December 23, 2016

Chanel's "it" eye revitalizing treatment, apple cider vinegar drinks that actually taste good, the drugstore eye cream I'd use in a second and ultimate makeup palette from Sephora.

Looking for a luxurious last-minute gift?

My holiday shopping strategy is all about finding gifts that my family and friends wouldn’t ordinarily buy for themselves. If I find myself in a quandary, I automatically default to an indulgent beauty-related gift, and something from Chanel is always a slam dunk. Unless I know someone very well, I steer clear of makeup and go for an accessory or skincare, and this year’s go-to gift is the Le Lift Flash Eye Revitalizer—just because I really, really want one for myself.

Packaged in a chic box that is sure to get anyone excited upon opening, this two-step eye treatment includes a roll-on serum and 10 pairs of hydrogel patches. Designed to smooth fine lines, brighten the eye area and erase all signs of fatigue, this is a super-fancy way to look like you got 8+ hours of sleep, even if you haven’t hit that goal in years.

I planning on getting this for two of my closest friends, and I’m hoping they might share a pair with me (especially if I ask nicely after giving them a few glasses of wine)!

Drinking ACV just got a lot easier

Maybe you’ve heard about this little health hack called apple cider vinegar. Yes, it’s great for salad dressings and to add a little tang to just about any dish you’re whipping it—but it also has a long list of purported health and beauty benefits. There’s a lot of buzz about ACV’s and weight loss—specifically drinking one tablespoon mixed into 8 ounces of water before meals. Although the scientific proof isn’t all that convincing, it’s believed the acetic acid found in ACV may help decrease appetite, increase metabolism, reduce water retention and interfere with the body’s digestion of starch, which means fewer calories enter the bloodstream.  

I’ve been drinking this ACV recipe (plus a packet of Truvia) twice a day for a few months now, but more to aid my digestion than to lose weight (although I wouldn’t mind shaving off a few pounds while I’m at it). This has worked wonders for my IBS, and I’m officially off my very expensive prescription medicine and feeling great. Full disclosure: I can’t be sure if this is because of the ACV or because I’ve been diligent about taking my probiotic every day.

I am beyond grateful to have found this natural way to keep my tummy troubles at bay, which is why I was SO excited when a package of Suja Juice Drinking Vinegars landed on my doorstep. Decidedly more delicious that straight up ACV and water (Truvia or not), these organic apple cider and coconut vinegar drinks are also packed with 4 billion live probiotics so I get my daily dose in one bottle. Available in Cucumber Ginger, Strawberry Balsamic (my favorite), Lemon Cayenne, Peach Ginger (delish!), Hibiscus Ancho Chili and Ginger Turmeric, I’ve started leaving my iced coffee at home when dropping my son off at school and drinking one of these instead. It’s a great way to start the day on a healthy note—and keep my IBS on the DL.

Other benefits of drinking ACV include soothing a sore throat (and potentially stopping a cold from coming on), lower cholesterol, improving nasal congestion and depending on how much time you have to Google search, a heck of a lot more. But one thing is for sure: There’s absolutely no downside to drinking Suja Juice Drinking Vinegar (or ACV mixed with plain-old water). With so much to gain and so little to lose, I’ll be stocking up big time the next time I’m at Whole Foods!

You’d never know this eye cream was from the drugstore

There are some beauty buys that are worth every penny—and there are some times when it’s totally OK to save your money. I’m a big believer that eye cream is a product that doesn’t have to cost a bundle, and Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream proves this point. I believe this sample came in a recent magazine, but rather than add it to my ever-growing box of travel-sizes and foil packets I decided to try it right away, and I’m so glad I did.

Designed to address ALL of the major eye-area concerns (i.e. fine lines, puffiness and dark circles), I was immediately sold when I saw this cream has color-correcting pigments that instantly conceal and brighten. The cream itself has a lovely texture that feels like a prestige product (yet at a fraction of the price). I definitely noticed that my almost-time-for-Botox-again lines looked better in a flash, and I had no puffiness to speak of by the time I finished getting dressed and was ready to walk out the door. The only downside: My sample only contained enough cream for two applications, and I can’t justify buying another eye cream until I finish the one that’s currently in my medicine cabinet. But with that said, this is on my list for when it’s time to replenish—and it should be on yours, too!

The must-have for any makeup maven

It’s no secret that I have a penchant for fancy makeup—but I at least try to be smart about my purchases. I usually go for neutral shadows and other staples that will get plenty of use (as opposed to impulse buys like a blue eyeshadow and bright-green eyeliner that I’m only use once or twice. But if you’re anything like me, you might find yourself itching to try a trend that requires a color that you may not have on hand—and that’s why everyone should have a monster palette such as Sephora Collection’s Geometricolor Palette Blockbuster.

I mean, could you die? Among the 130 shades, here’s what you get:

• 80 eyeshadows

• 32 lip glosses

• 6 cream eyeliners

• 4 brow powders

• 4 face powders

• 4 blushes

• 2 tutorial cards

I dare you to dream up a makeup look that you CAN’T create with this one palette alone. And for $49.50, you’ll have zero buyer’s remorse. So even if you’re all about the Tom Ford foundation and Cle de Peau concealer, this palette allows you to experiment with new trends without ever wasting money on a random hue you may not use again.