Beauty | She Scribes

Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea Honeysuckle

May 13, 2013 By Kimberly 3 Comments

What women doesn’t love to wear a lovely perfume? I may work from home, and not interact with people face-to-face too often, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy smelling good.

I do like perfumes but I tend to lean more towards lighter scents. I like subtle and natural fragrances compared to true perfume scents.

One scent I really like it Green Tea. There is just something about the scent that I find very refreshing. It is also a natural scent that smells crisp and clean. It’s not a fragrance that you come across often, especially in a perfume.

I received a bottle of Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea Honeysuckle to review. I was excited to try this fragrance out specifically because of the Green Tea.

Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea Honeysuckle fragrance is inspired by the northern region of the Alps, where the crisp and fresh mountain air is filled with the effervescent scent of honeysuckle. The sweet nectar of the blossoms, along with a touch of jasmine and ylang ylang, give way to the original Green Tea notes which are enlivened with bright bursts of ripe orchard fruits.

Doesn’t the description alone sound wonderful? It makes me want to move to the Alps just to experience that scent on a daily basis.

The Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea Honeysuckle perfume comes in a very large spray bottle. You certainly get a lot for your money. The perfume ranges in price from $19.50 – $39.50.

I personally don’t understand what top notes or middle notes are, but in case you know what these things are here is the breakdown for this perfume.

Top Notes: Sheer Bergamont, Sparkling Lemon, Green Tea Vapors, Tangerine, Bosysenberry Blossom.

Middle Notes: Wild Honeysuckle Accord, Jasmine Sambac Absolute, Ylang Ylang Moheli, Green Tea Leaves, Tunisian Neroli.

Dry Down: Nectar Accord, Summer Peach, Musk, White Birch, Ambrette Seed.

As you can see by some of the fragrances used to create this scent that the makers had a Spring/Summer scent in mind. In addition to the Green Tea they includes hints of other Spring/Summer friendly fragrances including Sparking Lemon, Tangerine, Jasmine and Summer Peach.

There are several fruit fragrances in this perfume but I don’t really pick up on them. When I first use the perfume I smell the Green Tea. That stands out the most when you first apply it. After a few minutes the Green Tea scent seems to fade away a bit and you can pick up the Honeysuckle and/or Jasmine scent (I am not an expert so I am not 100% sure). Whatever it is the secondary scent is a bit on the floral side. That scent seems to stick around the longest.

From a teenage girls point of view my daughter really likes the scent. In fact she’s been using it as well. Even my husband said it smelled “pretty”. He’s also very sensitive to scents and things that are too strong trigger migraines. I have worn this perfume many times (pretty much daily since I received it) and it hasn’t bothered him one bit.

If you are looking for a light and airy Spring/Summer time scent this would be an ideal perfume for you. It’s also affordable and would make a lovely gift.

For more information about Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea Honeysuckle perfume (technically its an Eau de Toilette spray – they are all perfumes as far as I’m concerned ) visit ElizabethArden.com.

Kimberly

*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.

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Filed Under: Beauty, Gift Ideas, Reviews Tagged With: Elizabeth Arden, Perfume

Attention LUSH fans – New Limited Edition Mermaid Bath Bomb

May 9, 2013 By Kimberly 4 Comments

I ♥ LUSH. I am a huge fan of their products. Currently we don’t have a store in my area but I heard through the grapevine that a LUSH store might be coming to a new mall they are building about 10 minutes from where I live. I hope so! That would be wonderful.

My husband tells me I should apply for a job at LUSH. I have a feeling that would not be such a good idea because I would spend my salary on buying everything in the store. That store is amazing!

If you are a fan of LUSH and LUSH products I thought you might be interested in a new limited edition Mermaid bath bomb that benefits a wonderful charity.

Here is a little more information.

At LUSH, we’re passionate about protecting the world’s oceans. On May 13^th, we will be launching a limited edition bath bomb called The Mermaid, with all sales being donated to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to further their good work. This gorgeous blue bath was bomb inspired by “The Mermaid Song” written and performed by artist Ysanne for “The Coldwater Project” album.

The Mermaid bath bomb will be available ONLINE ONLY at www.lushusa.com starting on May 13^th while supplies last. Customers will also be able to download “The Mermaid Song” directly from the LUSH web site.

The Mermaid bath bomb ($4.95): For a sea-inspired experience, we’ve added some of nature’s finest ingredients to this blue bombshell – sea salt and seaweed. Packed with minerals, salt helps the body rid itself of toxins, while seaweed softens and soothes skin. Lavender instantly relaxes the body and mind, and lemon oil adds a bright, uplifting touch. Just lay back and sail away to shores of uncluttered thoughts, softer skin and warm, blue seas. (Vegan).

To learn more about Sea Shepherd and Ysanne, please follow the links below:

Sea Shepherd

For the last 36 years Sea Shepherd, founded by Captain Paul Watson (a co-founder of Greenpeace), has been dedicated to marine wildlife conservation. Their mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans and to conserve and protect ecosystems and species for future generations.

Ysanne

Ysanne’s “The Mermaid Song” is being released in partnership with Sea Shepherd and LUSH Cosmetics, where all proceeds from the song download will be donated to Sea Shepherd, and their ocean conservation efforts. “The Mermaid Song” is the first release from “The Coldwater Project”, an eclectic collection of 13 songs by Ysanne (who has previously collaborated with the Smashing Pumpkins), featuring a symphony orchestra. Every song is paired with a non-profit organization and an exclusive brand to support a variety of important issues.

The bath bomb sounds so nice. I’m going to have to make a note on my calendar to check out the LUSH website on May 13th and pick up a few of them, not only for myself but also because they would make a great gift.

Are you a fan of LUSH? What is your favorite product or products that they offer?

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I am sharing the information for the benefit of my site readers and for a wonderful charity.

Filed Under: Beauty, Charity Tagged With: Lush

S.O.A.P’s Blueberry Fresh Whipped Shea Butter (Review)

May 8, 2013 By Kimberly 12 Comments

I have mentioned numerous times on my blog that I ♥ bath and body products. I love to try new products. One of the wonderful “perks” about being a blogger is that often I get to learn about products that I might not others know about. Many times a product I receive to review ends up being a personal favorite and I order the products over and over again.

Recently I received a jar of S.O.A.P’s Blueberry Fresh Whipped Shea Butter to review. I love anything with Shea Butter. Shea Butter feels good and is soothing on very dry skin, which I suffer from. I also love blueberries. I’m looking forward to seeing all the freshly picked blueberries at our local farmers market. Blueberries are great on yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, salads… I could go on and on.

I have never heard of S.O.A.P before. I didn’t even know what S.O.A.P stood for (Scented Organic Artisan Pure).

Here is some more information about S.O.A.P’s Blueberry Fresh Whipped Shea Butter.

Feel like the crème of the crop with S.O.A.P.’s new Blueberry Fresh Whipped Shea Butter. Made using ultra-refined Shea Butter from Africa to soften even the roughest skin, Blueberry Fresh is the essence of juicy, fresh picked blueberries. Refreshingly subtle and sweet, Blueberry Fresh boasts a scrumptious scent, and formula that moisturizes and absorbs quickly without greasy residue. Use wherever skin needs a moisture boost – including ankles, elbows and knees. SRP: $12 for 2 ounce jar; $25 for 8 ounce jar at Soapdc.com.

I received the 2 ounce jar to review. It seems like a very small amount but trust me, a little goes a long way.

Shea Butter is amazing. It really helps to add moisture to dry skin. Just make sure not to use too much or it might take a while to absorb.

Sometimes dry skin can get sore and itchy. Shea Butter instantly provides soothing relief.

I used the Blueberry Fresh Whipped Shea Butter on my hands, elbows, knees as well as on my arms and legs. You can use it anytime but I prefer using it after a shower when my skin is still a bit damp. I think helps when using it over larger areas like your arms and legs.

My husband has a few dry patches on his hands, especially a couple of his finger (I suppose it’s work related). Regular moisturizer (lotion) doesn’t seem to help. I had him apply the Blueberry Fresh Whipped Shea Butter to the really dry spots a few times a day (before work, after work, before bed). His hands look much better. There is still a little dryness but I’m sure with continued use the Shea Butter will correct it.

I love the scent of this product! I really does smell like blueberries. More like blueberries and cream. My kids tell me that it reminds them of Sweettarts candies. In a way I can see why they think that. It does resemble their scent too.

Unlike other bath and body products, the scent actually stays with you for a long time. I really like that about this product. I don’t like it when I purchase a product because of it’s scent and the scent disappears within a few minutes of application. The sweet blueberry scent will stick with you long after you have applied the product.

The jar is small enough to make it very portable. You could easily toss it into your purse, gym back or luggage so that you have the soothing power of Shea Butter when ever you need it (plus a refreshing scent to awaken your senses).

S.O.A.P carries other fragrant Whipped Shea Butters including Honeysuckle, Lemon Verbena, Warm Vanilla and Oatmeal, Milk & Honey.

For more information, or to make a purchase, visit www.SOAPdc.com.

Kimberly

*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.

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Filed Under: Beauty, Reviews Tagged With: S.O.A.P

Shed Your Winter Skin with At-Home Spa Remedies from Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau Miami Beach

April 30, 2013 By Kimberly 8 Comments

I love bath and body products, but as you know they can be super expensive. That is why I get excited when I learn about a new “recipe” to create beauty products easily and at home without breaking your budget.

I received some fabulous recipes from Josie Feria, Director of Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau, that proves just how easy it is to bring luscious spa treatments, like the kind you can find at Lapis Spa, to the comfort of your own home.

I have never been to a spa before. Some day I would love to try own out.

These treatments will help you to get rid of dry, unseen skin just in time for summer.

Thank you Josie and Lapis Spa for sharing these recipes with my readers.

Pre-Summer Body Exfoliation Simulates Spalicious Body Scrub

Skin softening natural all body exfoliating treatment

Ingredients: ½ cup olive oil, ¾ cup fine sea salt and drops of your favorite aromatherapy oil. Keep in mind the oil selected should be specific to treatment goal – citrus is energizing – lavender relaxing – peppermint stimulating
Place all items in a bowl and blend together
Next, step into the shower and moisten the body – apply the blend by hand in circular motion or for increased exfoliation apply with loofah mitt or body brush
Rinse off thoroughly. Skin will feel smooth and soft and supple. For further hydration apply body lotion directly to moist skin

Pre-Summer Facial for Extra Dry Skin

Skin softening avocado mask for combination or dry skin

Ingredients: ½ avocado, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.

The avocado and coconut oils work as an instant skin softener as the baking soda works as a mild exfoliator

Place all items in bowl and blend well together
Apply the mixture to your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes
Rinse off with warm water

Foot Scrub for Dry Feet and Heels Simulates Foot Rehab Pedicure

Begin by soaking feet in ¼ cup baking soda to reduce inflammation and cleanse feet thoroughly for 10 minutes
Using a wet pumice stone rub heels thoroughly yet gently to remove dry callous
Next, apply coconut oil to feet
Finally, wrap feet in plastic and cover with soft socks for 30 minutes. The plastic and warmth will help the oil to soften the skin.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I am sharing these recipes for the benefit and enjoyment of my site readers. Any opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

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Filed Under: Beauty, Recipes

LUSH-cious Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

April 26, 2013 By Kimberly 12 Comments

Are you still looking for something special to give to your mom, grandmother, wife or other wonderful woman in your life for Mother’s Day? If you think she would like gifts that would pamper her, or provide her with some quality “me time”, then you should check out some of the great gift ideas at LUSH.

I ♥ LUSH. I truly do. I really wish they had a store local to me. I would be there all the time. Then again, maybe that is not such a great idea. I’d probably go broke buying up all their products. I love their products. If you do a search on my site for LUSH you’ll find reviews of some LUSH products. One of my favorites is their Shampoo Bars. They last forever!

LUSH products are handmade with the finest ingredients and essential oils. They do not use preservatives and they do not test on animals. They also have minimal packaging, making them friendly towards Mother Earth too. Here is an example of some of the packaging.

One of my favorite things about LUSH products is that many of them are labeled with the name of the person who created the product you are using and the date it was created, which shows you just how fresh they are.

If you have never walked into a LUSH store before and happen to come across one I would highly recommend you stop in. Just be forewarned. You are going to want to smell and touch everything they have.

I have only been in one LUSH store, and that was at Universal Walk in California. I wanted to take half the store home with me.

Here are a few suggestions of LUSH products that your special lady might enjoy this Mother’s Day.

I have never seen or even heard of the Bubble Wands (pictured above). They are bath soaps (for lack of a better description) on a stick made to resemble a wands. To use simply fill your tub with warm water and gently wave the wand around INSIDE the water. The essentials oils and other ingredients disperse into the water leaving you with a beautifully scented bubble bath.

LUSH sent me a few samples to review. I received the following Bubble Wands.

Mum Tulip – Oh my goodness! The scent of this alone beckons me to take a bath just so I can keep smelling it. It smells SO GOOD! The description says it has a chocolate orange scent. I don’t really smell the chocolate but I do smell the orange and bergamot oil. It has a nice floral-citrus like scent to it. It’s hard to explain. All I know is the scent is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

The Mum – The scent is suppose to be reminiscent of a freshly cut lawn, but don’t think it smells like cut grass. It doesn’t. It does however have a Spring time “clean” scent with a touch of citrus.

Both the Mom Tulip and The Mum came with hang tags made out of paper embedded with seeds. So they serve as two gifts in one. That special lady in your life can not only enjoy a fragrant bath but also the flowers that grow from the seeds in the tags. Simply soak the paper in water than plant it in your garden. You can even reuse the stick as a plant marker so you know where you planted them.

The Dish Fairy Wand is such a fun idea. Instead of squirting a dish soap out of the bottle to wash your dishes you can simply wave the magic Dish Fairy wand in a sink full of hot/warm water and create bubbles to do your dishes.

Washing dishes is not something mom should be doing on Mother’s Day, but it’s a lovely gift to give her anyway since she can enjoy it for through many washes when Mother’s Day is over and it’s back to reality.

The wands can be used several times. Once you created the bubbles and scent in your tub (or sink) place the wand some place to dry. I use a cup to stand them up in until they are dry, then I tuck them away in the bathroom closet.

It would be fun to make mom a bouquet of Bubble Wands. Simply pick up a nice vase, or even a pretty mug, and then fill it with several wands. It would look darling on a bathroom counter.

LUSH also sent me their Secret Garden bath bomb. It creates both bubbles and fizz. The scent is out of this world wonderful! It reminds me of an English Garden. It’s so fragrant! So much so that I haven’t used it yet. I love the scent too much and I want to keep it around for as long as I can. I currently have it on my desk and I can smell it as I am working. The scent lingers through the air. It’s oh-so-nice and wonderful! Better than most air fresheners.

All of these would make wonderful gift ideas for Mother’s Day, or even a “just because” gift. You don’t need to wait for someone to give them to you either. Pick them up for yourself.

To learn more about these and other LUSH products, or to find a location near you visit www.LUSHUSA.com. LUSH is available in many countries around the world. You can also purchase LUSH products on the LUSH website.

You can also check them out on Facebook and on Twitter.

Kimberly

*I received free sample products in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

Filed Under: Beauty, Gift Ideas, Reviews Tagged With: Bubble Wands, Lush, Mother's Day

Protect your skin against sun damage

April 25, 2013 By Kimberly 4 Comments

Summer has not yet officially started, and here in the Northeast we haven’t exactly had many hot and sunny days – yet I have already had sunburn TWICE it two weeks! This past weekend I sat outside on our balcony with my husband for about a half hour. I was mostly in the shade, yet some how I got sunburn on my chest/neck area. The weekend before that we went to a street fair. It was overcast, windy and cold yet I some how managed to get sunburned (chest/neck area again). I had my hair up in a ponytail this past weekend so the back of my neck is burned too and right now it’s dry and itchy.

Ugh!

I try and wear sunscreen year round. I do admit that in the cooler months I tend to be a bit more relaxes about it. This is a not-so-subtle reminder that you can get burned and sun damage even when it’s not blue skies and sunny.

I have been sunburned more times than I care to recall, some times to the point of sun poisoning. My cousins still talk about the day when we were camping and I was so burned my entire face swelled up.

Growing up I never wore sunscreen. I guess back in the 70′s parents didn’t think about things like that. I am very fair skinned (pale) and burn just thinking about the sun. Because of my constant burning I had to have six “suspicious” moles removed from my back once. OUCH! That was painful.

The sun can cause MAJOR damage to your skin.

Uneven skin tone (blotchy appearance)
Brown spots
Solar lentigines (Liver spots)
Solar elastosis (break down of the collagen and elastin fibers)
Poikiloderma (irregular areas of reddish-brown pigmentation in the neck/chest area)

And of course skin cancer. That is my #1 fear.

You should make it a habit to apply sunscreen to any area that might be exposed to the sun (face, arms, legs…). Many body lotions contain sunscreen. They should be fine some of the time, especially if you are not exposed to the sun for too long. If you plan on being outside for 15+ minutes than you should consider a traditional sunscreen. This includes the Winter time too. You can get sunburned while skiing with your family and friends.

Men even YOU need sunscreen, as do your children/grandchildren. No one is exempt from getting sunburn.

Your face is especially vulnerable because it’s always exposed to the sun. I always make sure to wear a sunscreen on my face. There are some facial moisturizers that contain sunscreen which are fine for limited sun exposure. If you plan on being outside for a while (gardening, swimming, picnic…) a traditional sunscreen is recommended.

I recently received a sample of a sunscreen to try out and review. I received G.M. Collin’s Mineral Sun Veil with SPF 15. It’s available tinted (the one I have is not tinted).

Here is some additional information about the product.

G.M. Collin’s Tinted Mineral Sun Veil SPF 15 provides daily environmental UVA-UVB protection with 100% natural mineral filters and 100% natural pigment featuring the new Smart Color Technology. Smart Color Technology is engineered with 100% Natural Iron Oxide, and provides a sheer wash of color that blends in with every skin tone, for a naturally radiant year-round healthy glow.

Protects:

Helps prevent visible signs of premature aging

Blocks out UVA & UVB with SPF 15

Natural Vitamin E protects against free radicals

Leaf extract of Senna Alata and Fumaria Officinalis Extract protect DNA

Features:

It enhances skin tone and evens out the complexion.

Formulated with 100% Natural Zinc Oxide, a non-allergenic mineral sunscreen that uniformly blocks out both UVA and UVB rays

Greatly reduces sun-related premature skin aging.

For all skin types, easy to use, non-greasy, contains no artificial colors, and is fragrance-free

The product is easy to use. Simply apply the veil evenly on your face 15-30 minutes before you will be exposed to the sun. You should re-apply every two hours, or after you swim, shower, or perspire.

Thankfully I was wearing the G.M. Mineral Sun Veil the two times I was sunburned recently. My face did not get burned, just my chest/neck area. The protect appears to protect as advertised.

Unlike traditional sunscreens the veil goes on your skin smoothly and blends in immediately. It does not leave a sticky film on your face like other facial sunscreens do.

My skin can be a bit on the sensitive side. I had no reactions to this product. It also didn’t cause any outbreaks of pimples, which was another concern.

After it was applied and dried into my skin I didn’t even notice that I was wearing anything on my face which is great for me since I’m not really into wearing a lot of make up. The cleaner and fresher my face feels the better.

Overall I’m pleased with the product. Its been helping to protect my skin from the very harmful effects of the sun. It also goes on well, washes off just fine and doesn’t weigh down my face like traditional sunscreens.

The G.M. Mineral Sun Veil is available at select online retailers and spas nationwide and retails for $24.00.

Kimberly

*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.