DIY Coffee Body Scrub!
3 ingredient DIY coffee scrub
~Lavender, Coffee and Coconut Oil Body Scrub~
I love this body coffee scrub and it’s so easy to make! It’s definitely an easy, lazy DIY coffee scrub. We’re going to approximate the amount of the 3 ingredients used. Play around with the consistency you like! If you’d like a more moisturizing scrub, add more coconut oil. If you prefer it like a sugar scrub, add more coffee grounds. It’s really that easy!
If you’re a coffee lover, this will put to use the leftover coffee grounds that are left in the coffee filter after you make your morning coffee!
The coffee grounds exfoliate, and the caffeine content in the coffee promotes blood flow.
The coconut oil moisturizes your skin.
The lavender essential oil adds an aromatherapy and relaxing experience to your scrub.
If you would like to stick with organic skincare, simply keep your 3 ingredients organic! :)
What you’ll need:
Organic coconut oil
Organic lavender essential oil
Organic coffee grounds
Coffee Maker
Jar
Directions:
Brew your morning coffee.
Add leftover coffee grounds to your jar.
Add about 1tbsp - 2tbsp of Coconut Oil to the jar with coffee grounds.
Add a few drops of lavender oil to the coconut oil and coffee grounds.
Mix all 3 ingredients together.
Each time you make coffee, keep adding the coffee grounds to the jar, and continue replenishing your coffee scrub jar.
I especially love the smell of coffee, lavender and coconut oil while I’m exfoliating with this scrub in the shower.
That’s it! Enjoy!!! :)
X O
Laura
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Chia Seed Pudding! Easy Vegan Breakfast Recipe!
Vegan. Low carb. Could be a breakfast or dessert! Make individuals for the whole week! :)Chia Seed Pudding DIY Vegan Recipe
Vegan, Low Carb and Sweet
Perfect for breakfast, or even a dessert
Save this recipe to your Pinterest board!
I just made Chia Seed Pudding for the first time this week and already know this will be a daily breakfast and dessert for me. Since I don’t like eggs, and I’m vegetarian, my go-to breakfast has been oatmeal for the last 2 years. But, I needed a change, and something that wasn’t too heavy, but where I still felt full.
Ok, so this whole recipe of throwing it together took me about 15 minutes to make.
Ingredients (1 serving):
Chia Seed Pudding:
-Coconut Milk, unsweetened (3/4 Cup)
-Coconut Nectar (1 tbsp) *or maple syrup/fav sweetener
-Chia Seeds (1/8 Cup)
-Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
Toppings:
-1 Apple
-Cinnamon (not measured)
-Cocoa Nibs (not measured)
Directions:
Add coconut milk into each bowl.
Add chia seeds into each bowl.
Add vanilla extract and coconut nectar. Stir mixture.
Allow the pudding to sit on the counter for 5-10 minutes and stir mixture every few minutes.
Finally, cover each bowl with foil, or a top, and place in refrigerator overnight.
Tip: If the mixture is too liquid-y, you can add more chia seeds to thicken it.
Tip: In the morning, you can put any toppings you want on top your pudding. I chose apples and cinnamon with cacao nibs. However, other ideas are strawberries, blueberries, your favorite fruits, shredded coconut flakes, or granola.
Scroll down for linked products used in this recipe and a gallery!
Chia Seed pudding and morning coffee <3
Healthy lifestyle and wellness tip—>
If you’re wondering what Coconut Nectar is, it is the sap from the flower of a coconut tree. Coconut nectar has a low glycemic index, which means it does not spike your blood sugar compared to agave, or maple syrup, or processed sugar. Coconut nectar has 17 amino acids and a ton of other beneficial minerals in it. I buy mine at Whole Foods, Sprouts or Pavilions. It comes in 2 flavors, Blonde or Amber…I use both! (For this chia seed pudding I used Amber just because that’s what was in my cupboard at the time :) )
Hope you love chia pudding as much as I do!!!
XO XO,
Laura
Raiding Products in the Pharmacy in France!
Scroll through and see my French pharmacy product picks! :)
One of my favorite parts of France is visiting their pharmacy.
French FDA regulations for cosmetics in France are different than in the United States. So, certain skincare ingredients are found in French products, but these ingredients are not found in the U.S. version of the same product.
Here are the products I picked and why….
La Roche Posay Sunscreen, Anthelios line
Star ingredients: Mexoryl, other names for Mexoryl…. Mexoryl SX (Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid or ecamsule), Mexoryl XL (drometrizole trisiloxane)
In Europe, skin care manufacturers have the option to choose out of 7 UVA-ray filtering ingredients that deliver better performance advantages than UVA filters available in the United States. The sun’s UVA rays cause premature ageing while its UVB rays cause sunburn. Mexoryl, protects against both UVA-1 and UVA-2 rays.
Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and avobenzone are UVA-ray filters used in the United States which don’t compare to the UVA protection offered by Mexoryl. **Mexoryl is a safe ingredient as far as I know, and is currently under FDA review in the United States **
“Research data has shown that Mexoryl in particular is more effective than either zinc oxide or titanium oxide alone in blocking UVA/UVB rays, and in fact blocks in a similar range to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in combination. Mexoryl, available as SX (water soluble) and XL (lipid soluble), is very effective for two reasons: one, it is very stable [as a benzylidene camphor derivative], and two, because it absorbs light at a broader range of UVA wavelengths than many other chemical sunscreens. ”
My first choice for the La Roche-Posay, Anthelios line was Dermo-Pediatrics SPF50+ since its formula is sensitive enough for children, while still containing full UVA protection. I just prefer sensitive skin formulas in sunscreen.
The second choice was Anthelios XL 50+ since it contains Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX, and nice for everyday use, but also still perfect for the beach since it’s waterproof. It also comes in a 250ml bottle as opposed to the smaller bottle!!
Caudalie Vine[Activ] eye cream
Star ingredient: Resveratrol
Caudalie uses the antioxidant found in red wine, resveratrol, which is the highly coveted anti-aging antioxidant found in red wine. Researchers have found that topical resveratrol has a 17-fold greater antioxidant content than idebenone, which is also an expensive and powerful antioxidant used in anti-aging products. What better way than to invest in some anti-aging resveratrol when it’s sourced right from one of the main wine regions in France, Bordeaux and is at a bargain price when compared to the price sold in the U.S.!
Vine[Active] is amazing because it uses a high concentration of grape polyphenols, I like to apply this antioxidant defense in the morning lightly patting under my eyes, under my eyes and under my brow bone.
Caudalie Masque Purifiant
Star ingredients: Kaolin clay and Bentonite clay
I love Caudalie’s Masque Purifiant because it’s purifying with Kaolin (the second ingredient used) and Bentonite clay and also delivers a high concentration of antioxidants from plant origin. You can use this mask 2-3 times a week, and I like to apply to my face and décolletage. **All the ingredients are the same in this formula as in the United States’ formula, but the price is lower!
Nuxe Paris Huile Prodigieuse, a shimmering dry oil
Star ingredients: Camellia Oil, Argan Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Olive Oil, Rosemary extract, Tomato fruit extract
The next product I had to snag is by Nuxe Paris, Huile Prodigieuse. Not only does the bronze/gold oil contain shimmering gold particles, but it contains skin benefitting ingredients to nourish your skin at the same time. The finish is non-greasy and the scent is like wearing a perfume in itself. Definitely a favorite of mine, and of course, the price is unbeatable and cheaper than in the U.S.! The application is via a spray glass bottle accentuated by a beautiful gold cap. I love to apply it to my legs, arms, and décolletage when I’m wearing a dress or shorts on a night out. It can also be applied to your body or hair.
Savon Liquide de Marseille a’l’Huile d’ Argan
Star ingredients: Argan Oil, Rose essential oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Coconut Oil
The last product I grabbed on my pharmacy haul was Savon Liquide de Marseille a’ l’ Huile d’ Argan, for only 5 euros and at a 500ml bottle. With Argan Oil, Rose essential Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E) AND Coconut oil, the price for this body wash is a steal. I saw this product as I was checking out and was amazed at the price for the amount in the bottle and the quality of ingredients within this. What’s great about body washes like this is that they are moisturizing enough to use as a shaving gel.
Tip—> If you aren’t headed to France anytime soon, check pharmamundi.com or frenchcosmeticsforless.com to order products overseas. The shipping time could be up to a month.
XO
Laura
Packing Light for a Girls Trip! Which Essential Products I Picked!
Packing light with only a carry on is no easy task when you like to bring a separate little luggage just for your wellness and beauty products. BUT—Here is what I chose and why!
Hola
Cabo San Lucas! yesss
For a ladies trip to Cabo San Lucas, a friend and I decided we would pack one carry-on piece of luggage for our 4 night, 5 day trip instead of checking the big bag. Both of us love our products, but we were up to the challenge of fitting our chosen products into a 1-quart-sized-bag for TSA.
I was sitting on my bed with a pile of products the night before my flight with my roommate, where I begrudgingly had to eliminate most products in order to fit into that TSA-1-quart-sized-bag. How could I leave my Hyrdro-Peptide serum behind? or rosewater with hyaluronic acid spritzer? Well, it had to be done, for the sake of traveling light for our girls trip to Mexico!! As we sat on my bed laughing at my pile of product, I picked out my product essentials. The chosen ones had to go in little plastic bottles.
Here’s what I chose to bring!
Products I picked!
*Scroll down to the bottom of the post to purchase products I mentioned
1. Face Wash. Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask with benzoyl peroxide. I’ve used this face wash since high school and it does its job by keeping my skin clear. It’s super easy to restock with, and I believe spending more on serums, etc. is more beneficial than a face wash that washes off in a few seconds.
2. Eye Makeup Remover. Beauty 360 Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (CVS brand). Again, nothing fancy, but it does its job of taking off my eye makeup. I picked this up at CVS when I was heading to the premier of Fifty Shades Darker. I worked at the Sisley Paris “Which Shade are You?” lipstick booth. This eye make-up remover did its job of removing all lipstick shades efficiently off everyone’s hands and mine, so who could ask for more?
3. Shampoo. Enjoy Professional Hair Care Sulfate-Free Luxury Shampoo. I love this shampoo because it keeps the integrity of my blonde highlights and it’s sulfate free. Even though, depending on the hotel, they may have shampoo that is sulfate free and suitable for color treated hair, I didn’t want to risk it!
4. Conditioner. Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Conditioner sulfate free. My hair is very fine and color treated, so with the right conditioner I can leave my hair de-tangler spray. This conditioner brings my hair volume and makes it easier to brush out when wet–yay, two products in one!
5. Retinol. Tretinoin. Prescription only. This is a strong retinol cream that I apply every other night. This is an essential to me since retinol is one of the few proven anti-aging ingredients in today’s current world. I started using retinol when I was 18 or 19. Also, I would never attempt to take Tretinoin and put it in a smaller tube. (Thankfully the tube is under 3.4 ounce anyway). The packaging of Tretinoin keeps the active ingredients safe, so this product should never be removed from its packaging.
6. Night Under-Eye Treatment. Replenix All-Trans-Retinol Eye Repair Cream. This is another product I’ve been ordering for years. It has 90% green tea polyphenols to neutralize free radicals, retinol, vitamin K and vitamin E. This product’s retinol can also be seen by the color of the product (retinol is a yellowish color in its true form and green tea is a brownish/green). Again, I would never separate the formula from this packaging since it keeps these ingredients stable inside. Luckily, this eye cream is 0.5 ounces.
7. Oil and Blemish Control. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. I chose to bring this product because during these summer months with the combination of sweat, sunscreen, and how active I am, I’ve found that an oil absorption and blemish control underneath sunscreen helps my skin stay clear. This product uses Zinc (great for oily skin), Sulfur (great for oil absorption) and Salicylic Acid (great for blemishes). A little goes a long way, as it does dry slightly pink.
8. Mascara. Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils-Luxurious Mascara in Purple 4. I will normally only wear this mascara for eye make-up. I’m in love with this deep purple hue, it’s fun and makes eye color pop even more.
9. A wide brim hat. A must. Tans are beautiful, but smooth skin for years to come is even more beautiful! Protect your gorgeous skin! No TSA questioning necessary.
10. Blush, bronzer and pressed powders do not need to pass for TSA inspection!
11. Sunscreen…I decided to buy sunscreen at the hotel market. I use so much sunscreen and especially during a vacation out in the sun, pool and ocean, that 3.4 ounces would not cut it, and a full new bottle just for the trip would work!
Ladies in white in Mexico
oooh…this pool…
1. Digestive Enzymes. I was recommended by a nutritionist in Los Angeles to take 2 enzymes before every meal. Although I don’t follow that all the time I will definitely take 2 before dinner when it’s mixing all sorts of tasting things and drinks.
2. Vitamin B-12. I follow a mostly vegan diet and so gotta have that B-12!
3. Maxi Hair Plus. You can order these on Amazon, or get them at Sprouts. I take this every morning with breakfast, it’s recommended to take another at dinner. My hair stylist Anush told me to take these and my fine hair has finally been growing!
4. Nuun Tablets. Electrolyte tablets you can stick into your water. I love love love these! You can buy these at Whole Foods, Sprouts or (of course) Amazon!
Wellness Lifestyle DIY Tip—>
You can wrap supplements in little tin foil pouches <3 Easy to throw in your purse!
Water
It’s so important to drink a lot of water every day, but especially while traveling. I used to drink diet coke or other sparkling drinks on the plane and now refrain and only drink water. A habit that was very hard to break, but am so glad I did. Try it next time you travel. Just drink water the whole travel day, and lots of it, and see how you feel.
Wellness Lifestyle DIY Tip–>
If you are staying at a hotel you could buy the biggest sized water bottle and re-fill it at the hotel gym. Hotel gyms (most) always have complimentary water. I drink two of those a day.
Travel-Friendly Work Out/Wellness Gear
1. Stretch Strap. (the pink strap) I ordered this off Amazon. This long pink rope is a life saver for me while traveling. I am a person that is constantly moving, and I especially like to walk and check out the city all day.
You can put your foot in the padded part and stretch your legs or arms any way you like. There are tons of Youtube videos on this, for now I’ll give you an idea with a little chart. It feels amazing and gets your lymphatic flow going and your body feeling all stretched out and relaxed!
2. Resistance Loop Band. I also ordered this off Amazon. This is great to travel with and barely takes any space. There are many types of toning exercises you can do with this in your hotel room. Again, there are so many Youtube videos and charts to follow and choose from. Here is one of my favorite positions!
What are your must have products when you travel light???
XO
Laura
Laura Dern of "Big Little Lies" Shares Her Beauty Truths!
Laura Dern, of “Big Little Lies,” “Twin Peaks” and “Star Wars: Episode VIII—The Last Jedi,” sits down with the New York Times and shares her beauty truths. Dern has access to the best-of-the-best in beauty tips, secrets, insights and treatments from around the world in her career as an A-list actress …..
Laura Dern’s interview in NY Times
Julie Hewett’s Organic Camellia Oil- Industry staple
Laura Dern, of “Big Little Lies,” “Twin Peaks” and “Star Wars: Episode VIII—The Last Jedi,” sits down with the New York Times and shares her beauty truths.
Dern has had access to the best-of-the-best in beauty tips, secrets, insights and treatments from around the world in her career as an A-list actress for the past 40 years! It is safe to say that she is qualified to be one of the beauty influencers in Los Angeles. Dern says that Julie Hewett’s Camellia Oil is one of her secret weapons in her beauty arsenal! Let us explain the magnificence of this beauty secret of the Geishas—Camellia Oil.
In the NY Times interview, Dern says that Julie Hewett’s Camellia Oil, alongside Crème de la Mer and iS Clinical, is part of her nightly routine.
“At night, I might use this really beautiful camellia oil by Julie Hewett, the makeup artist.”
A few of the long list of benefits of this “nutritional powerhouse” Camellia Oil include:
anti-aging benefits,
anti-inflammation properties, and
skin healing benefits.
Due to camellia oil’s high antioxidant content of polyphenols and Oleic Acid (almost 82% of its fatty acid composition!) it helps slow DNA damage of the skin and protects from aging free-radicals.
Julie Hewett’s nourishing Camellia Oil pictures among Dern’s other favorites!
How can you wear Camellia Oil?
Camellia Oil can be worn any time and is multi-purpose beauty product. SHOP JULIE HEWETT CAMELLIA OIL HERE!
Julie Hewett’s Organic Camellia Oil- Industry staple
Camellia oil is an emulsifier, which means it can easily be mixed and added to other creams, oils or sunblock and deliver an added punch of antioxidants and nutrients.
Camellia Oil can be applied to the hair, a few drops applied through the ends to add shine and hydration, or a few dabs to fly aways to slick your hair back.
The oil can be lightly dabbed to the under-eye area for an intensive hydration treatment and can supplement any other eye treatment or is outstanding and healing on its own.
Some beauty enthusiasts like to cleanse with camellia oil, remove make-up, apply the oil to stretch marks or wounds.
Wear it under makeup, for a dewy base and added skin protection.
The molecule size of Camellia oil is small enough to penetrate the skin’s Natural Moisture Factor (NMF) in the Stratum Corneum Layer. This means that not only does Camellia Oil contain all these awesome long-lasting benefits for the skin, but its molecule is small enough to penetrate the pores and deliver them to the deeper layers! Furthermore, the Camellia Oil molecule is stable, which means that its beneficial, precious qualities will not break down to heat. (Thank goodness Camellia Oil properties stay intact during our long steamy spa sessions in the bathroom and hot Summer-time rays!)
SHOP JULIE HEWETT CAMELLIA OIL HERE.
XO
Laura
*This* Ruby Balm Still Woos Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore mentions one of her all time favorites. Camellia Ruby Balm by Julie Hewett, in a Refinery29 interview, even 10 years after Moore discovered the Camellia Ruby Balm on the “Because I said so!” set! Camellia Ruby Balm has a sheer red tint…..Multi-Use Beauty Product Ruby Balm is Still a Favorite of Mandy Moore’s!
Golden Globes, 2017
Mandy Moore mentions her love for Julie Hewett’s Camellia Ruby Balm in an interview with Refinery 29 on January 9th, 2017. In the interview with MI-Anne Chan, “The Weird Thing That Makes Mandy Moore Break Out– & How She Deals,” Moore says that Julie Hewett’s Camellia Ruby Balm is a product that she discovered on the “Because I said so!” set in 2007, and that she likes so much, that she has kept it for herself and mentions it in the Refinery29 interview 10 years later!
“I am obsessed with Julie Hewett’s Camellia Ruby Balm. It looks bright pink, but gives the perfect tint on the lips and it’s pretty much all I wear for my character in 1988, but now I use it in my day-to-day life, too.”
Moore’s favorite—shop it here ->Camellia Ruby Balm by Julie Hewett
Camellia Ruby Balm has a sheer red tint that is perfect for every day casual use, or natural enhancement of the lips. At the same time, the main ingredient base of this balm is camellia oil and makes up 70% of the tinted balm stick. Camellia oil is touted for its high content of vitamins A, B, C & E and other minerals like Potassium, Zinc, Calcium, Iron, Manganese and Magnesium. It’s non pore clogging and the molecule of Camellia oil is small enough to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin, more so than other plant oils.
Camellia Ruby Balm also contains rose oil and grape seed oil and orange oil. This balm promotes healing of imperfections, contains natural UVA protection is rich in anti-oxidants and anti-aging polyphenols.
The Julie Hewett team is ecstatic that Mandy Moore still continues to use their Camellia Ruby Balm as a staple in her beauty arsenal since she discovered it on the movie set “Because I said so!” back in 2007.
Mandy Moore looked astounding at the 2017 Golden Globes on January 8th. Clearly, she is doing something right!
OXO
Laura