ISUN ALIVE AND AGELESS SKINCARE

Every now and then, I find a product line that is so fabulous, so epic, I get giddy just by the idea of sharing it with you, my readers.

Today is one of those times.

I had the pleasure of testing a truly fantastic skin and body line called ISUN Alive and Ageless Skincare and I can't stop trying out the goodies - or touching my skin! It's so soft, so smooth, so noticeably glowing.  I was sent a plethora of products in sample sizes to test - around 30 - ranging from body scrubs to shea butter (that literally melts upon touch) to eye creams, face oils and specialty masks. There isn't a single product that I wouldn't recommend. Seriously. I'm obsessed with everything I have put on my face and body.

Founder Bunnie Gulick says (about the range), "ISUN is a celebration of our belief that a dynamic luminous quality of youth can be captured without medical intervention or invasive procedures. From formulation through production, ISUN has embraced the rhythm and flow of perfection that exists in the laws of nature so that you may experience the pure magnificence of nature’s many gifts."

With eco conscious ethics, integrity packaging and fair trade ingredients, ISUN isn't simply just another line of products, it's a way of life. Treat the world better, treat your skin better. Period. Sustainable beauty.

Here are my top 5 picks of products to try NOW:

ISUN Ultra Restore - Our purest, most transforming moisturizers are teeming with energy and alive organic and natural nutrients that penetrate deeply to truly make a difference in skin. Complex blends of organic therapeutic herbs, oils and essential oils with a stable, highly active form of vitamin C. $88.00

ISUN Blue-Green Algae Mask -  The natural fragrance of organic blue-green algae from upper Klamath Lake with a hint of pure cooling cucumber distillate is a sign of this masks truly nourishing quality and cooling sensation with living gel. Blended in a base of algae and aloe gel infused with a soothing herb complex and oat milk, your skin feels hydrated, nurtured and calm. This is an excellent mask treatment for sensitive or inflamed skin. For a more cooling sensation, keep in the refrigerator. $38.00


ISUN Photo Cleanse II - The pure rosemary hydrosol base infused with other antioxidant and antimicrobial herbs such as green tea, echinacea, milk thistle, wild-crafted Tibetan goji berries and Amazon rainforest acai, Hawaiian noni and grapeskin extract protect skin and help prevent skin problems. $28.00


ISUN Antioxidant Body Butter - Luxury butters are blended with a distinctive herbal antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerating ‘Emerald Sun Oil’, and a ‘Himalayan-Rainforest Oil’ with goji berry, acai berry and urucum seed infused in sesame and rice bran oils. $56.00

ISUN Trim and Tone Body Oil - Active herbs and essential oils stimulate subcutaneous circulation and thermogenesis (heat creation or cellular energy production). These actions increase removal of fats, congested tissues and toxins. As toxins are released, an abundance of antioxidants are available to help ward off any damaging effects to healthy tissues. $48.00

Peruse the site and discover the wonderful mind, body and spirit gifts that ISUN has to offer you. Click here! Happy shopping.

5 Natural Products You Need To Own Now

I often get asked the question, "what are your favorite natural/ organic products on the market?" This is a tough one for me to answer as I am constantly trying out fabulous new products and product lines. But I thought I'd start off this week with the 5 natural/ organic products that I am currently using in my bathing regimen...

Here are the 5 Natural Products You Need To Own (or, at least, have in your bathroom cabinet) Now:

1. Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant - One of my favorite, affordable organic lines and a terrific all-natural deodorant sans aluminum. It's a spray that smells like a delicious rose garden and does the job to mask unwanted other scents. $14.99

2. Jason Chamomile Satin Soap For Hands & Face - A paraben and sulfate free natural wash that revitalizes and moisturizes dry and irritated skin. Smells non-synthetic yet incredibly intoxicating like a freshly brewed tea. I use it as a body wash in the bath and shower. $8.99

3. Aubrey Organics Eucalyptus Rejuvenating Bath Soak - This is a spa in a bottle; your entire bathroom will smell like eucalyptus, not just the tub. Take caution -- not for the faint of scent. Soothing, relaxing and utterly invigorating for body and mind. 100% natural ingredients. $9.33

 4. Yes To Carrots Deliciously Rich Body Butter - A paraben free, whipped body delight that moisturizes very dry skin with carrot seed oil, carrot juice, pumpkin, sweet potato and dead sea mud. And, no, it does not smell like carrots, it does smells faintly sweet. $12.99

5. Beauty From Flowers Iris Elixir Serum -The finishing touch in your skincare routine, this all-natural, made-to-order elixir contains Aloe Vera, Glycerin, Green Tea and White Tea to clarify, refine pores, soften skin and restore radiance. It's lightweight, absorbs quickly and leaves skin soft and glowing. $60.00

FAVORITES: Body Lotion

It's so cold outside that my skin is cracking -- literally, cracking in half. This is the time of year when I haul out my heavy duty moisture creams to rehydrate my dehydrated skin.

If the weather's got you parched, try some of my tried and tested favorite body lotions for winter:

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream - An incredible moisturizing lotion for dry, irritated skin. Thick and non-greasy providing immediate improvement. Free of parabens, sulfates and synthetic dyes. $28.00 for 6 oz.

Kiehl's Creme De Corps Soy Milk and Honey Whipped Body Butter - The Jeff Koons illustrated jar makes this a lotion worth displaying. The actual cream is so thick and hydrates on the spot with long lasting results. The smell is faintly sweet. $35.00 for 8 oz.

C.O. Bigelow Derma Remedy Intense Dry Skin Therapy Body Lotion - Lactic Acid naturally aids in the shedding of dead skin while helping to stimulate healthy skin cells. Hypoallergenic and no artificial colors. Fragrance is benign. $18.00 for 6.7 oz.

Amore Pacific Time Response Skin Renewal Body Creme - To me, this is like the diamond of body creams. So thick, so smooth, so moisturizing. It has a very fresh scent and keeps your skin hydrated all day long. Is also anti-aging with GCG, a green tea polyphenol and healing Asian botanicals to provide healthy skin. $220 for 6.7 oz.

DRUGSTORE FIND:
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream - Provides long lasting relief from dry, irriated skin at a fraction of the price. The giant tub holds a formula of Natural Colloidal Oatmeal, cocoa and shea butters and contains menthol to cool dry skin on contact. Scent is slightly menthol. $11.79 for 11 oz.

Stocking Stuffers: REN Mini Rose Trio Gift Set

There's no denying that I am a HUGE fan of REN's Moroccan Rose Bath Oil and Sugar Body Polish. It's one of my favorite bath tub treats. I discovered the Moroccan rose scent quite some time ago and I never bathe without it. The smell is so fresh and soothing and feminine and it's perfect year round.

You can imagine my excitement when I found the REN Mini Rose Trio Gift Set. The trio contains a mini 50 ml Rose Body Wash, 50 ml Rose Body Cream and a 30 ml Rose Body Oil. They all come housed in a pretty, delicate box. Bathing with the oil and wash is like a trip through a rose garden. Top it off with the body cream and you're smelling like a dozen long stems. The scent isn't perfumey or overpowering, rather it's a lingering floral with a sweet disposition.

Ladies, take note -- your man will love bathing in this rose garden too (trust me, I've tried it).

What a perfect present for the bath-obsessed! And if you're feeling very generous, you can buy the trio in full size bottles as well.

PRICE TAG: mini, $25.00 / full, $85.00

Second Skin: Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion

What if I told you that you can look skinnier from a body lotion? Would you think I'm crazy? Trying to sell  you good old fashioned marketing hype?

Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion offers you just that - a bit of shimmer added to an amazing body moisturizer promises a slimmer silhouette without the inconvenience of moving a muscle (well, except you've gotta rub in the lotion).

Hollywood Makeup Artist, Bethany Karlyn, has created a formula with subtle light reflecting pigments that give a natural radiance to the skin, even out skin tone and enhance muscle tone. It conceals minor imperfections such as cellulite, stretch marks and varicose veins and helps to enhance definition. Bethany says that she's been using this formula on her celebrity clients for years and finally it's available for purchase. The lotion comes in 4 "colors" (it's lightly tinted to add a fab sheen to a summer tan): LIGHT, MEDIUM, DARK and DEEP DARK. The actual formula is incredible with 92% natural raw ingredients, made without toxins, parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes or fragrance.

And the packaging, while odd at first glance, is actually an incredible way to diminish our carbon footprint. They call it "anti-packaging" as it is designed to take up the smallest amount of space in landfills.

I used the lotion the entire weekend and was blown away by the results: stunning, even skin that really did glow. The tag line is: "Look great in your birthday suit..." They aren't kidding around.

Prtty Peauchun is lightweight, easy to dispense and feels lucious on the skin. I'm obsessed.

PRICE TAG: $36.00

Drugstore Find: Aveeno Positively Nourishing Body Wash and Moisturizer

I love Aveeno products. The Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15 is an all time favorite. So, you can imagine my excitement when learning of the newest Aveeno additions: Positively Nourishing body washes and moisturizers.

While the daily moisturizing lotion is fragrance-free and non-greasy with an added SPF, sometimes it's nice to get a pleasant burst of scent. The Positively Nourishing body washes and moisturizers are still just as hydrating but with an added dose of fragrant fun. With 8 formulas, HYDRATING, REFRESHING, CALMING, INVIGORATING, SOOTHING, ENERGIZING, WHIPPED SOUFFLE and SMOOTHING, you now have an Rx for any body ailment at a fraction of the price.

I'm obsessed with the Hydrating formula. It combines shea butter and natural fig for a delicious bathing experience. It smells somewhat like a berry surprise but the scent isn't completely overpowering. And I LOVE the Postively Nourishing Refreshing Moisturizer (which, again, smells like berries with a combo of Blueberry and Goji Berries). The formula still uses oatmeal to soothe the skin but now their is that extra added shea butter and berrilicious scent. It's amazing - soothing, hydrating, refereshing and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin.

Next time you're at the drugstore, pick up a set. You're body will thank you (and so will your wallet).

PRICE TAG: lotion $9.49/ wash $6.49

Best of... Budget Friendly Lotions

Winter got you cracking up? ME TOO! That's why I am devoting this entire post to some heavy duty, budget-friendly winter creams for your skin. Anything under $15.00 constitutes budget-friendly for purposes of this post.

Let me first say that what I noticed, to my disappointment, is that with many of the lotions, ALCOHOL was one of the first 5 ingredients. WHY? Alcohol DRIES OUT THE SKIN, not hydrates it. So, yes, my choices are based on ingredient as well as performance and while some do have alcohol in the ingredient list, others do not (I will note if they do).


1. Jergens Naturals - (alcohol is the 7th ingredient) - 95% natural ingredients with jojoba oil and agave to hydrate ultra dry skin. Has a pleasant perfumey smell but if you're not into fragrances, this isn't for you.
application: PUMP
consistency: light to medium
moisture: 8 out of 10
price: $4.98

2. Burt's Bees Body Butter - (no alcohol) - With Cocoa Butter and Macadamia Nut oil to moisturize and heal and sesame, sunflower and rosehip oils to restore fatty acids, you're skin will feel moisturized while you smell vaguely like honey.
application: JAR
consistency: heavy
moisture: 9 out of 10
price: $12.97

3. Eucerin Plus Intensive Therapy Enriched Lotion - (no alcohol but contains mineral oil) - This is for severely dry skin as it is a bit greasy but if your skin is deydrated I'm quite certain it will soak it right up and keep it moisturized all day. Love that it is great for sensitive skin as it is 100% fragrance-free.
application: PUMP
consistency: medium
moisture: 10 out of 10
price: $10.99

4. Yes To Carrots Body Butter - (no alcohol) - Paraben Free, this cream works best for very dry skin and soaks in quite effortlessly. Blended with carrot seed oil, carrot juice, pumpkin, sweet potato and dead sea mud to offer a most delicious naturally pleasant smell.
application: JAR
consistency: medium
moisture: 9 out of 10
price: $12.99

5. Dove Cream Oil Intensive Body Lotion - (alcohol is 12th ingredient) - I like this lotion because it's light-weight, smells fresh and unobtrusive but still moisturizes. Great for a man too!
application: PUMP
consistency: light
moisture: 8 out of 10
price: $7.99

6. California Baby Calming Botanical Moisture Cream - (no alcohol) - No parabens, sodium benzoate, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol or phenoxyethanol this miracle cream can be used for everything (even eczema), everywhere (even face) and everyone (even babies). Scent is very subtle - like eucalyptus - and all natural.
application: JAR
consistency: medium to heavy
moisture - 9.5 out of 10
price: $14.99

7. Nivea Creme - (alcohol is 6th ingredient) - the original heavy duty cream that reminds me of parisianne women. It's extremely absorbent and moisturizing and great for spot treatment on elbows, knees, feet and hands. Smells a bit like baby powder meets an orange slice?
application: JAR
consistency: heavy
moisture: 9 out of 10
price: $6.48

BATH! Beauty

While on my quest for the most fabulous oils, I discovered some seriously savory bath treats. I now have an entirely new bathing ritual for my Sunday (everyday) bath time. Don't you just love when that happens? Discovering new products is like hitting the jackpot. Okay, slight exaggeration, but only slight.

Here are my current feel, look and smell delicious bath time treats:

Start with a bath tea. I'm loving JK Soul Salts Tub Tea in Chamomile ($21.00). It combines real chamomile tea with bath salts and comes with a tea strainer. Drop the strainer into the running bath water and your on your way to bathing bliss.


Add a few splashes of a relaxing bath oil. Try Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Night Health Bedtime Bath Oil, a finely scented blend of chamomile, lavender and mandarin essential oils. As Dr. Weil put it, the oil is a "prelude to sleep." And it makes for wonderfully smooth skin.


Use a gentle exfoliator to wash the body. I'm seriously obsessed with REN Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish (30 pounds; British, baby)This light, beautifully rosy scented exfoliator rubs off just the right amount of dead skin while leaving the remaining epidermis revived, healthy and glowing. Not to mention smelling like the most beautiful dozen of long stem roses.
Massage-rub a body oil onto damp skin. With the above combo, I like to use Jurlique's Rose Oil. It continues my rose/ tea experience and leaves skin so soft I feel like I'm drowning in silk.


For extra moisture, finish with a firming body lotion. The only one to use is Tracie Martyn's Shaki Skin Cream ($155.00), a blend of herbal teas (again, tea and rose scents for the senses) and antioxidants. Proven to sculpt and contour legs, thighs, tummy and arms. It smells so delish and moisturizes so well, it's almost too good to be true. Seriously.

What's your favorite bath time treat?

Best of... OILS!

Say bye-bye lotion (or just combine), hello oil. It's almost fall, skin needs some extra hydration and oil is where it's at!

Here are my current top 10 picks for best of oils... every reason, every season:


1. Jurlique Rose Oil - The reason this entire post began. The creme de la creme of oils. Smells like a rose garden, leaves skin feeling like silk. Add to a diffuser to liven up your living area or a cap full in the bath for a rosy bathing experience. TIP: Rosemary actually helps to balance out oiliness. $55.00

2. Davines SU Sun Oil Body and Hair Moisturizing Oil - Everytime I spray (yes, it's a spray!), I say WOW out loud. The smell is insanely amazing (part cucmber/ part floral/ all amazing). Love it for the hair as it adds shine and softnes and does the same for my body. Also gets rid of the nasty smokey smell, next day hair. This non-greasy formula naturally prevents the signs of aging with Argan Oil, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. Jojoba Oil nourishes and softens and UV filters protect hair from the damaging effects of the sun. $31.00

3. Tammy Fender Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil - With a versatile array of healing benefits, Bulgarian lavender is considered a “cure all.” This pump oil is my ideal oil to mix with lotion and create the most soothing moisture paste to slather all over skin post shower. The oil nourishes, protects and increases the flow of oxygen to the cells via a blend of Bulgarian lavender as well as some of nature’s finest nutrient oils. Spiritualy, this unique blend evokes equanimity. The beautiful packaging doesn't hurt, either. $65.00


4. June Jacobs Vanda Orchid Dry Oil Body Spray - A unique combination of rejuvenating oils, including apricot and sunflower, work to condition and soothe dry, tired skin. Leaves skin feeling refreshed, soft and rejuvenated and smelling clean, while also protecting against environmental toxins. Never greasy thus great to spray right before bed, allow the oil to penetrate the skin. $45.00

5. Caudalie Contouring Concentrate - Meant for cellulite concerns in the thighs, hips and buttocks regions, the pump oil contains organic essential oils of juniper berries, rosemary and geranium to tone, Organic essential oils of lemongrass and lemon todrain and grape seed oil to nourish. This oils smells citrus fantastic and gently mists on, a mild rub to get the blood flowing required. $35.00

6. Liiv Botanicals Triple Phase Bath & Shower Oil - A non greasy, super yummy oil to add to the bath or use in the shower for added moisture and softness. Washes off quickly and completely. Smells sweet with a hint of saccharin. Surprise: It's made by Avon. We heart Avon -- and their prices! $12.00

7. Carol's Daughter Lemon and Jojoba Cuticle Oil - Essential lemon and jojoba oils naturally strengthen nails, soften cuticles and help reduce brittleness and breakage. Made sans PETROLEUM, Paraben, mineral oil and artificial color. The smell is citrus delight. The look is shiny, happy nails. I use this stuff every night before bed and my nails are smiling wide. TIP: If you're in a nail bind, use cuticle oil to fake the appearance of just manicured fingers. It works! $9.50

8. Kiehl's Portable Essence Oil - Choose from 6 delicious scents including cucumber, vanilla and grapefruit (my fave), for an all-natural alternative to perfume. These roll-on fragrance oils deliver just the right amount of scent and are perfect for on-the-go touch ups, even fitting into the tiniest of clutches. $25.00

9. Molton Brown Face Oils - Oils are fun for the face -- especially when they don't leave your complexion all shiny but still give you that much needed moisture. All of the oils absorb quickly and easily, refresh and cater to your skin's personal concerns. I'm loving the Tunisian Neroli Balancing Facial Oil because it replaces a moisturizer at night and my skin is oily but still needs hydration. So, if you're "over" the whole lotion thing, try a face oil, you may surpirse your skin! $58.00

10. Persephenie Neroli Infusion Body Oil - A wet pump-on oil that smells like decadent baby powder. Gives body the most beautiful glow. Marula Oil helps to maintain healthy-looking and vibrant skin while Certified Organic Jojoba Oil delivers superior moisture to the skin. Shiny and moisturized? Score! $38.00

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE: Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm

WOW.

I've always had a casual crush on Kiehl's but now I am in full-blown love. Sexy, hydrating, glowing, delicious love.

The newest product to hit the Kiehl's shelves (September 1) is the Imperial Body Balm and it's -- to say the least -- impressive. It's the perfect post-summer skin saver, not to mention a wonderful addition to a bronzed glow (real or otherwise). The balm feels like silk on the skin, so soft, gentle and smooth, leaving the body literally glowing thanks to Kiehl's new secret ingredient: Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil. The oil is known for its natural antioxidants and skin regenerative capabilities and yes, my skin was naturally regenerated... in a very -- dare I say -- titillating way. It's THAT powerful.

A word (or several...) from the company:
"Imperial Body Balm is now Kiehl’s richest all-over body moisturizer, and was inspired by Russian honey-based remedies. Our skin-renewing balm helps to protect skin from signs of premature aging due to dryness, exposure to harsh climates and environmental effects. Deeply hydrating Cocoa and Shea butters nourish while Honey and Fruit Glycolic Acids accelerate surface skin cell turnover in a formula that immediately delivers a renewed smoothness and youthful radiance to extra-dry, dull skin."

The body balm has the slightest hint of sweet vanilla mixed with spicy amber. It makes for a wonderful daily lotion, regardless of your skin type, accelerating cell turnover with honey and fruit glycolic acids for immediate results. Even without extra-dry, dull skin, your body will still reep the benefits of perfectly hydrated and deliciously scented skin!

I smothered the body balm over my freshly washed body, dressed in my Alexander Wang romper and hit the town for an evening of dinner and drinks. It was all quite decadent and exciting but the best part of the evening was undoubtedly the compliments my smooth and glowing skin incurred.

And as they say, compliments are the finest form of advertising.

PRICE TAG: $42.00 for 8 oz

A few of my favorite things... Body Oil

People are constantly complimenting my smooth skin. "Thank-you," I reply, smiling inwardly because I know the work I put into getting that skin.

Well, I'm about to spill one of my major beauty secrets: BODY OIL does a body smooth.

I've mentioned my adoration for oil before. Body oil hydrates while leaving your skin healthy and glowing. Applied to legs and arms, oil gives the appearance of a thinner you (that's a little model trick!). I especially heart a good hefty oil in summertime as it adds a nice vibrant sheen to my faux-bronzed skin.

Here are 5 of my favorites:

Votre Vu Amour D'Ore Les Vitamines Pour Vous - A deliciously light citrus concoction (smells like Biotherm's citrus lotion) that can be used on face, body and hair. This dry spray oil (so much less of a mess!) loaded with essential oils and vitamins, not only moisturizes, it also nourishes the skin. It's the perfect way to revive dullness and add a hint of scent.
$49.00

Dr. Hauschka Rose Body Oil - With the faintest rose scent, this all-natural oil seriously pampers. Damask rose essential oil and jojoba oil combine to nourish and protect while organic sunflower seed oil calms and replenishes. Goes great with a few pumps of Dr. Hauschka Rose Lotion for extra moisture and rosiness! $28.96


Pure Fiji Nourishing Exotic Oil in Mango - This is a long time favorite oil of mine. For starters, it's the perfect summer scent while adding shine and nourishment to skin and hair. Virgin coconut oil helps to seriously moisturize. Absorbs quickly while leaving a delicious lingering mango scent. Can be added to bathwater for a spa experience. $23.95


LaLicious Coconut Body Oil - I must confess, I am a sucker for anything coconut -- and this oil does not disappoint in the scent department. The tiniest bit buttered over my body evokes a wonderfully fresh coconut scent. The all-natural, pure coconut oil can be used in the bath, on hair or as a shaving cream. Like all of my favorite oils, this one leaves skin silky smooth and radiant. $24.00

*Drugstore Pick!*
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula, Moisturizing Body Oil with Vitamin E - A lightly scented alternative to the high-end oils. It'll still soften and smooth, nourish and hydrate all for a fraction of the price. If you're still apprehensive about oils, try this one out for a mere $5.49.

Have a favorite body oil?
Let us know in the comment section below!

BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT

It's hot, hot, hot in the city!

When temps go north, I find refuge in water spritzers (and drinking gallons of H2O). While Jurlique rose water is a favorite, I'm newly obsessed with an old-school must-have: Heritage Products Gardenia Water Body Splash.

It's everything I want my spritzer to be - natural, refreshing, fragrant but not overly indulgent (think a fine mist of amomatherapy scent) and incredibly hydrating. And the best part, it's super affordable (it'll run you less than 5 dollars). The sprays come in a variety of delicious scents like lavender, lilac, plumeria and rose. Also fabulous for linens, clothes, even hair (bye bye smokey smell).

For those extra hot days, try keeping the spritzers in the fridge for a cool body treat. It's like taking a dip in an icy aromatherapy pool!

PRICE TAG: $3.64

Chemestry For A Beauty Enthusiast

I love playing chemist, mixing and matching lotions and potions to create the perfect combination of scent, texture and consistency.


My current favorite body combo is the one and only Korres Body Butter in Guava (my absolute favorite shea in a pump!) and Pure Fiji's Mango Body Oil. The oil provides a silky and sleek texture while the shea butter is a bit thicker and more soothing (I like to apply when I'm still the slightest bit damp for an extra dose of moisture). When mixed together, the two products actually have a marshmallow like consistency that creates the most irresistible island get-away scent. A bit like being deserted on a Hawaiian Island. Or, more appropriately, somewhere in Fiji or Greece. My skin has never felt so smooth or smelled so fresh. I'm obsessed with my concoction!

Besides being unique to the individual, combos also save product!

5 Reasons To Shop In This Recession

The economy may still be tanking, but we need to get in there a recirculate the money, ladies! Here are 5 ways to start (and keep your skin beautiful!)....

1. Moving into Spring, flawless skin is a must. MAC's newest Studio Sculpt with SPF 15 is a gel-based foundation and a sunscreen all in one! Try going a shade darker than your actual complexion for an added hint of color (more natural than a bronzer). $28.00


2. L'Oreal's Skin Genesis Pore Minimizer Skin Re-Smoother will help to even out skin tone, reduce pores and the appearance of lines and wrinkles for an overall clearer complexion. It's a cream worthy of hundreds of dollars, but it retails for a cool $19.99. Loves it!


3. LaLicious Body Oil in Coconut Cream can double as a moisturizer AND tanner (although Beauty Banter highly recommends using an SPF when catching rays). At the very least, the oil will make skin appear tanner and leaner! The yummy coconut smell has summer sun written all over it. Skin will smell fresh and feel so spectacularly soft! I use it after the bath, and apply to wet skin for even added hydration. $24.00


4. Clinique's Comfort on Call is a creamy balm that relieves parched skin. It's great for severely dry areas - you can use it on your face, but I like to use it on my knees and elbows as those places are the most dry. It's fragrance free and won't irritate sensitive skin (in fact, the balm is rather soothing!). Great for shielding skin from harsh weather and pollutants. $39.50


5. Moisturizer with SPF is essential. Pur~lisse's Pur-Protect is lightweight and nourishing. It absorbs quickly without leaving a white residue, protects against UVA and YVB rays and soothes sensitive skin (like mine!) thanks to the White Tea. I love how soft it leaves my skin. You can use alone or layer on top of a thicker face moisturizer. $55.oo

5 Reasons to Shop.... 5 Ways to Beautify Your Skin...

What products are YOU willing to shell out the cash for?

5 Steps to Winter Relief

No matter how much lotion I slab on my skin, or how much conditioner I run through my hair, this Winter weather is taking a toll on my beauty!

So, in the spirit of cracked skin and dry hair, I've put together a quick 5-step guide to Winter relief:

Use a deep conditioner every time you shower - Yes, deep conditioners are usually meant for Sunday evenings, but a little extra moisture (too much and all over will weigh down your hair!) on the tips of your hair will help combat dead ends and frizzies. Try JLife's Drench Intensive Conditioner. It replenishes and strengthens the hair follicle and I love it!


Mix in a body oil with your body moisturizer - Oils rapidly hydrate dehydrated skin. For double the moisture use both an oil and a lotion. I'm loving the Pure Fiji Nourishing Exotic Oil. It leaves skin hydrated and silky smooth and also has a delicious tropical smell (I heart the mango scent).


Balm up! - A versatile lip and skin balm will do wonders to those cracked, calloused areas. It's more intense than a basic lotion or chapstick and a good one will nourish and protect all day long. My current favorite is RMS Beauty's Organic Lip & Skin Balm. It's scentless, made with all natural and organic materials, comes in a sleek container, and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin.


Exfoliate skin AND face bi-weekly - Winter has a tendency to leave our complexion a little lackluster. A good exfoliator will bring the brightness out of the bleak... and it readies the new skin to accept and absorb the balms, potions and lotions! For the body, I'm currently digging The Body Deli Botanical Butter Scrub in Coconut Cream (yes, I'm OBSESSED with this line). The scrub is soft while still getting the job done. It's loaded with shea butter, Cocoa and Virgin Coconut Oils to add extra hydration. The coconut smells rich, not tropical, so it's a perfect scent for Winter -- and it feels like cake batter which is always fun.


When all else fails, Aquaphor to the rescue! - With so many uses, you really can't go wrong. I carry a tube in my purse, one in my car, and I keep a tub of it next to my bed. I slather it on my hands, feet, knees, elbows, lips and cuticles, under my nose when my poor little sinus' are runny... you get the picture. And don't be afraid to use it on your face if you are seriously cracked! My mom uses it for her mug and she's got tres tres youthful looking skin!

Do YOU have a great Winter Relief secret? Let us know below!

Johnson & Johnson Gets A Makeover!

No more tears isn't just for babies anymore! The relaunched adult body line features 6 washes and 6 lotions for WOMEN with brand new fragrances and packaging.

The products include body wash, body lotion, shaving cream and exfoliator in scents like green tea and shea and cocoa butter.

I love baby products for adults. The scents are always so innocent and sweet and the products are great for sensitive skin. I've long been obsessed with the J&J no more tears shampoo. It's gentle enough for everyday washing and it doesn't strip the hair (or make your eyes burn!). And it's super inexpensive (we heart a good bargain!).

I wouldn't necessarily say that the packaging is more mature, but it's definitely pretty enough to take up residence on my bathroom counter!

PRICE TAG: $5.99

Good-Bye to Chafed Skin

It's cold outside and my skin is dry and cracked. The heater isn't helping the situation - It may make me warm, but it makes my body still feel like scales on a fish.

Enter Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15. An oldy, I know, but a great product worth a revisit - definitely coming into 2009 with me!

The lotion comes in a massive 12 oz bottle with a pump so it's super easy to extract. It's simple. No weird ingredients or perfumed fragrances or unrealistic promises. This stuff is all natural and all about moisturizing. The oatmeal protects dry skin and soothes those cracked areas (the ones that are so chafed - love that word - that they're practically bleeding). The formula is thick but not shea butter thick and it absorbs quickly without a greasy residue.

This stuff is fab for snowy regions because it contains SPF. I know, it's not summer, why use an SPF? But even in winter the sun likes to make an appearance and, actually, when there's snow on the ground, the sun's rays are more intense as the snow acts as a mirror and bounces the rays all over the place.

I'm pretty sure that it's meant for your face but I use it on my body - constantly slathering on my hands (which are always the brunt of winter dryness) - and I love it!


PRICE TAG: $9.00 for 12 oz

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE!

It's been awhile, but well worth the wait! This week's must-have is a true home-spa necessity. Sabon is a decadent NYC body and skin line with some of the most incredible smelling body treats around.

My newest obsession is the Sabon Sorbet - lighter than a body butter but creamier than a lotion. It has the consistency of a gel (more water, less shea) and glides on the skin with an effortless ease. It leaves skin feeling smooth and refreshed and smelling delish (like a real sorbet - fruity). The gel absorbs quickly and leaves skin ultra-hydrated.

Why a gel for winter, you may be wondering? Well, when it's cold outside, chances are your heater is on full-blast. Heat is recycled air (GROSS) that literally dehydrates your skin of moisture. The gel reinvigorates and replenishes the body but without the thickness and pastiness of a shea butter. Both are great options, and both rehydrate skin brilliantly, but I'm just feeling something less heavy this week (after all, sweaters and boots are heavy enough!).

Sabon's Sorbet comes in 5 colorful flavors to quench your skin-buds: Lavender Apple, Lemon Basil, Ginger Orange, Vanilla Coconut, and Tropic.

**QUICK TIP** Try leaving the sorbet in the fridge overnight. After a nice, hot bath or shower, lather the cooling gel onto the body for added refreshness!

PRICE TAG: $22.00 for a 6.8 oz tub

Cashmere Does A Body Good

Who doesn't love cashmere? The soft, cozy decadence of finely woven fabric... there's nothing more comfortable, or sexy to the bod then cashmere.

Well, Bath & Body Works newest line of body products, True Blue Spa, asks this question: "Ever wonder what liquid cashmere feels like?"

Introducing Shea Cashmere: the perfect combination of softness and luxury (and unlike the real thing, it's actually quite affordable!).

Rich shea butter and creamy vanilla are whipped to perfection to create a rich and sensual bathing experience (hey, that should be the advertisement...). The creams are thick and moisturizing and the smell is pure vanilla bliss with a dose of something almondy (great Fall scent, P.S.). End result -products have a silky feel leaving body soft and delicious. Cashmere soft? I don't know if I'd go that far, but I do give props to the marketing campaign!

The line consists of bubble bath, body cream, body lotion, shower cream, hand cream and foot cream. Choose your cream of choice and rock the "liquid cashmere!" I heart the foot cream - it's incredibly moisturizing and smooth - and there's nothing I hate more then going to bed with dry, cracked hands and feet!

PRICE TAG: $14.50 -$18.00

BTW - Has anyone been on the Bath & Body Works site recently - they're like the new Sephora - SO MANY BRANDS to choose from (including some of my faves: C.O. Bigelow, Molton Brown, and Vincent Longo!) Click HERE to have a look...

Green By Nature Keeps the Green in YOUR Pocket (Where it Belongs!)

I haven't been this excited about a new line of bath products since hearing that Cleo was leaving the land of da Vinci for the great shores (and bodies) of our country!

Green by Nature is a magnificent new bath and skin line available at Target. It that uses 91-98.6 % natural ingredients. They're so environmentally conscious, they've joined 1% For The Planet, an alliance of businesses that donate 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes (hence the "green" part of the brand name). And you know how much we love a company that gives back!

Green by Nature offers up a delicious blend of vitamins, extracts, oils and antioxidants and they're 100 % Paraben, DEA, Petroleum, Propylene Glycol, Sulfates, Sacchrine, Dioxin and Phthalates FREE! Not quite sure what all of those bad ingredients are but we know we feel much safer (and smoother) without them!

The line divies up a vast array of affordable products from Body Lotions and Butters, Body Scrubs, Hand Creams and Body Washs to Lip Butters, Scrubs, Polishes and Body Sprays! And they come in 3 awesome scents - Mint Green Tea, Almond Cocoa (**Beauty Banter Fave**) and Bannana Shea.

We tried the Body Scrub and Body Butter and have nothing but rave reviews!

The Body Scrub is a legit, down and dirty scrubbie that uses natural and finely grounded exfoliators (we're guessing seeds) to rid the body of dry and flaky skin. The combo of exfoliation and healthy aroma makes for an intoxicating bathing experience. The result is smooth, glowing and sexy smelling skin! $9.99 for 5 oz

The Body Butter is wonderfully rich and soothing - moisturizing the skin with whipped Shea Butter and essential oils (and it absorbs rather quickly for such a thick butter!). Again, the scent is incredibly warm without being overbearing. Your body is left feeling soft, refreshed and utterly hydrated. $11.99 for 4.4 oz

Give back while caressing your fabulously soft and supple skin!