Pantene’s Overnight Miracle
I spend most of my time and energy focusing on skincare, but this season, I’m really stepping it up with haircare. Last summer, after too many curling irons and one disastrous in-salon coloring experience, my poor hair was so fried that nothing could save it except for lopping it all off. I ended up having to get inches trimmed, which was totally fine and even fun at the time — but this year I can’t have a repeat for a very good reason: I’m getting married in the fall and my hair inspiration is Veronica Lake aka long, luscious, healthy hair. With that in mind, I have been extra careful about everything that comes into contact with my hair, and have even started using Pantene’s Overnight Miracle — a night repair serum — to make sure that my locks are kept in the best condition possible for the big day.
Pantene’s Overnight Miracle is designed to restore hair while you sleep, much like a potent night cream. Although it is meant to be used as part of a complete regimen (Repair & Protect Shampoo and Conditioner), I have been using it just on it’s own to great results. The product is a milky serum like consistency and easily absorbs into hair without leaving any grease or film. A number of ingredients moisturize and restore damaged strands while you sleep and coats the cuticle to prevent additional damage from pulling or friction caused by sleep. In the morning, hair is noticeably softer and I don’t even have to re-condition to keep it shiny and bouncy all day long. More »
Diamond Facial, A Girl’s Best Friend
I’ve always considered myself lucky that I was born in the month of April — not only are flowers blooming (just not this year yet), but my birthstone is, of course, the diamond. Naturally, it’s always been my excuse to pass over other stones, because well, I was just born that way. When I first heard about the new 50-minute Diamond Facial at The Spa at Equinox, I couldn’t wait to try it since it combines two of my loves — getting pampered and diamonds! The “diamond” part of the facial is a collagen mask formulated to give the same effects as a diamond microdermabrasion, and it is actually platinum-infused to illuminate and revive the skin. More »
Moroccan Oil Hair Treatments
A quick refresher — you may have noticed the pretty blue bottles of Moroccan Oil hair treatments in the windows of all the best salons around town — it’s like a hair revolution! The line is getting international attention and the hair products have won the coveted Stylist Choice Award as the “Favorite Product You Can’t Live Without” for five years in a row. There are stories, legends even, of how severely damaged hair has been tamed, shiny and reingivorated with the oil treatment. I set out to test a few products (including one new launch!), and have been converted over a matter of weeks.
The base of the treatment is the Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. The shampoo is great because it’s gentle enough that I can use it daily, and it really does the job- my hair feels clean without residue. It also contains powerful antioxidants, Vitamin A and red algae which also retain moisture and slow the aging process, and there are no parabens, sulfates or phosphates. It’s a perfect primer to be a canvas for the conditioner and beyond. The hydrating conditioner feels incredibly rich when it’s allowed to work for a few minutes, and because it’s a “water-loving” formula, it is activated as you rinse out, leaving silky, healthy hair.
Newly launching from the brand is their Heat Styling Protection Spray and the star of the line in my opinion. I blow dry my hair quite frequently, but a lot of product will weigh it down. The spray protects and gives a touch of gloss while providing a soft hold so I don’t have to add in another product t unless I’m going for a really styled look. After towel-drying my hair, I’ll spray about 8 inches away on sections of hair concentrating on the ends, then blow dry sans worries! More »
Make a splash with Aqualillies for Tarte
What’s a great way to test waterproof makeup? Jump in a pool, of course! That’s exactly what the Aqualillies, the country’s leading water ballet troupe, did at the Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica, Calif., yesterday — each wearing a full face of new Aqualillies for Tarte makeup.
By the end of their 15-20 minute performance, they looked just as great as they did when they made their entrance.
Seltzer Goods Gift Guide
It seems that once we enter adulthood, gift-giving becomes exponentially harder. No one registers for anything past their wedding or first baby, and expectations unfairly go up. So when I stumble on a website with unique or quirky gifts that will be used and loved, I’ll bookmark it for later when I’m crunched for ideas. Seltzer Goods, a Brooklyn-based design company, is my newest bookmark — their selection of small well-thought out gifts are cute, witty and functional, the source of many smiles to come. The goods won’t break the bank, but they’ll actually be used (as opposed to that golf putting thingy). Here are my favorites:
1) Seven-Year Pen. I’m a pen person — I love colors but above all, I need a smooth operator, something that makes writing a joy. I have my Bee Happy Pen beside me at all times now, because the cheerful yellow design reminds me of the sun and being outside, and it writes so well! The best part is that it’s designed to write 1.7 meters a day for seven years — this is no throwaway pen.
2) Bee Happy Notebook. I love this lightweight notebook, it reminds me of an old-school tablet but is made of 100% recycled paper. At the moment, I’ve been jotting down notes to remind myself (anyone else make lists like crazy?) of fun things… plan a vacay, go shopping…
3) Nerd Glasses Tote. Didn’t you know that nerds are the new cool? This retro-looking tote is light and durable, and it’s unisex enough that my hubby will carry it. It’s gusseted so it’s bigger than it looks, and it comes with a round wooden tag which can be personalized on the back.
4) Little Brat- Card. This will convey your sweet message with a touch of whit and a big chuckle. Aren’t we all little brats at heart? Look for greeting cards for any occasion and any person in your life. Cards are underrated, in my opinion. Let’s bring ‘em back!
Obsession of the Moment: Stone and Cloth
Cherry in the Air
I had the good fortune of spending a number of my formative years going to school at the University of Washington, where all those idyllic collegiate things such as reading (sometimes napping) under trees, hanging out in independent coffee shops (where the coffee was actually good), and lazy afternoon jogs around the lake (framed by the city skyline) all actually happened. Occasionally, I still reminisce about those happy, youthful days – especially when I’m on my third cup of watered down office coffee or when staring out my 30-something story apartment window at the daily chaos that is Manhattan. But if there is one time of year that especially makes me miss college and Seattle, it’s the early spring — when the cherry blossoms come into full bloom along the expansive Quad. More »
Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes
Longtime readers of this blog will know that the product which first turned me onto Simple Skincare is their Cleansing Facial Wipes, a product that I’d been hoarding ever since I first came across it in 2008, long before I was a Simple brand ambassador. Given my longstanding love affair with the wipes, I was particularly excited (maybe a little too much so) to get my hands on three more wipes that Simple has added to their collection. Below, I review one of my favorite new products from Simple, their newly launched Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes.
When I tried the Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes, I thought that they must’ve been made just for me! I have combination/oily skin and these wipes are so great for refreshing mid-day and really keeping that oil production in check, without drying skin out or accentuating the few dry patches I have. I always start developing a film of shine by early afternoon, which incidentally, is also around the time when my makeup starts to feel a little messy. A simple (haha, no pun intended) swipe of the Oil Balancing Wipes across my T-Zone and cheeks helps to remove any makeup that’s strayed and refresh my skin for the second half of the day. I simply wipe, reapply a bit of BB Cream and blush and am back on my merry way.
The Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes contain Zinc PCA, which is effective as a sebum inhibitor and keeps my oil production in check and reducing the buildup of dead skin cells. Incidentally Zinc PCA is also an antibacterial and is known to fight odors. I don’t really think my face is secreting anything offensive smelling, but it’s also good to know that the ingredient also fights bacteria that could come into contact with skin. I find that after using the wipes as a mid day refresher, shine and greasiness is controlled for the remainder of the day so I don’t have to worry about it again later in the afternoon. I still keep the Cleansing Facial Wipes by my bed for evenings, but the Oil Balancing Wipes have made its way into my handbag for every day use!
This post was created in partnership with Simple Skincare.
A Little Candle, A Lot of Good!
It’s so easy to forget how much we have to be thankful for, when we’re rushing around in our metropolis with the daily grind and complaining about cold coffee (guilty!). Once in a while, a moment comes by and puts everything in perspective. This week, in anticipation of Earth Month, that moment came in the form of a simple candle, Aveda’s Light the Way Candle. 100% of the purchase price is donated to the Global Greengrants Fund, which tackles pressing environmental problems. Aveda’s partnership with Global Greengrants started over six years ago, and together they have funded clean-water projects which have affected communities worldwide. More »
Obsessed? You’re Not Alone
When my partner-in-blogging-crime Connie came up with the name “The Daily Obsession” for our site seven years ago, I had some reservations about the name. “Are you sure it doesn’t sound like a creepy guy peering at you from around dark corner,” I asked, “maybe waiting to attack with the latest airbrush foundation?” As it turns out, my girl was way ahead of her time as these past few years we’ve seen more and more columns pop up on other blogs and magazine sites utilizing what is apparently fashion’s favorite word — obsess. Last week, The New York Times even published an article on the history and evolution of the word, which of course I paid particular interest to and found fascinating. In other words, I was obsessed with the article about being obsessed!
So…”when and why did this verb, which once connoted a serious psychological disorder, become hijacked by the fashionable young women (and a few men) of America?” Read on to find out!
(Image: Johanna Goodman/ NYT)
