Brunch to Babe Bod | 5 Tips for Detoxing and Toning After Overindulging on the Weekend

I am the first to admit I have a hard time avoiding the temptation to indulge on the weekends. I love my brunch (that’s no question), an impeccable libation, and welcoming alllll the carbs into my tummy whether it be french fries (my ultimate fave) or a thick slab of avocado toast (I know you’re probably laughing because avocado toast isn’t that bad, but the feeling after you eat a huge piece of bread isn’t always the most comforting, haha).

Although I like to give into my cravings, I find that I am even more addicted to feeling lighter, both mentally, physically and energy-wise. Having no boundaries with food and drinks over the weekend definitely contributes to that good old bloated, fatigued feeling first thing on Monday morning.

However, through my avid years of dedicated brunching, I’ve figured out a couple methods that help me reset and feel good for the week. Here are my recs for going from brunch on the weekend to getting back to your BABE BOD.

A GREEN DETOX JUICE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING

I specifically love the Toxin Flush juice from Nekter Juice Bar. It’s made with parsley, spinach, apple, lemon, and ginger. This drink will help your body to naturally rid itself of toxins in the blood and liver. I always ask for extra ginger too! I feel like it helps to jumpstart the cleansing. I feel best when I drink this in the morning. I don’t even necessarily feel like I need a second coffee during the day (which is a miracle in itself) because it gives me a good natural boost of energy.

INTENSE SWEATING

I am the biggest advocate for barre because it’s a super fast-paced cardio work out that also incorporates isometric movements and serious toning segments. I have been doing it for years and it has been the one thing that continuously keeps me sane! There’s nothing worse than feeling flabby, especially after overindulging and just by taking a few of these classes, you honestly feel such a difference in muscle tone and it’s soooo satisfying. I also love a good hot yoga session. You could just FEEL the toxins release and there’s nothing better than feeling that. Both are great anti-inflammatory practices and get you back into your regular long, lean and toned regime.

GO VEGAN

For the most part, I do try to stick to a plant-based diet excluding any time when I am ordering out. I find that sticking to just fruits and veggies gives me a natural energy and rejuvenation that I don’t typically get when I eat animal products. Quite frequently, when I consume anything that has animal-derived ingredients, I not only feel sluggish but I actually break out on my face. Even if you’re not 100% vegan, going a couple days without eating meat or dairy can definitely be a good switch-up and reset for the body.

ZONE OUT

I find that in a lot of ways, a healthy body stems from a healthy mind too. After the weekend concludes, I like to take some time to just be alone, go for a walk or sit somewhere quiet and peaceful and clear my mind out. It helps me to refocus my energy, set intentions for the week and turn the motivation back on.

DRINKING LEMON OR CHLOROPHYLL WATER

Both are soooo cleansing and have great benefits to help rid of toxins in the body. So necessary for a hangover, too. I try to drink a ton normally, but on a Monday it really helps to get your system back into gear. I find that if I am drinking significant amounts of either on a Monday and continue through Tuesday, usually by late Tuesday or early Wednesday I am feeling back to my normal self.

Look, at the end of the day eating and drinking things you wouldn’t normally consume during the week is inevitable. You’ve got to ENJOY your life! But now that I’m in my late 20s I realize and acknowledge that I can’t just bounce back as easily as I used to at 22. But, luckily with some dedication, I (and you can too!) can feel back to normal a-sap.

The Perfect Post-Brunch Skin Pick-Me-Up with Goldfaden MD's Skin Balancing Mask

It's no question that brunch has definitely incorporated itself into my life for the past several years. But along with those fun boozy brunch weekends come with some seriously needed rejuvenation and hydration. Ever notice that after a weekend of over-indulging (too much champagne, a lot of sweet breakfast items, maybe even a couple bites of those amazing truffle fries at your favorite brunch spot) your skin just looks dull? Maybe even bumpy with blemishes or dry from lack of water? I've noticed it's even more enhanced when brunching alfresco - it really does a number on my skin and me. That's the downside from having a little bit too much fun, but good to know that it is totally normal and completely reversible with the right steps to bring your skin back to life!

I have been using Goldfaden MD products for years now, and it's one brand that I always come back to to give my skin that healthy, natural boost when I need it - not only because it always works, but because it is so gentle on my sensitive skin. It's the first dermatologist developed naturally inspired skincare brand by Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD (a dermatologist for over 40 years!!!). 

My newest recommendation to recharge your unbalanced post-brunch skin? Goldfaden MD's Skin Balancing Mask! It was developed to revitalize, balance and nourish skin. It's a gel mask that is rich in botanicals and features a multi-peptide and enzyme blend that minimizes the appearance of pores and leaves skin feeling soft, looking smooth and appearing vibrant.

Its ingredients include Ginseng, Honey, Flower Extracts, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E to infuse moisture, vitality and nourishment back into the skin.

I just take a dime-sized squeeze on my finger and rub a thin layer on my face for about 15 minutes. After rinsing with warm water, I already notice a difference in texture and brightness. It's the perfect kick-off to getting back into my usual skincare regime. It's as simple as using it 2-3 times per week, and you can really see a difference with continued use.

Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD says,

“Over indulging in the form of traveling, lack of sleep, poor eating habits (i.e. alcohol, sugar, fried foods), and too much sun/pollution, can wreak havoc on your complexion in the form of dehydration, fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and blotchy skin tone, to name a few.

The Skin Balancing Mask was created to provide an at-home solution for this multi-active treatment and offers the perfect skin pick-me-up and complexion rejuvenation after life gets in the way.

 The Skin Balancing Mask was inspired by my in-office professional balancing treatments, which includes a combination of microdermabrasion, vitamin/enzyme infusion and oxygen. This multidimensional treatment works to reduce the appearance of facial lines and uneven skin tone, all while providing skin with a plumping effect that results in a firmer, smoother glowing complexion.”

Knowing that the Skin Balancing Mask was so carefully created to be a solution for the exact problem I run into frequently really demonstrates how this product is so needed. My skin is ultra-sensitive to just about every product so I find comfort in knowing that not only is the Skin Balancing Mask doing its job, but also taking care of my skin and nourishing it in a very delicate way. It's like Dr. Goldfaden MD prescribed me the perfect product to use on my skin! Having his stamp of approval on a product definitely makes me feel more confident that not only will it work, but it will be super safe for my skin.

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