Fresh Deodorant

It’s almost DEJA VU because I write so much about deodorant (read here and here). That said, I haven’t found the perfect deodorant (total Goldilocks over here….). I use natural deodorant (almost exclusively Agent Nateur) but there are times that I need to use stronger stuff (like Secret… GASP) so I don’t sweat (and then smell).  Recently, when I was at a local boutique in Seattle, the salesperson told me that there are times she has to use a sorta natural deodorant — natural because it is alcohol free, but only sorta because it has aluminum in it. She says Fresh Sugar Deodorant is better than Secret, but worse than Agent Nateur, and is the perfect deodorant for those special situations. SO HAPPY.

 

Fresh sugar. Apparently, Sugar is a natural humectant that helps attract and seal in moisture. Who knew?

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Beauty Counter Facial Oil

A friend of mine recently threw a trunk show with her friend that represents the beauty brand, Beauty Counter. To help support my friend (and therefore her friend), I attended and bought a couple of products, and I am totally in love!  My favorite hands down is the  Facial Oil …  I used an entire bottle in less than a month.  It is my go to for morning moisturizer, morning runs (if cold outside, I like to run with a lot of moisturizer on my skin), and nighttime. So now I am on my second bottle (and bought two more so I have extra stock #hoarder).

 

My newest skin obsession….love the smell, the feel, the glow it gives my face, and the moisture — a must have. Brightening and vitamin C facial oil.

Little but powerful.

Smooth, soothing, and oh so good.

 

The oil is a citrus scent but not overly strong, just the perfect amount of smell. It is lightweight, silky, and truly gives your face a nice glow (who doesn’t want to be glowy and dewey?) I highly suggest buying and using it all year round.  Try it!

Anika Yael Natori, aka, The Josie Girl

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Korean Skincare 101

One of my college classmates is obsessed with Korean skincare. Since her skin looks amazing, I thought we would all benefit from a 101 tutorial. Thank you, Bridget Humphrey!!!

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If you want your skin to look amazing, bright, and blemish free, you should start using Korean skincare asap.  I stumbled upon this insight haphazardly. My friend mentioned how Korean skincare products are considered the best in the world. I was hesitant once I learned there were 10 steps involved with Korean skincare. But despite the hard labor involved, I thought I’d try it. (I desperately wanted my skin to be wrinkle free and bright.) And because the products are generally not expensive, I decided to be brave and take the plunge.

 

Once I started my skincare routine (years ago now), I never looked back. People started to notice the difference in how my skin looked, and I was hooked. I began loving and enjoying the 10 step process.

 

Here’s a quick and easy tutorial. KBeauty 101:

 

 

  • Step #1: Oil Cleanser
  • * You need this step to really loosen up the dirt and makeup on your face.
  • * I love the THE FACE SHOP Rice Water Cleansing Oil – $9, because rice is great for anti-aging (and this cleanser smells great)

 

screen-shot-2017-07-31-at-12-16-26-pm

 

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Interview with Dr. Whitney Bowe

Dermatologist to the stars/TV personality Dr. Whitney Bowe is a dear friend of mine who happens to also be on the of the most beautiful and smart people I know. She has the looks (the bowe-glow), the charm (no one more charismatic and charming ), and the smarts (she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Yale and then was awarded a full scholarship to study medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated top of her class). Luckily, I was able to interview her on Summer Skin — this is a must read! Thanks, Whit, I love you!

 

Dr. Bowe and her dewy glow.

Dr. Bowe and her dewy glow.

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Onda Beauty

As a devoted regular of Taryn Toomey and her class, I have met a group of tremendously talented and incredible women. One of them, is Larissa, who just started Onda, a store that sells natural beauty products. She has incredible taste and has curated the best assortment of products currently on the market. She is incredibly thoughtful, knowledgeable, and is a walking encyclopedia on every item — Enjoy!

 

Larissa: a beauty inside and out!

Larissa: a beauty inside and out!

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Natural Deodorant: Agent Nateur

I am constantly on the search for several things: the best granola, natural deodorant, lipstick, and cookie (who needs anything else?). For each, I always think I have found “the best,” until my next new discovery. But honestly, I just found the best new natural deodorant, and I don’t think I will ever say that again… because THIS ONE, is seriously… The. Best. Natural. Deodorant. Ever.

 

Don't judge a book by its cover, but COME ON, this packaging is gorgeous. Seriously, I felt bad recycling the box! (But I am not a hoarder, and what would one do with a deodorant box anyways!)

Don’t judge a book by its cover, but COME ON, this packaging is gorgeous. Seriously, I felt bad recycling the box!

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Oregon Coast 2016

This past weekend, the kids, parents and I went to the Oregon Coast to escape the hot temperatures of Eugene (in the 100s) and surround ourselves in the beauty of the Oregon Coast. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed nature, and family (minus Ken, who was in New York). Take a look at the pictures.

 

The Oregon Coast is always much colder than inland .... which makes sense, but this past weekend it was 30 degrees colder. 30!!!!

The Oregon Coast is always much colder than inland …. which makes sense, but this past weekend it was 30 degrees colder. 30!!!!

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Glossier

I have been a big fan of Emily Weiss and Into The Gloss since the blog was founded in 2010. That said, when she created her own skincare / makeup line, I was reluctant to buy into the fad. Finally, two weeks ago, I caved into the Millenium skin care line, with its pretty pale pink packaging and snarky descriptions….and I couldn’t be happier that I did. I now understand the hype and popularity — it is that good. The brand, as described perfectly by Weiss herself is ” simple and effective but not too precious.”

 

Lip stain / tint / perfection.

Lip stain / tint / perfection.

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Make Up Artist: Oscar Caballero

There is only one person I really trust to give me make up advice, and that is Oscar Caballero. I first met him 4 years ago at Barney’s in the makeup department where he works for Natura Bisse.  He also works independently as a make-up artist.  From day one, there was just an instant feeling of comfort and trust, and I went to him for advice on skincare and makeup. Since then, he has done my makeup countless times, as well as my mother-in-law’s.  He is also a friend.  Enjoy this interview… ladies… here are some great tips from an expert!

 

Oscar! Applying makeup to Miss Honduras.

Oscar! Applying makeup to Miss Honduras.

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Beauty Routine: Irene Kim

I love knowing people’s beauty routines, and I love my friends, so by the transitive property, I absolutely LOVE love knowing my FRIENDS’ beauty routines! First up, my beautiful, special, talented, smart, and funny friend, Irene Kim. Not only is she an ex-banker, mother of two, but also the founder of the company Box.  She is one of those people who does it all (and you want to hate her because of it, but she is too damn cute to do so). To read about her company, go here.

 

And she's got a rocking body. Check out those legs.

And she’s got a rocking body. Check out those legs.

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Josie Natori’s Beauty Routine

The minute my mother-in-law walks in the door, people stare at her. She carries herself regally, impeccably dressed, and is constantly glamorous and beautiful. In the 12 years (!) that I have known her, I have constantly been in awe of her beauty, grace, and class. So, I decided to ask her questions on how she takes care of herself (with the unrealistic hopes that it would give me the tools and hints on how to be as beautiful as she is). Take a look at her answers!

JCN and me at the CFDA's

JCN and me before the CFDA’s

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Fall Beauty Buys

The chaos of back-to-school, back-to-NYC, and the change of seasons always motivates me to clean and organize my house. I purge all that I don’t need (in a mad frenzy), and then feel the ‘need’ to restock my empty shelves with new and improved beauty products. So here are my current Fall Beauty Buys! I love them all!

 

Fall! Crispness!

Fall! Crispness!

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Three Natural Deodorants

You know what makes me nervous and sweaty? Traveling across the country with two kids. YUP, that is what I am doing right about NOW! As you read this, imagine a dotted line somewhere between the Pacific and the Atlantic with the two kids swiping all the energy out of me and making me swear I will never fly again. Oh, and then add on the smell of my stinky sweaty armpits. Great, right? Except that the reality is that I am actually smelling AWESOME because I have three deodorants in the mix. YUP, three different natural, wholesome, non chemical deodorants. And all of them work. And I am obsessed with all three of them.

 

The lucky three

The lucky three! I have officially sworn off mainstream deodorants with antiperspirant

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Currently Loving….April ’15

Spring is officially here! And although I have spent the entire winter moaning and groaning about the cold, I now have about 15 minutes of non-complaints before I start with the dissing and hating NYC weather once the humidity and heat start….which knowing New York could happen any minute! On top of loving Spring, here are other things that I am currently loving!

 

1. Ample Hills Ice Cream

 

Frozen custard.

Frozen custard.

 

Now that it is almost the marathon GULP SWEAT FREAK OUT PANIC WHAT OH WHAT AM I DOING (I leave on Thursday night for the marathon), I have been carbo loading every single day, which means eating pints upon pints of ice cream. And once you try Ample Hills Ice Cream, you just can’t go back to eating plain old regular ice cream. This stuff is the real stuff.  Click here for my full post.

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Buly 1803

Paris has so much to offer….food, clothing, chocolate, beauty products, you name it. On our recent trip, I visited (thanks to a friend’s recommendation) the most insanely beautiful and luxurious fragrance and skincare boutique, Buly 1803. Originally founded in 1803 by Frenchman Jean-Vincent Bully, who was known for his signature perfumes and scented vinegars, it was reopened in April 2014 by Victoire and Ramdane Touhami on the quaint Rue Bonaporte in St Germain de Près. It maintains an old vibe with some new, modern flair (they took out the second ‘l’ in Buly to make it similar, but different). This place is incredible — old school, antique, and classic, but with new skin care concoctions that draw on the virtues of natural ingredients. All of the products are made without parabens, phenoxyethanol or silicone! What is not to love?

 

Classic French

Classic French

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Kids No-Rinse Conditioner

My kids hate having their hair washed. “Wash hair night” isn’t fun for any of us, as they scream and whine like little (grumpy) puppy dogs. So when my hairdresser recently suggested I purchase a natural leave-in-conditioner (no rinsing), I was happy to try it out. And what a success! Now instead of pouring water over their head TWO times (shampoo and conditioner), I only have to rinse their hair once.  Little Green not only smells good and conditions their hair, but it is natural and green, too. Amen.

 

Little Green

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Back to School

Having been a math teacher for 10 years and a student before that, this will be my first Fall without going back to ‘school.’ Freshly retired, (I will still be private tutoring, and of course, writing the blog!) I still love the feeling of buying school supplies, starting a new year, and becoming (more) organized. Here are my favorite supplies slash beauty products slash accessories, for  “Back to School.”

Knock Knock To-Do Note Pad

Knockknock

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