GLOSSLAB Review

GLOSSLAB recently opened in my Washington, DC neighborhood. I’d previously heard about GLOSSLAB from a few NYC influencers I follow on Instagram, but hadn’t tried the service until I was invited as an ambassador.

GLOSSLAB prides itself on being the modernized manicure. They are hygiene first, waterless and efficient, and membership-based. They are also woman-founded, which I love.

I first tried the gel pedicure because I’m usually an acrylic girly. I was so happy with the pedicure that I switched from tips to a gel manicure with my natural nails. So I’m officially a GLOSSLAB believer.

A few things I love about GLOSSLAB:

• The entire process is easy and efficient (perfect for the gal on the go)

• Services take less than an hour

• The staff is friendly (not always my experience with other nail salons in DC)

• Completely waterless. No tub or water is used. I love this because I usually have a spray tan. They do cleanse, moisturize, and scrub.

• Gratuity is added into your total cost. A pro because it minimizes the decision making process.

• Everything is aesthetically pleasing. The pedicure chairs are comfortable and practical. A pop playlist plays the entire time. Winning.

A few pro tips before visiting GLOSSLAB:

• I recommend booking online versus walking in. GLOSSLAB is new to DC so there’s a limited amount of staff.

• If you have hard gel or anything other than the GLOSSLAB gel on your nails, you need to get it taken off at another salon.

• GLOSSLAB uses their own products.

• I recommend the membership. It’s definitely the best bang for your buck.

Interested in trying GLOSSLAB? Use code CHRISTIE20 when you book your next service. LMK what you think! xx

Sweaty Skincare Regimen

If you have an active lifestyle, you're most likely managing sweaty skin. Here's a look at my skincare regimen and a few tips on how I combat acne and aging skin:

• Use gentle cleanser after workouts

• Ice roll in the morning

• Exfoliate at night

• Wash your makeup off at night (duh!)

• Wear a hat outside

• Wear SPF every day even when you're inside

• Shave the peach fuzz off your face. It helps exfoliate your skin and your make up applies smoother

1. CLEARSTEM Vitamin Facial Scrub CLEARSTEM Skincare is a revolutionary skincare brand that is both Anti-Aging and Anti-Acne with zero hormones disruptors or toxins. A little goes a long way with this facial scrub. Best way to scrub off the day. Use code CHRISTIEH for 26% off your order!

2. CLEARSTEM Bounceback Serum Hero product. I've used this serum every day twice per day for 30 days and have noticed a HUGE difference in the disappearance of my melasma. My NP at my medspa commented on the difference the last time I went in for Botox. Winning! Use code CHRISTIEH for 26% off your order!

3. Dr. Dennis Gross Acne Eliminating Pads Great for your skin if you're acne prone. I cut the pads in half to get extra use out of them. You will visibly see all the dirt that comes off your face.

4. Versed Keep the Peace Acne-Calming Cleanser This cleanser is not only effective, but it also comes out in a silver, glittery substance. I've used this cleanser for over a year and am seriously impressed with how well it works.

5. CLEARSTEM You Are Sunshine SPF 50 Hero product. This broad spectrum SPF is non-toxic, is perfect for acne prone skin, and has a blurring effect to reduce the appearance of pores. Use code CHRISTIEH for 26% off your order!

6. Cera Ve Renewing SA Cleanser - Non-comedogenic, non-drying, and non-irritating. Another winner for sweaty skin.

7. Elta MD UV Clear SPF 44 - I've used this SPF for years! It's perfect for sweaty workouts and acne prone skin. Does not have a white cast.

8. Kinship Brightwave Eye Cream - Kinship is a clean and sustainable skincare line. This cream really opens up your eyes for that well-rested and awake look.

9. iS Clinical Pro Heal Serum and iS Clinical Active Serum - Hero product. Expensive, but worth it. I use the pro heal serum during the day on my T zone to help protect my skin from dark spots and the active serum at night to help keep my skin clear.

10. The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller - One of my morning rituals is to ice roll my face. It helps wake me up before teaching an 8AM class and combats face bloat. Not to mention feels like an icy facial massage. I like to roll it over my jaw to soothe my TMJ. You're supposed to roll up your face and down your neck to boost lymphatic drainage in the body.

11. Kitsch Dermaplaning Tool Set - Say goodbye to peach fuzz and hello to baby smooth skin.

12. MCG Strong Confident Empowered Dad Hat - My fav hat to walk around DC with Prince! Now available for purchase online and in-person.

Affiliate links included.

Christie's Summer Favorites 💖

1. Kinship Brightwave Eye Cream - Kinship is a clean and sustainable skincare line! They've quickly become one of my favorite brands! This cream really opens up your eyes for that well-rested and awake look.

2. Calm Magnesium Citrate Supplement - Perfect for winding down before bed. Magnesium helps calm your muscles and help aid in better sleep. I'm all about it.

3. Book Lovers by Emily Henry - Emily Henry is one of my favorite Romance authors. Her books are light-hearted, fun, and super easy to read. Book Lovers is her most recent novel and I'm obsessed.

4. FP Movement - I'm LOVING the lightweight and stretchy material of Free People Movement. Next class with MCG & FP Movement is Saturday, June 11th. Book your calendars!

5. Elta MD Broad Spectrum Facial Sunscreen - I've been using this sunscreen for years! It's perfect for sweaty workouts and acne prone skin.

6. NARS Tinted Moisturizer- Classic favorite since the Flybarre days. This tinted moisturizer is great for workouts or going out to run errands or hang out with friends.

7. Ultima Replenisher - One word for outdoor workouts & activities: Electrolytes. Ultima is great for hydration and is sugar free.

8. MCG Strong Confident Empowered Hat - Grab your MCG merch for the summer! Perfect for walks, outdoor workouts, running errands, and summer adventures. The Strong Confident Empowered hat is a fan favorite! Shoutout Emily for being an amazing model!

Christie's Favorite Things this Week (4/4)

1. Salt Rock Night Light- I'm obsessed with these. I originally got the idea to put them in my bathroom to help me wind down while getting ready for bed from The Skinny Confidential podcast. I liked it so much I added another one to my bedroom.

2. NARS Tinted Moisturizer- Classic favorite since the Flybarre days. This tinted moisturizer is great for workouts or going out to run errands or hang out with friends.

3. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask- Perfect to keep your lips moisturized at night. I also wear it all day long too! It works so well and doesn't make your lips chapped like some other lip glosses.

4. Kinship Supermello Moistering Gel Cream- I use this directly under my eyes and neck! This has been a favorite for me over the winter, and I will continue using it in the spring because it's very light, but moisturizing.

5. Cymbiotika Magnesium Oil Spray- Magnesium oil has been a game changer for my neck and shoulders while I sleep! I put this on right before bed and it helps relax my muscles for more comfortable sleep.

6. Tazo Vanilla Bean Macaron- Tastes delicious and is super comforting. There's a little bit of caffeine in it so I like to make myself a cup in the afternoon instead of having a third cup of coffee.

7. Yoga Blocks- You know I'm serious about my stretching! The yoga blocks have been great for adding extra intensity or allowing for more comfortable modifications during stretch sessions.

8. Judgement Detox by Gabby Bernstein- I started this book a few years ago, but recently picked it up again and finished it on Saturday. I love the meditations and EFT tapping scripts she offers in this book. The ocean wave meditation is my favorite.

Includes Amazon affiliate links.

MCG Holiday Gift Guide

1. Bala Bangles

You've seen me use them in class and talk about them all the time! I'm obsessed. Not only are Balas super cute, but they're extremely effective. Use them for your workout regressions or progressions or spice up your daily walk. They're super easy to clean and travel with! The 1lb weights are my favorite. Get $5 off your bala purchase with this link.

2. The Patch Brand Vitamins

It's a little weird to take your vitamins from a sticker, but these babies really work! The sleep patch is my favorite. It calms my body down and helps me sleep through the night. The energy patch is perfect for those days you can't stop yawning, but still want to power through and get your work AND workout done.

3. The Skinny Confidential Ice Roller

One of my morning rituals is to ice roll my face. It helps wake me up before teaching an 8AM class and combats face bloat. Not to mention feels like an icy facial massage. I like to roll it over my jaw to soothe my TMJ. You're supposed to roll up your face and down your neck to boost lymphatic drainage in the body.

4. Milk Boss Pink Frother

You know I'm obsessed with my morning coffee! It wouldn't be the same delicousness without a frother. My favorite coffee drink this year has been pour over Starbuck coffee with honey, cinnamon, a twist of Himalayan salt, and almond milk creamer all frothed together.

5. Carbon38 Diamond Compression Set

Besides Takara Shines, Carbon38's Diamond Compression set is my favorite activewear set to workout in. The fabric hugs your body perfectly, doesn't roll, feels smooth, and doesn't cling to you too much. Use my code CHRISTIEHOR50 for 15% off your first two orders.

6. Atomic Habits - James Clear

I know this book has been on the top of the Amazon charts for over a year now, but I finally caved and started reading it. I'm obsessed. Now I'm thinking about all these systems I can implement to become my best self. One of my favorite quotes so far is, "It is a simple two-step process: Decide the type of person you want to be. Prove it to yourself with small wins." My second favorite part from the book is the Goldilocks Rule.

Some of these include affiliate links!

Ombre Powder Brows — ALL ABOUT MY @ARCHENVYACADEMY BROW EXPERIENCE!

First of all, I’m absolutely obsessed with my brows and the entire experience with Arch Envy Academy/@archenvyacademy.

I decided to get my brows done because I am a GIRL ON THE GO!! The more I can wake up ready to go, (brows, lashes, skin, etc) THE BETTER!!

I met with Ronli, the owner and founder of Arch Envy, back in the beginning of 2020. We’re both entrepreneurs and clicked immediately. She gave me a brow consultation that first time in person and then a second time on IG LIVE. (Check out the video in my IGTV’s)! She walked me through every step of the procedure thoroughly in my consultations.

Ronli is a total boss babe — she’s extremely knowledgeable and created a terrific customer experience for me. Ronli is a master at her craft, and on top of that she runs a teaching academy at her beautiful studio.

Full transparency, I was so nervous leading up to the appointment!!! Thankfully Ronli made sure I was completely prepared with emails stating the precare steps and instructions. Essentially you’re getting a tattoo on your brows so there are a lot of guidelines to follow to make for a successful brow transformation. It’s similar to botox where you can’t have alcohol for 24 hours prior or Ibuprofen, but a little more detailed.

PAUSE, this is where I need to tell you how BEAUTIFUL @archenvyacademy is. The entire studio is SO DREAMY. Pink EVERYWHERE, walls covered in beautiful art, floral wall designs, lush plants, selfie lights, music, retro fridge/microwave…did I say pink EVERYWHERE?!? It’s beautiful. Make sure you swipe through to check it out. Like I said, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. (Video taken Feb 2020).

One of my favorite parts during my appointment was Ronli teaching 3 of her students while she did my brows! (We all wore masks :)) I was totally emerged in the learning aspect of it and knowing what was going on as she was working and explaining to her students. That was so cool! She explained how she designed my brows in real time, and the process of taking measurements and achieving a symmetric design. Plus the design look that we were going for — my design is called Ombre. It’s all sooo well thought out and sketched to design the perfect brow BEFORE she starts the permanent work. This part took the most time!! She also asked me after one brow was designed if I liked the shape and after both brows were designed if I still liked them.

Ronli takes the shape of your face, skin tone, skin type and current state of your brow hair into account to create a unique brow shape and style that works specifically for you.

After Ronli designed my brows, she outlined them with the brow gun, numbed me, and then got to work on filling in my brow. It felt like little jabs or bumps against my skin, but didn’t hurt at all. I think she went over my eyebrow around 3 times before the work was complete. Make sure you swipe to see the BEFORE & AFTER!

After Ronli finishes she explains the aftercare process, how many times per day to clean them, what to use when, how to keep water out of your eyes in the shower, etc. She asked me to keep her updated with my healing, and gave me a cute to-go bag with cleaning solution, brow balm, and an Arch Envy pop-socket. Adorable.

Honestly, this is the best first experience I could ask for!! My brows will heal softer and lighter within a couple of days. I’ll keep you updated sharing the whole process and results! DM me (@misschristiegirl) if you have any questions about my experience!

The service includes a consultation followed by brow design, shaping and numbing. The entire appointment is about 2-3 hours long with results that can last up to two years with proper care!

Thank you @archenvyacademy

I’m so happy I can share my brow experience with you! I like to keep it 100 always — service was sponsored by @archenvyacademy & thoughts on my experience are my own. :)

BEFORE

AFTER