Good morning, Wednesday. I have yet another cold for the love of the Lord. I can't seem to get well this winter. At all.But you know what always makes me feel better than 24 hours under the cover? Good beauty products. No for real. I love them.
So I was happy to move a stone's throw away from one of my favorite beauty and skincare destinations, Shen Beauty. Shen is on Court Street in Carroll Gardens (about to move closer to Atlantic in the old Nature's Grill space if you know the neighborhood) and they stock the very best selection of clean beauty around. Plus everyone who works there is super helpful and fun and their service menu is equally divine (facials, waxing, etc.). All in all- a lovely retail experience.
And since I'm trying to go clean when it comes to my products, I love that mostly everything at Shen is free of bad stuff and generally better for the Earth. And it does not come cheap, but I have truly loved everything I've purchased from them. Here are a few of my favs:
Dr. Barbara Sturm glow drops. I had my eyes on this product for a while but didn't want to pony up the fundage. Since I write a lot for skincare I know this line very well- one of the better dermatologist brands on the market and a huge success for its science first approach. Obscenely expensive- but excellent. I love these drops that you put over your foundation or layered over moisturizer to give you that beautiful lit from within look. I swear I'm walking around in perpetual candlelight. Love. Worth the money.
Haoma Nourishing Cleansing Balm. This little balm of mine...is so great. I wear makeup and I need something to get it all the heck off. Micellar water is lovely but doesn't quite deep clean. This lovely balm has a bit of a jelly like texture but grabs even the heavy duty stuff off your face. And the packaging is pretty so has good shelf appeal.
The Roen warm palette- I adore this gorgeous vegan palette from Roen. I'm not one for shimmery glittery things anymore but this palette can be dabbed on with your fingers for a fabulously natural yet fun look. I also love layering in a few dabs of any of these colors with some of my powder shadows for a bit of glimmer. So beautiful.
Cinnamon Projects Incense Sticks. I love incense and I particularly love Japanese incense. These sticks deliver maximum Kyoto vibes without the jet lag. Divine. And again- gorgeous packaging for the packaging nerds in the audience.
Volar Body Essence Body Oil. Winter in New York means cozy sweaters and hot cocoa, but it also means dry as f skin. I have always loved old brownstones but know what I don't love? Radiator heat. Oy it does a number on the skin. This body lotion is fabulous and smells like a dream (it comes in three scents but I love this one). I use this interchangeably with any of my regular body lotions and it's fantastic. Best to use when still damp from a shower. Makes the whole bathroom smell glorious too. I came home from work the other night and could still smell it. Divine. Not at all sticky or tacky. Big ups.
I could keep going as Shen stocks many of my most coveted brands- Gucci Westman, Vintner's Daughter, Augustinus Bader. Plus they have lovely candles and gifts for all of your chic friends and family. Just wanted to give a shout out to one of my favorite shops- love that they are independent and down the street from Sephora yet somehow miles away in terms of what they offer. One of the best in the boroughs and beyond. Should you ever want to join me on a Shen safari, I'm game. It's a very quick commute.
Cause that's what's up this doing it clean kind of Wednesday in the 212. Yours, in Brooklyn beauty. XO
Shen is located at 315 Court Street.