As the founder of WAXON Waxbar, Toronto’s high-end, high-design approach to waxing, Lexi Miles finds herself wearing a lot of “hats” and jet-setting to the trendiest of destinations (for work of course). Mostly recently however, Lexi says she’s been able to take more trips for pleasure than work, which she admits has been a refreshing break. “My most recent pleasure trips this summer were three Bachelorette parties…Boston, Nashville and the Hamptons,” she shares. “If you haven’t been to any or all, I highly recommend all three of these fantastic cities!”
Keeping on top of the hottest beauty and spa trends is all in a days work for Lexi, who regularly visits New York and L.A. to do research for her business. All of that border crossing has helped her acquire a few tips along the way, from the best travel tote ever to two amazing beauty products she can’t travel without. Her travels don’t end there either. Read on to find out more about her ultra-luxe adventures (you’ll want to hear about the Champagne fight, trust us).
What’s your carry-on bag?
Depending on if I have a connecting flight and what I’m wearing, of course, I’ll rotate between my black Givenchy hobo shoulder bag which I find is easier to carry if I’m away for work and have to lug around a hefty weight on my shoulder. Otherwise I use my go-to “never leave home without it” Louis Vuitton Neverfull. I somehow can always find endless amounts of space in both of these carry-on bags.
What are the top 3 items you put in your carry-on?
1. Mac Powerbook – It’s basically an accessory to me
2. Headphones (Not a fan of the airline ones nor am I fan of paying for them!)
3. My Kindle
…I feel weird not saying my iPhone but that’s a given, right?
Travel & Style’s Pick: Molami Headphones Napa White & Gold, $150, molami.com
Travel accessory you can’t leave home without?
My Catherine Manuell Design black embossed patent leather makeup/accessory travel tote — also referred to by my friends as my ‘Bowling Ball’ carrier because that is exactly what it looks like. I used to travel to the U.S. every week for work and this carrier changed my life. It holds everything I need to beautify myself on my travels — hair dryer, curling iron, make up, travel-friendly beauty products, jewellery, vitamins, etc. Not only does this allow you to have your most important items with you on the plane but when you arrive at your destination you have everything in one place to make getting glammed easier than ever. AND if that isn’t enough, it has a strap so that it slips onto your carry-on for easy transportation. If you don’t have one, you need one… trust me, you’ll thank me.
Vacation prep must-do?
Waxing, of course! Great tip — if you are in need of emergency wax pre-vacation go to a waxbar that uses Lycon Wax. It removes hair as short as 1mm, so you can even visit in between wax appointments if you are heading away on a last minute vacay.
How do you kill time waiting for your flight?
I’m really not a fan of chilling in the airport, so I tend to always show up as close to the one-hour cut off time as I possibly can. However, if I have a layover or a delayed flight you will find me feverishly trying to get out emails before boarding. Recently, I was on a Delta flight with Wi-Fi…it was heaven!
Favourite hotel & why?
Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi Coast. It truly is one of the most romantic and stunning hotels. The second you walk in, this hotel takes your breath away. From the service, to the food, to the views (oh the views!) everything was almost indescribable! Santa Caterina, overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and is surrounded by cultivated olive groves and fruit orchards, including a path walled with overhanging lemon trees. To top it off, the beach club is carved into the rock face so you are literally sun bathing on the Mediterranean, in my books it doesn’t get much better than that!
Hotel amenity you can’t live without?
Big fluffy robes. There is something about slipping into a comfy hotel robe that just makes me feel like I’m on vacation. A nice tasty treat on the bedside table never hurts either.
Best meal on your last trip/ever. Where and what did you have?
Burj Al Arab in Dubai — the room felt like we were sitting in a cave of diamonds, everything sparkled! The view looked out onto the ocean with Atlantis in background. We had the most extravagant cocktails that also sparkled; followed by the most delicious, mouth-watering sushi I’ve had in my entire life! The experience of visiting the Burj is unforgettable on its own accord and everything in Dubai is simply over the top, incredible.
Current travel music playlist/reading material?
Unless I’m into a real juicy novel at the time, I have to admit, I use travelling as my chance to turn off my brain for a moment and catch up on the latest trashy gossip magazine (when electronics are required to be stowed under the seat in front of you). Now, I do usually try and balance this out by mixing in the latest copy of The Economist and Fortune Magazine. It’s my version of mixing business with pleasure.
Favourite travel-friendly beauty product?
I have to share a couple because there is nothing better than finding the ultimate products to use while travelling:
First is the BodyShot by WAXON — it is an all-natural coconut oil based body oil (that can also be used on the face) is non-greasy, incredibly hydrating and is the perfect refresher that my skin craves after flying.
My other favourite travel-friendly product is Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion. It holds true to it’s name as it is infused with a blend of natural extracts that lift, firm, tighten and diminish the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks and varicose veins, as well as minimizing bruising and sore muscles that can come from travel. To top it off it leaves you with a natural bronzed sun-kissed glow and is 100% vegan product right down to the packaging.
Best spa treatment you’ve ever had while travelling?
Canyon Ranch in Tucson is hands down one of my favourite places on earth. Not only is it like a camp for grown-ups with all the activities they provide but they also have the most incredible spa treatments, my favourite being the Detoxifying Herbal wrap. This treatment involves them literally wrapping you in steaming sheets that have been marinated in a special detoxifying herbal tea concoction that helps relieve muscle and joint stiffness and aid in detoxification. Your body sweats out all the toxins while taking in the healing remedies from the tea sheets. It is life changing in my books but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who is claustrophobic!
Tell us what your airplane style is.
My rule is that you never know who you may meet in the airport, so although I keep comfort in mind, I always still dress to impress. A few key pieces would be my comfy-chic AG boyfriend jeans with my black leather Helmut Lang blazer and Rag & Bone Booties for quick and easy to removal.
Travel & Style’s Pick: Rag & Bone Harrow Booties, $595, shopbop.com
Favourite destination to shop. What shops should we check out?
I absolutely love shopping in Soho, N.Y., however, to be completely honest recently I haven’t had much time for shopping while travelling other than my seasonal trip to Neiman Marcus while visiting my parents in Arizona where I literally can go in and leave fully stocked for the next season. That’s what I call productive shopping!
Most memorable souvenir?
My family was fortunate to travel the world with my Dad’s business over two consecutive years when I was 9 and 10 years old. My Mom had us all keep a daily journal over the course of our travels. Mine is covered in stickers from all the places we visited and documents so many memories that I fear I may forget one day. I love picking it up from time to time and reading a few pages of my child-like chicken scratch journal entries.
Travel & Style’s Pick: Rifle Paper Co. Travel Essentials Journal, $15, riflepaperco.com
Where was your last vacation and what was the best thing you did?
Last vacation I was on was in Marbella, Spain. I went there with a group of my closest friends and we went to the most amazing pool party at a day club called Ocean Club. Being surrounded by the people you care about most in such a beautiful place was just the best, oh and the traditional Ocean Club Champagne fight was pretty great also! Seriously…
Next stop?
I’m heading to Chicago this weekend and going to a concert at the House of Blues. Can’t wait!
Dream destination?
I would love to go on a safari in South Africa as well as hike The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
