Raspberries Aren't Just for Eating

Summer means long sunny days, hanging out on a warm, sandy beach, and eating bowls of ripe, sweet berries. Is there anything more yummy than diving into a bowl of cool, juicy red raspberries?  They're the best!  But berries aren't just for eating.  Raspberries inspire all sorts of beauty products...here are a few to try.

FOR THE LIPS
Korres Raspberry Antioxidant Lipgloss, $22.  This cooling, water-based formula contains the natural raspberry and pomegranate extracts to protect against free-radical damage and smooth lip lines for softer, more youthful-looking lips. It glides on with the creamy texture of a lip gloss and has the long-lasting, vibrant finish of a lipstick.

FOR THE SHOWER
Philosophy Raspberry Sorbet, $16. Are there any scents of bath/shower gel that Philosophy doesn't have?  Some of their offerings are great...others miss the boat.  I really like this one, their Raspberry Sorbet.  This lusciously-scented shampoo, bath, and shower gel is packed with moisturizing agents that smooth and condition the skin and hair, while gentle cleansing agents eliminate excess oils and impurities.

FOR YOUR SKIN
Arcona Basic Five Travel Kit for Problem Skin, $87.  Raspberries taste good and are good for you. The products in the Basic Five work synergistically and are scientifically designed to fulfill a distinct transformational function. Using the Basic Five as part of an advanced daily promises even fresher, more glowing skin and a more contoured, youthful appearance.

Battle of the Body Scrubs!

Alright! After taking an unscheduled--but apparently much needed--break from blogging, I'm back. And I'm very much behind! I have a ton of beauty products to tell you about, so be sure to swing by this week. I'll have new content up regularly, unless all hell breaks loose!

Since yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday (confession: I have never--and never plan to--watch a Super Bowl game.  Sorry!) and we're in a competitive mood, I thought I'd have two body scrubs go head-to-head today.

Let's meet our body scrub combatants:

• Arbonne Aromassentials Unwind Sea Salt Scub
• Repechage Pomegranate Cran-Apple All-Over Body Scrub

And let's see how they measure up:

USE
Both scrubs are meant to be used in the shower, on the entire body. Both were easy to apply and rinsed off easily.  It's a draw for this category.

SCENT
Arbonne: Clean, slightly flowery but not distractingly so.  The scent seems to last a while on the skin, so you'll smell good well after your shower.
Repechage: It smells yummy! Very much like a fruit smoothy!  It's filled with pomegranate and cran-apple, so I was expecting it to be cloyingly fruity.  Thankfully, it's not.  The fruit smoothy aspect is mild and pleasant, and doesn't linger.
Advantage: For me, I prefer Repechage, though there was nothing wrong with the Arbonne scent.  Since I wear perfume, I don't like to have too many scent layers on at one time.  The Arbonne is nice--especially if you're not planning on adding any scented lotions.  But if you do, you may want to stick with the Repechage since it won't compete with other products.

FEEL
Arbonne: The product is a bit watery, with chunks of salt mixed in.  It's easy to scoop out of the jar and a little seems to go a long way.  Since it's salt based, it's a bit rougher on the skin (though it's by no means harsh!).
Repechage: This one seems sticky almost--kinda gooey.  It was a bit more challenging to get out of the jar--it seemed to fight me!--but once I got it out, it was easy to use.  This seems to be a very mild scrub, which is good for those with more sensitive skin.
Advantage: Slight advantage to Arbonne, simply because I thought the Repechage was a bit goopy.

FINAL RESULT
Arbonne: Like many salt-based body products, I found the Arbonne scrub to be a bit oily.  When I rinsed off, the water beaded up on my skin, like I had been waxed down!  If my skin were exceedingly dry, all that additional moisture might be beneficial.  Arbonne left my skin very soft and scented.
Repechage: With this product, my skin is just as soft as the Arbonne.  It feels a little less aggravated, and there's no lingering fragrance.
Advantage: Both do an admirable job of softening skin, but I am giving the edge to Repechage since I am not the biggest fan of the oil associated with a salt scrub.

PRICE/AVAILABILITY
Arbonne: This appears to be a limited edition product...so much so that I had a hard time finding a place to buy it from.  I've heard that people have had issues with Arbonne consultants and that they're a bit sketchy to deal with.  Since I received this (and the Repechage scrub) for free to try out, I am not factoring in any of these issues I've read about into the review.  Still...it does seem that it may be tough to track this product down, and it appears to cost just under $25 for 5 ounces (for a 5-pack...I think. Again, this is not clear to me!).
Repechage: This product is readily available at spas and online.  It retails for about $30 for a 10.5 ounce jar and is currently on sale for $23.98.
Advantage: The hands down winner in this case is Repechage!

OVERALL
If I were to purchase either of these products in the future, I'd go with the Repechage.  Both products are very nice...don't get me wrong...but for me, Repechage is the clear favorite.  I really like the non-sweet, not overbearing fruity scent and the gentle approach to scrubbing away dead skin cells.  Plus they incorporate all organic fruit products in the scrub, so that's a nice little bonus.

Beauty Product of the Week: Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E

What is it? Palmer's Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E is made of, "pure cocoa butter enriched with Vitamin E, in a soothing fragrance free base. Heals and softens rough, dry skin. Smooths stretch marks. Tones skin. An excellent all-over-the body moisturizer and after tanning butter." Available at drugstores and big box stores for about $6 for 8.5 ounces.

What did you think? My skin is not yet dry and flaky, and I'd prefer to keep it that way! I received a bottle of this lotion to try out, and I think I'm hooked. The lotion isn't overly thick, but it does leave my skin feeling very, very moisturized. My skin seems to just drink it up! I like using this every morning, right after my shower...and after I shave (it really makes my legs feel soft!).

The lotion has a slightly chocolaty scent that tends to fade away after a few hours. The scent is yummy but it doesn't overpower or compete with my perfume.

I've tried expensive body creams, and this one is just as good as the spendier ones.  It can supposedly help reduce the appearance of scars and stretchmarks, but I haven't tried it out for this purpose.  For moisturizing skin, this can't be beat!

The final verdict? Why spend a fortune when you can get such a decent product for less than $10? Using this product makes my skin soft and smelling like yummy cocoa. It's the perfect product to help winterize skin at the perfect price!

Good Clean Fun!

Every day, I take a long, hot shower and clean myself off using body wash.  I don't have any loyalty to a particular brand--I usually just buy whatever is on sale, use it up, and buy something else.  I haven't used a bar soap in quite awhile...bars sometimes dry my skin out.

However, I recently received a new bar of soap from Wembe to test out.  Wembe makes some amazing products: their soaps are eco-friendly and are derived from natural products.  Their corporate vision is pretty awesome: Nature compliments the human soul and envelops it with health beauty and happiness.

The soap I received from Wembe is their Black Clay bar.  It's an exfoliating soap that has a somewhat medicinal scent.  It helps to stimulate blood circulation, improve smoothness, and remove impurities from the skin.  It's like a mini-spa treatment right in your own bathtub! And it's a perfect bar to add to your shower if you want to work on winterizing your skin (as I mentioned in yesterday's post!).

It contains black clay from Paraguay, a product that is rich in essential oils due to the vegetable clays origin.  This soap can be used on any skin type, but is especially good on oily skin and it works best as a body scrub.  Exfoliating regularly eliminates dead skin cells, cleanses the body and improves the complexion.
The makers of Wembe refer to Black Clay as a "little mud bath in a bar" and they offer the following suggestions on how to get the ultimate experience with this soap:

• Get the shower temperature hot (Not too hot !, Just warm enough to open up your pores).
• After this, make sure you scrub your body down with the black clay bar, enough to make a nice looking lather. Allow the your skin to really absorb all the good properties our soap has to offer.
• Once you are all lathered up, you take the final step and plunge into your reasonably hot/warm and steamy shower and rinse the lather off.

Results: Super smoothed and deeply cleansed skin, an experience like no other. For those who have acne, skin blemishes or scars, this treatment can't go wrong!


If you want to try this out for yourself, I highly recommend you head over to Wembe's site to check out Black Clay and their other nature-inspired products.  I like this soap quite a bit--it left my skin smooth and feeling good!

Winterize Your Skin!

Now that Halloween is officially over, it's time to think about what's just around the corner: the holiday season and cold, winter weather.  With winter comes dry skin and frizzy hair...fun, right?  Well, November is "National Healthy Skin Month" and it's a good time to start up a winter skin regiment. 

Here are some tips for getting your skin looking good as we head into the dark days of winter:

• Maintain year-round sun protection.  Just because you're not planning on hitting the beach doesn't mean that you should be skimping on the SPF.  The sun is out every day, all year long, and those UV-rays promote pre-mature aging at best, skin cancer at worst.  Find a product you like and apply it to all exposed skin every single day...no matter what!
• Moisturize more.  With the heat on, our inside air is very dry.  Going outside in the cold air and winter wind can lead to chapping.  Skin is starved for moisture, so be sure to moisturize in the morning, after your shower when your pores are open.
• Avoid super hot showers and baths.  This is impossible for me!  But hot showers do result in overly dry skin.  If you can turn the hot water back a bit, do it!  Your skin will be thankful.
• Exfoliate!  Using an exfoliating product regularly will slough off nasty dead skin cells.
• Add some fats to your diet.  Increasing omega-3s (found in fish like salmon) and flaxseed will help combat dryness from the inside out.
• Don't forget your hands, feet, and lips.  For hands and feet that are stubbornly dry, try applying moisturizer then a pair of gloves or socks before bed.  Lips should be exfoliated regularly...and try to find a lip balm that contains SPF.  You can get skin cancer on your lips, after all.

Those are my tips...if you have anything to add, be sure to leave a comment!

Beauty for the Cause

Tons of companies are going to offer Breast Cancer Awareness promotions this month.  Be on the lookout for pink-themed products, but before you buy, make sure you know how much money will be given to finding a cure for breast cancer.  I'll be highlighting several products that are running BCA promos in October.  Here's a few to get us started!

Mission Skincare Pink Lemonade Lip Balmer SPF 15
Formulated to nourish, protect and deliver long-lasting hydration, Mission Skincare will donate $1.00 from the sale of each preservative and paraben-free Pink Lemonade Lip Balmer SPF 15 to the Young Survival Coalition - the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer.

Price: $3.49
Availability: www.MISSIONSkincare.com

Red Flower Moisturizing Body Lotion in Japanese Peony
Rich in certified organic, biodynamic and wild-crafted ingredients, red flower’s moisturizing lotion in japanese peony is 100% biodegradable and free of all dyes, parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals and synthetic preservatives. Throughout the month of October, 100% of the profits from the red flower moisturizing body lotion in japanese peony will be donated to Cancer & Careers.

Price: $24.00
Availability: www.redflower.com
 

Antica Farmacista Home Ambiance Fragrance in Peonia, Gardenia & Rosa
Fill your home with a scent that gives back – Antica Farmacista Home Ambiance Fragrance in Peonia Romantico. Throughout the month of October, 100% of the profits from this floral bouquet of fragrance will go to the Cancer Support Community for breast cancer research - a new non-profit organization which formed in 2009 when the Gilda’s Club joined forces with The Wellness Community. Enjoying the finer elements of life never felt (or smelled) so good.

Price: $62.00
Availability: www.AnticaFarmacista.com

Thanks, Lumene!

I've had the pleasure of trying out many different Lumene products in the past. Now, Lumene is launching new product to bring a spa experience to your home bathroom.

Inspired by Finnish nature and the Arctic spa tradition of the sauna, Lumene combines the energy and harmony of this experience into the SPA products so you can transport your senses to the spa.

For generations, Finnish women have created a unique beauty experience for themselves by performing their beauty routines in the sauna. They embrace the humid steam and natural raw materials in a weekly beauty ritual, to help rejuvenate their senses and cleanse the body and mind. Lumene brings together these elements with the introduction of the SPA line and helps to recreate the relaxing sensation and positive benefits at home.

Enriched with Arctic Rose Root, the SPA line improves the skin’s appearance and has been shown to increase the skin's endorphin levels as well as elevate mood. The line also contains 90% natural ingredients and 100% natural fragrance.

The Lumene SPA skincare line includes the following products and is now available at DermStore.com, Sears.com and Target.com.

* SPA Pampering Body Cleanser, $10.00
* SPA Stimulating Body Scrub, $10.00
* SPA Detoxifying Cellulite Serum, $15.00
* SPA Intensive Firming Body Lotion, $15.00
* SPA Repairing Body Butter, $15.00
* SPA Nourishing Care for Body and Mind, $15.00

I've been using the entire line of SPA products, and I LOVE them! The scent is lovely--there's a light, pleasant fragrance that has a hint of citrus. It's a relaxing, clean smell that isn't overpowering or heavy.

The body cleanser and body scrub both leave my skin feeling clean, fresh and pampered. I love the body butter--it feels very rich and provides a ton of moisture (I put it on my feet then cover them with a clean pair of socks for extra skin softening!). The Nourishing Care is interesting--it makes my skin feel treated and moisturized, but in a lightweight way.

If you want to add a little bit of relaxation to your shower routine, consider the Lumene SPA line--I love it!

Today is World Oceans Day

Well...THIS is timely, considering what's happening down in Louisiana.

June 8th is World Oceans Day. Officially recognized by the UN in 2008, but unofficially celebrated since 1992, this day allows us the opportunity to delight in our world ocean and explore our personal connections to the sea.

Depth recognizes the absolute importance of the ocean and its inhabitants—their hair, bath and body products utilize sea-based ingredients that clean, nourish and refresh skin and hair—so to commemorate and honor World Oceans Day, Depth will donate $1 from each unit sold at Whole Foods and on www.wholefoodsmarket.com from June 8th through June 15th to the National Audubon Society for Gulf oil spill recovery.

Depth utilizes these essential, sea-based ingredients to stimulate skin with a surge of moisture like no other. Depth enhances the skin’s ability to remain healthy, hydrated and resilient. The therapeutic sea botanicals within Depth are best known for their moisturizing properties, but they also serve to supply essential fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and amino acids to protect and detoxify the skin. Drawing upon three different classes of sea botanicals – Brown (Phaeophyta), Green (Chlorophyta) and Red (Rhodophyta) algae – delivery of hydration and minerals to the skin has never been so moisturizing. Together, these algae powerhouses act as detoxifiers, while individually delivering their own unique skin benefits.

I'm hoping to try out some of these products soon--when I do, I'll be sure to report back.

The Depth collection consists of shampoos, conditioners, hand soaps, body wash, hand and body lotions, and shave creams in four exclusive scents: Mangrove Citrus, Sea Berry, Orange Blossom and Bay Coconut.

Hair Care ($9.99 each) - Infused with a unique blend of sea botanicals, certified organic aloe vera and natural emollients, Depth Shampoos and Conditioners are ultra-hydrating, refreshing, and moisturizing.

• Refresh Daily Shampoo – For all hair types. Keeps hair soft, healthy and nourished with a nutrient-rich blend of vitamins and sea botanicals
• Drench Hydrating Shampoo – For dry and damaged hair: Gentle cleansers work to nourish and restore essential moisture, ideal for color treated hair
• Immerse Daily Conditioner – For all hair types. Nutrient-rich to maintain healthy, beautiful hair without weighing it down
• Submerse Deep Conditioner – For dry and damaged hair. This creamy conditioner provides deep nourishment and ultra-hydration for extra healthy hair
  

Hand Soaps ($7.99 each) & Body Washes ($9.99 each) - Luxurious, refreshing and extra-gentle, Depth Hand Soaps and Body Washes are enriched with ultra-hydrating sea botanicals and organic aloe vera to naturally cleanse, moisturize and soothe the skin.

Hand & Body Lotions ($9.99 each) - Lightweight and quick absorbing, Depth Hand & Body Lotions are enriched with ultra-hydrating sea botanicals and organic aloe vera to moisturize, soothe and nourish the skin.

Shave Creams ($6.99 each) - As smooth and silky as algae, Depth Shave Creams are enriched with hydrating sea botanicals and natural emollients to provide an effortless glide for a soft, comfortable shave, while an abundance of organic aloe vera moisturizes and nourishes the skin.

Product Preview: Nair Silky Sensations

Quick: What's do you think about when you think about Nair?

For me, I think of the annoying "short shorts" commercials in the 80s/90s (Who wears short shorts? Nair for short shorts!) AND I also think about the odd/disgusting scent of Nair hair removal products. I haven't used Nair in ages. My memory of it isn't great--for me, it was always stinky and it never really worked that well.

Now, it seems as though Nair is trying hard to change our minds about their products. They have hair removal products with more pleasant scents, like lavender, cucumber/melon, and pomegranate/soy.

I received a box of Nair products to try out. I gave my sister a tube of cucumber/melon to test, and I'm going to put the pomegranate/soy through the paces. I'll report back and let you know what my sister and I think about the new Nair products. I'm hoping to get smooth, hair-free legs with minimal effort. I really hope the new products are effective.

Here are the product details:

Nair Hair Remover Silky Sensations, dual moisturizing blend--with 20% moisturizers. For legs and body. Provides 7 days of smoothness and promises radiant, silky skin. Available at drugstores for about $10.

NOTE: I have a few other Nair formulas to try out, too. I'll let you know what I think about those when I get around to using them! In the meantime, let me know if you've used Nair and had any success!

ecoTOOLS Giveaway!

It's still April, which means it's still Earth Month! And to wind down the month, I'm hosting a little giveaway, thanks to my friends over at ecoTOOLs.

As a pioneer in environmentally-friendly cosmetic and bath and body care products that are affordable, effective, and eco-fabulous, EcoTools makes it simple to green your beauty routine without sacrifice; all you need are the right tools!

Just in time for Spring 2010, EcoTools unveils the brand-new body butter, body scrub, body mists and EcoPouf – helping consumers start the season with eco-friendly essentials for a spring clean and cleanse.

A little lather goes a long way as the pioneers at ecoTOOLS introduce yet another eco-innovation with the world’s first 100% recycled plastic bath sponge! Launching in March 2010 at Target stores nationwide, ecoTOOLS takes scrubbing to a new level and – pouf! – totally updates daily bathing routines. The first of its kind, the EcoPouf ($1.99) sets the standard for bathing, showing beauty buffs everywhere that getting squeaky clean and supporting sustainability can go hand-in-hand.

Strip skin of grit and grime, and replenish and restore radiance naturally with the “Polished & Protected” Body Scrub ($5.99). The earth-friendly exfoliating scrub contains crushed walnut shells that gently remove dry, flaky skin to reveal soft, smooth and stunning skin, proving you don’t have to sacrifice effectiveness for eco-friendliness! The brand-new “Replenish Your Natural Resources” Body Butter ($5.99) banishes dry skin while saving the environment. Enriched with mango butter that replenishes and hydrates all over, it meticulously massages to keep skin supple and well-protected. The body butter exudes a warm lavender, vanilla fragrance – and an eco-friendly recipe – that will put minds and bodies at ease.

Enrich the body and the earth with two fresh fragrances from ecoTOOLS. Featuring organic botanical extracts, the new “Passion for Change” Body Mist ($5.99) wraps the body in rich, earthly warmth with just one spray. Get back to basics with a natural, yet luxurious, aroma that soothes and settles. The new and improved “Blooming Planet” Body Mist ($5.99) returns with a revised floral fragrance. Notes of organic peony and passion flower shower skin with a sheer layer of soft, pink petals. With sophisticated scents, organic extracts and affordable prices, the ecoTOOLS body mists bare it all to bring green into daily beauty routines. Although you didn’t receive these samples, they are available upon request.

Now, here's the giveaway part: Leave me a comment and I'll pick two of you at random to receive an ecoTOOLS EcoPouf. I'll give you one week and will announce the winner next Wednesday. NOTE: this giveaway is open to US residents only--sorry! Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you. Good luck!

Shed Your Winter Skin

I live in the Seattle area, and we have some seriously crazy weather. A few weeks ago, it was gorgeous: the sun was shining, the temps were in the high 50s/low 60s and Spring was just around the corner. Then when Spring actually arrived, we were hit with colder temps and even a windstorm. Awesome.

Regardless of these few set backs, warmer, longer days are almost here. And that means showing more skin. I don't know about you, but in the Winter my skin gets scaly and dry. That flaky, scaliness has persisted and is still bugging me now that it's Spring.

If you're like me and need to shed the Winter scaliness, here are some hints:

• Start from the inside out. Incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can make skin less dry by helping to lock in moisture.
• Be smart in the shower. Using water that is too hot will only make dry skin worse. I am very guilty of taking long, hot showers, and I know my skin pays the price. It really does help to cool off the water temp at bit.
• Lather, rinse, exfoliate. Bar soaps can really be harsh and drying, so switching over to a creamy body wash may help. Rinse in cool water and be sure to exfoliate daily.
• Moisturize! As soon as you get out of the shower, pat yourself dry and then slather on a decent body cream. Reapply as often as needed.

Here are some of my favorite body products:

• Body wash: Olay Body Wash Plus Body Butter Ribbons: wraps your skin in fragrant, luxurious, creamy lather that visibly improves skin in just 5 days.
• Body scrub: St. Ives Collagen Elastin Body Polish : Collagen and Elastin extracts are blended with exfoliating sugar crystals to reveal fresh, younger-looking skin without over-drying
• Body cream: St. Ives Softening Whipped Silk Moisturizer: whipped with an exclusive blend of silk proteins, this unbelievably soft, light textured cream glides on easily and absorbs quickly for long-lasting moisture.

Springing Ahead with Degree

So, as I've mentioned a few times now, Degree Women is launching some new products just in time for Spring. They have three new fragrances of deodorants and matching body sprays:

• Honeysuckle and Tea Tree Oil
• Olive Leaf and Pink Pepper (my favorite!)
  
• Orange Flower and Cranberry

I finally got my hands on the new products and have shared them with my sister. She's been using the deodorants (I have sensitive underarm skin issues and can only use one brand of product) and a few of the sprays and she's hooked. She told me that she really loves the scents--they're light and pleasant and make her feel clean and confident all day long.

So...from my sister: the new Degree Women's deodorants and body sprays are a big thumbs up! Yay! Oh, and be sure to check their website for coupons and product info.

Release Your Outdoorphins with Mother Nature!

Spring is coming, and as I mentioned awhile back, Degree is going to be launching some new products to help you get a little closer to nature. Well, now I have more deets: Degree's new products have been inspired by the scents of nature and include three vibrant fragrances: Honeysuckle and Tea Tree Oil, Olive Leaf and Pink Pepper, and Orange Flower and Cranberry. These new fragrances will be arriving soon, in the form of refreshing body mists and matching deodorants that are easy on the budget (they'll only set you back about $3.99). Learn more at their website.

To get yourself ready for spring--and for Degree's new scents--start now to infuse nature into your daily routine. Here are some ideas:

• Get out! We are all cramped inside more hours than we'd like. We spend our days in offices, cubicles, and classrooms, and only get to daydream about being outside. Well, why not schedule in some outdoor time? Take a quick walk or take a mental health day to enjoy the sunshine and budding plants.
• Bring the outdoors in. Plants and flowers in your work/living space may help to reduce your stress and could make you a tiny bit happier. Plus they're pretty to look at and smell nice, so that's a bonus!
• Inhale. If you kill plants and can't spare time to get outside, light a scented candle that makes you think of the outside. Nothing beats the real deal, but a fresh, outdoors-y scent may help transport you to your happy place.

I'm looking forward to taking a nice walk around my neighborhood after work today--it will help me make the adjustment from work-life to weekend-life. How do you get your dose of nature?

Non-Fattening Chocolate for Valentine's Day

Wow--Valentine's Day is Sunday. I don't know about the rest of you, but 2010 seems to be flying by. Valentine's Day is insanely commercialized and it's kind of a silly holiday, but if you're looking for something sweet, skip the chocolates and check out these chocolate-inspired beauty products:
Body Deli's Dark Chocolate Truffle Botanical Butter Scrub, $32
Made of extra fine dead sea salts and certified organic raw cacao beans and organic cocoa butter, this scrub polishes skin and leaves a delicious aroma. Pure, all-natural therapeutic essential oils are used to impart the healing essence of true aromatherapy on the skin. The Body Deli recommends using the scrub on wet skin 2-3 times per week to achieve the best results. The Body Deli products are made of fresh, natural ingredients and packaged in recyclable containers. All products contain an expiration date to showcase when they lose their max. potency.

Sephora Espresso Chocolate Collection, $10-$16
Bath and body products lightly scented with a rich espresso chocolate fragrance. This tantalizing scent blends energizing espresso with indulgent chocolate for a downright addictive result. Each product contains deeply hydrating ingredients, such as Aloe Vera and Jojoba, for delectably soft skin.

Dylan's Candy Bar Chocolate Cupcake Collection, $16-$22
Savor the flavor of celebration with something downright sinful and delicious. You can't miss the most crave-worthy cupcake treats! Dylan's Candy Bar Chocolate Cupcake Collection is chock full of decadent delight.

Healthy Skin and Hair in '10!

It's time to start making dreaded New Year's resolutions. Instead of saying you're going to exercise every single day for at least 2 hours or resolving to never eat sugar, do yourself a favor and keep your resolutions simple and do-able. Here's a suggestion: resolve to take better care of your skin and hair, especially during the harsh Winter months.

Skin and hair can become increasingly dull and damaged during the winter season, but with help from Olay and Pantene Pro-V, you can revive and strengthen your cold weather defense. Both skin and hair have protective moisture barriers, and when exposed to drying elements.

New Olay Body Quench Advanced Healing Body Lotion and Pantene Pro-V Time Renewal products start at the core of dryness to repair and strengthen this barrier for a soft, smooth look and feel-just in time when we need it most!

Here's a preview of the new offerings from Olay and Pantene. I'll let you know how I do with these products after I give them time to work:

Olay Body Quench Advanced Healing Body Lotion provides an immediate burst of intense moisture that continues for 24 hours, and helps heal skin’s moisture barrier over time to prevent dry skin from coming back. In fact, no leading brand is clinically proven to heal/relieve dry skin better.

Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Shampoo gently cleanses hair with a rich and creamy lather to remove build-up and impurities.

Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Conditioner helps restore shine and smoothness to damaged hair, leaving hair looking and feeling healthy. When used with the shampoo, these products promise to provide damage protection that leading salon brands can’t beat!

Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Mask deeply penetrates hair to help restore moisture and give hair a more youthful appearance. The great thing about these Pantene products is that if you’re not satisfied, Pantene will actually switch you back to your old product, even if it’s a salon brand. Find our more details by visiting Pantene.com.

I'm not a big fan of resolution-making, but taking better care of my skin and hair are easy enough to do. As I said, I'll let you know how these products fair. In the meantime, if YOU have any resolutions for the new year and the new decade, leave me a comment and tell me about it!

Eco-Beautiful

Eco-friendly products are all the rage in the world of beauty. There are so many new brands and products popping up every day that it's hard to keep track.

I recently got some samples of products from a company called Wembe. The company's vision is that nature compliments the human soul and envelops it with health beauty and happiness. And their line of soaps promises to be good to your skin and good to the earth. Their soaps are cruelty free and contain NO silicone, petroleum products, parabens, sulfates, phenoxythanol, polyethylene glycol, synthetic fragrances or dye. All soaps are made from organic, locally grown plants in Paraguay and 94% of their products are vegan.
I received a stack of three soaps, all housed in a recycled cardboard box with minimal packaging. They also sent me a bonus to try out. Here's what I've been using:

• Yerba Mate Exfoliating Blend: helps to eliminate dead skin cells to keep skin radiant and keeps skin detoxified.
  
• Citric Cleansing Blend: helps purify the skin, and essential oils keep you moisturized and smelling great.
• Mango Cleansing Blend: contains ingredients high in Vitamins A, C, and E and smells like the warm tropical forest.
• Loofah Exfoliating Blend: this is a lovely bar, almost too pretty to use. It stimulates circulation and improves skin's complexion. Perfect for the dry skin winter months.
  

Wembe soaps range in price from $7 to just under $10 for the soaps and $25 for a pack of three loofas.

I like that these products are all natural and don't contain any nasty chemicals. They make my skin feel soft and smell great. During cold months, my skin is dry and yucky. The Wembe line does a nice job of improving skin gently.

With Christmas coming, any of the Wembe products would make a great gift for your eco-conscious friends.

Get Your Yum on at Sephora!

This Thanksgiving, satisfy your cravings without an ounce of guilt! From creamy lotions to hydrating cleaners and luscious lip shines, Sephora offers an array of skincare essentials that will have you glowing at your fabulous feast.

Check out these sumptuous deals:

Sephora Sweet Candy Gloss Trio ($18 a $21 Value) – Better on your lips than on your hips, this set of hydrating lip glosses will leave your lips soft and deliciously irresistible. Choose from delectable flavors like Guava Passion, Tropical Jasmine, and Apple Pomegranate.

Sephora BODY Super Supreme Body Butter To Go ($15) – This rich, hydrating body balm literally melts into the skin for a one-of-a-kind experience. Made with shea butter, it moisturizes, nourishes, protects, and leaves skin silky and smooth.

Philosophy The Gingerbread Man™ Foaming Bubble Bath and Shower Gel ($16) – Pamper yourself with this ultra-rich, moisturizing shower gel that’s decadent, creamy, and perfect for daily use.

Philosophy Pumpkin Spice™ Muffin Flavored Lip Shine ($12) – Pumpkin, spice, and everything nice collide in this luscious indulgence, which works to hydrate and soothe while offering a high-gloss shine with lots of flavor.

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Spray Perfume Set ($24) – This set of natural spray perfume, signature soy candle and customized box of matches is a delight to your sense with its addictive Tuscan Blood Orange scent! Spritz it on, light it up and enjoy.

*Holiday News Alert* Beginning November 18th, just in time for the holidays, Sephora Claus is taking over Sephora’s Twitter (www.twitter.com/sephora), giving away beauty products everyday for 31 days until December 18th. For beauty buffs who would like to enter, simply tweet on Twitter an @Sephora message and tag your wish with a #sephoraclaus “hashtag.”

Plus, you can “share” your wish on Facebook and receive one of three deluxe samples, including YSL Black Mascara, Philosophy Inner Grace Body Lotion or Mini NARS Duo Lipgloss. To get your glamorous goodie, enter any of these gift with purchase codes: WISHME, Claus, or Clause.

For more Sephora Clause details, visit www.Sephoraclause.com. You must be 18 or older and a US citizen to win. Prizes must be found on Sephora.com and less than $150.

Beat the Winter Blahs

I've lived on the West Coast for 10 years now. When I first moved out here, I used to laugh at the locals who complained about the "cold" when it was 50 degrees out and felt it necessary to bundle up under layer after layer of heavy winter clothes as soon as September became a memory.

My how things have changed. In my 10 years here, I have found that I, too, am a weather wimp. And now that Daylight Saving Time has come to an end--and Halloween is just a haunting memory--I find myself dreading the winter and all that comes with it: cold weather, possible snow, dry skin, chapped lips, static-filled hair.

Well, the good folks over at Women's Health (and in their book Age Erasers for Women) have some tips for all of us as we get ready for upcoming (or already here!) winter weather. Here you go--be sure to add your thoughts by leaving a comment!

Skin

• Not only does dry skin cause a lackluster complexion, it also keeps hydrating lotion from keeping your skin moist. Get rid of excess dry skin with a body wash with exfoliant and also a gentle exfoliating face wash.
  
• Because dry skin causes fine lines to be more visible, make sure you’re using a thicker face lotion with firming benefits.
  

Makeup

• Winter is the time to forget the foundation which tends to settle into dry areas on skin giving your complexion a patchy look. Instead, camouflage dark circles with a light-diffusing concealer.
• The skin around your eyes is delicate and prone to dryness and windburn. Try using a sheer indigo blue or emerald eye shadow to downplay redness, and apply with a damp brush to help it stay put longer.
  

Hair

• Because the minerals in tap water and detergents in shampoo can cause your scalp to itch and flake, now is the time to skip the shampoo. Try a dry shampoo on your roots which will absorb the extra oil and you can comb out in the morning.
• Inflate your drab winter hair by adding volumizing mousse to your styling routine.
  

Body

• If you’ve been considering laser hair removal, now is the time to do it. Because your hair and skin will have more contrast as your summer glow is gone, the treatment will be more effective.
  
• During the holiday season, cosmetics counters are crammed full of gift sets that go on sale afterwards. This gives you the perfect excuse to find those fragrances you’ve been meaning to test.
  

Check out all the blah-beating beauty tips here

Beauty Quickies, Part 2

As we are all painfully aware, money is tight at the moment. These beauty and personal care products will make you feel pampered without having to spend a lot:

MS. MANICURE
One easy thing to cut out of your budget are all the extras...you know, morning coffees from Starbucks and regular pedicures and manicures. I can't help you with the coffee thing (actually, I can! Pick up a Keurig and brew single-serve coffee at home before heading out for work or school), but for your nails, I whole heartedly recommend Ms. Manicure products.

I've mentioned them before, but I was using a Ms. Manicure nail kit the other day and was impressed with the number of tools you get for next to nothing. Their Handy Dandy Mani solves all of your impromptu nail issues. Featuring Cuticle Nippers, Nail Clippers, Nail Scissors, Wood Cuticle Sticks, a Nail Brush, a Washable Salon Board, 4-Way Nail Buffer, and Slant Tip Tweezers, this beauty booty will keep your nails looking fresh and clean. At just $9.99 for the kit, you can keep on at home and stash one at your desk (or in your locker). Nice! Click here for more info.

ECO-TOOLS BRANCHING OUT
I really like Eco-Tools makeup brushes because they're inexpensive, high quality, and are made from good-for-the-earth materials. Now Eco-Tools is coming out with personal care products like “Clean Skin, Cleaner World” Body Wash ($7.99), “Sustainable Softness” Body Lotion ($7.99), “One Hand Helps the Other” Hand Cream ($7.99), and “Blooming Planet” Body Mist ($7.99). Their new line of products is 98% from nature, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dermatologist-tested and cruelty free. Check their website for retailers.

MOUTH FRESHENING TRIO
So you've spent a ton of time (and money) making sure your skin is perfect, your makeup amazing, and your body perfumed and primed for the day. But don't forget to focus on your breath! If you want to get long-lasting freshness and a very clean feeling mouth, try the new trio of Crest Extra White Plus Scope Outlast ($3.25 for 4 oz. or $4.25 for 7.6 oz.), Oral-B Advantage Floss Picks Plus Scope Outlast Flavor ($3.49 for a bag of 75), and Scope Outlast mouthwash ($4.99 for 750 ml or $5.99 for 1250 ml).

These products is infused with the advanced Outlast technology that binds tightly with select receptors in your mouth, triggering a minty fresh sensation that lasts longer than ordinary products. I've been using the trio for a few weeks now and WOW! They really make you mouth minty and fresh. And fresh breath is a perfect fashion accessory since it's always in season! Look out for them at drugstores and big-box retailers this month.

Beauty Product of the Week: Vitalizing Gel Body Oil

What is it? Vaseline's Intensive Care Vitalizing Gel Body Oil with Brazilian Nut and Almond Oils promises "amazing" skin. "When skin is healthy and hydrated, light reflects off the rich color below the surface, giving it an amazing natural glow. But daily showers strip natural, protecting oils from skin allowing essential moisture to evaporate.

Cocoa Butter Vitalizing Gel Body Oil, used after bathing, replenishes skin and locks in moisture for naturally radiant skin. Contains Brazilian Nut Oil - rich in essential nutrients known to boost skin's moisture barrier, and Almond Oil - naturally high in minerals and known antioxidants." Available at drugstores and big box stores for about $7.50 or less, depending on the size you get.

What did you think? Walking through Target, this product caught my eye. I'm not really sure why...but I had to try it out. I don't have super dry skin, nor am I am consistent user of body lotions. I was oddly intrigued by this product and was anxious to give it a try.

I've been using the gel body oil for about a week. In that short period of time, I've already noticed a difference. My skin feels very soft, nicely moisturized, and all around nourished. I don't think I'm radiant...not yet, at least!...but this does improve my skin's overall feel.

The scent is light and pleasant. It doesn't linger too long like some products can. The packaging is minimal, but that may have been what drew me to it in the first place. The only thing I've noticed is that I have to be careful to not over apply the gel/oil. A little really does go a long way, and if you don't allow enough time for this to absorb into your skin, it could get a bit messy.

The final verdict? I like this product. Sure it adds a step to my morning routine, but I've already noticed that my skin is benefiting from the gel/oil. As long as I don't over apply it, my skin feels perfectly moisturized. Vaseline's Gel Body Oil is like baby oil for grown ups...and that's not a bad thing!