It’s getting cold and with the drop in temperature our body, hair and scalp can become dehydrated and more sensitive and unruly than usual. Recently we focussed on winter skin care tips for the visage. It is also important to modify our body care routine to protect ourselves from the cold, crisp elements that we suddenly find ourselves in the midst of.

Proper Shower Protocol

Let’s discuss a proper winter shower regimen. It is necessary to exfoliate the body at least twice a week during the colder months. The cold weather dries out our skin and leaves loads of dry, dead skin cells that need to be sloughed away. I use Mio Skincare Natural Dry Brush. Use it while skin is dry right before hopping into the shower or bath. Start with the bottoms of your feet and brush all the way up your body in clockwise circles. Focus time on your wobbly bits like the thighs, bum and side of the waist. Brush your stomach clockwise and then up your bust. Start at you hands and brush up your arms – make sure to get under your armpits. You want to brush towards your heart, in the direction of lymphatic drainage. Not only does this help with skin cell turnover but it helps your body expel any excess bloat or toxins that it might be holding onto.

Body Scrubs

Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish and Mio Skincare Double Buff Dual Action Enzyme Exfoliator are two great choices for all natural exfoliating body washes. Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish can be used daily and contains fine grains of rice bran and bamboo to gently cleanse and turn over dry, dead skin cells. It also contains ginger root and ginseng extracts to balance the skin. Double Buff can be used 2 – 3 times per week. Massage it into dry skin and then rinse. Both will even out skin tone.

Hair And Scalp

Despite the dozens of articles you’ve read claiming that you should only wash your hair three times a week, it’s just not true. Just like you wash your face (and hopefully your body) each day, you also need to wash the skin on your scalp. You can keep the shampooing concentrated on scrubbing the scalp area but the skin on your scalp gets dry just like the rest of the skin on your body and needs to be exfoliated and cleansed. I have dry, thick, curly hair that I bleach blond, so I use a leave in conditioner all year round, but during the winter all hair types can benefit from using a light leave in treatment. Caretrico After Treatment Enrich Milk contains hyaluronic acid that gives your hair the extra added moisturizing protection it needs to ward off the wind and cold. Apply it after showering just before your styling product. Wait – one extra layer: Make sure to use a moisturizing hair mask at least once a week. Philip Kingsley’s award winning Elasticizer was formulated expressly for Audrey Hepburn. This intensive moisturizing pre-shampoo treatment (hair mask) delivers elasticity, bounce and shine for everyone from fine to thick curly hair – Elasticizer is nothing short of a miracle worker and much needed during the cold winter months.

Aprés Shower

Mio Skincare A Cream Firming Active Body Cream is the Mr. T treatment of body care. I’m embarrassed to say that until I was introduced to Mio Skincare I was not a body care person at all and was extremely skeptical about body firming products. This moisturizer is the perfect texture – not too thick, not too liquidy. It’s powerful combination of moisturizing omegas, powerful antioxidant and vitamins create a soothing shield to combat dryness and the elements as well as boost elasticity. When used in conjunction with regular exercise and mindful eating – it makes a difference.

By: Alyssa Barrie Weiss, Twitter: @AlyssaBarrie

The summer is over and autumn is upon us. If you’re anything like me, you spent countless hours outdoors, at the beach, pool and elsewhere braving the sun, wind, salt, chlorine, sweat and other environmental elements. While summer fun is good for the soul, it can wreak havoc on the skin, body and hair leading to overexposed and congested skin and dry, brittle, even burnt hair. There is no one-cure-fits-all or instant miracle in a jar that will keep us feeling and looking our best. A preventative approach including regular maintenance treatments, a commitment to a consistent beauty regimen, eating right and regular exercise collectively yield the best results.

Treatments

Fall is an excellent time to take stock of your state of affairs from a self care perspective. Have you seen a dermatologist in the past year? Now is prime time to have your moles catalogued. I can’t recommend Dr. Mitchell Kline enough. While he is tops in innovation and cutting edge aesthetic treatments, he is also one of the only dermatologists in New York City that specializes in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. It is also an ideal time to treat yourself to a non chemical Power Peel Facial to exfoliate dry, dead cells and eradicate sebum deposits from the dermis. A visit to Philip Kingsley’s Clinic for a rejuvenating hair treatment is in order as well.

Eat and Drink Right

Think lean protein (animal protein is really the best) and dark, leafy green vegetables that are packed with iron and other nutrients. Drinking loads of water can’t be stressed enough. Skin is the largest filtration organ of the body. If you don’t drink enough water to flush out the toxins, not only is the dermis not able to perform optimally, but it results in visible side effects such as blackheads, sebum buildup and other forms of congestion, irritation and dehydration.

Exercise

We live such stationary lives these days. The trouble is our bodies were designed to move. If we don’t move enough, our muscles forget how to work resulting in a host of aches and pains. Additionally, exercise plays a key role in circulation throughout the body which regulates health and optimizes organ function and cellular activity. It also help to regulate mood. You don’t have to run a marathon but you need to move – even if you take half an hour for a brisk walk regularly – just get moving. You’ll reap the benefits physically and mentally.

Products

There is no magic bullet and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. With that in mind, setting time aside to develop a regular skin, body and hair care regimen is paramount. Even if it’s simple and quick – a little goes a long way. To get you excited about diving in head first, I have teamed up with some of my favorite, skin, body and hair care lines to present you with a mega, best of the best, cult beauty overhaul worth $2,000. Full size cleansers, serums, moisturizers, masks and multi-taskers abound! we’ve got something for everyone. So don’t forget to enter our FALL GIVEAWAY NOW!

Here’s The Long Haul!

From France: Cosmetics 27

Cosmetics 27 is one of my absolute favorite skin care lines. An all natural apothecary style regimen tailor-made for your skin or as the French say sur mesure. The idea is to mix the products together to produce a formula that is right for your skin right now. It utilizes the Ayurvedic properties of Centella Asiatica to boost the skin’s ability to regenerate and heal itself. A life saver for those with sensitive and or dry or mature skin. We’ve included: Baume 27, Cleanser 27 and Essence 27.

From The UK: Mio Skincare

This line has made me a body care convert. Mio Skincare is a body firming, toning and tightening line that actually works and feels and smells so good you’ll be excited to use it. This line utilizes ingredients like caffeine to jolt the skin to attention and Arnica Montana to soothe aching muscles. It is also all natural and works best in conjunction with exercise and healthful eating. We’re giving away: Get Waisted Sculpted Body Shaper, The A-Cream Firming Active Body Cream, Workout Wonderball, BooB Tube + Multi Action Bust Firmer, Liquid Yoga Space Spray and Liquid Yoga Bath Soak.

From France: Institut Esthederm

Institut Esthederm is designed to preserve the beauty of the skin, this ultra luxe, cult french line has used cutting edge science and technology to innovate skin care. The Lift & Repair Absolute Smoothing Cream and Lift & Repair Absolute Tightening Serum are the dynamic duo if you are in need of effective anti-aging products, have sensitive skin and tend to present with hormonal breakouts. Another standout product that delivers on its promise is the Lift & Repair Eye Contour Lift Patches. Packed with caffeine, in just 5 minutes you will look bright eyed and bushy tailed even if you don’t feel it. We’ve also included Lift & Repair Instant Repulp Mask, and Osmopure Face and Eyes Cleansing Water.

From The US of A: Brenda Christian

Hollywood’s best kept secret! Brenda Christian has created some of the world’s leading cosmetic, skin care and brow and lash treatments used by top Hollywood makeup artists. You’ll receive the world famous, patented High Definition Perfect Brow Kit and the newly launched Mineral Hydrating Mist.

From The UK: Heaven Skincare By Deborah Mitchell

Used by Kate Middleton, Camilla Parker Bowles, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow and countless other celebrities, this all-natural organic range is famous for its multi-tasking, anti-aging Silver Bee Venom Mask. We’ve also included EllaJane Celebrity Skin Wipes, Black Age Defiance and New Edition Cleansing Cream. These products are excellent for those that experience hormonal breakouts and/or have sensitive or dry skin.

From The UK: Philip Kingsley

Formulated by the world’s foremost hair and scalp expert, Philip Kingsley, this line has been formulated to work. Period. Used by royalty, celebrities and politicians, these products are designed with specific hair and scalp issues in mind. It’s star product, Elasticizer, (we are including a huge 1000 ml Elasticizer) one of my all time favorites was formulated expressly for Audrey Hepburn. We’re also including: Body Building Shampoo, Moisture Balancing Conditioner and Maximizer.

From France: Bioderma

The cult French Pharmacie line that formulated the world famous Sensibio H20 Micellar Water – the cleanser, toner and makeup remover all in one. These products are specifically geared towards sensitive skin and includes, Sensibio Eye, Sensibio Light, Sensibio Mask and Atoderm PP Baume Ultra-nourishing Balm. Gentle enough for teens and those in their 20s yet effective enough for those with more mature skin.

From Israel: Lavido

A natural skin and body care line made with the best raw, plant-based ingredients and purified waters from the Sea of Galilee. This is Israel’s best kept skincare secret. We’ve included The Inspired by Nature Head to Toe Collection, a luxurious anthology of plant-based skin and body care infused with the ancient healing powers of the Sea of Galilee. My favorite products in this gift box are: Alert Eye Cream, Gentle Exfoliator Peeling Cream and Thera Intense Body Cream.

Final Tip

Remember to smile. Happiness always radiates beauty.

And sign up for The Fall Cult Beauty Haul NOW!

By: Alyssa Barrie Weiss, Twitter: @AlyssaBarrie

Even the product obsessive compulsive rotates a product or two with the change of season. During the summer, when the northern hemisphere is closest to the sun we need to give our skin a little extra added tender loving care. Here is how one particular girl on the precipice of 40 keeps her skin in check all summer long.

Starting With The Basics: Facial Cleansers

We all know it’s important to wash the face morning and night. I’m still 39, for another 9 days anyway, and my skin tends to be sensitive and on the drier side. This summer I’ve worked Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm into my routine. It’s a quadruple-threat spa in a jar. A moisturizing, deep-cleansing, makeup-removing mask and face wash that doesn’t strip the skin of its essential oils. This is a rare and important beauty find especially in summer when we tend to spend more time outdoors. While skin can seem a bit more oily during the summer, it really just needs some extra special loving care. Resist the temptation to exfoliate often and use strong, soapy cleansers. This will only over dry skin and encourage it to produce more oil and sebum. It will also exfoliate any semblance of a healthy tan you may be working on.

Morning Moringa Massage

I store mine in the refrigerator: the cool temperature is refreshing and calms puffiness. I apply it first thing in the morning, take a minute or so to massage it into my skin in the direction of lymphatic drainage.

• Line up your fingers, with both hands, right below the bridge of your nose and sweep out (repeat this down the entire length of your nose and don’t be afraid to apply pressure directly below your eyes) and then make a wide circle down the jaw and meet at the chin.
• From there sweep down your neck. Go back up to the bridge of your nose with your middle fingers and sweep up. Once you hit your eye brow, sweep in an outward motion towards your temples (repeat this upward until you hit your hairline at the top of your forehead) and then back down to your jaw, meeting up at your chin.
• Don’t leave your mustache area out. Place both middle fingers at the center, right under your nose, applying pressure, sweep out and around to your jaw line and meet again at your chin.
• Have a cup of coffee and go about your morning routine.

This enables me to leave the mask on for 10 – 20 minutes. I also apply it to the backs of my hands. When you enter mid to late thirtydom, even if you take A+ care of your skin and have great genes, you will notice age starting to rear its ugly texture on the back of your hands. There is no place that shows age more than the back of one’s hands.

The all-natural scent of moringa is also calming to the senses which is beneficial especially on hectic mornings. Though this cleanser can be used day and night, if your skin is dry like mine, you may want to use it only once a day.  At night I don’t use a cleanser at all. I spray Vine Minus Ion Care Water on a cotton pad and wipe off the day – it is anti-bacterial, hydrating and can be used to remove makeup as well. It also boosts the efficacy of your nightly face care regimen to follow. This is particularly useful as skin care does its most important work at night when we sleep.

Additional note: Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm can also be used as a moisturizing hair mask.

Moisturizing Regimen

In summer it’s important to use a moisturizer with SPF. Institut Esthederm Bronz Repair Sunscreen for Face SPF 15 is an anti-aging moisturizer and sunscreen rolled up into one. Esthederm sun care is – bar none – the best you can find on the market. Its high tech formula works to strengthen the skin’s ability to protect itself from the sun. It contains active beeswax and rice bran oil, both specially chosen for their highly nourishing, moisturizing and anti-free radical properties.

Summer Anti-aging Serums

When using an SPF moisturizer, you must apply a serum underneath. SPF can clog pores and as my mother says, you always need a little something between the wheels and the road. I stay away from face oils during the summer. My skin craves hydration, but nothing so rich or thick. Sapelo Skin Care Renewing Serum floods the skin with the nutrients and moisture it needs to stimulate cellular renewal, including gardenia stem cells, natural humectants and collagen that protect and nourish skin, enabling it to fight signs of aging and protect your pores.

Summer Body Care

The summer sun and air is just as harsh on the body as it is on the face. It goes without saying that one needs to use a sunscreen during the day. Sun Bum makes a high quality, reasonably priced sunscreen that offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection for up to 80 minutes. Great for golfers, surfers, tennis players, sand castle builders and sun worshippers alike and it’s PABA, paraben, oil and fragrance free. Most people are good about applying sunscreen. Where many of us fall off the wagon is in the aprés sun department. After washing off the day you really want to nourish your skin with a lotion that will sooth dry skin, boost elasticity and fight the damaging effects of the sun, pollutants and free radicals. Packed with ingredients like Aloe Vera Juice and, Avocado Oil, moisturizing omegas and powerful antioxidants, Mio Skincare A Cream Firming Active Body Cream will do just that.

Miscellaneous Tidbits

If you are traveling regularly over the summer or just on a summer gym tear, Mio Skincare Your Fit Skin Kit is a great way to sample some of this wonderful body care line. I also recommend Mio Skincare Clean Slate Workout Swipes – these, all natural, full body wipes are ideal for any summer situation you can imagine, including what I’ve come to call a dry shower.

By: Alyssa Barrie Weiss, Twitter @AlyssaBarrie

The Perfect Beauty Gift? It’s in the Bag

Even the most devout procrastinators are starting to think about holiday gifts. Everyone has that one person…who’s impossible to buy for. Who seems to simultaneously be super-selective, yet have everything!

Travel Beauty has officially solved this problem. We’ve gathered some of the most unique—and most effective—beauty finds from around the globe (five different countries, to be exact) to assemble a one of a kind, ultra-luxe exclusive beauty bag, complete with skin care, hair care and body care cult favorites. Even an extra special little something that just might make your smile brighter. You will not find a collection of beauty like this anywhere else!

So what do we have in our bag? Just ALL THIS:

From France

Cosmetics 27 Huile 27: 100% natural multi-tasking face oil can be used on face, body, lips, hair and cuticles. Nourishes, softens, regenerates and protects skin. Provides essential nutrients to restructure the epidermal tissue and help rebalance skin functions.

Institut Esthederm Cellular Water Spray: A multi-tasking miracle spray that energizes the skin and boosts the effectiveness of subsequently applied skin care. Can be used as a toner prior to applying serum/moisturizer, or to set makeup. Also perfect for a quick refresh at home and on the go.

From Israel

Lavido Alert Eye Cream: Revives, hydrates and protects the delicate skin of the eye area. Lightweight formula contains plant-based hyaluronic acid, cold-pressed avocado oil, organic pomegranate seed oil and citrus extracts to brighten, moisturize and relieve puffiness.

From Japan

Binchotan Toothbrush: The Binchotan charcoal blended into each bristle of this chic toothbrush prevents bad breath and helps removes plaque. Activated charcoal also gives off negative ions to prevent harmful bacteria from growing within the brush.

From The UK

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm: This multiple-award winning balm is the most pampering facial cleanser you’ll ever use! Thoroughly cleanses and purifies, helps minimize the appearance of pores, plumps, softens and revitalizes skin while also calming the senses.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer: Originally created for Audrey Hepburn, this intensive moisturizing hair treatment delivers elasticity, bounce and shine to all hair types.

Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner: This duo strengthens and protects hair, leaving it shiny, manageable and lustrous.

From The US

Mio Skincare Double Buff Dual Action Enzyme Exfoliator: A non-abrasive, omega-rich body scrub containing spherical particles of pumice, lava and bamboo to slough away dead skin cells and reveal soft, supple skin with increased clarity and radiance.

Sapelo Skin Care Seaweed Enzyme Mask: Exfoliates and renews radiance with natural plant-based papaya, pumpkin and yeast enzymes. Increases circulation, rehydrates skin and improves mild acne. Leave on for 15–20 minutes, once a week.

Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes: Made with bamboo fiber and infused with Ursa Major’s 4-in-1 Essential Face Tonic, these wonder wipes cleanse, exfoliate, soothe and hydrate.

Travel Beauty Travel Bag: Our signature bag is sleek with luxe touches. You’ll be shocked at how much beauty it can bear!

This is very limited edition, so grab yours now.

By: Claire McCormack, Twitter & Instagram

Adding new products to our curated collection is a true labor of love. From the seemingly infinite number of beauty products available, we select what we consider not only the finest, most effective brands, but also the most unique and artfully crafted as well. When we add a new brand, we do so with much fanfare and excitement because we truly are so jazzed to bring these treasures to you.

We Care About Body Care

I’ve long been interested in body care that “does stuff”. I’ve never quite understood why my face moisturizer was designed to firm, brighten and de-line my face, but my body moisturizer just made me smell pretty (for about half an hour). Hello…my firming/tightening/toning needs didn’t end at my neck! If you’re a body care lover, too, you know that the French have always been at the forefront of body firming innovations. European pharmacy shopping sprees yielded bottles, vials, creams, brushes, oils, gels and more to make all my thigh hopes come true. Unfortunately, at the time when I needed these products most—after having two kids—I was definitely not hopping on a plane for a Parisian pharmacy raid. C’est la vie!

Luckily, brands all over the globe have woken up and smelled the coffee body scrub, and you can now find firming and toning body products just about anywhere. The question is, though, do they work? Let us introduce you to one that really, truly, does. Travel Beauty is excited to add Mio Skincare to our virtual shelves.

The Best in Body Care

Mio Skincare is a comprehensive line of facial quality skin care…for your body. These products were created to energize and fortify your skin. This is body care for real women with real bodies. Instead of promising some unattainable airbrushed ideal, these products are designed to give you “fit skin for life”, your skin at its very best. Many of the products are made to be used in conjunction with an active lifestyle, and/or promise more pronounced results when combined with regular workouts. However, you will see results even if you’d only ever “hit” the gym with your car. I’ve been using these products for a few weeks now and I am beyond impressed with both the quality and the results. As mentioned above, I’ve been on a quest to find the most effective body care products for over a decade now. When I say these products are top-knotch, I mean French pharmacy level firming, toning and tightening.

Another Reason to Love Mio Skincare?

Mio Skincare adheres to a strict “no nasties” policy. This means you won’t find any parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, artificial colorants, sodium laureth or lauryl sulphate, xenoestrogens, phthalates, PEGs or glycols in ANY of their products. Just the most effective ingredients—many plant-based—that actually produce real results. Every product also happens to smell amazing, due to a slew of essential oils and other yummy natural active ingredients.

Full Size Products and Travel Kits

In addition to select full size Mio Skincare products, we have also added two of Mio Skincare’s travel kits. If you are curious about the brand (and how can you not be?), these kits are the perfect introduction to these truly excellent products. If you already love Mio and want to take these firming and toning wonders with you on your next vacation, these perfectly-prepared packs are just what you need. Check them out!

Strong Is The New Skinny Kit

Mio really imbues all their products with empowerment, yet another reason to love the brand. You already know that you are strong and beautiful…now your skin will be, too. No diet required. This kit has 3 perfect trial or travel sizes to give you smooth, strong, resilient FIT skin. This kit comes with:

The Activist™ firming active body oil in 1 fl oz

Double Buff™ dual action enzyme exfoliator in 1.7 fl oz

Future Proof™ firming active body butter in 1.7 fl oz

Your Fit Skin Kit

Never stress about your pre- or post-workout body care regime again. Pack this kit in your gym bag and you’ll have everything you need for skin that’s good to go – north, not south, bouncy not slack. This is a trio of skin firming and muscle fortifying products for a body that’s smooth, gorgeously fit and happy.  This kit comes with:

Boob Tube+® multi-action bust firmer in 1 fl oz

The Activist™ firming active body oil in 1 fl oz

Workout Wonder® invigorating muscle motivating gel in 1 fl oz

Have Questions?

We hope you’ll love Mio Skincare as much as we do. We’d love to hear from you!

Words: Claire McCormack: Twitter & Instagram