Paraben-free is beauty’s new buzz word.  But what does it mean?  I didn’t know either, so I looked it up.  Parabens are chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.  They can be found in shampoos, shaving gels, deodarants, and toothpaste. 
 
 
While parabens are considered safe because of their “low toxicity profile,” they can cause skin irritation in people with paraben allergies.  And parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is linked the development of breast tumors and cancers. Yikes!  No wonder the industry is trending towards paraben-free products.
 
 
Here are a few products I’ve tried and give the Hot Mama …read more

My skin becomes dehydrated during the fall and winter months.  So I need to keep it hydrated and moisturized.  What I didn’t realize until I was recently treated to a conditioning True Facial at the Hotel Gansevoort’s Exhale Spa, was that I was contributing to my skin’s dry and flaky state by using a deep cleansing, drugstore astringent.
 

 
I’ve been using an astringent since I was an acne-prone teen, and always thought it was a necessary skin care step for cleansing your pores and getting rid of excess dirt before applying a moisturizer.  As I’ve become more beauty savvy, I discovered …read more

Earlier today, I explained a few of the health and beauty benefits of Epsom Salt. I love adding the mineral compound to my bath water, but as it turns out, Epsom Salt isn’t just for soaking your tired bones.  
Here are four helpful home recipes from the Epsom Salt Council that you can incorporate into your beauty regimen:

Gentle facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage and rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

Relaxing soak: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to your bath water; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. …read more

Some may still regard Epsom Salt as an old wives tale remedy, however, its the secret ingredient in many luxury bath products and an A-list celebrity beauty staple. Personally, I like to stock up on cartons of Epsom Salt at my local $1 store and keep a 3 lb. bag of Dr. Teal’s Soaking Solution on standby to soothe my aching joints in a warm detoxifying bath.
Apparently, I’m not alone in my affection for this affordable, medicinal bath and beauty product. Hot Mama Daily reader Sandhi Schimmel Gold, writes, “My favorite [bath product] is Kiehl’s Lavendar Soaking salt, but when I’m …read more

In the fall I love to detox by sitting in a warm bath.  So I’m going to sample and write about several detoxifying bath and body products, including the D:tox line of products from Giovanni Cosmetics.
This organic detoxifying regimen contains charcoal and volcanic ash from the Mediterranean Sea. These active ingredients are intended to cleanse your pores, and absorb toxins, impurities and excess oils that interfere with skin clarity.
The purifying body care system is also made with hand – harvested goji and acai, and exotic super-antioxidants to nourish and rejuvenate, infuse the skin with vitamins and minerals, and rejuvenate your skin to …read more

Have you ever had one of those days when you couldn’t raise your hand, because you weren’t sure?  Yesterday was one of those days for me.  In a futile rush to get to work on time, I forgot something rather important — my deodorant.  
As a beauty and style blogger, I’m sent a lot of freebies (it seems that may change soon) and I eventually get around to sampling most of the products I receive. And it’s a good thing I had the Koko Haze Natural Deodorette (0.30 oz; $10) by Mbeze sample I picked up during Fashion Week in my …read more

I’m determined to extend my summertime glow into fall.  So I’ve been testing a few new skin care products. Here’s a roundup of a toner, exfoliant, and peel that should keep my skin (and yours) looking vibrant into the holiday season:
 

Cygalle Healing Spa, an eco-friendly mobile spa popular with celebs including Rosario Dawson, has launched a new line of natural facial products for men and women made with certified ingredients like peppermint leaf, green tea, and lavender oil.  I’m fond of the refreshing Cranberry Anti-Oxidant Toner ($50), which contains nourishing organic cranberry juice and Vitamin C to gently refine, while …read more

Bring the scent of Bali into your home with JAMU Asian Spa Rituals.  Jamu literally means “herbal healing,” and now you can create your own cross-cultural experience with the products once only available at selected spas, retreats, and retail boutiques.
The exotic, organic JAMU product line includes an array of  organic massage oils, hand and body lotions, bath and shower gels, body, hand and foot scrubs, and bath salts.  
I’ve had the pleasure of using Jasmine Frangipani ($35), a 17th century palace ritual from Indonesia thought to inspire love.  I like the sound of that.  The product can be used as a …read more

For more than twenty years, Zia Natural Skincare has been a reputable source for natural, cruelty-free products made with wholesome ingredients like green papaya, red raspberry, Vitamin C, and shea butter.  And if you want younger-looking skin, but aren’t down with Botox or plastic surgery, you might want to give Zia’s “15 Minute Facelift” treatment a try.  Not even Joan Rivers could resist. 
 
The 15-Minute Face Lift ($20.95) is paraben free, and promises to smooth fine lines and provide temporary wrinkle reduction. The ingredients include cornstarch, wheat protein and silk powder that help improve tightness of  the cheeks, neck, chin, and brow. …read more

It’s common for women to freshen up with baby powder during the type of hot and humid weather we’ve been experiencing in New York City most of the summer.  But did you know that talc, the main ingredient in most baby powder, has been linked to ovarian cancer?  
According to the American Cancer Society, it has been suggested that “talcum powder may be carcinogenic (cancerous) to the  covering layer of the ovaries.”  This happens when talcum powder particles applied to the genital area, sanitary napkins, diaphragms, or condoms migrate through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovary.
 
 
So before …read more