5 Favorite Natural Products with Organic Beauty Talk

Summer’s here. Pick up the bronzer and put down the ice cream. Swimsuits are coming, like it or not. Time to reconsider what you’re putting into your body. But what about what you’re putting on your skin? While you’re switching over from concealing powders to dewy tinted moisturizers and matte stains to glossy shades, why don’t you swap some of your chemical-laden go-tos for more natural new favorites? You don’t even have to do the work. Brandie Gilliam, Organic Beauty Talk blogger, has you covered, girl. She’s been on a 10+-year toxic-free journey, and she invites everyone along for the ride. Through trial and error, Gilliam’s become a self-made expert in the natural beauty arena, and she’s generously narrowed down her love list to just five favorites for ShopTalk readers. Take a look.

photography: portrait courtesy of Brandi Gilliam, all others courtesy of retailers

1. RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, $38
“A must have highlighter for glowing skin without any greasiness or shine. Use it on face, lips and even along the shoulder blades.”

2. Ilia Beauty Lipstick Crayon in Call Me, $24
“Keeps lips hydrated and pretty in pink with this handy little no-fuss crayon. Simply turn the cap when it gets low.”

3. Alima Pure Satin Matte Mineral Foundation in Cool 6, $25
“This mineral foundation is so pure and light. It leaves my skin looking flawless without feeling heavy or weighed down.”

4. Dr. Hauschka Limited Edition Spring 2013 Black Volume Mascara, $29.95
“This new volume mascara brush does wonders for lashes making them look fuller, longer and healthier without any clumping, caking or raccoon eyes.”

5. Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Sun Touched, $54
“It comes in a fabulous metal compact and gives cheeks a lovely sun-touched coral color.”

Working Up a Sweat: A Review of Sunstone Yoga’s Hot Pilates

photography courtesy of Sunstone Yoga

With 12 studios conveniently located all over the DFW area (and one in Austin), I’m sure you’ve heard of Sunstone Yoga by now. If you haven’t given them a try, I believe it is an experience that everyone should have at least once. After learning that they recently added hot Pilates to their catalog, I hit the Uptown studio to give the new “Metal” class a whirl.

First Five Minutes of Class: With the studio set to 90 degrees and 60 percent humidity hanging in the air, I had the obvious moment of panic when I first entered the room. The instructor talked us through the goal of “Metal” and bestowed a yellow “Focus Wristband” to a student that had reached her 75th class. We began class belly-up for some guided breathing that calmed me down just in time for a hairy, older, shirtless gentleman to spread his mat out inches from mine. My hair stood on end as my personal space issues began to get the better of me.

(more…)

Working Up a Sweat: A D Staffer Hits Up Flywheel Sports

Warm weather is here. Yay! Time to bare our thunder thighs. Boo. So, now we’re on the hunt for the ideal fitness program to seatbelt us into the workout wagon and keep us both working hard entertained. If you’re in the same rut, you’re in luck. On top of our last year’s 5 Favorite Workouts in Dallas and Chelsey Plumlee’s Bodybar review, more workout news is coming soon. Next up, a review of Flywheel Sports spin studio. Could the cycling shop be for you? Check out Chelsey’s take:

Flywheel Sports, New York’s stadium cycle studio, has finally made its way to Dallas. Founder and esteemed fitness instructor, Ruth Zuckerman, designed a spin experience that incorporates music, weights, and a custom stationary bike. After hearing rave reviews at the office, I decided to check it out. I talked my bike-loving brother into joining me for some male perspective before signing each of us up for the complimentary intro class that Saturday morning.

The friendly staff helped us check in at the laptop station while we grabbed the provided shoes that were waiting for us in numbered cubbies. We locked our gear in the complimentary lockers then waited anxiously for the previous class to wrap up. The studio doors opened and we both tried to play it cool as Troy Aikman strolled past us.

First Five Minutes of Class: We made our way into the dark, chilly studio and a uniformed gentleman toting an iPad escorted us to our bikes. He assisted us with the settings, told us a little bit about the bikes, and made sure we were comfortable before class began. Our cheerful instructor, Mark Shipman, gave the group a rundown of the class before saying, “Hope you like 80s music!” And we were off.

Middle of Class: I was totally regretting my Friday night happy hour with the girls, and my hypercompetitive brother was only making things worse. As I struggled to keep my legs spinning, he shot me a sarcastic smirk before cranking up the resistance on his “Torqboard” and leaving me in the dust. As Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” started to play, I found my second wind and pushed through the last few hills and even some unexpected weight training.

Class is Over: We unlocked our shoes from the pedals and slowly made our way off of the bikes for some much-needed stretching. We were both a bit wobbly, but totally exhilarated and starving for lunch.

Next Day: Our legs and arms weren’t as sore as we expected them to be, but we still felt that we had done some major calorie-burning. There was also some discussion about wearing padded shorts or buying padded seats for future classes. Consider your bum warned.

What I Love Most: The high-tech space keeps things clean and simple. I appreciated the way every moment of class flowed with the great music. My brother raved about the bike and the instructor’s killer attitude. (Our instructor, Mark, had taught the class before ours and, as we left, we overheard him talking about teaching the next one!)

What I Love Least: The Dallas studio is located off of Oak Lawn at The Shops of Highland Park so busy nights and weekends could create a parking challenge. The locker area is just a big common space outside the studio so if you need to change you will have to wait for a shower or restroom stall.

Cost: Flywheel falls comfortably in the middle when compared to other local studios. Both locations are offering 30-day month-to-month memberships for $180 without a sign-up fee or commitment.

The Takeaway: This concept takes all of the work out of working out so you can relax and focus on the experience. The shoes, water, towels, locker, and equipment are all there waiting for you when you arrive and the “Torqboard” records your progress for online review. We will be back for more.

Another Dallas Company Joins the Juice Game: Vim + Vigor

If you read about the new local juice delivery company, Vim + Vigor, on CultureMap last week, you, like us, have probably been wondering how it compares to the competition (Roots Juices, The Gem, Le Jus, etc.). Carol and I had the opportunity to sit down with owners (and cousins) Annie Portman and Liz Black yesterday to chat about their mission and sample a few juices. Vim + Vigor, named for an expression that refers to health and vitality, energy and strength, aims to be a healthy lifestyle company rather than just a spot on the trendy juice bar map. Portman and Black cite education as a leading factor in this mission. The two, who partnered with a nutritionist to create the recipes for each juice (15 total) and cleanse kit (three available–beginner, intermediate, and expert), want to offer all the information necessary for clients to understand how to cleanse and make it through each day.

The beginner cleanse is particularly interesting. For newbies to the juice detox world, this first-level set offers a few unique twists. Each day is made up of four vegetable-only juices and dinner options. (Yes, food.) Recipes for the three-day ($100) and five-day ($170) version are available online. Fruit is eliminated because, “The sugar in fruit feeds yeast in the body causing lethargy and other symptoms often referred to as “detox effects.” Along with a sleek, apothecary-inspired design and recyclable containers, Portman and Black strive for tasty juices with “multidimensional taste” and “layered flavors.” “We want it to be enjoyable, not something you just choke down,” Black says. Carol and I invited Charlotte to join us for a mini roundtable juice tasting of the No. 02, No. 04, and No. 10.

No. 02 (carrot, beet, apple)
Charlotte: “Surprisingly okay. I wouldn’t mind drinking this on a daily basis.”
Carol: “I loved how viscous this juice turned out. You can taste every single ingredient inside the juice with perfect clarity.”
Me: “Not bad for beet juice. Definitely one of the best beet juices I’ve had.”

No. 04 (pineapple, pear, apple, romaine, mint)
Charlotte: “Love this. Reminds me of something I’d use to mix a cocktail.”
Carol: “The mint and pear combination is lovely and refreshing. I could have one of these every day.”
Me: “Delicious. Totally and completely delicious. I could live on this. Has to be high in sugar, though.”

No. 10 (romaine, carrot)
Charlotte: “This tastes like drinking grass.”
Carol: “This juice leaves a very, very bitter aftertaste lingering in your mouth. It’s not something I would be craving to drink again.”
Me: “Nope. I do not like carrot juice.”

Vim + Vigor is currently delivery only. Choose a cleanse kit or custom pack. Prices vary, but typically run between $55 and $250.

New Year, New You, and Obviously, New Workout Gear

photography courtesy of KaMIT

New year = getting healthy = more workouts = shopping for new workout gear. Check this out: KaMIT Sport is a local sportswear line packing comfortable athletic-meets-lifestyle wear that is fashioned to slenderize.

Dorris Bogus, the brand’s designer, ACE-certified group fitness trainer, and finalist in 2011′s Texas Next Top Designer competition, uses eco-friendly fabrics (like organic cotton and bamboo) that wick away moisture along with slimming details like dark panels and feel-good roominess for hiding muffin tops and other embarrassing lumps, bumps, and unsightly spots. Highlights of the collection include sexy open-back tees, waist-producing tanks, tribal-trimmed pants, and yoga wraps so buttery soft you’ll want to wear them everywhere. I had the good fortune to be sent a handful of samples, which I dispersed among a few family members for the full perpective of all ages. Though a couple designs have superfluous details like belled, fitted sleeves and cowl collars (which my mom loved), I can fully vouch for the slimming, comfy-coziness of Bogus’ KaMIT collection. I’m also a firm believer that a good workout outfit can inspire you to kick-off your best fitness regimen yet. It always works for me. Shop the collection online.

Only Overweight Clients Allowed at This Dallas Gym

Liz forwarded over a press release this morning with this tidbit:

Downsize Fitness is a Dallas gym that caters to those 50 pounds or more overweight until they ‘graduate’ to a goal weight of 220 lbs. It is a revolutionary concept that is capturing local and national attention… Each Downsize Fitness member has a coach that helps them each step of the way, with exercises and nutrition programs geared towards their members.

I don’t mean to sound out of the fitness loop–okay, I’m out of the fitness loop–but, I didn’t know this existed. I know there are gyms exclusively for ladies, but overweight-only fitness studios are news to me. I like the concept. The Dallas location of Downsize Fitness on Inwood Road is one of three, and it emphasizes three components: fitness, nutrition, and support. I wish more gyms offered a comprehensive program. (Having a juice bar doesn’t count.)

My Roots Juice Detox Cleanse: A 5-Day Diary

Roots Juices Detox & Cleanse kit

I’d been wanting to do a quick detox when I discovered local juice line, Roots Juices, had a five-day, pre-packaged detox kit. I wasn’t looking for weight loss results, but a full-body cleanse that would flush me of all the garbage I’d be eating, let me reset my appetite, and help kick-start some better habits. I’ve done the Master Cleanse before, and in comparison, with it’s no-prep setup and nutritious ingredients (versus the Master Cleanse’s lemon, cayenne, and syrup concoction), the Roots Juices detox seemed like a more manageable alternative. Except for the cost.

Each day of the detox kit includes six juices and two waters and costs $50. That’s $250 for five days worth of product. Courtesy of Roots’ public relations teams, I was offered a three-day trial, free of charge. At first, I hesitated, especially in light of all the recent freebie talk. Then I checked my rear in the mirror. It needed a detox, and I’m a broke editor. I covered the last two days out of pocket, and having experienced the entire shebang now, I will probably shell out for the whole thing again in the future. After calculating the cost of the usual weekly expenses (one grocery store trip, one happy hour, one dinner out, multiple work lunches), it rounds out to nearly the price of this detox. Plus, after comparing it to the well known BluePrint Cleanse, a similar pre-packaged juice kit, Roots is a steal. BluePrint comes with six juices (no waters) and rings up at $325.

Overall, I’d say the cleanse was relativity easy. Although exercise was out of the question for me, I didn’t feel hungry, I did feel mostly energized throughout, and I absolutely took away from it what I wanted: I’m eating better, exercising steadily, and, as a bonus, a few pounds down. Below is my diary.

(more…)

Get Fit for $4. Sign-Up This Afternoon Only.

photography by Elizabeth Lavin

I’ve been doing Camp Gladiator boot camp for about two years now. It has helped me reach fitness goals I never thought I could, been the reason I was able to shave off 8 pounds and keep it off, and given me an place to let off steam and walk away feeling good. They’re consistently winning Readers’ Choice awards during the Best of Big D because camp attendees can’t get enough. It’s physically addicting. The only downfall, like gym memberships, yoga studio fees, and other fitness programs, is the cost. If you sign up for six consecutive months, it’s only $69; if you sign up for one camp (four weeks), it’s a whopping $170.

Not this afternoon. It’s Camp Gladiator’s 4th birthday celebration.

Sign up between 12:44 pm and 4:44 pm TODAY, and you can register for the October 15-November 10 session for $4. No strings attached. Head to campgladiator.com to sign up.

Get This in Your Calendar: Free Dallas Yoga Day, September 3

New to yoga? Test it out. Veteran yogi? Try a new class. That’s what DFW’s Free Day of Yoga is good for. Happening September 3, tons of local yoga studios are offering complimentary classes from morning until sundown around the city. See here for a list of all the studios and classes available. You can search by zip code, start time, and class level. RSVP info, if necessary, is provided.

Shape Shifting Time: Our 5 Favorite Workouts in Dallas

A reader writes:

I need a need a new workout class for summer. Bored of the gym, but gotta get rid of these not-so-lovely love handles. I know you try out different classes. What are your favorites? –Candace

I won’t lie. A perk of the job is “testing” different fitness programs around town. Most are good. Some, meh, but then there are the greats. Five of those, coming up. (Warning: You will not find yoga on this list.)

Class: Beyond Pedaling
What It Is: An indoor cycling studio in Snider Plaza. We love the Barre Blast + Bike class, a combination of 25 minutes of spin class and 25 minutes of ballet-inspired barre work that equals 50 minutes of pure, head-to-toe toning.
Why We Like It: The classroom is hip, lit up like a nightclub with colorful LED lights. A big screen at the front of the room plays music videos (nothing makes me pedal faster than Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter”), and instructors are all sorts of energetic. The time flies by (as it does when you’re having fun) and our bodies were sore for days in all the right places. (Buns, abs, shoulders, and thighs.)
Cost: $15 for your first ever class, followed by $3o a pop in singles, and packages ranging from $80-$300
Schedule: Click here.

(more…)

Freshly Squeezed Juice + No Cleanup = Dallas Roots Juices Delivery

photography courtesy of Roots Juices

Most of us have heard the juicing hype. Maybe you’ve even bought a juicer of your own. However, if you’re anything like me, getting a juicer and actually using it are two totally different things.(Mine’s been sitting on the counter collecting dust for six months.)

When it comes to the juice-craze, it seems like the majority of us have good intentions but are too busy to take action. Thankfully, Roots Juices, a Dallas-based juice company, has just launched online. Log on, order fresh-pressed goodness, and it’ll arrive at your doorstep. Plus, Roots uses fruits and vegetables from local farmers.

When it takes about three pounds of the stuff to create one juice, it’s a relief to forgo the shopping and horrible clean-up and to take Roots up on its offer. In addition to a variety of nutritious concoctions, Roots supplies specialty juice kits. These range from their 5-day Detox and Cleanse Kit (a smart way to jumpstart a diet) to their Rehab Hangover Recovery Kit (perfect after a wild night out). Interested? Get all the details here.

Kelly Belter is a shopping intern.

Enjoy a Spa-Themed Mammogram. Wait. What?

No amount of aromatherapy oils would make me forget I’m about to have my breasts squished between glass plates in a machine checking for what could be a life altering lump. On the other hand, I suppose if you have to choose between a sterile, medical mammogram or a “luxurious” one, the latter sounds more appealing. With this in mind, Methodist Dallas Medical Center is now offering Monday Night Mammos, a new monthly event. From the press release:

For many women, mammograms are an uncomfortable experience. However, at Methodist Dallas, breast care specialists ensure that women feel relaxed, comfortable, and pampered while they take care of their health. At Monday Night Mammos, women will receive the five-star treatment, beginning the moment they arrive with free valet parking. Soothing aromatherapy, a relaxing chair massage, and a gentle hand rub are next, followed by delicious, light spa cuisine. When it comes time for their mammograms, women are given a soft, warm MammoPad® breast cushion to ensure their comfort. Expert radiologists read the results with the added benefit of Digital ImageChecker® computer aided detection technology which improves early detection. Women receive their results within 24 hours.

Upcoming dates include June 25, July 30, August 27, and September 24. Cost is $266.70. For more information or to RSVP for an upcoming Monday Night Mammos event, head to www.methodisthealthsystem.org/mondaymammos or call 214-947-3441, option 1.

Smart Cookie: Dallas’ New “Magic Cookies”

Granola Cranberry with Chia (gorgeous cookie photography courtesy of Biosanes)

When boxes of new Biosanes Magic Cookies hit the desks of D, at first, I pushed them aside. I wasn’t interested in another weight loss product. Then, one day I forgot my breakfast. I opened a Magic Cookie packet and inhaled the patty of grainy granola goodness suffused with crunchy chia seeds and sticky dried cranberries. Not bad. So I checked the label: 190 calories? Okay. Gluten free? Sweet. Five grams of fiber? I’ll take it. Then I checked the press release. To my surprise, the company’s head honchos are Nanci Masso, one of 2009′s 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas, and daughter Faryn Clark, owner of Facelogic spa. Claims are, these cookies will stave off hunger, boost immunity, and provide lots of nutrients. To that, I shrug my shoulders. (I’m a believer in simple clean eating as the key to weight loss and wellness.) But I’d definitely add the Granola Cranberry with Chia cookies to my snack and on-the-go munchies regimen. (Not so much the Natural Oatmeal Raisin.) Available in single, 7, and 14-count packs for $3.25 to $40.

So, Vogue is Going to Promote “Healthier” Body Image? Hm.

Yes, magazines put abnormally thin human beings on covers. (We’re guilty of it too.) Sure, Photoshop is overused. As Tina Fey admits in Bossy Pants, “I feel about Photoshop the way some people feel about abortion. It is appalling and a tragic reflection on the moral decay of our society…unless I need it, in which case, everybody be cool.” And it’s sad that we have discovered a girl’s self esteem peaks at 9 years of age. But the most peeving part of this conversation (that we just. keep. having.) is that fashion magazines step in like superheroes with their once-a-year health issues or one-time plus-size model spread, poised to excuse themselves from endorsing too-thinness and advocacy group’s complaints. The other 11 months of the year, we find the usual super slender bodies donning delightful designer concoctions.

Now, Women’s Wear Daily reports that Conde Nast’s Vogue publications are going to start promoting “healthier” body image with a new, so-called “Health Initiative.” Wait. Hold the phone. That’s problem number one, since they won’t agree to simply promote healthy body image. Just healthier. According to WWD.com, the six-point agreement signed by Vogue’s 19 worldwide editions includes the following:

Among the points that form the pact are that the editors will not knowingly work with models under 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder; that they will ask casting directors not to knowingly send underage models to their magazines; they will help structure mentoring programs so that more mature models can advise their younger counterparts; they will encourage designers to “consider the consequences of unrealistically small sample sizes,” and that they will encourage show producers to create healthy backstage working environments for models.

More -ier language. They won’t stop working with underage models, but they won’t do it knowingly. They still won’t I.D. models and turn down the ones under 16, but they’ll ask casting directors not to send them. They’re not going to set up mentoring programs; they are just going to help structure them. They won’t demand larger sample sizes from designers, but they will encourage them to consider the consequences.

I think that one of two things should happen. One, fashion magazines should stand up say, “Look, clothing looks better on skinny b*tches. We are not responsible for people getting the wrong idea.” I mean, I get it. These out-of-grasp body shapes and obscenely priced garments keep the high fashion world feeling exclusive and inspirational. Plus, fashion is about the clothing, not necessarily the model. Or, two, if they’re really committed to healthy body image (not healthier, but healthy) go ahead and commit 100 percent to changing the image currently promoted (from stick thin young things to womanly shapes) and move forward.

Cover Clothing’s SPF Apparel Blocks the Sun and Looks Chic

Well, apparently it’s national Grilled Cheese Day, so we should all give up, grab a sammie, and go home for the day. But first, stop at Neiman Marcus and check out this line of SPF clothing. Here’s why: spring has sprung, the sun is shining (albeit not today), and melanoma is on the rise. According to the most recent skin care study from The Mayo Clinic, from 1970 to 2009, the incidence of melanoma in young women has increased eight times. Eight. Times. Don’t go patting yourself on the back for slapping on a daily dose of moisturizer with SPF either; your body is still unprotected. That’s why Dallas gals Lisa Moore and Robyn Stevens, founders of Cover Sun Conscious Clothing, created a line of quick-dry, wrinkle free, apparel with UPF 50+ protection. (We told you we loved them in 2009, remember?) Well, they’ve just been picked up by Neiman Marcus so they’re more accessible than ever. Plus, starting in May, $10 from each purchase of the long sleeve white tee will benefit the American Cancer Society. Every women needs a clean, long sleeve white tee–just ask Diane Keaton–and you’ll find it at Neiman Marcus, Five & Ten, and online.

Think you’ll die without your golden bronze this summer? Get an airbrush tan. Continue reading for our very favorite sunless tans in Dallas.

(more…)