Get Smooth for Summer with the Borghese Forma Bella Collection

Yes I have cellulite. I am 40 (41 next month) and have three kids. I am unsure if anything can get rid of cellulite, but it has been proven in some studies that good exfoliation and certain creams can minimize the look of the offending dimply stuff.

I have been using Borghese’s Forma Bella Body Contour Collection about three times a week for a few weeks now. It is an invigorating treatment that leaves my skin so soft. I haven’t noticed much of a change in my cellulite, but my skin is very smooth to the touch and does look good. 

Forma Bella Body Contour Scrub ($45.00 7 oz) — The ingredients include Guarana & Zedomine extracts to warm the skin and diminish the appearance of cellulite, Acqua di Vita Complex to revitalize the skin, Multi-Vitamin CO Q-10 Complex to provide anti-oxidant protection from free radicals and Adzuk Bean Powder, Jjoba Beans and Sweet Almond Seed Meal to exfoliate.  I use this scrub in the shower on my thighs.  As I rub it in, my skin is instantly warmed and the exfoliation feels great. I then add warm water to lather and rinse.

Forma Bella Body Contour Creme ($55.00 7 oz) — This luxurious cream contains Caffeine, Guarana, Ginger, Cinnamin and Iodine to help diminish the appearance of dimpling, cellulite and scars, Algae & Pullulan help tighten & firm the skin,  Acqua di Vita Complex to revitalize the skin, and Multi-Vitamin CO Q-10 Complex to provide anti-oxidant protection from free radicals. I smooth this on my skin in circles and my skin starts to feel cool and firm. It is also SO smooth. I like to rub it all over my legs, especially when I am wearing a skirt or capris.

I think this line is quite lovely. And while I can’t say for certain that it will get rid of your cellulite, it will make your skin feel and look better. For more info, check out the website at www.borghese.com.

Look to Mor Cosmetics for Luxury Bath and Body Products

Cucumber & Casaba Soap
Cucumber & Casaba Soap

 MOR Cosmetics is an Australian luxury bath and body line. The packaging is very beautiful and gives you an idea of how wonderful the products inside are!

They have many different lines to choose from. I tried the Cucumber and Casaba soap and the Lavender Periwinkle body butter From the Emporium Line.

The Cucumber and Casaba soap is very moisturizing and leaves the skin softly scented.  The notes of this fragrance are: “Fresh cut Melon and green nuances blend with White Jasmine, Muguet and Rose Petals. Under tones of Beige Woods and White Musk soften and leave an uplifting scent.”

The Lavender Periwinkle Body Butter is luxury in a jar! This has a mild lavender scent and is very thick and creamy. It is great to use after a bath or shower.

For a truly unique experience, visit the website at www.morcosmetics.com.

Lavanila The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender

Lavanila The Healthy Body Butter in Vanila Lavender
Lavanila The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender
 
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
 
Lavanila’s mission is to create healthy skincare by using natural ingredients. They are proud that their products also contain vitamin-rich antioxidants & pure essential oils and are non-toxic. Lavanila products are eco-friendly and they don’t test on our furry friends!
 
I have tried The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender ($25.00 for 8.5 oz). Vanilla Lavender is their newest scent. It is a blend of Spanish lavender, rose absolute, violet leaf and Madagascar vanilla.  I love the scent of lavender and vanilla, but wasn’t sure how they would smell together. Luckily, I really like it. The scent is very warm and comforting. The lavender is dominant when I first apply the lotion, then the vanilla softly comes through.
 
The lotion itself contains 100% pure shea & cocoa butters and protects with the antioxidants goji berry and kakadu plum. It is a thick cream and it leaves the skin soft and very moisturized.
 
Visit the website at www.lavanila.com to learn more about this great brand and find a retailer near you.       

The Nautical Collection by Bobbi Brown

The Nautical Collection
The Nautical Collection
Bobbi Brown has introduced the Nautical Collection for a sheer summer look. The colors are corals, pinks and mauves and they impart a soft shot of color that is great for warm weather looks!
 
Sheer Color Lip Gloss ($20.00 USD) — This is a glossy sheer color that looks dark in the tube, but almost clear with a hint of color on. It has a brush applicator, which I love for lip gloss and smells faintly of vanilla. I have Marina Pink, which is cross between fuscia and berry. It is quite pretty on. The gloss is a bit sticky, but the shine is worth it! It is available in 4 colors; Marina Pink, Cabana Coral, Popsicle (bright pinky-red) and Sailor (a softer pink).
   
Sheer Color Cheek Tint ($22.00 USD) comes in a cute, chubby little tube that fits perfectly in my purse! The product swivels up like lipstick and I like to apply iton the apples of my cheeks, then blend it up with with my fingers. I have Sheer Mauve, but it also comes in 5 other colors:  Sheer Blackberry, Sheer Coral, Sheer Lilac, Sheer Pink and Sheer Raspberry. This is an easy and fast way to get some color this summer! 
 
Perfectly Defined Mascara ($22.00 USD) I have not had a chance to try this product, but the website touts, “This new formula lengthens, separates and curls lashes for perfect definition with one easy sweep. The secret? A unique multi-comb brush and equally innovative formula, working together to enhance each and every lash. The flexible, long-wearing formula doesn’t flake or smudge and stays in place all day long. And best of all, when you’re ready to take it off just use warm water! Available in black, Perfectly Defined Mascara is both Ophthalmologist and Dermatologist tested and is safe for contact wearers.”
 
To check out the Nautical Collection and other fabulous Bobbi Brown products, visit www.bobbibrown.com.

Juice Beauty — Organic and Fabulous Skincare

I really like the way the beauty industry is heading towards creating natural and organic products. Many lines offer natural collections, while other companies are committed to making only natural and/or organic products. To me, using natural ingredients on my skin makes perfect sense.

Juice Beauty is one of those companies. They state that, “what we feed our skin should be organic, healthy, nutritious and naturally toxin-free. Juice Beauty contains no pesticides, parabens, petroleum propylene glycol derivatives, no harsh surfactants or sulfates, no artificial colors, phthalates or synthetic fragrances.”

I was lucky enough to try some of the products. My two favorites are from the Green Apple Collection.  

Green Apple Cleansing Gel ($26.00 USD 4 oz) This gel consists of certified organic, antioxidant-rich apple and lemon juices, purifying botanicals and soothing cleansers. It claims to remove lifeless skin and refine the complexion. I love the apple scent of both of these products, and the cleanser is very refreshing. I have been using it on my face and neck and I find it cleans my skin without drying it.

Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturizer ($45.00 USD 2 oz) This certified organic moisturizer includes organic apple, lemon and grape juices, nutrient-rich essential fatty acids, and alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, peptides and DMAE to replenish, nourish and firm aging skin.  This is a very gentle cream that goes on smoothly. I do need to let it soak in a few minutes in the morning before applying makeup. But it’s worth the wait as my face is soft all day.

I reccommend visiting the website at www.juicebeauty.comto learn more about their commitment to organic beauty.

Spa Products from Creative Nail Design Will Pamper Your Hands!

It is so nice to pamper your hands after a long, cold winter. Mine were a little dry and rough. Luckily I was able to try some of Creative Nail Design’s Almond Spamanicure products.   

I did a little home spa by using four products from the line. I started with the Almond Milk Bath. This is an oil that I heated up, rubbed on my hands (especially my cuticles), then after about 5 minutes I added a little water and it foamed up. I then rinsed my hands and scrubbed with the Almond Moisture Scrub, which contains fine mineral salts, refined sugar, jojoba soft beads and sweet almond oil.  After rinsing of the scrub I applied the Almond Illuminating Masque and left that on for 5 minutes. This is a rich, pearly cream that is a blend of  sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E. My last step, after rinsing the mask, was applying the Almond Hydrating Lotion.

The almond scent of these products is so wonderful! It’s very soothing and lends itself greatly to a spa experience. And my hands were so smooth! I bet my feet would benefit from something like this as well!

To locate a salon which sales these fantastic products visit www.creativenaildesign.com. This a great pampering idea for Mother’s Day!

Fun New Products from Rimmel London!

Rimmel London is a great, quality drugstore brand. It’s both affordable and fun, which is great in the current economy. They have come out with some fab new releases that will help you stay cool in the hot summer months! 

Stay Matte Clarifying Matte Foundation ($6.99 USD).  This is an oil free foundation that claims to give up to 12 hours of matte skin. It is formulated with SKINPURE Complex, which combines salicylic acid to clear blemishes and botanical extracts to nourish, and also claims not to clog pores in the summer heat.

I really like this foundation. It does go on matte and feels smooth. I don’t know about keeping my skin covered for 12 hours, but it seems to last for at least an 8 hour shift at work. I’ve been using it with my EcoTools foundation brush and I find I don’t need a lot of the product to cover my face. I’m using color 101 Porcelain, which looks great on me, but there are only six shades available that may not work for all skin tones. 

Lasting Finish Kiss & Stay Gloss ($7.99 USD) is a two-step long-wearing color gloss.  One end holds the color, which is applied with a soft sponge tipped wand. This goes on first, and when it dries you apply the shimmery gloss which shines and moisturizes. The applicator for this end is a brush, which I love.   I have the color Enduring Love which is a mauvy-rose color. It stays on forever, but the glittery top coat may be a little young for me. This would be very fun on a night out with the girls, though! 

Sexy Curves Mascara ($7.49 USD) Claims to curl and thicken lashes. My lashes are short and straight. It works fine if I don’t curl my lashes first, but if I do, its a big difference! My lashes look longer and curlier. Not too thick, but its a nice day look. The plastic bristle brush (Rimmel’s Triple Plump Brush) is really cool, but a little intimidating.  I just take it slowly from the base of my lashes to the tips.  

Visit the Rimmel website at www.rimmellondon.com to learn more about these products. They are probably for sale at your local drugstore!

It Cosmetics Smokin’ Hot Legs Kit

It Cosmetics Smokin Hot Legs Kit
It Cosmetics Smokin Hot Legs Kit

 

Smokin’ Hot Legs ($68.00 USD) is a body makeup  kit that allows you to sculpt your legs to show them of to their best advantage.
 
The kit includes (as described on the website www.itcosmetics.com) —
 
My Firm Legs Primer: Key ingredients including Caffeine and Green Tea Extract help to give your legs and backside a firmer, more toned appearance. My Firm Legs Primer also helps to smooth and prep your skin for a sexy touch that’s impossible to resist.
 
Waterproof and Sweatproof Leg Shadows and Highlighters: Defining and highlighting shades that match all skin tones. They are resistant to water and sweat. They’re easily removable with soap and water or make-up remover.
 
Body Stain – Semi-Permanent: This long-lasting semi-permanent body stain will give you the appearance of ultimate definition that stays on your skin for 3-5 days. This stain lasts all day on the beach, all night out on the town and for your entire weekend getaway. No matter how wet or sweaty you get – your sexy, defined legs aren’t going anywhere!
 
Setting Spray: Once you have defined your legs to their sexiest, the Setting Spray will ensure your make-up lasts long and sets in place.

Mini Buffing Brush: For areas that need sexy shading and buffed-in definition.

Dual-Sided Body Contouring and Highlighting Brush: From sexy contoured curves to gorgeous sweeping highlights, this dual-sided brush gives you the power to sculpt your legs and backside to perfection.

Library of Secrets Manual: This coveted instruction manual will give you simple to follow step by step instructions on how you can sculpt your legs and backside to appear their sexiest! This manual reveals the tips and tricks that were once known only to celebrity make-up artists in an easy to follow, easy to duplicate fashion. This manual will give you all the knowledge you need to transform your lower body!

The way I like to use the kit is to first apply the silky primer. It really smooths the legs. I then take one of the darker matte colors and apply it to my cellulite or any other areas I wish to downplay. I then add highlighter I like the lightest, pearly color — to the front of my thighs and shins to draw attention to those areas. I finish off with the setting spray. You can’t tell that I’m wearing makeup, it looks natural and pretty!

Visit the website – www.itcosmetics.com — and check out this kit as well as ones for the lips, eyes, abs, bust and other areas you would like to make look a little bit sexier!

Feel Fresh and Pretty with Sole Beauty

Sole Beauty makes beautiful cosmetics that look great on everyone. Their soft, subtle colors are so lovely and the products feel great on.

Secret Serum ($28.00 USD) —  This is an extremely silky primer to use after moisturizing, but before makeup to provide a solid matte base.  It contains antioxidants, anti-aging benefits and jojoba to nourish and protect skin against the elements. You can use on the face, body, and even the hair for a smooth finish. It feels incredible on and really makes foundation go on so smoothly!

The Illuminator with Big Night Out Kabuki Brush ($36.00 USD) — Is a pretty shimmer powder in Angelic Peach that you can dust all over. I use it on my cheekbones, eyelids, forehead, nose — I basically brush it all over. It is also fun to use on the arms and decollete area — great for the upcoming warm weather! The Big Night Out Kabuki brush is also a winner. Its the perfect size to brush the shimmer (and face powder, too) all over!      

Lip Crave Antioxidant Lip Plumper ($20.00 USD) — This plumper is packed with antioxidants. It gives a little tingle of mint as it plumps lips and makes them feel fresh with a bit of color. This is very moisturizing and comes in a soft neutral beige.

Check out www.solebeauty.com for these amazing products as well as a variety of skincare, fragrance and candles.

Pharmacopia — A Great Brand of Herbal Elixirs!

Pharmacopia creates natural aromatherapy products that are as good for the soul as they are for the body! Pharmacopia’s mission is, “We believe what you put on your skin is just as important as what you eat! We shun the use of artificial colors, fillers, fragrances, synthetics and parabens. Instead we pack our products full of healthy, plant based, nourishing ingredients like shea butter and sea algae.” The products I’ve tried are:

Rosemary Bath Salts ($8.99 USD 6 oz) -are blended with essential oils of peppermint and eucalyptus to refresh and revitalize while easing sore joints and muscles. Tossing some into my bath sooths the aches from my day and truly relaxes. The ingredients include; epsom salt and essential oils of rosemary, lavender and juniper.

Lavender Hand Cream ($10.75 USD 2.70 oz) –is an organic shea butter hand cream that is  paraben free.  The wonderful scent is an aromatic blend of lavender and Roman Chamomile. I really like it because it leaves my hands soft and smooth.

Herbal Lip Elixir ($7.99 USD) — is my favorite of the products I tested. It’s 100% vegan,and includes chamomile and tangerine to make it as brightly fragrant as it is soothing. This is great for dry, chapped lips and feels fantastic on!
 
Check out the Pharmacopia site to learn more about and to purchase these affordable and luxurious products at www.pharmacopia.net. Enjoy!