The Secret to Perfect Skin

This month Lucky Magazine prompted it's community of bloggers to share their all natural style secrets. I was really excited about participating in this particular assignment as I learned a lot about natural beauty this summer, specifically taking care of your skin. As a result, I spent most of this season completely sans makeup. Although I never wore much of it, I'm a girl who has always sworn by her smashbox concealer, bare minerals powder foundation, and nars orgasm blush. However, a job that had me working outdoors in ninety degree weather did not at all entice me to wear makeup. A melting face is the last thing you want in heat. So, I found an alternative way to enhance my visage. The lesson I learned? Natural beauty will take you a lot farther than a painted face. So, here are my favorite natural beauty products. I hope they will treat your face just as they treated mine!

1. Golden Blossom Honey

Honey may seem like an odd thing to appear on a beauty product list and trust me, that was my initial thought, but over the past few months I learned how to use this natural sweetener for purposes other than to sweeten my tea. Honey is the best thing to use if you can't really afford to spend extra dough on skin care products. Most of us have been there, especially those of us who are struggling to make New York City rent. Using honey and other household essentials, you can create your own daily cleanser and weekly exfoliating cleanser right at home. Here are the two easy recipes I found that work best:

Exfoliating Honey Facial Cleanser:

• 1 tablespoon GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
• 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 
• Mix ingredients together. Gently rub onto face. Rinse with warm water. 

Milk and Honey Cleanser:

• 1/3 cup GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 3 teaspoons rosewater 
• Place the ingredients in a suitable closed container and shake well. Apply a small amount to your face and neck with your fingers. Rinse with warm water. Store remainder in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before next use. 

2. Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water

Eau Thermale Avene's thermal spring water is a simple product made out of the most natural ingredients on earth- water. This spray is good for all skin types and works to soothe and soften skin and restores its natural balance. Its purpose has been validated by over 300 studies and has been used since 1743 at the Hydrotherapy Center to treat serious dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. This summer, I had Eau Thermale Avene's thermal spring water in my purse at all times. It was prefect for when I spent long days outdoors. One spray and I felt instantly refreshed and saved from the dry heat.

3. Glytone Sunscreen

Sun screen in the summer is an absolute must, although many dermatologists recommend using it all year round. My favorite brand for sunscreen is definitely Glytone. When applied throughout the day, It's active ingredients are clinically proven to maintain UV protection. In an era where global warming is a major topic of discussion, using a powerful sunscreen is the safest way to go. Sunscreen is an incredibly useful product, although I don't think it should ever take the place of a great moisturizer, but we'll get to that next.

4. Seventh Generation Hydrating Boost Serum
I received a free sample of this product from Lucky and Seventh Generation for use in connection with this post. That being said, what I think about this product is my actual opinion not a sponsored one. I tried this hydrating boost serum and it did wonders for my skin. It is the primary reason I was so confident in going makeup free this summer. Made out of all natural ingredients this serum will give you beautifully radiant complexion and softer skin. The hydrating serum works as a great daily moisturizer. I highly recommend it.

5. The Body Shop's Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash
The Body Shop is a long time favorite beauty brand of mine. Their products work wonders and it's an added bonus that the company is entirely cruelty free. Made out of all natural ingredients their new tea tree cool and creamy wash and scrub is great for blemished skin. When I had a mini acne break out, I used both products during my morning routine and in a few days my skin was squeaky clean! It leaves your skin feeling so fresh and so so clean.

6. Dr. Owuso Sangria Shea Soap Bar
I've used a lot of Dr. Owuso's skincare products and I virtually swear by them. One of my favorites is her sangria shea soap bar. It is the perfect soap for summer skin as it leaves it feeling completely cleansed, smooth, and smelling amazing. The sangria sent is intoxicating! Save your body from all of the chlorine and UV rays it experiences during the summer by washing with this soap. We will definitely appreciate it.

I hope you you enjoy my recommendations. If you give any of them a try, I would absolutely love to hear how they work out for you! Lastly, as this post was done in collaboration with Lucky Magazine I would greatly appreciate it if you voted for it on Lucky Magazine's website. Additionally, be sure to check out some of the other Lucky Magazine all natural style posts with the hashtag: #ALLNATURALSTYLESECRETS. Have any of your own? Be sure to share them in the comment box below!

Fashion Week Hair by Fabio Scalia

I hate to admit it, but it's been a while since I treated my hair right. I was way over due for a cut and dye and my beautiful jew fro just looked like a giant puff of cray. This fashion week I decided that it was finally time for a change. I desperately needed a new look and wanted to make my mane the main attraction this season. Luckily, Fabio Scalia Salon heard my cry and came to the rescue just in time for fashion's most important week of the year.

Located in the charming Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, Fabio Scalia is an amazing hair salon with an incredibly talented staff and a mass of devoted clientele  The salon was founded by Italian born and internationally trained, Fabio Scalia in 2003. Scalia has worked at the best hair establishments in Europe, including Vidal Sassoon London, Jacques Dessange Paris, Monte Carlo and Aldo Coppola Milan, before he headed to the states where he was recruited by Laurent D. of the famed Prive Salon in Los Angeles. Later, in New York, he completed stints at the legendary Warren Tricomi and Jose Eber before debuting a salon of his own

The thing I love the most about Fabio Scalia salon is how incredibly friendly and understanding their stylists are. Upon entry I was offered a delicious cappachino and a consultation with both my hair stylist, Evelia and my colorist, Simone . For color, I decided that I would be brave and attempt colored tips. I chose to do a lovely lavender. Simone was fully supportive and very excited of my decision. For cut, I chose to simply layer my hair to accentuate my curls.

Before: Jew fro gone cray.

Simone decided to dye my hair back to my natural dark brown color, in order for the lavender tip to beautifully contrast with it. After putting in the dark dye she then braided pieces of my hair and dyed the ends of them lavender. She explained that this would result in an even dip dye for my curls.

Now a zoom in on my face after the dye was washed out. Evelia decided to cut my hair dry as I have curly hair and newly dip dyed ends and she wanted the whole look to be perfect. She used Oribe supershine light moisturizing cream and Oribe cream for styling before blowing out my hair to give it a shiny and healthy look. She then layered my hair, which is a better and fuller look for when I wear it curly.

Look at the smile. I love when people play with my newly cut and dyed pretty hair. 

The final result. Unfortunately, my hair kind of resisted the lavander dye so the tips came out a sort of blonde. However, I'm still really happy with the final product.

Thank you Simone and Evelia of Fabio Scalia for my new look! I absolutely love it and so did my fashion week cohorts. Special thanks again to Fabio Scalia Salon and Drew Clay for taking the photographs and putting this all together. I will definitely return soon!