With its ultra-luxurious hydrating silk ribbons, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ lotion sunscreen nourishes and pampers skin while providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and 12-hour moisturization when out in the sun. Available in SPF 12, 30, 50!
I was given a deluxe sample of Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ SPF 30 from www.influenster.com and their VoxBox program to review. Check out their website and sign up to receive FREE products in exchange for honest feedback.
What I think: This is the perfect sunscreen for the person who wants to do double duty by moisturizing and protecting their skin at the same time!
It has a great coconut fragrance and it goes on more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen. It does not leave white residue on the skin. The protection is also great, it lasted a long time, and when I went camping, I didn’t get burned!
You can find Hawaiian Tropic products at most major retailers.
NEW & Improved! Shower Gel NOW WITH SHEA! Bath & Body Works exclusive formula is now enriched with Shea Butter, making it the richest, bubbliest lather that gives you softer, cleaner skin. Moisturizing Aloe Vera and skin-loving Vitamin E combine for lather that bursts with fragrance! Exclusively at Bath & Body Works.
I was given a Mini Shower Gel from www.influenster.com and their VoxBox program to review. Check out their website and sign up to receive FREE products in exchange for honest feedback.
What I think: I am really enjoying this body wash in Paris Amour. It’s a sweet, lovely scent. The shea butter and other ingredients make this body wash so moisturizing — my skin is SO soft after use!
You can find Bath & Body Works products at a registered retail store near you! Suggested retail price of the Shower Gel: $11.00 (Full Size, 10oz.), $5.00 (Mini Shower Gel, 3oz.). Visit their website at http://www.bathandbodyworks.com.
I just received my second VoxBox from www.Influenster.com free to review! It is called the Latina Beauty VoxBox, and I am so excited to try all of these fab products!
I received:
VEET Ready to Use Wax Strips, Leg & Body ($9.99 USD for 40 strips)
Always Radiant Infinity Pads ($6.99 USD for 16)
NEW Bath and Body Works Shea-Enriched Signature Collection Shower Gel in Paris Amour ($5 For 3 oz and $11 for 10 oz).
NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine in Nude York City ($2.49 USD)
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 ($7.99 for full size bottle)
Always Tampax Radiant Collection pouch with samples to give away to a friend!
I already really love the lip gloss and the shower gel! I will be doing full reviews on all of the products soon!
CEW and BeautyBar.com teamed up to create The Insiders’ Choice Beauty Box, which features 11 products selected as the industry’s most innovative picks during the 18th Annual CEW Beauty Insiders’ Choice Awards.
For a limited-time only, these Insider’s Choice Beauty Boxes will be available at www.BeautyBar.com/CEW. The box is valued at $109 and is selling at a specially discounted price of $25, making it a great gift for the beauty lover in your life, a beach party hostess gift (or simply a nice treat for yourself). Also, if you buy two boxes, you’ll get one free with the promo code: BBCEW (for the first 250 customers).
The Insiders’ Choice Beauty Box contains the following products:
· L’Oréal Paris Youth Code Serum Intense
· L’Oréal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara
· Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Neutralizer
· Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, Travel Size
· Dr. T’s Supergoop! All-Over Everyday UV Lotion for Face & Body – SPF 30+ – 1.6 oz. Travel Size
· Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Color Strips, Animal Instinct-16 count
This box is a great price for all of the fab products, but how about getting one for FREE! I am giving away a box for one lucky reader! Just leave a comment on my blog saying that you would like to win the Insider’s Choice Beauty Box. I will choose a winner Monday July 30th.
I was lucky to receive a bar of Ivory soap complimentary to review from Ivory and Influenster as a participant in the Mom VoxBox campaign.
Have you tried Ivory Soap before? Here is what it is and can do:
Ivory bar soap is 99.44% pure (it floats!). Beyond using it as a body cleanser, many of Ivory’s loyal users – not to mention a few celebrities – swear by Ivory as their beauty secret. In fact, many consumers use Ivory bar soap as a facial cleanser. It provides healthier, smoother and more even-looking skin. Also, its versatility makes it an effective laundry soap (just chip soap flakes into the washer) as well as a spot stain remover on your clothes (including delicate items). Ivory bars can even be used for a fun soap carving project with the family!
Ivory Bar Soap 10 Pack
This soap is so versatile! I used it to wash my makeup brushes. It got them very clean and it is so important that it is pure since I use the brushes on my face!
I also placed it in the microwave for about a minute and it foamed up. You can then mold it or just use it to wash clothes or makeup brushes. Super fun for the kids.
Of course it is great for washing face and body. My daughter has eczema and it is comforting to know that the Ivory won’t irritate her skin.
Ivory Body Wash
You can also purchase Ivory Body Wash. I have not tried it yet, but I am sure it is fabulous!
A 10-pack of Ivory bar soap retails for around $4.49 (bath bar size) and is available at a mass market retailer near you. The body wash is approximately $3.99.
LORAC Wild For TANtalizer® Collection ($39 USD) — This limited-edition set contains all the warm-weather must-haves including an eye shadow quad with shimmering gold and bronze eye shadows, a limited-edition animal-print face bronzer, TANtalizer Lips With Benefits Gloss in a super sexy peach-bronze shade, and an exotic canvas bag with animal-print details.
I love the colors in this set. The eye shadow palette give a sexy, smoky eye and the bronzer and lip gloss are light and glowy. Perfect for hot summer nights! Available at www.loraccosmetics.com.
I have been lucky to try some fab products from the new Simply Vera Vera Wang COSMETICS collections, including the ones below. The shades and formulas are shimmery and so summery! I love:
Simply Vera Vera Wang COSMETICS Illuminating Powder Blush ($19.50 USD) — Give cheeks a soft, radiant glow with sheer yet buildable color. Included brush helps you create the perfect illuminating color on your cheeks. Powder blush is perfect for summer because it is longer wearing than cream blush — great for summer!
Simply Vera Vera Wang COSMETICS Smoothing Lipcolor ($18.50 USD) — Glide on for rich color that reduces the appearance of fine, dry lines. This lipstick is almost like a balm because it is so moisturizing, but the colors are well pigmented.
Simply Vera Vera Wang COSMETICS Transforming Shadow Duo ($19.50 USD) — A new approach to shadow duos – the sophisticated pairs define, shape and enhance eyes. Wear individually or together. Matte and shimmering finishes provide you with options.
The only thing that I don’t care for about this collection are that the many shades are numbered and do not have actual names. It’s kind of confusing that way! Available at Kohl’s store and www.kohls.com.
BECCA Cosmetics Balearic Love Collection — BECCA invites you to dream of distant shores and unguarded temptation with the Balearic Love Collection.
BECCA Cosmetics Mineral Blush ($32 USD) is a luxury powder for cheeks, imparting natural, luminous colour that is ultra-kind to skin. This longwearing mineral contains a hint of highlight to lift the complexion, with a delicate formula that never appears cakey or chalky. I love the Bolero color which is a demi-matte bronze. This will help enhance a tan — like the fake one I am sporting!
BECCA Cosmetics Eye Tint ($24 USD) — An ingenious eye crème with a unique formulation that glides on as a crème and sets to a powder. This long-lasting, water-resistant, crease-resistant tint is easy to apply, offering adjustable levels of sheer to high pigment colour.
This is so pretty, but it is more of a thick liquid than a cream and collects in the crease of my eye. I have to blend it out of the crease with a brush or my fingers. But it does last a fairly long time.
BECCA Cosmetics Line and Define Pencil ($23 USD) — A combination liner and brightener in one, this convenient dual-ended pencil has a soft, smooth texture that glides on easily to line, define and brighten the eyes, while blending easily. The dark side of BECCA’s Line & Define Pencil lavishly lines while the light side helps brighten and awaken tired eyes for a vibrant and youthful effect.
I have this in Cabrera — metallic bronze on one side and deep violet on the other. The colors are gorgeous and very smooth in application. I love using the Violet for the top lash and the bronze for the bottom. But, they do not last and smear under my eyes only an hour or two after wear. I tried to wear it at work one day and had to remove it shortly after arriving, because it was running down my face. So sad, because it is so pretty!
BECCA Cosmetics Nail Color ($15 USD) — This high-performance enamel coats nails with an immediate glossy shine that has superior lasting-power. With smooth, self-leveling colour that brushes evenly onto nails, BECCA Nail Colour delivers intense, fast-drying pigment for imminently wearable nails in 9 must-have colours. I love Cala Blanca (a sandy nude) for summer fingernails and Tempranillo (Plum Red) for my toes.
If you haven’t heard of Yves Rocher, it’s a French originated company that created botanical skin care, body care, fragrance and makeup.
I was sent some products from the company to test, and have really been enjoying them. Many of these products are very affordable and are of great quality! Some of my favorite Yves Rocher summer products are:
Yves Rocher Mango Passion Fruit Smoothie Shower
Yves Rocher Mango Passion Fruit Smoothie Shower Gel ($10 for 13.5 oz) — My daughters LOVED this shower gel (past tense because it was gone in a week). The reason why is becasue this mango and passion fruit concoction smells delicious. It smelled just like real fruit and lathered up nicely so that we could also use it as bubble bath! Yum!
Yves Rocher Eau de toilette Monoï
Yves Rocher Eau de toilette Monoï ($32 3.3 oz) — One sniff of this and I was transported back to Hawaii — and I haven’t been there since my honeymoon over 20 years ago! Tiare and Ylang Ylang flowers are combined with a Vanilla base, and it is sweet, light and lovely. Vacation in a bottle! They also sell this scent in a body oil, but my teenage daughter took that for her dry legs, and I haven’t seen it since…
Yves Rocher Pearly Water
Yves Rocher Pearly Water ($10 1 oz) — Pearly and lightly scented skin all at once! Experience an immediate feeling of freshness with this slightly gelled, pearly water. This can be used on the face and body. Its fine-textured, golden pearly particles subtly add shimmer to your complexion. Perfect for instantly enhancing your tan!
Yves Rocher Duo Kohl Pencil – Tropical
Duo Kohl Pencils ($6 USD) Highlight your eyes with these Duo Kohl Pencils, which combine two trendy colors. Each pair comes with one radiant iridescent color (Pink Gold or Camel) to enlarge and brighten your eyes and one intense, matt color (Purple or Tropical Khaki) to structure your eyes and give them depth. Mix and match the colors to create hot new looks!
I have the Tropical pencil that is Camel — a shimmery gold — on one end and Tropical Khaki — a dark blue-green on the other end. I love this. The camel is great for the corners of my eyes and lining the inner rims to create a wide-awake look. The Tropical Khaki is gorgeous for enhincing the eyes and looks great with summer colors.
Yves Rocher Shimmering Bronzer
Yves Rocher Shimmering Bronzer ($10 USD) A tanned complexion for the summer! This shimmering bronzer is this summer’s must-have for a natural and radiant tan. Apply with a brush to enhance or intensify your bronzed complexion. This is also a lovely highlighter for darker complexions! So pretty!
Yves Rocher Lip Gloss – Sienna Red
Lip Gloss in Sienna Red ($5 USD) Luscious lips for the summer! Irresistible lips with this yummy-scented gloss. And the color? I am not a fan of red for me, but this shimmery red is beautiful and would be great with a neutral or a smoky eye. It also feels great on and is not sticky — AWESOME!
Time to buy Dad something fragrant and/or good for his skin and hair. This Father’s Day (or for his birthday or the holidays later this year) stray from the usual tie or wallet purchase and give him a nice new scent or personal care item. He will thank you (or at least the other women in his life will)!
Some great products are:
Otter Creek Realtree Set
Otter Creek Realtree Set ($59 USD) — This is the essential set for Realtree® fans and hunters. Includes five (5) different Otter Creek products, each in a different official Realtree pattern. Includes:
One 8 oz. tube of Grit Happens (Scrubbing Body Wash)
One 8 oz. tube of Sasq(wash) (Shampoo + Body Wash)
One 8 oz. tube of Hair of the Dog – Evergreen Scent (Shampoo)
One 3 oz. tube of Camotion (Face Moisturizer)
One 0.18 oz. tube of Duck Call Primer (Moisturizing Lip Balm)
* This is a great deal! Bought individually these items would cost $81! Purchase at www.ocreek.com
Soul 2 Soul
SOUL2SOUL Tim McGraw ($31.50 / 1.7 fl oz) is a fresh, modern and sexy aromatic woodsy fragrance. The scent opens with notes of Spicy Bergamot and White Pepper balanced with a Blackberry Brandy accord. At the heart of the fragrance is the Everlasting Flower wrapped in a classic blend of Oak Tree, Saffron and Cilantro. The deep synergy of sensual woods and musks provides the fragrance’s final encore. The scent is housed in a sleek, masculine bottle with strong, architectural facets that complement the modern refinement of the carton’s subtle starbust design. The contemporary gunmetal grey carton and bottle are balanced with polished silver design elements.
And for yourself, try SOUL2SOUL Faith Hill ($31.50 / 1.7 fl oz) — a romantic, elegant, radiant fruity floral fragrance. The scent opens with sparkling fruits like Georgia White Peach and Grapefruit, leading to a passionate heart of Everlasting Flower, Princess Rose and Lotus Flower. The fragrance dries down to a soft and intoxicating blend of cucumber, balanced with sensual sandalwood. The luminous fragrance is captured in a sophisticated, feminine bottle with accents of gold and pearl white. A captivating starbust incorporated in the bottle’s design complements the radiant gold carton’s subtle starbust accent. I love this light, fresh scent!
Purchase at a mass market retailer near you!
Nautica Aqua Rush
Nautica Aqua Rush ($65 USD 3.4 fl oz). Take him back to summers at the shore or on the lake with Aqua Rush, a bold, masculine and powerful fragrance that evokes the steadfast character of the classic seafarer. At once spicy and fresh, crisp and woody, Aqua Rush epitomizes what it means to be a man without limits. The energetic scent opens with brisk top notes of Sea Breeze accord and Yuzu splash with a twist of spicy-sweet Coriander. The fragrance’s heart uncovers notes of Watermint, Clary Sage Absolute and Violet Leaves. The scent is anchored by masculine notes of Amberwood, Water Musks and Teak Wood.
Nautica Aqua Rush is available at Macy’s department stores and other fine retailers.
aveda men pure-formance™ grooming essentials kit ($32.50 USD) — Contains trial-sized products offered at an introductory price point, allowing men to easily try a range of top-selling favorites within the Aveda Men Pure-Formance™ line. The Aveda Men Pure-Formance™ Grooming Essentials Kit comprises Dual Action Aftershave, Shampoo, Conditioner, and Grooming Clay.
Happy Memorial Day! This is the unofficial start of Summer. I am writing this at 5 pm in Kansas City and it is 91 degrees. My family and I went to a lake this morning to splash in the water and then my girls went swimming again this afternoon — so it is certainly time to get the hot weather beauty products out! Here are some of my faves:
Lavanila Healthy SPF Collection
Lavanila Healthy SPF Collection: Get the complete coverage you need with Lavanila’s Healthy SPF Collection. These 100% natural products are made with a new generation of mineral sunscreens for superior UVA/UVB protection. Free of harsh chemicals, synthetic sunscreens and nano-particles, all formulas are fragrance-fee and infused with a superior complex of skin-saving vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The collection includes The Healthy Sunscreen SPF 30 Body Cream, The Healthy Sunscreen SPF 40 Face Cream and The Healthy Lip Screen SPF 30. Price: $16 to $38 at www.lavanila.com.
Venus Embrace Razor
Gillette Venus Embrace — $9.99 — $11.99 USD for the refillable razor, two cartridges, and a shower pod to hold the razor in the shower and $13.49 – $14.99 USD for a four-pack cartridge refills. This razor now comes with a new purple and turquoise handle and has five, yes FIVE, blades for an perfectly smooth and close shave. I love this razor! The head swivels and hugs every curve. This would be perfect for the summer when we wear way less clothes!
tarte Amazon bronze Amazonian clay & annatto body bronzer
tarte Amazon bronze Amazonian clay & annatto body bronzer ($37 USD) — Achieve a faux glow, naturally, with the new Amazonian clay and annatto-infused body bronzer in universally flattering Amazon bronze. This is a lovely light bronzer, but it is a bit sparkly, so I suggest to use it on legs and arms — especially at night! . Directions: Using the included body puff, blend bronzer into skin making sure to pay special attention around knees, ankles and elbows. Add one coat for a subtle bronze, or 2-3 coats for deeper color. Occasionally rinse body puff with a mild antibacterial soap and let dry overnight.
Burt’s Bees Refreshing Lip Balm with Pink Grapefruit ($3 USD) Give your lips a kiss. This juicy lip balm is made with nutritious, tropical Pink Grapefruit Seed Oil, bursting with powerful vitamins. Refresh your lips with a sweet hint of citrus.
• Nourishes with Vitamin C and E from Pink Grapefruit Seed Oil • Delicious citrus flavor • Softens and conditions lips
Available at www.burtbees.com and at mass market retailers near you.
Skinnygirl Mommy Cool Your Feet Spray
Skinnygirl Mommy Cool Your Feet Spray ($7.89 USD) — Cool your achingly tired feet by misting them with soothing essential ingredients such as cucumber, aloe and peppermint for a revitalizing burst of freshness. Feet feel instantly refreshed and pampered!
Key Ingredients:
Aloe – Used to moisturize and soften skin
Peppermint Oil – Energizes and cools while helping to sooth common foot irritants
Cucumber Extract – Used to sooth and relieve puffiness
Pantene Normal-Thick Hair Solutions Keratin Protection Crème ($6.29 USD) is formulated to help keep hair strong to protect hair’s natural keratin structure from damage. The result is strong, healthy hair with fewer split ends.
I can tell that this works. After a few uses, my hair has looked shinier and it does appear that I have less split ends. My teenage daughter uses this on her hair that has been damaged from straighteners and blue hair dye — and it really does make her hair look healthier.
You can purchase this at mass market retailers near you.
CEW – a nonprofit professional organization with more than 4,500 executives in the beauty, cosmetics, fragrance and related industries– has recently presented its annual Insiders’ Choice Beauty Awards, the only beauty award voted on by industry experts. The Awards celebrate the most innovative products of the year, and its list of 140 finalists include some of the most popular and effective products around. You can learn more at www.cew.org.
I have received a few products from CEW for review and one cool hair product from Ojon to giveaway (see below). The products are:
Fresh Seaberry Restorative Body Cream
Seaberry Restorative Body Cream ($28.50 USD) is an ultra-hydrating and nourishing treatment designed to calm and relieve irritation. The moisturizing formula is fortified with omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9 and seaberry oil, a powerful antioxidant that helps to restore, protect, and soften the skin. Its creamy rich texture offers a luxurious skin-soothing experience. The ingredients in this lotion are:
– Seaberry oil, also known as seabuckthorn oil, is a powerful antioxidant rich in omegas 7 & 9 that helps to restore, protect, and soften the skin.
– Cranberry seed oil is packed with omegas 3, 6 & 9 and vitamin E to help maintain the skin’s elasticity and smoothness.
– Sal seed butter, rich in omegas 6 & 9, apricot kernel seed oil, and jojoba seed oil help to hydrate and nourish.
– Sea lavender helps to soothe and calm dry skin.
What I think: This lotion is amazing! You only need one small squirt for both hands and arms. It is cooling and so silky on. This is perfect for after shaving or spending time in the sun (with sunscreen on, of course)! It has a pretty strong herbal scent, but it’s not unpleasant.
M.A.C. False Lashes ($19 USD) Fashionably false in look, but honestly real, this mascara’s key benefits of volume and curl are matched by a dramatic end look. The unique edge: the ultra-thickening formula in combo with the plush-’em-up action of its unique double-lush brush.
What I think: I have never tried a M.A.C. mascara and was excited to try this one. I have mixed feelings about this mascara. It does add length, but does not thicken unless you use a lot of coats, then it ends up clumping. It also runs very easily, and since I have allergies, it starts running shortly after I apply it. So yay on length and boo on volume and wearability.
Neutrogena® Ultra Gentle Soothing Lotion with SPF 15 ($15.99 USD) is a gentle daily moisturizer formulated for even the most sensitive skin. It’s clinically proven to instantly soothe and calm skin, visibly reducing redness and irritation. This uniquely developed formula with Chamomile and Feverfew makes skin less sensitive after just one week by strengthening skin’s moisture barrier. Skin is left smoother, more supple, and healthier looking with daily use. Broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen protects the skin against the sun’s damaging rays. With an allergy tested fragrance uniquely developed for sensitive skin, skin is left feeling calmer, softer and smoother.
What I think: My skin becomes more sensitive the older I get. So I was happy to try this gentle daily moisturizer. It is not greasy and really soothes my red cheeks everyday I also love the SPF 15 that is in the product. I have been applying moisturizer and SPF separately and this is much more convenient and way less heavy feeling.
You may purchase at a mass market retailer near you.
Ojon Color Sustain™ Gloss Finishing Hair Spray
Now For the Giveaway!!!
I am giving away a Ojon Color Sustain Gloss Finishing Hair Spray ($23.50 USD) Formulated with UVA/UVB sunscreens. This weightless finishing spray for color-treated hair not only keeps styles under control, it actually promotes hair’s natural shine and radiance. And it never leaves a heavy, sticky, color-dulling residue. Pure Ojon™ oil, nature’s hair-repairing golden elixir instantly preps hair to work with Tahitian Monoi so it can enhance softness and sheen. Hair looks rich, lustrous and vibrant. It’s the perfect summer or vacation hairspray for color-treated hair.
If you would like to win this, please leave a comment on my blog. I will randomly choose a winner on Monday, June 4, 2012.
Good luck! And please, only residents of the United States and Canada.
Forty, Flirty & Fabulous 