Bath & Body

We all have those days where we really, really, really wish we were somewhere else. Like, say, on holiday in Tuscany, or island hopping, or lounging poolside at a beachfront resort. Even if you can’t actually go to any of these places, Not Soap, Radio introduced a line of bath and body products so that you can at least feel like you’re there. The I’m Not Here, I’m Really collection transports you to a number of wonderful places solely through the power of the scent of body lotions, polishes, and dry oil perfumes.

Not Soap, Radio sent me some samples so I could try vacationing in a quaint seaside village. This one is a really calming, relaxing scent that just may remind you of taking a long weekend at the Cape, with hints of nectarine blossom, honey, peach, black currant, and green mandarin. The packaging is downright cute and the quality of the products are excellent, especially when I tried them on my dry skin. Individually, the products range from $20-22, or $59 for the set of 3. Check out Not Soap, Radio’s fun line of products at notsoapradio.com.

Confession: I had no idea that LUSH made massage bars. In fact, I had no idea what “massage bars” were. Luckily, LUSH remedied that situation when they sent me their Therapy Massage Bar to try–a solid bar of moisturizing goodness that is perfect for a massage! It’s completely organic and contains shea butter, cocoa butter, lavender, sweet orange, and neroli oils. The bar warms up as you rub it over your skin, and begins to melt smoothly into your skin. It even has a little notch that you can use to apply a bit more pressure. I’m excited to try this one!

You can find the Therapy Massage Bar at LUSH for just $8.75. The only potential drawback? The aforementioned ingredients do combine for a somewhat unique scent. I found it to be relaxing, though I can understand how others may find it a bit overwhelming. See for yourself at your nearest LUSH store!

There is nothing I like more than getting pampered.  If I was a millionaire, I’d be one of those people with a standing appointment at the most luxurious spa around on a monthly (oh, who are we kidding, weekly) basis.  But let’s face it, even if most of us did have a bank account that ended with a long string of zeros, finding the time to get yourself to a spa to enjoy a service isn’t always easy.  There’s the drive to get there, the time spent changing in the locker room, waiting in line to pay, etc…  (Not to mention the fact that in L.A., the second you get back on the road and find yourself in bumper to bumper traffic, any relaxing effects from your treatment are instantly wiped away).  So when I heard about Yada Yada Yoga, a company that offers a mobile approach to both fitness and relaxation services, I jumped at the chance to have an experienced technician come to my home and pamper me. (more…)

If there’s one thing I love as much as products, it’s England.  London is my favorite city in the world and I would totally move there if I could find the perfect job that paid enough for me not to have to live in like, a studio apartment the size of my bathroom.  (Have you guys ever been there?  London is expensive!)  I also have fond memories of hours spent browsing in Boots (sort of the British equivalent of CVS) and finding some amazing products that I haven’t been able to get in the US, so I have very fond memories of my time living there.  Which is why when I recently learned about Bamford Bath & Body – a product line made entirely in England, I couldn’t wait to try it. (more…)

When I hear someone talking about La Mer, I automatically think of luxury. Every product that I’ve ever tried from them has left me oohing and ahhing over it, so when I got the chance to test out their Body Refiner and Body Creme duo, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.  (Seriously, I think I hit “reply” before I even finished reading the e-mail!)  It’s a two part process that starts with the Body Refiner.  It’s a thick, creamy exfoliator that uses acidic sea muds to detoxify and purify your skin.  It’s light green in color, but the truly amazing part is that it contains polished sea quartz and pure diamond powder to carry out the exfoliation.  Loretta Miraglia, SVP of Produce Development and Innovation, explains that “to create the most effective exfoliator on earth, we incorporated the hardest material on earth – diamonds.   (more…)

Okay, it’s February 11th–are you still looking for a Valentine’s Day gift?! I’ve got some quick ideas for you that any Valentine would love, no matter what your budget is! First up, l’Âge de Thé’s Love Blend loose leaf tea costs only $6 and would be a super sweet way to send your love to someone. It’s a black tea with strawberry, chocolate, and just a pinch of rose petals. And it tastes delicious!

Linda & Harriett put together a Limited Edition Goody Bag that contains a note pad, a box of note cards, a pencil, and a cute little reusable heart bag (tied with a handwritten gift tag!). Of course, the paper goods are the top-notch quality you would come to expect from L&H, and you can choose from a set of designs. The Goody Bag is $26 and would make a thoughtful Valentine, don’t you think?

Lastly, check out Elemis’ Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt. The name is a mouthful, but it’s so worth it. At $48, it’s the most expensive on this list, but oh so luxurious. Monoi is made in Polynesia by soaking frangipangi flowers in coconut oil, and the result is a silky, moisturizing oil that is a treat for your skin. It would be perfect to use for a sensual massage and is nicely fragrant, so I’m sure your Valentine would loooove it. Have a happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is a great holiday…if you have a significant other.  But if you don’t, all the advertising and hype can sometimes make you feel like you’re missing out on something.  Not fun.  Not fun at all.  Which is why I subscribe to the theory that if you’re single on February 14th, the best way to deal is to go out with your other single friends for drinks and dancing.  But if you can’t manage that, you have to at least treat yourself to something special or luxurious to make the day fun for you too.  Expensive chocolates or that pair of shoes you’ve had your eye on for awhile are always good, but here’s a few other options that are guaranteed to make you smile. (more…)

Have you ever tried Jimmyjane’s candles? They smell absolutely fabulous! For a limited time, they’re offering a set called the Little Ember Sampler that is a must-have if you’re a candle aficionado.

Containing six paraffin and lead-free candles, these mini Ember candles burn beautifully and evenly; each burn up to 8 hours each, which is pretty impressive since each candle is only 20 g. Each set contains these six scents: Honeysuckle + Clover, Ginger + Date, Truffle + Gardenia, Habanero + Grapefruit, Vetiver + Honey, and Cocoa + Fig. Each smell amazing and are incredibly fragrant, so you can’t really go wrong! What is most unique is that as the candle burns, the liquid turns into massage oil. Containing jojoba, shea butter, vitamin E, aloe and other botanicals, it’s great for your skin and will leave you glowing after using. Massage your stiff neck or shoulders after work…or better yet, convince someone to do it for you. The set is reasonably priced at $45, and available at Jimmyjane.com.

This holiday season, philosophy is reminding us to keep the service members overseas in our thoughts as we spend time with our friends and loved ones. Show your support with Remind U.S., a shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath combo that smells just like freshly baked cookies (yum!). The 16 oz. bottle costs $20 and will last a good long time. 100% of the proceeds from Remind U.S. go to the Bob Woodruff Foundation, a wonderful organization dedicated to providing support to wounded service members, veterans, and their families. Definitely consider purchasing one for yourself or as a thoughtful gift for someone you care about.

For other ways to support our service men and women, check out the Wounded Warrior Project, as well as Xerox’s Let’s Say Thanks program. Happy holidays, everyone!

Seasonal scented body sprays, creams, and washes seem to be one of those hit-or-miss beauty products. While some can smell of sweet sugar cookies, heavenly gingerbread, or fresh-out-of-the-oven pumpkin pie, the fragrances themselves can prove dismal compared to their delicious descriptions. If you are a fan of sweet seasonal scents at bargain prices that actually do live up to their description, check out Victoria’s Secret’s latest line of limited edition Secret Garden scents: Gilded Ginger Creme, Merry Vanilla Twirl, and Sparkling Sugared Pear.

At their special price of 3/$24, 5/$30, or 8/$35, you can stock up without any buyers remorse! I’ve always loved sweet scents for daytime casual wear, so my favorite of the three turned out to be Merry Vanilla Twirl, the sweetest of the bunch. The crème brulée sweetness is nicely balanced by vanilla and fruity (starfruit, technically) undertones, so even though it sweet and delicious smelling, I don’t smell like a tub of frosting! If you’re a fan of seasonal scents and like refreshing citrus scents, you’ll love Sparkling Sugared Pear, a nice seasonal alternative. The Gilded Ginger is intensified with a musky smell and is definitely the most “grown up” smelling, but fun and flirty at the same time.

For some of the yummiest scents of the year at a reasonable price, strap on your angel wings and fly over to Victoria’s Secret!