June 9, 2016

7 Gold Shimmer Body Oils to Indulge In

live_like_youre_traveling_alla_SMALL1 (1).jpg

When the first summer sun rays come out and playfully relay across all services warming up the bricks in the walls and the tile under our bare feet, playing hide and seek among the leaves on the treetops. We look up with our eyes closed warming our faces and exhale as if we were holding our breath waiting for this very moment. Ah, yes summer is magic!

When we are just in the beginning of the summer season and months of glorious warmth and sunshine stretch in front of us, it may be tempting to just go with the flow and abandon ourselves to chance. Of course if you've been reading us for a while, you know that to Live Like You're Traveling take preparation. It's about getting in the right frame of mind to enjoy the summer. To create and savor the moments.

One thing we can do is to savor summer everyday as if each day is unique. We can take cue from our northern neighbors from Scandinavia, who after the months of winter darkness frame their days and lifestyle around summer sun to give themselves as much enjoyment as possible to last through the year until again the sun once again comes up high in the Nordic sky.

Three years ago (has it been so long!?) we wrote about the gold shimmer oils and it's time to do a refresh of IDEA114 with an updated list.

• • •

The 7 Natural Gold Shimmer Oils To Savor The Summer With

I am still using my beloved Nuxe oil.

Still loving Omorovizca oil from Budapest

and Elemental Herbology from England.

From Estonia, shimmer oil from the brand Joik is bringing us the Nordic tradition of an almost reverence of the summer sun. The brand is named after the ancient form of song of the Sami people.

Lovely gold shimmer for your hair? From Australia, the hair stylist Kevin Murphy created a non "oily" but nourishing and repairing shimmer oil spray. His products are made with great attention not only to the ingredients but also to the sustainable farming practices. (You can buy it in a salon in many major cities.)

Mystical sunstone and citrine oil from the USA.

And how about just dusting yourself with goddess dust! Or you can mix in a bit of this shimmer powder into any organic body oil you're already using for your own semi - DIY shimmer oil!

Now that you're all shimmered up, it's time to go outside and glow in the sunshine!

• • •

How to SAVOR the summer rays even during a busy work week? - Here are 7 ideas!

1 - Grab your morning coffee (or tea, or juice or smoothie, you get the point) and bring it outside with you. Find a sunny spot, stand and sip your drink. Notice your surroundings in the morning light, look up! (SAVOR + SAVOR)

2 - During lunch time, grab your co-worker, maybe one from a totally different department and invite them for a little lunch time stroll. You both get some fresh air, and get to know what each one does and exchange ideas. You will both go back to the office with renewed creative ideas! (SAVOR + CONNECT)

3 - Pack a picnic lunch and head out to a park near your work, or a fountain, or near a waterfront, or simply near a big tree. (SAVOR + EXPLORE + NATURE)

4 - Go street art hunting. Grab a camera (or let's be real, your phone) and go for a walk trying to notice as much street art as you can! You can even google ahead of time for some street art spots near you. (SAVOR + EXPLORE)

5 - Make a date, go to an outdoor terrace, even just for one drink or a desert, have some actual face time with someone special. (SAVOR + CONNECT)

6 - Get out of the train or the bus a stop earlier either going to work or coming back. Walk the extra way!
(SAVOR + MOVE)

7 - Go sunset chasing! Simply look for the best view point to observe the sunset, a walk on the beach? Or a rooftop!? (SAVOR + NATURE)

READ NEXT:

Featured

IDEA115: Get Summery Soft Lips with Organic Lip Tints

Featured

*Weekend Pass* to Saying YES in Anguilla with Mu-Hsien of Live Like You're Traveling

May 14, 2014

IDEA151: Travel the World in your Baby Bag (6 Amazing Natural Products)

by Alla Feldman in NATURE

For whatever reason both Vito and I were convinced that we were having a girl when I was pregnant with Mo. During my 20th week echo we asked the nurse to 'zoom' in so we can know the sex. She zoomed in, we saw, but we were in denial. "What is it, what is it?" We asked. She simply smiled and typed on the monitor: "Hurrah it's a boy!" Because I was so convinced that it'll be a girl, I immediately had to let go of the frilly dresses dancing in my head, the cutesy plastic play pearls and the shimmery organic glosses me and my girl would share. Later, the story repeated itself on the 16th week echo with Vin. (Poor Vito had to let go of the vision of his daughter winning the Miss Universe pageant, which our daughter would have inevitably won.)

After getting over the initial surprise, I started constructing a brand new vision in my mind consisting of adorable overalls, raised collar polos and tiny little bow ties. This however still left the dilemma of cosmetics sharing that I envisioned... But to come to terms with that I have a bit more time, for now I've discovered it is absolute FUN to raid my baby's diaper bag!

And of course in true globe loving fashion, it's really a trip around the world in one diaper bag...

• • •

Here is what I'm getting grabby with:

1 - Pitta Patta Calm & Content Moisturizing Lotion from Australia (Worldwide)

Uses for baby: This is deliciously scented (with lavender essential oil) light and smooth lotion. Perfect for baby massages after a bath.

Uses for mommy: Guess who sneaks this out of the nursery in the morning? Moi! I find this makes a wonderful face and neck moisturizer for the colder windier weather. It's super light and possibly because of the essential oils leaves your face with a dewy glow.

2 - Bjobji Lenitive Diaper Cream from Italy (Worldwide)

Uses for baby: Diaper area. It's unscented and once again really light and smooth. I don't like diaper creams that are thick and sticky. Most creams (and Vaseline) protect the skin from wetness but also seal off the pores not allowing the skin to breathe normally. This natural cream protects but does not block pores. I love it for Vin!

Uses for mommy: Ok, this might be a bit funny, but this is great as a blemish spot treatment... I don't know why, but it works. I guess because it contains zinc oxide to help keep diaper area dry, so it helps to dry the blemish. Just wash your hands after you apply it to your baby's bum ;) (I'm not a doctor, just letting you know it works for me. And btw... still waiting for that day when blemishes don't appear anymore.)

3 - Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash from Switzerland (Worldwide)

Uses for baby: This is a divinely scented cream wash. Because this does not have chemicals it doesn't make crazy sudds and is super gentle and easy to rinse your baby with. I used it on Mo as a baby, and still do! And now I was baby Vin with this also. Little bit goes a long way.

Uses for mommy: I love this as face wash! Just a tiny dab of it washes the face perfectly without giving you that horrible 'squeaky clean' feel. It is super gentle and let's your face keep its moisture.

4 - Gwdihw Cheeky Cherub Baby Balm from North Wales, UK (Worldwide)

Uses for baby: I use this for Vin's cheeks (face cheeks that is). We don't use the little hand gloves to protect him from scratching himself because he just sucks on them. So for the occasional inevitable scratch I use this balm and within 20 minutes the scratch magically disappears! I also use it for any dry skin patch.

Uses for mommy: Besides this product coming in a cute little tin, it's a bit of a miracle worker on many levels! This makes a PHENOMENAL cuticle treatment. After using this I threw my expensive fancy vitamin E one out the window (well, figuratively). I'm constantly touching the baby and he is grabbing my fingers and then sucking his hands so I can't have anything yucky on my fingers. I also use this around the eye area. It instantly perks up the skin around the eyes. This also makes a wonderful primer. I put some around my nose and cheeks and the make-up glides on beautifully and helps the color to really blend into the skin. Love, love, love stealing (I mean BORROWING) this!

5 - Purelan by Medela Nipple Cream (100% Lanolin) from Switzerland. (You should be able to find this, or another brand of 100% lanolin in a baby supplies store in your country.)

This is pure lanolin without any additives, which is pretty much fat secreted by sheep to protect their coat from the environment. It's a 100% natural product and safe to ingest, so you don't have to remove it from your nipple before breastfeeding. Yet at the same time it's an incredibly strong balm! A small 40g tube will literally last forever. Even when you're done breastfeeding keep it for the winter. It'll make perfect hand cream! This I would compare to gardener's balm. It literally repairs cracked skin, but why wait, just use it to prevent cracking. Also great on feet after a good scrub.

6 - Naty by Nature Babycare Eco-Sensitive Fragrance-Free Wipes from Sweden.
(Check listing for your country)

Uses for baby: THESE are the most amazing wipes ever! I've used these on Mo and now on Vin neither of them have ever had a diaper rash/redness.

Uses for mommy (or I should say, the house): I wipe everything with them. Kitchen counter, little spills, hands. ETC. I keep a pack in my kitchen drawer for when I need a small damp cloth for... anything. Yes, they sell special packets of wipes in the kitchen cleaning department, but I find those have too many chemicals and are overly perfumed for the kitchen counter where I clean fruit, or lay a piece of bread.

I'm so glad I've discovered these! It's understandable that brands need to choose how they market their products and sticking with messaging to the target market, but it's too bad more people don't come into contact with these great, gentle products unless they've had a baby themselves. So! Don't ignore the baby section next time you're shopping for beauty products!

• • • LESSONS LEARNED #60 • • •

If your intention is to learn,
you can learn something new even from a baby.

Love it? Share it! - We are dedicated to sharing stories that spark ideas and are meaningful to you. The best way to let us know is to post a comment, like below or pin on Pinterest! ~ For More ways to Live Like You're Traveling, follow us on Feedly, Bloglovin, Pinterest, or Facebook.

READ NEXT:

Featured

IDEA115: Get Summery Soft Lips with Organic Lip Tints

Featured

LLYT Challenge : Get Out of Your Beauty Box, (Part 3)

August 20, 2013

LLYT Challenge : Get Out of Your Beauty Box, (Part 3)

by Alla Feldman

You might remember from my last update that I pretty much thought I've figured it out. But of course, then I had to go and complicate things...

But let's start from the beginning, I mean middle. My vapour samples arrived and I immediately had to play with them. First impression? COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY! The quality is simply amazing. Now keep in mind this is my very first encounter with all natural make-up and I remember that switching to organic personal care products was an adjustment so I was expecting similar here. But not at all! Here are my first reactions:

1. Primer: Stratus Instant Skin Perfector (903)
Not only did it smooth the pores but the slight translucent pigmentation also evened out the complexion. In the summer I get lots of freckles and sun spots but after just putting the primer on I would almost say it was enough by itself without the foundation! Also unlike my old primer that completely mattified my skin, this primer did not wipe out the glow (and lucky me, I have been enjoying nice pregnancy glow).

2. Foundation: Atmosphere Luminous Foundation (115)
I have followed Vapour's instructions on choosing the right color but of course I was very nervous about it actually being a good match considering that I now have to mix 3 different shades to get my right match. And guess what!? The color was a perfect match! It was so perfect that really you can't tell that I'm wearing make-up. The pores were erased and sun spots and other funny pigmentation has disappeared but once again, the skin's glow and the 'good' freckles still came through!

3. Bronzer: Solar Translucent Bronzer (Spicy 223)
I got the sample in the darkest shade just because I figured I can always use less for a lighter effect. Waw. It's unbelievable! It really is "translucent" as the name suggests because it just bronzes your skin but does not look like you've just smeared very dark kasha on. It goes on like a cloud... It makes you look tanner but you can't see it on the skin. I don't know how that's even possible.

4. Blush: Aura Blush Radiant (Intrigue 205)
Once again the color was SPOT ON! Also because of the "built in" light shimmer it really gives your cheeks this ethereal, magical "elf-like" quality... not sure if you know what I mean, but trust me it's a gorgeous effect!

5. Lipstick: Siren Lipstick (Torrid 413)
This was supposed to be a "fun" sample just to play with. I went for a super deep burgundy color. You see, lipstick and I, especially dark lipstick, we just don't get along. I keep buying it and NEVER wearing it. The reason is that I look either like a) 'working girl' or b) little girl who stole mommy's lipstick. So I wear gloss, but sometimes you don't feel like a gloss and you just want some grown up color on your lips. Surprised once again... this lipstick works perfectly on me! Now, if you love the 'regular lipstick effect" then I'm not sure you would like this. But if you like lipstick that does NOT feel like a lipstick, look like a lipstick or 'taste' like a lipstick then run to get this! It's more of a 'stain' really. It just gives your lips color but other then that you don't even know you have anything on your lips! (Which is exactly what I love). A just for "fun" sample became a FOR SURE to buy right away. I have finally found a dark lip color that works on me.

Overall what surprised me the most about Vapour is that you really can't see it at ALL on the skin. It works, it has color, it adjusts your 'face issues', but even if you lean in real closely you can't actually see it on the skin. Magic I tell you!

Here are the results.

• • •

so sad...no makeup :( smug shot

After putting the make-up on, I literally said to myself - this is IT! I'm buying everything I tried because it works perfectly and will replace exactly my old make-up pieces. However... my joy was short lived as after a few hours I was washing the make-up off. Why? The smell it has, is what I find, a rather strong earthy scent. To me it smells like earth after rain, which really is not bad per se, but it is a bit too much when you're constantly smelling it because it's on your face. I even made Vito smell my face to see if he'd be appalled, but he just said it smelled "a bit herbal". (Then again, he is a smart man and knows not to EVER criticize me... so I knew I couldn't really count on him to speak freely.) In the end I concluded that it just wasn't my scent. Oh how disappointed I was. The biggest culprit turned out to be the foundation, as the bronzer and lipstick actually have a delicious scent of orange and cherry respectively, the primer and blush only having a light "herbal" scent.

I decided not to panic and simply give it a few more tries, after all I happened to have tested the make-up on one of the hottest days of the year (28C), and due to pregnancy I might have had a heightened sensitivity to some scents... However it did make me go back to the drawing board and I ran straight onto the comforting page of possibilities; Spirit Beauty Lounge's sample ordering page! I decided to go ahead and give other companies I heard about a chance as well. Still keeping in line with my preferences for a stick foundation and cream blushes...

I chose these to try next:

Additional samples:

Tsi-Lai Organics perfume oil Kizes/ W3LL People Narcissist Foundation + Concealer No 2/ W3LL People Universalist Multi-Use Colorstick No 4/ RMS Uncover Up *22/ RMS Living Luminizer/ RMS Lip to Cheek *Promise/ Kjaer Weis Lip Tint Goddess/ Kjaer Weis Cream Blush Blossoming/ ILIA Beauty Multi-Stick All Of Me

Ordering a sample kit from Spirit Beauty Lounge was by far the easiest way to try all that I wanted from one source. Their 9 samples for $25 (free delivery in US and Internationally) is just perfect. I even threw in Tsi-Lai perfume oil to try as I'd been curious about it, and the Ilia stick in a coral color that I don't usually wear, "just for fun".

What a roller coaster ride? :-) Who knew choosing make-up could be so... riveting! Then again, it's not really buying new make-up that's riveting, it's "Stepping Outside Of MY Beauty Box" that's hard. Stay tuned for the third update on this challenge where I'll reveal my final choices! Unless I run back crying to my old staples...

• • • LESSONS LEARNED • • •

Only by trying something new
will you discover something new.

READ NEXT:

Blog

LLYT Challenge : Step Out of your Beauty Box (part 1)

about 11 years ago

Blog

LLYT Challenge : Step Out Of Your Beauty Box (Part 2)

about 11 years ago

August 3, 2013

LLYT Challenge : Step Out Of Your Beauty Box (Part 2)

by Alla Feldman

Is it August already!? I thought I'd check in with a little progress report to our Step Outside of your Beauty Box challenge .

July came and went in a delicious haze of unusually hot summer weather and trips to the beach right after work to enjoy the long Northern European days... Pasta salad, check, drinks from the freezer, check, kid and towels, check and check! Eventhough I've been extra careful to avoid direct sunlight this summer, because of my delicate status (36 weeks pregnant! ...eeek!) and the skin being extra sensitive to the sun during this time, I still managed to somehow get pretty dark. Once my face is tan there is no need for foundation, blush or even mascara. I got away with relying solely on the above handsome threesome as my beauty entourage:

Badger Balm's Damascus Rose Face Sunscreen as face moisturizer and sunscreen.
Nuxe's Huile Prodigieuse OR on body and face for a lovely shimmer.
Crazy Rumors KibisKiss lip tint as natural lip protection and great color on the lips.

Et voila'! That was it. However don't think I was sitting around twiddling my thumbs. I know that sooner or later the weather will get cooler and the tan will fade away just like those warm summer rays and my face will need 'help' again. So! I have been a busy worker bee asking my friends and "Global Neighbors" for their suggestions of favorite organic make-up options. One company I kept hearing about was Vapour Organic Beauty. I love my creamy foundations, blushes and eye shadows and seems like Vapour's products would give me a similar consistency that I love. I've ordered 5 samples directly from their website, a nice deal for $15 (plus $5 International Delivery and a $10 discount on the next purchase of a full sized product). I am going to be trying the basics; primer, foundation and blush.

Atmosphere Luminous Foundation (115)
Aura Blush Radiant (Intrigue 205)
Stratus Instant Skin Perfector (903)

With these I'm targeting for elimination few of my staples, the Dream Matte Mousse foundation, the creamy blush and Studio Secrets Primer.

Now that I'm at this point I can see it'll be harder then I thought. I've figured out the perfect way to combine my make-up elements to achieve various effects, for example I use three different shades of Dream Matte Mousse mixed together to arrive at the perfect foundation color for me year round. Complicating matters even further I may add a bit of lotion for a shearer coverage and a skin luminizer for extra glow. Because you know, some times you feel like a luminizer, and sometimes you don't.

- - - JOIN THE CHALLENGE! - - -

What's something that you've been meaning to change or try with your beauty regiment? Challenges never expire. Show us how you tackled this challenge. We'd love to feature your results!

Love it? Share it! - We are dedicated to sharing stories that spark ideas and are meaningful to you. The best way to let us know is by posting a comment, like below or pin it on Pinterest! ~ For More ways Live Like You're Traveling follow us on Feedly, Bloglovin, Pinterest, or Facebook.

READ NEXT:

Blog

LLYT Challenge : Step Out of your Beauty Box (part 1)

about 11 years ago

Blog

IDEA114: Get Luminous Skin with this Natural French Beauty Secret

about 11 years ago

July 11, 2013

IDEA115: Get Summery Soft Lips with Organic Lip Tints

by Alla Feldman in NATURE

I don't know about you, but in the summer when it's warm I just want to wear as little as possible! That goes not only for clothes but also for make-up. I just want to take it all OFF. However, while the foundation may hibernate and there is no need for extensive blush, I still want color on my lips. I still want...something! Also keeping in mind a personal challenge to upgrade my cosmetics with more organic and natural options, I was quite critical when searching for my new lip color.

I came across HibisKiss Lip Color and wanted to try it simply because I kind of got seduced by the beyond adorable packaging and thought it would be a great little lip balm for the summer with some natural sun protection build in. When I first put it on I was very pleasantly surprised at exactly how much color it gave my lips! I got "Tropical" and it really complements my natural lip color which is cool pink making my lips more vivid, more present, and giving them a lovely subtle shimmer. It smells and tastes delicious too and is quite long lasting for a 'balm'. Also, it's organic!!! And that's no crazy rumor. ;-) (Rest of the world here.)

• • •

More All Natural Options

1 - Yes to Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint in Sunset Pink. This little number contains peppermint oil which I hear makes your lip tingle a bit after application. How fun for the summer! And imagine sneakingly re-applying this right before smooching with your honey? You'll leave his lips tingling and he won't even know what hit him! (In the US you can grab it at Target or Walmart. Rest of the world here.)

2 - Badger Balm Lip Tint & Shimmer in Jasper Red! This is very interesting because the lip tint comes with a shimmer stick on the other end! Because, some days you feel like a shimmer and some days you don't. ;-) (Rest of the world here.)

3 - Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick in ROSE! Lovely addition to the line-up by this Greek natural company. (Worldwide here.)

4 - Intelligent Nutrients Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss in Purple Maize. It's getting more "complex" here with this deeper grape color. This is more of a gloss, but because it's all natural it's not sticky like the regular glosses. (Worldwide here.)

5 - Kjaer Weis Lip Tint in Goddess. Ok true, at $48 this one is a definite splurge. But I imagine using this as an instrument of seduction... It's a delicious summer night, it's late, you just had a wonderful dinner with your husband/lover/hot guy you met 3 hours ago followed by a decadent desert you both shared... you take out this mysterious (to him) silver case out of your snakeskin purse, rotate the top to open it and proceed to massage your lips with deep burgundy color with your finger. Is it getting hot in here yet? Then you click the silver case shut dropping it back in your purse as he watches you mesmerized. And then... well, what happens then is clearly non of our business.
(Rest of the world here.)

Hope you've enjoyed this organic lip line-up!

• • • WHAT ABOUT YOU? • • •

What organic lip tints do you use?
Know of any good organic lip tint recipes?

Love it? Share it! - We are dedicated to sharing stories that spark ideas and are meaningful to you. The best way to let us know is to post a comment, like below or pin on Pinterest! ~ For more ways to Live Like You're Traveling, follow us on Feedly, Bloglovin, Pinterest, or Facebook.

READ NEXT:

Blog

IDEA114: Get Luminous Skin with this Natural French Beauty Secret

about 11 years ago

Blog

7 Gold Shimmer Body Oils to Indulge In

about 9 years ago