Everyone likes a good weekend getaway in spring. Unplug to recharge yourself with maximum relaxation.
With Memorial Day approaching, it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to do with your long weekend. You could do the usual – going to a sweltering cookout then head back to work feeling...refreshed? – or you could treat yourself to a digital detox weekend getaway and get some serious #selfcare in. We think you should do the latter. We’ve helped you plan a weekend excursion to the gorgeous Monterey Bay area, where the vineyards and ocean will give your mind and body a break from the daily grind. Unplug and unwind, and bring along a selection of soothing natural beauty products for relaxation. Come Tuesday the 30th, your stress levels will be waaaayy down and you’ll have that coveted vacation glow.
Wherever you choose, we’ve got you covered for long weekend travel necessities. It’s your weekend to pamper yourself, so toting along a separate natural skin care bag is totally acceptable. This is the perfect time to try out that 10 step Korean skincare routine, right? To keep you glowing, relaxing and focused on you, we recommend packing these natural products:
Ditch that smart phone and laptop. Send out your last tweet or Instagram post then TURN IT ALL OFF. If you are too tempted by the sweet calls of digital sirens, then feel free to take it a step further and leave all your devices at home. If you are nervous, tell someone where you are going and for how long, so all your unanswered texts, phone calls or emails don’t end up with police knocking on your apartment door ready to put your face on a milk carton.
Ok, glad we got that out of the way. Sometimes prying phones, remote controls and laptops out of our hands can seem painful, but for the sake of relaxation and truly unplugging, it’s a completely necessary step. And come on, it’s just for three days, you’ll be back in their cold, blue glow soon.
Monterey Bay is an idyllic place to spend a few days: we challenge you to take the weekend off from your phone and computer so you can really tune in to what the area has to offer. Whether you’re going solo or planning a weekend with your significant other, there are a ton of peaceful places to spend a few nights. We’ve been eyeing an absolutely edenic treehouse getaway on AirBnB (that will literally have you sleeping in the arms of nature). If heights have you getting squeamish, opt for a cute coastal inn so you can eat breakfast or read a book with the morning sea breeze on your face.
We chose to relax in the sky and couldn’t be more impressed. Prepared to be perched above the world, in your own private nest. Birds and squirrels are literally your neighbors and it couldn’t be more peaceful. The sweeping views of the entire Monterey Bay are just a few feet away, waiting for you to ogle all it’s glory. This unique treehouse getaway is situated on Lago Lomita Vineyards, and was built on a giant Douglas Fir tree. There is no hour that is not a breaktaking moment. We couldn’t help but us this insane view for an excuse to bone up on our long exposure photography. The last light was starting to fade so it was time for a fill-in activity besides the usual tempting calls of Netflix. With all this evening spare time not in front of a screen, who knows what else we could learn or become pro at! Crack open a Bright Eyes Mask and let’s get this relaxation vibe rolling.
Let’s start with the main reason we’re here on this digital detox weekend...to relax. It’s Friday evening (maybe your office was even let out a little earlier to kick-start the weekend) and you are SO ready for this long weekend to being. Get a good night sleep and pack your bags tonight, because tomorrow it’s rise and relax.
An evening at Refuge, an idyllic outdoor spa, has the 5 R’s (our long weekend’s mantra) down: rejuvenate, renew, refresh, relax and re-energize. What we appreciate most about Refuge is the strict no talking policy (which is definitely enforced by staff). Even though we love catching up with our spa buds, having chatter completely taken out, helps to set the perfect environment to truly clear your thoughts and fully immerse yourself in the healing experience.
If you happen to be a relaxation novice, here’s a helpful spa circuit guide. But don’t stress, it’s really a matter of preference and going at your own pace is the name of the game here.
PRO TIP: For a more intimate spa session, opt for the off hours (at first opening or after dinner until 10p). Visit during weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds, if at all possible.
Start off in the 212 degree cedar sauna. The floor to ceiling windows overlooking rock waterfalls and fellow spa-goers is perfect for people-watching or zoning out. Dry heat will quickly jumpstart your internal body temperature, helping to speed up blood circulation and sweating. The opening of pores (through sweating) will start the process of toxins being released from your body.
It’s a choose your own adventure day and if dry heat isn’t your cup-of-tea, begin your relaxation route with the eucalyptus steam room. The soothing light show gives the otherwise all white room an inviting “come on in” glow. The benefits of a steam room include muscle relaxation, impurity extraction and maximum respiratory clearing via eucalyptus. Recreate this purifying experience at home with a hot bath using our Eucalyptus Sea Therapy Bath.
This step is easiest the first go-around because you don’t know what to expect. It gets a little harder circuit 2, or 3 because your body starts to brace for the icey impact. Pick from one of two “cold” plunge pools with temperatures that match the Pacific Ocean, about 60 degrees. Or, if you are feeling slightly bolder, go for one of the two “cold” plunge pools, hovering around 45 degrees, with temperatures that remind you of an icy Nordic river.
Snuggle up in your crisp white robe and take a seat in a wooden Adirondack chair circled around the outdoor fire pits. If we haven’t mentioned already, hydration is extremely important during your circuit, so make sure to keep filling your reusable water bottle up and sip, sip, sip. This is one of the best parts. Bring a book, meditate while overlooking the Santa Lucia Preserve, take a quick nap....today is your day.
In between circuits (and hydration breaks) also take time to just enjoy the grounds. There is a whole two acres of serene, silent outdoor relaxation areas with zero gravity recliners and soothing music to enjoy. Take a dip in three of Refuge’s pristine UV cleansed warm pools that have multiple thermal waterfalls in grotto like settings.
After your first circuit session is complete. Pick up where you left off in your book or just enjoy the views with our Aqua Boost Hydrating Mask. The deep hydration for your skin will get you multi-tasking but in the best, most relaxing way ever. Leave a space under your eyes for our Bright Eyes Mask. If you are still carrying tired eyes from the work week, our Bright Eyes Mask harnesses the power of caffeine for de-puffing, and plant cellulose for intense hydration, plus it comes in super portable package. A typical visit to Refuge is around two to three hours but with this welcoming environment, you might find yourself staying for the whole day.
PRO TIP: If your accommodations has a mini fridge, pop another pair of Bright Eyes Mask in the fridge the before you head out for your spa day. Another set will be ready to go, with an extra cooling effect, while you read or relax back at the treehouse.
Day one was all about unwinding. Day two is for living life at your own pace. Let’s not be constrained by the clock. Ditch your wristwatch today (and we already lost the phone/early alarm), and wake up when your body naturally chooses to. Today’s main agenda is reconnecting with nature. Treat yourself to a beach day and light hike. Monterey beaches are perfect for long walks, combing the beach for sea glass, and taking in the broad vistas of sand and ocean. McAbee Beach is Monterey’s tiniest beach, and is an absolutely stunning spot for watching scuba divers and tuning out from real life. Or if nothing re-centers you like a day of outdoor activity, give yourself a zen day of hiking around the tide pools and beachside hills of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Wherever you find yourself, make sure you stay protected with SPF. For natural sun protection, pack our Yerba Mate Mist SPF 30, a non-toxic spray formula featuring antioxidant rich yerba mate extract and advanced zinc oxide to keep your body protected from environmental pollutants and UVA rays. For protection on your face plus lightweight, oil free hydration, go with our Green Tea SPF 30 Moisturizer, a two-in-one moisturizer and sun protectant formulated with soothing green tea and purifying algae, rosemary and eucalyptus.
Post your long day outdoors, channel the natural elements from today with a indulgence self care session. Start your pampering with a cool shower, to wash away any impurities and give your spirit a refreshing jolt. For glossy and restored locks, tote along our Honey & Virgin Coconut Shampoo, which boasts a formula of aloe leaf juice and rose water for dual moisture and gentle cleansing. Combine this with our Honey & Virgin Coconut Conditioner, a nourishing product that includes avocado butter, coconut oil and honey for super soft tresses. Follow up with our Pro-Vitamin B5 Smoothing Hair Serum, a lightweight formula, to leave your hair feeling softer, smoother and more manageable via Pro Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E.
Next, grab our Organic Cucumber Juice: Cleansing Foam from your weekend tote to remove any dirt from your day in nature. A refreshing cucumber formula will fight both inflammation and dryness with a blend featuring glacial water infused with organic cucumber and organic seaweed tincture. Combine this with a gentle exfoliation using our Konjac Sponge, a natural sponge comprised of konjac plant and bamboo charcoal, that works to draw out impurities and buff away dead skin. And because Konjac is 100% alkaline, it will help balance out the pH of your skin, which can get seriously thrown off by environmental and chemical stresses during the workweek. Squeeze out a silver dollar amount of our Blood Orange Shower Gel for a rich foaming and hydrating body cleanser. The therapeutic herbs, rose hydrosol, green tea and seaweed will nourish your skin without any artificial fragrances, dyes or chemical toxins.
As professional relaxation experts, it’s in our opinion that on day three you hit up one of Monterey Bay’s vineyards. There are wineries and tasting rooms throughout the area, and wine tours that can give you a spin of the greatest hits.
Channel your low-maintenance California beauty vibes while you immerse yourself in the splendor of Monterey wine country, with a few natural cosmetic basics. Our Maracuja Mascara in Black Tea will keep your lashes just a shade sultry (plus conditioned, thanks to its lash conditioning vitamin E formula). For a light pink cheek (not from the wine), use our Fruit Pigmented Pot Rouge: Pinkie to give you a blendable flush from an avocado butter and organic fruit pigment formula (sans synthetic anything). We love to layer with our Gemmed Luminizer: Rose Gold using our Cruelty Free Blush Brush F20 for a little extra shimmer in the warm tone perfect for catching the summer sun.
Perfectly groomed brows are the key to pulling together your low-key polished look. Using our Green Tea Fiber Brow Builder: Soft Brown, to fill in your brows with short, quick strokes to mimic natural hair growth. The fibers of the green tea leaves add texture, while the gel provides depth of color for a more natural, fuller looking brow. Fill in any patches with our Long Last Brows: Soft Brown using our Cruelty Free Dual Ended Eyebrow Brush. Brush with the spoolie end, gently up and down, towards the tail of your brow, to evenly distribute pigment. Wrap it up by refining the edges and tail of each brow with the angled brush end.
Finish your easygoing fresh face with a swipe of Cocoa Butter Semi-Matte Lipstick: Pink Canyon for a downplayed pout that stays hydrated thanks to our cocoa butter, shea butter and vitamin E formula while sipping some Sauvignons.
PRO TIP: Olive squalane, in our 2nd Skin Foundation, acts as a primer so you won’t have to tote along another bottle (travel light!). We recommend putting a few drops on the back of your hand, then dabbing onto your face with a Makeup Blender.
PRO TIP: If you are looking for an extra matte look, apply our Bamboo Blur Powder with our Cruelty Free Powder Brush F50 after your foundation application.
We’ve been spending the entire day in the sun, we can’t stress the importance of staying sun safe this summer. Here are some helpful sun tips to keep your skin healthy:
- Use sunscreen every day you will be outside, including overcast days.
- Apply sunscreen, to dry skin, 15 minutes before going outside.
- Wear long-sleeved pants and shirts, sunglasses, and a sun hat.
- Be careful around reflective surfaces. These increase your chance of sunburn because they reflect the sun’s harmful rays. Examples include water, snow, and sand.
- Look for shade, especially between the hours of 10AM and 2PM. The sun’s rays are strongest at these times.
PRO TIP: If you are taller than your shadow, it’s time to get out of the sun.
We headed straight to Folktale Winery and Vineyards. Did you know? Sipping hand-crafted wine in the midst of gorgeous rolling vineyards is a research-backed method for cooling your jets and shedding the digitally-induced panic attack you’re having the other 99% of the time. Well, Folktale has inducing relaxation down to a science. Started by a band of artists and lovers of life, this vineyard is committed to sustainable farming practices. The entire fifteen acre vineyard is 100% organically farmed. Take a tour of the ever expanding property, and step into their 10,000 sq foot barrel hall which holds over 2,000 wine barrels. Where else but California can you sign up for “yoga in the vines”. It’s a ninety minute class of Vinyasa Flow, every Saturday, right amongst the growing grapes (and complimentary glass of wine after the class). Yes, please and namaste!
This wine sipping spot is perfect for a larger group (did we mention they have a giant Jenga and bean bags toss too?). We highly recommend indulging in the tasting flight of six wines. We’ve pulled a cheat sheet of tasting notes on their wines, just in case you want to study up beforehand and impress the group.
The wine might get you to the area, but the delicious California style cuisine will make you stay longer. Take full advantage of Carmel Valley’s bounty by making sure to eat dinner at Bernardus Lodge’s restaurant, Lucia. Their al fresco dining experience is all about old world crafts merging with new world creativity. Helmed by Chef Cal Stamenov, he transforms the purest ingredients into pure artistry. Their California country style focuses on healthy, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients without compromising on decadence. Savor one of the menu highlights, grilled Castroville artichokes, that are sourced from one of the largest artichoke producing capitals of the world. Might we suggest the brick oven pizza, Bernardus Garden, with is the perfect and delicious catch-all for their garden’s cornucopia. Top it all off with a dessert that could seriously double as a miniature art piece. Don’t worry we took a picture to make it last forever, because it wasn’t too beautiful to eat.
Take a stroll out around the property to view Chef Cal’s extensive organic herb and vegetable garden, vineyard and fruits trees. Over 28 acres of fresh, hyper-local produce is right at his fingertips ready to be enjoyed at your next dinner. The endless daily inspiration is taken straight from his backyard. Whether it’s a basket of just-forage mushrooms, the first fava beans of the season, or fresh-picked peaches from the orchard. The ingredients are the catalyst for Lucia’s flavorful, homegrown dishes.
Day three wraps up with giving yourself the ultimate break and don’t plan anything for your last night of freedom. Depending on your distance, spend the late afternoon at your Airbnb or an evening at home for your last stretch of relaxation.
Whip out that book to wrap it up, or do some outdoor yoga with the sunset – or don’t, whatever is more relaxing for your body and mind. Might we suggest giving yourself the manicure you’ve been meaning to get for the past month? Use our Horsetail Base Coat Polish (for a strong and nourished base), followed by our Creamy Polish: Seafoam (free of the usual polish carcinogens and toxins, because what you put on your nails ends up in your body). Finish with a coat of our Glass Top Coat Polish for a mani that will last long past your mini vacation.
We hope you enjoy your long holiday weekend as much as we did. Take a few minutes (or three whole days) for yourself. Breathe. Unplug. Your body, mind, spirit and complexion will thank you.
Keep up with 100% PURE® this summer for more self care inspo and beauty guides.
- Tags: Body, Living, May-2017, Shopping Guides
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The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as such.
