She birthed you, raised you, and dealt with you all these years, now it’s time to tell her, “I love you!” If you have a Mom like mine, the woman who has it all, then it’s time to use that noggin and get creative!

Flowers and balloons are always a nice gesture, but your Mother deserves so much more (at least mine does!), so make her feel special with some of these unique gift ideas.

•    Pamper, Pamper, Pamper! You could buy your Mom passes to the spa, or bring the spa to her; it will show you actually want to spend time with her. Set a day aside and have an at-home pamper day with your mom.
Some products I recommend trying out with your Mom:
Thymes: They offer an array of body lotions, washes, scrubs, feet care, etc. The ladies at PlasticSurgery.com and I love the Naia Hand Lotion and Hand Wash! Visit their website to check out some of the kits and gift sets that they offer.
En Pointe Skin Solutions: From cleanser, toners, and moisturizers, they offer all the products you need to put together an at-home facial kit.
Philip Kingsley: To get your Mom ready for Mother’s day brunch, Philip Kingsley offers a wide range of styling products to add texture and volume or tame and smooth while protecting the hair. For bounce, control, and shine, you may want to try out their maximizer.
Adovia Mineral Skin Care: Another great facial care line! My fellow Beauty Chatter, Audrey, and I love their products! This is great for those with sensitive skin (like me), because they are made from minerals from the Dead Sea, providing a natural skin smoothing experience.

•    Expand her horizons: Take your mom on an adventure instead of the usual dinner and a movie. I am taking my Mom wine tasting! Pick a place you know she would like to go, but wouldn’t normally take herself to. I know my Mom likes wine, but she would never think of going to a winery.

•    Put on your chef’s hat: Make your Mom her favorite dish or introduce her to a new one. My favorite place to go for creative recipes is AllRecipes.com, which has reviews on the dishes and suggestions for additional ingredients, side dishes, etc.

•    Clean, scrub, and shine: You know your mother works hard, so why not give her a day off from her typical duties of cleaning up (after you!), doing the laundry, and running the house. Get your siblings together and clean the house for her and let her relax for the day!

Your mom most likely is not expecting much, so if anything, give her a day of you. I know that through the rush and chaos it can sometimes get hard to spend time with anyone for an entire day – the least you can do is give her the time. And for all you mommies out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Photo Credit: Adovia Spa and Laura’s Journey

Whether overweight or thin, anyone can get it; it’s stubborn, it’s chunky, and the worse part- it’s incurable. I am talking about cellulite (doesn’t it bring a ring to your ears?). Some people may refer to it as “orange peel skin” or “cottage cheese,” whatever you would like to call it, it’s annoying.

As for treatment, there are various options out there to alleviate the appearance of cellulite, but not completely remove it. There are at-home treatments, plastic surgery procedures (lipodissolve or mesotherapy), and spa treatments (endermologie or velasmooth).

Unfortunately, spa and medical services are a little pricey, so I decided to try an at-home treatment called Java Junkie 3-in-1 cellulite system for my cottage cheese thighs.

What was interesting about Java Junkie is that it is made from coffee grounds; in this case you can safely go into caffeine overload. Caffeine (on the skin) is good at alleviating the appearance of cellulite temporarily because it induces blood flow and works as a diuretic. This product is a great choice for all the coffee addicts out there. I am not your typical coffee fiend, but I do love the smell of it, so I painlessly tried this product out; all the while smelling like a fresh cup of Joe.

Java Junkie is a combination of a scrub, wrap, and lotion, making it easier to clean and moisturize; eliminating steps. There are two options when using this product, you can either use it as a scrub a couple times a week or use it as a wrap (by scrubbing into the skin and wrapping cellophane over the desired area). I decided to use it as a scrub three times a week, it made it convenient because I could just use it while I shower. I made sure to massage my thighs as I used the scrub.

After a couple days of use, I could see the difference; my skin was a lot tighter and smoother. I am sure if I had used the product as a wrap, my results would have been more dramatic; however, I was impressed at how soft my skin was within a weeks time. Overall, I was satisfied with the results.

For all of the coffee lovers out there, or if you would like espresso finished skin, you will love this product. I would definitely recommend Java Junkie to those who would like to tighten up skin and minimally reduce the appearance of cellulite.

If you would like to learn more about Java Junkie, visit their Web site.

Stay tuned for other great at-home cellulite product reviews.

Photo Credit: Jen Sibley PR

We all have those long, stressful days that seem to go on forever. You know, the ones that leave you looking fatigued with dark circles around your eyes? Well, just because you feel worn out doesn’t mean you have to appear that way as well. eyeSlices can help!

eyeSlices are best described as a “hi-tech cucumber slice.” Not only do these disposable pads look like the green vegetable, they are also just as soothing. Apply them straight out of the container, or put them in the fridge for a few minutes to achieve a tingling sensation — either way, eyeSlices work to diminish dark circles, fine lines, irritation, puffiness, and redness in a matter of minutes.

Yup, that’s right. It only takes five minutes of your time to achieve refreshed-looking eyes! Although, it’s easy to put them on and drift off for a longer period of time

I especially liked that these slices stayed on the eyes. Unlike cucumbers, when applying eyeSlices to the skin, a slight suction is created so that the pads don’t fall off. This helps enhance the rejuvenation process, which can be felt as soon as the slices are placed on the eyes.

You can order eyeSlices online or at fine spas throughout the U.S. Each pair will last up to five uses, so for $20, it’s quite a deal. And once you run out of the pads, you won’t need to purchase another container, just the refill slices.

Photo credit: eyeSlices

Beauty Chat resident foot snob here, with yet another fabulous foot find! I recently tried the best foot scrub ever. You all know I am a huge pedi-snob, and I will do anything to make my feet happier and prettier. So, I found this whipped peppermint foot scrub from Gwendolyn’s Gate.

Whipped peppermint foot scrub, you ask? YES, and it is awesome. With the summer months here, my feet really take a beating between my pedicures. From the beach to the pool, they are subjected to some harsh elements and they show it! My poor feet become so dry and worn out and I needed to find an affordable fix to treat my tootsies. According to her Web site, the foot scrub is: “A delicious delectable blend of cleansers with sea salt and peppermint essential oil. After using this blend, you will want to ‘Dance the Night Away’ as your feet are cooled and refreshed.”I would have to agree. Wendy Goudie, the owner, told me that it would smell good enough to eat, and she was right. It is amazing. The smell is wonderful and it massages your feet so nicely. After I had used it, my feet were so smooth and touchable.

Foot scrub is not all that Gwendolyn’s Gate has to offer. They have an array of body products that are wonderful, including:

Gwendolyn’s Gate’s Chrysalis: Skin Care Products make you look and feel beautiful from head to toe.

Body Cream: A soothing blend of goat’s milk, honey, and shea to be used as both a hand and body cream. You will be amazed at how silky smooth your skin will feel.

Body Polish: Made with mild cleansers and gentle salts to exfoliate and revitalize your skin by removing dead skin cells, allowing moisturizers to penetrate deeply into your skin. Your body will feel refreshed, revitalized, and silky smooth.

French Green Clay: Our French Green Clay is in its purest form to be used as a facial mask. Known to be the world’s finest clay to assist in the anti-aging process. Also, this clay will help even out your skin tone, tighten your pores, and increase circulation to your skin’s surface.

And much…much more! I highly recommend checking out Gwendolyn’s Gate, it has a fabulous line of body care products! Thanks, Wendy, for sharing with me!

P.S. Wendy wants to share her fabulous products with a lucky Beauty Chat reader! Just tell us what you do to relax at home when you’re on a budget, and we will choose the best answer! The winner will receive a bundle from Wendy and Gwendolyn’s Gate! Contest ends July 14th.

Photo Credit: Gwendolyn’s Gate

June 1st marked the day that Beauty Chat turned a year old [proud teardrop].

You see, this blog originally developed as a social networking project between me and Randy. Our goal at that time was to reach out to the beauty and plastic surgery communities, with our original “Look good, feel good, and speak on it!” philosophy. Turns out this idea not only paved the personality of Beauty Chat; we learned that there are a lot of others out there who feel the same way. You know, the non-judgmental chatterboxes (like us) who love talking about the latest this and that.

Turns out, there are TONS of you – our local, national, and international friends – who have subscribed to Beauty Chat and even have a favorite “Beauty Chatter.” I mean, with 10 writers on staff, including myself, a very productive project editor (Denice) and an eye-for-detail managing editor (Leeann), a fabulous in-house designer (Khevna), and a righteous programmer ( Randy), it only makes sense that you would connect with someone who is just as opinionated as you are!

Really, when it comes down to it, the team that makes up Beauty Chat is, like, the coolest group you could ever meet. (Sorta kidding, but not really.)

Here are some of our proud topics and/or moments:

• I was able to “Lipstick Jungle” lunch with Candace Bushnell, the creator of “Sex and the City,” at the Four Seasons in L.A. in June ’07; it was that moment I learned a movie was “possibly” in the works – straight from her! Oh, and who can forget our exciting Bejeweled photo shoot!?

• Mellori chatting about the “art of eyebrow threading” as the beginning of her onslaught of ethnic beauty topics, and developing an amazing friendship with Cibu International.

• Brook’s famous science-behind-skincare articles, in addition to weekly review of “The Hills” on MTV (even when she could barely tolerate the Heidi and Spencer, er, “Speidi” drama), and her interview with its past character, Elodie Otto regarding her new skincare line.

• Leeann hitting backstage at a fashion show to interview the designer of “Girl On Top,” Jon Paul. Her interview with boutique mogul Lisa Kline is still a moment for us to revel in!

• The newly-built, blossoming relationship between Total Beauty and Beauty Chat – thanks to our very own, Denice. And you know you can always count on “Neecy” to give you the latest on foot rejuvenation.

• Jacquie’s personal story regarding weight loss, motherhood (Norah and Jonas are the cutest!), and keeping her sanity in the process. Oh yeah, remember to say Yes to Carrots when you get the chance!

• Andrea’s insight to the art of applying eye shadow during our COLORON photo shoot, and mixing shades for a va-voom look, especially for those of us who could use the assistance (ahem…me!)

• The brilliance of Jennifer’s first post on plastic surgery: her promo on “My Beautiful Mommy.” And being based in Southern California, how could she not give tips on how to avoid sun damage?

• Sarah’s new “handbag of the month” series for readers who are just as purse-obsessed as she is! Her chic style definitely comes through her writing.

• Stephanie (our newest Beauty Chatter!) and her first product review: skinHarmony Pure Skin Care and joining Sarah, Leeann, and Jacquie for “Shecky’s Girls Night Out.”

Also, in honor of Beauty Chat’s birthday, all of us decided to answer this question:

“What does Beauty Chat’s 1-year mark mean to me?”

Me (Elana): “It’s so fabulous to see an experiment turn into a full-fledged blog that attracts both male and female readers. I work with an amazing group of talented individuals, all who I am very proud to call my fellow Beauty Chatters. Witnessing the growth of Beauty Chat is an indescribable feeling and an accomplishment that we can all enjoy.”

Randy: “It’s a nice feeling to be one of the creators of Beauty Chat and be able to watch how it has grown within just 1 year to be a favorite destination for thousands of Internet users a week and even win awards. Some people wait years to experience growth that we have in just 11 months.”

Denice: “I have never really been a beauty products kind of girl, but Beauty Chat has changed all of that! I went from not using any type of beauty product (outside my normal makeup) to using some of the best products around. I have met amazing women who have started their own companies and are passionate about what they create and do. Beauty Chat has been an inspiration to me, and I am sure to many others.”

Leeann: “I am so proud to be a part of Beauty Chat. Contributing since the blog’s beginning, I have had the opportunity to watch it — and all of our staff — grow and change over the past year. I can’t wait to see what year number two has in store! I am so appreciative to Elana (Beauty Chat creator) for giving us the ability to express ourselves through this wonderful outlet.”

Mellori: “If I have to sum up Beauty Chat in two words over the last year, it would be – Absolutely Fabulous! I am so happy to be have been apart of this community from the start – having seen it grow from what it started out as to what it is today is amazing!”

Brook: “For me, Beauty Chat is a way to teach and learn at the same time – I get to share useful info on areas of the beauty industry that interest me, and also learn more about the aspects that are important to others. Don’t we all love to get as much as we can from one source? That’s what I think we offer here.”

Jacquie: “Beauty Chat is a new way for me to express myself. It has helped me come out of my shell and share my point of view with others. I love being part of Beauty Chat and a special thank you to all its members and readers for helping me grow!”

Jennifer: “Beauty Chat has given me the opportunity to write about topics that I’ve loved all my life. It’s great being able to share my findings with all of our wonderful readers and I love reading everyone else’s posts. I look forward to continue being a part of such a wonderful team!”

Khevna: “Beauty Chat gave me an opportunity to design an award-winning blog.”

Dre: “I love Beauty Chat Blog because of our contributors and reader’s wide range of thoughts and opinions on what beauty means to them. It is also a blessing to witness the creativeness that is instilled in my fellow Beauty Chatters each and every day. Overall, I am extremely happy and grateful to be a part of Beauty Chat!”

Sarah: “A place to indulge in my fashion and beauty obsessions, Beauty Chat has offered me the experience of sharing with readers great deals, trends, fashions, and products that I believe are worthy of recognition. Allowing me the opportunity to become a fellow Beauty Chatter, Beauty Chat, and the team of wonderful bloggers, have made me feel at home and I hope to be continue to bring readers the latest designers, and merchandise for some time to come.”

Stephanie: “I have really enjoyed reading all the posts on Beauty Chat over the past year, I have learned about so many new topics and products. Its exciting to be one of the newest members of Beauty Chat.”

So in celebration of Beauty Chat turning a year old, we are holding a contest for all of our die-hard fans out there!

To enter our giveaway featuring an exciting product package worth approximately $350 from iQ Derma and Redpoint Beauty, just click here and visit the Fab Freebie article to leave us a comment with your favorite Beauty Chat post!

Good luck, and here’s to going onto our second year…Cheers!

Photo Credit: Thanks Dan – you awesome photographer, you!

Are you feeling stressed, tired, or sick? A trip to your massage therapist may be the answer to your problems. I recently had the opportunity to chat with a Holistic Health Practitioner about massage therapy, including its history and benefits.

Shantelle M-B. La Brada, HHP is a Holistic Health Practitioner in San Diego, California. She comes from “bodywork parents,” with her father being a chiropractor in practice for 13 years, and her mother a clinical hypnotherapist, Reiki 2, iridologist, reflexologist, nutritionist and who is currently studying to be an Incan Shaman. Having had such wonderful influences around her all her life, it’s no wonder she decided to take this path. Shantelle graduated in December 2007 from Muller College of Holistic Studies in San Diego. Her areas of expertise include Asian Studies (acupressure), Fundamental Herbology, general aromatherapy, energy based-bodywork such as Reiki and Craniosacral, as well as your basic Swedish and deep tissue massage. She hopes to open her very own business within the following year, upon completing the National Exam.

Check out my interview with Shantelle below.

What is the biggest misconception about massage therapy?

Unfortunately, the biggest misconception about massage is that it’s the profession of “hookers,” strippers, and various individuals just looking to make a quick buck. There are many “Massage Salons” or individuals who promote massage sessions with “extras,” and the existence of these illegal businesses creates an ill view of those who study massage therapy as a health care profession.

What was the original purpose of massage therapy?

Massage therapy, for what you read in ancient manuscripts and what is taught in school, was meant for healing and dealing with illness. There are so many forms of massage, from Ayurvedic to deep tissue, Swedish, and Craniosacral, as well as Shiatsu and heated stone just to mention a few. All are meant for the same basic thing – to help your body, mind, and spirit return to a state of homeostasis.

How has it evolved into what we know now?

Many massage therapists are no longer trained in only one style of massage. Many create their own routines by combining various techniques for the ultimate benefit to their clients. You can still find those who specialize in one technique over another but they will almost always know at least one or two more techniques.

Who benefits the most from massage therapy?

Everyone benefits from massage to some degree. Studies have shown that children who can’t sleep may benefit from a lavender-scented massage to their backs and scalp as they fall asleep. Massage students that have been permitted to learn in a medical setting and who have worked on comatose patients, have seen an increase in cerebral response, even smiles, when the patients were given a gentle hand massage. [Athletes, expectant mothers, and diabetics can also greatly benefit from different types of massage.] And of course, the everyday healthy person benefits from just being able to relax from a hard day or week’s work.

How does massage therapy relate to medicine?

Not too many doctors will accept that there is any relation between medicine and massage. However, if we go back to ancient texts, such as when Hippocrates stated in his texts around the 5th century, they should work hand in hand for optimal health. There is a group of doctors called Naturopaths – these are usually M.D.-qualified individuals who have extended their studies to include a Holistic approach to health. where they can incorporate Herbology and massage with Western surgery.

For those that are extra beauty-conscious, how can massage therapy benefit them?

Massage is an all-natural skin toner – combine it with some specific therapeutic essential oils, moist heat and oa’la, natural facelift or cellulite reducer. Of course though, the whole purpose of the essential oils and moist heat is to increase the circulation to the focus area and extreme cases of cellulite due to lack of a healthy lifestyle may not be noticeably reduced. Massage is meant as a stress reliever in all cases, and stress can appear on your face as those nasty crow’s feet around your eyes or the deep creases above your mouth and on your forehead.

How is reflexology related to massage therapy?

Reflexology type massage is linked to Tomb Murals found it Saqqara, Egypt, but not much is known about its use prior to the modern introduction of it by William H. Fitzgerald in the early 1900s, and a physical therapist named Eunice D. Ingham. It is Ingham’s developments that are most widely practiced in the West. The idea was that the body was made up of energetic zones, and that within these zones there is a connection from one’s toes and fingers to the top of the head. They found that massaging a certain area of the feet and hands affected other portions of the body internally. An example would be that maintained pressure to the fingers could serve as a gentle anesthetic during dental surgery.

Have additional questions about massage therapy? Contact Shantelle M-B. La Brada at shantihai@gmail.com.

Photos courtesy of Photobucket and Shantelle M-B. La Brada, HHP

Hair care is important to all us, whether you have a fear of hair loss and you need for a hair transplant, or you just love to pamper your hair and scalp. So I am happy to say that I have a new favorite product that has really helped my dry, damaged and thinning hair.

                                               (Photo Courtesy of Yes to Carrots)

Yes To Carrots is a company that uses the juice from orange colored produce, Dead Sea Mud, vitamins, and minerals in skin and hair care products. We all know these items can do amazing things inside our bodies, but who would have thought to put them in our hair?     

Yes to Carrots did!

Due to hormone changes from my pregnancy and too much coloring, my hair is falling out like crazy – handfuls at a time.  I hate when my hair looks dry and damaged, so that is why I usually color it to put some shine and body back into it. But that just damages it, thus causing more hair to fall out! It is a vicious cycle. So I went looking for a product to help protect and nourish my hair and scalp.

I found Pampering Carrot Juice Shampoo and Pampering Hair Mud Conditioner.  The smell is not at all what I expected from a bunch of fruits and veggies.  It smells soft and clean.  At first, the only difference I noticed was that my hair felt really soft.  After three days, I noticed that my hair was more manageable and felt less dry.

But my excitement soared when I noticed the re-growth around my hair line.  I am not going to go bald!  I know the shampoo and conditioner are not fully responsible but I do think they deserve some credit.

Yes To Carrots shampoo and conditioner has put a stop to the cycle, allowing my hair to grow back healthy, shiny and with more body because it does not build up on my hair. 

Check them out! You can get Yes To Carrots products at Walgreens and the price is just right. I have also been trying some of their other products, so be sure to check back for a review.

The way I see it – the heart and soul of a company largely contributes to its success, and I love learning about the brains behind fabulous products. This is why I excitedly wanted to chat with Terry Carter of Travertine Spa – a line of natural botanical body care products and lovely loungewear. With a HUGE celebrity clientele base with products and apparel that is tailored for both and women, Terry wholeheartedly believes in what Travertine Spa stands for. With personal satisfaction using one of his “moisture therapy” products (as well as owning a comfy Yoga Wear top), I have to share one of my new favorite skincare lines with you.

Check out our exclusive Beauty Chat interview:

Elana: How did you develop the idea for Travertine Spa?

Terry: I was a corporate attorney who really didn’t like the atmosphere that I was working in; it was a hostile environment that I did not enjoy. I got away from my stresses in the workplace by going to spas. I wanted to share with people what I had learned and experienced by just taking time to take care of myself, so I decided to create Travertine Spa in 2005.

E: Tell me about the launch of your product line. Did apparel come second?

T: Initially, it was only products. But clothing gives me another opportunity to develop quality products people can enjoy and wear wherever they go. We introduced the clothing line last year at the MAGIC Marketplace trade show in Las Vegas. Travertine Spa is a lifestyle brand that resonates quality, so with products and clothing, people can have the whole Travertine Spa experience – anything from wearing the Yoga line or Men’s Resort Lounger, using the Petal Body Cream, or Protein Shampoo. By creating both, I knew each could complement one another perfectly.

E: Which products would you recommend for your male clientele?

T: We are a unisex brand, so many of our items are great for men. I would recommend the Men’s Resort Lounger. It has an amazing fit. The Lavender Body Wash and Massage Oil also appeal to our male clientele. The Shea Hand and Nail Cream is a product that is used by women, but is used frequently by men as well.

                             (Jordan Sparks of “American Idol” shows her love for Travertina Spa)

E: What about Travertine Spa attracts your large celebrity base?

T: Above all, our products are made with quality. It’s pretty easy to spot great products against those that are simply regular. Celebrities (like our regular customers) want something that is valuable. Every bottle we produce, every T-shirt we make, has the utmost quality put into it. Our comfortable clothing and great smelling products have really been well received with all of our customers, but in particular, we are very blessed to have great celebrity clientele. They can choose any brand they want, but when celebrities choose Travertine Spa products, it’s a great feeling. It lets me know that I’m creating items that people want and enjoy.

E:  What do you believe to be the importance of aromatherapy?

T: It’s important to use products that not only feel good but have a therapeutic benefit as well. Essential oils are a natural way of providing holistic benefits for the body, whether it is tea tree for its antibacterial benefits or lavender for its calming effect. As a former lawyer with a high-stress job, which involved working with multi-million dollar contracts, I wanted to find clean, healthy ways to rejuvenate myself. I believe I have created that experience with the Travertine Spa line.

Unwind, rejuvenate, and check out Travertine Spa products and apparel – all of which can be purchased online.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Terry Carter 
 

With everyone and everything “Going Green” these days, I did not want to be left behind. Although I own my “Green” car (a Toyota Prius, which I love) and I make sure that I buy energy-efficient appliances, I never really gave my skin care that extra-conscious thought until now.

So I started doing my research on what is actually in some of the products I use, and it is amazing how many things I cannot pronounce! Well, I found a company that is fabulous and specializes in natural skin care: Noodle & Boo. I am big on tag lines, and this one was great:

Think: glow – ol – o – gy (n.) the art of celebrating the beauty in every woman

Glowology is a new collection by Noodle & Boo, which is an amazing company founded by Christine Burger (and named after her two children). Her goal was to develop products for her children’s sensitive skin. So she teamed up with professionals who specialize in natural, holistic skin care, and they developed exclusive formulas to nourish, replenish, and protect delicate and sensitive skin.

Not only are Noodle & Boo products made from natural, non-toxic ingredients; they are also cased in biodegradable packaging! The Glowology line was designed with a signature scent created especially for those individuals who are usually irritated by fragrances. Glowology is also safe for use during pregnancy. Some of the gals around the office (including myself!), tried out some of the products from this new collection.

Here is what we thought:

Jacquie – “Sugar Mama Honey Bar”
This is a wonderful soap. I am not one to use bar soap because it makes my skin tight, dry and itchy, and it is not as convenient as liquid soap. I was asked to give the honey bar a try, and I am glad I did because I love it. I suffer from dry skin, so finding a soap that does not dry me out is hard. This bar soap does what it says; it leaves you clean and smelling wonderful without drying out your skin. I recommend it to everyone. Even my 3-year old daughter loved it.

Denice – “Sugar Mama Honey Scrub”
Never having used a body scrub before, I was a little apprehensive. I was unsure of what exactly a body scrub would do to my skin. To my surprise, it did FABULOUS things! Besides making my skin feel baby
soft, it smelled wonderful! My skin was moisturized and felt wonderful. I love how the dead, dry skin was just washed away. When I woke up the next morning, I could still smell the honey and shea butter on my skin.

Jana – “Elasticity Oil”
The skin elasticity oil made my skin feel firm and less dry. I have been using it mostly on my breasts, because since I have been pregnant, they have really been sad. I had breast augmentation a year ago, and my skin had already been stretched, and with my pregnancy, they are being stretched even more. Using the oil made them feel silky and smooth, and helped me feel sexier rather than saggy! I tried to apply it as much as possible; after each shower, before bed, and when I woke up in the morning. The scent was minimal and faint, so it did not overpower my perfume.

If you are looking for new and improved skin care and body products I suggest you check out Noodle and Boo, especially their Glowology line!

I am as light as light can be, so I need every bit of help I can get. I have tried everything… tanning in the sun, tanning in beds, spray tanning, and sunless tanning creams. Nothing seems to help. Either I burn, look completely fake, or turn a nice shade of orange – yes orange. Also, I cannot get over the yucky smell that the sunless tanners put out.

I recently stumbled upon a product called Sun Sauce while surfing the world of myspace. I began to research this product and started reading up on their Web site. I found out that, “Sun Sauce was created by Dale Hansen. Hansen’s Sun Sauce Research and Development team only use the finest ingredients. Sun Sauces proprietary blend of Monoi Oil and Kukui Nut Oil, enhance the skins appearance. Loaded with a special blend of vitamins and minerals, the Sun Sauce line also includes Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil — all essential for quality skin care. These key ingredients are artfully blended with Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil, and Hemp Seed Oil. This trio enhances the skins naturally healing ability, and provides deep moisture replenishing.”

Because Sun Sauce is a moisturizing lotion with a hint of sunless tanner, I figured it was a good find. I was skeptical at first due to not having much luck before, but I thought: I can try at least one more! So I contacted the company and in a few short days, it arrived. I have to say — I was both nervous and excited.

I started using the Sun Sauce Moisturizer, available with a Touch of Sunless. In the site, it says to “Bathe your body in our very intense wrinkle fighting, anti aging Moisturizer while adding just a hint of color to your silky smooth skin. Keep your skin as soft and supple as possible with this perfectly blended moisture rich new Sun Sauce anti aging skin firming formula.”

I thought “SOLD!!!” Could a moisturizer get much better than that? It is a moisturizer, sunless tanner and its skin firming. AWESOME, sign me up!

This moisturizer with a Touch of Sunless is great, as there is not an overpowering unpleasant smell. It is actually quite nice, being light and absorbing into my skin very well. I have been using it for about 3 weeks now, and I am very pleased. No orange streaks! I am not ultra tan or even tan by any means, but my shockingly white glow is less than my normal appearance in February! I feel like I look like I was outside in the sun for an afternoon.

Just a nice subtle coloring, and it looks absolutely natural.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Sun Sauce