If you like multi-tasking products CLEAN has one for you. I always keep an anti-bacterial spray in my handbag and now CLEAN Anti-bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream has created a dream product. I used this hand cream all over Paris after metro rides and museum strolling. I suggest getting more than one and keeping them every where.
I have been a fan of Kiehl's since the first store in New York. I used to call the store from Houston and have my items shipped. The Creme de Corps has always been my favorite product. The Limited-Edition Creme de Corps Collection supports the Koon' Family Institute will make a perfect present. The colorful labels will add to any bathroom decor.
Farmhouse Fresh Goods is one of the many brands I discovered at the ISPA Conference last month. It was love at first sniff when I smelled the Whoopie! Shea Butter Cream. It doesn't hurt that the girls are from Texas. But, back to this body cream. This cream is the perfect winter body anecdote to dry skin. I scooped some of this product into a travel container because I didn't want to spend a week without it.
I have a slight addiction to the TokyoMilk Solid Fragrances. Seriously, I never leave home without one in my pocketbook. Plus, they are great for traveling. I know one day I will move on to trying more of the spray bottles, but for now it's me, the solid Honeycomb, and French Kiss. The Bon Bon Shea Butter Lotions will now find their way into my bag as well. TokyoMilk's creator Margot Elena listened to fans request and created hand cremes to match the TokyoMilk scents. As always, the packaging is gorgeous. Who wouldn't want to pull this out of your pocketbook and show it off.
I had a sample of the Sundari Gotu Kola and Kukui Body Lotion from a gift set, but had yet to use it until this week. This always happens to me. If I have a sample of a product it takes me forever to discover that I really like it. Sundari products are based on Ayurvedic principles. After discovering yoga I started getting into Ayurveda. Although I don't always adhere to what my dosha needs I make little changes as best as I can. My skin is still dehydrated and dry. I think I need a humidifier because my hubby loves the house hot and my skin needs to extra moisture.
What are your cold weather essentials? I would love to know.
Liz Earle never fails to make me happy. Her products are natural, great smelling, and brings me joy. {Queue the Anita Baker song} The Energising Collection has been waking me up these frigid mornings. Seriously, with this time change plus the extra hour of sleep has me behaving like Rip Van Winkle. I used to love early morning in the quiet. It was perfect for journal time, morning pages, and reflection. Now, I can't seem to climb out of bed before 8:00 am which is late for me. My body is achy and cranky; it takes more than one round of sun salutations to wake it up; and it's cold. Liz helps my mornings run a little smoother - along with a big ginormous cup of coffee. Have a happy weekend. Bisous!
After a summer of surf and sand my skin is trying to adjust to the self-relaxed torture that I put it through. I've been using the Collective Wellbing Dry Skin Relief Body Butter to help transform my skin. I know it's not the best for my skin to take super hot baths in the fall, but I can't help it. I need a hot bath to complete my day. Plus, it helps me sleep better. This lotion is addicting. I want to try the unscented and add my own essential oils to give it my own stamp of beauty. I can't wait for the potion lady to try it. It needs her stamp as well and she will be here in 35 days to hang out with me for two glorious weeks.
I must be loved in heaven, because for years I have wished my beloved Creme de Corps would morph into a luxurious body butter and make it's way into my life. My prayers have been answered. Kiehl's Whipped Creme de Corps Body Butter has launched and all I can say is "Hallelujah!" I've been a winter devotee of the lotion and now I'm ready to put the body butter to the test.
DayNa Decker has brought the fabulous of her candle line to a body care line with natural ingredients such as argan and marula oil with her Botanika Essence Moisturizers. Her candles have always rocked my home scent world and now her line of body products will be doing the same in the beauty arsenal.
My scent obsession has always focused on vanilla. I love vanilla in all it's fragrance combinations and head over heels for the John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk. It's not just vanilla that makes this scent luscious it's the bourban vanilla scent that takes this lotion to an entire new level of love in my life. This is a perfect transition to fall lotion. It's lightweight and moisturizing which means it's perfect for warm weather jaunts I have in the next few months. I realized living on the east coast that I must fly south a few times for the winter.
OSEA is an all natural marine based skincare line that I had heard great things about before traveling. I remember having a massage with their Passion Massage Oil. Now their Sea Minerals Facial Mist has secured a coveted spot in the beauty arsenal and in the travel carry-on. I had been looking for a new facial mist to try and this one has been THE best I've tried so far. After a summer of planes, trains, and automobiles I mist my face every night before I apply night cream for extra hydration. The beauty does not stop there. The Undaria Body Polish is so light and gentle as a body exfoliator that I have actually used it on my face.
I used to be the best sleeper in the world. But, over the past few years I have not. I have attended a sleep clinic and diagnosed with insomnia. I have met with amazing doctors and holistic practictioners who have helped this issue. But, there are still a few times a month when the big "I" gets to me. I usually end of watching Sex and the City or Somthing's Gotta Give over again, but there are also times when I hit the computer and discover something new. Lollia Calm Shea Butter Handcreme is one of those 3 am revelations. This handcreme is luxury in the perfect size package. I have waxed poetically to all my girls about this product and once you try it you are hooked. I have the petite size that fits in any pocketbook. As Salt 'n Pepa would say "ooh baby baby, baby, baby, get up on this."
Barielle Shades Fall 2010 Argyle Collection makes me want to put on an argyle sweater, white Brooks Brothers No Iron shirt, a black pencil skirt with Cole Haan penny loafers and tool around town. Since it's still warm in DC I will have to wait to style and profile the preppy look. But, my nails can rock anyone of the Argyle colors.
Jimmyjane AFTERGLOW Natural Massage Oil Candle in Dark Vanilla is a two-in-one product. It's a candle that turns into a massage oil. I personally think it makes a great oil for all those dry areas on my body. It looks like a typical candle, but once it melts it becomes a luxurious massage oil. The candle has tons of great ingredients such as Jojoba, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Soy, Aloe and no phthalates or parabens. I did not use it as a massage oil. Why? Because I didn't want to use all the product up. I added it to my daily body lotion. Jimmyjane also sells some "grown folks products" which should be looked at in the privacy of your home. Queue the wink here. I think they should package this oil in a separate container. I like the candle idea, but I need a large jar of this oil.
Elemis, one of my favorite spa and skin brands has partnered with Bliss Spas to offer two of its body and facial treatments. We finally have a Bliss Spa in DC and it's always a great place to rejuvenate and regroup. Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial is a natural exfoliation for the top layer of the skin to leave skin soft and supple.
Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow treatment revitalizes the body with a light brushing technique and is followed by warms oils applied all over the body and Elemis' Exotic Island Flower Balm. I need this balm in my life stat especially after days frolicking on the beach.
Adara makes some of the best coconut oils for the body. Most coconut oils are not scented and it's so hard for me to use coconut oil for this very reason. I don't mind digging it out of the jar, melting it down, and applying it to my hair, but for my body I want a scent. I have this idea in my head that if it goes on my body it needs to have a scent. Adara is giving me joy. First, they travel well. Coconut oil has to be melted using hot water and I don't have to worry about these leaking all over my suitcase. Secondly, they have a variety of scents for this junkie to be happy a few mornings out of the month.
CHANEL, CHANEL, CHANEL - You complete me. Look at the nail colors that Peter Philips (Global Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup created for Vogue's Fashion Night Out. It's three colors based on a khaki theme. Khaki Rose, Khaki Burn, and Khaki Vert will be rocking my hand in the fall. The colors are available September 10. My pick is Khaki Vert.
Mark Body Care has recently launched a line of Fair Trade Body Products which means certain ingredients in the line come directly from the farmer and purchasing the products will help keep the farmers in business. I'm all for beauty that feeds the body and the soul. To learn more about mark Fair Trade Products click here.
The products I'm interested in getting are the Big Fix Balm (a balm is an all around beauty product) and the Hydrating Body Cleanser. I need the Balm to carry around in my makeup bag because with the fall and winter season approaching I have extremely dry skin and this will be perfect to help me as I tool around the city.
The streamlined packing is working quite well for me here in South Africa. Unlock l'homme who packed everything and the kitchen sink I'm enjoying a streamlined wardrobe and beauty treats. Votre Vu Duette Luxe Lip Balm & Hand Creme is ingenious. It's a two-fer type of beauty product. A rich and luxurious hand cream with an equally yummy lip balm. It's the perfect accessory to my hand sanitizer which I use religiously all on flights. This leads to disastrously dry hands. Votre Vu has helped me streamline my travel beauty routine.
Have a beautimous weekend. It's summer, summertime. Bisous.
It's that time of year again for me. The summer travel season begins this weekend with the Memorial Day holiday. After the harsh winter in DC, I am going to embrace all this heat. It's also the time when I jaunt off to destinations full of products, tips, and trend items in a checked bag. But this year will be different. I have vowed to only take a carry-on with me to the beach and any trip under 7 days. Yes, I can hear the laughter as you read this.
Trust me, I did not think this was possible until I saw the slide show of Heather Poole on the NY Times website and was immediately hooked. I didn't think it was possible until my 5 day trip to Charleston and Barbados. I thought "I can do this." First, I needed to make a list of all the necessary essentials, outfits, and excursions then I would be well on my way.
I decided to call the series "Pretty in a Carry-On" to highlight what essential items you will need this summer season and beyond. It won't all be beauty products. Some will be cute scarves, luggage, totes, and clothing which will have you stepping off the plane and to "wherever your final destination may be." Can you tell I've been on a quite a few planes in the last couple of months.
First up is Bliss' Blood Orange + White Pepper Hand Cream. If you are traveling by plane, train, or automobile the one item of your skin that needs help will always be your hands and feet. I constantly wash my hands and frequently more than normal when traveling. I don't want to get sick because of airplane germs. Please don't get me started. I picked this hand cream and I'm currently giving it a test run. I'm pleasantly surprised. First, it's not heavy. I was looking for a thick hand cream, but in 80 degree weather a thick hand cream doesn't work. Barbados' water is very salty. Locals call it a "salt bath." My hands need edextra loving after taking numerous dips in the ocean and the pool and this product is now in the carry-on rotation.
For the past few weeks I have been slathering on Epicuren's After Bath Wild Lavender Moisturizer every morning. I usually associate all my lavender scented needs to bed time, but I decided to switch things up a bit and use it in the morning. I'm so glad I did. This moisturizer has made my mornings. I keep telling myself that I am finally going to work on a morning ritual, but I can't seem to get it off the ground.
Some mornings are better than others, but lately I want to stay under the covers longer and watch this ritual goes by the wayside. Hopefully this week will be it and I can at least spend three mornings on the yoga mat, writing in my journal, sipping chai tea watching the sun comes up, and then continuing to use my Wild Lavender Moisturizer to top the morning off.
Review by K. Dan contest winner.
I was very excited to win the Olay products but admit I was a skeptic at first. I never thought that I had dry skin, but after the first few uses my skin needed a little less lotion than before. Although I don’t live in a cold climate, it can get very cold in California in the winter months in the evening.
I used the Exfoliate & Replenish Body Wash and noticed an immediate difference in the texture of my skin after getting out of the shower. I wasn’t a big “exfoliating” type of girl. Now I see I definitely need to exfoliate and this makes the process a lot easier in the mornings. Next I tried the Deep Penetrating Moisture Body after the Exfoliate Body Wash and I can see this is going to be a great combination in my shower. The scents are soft and natural.
Would I buy this again? Definitely. But I'm a super lucky girl! I won a year's supply. Thanks Olay for the opportunity to experience your new products.
I love Olay. I have been using the products since they were Oil of Olay. I used to watch Mama Dear use them and naturally I wanted to be just like her so there are always Olay products in the beauty arsenal. The daily moisturizer has always been a steady staple. If you haven't tried it pick it up when you purchase these washes. The newest products are the Total Effects 7-in-1 Advanced Anti-Aging Body Washes which one of my lucky winners will win. One winner will win them today and a one year supply for one year on February 8. The winner will write a short description of what they liked about the products and I will post on the site.
Olay held a study and here are a few of the findings when they decided to study the body and here's what they found:
This study is what I have been saying for years. Pretty skin before pretty makeup. You get one skin so let's keep it. Also, I'm all about aging gracefully. I understand we are in the age of let's solve it with a scalpel, but if you take care of your skin you won't be disappointed. I'm closer to 40 than 30 and I look and feel better than ever. Living life to the fullest is the biggest beauty secret of all.
The seventh person to comment on this post wins the first contest. I will email the winner for your mailing address. The second contest will happen Monday, February 8 at 11:00am so check. I will be using a contest machine and it will automatically pick a random winner.
I used to be really good about doing my own nails. I spent almost every weekend painting Mama Dear's and my nails on our weekly visits to Louisiana. Yes, we went to Louisiana every weekend when I was a kid and I loved it. Mama Dear had the most amazing nails - natural, super long, and always polished. Whether she was delivering one baby or 5 babies a day as a midwife she was utter perfection. Somewhere about the age of 23 (I'm definitely dating myself) I started going to the salon for my weekly manicures and that was it.
Then I meet Erika (my beauty blogging best friend forever) and all of a sudden my weekly manicures at the salon start slacking. I find myself doing them at home. Erika hates getting manicures. Hate is a strong word, but she really dislikes getting manicures. She doesn't think they file her nails properly and let's not get her started on how they polish her nails. After visiting her family last month I realized I'm not nearly as obsessed as those girls. I know in a weekend I painted my nails 3 times and that's because Ms. Bree, Ms. Bailey, and Ms. Janey said "let's change nail colors."
I came home and decided to start devoting a little more time to myself and use the nail polish I keep buying. This brings me to Rescue Your Nails by Ji Baek. Ji is the creator of Rescue Beauty Lounge, a top nail salon in New York, which has its own range of nail polishes and luxurious body products. So, I'm taking Ji's advice with making time for more at home manicures. Because I need the relaxation I'm going to the salon for my pedicures. Some things I won't give up.
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