Beauty Secret from Tahiti

Have you ever been to Tahiti? This small tropical island in the Pacific Ocean (part of French Polynesia) is a true paradise on Earth and being so remote it seems like it’s not even real, like a fairytale… Its isolated location ensured that it has a lot of vegetation unique to that region and one plant specifically lies at the heart of Tahitian beauty secrets – Tiare flower.

Tiare is a symbol of Tahiti and it’s been used by local people since ancient times in their health and beauty rituals. The most famous product used by Tahitians is Monoi – a natural cosmetic oil consisting of coconut oil and Tiare. It is produced by soaking unopened flowers in coconut oil for 15 days during which Tiare releases its unique properties into the oil. While coconut oil is one of the best moisturizes in the world, Tiare helps relax muscles and sooth you (the flower has a very distinct sweet smell that is use as aromatherapy too).

One cosmetic company brings this ancient beauty recipe into the modern day. Yves Rocher created several great body and hair products based on the tradition of Monoi and Tiare flower. My favorite one is Jardins des Iles Polynesian Tiare Flower Shower Gel (it's actually more of a shower oil) It makes my skin very soft and moisturized as if I used baby oil. On top of that the smell of this shower gel is amazing: it makes you feel like you were bathing somewhere in Tahitian flower garden under a waterfall, not in your shower…

The full product line, “Jardins des Iles”, (= eng. Gardens of the Islands) also consists of hair products and body oils, including the Monoi – and all these exotic beauty for under $10 each (except for Tiare Body oil that costs $15)!!!

How to save even more: Yves Rocher offers the following promotion:
1. Shipment is FREE on orders $30+
2. You can choose a FREE gift with every order (I really like that you can choose a gift yourself rather than them sending you something you actually do not need)
3. Use coupon 15THANKS to get 15% OFF any order

Beauty Giveaways

If you like participating in beauty products giveaways here is information for you: I just found a Woman’s Day website www.womansday.com that posts information on dozens of current giveaways (information is being up-dated regularly). A lot of them are beauty products, jewelry, fitness related products and spa/resorts getaways. It is absolutely FREE to participate in all of these promotions.

I thought it was very helpful to pick up information on multiple sweepstakes in one place instead of searching over the Internet. I hope you find something you like… and WIN!

What you probably didn't know about deodorant

I was reading news on CNN.com the other day when I came across a very interesting article about deodorants. CNN.com is the last place where I would be looking for beauty related articles and that’s why this piece seemed to be even more intriguing. Here are some facts I learnt from that article*:

“1. Be thankful for your foul body odor. According to anthropologist Louis Leakey, it might be responsible for early man's survival. Leakey's theory claims that most predators avoided feasting on humans because our body odor was "too repugnant."

2. Not only did the ancient Egyptians give us pyramids and flush toilets, they also pioneered the field of deodorants. Egyptians were the first to popularize the idea of applying scents to armpits, usually using cinnamon and other spices that wouldn't turn rancid in the heat.

3. The Roman poet Ovid preferred a more proactive solution. In Book III of the Art of Love, he cautions women against carrying goats under their arms.

4. Antiperspirants are classified as drugs by the FDA. Technically, they affect and/or alter your body's natural functions.

5. The first modern brand of antiperspirant, EverDry, hit drugstores in 1903. The original formula was so acidic that it regularly ate through clothing.

6. Of course, modern antiperspirants can also ruin your clothing. Aluminum chloride, the ingredient that blocks glandular openings and prevents sweating, is notorious for turning T-shirts yellow. So, blame your antiperspirant for your pit stains, not your body.

7. One thing modern antiperspirants don't do is cause degenerative diseases. Medical science has found no conclusive evidence that absorbing aluminum chloride through the skin can lead to memory loss or slurred speech.

8. Aoki, a Japanese company known for its menswear, has developed a deodorant suit that supposedly absorbs sweat and neutralizes odors all over the body.

9. But that's nothing! The greatest Japanese innovation in the fight against B.O. is Fuwarinka scented gum. The so-called "functional candy" contains aromatic compounds that cause your skin to release "Fresh Citrus" or "Fruity Rose" aromas for up to 6 hours after chewing.”

If Japanese innovations in this field are too advanced for you and regular deodorants seem to be too harsh here is a good natural aluminum-free solution :
Sold at at just $6(!) it is organic, has a great smell and portable (you can carry this small bottle in virtually any purse) I believe it’s a great alternative to conventional deodorants.

How to save even more:
1. offers FREE shipment on orders $49 and more
2. Use coupon code skmail20 to get 20% OFF

* You can read the full article at http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/05/06/mf.deodorant.fun.facts/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Cat Eye and Perfect Pout

There are several dozens of ways to apply lip products and definitely millions of ways to apply eye makeup. If you were to try all shades and patterns it will take you a lifetime… So what’s left for all of us busy ladies to do? If I were to choose just 1 thing everyone should know about eyes and lips each that would be how to create a “cat” eye and a perfect pout. I specifically like the former because it suits all eye shapes and colors and makes you look irresistible.
My favorite makeup Guru, Lauren Luke, has created video tutorials on these specific topics, which are very comprehensive but at the same time quite easy to follow. Enjoy:

CAT EYE


PERFECT POUT

Israel Beauty Secret - Part I

Today I would like to take you on a trip to Israel. This country has a beauty resource that no one else has in the world except for Jordan - the Dead Sea (the images is from http://www.pbase.com/doronnissim/dead_sea) This in-land lake has been known for thousands of years for its outstanding ability to enhance skin beauty and reputedly even Cleopatra herself was using it in her beauty rituals. Its water is unique because it contains 26 different minerals used for health and beauty treatments (calcium, magnesium, potassium, bromide, etc.) with only 12 -18 % of sodium chloride of salt content while the salt in the water of most oceans and seas is approximately 97% sodium chloride. So in short, the Dead Sea is the biggest natural spa in the world.

Dead Sea constituents (salt, mud, water) have various proven therapeutically benefits, the main ones are:
Skin problems: – Research has demonstrated that skin disorders. One study concluded that the high concentration of magnesium in Dead Sea salt was instrumental in improving skin hydration and reducing inflammation.
Allergies - The high concentration of bromide and magnesium in the Dead Sea salt can relieve allergic reactions by cleansing and detoxifying
Skin aging - Further research into Dead Sea salt benefits has shown a 40% reduction in the depth of wrinkling.
Not everyone, unfortunately, can go to Israel to enjoy these benefits at the source that’s why cosmetic companies use Dead Sea salts ingredient of many beauty products including bath salts, salt scrubs, soaps, creams, lotions, makeup and many others.
One beauty company is famous for its Dead Sea minerals products – Ahava. They are the only cosmetics enterprise indigenous to the Dead Sea region and they are proud to be making their products at the source. Ahava has extensive lines of body care, facial care, spa and sun care products and here are my favorites:

AHAVA Dermud Facial Calming Moisturizer SPF 15



This moisturizer is non-greasy, absorbs quickly and hydrates and soothes dry, sensitive and irritated skin. It efficiently treats dryness, scaling, roughness and itchiness, while protecting the epidermis against environmental damage. I especially like it because it does 2 jobs in 1: it not only moisturizes the skin but also has SPF 15 to protect your face from the sun (saves you time and money).

My 2nd favorite is even better: it does 3 jobs in 1!
AHAVA Pure Spa Uplifting Butter Salt Mandarin Cedarwood exfoliates, hydrates, and defends against aging.

This body product has a unique formula that changes from exfoliating butter to a light pampering lotion as water is added. The scrub smoothes and hydrates your skin while exotic Mandarin and Cedarwood essential oils help revive tired skin and restore vitality.

has nearly 100 products by Ahava and you will notice that a lot of them have customers’ reviews, most of which are 4-5 stars. The prices are reasonable too: the majority of the products fall into 20 – 35 USD price range.

How to save even more:
has several fantastic promotions going on right now:
1. Save 10% EVERY DAY: code SSM18447 (NO expiration)
2. FREE shipment on orders $49+ (NO expiration)
3. They send you FREE product samples with every shipment
4. You can join Skinstore rewards program for FREE and earn1 point for each 1 USD spent (excluding tax and shipment). Each 300 points earn you a 30 USD Rewards Certificate!

Top mascaras

One product is most important in my makeup routine – a mascara - and I spent years searching for the perfect one that would not be too wet or too dry, won’t smudge or leave clumps on my lashes, would give a excellent volume and length, etc. May be because I am so picky it was so hard to find the one that would be ideal in all respects.

It turns out I am not the only one searching. Recently I found the results of an interesting research done by Splendora.com in which they analyzed 50 different mascaras sold in drugstores and in department stores (the two groups were analyzed separately). The winners turned out to be:

It was a very thorough research judging by the description of the methodology and the depth of evaluation. There are only 2 things which I want to add to it on my behalf:

1. Beware of the Department Store category winners #3 YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils and #5 DiorShow. I tried the former one personally and it is AWFUL! It smudges after about 2 hours not matter what I do (and I don’t do much during the day except for sitting in the office). The latter one I researched on-line a lot and customer reviews are generally divided as follows: 70% love it, 30% hate it (and I mean really, really HATE it because of the clumps). This is an indication that it might not be as good after all.

2. I noticed that Splendora-reviewed mascaras fall into 2 categories: “under 10 USD” and “above 20 USD”. There are not many products reviews “in between” and that’s where my personal winner is - Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara

Splendora did not review this mascara, in fact they did not review any product by Clinique (I wonder why…) This mascara turned out to be everything I was looking for (non-clumpy, don’t smudge for 8 hours+, looks great on my lashes), basically, it is department store quality but with close to a drugstore price tag. Isn’t THIS a perfect combination?

P.S. You can read the full story about the Splendora reaseach at http://www.splendora.com/best_mascaras/best_of_splendora_top_ten_mascaras