Ineffective natural deodorants and effective but harmful ones are things of my past. Last year, I felt as if I had struck gold when I discovered a winning combination of products that not only nourished and hydrated my skin, but kept me smelling fresh in Texas weather. As Texans, we are familiar with sweaty summers, but there is also something to be said about being layered in sweaters in an overly heated room during one of our winter freezes. Not to worry, I’ve got you covered with some fabulously effective products.
Read along as I also share my secret to long-lasting, healthy curls and beautifully flushed lips. There’s just something captivating about lips that are hydrated and have that Scarlett Johansson flush of matte color. And it is easy to achieve what a friend of mine calls my “mermaid hair” with an amazing and heatless find. I have received so many compliments on my hair lately, and you won’t believe it when I tell you, but I slept through most of the work! And you can, too.
Finally, after being a frequent visitor to a relatively new Southside restaurant, I couldn’t resist sharing an iced beverage I crave and return to multiple times a week. It is refreshing, rich in antioxidants and absolutely delicious. It is very telling of the quality of a restaurant when it becomes a destination instead of a convenience.
THE ESSENTIALS
Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash
Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash is infused with botanical extracts and has a light, clean and fresh grapefruit scent. Unlike other antibacterial body washes, and I have tried a few, this does not compromise on anything. It effectively nourishes and protects your skin’s natural balance. The formula is science-backed, packed with skin-friendly ingredients and of over-the-counter quality. Smelling overly musked or like a sun-ripened raspberry just doesn’t cut it anymore — it’s past time we prioritize being clean and not chemically masked with endocrine-disrupting fragrances. Available online at ShopDrLift.com.
Little Seed Farm All Natural Deodorant Cream in Tansy Rose
Eureka! I have found it! This deodorant is an absolute dream product. Made on Little Seed Farm in Tennessee, it’s produced with regenerative farming and solar power. It does not contain baking soda or aluminum — so itch and harm be gone — and thousands of reviewers agree this family business has hit a home run. I love the silky consistency of the cream and the crisp floral and herbal scent (Blue Tansy Rose is my favorite). Safe and effective for all, this is a gender-neutral product, and each jar produces plenty of use. Available online at LittleSeedFarm.com.
RobeCurls Heatless Curling Headband
Overnight curls have saved my hair from heat-induced damage, and RobeCurls makes the best heatless curls. Before bed, after lightly misting your dry hair with water (I use a rosemary-infused water spray), place the RobeCurl evenly on your head like a headband and wrap your hair around each side of the band in sections, securing it with provided scrunchies (don’t worry, there are tutorial videos). In the morning, you gently untwist the headband, and your beautiful, damage-free curls that last literally for days are revealed. Available online at Target.
Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick, in Je Rêve
I have purchased so many lipsticks in pursuit of the matte shade Westman Atelier delivers with Je Rêve: blushy, nude-toned perfection. It is highly pigmented, so I like to tap it lightly onto my lips and then buff it with my finger. The lipstick has a velvety finish that is lightweight but gives full coverage. It is long-lasting and does not dry out my lips, as it contains peptides, vitamins C and E and hyaluronic acid. The packaging is very high-end and comes with a robust weight. Overall, this product is super nourishing with super-clean ingredients. Available online at Westman-Atelier.com
Honey Lemon Tea
I was introduced to Pho 88 in January, and there hasn’t been a week since that I have not gone back. While there is a medium rare beef pho that deserves its own dedication, my absolute favorite on-the-go drink is its honey lemon tea. I sat down and spoke with Anita of Pho 88 as she prepared my beverage and told me more about it: Every morning, she brews a batch of jasmine green tea, chills it and then blends a harmonious amount of lemon and honey. Studies have shown jasmine green tea is rich in antioxidants and associated with several health benefits. The antioxidant properties offer protection from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. I enjoy having it with fresh lime and the lychee jelly; it is refreshing and uniquely delicious. Available at Pho88, 2301 Airline Road.
