July Favorites!

One of the finer things about living in Georgia is the fact that we experience all four seasons.

And we southern gals know good and well that the red clay we walk on isn't the only thing baking in that hot sun come summertime - our skin and hair suffer too.

With the hot rays stripping away nutrients, it's so important to replenish your body. And it takes a little extra love and care to keep our locks finely coiffed (and sufficiently teased) and our skin nice and dewy.

Here are some of my favorite things that have helped fight the humidity and have quenched my very dry skin and thick (yet fine) hair.

Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion

photo:  bluemercury.com

This product can work for every skin type. It feels more like a tonic or astringent, really. Initially I thought it would only work for oily or normal skin types but I have extremely dry skin and this has not caused any problems as far as I can tell.

I use this product morning and evening after cleansing with my normal cleanser. It deep cleans pores and truly leaves skin refreshed. Because I have dry skin, I follow up with a heavy-handed amount of moisturizer or cream to replenish my skin's ph-levels and to add moisture for elasticity.

I have really enjoyed this over the summer because the makeup/residue/suntan lotion/sweat that clogs our pores during our jaunts outdoors is extremely difficult to remedy. This stuff does wonders for deep cleaning. Plus, you feel so so very fresh after application. I use a cotton square.  The price is right, too.

Available at Nordstrom: Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion, $15


Naturopathica Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream

photo: natureofbeauty.com

Natural calendula comes from the calendula flower and has amazing anti-inflammatory properties that are great for treating skin irritations, particularly itchy skin or rashes or sunburns.

Calendula is fantastic for dry skin or sun-damaged skin because of its healing properties that make skin supple and moisturized. Calendula oil is great for under the eye skin to combat premature aging.

I discovered this stuff a little over a year ago and can personally attest to a litany of skin issues it has corrected. It's single-handedly the most effective thing I've ever used.

The spa I like to go to sells this locally. It's pricey but I rely on it because it works.

Available at Natural Body Spa or Naturopathica Holistic Health

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream

photo: shop.nordstrom.com

There's a reason this cream is on Bobbi's "Greatest Hits" list. I'm starting to use this cream as a primer to my foundation in the morning. At night, I use calendula, but this is FANTASTIC to keep your skin hydrated under foundation all day long.

Having a great primer on your skin helps your skin absorb the foundation and makes it last longer. Highly recommend.

Available at Bobbi Brown





Jamison Shaw Vita Plexx

Another important item to have in your bag is a great de-tangler. This one is from my hairdresser's at Jamison Shaw in Buckhead. Vita Plexx is conditioning, has SPF to help prevent color fade and sun damage and works wonders after the pool.

Available in store or at Jamison Shaw Online.

Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Mask

photo: oteenvogue.com

This mask is absolutely phenomenal. It hydrates hair, seals cuticles and restores shine.

Use when you're cleaning, studying, responding to emails before bed, or sleep with in it in your hair overnight with a cap on. I love this stuff and use it once a week.

Available at moroccanoil.com


Trish McEvoy Beauty Balm "BB" Cream

I've raved about Trish products before, especially this one in particular. The only unfortunate thing about this product is the price. $90 is a step price to spend on a tinted beauty balm.

Trish's products are formulated with the help of her dermatologist husband and has many amazing ingredients for your skin, but the SPF content along with the amazing coverage is what makes me buy this.

I pop this on my face to even out my skin tone and provide coverage and protection! in the sun where I'd normally forego makeup. It's long-lasting and makes skin look dewy.

This bottle lasts FOREVER. One pump is really all you need for a full face of moisturizing foundation. It just makes me feel prettier too when I'm in the sand or by the pool. It's not cute to thane a cute bikini but your face isn't also done up (just a little).

Available at Woo Cosmetics in Buckhead or Nordstrom

Olive Oil

photo: joyandsunshine blog

Personally, I prefer my olive oil on a nice little plate of pasta but you can't always get what you want.

Instead, I more frequently use olive oil on my body. I mix it with organic brown sugar for a face and body scrub that is simply divine.

I also rub it on my cuticles for conditioning. I mix it in my with hair conditioner (a very little bit will do) for some shine.

Live and love olive oil.

Available at Whole Foods or any market.


Banana Boat Protect and Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30

You know what is REALLY gross? Mineral Oil.

That's the stuff mechanics use ... yes like cars and engines and grease and well, mineral oil.

It's also in MANY beauty products, especially tanning oil and sunscreen.

Banana Boat is all I will use because this particular formula has a moisturizer in it and does not contain that icky mineral oil. I don't like tanning oils. For one, they are HORRIBLE for your skin. The spray ones mostly don't even touch your skin because mist blows with the sea breeze.

All you need for that added tan acceleration is cocoa butter over your sunscreen.

I love this stuff, hopefully you will give it a try. I buy mine at Ulta.


Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

photo: bluemercury 

Ever heard of a setting spray? This product is a fantastic one.

After applying makeup (your whole face of makeup) simply spray this on to set the makeup and seal it to make it last longer.

I also spray this on after the beach or pool and just about every day, midday for a pick me up. You wouldn't believe how thirsty your skin is midday because of the stress and the makeup and the dry air in the office. You can even spray it on your hair.

Available at Nordstrom



Raw Aloe:

You can pick up an aloe leaf (branch?) at Whole Foods or Publix for a couple of bucks and you wouldn't believe the great beauty savings from that. Aloe is such a wonder-plant because it has every healing quality and moisturizing capability known to man.

Buy a leaf, trim the outer ridges, then slice the leaf into sections. Peel the membrane to expose the healing gel. You can youtube this for a how-to.

I use the raw gel as a mask. You wait about 15 minutes for your mask to tighten and then wash off with a damp cloth or just rinse. You skin feels tight and hydrated afterwards.

Water

There's nothing like the benefits of drinking water to keep your body hydrated and beautiful. :)

Cheers to feeling great and well-cared for!

Brooke

Introducing Plā Beauty. You're Welcome!

If there's one thing that every southern belle loves (apart from sweet tea, magnolias, country boys and a front porch) it's makeup.

Did Scarlett O'Hara forget her powder before she went to the barbecue at Twelve Oaks? No, no she didn't.

And just like our favorite petticoat wearing Georgia peach, belles today appreciate makeup and its glorious ability to add to our charm.

But sometimes it's just so hard to find the perfect foundation that will stay with you the entire day. Kinda like it's hard to find the perfect blend of Ashley Wilkes and Rhett Butler.

You know what I mean? A foundation needs staying power, but also the ability to make you feel gorgeous.

That doesn't always go hand in hand.

But I found my match when I was introduced to Plā Beauty at Woo Cosmetics by the owner herself, Stephanie Green-Bass. 

I needed a foundation that gave me full coverage, that felt good on my skin, that stayed with me like a real gentleman and made me glow with a southern belle simper.

Pla Beauty Liquid to Powder foundation does all of these things and I love it. I'm positive there's no other foundation for me.

lauracarsonmiller.blogspot.com

When I sat down with the creator of the brand, she explained the purpose, the love and care behind the creation of her line. And she gave me the best makeup application I've ever had. Seriously.

I would be remiss to not mention the admirable story and inspiration behind the brand. Pla Beauty was created by Stephanie Green-Bass in memory of her daughter who she tragically lost to an infection only 18 days after her birth. 

Comforted by the wonderful staff at Children's Healthcare of Altanta, Stephanie was encouraged and, in thanks for their support during such a trying time, Stephanie donates a portion of every sale to Children's Healthcare. 

And despite the difficulty with making such a huge commitment to a cause when you're starting a new line, Stephanie has not faltered and maintains her pledge. 

With a background in the industry, having worked with Carrie Underwood (who wears Pla Beauty), Green-Bass created the line because playing with makeup empowered her, made her happy and she felt she could share quality product with other women and bring smiles to their faces.

Daily Candy

Now, I've tried a good amount of her line and I am just floored by how amazing it all is. The lip glosses aren't sticky and go on smoothly. The color palettes are gorgeous and current. The foundation is lovely.

And I just love supporting inspirational women. And Stephanie Green-Bass is absolutely that. 

Not only is she kind and such a lady, she has such a passion for her line and dedicates her days to making her product better. She cared to ask what I looked for, what I liked about her line and what I would like to see. 

In short, I'm telling you this is a brand to really get behind.

Available at Woo Cosmetics in Buckhead and in Nashville and at Parlour 3 (Where Carrie goes, in Brentwood, TN).

Support an amazing cause and an amazing, passionate southern lady and feel beautiful.

Check out the website, too!

Cheers,

B

One Stop Beauty Shop: Woo Cosmetics, Buckhead

Hate dodging the wafts of perfume and the excited sales associates shoving blush brushes at your face in cosmetics departments? Yeah, me too.

There's a time and a place for all of that, but there's also a time when it's nice to just peruse beauty products without the pressure of buying and without the irritation that comes with big brand department stores. 

Woo Skincare and Cosmetics provides just that sort of luxury. 

Woo Skincare and Cosmetics

Tucked away in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center off of Peachtree Road, Woo Skincare and Cosmetics provides top beauty products in a wonderful package: a no pressure environment with friendly associates who know and use the products and won't bother you until you need them.

Seriously, never have I walked in there without being greeted with "Let me know if I can help you, would you like a water or a cocktail or something while you enjoy looking?"

They are that kind and relaxed. What more could you ask for?

There's actually more, though. With visits from the big names themselves, (hello, Trish McEvoy!) and a full spa in the back of the boutique, Woo is a beauty powerhouse in a very laid-back, accessible environment.

Here are some of my favorite things to purchase at Woo:

Pla Beauty Lipglosses

Pla Beauty is an AMAZING line of beauty products created by an Atlantan lady who was inspired by her daughters (one of her daughters passed) and pledges proceeds to Children's Heathcare of Atlanta in her daughter's memory. What a beautiful gesture. I'm a huge fan of Pla Beauty, love supporting the brand and it's ONLY available at Woo to the best of my knowledge.

Trish McEvoy Beauty Balm

 Trish McEvoy has been a long-loved beauty line in my life. First of all, Trish is famous for her beauty organizer concept which is FABULOUS. More on that later. What means the most to me about Trish products is that Trish developed her product line with there dermatologist-husband so I trust the McEvoy line very much. It certainly is worth the money; her foundations and moisturizers (Beauty Boost is a life-changer) are the best things I've ever used for my skin.

Kai candle

 I was first turned onto Kai candles when the infamous store Blue Genes was alive and well at the Shops Around Lenox. They smell so fantastic and Woo is the only place that I know of that sells them. Kai also makes lotions I think and probably a few other items. You can't go wrong.

Dermalogica Products

 Admittedly, I've only used one of the Dermalogica products before, the Ultra Calming Serum. With travel and seasonal changes (when will it ever just stay warm?) my skin has just become so confused. Distressed, I went to Woo and the associate calmed be down and introduced me to Dermalogica because she used the same product to cure an allergy to a concealer. This stuff has WORKED. My skin is so much better, more moisturized and calm. Dermalogica products do what the associate promised, because she new from experienced. I credit her knowledge and expertise for helping me out.

Moroccan Oil Product Line

 Moroccan Oil is a god-send to the hair care world. The treatment oil seals the hair follicle, protecting your hair's luster and creating shine. The treatment oily can be applied as a mask (I do this while studying). The shampoo and conditioner is amazing as well as the masks. Woo even has the travel kits that will get you through airport security and will keep your tresses looking fabulous while jet-setting.

Trish McEvoy Beauty Organizer

I had mentioned that Trish McEvoy is famous for her organizer and rightfully so. Trish has created a system for organizing makeup that makes application (and packing) so effortless that I just can't contain my excitement about it.

Each makeup step: Foundation, Powder, Blush, Bronzer, Eye Base, Eye Concealer, Eye Shadow, etc magnetizes into a "beauty organizer page" and voila! you can flip thru your makeup like a book. It's so genius. There are smaller organizers available (highly recommend) that you can stash into your work tote or gym bag or what have you.

Woo has specials on the organizers, like the beauty planner that's available now in pink. You get about $400 worth of product for $150. They are SO cute, too. Love it.

If the broad range of product lines (Caudale skincare, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, YSL, Fresh, St. Tropez, Chantecaille and Giorgio Armani) aren't enticing enough, just think of the idea that a darling little beauty boutique offers the finest beauty can offer, right in your neighborhood.

No pushy sales to be made. No frustrating mall parking issues. 

Just beauty loveliness, all for you to enjoy.

Locations in Atlanta and Nashville, keeping it southern. <3

Thanks Woo!

B