New Year...New Skin

Get beautiful skin before Spring creeps in :)

Ugghhh.....I know, I know...I was here and then I wasn't...LOL...what can I say...holiday season was HECTIC, and contending with the "queen" aka Little Victoria as she's nearing her second birthday has been nothing short of CHAOTIC. Nevertheless, I carved out a little chunk of time to share an inexpensive but fabulous beauty secret with you. So lately, I've been receiving alot of compliments on the clarity and luminescence of my skin...I wish I could chalk it all up to good genes and a natural glow, but i've been getting a little help from a cheap but chic beauty bar. For less than $3.00 you can get the same clear, luminescent skin I've been experiencing for weeks now. Its the AMBI:Complexion Cleansing Bar, and its actually a facial bar...but what it does for the skin on your face it will do for your entire body-cleanse & tone it! Its great for fighting scars and blemishes from hair removal on your legs and bikini area. I follow it up with a simple cocoa butter based lotion like Vaseline Deep Conditioning Cocoa Butter Lotion while my skin is till damp. At night I use pure olive oil, also while my skin is still wet. Simple ingredients are the best for your skin...forget about those expensive body washes that promise to do the same things. These simple components, GOOD Old Fashioned beauty rest, and moisturizing heavily at night will have your skin glowing in no time. I've been using it for weeks but I noticed results as soon as a couple of days. Make sure you keep it on your EXTERNAL skin ;) Good Luck!

photo courtesy of Target.com

You can find the AMBI: Complexion Cleansing Bar at virtually any chain drugstore as well as Target and Walmart for less than $3.00/bar

Sexy skin is a good base...but what to put on top? What is your personal style?

I like to call mine VINTAGE PRINCESS GRUNGE- Ultra Glam when I'm going out...Comfy and a little distressed when I'm getting things done. Explore my style on the next post and learn how to define your own...and not just for you...we'll touch on developing your babes' style too See you soon ;)

Luxury in a Jar...or Two!

As close to Spa quality as it may get ;)

In one of my earliest blogs, Recession Beauty, I mentioned that body polishes and scrubs are my favorite spa therapy. If you've never had one, or performed one on yourself, what it is is basically an exfoliation process with a wet scrub usually made from a raw salt or sugar base that sloughs of dull dead skin cells and unearths the new, glowing skin beneath. Its usually followed by a very hydrating cream that deeply moisturizes the new skin. The process keeps your skin very soft and promotes circulation to give you an instant glow. There are tons of scrubs and body butters out there that you can purchase and use at home, but some are better than others. Some even provide professional quality results, and I found two in particular. In an effort to conserve time I paid my favorite NYC Spa, HAVEN, a visit to purchase some items I could use at home instead...and I'm so glad I did ;)

• Pure Fiji Coconut Sugar Rub $41 : This is the BEST sugar scrub I have ever tried!!! It comes with a scoop so that you don't waste too much, and a little bit goes a LONG way. When I read the bottle and it said 15 uses, I immediately shrugged that off; I usually get three at most out of a jar this size. The scent is very light and its very moisturizing, but like almost any sugar scrub, its VERY messy...so confine yourself to the shower. If you have the time...apply it and wrap yourself in Saran Wrap for 20 mins. ;). This really works!!! Rinse it off with warm water and follow with...
• Biotone Body Butter in Milk & Honey $36: Also a small jar that promises a lot of uses. Rub this all over your skin once you've patted dry and you'll feel your skin instantly turn into velvet. This body butter is amazing. It also has a very light scent that won't over power or conflict with your perfume. You can use it everyday!

These beauty finds are little on the pricey side, but they are well worth it. With the number of uses and the professional results you'll get, they pay for themselves over and over and over ;). Twice a week is a good number of times to exfoliate your skin. You'll be amazed at just how more beautiful your skin can be! LOVE

You don't necessarily have to go directly to a spa to purchase these items. You can actually find them on the Internet for a little cheaper. Visit these links to the sugar scrub and body cream respectively and indulge yourself.

http://www.purefiji.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=USA&Product_Code=PF-SR-C

http://www.biotonespa.com/?s=shop&p=product&a=view&id=BSBBMILK8Z&dept=SPAH

If you're in need of getting out & being pampered, definitely check out Haven Spa in NYC. The environment is very clean and relaxing and for an NYC spa the prices are very reasonable. Visit this link to check it out http://www.havensoho.com/

Your skin actually does glow!!! What you eat, how much you exercise and how you take care of your skin all plays a role in its radiance. Look for my upcoming blog on 10 things you can do to make your Skin Shine....LOVE