Au naturale?

This topic has been a bit of a struggle for me. To go au naturale or not? I've heard pros and cons from both sides. Natural products are great in theory but in the end they just don't get the job done. You need certain chemicals to fix problem areas and protect the skin. Of course I am cautious of anything that is super concentrated or contains any kind of acid because that stuff can really screw you up! I did a combo mask and scrub once and it totally dried out my skin. NOT a pretty sight. It took a few days to heal. BE VERY careful when using any kind of product with "acid" in the ingredients. I've been traveling around lately so my skin has been acting a little crazy. I also got some weird allergic reaction after eating a pasta dish and my skin broke out in bumps and a rash like texture. UGH it was awful. Not super noticable to other people but I know my skin so when I looked it the mirror I knew something was wrong! The texture was not my normal skin! It felt irritated and dried out. Here are a few products that helped me get back on track!

First Aid Beauty Cleanser - $18

A face cleanser with a whipped texture that transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. Very gentle and leaves your face clean without overdrying. I like using make-up remover wipes (neutrogena deep clean) first but if you just have light make-up on the cleanser alone will work just fine. I've tried many cleansers and this one is by far my favorite!

Contains NO:

Parabens

- Sulfates (MANY cleansers contain this. It is a cheap harsh detergent that makes the product foamy. Stay away from sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate

- Synthetic Fragrances

- Synthetic Dyes

- Phthalates

- GMOs

- Triclosan ( too harsh for the face. it is an antibacterial ingredient often found in hand soap and hand sanitizer)

Korres Yogurt Cream - $32

Love this! Ultra soothing and gave just the right amount of moisture. A bit on the heavier side though for daytime use and doesn't have SPF so I've just been using at night. The cream texture is thick but it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin silky smooth

Wild Rose Mask-$29

This mask is amazing! Helps to brighten skin....you will see instant results. I use about once a week depending on how my skin feels. With the allergic reaction I got a few days ago I haven't been using anything but I just love this product so much I couldn't leave it out! Keep an eye out for products with Vitamin C....very important antioxidant ingredient to help brighten and even skin tone. Your daily moisturizer or treatment should contain vitamin C. Best when used in the daytime with SPF.

A crazy friend ( I say that with love :) has been obsessed with oils lately and got me just curious enough to order a jar of coconut oil. Not just any coconut oil though! If you are using on your skin it should be the following:

• organic
• unrefined
• cold pressed
• hexane free
• non bleached

Anything else will likely clog your pores and cause irritation. And also try to avoid brands not made in the USA.

Supposedly coconut oil has amazing healing and moisturizing properties. I drink a lot of coconut water...does that count??  Experts say you should have a spoonful each day! I'm still kind of iffy about trying on my face but I will definitely use as a body moisturizer since most of the lotions I use contain shea and cocoa butter. I've used on my hair before...back in the day in HS! A puerto rican friend had this amazing curly hair and she told me about coconut oil. Her hair always smelled so good and looked perfect. Think I got my bad HS perm because of her!  Since it is oil be careful to only use on the ends to avoid greasy hair and scalp! And remember just a little goes a long way. Here is a link to some very interesting info www.coconutresearchcenter.org

Marloes Horst

perfection

the face and body of Calvin Klein

Love this shot!

ok, this woman is officially AMAZING!

Mane Attraction....

Having just realized I haven't cut my hair in 6 months I am feeling very inspired to let it just grow out crazy and do its thing! 

Kamilya

Cute shorts!

blogger Aimee Song

blogger Olivia Lo wins best hair!!

Model- Selina Khan

Summer slouch

When the weather is this unbearable I don't put too much thought into my outfits. I would love to just walk around in a bikini and lil booty shorts but since I don't live in Miami I may get some strange looks and unwanted attention *wink wink* Easy breezy fabrics and simple staples like short shorts and tiny tanks are the only other option. I'll be in Chicago for the next few days so I'll be posting soon :) Ciao ciao!

Ruby Aldridge

image via elle.com

Looking cool AND stylish!

image via stockholmstreetstyle.com

  

Love the pants! They look so comfy. From Zara and I am pissed I didn't get them. Pretty sure they are sold out :(

image via stylebykling.nowmanifest.com

nightgown. beach dress. mumu. whatever, its a great color and looks super comfy!

image via thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Top 5 drugstore picks at $5 and under that WORK!!!

Everyone is always asking me "what smells so good"? I always say its my shampoo or lotion...and its true! I am  not a big fan of perfume especially in the hot summer months because it just irritates my skin. The chemical reaction with the sun can cause rashes and itchy skin. However  I do LOVE Chloe Love. Its my favorite scent aside from Marc Jacob's Daisy. I tend to go for vanilla and fresh floral scents. I also love the smell of suntan lotion! Something about the cocoa butter and mango like scent is delicious and I don't mind smelling like that all day. I've been using Palmer's body oil for a long time now. It has that delicious cocoa butter smell and it makes your skin silky smooth after the shower. However, sometimes the oil may be a little heavy and you want something less slick. Mixing lotion with a little bit of oil is the perfect combo. An added plus, the smell is just as addicting as the suntan lotion and you get that sexy sheen!

With the hot muggy weather this item is a MUST.

This eye make-up remover is simply the best. Lancome's Bi-facil is an industry favorite and works just as well...but compare $30 to $5 and you may change your mind

I am a huge fan of Dove products. I only use shower gels but if I ever use a soap it is always Dove or Olay. Other soaps dry out my skin and I get that weird squeaky feeling. I love clean but squeaky clean is too much! This shampoo  is from their new Nourishing Oil line. My hair is super thick and can get dry sometimes because I wash it almost everyday. The conditioner is awesome too! Keeps my hair shiny and soft :)

Daphne Guinness

In Alexander McQueen for the Met Gala 2011

Daphne is a fan of Natacha Marro's gravity defying heels

This photo sums it all. Amazing creature!

 A rare glimpse of the real Daphne. So beautiful and elegant! Personally I love this look but all the makeup and costumes are what makes her such an interesting and unique style icon. Lady gaga has nothing on her! This is the difference between class and...well, just ass!

Sabrina Nait

Sabrina Nait- Re:Quest Models

 Love how her exotic look is not the mainstream Eastern euro or typical all american beauty. Something about her reminds me of a young Bianca Jagger...Gorgeous!