By Guest Blogger Anne Houseman
In the midst of the recession, Wal-Mart has been a budget-friendly oasis for beauty buffs looking to save some dough while still getting their makeup fix. Now, they can save on their favorite personal care items without ever stepping foot outdoors, because today, Wal-Mart.com launched health and beauty products online for home delivery.
For just 97 cents shipping per item, Wal-Mart’s website now offers thousands of personal care items from brands like Revlon, Neutrogena, L’Oreal, Colgate, Pantene and Gillette. Even better – if you’re not sure which beauty buy is right for you, get a free …read more

One of my daily pleasures (twice daily, actually) is that lovely clean feeling after brushing my teeth (or as we say around here,  ma teef).  Lately I’ve been converted to Crest Pro-Health. I love the packaging with the wide flip-top that lets it stand on the glass shelf over the sink, conserving precious sink real estate (we have a pedestal sink).  The mint flavor/scent is just right, not too sweet and not too strong.  It has a slight grit to it which, I think, helps get those pearly whites even cleaner.
I’ve read horror stories about brown stains from using this …read more

I’ve been counting down some of my favorite (non perfume) scented products that I tried the past year.  I’m contemplating a similar list of my LEAST fave five as well…but I don’t want to step on too many toes!  Anyway, without further ado, here is the final product on my list that really stands out:  Mitchum Smart Solid,  Spice.  It works very well keeping me dry, and doesn’t have the powdery white stains that have totally ruined a few of my bright-colored shirts.  And the spice scent is really nice – not too strong, not manly, and really unique.  I …read more

I love going out for lunch.  Probably too much.  And one of my favorite stops is at a cart that serves yummy salads chock full of raunchy-breath ingredients like onion, garlic, and other spices.  Not the best if you’re trying to impress a client or boss at a 2pm meeting.  I already keep floss in my desk but what about your teeth and breath?  I recently tested OralB’s “Brush Ups” (the name, unfortunately reminds me of disposable diaper “Pull Ups”…) and I think they’re a great invention!  You simply slide it on your finger, and brush. The moisture in your …read more

I was given a .33 oz sample of this hand lotion by a friend,  and I happened to start using it the other day on a whim.  I was really in love with the scent (a sweet-pea and aloe concoction).  I couldn’t find out much about it – there is a website on the little tube (so if you’re an aspiring product-seller, having that website on your product really pays off).  This hand, feet and body cream contains aloe, wheat germ oil,  jojoba oil, horse chestnut extract among other natural ingredients.  Have you seen it in a store near you?  …read more

For all the work we put into our hair, washing, conditioning, drying, styling, etc…I’m really surprised products like this aren’t more popular.  This is Baroque Blue Gelee du Parfum, a solid perfume that doubles as a hair gel!
This super fragrant, travel-friendly solid perfume infuses your skin with a soft, sexy scent. Unique and versatile, it doubles as a shine enhancing hair gel, leaving your locks looking and smelling gorgeous! With a heart of Tahitian gardenia, and unexpected notes of sweet coconut and rhubarb, this intoxicating mix of modern and classic leaves an unforgettable impression.
Notes:
Green Grass, Almond, Rhubarb, Rose, …read more

Sales like this are almost bound to be plagued with “technical difficulties”, but shop early and shop often, I say.

About a week ago, my fall allergies kicked in hard. Apparently, it’s ragweed season. Up until about a year ago, I was pretty much miserable all the time – I was taking about 10 sudafed tabs on top of an Allegra-D (more sudafed in that one) and still never stopped sneezing. Fortunately, allergy shots have literally CHANGED MY LIFE but every now and again the allergen levels are just so high that I still feel icky.
Thank GOODNESS I came home today to a package from Aromafloria. Inside was a package of their Sinus Help inhalation beads, …read more

I think it might be worth a shot to write an open letter to L’Oreal, with a bit of friendly advice, so here goes. I purchased a bottle of their reformulated Vive Pro conditioner. It’s for “unmanageable hair” which is definitely what I have going on. The formula is great – I use a pretty good amount, leave it on for five minutes, and comb my hair then let it air dry. With just a little bit of styling creme, my hair looks passable.  That’s really all I’m aiming for these days.
With such a decent formula, …read more

Lush, a love-it-or-hate-it cosmetics/toiletries company with a small but growing presence here in the United States, recently staged a “cheeky” campaign to call attention to something we might not often consider – how the packaging for our cosmetics and other beauty products affects the environment. Their stance, obviously, is the first R – reduce. To this end, they sell “Naked” products, without any packaging.
I’m sure something like this would quickly get shut down in the U.S. (damn our zoning!) but it’s good to see a company doing something about its business practices to help the environment.  For …read more