Top-to-Toe Guide to Luxe Bathing...

I am very pleased to post an article about "luxe bathing" that I wrote for Chic Today magazine. A fabulous bath is so important, so I was thrilled when I was chosen to write a full article on the topic. Chic Today is an online lifestyle publication which covers topics such as fashion, art, travel and beauty to name a few. To read the article and check out the full current issue, themed Gilded Glory, click here at chictoday.com. There are some other great reads and fun fashion in this issue as well. You can read online or download a free copy, look for the article under the beauty section.

earth-friendly beauty...

I finally gave EcoTools a try, the much blogged about, environmentally friendly make-up brushes and bath accessories. The brushes are made from bamboo, with out animal hair and they also offer a recycled bath sponge which works great! With an affordable price range of $1.99-$10.99 everything is definitely worth trying. Click here for more info.

a little Sunday inspriation...

Photo by Annika Vannerus/Getty

I have been very busy lately so there were a lack of posts this week, I was debating whether or not to do another inspiration post so soon but decided to go ahead because I receive such great feedback from everyone when I do them! So, I take that as you want to see more...
I came across the above photo online, I'm not sure whose bathroom this is, but it's amazing, wrap around open air windows! And is that fruit on the trees outside, lol. I also like the basket on the floor placement for towels.

a little Sunday inspiration...

The perfect example of why no one should be afraid of checkerboard floors and chandeliers in the bathroom! The natural lighting looks great in here as well and how cute is the window shape?

a hint of rose...

One of my favorite product lines, Weleda makes an amazing rose body oil. Rub directly onto the skin to moisturize or add a few drops to your weekly bath. The scent is warm, earthy and pleasantly fades as it's absorbed by the skin. Also available in trial or travel size. Purchase at your local health food store or online.

a little Sunday inspiration...

I love interior design and do a lot research on the topic so I am glad a lot of you enjoy and are requesting the inspirational posts. It's nice to know Flawless Beauty has a visual crowd.
What caught my eye in the above image was the use of glass bottles as decor. The colors are very soothing as well with the mixture of the mirrored table and wall. I noticed they also use a wood bath mat. I used a bamboo one for some time and it worked as a great alternative to cloth mats that tend to pick up dirt easily.
Also, I am heading south to Miami this weekend in search of the warm sun. I would love any recommendations for beauty shops or great spas that you have been to or have read about. I hope to come back with some new south beach finds!

2$ well spent...

I guess I am going through a current trend of shedding all dry skin. Here's another great tool to help. The pumice stone from Muji. I came across this a few months back and can't get enough of it. It's soft enough to not be too abrasive on your feet yet rough enough to get the job done. The downside, the amazing Muji stores are in limited locations only. Soon I'm sure you'll be able to order online though! Hopefully you can get to a store and have the full Muji life experience...

In other events, to follow up on the Organic Avenue fast, I am on day 4! 5 days total so this is it! So far, aside from some technical difficulties with Organic Avenue the fast has been great. Good variety in drinks, I've had decent energy level and I've been told my skin glowing (thanks to all that water drinking). I am eager to see how I feel when I am completely finished...

scrub that dry skin goodbye...

I think all this freezing NYC weather has me thinking of ways to warm up and get rid of dry skin! Below is a great recipe involving rosemary and sea salt. Sea salt revitalizes the body and is always a good base for body scrubs, it also encourages the elimination of toxins. rosemary is one of my favorite oils. It is believed that Rosemary helps clear thinking, improves circulation (so perfect when your cold) and boosts the nervous system.

Mix 1/2 cup coarse sea salt with 1/4 cup rosemary oil (or adjust to your liking). Apply with hands, washcloth or body-scrub tool. This can be done in the shower or bath. Whats great about the bath is that you can soak in the sea salt and rosemary oil for awhile.

designer/"product junkie" turned soap maker...

I came across the website for The Bubble Roome and fell for the packaging! Simply beautifully designed. I then discovered that the products are made with "goodness" and knew I had to post them on flawless beauty! I have not yet had the chance to try these but am going to do so the next time I'm shopping the boutiques in Brooklyn (where the company is based out of).

What I really like about The Bubble Roome is that a lot of thought was put into the packaging and shelf appeal. If you have been following the inspiration posts, you know why shelf appeal is so important to me! The Bubble Roome founder David E. Johnston has a design background and is a self-proclaimed "product junkie". These products also make perfect gifts, being as cute as they are...

ALL IMAGES FROM THEBUBBLEROOME.COM.

a little Sunday inspiration...

I found these images from Designer Donna Karen's East Hamptons home in New York. She mentions in the article that she bought the house next door to hers to turn into her solo getaway! Nice. This bathing space is so stunning and is surrounded with tranquility. Theres even a koi pond on the other side of the window! I think she did an amazing job of bringing the outdoors inside, as I mentioned in an earlier post. The structure of the bathroom is made with Jerusalem limestone and mirrors were placed to reflect the sky and water.

perfect gift for the holidays...

As I said may have said before I LOVE all and any products by Jo Wood Organics. The shelf appeal is so great and the product is such nice quality. The scents are both sensuous and luxurious. So, to say the least, I was very excited to come across this Amka gift set available online at Saffron Rouge. The gift set includes the Amka Organic Body Dew, Organic Body Oil, Organic Bath Oil and Organic Body Lotion. Amka (which is Swahili for 'to wake') is enchantingly fresh with top notes of Bergamot and Neroli and a romantic heart of Egyptian Jasmine and Iranian Rose Otto. This set is definitely number one on my holiday wish list!

healing herbal baths...

There is nothing more healing and relaxing than a nice warm bath. Adding different essential oils can enhance the whole bathing experience. Try to create a bathing routine, meaning bathing the same time everyday or the same day every week. It is also important to make sure you are not rushed for time and are in an environment that has little distractions. Each person has different habits and relaxation requirements so it may take more than one bath to find yourself fully able to relax. Below are a few of my favorite healing oils to add, feel free to mix, depending on your mood.

Lavender: Relaxes muscles and soothes nerves. Perfect for when you are stressed, angry or scared. Lavender also has a cooling element, great for warm summer nights. Lavender is also great for soothing skin rashes.


Rosemary: Promotes circulation while warming, rejuvenating and relaxing the body. Perfect for people who just can't seem to get warm enough! Rosemary oil also is good in the winter because it helps brighten and restore color in the skin.


Sage: Sooths and opens up the lungs, neutralizing negative thoughts and emotions. Sage cleanses the body tissues of sadness and fear. Sage also can help treat body acne.

make it glow...

A deeply moisturising and energising organic body oil from Jo Wood Organics. Active plant extracts of gingko, guarana and ginseng encourage circulation so that oxygen and nutrients can make their way into your cells and toxins can make their way out, leaving you feeling refreshed and revived. The anti-oxidants in apricot and grapeseed oils protect the skin against damaging free radicals, and Arctic bilberry, a rare and precious oil rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, soothes and replenishes dry skin, leaving it supple, soft and smooth.

This body oil is pricey though! About 100$ so below is something that I find just as Luxurious, the shelf appeal is not as nice though ;). Available at Origins and now 95% Organic!



Massage all body oils into your body after a bath or shower while your skin is still damp and warm, or add to a nice warm bath...