Whether you're a regular bath aficionado, or you haven't taken a bath in a while, taking a relaxing soak in the tub sounds particularly good after a long, stressful day. And isn't it a treat when you find out that something indulgent and enjoyable is actually good for you! Below we outline the ways bubble baths can be greatly beneficial to your health.
Here are 8 reasons you should draw a bath tonight, joining the age of bathfluence...
Baths are a wonderful way to relax, let go of everyday stressors, and let ourselves feel pampered. Not only does it just feel good to have some time to ourselves, but submergence in water helps to calm the nervous system, reduce levels of stress and anxiety in the body, and improve our mood. Warm baths can stimulate the production of serotonin, the chemical in the brain associated with happiness. Also it's been shown that our bodies associate being horizontal with relaxation and vulnerability, particularly in the bath, which can mimic the warm, liquid conditions of the womb - which instinctively provides a feeling of security. Bathing gives us feelings of comfort, which allows our minds and bodies to relax.
Cleansing in a warm bath with bubble bath helps to remove dead skin and impurities. Heat also opens your pores and allows for more effective cleansing. However, it's important when choosing a bubble bath that it doesn't contain any toxic or harsh chemicals, which can nullify the detoxification effect. Synthetic fragrance in particular can be one of the worst offenders. Our Fine Cleansing Wash is free of synthetic fragrance, sulfates, and parabens, and makes a most luxurious and detoxifying bubble bath that won't strip your skin. Another detoxifying effect of bathing, is that the heat can cause you to sweat, which allows toxins to leave the body, and boosts your lymphatic system.
Our bodies are made of mostly water, which is why it's so important to keep ourselves hydrated. In addition to drinking the recommended 8 cups of water daily, bathing in warm water helps to hydrate the body and our skin. Taking warm baths (without harsh soaps or chemicals) has also been shown to improve a number of skin conditions. We frequently hear from customers that using our products helps with a variety of skin ailments including eczema, keratosis pilaris, dry & rough skin patches, skin allergies & irritations, and more. If you suffer from eczema, the National Eczema Association recommends the “Soak and Seal” method, which includes taking a bath in lukewarm water using a gentle cleanser, followed by liberally applying moisturizer all over slightly damp skin.
Submergence in water helps to reduce pain and inflammation in the muscles and body, making bubble baths a great way to help our bodies heal. Whether we're tense from a long day behind a desk or an active workout, relaxing in a sumptuous bubble bath helps us to wind down. Allowing our muscles to relax stimulates blood flow and lowers tensions. And taking a hot bath, similar to using a heating pad, increases the temperature of aching muscles which provides pain relief. Heat gets your blood moving, which is not only great for circulation, but can also help sore or tight muscles to relax. Sometimes we like to add epsom salts to our bubble baths, which can further soothe sore muscles.
When you envelop yourself in warm water the heat increases your blood circulation, making the blood flow easier. By using heat to induce better blood flow, taking a warm bath makes your heart beat faster and can give it a healthy work out. Bathing also helps to oxygenate the blood by allowing you to relax and breathe more slowly and deeply. And according to some research, taking regular warm baths can help reduce blood pressure, which is important for overall health.
According to a study covered by Business Insider, a good sweat induced by a hot bath can burn as many calories as taking walk. Bathing has also been shown to have a similar anti-inflammatory response on the body to exercise. While we don't recommend bubble baths in lieu of regular exercise, this bit of information is a nice bonus.
Soaking in a warm bath has been shown to stimulate your immune system, decreasing your chances of contracting a cold, and helping you to fight infection if you have one. It is recommended that you keep yourself warm when suffering from a virus, which helps certain elements of your immune system to function more efficiently. A nice warm bath is an enjoyable way to keep warm. The inhalation of steam is also an excellent remedy for cold symptoms, clearing out the nasal passages while reducing inflammation - a steamy bath is great for this.
The benefits of getting enough quality sleep for overall health and well-being are now well-known, but many still struggle to fall asleep at night. One of the signals to the body that it's time for sleep is a drop in our internal body temperature, which then signals the body to start producing melatonin, a hormone that prepares us for sleep. Having a soothing warm bath before bed can induce a better night's sleep by kick-starting the body to start a downshift in temperature by first heating it up. Our bodies get colder at night naturally, but giving the cool-down process a nudge by heating yourself up artificially first is a proven trick to wind down and start feeling tired. Once out of a bath, cool down naturally and slip into bed for some quality beauty sleep.
Recently referenced by goop, emerging research is beginning to uncover even more benefits of hot baths.
Use our clean luxury Fine Cleansing Wash to recharge, restore, and luxuriate in a warm bubble bath this weekend, or any night of the week. Nourish and detoxify your skin and your mind with rich, long-lasting bubbles that are always free of toxins, sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrance - and full of hydrating nutrients.
Minimalism is a hot word right now. So hot that some roll their eyes when they hear it or feel a cold sweat because the thought of organizing and getting rid of things feels overwhelming. Minimalism doesn’t have to be a temporary fad that's particularly on trend at the moment, nor does it have to feel like an impossible feat. If we boil minimalism down to what it’s really about, it’s about living simpler, and getting rid of the excess. Our possessions hold a lot of memories so no wonder it can be hard to let go. But we all know that not everything in our homes is meant to stay forever. There are shirts in closets, mugs in cupboards, lotions half-used under sinks that are just not serving us anymore. Read below for four wonderful ways to start decluttering your space – whether that be your entire home, your office, or just one room in the house. And don’t worry, it doesn’t require you selling all your possessions, quitting your day job, and buying a van – unless that’s your speed.
In the book The Slight Edge written by Jeff Olson, the author makes the case that the happiest and most productive people are those that grow 1% every day. 1% sounds so small, so insignificant, but over time, it really amounts to an incredible difference. The same concept can be applied to decluttering 1% every day. This 1% can look different for every person so don’t pressure yourself to know exactly where to start. Just begin. Maybe it’s one drawer, one side of your closet, or one stack of papers that needs attention. The only real enemy of progress is never beginning. If you begin somewhere, anywhere, you’re already winning. Decide what your 1% will be, do it, and then be proud of the progress you’ve made.
Sorting, decluttering, organizing, down-sizing, minimizing, spring cleaning, or whatever name you want to call it, can often be the last thing we want to do after a long day. It can also feel emotionally taxing because our possessions hold a lot of memories. However, it doesn’t mean we can’t also make it fun! Invite a friend or two over to help you declutter. You may even start a trend, where your friends will begin inviting you over for decluttering aka Marie Kondo parties. Or plan some time when your spouse, kids, and/or other family/household members can join in. Make yourselves some watermelon margaritas, the perfect *healthier* cocktail drink for summer, (or watermelon juice for a non-alcoholic option), and maybe even some chips and watermelon salsa for a snack break when you start to get hungry (can you tell we're partial to our favorite fruit?) But let's not get carried away...just make it easier and fun with a family member or friend(s), and the most dreaded of tasks can become something you look forward to when done with good company.
Some of the most stylish among us swear by investing in quality, classic pieces they look chic in many times over, rather than succumbing to fast fashion and buying a bunch of trendy items that are only worn once or twice, and it's a solid bet that most people prefer quality to quantity. However, we too often settle for the latter if it's slightly more accessible or less expensive. It can be cheaper or more convenient to buy most everything on Amazon, or grab all our essential items off the shelf while we’re already at the grocery store, but this can sometimes come at a cost to our planet, our counter space, and even our health when it comes to buying convenience items that are made with questionable ingredients.
At Fork & Melon, we pride ourselves on using healthy ingredients in all of our formulas, and it’s no secret that we value sustainability by providing product packaging that is minimal, refillable, fully recyclable, and non-BPA. This helps to cut back on clutter in our homes as well as the amount of waste produced. Our products are also multi-purpose, so you don’t need to buy so many different things. Our top two multi-use products are our Fine Cleansing Wash and Rich Hydrating Cream. Check out this post for all the different ways they can be used. Buying multi-use products means cutting down on extra clutter...less is more!
Becoming a more conscious consumer, by choosing higher quality items less frequently and/or in lower amounts over time, benefits our immediate space, as well as the environment at large.
Ask yourself, “when is the last time I actually used this or thought about this?” Then, give yourself a time frame to filter that question through. For some, three months is too long, but for others, it may be six months to a year. There’s no wrong answer. Just decide for yourself what’s a reasonable amount of time to let something go if you haven’t thought about it or used it. There will always be those special exceptions when we find an item that sparks joy because of the very fact that we did forget it was there! That’s a beautiful moment. Treasure it. For all the rest, use a time frame alongside the question and stick to it. And when it comes to food items in your pantry, beauty products in your bathroom, or medicines in your cabinet, check the expiration dates: anything past it's prime is an easy toss.
There's beauty to be found in the process of decluttering, as you start to appreciate how less really is more. At times, paring down may seem like the last thing you want to do, but the immediate and long-term benefits pay off as you start to feel the lightness and delight a more minimalistic space can bring. Don’t set out with unreachable expectations. Take it one day, one hour, one 15-minute increment, one item, at a time. Our spaces hold stories, so let’s make the most of the story our space is telling.
There's nothing like getting a good night’s sleep. It lets our bodies recover and restore, we feel well-rested, and we're prepared to take on the new day ahead. Study after study affirms sleep is essential for optimal physical and mental health.
As we get older, and society continually becomes more fast-paced, in many circles it's become almost a badge of honor to be tired, so everyone around us knows that we accomplished enough during the day. If we’re feeling great, refreshed, full of vitality, and bright-eyed, there's even a sense of guilt sometimes that we're not achieving enough. But the tide on this cultural phenomenon of "perpetual busyness" seems to be turning, as we learn how critical regular, restful sleep is to our health. No doubt part of the shift towards slowing down has been fueled by the pandemic, causing many to rethink what they want to prioritize.
Getting a good night’s sleep can be much easier said than done. Whether it’s demand from work, family & kids, pets, daily stressors, sleep disorders, issues out in the world, or some combination of these, restful sleep can often ellude us despite our need for it. However, establishing a solid nightly routine can be incredibly helpful in preparing our bodies for better sleep. Below are a few easy ways to begin the journey of better sleep, by incorporating simple nightly rituals into your regular routine.
We've all experienced this: we’re trying to sleep, but our minds won't stop going over the day’s to-do list. Just as we're trying to relax and drift into dreamland, our brain starts running through all the items on our list; the ones that got checked off, and especially the items that didn’t. Instead of getting stuck trying to build a new list in our heads (that might be forgotten by morning anyway), try taking a few quick minutes to jot your thoughts down before bed. If you already have a running to-do list on your phone or other electronic device, check off what’s been done, and write down what still needs to be done before you’re in bed. Aim for eliminating screen time at least 30 minutes before you’re ready to sleep. And just in case you forget something, keep a notepad close to your bed (make it chic with a mini Smysthon notebook). The important thing is that you get the list out of your head, and onto paper or recorded elsewhere. The amount of commitments we have won’t magically disappear, but we can get better at managing how much they interfere with our sleep.
We all carry tension in our bodies that inhibits restful sleep. Even if we rest the mind, our bodies are still left with the aftermath of the day’s stresses. One of the best ways to mimic the nighttime temperature drop our bodies already experience before sleep is to take a warm bath and let our body temperature cool down as the water temperature drops. Taking a bath before bed each night is a wonderful nightly ritual to prepare your body for a good night's sleep. Fill your tub with warm water and a few pumps of hydrating, non-toxic bubble bath, and soak your skin and sore muscles while easing your mind. For even more relaxation, light some candles and get lost in a good book while in the tub. To learn more about all of the healing powers of a bubble bath, click here.
If taking a bath isn’t your thing, try some simple breathing exercises before bed, do some basic stretches for 10 minutes, and/or ask your partner to give you a quick massage. Another beneficial habit to adopt as a nightly ritual is to apply some essential oils or naturally scented moisturizing cream to your hands before bedtime each night. Keep some of our Rich Hydrating Cream on your nightstand and rub into hands and elbows before your head hits the pillow. The natural citrus scent is soothing before bedtime, and our signature ingredient, watermelon seed oil, is hydrating, detoxifying, and absorbs quickly so you're left with smooth, youthful skin.
Choose nightly rituals that you’ll look forward to at the end of the day, and that over time will cue your body that it's time for sleeping. When you start to show your body appreciation for all the hard work it has put in, your body will begin to return the favor.
Our bodies love routine and predictability, especially when it comes to sleep. If we go to bed and wake up at relatively the same time every day, our bodies learn this rhythm and respond appropriately. We’ll be tired when we need to be, and ready to wake up in the morning on a regular schedule. However, this doesn’t happen overnight (no pun intended), so keep at it even when progress is slow. If you’re typically a late night person, going to bed at 9pm may seem near impossible - but if you want to train yourself to go to bed and wake up earlier, start to adjust your internal clock gradually. Try going to bed at 11pm instead of 12am the first night, and then slowly push the time back to whatever your new bedtime goal is. Of course sometimes life gets in the way, and some days going to bed at the designated bedtime just won't happen. That’s okay! Try to get up at relatively the same time anyway, grab a 15-minute power nap in the afternoon, and then get back on track that night. It’s not about perfection – the goal is to instill healthy practices as part of our regular routine, in order to be as vibrant, healthy, and present as possible.
Showing gratitude is one of the most underrated yet powerful practices we can do every day. Though it's rewarding to practice throughout the day, bedtime is also the perfect time to recount what we’re thankful for, reflect on the day, and end in a spirit of thankfulness. Whether it’s saying 3 things we’re thankful for to our partner or writing our thoughts down in the quiet of our own journal, being mindful about what we're thankful for is a wonderful nightly ritual to make a habit of.
No matter the heavy news of the day, or what we're personally dealing with, taking a few moments at the end of each day to be truly grateful for the good things helps to broaden our perspective, ease our mind, and boost our mood. Nothing is ever too small or insignificant to be grateful for!
Try incorporating the nightly rituals that work best for you: cleansing your mind by writing out your to-do list, taking a warm bubble bath, rubbing Rich Hydrating Cream into your hands and taking in the relaxing scent, sticking to the same bedtime every night, practicing gratitude, and/or some combination of these or all of the above. Our needs change depending on the season of life we’re in. Listen to your body and take care of yourself, and your body will reward you.
Do you have another nightly ritual that helps you sleep? We'd love to hear in the comments below what you’ve found that works too.
I recently participated in an interview series on "Conscious Beauty" and what this emerging term means, as the concept continues to grow. The interview series features several industry leaders, including the lovely Tammy Fender (a goop staple) whom I admire. Read my interview below, or click here to read original article with the option to read additional interviews in the series as well.
xoxo,
Cher
Cheryl Fork is the founder of FORK & MELON, an elevated, non-toxic line of hand & body care made with watermelon seed oil. Leading up to the brand’s inception, challenges with fertility and pregnancy loss led her to start cleaning up the products she was using on herself and in her home. She had been a beauty/skincare enthusiast since as long as she could remember, and though there were many wonderful non-toxic beauty brands available, she wasn’t able to find some of the everyday products that were 1) made with clean ingredients 2) effective and enjoyable to use 3) looked beautiful in her home and 4) weren’t so expensive that they were only relegated to the guest bathroom. And as these were reoccurring purchases, she also wanted to support a company that was trying to do some good. When she couldn’t find what she was looking for, she went on an extensive research journey and learned about the wide-ranging benefits of watermelon seed oil for all skin types along the way. Eventually FORK & MELON was born. Cheryl’s mission with the brand is to bring clean luxury to your daily routine without making it complicated.
What was the first beauty routine you adopted as a child or teenager? Which emotions do you connect with this memory?
I started experimenting with beauty at a young age — I always loved trying different outfits & accessories, playing with makeup, applying leave-in conditioning hair treatments and pretending I was at the spa. These memories evoke a sense of innocent joy and glamour when I think back on them. I started a daily skincare routine as a teen, when I first started to experience skin breakouts, which consisted of face wash, salicylic acid toner or “astringent”, and face cream, which back then included an acne-fighting ingredient like benzoyl peroxide. Though the actual products and ingredients in my routine have switched entirely, my basic nightly skincare routine is similar: facewash, toner, and then a lovely moisturizer and/or face oil made with clean ingredients.
CONSCIOUS BEAUTY — What meaning do you give this term?
Though the term “Conscious Beauty” isn’t well-defined, I see it as a very positive trend in the industry when it’s coming from an authentic place. At FORK & MELON our aim is to bring clean luxury to your daily routine without making it complicated, which means bringing a bit more beauty, health, & joy to the everyday, without adding additional products, things to your to-do list, or wastefulness in general. Making a conscious choice to do better, in your personal choices and your choices for the world around you.
Which aspects of sustainability in beauty are especially important to you?
Creating a product line with sustainability as a key focus was/is very important to me, and it’s part of how the brand aspires to “conscious beauty”. We manufacture our products locally in Southern California in a certified organic facility that uses 100% wind-powered energy. We keep the product line minimal, with products that have multiple uses, and our packaging is minimal, refillable, fully recyclable, and non-BPA. We’re also cruelty-free (no animal testing), and all of our formulas are vegan.
When do you consciously feel beautiful?
Sometimes when I first get out of the shower and I’m clean and natural — I love being clean. Or sometimes when I get dressed up, wear makeup, and put together a “look” for an event. Having a good hair day makes such a difference too.
Did your approach to beauty change within the last 1–2 years?
I’ve been into skincare from a young age, and I have always had a daily beauty routine that I would follow every morning and evening. But since the pandemic, I will usually shower after a quick workout in the morning and then not put anything at all on my face the whole day unless I’m going somewhere (and I often don’t put anything on when I am going somewhere). My nighttime routine has become simpler as well. However, it is fun to start playing with makeup again for more social events now though.
What or who inspires your beauty routine?
I’ve always been inspired by more natural-looking beauty and have leaned into that even more as I’ve gotten older.
What is your best beauty advice to others?
Always wash your face before bed each night. Take care of your skin and be gentle with yourself.
Is there anything you would like to share that we have not asked you here?
I started my company when I was looking for healthier products to use in my beauty routine and in my home, as my husband and I were struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss. I’m so happy to announce that after 5 years of trying, we are expecting our first child this November!!!
THANK YOU!
I have some news that I've been waiting to share...
Baby girl Fork is due 11/11/21!!! ✨🤍🙏
If you've been following me for a while, you know it has been a long journey getting here. I started this business when I was looking to switch to clean ingredients with all of the products I was using, as my husband and I were struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss. There are many great clean makeup & skincare products out there, but I was also looking for some of the more everyday products (specifically a hand soap) that I could be confident were made with clean, healthy ingredients good for beautiful skin, that would look pretty in my home, and that weren't so pricey they would only be relegated to the guest bathroom. I also wanted to support a company that was trying to do some good. When I couldn't find what I was looking for, I decided to create the products myself.
It has been approximately 5 years since my husband and I first starting trying to conceive, and we've gone through so much to get to this point. My heart goes out to anyone who is going through the hellish experience that is infertility and/or miscarriages, and I will always share a special bond with those who have gone through it. My DMs are always open - please message me on social (Instagram/Facebook/Twitter), send us an email, or comment below, and I will always respond if you have any questions about my experience or if you want or need any support.
My husband and I would so appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers as we enter the third trimester!! ❤️🙏 #luckypregnancynumber7✨🌈
Xoxo,
Cher
p.s. pictures of me were just taken this week at a beautiful luncheon event for new moms & moms-to-be, hosted by mysha.
Excited to share this feature of me and F&M on Entreprenista! Entreprenista's mission is to celebrate stories of women business leaders, and help others learn from women who are paving the way forward. Honored to have contributed my story building Fork & Melon. Read below or click here to read original article with more photography.
xoxo,
Cher
Describe your business in a few words?
FORK & MELON is an elevated line of non-toxic hand & body care, created to bring clean luxury to your daily routine without making it complicated.
What made you take the leap to start your own business?
I had started cleaning up my own beauty routine and the products I was using in my home, as my husband and I were trying to start a family. I was looking for some of the more everyday products (i.e. hand soap, body wash, etc.) that were safe & effective, luxurious to use and look at, and that weren’t priced so high I wouldn’t want to keep reordering them. I also preferred to support a company that was trying to do some good. At the same time, I unexpectedly lost my job when I was 6 weeks pregnant, which was followed by miscarriage a few weeks later – an extremely low point in my life. After grieving the loss, I did some soul searching and realized I wanted to try to create the products I had been looking for myself, and eventually FORK & MELON was born.
What was your background prior to starting your own business?
15+ years in Marketing/Brand/Business Management for global brands. I began my career in the NYC fashion industry before relocating to Southern California several years ago.
Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
No – my entry into entrepreneurship was the result of a number of life factors coming together all at once, so much so that it felt like I had to do it!
Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?
Initial launch was with friends & family with no paid marketing spend. From there my primary focus was establishing our digital presence: building up our social media accounts, securing PR, optimizing the website for SEO, etc. It was definitely more challenging to break through than I had initially anticipated, especially as I was used to working with large budgets & resources in my time at other companies. But building our digital footprint has helped more business opportunities come our way organically, as people find our website via online search or see us on Instagram. I’ve since branched out in many different marketing directions to test and see what works.
We always learn the most from our mistakes, share a time with us that you made a mistake or had a challenging time in business and what you learned from it?
2020 was planned to be the year Fork & Melon started breaking into Retail. Our first major retail partnership was with a high-end gourmet grocery chain in our area, that was secured right before the pandemic hit. The buyer and I had planned to walk the retail floor together to collaborate on a merchandising plan prior to shipment, and we were planning launch activities that included featuring me and the brand as part of a larger female-founder marketing campaign. However, when Covid hit shortly before we were supposed to launch, everything shifted. Their stores were running low on hand soap, so they asked me to ship product to all of their locations right away, rather than the prior plan to test it in a few stores with thoughtful merchandising. It resulted in a larger order up front, but because we weren’t able to properly merchandise or train the sales staff (due to covid restrictions), our products were poorly displayed in hard-to-find locations, and they didn’t generate the sell-through needed for reordering.
I learned so much through the process. Much of it I couldn’t control, but it reinforced how important things like proper display, placement on the shelf, and staff training are to set your products up for success at retail. Now that more retailers are beginning to re-open at higher capacity and we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with the pandemic, we’re in a better position to begin a stronger retail push.
What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?
I’m proud that I’ve made it this far and have stuck with it despite the many challenges. There have been notable achievements like seeing my product on Good Morning America and taking my mom to shop my products at a major retailer. Soon I will see our products in the hotel rooms of a gorgeous luxury hotel that’s opening next month. Those are all really exciting! But one of the things I’m most proud of is when I get emails or other feedback from customers saying they are in love with the products and that using Fork & Melon has improved their life in some way. It’s so fulfilling and really helps keep me going on days when it seems like everything is going wrong.
When hiring for your team, what is your go-to interview question? Please share any hiring tips you can share from your experience?
Whether I’m hiring someone for a short-term project, hiring an agency, or looking to hire someone full-time, one of the first things I look for is a referral from someone I trust. If I can’t get a recommendation from someone else, then I like to see examples of work the person or agency has done for others. I’m not sure I have a go-to interview question that I ask of everyone – I like to have a conversation (or more than 1), and usually start the hiring relationship on a trial basis and go from there if it seems to be working out.
How has your business or industry been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?
The pandemic hindered our efforts to branch into more retailers like we had planned for last year, as many retailers were struggling with closures and/or limited capacity. We also saw some upside, as our web sales grew a lot early on when Covid hit, as people searched online for hand soaps & creams that didn’t dry out their hands with all of the frequent hand washing.
What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?
One of my big priorities now is getting into more hotel properties and businesses that will offer our products to their customers on a recurring basis. Another big focus is continuing to grow our Subscribe & Save program, and gain more of these customers while maintaining a close relationship with them and offering additional perks. Our product line is purposefully streamlined and simple, but I do plan to launch additional products in the coming months. My vision of Fork & Melon is to bring clean luxury to your daily routine without making it complicated – there is much more to come in furthering this mission, to bring a little more ease and joy into our customers’ every day routine.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned in 2020?
When you have your own business you constantly have to shift priorities and react to new circumstances, and 2020 pushed that to the extreme. In addition to some of the other challenges we faced last year, another aspect that was difficult in 2020 was navigating how our small brand should respond to the many social and political issues that were brought to the forefront, if at all. Authenticity has always been a primary value for me, so I found that as an independent, founder-led brand it felt best when I responded in a way that is authentic to me, rather than to try to craft a PR-perfect message that may not be as personal. It may take longer to build trust, but if you’re consistent over time, people will stay with you.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?
I have picked up so many tips and tricks along my entrepreneurship journey that I wish I would have known when I first started! They always say you don’t know what you don’t know and that is so true.
How have you managed to stay grounded this year?
I’m usually a pretty grounded person by nature, and being a small brand with limited resources is humbling. In the face of all of the grief and hardship of the past year, I’m especially grateful for my health, loved ones, and the opportunity to keep pushing my business forward.
Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?
I think the key to work/life balance is flexibility. Sometimes you need to prioritize your personal life, and sometimes work needs to take precedence. I hope that post-Covid we will continue to see companies offering more flexibility to employees.
What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?
Not sure what would be surprising? I am pretty much an open book when you get to know me, but I’m definitely more of an introvert and prefer building great relationships over time rather than sparkling first impressions.
What are your top 3 tips to stay productive each day?
1) I have a regular morning routine where I set myself up for a productive day. For me that includes a bit of exercise, a healthy breakfast, and a nice shower.
2) I keep a running task list of things I need to accomplish, broken into either short-term or longer-term items.
3) At times when I’m feeling unmotivated or uninspired, I let myself take a break and regroup. Sometimes that means getting some fresh air, making a call, or looking for inspiration from new sources.
What does being an Entreprenista mean to you?
Being an Entreprenista means being part of a wonderful community of inspiring entrepreneurial women! I love lifting others up and want to continue giving back.
You know we have a thing for watermelons around here. Delicious, hydrating, and packed with good-for-you vitamins and antioxidants, watermelons are one of the perfect superfoods. We use watermelon seed oil as a signature ingredient in our hand and body care formulas because of all of its amazing properties for beauty and health. And part of our brand name comes from the watermelon :)
In addition to all things watermelon, I love coming across easy-to-make, healthy, delicious recipes that don't require many ingredients.
Now that the weather is starting to warm up in many places across the country, juicy watermelon sounds particularly mouth-watering. And this colorful watermelon salsa dish is a pretty and colorful addition to any table.
The ingredient list to make it is very simple: watermelon, cilantro, mint, jalepeno, and juice & zest from a fresh lime. I have always had an aversion to onions, so I left them optional, but feel free to add red onions if you prefer.
This Cinco de Mayo, why not try this simple recipe for watermelon salsa? Add it to tacos, or serve as is with yummy tortilla chips. And if you really want to get festive, start the celebrations off with our recipe for watermelon margaritas...
WATERMELON SALSA
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INGREDIENTS:
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-4 cups diced seedless watermelon
-2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
-1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
-1 or 2 jalapeno(s), seeded and finely diced, add more/less to taste
-1 cup diced red onion, about half a medium red onion (optional)
-1 lime, zest and juice
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Chop and dice all ingredients to desired size.
2. Zest the skin of a fresh lime, cut in half, and juice both sides.
3. Toss all ingredients together until combined.
4. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Spoon onto your favorite tacos, or serve in a bowl with crisp tortilla chips!
Xo,
Cher
We're all for making small changes in every day routines that contribute to a healthier life and healthier environment. That's why we choose healthier, more natural ingredients in our formulas. No parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, phthalates, triclosan, formaldehyde/formaldehyde-releasing agents, mineral oil, petroleum, PEGs, or artificial dyes.
We intentionally choose to make our product line simpler without sacrificing effectiveness, by creating multi-use products and using multi-tasking ingredients (including our star ingredient watermelon seed oil). Multipurpose products mean less products to buy and less packaging to consume. (If you're not familiar with the multiple uses of our products, we wrote more about this topic here.) We sell refill bottles so you can reuse your originals, which helps to cut down the total number of bottles used. And we decided against an outer box for our bottles, to lessen the amount of packaging that's thrown away.
Our packaging is 100% recyclable and non-BPA. We've also just released refillable glass bottles that are chic and eco-friendly.
We're cruelty-free (no animal testing), and all of our formulas are vegan. Our products are made in a certified organic facility that uses 100% wind-powered energy, right here in Southern California.
We contribute where we can and continually strive to improve. Sustainability is one of our core values. Here's to making small changes, and to celebrating the gifts around us each day.
Living with eczema means that you’re used to red, itchy, and irritated skin. While other people can try different creams and soaps without experiencing any significant side effects, finding the right body care products isn’t always as simple for you.
As frustrating as that can be, it’s helpful to understand the common causes of eczema flare-ups to find the right solutions. Eczema can feel like a disadvantage when it interferes with your daily life, but by listening to your skin needs, long-term relief may be easier than you think. Read our 5 tips below to help get your eczema under control.
If it seems like every product you try causes your skin to react, it’s possible that they all contain ingredients that aren’t eczema-friendly. Two of the biggest ingredient culprits include fragrance and sulfates.
It can be tempting to want try all of the different scented body lotions on the market, but if you're prone to eczema, your skin will probably react poorly to synthetic fragrance. When looking at ingredient lists on your bottles, skin-irritating ingredients may be hidden in the term "fragrance". Because of proprietary concerns, companies aren't required to to list every ingredient contained in their fragrances. When in doubt, products that list the word "fragrance" should be avoided.
In addition to fragrance, many body washes, shampoos, and lotions contain something called sulfates, which are synthetic chemicals commonly found in cleaning and beauty products. Sulfates are used to create the sudsy effect in shampoos and body washes to let you know the product is doing its job to clean. However, the suds don’t necessarily equal clean, but they can mean irritation for those with eczema. SLS (aka Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) is thought to irritate the skin by disrupting the natural oils that maintain the skin’s integrity. This can damage the natural skin barrier, and also reduce the skin’s ability to keep out allergens that may trigger reactions such as eczema. Sulfates can strip the skin and hair, and are often too harsh for our body, causing the skin to become too dry.
Maybe surprisingly, stress and anxiety are thought to be eczema triggers. While it’s nearly impossible to completely block feelings of stress, there are several lifestyle adjustments that can help reduce cortisol levels, hopefully reducing the number of flare-ups.
The key is to keep your body from entering fight-or-flight mode on a daily basis by learning techniques that calm you down. Whether it’s practicing meditation, finding hobbies, or simply making time for loved ones, doing things that make you happy will make life more enjoyable and reduce stress levels in the process.
While you're getting rid of irritating ingredients in your body care products, it's worth trying to eliminate foods known to cause flare-ups as well. Foods like eggs, soy, dairy, gluten, and nuts are common culprits of allergic reactions for those with eczema. You can try eliminating all of these from your diet for a short time, and then slowly adding them back one at a time to see how your body reacts. This is sometimes referred to as an "elimination diet". It will take time to figure out which foods have a negative effect on your body, but it’s worth knowing what your body can and cannot handle.
Even if you are following all of the rules above, you still might experience an eczema flare-up from time to time. If this happens, skip the shower and try soaking in a warm bath, using a gentle cleanser or non-toxic bubble bath to nourish your skin. As noted in our article on the Healing Powers and Health Benefits of a Bubble Bath, taking warm baths (without harsh soaps or chemicals) has been shown to improve a number of skin conditions. We frequently hear from customers that using our products helps with a variety of skin ailments including eczema, keratosis pilaris, dry & rough skin patches, skin allergies & irritations, and more.
Baths are an incredible way to release tension and hydrate your skin, which is crucial for easing eczema flare-ups. Submerging yourself in warm water is not only soothing, but it’s a great opportunity to be present. There’s very little time that we spend off of our phones, computers, or in solitude, so bathing can be your way to wind down and unplug.
Whether you just stepped out of the bath or shower, always apply a clean body cream to slightly damp skin. If you suffer from eczema, the National Eczema Association recommends the “Soak and Seal” method, which includes taking a bath in lukewarm water using a gentle cleanser, followed by liberally applying moisturizer all over slightly damp skin. Since eczema tends to dry the skin out even more, hydrating and replenishing your skin barrier is key to reducing itchiness.
Your body cream should be gentle on your skin and free of synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and parabens so that you won’t be at risk of an adverse reaction. Intense scratching, rubbing, and inflammation can cause skin trauma in those with eczema, further damaging your skin barrier.
Here’s what our lovely customer, whose daughter suffers from eczema, had to say about our Fine Cleansing Wash and Rich Hydrating Cream (scroll down for full email):
"Dylan is 14 years old and has severe eczema. It has been a challenge to say the least in finding gentle, amazing products to accompany her needs. My mother in law discovered you all and we couldn't be more satisfied...it moisturizes and soothes her skin without irritation or triggering flare ups. Fork & Melon has been a blessing & an up-lifter for her!"
Most importantly, don’t give up hope on finding solutions for managing your eczema. Everyone is different, and what works for someone else may not work for you. With patience and the elimination of common irritants, you will find the right methods to ease the discomfort and live your life without eczema getting in your way.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
I love coming across easy-to-make, healthy, delicious recipes that don't require many ingredients. This simple recipe for gluten free chocolate chip banana bread fits the bill!
If you have been following our brand for a while, you know I have been dealing with fertility issues for a few years. One of the new things we are trying since mid-2020 is I have been on a gluten free diet. For the most part it hasn't been that difficult to go gluten free since there are so many great substitutions now (we buy gluten free bread, pasta, bagels, etc.) Occasionally I'll break the rules, but usually I'm able to stick to it, and simple gluten free recipes like this one make it easy.
Who else is a chocolate lover like me? I especially love dark chocolate (bonus antioxidants!) and I try to look for a high cacao to sugar ratio when shopping for it.
GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD
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INGREDIENTS:
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-2 cups Bob's Red Mill gluten free flour
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-4-5 very ripe bananas
-1/2 cup butter, softened
-1/2 cup coconut sugar
-2 eggs
-2 tablespoons milk
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
-1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, set aside.
3. Peel bananas, place them in a wide bowl or onto a plate, mash, and set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Stir in eggs, milk, vanilla, and mashed bananas until well blended.
5. Stir banana mixture and chocolate chips into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared load pan.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for at least 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool another 30 minutes.
Slice and serve warm! I like mine heated with a little bit of butter on top.
Xo,
Cher
If your skin is ultra-sensitive, you probably have an entire drawer filled with products that your skin couldn’t tolerate. Even though every label said, “for sensitive skin,” it seems like they never truly are.
We know a thing or two about what it means to have sensitive skin, what ingredients will work, and what ingredients won’t. Dive a little deeper with us to figure out how to properly care for your sensitive skin.
According to Healthline, "the outermost layer of your skin, known as your skin barrier, defends your body against a constant onslaught of environmental threats while simultaneously protecting your body’s critical water balance." As we age, our skin gets increasingly more sensitive. Suddenly, all those years of using harsh exfoliants start to catch up with us, and our skin can no longer handle the same products. This is because our skin barrier naturally degrades with age, leaving our skin feeling dry and dehydrated.
Since our skin is our largest organ, it's helpful to know a few characteristics about it. The skin is made of seven layers. The first layer, otherwise known as the skin barrier or stratum corneum, is the outer layer and the first line of defense against environmental stressors and incompatible products.
Multiple factors contribute to harming the first layer of skin, a few including harsh chemicals, lack of essential nutrients, and over-exfoliating. Just like other organs, water is absolutely essential to having hydrated, healthy, and happy skin. Besides drinking enough water, make sure that your body wash, body cream, and soap are all working with your skin, not against it.
With millions of body care products on the market, understanding ingredients will become your strongest weapon against irritating your skin and wasting money on products you won't end up using. If you're reading this article, chances are you and/or several people you know (your friends, family members, significant other, etc.) currently claim to have sensitive skin.
The question is, do so many of us actually have sensitive skin, or are we all doing something wrong? Well, it’s not necessarily the consumer making the mistakes. The beauty industry is often responsible for providing an issue just to sell a solution. Advertisements using false claims can be misleading and even dangerous when a “sensitive skin” product contains some of the harshest ingredients.
Products like this don’t provide skin-nourishing benefits; they’ll only damage the skin barrier even more, which leads us to believe that we were born with sensitive skin when in fact, that’s not always the case. The products we’ve trusted may actually be what’s causing our skin to become more sensitive!
At FORK + MELON, we feel strongly about using clean, non-toxic products with ingredients that nourish the skin. Clean ingredients may be even more essential to those with sensitive skin, but it’s wise for all of us (all skin types) to be more mindful of what we put on our body, in order to avoid damaging our skin barrier and introducing questionable ingredients that may have adverse affects. Top ingredients to stay away from include parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, and phthalates, but this is not a comprehensive list.
Our products never contain any of these skin-damaging chemicals. When we say clean, we mean it! Instead, our body care products contain hydrating and non-irritating ingredients, such as watermelon seed oil. Here’s what our lovely customer who suffers from sensitive, allergy-prone skin had to say about our Rich Hydrating Cream for Body & Hands (scroll down for full email):
“I have many allergies and sensitivities and have spent at least the last five years trying to find something that I can use without any adverse reactions...After using your product for two weeks, I haven’t had any reactions, and my skin looks and feels so much better - I actually cried with happiness.”
Made for all skin types, including sensitive and allergy-prone skin, our clean body care products will love on your skin, and in return, your skin will love them right back🖤
I spent the bulk of my twenties and early adulthood living in the city and it will always have a special piece of my heart. I was in college on the east coast on this day 19 years ago and remember coming into work as a fashion intern at Nordstrom in the King of Prussia mall outside of Philadelphia and seeing everything happening on a group of TV screens that were side-by-side and stacked together in a large rectangular display on the retail floor. They normally showed varying fashion show footage and now all the screens were tuned to the news stations playing the same horrific scene. We were all sent home and I remember coming back and watching it happen on TV with my roommates who are still some of my very best friends to this day. One of our best friends was a year ahead of us and also a fashion major and was finishing her degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. I remember we couldn't get a hold of her on her phone because no cell phones were working in the city and we were so scared that she was anywhere near the scene (thankfully she was fine). I remember how surreal that day felt and the imagery and feelings of that day so vividly.
When we're young the gravity of tragic events often doesn't seem to weigh us down as much, and somehow I proceeded to move to Manhattan for the same F.I.T. exchange program that January without a second thought. I ended up spending the bulk of my twenties living in New York. It's where I "found myself" and a lot of my confidence. I didn't think when I first moved there that I would end up staying for several years. I had always grown up in the suburbs and mostly on the west coast. It's hard to describe the way New York seduces you once you're there. Besides being home to the self-described and largely accurate "best of everything" (best restaurants, best theater, best fashion, best culture, best nightlife, etc.), there's a feeling that anything is possible and that if you are "weird" or outside of the norm of the mainstream (for me at the time that meant not being an average-height blond girl with bigger boobs who was interested in sports and/or fitting in with what it seemed like all the guys around me wanted back then), or if you are interested in art or style or creating or music or being intellectual or new ideas or doing something different or all of the above you will find a place to fit in in New York. It's sometimes described as the capital of the world and when you're there you can feel it. Some have said they've felt some of that feeling of creativity and endless possibilities has been lost in more recent years (Garance Dore, who I've admired since discovering and buying The Sartorialist book back in the day, before social media was a thing (!), is one who has talked about this pre-covid), as the persistent influx of money and ever-rising cost of living make New York seem less and less full of possibilities. And now New York is being faced with some of its biggest challenges ever and The New York Post is publishing articles proclaiming "New York is dead" and Jerry Seinfeld is saying no it isn't, and then others say "easy for him to say" with all of his existing money and power. No one knows for sure how all of this will play out but what I do know for sure is that New Yorkers are badasses. New Yorkers are so tough. Nothing is ever easy or has ever been easy in New York so if you can make it there you really can make it anywhere. New Yorkers are trend setters. New Yorkers are kind. There's a sense of unmistakable comradery in New York. If some of those who’ve been there prior to the pandemic end up leaving for good, or if some of what was there ends up looking differently once this is finally over, maybe that will open the door for a fresh resurgence of creativity and possibilities. New York came together after 9/11 and it was rebuilt. It will rebuild again. #neverforget
Cher xoxo
**This photo of me was taken sometime in the early 2000s in my bedroom in my first NYC apartment. It was a 3 bedroom/1 bath, that I shared with 2 roommates and the entire place including the kitchen/living room was 560 square feet. We loved it. Check out my fashion photos taped to the wall and razor thin eyebrows and super cool flip phone🖤
Hi, it's Cher :) I'm the founder/owner of Fork & Melon. It's more my preference/personality to stay behind the scenes and let the brand speak for itself, but I thought in might be a good time to say hi, and introduce myself to those who may be newer to following🤍
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My idea for F&M first sparked during a crossroads in my life, which included a hopeful first pregnancy, an unexpected layoff from my corporate job, and then a heartbreaking miscarriage. During this tumultuous time, I happened to be looking specifically for a new hand soap - one that was made with clean, non-toxic ingredients (I wanted to do everything I could to help my fertility, including detoxing my routine), one that was in a pretty bottle and good for skin (I've been into all things beauty since childhood), and one that wasn't as pricey/fussy as some of the other luxury hand soaps out there. And knowing that soap is a reoccurring purchase, I also wanted to support a company that was trying to do some good. When I couldn't find what I was looking for, I went on a long research journey and ended up learning about the wide-ranging benefits of watermelon seed oil for all skin types along the way. Eventually the first Fork & Melon products were born🍉⠀
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Not quite 2 years after initial debut, the F&M mission is the same: to bring clean luxury to your daily routine without making it complicated. Simple. Clean. Chic. I hope you'll stay with me on the journey! Exciting stuff coming.
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I recently posted an #AskMeAnything on Instagram, which I might start doing more often depending how it goes - especially during this craziness while many of us are at home so much... We received some questions that I thought I'd recap below in case you were curious about these as well:
Q: Hey there! Where did the name Fork & Melon come from?
A: The name comes from a blend of influences.. at the most basic level it's a combination of my married (& husband's) last name, and my Greek maiden name: "Fork" & "Melonakos". But "Melon" also stands for "watermelon", as watermelon seed oil is a signature ingredient in our product line. There's also something about "Fork & Melon" bringing to mind products that are clean enough to eat (though we don't recommend eating them). Somehow the name also reminds me of a storied British soap house which I liked. When the name came about it was perfect.
Q: I love your brand! Any new products coming soon?
A: Yes! We just launched a new bubble bath housed in a pretty glass (refillable) bottle within August, with additional products launching in the next few months! Clean luxury bubble bath in refillable glass bottle is available to order here. You can bookmark our new arrivals page to keep up with all of our latest offerings.
Q: Do you have any unscented products?
A: Currently all of our products have a light citrus scent that comes from natural oils (we don't use synthetic fragrance), so you can feel good about what you're putting on your skin. It's formulated to be fresh and enjoyable while using, but not to linger as many are sensitive to fragrance and/or don't want it to interfere with other scents they may use.
Q: How did you navigate all the what-ifs of starting your own business? What was that process like, of deciding whether or not to go for it?
A: I followed my gut and had to figure everything else out from there! I wasn't someone who always had the goal of starting my own business - in this case it was the coming-together of so many factors at once where I felt led, almost like I didn't have a choice and I had to give it a try. I'm sure there are exceptions, but it seems like in general starting your own business is such a mountain to climb that if you don't feel like you HAVE to do it, it probably isn't the right thing. The process of "deciding whether or not to go for it" is on-going - like, do I want to risk investing in this thing or that thing to facilitate the growth of the business, when I'm not sure whether it will pay off? I've always been analytical and data-driven but at the end of the day my philosophy is to keep going for it as long as I'm able to and for as long as I feel like I'm on the right path.
Have a question you're curious about F&M or me? Feel free to comment below, or if you prefer you can message us on social or send us an email at any time!
xoxo, Cher⠀
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**This photo of me was taken early last year with our debut products in hand 🖤
Thrilled for our recent launch with Matriark, premier shopping destination in the Hamptons, carrying beautiful female-owned designers & brands. "An oasis for all women. A home to just be, and shop for the best version of ourselves."
When you shop from their curated selection of women-owned companies, a portion of sales is donated to women's charities.
FORK & MELON clean luxury hand soap/body wash, lotion, and hand sanitizer are now available in their flagship store. Find unique selections from Chufy, Patbo, DVF, Ulla Johnson, and more.
If you'll be in Sag Harbor / Hamptons area this summer, stop in owner Patricia Assui Reed's gorgeous shop and see our line. You can also shop F&M on their website here.
Cher xoxo
Having a strong immune system is the key to healthier, happier days, but what about during a pandemic? The novel coronavirus is still here as we enter the summer season. With more sunshine, more of us will feel inclined to spend time outside enjoying the warm weather and fresh air.
While social distancing is recommended and wearing a mask/facial covering is now a requirement in many areas due to the viral outbreak, practicing good hygiene (e.g. frequent hand-washing) and keeping your immune system in optimal shape are integral in protecting yourself and your health. Here are some simple tips to strengthen your immunity that start from home.
It’s important to drink enough water to stay healthy on a regular basis, and more so now that it’s summer and we are in the middle of a pandemic. Drinking enough water helps your body naturally eliminate bacteria and toxins that can make you sick.
Blood flow relies on proper hydration to circulate well and transport nutrients, cells, and more to keep the body functioning optimally. Dehydration slows this, and other, functions down, leaving you susceptible to illness.
Stay on top of hydration by drinking the recommended 64 ounces per day. Water with a squeeze of lemon, or water with a few berries thrown in, are delicious, healthy options. And the summer season is the perfect time to give our favorite fruit some love. Watermelon has a water content of 92%, so, snack on a watermelon slice or pour some cool watermelon juice to sip on.
What goes into your body plays a major role in the health and strength of your immunity. Diets high in sugar, processed foods, unhealthy fats, alcohol, and even caffeine have been shown to have negative effects on your immune system while eating more whole foods, especially plant-based foods, can improve your chances of not getting sick.
The immune system relies on antibody-producing white blood cells that fight off infections, bacteria, and other foreign objects that can make you ill. Following a plant-based diet and eating nutritious foods high in vitamins like citrus, spinach, red bell peppers, and ginger as opposed to foods high in fat and sugars directly affect the white blood cells’ ability to function and, ultimately, keep you healthy.
It’s widely known that citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit are high in vitamin C. But eating a piece of fruit every now and then isn't enough to stay healthy. The key to an optimal immune system is eating a balanced variety of nutrient-dense foods.
While the best way to get your vitamins and minerals is by eating a variety of healthy, nutritious foods, it may be beneficial to add supplements to your diet especially when vitamin deficiencies are present. Some vitamins and minerals that are key to a healthy immune system include the following:
Getting movement and exercise consistently is an important pillar of a healthy lifestyle, and helps to keep the immune system in top shape. Regular fitness is encouraged by health officials because exercise has been found to boost the immune response, lower the chance of illness, and reduce inflammation. With some of the current restrictions in place, and with the fridge being a tempting destination while we're at home, it's easy to get off-track. Making a conscious effort to stay active and maintain a healthy weight can help minimize viral contractions and its effects.
Easy activity recommendations include 30 minutes of moderate exercise like jogging, brisk walking, hiking, or rebounding on a mini trampoline five times a week. Bodyweight workouts or home workouts like yoga and pilates are also great ways to incorporate regular movement into your routine.
The amount of sleep you get has a strong influence on your immune system. Cytokines are a type of protein that fight infection and inflammation in the body, and their peak production and release occur during sleep. Not getting enough sleep leaves the immune system weak and susceptible to a bad viral infection. Furthermore, infection-fighting T cells decrease in number when you don’t get enough sleep.
Staying on top of your sleeping habits allows the body to repair itself and be better prepared to fend off foreign visitors. Plus, it has other health benefits including improved mood and reduced risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. So, go ahead and get that beauty sleep.
Taking baths is an enjoyable indulgence, but it may be a pleasant surprise to learn that bathing brings a number of health benefits, too, including improving your immune system. Baths, particularly warm baths or steam baths, relax the body, stimulate blood flow, and fight inflammation.
Drawing a bath is also beneficial when you have a bad case of the cold or flu. Steam helps blood flow in the face which alleviates symptoms including nasal congestion, sore throat, and a bad cough.
Fork & Melon makes the perfect luxurious, non-toxic bubble bath when you want to boost your health with a warm bath of long-lasting bubbles. Learn more about the health benefits of a bubble bath here.
Massages aren’t just for relaxing. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai discovered that participants who received a 45-minute Swedish massage had significant activity changes to their white blood cells, which are vital in boosting the immune system and fighting off pathogens.
Getting a massage also increases blood flow and helps the body flush out toxins - another reason why regular massages are beneficial, and a great excuse to book a monthly massage at your local studio (when it opens).
Want to massage at home? Fork & Melon Rich Hydrating Cream is soothing for all skin types and great for relaxing tense muscles. Use it to massage into your arms and legs, or recruit your partner to rub your back and shoulders.
Chronic stress has detrimental effects on your immune system and overall health. It wears down the body and leaves you prone to illness and disease. But did you know that some stress is actually good for you?
In order for the flight-or-fight mode in our system to be active and ready to go, it needs to be in use. So, what does that mean? You can’t get rid of stress, but you can manage it, which can improve the way you sleep, reduce your cortisol or stress hormone levels, and strengthen your immune system.
Connecting with loved ones, participating in hobbies, and practicing meditation/prayer are mindful habits that can help keep your stress levels low.
It's been rough staying inside for so much of this year. A lot of us have been cranky, feeling down, or simply not feeling our best, which in many cases can be directly correlated to being stuck inside for long periods of time.
Taking time to enjoy fresh air and soak up some sunshine outside is a double boost for your immune system. Getting clean oxygen to the lungs can improve the filtration of impurities, enhance blood circulation, and reinforce white blood cells that fight sickness in the body, while UV rays from the sun help the body produce vitamin D. Don't forget your mineral-based sunscreen when you're outside.
What you put on your skin can have an impact on your immune system. Beauty and personal care products that contain questionable chemicals like parabens, sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), and "fragrance" can be toxic to the skin and harmful to the body if used regularly and/or absorbed in higher amounts.
At Fork & Melon, using clean, healthy ingredients is a top priority. Our formulas are non-toxic and do not contain sulfates, parabens, or synthetic fragrance. Our Rich Hydrating Cream For Body & Hands locks in moisture to keep your skin hydrated. It contains our signature watermelon seed oil, which is chock-full of healthy nutrients.
Taking care of your body inside and out is vital for a healthy immune system. With no clear timeline on when the coronavirus pandemic will subside, it’s best we all do our part, not just for ourselves but for those around us, to be mindful and stay healthy.
Want to start detoxing your beauty routine, draw a healthy bubble bath, or give yourself an immune-boosting massage? Shop our non-toxic hand & body care.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may garner a small commission at no cost to you if you choose to make a purchase. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure Statement for more information.
It's been a tough couple of weeks.
Like so many, I've taken time to pause, grieve, listen, reflect, and think of & act on ways I can help.
Growing pains are aptly named (painful), but I am hopeful that what we're seeing now becomes actual, sustained growth in our hearts.
So many profound and wonderful quotes have been shared on social media, on protest signs, and elsewhere in response to recent events, but I haven't seen this Helen Keller quote shared yet and thought it might be helpful to those who may feel paralyzed when it feels like the problems are so great and resources are small:
"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
–Helen Keller
The idea for F&M first sparked during a time of grief and surrender in my own life, and we exist now to be a source of positivity, integrity, and light.
I wrote a response on grief during a very different time last year, but the tools (article & video) for how to better show empathy are still relevant.
For the month of June, we will be donating a portion of all website sales to NAACP Empowerment Programs. If desired, you can also donate directly here.
I plan to continue to look for ways to foster connection, and to try to put more love and good into the world.
Sending love and hugs to all of you,
Cher xoxo
As a small, family-owned business we're thrilled to announce our partnership with Bristol Farms, gourmet market chain in Southern California. Founded in Los Angeles County, Bristol Farm stores have been proudly serving Southern California since 1982.
Below are a few candid shots of my recent visit to their La Jolla store (first visit out of the house in 2 weeks! Only took gloves off to get wipes out of my purse!) We're glad to be able to help stock their shelves with healthy hand-washing supplies that are so needed right now.
FORK & MELON hand soap/body wash and lotion are now available in most Bristol Farms markets. If you're in the Southern California area, click here to find a location nearest you.
We are so incredibly grateful for all of those who are working on the front lines during this global pandemic - medical staff, grocery, food delivery, and transportation workers, and all of those who are serving our communities during this unprecedented time.
For the month of April, we are donating a portion of all website sales to Feeding America's COVID-19 response fund, where every dollar donated is used to provide meals to those in need. If desired, you can also donate directly here.
With gratitude and love,
Cher xoxo
Though washing your hands should be pretty self-explanatory, there are still many among us who may need a refresher on the specifics of how to wash your hands the right way. With active flu season, and the ominous coronavirus COVID-19 continuing to spread, medical professionals advise being vigilant about handwashing right now, as (aside from self-quarantining) frequently washing hands with regular soap and water is still one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick.
We've put together a comprehensive guide below on how and when to wash your hands, and what to wash them with, in order to give you the best defense against germs, using direction from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Get your hands wet with clean, running water (the warmer the better), and turn off the tap as to not waste water unnecessarily. Apply a healthy amount of soap. We recommend choosing a non-toxic formula that is free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrance, and triclosan (which used to be commonly used in antibacterial soaps) when possible. See our note about antibacterial soaps at the bottom of this guide.
Lather your hands until they are nice and sudsy, by rubbing them together with the soap and water. Make sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails as well.
The expert rule of thumb is to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Though it's probably not realistic to actually set a timer each time, a common tip is to get used to humming the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice, which should equal approximately 20 seconds. Or you can always count to 20 using this trick, "One-FORK & MELON, two-FORK & MELON, three-FORK & MELON..."
After you've lathered and scrubbed, rinse your hands well under clean, running water - making sure to rinse away all soap and any other debris along with it.
Dry your hands thoroughly using a clean towel, or you can air dry them with a dryer or by shaking vigorously.
The CDC recommends washing your hands often to stay healthy, especially during times when you are more likely to get and spread germs. Per CDC guidance, this includes all of the times below:
Antibacterial soaps (also called antimicrobial or antiseptic soaps) contain certain chemicals not found in regular soaps, and in recent years the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned against the use of them, and banned the use of triclosan as an ingredient, which was once ubiquitous in antibacterial hand soaps. According to the FDA, the benefits of using antibacterial hand soap haven’t been proven to be more effective than regular hand soap at getting rid of germs. Additionally they say, "the wide use of these products over a long time has raised the question of potential negative effects on your health." Triclosan specifically has been linked to the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, disruption of human hormones, and skin cancer concerns. So what should you do? Wash your hands with plain soap and water.
To get rid of germs, washing your hands with soap and water is best. But if you don't have access to soap and water, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is your next best line of defense. Make sure to use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can check out the CDC's recommendations for what to look for in hand sanitizer and how to use it properly here.
Getting into good healthy habits when washing your hands is more than worth the extra bit of effort, if it will help to ward off illnesses. This is important all the time, but especially important during high risk periods like winter flu season, and particularly right now when we're all worried about the coronavirus outbreak. Please stay safe and don't hesitate to reach out to us for any reason🖤
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
For most of us, much of our time in winter is spent indoors. Often that means with the heater on, which can cause the air to get very dry. To combat this you can try one or more of the following to bring some moisture into your atmosphere:
After you've prepped your space, prep your skin directly with these simple tips:
Lastly, make sure to replenish your internal hydration:
With a bit of extra care, try following these tips in order to ward off and/or transform winter dryness into radiant, supple skin this cold season.
]]>Today marks exactly 1-year since the "coming soon" preview page was removed, and I first launched the full FORK & MELON website on November 30, 2018. A lot has happened in a year! Trying to build a business from scratch is not easy - quite an understatement. Coming from a 15+ year career in consumer products, marketing, & ecommerce, and being a skincare & beauty product aficionado since I first hit adolescence, I had hopeful expectations for where we'd be within a year of launch. Now that the first year is behind me, I fully admit to underestimating the challenges I would face in starting FORK & MELON on my own, with no outside funding and no one else to help me with the multitude of tasks I was used to having teams to help with. I could write a book on everything I've learned so far (including what I learned in the more than a year prior, developing the products and preparing for the launch) if I had the time! Instead, I thought I'd take a moment to recount some of the highlights of the past year. With so many ups and downs, it's important to celebrate the victories big and small along the way. Read on for a peak behind the scenes...
Feeling supported. After over a year prior of working on the products, extensive research, building the website, coordinating photo shoots, applying for business licenses & permits, and countless other steps leading up to it, I was so excited to see the first orders come through forkandmelon.com on the first day of our soft launch, and the coming weeks after. It was purely word of mouth in the beginning, and the initial orders were all from family and friends, including some friends and former colleagues in my network that I hadn't spoken to in quite a while. I felt very supported, and I appreciated that so much (I still do).
Diving solo into the deep waters of digital marketing. Coming from years of experience in successfully marketing and selling consumer products for esteemed, globally-recognized brands via mostly direct channels (which means via the brand's own website and brand-owned stores), my initial selling strategy was to build our digital presence and online business. I knew I needed to start driving traffic from all the traditional digital channels, i.e. email, search, etc. But I had come from positions within large companies where I was managing these different digital channels from a level of oversight. Trying to optimize and learn the intricacies of each one on my own was (and is - I'm definitely still learning) a whole new ballgame. Not to mention dipping my toes into the (newer at the time but now ubiquitous) world of influencer marketing - and the mind-warp that is the instagram algorithm. I had little understanding when I started how much of a barrier my limited resources (with both time/bandwidth and money) would pose. Seeing the very first orders come through from each of the different marketing channels - from people I had zero personal connection to - was quite a thrill. Also a thrill was seeing orders come from customers who were recommended to us from friends of friends, as well as the first reorders from repeat customers - both confirmations that people really loved the products!
Our first press mentions. Once initial launch and the holiday season was over, securing earned media became a focus. The first major media outlet to feature FORK & MELON was the International Business Times (they included us in their Valentine's Day gift guide). From there we were able to secure a number of other notable press mentions - most notably, we were chosen for Good Morning America's first ever “Green Living” Discover Box, where our product was recommended on their national TV show, on GMA.com, and via their massive social media channels. Other big highlights included seeing orders roll in from a one-day deal we did with The Today Show, and being featured in Forbes and other major publications we admire. See the full list on our press page.
F&M celebrity love. Since we started, we've had some very fun opportunities to get our products in the hands of and/or have some brushes with celebrity. Early on we were able to participate in and gift product for the annual luncheon that raises money for the privately-owned Hudson River Park, in the posh Manhattan neighborhood of TriBeCa, with multiple celebrities in attendance and a write-up of the event in Vogue. And through the powers of social media, less than 2 months after we launched, Zac Posen loved one of our Instagram posts so much that he personally commented on it and also shared it to his own feed of almost 2 million followers! As an NYC fashion industry veteran and long-time fan of the illustrious designer, I almost died. Later, through personal connections, we were able to send luxury product packages out to a handful of well-known celebrities - some of whom sent us positive feedback personally.
Customer love. Probably most fulfilling of all the highlights is when we receive positive customer feedback. Some of the comments, letters, and reviews we've received have been enough to keep me going during particularly rough patches (running a business is a constant roller coaster of highs and lows). Customers have told us our products have helped with multiple skin conditions including eczema, keratosis pilaris, dry & rough skin patches, skin allergies & irritations, and more. Some have said they thought they had tried everything and nothing worked until they found our products. When someone tells you your product has made their life better, it makes it all worth it!
Sharing F&M IRL. Another highlight worth mentioning is our participation in a few in-person events here in San Diego. We set up a booth for the first time at a local Vegan fair, and we also had brand presence at a local influencer event where we were able to connect with new influencers and make connections with other clean beauty and independent brands. Creating in-real-life brand activations and getting out in the community was another notable first and a break out of my comfort zone. You may have seen some photos from the influencer event on our social channels - here's a few below:
Legally legitimized. Maybe not the first thing one thinks of when starting a new business, but there are so many little details you have to figure out in getting set up as a legitimate business entity. From getting my "Ficticious Business Name", to applying for business license, to getting business insurance, registering for bar codes, and more, there is a lot to figure out. Another hurdle we finally accomplished in more recent months is securing our trademark! It is a very long drawn-out and somewhat intimidating process that takes several months, but we finally have the serial number and certificate to prove we're the rightful owners of the FORK & MELON mark.
A new frontier. Though my comfort zone lies in building our brand online (both because of my prior work experience and because I'm just more of a natural introvert!) - trying to break through as a purely direct-to-consumer brand in today's over-crowded digital marketplace requires an enormous amount of start-up capital. Since realizing this earlier into the journey (and not wanting to take on outside investors or massive debt) I decided we needed to also start selling to retailers. Our very first wholesale order came from a salon that my wonderful mother-in-law frequents in Tucson, AZ. Since then we've expanded to other boutiques and salons locally and elsewhere in the country. More recently I've brought on some help in this area, and we've secured sample requests from prestigious hotels/resorts, a high-end maternity wing at a notable hospital (if you're familiar with our inception story you'll know why this is so perfect), and some very major retailers. More to come on this soon!
While these were some of the most notable highlights of the past year, there have also been failures and many hurdles to overcome (I touched on some of them, but I'll have to go into more detail on those in another post). During all of it we've also dealt with the devastating experience of another year of failing to grow our immediate family of two (3 including our dog Zeus), suffering multiple miscarriages and failed IVF. That's also a post for another time. But we are doing well now and have so much to be grateful for. I couldn't have done any of this without my amazing husband.
We've hit some big milestones this past year that I'm proud of. I've gotten a lot of help from a support system of family, friends, and also some newer connections who have stepped in to help in one way or another. We have a ways to go, and I frequently need to remind myself to be patient (Rome wasn't built in a day, etc.) There are many things in the works, and many things to look forward to. We're still just getting started!
If you're running low on hand soap, body wash, and/or hand/body cream, I invite you to order from our site directly, where you automatically earn $5 credit for every $50 you spend. Consider signing up for our subscribe & save program, where you get 15% off and free shipping on every order (no obligation, easily cancel at any time). And if you're in the market for chic, clean luxury gifts (for yourself or others), check out our Gift Shop. Items are made by us and other independently-owned brands we love - and everything is under $100!
I hope you'll continue to follow along our journey as we continue to grow. I love getting your feedback. We're so grateful for your continued support. And for those of you that have been with us since the beginning, happy one year anniversary!
Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday season,
Cher xoxo
We're all about simplifying, which is why we created multi-tasking products that help streamline your personal care routine. We've gotten questions about all of the different ways our multipurpose products can be used, so we thought it was time to write about this topic in more detail. Read on for descriptions/instructions for the top 5 uses of each.
1. Body Wash. One of the most popular uses of our wash is of course to use it as a nourishing & hydrating body wash in the shower. It's formulated to cleanse and detoxify without drying, so you emerge cleansed and refreshed with soft, supple skin.
2. Hand Soap. Originally created because of what we saw as a void in the market for non toxic, beautiful, priced-for-reordering luxury hand soap, it is tied as a top use for our wash. Whether in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, we wash our hands so often throughout the day, and want to be sure we're giving them good-for-you ingredients that promote youthful skin at the same time. Many conventional hand soaps and lotions include ingredients that are overly-drying and/or irritating to skin. And worse, they include known endocrine disruptors like parabens or triclosan (a common ingredient in antibacterial soaps which has also been shown in some studies to contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics according to the FDA). We designed our wash (and lotion) to be free of these harmful ingredients, in addition to being delightful and effective to use. Our formulas are moisturizing, detoxifying, and full of antioxidants that help to promote/restore youthful appearance. And they're designed to look chic in any room.
3. Bubble Bath. We love using our antioxidant-rich, non-stripping wash in a relaxing self care bath, with luxurious bubbles to boot. Dispense a few pumps or a small pour of Fine Cleansing Wash as the bath tub is filling for a tub full of fluffy, long-lasting bubbles, and melt all the stresses of your day away. The bubbles from our bubble bath last so long you won't want to leave the tub. Learn more about the health benefits of bathing here.
4. Foot Soak. If you're looking for a way to detox and take the pressure off after a long day (without taking a full bath), our wash is wonderful as a foot soak. Grab a small tub, dispense some Fine Cleansing Wash into the tub and fill with warm water, and watch gentle bubbles form. Along with de-stressing, you can also use this foot soak method as part of a decadent at-home pedicure.
5. Face Wash. Though it doesn't explicitly say "face" on the bottle, the gentle, non-drying formula is pH balanced for delicate facial skin as well as the rest of the body and hands. We love using it as a face wash as well as a body wash in the shower - saving time, space, and money not having to buy so many products. The watermelon seed oil formula has clarifying and anti-aging properties making it wonderful for all skin types.⠀
6. Makeup Brush Cleanser. This is something we've heard from our beauty expert and makeup artist customers, who have used the wash as a non toxic cleanser for their makeup brushes. We've been told it works well and helps high quality natural brushes last longer.
1. Body Lotion. Rich like a body butter but light enough to be absorbed and rub in easily (which means time-saving!), our Rich Hydrating Cream has gotten rave reviews as a five-star cream that is deeply moisturizing, glow-inducing, youth-restoring, and not at all greasy.
2. Hand Cream. Similarly, our cream is perfect for hands as you don't have to worry about applying hand cream that will leave your hands slippery. We've also been told that our healthy cream has helped to eliminate or improve dry skin and other skin conditions including eczema.
3. Massage. Rich Hydrating Cream is lovely to use as a nontoxic massage lotion for yourself and others, made with organic ingredients. We recommend taking a few minutes to massage into your own skin when applying to promote blood flow and decrease puffiness in the skin.
4. Facial Moisturizer. This cream can also be used as a facial moisturizer and/or a hydrating night cream. It is full of antioxidants, including vitamin E compounds widely praised for their ability to protect and heal the skin from the adverse effects of oxidative stress and photo-aging. It also boasts anti-inflammatory properties, which heal and do wonders for irritated skin.
5. Aftershave. This one was more unexpected, but many of our male customers love using this regularly as an aftershave because it feels so soothing on facial skin post-shave and doesn't irritate like so many others out there. Our nutrient-rich ingredients are calming to skin, which means it also soothes post-shaven legs. We don't include synthetic fragrances or other irritants included in many conventional aftershaves.
Have another use for our products that isn't listed here? Leave us a message below!
Whether we've stayed up later than usual (or had an extra glass of wine) the night before, were forced to wake up extra early that morning, or just need a little extra pick-me-up for whatever reason, we've all experienced waking up and being greeted in the mirror with a less-than-fresh face.
We recently saw a video of Chriselle Lim with a new tip for waking up your face and improving skin that we hadn't heard of before, and it spurred the idea to put together a list of all of the best ways to naturally wake up your face immediately – no needles, appointments, or potentially toxic beauty products required.
You may have heard of some of these tips but haven't actually tried them yet, and some may be completely new. Read on for 8 amazing ways to naturally wake up your face that are SIMPLE. CLEAN. CHIC. approved.
1. WARM IT UP
Warming up your face with some quick exercise in the AM is a great way to naturally wake up your skin (and your body). We love spending 5-10 minutes on a rebounder (aka mini trampoline) in the morning while listening to the news or a podcast. It gets the blood flowing, it's great for lymphatic drainage, and as an extra bonus it's purported to give you similar get-fit benefits to running, but is way more fun in our opinion. Some simple yoga poses, especially ones where your face is upside down like downward dog, are also great. And spending 30-60 seconds doing simple facial exercises can help too. Here are a 3 simple facial exercises that are model-approved.
2. COOL IT DOWN
One way to incorporate a cool down and wake up your face is to blast cold water for 30 seconds at the end of your morning shower. It instantly makes you feel more awake, which affects the way you look. As an added bonus, why not incorporate FORK & MELON's citrus-scented body wash into your cold shower, as citrus scents can also help you wake up according to sleep.org? A good splash of ice water on your face is another tried-and-true remedy that has been shown to immediately tighten pores and shrink small capillaries, making your skin appear more even and fresh. And resting chilled cucumbers on your eyes for 5-10 minutes is also great for relieving irritation, redness, and puffiness.
3. HYDRATE
Often when we're dehydrated our skin can be one of the first tell-tale signs. Drinking a full glass of water or two (especially if you already warmed up your face with a bit of exercise!) can really help perk us up. You can also help revive your face with a hydrating, nutrient-packed facial mist, serum, oil, or moisturizer to help bring on the glow factor. We love Joanna Vargas Daily Serum because you can feel the tightening effects. It's like green juice for your face.
4. SLAP IT
Slapping your face is a technique that was new to us when we saw it the first time via Chriselle Lim's instagram. We invite you to check out her IGTV video here if you can spare a few minutes! According to Ms. Lim, this slapping technique tightens and firms your skin, as well as allowing any of your products that you've applied to penetrate more deeply for improved product performance. Good tip if you've just applied your favorite facial mist or serum.
5. GIVE YOURSELF A FACIAL MASSAGE
We also recently discovered facial massages by Danna Omari in NYC and are slightly obsessed. We wish we could get a facial massage from her on the regular, but when you need a little facial pick-me-up and are pressed for time, you can perform a quick face massage on yourself to help rev up the tissue in the face. To save even more time, we like to do a little facial massage while we're washing our face in the morning, usually in the shower. And as we've mentioned before, we love using our Fine Cleansing Wash as a face and body wash in the shower to save time, money, and space. (Keep it simple!) We also love using a (chilled if possible) facial roller, gua sha, or other facial tool to help with lymphatic drainage, depuffing, and fine lines.
6. HAVE SOME CAFFEINE
Having some caffeine in your morning cup of coffee or tea can make you feel more awake, and caffeine on your skin can have similar stimulating effects. Chill a couple green tea bags in the fridge, and then place them over your puffy lids and under-eyes for 10 minutes. According to Healthline, "the caffeine in black and green teas has a positive effect on puffy, swollen eyes and can help to keep skin taut. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels within this sensitive tissue. This aids in reducing puffiness and inflammation." You can also find eye and face creams that contain caffeine with stimulating effects. We always recommend looking for non-toxic versions of any beauty products - if you're not as familiar with ingredient labels, it's helpful to shop at beauty retailers that have higher ingredient standards for safety like Credo Beauty, Detox Market, or the clean beauty section at Sephora.
7. INCORPORATE SOME VITAMIN C
This tip came from Goop's new The Beauty Closet podcast. Jean Godfrey-June (their beauty director) recommends incorporating Vitamin C into your skincare to wake up your face. This ingredient can come in many forms, but it's been said that Vitamin C starts to degrade in water even with preservatives, so we like adding a sprinkle of True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster (which comes in powder form) to our face oil or serum in the morning for a quick boost. We also recommend drinking some water with lemon (hot or cool) as you'll get hydration, vitamin C, and citrus-scented benefits all in one for maximum awakeness!
8. ADD A LITTLE COLOR
Looking washed out? Apply a little color to your lips and the apples of your cheeks, and you'll be amazed at what it does to perk up your face. You can also add an organic self-tanner to liven up your look.
Featured in this story:
FORK & MELON Fine Cleansing Wash for Body & Hands (Large Size), $25
Got any SIMPLE. CLEAN. CHIC. suggestions to naturally wake up your face? Comment below or message us on social🖤
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Sharing a glass of rosé or a fresh cocktail with friends and family when you're on weekend/vacation mode is one of the simple joys of summer. We love this simple watermelon margarita as a healthier choice for summer weekends.
We love this recipe for the simple, fresh ingredients, no added sugar, and super antioxidants from watermelon that are wonderful for skin. It's a great option if you're choosing between alcoholic drinks (tequila has been touted as the healthiest alcohol), and there's always the option to make these sans alcohol for a true skin boost.
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BEST WATERMELON MARGARITAS, recipe from The Mimimalist Baker⠀
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Serves (2)⠀
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-1 1/4 cups watermelon juice⠀
-2 1/2 Tbsp lime juice⠀
-5 Tbsp silver tequila⠀
-Sea salt (optional for lining rim)
You can easily make watermelon juice yourself by blending several cubes of watermelon in a blender, and then using a strainer if desired to remove any seeds or pulp (we didn't find this step necessary).
To make margaritas, add watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously to combine.
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Sample a small amount and adjust flavor as needed, adding more watermelon juice for sweetness, lime juice for acidity, or tequila for booziness.⠀
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Line the rim of two serving glasses of your choice (we love martini glasses or traditional margarita rocks glasses) with lime juice and sea salt (optional). Add ice if desired, and pour in margaritas.
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Best when fresh!
Have a SIMPLE. CLEAN. CHIC. suggestion for a healthier summer drink option? Comment below or message us on social🖤
]]>If you are currently struggling with infertility, know you are not alone. Other than the grief itself, the feeling of isolation is one of the most difficult things about any infertility journey. Our hope is to continue talking about it, so that more people are better prepared, less people feel alone, and more people get the support they need.
Someone close to me found this article* (below) with tips on what to say and what to avoid, in order to show empathy and support when people are struggling. I found it helpful and wanted to share. If you're grieving and in need of better support, feel free to pass it along to your family, friends, and/or support system if you think it would be helpful.
And if you know someone who's struggling with infertility and/or dealing with grief, and want to be better equipped to be there for them, this article is for you:
Want to be More Empathetic? Avoid These 7 Responses
Referenced in the article, this video on Sympathy vs. Empathy from Dr. Brené Brown (below) is also really good.
xo, Cher
*Article and video are not affiliated with FORK & MELON, and we are not compensated by them in any way. Including solely because we found them helpful🖤
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Thinking about taking a trip soon? Whether you're looking to avoid the rising fees of checked bags, or you just want to keep it simple and travel light, we put together a list of some of our favorite beauty & personal care products to consider on your next jaunt. Everything on the list is in a size that is TSA approved, and many of them can do double-duty to lessen the number of products you need to bring. SIMPLE. CLEAN. CHIC.
MINERAL SUNSCREEN
Even if you're planning a non-beach trip, it's still recommended to wear sunscreen on your face and other exposed areas daily. At FORK & MELON we opt for mineral/physical sunscreens (those with Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide as the active ingredients), as a safer and more environmentally-friendly choice over chemical versions (with main actives oxybenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, or octinoxate). We also avoid sunscreens that contain other problematic ingredients like Parabens or Retinyl Palmitate/Retinol (which shouldn't be worn in the sun). Here are some of our favorites:
For Face
This BB Cream by Coola is a travel standby, since it doubles as a primer and/or foundation if you don't mind lighter coverage. It's moisturizing but leaves you with a matte finish, and it saves that extra room in your makeup bag.
Coola Mineral Face Matte Tint Moisturizer SPF 30, $36
Another option we love is this sunscreen by Farmacy Beauty that protects against environmental stressors and smooths on easily. We like it for face, neck, chest, and hands. It does have a slight white cast at first since it's not tinted, but sinks in pretty quickly.
FARMACY Green Screen Daily Environmental Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $36
For Body/All-Over
Especially on beach vacations, bringing a face sunscreen alone won't cut it. This is one of our favorite all-over sunscreens that's both healthy, it rubs in better than most mineral sunscreens, and it's more affordable. Don't be fooled by the fact that it's a kid sunscreen - adults can definitely use it too.
All Good SPF 30 Kid's Sunscreen Lotion, Water Resistant, $15.99
FACE WASH / BODY WASH IN ONE
We're partial to our gentle, effective Fine Cleansing Wash in travel size as a multi-purpose space-saver to use as both a face wash and a body wash when on the go. With clean, restorative ingredients that are pH balanced for face and body, they're a chic addition to any travel bag. And at a generous 2oz travel size, their small enough to be TSA approved, but larger than many travel sizes, which makes them great for short or longer trips. Additionally, if you purchase our refill bottle, you can reuse the travel sizes over and over.
FORK & MELON Fine Cleansing Wash for Body & Hands (Travel Size), $7
FACE OIL FOR DAY AND NIGHT
We love using a few drops of face oil under our sunscreen during the day to give a bit of extra glow, and also after cleansing at night to help repair and moisturize. HERBIVORE makes a travel-friendly trio that contains all 3 of their incredibly popular face oils. You can bring along all 3, or just your favorite one in order to save space and leave the other two at home for future use.
HERBIVORE Mini Facial Oil Trio, $29
HAND CREAM / BODY LOTION
We can't recommend our travel size Rich Hydrating Cream enough. We've received rave reviews for how moisturizing it is, yet it actually rubs in very quickly and isn't greasy at all. It improves skin's appearance and is wonderful for hydration after drying plane trips. The light citrus scent is both refreshing and calming while traveling, and you can reuse the bottle by refilling it from our convenient refill option (sold separately).
FORK & MELON Rich Hydrating Cream for Body & Hands (Travel Size), $7
LIP AND CHEEK COLOR IN ONE
When we're on vacation we like to simplify our "get-ready" routine. Especially if you'll be getting a bit of a tan while you're there, it's nice to wear minimal makeup and let your natural glow shine through. This lip/cheek color by RMS is perfect for creating a sexy but natural flush (choose from a variety of colors).
Got any SIMPLE. CLEAN. CHIC. suggestions to add to our beauty packing list? Comment below or message us on social🖤
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I’m honored to announce FORK & MELON has been accepted to the Female Founder Collective! Founded by successful fashion designer and NYC business owner Rebecca Minkoff, the FFC symbol denotes a female-founded company, and by displaying it we show our support and make it easy for consumers to support women-owned businesses.🖤⠀
I recently launched FORK & MELON after more than 15 years working for leading global consumer brands. Other than when I first started out in NYC in the fashion industry, my career has since been a series of being the only, or one of the only, female leaders in the room. In the past 2 years, challenges with fertility and miscarriages led me to want to clean up all of the products I was using. I've been a beauty/skincare fanatic since as long as I can remember, and though there are many amazing non-toxic skincare and beauty brands available now (I buy a ton of them myself), I haven't been able to find some of the more basic personal care products that are 1) toxin-free 2) effective and luxurious/enjoyable to use 3) look beautiful in my home and 4) aren’t so expensive that I relegate them only to the guest bathroom.. All of this, and over a year of extensive research, collaboration, sweat, and tears (happy & sad) have led to our recent company launch. We went live with friends & family and are now working on widening the audience so more people can experience our incredible hand/body wash and lotion. Every detail about them has been scrutinized and carefully-considered, so that they will delight even the most discerning customers. Our goal is to bring luxury to your daily routine without making it complicated, and so far we've received nothing but the most amazing feedback! If you haven't tried the products yet, I invite you to try them - they will be your new favorites. We're just getting started. xoxo, Cher⠀
–Cheryl Fork, Founder F&M
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Not yet widely talked about, we discovered the wonders of watermelon seed oil when conducting initial research during the development phase of our very first product, our Fine Cleansing Wash for Body & Hands. Watermelon seed oil is a fine, light oil that absorbs quickly, and penetrates deeply into skin. It contains a multitude of nutrients that are incredibly beneficial for skin, health, and beauty, including linoleic and oleic acid, omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, Vitamin A, B, and E, and a host of minerals, including magnesium, iron, copper, and potassium. At FORK & MELON, our skin & personal care products harness this amazing oil to moisturize, clarify, smooth, detoxify, and promote/restore youthful appearance.
Below are 5 powerful benefits of this powerhouse ingredient:
1. Detoxification & Acne-Fighting. Watermelon seed oil deeply penetrates the skin and removes impurities, dirt and dead skin, making it an ideal oil for cleansing. Oils high in linoleic acid help to clarify pores by dissolving dirt and impurities, leaving your skin cleansed and nourished, helping with oily skin and acne by acting to clarify and remove excess sebum.
2. Anti-Aging. The high linoleic and oleic acid content in watermelon seed oil also make it a dynamo in fighting wrinkles and premature aging. This oil contains a healthy amount of Vitamin E as well, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radical damage. The omega 6 essential fatty acids and phytosterols encourage new collagen production and cell regeneration in the skin.
3. Good for All Skin Types. Watermelon seed oil works wonders for all skin types, as it is light, fast-absorbing, and clarifying for those with oily skin. But it's also nourishing and effective for dry skin, as it protects and moisturizes with antioxidants, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. Our clean, conscious formulas are wonderful on even the most sensitive skin as well.
4. Fights uneven skin tone. Also known as hyperpigmentation, skin looks uneven when some areas of the skin have more melanin than others, which make some parts of the skin appear darker that the rest. Trace minerals and omega acids found in watermelon seed oil have been shown to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
5. De-puffs and promotes blood circulation. In addition to fighting free radical damage, the Vitamin E in watermelon seed oil also promotes blood circulation and has been shown to reduce puffiness in any area of the skin due to excess water retention. We recommend gently massaging our Rich Hydrating Cream into skin to maximize these benefits.
Watermelon seed oil is beneficial for the entire body, including your hair. We’re currently working on additional products to compliment our Fine Cleansing Wash and Rich Hydrating Cream.
Have you heard of watermelon seed oil as a skincare ingredient? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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