Tag: St. Ives

Spring Prep Skin Care On FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

We can now officially say spring has sprung and with that comes the reality that swimsuit/shorts/tank top season is just weeks away. Not only am I hitting the gym a little harder, but I am also changing up my skin care game. With a couple tweaks, we can have clear, radiant skin and sandal-ready feet.

First up, make sure to extend your regular skin care routine to hands, neck and decolletage. This goes for year-round but is even more important as the sun rays intensify. My favorite summertime SPF is Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Moisturizer. It is lightweight and works well from the hairline down the chest. Because it is only SPF 20, make sure to amp up protection if you are spending large amounts of time outside.

Step back on products that are heavy or full of emollients. That rich cream might soothe dry winter skin but isn’t best for warmer months. Perricone MD Chia Serum (covered yesterday here) actually works for light hydration. And it can be used over makeup for that warm, dewy glow.

All those pore clogging sunscreens and sweaty weather don’t only encourage acne on the face. Breakouts on the back and chest can be the worst during pool season. Mario Badescu Special Cleansing Lotion “O” is alcohol-free and soothes sensitive skin. Mild witch hazel formula removes pore clogging debris. Just swipe on post-shower with a cotton ball. The cooling effect is especially pleasant on a hot day.

Not only will exfoliation help with pore-clogging and other breakout causing congestion, but they will also reveal radiant and even skin. For those who look to organic solutions, check out Avalon Organics Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub that uses both fruit enzymes and finely ground walnut shell for a calming exfoliation. New from St. Ives, Even & Bright Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub smells like summer and doesn’t cause redness. I use this as a body wash for a deep clean.

Don’t neglect the tootsies. AmLactin Foot Cream is like regular foot cream on steroids. AHAs help smooth and repair callused and dry skin. Just make sure to use sunscreen on the oft-neglected feet because the active ingredients can make them more susceptible to sun damage. The lotion is quickly absorbed but I still like to apply at night and wear socks to get a deep treatment. There is a very slight medicinal scent.

Shop your spring essentials here:

image here (I can’t seem to find the exact source – if you come across it, please let me know)

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Finish It Friday – The Budget Edition

I love the theme of sharing finished beauty products, but I’ve never managed to remember not to throw them away. Finally, this week I’ve been stowing them away. Since I am always trying something new, it is something of a miracle if I finish a product – almost with a since of victory. So here is what I polished off this week:

Johnson’s Baby Baby Oil – nothing works better than this classic in the bath.

Bliss Fabulips – this lip balm is ultra-rich and hydrating, perfect for the cooler months.

me and the girls Lavandula Revive Foot Scrub – my feet are a disaster area, peeling and dry. This scrub moisturizes while removing dead skin.

St. Ives Triple Butters Intensely Hydrating Body Wash – hydrates while it cleans and has the coziest vanilla/coconut smell.

Keeping Summer Feet Beautiful on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

Feet aren’t the most glamorous subject but let’s be honest… during this flip flop season we need to keep our tootsies look fabulous too. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite ways to keep my feet in order over the warmer months including the hottest nail shade of the season. If you are in the Tulsa area, tune into FOX 23’s Great Day Green Country this morning. I’ll be chatting all my favorites with the lovely Lacey Lett!

Julep Warming Foot Scrub – Even in the summer, this warming scrub tends to do the best job at gently removing dead skin on my feet. The cucumber mint scented scrub warms up on contact, soothing sore feet. Containing real pumice, the formula works great at exfoliation. Also chili pepper oil stimulates circulation while vitamin E nourishes. $13

St. Ives Triple Butters Nourishing Vanilla Body Wash – St. Ives always does such a great job on body washes. The reason I love this new formula for the feet is its packed with nourishing ingredients like jojoba, shea, and cocoa butters, leaving skin soft. And we all know I am a sucker for calming vanilla scents. $4

Bio-Oil – This multi-use skincare oil is my favorite thing to moisturize cuticles. Not to mention it works great against scars. I have a nasty one on my left foot thanks to a broken bone a couple years ago. I like to apply at night and wear socks for super dose of hydration and soft feet. $12

Coppertone Wet ‘n Clear Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 45 – This SPF is a current beach bag MVP. I love that you can apply on wet skin. The formula cuts through water while also being water resistant. Perfect for applying to feet that just dipped into the ocean. The tops of feet are so easy to burn and so often are missed when applying sun screen. $7

Essie in Marshmallow – White toes are the biggest hottest trend this summer (not to mention one of my favorite nail looks of the season). Check out my manicure here. I love the look on the toes – so clean and fresh – perfect to show off a tan! $8

Check out the clip of the segment here!:

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.

St. Ives Skin Apricot Scrubs Collection

So, I was that girl who had never tried the iconic St. Ives Apricot Scrub. How could I miss out on such a drugstore favorite? I knew this problem required a quick remedy and just in time for an exciting new launch. The scrub is getting a makeover with 100% sulfate-free formulas.

Summer brings more activity, grime and sunscreen build up… at least for me. So I am thrilled to have these in my rotation. These are formulated with natural exfoliants that can even skin. After using all four new formulas over the past couple weeks, I do think my skin is more radiant.

The sulfate-free Scrub collection now includes:

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
St. Ives Timeless Skin Apricot Scrub with gentle alpha-hydroxy acids
St. Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Scrub with 2% salicylic acid
St. Ives Sensitive Skin Apricot Scrub

Each variety has a slightly different feel. They all share a fresh, fruity fragrance I am swooning over. The “Fresh” version is probably closest to the original. The granules in Fresh are quite large – beware of scrubbing too hard and irritating the skin. I love the Blemish and Sensitive version. They are smoother and a little more creamy. I’m not sure you can go wrong, especially at drugstore prices. Another St. Ives favorite for me is their exfoliating pads with AHAs that can be found for under $3!!

Suggested retail price is $3.99 – $5.69. St. Ives Scrubs are available at select mass retailers, drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.