skincare

Must Have ‘New Year,New You’ #Skincare from @Belli_Beauty @DesertHarvest & @KneippUSA

17 Comments

We are one month into 2018 and I have been doing alot of studying as well as adapting more selfcare habits and updating my skincare routine. In the winter when skin tends to get dry and flakey, I take the necessary steps to treat my skin (and hair) with these Must Have Natural ‘New Year, New You’ Bath & Beauty Products from Belli BEAUTY, Desert Harvest and Kneipp!

Belli BEAUTY

The New Year is all about out with the old and in with new right?! Belli has physician-formulated skin care products like exfoliating scrubs for sweeping away dead skin cells and debris to reveal the fresh new layer beneath. This skincare line focuses on ingredient safety giving expectant and new mothers piece of mind. It’s pure and planet-friendly approach is something we all can benefit from.

Did you know that it is important to prep the skin to absorb hydration and nutrients from moisturizers and other treatments? The practice of exfoliating is a necessary step that often gets skipped. Using Belli Fresh Start Pre-Treatment Scrub, an invigorating scrub for face and body, is the key to smooth, healthy skin. It helps prepare skin for the application of other products and the ideal start to any skin care regimen. Made with antioxident-rich green tea and ginseng, and the essential oil of peppermint. I found their micro-scrub formula to be invigorating and gentle.

Follow this by applying the Belli Fresh Stretchmark Minimizing Cream as the treatment to decreasing the appearance of existing stretchmarks. No matter the age or cause of your stretchmarks, Belli is offering a premium, at-home solution for diminishing the appearance of stretchmarks and help restore the look of smooth, healthy skin. Key characteristics include ginseng to help even out skin tone and avocado oil to soften and moisturize. I enjoyed its light citrus scent and intend to apply this twice daily for 4 weeks, then once daily as recommended until desired results are achieved. Available for purchase at BelliSkincare.com, buybuyBaby, Ulta, Ulta.com.

Desert Harvest

I recently learned about Desert Harvest, a family owned and operated company based in the state I now call home..North Carolina. Their unique Aloe Vera Gele skin care is a much healthier option than traditional skin care products that include chemicals and additives that can damage your skin making it great to use for the entire family.

Did you know that Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory properties that help in treating blemishes, acne, minor cuts or wound, a burn or a rash? It also softens dead skin cells and makes the skin smooth. It gets rid of signs of aging like fine lines and appearance of wrinkles and relieves itching too. Desert Harvest’s Aloe Vera is at the top of the line, and here’s why: •Gele is 80% concentrated Aloe Vera
•No added chemicals •Non-comedogenic

In addition to the gele, herbal shampoo/shower gel, herbal conditioner and hand & body lotion can be purchased just in time for February 14th. Make it an Aloe Vera Valentine for yourself and show love to your skin! Check out http://www.desertharvest.com for info.

Kneipp

No matter the season, moisturizing bath products are essential. Kneipp aids in leaving your skin feeling soft and supple and offers vegan products to soothe the mind and body by using aromatherapy. From the enchanting scents and blends of nature’s best plants, Kneipp offers a holistic shower/bath experience that I love. I am currently using the Kneipp Evening Primrose Body Wash “Calming” and Kneipp Sandalwopd Fruit & Grapeseed Oil Body Scrub “Beautiful Shape”, which are both gentle and beneficial to healthy skin. For a bath oil, I recommend Kneipp’s Mandarin & Orange Herbal Bath Oil “Stress Free” which uses natural essential oils to help you unwind! But honestly, any of their Body Wash, Body Scrub and Bath Oil products would be a great addition to your bathing routine as they have quite a variety to choose from!

SobeSavvy Tip: Head over to Kneipp.com for the #KneippLife sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to Vermont for you & 3 friends + Kneipp gift baskets. All entrants will receive 20% off their next purchase. Sign up: http://bit.ly/TheKneippLife

As an over 40 yr old mom and wife, I have always cherished the little things in life. I am pleased with these products so far and they have found there way into my #selfcareSunday routine!

Let me know below if you have used any of these products before and do you have a selfcare skincare routine?

3 Ways to Feel Relaxed, Refreshed & Rejuvenated for #RelaxationDay with @KneippUSA @Rituals @NailahsShea

8 Comments

Disclaimer: I received complimentary product for editorial review, however the opinions are mine to share with you!

August 15th is National Relaxation Day and in honor of this day (which I’d celebrate any time of the year), I would like to share with you 3 ways to Feel Relaxed, Refreshed and Rejuvenated using bath & body products from Kneipp, Rituals and Nailah’s Shea.

Relaxing for me usually involves slowing down, enjoying a quiet moment and taking in some deep breaths, while enjoying a long hot bath. Light some candles, pour a glass of wine and voila ~instant relaxation. So you’ve ran your bath water..now what?!?! 

1. RELAX by using a Kneipp body product made with Lavender oil

Lavender is known to be a natural herb that produces a gentle, balancing effect while creating a relaxing impact for the mind and body. Let Kneipp help you find your sanctuary by using any of their best selling bath products to help you relax after a long day. Kneipp Lavender Body Lotion in ‘Relaxing’ has a sweet almond oil fragrance that has been blended with high-quality essential lavender oil which is known for comforting the mind. What I like most is that it’s suitable for everyone in my home. So no matter your skin type, this lotion is designed to have your skin nourished and soft. It’s also vegan, so this product doesn’t contain any animal origin components. There is also no paraffin, silicone or mineral oils included. Massage into your skin after showering or bathing, slip into your favorite nightwear and get ready to relax! Available at Kneipp.com

2. REFRESH and transform your bathroom into a luxurious spa with the NEW Ritual of Hammam

Ever wanted to experience your own wellness ceremony at home? Well close your eyes and be inspired by one of the oldest cleansing traditions in the world. The Ritual of Hammam collection is offering a range of luxury body products designed to meet the needs of modern times by relaxing our body and purifying the mind with the revitalizing fragrance of refreshing eucalyptus. YOUR HAMMAM RITUAL IN 5 STEPS:

 1.  After you’ve set the mood, start your cleansing ritual with the NEW Black Soap ($15). This nourishing black soap deeply cleanses and purifies the body, removing old skin cells and leaving the skin silky soft and prepared for exfoliation. 


2.  Follow with the Hot Scrub ($29), which contains purifying sea salt, warming ginger and refreshing eucalyptus, immediately reducing fatigue and boosting your mood. Apply on top of the Black Soap for an even smoother result. 

3.  Continue with the Body Mud ($17) with mineral-rich rhassoul clay, a mud that intensively purifies and polishes the skin by helping to remove dead skin cells.

4.  Use the Foaming Shower Gel ($15), containing a purifying, refreshing fragrance that pleasantly and softly cleanses the skin. The gel also soothes and helps the skin to repair itself.

5.  After you shower, apply the soothing NEW Body Cream ($33) to the body for a nourished and toned skin. SobeSavvy Tip: The packaging for the body cream is eco-chic allowing you to refill while benefitting the environment and your budget!

Finally mist your skin, bed linen or other textiles with the Body Mist ($25) ,which is infused with rosemary (known for its aromatic fragrance, revitalizing and warming effect and soothes/supports the ability for the skin to repair itself ) & refreshing eucalyptus( known for its healing properties & stimulating effect on body/mind). It does not stain, which makes this light mist good for your skin and in your home.

Available at Rituals.com and Rituals stores throughout NYC

3. REJUVENATE and Exfoliate with Nailah’s Shea Zanzibar Spice Sugar Scrub 

What do you get when you mix spicy orange and sweet clove scents with organic Fair-trade cane sugar? An exotic scrub that is good for your face and body called Zanzibar Spice. This product is also combined with coconut, shea and grapeseed oils which is good for moisture, skin toning and anti-aging! Inspired by owner Camilia Majette travels to Zanzibar, Tanzania, this fragrance is also available as a hand-crafted shea butter soap and whipped shea body butter. I absolutely loved how it made my skin feel as well as the scent after using it in the shower. I even imagined I was on a relaxing getaway to the “Spice Island” while using these products! 

Made locally in Greensboro, NC., this all natural Shea butter-based beauty and body care line is one of my faves because its free from parabens, alcohol, harsh chemicals, vegan friendly and organic. If you want to begin your journey to healthy naturally glowing skin and travel to Zanzibar in your mind like me, you can purchase online at http://www.nailahsshea.com.

SobeSavvy tip: Come to West Elm, Southpoint Mall -6910 Fayetteville Rd #1375 in Durham to shop Nailah’s Shea in person on Saturday 8/26 12-5pm . If you don’t need any for yourself, these make amazing gifts!

I hope you are inspired to relax, relate and release using any of these 3 brands products for your bath and body.  

How do you like to relax? Do you plan to celebrate “National Relaxation Day” ?

Top @Sephora Beauty Gifts for Moms |#MothersDay Gift Guide by SobeSavvy.com

2 Comments

Disclaimer: I received complimentary product from Sephora for review, however the opinions are 100% my own. 

Mother’s Day is near and you may be wondering what to get for that special Mom in your life. Whether it’s your sister, friend, or your Mom, celebrate their beauty by giving them some top beauty gifts from Sephora. 

Sephora is my favorite place to shop for myself as well as others because it offers everything from makeup to skincare, fragrance and tools to provide solutions for anyone’s beauty needs. Plus, if you can not get to a store, you can conveniently shop online. Easy beauty is what Sephora specializes in and what every Mom can appreciate.

As a mom of a 5 year old, I have selected some of my favorites and must-try products and put together this list of ‘ Top Sephora Beauty Gifts for Moms’ . Check it out!

For the “Good with her Hands” MOM

Sephora Collection Hand Mask ($6) + Sephora Instant Nail & Cuticle Care

I love the instant nail & cuticle care so much that I keep it on my bedside table. This ensures that my nails get a treat before I go to sleep. No more dry cuticles. And because we moms use our hands alot, the hand masks hand gloves are essential to keeping our skin nourished and moisturized. 

For the “Gracefully Aging” MOM

Total Age Defy cream for eyes & lips and Total Age Defy cream SPF15 sunscreen

Since I‘ll be 44 this year, I started paying attention to products that minimize wrinkles. I am not anti-wrinkles, however I am pro radiant skin. This product works to support natural cell growth and boosts collagen. It absorbs quickly and has a nice moisturizing effect.

For the ” I See Everything” MOM

Mixology Eyeshadow Palette ($34) + Eyelash Curler ($16) + Sephora Collection Instant Eye makeup remover ($10)

Do you know a Mom with eyes in the back of her head? Well why not give her an eyeshadow palette to keep even her 3rd eye on fleek. LOL. Seriously, this is a fun gift for anyone who likes to create their own unique look. It has 18 colors: 9 matte, 9 shimmer that you can mix into endless combos. Add an eyelash curler and makeup remover and you have a eye-catching gift set! 

For the “Clean Freak” MOM

Clean Up Nice  ($15) + Color Switch Brush Cleaner ($18) + Sephora Collection makeup brushes

Sephora is known for their pro brushes and accessories. You can’t go wrong by gifting these because they are not only soft to the skin but effective in applying makeup. Pair these with proper cleaning products and your clean freak Mom will be pleased. Especially with the innovative Color Switch Brush cleaner which is a dry makeup removing sponge that allows you to switch colors without having to switch brushes! 

For the “Love the Skin Your In” Mom

Sephora Collection Gentle Melting Body Scrub ($18)

I love bath products that are nourishing to the skin. A good body scrub paired with a scented candle can turn your Mom’s next shower into a mini spa day. This gentle Melting Body Scrub from Sephora left my skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s not too abrasive and has a wonderful fresh scent. 

For the ‘Variety is the Spice of Life’ MOM

Sephora Collection Ready in 5 Face Brush Set ($25) + Sephora Collection Eyebrow Editor ($19) + Brow Highlighting Gel ( $12) + Wild Bunch Sponge set ($16)

Get a pretty box and gather up a variety of products that any Mom can use. Like the Ready in 5 Face brush set, perfect for Moms on the go and compact enough to fit in her purse. Speaking of compact, the Wild Bunch sponge set comes with 4 mini sponges that are perfect for blending concealer and foundation. And lastly, don’t forget the brow essentials like an eyebrow editor kit and highlighting gel. Both can be used to define brows and allows Mom to put her best face forward!

For the “Alicia Keys No Makeup” Mom

Sephora Collection Oil in Foam cleanser ($16) + Detoxifying foam cleanser ($16)

When Alicia Keys announced her no makeup beauty routine, many decided to follow suit and give their makeup the boot. Because Sephora offers more than just makeup, you can find skincare products suitable for everyone. You don’t have to wear makeup to shop Sephora. But if you do wear makeup,  you want to buy a cleanser that will clean your skin thoroughly and not leave it feeling dry. The Sephora Collection of cleansers gently removes makeup, impurites and is enriched with vitamins to nourish skin.

There’s still time to get to Sephora ASAP for that special gift for Mom or go to http://www.Sephora.com 

Happy Shopping!

Celebrate #EarthDay with #LiveCleanUSA and more Eco-friendly Bath-Beauty Products + Giveaway

4 Comments

Earth Day , which is celebrated on Saturday April 22, 2017, is all about lightening your footprint with upcycled and reusable items and keeping waste out. We all focus on spring cleaning our homes, but I wanted to share some products you should keep in your home when its time to spring clean YOU! The following are some amazing eco-friendly brands that are bringing clean, natural, organic beauty and skincare products to the masses. 
 Live Clean


Founded in 2006, Live Clean has a simple vision: to create high performance products that celebrate natural beauty while honoring the earth. Live Clean evokes the beauty in plant -based ingreients to create gentle and effective products that are safe for the environment at an extremely affordable price. Making a small contribution such as eco-friendly hand soap has a large impact on the environment, which is why more and more people are concious of the products they use in their home. My family loves the Argan Oil Restorative Liquid Hand Soap because not only does it gently cleanse our hands but leave them feeling moisturized, soft and smooth!  This exotic nectar fragrant hand soap is: 

  • Enriched with 100% pure Argan Oil
  • Certified organic botanical blend of grape seed and olive oil
  • 98% plant derived, SLS and Paraben Free

Live Clean also offers other varieties of hand soaps such as  Fresh Water Hydrating Liquid Hand Soap & Coconut Milk Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap.  These are perfect in the kitchen, bathroom or anywhere you chose to wash your hands and keep a clean environment. 

Other products my family uses by Live Clean that you must try is the

Live Clean Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner

Its gentle and cleanses while adding hydration to the hair. I especially like it for my daughter’s natural hair because it has nourishing ingredients like Vitamin C, E and rice protein in it. It not only strenghtens the hair but leaves it feeling soft. It smells good too, which is always an added benefit.

Live Clean Fresh Water Hydrating Body Wash

This body wash is infused with certified organic botanicals and also is gentle on the skin. It doesn’t leave you feeling dry, in fact my skin felt smooth and soft, refreshed and moisturized! I like that it has Vitamin E in it which helps give the skin a radiant appearance. 

Live Clean is available for purchase at Whole Foods, Walgreens, BedBathandBeyond.com and Target.com. Follow @LeaveCleanUSA #LiveCleanUSA to learn more about helping the environment one Hand Soap-Shampoo/Conditioner or Body Wash at a time!

Nailah’s Shea


In a previous post, I raved over how much I love Nailah’s Shea natural beauty products and why they are great for healthy & naturally glowing skin. Now that Spring has sprung, it is time to emerge from layers of winter clothing and show some skin. Yay warmer temps are here, but before you celebrate, you must exfoliate. Rejuvenate your skin by treating it to Nailah’s Shea Exfoliating Sugar Scrub ! I tried the Lemongrass Tabasam scent and its luxurious. Its gentle, it feels healing and it leaves my skin refreshed, smooth, and soft with a subtle glow. Like all of the products, it’s:

  • All Natural
  • No Parabens
  • No Sulfates
  • No Mineral Oil
  • No Animal Testing
  • Vegan Friendly
  • Certified Fair Trade & Organic Ingredients 

Before using the body scrub, wash with any of their Organic Hand-Crafted Shea Butter Soaps ( the French Green Clay is my new favorite) and afterwards, finish with your favorite Nailah’s Shea Organic Whipped Body Butter. Everytime I use any of the products, it’s like treating myself to a spa experience at home. All products are available at http://www.nailahsshea.com

Kneipp Bath and Body Care 

Looking for some go-to essentials to keep your skin in full bloom for the new season? Well Kneipp has some wonderfully scented, plant-based, natural bath and body care products that have beneficial ingredients that do way more than just smell great! This brand has been around since 1891 and as stated on the packaging are ‘Nature’s Expert’ when it comes to powerful results for your skin. I took a bath using Kneipp’s Red Poppy & Hemp Aromatherapy Bubble Bath-‘Pure Bliss’  and it felt wonderful. The red poppy seed oil is known to ease pain as well as act as a sedative to reduce stress. After a long day, a relaxing aromatherapy bath nourishes the skin leaving it feeling soft and supple but is also good for the soul! Don’t forget after you relax, relate and soak to seal in the moisture with Kneipp’s Body Oil. They have a variety of products that will suit the needs of the entire family and you can customize your purchases by skin type. This brand’s holistic approach to its products is what I enjoy most.

  • No paraffins
  • No preservatives
  • No silicone oils
  • No mineral oils

Sebastian Kneipp said it best “Nature has provided us generously with everything we need to remain in good heath” . Since nature has been so good to us, I think it’s only right to be good to it on Earth Day and everyday! Kneipp products are available at Kneipp retail locations in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., and on http://www.kneipp.com

Beard Guyz

If the man in your life is bearded and looking for a true organic grooming experience, look no further than Beard Guyz products. These ultimate essentials are for the well groomed man who likes to use natural products on his beard. And since my husband is clean-shaven, I plan to Giveaway:Beard Guyz Daily Wash 35 and Beard Guyz Deep Conditioner 25 to 1 lucky ‘beard gang’ winner ! *Just comment below why you love your Beard Guy or why you love being a Beard Guy and I will choose a winner randomly on MCM-Man crush Monday, 4/24.* Here’s what you get:

  • Beard Guyz Daily Wash 35 gently cleans and conditions facial hair and the sensitive skin
  • A blend of 35 natural and organic botanical and fruit extracts combined with Keratin and Protein to clean and moisturize
  • Provides antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits
  • Helps improve blood flow for maximum growth
  • For all hair and beard types
  • Beard Guyz Deep Conditioner 25 helps soften and condition the beard while adding shine
  • A blend of 25 natural and organic oils, butters,extracts,vitamins and conditioners chosen for their benefits to the hair and skin
  • No parabens, alcohol or harsh chemicals

What all these brands have in common is that they demonstrate sustainability research and value the importance of helping the environment while providing quality products. I hope this Earth Day you celebrate by going green, living clean and treating yourself to some selfcare and wellness goodies.

 ~What eco friendly products do you use daily…SHARE BELOW! ~Good luck to all who enter the giveaway and HAPPY EARTH DAY !

Give a #ValentinesDayGift that Gives Back from #GlowforACause | #Beauty Review by #SobeSavvy

2 Comments

 

With Valentine’s Day approaching quickly, it’s time to make sure you have a great gift for everyone on your list! If you want a gift that’s empowering, luxurious, and sweet smelling then GLOW for a cause is the place to shop!

I recently learned about Glow for a cause  and their mission to not only create the most amazing beauty products, but they also give back to charities with every purchase! So I requested a sample because I love luxury beauty/skincare products. 

I received the “Wish” body butter to sample and it was love at first smell ! I also loved the consistency of the butter. Not too thick and absorbed into my skin. 

Here is how it is described on the website: 

A magical blend of sparkling light florals, white tea, and bergamot grounded by light musks.  

Our luxuriously rich body butter with nature’s best moisturizing oils of coconut, jojoba, sunflower and vitamin E, hydrates and protects the skin while leaving behind a sexy and lasting scent.

Paraben Free.  Phthalate Free.  Cruelty Free.  Gluten Free.  Made in the USA.

INGREDIENTS

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Ceteareth-20, Glycerin, Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), Beeswax, Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate (and) PEG-100 Stearate , Jojoba (Buxus Chinensis) Oil, Sunflower (Helianthus Annus) Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, Caramel, Fragrance Oil

GLOW for a cause “Wish” Scented Products Include:

  • Body Butter
  • Perfume
  • Facial Creams
  • Facial Clay Masks
  • Facial Clay Scrubs
  • Lip Balm
  • Makeup Bag

 
I appreciate that GLOW for a cause is a company that creates a variety of beauty products made with high quality ingredients to not only make you feel amazing on the outside, but to also help empower you on the inside! With a variety of decadent scents and products available, you’ll be wanting to also gift yourself something! Every time you buy a GLOW for a cause product, you are not only pampering yourself, you are giving back 5% to our partner non-profit organizations. Now that’s beauty that GLOWS on the inside and out.

Charities GLOW for a cause Gives Back to Includes:

  • Cowgirls vs. Cancer
  • Boston Firefighter’s Burn Foundation
  • The Red Sox Foundation
  • MaxFund Animal Adoption Center
  • The Gathering Place
  • Berni’s Journey

 
 If you would like to learn more information about GLOW for a cause visit http://www.glowforacause.com/.

#TransformationTuesday: How to Get Glowing #Skin, #Detox From Within !

1 Comment

image

Change in weather, diet or stress are just 3 of the many things that can wreak havoc on one’s skin. After the new year began, I found that my skin had lost its glow and for a reason why I did not know!

I began the year with a resolution to reintroduce healthy habits into my lifestyle. I tried a detox body treatment for the first time at Exhale (read about my pamper me session  here ! )  So it was quite a surprise to me when last week, my face became red, flaky and itchy. It was just overall uncomfortable. Was it eczema ? an allergic reaction? psoriasis? seborrheic dermatitis?..I did not know! What I did know was like the picture below.. my skin was SAD 😦

image

I researched the internet and decided I would do a detox for my facial skin. My breakout occurred in my Tzone area (forhead, nose,chin)  and looked at the facial map as a map on where the problem may lie.

image

OK by the looks of it something I ate may be the culprit so let’s do a detox. I decided upon Dr. OZ‘S 3 DAY Detox as it was simple, took little time and prep, cost was minimal, easy to follow and had rave reviews.

image

The shakes were easy to make and I looked forward to the breakfast and dinner one. Lunchtime was most challenging but I knew I was giving my body what it needs via the leafy greens to combat what was going on with my facial skin.

To understand the importance of detoxing, here are a few graphics that breaks it down as to why everyone should try a detox for the skin.

image

image

All you need is a weekend and this past 3 day weekend made it possible along with my suppostive husband and my willpower to do what is good for me from the inside out !

So here is my before, during (where I applied this honey/nutmeg mask that I loved as well)  and after of the past 3 days.

image

I hope I have inspired you to try a detox and encouraged you to love the skin you are in! Remember beauty is skin deep … it starts from within. This Transformation Tuesday treat yourself to a skin detox!

image