Whish Soda Fountain Collection

So earlier this month I had to take a trip to Las Vegas. What did I bring with me? Whish's Body Butter from the new Soda Fountain Collection! Whish recently exclusively launched the Soda Fountain Collection during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale last month. The fresh scent of vintage soda fountain flavors include Black Cherry, Ginger Melon, Key Lime and Orange Cream! The scents are so spot on, I was tempted to eat the body butter.

This body butter is super-hydrating, moisturizing with organic shea butter, organic raspberry butter and organic aloe, firms with organic seaweed extract, and purifies with organic rice bran oil. Since Cherry is my favorite scent, Black Cherry is naturally my go-to body butter, but Ginger Melon is a close second.

The collection also includes Whish's bubbly Bath & Body Gel, $15 for 16 oz. ($22.50 value).

- Kim Weling

East Coast ISPA Media Event Recap

The 21st annual East Coast ISPA Media Event took place on August 12th at Gotham Hall. During the event I met with close to a dozen different spas and sampled their relaxing spa treatments. My evening ran smoothly thanks to treatments pre-booked through ResortSuite - having an itinerary was really helpful for keeping me on schedule. 

My first appointment was with Omni Hotels & Resorts, for a Restorative Native Foot Treatment, a steaming aromatic herbal treatment to penetrate into tired soles to reieve muscle tension. During my treatment, a muscle therapy cream with infused rosemary, clary sage, and eucalyptus essential oils was applied. It was definitely a great way to kickoff the event. 

Mirbeau Inn & Spa was offering Monet's Favorite Fragrance Massage, an aromatherapy massage to address physical, mental and emotional well being. Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Body Oil was used for my massage - an amazing blend of pink grapefruit, rosemary and juniper berry essential oils. 

My next stop was to Beau Rivage Resort & Casino for a Hanakasumi treatment inspired by Japanese tradition, reviving energy through the use of reflexology. As part of the treatment, Sothys Nourishing Body Elixir was applied, and I have been obsessing over this product ever since, with a delicate scent of cherry blossom and lotus. 

I opted not to get a colorescience makeover since I was getting a facial, but I have been using a number of their products, since the event. I am so bad with applying SPF separately, that it's been so helpful to have SPF built into their products. My favorites are the Skin Bronzing face primer, which helps with uneven skin tone and has SPF 20, even up Clinical Pigment Perfector, which I like to use during the summer since it has SPF 50, and Tint Du Soleil for sheer to medium coverage, which has SPF 30. 

Unfortunately I didn't make it in time for my appointment at Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort, who was offering luxurious BABOR hand and face treatments to boost the skin's moisture and nutrient levels. 

Next stop was Jindilli, featuring a BoomaGlam Massage, which uses a boomerang and Macadamia Oil, honoring the company's Australiam heritage. The BoomaGlam is best when it's warmed up (I like to use heated mittens warmer gloves) and can also be used to exfoliate skin. 

After my BoomaGlam Massage, I went over to Massage Envy, for my Healthy Skin Vitamin C Infusion Mini Facial, with the use of Murad products formulated with pure Vitamin C to repair and prevent free radical damage. 

Travaasa Experiential Resorts demonstrated Herbal Tincures for Healing, as Travaasa's Farm Manager walked us through how infusions are made using ingredients from the resort's farm. 

Eau Spa at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa offered HydrEAUfacials, using HydraFacial MD technology to extract and remove impurities and dead skin cells. The process is free of painful extractions, and includes a hydradermabrasion, chemical peel and a delivery of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides all in one treatment. My skin immediately felt and looked refreshed without any irritation or redness!

To close out the evening, my last appointment was with Grand Velas Resort, who was offering the Bacal Massage and Grand Cora Massage. The Bacal Massage utilizes Mayan corn and honey, in which pressure is applied with corn cobs for an exfoliating and detoxifying treatment. It was so soothing on my feet - such a unique and natural treatment. I can't imagine how amazing it would feel as a whole body treatment! 

The Grand Cora Massage is a highly energetic massage inspired by the Huichol region, rich in colors and traditions. Each movement is focused on restoring the emotional, intellectual and spiritual wellbeing through Iztli (the power of Earth on the body). The sensorial perception is stimulated through a sound ritual of wixarikas instruments such as rain stick, rattle and "God's eye" to reestablish the harmony between body and spirit. 

Clarins Spa, essie, the Indigo Spa at Hilton Head Health and Salamander Hotels & Resorts also offered mini treatments.

Through a partnership with FEED, attendees received a FEED tote bag. Proceeds from FEED bags go to feeding a total of 20,000 hungry children through the World Food Programme. Thank you to Spa Week for sponsoring the gift bags!

- Kim Weling

Charm & Chain Sample Sale - 8/19 - 8/20/15

wet n wild 2015 Collection

I've had all summer to play with wet n wild's 2015 collection, which has easily become one of my favorite mass market beauty brands. This spring I attended a preview of the entire line including the MAX Volume Plus Mascara, which is one of my favorite products along with the eyeliner pencil, brow pencil and lipstick - all beauty products I wear on a daily basis. 

It's almost back-to-school time, and wet n wild has the perfect assortment for stocking up for high school or college, especially since it's so inexpensive! Here's a look at the entire collection:

Max Volume Plus Mascara ($4.99): 10X the volume, formulated with macadamia nut, jojoba and olive oils for conditioning and enriched with D-Panthenol to help strengthen lashes.

MegaImpact Extreme Black Mascara ($3.99): intensely Ink Black, provides 8X volume and length, silicon complex provides elasticity and flexibility, enriched with argan oil to permeate and condition lashes.

MegaPlump Double Threat Mascara ($4.99): 360-degree plumped up lashes, 5X fuller-looking lashes, dual-ended mascara.

MegaProtein Waterproof Mascara ($1.99): waterproof formula, nourishes and conditions lashes, soy- and wheat- protein fortified, enriched with acai oil and D-Panthenol, paraben-free. 

Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner Pencil ($0.99): rich, hyper-pigmented color, 12-hour wear and super smooth and creamy application.

Color Icon Brow Pencil ($1.99): rich, all-day lightweight color, 2-in1 dual-ended pencil and grooming comb

Color Icon Brow Shaper ($1.99): amazing formulaof special waxes and oils - beeswax, carnauba wax and castor oil, tames and shapes, moisturizes with high shine.

MegaSlicks Lip Balm Stain ($2.99): smooth, conditioning forumula with acai palm oil,  protective shield on the lips to prevent feathering, provides continuous moisture for softer lips, unique minty, cooling sensation. 

Silk Finish Lipstick ($0.99): new and improved formula, rich, creamy, buildable color, enriched with conditioning ingredients - vitamins A & E, aloe vera, and macadamia nut oil.  

Cover All Face Primer ($4.99): minimizes pores, brightens complexion, evens skin tone, made with white sapphire, prevents caking, creasing and smudging.

Cover All Correcting Palette ($3.99): circle of concealers balances imperfections - yellow for under-eye circles, purple for overly yellow spots, green for blemishes and white to highlight. 

Under The Sheets Makeup Remover Towelettes ($2.99): 25 baby-soft cloths, hypoallergenic for sensitive skin, moisturizes and leaves skin soft.

Wild Shine Nail Color ($0.99): new and improved formula, high-shine finish, 3-Free - no Formaldehyde, Toluene, or Phthalates.

Alt-Fringe False Lashes ($0.99 & $2.99): made of natural goat hairs - Peta-certified and cruelty-free, various lengths and volumes, includes long-lasting glue adhesive.

In Your Shadow Eyeshadow Brush ($0.99): made of natural goat hairs - Peta-certified and cruelty-free, short, rounded bristles for perfect eyeshadow application.

Build a Foundation Foundation Brush ($2.99) made of versatile synthetic bristles, perfect balance of fimness and softness for any foundation formula. 

The Louder Powder Powder Brush ($2.99): made of natural goat hairs - Peta-certified and cruelty-free, short, rounded bristles for perfect powder application. 

My favorite Silk Finish lipstick color: Fuchsia with Blue Pearl

- Kim Weling

Beauty Review: Dermaflage

Since I had robotic surgery in mid-June, I was looking for post-surgery products to help conceal my scars (I had four incisions made to the left). I came across Dermaflage (starter kit, $60), a dermatologist and clinically tested topical silicone that fills in recessed imperfections to make it look like real skin. 

The steps were simple. First you apply the primer to make sure the silicone sticks to the skin. Then you can either mix the clear and tinted silicone using the mixing stick or twist on the accessory mixing tip. Make sure the mixing tip is secured, as mine wasn't and the mixture ended up spilling onto my skirt. Once it is mixed you have about 30 seconds to smooth the silicone onto your skin before it solidifies. I applied the mixture using the mixing tool and then pressed the texture pad onto the silicone for 30-50 seconds to make sure it's smoothed out and has the right texture. 

The silicone did create a smooth surface over my incisions, but only mildly concealing them. Since my incisions are still fairly new my scars are dark, so it's possible the Light to Medium Cool color tones that came with my starter kit are just too light. The silicone is supposed to stay on for 36 hours and be waterproof but it started to peel off after a couple of hours. I think the product is effective, but not right for my scars. It does peel off without irritation if you decide not to keep it on. Maybe when my scars lighten up I will try applying Dermaflage again. 

You can find more information about Dermaflage at dermaflage.com. 

Townhouse Spa Review: Green Tea Glo Facial

Townhouse Spa was my favorite places to unwind during New York Fashion Week, with services including manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, hair styling and makeup application. 

It's hard to believe it's been 4 years since I've been at Townhouse Spa so I was definitely overdue for a beauty treatment there! After changing into a luxe spa robe, I was ready for my customized facial - the Green Tea Glo, which is similar to the 60-minute VerryBerry Glo. My 30-minute treatment included Sonya Dakar skin care products, starting with the Mud Lavender Wash followed by the Aromasol Mist toner with lavender and tea tree. The ultra luxe green tea acid peel for normal skin was then applied to my face. My treatment also included a relaxing shoulder, neck and arm massage. My facial ended with Epicuren's Facial Emulsion Enzyme Moisturizer and Sonya Dakar's Omega-3 Repair Complex to help with discoloration. 

As you can see, I immediately had glowing, brighter skin! My face felt hydrated, moisturized and super soft. Since I had my facial in the evening there was no need to apply my nightly skin care regimen. I was able to just let all those nutrients from my facial sink in!

Thank you to Townhouse Spa for the customized facial experience! Townhouse Spa is the perfect place to indulge in a spa treatment, especially if you don't have a chance to enjoy a summer getaway. You can check out a list of Townhouse Spa's services at townhousespa.com. Also, check out TheBeautyBlazers.com, created by Townhouse Spa founder Jamie Ahn for beauty and skin care products to keep your skin looking great!

- Kim Weling

Summer Style Post: Taupe and White

Silk Top: Lafayette 148 New York

Cotton Skirt: USE UNUSED

Belt: Charlotte Russe

Sunglasses: Just Cavalli

Shoes: MICHAEL Michael Kors

Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target

This summer I'm staying cool in lightweight neutrals, pairing taupe and white for those hot and humid days. USE UNUSED has quickly become one of my favorite designers in the past year, and the soft watercolor print on this skirt is one of my favorites for summer. 

Photos by Bri Weling

- Kim Weling