Scrubs are a super easy, quick, awesome gift for anyone (or yourself) that you can throw together in minutes and get really creative with. You can make them with salt, sugar, coffee grinds, and personalize them with essential oils and food coloring. I'll keep this one super simple.
I got a manicure close to work the other day, and I can't stop talking about how yummy the homemade peppermint scrub was that my manicurist used. I did a little pinning and found a great DIY. You can use different oils, I find coconut, apricot kernel, and sweet almond oil to be most hydrating, but knock yourself out with whatever you have on hand.
Peppermint Creme Scrub:
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of melted coconut oil or oil of your choice
8 drops of peppermint essential oil
3 drops vanilla extract (didn't have oil lol)
Mix well, it should be wet and have a little room of oil on top for later. Put in any container, I usually use a mason jar.
Lavender Vanilla Scrub
1/2 cup of granualated sugar
1/2 cup of sweet almond oil
8 drops of lavender essential oil
3 drops of vanilla
***some other favorite combos
orange + clove
rose petals + sandalwood
amber + pine
bergamont + mint
grapefruit + coconut
vetiver + sage
fig + ylang ylang
Happy scrubbing!
x jules
I don't know about you, but every year Christmas creeps right on up, and I find myself scrambling last minute for gifts! Whatever your budget may be, a gift to someone you love from you, is always the best. Here are some ideas..
For the skincare fanatic-
Under $20 Budget:
Caudalie Beauty Elixir in travel size (part serum, part skin refresher, this is great to toss in your purse, gym bag, or car for a quick skin refreshment) Available at Nordstrom, Sephora, Amazon. $18
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, this $6 mask has over 10,000 positive reviews online and is a long
lasting clay mask great for all skin types. Available on Amazon, Whole foods, VitaminShoppe.
Embroylisse Lait Creme Concentrate; one of my all time favorite moisturizers, this multi use cream is great for moisturizing hands, removing makeup, and all over skin care. Available on Amazon, and on Birchbox. $16
Under $50
La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen spf 50, a French pharmacy cult favorite, this sunscreen is uber lightweight and fantastic for anyone who needs a weightless, long lasting sunscreen. Available at Walgreens/CVS, and Amazon. $34
Josie Maran pure Argan oil, great for anyone who could use more moisture in their hair and skin, this can also be mixed with sugar to create a super hydrating body scrub. $48 Sephora
Peter Thomas Roth Anti-aging Face Wash- this orange colored face wash enriched with vitamin c is a fantastic gel wash that cleanses and brightens even the dullest skin. It contains salicylic acid to treat blemishes and deeply exfoliate. Available at Sephora $38
Splurge: La Mer Creme de la Mer Moisturizing cream; the Queen of face cream, it really is what it is hyped up to be. Available at Nordstrom, La Mer, Barneys. Starting at $85 for 0.5 oz.
For the scent lover-
Nag Champa- release your inner hippie with these traditional woodsy smelling incense sticks. Available on Amazon $6.
Lavanila Deodorant- this aluminum free deodorant comes in coconut, grapefruit, and several other scents. This natural deodorant is free of parabens. Available at Sephora $14
Elizabeth & James mini rollerball; available in either white nirvana which smells of jasmine and has a powdery, fresh smell, or nirvana black which is a muskier, sandalwood scent. Available at Sephora $12
Under $50
Diptyque mini holiday candle in sapin- once a year Diptyque releases their holiday candles, one always with a pine or cyprus note. This year the woodsy meets citrus does not disappoint. Available on Diptyque online or Bloomingdales. $35
The Laundress- Le Labo laundry detergent was created for those who want everything they own to smell like their favorite Le Labo scents. They have Rose 31 and Santal 33 available at Barney's or Le Labo online. $45
L'occitaine Lavender Eau de Cologne- great as a room spray for your guest bedroom, or to use on yourself, lavender is a favorite for its calming affect. Available at L'occitaine stores or Nordstrom. $32
Splurge:
Byredo Gypsy water perfume- a gorgeous scent that has waves of pine, the warmth of amber and brightness of berry and lemon, this scent is never too heavy and always evokes a curiosity. Available online at Byredo, and Barneys. Starting at $145
For the foodie-
under $20
Supahstah Chocolate Superfood bars- made by Boston native Erika Wright, these fantastic bars come in goji berry, mulberry, and naked, and are perfect for breakfast, a post workout snack, and anyone craving the purely good taste of chocolate. Available online for order, or a variety of stores in SF area. $5.50 a bar
Himalayan pink salt- available at any grocery store, the Trader Joe's is a favorite with the bult in grinder. Pink salt is packed with tons of nutrients and minerals essential for health. In stores for $7
Blue bottle coffee- a favorite of coffee snobs everywhere, their locally made coffee is smooth, strong, and so damn good! Available to purchase online at Blue Bottle, or in stores. Three Africans is a favorite. $16 for 12 oz
under $50
3 blade spiralizer- Williams Sonoma is the creme de la creme of cookware, and this veggie spiralizer is fantastic for making veggie noodles, fries, and apple rings. On sale at Williams Sonoma for $30
Cusinart hand blender- this comes in super handy for getting a closer, more controlled blend for soups and cookie dough. Also great for someone who does not have much space. At Bed Bath & Beyond for $35
The grey pebble tea set- a beautiful tea set that comes in white as well. It comes with two cups, the pot, and an infuser, perfect for any hostess or tea lover. In stores at David's Tea, or online for $50
Splurge: Crock-pot 6 quart. Because you can accomplish anything in a slow cooker. Bed Bath & Beyond, Amazon, and Crock-pot online for $130.
Happy shopping & happiest holidays!
x jules
Camu Camu is the superfood you want to be taking daily. Filled with over 1,180% of your daily vitamin c intake, don't let this small cherry looking fruit fly under your radar!
A few facts about Camu Camu:
-found in the Amazon rain forest, these grow on bushy trees found in Peru and Brasil
- filled with serine to allow better digestion
-valine, an amino acid we don't produce that aids in cognitive function, and protecting our muscles from breaking down
- gallic acid which is anti fungal and anti bacterial
-decreases inflammation
-balances mood and is used holistically to treat depression
I bought my camu camu powder at whole foods, you only need a teaspoon a day and can add it to your water bottle, tea, juice, sprinkled in your oatmeal, etc. It is a guava-pinkish color, and has a slightly sweet slightly tangy taste to it. I made mine in a smoothie.
a handful of spinach
a teaspoon of maca
a teaspoon of camu camu
a handful of frozen blueberries
a small handful of frozen coconut chunks
a small piece of cacao butter
a splash of almond milk
the juice from a cara cara orange (to go with the theme of course)
The smoothie is so good! I can taste the creaminess from the cacao butter and almond milk, the slight tang of the cara cara and camu camu. Its not overly sweet and super easy to drink. I've replaced it with coffee since maca is naturally energizing.
Enjoy!
x jules
Traps the toxins from your body, acts as a magnet to detoxify harsh chemicals in your body, hangover cure, flushes out excess buildup, helps side effects of Lyme disease.
These are a few of the statements floating around about activated charcoal. I am not here to tell you to swallow activated charcoal as a detox plan, hangover remedy, or reduce bloating. Emergency trauma centers around the world do use charcoal to help with overdose or poisoning, but not as a daily dietary supplement. If medical researchers still aren't sure exactly the long term effects or results from daily charcoal intake then I am not about to.
What I know for sure is that gargling "natural" activated
charcoal (derived from coconut shells or another natural source) helps remove stains from heavy tea or coffee drinking. I am a heavy coffee drinker, and I don't have the energy to do oil pulling every day for 15 minutes. I like to switch off, and I find the charcoal really helps pull out stains by either gargling or brushing. I use the "Country Life" brand, which I found at Whole Foods.
I break the capsule- be careful its jet black and can stain, and I then put it on my toothbrush and scrub. You can also scrub for a minute then swish it around for a bit in your mouth. You will have black teeth, but not to worry it will go away. Sometimes if I am really creative I will mix it with baking soda. Just a warning, this brand kind of smells like butt. If you aren't used to the smell at first, mix it with toothpaste, coconut oil, or peppermint oil. If you have a white bathroom like I do, it easily comes out with warm water and a washcloth in case you do spill. Once you are done brushing, rinse it several times (don't forget your tongue, it will be black too) and voila, one step closer to a brighter, coffee-free smile!
x jules
As I am listening to Mac Dre, I am giggling to myself thinking, "Uh oh, I am going to get so much shit for this. Oh well."
I am a hairdresser. Product junkie. Secret lover of niche beauty products whether it is lipstick, face cream, or hair styling products. Which is why I am a super hypocrite for telling you to drop what you are doing and go to the nearest store and buy a $6 shampoo and conditioner. Stop waxing your mustache, eating your 4th bag of Stacy's chips, and your 100th episode of Law and Order. Just trust me.
First of all I would like to blame my sweetest friend Breanna for this. This happened a couple of years ago when we were having one of our famous Monday hangouts, and I kept smelling something so so delicious. Here I go with the smells again, but anyways, I digress. I finally asked her and she told me "Oh its just my shampoo. It's the Loreal in the gold tubey thing I got at the grocery store." Secondly, Bree always has the shiniest, softest, sunkissed California-blonde hair, but now she smells this good? GIMME DAT!!!
Alright. So I found this gold tubey thing at CVS which is also called "Loreal Evercreme intense moisture Sulfate-free moisture system." I mean I honestly picked it up, caught a whiff and embarrassingly shuffled myself to the register and bought it. It lathers pretty well, and instantly your hair feels soft. I kept smelling my hair, as I am doing right now. WHAT IS THAT SMELL??? It reminds me of something as a child, my friend Clare swears it was the 90's warm vanilla sugar lotion from Bath & Body works, but I still can't pinpoint it. I kinda sorta checked the ingredients but not thoroughly, because I already know its filled with waxes and probably children's souls or whatever possessed me to buy a drugstore shampoo against my better knowledge. It is paraben free, vegan, etc etc. Seriously do yourself a favor and the next time you are at any grocery store, sneak to the beauty aisle and open up a bottle and smell it. You don't even have to spend the $6. Don't worry, I still use salon professional products as well, but this is a nice, cheap thrill.
P.s. seriously considering buying this as Christmas gifts for everyone I know.
x jules
All hail the goji berry! If you have no clue what I'm talking about, thank me later. Let's start with a simple: what the heck is a goji berry??
Goji berries were predominately used in ancient Tibetan culture to treat kidney and liver disease, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improve eye sight, mood enhancement, restore hair color, stabilize weight, strengthen teeth, stronger immune system, clear skin, and the list goes on and on.
**you can purchase at most grocery stores, the most inexpensive variety are found at asian supermarkets.
Goji berries nutritional values go off the charts, but a few notable facts are:
- vitamin e
- more vitamin c than an orange
- known as the "happy berry"
-cyperone which is known to aid in cervical cancer and alleviate menstrual discomfort
-betaine which calms nervousness and is a memory enhancement
-antioxidants adjust in the anti-aging process for your skin and inner health.
Goji berries are most commonly sold dried, which are a pinkish guava color and shaped like skinny raisins. You can add the dried form to any granola, yogurt, fruit bowl, smoothie, trail mix.
My FAVORITE way of having goji berries is brewed in a tea form. I take a handful of dried goji berries and steep it in hot water for 10-15 minutes. The goji berries then remain plump and soft. The taste of the "tea" is almost cookie like. I can't even explain. It is like a naturally sweet, buttery shortbread tea. Sounds nuts right? I ususally reuse this batch 3-4 times. You can then just eat the soft goji berries, or throw them in a smoothie for later. The leftover water I make into ice cubes for my face or to cool the tea down. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this tea!
Cheers, x jules
My sweet shadow Millie and I had a wonderful day in San Francisco today. I needed to do some shopping, and she is always the best companion! Our first stop was lunch at Skool in Potrero Hill/SoMa neighborhood. The service was wonderful, we both sat outside with heat lamps and blankets. The restaurant is japanese/pan american fusion. They are super dog friendly, very accommodating for all sizes of groups. They also have a vegan/vegetarian/gluten free menu which is great! I highly recommend this place for those looking for a cool easy going place in an upcoming neighborhood. I also got super lucky and found a fabulous local photographer to shoot a picture of Millie and I. (Thanks Kaitlyn!)
Shot by Kaitlyn Miller www.kaitmillerphotography.com
Banh-mi and nori fries
Champagne & shishito peppers
Skool patio view
www.skoolsf.com
Millie and I bopped around town to Nespresso, Anthropologie, David's tea..I'd say it was a successful Monday!
x jules
Bright blue and smells like a margarita..what could it possibly be? Of course, its LUSH!
Lush's fresh face mask "don't look at me" is one of a kind. It contains ground rice which is one of my favorite ingredients in skin care. The rice gently exfoliates without tearing the most delicate skin. I can really smell the zing of the citrus, and once applied, it feels like a cooling and slight tightening. I love when masks are activating like this. I am listening to The O.C. soundtrack, online shopping, and enjoying this relaxing mask.
After massaging it off with warm water, I splashed with cool water. My skin feels super refreshed and clean and has a wonderful glow. I would definitely use this mask whenever I feel like I need a gentle exfoliation and brightening.
Remember- Thursday is when the fresh face masks arrive, they sell out quickly! http://www.lushusa.com/Don't-Look-At-Me/06351,en_US,pd.html
Rainwater in a can, angel tears, setting sprays, toners, elixirs...call it what you will.
What are these exactly? Is it a sham? How is spraying canned water on your face really that special? Is the essence of spring water derived from the tallest mountaintops, or gathered from a Tuck Everlasting-esque well really going to change my skin once and for all or is it a load of bs?
I know for a fact I do not step inside a Sephora or a Nordstroms without spritzing myself with Caudalie's Eau de Beaute tonic. The invigorating and slightly soothing medicinal smell gets me every time. The famous french brand created this elixir as a part serum- part-toner to refresh and revitalize, dull, tiresome skin. Made with grape extract (anti-aging... wine anyone?), orange blossom, rose, mint and rosemary, this is the secret to a quick pick me up. The smell truly does pep up your senses and instantly refreshes your makeup and skin. This elixir is great for before applying your nightly moisturizer, quickly hydrating and refreshing makeup, soothing irritated skin, during an airplane ride, etc. You end with glowing, radiant skin. Who wouldn't want that?
Another wonderful product if you are sensitive to smells, and/or just need a pure thermal water, go for Avene. Yes I get a lot of shit for purchasing spring water in a can, but let me tell you, its fantastic. After some heavy obsession with french beauty, (hence the name of my blog) the product I have seen time and time again is Avene thermal spray. No there is no magical life-changing ingredient. It is simply, spring water in a can. I absolutely love spraying it before applying makeup, before bed, after a mask or on top of a mask, at work before I leave. It truly hydrates your skin and reactivates whatever moisturizer is on, refreshes the makeup on your skin, or soothes any sensitivity or irritation.
I could have fallen under the spell of how refreshing it is to mist yourself, or maybe it really is undeniably a wonderful product. Who knows. All I know is I definitely will continue to surrender to Caudalie and Avene.
x jules
https://us.caudalie.com/shop-products/category/cleansers-toners-3/beauty-elixir-full-size.html
http://www.aveneusa.com/thermal-spring-water
It is raining today and just a stones throw away from Christmas. It is a perfect, beautiful winter morning. I am listening to Eartha Kitt singing "Santa Baby," and feeling extra cheery.
Buche de Noel come around once a year at Lush, and it lets my face feel the holiday spirit as well! It is gentle enough for all skin types, and softly nourishes your parched wintery skin. Sweet almonds, cranberries, cocoa butter, even mandarin are in this fabulous blend. After splashing my face with warm water, I add a pinch of Buche de Noel in the palm of my hand and massage it in. It gently cleanses and softens your face. It smells like holiday cookie dough, and leaves your skin with a candlelight glow. This would also make a wonderful gift for a friend or colleague.
Rinse with cool water, and enjoy feeling the cheer.
https://www.lushusa.com/B%C3%BBche-de-No%C3%ABl/03204,en_US,pd.html
x jules
Happy Friday!
Last night I had a dream I was in Hawaii! I could feel the warm, mushy sand between my toes, the salty air whisper past my shoulders, and the greetings of the waves kiss my cheeks. I often have dreams on tropical beaches (my favorite place in the world) and it makes me so happy!
One of the instant sense memories I get of Hawaii are the smells of plumeria, gardenias, tuberose. Anytime I smell that I can close my eyes and feel magical Hawaii and a piece of the aloha spirit. This morning I wanted to keep that theme going as I think its a great way to finish the week; with some happy, familiar scents. I am listening to John Cruz, sipping my coffee and smelling Diptyque's Tuberose candle, dreaming of sherbert colored skies, sunkissed skin, and lilikoi cocktails.
aloha, x jules
Your skin carries many toxins that become trapped over time. Exfoliating the skin not only helps to renew the healthy skin underneath, it gently removes the toxins that lay on the surface.
Dry brushing is energizing, improves circulation, circulates the blood flow and your lymphatic system & helps improve the appearance of cellulite and muscle tone.
I began dry brushing when I noticed sun stains on my lower back and uneven pigmentation on my arms. I also had stubborn ingrown hairs and was displeased by topical remedies. I had always seen my grandmother use a firm bristled brush in the shower, and passed by these brushes at local grocery stores. I started dry brushing about 6 months ago, and I try to do so about 3-4 times a week. I purchase my natural bristle dry brush at Whole Foods for about $10.
After my first dry brushing experience (start at your feet and always work your way up towards the heart in circular motions) it revealed the smoothest, softest skin EVER! Start at your ankles, and stop at your chest. Please don't dry brush your face or neck bad bad idea! Now it definitely was kind of uncomfortable seeing as my skin was not used to it and the bristles are stiff. I also believe it has improved the texture of my skin especially during the winter when everything is dry. It also most definitely allows my body products to penetrate more and keep it moisturized. The uneven pigmentation has improved most definitely, and I don't have any ingrown hairs either!
P.s. my music this morning while sipping my coffee is J. Cole "work out" the best song to perk you up!
Tip #1- the upper body is a lot more sensitive, keep your hands toward the lower end of the handle so you naturally use lighter pressure. Focus on the spots such as your booty, legs, anywhere you need a little extra stimulation (bye bye bye silly cellulite!)
Tip #2- Don't buy the "horse hair" bristles. First of all, ew, second of all you do not need to pay $80 for a poor horsey bristled brush. Buy a natural, stiff bristled brush.
Tip #3- Replace once a month, when the bristles are softer and you can feel it is not exfoliating as well (or if you use less frequently maybe every 2.)
Tip #4- Do it in the shower so you do not get your snake skin all over your pretty bathroom floor.
Tip #5- Since you are removing old skin and allowing new skin to surface, use something extremely hydrating in the shower. I use sweet almond oil before rinsing; you could also do coconut oil or a body wash that is more nourishing. Drink extra water as well, it will keep the new skin super hydrated!
Happy dry brushing!!!
