{Summer Must Haves} Body Exfoliator!

One definite must have for summer is smooth, exfoliated skin, especially if you are going to sunless than. I do love a good body scrub, but I prefer chemical scrubs that exfoliate my skin but don't leave it feeling red and raw. This one from Being True, while expensive, does the trick!


So just what is an Energy Work Active Body Peel? It is an exfoliator, but instead of solely relying on abrasives to exfoliate, it also includes chemical exfoliates. This one in particular has beads that are filled with salicylic acid that burst when you rub them in and exfoliate really really well but without irritating skin.


While I know this stuff is expensive $42, you do get 8 oz, so should last you months and months. I've had mine for about three months and with weekly use I'm not even half way through the tub. Before you shell out $42 for it, check your local TJMaxx and Marshall's because I do believe I've seen Being True products there. I've only seen eye creams, but you never know!


Using a chemical peel (yikes, sounds dangerous, but don't get scared lol!) is a bit different from a regular scrub exfoliator. In this case you apply on dry skin, moisten a bit, rub in, and rinse off. I've been told that leaving it on for a couple minutes is ok, so I rub it in before I shower, brush my teeth or something and then rinse off in the shower.






The actual product is a gel that has little crystals and beads suspended in it. The beads contain the salicylic acid, so on top of a chemical exfoliation you are also getting a bit of mechanical exfoliation.

Now, this stuff is nowhere near as harsh or effective as the stuff your dermatologist, esthetician, or facialist would use, but I did notice immediately smoother and softer skin. I've also noticed that when I use this anywhere that I've gotten the odd pimple, after a few uses the scar looks a bit faded. I've also been using this before I get a spray tan, and I must say, the spray tan goes on a lot more even after I use this. If you've got a bit more money to shell out on a luxury product, this one is worth trying. If not, something like St. Ives Apricot Face scrub, although formulated for facial use, works like a charm as well, albeit not as gently!

I don't know of any retailers that sell Being True, but you can get in online from their website here!

Info:
Price: $42
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Algae Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Jojoba Esters (Beads), Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Salicylic Acid, CI 77492, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Phenoxyethanol, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Tocopherol (D-alpha), Tocotrienols, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Alcohol Denat., Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tropolone, Sodium Hydroxide, Squalene, Phytosterol Complex.

{Favorites} February 2011

So here are February Favorites! I know, a little late but everything's been so hectic lately that this is the fastest I could get them out. Not as many as last month, but I've been using a lot of the same so I figured I'd skip the repeats.

1. Skincare

L to R: Nature's Gate C For Yourself Serum, Philosophy Grace Perfumed Body Lotion, The Body Shop Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue Lotion.

I've really been loving all three. I'm almost done with the Philosophy Grace lotion (you can't tell, but trust me on that) and I'm thinking about getting the full size. I put this on right after I get out of the shower, all over, and it makes me smell like I've spent the day at the beach! So pretty! I always get compliments when I wear this.

The C For Yourself serum is a bit heavier than I like a serum to be so I haven't been wearing it during the day but rather at night underneath my regular moisturizer. It's a re-texturizing serum and in the morning my skin feels really smooth like I've exfoliated.

The texture of The Body Shops Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue cream is unlike anything I've ever tried before. It's more solid than a regular lotion, but almost has the consistency of a balm, but softer. It smells amazing though and makes my feet feel so smooth and soft. I put this on before bed, a thick layer, and wear socks. I wake up in the morn with the most soft and supple feet.

L to R: Nature's Gate C For Yourself Serum, Philosophy Grace, and The Body Shop Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue.

2. Makeup

Clockwise: Dior 5 Color Eyeshadow in Earth Reflection, Nars Single Eyeshadow in Nepal, and L.A. Colors 12 Color E/S Palette in Traditional.

I've really been into neutrals this month. I never really go nuts with eyeshadow but I usually wear a mix of neutrals and a shade of purple or navy. This past month has really just ben neutrals. I've especially been loving pairing my Nars shadow in Nepal with any of the shades from the L.A. Colors 12 Color Palette in Traditional. If you remember, I got this palette for $1 (!!!), but it is really an awesome neutral palette. The Dior palette is great too, but it can bee a bit to shimmery for day so I've been using it at night with a liquid liner.

3. Hair Care:

Garnier Nutrient Spray and H2O Spa Hair Repair Seaweed Mask and Conditioner

I've been using the H2O Seaweed Mask and Conditioner as a hair conditioner. If I use it as a mask it is a bit too heavy for my thick hair. As you can see I'm almost done and I definitely will repurchase this one. It doesn't smell the best, kinda herbal-y, but my hair feels really healthy after I use it.

The Garnier Nutrient Spray is one of those products that has the dual layer (like Lancome's famous Bi-Facil makeup remover). You shake it up and then spray. I use this on damp towel dried hair before I blow dry. If I use it on dry hair I have to be careful not to spritz too much or my hair will be too oily. On dry hair one spray is enough to give me some shine. On damp hair I spray 3 times, rub it in, and then blow dry. My hair ends up looking very very healthy and shiny. You have to remember to shake it before using it otherwise the oil and water based ingredients won't work together.

4. Perfume

Marc Jacobs Splash in Gardenia

All this is is a body spray. It smells amazing. My favorite flower is the white gardenia. I love how they smell and look and everything lol! This spray is light and perfect for everyday use. I layer this over the Philosophy Grace lotion after I shower and then maybe another perfume like my Chance by Chanel. People always ask what I'm wearing when I wear this, especially when I layer it over Philosophy Grace. If you want an inexpensive dupe for this, Bodycology has a body spray in white gardenia. It's around $4 and it smells exactly the same only a little bit stronger. They actually have an entire line of lotions, sprays etc with the white gardenia scent. I've reviewed the lotion from the collection.

I've been using this for most of the month and I've barely made a dent in the MASSIVE bottle. You get an astounding 10 fl oz!!! I've only used a tiny bit over a cm, so this is going to last me forever.

That's it for February! I'll be posting a haul later today so stay tuned!

Review: The Body Shop Body Butter in Satsuma

I first heard about this body butter from a friend of mine. I'd never really stepped foot into The Body Shop before and just thought that their products were just like those from Bath and Body Works, which I have a ton of. She bought this stuff and let me get a whiff of it...and I was a gonner, lol! This is one of my favorite body butters. I had the smaller size, but on Black Friday decided to get the full size.


It contains satsuma oil. If you don't know what that is, don't worry cause you're not alone. I had to Google it, lol! Satsuma is just another type of orange. I guess that's what they put into this stuff to make it smell sooooooo delicious!


It looks kinda strange, but that's only cause it was lying on its side in the bag. As soon as you open the container, the aroma of tangerines/oranges hits you and oh man, it smells soooo good. If you don't believe me, just stop by a Body Shop store and sniff for your self. I've never really been fond of fruity smells--I'm more partial to minty or fresh ocean/linen smells--but this stuff smells like no beauty product I've ever smelled before.

Some closeups on the texture:


And closer still:

I find the texture of this body butter to be lighter than other body butters. Usually with body butters, they're very thick and greasy. I have one from Bodycology that, if I turn it upside down, it doesn't fall out of the container. This stuff, if you try that, will. It's much thinner than most body butters, but no less moisturizing. In fact, I think this one does a much better job and leaves my skin feeling less greasy.

On the hand:

Can you tell how it almost looks like a lotion?

Rubbed in:

It leaves my skin feeling very moisturized, but not as greasy as other body butters in the past. Another thing I like is that it absorbs VERY quickly, but still leaves my skin feeling moisturized all day long. I tend to get ashy skin, especially in the winter. I'll put cream on and a couple hours later my skin is dry again. This stuff works all day long. Also, I'm sure that people worry about this clogging pores, but I haven't really had a problem with that. Usually I only use body butters on my legs and fore arms, never my shoulders or neck because I worry about getting acne there, this stuff doesn't break me out. It leaves my skin feeling sooooo soft and I always get compliments on the clean, crisp orange scent. The only downsides to the product are the hefty price tag ($20 for 6.7 oz) and, if you don't like strongly scented body products, the smell. But if the smell doesn't bother you, The Body Shop frequently has promotions and sales during which you could get this for a lot cheaper. I got mine for $10! Definitely my favorite body butter ever!!!

Info:

Price: $20

Ingredients: Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Citrullus Vulgaris, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lanolin Alcohol, Fragrance, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Reticulata (Satsuma) Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 4 (CI 14700).

Disclosure: The product featured in this review was purchased by me for the purpose of of my personal use. If you have any more questions about disclosure don't hesitate to ask!

Pictures Of My Black Friday The Body Shop Haul!!!

This isn't a new haul, but rather pictures of my last haul from The Body Shop on Black Friday! It is of epic proportions, haha! I don't think I've ever bought this much skin stuff in one day, lol! Here goes!


Satsuma Body Butter!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Jolly Orange Body Butter

Carrot Moisture Cream


Nature's Minerals Foundation


Jolly Orange Body Scrub


Jolly Orange Lip Balm


Jolly Orange Soap


Jolly Orange Bath and Shower Gel


Tea Tree Blackhead Exfoliating Wash


Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue Cream


Hemp Hand Protector


Jolly Orange Home Fragrance Oil


Coconut Shimmer Body Butter Sample
Vitamin E Moisture Serum Sample


Sparkle Nail File
Printed Nail Buffer


Ceramic Ornament


Bath Lily and Large Bath Brush

It cam with a bag, which I don't have a pic of, but all of these pics were taken with the bag as a backdrop! It's a really pretty silver color. Reviews are coming soon!