I have a close friend's bachelorette party in Puerto Rico this weekend, and used my day back home from Asia to shop for some fun outfits and accessories for the trip--definitely not the first time I've been saved by same day delivery from Net-A-Porter. Here are my favorite finds for a bachelorette in a beach locale. Inspired by colorful and vivacious Old San Juan, I gravitated towards cutout bathing suits, playful rompers for nights out, and vibrant heels.
We enjoyed dinner in Shanghai tonight, complete with a view of the Bund and it's fluorescent skyline. I am loving this light, fringy sweater dress from Revolve--perfect for dinner and drinks when the weather is mild.
TRENCH BURBERRY / DRESS ZARA / BOOTS FRYE / SUNGLASSES RAY BAN
Getting lost in the crowd today outside of Shibuya Station. J scouted the location--he's really starting to take to the blogger-husband role (baby steps). Dressed for strolling around this epic city in a classic beltless Burberry trench, mohair dress and chunky heeled boots.
An at-home facial is one of the best things you can do for your skin. I like to do a multi-step facial twice a week to give my skin that extra TLC. It's a perfect activity on a hungover Sunday, when putting on pants to leave the house seems too daunting a task. You'll feel so accomplished! Here are the three steps I typically follow, along with my favorite masks in each category. Don't cleanse your face between every step or you'll dry it out--use micellar or rose water and fluffy square cotton pads (they do a much better job than cotton balls).
Treatment: First, I treat my breakout-prone areas with a deep cleansing mask. Look for a clay mask that dries to a thick paper mâché-like consistency. This helps draw impurities from your pores to prevent breakouts and prep your skin for the next steps of the facial. Unless you have allover oily skin, only use this mask in areas that you break out--for most people, this is your T-zone. Typically, this kind of mask should only stay on for 5-10 minutes, and you will most likely need to wet a washcloth with warm water to remove it. The Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Masque is incredibly oil-absorbing, and is perfect for oily skin. The Natura Bisse Stabilizing Cleansing Mask feels like silk when applied, and leaves your skin with a nice glow when taken off. For a natural and budget friendly option, try the Yes to Tomatoes Skin Clearing Mask. For dry or mature skin types that do not experience clogged pores and blemishes, skip the clay mask and look for a gentle scrub mask to slough away dry skin (such as Glamglow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment or derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub).
Enzyme: This is the active, glow-producing step of your facial regimen. Enzymes/acids encourage cell turnover, even skin tone, reduce fine lines, and diminish hyperpigmentation and scarring. Ingredients to look for include lactic acid, fruit enzymes and glycolic acid. It's good to rotate these masks, as the ingredients are extremely potent and may be irritating if used more than once per week. Some of these masks can be left on for up to an hour, but make sure your skin has a tolerance for such active ingredients. Starting with a 10 minute application and observing how your skin reacts is a good idea when trying any new mask. The REN Glycol Lactic Renewal Mask is very powerful, with a marmalade-like consistency. It has four different types of acids that do a phenomenal job of fading spots and visibly brightening the skin, even after only one use. The Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask provides an incredible glow, and can be left on for a long time--the instructions say up to 30 minutes, but I don't find my skin to be irritated even after an hour or two. It dries clear with a slight sheen, so I have applied this when leaving for an early flight and removed it once the plane takes off. I also love this one before a night out because of the immediate radiant effect. The Mario Badescu Enzyme Revitalizing Mask is great for dehydrated skin and leaves a similar instant-gratification sort of glow following use. It has added antioxidants to help fight free radical damage. Sunday Riley Good Genes isn't only a mask, though it can definitely be used as one. This miracle product is an extremely effective lactic acid treatment that can be used in the morning or evening. It leaves skin looking smoother, brighter and more even toned. There is no better at-home treatment for reducing scarring and hyperpigmentation.
Moisture: Finally, your skin needs to be soothed and moisturized. Moisturizing masks can be in a typical paste-like consistency, clear and runny like a moisturizer, or in a sheet form (we'll save that chat for another day). Make sure there aren't any irritating ingredients such as perfumes or propelyne glycol. I like to shower during this step without washing the mask off, so the steam helps the mask penetrate my skin. Remove with rosewater and follow with a nourishing moisturizer and facial oil for your skin type. The Mario Badescu Rose Hips Mask is an active yet calming multitasker. Great for sensitive or dry skin, this contains powerful antioxidants to brighten while also soothing the skin. If at any given time you feel your skin is too fragile for an enzyme mask, this is a great alternative. Also from Mario, the Azulene Calming Mask is my go-to last step in my facial routine. It is incredibly moisturizing and calming and perfect for sensitive skin. Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Rosewater Mask is a great cheap and cheerful pick--all natural and soothing with a heavenly scent. Unlike the Mario masks, it has an indulgent, whipped consistency that only necessitates wiping off the excess (the directions actually say to wash off with cool water, but I think this is overkill). The Avene Soothing Moisture Mask is perfect for the winter, as it's lotion-like consistency and tissue-off removal are super gentle on chafed skin. The excess product following removal adds a needed layer of moisture.
This week we leave for Tokyo, which is one of my favorite cities in the world. Tokyo has such a fun and adventurous style when it comes to fashion. True to form, I've been taking the opportunity to do some shopping for unique clothing and accessories for the trip. Futuristic looking leather, kimono style rompers, statement sunglasses and fuzzy coats are all on my wish list. Here are some of my favorites.
Bali, as you may have heard or seen for yourself, is a remarkably spiritual place. It's easy to see how people from all over the world visit and end up extending their stay by a few days, a week, even years. The Hindu religion of the island, mixed with influences from Buddhist and indigenous cultures, combine to create a feeling of spirituality that stands out from anywhere else. We spent most of our time in Ubud, and several days in Seminyak as well. We began our trip with a four day yoga retreat at Blooming Lotus just outside of Ubud. It was an incredibly refreshing way to rejuvenate and center ourselves to begin our time in Bali. Make sure to visit Cantika Spa Alami for a unique and revitalizing spa experience with beautiful views of the vast rice paddies.
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Parisian pharmacies are like a candy shop for the beauty-obsessed gal. Some of these items you can order online, but in Paris there they are all in the same wonderful place, often for a significantly lower price. Here are some of my favorites. Biafine is a wonderful soothing cream used to treat the skin. I use it to heal cuts and scrapes, to fade blemishes, and for sunburns (very rare these days!!). Homeoplasmine is technically for nursing moms to ease their chafed nipples (ouch), but I use it as lip balm, and to moisturize my cuticles and dry spots on my hands. Avene is a great brand--their products are made with gentle but effective ingredients. I love the Soothing Moisture Mask during the winter to ease dry skin. I usually use it as the last step during a multistep, at-home facial. The Antirougeurs Dermo-Cleansing Milk is a wonderful morning cleanse for dry, sensitive skin. I use that in the winter as well, when my skin can get quite red from those bitterly cold New York days. I am usually not a fan of micellular water, but the Bioderma Sensibio H2O is super gentle as a first cleanse. If I am wearing foundation as opposed to my usual tinted moisturizer, this is really nice to get all of my makeup off before cleansing. The legendary Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is a true multitasker. It is a lovely, all-purpose primer and moisturizer that can also be used as a cold cream to take off makeup. Lastly, my favorite brand of hair products: Klorane. The ever popular Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk is honestly the only dry shampoo I have found to be truly effective. That is, it actually looks as though I washed my hair that day, it doesn't leave a residue, and doesn't have a weird baby powder/old lady sort of smell to it. Klorane's Shampooing à la Camomille is the absolute best shampoo I have found for my ever varying shades of blonde (J uses it on his light brown hair too). It preserves my color, and leaves it baby hair levels of silky, healthy-feeling and clean.
MAKEUP REMOVER THE HERITAGE STORE / FACE WASH SUNDAY RILEY / TONER PETER THOMAS ROTH / SERUMS CLARINS & SUNDAY RILEY / EYE CREAM TARTE / MOISTURIZER KATE SOMERVILLE
For the record, I do not have perfect skin. Without intervention, my skin is extremely combination (more like bipolar), ruddy, acne-prone and sensitive. I have an allergy to products with significant amounts of propelyne/butelyne glycol, which is in nearly everything. Bottom line: if I can have 90% nice skin 90% of the time, you can too. That being said, I have gone through a lot of trial and error in my skincare voyage. Here's my current nighttime regimen: I remove my makeup with the rosewater before cleansing, then apply the rest in the order shown. Note: Luna is a strong retinol that may be too harsh to use every night. My skin can only tolerate every second or third day. For this reason, it also should not be used when pregnant.
PANTS ALICE AND OLIVIA (similar) / SHOES BRIAN ATWOOD (similar) / SUNGLASSES RAY BAN / WATCH CARTIER
We're back in New York for a few weeks and I'm loving this spring weather. I'm a huge fan of transitional dressing, and in NYC it feels like the mild temperature only lasts several fleeting weeks. Here I mixed mohair and sheer silk, and paired the wide leg pants with gold heels and accessories to play up the 70's feel.
Of the many islands that form the Philippines, we decided to visit Bohol and Coron, an island in Palawan. Since nearly all international flights are through Manila, we stayed there for two (non-consecutive) nights as well. Bohol is a well developed island with a lot to do, nice beaches, and something resembling a nightlife, so it was perfect that we traveled there with friends. Coron, on the other hand, is incredibly remote, with a tiny main "town" center. Activities more or less exist within and around your hotel, and typically involve sailing the area around the island. You'll swim in the crystal clear lakes that appear from absolutely nowhere in the middle of the ocean, bordered by massive rock formations.
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Brooke Morton, New York, NYC, travel, packing list, skincare, beauty, fashion, wellness, recipes, chic, glamorous, style, blog, glowtrotter.
Based in NYC. Love for all things beautiful: beautiful places, skin, and clothes. And feeling your most beautiful both inside and out.
