Tag: scrub

Brand Spotlight: Mario Badescu & 5 Products Everyone Should Own

Mario-Badescu

I’ve been deep in the world of Mario Badescu for the last couple of weeks. Not a bad place to be at all. The products, established by  Romanian-born Mario Badescu in 1967 in New York, are based on Eastern European skincare with a focus on being simple, gentle and effective. The price point is compelling, bringing luxe results and reasonable prices. Today, the spa attracts stars and beauty gals in the know (I dream of one day visiting). While I have always had mad respect for the brand, I haven’t really had a chance to dive in and discover some of the crown jewels. Today, I am rounding up five of their products that I think every woman (and actually men too) should have in their bathrooms.

1. Glycolic Foaming Cleanser: My obsession with Glycolic Acid is no secret. There is nothing better to break down debris on the skin to reveal more even, radiant skin. This version is super soothing (the formula is amped up with herbal extracts). They recommend using a couple times weekly, but I just can’t stay away – shhhh. This works like a champ with my Clarisonic.

2. Almond and Honey Face Scrub: I may or may not have just gone into my shower and taken a huge whiff of this stuff. Do you like almond scents as much as me? You won’t be able to resist this yummy concoction  This non-abrasive scrub has finely ground Almonds and Cornmeal to gently remove dead skin cells. The honey acts to hydrate and soften skin. YUM.

3. Drying Lotion: Is there a more iconic Mario Badescu product? I think not. I’ve owned this in the past, but feeling high and mighty about having my acne under control, it has been out of the rotation. Well, a short day after getting my paws on a new bottle, I got the deepest, most annoying blemish on my neck. SO RANDOM. Anyway, I used this spot treatment loaded with salicylic acid and calamine and that bugger shrunk right up overnight. Don’t shake this stuff – just dip a cotton swab past the liquid into the pink lotion and dot on the blemish. Don’t rub in. (Note: this will also take the itch out of mosquito bites!)

4. Hyaluronic Eye Cream: I’m dry… dry… dry. And nothing looks less cute than a dry, haggard under eye. This calls for the revival skills of Hyaluronic Acid which looks in moisture without leaving a greasy or heavy feel. After a couple minutes of absorption, this eye cream works like a dream under makeup. I’ve been using it day and night and darkness and dryness are banished! You can also use this on the lips.

5. Oil-free Moisturizer SPF 30: I admit, I turned up my nose at first to an oil-free moisturizer. But in the interest of blogging, I tested it out and was so so impressed. The formula has a balance between being lightweight and hydrating (not an easy task for a sunscreen). Green Tea fights premature aging while Aloe Vera hydrates and softens skin. St. John’s Wort soothes and repairs. This is my new recommendation to those who need sun protection after starting a retinol treatment. Dry skin suffers, don’t shy away. This keeps my skin comfortable all day.

So, Mario Badescu fans, tell me in the comments… which of your favorites did I miss?

Shop my favorites here:

Mario Badescu products can also be found at Nordstrom.

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.

Me & The Girls Lavandula Revive Food Scrub and Softening Creme

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Yikes, my feet are looking rough. I know it is only January but pool time will be here before you know it. And I have some work to do on these tootsies. I was recently introduced to a natural skincare brand, Me & The Girls. Sharon Hackney, Me & The Girls Founder and CEO, has crafted a line up of organic, vegan products housed in a beautiful AND eco-friendly packaging. With an eye towards trying to stay non-toxic and chemical free, I had to give some of the bath products a whirl.

I’m a sucker for anything lavender so I immediate dove into the Lavandula Revive Foot Scrub during my latest bath time. It is an intense scrub that still manages to revitalize. The organic sugar cane exfoliates while the spearmint butter crème base gives a minty tingle. I’m not pool ready yet, but this is certainly helping.

Post bath, I slathered on Lavandula Revive Foot Softening Creme, loaded with Cupuacu Seed Butter and Avacado Oil. The calming lavender scent is balanced out with just a hint of mint. Slip on some comfy socks and let that stuff go to work. Not only did my feet feel better, but the moisturized skin was easier to care for and looked better.

Also, as a side note, I am also hooked on Limonum Sugar Body Scrub – these guys know how to do a good scrub! You can find Me & The Girls goodies at shop.meandthegirls.com.

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.

Beach Body Summer Picks

Here’s a round-up of some of my favorite skin-savers I have found this summer:

1. Bliss Blood Orange+White Pepper Soapy Suds: I love a good lather (especially after a hot day), and bliss does it right. But at the same time, it doesn’t dry out your skin. They throw in aloe and vitamin E so soften your skin. I love this for a spicy bath, but it also works great in the shower. And the scent can’t be beat.

2. VI Derm Exfoliating Body Wash with 15% Glycolic and Body Lotion with 15% Glycolic: Those nasty red bumps on my arms and legs are never pleasant. But they are especially bothersome in the summer with tanks, swimsuits and shorts de rigueur. I used KP Duty this winter with some success, but my new favorite weapon against Keratosis Pilaris (50% of Americans have it) is glycolic in the form of body wash and lotion from VI Medical. The citrus scent is delightful and this stuff works wonders. Be careful – glycolic can make you more sensitive to the sun’s harmful rays.

3. AHAVA Mineral Suncare Sun Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer, SPF 50: You have already heard me go on and on about quality sun care protection and how necessary it is. So I won’t repeat here. But what I also love about this sunscreen is the addition of minerals, vitamins and moisturizing agents. It takes the anti-aging mission a step further and makes my skin look better.

4. Giovanni Cool Mint Lemon Salt Scrub with Crushed Mint Leaves: This vegetarian scrub is like magic. Not only does it smooth, soothe and regenerate skin in the shower. It continues to cool skin long after you have dried off. This has to be an all time summer MVP, especially during these triple digit days down here in Oklahoma.

5. SKIN SO SOFT Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Towelettes: Bugs hate me and I hate them. Not only do they love to bite me, but I tend to have the most unattractive reaction with itchiness and red bumps. This travel-safe repellant has been my savior. It is completely effective, doesn’t smell obnoxious and keeps those suckers (literally) away.

bliss Blood Orange+White Pepper Sugar Scrub

Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Body Scrub on Belle Belle Beauty

You know how some scrubs kinda hurt and then are a total pain to get all those granules off of you? So annoying. I have hunted and found the elusive scrub that doesn’t hurt, is totally effective and makes your skin baby soft. A little bonus: this scrub foams! After a moment of confusion and surprise, I was even more blown away by my new favorite shower indulgence. 

We should all be aware that self-tanning requires a pre-scrub, so I consider this a summer must have, especially the day before a spray tan.  But I already know I will crave this bright scent in the winter too.  The polish has a citrus, white pepper scent with a touch of coriander. Sounds delish, right? It was actually inspired by a cocktail!

And one other point worth mentioning.  The body polish effect was profound! At my little soiree this weekend, I wore a short cocktail dress and was thrilled with the shimmer and glimmer my legs rocked after using this stuff.