TheMakeupGirl

Barely There: Veet In Shower Hair Removal Cream...

Okay so I know that a lot of you have hair issues (who doesn't?) but me...I am one of the lucky ones.  I have to be honest, I am pretty hairless minus the old bikini line and I am so not good about waxing like I used to be.  Now with all of these reports coming out about bacteria hanging out on razor blades I am starting to re-think how often I use them.  So I was excited when Veet started making products that weren't so god awful smelling!  I like the idea of going in the shower with a less than perfect bikini line and coming out smooth.

I decided to check out Veet In Shower Hair Removal Cream and it is truly like gold to me.  I used it before I went to Atlanta and I am telling you, not one razor bump or irritated area just smooth skin and in under 3 minutes!  They have several versions, one with a razorless blade (perfect for legs) and the thicker formulas for coarser hair like your bikini line or underarms (although the box said you can use it on bikini line, underarms AND legs so go for it!) 

The cream itself is really thick and stays put, it is designed to work in the shower so from the second you put it on it starts to work the magic. Wash your hair while it does it's thing!  Do not leave this on for more than 6 minutes though (I didn't try that but the box said so...I listened!) it comes with this little loofah sponge that really helps to get all the hair off and I you know what...smooth almost like waxing I kid you not.

At $6.99 - it is cheaper than a Brazilian honey...and waaaay less invasive!

Available at Drugstore.com

Smooth Pretty!!

Get This: Sephora Brand Dry Oil...

As you know, I was on a little mini-vacation last week in HOTlanta.  We had so much fun but I was definitely mad as hell when my travel size body lotion leaked all over the inside of my case!  Off to Sephora I went...and I discovered this little gem Sephora Dry Oil.



They come in a 5oz size (too big for travel but I packed it in my suitcase and prayed), and they have all these yummy scents!  The best thing about it...my skin drank it in like water, no greasy feel and the scent was nice but not overpowering enough to compete with my fragrance.  I picked up Coconut Cream and Asian Ginger but they have 13 to choose from.

Spray Pretty!!

Get This: Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream...

Are you in a “situation” with rough spots on hand knees or elbows? Hey my Nana used to chase me around with cut lemons to alleviate my rough areas so I feel your pain. Summertime is the WORST time to have “ashy” hands, knees or elbows.  They show up more because you are revealing more of your body in the summer.  But what you may NOT know is that in addition to scrubbing (or in my case burning) away roughness, you still have to put some substantial moisture back in.  Not just any kind of moisture, but one that has some serious penetrating power.

The skin where you have roughness is thicker than the other areas not affected, so you need to find something that won’t just sit on top and eventually get rubbed off by your bed sheets.  Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream will do just that.  First off it is made with Glycerin another of my Nana’s wonder cures. It contains vitamin E, vitamin B2, camphor and LOADS of Glycerin.

The first time I used this it was on my hands (which aren’t rough but I was looking for a good hand cream).  I was amazed at how quickly it absorbed into my skin AND my hands weren’t greasy.  I could pick up a glass and it wouldn’t slip!  So I read up on it and discovered it was a great all around cream as well.  You can use this on your hands, feet, elbows you name it!  I have been using this since I found it in the apothecary in NY 17 years ago and now It has achieved somewhat of a cult status,  The cream was created by a Japanese pharmacist back in 1957 and is the #1 selling medicated skin care cream in Japan today.  It contains no artificial colors, fragrances, oils, or petroleum. You can find it in jars and a tube (which is very handy, I keep one in my purse and my desk drawer).

Stay Pretty!!

Get This: Origins Spice Odyssey Foaming Body Scrub...

I do have some go to products that I use in the summer, one of them is  body scrub.  I like to keep the elbows, knees and body skin as smooth as possible.  So imagine my surprise when my mother introduced me to something I hadn't tried yet.  I was at her house on the weekend and she says, "Oh you should try this new scrub i got at Origins, it's kind of weird though because it feels like moss."  WHAT??  I had to investigate.  Origins Spice Odyssey does indeed feel like moss but as soon as the water hits, it turns into a foamy scrub that smells divine!

"This scrub is a great escape with some exotic spicy scents Including Clove, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Paprika – penetrate pores to perform the ultimate purification ritual. Finely ground Walnut Shells and Coconut Shells slough away dulling dryness. Avocado Oil and Sweet Almond Oil moisturize and condition."

As soon as I used it in the shower, I was intoxicated by the smell!  It was crazy!  SO thank you mama for feeding my already insatiable beauty habit and I promise to replace the jar I stole from you.

Scrub Pretty!!

Drugstore Diva: Schick Quattro...

Happy Independence Day!!!  I am sitting here in my living room trying to make a list of what I will need for my little trip to ATL in two weeks.  And although I won't be near any water, I still want to have smooth legs, underarms and ahem bikini line.  I have been experimenting with SEVERAL hair removal options over the past month or so and one of them is the new Schick Quattro razor for women.  Now if you are like me, you are thinking 4 blades??  Good god!  Yes I know this is strange for me too and this is the second 4 blade razor I have tested and I see why they are in such high favor.

For years, men have had the advantage of a 4 blade razor (why should we suffer??) so the whole four blade things is a no brainer for me.  Now on to the razor itself...I like that this razor had some weight to it, it's not all plastic-y feeling.  The blades glide along very easily and just to be tough on it, I shaved on a Sunday and shaved again on Tuesday, it got EVERY hair AND I didn't slice up my skin either...FAB.  I would recommend using some kind of shave gel/cream instead of just soap.  The blades do have a little moisture strip but that is pretty much useless (as it is with most razors because it just dried out too fast.)  Overall a VERY nice razor, it feels professional, almost like I am borrowing a boyfriends!  But guess what...this one is pink so it's definitely mine.

Shave Pretty!!

Beauty By Josi: Beautify your Hands with AB Hands Skincare by Dr. Craig Austin!

Yep, it finally happened to me. I have heard for a few years now how "your hands can age you" and "why spend all this time on making your face look good and then have old hands,etc,etc..." and honestly ignored it.  Then seemingly overnight, one day I looked down at my hands and the skin on the back of them just didn't look "right". It's not so much that they are wrinkled (although that is starting too) but more that the skin looks THINNER and kind of paper-ish....LOVELY...time to call in reinforcements!

So that's exactly what I did..if ya'll remember awhile back, when I first introduced you to Dr.Craig Austin and his AB skincare line I was pretty pumped because of his heavy use of glycolic acid....I have used it in various forms on my face during the times it wasn't having any prescription retinoid use (for what-ever reason....my skin is so damn finicky). I have found that glycolic acid in pharmaceutical-grade, dermatologist skincare products to be pretty darn effective and so naturally, was hopeful it could do the same thing for my now sad-looking little hands.

Well I was right (toot,toot)...after the first night I used these pads I noticed the next morning that the crepiness was G-O-N-E....my hands looked more supple....kind of "plumped" up a bit! I figure that's cause it's safer for the doctor to put a higher concentration of glycolic acid in products for the body vs the face? I don't know...whatever the reason these are little miracle pads...super easy to use  and super-effective. I give them an A++++

Tip: I keep these pads right on my nightstand and apply right before bed...they feel slightly "sticky" but when you wake up the next morning your hands feel really soft...and to keep the results going, I just apply my daily face moisturizer/SPF to areas I treat with the pads the next AM.

AB Skincare is available in Dr. Austin's offices and at his skincare website . The AB Hand treatment retails for $95 dollars.....

Stay Beautiful...

Beauty By Josi: War on Hair with the New TRIA..(Phase 1)!

Holy technology boys and girls.....we are getting even closer to winning the war on hair! Finally, the first ever AT HOME lazer hair removal device has gotten a green light from the FDA! Meet the TRIA ...available as of May 2008 from physicians and at spas and specialty retailers coming this Fall 2008.

The price tag (gulp)...$995..but if you do the math (and I can't even do it in my head but I know it's a lot) it will save you thousands if you are one of those ladies that goes to the dermo for laser hair removal or even if you are considering it.  The lowdown with traditional lasewr hair removal is that it takes several sessions (anywhere from 3-8 per area and from around $150-$300 per session) it can be up to $3000 bucks to permanently remove hair from just ONE AREA...and with TRIA you remove however much hair you want, wherever you want for $1000 bucks or less...

I am just pleased-as-punch to have been chosen as one of the lucky few in our beauty blogosphere to give this baby a go-go. Now, I was thinking that I wanted to start this out with some really great before and afters...but since the TRIA works better on just shaved skin, I had to shave all my bits first!

I will tell you though that I used it for the first time last night and it was a cinch....this is some serious technology ya'll. This baby comes with it's own little sensor that you have to test your skin with first (so it can make sure you are the right skin color) before it will unlock the machine!

And while I am so happy that it can think safely for me.... that's the over-all bummer about laser hair removal in general.  Since the laser searches out and destroys the dark pigment in the hair to stop it from growing back, if your skin is dark, it can do MAJOR damage by destroying the dark pigment in your skin...so sorry you lovely cinnamon and chocolate girls...(and boys).

So anyways...I used it on my pits and legs last night...it has three laser strengths and I was able to use it on full power....it can zap you pretty good if you aren't prepared for it but nothing too uncomfortable and I didn't have side effects at all afterwards.  TRIA's lazers pulse pretty fast but it takes awhile to cover large areas like your legs (but better by myself on my couch with TIVO then sitting in some doctors office!).

And this is the time line...since hair grows in three stages (active,transitional and resting) and the laser can only kill it in the "active" stage, standard for total hair removal is every 2-4 weeks for 3 or 4 treatments..the hairs start to fall out about two weeks after a treatment..(I thought maybe it would zap them immediately...what,me? wanting instant results? noooo...lol) so I'll keep you posted on my progress...

I will also be using this lovely machine on my dear hubby....we are going to do some serious manscaping on his back (he loves me so much....) so I will definitely be posting some pictures of that one...before we shave it (he REALLY loves me)!!! So stay tuned for updates on the war on hair...

Be Beautiful....

Drugstore Diva: Olay Touch of Sun Overnight

OMG ya'll....I am so EXCITED about this product I cannot even tell you...so excuse my blubbering in advance.  SO, you already know that I think that the advent of daily self-tanner/moisturizers has been the best thing since sliced bread; you actually get believable color!....BUT regardless, they still stink to high heaven...and I don't care what some brands say...no matter how pungent you make the top notes, in the end by the time you see the color you smell like the monkey exhibit at the zoo...

So, I was super excited when I saw Olay's New Touch of Sun Overnight Daily Moisturizer....I figured I could slather it on before bed, get my color and shower off the stink in the am....I figured it would still smell like ass but my suffering would be minimized while I slept.  I mean, I was even willing to stink up my bed and nightgown in order not to smell the crap during the day....

Well imagine my disbelief upon my first application of this stuff...this smooth, milky formula was immediately absorbed by my thirsty skin..and smelled faintly of lavender and vanilla...nice to fall asleep to, but I figured when I woke up I would be all monkey...OMG! You should have seen me sniffing myself trying to smell the self-tanner the next morning....it was SO extremely faint that I could've even been imagining it!!! And heres the kicker: I even wore the SAME nightgown the next night!!  UNHEARD OF...and the color was the same gorgeous golden-brown as the daytime formulas....without streaking or staining anything....

TIP: Now don't be afraid,but this is how I conquer the "hand-issue" when it comes to tanners..I don't wash my hands!!! ...I always hated it because after washing I always ended up looking like my arms went to the Bahamas and left my hands behind...too weird! So I happened upon a trick that works great for me:

After I have applied the lotion to my entire body I take a towel (a dark one...) and firmly wipe my palms off (be sure to get up to the sides of them) and then between each finger...using a seperate section of  towel for each finger... I think between that and my next step, which is running leave-in conditioner through my wet hair,enough product comes off leaving my hands looking tan and VERY natural.....give it a try next time you apply..(ooo..I just rhymed..lol)!!!

So anyways..I still can't believe how un-smelly this new Olay Overnight stuff is....you have got to try it!!! After all, It has become very clear to me this summer (and since my Mexico beach vacation) that 30+year old skin just looks better self-tanned then real-tanned....sad to say, but my skin just doesn't tan the same....HELLO freckles and liver spots, YUCK!!! Thank goodness for self-tanner.....and now UN-stinky ones!!! Wooo-Hoooo....

You can find Olay Touch of Sun Overnight at all your grocery and drugstores.....and it's under $7 bucks!

Be Beautiful....

Beauty By Josi: Another Makeup Bag Staple...by Burts Bees!

I've been meaning to tell ya'll about this dreamy little spray forever and FINALLY remembered...it's one of those little things that just makes my day so much better.......Burts Bee Aloe & Witch Hazel Hand Sanitizer actually manages to make disinfecting pleasurable!!! Seriously, it smells like herbal heaven.....sometimes I want to skip hand washing with the 4 year-old and just spray...not drying at all and the scent lingers a bit too!

So easy and enjoyable and you don't get the mess that the gels can make..I hate it when those gel containers get an air bubble and you end up with a golf ball sized blob in your hands!!!..And this spray won't end up all over your handbag either! Now, It's a pain in the butt for moi because I have to make a seperate trip to Ulta for this one product, but it's worth it....(and DARN, you know how I hate Ulta..lol!)

I just wish they would add this hand sanitizer to their Burts Bees stock @ Walmart (BTW...last trip I noticed my local Super Walmart put it a ENTIRE new natural beauty aisle...BB, Avalon, Abba among other brands..so cool), CVS and Target...but for now, you can get it at your local Ulta...and it retails for under $7 bucks!!!

Bee Beautiful.....

Skin That Snaps Back: Mama Mio Skincare for Supermamas...

Some of you may or may not know - I am a mother.  I have a 12 year old so it has been a LONG time since I talked about baby anything....LOL.  However, my lovely sister Stasi who is newly married is expecting (that's right ladies...imma be an auntie!) and she is due late July early August so I wanted to get her something that she would be able to use to get her supermama self back to normal.   I found just the thing...skincare for SuperMama's!!!

Mama Mio was created by three Londoners who are not only beauty biz experts but Super Mama's too with 7 children between them! in 3 short years, they have managed to gain tons of momentum AND pick up some super hot Mama clientele: Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, Milla Jovovich, Jennifer Lopez, Tori Spelling, Christina Aguilera and Mariska Hargitay just to name a few.

The super-moisturising products are said to be so effective because of the high levels of Omega 3, 6 and 9 (nature’s superheroes at improving skin strength and elasticity).  I was lucky enough to be able to test drive a few products from the line - and all I can say is...I honestly WISH they had this for pregnant women 12 years ago!  Baby or no baby....ALL of these products will work for ANY Mama.  The standout products for me were:

Mama Mio OMega Body Oil is a body oil rich in omega 3 oils that is absorbed into your skin quickly and will help get rid of that itchy belly feeling and smells divine!

Mama Mio - Boob Tube The folks at Mama Mio say, "Big or small, gravity sucks..." I couldn't agree more!  French women have been using creams and serums for YEARS to tighten and smooth the delicate skin on the décolletage.  This cream is a great way to keep everything firm.

Mama Mio Wonder-Full Balm - 30ml is a multi-use balm that you will reach for over and over.  You can use it for cuticles, lips, elbows and after the baby is born you can use it on their cheeks for that little dry skin they get, or on their knees when they get older.

Mama Mio products can be found on their website and on Amazon.com

Stay Pretty!!

Father's Day Gift Guide: Everyman Jack...

This Father's Day take care of the man in your life with this SIMPLE and sexy kit from Everyman Jack.  Beginner's Luck is a minty, invigorating romp that comes with everything he will need to be groomed to perfection.

The Rundown:

• Body Wash
• 3 Body Bars
• Face Wash/Face Scrub
• Shave Gel
• Face Lotion
• EMJ toiletry bag

This stuff smells so good I have been using the shave gel and bodywash MYSELF!  The packaging is great (the simulated woodgrain box is so pretty), the product sizes are HUGE so it is a fantastic value for the money.  The kits are available at Target for under $25! 

Gift Pretty!!

Beauty By Josi: Bikini-line Bravery...

So I finally did it girls!!!! My best friend told me YEARS ago that getting her bikini line waxed was one of the best things she ever did but I never really considered it.....even though I am tortured every year when I "let it go" a little too much in winter and then have to "shape it back up" when bathing suit season arrives (I know...ewwww...)

Well anyways...since I have become a bi-monthly regular at Zaibees here in Dallas and was going to get an early jump on summer in Mexico this year, I decided to give it a go.  I admit, I was really nervous...laying there with my legs splayed open didn't sound too appealing to me.  Thank god for black underwear is all I gotta say on that one.  I kept thinking of those girls that go full-on Brazilian - I don't know how in the world...

But Ruby, my regular eyebrow and lip-threading magician was very reassuring and sweet about it....she managed to calm my nerves as she drew blood (not really)...but her quick hand made it so fast I barely had time to feel it.  I have to say the results are AMAZING!!  Not ONE single in-grown hair, no more nasty razor burn, not a single "itch" down there that I can't scratch..LOL!  Now here I am THREE weeks out and I don't even need a touch up yet!  It was so great to be in Mexico and not even have to think about my bikini line.

SOOO...I have to persuade you girls that are getting ready for summer...(and guys..can you say, man-scaping?)..if you have never done it - just DO it.  The short-term pain is SO worth it!!!!

Be Beautiful Ya'll....

Beauty By Josi: Keep Those Feet Neat Ya'll.....

So you know how when you go on a beach vacation and you finally get all cleaned up and ready for bed....but don't want to put your feet under the covers because you still have sand stuck on them?

I know...life is tough!!!! But really, Mexico had AMAZING coral sand beaches..but once it made it's way into our condo it was there to stay (until the maid came the next day to sweep...I know...tough!!!).

SO...I kept these little guys....Clean & Cool Foot Wipes by Earth Theraputics on my nightstand the entire trip to use right before I retired at night.... The wipes got rid of any leftover sand... and the tea tree oil and natural mint wipes cooled and refreshed my feet...luckily, I didn't use them all on my trip... They come in this cute little mini-baby wipe packaging and are perfect for anyone who dawgs are barkin' at the end of a long day!

Earth Theraputic products can be found at better drugstores and mass merchants and the foot wipes retail for around $6 bucks.

Be Beautiful Ya'll!!!

Drugstore Diva: Melt With You....

While Josi is off sunning herself, I thought I would take the opportunity to rave to you about Johnson & Johnson's newest line of stress reducers called Melt Away Stress.  Now, I love anything  that is a  stress reducer and this new line should do just that.  For years I have been using their line for fussy babies (hahaha) now the grownups have our own!

The new line includes a a shower/bath gel, soft lotion, dream cream and tension relief oil.  All of the products were clinically tested and found to not only make skin super soft BUT reduce tension and stress as well ... my kinda stuff!!

The scent is their latest development called Aromasoothe which is lavender based but contains
fresh greens, creamy watery notes as well.  Use this before you go to sleep and I swear you will feel like you are floating.  Over the weekend I used the oil in my bath and the soft lotion right before bed and I was super relaxed. 

Available online at Drugstore.com or drugstores nationwide.

Stay Pretty!!

Beauty By Josi: Treat Your Feet with MICROPLANE Foot Files...

So I know I said I wouldn't do it....but after several long baths and what feels like HOURS of pumicing my poor dogs, that pumice stone just wasn't cutting the mustard.  I had to call in reinforcements, but I have been super-weary of foot files ever since the first one I bought. Yeah, they get rid of your calluses...but I couldn't do it without cutting my poor feet until I was bleeding in AT LEAST one spot...talk about abuse!!!  Fortunately for me (and my feet) I came across this new high-end line of salon-quality foot files.....Microplane Foot Files.  Buh-Bye pumice stone!!!

 
First off, I used their Microplane Foot File XL-Pro to get rid of the meat of my calluses (I know, ewwww....) This classy-looking tortoiseshell device was extremely easy to use....the curved handle  fits the contours of the foot perfectly...especially on the heels...no awkward contorting to get to the back of the feet...It took off my calluses in NO TIME...and the best part was that there is NO PRE-SOAKING REQUIRED.  My nasty looking calluses were no longer...without any tenderness at all.

After the majority of the ugliness was gone, I then buffed my feet with the Microplane Foot Buffer. This little guy smoothed away any remaining roughness and is what I pull out for my weekly pedicures...I will taking this one to Mexico with me (I am going the first of May...Yippee) for touch-ups. It's little and perfect for travel.

What's great about these files is that they both have little chambers that trap the "filings" (ewww...) so no more having to go out on the patio to avoid getting dead skin all over the couch (where I do my work....) And my poor husband doesn't have to give me "the look" every time I start a pedicure (it's the same look he gives me when he catches me picking my face in front of my magnifying mirror!!) Shame on me....

I am so happy with my feet now....and no wonder because these tools are what all the high-end spas and salons use on their clients...except now I can do it at home..(and save a bundle). They are super durable, long-lasting and most importantly can be cleaned and disinfected without being damaged in the process.  The Foot File XL-Pro retails for $29.95 and the Foot Buffer is $19.95. They are available at Bed,Bath & Beyond, Ulta & Beauty First ...definitely worth the investment kids!

Buff Beautifully Y'all!

Bath & Bodyworks: Hello Sugar!!!

Once again Bath & Bodyworks got me with their latest Limited Edition bath and body line called Hello Sugar! What is it with that place?...It's like they have some big 'ol Josi magnet in there...if I am within 50 yards of one I get sucked in.....I mean, just the name and packaging alone of Hello Sugar! sold me at first site....and the smell?

Oh dear lord...."glittery white sugar crystals and the citrus-y tartness of lemons?" Seriously ya'll....ABSOLUTE HEAVEN, PURE INDULGENCE....and not only does the scent completely bliss me out, but the  Shower Sugar 3-in-1 Body Wash, Bubble Bath and Shampoo  is great for everything...even shaving!!!

The best part is, after I am done with my shower the scent lingers throughout my bathroom and closet....Oh yeah, babe. BUT when they say Limited Edition they mean it....I fell in love with thier Vanilla Cupcake line last year and POOF! It was gone before I could stock up.....so do like I did...rationalize it away and buy multiples.

The Shower Sugar 3-in-1 Body Wash, Bubble Bath and Shampoo retails for $12.50. Be sure to check out the other products they offer in the Lemon Sugar line... (Crystalline Body Splash, Hello-To-Go Kissable Lip Duo,Totally Absorbed Lemon Sugar Body Lotion and Moisturizing Body Meringue).... I want it all....but alas, those darn kids need to eat this week......

Bath Beautifully Y'all!

Treat Beauty : Oh My Goodness...

Hey girls!!!  Treat Beauty has come out with a great intensely moisturizing body cream that smells fresh and summery!  Oh My Goodness is free of paraben lanolin and artificial fragrances and is made with healing organic plant and flower extracts blended together with sparkling pink grapefruit essential oil this is a yummy buttery treat for your body. The cream contains Tamanu Oil which has healing properties, deep conditions the skin, Lavender soothes and calms inflammation, Rosehip, Borage, Flax, Sunflower, and Coconut Oils eliminate dry skin, wrinkles, rough patches, sun damage, and premature aging perfect for sensitive skin that yearns for more moisture.

It comes in a convenient 16 oz tub (who likes trying to get cream out of an itty bitty jar??) and is bound to become a warm weather favorite for me.  I love fresh scents for summer and this reminds me of Yuzu!  The scent is just enough to smell great but not compete with whatever fragrance you are wearing.

Treat Beauty is the brainchild of Marnie Massie who had a dry skin problem but wanted something that would soothe it and smell/taste good.  She came up with a cruelty-free sweet, by nature line of goodies that taste good enough to eat!  This one hit the mark for me..

Smell Pretty!

Drugstore Diva: NEW Nivea Natural Tone Body Cream & Lotion!!!

Everything is High School right now...with new shows like High School Reunion and High School Confidential , all those memories have been flooding back for me.  I will never forget how much my parents embarrassed me....our dorky cars and their dorky jobs..we were just so AMERICAN (payback is going to be a bitch..I'm sure I will embarrass my kiddos just as much.....lol!!)

But my best friend of course, had THE coolest parents...they had cool jobs, drove EUROPEAN cars and most importantly used EUROPEAN bath products......and just in the beginning stages of my beauty addiction, I was propelled to scour their bathroom every time I took a shower (oh, their poor water bills). This was when I first discovered Nivea products...how EXOTIC...remember that awesome smell? PERFECT for slathering all-over post suntanning (like I said, payback is a bitch).

Well  Nivea has certainly expanded since I was in high school and I was delighted to see their latest and greatest, New Natural Tone Face&Body Cream and Lotion.  Designed for women of color this awesome product contains Octadecenedioic Acid (say that 3 times real fast...) an ingredient that is clinically proven to prevent and reverse hyper pigmentation....and I say black, brown or white, liver spots happen!!! In addition, it's not hydroquinone, which to date is the only proven skin lightener here in the states that is shown to really work.  Even so, it has gotten loads of bad press lately as posing a potential skin cancer risk.

So the Natural Tone Face and Body Creme SPF 4 is what I test drove first...it has wonderful souffle-like texture, absorbs fast and is great for super dry skin...and what's great about it is that you don't have to stop at your neck... Next was the Natural Tone Body Lotion SPF 4, SUPER fast absorption and better for normal to dry skin. So I look forward to seeing a reduction in my liver spots with repeated use (typically it takes 6-8 weeks, probably sooner for darker skin).

The only thing I miss about this new formula is the original scent of the old school lotion.  But then again, high school was pretty traumatic for me....wouldn't want to stir up too much crap - or peel back too many layers of that onion...lol!

Both formulas can be found at drugstores and mass merchants everywhere and retail for under $7 bucks!

Be Beautiful Y'all!!!

Drugstore Diva: Embrace Moi...

Well...I have to tell you that I have used the same brand of razor for YEARS.  I mean since 2000...I am like that with certain things.  I find something that works THE BEST and I stick with it, then I am infinitely crushed when it is discontinued or changed in some way grrrrrrr.  So I figured before that happened, it may be a good idea to venture out into the world of razors to see what I have been missing.

Razors in general get more and more advanced every year, just standing in the aisle at Target had me scratching my head.  Three blades, four blades...built in shaving cream sheesh!  The one that stood out to me the most was the Gillette Venus Embrace, as it had FIVE BLADES...my goodness!! So that had to be the closest shave ever - right?  I took it home and gave it a spin.

The handle is made of this soft gel like grippy substance and it's very easy to grip (we all know how easy it is to drop things in the shower...LOL) and the 5 blades DEFINITELY made a difference as far as the closeness of the shave.  It also has a little holder that you can suction cup to your shower that will hold your refills.  Brilliant!  As far as what you use to shave with, I normally use hair conditioner or a creamy body wash but this time I picked up the Satin Care Alluring Avocado shaving gel which uses avocado oil as a softener.  I haven't had much luck with products like this in the past but this one smelled great and worked very well on the bikini line which is where I do most of my shaving.  I had absolutely NO irritation or redness which was a FIRST  for me, none on the underarms as well.  SCORE!!!

Now I just have to hope they keep it around for a while because this one is a keeper.

Shave Pretty!!

Milani Body Bronzers!!!

Man, I am SO ready for the sun...I can hardly stand it!!! We've had a few days of sun and I've been tempted to pull out the bermuda shorts but my legs are kind of scary....even when I've self-tanned!

So I've been on the lookout for a good bronzer...something that will give me a tad bit more dimension and color.....I used to use one when I worked for Lorac called TANtilizer that I loved but it is $30 bucks!

Well, I just found a bronzer in the exact same shade...and the formula is the same only a tad bit more concentrated....Miliani Body Bronzer in Tiger!!!  . It comes in this adorable little pot and is a cream so you can use it alone for more concentrated color or do like I did and mix it with your moisturizer....It's a real golden shade so it works for all skin tones (makes sense since Milani is a multi-ethnic brand)...and they even have a lighter shade that would work great as a highlighter.

Yippee! It's transfer-resistant so once it's dry you don't have to worry about it getting on your clothes and has a light sweet scent....and is only $6.50! Pick one up next time you're  in the drugstore girls.......

Bronze Beautifully Y'all!

Drugstore Diva: Dial Yogurt Bodywash

Yogurt IS the new miracle food......builds immunity, provides tons of calcium and now moisturizes your skin! I love creamy body washes....mainly to shave my legs! So much cheaper than shaving cream and won't clog your razor.....and after my legs feel so silky!

So I had to try this new Dial Yogurt Body Wash.....it is yummy! It smells so good and left my skin so soft.....and the cool thing is is that it uses yogurt to moisturize instead of yucky petrochemicals..You won't get that heavy oil-slick feel and it won't clog pores like some of the other body washes...(can anyone say "bacne"? not pretty)......and it's good for the environment too!

Pick one up next time you go to CVS, Walmart or any of those places!

Bathe Beautifully Y'all!

Fashion Week: The Boots Booth Was Hot!

Carrie Ann Inaba (who used to be a fly girl on In Living Color back in the  day) of Dancing With The Stars and her new hit show Dance Wars:  Carrie Ann vs. Bruno showed up at the Boots Booth and rubbed down an unsuspecting model with Boots new body serum called No7 Protect & Perfect Body Serum (which won't be in stores until March...bummer)  They say:  "Day by day, it refines texture, evens out skin tone, gives a firmer appearance and restores luminosity, so that after four weeks, skin looks noticeably firmer and more radiant."  Sounds good to me - I'll take two please.

Carrie Ann tests out the new body serum on Mr. hunky pants

Look it's Robert Verdi!!

Stay Pretty!

Step Into My Web...Said The Spider To The Fly....

I know...corny but that was all I could think of to describe the scents of this beauty.  You all know how much I adore shea butter...it is on eof the best moisturizers for dry skin around.  I would scour the planet to search for new and different textures and scents (I really would...lol) 

Well I have discovered a new brand called Shea Radiance.  And they have the most amazing unrefined whipped shea body butter, you have to feel it to believe it.

This butter is whipped so the consistency is amazing, not hardened like most shea butters that you have to work in.  This one will melt into your skin on contact.  The scent I have is Black Orchid, an amalgamation of black orchids, citrusy top notes, a touch of patchouli, vanilla and truffles.  Honey...it is so alluring but soft and faint  - so it will not overpower whatever fragrance you are wearing.  The best thing is that it is 99% natural and contains no preservatives or additives.

10 different scents are available as well as unscented, for you divas that are sweet enough already.

Stay Pretty!

Take Me Away...

Ever want to escape??  Well today is definitely a day that I would like to forget - it has been snowing here in the DC area for about 3 hours straight and the roads are a HOT MESS!!  I just want to get Ty, get home and put my feet up with a nice glass of wine and relax.

I will most definitely be dragging out my summertime shower staple Philosophy Sweet Coconut Milk 16 oz.  It  just smells like summer to me and on a day when you can only see 10 feet in front of you - this 100% calorie-free tropical delight, is a warm weather reminder that is in order.

Stay Warm and Pretty!

Groove Me...

Carol's Daughter has done it again with my new favorite scent collection aptly called Groove.  This is a wonderful unisex scent, blended with peach, pineapple, musk, sandalwood and vanilla. 

It reminds me of spring it's so darn yummy.  The standout for me is always the butter...the butter the butter.  My skin is amazingly dry and this always keeps it in check no matter what.  Dry flakies are gone.

If you haven't tried any of the butters or Carol's Daughter in general, you are missing out.  each scent collection is delightful and fragrant in it's own right.  Also on the CD website, you can order all kinds of gift sets that aren't available anywhere else, that and they have free shipping on all purchases over $75.

Shop Pretty!!

Holly Jolly Bath...

I am a sucker for anything for the bath that reminds me of this time of year.  I am Ms. Christmas...seriously.  So anything that sticks to that particular theme has a home in my bathroom. I love scents of the season so now that Thanksgiving has past I am onto Christmas.  For me there is no other t