Tag: body oil

Body Care For Fall

I love transitions between seasons. Sifting through makeup, fashion and fragrances, I’ve been rotating in more fall-friendly shades, textures and notes. My fruity perfume was temporarily retired while I returned to my beloved NEST Fragrances Midnight Fleur (and new White Sandlewood – more on that next week!). Sweaters are pulled down from the top shelf. And deeper, richer hues adorn my eyes and lips.

But routines don’t stop changing there. Taking care of your body, skin and health also requires some adjustment. Especially if you live in a part of the country that gets über dry. Read on for my top five body care items for the fall:

The newest scent from Bliss is ‘Grapefruit + Aloe’ which might sound more like Spring, but it is putting a pep in my step. Bliss ‘Grapefruit + Aloe’ Body Butter soothes my easily irritated skin and this long time favorite formula has no greasy feel. It also comes in a body wash and bubble bath.

Caudalie stole my heart when they came out with Divine Oil. The spray body oil has the best scent and is so nourishing for my skin. Now they really outdid themselves with Divine Legs, a perfectly bronze-y tinted lotion that works to improve the look of your legs (or arms or decolletage). Skip the hassle of self-tanner and slather on notes of grapefruit, rose, pink pepper, vanilla, cedar, and white musk.

Tom Ford Black Orchid Hydrating Emulsion is the ultimate in luxe body care. His fragrances are so perfectly unisex and those masculine notes fit with the changing season. This satin-like hydrating treatment has woodsy, spicy and floral notes.

You know me… I can’t resist a good body oil (see above). And Clarins ‘Tonic’ Body Treatment Oil goes above and beyond. This formula works to firm skin and can prevent pregnancy or weight loss related stretch marks. And you can’t beat the scent thanks to natural plant extracts and aromatic essential oils.

And I know I’ve mentioned it before, but this self-tanner takes the cake if you want to prolong that summer glow. Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse is super long-lasting, has great color and is odorless. I like applying with a mitt using Medium, but it is also available in Dark. Bonus for a gluten, cruelty, and oil free formula.

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.

Divine Caudalie and NYC Vinexpert Celebration Event

I wasn’t sure Caudalie could impress me more after I fell hard for their Divine Oil. But they recently blew me away with a whole collection of goodies based on the Divine Oil. First up, a little recap on the body oil I continue to reach for after all these months:

Caudalie Divine Oil:

This stuff smells most like my beloved Tocca and its spray dispenser makes it easy to measure out reasonable doses. The vegetable oil blend is quite the multi-tasker, perfect for in the bath, right out of the shower, on hair or even nails. The fragrance Moroccan rose, Bulgarian rose, grapefruit, pink pepper, cedar, vanilla and white musk can also be a treat during a massage.

Caudalie Divine Scrub:

With the same lovely scent, this scrub uses natural plant oils and brown sugar for a gentle exfoliation. I get a little foaming action – which I love. Not only does it leave a little fragrance, but my skin is insanely soft thanks to the oils. Prefect prep for my Divine Oil addiction.

Caudalie Divine Legs:

And the real gem of the collection. I didn’t think anything could make me drool more than the Divine Oil, but this new cult classic was worth the effort to track down. It has been selling out like crazy. I’m already hooked as my summer glow is fading. This isn’t a self tanner but gives the perfect instant touch of sun. It isn’t terribly tinted, making it almost universal. It also acts as a great lotion. And the bronze finish is instantly slimming. This is definitely a fall must have for me.

And for you lucky little devils that live in New York City… You must know about a celebration at the Caudalie boutiques coming up. The festivities are in honor of the vine harvest and Caudalie’s newly reformulated Vinexpert line with Resveratrol. Enjoy instant-lift mini facials, French cheese and Grand Cru sips. There is a $25 reservation fee that can be used as store credit at the party. May I suggest something from the Divine Collection?! Details:

315 Bleecker St. (@ Grove) September 20-21 (Friday & Saturday)

1031 Lexington Ave. (@74^th) September 26-27 (Thursday & Friday)

Please RSVP at www.caudalie.eventbrite.com

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.

Best Body Oils

I fell hard for body oils when I came across my beloved Tocca Dry Body Oil. Alas, it is long gone – how could they do that to meeee??? RIP. Ever since, I’ve been digging through every body oil I come across in the search of something perfect. While none quite live up to my beloved Tocca, these five come pretty close and are outstanding in their own way.

Omorovizca Gold Shimmer Oil:

This oil gives instant shimmer while sending skin care ingredients to work, improving the look of your skin over the long term. Gold acts as an anti-inflammatory and can repair damage caused by aging and the sun. Apricot Kernal and Carrot Oil provide a dose of Vitamin A. Vitamin E boosts collagen and works as an antioxidant. And Calendula heals and repairs. The tiny flecks of gold add a subtle glow – after application run your hands through your hair for a bit of glimmer there as well.

Note: Now through Sunday, May 5th is Neiman Marcus Scent Event so great excuse to pick up this oil and get a tote chock full of samples.

Ila Body Oil for Vital Energy:

I consider this a therapeutic oil. If I am down in the dumps or pretty sore from a workout, I turn to this blend of Argan Oil, Rosehip Seed and Juniper Berry. The herbal scents are pretty strong, so this wouldn’t be my choice before a black tie event (and certainly not before a date!). But the formula works to drain the lymphatic system and improve circulation boosting overall well being. Organic and hand-blended in the Cotswolds, England.

Johnson’s Baby Oil:

Sometimes there is nothing like an old classic. I add a splash to my bath and end up coming out with a perfect silky hydration. The gel formula also works great in the shower and comes in a Cocoa Butter formula – perfect for summer. And a little trick, I like pouring a little around the edges of the tub to prevent hairs from a shave sticking to the walls.

Caudalie Divine Oil:

Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil:

This is for you guys looking for something organic. But that isn’t all. This beautifully crafted oil includes 14 natural ingredients and is made at a farm in Vermont. The formula quickly absorbs and instantly turns skin supple and healthy. Frankincense and Arnica work to reduce puffiness. Alfalfa Extract and soothing Calendula energize skin, leaving it more radiant.

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.

Winter Weather Blues – Dry Skin Cures

I woke up to the coldest morning yet this season and my skin definitely knew it. Adjusting to a colder climate has set me on a search for what battles itchy, dry skin best and I have some leaders already lining my shelves. Here are my favorite lotion and potions to protect your skin from winter dryness:

CeraVe Moisturizing Skin Cream: This thick cream is like a little tub of drugstore heaven. The dermatologist-developed formula has no scent, focusing only on deep hydration. Its patented MVE formulation releases ceramides and other essential ingredients throughout the day. There is zero irritation, and anyone with sensitive or irritable skin should love this. On really dry days, I slather this on as soon as I get out of the shower. It absorbs quickly and leaves skin quenched all day long.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè: I can’t resist a good European import. Especially when I see it in makeup artist’s toolkits so frequently. Often used as a primer, this has a rich lotion consistency while providing cream-strength hydration. I love soothing my skin with this cream after retinol agitation. The formula contains emulsifying and softening agents with active moisturizers that are symbiotic with our skin’s natural balance and encouraging the rebuilding of the hydrolipidic layer.

Kiehl’s Limited Edition Kenny Scharf Creme de Corps: I’m frankly embarassed it took me so long to try this iconic lotion. But might as well try out the limited edition Kenny Scharf version for my first time. Again, this is an unscented lotion – I feel like the focus should be on hydration for serious dry skin. The classic formula absorbes quickly, plumps skin and heals. I like using this at night because there is no stickiness when you are under the sheets.

Caudalie Vinotherapie Divine Oil: This smells so similar to my old, impossible to find favorite – Tocca Body Oil – that I can’t help but go gaga. The spray dispenser is so much easier to use than a simple open top. This particular item is fragranced, but in the most soothing, spa-like way (“subtle, floral and sunkissed fragrance, punctuated with woody undertones”). Grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan oils are combined with anti-oxidant polythenols. My skin looks more luminous. And last night, I even used this on dry ends of hair. It absorbed quickly and left my hair shiny and bouncy. And confession, I even sprayed this on my face with results similar to my trusty Rodin Olio Lusso.

JR Watkins Body Oil Mist: This drugstore body oil also has a spray nozzle and drenches the skin in moisture. I’ve been using lavender, coconut and grapefruit and adore them all. Apricot kernel oil and vitamin E to nourish the skin while providing nutrients. And the oil is quickly absorbed.

And of course, my beloved bliss body butters work great on dry winter skin. See my review from yesterday here.

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.

Love My Body Indulge Me Body Oil from Victoria’s Secret

I wasn’t sure what to expect with that name. But it was a body oil, and I can’t not try a body oil. So glad I did, because all four scents have already become favorites. And like Victoria’s Secret says…. Soft skin is sexy skin. 🙂

The dry oil is infused with argan, grape seed and monoi oils. It is quickly absorbed but leaves skin highly moisturized and smooth. I apply in the shower before towel drying. But it also looks great on bare legs when you need some sheen. Or on dry skin at night for intense hydration. My only beef is the dispenser only releases a small bit per pump and I love it so, I can never seem to get enough. The fragrances are very light and fresh, so they don’t really leave a strong scent.

Grapefruit and Basil (green and clean)
Jasmine and Water Lily (feminine and fruity)
White Tea and Sage (herbal and rich)
Orchid and Bamboo (sophisticated and floral)

Right now, they are on sale online for 3 for $24. How can you resist? Clearly, I cannot.