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 Dr. Squatch Natural Soap $6.00 for 5oz Monthly "soapscriptions" available! The Story: We all have human obligations, but as men we still desire to be wild, free and natural like a Sasquatch. Turn your shower up a notch and unleash your inner man with Dr. Squatch. Soap that's full of the simple and natural ingredients your body loves and deserves. Made from 5 natural oils. No harsh chemicals. Hand crafted. Made in the USA.
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Beauty Box 5 is a monthly subscription service that delivers five beauty or skincare samples to your doorstep for only $12 a month (and the shipping is free)! Ordering recurring boxes gives you an even greater discount. The theme of the June 2014 BeautyBox5 is "Summer Chic": 
Let's take a look at this month's BeautyBox5! 
 The foot buffer is basically am oversized nail buffer. I have zero interest in buffing my feet--when you're a runner, those callouses are there for a reason! Besides, it's the middle of winter--I've been wearing and will continue to wear boots for months :p The good news is that I will totally use to buff my fingernails. Smoothing out the ridges in my nails really makes my mani look a thousand times better! Yes, I'll use it; no, I don't think it's worth $5; no, I'm not using it the way it was intended. It's a tissue.  This lotion smells great, absorbs quickly and does a great job moisturizing. But I feel like the price is a bit high for the amount of product. If I'm paying that, I would expect fancier packaging. In any case, you can never have too many travel sized lotions for your purse or actual travel! This is definitely one BB5 item that's going to get used!  The lip stain is interesting. It does slightly stain my lips but I didn't feel that it's plumping at all. Also, the formula is thick to a fault--I love tacky glosses but this is actually hard to squeeze out of the tube. The color is alright and the length of wear is alright... it's just not worth the effort. And for $13 I feel like I could get a much better product.  The NYX Love in Rio palette looks pretty and fun in the case. But it kind of looked like a train wreck on my lids. I'm usually pretty adventurous with my eye shadow but this looked bad enough that I covered it up with other eyeshadow after taking photos. The shadows are really sheer and powdery/chalky, even with a good primer. While this does come in other color combos, I've tested some of them and was also pretty underwhelmed. Unfortunately, I don't think it's even worth the couple of bucks, and I definitely won't be using it.  This Clean & Clear moisturizer was the total dark horse of this box! I don't always use moisturizer because my skin is really oily and acne-prone, so I'm pretty picky. But after using a cleanser that made my face extremely dry and tender after one use, I was so happy that this gel moisturizer soothed my skin without turning my face into a shiny mess. It's affordable and gentle but effective. Definitely a winner! So, out of this month's five product: 1 amazing product that will probably become repurchased, 2 good products that I'll get some use out of, and 2 items that were duds. Three outta five ain't bad.
Have you tried any of these products? What did you think? I've been curious about essential oils for awhile, and have been wanting to try them... But they can be a little expensive, and since I didn't really know much about them I was hesitant to purchase dozens of bottles of the stuff trying to figure out what I neede. Fortunately my friend Phil is very knowledgeable and hooked me up with some DoTERRA essential oils and shared a wealth of knowledge with me! 
Essential oils are "non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile organic compounds." They've been used as treatments for various ailments for centuries, and the benefits are being proven today by science. That's really cool! I was lucky enough to test out eight different essential oils and blends. Essential oils are great because they can be absorbed through your skin, you can breathe them, and some of them you can ingest (this is the reason you want theraputic grade essential oils, like the ones from DoTERRA)! And each essential oil has multiple functions.
Lemon $13.33 for 15mL "Lemon is known as a powerful aromatic, topical, and internal cleanser that can be used to complement many other oils. Diffusing lemon in a room can cleanse the air and uplift mood. It can also be used on surfaces throughout the home as a non-toxic cleaning booster. For aromatic, topical or dietary use." I liked mixing a few drops into my water! You can do hot water or cold water, it's good either way. (Note: Phil warned that I should not put citrus essential oils in plastic bottles!) Peppermint $27.33 for 15mL "Peppermint is popular in countless forms, from toothpaste to chewing gum. As an essential oil, it is useful to ease breathing and as a digestive aid*. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use." A few drops of peppermint essential oil is good in hot or cold water as well, or you can do a mix of lemon and peppermint! It's a tasty way to "enhance" your water without adding tons of fake sugar or chemicals into your body. Seriously, a drop or two would make a pretty minty 16 oz of water, and then the peppermint essential oil residue in my cup would flavor my water for a few fills afterwards as well--a little goes a long way!!! Putting a drop on my palms and breathing it in felt good, and it had a cooling sensation on my skin (apply it to the back of your neck), and it tastes VERY refreshing and minty. Melaleuca (Tea Tree) $25.33 for 15mL "Recognized by its more common name "tea tree", melaleuca has been revered for its cleansing and regenerative properties, especially for the skin. Composed of more than ninety different compounds, melaleuca has limitless therapeutic applications. For aromatic, dietary, or topical use." I've been having some breakouts lately, but after I applied a bit of this for two nights in a row, my skin was looking much better. I would definitely consider buying more of this. Frankincense $93.00 for 15mL "Perhaps the most precious of the ancient oils, frankincense is highly sought after by modern consumers for its many uses, including relaxation, immune support, and mood enhancement. For aromatic, topical or dietary use." VERY expensive, but it has a really pleasant scent to it. Phil suggested applying it to the temples, mid forehead, base of the neck and bottoms of the feet. Breathe (respiratory blend) $26.67 for 15mL "Respiratory issues are prevalent in modern society, and dōTERRA® essential oils are a perfect way to ease breathing consistently for a sustained benefit. Breathe is a remarkable blend of CPTG® essential oils which combine to do just that, help you breathe easier. A proprietary blend including laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon and ravensara cleanses and soothes the airways, and can easily be applied topically to the chest, back, or bottom of feet. Its pleasant aroma is calming to the senses and perfect for night time diffusion allowing for restful sleep. For aromatic or topical use." I get seasonal allergies and this does help clear up my sinuses! Balance (grounding blend) $26.67 for 15mL "Everyone experiences moments of disconnectedness or anxiety. The warm, woody aroma of Balance, dōTERRA®'s grounding blend, creates a sense of calm and well-being. We perfectly blend spruce, rosewood, frankincense, and blue tansy with fractionated coconut oil to offer an enticing fragrance which promotes tranquility and a sense of balance. For aromatic or topical use." On-Guard (protective blend) $42.67 for 15mL "On Guard is dōTERRA®'s unique, proprietary blend formulated to support healthy immune function. Wild orange essential oil, combined with clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary offer a fragrant, natural and effective alternative to synthetic options for immune support. On Guard, with its unique aroma, is one of our most versatile blends. It is also safe to use on counter tops, as a non-toxic way to cleanse surfaces, or to purify the atmosphere by diffusing. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use." It's a good product to use to defend against colds (I really did notice a difference in how well my body was fighting off stuff when I was using this, versus when I wasn't!). It's also a great cleaning product. Elevation (joyful blend) $49.33 for 15mL "Elevation is the perfect blend for those moments when you need to be revitalized. This exciting blend provides an invigorating combination of CPTG® essential oils that can elevate your mood and increase your energy. Elevation is a blend of lavandin, tangerine, elemi, lemon myrtle, melissa, ylang ylang, osmanthus and sandalwood blended flawlessly for an immediate and dramatic effect. For aromatic or topical use." For runners, Phil suggested Breathe, peppermint and lemon as being the top picks. He said he also enjoys Oregano essential oil, which he says is great for cooking, because you only need a drop for lots of flavor, and likes to put some essential oil into his Soda Stream. I really, really liked using all of these. I learned a ton, and feel like I'll actually get the benefits of using essential oils! Instead of putting all sorts of drugs and man-made chemicals in my body, it was nice to just use natural, high-quality essential oils! A lot of the oils from DoTERRA seem expensive, but the quality is very important, and you use so little at a time that even a small sample bottle seems to last FOREVER because you only need a drop or two at a time. And you can make it go even further by mixing it in with water (shake it) or mixing it with coconut oil! The essential oil packaging is simple and classic, but I do with that droppers were standard with these, because the cap can get a little messy (and I don't like to waste product or get it onto other stuff unintentionally). If you're looking to try essential oils, I definitely recommend DoTERRA. Who knew PINK could be so powerful? 
The Pink Embrace Collection by Total Beauty$24.99 (over $55 value) and FREE SHIPPING **Lipgloss+Spandex readers can get 15% off with code PINK15 (valid 10/18-11/8)!!! Give the gift of life with the new Pink Embrace Collection. Featuring an array of the season's best natural, organic & other beauty products (over $55 value) for only $24.99. EVOLV UltraShine Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner UltraShine has quickly earned the trust of top hairdressers and discerning clients, with many dubbing it the most moisturizing and repairing sulfate-free organic shampoo in the world. Designed to provide the optimum level of moisture, amino and fatty acids, and pH level for every hair type, the result is hair that is shiny, full of bounce, without frizz and with greater strength and elasticity. Use this deluxe sample for dry hair that needs moisture or to keep your color shiny and vibrant. UltraShine Conditioner is designed to provide the optimum level of moisture, amino and fatty acids, and pH level for every hair type, the result is hair that is shiny, full of bounce, without frizz and with greater strength and elasticity. Use this deluxe sample for dry, over-processed or frizzy hair that needs moisture, fine hair that needs volume, or curly, thick or coarse hair that needs softness, manageability and less frizz. It prevents breakage, split-ends, and is a superb detangler. EVOLVh products are made using 90% or higher organic ingredients content. Our formulations contain unique blends of natural active ingredients not found in other hair products, and produce visible results you can see and feel. In fact our formulations are are the most advanced of any other natural or organic professional hair care line. We use specialized amino acids and fatty acids to nourish and repair hair. Our products are sulfate, paraben and sodium chloride free. They are also vegan, containing no animal products, and are not tested on animals. Our products are designed to help you have beautiful, healthy hair without compromising your health or life values. LaLicious Vanilla Body Butter PARABEN FREE! This body cream is a Shea Butter base. Renowned for its therapeutic and healing properties, Shea Butter is the ideal moisturizing ingredient! Our whipped consistency allows for intense hydration without leaving your skin feeling greasy. Aloe is added to help heal dry, damaged skin. Our sweet vanilla body cream is enriched with Shea Butter which seals in moisture keeping your skin soft throughout the day. Scoop out with your fingers and smooth all over skin. Use as often as desired for an intense hydrating effect. Lipgloss+Spandex note: This LaLicious Vanilla Body Butter seriously smells good enough to eat! Dove GoSleeveless deodorant The only anti-perspirant/deodorant with unique 1/4 moisturizers and vitamins E and F. It goes beyond 48-hour odor and wetness protection to help replenish delicate underarm skin-leaving it softer, smoother and ready to reveal in just five days. The gentle formula stays on skin, not on clothes, to provide superior care. Good-bye sleeves. Hello beautiful underarms! Lipgloss+Spandex note: Dove's anti-perspirant/deodorant kept me smelling fresh even after hour long lift sessions at the gym. Impressive. Primavera Calming Moisture Cream for Sensitive Skin • Certified Natural with 70% Organic Plant Ingredients • Not Tested on Animals • Vegan This soothing moisturizer deeply hydrates as it rebuilds skin's moisture barrier, helps the skin protect itself from external irritants and soothes away redness and sensitivity. PRIMAVERA uses the highest amount of certified organic ingredients available and we actively support organic agriculture projects worldwide that rely on biodiversity, crop rotation, chemical-free pest controls and fertilizers, and no GMOs for farming. Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream #1 IN JAPAN - ESTABLISHED IN 1957 Invented by Japanese pharmacist Yoshikiyo Nowatari, Yu-Be (pronounced "YOO-BEE") is a Glycerin-based moisturizing cream enriched with Vitamin E, Vitamin B2 and Camphor. It's the uniquely high Glycerin content and absorbability achieved through a special manufacturing process in Japan, which makes Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream so effective on serious dry skin and truly sets it apart from other creams. • Use Yu-Be anywhere on the body - even the face and lips. • Helps heal brittle cuticles and smooth rough, dry skin on hands, elbows, knees and feet. • Absorbs FAST and works for hours. Good for all day or all night. • Non-greasy formula contains NO artificial colors, fragrances, petrolatum or SPF. • CAMPHOR soothes irritation and cools the surface of your skin. • Mild camphor scent fades within minutes. • Concentrated GLYCERIN moisturizer helps hydrate, soothe and smooth severe dry skin on the whole family - ALL YEAR LONG. (kids too!) Lipgloss+Spandex note: Although I don't like the initial scent, it does fade, and Yu-Be is great for really dry skin. Living Nature lipstick in Precious New Zealand's original natural skincare company Colour your lips with the soft and subtle shades of nature. Precious by Lorraine Downes is a gorgeous natural nude pink shade. Living Nature lipsticks are formulated with the highest quality, certified natural ingredients to bring luscious, healthy colour to your lips. Production is in small manufacturing runs with lipsticks hand poured and individually flamed to a perfect finish by our experienced team. All natural pigments and nourishing waxes ensure smooth application, fabulous wear and a gorgeous natural smile. Lipgloss+Spandex note: This color is a really flattering "my lips but better" shade. It's a great basic color to throw in your purse! Head over to the Total Beauty Shops page on facebook for your chance to win a #PinkEmbrace collection! They're giving one away every day to fans who "like " their page. And every new "like" is a beauty product donated to Triple Step Toward the Cure! It's a WIN WIN :)
Arices Sugar Scrub - "Blithe" scent$27.99 for 16 oz. Gently exfoliating sugar softens skin before melting away. Grape seed, sweet almond, argan, and golden jojoba oils nourish, sooth, and moisturize skin. Housed in a decorative plastic jar, it's safe to keep in the shower and won't shatter if dropped. Directions: Stir to mix. After shower or bath apply to wet skin and gently massage in. When desired level of exfoliation has been reached, rinse well. Skin will be left polished and lightly scented. Blithe: The lightest of our fragrances, Blithe teases the senses with hints of eucalyptus, lavender and grapefruit. Bright, without over stimulation. Gently floral without being cloying. This is a scrub for those who enjoy subtlety and find joy in serenity. This smells GREAT. It's subtly floral and citrusy but not overwhelming. I would agree with the description that it is a subtle and calming fragrance. I love that this leaves my skin incredibly soft and moisturized all day after using it. The included little wooden scoop is ADORBS, and fun to use as well. As with many body scrubs in a tub, this can leave an oily residue in your tub or shower (warning: super slippery!). The label is just a regular paper label, so it does start to get a little soggy and icky in the shower. But the biggest downside is the price ($27.99 for 16 oz of scrub is a bit much), especially when combined the shipping and tax, which was almost $10 for one container, for a total of about $47. Despite the pricetag, it's a fab product. Lipgloss+Spandex rating: 
Bee Naturals was founded by nurse Barbara Chappuis to meet the need for natural products that would soothe the most severely dry, cracked hands. Her first product was the Bee Naturals Skin Creme Bar, and she later created other skincare products for different skincare needs. You can see my review of their Skin Creme Bar here. 
Bee Naturals Ultra Rich Pure Body Shampoo Bar$6.50 for 4.5 oz. The same rich formula as our green shampoo bar. Made fragrance and color free for fragrance or dye sensitive skin. So rich and mild you can shave with this product and shampoo dry coarse hair; no conditioner needed. Good shave for men with sensitive, dry skin. The purest of soaps. Product: A simple but good bar of soap. I like that it doesn't have added fragrance or dye--it smells simply of soap and slightly of beeswax.Without using conditioner, I found that it was too drying to use as a shampoo, but I loved it as a soap, and used it for shaving my legs (no irritation!). I liked the amount of lather it produced. If you have dry skin, this may be drying. Packaging: Minimal packaging--just shrink wrap and a sticker. No complaints there! Value: Seven bucks is a bit more than I would spend on soap on a regular basis, but it's nice as an occasional treat or as a gift. Love it or leave it? Love it. It's just soap, which is exactly the point. I wouldn't say that I have sensitive skin, but I've found that shaving with shaving cream irritates my legs, probably due to all the stuff they put in there. This soap doesn't bother my legs at all. 
Bee Naturals was founded by nurse Barbara Chappuis to meet the need for natural products that would soothe the most severely dry, cracked hands. Her first product was the Bee Naturals Skin Creme Bar, and she later created other skincare products for different skincare needs. 
Bee Naturals Skin Creme Bar$6.95 for 0.95 oz Available in Unscented, Lavender, Rosemary, Honeysuckle, Almond, Vanilla and Rosewood • contains all natural ingredients* Product description: This moisturizing solid beeswax and oil bar provides a rich layer of protection for dry, chapped, or cracked skin. I received the Unscented bar, which smells faintly of beeswax. There is no color or tint to the product. Texture: It's firm bar at first but will melt after a few seconds on the skin. Application: It does tug and pull at the skin a bit if you're trying to apply it to a large area like your legs. Letting it melt a bit my pressing it to the skin helps. Longevity: This does a great job of keeping my hands protected and soft for hours. Packaging: I love the adorable honeycomb and bee pattern, and the easy to open and close plastic packaging. The bar is poured into the plastic case/mold, so you'll have to pop it out or slam the case onto the countertop. Value: One bar will last a long time, depending on how much you use and how often. I liked using it on my hands, elbows, knees, and any other dry areas after almost every shower. The price is similar to other lotion bar type products, and the quality of the Bee Naturals skin creme bar is good. Love it or leave it? If you love natural, pure products for severely dry skin, take a look at Bee Naturals. Lipgloss+Spandex Rating: 
I've never had particularly sensitive skin. Acne-prone, yes; sensitive, no. So I've never really given Aveeno more than a passing glance, because it didn't seem like something I needed. I always kind of stereotyped it as being a brand for people who get hives just thinking about fragranced products. Well, I have to admit, everyone's skin can get a little sensitive and particular at times, including mine, and I'm thanking my lucky stars for Aveeno. This is the second time in my life I've had a bout of eczema. The first time was inexplicably in my armpits, and it eventually went away (TMI, anyone?). It is super annoying to have eczema in your armpits, and to be all scratching your armpits like a monkey. The second time started about six weeks ago, on my left eyelid. This is also a terrible spot for eczema. I thought it was just seasonal allergies irritating my eye until it got bad and itchy and red and scaly looking. Super not cute. I tried Aquaphor and some super mild but hydrating lotions and creams but only had minor improvement. I went to the doctor, who told me it was eczema. Yay. I didn't want to put steroid cream on my eye, so I decided to try Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream. I had a friend in college who had had lifelong eczema and he said this helped a lot, even more than the steroid creams he'd been prescribed. And, most importantly for me, it's safe to use on my face and eyelid (disclaimer: it does warn not to get it IN your eye). 
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream$12.69 for 7.3 oz Only AVEENO® has harnessed the soothing power of ACTIVE NATURALS®oatmeal to help you care for your skin with eczema. Developed with leading dermatologists, this breakthrough cream helps relieve irritated skin and intensely moisturizes to help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier function and helps prevent the recurrence of extra dry skin. And, it’s enriched with ceramides, essential lipids naturally found within the skin, which plays a key role in enhancing and restoring the skin’s protective function. Clinically shown to help reduce the itching and irritation of eczema, while helping to improve the overall quality of life. It’s even dermatologist tested and gentle enough for use on babies and children with Eczema.
Eczema on your eyelid is no fun, especially if you like wearing eye makeup. I went without makeup for a few weeks, and have felt super awkward about having my blotchy scaly red eyelid on display. I'm also really bad at not scratching things that are itchy, so my poor eyelid wasn't looking too good. Because I'm impatient and want results IMMEDIATELY, I applied Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream constantly for a few days (the doc said keeping my skin moisturized is key) and my skin feels and looks so much better. Fortunately, Aveeno helped clear it up enough that I could start wearing eye makeup again! The texture of this product is thinner than I would have expected for an eczema product (regular-light lotion consistency), but it is so good at moisturizing. It has a very faint oatmeal scent to it, it doesn't feel greasy, and it helps soothe my skin quickly (as soon as I even think I'm itchy, I throw some of this stuff on, and it feels better). As I said before, I was an Aveeno-skeptic, but I'm a total convert. I can't stress enough how relieved and happy I am to have my eczema start improving! It's a total life-saver and one of my Holy Grail products. It does seem a little expensive, but in terms of efficacy, speed of healing, and amount of product needed, it's definitely worth it. Lipgloss+Spandex rating: 
It's getting warmer, and than means it's time to get your skin fuzz and stubble free! Today, the fabulous Nicole from GirlRatesWorld wanted to share some great shaving tips with us.
5 Shaving Tips for Women with Sensitive Skin Shaving can be a nuisance when you suffer from sensitive skin. Any number of things can cause a reaction which could haunt your skin for weeks. Here are a five tips to make shaving easier for those with sensitive skin. 1. Shave at night Shaving at night gives your skin ample time to repair itself. Since you're heading to bed, your skin is not exposed to the things that typically irritate it: sun exposure, wind, friction. You should also wear little to no clothes after shaving. Newly shaved skin is very vulnerable. The less contact it has with clothing and other body parts the better. Shaving at night and wearing little clothing gives your skin the opportunity to breath and recuperate on its own terms. The results will be less irritation and faster healing times. 2. Exfoliate first Exfoliating is the removal of dead skin cells. Taking time to remove any dead skin cells before shaving will "level the playing field." Exfoliated skin is smoother which in turn will provide an ultra smooth surface for shaving. Let's imagine shaving a crocodile. No amount of shaving cream or any other lubricant will make a difference. The razor would struggle and the skin will become irritable. Now, picture shaving a latex balloon. It is the perfect canvas for the razor - smooth and rigid less. This is a good way to visualize the importance of exfoliating your skin before shaving. 3. Always use a lubricant Lubrication and shaving goes hand-in-hand. You need something to help ease the razor along. Shaving creams, conditioners, and even oils are great lubricants to use during shaving. The key is to apply it liberally over wet skin that has been exfoliated. Lubricants create a barrier between your skin and the razor. They also help reduce friction as you shave giving you a closer shave and protecting you from unnecessary nicks. Shave each area once. Shaving the same area over and over again will basically torture your skin. If you exfoliate first and use a good lubricant, you should not need to repeat. If lingering hairs become an issue, opt to tweeze them out until your next shaving session. 4. Always use a clean or new razor Personally, I prefer disposable shavers. They ensure a clean, sharp blade each time you shave. Older razors become dull. They are also plagued with dead skin and lubricant from prior uses. Eventually they can no longer give us the close shave we desire. As a result, you're tempted to repeat the same area. The result can be more irritation, nicks and razor bumps. 5. Shave in the direction of hair growth Always shave hair in the direction it grows. For example, the hair on your legs may grow downward. So you should run your razor in a downward motion. The same applies for when hair grows upward or even sideways. There are times when your hair is growing in multiple directions in a certain area. In this case, just take a little extra time to examine the area so you know when to change the razor's direction. For more beauty tips and tutorials like this, visit GirlRatesWorld.com. |
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