Olivia Dello Buono 2/29/20 Olivia Dello Buono 2/29/20

All Things Self-Care and Wellness

Everyone tells you not to fuss with trying new skincare and beauty products leading up to your big day—which, as you know, is something I love to do—so I’ve been researching and integrating a bevy of body products that would help me get glowing from neck to toe. And I recently discovered a brand that is too good not to share!

I learned of Pursoma last year when I was looking for clean, nontoxic bath products and have been a fan of the brand ever since. The plant-based, all-natural line of bath and body care will leave you rejuvenated, detoxified—and, yes—glowy! Plus, there’s something so therapeutic about soaking in the bath after a long day or hard workout that’s good for the mind and spirit.

If you’re new to the brand, I recommend their Ritual Wellness Kit as an introduction. It includes an assortment of their lovely bath soaks, as well as a body brush (which I will get into below). After a few weeks of trying out new things and getting a routine in place… my skin has never been so happy! Which is not a common statement that I throw out there in the thick of winter.

My body and complexion tends to run dry and thirsty this time of year, leaving me looking dull. Since starting this ritual and dry-brushing every day, my skin has truly never looked or felt more soft and smooth. Below, find my twice-a-week ritual that is the perfect way to welcome spring with the glowiest, healthiest skin ever.

Step 1: Dry Brush

Dry brushing was something that I’ve always been curious about but never really took the time for. I mean, who wants to add more steps to an already busy regimen? Trust me when I say that this is an absolute game-changer and once you start, you’ll wonder why you hesitated to begin in the first place.

While the tub fills up, I take my body brush and run it over my skin in gentle, circular motions. It feels absolutely incredible and has so many benefits—from increasing circulation to stimulating the lymphatic system to aiding digestion and improving the look of cellulite. Regardless of all of this, it feels fantastic and exfoliates skin for a glow you can’t fake with any product. Even if you don’t have time for a soak, taking time for this single step each day before a shower is worth it.

Step 2: Choose Your Treatment

My favorite thing about Pursoma is that each of their products feels truly personalized. There’s a treatment for whatever ails you, whether it’s sore muscles, feeling under-the-weather, low energy, or if you’re just in need of a digital detox for better sleep. Not that you need a reason for a good soak!

Step 3: Bliss Out

After pouring them into a warm bath, I allow myself to truly disconnect from everything. I tend to overthink things and my mind runs a million miles per minute, but within these moments I allow myself to enjoy the feeling of calmness. Sometimes I’ll enjoy a warm cup of tea, sometimes I don’t. But in these moments, I know it’s ok to focus on just being.

After soaking for the allotted time, I emerge feeling completely rejuvenated and energized. (Unless, of course, I’m using the Digital Detox which is seriously the best sleep aid ever. I feel so incredibly relaxed and ready to curl up in bed afterwards.)

Another thing I love about Pursoma is that I don’t feel the need to use any oils or creams on my skin afterward. Though you totally could if you wanted and the brand makes some beautiful options, which you can find here. The Pursoleil Body Oil is next on my list to try! The lavender and blood orange scent sounds amazing.

But for someone who has been trying to simplify their routine over the years, this has been amazing. A two-step routine to glowy, moisturized skin? Plus, the benefit of total relaxation? Sign me up!

Hopefully this inspires you to take more time for yourself this season, as we shed layers and things once again start to bloom.

Shop more of my Pursoma favorites here:

Do you have any tips or tricks for the perfect bath? Any self-care rituals that have changed the game for you?

Olivia Dello Buono 9/19/19 Olivia Dello Buono 9/19/19

My Favorite Sustainable Brands

Just in time for Earth Day.

With Earth Day just around the corner (tomorrow to be exact), I thought it was the perfect time to talk about my favorite sustainable brands. I've been making a conscious effort to pare down my wardrobe and makeup bag to the essentials, choosing quality over trendy details and a low price tag. In part, I've been gravitating towards designers that use sustainable materials and organic, natural ingredients. Whether it's the fabric they use, factory practices, or low-waste packaging, I'm doing the best I can to not contribute to the problem.

The good news is that the options these days abound. Here I rounded up some of my favorite sustainable brands and my top picks:

Reformation

Everlane

Mara Hoffman

Stella McCartney

Levi's

Earth Tu Face

Rahua

Tata Harper

Another tip? Buying vintage or pre-owned is also a great way to cut down on your consumption. I often find really cool, one-of-a-kind accessories and home decor at local thrift and consignment stores.

What are your favorite sustainable and ethical brands?

Olivia Dello Buono 11/18/18 Olivia Dello Buono 11/18/18

AILLEA Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale

Here’s what I’m stocking up on.

One of my favorite sources for clean beauty AILLEA is offering 20% off store-wide Black Friday through Cyber Monday (November 23-26). The best part? This promotion is happening both in-store and online.

If you’re shopping online, use promo code CHEERSAILLEA at checkout.

AILLEA recently opened their Charleston location and it has quickly become my go-to. The founder, Kathryn, has discerning taste when it comes to what’s in store—only products that are free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals and endocrine disrupters make the cut. They now offer natural skincare treatments, like facials and sugaring (more on that soon!).

I highly recommend checking out the Charleston store if you haven’t been. For those outside of the Lowcountry, AILLEA has three other locations: Denver, Atlanta, and Raleigh.

Here’s what I’m stocking up on this season:

Olivia Dello Buono 7/15/17 Olivia Dello Buono 7/15/17

Good Clean Beauty: My ILIA Beauty Picks

How can a non-toxic, natural line be this good?

I was introduced to ILIA a few years ago when I first started to dip my toes into the world of clean beauty. I remember my first product, lipstick in the shade In My Room, and being so impressed. The formula was creamy and long-lasting, the color was so flattering. And I thought, how can a non-toxic, natural product be that good?

But natural beauty products come a long way since then and Ilia continues to be one of my old standbys for everyday beauty. I even started gifting the brand to my family and friends, because I know they'll convert once they see just how lovely the formulas are.

ILIA uses only the purest, sustainable ingredients. Each product is filled with good-for-your-skin active botanicals that nourish your skin, not just cover it up. I love the endless options of pigments for creating beautiful looks. The products are super long-lasting, too, which I love because I like to look fresh all day and not have to re-apply.

I recently put ILIA products to the test and let me just say, I am SO impressed. After hiking 10 miles in the heat these products stayed put and I didn't feel like I was wearing anything at all. I like to look put together and protect my skin, always, but not actually feel like I'm wearing anything. My skin but better, you know? I also love the I can share these product with my little sister who's just starting to get into makeup and know that she's using the best, safest products possible.

Here are some of my favorite ILIA products and find out how to get the look (above):

The Cucumber Water Stick was my best friend. I glided it over my temples and eye area, cheekbones and bridge of my nose. It's like a toner in a solid formula that really perked up my skin, giving a cooling sensation that depuffs and hydrates—and it feels amazing. Because it's colorless, you don't have to worry about not having a mirror to apply. It's pretty much foolproof, giving me that really pretty, natural glisten that you get after exercise or spending all day in the sun. This is one product I don't mind carrying around with me throughout the day. And if you travel a lot, you'll love that the size and packaging is TSA approved. Perfect for Summer! I like to keep mine in the fridge for extra cooling powers.

ILIA Sheer Vivid Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (swatched above) has been on constant rotation in my routine this summer. The formula is semi-matte and looks like skin, but better. I absolutely love this lightweight product and that is gives me extra SPF protection throughout the day. I layer it over my daily sunscreen and it applies beautifully. You can't tell I'm wearing anything at all, but it helps diffuse redness and any imperfections that may be there. It helps fight free radicals and pollution, but still allows my skin and freckles to peek through. And it feels super moisturizing, like my skin is getting better the more I keep using it. I absolutely love it!

ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in Bombora is the perfect summer color. It's a lip balm, lipstick and SPF hybrid with a really gorgeous, universally flattering peachy orange hue. It's honestly my new favorite lip color, especially for nighttime when I come back from the beach with a golden tan. It's filled with great ingredients like cocoa and shea butters to hydrate, zinc oxide for natural SPF (I don't use anything with chemicals). The color is buildable, so you can apply a sheer wash of color or build it up for a bolder look. It's moisturizing and makes my lips feel super soft all day.