Category Archives: Body

Mmm… Products That Work as Great as They Smell

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Admit it, you’ve bought something based on scent alone- we all have. I love the idea of leaving behind a slight, sweet trail whenever I hug someone or walk by which is always better than a full-on blast of perfume. Here are a few things that I think smell amazing enough to buy on scent alone (good thing they work well too.)

Philosophy’s wildly popular Pure Grace fragrance is now available in a moisturizing Buffing Body Wash. It’s a cleanser with tiny grains that exfoliate your skin so gently that you can use it daily. Pure Grace captures the smell of clean like just-washed cotton sheets, and soap and water, it’s the ultimate non-fragrance fragrance. Using it all over in a body wash leaves just enough of the scent behind so your skin smells fresh and clean all day long.

Hair absorbs and holds scents really well, I can usually tell what someone is using when I hug them or if they flip their hair near me. Styling products are the last thing we use on our hair so their scent will stay the longest. I not only love the light, whipped texture of S-Factor’s Spun Satin which can be used to style wet or dry hair, but the smell of it literally makes my mouth water. It’s sort of a less-than fruity scent with a hint of sweet something that reminds me of everything I loved the smell of when I was a kid.

There are so many multi-use products out there now, which is great news for both your wallet and bathroom counters. Sothys Soins Soleil Cellu-guard Iridescent Tanning Gel creates a luminous golden tan with SPF 8 and skin soothing ingredients to fight free-radical damage. It doesn’t smell anything like a self-tanner, in fact it smells like the beach. It has a little bit of a coconut, pineapple thing going on like a more delicate version of tanning oils with a smidgen of old school Banana Boat sunscreen scent. trust me, it sounds weird but it’s a combination that just works. Every time you smell your skin, you’ll be reminded of trips to the beach.

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Get That Skin Glowing With PRTTY Peaushun

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I’m a little addicted to Tracy Anderson and her super-workout that gives you a body like no other workout can, so when her very own Makeup Artist reached out to introduce me to her new line I was beyond excited.

As a 20+ year veteran Makeup Artist, Bethany Karlyn has worked with A-listers like Reese Witherspoon, Salma Hayak, Cameron Diaz, and Jennifer Lopez just to name a few. With her experience and knowledge of the industry, she could’ve created a line of just about anything, but she wanted to introduce the world to the formula she’d been mixing herself over the years to give her clients skin with a youthful, tight, flattering glow. I asked Bethany a few questions about PRTTY Peaushun (pronounced Pretty Potion), and here’s what she had to say.

Q- Most Makeup Artists transition into developing their own line of cosmetics, how did the idea of PRTTY Peaushun come about? 

I’ve been mixing this formula for years to use on set and my celebrity and model clientele have been pushing me to bring this product to market for as many years. Launching one product in 5 shades seemed reasonably manageable for me to handle alone, without having to bring in partners or investors. Concentrating on one product only has opened the door to an organic growth that I never could have predicted and am absolutely thrilled by. My plan is to get some traction for the brand and then launch additional related products to start filling out a tight little line.

Q- Other than adding moisture and radiance to the skin, what are some of the other benefits? 

The plant extracts offer the added benefit of lifting, tightening and firming the skin, as well as helping with bruising and sore muscles. Many customers are buying shades considerably darker than their actual skintone in order to give a tan effect.

I also use Prtty Peaushun under foundation on the face. A subtle glow peaks through the foundation giving a youthful dewy quality to the skin. I hear that lots of
curly headed people are using it in their hair. My husband mixes plain Prtty Peaushun with his favorite leave-in conditioner and swears it’s the best combination he’s found to tame his wild curls. My best girlfriend uses the light shade of Prtty Peaushun in her curls to smooth the frizz and create shine and highlights. She’s given up on her addiction to Moroccan Oil and replaced it with Prtty Peaushun.

Q- You use 92% raw ingredients in the formula, It’s one of the cleanest formulas I’ve seen, what’s the benefit of raw? 

Raw botanical ingredients from edible, seed-bearing and leafy green plants will cleanse, repair, oxygenate, hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. Raw plant extracts are absorbed more effectively, resulting in a healthy glow. The more a plant is processed the more likely the active ingredients have been cooked out. The skin is not only a major organ of elimination, but also of assimilation, suggesting the wisdom in avoiding processed or toxic ingredients both internally and externally.

From what I’ve seen, PRTTY Peaushun is a healthy skin treatment disguised as one of the prettiest lotions I’ve ever used on the skin. It’s hard to describe the natural radiance the tinted lotions give, but you’ll be addicted to the way your skin looks when you use it on your body and under (or as) your foundation.

Here’s a look at the lotion and the unique ‘anti-packaging’ that takes up minimal space (in your bathroom and in landfills), and allows you to squeeze out every last drop.

Here’s a glimpse of the ‘plain’ formulation- the one without radiance. It keeps the feeling of moisture on my skin all day. I love the feel of it, it’s so soothing.

And a shot of the ‘Light’ lotion with light-reflecting particles. It’s subtly powerful the way it gives a natural glow and look of health. It’s beautiful in photos both on the body and face.  
I used it on my arm so you can see just how it creates radiance. I want to try ‘Dark’ and ‘Deep’ so I can get the same sheen with a bronzy effect. 

If you’re obsessed with the look of healthy skin, PRTTY Peaushun is a one-of-a-kind, natural, fragrance-free wonder that you’ll absolutely love.

PRTTY Peaushun

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Secret Clinical Strength; Strong Enough for a Man, but Made for… My Husband?

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A while back, Secret sent me some of their Clinical Strength Anti-Perspiriant and Deodorant, but it just sat in my office since I’m not sweaty enough to need it. I wanted a good, sweaty subject who could really sink their teeth into testing this super-deodorant out the way it needed to be since it was actually designed for athletes (uh, that wouldn’t be me).

Enter Mike. My super-sweaty marathon-running husband who was fresh out of the guy deodorant he has used for years. Since the bottle isn’t covered with flowers and the scent is fresh and not floral, he agreed to try Secret out. Several days later, I noticed that he was still using it in spite of having re-stocked his usual brand. I asked him about it and it loosely went something like this;

Me- Why are you still using my ladies deodorant?

Him- I like it.

Me- Well does it work better?

Him- Yes, but don’t write that.

Me- I have to write about it, that’s why I had you use it.

Him- Ok, but say that I said ‘It just f*cking works’ so it sounds a little tougher. That’s a good quote.

Me- Wow.

So my husband loves the Secret Clinical, which actually keeps him dryer and smelling (much) better even after a 16 mile run.  And since none of his friends read HOB (or at least admit to reading) I can blab about it to you.

You probably aren’t half as sweaty as he is so if it works this well for him, I’m positive it will for you too.


Secret Clinical Strength

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Silk’n SensEpil for Permanent Hair Removal

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I read somewhere that women will spend over $10,000 and two months removing hair from their bodies over the course of their lives. All women agree that shaving is a total hassle, and none of us enjoy doing it, but letting body hair grow into its natural state á la Mo’Nique isn’t (for me anyway) an option.

You can opt to have hair removed via laser treatment at a medi-spa where it would probably run you close to $1,000, or you could use a SensEpil and do it yourself for a lot less. Silk’n SensEpil uses an FDA cleared laser hair removal technology to create a safe, easy-to-use home system so you can conveniently remove unwanted hair in your own home.

You’ll see a big difference in the amount of hair re-growth after the second treatment (each treatment should be done 2 weeks apart), but after the 4th time is when it really kicks in so you might be able to toss out your razor. Since it’s all yours, you can use it from time to time after your initial treatments if you need to (because of hormonal changes etc.), but the results are permanent.

So let’s talk price. It’s $500 which is half the average amount you’d pay if you had it done in a spa, but it’s still $500. I’d recommend going in on it with a friend or two and sharing. Either trade off custody of the machine, or have a bi-monthly lunch and laser party where you can all take turns using it which would also serve as a good reminder of when it’s time for another treatment (not to mention a good excuse to get together).

All said, it’s a good deal and a decidedly impressive way to permanently remove hair. I’ve noticed a big improvement in just a few treatments and the reviews I’ve read are largely positive. Do some checking and see if it would work on you but remember, as with any laser hair removal, it doesn’t work on darker skin tones because the laser works by ‘seeing’ a difference in color between the hair and the skin.

You’ll find more information on Silk’n SensEpil HERE

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Spa Week April 12-18 2010

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Let’s just take a minute and rejoice, Spa Week is almost upon us. Beginning April 12th, select spas in your area will offer their signature treatments for a huge discount of only $50 each.

Here’s what you do, click HERE and type in your zip code in the Spa Directory box there on the upper left corner, or click on your state if you see it listed. You don’t have to create an account, just type in your name and email address in order to view the spas in your area that are offering special Spa Week services.

Here in Colorado, some of the best spas in the state are offering up aromatherapy manicure/ pedicures, microdermabrasion, massages, facials, and even Botox for only $50 a pop. It’s a perfect time to take advantage of these services and treat yourself especially if it isn’t something you’d normally do.

As part of Spa Madness, Spa Week sent me to Orange Skye to experience their 70 Minute Swedish Massage with Reflexology and Essential Oils. Amy Gieger, the Spa’s owner gave my massage which was a perfect combination of relaxing and deep pressure since my shoulders are in a constant state of stress, a byproduct of long days spent on my computer. I was so relaxed toward the end I nearly fell asleep wondering why I didn’t give my body a chance to heal in this way more often. I felt energized and amazing.

The spa itself is in a house on South Broadway that Amy and her husband renovated into an inviting space that’s relaxing with lots of charm. She’s recruited an experienced staff who have all been in the business a long time and pride themselves of excellent service. Here are a few snaps I took around the spa.

They also have an Infrared Sauna which I first heard about on Oprah (you can see Dr. Oz talking about its life-extending and calorie burning benefits HERE. For $20, you can burn up to 900 calories in a 30-minute session. You can go in and use only the Sauna, or add it onto any Spa Week service.

You can support your local businesses and give your spirit a little boost at the same time. Plan a girls day, surprise your husband with a massage, or give a treatment as a gift.  I hope you’ll all take advantage of Spa Week 2010.

Spa Week

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