7 Things I Love Right Now

The Family Sunscreen

I just restocked our SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50. I make my kids carry it in their soccer bags and I use it pre-tennis. None of us will step foot at the pool or the beach without it slathered on our skin.

Spring Cheeks

Hourglass Illume Sheer Color Trio – it’s the  perfect highlighting kit for a bronzed, sunkissed glow. I also love the fun new Laura Mercier Colour Dots Lip & Cheek Sheers. My favorite color is Fruit Punch – a sheer pop of pink happiness.

Cake for Breakfast

We are cake junkies in our family. Our all-time family favorite is an apple spice cake from Moosewood’s Low Fat Favorites book. It’s the most natural we can find, and sometimes we make it gluten free with King Arthur’s Gluten Free Flour Blend. You can find the recipe here.

Time Out

Loving Yogi’s Relaxed Mind Tea (a new discovery) and This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. My kids keep stealing mine to use on their pillows!

Tina Seelig, What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20

My favorite graduation gift and the author of my favorite saying of all time: “Never miss an opportunity to be fabulous.” Our whole family talks about this - when you are doing anything, big or small, you should step up and do great work.  

P.S.  I’m working on my Instagram agility – please follow me! @marla.beck

Ingredient Spotlight: I Love Coconut Oil!

Coconut oil is having a moment. We see it everywhere from the grocery store to our smoothies (I cook with Nutiva organic coconut oil), and now, our beauty products. What people don’t know is that coconut oil has been a beauty cure-all long before it became a trend. Tropical regions where coconuts grow natively have used coconut oil as a natural moisturizer and anti-inflammatory for thousands of years.

Aside from its summertime scent, coconut oil is rich with nourishing vitamins E and K. Its make-up of saturated fats leave skin hydrated, soft and supple, and antioxidants calm and soothe the skin, making it an incredible ingredient for skincare, hair care and other beauty needs. It’s even non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores! You can apply it directly to your skin, to your hair, on your lips and your nails.

Here are a few of my coconut oil favorites:

1. Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo & Conditioner – One of the best shampoo/conditioner pairs out there for shiny and hydrated hair.

2. RMS The Ultimate Makeup Remover Wipe – Certified organic coconut oil is the only ingredient in these wipes. They melt makeup away without irritating. I throw them in my bag when I travel for makeup removal on-the-go. Many RMS products include coconut oil!

3. RMS Lip & Skin Balm – Hydrates dry lips and smooths fine lines so you can actually apply outside of just the lip area.

4. Bumble and bumble Creme de Coco Shampoo & Conditioner – Has the best scent and helps to hydrate and control frizz. My daughters’ favorites!  

5. REN Tamanu High Glide Shaving Oil – Leaves your skin so soft and hydrated, and makes shaving smooth and easy with the glide factor.

6. Fresh Cocoa Body Exfoliant – Crushed cocoa and coconut shells act as natural exfoliants and coconut oil leaves skin soft and calm.

7. M-61 Hydraboost Body Butter – Coming soon! I’m so excited to introduce Hydraboost Body Butter to you in the coming weeks – the newest addition to the M-61 Hydraboost family. Packed with peptides, vitamin B5, tamarind, aloe and coconut oil, it is super rich, hydrating and non-irritating. I use it as an all-over body moisturizer but particularly love it on my legs to get ready for summer! Plus, it’s gluten free and vegan. Stay tuned!

If you love learning about the ingredients in your beauty products, read my recent post about SkinCeuticals’ serious skincare innovation highlighting cholesterol in its new Triple Lipid Restore cream.

Vacation Solutions: Healing Miracle to Treat Windburned Skin

Last week I went out to Aspen skiing with Barry and the kids for spring break. I always bring a ton of products for the cold, dry weather and this time I packed almost a whole suitcaseful – who knows what I would need in my toolkit.

For the first two days I used the basics – SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 on me (I like the tint to even out my skin tone), and SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 on the kids and Barry.  Everyone was also armed with either Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 or Fresh Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment zipped into their ski jackets for chapped lips (it works on hands and noses too, by the way). 

By day three it was windy and we all came back with windburned, red cheeks and noses. It was worse than a sunburn! Digging through my cosmetics first aid toolkit, I went back to old faithful: La Mer's Crème de la Mer, the original. Created by Max Huber, an aerospace physicist on a mission to heal a burn he experienced in his laboratory, this cream is IT.  It was the only thing the whole family used on our faces post-skiing. A miracle cream for sure.

We also all switched to La Mer's The Reparative Face Sun Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Although it provides less coverage, it has the same Miracle Broth super-healer in the cream – and we all needed that daily. Many of you know I love La Mer creams and serums. This past week, the whole family loved La Mer!!!

Skincare Innovations: Cholesterol in Skincare?

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 cream recently hit my desk, and I was surprised to see on the very front of the box it says 4% cholesterol. Honestly – I have never seen cholesterol called out on a product. Talk about innovation!

Inside Cosmeceuticals reports that the skin matrix is often likened to bricks-and-mortar, where the skin cells are the bricks and the matrix is the mortar. The matrix is made up of three primary lipids: cholesterol, ceramides and fatty acids, which are the mortar. So cholesterol actually soothes and plumps up the skin, providing great anti aging benefits. This cream is 4% cholesterol, 2% ceramides, and 2% fatty acids, it is lightweight in texture and while hydrating, does not look shiny on the skin. 

While the formal restores lipids, it shows improved skin smoothness, fullness and evenness. 

I learn something new every day!

Insta-Cool

I returned home from Chicago late last night and my face was on fire. I had day-tripped to Chicago and the two plane flights in one day had wreaked havoc on my skin. It was just irritated with me. Stepping through our front door at midnight, I ran to the shower and then pulled out Skinceuticals new Redness Neutralizer and slathered this cooling lotion all over my face. After an instant cooling feel, I could just feel the irritation slip away. I crawled straight into bed and the next morning my skin was hydrated and back to normal.

Recess: Sunscreen Required

My 8 year old daughter came home sunburned yesterday from school. Recess combined with the gorgeous May weather we are having is a recipe for disaster! I promptly put Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 and Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+ by the back door. These are the two sunscreens that my children like and find it easy to put on themselves. From now, until the end of school, our morning routine will include sunscreen application to cheeks, noses, foreheads and bare-arms!

Skiing Face

Yes, I have a face for everything. Skiing is no exception. I couldn't go on the slopes bare faced. I was in layering mode. 1) Darphin Vitalprotection Age-Defying Protective Lotion SPF 50 for hydration and moisture. 2) Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45. It is thicker than the Darphin SPF 50 and puts a stronger skin barrier against the elements. And, whether proven or not, I feel like it stays on my skin longer. 3) Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in light/medium to even out my skin tone. While layering SPF does not provide extra protection - these steps made my skin look hydrated and protected - and that was the most important to me. After a little eyeliner, mascara, and a nude lipstick, I was ready to take the family on the mountain. P.S. the kids had on Skinceuticals SPF 45 every day. They got a little wind burned, but no sunburn.

Paint by Number Sunscreen

I am completely obsessed with sunscreen. I went to St. Barth's for a friend's 40th birthday party and perfected my summer sunscreen regimen. In the scorching hot sun, at the beach, on a boat, and by the pool, I did not burn once.
During the morning before breakfast by the pool, I quickly slathered Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ on my face. Light and hydrating, this feels nice and light on my clean morning skin.


After breakfast, I stepped it up for the beach. I applied Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 on my face and back of hands. This is the powerful gorgeous new sister of my 10 year favorite, Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45. Light, but with the same strong physical block, there is no other product like this. I won't go to the beach or into direct sun without this. I applied Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45 to my chest and shoulders (this super strong block is essential since I always seem to burn my chest).

I followed with Peter Thomas Roth Continuous Sunscreen Mist SPF 30 light and airy sunscreen on arms and back. Then, the glam block: I sprayed Dermalogica Water Block Solar Spray SPF 30 on my legs for the sexy, hydrated look. This is oil based, has a heavenly citrus scent, and has a bonus of being SPF 30!
This is my summer sun routine and I am sticking to it!

My Travel Must-Haves

I am traveling almost the entire month of February. Tonight, I organized all of my cosmetics so I could pack efficiently and zip in and out of the airport without checking my bags. I thought I would list out 10 things I can't live without and will be traveling with:

1. Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Serum. Hydrating treatment I am currently using every morning under primer.
2. Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer. A must use every day before foundation.


3. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Fiji and/or Bobbi Brown Skin SPF 15 Foundation. NARS has fuller coverage than Bobbi, but love both. During the dead of winter I am a little more addicted to NARS.


4. Penny Lane Cream Blush by NARS. Almost had a panic attack when I couldn't find it tonight.
5. Bobbi Brown Bone Eye Shadow. The perfect all over lid color.



6. Trish High Volume Mascara. My all-time favorite.
7. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. They just sent me two travel size ones. Generally, for face cleansers I alternate between whatever I have in travel size.


8. MD Skincare All-in-One Facial Cleanser with Toner. Use as a toner/slash peel. Stronger than a cleanser, lighter than a peel. Gets the day's travel off my skin.
9. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum. My one stop night treatment for an overnight trip. This really does it all for me. The best glow ever.

10. Sample moisturizers and eye creams. Sounds awful, but I generally only pack a moisturizer and eye cream for an emergency and when I do, it's only what I have in travel size. Right now, I am travel with a lab sample Bobbi Brown's new Brightening Moisturize Cream coming out this March or April. I love the texture and it is fine for day or night. If I go on a longer trip, I always pack a moisturizer and eye cream. Anything to not have to check a bag!

Currently also toting: "Caesar" by Colleen McCollough, WWD Dailies to catch up on, and debating whether I am ready for a kindle!

Palm Beach 1: Pre-vacation

Went to bluemercury to stock up before our Palm Beach trip. Clearly I am a product addict. I bought the following:
1. Five Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45. I use nothing else on the kid’s faces. They never burn with this on.

2. Two MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion. Easy to apply to little arms and legs.

3. Two MD Moms Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes SPF30+. Easy for re-application at camp. Kids put this on themselves. The only physical sunscreen in wipes that I have ever seen.

4. Four Peter Thomas Roth Continuous Sunscreen Mist SPF 30. So easy for reapplication for kids on backs. Great for lazy husbands also!

5. Two Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Hydrating. I ran out.

6. Two Phyto Phytomist Hydrating Conditioner spray. Use on my daughters hair as spray conditioner on wet hair.

7. Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo and two Fekkai Salon Glaze. My favorite hot weather shampoo and conditioner.

8. Trish McEvoy Planner Page. Needed a new, fresh one.

9. Rubis tweezers and Tweezerman tweezers. Another case of the disappearing tweezers. Not sure why I always lose them!

Ready to go!

Bright Lights, Big City

Emmy Rossum and Marla Malcolm Beck
Went to W hotel, Washington D.C. grand opening. This historic site used to be the Hotel Washington and is famous for the scene in No Way Out when Gene Hackman had lunch overlooking the Washington monument. What a blowout party! Women dressed as glamorous George Washington-esque dancers with powdered wigs. Glorious seared tuna by Jean Georges. And Emmy Rossum (think Phantom of the Opera). She made the trip down from New York to check out the hotel and is so sweet.

P.S. A few days before, my skin was a mess. All it took was the Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask and a little Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, and it was fixed. Now, I am no Emmy Rossum, but my skin doesn't look like the mess it was a couple of days ago!