New Year’s Eve goals can be somewhat controversial. On one hand, some people want to avoid setting unrealistic expectations, and on the other hand, some view the new year as a time to reset and pursue dormant dreams. For me, setting New Year’s resolutions is a helpful and clarifying task. I am all about being clear with my intentions and manifestations. With this in mind, resolutions allow me to zero in and focus on the things that are most important to me and my family.
On New Year’s Day I typically write a simple list, outlining my desires and aspirations. After bringing in 2024, many individuals began posting their ins and outs for the new year. I noticed that a great number of people hope to improve upon their health and well-being, by sticking to more wholesome routines. In similar fashion, my list reflected my yearning to stick to preventative beauty & health care measures. As I get older, and closer to my mid thirties I’m finding that self care practices are essential and rewarding. Not only do certain self nurturing regimens improve outward appearances, but if done continually and with purpose, they can encourage and assist in emotional well-being as well.
That said, I wanted to share 11 health and beauty products that I am currently obsessing over and plan to use religiously as I ease into the new year. Also, I’ll include my personal New Year’s resolutions for your reading pleasure. I hope the featured information inspires you or helps you to enrich your own daily routine.
New Years Goals
Meditate nightly (hypnosis + yoga nidra)
Journal or paint weekly
Read and implement the practices outlined in the Psychic workbook
1-2 blog posts per month
Make a reel or Insta post every week
Drink 3 water bottles a day
Gym 1-3 times per week
Cook family dinner, nightly
Date night, once a month
Organize drawers in kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms
Create mudroom in garage
~ Mykel
Health & Beauty Must Haves
(Click the pictures to shop)
1. Shakti Mat
The Shakti Mat is an accupressure mat, hand crafted in India. The ancient art of accupressure is known to promote deep relaxation, sleep, mental clarity, pain relief, muscle relaxation, and improved wellbeing. Interestingly, the body responds to pain with endorphins, which creates a sense of calm and wellbeing. Truly, the Shakti experience is like nothing I've ever felt before. The first time I laid down on my mat, I was overcome with such an intense sensation on my back, shoulders, and neck. The best way I can describe it is like a bad sunburn. It felt so strange and uncomfortable. However, after about three to five minutes the "pain" let up, and my body began to relax. I started to feel a tingling sensation in my skin, then deeper in my muscles. Once I reached the ten minute mark I felt more at ease, the tension I was holding softened and I felt warm and happy. After a few days of integrating this practice into my routine, I really began to look forward to it. You see, before finding this method I had crippling neck and shoulder pain, that I carried with me for most of my adult life. I've been using my mat for about six months now, and I feel like my chronic pain has dissipated. I cannot recommend this product enough.
2. Cleopatra Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy masks are all the rage right now. I myself am a licensed esthetician and busy working mom. Given these points, I completely understand the importance of preventative skincare and the need for at home treatments that actually work. Recently, I found myself on the lookout for a quality light mask with the capacity to give my skin the boost it needed. After clicking around the internet and doing some "research" I found that The Cleopatra LED Mask offers users the power of 192 high density bulbs, along with face and neck coverage, and a range of 7 colored wavelengths. I originally purchased this mask to target hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and uneven texture. However, after using it a couple times I realized that certain colors (cyan and blue) really help with inflammation and breakouts. Ive only been using this mask for a couple weeks now, but I can attest to the fact that it is easy to use, charge, and keep on my face. I can honestly see a difference in my skin, just by using it for 15 minutes a day, religiously. My skin looks soft, my discoloration and pores are less noticeable, and my fine lines are less prominent.
3. Bondiboost Hair Pills + Growth Kit
Bondiboost is an Aussie brand that has formulated a myriad of hair miracle products. I bought the hair vitamins first, got hooked, and purchased the entire hair growth line. Long story short, I have always had pretty healthy hair. My stylist tells me that I have thin hair strands, but a lot of them. So, over the years with regular trims and highlight appointments, my hair has maintained a good length (just below my chest). Unfortunately, over the last year or two, I have noticed that my locks feel slightly less dense and way more oily. What's more, I am not able to grow my hair out to my desired length for some reason. I always feel like its around the same length even though I never trim more than one or two inches off, every couple months. Luckily, since I've been using BB, my hair feels so much better. It is less oily, and I can tell the ends are healthier and breaking off less. I think that in the long run the products below will help my hair to grow out past my belly button. So far, I give it a 10/10 (stay tuned for an update).
4. Haus Labs Products
I have never been a big makeup girly. Don't get me wrong, I wear a full face of makeup, almost any time I go out in public. I suffered from terrible cystic acne in my early 20's, and I am just now getting comfortable with my bare skin (scars and all). To clarify, I like makeup, I just don't love buying makeup. I would much rather buy home decor or clothes, haha. having said this, I have to explain how Haus Labs products have altered my perspective. I seriously love this brand, how it works, and what it stands for (the power of art, science, and kindness). In detail, Haus Labs is a clean beauty line, created by Lady Gaga. All of the Haus Labs high performance makeup products are sustainably sourced and supercharged with innovative skincare ingredients. Personally, I love the Triclone Skin Tech Foundation better than any other foundation I have ever used. I honestly can't see myself ever using something different. Try it and you will not be dissapointed. In addition, I have purchased the Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-Puffing Concealer (this stuff is amazing!), Bio-Blurring Loose Setting Powder, Le Monster Lip Crayon, PHD Hybrid Lip Oil, and the Optic Intensity Eco Eyeliner, and they are all fabulous. I could go on and on about every single one of these and how great it is. To put it simply, if you are looking to try a new makeup line, or you just love buying makeup, this is the best there is!
5. It Just Works Deodorant Pills
To be real with you, I am not a super sweaty person. I definitely still need deodorant from time to time, and I do make it a habit of wearing it daily. On the negative side, there has been a lot of buzz these days about deodorant ingredients and their potential to cause harmful effects on the body. I hate to think about the ingredients in common deodorant brands and how they may be impacting my overall health. For these reasons, I decided to order It Just Works Deodorant, and I wasn't disappointed. This is a simple yet powerful supplement made up of three ingredients, organic parsley leaf, sodium copper chlorophyllin, and organic peppermint leaf. Surprisingly, these little green pills have changed the way I smell, for the better. Basically, my underarms and other areas of my body smell like nothing, its great! Just like the name suggests, this stuff actually works. I certainly won't be going back to traditional underarm deodorizers.
6. Good Molecules Serum
I recently bought this serum on a whim, because I felt like trying something new. I use serums daily as a key part of my skincare routine. I am a creature of habit and I tend to tirelessly stick to what works for me. With this in mind, I rarely switch up my skin care products. To this point, for the past few years I have been using The Ordinary niacinamide serum, on my face and neck. The Ordinary product line is inexpensive and yields amazing results (what more can a girl ask for?!). So, even though I am pretty set in my ways when it comes to what I buy and what I like, for some reason I decided to try this Good Molecules serum on one of my trips to Ulta Beauty. I am happy to say, I don't regret this choice one bit. This product stood out to me because it is a clean product line, with simple yet potent ingredients. I picked up the discoloration correcting serum because I have to stay on top of my skin's hyperpigmentation, after spending my teen years soaking up the Idaho sun. I found that I loved the way that the serum felt in my hands and on my face. The bottle is great and it is easy to apply. It comes out looking milky white and it sinks into the skin effortlessly. I had only been using this serum for a few days when I noticed that the blotchy dark areas on my face were much lighter. I was shocked and impressed. I now have two go to serums on my bathroom shelf. I would recommend Good Molecules to anyone.
7. Saturday Skin Exfoliator
Both men and women need a good exfoliator. It is so important to regularly slough off dead cells, in order to avoid buildup and dull looking skin. Notably, there are two types of exfoliation, chemical and mechanical. Chemical exfoliation refers to the implementation of certain ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to resurface the skin. Mechanical exfoliation on the other hand, gently sloughs away dead skin cells from skin’s surface through motion rather than by employing the use of helpful chemicals. Saturday Skin's Rub A Dub Refining Gel Peel, provides both types of exfoliation. To explain, the pink packaged product is a gel with small beads, that is typically applied on clean, dry skin. I usually use this product right after I wash my face or get out of the shower. As I push the product in a circular motion all around my face, I can feel loads and loads of dead skin rolling off and balling up under my fingertips. After I rinse it all off with cool water, my face feels squeaky clean and refreshed. When I look in the mirror I can see that the buildup is visibly gone. I love this product because it helps me to maintain smaller pores, a glass skin texture, and it just makes me feel good about my skin health. Give it a try!
8. Hair Bonnet
I am sure that many people think hair bonnets are only for older women and people of color. However, this is a common misconception because bonnets are a great hair tool that anyone can use in their hair care journey. I was first drawn to this 100% Mulberry silk bonnet when I read about the benefits associated with it. Silk bonnets are known to reduce frizz and breakage while aiding in moisture and boosting product absorption. Many people don't realize that hair breakage can happen at night. Think about it, have you ever woken up with your hair curled up in a frizz ball, tangled up, or matted down? I have, and I know this struggle well. I have wavy/curly hair, and my frizz problem is way worse on the mornings when I don't have my bonnet on. This is because mulberry silk reduces the amount of friction on the hair during the night hours. This particular brand of bonnet is great because it is double lined and sewn so that it stays on the head, all night long. Truly, protective hair tools are a must for me and I plan to continue to use this one because I want my hair to stay strong, shiny, and beautiful.
Xo,
Mykel
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