DRY SKIN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

don't I look not at all like myself in this photo?

Wiiiiith Vaseline Lip Tins! 

A COUPLE OF THINGS FOR YOU TODAY:

First, a glowing memory, from our first day back in Moscow, Round Two. 

Actually, we were in Pullman at the time. 

Ready?

There I was, sitting on a hotel bed, in Pullman, Washington. An assortment of souvenirs from our trip to New Orleans were scattered all around me, including a plastic alligator that is supposed to grow larger when left in water overnight. Chompers The Gator, we were calling him. He was hanging out in some very dirty water in a smudgy glass on the side table next to me. (Huck had figured that stirring it with his fingers would help . . . somehow. Maybe it did! Who knows.) In my lap I held a list of all the local restaurants (most of which I remembered being not-that-great), and in my hand, my cell phone, which I was using to knock out one at a time all of the potential delivery options in the area. Because NOBODY delivers NOTHING in Pullman. Except the Pita Pit. Which was CLOSED! BECAUSE THE STUDENTS HADN'T COME BACK YET OR SOMETHING? 

It was all so incredibly depressing. And not just because I was hungry and didn't feel like putting on pants. And not just because my only delivery option was Pizza Perfection (and I've never been a huge fan, sorry). Not even because we were back in this dumb part of the country that I swore I'd never have to see again so long as I lived, and not even because I had just left the city of my dreams where I could get my morning coffee delivered to me by my favorite bodega guy Rico! (Rico I miss you! And your bran muffins!!) 

No, my primary cause of depression in that moment was that, just the day before, somewhere mid fly-over states in an airplane taking me to my doom, I had literally watched as all of the moisture in my body that New York and New Orleans had so kindly provided via gumbo- and garbage-smelling humidity was sucked straight out of my body, and here I was, parched. I was PARCHED! Chapped, thirsty, dry, wasted, and Pullman tap water tastes disgusting, and we had nothing in the hotel room to drink--no water bottles, Holiday Inn??--and by now even the GATOR WATER was starting to look pretty good to me, and so I decided (quite rationally, I'd like to add), that my best bet was a dip in the indoor pool down the hall -- water, right?? -- and clearly that would solve all my problems, except that water was FREEZING, and also, chlorine has a way of not hydrating much? If you'll recall from chemistry class or whatever.

(You know, I know I actually took a chemistry class at some point in my educational career, I just don't actually remember a bleeding second of it. Or even where the classroom was! Was it at BYU? In high school? Seriously my brain has blocked all my scientific learning from age 10 through 22 and isn't that depressing?)

The point of all this is to say, one legitimately needs to moisturize out here in ways one never truly needed to moisturize out east. If one is me. 

And now, to continue with this week's theme of epidermal moisturization, I am going to talk to you about Vaseline!

I have loved Vaseline like a sister for as long as I can remember. Vaseline is partly responsible for bringing my sad, chapped lips back to life every time I've moved out west. (Don't forget to drink lots of water!) 

In fact! In 2011 I wrote an article for Babble called "14 Beauty-full uses for Vaseline," but now I can't seem to find it. 

In an exciting twist on my love of Vaseline, they've now come out with a new line of Lip Therapy Tins. Tins! So portable! In Original, Aloe, Cocoa Butter, and Rosy Lips. You can get them at most drugstores, including online at Vaseline.US and Target.com.

Now! Go forth and moisturize! 

FIVE AROUND-THE-HOUSE HOLIDAY HAIRDOS

It's Christmas week! The time of year where you are either dressed to the nines for a holiday party or else slummin' it in your jams the entire day, eating oranges and marathoning Christmas movies and paint-by-numbering like your life depends on it.  :)

I come from a family of girls, where learning to put as little effort into your appearance as possible while still feeling pretty and mildly put together is a rite of passage. The day a girl figures out how to get ready to leave the house in under 5 minutes? That's the day that girl becomes a woman! 

A huge proponent of this not-schlumpy comfort look is in the hair. Messy, not sloppy. Having an arsenal of hairdos you know you can pull off super fast, that look even better a little lived-in, that work well with jams, ugly Christmas sweaters, little black dresses, AND last minute panicked runs to the mall, that's your secret weapon.

As someone who travels for Christmas most years, I've got my on-the-road hair care to-go on lock down. I need one hair elastic, two bobby pins, and a can of hairspray, and I am ready to roll. 

And now, in partnership with Living Proof, I shall share unto you all that I know about around-the-house hairdos! Don't worry it isn't much, it shouldn't take long. :)  

What you'll need: 

1. One (1) hair elastic and two (2) bobby pins 

2. Hairspray/. I've been using + loving Living Proof's Control Hairspray. 

3. Optional, but helpful: Styling creme! Good for hair that is naturally fine, or for when you just washed your hair and can't do a thing with it. I've loved using the Amp Instant Texture Volumizer from Living Proof. Bonus! You get a few samples whenever you make a purchase at Living Proof, Smear a small amount on your palm, then run your hands all through the middle and ends of your hair. Avoid the roots until the end. (I find a little near-dried texture volumizer at the root helps achieve volume, though soft, still-fresh volumizer, not so much.) 

4. And yourself! This is me. Hi!

Okay, are you ready? Are you taking notes? You probably don't need to, just relax. Here we go! My favorite around-the-house hairdos, plus a few tips or explanations here and there. 

THE TWISTED PONYTAIL /

I grew up with my mom doing this to my hair every morning before school as a kid. This hairstyle is a true Lovin institution.

METHOD/
Tip! I always start each new hairdo with a hefty dose of hairspray up front. My friend Rubi taught me this trick. The hairspray helps those little baby hairs know what they're doing and gives you better control. Spray your whole head! I've been really happy with Living Proof's Control Hairspray. It has a really even spray, is not at all wet or sticky, doesn't flake when you brush it out, and it holds on really well. And it smells amazing. 

1. Separate your hair into pigtails.
2. Starting with one side, at your crown near your part, grab the two upper most bits of hair at your crown and then twist them back and away from your face, picking up more hair and adding to the twist as you go. (If you know how to french braid, this will come super naturally to you.)
3. Once you reach the base of your neck, use an elastic or bobby to secure the twist.
4. Repeat on the other side.
5. Once completed, pull both sides together, secure in place with your elastic, then loosen and pull hair out along the twist for a fuller and softer look.

FRENCH BRAID /

The traditional french braid doesn't get enough credit! I always feel like Annie Reed from Sleepless in Seattle in a good french braid, and that kind of feeling's not nothing! 

I think the trick to a good french braid lies in where you begin it. I like to start at the back of my head, not the top. Is there a name for that part of your head? The beehive area? I don't mean Utah? (har har)

I believe in ending a french braid higher than you'd expect, because I like to loosen it up a lot, but if you want a tight braid you should continue pulling more hair in until you the braid has reached the top of your neck. Otherwise, I always end the french before it reaches my neck, and then braid down the rest of the hair.

Tight braid? You're finished. Loose? Here we go. Start at the bottom of your braid, and work your way up, pulling on the braid as you go up. Special attention to the area at the base of the braid, which has now been loosened to about mid-neck level.

THE FRENCH PONY /

It's pretty kicky! The braid provides volume and something fun and different from a usual pony. This style is also a lifesaver for when you're growing your bangs out.

Starting at the very front, very top of the crown, and only utilizing the center of your hair, tightly french braid for three or so inches. Imagine you are braiding a mohawk? Secure braid with bobby pins and pull remainder of hair into a high pony. Secure with an elastic. Taduh! 

Here's a tip from me to you: if you tighten your pony by pulling horizontally, you'll get extra volume at the top. Don't tighten vertically! A horizontal tug gives you tight sides and a puffier top, vertical gives you just the opposite.

THE FAUX HALF-UP /

For this one I prefer to grab all the hair near my ears except the top front-most near my forehead. I pull those thin bits straight to the back of my head and pin! And then repeat on the other side.

A fun variation is to skip the pins and use an elastic. You're tying together just the loose fronts of your hair and then the bulk of it comes the back of the crown, leaving plenty of hair near your ears for zhushing in case you also suffer from sticky-outy ears.

(I saw this one a lot when I was in France this spring, in case that matters anything at all to you. :)

THE HALF TOP KNOT /

Self-explanatory? I like to use as little hair as possible. It lessens headache incidents :). 

Now go forth and watch Elf again! At least make sure your stretchy pants are clean!

This post was sponsored by Living Proof. #YourBestHair

THE NEW WASH-AND-GO HAIR

Living in Brooklyn was super fun. Hey, remember that? Dang. My hair in Brooklyn was kind of a mess of bedhead and snarls and I tell you, I loved it. It worked perfectly for my lifestyle of walking everywhere, through all sorts of weather, pulling scarves on and off . . .  Feeling purposefully disheveled (even if I only looked disheveled) was awesome. I'd do it again, dude.

Aaaaaand then we moved. 

Living in Idaho is also super fun. Well . . . nope, totally super fun, I'm sticking to it. My hair in Idaho is always rather different from my hair out east. The water here does something to it to make it grow like a weed, and feel a million times softer, too. Also, crazy disheveled doesn't work in Idaho like it works in New York. All that to say, I actually want my hair to look like somebody cares these days.

Idaho Natalie is just a whole other kind of beast.

Just before we left Brooklyn I was introduced to a hair care brand called Living Proof. They sent me a few travel size samples to try, and since we were about to hit the road to NOLA and then on to Idaho, it was the perfect fix. When we finally landed in the great Northwest, and I was finished crying for my loft, I ordered a couple full size bottles. I am a fan for life!

(My janky pink tub makes an appearance!)

And now! Here's my new favorite way to wash-and-go your way to a full head of bouncy hair. Are ya ready?

WELL. About every third day I wash and condition my hair using Living Proof's Full Shampoo and Conditioner. I like to shower in the evenings (who showers in the mornings, please? superwomen only), and as soon as I'm finished, once my stretchy pants are in their locked and loaded position and my hair isn't completely sopping wet, I pull my still-wet, unbrushed hair into a low chignon at the base of my neck, tie an elastic around it, and then I use my fingers to loosen the hair around my crown until I look slightly crazed, and / or like some romantic Jane Austen heroine. 

This seems to give my roots that extra boost of volume. I wear my hair like this for bed most nights. Come morning, I pull out the bun and give my hair a little fluff, and I'm ready to go give good morning kissies to my girls out in the chicken coop. 

It's not a bad little routine! 

And now for few of my favorite long hair care tips:

1-Prenatal vitamins go a loooooong way toward getting your hair to grow. 

2-Don't brush your hair when it is wet. EVER.

3-Find a casual way to pull your hair back + up off your shoulders that makes you feel pretty for those days when you feel like your hair isn't growing fast enough and having to look at it makes you crazy and want to chop it all off. If you know what I mean. 

RAIDING THE FRENCH DRUGSTORE

It's kind of a cliché by now, the American in Paris frantically raiding the Paris drugstores of all the miracle French skin creams + potions they can get their hands on, then toting home an entire luggage bag full of just beauty products. It's silly though, because--and full disclosure I fully intend on doing it anyway--you can get just about all of it here in the States without even leaving your house. 

Some of my favorite French drugstore products you can find on l'Amazon . . .

Klorane Dry Shampoo - pricey, but lovely.

Avène XeraCalm A.D 

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse 

Bioderma Solution Micellaire - this makeup remover doesn't require rinsing! it's weird + wonderful.

Darphin Vitalskin 

Vichy Idéalia 

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré - ultra moisturizing

Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm - goes on real thick, like a moisturizing lip mask, perfect at bedtime

Now for all you who travel more than me--what are your favorites? Spill it. And if you've come across any products that are legit-style only offered in France, let a girl know so I can nab some!

WHAT'S IN YOUR MAKEUP BAG? / MORGAN GRACE JARRETT, IMPROV QUEEN

broad city photo credit comedy central

Hey everybody, this is Morgan. Morgan . . . oh my gosh I don't even know where to start with this one, I luhhff Morgan. We met when I was her guest on Night Late at the Upright Citizens Brigade a little while back. She's a blog-stalking Birchbox-obsessed intensely witty actress + comedienne who lives here in the city and has flipping perfect hair. (You might have seen her in an episode of Broad City!) I love how unapologetically, amazingly feminine she is, she completely revels in it, it's glorious and intelligent and perfect. You talk to Morgan and suddenly your voices have ratcheted up to all new heights + interesting octaves, and pretty soon you're jazz-handing over things like green juice, it's magic. Morgan is pure magic. I feel like I may have discovered a long-lost blonde-haired sister with this one.

She is also a BABE.

Take it away, sister!

WHAT'S IN MY MAKEUP BAG, THE MORGAN GRACE JARRETT EDITION

MY SKINCARE ROUTINE

Since the last time I did a post about my skin care routine just about errrthing done changed. Well, so my process is exactly the same as it used to be, but the products are, more or less, completely not the same. So I thought I'd do an update and let you all know what I've been using lately. All those fantastic things that people come to blogs for.

// 1. ORGANIC COCONUT OIL // After falling a little bit out of love with Dove over the last year (and with the entire Unilever Corp all together), and after reading all about the Internet's love affair with coconut oil, I decided to try washing my face with it one night, fully expecting to wake up the next morning to the break out of the century. Instead, my skin felt great! My pores seemed pretty chill. I used it a few more days and then never went back to soap. It's like we've reached some kind of odd agreement with each other, me and the oil, so I'm sticking with it. I keep my coconut oil in a pretty little jar in the bathroom where it stays pretty warm (strongest heaters in the joint!) so the coconut oil never gets too solid. I use my hands to rub it all over my face (my eyes as well; it's not that fantastic for removing eye make up, but then, lazy), and then I wipe it all off using one of the baby wipes we will never stop buying from Costco in bulk. Ideally I'll learn to use a towel instead of a wipe and save the earth while I'm at it, but then I think of the water that it takes to clean the towels, and . . . did the Universe ever come up with a conclusive decision on that one? I'll have to check.

// 2. ORGANIC ROSE WATER // Rather than wash my face in the morning I like to use a "toner" (for lack of a better word) to freshen up and prep my skin for the day. I was using raw Apple Cider Vinegar, but then Brandon asked me not to use it anymore because he didn't like for the bathroom to smell like a salad, so I started to look for an equally natural, but better smelling option. After doing some research I ordered a bottle of rose water and it was just love at first scent I tell you. Rose water is anti-inflammatory, rich in anti-oxidants, naturally cleansing . .  it also just feels nice. I keep mine in a spray bottle and spray it directly on my face first thing in the morning. Ahh. I've also used micellar water for this same purpose, which I like a lot and like to keep handy for those mornings when my skin needs an extra boost of freshening, but the micellar water leaves a bit more of a . . . residue? Which is good, I hear? But I don't love it-love it.

// 3. KONJAC SPONGE // Some nights after the coconut oil I'll use my Konjac sponge to exfoliate. You only need to soak it in water for a second or two to un-dry the thing out and then you're good to go. I'm sort of new to the Konjac sponge situation, so I'm still mildly weirded out by it, haha. I learned about these while hunting around for an exfoliation alternative to my face brush that was nose-ring friendly (don't you imagine those whirring scrubbies on the Clarisonic Mia and just cringe, nose ring friends?). Weirdly, it really really works.  I probably use it three or so times a week. It's made from something called a Konjac Potato? If you like that sort of thing 

// 4. AESOP CAMELLIA NUT FACIAL HYDRATING CREAM // I started to notice the Kiehl's was leaving my skin a little dull, so I went on a hunt for a night cream that would be organic, heavy duty enough to work, but not so heavy duty that I couldn't use it comfortably in the summer, and I wanted pretty packaging too, please and thanks. I've been fairly happy with the Camellia Nut cream, as I've been with most of Aesop's products. I mostly only use it at night, but sometimes I mix it with my BB Cream in the morning. (Next time I might just spring for the big daddy Perfect Facial Hydrating Cream and get it over with.)

// 5. KIEHL'S BB CREAM // I consider this a "moisturizer" because it's what I use as a moisturizer in the morning, even though it's supposed to be a cosmetic. And I tend to find this stuff pretty thick, too, which is why I started to dilute it with my night cream. It's not perfect, and I still hold out hope that Kiehl's will bring back their tinted moisturizer. Please, Kiehl's! Pretty please!!!

// 6. CAUDALÍE VINEXPERT FIRMING SERUM // The women in my family lose their skin elasticity first, so I'm pretending like I can have any impact on that by trying out all the skin firming serums that exist. I'll be honest with you, I think I only like this one because it's French. ;) (Just realized I'm describing things out of the order that I use them in. Oops.)

// 7. & 8. LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR DUO & BURT'S BEES BLEMISH STICK // I still get my hormonal moments, so I keep these on hand for the just-in-case. I picked up the effaclar duo on a tip from a friend, but later learned that La Roche-Posay isn't cruelty-free, so while I use up the last of it I'm on still the hunt for a better option--know of any? As for Burt, I will never stop loving the sting of that blemish stick. Die, pimples! Die!!! 

Special Note: I picked up a prescription for Retin-A the last time I saw my doctor (see also: apparently you can just get it on Amazon now?!), and I can't say for sure whether it's any more potent than the RoC I was using before. FYI!

WHAT'S IN YOUR MAKE UP BAG? / 001 :: EMILY FRAME

First of all, is this is a new series over here that I'm super super pumped about! So, the best part of slumber parties + group bathroom breaks between classes in high school was playing with makeup and watching how your friends did theirs, right? And first thing you do at somebody's house is snoop around in their medicine cabinet, yeah? (Just kidding, I'm not a snoop! Very often!) I just feel like there's something very wonderful and meaningful to a woman's makeup routine, how she approaches her face and why, like sort of a mini anthropological study of who we are and what we do and how we live as women. I want to know everybody's routine, it's one of the first things I want to ask when I meet somebody new but I almost never do. I wanna know your routine, and your favorite products, and your backstory, and who you got your eyes from. So I asked all my friends all the things I've always wanted to ask but never did, and told them it was for the the good of the blog world, and, so, that's how this happened. I'm starting with my friend Emily Frame, because I just got hers in my inbox today and it tickled me all pink inside. 

Emily is one of the best. She runs Bijou Market, she's one of the founders of Small Fry, she's a mother of two, + she's one of the most stylishly playful ladies I've ever known. I just love her with everything I've got. I've been lucky to know Emily for a number of years and she's the kind of girl where you meet her + instantly you're THERE. You know? She's genuine, loving, witty as hell, honest, and so so much fun to be around. She puts you at ease and makes you laugh till you cry. Good stock, this one. You're going to love this! I hope slash promise!

WHAT'S IN MY MAKEUP BAG, THE EMILY FRAME EDITION

GENIUS KOREAN BEAUTY FINDS

photo credits: one | two | three | four 

I was having a coffee date with some friends in Koreatown just before Christmas last year (hee hee, last year? that's still always funny to me for some reason) when we got on the subject of Korean make up. The Koreans are known for having their own specific make up styles and really amazing products, they practically invented the BB cream (well, a German invented it, but the Koreans took it from there), there's even something called Korean brows. You're going to lose hours here, I'm sorry. But as a fellow dark-haired, yellow undertone type of lady, let me tell you. I can appreciate. I've been obsessed with reading Korean make up reviews on Amazon. But what I didn't realize is there's actually a shop in KTown that's stocked all these products all along! Cue my geeky excitement.

Koreatown is very small, just one city block on 32nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. It's the best spot to find japchae and bibimbap and after living in Seoul as a kid, I always get a bit of a thrill when I'm down there, but somehow I'd passed a million times but never noticed the tiny The Face Shop tucked in between all the Korean BBQ restaurants. My friends gave it all these rave reviews, so immediately after polishing off the last of our Korean doughnuts, I booked it to the shop for a little poke-about. The place is really fun. Think: crazy magazines. I get such a kick out of Korean boy bands. Anyway few weeks later and I am happy to report: totally lives up to the hype. 

I picked up this CC cream in Natural Beige while I was there and oh hell, it has thrilled me to no end. This stuff! My skin keeps getting all these compliments, I swear it's going to get a big head soon. (I also bought a tube of BB cream, though I haven't loved it quite as much.)

Another big hit for me is this Korean brow pencil in dark brown. It seriously may have changed my life. My hair is so dark it's almost black. It's been the bane of my existence to find a dark brown that is ashy enough to match my hair. But leave it to the Koreans! Thank your, Korea!

Here's a shot of the stuff in action, snapped from the roof of our building this afternoon while Huck ate all the fresh snow he could stuff in his mouth. (Snow day!) I've been using the CC cream as an under-eye concealer, and the pencil to fill out the outside ends of my brows (#shortbrowproblems).

Anyway I'm no Korean model but that ain't bad!

Record number of uses of the word Korea in this post? ;)

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE | HIS + HERS

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven || eight || nine || ten || eleven

Most years I put together a separate gift guide for the mens and for the ladies, and most years those gift guides end up looking more or less completely identical, I guess because I have such a thing for menswear on the ladies. It's my favorite look on a girl, especially when coupled with an intensely feminine red lip. So this year we're saving time + paper and just going with one gift guide. Knock yourselves out, kids.

My favorite places to shop like a dude these days:

IZOLA + its sister shop HOOT // For the best stocking stuffers around.

BRIDGE & BURN // For some gorgeous Pacific Northwest inspired digs.

DANIEL WELLINGTON // For wrist wear you can share with your man friends. Plus you can get 15% off + free worldwide shipping with the code HOLIDAY_HEYNATALIEJEAN.

W A Y W A R D // For the coolest leather accessories (paint splattered pouches!!!).

NINA Z // For the kinds of clompy clogs you'll never want to take off.

STUDIO VISIT: NINA Z / BROOKLYN, NY

I don't know if you could call this a series because I have no idea if I'll do one ever again? But hey! Today I'm bringing you a little studio tour of miss Nina Z's clog shop in Brooklyn. Mostly because I get a kick out of snooping in other people's places. :) You probably do too! And also because I'd always wanted to see how Nina's studio worked, since the first time I met her. I just think the process of hand-making such beautiful, highly functional pieces of art must be so satisfying, and kind of romantic in a way, and I wanted to see it for myself. Nina had just finished a pair of clogs custom-made for my foot (is this not the fanciest idea ever!?) and I needed to come by for a final fitting, so the timing was perfect. It was so, so, so much fun.

P.S. While I was there Nina asked if I maybe wanted to give a pair of custom SONJA clogs to one of my readers, too? And I said "DUH YES." Obviously! Just leave a comment below to enter. Our winner will be chosen Monday, and contacted by Nina for all ya foot specifics. Fancy! 

I love all of the clogs, but Nina makes my very favorites. They're a little more rustic than a Hasbeen or a Lotta, and clogs have no business being sleek, if you ask me. These are work shoes! Her leather is also much softer, so, no blisters. I first met Nina when I was hugely pregnant, at the Brooklyn Flea. We were still doing that "poor college kids" song and dance, so I wasn't able to bring a pair home with me that day, but oh man, those clogs haunted me in my dreams. A year or so later, Nina emailed out of the blue. And then we became friends. Isn't that a lovely story? I don't know, I think that's a lovely story. Anyway, this year Nina's taking the steps to both source and manufacture the entire shoe from sole to toe right here in New York City. I think that's pretty dang neat.

△ My new SONJAs. I think they look especially killer with a chunky pair of socks, but maybe that's just me ;). 

Pinkies out, Huck! 

I just have a lady crush on Nina so it's exciting for me to spread the word.

Studio visits yes? No?

P.S. Brooklyn back yards. Sigh.

Nina Z NYC

www.ninaznyc.com

@ninaznyc

(You can also find her at the Brooklyn Flea most weekends. ;)

(Good luck and happy commenting!!)