Category: Lifestyle

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Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

How To Build A Skincare Routine You'll Actually Stick To

Putting together a skincare routine seems like it should be a pretty simple task, but when you actually get down to it, it can get kind of overwhelming: Does serum go on before or after moisturizer? What the heck is an essence? And should you exfoliate every day?
Don’t worry, every skincare newbie has been there. While you likely know that cleanser goes before moisturizer, adding in anything new may be a mystery to you. And it’s important to learn the right order for putting on products. Using them out of order can negate the effects of your products, but doing it correctly can help you experience max benefits and avoid potential irritation.
Still not sure where to start or when to use what? Keep reading for all the answers to your skincare routine questions.

Your Morning Skincare Routine: Stick to the basics.

You don’t have to commit to a 10-step Korean skincare routine when you wake up to keep your complexion in tip-top shape, says Steven Wang, MD, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Dr. Wang Herbal Skincare. You can start small with your skincare routine, but before you apply makeup, you should definitely hit the basics: cleanse, moisturize, and add sunscreen. Ready? Let’s go.

Step 1: Cleanse.

Start with a clean slate so that the rest of your products are able to do their jobs. Some experts, like Wang and Elle Feldman, esthetician and co-owner of Good Skin Day, suggest using lukewarm water and your hands to apply a very gentle cleanser in the morning, regardless of skin type, since there shouldn’t be too much gunk remaining on your skin if you cleansed the night before.
Board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, says cream cleansers are great for dry and sensitive skin because they feature nourishing ingredients (like oils). Cleansing milks are another good option for dry skin, says Pamela Maes, certified esthetician and spa director at Mirbeau Inn and Spa, because they’re light and gentle.
Refreshing gel cleansers are good options for oily and acne-prone skin as they offer a deeper clean, says Green. You can also look for a cleanser that’s labeled as matte with detoxifying ingredients like charcoal if you’re oily, says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at the University of Southern California.
Finally, consider a cleanser with salicylic acid if you regularly break out, says Wang. This tried-and-true pimple-fighter exfoliates your skin to unclog pores and reduce oil production.

Step 2 (optional): Tone.

“Toner preps your skin for the rest of your skincare products by opening your pores,” says Feldman. Some toners are made with alcohol, which is drying, so invest in one without it. “Look for micellar waters or alcohol-free toners with active ingredients like rosewater, chamomile, or green tea,” says Shainhouse. All three ingredients have soothing properties. “If you are acne prone, you may consider a salicylic acid–based toner,” says Shainhouse.
Apply toner immediately after cleansing when skin is damp to lock in moisture. Feldman says that because toners help balance your skin’s pH levels, protecting it from environmental aggressors, you really only need to use one in the morning.

Step 3 (optional): Apply serum.

“A serum is the power tool in a person’s skincare routine,” says Maes. Serums are lightweight, almost watery products that absorb quickly to offer potent anti-aging benefits. Because serums are so powerful, you want to apply them directly to your skin so that the ingredients will penetrate deeply, says Shainhouse.
When it comes to ingredients, look for Vitamin C, which fights free radical damage and is a dermatologist- and esthetician-approved antioxidant found in serums. Shainhouse also likes green tea and resveratrol, two other antioxidants, while Feldman is a fan of Swiss apple extract, which has been shown to reduce wrinkles.

Step 4: Moisturize.

Cleansers strip your skin of lipids (fatty acids), says Wang, so pat on a moisturizer after washing your face to replenish what you’ve lost. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, grab a lightweight, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer, says Green, since this won’t clog pores. Maes adds that gel formulas are ideal for oily skin because they’re so light.
Maes says that you’ll benefit from a richer, thicker cream if you have dry skin. “Using something that has more hydrating benefits can aid in protecting dry skin,” says Maes. One ingredient to look for: hyaluronic acid, which helps skin retain moisture.

Step 5: Protect.

SPF is a non-negotiable part of your morning skincare routine. Using a dedicated sunscreen (as opposed to the SPF in foundation, for instance) is key for shielding your skin from UV rays, which can lead to burning, wrinkles, and skin cancer. For everyday use, choose an SPF of 15 or 30, and apply about nickel-sized amount all over your face, says Wang. Make sure your sunscreen is broad-spectrum, says Wang, because that means it protects against UVA and UVB rays, both of which are damaging.

Seriously on the go?

“You can combine the last two steps in your morning skincare routine by using a moisturizer that contains sunscreen in it,” says Wang. Don’t forget to throw on a hat for protection, too, he adds. To ensure proper sun protection, sunscreen should be the last step in your morning skincare routine, says Shainhouse.

Your Nighttime Skincare Routine: Maximize your beauty sleep.

You likely have a little bit more time to spend on your skincare routine at night, so this is when you can consider adding in a few extra steps, says Wang.

Step 1: Take it all off.

We’ve all had those nights where we get in late, way too tired to even think about washing our faces. “But you want to cleanse that environment very well,” says Wang, since the mix of makeup, dirt, oils, and pollution that have settled onto your skin during the day can clog pores. Allowing these things to stay on your skin overnight may even lead to oxidative (aka skin-aging) damage, says Shainhouse.
“Traditional cleansers might not be effective at removing foundation,” says Wang, “so a lot of times women have to use wipes [first]—and those can be harsh on the skin.”
Micellar water and cleansing oil are two makeup-removing alternatives that are much gentler on skin—and they work, says Wang.

Step 2: Cleanse again.

If you have the time, experts say there is benefit to a double cleanse in your nighttime skincare routine. If you use a micellar water or cleansing oil to initially remove makeup and other buildup, you then have to rid those ingredients from your skin.
A second cleanse (you can use the cleanser from your morning skincare routine, says Wang) will take everything else off, leaving your complexion ready for the rest of the products in your skincare routine to get to work.

Step 3 (optional): Treat acne or signs of aging.

Post-cleanse, target any pimples you have with a spot treatment. “Products with active ingredients that are meant to improve skin quality or a specific skin condition should be applied directly to the skin,” says Shainhouse. Two proven acne-fighting ingredients are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
Applying an anti-aging treatment, like a prescription retinoid or OTC retinol, should also be done after cleansing to ensure efficacy, says Shainhouse. (Note that you shouldn’t use acne and anti-aging treatments together since that can aggravate your skin or render the products ineffective.)
“[Retinol] can help encourage new cells to reach the skin surface and encourage the skin to make new collagen,” says Shainhouse. “This can help thicken skin over time and reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark spots.” Just avoid applying it too close to your eyes and mouth to prevent irritation, she says. Since retinol is often drying, start out using it once a week and work your way up to a few times a week once you develop a tolerance, says Feldman.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, topical acne and anti-aging treatments may increase sun sensitivity, so only use these in your nighttime skincare routine (and be diligent about SPF in the morning).

Step 4 (optional): Layer on serum.

While not completely necessary at night, using the antioxidant serum from your morning skincare routine is a nice addition. “It will help undo the oxidative DNA damage from the day,” says Shainhouse. Wang says some people can get away with using serum as their moisturizer, especially if they’re oilier.

Step 5 (optional): Apply eye cream.

Eye cream will protect and nourish the delicate skin around your eyes, says Shainhouse. The best formula for you depends on your skin type, says Feldman. Someone with oily skin might benefit from a lightweight gel eye cream, while someone with dry skin might benefit from an ultra-luxurious balm.
One ingredient worth checking the label for is caffeine, which has antioxidant properties to ward off aging. It also temporarily shrinks under-eye bags. Wang likes hyaluronic acid because it increases skin’s ability to hold onto water. He advises steering clear of eye creams with fragrance, though, because this can cause irritation.

Step 6: Moisturize.

Think about it: Not only can cleansing be drying, but so can acne and wrinkle treatments. Your daytime moisturizer should suffice before bed, says Feldman. However, if treatments or winter weather are drying you out, then use a richer cream pre-bedtime, says Feldman.
Our Senior Lifestyle Editor, Maggie, weighs in on her favorite nighttime skincare products for every skin type.
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Go above and beyond with these daily additions to your skincare routine:

So now you have your morning and nighttime skincare routines down pat, but there are a few additional steps you could take any time of day to amp your skincare game up even more.

If you’re interested in essences…

Essences are similar to serums in that they target specific skin issues, but they tend to have lighter consistencies. “In a Korean skincare routine, you’d use an essence after cleansing and toning,” says Maes. “They rehydrate skin and infuse it with antioxidants. Some of the active ingredients may brighten, shrink pores, or have anti-aging benefits.” Use your essence after your toner but before your serum.

If you want to spritz with face mist…

Like toner, a face mist opens pores after cleansing to prep it for serums, treatments, and moisturizers, says Feldman. She likes face mists that are labeled as hydrosols. A hydrosol is the water that is left over when a plant is distilled into an essential oil. “Hydrosols are an amazing way to get vitamins and minerals into your skin,” says Feldman.

If you’d like to try an oil…

Face oils can make a great alternative (or addition to, if used sparingly) moisturizer. Facial oils are particularly useful if you have super-dry skin caused by weather or aging, says Wang. Feldman’s favorite oil is squalane, which comes from olives and is antibacterial, won’t clog pores, and is safe for use on sensitive skin.

Your Weekly Skincare Routine: Pamper yourself (and be gentle!).

The top layer of your skin serves as a barrier, and removing dead skin cells from it via exfoliation will boost your glow. It’s like wiping down the smudges on a mirror so that you can see your reflection better, says Wang. “You want to help those dead skin cells slough off easier so that light reflects and gives you that natural glow,” he says, “but if you do it too frequently, you break down your skin barrier and are left with inflammation.”
Shainhouse agrees: “Exfoliating too frequently and harshly can be irritating and can actually damage the skin.” She advises limiting yourself to twice a week tops.
Apply the same thought process to face masks. “Especially with detoxifying masks, you have to take a step back,” says Wang, “and use them once a week.”

The Right Way to Exfoliate

You can manually exfoliate with a scrub or facial brush or chemically exfoliate with an acid in the form of an at-home peel.
Green doesn’t typically recommend scrubs because they’re often abrasive. And Feldman says, “The problem with scrubs is that people become obsessive and want their skin to feel as dry and squeaky as possible.” If you like the feeling of a scrub, however, Shainhouse suggests using a sugar-based one because the particles dissolve in water and won’t be harsh on your skin.
If you’re going to incorporate a facial brush into your skincare routine, use a brush head designed for sensitive skin in order to avoid irritation, says Shainhouse.
Chemical exfoliation involves the use of acids or enzymes to break down dead skin cells. “Chemical exfoliators can be really safe and beautifully effective products on even sensitive skin,” says Feldman. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are two very effective alpha hydroxy acids that aid in smoothing rough skin and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. If you have acne, exfoliating up to three times a week with a salicylic acid pad could help keep breakouts in check, says Green.
Use a chemical exfoliator at night after cleansing, says Shainhouse, since acids increase skin’s sun sensitivity. Note that you shouldn’t mix retinol with an acid because doing so could cause further irritation. Plus, retinol and salicylic acid will actually cancel out each other’s effects, says Shainhouse, so don’t use products with these two ingredients in tandem.

The Right Way to Use a Face Mask

If you have sensitive skin, try masking once a week; other skin types may be able to handle masking two or three times a week, says Maes. “Post-exfoliating is a great opportunity to follow up with a mask, Maes says. “You’ll get more benefits because your pores are more open and can better absorb the ingredients.”
Feldman says charcoal masks are fabulous for people with oily skin, congested pores, and acne because they draw out grime stuck in your pores. On the other hand, if you have dry or irritated skin, you could take 100 percent aloe vera, put it all over your face, and leave it on for a few minutes as a face mask to soothe, says Feldman.
Sheet masks are another expert favorite. They’re infused with serums to target specific skin issues, says Maes. Sheet masks deliver a lot of hydration and drive whatever serum it’s packed with into your skin, says Wang. At night, apply one after cleansing, leave it on for the allotted time, then remove the mask and top everything off with moisturizer to seal the serum in, says Maes. Sheet masks are much gentler than wash-off masks, so if you love the feeling of wearing one, it’s hard to go overboard; some Korean beauty bloggers mask every day!

Your Monthly Skincare Routine: Hit your derm’s office (or the spa).

Beyond what you do at home, there are professional treatments you can add to your monthly skincare routine if you have the time and money.

Facials

“Facials are amazing for treating things topically, reversing the effects of aging, and stimulating cell turnover,” says Feldman, who generally recommends getting one from a licensed esthetician every four to eight weeks. Facials feature multiple steps with some combination of cleansing, exfoliating, masking, and hydrating.
If you can’t swing facials once a month or every other month, getting one seasonally or four to five days before a big event is another option. “Brushing your teeth is home care, and then you go to the dentist for a nice deep clean twice a year,” says Maes. “That’s how I like to think of facials. When you want that deep level of [skin] cleaning, a facial is going to provide that for you.”

Chemical Peels

The chemical peels you get at your derm’s office or from an esthetician are a lot more powerful than any exfoliating peel you can do at home, says Green. “You can get a chemical peel once a month or every few months,” says Green. “They help get rid of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.”

Tips to Make Your Skincare Routine More Effective

Besides picking out the right products for your skincare routine and applying them in the right order, there are other tips that’ll make your skincare routine more effective.

Remember your neck.

“Don’t forget to extend moisturization and sun protection all the way to your neck area,” says Wang. Do the same for your hands, too, he says. “The two areas where you can tell someone’s age are the hands and neck,” says Wang.

Add one new product in at a time.

“A really aggressive skincare routine could have a negative impact,” says Maes. “If you start to switch a lot at once, you’ll have a hard time figuring out what works and what doesn’t work.”

Give your skincare routine time to work.

“Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results in 48 hours,” says Maes. “Most products are tested to work in 60 days. Most of the time you will see positive changes to skin sooner than that, though.” Patience is a virtue—and it will pay off!
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Categories
Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

Spring Beauty Essentials To Make Your Look Last

Winter weather can cause a lot of problems when it comes to your beauty routine: Dry hair, flaky skin, and persistently chapped lips are among the worst. When spring arrives, most of us welcome the warmer weather with open arms—that is, until the humidity and rain storms roll in, melting our makeup and ruining our hair to the point where we’d almost rather have a little snow. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. With the right products, you can keep your hair in place, your makeup set, and your skin looking great all season long.

Skincare

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Acne Clearing Charcoal Cleanser With Probiotics

Humidity tends to make the skin look dewy and glowy, but when you’ve got oily skin, that’s not always a good thing. To refresh your skin in the morning and prep it for the day ahead, try this charcoal scrub from First Aid Beauty. The charcoal helps to draw impurities out of the skin and pores while also helping to tighten them and reduce oil production. It’ll leave your skin smooth and refreshed while also giving you a mattified look all day long.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

Winter weather calls for heavy-duty moisturisers that are too heavy for spring. For warmer, more humid months, stick with a lightweight formula like Belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb. Though lightweight, it still keeps your skin soft and hydrated, and it also dries down to a matte finish. The gel is cooling when applied, helping to keep your skin feeling refreshed and dewy.

Tatcha Blotting Papers

After you’ve left the house for the day, your skin and makeup are at the mercy of the elements. If the humidity tends to make your oil production skyrocket, make sure to keep a pack of these Tatcha oil blotting papers on hand at all times. They’ll help to lift excess oil away from your skin without disturbing your makeup, so you can refresh your look without entirely redoing your face.

Shop spring skincare:

Makeup

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

If you wear makeup often, you know how important a good primer is when it comes to keeping your product exactly where you want it. It’s especially important when the weather becomes warm and humid, as this can not only shift your makeup but also make your skin more oily, making your face look shiny and your makeup messy. This matte primer from Becca  will help to set your makeup and fill in your pores. Through rain, humidity, and sweat, it’ll stand up to any challenge and keep your makeup looking snatched.

Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer

Heavy foundations and warm weather really don’t mix. Sure, you might want the coverage of a heavy foundation, but it typically comes at the expense of feeling like you’re wearing a mask of makeup all day long. Combined with excess sweat and oil, a heavy foundation during the warmer months could even lead to clogged pores and breakouts. We’d recommend going with something a little lighter that’ll still offer coverage, like this tinted moisturizer BB cream from Tarte. It’ll make your skin look smooth and flawless without packing on heavy layers of makeup, and it even has the added benefit of SPF 20 for days spent outdoors.

Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner

The Tattoo Liner from Kat Von D is easy to apply and has waterproof staying power. It’s known for staying put until you want it to come off, and it even works well applied over eyeshadow. It comes in silky black Trooper and rich Mad Max Brown. The best part is that it’s completely free of any animal-derived ingredients, making this liner 100 percent cruelty free.

Clinique Lash Power Long-Wearing Mascara

Perhaps the most difficult portion of your makeup routine to waterproof is mascara. Sometimes even waterproof options will still smudge, not to mention that they can be incredibly difficult to remove with even the most heavy-duty makeup removers. Not this one, though. This long-wearing mascara from Clinique uses thermal technology to keep it in place for up to 24 hours, all while feeling soft on the lashes and being easy to take off at the end of the day.
For special occasions, there’s also the Waterproof Extreme Mascara from Tom Ford, an intense, carbon black mascara that’ll stay put through anything.

Shop spring makeup:

Hair Care

Kerastase Anti-Frizz Spray

Humidity is your hair’s worst enemy, and it’s a hard problem to fight when spring rolls around. Even on days when it isn’t raining, the air tends to have a balmy quality that can make a perfectly styled head of hair fall flat in no time at all. A good anti-frizz spray should become a staple in your styling routine during the spring, and this one from Kerastase helps tame frizz and adds shine. It’s formulated with a special polymer that creates a lightweight layer over your hair that’ll keep humidity out and flyaways down. It’s also a heat protectant that’s good to use even when the humidity is low.

Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Oil

If you need extra frizz protection, you can help to block humidity before you hair is even styled. This nourishing, anti-frizz oil from Living Proof is formulated with a patented Healthy Hair Molecule that helps to divert humidity without adding weight into your hair. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave behind any residue, so it’s perfect for adding to damp hair before you style or used to tame frizz during the day the second you see it.

Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Believe it or not, using the right brush can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping your hair shiny and frizz free. This boar bristle brush helps to evenly distribute oil from your scalp to your hair, which naturally conditions the hair and adds shine. This will help prevent your hair from breaking and developing split ends while keeping frizz at bay and making your hair more manageable. The brush is even designed to be easy to hold and use for maximum comfort.

Straightening Brush

If your hair tends to be pretty reactive when it comes to humidity, you know what a pain it can be to straighten it. It’s a process that can be lengthy on its own and then becomes pointless the second you step outside. This straightening brush will be your saving grace for easier hair straightening and preventing humidity-induced frizz. It’s essentially a brush and flat iron all in one that uses special ionic technology to keep your hair smooth and frizz free all day long. Not only that, but it’ll cut your styling time in half and make straightening your hair easier than ever. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, try this one from Amazon.

Shop spring hair care:

    

Categories
Healthy Her Way Lifestyle

Certified Health Coach Nikki Sharp

Nikki Sharp is an internationally known wellness blogger and health coach. More than 350,000 people follow her on Instagram to see her recipe videos, life updates, and inspiration posts. She is the quintessential representation of health and fitness: toned, blonde, and beautiful.
But even she—the ideal picture of wellness—has struggled with some dark demons: body dysmorphia, anorexia, binge eating disorder, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
In recent years, though, she’s managed to cope with and even overcome her problems. In an incredibly raw post on her blog about her experiences with recovering from disordered eating, she writes, “I focused on health, balanced meals with no restrictions, eating lots of colors, added meditation, and journaling. I started seeing exercise as a reward, not punishment. This … transformed my life and my health: it literally made me survive.”
Nikki’s health journey has taken her across the globe, but years of modeling led to loneliness and unhealthy relationships with food and her body. From Colorado to Shanghai to Sydney to London (and more!), she discovered that a) was she was tired of damaging diets and b) she actually loves eating clean. In 2012, Nikki started her blog to document the process of learning to cook nutritious meals, getting certified to be a health coach, and building a better relationship with her body.
Since then, Nikki has been dedicated to showing her followers how they, too, can overcome their issues with health, nutrition, and wellness. With her health certifications (and years of professional and personal experience to back them up), she’s written countless blog posts full of recipes and life advice, nine e-books, and two full-length books.
Her first book, The 5-Day Real Food Detox, has nearly 100 five-star reviews on Amazon. Though detoxes are typically a fad (and a misguided one, at best!), her version of the trend is completely different: It encourages you to eat! The focus is on “detoxing” from foods that don’t fuel your body and instead making healthful choices that help you get your glow on from within.
Nikki released her second book, Meal Prep Your Way to Weight Loss, this month (which is why she’s the perfect choice for this week’s feature!); it promises to show readers how to finally stop dieting and change their lifestyles for good. Plenty of people have recommended meal prepping to stay on track, but this book will show readers how to really do it by learning the best techniques, delicious recipes, and offering a 28-day guide to make sure your new habit sticks.
From her years as a model subsisting on the bare minimum to becoming a renowned health coach with a sunny, approachable attitude to boot, Nikki’s journey is definitely an inspiration. We can’t wait to see what she does next.
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A Day in the Life

What does your daily routine look like?

I tend to wake up at 7 a.m. every morning, then depending on my schedule I will work out in the morning—I like doing it when I wake up because it gives me less reason to make excuses later in the day—have breakfast, and do emails/check social. Each day is so different, and sometimes I’m doing interviews all day, others I’m having meetings, and there are times I head to my office to buckle down and work.
My routine nearly looks the same in that I have a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner and try to make time to exercise four to five times per week. I’ve also been doing more meditation lately and will make it a priority to go to a 45-minute class in my day, which has had tremendous effects on my stress levels. I aim to be in bed by 10:30 and turn my phone off around 10 p.m. and put it in a different room.

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?

Meditation—even if it’s only 5 minutes, exercising—this is my therapy—putting my phone away at night, and making time to call or text my friends every single day to check in and say hi. Eating well is obviously a huge way I practice self-care because I like to feel energized every day.

How do you stay inspired?

By focusing on how I am helping others achieve better health and happiness. Whenever I get stressed I find that it’s because I am focusing too much on myself or allowing fears to come up, so immediately I will shift back to “How can I serve others?” and this always helps me to become re-inspired!
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Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.

Loving Lately…

What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?

Uliv skincare, Just Add Water snack, which I take every day, and Believe Athletics yoga clothes, which I am loving because of the fabrics.

What are your favorite apps?

My 5-Day Detox app whenever I want to do the detox, UNUM to curate my IG feed, and Pandora for music, which I listen to literally all day!

Whose Instagram is on your radar?

@elsas_wholesomelife because of the travel and food inspo

What’s your go-to healthy snack?

My roasted red pepper hummus and beet chips from my new book. I pre-portion them so it’s easy to grab and go, which is key for how busy I am right now!

What are you reading, watching, or listening to?

I’m an avid reader and have about three books at any given moment that I’m reading. Right now The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Contagious, and Break the Norms are on my bedside table.
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Nikki IRL

If your pet could talk, how would they describe you?

That I’m like a cat. I am super social when I want to be and most other times want to curl up in front of a fire. I am actually quite shy but once I get to know you I am very talkative and will get to know you quicker than most.

What is your bucket list travel destination?

India! I’m hoping to go there for six weeks next fall.

What’s your coffee order?

A matcha latte with almond milk with a shot of espresso—called a dirty matcha

What piece of advice has impacted you the most?

Don’t rush. And know that everything is happening for a reason, even if you don’t agree with it. It means you have a chance to learn and grow from every single thing that happens!
HealthyWay
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Follow Nikki on Instagram and check out her newest book, Meal Prep Your Way to Weight Loss, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iBooks.

Categories
Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

The Steps You Should Follow Before Getting Highlights

Jen Panaro, the woman behind lifestyle website Honestly Modern, chose the balayage technique because the lack of upkeep worked well with her lifestyle.
“After highlighting my hair for a few years in high school, I took a 15-year break from highlights because I didn’t want to commit to the regular appointments and expensive cost,” she says. “Recently, I started having balayage treatments, and I have been so happy with them! Because I only have to get treatments once every six months, it’s much more affordable and takes up much less time. Because it’s not colored near the roots, I can also decide at any time to stop coloring it and let it grow out to my natural color with no concerns.”

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So, you’re thinking about getting highlights, too. You’ve glanced at Instagram and marveled at the luscious locks, you’ve read stories like Panaro’s to get you extra excited, and you’ve even given thought to a reasonable budget. Now what?
Well, there are a few steps you should follow before hitting the salon. We hit the books and talked to professionals to acquire them. Here’s what you need to know:

Step 1: Brush up on what highlights actually entail, then evaluate the current state of your hair.

If you’re totally new to hair dye and highlights in general, here’s a quick primer on how the whole thing works.
Hair is mostly made up of keratin, which is a protein also found in your nails and skin. Your natural hair color is determined by two different melanin proteins—eumelanin causes dark hair, and phaeomelanin causes blonde and red hair. Hair dyes are little molecules of color designed to reach the thickest layer, or cortex, of the hair. Semi- or demi-permanent dye molecules will eventually get washed out and leave the cortex; permanent hair dye molecules react with the melanin inside the hair cortex, permanently changing the hair’s color.

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Once the chemicals have been applied to your hair, you must wait a while for the chemicals to do their magic—and yep, sometimes that means hours.
While most modern hair dyes are very safe, some people may experience some nasty allergic reactions to them. A common hair dye ingredient called paraphenylenediamine can cause rashes, swelling, welts, and itching in people who are allergic to it. (To test for allergies, your stylist should always do a patch test—that means dabbing a small amount of the dye onto your skin, usually behind your ear or on the inside of your elbow, to see if anything happens within a 24- or 48-hour period.)
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Before you make changes to your hair color, you should figure out what’s going on with your hair right now. Ask yourself a few questions: Is your hair damaged by heat or color? When was the last time you had it treated? Are you super sensitive to chemicals or dye in general? Are you sure you want to change your hair, or would you be just as happy rocking a fun colored wig on special occasions?
If you are already suffering from breakage or seriously dry hair, you should wait until your hair is healthy again and ready to take on color. If you’ve had it colored recently, ask a professional hair stylist how long you should wait before getting more color.

Step 2: Figure out the style you want.

Once you’re confident that your hair can handle some color, it’s time for the fun part: Narrowing down exactly what you want.
Paul Cucinello, CEO of members-only salon Cucinello Studio, says you should ask yourself what type of highlights will be most flattering with the texture and base color of your hair.

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“I always say that highlights should always accentuate and enhance the depth and dimension of a beautiful hair color,” says Cucinello. “They shouldn’t have to be more than a few shades lighter than your existing color. If that’s the case, you might want to consider changing your overall color before you start adding highlights. You can’t decorate the house before you build the foundation.”
Social media is a great place to start. On Instagram, browse hashtags like #balayage, #haircolor, #mastersofbalayage, #brunettehighlights, #blondehighlights, and #hairdressermagic, then save your favorite pics to your phone or tear out magazine pages so you can show stylists exactly what you are looking for (and maybe a few examples of what you don’t want, too).
While you’re researching, take time to brush up on the lingo. A few key terms you should know:
Partial highlights: If you get partial highlights, the stylist won’t put the highlights all over your head, obviously, but just on part of your hair. Typically, partial highlights frame your face. 
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Full highlights: This is when the highlights are done on every section of your head.
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Foil highlights: During this process, the stylist will take sections of hair, apply the highlighter chemicals to them, and fold them up in pieces of foil until the dye has set in.
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Balayage: This is a freehand technique where the stylist essentially “paints” your hair with the color rather than using the foil method.
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Ombré: Ombré is the French word for “shadow.” In the context of hair, it means a look that goes from darker to lighter in color.
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Lowlights: Lowlights are when you add a darker color to your hair rather than a lighter one.
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Pintura: Pintura is a specific technique for highlighting curly or textured hair, developed at the DevaChan salon 20 years ago (the salon specializes in curly hair).
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“[Pintura] literally means ‘to paint,’ and with this technique, colorists apply hues directly onto the hair without the use of foil,” the DevaChan blog explains. “They ‘paint’ this way because it allows more application freedom, as a result colorists are able to individually identify which curls catch the light the best, and highlight them to add more dimension to someone’s individual texture.”

Step 3: Look for a hair stylist who has done this before—and is comfortable working with your hair type.

“If you don’t have a colorist or have never colored your hair before, find someone who has great hair color with highlights and then schedule a consultation with that colorist,” Cucinello recommends. “Bring lots of pictures of what you have in mind, and more important, what you don’t want.”
You can also check out salon reviews on Yelp and Google and browse stylists’ Instagram pages to see their previous work.

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If you have specific concerns, look for relevant reviews and call ahead to the salon. If you have natural hair and want to ensure your stylist has experience with your texture, for example, see if other natural-haired customers have reviewed their services or ask the salon to confirm the stylist’s experience.
When you’re researching, don’t forget to consider pricing. The price range will depend on a few things, like what kind of highlights you want, how long your hair is, how experienced your stylist is, and where you are located. At the Bumble and Bumble salon in New York City, partial foil or balayage highlights run $175-$320, and full foil or balayage goes for $225-$375. At Blondes and Blowouts in Dallas, balayage starts at $250. At Edit Salon in Chicago, full highlights start at $150. Highlighting your hair usually isn’t cheap (sadly) so you need to be realistic about your budget.
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When you call to make your appointment, ask the salon if they have any specific instructions for you. A good general rule of thumb is to show up with clean hair, wearing your usual everyday style.
Smadar Nadav, a junior colorist at Devachan, explains: “We ask our clients to come in with their curls down and in their natural state. Since we paint with your curl pattern, the more we can see the curl and definition the better we control where the color lands. We section out the hair before we highlight. Then we paint each curl we want to showcase and bring light to.”

Step 4: Figure out how your appointment is going to go.

Many salons will offer a consultation ahead of the actual appointment. During that consultation, you can patch test the hair dyes and make sure you’re on the same page with your stylist about the final look. You can ask questions about the chemicals in the dye they use, talk through any potential side effects, and work out an aftercare plan. The stylist can also advise you on how long they expect your appointment to take—giving you the option to rethink things if the 8 hours it would take to give you lavender highlights is not your idea of a great time.

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Though you may have your heart set on a certain style, remember that the stylist is a pro. It’s possible that your dream color might not look great with your skin tone, and you may be better served by a warmer or cooler tone. Listen to their input—this is a great chance to collaborate and use the stylist’s expertise to come up with something that’s perfect for you.
“As a colorist, I always have the final result in mind and a color that may look great on one client, might not fit another one,” stylist Giulia Farella from Fabio Scalia Salons explained in a blog post. “Trends come and go, but a great style could last forever. My advice would be to consult with your colorist to find a color that fits your skin tone, haircut, and style in general.”
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On the day of your appointment, eat beforehand, and make sure to have water and snacks on hand. Some salons, though, offer complimentary snacks and beverages; other places even have a menu you can order from.
Wear something comfortable (dark colors are always a safe bet if you’ll be around dye—accidents happen, people!). Chances are you’ll be at the salon for a number of hours, so come prepared with your phone charger and something to keep you occupied. Most salons will offer reading material, but you could bring along crosswords, addictive iPhone games, or even headphones to watch a show or listen to a podcast during times when your stylist isn’t actively working on your hair.

Step 5: Figure out how to care for your hair afterwards.

Your stylist will provide you with specific aftercare instructions, but here are a few general guidelines.
In many cases, experts suggest waiting 72 hours before shampooing your hair. And you may need to pick up some specialized shampoos for color-treated hair, as many professionals recommend washing your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo after a color treatment. Sulfates are common in shampoos and cause the product to lather when you add water; however, they can also strip your hair and scalp of natural oils, drying out your hair and making it brittle. Sulfates can also strip your hair color, causing dye to fade fast.

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Other tips to keep your highlights looking great: Don’t wash your hair too often, as that can cause the color to fade; use cool or lukewarm water when washing your hair because super hot water can leach out the dye; allow your hair to dry naturally as often as possible; when you do need to heat-style your hair, use styling tools on low heat and use a heat-protecting spray or balm on your hair as well. Oh, and if you’re going to be out in the sun, consider throwing on a cap or scarf to protect your color (along with SPF for your skin, of course).
“I always tell my clients to give their curls a little extra TLC,” Nadav says. “Leaving in extra conditioner or doing a conditioning treatment is always beneficial after the color has had time to settle … the better your curls are hydrated the better your color will look and last.”

The most important step: Deciding whether this process will work for you.

Highlights can be amazing, but if you do all your research and decide it’s not worth it, there’s no shame in that.
“Will the highlights be realistic to maintain based on your budget and lifestyle?” Cucinello asks. “How often will you need to have your highlights retouched? Will you need to do the same amount of highlights every time, and what will the cost be? No one likes surprises when it’s time to pay for their services.”

Some people may not have the patience to sit for hours in the salon chair; for others the service just isn’t in the budget; for others still, the aftercare instructions might be a little too high-maintenance. If the highlight world isn’t for you? No big deal. But if it is, gather all the info you need and reap the rewards of your hard work when you walk out with your new look.

Categories
Life x Culture Lifestyle

I Hate My Job: How To Stay Positive When You Can’t Quit (Yet!)

It’s probably safe to say that most people have thought I hate my job at one point or another. Unless you’re one of those lucky few who truly loves their job, chances are pretty high you feel a sense of disappointment on Sunday night: The weekend’s ending, and you’ll be back to the daily grind as soon as you wake up on Monday morning. But as we get back into the swing of the workweek, most of us manage to have a positive outlook and generally enjoy feeling productive—or at least making some hard-earned cash on pay day.
But what if the Sunday scaries don’t go away, and you feel an impending sense of doom on your way to work every single day? You dread the thought of checking your inbox, the walls of the office seems to close in on you, and you’re counting down the hours until quitting time as soon as you step in the door. Worse than that, when you hate your job, you end up taking that frustration and hostility home with you—ruining the few free hours you have away from work.
I’ve been there—there was a time when I’d tell my work bestie, “I need to get out of this place. I hate my job,” as soon as I sat down at my desk. And like most people, I couldn’t just walk out (though I had to fight that urge daily). In most cases, quitting takes time and careful planning—and the opportunity to leave a job you hate doesn’t usually happen as quickly as you’d like. So what can you do in the meantime to make your Monday through Friday bearable when you hate your job?
If you’re intent on sticking it out at a job that makes you miserable, there are some strategies you can use to get through it. Executive coach Libby Gill, author of The Hope-Driven Leader: Harness the Power of Positivity at Work explains that it’s important to continue doing your best at work, even when you’d rather be anywhere else.
“Slacking off will only make you feel worse about your job, especially when you start to get pushback or complaints or a negative performance appraisal,” she says. “Instead, take responsibility and do something to make the situation better until you can move on.”
If you find yourself reciting a running narrative that starts with “I hate my job,” here’s what to do to stay motivated, keep your head high, and eventually move on to greener pastures.

Are you annoyed, or do you truly hate your job?

Any job can get under your skin. But there’s a difference between being annoyed by a temporary circumstance, like a missed promotion or a chronically delayed project, and being able to say “I hate my job” and really mean it.
What types of things can drive someone to want to throw in the towel at work?
“Most of the time, when someone hates their job, it’s because of the sheer volume of work and feeling like they’ll never get everything done,” says Gill. “We tend to say yes to too many things, and supervisors can also be unrealistic about what it takes to get a job done.”
Sometimes hating your job is less about the volume of assignments on your plate and more about the work itself. Finding your tasks insufferably boring or meaningless can lead to disengagement at work. In fact, a 2017 Gallup report found that “85 percent of employees are not engaged … with their jobs.”
“The biggest thing that makes people hate their jobs is when they don’t see a direct connection to their company’s value or purpose,” says Gill.
Practical issues can also cause resentment at work. Frequent battles with your supervisor, a lack of advancement opportunities, and chronic stress at the office can make your job feel intolerable.
“Assess the workplace situation and identify the root cause of what’s making you miserable so you can work toward solutions,” advises Gill.
Once you understand why you fell into the I-hate-my-job camp, you can start finding your way back out.

You are not your job.

Given how much time and energy we devote to our careers, many professionals pin their identities to their jobs—and that can make us feel like failures when our companies don’t meet our expectations. Getting some emotional distance from your work (even when you still need to be physically present) can help you feel a lot better when you hate your job.
“If you’re feeling unappreciated, you need to rediscover what’s in your personal life outside of work. It’s not realistic to find all your joy, happiness, and appreciation at work,” Gill says. “What are you doing outside of work that feeds your soul?”
Trying out a new hobby, signing up to volunteer at a worthy organization, and even reviving friendships can help you feel better when you hate your job. These experiences will energize you and remind you of all of the various ways you’re equipped to contribute to society and enjoy life.
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Keep up with exercise, pay attention to your relationships and your finances. It’s all common sense stuff, but people tend to neglect the basics when they hate their jobs,” says Gill.

There’s a right (and wrong) way to vent about a job you hate.

All that pent up frustration about work needs to go somewhere—like a passionate venting session with someone you’re close to. I’ll be the first to admit that when I hopped on the complain train with my work bestie, it felt like a relief to blow off some steam for a few minutes.
But in the long run, venting doesn’t do much good. Science shows that complaining actually just makes you feel worse—so try not to let it become a habit.
“It’s okay to vent sometimes, but pick your allies carefully. Vent to people outside your work, like your friends or family, if you need to complain from time to time,” says Gill.
Better yet, try to have an open, honest conversation with someone in a role that’s similar to yours.
“If you can talk freely with them, it can be helpful to see if they’ve faced similar issues and what they’ve done about it,” says Gill.

Take advantage of opportunities—even at that job you hate.

When you hate your job, you might feel like there’s no way to fix it. But it’s worth exploring solutions that could improve the situation. Maybe your workload is too much, or you no longer feel challenged—these are situations that aren’t beneficial for you or your company.
“Talk to your supervisor, human resources, or anyone who might be able to rectify the situation,” says Gill. “Of course, you don’t want to be seen as a whiner, so make the conversation count by bringing real-life examples of issues and potential solutions. Make it clear that you’re there to make the situation better.”
If that doesn’t work, strive to take advantage of fresh opportunities at the job you hate. Learning new skills, trying out a different project, and taking training programs can help you stay in engaged—and make your resume more attractive to future employers when you’re ready to move on.
“Learning something new at work can help you feel like you’re getting something back from a job you hate. It also helps you start thinking about what you might do next,” says Gill. “Even if you know you can’t leave your job for five years, don’t just sit around daydreaming. Spend a year studying, finding a mentor, and taking control of your plan.”

Working Through a Job You Hate

Most of us don’t have the luxury of jumping ship when we hate our jobs. You might just need to grin and bear it. Focusing on small things can help you work through it.
When I hated my job, I tried to make it better by treating myself to really tasty lunches at least once a week. I’d also take frequent walks, both around my spacious office and in the neighborhood—vitamin D and exercise are easy pick-me-ups. And since the office felt unbearable, leaving on time became a priority. I powered through my task list from 9 to 5, which helped the hours fly by and got me out on time.
“Never underestimate the value of friendships and having fun,” adds Gill, “even if you have to schedule them well in advance. Getting together with people you love will help put things back into perspective.”
Gill also suggested something really clever that I wish I’d tried when I hated my job: starting a “thank you” file.
“Whenever people send you an email or a letter of a job well done, put those in a folder. Once in a while, go back through those and you’ll see where you are appreciated. It feels really good,” she says.
From time to time, reread your own resume and LinkedIn profile. Reminders of all that you’ve accomplished can also help you remember that there are bigger things on the horizon.

Networking When You Hate Your Job

It’s tempting to isolate yourself from your colleagues when you hate your job. But that’s the opposite of how you should approach things, says Gill. She says networking can be a powerful tool for helping you cope during a difficult time at work.
“Find healthy relationships on the job and get to know people outside of your own team. Have lunch or coffee with somebody new once a week. People feel like that’s a lot, but it’s not if you plan ahead,” she says.
Forming those bonds may revive some of the passion you lost for work—or at least put you on a path toward leaving a job you hate.
“I suggest to people that they do something industry-wide once a month, like professional conferences or women’s networking groups, so you’re exposed outside of your organization. It adds to your ability to look around for your next job,” says Gill.
Talking with new people frequently also helps you practice a critical skill: making your elevator pitch.
“You’ll learn not to immediately say, ‘I hate my job,’ and instead talk about how you’re curious about what’s next for your career,” says Gill.
Staying professionally active will be a positive, energizing force that counterbalances a draining day job.

Planning an Exit Strategy From a Job You Hate

Maybe you’ve decided it’s time to cut your losses and break things off with the job you hate. Hopefully you have another job already lined up. But if not, start dropping not-too-subtle hints to people who can lead you to your next opportunity.
“Look around while you’re still on the job. Unless it’s contractually prohibited at your company, you’re allowed to take meetings and plant seeds. The safest way to do it is to say, ‘Hey, I’ve been working here for this number of years, and things are going well, but I’m looking for my next adventure.’ I guarantee your bosses are doing the same thing,” says Gill.
If your job search does get back to your boss, fess up to it, says Gill.
“Tell them you need to keep your options open for the future and you’ll never leave them in the lurch. Remind them that if and when you decide to leave, you won’t be doing it to try to leverage a raise or promotion from them,” she says.
Finally, when it’s time to part ways with your current company, leave with grace.
“I call it the art of the depart,” says Gill. “Give it your best effort until the day you leave. Give a reasonable amount of notice and try to hand off your projects in a seamless way.”
Whatever you do, don’t gossip about your boss or the company—you’re probably going to need them for a reference at some point in the future.
“Trashing your boss can really come back to haunt you. So rather than talking about how much you hate your job, focus on everything you’ve learned and been able to contribute in your role,” says Gill.
Resigning with dignity will help preserve your professional reputation and give you the headspace you’ll need to focus on your next move—hopefully to a job you don’t hate.
[related article_ids=2565,1005702]

Categories
Happy Home Lifestyle

Going Green: Here's How To Make Sure Your Eco-Friendly Home Is Actually Sustainable

We probably don’t have to sell you on the advantages of an eco-friendly home. Putting the future of life on this planet aside, a sustainable home can save you a ton of money.
According to data from UtilityScore, the average single-family household spends $226 per month on utilities. Energy-efficient upgrades can reduce those expenses by $200 to $400 per year, per the Department of Energy, putting a decent chunk of change back in homeowners’ pockets.
Need a more significant financial incentive? Eventually your home’s energy efficiency might even affect its overall value.
“I really expect that home energy labels are going to become the norm, at the time of sale, sometime very soon,” says Asa Foss, director of residential technical solutions of the U.S. Green Building Council. “I really see that driving the market in the not-too-distant future.”
“People in the lending community are now looking at how they can [assess] utility costs to make that part of the fundamental information they use to determine how much home you can afford,” Foss tells HealthyWay. In other words, if you have a truly eco-friendly home, you might enjoy a higher sales price when you’re ready to move on. And if you’re looking to buy, you might be able to lock down a lower interest rate.
Even if your primary concerns aren’t money or the environment, there are other reasons to go green. Some eco-friendly upgrades might make your home a more comfortable—and healthy—living space. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that many household products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which can have “short- and long-term adverse health effects.” Invest in eco-friendly upgrades and you can reduce organic pollutants, potentially avoiding some of those effects.
We’ll just assume that we’ve convinced you to take a look at your home’s sustainability. That was the easy part—but where do you start?      
That depends on whether you’re buying, renovating, or just looking for a few simple upgrades. Here’s what you need to know.

Eco-Friendly Renovations: Planning a Sustainable Makeover

Everyone loves a good remodel, but unless the Property Brothers spontaneously show up on your doorstep, you’re probably shelling out big bucks for major renovations. Making sustainable changes means budgeting carefully. Eco-friendly materials often pay for themselves over time, but they’re initially expensive, and you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got enough green to go green.
“Depending on your budget, you can set a goal,” says Erica Leigh Reiner, owner of E. Leigh Designs, an eco-friendly interior design firm. “For instance, you can say that 20 percent of items or materials will be green, and then you can prioritize what those will be.”
Not sure where to start? To get the most substantial benefits, just look up.
“It’s difficult to properly insulate the walls of a home after it’s already constructed,” says Foss. “However, from an energy-loss perspective, the most important place is the ceiling. That’s absolutely the first place that people should be looking when retrofitting.”
Foss also recommends investing in inexpensive insulation upgrades in the basement or crawlspace. Cellulose insulation is an especially attractive option for eco-friendly renovation, as it’s often made from recycled newspaper and provides an R-value that’s similar to fiberglass but with fewer potentially toxic substances. Wool insulation is another renewable alternative.
For significant renovations—room additions, kitchen remodels, and the like—try to choose recyclable building materials. For instance, look for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Products carrying an FSC certification are sourced from sustainably managed forests. Wherever possible, choose local materials to minimize fossil fuel consumption from freight.

Oh, and remember those VOCs we mentioned earlier? They’re potentially a big deal; the EPA notes they’re a potential cause of “sick building syndrome,” a mysterious medical condition in which the occupants of a building show signs of illness. Many construction materials can emit VOCs, but paints are an especially significant contributor.
“Use no-VOC paint for as much of your space as you can afford,” Reiner says.
Note that low- or zero-VOC paints can still contain harmful substances such as formaldehyde, so research paint brands carefully before making your purchase. Dark paints generally require more pigments than lighter paints, and as such, have higher levels of VOCs on average.
And as strange as it might sound, flooring can also affect indoor air quality. Again, look for low- or no-VOC flooring options.
“Even if you can’t afford eco-bamboo or cork flooring, you can probably get low-toxin flooring,” Reiner says.

Buying an Eco-Friendly Home: What makes a home sustainable, anyway?

If you’re buying a new home, keep this in mind: There’s nothing to stop sellers from using the term “eco-friendly” to offload a decidedly eco-unfriendly property.
“There needs to be an educated conversation about the [home-buying] process,” says Jeff Bogard of R.E.A. Homes, a custom home builder in St. Louis. “Consumers need to understand what sustainability means—the science behind how homes function, right-sizing utility systems, finding longer lasting materials, and things of that nature.”

It’s pretty overwhelming, but fortunately, there’s a shortcut.
“Look for building certification programs,” Foss says. Admittedly, he’s a bit biased in this respect; his organization runs the LEED for Homes certification program, one of the most widely used sustainability programs in the United States. Even so, Foss says that all sustainable certification programs are beneficial for ecologically mindful consumers.

“Building certification programs are really the easiest way for consumers to tell,” he says. “The biggest organization in the country, for homes, is Energy Star, which covers somewhere from 5 to 25 percent of the home market. It’s a really good baseline for people to look at.”
Other popular home energy efficiency programs include the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index and the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score.  
“There’s a lot of local and regional home sustainability programs, which differ, but we’re all pretty much looking at the same things,” Foss explains. “There are nuances—and they’re important nuances—but we’ve got the same goals. We’re all trying to go green, it’s just different shades of green.”
Bogard agrees and notes that consumers should pay special attention to appliances, particularly water heaters and HVAC systems. While you’re shopping, don’t be afraid to ask your real estate agent for copies of actual utility bills, and personally inspect important appliances. If you’re thinking about upgrading right after you move in, make sure that your home will allow for the upgrade.
“You might want to upgrade to an eco-friendly water heater, but that will depend on your home’s flue situation,” Foss says. “But there are some really tremendous eco-friendly options available, particularly with water heaters.”

Look for a home inspector who specializes in analyzing eco-friendly homes. Green home inspections through organizations like InterNACHI evaluate a home’s materials, energy efficiency, and features that could affect human and environmental health.

Building an Eco-Friendly Home: Make sure you’ve got the right approach.

Planning on new construction? Make sure you’ve got the right mindset for eco-friendly building. For starters, you’ve got to look past the upfront fees.
“Very few people build a home more than once in their lifetime,” Bogard says, “so the default is to think of upfront costs as the total expense of the home. There’s very little conversation about operating costs and lifecycle costs.”

“Let’s say you get a more expensive HVAC system that costs less to operate. After a certain number of years, it pays for itself, and it’s eventually a reverse annuity for the client,” he explains. “You’ve also got to think about how long the system will last before you need to replace it. A system with a higher price tag that lasts for five more years is probably the better value.”

Yes, that means that you might pay more up front initially. The good news is that an eco-friendly builder can greatly reduce your living expenses over the long term while providing a comfortable, sustainable home.
“We have several accounts of people who built homes several times bigger than their old homes—old meaning homes from the ’50s and ’60s—where the monthly energy costs are significantly lower in newer, larger homes,” Bogard says.
To ensure sustainable construction, you’ll need to work closely with your contractor from the first stages of the process. Bogard notes that many “sustainable” construction projects start off on the wrong foot.

“When you stick-frame a house in the traditional way, you end up with a lot of waste that ends up in the dumpster, which ends up in the landfill,” he says. “When you use wall panels, the sections of the home come out, get delivered to the home, and there is no waste, so nothing is going to the landfill. It’s a win–win. You’ve got to look at the whole home to do things the right way.”

Starting Small: Quick Ways to Make Your Home More Sustainable

Let’s say that you don’t have the budget for huge renovations, and you’re not in the market for a new home. Are you doomed to waste fossil fuels and suffocate on VOCs until the end of time? Not quite.
Minor home improvements can improve both air quality and sustainability. For starters, consider adding a few plants. Some studies show that certain house plants can improve indoor air quality by removing VOCs from the air in a process called phytoremediation (don’t worry, there’s no quiz at the end of this article).
However, you need to get the right type of plant, as some indoor plants can actually release VOCs. Bill Wolverton, PhD, is one of the NASA scientists who discovered this effect, and he recommends Boston ferns, bamboo palms, and dwarf date palms, among other species.
When you’re ready to tackle sustainable interior design, remember: Reduce, reuse, recycle, in that order. Try not to purchase anything you don’t need, and wherever possible, avoid brand-new products.
“Buy quality secondhand pieces,” Reiner suggests. “There are so many online platforms to buy pre-loved pieces in any style and price range these days. This reduces [the] demand for new products that require virgin resources and fossil fuel for shipping and trucking.”
Reiner says to steer clear of cheap furniture manufactured in other countries, as tempting as the low price tag might seem.

“The wood is probably composite wood glued with formaldehyde, the fabric is probably petroleum based, the foam cushions may have been sprayed with fire retardant, and they were shipped long distances on ships using petroleum,” she says. She recommends taking 15 minutes to research manufacturers and look for green alternatives prior to each purchase.

“I am fascinated with products made from unwanted material,” Reiner says. “There are countertops made of recycled glass or stone, aluminum tiles made from old airplane wings, beautiful tables made from old barn wood, and leather floor and wall tiles made from reclaimed leather. Reclaiming or repurposing unwanted materials is great for three reasons: First, you greatly reduce the amount of energy, water, and virgin materials needed for the product. Second, less waste will enter the landfill. Third, the products might be made closer to home.”
What if you don’t like any of the sustainable options? We’re not judging; we’re pretty picky when it comes to interior home design.
“Even if there’s nothing you like in your style or budget, you can always limit your footprint,” Reiner says. “Take old paint to paint recycling centers or call carpet recyclers to pick up old materials. You can also donate old items—cabinets, materials, and furniture—to an organization like…Habitat for Humanity’s [ReStore].”   
When your main priority is reducing your carbon footprint, focus on making your home (relatively) airtight. If your home has a lot of windows, consider picking up some energy-efficient blackout curtains, which can keep your home cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter.

While you’re at it, check your windows for air leaks, which can easily cost you big bucks over the course of a year. During the winter, use temporary caulking to seal your windows (you’re not opening them until the spring, anyway), and consider getting rubber gaskets for any drafty electrical outlets. Use pipe blankets to keep water pipes warm during cold snaps.

Ultimately, your results will depend on your goals, budget, and your commitment to the project.
“Make a plan,” Reiner says. “The clearer you are about what you want, how you want it, and by when, the easier it will be to stay focused. Be your own project manager.”

Categories
Healthy Her Way Lifestyle

Tori Simeone Of TorrSim

This week, we’re crushing on Tori Simeone, a professional dancer, Pure Barre instructor, certified holistic health coach, and Tone It Up trainer (just to name a few of her impressive qualifications).
A New York City native, Tori recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion for dance while making it her mission to help others learn how to live their best lives along the way. As a NBA spirit dancer for the Clippers with Broadway, tap, ballroom, and partner dancing experience, Tori is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to moving your body. And we aren’t the only ones who think so…
During a recent Tone It Up tour, the TIU team met Tori and instantly knew she was the perfect fit. As a Studio Tone It Up trainer, Tori is able to share her talent and love of exercise with people all over the world. The best part? You don’t need dance experience to keep up with Tori—she breaks down each movement in a way that’s easy to comprehend while still keeping her workouts fun and getting your heart pumping.
With a busy schedule like Tori’s, it can be difficult to prioritize self-care. We appreciate Tori’s honesty when it comes to finding balance in her life. She regularly shares her favorite ways to practice self-care, like taking herself on solo weekend getaways, relaxing with a face mask, or doing one of her favorite things in the entire world—cooking (while dancing around her kitchen, of course!).
When she’s not in the studio or learning how to care for her plant babes, Tori enjoys creating new dishes (which often feature adaptogens), and she even shares her recipes on her Instagram and her health and travel blog, TorrSim.
We can’t help but feel motivated by Tori’s positive energy, confidence, and desire to inspire others. Keep hustlin’ Tori—we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next!  
HealthyWay

A Day in the Life

What does your daily routine look like?

I have a morning routine that sets me up for a fantastic day. I try to wake up around 8 a.m. each day. I am one of those people that needs her full eight hours of sleep. I drink a large glass of water immediately after opening my eyes to wake up my body, followed by making warm water with lemon. Some mornings I add ACV and cayenne. I meditate and then make a protein-filled breakfast and can start my day.
Each day varies for me; I either start with a hot yoga class down the block from my apartment in downtown LA or I head down to my gym for cardio and a Tone It Up workout. I am a Pure Barre instructor, so on days that I am teaching I will head to the studio early to get in the zone for my clients.
I give myself down time in the middle of the day to let my body get some rest while I work on answering emails, content for my blog, reading a book (usually self-help or nutrition based), or I call a friend from home to catch up.
Each day ends with dinner and downtime at home with my man.

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?

Cooking and baking healthy, gut-friendly foods is my favorite way to show myself some love. I will light candles, blast music, and dance around my kitchen while I create fun new recipes. I have so much fun doing this. It is not an obligation, no one pays me for it, and that is why I can enjoy it so much and have a blast while doing so!
At night, I love to indulge in homemade face masks often throughout the week.

How do you stay inspired?

I am constantly reminding myself of my goals. Whether it is by writing them out daily, taking a look at my vision board, or scrolling through posts I have saved on Instagram. This motivates me to keep moving forward and reminds me why I am making the choices I am making. Some days are harder than others, that is just natural, but by keeping my goals my top priority it makes it so much easier to keep my momentum.
Listening to my intuition is important as well. I have learned to say no to the things that do not serve me. By placing my time and energy into the things that light me up, I have no choice but to be inspired. When you work from this place of authenticity, you wind up inspiring the people around you as well!
HealthyWay
HealthyWay
Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.

Loving Lately…

What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?

Kopari Beauty Products, Vered Botanicals, and Ilia Beauty are my current favorites. All of these are kind to your skin with clean, non-toxic ingredients.
I also love the women that are behind each one of these companies. Supporting brands that are made with love from the very beginning is something I love.

What are your favorite apps?

The Calm meditation app is my number one favorite. Yes, I am ranking it higher than Instagram.
Instagram takes a close second though.
MyFLO is another one of my faves. This is a period-tracking app made by the incredible Alisa Vitti geared towards helping women during every phase of their cycle—not just menstrual. It shows which food is best during the phase you are in, which exercise is best, and even shows what your mental and sexual state are. Highly recommend this app!

Whose Instagram is on your radar?

@katrinascott and @karenadawn might be girl bosses but they will always be #lifegoals.
@earthyandy is my #familygoals and #foodgoals—her life in Hawaii looks amazing and the food she has available to eat is my dream! @alison__wu of #WuHaus is #aestheticgoals for sure.

What’s your go-to healthy snack?

Almond butter and berries or veggies with any homemade dipping sauce that I have ready.
Sometimes I go for a sliced avocado with tomato topped with salt and pepper—so yummy!

What are you reading, watching, or listening to?

Reading: Go With Your Gut by Robyn Youkilis, The Food Therapist by Shira Lenchewski, WomanCode by Alisa Vitti, and House of Plants by Rose Ray and Caro Langston.
Watching: Billions, This Is Us, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel—and I will admit that I still watch Grey’s Anatomy.
Listening: Lana Del Rey—always. I have been mostly into podcasts while I walk and drive though. Faves are Let It Out, The Armchair Expert, Almost 30, The Balanced Blonde, and mindbodygreen.
HealthyWay
HealthyWay

Tori IRL

If your pet could talk, how would they describe you?

I don’t have any pets (yet), but if my plants could talk they would most likely say, “She doesn’t know what she’s doing, but she tries really hard!”
Still learning how to keep my plants alive and thriving! They would also say I’m goofy, quirky, I talk too much, and I love dancing around to music all day long.

What woman in history would you love to take to brunch?

Zelda Fitzgerald. She was a wild child in a time when women didn’t usually come out of their shell or disobey the rules. As the first ever flapper girl, a writer, and an artist, she sounds so interesting, and I would love to sit down with her and ask her about the 1920s.

What’s your coffee order?

I make my own matcha latte at home using an array of adaptogens and collagen, or I grind Modern Times coffee beans and make a cold brew with similar ingredients.

What piece of advice has impacted you the most?

What is for you will always come to you at the time that is right in your life. The universe will always lead you to the right path, just give it time. Maybe someone else got the thing you thought you wanted, that’s okay! Be happy for them! Your thing is on its way to you, and it is yours and no one else’s to take.
HealthyWay
HealthyWay
Need more good vibes in your life? Be sure to check out Tori’s aesthetically appealing blog and follow her on Instagram!

Categories
Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

The Bottom Line On Beauty Boxes

Walk into any beauty retailer or browse those never-ending virtual shelves from your computer, and there’s one thing for certain: You won’t run out of options. For every skin concern, there’s a myriad of cleansers, serums, and creams; for every type of beauty preference, there are countless palettes, lipsticks, and rouges. From spendy, luxurious oils to highlighters so lit you’ll be casting beams into space, it’s easy to feel equal parts excited and overwhelmed by the plethora of products before you.

This is where beauty box subscriptions come in. The idea isn’t just to amass a huge collection of beauty loot (though it’s a nice side effect), but also to learn about new brands and products in an attempt to figure out what works for you. It’s also a great way to sample products before throwing down a ton of cash on products that might not be your thing.
[pullquote align=”center”]“The convenience afforded by these subscription models really resonates with younger generations that prefer to shop quickly, digitally, and ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ …
—Sarah Biggers[/pullquote]
From avid consumers to professional reviewers, we’ve rounded up the experts to help you navigate the expansive world of beauty box subscriptions.

An Overview of Boxes

Though you can find other boxes out there that cater to things like diet, pets, and even flowers, today we’ll focus specifically on general beauty and skincare. For a more inclusive overview of such options, we’ve divided this section into categories according to lifestyle and preferences.

For the Makeup-Obsessed

If you’re specifically seeking a makeup-centric box, this is the category for you. These boxes tend to fall in the $10 to $15 per month range and provide you with five or six small samples, some luxury samples, and the occasional full-sized product.
[pullquote align=”center”]“Start with a low price point [beauty] box. This way, if you find out it isn’t for you, it was a cheap experiment.”
—Liz Cadman of MySubscriptionAddiction[/pullquote]
Liz Cadman, the founder of MySubscriptionAddiction—arguably the destination for comprehensive reviews on any and all boxes—says this is a great category to begin with because of the price point.
“Start with a low price point box,” she says. “This way, if you find out it isn’t for you, it was a cheap experiment. Inexpensive beauty boxes I recommend are Birchbox, Ipsy, and Play! by Sephora—which are all $10 [per month]—and Macy’s Beauty Box and Allure Beauty Box, which are $15 each.”

Birchbox

Each of these put their own spin on the subscription box. Ipsy’s samples always come in an original “Glam Bag”; Sephora’s Play! box always focuses on a specific theme; Allure’s samples are editor-tested and approved; Macy’s box comes with a $5 coupon you can use toward a full-sized product.
For the best bang for your buck, Cadman recommends BoxyCharm, which is slightly more expensive at $21 per month, but comes with four to five full-sized makeup items.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiIA1-kAjcm/?taken-by=boxycharm
Sarah Biggers, a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of beauty brand Clove + Hallow, says Birchbox is one of her all-time favorite subscription boxes.
“Birchbox was a pioneer of the subscription box business model, and I love to support that kind of female-driven innovation,” Biggers says. “Plus, they do a fabulous job curating a balance of small indie brands versus well-known cosmetic lines.”

For the DIY Queen

Gather your crew and throw a DIY party or put on your favorite jams and carve out an afternoon of therapeutic solo crafting; instead of being product-driven, these subscription boxes essentially send you an experience through the mail.
For $29, My Lemon Crate sends a monthly DIY kit that contains everything you need for a specific project, ranging from bath bombs to body scrubs. All the ingredients are premeasured and organic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhfMwB1g932/?taken-by=mylemoncrate
Mousse Coco operates a little differently: Instead of a monthly subscription that automatically renews, you go to the site and choose which DIY beauty project you want to do. Each box costs $32, comes with premeasured organic ingredients, and the projects range from lip balm to deodorant to face masks.

For the Practical Person

From razors to toothbrush heads to feminine hygiene, there are a handful of beauty subscription boxes out there that ensure you’ve always got a replenished stock of necessities.
“I think the swell of utility boxes like Billie and The PMS Package accurately represents the enormous shift in how consumers are shopping and experiencing products,” notes Biggers. “The convenience afforded by these subscription models really resonates with younger generations that prefer to shop quickly, digitally, and ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ when it comes to recurring, functional items.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiFd8YOlQzZ/?taken-by=my.billie
Billie is a shaving subscription box for women that costs $9 for the starter kit then ships four blade replacements for $9 every month. Lola sends a supply of organic tampons or pads to your home every month (or every other month) for $8 to $10. The PMS Package includes feminine hygiene products along with comfort snacks and fun products for $35 per month.
Another great utility subscription is Quip, which, for $25 to $40, provides an electric starter toothbrush and a toothbrush head–replacement plan for as low as $5 per month.

For the Splurger

If you’ve ever followed an influencer or reality star on social media, you’ve probably seen them talking about lifestyle subscription boxes. These are often more expensive, with their price points ranging from $50 to $150, but they’re more luxurious and comprehensive in terms of their contents. A handful ship monthly, but many ship quarterly, in line with seasonal shifts.
https://twitter.com/_sadiemuir/status/970844137049108480
“Lifestyle boxes like FabFitFun are a great way for people to sample a variety of products that they wouldn’t otherwise pick out for themselves,” says Biggers. “It’s like having a best friend in your ear telling you all the fun new stuff you should try. Not to mention, they do a great job of sourcing a combination of staples [and] previously unknown products from smaller brands, so there is an air of excitement that comes with each box.”
FabFitFun is a quarterly box that costs $50 and is valued at over $200, according to their website. In every box, you receive eight to 10 full-sized lifestyle products: accessories, food, skincare, makeup, and home goods. You can customize your order or opt to make it a surprise.

FabFitFun/Instagram

The PopSugar Must Have box is a similar option. It costs $75 per quarter and contains six to eight full-sized products, including beautiful accessories, decor items, and high-end beauty goods.
“Box of Style from Rachel Zoe is $99 a quarter and is definitely a luxe treat,” notes Cadman. The box is carefully curated by Zoe’s team and includes a mixture of accessories, clothing, and skincare.

For the Fragrance Fanatic

Before you drop hundreds on a full-sized eau de parfum, consult a fragrance beauty box that’ll deliver a mini version for way less.
Scentbird, which caters to both men and women, was one of the first beauty subscription boxes to do this. For just under $15 per month, you’ll receive a 30-day supply of a designer fragrance that comes in a refillable atomizer. They have over 450 different fragrances to choose from, from splurge-y, high-end options to lesser-known indie options, and they constantly add new scents to their library.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiKR3SSF1Ag/?taken-by=scentbird
A very similar option is Scentbox, which costs just under $14 per month. They, too, send a 30-day supply of your choice fragrance in a reusable atomizer, and they have an arsenal of over 800 premium fragrances to choose from. Both boxes can help you out of a fragrance rut and allow you to experiment with an expensive product before buying the full-size.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRBl_5-F1Ss/?taken-by=scenttrunk
For a completely different option, consider Scent Trunk, which costs $12 per month. What sets this option apart from others is that it allows you to create your own scent. To begin, they’ll send you a $5 scent palette, which you sniff and report back with your preference in notes. From there, they customize a fragrance and send it to your door monthly.

For the Organic-Lover

Anyone who gives a hard pass to traditional beauty goods in favor of organic will appreciate this category.
Whether you’re all-green, interested in converting, or are simply curious about what natural options are out there and how they fare compared to traditional beauty, these boxes are where to start. They’re also a great way to learn about new brands you haven’t heard of before, as small organic brands often don’t have massive budgets for advertising.
[pullquote align=”center”]“I know I can trust [Petit Vour] to source the best cruelty-free products. They’ve completely transformed the face of … cruelty-free into something glamorous and chic.”
—Sarah Biggers[/pullquote]
Erin Williams, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Erin’s Faces, a natural beauty brand, says her favorite beauty subscription boxes are Oui Fresh ($30 per month), Petit Vour ($18 per month), and Organic Bunny Box ($59 per month).

OuiFresh/Instagram

“I love that Oui Fresh’s focus is green beauty, and they work with both indie and mainstream brands. I recommend Petit Vour if you’re wanting clean vegan picks. They have a lot of options in skincare, haircare, and makeup,” says Williams. “For Organic Bunny Box, Amanda, [the founder], is very specific with what ingredient decks she’ll approve, so you can feel safe with her choices, which are a mix of skincare, makeup, and hair care [products].”
“I know I can trust [Petit Vour] to source the best cruelty-free products,” says Biggers. “They’ve completely transformed the face of … cruelty-free into something glamorous and chic.”

For the Budget-Conscious

Fact: You don’t have to spend oodles to have a nice treat sent to your door. A handful of companies offer options that cost about the same as your Frappuccino.
For starters, there’s the Walmart Beauty Box, a quarterly option that costs $5 and contains five to seven small samples of beauty and skincare products sold in stores.

Walmart Beauty Box

Similarly, Target’s Beauty Box costs $7 and includes a mix of new beauty product samples that are valued at $28. Their box isn’t a subscription, mind you, as you have to purchase it when it becomes available every month.
If you’re really into K-beauty and cheap thrills, the FaceTory subscription box is another fun choice. For $7 to $9 per month, you’ll receive four to seven sheet masks.

Bottom Line

The whole point of beauty subscription boxes is to experiment with new products and, ultimately, #treatyourself. Choosing the right box for you comes down to your budget, lifestyle, and health and beauty goals.
“The biggest factor for many of our readers is value,” says Cadman. “Both in the sense of retail value—is it important to you to get a much higher retail value in the box versus what you paid?—and personal value. Are you going to use the items? Did this subscription help save you time, encourage you to eat healthier, et cetera?”

“If you’re looking for a box to start,” says Williams, “I’d think about what you want to get from it. Do you want tried and true brands that you know and love, or do you want to unearth some gems that you’ve never heard of? Is green beauty important to you? Do you want sample sizes since you tend to get more diversity and it’s cheaper, or full sizes, which mean less products per box but more ounces of each one?”
There’s no wrong answer, of course! It all boils down to your preferences. Shop around, do some research, watch some unveilings on YouTube or Instagram. Commit to one or two for a couple months, then assess whether the box serves your needs. The worst that can happen is trying some things you don’t like, but hopefully you can still discover some gems and get joy out of mail day.

Categories
Lifestyle Well-Traveled

The Packing List You Need To Explore The World With Just A Carry-On

It was the last straw. After a long transatlantic flight back from an incredible trip to Portugal, the magic of travel was rapidly fading as I waited longer and longer for my (ridiculously overpacked) suitcase to arrive at baggage claim. I thought the annoyance of my poor packing skills ended when I carried the massive monstrosity down five flights of stairs at my last hotel in Lisbon (cursing every unnecessary dress and pair of shoes on my original packing list with each step).
Now, the frustration was back with a vengeance. And judging by the growing crowd of other weary travelers waiting for their bags, I wasn’t about to find relief anytime soon.
“Never again,” I decided at that moment, and got to work streamlining my packing list for future trips.
I set some ground rules:

  1. Everything must fit into a carry-on (plus a big handbag).
  2. My travel outfits should offer enough variety for city strutting and outdoor adventuring.
  3. Squeezing in a cosmetics and skincare kit is non-negotiable.
  4. Absolutely, positively no more than two pairs of shoes.

After some trial and error, I finally developed a packing list that worked, and I still managed to find room for a few other travel necessities (like a reusable water bottle and a sun hat) in my carry-on bag. I thought I’d long for the items I used to bring with me on my travels, but now I relish in packing light, spending my mornings abroad researching where to find the best croissant instead of picking the perfect outfit, and avoiding the hassle of checked bag fees and delays at baggage claim (or worse: lost bags!).
Planning to travel soon? Now’s the time to start paring down your packing list and picking up functional, fashionable items that will take you from Texas to Timbuktu. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Packing List Basics for Carry-On Only Travel

When you’re planning to use only a carry-on for a trip, you’ve got to have a game plan. Before you pack a single item, jot down a strategic packing list—and stick to it.
A packing list has dual purposes of limiting how much stuff you bring and reminding you to pack the core travel necessities. You probably already have a sense of the clothing, accessories, and other items you tend to bring on every trip. Write it all down and use that as the basis for your packing list. I recommend saving it digitally, so you can refer to it again on future travels.
Then, customize the packing list to meet the needs of your particular trip.
Business trip? Add the laptop and charger, and perhaps a blazer and heels!
Vegas for a girls trip? Don’t forget to pack a flashy dress!
Epic hiking trip? Break out your trail boots, travel towel, and first-aid kit.
Your basic packing list should include everything you typically bring (pants, shirts, sunscreen, etc.) when you’re on the road, but offer flexibility to accommodate what you might need on different types of trips.

Choosing the Perfect Bag for the Perfect Packing List

Your packing list is only as effective as the bag into which you’re squeezing your travel necessities. Traveling with just a carry-on demands that you be unflinchingly particular about your suitcase.
You want to make sure it’s as large as the majority of airlines allow (this handy list gives you carry-on bag dimensions for more than 170 airlines). Spinning wheels and a telescoping handle will make the bag a breeze to drag around the airport. Finally, look for a carry-on with a few pockets that will help you stay organized—you can even categorize your packing list based on what you’re putting in each section of the bag. There are thousands of carry-on bags on the market, and it’s worth taking a shopping trip to test out a few.
Need some guidance on where to start? I recommend the TravelPro Platinum Magna ($299.99). This bag’s large enough to hold everything on my packing list (and then some!), but it fits into the overhead compartment of every plane on which I take it. The carry-on features a special compartment that helps keep dresses smooth—perfect if you’re going to a destination wedding. The self-aligning wheels prevent the bag from getting stuck when navigating through tight squeezes. Finally, if any part of the bag breaks, you can take it to a TravelPro repair center, thus helping you avoid adding more to the local landfill and paying a hefty replacement fee.
Patagonia’s Headway Wheeled Duffel Bag ($329) is my runner-up pick for a carry-on bag. Its nylon material boasts incredible durability, and it has a collapsable internal frame, making it easy to store when not in use. The company ensures that the factories it works with promote fair labor, safe conditions for workers, and practices that are safe for the environment.
Finally, make use of the airline allowance for a “personal item.” I usually take a large purse for anything I might want to use on the plane, like a book, lotion, and headphones. My go-to is my Lug Mini Puddle Jumper Day Bag ($95) because it’s soft and light. The only thing that I love more than the seemingly endless number of compartments (seriously—I’ve had this bag for two years, and I keep finding new ones) is the company’s commitment to supporting children’s charities.

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Clothing to Include on Your Packing List

When building a cohesive travel wardrobe, you have to abide by a few basic principles:

  • Always choose function over fashion (but hopefully most of your clothes fuse the two together!).
  • Plan to wear most of your stuff more than once on a trip (mixing and matching will make the outfits look fresh!).
  • Choose wrinkle-resistant, comfy garments made from natural textiles whenever possible.

What clothing belongs on your packing list? It really depends on the weather, the type of trip, and, most importantly, what you love to wear.

Dresses

My packing list, for instance, always includes a couple of breezy dresses. Everlane has a ton of contenders for your packing list—check out the light drawstring dress ($98), short-sleeve V-neck dress ($98), or the cotton tank dress (just $28!). Reformation’s Rou dress ($98) can easily transition from day to night, and it has that retro silhouette that will stand out in your Instagram pics.

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Tops

For tops, squeeze in five or six light tanks and tees with varying sleeve lengths, so you’ll be comfortable in any weather.
A laid-back white T-shirt (like the $38 Maggie Tee from Threads 4 Thought) belongs on every packing list—it’s a classic look that can work pretty much anywhere. Amour Vert also has some fun tops, like a cheerful orange tank ($38), v-back flowy tank ($68), striped long-sleeved tee ($78), and roll tab sleeve top ($98).
Since you’re going to wear these more than once, make sure your packing list includes a few different colors and prints to stave off boredom.

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Bottoms

Bottoms can get bulky, so you have to be smart about which ones you include on your packing list.
I recommend two pairs of black leggings (I usually wear one on the plane). These organic cotton leggings ($24) from Pact would be cozy to wear when doing anything active on your trip. A fashionable packing guide should always include your favorite pair of jeans (mine are the $128 high-rise skinnies from Madewell). If the weather’s warm, toss in a pair of denim shorts, otherwise you can feel free to pack a second pair of jeans in another wash for variety.
Finally, I never travel without a crisp, white midi skirt (like this $124 organic cotton option from People Tree)—it can be dressy for a nice dinner, relaxed for the beach, or chic for city sightseeing, and it helps you avoid that frumpy backpacker look.

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Outerwear

Even if you’re going to a hot climate, it can feel chilly in the evening. Definitely include a jacket on your packing list.
Joe’s Jeans has an embroidered denim jacket ($328) that’s both snug and stylish. If you love the embroidered look but need something more budget-friendly, check out this one from Old Navy. If you’ve got cold-weather travel plans, you’ll need a packable coat. The Ultra Light Down Jacket ($69.90) from UNIQLO belongs on every winter packing list. I wore it daily on a recent trip to Iceland, and I fell in love with how warm the insulation kept me and how handy it was to roll the jacket into its accompanying pouch.

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Shoes

Shoes can be the trickiest part of a packing list. Start with a pair of versatile, comfortable sneakers. My jet-setting friends swear by Allbird’s wool runners ($95). For your second pair, you have options: If it’s cooler or you plan to do a lot of hiking, go for a rugged pair of boots—the Kodiak Surrey II boots ($170) can easily transition from town to the trail. Otherwise, opt for a pair of flat sandals, which pack much more easily. These handmade huarache sandals ($118) from Nisolo will look great with just about any travel outfit, and this pair of sandals ($248) from Cousin has been specially manufactured to withstand wear and tear from walking on urban streets.
And remember my rule about only including two pairs of shoes on your packing list? I usually cheat (shh … don’t tell anyone). I always stash a classic pair of flip-flops somewhere in my bag to protect my feet in showers, at the pool, and when I grab a quick hotel breakfast. Flip-flops don’t really count, right?

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Extras

Finally, no woman’s packing list is complete without a bathing suit, a couple of pajamas, two bras (in nude and black), a pair of socks for every day of your trip, and an abundance of underwear. I usually start with two pairs of panties for each day of travel, and then frantically toss in a few bonus pairs just in case.

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Accessories for Your Minimalist Packing List

Accessories can pull an entire look together—but beyond a couple pieces of durable, inexpensive pieces of jewelry (seriously, leave your family heirlooms safe at home!), all of the other accessories on your packing list need to be functional.
Sunglasses are a packing-list must—look for ones that won’t break and have an added edge for travel. For example, IZIPIZI travel-friendly sunglasses ($50) or Ray-Ban’s Folding Classic Wayfarer ($168) will fold down to fit into your pocket.
A lightweight crossbody bag to stash your ID, phone, and wallet will also prove useful for day trips and nights out. Matt & Nat’s ruby-red crossbody bag ($75) has just the right amount of space, along with a striking look. If red isn’t your thing, it comes in a variety of other colors, including some great neutrals.
A lost or damaged passport will ruin your trip, so it’s worth investing in a high-quality passport holder. Cuyana’s multipurpose leather passport wallet ($185) will protect your most important piece of identification and hold all of your credit cards, coins, travel documents, and cash in one place. (Pro tip: Keep some spare cash, an emergency credit card if you have one, and a photocopy of your passport somewhere other than your travel wallet; you do not want to be empty-handed if pickpockets strike.)
Finally, a hat is a must. Some women rely on their favorite baseball cap, but I opt for a packable sun hat that makes more of a statement (and protects my fair skin from burns). Don’t forget to include a few hair ties and bobby pins on your packing list if you like to rock a ponytail.

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Packing List for Personal Care

Paring down my cosmetics and body products was the hardest part of coming up with a carry-on only packing list—those TSA limitations on liquids were the main reason I used to check a bag. But there are some clever ways to abide by the rules and still bring your most trusted products.
If you’re not particular about your shampoo, conditioner, and other liquid personal-care products, scratch them off your packing list—you can pick them up at the destination, or use what’s offered at the hotel. But if you’re like me, and you rely on specific products, invest in a set of silicone travel bottles. They squeeze into a carry-on easily, and you can refill them with your favorite products over and over again.
As for your cosmetics, edit your makeup kit down to the bare essentials. This is easier said than done, and I often have to remind myself that three different tubes of lipstick aren’t necessary for a five-day trip. My travel cosmetics kit includes light foundation (or BB cream), a shimmery blush, highlighter, mascara, and hydrating lipstick. Think about what you’d put on your face if you only had 3-5 minutes to get ready—that’s the only makeup you need when you’re traveling. Throw in a bottle of sunscreen, as well. Your skin will thank you.
It’s easy to forget about moisturizing products, like lip balm and lotion, but they’re worth putting on your packing list. The circulated air in planes can dry out your skin fast, and lotion will help soothe any irritation.
There are tons of other personal care products you’ll want to add to your packing list depending on your specific routine. Here are a few of my travel essentials: nail file, deodorant, disposable razor, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, floss, medicine, vitamins, tampons, and cotton swabs. A look around your bathroom could help inspire what belongs on your packing list.

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Miscellaneous Travel Necessities for Your Packing List

With all the clothes, shoes, and personal care items on your packing list, your carry-on should look pretty full by now. But believe it or not, there’s a ton of other nooks and crannies you can fill with miscellaneous travel necessities you might want on the road.
Earplugs and noise-canceling earbuds can be a godsend in unexpectedly noisy hotels, and a book can help you get through a long flight. A packable reusable bag (like this $10 grapefruit-print bag from Bando) will be convenient when you go souvenir shopping. Having trouble finding room? Tuck these accessories into your shoes or around your clothes.
Keep up your sustainable efforts by bringing along a reusable water bottle—the aluminum bottles from S’Well are a personal favorite.
Don’t forget to add a phone charger, power bank, and power adapters to your packing list, as well.
Finally, pack your passport, credit cards, and cash. If you’re a hardcore minimalist, all you’d need is these three travel necessities, and you could explore the world with just the clothes on your back. But we’ll stick with what’s on the packing list.

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Fresh Fashion Lifestyle

Much Ado About The Plus-Size Section (And How We Can Work Toward Inclusion)

When influencer and plus-size fashion blogger Corissa Enneking visited Forever 21’s plus-size section for the first time, her initial emotional response was excitement. Big retailers like Forever 21 don’t often sell to the plus-size demographic, and when they do, it’s typically online.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgUpoGyBI4I/?hl=en&taken-by=fatgirlflow
Unfortunately for Enneking, within a few minutes of beginning her shopping, her excitement quickly morphed into horror. She took to her blog to share her frustration with the entire experience.
“Your entire store is lit with beautiful cool white lighting, and the floors are shiny little tiles of white and gold,” she wrote on her blog, Fat Girl Flow. “So please, tell me why the sweet hell the tiny plus size corner is dimly lit with yellow lights, no mirrors, and zero accessories on the shelves.”

Fat Girl Flow

In her open letter to the popular clothing store, Enneking doesn’t ask for much. She wants to be treated kindly. She wants to have a pleasant shopping experience. She wants to be able to find her size. Still, the writer admits that she already knows she is asking for way more than most mainstream stores offer.
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“Create spaces that make people proud to wear your clothing,” she wrote in the closing lines. “Bring positivity into your stores, instead of alienation.”
Fat Girl Flow

Enneking’s powerful and vulnerable response to her shopping experience isn’t the first time major retailers have been called out for lack of inclusion, and it certainly won’t be the last. As more advocates for inclusivity and body positivity speak out, more criticism will fall on the clothing suppliers who don’t follow suit.

The State of Plus-Size Fashion

Before we can move toward an inclusive apparel industry, we need to be honest about the current state of plus-size fashion. Things are certainly improving, but we’ve got a long way to go.
Most obvious is a lack of options. It’s still surprising when a store has sizes bigger than a large, according to Brittany DiCologero, a lifestyle blogger at Castle Party who has been buying plus-size clothes since she was a teenager. Many of the stores that do have plus-size clothing only carry these items online.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhW3PeRnGpG/?taken-by=theashleygraham
“Plus-size women today cannot walk through their local shopping malls and browse whichever stores they like and find something in their size,” she says.
Cost is another issue faced by people shopping for plus-size clothing, according to yoga instructor and body diversity advocate Dana Falsetti. Although Falsetti believes there may be some variance in cost of manufacturing plus-size clothing, she feels certain the price variance is more about the limited availability of these clothes. Women have fewer plus-size options in brick and mortar stores, so the stores who actually offer a number of options can get away with higher pricing.

iStock.com/Eva-Katalin

“A lot of ‘marketing diversity’ is actually just tokenism, and tokenism isn’t inclusion,” she says. “Brands making a profit off of diversity (in size, race, gender, etc.) but not showing any actual support for those communities is actually just taking advantage of them.”
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The freedom to curate your personal style is also lacking for women who wear plus sizes, according to Falsetti, who points out that manufacturers aren’t just expanding the sizing of clothes marketed toward women wearing straight sizes. Instead, they’re creating a separate, limited collection for women wearing plus sizes. So, when you do happen to find clothing in your size, there is an expectation that you won’t be able to find a style that best embodies who you are or what you like.
“Not all of us want to wear hourglass-enhancing peplum tops and things that are considered traditionally flattering to patriarchal or eurocentric beauty standards,” she adds.
iStock.com/pixelfit

And even if you can find your size, it still might not fit right. There seems to be a learning curve when stores that have previously sold only straight sizes makes the switch to selling plus sizes, too.
“When straight sized retailers start designing plus options, the cuts are usually off and the fits may not work the same way they would on a smaller model,” says DiCologero. “In most cases, however, this is a learning process that designers eventually get right.”
iStock.com/gradyreese

Lastly, the shopping experience is often an unpleasant experience, according to DiCologero, who says that stores that have historically carried only straight sizes are often the worst. Employees can be rude and shoppers are occasionally unkind, as well.
Sarah Guerrero, another woman who wears plus-size clothing, was quick to point out the isolating nature of the shopping experience. She says that most stores treat plus-size clothing like a separate category, like maternity fashion, shoving them in a corner somewhere in the back of the store.

Slowly but surely, things are changing.

Thinking back to shopping as a teen, DiCologero recalls just how terrible it used to be. Going to the mall with her friends filled her dread, mostly because she knew there wouldn’t be clothes available in her size.
“I would literally disregard what the dresses looked like, and I would just look for the biggest size on the tags,” she says of shopping for dresses for school dances. “I’d usually be able to find about two or three to try on, and whichever one fit, I would buy—regardless of price or whether or not I even liked the dress.”

@ndiritzy/Twitter

Now, she is excited that so many retailers who produce plus-size clothing are opening brick and mortar stores, even if it means driving three towns over to find clothes she loves. She also says that she has noticed plus-size clothing’s quality improving. Both Falsetti and DiCologero point out the roles of more inclusion in marketing in the changing world of plus-size fashion. More retailers are including images of women of all sizes and colors in their advertising, and this is a great first step.
“I see people who look like me represented more every day,” Falsetti says.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfQOnm9nT0l/?taken-by=curvycampbell
Some improvements have also been made when it comes to the trendiness of plus-size clothing, shares Anya Jackson, who has shopped for plus sizes for 20 years.
“I’m seeing massive improvement in the availability of trendy styles,” she says. “Plus size no longer means I have to look like a granny wearing a floral tent.”

Moving Toward More Inclusion

What’s next for plus-size fashion? How can we advocate for more sizing and style options? Perhaps the most obvious is how the way we spend our money supports or inhibits inclusion.
Get clear on which retailers are practicing inclusion and which are simply paying lip service or putting minimal efforts into the plus-size options. Going out of your way to support retailers that align with your values, like diversity and inclusion in both advertising and what they sell in their stores, is a powerful way to make a statement. ModCloth is one example of a retailer who has made great strides to a more diverse catalogue of clothing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh-WfnogRtI/?taken-by=modcloth
Aerie is an example of a store who preaches representation by including “real models” and never retouching their photos. Unfortunately, their selection speaks louder than these initiatives, as their clothing options still stop at a 2XL. Rarely do they carry extended sizes in stores.
Torrid, a plus-size line with brick and mortar stores, produces high-quality clothes up to size 4X, while Elizabeth Suzann is a designer who is making huge strides toward offering ethically and sustainably produced clothing in sizes 000 to 28.

elizsuzann/Instagram

“Remember your resources are plentiful and not just financial,” Falsetti points out. “Spending your money with those brands, telling your friends about them, and promoting them on social media are just a few ways that consumers can influence what companies are doing.”
Since brands are now so accessible through social media, giving feedback is easier than ever. Sharing how you feel about a particular brand, both positive and negative, is one way Jackson believes we can advocate for change in plus-size fashion.


Representation also plays a powerful role in moving plus-size fashion in the right direction. Jackson says she is thrilled to see more women who actually look like her modeling the clothes she buys. Women like Enneking, DiCologero, and Falsetti are just a few members of a greater movement using social media to promote a message of body positivity. Enneking is self proclaimed “happy fatty.” Falsetti posts about yoga, plus-size fashion, and body diversity. DiCologero blogs about plus-size fashion. They’re celebrating their bodies, and they’re empowering other women to do the same.
Men are stepping up, too. Troy Solomon runs his Instagram on a policy of self-love—and not giving a you-know-what—and has gained 43,000 followers being exactly who he was born to be. Matt Diaz has gained his following by candidly sharing pictures of himself shirtless and talking honestly about the insecurities he has felt about his body.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh2AYV8HPvz/?taken-by=abearnamedtroy
“We all just want to be seen and respected and have equal opportunities to dress and express ourselves,” says Falsetti. “Representation gives people a sense of value and belonging.”
Lastly, women like Falsetti are pushing for a more inclusive language being embraced by the general demographic. The words we say matter and ultimately inform our actions. Knowing the experiences of others and moving forward with empathy is a good first step toward more representative fashion and a more inclusive world.