I’ve Been Using Salma Hayek’s Viral Skincare Trick to Get a Glowy, Blemish-Free Complexion

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This is going to sound crazy, but a few weeks ago, I stopped washing my face with heavy cleansers first thing in the morning. I instead replaced my face wash with a heavy dousing of Sva Organics Rose Water Spray. And I’m not the only one reaching for the floral-infused water over their morning cleanser. A video of Salma Hayek is going viral on TikTok where she says her grandmother told her “never wash her face in the morning.” And instead, she uses “a lot of rosewater.” I found when I started using a rose water toner, my acne flare-ups were few and far between and my dry-leaning combination skin became hydrated and glowy.

@checkoutjon

Replying to @whoiseuniqua Ok get in were upgrading your morning skincare routine ✨ Acne OilySkin AcneSkin Skincare AcneTreatment morningskincareroutine

♬ original sound – Jon The SkincareBRO

The rose water comes in a sturdy glass bottle and is made of hydro-distilled rose petals known to be anti-inflammatory and soothing for irritable skin. It has a screw-on spray nozzle for easy application and can be used on everything from your face to your hair. It can promote hair growth and provide a multitude of remedies for all hair types, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD. Even Amazon shoppers dealing with frequent breakouts are noticing fewer “pimples or boils” with consistent use of this product.

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You must be wondering how I substitute washing my face at the start of the day with this rose water toner. While I would recommend consulting your dermatologist first, I can attest did wonders for my blemish-prone, dry combination skin. I now double-cleanse my skin in the evening, and in the morning, I give my skin a quick rinse and then a generous spraying of rose water. My face no longer feels stripped and tight and, without needing additional products, feels hydrated and soft, and my breakouts and dark spots have dwindled substantially over the days of use. I reapply throughout the day (even on top of makeup) if my skin needs a pick me up. And when my scalp is feeling itchy and dry, I will apply a liberal amount to my kinky afro curly, and almost immediately, my scalp is soothed and smells amazing.

If you can’t take my word or Hayek and her grandmothers, the 2,800 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers may change your mind. Similar to my experience, one reviewer is using the toner in place of their face wash, and they said, “It has cleared their skin so much.” They also shared that their “skin [is] visibly moisturized and [has] a nice glow.” Another shopper said after one week of use, their daughter’s “skin looks much better, and [their] acne is fading away.” A final reviewer found the rose water relieved the itching and calmed “an inflammatory response” on their scalp.

AMAZON

If you want Salma Hayek’s ageless beauty secret or just to wake up and smell like roses, shop Sva Organics Rose Water Spray for $10 on Amazon.

Shop now: $10: amazon.com

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Salma Morning Skincare Routine

“I think that my beauty routine, and how I see beauty is from what I’ve learned from my grandmother. It made me realize that there are things that were not out there because [most brands] go by trends. Some things are really good that are pushed to the side just because they’re trying too hard to sell you the new thing to always create some kind of event.

She won’t cleanse or exfoliate too much, embraces natural ingredients like coconut oil, and believes in the power of good old-fashioned facial massage.

Salma switches things up depending on how her skin looks and feels each day. “My routine changes, it depends on how my skin wakes up. I don’t do it like a machine. I look at it, I pay attention. I talk to it. Like, ‘What do we need today?”

Keep reading to find out how Salma takes care of her enviable complexion.

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Cleanser

“I never cleanse my skin in the morning. My grandmother taught me that at night your skin replenishes all the things you lost during the day. Also, if I cleanse very well at night, why would it be dirty when I wake up? It’s for companies to have you use more products.”

Face Mist

“I spritz rose water—it’s so gentle and wakes the skin up.”

“ I use rose water to take off the residuals. You can use a hot towel with the rose water—you put a wet towel in the microwave—to do a little steam. I believe that sometimes it’s good at night to do not a lot of [skincare products]. I will tell you why: Your skin, it’s going to do an amazing job. It’s going to repair itself… the most important thing is to clean it super well.

Moisturizer

“I use an ingredient called tepezcohuite that’s used in Mexico for burn victims because it completely regenerates the skin… This is why I have no Botox, no peels, no fillings.”

Sunscreen

“I am completely against SPF. SPF on its own is good, but I’m sorry, SPF in creams and makeup is a big mistake. It’s a lot of chemicals that can affect the formula of the cream. Ninety percent of the time, you don’t need it because you are working in an office indoors. Or you are going out at night.”

Lip Balm

Sisley Paris Nutritive Lip Balm: “I also… throw a Sisley lip balm in my purse.”

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Her Skincare Treatments

Sheet Mask

La Mer The Hydrating Facial: “Traveling can dry out my skin. This mask is amazing for moisturizing and conditioning, especially after a night flight.”

Face Masks

“My grandmother was into natural ingredients. She was like a witch doctor, a cosmetologist. We’d be having breakfast and she would take the leftovers—papaya, yogurt, honey, nuts—and blend them all, then she’d start putting them on her face. I grew up like that and as I got older I realized that wasn’t normal. I thought everyone just took the leftovers and made a mask!”

Light Therapy

Cynthia Franco Aesthetics: “[I wear an] LED face mask that my facialist Cynthia made me try. When you’re close to 50, you are open to trying sci-fi.”

Facial Massage

“Do you know what is the best thing for your face, to keep it toned? Massage. I have a [massage therapist], but she lives in Japan. She only comes to London every once in a while. But when she comes, she’s my secret weapon. I believe in massage, and the way she does it is with two people. You have to take out your tongue and make sounds and all these crazy things. One person moves your leg while the other person is pulling your ear. I don’t know, but it’s extraordinary! Massage oxygenates, activates circulation, and keeps the muscles healthy and firm. I cannot tell you, even just for the lymphatic [system], what the massage does for the face.”

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Her Diet, Exercise & Lifestyle

Diet

“I am on the limit of chubbiness because I love my food and my wine. It’s not the best for fashion, but it’s good for my mood. I am happy because I eat… I will not have Botox. Do you know why? Because I eat! I eat the fat, I eat the vegetables, I eat everything. If you exercise too much and you don’t eat enough, it takes its toll on the skin. Everything starts aging. If you don’t eat carbs, you slow your metabolism down. And you know what? You look miserable. The truth is I just don’t have the drive to be the prettiest and the thinnest. I can be happy for other people for their beauty. Learn to be happy for others and you can never run out of happiness.”

Bone Broth

“Right now I am doing something that I’m loving. It is called bone broth! It’s full of gelatin and fat and has bone marrow and I think it is very good to keep yourself young. It helps to restructure the tissues for your skin, your hair, and your nails. It’s full of collagen.”

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Yoga

“Some people have the discipline to exercise in the morning, and I didn’t develop that. I work with a woman in London who taught me how to hold my body in a way where the muscles are activated all day long. So even when you brush your teeth, you’re working the muscles. It’s restorative yoga. She taught me to tone [my muscles] without clenching them. You relax them and focus on the parts that need to be used, but never with tension. If you’re aware of your body, you’d be surprised by the effect it can have.”

Attitude

“When I started my career, I saw beauty more as a goal. Now I just see beauty as part of life—of everyday life. When I was younger I was always trying to figure out, ‘Oh my God, what would look good on me? Is this my best or should I be like that? What hair color I should have?’ But it’s more about finding your identity. As you get older, if you’re lucky, you can pay attention to life. You sort of settle, you’re more comfortable, and you understand much better who you are.”

Blame Tom Sandoval: 10 Red Flags We Are On High Alert For

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Most people think that reality TV shows have no educational value whatsoever, but I beg to differ. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in life has been taught to me through the very cheating scandals and heartbreaks that give these shows their “bad rap”. It’s one so invaluable that my college professors could only dream of teaching me something even half as useful: know the red flags when you see them. And no network has drilled that into my dating brain quite like Bravo has. 

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If you’re not up to speed on the current Vanderpump Rules drama, the main thing you need to know is that it’s yet another classic case of men aren’t sh*t. Tom Sandoval (a star on the show) has been accused of cheating on his long-time girlfriend Ariana Madix (also a star on the show) with Raquel Leviss (you guessed it—she’s also a star on the show). Are we pissed? Absolutely. But are we shocked? Sadly, no.

While this is the most recent Bravo relationship dumpster fire, it’s very far from the first (or the last). The men of Bravo have been fumbling for quite some time now, practically waving red flags above their heads like girlies trying to get Harry Styles to read their signs at a concert: as high as they can, right in our faces. Well, we’ve noticed them, and we’re taking notes so we know exactly what not to fall for in our relationships. Here are some red flags to look out for, courtesy of Bravo-relationships:

They’ve cheated in multiple relationships

Tom Sandoval, James Kennedy, and Randall Emmets of Vanderpump Rules (yeah, this cast has got to get it together), Tom D’Agostino of RHONY, and Shep Rose of Southern Charm walk into a bar—what are they doing? Probably cheating on their partners. Again. 

Yup, every one of them has been unfaithful in more than one relationship. So when they aren’t Prince Charming to our favorite Bravo ladies…it adds up. Learning that the person you’re interested in has cheated at all in the past is never fun. But every relationship and circumstance is different, so hearing them out and being willing to work through that is valid. However, if they’ve been disloyal to several partners before you came along, it’s something to very heavily consider. It wasn’t some one-off mistake, so when they swear to you they’ve ~changed~, maybe take it with the world’s biggest grain of salt.

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Your friends are pointing out their red flags to you

Yes, you should always prioritize the fact that someone makes you happy. Duh! But, if more than one person in your life is telling you that they’re noticing some not-so-great things about a potential or current partner, that’s something to take note of. We’re not talking comments from people you’re not very tight-knit with, but more so the ones who you trust, with opinions you value. Your ride-or-dies, if you will.

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Both Luann of RHONY and Ariana of Vanderpump Rules had some of their closest friends and loved ones come through with concerns about their respectful Toms in the earlier stages of the relationships (yes, both were done dirty by a Tom…we’ll get to that in a second). But alas, the rose-colored glasses were on, and they found out about their partner’s true colors later rather than sooner. Always listen to yourself, but remember that sometimes people on the outside (with your best interest in mind) can notice those flags before you do.

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They’re a little too secretive in the early stages

I’m not saying you have to lay out your entire life story and social security number to someone within a month of talking. (In fact, please don’t.) Opening up to a person takes time, which is okay. But, there’s a difference between naturally taking time to open up and hiding things that you don’t want them to know. It’s not the easiest red flag to pick out, but a huge one to keep an eye on.

Take Lala Kent and Randall Emmett of Vanderpump Rules, for example. Lala claims that Randall offered her $14,000 to keep their romance a secret in the beginning. Why, you ask? Well, he was still legally married to his ex-wife and didn’t want the world to know, of course. While most cases aren’t this extreme (and if they are, Godspeed to you), it’s a good reminder to be wary of anyone that’s noticeably holding a lot back. Whether they don’t want people to know about you or they’re keeping too quiet about parts of themselves, that red flag is flying.

They get mad at you for things you can’t control

When Lenny would act resentful towards Lisa on RHOM because of her infertility issues? Or when he got angry at her when vendors showed up late to a party they were throwing? Jaw on the floor. Those are very obvious things that Lisa had zero control over, and watching her receive the blame from someone who’s supposed to be her #1 fan was an ugly sight to see. At least now we know to be aware of the fact that that type of behavior is not it. 

You are not a punching bag! When something isn’t going as planned, be wary of partners who take it out on you. That screams manipulative and immature, and if you notice it’s becoming a pattern, that issue needs to be talked about ASAP (and if they get mad at you for bringing it up…that’s all the proof you need). 

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Above all else, if their name is Tom…run

Tom Schwartz, Tom Sandoval, Tom D’Agostino, Tom Girardi…need I say more? If you look up sleazy in a thesaurus, Tom is listed as a synonym. Sure, you shouldn’t ever judge a book by its cover, but you can and should judge by this name. Save yourself time. The anti-Tom era is incoming. 

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We’re joking (all the Toms out there are on thin ice for Bravo watchers, though). It has nothing to do with their name, but everything to do with that type of person in a relationship: the one you can’t trust, the one who’s full of excuses, the one who gaslights you… the list goes on. This kind of partner is never someone you should give your time and energy to. Check in with yourself, trust your gut and know that you deserve so much more than all of that BS. Don’t ignore or try to justify those big red flags—we are not following in those Bravolebrity footsteps.

The Wixie haircut Is Summer Perfect Short Choppy Hair

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Between the warmer weather and the seasonal shift towards a more laid-back approach to beauty, summer is a great time to cut your hair short — not to mention some of this year’s trendiest chops so far have been short haircuts, from the cub cut to the French bob.

The latest trending short haircut is an updated version of the timeless pixie cut called the “wixie,” or winged pixie. Ahead, we’re breaking down the look with the help of Matrix Global Artistic Director Michelle O’Connor.

Read on for everything you need to know. 

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What Is the Wixie Haircut? 

Edge meets whimsy with this dynamic short haircut, as suggested by the name alone. “The wixie has an added element of a softer, more delicate look to it while also still feeling powerful,” says O’Connor. According to O’Connor, the “winged pixie is a very choppy, grown-out version of a pixie with a rock-and-roll element to it.” The winged part refers to longer wisps of hair at the nape of the neck, styled so they flip upwards to look like wings. 

“It feels like a shorter shag with the length in the back being longer and the sides more cropped, giving a more modern, youthful look,” explains O’Connor. It has a similar sensibility to other trendy haircuts like the wolf cut and the cub cut in the way that it references throwback hairstyles such as the shag, as O’Connor mentioned, and the mullet. 

We keep reaching back in the archives of hairstyles,” she says. “We are going into the era of glam, and I feel like this gives us a 60s/70s airy vibe.

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How to Style a Wixie Cut

This haircut can vary depending on the face shape and the length and texture of your hair, so it’s a good idea to head to the salon with a reference photo depicting exactly what you want. While most hair types can pull off this look, O’Connor notes that it’s especially suited to wavy hair or relaxed hair. (Pro tip: If you have curly hair and struggle with split ends, prep your curls for styling with a nourishing mask like the Carol’s Daughter Born to Repair 60-Second Moisture Treatment With Shea Butter.) 

The key element of the look is the piece-y texture. “You want to have pronounced flips and flicks on the tips of your hair to have a playful element to it,” says O’Connor. “Using a round brush or a two-in-one blow-drying round brush is great. Use the Matrix Setter Mousse to add texture and hold.” Finish with a flexible hairspray to lock your look in place.  

Feeling inspired? If you’re thinking of giving the wixie trend a go, we’ve lined up some of our favorite renditions.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck0ZXnpIEDR/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=3dfdcee0-144a-4c1d-9f97-f8cd7e9b1a7e

Instagram Finally Got Me—Here’s What I Learned From a Week on Athletic Greens

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Sometimes even the most simple self-care tasks can feel hard – making a nutritious meal, working out, managing your stress – it’s a lot to manage. I’m a mom to five, wife, friend, sister, and business owner. Somewhere in the mix, I learned to take care of others before myself which has been to my detriment on occasion. I know I’m not alone! Thanks to social media, it’s clear that this is a widespread problem amongst women. It has become really important to me to take care of myself so that I’m the best version of myself to show up for my loved ones.

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I haven’t gotten it all figured out, but I do have what I like to call my “baseline”. My baseline means that I’m eating nutritious meals, I’m incorporating some type of movement into my week, and I’m managing my stress as much as I can. When those things are taken care of, life just seems a little bit easier. One of the ways I’m doing that is by adding Athletic Greens into my day.

This is my honest review.

Athletic Greens

AG1 $99

From superfoods and probiotics to vitamins and minerals, Athletic Greens is your one-stop-shop when it comes to nutritional supplements.

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What is Athletic Greens?

As someone with some pretty poor eating habits, the nutritional value this product offers was a huge draw for me. I was eager to see if such a simple product might make up for the nutrients I’m missing in my daily diet. Because of the product name, I mistakenly thought that it could be a replacement for vegetables—it’s not. But it did reap some small benefits.

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To start, let’s break down Athletic Greens’ history. Founded in 2010, Athletic Greens is most known for its flagship product, AG1. The greens powder combines vitamins, minerals, and nutrients designed to promote gut health, support immunity, boost energy, and help you recover faster from workouts and physical activity.

According to CEO Chris Ashenden, the brand’s focus is on “foundational nutrition.” I assume this speaks to the product’s role in supplementing a healthy lifestyle, helping to fill the nutritional needs our everyday diet might not satisfy. 

Athletic Greens powder, called AG1, is such an attractive product is how nutrient-dense it is. The formula includes over 75 vitamins and minerals as well as prebiotics and probiotics. The full list of ingredients ranges from spirulina and apple powder to spinach leaf powder and pea protein. Even with so many ingredients, the product is vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and keto-friendly, has no GMOs, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, and is gluten-free.

How is AG1 different from other greens powders?

While I’m referring to the supplement as a greens powder throughout this article, Athletic Greens is adamant about being much more than simply a substitute for your dark leafy greens. The recommended daily serving—a single scoop—supplies: 

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  • vitamins and minerals to support immune health and strengthen your nervous system
  • prebiotics and probiotics to provide digestive support
  • superfood-derived phytonutrients that support the microbiome
  • immune-supporting mushrooms 
  • adaptogenic herbs and antioxidants to relieve stress and provide metabolic and energy support

The product contains vitamins like riboflavin (B2), thiamine (B1), and various others (like A, B6, C, E, and K2); minerals like magnesium, potassium, and zinc; whole food-sourced nutrients such as carrots, wheatgrass, and spirulina; probiotics like lactobacillus acidophilus; and adaptogens like ashwagandha, chlorella, and reishi mushrooms.

Plus, if you don’t want to add it to water, you have several other options — you can add the powder to your smoothie or smoothie bowl, sprinkle it on your yogurt or fruit bowl, or cook with it.

My AG1 ritual

AG1 is pricey. I purchased the single, 30-day subscription for $79. With your order, you get a month’s supply of AG1, a storage jar and shaker, and five “free” travel packs. On top of that, my shipping cost was $9. While it might not seem like much, I had to grit my teeth in this heyday of free shipping. Thankfully, you can cancel your subscription anytime, so the commitment was relatively minimal.

I set out to see how AG1 would fare with my already-established everyday routine. That meant aiming for the same amount of sleep, and not making any major changes to my diet. While my week on AG1 was by no means a deeply scientific study, I wanted to know if I would feel any different by simply adding the supplement to my everyday habits.

Another great aspect of AG1 is that it is so easy to make. I was grateful for that because it wasn’t a chore or a big disruption to my daily routine.

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Day 1

As suggested, AG1 was the first thing I consumed in the morning. Before my coffee and oats, I mixed a scoop of AG1 with eight ounces of water. My package came with a branded wide-mouth water bottle exclusively designed for getting my greens in liquid form. After securing and shaking the bottle, I undid the lid to uncover a frothy, mossy green beverage. 

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Hesitant but curious to consume the grass-like flavor reviews claimed, I took a sip. My first thought? There’s no way I’m finishing this. IMO, the taste was a little bitter. All in all, it took me about two hours to finish the whole thing (baby sips, folks).

I carried on with my normal routine as planned. Because this was my first day, I didn’t notice any shift in my energy or how I felt overall. My main takeaway from the kick-off of my experiment was: How the heck am I going to make it through this week?

Day 2

I woke up feeling a little more determined to discover the crave-worthy flavor of AG1 that everyone’s been touting. Adopting a different approach, I shook up my scoop with water and ice. That drop in temperature made a significant difference. When I drank the AG1 this time, it had a clearer, crisper flavor and mouthfeel. It was less sludgy than the day before. (Though I swear, I shook it as hard as I could.)

Feeling like a wellness girly, I plopped my AG1 down next to my laptop as I started my day sifting through my inbox. Though the placebo effect was obviously at play, something about having that green bottle next to me made me feel a bit more productive. There are worse things.

Day 3

At the tail-end of my period today, I woke up and noticed that my skin was significantly clearer than it had been the day prior. It was brighter than it usually is at this point in my cycle. I went to the kitchen, shook up my AG1, and found that I was already beginning to get used to the flavor. My initial impression was that of a slightly thinner green juice. It felt like the flavor had been engineered to mask something particularly unsavory. But I was coming around to it. At this point, I may have even liked it.

That morning, I texted a few friends who had tried Athletic Greens. They confirmed that the taste takes a little getting used to. For most, they began to look forward to their daily dose of AG1 between their third and seventh day—props to me for being on the early end.

Day 4

Athletic Greens’ Instagram is full of ideas for consuming their product beyond the ol’ H20 standby. So, I tried their ultimate summer smoothie bowl recipe to mix things up halfway through my trial. I found that the previously offending flavor was completely masked by adding almond butter, banana, apple, dates, and oat milk. I could see this becoming a go-to breakfast. And while the blood-sugar-balancing enthusiasts might protest this smoothie’s glucose overload, pairing your fruits with the almond butter’s healthy fats is a solid way to mitigate the spike.

This was the first day I noticed a subtle physiological change. I had more energy during my afternoon barre errands and—day five spoiler—wasn’t at all sluggish when I woke up the next day. 

Day 5

The wake-up this morning was one of the best I can recount in recent history. With little effort, I got up immediately to my 8:00 a.m. alarm and went straight into a brief meditation. I would consider myself a semi-morning person, so this level of alertness was out of the ordinary. Mentally, I felt sharp, aligned, and motivated to transition to my to-do list.

I made the same AG1-infused smoothie as I did the day before and discovered an additional burst of energy after finishing my glass. I made it through my morning to-dos while staying on-task and focused. Thanks, AG1.

Day 6

While my wake-up call wasn’t as miraculous as yesterday’s, I did sleep soundly and awoke feeling rested. Craving my usual savory breakfast (a slice of vegan avocado toast with delicious oats), I opted for AG1 and ice water. Interestingly, it took until today to notice that my craving for a second mid-morning coffee had disappeared entirely. Instead, my single cup sufficed in terms of both my energy levels and feeling satiated post-breakfast.

I often fall victim to the dreaded 3 p.m. slump, but today, I managed to push through all my end-of-day tasks and even enjoyed a 45-minute yoga session. To say that my energy levels stayed steady throughout the day would be an understatement. I’m not an evangelist of wellness (meditation aside), but when something solves my dwindling energy, I have to shout it from the rooftops. I noticed an easy wind-down after dinner and was able to fall asleep quickly and soundly. That’s a lot to be said for someone who deals with occasional bouts of insomnia.

Day 7

I started this journey unsure of how I’d make it to this point. In hindsight, however, things turned out for the better on day three. By now, my daily rhythms came to expect the AG1 before all else, and I have to admit: Something is comforting and ritualistic about sipping on it first thing. 

While I said I wouldn’t make any significant changes to my diet, I did notice that the supplement naturally inspired me to make nutrient-dense choices. I kept up a consistent pattern of greens throughout the day: a protein-packed salad for lunch, a green smoothie for a snack, and a tall pile of spinach to accompany that night’s meal. Something about doing good things for my body in the morning inspired me to keep up the momentum all day long. Can AG1 inspire a mindset shift? The correlation likely isn’t strong enough to call it fact, but after a week on the greens powder, I can confirm with confidence: The results I saw this week were enough to keep me going.

The takeaway

I still have about 20 servings left in my first shipment of AG1, and I will see it through to the end. Admittedly, a week isn’t enough time to feel the long-term benefits build up. Of course, the price point marks a steep barrier to entry, and as many nutritionists will confirm, you don’t need a fancy supplement to meet your daily requirements for vitamins and minerals. But with the positive results I experienced, I can confirm that it’s worth the hype. 

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As someone looking to improve their eating habits, I’m glad I tried AG1. Ultimately, this is a convenient product that played into my brain’s positive reward centers—and that’s not a bad thing! The routine of prepping AG1 each morning before breakfast (or as a part of my morning meal) signaled that I was doing something good for my body. It helped set the foundation for those habits to continue throughout the day. A transformed perspective and more energy? That’s what we like to call a win-win.