If Oprah can do it…
Now that my summer stay in America is almost over, I find myself in a mad dash to buy all my “must-haves” before I get on the plane back to Tokyo.
Here are my Top 10 Products of Summer 2012
Body Brazil Python Set
I was probably one of the first people in Atlanta to start sporting Lululemon athletic wear. I love it too. However, once I discovered Brazilian lines like Bia Brazil, Bluefish, Brasil Sul… I was hooked. I still buy Lululemon. It’s kind of my sporty-mom-about-town & travel outfit option. Something about Brazilian workout gear inspires me. Even though some of the models look like porn stars,a girl has to have role models.
LELO BEADS: How strong are you?
Hello LELO. When I say I like to exercise. I mean all my muscles. Even the ever elusive Kegels. I discovered these during my last visit to Le Tache boutique. It is advertised as a Lingerie and Couples Boutique. This is where I throw the “Speak-no-Engrish” card and walk right through the front doors. A new shop just opened next to my boxing studio, so I decided to check it out. I needed some new underwear anyhow. Once in, I noticed that the front of the store is primarily lingerie, but then there is this sheer curtain which divides the space and behind curtain the curtain is a plethora of adult toys! These balls are fantastic and so high-tech looking. In fact, the whole line of products by this company is really quite sophisticated (not that I own the entire line of products). They advertise the balls as Kegel weights for Health and Pleasure. I must admit, I have enjoyed my “workouts” more.
I finally learned how to play by myself.
Before I said Hello to Lelo, there was Myself. This was the first pelvic trainer I ever purchased. I liked this model because it was the only tool which gave a woman objective feedback as to whether or not she was actually flexing anything. the hotdog-looking part goes inside and when the rectangular piece instructs you when to FLEX and RELAX and tells you how strongly you are doing it. I have given this to several girlfriends as gifts and have recommended it to any male gynecologist who will listen. It’s an awesome device to use at home. I use the LELO beads when I have errands to do and I just want to squeeze that extra workout in (pun intended). However, if they ever come out with an app for my iPhone…
Safe alternative to Hydroquinone
Since Hydroquinone causes cancer, doctors are now recommending creams or serums with Kojic Acid, Vitamin C, and Melaplex. I’ve been using the Perle Cream and feel like my melasma is getting lighter and I like that there is a slight burning sensation after I apply it. Makes me feel like somethings happening. I have 2 new bottles going to Tokyo with me.
Before & After
This is my newest and favorite “procedure” for maintenance. After the first treatment, I didn’t really notice that much of a difference, but after the second, I really saw my skin as brighter and pores were smaller. I have always hated the pores on my neck too and am doing it to my neck. It’s hard to really describe the improvements other than to say I don’t think you would ever regret doing the Clear and Brilliant. There is also NO downtime. You won’t be going out the same evening of the procedure, but next day, you are perfectly able to go out and about. It totally tightens skin, and minimizes pores and just makes your skin look polished. Go for it!
Chia Seeds
I have discovered the wonderful benefits of chia seeds. I like to make a gel and leave it in a clean yogurt container and add it to my daily yogurt for added energy and nutrition. It will get caught in between teeth, but that only encourages flossing.
All the aestheticians and dermatologists will tell you sunscreens are pretty much absolutely necessary to control sun damage and worsening of melasma. When I know I am going to spend a lot of time outdoors playing tennis or hiking I always use the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid. It doesn’t get chalky and feels light going on and while it’s on. The best thing is it comes in SPF 70 and even after you sweat, you don’t look like you’ve been working with dry-wall all day.
For daily SPF, I like Elta MD SPF 46. This is what I apply on my face after my moisturizer every day. I like this product because it just feels good on. Doesn’t feel like a typical sunscreen. More like just a lotion.
Last time I was in Atlanta, I talked with my girlfriends about facial exercises. It makes sense. If you don’t use muscles, they atrophy and get slack. I just purchased a book called Facial Fitness by Patricia Goroway and have been using the exercises to help strengthen my face and neck muscles. It’s so simple and easy to do. I really believe this will benefit me in the long term.
At Home Foot Sizer
Anyone with children can tell you, you never know what size your children’s feet are until you are in the store with the sizer. However, we all know you can often find better deals online at sites like shoes.com, Amazon.com, or Zappos.com just to name a few. On more than occasion, I have found myself returning shoes due to length or width and it is a pain. In Japan, they don’t have free shipping or returns, so that gets painful. Now, anyone can have a shoe-sizer in their own home and measure feet before you process that online order!
Enjoy!
Until next time…
August 12th 8am Leave DC
August 13th 4:30pm Arrive Tokyo
