Category: bath and body

Dove Shower Foam

I’m like a kid in a candy store when I hit my local CVS. I seriously cannot walk out of there without at least one beauty impulse buy. It isn’t shocking that the newest from Dove caught my eye. Fortunately, I had some on the way from the brand, and have been trying Deep Moisture and Shea Butter with Warm Vanilla.

I am a huge fan of foam – shampoo, soap, face wash – I love it all. So a body was that was self-foaming was my cup of tea. For some reason, I feel cleaner when using a soap that has suds. So often though that can cause stripping skin and dryness. Not with Dove Shower Foam. This foam is nourishing and leaves skin soft. And the foam rinses quickly and easily.

The weightless formula delivers nourishing moisture with Dove’s unique technology. This mild cleansing leaves skin looking healthier. The Deep Moisture maximizes hydration while the Shea Butter with Warm Vanilla leaves a very subtle fragrance of vanilla, sandalwood and musk – some of my favorite scents. I can’t seem to pick a favorite, but rather am enjoying Deep Moisture in the AM and saving Shea Butter with Warm Vanilla for the days I shower in the evening.

Look for Dove Shower Foam at your local drugstore.

This post was not sponsored, but the products were provided to me. All opinions are honest and are my own.

Le Labo ‘Santal 33’ Eau de Parfum

Our family isn’t huge on big presents, but we do like to spoil ourselves with things we normally wouldn’t buy for ourselves. And my family came through with something I’ve had my eye on for several years. I was in San Francisco back in October and visited Le Labo to confirm my lust for Santal. At happy hour that evening, my friend with fabulous taste, Lauren, confirmed that it was indeed my scent. And low and beyond, Santa delivered!

My impression of Le Labo over the years has been somewhat unusual fragrances that are honest to the soul and packaged exquisitely. Santal is inspired by a “classic image of a man and his horse in front of the fire on a great plain under tall, blue evening skies—a defining image of the spirit of the American West”. No one ever accused me of loving overly feminine fragrances. This isn’t for those girly girls. But it does have a woodsy, rich scent that smells rustic and but clean. The notes:

Top: violet accord, cardamom.
Middle: iris, papyrus, ambrox.
Base: cedarwood, leather, sandalwood.

More and more these days, I have been appreciative of brands like Le Labo in making a scent I love that is vegan, not tested on animals and made in the USA.

Purchased at Nordstrom.

Maison Margiela ’REPLICA’ Jazz Club

I admit I was drawn to this brand because of the stunning packaging. There was something classic and sophisticated about it. Plus their fragrances were described in a moody and slightly masculine way. At a display I sniffed all the offerings but was immediately drawn to Jazz Club – evoking the ambiance of a Brooklyn jazz club, being both moody and exhilarating.

The bottle, which you’d be proud to display on your vanity, is inspired by classic apothecary jar with a cotton label. The labelling also will remind you of the clothing line labeling also by Maison Margiela if you are familiar.

Copper, leather, liquor and tobacco notes are all clearly Jazz Club inspired. A more detailed summary of notes: Pink Pepper, Primofiore Lemon, Neroli Oil, Rum Absolute, Clary Sage Oil, Java Vetiver Oil, Tobacco Leaf Absolute, Vanilla Bean, Styrax Resin.

Available at Sephora and Nordstrom.

Sakara x Tata Harper Eat Pretty Week

Back in March, I got hooked on Sakara, a popular meal delivery service out of New York that happened to whip my diet in shape. I love the ultra-healthy meals and included Beauty Elixir, a drink designed for a healthy glow and gorgeous skin. I haven’t ordered a week of meals in a while, but tempted to pick up August 29th’s menu. One of my favorite skin care gurus, Tata Harper, had selected the meals that are specifically beautifying. And as a bonus, the package includes skin care product samples to use throughout the week.

Samples of the following products are included in this week’s Sakara meals: Hydrating Floral Essence, Repairative Moisturizer, Regenerating Cleanser, Rejuvenating Serum.

And here is a peek at the menu:

Botanical Bar: Strawberry-juniper filling with antioxidants and skin-rejuvenating, anti-inflammatory botanical herbs. Rolled oats with prebiotic fiber to nourish the microbiome (one of my favorites)
Earth Bowl: Hydrating heirloom greens with anti-inflammatory ginger-mustard-sesame dressing. Avocado for healthy fats to nourish the cell membrane and balance hormones to control breakouts. Quinoa and lentils for cleansing fiber
Toasted Coconut Granola w/ Green Goddess Mylk: Coconut for healthy fats and healing, antimicrobial lauric acid. Almond mylk with spirulina to lower inflammation and nourish skin with healthy fats and B vitamins
Summer Sun Salad: Zucchini noodles for healthy fats. Citrus for collagen-supporting, brightening Vit C. Dried cherries for anthocyanins (antioxidants)
Balancing Macro Plate: Broccoli, kale and cabbage (i.e. cruciferous vegetables) for sulfur, required for keratin and collagen production. Mineral-rich seaweed. Carrots for beta-carotene. Brown rice for cleansing fiber. Avocado dressing for healthy fats
Beauty Elixir: Hibiscus tea, camu camu, schizandra berry, MSM

Make sure to swing over to Sakara to check it out!

Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion with Marula Oil

I know we are entering the shorter days of summer. But if you are like me, this is my favorite time of summer to plan parties and trips. They are somewhat sweeter when they come savored late. Plus, things are less crowded now that school is firing up. So forgive me if I am daydreaming about a voyage to the beach. I am headed to Southern California in a couple weeks and cannot wait. To get help with a glow, I turn to Vita Liberata and their Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion with Marula Oil is my new favorite formula.

This self-tanner acts just like a moisturizer and would be great for dry and sensitive skin. The texture is light-weight but packs a hydration punch. The subtle glow can be built deeper with repeated applications. I can detect no scent at all thanks to the company’s Odour Remove™ technology. I like to exfoliate first but I would not say it is mandatory. I get the most even application using the tan mitt and highly recommend splurging for one. Wait to shower for eight hours after application.

Available at Sephora and Nordstrom.

Shiseido Suncare and Melanoma Awareness Month

We are almost to the end of Melanoma Awareness Month and I couldn’t let it slip by without a friendly reminder for sun safety. I have Melanoma in my family and strive to wear sunscreen all the time. I also go for yearly skin checks from my dermatologist. One of the brands I often turn to when pool weather comes around is Shiseido. Not only are they great for active coverage but everyday use and specialty protection. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends these Shiseido products.

Some of my favorites include:

Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion WetForce Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

This water-friendly SPF becomes even more effective on the applied area when exposed to water for 15 minutes. It also helps a ton with dryness – my beef with hot summer weather. It is high, effective protection without feeling heavy.

Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF34

How unique! I had never heard of an eye SPF, but I am in. This is part of my new, everyday summer routine. The rich formula protects and minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It also fights dryness and adds a radiant finish – something I definitely wouldn’t mind around the pool or at the office.

Available at Sephora and Nordstrom.