Flywheel Triple Threat!

If you know me, you know Flywheel Sports.  Period.  You may have even had me take you to a class (only to have me drag you out because once you're there you NEVER want to leave).  But now, FWS has started to make my dreams come true even more.  They have started something called the Triple Threat Ride, which is a 90 minute ride where THREE of their insructors teach one class.  I mean, it's like having Miles Davis, Madonna and Biggie Smalls perform in one room in perfect unison.  These are the rides that people dream of.

Sadly, I have not been able to make it to one of these exceptional rides yet (& they have been AMAZING), but mark your calendars because next Saturday it's ON!  Ruth Zuckerman, Holly Rilinger & Kate Hickl will be jumping on that spotlit bike and giving it their all - as they ALWAYS do.

I can already feel the energy that will be in this room, the excitement and contageous hard work that will be coursing through every person's veins and coming out through the pedals.  These 90 minute triple threat rides are what Flywheel is all about.  Hard work, amazing instuctors, fun & fierce competition (if you so choose to participate in the Torque board) & Never - EVER - Coasting!

Make sure to sign up for your bike at www.flywheelsports.com and keep flying.

xx

Julia Dalton-Brush

www.brushbeauty.com

www.juliadaltonbrush.com

Barry's Bootcamp - From Fear to Fearless

R to L Vanessa (CEO of SIN Workouts), Myself, Noah (Barry's Instructor) & Sam outside of Barry's Bootcamp

Let me tell you something. If you want to walk into a room and change your life, there is no better place to do so than Barry's Bootcamp.  Prior to trying, I'd heard of this mystical, magical place for months in the halls of Flywheel and from friends. I would hear people say things like "toughest workout I've had in a long time" or "I could hardly walk the next day, I was so sore... I can't wait to go back Monday"
So, needless to say,I needed to try it!  Also, needless to say, I was petrified for my first day. You see, years ago I was a serious athlete, training twice a day, six days a week. I loved workouts that would literally knock me on my ass and then leave me wanting more. But, then life has it's way of throwing a couple of curve balls and, there I was 80 pounds heavier and out of breathe walking up the stairs to my building.
How the fuck could that happen TO ME??? I trained in a boxing ring for five years and whipped through training sessions like it was my job. Now, 22 stairs from the street to my front door knocks me out like Douglas on Tyson in '90. Talk about an upset!
However, six months ago I made a promise to myself that I was finished with this lifestyle of exhaustion and feeling terrible and it was time to change.
The only person that can truly change yourself is you, and I made that decision.
So, the last six months I have been a Flywheel Sports junkie, a yogi, a Holly Rilinger Fitness feign and a mindful eater. All has been extremely challenging...

In walks Barry's Bootcamp. As I mentioned, I was quite nervous for my first time.  Luckily, I had some friends who were seasoned Barry's Bootcampers who decided to come with me. Well, I may have been petrified walking in, but people should have been petrified of me coming out.  This place changes lives.  This was the workout that I had been wanting since I stopped training eight years ago.  I was pushed to the point where my mind said no more and then my body took over and said "get it".  I was taken to a place that I had forgotten existed, a place where I was still an athlete regardless of where my body was at that moment.  Could I keep up with everyone in that room?  Hell no!  Did I run on a treadmill longer than I had run in years and jump off and kill it on weights?  Hell yes!  Was I proud at the end of my workout and the workouts I've had since?  Without question.  Barry's isn't a place you go to slack, the atmosphere doesn't allow for it.  The atmosphere doesn't allow for quitters, complainers, or anyone to not at least push themselves past where they've been before.  My first class, I walked in that room - having to give an eye contact high five to the amazing Barry's instructor Noah - and felt the energy the second I stepped through those double doors. I saw the impressive line up of tread-mills against the wall and then the setup of weight benches on the floor and knew I was in for something serious.  As I started my workout, the music was pumping - perfect mixes of high energy hip-hop with a mean beat to get you going - and Noah orchestrated between telling the group of tread-millers what to do and the group on the floor (people doing the weights) what to do like a perfect Philharmonic symphony conductor.  Switching from floor to treadmill every 12 or so minutes makes this awesome workout even more exciting and enticing because that is where the real push comes in.  I have to tell you that if you want a serious workout - one that the top athletes in NY run to - you have to get to Barry's Bootcamp and push yourself like you deserved to be pushed.

I'm doing the Barry's month long academy, which is every weekday for the month of September and when I'm done, I will be posting my measurements of before and after because I can already feel the change in my body after only a week. 

xx

Julia Dalton-Brush

www.juliadaltonbrush.com

www.brushbeauty.com

Wash Those Brushes

So, the answer that, I'm assuming, every makeup artist answers at least once every few weeks to a private client is - "YES! YOU DO HAVE TO WASH YOUR MAKE UP BRUSHES even though you're the only one using them".

Of course, it makes sense that we as makeup artists wash our brushes, but ladies - and select gents that I heart - your brushes need a good washing too.  Certainly not as often as a professional, but every 2-4 weeks would be a good start. 

You see, when you're using your brushes you, of course, are applying your makeup.  But, you are also having dirt, bacteria and dead skin being transfered to your brush from your skin.  ICK!  No fun. So, it is imperitive to give those beauitful brushes a good cleaning.

So, next question, what's the best way to wash your brushes?

It is quite easy but, oh no (!!!), it may take a few moments of your day.  Listen, it is way better than having your face break out because of bacteria in your brushes. #EGADS (remember in Betty & Veronica, Veronica's father always used to say "EGADS"!).

What you need:

- Baby shampoo -  I use Johnson & Johnson's but I am sure any will do.  Baby shampoo is gentle and really leaves brushes soft (make sure to check what material your brushes are made of and to be sure baby shampoo is OK for those brushes).

- A small bowl or cup to pour shampoo in

- Sink with warm water

- Towel to place brushes on when they are done being washed

Easy, right?

HOW TO:

1) Dip your brush gently into the shampoo.  You really only need a little bit of soap on the brush.

2) Making sure you're holding your brush with the 'bristles' down. Wet the brush gently in the warm water.

*It is important that you do not get water into the ferrule of the brush (that is the metal piece that connects the brush handle to the bristles); if so, water can loosen that area and fall apart over time

3) Swirl the brush gently in your palm, working the soap through the brush. You will most likely see the makeup coming off on your hand.

4) Rinse the brush - again, bristles down - but make sure to only rinse the bristles and not the handle or ferrule of the brush. You can squuze the brush lightly to make sure that all of the product is out of the brush.

5) Squeeze any excess water from the brush

6) Reshape your brush

7) Lay them down on the towel and let them air dry

You do not want the brushes to dry upright, this will have water leaking into the brush which will weaken it.

Don't wash your brushes right before you need to use them.  They take time to dry.  Generally, I do it at night and let them dry till morning.

Happy washing

xoxo

Julia Dalton-Brush

www.juliadaltonbrush.com

www.brushbeauty.com

S.I.N. Workouts Is The Real Deal

We all know I won't write an effing thing about a product or a company unless I am emotionally vested in it.  Chanel Holiday polish - deeply in love with, Lulu Lemon bags - I could never buy another Prada or vintage handbag again and I would be happy toting around my Lulu bag (OK, maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get my drift).

When it comes to companies that offer services, quite often, I judge it by their employees, how they treat their employees and how those employees treat their clients/customers. Very often, this is my first step in whether or not I become obsessed with what they offer. Treat those that work for you like crap, they're unhappy in their work environment, they treat me and my clients like crap and I'm not interested.

However, when dealing with a new company- like S.I.N. Workouts- you really cannot judge it by their employees because they are too new.  So, what do you look for?  How do you know that you have a solid and amazing company sitting in front of you.

1- You look at the owner

2- You see who the owner surrounds him or herself by

3- You truly try and understand what this company is about.

I went to the SIN Workouts launch party last night and all I have to say is wow.  Vanessa Martin, the CEO of SIN, is charismatic and inspirational.  She is extremely fit and is excited about any workout challenge which is exactly who you want as the head of a fitness company.  Who does she surround herself by? Well, if last night was any indication - and it was - she surrounds herself by the best of the best; the very top trainers and instructors in NYC, some of the most dedicated athletes in NY and family and friends that are as supportive as she is motivating. She also had some phenomenal party sponsors - Think Thin whose protein bars are some of the best on the market - nutritious and delicious - and ZICO - the best coconut water IN THE WORLD.  I would say that is a pretty impressive group.

It was an inspirational evening.

So, the third question... What is SIN? Technically, it stands for "Strength In Numbers" and the company is a full-service concierge fitness program. SIN Workouts focuses on finding the right, personalized approach to your fitness, and helps you stick to your goals through motivation and Strength In Numbers.  Quite often, with our intensely busy lives, we don't have time to do the simplest things, even when they are incredibly important. Scheduling weekly classes when there is only a 45-minute window to get the spot/bike/mat you want just isn't realistic for many of this, but it is important.  That's where SIN Workouts steps in.  SIN will customize their approach based on your needs, and there are several levels of membership so you can choose the one that works best for you.  At a basic level, SIN meets privately with the client to discuss goals and assess fitness and then book your classes for the week.  At the luxury level, they even attend classes with the client!  They have close connections with a number of private gyms in the city, so they can attend class with their clients and help them with their form, respond to concerns, and serve as a motivational force.  They even have a juicing service to make sure you have all of your Pre- & post-workout nutrients.

There has been a need for a luxury service like this in NY for years, it may not be for everyone, but it does fit a niche market and if that market is you, I suggest you contact SIN Workouts NOW because they are open for business and booking quickly.

 To contact SIN, you can email Sinworkouts@gmail.com

Laura Mercier Bonne Palette

Wow! I mean seriously. I have become an absolutely obsessed- sometimes to an unhealthy point- creme blush user. I truly feel like there is nothing better in the world than a sun kissed or lightly rosey cheek. Super natural, with a little glow. Well, this Laura Mercier Bonne Palette (full name Bonne Mine – Healthy Glow For Face & Cheeks Crème Colour Palette) does just that. With two glow veil colors, two cheek veil colors and one bronzer veil, this palette will turn your summer look from beautiful dewey to stunning and glowing in no time. Not only that, but the Laura Mercier has how to applications inserted in this stunning white palette.

The product is not too creamy and sits on your foundation flawlessly.  Personally, I like to use my fingertips to apply all creme blushes.  I think that 1) you have much more control and 2)when using a brush with powder or creme it is difficult because when dipping the brush, you tend to get the product placed in different areas of the brush or more product on one part and that does not help when trying to apply evenly.  Also, with fingers it helps assure that you will have a more even applciation since you know exactly how much product you are using each time.

The two glow veils are stunning brozey highlighters and if you put them just where the sun normally hits you it will give you the perfect sunkissed look. The two cheek colors add an amazing natural color when put over the bronzer on the apples of your cheeks.  Personally, I mix the two colors together, but you can do whatever suits you and makes you feel most beautiful.  The cheek veils are buildable, so start with only a little and build it up.

 Personally, I would say this is the PERFECT summer palette (hell, I might even use it in winter :D) giving you a stunning healthy beautiful look.

$48, Click here to purchase

xx

Julia

www.juliadaltonbrush.com

www.brushbeauty.com

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Update on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 02:54PM by Julia Dalton-Brush

SUPER IMPORTANT.

IF YOU PURCHASE THIS PALETTE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING LAURA MERCIER LINK, 100% OF THE PROCEEDS GO TO CANCER RESEARCH.

CLICK HERE