Mom Unplugged

Every now and then I try to make time to "unplug" - to take a moment to myself to relax, breathe deeply and calm my mind. Of course it's hard to find these times between all the exciting things that come with running Bluemercury and my family, but I think it's so important as women and moms to take a bit of time for ourselves, even among all the chaos! These are some of my favorite things I use to take a time-out:

1. Fresh Sake Bath with Ginger Root Extract: My favorite bath product of all time! A full detox bath made of 50 percent sake - you literally feel like you just did hot yoga. It's the most relaxing thing you can do for yourself. (Not for pregnant women!)

2. Natura Bisse Stabilizing Cleansing Mask: A deeply purifying mask with 2 percent salicylic acid, tea tree and rosemary. Detoxifying and invigorating at the same time! Best for skin that is breaking out or in need of aggressive care!

3. M-61 Skincare Vitablast C Scrub and Mask: I created this quick multitasking scrub/mask combo for quick brightening and hydration. Packed with vitamin C, papaya enzymes and gallic acid, you scrub it on your skin for 1 minute, then rinse off. This one is more gentle than the Natura Bisse mask and is great for normal-to-dry skin. It's instant luminosity!

4. Darphin Ideal Resource Wrinkle Minimizer Perfecting Serum: This radiance-boosting, line-minimizing serum is perfect post-mask, post-bath and pre-nap! Clary sage is antibacterial and calming - the perfect end to an unplugged moment!

5. Yogi Relaxed Mind Tea: My new favorite - this one puts me right to sleep with lavender and organic sage.

Meet Hydraboost Body Butter: Our Newest Addition to M-61 Skincare!

I'm thrilled to introduce to you the latest addition to the M-61 Skincare Hydraboost collection - Hydraboost Body Butter! I designed this vegan hydrating body butter with our client-loved core Hydraboost formula of B5 and peptides to firm and nourish the entire body, and then added coconut oil for an extra boost of natural hydration. I use it daily to immediately firm and moisturize thirsty skin, right when I get out of the shower. It's my go-to for soft, firm summer skin. 

We're so excited about Hydraboost Body Butter that we're giving some away! Head over to our social channels on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to enter to win the new Hydraboost Body Butter. I can't wait to hear what you think of it! 

Read more about the benefits of coconut oil in my recent blog post here. 

What's In My Summer Bag?

This time of year, I always have a combination of these essentials with me. During the summer it's all about SPF, glowing skin, fun lip glosses and easy hair care! 

1. SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50: The family sunscreen for the face!
2. La Roche-Posay Anthelion SX: My favorite moisturizing sunscreen for arms, legs and décolletage during tennis, running or biking.
3. Caudalie Divine Oil: I use this before I go out for legs and arms hydration.
4. Bliss Triple Oxygen Radiance Restoring Mist: Super refreshing! 
5. R&Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo: A must-have for hot weather.
6. Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel (in select stores): Perfect for that fresh-faced bronze look.
7. NARS Undercover Lip Gloss in Get Dirty: Loving this fun Undercover collection for summer, with cute names and great shades.
8. Genuine Glow Reviving Oil Lip Tint: The easiest application and a light summer tint.
9. This Works Perfect Heels Rescue Balm: Sandal season calls for a little heel rescue!
10. Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Telluride (coming soon!): One of the best summer colors!
11. Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil UV Protective Dry Oil Finishing Spray (coming soon!): Light & delicious smelling UV protection for hair
12. M-61 Skincare PowerGlow Peel: These go everywhere with me for quick exfoliation and glow!
13. Lune+Aster Vitamin C + E Lipgloss in Rockstar (coming soon!): I throw this in my pocket on weekends if we are at a concert or a night out.

A Body Moisturizer for Every Moment

Recently I was playing double with my close friends and one of them pulled Molton Brown Rok Mint Moisturizer out of her bag and put it on her legs between sets. It was so funny to see the full bottle with a pump on the bench! The things we will do for hydrated and smooth legs! Here are some other favorites:

1. Hydraboost Body Butter. Coming soon! I designed this with our client-loved core Hydraboost formula of Vitamin B5 and peptides for firming, and then added coconut oil for an extra boost of natural hydration!

2. Kiehl's Creme de Corps Light-Weight Body Lotion. An absolute Bluemercury client favorite post-pool or beach. It is the lighter version of the cult classic Creme de Corps. 

3. La Mer After Sun Enhancer. Has a hint of glow and glimmer that makes it perfect for daytime events – barbecues, weddings, anywhere!

4. Caudalie Divine Oil. I use this on my legs and feet after I am dressed, before I go out for shiny, healthy, sleek looking legs. Also perfect for arms, shoulders and dry elbows! It has a delicious scent, too.

Quick Tip: I love using a PowerGlow Peel on my legs before moisturizing to quickly exfoliate for  smooth, glowing skin!

A New Love: Outdoor Wedding Sunscreen

Those of you that know me know I am a sunscreen diehard. If you show up at our office Monday with a sunburn, you are sure to get a lecture from me. But I get it. Sunscreens feel like extra work and they sometimes feel so heavy. I had an outdoor wedding to go to last Saturday afternoon when it was 90 degrees outside. Allie, one of our beauty experts from Bethesda did my makeup.   When she asked me if I wanted a sunscreen under my makeup, I almost hesitated. Imagine that? I asked, "What is your favorite sunscreen to wear under makeup on a boiling hot day?" She told me, hands down, her favorite is ReVive’s new Soleil Superior Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen. She was right. It absorbed right into my skin and had a luminous finish. We used an M-61 Skincare PowerGlow Peel first to create a canvas of smooth, exfoliated skin.  Then, we used Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Flow Foundation (in select stores!) over it. My makeup was absolutely perfect all day and night. Thank you Allie and ReVive!