Gym Bag Essentials with Credo Beauty

Growing up in a ski resort town, with nature's playground offering a course for just about any kind of exercise, I'm not sure how or why I came to love gyms so much... I suppose I can trace it back to my time in London. When I lived in London, I ran outside a lot and played tennis too. But London is notorious for rain, and rain it did. So, I got a gym membership and really came to love the reliability of always having a place to get my exercise in- rain or shine, day or night. I also treat the gym a little like a spa. It helps trick my psyche into going in the first place! I shower, and steam, and sometimes even meditate in the sauna if I have it alone for a few minutes. I've found that taking a little extra time to pamper myself at the gym makes all the difference.

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

When Credo Beauty sent me their new clean beauty starter kit, I thought, "This will be great for my gym bag!" Here's a peek at what have become my gym essentials:

FLIP FLOPS- for post workout showers, and steam room or sauna sessions.

EARBUDS- when I want to plug into my tunes or the TV while I sweat it out.

I'M GLASSY WATER BOTTLE- this is  a new addition that I am loving! I used to recycle plastic bottles from buying bottled water when I'm running around (not always BPA-free) and reuse them. I know this isn't great because when they heat up (like when I leave them in my car and the sun bakes them) toxic molecules from the plastic release into the water and then I am basically drinking chemical water. My I'm Glassy water bottle is made of glass and perfect for reusing in a safe way. (gifted- thank you!)

CREDO BEAUTY DETOX BEAUTY KIT- with travel and sample size haircare, deodorant, cleansing balm, eye cream, face moisturizer, and a resurfacing mask (which I use after the shower and before I steam so it can sit while I steam for 10 mins), it really is the perfect gym bag companion. (gifted)

CLEAN UNDIES- a clean pair after a workout and pamper session make all the difference. 

What are your must-haves in your gym bag? Oh- and if you are loving any classes or workout exercises please share those too! 

 

 

The Clean Beauty Guide to French Girl Makeup

Our obsession with the French has only deepened with time. Their ability to balance just enough without going over the top to achieve that effortlessly chic look they subconsciously embody provides a lot of inspiration. So, we thought we'd hit all the essentials from a French Girl's makeup bag and give you their clean counterpart. C'est tres, tres chic, non?

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

Photo via The Zoe Report.

The Lazy Girl's Guide to Natural Beauty with Juice Beauty

Whether you're pressed for time or traveling with limited toiletry space, this lazy girl's guide to natural beauty will help you get a low maintenance look with just three products (and an eyelash curler, which no one should be without!). 

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

I had the pleasure of testing out some of Juice Beauty's new phyto-pigment makeup items. I selected neutrals and did my makeup for an upcoming shoot (you can check out that shoot here). In using the products I found that they are seriously perfect for creating a no fuss natural look that helps enhance what the good Lord gave you without over complicating things. Then, when I went on a recent trip, I threw those beauty basics into my bag and wound up using them for my daily look. Loved it! 

So, my newest go-to routine involves three Juice Beauty products. Here's the deets:

CREAM SHADOW STICK in Pale Gold. Use across lid, and as a highlighter on cheekbones and the cupid's bow.

LAST LOOKS BLUSH in Flush. Tap color onto apples of cheeks and blend up and out towards ears. Dab a touch of color on to lips and top with chapstick for a very wearable (and kissable!) look. 

ULTRA NATURAL MASCARA in Black. One coat for a super natural look. Two to bump it up. Always with a curl from the eyelash curler first.

Many thanks to Juice Beauty for providing products for review and this post.

How to Shop for a Safe and Effective Sunscreen

All sunscreens are not created equal. In case you didn't know, there are two types of sunscreen- chemical and physical. Check out my short video to learn more and be sure to scroll down to see the safe and effective sunscreens I do recommend.

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

Chemical sunscreens are pretty much a super toxic cocktail of ingredients (including PABA and oxybenzone) that can at best irritate skin and at worst disrupt your hormones. Sure, they rub in nicely and don't leave any white residue, but the fact that they sink into your skin and then literally absorb the sun's UVA and UVB rays leaves me feeling uneasy.

So, as you can probably tell by now, I am a fan of physical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens are mineral based and use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to create a layer that sits on your skin and blocks harmful rays. I will admit, some leave you look pretty pasty, but we've come a long way and there are better formulas out there that do the job without making you look like Snow White. Here are a few of my favorites: