Tag: Shower

National Bubble Bath Day

Man, this week was long. But I was happy to peace out a little early today and enjoy an afternoon with the pups getting ready for some snow tonight. And I happen to have perfect timing because today is National Bubble Bath Day. Sadly, my apartment doesn’t have a bathtub, but frankly I prefer showers. And they are always accompanied by Neutrogena Rainbath. This week must be the week of “favorites” because Neutrogena also is hands down my favorite Shower Gel. Classic and just so good.

The scent is unique – very clean but somewhat woodsy. It manages to finish so fresh and is perfect for an AM wake up. The lather is substantial but doesn’t try out my skin. And somehow, my skin always manages to look hydrated and refreshed.

Trish McEvoy ‘Sexy 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk’ Body Sponge

Looking to up your shower game? This little gem is rocking my shower world these days. And I must say it is totally and completely unique. Think transforming a delicious scent into a luxurious bathroom accessory / body wash.

I’ve been lusting over Trish McEvoy’s Sexy 9 Blackberry and Vanilla Musk ever since my friend, Robin, introduced me to her candles this summer. The fragrance is sultry but still gourmand. The fruit enlivens the cozy vanilla. And the scent from the body sponge really does persist after my shower.

The formula has Vitamin E, Shea Butter and natural humectants so my angry dry winter skin is soothed. The brush isn’t irritating but does provide a slight exfoliation. And most amazingly, I’ve been using this guy since Christmas and continue to get a great solid lather each time.

Bonus for the included seashell dish which transports me right back to my summer beach vacation. Available at Nordstrom.

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.

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:

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.

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.

Illume Eternal Nomad Bath & Body Collection

This spring, Illume and Sephora are expanding their Eternal Nomad collection – I hadn’t come across Illume goodies at Sephora so I was anxious to try out the product lineup. Not only does the name “Eternal Nomad” speak to my heart – I have a traveller’s soul – but the fresh, tropical scents are perfect for this time of year.

First, a little about Illume: the company is infused with the culture of travelers and seekers, reflecting on culture and color. I’ve known Illume mostly for their home fragrance. Made in the USA, Illume candles are made with either food-grade paraffin or an all-natural blend of coconut wax, beeswax and essential oils. I’m hooked on Gardenia, Tahitian and Amber Dunes (although I can’t say there isn’t a fragrance of theirs I don’t like).

The Eternal Nomad collection comes in three signature fragrances:

Cactus Verde: A bright blend of cassis, pink sea salt, aloe vera and wild geranium with a hint of avocado.
Thai Lily: A sensory ritual of Bali mango, blood orange and white nectarine – with Brazilian teak, Asiatic lily and a hint of musk.
Coconut Mango: A tropical fusion of mango and coconut milk, infused with orange and eucalyptus oils.

The Coconut Mango collection has been warming me up for spring. I’ve been layering the products for a gentle, but long-lasting fragrance. The whole product lineup includes:

Intensive Moisture Body Wash: this jumbo-sized body wash has a special formula that leaves skin hydrated. The water-soluble oils allow for lather but also strengthens skin’s natural protection barrier.
Cocoa-Illipe Body Butter: this rich and thick butter is a champ against my dry skin, absorbing quickly but also adding a wallop of moisture.
Lathering Body Scrub: Not much I love more than a foaming scrub – the tiny beads work to leave skin ultra ultra soft.
Gold Lustre Shimmer Mist: This light-weight mist is going to be perfect once I get a little color going, having just a touch of glimmer and luxury.
Sunlit Bronzing Lotion: Speaking of color, I am loving this bronzer for arms, legs and decolletage – it adds a luminous glow with moisture, adding just a touch of micro-fine gold mica pigments for sun-kissed look.
A Nomad Journey Gift Set with 2-ounce tubes of Intensive Moisture Body Wash and Cocoa-Illipe Body Butter are stocked away for my upcoming beach vacation – could there be a more perfect scent for time by the sea?

The capsule collection is available online and launched in 63 stores (including Times Square, Union Square, Soho, Short Hills, Santa Monica, Topanga and South Beach) yesterday. I love everything I tried, but please please don’t miss out of the Sunlit Bronzing Lotion – it is too good!

What’s In My Shower These Days

You probably aren’t shocked to find out my shower is full to the brim with beauty goodies. Every day, I grab for something different. But there are those favorites that I keep buying again and again, using every bit to the very last drop. Here’s my current shower MVP list:

H2O Plus Sparkling Currant Shower & Bath Gel is doing a darn good job getting me ready for spring time. The fruity, invigorating scent reminds me of being at the beach in high school without any of the cloying sweetness. The Black Currant Extract and Fruit Enzymes improve skin tone and texture. The best part? The Vitamin E capsules – tiny, jelly like balls that burst with just a bit of pressure that add crazy softness to my skin.

Tokyo Milk Eiffel Tower Soap from Neiman Marcus are almost too pretty to use. But eventually, I couldn’t resist and ripped that pretty paper to reveal a heafty bar of delicious smelling soap. The triple milled soap is made from a pure vegetable base and scented with the finest perfume. I get great lather while Shea Butter provide moisture. The Eiffel Tower scent is a blend of Linden, Honeyed rose, Wisteria petals and White musk.

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel is my new go-to shower face cleanser. While it doesn’t have my beloved foaming action, I love the way it can remove every bit of makeup and dirt. It has a fairly strong floral, cucumber-like scent – sounds odd, but it is actually delightful. Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts are provide exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids to deep clean pores. Love using this with my Clarisonic.

Neutrogena Shampoo, Anti-Residue Formula is a relatively new addition and I constantly scratch my head why the classic formula didn’t make its way into my shower sooner. My hair was looking a little dull – no excuse for that – I never color it and always use this heat defense serum. Well, the problem was residue. Used once a week, this shampoo and remove all that gunk from shampoos, conditioners and styling products.

St. Ives Revitalizing Pear & Soy Body Wash, another bargain hit from St. Ives that really works. Soy and Pear not only make this formula smell great, but also moisturize skin. Like H2O Plus Sparkling Currant Shower & Bath Gel, the fragrance is getting me in the Spring mood. The soap lathers but without leaving that dry, tight feeling. And around $3, you can beat the price.