Easy, On-The-Go Moisture, With Smith & Vandiver Aromatherapaes Moisture Balm

Traveling this summer and don’t want to take bottles or jars of lotion to keep skin soft?  Try a moisture balm.  They smooth and heal dry, rough skin, especially areas such as your cuticles, elbows, knees, and ankles.  They are also great for legs and other areas after shaving.

One I am currently is Smith & Vandiver’s Aromatherapaes Moisture Balm. It is available in 2 scents:

•    Soothing Moisture with Neroli & Lavender: Perfect for post-shaving, post-pool party, and a day spent beachside.

•    Refreshing Moisture with Sweet Orange & Vanilla: Fabulous for arid summer climates, dried-out skin from hanging out next to the AC too long, and post-shower.

Key Ingredients:
• Shea Butter
• Neroil
• Cocoa Butter
• Lavender
• Beeswax
• Sweet Orange Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Vanilla

Love that it’s Natural!  All Aromatherapaes products are formulated to meet the Whole Foods Premium standard and are certified under  the Natural Products Association. With these standards, a product must not only meet a 95% level of certified
natural ingredients, the balance must be certified-safe synthetics that have no natural alternative. The NPA seal
helps consumers know they are getting a truly natural product.

Directions for Use:

Twist container from bottom to expose stick. Apply directly to dry skin areas.

Availability:

Moisture Balm is available at grocery, chain drug, and mass-market retailers, specialty stores and natural stores
across the country and on-line at www.svnaturally.com. The suggested retail price is $5.99.  Enjoy!

Nicole by OPI Introduces Texture Coat

Nicole by OPI announces the launch of Texture Coat, a line of graffiti-style nail art products inspired by OPI’s bestselling Shatter. Available in six chic shades – Gold, Silver, Red, White, Turquoise and Black – Texture Coat offers a simple way to create unique, unpredictable patterns on nails with a quick, at-home application.

“Fans of Nicole by OPI are fun, fashion-forward women who love experimenting with trends and using nail lacquer as a form of self-expression,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Texture Coat offers an easy way to create your own completely customized nail art. Whether you choose pastels, darks, glitters, shimmers, or sheers to pair with Texture Coat, the endless options will accessorize every look.”

To use this product, start with Base Coat Plus, followed by two coats of any Nicole by OPI nail lacquer. Let the lacquer dry completely before applying Texture Coat. Complete the manicure with Top Coat Plus for a high-shine finish.

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde.  Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality, with products featuring the Perfect Stroke brush for streak-free, even coverage. Texture Coat will be available July 2011 for $7.99 each at ULTA, Target, Meijer, Harmon, Wegmans, Sears, and H-E-B. Texture Coat will be available in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart and Loblaw.

For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

New Summer Haircare Products By Pureology, TRESemmé, and ECRU New York!

Summer hair care can be tricky.  Pool water damages hair, the sun can strip the color and humidity makes it frizzy.  It’s important to find a hair care line that fits your summer hair needs.  Here are three product line ideas and some helpful summer tip:

If you have blond hair, try Pureology Perfect4Platinum ($24.00 to $32.00 USD) system for high-lifted and highlighted hair, four levels or more.  It delivers concentrated keravis to replenish and plump the keratin gaps, equalizing porosity. Chamomile extract improves overall suppleness and softness. The lemon extract clarifies and smoothes the cuticle for enhanced shine. Finally, coriander oil creates a mirrored surface to magnify shine.  The signature AntiFadeComplex® delivers free radical damage protection for longer lasting hair colour. The line includes Shampoo, HairCondition, ReconstructRepair Masque and Miracle Filler Lotion.  Visit http://www.pureology.com to learn more and purchase.

Avoid heat-styling as often as possible during the summer months. After washing your hair, wring out any extra moisture with a towel and allow your hair to air dry before blow-drying. Cutting back on your use of hot tools such as a blow dryer and flat iron will help reduce damage. Be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to treat dry, strawlike hair. Try ECRU New York Luxe Treatment Shampoo ($22.00 USD) and ECRU New York Protective Silk Conditioner ($22.00 USD) to restore moisture and provide superior conditioning leaving hair beautiful and healthy. Visit www.ecrunewyork.com for more product ideas.

Worried that your summer hairstyle will wilt or frizz with the heat and humidity?  Help is on the way!  Start the summer off by giving your hair a fighting chance with the TRESemmé Climate Control Collection ($4.49 each item in the line).  Protect against harmful UV rays and keep your locks looking beautiful with the specially designed formula that creates a barrier between your hair and the weather.  Infused with the Climate Control Complex, the collection contains olive oil, keratin, UV blockers and polymers to leave hair shiny, soft and manageable while protecting against humidity, UV rays, static and wind.  With the TRESemmé Climate Control Collection you can have amazing hair regardless of the weather! TRESemmé can be found at mass market retailers near you!  Items in this line include Shampoo, Conditioner, Mousse and Finishing Spray.  Enjoy!

TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curl Collection

TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curl Collection

Are your curls frying in the sun or wilting in the humidity?  Try products that are made especially for curly hair like the new TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curl Collection.

Enhance natural curls and waves to bring out the very best in your hair. The exclusive Catwalk® Aquacomplex features a fusion of Cucumber Water, Kelp, Algae, Seaweed and Sea Fennel to sooth and moisturize curls and deliver extraordinary hydration while creating perfectly formed curls with movement, separation and shine. Each of the collection’s seven products features a crisp, cool, marine-inspired scent that will leave you feeling refreshed, energized and revitalized. The collection is complete with a Defining Shampoo, Hydrating Conditioner, Leave-In Conditioner, Lightweight and Strong Mousses, Curls Rock Curl Amplifier and a Defining Serum.

What I think:  It’s fantastic that TIGI Catwalk has made a line especially for curly hair.  My hair is more wavy than curly, but I really enjoyed the moisturizing elements of the shampoo and conditioner and the fact that it guarded my hair from the Kansas City humidity.  I didn’t try the styling products, but I’m sure they would provide additional conditioning and protection for curls.

Price: $14.95 – 19.95, available in fine salons nationwide; visit www.tigihaircare.com for more information.

The John Frieda Hare Care At Home Hair Colour Challenge

Myself, friends and readers have recently taken part in a John Frieda Hare Care At Home Hair Colour Challenge by using the new John Frieda Precision Foam Color ($12.99 USD).

Easy to apply, the non-aerosol foam formula spreads evenly through hair, saturating every strand completely—even the back of the head, roots and hairline. The 20-shade palette collection was developed in conjunction with the John Frieda® Creative Colour Director, and sought-after U.K. colourist, Nicola Clarke, who is responsible for some of the most iconic hair colours in Hollywood. With an array of options for blondes, brunettes and redheads, the collection brings a salon shade spectrum home.No mess, no drips,no stains—just gorgeous hair from every angle. The revolutionary colour even provides 100% grey coverage and vibrant shine with long-lasting results, offering salon precision at home.

HOW TO USE:Squeeze the center of the bottle to dispense foam into a gloved hand and apply directly to hair. Simply massage foam into hair with fingertips to thoroughly cover each strand from root to tip. The foam easily coats even the most hard-to-reach areas, including the back of the head. Let stand for 20 minutes (30 minute for grey coverage) and rinse with lukewarm water until water runs clear. Apply conditioner and leave in for 2-5 minutes before rinsing.

WHAT’S THE VERDICT?:  I like this color because it is easy to use and doesn’t have a strong chemical smell.  I tried Dark Red Brown and it covered my grays well, but I didn’t get much red in my dark brown, but it was shiny and pretty.  I don’t have a photo up because I didn’t get a chance to take my after photo, my grays popped up after a few weeks (I procrastinated).

My daughter Hannah had reddish blonde hair before coloring and wanted to go more blonde so she chose Dark Golden Blonde.  It turned out almost exactly like her hair was before — not much change.  Marissa went from a golden blonde to Dark Natural Brown and it looked fab, quite a difference!

Bridget tried Medium Chocolate Brown and it covered her gray well.  She loved how soft her hair was afterwards and how great it made her feel to get her color back.

We all had different experiences with this color, but I think it is a quality home hair color and worth a try!

WHERE TO FIND IT: Food, drug and mass retailers nationwide.

La Fresh Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover

La Fresh Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover

La Fresh Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover (8 for $4.99 and 16 for $9.99)  — Bye-bye polish removers that are harsh on the nails and harsh on the nose. Hello fresh, healthy nails and an incredibly delicious scent. LA FRESH delivers this revolutionary good-for-nails polish remover that quickly cleans & conditions all 10 nails with just one pad. Helps moisturize with Aloe, Glycerin and Vitamin E. Helps strengthen nails with natural Rosemary and Horsetail Extract. And best of all, helps deliver an unbelievably fresh experience with natural Tuscan orange aromatherapy. Free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, acetone, acetate, dyes, PEGs, artificial fragrances & animal byproducts. Try it to believe it.

What I think:  Convenient and great smelling, these wipes are easy to use and so nice to have around. One wipe removes polish from all 10 nails, except for when I used a crackle coat over my base polish. Then it took two wipes, but that’s because it was a lot of polish to remove.

Learn more and purchase at http://lafreshgroup.com.  Pick some up, they are a must to have around!

Brighten Your Hair With Clairol Natural Instincts Vibrant

Clairol Natural Instincts Vibrant

Do you know that besides the physical benefits of coloring hair, freshly colored hair can do a lot to a womans self-esteem? Clairol has recently held a survey regarding the emotional benefits of coloring hair. The survey reveals 93% of women who color their hair agree their day instantly improves directly after coloring. Women feel confident and on top of the world with freshly colored hair, but as color starts to fade, their confidence and mood drop. This cycle of emotional ups and downs can be described as a “hair color rollercoaster.”

Now Natural Instincts with new Week 2 Color Refresher has a solution to love. The Week 2 Color Refresher replenishes the tones your hair color loses first and can simply be applied two weeks after coloring to give hair a color boost.

The color boost is included in the traditional Natural Instincts demi-permanent as well as the new permanent Vibrant formula. Now you can get up to 8 weeks of vibrant, healthy-looking hair color from Natural Instincts. New Natural Instincts Vibrant is a 10-minute formula that delivers stunning color with 100% gray coverage.

What I think:  I have used Natural Instincts before and liked it, but because it is semi-permanent, the gray coverage never lasted long.  The vibrant color is permanent and so lasts a very long time. I also love the idea of the color boost.  I applied it after two weeks and my hair appeared brighter and my color looked fresher. Awesome!

Natural Instincts is available at mass market retailers near you. Enjoy!

Australian Gold Continuous Spray SPF 30

Australian Gold Continuous Spray

Australian Gold Continuous Spray SPF 30 ($10.49 USD) — Apply evenly and liberally to all exposed areas 20 minutes before sun exposure.  Reapply as needed or after towel drying, swimming, perspiring or vigorous activity. Use in well-ventilated areas.  Do not spray directly on the face.  Spray into hands and rub on the face.

Features are:

  • Helps prevent sunburn.
  • Retains SPF after 80 minutes of activity in the water or sweating.
  • Provides high protection against sunburn and tanning.

What I think: This is a really effective sunblock.  The spray is easy to apply — it imparts a fine mist so that it covers very well.  It is not greasy and stays on for almost a couple of hours.  Perfect for hot summer days!

Visit  www.australiangold.com to learn more and to find out where to purchase.

Conquer Sensitive Skin and Rosacea With Atopalm

Atopalm Intensive Moisturizing Cream

I was excited to receive a sample of Atopalm’s Intensive Moisturizing Cream.  My teenage daughter has eczema and gets dry pathes on her face.  Here is info on what Atopalm claims to do and why I wanted her to try it:  

Formulated for dry, sensitive skin, Atopalm’s rich, emollient, yet non-greasy formulas are designed for skin suffering from allergies, rosacea dryness and sensitivity in need of gentle yet powerful treatment.Each paraben-free Atopalm product is powered by Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist tested MLE-Multi Lamellar Emulsion formulas—plant derived ingredients that mimic skin’s natural structure and restore skin’s protective moisture barrier system. This unique complex hydrates, soothes and calms skin in distress, leaving dry, sensitive skin visibly renewed.

·        Intensive Moisturizing Cream($30): This rich, hydrating formula for dry, sensitive skin nourishes skin with a unique vitamin, antioxidant blend, for a healthy, vibrant complexion. The gentle yet effective cream calms the symptoms of eczema and rosacea, as well as skin recovering from facial treatments such as microdermabrasion. 

·        Daytime Undermakeup Moisture Cream ($18): This restorative, moisturizing cream provides a smooth foundation for even, long-lasting makeup application. Infused with nourishing Vitamin E and antioxidants, the gentle yet hydrating cream supports beautiful, healthy skin. 

·        Moisturizing Skin Revitalizing Complex($35): This powerful yet gentle rejuvenating formula helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, roughness, wrinkles and laugh lines and helps brighten skin with a unique peptide complex infused with Vitamin C and licorice root.

What I think:  My daughter used the Intensive Moisturizing Cream at night on her eczema, and by morning her skin looked much better.  She said that it didn’t itch as much either, which is a big plus!

Visit www.atopalmusa.com to learn more about this line and to purchase.  Enjoy!

Glow On With beautyADDICTS

beautyADDICTS has a great system to give your face a glowing summer look without the glitter that is only age-appropriate for the very young.  Here is what they suggest:

First start with a bronzer that is a versatile shade and does not have an abundance of “shimmer”. Hydra SUNRays Bronzing Powder ($28.00 USD) provides buildable coverage in one flawless shade and is formulated with pure pearl powder to stimulate cell renewal. Packed with healthy ingredients such as green tea and Vitamins A, C, D and B5, it contains amino acids that help to exfoliate dead skin cells and bring forth a natural, fresh glow.  Apply HydraSUNRays Bronzing Powder to the cheeks, nose, forehead, ears and neck for an even look.

To complete your sun-kissed complexion you have to subtlely highlight those areas of the face that need a heathy “shine”. If you haven’t tried GlimmerSHEERS ($28.00 USD) then you have never experienced such a multipurpose product that leaves skin looking and feeling radiant and healthy. Each GlimmerSHEERS compact holds two unique formulas in complimentary shades. The Sheer formula is loaded with Jojoba Oil to fight wrinkles and hydrate and enhance glowing skin while the Glimmer formula contains Green Tea for ultimate anti-oxidant protection and stimulates collagen and elastin production for a sun-kissed, elegant sheen. 

Pro Tip: Apply HydraSUNRays Bronzing Powder and GlimmerSHEERS with a flawless makeup sponge like beautyblender.  Moisten your Beautyblender and apply product along the brow bone, cheekbone, décolleté or down the bridge of the nose for a contouring effect.

What I think:  This is the perfect easy summer duo. The matte bronzer is perfect for a natural looking summer glow or a great contour powder.  The S on top highlights and gives face even more dimension.  One color or texture (all matte, all glowy) can make the face appear one-dimensional.  This duo imparts the perfect, healthy look of the sun, without damaging the skin!  

BeautyADDICTS HydraSUNRays Bronzing Powder and GlimmerSHEERS retail for $28 each at a salon near you and is available online at www.beautyaddicts.com.