for anyone and everyone who loves a day at the spa, you’ve come to the right place at Scents of Serenity.
We cannot tell you how many times we have gotten asked the question “Do we have any spas in Richmond?”
While we have semblances of spas around the Richmond area, we always thought that Richmond just isn’t blessed with a hotel with a killer spa by any means.
Enter: Scents of Serenity Organic Spa.
If there are two hobbies we have picked up during 2020 and all the staying-at-home we’ve been doing, it’s home improvement and SKINCARE. From chatting with our TCP community, it looks like this is a common theme among us all!
With the holidays just around the corner and skincare becoming more of a thing (okay, maybe it’s not just 2020, it could be that our 30s are here…) we wanted to share our all time favorite skincare right now! It is a great gift, especially for that treat yourself loving person on your list.
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As we continue to learn, listen and discuss the #BlackLivesMatter events going on in the world right now, we have been actively diversifying our instagram feeds and seeking out black businesses to support. Yes, we know this is a very simple start and just scratching the surface, but believe us when we say that we are also silently doing a lot of work within ourselves and our families as we continue to listen and learn. We acknowledge our white privilege and recognize that we have a lot of work to do.
This list is compiled of both personal favorites and discoveries from fellow content creators looking to support and spread awareness about skincare, fashion, and lifestyle companies owned by people of color. Please feel free to comment any that you love that we may have missed. We know this is nowhere near as comprehensive as it should be, but we’ve got to start somewhere!
Sun & Selene – This Richmond based business is beautiful handcrafted jewelry by the brilliant and talented Britt. Her pieces for the “adornment of the modern goddess” are made of recycled metals and natural gemstones, and her Spring collection is inspired by Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, sea and sky. Britt’s entrepreneurial spirit gave birth to the Brunch Market, which we look forward to welcoming back once it is safe again. I just purchased the GAIA studs to wear in my second holes everyday!
Little Nomad – This children’s shop, owned by Anthony Bryant AKA DJ Ant Boogie is located in downtown Richmond and has all of the best things for your little ones. From books educating children (A is in Activism, Love Makes a Family) to the cutest, ethically sourced clothes for babies and toddlers, they’ve got what you’re looking for. Additionally, the shop is more than just a store. It is a community center where all are welcome and all are made to feel safe. We featured Little Nomad on our Google Local Guides Video a few years back.
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If you haven’t heard yet, Sephora is having one of their big sales of the year! VIB Beauty members have been able to shop for days, but today the sale opens to Insiders. To be an insider, you basically just have to have an account set up.
We have noticed during quarantine that it feels so much better each day to wake up and do your make-up, even though most of us have to stay home right now! I rarely wear make-up on a daily basis, but even I have found this to be true. I wake up, cover up my dark circles with concealer, put on a little blush, mascara and lip color and feel 10000% better.
(more…)Ok guys, this one is extensive and hopefully will be super helpful if you want our honest opinion about some of our favorite beauty products!
Cath is certainly considered the beauty expert of our duo, as I rarely wear make-up but I can definitely appreciate most of the products she picked on her best of list this year and some are my favorites as well.
Nars Eyeshadow Mini Palette: There is nothing more overwhelming than those huge eyeshadow palettes. So many colors and so many colors that could break if said palette is dropped. My solution? A great, high quality eyeshadow palette from Nars that has 6 colors instead of idk, 100? I love this palette in color suede. Whether you are in a matte mood or a shimmer mood, this Nars palette has got you covered with all of the neutrals.
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You guys know we love Not Your Mother’s Products. This summer we fell in love with the Tinted Dry Shampoo, Blonde Moment Leave-In Conditioner, Shampoo & Conditioner and they are a part of our weekly hair routine. With the holidays around the corner, and all the inevitable parties and events that come with it, we wanted to introduce you to two other NYM products that will become your new getting ready BFFs!
I am 100% invested in being low-maintenance when it comes to doing my hair (Cath is WAY better at doing her hair than I am) so I need a very easy process. Typically it goes a little something like this:
We love how easy & no-nonsense Not Your Mother’s Products are, how affordable they are (!!!) and how they actually WORK.
Grab Part Time & Glisten Up exclusively at Ulta and you’ll thank us later!
~ PIN FOR LATER ~
As much as I enjoy upscale beauty products, I’d be lying if I didn’t reveal that I also have a soft spot for several drugstore beauty products……that I almost ALWAYS have on hand. Yes, fancy body wash is oh-so-fun and makes us feel luxurious but I love to use my Aveeno Stress Relief body wash. The smell is so nostalgic to me because I have been using it for years and sometimes you just can’t beat the way it lathers, ya know what I mean?
Of course, we also can’t ignore that the price tag on these products can’t be beat. Sometimes a girl has to look out for her bank account, amiright?
Rebecca and I have different hair colors and coloring in general. Would you be surprised if we told you that we have found a color scheme of lip color that we both wear, pretty much everyday? It doesn’t matter if we are prepping for a photo shoot or walking to lunch, the two of us are super fond of mauve toned lip colors! Our all time favorite is the Tarte Lippie Lingerie in Envy, but over the years – we have found several other lip colors that do the trick as well!
Insider Tip: One of the reasons I really love mauve berry lip colors is because they tend to have blue undertones. Blue undertones are important because they don’t make your teeth look yellow like other yellow toned lip colors. Bleaching your teeth also helps with this but, when you’re on the go – who has time to bleach too?
XO, The Crystal Press
The Sephora Insiders beauty sale is here!! Not a Sephora insider yet? Don’t worry, it’s free and you can sign up today and get deals on deals on deals! Don’t wait too long, the sale only lasts until 5/6~
VIB Members: receive 15% off with code HEYVIB
Insiders: receive 10% off with code HEYINSIDER
Rouge Members: receive 20% with code HEYROUGE
We have rounded some of our every day favorites like the YSL Touche Eclat; tried and true classics like Tarte Matte Lippie; as well as some products we’ve got our eyes on always like La Mer everything.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner & it’s a chance to express a little extra love for the special ones in our lives! We believe that you don’t have to break the bank or go over the top on gifts in order to show your appreciation. Sometimes a card + a little something extra can say ‘i love you’ too. We think that our moms deserve the world, and as long as the intention & gratitude are evident, we think they’ll feel the love no matter the gift!
Everyone loves candles right? We are both shameless, certified candle hoarders and believe that they can elevate your space to feel comfortable & transport you to other times and places based on your scent memories. A good candle makes a great gift. Here are some of our favorites >>
A scent is one of the most personal things in the world! So many of my memories are linked to the way that people smell (not in a creepy way, I swear). Fragrances are also a way to express your femininity and personal style in a creative way, making them a perfectly intimate gift for the mom in your life <3
What are your favorite candles and scents? Did we miss one of your faves?
Drop a comment below!