Friday, July 15, 2016

Minimal Summer Makeup

Here in the Northeast U.S., we have had some scorching hot days. For a while, it was also very dry, but the humidity has picked up and everything is droopy (plants and people included). I usually stick to light makeup, but that's especially true when it's so hot.

Note: The matte bronzer from Tarte is vegan, but the regular 
one is not. I have the non-vegan one pictured in the travel size, 
given to me as a gift. It is not vegan because it is made in 
China, and therefore required by law to be tested on animals.
I have normal to dry skin, with a few breakouts still, so I have a tough time finding the right balance of moisturizing products that don't leave me feeling sweaty or greasy on my face. I'm still working on a good skincare routine, but lately I make sure to wash and tone my face in the morning, and then apply a moisturizer with SPF. I like the Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisture SPF 47 because it uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, both physical SPFs, instead of chemicals. It is very greasy, though, so powder is a must (and I NEVER use powder).

For base, I've only been using concealer around my t-zone to even out redness and dark under-eye circles. I currently use the BareMinerals BareSkin Complete Coverage Serum in Fair. If I had the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, I'd probably use that instead, since it's a little less greasy, but setting the serum concealer with powder works fine for me. I use an EcoTools Buffing Brush to blend in the concealer under my eyes, around my nostrils, and on any blemishes (usually around my chin). It does seem to settle into my pores around my nose, so when I remember, I try to use the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer first.

The secret to my minimal summer makeup is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder in Dim Light. I picked up a mini size at Sephora this spring, and could NOT figure out what to do with it. I thought it was just a setting powder, but it was way too dark for me. However, since I'm so pale, it looks really nice on my cheeks as a sort of mix between blush and bronzer. It's so subtle that I don't have to worry about going too heavy or blending to long. I've also used it as an eye shadow, and it's really subtle and pretty as well. If I feel like adding a bit more bronze, I will brush some of the Tarte Amazonian Clay Matte Waterproof bronzer to the top outside part of my cheekbones, near my hairline. And I'll brush some on my neck if I seem to pale/contrasting there.

For eyes, I'm trying out different nude/natural shades, but today I grabbed my HAN Skin Care Cosmetics 100% Natural Eye Shadow in Taupey Plum, and it's perfect for this bronzed but minimal makeup look. I put a small amount on the EcoTools Full Eye Shadow Brush, and applied focusing on the lash line and then blending out towards the crease. You could use a liner as well, but I kept it simple by just curling my lashes and applying a single coat of the Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Long Lash Mineral Mascara in Abyss. As I mentioned, I used a setting powder because my face looked way too shiny. I have the Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder, but it's really too dark for my skin tone.

I finish off the look by brushing through my eyebrows with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel in Brunette and adding some lip moisCrazy Rumors 100% Natural Lip Balm in Hot Cocoa. I should really find a lip balm with SPF--any suggestions? I don't care for the scent of the Hurraw Sun Balm, or I would use that. Let's be honest, though, I really don't like most SPF scents--they're too citrusy for me. If I could just wear a hat all the time, I totally would!
ture with the

How are you staying cool in the heat? Make sure to drink lots of water! xoxo

Friday, April 15, 2016

My Skincare Routine

I have been on a beauty and skincare kick for...a while now. It started last fall with a couple of subscriptions to some vegan beauty boxes (Petit Vour and Vegan Cuts Beauty Box). I was so excited with the boxes because, after six years of being vegan, I was still having a tough time figuring out what personal care products were vegan. Food is easy--makeup and skincare are not always so straightforward.

The beauty boxes helped me discover and fall in love with many products, and it turns out that there are SO many options! I mostly try to stick to natural, non-toxic products that are vegan and cruelty-free. For information about ingredients, I recommend the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep database. For lists of vegan and cruelty free products, check out Tashina Combs' amazing blog full of resources.

You'll notice these products are focused on detoxing and anti-aging. I don't have particularly sensitive skin, but I've been prone to breakouts lately and I just like having more natural products on my skin. Grad school has not been kind to my skin, so I'm hoping that with time these products will help restore my skin and reduce some frowning wrinkles on my forehead.

One of the brands I was especially pleased to find was Derma E, and now I use their Hydrating Night Cream and Day Cream, as well as their Purifying Daily Detox Scrub and their Firming DMAE Eye Lift Cream. All of their products are vegan and cruelty-free, and they have great formulas that I find super effective. I've used their Hydrating Serum, but I just picked up their Purifying Youth Serum yesterday, so I'm trying that one out now. My mom, who is also vegan, has enjoyed using their products as well. I love that they look and feel high end, but they're actually really affordable.

Another affordable brand I've known about, but have recently been interested in more, is Pacifica Beauty. They're also all vegan and cruelty free. I think for a while they were mostly making perfumes and really smelly lotions, but lately they are upping their skincare game and it's amazing! I was so happy to see a few weeks ago that they launched a Cactus Water Micellar Cleansing Tonic. Micellar water is all the rave with the beauty bloggers, but all the brands I've heard them mention are tested on animals, so I could not have been happier to find a product I feel good about. Not only is this product both vegan and cruelty-free, it also smells great and the bottle looks so lovely.  I also picked up their Pore Refine Deep Detox Mask, which I think is helping to help reduce my blackheads, and I'm trying out their Cactus & Kale Oil-Free Stress Recovery Lotion. The lotion feels so nice, and unlike their earlier products, the scent is so subtle and soothing. I will say that I was also tempted to buy their Sea Change Future Youth Serum, but I got the Derma E serum instead, because it was on sale!  Next time! (EDIT: I picked it up in June, and like it just the same as the Derma E, so I just switch back and forth.)

Finally, I just discovered a local Rochester skin care company and have really enjoyed the products I picked up from them during Anthropologie's Pop Up Market in Eastview Mall. Red Moon Apothecary is located about half a mile from my house, and they make lovely botanical skin care products. Some of their products have milk or honey in them, but I found a few that are vegan. The Activated Charcoal Cleansing Cream is SO luxurious. It is like an oil cleanser, but it is so refreshing because of the activated charcoal. Like I said, my skin has been breaking out so much, and this feels like the perfect balance for my skin. Ob-sessed. I also picked up their Lavender and Citrus Cleanser, which is bright and fresh as well. The other product I picked out from them is their Hydrating Facial Serum, which is a lovely and light combination of 5 different oils plus essential oils. The jury is still out whether it's a keeper, but I think it will work well for an evening when I really want my skin to soak up hydrating and natural oils.

I seriously have so many more products that I have been loving, but I'll save those for next time! What vegan products do you have in your skincare routine? Any local, handmade brands you're proud to have discovered? Let me know!

Friday, April 1, 2016

Seven tips for taking care of yourself in stressful times

I woke up feeling very antsy today. My body is agitated and all my tight spots are screaming to be stretched. No matter how much I stretch, though, I can't seem to shake the irritated feeling. Since I only have 2 weeks left until my thesis is due, I know there's a lot going on. Although I don't always feel calm and carefree, I thought I'd share some of the things I do to reduce anxiety and restlessness. I also stopped by my local grocery store and picked up some gear to give me a boost and help get through another day of statistical analysis and writing. *Ooof*

1. Stretch
As I mentioned, my body really tells me when I need to stretch. I've been working 7 days a week at my workstation, putting in time at my 40+hour/week job, and all day every weekend day finishing up my thesis. My right forearm is really fatigued from using my mouse and typing, so I'm trying to stretch it as much as possible by pulling my fingers back and down. Sometimes I press my hand flat against a wall do get that same stretch. I also try to hang in a forward fold as much as possible, because my hips are so achy from all the sitting. It helps also to clasp my hands and hang my arms over my head when I do the forward fold, to stretch out my chest, shoulders and arms. I will say that I think the main reason I'm so agitated today is that I did a very deep stretch yoga class on Wednesday, and my muscles aren't happy about going back into the tense positions that I just worked so hard to reverse. I have the same issue when I get a massage. So, word of warning, it's not always good to work all of that out when you still need to maintain the same unhealthy sitting positions! I'll save the massage for when I'm DONE with my thesis!

2. Magnesium
One thing I try to reach for when I get that feeling of heightened stress and malaise is a magnesium supplement. Magnesium is an essential mineral and most Americans are deficient because our food has less than it used to (because of overused, nutrient-deficient soil). There are great food sources for magnesium, including leafy greens, whole grains, and even dark chocolate! But when I feel this way, the easiest thing for me to do is to mix up a glass of Natural Calm, a relaxing magnesium supplement. It's a tangy, sugar-free vegan beverage mix and it's easy to drink all at once. I sometimes take it before bed if I'm feeling wired, and every once in a while I will take it during the workday if I'm feeling particularly stressed. Stress actually depletes your magnesium stores, so it really is a good idea to supplement if you have a lot of stress and pressures in your life.

3. Mineral water
Mineral water is also a source of magnesium and other minerals like calcium. My favorite brand is Gerolsteiner, and I like to buy it in the glass bottles where possible. When I have a lot of work to do, I like to sip on this fizzy, calorie-free drink. It feels luxurious and very French.

4. Herbal Tea
I try to avoid caffeine because it makes me manic. From what I've shared so far, it's obvious that I have a lot of energy and I don't always know what to do with it, so adding caffeine into the mix is usually a bad idea! But I LOVE coffee, especially with a big splash of soy creamer. So when I'm in the midst of a stressful push to get work done, I have to reach for something that won't distract my thoughts. Herbal tea is such a great option because it can have so many medicinal benefits in addition to being a calorie free hot beverage that keeps me from snacking endlessly. My favorite any time of day or year is peppermint, and I especially like the Traditional Medicinals brand. I also really like their Gypsy Cold Care tea just for its flavor, but I also think it has helped me stay healthy through this winter/stress season *crosses fingers*. Today, because of my anxiety, I thought I'd try something new. I picked up the Yogi Tea brand St. John's Wort Blues Away tea. It's very important to learn about the medicinal properties of herbal tea. For example, St. John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, so it's best to avoid if you're sexually active and using the pill, etc., to prevent pregnancy. I think it tastes great and I do think it has helped me feel calmer as I've been writing this--though the writing probably helps too! If you're not sure what tea to try, some brands offer sampler boxes to test out. My co-workers all love tea, so we will often swap or let one another have one to try. It's fun and is relatively inexpensive, especially compared to bottled kombucha drinks or lattes. If you have a friend who lives far away, you can send each other a few bags of your favorites. I will often slip a few into cards or gift bags for my friends. Such an easy and thoughtful surprise!

5. Beans, Greens, Grains
Finally, a huge way to stave off the bad feels is to eat a healthy diet. I am *not* eating a very healthy diet lately. Because thesis. I go to the store and grab chocolate peanut butter candy, chips, baked goods, salty sandwiches and soups...and so on and so forth. So instead of getting ALL unhealthy food (come on, you know I picked up those Earth Balance PB Popps!) I picked out some wholesome foods that would be easy to prepare in my office kitchen. First, I grabbed some bananas and coconut yogurt, because it was already 10:30 and I still hadn't eaten breakfast. Then, I grabbed a box of washed baby spinach and a lemon, which I can steam in the microwave. I also stopped by the freezer section and picked up one of the Amy's Kitchen frozen meals. Guys, this is NOT that healthy, especially because of the sodium (which also depletes magnesium!) but I wanted something that had beans, greens, and grains, and this fit the bill. I also picked up a tofu scramble breakfast burrito. Hey, I need snacks that aren't full of sugar! Beans, greens, and grains all have healthy carbs that actually help with anxiety, and they also have fiber, minerals (magnesium! I'm obsessed!), and vitamins. Whenever I'm off the wagon with the healthy eating, having a bowl of these three powerhouses always set me straight.

Some other ideas...
6. Exercise
So important! But I don't have time! Sometimes I try to fit in an hour long walk with Adam when I get home, so we can catch up and I can stretch my legs and get my heart rate up a tad. We have a nice long loop that we walk through residential neighborhoods, and it's a great way to talk and check in with one another, with no distractions like screens or chores. Daily walks have become so key to my general wellbeing. If you can find a safe place to walk with someone you love, please give it a try!

7. Meditation
I do this every once in a while, but my scattered brain often talks me out of it. I've tried different apps, like Headspace and Calm, and they are great, but I just don't think of it enough. I'm trying to work on a morning routine based on the SAVERS approach, where the first S stands for Stillness or meditation. Work in progress!

So that's it! I'm really feeling better already, though my shoulder and hips will just have to keep quiet for now until this project is over. What do you do to beat restlessness and anxiety?



Monday, March 28, 2016

Swedish Cardamom Bread

I'm daydreaming about veganizing this recipe. I would substitute regular unsweetened soymilk for the whole milk, Earth Balance sticks for the butter, and more milk, maybe mixed with some starch or sugar, for the egg wash on top.

Inspired by @thekitchenwitch