fortyflirtyfabulous

Cover Up the Cool Way with Cypress Kimono Bathrobes

I like wearing bathrobes all year ’round, so I was happy to try the Cypress “Kimono-style” Cypress Bathrobe ($38.00 USD).

This robe is made of a kightweight knit with a diamond waffle weave and has nice roomy pockets. I love it and have been wearing it so much my husband has said, “Who do you think you are Hugh Hefner?” This of course has led to a discussion with my friends as to what you would call a male bunny…but I digress.

I received this in a beautiful light green, but it is also available in blue, yellow, and coral so there is a shade for everyone!

The Cypress robes are at Belk stores nationwide. So check them out and enjoy!

Smooth Your Legs With Queen of… Shaving Gels

Tired of the boring old drugstore ladies shaving creams? Try something new with Queen of… , the newest line of shaving products for her from leading British shaving brand, King of Shaves.

These shaving gels are made up of paraben-free, low foam ingredients that are gentle on the skin and since they go on clear, you can see exactly where you are shaving. which is great for those tricky spots like behind the knee and around the ankles! They are available in two formulas:

Ooh La La! Shaving Gel — Calm and soothe skin. Rich in Aloe Vera, Queen of….Ooh La La! Shaving Gel leaves skin silky and smooth to the touch. Irritation and razor burn will be a thing of the past.

Ta Da ! Shaving Gel — Wake up dull skin. The low foam formula, rich in tea-tree oil, refreshes and revitalizes skin on the spot, while retaining skin’s delicate moisture balance.

What I thought: Both formulas gave me a close shave. Each of them have an invigorating scent and feel. I did find that with both formulas, the scents were very strong, especially with the Ta Da! If I didn’t rinse the gel all the way off, it would sting my freshly shaven skin a bit. What I really like is that they are so different and the packaging is very cool!

Queen of… are be available at select Target stores nationwide. To learn more about Queen of… visit www.shave.com.

Protect Your Scalp with Redken Color Extend Sun Care

Redken Color Extend Sun Solar Screen SPF 12

I think that it is so smart that haircare companies are introducing SPF to their summer collections. It seems to be the next logical step in sun protection. We protect our skin everyday with sunscreen, why not our hair?!

Redken Introduced their Color Extend line in 2009 (see my review at https://fortyflirtyfabulous.wordpress.com/2009/05/17/redken-color-extend-sun-collection/). This year, they have added the new Color Extend Sun Solar Screen SPF 12 to the Color Extend Sun haircare regimen. This is a leave-in product that helps prevent burnt scalps while protecting hair.

The Claim: The UVA and UVB filters in Color Extend Sun Solar Screen SPF 12 provide protection plus filters coat the hair to protect the integrity of the hair fiber and safeguard haircolor and highlights. Redken’s exclusive Interbond Conditioning System and the advanced Hydra-Shield Complex deliver strengthening Ceramide and moisture-rich Mango Oil to dry strands to resurface the cuticle, repair damaged areas and replenish lost moisture.

This product is particularly recommended for stylists and consumers with side/middle/fringe parts, thinning hair, receding hairlines, or light-colored hair, and are looking for a multi-tasking product to protect their hair and scalp from UV damage while helping to protect and replenish the hair,” states Rodney Cutler, Redken Brand Ambassador and owner of Cutler/Redken Salon. “It is highly recommended to use the protective treatment at the beach or by the pool and for people who work outdoors and/or who play outdoor sports.”

What I think: I like the ease of this product — just spray on wet hair and you’re done. My scalp hasn’t burned yet this year, which is great, and I love that the spray is protection my color, which hasn’t faded. So I recommend this spray to protect the scalp and hair!

Other products in Redken’s Color Extend Sun line include:
•                    Color Extend Sun After-Sun Shampoo: Apply to wet hair, massage into a lather, and rinse.
•                    Color Extend Sun After-Sun Mask: After shampooing, apply to damp hair. Leave on 5 to 15 minutes. Rinse.
•                    Color Extend Sparkling Shield: Apply to damp or dry hair. Leave-in. Reapply throughout the day as needed.

Learn more about the Color Extend Line at www.redken.com. You can purchase these products at salon’s near you. Enjoy!

Prepare Your Skin for the Season With the Summer Beauty Boost Kit

Summer Beauty Kit — Summer Beauty Boost Kit

Is your beauty routine ready for the summer? To make sure that your skin glows, the experts at e.l.f. cosmetics have partnered with American Laser Centers, Neocutis Skincare and Shopthelook.net to create a limited-edition, charitable gift set that’s all about the savings, all about Summertime trends and all about being beautiful on the inside and out!

The NEW Summer Beauty Boost Kit is an all-in-one kit that includes expert picks for makeup, skincare, bodycare and accessory essentials PLUS 100% of the proceeds go to Bottomless Closet, a very special NYC-based charity that assists disadvantaged women in their professional and personal development.

Unbelievably the Summer Beauty Boost Kit has a total value of $620 but will retail for just $20 exclusively at www.eyeslipsface.com. In addition to useful “how to tips” from fashion and beauty experts like makeup artist, Achelle Dunaway from e.l.f., the kit includes:

MAKEUP:
·         e.l.f. mineral lipgloss– the perfect au naturale, sheer nude gloss for summer. ($3 value)
·         e.l.f. mineral booster – a sheer, photo-finish mineral powder for a healthy, even complexion. ($5.00 value)
·         e.l.f. mineral bronzer – for a healthy glow, a simple dusting will do! ($8 value)
·         e.l.f. cosmetic brushes – for both the face & body! ($4 value)
SKINCARE & BODYCARE:
·         American Laser Body Contouring Treatment – to tackle those surface troubles! ($500 value)

· Neocutis Journee Bio-restorative Day Cream with PSP and SPF 30 – Advanced skincare for superior, broad range sun-protection. ($75 value.)
FASHION:
· Golden Bangles from Shopthelook.net – ‘cause nothing complements a tan like gorgeous gold accessories. ($25 value)

· An endless assortment of helpful beauty tips from the pro’s! (value: priceless)

The Summer Beauty Boost kit is available now at eyeslipsface.com for $20 (that’s $600 worth of savings!), while supplies last.

About Bottomless Closet: The mission of Bottomless Closet is to help disadvantaged New York City women become self-sufficient through a comprehensive program that begins with business attire and interview preparation and continues with professional development, financial management and personal enrichment. Using the model of women helping women and their network of dedicated volunteers, Bottomless Closet enhances their clients’ self-esteem and self-confidence in order for them to enter and succeed in the workforce and improve the quality of their lives. www.bottomlessclosetnyc.org

Brighten Your Smile for Summer Photos with Luster’s 1 Hour White

If you are getting tan (hopefully fake) and toned and ready for summer, a white smile will top it all off perfectly! Luster is a great brand that you can find in your favorite drugstore to whiten your teeth.

Luster’s 1 Hour White ($39.99 USD) claims to brighten teeth in only an hour. Does it work? It did for me! I followed the instructions and my teeth were 5 shades whiter in an hour! It is an active hour, though. No sitting and waiting for your teeth to get white. You need to follow these directions:

Step 1: Rinse with the Accelerator Mouth Rinse, which will enhance the efficacy of the professional strength whitening gel
Step 2: Brush on the Super Whitening Gel, the same whitening agent used by dentists during professional treatments
Step 3: Apply the Activating Whitening Light, which will stimulate the photo-activator in the gel in just 2 minutes
For best results, rinse and repeat for up to 1 hour.

I found that if the whitening gel got on my lips, they tingled a bit, but my teeth were not sensitive from the products, which is a big plus. I have very sensitive teeth.

Another good Luster whitening kit which my teenage daughter tried, was the Weekend White ($19.99) This kit contains the whitening gel and the mouth rinse. For 3 days, twice a day, you rinse your mouth, then brush on the gel, wait 10 minutes and rinse again with the mouth wash. My daughters teeth were about 4-5 shades whiter and she didn’t mind the process.

You can purchase these at a drugstore near you. Enjoy your pearly whites!

Get Your Feet Ready for Summer!

Are your feet sandal ready? It is always a shock to peel off the winter boots and fuzzy socks and see rough and ugly feet. Pedicures help, but it is always a good idea to have a great foot lotion on hand, er foot, to keep your feet looking great bare!

Burt’s Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion ($9.00 USD 3.38 oz.) — My husband loves this super-minty foot lotion. It contains peppermint oil and menthol to invigorate the feet and parsley leaf oil and witch hazel deodorize and soothe naturally. It is also enriched with botanical oils and vitamin E to moisturize rough feet. It feels refreshing on the feet, and if you love the scent of peppermint, this one is for you! Visit www.burtsbees.com to learn more and you can pick this up at drugstores and natural product stores near you.

Curel Targeted Therapy Deep Penetrating Foot Cream ($4.99 USD 3.5 oz) — This thick cream features shea butter, coconut milk, and claims to noticeably smooth and soften dry cracked skin in just two nights, significantly improving the look and feel of even the driest feet. This cream has a softer, more floral scent than the Burt’s Bees Lotion and I think it’s a bit more feminine. I have noticed a great change in my feet in the last couple of days. They are much smoother and appear less calused. Visit www.curel.com to learn more and you can purchase at a drugstore near you.

Aromafloria, a natural, earth-friendly company creates products in a USDA Certified Organic manufacturing facility which is 100% wind powered and Green-e certified. All of their products are formulated with natural earth minerals, organic essential oils and Fair Trade Ingredients — including their For Feet’s Sake Collection. This new line is designed to instantly refresh feet with pure essential oils of Tea Tree, Peppermint and Spearmint—known for their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties—and claims to improve circulation, reduce swollen feet, and deodorize & hydrate dry, rough feet! It’s wellness for your feet!

I tried Aromafloria For Feet’s Sake Double Action Spa Foot Scrub ($10.50 on sale for $8.40 USD) and Intense Repair Spa Foot Butter ($10.50 on sale for $8.40 USD). The scrub was very pepperminty and was invigorating as it exfoliated! Great to use right before self-tanning. The butter was very soothing and hydrating. After I scrubbed my feet in the bath, I applied the lotion and put cotton socks on my feet. The next morning my feet looked great! Visit www.aromafloria.com to purchase these amazing products!

Enjoy getting your feet into summer-ready shape!

New Bath and Body Products from EcoTools

This spring EcoTools launched additions to their bath and body line. The products include a recycled plastic bath sponge, new body scrub, body butter and body mists.

The EcoPouf ($1.99) is the first recycled bath sponge, which is a great thing for the environment, as well as our bodies! It is so affordable plus you can support sustainablity the easy way. It is also generously sized and will last through many showers.

I also tried the brand-new Replenish Your Natural Resources Body Butter ($5.99). This extra creamy body butter is wonderful on both sun-ravaged or dry winter skin. It is enriched with mango butter to replenish and hydrate. It is scented with lavender and vanilla and is 98% natural.

Visit www.eco-tools.com to learn more and you can purchase these products at fine drugstores, and some of my favorite stores such as Target and Ulta. Enjoy!

Get Your Nails in Shape for Summer with GoNails

My nails take a beating. I change colors weekly, since I review lots of different brands and colors on this blog. So since I am always polishing and removing (then repeat), my nails have been getting thinner and have cracks and a rough texture. I keep them short, but they still show the damage.

I decided to fight the damage with GoNails, touted as “a revolutionary, clinically-proven nail growth treatment formulated to promote longer, stronger nails and healthy cuticles.”

The formula is an alcohol and formaldehyde-free, non-greasy cream that employs a unique combination of Lipoplastadine, Thymulen 4, biotin, keratin and collagen to promote nail strength and elasticity. GoNails also contains a triple patented ingredient, Arginine Aminobenzoate (AAB), a DNA-stimulator, to promote damage repair and cellular rejuvenation.

I really enjoy using this product, it smells fabulous as it has a light citrusy scent. I place a drop of cream on each nail then rub it into the nail and cuticle, massaging my fingers as I go. I have noticed after 3 weeks of use twice a day that my nails are stronger looking and have less cracks in them. They are also growing faster, which is great, but I have to clip them more often! If you are looking for something to help your nails grow and look better, check GoNails out.

GoNails retails for $24.99 and is available exclusively at www.MyGoBeauty.com.

Pur Minerals Perfectly Natural Everyday Balancing Makeup

I have long loved translucent powder. I have never had good luck with matching colored powder to my skin tone. Fair is too light and light is too dark. Yes, I know, weird. But translucent powder matches all skin tones and leaves a great finish.

That’s why I was excited to try Pur Minerals Perfectly Natural Everyday Balancing Makeup ($25.00 USD). I like to use this as a light powder foundation over concealer on my problem spots, but it can be applied over foundation, too. It combines mineral pigment with vitamin E, shea butter and oil-balancing sebaryl to stop shine.

I like how easy this is to apply. When you sweep the brush across the powder, it loosens the minerals and they are captured in the brush. Then swirl it on the lid so that the minerals are push inside the brush. Next, buff all over the face for a beauftiful finish that lasts all day!

Visit www.purminerals.com to learn about this and other great products! Enjoy looking fabulous!

Mineral Fusion Body Care

It’s rare lately for me to find new types of beauty products that I haven’t sampled. I’ve tried mineral makeup before, but never mineral bath and body care. Adhering to their slogan, “Minerals on a Mission”, Mineral Fusion has created a new bath and body line, and I was lucky to try their Mineral Body Wash and Mineral Body Lotion.

The Mineral Body Wash contains mineral extracts plus mineral-rich clay to help absorb excess oil and remove impurities. It is infused with Vitamins A, B, C and E for added nourishment. It is available in the following three varieties as described by the Mineral Fusion website:

Earthstone: This herbaceous blend comprises rosemary and geranium with hints of patchouli and cedarwood for a clean impression. Woodsy and clean.

Sunstone: Crisp white cassis berries make this blend surprisingly fresh with a sprinkle of pink ginger and vanilla. Completely refreshing with a tiny hint of sweetness.

Waterstone: Bergamot zest and grapefruit top this clean, crisp blend with a floral body dominated by a floral accord. Bright and citrusy.

I sampled the Earthstone scent and found it very fresh. I also used it as a bubble bath and it foamed nicely!

The Body Lotion also has a blend of unique minerals that helps strengthen the skin’s natural defenses and provide natural antioxidant protection. It contains:

Vitamins, Sunflower Seed Oil, Cocoa Butter, Myrtle Extract and Hyaluronic Acid promote cellular renewal.
Four varieties: Earthstone, Sunstone, Waterstone and Unscented.

I tried the Unscented which is great for men or ladies who do not like fragrance in their lotion. The lotion itself is very creamy and quenches my dry skin without leaving it greasy. Very nice!

Visit www.mineralfusioncosmetics.com to learn more and you can purchase at Whole Foods.