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Health, Wellness, and Beauty - Things that Actually Work
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items I’m not a gatekeeper - I like to share when I find beauty and wellness products that actually make a difference. I try to use products with sustainable packaging as much as I can. Enjoy!
Sections
9
Accessories
Teas and Health
Beauty Products - Textured Hair
Beauty Products - Anti-Aging
My Special Picks That I Cannot Live Without in Everyday Life
Beautiful and Exciting Places to Visit and Have Adventures - Southern California and Beyond!
Accessories
When You’re Healthy and Lovely, These Accessories Will Make You Glow
Look Haute Without Paying Designer Prices on Handbags! I found this shop in Florence, and their handbags are gorgeous - I get compliments everywhere. They are well-made, and keep their shape and sheen. Apologies to vegans, these are made with Italian...
Leonardo Leather and Gold
These bracelets are the best - check out their mood bracelets and mood ring, too! Not too expensive, but they look luxe, I wear them with almost every outfit, and always get compliments.
NOGU
The best night mask ever!!! This weighted night mask doesn’t fall off, feels great on tired eyes, and is as good as blackout curtains (believe me, I live in the sunny desert). I couldn’t live without this.
Nodpod
Beautiful, comfy, and always stylish! Freebird’s boots and shoes are an urban take on western footwear. The quality is incredible (I have pairs I’ve been wearing for many years), and I always get compliments. They’re a bit pricey, but with the quality, I end up spending less on boots because I don’t have to replace or repair other brands.
Freebird
Teas and Health
Natural Wellness That Works, No Doctors Needed!
My doctor asked me how, in 3 months, I had gotten my blood cell, kidney, and liver counts back to normal, and I explained that I had been combining dandelion tea with other tea blends from Full Leaf Tea Company every morning. It’s delicious, and it heals.
Full Leaf Tea Company: Wellness Teas
I suffer from Hashimoto’s Hypothyroid, and Forefront’s products are so helpful in keeping me energized. I especially recommend the collagen and Vitamin ADK.
Forefront Health
Help Farmers avoid wasting food - delicious organic produce with irregularities or surplus that supermarkets won’t take because they have too much, or it doesn’t look perfect. In most countries where pesticides and chemicals aren’t used to grow produce, it is naturally irregular, but tastes so much better! I love this service (you can set your own delivery schedule, up to weekly), with no cost for membership. Prices are lower or same as supermarket prices, but the food is so much better!
Misfits Market
Beauty Products - Textured Hair
Textured, Coily, or Coarse, Curly Hair? I’ve Got You Covered.
The best hair straightener for textured, curly and coily girls! No heat damage, takes 15 minutes from wet to sleek and shiny! Use code http://rwrd.io/ref_CEQZ5WZ?c for $25 off your first order!
RevAir Hair Dryer - Patented Technology
With textured hair comes damage, and dyes are damagers. To cover my gray roots, I use Polar shampoo and their protectant conditioner to maintain a fresh look. Polar doesn’t damage porous hair, and the conditioner leaves it soft and shiny. Plus, I hav...
Polar Haircare
Combs don’t always work to separate our wet curls before scrunching them, but this brush can evenly spread product - and life and separate tresses in no time, then you can scrunch or plop as much as you like.
Defining Curl Brush
Hairbrella is like the hair fairy godmother needed by those of us with textured hair, and even those who have other types of hair. Satin-lines swim caps, fun hats, sleep bonnets, and more - these protect hair from breakage and have enough room for long and thick hairstyles (even braids and twists). The swim cap doesn’t even allow the water to wet my hair! A minority-owned/women-...
Hairbrella
This is another one of those products that made me skeptical when it was recommended to me, since I’ve tried similar products, but truly, this one works! You must use it consistently. I use it every night, even on dry hair (it doesn’t mess up a style). Also try Cécred’s new detangler spray - it’s a miracle!
Restoring Hair & Edge Drops
You know those days when your can’t get your curls to behave, no matter which products you use? I recently purchased this new tool, and with a good heat protectant and wrapping mousse, this wand (with multiple attachments for different kinds of curls and waves) forces my stubborn hair into the curls I want, and they hold all day! I have 3 diffe...
Curlsmith Defrizzion Curl Wand 4 Ceramic
Beauty Products - Anti-Aging
Who Says You Have to Look Older, When These Faves Are Around?
Great product for older skin! This firming foam-to-oil does reduce the appearance of crepey skin and cellulite (especially paired with Maely’s other anti-cellulite and firming products, but this is the best. Put in on in the morning, and you skin wil...
6.7 oz GET-TAUT Body Firming and Hydrating Mousse-To-Oil
Put this on at bedtime, and in the morning, you’ll have soft, non-chapped lips. Plus, it smells good and feels great!
Lip Sleeping Mask Nourish & Hydrate
Wrinkles? What wrinkles? When I put this on at night, I am delighted to find that, in the morning, my fine lines have vanished and wrinkles greatly diminshed. Plus, peeling it off is oddly satisfying.
medicube Wrapping Mask Collagen Overnight
This little device packs some great results! While I wish I could afford their mask, Solawave’s wand is a terrific tool for minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. My husband calls it “ironing my face,” but the wand’s warmth is like giving my face a mini massage. I use my favorite PDRN serum and then smooth it over my face, chin, and neck. The device runs for 15 minutes (the recommended time for red light), but pauses every three minutes for you to change areas (or not).
Red Light Therapy Wand for Face | 4-in-1 FDA-Cleared
A recent find - their pimple patches are the very best I have found (they actually work), and I am loving their eye patches for dark circles. I mean, what dark circles?
grace & stella
Six months ago, I was drawing on eyebrows because mine had thinned out to the point of invisibility. I expected Nulastin to be a scam, like almost all other beauty products that promise major results, but here, six months later, I have lush, dark eyebrows. This product doesn’t lie! It’s pricey, but worth it if you have thinning or splotchy brows. Now all I have to worry about is keeping them shaped!
Eyebrow Enhancing Serums | Nulastin® Brow Collection
If you’re experiencing gum recession with age or genetics, I promise that from my experience, this little device works wonders. I can see my gums rebuilding, I can see far less of the gaps that were between the bottoms of my lower teeth, and chin wrinkles are disappearing because my gums are filling out.
Novaa Oral Care Pro | Red & Blue Light Gum Care Device
My Special Picks That I Cannot Live Without in Everyday Life
Sometimes I find items that make my life easier or better in some small or large way, and when I do, I love to share my finds so others can benefit from these helpful items!
Find useful items you didn’t even know you needed! I have found the best glasses and screen cleaners, items to make my laundry amazing, and other handy things on Grommet. They also have great ideas for gifts, it’s the perfect place to find something for that person who is difficult to shop for!
Grommet: Find New Products & Discover Unique Gifts
A great way to celebrate or give a host/hostess gift! I discovered Marzipops last Valentine’s Day when I wanted to make customized message hearts for my husband,but Marzipops makes beautiful creations for holidays, weddings, sport, everything, custom...
marzipops
The very best tumblers I’ve found. I live in the desert, where we regularly see 120 degree (F) temps from May-September. I sit Iceshaker tumblers outside by the pool in the sun for hours and the ice inside doesn’t even melt! Plus (not pictured), they have models that taper at the bottom so while they’re still steady on a table, they fit into my car cup holder perfectly, too. I love the gradient colors. I don’t go for trendy, I go for what works, but these tumblers look amazing, too!
Ice Shaker
With the monopoly of US streaming platforms making US-based shows increasingly worse, Britbox offers some of the UK’s best shows, and the price is much better, too! You won’t miss the US streaming monopolies when you switch to Britbox, I promise!
Home | BritBox US
These little miracles have helped me to breathe only through my nose at night and not my mouth, improving my quality of sleep. I dot each side with a little eucalyptus oil on each side for an extra boost, but I feel so much better in the mornings!
Breathewave Nasal Dilator – Breathe Better, Sleep Deeper ...
Beautiful and Exciting Places to Visit and Have Adventures - Southern California and Beyond!
While I live in Southern California, I have traveled the world, and I love to tell people the fun places I have visited and experiences they might enjoy. Note that I have a passion for adventure sports and activities, but I also have an eye for lovely places and great music.
Breaking: I just discovered this terrific place last weekend on a quick getaway to Santa Catalina Island. Great service and equipment, and the scenery from the air was incredible, as the historic island is gorgeous. Plus, the feeling of flying high over the water is unbeatable! Definitely ask for the package with photos.
Catalina Xtreme Parasail
I’m an experienced scuba diver, and one of my favorite places to dive is with Buddy Dive on Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles. The diving on Bonaire is spectacular, but staying at Buddy’s is exceptional. Their house reef is top-quality, and they have boat dives running throughout the day, while you can also rent a truck as part of your room package and use their drive-through tank refill station. In the evenings, over terrific food, you can hear lectures from leading international ocean scientists and marine biologists, and you can join hunts to cull invasive lionfish for lionfish cookouts every week.
Buddy Dive Resort
One of the very best Halloween parties in the world! Outdoors in balmy Palm Springs, the Arenas District downtown throws a costume party with live music, food and drinks, and the best costumes you’ll ever see outside of cons! Don’t show up without a ... Sponsored by the LGBTQIA+ Association of Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Halloween on Arenas Road 2026
For new and experienced climbers, the Via Ferrata Banff is modeled after the one in Italy, is professionally-run, and makes the best use of a ski resorts with the best views of the Rocky Mountains ever. It’s perfectly safe and the guides are terrific. Give it a try, and you’ll be ready for the other Via Ferratas around the world!
Via Ferrata
Manual Antonio National Park in Costa Rica is a great place to experience the rainforests of the country, bask on white beaches, try kayaking, zip lining, and other activities, and see amazing flora and fauna. Just be careful of the afternoon monkey run!
Manuel Antonio: 1 of the Top Places to Visit in Costa Rica
Do you like finding unusual places to visit on roadtrips or while visiting your own state, other states, and other countries? Having travel stories that nobody else has? Sign up for Atlas Obscura’s free email newsletters (and I also love Gastro Obscura for adventurous food experiences) and you’ll get notifications of places to add to your bucket list, along with conservation efforts and other news about important, ye... They even sponsor trips to unusual destinations. It’s free and a great resource!
Atlas Obscura
This experience makes for a fun day all year around. In the summer, escape the Coachella Valley heat by taking the very scenic tram up the mountain, then explore multiple trails (at varied experience and fitness levels) for magnificent views. In wint...
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Misery’s Kitchen - The Place for People with Medical Dietary Restrictions Who Love Food
Do you have medical dietary restrictions and are they making your life miserable? I cannot have dairy, gluten/wheat, or soy, and I go light on nuts and eggs. I probably won’t post as many things that don’t have those ingredients, but I will try. I also don’t eat much fish, shellfish, or pork (because I don’t like them), so if you have those allergies, this is a good place. I do eat meat, but vegans can substitute meat for plant-based substitutes in most of my recommendations (most are cooking items, but some are prepared meal options). I hope this helps life the misery!
Can’t eat soy but love foods with soy-based umami? Here’s your answer. Even better than soy-free tamari are coconut aminos. They taste just like soy sauce, but there’s no soy in there, plus they contain healthy aminos and much less sodium. When I cook with coconut aminos, nobody can tell the difference.
Coconut Aminos – Healthy Soy Sauce Alternative Sauce - Bragg Live Foods
Do you miss cereal, with dairy and/or gluten allergies or inflammation issues? Magic Spoon’s fruit loop and chocolate chip cereals are allergen-free and very high in protein. They taste great in coconut milk) or any alternative milk choice) and they give me a taste of childhood that I have really missed.
Magic Spoon Cereal: High Protein, Keto-Friendly, 0g Sugar ...
Do you miss tortilla chips and warm queso as a snack? You can have it back, and it tastes like real cheese! Credo’s queso is the best dairy-free I’ve found, with the least amount of unnecessary ingredients - it’s the most natural. I love spicing it up with Tajin. Just pair it with your favorite corn tortilla chips and salsa, and it’s a terrific treat!
Credo Foods
Can’t have soy and miss it? Miso Nooch is soy-free, but adds a delightful umami to pretty much anything, from Pan-Asian cooking to popcorn to salads. I can’t live without Miso Nooch and other Nooch products.
Miso Nooch - Organic Umami Seasoning
The World’s Best and Most Unusual Places to Eat
There are Dolar Shops in Seattle, NYC, and Richmond, plus locations in Sydney, Macau, and many in China. This is Chinese hot pot at its very best try the silver broth, and a variety of the meats and vegetables. Plus you get free ice cream cones at the end!
The Dolar Shop Hot Pot
My favorite restaurant growing up! We almost lost it a few years ago, but it was saved by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone (Casa Bonita has been featured on South Park). It’s a huge place, with diving shows, pirates, dancers, old-timey photo booths with costumes, and more. The food is Colorado-Mexican and decent (though not the best you’d ever have), but the sopapillas are addictive. Well worth a visit!
Casa Bonita
Have you ever wanted to have a pint in an LOTR-set-looking, hundreds-years-old, Tudor pub? Have you ever wanted the most delicious and unique ploughman’s while listening to the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack? Don’t miss The Trembling Madness Pub in York (and I hear there might be one in New York City, too, but I think it’s much newer).
House Of The Trembling Madness // Stonegate (The Original)
People are generally surprised when I tell them that some of the best Mexican food I’ve had outside of Mexico is in Salt Lake City, but the Red Iguana had proven me right several times. La comida es autentica y muy rica, and they are accommodating to big crowds and intimate dinners. Que deliciosa!
Red Iguana
The very last one! The Woolworth’s Lunch Counter is the last surviving luncheonette and soda fountain in the USA. Situated in an antiques mall in a very random city in California, the menu remains nearly identical to that of the Woolworth’s lunch counter of the 1940s a...
The Woolworth's Luncheonette
This place is a gem. Not only are their baked goods delicious, but they will make cupcakes (really, all their products) gluten-free and/or dairy-free upon request, and those taste almost the same as the regular treats. In an area where almost no bake...
Tiffany's Sweet Spot
Exceptional Reads in Fantasy, Romantasy, and Modern Literature
If you love the fantasy genre, you know Brandon Sanderson is the gold standard for fantasy authors. His first 5 books of the Stormlight Archives, written over 10+ years, contain engaging adventures of exceptionally-written characters in detailed othe...
THE STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE® SERIES
Margaret Atwood is one of my all-time favorite authors. Most famous for The Handmaid’s Tale, the MADDAddam trilogy is another stunning example of her sci-fi-yet-realistic displays of dystopian fiction, and some of her most incredible work.
The MaddAddam Trilogy Series
Seanan McGuire is one of today’s most talented and prolific fantasy and science fiction writers, but I love this trilogy (which isn’t over yet) as a culmination that ties in many of her other series, written both as Seanan McGuire and as A. Deborah B...
Alchemical Journeys Series by Seanan McGuire
The Cradle Series by Will Wight is another finely-honed, large multi-world series with exceptionally developed worlds and characters that the reader almost imagines in anime style while reading these books that cannot be put down. This is another series of very long books that may take you out of society for a while, but you will have the best vacation in reading!
Will Wight, New York Times Best-Selling Author of 'Cradle ...
Sarah Lin’s masterpiece epic series ‘The Weirkey Chronicles’ brings you through many worlds and shows the reader that Earth isn’t the only place with problems, though on these other worlds, a scientific type of magic can be used to gain unusual power...
The Weirkey Chronicles 11-Book Series Kindle