November 6, 2020
A game-changing cleansing cloth, yoga in the great outdoors (without stepping outside) and Bobbi Brown's latest beauty venture.
I embraced the muslin cloth—and my life will never be the same
You’ve probably bought a cleanser that comes with a muslin cloth at some point—and odds are you don’t use it regularly. I tend to add them to my under-sink washcloth stash that is generally reserved for removing face masks, and don’t usually use them for my nightly cleanse since my cleansing balm or oil is step one of my triple-cleanse. (To be truthful, I’m also not looking to add to my already hefty laundry burden.)
But last night I was inspired to give one of my many muslin cloths a try, and it was truly amazing. This low-tech add-on removed every last trace of cleansing oil—and it gave me a surprisingly significant exfoliation while boosting my skin’s circulation. As a result, I was shocked at the smooth, soft texture and healthy radiance that I’ve never gotten from cleansing alone.
A quick look inside my drawer revealed cloths from Odacité, La Prairie, Eve Lom and Colleen Rothschild (along with several unbranded others). I’m so glad I held on to all of them rather than tossing them in the trash because I am officially a muslin-cloth convert, even if that means a few extra pieces in the hamper. I’m just sorry I didn’t incorporate this extra step sooner—and I can’t believe it’s been literally under my nose for all this time.
Who wants to take a yoga class in the Grand Tetons with me?
All I can say is thank G-d for online fitness classes, because without them I would have totally gone off the deep end by now. I can barely remember what it was like to get in the car and drive to a Pilates class every day, and I’ve actually come to appreciate the time saved by having the ability to hop online and take any type of class I happen to be in the mood for at the moment. But the one thing that’s getting a little boring is the backgrounds… From the insane-asylum-like white Obé “broadcast box” to the hologram-esque instructors on The Mirror, it would be nice to experience a little nature (beyond my outdoor walks around the neighborhood).
That’s why I was so excited to try Yoga Today, an online portal for yoga, Pilates and meditation. But unlike all of the other fitness options that are literally at our fingertips, YogaToday’s classes serve up serene surroundings and breathtaking vistas. Who wouldn’t want to meditate in Canyonlands National Park in Moab, Utah; do a challenging yoga flow in Grant Teton National Park in Wyoming or take a Pilates mat class in Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats? I do—and I did!
Since we are all itching to get out of the house, this is the perfect way to get a change of scenery while maintaining your physical (and mental health). And in addition to plenty of one-off classes, there are also challenges that give you a program of sorts and help you stay on track.
For the record, I just recently caught the yoga bug. I’ve tried it several times over the years and it never stuck—probably because I was in a group environment and felt intimidated by more experienced yogis around me. But once I tried a few classes on The Mirror (in the privacy of my own home), I’ve found that practicing a few times a week is good for both my body and my state of mind. Now that I’m doing it more, a new yoga mat is in order, and I’m obsessed with all of Yoga Zeal’s options. I’m partial to the new Jackson Pollock print—but the marble is running a close second. Decisions, decisions…
Bobbi Brown is back with a new makeup line
Perhaps you knew that Esteé Lauder purchased Bobbi Brown’s namesake line four years ago (or maybe you didn’t), and today’s big beauty news is the launch of a brand-new collection that has a decidedly different spin than her original. What started in 1991 as a tightly-edited collection of universally-flattering lipsticks looks dramatically different in 2020, and Brown’s new Jones Road is much more suited to (most of) our modern approach to makeup.
With a commitment to clean ingredients, this pared-back assortment is all about multi-functional essentials, including the use-everywhere tinted Miracle Balm, Just a Sec cream shadow (coming soon), The Mascara, Cool Gloss, The Best Pencil (for eyes—also coming soon) and Sparkle Wash liquid eyeshadow (I’m all over this one once it’s available).
Decisions, decisions… I just might have to go for The Start-Up Kit to give my makeup routine a reboot for fall, because I’m really enjoying the look below…
