50 Grades of Shea - part 2

Hello there, In part 2 of the 50 Grades of Shea, we will learn that Karité is another word for Shea.

Here are another 10 favorites as we continue on in our series.. If you are looking for 50 Shades of Grey cosmetics.. sorry, its not here. But what we can offer are a slew of moisturizing body, hair, skin and beauty products to usher you into fall. Here we go!

Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl

Tokyo Milk Rose Shea Butter Soap

Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream

Kiss My Face Hot Spots SPF 30

Philip B African Shea Butter Shampoo

Sephora Collection Nano Eyeliner

Dr. Hauschka Quince Day Cream

If you have sensitive skin, fear not! Dr. Hauschka does a great job at soothing even the most irritable skin.

**Dr. Woods Pure Black Soap with Organic Shea Butter

Dare I say this is a Brooklyn favorite? Many of my friends seem to have this little-goes-a-long-way liquid soap. Plus, it seems like Black Soap is having a moment, cleansing without stripping natural oils. Dr. Woods just so happens to have the best of both gentle cleansing and the right amount of shea moisture

 Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream

**Rene Furterer Karité

RF's Karité (Shea) is a wonderful line! I was saddened with Sephora decided to discontinue it in stores but the nourishment lives on.. on-line! Though you don't get to instantly touch the creamy-yet-light goodness in your hands. Take my word for it, its worth the UPS and USPS stalking to get your package.

50 Grades of Shea- part 1

While everyone and their bull dog terrier is coyly trying to finish their 50 Shades book series before summer ends, you can take comforting pleasure in knowing that you don't have to hide away these 50 products packed with shea butter ( non guilty) pleasure.

So what so salivating about Shea Butter? Its primarily used in cosmetics, body and hair care to help with moisture. The butter is extracted from the African Shea tree and has properties that are coveted by those who have dry, brittle, cracked and fragile external needs.

With that, here is my first list of 10 shea products that fit an A grade. p.s. * products are my A+'s.

Naturopathica Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex

*For the past few weeks I've been using Naturopathica's Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex as my "Sunday Night Spa Night" routine. When I wake up my skin feels really refreshed and upon doing my research for this project, I didn't know it had shea butter in it.. well, Shea and vitamins A,C & E help you to start out feeling right!

Bella Cosmetics Sheer Lip tint

Carols Daughter Coconut Shea Souffle

Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea

Burt's Bees Bug Bite Relief

Eyeko London Curvy Brush Mascara

Philosophy Gingerbread Girl Duo

Alaffia Coconut & Shea Daily Hydrating Shampoo

* I started using Alaffia's Coconut and Shea Shampoo this summer and my hair has feel sumptuous! Its a gentle cleanser that uses black soap and the other natural ingredients (shea), has hydrated my hair since June.

PhytoSpecific Beauty Styling Creme

* This has been a beauty staple of mine for at least 4 years, sadly Sephora no longer carries it. Have no fear, Amazon will get you taken care of if you are looking for a leave-in that locks in moisture and only requires 1/2 dime size of product to work a hair full of miracles.. miracles I tell you! I heart Phytospecific's Beauty Styling Creme, let me count the ways!

Fresh Seaberry Exfoliating Soap

 

Summer 2010: Bronzed Glam Gams

Photo: Bronzed on the Left


In preparation for vacation, I wanted to experiment ( isn't that what beauty is all about? trying new things?) since moving to the East, I don't get sun as consistantly as I used to living in southern California. However, when the days are blazing, much like last week's 100 degree temperature, I found my self getting some sun at McCarron Park.. and getting burnt in the process ( yes, my shoulders are peeling) . In an effort to avoid getting burnt by my failure to use or borrow sunscreen -I cannot stand looking like a Twilight Vampire by the ashiness of Titanium Dioxide!!. Thus, I've gone sunless tanning!

Last week at Duane Reade I picked up 1. Sunscreen (Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch in SPF 50 has been good to me so far), and 2. L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze.

I thought the Sublime was going to be a major fail and I was fully prepared to return it, even asking the clerk what the return policy was.
Now, I have to say that after 1 quarter-sized application on Tuesday and Thursday on my left leg, the results were noticibly bronzed in all its glory- so much so that I did not bear leg late last week. I showed friends and colleagues my results and they loved the bronzed and commented
"What are you going to do about the other leg?"
Yes, what am I going to do about my right gam?
I started applying to the right today in order to catch up to the left but regardless- I love the bronzier sans orange glow my skin has and I know that I will DEF step out of the house with my sunscreen.

Winter Skin 2010: Exfoliation!

It was a frigid 28 degrees yesterday, today- I couldn't feel my digits ( thanks to hand warmers, I could grasp my keys!) and by face was so numb from the wind, I couldn't feel my face!

Aww winter, it came a week early with about 18 inches of snow and today we had flurries with the wind howling before you even feel it.

The best part about winter, having dryskin accumulate in your socks, tights, stalking... eww.

Have no fear! here is a list of tried- and true- exfoliators for your body, face and feet that work with minimal effort and time so that you can be on to the next step- moisturizing, in no time!

Body:

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash and Beauty Bars- I've been testing these for the past 3 weeks and its been a miracle. The miracle? polished skin plus a great scent, brown sugar. Extra added bonus- wallet friendly!

Giovanni D:tox System Purfiying Body Wash Step 1- A much cheaper alternative to MAC's Volcanic Ash exfoliator series mirrors the same ingredients: activated charcoal, volcanic ash but this adds antioxidents like acai and goji berries. Extra Gentle too.

Face:

Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure Daily Exfoliating Gel Cleanser- excellent for frequent use because its gentle.

Neutrogena Healty Skin Visibly Even Foaming Cleanser- I've been using this for years! a combination foaming cleanser and mini exfoliator, great for everyday.

Feet:

Bath and Body Works' True Blue Spa Toe the Line- apply dry and rub in circles, for help- use spa exfoliation gloves- work it! then soak.

Sally Hansen's JUST FEET Spa Sugar Scrub- wonderful and in-expensive too!

your scrubbed down, whats next? Moisture!

disclosure: Caress body wash and beauty bars were received as products for possible review. All other products in the post were purchased by me.

Body Scrubs: The Gingerbread Man vs. Hot Chocolate

VS.

Its Giovanni Cosmetics vs. Philosphy's The Gingerbread Man in a faux battle of the scrub. Who is worth your bathroom beauty time? Who needs to stop runnin'? Which scent will conjur your latte decision at the coffee house?

A few years ago I discovered Philosophy's holiday seasonal friend, The Gingerbread Man. The highly covetable scrub is still highly praised and one of the best-selling body scrubs to date.

Recently while in Duane Reade, I discovered Giovanni Cosmetic's Hot Chocolate Scrub. A simple magazine run turned into a spa experience. An organic body scrub in Duane Reade? That's almost as good as NARS being in Marshall's!

I decided to compare both, it has taken me some time but finally on to the results:

1. Scent- I'm not a fan of smelling like either Chocolate or Gingerbread but initially, I am drawn to the scent. While in use, you want to feel relaxed and not think of a Mocha or Gingerbread Latte but I have to say- the Gingerbread scent quickly wore while being used. My bathroom didn't retain the lovely scent that drew me to buy it, while the Hot Chocolate Scrub retained its scent and made me want to grab a Mocha post beautification.

Giovanni's Hot Chocolate Scrub

2. Performance- This could differ with shelf life but while experimenting I did find that the Gingerbread Man was in a " Can't catch me" mentality of being quite well- runny. Again, who knows if the contents just melt with shelf life but being that this was one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2003- it probably didn't make it to the shelf due to its wait list.

The Hot Chocolate Scrub was "meatier" if that is the best way to describe it. Its contents- effective and polished- a definite thumbs up.

3. Perks- The warming sensation claim, thats great but if you rub your hands together, doesn't that friction create warmth? When trying both out, I found Giovanni's Chocolate Sugar scrub to perform better on the warming side than that of The Gingerbread Man- and without the claim. I chalk it up to the consistancy of the latter product.

Price was not considered as these both are around the same price per oz. -roughly less than $1.

The Winner? Giovanni's Hot Chocolate scrub- now I'm off to get that Mocha.

disclaimer: Both Giovanni and Philosophy products were purchased by me for use and reviewing.

photos: Sephora.com and personal photos