Excuse my recent obsession with LUSH handmade cosmetics, but I just have to give a quick shout out to my new favorite facial cleanser/exfoliator/moisturizer.. that's right, it's all in one.

 (P.S. The best part about LUSH products is that they are made of all-natural ingredients, and even include stickers that tell you what date they were made on, as well as who made them.)

(But P.S. sadface- these products are super expensive, but are worth the splurge)

Now to the good part: The 'Ocean Salt' face and body scrub.

This scrub is a cocktail- literally- of lime extracted from vodka, fine sea salt, fresh grapefruit and fresh avocado butter to exfoliate away dead skin and dirt and hydrate skin to leave it soft. And oh my god, does it leave it soft. Plus, the aqua marine pool water color of this scrub, plus it's fresh salty smell will remind you of the ocean.

For me, I scrubbed the mixture on for a minute and left it on for about three minutes. It got a little tingly, but it was not uncomfortable. When I washed it off with cold water as directed, I was very surprised with the results. I personally, have sensitive skin and sometimes I am not able to use many products, but I did not have any trouble with this one. I would definitely recommend this product to any of my friends as well.


Tip: If you buy this product at a LUSH store, ask them to stir your ocean salt. This gives you a ready-to-use mask instead of a bunch of salt layered on top of the actual product.

salt scrub-  so chic.
xoxo Alaina

With the idea of a vacation-less spring break in the air and the stress of midterms this week, I could use some major pampering. So what better than to virtually shop for some high-end beauty/skin products right? Recently, I'm obsessed with the LUSH brand. Not that I've ever owned their products, but I know a few people who are obsessed, which makes me obsessed. After scouring their website for an hour I decided to make a "wish list" of my favorite finds.

p.s. my birthday is coming up so...

1. Mask of Magnaminty Facial Cleanser - I need this because I'm obsessed with the smell of peppermint, along with the idea of this getting dirt out of every pore possible. The tingly-clean sensation mentioned in the description is something I need to feel.

2. The Golden Egg Bath Bomb - This bath bomb melt gives off a honey-toffee fragrance while simultaneously releasing cocoa butter into your bath. Plus, you can literally say you bathed in gold so that's pretty awesome too.

3. Volcano Foot Mask - Ever since I got a fish pedicure in Iceland, I'm obsessed with soft feet. Unfortunately, they are not so easy to get. This foot mask has a bunch of natural ingredients, such as tomatoes and potatoes, along with essential anti-fungal oils that will rub off any dead skin while drawing out any icky dirt. chic.

4. Wiccy Magic Muscles Massage Bar - Aching muscles after a long day has just become the norm for me, but hopefully this will help massage the soreness out of me. The peppermint and cinnamon spice oils are said to create a warm sensation, which sounds like it feel pretty good around that time of the month.

5. The Hair Doctor Deep Cleansing Treatment - Coconut oil and almond oil to soften hair, peppermint oil for a tingly sensation that removes build up and a beautiful shiny, flawless mane? Need. Need. Need. Like now.

6. Mint Julips Lip Scrub - My lips are notorious for getting chapped. All year round, any day, any time. Sugar scrubs help remove a lot of the dead, unwanted chapped skin and the fact that this one is minty with a tingly sensation just makes me want it so much more.

7. Turkish Delight Shower Smoothie - Okay, I don't know what a shower smoothie is. But I want it. And it's rose-scented which is pretty chic.

8. Sea Vegetable Soap - The picture of this soap looks completely disgusting, but I can never pass up anything that makes me feel like a mermaid. Seaweed, lavender and lime are combined in this bar, which is said to be relaxing...

9.  Oatflix Face Mask - Smells like bananas so I'm in.

10. Aqua Marina Cleanser - Again with the mermaid thing, but a little different this time. As someone with very sensitive skin, it's hard to find a lotion that does not irritate it. Aloe vera gel and sea salt are used in this all-over cleanser which sounds just perfect for after the beach in the summertime.

... Wish I had money.

xoxo Alaina

I've got an obsession with mermaids. Maybe it started with The Little Mermaid herself, Ariel, or maybe it started when I ate a little too much sushi one day-  I don't know. The point is, the obsession is real and it's in full force right now.

It seems a bit odd, but much of this obsession actually began in Iceland. The water used in the shower was heated with geothermal energy as much of it came from under the volcanoes on the island. It smelled a little like sulfur, but it was worth it when I noticed that my skin and hair was noticeably more radiant after just one shower. That's when it all clicked: Nature was the key to beauty.

The Blue Lagoon Spa played a small role in this realization also as it also uses geothermal energy and is essentially just a large hot tub in a lava field. The water in this Lagoon is rich with minerals such as silica and is said to be "healing." One of the coolest parts about this oversized magic hot tub was the little wooden boxes of "silica mud mask" placed throughout the lagoon. This special white geothermal mud  deep cleanses and exfoliates while naturally strengthening skin. I can say that after this spa experience I felt rejuvenated, calm and beautiful with blemish-free skin.

While there is no Blue Lagoon within driving distance of me, it hasn't stopped me of creating a little spa of my own- Mermaid Style.

Here's what I use (and what you need!!)  if I'm feeling the need to be 'Part of That World.'


Sea Mineral Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner by Organix.  I found these miracle hair products at Wegmans, but Organix is usually sold pretty much everywhere. The bottle claims that this 'quenching' shampoo/conditioner combo hydrates hair with sea minerals, heals split ends with algae and repairs with sea kelp. Both bottles are a wee bit on the pricey side at $10.95 a bottle, but my hair felt hydrated, nourished and even a little bit shinier after just one wash. Plus, it's sulfate-free which is a lot better for your hair and makes it softer, healthier and cleaner.* Bonus: it smells like the seashore!






 A Mermaid's Kiss Sparkling Salt Body Scrub. This pink salt scrub will not only exfoliate your skin, but make you smell good! The natural plant oils and raw sugar leave your skin silky smooth and bonus- it gives a hint of a sparkly finish. This was a stocking stuffer, but a little friend of Santa told me that you can purchase this sparkle scrub at Urban Outfitters for $24.00.









And of course, what better way to end your spa day then with some delicious food? My favorite way to wrap up my mermaid spa days are with some sushi and edamame with a little bit of sea salt. However, if you're not into sushi another one of my favorite foods is a classic bagel and lox. I like mine simple on a whole grain or plain bagel with some cream cheese and smoked nova trim (which you can find in may grocery stores, including Walmart, for around $6.) Einstein's Bagels likes to serve it with red onions and capers and a local food joint in my college town likes to serve it with extra lox and extra red onions. In Iceland, they eat it like a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mustard which was a little different for me, but I was still into it.

So there you have it all my tips and tricks to feeling like a mermaid without actually having to go in the ocean. Or having a fin. Because if you had a fin how would you walk in your new Steve Maddens?

Xo. Namaste. Fish Kisses.

Alaina


* Read why sulfate-free is important Here