Get Your Beauty Rest!

I wake up every morning with soft, tangle-free strands and smooth, crease-free skin...yes, it's really true. So listen up ladies, because I'm about to reveal my snoozing secret!

Rest your pretty head on the Branché charmeuse case and you'll wake up looking just as gorgeous as the night before. The 100% premium silk pillowcase protects so-sensitive facial skin, prevents crease-induced wrinkles, smoothes the hair cuticle and reduces hair breakage, even including 18 amino acids and high copper content to restore elasticity and shine. They’re available in standard and king sizes in a number of gorgeous hues. Head over to branchebeautysleep.com to see them for yourself!

**Crystal Fenton

Lamas Beauty Events in NYC

If you live in the New York City area, you’re definitely in for a treat. This month, the natural, botanically rich products from Peter Lamas Beauty are debuting at Duane Reade stores. And to celebrate this event, two Manhattan locations are offering consults, freebies and a chance to meet Peter himself!

At each store, customers can receive individual hair consultations and a free sample from Lamas’ Chinese Herbs System (a $7.95 value) with purchase of a product. Plus, Peter—a celebrity hair and makeup artist who’s worked with everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Jacqueline Kennedy to Kate Winslet—will be there to discuss natural beauty products and how to incorporate them into your everyday routine.

WHEN & WHERE:

Thursday, April 29th
11 am to 2 pm; 5pm to 7pm
Duane Reade, Herald Square (151 W. 34th St.)

Friday, April 30th
11 am to 2 pm; 5pm to 7pm
Duane Reade, Rockefeller Center (51 W. 51st St.)

For more information on Peter and his products, visit lamasbeauty.com.

-- Mackenzie Walton

Come On, Get Happy

What makes me happy? The weather in New York City today, for one. Temperatures climbed well into the 80s, and for a West Coast native like me, that’s practically heaven!

Another thing that makes me happy: the Happiology line from Illume. These body products—all paraben-free and cruelty-free, with organic ingredients—come in three fresh, energetic scents that are designed to make you happy. Here are a few of my faves:


The Energizing Body Butter ($18) is thick and instantly moisturizing, and the Yuzu Mint scent gives it an invigorating touch. The crisp blend of fresh grapefruit, yuzu, eucalyptus, spearmint, peppermint and vanilla will perk up your senses!


Start the morning off with a positive note by using the Energizing Body Wash in Sunshower ($18). The bright, summery fragrance includes notes of sparkling bergamot, dewy moss and white lilies.


For a quick pick-me-up, keep a Rollerball Perfume ($16) in your purse. Dab the Bamboo & Agave scent on your neck and pulse points and enjoy a blend of blue bamboo, agave leaves, fig, lotus flower, Mexican lime, cucumber and natural lemon oil.

You can get all these products in any of the three fragrances at illumecandles.com.

-- Mackenzie Walton

Add Color to Your Life

These products have shades that make us smile!


* The 100% vegetarian Hydrating Body Washes from Silky Cosmetics come in four great scents—Bliss, Sorbet, Charm and Sweet mint—that are sure to please, but their cheerful colors will also brighten up your shower. ($13 each, silkycos.com)


* The Natural Nail Lacquers from A Beautiful Life are 3 Free (no DBP, toluene or formaldehyde), non-toxic and soy-based, so they’re even safe for kids. But with bold shades like 80’s Pink, Rockstar and Big Red, everyone will love them. ($12 each, abeautifullife.com)


* Starting in May, you can give yourself a retro ’60s vibe with the Eye Colour Crayon Trios from Mirabella. The Moonbeam trio, featuring cool shades of Purple Haze, Bugaloo Blue and Limelight Green, and the warmer Sunshine trio, with Yellow Submarine, Hot Pants Pink and Clockwork Orange tones, will both give your eyes turn heads. ($29 each, mirabellabeauty.com for locations)

-- Mackenzie Walton

Travel-Ready Shampoo Picks

Already planning your summer vacation? Don’t forget to pack shampoo—just check out these mess-free, space-saving alternatives to traditional shampoo.


With Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, you can clean your strands in a snap. Just spray onto hair, then brush out the powder—it’ll get rid of dirt and other buildup and boost volume, all without water. Now available in a super-convenient travel size, so you can tuck it in your carry-on without any trouble. Find it for $7.50 at beauty.com and skinstore.com.


Want a no-fuss, no-muss shampoo that won’t explode in your suitcase? Try the All Access Go Anywhere Shampoo Bar from TIGI’s Rockaholic line. You use it just like regular bar soap, only apply it to your hair—it cleans, conditions and even provides UV protection. Plus, the patchouli scent is amazing! Available for $9.95 at professional salons.

-- Mackenzie Walton

Shine On

The first time I heard about shine serum was when a stylist applied it after a cut. My hair looked so glossy that I assumed the serum was made of pure, concentrated magic—I insisted on going to the store immediately and buying some for myself.

The next day, I poured a quarter of the bottle into my hands, wiped them clumsily over the top of my head, and wondered why my hair didn’t look nearly as good as when the stylist did it.

Luckily, I’ve grown a little more savvy over the years, and in case you’re as new to shine as I was, here’s a tip: All you need are a few drops. In fact, more than two or three can be serious overkill, leaving your locks greasy and heavy-looking.

As an added bonus, this means that the bottle goes a long way—always a nice bonus! Products come in a wide range of prices; here are two of my faves, which also fight frizz!

Citré Shine® Shine Miracle™ Highly Laminating Anti-Frizz Serum was actually the first kind I ever tried, and once I figured it out, it really did the trick. With prices ranging from $3.99 (2-oz.) $5.99 (4-oz.), it’s totally affordable. Find it as drug, mass and food stores nationwide.



By locking in moisture, ENJOY Shine and Smooth keeps hair hydrated while blocking humidity, which causes frizz. It leaves hair incredibly soft and glossy, and it’s also good for your skin! You can get 4-oz. bottle for $17.95 or 10-oz. for $34.95, both at professional salons.

-- Mackenzie Walton

Steam Powered

I love products that let me multi-task, so when the Biore® Steam Activated Cleanser came my way, I couldn’t wait to try it!



It utilizes the pore-opening steam of the shower to make skin 55% cleaner, sweeping away impurities and detoxifying skin, leaving incredibly clean skin. So all you need to do is follow your normal shower routine and lather up! My favorite things about it: the cooling mint extract, which invigorates the senses, and the fact that it removes makeup gently and easily.

It’s $7.99 at select food, drug and mass merchant stores. Find one near you at biore.com.

-- Mackenzie Walton