Reader Request: Hair and Makeup Routine

Time for a reader request post!

I've gotten several emails and comments lately asking about my hair and makeup, which is ironic since I definitely don't consider myself any sort of beauty guru! Both my routines are incredibly simple, so I've got them down pat. I'm absolutely no pro, so take my tips with a grain of salt, but here's what works for me.

Hair


As a teenager, I was somewhat of a beauty product junkie, but in the past few years I've realized that I always come back to the old favorites and that trying new bottles on a whim is often a waste of money. I've been using Pantene "Frizzy to Smooth" (formerly "Sleek and Shine") shampoo and conditioner for three or four years now, and while it's not a professional product, my hairdresser is always impressed by the health of my hair.

I use the 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, followed by the conditioner. I have no idea if this is good for your hair or not, but my hair is very fine and snarls easily during shampooing, so the 2-in-1 helps in that department!

After washing my hair, I usually let it air-dry. It's better for my hair, and honestly, most of the time I'm too lazy to put that much time into it! When I do blow-dry, however, I use a Hot Tools hairdryer, and if I'm straightening my hair I use a CHI flat-iron. My hair is naturally slightly wavy and frizz-prone, so I straighten when I want it to look more polished.

As for styling products, I really only use two: Kenra Platinum silkening gloss and Oscar Blandi dry shampoo, both of which are available at Sephora or Ulta.

The silkening gloss helps to make my hair shiny and manage frizz on days when I don't use heat styling, and the dry shampoo is probably my favorite beauty product ever. It's pricey at $19 a bottle, but the amount of time it saves me on washing my hair is definitely worth it. I've tried several dry shampoos, and this is definitely my favorite- it's light, smells clean, and doesn't make your hair feel gross, like many brands do.

Makeup


As with hair products, when it comes to makeup I've learned the importance of quality over quantity. I'm not a big cosmetics wearer in general, and on most days I just wear under-eye concealer, powder and mascara. I do have some favorite products for when I'm looking to kick it up a notch, though!

Many of the product I use are on the more expensive side, but since I only use a handful of them and I know they all work well, I don't mind shelling out a bit more. I by dotting on the under-eye concealer I swear by, YSL touche eclat, then use Clinique stay matte sheer pressed powder on my T-zone. The color I use is "invisible matte," so supposedly it works on all skin tones...it doesn't add any coverage, just helps with shine.

If I have any blemishes, I use a concealer brush to dab bareMinerals powder foundation on the spot. I've never been a fan of foundation, but there are definitely days where my skin isn't looking its best on its own! Then, I use bareMinerals "warmth" bronzer to add some color to my cheekbones.

When it comes to eyes, on most days I just opt for DiorShow mascara in brownish black, but if I'm getting dressed up, I use a Stila smoky eye palette to apply a base, lid shade, crease color and eyeliner. I've used this palette for years, and I just love how well the colors accentuate my eyes without looking overdone.

If I'm dressing up, I also use Sephora eyeliner to really make my eyes pop. And when it comes to lips, I'm an uber simple girl- just whatever lip balm is lying around! I only own a few glosses and lipsticks, but I honestly can't even remember the last time I used them. Chapstick is all I need- preferably of the Disney princess variety ;)

And that's it! Writing this actually makes me feel incredibly high maintenance, but I swear that my makeup never takes me more than ten minutes, and on most days it's less than two. Sometimes I wish I was incredible at doing unique looks, but I just don't have the patience or artistic talent ;)

What are your favorite hair and makeup products? How long do you take to get ready for a typical day?

Reader Request: Restaurant Meals

Living in New York City, there is no shortage of opportunities to eat out. Restaurants and takeout are a way of life for many Manhattanites, and while I prepare the majority of my own food, I typically enjoy a few meals out per week. I've received several emails lately about how I eat healthy when eating out, so I thought I'd share some of my tips with you!

1. Consider the restaurant options.
     Though in certain situations you can't pick the restaurant you're eating at, if you do have a say, speak up! The nutritional profile of different cuisines vary greatly, and it's much easier to find a healthy meal in some places than others; for instance, ethnic cuisines like Japanese and Indian are healthier than American BBQ joints or steakhouses. But if you're really jonesing for typically heavier fare, that's totally okay too- every type of food can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. The key is only going to those places when you're actually craving it, not just because it's easy.

Incredible vegetable jalfrezi at Saravanaa Bhavan

2. Think ahead.
     As I mentioned above, most restaurants now put their entire menu online. Use it! Even if you're trying to eat healthy, it's incredibly disappointing to get to a restaurant and realize that the only non-fried thing on the menu is a pile of iceberg lettuce and dry croutons. I personally like to use restaurant websites to determine which menus are the most suitable to my health and dietary preferences. I'll usually check to make sure they have veggie burgers or meat-free entrees; if not, I check out the salad, appetizer and side options to see if I can craft a meal from those. If you're still not having any luck, you can call the restaurant ahead of time and see if they're able to accommodate your dietary preferences- I've never done this, but I've heard from several people that it's generally not a big deal.

Live zucchini-heirloom lasagna at Candle 79

3. Ask questions. 
     I always feel like a major pain in the butt doing this, but it's completely okay to ask your waiter how certain things are prepared and exactly what's in them. They'd rather tell you up front, then have you send a dish back because it's not what you expected. If something seems appealing but you'd prefer it without bacon/cooked in olive oil instead of butter/steamed instead of fried, very kindly ask your waiter what they can do for you. If the restaurant staff does go to extra measures to accommodate you, be sure to leave a fair tip, as well- they've earned it!

One of the best "makeshift meals" I've had- roasted squash and brussel sprouts at The Smith

4. Eat mindfully. 
     This is the area I struggle with the most, but just because you're eating out, it doesn't mean you have to finish every bite on your plate. I'm wary of the "only eat half" advice and the "don't touch the bread basket" rule because they feel restrictive and counter-intuitive to me, but remember that being uncomfortably full is never a good feeling. Put your fork down every few bites and re-evaluate your hunger, lest the social environment (or wine) is what's encouraging you to keep eating!

 Tofu steak and river stone Kobe beef at Megu

5. Savor your meal.
     Eating out is meant to be a fun experience. I love trying new restaurants and experimenting with new dishes, and while I always try to keep my healthy habits in mind, I think it's more important to relax a bit and enjoy yourself than to stress over the food. Dig into the warm bread basket. Order your favorite drink. Get dessert, if you're in the mood for it. Over time, refusing yourself these things only leads to anxiety and a feeling of deprivation. If the majority of your diet is comprised of whole, healthy foods, some oil and cream really won't kill you. In fact, I wholeheartedly believe that their deliciousness is actually good for you- mentally, of course :)

My all-time favorite dessert: the raw mint chocolate sundae at Pure Food & Wine

What are your tips for healthy eating in restaurants? Do you generally order a special meal, or just go with the flow? My choices tend to depend on the restaurant, but I do almost always get dessert!

Reader's Request: NYC

Of all the emails and comments I get, the most frequent questions I receive are always regarding things to do in New York City. I sometimes feel like somewhat of a fraud answering them, since I've only lived here a few years, but that being said, I so know of some neat places!

Food. 
Duh. There are so many restaurants in this city, and I've only tried a tiny fraction of them. I love using nymag.com or zagat.com (I have an online membership, which is about $1 per month for access to their guide for every city) to discover new spots! Of course, I'll always have my favorites:
 - Vegan food: Candle 79
 - Omnivore health food: Spring Street Natural
 - Italian: Zero Otto Nove (worth the trek to the Bronx!)
 - Steak/seafood: Keen's
 - Cupcakes: Crumbs
 - Bagels: Murray's
 - Dessert: Max Brenner
 - Cafes: Peanut Butter & Co., One Lucky Duck, Quantum Leap, Eva's Health Food
Look in my "NYC Restaurant Reviews" tab for more suggestions!

Angel's Nachos at Candle 79

Grasshopper Cupcake at Crumbs

Nightlife.
Going out in New York is an absolute blast- like restaurants, there's never a shortage of new bars to try! In general drinks/covers are pricier than in most cities, but there are still plenty of good deals to be found. I haven't explored the entire city by any means, but my favorite neighborhoods for going out are:
 - Greenwich Village/Bleecker Street: Lots of fun, college-type bars with decent drink specials and a laid-back atmosphere. My favorites are Off the Wagon and Peculier Pub.
 - West Village: Generally a calmer, more adult area, with lots of lounges and bars with late-night restaurants. My favorites are Lederhosen and Aria Wine Bar.
 - Meatpacking District: Home of the NYC club scene; be prepared to spend some serious money! I don't think that most of the places live up to their hype, but every once in awhile they're fun for a night of dancing and celeb-spotting. Tenjune is pretty popular, as are Simyone Lounge, 1Oak and Avenue.

Fitness.
I think the best way to see New York is by walking or running through it! Central Park is obviously beautiful, but I also really love running along the Hudson River, down to Battery Park, which has gorgeous views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Other fun activities include:
 - Yoga at Yoga to the People, an open, donation-based studio in the East Village.
 - Taking a class at Physique 57 or The Bar Method, trendy dance-inspired workouts
 - Walking down Fifth Avenue from Central Park to Washington Square Park

Walking along the Hudson River

Shopping.
Though midtown may be home to the flagship stores of many top designers, there are way more affordable and unique finds in other neighborhoods. Broadway below Houston St. in Soho is packed with well-known brands like Zara, Lululemon, Victoria's Secret and the like; the West Village has some cute, upscale boutiques, and the East Village is home to a ton of vintage shops. Union Square is also a neat place to visit, with a huge Forever 21 and DSW right next to Whole Foods. Speaking of which, check out any ethnic food markets you come across- they always have some interesting stuff!

Sightseeing. 
Everyone knows about the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, but if you go off the beaten path there's just as much cool stuff to see. Some fun ones include:
 - The Museum of Sex (It's exactly how it sounds. Don't go with your parents.)
 - The Bronx Botanical Garden
 - The Discovery Center in Times Square (touristy, but cool if you're a nerd like me!)
 - Washington Square Park

Hope that helps and that everyone who visits loves it here as much as I do! If anyone else ever needs more recommendations, feel free to email me at uneviesaine@gmail.com.

Have you ever been to New York City? What's your favorite thing to do/place to eat here? What would you most like to see/do that you haven't before?

Reader's Request: Grocery Post

I've received several requests for a grocery post in the past, but always forgot until a recent reader email reminded me to get on it!

I typically make two grocery trips per week: one big one, and one smaller one for perishable produce. Living in the city, it's hard to haul home an entire week's worth of apples, carrots and tomatoes, so I've found that the second trip is necessary!

I don't typically need to replenish every item every week, but my grocery list makes sure that I have these items on hand:

Produce
   - apples
   - grapefruits
   - grapes
   - lemons (for tea)
   - bananas
   - berries (if on sale)
   - medjool dates
   - carrots
   - romaine lettuce/spinach (for salads and smoothies)
   - tomatoes
   - cucumbers
   - red onion
   - sweet potatoes
   - broccoli
   - brussels sprouts

Refrigerated Aisle (Usually near produce)
   - tofu
   - tempeh
   - hummus

 

Grains and Cereals
   - whole-wheat tortillas (whichever is cheapest with good nutritional stats)
   - sprouted or 100% whole-wheat bread (Alvarado, Ezekiel and Vermont are favorite brands)
   - whole-wheat sandwich thins
   - quinoa or brown rice (purchased in bulk at Costco)
   - rolled oats (Quaker or store brand)
   - whole-grain, low sugar cereal like Kashi GoLean, Cheerios, Uncle Sam or Nature's Path SmartBran

Non-Perishable Goods
   - unsweetened Almond Breeze almond milk (sold in cartons)
   - dill pickles
   - nut butters
   - canned soups (I like Amy's and Health Valley)
   - whole-wheat pasta
   - canned pumpkin
   - canned beans

   - tea bags (herbal and black)

   - Truvia packets

   - ground flax meal

   - dark chocolate bars

   - protein powder (I purchase Sun Warrior or Vega online)

   - nuts, such as almonds, walnuts or cashews

   - chocolate chips

   - nutritional yeast (available at health food stores)

   - chia seeds (also available at health food stores)

   - Larabars

Condiments
   - salsa
   - yellow mustard
   - olive oil
   - coconut oil
   - balsamic vinegar
   - marinara sauce

 

Freezer Aisle
   - veggie burgers (see this post for what brands I like)
   - frozen fruit (peaches, strawberries, etc)
   - frozen vegetables (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, peas)
   - one or two frozen meals for convenience (I keep a few Amy's burritos on hand)

 

Of course, there are always a few non-planned items that slip into my cart! I'll typically buy a more exotic, non-sale veggie each week to switch things up, and it's not unusual for me to buy new-to-me items that look interesting. I take an inventory before I go to make sure I'm not forgetting anything, and I try to take into account the fact that I eat out fairly regularly, as not to overbuy! I'd rather make an extra trip to the store than have rotting produce on my counter.

As you can see, several of these items, like the nutritional yeast, chia seeds and protein powder, can't be purchased at my regular grocery store. I go to Whole Foods or health food stores probably once a month to buy those items- and usually end up spending way too much money on organic produce and gourmet chocolate in the process!!

What are the top three most important items on your grocery list? I'd say mine are apples, cereal and hummus. Can't live without 'em!!