Category: bath and body

Bliss Raspberry Champagne Body Butter

I had crowned Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper as my favorite bliss fragrance (adore the Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Scrub). But there is a new scent in town. The limited edition, limited quantity Raspberry Champagne Body Butter is perfectly festive, fresh and cheerful.

I’m not sure what makes this champagne scented – but it definitely conjures daydreams of the bubbly. Perhaps it is a slightly grape flavor, but the leading lady is the rasbperry. Like bliss’ other body butters, this rich lotion is massively hydrating and leaves a subtle glow (there is no shimmer but I look more luminous). You can use this after a shower or bath, but I can stop slathering it on every time I walk by as it sits on my counter. This vividly scented body lotion definitely says “cheers!”

Shop here for Raspberry Champagne Body Butter and my other bliss favorites:

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.

Scrub Soaps

I recently passed along some samples of scrub soap along to beau beau, my male guinea pig. After trying them out for a couple weeks, he couldn’t help but rave. So much so that I needed to hunt some down for myself. These soaps slough skin with physical exfoliators like oat bran. I was concerned about irritation, but these guys both got my skin extraordinarily clean without injuring delicate areas. It was so helpful in tackling dry elbows, feel and backs of arms.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap may technicallly be a men’s product, but ladies, you will want to borrow this one. It is designed for thicker skin, with natural oat bran, oat kernal and pumice. The soap itself has a refreshing scent and lathers while you work on your tougher skin. I prefer this to the standard pumice as it cleans and is slightly gentler. For those of you with men who have rough skin, this will soften without leaving an overly feminine fragrance.

If you prefer a little more bang for your buck, Bliss Mammoth Minty Scrub Soap is an ENORMOUS bar of soap that is well designed, effective and refreshing. Not only is the bar large, but it is hard-milled making it extra long lasting. Jojoba beads offer a gentler exfoliation. And the mint oil make it superbly refreshing.

Jack Black, of lip balm fame, makes a ‘Turbo Body Bar™’ Scrubbing Soap that offers that deep clean men seem to crave. There is a good amount of lather and hydration (murumuru and shea butters) in this bar, along with exfoliation. The scent is invigorating with natural blue lotus and ginkgo biloba making it a dream for early mornings. Natural lava rock is a hefty but gentle exfoliator.

What is On My Nightstand

I’ve been a little obsessive with my nighttime routine and I wanted to share my favorite products during evening hours:

Lucas PawPaw Ointment – This Australian ointment is like Aquaphor but better. It has Papaya to help exfoliate and my lips have never been so healthy. No wonder it has been around for 100 years.
Jason Vitamin E Oil – I’ve had cracking dry skin on my feet and hands. This nourishing (albeit a little messy) oil contains essential oils of Black Currant, Evening Primrose, Macadamia Nut and Borage. It is a truly intensive treatment if you need to heal skin quickly.
Bliss 24-Heaven Healing Balm – I can’t stop talking about this moisturizing cream. It is thick but absorbs quickly and leaves skin hydrated and supple.
Avene Thermal Spring Water – I picked this up on whim in New York City. It is a refreshing spray that adds moisture and can act as a makeup remover in a pinch. A little on a cotton ball and I don’t feel so guilty for not washing my face on those late nights.
Bio-Oil – Can you tell I have dry skin? For those nights I need a little extra dose of moisture, I use this on my arms and legs. I spot treated on a nasty bruise on my arm and really do think it sped healing.
LoLLIA Relax – I reach for this in the AM too. The main note is lavender, but the bee blossom honey and Indian amber add a sweet spiciness. I am a big believer in aromatherapy and this makes it a little easier to unwind.

Fall Fragrances

I’ve been adding to my perfume stash with the change in seasons in mind. The cozy, warm herbal fragrances are definitely my favorite and this is the perfect time of year to work these into the rotation. Here are my current favorites:

Lollia Relax Eau de Parfum is probably my new most favorite fragrance (and actually beauty item). I am addicted to the gentle, soothing fragrance with lavender, white orchid, Tahitian vanilla, bee blossom honey, and Indian amber. It sits by my bed, ready for part of my nighttime routine to practice some aromatherapy relaxation. But I find myself reaching for the beautiful bottle in the morning as well.

A Dozen Roses Amber Queen Eau de Parfum Spray is on the floral edge of the spectrum with apricot, clementine, a hint of ginger and amber. It finds femininity in an exotic Bengal rose accord but still manages to stay light and fresh on the skin. This fragrance is youthful but regal at the same time.

Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir Eau de Parfum has the musky, woody flavor I have been craving with the arrival of cooler evenings. The stunning bottle screams modern and feminine. No wonder with the top note of lily of the valley and middle note of Sambac jasmine.

Chanel COCO Noir is the first Chanel perfume I have been drawn to in a while. For me, it is a departure from classic Chanel with patchouli and sandalwood. Grapefruit and bergamot give it lightness and the floral theme persists with rose and jasmine. On me, the finished product dries down fairly rosy, but the sandalwood gives it the sophistication I am craving.

Houbigant Paris Orangers en Fleurs Eau de Parfum is a warm, luxurious translation of the Orange Blossom, one of my favorites. (Did you know the Orange Blossom is a symbol of fertility, of abundance—because Orange trees produce flowers and fruit at the same time?) Turkish rose and Egyptian jasmine absolute round out the brisk orange blossom. At first, the tuberose is prominent, but as it dries, Nutmeg, Ylang and cedar wood round it out. The result is a woody, musky floral.

Right now, Neiman Marcus is celebrating 10 days of beauty. Just by purchasing any cosmetics or fragrance item, you earn an entry to win a beauty bundle.One lucky lady will win ALL of the bundles (whoa!)

They are giving one away a day through October 20th. You can also enter here.

Shop my fragrance finds here:

Drugstore Favorites for the Fall

I’ve been trolling the beauty section of my local drug store and want to report on some of my current favorites. I’m keeping in mind the fall trends and drier air. Not to mention the big holiday parties we have coming up. Not included in the round up was the obligatory candy corn I stocked up on yesterday. Why is that stuff so good?

CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation: I’ve been really impressed with this foundation. It has medium coverage with a matte finish, without requiring a ton of product. I love the addition of skin care, so you are working to improve the appearance of your skin. It plays especially well with my drier skin.

Visine Maximum Redness Relief Eye Drops: At first I was skeptical of this red carpet staple. But I am so glad I picked some up at the store. I used it recently before a big event and my eyes were clear and bright. I needed less eye makeup and I appeared more awake. I probably wouldn’t use this in my daily rotation, but I now consider this a “must have” for big nights out.

Olay Age Defying Instant Hydration Serum: Olay is definitely a forerunner in the skin care game along side so many luxury contenders. This hydrating primer would be a perfect moisturizer for someone with oilier skin. I use it as a primer – it has very similar consistancy to Smashbox Hydrating Primer. And I keep it at my desk to treat dry spots throughout the day.

Bio-Oil Scar Treatment: While marketed as a scar treatment, Bio-Oil also makes for a great body oil. While I do use this on some older scars, hoping to see some improvement, I’ve found it makes for a great moisturizer post shower. It has a baby powder scent with a smooth, non-greasy finish.

Essie Miss Fancy Pants: Essie did it again with their fall collection. While the bolder colors are also fabulous, I love this grey taupe for an understated elegance. If you want something more festive, try Stylenomics.

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Victoria’s Secret Seduction Dark Orchid GIVEAWAY

Victoria’s Secret beauty isn’t the “frothy confection” it used to be (Revenge fans, see what I did there?). Back in the day, VS Beauty was a collection of sweet, pink and glitter. But today, they offer sophisticated fragrance and some real winners in the makeup department. I already have raved about their body oil (see post here). And now I am swooning over Victoria’s Secret Seduction Dark Orchid.

I’ve been using Dark Orchid perfume, body spray and lotion for a week. The chilly weather was a perfect excuse to test drive a sultry, richer fragrance. Dark Orchid is a blend of Midnight Orchid, Crushed Plum and Oud Wood – making it a kind of provocative, darker scent. Details on the fragrance notes:

Top notes: Crème de cassis, blood orange, crushed plum, pineapple blossom, bergamot, yuzu zest
Middle notes: Jasmine, red ginger orchid, dark red calla lilies, midnight orchid, muguet petals
Dry-down notes: Smooth warm amber, oud wood, tonka beans, amber crystals, cashmere woods, creamy musk

Because of the high drama, I love the option of the fragrance mist (aka body spray). It has a less intense feel. The lotion is hydrating and absorbs quickly, leaving behind just a hint of Dark Orchid. And the Eau de Parfume, in a beautiful square bottle, is intense but not heady. You better bet I will be hunting down the candle.

I’m so happy to share this collection with my readers. Three lucky winners will receive the entire fragrance set. Open to residents in US, Canada and London. Enter using the widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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