At BeautyLeeBar, we love seasonal cocktails. Sometimes it’s more involved than others, but this round, we are keeping it easy as pie—minus all of the sweetness, because there’s an actual pie for that. Our friend over at Meatless Makeovers’ go-to martini is our pick this season because we are feeling caper berries right now! Imagine a regular caper on steroids. Caper berries are bigger than a caper, meaty, tender, and briny, much like olives. They come on a stem, so there’s no toothpick necessary.
Advertisements
This cocktail makes an excellent aperitif or digestif for all the rich and hearty seasonal foods this time of year. Who doesn’t want a little savory sip to prep the palate or aid in digestion? Get the recipe below:
Advertisements
Caper Berry Gin Bohemian Martini
RECIPE TYPE: Cocktail
INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 ounces quality gin or vodka –This tasteless spirit lends itself perfectly to the tangy brine.
1/2-ounce dry vermouth –The subtle flavors in dry vermouth smooth out the kick from the vodka, making you go for sip after sip.
1/2-ounce caper berry brine (straight from the jar they come in) – Bright and salty; is lighter than olive brine and makes this drink easy to drink.
2 caperberries to garnish or more if you feel spicy – Salty with a nice crunch, garnishing with a caperberry or two adds a little surprise at the end.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add all the ingredients, EXCEPT the garnish, to a shaker with a generous amount of ice (or stir in a glass full of ice, if that’s your thing).
Shake, shake, shake it up (or stir) for 30-60 seconds.
Filter out the ice and pour the liquid into your festive vessel of choice.
Top with a couple of caper berries, sip and relax.
Advertisements
Show us how you recreate (or modify) this delicious recipe and use hashtag #beautyleebarpalate for a chance to be featured on our social.
Curious about the cute lil’ ice facial tool that popped up on both Kourt and Kendall’s IGS recently? We’ve got the intel (because of course we had to get our hands on one as well!).
Facial icing — and the wider concept of cryotherapy — have boomed in popularity this year. Cheap and easy, the cold temperatures work to constrict blood flow and define facial features, not to mention shake off signs of fatigue.
Advertisements
First off, we are big fans of ice facials—they can help reduce puffiness, brighten our complexion, stimulate blood circulation, and lift skin. We’re into this type of tool because it is reusable, refillable, and foolproof to use. Kendall shared in her post that she loves using hers for her morning ice facials, but it can be used any time of day.
The Contour Cube is essentially just a tool that can be used like an ice block container but is designed in a way so that it works with the contours of the face. You simply fill it with water (or coconut water, if you’re feeling boujee) and move it along the face to refresh, tighten, and tone. It’s a viral TikTok product (!) that explains how it might have found its way into Jenner’s skincare routine.
Advertisements
To prep, it, simply fill it with filtered water and pop it in the freezer until it’s frozen solid. Take the top off and bada bing bada boom, it’s ready to glide across your face. The bottom cover stays on, acting as a grip so that the ice doesn’t slide out of your hands while you’re using it. When you’re done, put the top back on and stick it back in the freezer.
How to use the Contour Cube
After cleansing your face, run your Contour Cube under water to defrost slightly
Apply to your face in upward circular motions moving the ice continuously in 30-second intervals for up to 1 to 2 minutes on each side of your face
For optimal results, follow your usual moisturizing routine
Avoid contact with eyes and if you have sensitive skin, discontinue use if signs of irritation appear
But you’re not limited to just using water with this nifty tool, as you can see from Kourt’s post. Rose water, green tea, coconut milk, aloe vera, lemon water, and cucumber water can also be used instead of plain water.
Kourt added cucumber slices for extra de-puffing action. Some other ideas: green tea for anti-inflammatory benefits, coconut milk for hydration, or rosewater for a glow.
Advertisements
BENEFITS OF FACIAL ICING
Proponents of ice facials, or ‘skin icing,’ suggest that it can be used to:
Eliminate puffiness, especially around the eyes
Reduce oiliness
Ease acne
Soothe sunburn
Reduce swelling and inflammation, including rashes and insect bites
Reduce signs of aging, such as wrinkles
reduce the appearance of pigmentation or dark under-eye circles
We think it’s safe to say we’ve probably all had a crush on Blake Lively at some point. From her Gossip Girl days to Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (our personal favorite) or slaying red carpet looks and being adorably funny with husband Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively seems to epitomize a happy and healthy life. Blake looks like the confident and cool girl we all want to be. So how does she do it? Upon further research (AKA looking through all of her interviews we could find online), it turns out, that Blake has eight healthy habits she always sticks to, and since we aspire to be just as happy and healthy as her, we tried them all.
Advertisements
Limit alcohol
Blake likes a party just as much as the rest of us, but she chooses to enjoy them without alcohol. “I don’t like the effects of alcohol, but I like being a part of it,” she said in a recent interview with People Magazine. “I like being social. I like people coming together.” This is perhaps what led her to create her new line of non-alcoholic mixers, Betty Buzz. We usually like to end our Fridays with a glass of wine and dinner with friends, but we also spend some Fridays in bed with Netflix and tea, so we get where she’s coming from.
Our takeaway from Blake’s rule was that no matter the activity, you can still have fun whether alcohol is a part of it or not. We spent last week Friday at a friend’s birthday drinking kombucha. We had so much fun and woke up feeling refreshed and great (which wouldn’t have happened had we opted for a glass of wine instead). Let’s be real: Alcohol can lead to some not-so-great mornings (hangxiety anyone?). Blake’s way of life has made us rethink alcohol and consider opting for a Betty Buzz once in a while. If you’re interested in limiting alcohol or just more mindful drinking, click here.
This has magnesium and balancing adaptogens meant to lift the mood in lieu of alcohol.
Never skip breakfast
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Blake agrees. Her trainer Don Saladino told Cosmo that her usual breakfast is a couple of eggs cooked in coconut oil with maybe some vegetables. He also emphasized the importance of starting the day with protein and balancing sugar levels. This week, we tried to incorporate some protein into every breakfast, whether it was eggs, a protein shake, or almond butter on toast. We found that just by adding some form of protein, we felt fuller for longer and didn’t have the crash that usually comes with a sugary morning start. Safe to say, we’ll be sticking to this rule for a while.
In an interview with Cosmo, Saladino revealed that Blake starts every day with a large glass of water. It may seem like an easy habit, but most of us don’t drink enough water throughout the day. After dehydrating our bodies while sleeping, a glass of water is a great way to get things moving. Staying hydrated has always been something some of us struggled with, especially first thing in the morning; adding another thing to our morning to-do list just seemed overwhelming. But while channeling our inner Blake, we added a few hacks to make it easier: we filled up our water bottle the night before and left it on our bedside table (to make it as easy as possible in the morning) and opted for a water bottle instead of a glass (so we could take it with us when we are running out the door). Starting the day with hydration was a struggle for some of us, but by the end of the week, we did see the difference. We were less tired, and our skin looked more glowy and hydrated.
This extra-big water bottle is the perfect tool to encourage you to drink water throughout the day
Prioritize exercise
There’s a reason Blake is such good friends with her trainer instead of just a client: She spends four to five days a week in the gym! While her workout regimen has changed over the years, she has always kept it consistent. Saladino told E! News that some days, Blake trains for an hour, and other days, just for 20 to 30 minutes (celebrities—their schedules are all over the place!). But our biggest takeaway was that Blake maintained consistency: No matter how much time she had, she always fit in movement.
We value incorporating some movement into our daily routine, but unfortunately, hitting the gym four to five times a week was unrealistic for some of us. Instead, we developed a consistent schedule that worked for each of our lives, which meant yoga class every Tuesday, an at-home workout twice a week, and maybe dance class on the weekend. But being Blake for a week taught us that it didn’t matter if we had an hour for a yoga class or 15 minutes for a walk on the beach: The goal is just to move consistently.
Advertisements
Eat a balanced diet (and never count calories!)
According to Saladino, Blake’s diet is a healthy balance of proteins, vegetables, fruits, slow-burning starches like sweet potato, and healthy fats like avocado, coconut oil, and grass-fed butter. And the best part: She’s not tracking her calories or in a strict calorie deficit like you might hear from other celebs. “I don’t think putting someone into a caloric deficit is the right thing to do,” Saladino told Cosmo. “This is why a lot of coaches and people are unsuccessful.” A well-balanced diet is also something we try to incorporate into our weekly routine, so this rule was already practiced. While not every day is the same, planning out our Sunday grocery shopping in advance is always helpful. Trying out new recipes and incorporating the same ingredients into multiple meals also adds variety and reduces the cost we are spending on food too. This is one healthy habit we will be sticking to.
Make room for fun
If you browse through Blake’s Instagram, it’s a combination of gorgeous fashion looks, her family and friends, and, of course, delicious baked goods. Blake has a passion for baking and a strong sweet tooth (we can relate), and so while she sticks to a healthy routine, she still makes time for “fun.” Blake follows an 80/20 rule. This means she eats clean 80% of the time, leaving 20% for indulgences. While it seems tangible, keeping our indulgences to 20% was tough for us. While we try to save indulgences for the weekend, we are big snackers (and love mid-week candy here and there because sometimes, you need to!).
Instead of sticking to a strict 80/20 rule for the sake of becoming Blake Lively, we decided to look into each time we were craving sweets during the week and assess why. Were we bored, stressed, or needing comfort? Or does our body need this right now? If the answer was yes to the latter question, then we indulged. But we noticed that most of the time, we were just bored, and it wouldn’t satisfy us. By the end of the week, we discovered it was easier to limit indulgences because we were more conscious about why we craved them in the first place. But maybe it was more 75/25 than 80/20—we are only humans, after all.
Advertisements
Keep skincare simple
Long before it became a TikTok sensation, Blake was using the affordable skincare brand CeraVe because she also understands the value of good drugstore buys, just like the rest of us. In an interview with People magazine, the star shared a list of her makeup and skincare go-to’s, which included many affordable options, including a Burt’s Bees Chapstick. While she may choose to splurge on a serum, Blake also realizes that not every item in your bathroom cabinet has to be expensive to be effective.
As someone (Lee) who has extremely dry and hormonal skin, it took a while to find the right products for my skin. I was guilty of splurging on expensive creams and toners, only to realize less is always more. Now, I opt for an all-natural cleanser, natural face oils for moisturizer, and a lightweight sunscreen. Blake’s skincare mindset is one I already live by, and while it took many years of experimentation before I got there, I realized everyone’s skin is different, and what works for you may not work for someone else.
There’s no such thing as “perfection” in your exercise routine
As a mom of three who travels often and always seems to be on the go, it’s impressive how Blake fits in a sweat almost every day. But sometimes, she isn’t able to stick to her schedule, and she knows that’s OK. “This isn’t about coming in and stepping on the gas and going as hard as you can every workout. That’s the biggest mistake that people make,” Saladino told E! News. “The reality is, it’s never going to be a perfect scenario, right? There are always going to be things getting in your way. That’s just life. Just get in there and move.”
Advertisements
This rule was one of our favorites. Sometimes, there can be a lot of pressure on working out—like you need to be doing an hour, burning a certain number of calories, or going at a certain intensity for it to be effective, but that’s not true. This “rule” took all the pressure off of us on the days when we didn’t have a workout planned. One time, we walked to the grocery store instead of driving. On our lunch breaks, we would opt for a 10-minute yoga stretch. Simply adding a little bit of movement into the days when we weren’t feeling up to a 60-minute workout gave us more energy and took all the pressure and guilt away.
Since the spring of 2020, the BeautyLeeBar.com editors have been primarily working from home. It may not surprise you to learn that, before making these workweek changes, we all had pretty lengthy beauty regimens and loved experimenting with new products and looks on a daily. But as you can imagine, spending the majority of our workdays indoors and away from a traditional office building has inspired some changes, both in routine and mindset. Read on for the beauty lessons we learned during the pandemic.
Advertisements
Sara, Content Director
One of the biggest beauty lessons that I’ve learned during the pandemic (and there have been many!) is to fully lean into makeup that helps me feel most like myself — and whatever that may be is allowed to change day by day, week by week. In other words, I listen to how I’m feeling before I do my makeup every day, which is given me the freedom to have more fun with my look. Recently, I’ve been embracing nail art, bright nail polish shades, and press-on nails. I’ve got my eyes on Essie Risk Takers Only, a bright orange, for my next mani. On the skincare front, I have even more appreciation for my dermatologist’s recommendations. Since following my derm’s suggested routine, my skin has only gotten clearer, smoother, and healthier.
Chyanne, Editor
The biggest beauty lesson I’ve learned throughout the pandemic is to not be afraid to wear lipstick — mask and all. I’ve gotten a thorough idea of what the ultimate lipstick is for me to get me through long days on Zoom calls or errands with a face mask. The recipe is matte, long-lasting, and transfer-proof. My go-to has been the NYX Professional Makeup XXL Lip Lingerie Matte Liquid Lipstick. This little tube has gotten me through it all over the past few years, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ariel, Editor
One thing the pandemic taught me was how to master the five-minute face. Pre-pandemic, I used to wake up at least two hours early to apply a full face of makeup, pick out an outfit, and account for my commuting time. During the pandemic, those habits shifted drastically. Anyone who works from home has likely had a morning (or maybe quite a few mornings) when they woke up minutes before a Zoom meeting and had to rush to look polished before logging on. In my case, I usually swipe on mascara ( Lancôme Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara has been my go-to for years) and a bright lip gloss, like the Benefit Cosmetics Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint. Together, these makeup products pair up to make me look freshly caffeinated and awake in minutes.
Katharina, Social Media Editor
Being at home through the pandemic has taught me two important lessons when it comes to my beauty routine. First, being utterly bare faced is completely fine. Second, when I do choose to wear makeup, there’s nothing wrong with getting a little bit bold and experimental with it. I probably wouldn’t have shown up to work without an ounce of makeup on before the pandemic but being virtual has shifted my mindset to a point where I can be fully confident in a meeting with nothing on my face but some light, natural mascara (I swear by the Maybelline Green Edition Mega Mousse for a no-makeup makeup look). I also have the freedom to play with my makeup a little bit more; if I want a bold lip in the morning and a subtle gloss in the afternoon, I have my entire makeup kit at my fingertips and can play around with my look.
Crystal Lee, Founder
Pre-pandemic, you could find me wearing only full-coverage foundations and concealers to hide any skin imperfection. You would never catch me with a bare face, especially if I was walking into the office or going out to eat with friends. After countless social distancing parameters and countless Zoom meetings, I’ve found myself becoming more comfortable with embracing my skin’s natural texture and opting for products that have a “your skin but better” feel. I’ve started leaning on buildable, lightweight foundations like the Valentino Beauty Very Valentino 24-Hour Wear Liquid Foundation on the days I decide to wear makeup. It leaves my skin with a natural look without the heavy feel of foundation.
beautyleebar.org 