Olay Luscious Embrace Body Collection

I love Olay’s skincare, but sometimes I forget that they make fabulous body care, too!

I really like their Luscious Embrace body care collection. The scent is a gorgeous floral that contains crushed Orchid extract. The collection includes:

Olay Bath 4-bar Luscious Embrace, ($3.99 for 2) — The bars are massage bars which means it has massaging bumps on it to sooth tired muscles while cleansing and leaving a fantastic scent!  It also contains Jojoba butter for extra moisturizing!

Olay Luscious Embrace Moisturizing Body Wash ($5.99  USD)– I love this amazingly creamy body wash. It has a nice lather and leaves skin so smooth. It also works well as a shaving cream.

Olay Luscious Embrace Moisturizing Body Lotion ($5.99 USD) — The lotion is great for after a bath — especially nice on legs after shaving.
These products are very affordable and are a nice change from your usual body wash and lotion. Visit www.olay.com to learn more and they are available for purchase at drugstores and mass market retailers near you.

Smell Sweet This Valentine’s Day With Thymes, One and Bodycology

There are so many ways to try a new fragrance. And these great choices are perfect to give or treat yourself for Valentine’s Day.

Bodycology Midnight Garden Body Cream ($4.99 USD) –For Daily Rejuvenation: Smooth over skin, giving special care to dry or rough areas such as hands, elbows, knees and heels – for softening that feels like blissful indulgence
Beneficial Ingredients: Moisturizing Aloe Vera, Shea Butter and Nourishing Vitamins E & C.

Violets, lavender and rose mingle to produce a fragrance that is reminiscent of a moonlit garden. You can purchase this at Walmart.

One Lotion Massage Bar ($9.99);Blended with the finest moisturizing butters and essential oils, the calming bar instantly melts into skin to release tension and help you unwind. Just massage onto skin, concentrating on tired muscles and sore areas. Housed in an eco-friendly, recyclable tin, the Lotion Massage Bar is a loving indulgence you can feel good about. You can purchase at  Target Stores, Target.com and Walgreens.com

Thymes Offerings Love Candle ($26.00); It’s a scent evocative of a heartfelt emotion. Each time the recipient lights The Offerings Love Candle by Thymes, her home is filled with feelings of warmth. With a blend of heady tuberose, dewy jasmine, golden apricot nectar and exotic Hinoki wood, The Offerings Love Candle envelops the room with a rich, comforting aroma that burns cleanly for up to sixty hours. Housed in an opaque cream glass with subtle white starburst designs, The Offerings Love Candle makes the perfect adornment for your dresser or bedside table. And, as a unique expression of Valentine’s Day love, the inner packaging of The Offerings Love Candle can be personalized with your own inspired inscription. Simply handwrite your loving message on the inside flap of the candle’s box.

Purchase this and other great products at  www.thymes.com.

Dry Skin Driving You Crazy This Winter? Soothe It With New Products for Hands and Body

When the weather gets cold and dry (and blizzards like it did in Kansas City this week), skin and nails really need to be nourished.  My hands and feet especially have been cracked and my cuticles are peeling. I have taken this opportunity to try new products (or ones that are new to me) to get my skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Cures by Avance Hydrating Body Silk ($26.00 USD) is a weightless body milk which claims to transform the skin. I like to use this after a shower to lock in the moisture. My skin feels silky and soft afer use. To purchase, visit  www.curesbyavance.com

It’s a known fact that winter air completely zaps the essential natural oils found in  skin and hair but unfortunately, attention to the nails has long been neglected. Due to the sub-zero effects outside and the bone-dry heat that is pumped indoors, the nails take a real beating – quickly becoming dry and brittle which results in cracks, painful splits and very short-lived manicures (the shame!)
 
In order to prevent and combat these harsh effects, protect nails with Perfect Formula’s Daily Moisture ($29.00 USD)– a tried and true treatment that keeps nails long, strong and healthy. Formulated with Keratin, the main protein that makes up nails, Jojoba Oil, an excellent moisturizer that is similar to the natural lubricant of skin, and Vitamin E, this product instantly nourishes and strengthens dry, thirsty nails even in the most treacherous conditions. 
 
To use, simply brush Daily Moisture on top of nails, under nails and on cuticles daily. Can be used on polished or natural nails. purchase at http://www.perfectformulas.com or QVC.com.

Caudalie Vine Body Butter ($36.00 USD) is deeply hydrating, with a delicious light scent and velvety texture melts into skin and provides all the therapeutic benefits and efficiency of Vinothérapie Spas. This lotion is perfect for anyone with very dry to damaged skin wanting an ultra nourishing, repairing and luxurious treatment. Apply morning and evening, massage gently into skin in upward motions.

I love the scent of this lotion, it is a bit fruity and is very refreshing. I like to apply it to my hands, feet and legs after shaving. Visit www.caudalie-usa.com to purchase.

Enjoy your hydrated skin!

Find a New Fragrance For Your Hair, Body and Home For Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a great time to try new fragrances for your body, hair and home to set the mood for romance and to make yourself feel sexy.

NEST Fragrances Bar Soaps ($16.00 USD) — These lightly scented French-milled soaps contain shea butter and almond oil to create a rich, luxurious lather while and nourishing the skin with antioxidant vitamin E. Available in: Moss & Mint, Bamboo, Moroccan Amber, Orange Blossom, Wasabi Pear, and Grapefruit. I tried the Orange Blossom and I loved it. This is a flowery, romantic scent that is perfect for this season! Purchase at Neiman Marcus or online at neimanmarcus.com

Designed for dry and frizzy hair, the LOVE Smoothing Shampoo ($22.00 USD) uses prickly pear extract to provide intense moisture to hair and scalp.  Rice Proteins create a protective layer on the hair and Olive Oil acts as an emollient while Indian Fig Extract heals hair cuticles, leaving hair manageable. LOVE Smoothing Conditioner ($25.00 USD) works to replenish both hair and scalp, restoring heat-damaged hair with Vitamin E, moisturizing with rice bran wax and nourishing hair and scalp with borage oil. The blend of moisturizers and silicones leaves hair soft, silky and manageable and loved. The fig scent is fantastic, too. Visit www.davines.com for salon locations.

The Bath and Body Works Black Currant Vanilla Massage Oil ($16.00 USD)  — This sexy oil is fragranced with at combination Black Currant and Vanilla.  Vanilla Absolute soothes and calms to instill feelings of comfort. The soothing oil blend contains Sunflower Oil, rich in the antioxidant Vitamin E, to moisturize skin and help keep it young looking. Massage into freshly cleansed skin or add to warm running bath water for the ultimate relaxing bath. Visit www.bathandbodyworks.com to learn more and to purchase.

Designed to evoke over 19 different moods, emotions and locales from around the world, the moment you inhale one of TOCCA’s Candle ($36.00 USD) fragrances, you are instantly transformed to a place far beyond your current reality. Available in 26 fragrances ($36 each). I love the Bianca Candle. With notes of green tea, lemon and a dash of sugar, Bianca leaves you sitting seaside in Italy, enjoying life and sipping tea. Approximate burn time: 60 hours. Visit www.tocca.com or www.sephora.com to purchase.

Enjoy the romance!

Soften Your Dry Winter Skin With Caudalie Hand And Nail Cream


I seem to be slathering on hand cream constantly in this cold, dry, winter air. I have been looking for a hydrating, but not greasy, hand cream that smells great. And I have found it! Caudalie Hand And Nail Cream ($19.00 USD) is my new favorite winter hand cream.

Why? Because is it nourishing for both hand and nails and it is also anti-aging. It contains patented grapevine polyphenols, organic shea butter from equitable trade, grape-seed oil, avocado extract, Vinolevure® and plant-derived glycerin. It is also infused with a sweet orange fragrance that smells fantastic!

Visit www.caudalie-usa.com to learn more and to purchase. Enjoy!

Last Minute Sephora Gift Ideas

 

As a true beauty junkie, sephora is one of my favorite stores. It’s so fun to go in and look around and try all sorts of  fun makeup, lotions and perfumes. But if you are more into going  right in and picking out the perfect gift — well they have tons to choose from. A (very) few of my favorites for this holiday season are:

Tokidoki Robbery Palette ($39.00, $140 Value) — A keepsake tin that includes 3 eye shadow and blush palettes that can be taken from the tin. Made with eye-popping pigments that won’t fade, these Cromatico eyeshadows and cheek highlighters complete a total tokidoki look.

This set contains:
– Royal Pride Palette: 4 x 0.02 oz Eyeshadows in Lion Pappa, Savana, Ercolini, Bulletto and a 0.16 oz Bronzer in Royal Pride
– Arlecchino Palette: 4 x 0.02 oz Eyeshadows in Soya, Candy Cane, Ninja Dog, Meteo and a 0.16 oz Blush in Momobella
– Rapina Palette: 4 x 0.02 oz Eyeshadows in Liberty, Bullets, LA Gun, Adios and a 0.16 oz Blush in Polpettina
– Collectible Robbery Print tin that can be reused to house tokidoki treasures
– Large (3.5 x 5.5″) removable tokidoki logo magnet

Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick Set ($28.00, $60 Value) — This set six miniature lipsticks is the perfect kit for pulling off a rockin’ lip color for any occasion. These rich, long-lasting miniature lipsticks include two new colors to form a wide range of shades—from the perfect bold red to a stunning understated neutral pink.

This set contains:
– 6 x 0.042 oz Lipsticks in Rosary, Underage Red, Cathedral, Hellbent, Lolita, Celebutard

Sephora Collection Endless Color Blockbuster ($48.00, $435 Value) — This limited-edition palette lets you create virtually any look. Its high-quality formulas are divided into two categories for easy application: warm tones on the right and cool tones on the left. In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Sephora’s Blockbuster launch, 13 new products have been added making this the biggest collection yet.

This set contains:
– 98 x original, iridescent effect eyeshadows
– 70 x shiny lip glosses
– 6 x cream eyeliners
– 2 x lip liners
– 3 x eyeliners
– Mascara
– 4 x applicators

Encased in a signature design that pays tribute to the iconic Sephora bag, this palette features sliding trays that allow for easy storage and a silver ticket that automatically enters you in the SEPHORA COLLECTION Silver Ticket Sweepstakes*. Visit Sephora.com on January 1, 2011 to see if you have the winning silver ticket. The grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 Sephora shopping spree, a one-year supply of SEPHORA COLLECTION products, and more.

*No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win. Purchase will not increase chances of winning. To receive a ticket without purchase, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Silver Ticket Request, Sephora USA, Inc., 525 Market St., 32nd Fl., SF, CA 94105 to be received by 12/15/10 (VT and Canadian residents may omit return postage). Odds of winning depend on number of tickets distributed/requested. See here for more details, including eligibility requirements, prize descriptions and official rules.

You can stop by Sephora to purchase these and much more. If you order online by December 18, 2010, you can get your gifts by the 24th. Enjoy!

Give The Gift Of Relaxation With Comfort Zone, Dr. Hauschka and AHAVA This Holiday Season

Looking to give the gift of relaxation (or to or purchase some for yourself) this holiday season? Below are three natural and spa brands that you may never have tried before, but each one includes wonderfully smelling and calming products that will help you get through the busy and stressful holiday season. 

Comfort Zone Tranquility Shower Cream ($38.00 USD). Transform your shower into your very own blissful oasis by using this Tranquility Shower Cream. Specially formulated with vanilla and rose oils, this shower cream provides a two-in-one process of cleansing and moisturizing the skin while relieving stress and muscle tension. I love the soft scent and the fact that the cream makes my skin so soft. It works well for shaving, too. Visit www.comfortzone.it to learn more. 

Dr. Hauschka The Aromatherapy Bath Kit ($19.95 USD) has everything to create the ultimate bath experience. A perfect gift for anyone your list who deserves a little indulgence and at under $20, it won’t break the bank.  It contains travel sizes of Lavender, Lemon, Sage, Spruce and Rosemary Bath products that help calm and soothe. I like to combine a few drops of Lemon and Sage in my bath. So nice! This is available at www.drhauschka.com

AHAVA Mineral Sparkles Holiday Gift Set ($20.00 USD). Put a little sparkle into your Holiday beauty routine with AHAVA’s Mineral Sparkles gift set. This exclusive set features three effective treatments to pamper and address the needs of the body and hands. These unique formulas are clinically proven to restore skin’s natural moisture balance for healthy and radiant skin. Powered by 21 essential Dead Sea minerals including potassium, calcium and magnesium, these treatments will renew your skin with soothing moisture. Includes Mineral Body Lotion, Mineral Hand Cream, Mineral Shower Gel and AHAVA’s Deluxe Chenille Bath Puff. Available at AHAVA.com

Enjoy!

Sweet-Smelling Bath and Body Holiday Gift Ideas Under $25.00

Still searching for the perfect bath and body gift but want to spend under $25.00? The three sets and products featured smell fantastic and won’t make your wallet cry when you open it. Enjoy!

Tocca Hand Cream Set ($18.00 USD) — TOCCA’s ultra-luxurious travel-sized hand cream is now available in a trio set featuring Cleopatra (grapefruit cucumber), Stella (blood orange) and Florence (Orris Rose). 3 x 2 fl. oz. The paraben-free rich hand cream is blended with natural nutrients like Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil. Aloe, Chamomile and Shea Butter add the perfect moisturizing touch that absorbs quickly into the skin. I love all three scents, they are so fresh and pretty that it is hard to choose a favorite. This is a perfect gift for the very feminine lady on your list. Visit www.tocca.com to purchase.

CND Scentsations Sparkling Champagne Gift Duo ($23.00 USD) Who says you can only break out the bubbly when celebrating an occasion? Bring that same cheer to your daily beauty routine with this wash and lotion duo of CND’s seasonal Sparkling Champagne fragrance. Prettily boxed, the set includes two 8.3 fl oz bottles plus a FREE purse hook. The scent is so yummy and is perfect for any lady who likes a little fun in her bath products. CND has other fab gifts that include a hand cream set with Cranberry, Sparkling Champagne, and Black Cherry and Nutmeg.  Visit www.cnd.com for locations of a salon near you.

Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Vanilla Verbena Collection ($13-$16 at www.bathandbodyworks.com) has the perfect products to gift to your loved ones this holiday season. The collection includes a Body Lotion, Body Wash & Foam Bath, Body Mist, Body Scrub, and Massage Oil. The whole collection soothes the body, mind and spirit with a pampering blend of aromatherapy essential oils. The tension-relieving collection makes the ideal gift for overworked friends and family—or a holiday indulgence for you.

More Great Holiday Bath Gift Ideas

Bath and body care are great gifts for the holidays! I love giving and receiving them. The sets below are all good gifts and affordable, too! Have fun shopping!

SJ Creations Mistletoe & Mint Ceramic Caddy Set ($20.00 USD on sale for $9.99 USD). Keep your hands clean and soft with this coordinating pair of cleansing hand wash and moisturizing lotion in an attractive, reusable ceramic caddy. The scent is fresh and minty, and is perfect for the holidays. The set includes:

  • 16.9 fl. oz. Cleansing Hand Wash
  • 16.9 fl. oz. Moisturizing Hand Lotion
  • Reusable Ceramic Caddy

If you are in the shopping mood, SJ Creations is doing a Cyber Monday promotional contest. When you purchase anything, enter the code CYBER15 to receive 15% off on Monday, November 29. Plus if you sign up for their newsletter you will get a code for 30% and be entered to win free products in a drawing on Tuesday, November 30th. Just visit www.sjcreationsinc.com to learn more.

Gingerbread House Bubble Bar ($6.25) is one of the many fun holiday products and gift sets that LUSH has released this season. This warming, spicy, stimulating bath time treat is crammed full of ginger powder to help increase circulation and warm you up on cold winter nights. There’s also a hint of buchu oil and lime, to give it a fruity scent. 

Check out www.lushusa.com to see all of the great gift ideas they have. All products are hand made and many of them are vegan.

Whish Lavender Dream Collection ($25.00 USD) This set includes everything you need to smooth, soften, and pamper your skin in our brand new sweet smelling lavender flavor. Give the gift of perfectly soft skin to yourself or a friend. All items are in flight approved sizes. The set includes:

Three Whishes Body Wash – unique combination of wheat, sugar, and corn rather than harsh sulfates.
Three Whishes Sugar Scrub – exfoliate with our unique sugar, bamboo powder, raspberry seed mix.
Shave Crave – this moisturizing shave cream will leave your skin smooth and soft.
Three Whishes Body Butter – triple dose of moisture from organic shea & raspberry butter and organic aloe.

All Whish products are paraben free, suflate free, DEA & TEA free, and petrochemical free and are all natural with organic ingredients.

I love this lavender scent because it isn’t too strong and has a touch of sweetness to the soothing lavender. The products are all moisturizing and leave skin so smooth! Visit www.whishbody.com to learn more and to purchase.

Candle Gift Ideas For The Holidays

A beautifully scented candle makes a perfect gift for the holidays. A pretty votive can be a great stocking stuffer and a larger luxury candle is a perfect hostess gift or a gift for a favorite neighbor. Here are some of my favorites: 

Nest Holiday Votive Candle ($14.00 USD) combines holiday traditional scents such as mandarin orange, pine, cinnamon and eucalyptus. It is boxed is in a pretty red velvet box. Approximate burn time: 15+ hours. Other details are:

  • Net weight: 2.3 oz.
  • Soy blend wax.
  • encased in a shiny decorative gold votive glass

Check out www.neimanmarcus.com to purchase

TOCCA Brigitte Candle ($34.00 USD) — The Sephora website describes this new scent as, “Brigitte channels the essence of screen siren Brigitte Bardot—an icon of glamorous, free-spirited class. Tocca’s newest fine fragrance invites you into Brigitte’s bike ride in the south of France. The intoxicating scent of the Marseilles spice market mingles with ginger, then folds in the essence of Moroccan Rose petals, blending chic, old-world European style with whimsical and exotic intrigue. Brigitte’s loveliness is deliciously textured—sweet top notes of Rhubarb and Papaya bloom into middle notes of Iris and Saffron. Her depth shines through bottom notes of Sandalwood and Musk.”

Notes: Ginger, Rhubarb, Papaya, Moroccan Rose, Iris, Saffron, Sandalwood, Musk, Pannetone Accord. Visit www.tocca.com to purchase

Soap and Paper Factory Patch NYC Stag Candle ($32.00 USD) — This vintage inspired collection of artisan scented candles are crafted by hand. They are 100% pure soy and have a 75 hour burn time. The notes ar {siberian fir, cilantro, citrus, raspberry  and scent is described as, “fresh as a brisk morning walk in the woods, cozy as an evening by a roaring fire, a festive scent for celebrating the season”.

This is a perfect scent for the holidays, especially for those of us who have a fake tree! It will make us feel like we have brought a little bit of the indoors inside. Visit www.soapandpaperfactory.com to learn more and to purchase.