October 19, 2018

ALL the CBD products I can't live without, a hair-mask-maximizing cap, a neck-rejuvenating serum that really works and wellness stickers that are worth a try.

Is CBD the answer for everything?

Remember how the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding thought that Windex was the cure all for anything and everything? I’m starting to feel the same way about CBD. This non-psychotropic cannabis compound may not get you high, but it has far-reaching benefits for our bodies, our skin and even our furry friends (I give my dog Elixinol Edibites and she’s never been calmer, happier or more nonchalant when a big thunderstorm rolls in).

I’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of cannabis-related PR pitches I get, and my collection of CBD skincare products has grown as well. Here are the current ones that are in heavy rotation…

CBD & Honey Everyday Skin Repair
I’m a very itchy person. Mosquitoes seem to smell me from a mile away, and I’m prone to hives and random patches of itchiness that come out of nowhere. In the past, I’ve made sure to have a tube of hydrocortisone cream within arm’s length at all times to prevent scratching, but then I decided to try this stick instead. Low and behold, it soothes itching and redness on contact—without chemicals or drugs. Now I have these sticks in all of my bathrooms and my most-used bags.

Extract Labs CBD Muscle Cream
If I take a few days off from Pilates, I inevitably get sore after my first class back, and this cream has been a lifesaver. In addition to instantly soothing menthol, recovery-enhancing arnica and a moisturizing blend of shea butter and jojoba, you can get it in 500 or 1000mg CBD strengths depending on how much pain relief you need.

Vertly Hemp Infused Lip Balm
I actually got this a while back, when you could only get CBD products in certain states. At the time, Vertly offered versions with CBD and without, and I could only get the non-CBD version since I live in Florida. Since CBD can now be sold in or shipped to all but four or five states, Vertly updated their line to include one lip balm, one body lotion and a “Relief Lotion” to target specific aches and pains—and I want to try them all.

Get more out of your hair mask

Heat doesn’t always have to be damaging to your hair, and oftentimes it helps. From sitting under the dryer when getting highlights to speed up the color-lifting to applying a mask before getting comfy on a lounge-chair at the beach or by the pool, low-level warmth is great from driving ingredients deeper into the hair shaft. But what if you want to reap the benefits of heat in the dead of winter or after the sun has set? That’s where Hot Head Thermal Hair Care comes in.

This may look like a shower cap—but it’s not (although I suppose it could be). Designed to act as a safe heat source, you microwave it at three or so 30-45 second intervals, turning it inside out in between for even heating. Then slip on a disposable plastic shower cap (you can find them super-cheap on Amazon), cover with the Hot Head and chill out for at least 20 minutes. If you’re deep into a Netflix binge, you can also reheat it and watch another episode. For best results, Hot Head recommends allowing your hair to cool for five minutes before rinsing with cool water and styling as usual (if you so desire). 

It’s definitely a lot easier (and less expensive) than getting a treatment at the salon—and the leopard print is so on trend. P.S. They come in adult and kids’ sizes so you can mask and match with your mini-me!

Could your neck use a little lift?

For the record, I’m not the slightest bit concerned about the appearance of my neck (yet). Sure, some angles are better than others in photos, but all and all it’s still hanging in there—and not hanging anywhere I don’t want it to. With that said, I’m definitely not neglecting my neck, and I always include it when applying skincare products and sunscreen. At the same time, I’ve been seeing Spencer Barnes LA’s Neck, Chin & Jawline Instant Sculpting Wand all over my Instagram feed (complete with a ton of celebrity endorsements), so I had to check it out for myself in the name of research, of course.

Here’s the deal… The formula is designed to tighten and brighten the neck and jawline by supporting the skin’s natural production. Although the company doesn’t call out any specific ingredients, I gave the list a quick scan and saw it includes hydrating glycerin and squalane, smoothing dimethicone, brightening vitamin C, puff-reducing caffeine, plumping hyaluronic acid and a lot of other stuff I’m unfamiliar with (because I’m not a cosmetic chemist).

The wand features an anti-microbial rollerball, and you press the end to disperse a metered dose of serum. Then you just roll it up, down and across your neck, jawline and chin. I immediately felt a tingly, tightening sensation (which lasted for about an hour) and when I looked in the mirror five minutes later I saw a dramatic difference in the appearance of my neck (for real!). It was definitely smoother and my skin looked visibly plumper—and those ever-so slight horizontal lines were completely gone.

My first instinct was to leave the wand on my desk so I remember to use it often, but then I starting thinking I should save it for when my neck starts to bother me. This is the only bit of uncertainly associated with this product—and if you find yourself starting to take notice of your neck, you will not regret this purchase!

A totally different way to enhance wellness

You don’t need me to tell you that concept of “wellness” has become engrained in most of our lives, and we’re paying a lot more attention to the negative effects that stress, lack of sleep, technology and more can have. There are also more ways than ever to get a wellness boost, including foods, drinks, supplements, apps and thanks to Body Vibes, stick-on patches. 

Not me, BTW.

Try to stay with me on this one… So this range of energy-conductive adhesive disks is designed to fix what ails you by balancing the body’s natural vibrational frequencies. Similar to how acupuncture works by promoting optimal energy flow throughout the body, Body Vibes stickers emit low-frequency bio-energy at specific wavelengths that have been found to have an impact on anxiety, muscle endurance and recovery, brain focus, mood and more. (If you look at the back, they look like those anti-theft stickers some stores use.) Each sticker is meant to be worn above and to the left of the heart (such as on the upper left arm, back or chest) for 72 hours, and they stay put through showers and working out.

I’ve tried a few types of Body Vibes over the past few weeks, and I can’t even begin to tell you how many people asked me what they were. Some thought they were temporary tattoos my son put on me, some thought they were Band-Aids covering injection sites, and some (including my husband) thought they were just plain silly. But once I actually explained what Body Vibes are designed to do, virtually everyone was intrigued and asked if they worked. 

I applied the Power Workout patch (which was part of a limited-edition pack that is sadly no longer available) a few hours before my first Pilates class in a few weeks (thanks to me being sick and then my son being sick) knowing that it would be more challenging than usual. Designed to enhance muscle endurance and aid recovery, I will say that I wasn’t as sore as expected the next day.

Then I tried the Beauty sticker, because who couldn’t use more inner peace and strength, and of course I want to reflect more light and beauty. (And it’s a unicorn.) The effects of this one were little more difficult to assess, but it certainly didn’t hurt!

I’m a big believer in alternative therapies and trying different paths to wellness—and if you’re into giving off and receiving good vibrations, you might want to give Body Vibes a try.