fave products // true botanicals polishing grains

 
 

By now we've all heard about the importance of exfoliation. Exfoliating your skin helps to remove dead skin cells, exposing the soft, smooth, and polished layer underneath. It also helps prep your skin for any other products you'll be applying, like a moisturizer or serum. Exfoliating is one of the best ways to achieve that natural glow all over your body (not just the face!), and these Polishing Grains from True Botanicals make it super easy. Add a few shakes to your usual cleanser of choice, and voilà- you have an instant secret weapon exfoliator! Made from oat flour, adzuki bean powder and rice powder, this super-fine mix of grains work as natural exfoliants that won't irritate the skin. Kaolin clay is a soothing mineral that helps remove impurities and regulate oil production, while rosehip seed powder enriches the skin with retinol and essential fatty acids! Talk about an exfoliator that does it all! Added bonus that these polishing grains are environmentally-friendly, made without plastic microbeads, as well as travel-friendly! Renewed and radiant skin is just a shake of grains away.


get fit with britt // deep abs

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 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 abs, specifically that deep, under layer of abs that can be tricky to reach. Slide your mat about a quarter of the way up the wall, and lean up against it, forming a C curve with your spine. In this slouched position, you are really able to isolate your deepest of abs, effectively toning them just as you do the top layer. Be sure to keep your abs pulled in (navel to spine!) and hips tucked under. Try to keep tension in the tube by pressing out with your hand, and add an exhale along with each bend-stretch of your leg. This personally helps me keep focused and allows me to really target my deep core! Length is more important than height in this position, so it's more beneficial to keep your leg straight but lower, as opposed to bent and higher! Repeat this cycle three times with each leg. 

*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 // collagen

 
VP collagen.jpg
 

By now I'm sure you've heard of collagen and its anti-aging properties, but do you know what it actually is and how it can help you? Let me give you a  little collagen 101 (with the help of The Coveteur). Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It's found in your bones, muscles, skin, and tendons, providing structure and strength to the body. In your skin's connective tissue, collagen aids in providing a firm and supple layer, as well as renewing skin cells. Skin elasticity relies on collagen, and it's what gives your skin a firm, youthful appearance. As we get older, our collagen production decreases, which can create deeper creases, enlarged pores, and less elasticity of the skin. To combat this, topical supplements containing peptides, vitamin C and retinol can work to boost that productivity.

You may also choose to ingest collagen orally, and by doing so can help build connective tissue in your hair, skin and nails, as well as regulate your body's metabolism. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides are a great bioavailable type of collagen- the molecules are small enough so that they're able to get quickly absorbed and used by our bodies, which is keyThis supplement dissolves quickly and easily in water, and has absolutely zero taste. I mix a serving into my coffee for an added health and protein boost. Other than improving hair, skin, and nail health by increasing skin's elasticity and reversing the signs of aging, collagen is a huge proponent of joint and bone health. It's essential for mobility and can help with the regeneration and healing of tendons, bones, and joints. It also helps reduce achiness and pain in the joints! Furthermore, collagen can aid in digestion by providing reparative and soothing properties that help you digest food and improve the absorption of nutrients. Talk about a bang for your buck! Since starting to incorporate collagen into my diet, I've noticed healthier skin, stronger nails, and quicker recovery of sore muscles and achy joints after workouts! I highly recommend adding collagen to your daily routine. 


fave products // glossier haloscope

 
 

My makeup routine is pretty basic. I typically don't wear much of it when I'm not working, and tend to stick to products that both look and feel super natural. Glossier makeup, with its "beauty in real life" mantra, falls easily into this category for me. I personally love that dewy look my skin gets after being out in the sun a bit, and highlighters are a great way to get that same glow, but without the sun damage! Glossier's Haloscope creates this dew-effect with two formulas in one: the outer ring is infused with crystal extracts for all-day enlightenment, while the the oil-based center boasts vitamin-rich moisturizers for a hydrated, dewy finish. I love that it isn't glittery or sticky in any way, but just adds the perfect, natural highlight to my cheek and brow bones. The topaz shade is great for achieving that post-beach sun-kissed glow, while Quartz is a bit lighter, adding a pearlescent highlight to wherever it's applied. The twist-up applicator makes it easy to toss in your bag and apply to your skin whenever you want that beautiful, yet subtle sheen.


get fit with britt // chest

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 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 workout focuses on the chest. While it's easy to focus most of your arm work in the triceps and biceps, it's important to work the chest muscles as well! It is the area that gets shown off when you wear a tank top, after all. Try to keep your neck and shoulders relaxed throughout this exercise- holding tension here doesn't help you! Instead, keep your arms lifted to shoulder height and your elbows wide so that you can effectively tone that tank top line! Do ten reps of each move, and repeat the sequence three times to get the chest muscles pumping!

*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 // fig & yarrow complexion water

 
 

I love keeping a little skin refresher in my bag at all times, for whenever my complexion needs a pick-me-up spritz. There are quite a few options out there these days, and many with high quality ingredients at that. But one that I keep coming back to for not only its stellar ingredient list, but also its calming and balancing nature, is Fig + Yarrow Complexion Water. This aromatic blend of orange blossom, rose water, and sandalwood oil has a luxurious hydrating and toning effect for the face, body, and hair. Neroli oil boasts regenerative and rejuvenating qualities for sensitive skin, and also adds a wonderfully warm and seductive smell to the water. I personally love the smaller, travel-size bottles, because I can keep them with me in even the smallest of purses, not to mention in my carry-on while traveling. Keep an eye out for Fig + Yarrow's other complexion water blend as well, which is made of yarrow, immortelle, and rockrose, and especially beneficial for sun-damaged, aging, or problematic skin. Fresh and rehydrated skin is just a spritz away!

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