Keeping your lips smooth is easy.  The trick it to use a two-step lip care program. First, exfoliate. Second, moisturize and protect.

I usually use a moistened washcloth or toothbrush (no toothpaste, just use water) and I massage the rough skin off gently.  I follow with a lip balm that contains a mixture of almond oil (to smooth) and wax (to protect). 

Sometimes, unfortunately, that is not enough. If you’ve reached that point, then try something like the Fern Lily Girls Pear Kiwi Pod Exfoliating Lip Scrub. It’s made with healthy vegan ingredients like Candelilla Wax, Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Sugar (for exfoliating), Olive Oil, Safflower Oil, Mowrah Butter, Flavor Oil, and Organic Kiwi Seeds (for exfoliating).

The lip scrub is easy to use. Apply a small dab, gently work across lip surface, then rinse. Follow with Fern Girl Lip Conditioner.

The lip conditioners are available in a variety of scents/flavors. If you have a hard time narrowing down a favorite, you can chose 3 to try here. They are made with a combination of moisturizing, protective, vegan ingredients and pure essential oils.

Image credit: Fern Lily Girls at Etsy

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The products contain ingredients that help protect against premature aging. Polyphenols like those in the grape seed are powerful antioxidants that shield the skin from environmental eliminates – the sun, pollution, harsh weather. Perfect for protecting skin during the Winter.

My Caudalie Must Have Set
$68  ($121 value)

*1.6 oz Grape Water
*1.0 oz Beauty Elixir
*1.6 oz Instant Foaming Cleanser
*0.5 oz 1st Wrinkle Eye Cream
*0.33 oz Night Infusion Cream
*0.14 oz Lip Conditioner

All the products are made without any animal ingredients (vegan products), mineral oil, sodium laureth sulfate, parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, or phenoxyethanol.The Beauty Elixir and Grape Water are made without synthetic fragrances. The Beauty Elixir and Grape Water are made without Petro-Chemicals.

This kit ships free and users who tried it have rated it as worth 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Image credit: Sephora.com

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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 retail value)

Nine additional winners will get 3 months worth of Origins New GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream, a $250 gift certificate, and illy coffee.

If you live near an Origins store, stop by for one of their free mini facials. Personalized treatments cover Age Preventing, Firming, Redness Relieving, Brightening, and Hydrating. Call your local location to secure your appointment.

Image credit: Origins

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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 contain no petroleum, sulfates, detergents, parabens, synthetic preservatives, GMOs, artificial colors or fragrances.

RAW Essentials sent me a few of their items to sample for review. I tried the following products:

Raw-Juvenate Eye Recoup – Contains pure Aloe, Virgin Coconut Oil, Mushroom extract

Raw Vita Eye Serum- Contains pure Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil

Raw-Acivate Daily Revitaling Facial Moisturizer- Contains pure  Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Citrus Oil

Raw-Finish Rigorous Face Scrub- Contains pure Aloe, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Sucrose Cocoate

Raw-Scue Night Restore Cream- Contains pure Aloe, Squalene, Virgin Coconut Oil, Licorice Root Extract

I liked all the products. I feel that they work well – gentle, but thorough. My favorite items would be the Eye Recoup and the Night Cream. The Eye Recoup felt cool on my skin, soothing.  I like that it can be used both under the eye and on the eyelid itself.  The Night Cream felt thick and moisturizing, but it was not greasy and my skin absorbed it completely.  I like that the RAW Essentials products are affordable and that they smell good.

The only problem that I had with the products is the packaging. The Eye Recoup dispenses too much at once, which can lead to waste. The Eye Serum has a metal ball and once you get it flowing, it works great, but you have to roll it over and over before any comes out.

You can learn more about RAW Essentials here.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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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 one hand on their client at all times.

*Turn the TV down low or better yet, turn it off. Play soft music or go with the quiet. Use lamplight or candle light, rather than overhead lighting.

*Always pour the massage oil into your hand first, warm it by rubbing hands together, then apply it to your partner’s skin with your hands.

*Use long strokes with firm pressure. Try to make your hand cover as much skin surface as possible – hand flattened to the skin. This is the most comforting, reassuring touch. (Really, it doesn’t matter what type of stroke you use, this type of touch is all you need). 

*Take your time. In the case of a good massage, it’s almost as good to give as it is to receive. Slowing down and tuning into your partner’s breathing is very relaxing.

*Take turns. There’s no getting around it – the person who goes last gets the best deal. Switch who goes first each time.

A good massage oil  has a subtle scent and allows the hands to slide along the skin smoothly. The Scandle candle is a soy candle that burns at low heat. As the candle melts it turns into a fragrant massage oil.

I tried the Uplifting Blend  in the Scandle Essentials line. These candles are scented with a blend of pure essential oils. A 10 ounce candle burns for 30-50 hours and runs $21.95.  It’s packaged in a ceramic container that features a little spout for ease of use. Refills are available for $9.99.  Scandle Essentials are also available in a 4 ounce Travel Tin (this is the size I sampled).

The Scandle is easy to use. Light the candle, allow it to melt, then when enough soy oil has accumulated, blow the candle out, pour the oil into your hand, then apply it to the skin for massage.

The Scandle candle works well as a massage oil – smooth, slippery, smells great – and the skin feels very soft after the oil is absorbed. When you figure that it’s a candle and a massage oil, it’s also a very economical choice.

Ceramic Scandle image credit: A Body Candle.com
Traveler size Scandle image credit: Michelle Smith

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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 products to try for review. These included masks like the Bright Mask, Goji Glow Mask, Silk Herbal Mask, the Renew Toner, and the Renew Serum. I liked all the masks. They left my skin feeling smooth and the Goji Glow smelled like a Fig Newton cookie (yum).

My favorite product was the Renew Serum. I have some lines near my eyes and I noticed that after a week of using the serum, these lines were less noticeable. I was shocked (and excited). I would recommend this serum over all the other serums I have tried.

In addition to liking the products, I also respect what the ladies at Golden Path Alchemy stand for. They are committed to producing a quality, green product.

Image credit: Golden Path Alchemy

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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 – Passionfruit Lime, Island Guava, and Lily Mango or Vanilla, Coconut Cream, and Tahitan Flower.

LaLicious Body Butter Trio
$25

LaLicious Body Butters are made with rich Shea Butter and healing aloe. Like the other all natural LaLicious products, the body butters are paraben free. To find a LaLicious retailer near you, click here, or purchase the products at the LaLicious website. (Could you tell that I like that name? LaLicious. LaLicious. It’s cute.)

Image credit: LaLicious.com

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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, is also an integral ingredient in this customer favorite hand cream.

When ordering your Hand Relief, don’t forget to add your free sample of Aveda’s Green Science Perfecting Cleanser. It’s a “milky” cleanser that completely removes makeup, dirt, and oil gently. Green Science skin care contains organic argan oil, which is from the nut of the Moroccan Argan tree.

Image credit: Aveda.com

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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 electrolytes, perfect for quenching dry skin.

Bare Escentuals RareMinerals™
$18

Bare Escentuals RareMinerals™ Facial Mist provides instant relief for thirsty skin and protects skin from environmental stressors that can lead to premature aging. The patent-pending, 100% pure RareMinerals Complex feeds skin essential nutrients while an exotic Resurrection Plant Extract wakes up skin cells and revives fatigued skin.

The RareMinerals Facial Mist is made without Parabens, Sulfates, Petro-Chemicals, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, or Phthalates.

Image credit: Sephora.com

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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 Kinetics Hydrating Lotion 1.7 fl oz/50 ml, and Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser 34 fl oz/10 ml.

100% Comfort Set
$28.75

The 100% Comfort set includes the World’s Best Smelling Shampoo (according to me), Shampure Shampoo and Conditioner in the 1.7 fl oz/50 ml size, a Hand Relief in 1.4 fl oz/40 ml, Replenishing Body Moisturizer 1.4 fl oz/40 ml, and a Lip Saver lip balm.

Aveda is offering a free sample of their new Green Science Perfecting cleanser with your purchase. In addition, they offer free shipping on orders over $80.

Image credit: Aveda.com

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