Have you tried the Caudalie line of natural products?  I was shopping at Sephora and I saw that they have a set of “must haves” in smaller sizes. It includes everything that you need to cleanse, tone, moisturize and care for your entire face, including eyelids and lips. It’s all packed into the cutest silver cosmetic bag. Great for a gift, to take when you travel, or just as a way to become familiar with the products.
The products contain ingredients that help protect against premature aging. Polyphenols like those in the grape seed are powerful antioxidants that shield the skin …read more

Origins is wishing you a “Happy Holidays” with a savings offer for their “friends and family.” Beginning today 11/14/09 and running through 11/19/09, you can save 25% off your online order or print out an in-store coupon. To redeem online, use the savings code NovFF.
When you visit the Origins website, don’t forget to enter their Wake Up & Win Sweepstakes.
The grand prize includes:
*A 3-month supply of Origins New GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff
(A $29.50 suggested retail value)
* A $250 Origins gift certificate
* The illy Francis Francis X7 espresso machine and case of illy espresso capsules
(A $500 suggested …read more

Carol Alt is a long time proponent of a raw food lifestyle. She has written a couple of best-selling books on the subject; Eating In the Raw and The Raw 50.  She believes that by subjecting food to high temperatures, we destroy a lot of the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants the food contains.
After much research, Alt found that the body absorbs 60% of what is placed upon the skin. She wanted to develop a healthier alternative to traditional skin care. RAW Essentials is the end result. The products are made with certified raw ingredients, they are vegan, and cruelty-free. They …read more

Are you planning any romantic getaways this holiday season? Even if your plans are keeping you close to home, don’t forget to take the time to slow down and reconnect with your partner. One sure-fire reconnection idea is to give a massage.
I’m a certified massage therapist, but you don’t need to go to school to learn how to give your partner a loving massage. Keep the following tips in mind…..
*Gather your supplies before you get started. Once you begin the massage, it’s jarring to the person you are massaging if you have to step away. A massage therapist tries to keep …read more

Golden Path Alchemy puts a lot of thought, planning, and work into making a quality natural skin care product. All products are made with pure ingredients, “food for the skin.” These ingredients are local, organic, and all products are handmade into small batches, so that they remain fresh. They are vegan and only tested on humans, never animals.
Golden Path Alchemy says…
We are the only company that synergistically combines gem and flower essences, therapeutic grade essential oils, Chinese and Western medicinals and botanicals uniting Eastern, Western, modern and ancient techniques to transform the skin.
Golden Path Alchemy sent me a variety of …read more

This year, in an effort to survive the high cost of the holidays, I’m going to get a jump-start on my gift shopping. My theory is that if I spread the shopping out over a few months, instead of cramming it all into December, it will be easier on my budget. Do you think it will work? Wish me luck, please!
LaLicious is launching a new gift trio of their Body Butters for the holiday season. These butters are sized just right for stashing into your to-go bag at 2 ounces each. They come in 2 different scented trio sets – …read more

Aveda, one of my favorite companies, has a limited-time version of their Hand Relief hand cream available this month. This Hand Relief is a 7% savings over the regular size and $4 of the purchase price will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Incredibly rich moisturetherapy soothes dry, chapped hands—leaving them noticeably softer and smoother. Hydrating plant emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids and anti-oxidants—including vitamins A and E—help diminish signs of aging and provide optimal relief.
Hand Relief
5 oz – $21
Hand Relief contains Meadowfoam which is a seed oil that moisturizes the skin without leaving a greasy feel. Licorice, an anti-irritant, …read more

I live at the Northern End of the Central Valley of California. We have hot Summers and really don’t find much relief from the heat until October or November. Today was a cool day, but the wind blew constantly and my face feels tight, despite my usual moisturizer.  What I need is an additional step, either a mist or a serum. 
Bare Escentuals is known for it’s bareMinerals makeup, but they also carry a good skin care line, as well. The RareMinerals Facial Mist is exactly what I need to give my wind-parched skin some relief. It contains nutrients and mineral …read more

Aveda.com has quite a few sample-size starter sets of their skin and hair care lines available. These sets are good for a couple of reasons. First, they are a great way to try different products in the Aveda arsenal and second, they are travel-size, so perfect for stowing in a bag. The sets range in price from $17.50-$31.00.
Here are a couple that I’m interested in…….

Oily/Normal Skin Care Starter Set
$31
The set contains everything you need for a basic cleansing and hydrating routine, including a Botanical Kinetics Purifying Gel Cleanser 1.7 fl oz/50 ml, Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant 1.7 fl oz/50 ml, Botanical …read more

Cooler temperatures are on the way and the changing weather conditions can be hard on skin. Especially the skin on your hands.  I recently had the opportunity to try a couple of EO’s Everyday Hand Creams. I tried both the Chocolate Mint and French Lavender versions. They are suitable for all skin types. 

They contain a wide array of beneficial organic ingredients:
*Lavender Essential Oil is a common ingredient in aromatherapy products. It’s known for it’s soothing properties
*Cocoa contains both flavonoids and antioxidants for younger looking skin.
*EO’s Five Mushroom Complex, Calendula, Chamomile, White Tea, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Jojoba Oil,  Aloe, Vegetable …read more