Make Up Beauty Tips

I am so honored to be celebrating Earth Day with a feature on mōksa organics.  The first thing you need to know about mōksa organics is they are so much more than soap!  Allow me to delight your senses and inform your mind.

I have to admit it's really kind of hard to find a starting point.  Founder Melanie Martin has created such a rich melange of goodness with mōksa that one wonders whether a feature about the brand should begin with the products or the philosophy and non-profits they hold dear to the heart.  Melanie exudes so much passion and energy about her company one can actually feel it warming the heart and soul through everything she seems to touch.

Melanie and Haskell, her husband, Owners/Founders of mōksa organics, sum it up this way:

"We make soap. But not just any soap. Because regular soap is plain ol' boring. We've created a clean revolution."

There's no bulk packaging, wasted materials or lists of ingredients a mile long or that contribute to environmental hazards here.  Their products contain ingredients you recognize as pure, simple, natural.  They are certified organic. They also use fair-trade whenever possible.  Melanie is quick to point out that their products never include palm oils.  Why? Commercial harvesting of palms for their oil is the leading cause of ecosystem's loss of habitat and deforestation.  mōksa organics' ingredients are chosen with the least amount of environmental impact.  Their packaging is tree free.  They use post consumer waste, recycled materials and no virgin plastics.

mōksa organics has received federally recognized certification as a carbon neutral company.  All of their offsets are used locally to purchase trees for Alachua Conservation Fund.  mōksa's mission is to be an active part of solutions for a sustainable future.  Let me reiterate, when they say they intend to play an "active" part, they mean it.  When I first contacted Melanie she was dashing off to a local Sierra Club meeting (she's a board member), where they were busily planning for a campaign launch about Bottled Water awareness.



Melanie at the lake behind her house

 Melanie couldn't have been more gracious about supplying me with information (and product) to showcase mōksa for Earth Day, a month/day she shares is her favorite.  As I've gotten to learn more about her, I can't think of anyone or any brand better to feature on Earth Day than Melanie and mōksa organics.  They are the epitome of Earth Day celebration.  And as you might expect, giving back is a huge part of what they do through mōksa. More on that in a little bit.

"Our products allow us to do what we love and it allows us to work with progressive people and groups that help minimize our (society's) impact on nature and our eco-system.  Our mission focuses on habitat preservation and conservation...soap helps us accomplish that.  That's why we call it soapy love."

Allow me to introduce you to some of mōksa's gorgeous products.  Let me set the scene for these by telling you when I opened the package of soaps, my office filled with the delicious scents of essential oils, as if it had been transformed into my own little mini spa.  The chemical reaction between us (soaps and me) had ignited.  It was destiny ... I was falling in love ... quickly.



Bohemian Forest
A blend of wintergreen and woodsy aromas for that Bohemian experience. Check out this ingredient list (and note the shortness): Organic oils of olive, coconut, soybean, castor, hemp, babassu, shea butter; blend of pure essentail oils; organic rosemary extract.

It's named after the beautiful Bohemian Forest, which has a beautiful, diverse eco-system (all mōksa soaps are named after a cool spot on the planet).  The environmental advocacy group that it's dedicated to:  Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment  (ATREE).  Based in India, ATREE does much in the field of research, outreach and conservation. Melanie says, "They are one of those hard working organizations that few people know about and they fly under the radar.  They have a huge emphasis on EDUCATION.  They need support."



Abbey Road
A blend of sweet orange, clove, vanilla and English tea blends will transport you without moving from your shower to the green fields and quaint villages of Britian. Abbey Road body bar is the perfect remedy for fighting off the blue meanies or just getting the grit of the man off your back!  No environmental significance, other than "peace and love" that is associated with the musicians that frequent Abbey Road Studios.

It's dedicated to Aaranyak, another small organization Melanie says flies under the radar and is in need of support for its wonderful contributions. Aaranyak's mission is to foster conservation of biodiversity in Northeast India through research, environmental education, capacity building and advocacy for legal and policy reform to usher a new era of ecological security.



Lavender Avignon
One small whiff of the perfectly balanced blend of lavender and vanilla and you're headed straight to France.  Sometimes you've just got to keep it pure and simple. Take a break from your daily routine, slow down, and enjoy the simplest of organic pleasures.

Named after the lavender fields in Avignon, France, this soap is dedicated to The Sierra Club: Suwannee-St. Johns Group. This is an organization very close to Melanie's heart.  Hear her passion as she elaborates here:

 "I'd like to try and explain. The Sierra Club has a very well known national name. What people don't know is that communities around the country have LOCAL chapters within the Sierra Club. This is HUGE! We (mōksa) believe in local first and foremost. Local is the base where change happens. These local chapters around the 50 states are comprised of Board Members that lobby, attend state meetings at capital headquarters, and are an environmental voice for their community with regards to city and county laws, development, preservation of state parks, etc. I proudly serve on the Executive Committee here in Florida. Our group covers 15 counties and our members have done so much to protect and preserve Florida's local and state environmental gems."

The theme Melanie most wants to convey is that Sierra Club functions as a whole because of all the hard work of thousands of local groups around the country. Local Sierra Club chapters need support. Hence, the dedication and proceed/profit dedication to the organization she hold near and dear to her heart through sales of Lavender Avignon.



But Are They Any Good?
All this looks and sounds great, right, but what of the products themselves ... are they lovely to use?
I'm not sure I can fully express in a blog post just how incredibly gorgeous these products are.  These are substantial, big bars of soap, not slivers of product.  They are 6.5 oz in weight and much more in essence.  The bars provide a rich, luxuriously creamy lather.  They all smell divine.  You know how generally you'll smell a few bars of soap on display somewhere and be able to come up with a favorite from the line?  Yeah, you can't do that with these - they're all amazing. The blends of the essential oils in each bar are spot on ... not too much of one or the other to overpower the senses.  It may sound cliche', but using these bars truly does lend the experience of washing in nature. 

I mentioned to Melanie that my face never felt cleaner than after using her soap (I tried Abbey Road first).  I had a healthy glow to my skin I haven't seen since I was in my 20's - shocking!  I hesitate to even call the bars soap as that conjures up thoughts of something drying to skin.  There is nothing in mōksa soap bars that are drying to skin.  I'm telling you, I can't wait to jump out of bed in the morning to wash my face.  When a bar of soap can do that for a mood (especially for a mood of one who is in NO way a morning person), that's saying something.


Don't think mōksa's soaps are their only product worth salivating over.  I had the good fortume to also try their body butter in Lavender Bergamot. Omgosh!! The consistency is a firm yet somehow whipped texture of deliciousness.  Ya know, lab produced, synthetic, amalgamations of chemically infused products just cannot give you these same results: simple, pure, healthy.

Well, clearly you see I am completely enamored with mōksa organics and its founder, Melanie. But really, who wouldn't be?  Honest, pure, back-to-nature (literally) goodness handcrafted from a place of integrity and heart.  It's just a winning combination all around.

mōksa soaps retail for $6.50 a bar and body butters for $14 a jar.  You may also seek out their body oils, bath salts, t-shirts and totes (they are "revolutionary" he he!).  Please do yourself a favor and check out mōksa organics online; your skin and conscience will thank you!  Products by mōksa organics are also available online at nimli.com, bellafloria.com and other boutique retailers.  Enjoy! xo

So where do you go when you want to pick up a little something special for yourself, a friend or a loved one? Somewhere brimming with luxurious treasures where each item comes to you beautifully packaged in scarlet red tissue and is meticulously created to rejuvenate, renew, revive? There's no question, really.  It's online niche boutique b-glowing.

adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - 2 oz travel size $12 each
Nature's Multi-Tasker! Skin: Gently soothe onto skin daily or as needed when skin feels thirsty and needs comfort. Rough Patches: 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. Pimple Healer: 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 Treatment: 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. Scents: green tea, lavender, peach, unscented, rose, jasmine.

b.e. becker.eshaya - Eau De Parfum Fragrance Pen - .28 oz $45
This is truly one of my favorite fragrances as so light, fresh, clean, shlightly floral and not at all overpowering! Italian Mandarin, Pink Peony, Lily of the Valley, and Rose Damascena. A classic fragrance for the ages! Celebrity fans include Julia Roberts, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Cameron Diaz and many other women with fabulous taste, just like you!

butter LONDON Nail Lacquers - $14 each
butter LONDON is a 3 Free company. No Formaldehyde, No Toluene, and No DBP. As well as providing the safest nail products on the market, butter LONDON is devoted to bringing high fashion to your nails. We boast a unique and fashion-forward colour palette created by our Creative Director, Nonie Creme, backstage at the world’s top catwalk shows.

• Chimney Sweep: Smudgy, sexy, and just a little dirty. A proper charcoal grey with a touch of a metallic finish.
• Cream Tea: Barely there and ever so sweet. Pale and creamy, an alternative to your standard clear or sheer pink.
• Fash Pack: One of the hottest shades of the season with its "greige" coloring! An edgy and unusual colour. Putty meets mushroom. Sounds strange and wrong, but somehow it works, like deep fried Mars bars. (an actual English delicacy).
• HRH ("Her Royal Highness"): A proper purple. Even the Queen would agree, and she never agrees.
• Yummy Mummy: Their magic lacquer. This medium beige colour is simply stunning on EVERY skin colour. If you can’t decide on a lacquer, then we will for you. It’s this.
• Chuffed-Jelly: Juicy, sheer colour that looks and feels like slick, wet “lipgloss” for your nails. These are designed to be layered, so you can wear just one coat for a hint/blush of colour and healthy glow, or two for better coverage of little nail problems and more colour, or three for juicy, barely sheer summer colours that are good enough to eat.

foreverlily eau de parfum - 3.4 oz bottle $125
For those who seek what is good, true and beautiful comes a fragrance that calls you to your higher self. The result is an enveloping Oriental blend with a top note dominated by clove and sweet accents of lemon and fresh lychee. The fresh green crispness of fig and the feminine presence of stargazer lily are equally balanced in the middle note. The base note is comprised of cedarwood, vanilla, amber and sandalwood. An fragrance that evokes a deeper experience of life and a profound feeling of hope. Protective and meditative, foreverlily is an olfactory bridge to another world, one in which eternal love and beauty surround you.

Infusion Organique Sands of Morocco - 1.7 oz bottle $35
Close your eyes, and wander through the fresh flower and food stalls of the local Moroccan Souk. Inhale the spices drifting on the desert winds of North Africa. Ride the train from Marrakech to Casablanca to Tangier. Smell the fresh vanilla first brought to Morocco by tne French in the time of the Berber Kings. Add a touch of aromatic sandalwood and warm oak moss to a blend of certified organic lemongrass oil and ylang-ylang for a scent as warm as the Mediterranean sun.

Lisa Hoffman Japanese Argarwood - Limited Edition 2 vial set $43
TOP FIVE FRAGRANCE OF THE YEAR!!! During the Fragrance of the Year Awards, this fragrance was selected as one of the Top Five Fragrances in 2009. Inspired by the lush, natural oils from the rainforest with subtle hints of Italian Bergamot, Spiced Ginger Accord, and Warm Amber. Within this complex, one also discovers mysterious earth nuances that are a delight to explore.

Love & Toast Gin Blossom Handcreme - 1.2 oz tube $9
Happy hydration. Natural super-softeners Shea Butter, Macadamia Nut & Olive Fruits team up with pore pleasing Avocado & Sunflower Oils. Add to the mix a botanical perfume blend and now you've got your perfect dream cream: a lightweight & luxurious lotion.

PurepleLab Huge Lips Skinny Hips - $25 each
Yes, no secret I adore these plumping glosses! Wildly popular (This is the product that started the whole PurpleLab phenomenon with Karen Robinovitz, Creatrix Extraordinaire, at the helm)! The answer to every girl's beauty dream - sophisticated lip color, plumping performance and a natural way to curb those cravings with the infusion of Hoodia, extract from a cactus-like plant that has been used in South Africa for centuries for its appetite suppressing qualities. Sheer, soft colors that flatter any skintone ...

• Kitty Poledancer - Nudish Pink Sheer
• Red Sole - Sultra Sexy Fierce Red Very Very Sheer...a bee stung look
• No Panty Lines - Clear as Crystal
• Love Your Thighs - Exotic Coral, but still translucent
• Worship Kate - slightly darker pink with hints of mauve & shimmer

New arrival!  b-glowing now carries Kinerase.  To celebrate, they're offering a complimentary, full-size Kinerase Lotion ($63 value) with your purchase of $100 or more. Enter code: kinerase at checkout to request your free gift. Offer good thru 5/10/10.

All purchases from b-glowing come beautifully packaged and include an array of gorgeous free samples. It's ALWAYS a pleasurable experience shopping with them!  Enjoy free shipping within the contiguous United States with your order of $75 or more.

We all know about the miracle properties of shea butter; that it is an extraordinarily effective moisturizer for dry skin, eliminates stretch marks, promotes cell renewal and even helps protect skin from harmful UV rays. But not many people know the amazing story of how shea butter is actually created---by the hands of women living in Africa's embattled regions, who labor for hours on end to produce this highly sought after ingredient for mere pennies a day.

Shea Yeleen International, a non-profit organization, has set a goal nothing short of a miracle in itself. Not only is it their mission to organize and train women in the villages of Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Mali to produce high quality natural shea butter, SYI uses this shea butter as the main component in a decadent and high quality body care line that they make available for sale to the western world. Fifty percent of the profits go right back to these African communities to further empower these women to sustain livings and provide for their families.

Rahama Wright, Shea Yeleen's Executive Director came up with the idea to create the nonprofit organization while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the poorer regions of rural West Africa. "I've always been interested in poverty issues and in Africa," Wright, who's mother's side of the family is from Ghana, explains. "By living and working in Africa, I became inspired by the women there who have these tremendous challenges in terms of poverty, but at the same time, have so much beauty and joy and inner strength." Just last November, Wright's efforts led her to become one of 80 winners in the first-ever leadership training contest spearheaded by Oprah: Women Rule! O's White House Leadership Project Contest (3,000 women applied).

Imagine that you are a woman in a small rural village in West Africa, struggling financially to care for your family. Following a tradition handed down by your mother, you produce shea butter, oil found in the nut of the shea fruit, as a means to make money. To process the shea butter, you start with a five kilometer walk to harvest the fruit and then follow a labor intensive process of hand extracting that takes up to 20 hours to produce 2-4 kilograms of oil. You sell a portion of the shea oil on the local market for 20 cents a kilogram. It is not very much money, yet to you it is better than nothing.

What if you knew about an international demand for the very product you labor to produce? On the international market, thousands of different kinds of cosmetics products are made using shea butter, and sold for $10-$60 for a few ounces. However, you do not have access to this market even though the natural resource originates several kilometers from where you live. What if this could change?

"Women in rural West Africa are the creators of shea butter, and it makes sense to join the popularity of shea butter and natural products to the need for women producers in rural Africa to overcome poverty- it's a win-win situation because consumers receive the best shea butter product that will nourish their skin, and women receive above market rates for their shea butter. As we begin to expand, we will demonstrate that transforming the skincare market can also transform communities," said Rahama Wright, Executive Director of Shea Yeleen International.

Shea Yeleen Products

Honeysuckle and Lavender Scented Body Butter
An ultra-hydrating vitamin rich shea formula that instantly soothes dry skin while leaving it glowing and softly-scented with honeysuckle and lavender essential oils. (Retail: $25, 6 oz.)

Honeysuckle and Lavender Scented Body Balm
This dense, natural shea butter, combined with lavender and honeysuckle oils, is especially perfect for soothing extra dry skin from head to toe. Just the smallest amount will leave skin soft and radiant. (Retail: $20, 4 oz.)

Unscented Body Balm
Made from100% natural shea butter, this body balm protects your skin from daily elements like harsh weather and hard water. Excellent for dry, irritated and sensitive skin on elbows, knees, hands and feet. (Retail: $20, 4 oz.)

Baby Balm
This baby balm is rich with skin nourishing elements which calm your baby's skin and protects it from harsh elements. Ingredients include shea butter, avocado oil, aloe vera, calendual oil, essential oils of lavender, rosemary, chamomile, comfrey, and natural baby powder fragrance. (Retail: $20, 4 oz.)

Cherry and Peppermint Lip Balms
This delicious lip balm (available in peppermint or cherry) will moisturize and heal your dry, chapped lips, leaving them kissable and soft. (Retail: $5, .5 oz.)

I've had an opportunity to try the body butter, body balm and the lip balms. These are richly hydrating products with lovely, subtle scents. They instantly moisturize even very dry skin and I've fast become a fan for keeping my hands and arms smooth and moisturized. Skin is left with a healthy glow and lips are hydrated and supple. I've tried an amber body balm and a lavender honeysuckle butter, both of which are subtle in scent - fresh without being overpowering. They've newly introduced two varieties of hand-crafted shea butter soaps in their offerings, lavender and lemongrass. I'm hoping to try those soon. Such wonderful products, such a fabulous giving back to the communities that produce them - that's a winning situation all around! And, you can't beat the prices for the quality. What a fantastic project.

Learn more about Shea Yeleen International and their gorgeous products online.

Described as a floral oriental, LAVANILA Vanilla Lavender takes you to an oasis of tranquility. Peaceful and serene, this clean fragrance blends Spanish lavender, rose absolute, violet leaf, and warm Madagascar vanilla. The essence is a masterpiece crafted by perfumers who use only the finest, all-natural ingredients.

LAVANILA carefully infuses pure essential oils with 100 percent active botanicals for natural fragrances that are fresh, clean, and nurturing. With each spray, proprietary natural technology wraps the skin with super-antioxidants goji berry and kakadu plum for a healthy dose of 30 essential vitamins and minerals that pamper the body and soul.



My favorite way to experience the scents and fragrances of LAVANILA is through their body butters. These are exquisite, quite in a category all by themselves. For me, nothing compares to a LAVANILA body butter in healthy moisturization for skin - yes, I'm addicted! No problems admitting it.

Designed to melt instantly, these rich, buttery creams leave skin delicately scented and incredibly smooth with absolutely no greasy feel. They sink into skin, very easily absorbed. The 100% pure Shea and cocoa butters are infused with super anti-oxidants Goji Berry and Kakadu Plum, for a healthy dose of 30 essential vitamins and minerals that deeply nourish and hydrate.



This is an extremely subtle, clean, fresh scent. Unlike others of their fragrances, the Vanilla Lavender is light on the sweetness and focused more on the clean. It reminds me of fresh, crisp linens with just an intrigue of lavender tranquility. It's become my favorite scent to wear to bed. (Um, yes, of course I wear fragrance to bed. You don't?) Having said that, if you've not been a fan of LAVANILA's fragrances in the past because you thought they were a little too sweet or "cloying" (I hate that adjective for a fragrance, it's like the epitome of a turn off, but I have heard some describe previous scents from the brand as this), give LAVANILA another try with this one as it truly is lovely, very peaceful, very clean.

Also take a look at their foray into body deodorants. I love this concept as we've all read those horrifying article about how unhealthy chemical and aluminum based deodorants are reported to be for us. LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant uses beta-glucan technology to effectively fight odor while soothing, conditioning, and strengthening the skin. It is a clinical strength deodorant that goes on clean, with no sticky wetness, and delivers long-lasting, luxurious results. This dermatologist-recommended, non-irritating, allergy-tested formula contains NO aluminum or mineral oils and is available in the popular scents of Pure Vanilla, Vanilla Coconut, Vanilla Grapefruit and Vanilla Lavender. each stick, 1.7 oz - $18

LAVANILA fragrances, body butters and more are available at Sephora, Beauty.com, Nordstrom and from the brand directly.

7 DAYS ONLY


Get 25% off the entire LaLicious Collection including their new Travel Set!


Get everything your skin craves and deserves at 25% off by entering coupon code HOLIDAY08 when prompted at check-out. This is the last exclusive discount until 2009 they will offer, so take advantage!


Click HERE to shop now

Coupon Valid: November 3rd-9th.

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.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways ...

I'm so excited about Shea Terra Organics I'm finding it hard to control myself in the words I want to use here. I'm trying to recall how I first heard of the brand. Oh yes, it was when I did the piece on Sourcing the World's Best in Beauty earlier this month. Oddly, Shea Terra isn't one of the companies highlighted by Style (although I think it should have been); but in researching one of the products and companies they did highlight, I was brought to b-glowing, a favorite online store of mine.


Anyhoo ... while at b-glowing I was perusing some of their newer brands and lines and began drooling over the Shea Terra body products. I knew I had to have some. I am soooo glad I let temptation get the better of me on this occasion!


There's much to learn from Shea Terra and to talk about. As such, I'm writing a feature on a different product each day this week. I just can't bring myself to write all I want to say about the lot of them in this one article. Yes, they are that good!


First, a little about Shea Terra Organics:

• Products are 99-100% natural
• No Artificial Fragrances: Artificial fragrances can cause allergies and many contain carcinigens
• Shea Terra Organics uses only pure fruit and plant extracts to enhance the therapeutic value of our products. Don't expect an herbal, medicinal fragrance. Our carefully formulated fragrances rival some of the largest cosmetic companies without compromise to health
• Shea Terra Organics products DO NOT contain sulfates, parabens, silicone, artificial coloring or synthetic fragrance. The products are cruelty free
• Research and test sustainable, indigenous African ingredients for healing and reparative benefits. It's not enough to just moisturize with our products; Shea Terra uses the powers of Africa's oils, herbs and butters to create highly effective skin care treatments
• Use only sustainable raw materials to support preservation of the continent's rich and rare resources

Now, a little about their luxurious body scrub - Miombo Mango Shea Butter Dead Sea Salt Scrub

• Sourced from the depths of the Dead Sea and the expanse of the African savannah, Dead Sea salt and organic shea butter combine to produce this luxuriant, non-oily body scrub
• For this delectable treat Shea Terra begins in the Miombo forest of Central Africa where bush mangos sweetly scent the air
• Their succulent, juicy aroma begins with a note of tartness and finishes with a mouth watering, sun ripened sweetness
• Bush mangos are indigenous to the Miombo forest now endangered by foreign logging
• Ten times saltier than the ocean, Dead Sea salt promotes skin healing and cell renewal
• Combined with wild harvested African herbs of aloe ferox, kigelli, and African potato, reparative, organic shea butter deeply moisturizes the skin, penetrating deep beneath the epidermis to deliver valuable nutrients
• 99% Natural. Paraben Free. No Artificial Fragrance.

REVIEW:
Of all the Shea Terra body products I got, this one may have been the one I was least expecting to be wow'ed over. I was wrong! This scrub is absolutely wonderful. The salt crystals are rather course yet "melt" easily against and into the skin lending a great exfoliating experience. The delicate scent gives the appeal of biting into a sweet, ripe, juicy mango - absolutely delicious. The scrub not only buffs and polishes skin but provides superb moisturization to the skin. The surprising effect is glowing skin, soft and hydrated but not at all oily, even with its 35% butter and oil content. Again, this is a 99% all natural product (practically unheard of), full of healing sea salts, organic shea butter, soothing hydrating herbs and other organic ingredients, with a succulent aroma - 8 oz, $18. Love it! The scrubs are also available in these scents (which I'll speak more of in future posts this week): Bourbon Vanilla, Pink Guava Pomegranate, Lavender of the Khoisan



Shea Terra scrubs are available through these retailers: b-glowing, Nordstrom, Shea Terra Organics

The newest addition to the LaVanila family:

Each LAVANILA spray feeds the skin with 30 essential vitamins and minerals and 19 amino acids. As gorgeous as these fragrances are to the senses, their body butters are so decadent and hydrating to the skin that you'll find your skin literally drinking in the moisture on contact. I have become so attached to this rich luxury that I keep a tube at home, a tube in my office drawer and another tube in my gym bag. I am completely in love with these luscious butters! Although the Vanilla-Grapefruit is my fave, I adore each one, and, yes, had to have all three original scents... hehe

http://www.lavanila.com/

Contains 100% natural ingredients - no parabens, mineral oils, propylene glycol or silicone and never tested on animals

For more information on purchasing these wonderful products, see Sephora, Nordstrom, Bliss, HSN or Beauty.com