Personal Favorites of 2009 - Part I: Seasonal Delights

One of those things that I love about the cold cold months is the opportunity to use products with soul-warming scents and sensuous textures.  Everything gets suited with an extra oomph that they might have otherwise not gotten if it wasn't for our need for richer and stronger products during this time of the year.

Two of the products that I fell in love with at the end of 2009 (and they are both on my Personal Favorites of 2009 list) are from The Body Shop's Nutmeg and Vanilla line.  (Yes, I do hope to complete this list soon and am crossing my fingers to release this list throughout the month!).  These two products are:  The Nutmeg and Vanilla Lip Balm and the Nutmeg and Vanilla Bath and Shower Gel.  And just so you know, the Nutmeg and Vanilla line is one of three of their festive lines and limited edition for 2009. 

Although both products come from the same scent family, the two of them do not have identical smells (thanks goodness!).  The lip balm has a very spicy and sweet cake scent in that -just stepped into a

bakery which also sells spices kind of way.  Whereas the scent of the bath & shower gel takes on a completely different note.  It has spices and it has sweet (and less vanilla) but it has the added oomph of a kick of candied fruit.  And when added to a tub of hot steamy bath water, it does not smell sweetly sickening like most spicy vanilla concoction usually smell like, this smells divinely sensuous thanks to the added touch of sandalwood.  I mean this is this is the stuff that will spice up your bath and your evening.

Onto the packaging.  I know that most of us are not fans of open lid containers and prefer squeeze tubes for lip balms.  I do have to say that it feels great getting some balm out of a round tin because it makes me feel as if I'm getting a cookie treat out of a cookie jar.  And the bronzy color on the inside of the lid just makes it ever more special.  As to what you do with the leftover balm on your fingers after you've applied balm on your lips; give your cuticles a little treat as well!  The bath & shower gel's packaging is really nothing intriguing until you dial down the lights and light a few candles.  The transparent and amber-tinted bottle looks sumptuously warming and glowy in the candlelight and in the steam of my mostly white bathroom.  Quite a treat for the eyes I must say!


The texture of the lip balm.  This is a rich balm indeed with all of its most conditioning ingredients topping the ingredients list.  Like most of The Body Shop's old school lip balms, this one is also extremely emolient, transparent and have a high sheen finish.  I personally prefer this type of balm (I really loved the older version of TBS' balms) as they simply are longer lasting on the lips and are especially good for wearing to bed.  And you know why this one is especially good for wearing to bed?  It is because the balm has these subtle fine gold shimmers that just makes the lips look so pretty. The added bonus is that the balm has a slight tint that warms up our pouts in a natural kind of way. 

These and other TBS seasonal delights are currently only available in very limited quanitities at their stores in Amsterdam and some of them are on sale at 50% off.  Check them out and leave your thoughts and comments!


Website:  thebodyshop.com
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
Disclaimer:  Things I had purchased myself.

Retro Lush & Breakups

Lush and I had a fallout a while back but it was mainly my fault. I gave it too much attention and I was at the point of down right infat- uation and obsession. Not healthy at all!

If you have followed Lush's products over time, you know that they have stopped producing some of their gush-worthy items and others that were rumored to have existed but very few of us ever got to experience (you can see some of them here). The Retro Lush items were my drug but more specifically, the drug went by the name of Aqua Mirablis Underwater (the Retro version, pictured above).

My first dab into Lush was a refrigerated tub of their fresh Cupcake facial mask which instantly had my senses tingling with glee and skin bouncing with vitality. And then I met the aforementioned drug which we'll now just call AMU. AMU was a little bar of powdered solid body butter topped with marigold petals. It really was what soft smooth skin's made of. With sandalwood oil, rose absolute and gardenia extract, it was a scent made for dreary days.

I used to have a bathing ritual using AMU. First, I filled my bathtub with warm water. Then I rubbed AMU all over wet skin, as the ground almond shells exfoliated away all unflattering flakes. AMU had a spell over me and made the usually unglamorous job of exfoliation feel luxurious. Final step - I would sit in the warm water until the water started to cool. Heaven I tell you! The combination of exfoliation, heat, water and cocoa butter transformed my skin every time.

When I heard rumors that they were discontinuing production of AMU in that format, I became an addict that feared not having her substance. I began to hoard and bought all displayed bars of AMU at one time, and, even sent friends overseas to collect more for me. I was so frightened of what a disappointment the new Aqua Mirablis was going to be.

As you all know that Lush' products are natural based, they have only a certain amount of shelf-life. Well, my bars of AMU began to turn rancid (after about a year though). It got to the point that I actually had to unwillingly dispose of them. What a horror that was! After that point I never wanted to step into Lush again in fear of experiencing heart-break like that again.

It has been 3 years since then and I finally stepped into a Lush store the other day with BFOG by my side. As I stood inside the store, it all felt somehow familiar but different. I walked by the the hall of the soaps and when I reached the body butters where the new AMU now sits (it used to be in the bath melt section), I only 'eyed' the new AMU (pictured above).

BFOG and I walked out of the store with a bag of goodies and big grins on our faces. With my renewed happy and healthier attitude with Lush, I am happy to say that I will be sharing my thoughts on a few of their products with you shortly.

Any Lush fans out there? Want to share your thoughts on your Lush favs or boos? Please do!
Oh and Happy Halloween!

Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), lush.com

Do You Do E-Shopping?

You might find this information from the ShopSmart Magazine (Consumer Reports) handy. It is the result and summary of the screening they had conducted to compare some of the e-tailers out there.

Do any of you shop at these sites? Would you recommend any of these to your friends or to me (do any of them have international shipping)?


Best Overall Selection: Beauty.com

Shipping Free if you spend $49 or more.

Return policy 30 days on unopened products or, for certain items, if you don’t like the color. Returns cost $4.99 unless a product is damaged or incorrect or the color is wrong.

Great for Hard-to-Find Products: Beautyhabit.com

Shipping Free on orders of $100 or more; otherwise $5.95.

Return policy 14 days on most items. No returns on opened or used products.

Great for Trendy Brands: Beautyofasite.com

Shipping Free on orders over $75; otherwise $5.95 to $8.95.

Return policy 30 days. You pay for return shipping unless the product was damaged. All returns are for exchange or store credit only. There are no refunds or returns on color cosmetics.

Best Prices: Buymebeauty.com

Shipping Free on orders of $35 or more; $4.95 on orders of less than $35.

Return policy 30 days. Products must be unused and unopened, unless they are defective. You have to call or e-mail before returning products; you will also have to pay the costs of return shipping.

Great Return Policy: Cosmeticmall.com

Shipping $5.95 plus 93 cents per pound.

Return policy 30 days. You can return most products for any reason, even after they’re opened.

Great Drugstore Makeup Section: Drugstore.com

Shipping Free on your first nonprescription order of $25 or more; free on orders of $49 or more after that.

Return policy 30 days. Returns are free if a product is damaged, defective, or incorrect. Returns are free on certain products if you don’t like the color. Otherwise, products must be unopened and unused.

Great for Freebies: Sephora.com

Shipping Free on orders over $50; otherwise $5.95.

Return policy 60 days. Free return shipping. Store credit after 60 days.

Great for Organic Products: Skinbotanica.com

Shipping Free on orders over $49; otherwise $5.95.

Return policy 60 days.

Best Shipping Deal: Skin-One.com

Shipping Free.

Return policy 30 days. Product must be at least 75 percent full. You have to pay return shipping fees, and no returns are allowed of an opened product if you received a sample of it with your order.

Best Online Version of a Walk-In Store: Walgreens.com

Shipping Many items qualify for free shipping of purchases of $50 or more; otherwise $5.49 for 10 pounds or less.

Return policy 30 days.

Sad Site: BeautyDepot.com

This site didn’t have a wide selection of products. You have to buy $99 worth of stuff to get free shipping; otherwise you could end up paying $7.95 or more for UPS ground. Cosmetics (and many other products) were not returnable, and there’s no toll-free customer-service number.

Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), ShopSmart November 2008 issue
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Which Category Do You Fit Into?

Just a heads-up on The Body Shop's new line of body products that aim to take care of our inner and outer selves. I have been to their store and tested most of the products myself. Granted, the wellness approach is nothing new, but I think they have done a convincing job at creating some lemming-worthy items to treat our body and soul.

The line is divided into four categories (see image above) and is driven by ingredients that do double duties in terms of provoking a state of mind via scent and active properties. I think I am going to have to get something from each category since I suffer from each one of them at different times. For example, I could really use some of that Total Energy Exhilarating body wash (state #1) during that one time of the month when I can use a kick of energy at that time. Or, I could hand over that bottle of Divine Calm Relaxing Massage oil (state #2) to BFOG when life is stressing me out. And when I feel like getting some detox action, I would probably give the Rejuvenating Bath Soak (state #4) that contains wasabi (!) a try.

As soon as I get my hands on these, I will let you in on the scoop!


Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), thebodyshop.com
Subscription to this blog is available on the sidebar

Beauty Walking The Silk Road

So it seems that silk in beauty is hot again! Manufacturers of beauty products have quickly jumped on the trend and have added silk to their products for the extra added appeal.

Silk is wonderful.
If you have ever run your hand over a silky garment (like that of a traditional Chinese dress "Qi-pao"), you would know what a wonderful sensation that is. Who wouldn't want their hair or skin to feel exactly like that? The benefits from silk lies in the fact that it contains 18 amino acids that have the same PH balance as our skin. These amino acids are said to have anti-aging effects and help to hold moisture in the skin. We typically see silk part of the ingredients list in our skin moisturizers, mineral makeup, or hair care products. But lately, you may come across silk used in the most unexpected or unusual places.

Case 1 - Hairdryer

The Imetec Nutriheat hairdryer is said to release silk proteins while drying hair. The silk capsule inside the dryer releases a stream of silk when hot air blows through it. It seems that these capsules need to be replaced about every 6 hair-drying sessions.

What do you all think? Do you think this is a must try for me? Is this where I should invest my money into, instead of say, a new pair of shoes? Or maybe you already have this and have something to say about it? I would really love to hear what you think.

Case 2 - Pillows Cases

This pillow case from SilkSkin is supposed to slow the process of aging, wrinkles, bed head, decrease bed mites, help with thinning hair (as tossing and turning is supposedly rough on our hair!) and give you a better night's sleep. I love the idea of sleeping on luxurious silk sheets and on decadent silk pillow cases, but for the price of them I think I would rather invest in another face cream.

What is your take on this? Perhaps you think that this is worth its price (approx. 70 USD) and would like to share your reasons why?




Photo credits: chinadaily.com, silkskin.co.uk, trevorsorbie.com

POP Beauty Eye Class Palettes - Eye Candy

This Lovely clutch-like palette from POP Beauty comes in purple/pink metallic faux-leather. This is one of a series of eyeshadow palettes designed for each individual person's eye color or the look you are going for. Other varieties include 'Green Eyes', 'Brown Eyes', 'Smokey Eyes', and a very intriguing one called 'Day To Play'.

'Blue Eyes' can also be worn by girls who have anything but. I bought this one because of the purple/pink clutch, the fabulous purple shade at the end, and the cool neutrals. The shadows are very fine-textured (think Christian Dior quad palettes), which means that they blend easily.

POP Beauty can be found at Sephora, Amazon and Asos.

A Marshmallow shooter for you?

This is off topic but I could not resist not sharing with you. I spotted this while online surfing/shopping. This is called a Marshmallow shooter and it comes in several colors at drugstore.com.

I can picture that this could be fun at a bonfire or perhaps if your grandparents have a fireplace or at the movie theatre? Or to shoot at birds eating your new plantings?

The uses may be limitless and it could be fun actually.

Read about what else I've spotted

Christmas Wish List No. 13 - Pamper my man

My man deserves some pampering because he is the one who listens to my babbling everyday. And yes I can go on and on when he listens. I'm putting this on my list because sometimes I forget that he also needs a little pampering. I also must remember to get him flowers once in a while!

Anyway, I spotted this one because it takes care of all the pampering in one kit. It's got a Foot Recovery Gel, a Desert Muscle Rub, and the Paw Paw Skin Repair. And it's from Vitaman.

I think it's so important that a man takes care of himself (that's why you should ask yours to check out the skincare from them); and that he's also taken care of by us.

You can Buy VitaMan Skin & Hair Care at upurea.com or go directly to their website for more information.

Read about the other items on my Christmas Wishlist

Off topic: Toys for the kids - where to start the search?

It seems that the scare with regards to toys made in China has sparked off another trend among worried parents. Around this time, even those of us who don't have kids have to worry about this too since some of us have to purchase gifts for our nieces and nephews etc etc. And what do kids usually want - toys!

If you don't know where to search, you can start your search by going to Buy toys made in the USA at drugstore.com.

p.s. wouldn't all those colors be so much fun to play with as lippies and shadows?


What to buy for your man part un



photo cred: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7221743@N08/1248395233/ by skybluecrayons

What to get my man for Christmas this year- Part un

I found the first part of the Christmas pressie for my man this year - Bioelements HIS Volcanic Mud Soap. I always try to encourage him to follow proper skincare but most of the products out there are according to him "too feminine". Even with the men's line these days offered by the biggies such as L'oreal and Clinique. They just seem too "well-behaved".

This one here might satisfy his ruggedness:


What they say about it >>>>Supercharged with detoxifying volcanic mud, contains ground oatmeal to scruff off dead skin, defends against breakouts on face and body, enriched with natural oils to counteract dry skin.




What to get yourself for Christmas

Where do celebrities go to do their drugstore shopping?

Apparently, many celebrities such as Bobbi Brown the makeup goddess herself do her drugstore shopping (and more!) on drugstore.com. They currently have many different offers so if you need stuff such as



OR THIS

Yogitoes wTOTE, Off-White Canvas with Orange Accents


OR EVEN THIS

Zero-G Weightless (Parabolic) Flight Experience for 10 people! (I told you they offer more than drugstore needs!)


Check them out here!




Which soap does Oprah like?

What does Oprah use to wash her face with?

5 Things I also cannot live without.......

1: LOVELY SARAH JESSICA PARKER by Sarah Jessica Parker

2: Elizabeth Arden Pretty Irrestible Duo High Shine Lip Gloss, Sheer Pink & Sheer Peach


3: Gal Pal Everything Tape





4: Hollywood Fashion Tape Cover Ups, Reusable Nipple Concealers


5: theBalm timeBalm Anti-Wrinkle Concealer, Light/Medium



Shop the philosophy Holiday Gift Guide>

See my beauty tip

More of my favorite Oprah's Favorite Things - giving a beautiful gift or treat yourself!

What beautiful soaps from Claus Porto of Lafco New York! This is one of Oprah's favorite things and it is now surely mine! They are gorgeously packaged and with scents such as honeysuckle and orange amber (my my my!). This Portuguese family-run soap making company produces soaps in all styles and for all tastes. I know what I'll be stuffing stockings with this year and handing out to my girlfriends at our annual girls only Christmas party!

Get it Here!




Photo cred: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11235217@N02/1072868921/ by dairymplenikki