You know you do it, but are the free hotel toiletries really worth sneaking into your bag? Thanks to an old cushy day job, I had the… luxury of staying at some nice hotels with even nicer amenities. In this column, I’ll explore the brands different hotels have chosen to partner up with and where the products place on my ‘stuff it in your carry on?’ meter.
You know you do it, but are the free hotel toiletries really worth sneaking into your bag? Thanks to an old cushy day job, I had the… luxury of staying at some nice hotels with even nicer amenities. In this column, I’ll explore the brands different hotels have chosen to partner up with and where the products place on my ‘stuff it in your carry on?’ meter.
We’ll tell you all the reasons why we love Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil.1) It smells amazing — the scent of camellia petals is rich, heady and utterly intoxicating.
2) Only one pump is needed to completely protect hair from roots to ends.
3) While most oils make our hair look disgustingly greasy, this one does nothing of the kind.
4) After this one pump, hair is left looking and feeling super soft and silky.
5) The oil helps to protect hair from harmful UV rays and is even safe for use on color-treated hair.
These reasons are all pretty good, wouldn’t you say?
In short, one pump of this oil into your hands and spread through damp hair from roots to ends — or four pumps on dry hair immediately before shampooing — and you’ll be amazed at the difference in softness, silkiness and manageability. Plus, who doesn’t want her hair to smell like flowers?
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil retails for $65 at shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com.
Bunnies. Chocolate. Eggs. Pastels. All things that remind you of Easter, right? Well, we found a host of super-fun, super-adorable beauty products that are inspired by the holiday. And, no matter what holiday you celebrate, we think you’ll agree they’re must haves.Paul Frank Lip Smacker Bunny Girl Trio Cane Lip Gloss Collection
Three lip balms — coconut cream, cotton candy and carrot cake — all in a cane-shaped holder with a girl dressed like a bunny. Could there be anything cuter?
$5.95 at paulfrank.com
Kingsley Rabbit Terry Wash Glove
While we’d normally reserve this one for the kiddies, there’s just something too adorable about this bunny-topped terry glove.
$6 at smallflower.com
Philosophy Spring Has Sprung! Set
Orange Jelly Bean. Sugar Chick. Chocolate Bunny. It’s really a shame these shower gels can’t be drunk, isn’t it?
$25 at philosophy.com
Bronnley Rufus Rabbit White Hand Soap
Now, this is one rabbit we’re pretty glad didn’t fall down the rabbit hole!
$12 at bronnleyusa.com
Lush Hippy Chick
Two little chickies, scented with pink grapefruit and just dying to be a part of your next bubble bath.
$4.95 at lushusa.com
Beautyblender
An egg-shaped blending sponge for your foundation, concealer and/or bronzer? And it’s pink? We’re in love.
$19.95 at sephora.com
Gianna Rose Atelier Robin’s Egg Soaps in Apothecary Jar
Do you have any beauty products with such amazing packaging, you just don’t want to use them? That’s how we feel about the six French-milled soaps in this Old World-inspired jar.
$25 at giannarose.com
Watercolor is shaping up to be a big trend this spring in fashion and home decor. We really dug the watercolor-print Juan Carlos Obando dress Jena Malone wore to the London ‘Sucker Punch’ premiere and we also loved that she (or, her makeup artist) mirrored the dress’ print on Jena’s lids as well. Along with the ultraviolet blush and lipstick, it is such a pretty look.
You know how hairstylists always tell you to use color-safe shampoo and conditioner when you color your hair? Well, we may be guilty of not always following the rules. But now that we’ve discovered Ojon Color Sustain Color Revealing Shampoo and Conditioner, all bets are off.This duo really works to keep color safe for up to 40 shampoos — yes, 40! — thanks to the brand’s Color Sustain Technology. In addition, each is formulated with Tahitian monoi, sunflower seed oil and rosemary leaf extract to create a smooth, light-reflective surface upon the hair.
The shampoo contains golden elixir and lathers up pretty well (though we did need two shampoos to create a really rich, sudsy lather). It removes buildup and dulling residue so hair appears shinier, healthier and more luminous.
The conditioner, on the other hand, is scented with neroli, petit grain and violet leaf — and we’re here to tell you it smells amazing! Fresh, lush and beautiful.
We love how much richer our color looks after just a few washes with this duo. We also love that our blowout lasts for 4 days and looks just as shiny and healthy on day 4 as it does on day 1. What more could you ask for?
Ojon Color Sustain Color Revealing Shampoo and Conditioner retail for $22 and $23, respectively. They’re available at sephora.com.
get the scoop

