what’s in my winter beauty cabinet

Midwest winters are extremely cold and dry, which makes my skin extra chapped and hair embarrassingly frizzy. Since the air is so harsh right now I try to focus more closely on the quality of products I use; thinking more about the ingredients becomes a priority. To treat my hair and skin well, I look for products that are rich in naturally-occurring, plant-based ingredients and options that aren’t tested on animals.

Here’s a peek at some of my go-to products and pick-me-ups for these sometimes beautiful but always cold winter months:

shelf one: lotion + skin care

► I can’t get enough of THIS Sonia Kashuk Body Butter in Yellow Alluriana!

► Here’s a trick I picked up from my Grandma – use THIS ultra-basic baby lotion for gentle eye area moisturizer! Since I use an anti-wrinkle cream at night (not pictured but THIS is what I’m using right now), I like to use gentle baby lotion before applying makeup in the morning. My skin doesn’t feel heavy this way and it has such a calm, soothing scent!

► Lush makes some crazy wonderful products. Made from scratch and using ingredients I can actually pronounce, THIS mud mask is minty and leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed. My younger sister gave me a goody basket of Lush products for Christmas, so I’ve been using the mud mask every one to two weeks ever since. It’s heavenly.

► My morning and night facial cleansing routine includes THIS exfoliating cleanser and THIS lotion.

shelf two: nails + hair (plus deodorant + my spa hack)

► My home manicures always include a base of THIS bamboo and green tea nail strengthener. Right now my favorite nail colors are Double-Breasted Jacket and Fiji by Essie.

► I’m obsessed with all things lavender – it seems to be something that runs in the family. THIS is my favorite natural-ingredient deodorant. I love how light it feels since there’s no need for military-grade deodorant in these frigid months. I hope. Someone please tell me if I’m wrong.

► I burn THIS soy candle when I’m taking a bath or if I don’t have time for a bath but still want a 10 minute spa escape, I like to light 2-3 small candles and shower by candlelight. It’s amazing how zen a little candlelight can make a regular ‘ol shower.

► When my hair is getting particularly dry and frizzy, I’ll run a small amount of THIS pomade through it.

► After every shower and before using a hair dryer, I run a pea-sized amount of THIS conditioner through my wet hair.

shelf three: makeup 

► THIS is the smoothest, most heavenly black eyeliner, THIS is what I use to create a bold brow look, and I wear THIS pizazzy shadow in Toast for daytime and in Festivity for date nights.

► Depending on what the weather’s doing and what I have in store for the day, I alternate between THIS basic mascara that nourishes the eyelash follicle, and THIS waterproof butterfly-lash mascara in blackest black.

► I’ve been using THIS concealer in Balsa through the winter months since that’s when my skin is fairest, and THIS powder doesn’t crease with wrinkles and keeps my oily skin looking fresh all day.

► THIS Aveda earthy red lipstick in Sheer Roseleaf is minty and my favorite for date nights, and THIS Pixi shea balm in Coral has become my favorite for days when I feel especially ready to be done with winter!

► THIS Sonia Kashuk blush in melon looks so sweet and natural on fair skin.

(Side note, seeing my bathroom organized into tidy mason jars always help me feel put together and on top of life. It’s the little things!)

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Any products here that you use and love? What’s your number one favorite winter beauty product? 

let’s hit the ground running: month one of the fitness plan is here!

Two weeks ago I asked you guys to join me in my initiative of becoming healthier and more fit. So with Sunday being the first day of February, I’m dropping in to share the fitness plan with you. I’ve designed this plan so you can start it at any time – although I’d be thrilled if you’ll join me in reaching these goals together since it’s so much easier to accomplish fitness goals when working as a team!

Something many of you probably don’t know about me is that I’m a trained STOTT Pilates instructor and while working towards my certification, I was also working on my bachelor degree in mental health, running collegiate cross country and track, and leading group fitness classes and personal training sessions for faculty, staff, and students.

At the end of this post, you can download a packet that will lead you through the fitness routine I’ve designed. Here’s a little background information about what’s in the packet…

page 1

page 2

▲ Page one is the Fitness Guide, which gives guidelines for your goals through the first month. My favorite thing about this program is that there are ranges so if you’re just not feeling great one week, you can take it easier. I also love that the cardio is broken into minutes rather than mileage or intensities so that it can cater to your current fitness level…

Are you a real-life Super Woman, looking to get back in the game? Awesome – go for a brisk 30 minute walk!

Are you a in-the-peak-of-her-game Super Woman fitness junkie? Whoa – go for a 30 minute sprint!

▲Page two is a page of workout inspiration! There are lots of ideas on there and I encourage you to add to it! Change things up as you go through the month to keep the workouts fun and to avoid burning out!

page 3

page 4

▲ Page three is a blank calendar for you to schedule your workouts! Use page one as your guide and schedule your workouts around your busy month!

▲ Page four is a quick explanation of how to use the calendar.

▲ Page five is a sample of what my workout schedule looks like! You’ll notice I’m doing barre3 on my strengthening days – I LOVE these workouts! They’re a blend of pilates, yoga, and dance and always leave me feeling so refreshed! I’ve talked about barre3 in the past HERE. You’re welcome to copy my exact schedule or dance to the beat of your own drum!

Fitness and healthy eating have been a huge part of my life for a really long time so I’m crazy excited to share my experience with you! I hope you’ll share your fitness goals and accomplishments here and on instagram (@ rachelrunningwild) – let’s do this together! 

► To download month one of the fitness plan packet, click HERE ◄

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This is month one of my three-month fitness program. To read my personal motivations for the fitness plan, go HERE. Look for the second month of this plan in late February!