Make Up Beauty Tips

Intrigued?  You should be. Eco-entreprenuer and NUDE Skincare founder Bryan Meehan will be on hand in San Francisco for a Q & A session and to unveil NUDE’s latest product - Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum – a breakthrough treatment formulated with the highest concentration of Probiotics and proven to stimulate cellular renewal up to 70% and reduce cellular damage up to 50%.

Ali Hewson and Bryan Meehan, Co-Founders, NUDE Skincare

Find out how NUDE is changing the face of natural skincare with Probiotics and high performance ingredients. Meehan co-founded NUDE with Ali Hewson, wife of U2 singer Bono, and the two set off on the adventure of teaching the world about Pre and Pro biotic skincare that actually renders effective results.  These two were giving us natural, organic skincare before it became "sexy" to do so.  Yes, they are the visionaries!

Elle, Sept 2010

NUDE has just introduced Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum and this beauty is already hitting the beauty editors' pages as the new "It" item, a must have and a skincare fave.  With good reason.

With the highest concentration of Probiotic Technology in the NUDE range, this breakthrough serum uses three bio-available technologies proven to help the skin repair itself. 

Beauty editors aren't the only ones singing this elixir's praises.  The serum has also found its way onto the faces and into the hearts of Uma Thurman, Kim Cattrall, Erin O'Connor and Helena Christensen to name a few.

'After just 3 days I have the dewiest, most beautiful skin. It feels incredible and looks so much younger. I'm obsessed'

~ Helena Christensen

BIOACTIVE PEPTIDES
Powerful Bioactive Peptides help stimulate Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid and Fibronectin production, restructuring the cellular matrix to firm the skin and reduce the depth of wrinkles.


COMPLETE HYALURONIC ACID SYSTEM
NUDE has created a unique three way system to optimise Hyaluronic Acid within the skin

• A concentrated dose of Hyaluronic Acid instantly plumps and smoothes
• Bioactive Peptides boost natural synthesis of Hyaluronic Acid
• Antioxidant Japanese Sea Kelp helps to protect against the breakdown of Hyaluronic Acid


Wishing I lived near San Fran so I could take advantage of the opportunity to meet Bryan! What a treat!  Here are the deets:



Guests will receive $10 off (for a limited time) any purchase of  NUDE’s Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum.  For additional information or questions, please contact Kelly Sedei, 415-786-2724.

This nutrient rich, natural and certified organic ingredient laden body scrub is akin to bringing a luxurious spa treatment right into the comfort of your own bathroom.  I've quickly fallen in love with OSEA Organic Body Polish  as it treats skin from a number of different angles giving it a deserved label as a true multi-tasker. Let's explore.


This edible seaweed from the pure waters of Patagonia, is rich in sodium, iron, potassium, calcium and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12. Undaria prevents the breakdown of hyaluronic acid in the body, which we have all come to learn is necessary in keeping skin smooth and firm. Without hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen lose their 'glue' and skin sags and wrinkles.

The body polish contains natural exfoliants that feel gentle on the skin while delivering a stimulating scrub action.  This is not a harsh, gritty, irritating scrub. It uses small pumice grains to help remove dead cells along with a bio-scrub blend of acai and guarana. Guarana (caffeine) helps tone skin and has astringent properties, as well as assists in reducing cellulite.  Acai delivers a powerful synergy of anti-aging properties to skin, and hemp and passion fruit seed oils feed the skin Omega 3-6-9 essential fatty acids.

This was new to me, but I've learned that topical absorption of essential fatty acids (EFA's) has been shown in studies to be comparable to taking internal supplements, positively affecting the texture, suppleness and moisture content of skin. In other words, taking your vitamins from the outside in.


The intoxicating scent of this luxurious seaweed based body polish transports you to a place seemingly altogether divine. Organic melissa, lemon grass and Bulgarian lavender blend in an aroma that is truly transformative.  Other ingredients that aid in making this treatment completely irresistible include honeysuckle, organic babassu and rice bran oils.  The blend of these ingredients with the seaweed, pumice, acai, guarana, and essentail oils create a mixture that takes on a visual appearance and texture of almost a muddy-paste, and is very soothing to skin.  It doesn't dry on skin like a mud-based treatment does.  I am amazed at not only how productive yet gentle the exfoliation of Undaria Skin Polish is, but how hydrating the product is to skin simultaneously.  It provides a mantle of moisture once the polish is rinsed from skin with water, leaving skin smooth and soft to the touch.


It really does seem to transform one's bath or shower into a luxurious spa experience.  OSEA Organic Undaria Body Polish is perfect for getting your skin summer ready, but also aids skin long into the fall and winter months when drying, scaling and flaking can become issues. I am completely in love with this product and can recommend it to you highly with no reservations.


OSEA Malibu is an industry innovator in natural derived, marine-based skincare.  Their intent is to provide products founded on purity, quality and effectiveness.  Their unique blend of sea nutrients and essentail oils (sourced from all over the world) provides active, effective formulas for wellbeing.  OSEA believes in employing the power of the sea and its plant life to condition and balance skin for a lifetime of results than can be seen.  Over the past few years, I've watched as their product lines have grown to include cleansers, masks, skin essentials, treatment products, moisturizers, lotions, eye and lip products, and bath, body & massage products.



A staple in their line of offerings is the OSEA Sea Minerals Facial Mist.  I was a bit upset when I first tried Sea Minerals as it sprays a light green mist on skin.  I thought, "Huh, a company priding themselves on using natural ingredients from the sea and nature and they color their signature mist an artificial green?"  Joke's on me!  As it turns out, Sea Minerals owes its light green color to algae extracts and natural chlorophyll. Whew! With this knowledge, I've a newfound respect for this product. 

Sea Minerals is "swimming in nutrients directly from the ocean" as OSEA folks will happily tell you. It delivers healing ingredients and antioxidants directly to skin.  It promotes the skin's natural ability to absorb moisture and oxygenate.  The mist provides a therapeutic mineral treatment to skin; hydrating, healing and restoring balance to sun-exposed skin.  It's cool and soothing on application, and helps reduce skin redness and tightness.

Both Organic Undaria Body Polish ($60, 12 oz jar) and Sea Minerals ($30, 4 oz mist bottle) are available directly from OSEA Malibu and at select spas worldwide.





G I V E A W A Y    A L E R T:
Hold onto your hats, my angels, as your opportunity to win a jar of OSEA's luxuriously fantastic Organic Undaria Body Polish is coming to For the Love of Beauty later tonight! xo

If you've followed For the Love of Beauty for any length of time, you already know my love for Pomega5 pomegranate seed oil skincare products! Their products have been listed in my Favorite Things categories over and over again. I've even gone so far as to say that since finding and using these products, my skin has never looked better - and it's true.

Tzeira Sofer, founder, president and creative force behind Pomega5, was driven by a vision to create an authentic, holistic line based upon the potent benefits of the pomegranate. The inspiration for the Green Tea Moisturizer originates with Tzeira’s love for Japanese green tea, which she habitually blends with organic herbs and flowers from her own garden. Formulated with three ultra-potent antioxidants - green tea, verbena and pomegranate seed oil - Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer protects against environmental and free-radical damage, while hydrating to leave skin silky soft with a matte, smooth finish. Lightweight and extremely refreshing, this moisturizer is ideal for hot summer days, touch-ups and the occasional aromatic indulgence. I can't even describe fully enough how wonderful the moistuizer smells; it's very fresh with a lingering of verbena. You know those products that you can't wait to use because the smell of them feels like heaven ... this is one of those products! The true glory of the moisturizer, however, is in its effects on skin - hydrating, renewing, leaving skin looking smooth and healthy.




Hot off the press:
Pomega5 is expanding its product offerings and is redesigning its packaging (image above). The new line will be even more comprehensive, including 16 products that will address a variety of age and skin-type needs — all of them entirely pure and luscious as usual. Fans of this brand are on pins and needles (oh, you know I am) waiting for all the new goodness to spring forth. One of their newer products, Pamplemousse Brightening Lotion, which boasted a "green" all natural SPF 15, was so hot for the company in its debut that they literally haven't been able to keep it in stock. I had the opportunity to try some samples of this lotion and loved it immediately. It's very light in texture and has a lovely, fresh, almost "subtly-citrus" scent. Don't worry, they're making some more. x


Want to try Pomega5?
They've created a special promotion exclusively for our readers! For a limited time, receive 15% off all products (regardless of minimum order) PLUS a free Cleansing Bar. Believe me, just the offer of one of their cleansing bars alone is a fantastic gift. I'm really so excited for you to try Pomega5, and very thankful to Mikhal and Tzeira for offering our readers a special promotion. mwah!




Note: I receive absolutely no commission or payment in line with this promotion; this is a special offer for you to enjoy! xo

Mmmm ... the fresh, juicy decadence of Diana B. Sugar Scrubs

Imagine being able to mix and create textures to bathe with, as you would combine fragrances to personalize them. Sugar Scrub with a little Bath Gel for more slip and bubbles. Body Lotion and Sugar Scrub to shave. Add a scoop of scrub to soften and sweeten the bath water when you don’t feel like scrubbing. Straight scrub on pure wet skin for optimal effect followed by drying off and putting on lotion with a fabulous candle lit in the bathroom and nearby bedroom to scent your environment while you play with your products, refine your skin, tone and hydrate your skin and feel and smell wonderful. No rules, totally safe interchangeable products use fragrances all created to enliven your daily routine with playful intuitive choices that delight the senses and lift your spirits. That's what Diana B. gives you through her gorgeous, luxurious products.

Diana B. sugar scrubs are all natural, totally oil free, wax free, chemical free and are safe for the most sensitive skin.

Green Tea Desert Grapefruit contains powerful antioxidant Green Tea essence that helps to fight against free radical damage that ages skin prematurely. This formula contains sugar and salt with cane sugar syrup. Soothing Grapefruit essence helps to heal surface impurities with its high concentration of Vitamin C, also creating balanced PH for your skin.

REVIEW: More than twice the size of the average sugar scrub on the market, you'll want a jar of this scrumptious Diana B. Sugar Scrub in your bathroom for these hot summer months. I'm completely in love with her Green Tea Desert Grapefruit variety. Gentle on skin, light and refined in scent with an air of fresh green notes and juicy grapefruit, one can't help but be hooked on this scrub after just one use. Skin emerges from the bath smooth, hydrated, glowing and very lightly fragranced. Oh my gosh, this scrub is so lovely. It's a wonderful exfoliant to use before applying self-tanning products. (She also makes an award winning self-tanner - and it's fabulous.) The fact that it's oil free allows us to use this delight in the shower and tub without the aggravation of having to clean out a residue. There's nothing to clean up. Don't let the fact that it contains no oil fool you into thinking it's a dry scrub, though, as this is a juicy (not just moist) scrub in every sense. The sophisticated citrusy-green tea scent enlivens the whole room without being too sweet and definitely not over-powering. It's really more of a fresh, leafy scent than a sweet citrus scent. Yet the experience of ripe, juicy grapefruit is definitely present. This is a fragrance even the most particular of noses will enjoy. As the jar is so big, this will last you forever. It's definitely more than a three month supply. Diana B. Sugar Scrubs come in these inspired scents: Green Tea Desert Grapefruit, Maple Sugar Lychee Nut, Peach Frangipani Flower, Black Fig and Chocolate.

Diana B. products are available through a number of fine beauty boutiques, including b-glowing, one of my favorites (as you know). At b-glowing you'll always experience fantastic customer service, fast shipment, knowledgeable assistance with any questions you may have about their products, and delightful complimentary goodies with each purchase. They're just wonderful! x

L-R: soap, lotion, scrub, milk bath

Great name for a beauty brand, don't ya think? No, no ... it's not mine.

For the Love of ... is, however, an organic luxury bath and body product company located in Washington DC. The products are organic, mainly vegan and handcrafted by Kristina Libby. Kristina has an interesting story in that she left the corporate world to devote herself to her passion of creating organic beauty products for men and women. Recently featured in Daily Candy, the company is taking off big!

The company has a triple bottom line mission. Their goal is to make a great product and service while also having minimal environmental impact and an aggressive social mission. Libby says all their products contain only organic ingredients and meet the standards for organic certification. The products are also all packaged in recycled and reusable containers. Even their labels are created using a mass printing process which ensures minimal environmental waste.

They have taken the company a step further in this commitment and donate 5% of profits to charitable causes. The corporate goal is that by the year 2011, they will be able to donate 10% of revenue to causes of their choice. The causes are chosen because they do one of three things—they support women in micro-credit operations, they support women in the arts or they support community farming.


Homemade Soaps - When you’re seeking a quiet reprieve from a stressful day, turn to their Almond Goatsmilk Soap, a nourishing rich lather whose products hail from an organic farm in Vassleboro, Maine. Wild, fresh and fancy-free. For a more sensuous scent option, choose their Black Amber Honey soap. ($8.00 each)

Body Lotion - Slather on their nourishing organic body lotion. Lightly scented with blueberries and oranges, the lotion conjures up memories of your favorite summer-time retreats. The lotion is an incredibly moist product with a density much like your average cold cream. ($30)

Body Scrubs - Savor the sweet smell of their bestselling body scrubs. All of the scrubs use an organic olive oil, ground oatmeal and brown sugar base, ensuring that they are non-irritating on even the most sensitive skin. Scents: Summer Orange Blossom and Vanilla Almond ($20 each)

Milk Baths - Soothe your skin with a luxurious combination of almond flower, creamy white rose and nourishing oatmeal. This mixture is perfect for those suffering from dry, itchy skin. Pour a generous handful under warm running water. Sit back, relax and enjoy. After all, you deserve it. ($20)

For more information, please visit For the Love of ....

What's the hot new hair product everyone's talking about?
The All Nighter of course.

Yes, it's true! From A Beautiful Life, the chic and trendy boutique tucked away in the sleepy, artsy river town of New Hope, Pennsylvania, The All Nighter dry shampoo/styling powder has arrived on the scene and has swept up hair gurus, beauty addicts, and eco-peeps in its goodness.

Why is it different than other hair powders on the market? Oh I'm so glad you asked (he he). Appealing to both men and women, this product has the unique distinction of being completely all natural with a proprietary blend of pure plant ingredients, beneficial minerals, real silk powder and essential oils and matches beautifully to your hair color. That means its free of parabens, aluminum, talc, silica.



Three lucky winners have scored The All Nighter in their requested color all for themselves. Congratulations ...


You guys and gals are going to love this! An email has already been forwarded to you for your mailing address. Please reply and we'll send it to A Beautiful Life for shipment of your prize. Enjoy!

Visit A Beautiful Life to learn more about The All Nighter (retails for $18) and to see what other fabulous items they have in store that you'll not find anywhere else.

Following in the tradition of thousands of years by the Japanese and Chinese civilizations, I learned the green tea plant is one of the most potent antioxidants available in nature. Valued for its ability to detoxify and restore balance, green tea has served as an ingredient in various medicinal tinctures, as well as ancient cosmetic aids such as facial compresses and masks. Pomega5 products are handmade from scratch, using the freshest certified organic botanicals, fatty acids and essential oils available.

Pomega5’s new Pomegranate Green Tea Skin Detox Kit draws upon the incredible antioxidant strengths of the precious green tea leaf, combining it with the healing qualities of the pomegranate (thank goodness they kept my star ingredient) and invigorating accents of verbena to yield a new system that is uniquely purifying, nourishing and irresistible. And, yes, it truly is that and more!

I've not opened the cleansing bar yet to try, as believe it or not I'm still working my way through the full-sized Pomegranate Cleansing Bar I bought from them nearly a year ago (and I use it every morning!). My objective was to get the moisturizer, and as it's not yet available on its own, one must purchase the kit to access the cream. I'll give you a review of the other products when I've had a chance to try them.

REVIEW: The Green Tea Daily Mattifying Moisturizer, as it's formally named, is a gorgeous light and airy-whipped cream just as the folks at Pomega5 promised. The cream sinks right into skin leaving a matte, completely non-greasy finish. It is a dream to apply, and each morning I can't wait to get in the bathroom to wash my face and experience the hydration of this new find. As with other Pomega5 products, I've fallen in love with the scent. Clean, fresh, lemony from the verbena and completely intoxicating in the morning. My skin feels hydrated, pores are clog-free, skin is fresh without being greasy, and is brightened and renewed. It's perfect for oily or combo skin types. I'm loving it!

For more information on Pomega5's new Pomegranate Green Tea line of products, visit them online. They must be experienced to really be wholly appreciated. You won't be sorry. xo

You'll want to treat yourself to this delicate yet purely indulgent oil from Adara. We've been hearing a lot lately about the virtues of coconut oil and its many uses. I couldn't wait to get my hands on some of this and searched high and low to find this particular brand having learned about it when I wrote my piece on Sourcing the World's Best in Beauty. Found it!

This is what we learned back then: Among Singapore's island state exports is this multipurpose Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, which makes its way from tree to bottle in just 24 hours and can be used as a potent moisturizer for both skin and hair. It comes in five scents, plus an unscented version that makes an ideal base for homemade essential-oil fragrances.

Oh my goodness, this stuff is fantastic! I've used it to moisturize my face, my body, to add shine as a leave in product on dry hair, and as a hydrating and repairing agent on the ends of my hair still wet in the shower after conditioning. It gives beautiful results. What I can't get over is the delicacy of this oil. It's clear in color and not at all heavy in application. I can pat the organic coconut oil directly into facial skin without it leaving a greasy residue and without clogging pores or causing blemishes.

Adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil comes in an unscented version as well as these scents: Green Tea, Jasmine, Lavender, Peach and Rose and are sold for $30 an 8.4 oz bottle. I have the Green Tea scented oil; it's light, fresh, crisp and clean in fragrance. These are not overpowering in the least.

In addition to the uses detailed above, Adara also offers these as sugestions as tips and benefits:

• Tip: Untainted coconut oil naturally crystalizes in cooler tempatures. Simply run the Adara bottle under hot tap water to liquify!
• Skin Nourishment: Gently soothe onto skin daily or as needed when skin feels thirsty and needs comfort. Helps to lock in moisture which is essential to keep skin soft and smooth. Ideal relief for dry rough patches. Aids in the removal of dead skin cells to promote growth of smooth and supple skin.
• Apply adara as a pimple treatment overnight: The cleansing properities of the lauric acid will help remove bacteria so that redness will fade and inflamation will subside.
• Hair Nourishment: Massage into hair and cover with shower cap for 30 minutes prior to normal wash for a intensive deep conditioning treatment. Apply on dry split ends for smooth flowing locks. Coating hair with a thin layer prior to going for a swim protects hair from damages caused by chlorine or salty seawater.
• Spa Feel: Create your own spa haven without having to step out of your cozy nest. Spice up your love life with sensual healing massages for your partner or de-stress and detoxify with a therapuetic massage with moderature pressure on the reflex zones that gives an uplift to mind & body. A relaxing way to let your skin drink up this healthy oil and at the same time experience the benefits of touch.
• Aroma: Use oil in water bath with an aromatherapy burner.
  Add a few drops to your bath for a fragrant relaxing spa and added nourishing moisture to your skin.
• Frangrace Tip: Use Organic Unscented Virgin Coconut Oil as a carrier oil to mix with your favorite essential oils to create your own personal fragrance.

For more information about Adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, please visit b-glowing. Adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is available at b-glowing and Amazon Marketplace.

POMEGRANATE

This is a classic example of why I appreciate your sharing comments with me so much. I may have just found skincare products I want to stick with forev-a! A while back, some of you raved in the comments about the "fabulous-ness" of Pomega5, a natural, organic brand of skincare used with great results. Well, I listened, I sought, I found - and you're right!

Let's talk a bit about the fruit first. Long revered as a superbly medicinal fruit and regarded as a symbol of healing and longevity, the pomegranate is once again demonstrating its worth. You can review online and in print study after study showing the benefits of pomegranate - from consuming it as a food or juice, taking it in supplement form, to slathering its elements on your skin. Pomegranate has been found to provide one of the most potent mixtures of antioxidant compounds of any easily obtainable fruit. Some specifics about the benefits:

• Their compounds can stimulate the human estrogen receptors that are involved with maintaining health of the bones, blood vessels and nervous tissue, even relieving symptoms of menopause (found in the juice, peel, seeds, leaves and flower)
• The antioxidant action of the juice and its ability to interrupt inflammation has led to its modern use in treatment and prevention of many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (stroke, heart, clogged arteries due to excessive fat deposits), prevention of prostate cancer, to promote self-destruction of human breast cancer cells and even treating inflammatory diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, arthritis, diabetes and obesity
• Ayurvedic medicine utilizes the fruit for nourishment and restoration of the skin's balance
• Recent studies show pomegranate extracts effective in stimulating skin's collagen production, rebuilding its outer layers, inhibiting free radicals and helping to counter daily effects of oxidation and the aging effects of too much sun exposure

We'll get into more about the specific benefits of the pomegranate ingredients in skincare in just a moment. First, I want to introduce you to two brands of skincare utilizing elements of pomegranate as the essential ingredients in their product lines - Pomega5 and Pomegranate Health. Both companies have done their homework studying the benefits of this fruit, both have a demonstrated true passion for its use, and both have produced fabulously effective product lines.


POMEGA5
Tzeira Sofer is the founder, president and creative force behind Pomega5™. Born in Israel, Tzeira became intrigued with traditional Jewish medicine and the natural health benefits of plants and herbs at a very young age. As a practitioner in healing arts and an expert on women's health and wellness, Tzeira was driven by a vision to create an authentic, holistic line based upon the potent benefits of the pomegranate. Working with leading doctors, scientists and experts in the wellness arena, she developed the Pomega5 line of skin care treatments inspired by ancient recipes yet supported by the latest scientific research, which shows the potential of pomegranate seed oil as a broad spectrum medicinal plant supporting and maintaining breast, uterine, heart and prostate health as well as skin health and appearance. Tzeira places the highest value on the quality of her company's products, therefore the result is a completely natural, organic product line created for consumers looking to achieve a healthier skin and a healthier body.


POMEGRANATE HEALTH
Although the fruit originates from the Middle East, Neal Holtzman and Steve Schwartz, two driven, American entrepreneurs from Rochester, NY, started their company to harness the beneficial qualities of pomegranates specifically for health-conscious consumers. Their first products were pomegranate-based dietary supplements and their latest is an anti-aging, anti-wrinkle face cream made with cutting edge pomegranate extracts.

Now, I'd like to talk with you about the specific products in these lines I've been using or we'd be here forever. I could go on for pages about the wealth of information there is to learn about this magical fruit and its benefits (all important and very interesting). Both Pomega5 and Pomegranate Health have oodles of this information available to consumers on their websites; I encourage you to check them out. Pure cold-pressed, organic pomegranate seed oil is the golden ingredient in these skincare products. Rich in punicic acid, it is a natural phytoestrogen, powerful antioxidant, and Omega-5 conjugated fatty acid.

Pomega5 Cleansing Bar - $18
An olive oil-based, all-natural facial cleanser that gently exfoliates, nourishes and calms the skin. This natural facial cleanser is formulated using edible grade extra virgin olive oil, precious pomegranate seed oil, herbs, and bio-dynamic essential oils to cleanse and purify skin, keeping it nourished, clear and soft all day long.

• Essential oils of myrtle and eucalyptus provide deep cleansing and disinfection
• Omega-rich olive oil moisturizes; pomegranate seed oil protects and balances
• Mini bark particles gently exfoliate
• Aromatherapeutic lemongrass enlivens the senses
• Long-lasting and lathers beautifully
• Can be used on face and body

REVIEW: I've not used a bar to cleanse my face for years, so I was very skeptical about trying this. Ah, but this product gives wonderful results and a heavenly experience. The bar yields a luxuriously creamy lather and enlivens the senses with its lemongrass fragrance. I was also questioning about paying $18 for "a bar of soap". Yet, this is not a bar of soap; this is a divinely created cleansing bar (soap-free), very gentle on facial skin, nicely hydrating leaving skin feeling healthy, clean yet refreshed, moisturized and glowing. Additionally, the bar lasts a long time; it's not one to "melt" quickly with use. The tiny flecks of bark on the bottom add a nice exfoliation to the experience when used (you can easily avoid them too if desired).

Pomegranate Health Anti-Aging, Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream (2 oz glass jar)- $36.95
This is a premium, active skin firming complex in a silky, emollient cream, that combines the known benefits of natural pomegranate seed oil and extracts with other well-researched ingredients proven to help rebuild and rejuvenate the skin. The cream also includes:

• Hexapeptides - chains of six amino acids that help firm and brighten the skin. They can relax the surface muscle tension that causes fine lines and also help to reduce the depth of full-fledged wrinkles. The specific hexapeptides in this product are typically found only in the finest anti-aging creams
• Thioctic Acid (also known as Alpha Lipoic Acid) - a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can help slow the aging process and has even been shown to prevent and reverse scar formation. Thioctic Acid is a “universal antioxidant” that is soluble both in water and lipids, and can thus more thoroughly benefit the skin
• Laminaria Digitala Extract - a superb moisturizer that comes from brown algae. This extract contains amino acids similar to those found in human skin. It is one of the best and most easily absorbed natural skin supplements
• Other ingredients include the pomegranate seed oil, a specially formulated pomegranate extract, Vitamins A, C and E and DMAE, a powerful amino acid that supports the integrity of cell membranes, blocks production of other acid substances, and helps prevent sagging skin and wrinkles

REVIEW: I've been using this cream in the morning and I love it! This is a lush yet not too dense, satiny cream that absorbs quickly into skin. The cream has a natural light, citrus scent. What I like most about this product, is that you can actually feel it working. Skin is instantly firmer, tighter, and hydrated. I can especially notice it working on fine lines around my eyes. Further, I feel the circulation increasing in my facial tissue shortly after applying it, yet it is not too intense and doesn't cause redness like you'd expect from a product that works in this manner. Since it's given me these results here, I've also been using it on my jiggly areas (tummy and thighs) with definite results. The skin is significantly firmer and tighter after application. I'm looking forward to some long-term results in this area (keep fingers crossed for me).

Pomega5 Revitalizing Treatment for Skin (30 Ampoules) - $48
These gems are made with 100% pure, organic healing oils to replenish and restore dehydrated or lackluster skin and help minimize the appearance of fine lines. Lightly scented with mandarin essential oil, this gentle, non-greasy blend of ingredients absorbs readily into skin, leaving it supple, smooth, and lustrously nourished.

• Antioxidant pomegranate seed oil fights free radicals, hydrates and protects
• Rosehip oil naturally supports regeneration of skin cells, elasticity and firmness
• Calendula oil, a natural anti-inflammatory, soothes dry and damaged skin, reduces puffiness
• Jojoba oil deeply moisturizes and transforms appearance of pore size
• Convenient, single-use application ampoules
  

REVIEW: You're ensured a fresh, active supply of this treatment liquid since contained in the gel-like ampoules. Simply twist off the tip and squeeze onto fingers, patting into skin. There is plenty in one dose to cover your face as well as neck and decollete'. I generally have a little left, which I drop onto my hands to give them the nutrient and healing benefits of this elixir. My skin is noticeably brighter, smoother and more healthy looking when I wake in the morning after applying this under moisturizer before bed. I've been using them about three times a week, but you can use more often if your skin is overly dry or mature. Despite some oily tendency in my skin overnight, I've not noticed any increase in oil and have had zero breakouts since using the whole regimen in general.

• Bearberry disinfects, clarifies and lightens
• Bilberry gently exfoliates and soothes inflamed skin
• Wild Moroccan argan nourishes, softens and renews elasticity
• Nutrient-rich horsetail firms and revitalizes at the cellular level
• Lightweight texture makes this cream perfect for daytime use
  

I have a new favorite multi-tasking product!

Josie Maran's Finger Paints in Sweet is a gem. Think you can't create sophisticated makeup looks with your fingers? Think again. This pretty palette holds a complete wardrobe of multi-use makeup in shades specifically chosen to flatter every skin tone. The feather-light shimmers bring soft, glowy color to cheeks, lips or eyes. The innovative formula contains natural, organic ingredients - no fragrances or parabens. What's more, the beauty extends to the packaging: each shade comes housed in Josie's state-of-the-art biodegradable compact. 7.5g/0.26oz - $36

Ingredients Include: beeswax, jojoba oil, pomegranate seed oil, avocado oil, flax seed, olive oil, corn starch, cocoa butter and shea butter.

REVIEW: These are creamy, forgiving, lightly shimmering shades that flatter any skintone. I've used the pinky color and the peach as blush and lipstick, the copper color to contour cheekbones, both the copper and peach shades as eyeshadows and for definition on sides of forehead, and the white shade truly is unbelievable. I've used that over lipstick for depth, dimension and shimmer, underneath brow bones just under the arch as a highlight, on cheekbones as a highlighter and in corner of eyes to bring brightness and open up my eyes - just love it!

Raised in a bohemian household in Northern California, Josie Maran grew up appreciating natural, unpretentious beauty. At the time, makeup – heavy and mask-like – seemed anything but pretty to her. Josie Maran Cosmetics is a fabulous, eco-conscious brand of beauty products. Here's what Josie has to say about founding a beauty company in today's environment and being responsible:

Crème d'Olives calls their cream "the Mediterranean diet for beautiful skin". The namesake, the olive tree, is recognized the world over as a symbol of peace and embodies the Mediterranean region's rich Greco tradition. The creation of Barcelona physician Fernando Aleu, MD, Crème d'Olives boasts an all natural composition, infusing that rich, Greco tradition with today's Mediterranean health secrets and modern advances in scientific research and manufacturing techniques.

The difference in this skincare product is its use of key ingredients - olive leaf extract - a powerful antioxidant, and pea extract, both of which protect elastic tissue important to the maintenance of proper skin tone. The claim is that together these naturally occurring ingredients help slow down the aging process.

Crème d'Olives is an extra rich, hyper moisturizing, nourishing and protective skincare product derived from natural substances: extracts of olive leaf, peas, cannabis seeds (yes, those), Mediterranean herbs, vitamins and minerals.

Here is what they say about the benefits:

• A - Antioxidant: Oxidation is a complex process cause by free radicals that break down the skin's structure. The natural antioxidants in Crème d'Olives inhibit this process and help prolong the skin's youthfulness.
• C - Circulation: The cream is applied by gently patting the skin (as opposed to rubbing it in), which in combination with hits ingredients increases micro-circulation, boosting nutrient levels and flushing waste by-products.
• M - Moisturizing: The painstaking way in which oil and water are bonded together in Crème d'Olives results in a formula that increases moisture retention in the skin.
• E - Elasticity: The cream helps preserve the skin's elastic components and produce a paradoxical "firm-softness" effect, which decreases the appearance of aging, eliminates dryness, and leaves skin feeling protected, relaxed and radiant.

This ultimate, healing body butter pampers skin with nourishing shea butter and African herbs. Considered to be the fruit of paradise, fertility, and longevity, it is no wonder ancient women coveted the pomegranate as their secret to beauty. This anti-aging super fruit is known to fight disease and aging with its potent dose of antioxidants and punicic acid. In this sensual combination, pomegranate couples with intoxicating pink guava. Pink guava's tantalizing nectar promenades the soul with a melody of dry sweetness and a kiss of tangy tartness. Wild harvested African herbs of aloe ferox, kigelli and African potato tone and encourage skin renewal. Forty percent organic shea butter deeply moisturizes the skin, penetrating deep beneath the epidermis to deliver valuable nutrients. This potent blend reduces stretch marks, soothes eczema and sends dry skin running.

99% Natural. Paraben Free. No Artificial Fragrances. Contains 40% Shea Butter.

Doing good: Shea Terra Organics knows that sustainability is the key to Africa's success. In addition to supporting sustainable growth through trade, Shea Terra also purchases goods through NGOs teaching natives to support themselves while preserving their environment. Purchases of baobab oil and indigenous herbs from the Miombo forest help to save it from foreign logging and local slash and burn farming. Reforestation projects underway are aimed at planting trees economically beneficial for food, medicine and non-consumable goods. Honey, propolis and beeswax purchased from a cooperative in Uganda supports one of many other NGO projects that Shea Terra works with closely to empower natives with the knowledge and means that they need to have self governing and healthier lives.

Shea Terra Organics' herbal formulations have healed, soothed and revived thousands of bodies across the globe. Shea Terra's concentrated formulas of exotic African oils and herbs have won it a reputation for performing small miracles. But the real Shea Terra Organics legacy lies in Africa's people, wildlife and land. We've embarked on a global mission knowing that what happens in Africa affects the entire world. If we can save one forest we offset the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. If we can stimulate economic growth through sustainable means then we have empowered a people. And if we can nourish a little body and feed a mind then we have empowered one person to be capable of hope and change.

REVIEW: Another winner! This cream, Pink Guava Pomegranate Indigenous Body Butter, is so decadently rich and firm. The scent is truly one of sweet ripe fruit with a hint of tartness. With a whopping 40% organic shea butter in this cream, it goes to work instantly and is readily absorbed into the skin. There is no greasy, oily feel at all. What results is wonderful hydration and toned skin. Instead of using essential oils, Shea Terra has created a blend of all-natural sweet pink guava essence and tart pomegranate extract which give this body butter a vibrant, fresh aroma, and as with the other Shea Terra products, not at all overpowering. So, here's what I like best about the body butter:

• healing to all skin types
• loaded with antioxidants, minerals and skin soothing herbs
• contains the anti-aging superfruit - pomegranate
• the intoxicating, yet very light scent on pink guava
• richly high content of organic shea butter
• luxury in a jar for under $20, an incredible bargain

Shea Terra products are available at Shea Terra Organics, Nordstrom and b-glowing.