BEAUTY
BEST LIP BALMS
The winter can be brutal on our lips. They can chafe, peel, and split. Never a good look, especially when you are about to apply that perfect-color lip product you couldn’t live without from our Shopping for Beauty appointment. Here are a few lip balms that made it into my makeup kit this season.
HIGH END
An absolute favourite among beauty buffs and A-listers alike, this rose-scented balm has a luxurious soft and creamy texture. UV filters protect against the sun while vitamin E has anti-ageing properties, shea butter hydrates, rose wax softens and botanical oils boost cell renewal. It looks gorgeous on your dressing table, too. Barneys happens to have an adorable exclusive for their 10 year anniversary… just saying…
MODERATELY PRICED
The key ingredient in this amplifying treatment is Maxi-Lip™, which increases blood flow to your lips without any stinging. Beyond looking fuller, your lips will also be well hydrated because of the built-in vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil. My good friend at Birchbox told me this was the office favorite and I must admit it is pretty fab!
GENTLY PRICED
My personal fave! LUCAS PAWPAW OINTMENT, $12.50
This has lived in my makeup kit for years! Containing fresh fermented pawpaw and unguent Carica Papaya L, Papaw ointment is a multipurpose balm that not only offers relief from chapped lips but can be applied to minor burns, sunburn, bites and minor cuts. It’s a major client and celebrity favorite!
HOMEMADE EXFOLIATING LIP SCRUB
To give your chapped lips an extra pout in a pinch this winter, try making your own exfoliating lip scrub with what you already have in your pantry!
INGREDIENTS
∙ 3 Aspirin (the inexpensive type without a coating): aspirin is a derivative of salicylic acid, which works with the sugar for some intense exfoliating action (optional)
∙ 2 tsp turbinado sugar
∙ 2 tsp honey
∙ 1 tsp coconut oil
∙ 1 vitamin E capsule
DIRECTIONS
Crush the aspirin and turbinado sugar with a mortar and pestle to a fine sand consistency. If you do not have mortar and pestle, a bowl and the back of a spoon will work. If you prefer, you can supplement the aspirin with more turbinado sugar. Mix in all the other ingredients together and your lip scrub is ready! If the consistency is too dry, add in more coconut oil. If your scrub is too wet, add in more turbinado sugar. Wet your toothbrush and gently brush over dry lips. Then using your finger apply the scrub to your lips, let sit for a few minutes and rinse or, if not using aspirin, lick off your lips.
Not in the mood to open your pantry? I’ve been there. Use your amazon prime account to order Fresh Sugar Lip Polish This unique formula is enriched with real brown sugar crystals to gently buff away dry flakes. It nourishes the lips with the oils of meadowfoam seed, jojoba seed, and grape seed while shea butter provides long-lasting moisture.
CARLO SAYS BEAUTY >
TABLE
SPICED HOT TODDY
Who doesn’t love a hot toddy this time of year? If you are a bit under the weather to or just want to wind down with your favorite cozy cashmere socks, its the perfect way to end a long day on a winters night.
VIEW THE RECIPE >
CARLO SAYS TABLE >
DWELLING
WINTER LIGHTS
I love candles! Especially in the winter months when the days are short and the lights are dim. I often light candles upon waking or just after sundown. Blowing them out just before sleep permeates the entire home with intoxicating smells of winter nights.
Here are a few of my winter faves:
HIGH END:
CIRE TRUDON SPIRITUS SANCTI $95
Flickers of crimson, gold and olibanum, holy perfume of altar candles, luxurious wake of censers filled with burning amber: under the nave the choir jubilates, heavenly scents caressing their souls. Top notes: aldehyde, incense vapours / Middle: lily of the valley / Base: labdanum, benzoin resin
LE FEU DEL’ EAU LE FEU GRIS $62
Made in Los Angeles from Le Feu de l’Eau, which translates as the fire of the water, each candle is sculpted under water with a high temperature wax, the color is hand mixed and the fragrances are custom blended into a soy candle filling. Scent notes: musk & smoke.
DIPTYQUE FEU DE BOIS / WOOD FIRE $60 There is also a FEU DE BOIS GRIS 10.2OZ (larger) in a beautiful smoke glass for $90 if, like me, you can’t get enough.
This sophisticated blend of rare woods recalls the crackling of an open fire. Warm and familiar during the winter days.
MODERATELY PRICED
FOX FODDER FARM WINTER CANDLE $38
100 % Soy with Cotton Wick. Hand Poured in Brooklyn NY. A cozy fresh piney scent with the warmth of winter. A personal fave at Chez Carlo!
GENTLY PRICED
Jet setting this winter? Check out BROOKLYN CANDLE STUDIO MONTANA FOREST 28 HR CANDLE TIN $14.00
Inspired by the fresh evergreens that grow in the airy mountains of Montana and reminiscent of nature in a far-off place. A Brooklyn Candle Studio uses a blend of blue spruce, pine, and camphor essential oils. Instantly cozify any hotel room or ski lodge with the scent of winter and the warm glow of candlelight.
Trim your wicks! You can prolong your candle, and save yourself the embarrassment of black smoke caused by wicks that are simply too long. If you keep wicks trimmed to 1/8″, (trimming back every 4 hours burned), your candle will enhance the mood without the soot.
