Beauty pro division

If you're too busy to make an appointment at a day spa or can't spare the cost for skin care treats such as facials, read on to see how a few key organic ingredients and homemade recipes can help you become a do-it-yourself skin care specialist.

Many devoted skincare users have long celebrated organic ingredients and products as an alternative to the sometimes chemically enriched skincare products being churned out constantly. However, knowing what specific ingredients do to benefit skin care practices can help anyone concerned about whether such products would suit them and their skin type. While there are literally too many such ingredients to account for, there are a few whose roles definitely deserve to be in the spotlight.

The advent of long-lasting make-up and the resurgence of heavy creams are stimulating a lot of dirty activity on skin, contributing to under-surface congestion and an overall dull complexion. Add in our skin’s natural sebum (oil) and environmental pollutants that surround us in the air and we have quite the cocktail of debris lingering on skin and working down into our pores.

Now just think back to that cleanse you performed today: does it seem like it was thorough enough to cut through it all? Chances are it was not, because the average person cleanses their skin for only 20 seconds with a water-soluble cleanser that cannot thoroughly break down and remove all that oil-based debris.

You remember the saying oil and water don’t mix, right? The same principle applies to your water-based cleanser and the oil-based debris on your skin. And if they don’t mix, and instead repel each other, how is your water-based cleanser going to ever remove that oil, dirt and grime?

Truth is only oil can cut through and thoroughly remove oil. (Don’t worry oil-phobes! There are oils that rinse clean from skin without leaving a greasy residue or contributing to any additional oily build-up.) And with the right oil-based cleanser, layers of oily debris are adequately removed, leaving behind nothing but ultra-clean skin.

Nestled away on the beautiful island of Mauritius, a new Destination Spa has opened this month. One that is complete with exclusive spa treatments, luxurious beach-front suites and villas, as well as, leisure and health activities that include a fitness center, yoga and meditation center.

The Shanti Ananda Maurice’s spa treatments focus on Ayurveda to Thalassotherapy using both Contemporary and Traditional methods. Both are rooted in ancient Indian culture and have medicinal and therapeutic values. One example of an Ayurveda technique is called Shirodhara. This involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead. These liquids can be oil, milk, buttermilk, coconut water or even plain water.

Aside from the wonderful spa treatments it provides, the location of this enchanting destination spa alone will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. The Shanti Ananda Maurice is spread over 36 acres of tropical gardens, taking in views of the hills and Indian Ocean.

The Shanti Ananda offers all-inclusive packages that range from anti-ageing to stress management to weight management, among several others. Each package offers generous treatments and are available at a 20-25% discounted rate until April 30, 2007. The Shanti Ananda Maurice is sure to become a top rated Destination Spa.

I came across an interesting beauty line today by a company called SAMPAR. They are based in Paris and recently launched a new line of products called Winsome. The line is comprised of 5 products, which are meant to cleanse, contour, moisturize, protect and invigorate the body. What intrigued me most about SAMPAR is their investment in research to find natural active ingredients that can have a positive effect on the skin and go as far as looking at how their packaging can be beneficial to the product it holds.

The main component in their products is their Urban Active Complex, which contains Shea Butter, Mint Leaf and Vegetal and Milk Sugar. While I didn’t know the benefits of the last two ingredients prior to reading about them, I am well aware of how wonderful Shea Butter is for your skin. SAMPAR combines their Urban Active Complex with essential oils, biopeptides, natural vitamin C and antioxidants.

The Winsome Body line is one that offers protection from the elements such as lead, iron and chlorine found in tap water. While the Dew It Again Shower Gel, Joyous Body Milk and Lap of Luxury Sea Scrub sound divine; I am skeptical about two of the other products. Go Figure Slimming Gel claims to be able to eliminate and break down fats while preventing the appearance of new fat and the Lift Me Up Bust Cream says it can envelop the breasts with an invisible firming film for immediate enhancement. I honestly have yet to find any non-medical beauty product that can do either.

Have you tried any of the products from SAMPAR; what are your thoughts on them?

Soaps from Bath and Body Bliss
4 out of 5 Stars
I crossed my fingers and hoped that the soap was just as good as the pretty packaging. The Seaweed Soap smelled so nice and you could just feel from the bar that this soap would just glide across your skin. The Seaweed Soap is made of kelp, sage, chamomile and is scented with sage and rosemary essential oils. I loved that this soap was mildly abrasive, exfoliating my skin nicely, while creating a great lather. This soap felt wonderful...Read more.

Bikini Kitty Shave System
3 out of 5 Stars
Bikini Kitty is a Shave Care System to eliminate and prevent razor rash, ingrown hair and provide an irritation free shave. Bikini Kitty's products are vegan and organic. The kit comes in a very handy vinyl bag with handles. It includes a Body Brush, Everyday Magic Spray, Shave Gel, No nick Razor Oil, Razor-burn soother and 2 single blade disposable razors...Read more.

Joico K-Pak Liquid Reconstruct
4 out of 5 Stars
As my hair gets longer, I find that it splits and freys a little more easier, or just seems a little more obvious, and that my hair tangles a lot more causing me to wish (for just one millisecond) for short hair again. This product has been a miracle worker, along with the Joico K-Pak Smoothing Balm...Read more.

Maryam's Soap Nook Exfoliating Body Wash
4 out of 5 Stars
My VIP package came from Maryam's Soap Nook. Today's review will be about her Exfoliating Body Wash with Kukui Nut Oil and Jojoba Beads. This product was sent in an out of this world fragrance---Pomegranate and Wild Berries. This wonderfully pink Body Wash with it's blue-green Jojoba Beads lives up to my expectations of not only smelling wonderful, but also working just as well...Read more.

Kiss My Face was a green beauty company before green became an in thing. Every product they sell is organic without anything artificial at all. Yet going organic certainly doesn’t mean that quality is compromised at any point or that organic means a heavy price point. Most Kiss My Face users will tell you, their products are top notch and won’t break the bank in the process.

It’s not very often that you can go to a company’s website and read the background on how things were started, and if you can find one, you certainly will not find one so personable and down to earth. When you read the story behind how Kiss My Face began and their mission and purpose of their products you can’t help but feel their humor, lightheartedness, and of course their love for our great Earth. Their story is definitely a Squash to Riches story and one I think everyone should read.

Kiss My Face sells a variety of products for your bath, body and more. The products range from hair care to soap to facial moisturizers. Since we all know that organic is not only earth friendly, but also skin friendly, more people who may have a sensitivity to ingredients in other products may find comfort here.

If you use Kiss My Face, what is your favorite product from their line?

Decleor Paris is a luxurious face, body and suncare line for both men and women. Decleor was founded by a team of aromatherapy experts who use their knowledge of active plant extracts to create a comprehensive line of products that are both preventative and on going natural skin care. Decleor is also partnered by Shiseido, known for their wonderful beauty products, and are also the 4th largest beauty group in the industry.

Essential oils have wonderful healing properties with aromatic fragrances that, depending on which oil is used or combined with another, promotes such things as well being, calm, relaxation and so on, therefore promoting balance of both body and mind.

While Decleor’s packaging makes you feel like you just bought a diamond necklace at Tiffany’s, don’t be fooled that the luxury ends there. It’s what is inside the package that is luxurious, making your skin look and feel like you just spent hours at the spa. In fact, Decleor also offers Salon and Spa treatments at select locations. Within the US, it is at Hotel Sofitel in Los Angeles where you can receive their Aroma Mosaic treatments that focuses on care of your face, body and the effects of the sun. Each focused treatment is broken down to be tailor made based on the needs of each individual.

You can find Decleor products in various cities throughout the country or locate one close to you with your zip code through their website: www.decleor-us.com

I’m certainly not a scientist, but I am pretty educated and try to always read both sides to a story. Just like when everyone screamed that mineral oil was bad for you, it eventually was proven that it was not. However, you still find many companies today touting how awful mineral oil is for your skin while offering you their version of something safer. I have yet to find a website stating that mineral oil is harmful while not trying to also sell you something in the process. I had been skeptical myself, but after some researching of my own and contacting my friends at The Beauty Brains blog (who happen to be both cosmetic chemists with 30 years experience), they insisted it was all hype and that mineral oil was indeed the best moisturizing product for your skin. So I have learned to look deeper into an issue than to be frightened by scare tactics.

Unfortunately, scare tactics are the route that Dr. Epstein of the Cancer Prevention Coalition is taking when going after Origins, an Estee Lauder company. They try pointing out that Origins cannot be taking, "A totally integrative approach to skin care ... to help your skin be as healthy as possible, (and) optimize its defenses against age accelerators" claiming that Origins uses parabens (among other ingredients) in their products. They site that parabens are known to cause “endocrine disruptive.” However, there has not yet been one study that has conclusively, 100% proven this.

Sharon Bolton Scents
4 out of 5 Stars
Sharon Bolton Scents gifted me with her Body Wash, Lotion and Perfume Oil in Luv. Luv smelled like heaven. It smelled like luxury in a bottle. Luv is the scent of rare pink gardenias, lush Hawaiian white flowers, with a hint of creamy vanilla and a whisper of white musk. The Body Wash is thick and creamy and makes you feel like you are showering at a 5 Star hotel. This scent absolutely lifted my spirits and made me feel like I was being purely indulgent...Read more.

Darshan Beauty: Luna P.M. Creme & Multani Mud Facial Mask
5 out of 5 Stars
Darshan Beauty products are all natural, and because of this, they are only made in small batches to prevent them from spoiling. This thick night cream is made with aloe leaf oil and extract combined with noncomedogenic sesame oil. I can't say it is fragrance free, because there is some scent to it. However, it appeared to be the natural scent of the ingredients and not any added fragrance...Read more.

Pure & Petal Hair Fragrance
4 out of 5 Stars
When I was approached to test out the products I was intrigued because I have never really heard of fragrance for your hair beyond that in your typical shampoo or styling aid. The fragrances are light, so you don't have to worry about smelling like a perfume factory and they are also alcohol-free, so it won't dry out your hair. My favorite was Linden Blossom which is floral linden blossoms and pink grapefruit...Read more.

Booty Parlor Dust Up Body Shimmer
3 out of 5 Stars
Punch Drunk Pink was my favorite because of my fair skin. It provided a light shimmer, that honestly when you dabb some powder on, instantly makes you feel a little "vixen-ish." Punch Drunk Pink is scented like cotton candy and is not glittery, but actually makes your skin glow...Read More.

Hungarian Apothecary Mud comes from the Heviz Lake in the Hungarian town of the same name. The mud has long been known to have healing qualities dating back to the Romans. Heviz Lake is heated by geothermal activity, this combined with water flowing from a catchment area of the surrounding hills taking with it metals and minerals along the way, makes Hungarian Apothecary Mud a highly sought after spa treatment.

Hungarian Apothecary Mud (Moor Mud) from this lake contains a complex array of nutrients, natural trace elements, minerals and humic substances easily absorbed through human skin. The benefits to the skin include toning, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory benefits, which help to renew old or damaged skin cells. Due to the thermal activity in which it resides, the mud is a great retainer of heat, but can also be used cold.

Local New Yorker, Greg Cartwright, owner of Downtime Massage and Skin Care and a dually licensed Massage Therapist and Esthetician, primarily uses Hungarian Apothecary Mud prior to and after Body Sugaring. He has a three-step process he follows prior to Body Sugaring that includes a full body application of Hungarian Apothecary Mud. This eases inflammation and any skin sensitivity prior to hair removal. It is a process he recommends a few days prior to having Body Sugaring done. Once Body Sugaring is complete, the application of Hungarian Apothecary Mud following the procedure helps calm the skin, close pores and begins the healing process immediately. The mud is left on the body for a minimum of 20 minutes.

This mud can be used in a variety of ways including as a facial mask, in a body wrap and for a mud bath. It’s been known to cure over 50 ailments. I have long been a fan of mud and have seen for myself the amazing benefits using it lends.

Be sure to watch for my Industry Experts Profile interview with Greg Cartwright next week on our main blog.

Lancome is not one to let a lifestyle trend go by. As more and more companies begin to promote organic skincare lines, Lancome has decided to take it one step further by taking part in a green initiative with Carbonfund.org. The one who initiated the effort? Lancome’s own spokesmodel, Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann.

Carbonfund.org is a nonprofit organization that educates the public about the dangers of climate change and makes it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Their website even has a Carbon Calculator where you can see how much CO2 you are responsible for (mine was 61.01 tons of CO2 per year--yikes). The organization gives you simple tips to reduce how much CO2 you are responsible for such as things you can do for your home, car and when traveling.

According to WWD, Lancome will participate in a climate offset program that involves a paperless press office, where pictures, releases and videos will be accessible via the Internet; retrofitting its four freestanding Lancome boutiques to reduce their carbon footprints, as well as, planting a tree for each of the first 10,000 bottles of the new Primordiale Cell Defense & Skin Perfecting Serum sold in the U.S. when it launches in June.

I received the Korres Body Butters Trio and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With winter actually beginning to set in, my skin starts to get so dry and I know that Shea Butter is a fantastic deeply moisturizing lotion.

Korres Body Butter is mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol and ethanolamine free. The butters glide on smooth with no greasy residue. The trio comes in Guava, a tropical sweet scent; Quince, a fruity & spicy scent; and Yoghurt, a baby pure fresh scent. If I had to pick a favorite scent of the three, it would be Yoghurt because it is so fresh out of the shower clean smelling. Besides Shea Butter, all of the butters contain Sunflower, Almond and Avocado oils, which nourish the skin and restore its elasticity and smoothness.

Some of the benefits of Shea Butter are:

* Helps cell regeneration and capillary circulation. This favors the healing of small wounds, skin cracks and crevices, and skin ulcers. In the cosmetic field, this property is an asset against skin aging. It has restructuring effects on the epidermis, also on dry and fragile hair.

* Due to it’s natural high content of fats, fatty acids, vitamins A, E and F) and other active ingredients; it’s no wonder it has been used for centuries for skin care.

* Shea is used to moisturize severely dry skin. It heals and smoothes itchy dry skin, as well. It has an anti-elastase characteristic that makes it an excellent product to prevent and reduce wrinkles. It aids in the healing of stretch marks and helps heal and restore elasticity to the skin of burn victims. Shea Butter helps control eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and skin discoloration; it helps heal bedsores on bedridden individuals.

With a very bold question mark, that is exactly what I was thinking when I read this headline in Global Cosmetic Industry Magazine. Global Cosmetic Industry Magazine only reported on the gloss and gave no opinion either way to support the claim, however, all sorts of questions popped into my head, as I am sure it would for anyone hearing that a lip gloss has been produced and can help you lose weight. The lip gloss, Promise, is made by Omega Tech Labs and claims that it’s users and dr. have confirmed weight loss through using it.

When scouring the internet for information about this product, I found out that it came out in April of 2006. I’m not sure why I haven't heard about this product before. Maybe because if it really worked it would be all over the news? I obviously can't say for sure, since I have never actually tried this product.

Promise is made of essential oils that are indeed known to be appetite suppressants and the website says that by licking your lips these oils are delivered into your blood stream. Some things that pop out at me are the lack of directional use; how many times a day do you apply it and is there such thing as lip gloss overdose? Sounds silly, but when a lip gloss is meant as a means to lose weight, you do have to wonder. Also, the website simply states, "Many people have lost weight and keep it off." How many is "many," how much weight did they lose, how long did they keep it off, how many tubes of Promise were the norm for an average weight loss, and honestly, my questions go on and on and on. The testimonies page simply shows 3 testimonies of weight loss, two of which are quite strangely, from the same town.

I don't want to be one to put down a product I have never used, so if you have used Promise, I invite you to leave your thoughts about it in our comments.

Sometimes there are products I get excited about and then there are the products I want to shout from the rooftops about. Some products I got to try out for review from Earth Therapeutics have me wanting to shout from the rooftops without a doubt.

Purifying Salt Scrub Detox Formula: Out of the three products, this is the one that I was most excited to try. I know the benefits of using Salt Scrub, especially those made with Dead Sea Salts. Earth Therapeutics Salt Scrub also contains organic Tea Tree Oil, which enhances cleansing and detoxification, and moisturizing essential oils. While the oils feel slick in the shower, once you get out and dry off, you feel nothing but baby soft skin. Using this once a week has given me fabulously soft skin, which has helped solved my winter-skin dilemma.

Soothing Leg Lotion: The scent of this lotion is heavenly. This lotion has Rosemary, Wild Mint and Aloe Vera. The consistency is almost like a silky shower gel. It spreads easily and absorbs nicely. It made my legs feel wonderfully soft and I loved the scent so much, that I put it on my hands before bed. I found the scent to be so relaxing, that it helped me fall to sleep.

Nail & Cuticle Care: If you are someone whose nails are brittle and whose cuticles crack easily, this is surely the nail conditioner for you. When I rubbed it on my nails and over my cuticles I could almost hear them saying, “ahhh,” in relief. The scent was a nice citrus scent, which I love. It contains Sesame Oil to moisturize, Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil to protect your nails from infection and an Organic Nutrient Matrix to nourish and deep condition your nail bed and cuticles.

Have you used any Earth Therapeutics products? Let me know what you thought in the comments.

French brand L’Artisan Parfumeur is venturing into skin care with an organic line based on the Himalayan nard plant Jatamansi. Jatamansi is wrapped in essences of blue chamomile, saintwood and rose, as well as, jojoba extracts and is said to be an herbal-scented luxurious fragrance to wrap your body in with this skin care line.

The Jatamansi plant is said to have healing and relaxing properties and is used in Ayurveda, an Indian practice that deals with the measures of healthy living, along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. L'Artisan Parfumeur’s Jatamansi skin care line has received organic certification by France's Eco Cert. Jatamansi consists of a Body Oil, Shower & Milk Bath and Body Cream.

Jatamansi will be launched in the US next month. It is currently available in France and the United Kingdom. An eau de toilette based on the skin care line will be available in May.

When was the last time the life of your lipstick came to an end and you simply planted it’s packaging in the ground only to grow something green and beautiful? Sound a little out of the ordinary? With Cargo’s new PlantLove packaging you can now beautify yourself and the earth at the same time.

Available just this month at Sephora, Cargo Cosmetics has launched PlantLove, the first ever botanical lipstick in 100% biodegradable packaging. The lipstick tube is greenhouse gas-neutral made entirely out of corn and the box is made of recycled paper and infused with plant seeds. Simply wet the box, plant it and viola, not only did you just buy a lipstick, but you began a garden as well.

Of course their always has to be more to a product than its packaging and PlantLove’s lipsticks come in a gorgeous array of colors and the lipstick is made of meadowfoam seed oil, orchid waters, shea butter and jojoba. It is petroleum and mineral oil free. Celebrities such as, Evangeline Lily, Courteney Cox and Lindsay Lohan created five of the twelve lipstick colors.

As if a botanical lipstick and a flowerbed made from its packaging wasn’t enough, $2 from every purchase of a PlantLove lipstick is donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Now there’s a beauty product that does double duty. Have you used PlantLove? Let us know what you think of it.

I have been in love with Ojon hair products since I discovered them with the Nourishing Hair Ritual. I’m in heaven with the scent, which is a coffee, nutty type fragrance, but most importantly, I am impressed with the results that Ojon delivers. I have been using the Daily Intensive Shine Treatment for about 6 weeks now and I am wondering how I lived without it.

The Daily Intensive Shine Treatment is made of pure Ojon palm nut oil and Vitamins A & E. The Ojon oil is suspended in tiny microspheres and lay on the bottom of the jar. When using this product, if you have moved the jar around, you will want to wait until the microspheres have settled on the bottom before attempting to dispense the serum. It only takes 2-3 pumps to cover hair root to tip (depending on the length of your hair). The Ojon oil fortifies, conditions and nourishes your hair and is safe even if your hair is color-treated.

Today while attending a webinar by Global Cosmetic Industry Magazine, Peter Lamas introduced his brand, Lamas Beauty. The topic was Beauty Goes Green and Lamas Beauty definitely fits into that category as they are 100% Vegan. However, it wasn’t only his products that caught my attention, but the fact that he was prompted into action to create them through life events. It is brands like Lamas Beauty that often catch my attention because I love hearing the passion and circumstances that made the brand possible.

Peter Lamas’ passion for organic Vegan products stems from the unfortunate circumstances that resulted in cancer striking his mother, then three close family friends (all sisters), and then his client at the time, Jackie Kennedy Onassis. After learning that certain chemicals they encountered in their lifetime may have been the culprit, Lamas set out to create beauty products that were safe and led the way creating the first line of hair care products free of parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate; several products from this same hair care line is also Certified Organic. Nearly all of his skin and body care products are paraben-free and he is currently working on converting his entire line over using new ingredients that replace parabens.

Some of the products that caught my attention are:

Some of you may have read Shannon's post where she quickly interviewed Hanna and I after our "journey of a lifetime" vacation earlier this month. In this post I want to focus on the spa at Dreams Cancun. One of the perks of having clients like AM Resorts is that you get to tour the luxurious locations around the world and experience them first hand, I love this part of the job!

I wouldn’t exactly call myself a spa maven, but when I arrived at the Spa at Dreams Cancun I suddenly felt at home, transformed and decided that in the next year I will treat myself to the spa experience twice every month to earn the title of "Spa Maven." Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa teamed up with Pevonia Botanica to create Spa Journeys, which is a personalized spa approach that addresses clients specific needs and goals. My skin assessment consisted of a couple painless swabs across my face and then the computer did the rest of the work. I was astonished by all of the hi-tech systems that surrounded the room just to decide what services were best for me, however it definitely gave me a peace of mind that this resort definitely knew what it was doing.

The computer revealed that I’m stressed, dehydrated, and don’t care enough about my skin. Not at all surprising for a 25 year old working and trying to pay New York City rent while not skimping on the city's best foods and fashion. My lifestyle made me a prime candidate for a Relaxation Journey, a unique sensory experience meant to encourage elimination of the outside world and embrace a deep state of relaxation. I received a seaweed body wrap, full body message, facial, manicure and spa cuisine. I’ve never felt so pampered in my life. One extra bonus was the incredible teas and healthy snacks offered in the waiting area. I’ve never tasted better cookies in my life. I would fly back to Cancun and sign up for another spa service just to sit in my rob and eat those cookies again -yum!.

From Hispanic PR Wire: Almonds have long been lauded for their beauty benefits. From ancient Egypt to the Victorian Age to modern times, they’re a popular ingredient in lotions and potions that cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and nourish.

Lately the approach to healthy skin is changing fundamentally. Skincare experts emphasize that not only topical applications such as cleansers and lotions, but also dietary choices can affect the skin’s moisture level, youthful appearance and general health. This is good news for the multi-tasking almond which is a common ingredient in some of today’s most popular skin-care products and an ever-increasingly popular snack for women seeking healthy alternatives.

“With new beauty products as well as new research about certain foods, consumers are hearing a lot about treating beauty both inside and out,” says Connie Gutterson, PhD, RD, author of the New York Times best-selling book, The Sonoma Diet (Meredith, 2005). “Research indicates natural antioxidants from foods may help the skin, working from the inside. At the same time, more beauty products are featuring natural, nutritious foods like almonds and berries to apply to the skin.”

Exfoliation Gone Nutty – The granular texture of finely ground almonds or almond flour can be used as a natural, gentle way to exfoliate, rubbing away dead skin cells and freshening the complexion. Try making a homemade exfoliating scrub by combining 1 tablespoon almond flour or meal, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon lemon juice, stirring into a paste. Rub gently on the face and rinse. Exfoliation is ideal just one to two times per week; otherwise, it may lead to irritation or flaky skin. Find almond flour in some supermarkets, or make it by processing blanched whole or slivered almonds in small batches in a clean coffee grinder or blender, just until finely ground.

Cracking into Moisture – Victorian women were right to love the oil of almonds. It contains linoleic acid, a fatty acid that helps soften and moisturize the skin. After exfoliating, it’s the perfect time to moisturize. Look for almond oil in many high-end and everyday moisturizing lotions, creams, balms and masks.

I’ve only recently begun using Kiss My Face products and have been loving the Tinted Moisturizer and 3 Way Color. Among the many other Kiss My Face products I have received lately, the Tighten Up Moisturizer tops my list for one of the best organic body moisturizers out there.

The Tighten Up Moisturizer’s fragrance is a blend of grapefruit, lime and chamomile. I’ve used products scented like grapefruit and chamomile, but never lime and was unsure if I would like a lime-scented product. I was pleasantly surprised, as the scent had me begging Mother Nature for springtime weather. It’s a nice refreshing scent making you wish you could throw on a fabulous Old Navy dress showing off your well-hydrated healthy skin.

Not only do the certified organic herbs and essential oils make your skin so super soft, the Tighten Up Moisturizer also uses natural proteins, wheat extracts and Ayurvedic Botanical "Centella Asiatica" to naturally firm your skin. I also loved that if I skipped a day of using moisturizer for one reason or another, that my skin didn’t just revert back to being dry and itchy. The lotion seemed to keep my skin hydrated for longer than 24 hours, which tells me that the organic ingredients are really working their magic to keep my skin both looking and feeling healthy. At only $10 for an 11oz. bottle, this lotion is worth every penny.

For more information on Kiss My Face products please contact:

Beauty PR Division: Lance at piercemattie dot com

Korres Lemon Anti-Shine Gel
4 out of 5 Stars

Always on the hunt for an anti-shine product that will last for hours on end, I received Korres Lemon Anti-Shine Gel to see if it could combat my oily t-zone. I’ve been applying the anti-shine gel as part of a step by step process in my facial routine, which have made my skincare issues turn around 360 degrees. I have been exclusively been using only Korres skin care products on my face and the results have been amazing...Read more.

Kiss My Face Tinted Moisturizer
5 out of 5 Stars

I love when I get to try a product I have never tried before. It really helps to come into a review without having any preconceived notions about how it should work. 1. I’ve never used a tinted moisturizer. 2. I’ve never used Kiss My Face. So it was a double whammy with Kiss My Face’s Tinted Moisturizer in Sisal, which is for light coverage. This moisturizer has an SPF of 8 and its oil and fragrance free. LOVE the oil free part because then it means less shine to contend with for my combination skin...Read more.

Lumiere Mineral Cosmetics
4.5 out of 5 Stars

While I absolutely love every product I received, my most favorite has been the Lavender Pearl eyeshadow. Even my mother remarked on how gorgeous the color was and asked where she could get it. Lavender Pearl is a pinky lavender with an opal-like sheen. The picture on the site does not do it justice. It has an iridescent shimmer to it. This is the product I have been using to make my eyes really pop...Read more.

Kiss My Face 3 Way Color
4.5 out of 5 Stars

After trying Kiss My Face’s Tinted Moisturizer, I was intrigued to try out their 3 Way Color product. I received mine in Heather, which is a light frosted berry looking color. The 3 Way Color can be used on your lips, cheeks and eyes. Kiss My Face’s 3 Way Color has an SPF of 8 and is moisturizing with olive and mango butter. The scent is completely delicious and its a mix of pink grapefruit, pomegranate, rasberry and white grape...Read more.

One of my favorite hair care lines, Ojon, has recently added another product to their Rare Harvest collection; Tunu Elastik Flexible Finishing Hairspray. Tunu Elastik features a rare protein-rich extract from the Tunu rubber tree that provides extreme body, bounce and hold due to its flexible isoprene polymer chains.

Tunu Elastik benefits:

* Eco-friendly formula, no CFC's
* Has sunscreens to prevent hair color from fading
* 100% Ojon Oil strengthens and restores
* Brocolli seed oil adds shine
* Natural algae extract eliminates static and frizz
* Soft, flake and frizz-free, hydrated hair
* prevents breakage
* extreme bounce and hold

This product is sold exclusively through QVC (and has often sold out since it debuted in March).

Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Shampoo & Conditioner

Caviar=Indulgence. It is no surprise that Alterna's Caviar hair care line feels like complete indulgence. I was completely taken by surprise when I used their Caviar Anti-aging Shampoo & Conditioner. My hair is long and feels thick and coarse. I've never had a day when I can simply use a pick through my hair without spraying on detangler first...Read more.

Zerran Oily Hair Dandruff Shampoo and Sulfate-free Conditioner

My hair is really finicky. If I put too much moisture into it, it gets oily, if I use regular shampoo, it dries out. Many times I have to change up which styling products I use each day, otherwise my scalp dries out and flakes. Oh, and let's not forget that I color my hair to cover that hideous gray that reminds me I will be 33 this summer. So when I was given the chance to try Zerran's Oily Hair Dandruff Shampoo and Sulfate-free Conditioner, I decided to give it a shot...Read more.

Ojon Ultra Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner

I admit it, I color my hair. If I didn’t, I would have that grey Bonnie Raitt stripe at the front of my hair. When I color my hair it tends to dry and frizz a little more than usual, an existing problem that gets magnified. This week for a review I tried out some products by Ojon specifically for dry, dull and chemically-treated hair. From the moment I opened the Ultra Hydrating Shampoo, I knew this was going to be an experience...Read more.

Bain de terre White Lily Daily Leave-In Renewal Treatment

In the winter my hair gets so dry. And frizz? It is positively unruly. So this season I decided to take a new approach to my hair by using a daily leave in conditioner as opposed to the wash and rinse kind. I received bain de terre, which is part of the Zoto’s brand, White Lily Daily Leave-In Renewal Treatment. What’s interesting about this bottle is that the opening is on the bottom with a cap that twists open to allow product to come through a hole in the center. This is the least messy bottom capped bottle I have ever used...Read more.

Whether your feet are pounding the pavement or hitting the hot sand, don't let them cry out for help before paying special attention them. For many women, Spring and Summer are the seasons for pedicures, but come Fall and Winter, their feet become hidden away and forgotten about. A little pampering can go a long way and Kiss My Face has a great organic foot creme to deliver the moisture that your trouble spots (heels, balls of your feet, etc) need.

Kiss My Face's Foot Cream smells of invigorating peppermint, which is known for its cooling and soothing properties on your skin. The Foot Creme is rich and thick, but spreads easily and is non-greasy. Kiss My Face includes ingredients such as Shea Butter, various fruits, essential oils and Vitamin E to complete their nourishing and moisturizing formula. Vitamin E is known for its many skincare benefits, including reducing the formation of free radicals on the skin.

So be sure to pamper your feet daily with this organic pedicure in a bottle to avoid the aches and pains (and callouses) that walking in the city can bring on.

A definite "beauty don't" is wearing sandals baring your cracked heels. Heal and deeply condition your worn and weathered heels with Cracked Heel Repair Push-Up Stick from Earth Therapeutics. Soothe rough, cracked heels with Cracked Heel Repair’s natural formula to smooth and soften cracked skin, restore moisture and pamper overworked feet with a mess-free application.

Cracked heels are relieved with Earth Therapeutics’ natural formula of anti-septic tea tree oil and deeply nourished with shea butter, a natural emollient to repair, soften and protect dry, rough, cracked skin. Cracked Heel Repair Push-Up Stick is hypo-allergenic, contains no mineral oil and is paraffin free.

Key Ingredients: tea tree oil, shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, beeswax, olive fruit oil, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin A, and vitamin B

Application tip: For softer and smoother skin, push the stick up and apply daily to heels, feet, or any rough, dry patches such as elbows, knees or hands.

Just this past week Treat introduced the new ultra-healing, fragrance free and paraben free Sugar Free Therapy Hand Butter. This moisturizing mix of nutritious ingredients includes 25% wildcrafted shea butter, organic aloe and organic jojoba to create a soothing and healing hand Treat.

Sugar Free Therapy is made twice as sweet by using ingredients that lend a hand to soothe the hands. Sugar Free Therapy is made with 25% shea butter sustainably grown and harvested in Ghana by a tribe of women who hand gather the nuts and hand process the butter out of the nuts. These pure, natural and organic ingredients provide long-lasting relief to even severe dry skin. Sugar Free Therapy is free of lanolin, which is can be known to irritate sensitive skin.

I personally fell in love with Treat's beauty products when I got a hold of their Bon Voyage collection of bath truffles. It was deliciously fragrant and wonderfully moisturizing. You can see my review on them here.

Treat is available at upscale boutiques and spas in the US and Canada and can be found online at Treatbeauty.com and Amazon.com.

Sircuit Cosmeceuticals' Molecular Mist is hydrating moisture care that leaves skin feeling like it had a drink from the fountain of youth. Celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Marcia Cross, Jeremy Piven, Keith Urban and Hilary Duff have all discovered this youth enhancing miracle mist, which tends to be known as "Star Spray."

Molecular Mist uses “heavy water” and natural antioxidants such as Witch Hazel and Myrrh to restore skin's natural moisture barrier functions while helping to inactivate certain acne bacteria. All Sircuit Cosmeceutical formulas are specifically designed to help maintain skin's all important moisture balance resulting in maximum skin protection for a smooth, healthier look.

Molecular Mist is free of artificial colors, fragrance or preservatives and packed with these healthy nutrients:

+ Heavy Water (D2O)- This is 10% heavier than regular water so it doesn’t evaporate as quickly. It is calming, protective, and intensely hydrating.
+ Spin Trap- The most powerful antioxidant! It converts oxygen free radicals to oxygen for your respiratory cycle to be used for tissue repair.
+ Witch Hazel- An astringent with anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.
+ Myrrh- This herb has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties to help fight acne bacteria.

All Sircuit Cosmeceutical products utilize the advanced "body friendly" Chiral Technology to separate the correct side of the active ingredient molecule and only use the side of the molecule that fits with the body’s cells. This incredible technology certainly raises the bar and Molecular Mist proves its rejuvenation power by leaving skin feeling hydrated, soft, clean and calm. May be misted before or after applying make-up, or any time a little “inspiration” is needed.