Mother's Day Gift Guide: Stay At-Home Edition+Who What Wear Features

Quarantine-life definitely has a way of making all the days blend together. Because each one feels a bit like Groundhog Day, you may not even realize that Mother’s Day is right around the corner on May 10th! I keep losing track of time…how about you?

With non-essential stores closed this year, shopping at the last minute is not really an option. We now ALL have to find “the perfect gift” for mom online. No worries—my bestie Janet (The Grateful Gardenia) and I have you covered! In our recent monthly column for Who What Wear, we’ve created the perfect gift guide to help you find mom something special. And, I’ve also added to the original article to give more options to choose from. You may even see something on this list that you’re coveting, so star your favorites and send it to your husband or kids as a hint!  

Relax at Home

SLIP SILK PILLOWCASE AND MASK SET

The perfect way for mom to Slip into a good night’s sleep.

SHOP BedHead Pajamas.
SHOP SLIP Silk Pillowcase and Mask Set.

SHOP SLIP Silk Pillowcase and Mask Set.

PAJAMAS

Mom will daydream about slipping into the most perfect sleepwear.

SHOP BedHead Pajamas.

PJ Salvage Pajamas (SOLD OUT). Similar here.
SHOP the brand!

SHOP PJ Salvage Super Soft Modal Pajama Set

ROBES  

Made for lounging and luxury.

MASONGrey Robe (SOLD OUT). SHOP a similar style!

SHOP Plum Pretty Sugar Floral Print Robe

SWEATS

A chic and comfy way to hang around the house or run to the grocery store.

Sweatpants by Monrow (SOLD OUT). SHOP the brand!

SHOP The Camo Pants by Z Supply.

CASHMERE SWEATSUIT

SHOP Naked Cashmere Aubrina Jogger.

DIFFUSER AND ESSENTIAL OIL 

An instant mood shifter--perfect to help reduce stress.

SHOP Saje Aroma Om Stone Diffuser

SHOP Vitruvi Stone Diffuser

SAGE Perfume

Gift mom her new favorite signature scent this year for Mother’s Day.

SHOP SAGE Diamond Roll-on Perfume Oil

SAGE Onyx Roll-On Perfume Oil

CANDLE BOY SMELLS

The best calming distraction, where masculine meets feminine. 

SHOP Boy Smells Cashmere Kush Candle

ACCESSORIES AND TECH

SHOP Bandolier Skye Crossbody Pebble Leather in Yellow/Black/Gold

BANDOLIER IPHONE CASE

The perfect accessory to hold her most prized necessity. 

SHOP Bandolier Emma Crossbody Phone Case and Wallet

READING GLASSES 

Give mom the most stylish four eyes in town! 

View fullsize

View fullsize

Reading Glasses by Caddis

BEJEWLED 

Simple, delicate and personal, she’ll never take it off!

SHOP from top to bottom: Personalized “Glow” Necklace by Tiny Tags, Glow Necklace by LOOMA x Melissa Meyers, and Heart Necklace by Sarah Hendler. Sunnies by Oliver Peoples. Earrings by Dior

SHOP Glow Necklace by LOOMA x Melissa Meyers

SHOP Tiny Tags Gold Script mama Necklace

SHOP Necklaces by Sydney Evan

EARRING BACKS 

Chrysmela’s got her back. A little extra something to make sure she never loses another earring again. 

SHOP Chrysmela Secure Earring Backs

SHOP Chrysmela Catch Rose Gold Earring Back

U SPEAKER

Small in size and easily portable to listen to her fave tunes, anywhere!

SHOP Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker in Gold by U Speakers

VEJO POD BLENDER

A farm to pod answer for grabbing a healthy smoothie before the next Zoom meeting. 

SHOP Vejo Pod Blender

USE promotional code GLOW8PACK &
receive a free 8 pack of blends with the purchase of a starter kit

Get Some Fresh Air

PARKER THATCH

Show mom you care with this I Love You clutch. The perfect holder for her keys and phone, while taking a walk in the hood. 

SHOP Parker Thatch Heart Man-Lee- Hot Pink Strap

SHOP Parker Thatch Heart Man-Lee- Hot Pink Strap

HATS

The perfect face-framer for those daily walks.  

SHOP Halogen Hats

SHOP Halogen Woven Straw Panama Hat

SCARVES

A lightweight scarf to wear out on a walk, dress up a bag handle or use as a chic mask.

SHOP Franne Golde x The Grateful Gardenia Scarves

VISION QUEST SHOES 

Mama needs new comfy-chic shoes.

SHOP the brand!

SHOP Vision Quest Shoes in “Mini Leopard”

FACE COVERING

Look good, do good and stay protected with Ripley Rader fashion masks. Buy one and two are donated to the medical community!

SHOP Ripley Rader fashion masks

SHOP Ripley Rader fashion masks

Self Care

CHOK CHOK FACE SHEET MASK 

Get her ready for instant brightening & hydration.

SHOP Chok Chok Skin Bio-cellulose Hydrating Face Mask

SHOP Chok Chok Skin Bio-cellulose Hydrating Face Mask

OLIE X MELISSA MEYERS GOLDEN RAY GLOW DROPS 

Just in time for Mother’s Day…order a bottle for mom and get a free make-up bag and sample size with purchase!

SHOP Olie x Melissa Meyers Golden Ray Glow Drops

Use promotional code GLOWGIRL 15 for $15 off

DYSON AIR WRAP 

One word, for those who are challenged with doing their own hair, game-changer.

SHOP Dyson Air Wrap

URBAN AND MYSTIC BOXES 

Mom’s done so much for you, now send some good vibes to her.   

SHOP The Urban + Mystic Boxes

PREPPIE

For the mom whose motto is “always be prepared.” Also, one of Oprah’s favorite picks!  

SHOP The Prepster Backpack

Fitness

FOAM ROLLER

The perfect tool to roll out all her kinks.

SHOP OPTP Lo Rox Aligned Foam Roller

SNEAKERS

These retro Nike Cortez have the perfect cush for mom’s precious feet.

Retro Nike Cortez
SHOP a similar pair!

SHOP Nike Cortez

LEGGINGS and CROPPED HOODIE

Chic leggings and a cropped hoodie always hit the mark for working and exercising from home.

SHOP Carbon38 Marble High-Rise Leggings
SHOP Carbon38 Escape Luxe Cropped Hoody

SHOP Carbon38 Marble High-Rise Leggings

SHOP Carbon 38 Escape Luxe Cropped Hoody

CARBON 38 GIFT CARD

Motivate mom to get her fitness fashion game on with this Carbon38 gift card!

SHOP Carbon38 Digital Gift Card

WRIST WEIGHTS 

Style meets function. Definitely a favorite fitness find that mom will love this year. 

SHOP Weight Lifting Stimulator Wrist Weights
SHOP Nike Cortez Shoes
Shorts and Sweater by Alo Yoga - SHOP the brand!

SHOP Weight Lifting Stimulator Wrist Weights

FILTERED WATER BOTTLE 

Help her stay hydrated all day long with this super stylish and self-cleaning bottle!

SHOP LARQ Self Cleaning Bottle

I hope you find something special for mom (or for yourself!) from this guide. Keep in mind, with so many people shopping online this year, there may be shipping delays, so don’t wait until the last minute. Now more than ever, moms are working overtime to keep their families balanced so show your appreciation by getting her a special gift this year! 

xxMelissa 

Click HERE to check out the original article on Who What Wear! 

Simple At-Home Makeup Tips to Look Refreshed For Your Zoom Meetings

SHOP Reading Glasses by Caddis

With the recent social-distancing and stay-at-home practices, the meeting game has literally changed overnight. Our meetings now happen almost exclusively online whether for an interview, work, or a catch-up with friends and family. The Zoom life can feel a bit intimidating with our faces magnified front and center on the screen so I put together a list of my easy make-up tips and tricks for you to be camera-ready! Scroll down to read about all my clean beauty faves.

Shop the story by clicking on the shop buttons throughout the post or in the carousel below.

SHOP Golden Ray Glow Drops, Olie x Melissa Meyers Daily Radiance Face Oil, SHOP KORA Organics Rose Quartz Heart Facial Gua Sha

Hydrate & Prime Your Skin: I always start the day using my Olie x Melissa Meyers Golden Ray Glow Drops. This deeply hydrating luxury face oil creates the perfect canvas for make-up and leaves skin with a dewy, velvety texture! It’s formulated with active French Marine Algae, an antioxidant proven to stimulate the production of collagen. This is a multi-tasking product, and it can also be dabbed on cheekbones over makeup for a natural highlighted glow.

SHOP Golden Ray Glow Drops, Olie x Melissa Meyers Daily Radiance Face Oil

Use promotional code GLOWGIRL 15 for $15 off

I use the KORA ORGANICS Rose Quartz Gua Sha tool to massage the Golden Ray Glow Drops into my face. Part of Miranda Kerr’s clean beauty line, this tool works to enhance your natural beauty by sculpting the face. It helps to relax tense facial muscles, encourage blood circulation, and reduce puffiness and fine lines. Given this stressful time, it’s a great TMJ reliever!

SHOP KORA ORGANICS Rose Quartz Gua Sha

Apply Light Coverage and SPF: Next, I follow-up with a tinted moisturizer. Two of my favorites are Coola’s BB Cream and Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint. These are both clean beauty lines containing SPF, formulated to even out the skin tone and hide imperfections. It’s important to remember to wear sunscreen to protect the skin from damaging UV rays if you are working near a window or outside in the garden, as some of us do here in L.A.

The formula by Coola is one I’ve been using for years and I love the medium to dark shade for my olive skin. The mineral broad-spectrum SPF 30 formula offers a barely-there feel, while a sheer tinted coverage blends and perfects your skin tone. A proprietary bouquet of rose stem cells offers an advanced bio-complex to smooth, moisturize and replenish skin's natural resilience and improve visible signs of aging.

SHOP Coola Rōsilliance™ Organic BB+ Cream SPF 30

The ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is available in eighteen shades and doesn’t contain any silicones, oils, or fragrances. It’s formulated with non-nano zinc oxide to protect against UVA, UVB, UVC, blue and infrared light. Other skin-benefiting ingredients include hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide which leave the skin smooth, plump and moisturized. 

SHOP ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation

Make Your Eyes Pop: Ere Perez, an Australian natural and clean beauty company, is another one of my favorite clean beauty make-up lines. Their soft jojoba oil eye pencil is not only gentle on the sensitive eye area but also contains anti-inflammatory properties, helping to soothe any prior skin irritation while nourishing, moisturizing and conditioning the lashes. This pencil comes in ten different tones, but I love the bronzed brown since it creates a natural-looking frame that subtly and beautifully defines the eyes.

SHOP Ere Perez Jojoba Eye Pencil in Bronze

I like to use ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara—it gives lashes the perfect thickness and length. I love that the formula contains organic ingredients, such as natural shea butter, as well as bee and carnauba waxes to condition and nourish lashes, keeping them long and healthy. Plus, the applicator is very easy to use, which is the key!

SHOP ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

Define Your Brows: Another favorite of mine from Ere Perez is their almond brow pencil. It’s  perfect for creating brows that look naturally full and accentuated. Since stress and hormone shifts can lead to hair loss and thinning eyebrows, this pencil is perfect for filling in those bare spots that can crop up. The sweet almond oil nourishes the hairs and the skin under and around the brows, while Vitamin-E oil nourishes the roots, stimulating the growth of thick, dark and more resilient eyebrow hair. This product comes with a brush, which is perfect for shaping brows.

SHOP Ere Perez Almond Brow Pencil

Add Some Color To Your Face:  We don’t want to look pasty-white on-screen, do we? I like to dust my face with a bit of bronzer and dab the apples of my cheeks with Jillian Dempsey’s Cheek Tint to add a natural-looking, healthy glow. Jillian Dempsey uses bamboo stem extract along with other natural and organic waxes to glide on smoothly while delivering the perfect flush designed to last through zoom meeting after zoom meeting!

SHOP Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint

My go-to bronzer is by W3LL People. Their Bio Baked Bronzer Powder is a universally flattering shade with the perfect soft-matte finish. It’s baked like a powder but blends like a cream and is long-lasting, flawlessly balancing out skin-tone and helping me to look awake and glowing during my video calls. Super clean and eco-friendly, it also contains special ingredients such as squalane and honokiol help protect against free radicals.

SHOP W3LL People Bio Baked Bronzer Powder

Add Some Shimmer and Glow: To finish off your best video-meeting look, I recommend adding some highlighter to brow bones, bridge of the nose, and cheekbones to contour the face and define your best features. Natural light from windows, as well as indoor-lighting, will reflect off the product and light up your face for a refreshed, radiant and youthful glow.

Below are the highlighters that I’m currently obsessed with.

The rms beauty Luminizer comes in six different shades and contains castor seed and vitamin-E oil to hydrate and calm the skin, while also giving the face a soft luminous finish. The OG of highlighters, the light reflecting sheen never feels sticky or looks glittery. I love to use this one on my brow bone.

SHOP rms beauty Luminizer

The Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight by Gucci Westman complements any skin shade and type and contains key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to help smooth and fill-in wrinkles, caper extract to reduce inflammation and jojoba oil, an antioxidant that helps to moisturize and protect against pollution and UV damage. Since it can also be used on the sensitive eye area, I like to wear this instead of eye shadow to make my eyes pop on screen!

SHOP Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter

I’ve also been addicted to The All-Glowing Creme Highlighter Stick in Rose Gold by Au Naturale for some time now. Formulated to be clean with organic oils, it provides a creaseless and weightless finish. I typically apply this product to my upper cheekbones and brow bone. It does a great job of highlighting my best features!

SHOP Au Naturale All-Glowing Creme Highlighter Stick in Rose Gold

Add Gloss To Your Lips: I like to add a natural, universally-flattering pink-nude color to my lips, and my current fave also contains CBD to calm my nerves…yes, please! Saint Jane’s CBD- infused Lip Shine, in the color Bliss, is combined with sunflower, chamomile, and aloe - the perfect remedy to condition inflamed, dry, chapped lips. It glides on super smoothly to soothe and hydrate.

SHOP Saint Jane CBD-infused Lip Shine in the color Bliss

I hope these products brighten up your virtual meetings as much as they do mine! If you have any questions about any of them, feel free to DM me on Instagram or leave me a comment below.

Stay safe, healthy, and keep on glowing! 

xxMelissa

Who What Wear Feature - Top 7 Natural Non-toxic Self-Tanners for the Most Perfect Sun-kissed Glow!

Just like wearing the perfect outfit or a great hair day can make me feel fabulous, having a golden tan does the trick for me too!

I love having sun-kissed skin, but as I’ve gotten older I have become more conscious of minimizing the effects of sun damage, so I turn to self-tanner to get my 24/7 golden glow. While I’ve tried countless brands over the years, in 2019 I made a commitment to clean up my beauty routine. In my latest feature for Who What Wear, "7 Nontoxic Self-Tanners That Deliver Glowier Results Than the Actual Sun,” I share my tried and true favorites, as well as tips to make a tan look natural and last as long as possible. 

With a new year (and a new decade) upon us, it’s the perfect time to hit the reset button, create intentions and detox your beauty routine. Why not start with your self-tanner? Read on to see my recommendations in the full article and make 2020 your most glowing, nontoxic tanning year yet!

I love sporting a healthy, tanned glow all year round! A great tan magically seems to improve the tone, texture and color of the skin—plus it does wonders to camouflage imperfections. Gone are the days where you had to bask in the sun for hours to look like a bronzed goddess or use a smelly, toxic self-tanner that turns your skin into looking like a roasted turkey! 

Over the years, I’ve road-tested countless self-tanners and have decided this year to try some of the non-toxic ones to see how they compare. These products have exceeded my expectations big time so I’ve put together a list of my favorite clean-beauty, self-tanning products that are not only safe to use but also provide the most gorgeous, naturally bronzed skin. 

In order to get the best, most natural and long-lasting tan, make sure your skin gets some TLC before and after tanning! The most important tip I can share when it comes to best practices for self-tanning is to exfoliate beforehand to ensure even coverage. I like to use the Dermasuri Exfoliating Scrub Mitt  from head to toe in the shower. Unlike loofahs or bath sponges, this mitt’s unique fabric texture removes surface layers of buildup and dead skin cells instantly! I use the mitt with water, or with my favorite body scrub.

The botanical-based self-tanning products listed below are all derived from organic ingredients and formulated without any harsh chemicals, preservatives, parabens, or unnatural fragrances. And, the best part, orange skin is nowhere to be found; all of these suggestions offer the most natural, golden look! Also, I only tried products that went on clear or white and did not stain clothes or sheets. 

1. Whish

This natural self-tanner is at the top of my list--it hydrates the skin and the scent is an incredible combo of coconut milk + verbena! The streak-free formula goes on just like your favorite body butter and can be used every day. After the product develops, the tan is a perfect golden brown. It’s free from parabens, sulfates, DEA and TEA, with naturally sourced organic ingredients that also firm and moisturize. I’m so obsessed with this product that I shared it with my husband and daughter who both have fair and sensitive skin. They are huge fans now with bottles of their own!

2. Kora Organics

An amazing gradual self-tanner, this is my fave for a buildable tan. Its super-natural color is great even for fair-skinned girls. They use DHA that is naturally derived from sugar which is a safe, non-toxic alternative to naturally brown the skin. Free from harmful chemicals, it has a pleasant spa-like scent and is great to use year-round. Leave it to Miranda Kerr to create a certified organic self-tanner that’s a true winner!

3. Botanic Tree

Great for sensitive skin with no fake tan smell, it’s vegan-certified and free from anything toxic. The quick-drying lotion goes on white and is also streak-free, with natural ingredients such as jojoba, avocado, apricot, grape seed, and coconut. This formula can also be used on your face and is perfect for all skin types. I found the tan to be very natural and gradual so it’s good to use daily if you want to build up a rich glow.

 4. Beauty by Earth 

Say hello to perfect sun-kissed skin! This tanning product does a great job of covering up natural skin imperfections and leaves you with a glowing, golden color. I love that the simple, natural and organic ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and Japanese green tea leaf extract, leave my skin looking and feeling fabulous. It’s is also a great alternative to the top brands that sell chemical filled tanners. I’m not the only one that thinks so—you can check out the 4700 five star reviews on Amazon too!

 5. Isle of Paradise

I am extremely picky when it comes to self-tanners for the face and found this one to be amazing with its color-correcting technology! Just add the clear drops to your fave moisturizer and integrate into your regular skincare routine for a perfect sun-kissed glow. You can feel confident putting this on your face since it’s cruelty-free, 100% vegan and made using certified organic ingredients. It has low pH levels, non-sensitizing and hypoallergenic ingredients, and pure oils. There are no mineral oils, petroleum, gluten, GMOs, or toxins. This formula offers light, medium, and dark tan options. I like to use medium as it gives me the perfect amount of glow every time!

6. Vita Liberata

I wrote about this self-tanner on The Glow Girl blog in the summer of 2018 when it made its debut. This invisible foaming tanning water is super-fast drying and perfect when in a hurry or you have to get dressed quickly after applying. It also leaves the skin with a great natural glow and will never stain even the whitest clothing or sheets! It’s also contains certified organic ingredients and made with natural extracts like pomegranate, papaya, aloe vera and licorice to enhance skin with no tell-tale self-tanner scent. Tip: I like to wait 4-8 hours before showering off to make sure to get the full effects of this tanner!

7. The Organic Pharmacy

This self-tanner was developed using a unique DHA derived from sugar beets, which is an Ecocert-approved ingredient from one of the UK’s best natural, cult clean-beauty brands. All of their products are 100% non-toxic and between 90 – 99.9% organic. Their formula comes in a glass bottle pump and goes on as a natural-colored lotion leaving skin with a gorgeous bronzed glow as it develops. The scent is mild and it blends easily, leaving skin super moisturized.

The Best Moisturizers to Take Your Tan to the Next Level

After your tan has made its debut, it's important to moisturize and keep skin hydrated to help the color last as long as possible. Below are my clean beauty favorites that will surely extend the longevity of your gorgeous glow…

Eighteen B Hydrate + Restore Rich Cream 

I just discovered this face cream and I’m obsessed! Made with B-silk protein which is known to improve skin texture and firmness, I use this on my face to keep it moisturized after I tan. With ingredients like ceramides, leaf extract, and sunflower seed oil offering fantastic hydration, it also softens my fine lines and makes my face feel smoother. 

Golden Ray Glow Drops Face Oil 

I love to use oils to keep the skin on my face deeply moisturized and to prolong my faux tan as long as possible. I’ve been using my newly launched face oil daily (in partnership with Olie Organic Face Oils), with its incredible active ingredient, French Marine Algae! This natural ingredient not only builds collagen but also locks in hydration for the best moisture retention.

Primally Pure Body Butter 

This organic body butter smells incredible, with ingredients that are safe enough to eat. It’s an all-natural, deep moisturizer--because it’s so hydrating, my tan lasts much longer if I apply it after the tan is freshly developed. A little bit goes a long way so the jar lasts a while!

I have been working on this article for months and have personally tested each and every product listed above to give you the best options for a clean beauty tan that will leave you with the safest and most beautiful natural glow all year long! Whether you want to look like an exotic sun-worshipper or just enhance a sallow-skinned winter look, I’ve got you covered! 

xx Melissa

Check out the full feature on Who What Wear HERE!