June 1, 2018

Treat yourself to True Botanicals body care, a drugstore mascara that delivers, a brand-new Kiehl's moisturizer for summer and workout pants that give back (in more ways than one).

It's time to step up your body’s summer skincare game

And just like that, it’s Memorial Day weekend! I hope everyone has exciting plans that include a little fun in the sun (especially since the weather forecast for South Florida calls for rain, rain and more rain). This is just the beginning of summer so we’ll all have ample opportunities to slip into a bathing suit and take in some rays (with sunscreen, of course), but is your body’s skin ready? True Botanicals has two new products that are sure to help smooth things over (so to speak).

Their new Body Duo features the two things your below-the-neck skin needs to look and feel its best: Exfoliation and hydration. Formulated with lactic acid, the Resurfacing Body Mask gently sloughs away dull, dead cells to reveal healthy, radiant skin—and it works to enhance firmness by stimulating the skin’s natural production of collagen and ceramides. Similar to a face mask, you slather it on, leave it for five to 15 minutes and rinse it off in the shower.

Without that extra layer of useless skin cells, it paves the way for moisturizing products that follow (and helps them penetrate better). Why not try the Pure Radiance Body Oil? Its blend of green tea seed, hemp seed and sandalwood oils provides intense hydration as antioxidants protect against free-radical damage and essential fatty acids help your skin hold on to moisture. It also leaves a non-greasy yet sexy sheen behind, making it a perfect finishing touch when baring your shoulders, arms, legs or any other skin for that matter.

Oh, and this head-to-toe line is non-toxic, gluten-free, cruelty-free and vegan—and the minimalist packaging looks pretty on your vanity or nightstand.

Further proof that mass mascara can be amazing

My absolute favorite part about the whole sleepaway camp packing process is shopping for toiletries, and this was serious business back in my day. The Caboodle was paramount, and my mom and I would take our time going down each and every aisle at the drugstore, debating this cleanser over that one, and, of course, which shaving cream and razors to get for our bunk porch shaving parties. Although my son has no interest in coming with me to get his toiletries, he does make special requests (this summer his “scent” is Axe Gold).

I’ve been jonesing for a new mascara lately, so I figured I deserved one while stocking up on supplies for him last weekend. After checking out all the options, I settled on L’Oreal Paris’ Voluminous Lash Paradise, and paradise in a tube, it is! With a large, plush brush, it gets each and every lash for amazing separation and definition. A second coat seriously pumps up the volume—and I haven’t experienced any smudging or flaking, even after a full day that included a workout.

I’m no stranger to dropping $30+ on a mascara at the department store, so another upside of this cheap thrill is obviously the less-than-$10 price. Next time you find yourself at the drugstore or supermarket, I highly recommend picking one up—even if you’re not shopping for Axe for your nine-year-old son.

Have you found your summer moisturizer yet?

As we say bye-bye to long-sleeves and layers and hello to easy, breezy summer staples, it’s also time to think about warm-weather skincare. Most of us should be swapping out our heavier winter moisturizers in favor of a more lightweight option—and what if you could get a lit-from-within radiance along with much-needed moisture? That’s exactly what Kiehls’ new Glow Formula Skin Hydrator is designed to do, and you’ll probably want to get your hands on this in time for the holiday weekend.

Free of parabens and silicone—and packed with pomegranate extract for extra antioxidant protection, this perfect-for-summer moisturizer delivers long-lasting hydration without feeling thick or heavy when the humidity kicks in. It’s also great for all skin types and tones, so we can all get a brighter, illuminated complexion (and as long as you remember to top it off with sunscreen, your skin is all set).

And since we all love a product with versatility, there’s more than one way to use this fabulous new formula. Sure, you can use it all over as you would a regular moisturizer, but you can also mix a pump with a traditional moisturizer, sunscreen or foundation for a subtle radiance boost. It also doubles as a highlighter for an extra bit of oomph that takes your makeup look from desk to dinner with minimal effort.

So why not start celebrating Memorial Day early with radiant, glowing summer-ready skin? I am!

These workout pants have a conscience

You may not know the fashionable fitness brand K-DEER by name, but if you’ve step foot in any studio lately, you’re sure to recognize their signature stripes. (I see at least one pair a day at Club Pilates.) But did you know there’s a story behind each bold color combination?

With style names like “Jamie,” “Ellen,” “Maranda” and “Trina,” each Signature Stripe is named after an inspiring woman—and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each pair goes to the charity of her choice. The American Heart Association, National Eating Disorder Foundation and a variety of other grassroots community organizations have been beneficiaries to date, and the latest style, the “Molly Stripe” launched in tandem with Mental Health Month to support Bring Change to Mind, a movement that educates, supports and fights against the stigma associated with mental illness.

So whether you shop by charity or by style (which includes full ankle-covering length, sneaker-length, capri and a version for your mini-me) there’s a fit for every fitness fanatic who wants to give back while giving it all during their workout.