Name: Bret, Senior Associate, Social & Content

##The Wellness Trend: Crystal Therapy
##What It Is:
Crystal therapy is a centuries-old tradition that involves using superpowered gemstones. Its claim: Everything from drawing out negative energy to increasing psychic powers to promoting spiritual, physical, and emotional healing.

Id definitely say Im skeptical of these, but for the sake of the content, Im going in as open-minded as possible. If these rocks that I bought off Amazon change my life, then so be it. In fact, I welcome it. (So brave, Bret.)

Obviously Im doing this whole thing hoping to gain psychic powers, so I want to stick with whatever will make that happen. Bret decided to test the waters for three days, with three different crystals:

Red Jasper: Alleviates stress and has a grounding effect.
Carnelian: Boosts creativity.
Kyanite: Helps develop intuition and psychic abilities.

In order to make sure I get the most from these crystals, I had to clean them using palo santo holy wood. (Read: I light a stick on fire and wave it at them). Now that my crystals are fully cleaned, I can get started. Ill be meditating for 5 minutes every morning with one of the crystals, keeping it by my sidein this case, at my deskthroughout the day, and taking notes with regards to the intended effects. Im excited to venture into the unknown. Honestly this is probably what the first astronauts felt like.

Alright, so its three days later, and heres the deal: Im not floating yet, and Im honestly not sure what gives. Maybe my chakras are busted? Maybe Im not focusing enough? I dont really feel that my stress, or creativity or psychic power levels have changed. Maybe I havent given these enough time to work (the crystal expert I emailed, also confirmed this), but Im not sure I have the patience. I will say that taking 5 minutes to pause and meditate every morning was extremely good. It helped me relax and focus, so that will definitely stay in the routine...until I forget. On the whole, I think Ill give these crystals a few more days (for more chances to work on my chakras) but Im starting to get why we have medicine and therapy and stuff now.

PROS: Meditating is good for keeping me focused; everyone at work thought I was witch-y.
CONS: Otherwise, crystals didn't really work for me; seems very complicated; everyone at work thought I was witch-y.

##Trend testing: CBD 
##What It Is:
The non-psychoactive aspect of cannabidiol (marijuana) can be squeezed into lotions, potions, and even water. Its claim: to help you relax, heal inflammation, relieve anxiety, and just feel extra chillno high required.

Ive seen CBD everywhere. Ive read enough to know that there are no psychoactive effects but also heard that there are other anti-inflammatory and anxiety-reducing properties. I was happy to give it a shot knowing that I wasnt going to feel any mind-altering effects.

Brian tries two different forms of CBD products:
CBD Rub: This is a pain relief rub made by infusing high-quality cannabis flowers with oil, and extracting the active compounds. This oil is blended with other therapeutic pain relievers (like arnica) to provide relief to sore muscles and other body aches.
CBD Seltzer: Sparkling water gets a reboot; the bubbly stuff is combined with CBDs supposed stress-relieving properties.

###CBD Rub:
I decided to take an intense spin class for maximum potential leg soreness. Before the class, I stretched, and mentally prepared myselfbut the instructor still killed me. I usually feel sore the day after my workout, so I waited patiently until after I got home from work. I rubbed the CBD rub on my left leg only, so I could see if Id feel a difference between the two.

Im not sure anything worked. My right leg was a little tighter, but there wasnt a drastic difference in soreness. Seemed to have the same ingredients as any topical muscle relaxer, so I have no idea if the CBD worked. Smelled like Icy Hot though.

PROS: Relaxing smell. Eucalyptus always makes me feel like Im receiving a massage or treatment. The ingredients seemed to relax me and maybe that helped relax my muscles? 
CONS: Couldnt tell if it actually was the CBD, or if the other ingredients relaxed my muscles. Oh yeah, and had to do an extra load of laundry because all my clothes smelled like eucalyptus. Nice in doses, but didnt want it permeated everywhere.

For this, I decided to drink 3 cans throughout the workday while monitoring my productivity. My days are usually filled mostly with meetings, with a few pockets here and there for answering emails, and food/bathroom breaks. I imagined that the CBD seltzer would have some type of effect since I was consuming it.

Ok, so I wasnt completely wrong. I didnt notice a boost in focus or productivity, but I DID notice that my appetite was gone. I didnt have breakfast or lunch. Stopped for a bag of popcorn and kept it moving for most of the day.

PRO: Appetite suppressant. Since I wasnt thinking about food, I didnt have to leave the office or heat anything up, I was able to get more done throughout the day.
CONS: It kinda had a bitter taste. Skipping meals wasnt the best idea because I ended up eating too much for dinner. I also didnt have the same amount of energy as I usually did at the end of the day.

##Trend testing: Juice Cleanse
##What It Is:
A no-solid food regimen (also known as juice fasting) that lasts anywhere from one to seven days, and offers a simplified way to drinks tons of fruits and veggies (aka lots of vitamins and minerals). Its claim: to give yourself a dietary "reset" and detoxify your bodyespecially after a period of overindulgence.

Thoughts going in: Im a big fan of food, I spend most weekends with the barbecue smoker and a brew. Which is a good segue to my... juice cleanse review! I went into this with an open mind and suspended belief in science.

Hans is doing a three-day juice cleanse. Thats right: no barbecue. No brews. Lets hear how he does.

Day 1.
The first juice, made from some essential grasses. (Wait: there are essential grasses?) It tastes like, well, what NYC would be if it could assume a food form. Thats not a negative, per se. Its just that the flavor of all-black clothing and working too many hours surprised me. All in all, not bad! (Editors note: Hans clearly commutes into our NYC office.)

Day 1, 20 minutes later.
There are 24 bottles of juices in my 'fridge, staring back at me. The reality of only eating that for three days flashed before my eyes. I immediately took my wife, Vanessa, up on her earlier offer that she do the juicing and report back.

Day 1, moments later.
I get the frying pan out, butter sizzling in prep for a ladle-full of chocolate chip pancake batter. All of a sudden I hear from the bedroom, well, I can already tell you this green juice tastes nothing like the butter cooking in our house right now. Guess shes not a fan either.

Day 2.
Im feeling very good about my decision to put everything on Vanessa. Shes a champ. But shes starting to look pale. I mention this to her. Without missing a beat she says, cold and lifeless. Thats what this juice is. Later, I mention we should do chicken wings this weekend. That evening Instagram shows me an ad for free wings for life with the caption: Dieting sucks. Eat ButcherBox instead.

In the end, I only tasted a few juices. But, if you listen to your body (or Vanessas) its pretty clear, after about 36 hours, this isnt natural. Its a short, extreme diet. And an expensive one at that. One important heads up: a three-day juice cleanse is HEAVY. Literally. You do not want to have to lug it far. I commuted to Jersey with it, and now Im hoping to find a barbecue cleanse to treat the back pain caused by transporting the juice cleanse. While Im unconvinced that theres any valid scientific reason to drink only juice for days, it did get me thinking more about what Im putting into my body and whether Im getting the variety I need. Which Im glad to get a reminder about.

PRO: Ribs in Jersey this weekend. 
CON: Because if theres nothing else to learn from all this: Food brings us together. Juice cleanses drive us apart.

Name: Kate, Senior Associate, Content & Community

##Trend testing: Infrared Sauna
##What It Is:
While a traditional sauna uses heat to warm the air, an infrared sauna uses different colors of light to create heat. Its claim: The infrared wavelength (read: no harmful tanning rays) penetrates deeply into your tissues directly, causing the body to sweat at a more comfortable ambient temperature and experience benefits like detoxification, weight loss, sore muscle relief, and better sleep.

"Infrared saunas  what are they and what the hell do they do? And am I going to get cancer? These are the questions I asked Google before I even stepped into HigherDose for a 30-minute session. I had just seen Bella Hadid post about it, so on my way, I practiced what I was going to say to her, just in case we ran into each other. According to their website, the session is able to 'detoxify you, boost your immune system, calm your nervous system, pain relief, collagen boosting, anti-aging, skin purification, cell health, and improved circulation.' Ok, fine, sign me up."

Higher Dose looks like a very bougie coffee shop, with plants and greenery, and a lot of cool-looking people working on important-looking things. You go downstairs to the spa area where they set you up inside your little personal sauna. Its small, but Im able to sit on the bench with my legs spread out in front of me. A technician explains that I get to control the music and the lights. Different lights for different benefits. Red is supposed to support circulatory and nervous functions, pink eliminates impurities in the bloodstream, blue relieves stress, and the list goes on. I switched between blue and yellow, which is supposed to help purify your skin and assist metabolism.

I stepped in and felt the heat immediately. It felt like any other sauna experience, except it wasnt aswet. Since the light heats your body, there is no steam. I liked this a lot since the steam tends to make me a little claustrophobic and uncomfortable.

The first 10 minutes were great. I listened to a podcast, and got lost in the story. Around 10 minutes in, I started to feel the sweat dripping from my entire body. I mean, in places Ive never sweat before. At the halfway point, I was definitely getting uncomfortable. I tried to breathe through it, but I was getting literally hot and bothered. With around seven minutes left, I got insatiably hungry. And then I got hangry. By the end of the experience, I was just plain irritable.

When the time finally went off, I was able to step outside of my personal spa and the fresh air felt amazing. I felt all of the anger and irritability melt away as I stepped out of the hot cube. I drank some water and dried myself off before putting my clothes back on. I actually felt really good. I left Higher Dose feeling relaxed and oddly calm, oh, and still hungry. After I had a meal at home, I was hit with a wave of exhaustion. Maybe it was the long work day, or the workout I had done before the infrared sauna (I read that it was supposed to amplify the benefits of a cardio workout) but I sat down on my couch, turned on SVU, and didnt move for 3 hours.

PRO: "I strongly preferred the infrared sauna experience to that of a traditional sauna. I felt detoxed and really at peace afterwards. I would definitely do it again."
CON: "The claim that the different LED lights did different things? Im not completely convinced there, but that also wasnt a major selling point for me. I'd give it a 6 out of 10. I deducted points for cost (it was $30 for half an hoursomething I can't afford to do often) and seven minutes of hangry rage."

Well, we came, we sawwe shirked on our responsibilities to fulfill a juice cleanse. All in all, pretty expected results when you round up your coworkers to test the waters on some trendy wellness fads. Have something you want us to test the waters for? DM us on Instagram @birchboxman and well see what else we can put to the test.

Crystals? CBD? Juice cleanses? We asked Birchbox staffers to give four of the latest wellness trends a go to find out what all the hype is about.

Perhaps you've heard a bit about wellness lately orif you're into the latest lingoself-care. Whatever you call it, the quest has gone mainstream and the methods have gotten much more varied. Some are simple and familiar: Eat right, exercise, sleep more, and repeat. Others are a bit more extremethings like crystal therapy, CBD, or swapping solid food for vegetable juice. That's the stuff that leaves us scratching our heads, so we dug deeper. We tasked four Birchbox staffers with taking a look at some of these out-there trends, and to provide insight on what worked, what didnt, and everything else in between.

Testing the Waters: We Gave 4 Weird Wellness Trends a SpinHere's What Happened

First and foremost, the razor you choose to use makes all the difference. Based on your underarm's location, one with a pivoting handle allows you to reach the area easier and adjust to all its curves (same with your legs when it comes to your knees!) as you glide the razor along your skin. Additionally, selecting a head with multiple blades for a superclose shave (no hair left behind) is the way to go, Dr. Shamban recommends.

Having a dull blade will require you to apply more pressure, which can lead to irritation. That's why it's important to switch out your blade frequently (rule of thumb is usually after three uses or so) and rinse under warm water after every pass so hair and debris don't get trapped in between the blades. Store your razor in a cool, dry place (read: not your shower) to prevent bacteria growth, which will help prolong the life of your razorhead.

Choosing when to shave is just as important as how you shave, says Dr. Shamban, reminding us that the same mindset applies to our legs and bikini lines too. Make sure to shave the night before an event to allow your skin to repair, recover, and heal any razor burn overnight, she says. If you run your razor under your arms right before you head to the beach, a workout, or a party, youre setting yourself up for chafing and burning, which only gets more painful and itchy when you add sweat to the mix. And when you do shave, make sure it's the last thing you do in the shower. This way, your skin will have absorbed as much hydration as possible, which helps prevent bumps and ingrown hairs.

Just like the skin on your face, your underarms benefit from exfoliation to break up bacteria, dirt, and sweat. Similarly, you can choose to do this with either a physical or chemical exfoliator (or both) to get the most effective shave. Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel - Body not only sloughs away dead skin cells but also banishes any deodorant residue and lingering B.O. This will help eliminate the bacteria that are contributing to any odor, says Dr. Shamban.

Because the skin under your arms is so sensitive, its important to use a moisturizing gel or cream when shaving versus a sudsy wash, which can dry out the area, leading to a more painful shave. Prep each pit with a creamy product like Whish Shave Cream to help your razor glide steadily without hitting any snags. The delightful scents (choose from pomegranate, lavender, or acai grapefruit) will upgrade your shower experience overall too.

While the hair on your legs tends to grow in one direction, the hair under your arms grows every which way. To avoid having to go over the same small area of sensitive skin several times with a sharp blade, raise your arm, pull the skin taut, and shave in every directionup, down, sideways, against and with the grainto get the smoothest finish.

After rinsing in the shower, gently pat (dont rub!) your pits with a towel. Slather on a dollop of (MALIN + GOETZ)'s ingrown hair cream, which not only prolongs the life of your silky underarms but also further exfoliates to prevent red bumps and irritation. Skin-softening ingredients like vitamins, chamomile, and allantoin hydrate the area too.

Once pits are completely dry, a swipe of Schmidt's Sensitive Skin Deodorant Stick will soothe and moisturize the skin further while neutralizing odor and wetness with its 100% natural formula. Also, never underestimate the comfort of loose (read: nonchafing) cotton clothing, which will prevent any redness or irritation.

Revel in smooth, bump-free underarms with these tips and tricks from dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban.

Don't let their small surface area fool you: When it comes to shaving your armpits, they present their own special challenges. For starters, there's the delicate skin, their hollow shape, and the awkward way you need to contort your body to reach them. Plus, factor in how quickly the hair magically seems to grow back, and it almost makes you want to wear sleeves even in the dog days of summer or totally forgo shaving completely (which, by the way, is totally fine too!). But if you're looking for the smoothest, silkiest underarms that last as long as possible, look to these tips from dermatologist [Dr. Ava Shamban](https://avamd.com/) and shave off some time (pun intended) with a monthly Birchbox [subscription](https://birch.ly/2L3lCKX). 

The Right Way to Shave Your Armpits, According to a Dermatologist

If you've heard coconut oil hailed as the ultimate beauty elixir, we're telling you to go ahead and believe the hype. Coconut oil not only hydrates and makes everything smell heavenly, it's also packed with anti-aging and antibacterial properties, making it an all-around winner that cleanses and brightens skin, and softens and nourishes everything from heat-damaged hair to dry cuticles. Here are five of our favorite ways to use coconut oil in our daily routines:

1. As an eye makeup remover. 

2. As a hydrating hair oil. 

3. As a head-to-toe moisturizer, from cuticle treatment to shave cream. 

4. As an anti-aging eye cream. 

5. As a moisturizing lip balm.

Learn how to use coconut oil in your beauty, hair, and skincare routine. 

A new month means new beauty products! In this video, our product-savvy cofounder and CEO Katia shares a few of her favorites that have recently arrived in our Shop to close out 2015. Watch now to hear more about December's newest additions, including a tinted mascara primer, a fan-favorite scent, and a cool K-beauty gel liner. (Need more gifting inspiration? Check out Rachel's Holiday Gift Haul video.)

Benefit They're Real! Tinted Primer

Oribe Cote D'azur Hair Body Oil   

R+Co BADLANDS Dry Shampoo Paste  

Club Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Liner  

Kopari Coconut Sheer Oil

Want to see what else is new? Head over to the new products category in the Birchbox Shop to see even more.

Our cofounder and CEO Katia shares some of her favorite new beauty products in the Birchbox Shop this December. 

It can be hard to maneuver a larger sponge in small spaces like the inner corners of your eyes or along your bottom lash linee. Instead of risking a flub, use a beautyblender micro mini, a teeny-tiny (not to mention extremely adorable) version of the original pink beautyblender that allows you to be more targeted with your application. Use the green sponges to spot correct with concealer and zero in on dark circles, or to dab touches of highlighter near your tear ducts as a finishing touch on a smoky eye.

Instead of blowing through multiple blotting papers when you start to get shiny, gently dab your face with the new, super thin Blotterazzi pads. These reusable sponges, which look like a flattened out version of the original beautyblender, quickly soak up oil without smudging, rubbing, or dragging your makeup. Use the wider end on larger areas like your forehead, and dab with the pointed end to reach trickier areas like the corners of your nose.

With a little Dermablend and a beautyblender original, you can cover up even the most intricate ink for a job interview or photo op. Start with a primer to cancel out the green undertones of the dark pigment, then use a slightly damp beautyblender to gradually build layers of tattoo concealer on top. The sponge will help blend the edges of the thick concealer into the rest of your skin so your cover-up goes unnoticed. Seal everything with a powder, and repeat the process if needed.

Applying tinted body lotion with your hands can leave your palms stainednot to mention anything you touch in the aftermath. Skip an emergency appointment with a Tide To Go pen by dispensing your tinted body cover-up or self-tanner directly onto a damp bodyblender. The tool is designed to give you a streak-free finish on your legs, arms, and dcolletage without ruining your manicure in the process, and since the sponge itself is black, it wont get stained in the process.

Get to know all the members of the beautyblender family and how they can help you troubleshoot from head to toe.  

We know it well: that bright pink, egg-shaped sponge that comes to the rescue when we need to blend harsh contour lines, apply a flawless wash of foundation, or quickly erase an eyeliner flub. But the abilities of the beloved [beautyblender](/magazine/article/how-to-use-a-beautyblender-like-a-pro-makeup-artist) go beyond smoothing makeup on your face: Theres a whole family of blenders made from the same soft, foamy material designed to blur, cover-up, and correct from head to toe. 

How to Use a beautyblender from Head to Toe

Apologies in advance to all the germophobes out there, but showering every single day isnt for everyone. Blame it on a busy schedule or an effort to conserve water, but unless youre running a 5K seven days a week, sometimes its OK to skip the scrub downand many experts agree. Just like shampooing daily can dry out your hair, scrubbing with soap and hot water every day strips your skin of its natural oils, leaving it weak, itchy, and dry. But the alternative doesnt have to mean feeling sweaty and smelly all day. Here are a handful of refreshing products that can serve as a stand-in for your showerhead on the days youre running late or just want to skip the rinse.


Instead of attempting an awkward sponge bath in your yoga studios bathroom, use some lightly scented face wipes, like Yes Tos Coconut Cleansing Wipes, to swab down your bodys odor zones: under your armpits, along your bra line, and between your thighs. If youre feeling extra sweaty, cleanse your underarm area with Whish Deodorant Swipes with Hair Inhibitor to cut through funk and prevent future B.O.


If youve ever struggled to get campfire or BBQ smoke smell out of your hair days after the party, you know firsthand that hair can harbor odors, too. If youre dealing with greasy, sweaty strands thanks to a workout or a particularly humid commute, blast your roots with an ultrafine powder dry shampoo like Kloranes that will absorb grime while leaving a clean scent (theres even a tinted version for brunettes!). Let it sit for a few minutes before brushing through.


To smooth and add shine rather than sop up sweat, try a perfume specifically formulated for hair. CLEANs Original Fragranced Hair Shine Mist, which smells like crisp, fresh laundry and also protects hair from UVdamage, is a good pick for when youre out in the sun. Krastases Chronologiste Parfum, a musky fragrance oil, is perfect for date night. And static-fighting Oribe Cote dAzur Hair Refresher is a sure bet if youre a fan of the brands addictive scent.


Give your deodorant some extra backup with a few strategic spritzes of a  perfume that will keep you feeling (and smelling) fresh. Harvey Prince Eau So Divine, has notes of Italian lemon and pink grapefruit that smell crisp, not musky. Spray on your pulse points and on less-expected areas like behind your knees and inside the crook of your elbow to make your fragrance last longer.


If its the refreshing quality of a shower you crave, face mists can serve as a stand-in. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer smells like fresh cut roses and comes in a big enough bottle for spraying all over your body, while jasmine- and tangerine-infused Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence will give your face that just out of the shower glow. Stash them in your purse and treat yourself to a cooling spritz when you need a pick me up.

The spritzes, sprays, and swipes that will keep you smelling (and feeling) so fresh and so clean. 

How to Skip a Shower and Still Smell Great

Suds up with these cleansers specifically formulated for dry, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types.

Aside from the few moments we spend sudsing up our loofahs, most of us dont give our body wash a second thought. Not only does a luxuriously scented lather start your day on an indulgent note, the right formula can help your skin look and feel its silkiestwhich is why its worth shopping around for the cleanser that suits your bod best. These picks for different skin types will give you something to sing about in the shower (just in case that Rihanna song stuck in your head isnt enough). 

Upgrade Your Shower with the Best Body Wash for Your Skin

Just like your cover-ups, your summer moisturizer should be light and airy. Instead of hydrating with heavy humectants or concentrated oils, body serums moisturize without suffocating the skin. Plus, they absorb quickly, so you can spend less time rubbing in product, and more time sipping on a fruity cocktail. Layer them under your regular SPF to keep your skin extra protected throughout the sunny season.

Just a few pumps of an oil-infused serum like this one from Sunday Riley will give your body that dewy finish you usually covet on your cheeks. After hopping out of the shower, smooth onto damp skin to get a subtle sheentoning ingredients like blackberry and watermelon seed oil will make your whole body instantly look brighter. Plus breathable oils absorb quickly and wont rub off on your favorite sundress.

Theyll Make You Look Even Better in a Bikini

No, were not talking flat abs or firm thighs. Body serums are packed with a blend of healing antioxidants that can help even out skin tone, firm sagginess, and prevent other annoying skin issues like discoloration that can cramp your two (and one) piece style. One Love Organics Body Serum contains pumpkin seed oil, a natural source of exfoliating salicylic acid to refine skin texture and omega 7s to increase elasticity.

On summer days when youre feeling your most low maintenance, you can use your body serum from head to toe. Spritz One Loves formula into your hair to refresh beachy waves, or on your pulse points to replace your go-to fragrance: The Neroli scent will give you a boost of energy when the heats making you feel particularly lethargic, and Chamomile will help you (and your skin) chill out.

Meet the lightweight, multitasking moisturizers that will smooth, tone, and polish your skin from the neck down. 

Our skin doesnt stop at our necks, but our skincare routines frequently do. While we meticulously layer toners, serums, and creams on our face, our arms and legs are lucky if they get slapped with some lotion every other day. Body serums give your limbs the same antiaging, skin-perfecting treatment your face receives on a regular basis, with all the hydrating power of an everyday lotion. Heres why youll love these lightweight, summer-friendly formulas:

4 Reasons to Swap Your Lotion for a Body Serum This Summer

No one is immune to insecuritynot even pro fitness instructor and creator of the YouTube workout channel Blogilates, Cassey Ho. She learned to grow a thicker skin in the face of cyberbullying as her popularity grew, but lately, the comments have been so negative that she reached a breaking pointas did her self-esteem. In response, she posted a video entitled The "Perfect" Bodyinstead of demonstrating a total body circuit workout or a sequence of squats, she digitally alters her shape to make it fit the so-called ideal, asking, "So what if I changed? What if I had a slimmer waist and a bigger butt? ... What if I lived in a world where I could photoshop my body in real life? Would I be happy then?" As her video shows, the answer may not be what you think:

Find out what happens when a YouTube fitness star responds to body-shaming comments by digitally Photoshopping herself. 

The One Body Positive Video Everyone Needs to Watch

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