TO WAX OR NOT TO WAX...

This is a serious dilemma for women. I'm not talking about waxing your lip or brows or even legs, I'm talking about waxing... down there.


I'm a waxer. Shaving gives me ingrowns and I've never gotten around to laser. But I loathe how you have to wait for the hairs to grow out completely before waxing them off. The "in-between" stage is the worst.


I have friends who shave every day and they swear by it. Schick has made a fabulous contraption for you shaving girls. The Quattro For Women Trimstyle Razor & Bikini Trimmer helps to keep things clean down south.  Oil of Olay and Gillette have teamed up to offer a Bikini Kit ($12.00) including a razor, bikini trimmer and bottle of Olay Bikini lotion to hydrate with.


While if you choose to wax or shave, it is still important to maintain a healthy, smooth complexion.... down there. This means exfoliating! Exfoliate dead skin and let the hairs sprout up prior to waxing or shaving.


Now the real question....

DO YOU WAX, SHAVE, OR NEITHER?

HEAD TO TOE BEAUTY

Some days sharing one great new find just doesn’t seem like enough. And with the number of wonderful products hitting the eco-beauty shelves, it’s hard to decide which ones to share first. So, why not share two in one post?

In my ongoing quest to replace the dozens of paraben-filled lipsticks and glosses I’ve recycled, I have found the perfect replacement for my old standby gloss in KORRES #33 NUDE. They describe it as a “sheer, pinky beige” and I call it "perfect." In the tube it is deceivingly dark, once applied it’s shiny and semi-sheer with just a hint of color. The KORRES Cherry Oil Lip Gloss collection includes over a dozen different shades from pale pinks to deeper red and plum. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, petro-chemicals or GMOs, KORRES uses cherry oil for moisture and shine (and a great natural scent), jojoba oil to smooth fine lines and hydrate, and Vitamins C and E to protect and repair skin damage.

I highly recommend starting with the Cherry Oil Natural Lip Gloss Trio, a set of fabulous neutrals (including #33) at a great price. Or the Love Your Lips set which includes three glosses and pomegranate lip butter. Don’t forget that all Beauty Banter readers get 30% off purchases at the Korres website through September 15th with promo code BANTER. Check out the new Korres site here.


Summer may be coming to an end, but here in Los Angeles, it’s bare legs year-round. That is why I am thrilled to find that Victoria’s Secret PINK has launched a new beauty line that is 100% vegan, free of parabens, mineral oil and sulfites. I wasn’t sure what to expect as few mainstream retailers have jumped on the organic trend. After trying the Nourishing Shave Cream, all I can say is I am impressed. Big brand shave creams and gels made to soothe often contain parabens, petro-chemicals and formaldehyde...not exactly gentle. PINK shave cream is made with shea and cocoa butters to nourish skin and antioxidants like grapeseed oil to protect. Derm tested and packaged in post-consumer recycled materials, I love this inside and out (and I’ll be writing more on this line in weeks to come). As the tubes and jars proclaim, “Think green. Live pink!” Pick up the shave cream in Victoria’s Secret Beauty stores or online. xo alex.

Sexy Legs For Summer

It's time to show some leg, ladies! I love warm weather... love, love, love. I'm not the biggest fan of having to shave my legs - it's such a mundane task - so I've come up with a great quick, easy and pain-free shaving process.

Here are 5 Products for Smooth Legs:

1 - Exfoliator - So important to get rid of all of the dead skin before shaving. This also loosens the hairs so that they shave away faster and easier (and don't cause ingrowns). You can really use any exfoliator, I like Ole Henriksen's African Red Tea Exotic Body Scrub because it's extrememly gentle (don't scrub too hard before a shave --- shaving will also exfoliate on its own!) and has an all-natural fragrance. $65.00


2 - Venus Spa Breeze - by far, my favorite razor on the market. It's surrounded by a shaving cream bar. You don't need to use additional shaving cream (although I do), and it curves easily to remove hair without nicks! $10.99


3 - eos Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream - This is a natural-smelling alternative to those synthetic creams. I'm obsessed with the Pomegranate Raspberry and Vanilla Bliss flavors. Doesn't lather, but coats legs marvelously with a cream for a smooth shave and leaves them moisturized with shea butter, aloe to soothe and vitamins C and E. Also, cheaper than those other perfumey ones. $4.99


4 - Venereous Mountain Mist - It's like an aftershave but for us ladies. The spray is so soothing thanks to the aloe vera, witch hazel and silk proteins. I'm obsessed with using this spritz directly after I shave - it feels like it locks the follicules and leaves legs stuble-free for longer (plus, it's got a very pleasant, non-obtrusive scent). $12.95 for 4 oz


5 - PFB Vanish - Like Tend Skin only less vomit-inducing smelly. It's a roll-on for "vanishing" those stubborn ingrown hairs; so easy, works wonders! (Great for those intimate areas too, like waxing down south). $13.95 for 2 oz

I've Got LEGS...

... And I know how to use them!!!

Prickly stubbles are tres tres unattractive! Shaving is not only a necessity, but an obligation (especially for anyone touching your legs).

It's probably just about your least favorite beauty-related "activity" - insert CRINGE here - (well, that and bikini waxes... just because they kill so damn much!).

So, whenever I find a product that makes shaving time a tad more "fun time," I feel that it is my duty to share it with my fellow female shavers!

The newest razor from Gillette is called the Venus Embrace (probably cause it embraces every curve and crevice of your legs) and it gives one smooth shave!

A word (or several...) from the company:
"5 blades surrounded by a Protective Ribbon of Moisture that effortlessly smoothes the glide. As you shave, each blade individually adjusts to hug your curves."

Say goodbye to cuts and nicks, Venus Embrace is fast, easy, and pain-free. It'll leave your legs feeling soft, silky and sexy...

After all, bikini season is just around the corner... it's time time shed the hair and expose some skin!

And for an even smoother shave, use the Venus Embrace with one of the Satin Care Shave Gels... the newest one, Alluring AvocadoTM Shave Gel, smells delicious (a combination of aloe, jasmine, and orange blossom) while still protecting your skin from an uncomfortable shaving experience. The outcome: silky, sexy, satiny legs!

Razor retails for: $9.44 (the blades last many, many shaves).

Shaving In STYLE

I dread the deed of shaving. It's inconvenient, exhausting, and time-consuming. Not to mention those unfortunate nicks and burns. Any product that makes the act of shaving a little easier and a lot less painful, is a product that I am happy to purchase!

I was recently introduced to the Venereous line of female shaving products... you know, for those intimate areas down there. Well, Venereous also does wonders for the legs and underarms and, the best part, NO burns and NO cuts!

Here's how to use the products:

Step One: Shaving Oil - Spray on legs to moisturize and condition prior to shaving. It creates an oil barrier between your skin and the razor.
Step Two: Shaving Jelly - This non-foaming gel protects your skin while shaving AND can be used without water. *** Using the oil then the jelly in conjunction creates the perfect canvas for a smooth, nick-free shave***
Step Three: Mountain Mist (pictured, left) - This is probably the most coveted product of the bunch. It protects against razor burn, helps to eliminate red bumps, ingrowns and irritation and it's 100% natural. Not to mention incredibly soothing post shave. Spray over just-shaven area and allow the aloe vera, witch hazel and silk proteins to penetrate into the skin! Mountain mist can be used in between shaves AND waxes... I'm obsessed!

So next time your faced with the unfortunate task of shaving, try these products... not only to they make it easy and fun, they make you feel incredibly sexy too!

WHISHfull thinking...

What smells great, looks great and feels great against your skin?
And NO, it's not a man.
Introducing Whish Body Products for all of our shaving needs!
Here's the deal. Shaving doesn't have to be a dreaded event. Whish has come up with a shaving system designed especially for women that is delightfully delicious.

First step is the Shave Crave. Basically, it's shaving cream, except it doesn't smell like a cheap bouquet of roses. Instead, the shave crave comes in three irresistable flavors: pomegranate, lemon grass and almond. Very sophisticated.
I used the pomegranate and I swear to you, I will never again subject my legs to that cheap Gillette nastiness again. The shave crave comes in a fabulous looking glass jar - something you'll actually want to display on your shower shelf. And it lathers up to just the right amount... not gooey, but clean for an equally clean, quality shaving experience.

Then comes the Shave Savour in the same three yummy flavors. It's basically the female version of after-shave. It has the same consistancy of a water-downed gel and it instantly soothes just-shaved legs for a silky soft, touchable feel. It's heaven.

Thanks to Whish, I will never again look at shaving my legs as a chore!