A Dewy Glow

A radiant New Jersey Magnolia tree

The first day of May, May Day or my Celtic Irish Egan ancestors called it Beltane, is the celebration of high spring in the Northern Hemisphere. A time when the strengthening sun's male energy has warmed mother earth and will continue to heat things up and create lush gardens in full bloom, passing breezes which carries fragrant scents and everything in life starts to feel a little better regardless of your allergies climaxing and our every day pain and suffering triggering us.

A powder puff pink New Jersey Cherry blossom

You may recall the image of a maypole somewhere in your consciousness. Did you know that it is an old European phallic image celebrating fertility? Specifically the union of father sky and mother earth's new growth. The ancient European tradition is to dance around the maypole and light bonfires as a means to bless the earth for a prosperous growing season ahead.

In the States I know we celebrate other new beginnings in May like graduations and Mother's Day which honors all who nurtures. Annually I teach a Mother's Day yoga workshop and I'm always mindful to let people know that childless mothers are welcome. This year I'm inviting the female side of men. Yes, even the high testosterone men have a little gentleness in them. Visit http://www.bamboomovesyoga.com/ and Click into the Englewood, New Jersey location and you can read up on the workshop I'm teaching Saturday May 14th at 3:30pm with my psychic healer Carol Lynne Parker.

Our focus is opening and chipping away at healing our 2nd chakra/energy center found in our reproductive organs. This center governs all emotions connected to our creativity and desires, mostly sexual. To work towards healing this center in May is perfect as Mother Earth is displaying her beautiful creations as flowers peak, animals are born and so much more.

under white buds in New Jersey

Here's one last picture of a flowering tree inspiration in New Jersey. I live in NYC however I drive out to New Jersey to teach because I love nature. It inspires me, my practice and admiring it daily whether I'm in the burbs or not is like taking my vitamins.


This past week in NYC heat, rain and thunderstorms were plentiful. With hot moisture in the air comes a dewy glow. What I mean by this is rosy cheeks and shiny skin.


I never thought of shiny skin as attractive until I saw an older woman on the subway with caked on makeup, a man dressed as a sexy woman with lipstick applied beyond his lip line and wearing far too much powder that began to collect on his sideburns. Also I recall when an old time student of mine Stanley stopped me as I exited teaching a summer time sweaty yoga class, he said "You are glowing and rosy cheeked. You look healthy and great!" I thought I looked like an oily and sweaty mess.


Since our skin whether it is dry, normal or combination responds to humid weather with a little shine at least by 12 noon, here's a little Celtic Folklore that may entice you to not cake up your face with powder and sport a dewy glow instead.


It was believed the morning dew of May 1st held special beautifying powers. Maidens would gather the dew from plants and pat the moisture into their faces, believing it would enhance their looks. I read that some ladies would roll around in the morning grass naked to soak up the dew's beautifying energy while others would run a spoon across the moist grass and bottle the dew. My updated and less obvious Beltane ritual is to slip on a pair of water proof flip flops and walk through the moist morning grass.

me and the damp washcloth dewy glow method

This topic reminds me of a little blurb I read from Christie Brinkley the last time I got my nails done. She said after you apply your makeup, powder and all take a damp wash cloth and pat your face with it. She claims this keeps her skin looking fresh, young and not appearing overly made up. I'm not sure of her age but I know she's been on the beauty scene for a long time and looking at pics of her these days, she's certainly someone I'll take beauty advice from.

I've been using her advice with a variation that I feel works a bit better. I dampen a wash cloth with hot water and I hold the wash cloth a few inches away from my face either after applying make up or taking it off. This technique has a mini steam room effect. The result is a dewy and rosy glow. My hubby saw this procedure after a makeup application and he copied me sans rouge. Watching his delight I added some lavender oil to the wash cloth and the sensation junkie in him was in heaven.

My high spring make up and bag from http://www.forever21.com/


To enhance your radiant dewy glow even further it is time to empty out your current makeup bag and spring clean any traces of winter time makeup out of it. Add colors and products that freshen and lighten up your look.

These are my favorite earth & animal friendly pickups I wear pre, during and post yoga practice.

1. cream blush and lip tint in strawberry by 100% Pure http://www.100percentpure.com/ bought at Duane Reade

2. lip gloss in strawberry by 100% Pure
A kissable gloss which also doesn't catch and stick to your hair.

3. cream eye color stick in black pearl by 100% Pure
I love how with an easy swipe it creates the smudge look under my eyes and sometimes I use it on the outer corner lid of my eyes for a deeper look.

4. Dr. Hauschka Toned Day cream http://www.drhauschka.com/ bought at Whole Foods
I've been using this product instead of a standard foundation for about 10 consistent years. I love how it is thin, adds tone and coverage to my complexion while it smells clean.

5.Dr. Hauschka concealer
I love the twist and apply through the spongy tip applicator

6. Dr. Hauschka compact pressed face powder
I pat my nose and under eyes with the puff once or twice a day and use the mirror to check my teeth for stuck food after each meal and snack.

7. tweezers and 8. eyelash curler is from Tweezerman http://www.tweezerman.com/ bought at CVS

9. My mascara is not a natural product. It is the classic and fabulous Great Lash from Maybelline. I've purchased and tried so many natural mascaras in the past year and none are worth wearing and buying again. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

10. The eye shadow you see above is a beautiful opalescent shimmer color from Physician's Formula http://www.physiciansformula.com/ I wear it over my entire eye lid. It is not a natural product however this company does offer several awesome 100% pure organic products. Having successfully bought their products at CVS before and I'm always curious for more, is how I stumbled into this lovely eye brightening eyeshadow they call natural eye light.

my coffee table book

The picture of my makeup bag and all the goodies inside were photographed over cherry blossoms photos from my always open coffee table book. I love this book which showcases so many beautiful trees from all over the world and in different seasons.

The Life of Trees by Louis Blackwell

My son Ryan and I were sitting on a couch fully absorbed by this book while furniture shopping at West Elm a few years ago. My husband Amit days later gifted me this book after noticing our captivation. Since then I've kept it on our coffee table always open to a different tree picture depending on my mood and the season. Some days you can't have fresh flowers or vibrant plants so why not have visible pictures of them and let your imagination run wild.