lotion – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

It’s Getting Cold Outside — Take Care of Your Skin!

My skin is so dry. And I mean my face, hands, legs, feet — even my lips! So I feel the need to hydrate a lot.

I was sent the following products to try for my honest opinion. I have found that they are all very helpful in keeping me moisturized:

Lulah Body Lotion ($13.25 USD) — The colder season is quickly approaching and that means it is time to find the perfect body lotion for dry winter skin. With Lulah’s Body Lotions, you can smell great while hydrating your entire body. The Body Lotions come in Lulah’s signature scents including Peony, Magnolia Fig, Citron, Tamarind Ginger, and Vanilla Orchid, all of which are available for purchase on Lulah.com for $13.25 each.

What I think: I think it’s always a bonus when a really moisturizing body lotion also smells fantastic, and this one sure does. It is perfect for moisturizing legs and feet at night.

Available at www.lulah.com

Eight Skincare Body Softening Oil Ginger Lime ($22 USD) — Eight Body Softening Oil is a luxurious blend of essential oils, specifically formulated to leave the skin velvety smooth, softened and toned. These essentials bring natural benefits to the skin.

Submerse yourself in the fresh, piquant blend of ginger and lime. This all natural aroma will not compete with your fragrance, as the scent of the essential oils will dissipate.

What I think: I love using this right after my bath or shower. It sinks right in and keeps my skin soft and smooth. The scent is fresh and very light. It disappears soon after application.

Learn more at www.eightskincare.com

Fake Bake Tanning Butter For Dry Skin ($20.99 USD) — Our Fake Bake Tanning Body Butter allows you to build a beautiful tan using the softest Shea Butter ingredients available. It¹s light enough to use daily and will build naturally so even the palest of skin tones need not fear! The buttery texture will rival any regular moisturizer and leaves skin with a subtle velvety shimmer and it smells incredible!

What I think: I am loving this on my winter-white legs. It gives a soft glow. You can build it darker, but it never gets too dark. Really cool idea!

Fake Bake is available at salons and top retailers nationwide and at FakeBake.com. Our Tanning Butter retails for $20.99.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream ($4.49) — Give your hands some TLC by keeping Norwegian Formula Hand Cream within reach. It glycerin-rich formula relieves dry, chapped hands for hours.

What I think: A little goes a long way with this rich cream. This is great (and affordable) to have on hand as it gets colder and colder.

Available at mass market retailers near you.

butter LONDON’s Stiletto Stick Hydrating Heel Balm ($30 USD) — Just because our feet are hidden beneath fuzzy socks and weather-slaying boots doesn’t mean they don’t need a little winter TLC. In fact, boots can be some of the worst offenders in the war against soft heels. butter LONDON’s Stiletto Stick Hydrating Heel Balm banishes dry and cracked skin that comes with the season. So no more excuses to procrastinate on that holiday shopping – you’ll be ready to tackle those door buster deals with the most fit feet in town.

What I think: This silky stick is great to use at night. Roll it over your heels and wake up to soft feet!

You can purchase at www.butterLONDON.com, Ulta, Ulta.com

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser ($8.99 USD)– The humidity and temperatures drop but that doesn’t mean your skin will stop producing oil. A cleanser with salicylic acid will exfoliate to remove dry skin and can prevent breakouts. For combination and dry skin, use Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser to remove dirt and oil while keeping the skin’s natural moisture barrier intact.

What I think: This cleanser will work for anyone. I love it because it is gentle on my sensitive skin and doesn’t strip it — which is important on my dry skin.

Available at mass market retailers near you.

Sleep tight with visions of sugar plum fairies dancing in your head and wake up with baby soft skin thanks to Algenist’s Overnight Restorative Cream ($90. USD). The Alguronic Acid in this miracle elixir works overtime to promote cell renewal while peptides nourish skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Add a couple drops of the uber hydrating Algenist’s Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil ($79 USD) into the moisturizer and this potent combination will give cracked winter skin some much needed “oomph” and serious angelic radiance, all while you’re sleeping off that giant holiday meal. Double tasking at its finest.

What I think: Talk about a 1-2 punch of hydration! These two products combined leaves my skin so soft. It’s a fab overnight treatment. Believe me, you will wake up with softer skin in the morning!

WHERE TO BUY: Algenist.com, Sephora, Sephora.com

Introducing new Limited Edition seasonal ChapStick^® Gingerbread Kiss ($1.99). It is also available in Candy Cane.

What I think: These are fun, seasonal flavors that also keep lips soft and smooth. I especially love the Gingerbread Kiss. It’s really yummy!

Available at mass market retailers near you.

So, dear readers — does your skin get dry in the winter? Leave a comment and let me know what you use.

Summer Skin Savers — Part 2

During summer, we show more skin so we have lots of preparing to do! From shaving, to moisturizing, to using sunscreen our skin receives a lot of prep to look good!

Here are products I have received for my honest review. They may get your skin looking it’s very best!

This spring/summer let Schick Hydro Silk help you prepare for any adventure.

This spring Schick Hydro Silk has launched a new line of disposable razors to ensure you receive the “highest performance” women’s disposable yet! The unique Schick Hydro Silk Disposables ($12.99 USD) razors deliver an experience far beyond just an incredibly close shave, and actually care for the skin by helping to replenish moisture shaving can take away.

If you are one of the 20% who prefer to only use a refillable razor, try the new Limited Edition Schick Hydro Silk Razor ($11.99 USD). In a vibrant Caribbean Green Handle, this razor features a new ventilated travel cover to protect the cartridge for when you’re on the go.

What I think: I love these razors. Most moisturizing shavers are bulky and don’t give a close shave. These do. And the shape of the razor head lets you get in close.

Available at mass market retailers near you.

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ Sunscreen Clear Mist Spray ($9.99 USD) is truly indulgent sun protection in a convenient application format that provides the moisture needed to leave skin feeling hydrated and healthy. Available in SPF 15 and 30, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ Clear Mist Spray Sunscreen provides safe and effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and is endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation

What I think: I love spray sunscreen. Fast and easy to use, plus this one has Hawaiian Tropics’ signature scent that smells so fantastic!

Available at mass market retailers near you.

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ After Sun Lotion ($7.99 USD) – is the first and only after sun product combining indulgent ribbons of gel and lotion infused with silk protein and shea butter to provide luxurious moisturization for a full 24 hours. Ribbons of aloe soothe and refresh the skin from the effects of the sun, while silk protein shea butter ribbons of lotion provide incredible moisturization that leaves skin feeling hydrated, healthy and radiant.

What I think: After the sun, be sure to moisturize. This one smells amazing and is made to take care of sun-ravaged skin. Also great for after sunless tanning.

Available at drugstores and mass market retailers.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil Rosehip ($9.99 USD) – NEW! Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil, Rosehip, is an advanced multi-purpose skin perfection product that can be used all over the body and face. This preservative-free, phthalate free, lightweight formula contains an exclusive blend of key ingredients formulated to help improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, dry, damaged skin, uneven skin tone, aging skin and fine lines and wrinkles. Skin looks and feels instantly soft and smooth with this unique, non-greasy, non-staining formula.

What I think: Sometimes a lotion doesn’t give the kind of moisture your skin may crave. This oil is perfect for very dry skin, or skin with stretchmarks or scars. It is also great for after sun or self tanning. Remember, moisturizing the skin will make your tan (real or fake) last longer.

Available at drugstores and mass-market retailers near you.

Burt’s Bees is launching NEW Revitalizing Lip Balm with Blueberry & Dark Chocolate

Give lips an antioxidant boost with the free radical-fighting effects of new Revitalizing Lip Balm with Blueberry & Dark Chocolate. Burt’s Bees’ latest balm is packed with natural antioxidant powerhouses and natural butters and oils to renew and restore. Infused with replenishing Blueberry Seed Oil, sweet Cocoa Powder and rich Cocoa Seed Butter, the balm is an instant revitalizing lift and a decadent treat for lips. Like a superfood in a tube, the balm is a new go-to for natural nourishment and antioxidant perks.

What I think: This is not an SPF balm, it is for after sun and helping restore lips after sun damage. Plus, it smells so yummy!

Available at drugstores and mass-market retailers near you.

Cortizone 10 Poison Ivy Relief Pads ($8.99 for 10 Snapplicators^TM), are formulated to provide fast relief from exposure to poison ivy, oak and sumac with a combination of aloe, botanicals and oat extract. The pads cool and soothe irritated skin on contact. Cortizone 10 Poison Ivy Relief Pads offer convenience, portability, simplicity and fast relief to intense itching, rashes and inflammation.

Cortizone 10 Poison Ivy Relief Pads Fast Facts:

● Product benefits: The strongest itch medicine without a prescription available; new single-dose Snapplicator^TM provides no-mess, no touch application that easily applies onto skin.

● How to Use: Grasp Snapplicator^TMbetween the thumbs and forefingers. Snap to release product through pad top. Dab medicine onto affected area and rub onto skin. Discard.

● Uses: Adults and children 2 years of age and older who have skin with symptoms associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation and rashes due to poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.

● Product ingredients: 1% hydrocortisone (active ingredient), aloe, botanicals and oat extract (inactive ingredients).

What I think: These are so nice to have in a summer first aid kit. Especially if you are going into forests and you don’t know what type of plants are there. And they work! My daughter had some type of bites or rash on her leg the other day. This was very easy to use and helped the itch go away. And the rash cleared up in a day or two.

Available at drugstores and mass-market retailers near you.

Enjoy!

Mother’s Day Beauty Gift Guide — Part 1, Bath And Body

I have been putting a Mother’s Day basket for my mom who lives in Oregon. I love gathering beauty items that I think she will enjoy!

Since all mothers are different, I have a bunch of wonderfully scented bath and body products — I’m sure one will be perfect for your mother, grandmother, wife, girlfriend or girl friend.

Indulge in a fragrance that embodies ethereal beauty with the Temple Tree Jasmine collection from Thymes. The latest offering from their fragrance studio, Floral wisps layer the air with heady Temple Tree Blossoms and jamsine sambac, entwined with honeysuckle, ylang ylang and damask rose and steeped in silky coconut milk.

The following products are available, ranging in price from $5 – $33: Bar Soap, Bath Salt Envelope, Body Lotion, Body Wash, Bubble Bath, Candle, Cologne, Hand Cream, Hand Lotion, Hand Wash, Home Fragrance Mist and Sink Set.

Available at www.thymes.com

Bath and Body Works Signature Collection Beautiful Day

The exclusive Beautiful Day fragrance makes you feel like you’re having the perfect spring day, full of carefree, delicious moments. The scent starts with a sparkle of sun-kissed apple and finishes with a dash of wild daisies & fresh pink peonies, for a truly bright fragrance that lasts all day!

Top Notes: Sun-kissed Apple, Dewy Pear, Sparkling Cassis
Mid Notes: Wild Daisies, Lily of the Valley, Fresh Pink Peony
Dry Notes: White Peach, Blonde Woods, Creamy

Signature Collection Beautiful Day just launched this April. The collection includes: Eau de Toilette ($29.50), Fine Fragrance Mist ($14), Body Lotion ($11), Shower Gel ($11), Triple Moisture Body Cream ($12.50), Shimmer Mist ($14), Swirl Gel Lotion ($14), 2-in-1 Superfruit Body Scrub +Wash ($14), Travel-Size Body Lotion ($5) and Travel- Size Fine Fragrance Mist ($6)

These are available at Bath & Body Workds Stores across the nation and at www.bathandbodyworks.com.

Lavanila Fresh Vanilla Lemon The Healthy Deodorant

Looking for a new spring scent? Search no further thanLavanila’s NEW Fresh Vanilla Lemon. Make an airy impression with this modern citrus blend of crisp lemon, fresh bamboo, lush watery fruits and pure Madagascar vanilla – sure to be the brand’s cleanest take on vanilla yet!

The Fresh Vanilla Lemon Collection Includes:

The Healthy Fragrance ($58): Unlike traditional fragrances, The Healthy Fragrance in Fresh Vanilla Lemon is beautifully made using pampering, natural ingredients.
The Healthy Deodorant ($18):A breakthrough in natural deodorants that delivers mighty protection against odor. For invigorating confidence, The Healthy Deodorant leaves behind a delicate trail of light citrus and powdery vanilla.
The Healthy Roller-Ball ($19):Housed in a slim, spill-proof bottle, this tote-able fragrance lets you dab on lemon goodness whenever you need a quick refresher. The perfect perfume pick-me-up!

Available at www.lavanila.com and at Sephora stores.

TOCCA has opened up the golden gates to deliver their heavenly hand scent. Introducing the new Crema da Mano Luxe, a naturally rich, perfectly scented hand cream housed in a timeless metal tube.

Capture the world in the palm of your hands with one of TOCCA’s signature fragrances and uncover your piece of heaven on earth with each of their coveted scents.

§ Be inspired by the Mediterranean withCleopatra’s grapefruit and cucumber

§ Enjoy “la dolce vita” with Stella’s Italian blood orange

§ Escape on a Corsican honeymoon withGiulietta’s pink tulip and green apple

§ Travel back in time to old-world Paris withFlorence’s bergamot and gardenia

§ Enjoy tea time in Italy with Bianca’s green tea and lemon

TOCCA Crema da Mano Luxe (4 fl oz.) retail for $20 at Bluemercury and Sephora stores nationwide and online atwww.tocca.com and www.birchbox.com.

Kneipp “Zen10” Bath Collection ($44 USD). Each travel size bottle is sufficient for 2 bathing experiences. This set contains the complete Herbal Assortment!

Lavender, Eucalyptus, Pure Bliss, Rosemary, Melissa, Warm Embrace, Valerian & Hops, Arnica Joint & Muscle Rescue, Juniper,Sensual Seduction.
Usage:
Fill Tub, add Herbal Bath and mix gently. For 1-2 Baths. Water Temperature: 97-100 F/ 36-38 C. Bathing time: 15-20 minutes

Purchase at http://kneippus.com/zen-with-10.html

Laura Mercier La Petite Patisserie Travel Candle Trio ($65.00 USD) — A limited edition candle sampler that features three best-selling gourmande scents (Fresh Fig, Almond Coconut Milk and Crème de Pistache) in 2.5 glass votives, plus a convenient Portable Candle Carrier that’s great for travel. Indulge in the delicious luxury of your favorite scented candles while at home or on-the-go!

You can find these at www.lauramercier.com or in fine department stores such as Nordstrom and Macy’s.

As much as we love the sweet-smelling scent of freshly cut flowers, the blossoms aromatic effect doesn’t last long enough. Keep mom’s home feeling fragrant with a TOCCA Candelina.

The beautifully housed, travel sized candles are the perfect small indulgence that go a long way! TOCCA Candelina retail for $20 each at Barneys, Blue Mercury, Candle Delirium and online at www.tocca.com.

AHAVA Color Me Hydrated set ($27 USD) — Soothe cracked, dry hands, renew soles, and provide skin with all day comfort and hydration with this limited edition body care set. It includes Mineral Body Lotion, Mineral Hand Cream and Mineral Foot Cream.

Available Available at AHAVAUS.com

Enjoy!

güd’s Red Ruby Groovy Collection

I am a sucker for hair and body care that smells great! And if it’s affordable and readily available, all the better!

With the lush scent like Red Ruby Groovy, güd’s new hair and body care essentials combine natural formulas with indulgent experiences, so you can have it all. Red Ruby Groovy lavishes skin and hair with the lively scent of grapefruit and wild thyme. Discover that wild thyme isn’t just an ingredient, it’s a promise.

The products left to right are:

Natural Body Lotion – 8oz for $6.99 Natural moisturizers lavish you with the scent of grapefruit and wild thyme leaving skin wonderfully moisturized. Feel soft and smell groovy

Natural Body Wash – 10oz for $6.99 A citrusy start to your day, this natural body wash is scented with grapefruit, but also wild time – for a little wild-card factor. Cuz you’re a sweetie, not a sugar-coated sappy.

Natural Nourishing Shampoo – 12oz for $6.99 This gentle shampoo cleanses hair naturally, leaving it super-shiny and ultra-touchable. It’s like washing your hair in a sunny rain.

Natural Softening Conditioner – 12oz for $6.99 Hair loves its naturally moisturizing botanicals. You’ll love its zingy scent of grapefruit and wild thyme. It’s love at first conditioning.

What I think: I really like all of these products. The scent is fresh and a bit tangy. Great for Spring and Summer. I love how natural the product is. Also, if you like to layer your fragrance, this set is perfect. Head to toe yumminess! And it makes hair soft and shiny, too.

Learn more and purchase at www.gudhappens.com.

Soothe Dry Skin With New Products From CeraVe

Is the cold weather drying out your skin or do you have a skin condition like eczema? Try the new CeraVe® Skincare products. They include CeraVe® Therapeutic Hand Cream and CeraVe® Renewing SA Cream. Each can help solve common skin problems with new effective, targeted solutions developed with dermatologists.

NEW CeraVe® Therapeutic Hand Cream ($10.99 USD), for normal to dry skin, helps repair, restore and protect your hands from harmful irritants and allergens, so they look and feel soft and healthy. If you wash your hands often, you will be delighted to learn that CeraVe® Therapeutic Hand Cream is water-resistant! Why is this so important? Because hand washing, especially in hot water, is often the culprit behind severely dry skin that is prone to developing tiny cracks and fissures. Ideal for dry, winter months, CeraVe® Therapeutic Hand Cream contains dimethicone to help prevent and protect chafed, chapped, cracked dry skin. It also contains ingredients such as ceramides which help replace lipid levels in damaged skin and prevent water loss. The addition of niacinamide helps skin produce natural ceramides and fatty acids essential for repairing and restoring the skin barrier and also may reduce skin redness. Humectant hyaluronic acid attracts water to the skin and helps to ensure it remains hydrated.

What I think: This hand cream is perfect for every day moisturizing as it is not greasy and is also unscented. I have noticed that after about a week of use my hands look smoother and are a lot softer.

WHEN YOUR SKIN HITS AN EVEN BUMPIER PATCH… NEW CeraVe® Renewing SA Cream, big sister to CeraVe® SA Renewing Lotion ($22.99 USD) — exfoliates, softens and smoothes extremely dry, rough, bumpy skin — such as the rough patches on upper arms and legs. Salicylic acid (SA) and ammonium lactate help loosen and exfoliate dead skin cells which allow moisturizing ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid to penetrate deeper layers of the skin for enhanced effectiveness. Antioxidant, Vitamin D, helps keep skin looking smooth and hydrated. A thicker, cream-rich formula than its lotion counterpart, CeraVe® Renewing SA Cream was also developed with niacinamide, which may reduce skin redness, in addition to producing natural ceramides and fatty acids essential for repairing and restoring the skin barrier. It’s your daily defense against extremely dry skin. CeraVe® Renewing SA Cream is non-comedogenic, non-irritating¹ and never greasy. The result is soft, smooth skin that looks and feels it’s very best!

What I think: This is a wonderful moisturizing cream! So great for all over the body. I especially love it for my elbows, legs and feet, since they are so dry. It is unscented and non-greasy. It sinks right into the body!

The CeraVe® Skincare Line is available online, at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide. Visit www.cerave.com for more information.

Enjoy your smooth skin!

Forever Red Exclusively at Bath and Body Works

I have received a sample of the fragrance Forever Red Exclusively at Bath & Body Works complimentary to test through Influenster’s VoxBox program. To learn more about the program, visit www.influenster.com. If you would like to join, I have 3 invites left so leave a comment and I will invite you to join!

Bath & Body Works’ most luxurious longest lasting fragrance, Forever Red, blends opulent notes of fiery red pomegranate and delicate peche de vigne, a rare and fleeting French peach. Soft petals of red osmanthus give way to notes of addictive velvety marshmallow and a surprising finale of rich vanilla rum that leaves an unforgettable impression.

Forever Red is available in:
Eau du Parfum
Fine Fragrance Mist
Rollerball & Lip Wand Duo
Shower Gel
Body Lotion
Triple Moisture Body Cream
Shimmer Mist
Golden Sugar Scrub

What I think: This is a really sweet fragrance. The pomegranate is pronounced, but instead of a bit of a tartness that pomegranate brings, the peach and other notes make it super sweet.

This is a fragrance that I would not usually wear because I like fresher notes, but it is perfect for the girl who loves sweet, fruity scents!

Where to Buy: You can find Bath and Body Works products at a registered retail store near you or online at bathandbodyworks.com!

Enjoy!

Bath and Body Holiday Gift Guide

It’s holiday gift guide time! I have been testing and enjoying some fabulous gift sets that I want to share with you. Beauty sets are such wonderful ideas for holiday gifts. Here are some of my favorite bath and body sets:

Liz Earl Botanical Body Treats ($31 USD) — This soothing botanical bodycare delivers daily radiance with a delicate, uplifting fragrance. Includes Sheer Gold Shimmer for a touch of seasonal magic when the occasion demands it.

This gift is presented in a gorgeous signature blue box with a festive purple sleeve.

Visit http://us.lizearle.com to learn more and purchase

VMV Hypoallergenics Yule Love the Bubbles Kit ($15.00 at vmvhypoallergenics.com starting November): Ideal for the jet-setter or the bath-time enthusiast, this creamy bath set features three of VMV’s gentlest, yet luxurious bath essentials (each in TSA-compliant sizes). The set includes: Essence Skin-Saving Clark Wash Hair + Body “Big Softie” Shampoo – SLS, SLES and Allergen-Surfactant Free, this cleanser gently removes dirt without stripping hair and skin of their moisture. Essence Skin-Saving Conditioner – Rinses clean without leaving behind any dulling residue. Hair is left with a renewed bounce while also preventing acne and rashes on the scalp, face and body. Essence Skin-Saving Clear + Clean Body Soap –Enriched with light, skin-friendly oils and glycerin, this gentle soap is ideal for all skin types and helps prevent body acne and skin imperfections.

Kai Travel Set ($49 USD) — A reusable natural hemp bag filled with an assortment of Kai’s most alluring product combination, in travel-approved 2 oz. bottles: the recently released shampoo and conditioner, lavish body wash, luxurious bathing bubbles, soothing body lotion, and a vial of our perfume oil. Give the gift of relaxation to your special someone this holiday season with Kai’s travel-sized collection of products, all fragranced with Kai’s light and intoxicating blend of a gardenia top note wrapped in white exotics.

Purchase at http://www.b-glowing.com/kai-travel-set.

Gianna Rose The Monogram Collection ($22 Hand Wash, $11 Bar Soap), A personalized gift always makes a statement. Add a high-end touch to any kitchen or bath with a personalized bar soap or liquid hand wash. Infused with natural ingredients and scented with Green Tea and Bergamot, The Monogram Collection will make a sophisticated and thoughtful gift for anyone on your list.

Available letters: A, B, C, D, E, G, J, K, L, M, R & S

Available at www.GiannaRose.com

MyBody Pamper Me ($80 USD) — Includes a probiotic shower gel + probiotic lotion for the perfect fragrant layering experience

formulated with body-compatible ingredients including immune-boosting probiotics
each luxurious formula creates an uplifting sensory experience
custom aromatic essences evoke feelings of well-being
available in Rose Chamomile, Revitalizing Citrys Coconut and Energizing Bergamot Lime.

Available exclusively through medical offices; go to www.lovemybody.com to find a location near you.

‘Tis the season of supremely soft and supple skin. This holiday, pamper your loved ones with lush, moisturizing formulas from Melvita, France’s number one, organic-certified beauty brand. Choose from two gorgeous gift sets, housed in decorative packaging featuring Ryan McGinley prints, which feature some of the most popular offerings from Melvita’s Rose skincare line. And for that someone special on your list, give the gift of a luscious, hydrated pout with the covetedHoney Lips gloss.

The Rose Gift Set ($45 USD) includes:

· Rose Nectar (40 ml): An ultra-lightweight, sheer cream enriched with essential fatty acids, Rose Nectar infuses cheeks with a rosy flush that lasts all day. Developed with rose floral water, rose hip oil and wild rose petal extract, this luxurious formula conditions and nourishes fragile, dehydrated skin.
· Rose Shower Gel (200 ml): Lather up with this sweet-smelling blend of rose seed milk, rosehip seed oil and rose floral water that softens and soothes skin. The gentle formula is enhanced with natural fragrances, and preserves the moisture balance of even the most delicate skin.
· Rose Hand Cream (30 ml): Formulated with castor oil to strengthen skin, this ultra-hydrating cream combines rose floral water, rose seed milk and wild rose petal extract to moisturize your hands and condition your cuticles for primped and pretty results.

Available atwww.usa.melvita.com and through leading online beauty retailers.

Enjoy your gift giving! I will be back in a day or two with other great gift ideas!

What beauty gifts are you giving this year?

Boots No7 Beautiful Skin

Lately, I have been using Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Normal/Dry Duo of Cleansing Lotion and Night Cream. I received samples from Influenster complimentary for testing (check out www.influenster.com to find out how to receive free products and comment on this post if you would like an invite to join).

So what is Boots No7 Beautiful Skin? It’s the newest and easy to use two-step range of everyday skincare cleansers and moisturizers, tailored to your specific skin type eliminating the need for toners. Products are color-coded, making it easy to find just the right products for your skin type: Normal/Oily (Pink), Normal/Dry (Green) and Dry/Very Dry (Lilac).

No7 appreciates that busy lifestyles mean you don’t always have time for a lengthy skincare regimen. That’s why we’ve created Beautiful Skin. Discover radiant skin in 14 days with two simple steps:

Step 1: Cleanse
The first step to beautiful skin is clean skin. All Beautiful Skin cleansers quickly and gently remove all traces of dirt and impurities, leaving you with perfectly clean, healthy skin. Skin is so effectively cleansed that there is no need for a separate toner.

Step 2: Moisturize
Once cleansed, hydrate your skin with our nourishing day and night creams. All our day creams deliver SPF 15 and Broad Spectrum UV Protection, while our night creams work to promote optimum hydration while you sleep.

The products I have been testing are:

Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion Normal/Dry
The light, refreshing wipe-off formula feels weightless on the skin, yet it’s very hard working, removing every last trace of make-up and grime. Packed with moisturizing agents like Glycerin, your skin will be left soft and refreshed. The oils are optimized to be the most effective at cleansing away dirt without removing natural and beneficial skin lipids.

I love that this wipe-off cleanser is creamy and moisturizing and no water is required as part of your facial routine. Best applied to dry skin, massage upward and across the skin using cotton or wool, avoiding the eye area, and wipe off.

Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream Normal/Dry :
Rest easy throughout the night knowing that your skin is getting the best possible care with this luxuriously rich night cream for all night moisturization, includes Cocoa butter for an additional boost. A nourishing cream with Glycerin and Shea Butter to energize and promote optimum hydration while you sleep. Designed to work in harmony with your skin, replacing lost moisture and leaving you with healthy looking radiant skin.

What I think — the cleanser is one of the best cleansers that I have used in a long time! I takes make up off like a dream without drying out the skin! It is also very mild and does not irritate my extremely sensitive eyes. The night cream give lots of moisture, but it is a bit heavy, so only use if you have very dry skin.

Learn more about these products at www.shopbootsusa.com.

Enjoy!

Does Your Skin Feel Dry? Change Up Your Bath and Body Products For The Fall and Winter!

I seem to use so much hand and body lotion in the Fall and Winter, I have to make sure that the products I use smell as good as they work!

I’ve chosen the following products to feature for their scents as much as their moisturizing properties. A great scent can make you feel as good as it makes you smell!

Thymes Filigree Body Lotion ($25 USD) — Back by popular demand, this limited-edition moisturizer is luxuriously effective. Restores natural moisture balance to help skin look and feel its best. Enriched with conditioning shea butter, primrose and sweet almond oils and replenishing white willow bark. Leaves the unforgettable fragrance of Filigree: clean, lovely and enchanting. A luxurious gift for your Filigree fan.

What I think: I have this scent in the Home Fragrance Mist ($17 USD). It is a crazy mix of clean and spicy. When you first spray it, you get a warm, spicy scent that morphs into a cleaner fragrance! I want to try the above lotion next! Visit www.thymes.com to learn more and purchase!

Carol's Daugther Ecstasy Shea Soufflé — Carol’s Daughter Ecstasy Shea Soufflé

Carol’s Daughter Ecstasy Shea Soufflé ($13.50 4oz, $20.00 8oz) — A Non-Greasy, Fast-Absorbing, Daily Moisturizer For Dry-To-Extra-Dry Skin

• Shea & Cocoa Butters deeply moisturize your skin so it’s super soft and smooth
• Coconut & Grapeseed Oils soften skin and keep moisture balanced
• Vitamin E is a rich moisturizing antioxidant to protect against aging

“I wanted to create a scent that could make you feel irresistible and for that special someone to notice just how irresistible you are. This sweet and sensuous scent is a combination of tropical fruits and florals with something warm and mysterious mixed in…it’s been known to make a few champagne-and-strawberries kind of moments.” – Lisa Price, Carol’s Daughter Founder

What I think: A tropical scent for the fall, you ask? This lovely scented cream does begin with the sweet scent of fruits — pineapple, peach, mango, and strawberry, but it finishes up with vanilla and a touch of Egyptian musk. Very sexy and fun! Plus the formula melts into your skin and instantly moisturizes it! Purchase at www.carolsdaughter.com.

When hands spend so much time in gloves, they can go a little stir crazy. How can you tell?They start to crack. Give your hands a reason to come out of hibernation with güd HandWash and Hand Cream. In scintillating, lush fragrances with juicy fruit notes and fresh florals, the invigorating formulas might just make you forget how frigid it is. Formulated with güd-for-you-ingredients (not stuff like parabens, phthalates or petrochemicals), güd Hand Wash (8 fl oz for $5.00) and Hand Cream (3 oz for $8.00)give dry hands a welcome respite from the harsh effects of winter.

The available scents are Floral Cherrynova™,Orange Petalooza™, Vanilla Flame™, and Pearanormal Activity™.

What I think: I have these in Pearanormal Activity. The scent is fabulous! I placed the hand wash in the kitchen. My family and I are staying in a residence hotel while our house is fixed following a kitchen fire 6 weeks ago. Having this great hand wash helps the hotel feel like home!

The hand cream is also nice, but it has a bit of a sticky finish so make sure to rub it in. Visit www.gudhappens.com to learn more. You can also purchase at mass market retailers.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Body Butter ($28 5oz) — Embrace your beauty and femininity with amazing grace body butter. this intensely moisturizing body butter leaves skin silky smooth.

features & benefits:

feel amazingly clean and beautifully feminine
a clean floral scent
silky, soft skin from head to toe

What I think: This is the current fragrance I am wearing, so I picked up the body butter for layering purposes. But it is so thick and moisturizing — I love it! You can purchase this at Sephora, Ulta, QVC and www.philosophy.com.

Enjoy!

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen

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.

Suggested retail price: $8.99 for a 6oz bottle. http://www.hawaiiantropic.com/