Trend Report: Natalie Werkhoven's Current Essentials - The Bend Magazine

Trend Report: Natalie Werkhoven’s Current Essentials

Natalie Werkhoven introduces a new monthly beauty and wellness column with personal insights and recommendations.

Natalie Werkhoven

Trend Report columnist, Natalie Werkhoven

Hi. I’m Natalie. I am a busy mother of twin 12-year-old boys and a 10-year-old daughter and the wife of a local entrepreneur. I stay active with hobbies such as tennis and Mahjong, community volunteer work and social engagements. At 41, I’ve figured out a thing or two to look and feel my best. I don’t take myself too seriously, but yes, I did roll my hair and take time on my eyeliner to run errands today. It just makes me happy. Sometimes I don’t do any of that, and that also makes me happy.


It’s not hard to determine where my love of beauty and wellness began. Back in the ’90s, my mother often visited the counters for Estée Lauder, Borghese and Clinique at the Dillard’s in what was then called Padre Staples Mall. My sister and I would be on our best behavior, hoping to obtain the “free gift with purchase” makeup bag filled with tiny beauty loot.

I was raised to be keenly aware of the sustenance of a home-cooked meal and guarded against the temptations of brightly colored cereals and sports drinks. Vitamins, teas and good honey were always present. However, my passion for wellness was launched within the last five years. I am always in pursuit of learning what is best for me and my family with holistic care and effective beauty products. And though I am normally a more subdued personality, ask me a beauty or wellness question and watch me come to life as I tell you my favorite hydrating lip product and sleep remedy.

For me, beauty is a flower that blooms from the nutrients of self-care and is enhanced by the depth, color and definition of makeup, hair and fashion. It’s essentially one and the same, interlocked together; for with wellness comes beauty, and beauty is wellness on display.

With the encouragement of my family and friends and a spiritual calling that wouldn’t leave my thoughts, here we go! Let’s dive in with five essentials I cannot be without.


THE ESSENTIALS

Castor Oil

Castor oil is one of my holy grail products. It penetrates deeply, breaks apart lumps, relieves inflammation and drives serums deeper into your skin. Your eyelashes and eyebrows will drink it in and flourish. A few times a week, I coat my face before bed and massage the excess into my hairline for growth benefits. Three things to remember when purchasing: organic, hexane-free and in an amber glass bottle. If you are prone to acne breakouts, I’d recommend mixing the castor oil in a 50/50 ratio with a lighter oil, like jojoba. I love Queen of the Thrones Organic Golden Castor Oil and Rowe Casa Organics’ Liver Support Blend. Available at Island Wellness & Nutrition

Photo via TIRTIR

TIRTIR Pure Vitamin C24 Serum

This Korean skincare line is fantastic, but my favorite item has to be the Pure Vitamin C24 Serum. I noticed results the next morning after applying the serum the night before. My skin was glassy and soft. The serum has highly potent 24% pure Vitamin C and triple collagen to improve tone, elasticity and hyper-pigmentation. I love topping this serum with castor oil. Available online at TIRTIR

My Mini Dream Glow Blush

Although it’s been a somewhat recent find, I cannot stop talking about this Natasha Denona blush. It easily gives luminous dimension with a flushed, soft touch of color. I like to take a wide blush brush and sweep down the pan of product to get each of the three shades and apply it to my right cheek, making sure the highlight hits the top of my cheekbone, blending upwards. I sweep up on the blush pan to repeat the same on my left cheek. Available at Ulta Beauty

moment drinks lined up
Photo via Moment

Moment Beverages

Moment is a beverage company that uses natural ingredients backed by science to embody the feeling of meditation. Using ashwagandha and l-theanine as powerful calming ingredients, these adaptogenic and nootropic drinks are a favorite of mine. I am known to bring them with me (with enough to share, of course) to games of Mahjong at the Yacht Club and get-togethers at BUS. These botanical drinks make the perfect mocktails, served over ice and garnished with fruit and citrus. In the last six months, I’ve removed the alcohol that seemed to drain and inflame me and have replaced it with these little bevvies that support and relax me. My favorites are Strawberry Rose, Cherry Hibiscus and Lychee Mint.  Available at Lucy’s Snackbar or by subscription at drinkmoment.com

City Lips Plumping Gloss

In pursuit of the results a hydrafacial from Halcyon Med Spa gave my lips, I landed on City Lips, and in the last four years of using it, truly nothing else has compared. With ingredients like hyaluronic acid spheres, oligopeptides, jojoba oil and ylang-ylang flower oils as soothing moisturizers, my lips are the best they’ve ever been. I use it as an overnight treatment, reapply in the morning and 20 minutes before wearing lipstick for an event. Available online at City Beauty