You'll Love the Way You Smell: All Natural Hazelnut Vanilla Lotion

Giovanni Hydrate Body Lotion:  Hazelnut Vanilla

A friend turned me on to this lotion about a year ago, and I'm HOOKED!  I am not a coffee lover, but whenever someone is brewing a pot of Hazelnut Vanilla coffee, I think it is one of the most engaging scents.   And this lotion smells just like a freshly ground pot of Hazelnut Vanilla coffee....all over your body.   Giovanni has a great line of natural products, free of sulfates and parabens...they get it.  So you can feel good about what you're putting on your skin....as well as have people want to stand close to you. :-)

I buy this product at a local discount store called Savemart, which is not a national chain...so for those of you not near that store, here is a link to Giovanni's website that lists retailers that carry their products: http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/locator.php.  You may want to take a look at the packaging of the bottle to make it easier to spy at the store.  When you find it, unscrew the top and take a whiff...it's a little slice of heaven that will make your day.  Yes, you are going to pay a little more for this product, anywhere from $7 to $8, but for me it is totally worth it for both the peace of mind of the ingredients and the amazingly awesome scent.  If you can't find it anywhere in a store, you can order it from Amazon or vitacost.com. 

As always, if you try it, let me know what you think.  I'd love your feedback.

Take Care! 

A One-Two Punch: Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil's one-two punch comes from the fact that it is  both Anti-Viral AND Anti-Bacterial...killing both virus and bacteria in one punch.  (It is also an anti-fungal). I don't think there is anything better to keep your home and your skin clean and free of germs.  I use it (diluted) on any fledgling break outs on my face, but I use it the most in spray bottles to kills germs and freshen the air in my home....I spray my kitchen garbage can, keep a spray bottle by the commode, spray my mattress and sheets, my tub and sinks, I clean my toothbrush with it every so often, and use it as a bug repellent. I'm always thinking of some new use for it. You can pick it up at your local health store, or order it online.

Historically, Tea Tree Oil was used in World War I and II (before antibiotics were invented) to stave off infections.   Wikipedia has this to say, "Tea tree oil has beneficial medical properties when applied topically, including antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral action, and is also believed to have beneficial cosmetic properties. Tea tree oil is best used diluted.  It should not be ingested"   ‌http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_tree_oil

Here is a list of just some of uses for Tea Tree Oil:

1. Use a diluted dab to treat acne.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu. Try using a few drops in the bath...or a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion (and it keeps the water sterile).
6. Use a tea tree oil rinse to control dandruff and dry scalp.
7. To freshen the air combine 12 drops of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
8. To disinfect, add a few drops to dishwasher dispenser
9. A few drops added to each load of laundry to leave your clothes smelling cleaner.
10. Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray.
11. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.
12. 15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.  Be sure to take some with you when hiking and camping to put directly on insect bites or blisters.
13. Use a drop or two to clean your toothbrush
14. Spray on mattresses and sheets to kill dust mites.

***Please Note:  Tea tree oil should be diluted a bit before placing directly on skin, and should not be ingested.

Boi-ing Concealer by Benefit

Boi-ing Concealer by Benefit

I have been using this concealer for over 8 years, and haven't found anything that compares to it.  I mainly use it to cover up blemishes or break outs.  From talking with different make up artists, I have found that concealer #2 (medium) is usually the best color for most people...I know it is for me.  It is a quality product that stays put until you wash it off.

Recently a good friend came to visit me, and we were putting on our make up together getting ready to go out to hear some music.  She was lamenting a recent break out spot, and I said to her, "I can make that magically disappear".  I put some concealer on my finger and dabbed it on her face, and she was astonished that you could no longer see the break out...that's how well it works.  Needless to say, she is a believer and user now.

If you want to give it a try it for yourself, you can go to Sephora and try some of the tester they have there.  Don't be put off by the price...my concealer usually lasts me from 18 months to 2 years.  I consider that worth the price, especially for all of the grief it saves me when I need to cover something up!

Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes

Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes

I really don't like DEET, I just don't think it's good to have those toxins entering your blood stream through your skin.  If you feel the same way, I have gathered some information on 'natural' ways to keep the mosquitoes from biting.  I'm hoping that at least one of them works for me this summer.  Let me know if you try them out!

1. Rub the peel of an orange or lemon over your exposed skin.  The Limonene (a natural oil in citrus zest) will interrupt the mosquitoes' sensory perception and they will ignore you.
2. Catnip oil is fun for kitties, but apparently not so fun for mosquitoes.  The oil from catnip has been shown to be repulsive to all sort of bugs, including mosquitoes, and an Iowa State University study showed that the oil from catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET at keeping them away.  You can put the oil in a spray bottle or just rub it on.
3. Geraniums are never bothered by bugs, as they find their smell distasteful.   Therefore many people have had success using Geranium Oil as a deterrent to mosquitoes and other bugs.  

You can purchase these products at your local health store or online!

Never have a sinus problem again? It happened to me...

XLEAR - Xylitol Sinus Nasal Spray

They come in winter....then spring...then summer...i guess there is not a season exempt from sinus problems.  I know, I used to get sinus congestion and infections all the time.  But all of that changed one day at my local Savemart, when an enlightened nutritional expert took me to a shelf.  He pointed to a product called Xlear, and told me that so many people were helped by this product that they have a hard time keeping in stock.  Being impressed, and desperate, I took it home and started using it religiously.  Not only did it clear up the problem that I was having at the time, but I have not had a problem with sinus congestion in the past 4 years I've been using it.   I turned my sinus suffering sister onto this product when she visited, and now she's hooked, too.

The ingredients of Xlear are simple and natural, with xylitol being the difference from other sprays.  Xylitol appears to stave off the possibility of infection by soothing and moisturizing the nasal passages in a more effective manner than saline solution alone.  I think that a key to using this product is to start using it at the very early stages of any hint of a sinus problem, to nip it in the bud.  It has been my experience that this is all it takes to keep things from developing into full blown suffering.

Why does it work?
When infectious germs in the sinuses adhere to mucous membranes and nasal tissues, they can lead to infection and disease. Research suggests the addition of precise amounts of xylitol to saline nasal spray makes it much more effective in moisturizing and clearing the nasal passages.  Since xylitol reduces the germs, pollutants and irritants from sticking to the tissue, regular use of xylitol nasal spray results in fewer respiratory infections and easier breathing. The concentration of xylitol stimulates our own defensive washing of the nose. Additionally, xylitol decreases the concentration of salt in the airway surface fluid which helps our own antibiotic substances there to be more effective—the problem with saline solution alone.  It has been found that nasal irrigation with a xylitol based product results in a decrease in cohesion of bacteria.  (http://www.xylitol.org/medical-benefits-of-xylitol)
 
You can also check out more information on the Xlear website (http://www.xlear.com)

If you can't find Xlear at your local store, you can order it online!

Cellulite - Fix It For Free!

It's the season for all things leg-bearing:  swimsuits, shorts, sun dresses, and short skirts.  Cellulite probably slipped your mind during the winter, but now it rears it's dimply face again!  So I thought I'd share with you some information that I recently got from our TV friend Dr. Oz.  It's a temporary treatment of cellulite, so you will have to keep doing it throughout the summer, but I can live with that!  Especially since I can make it with just ordinary household staples.

Here is Dr Oz's recipe:
Combine 1/2 cup of used coffee grounds with 1/2 cup of brown sugar in a bowl.  Next, apply olive oil to an area you want to work on, then massage the coffee grounds/brown sugar mixture into that area using firm, circular motions for up to 5 minutes.  Then rinse it off.

Of course the best place to do this would be the tub or shower to avoid a mess.  :-)

If you try it, let me know what you think!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Luminizing Pen: The Number One Staple of My Make Up Kit

Yves St Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Luminizing Pen #2

The first thing I reach for when I am applying my make up each day is my Yves St Laurent Luminizing Pen.  I kid you not, it makes all the difference in the world. I use it under my eyes, on my forehead creases, and always on the deep lines between my nose and mouth.  I have tried other cheaper "pens", but they could not deliver by erasing lines, brightening, or helping under eye problems.  Other luminators can make the creases in your face worse.  But this pen leaves no trace.   So I cough up the forty bucks because it is worth it...but on the bright side, it usually lasts me 8 to 9 months.   For something that good, that lasts that long, I consider it affordable.  

  What it is:  A luminizing pen that brings light and radiance to the skin, immediately erases any signs of fatigue, and brightens the complexion.   Seriously....the first time I put this on in a department store, I literally saw the nasolabial fold lines between the nose and mouth DISAPPEAR!

What it does:  Loved by models, makeup artists, celebrities, and women everywhere, the award-winning Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ECLAT Radiant Touch is like eight hours of sleep and an instant pick-me-up in a magic wand. With a few strategically placed strokes of TOUCHE ECLAT, the complexion immediately looks rested, rejuvenated, and radiant.

What else you need to know:  TOUCHE ECLAT banishes shadows and tired-looking eyes by adding light and creating an instant lift to the eye area. TOUCHE ECLAT widens eyes when used between the eyebrows and along the sides of the nose, and creates fuller looking lips when used in the hollow of the chin and around the contour of the lips. It's formulated for all skin types and for anyone who wants instant radiance, luminosity, and lift. 

They have different colors to order. I've tried #1 and #2, and prefer #2 (I have medium skin tone).  I was told by the a YSL rep that #2 is the most popular color. 

You can order your pen from many site on the internet, or go to your local Sephora store!

Let me know how you like it!