Best of Beauty & Wellness 2019
1. Myofascial Release Balls: These balls come in three sizes. I use the small one for my hands, the middle size is great for the arches of my feet and the large size is good to use against a wall for the neck and shoulder area. These are just some of the ways you can use them and they are great for getting deep tissue relief for those days when you can’t make it to a massage therapist. Another favorite from last year (not pictured above), is my foam roller. Once I was shown how to use it properly by my trainer, it changed my life.
2. Cryocup: If you read my "Best of 2018" post, you might recall I mentioned icing the face - a little trick I picked up from my facialist. I started hearing about this cryocup on social media last year so I decided to give it a try because I’m a sucker for good gadget. There are pros and cons to this product... Pros: you can hold the ice without freezing your fingers off and you can place it back in the freezer to re-use several times. Cons: the bottom is open, as you can see in the picture, so it gets a bit messy when it starts to melt. You will need a washcloth close by or you can just stand over the sink while icing your face. Icing is great for anywhere you need to reduce inflammation on your body, not just the face. I tend to use it often on my ankles after a long day on my feet. If you aren’t into spending money on this product you can easily use a dixie cup (a trick I picked up from a physical therapist) or just do what I did in my 2018 post and hold the ice cube in a washcloth.
3. Lord Jones CBD Salts: Unless you are living under a rock, you know that CBD is all the rage these days. I was gifted these bath salts for my birthday and I must say, I feel great after soaking in a bath with these salts. They are handmade in small batches from the finest ingredients including pink Himalayan salt, arnica, magnesium rich Epsom salts, calendula petals, a unique blend of terpenes, essential oils and CBD of course.
4. Los Poblanos Lavender Salve: I discovered Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm during a visit to New Mexico last year. Check out my New Mexico travel blog post for more on the property which I loved! Their signature lavender salve is an original recipe of the owner that is hand poured from their 1934 Garland stoves once a week using the lavender grown right on the farm. It’s a great multi-use product and a little goes a long way.
5. Mario Badescu Facial Spray: In the past I’ve purchased the rose water version but last year I discovered the lavender, chamomile, aloe spray. I use this spray pre and post make-up and quite frankly whenever I need a little pick me up.
6. Shani Darden Retinol Reform: I had my eye on this serum for years. I took advantage of a Black Friday sale last year and made the purchase. I loved how it made my skin feel pretty much immediately. I use it every other day and haven’t experienced any irritation or side effects which is my main concern when using retinol products. In addition to retinol, it also contains lactic acid, niacinamide and aloe vera. Well done Shani Darden!
7. Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen: So many sunscreens feel heavy on the skin, leave a white cast and tend to cause breakouts. My experience with Elta MD is the total opposite. I love this sunscreen and during the summer months I don't even feel the need for a moisturizer when I use it. It provides a nice glow and is great under make-up as well.
8. Bare Minerals Loose Mineral Powder Foundation: This isn’t necessarily a “2019 find” but worth including in this post nonetheless. I have been using mineral foundation for many years. Regardless if you have sensitive skin or not, mineral foundation is a great option for skin coverage minus all of the pore-clogging ingredients. It also provides non-chemical sunscreen protection at the same time. They have a wide range of colors to choose from. My little trick to avoid getting that powder face look is to mist it with a setting spray at the end of the application such as the Mario Badescu spray mentioned above. They have a matte version and the original version which provides more of a luminous finish. I also have a couple of their blushes as well…. Missha Magic Cushion Foundation: If you aren't into powder foundation, this cushion foundation is a nice option. It’s lightweight yet provides buildable coverage. It contains some plant extracts along with key ingredients such as Bamboo water, Baobab tree fruit extract & witch hazel extract. The price is right as well, you can purchase it for $19 on their site but I found it on Amazon for $12.50. The only downfall is they only carry four shades.
You can try all of the products and gadgets in the world but my two major WELLNESS takeaways from 2019 focus on your internal well-being.
9. Personal Trainer: In 2019 I discovered the value behind a great personal trainer. In a market saturated with “trainers”, it’s easy to find one that is not so great. The changes I have seen in my body and my overall strength is all the proof I needed. Make sure you find one that is not only knowledgeable about the latest exercises but one that understands the body inside and out. I love a good group class but I have walked away with my fair share of injuries from them. There is something to be said about someone focusing solely on you. Yes, they can be an investment but it’s worth it if you find the right one.
10. Wellness Getaway: One can make the argument that any vacation is a “wellness getaway” and you would be correct. Wellness is an individual pursuit and wellness travel is immersive and authentic. A true wellness getaway can you leave you transformed. Taking care of your body, mind and putting yourself first should be a priority in your life, especially in the world we live in today - where stress, anxiety and health issues seem to be more apparent in our everyday lives. Whether you want to stay in the U.S. or venture out overseas, you can find a true wellness property to fit your needs. Head over to my Miraval travel blog post to get a little sneak peak into the world of wellness travel and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you are ready to commit to feeling better, SolBrilla Travel can book your next getaway.