fave products // cane + austin glycolic acid retexture pads

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I feel like we're hearing more and more about acids with regards to skincare these days, but I'll admit that they can seem a bit scary at first. An acid on my face? Seems intense. While many people shell out big bucks to get fancy peels and treatments at their dermatologist's office, Cane + Austin, a company started by Dermatologist Craig Austin, uses glycolic acid to give you those professional-grade results at home! Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from cane sugar (hence the name), is both highly transformative and super gentle on your skin at the same time, making it great for regular use.

Cane + Austin's Retexture Pads are made for both your face and body, and come in various levels of glycolic acid (as well as salicylic acid for an extra acne-fighting boost). Depending on your skin type and comfortability, or if you're new to acids, I recommend starting low and working your way up. The one-step pads really couldn't be easier to use, and I love that I can toss them in my suitcase for on-the-go travel as well! This mini facial treatment really packs a punch- it exfoliates, helps even skin tone, boosts collagen, and even helps reduce the appearance of age spots. The pads are also free of fragrances and parabens, making them equally great for sensitive skin like mine as well. 

fave products // osmia organics black clay facial soap

I know I've mentioned this before, but I have very sensitive skin, and am therefore quite conscious of the products I use. Over the last couple years, I started to get small outbreaks of a condition known as perioral dermatitis, which caused me to pay even closer attention to certain ingredients, in particular. After multiple dermatologist visits and tons of personal research, I discovered there are many different causes and triggering ingredients, which vary from person to person. One of the best changes I made in my own skincare routine, however, was switching to Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap. Australian clay and Dead Sea mud work their magic to balance and tone the skin, while almond, avocado, and castor bean oils condition and nourish it. I can honestly say this has been a game-changing cleanser for me, as it has greatly reduced any dermatitis outbreaks and does not irritate my skin in the least. Although these days a bar soap may seem a bit out of the norm, this little guy lathers up wonderfully thanks to coconut oil, and lasts for a very long time. Not to mention it's super convenient to toss in your travel bag! Don’t forget to snag a Soap Saver to keep your bar clean, and give it a nice spot to dry once you’re finished using it. The exceptional, natural ingredients found in Osmia Organics products have completely sold me, and make this a skincare brand worth investing in. 

get fit with britt // triceps

Welcome back to Get Fit with Britt! I'm going to be posting some demos of my fave exercises taught at Pure Barre Williamsburg, with the help of their awesome instructors. Pure Barre is a fast, effective, and most importantly, safe way to change your body, and follows a technique that's high-intensity, but low impact to protect your joints! Thanks to Pure Barre, I have been able to build long, lean (not bulky!) muscles while tapering everything in & lifting it up! For this series, we will pick a particular move, explain the focus area and correct form, then demonstrate it so you can practice at home! That way, if/when you come to the studio yourself, you'll be rocking the moves & way ahead of the game ;) These exercises are also a great way to get fit at home or on-the-go! I find myself regularly using Pure Barre exercises during my hotel room workouts. Additionally, you can get all the outfits I'm wearing at the Pure Barre Williamsburg studio, so definitely go by if you're looking for some fun, new workout gear! Come & join me, get that healthy & strong body you've always wanted- come Get Fit with Britt!

Today's exercise focuses on the triceps. While we typically focus more attention on our arms in spring and summer, I like to keep them nicely toned year-round. Muscle definition is key, and this workout defines in all the right places! Make sure to keep your arms as straight as possible, even though it's easy to let them bend a bit once you start to get tired. Try to keep tension in the tube at all times too- you'll get better results this way! Do 10 repetitions of each movement, and repeat the sequence three times for a killer tricep burn.

*I am not a trainer or health professional, so please consult one if you feel you're doing something wrong or could potentially injure yourself.

fave products // w3ll people bio tint multi-action face moisturizer

 
 

I guess at this point you could call me a skincare and beauty junkie. I love trying out new products, but I tend to stick to ones that have stellar ingredient lists. In other words, non-toxic, vegan and organic ingredients are a plus. Enter W3ll People, a beauty conscious brand that focuses on advanced performance, natural ingredients, and social responsibility. I love that I can feel good about using these products, as there are no harsh or potentially irritating ingredients involved in any way, shape, or form!

One of the first W3ll People products I tried was the Bio Tint Multi-Action Moisturizer with SPF 30.  To me, this is the best of both worlds: makeup and skincare. I love that I'm getting lightweight, flawless coverage over my entire face, but I'm also protecting it from the sun. With ingredients like coconut, broccoli seed oil, and pomegranate working to hydrate, brighten, and rejuvenate your skin, you can rest assured that this moisturizer packs a punch! I've found that some natural tinted moisturizers pill or get flaky when I apply them on top of my other beauty products, but that is not the case here. Bio Tint goes on super smooth and leaves my skin wth a satin, velvety finish. Besides being free of all the potentially harmful ingredients found in most conventional makeup, an added bonus is that all of W3ll People products are super affordable! Keep an eye out for more reviews soon, as I have a feeling I'm just getting started with this beauty conscious brand. 

fave products // avène mineral ultra-light sunscreen

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By now everyone knows the importance of wearing sunscreen. It helps protect your skin from the sun's damaging UV rays, which cause sunburns and can lead to wrinkles, and can even help prevent skin cancer down the line. Knowing that, you'd think everyone would be wearing it 24/7, however, that's not always the case. I'll admit that I could be more disciplined in this regard, but I'm trying to improve for the sake of my skin, both now and in the future! Eau Thermale Avène is a popular French pharmacy brand that I've come to rely on and enjoy thanks to its expert dermatological care for sensitive skin. Many sunscreens out there are made with harsh chemicals that my skin simply cannot handle, so I prefer to use those that are purely mineral-based (made from zinc oxide & titanium dioxide). Avène Mineral Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ (Face) is a 100% mineral facial sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 50 and UVA/UVB filters, is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, goes on sheer without any white residue, and is totally free of fragrance, parabens, and other harsh irritants. As an added bonus, a photostable form of vitamin E provides powerful and effective antioxidant protection! Talk about the full package! I love how it feels, or rather how it doesn't feel, on my skin. It's so lightweight that you'd hardly even know it's there, which makes it great for layering over your other skincare products and under any makeup you may be using. I think it's safe to say this baby has earned a deserved and welcome spot in my daily skincare regimen. 

fave products // true botanicals nutrient mist

I don't know about you, but come summer time, I find myself reaching for a refreshing facial mist on a pretty regular basis. I love a good mist anytime of year, but if it's hot and humid out, literally nothing feels better on my skin! Whenever mine needs a bit of a pick-me-up, a spritz of this True Botanicals Nutrient Mist does just the trick. This one is packed with nutrients and antioxidants, including green & white tea, algae extract, and kombucha, which help to hydrate, nourish, and repair the skin. Even better, these ingredients help fight free radical damage, keep your skin nicely plump, and leaves you perfectly dewy and glowing! For something a bit more affordable, and also more basic, I really enjoy Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray as well.  I always keep a mist or spray in my purse for that extra boost when I'm on-the-go, and it's especially refreshing at the beach on a hot summer day!