Latest Obsessions: November Edition

Aquazzara Shoes 

         True life: I’m in love with lace-up heels. Ever since seeing the Alaia pair from several years ago on the feet of every street style star from New York to Paris, I’ve coveted some for myself. Unfortunately, the Alaias are nowhere to be found on Ebay, and other brands iterations are just not as cute. Thankfully (well, thanks to the fashion gods), I discovered Aquazzura’s resort shoe collection in both November’s Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar. Available at Saks and Shop Bop, this expensive but not outrageous shoe line is just what I’ve been looking for. Some of the best lace-ups I’ve seen. Now, just to save my money and patiently wait for resort to hit stores…

Jennifer Fisher jewelry

        I’ve been lusting after Jennifer Fisher’s jewelry for years, her make-your-own charm necklaces and slightly morbid charms are unique and perfect for everyday wear. Now that she is a CFDA/Vogue fashion fund finalist, I expect her pieces to be popping up at stores all over. While I save up for the perfect charm necklace, spider bangles, and several of her super cool rings, (probably for the next few years), check out her pieces at her appointment-only SoHo boutique or Barney’s Co-Op stores nationwide.

Sachajuan Volume Powder 

        I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: I’m obsessed with dry shampoo. High to low, I’ve tried them all. Just a few days ago, unpacking my mammoth beauty product collection into my new bathroom shelving, I unearthed this gem. While I later found out its quite pricey ($32 a can), it is easily one of the best I’ve used. It’s a spray powder that mattifies, and really stretches your blowout for a few extra days. Sachajuan is a Swedish brand that is carried at salons, I recently saw their products and Fox + Boy Salon on Mulberry Street when I got a hair cut.

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Gothic

         I believe in beauty destiny. What does that mean you, ask? Well, if I read about a certain product in multiple publications, see it on Youtube, have it pop up on Facebook and on some of my favorite blogs, then I am meant to own it. The latest product to find its way into my hands via “beauty destiny”? Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Gothic, which is not even a new launch so if I’m reading so much about it, it must be amazing. And it is.  After storming the Duane Reade across the street and finally finding the only Gothic stain on the furthest reaches of the shelf, I’d say I worked hard for it, too. This dual-sided lip marker in a deep cherry red is ideal on its own for a Snow-Whiteish stain (with just a touch of mascara and dewy skin to modernize), or layered underneath a deeper red lipstick to extend lasting power and darken the tone.

My Custom Bedding

I saved the best for last. When I was in Delhi in April, I went to an amazing fabric bazaar and went a littttttle crazy. Well, not that crazy if you consider I spent under $100 and got stunning wedding sari fabric that would go for far more here. As I was frantically buying it, I came up with a plan: I would make it into bedding. Mostly since I don't have any fabulous events coming up to wear custom made gowns to (that would have been nice). So, I found a woman who created a duvet cover and some pillows for me. There are still a few more coming, but I'm so happy with how they turned out!

 I'm now on Tumblr. Check it out here: 

http://charlottespiderlashes.tumblr.com/

Encyclopedia Organica

          I apologize for the serious lack of updates as of recently. However, my life has contained little to blog about – I don’t think anyone wants to hear about my return to healthy eating, daily Bar Method classes/ellipticallizing (I made that a word), and the daily fighting of super-fun parasites evolving into stomach viruses, a lovely takeaway from my Indian adventure.

          But, I felt it necessary to inform everyone of my latest skincare finds – all of which are organic! I have been eating mostly organic and unprocessed food since I was a young girl, but to be honest, if a cosmetics or skincare product works well and there happens to be a ton of chemicals in it…I’ll continue to use it. For me, as long as there is no adverse reaction, it is okay. On a sheer whim, I began using organic skincare products, and I have to say, my skin has not been this clear since I was in the fourth grade. Yes, that is when I began getting acne.

          I think in my lifetime, I have tried at least 500 different facial care products. That may even be a low-ball count. I’ve found products that work for a short term, but then the season changes, or my skin type goes wacko, and bam, I’m left with spots.

          My skin is supremely bizarre – extremely dry, yet acne prone. I seem to also have a lot of redness, which I have essentially accepted at this point. The main concern for me is keeping spots at bay. For the past few years, my acne has not been bad, but there were some stubborn zits on my chin and lower cheeks that just seemed to never budge, no matter what spot treatment I would use. I've solved this by mixing Lavender Essential Oil (Young Living) and Sibu Sea Buckthorn Oil into my nighttime moisturizer (currently Kiehl's Rose Arctica, but another favorite is Yes to Carrots' Calming Night Cream - so cheap!).

Mountain Ocean Skin Trip – Although I can eat a whole lot of it, I have been slow to get on the whole “extra virgin coconut oil as moisturizer” bandwagon. Maybe it is my aversion to laying around naked and waiting for my body oil to dry for hours when I could be fully dressed and out the door, but something about body oils always made me feel as if I had clogged pores and a sweating problem. Anyways, getting to this body lotion, which, indeed contains coconut oil – it’s fabulous. It smells like real young Thai coconuts, not that sickening sweet Bath & Body Works catastrophe that reeks of a Pina Colada made from artificial concentrate. But most importantly – it works like a charm. It absorbs SUPER quickly (my holy grail fast absorber is Crème de Corps Light Weight Body Lotion and this is comparable), and leaves skin soft and lightly scented, but not oily in the slightest. This will be a beach staple this summer as it was designed to be used after sun.

Solar Recovery Spray and Hydrating Cream – This brand is a miracle. Two years ago, I was sunburned beyond recognition (the Jersey shore has stronger sun than you think – even when you are reapplying SPF 45 every 2 hours…). I discovered this at Whole Foods, and since then, have not been able to use anything but this product on sun-parched skin. It is basically a blend of essential oils, but boy, does it work. I’ve recommended it to hoards of (Irish) friends, and they all have amazing results. Seriously a must have for anyone who ever steps foot outdoors. 

Maui Babe Browning Lotion – So, I’m about to contradict myself by telling you to apply soothing oils and then recommending a tanning lotion. However, when using this OVER sunscreen (my favorite, as I’ve mentioned before, is Josie Maran’s), it helps you to get a lovely touch of color. Don’t mind the balsamic vinegar-esque smell, because this gives you a golden glow without self-tanner and with the ability to protect your skin. Besides, that is what showers are for.

Sanre Lemon Sparkle Toner - I'm a sucker for anything that says "lemon sparkle" on the bottle. And it's not a seltzer? Sold x2. While practically every derm says that toner is not necessary, I cannot deny how wonderfully clean it makes my skin feel. I usually use plain rose water from the Indian market, but this product is fabulous! It removes the excess makeup that my face wipe plus makeup remover combo does not. In addition, it is made almost solely of essential oils and completely of ingredients that I can pronounce. The best part? It's made in Sarasota, Florida, where my grandmother lives - a coincidence I found out after I studied the bottle at home. I picked mine up at Whole Foods. 

Organix Moroccan Argan Oil - Okay, this isn't a skin product, it is for hair, and I found it completely by accident. While visiting a friend, I asked if her roommate had Moroccan Oil I could borrow, assuming she would lend me the stuff in the dark brown bottle that I had adored for years, and she came back with this. I figured I would try it. I was amazed by the results - my hair was sleek, shiny, and still had volume. I bought it as soon as I could! While I will never give up my beloved Moroccan Oil, this is an awesome finishing product for the summertime and a good bottle and size for travel. A word of advice: don't go crazy spritzing, or you may look a little, well, unclean in the hair department. 

The rest of the products pictured are new purchases that I have yet to test. I’ll let everyone know what I think of them as soon as I get a chance!

Blonde Ambition

     I’ll admit it: I can be obsessive compulsive. Especially when it comes to my hair. I’ve had times where I have gone back to the stylist several times to fix my color and cut exactly how I want it. Yes; I am THAT client.

     Over the past year, I have dramatically lightened my hair from deep chesnut brown to pale golden blonde. The reason? I was bored. It was not an easy journey. I went through various shades, from a horrid highlight experience (yellow chunks on dark hair – not cute) to some reddish light browns, to dark blonde, and now, well, platinumesque. Obviously, I did not really think about the fact that super-light hair would only make me stand out more in a country full of dark, shiny, perfect manes. You see, I’m not really the best at making plans.

     So here I am, a month in, with roots that can be seen from quite a far distance. Wearing sunglasses as a headband can only get you so far. I decided to look up the best salons in Mumbai, and pray for someone who was familiar with fine, wavy, unruly, damaged, “white girl hair”. I stumbled upon the b:blunt chain of salons when passing by one in Kemps Corner, and decided to give them a try based on a recommendation. Boy, am I happy I took that chance.

     Despite the fact that I was 30 minutes late to my appointment (Mumbai traffic!), Michelle, my colorist, could not have been any more patient or kind. She decided to double process my hair, with a golden shade and a whiter shade, running some all the way through. Four hours later, with about 500 (no joke) foils on my head going in every which direction, I knew I had found a great stylist. The patience and time she took was amazing to me! She and her assistant worked diligently and I was super-excited to see the results.

     The moment we all wait for: the blow out. And I couldn’t have been happier! First off, I have never had two people work with brushes at once: talk about pampering. Once it was fully dried - I was ecstatic. She used my favorite Kerastase Elixir Ultime, which made me like her even more. My hair was exactly the shade of blonde I had wanted, with highlights framing my face and barely any remnant of the dark color that once was on my ends. What a treat! And quite the deal – it was about $160 US dollars for perfect highlights and color, not to mention 5 hours total of the stylists time!

     Michelle was fabulous, and from her recommendation I will most certainly be trying out the Bikram Yoga in Bandra (90 minutes of sweaty hell for that post-exercise endorphin bliss – why not?). On the way back, I checked out a cutting-edge shop she had recommended in Santacruz, called Attic. What a treat! Indian-inspired but with a western flair, the clothes here were stunning, with this-season neons canoodling with vintage lace and immaculate embroidery. An orange patchwork maxi dress, which had an essence of Balenciaga, was a standout, but unfortunately, I have nowhere to wear it and had to pass. I did pick up a quirky little picture book entitled, “Kumari Loves a Monster”, and I plan to go back to purchase some gifts for friends before I head home.

     Well, the point of this very long post, besides gushing about Michelle’s talent and patience, is that I am fairly certain I have found the answer to every blonde’s greatest enemy: brasiness. What is it? $4 shampoo you can get almost anywhere.

     For some time after lightening my locks, I had been using Joico’s Color Endure Violet Shampoo. Sure, it kept my strands free of orange tones, but it was so drying I was using a deep conditioning mask almost daily. After running out, I decided I would try out Unite’s Blonda Toning Shampoo. While it certainly worked, the scent was overpowering, like a grape popsicle gone wrong, and lingered all day. So here I was, hair getting brassier by the second, out of options, so it seemed.

     I was in CVS picking up a prescription when I noticed Jhirmack’s Silver Plus Brightening Shampoo. I figured, “hey, why not, if it doesn’t work, I throw it away.” Well, this shampoo is absolutely incredible! I can use it daily, without my hair getting dry or too ashy, and it preserves my color completely. I’m pretty sure the water in my shower here in India has quite a few impurities, so this is really a marvel. Followed with Oribe’s Conditioner for Beautiful Color, my hair has never looked better.

     Upon research, I found out that Jhirmack is pretty old school - check out this ad from 1988. History is the test of great hair care...right?

     The only problem? Where o’ where in India can I find this shampoo?

For the Love of Dry Shampoo

Oh, dry shampoo, how I love thee? Let me count the ways…

My current favorite hair products: Pureology Perfect4Platinum Miracle Filler, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray, Macadamia Healing Oil Spray, and Kerastase Elixir Ultime. 

      My entire life, I’ve had very thin, unruly, and wavy hair (as well as two cowlicks towards the crown of my head, but I’m not a devil, I swear…). While some can barely fit their hand around their ponytail, I could probably fit mine between two fingers. It does have it’s advantages; as straightening, blow-drying, and curling take mere minutes. But fine hair is also very prone to oiliness, and despite what almost every hair care professional recommends, I just can’t go without washing daily. After a 24-hour period, unlike thicker hair, that becomes much easier to style with fantastic curling ability, my hair sticks to my scalp, and quite frankly, looks absolutely horrible. So, as soon as I first read about Psssssst in Allure Magazine when I was probably eleven years old, I discovered the wonders of dry shampoo. When Bumble & Bumble released Hair Powder, I think I searched every retailer of their products until the shipments came in. At this point in time, almost every hair care company makes dry shampoo, and I think I use it almost daily. That being said, here are my favorites and how I use them:

Image Source

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray 

The gold standard. Don’t let the $39 price tag scare you, this is a miracle product. Besides the fact that it an addicting scent similar to that of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue that lingers subtly all day, it is an incredible product, unlike anything else. It is not a dry shampoo, per se, but its own entity. I use this on freshly blow out hair for volume and texture that is unattainable for folks of my hair type otherwise. It gives a matte, sexy finish that is modern. It’s particularly wonderful for creating messy braids and updos, and helps hair stay in place.

Image Source

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo

One of the first, and still one of the best in my book. I love the To Go Size for my gym bag, it’s so refreshing after a work out when you are in a rush. This one has a clean, lemony scent that isn’t overpowering. I’ve used it in a pinch for volumizing and texturizing. My only tip? Keep the bottle in a separate plastic Ziplock, as it is bound to leak, and you don’t want the white powder all over your bag!

Image Source

 Keratin Complex Volumizing Dry Shampoo Lift Powder 

I don’t have a keratin treatment, nor will I ever get one because I think it is practically impossible to flatten my hair further. Regardless, you don’t need one to use this product, which is totally genius. With other dry shampoos, if you miss your roots with the spray, your skin gets a strange, powdery cast for the remainder of the day. Not with Keratin Complex. The pod of powder attaches to what looks like a large blush brush, and you can open or close the nozzle to release the desired amount so that you simply brush it directly on the roots. So brilliant – and the formula is excellent, scented subtly like a grape popsicle, but not sickeningly sweet. The powder comes in various colors, which makes it work overtime to disguise roots in addition to imparting mega-volume.

Image Source

Psssssst Dry Shampoo 

An oldie, but a goodie. Pssst was originally created for those who were unable to shower due to illness, or people on camping trips. I’ve never been a big camper, but Pssst should be a bathroom staple. Available almost everywhere, the classic white powder spray does exactly what it intends to. While too much of this can leave an ashy caste on dark hair, a small amount is enough to extend a blowout an extra day. Another tip I’ve used it to spray Pssst on a synthetic-bristle paddle brush or fine-tooth comb and brush immediately into roots and voila – mega-volume.

Disclaimer: Even though your hair can potentially look wonderful for days on end with the use of a good dry shampoo, please do us all a favor and continue to shower. Invest in an adorable shower cap – these from Urban Outfitters are pretty irresistible (and utterly ridiculous).