Category: bath and body

Budget Beauty Buys

I’m back on Great Day Green Country on Tulsa’s FOX23 this morning to share all my new favorite finds from the drugstore aisles. Everything from a new awesome mascara to some seriously revolutionary hair care lines, there are some great beauty finds at low prices.

CeraVe Facial Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 will have fans of this dermatologist recommended brand thrilled. This sunscreen is powered with physical only blockers, limiting irritation. It also comes in stick form, which dries clear, preventing that dreaded white cast.

L’Oreal EverCurl is the first ever drugstore hair care line especially designed for curly hair. Check out my giveaway here to win the entire line! I’m giving away three gift baskets. Did I mention Jordin Sparks is a fan?

Simple Skincare Radiance Cleansing Wipes have become such a staple for me. This new version promotes a radiant complexion. And they are so perfect for those nights when you are just too darn tired for the whole skin care routine.

Nexxus Youth Renewal is part of one of the hottest beauty topics these days. Backed by some serious scientific research, these formulas adresss the eight signs of aging hair. The Elixir is especially exciting as a versatile styling agent that can give immediate results.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara was recently introduced to me by my dear friend, Jessica. Whoa – she was right! This mascara blew me away. The large fluffy brush gives you soft and full lashes that go on for miles.

AESOP Petitgrain Hydrating Body Gel

Anyone else shock their skin a little this weekend? I know my pale winter legs got a dose of sun and, while I didn’t get burned, there was certainly some heat going on. This Body Gel from AESOP is just what I needed. The Lemon and Grapefruit makes this gel perfectly unisex and ideal for summer. It is ultra-light and infused with calming Witch Hazel, famed for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. And it is also ideal for post shave. The serum-like texture leaves my skin soft and not greasy. When it really heats up, you can keep the tube in the fridge for an extra cool down effect. Leave it to this Australian skin care line to come up with the perfect summer hydration.

Available at Net-a-Porter.

Five Favorite Scents for Spring

Just a little round up on how I am shaking up my fragrance routine this time of year. Here are some of my current new favorites:

Hampton Sun Privet Bloom will take you right to the Hamptons. Lily of the valley, white hyacinth, sea spray, dune grass, blue plum and privet bloom feel fresh, clean and beachy.

Molton Brown Mahina just feels warm. The bottom note is vanilla but this is no sweet, generic scent. Tiare flower, cedar wood, citrus orange blossom and ylang-ylang round out with spiciness.

NEST Amazon Lily feels rich and fresh with Amazon Lilies, tangerine, lime, driftwood, and white musk. And the 18th Century botanical artwork on the bottle is stunning art for your vanity.

Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto embodies femininity but still holding onto some of that wood and spice I am wild about. Jasmine and green notes give it a lightness that makes it perfect for warmer months.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris has both a hard and soft side. The spice gives me a pep in my step while lemon leaf and orange leaf feel feminine. Vetiver and oud give me that warmth I am always drawn to.

NEW: bareMinerals Faux Tan Face and Body Sunless Tanner

I received the bareMinerals faux tanners this week and you cannot believe how quickly I tore into them. I blame my upcoming beach trip but I also think I was just plain excited to see what one of my favorite brands could do with the cranky products of self-tanner land.

First and foremost, these are easy to use. Their subtlety makes it hard to screw them up. With one major exception: with bareMinerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Tanner, just trust me, wear rubber or latex gloves. This has always been a favorite trick of mine. I shocking forgot my own beloved trick the other night and had to scrub like the devil to get the pigment out of my palms, even right after application.

With that being said, the golden tan looks super natural with a bronze glow. A mineral copper complex prolongs the color – mine is still going strong after three days. But like I said, with one application, the color is subtle. So be prepared to layer if you want a deeper shade.

I’ve fallen especially hard for Faux Tan Face Gradual Glow Sunless Tanner. bareMinerals has developed a unique tanning peptide that offers an even, golden and subtle tan. I’m always fearful of self-tanning my face, but this formula’s buildable nature is a breeze. Plant-derived emollients lock in moisture without clogging pores.

For those who want an easy, quality and natural looking tan, don’t hesitate snapping up this duo. Just a note for those with a sensitive nose: you definitely can smell this formula. It isn’t offensive and is more than offset by the elegant formula, but just FYI.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Six Favorite Sunscreens and Tanners

Time for another appearance on Great Day Green Country! This morning, I’m highlighting favorite sunscreens and tanners in honor of Springtime. I know the official first day is in March, but there is something about it finally being April that makes me ready to soak up some sun. First, a couple notes about sunscreen:

FDA is now prohibiting the use of ultra-high SPF numbers on packaging. You don’t need to seek out shockingly high SPF factors like 100 – they don’t do anything more than SPF 50. Look for SPF 20 and higher (50 for the most sun intense days) and make sure to reapply very frequently.
Sunscreen sprays haven’t been thoroughly tested – if you decide to use them make sure you liberally spray completely covering skin and let them soak in (don’t rub).
For the best sun protection look for zinc or titanium oxide. My sensitive skin tends to do better with these “physical blockers” and they are the more proven sun protection ingredients.

Now on for my favorites:

ZO Skin Health ‘Oclipse’ Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30

I do my best to wear sunscreen every single day, but this stuff makes you want to wear it. The primer/sunscreen hybrid features natural melanin to reflect those nasty pigment causing rays. The silky formula works perfectly under makeup. (Tulsa folks: you can also purchase these products from Gabriel Horn at Dr. Manduano’s office).

Kate Somerville Body Glow Sunscreen SPF20

Kate always does it right – this SPF has the prettiest golden pearls that improve the look of skin while hiding imperfections. SolarX Complex blocks UVA and UVB rays while antioxidants like rosemary extract work to improve skin inside out. Mango butter hydrates and Caffeine improves tone and contours.

Cle de Peau Beaute UV Protection Cream Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50+

A truly luxurious sunscreen, the price point on this one can be shocking. But I’ve had my tube for quite a while and cherish every drop. The silky and creamy sunscreen prevents photo aging. It uniquely contains thyme and turmeric extracts to prevent DNA damage to cells that cause wrinkle formation. I love this under makeup, but it also has a luminous finish on its own – perfect for looking good at the pool.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 50+

For the sports buffs, this sunscreen is a champion for extreme outdoor protection. This formula soaks seamlessly into skin and has great high value SPF. It is very water-resistant so less need to stop and reapply if you are in the middle of a race (or just a marathon pool session). It is also perspiration-resistant and sand-proof.

Brush On Block BOB Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen

This novel formula provides invisible, natural sun protection in powder form, avoiding that whole greasy issue. I love this for traveling because you don’t have to deal with that pesky 3 ounce liquid rule. It also is fabulous for children or men with thinning hair.

Xen-Tan Luminous Gold Gel Sparkle Weekly Medium Self-Tan

I just won’t shut up about this fabulous self-tanner so I am going to mention it again. This clear, silky formula leaves the prettiest bronze shade. I sense no odor and the iridescent golden shimmer gives instant gratification. It is also so valuable when you can’t pass the drying time with dark clothes – feel free to wear while or light colors without fear.

And a note for those who are looking for something at the drugstore: I am a huge fan of the L’Oreal Sublime product line. They smell great, look good and are easy to use.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

NEST Fragrances Body & Soul Eau de Toilette Spray

I’ve said many many times to my beloved Moroccan Amber candles: “I wish I could douse myself in your scent.” And I can and have been since last summer with their launch of personal care products. But now, NEST Fragrances has gone a step further and released Body & Soul Eau de Toilette Spray, embodying six all-star scents.

I’ve found the Body & Soul sprays to be exact replicas of the home fragrance. They layer remarkably well. It sounds odd, but I’ve been wearing Grapefruit and Moroccan Amber together for a sweet, spicy woodiness. I can’t wait to pick up Orange Blossom for summer. And as usual, NEST packages these guys beautifully in a masculine and classic ombre glass bottle. The spray wears with staying power throughout the day, packed with a pretty strong dose of fragrance.

Moss & Mint: Garden mint, apple blossom and muguet are infused with a touch of oakmoss and vetiver.
Wasabi Pear: Anjou pear and fresh, ozonic watery notes are infused with the essence of wasabi.
Bamboo: Flowering bamboo is mingled with a variety of white florals, sparkling citrus and fresh green accords.
Moroccan Amber: Moroccan amber, sweet patchouli, heliotrope and bergamot are accented with a hint of eucalyptus.
Orange Blossom: Orange blossom, orchid, tiare flower and freesia are combined with tangerine, lemon and musk.
Grapefruit: Pink pomelo grapefruit and watery green nuances are blended with lily of the valley and coriander blossom.

NEST Fragrance Body & Soul Eau de Toilette Sprays are available at Neiman Marcus. Shop the fragrances here: