I’ve always considered deodorants to be an extension of the perfumes I wear, and just like perfume, I choose which one to use based on my mood and where I’m going. Work? Chanel Allure it is. Casual dinner? Hermes Hermessence Ambre Narguile does the trick. A night on the town? Nothing’s sexier than Tom Ford’s White Suede. When it comes to deodorant I operate the same way. By day I wear something lightweight like L’Occitane Purifying Roll-On Deodorant, and by night I either opt for the deodorant that matches the fragrance I’m wearing (i.e. if I opt for Donna Karan Cashmere Mist, I’ll smooth on the coordinating Cashmere Mist Anti-Perspirant). Easy enough right? Here’s where it gets tricky. I go to the gym nearly every morning, and I need a deodorant that can keep up with me without a strong, stomach flip-inducing smell.

While I love the odor of my Chanel Allure Deodorant spray and my Cashmere Mist Anti-Perspirant stick, they simply don’t cut it in a spin class. Much to my delight, I’ve found that the brands that work the best are the drugstore finds, and Secret has just come out with an amazing new one. Called Secret Natural Mineral, it’s an antiperspirant/deodorant that effectively fights wetness AND provides naturally derived odor protection. I attended a Secret-hosted event a few weeks ago and learned that it’s formulated with a new mineral-activated formula that has a naturally derived ingredient, calcium carbonate, to help neutralize odor. This is as opposed to other deodorant brands that just mask it, making it perfect for those intense, my-heart-is-going-to-fall-out-of-my-chest workouts.

The newbie stick comes in three selections: Eucalyptus Blossom, Lemongrass Mint and Unscented. I love eucalyptus and lemongrass, but out of courtesy to those around me, I always go perfume-free and unscented with my deodorants when I’m at the gym.

What’s your deodorant routine??

Image Courtesy of Secret.

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You’d think soap is about as basic as it gets, but the truth is that most of them contain about as many unpronounceable ingredients as a can of soda, so it’s refreshing to come across one like TrueBody that only contains five ingredients: coconut oil, palm oil, water, vegetable glycerin and sodium citrate. Just as refreshing? It’s cheap. I’m talking less $2 for one bar, and they’ve got body as well as face bars.

Part of what makes these soaps so pure and natural — not to mention perfect for those with sensitive skin — is that they contain no animal by-products, synthetic ingredients or chemical preservatives. The drawback? They’re also unscented, so there aren’t any ingredients to mask the naturally occurring scent, which is fairly bland. Truth be told, while I don’t mind my facial soap smelling like well, pretty much nothing, I’m all about lathering my body in invigorating blends of iris, vanilla, musk, etc., meaning that maybe one day I’ll manage to be 100 percent pure, but till then, I’ll probably be sticking to the facial soap and replacing the body one with something like Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake (aka the complete opposite).

What about you? How important is smell vs. ingredients to you when doing your beauty product shopping?

To learn more about TrueBody click here.

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The first and foremost thing I simply cannot live without is lip balm. I’m an obsessive lip balm user and often find myself in a “But my lips hurt real bad!” Napoleon Dynamite scenario. True story. So after many years of trying chap stick after lip gloss after lip balm, I finally found “The One”. Alba Botanica Passion Fruit Nectar Lip Balm. Ahh…it was like love at first try. This organic balm is heaven on my lips – it keeps them so smooth and hydrated, not to mention it tastes delicious!

Equally paramount as my lip balm fix is my need for hand cream. Sometimes the hand soaps we use in public facilities tend to dry out hands more than necessary, so it’s important to carry some hydration restoration back-up. Mine is Johnson’s Body Care Melt Away Stress Lotion. Infused with lavender and chamomile, this rich and creamy lotion is for all-over-body use, but is a wonderful quick-fix for dry hands. It’s not greasy and smells absolutely delightful. Mmmm…

What girl doesn’t like want a clean complexion? I’ve tried numerous budget-friendly drugstore brand facial cleansers throughout the years, but none has satisfied me quite as much as Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash. This soap-free formula is the perfect all-in-one cleanser. It’s great for removing makeup (even on the eyes!), dirt and oil. The best part is that its mild formula leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed without drying or irritating it. Love it.

Lastly, I love having radiantly hydrated skin. After a refreshing wash with my Purpose cleanser, I like to keep my face soft and touchable with Pond’s Dry Skin Cream. This extra rich cream is terrific for locking in your face’s natural moisture without clogging your pores. I’ve used this one for years – in fact, my mother and grandmother have also been using it for years. It’s a family fave!

Although I’m pretty hooked on these products for now, I’m always looking for newer, better beauty products that also keep my wallet looking voluptuously pretty.  When I do find them, I’ll be sure to share the word with you so you can give them a try! What are your favorite budget-friendly products? Is there anything you simply cannot live without? Sharing is caring, so don’t be too shy to leave a comment below!

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Recently, Acqua Essentials sent me a product to try out: the Acqua Essentials Caviahue Nourishing Moisturizing Cream with Thermal Water from Caviahue, Patagonia. Acqua Essentials is a company new to the United States originally from Spain: but they have been having so much success with their thermal water products that they decided to branch out the company.

Thank you Acqua Essentials: now I’d like to provide my unbiased review. As with any product, this one certainly comes with its positives and negatives.

The thermal water is pretty cool: it activates the moisturizer to better absorb into your skin. The downside is it’s a thick cream that smells slightly like vaseline, and though it recommends for the face I think it’s a bit too oily for that. I like it much better for the hands and feet. I’m not sure whether I’ll be buying this for my face since I’d prefer a product that is a little less heavy and overwhelming.

Acqua Essentials has a boatload of products to enjoy, including thermal mud masks and anti-wrinkle creams, all with their special thermal water agent. I’m going to test these out next, and I’ll let you know what happens!

Note: these are not my hands, and the actual results may vary.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/stephenkwilli/3258065448

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Ever heard of the Consumer Price Index (CPI)? It’s a metric that is used by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics to approximate the average price of the basic goods and services that a household needs to operate. I’m a demographics nerd, so I’ll avoid discussions of weighting schemes, etc.

Instead, I’ll get straight to the good stuff. The CPI approximates how much an average household must spend on a typical “basket of goods.” Just as a house needs a basket of goods that includes food, energy, and other basic items, I use a basket of beauty goods to keep my face looking fresh.

I thought that it would be fun to create a list of everything that I used this week. After drafting my list on three Post-It notes, I was a little surprised by how much I use for a very minimalistic look. Keep in mind: I’m not a high maintenance girl. I spend no more than half an hour on my daily routine, and I wear jeans and flip-flops to work.

The Basket:

Alba lip gloss: I use the pineapple quench flavor to keep my lips hydrated throughout the day. I like how the gloss keeps my lips smooth without going overboard on the shine. ($2.87)

Aussie Hair Insurance Leave In Spray: I use this while my hair is damp before blow-drying. It does a great job eliminating tangles and smoothing frizz without leaving my hair heavy from a typical after-product sensation. I really hate using products, and I haven’t even touched gel, mouse, or spray in years. This stuff is a perfect supplement to my everyday conditioner. ($3.69)

Garnier Fructis Hair Gloss: Did I mention that I hate using products in my hair? I hate feeling grimy and heavy-headed with a passion. This stuff gives me just what I need to smooth out my ends after blow drying and flat ironing. All I need is one bottle for the year. ($5.70)

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo & Conditioner: Drugstore shampoo and conditioner tend to kill my hair pretty quickly. According to my hair stylist, this is because a lot of non-salon products contain high amounts of alcohol. I’ve been told that Herbal Essences is one of the best drugstore products that you can get. I alternate shampoos to try out new scents and feels, but I’ve definitely maintained a long term relationship with Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo and Conditioner. ($4 per bottle)

For my makeup, I use Maybeline Foundation (Dream Mousse to be exact - $7) and Maybeline’s Dream Matte powder. I use a blush by Clinique (gift), and I use Almay eyeliner ($10) in black . I like these products because I don’t like to wear heavy makeup, but I like minimal coverage and accents. With my routine, I can achieve subtle and natural looks with minimal effort.

Later this weekend, I plan to color my hair with Clairol Herbal Essences Color ($9). Even though I’m only 23, I have a little bit of gray that I need to cover. I also have very dark hair (almost black) that I like to illuminate with lighter, vibrant shades. Clairol gives me vibrance without forcing me to sacrifice my natural look.

The Bottom Line:

There you have it: everything that I use in one week. At first, I was scared of what I would find when I laid everything out in front of me. I’ve never really thought of everything that I use in terms of one big basket. Some quick number-crunching in Excel shows me that my basket costs $42.26. Not bad at all: especially if everything gets me 40 or more uses.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville

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Weekend Goal: It’s All About Me!

1. Go out with an old friend or give one a call. Do not complain, brag or boast. Stay positive, catch up, and discuss life’s goals together. You’ll soon find out you both are motivating one another to take the right steps in life’s path.
2. Give yourself a facial. Nothing is better than pampering yourself. Take 10-20 minutes to balance your skin’s condition. Your skin will feel more refreshed, and your face will have a healthy glow!
3. Do something active! Take 30-45 minutes of your day and get your heart pumping. Exercising your body and getting your blood flowing not only helps increase circulation but will also release endorphins which will make you happy and feeling more confident. Challenge yourself to a better you!
4. Wash or deep condition your hair! As suggested by our hairstylists, we are not supposed to wash our hair daily unless we have an oily scalp. Fully cleanse your scalp and wash your hair. Finish off with a hair treatment or mask that will rehydrate strands and dead ends. Our winter hair is dry and needs a little more moisture.
5. Organize your closet. By reviewing your collection of clothes and accessories, you will refresh your memory of shopping finds you’ve ignored for some time. Take a look at your belongings and start mixing and matching some outfits. This will prepare you for future shopping trips, and even save you time in the morning when you are trying to figure out what to wear! Find something sexy to wear this weekend, and choose something that flatters your best asset.
6. Admire your surroundings. Stop and smell the roses, or take a look around you to admire the natural things in life.  Acknowledging your environment allows you to become appreciative of the things you have.
7. Get creative! Start a new project, and get in touch with your inner artist. It is important to express our creativity and to feel good about your ideas and creative capabilities.
8. Hang out with the girls. Sometimes when we are around our friends or other females, we can learn from one another and take pride in “being a girl”. To embrace our femininity and take pride in the power of being a woman, allows us to feel good inside and out.
9. Splurge on a little something. I am not asking you to spend a lot of money or to use your savings. It is simple retail therapy! Being able to buy a new blouse, purse, or even something as small as nail polish is fulfilling. Anything that will enhance your beauty or physical appearance is worth it. Because you’re worth it!
10. Do something selfless! Doing things with a good heart and helping others when they least expect it makes you feel good inside.

Your inner beauty and confidence create the foundation on how you carry yourself on the outside.Stay beautiful and have a good weekend!!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/ywds/390196922

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As early as ancient Egyptian Civilizations bathing has been an essential element of one’s health, appearance, and peace of mind.  Bathing is one of the most accessible, exotic and rewarding beauty rituals that you can perform.  Showering will get you clean, but fully immersing your body in water is true bathing.  For me it is a perfect end or beginning of my day.  After a bath filled with lavender and chamomile I feel beautiful, healthy and renewed.  Loving and caring for the body is an obligation and bathing was one of the first ways people began to respond to caring for the body.

Bathing will help you reap the following benefits:

• relaxes tense muscles
• opens clogged pores
• removes dirt, bacteria, and environmental toxins from the skin
• gives strength to your body
• restores moisture to your skin and tissues
• adds a healing dimension to your day
• reconnects you to your body, mind, and spirit

To get the most from your bath time, first of all, prepare your bathroom.  Your bathroom should be clean, fresh, and soothing.  Lighting a candle or incense and playing some soft music may help to set the mood.  Make sure your slippers, towels, and robe are close by.

Next, prepare your tub.  Draw water that is very warm but not hot.  Water that is too hot will actually do harm to the skin. Add natural ingredients to your water such as pure essential oils, salts, herbs, and plant oils like jojoba, avocado, almond, and apricot.  It is important that you use live natural ingredients as they help to keep your skin healthy and alive.  Natural soaps, herbs, sea salts, and clays are also helpful.

Bathing is a healing activity, so you especially want to avoid synthetic fragrances, harsh soaps and other bath additives that will strip moisture from your skin and create a toxic bath. Once you have prepared your bath, dry brush your skin to help get rid of dead skin cells, and to open the skin so that it can absorb the water, and additives in your bath. Soak for 20-30 minutes, taking deep breaths, which help rid your lungs of toxins.  Relax and appreciate the water, and the benefits of the natural ingredients in your bath.  and then use a natural sponge or cotton washcloth to clean your skin.  Massage your skin in a circular motion.  You should also use a foot file to remove old skin from your heels.

Pat your skin dry, and, starting at your feet, apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.  One of the best moisturizers is raw, unrefined shea butter. When applied to the skin, it’s rich fatty acid and vitamin a content will help to seal moisture into your skin.  This step will help to prevent dryness and cracking and helps to keep your skin from aging.  Pure unrefined Shea butter is available at PrettyNatural-inc.com.

Your mind, body, and spirit all gain strength from bathing. Rediscover the art of bathing.

image: fairygodmotherinc.com

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Where I live, it’s getting pretty cold and dry outside. I went to the drugstore in search of a good moisturizer because the spaces between my fingers were dry and cracked. I was browsing and debating between several $15 lotions when I came across that old familiar green can–Bag Balm. The cow on the lid of the can proves that yes, this stuff really IS for cows. The “bags” they are referring to are the udders:

“For use on cows, thoroughly wash treated teats and udder with separate towels before each milking. To avoid contamination after each milking, bath the udder with plenty of hot water, strip milk out and dry skin. Apply BAG BALM freely and massage gently with this proven ointment twice daily. This product contains no alcohol.”

She looks good!

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to slather something on that is meant to sooth udders but I bought the $3 can and brought it home. That night, I slathered it on my hands and feet and I can tell you now: This stuff is GREAT. It’s super thick and greasy, so beware, but it moisturizes like nothing I have ever used before. It’s like a thicker and more moisturizing version of Vaseline. The smell is definitely not pretty, but it’s not offensive either.

I wouldn’t use it on my face, but for the hands, feet, elbows and knees it is AWESOME and the price can’t be beat!

Shop for more moisturizers at Smarter.com.

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You know the process-get out the shaving cream, thoroughly wet your legs, shave, and then moisturize.  I don’t know your process but it seems like every time I realize-”Crap! I need to shave me legs,” I am in a mad rush.  We all know what happens when you don’t take the time to properly wet, lather, and moisturize your legs before and after you shave?  You end up with dry, chaffed legs, but hey! they are shaved after all.  Right?  Wrong!  I have found the perfect solution- the Schick Intuition Razor.  It lathers and shaves in one easy step.  I truly love it and I know you will too!  In fact, I found I shave more now that I know it won’t take long. This razor is great for the on-the-go life we all live.  Has anyone else used this amazing products?  

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more razors.
Discounts on shaving cream.

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When I was a kid my older brother and I use to have “STATIC ELECTRICITY” fights! Obviously it was the 80′s and both parents were working so we had a ton of time on our hands. The premise was to put on two pairs of our soccer socks and begin rubbing our feet against the orange shag carpeting furiously until we built up enough static electricity to shock each other. He always won! To this day I always get a little nervous when people touch me, I guess subliminally I imagine getting shocked.

Well the other night I was at dinner and I noticed my date’s hair was standing up a little and when I touched his arm I got a little shock! It was sort of funny and sweet. Made me think of my brother and our childhood shenanigans.

It also inspired this post because I just wanted to let all you ladies and gentlemen know how to get rid of static electricity. 

1. Rub a dryer sheet against your clothes and head. This works, I do it all the time. Takes literally seconds plus you end up smelling dryer fresh.

2. Lotion – Apparently staying moisturized helps you from getting shocked or building up static electricity. Applying lotion after a shower especially during the winter seasons helps you from picking up shocks.

3. Apply metal to metal – If you are tired of getting shocked by your doorknob or kitchen towel rack etc. Touch the surface first with your metal keyes or a spoon etc. The other metal will absorb the built up electricity.

4.  Fake Fibers – apparently synthetic fibers build up more static electricity than natural ones.. so if you are a frequent fan of the spandex you are in for some shocks! Ha!

I hope this helps all of you, with these nuggets of knowledge in your arsenal maybe you will be victorious in your own “Static Electricity Wars”!!

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