Beauty411

New LUSH Sugar Scrubs

LUSH Cosmetics introduces two new shower scrubs that have quickly become a favorite.

LUSH Sugar Scrub uses exfoliating Fair Trade sugar to scrub away dead skin cells, tackling cellulite and invigorating sluggish skin for a fresh start this summer. Its stimulating blend of fresh fennel and fennel oil acts as a great tonic for the skin, while lavender oil has a healing effect on the skin and warming ginger kicks the circulation up a notch.  I really love this product--it works as well as scrubs costing many times more than $4.95.  (Vegan)

LUSH Sugar Babe is filled with a soft, soothing center that will leave skin refreshed and rejuvenated. The Fair Trade sugar exfoliates skin for a smooth result. As the sugar melts away, the nourishing center of extra virgin coconut oil is revealed.  The light, protein rich oil softens and moisturizes the body, while beeswax absolute, a natural antiseptic, soothes and protects.  Skin is seductively scented with mimosa absolute and ylang ylang making your newly smoothed and sexy skin even more irresistible. It smells wonderful and is like a spa treatment for dry skin!   $4.95

LUSH Sugar Scrubs are available at LUSH stores and counters and online at LUSHusa.com.

Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Hair Care Collection

Kiehl’s Sunflower Color Preserving Hair Care was created to address the unique needs of color-treated hair.  Formulated without sulfates, silicones or parabens, these antioxidant-enriched recipes for color-treated hair preserve color vibrancy and radiance, while helping to repair any damage caused by chemical processing. Good news for gals like me that color their hair! 

Because color-treated, chemically processed, and heat-exposed hair typically results in a loss of vibrancy and shine due to repeated washing, sun exposure, and environmental factors. Kiehl’s chemists developed a unique formula made without harsh color-stripping sulfates, and instead utilized mild surfactants that gently cleanse, while maintaining hair’s natural lipids and proteins. 

More and more, I'm making a conscious effort to look for products are don't contain ingredients like sulfates, silicones or parabens, so I was excited to hear about this new line.

The Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Hair Care Collection includes:

• Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo ($18.00 for 8.4 fl. oz)
• Sunflower Color Preserving Conditioner ($19.00 for 6.8 fl.oz)
• Sunflower Color Preserving Deep Recovery Pak ($25.00 for 8.0 fl. oz)

Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Hair Care Collection is available now at www.kiehls.com, as well as through select specialty retailers worldwide.

Pacifica Body Wash and Body Lotion - Now at Sephora!

Pacifica, one of my favorite bath, body and fragrance lines, has added new Everyday Essentials Body Wash and Body Lotion to their lineup.  Formulated exclusively for Sephora, the Body Lotions and Body Washes are as fresh and full of natural goodness as the other products in the line.  I have loved this line since first discovering it.  I love to give Pacifica products as gifts; the products are inexpensive, a great value and the quality is fantastic.

The Pacifica Body Lotion and Body Wash are available in the following fruity and floral scents:

• Lotus Garden
• Malibu Lemon Blossom
• Hawaiian Ruby Guava
• Bali Lime Papaya
• Brazilian Mango Grapefruit
• Tuscan Blood Orange

I recently tried the new Lotus Garden scent and love it.  Lotus Garden is a floral, with notes of lotus, jasmine, frangipani, citrus and a base of musky sandalwood.  It's a tribute to Lotusland, a lotus garden near Pacifica Perfumer and Co-Founder Brook Harvey Taylor's home.  What I feel when I smell the fragrance, are the calming and relaxing notes that inspire you to take a deep breath and center yourself.

The Lotus Garden Body Lotion is a lightweight moisturizer that has just the right amount of fresh fragrance.  I like to layer my fragrances and what I love about Pacific is that the scents are light enough to build on.  The Lotus Garden Body Wash cleanses and conditions your skin, leaving just a hint of fragrance.  With both products, your skin is left feeling nourished and moisturized.

As with all Pacifica products, the Body Wash and Body Lotion do not contain sulfates, mineral oils, parabens, phthalates, proylene glycol or artificial color.  They don't test on animals and are 100% vegan.

Pacifica Body Wash and Body Lotions and candles are available exclusively at Sephora.com.  Scoop some up!

June Jacobs Vanda Orchid Bath & Body Collection

The new June Jacobs Vanda Orchid Collection was inspired by a recent trip to Singapore, where the orchid extract is revered for its anti-oxidant and reparative properties.  This new collection includes four products to help keep skin hydrated, glowing and beautiful.  I adore the June Jacobs Spa line and would recommend any of these products to keep for yourself or to give as a gift.

The June Jacobs Vanda Orchid Collection includes:

Vanda Orchid Body Balm - The June Jacobs body balms are amazing, containing ingredients like shea butter, nourishing oils, aromatic healing botanicals and anti-oxidants.  This Body Balm is like a treatment for your skin.  What I love is that the delicate orchid fragrance, combined with body moisturizer, delivers benefits all day.  A great product for year round use. $60

Vanda Orchid Mist - This intoxicating toner mists the skin with an infusion of orchid extract to moisturize the skin.  Essential oils and minerals to help protect against free radical damage and protect from environmental toxins. Your skin feels refreshed; the light fragrance is like aromatherapy.  $48

Vanda Orchid Shower Gel - This rich shower gel nourishes, while scenting your skin with orchid extracts.  Leaves your skin feeling moisturized, soft and revitalized.  Perfect to use as the first step in fragrance layering.  $35

Vanda Orchid Dry Oil Body Spray - In the summer, I often abandon heavier body cremes and switch to dry oil sprays.  The Vanda Orchid Dry Oil Body Spray replenishes lost moisture and conditions and soothes dry skin.  Love this one!  $45

The June Jacobs Vanda Orchid Collection is formulated free of parabens, preservatives, petrochemicals, synthetic dyes, sulfates or fragrance and is idea for all skin types.  You can find the Collection at www.junejacobs.com, www.skinstore.com and prestige spas nationwide.

Josie Maran Argan Oil

Josie Maran started her own cosmetics company after not being able to find makeup that was natural and still sophisticated.  She started Josie Maran Cosmetics, which is dedicated to environmentally conscious, eco-friendly, products.  "Beauty without the baggage" is how she describes her line.

I recently tried the Josie Maran Argan Oil.  I'd been reading so much buzz about how argan oil was so beneficial for your skin and wanted to try it for myself. Argan Oil is a lightweight oil, grown in Morocco.  It's rich in vitamin E (it has three times more vitamin E than olive oil) and essential fatty acids. Argan oil can be used as a daily moisturizer; it's also know for its' healing and conditioning properties.

I really like the Josie Maran Argan Oil.  It is lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin.  It's been a nice moisturizer, particularly in the dryness of winter.  It leaves your skin glowing and with continued use can tone and firm the skin.  This 100% organic product can also be used to condition hair, help heal scars and bruises, moisturize and condition cuticles; pretty much anywhere on the body that needs a little extra attention.

Josie Maran Argan Oil retails at $48 and is available at Sephora.  The Josie Maran Cosmetics line can be found at Sephora, Barney's, Vert Los Angeles and online at JosieMaranCosmetics.com.

You may also be interested in:
Vert:  An eco-chic beauty boutique

Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm