

Photography by: Elijah Saldana

Pop, Fizz, Tone: Champagne As a Facial Toner

Champagne can help your skin. Yes, you’ve read that correctly. The magical bubbles that give you that celebratory buzz you love is the beauty secret that you’ve yet to discover. 

Applying champagne to your face as a toner has major benefits.

 It's all thanks to the antioxidants in the grape seed extracts in which the champagne is made out of. In case you forgot, champagne comes from grapes. It’s fine. I forget sometimes too. 

Stylecaster.com says that the antioxidants are 40 to 50 times stronger than Vitamin C and Vitamin E.  Grape seed extract actually aids in preserving collagen and elasticity.  It’s said to be more powerful than typical anti-aging products.  Who knew champagne could possibly get much better than it already is? 

I knew I needed to experiment using champagne as a toner to see if this beauty tip lived up to all the hype. I bought a miniature bottle of bubbly, chilled it beforehand, soaked on a cotton pad, and then applied to my face after exfoliating with Goldfaden MD Doctor's Scrub. As you’ll see in the video I did on this below, it’s a super simple process – nothing different than your usual nightly toning sesh. 

The synopsis: Why didn't I try this sooner??? I have naturally oily skin, so this using the champagne as a toner worked in my favor. I could actually feel my skin get a little tighter and it stayed super soft for the rest of the night. Absolutely no greasiness. If you have dry skin, the result may be different so I’d be cautious if you were interested in trying. It’s something different to switch up your nightly beauty routine and definitely would be fun to try with friends. Make sure you use it at the end of the night though - you will smell like champs! But is that even really a bad thing?

Here's a couple links to find out more information on using champagne as a facial toner:

http://michellephan.com/cheers-champagne-toner/

http://stylecaster.com/beauty/secret-beauty-ingredient-champagne/

Cheers to all the more reasons to love and appreciate champagne...

Photography by: Elijah Saldana