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Fun Easter Bath Bombs From LUSH

Looking for a different Easter gift to give to all of the cool women in your life this year? LUSH creates handmade beauty products that are as fun to use as they are good for your skin.

LUSH usually releases holiday products that are fun to give and to receive. This Easter, pick up one of the following bath bombs for a friend (or yourself)! Here are the three that are offered with descriptions from the LUSH website:

Hippy Chick ($4.95 USD) — You’ll want to do the Hippy Hippy Chick with our refreshing grapefruit-scented Bath Bomb. We’ve just hatched this brand new shape and paired it with the zingy fragrance of our Happy Hippy shower gel.

Honey Bun ($3.95 USD) — Want to have loads of fun in the bath? Share it with your Honey Bun! Molded after a traditional Japanese cake shape, it’s just as deliciously sweet. It’s got the same toffee fragrance as our best-selling soap with sweet orange and bergamot oils.

Fluffy Egg ($6.95 USD) — Here’s an Easter sweetie that’s equally kind on your waistline as it is on your skin. Who can resist the scent of jelly beans dunked into a vat of candy floss? We only bring out our customer-favorite fragrance for very special occasions, so hop to it, and get one in your basket before it’s too late.

Each bath bomb is unique and smells fantastic! My favorite scent is the Hippy Chick — it is refreshing with a touch of spice! Visit a LUSH store near you or visit www.lushusa.com to order online.

Brighten up with Laura Geller Baked Powder Collections this Spring

Looking for a bright pick-me-up for your complexion this spring? Have you tried Laura Geller’s baked powders? I have recently tried a couple of these fab products and I know have a pretty spring glow.

I hadn’t tried Laura Geller’s baked cosmetics before now. I really like the effect that baked powder gives. Since there is more than one shade in each powder, when you swirl them together and apply, you get a multidimensional look.

The products I tried are:

Ethereal Balance ($31.00 USD) — This is a compact with half Balance-n-Brighten and half Ethereal Rose, a pink highlighter/blush. Balance-n-Brighten’s is a neutral-but-warm powder foundation shades of soft tan, peach, and cream. It is baked in a terra-cotta pan for 24 hours, and has a creamy texture. Mineral oil- and paraben-free, it is loaded with centella asiatica and white tea to help fight signs of aging and provide antioxidant protection. I really like the coverage, but the Regular shade that it comes in with this compact, is too dark for my light skin. I swirl it with the Ethereal Rose, a pink highlighter/blush with marbleized tones of pink and pearl and sweep it on my cheekbones. It gives me a really pretty blush because the foundation that is a bit to dark for my complexions mixes with the soft pink and it looks very natural on my skin. I also use the Ethereal Rose alone as a highlighter.

Berry Decadent ($68.00 USD) is a three-piece color collection for cheeks and eyes that is designed to give you a decadent glow.

It includes:

0.32 oz Blush-n-Brighten in Berry; tones of pink, berry, cream, and gold
0.06 oz Baked Marble eye shadow duo in Pink Icing/Devil’s Food; a soft metallic pink shade and a shimmery golden brown shade
Shadow/liner brush

This is a very pretty collection for spring. The Berry Blush-n-Brighten gives cheeks a bright pop of color. It’s great when I am feeling a bit pale! It is also nice swept over my eyelids for a bright flush of color. The eyeshadow is very versatile. I sweep the Pink Icing shadow all over my lid and when I wet the Devil’s Food it make a pretty bronze liner. I do want to mention that all of the powders in this collection are very shimmery, so if you don’t like that, this won’t be for you.

It also comes with a combo blush and shadow brush that is small enough for travel, but works well for blush and to sweep shadow over entire eye. If you want to contour or line, you will need a separate brush.

Visit www.laurageller.com or www.qvc.com to learn more about these products and purchase them.

New Spring Products from Jo Malone

Luxury fragrance and body care company Jo Malone has released some fab new products for spring. So go ahead and indulge!

Just launched February 1st is the Jo Malone Vitamin E Body Balm ($75.00) The Jo Malone Vitamin E skin care collection launched over 20 years ago with the cult favorite, Vitamin E Gel, and has expanded into a collection that includes a Lip Conditioner, Nourishing Hand Treatment and Body Treatment Scrub. The Vitamin E Body Balm is a rich, concentrated cream that deeply conditions the skin with beneficial antioxidants which help fortify the skin against the damaging effects of the environment. Shea butter, cocoa butter and wheat protein all provide natural barrier repair while coconut oil brings even more powerful moisturizing benefits. I love this balm because it is so rich and thick, but after I smooth it on (even my hands) I don’t feel greasy at all. And my skin is very soft and it smells great too!

Last fall I reviewed Jo Malone’s Vanilla & Anise cologne. I love this spicy, but fresh fragrance. Starting March 1st, Jo Malone has introduced more products in the Vanilla and Anise line– A Home Candle ($65.00 USD), Bath Oil ($60.00 USD) and Body Crème ($75.00 USD). This scent is inspired by the floral valleys of Madagascar, blending notes of bergamot, neroli and star anise, vanilla orchid, frangipani, vetiver, white amber and a hint of clove. I have tried the bath oil and I love it. It foams just a little and imparts and rich fragrance while I’m bathing. It also moisturizes my skin without leaving a greasy feeling!

Visit www.jomalone.com to learn more and to purchase these lux products! Enjoy!

ECRU New York Silk Nourishing Spray

Has the crazy winter damaged your hair? Winter is almost over (I hope it is, it’s actually snowing in Kansas City today), so its time to tame your dry hair and get it ready for spring and summer!

A good way to make your hair soft and shiny is with ECRU New York Silk Nourishing Spray ($24.00 USD). This is a very light leave-in conditioning mist that instantly detangles hair while providing hydration. The spray contains aloe Vera, silk proteins and B5 to penetrate to restore moisture and repair split ends. UV inhibitors help prevent sun damage and thermal abuse.

What I think: I really like this spray. I use it as an extra barrier against my heated styling tools. It really makes my hair soft and smooth. Plus my 14-year-old daughter loves using it too. She abuses her hair with a straight iron every day, and the Nourishing Spray is helping her hair get back in shape and it looks much healthier!

Visit www.ecrunewyork to learn more about and to purchase the spray. Enjoy!

Cures by Avance Slimming Gel

Since the end of January, I have been trying to get myself in shape. I have gain a lot of weight the last few years, and now it’s time to get it off! I have been eating right and working out, and have lost 11 lbs already!

I have also been trying Cures by Avance Slimming Gel ($35.00 USD)for the last few weeks. It’s really fun to use. You smooth it on the desired area (for me it’s my belly and waist). Let it work for 3-5 minutes then brush the skin upwards. You then get a warming sensation that is like applying a heating pad!

What it clamis to be doing is cleansing the body of stored toxins. The website explains that, “as cellulite is released from within, a smooth flow of contours begin to reappear as the silhouette is redefined.”

What I’ve noticed is that my stomach and waist is tighter after I have used it. I don’t know if it stays tight, but I am enjoying using it once a day.

Visit www.curesbyavance.com to learn more about this fun product!

New Starry Eye Shadows From Urban Decay and LORAC

Looking for eye shadow with a little bit of shimmer, or a whole lot of sparkle? It’s a fun way to add some shine to your evening, or even every day look!

If it’s a smoldering shimmer you want, try LORAC’s Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio ($25.00 USD) is a great little palette that creates a lot of different sizzling eye looks. These are highly pigmented and long-lasting and they allow you to create a sexy, smoky eye with little effort. This trio is available in 6 different color combinations including 3 new ones. I have tried Star Studded, which includes a light gold highlighter, a medium copper shade and a cool dark olive. Very chic! Visit www.loraccosmetics.com to learn more!

Want a more glamorous, sparkly look? Urban Decay has taken glitter eye shadow to the extreme with their Stardust Eye Shadows ($20.00 USD) The cool thing about these is although they are full of glitter, they have a silky texture and they deliver a pretty twinkling sparkle instead of looking like a craft project gone wrong! They have 40% more glitter than Urban Decay’s most sparkly shadows, but just a dusting over your lids gives a sophisticated look. Wet the shadow and you get all-out glam! Each container has almost twice the amount of other Urban Decay shadows so this will last you a long time. Available in 9 shades including Retrograde, a deep purple and Moon Spoon a dark gray. Visit www.urbandecay.com to learn more.

Sue Devitt Triple C-Weed Whipped Foundation

Want a change from your mineral or liquid foundation? Try a mousse foundation. The fluffy texture and good coverage of the Sue Devitt C-Weed Whipped Foundation ($40.00 USD) might be a welcome change from what you are using now!

This is a great foundation for ladies who want their skin to look extra smooth, because it clams to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while evening out skin imperfections and locking in moisture. The Sue Devitt website explains,

“A unique Australian botanical deeply hydrates and replenishes the skin’s own lipid balance up to 20% to restore your natural hydration level instantly. Three types of seaweed revive delicate skin tissue, powerful antioxidant Vitamin C combats free radicals and environmental pollutants, while gentle Chamomile Extract soothes and nurtures. Suitable for all skin types, the Triple C-Weed Whipped Foundation offers medium to full coverage and is oil-free.”

Sue’s Secret Beauty Tip: Warm the luxurious Triple C-Weed Whipped Foundation between fingertips and massage (not rub) a small amount liberally into the skin to allow nourishing vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to penetrate the skin. Use sparingly at first and build to desired level of coverage.

Why I like this: when I apply the mousse, it feels like I am moisturizing my face with a non-greasy moisturizer (that evens out my skin tone). It feels so good on, light and creamy and leaves my skin soft. It also gives a little glow that is not shiny or glittery.

The Triple C-Weed Whipped Foundation is available in 8 shades at www.suedevittbeauty.com. Try it — I think you’ll really like it! —

Benefit Cosmetics Confessions of a Concealaholic

Need a little help making your skin look flawless? Are you addicted to concealer (like me)? Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic ($36.00) is a kit that was created to conceal and to brighten your skin.

This set contains:
– 0.25 oz “That Gal” brightening face primer
– 2 x 0.04 oz Boi-ing industrial strength concealer in 01 Light (for fair complexions) and 02 Medium (for medium complexions) for custom concealing
– 0.11 oz Erase Paste brightening camouflage for eyes and face in No. 2 (for medium complexions)
– 0.03 oz Lemon Aid (sheer pale yellow) color correcting eyelid primer
– 0.03 oz Eye Bright (pale pink) instant eye brightener
– Concealer Brushes
– step-by-step lesson

This kit contains so many great products to give a flawless canvas for color cosmetics. That Gal is a fantastic primer. It’s goes on smooth and gives skin a little glow. Bo-ing is fantastic because it really covers under eye circles and blemishes and it comes in 2 shades. My favorite product is Erase Paste because it covers everything, but the one in this kit is too dark for my skin. The Lemon Aid is an effective eyelid primer and works as a shadow when you don’t have time. The Eye Bright can go in the inner corners of the eye, under the eyebrow, and my favorite — lining the lower lids. It will wake you up!

I really recommend this kit for medium skin tones, so you can get the full benefits, but light skin can enjoy it too. Visit www.benefitcosmetics.com to learn more and to purchase this fab concealing kit!

Curel Itch Defense Skin Balancing Lotion

Suffering from dry, itchy skin from the long winter or from something more serious like Eczema? Curel has recently released their Itch Defense™ lotion ($7.99 USD) that was awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™. It claims to “rebalance skin in 4 ways, restoring its barrier function and ability to retain moisture, boosting moisturization and emollients to leave skin feeling protected, returning the pH balance to healthy levels and smoothing the skin’s surface to minimize dryness and flakiness.”

My skin is very dry from this winter, especially my arms and legs. A few minutes after applying Itch Defense, it feels much better. The itching and redness diminishes and after a few days, my skin is a lot less dry and flaky. My teenage daughter has eczema and has noticed an improvement in her skin as well. I highly recommend this lotion!

www.curel.com. Also, check out the Curel Skin Advisor at http://www.curel.com/expert_skin_advice.asp to help you solve your skin issues.

Jonathan Product Green Rootine Dry Shampoo

Green Rootin Dry Shampoo Brush On Hair Powder — Green Rootine Dry Shampoo Brush On Hair Powder

“All natural and easy to use – Green Rootine Dry Shampoo absorbs excess oil and product build-up.” –Jonathan

Renowned hairstylist Jonathan Antin has been seen on television in many shows such as ABC’s Extreme Makeover, the E! Channel’s Fashion Emergency, Bravo’s hit series Blow Out and is currently starring on Bravo’s hit reality series Shear Genius. He has a full line of hair care products, including a natural collection called Green Rootine.

I have tried the Green Rootine Dry Shampoo Brush On Hair Powder ($19.00 USD .3 oz). There are tons of brands with dry shampoo on the market these days. The idea is that it will soak up oil and make your hair seem fresh, even when it hasn’t been washed for a day or two. Most dry shampoos have squirt on nozzles or spray. The Green Rooting Dry Shampoo has a brush that is built in the bottle that dispenses the product into your hair. The brush is very easy to use. it has open/close dial that allows you to control the amount of powder that is released.

The website describes the products as, “a hair powder that cleanses and refreshes the hair and scalp without the use of water. Talc and aluminum hydroxide absorb oil, dirt pollutants and product build-up. Rids the scalp of impurities and will create volume at the root. The portable brush makes applying powder simple and convenient. What better way to extend the life of a blowout!”

Another unusual feature is that is available in two shades: Light is recommended for blonde, white or gray hair and Dark for black, brown or red hair. I use the Dark for my dark brown hair and it blends in really well so you don’t notice that there’s powder in the hair.

Visit www.jonathanproduct.com to learn more and to purchase their great products.