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!

June Favorites: Color Theory

It’s June already? Crazy how time flies. In just a few days, my month spent on the East Coast will be over, and I will be basking in the California sun for the rest of the summer. Hooray! This will be the longest span I’ve spent in the Bay Area (2 months!) and I’m quite excited to explore.

This gets me to another topic, what I will be wearing. Unless you are living under a rock, it’s clear that brights are this year’s “thing”. Here are a few of my favorite pieces I’ve picked up recently.

J Brand 811 Mid-Rise Jeans (in several colors) – J Brand makes my favorite denim, hands down. They always fit me perfectly. In fact, I’d say 95% of my “denim wardrobe” consists of J Brand, with some odd pairs of Citizens of Humanity and True Religion thrown in. The 811 is my ultimate: mid-rise (no risk of underwear peeking out) and skinny. The fun colors they had this season were an extra bonus. I’ve been wearing these with everything – boxy tee shirts, silk blouses (J. Crew’s are my fave, and much more affordable than Equipment!), and neutral colored sweaters on chilly nights.

Zara TRF Floral Pants – I bought this pair back in India, but Zara still has an awesome selection of floral pants. Ever since I spotted prints like this on the Celine S/S runway, I was obsessed. This pair fits well, has adorable tuxedo detailing, and best of all, was super affordable, since unfortunately, I don’t think floral, skintight pants are exactly considered a classic.

Multitude of colorful tees – Joe Fresh, Aritzia (my favorite store for basics), James Perse, Alternative Apparel, J. Crew,  Leslie Fremar for Fruit of the Loom. I love plain tees, and stock up on them every season. There is nothing like a well-fitting tee shirt to wear with everything from boyfriend jeans to pencil skirts to tie-dyed cutoffs a la Isabel Marant (I picked mine up from Forever 21). I am currently loving H&M and James Perse’s mens tees, which I buy in a size small, for that effortless “boyfriend” look, tucked into pants and worn with an oversized rhinestone necklace.

Fun, citron heels from Thailand – Ever since Miu Miu’s polka dot platform sandals from last spring, I’ve been hunting down an affordable pair that uses dots as an accent. I found this pair at Zen Department Store in Bangkok, Thailand, in April, and I love how they add a touch of whimsy to an otherwise simple outfit.

My favorite jewelry right now – Woven Skull bracelet (unknown brand), Tai Shell Bracelet, and Tiffany & Co. Key necklace with additional charms by Dyanne Bell.

The best part about the “brights” look is that dressing is as easy as one, two, three – pick a bottom, add a contrasting color top, and finish with fun jewelry (vintage rhinestone necklaces from Ebay are my go-to).

All In The Family

          We all have certain traits that run in our families – wavy hair, a fiery temper, animated body language. While quite a few qualities run in mine, one thing stands out: beauty product addiction. In honor of mother’s day, I thought I should highlight just one of the many ways my mom has influenced me along the way.  Here is a look at my mom’s vanity, and with a glimpse, I’m sure that anyone can see why I fell in love with cosmetics from such a young age.

          My mom also has a penchant for finding fabulous-but-still-unheard-of beauty products. Here are some of her favorites in the photos above that you may not have heard of, but that are definantly worth a second look.

Young Living Essential Oils – As a Kundalini Yoga Teacher, my mom has been using essential oils for some time. Several years ago, she discovered Young Living and never went to another brand. While they are expensive, they are absolutely worth the extra money. She uses her massive collection of oils (just some of which are pictured here) for everything from muscle ache to allergies. My favorite oil is their Lavender – not only does it help heal sunburn when mixed with lotion or applied straight to the burn, but it is also a high-powered acne fighter. Dab it on a spot and watch it disappear overnight. Also worth a second look is Young Living’s line of “Thieves” cleaning products, which get rid of grime, dirt, and germs without harmful chemicals.

DNA – My mom discovered this line on her honeymoon in New Mexico at Ten Thousand Waves Spa, and the whole family has been hooked on it ever since. The line is difficult to obtain online, as they recommend having a facialist recommend specific products for your skin type, but I can say that Hydro Blend Mist is to-die-for as a mid-day pick me up for tired, dry skin that anyone would be happy with. It is a kit staple for me, and everyone (even men) who I’ve spritzed it on come back for more. Their chemical-free sun protection and booster drops also get rave reviews from my mom.

Vinie’s Veda - Another line discovered through a Kundalini Yoga connection (Vinie, the lines founder, is the daughter of Yogi Bhajan, the man who brought Kundalini Yoga to the U.S.), this ayurvedic skincare company creates unique, 100% natural products. The “Dew Drops”, which are choc-full of the highest quality skin oils, are the perfect addition to a moisturizer to boost its effectiveness, and my mother swears that the “Perfect Cleavage Cream” is well, perfect.

Happy Mother's Day to all! 

XOXO

The Girly Girl's Guide to Mumbai

          As my time in Bombay winds down (I leave for the states in three days – time really flies), I’ve had several moments to look back at how much I learned about this crazy place. I thought it might be helpful if I put together a little guide with my favorite stores, restaurants, activities, etc. to do and see if you ever find yourself in the Indian city.

PHOENIX MILLS - LOWER PAREL

Missing the malls back at home? Get your fix at Mumbai’s biggest and most high-end enclosed shopping center. Housing both international and domestic brands, this is a great place to spend the day. The high-end Palladium houses Zara, Diesel, Gucci, Etro, Chanel, and many others. My advice? Head to the second floor where you will find Gossip Shoes, which sells sandals so fabulously bedazzled they would make Giuseppe Zanotti cry. Take your time here, as they have hundreds of gorgeous pairs to see, and all are less than $60 USD. If you are hungry, Smoke House Deli in the courtyard serves delicious ladylike meals, juices, and cocktails. The adorable “scribbled wall” décor doesn’t hurt. Also in Lower Parel is the flagship store of Indian homeware shop Good Earth. The café here is divine for lunch or dinner, with a warehouse meets shabby chic appeal. Nearby is the Four Seasons Hotel, which houses Mumbai’s famous rooftop bar and lounge, Aer, with panoramic views of the city.

COLABA

Colaba is fast-becoming the chicest district in all of Bombay. Take a train to UNESCO heritage sight Churchgate Station, and marvel at the Raj architecture in the vicinity. After sightseeing at the Gateway of India and getting a glimpse of the famed Taj Hotel (and all of the designer boutiques it houses), head up the street for lunch at Indigo, or, for a more romantic meal, The Table. After lunch, take a quick cab ride to the touristy Colaba Causeway, where you can get your fix of cheap jewelry, harem pants, and if you are lucky, Topshop castoffs that didn’t make it to the shipping department. Narisons Shop on the causeway not only carries the funniest tee-shirts you have ever seen (made by Indian brand Tantra), but has a stunning selection of silk kurti’s in every size imaginable as well. More shopping gems in Colaba include bohemian-chic boutique Bungalow 8, “the Barney’s of India” Bombay Electric, and designer emporium Kitsch.

BANDRA

Bandra has a reputation of being Mumbai’s coolest suburb, and after exploring, it is no wonder why. Linking Road has all of the cheap thrills one can imagine (handmade shoes for $5! Kurti’s for $3!) but can get quite overwhelming for someone not accustomed to the hustle and bustle. Seek refuge at Café Mangii, near the Nike Showroom, for a wonderful, and peaceful meal. A rickshaw to Carter Road will allow you to taste the heavenly frozen yogurt churned out by Yogurtbay, which you can bring across the road to enjoy seaside. Another great dining option is Pali Hill Café near Pali Market. A gorgeous home goods boutique is located adjacent (unfortunately, I forget the name) where you can pick up stunning scarves, authentic textiles, and my favorite Kama Aryurveda beauty products.

JUHU

Find yourself in need of some hair styling? B:Blunt Salon in Juhu, on JVPD Scheme, is one of the top salons in the city. I have spoken about my wonderful experience there with Michelle, but all of the stylists are top-notch and professional. Juhu is also home to Bru World Café, a coffee shop which is one of the few in Mumbai that you can get a smokey African or Columbian brew at. If you like the nightlife, Trilogy in the Sea Princess Hotel is the place to see and be seen on weekends. With cover charges up to 3000 rupees per couple ($60), you are almost guaranteed to have a good time in the swanky environment. Near Juhu is the Santacruz area, which is home to super-unique boutique Attic (another brand opened in Colaba) which carries Indian-inspired yet totally Western designs that would be as at home in Bombay as in New York. All of the pieces they carry can be custom-made to your exact color and sizing preferences, which is something that you don’t see to often in the U.S.

OTHER

Café Mysore, Matunga – Want to try an authentic South Indian dosa? Café Mysore in King’s Circle is my top choice. Order a King Coffee, and their signature Mysore Dosa, and you are in for a no-frills (eat with your hands, cafeteria style on metal plates), gastronomic treat.

Enrich Salon, Matunga - Enrich has locations all over the city, but the ladies here are top-notch at brow threading and body waxing. You can't beat the price either, you come out completely hairless for about 1000 rupees ($20).

Chor Bazaar, South Mumbai - Want an experience that you can only have in India? Take a taxi to Chor (meaning "thief" in Hindi) Bazaar, specifying the antique market. After trekking through small alleyways lined with stolen car parts and grazing goats, you will arrive at an antique market unlike anything else in the world. Incredible finds await, from Goan Christian relics, stolen off of churches, to giant gilded elephants, to chandeliers of the highest standards, to authentic coins from the British Raj era, and even the Mugul dynasty. Bring your camera, and your bargaining skills, and make sure you visit on a quiet weekday other than Friday, which the main antique stores clothes and there is a market of all things odd and old in the alleyways. 

Reality Tour, Dharavi – Beyond the luxe boundaries of the places I mentioned here, Mumbai houses a huge amount of slums, and Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, is worth a tour. Tour company Reality Tours gives private and group 2 hour tours of the slum, starting in the commercial section, which produces up to $650 million dollars USD worth of products each year, as well as the housing areas, and thoroughly discusses the inner workings of this massive community. Not only is it completely eye-opening, destroying many of the perceptions foreigners, and even native Mumbaikars, have about the slums from films like Slumdog Millionaire, but it also shows you how people can be happy with so much less, as long as they have close family bonds. The tour costs 500 rupees ($10 USD) per person, and 80% of the profits go towards Reality Tours slum rehabilitation projects, including a kindergarden, technology training course, and cricket programs for youngsters.

Cutie Beauty

The infamous Jill Stuart Cosmetics Line Spring 2012 campaign, sold only in Asia

          I spent the past week in Bangkok and I am officially in love with the city! The people are wonderfully kind, the food is absolutely amazing, and the shopping is right up my alley. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to visit South Asia, and I can say now that I will certainly be back, as seven days was nowhere near long enough to explore the city, and I didn’t even get to the pristine beaches!

          There are hoards of amazing Thai designers, with boutiques on the third floor of Siam Center Mall – I recommend checking it out. While the clothes were beautiful and unique – think the pastels of S/S Louis Vuitton mixed with the silhouettes of Miu Miu – my goodness, they are tiny! The women of Thailand don’t seem to buy clothes any larger than a US 4, and the lengths were far too short for me. Oh well, it was a pleasure to look.

          I was also in foodie heaven. It has been several months since I have had red meat, or sushi, so let’s just say that I had my fair share of both. My favorite sushi roll was one that I have never seen in the US – basically a California roll without rice, rolled in paper thin daikon, or radish. It was incredible. I even went back to the restaurant for dinner on my last night to experience it one more time. In terms of Thai food, which  has always been one of my favorite cuisines, I ate quite a bit of it, as well. My mainstay was the infamous Som Tam, or Papaya Salad with dried shrimp and peanuts. While it is spicier here, to cater to the Asian palette, that is no problem with my newly-acquired Indian taste buds. The street food here is also insanely delicious, pork and chicken satays grilled with just the right amount of flavor are available on every corner. And if you are a little adventurous, why not try the fried insects? Those also seem to be in great supply, although I did not get the chance to taste them. Finally, how could I fail to mention the young coconut water? It is absolutely a divine thirst-quencher. Sorry, Zico, you just are not the same.

         Something thing I did stock up on, when I wasn’t chowing down? Cosmetics, of course! Watson’s Chemist is a chain which carries all of the top Japanese drugstore brands, which I have followed for years. The days I spent browsing on StrawberryNet were finally made so much better in that I could look, touch, and try the products. Here are some of the goodies I picked up, which are not only adorably packaged, but beautifully formulated as well:

Canmake Cream Cheek #3 – Much loved on Makeup Alley, I knew I had to try this, as I think cream blush looks so much more natural in the summer than powder. Since my current favorite blush was stolen (Bobbi Brown’s Pale Pink), I have been in the need of a natural flush that perks up my complexion and doesn’t clash with my pale blonde locks. I found it in this! Creamy in consistency, it melds into cheeks for a natural fifnish. The shade I got is shimmer-free, which I prefer, as I usually add a bit of glistening on the tops of cheekbones with Benefit’s High-Beam. I will definently be packing this gem in my kit on a future shoot.

Lioele Water Drop BB – I’ve been trying every BB cream I can get my hands on since they first came to the US last spring. While Dr. Jart’s was formerly my favorite, as some of the others broke me out, this is my new pick. Not only does it match my skin tone perfectly, but it has SPF 27 sunblock, and gives perfect coverage for a day at the pool or beach, which for me, is essential. While I’d love to go totally natural, my skin has a bit too much redness. This is the cure, as it looks like you have on no makeup. Plus, the pale blue and silver packaging is adorable – the poorly translated text just makes it even better.

EttuSais Lip Essence – I purchased this top-selling Japanese lip balm at Zen Department Store, a fabulous central tenant at CentralWorld Mall. They have really unique items at all price points, if you find yourself in Bangkok, this is a must go! It is Thailand’s answer to Bloomingdale’s. Anywho, this lip balm certainly deserves it’s top-selling status.  My lips always get quite dry on planes, and on my way back to India, this totally remedied this common ailment. The peach scent is quite sweet. Also, who can resist the Sanrio characters on the packaging? Not I.

Canmake Jewelstar Eyes – New obsession. This creamy, metallic shadow is going to be put to hard work in my kit. I purchased #7, which is a silvery green (although described on the website as an "antique gold with silver, gold, and red pearl particles") that is absolutely unlike anything I’ve seen. While it would crease without a base for everyday wear (I recommend Urban Decay’s Primer Potion), it will be gorgeous on shoots for a unique smokey eye. I’m imagining blending it with my favorite Chanel Illusion D’Ombre shadows to get a smudgy, sexy slept-in look…

Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek – Majorlica Majorca is made by Shiseido, and is a drugstore line targeted at teens and young women. Basically, I purchased this blush because it looked like a Macaroon, and I am a sucker for French desserts. However, it has awesome pigmentation, and the color I picked up, PK301, is a lovely coral-peach that is what Benefit’s Coralista should be.

Biore Cleansing Oil – Okay I’m not exactly sure as that is the official name, as it is in Japanese, but this product is fabulous. I am a huge fan of cleansing oils, my former top picks being Dermalogica’s Pre-Cleanse and the infamous Shu Uemura, but this comes close. It takes off all traces of mascara, sunscreen, and foundation, and doesn’t break me out. Plus, the scent is lovely. For those who don’t want to splurge on a cleansing oil, this is a must-buy.

          I can’t fail to mention that dressing up your iPhone is an absolutely necessity in Asia. In fact, one of Bangkok’s most popular malls, MBK, has an entire floor devoted to stalls selling iPhone cases, accessories, straps, stickers, and everything in between. Not one to resist fashion-izing (is that a word?) anything, I picked up this bejeweled bunny case to remind me of my time spent in Bangkok.

Oh Baby!

         Here is a fun fact about myself: I love the smell of babies. OK, not dirty babies (obviously…) but the fresh, clean babies who have just been washed head-to-toe with Johnson & Johnson. So, I guess you can say that I actually like the quintessential “No Tears” scent. Hence, whenever I need to pick up body lotion in a pinch, and need a product that won’t break me out, I always reach for their classic Baby Lotion.

          Upon my usual browsing of the local grocery store, where I am constantly asked, “mam, what you want?” to which I reply, “I’m just looking” (the concept of just standing there and staring at the different varieties of beauty products does not really exist here in India, as most products are kept behind a counter and you go in and request what you want. I think that this would have you using the same products repeatedly, and never trying anything new! You know you are a makeup artist when one of your favorite “hobbies” is browsing the drugstore.). Any who, a certain product caught my eye: Johnson’s Baby Cologne. My first thought, who puts cologne on a baby? But my second was: let me buy this immediately!

          I purchased the scent “Heavenly” for a mere 125 rupees (approximately $1.50) and what can I say? I’m in love. It is a lovely light perfume to apply just after a shower, as it smells clean, crisp, and well, heavenly. It is the perfect scent to wear when you don’t want to wear a heavy fragrance, but still smell pleasant.  

          Upon further investigation (online, of course) I found that this wondrous perfume is imported from the Philippines to India (and some Philippino grocery stores in California) and a cult-hit with ladies all over the globe. Huh, I knew I was onto something. I will write about the other scents when I purchase them.

P.S. – I only use Baby Shampoo to wash my makeup brushes. It is gentle enough not to damage synthetic or natural hair, but gets them super clean! 

Back in Action, and This Time, I'm Adorned

          I apologize for the lack of updates! After Goa, I was back in Mumbai for two days before I headed to Delhi and Agra, to see the Taj Mahal, the Sikrhi Fort, and a few other cultural heritage sites. I also hit a bazaar in Delhi where I picked up a ton of gorgeous brocades, silks, and cottons to be sewn into bedding for my future apartment. Will elaborate more on this in a future post.

Gazing at the Taj

The Bahai'i Lotus Temple in New Delhi

       Since my return, Bombay has gotten hot. And when I say hot, I mean, a minimum of 95 degrees farenheit every day. The weather leaves everyone quite fatigued, as walking down the street leaves you drenched in sweat. All I have to say, is thank god for air conditioning. Although I do note that my skin loves humidity, I think the sweating clears the toxins out of the pores.

          On the beauty front, I’ve been going very minimal for day – almost everything melts off or just looks awful by the time you end up arriving at your destination after sweating like mad in a cab. A touch of moisturizing lip balm – my current favorite is Sara Happ Lip Slip – and I’m good to go. Anything else just looks silly.

          So, without makeup, how am I to bedazzle myself, you ask? Jewelry. India is obviously a haven for everything sparkly, and a walk in Bandra down Turner Road will reveal some of the most over-the-top diamonds you have ever seen. Since I don’t exactly have the champagne-and-caviar budget, I’ve had to settle for what is called “art jewelry”, sterling silver, handmade pieces dipped in 22k gold. I recently bought a pair of earrings that is just to-die-for, far more intricate than anything you would find in the U.S. for the same price.

          Another way I’ve bedazzled myself? Well, after seeing the awesome earrings all of the women here wear from their earlobes to their noses to their cartilidge, I thought it was time to take the plunge. I headed to a small shop in my neighborhood and got two more holes put into each ear, just beyond my typical earlobe piercing. The verdict? I love it! I think it gives me the right amount of Givenchy-esque edge, and also allows me to wear some of the gorgeous second-hole-only Indian earring designs. I don’t think I will get anymore piercings, but I can’t wait to check out the fabled New York Adorned when I return to the states to see what they can offer me on account of my new, punk-ified (OK, not really…) look.

Photo courtesy of my own Instagram account