Summer is here and it is hot! As I gear up for family vacation, I have been loving summer fragrances and makeup!
Below are my new favorite fragrances and cosmetics. They are fun and bright!
L’Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath
L’Occitane Verbena Eau de Toilette
L’Occitane has bright scents and soothing bubble bath that are perfect for summer!
L’Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath ($38 16.9 fl. oz) — All the relaxing benefits of lavender from Haute-Provence are captured in this rich formula that generously foams in the bath and leaves skin clean, supple and delicately scented.
L’Occitane Verbena Eau de Toilette ($58 3.4 fl. oz) — A perennial favorite. Extroverted notes of Mediterranean verbena mingle with a rosy base of geranium and lemon tree. Elegantly presented in a glass spray bottled engraved with a verbena leaf.
Merle Norman’s summer collection is bright and fun! The Eyecolor Trio So Azuring — Eyecolor Trio/So Azuring, the colors are: Sunshine (matte) Toasted Coconut (luminous) Turquoise (matte).
Merle Norman Lip Glazes in Cherry Crush and Scrumptious. Lip Glaze in Cherry Crush is a great way to wear the shade in warmer months. Scrumptious is a bright, tropical orange. This lip gloss/lipstick hybrid provides a pop of color with a sheer finish. Great alone or over your favorite lip color.
Learn more at www.merlenorman.com
What are you loving so far this summer? Leave a comment and let me know!
I was sent a package of wonderful organic beauty products for my honest review from Truly Organic. Truly Organic sends monthly bundles of the finest organic hair & body care personally curated & delivered to your door.
So how does it work?
4 items for $38.95 — Conveniently delivered right to your doorstep. Mix and match monthly.
Make it Your Own – Choose your products and plan frequency. Update at any time.
Save up to 65% — Add up to 3 more items to your Bundle for only $7.95 each
I received a shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, black soap face bar, super face cream, a bath bomb, and a body lotion. All of these products smell wonderful and have really natural scents.
One of my favorites is the body lotion. The ingredients include raw coconut, acai, dragon fruit, lavender and African cucumber. It’s so hydrating, but sinks right into my skin without feeling greasy. The bath bomb is fun to use before applying the lotion.
The shampoo and conditioner are sulfate free along with organic and natural. That’s important for me, because I color my hair. They also leave hair soft and silky, and smell amazing, too!
I love that you can customize your bundle each month. That way you can try new products while continuing using your favorites.
Summer beauty is becoming so important as it is getting hot and humid in Kansas City. To me, this means a waterproof mascara (of course), bright nail polish and natural skin and hair care!
Below are my new faves. Leave me a comment and let me know what you are using:
Lancôme’s Hypnôse Waterproof Mascara
Lancôme’s Hypnôse Waterproof Mascara ($27.50 USD) — Our ultimate buildable volume mascara that increases lash volume up to 6 times is now in a waterproof version with 16 hour wear. Tiny, barely-there lashes are no match for the patented POWERFULL™ brush that intensifies lashes from root to tip with custom volume you can control. The exclusive SoftShield™, waterproof formula, enriched with Vitamin B5, wraps and seals lashes one luxurious layer at a time without smearing, smudging or clumping.
What I think: I like this waterproof mascara. It separates my lashes, and it does stay on all day. I do find I need more length and volume if I want a more dramatic, evening look. If so, I put a different mascara on, then layer this on top to define and keep my look waterproof. Or, use it on it’s own for natural summer looks.
Trust Fund Beauty ($15 per polish) — is transforming the beauty industry with fun, luxe, fabulous colors that come with entertaining, out-of-the box names. Trust Fund Beauty is a nail polish and lipstick line that is free of dangerous toxins, cruelty-free, and 100% vegan.
What I think: The colors above are Flirty & Dirty a deep, dusty rose, Hollywood Hipster a teal crème and Hot in the Hamptons a bright pink, perfect for toes! I tried Hollywood Hipster and it is so gorgeous on. I only needed one coat, plus a top coat and it is staying on nicely! The color is so vibrant. I’m looking forward to trying the rest. And, I love that it is so much better for you than toxic polishes.
Natural products from TheVitaminShoppe to keep skin and hair glowing this summer:
Nubian Heritage African Black Soap ($3.99 5 oz) — Together, the deep cleansing of African Black Soap blended with 100% Shea Butter deliver an unsurpassed body cleansing experience that exfoliates without stripping skin of essential moisture. Oats and Vitamin E in the formula soothe, condition and prepare skin for moisture. Our traditional African Black Soap recipe Contains palm ash, plantain peel extract, tamarind extract and papaya enzymes
The Vitamin Shoppe Macadamia Oil (5.39 for 1.7 fl. oz.) — The Vitamin Shoppe Macadamia Rejuvenating Skin Care Oil, Balancing, Nurturing, Hydrating
Hobe Labs Avocado Oil ($7.99 USD, 4 fl. oz.) — Avocado Oil is a protein rich moisturizer that is high in Vitamins A and E plus potassium and other minerals. Excellent for dry skin and scalp problems. High antioxidant value improves elasticity and helps reduce fine lines.
What I think: These products are all natural and so nice for the summer. The soap will be perfect for my oily summer skin. It balances and keeps skin clean without drying it out.
I use the macadamia oil on my body after shower. It locks in the moisture and keeps skin soft all day. The avocado oil is so nice as a scalp treatment, and can be used on the skin as well. All of these products are affordable, too!
The winner of my KORRES White Blossom Giveaway is … Latanya t. Congrats!
I would be happy to do more awesome giveaways in the future, but I need more entries! Leave a comment to let me know if you would like me to give away more great products!
Don’t forget to enter my current KORRES giveaway! I will choose a winner TOMORROW Saturday May 28th!
To win, follow me on Twitter @fortyflirtyfab and/or Instagram fortyflirtyfab. Following both will get you two entries! Then leave a comment letting me know that you followed me. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents. The winner will receive one of each:
KORRES White Blossom Showergel transports you in the bath/shower to field of blossoming white flowers accented by a powdery hint. The scent is youthful, easy going and light. This creamy-foam showergel with wheat proteins and Althea extract helps maintain skin’s natural moisture levels.
KORRES White Blossom Body Butter is a rich, luxurious decadent treat for your dry skin. This beautifully scented, creamy body butter is enriched with shea butter and quince extract as well as Sunflower, Almond, and Avocado oils, the complete formulation helps soften, moisturize, and rejuvenate the look of your skin.
The composition of this scent is built around a cocooning blend of delicate flowers and soft notes of musk and vanilla. On the top notes lemon zest and bergamot juice illuminates the transparent floracy of cyclamen. The heart evolves with a white flower bouquet enriched with Bulgarian rose oil and powdery facets of orris and violet. The bottom leaves a soft trail of white musk and vanilla.
I received a set of these products for my honest review. They smell amazing, really soft and bright. It is a perfect floral for summer. The shower gel leaves skin clean without drying it out. The body butter is so moisturizing! These are perfect for keeping skin soft and smelling fresh during the warmer weather.
I am getting ready for a trip to Ireland with my family in a few weeks. As a beauty blogger, I have been trying to decide which wonderful travel-size products to take with me.
Below are some of my current favorites. I am excited to use these during my travels:
Juara Candlenut Obsession Trio
Juara Candlenut Obsession Trio ($28 USD) — This trio features travel friendly sizes of Juara’s Candlenut Body Polish, Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel, and Candlenut Body Crème to leave your skin baby soft, silky smooth, and lastingly nourished.
Candlenut Body Polish– Exfoliate and soften skin in one easy step with the Candlenut Body Polish. This 2 in 1 product is made with Indonesian Candlenut Oil and Crushed Walnuts; this creamy, soap-free scrub hydrates and reveals fresh glowing skin.
Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel– Gently cleanse and pamper skin with the Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel. This sulfate-free foaming shower gel cleanses without stripping and nourishes skin with Candlenut Oil leaving skin velvety smooth and refreshed.
Candlenut Body Crème — Moisturize, soften and smooth skin with our famous Candlenut Body Crème. This velvety, rich body cream provides the nourishing benefits of Indonesian Candlenut Oil as well as Illipe Butter, Rice Bran Oil and Avocado Oil to intensely hydrate and help maintain a youthful elasticity keeping skin supple and soft.
What I think: I love the Candlenut scent! It is so warm and creamy. The products all work together to hydrate and soften the body. I am definitely taking these with me on my trip. My skin will look amazing!
Absolue Premium βx Day Cream ($50 for .5 oz) — Pamper your skin with the luxurious Absolue Premium Bx Day Cream with SPF. Intensively nourishing, Absolue Bx quenches even the driest of skin without being greasy. The velvety texture is light, smooth, and fast-absorbing so it is ideal to wear under makeup. Absolue Premium Bx is infused with Pro-Xylane and the replenishing Bio-Network™ to replenish and rejuvenate skin’s appearance while recapturing the qualities of younger-looking skin: firmness, elasticity, and clarity. Recover your skin’s “golden glow” with Absolue Premium Bx.
Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover ($15 for 1.7 fl. oz.) — This award-winning phenomenon gently whisks away all types of eye makeup, even waterproof. Simply shake to activate the bi-phase formula that leaves the eye area perfectly clean. The lipid phase lifts off eye makeup, while the water phase contains special emollients to refresh and condition skin without a greasy residue.
Définicils Natural Yet Noticeable Lashes ($13 for .14 oz) — For lavishly long, perfectly defined lashes, this iconic award-winning mascara provides the ultimate in separation. Carefully selected polymers coat each lash from root to tip, to help lengthen and outline each lash for unmatched definition. This best-selling mascara’s unique brush applicator has specially grooved bristles that hold the perfect amount of product for gradual, even application every time.
What I think: I love taking a little luxury with me when I travel. All three of these products are so useful on a trip. I only use day cream with SPF and the Absolue Premium Bx is also very hydrating. It also sinks right into the skin, which is important before applying makeup.
The Bi-Facil is a classic Lancôme favorite. Bringing this and some cotton pads will remove stubborn eye makeup. And the Définicils really lengthen and define the lashes.
What I think: These products are a bit of luxury for your hair! There are different kits available for different hair types. For curly hair there is shampoo, a hair mask for condition and the Huile is a nice oil to help keep curly hair soft and bouncy!
Talika Bio-Enzymes Mask After Sun ($12 for one mask) — Talika Bio Enzymes Mask Hydrating is made of bio cellulose, a 100% natural fiber used as artificial skin in reconstructive surgery, offering a concentration in active ingredients 10 times higher than any other material. Perfectly molding the contour of the face like a second-skin, Talika Bio Enzymes Mask Hydrating infuses the skin with a powerful combination of natural ingredients with high moisturizing and repairing properties: Water-harnessing sugar help restoring the skin barrier while sodium hyaluronate rejuvenates the skin and natural plants extracts (Arnica, Chamomilla Recutita, Gentian, Absinth…) soothe the skin, restore moisture and reduce the sensation of tightness.
What I think: I love cellulose masks because they really stick to the face and infuse the skin with the wonderful serum. This felt very nice on my raw skin (too much retinol) for a while. After about 15 minutes, it stung a bit so I had to remove it. Once I did and rubbed in the serum. My skin felt better and was smooth. Hours later it looked even better! Great to stick in your bag when going to the beach this summer.
Don’t forget to enter my current KORRES giveaway! I will choose a winner on this Saturday May 28th!
To win, follow me on Twitter @fortyflirtyfab and/or Instagram fortyflirtyfab. Following both will get you two entries! Then leave a comment letting me know that you followed me. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents. The winner will receive one of each:
KORRES White Blossom Showergel transports you in the bath/shower to field of blossoming white flowers accented by a powdery hint. The scent is youthful, easy going and light. This creamy-foam showergel with wheat proteins and Althea extract helps maintain skin’s natural moisture levels.
KORRES White Blossom Body Butter is a rich, luxurious decadent treat for your dry skin. This beautifully scented, creamy body butter is enriched with shea butter and quince extract as well as Sunflower, Almond, and Avocado oils, the complete formulation helps soften, moisturize, and rejuvenate the look of your skin.
The composition of this scent is built around a cocooning blend of delicate flowers and soft notes of musk and vanilla. On the top notes lemon zest and bergamot juice illuminates the transparent floracy of cyclamen. The heart evolves with a white flower bouquet enriched with Bulgarian rose oil and powdery facets of orris and violet. The bottom leaves a soft trail of white musk and vanilla.
I received a set of these products for my honest review. They smell amazing, really soft and bright. It is a perfect floral for summer. The shower gel leaves skin clean without drying it out. The body butter is so moisturizing! These are perfect for keeping skin soft and smelling fresh during the warmer weather.
It’s getting hotter every day in Kansas City! I’m not a fan of hot weather, but I know that since it’s coming, I need to adjust my beauty routine accordingly.
This week I’m loving body makeup for smooth-looking legs, amazing argan oil to moisturize my skin and hair, makeup removing cloths for easy cleansing and moisturizing body washes:
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs ($13.99 USD) — One of Sally Hansen’s best-selling products, Airbrush Legs® Leg Makeup is a lightweight leg makeup that leaves legs looking smooth and sexy all day long. The formula infused with Palmaria Extract, helps cover imperfections like veins, freckles or bruises and stimulate microcirculation. This long lasting, fast drying formula is transfer and water resistant. The spray-on formula blends seamlessly into skin for gorgeous and flawless legs. It is available in six natural-looking shades with a luminous finish: Fairest Glow, Light Glow, Beige Glow, Medium Glow, Tan Glow, and Deep Glow and is also available in a Lotion form.
This spring, Sally Hansen is bringing bare-legged beauty to your fingertips. The brand is teaming up with PRIV, a popular on-demand beauty app that allows users to order their favorite beauty services right to their doors. The partnership will bring the brand’s revolutionary Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup directly to women in select markets across the country. Beginning in April through August, consumers in New York, NY, Hamptons, NY, Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX will receive a professional application of Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup from one of PRIV’s top stylists with any beauty service ordered through the app or on PRIV.com. The coveted product will be applied right in the consumers’ own homes by an expert makeup artist, who will also teach fans how to use the spring essential with a step-by-step tutorial during application. As an added bonus, fans will also receive a complimentary bottle of Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup.
What I think: This is the first time I have tried this product. I received this in Light and Medium. I decided to try Light now, since I don’t have a tan yet. Sad news for my legs, you are even lighter than Light Airbrush Legs! It actually gave me darker color along with evening out my skin tone. It was so easy to use, too. I sprayed it on my legs, then blended it in with my hands, but the directions are to spray on hands and blend in legs. Either way, it worked, plus it dried very quickly. I am using this all summer!
Available at Drugstores nationwide
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil ($48 USD) — A bottle of only the very top-grade, 100% natural, 100% pure, and 100% organic beautifying Argan Oil. 100% Pure Argan Oil, Josie Maran’s number one, best-selling, blockbuster natural beauty solution for dry skin, hair, and nails, is still a cult favorite. Made in Morocco by local women’s co-ops and first cold-pressed to preserve quality, this “liquid gold” nourishing oil remains the go-to beauty must-have for those in the know.
What I think: I have tried samples of this oil before, but haven’t really used it every day until now. I have been using it all over — my face, neck, hair, hands, arms and legs. I love how it instantly moisturizes without leaving me greasy. It also makes my skin glow and look so healthy. This is so nice after being outside in the sun (or the cold). It brings my skin and hair back to life!
Burt’s Bees Cleansing Towelettes ($5.99 USD) — these towelettes remove dirt, oil and make-up without rinsing. These dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested cleansing towelettes combine gentle plant-based cleansers with FSC-certified cloths for a refreshing solution to easy, convenient cleansing wherever you are. There are many varieties including Pink Grapefruit, Sensitive with cotton extract, Cucumber & Sage and Peach & Willow Bark.
What I think: I have these in Pink Grapefruit. They clean really well and have such a refreshing scent. I like that they do not leave my skin dry after use. I am taking some of these on vacation this year, quick to use and easy to pack is what I need.
CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash ($10.99 USD) — Developed with dermatologists, NEW! CeraVe® Hydrating Body Wash contains a gentle, foaming formula that cleanses and moisturizes skin. The formula contains hyaluronic acid to attract needed moisture to skin’s surface and three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) to help repair the skin’s protective barrier. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash also contains emollients to moisturize and soften dry skin all day. Gentle enough for even sensitive skin, CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash is non-comedogenic, non-irritating and free of fragrance, soap, parabens and sulfates; it is ideal for dry to normal skin.
CeraVe Eczema Soothing Body Wash ($15.99 USD) — Developed with dermatologists, NEW! CeraVe® Eczema Soothing Body Wash, an ultra-gentle formula, cleanses and calms extra dry, itchy, eczema-prone skin. The formula contains hyaluronic acid to attract needed moisture to skin’s surface and three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) to help repair the skin’s protective barrier. CeraVe Eczema Soothing Body Wash also contains Omega oils to soothe dry, itchy, irritated skin.
What I think: The hydrating body wash is so nice for everyday use. It leaves skin soft and moisturized. It’s fragrance-free and not irritating at all. My daughter has Eczema, so we try to find products that help her skin. The Eczema Soothing wash is very calming and doesn’t irritate at all. Her Eczema looks much better after use.
Purchase at drugstores and mass market retailers near you.
KORRES will be launching an amazing new springtime Body Butter and Showergel scent next Wednesday, May 18th on HSN! The scent is White Blossom.
The composition of this scent is built around a cocooning blend of delicate flowers and soft notes of musk and vanilla. On the top notes lemon zest and bergamot juice illuminates the transparent floracy of cyclamen. The heart evolves with a white flower bouquet enriched with Bulgarian rose oil and powdery facets of orris and violet. The bottom leaves a soft trail of white musk and vanilla.
The products are:
KORRES White Blossom Showergel
KORRES White Blossom Body Butter
KORRES White Blossom Showergel transports you in the bath/shower to field of blossoming white flowers accented by a powdery hint. The scent is youthful, easy going and light. This creamy-foam showergel with wheat proteins and Althea extract helps maintain skin’s natural moisture levels.
KORRES White Blossom Body Butter is a rich, luxurious decadent treat for your dry skin. This beautifully scented, creamy body butter is enriched with shea butter and quince extract as well as Sunflower, Almond, and Avocado oils, the complete formulation helps soften, moisturize, and rejuvenate the look of your skin.
Tune in to HSN (or visit HSN.com) on the 18th at midnight, 1am, 4am, 5am, 8am, 11am, Noon, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm to learn more and purchase this wonderful products.
AND —
Enter my giveaway!!! I am giving away one set of KORRES White Blossom Showergel and KORRES White Blossom Body Butter! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents.
To win, follow me on Twitter @fortyflirtyfab and/or Instagram fortyflirtyfab. Following both will get you two entries! Then leave a comment letting me know that you followed me. I will choose a winner on Saturday May 28th. Good Luck!
Still looking for the perfect gift for Mom or other special ladies in your life? I get it. Although I have shipped off my mom’s gift, we are still debating what to get my mother-in-law (maybe the candle below!).
There is still time to go shopping in stores or to purchase a wonderful beauty gift card! Here are some of my favorite gifts for that amazing woman!
Conture Kinetic Skin Toning System
Conture Kinetic Skin Toning System ($249 USD) — a non-invasive, at-home cosmetic device that is designed to gently lift the skin effectively and painlessly, the same results are possible, without the needles or breaking the bank! The Kinetic Skin Toning action of the Conture is designed to specifically address deficiencies in skin firmness and elasticity as well as overall sagging of the neck area.
Conture uses a unique combination of Low Sonic Frequency vibrations combined with Isometric Compression. The two of these stimulate and tone the skin – essentially it’s like a workout for your skin. Isometric Compression lifts and releases the skin in a very targeted but gentle way, by creating a small vacuum effect within the treatment head.
The vacuum effect also has a great immediate effect in that it improves things like circulation which will give you a rosy glow, it also tightens and liftsthe skin so you get an immediate reduction in sagging and signs of aging.
Clinicals:
Based on 8 weeks of clinical studies, results showed:
70% lift in neck area
91% improvement in skin texture/smoothness
64% improvement in skin firmness
73% improvement in elasticity (tactile)
What I think: I have only been using this for a couple of weeks, but I would recommend it for moms, because I can already see a bit of tightening in my neck and especially around my jawline (my problem area). It’s easy to use, although the suction is a little surprising at first! I will continue use and see how I like it!
C.O. Bigelow Eucalyptus Candle ($42 USD) — The intoxicating scent of eucalyptus meets enticing fruit in this candle based on the long-time apothecary-favorite perfume oil. Top notes of juicy lemon, apple, and zesty citrus blend with herbaceous eucalyptus, sage leaves, and garden rose. Dry notes of patchouli, oak moss, and vanilla bean lend a touch of subtle warmth.
What I think: This is a very fragrant, clean smelling candle. I think this would be great in a larger room (very fragrant!). Perfect for the mom that loves the house to smell amazing.
Learn more and purchase at cobigelow.com and at fine department stores.
Soap & Paper Factory Shea Butter Hand Cream in Bouquet
Soap & Paper Factory Shea Butter Hand Cream in Bouquet ($18 USD) — This signature hand cream base will keep your skin supple and soft, while Bouquet fragrance will surround you with love and roses! The notes are Turkish Rose Otto, Rose Geranium & Orris Concrete.
What I think: This is so moisturizing and smells amazing! Perfect for the lady who loves feminine florals. The packaging is gorgeous and perfect for giving.
Forty, Flirty & Fabulous 