Palmers Cocoa Butter Giveaway

With Fall and Winter dry skin comes.  Sorry but drinking more water to hydrate your skin is a MYTH!  H2O has nothing to do with the lipid factors in your skin or the sebaceous glands to increase your skins natural oils.
Pregnancy and itchy bellies and change of skin tone and texture, well that can happen and weather has nothing to do with it but there is something that can help!

Pure Cocoa Butter, enriched with Vitamin E, in a soothing emollient base.  Heals and softens rough, dry skin.  Smooths marks, tones the skin and an excellent all-over-the body moisturizer and after tanning butter.  Also available in fragrance free formula.

Palmers wants to give one lucky mama or mama to be a gift set of Cocoa Butter Lotion, Cocoa Butter Jar, Swivel Stick and Fragrance Free Cocoa Butter Lotion.  Retail Value $40.00.

Contest Rules, answer the following question:

1)  How do you keep your skin healthy in the dry winter months or what did/are you doing to prevent stretch marks from occuring? please include your email address


Additional Entries
* Optional: Become a Follower of Skinfamous
*Optional: Tweet this giveaway once a day, copy and paste:  
@palmersworks @MamaAsh77 Palmers Giveaway, ends 12/20/10: http://skinfamous.blogspot.com/2010/12/palmers-cocoa-butter-giveaway.html

Open to US & CDN's
Ends 12/20/2010 at 12pm EST 
 

Jenny Milk Face Cream from Druide-Must Try!!!

I love Druide, such a fantastic line and I just found out they launched this!

This is truly a unique cream that I MUST try!  Milk does have an exfoliating action(lactic acid) so it would refine the skins texture and even out skin tone too.
I don't have this yet.....but if this is similar to what Cleopatra used I am so curious to check this out.
I don't know what Jenny Milk is derived from but I am too excited to wait, but I will update once I know more.

From Druide: 


Jenny milk, a timeless beauty secret

It began with Cleopatra, who bathed in jenny milk to preserve the youthful beauty of her skin. The secret wound its way through ages among the greatest beauty queens from ancient Greece and Rome until today…

The rich complement of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E), and minerals (calcium, zinc), polyunsaturated fats (omega-3 and omega-6), amino-acids and bioactive peptides, accounts for the milk's remarkable soothing, restructuring, nourishing and anti-aging properties.

In its composition, jenny milk is the closest to human milk, and is thus highly compatible with the human body and skin. It is perfect even for the most sensitive skin.

The scent is discreet; Myrrh (used since Egyptian antiquity), delicately dressed with the fresh notes of Rose, Camomile, Magnolia and Myrtle.

The benefits:
It improves the tonicity, the elasticity; hydrates and revitalizes the skin- making it smooth, firmed and radiant with health.

$49.95CDN
99,4% of the total ingredients are natural in origin
44% of the total ingredients are from organic farming
70% of the total ingredients are bioactive

Aunt Ruby's Winner!

Woo hoo!  #3 is Monika......
You are the lucky winner of Aunt Ruby's Cocoa and Coffee Scrub!
Please email me at:
skinfamous2010@hotmail.com to claim your prize!

You have 48 hrs to respond and if I don't hear from you, another draw will be conducted.

Aunt Ruby's Review and Giveaway

 

What can I say about Aunt Ruby's?  Um.....delish, Canadian, handmade & one of my favorite body scrubs that I have used!

How about if you love coffee or shall I say that wonderful, heavenly smell of freshly brewed coffee then I have the body scrub for you.
Yes body scrub.


What are the benefits of caffiene for the body as a scrub?

• It can reduce inflammation on the skin and promote the skin to heal.

• The scent of coffee in Aromatherapy has been linked to clear the mind of excessive thoughts

• A natural antioxidant

• Caffeine in body scrubs helps to improve blood flow, therefore "may" reduce the appearance the cellulite.
•  Benefits of tighter, firmer skin because it constricts blood vessels.

I finally got around to using this after my class last week of Bootcamp.  I tried it on my hands at first but that did not give this wonderful product the justice it deserves.
So after a strenuous work out and wanting to eliminate toxins and keep that blood flow moving and to help with cellulite(really it's all about estrogen and you can't get rid of it completely) I had a hot shower and applied the scrub all over.  What a scent!
The texture is perfect, not too rough at all and I haven't felt that good in a long time.  It massages so nicely into the skin.  The texture is truly perfect.
It's worth having to clean the tub after using it.

Aunt Ruby's Cocoa & Coffee scrub in locally made in Toronto in small batches to ensure quality.
Ingredients are simple such as turbinado sugar, olive oil, grapeseed oil, Vitamin E oil, Glycerin, Coffee, Cocoa and essential oils of peppermint and vanilla.

{GIVEAWAY}

Aunt Ruby would love for you to have a Cocoa & Coffee Sweet Scrub so you can enjoy it as much as I have, also check out their holiday specials!

1) To enter please join Aunt Ruby on Facebook and tell them I sent you.
2) Tell us here what scents you love in a body scrub.
3) Giveaway ends November.14, 2010 11:59pmEST
4) Open to US & CDN's
5) )(optional)I could use some new Followers....help me out.  It's new, LOL!

Zoe's Organic- Beautiful Handcrafted Skincare for Baby

Review and Giveaway from Zoe Organics!

Working in skincare for 10 years now and being an esthetician now mom this is me in a nutshell:
 1) I love skincare
2)  I enjoy helping my guests make the right skincare choices and methods to achieve healthy skin
3) I am a product junkie...extreme product junkie
4) I am on top of all the latest in skincare products and trends, especially organic natural skincare.
5) When I, the esthetician had a baby I got even more aware of what's in products and wanted the best. Johnsons & Johnsons? Heck no! When there are way better products out there ( I am a junkie as mentioned above).  It's all about the safest ingredients and best ingredients going on and into your childs skin and here comes one of my #1 recommendations for baby.

 When I came across Zoe Organics I was over the moon reading the ingredients and just so happy to see such a beautiful line.  When I looked, opened and used the products you can feel the love that was put in to creating this line.  Zoe Organics does celebrate life and cultivate life to honor mommies and babies everywhere.
A little bit about Zoe Organics
As a child Heather Hamilton was extremely sensitive and was allergic to almost everything and a severe asthma attack was brought on by a seemingly safe bubble bath. A young child and/or  parent should NEVER have to worry about a severe reaction caused by a children’s product.
Motherhood has led her to make more educated choices with regards to health and well-being and her own circle of friends noticed big gaps in the products available on the market. She became passionate about filling that void and began to create natural and organic potions for her own family.

Why I love, love, love Zoe Organics!
The ingredients, quality and the rating they have on EWG's Cosmetic Data Base.
Apricot Kernel oil calms inflammation and eczema, beeswax healing, antiseptic & biologically active, Calendula healing to cuts and burns, Chamomile another anti inflammatory and a soothing precious oil.
Want to learn more about her ingredients, click here.  It is truly magical and honest, you won't find anything synthetic.

We recieved the most gorgeous gift set that I will be giving one to you.  I know... we're awesome.

 In the gift set I got the Organic Baby Bath Tea that is utterly perfect, smart and gentle.  After it was saturated in the bath water, I used it as a "sponge", it's gentle and hydrating because it has cocoa butter.  It also came with the Gentle Hair and Body Wash, an old world style castile wash scented with mandarin and lavender(the best choices in aromatherapy for baby), Organic Baby Massage Oil which was so gentle and soothing to my sensitive boys skin.  It is extremely nutrient rich which we LOVE!
Next in the gift set was the Organic Baby Balm.  A must have for sun burn, wind burn(winters around the corner), dry lips, eczema, dry cheeks, cuts everything, it is a must have for parents and baby and lastly their Organic Diaper Balm.  A perfect, natural barrier infused with Lavender, Calendula and Chamomile.  His teething bum is perfectly protected and soothed.

Do you all now understand why I love this line???  I cannot wait to be their first Canadian retailer and bring this to you my fellow Canadians so you can experience beautiful, organic, 100% effective skincare for your beautiful child.  It is available at select stores in the US, click here

Now tell me your thoughts.  Would you love a gift set of your own from Zoe Organics? Win this for yourself or win this for a gift! Perfect for any mom and mom to be. Worth $85USD
To enter this giveaway, please visit my parenting blog: Everything Mom and Baby

~Open to US and Canadians, ends Oct.31, 11pm EST~

Oops, I've slacked big time!

I have been so  MIA, I apologize. 
I promise to get back to this site ASAP.
Grandma was visiting, I've picked up extra shifts at the spa and I have another out of towner here visiting.

I hope to pick up my skincare writing tips ASAP and talk about great product I am getting as well!

Archipelago Soy Salt Milk Winners

Libby, Glogirl and Tara!

You all get a Soy Salt Milk Bath.  Please email me at skinfamous2010@hotmail.com to claim your prize!

Live Clean Winner

Way to go Melanie!  Winner was picked via www.random.org

Can you message me at skinfamous2010@hotmail.com for your mailing info so I can send you a bottle of LiveClean FreshWater?

Crystal Deodorant...and yes they do work!

 First off, I love them....I really, really love this line!  It smells so good and I'm stinky free for 24hrs!

First off let me tell you.  This isn't your usual crystal deodorant that takes a week as your body adjusts.
It works from day one keeping you fresh and B.O free, as I take a whiff! LOL!
I've recently switched to crystal deodorants for personal reasons, I am a product junkie and because of the ingredients in crystal deodorants I wanted to give them a try.
I have been lifting up my arm to take a whiff through out the day and I can't help it because the aroma's are so nice.

One brand I will touch on specifically is called The Crystal.
A little info on commercial deodorants from The Crystal company:

Odor is caused by bacteria, which form on the body. Most deodorants on the market today merely mask that odor with unnecessary and unwanted chemicals. They deodorize” with the help of chemicals. Crystal™ deodorants, made of 100% all natural mineral salts, prevent odor from happening in the first place by neutralizing the bacteria. That’s why we believe our products are actually un-odorants, preventing odor, rather than deodorants which just cover it up.

 For me the main reason to switching to crystal is the aluminum factor.  Aluminum chlorohydrate is a neurotoxin that alters the function of the blood-brain barrier.  It is a chemical used in most deodorants and antiperspirants and with the rate my memory is going, I don't want to a take a chance with developing Alzheimer which has been linked to the toxic overload of aluminum.

I've been quite happy with the Crytal Deodaorants and I hope you will too.  Give it a try!  I think my favorite is from Crystal Deodarant is the Pomegranate.  It smells delicious, it's refreshing and keeps me stinky free!
To find your nearest retailer, click here

Crystal® | Respect the body™

• Crystal® is the original mineral salt deodorant brand (established in 1984)
• Crystal® is a natural deodorant that actually works
• Simple ingredients, simple promise:  All day natural odor prevention
• Mineral salts create an invisible barrier that make it impossible for odor causing bacteria to grow
• Our deodorants are available in 28,000 stores worldwide (including Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid)
  

For more info as well pleas visit the below links:

Crystal website:  http://bit.ly/O2Ocrystal

Crystal product shot:  http://bit.ly/Crystalessence

Crystal Stick at CVS: http://bit.ly/crystalstickCVS

Crystal Roll-On at CVS:  http://bit.ly/crystalrollCVS

Crystal Pomegranate Roll-On at CVS:  http://bit.ly/crystalpomCVS

Cover FX Mint Glaze

Cover FX Mint Glaze ='s awesome lips!

Is it possible to love a lipgloss too much? It has Shea Butter and I love the benefits of Shea Butter and delicious Mint Oil.
I mean does your lip balm protect your lips from the harmful rays?  How about it's antiaging properties to fight thin lips?  It increases collagen.
It's protective, hydrating and softening, anti bacterial(for the kisses you don't want to give but do, LOL!)

It also contains......

• F – Fortifying Omega 3 fatty acid
• A – Anti-Age retinol to reduce wrinkles
• C – proCollagen to redensify
• E – Anti-oxidant protects collagen & elastin fibers 


So go to your nearest retailer and get this delicous hydrating effective lip smacking goodness!

Cover FX can be found at Sephora and Shoppers Drug Mart, if in Quebec see if Pharma Prix carries it.  I'm sure it does.

 Disclaimer: Even though this was sent to review, please know my opinion and review is not influenced in any way.

live clean-3 new body lotions to live simply, beautifully and clean

 Live Clean recently sent me 3 of their new body lotions the other day and I've been enjoying them ever since.

When Live Clean first launched it's Live Clean Baby Moisturizing Lotion (which is heavenly, just like our baby's) beauty editors and consumers  suggested to Live Clean to develop more with their line and hence these were created.

Why Live Clean?
It's natural, plant based, hypoallgenic and dermatologist tested formulations with no petroleum ingredients.  Live Clean Body Lotion is paraben and phthalate free and enriched with certified organic botanicals.  

Where can I find Live Clean?
Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix, it retails for $6.99

The 3 Lotions
Live Clean Fresh Water contains hyaluronate (also known as hyaluronic acid) which is also found in the human body.  It increases retinoic acid which effects skin hydration in a positive way, it holds a lot of moisture.

Live Clean Sensitive Skin Fragrance Free Body Lotion is not only good for you but can be used on your baby as well.  It's gentle, contains Vitamin E and soothing and hydrating for even the most sentitive.

Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Replenishing Body Lotion contains the nourishing benefits of natural Moroccan Argan Oil.  Rich in essential fatty acids, contains  natural occurring and high levels of Vitamin E.
Interesting Fact on Argan Oil:
Argan Oil is protected by UNESCO and all argan sold today is produced by a women's cooperative that shares the profits among the local women of the Berber tribe. The cooperative has established an ecosystem reforestation project so that the supply of argan oil will not run out and the income that is currently supporting the women will not disappear. The money is providing healthcare and education to the local women, and supporting the entire community as a whole. ~source wikipedia

Archipelago Soy Salt Milk Up for Grabs

 How do you deal with stress?  Does a milk bath sound divine?
Do you get any time away to yourself?
If you're single of course you do.  You can take a bath in peace.
I on other hand have to have the door open so Chunkles can come and go as he pleases and if he feels like it, he'll join Mama as well.

 photo courtesy of classic clawfoot tubs

Pre baby my way of relaxing consisted of a bottle of wine, candles and a nice warm soak in our old, vintage soaker tub.  I miss that tub, it was nice and deep and uber comfortable.  I had a great spot for my glass of wine and across from me I'd have my scented candle lighting the way as I reach relaxation bliss!  My favorite bath product, Archipleago Botamicals.  Pure bliss and a delicous line! Morning Mint and Soy Salt Milk were favorites....Love the Morning Mint!!

In celebration of my new skincare/beauty blog I want to know how do you unwind?

Leave a comment here, become a new follower of my new blog Skinfamous to be eligible (click on Follow above Google Friend Connect)

The Prize for sharing is Archipelago Botanicals Soy Salt Milk, 4oz package. Finely ground salts and carefully blended with dried milk and soy proteins to soak away impurities.   I have 3 to giveaway! Open to US & CDN's of course! Ends 09/24/10

*Disclaimer: Archipelago has nothing to do with this giveaway, I am sponsoring this delicious, relaxing bath soak.

Taking care of your skin after baby

When I was a new mom did I really have the time to scrub and moisturize when I have a baby at home?!
Let alone shower..whatever! In the early days I think I went 4 days without, oh how glamorous was I.
Well moms, the shower is your little piece of alone time and with the smells of lotions and potions it will restore you and bring you back to yourself.

Post baby are skin can change quite drastically.  After the birth of my son my mom so proudly handed me these high wasted, extra control top knickers she bought at the Bra Bar and said "Here, to get your tummy back in shape".  I'm looking at them and I'm thinking... How the hell am I going to put this on when I can barely bend over, let alone pull these suckers up(and they are going to ride up my wah hoo,  you know they all do) when all I want is a bag of frozen peas to sit on.

Here are some tips you can do for yourself at home when your little angel is asleep:

1)Shower...yes, hard to imagine but true!
Get a lovely little exfoliating glove at your Shoppers Drug Mart if you can't be bothered with body scrubs before you hit the baby section.  One of my clients swears by them.
To battle dry skin you have to exfoliate first! Your products will absorb better.

2)There are also a few yummy exfoliating scrubs you can scrub away with such as:

Origins-Incredible Spreadable Scrub Sea Salt Body Smoother (at the Bay)
Alba-Papaya Mango Exfoliating Body Wash(Sobeys and some heath food stores)
Clarins-Toning Body Polisher

3) I am scrubbed...now what?
Clarins-Tonic Body Oil and Body Shaping Cream

These products work in retaining elasticity in your skin and toning away flaccid skin
L'Occitane- 15% Shea Butter Body Moisturizer

Nuxe-Reve de Miel Body Lotion

4) My tummies has some extra cushion (but what do you expect, really.. after having a baby, it's ok)
Clarins is by far the best for treating post and pre pregnancy skin.
-Tonic Body Oil, High Definition Body Lift and last but not least Body Shaping Cream.  I have slathered myself in this stuff, hips, butt, boobs, tummy all the areas that say Baby Was Here.
We were a beautiful plump grape when we were pregnant, babies out and I don't know about you, but I felt like a raisin after having baby. I was dry. D-R-Y and Clarins brought my skin back up...when I got around to it.  Can you visualize the grape and raisin theory?  I was round, glowing,fresh and juicy all signs of healthy skin. Charlie took everything from me and left me looking like a raisin.  You  know what? How wonderful are our bodies and what we are capable of doing.
I'll be a raisin but I need help. Maybe I'm a glass of wine now?! LOL.
My all time favorite because you need to add it to whatever moisturizer you have and it will tone and firm your skin is the Body Supplement by Clarins. Check this web link out here!  NOW!


5) Breast are deflated...literally!
Yes Clarins again.  The Beauty Bust Gel.
Mama Mio-Boob Tube Bust and Neck Firmer

Olive oil for your sore and cracked nipples and to massage prior to breast feeding is great for your skin!
And your perineum prior to birth....remember that for next time.  6 weeks before bebe comes massage your nether region and perineum with olive oil before to avoid tearing.
Just a little tidbit!

Clarins Blemish Control-Must Have!

Hormonal breakout, stress induced break outs, poor diet/life style, genetics, drug these are just a few of the things that can cause those annoying, painful puss infused pain in the ass PIMPLES!

Well, I've had my fair share of hormonal break outs all on the chin which represents the reproductive system in Chinese medicine.  I remember when working at the Aromatherapy clinic there were jokes about "somebody needing some love", well it is true.  Yes, sometimes getting some lovin' will help your skin.  When you're happy, you're skins happy.

Your skin reveals your emotions, it reveals your lifestyle, stress, thoughts, everything!

I've also tried numerous remedies to get rid of these pimples as I wasn't in relationship at the time and well the occassional swing here and there to get clear skin wasn't really an option for me, LOL!

French Lavender didn't cut it(although it has many of other wonderful healing abilities), Tea Tree(no thank you!) and lastly my only product that I will stand by forever even though it's rating is high on the cosmetic data base is Clarins Blemish Control.

It is the best I have used in clearing up my skin and even preventing those awful, cysytic 3-in-1 pimples!
You know the painful kind that shoot across the mirror when you pop it. You get two in a box so you can keep one handy in your purse and the other in the bathroom.
You won't be disappointed.

The active ingredients are:
-White Dead Nettle, Zinc, Vitamin B6: dry, calm imperfections and redness.
-Wintergreen : stimulates.
-Witch Hazel : anti-free radical, astringent.
-Allantonin : soothes, softens.

Dove Film Promo

 Yes those models look flaweless in magazines and you can see how it's done in this remarkable video by Dove.
Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder

I hope this makes people aware of how little work goes into photoshop to make you "wish" you looked like that.  It's not real.

Embrace your beauty, enhance your favorite features and don't be so hard on yourself.  Don't ever let anyone make you feel ugly.
It's those who are ugly on the inside that insult people on their physical appearance.

I know it's easier said than done and I've had people refer to me, in paticular my weight and because of my family they have made me unbelievably insecure but it's a work in progress as I try to get comfortable in my own skin and post baby it's harder than ever when you don't have family to babysit so mama her4 can run to the CC for a Zumba class and other much wanted activities!

As I look back at my pictures (when I was told "You'd be a lot prettier if you were thin again" by a relative)
I didn't look that bad.  Size 14, 5'10", I am who I am, take it or leave it.

In Montreal, QC. Enjoying life, french food and wine!

Wild Rose Skin Care from Weleda

 Weleda has given me the opportunity to try out this kit Weleda's Wild Rose Skin Care Kit.
This helped my skin!
I figured since my skin is going through some hormonal changes( I wanted to see how well this line would work so this was the right time to try)  due to my body getting back to normal since I finished breast feeding two months ago and who doesn't get the big, deep cystic pimple right on the chin before their monthly cycle.
I may be an Esthetician but I am human and I do get some bouts of angst with my skin too.   It doesn't help that I'm a product whore either.
In Chinese medicine you can "map" the face as each part of the face has a zone.  The chin represents the hormonal area of the face and usually you'll get that blemish on the right side which symbolizes the ovaries before your period or in that two week window.  I follow a lot of Eastern principles when diagnosing the skin at work and I'm usually spot on with my clients.
Wild Rose is the perfect fit for women with this type of skin: Hormonal breakouts, sensitivity and combination skin. It also has anti aging properties as well.  It's light, calming and soothing.
In the kit I got the Cleansing Lotion, Facial Toner, Moisture Cream and Night Cream.
What makes it so great? Well for me, I noticed a difference the next day.  My skin is all of the above and my skin was a little inflamed because mama had some wine and wine being yang makes me rosy and I had a zit on my chin, thank you hormones. 
Being an Esthetician I was truly impressed on how well it worked on bringing my skin back to balance and bringing that awful zit down but most of all having healthy looking skin.  I used the line continually for 7 days and I'm still impressed and sad to be out of it.  As I'm going through other lines to try, this is one of my favorites.  Now I just need the regular retail size of the whole line or since I'm a skincare professional maybe I can order the professional sizes?
In a nutshell, here are the main ingredients in this line:

• Organic rosehip seed oil is naturally rich in vitamins A and E and antioxidants
• Organic jojoba seed oil acts as an emollient, smoothing your skin and improving elasticity
• Witch hazel, a light astringent, tightens and strengthens your skin. Your face is purified, renewed and perfectly balanced.  
• Soothing organic mallow extract’s antiseptic properties calm and care for your delicate skin. 

So ladies, if your skin is in limbo with the hormonal changes and you've got blemishes to tackle give this a try.  I hope it will work for you as well as it did for me. This is on my top list of skincare brands.

Disclaimer:
I used it. My skin is clear now until next month but I need to buy the whole range to see if it would keep me clear til the next bout of ranging hormones to be completely honest.
This worked for me as I was right in the middle of the cycle.  I can't say what my skin will be like next month as I am now out of Wild Rose and about to try another brand to review.
I have a feeling though that Wild Rose will replace my current cleansing regime.