Eco-Beautiful

Eco-friendly products are all the rage in the world of beauty. There are so many new brands and products popping up every day that it's hard to keep track.

I recently got some samples of products from a company called Wembe. The company's vision is that nature compliments the human soul and envelops it with health beauty and happiness. And their line of soaps promises to be good to your skin and good to the earth. Their soaps are cruelty free and contain NO silicone, petroleum products, parabens, sulfates, phenoxythanol, polyethylene glycol, synthetic fragrances or dye. All soaps are made from organic, locally grown plants in Paraguay and 94% of their products are vegan.
I received a stack of three soaps, all housed in a recycled cardboard box with minimal packaging. They also sent me a bonus to try out. Here's what I've been using:

• Yerba Mate Exfoliating Blend: helps to eliminate dead skin cells to keep skin radiant and keeps skin detoxified.
  
• Citric Cleansing Blend: helps purify the skin, and essential oils keep you moisturized and smelling great.
• Mango Cleansing Blend: contains ingredients high in Vitamins A, C, and E and smells like the warm tropical forest.
• Loofah Exfoliating Blend: this is a lovely bar, almost too pretty to use. It stimulates circulation and improves skin's complexion. Perfect for the dry skin winter months.
  

Wembe soaps range in price from $7 to just under $10 for the soaps and $25 for a pack of three loofas.

I like that these products are all natural and don't contain any nasty chemicals. They make my skin feel soft and smell great. During cold months, my skin is dry and yucky. The Wembe line does a nice job of improving skin gently.

With Christmas coming, any of the Wembe products would make a great gift for your eco-conscious friends.

Naughty or Nice?

This Christmas season, Santa might say that you can be either naughty or nice. I say you can be both! It all depends on how you define the term naughty.

If you want to improve the amount of pleasure you get while being naughty, check out KY Intense. You've no doubt seen the ads for this product. It's specially designed to enhance female arousal and satisfaction in the sheets. I received a sample of the product. I won't go into details, but I have to say it was one of the more fun and enjoyable samples I've had to test out!

Before you start thinking that a product designed to improve sexual satisfaction has nothing to do with beauty or the spirit of this blog, consider this: People who have sex at least three times a week can look up to 10 years younger than those who make love less frequently, according to Dr David Weeks of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

Why? Well, Weeks states that sex in women helps trigger the production of a human growth hormone that helps them keep their youthful looks. Sex also pumps oxygen around the body, boosting the circulation and the flow of nutrients to the skin. And, of course, being in a sexual relationship can in itself be a good incentive to look after your appearance and stay in shape.

So--if you want to add a little naughty to your nightlife this holiday season (and make yourself look more youthful!) , pick up some KY Intense. It's a perfect stocking stuffer!

ecoTOOLS Bags to Keep You Organized!

I love makeup bags, and I never seem to have enough of them. Weird. Maybe I have too many beauty product? Nah!

Anyway, if you're like me and you're always in need of more beauty storage, check out the new line from Alicia Silverstone and ecoTOOLs. Their new collection of bags is currently available in places like Walgreens and Target, and--like all ecoTOOLs products--they're designed with green in mind. Green as in eco-friendly since they're made of natural materials like hemp, and green as in budget-friendly since they're very reasonably priced.

Because ecoTOOLS teamed up with Alicia Silverstone, all the bags are cruelty-free and contain a floral design inspired by the actress and animal rights activist's favorite flowers printed with non-toxic inks.

The collection includes:

• Cosmetic Bag ($8.99): This small bag is perfect to throw in your gym bag or large purse. I gives you just enough room for your on-the-go beauty essentials.
• Train Case ($14.99): This is my favorite bag in the set. I gave my mom this case when she went on a recent trip to the east coast. She was impressed with how much it held and how little space it took up in her suitcase. Plus there's a clear case inside that can be easily remove for more flexibility.
  
• 5-piece Brush Set and Bag ($15.99): I love this set. You get ecoTOOLS super soft brushes (all made from natural and sustainable materials) and a cute bag to house them all.
• Overnight Bag ($19.99): This bag is huge! You can really stuff it to the gills--there's tons of space in this baby. It also contains two clear, removable compartments that will help you sort and compartmentalize your essentials.
  

I have used ecoTOOLs brushes in the past and I love them. They're great quality and they don't cost an arm and a leg. And now this new line of bags makes me love ecoTOOLS all the more. Check it out for yourself!

Disclosure: A press sample was provided.

Beauty Product of the Week:

What is it? LypSyl Lip Balm "has been the first choice of European lip care users for generations. The brand originated in Sweden over 100 years ago, with a name derived from Swedish to communicate the soothing and natural benefits of beeswax. For the American market, the product has been reformulated with pure Swedish beeswax and an advanced blend of natural and therapeutic ingredients.

Made with pure Swedish beeswax, LypMedication with Eucalyptus. Helps soothe, moisturize & protect your lips naturally with over 100 years in Swedish Lipcare, LypSyl knows to bring out your natural beauty. Contains:

• Minty Flavor: Refreshes
• Coconut Oil: Moisturizes
• Organic Shea Butter: Heals & Protects
• Vitamins A&E: Softens & Heals"
  

Available at drugstore.com and other drugstores for less than $3.50.

What did you think? Like a lot of you, if I need lip balm, I reach for Burt's Bees. I guess I'm a creature of habit.

LypSyl is hitting the American market and I've been testing out a tube lately. And so far? I like what I'm seeing from the product. Here's the good:

• the packaging is super cute. There's a little bee on the side that you use to slide the product up. I know it's gimmicky but I think it's super cute. I also like that the tube isn't perfectly round. I don't know how many times my Burt's Bees has rolled off my nightstand. With it's slightly flat sides, rolling is not a problem.
• the product goes on easily. It coats well and feels great. My lips feel moisturized, not sticky or gunked up with thick balm.
• the flavor is good. It's not as strong as Burt's Bees, which is fine with me.
• the moisturizing benefit lasts and lasts. Love that!
  

Here's my one minor complaint: you use the bee to slide the product up. However, I find that the product is either too high or not high enough. It's probably user error, and again, the complaint is minor. Also, since the tube is more oval-y than round, it takes a few tries to get comfortable applying it.

The final verdict? The product is super cute and the formula matches the cuteness. I give it a big thumbs up and think that LypSyl is a great change from the usual Burt's Bees. Since Christmas is coming, this is a perfect stocking stuffer idea!

Disclosure: A press sample was provided.

Wizard of Ooh and Ahz!

Just in time for the holidays--a time when you're searching for fun gifts you to treat your friends (or yourself)--China Glaze is relaunching their popular Wizard of Ooh and Ahz line of nail polishes.

The original hit the market back in 2001, but the new for '09 colors are pure glittery fun. Here's the list of colors:

• Ruby Pumps: An all time red glitter favorite!
• Cowardly Lyin’: Gold frost with specks of gold micro glitter.
• The Ten Man: Silver frost with specks of micro silver glitter.
• Dorothy Who?: Blue polish with massive amounts of silver and blue glitter!
• C-C-Courage: Purple Frost with specks of purple micro glitter.
• Good Witch: Pink Frost with specks of pink micro glitter.

The colors are lovely; shiny, glittery and fun! My favorites? Ruby Pumps, Dorothy Who?, and C-C-Courage.

China Glaze colors may change from season to season, but their formula remains the same longwearing lacquer with hardeners. Designed with the professional in mind, their 220-strand brush is great for ease of application. Best of all, their non-thickening formula provides even coverage. China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide.

Check out their website for more info.

Disclosure: A sample was provided.

Meet the Brand: Raw Minerals

Quick: Raise your hand if you've switched from liquid foundation to mineral foundation.

I switched over when I started this blog oh-so many years ago. And so far, I've been pretty darn loyal to two mineral brands: Bare Escentuals and Pur Minerals. The market is flooded with mineral foundations and lately I've been trying out products from RAWMinerals.

Let's learn about this brand:

RAWMinerals makes a full line of mineral foundations, an active veil containing SPF, mineral glow (similar to BE's warmth), lip color, eye color, and brushes. Their products contain active botanical ingredients derived from plants to fight wrinkles, even out skin tone, and revitalize firmness. Their stuff is free from parabens and other nasty chemicals, and the company is serious about using sustainable ingredients.

It's easy to root for a company that makes products from good-for-you ingredients and that has an environmentally conscious business philosophy.

But how are the products? I've been trying out their "Discovery Kit" that comes with 2 Mineral Foundation Shades, Mineral Glow, Active Veil SPF 18 and 3 Artistry Brushes.

I blend the two shades of foundation together and I get pretty decent coverage. Their products don't feel heavy and I almost forgot I was wearing anything, which is nice. I found the mineral glow to be a little difficult to blend correctly with the accompanying brushes, but since I prefer blush anyway, I was't too upset by this. The active veil does a nice job of finishing the look, though I don't think it really helps keep shine down for a long period of time.

All in all, I find that I use RAWMinerals interchangably with my other mineral foundation products. It seems very comparable to similar products from Bare Escentuals and Pur Minerals.

My only negatives are:

• The foundation doesn't contain SPF (though the active veil does!)
• The makeup brushes didn't rock my world, but I'm a creature of habit and it takes alot to get me to change my brushes!
• I'm not sure if it was the foundation or the veil, but one of the products seems to have a little extra sparkle to it, and I'm not a big fan of glittery products. I'm not saying that I look like a vampire from Twilight, but there is the tiniest bit of sparkle that doesn't thrill me.

My final say: I think RAWMinerals offers a decent product that's easy to use, flattering, and that has its corporate heart in the right place. If you're interested in switching to minerals, I'd recommend their Discovery Kit with very few reservations.

Oh! And they even have a deal for you, my fabulous readers. When you order online, enter code DISCOVERY50 and get 50% off your order. Nice!

Disclosure: A press sample was provided.

Cyber Monday is Upon Us!

Well, we've all survived the Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday. That means today is CYBER MONDAY! Yes, instead of doing our work, we're spending company time, using your speedy corporate internet connection to place online orders and shop the easy way: via computer.

There are tons of Cyber Monday deals out there (and deals being offered throughout much of December), so go to your favorite sites to see what's what. Just be sure to take your time, read all the fine print, enter promotional codes properly, and double check your purchases, what you're being charged for, and look over your shipping/billing addresses to be certain they're right before you hit "place order." With great deals, it's easy to get caught up in the frenzy and make a costly mistake.

A BIT ABOUT ME...
I've been insanely busy lately. I've written thousands of words over the weekend to get to the finish line for National Novel Writing Month and I'm proud to say that for the second year in a row, I am a NaNoWriMo winner and have hit the 50K word count mark. I'm exhausted. I'm sick of looking at my laptop, and I'm not relishing the thought of typing anything at the moment.

I'm also starting my week back by dealing with our auditors at work. Yippee. Today is going to bite on so many levels. I swear, I need to find away to quit my day job so I can focus on doing what I really want: writing and blogging.

Posts may be spotty this week because I'm feeling more than spent.

COMING ATTRACTIONS...
I still have tons to tell you about, especially now that the holidays and prime shopping season are upon us. Here are some things to look forward to in the coming days:

• Raw Minerals mineral foundation overview and review
• New products from Lumene
• Awesome new bags and brushes from my fave, ecoTOOLs
• Burt's Bees, watch out! There's a new bee-inspired lip balm on the market
• Ecofriendly soaps will keep you and the earth clean and beautiful
• PurMinerals is ready for the holidays
• Head to Oz with nail polish Dorothy would love
• ...and much, much more!

Happy Day Before Black Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all my U.S. readers have a pleasant Turkey Day today and enjoy spending time with their friends and family. There is much to be thankful for so be sure to take a moment to reflect on all the good things life has to offer. A positive attitude sure can make you more beautiful!

As soon as the Thanksgiving meal is woofed down, stores across the country will be opening at the crack of dawn, offering the big deals of the season. We keep hearing that the economy is in the toilet, so I wonder if Black Friday will be a big damn deal this year or not. How many of you are planning to brave the crowds to get some shopping done tomorrow? I've done it in the past, but I have no interest in losing a minute of my much needed beauty sleep to stand in line with thousands of people to buy stuff I probably don't need. Besides, I am about 75% done with my holiday shopping, and getting up early to buy half price socks doesn't excite me much.

Now, for all of you who are planning a Black Friday shopping extravaganza, here are some tips to make your shopping experience more successful:

• Get plenty of rest. All that tryptophan and alcohol you consume on Thanksgiving may make you sleepy. If you're planning on getting up super early to shop, adjust your bedtime so you get as many hours of good, solid rest as possible. You might also want to lighten up on how much you're eating today. No one wants to shop with a food hangover!
  
• Dress comfortably. I always find malls and shops a bit over heated, so I often leave my coat in my car and dress in layers. Comfortable shoes are a must! If you need to try anything on (not that you'd be buying a gift for yourself tomorrow!) try to limit the amount of makeup you have on--no one wants to buy clothes marked up with other people's lipstick or foundation!
  
• Leave your purse at home. Yikes! I know how hard this one is, but when you're buying tons of stuff and you have to carry a lot of bags, the last thing you need is to lug around a purse full of junk as well. Try to limit yourself to the essentials: your credit card(s), ID, cash, keys, and maybe a lip gloss. If you're smart, you can fit all this in your pockets, making the purse unnecessary. Remember: Black Friday is about deal hunting, not looking beautiful.
• Plan your attack. Make a list before you leave with all the gifts you need to buy, how much you want to spend, and what stores you want to go to. Doing so will keep you focused, keep you from overspending, and will make sure you don't forget someone. Plus, you can skip stores you don't need to go to to avoid mindless buying.
• Be careful. Make sure you know where all your stuff is and be sure to keep receipts. Also, stash your purchases in the trunk of your car so they are not visible to any annoying car prowlers. Don't leave stuff scattered all over your car--you'll just be inviting someone to rip you off, and there's nothing fun about that. One more thing: keep your receipts with you at all times. If someone breaks into your car and steals your stuff, you might need those receipts to deal with insurance, the police, and your creditors.
  
• Be nice and have a little patience. Before you start screaming about a line or start to vent on a salesperson, stop and breath. A little kindness goes a long way--think of it as good karma. Besides, Santa is watching after all and you don't want to be on the Naughty List.

Now, have fun and shop well. Go stimulate our economy! Or wait and shop at work on Cyber Monday...whatever!

At Home Spa Tips for Skin, Hair and Nails

If only we all had the time and budget to indulge in the luxury and relaxation that going to a spa offers. Spending four figures on a full day of beauty treatments may not be realistic for most of us, but sometimes, a few truly pampering at home tricks can be even better. After all… the service is free and you don’t have to go anywhere!

Skin
Dr. Nina Naidu, board certified plastic surgeon and founder of Anokha, says that she frequently uses the home remedies that her mother taught her, many of which provided the impetus behind her South-Asian-inspired product line. “I raid the dairy aisle for some of the best fresh skincare treats imaginable,” says Dr. Naidu. Some of her favorite skin treatments come from the kitchen:

• There is truly nothing more luxurious than cold yogurt for the face. It is an excellent cleanser that will not rob skin of its natural moisture and it will not irritate sensitive skin. Both milk and heavy cream also make great non-stripping cleansers for the face as well.
  
• Milk baths are an indulgence that everyone should be enjoying. Just pour a cup right into your bath water and let the milk proteins work their magic.
• Put one to two drops of pure almond oil in water for a fantastic non-comedogenic moisturizer.
  
• My favorite simple yet incredibly luxurious toner is easy to make by boiling a few rose petals in water. Next time someone sends you flowers, snip a few petals for your at-home spa needs!

Hair
“There are many wonderful essential oils for the scalp that we use for so many purposes from adding luster and shine, to fortifying the scalp and hair, to offering astringent or anti-bacterial properties,” says Dickey, celebrity hair stylist & founder of Hair Rules. “That’s why we offer several special essential oil “Ting” treatments at the salon for the hair and scalp. Here are a few of Dickey’s favorite essential oils for at home hair and scalp spa treatments:

• Almond oil is a wonderful moisturizer and scalp soother. Not only does it contain protein and important minerals, but it acts like you own sebum, encouraging moisture retention.
  
• Eucalyptus oil has significant antiseptic and anti-bacterial qualities. Its active germicidal agents prevent infection, and it leaves your scalp feeling cool, tingly and soothed.
  
• Comfrey is a powerful healing herb. It can aid in destroying bacteria and healing cuts and abrasions. It contains a natural hormone called allantoin which is known for its cell-restorative properties and may also serve as a natural retardant for hair loss.
  

Nails
“Nail and hand care needs always make for perfect at-home spa treatments,” says Shari Gottesman, founder of Perfect Formula. “It is so easy to do things to care for these workhorse body parts that are inexpensive, effective and incredibly pampering all at the same time.” Shari’s top at-home spa tips for hands and nails:

• Drop your bottle of cuticle oil into a glass of hot water for a few minutes before applying to maximize penetration and effectiveness. It’s the cuticle version of a hot oil treatment!
  
• Nothing beats a warm foot soak with some Epsom salt. It is such a great thing to do for foot health, and it makes it so much easier to buff away the dead skin. Epsom salt is detoxifying, it soothes aches, reduces swelling and is exfoliating. It is literally the perfect gift for tired, unhappy feet!
  
• Mix some olive oil and sugar for a luxurious and wholesome DIY exfoliating hand treatment.

Get Your Yum on at Sephora!

This Thanksgiving, satisfy your cravings without an ounce of guilt! From creamy lotions to hydrating cleaners and luscious lip shines, Sephora offers an array of skincare essentials that will have you glowing at your fabulous feast.

Check out these sumptuous deals:

Sephora Sweet Candy Gloss Trio ($18 a $21 Value) – Better on your lips than on your hips, this set of hydrating lip glosses will leave your lips soft and deliciously irresistible. Choose from delectable flavors like Guava Passion, Tropical Jasmine, and Apple Pomegranate.

Sephora BODY Super Supreme Body Butter To Go ($15) – This rich, hydrating body balm literally melts into the skin for a one-of-a-kind experience. Made with shea butter, it moisturizes, nourishes, protects, and leaves skin silky and smooth.

Philosophy The Gingerbread Man™ Foaming Bubble Bath and Shower Gel ($16) – Pamper yourself with this ultra-rich, moisturizing shower gel that’s decadent, creamy, and perfect for daily use.

Philosophy Pumpkin Spice™ Muffin Flavored Lip Shine ($12) – Pumpkin, spice, and everything nice collide in this luscious indulgence, which works to hydrate and soothe while offering a high-gloss shine with lots of flavor.

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Spray Perfume Set ($24) – This set of natural spray perfume, signature soy candle and customized box of matches is a delight to your sense with its addictive Tuscan Blood Orange scent! Spritz it on, light it up and enjoy.

*Holiday News Alert* Beginning November 18th, just in time for the holidays, Sephora Claus is taking over Sephora’s Twitter (www.twitter.com/sephora), giving away beauty products everyday for 31 days until December 18th. For beauty buffs who would like to enter, simply tweet on Twitter an @Sephora message and tag your wish with a #sephoraclaus “hashtag.”

Plus, you can “share” your wish on Facebook and receive one of three deluxe samples, including YSL Black Mascara, Philosophy Inner Grace Body Lotion or Mini NARS Duo Lipgloss. To get your glamorous goodie, enter any of these gift with purchase codes: WISHME, Claus, or Clause.

For more Sephora Clause details, visit www.Sephoraclause.com. You must be 18 or older and a US citizen to win. Prizes must be found on Sephora.com and less than $150.

Pumpkin's Not Just for Pie

Thanksgiving is just days away. This year, my parents flew back to the East Coast, leaving just me, my hubby, my sister and my nephew here in Washington to celebrate. Instead of having turkey and all the trimmings, we're having tacos! (And margaritas!!) But we're sticking to a little bit of tradition: we're having pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting for dessert (yum!).

I am not a fan of Thanksgiving. But the one thing I do like is all the spice and pumpkins. Did you know that pumpkin is an aphrodisiac? It is! And it's also good for your skin. So have your pie and eat it to with these pumpkin skin care products:

The Body Deli’s Pumpkin Spice Botanical Butter Scrub: This is a healthy and delicious scrub that features the turmeric, a herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family. Tumeric is often used in Indian cooking, but is also extremely beneficial in skincare products because it gives the skin a natural glow and keeps harmful bacteria away from the body. The scrub also features cardamom, allspice & clove, cinnamon & ginger and raw certified pumpkin. Full of herbs and spice! Detox and decongest!

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel: This is a detoxifying peel for your face and neck.Utilizing pumpkin enzymes to easily and gently dissolve dead surface skin cells, this deep exfoliator stimulates cellular turnover, to reveal radiant skin that is supple and naturally hydrated. Age-fighting anti-oxidants and vitamin A help protect, nourish, and repair skin. Plus it has a delicious, irresistible pumpkin scent.

Philosophy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath: Leave it to Philosophy to have a yummy pumpkin product like this! The ultra-rich formula cleanses skin and leaves it feeling soft and hydrated. Not only is the warm, gooey smell of pumpkin spice muffin appealing to the senses—according to scientific research, this aroma has been found to arouse men and women. It's a smell that's so irresistible, you'll lather, rinse, and definitely want to repeat.

And, if you're a DIY girl, try making this pumpkin mask (the recipe is from Bethenny Frankel, one of the Real Housewives of New York):

2 cups canned pumpkin
4 tablespoons Greek yogurt
4 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Combine ingredients. Smooth onto face. Rest for 10 minutes, then rinse off mask.

It's Time to Get Shopping!

As your tireless beauty blogger, it is one of my duties to let you know of great deals. Here's one from Boots:

UK’s number one beauty brand, Boots, sold at Target and drugstore.com is offering discounts and great gift-with-purchase deals this holiday season. Before you make your way in, register online as a Boots club member to receive exclusive offers and additional savings.

Now through November 25^th

• BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF all Boots Cosmetics on Drugstore.com

Now through November 28^th

• FREE set of Boots No7 4-in-1 Quick Thinking Wipes when you purchase a bottle of Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum (online only)
• $1.00 OFF coupon on all Boots products (in-stores only, print coupon online)
• 10 - 15% Off Select Boots Mediterranean & Amazon Forest bath & body (online & in-stores)
• 10% off all Boots Expert products(in-stores)
• 10% off all Boots Time Dimensions products (online & in-stores)

And if fragrance purchases are in your future, here are some more deals to check out:

	Collection Items	Price/ Value	Retail Availability
	Mariah Carey’s Forever 3.3 fl oz Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 oz Body Lotion Deluxe Mini Parfum	$68.00 (a $158.00 value)	Available at department stores such as Macy’s
	X Rocawear Holiday Gift Set & Gift With Purchase Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 fl. oz All Over Body Shampoo 3.4 fl. oz Deodorant 2.6 oz. **Gift with Purchase – Rocawear Duffle Bag**	$70.00 (a $93 value) Receive a Rocawear duffle bag with your purchase of $65 or more	Available at department stores such as Macy’s, Belk and Dillard’s.
	9IX Rocawear Holiday Gift Set & Gift With Purchase Eau de Toilette Spray 3.4 fl. oz Shower Gel 3.4 fl. oz Deodorant 2.6 oz. **Gift with Purchase – Rocawear Duffle Bag**	$70.00 (a $118 value) Receive a Rocawear duffle bag with your purchase of $65 or more	Available at department stores such as Macy’s, Belk and Dillard’s.
	Badgley Mischka Couture Holiday Gift Set Eau de Parfum Spray 3.4 fl. oz/100ml Parfum Elixir 0.5 fl. oz/15ml Leather Beauty Case	$100 (a $138 value)	Available exclusively in the Neiman Marcus Direct catalog
	fantasy BRITNEY SPEARS™ Holiday Gift Set 3.3oz EDP Spray 3.3oz Body Soufflé 0.33oz Mini Replica EDP Spray	$48.00 (a $83.00 value)	Macy’s (beginning September through 2009 holiday season)
	BRITNEY SPEARS™ believe Holiday Gift Set 1.0oz EDP Spray 3.3oz Body Soufflé	$25.00 (a $50.00 value)	Kohl’s (beginning September through 2009 holiday season)
	Britney Spears Greatest Hits Holiday Gift Set .33oz Believe EDP .33oz Midnight Fantasy EDP .33oz Curious EDP .33oz Fantasy EDP	$35.00 (a $46.00 value)	Macy’s (beginning September through 2009 holiday season)

Beauty Product of the Week: Smoothing Face Polish

What is it? Boots Botanics Smoothing Face Polish is a "creamy exfoliating face polish that is gentle enough to use every day, removing impurities and dead skin cells. Leaves skin naturally soft, smooth and radiant." Available at drugstore.com and at Target (wherever Boots products are sold) for less than $9.00.

What did you think? When I think back about my beauty history, I can easily remember that one of the first fancy-schmancy products I used was Clinique's Exfoliating Scrub. I started using it back in the late 80s and I still love it. I mention this because Smoothing Face Polish from Boots reminds me of my Clinique fave.

The Boots polish has a faint almond scent that I really like. If you're not a fan of almondy aromas, you may not agree. But for me, almond is almost always better than vanilla. The exfoliators in this polish are very gentle, but they do an excellent job of softening my skin without stripping away too much oil.

Boots has a bunch of certified organic products under their Botanics line, but so far this is my favorite. I really can use it every day without worrying about irritation or over-drying.

The final verdict? It's a winner! It's gentle but it does soften and smooth skin, so thumbs up!

Disclosure: A press sample was provided.

Who Are You Wearing?

Here's a question for you: does a perfume's brand matter to you?

Here's why I'm asking. My sister and I were walking around Ulta, sampling perfumes. I noticed that I gravitate towards classics scents by Chanel, Dior, etc. She was a little less discriminating and sniffed all kinds of products. And the two she kept going back to were fragrances by Gwen Stefani and Ed Hardy. Now, I can support her getting a Gwen Stefani perfume but Ed Hardy? Eek. I think we all have bad associations with Ed Hardy thanks to that douchebag Jon Gosselin.

Anyway...I digress. My point is this: if you just smelled a perfume without knowing who it was by, you'd probably be more honest about what you like and don't like. And you might be surprised with who you might end up wearing.

The other day I received some fragrances to try, notably Forever by Mariah Carey and With Love by Hilary Duff. Normally I would never give these scents the time of day. But I stopped and checked them out. And I have good things to say about both.

Forever by Mariah Carey is a bit too girly for me, but it wasn't unpleasant. It wasn't as strong as I thought it would be and there's something a little musky mixed in with the floral scent. What I love, love, love about Forever is the bottle. Seriously, it's packaged beautifully. The bottle would look great on a vanity.

With Love by Hilary Duff shocked me. I was expecting something ultra-feminine, something flowery and way too girly for me. But instead it reminded me of one of my all-time favorites, Dune by Christian Dior. I likey! And the bottle is pretty which is a bonus.

Bottom line: Don't judge a perfume by it's maker! If you have an open mind, you might just be surprised at what you end up liking.

Disclosure: A press sample of Forever and With Love was provided.