July 26, 2019
Next-level candles (with a subscription option!), prestige eco-friendly haircare, my current bedtime must-haves and an elevated hand sanitizer.
My newest candle obsession will be yours, too
I have candles everywhere in my house, and the first thing I do when I sit down at my desk and fire up my computer in the morning is light one. I have no problem scooping up cheapies at HomeGoods if they smell good and look nice, but let’s be honest… Nothing beats a fancy candle (on many levels). About a month ago I received an email from the creator of the Gold Hill Candle Co., and was happy to oblige when she offered to send a few along for me to try.
Hand-poured in Napa Valley (with 100% natural soy wax), I don’t think I’ve ever experienced better-smelling candles. I’m burning the Sicilian Orange right now (which is no longer available since Gold Hill is all about small batches and they constantly rotate their offerings) and the scent literally filled my office within three minutes of lighting it. The minimalist packaging fits seamlessly into any décor—but these aren’t even the best parts.
Unlike other candles with skinny, wimpy wicks, these feature a wide wick make of real wood. This is a big deal because it crackles as the candle burns—it’s like having a little fireplace on my desk! (Or next to my bed, or while I’m chilling on the couch.)
But there’s more… If you’re a candle devotee and you finish them on the regular, Gold Hill has a subscription program! For just $35 a month, you get TWO of these beauties sent directly to your door, so you’ll never be without one of these luxe luminaries. I’m going to subscribe so I have them for myself—and always have an extra on hand in case I need a last-minute gift. To add to the excitement, the monthly scents are a surprise. Since I also loved the Jasmine & Gardenia, I’m 100% confident I’ll love any fragrance that comes my way—and you will, too.
This professional haircare looks after your strands—and the planet
We all know that high-quality products are essential for maintaining hair health as well as the longevity of our color. Sticking with sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free and naturally-derived ingredients is a great place to start—but we can do even better. The health of our planet could be dramatically improved if we all committed to reducing our consumption of plastic, and L’Oreal Professionnel’s Source Essentielle range helps us do all of the above.
Featuring 80-100% naturally derived ingredients and professional-grade results, this next-generation line of shampoos, conditioners and treatment oils rely on the power of plants to effectively cleanse and care for the hair. But an equally significant advance is the eco-friendly packaging, which can be refilled at the salon up to three times to dramatically reduce waste.
Offering all the benefits you’ve come to expect from prestige haircare products with less of an environmental impact, Source Essentielle can make your good hair days even better. Are you with me?
My current bedtime essentials
I am far from one of those people who gets into bed at the end of the day, turns off the light and instantly drifts off to sleep. No, I have a whole ritual that helps set the stage for the best possible slumber (much to my husband’s dismay). My routine includes extra TLC for my lips, hands, feet, body and brain (with separate products for each), and here’s a peek at the current rotation.
Lips: Eau Thermale Avene Cold Cream Lip Butter
I don’t use this during the day since it feels more like a mask than a balm—but this makes it perfect for nighttime. A light swipe keeps my lips hydrated all night, and I wake up to a smooth plump pout every morning.
Hands: Glytone Enhance Brightening Hand Cream
I live in mortal fear of getting “liver spots” on my hands, so in addition to using sunscreen during the day I apply this pigment-fighting cream every night. Beyond keeping unwanted freckles at bay, it also contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize and plump this thin, delicate skin.
Feet: Vermont Original Bag Balm
The only thing I dread more than spots on the backs of my hands is cracked heels. This heavy-duty ointment keeps my soles smooth and soft—but I have to remember to have socks on hand to avoid leaving greasy footprints on my wood floors when I inevitably have to pee one last time before lights out. I believe it was originally formulated for cow udders in 1899—and that’s totally fine by me.
Body: Kai *Rose Body Lotion
My arms and legs need a moisturizer all their own, and I usually opt for a scented body lotion. I’m loving this one right now because it smells divine, and it absorbs pretty quickly so I know it’s not getting all over my sheets.
Brain: SugarBear SLEEP Vitamins
I swear by SugarBear Hair for strong, fast-growing strands, and the new sleep version has become my bedtime go-to (before I brush my teeth of course). With melatonin, magnesium, valerian root, passion flower and more in a vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, delicious gummy, I truly believe they help make it easier to fall asleep—and stay asleep (at least until the dog wakes me up by burrowing into my back or neck).
Bedding: Ettitude
After A LOT of trial and error, I finally found the perfect sheets, pillowcases and duvet cover. Made of sustainable, incredibly soft bamboo lyocell, this bedding has a wonderful silky feel and keeps me cool (and usually prevents a thermostat tug-of-war with my husband).
Hand sanitizer just got a lot cooler
I seem to get sick after I fly—every time. We’re heading up to see our son for Visiting Day on Friday, so my pre-trip immune-boosting regimen has officially commenced. This means taking Emergin-C every day, trying not to drink too much wine and making sure I have disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and Neosporin for my carry-on bag. (A long time ago I read that Jennifer Aniston sticks it up her nose whenever she flies commercial—whenever that may be).
I understand that hand santizer isn’t all that sexy, but Touchland brings a little pizazz to this somewhat staid everyday (and travel) essential. Available in eight fresh scents (and pretty cool packaging) the Power Mists serve up a fast-evaporating formula that kills 99.9% of germs without triclosan, parabens or any of that yucky stuff. Even more, each bottle provides 500 spritzes—which is certainly enough to get me (and the hubs) to and from New York. And since I usually need to apply hand cream after sanitizer to replenish hydration, I may have one less thing to pack since these formulas feature aloe vera , nourishing essential oils and skin-smoothing naturally derived glycereth-26.
The toughest decision is choosing a scent, but I’m thinking watermelon or mint are calling my name. In a stroke of good luck, the Stars & Stripes Bundle features these along with a bottle of unscented plus three bottle shields with keyrings—and it’s on sale!
