Skincare tips while traveling to maintain glowing skin

December 31, 2018January 20, 2019 / Vanessa Renae / Leave a comment

Regardless of the season, if you’re getting ready to pack your bags, you’ll want to think about skincare and here we’ll talk about skincare tips while traveling. Pressurized air cabins and changes in humidity at your destination can wreak havoc on your skin, so it’s important to give your hands and face some extra TLC before, during, and after your adventure. Read on to learn how to enjoy your vacation with healthy, glowing skin.

Prepare Before You Leave

Just as you prepare yourself mentally and practically before you travel, you also need to prepare your skin. Two days before leaving is the perfect time to exfoliate so you can start your trip with clean, fresh skin cells. Don’t go too hard on this one, however. A gentle face scrub is more than enough to slough off those dead skin cells and allow your favorite moisturizer to penetrate into the deeper layers.

Your Travel Skincare Kit

Once your face is daisy-fresh, it’s time to pack your skincare travel kit. For this, you’re going to want a liquid-tight, canvas cosmetics bag that won’t let your creams and oils escape and ruin your clothes. Using small screw-top bottles, empty enough of each of your skincare essentials into each bottle to keep you covered for the number of days you will be away from home. You might want to label these to make sure you know what they are!

Research Carry-On Limits Beforehand

When packing your carry-on bag, be sure to check the airline information for carry-on liquid limits so that the items you want with you on the plane will be allowed to pass through TSA security. There’s nothing worse than suffering from uncomfortable, dry skin throughout the flight because you had to discard your skincare products before boarding!

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Which products do you really need while away? The most important thing you’ll need to do for skincare while traveling is to keep up your moisture levels. If you have an oily skin type, you may be tempted to think that the dry, air-conditioned cabin air will help to keep oil production down. The truth is that if your skin doesn’t receive enough moisture, it can tend to ramp up the oil production to compensate for water loss. It’s better to use a misting spray or light moisturizer and then soak up any oil with blotting paper.

Here’s a quick-reference list for products to have on hand on the plane:

Chapstick
Hand and face creams
Hydrating facial sheet masks
Nourishing eye serum
Misting spray
Blotting paper

BYO Specialty Skincare Products

If there are any specialty skincare products that you might not be able to buy at your destination (for example creams and treatments for sensitive skin), be sure to take these either in your hand or checked luggage. For those who want to avoid chemical soaps at airports and hotels, a bar of all-natural mini travel soap will be the final essential to have in your carry-on bag.

Plan for a Fun, Comfortable Flight

Your flight is the start of your adventure, so why not make every moment count? Instead of staring out the window and watching the clouds pass by, plan ahead and give yourself something to look forward to on the way. On a short flight, it’s easy to stay entertained with games your cell phone (in flight mode) or a good book. For longer flights, get yourself some travel comfort gear and follow these tips for staying comfortable on a long flight.

Sun Safety in Every Climate

Once you arrive, take advantage of the opportunity to change into some fresh clothing that will keep you comfortable at your destination. This is also a good chance to dab on some light makeup (you want to let your skin breathe as much as possible while on vacation) and some 30+ sunscreen.

No matter whether you’re going on a sun-and-sand vacation in Mexico or a ski trip to Japan, it’s easy to get burnt if you’re not careful! Sun rays reflect off sand, concrete, and snow and can still burn you on a cloudy day. To protect your skin in the sun, lather up with some non-toxic mineral sunscreen before heading out each day and wear a trendy brimmed hat, long clothing, and cute sunglasses.

Nourish and Hydrate from the Inside

The last tip for healthy, glowing skin while traveling is to nourish your skin from the inside. Oily and fatty processed foods contribute to inflammation in the body, which can result in skin outbreaks and irritation. In contrast, fruits, vegetables, quality proteins, and healthy fats give your skin the building blocks it needs to renew and repair. A wholesome, nourishing diet can even help to smooth out the appearance of wrinkles!

As you go sightseeing and relaxing by the pool, keep sipping on water and herbal tea throughout the day to keep up your hydration. Along with frequent moisturizing, this is the best way to keep your skin smooth and beautiful!

If you are still deciding what to do and need some travel inspiration, check out The Art of Solo Female Traveling and Lake Tahoe Girls’ Weekend on a Budget.

-Happy Traveling-

About the Author:

Tess DiNapoli is a freelance writer and advocate for clean, healthy and balanced lifestyles. She writes about developments in health and wellness, along with natural skincare and beauty products.

The Art of Solo Female Traveling

November 7, 2018December 31, 2018 / Vanessa Renae / Leave a comment

“Aren’t you scared?”, “Why would you want to travel alone?”, “That is so weird”. These are just some of the unwelcome statements a solo female traveler has to endure from her family and friends whenever she feels like taking on a grand road trip adventure all on her own. But, why is that? Should solo travel be regarded as something out of the ordinary?

Of course not, and in fact, it might just be the single greatest decision of your life. Not only is solo travel the epitome of personal freedom, but it’s also wildly exciting, empowering, and infinitely rewarding for a bold young (or not so young, of course) woman. With that in mind, it’s time to tune out the haters and embark on your very own solo adventure of a lifetime.

It all begins with careful research

Let’s not kid ourselves by thinking the world around us is all sunshine and rainbows, ladies. In fact, the world can be a pretty nasty place, especially for a woman traveling all on her own. Not only will the patriarchal society try to take advantage of you no matter where you go, but there could be physical dangers lurking in the shadows as well. This doesn’t mean that you should get all scared and abandon your dream; quite the contrary, this simply means that you should act smart.

*image via Pinterest

The keyword here is safety. You want to research your destination in order to find the sightseeing hotspots you want to visit, yes, but the research should begin by investigating the safety of your destination. How welcoming is the local culture to solo women? What is the local policy regarding tourists, and women in general? Should you expect to be treated as an equal there? Are there any places you should stay clear of? What are the safety precautions you need to follow? Let these questions help you decide where it is and where it isn’t safe to travel.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone

Traveling solo doesn’t mean being all alone, remember that. In fact, it’s almost impossible not to meet new, exciting people during your exploits, so prepare for a whole lotta fun and partying with people from around the world. This goes especially for you gals that choose to stay at a hostel, preferably in a dorm where you can meet some exciting folk.

This can be a good thing, but can have its downsides as well. If you’re sociable and really want to meet new people, then you’re bound to have a blast. On the other hand, there are people who truly want to be alone on this journey, and if you’re one of them, then you’re better off booking a private room.

Make a detailed itinerary

Right, sightseeing. Look, there is only so much a girl imbued with never-ending wanderlust can manage to see on a single trip, especially if you’re traveling to an urban hotspot like Sydney, for instance, filled to the brim with exciting places, people, and events. This is why you need a detailed itinerary to guide you throughout and help you stay on schedule – it will mean the difference between having a blast and wandering around aimlessly.

So, note down your must-see places. For instance, if you’re a gal who appreciates fine liquor, why not add a few out-of-the-box stops to your itinerary? A visit to the Archie Rose whiskey distillery in Sydney is a must for every whiskey lover traveling around Australia, which is simultaneously an interesting educational tour enriched with a menu of delicious sips. You can also visit some of Australia’s boutique wineries out in the outback in order to experience the best sights and sips in the Land Down Under.

*image via Pinterest

Stay like a local, live like a local

If you’re a gal traveling alone, you might feel safer at a hotel, but the modern couch-surfing or private accommodation culture is so well-regulated nowadays that you should actually feel safer renting out a place all to yourself.

Platforms such as Airbnb offer a vast array of amazing accommodation options for a female traveler and you can pick and choose a room or an entire downtown apartment that suits your personal style and flair. So, don’t be a tourist, be a traveler.

Keep your friends and family posted

Last but not least, there is no need to be “under the radar” during your exploits. In fact, as a solo female traveler, you want to keep your friends and family posted regularly on your activities and whereabouts. This will not only help everyone feel a bit easier about your upcoming trip, but it will also allow you to safely plan an adventure of a lifetime with little to no limitations.

Traveling solo is a wonderful experience, and nobody should stand in the way of your dreams of traveling the world on your terms. If you were on the fence about it before, let this simple guide help you find the drive and passion to fuel your never-ending wanderlust.

-Happy Traveling-

Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for http://www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips.
Twitter | Facebook

Lake Tahoe girls weekend on a budget

October 4, 2018November 7, 2018 / Vanessa Renae / Leave a comment

We all have them, we all love them – the infamous girls weekend. Back in the day during college it was so easy to get everyone together. The older we get, the more we need to plan – especially if we don’t live down the hall from each other anymore. Me and a few of my girlfriends try to get together at least once a year for a fun weekend trip. From Nashville, to Denver, to closer to home because some got hitched.

This year, we decided to go somewhere new – South Lake Tahoe, California. September was a time we could all go, and I was pleasantly surprised by the weather. Not too hot, not too cold. I will definitely want to return in July though so I can get in that water!

Now, you know I love being transparent with you all, so I’ll lead with saying our hotel stay was sponsored; however, I’d never get sponsored from a place I wouldn’t actually pay for / can afford.

When I started researching places to stay, I was a little overwhelmed with how expensive AirBnb’s / Cabins / Other Hotels were. A lot of the AirBnb’s were for really large groups as well. Given there was only three of us this year [there’s normally four – MISSED YOU DILL] we needed something that would work for all of our budgets. When I found Hotel Azure I loved their price points, views/location and newly renovated spaces. I typically like to save on stay so that we can splurge on activities.

For my flight, I used my Southwest credit card points to snag a flight to Reno for $12!

Once you get to Reno, I highly recommend renting a car. You can peruse the unique city of Reno, possibly play the slots before you head to the Lake, which is about an hour drive.

Now, onto the good stuff.

72hrs in South Lake Tahoe

DAY 1

Once you’ve landed and settled into your hotel [or not in case you showed up before check-in] head to Pick 6 and get some beverages on their rooftop patio.

After you’ve settled in the hotel, go check out the water. There’s easy access across the street from the hotel. It is absolutely amazing.

For dinner, Base Camp Pizza will hit the spot. The food is delicious, and the outdoor seating with twinkly lights and live music is amazing.

DAY 2

Have coffee with a view.

Bike to breakfast at Sprouts Cafe. One thing I loved about our hotel is they had free bike rentals. The location of the hotel is close to a lot so you don’t even need to drive if you don’t have to.

Go on a private boat tour. You won’t regret it. Our driver Captain Dan from Lake Tahoe Boat Rides was the best. He knew so much about the history of the lake. Go to a grocery store before hand, stock up on some canned wine, snacks, and have the best 3.5hrs ever.

DAY 3

Grab a quick breakfast at Bear Beach Cafe. This was a great little cafe attached to the hotel and had really delicious breakfast. Fresh ingredients and not super greasy – perfect for what’s about to come.

Hike the Rubicon Trail. We ended up doing the 10 mile stretch but if you want you can do 5 miles [you’ll need two cars though]. Go early (about 9:00am) to snag good parking and to not see many people on the trail. The trail is breathtaking. There are off shoots to lookouts that give you a panoramic view of the lake and there’s Emerald Bay Beach where you can eat lunch / catch some rays or swim. I didn’t have hiking shoes for the trip and ended up buying some Keens. I don’t understand why all hiking shoes are brown, but I wanted something different so I opted for a green color. They were insanely comfortable for the 4hrs we were walking so I highly recommend! Regardless, my feet and shins needed some love so the hotels hot tub saved the day.

Checkout the shops. There’s so many cute boutiques you can go to in town. Grab a souvenir for someone on your way home or a yummy latte.

Have your last supper at Blue Angel Cafe. The space is cozy and the drinks / food are fresh. My ribs were the shizzy.

Regardless of what you do, you’ll have an amazing time. Until next time, Tahoe.

*Thank you Hotel Azure Lake Tahoe for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

-Happy Traveling-

Best places to visit – Tulum, Quintana Roo

February 8, 2018February 17, 2018 / Vanessa Renae / Leave a comment

As I write this I already wish I could teleport back. As you all know, I recently went on vacation to Tulum. It was such an amazing, active, local living-like vacation. Not only was the trip budget friendly [$1,800 for flights, transportation, stay, food, activities etc.], but it also had the same time zone as home [Ohio] so that was an added bonus. As with any trip, there are some things that may turn out meh [specifically food] and some things that turn out great. I’m going to share with you places I think you should visit if you ever decide to travel to Tulum.

We booked our flights into Cancun where we then took a private shuttle directly to our AirBnB. There are taxis but if you’re spending that kind of money take a private shuttle. There’s also a bus that leaves the airport that’s Super cheap, but I don’t like waiting so another reason why we took the shuttle.

We stayed in an AirBnB that was absolutely amazing. Our host, Vanda, was so helpful and very responsive to our texts when we had questions. The AirBnB came with two free bikes which were perfect because we biked everywhere. We had a kitchen, so it was nice to relax and make breakfast at home before we decided to adventure out to town or the beaches which were only a ten minute ride. There are plenty of beach front properties as well if you’d prefer to stay at one of those [Coco Tulum, Hip hotel]. Next time I visit, I definitely want to try beach front. It may not be as cheap, but from what I saw would be worth it!

Snaps from the AirBnb:

Now, on to places I think are noteworthy to visit..

BEACHES

There is a beach attached to a restaurant called Zamas. It was my favorite beach we visited because it had the least people [lol]. One side of the beach was a little rocky but the other was perfect for swimming once you got a little toasty from the sun.

Snaps from Zamas beach:

Paradise beach was of course busier, but bigger with whiter sand and better swimming water. It was absolutely gorgeous – I highly suggest visiting this one!

Snap from Paradise Beach:

FOOD

This was my favorite part [obviously]. One of the perks of not staying at an all-inclusive is being able to eat alllll the food. However, a lot of the resorts have restaurants attached to them that the public can eat at, so I’m sure if you stay at a beach front resort the food is still bomb.

Malevo had the most amazing octopus tostadas.

El Bacaro had some amazing Italian seafood and a Passionfruit Caipirinha that was to die for.

Raw Love bar had an atmosphere and chocolate cake that made me feel like I was on another planet.

BOA beach club was a hidden gem we didn’t think was a restaurant but was. The atmosphere was amazing, the calamari and steak dishes were delicious, and I’m not ordering a margarita anywhere else ever again.

Ojo de Agua had the best ribeye tacos I’m sure I’ll ever have in my lifetime.

ACTIVITIES

What I loved about Tulum is that there was so much to do. Between biking/exploring town, checking out cenotes and adventuring to the ruins, I feel like we only did a quarter of what was out there.

The Ruins – this was probably my favorite place we visited. The energy you felt when you walked into the ruins was insane. It’s like a calm, peaceful quiet feeling even though there’s lot’s of people roaming about. The structures were not only beautiful, but the fact the whole town was on a cliff overlooking the ocean made it extraordinary. We didn’t book a tour, just paid for our tickets and went roaming about on our own. If you want a beach day in a unique spot, this place has one!

Snaps of the ruins:

The Gran Cenote was a must-see I read about before going on the trip. I’ll be totally honest with you – I was a little underwhelmed. There were a lot of people, the water wasn’t as clear or bright as I thought it would be, and it was really chilly in the water. If anything it just made me want to go on a full blown snorkel tour out in the ocean. I was kind of bummed it was how we spent our last day, but it was still a cool experience.

Snaps of the cenote:

The Mayan Clay Spa was a total #treatyoself during our stay. We took a cab there because me relaxed after a massage riding a bike = a likely crash. I chose this spa because it was affordable [especially for 90 minutes] and I was intrigued by the clay situation. They let you tell them where you’d like the clay which is nice. I had it all over my stomach, back, arms, face and hair. Once you’re done with the massage you go down into these showers to rinse off..you kind of feel exposed but it’s not so bad because you’re surrounded by bamboo and trees and all the goodness of nature. I highly suggest this as a cool relaxing experience.

Snaps of the spa:

NIGHT LIFE

We were in our AirBnb by 9pm watching Netflix and in bed by midnight so you might want to checkout trip advisor for this one [lol]. It worked out that we didn’t want to be out at night because it stormed pretty bad every night we were there. Be weary of rain. Cheers to being exhausted from all of the day exploring!

-Happy Traveling-

First time visiting Antelope Canyon in Arizona

November 24, 2017November 26, 2017 / Vanessa Renae / Leave a comment

Hi everyone!

I recently visited my friend Jenny in Utah and two out of the five days I was there we decided to make a road trip to Page, Arizona to visit the ever popular Lower Antelope Canyon. It was such a cool experience that I wanted to share with you the tips for planning your trip.

First things first – Upper Canyon or Lower Canyon?

I read that the upper canyon get’s more light and is known for the sand waterfall and light beams; however, it does get busier than the lower canyon. The lower canyon is deeper which makes the views from the bottom up extraordinary. The lower canyon is also typically less busy, especially during off season. I chose the lower canyon because the pictures and youtube videos I watched of the tour looked amazing – it’s really all about your preference!

When to go

Summer is most definitely the busiest. I love going to places in off season because I hate crowds. So, I thought to myself..November – cool weather and less people – sign me up! Little did I know the week before Thanksgiving was a busy time [lol]. Our tour guide told us that the week before us they had a tour with only two people. I can only imagine how amazing that would be because you don’t have the noise from other tours in front of and behind your group. So, I suggest the first or second week of November/December on a week day.

They say the best time of day to go on the tour of the lower canyon is between 11-1:30 [high noon time] so that a lot of light can get down into the canyon and you can get great pics. If you know it’s going to be busy when you schedule, I would make a reservation between 10:30am and 11:00am. When it’s busy tours can get backed up and you end up not actually getting down into the canyon a good hour and a half to two hours after your reservation time. Our reservation was at 11:20, checked in at 10:50, and didn’t get down into the canyon until 1:15 or so [still had good light though].

Who to book with

I researched some different places but ultimately chose Ken’s Lower Antelope Tours. It’s easy to get to, organized and a good price! A tour is $25.00/person and $8.00/person to park. Make sure you have cash because that’s all they accept!

What to wear and pack

When the sun started shining it felt good. I was wearing jeans, a long sleeve top, sweater, boots and sunglasses and felt fine! However, once your down in the canyon and it’s cooler/shady, I suggest taking extra layers like a scarf, gloves and warmer socks/shoes because my hands and feet got a little chilly. Take a backpack with water and some snacks since you may not know how long you’ll be waiting. They do have some snacks and drinks inside in the waiting area in case you forget to bring any.

Where to stay

We stayed at the Best Western Plus in Page, AZ – it was about $70 for the night and had a free continental breakfast so not too shabby. The drive from the hotel to the tour place was about 10-13min.

Where to eat after

I don’t know about you all but I was hungry when we were done with the tour [lol]. So after the tour we went to this place in Page called Canyon Crepes Cafe. I got a savory crepe and it was delish!

If you’re staying in the area awhile..

I would have loved to visit horseshoe bend or Lake Powell before we left, but we were on a time crunch to get home because my flight left early the next day. So, if you have the time I suggest stopping by those places too.