Category: bath and body

Dad’s Day Gift Ideas

This weekend, it is time to fete all those great dads out there! I know my dad and I have a lazy day at home planned, with a yummy dinner and some games of catch in the yard. For those last minute shoppers, here are some of my favorite men’s products I’ve come across lately.

Kiehl’s “Heavy Lifting”Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer for Men is a super powered version of one of my father’s favorites. Formulated especially for men’s thicker skin, this works to battle signs of aging.

Molton Brown SPORT Collection is for the sporty father. My tester used it from head to toe and reported stellar performance as a shave gel, shower gel and shampoo. I love the convenience of one product, especially for a gym bag. The fragrance blend – cassia bark, nutmeg and lime – helps soothe tired muscles.

My neighbor friend has been sporting the Gucci Guilty Black Pour Homme – dare I say… swoon worthy? And frankly, I wore it myself for a couple days – ladies, this is worth stealing from the boys. The Patchoili gives it a sensuality while orange and lavender leave it feeling not to heavy.

Supergoop! Continuous Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50, one of my favorite SPFs this summer, has also been a hit with the guys. For the outdorsman father, you can’t go wrong with this great smelling spray. Natural oils add a unisex citrus scent and leave skin nourished.

One of the products my father praises most is his Clarisonic. Men love gadgets so I don’t know why I am so surprised. The Clarisonic ‘Aria – Black’ Sonic Skin Cleansing System is a sleek masculine color and will leave his skin smooth and exfoliated.

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Lustful Luxury Friday: Amore Pacific Time Response Intensive Hand Renewal Creme

Amore Pacific Time Response Intensive Hand Renewal Creme is the most decadent and luxurious hand cream I’ve come across. The reason this one is special is because it is powered by some serious anti-aging properties. And let’s face it… other than our face, our hands show age first. So there is a reason to invest in taking care of them.

Used morning and night, the Time Response Intensive Hand Renewal Creme promises to refine texture, add volume, even pigmentation and relieve dryness. The formula is even capable of providing 24-hour time release when used twice a day. Amore Pacific’s patented Red Ginseng complex firms and tones. Licorice Root helps brighten and even. And Aqua-Sponge Complex helps prolonged surface hydration.

This is a true cult classic, currently on backorder at Neiman Marcus. ($80 for 3.4 ounces)

New Global Body Serum from Lina Hanson

Way back in January 2012, I was swooning over Lina Hason’s Global Face Serum. It was one of the first face oils I tried, and I was instantly sold on the way the formula worked wonders on my dry skin. It is no wonder. As a celebrity makeup artist based out of Hollywood, she would have a pulse on what really works, particularly in conjunction with makeup.

To follow up on that launch, today Lina is launching her Global Body Serum. (By now, you guys probably know that I am a body oil fanatic). This is no accident that today marks the availability of Lina’s latest and greatest. June 5th is World Environment Day. For Lina, this is a cause close to home – the Global Body Serum is a 100% blend of sustainably harvested oils. To celebrate, Lina is giving 15% of her net proceeds of Global Face Serum and new Global Body Serum to the International Refugee Committee from June 15 to August 15.

This light and quickly absorbing oil is perfect for just out of the shower. My dry skin drinks it up quickly, so there is no greasiness. Yuzu and pink grapefruit work to improve circulation. Vanilla works as an antioxidant. Argan and Brazil nut moisturize, improve elasticity, and give a natural sheen. Overall, the scent is light and refreshing – balanced between citrus and vanilla to my nose.

I applaud the purity and process of Lina’s oils:

No animal ingredients/no animal testing
Completely free of parabens, artificial fragrance, silicone, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances or any other chemical ingredient.

Global Body Serum and Global Face Serum is available at LinaHanson.com.

Brand Spotlight: Supergoop!

Supergoop just does it right. On the search for a good, clean and well made sunscreen? Look no further. These guys really do everything they can to make it right. Primarily, their UV protector meets the highest and most advanced European and Australian standards for suncare. Then their formulas are clinically approved for all skin types – even infants and sensitive skin.

Supergoop‘s UV protection comes in every form you could ask for. For me, my beloved sprays. Also, pumps, sticks, lotions and towelettes. And they are all enviromentally friendly, water-resistant and free of fragrances, synthetic dyes, and sulfates. Sold yet? I’ve been trying out three of Supergoop‘s latest and greatest… here are the details:

First, not wanting to mess around with sub-par protection, I’ve been reaching for the Sunscreen Mist With Vitamin C Broad Spectrum SPF 50. It has been giving me reliable and complete, not to mention easy to apply, protection lately. I’m usually sensitive to chemical sunscreens (aka Avobenzone), but this mist keeps my skin happy with 35% less alcohol than other sprays. The anti-oxidant rich formula is amazingly nourishing but without being oily. Vitamin C works longer term to improve the look of skin’s texture. The citrus scent keeps it light, but pleasant.

Supergoop! makes a fabulous lip balm in both mint and acai flavors. I can’t quit reaching for my tube of AcaiFusion’ Lip Balm SPF 30. I can rest assured at the pool that my lips get the sun protection they need with this stuff – the high UV-protection is fairly unique for lip products. In addition, the formula has the super berry acai to work as an anti-oxidant and repair damage. Shea butter hydrates. Lastly, vitamins E and C protect from free radicals and renew cells.

And naturally how could I not check out one of the hottest products to hit the beauty scene: CC Creams. Supergoop came out with their version recently and it is already a favorite. Supergoop! ‘Daily Correct’ CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 is powered by the physical sunscreens my sensitive skin loves, but without any white cast. I can use this as my foundation – it has a fairly substantial coverage. I’ve been wearing the light/medium and it is virtually a perfect match. Light-difussing mica helps disguise lines and wrinkles.

All Supergoop! products are vegan, hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.

Lustful Luxury Friday: Darphin Body Scrub and Lotion

There is something about Darphin that just immediately transports me to Paris. The sleek, oh-so-French typeset and beautiful (not cloying) scents are very European spa-like. This little bath and body duo is an indulgence. But not as big of an indulgence as flying yourself over to spa in the French countryside.

Darphin Aromatic Nourishing Smoothing Body Scrub is actually a gomage – a thicker and translucent gel that whips itself into a nourishing milk when it connects with water. The natural and organic ingredients like natural cranberry extracts, bamboo particles and silica powder work on lots of different levels to exfoliate and soften skin. One plus side on this scrub, in the shower it doesn’t just slide off of you so no wasted product!

And naturally, followed up by Darphin Silky Moisturizing Lotion we get the whole Darphin skin experience. This formula is used by beauty therapists at Darphin’s Paris Institute. It zaps skin with immediate and intense hydration, leaving skin smooth. The gel formula is perfect for the hotter months, particularly with its fast-absorbing properties.

All Star Products to Prep For a Big Event

We are in the throws of wedding season! And even if it isn’t your big day, I am willing to bet you’ve got some big social event on your calendar. I’ve come across a couple products that are game changers in bringing your best and brightest for those special events.

After using the GO SMiLE Double Action Whitening System, I was on the hunt for something that could help maintain my new white smile. Naturally, I turned to GO SMiLE again and have been using their ‘Truly Whitening™’ Toothpaste System. This kills two birds with one stone – brush as usual just as you would with your regular toothpaste. And just as effectively as a whitening strip but without the hassle, the paste works to remove stains. The two-tube system allows the use of whitening ingredients at a more powerful concentration that single-tube toothpastes simply can’t match.

Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Nylon Lash Extension System is one of those truly unique products. At first I thought this was just a mascara that sought to give false-like lashes. But not so. The three-step system actually is Flexistretch™ nylon lash fibers with a base and top coat. The activating mascara base and top coat is designed specifically to melt and seal the Flexistretch nylon fibers. These are truly special occasion lashes, wildly thick and long, without the price or mess of traditional false lashes.

Hampton Sun Serious Shimmer Cooling Spray – Bronze leaves skin looking sexy while still nourishing. To enhance that summer glow, this spray is slightly cooling with Hampton Sun’s classic, beachy scent. Aloe Vera, chamomile, and vitamins A through E hydrate skin, while shimmer leaves a very sheer shine on the skin. Use over time to improve the look of skin long-term.

Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme has been helping me heal dry, styling-fatigued hair. Providing a heavy duty dose of moisture, I use this as a pre-shampoo. You can also keep it handy at the beach or pool to protect hair from chlorine, salt and heat. My hair has less frizz and is super silky and smooth. Not to mention looks healthier and less damaged.

Crafted by a smaller indie brand, L.A. Christine N°3 Berry Face Oil uses the power of the Scandinavian Lingonberry, one of the most unique berries in the world. Dr. Oz calls it the new “Superfruit” because it is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories – plentiful organic acids, vitamin C and beta carotene. My skin has been more nourished and smoother since I’ve been using this both morning and night – just a couple drops and pat into your skin. Plus, makes for a great canvas for makeup.