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By Amy Zhang October 31, 2018 in Fitness, Lifestyle 2 Comments

Half Marathon Update

A few months ago I announced that I was going to be training for a half marathon. I haven’t talked about it much and I don’t really think of myself as a huge runner. I ran a half marathon a LONG time ago (5 years+) and honestly did not think I was going to do another one again. Not because I didn’t enjoy the experience, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about the training process. My boyfriend and I agreed that we would run one together, and over the course of a few months and several long runs later, I’m slowly starting to feel more confident about my running ability.

I didn’t realize that training for something specific would really tap into my goal-oriented side but it’s honestly been so much fun. I was pretty happy with my routine of Barry’s Bootcamp + yoga/pilates/stretching, but a half marathon felt like a goal that was achievable (read: wouldn’t break my body) but would also push my limits. Who knew long runs on the weekend could be so therapeutic and enjoyable? We ran the race last weekend and I couldn’t be happier with my time – I shaved almost 30 minutes off my previous half marathon time!!

To be honest my training plan was unstructured at best. Typically a few Barry’s Bootcamp classes during the weeks (I aim for 3 miles each class) and then a long run over the weekend. I’m not an expert. But I’m convinced that just doing the long run alone goes a huge way in getting you race ready!

A few general training tips I do follow:

+ Don’t go too hard, too fast.

Only focus on increasing distance OR improving time (one goal at a time, otherwise you’re headed to injury city). Speaking of injuries, they can definitely be avoided by…

+ LOTS of foam rolling and stretching, and most importantly, REST DAYS.

Days off are so important so your body can recover from all the intense exercise you’re doing. After the race, take as much time off from running as possible. I plan on taking a week off from intense running and seeing how I feel afterwards.

+ Never increasing your mileage by more than 10% each week

This is key for not straining your body!

+ Get properly fitted for running shoes

Getting new running shoes has been instrumental in avoiding injury.

+ Train with a friend

It’s so much more fun! I never thought I would run without headphones and music. But I’ve come to love my long weekend runs with my boyfriend. We chat for part of the way and then run together for the rest.

+ Focus on nutrition

I’m really trying to be better about what I eat before and after a run. I’m still trying to figure out my ideal pre-run and night before meal (have made some huge mistakes here and let’s just say there is nothing worse than running with a stomach ache) but I am thinking something carb loaded and relatively bland. I’ve also been guilty of not refueling immediately after a long run, which you are supposed to do. I read that chocolate milk is a great post run option, so I’ve been using my weekend runs as an excuse to drink chocolate milk like a kid again. Personally I prefer running on an empty stomach, but play around with different snacks before and during your run. On race day I did have a gummy halfway through the run and the little boost of caffeine helped.

+ Get new clothes!

LOL I use every excuse under the sun to get new workout clothes but it’s true, new gear does motivate you to get active! Running in particular, you want sweat wicking materials that don’t chafe (OUCH). I love my Ultraboost sneakers for shorter training runs (light as a feather and so comfy, yet still supportive) and this jacket now that it’s getting chillier in the morning.

If you’re interested in running a half marathon, all I can say is go for it! 13.1 miles may seem daunting, but once you start training it really becomes more manageable. I don’t know if I could ever tackle a full marathon (although never say never!), but I could see myself training for a half marathon once or twice a year. Don’t hold me to that… we’ll see how I feel in a couple weeks!

By Amy Zhang October 22, 2018 in Beauty, Lifestyle 4 Comments

Fall Skincare Routine

As the seasons change, so should your skincare routine. In general it is a good idea to switch up your skincare routine but I feel the effects most as I transition from summer to fall. My skin gets drier when the weather cools down, and being in NYC for a month (and taking cross country flights every week) has made it even more essential for me to dial in my skincare regimen. Read on for the products I’m loving right now and why.

My Fall Skincare Routine

Glossier Solution

I’ve talked about Glossier on the blog a million times. Some of the products are just ok, others are amazing. Solution has been a part of my skincare routine for months. I love its gentle exfoliating qualities and swear it’s helped keep my skin clear despite tons of travel and after a workout. I can’t recommend this product enough.

Sunday Riley CEO Serum

I’m obsessed with vitamin C serums and you can certainly find more affordable options, but this one by Sunday Riley feels like supercharged vitamin C. It brightens my skin instantly and I love it for daytime. One of my girlfriends said it was a little too intense for her so try this one out – personally I love the effect it has had on my skin!

Drunk Elephant Marula Oil

Drunk Elephant has quickly become one of my favorite skincare brands, every product I’ve tried from the line is worth repurchasing. I’ve almost used up my bottle of marula oil and it’s definitely on my list to re purchase. If you have dry skin this is a major lifesaver!!

Fresh Rose Face Cream

I love how thick and moisturizing this cream is. It also smells incredible. The price point is also fair when you compare it to comparable moisturizing creams – I love my La Mer, but this rose cream is much more affordable and does the trick during the day and night for my skin.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

The best sunscreen!! If you don’t wear sunscreen everyday you have to try this one. It feels weightless and doesn’t leave any finish on your skin. I haven’t had any issues with irritation or breakouts, which happen with thicker sunscreens. I keep one in my gym bag and one in my travel bag so I’m never without.

What products are you loving right now?

By Amy Zhang October 7, 2018 in Beauty, Lifestyle, Travel 2 Comments

Red Eye Essentials

I’ve mentioned briefly on the blog that I started a new job over the summer, but what I haven’t written about yet is travel on the job! Traveling for work is not new to me, my first job out of school in consulting required being on the road every week from Monday to Thursday. I’ll admit, it wasn’t for me and it made it very difficult to balance work, a relationship, my health, and any semblance of a social life. When I got the job offer for my new job, I knew there would be some travel involved – but I also knew I would have more say in when I travelled and how often.

For the past few weeks I’ve been flying from LA to NYC every week and although it’s been a lot of time spent on a plane, it’s also been incredibly invigorating and exciting. One thing that has been a challenge though is figuring out the best time of day to fly to New York. If you fly during the day, you essentially lose most of the day with the 3 hour time difference. The most efficient option I’ve found is often the red eye. I can’t say anyone loves a red eye, but I’ve been trying to figure out a routine that works. Here are the red eye essentials that help me get as much sleep as possible and come off the plane somewhat refreshed and ready to go!

Red Eye Essentials You Need:

+ Noise Cancelling Headphones – you don’t realize how loud planes are until you’re trying to get a halfway decent night’s rest! Noise cancelling headphones are travel must haves to block out noise in the airport and on the plane. They also come in handy in the event you have a crying baby next to you…

+ Silk Eye Mask – I’ve written about slip eye masks before (and pillowcases) but I honestly can’t stress how much I love them!! The material is so comfortable and it really helps if you’re trying to sleep in a public space or even at a hotel. I can’t travel without mine, I love them so much I have multiple masks that I keep around the house.

+ Emergen-C – planes are full of icky, gross germs. Ever get off a plane feeling a little congested or with a slight tickle in your throat? All of the recirculated air on planes is seriously gross – your immune system definitely takes a beating on a cross country flight. Combat this by chugging Emergen-c or taking a vitamin C supplement.

+ Cozy Sweats – maybe you’re one of those people that dresses up for flights. Maybe even red eyes. I am not one of those. If I’m not wearing full on pajamas, I’m definitely wearing comfy sweats. I mean, you’re trying to sleep!

+ Moisturizing Face Mask – if you’re ready to go all out with a full on sheet mask, try a super hydrating face mask (and drink tons of water on the flight!!). I like this one because you don’t even have to wash it off, and it has Sephora’s clean beauty seal!

What are your red eye essentials?

By Amy Zhang September 13, 2018 in Beauty 4 Comments

Charlotte Tilbury at Sephora

In case you haven’t heard, Charlotte Tilbury products are now available at Sephora! As if you needed another reason to love Sephora, but if you have never tried Charlotte Tilbury products now is the perfect time. To say the brand is anything short of iconic would be doing it a huge disservice. Not only does the brand scream luxurious, old school Hollywood, it’s a favorite of makeup artists and beauty gurus alike. I was so excited to have the opportunity to try out some of her products prior to the launch, and I can honestly say I love each and every single one. This is rare for me as I am not an expert when it comes to makeup. My daily look is extremely low key, and I was worried Charlotte Tilbury’s products would be too glam and done up for me.

Not only is everything in the line beautifully packaged (they look gorgeous in my makeup bag and on my counter), they really are all extremely high quality products. The lipsticks, blushes, and eyeshadows are long lasting, vibrant, and highly pigmented, the skincare products are just a dream, and dare I say, I’m now a lipliner convert?! See below for my “natural glam” look from Charlotte Tilbury, as well as my favorite products from her line.

My must haves from Charlotte Tilbury:

Legendary Lashes Mascara – doesn’t clump, adds tons of drama and volume to your lashes. Layer for your ideal look for day or night.

Cheek to Chic Blush – although I don’t normally wear blush, I found the shade “Ecstasy” to be extremely flattering on my skin tone. I didn’t feel like I was “wearing blush,” if you know what I mean.

Lip Cheat Lip Liner – “Pillow Talk” will forever be in my makeup bag. Whether you’re overlining your lips to make them appear fuller or smoothing out a more dramatic lip look, this is the perfect nude lip liner to always have in your purse.

Wonderglow Face Primer – I love this highlighting primer so much, I wear it every day over my moisturizer even when I choose to skip the highlighter. I just love how healthy and radiant it makes my skin naturally look.

By Amy Zhang August 18, 2018 in Beauty 3 Comments

The CONS of Using Dry Shampoo

If you’re a fan of washing your hair less (like me), you’re also likely a fan of dry shampoo. These days, I see so many women relying on dry shampoo to bring life back into their hair and add volume and texture in between washes. Many women are also trying to shampoo their hair when wet less and less. I personally try to wash my hair one a week. Dry shampoo has truly been a godsend for my beauty routine since I hate using shampoo every day. Once you find one you love (looking at you, Oribe dry texturizing spray <3), you won’t be able to look back. The perfect dry shampoo freshens up your hair, preserves your style, helps manage excess oil on your scalp, and smells amazing. Of course like many things in life, too much of a good thing can actually be bad. So I started looking into the pros AND cons of dry shampoo, and believe it or not there are actually cons of using dry shampoo!

First, what does dry shampoo actually do?

Dry shampoo is usually alcohol or starch based. These ingredients essentially “soak up” oil and grease in your hair. While it doesn’t actually clean your hair the way wet shampoo does, by absorbing the oils in your scalp, it gives the appearance of a cleaner hairstyle. So while your hair may look cleaner, it doesn’t actually replace a good old shower and shampoo.

There are a lot of benefits to using dry shampoo – these include:

+ Convenience. If you’re on the go and not able to shower and wash your hair everyday, dry shampoo lets you go longer in between washes.

+ Dry shampoo can make your style last longer. Want to extend your fresh blowout by a few days? Dry shampoo is the answer.

+ Get ready faster. Don’t have time to wash your hair? Want to squeeze in a quick workout before going into the office or out for drinks? Dry shampoo will be your new best friend.

+ Volume – dry shampoos add volume and texture to your hair, which can be perfect if you’re trying to achieve a certain look.

+ Decreases the frequency of using heat to style your hair – this one’s simple. The less often you wash your hair, the less often you’ll use a blowdryer, straightener, or curling iron. Heat is bad for your hair, so the less often you use heat tools, the better for your hair!

+ Conserves hair color. Colored hair is much higher maintenance than natural hair, and it’s best to wash your hair less to preserve your salon highlights. Dry shampoo helps!

The pros are great – but is dry shampoo healthy for your hair? While it isn’t necessarily bad for your hair, there are some cons to using it too often, and you may be making mistakes you didn’t even know when it comes to using it!

The Cons of Using Dry Shampoo

Unfortunately, dry shampoo can’t be used as a replacement for actual shampoo. At the end of the day, you still need to wash your hair. If you don’t, the actual dry shampoo will lead to buildup that traps bacteria on your scalp. Dry shampoo also leaves leftover residue in your hair – if you have a dry scalp or dandruff to begin with, this can be exacerbated by dry shampoo, leading to flakes on your head. If too much dirt, oil, and bacteria gets trapped on your scalp, it can also lead to pimples on your scalp. Using it too often can also lead to hair loss – yikes!!

Dry shampoo also only temporarily makes your hair look better – eventually, you will need to wash your hair. Only using dry shampoo will make your hair look dirty and greasy. Also, beware of toxic chemicals (aluminum) in cheap brands of dry shampoo!

Now, this doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your favorite dry shampoo, but there are some things to keep in mind when you do use dry shampoo!

Tips for using dry shampoo:

+ Use it sparingly. Don’t use it every day! Because so many dry shampoos are alcohol based, this can really dry out your scalp and hair.

+ Only spray dry shampoo on oily areas – these are the places that actually need it. If you spray it everywhere, it’ll dry out your hair.

+ Make sure you keep the bottle at least 6 inches away from the scalp. This ensures an even spray, and you won’t get too much concentration of dry shampoo on one part of your head.

+ Brush out the dry shampoo on your scalp – make sure you distribute the product down the roots. If you spray it on the top of your head, gently massage it in. Avoid the ends of your hair – this tends to be the driest area!

+ Choose the right formula for you. Avoid using anything that’s too heavy for your hair type – experiment with different powders and sprays until you try one that works for you.

The Best Dry Shampoos

Not all dry shampoos are created equal. These are my favorites that I’ve tried –

+ Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
(not technically a dry shampoo, but it does many of the same functions – really, it’s my favorite hair product of all time.)

+ Living Proof Dry Shampoo

+ Klorane Dry Shampoo

+ IGK Charcoal Dry Shampoo

+ Playa Pure Dry Shampoo

What are your thoughts on dry shampoo?