Trying to Keep Dry (ft.Bio Beauty Refreshing Deodorant*)

A review of the Bio Beauty by Nuxe Refreshing Deodorant.

The Bio Beauty by Nuxe Refreshing Deodorant* ($13CDN, 50ml) landed in the mailbox and I was faced, again, with the struggle of appreciating natural deodorants. I really want to like you!

Some people do crazy things to reduce sweating, like injecting botox into their underarms (botox...in your underarms...seriously!) or using treatments where aluminum strength leaves burn marks on the skin. No-one thinks sweating is attractive but come on, its a necessary body function. Completely cancelling sweat or allowing it to flow freely are both unappealing, and that is my dilemma with natural deodorants. I still haven't found a natural deodorant that can keep me dry when compared to a conventional product. 

Question: What's the Best Protective Hand Cream with SPF?

My arms and hands are becoming more speckled with age and every time I discover a new dot, its too soon since the previous. These surprise discoveries are making me consider going glam and wearing full arm length gloves like Ms Dita von Teese but that's really not my look. Since it takes years for spots to come out, this is latent punishment for years of sunscreen neglect.

You Want Me to Do What?? (ft Mary Kay Timewise Body Smooth Action Cellulite Gel Cream*)

Your partner is always a victim to the weird hobbies you have. They get dragged along to things. They try new and exciting things never before experienced. They learn about all the nuances of this super interesting topic. David has had to do a few strange things now and then just to appease my product reviewing needs. The latest was when I needed a hand, literally, with the Mary Kay Timewise Body Smooth Action Cellulite Gel Cream* ($45CDN, 177ml). 

Body Oil Comparison

I didn't really understand how an oil could be 'dry' and why people would want to apply something so liquid onto their skin. Now that I've been able to try out a few varieties of body oils, I thought I'd do a comparison post.

Men are Simple Creatures (ft. Mary Kay True Original Hair and Body Wash*)

*Press sample

Men are simple creatures. Keep them well fed. Keep them loved. Give them a sports game. Boom. Happy. 

You know what also makes men (and people in general) happy? Warm showers. But if your man is anything like David, he's got places to be and things to do so increasing task efficiency is always welcomed. When I received the Mary Kay True Original Hair and Body Wash* ($20CDN, 192ml), I felt like I had solved all of David's first world washing problems.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula and Giveaway*

* Press Samples

Though it gets cold in Vancouver, it never gets much below zero. Even so, the cold here is seeping and I still need to moisturize. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula is ubiquitous. It didn't really peak my interest but I've given a few options a try and there are some winners in the pack. I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY for my favorite item.

LUSH: Salt and Peppermint Bark Shower Scrub*

*Press Sample

Pumpkin Spiced Lattes (and everything else) have reached near "Rite of Passage" status during the Fall and Winter months but personally, I've always enjoyed Peppermint Mochas much more. I also enjoy Peppermint patties, peppermint tea, and peppermint chocolate so I was bound to enjoy the scent of LUSH's Salt and Peppermint Bark Shower Scrub* ($9.95CDN).

Brilliant Body Shop (ft The Body Shop Holiday items)*

*Press Samples

The analyst in me loves the holiday season. Not only are new things out but its a great way to notice a brand's marking strategy and the successful products of previous seasons. The Body Shop has an amazing assortment of body care options and their holiday items are just hitting stores. This year I noticed that they're promoting the "Frosted" concept which they had started graphically the year previous.

Food or Flowers? (ft L'Occitane x Pierre Herme Jasmin-Immortelle-Neroli and Grapefruit-Rhubarbe Collection)*

*Press Samples

The CBB recently worked on a campaign with a perfume brand where individuals got to choose scents in the line and I was overwhelmed with the number of individuals who chose food related scents. Well, the latest collaboration from L'Occitane with Pierre Hermé (of macaron and pastry making fame), gives you an option for both food and florals. Which would you choose?

Sight and Honey*

Another charity campaign that's going on this month is L'Occitane's Shea Honey Collection for World Sight Day (which was on Oct 6th). I've previously explained my discovery of L'Occitane's support for people with visual impairments; this was a natural campaign for them to launch. Proceeds from this collection help the 17,000 women they employ in Burkina Faso who produce the Shea Butter that goes into L'Occitane's products. Purchase of certain items also help fund glasses for individuals in Burkina Faso.

Self Medicating my Heels

For a time, let's called it Summer, there was an excessive amount of public sandal wearing and during the season, I saw more than a few gross and dirty soles walking down the streets over top leather footbeds. Unfortunately, my own heels were as dry, gross, and skin cracked as the next gal and in my best attempts to self medicate my transgressions, I've been using two heel solutions lately.

PSA: There's Nothing Wrong about Having a Virgin (cocktail)

For those of you who want to get their 'drank on' without actually drinking, The Body Shop has released their Virgin Mojito line of body products. Raise your hand if alcohol and you aren't a match made in heaven. *Raises hand* Just me? As someone who suffers from low abilities to break down alcohol, and is generally frugal with money and calories, I don't often drink. 

Recovery and Graydon's The Mist

That 10K really took it out of me! I thought I would be able to start up my regular gym schedule again but my right knee still feels  90 years old and there's a persistent ache around my inner left ankle (Can anyone tell me what this might be?). Damn it!  Apparently I can't just bounce back from stupidly long runs. I have no interest in doing one, but it wasn't like it was a half marathon! Body, why do you fail me?

10K Runs and the Saje Pain Release Kit

Today, May 10th, marks a milestone. It marks the first time I willingly subject myself to, what will most likely be, a painful exhibit of tentative athleticism and stalwart belief in preserving my health. Today is the day, I run a 10K race.

Getting Old and Preserving my Youth*

*Press Sample

There comes a time when every woman turns 25 and they are suddenly jarred into this new realm of adulthood by having to choose the 25-35 age bracket during an online poll. I'm sorry but 10 years is a huge space of time. While pre-25 year olds may still cling onto survey response that are bracketed every 5 years, I had a momentary panic when I saw myself 'lumped in' with, oh god...the over 30 year old crowd. 

L'Occitane Almande

*Press Sample

Really fancy things intrigue me. I want to know how it is that something got so fancy and I want to be fancy too. I want to be that girl that can throw the dollar bills in the high end boutiques while sales people fall over ingratiating themselves to me. Let me roll up in my Benz at the Chanel, like its a drive-thru. But let's get real here, I'm more than a couple million shy of being able to do this, and if I want it to rain money, I might be able to rain down a couple of five cent coins...but let me dig into my couch to find some first. 

In the Moment #23 : Dial and Got2B

As always, being Julie's  shadow has it's perks and I was able to see the new items coming out from Dial and Got2B last week. 

Favorite Body Shop Body Butters

If you're seeing this again, my apologies. This guest posted on Steph's blog.

Much like turkeys and that creepy skin/face lady from Dr Who, I will baste myself in moisturizer daily. Opening jars of body butter gives me a needed sweet hit of scent as if I were a junkie in withdrawal. Smothering my skin in lotion gives me the “aahhhhhh” sensation of an addict getting high. If I could sniff this stuff, I would. I’m pretty sure I would inject this shiz straight into my blood stream to keep my skin perma-plump, you know, if it weren’t such a life threatening, embolismic idea. 

3 Guys and a Nivea Bold Milk*

*Press Sample

I think we can safely say that David, and most men,  have very simple skincare needs. I have yet to find many guys who will prod and examine their skin to the same degree that girls will or a beauty/skincare topic that guys will universally band together about.

Apparently 30-40% of Nivea In-Shower Body Milk* ($7, 400ml) users are male. That was a bit of interesting information. From there, my investigative mind wanted to see if this handy squeeze bottled moisturizer could convert a few of the guys in my life. For science, I enlisted David, and my two cousins as lab rats.

Body Shop Purchases

*Press Sample

Although I recieved a nice package from The Body Shop, I couldn't help myself and made a couple of purchase from their holiday line. The majority of them are at my mom's but I did bring the Glazed Apple Butter*, Frosted Cranberry Bath Jelly and Glazed Apple Shower Gel to enjoy at David's