What is it like to be married to an actor?  Well I will say it is a hell of a lot easier if you yourself are an actor too!  We have had the good fortune to not only share this journey together as performing artists but we are often cast in the same show and this summer we have had the unique experience of playing in 2 2-handers together!  The show is 3 one acts and we are in 2 & 3. As we embark upon closing weekend, here are the highlights of this most special experience! 

1) Memorizing lines in our PJ's
2) Coming into the rehearsal space surrounded by art easels complete with classical music playing in the background (the space doubles as an art studio!)
3) Sushi lunch breaks &  AEA HEALTH WEEKS
4) Snuggled up on the antique loveseat (old set dressing) backstage running lines before we go on (gross I know)
5) Backstage Blue Light dancing to no music
6) Quick kiss & "see ya on the ice" before lights up.
7) FIRSTS -- I left my sweet husband on stage ALONE on final dress (invited audience) while I dealt with a costume malfunction - think "Ms. Jackson if your nasty..." LOL
8) British/Cockney dialects and quick changes
9) Doorknobs, olives, biscuits, break away wedding dress, coffee on wedding dress, ripped suit jackets, umbrellas, Tammy Faye Baker mascara...
10) Laughing audiences!  

2 more performances!  Thanks #TheatreConspiracy  We have had a grand ole time!  xo

So much to talk about...but I have been testing out Neal's Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm and Rose Facial Oil so I gotta tell ya what I think...

Both products smell amazingly beautiful.  Like a dressing room filled with fresh roses -- not the stinky musty kind that your lame dressing room-mates "forget" to throw out until closing weekend.  I digress...

The Wild Rose Beauty Balm is the winner for me.  I hear that this product is a customer favorite and I can certainly see why.  It is a thick balm that can be used in a variety of ways:  as a "rich cleanser, gentle exfoliant or deeply nourishing balm."  This wonderful product is heavy on the rose hip oil along with geranium, starflower, hemp and rosemary oil.  It is awesome.  I used it as a cleanser several nights after a full face of make-up and my skin practically said thank you with a rosy glow.  I also used it for a nourishing balm on some problem spots and it seemed to aid in the healing time.  I would order this for myself no question.    Now for the Rose Facial Oil.  It smells like a dream.  Seriously romantic.  It was just a little too much for my skin, I think.  A dab will do you...and even then I think with full face and street face and cleansing in between my skin was one toke over the line sweet Jesus on this one.  BUTTTTTTTTTT....I will say that this stuff was A.Maz.Ing for one very special use...Ok.  So I live in Florida right?  South Florida.  I am in the sun alot or I like to be.  There is one place on a lady that the sun is especially unfriendly and that is the décolleté area.  Sorry but it is the TRUTH.  Nothing gives away your age quite like that area right there...especially down here.  But this little product seems to be the Fountain of Youth and you can see results VERY quickly.  At least I did.  I would also buy this product even if I only ever used it for this very specific purpose.  Get yours here at:  us.nyrorganic.com/shop/mandyhays
 #Healthyactors
#whatsonourdressingtable

That is all...dressing room photos to come..

So here is one that I did not expect to be writing anytime soon but here it is...Spider Veins...

So I was pleased to learn while reading SpiderVein.org (like ya do) that this a problem for not only for Kim Kardashian but for many women, as early as in their 20's -- especially woman who are on their feet a lot and wear heels.  OK so that about sums it up, actors!  Spider veins heading your way.  Watch out Neal Patrick, you may not only be walking away from Hedwig with a Tony but with some spider veins.  Of course heredity, age, hormones, medication all that good stuff goes into as well.  But I like to think it is the heels and the cement rehearsal room floors.  

Spider Veins are not something that I have given a second thought to honesty until about a week ago.  I woke up one morning and my knees were hurting.  Specifically behind my right knee.  Granted I am rehearsing right now & in heels.  But I woke up and was like, "Hm, what the hell?"  So I look in the mirror and sure enough behind my right knee I see the faint traces of some blue/purple lines.  Not cute.  And not fun. So I pulled out my oils.  Lemon & Lemongrass.

Lemon essential oil is a tonic for circulatory issues and since spider veins are a result of dilated veins.  Lemongrass is great oil for anti-inflammtory so I thought let's give it a try.  Long story short= I have been using 2-3 drops of each oil along with my coconut oil concentrating on the areas behind and the knee.  Sweet relief already!  I will keep you posted if those little babies start to disappear.  Some folks claim that use of the oils actually lessen the appearance...Stay tuned for that.  

Other folks have used these oils for spider veins/varicose veins:  Cypress, Lavender, Cedar, Frankincense, Geranium, Chamomile, Tea tree, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Rosemary, Palmarosa, Marjoram, Ginger, Yarrow, Carrot seed, Juniper, Helichrysum, Black pepper, Birch

#stayhealthy y'all!  

For all you international savvies  out there-- you already know how fabulous this company is and all the awards they are racking up inside the beauty industry, right?  I have to admit -- I had never heard of this brand before...I'm lame,  I know.  Sorry to my Brits out there.  But yeah, when my cousin sent me the care package of products to try, I didn't know anything about his brand.  I should warn you -- I am a sucker for packaging.  I would buy a chewed stick of gum if it were packaged nicely with a slick logo and a funky font.  So right away I was in love with the colors and the branding.  Sophisticated without being bitchy about it.  I should tell you a little about this company:  whew.  Where to begin...This company is the real deal.  I don't know if I have ever come across a more earth-conscience, people-conscience, animal-conscience brand.  "We’re a pretty passionate bunch, especially when it comes to the importance of respect – for people, animals and the environment. We believe it’s a fundamental part of healthy beauty and organic living."  They are committed with a capital C -- through organic farming, trading fairly, and respectful supportive working conditions, members of Organic Soil Association, Carbon Neutral, Forest Stewardship Council, World Land Trust, GMEducation, Cruelty-Free International, Vegetarian Society Approved, Humane Society, FRAME & PETA...You get the idea?  Please check out the history of Neal's Yard Remedies because my description is not giving them their due.  They are the good guys!!!

I have LOTS of products to try in the coming days (thanks Mandy!  xo) but I started out my trial with the Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser and the Frankincense Hydrating Cream.  My cousin told me that it should be enough for about 4 uses.  And sure enough that was true.  AND A WARNING here:  I am opening a show in just under 2 weeks and I am trusting that my face is going to be happy.  I have pretty sensitive skin so I hope all goes well here...lol...If it was good enough for the baby Jesus and the Wise Men...I'm hoping for a Miracle.  

So what's the verdict after a few days of these new products???  I am a BIG fan of the Rejuvenating Frankincense Cleanser.  It is crazy good -- smells good, feels good and about 5 minutes after washing my face there was a fabulous glow to my skin that looked incredibly healthy and dare I say youthful.  For my normal to oily skin here in South Florida, the Frankincense Hydrating Cream was just a little too much -- I already got more moisture here than I know what to do with...  Now that being said, I can see how if I were still living in NY that I would LOVE that product in the winter when my face is like the Sahara Desert from the dry heat indoors and the cold winds out.  Again great smell of the Frankincense and a nice consistency to the product (thick but not heavy) -- silky and luxurious.  Two green thumbs up for the cleanser!  One green thumb for the cream -- but again I think it is because for my more-oily-than-not skin in Florida it is just a bit too heavy with the 90+ degrees out.  Bring on round 2~  #stayhealthy  Get yours here at:  us.nyrorganic.com/shop/mandyhays