Ignoring your Beauty Regime?—Get Back in the Groove with these Excellent Products

If you’re like most of us, you may have ignored your beauty regime during the pandemic, either out of lethargy or that “nowhere to go so why bother to make myself beautiful” syndrome.

Now that life is finally approaching normal, it’s time to pay attention to your hair and skin (and even teeth!) to restore that pre-pandemic glow. I’ve collected several products that I’ve personally tested and am excited to recommend to my readers.

Having lived for a decade in Europe with access to some of the best skin care products I’ve ever used, I was delighted to see a new line of products from the American ILONA, a new iteration of what used to be Ilona of Hungary (a product I knew well from my European days).  I was especially interested in testing out the RESTRUCT® Facial Remapping Cream, predicated on a unique protein sourced in Japan that helps reconstitute elastin and collagen to firm, contour and remap the skin.

I’m in week four of applying this cream every night—from neckline to forehead—and I am seeing some astonishing results in my skin’s elasticity and glow. By week 8, the serum promises a dynamic “restructuring” of the skin’s appearance (just in time for my next press trip)! I’ve also seen significant improvement as a result of the ILONA BUOYANCY® Resuscitating Eye Treatment, which uses a re-oxygenation formula that breathes new life into the delicate skin around the eyes. Now that’s something we can all use, at any age.

I never had much faith in the ability of hair serums to make any difference in my mane, until I tested out the product by Pureauty Naturals' Biotin Hair Serum. The serum combines a generous number of growth-inspiring ingredients, like biotin, glycerin, lactic acid, vitamin E, squalene, and ubiquinone—all of which I Googled to verify their success in helping to restore health to the scalp and the hair follicles.

At $20 for 2 fl. Oz. on amazon.com, this has to be one of the least expensive hair restoration products on the market. As an added bonus, it comes with a 90-day, “no questions asked” return policy. I’ve definitely seen a difference in my hair strength and thickness, and, thankfully, many less strands of locks in the shower drain!

Let’s face it….what good is glowing skin if your smile isn’t sparkling white to match?

While there are a mind-boggling number of teeth whitening products out there (and I’ve tried many of them in my day) the one that stands out, in my opinion, is the SNOW whitening kit I’ve been using for the past several weeks.

Back in the days when teeth whitening products came out, I went to my dentist and had whitening trays produced from a plastic mold he took of my teeth. It set me back more money than I want to admit. Furthermore, it required my spritzing pretty harsh whitening gel in the trays, which always made me a bit nauseous, to be honest.

Well, times have changed, and definitely for the better. The Snow kit, as promised, is so easy to use. Just apply the gentle whitening serum (which is a far cry from the caustic stuff I used in the past), hook up the whitening mouthpiece to any available charging outlet (a variety of USB and phone cables are attached to the mouthpiece), and sit back and relax for 15-30 minutes while this product does its job.

No more wearing those horrid trays with chemical whitener gel during the night! We’ve come a long way since then, to be sure.

I’ve noticed an appreciable improvement after just two weeks of daily use, and I look forward to what my teeth will look like in 30 days. I’ll post a photo of my results in my next update.

Just SMILE!

Disclaimer:  Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite product experiences with my followers, in an effort to improve the travel/lifestyle experience for us all.

I also hope you enjoy viewing our AD FREE site, devoid of all those annoying pop-up ads!

Have a question or need more information.? Contact me at: joannestravels@gmail.com and I will be happy to respond.

JOANNE'S FEBRUARY JEWELRY TIPS

February is the month of love. I have two favorite items I simply fell in love with recently I’d like to share with my readers.

RINGS OF LOVE

In December 2019, right before Covid lifted its ugly head, my husband and I had the opportunity to sail with Viking Cruises from Athens to Rome, with a memorable stop in Israel. We toured Jerusalem and smaller towns, marveling at the ancient history and architectural wonders we found there.

One thing I noticed as we window-shopped through the region was the exquisite gold jewelry available from local artists. I vowed if I ever returned to Israel, I would buy anniversary rings for my husband and me. And wedding bands for our grandchildren as a special gift for when they marry.

But I actually don’t have to wait for my next Israel trip. By chance, I discovered a USA-based jewelry designer, Andrew Litwin, who specializes in creating the same type of intricate jewelry we marveled at on our trip. I especially loved his beautiful wedding bands, based on the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the Alef, meaning “one.”

You can’t get more romantic than this. Happy Valentine’s Day!

NEVER LOSE AN EARRING AGAIN—REALLY!

I wish I could count how many pierced earrings I’ve lost over the years because the backs failed on me, including the precious earrings my husband gave me as a wedding gift many years ago. Sometime during our first dance, I lost one of his mother’s antique earrings from Italy he gave me to wear that day, thanks to a weak earring back that came loose. I never recovered it.

I was recently introduced to Chrysmela, the world’s most secure earring back, and I can vouch for the fact that these backs will protect your earrings through all sorts of activities, including swimming, showering, work outs, and the list goes on. The backs automatically fit, lock and lift all types of earrings.

Made in the same high-tech factories in Japan that manufacture smartphone camera parts, Chrysmela’s patented technology uses three micro ball bearings to securely lock your earrings into place. They are available in platinum, 24K gold and rose gold.

I tested them out thoroughly, and they get my complete endorsement.

Disclaimer:  Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite travel tips with my followers, in an effort to improve the travel experience for us all.

I also hope you enjoy this AD FREE experience on my site!

START OFF THE NEW YEAR RIGHT AND PLUNGE INTO LUXURY BEDDING

My first encounter with feather beds goes back many decades, when I joined my fellow students and university professors on a 6-month foreign exchange program in Europe. It was the dead of winter, and I recall how we all were mystified at the bedding we found in the many places in which we over-nighted. It didn’t take long for us to notice that these unusual “feather” beds kept us deliciously warm in that bitter European winter. The standard sheet and blanket bedding, as was prevalent in the US at that time, would certainly never have done the job!

That was when my love affair with the feather duvet and pillow began.

It took a few decades for America to embrace the concept of this centuries-old bedding, and now the duvet comforter has become among the most popular choices for Americans to enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep, in all weather conditions.

For years I depended on big box stores to pull together all the elements in an attempt to emulate that exclusive European bedding experience of my youth --but somehow I never came close. The comforters were mostly too heavy on the body, and the pillows did not allow your head to sink in for that heavenly feeling of resting on air.

Serendipitously, I recently discovered Down Etc., a company spearheaded by the passion of founder and CEO Rebecca Litwin, who followed her dream to provide all the components to make the perfect (and I DO mean perfect) bedding experience. While her company specializes in providing bedding for luxury hotels, the average consumer can bring Rebecca’s dream into their bedrooms with the click of a mouse.

As she quotes in her book, Roll Into A Perfectly Made Bed:  I wrote this book for the workers around the world who make beds every day for a living, as well as for the homemakers who make beds every day for their families. I firmly believe a great night’s sleep is the best medicine for the tired body, soul, and mind.

We couldn’t agree more.

As travel journalists, we’ve slept in “heavenly beds” in upscale hotels and on luxury cruise ships for years. That being said, we never thought the average consumer could create such a bedding experience--until now. Just a click on the Down Etc. web site opened up a whole new world of how we average consumers can put together the elements to create a heavenly bed to our personal specifications.

For us, the process of creating our new bed was a lesson in what I was doing wrong over the years. First of all, I’ve never even thought of adding a feather bed over my mattress. It was surely the secret to a dreamy sleep experience, as we immediately discovered as we slept in this glorious “fluff” (as my husband lovingly calls his mattress bedding).

Add a super light, but very warm and cozy goose down comforter to the mix—as well as goose feather pillows-- and you’ve recreated a scenario that is about as near to a luxury hotel experience as you can get.

And right there in your own bedroom!

Every night is a luxury experience here in our bedroom, thanks to the Down Etc.aromatherapy silk pillowcase. I don’t know how I ever lived without it!

On a final note, I splurged on an Aromatherapy pillowcase, as I have heard about the benefits of sleeping on silk for both the skin and the psyche. What was I missing all these years? My experience with this company’s silk pillowcases has spoiled me. In addition to the wonderful soft feeling on one’s skin, the pillow has a pouch that contains a lavender potpourri that helps calm you from the day’s stresses and sends you into Morpheus’ (one of the Greek Gods of sleep and dreams) arms.

When the day comes when we can travel again, I will definitely take this amazing pillowcase along on my journeys (it comes in a satin travel bag) to ensure a restful night’s sleep, no matter where in the world I lay my head.

Now, after a week of sleeping on his heavenly “fluff,” my husband told me today that he has never slept so well since he was a kid. Coming from him, always a restless sleeper, this is the most sincere testimony to this outstanding source of exceptional luxury bedding.

On a side note, the company offers a wide range of other products, from comfortable and efficient copper face masks to plushy robes and sheet sets, in addition to many more items to help you have a good night’s rest….something all of us need in these restless times, for sure.

Disclaimer: Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite products with my followers, in an effort to improve the shopping experience for us all.

JOANNE'S TIPS FOR BEAUTY AND BEYOND

The Gift of Glow

While we are all waiting the moment when we can socialize and travel again, now is the perfect time to pay closer attention to what you may have neglected over the years:  your face.

I must admit, the last few years of almost non-stop press travel did leave its mark on the texture of my skin.  It seemed that every time I looked into the mirror, another imperfection showed up. I knew some of my wealthier friends and relatives spend many thousands of dollars on stem cell treatments on a regular basis, but that just wasn’t in my budget.

So, when I learned about the at-home stem cell facial kit, StemCellRevive, I was intrigued. My kit arrived with detailed application instructions and a link to a step-by-step video. The entire process of mixing the stem cell serum and preparing the pen only took a couple of minutes. There was no pain involved in the application (unlike the popular, and painful, needling pens) and in 20 minutes I was done.

The kit included a month’s supply of high-grade hyaluronic essence, which should be applied every night for four weeks. Refills of the serum are available and applications are recommended every six months to keep your glow. After a month now, I see a positive difference in my skin tone, but individual results can vary. In my case, the treatment definitely toned down blemishes and imparted a healthy glow to my face.

 Most importantly, StemCell Revive is hypoallergenic, not tested on animals, and is FDA regulated.

Daily Regime

Now that my skin is glowing, it’s time to think of keeping it that way.  Because I would never put anything on my face--or body, for that matter, that isn’t derived from natural products, I welcomed the opportunity to test out Starling Skincare’s Revive anti-aging face serum. Made from organic plant-based oils, this product stands up to its promise to keep your skin beautifully moisturized and rejuvenated. Just 3-4 drops in your hand suffice to cover your entire face. It absorbs immediately and primes your skin for makeup. It’s highly concentrated, so this bottle goes a long way in keeping your skin fresh and taut.

The art of Makeup

Let’s face it, artistically applied make-up is the final step in achieving a beautiful look . The brow and liner kit The Works from the Tori Belle line is my new best friend. The gel flows on smoothly and when dry, it is water and smudge proof. I finally found an easier way to get those perfect and natural-looking brows—and keeping them looking good all day. And the cool thing is it can also be used as an eyeliner, freeing up space in my travel cosmetic bag. Aside from the brow kit, Tori Belle Cosmetics sells a line of other innovative vegan beauty products including a gloss that plumps the lips, a collagen producing gloss made with 24k gold, and magnetic lashes that eliminate the mess of glue and can be worn 20-30 times.

MASK-arade

Who ever imagined a face mask would become de rigueur in these tumultuous times? While I’ve collected my share of industrial-looking masks over this long year of quarantine, it was so very refreshing to receive a mask that is a work-of-art, and which I will wear with my favorite outfits. This beautiful mask is perfectly designed to fit over your nose and mouth and features a protective filter. It’s available at the Karma & Luck website, which not only offers these classically beautiful masks, but also fine jewelry and many exquisite gift items carefully hand-crafted by artisans around the world.

In the clear

A big concern of travel photographers who use SLRs and optical lenses is keeping your lens clean during a photo shoot. This nifty gadget, the Lens Pen, literally the size of a thick pen, does a great job of removing fingerprints and dust from your lens in seconds.  So instead of reaching into your bag for liquid cleaners and lens cloths/tissues during a shoot, a swipe over your lens in a circular motion does the trick.. The pen does not use liquid, but a carbon cleaning compound that will clean a lens perfectly during its long life of 500+ uses. 

Disclaimer:  Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite travel tips with my followers, in an effort to improve the travel experience for us all.

Joanne's Product Reviews for Travel and Comfort

Even though most pleasure travel has been temporarily put on hold, it’s time to give some thought of what you are going to pack in your carry-on-only bag to make your adventures in post-Covid times worry-free.

I also hope you enjoy this website, intentionally FREE OF ADS, for a relaxing and undisturbed viewing experience.

IF THE SHOE FITS

Walk on Air—In Recycled Plastics

You’ve got to love a shoe manufacturer whose goal is to create every shoe from recycled materials. That being said, when those shoes turn out to be the most comfortable pair you’ve ever owned, that makes this recommendation even more meaningful.

This was the experience my husband reported when he slipped into his pair of The Jamie, one of several styles offered by the innovative company THIRD MIND. As frequent travelers who pack carry-on only to tour the world, shoes are perhaps the most important part of our wardrobe. This attractive shoe looks good enough to wear for business or formal occasions and is comfortable enough to trek through the cobblestone streets of Europe.

Did I mention these shoes are extremely lightweight, eliminate odors, and save roughly 20 water bottles from going into landfills and waterways? To boot, the soles are made with 30% recycled rubber from tires!

When my husband says he feels as if he is “walking on air” in these shoes, he means it! The company has plans to launch a women’s collection, and I will be first in line to seek out my ultimate shoe fetish—an attractive dress shoe that fits like a sneaker and allows me to roam the world all day in style and comfort.

Third Mind’s philosophy and tagline, using recycled parts to help knit the world whole—step by step, says it all.

Slip into a Socially-Conscious Slipper

Since we are on the subject of socially conscious shoe companies—and winter will be at our doorstep before we know it—you might want to consider the NAUSENI natural wool and leather collection of slippers. The company was created to help employ women in Nepal with handcrafting slippers inspired by their cultural heritage.

These slippers are unisex and ladies may have to step down a size for a perfect fit. Consult their website for more information on picking the correct size for your foot. These comfortable slippers will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, and every step you take in them will help hardworking women in under-developed countries.

ON THE ROAD

THE CABEAU PILLOW STANDS THE TEST OF TIME

After well more than ten years of carting my faithful CABEAU inflatable pillow around the world on our press travels, I thought it might be time to upgrade to a newer model.  I selected the Air Evolution pillow and I can’t recommend it enough.

As with my older model, I was able to put the pillow in my purse, as it compressed to fit inside a small travel case. This new model has an additional benefit—it allows me to adjust for a perfect 360 degree support and the lightweight inflatable air core allows you to inflate or deflate to your perfect level of firmness. A welcome new “one breath” valve on the pillow allows for an almost instant inflation, eliminating the need for multiple breaths to inflate. And there’s even a convenient media pouch that holds your phone or MP3 player for hands-free listening!

Since we only travel carry-on only with restricted luggage space, this is the best option for our needs. That being said, if you are planning a road trip (which we are soon) or don’t mind carting a bit larger bag with you, the Evolution S3 is the way to go. This mother of travel pillows offers a tremendous support, which is why the company offers a “no neck pain” guarantee. It even straps to airline seat wings to prevent your head from falling forward.

PERFECT HEADPHONES FOR MANY OCCASIONS

It’s not often you find an item that is both perfect for travel as well as for home use. Well, we found it in the SleepPhones® Wireless headband.

There was nothing more annoying when we were traveling by plane than to have to cart bulky over-the-ear headphones in our carry-on. So when we discovered these compact headbands, we knew we had found the perfect travel accessory. We can easily slip them into a pocket or purse and enjoy exceptional audio throughout our long flights (they even double as eyeshades to block out ambient light)..

An added bonus is that they are perfect for sleeping at home, too. They lull you off to La-La Land and without annoying buds in your ears. While I don’t usually wear earphones at night, I am so delighted that I no longer hear the residual noise my husband’s in-ear headphones produced any longer. Blissful sleep for me, too!

They come in both wireless and wired options and offer a one-year warranty.



ORGANIC SKIN CARE FROM NZ

I’m always on the look-out for natural products to keep my complexion glowing when I am on the road covering visitor destinations around the world. That is why I can highly recommend the New Zealand-based line of  Aú Natural Skinfood  products I used on a recent road trip. Organic, non-toxic, cruelty-free products are the only ones that touch my face, so I was excited to review this line.

We all know hand sanitizers will be with us for years to come, and I can safely say the company’s Defend moisturizing gel sanitizer is one of the most gentle, thanks to its base of Manuka honey and aloe vera. Their Manuka honey hand cream also helps moisturize those hands chapped from constant washing and their lip balm does a wonderful job, too. My absolute favorite is their mineral powder “On the Go” Brush on Foundation with SPF 25 sunscreen protection. Just a quick sweep and my skin looks flawless—the perfect alternative to a compact.

Disclaimer:  Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite travel tips with my followers, in an effort to improve the travel experience for us all.