The Seattle Spring Skincare Guide

Spring has finally arrived and spas around Seattle are offering up a great mix of seasonal treatments and signature favorites. Treating yourself to a spa day is a true form of self-care in my book. Here’s a round-up of the 5 best treatments for spring available at spas around town, plus a bonus recommendation for those of you who are craving a mini road trip.

Peachy Keen Mangosteen Scrub, Yuan Spa

To celebrate spring, Yuan Spa is on a mission to help guests get the ultimate glow with their new "Peachy Keen Mangosteen Scrub" designed to slough away dead skin and boost circulation. Guests will then be treated to a generous application of 'Peachy Keen' whipped sugar scrub by Lalicious followed up a quick rinse and liberal application of Mangosteen moisturizer by Eminence Organics. Fun fact: Yuan Spa is open every day until 10 p.m. so if you're crazy busy and prefer a late night at the spa, you're in luck. 60 min./$140

Circadian Rhythm Detoxifying Facial, Still Spa

Still Spa at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland is now offering a luxurious and detoxifying facial that helps to rejuvenate skin and enhance the body's natural cellular repair system. The Circadian Rhythm Detoxifying Facial helps repair skin from free radical damage while adding antioxidant support with natural Kaolin Clay. The service is finished with a moisture boost from natural honey. 60 min./$150

Microneedling, Bella Fiore Organic Med Spa

Microneedling treatments have been a true game-changer for my skin. I used to suffer from terrible acne scarring on my cheeks but microneedling has offered me a natural approach to skin rejuvenation. The results have been amazing and my skin continues to get better with each treatment. The service is similar to a facial but involved using microscopic needles to create micro-injuries designed to trigger cellular turnover and repair skin from the inside out. Bella Fiore Organic Med Spa on Queen Anne offers a variety of microneedling packages that can be customized to fit your specific skincare concerns. Single treatment, $375

Botox, Skin Spirit

If last year's constant Zoom calls highlighted the frown lines on your face, you're not alone. The spring season is a great time of year to get a boost of Botox. I'm a big fan of this treatment and swear by it for relaxing frown lines and preventing new ones from forming in the first place. When getting Botox, it's important to find an experienced injector who can assess your specific needs and customize a treatment plan for you. I'm a regular at Skin Spirit and highly recommend their amazing team for a variety of services including Botox, and injectables (Juvederm, Restylane, Sculptra, etc.). If you end up booking a service, please tell them I sent you!

Thermogenic Mud Cocoon, Four Seasons Spa

One of the things I missed the most during the pandemic was visiting The Spa at the Four Seasons. As a mom of two, I take self-care seriously. "In the before", a.k.a. pre-pandemic, I used to sneak away at least once or twice a year for a massage at the spa and a visit to the Eucalyptus steam room. One of my favorite things about the Spa at the Four Seasons is that you can easily valet park and head straight up to the spa making the entire experience truly seamless. For a unique experience, try the Thermogenic Mud Cocoon service. It's a purifying wrap that deeply cleanses the skin and helps detoxify sore muscles and stiff joints. 80 min./$285

CBD massage, Glade Spring Spa at Suncadia

Located just 90-minutes East of Seattle, Glade Spring Spa at Suncadia is a great place to visit when you want to get out of the city and recharge at the spa. I recently experienced my first CBD massage and walked away feeling incredibly relaxed. In fact, I don't know how I'll ever enjoy another massage without the natural benefits of CBD oil. You can add CBD to any massage at Glade Spring Spa for an additional $35. I highly recommend it!

What spring skincare services are you excited about this season? I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email or leave me a comment below.

The Blow Dryer That Changed My Life

Haircare is not something I take lightly. In fact, as someone with a lot of hair, the process of washing, drying, and styling my hair, is something that often takes up to two hours. I wish that I had the type of hair that would allow me to shower at night and wake up the next morning with dry hair. But sadly, I'm not. I've tried and my experiments always end with a sad, soggy pillow and soaking wet hair. Over the years I've come to terms with this reality and scheduled "wash days" accordingly but always found the entire operation quite frustrating. And then one day, everything changed. 

For Christmas this year, my husband surprised me with the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. I had seen ads for it and watched as other influencers posted about it, but honestly, I didn't understand what the buzz was about. For starters, the blow dryer is nearly $400, which is a far cry from the $40 dryer I had been using from Revlon for years. And secondly, I had never used a dryer with a hole in the middle and had no idea how it worked. 

Turns out, this blow dryer can dry my hair in 8 minutes flat and I'm telling you, it's worth every dollar. It used to take me 25-35 minutes to thoroughly dry my hair and I would have to dry it in layers because my hair is so thick. With the Dyson, I can dry my hair quickly and move on to styling in a record amount of time. My entire "get ready routine" has become much more efficient and I feel like I've been given my valuable time back. The best part is, that in addition to rapid dry time, the Dyson protects hair from heat damage and visibly deceases frizz and flyaways, which is MAJOR for my naturally wavy hair. 

So how does it work? Well, for starters, the dryer is powered by a motor that propels 13 liters of air up to the amplifier every second. The airflow then produces a controlled, high-velocity jet of air designed to dry hair quickly. The airflow is temperature measured over 40 times to prevent heat damage, which helps make hair shiny. 

This blowdryer has honestly changed my life and streamlined my morning routine. I feel more efficient when I use it and love that it no longer takes me nearly 90 minutes to get ready when I need to wash my hair. Thank you, Dyson. 

ps. This post is not sponsored. We purchased the dryer with our own money and I'm telling you, it was worth every penny. 

Lead photo credit: Demri Rayanne Photography 

The Best At-Home Gel Manicure

Like many people, I've had to change my usual beauty routines due to COVID in an effort to limit my exposure. That means I'm doing more of my beauty maintenance at home, including my nails. No matter how many top coats I use, my nails ALWAYS chip, which means I'm sometimes painting (and re-painting) my nails, several times a week. I recently spotted the Le Mini Macaron at-home gel nail polish kit at Nordstrom's gift shop and decided to give it a try. 

The kit comes with a cuticle stick, nail file, remover pads, a bottle of polish, and an adorable mini macaron-shaped LED light. This kit was SO quick and easy to use! You simply prep your nails by filing them and pushing down your cuticles, swipe the polish on, and then cure the polish for 30 seconds under the LED light. I was done in 10 minutes flat and my manicure is absolutely stunning! Honestly, it looks like I went to the salon for a traditional gel manicure. The Le Mini Macaron sets are available at Nordstrom for $35 and make a great gift for the beauty fans on your list. 

I'm now obsessed with doing my own nails at home and have purchased additional colors of Le Mini Macaron polish. For the price, this set is a great value and I love how shiny and long-lasting the manicure is. 

5 must-have products from K Banana

Calling all beauty fans! K Banana is now open at U Village and the assortment of k-beauty products is unreal. You'll immediately be drawn to the whimsical packaging and then fall in love with the amazing prices. I've dabbled in Korean beauty products in the past, but now, after working with the K Banana team on two grand opening events, I'm a total convert. Here are 5 of my favorite k-beauty products you can get right now at K Banana.

#1 Whal Myung WM5 Hydrating Cream

I have oily skin and as a result, I always shy away from anything hydrating so this is an unusual pick for me, but I'm happy to report that my skin has really turned a corner with this product. Prior to using this hydrating cream, I was regularly stripping my skin with cleansers to control oil. Turns out, this has the opposite effect on skin and actually triggers even more oil production. K-Beauty expert Ashley Brown suggested that I add in hydration as the final step of my skincare routine by using the Whal Myung Hydrating Cream ($52, shown above) in the morning and at night. It seemed foreign to me because I'm normally just concerned with getting oil off my face and stripping it completely of moisture, but she assured me that using a pea-sized amount and distributing it evenly over my face and neck would help combat redness and balance out my skin, and it totally worked. I'm now less oily and my skin feels hydrated and calm.

#2 MadeCera Lip Balm 

Hot summer days are perfect for hydrating lip balms with a pop of color. I'm obsessed with the MadeCera Lip Balm ($12) available at K Banana because it has a sheer pop of color and fits perfectly into my pocket. The "Pop Pink" color, shown above, is my favorite.

#3 Huangjisoo Perfect Cleansing Oil

This is also an unusual pick for me but when the temps rise, I always find myself being drawn to the double cleanse method. It's literally the only thing that makes my skin feel truly clean. For newbies to this method, the double cleanse involves washing your face first with an oil-based cleanser to draw oil and impurities away from skin, followed by washing your face again with a water-based cleanser. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it's totally worth it and I swear this method makes my skin glow. I've been using the huangjisoo oil cleanser ($25, shown above) from K Banana and it's quickly becoming one of my go-to cleansers.

#4 KOCOSTAR Plump Lip Capsule Mask

Enclosed in this cute lip-shaped case, shown above, you'll find 30 Kocostar capsules filled with lip plumping serum. You twist off the tip and apply the clear serum on to your lips. It tingles a little at first and then completely transforms your pout. I already have big lips thanks to Juvederm but I LOVE these little capsules because they really make my lips pop.

#5 Dr. Jart+ Cheek & Eye Lift

The Dr. Jart Cheek and Eye Lift mask ($7) is hands-down my favorite mask of all time because it instantly defines my cheek bones (which are normally non-existent) while also de-puffing my under eyes, which we ALL need. I store these masks in the fridge and use them as my secret weapon whenever I have a special event or a photoshoot because they really work. These masks have little acupressure dots on the inside that help to lift and tighten skin. You'll look like you've just been to the spa.


K Banana is located at U Village next door to Sole Food and Amour Vert. Once inside the store you'll find a variety of curated k-beauty skincare including over 150 different types of sheet masks on the vending machine face mask wall hand painted by local artist Jesse Brown, plus a dedicated selfie wall, and a "BIY" Beauty-It-Yourself gifting station with colorful mesh pouches that you can fill with travel-sized products to create the perfect gift.

K Banana
2621 NE Village Lane
Seattle, WA
On Instagram @hellokbanana

Top photo credit: Michael Garrett

K Banana is now open at University Village

Calling all K-Beauty fans! The new K Banana store at University Village is now open! What started as a seasonal pop-up is now a year-round destination for Seattleites to get their K-Beauty fix. If you liked the pop-up, you are going to LOVE the new store.

The interior features playful, wall-to-wall murals handpainted by local artist Jesse Brown. It's literally a color explosion that begs to be Instagrammed. Designer Austin Hicks of Glass Box Gallery also worked closely with the team to create beautiful, custom fixtures for the store that showcase product and double as art installations.

"Korean beauty products are known for their bright colors and whimsical packaging, so we designed a unique, immersive experience to complement that feeling," said Yates. Shoppers will K Banana's signature vending machine face mask wall, a BIY (Beauty It Yourself) gifting station featuring travel-size K-beauty products, accessories, and candy, and a variety of new product lines including the new makeup and skincare collection by K-Pop boy band sensation BTS.

One fun fact: Korean beauty is clean beauty. All of the products carried in the store and made with the highest quality ingredients and without all of the things you hate, like parabens and gross chemicals. If you're concerned about clean ingredients in your beauty and skincare products, you'll enjoy the curated selection at K Banana.

The new store is located at University Village next door to Sole Food and Amour Vert. To celebrate the grand opening, K Banana will be offering a special gift with purchase, while supplies last. Follow the K-beauty action on Instagram @hellokbanana.

K Ba-Nana launches website + announces closure of pop-up

Seattle brand K Ba-Nana has finally launched a website and you can now shop for all your favorite k-beauty products online without ever having to leave the house. If you have yet to visit their pop-up at University Village, your last chance to check it out is this weekend. After that, K Ba-Nana will be online only under later this spring when they open a permanent location somewhere in Seattle. In the meantime, you can peruse the website for all your favorite skincare, serums, face masks, beauty accessories, and gifts. The pop-up officially closes on Sunday, January 27th. Follow along on Instagram @hellokbanana.

Here's what you missed: K Ba-Nana Women In Business Event

It seemed only fitting that at the end of my month-long celebration of Gossip & Glamour turning 8 years old, I had the opportunity to moderate the K Ba-Nana Women in Business event at U-Village. The truth is that surrounding myself with around other women in business has been critical to my success as an entrepreneur and it's something I always recommend to others who are just getting started.

The in-store event featured notable women in business including Nordstrom buyer Jillian Peterson, K Ba-Nana founder Liz Kang Yates, Sweet & Power series creator Carolyn Yuen Marino, and Marabou Design founder Brandy Brown. The conversation touched on everything from how each panelist started their careers and what strategies they employed to overcome adversity along the way.
Here are the top 5 takeaways from the discussion:

Listen - Listening is essential for clear communication yet it's often overlooked in business environments. Take the time to properly listen so that you can avoid assumptions and ensure that everyone is working toward the same vision and goal.

Ask for Feedback -As you move through your career it's important to ask for feedback from colleagues and even clients so that you can learn and grow. In the early years of my career it was difficult for me to take feedback because I always perceived it as criticism, but ultimately hearing the feedback and understanding my patterns was a game changer for my personal development. Asking for feedback continues to be a critical part of my success and an entrepreneur.

Negotiate - As a woman in business, it's important to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, especially when it comes to negotiating. The truth is, these conversations can be tricky on both sides and it's important to remember that the greatest good can only come when both sides navigate them from a place of care and confidence. Whether the conversation is about money or terms of a contract, voice concerns upfront to avoid conflict.

Schedule time for self-care - Whether it's a weekend brunch with the girls or a spa day at the Four Seasons, scheduling time for self-care is a must. "The business isn't going to prioritize you," says Jillian Peterson, "You have to prioritize yourself- the business actually improves when you do." It makes total sense because when you're healthy and ready for anything, it's much easier to get in the flow of business. Self-care can come in many forms, so pick something that resonates with you and establish healthy self-care routines now.

Enjoy the process and have fun - There isn't a singular path to career success. Everyone has a different journey and it's important to embrace the process and have fun along the way. Try new things, experience with different methods as you hone your craft, and when you find yourself in a downward spiral, just remember that Instagram is a highlight reel and not the full, messy, beautiful, story.

If you missed this event, sign up for the mailing list over at Gossip-Glamour.com to stay in the know on future Seattle women in business events and fashion activations around the city.

Travel-inspired fragrances to warm you up this fall

With Labor Day just around the corner the summer travel season is coming to a close, but flora & henri's signature fragrances can instantly transport you to faraway places. The fragrance duo, made in collaboration with Atelier Madrona, was originally introduced in the fall of 2017 and continues to be popular both online and in-store. Inspired by flora & henri founder Jane Hedreen's love of travel, the fragrances feature contrasting scents reminiscent of exotic travels and worldly adventures. Isle of May and Alcazar Palace are beloved by shoppers around the globe who love the aromatic journies that the perfect fragrance can inspire.

Alcazar Palace is a beautiful fragrance inspired by the fragrant orange trees at the Alcázar of Seville, a royal place in Spain built for King Peter of Castile. Opening with notes of orange blossoms, this fragrance is sunny and warm, blended with soft violet for a contrasted but clean impression.  Notes of Peruvian amber also add dimension to this scent without adding weight. Prices range from $30 for the 5ml to $250 for the 100ml.

Inspired by the crisp summer winds of the Isle of May in Scotland, this beautiful scent features notes of rich red roses and fruity purple violets with a vanilla-amber base. The Isle of May fragrance also has Spanish lemon oil for added depth and a raspberry note to saturate the base. Prices start at $30 for the 5ml size.

Both fragrances are available online at florahenri.com and in-store at the flora & henri concept shop on first avenue. They also make luxurious gifts for the holiday season. Visit the Seattle store at 401 First Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104. (Cross streets are First Ave. S. and S. Jackson St.)

8 local beauty brands we're loving right now

The Pacific Northwest may be known for its plethora of coffee shops and tech start-ups, but it's also home to a full range of fabulous beauty brands too. We're talking everything from skincare to makeup, nail polish, and more. Here's a round-up of our favorite Seattle-based beauty brands.

Julep
Founded in 2007 by former Starbucks executive Jane Park, Julep has been one of my go-to Seattle beauty brands for a long time. My friend Natasha used to head up their PR and would literally blow my mind with the products they were launching. Dual-ended kajal eyeliner that would last all day and not irritate my eyes? Check. An oxygen nail treatment that would help me to stop biting my nails for good? Yes, please. Julep has it all, from Korean-inspired beauty products to long-last nail lacquers and even free-standing nail parlors sprinkled around the city.

Thrive Causemetics 
Founded by Karissa Bodnar, Thrive Causemetics is a Seattle-based beauty brand that gives back. For every product sold, one is donated to empower a woman thriving through cancer or domestic violence. All products in the line are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. The range includes blush, lipstick, mascara, eyelashes, eyelash adhesive, and makeup brushes.

Paula's Choice
Founded in 1995 by Paula Begoun, Paula's Choice is an online beauty brand based in Seattle. Their product line is non-irritating, fragrance-free and never tested on animals. British Vogue recently called their 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant the "elixir of dreams" because it allows you to exfoliate without actually scrubbing your skin. One of the things that I personally love is that you can shop the site by category, skincare concern, or collection. You can even order your favorite Paula's Choice products in travel size which is perfect for all my jetsetting friends.

flora & henri
Although not a traditional beauty brand, Seattle-based flora & henri did in fact launch fragrances last fall. Isle of May and Alcazar Palace, developed in partnership with local perfumer Chelsey Owen, were a huge hit with shoppers over the holiday season. Available in three sizes, the fragrances make a great gift (for Valentine's Day, perhaps?) and offer a full sensory experience.

Velvet Report
Lindsey Arnold originally launched Velvet Report as a blog to share her love of vegan and cruelty-free beauty products. The site has now expanded to include a full shopping section that features vegan beauty boxes, makeup starter sets, micellar water, and face masks. I also like that she features local brands in her edited assortment whenever possible.

Herbivore Botanicals
Although this local brand is currently experiencing massive growth, the company is just a little more than five years old. Created in a Seattle kitchen by husband and wife team Julia and Alex, Herbivore is founded on the idea that skincare products can and should be safe, non-toxic, and highly effective using organic, food-grade ingredients. The entire line is excellent but my favorite product is the Coco Rose Body Polish which is perfect for getting a super smooth shave on your legs.

Van der Pop
Launched in 2016 by April Pride, Van der Pop offers a full range of beautifully designed products for female marijuana connoisseurs including leather stash bags, violet glass jars, geometric porcelain pipes, and pre-rolled cones. The Van der Pop line also includes several skincare products that feature European-cultivated hemp seeds including serums, creams, body balms, and luxurious body oils.

butter LONDON
It would be a miss not to include butter LONDON in this round-up. Their polishes are fabulous, and yes, they even have one that matches Pantone's Color of the Year. The company also just opened a nail bar in Seattle's trendy South Lake Union neighborhood with means I now have zero excuses for sporting a chipped manicure for extended periods of time.

Photo image courtesy of Van der Pop. 

Shop Local Seattle: Best Beauty Gifts

For the beauty fans on your list, here are our top picks from eleven local brands in Seattle plus three experience gifts that are gorgeous to give or receive.

Featuring pretty packaging and all natural ingredients, French Girl Facial Polish is finely milled and formulated with organic brown rice powder, french clay, and organic flower petals to gently exfoliate skin. Local shopping tip: French Girl is available on Amazon Prime. $38

Over the past few years, vegan beauty products have come a long way and that inspired Seattleite Lindsay Arnold to launch the Velvet Report, a site dedicated to educating consumers about the luxurious side of vegan beauty and helping them discover ethical beauty brands along the way. The Velvet Report's Vegan Makeup Starter Kit is a great place for newbies to begin. The kit comes packaged in a beautiful keepsake box and features a lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow quad and liquid blush. $75

Beauty fans on your list will love Butter London's Little Gems holiday set featuring 6 petite nail lacquers. Colors range from nudes to metallics and as always, are free from toxic ingredients. $24 Butter London was founded back in 2005 by British entrepreneur Sasha Muir and continues to expand its presence in the city. The company recently opened a nail bar in South Lake Union.

Seattle boutique flora & henri recently unveiled their first fragrances just in time for the holiday season. "Isle of May" features notes of red roses and rich violets, while "Alcazar Palace" blends orange citrus notes with delicate white floral. The bottles feature artwork by local illustrator and tattoo artist Kyler Martz. These perfumes make a gorgeous gift to give and receive. 3 sizes available, prices range from $30-250. Shop online, or pick up gifts from flora & henri in-store at 401 First Ave. S. (Curbside pick-up is available for local shoppers)

Located in Seattle's International District, Paula's Choice is a trusted beauty brand that is vegan and cruelty-free. The Brightening Radiant Skin Collection is a great pick for battling winter skin. The kit contains RESIST Brightening Essence to replenish anti-oxidants, a Pure Radiance Skin Brightening Treatment that helps balance uneven skin plus and a gel Renewal Mask that is designed to be worn overnight for a refreshed, hydrated glow. $79 for the set.

The holidays can wreak havoc on your skin. Say no to free-radical damage and toxins with Teadora's Anti-Pollution Facial Mist. This product helps protect skin from pollution, sets your makeup, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines. Oh, and it makes a great gift for beauty junkies. $38

Strip lashes from Noir Lash Lounge make a great stocking stuffer for beauty fans. This local company has two locations in the Seattle-area including Bellevue and Belltown and manufactures their own brand of strip lashes for girls who love the look of false lashes but don't want to commit to a full set of extensions. Strip lashes are available in a variety of styles from all natural to super dramatic, prices range from $11.99 - $13.99.

It's no secret that Seattleites are Vitamin D deficient, especially during the cold winter months. Local esthetician Susan Grace knew there had to be a better way to give her clients a boost, so she infused Vitamin D into her signature toner to boost collagen production and tighten skin. Tone Well is available locally at Haute Yoga on Queen Anne and select Barre 3 locations. $10-$29

Founded back in 2011 in a local Seattle kitchen, Herbivore Botanicals is dedicated to using high-quality raw materials to create beautiful skincare products. The Coco Rose Body Polish gently exfoliates with a blend of Virgin Coconut Oil and delicate Moroccan Rose. Shop online at Herbivore Botanicals or pick-up from a local stockist like Moorea Seal. $36

When Kari Gran first launched her eco-friendly skincare line back in 2012 with a cleansing oil as the anchor of the line, it was a massive departure from the way most women in Seattle were washing their faces at the time. I mean come on, use oil to cleanse your skin? It sounded counter-intuitive, but it turned out to be a genius way to help balance oily skin. If you're new to the line, I recommend starting with the "Mini Kit" and Lip Whip Gift Pack. The travel size set comes with the signature cleansing oil, essential serum, hydrating tonic (your choice of lavender or rose), Three Sixty Five sunscreen in SPF 28 for daily use, and a lip whip (your choice of Peppermint or Cinnamon). Gift wrap available. $64

New day, different polish, because your polish color depends on your outfit, right? 100%. Give your girlfriends the gift of pretty nails with the #Coveted 12-piece mini nail set from Julep. Featuring dark blues for stormy days and bright pinks for sunny days, the set also includes a soft pink neutral for days when your vibe is subtle and sweet.

For your best friend

Spa day in Seattle at the Four Seasons -  My favorite spa day starts with brunch at Goldfinch Tavern, followed by a trip to the sauna before getting a Northwest Body Scrub. $150-195

For your mom

Moms work hard and they deserve a Day of Beauty like only Gene Juarez can provide. The 6-hour experience comes with a 90-minute massage, 60-minute facial, Spa mani + pedi, catered lunch, expert blow dry and make-up application. $475

For your man

The "Proper Gent" service at Butter London's flagship is $25 for a 25-minute manicure that includes nail shaping, cuticle care, and moisturizing massage with a buff to shine. 

Beauty Alert: butter LONDON nail bar now open in Seattle

Beauty Alert: The holiday season calls for serious party nails because no great night out ever started with a chipped mani. 

Thankfully, butter LONDON has opened a brand new nail bar in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood. The 537-square-foot store located on Fairview Avenue will offer waterless manicures and pedicures starting at $18. Add-ons include nail art, sugar scrubs, and extended hand massages. They even offer manicures for gents.

The Nail Bar was designed by Seattle-based interior designer Leah Steen and features butter LONDON's iconic brand wallpaper. "We wanted to break the mold of traditional nail salons and create an unforgettable experience in a stylish environment where women can have fun and get pampered together," said butter LONDON President Sarina Godin.

Known for pioneering the original 3-free lacquer, butter LONDON prides itself on its assortment of high-performance, non-toxic nail products that are safe and effective. This great local brand was founded back in 2005 by British entrepreneur Sasha Muir and London's premier fashion manicurist Nonie Creme. (Fun fact: Both founders still live right here in the Pacific Northwest.)

butter LONDON Nail Bar
400 Fairview Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109
Hours: Mon-Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Local tip: If you stop by for a mani during the week, don't miss the Meat & Bread sandwich shop next door. The sandwiches are delicious and they even offer a simple grilled cheese for kids and grown-ups alike.

October Beauty: 4 products you need right now

It's officially fall in Seattle which means the leaves are turning red, pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks, and the mornings inevitably have a crisp chill. If your skin tends to go crazy when the seasons change, you'll enjoy this post filled with must-have beauty products to get you through the transition.

If you're an 80's baby like me you probably played Sega as a kid, so you don't need me to explain why the new GLAMGLOW Gravity Mud Sonic Mask is so cool. It's literally metallic blue and instantly cools, firms, and brightens skin. Priced at $19, it also makes the perfect travel-sized gift.

Wait, wait, wait. Blotting papers packaged as rolling papers? Only someone as cool as Rihanna could think of this. The Fenty Invisimatte Blotting Papers are designed to gently lift shine while looking pretty damn cool in your makeup bag. $16

Speaking of oily skin, I'm still obsessed with the Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Face Exfoliant ,$33.  This product is a carryover from my summer beauty arsenal but it still works like a charm. If your skin tends to go haywire when the seasons change, this product is perfect for you. You use it after you wash your face to gently exfoliate dry skin and balance oily areas. The packaging suggests that you only use it twice a week, but I've used it more frequently than that and have not had any issues.

Last but not least, the one product you need right now is a pretty polish from Julep's Zodiac Collection. I'm a Virgo, but that doesn't mean I'm not totally in love with this shimmery blue Aquarius shade. It's the perfect way to embrace the onset of the season and let's face it, it will look pretty cool in your next coffee cup Instagram pic.

Velvet Report Launches Vegan Beauty Boxes

Lindsey Arnold of the Velvet Report is a Seattle style blogger and animal lover who believes that there's more to vegan beauty than you might think, so she's created a line of limited-edition beauty boxes to help persuade you. "The more I researched, the more I realized that there are some really amazing vegan skincare and beauty products out there. The beauty boxes are my way of sharing my discoveries," says Lindsey. The first beauty box launched earlier this summer and Velvet Report has plans for even more featuring luxurious beauty products that are full-size, tested, and hand selected for quality. I recently had the chance to check out the Vegan Makeup Starter Set and became a fan the minute I opened the box. 

Featuring four full-size beauty products packaged in a beautiful keepsake box, the Vegan Makeup Starter Set includes a lipstick, liquid blush, eyeshadow palette, and mascara. Basically, everything you need to put on your "face" in the morning, minus the foundation/concealer. 

The lipstick in the beauty box is from a brand called Axiology and it's the perfect mix of color and shine. Packaged in a gold tube the lipstick looks chic and it's all-natural and of course, cruelty-free. There are two color shades to pick from including "Noble" which is a peach-pink and "Elusive" which is a darker wine color. I chose "Noble" and loved the natural look it provided with just a sheer hint of color. 

My next favorite product in the set is the Gressa Lumière Fluid. It's a liquid blush that can also be used on your lips and eyes for a hint of color. It's a gorgeous color that can be easily blended for a gorgeous glow and best of all, it's made from all-natural ingredients. 

The Antonym Eyeshadow Palette is another favorite from the debut make-up box! I judge eyeshadow based on two factors: how well it blends, and how rich the pigment is. This eyeshadow quad passed the test with flying colors. I used the light pink to do a color wash on my eyes, used the pale yellow to highlight my brow bone, used the bronze in the crease, and used the dark gray in the outer corners. The beauty box comes with 2 palette options, one for an all-natural look and a second (pictured above) with some warmer/darker colors. 

Last but not least, what would a beauty set be without a great mascara? This one by Lily Lolo rounds out the Velvet Report Vegan Makeup Starter Kit and worked perfectly on my long lashes. I have a hard time with mascara because they often weigh down my lashes and prevent them from keeping a curl. This one was light enough to hold my curl and provided enough thickening to meet my needs. 

Priced at $75 for four full-sized products this box is a great way to experience a curated selection of vegan beauty brands. If you're interested in vegan beauty products you'll also want to check out the Velvet Report rose-inspired beauty box. 

3 Questions with Velvet Report founder Lindsey Arnold

Q1- What criteria do you use to select the brands you feature?

Well, first of all, they have to be vegan (no animal-derived ingredients), cruelty-free (no animal testing), and they have to be clean. I'm still figuring out what clean/green/non-toxic beauty means to people, but to me, it means having no chemicals or fillers and it has to be as organic and plant-based as possible. I personally try all the beauty products we feature. 

Q2- What vegan beauty product can you not live without?

Rosewater toners! I'm obsessed! I have a very streamlined skin care routine that involves cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. I've noticed a huge difference in my skin since cutting out the merry-go-round of products. I'm working on developing a simple French skincare line that will debut later this year!

Q3- Why is vegan beauty important for the environment?

Everything we do in this world is connected. When we purchase products that have been tested on animals or have resulted in the death of animals for ingredients, we are contributing to suffering in this world. I believe that what we buy and use should be a reflection of our values. By thinking about beauty products holistically, we can all make a change, and that will make all the difference. 

For more information about the Velvet Report visit www.velvetreport.com.