Recently in Body Category

I have three baskets full of body lotion, potion and creams (you'd be surprised how quickly I go through body products). I've got everything from Natura Bisse's Diamond Body (the best cream on earth!) to Aveeno Ageless Firming body cream. Just added Philosophy's omega 3-6-9 enriched body cream to my repertoire and am impressed with how emollient it is-- especially after a day of working out and sweating which dehydrates my skin. Most importantly, it doesn't leave a weird greasy residue that flakes or peels (I hate that, nothing worse than looking down at your cute dress and see your decolletage peeling from too much lotion). A little goes a very long way and the omega oils nourish dry skin like no other, $35. Try it out at the Philosophy counter or at Philosophy.com!

A few days ago Liz Earle, co-founder and creator of the award-winning Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare collection, hosted a presentation in NYC. Despite having written over 30 books -- her latest one is called Skin Secrets and selling one of her cleansers every 60 seconds in over 80 countries around the world I wasn't all that familiar with Earle and her eponymous botanical skincare range. After the 60 minute presentation however I have to say that I was blown away by Earle, her background, her knowledge, and her dedication (and all that with FOUR KIDS!!). Her line has achieved tremendous success even though she has never advertised -- it's all word of mouth -- which saves her company a ton of money, savings that she passes on to the consumer. Nothing in the line costs more than $60 and most products are priced between $25 and $30. Earle has a serious cult following in Britain and it's little surprise given how packed with botanicals all of her products are --she's very careful about what she adds to her line and none of her products are ever discontinued. Naturally Active Skincare, which has been around for nearly 15 years, is meant for all skin types and formulated with the highest quality herbs, plants, vitamins, and essential oils. Jump for more!

I spent the weekend in the pool with my son. As per usual, I prepared my giant spf hat, slathered spf 60 all over my body and face and wore large sunglasses. I was protected from the sun as well as possible but I was not protected by the sight of my body in a bathing suit after a year in hiatus. Yes, I'm only 97 pounds but after having a baby (even though it was 4 years ago) everything is just so... jiggly. I have never been on a diet in my life and work out sporadically. I was always that skinny girl everyone hated, the one who ate more than football players while wearing a midriff baring top.  I am trying to be more consistent with my exercise for heath reasons and I've put myself on a 3 day a week mix of pilates and kickboxing for a total of 3-4 hours each week. I was told it was not enough to achieve Jennifer Aniston's ass but I just don't have the patience to work out 5 hours a day! Who has time for that? There is food to eat and clothes/bags/shoes to buy! So I resorted to picking up a bottle of the new Dior Svelte Reversal body Contouring and Firming Concentrate today and used it immediately. While I don't have Jen's legs (yet) mine do look a bit smoother with one application. I was told after 4 weeks it's visibly smoother so I'll report back next month.  It's not permanent of course and your $62 might be better spent on an exercise video or a private training session but I'll be using this at the beach this summer.  $62 at Dior.com

No more worry of sun damage or wrinkles-- this summer, get gorgeous, sexy and sun-kissed skin with Bobbi's Illuminating Bronze Collection! Making it easier than ever to get the look of healthy, sun-kissed skin without the damaging effects of sun- the collection includes Bobbi's new limited-edition Shimmer Brick for Body ($75.00). This lightweight silky powder can be used on arms, legs, décolleté or anywhere you want to add a glow. This oversized compact features three bars of color and can be applied with Bobbi's limited-edition All Over Body Brush ($85.00)- the softest, most luxurious brush imaginable! Designed with ultra soft bristles, it is perfect for sheer, even application. Also new in this collection is Bobbi's Illuminating Bronzing Powder (in 6 shades for $33.00). Ultra-soft and smooth, this pressed powder features a unique and innovative blend of sheer powder and micro pearls for smooth and even application that will leave skin with a sheer natural-looking glow. In addition, Bobbi introduces her All Over Bronzing Gel SPF 15 in Golden Sun ($28.00). This gel-based bronzer instantly gives the face a healthy, natural-looking glow with the added benefit of sun protection! Get the Illuminating Light Collection here.

And don't forget to enter in our extravagant Bobbi Brown beauty trunk giveaway with $1,000 worth of products!

Warm weather can only mean one thing -- amping-up how often I go to Shobha for a bikini sugaring -- ouch (though a lot less ouch than with waxing!). That said getting waxed or sugared takes up-keep. In addition to applying hydrocortisone cream after getting it done, you have to cleanse the bikini area. Shobha actually has a great Aftercare Kit ($38), that includes hydrocortisone cream, an exfoliating cloth, and freshening cloths. Sweetspot also makes some great wipes ($12). The Shobha exfoliating cloth is way better than a regular loafah because it's very flexible, machine-washable, it's made from all-natural plant fibers, and it can be folded-up very small for travel. Also an Ingrown Relief Lotion ($22) is a must -- there's no point to hair removal if you're going to end-up with bumps and ingrowns! For pre-prep, talc-free power ($7) adds freshness while absorbing excess moisture (can be used for bikini area and underarms). If you go to Shobha you'll notice that whoever is sugaring or waxing you will apply some of their powder before beginning the wax/sugar as well as after. Check-out the website for the full run-down so as to make the hair removal process as pain-less as possible!

Leave it to me to get sunburned when it's not even hot out! I was walking around Madrid -- in a cropped jacket, wearing SPF 15 (plus makeup with SPF), in about 70 degree weather and yet I somehow managed to get totally sunburned!! The thing that's the worst about sunburns is that when I try to cover them not only do I end-up usually looking orange (as I did when I tried applying both my Chanel and LORAC bronzers), but it hurts so much when I take-off my makeup! That said, I have a few friends in Spain that I rarely get to see and I wasn't about to look like a tomato when I went out with them. So, I headed straight for Sephora and El Corte Ingles to load-up on some options. I end-up getting some stuff from Givenchy. I had heard that their summer collection was great, so I picked-up  Givenchy Glow To Wear Sun Satin ($37) and Givenchy Prismissime Mat & Glow - Sun Caramel 73 Sun Caramel ($53). Both are limited edition items for Summer 2009.  The chalkboard of colors that is Prismissime turned-out to be perfect for my sunburns. Since my face was a patch of different shades I could apply what I needed, where I needed. There are both matte as well as pearly shades (I'm a fan of some shine, but red draws enough attention as is, so I stuck with matte). As for Glow to Wear, I mixed it with SPF 45 body sunscreen and it gave my skin a beautiful tint -- not too dark, not too much shimmer -- it was just right. I also felt a firming effect when I applied it on my legs. Check-out more from Givenchy here!

I can't think of anything better to give to Mom than Jo Malone!  They offer personalized gift assistance at the counter from a Jo Malone specialist and then will wrap it for you in signature Jo Malone packaging. For example, if your mum adores fruity and citrus scents and loves bath products, you can choose Verbenas of Provence Bath Oil, so she can relax in a pampering bath, and Nectarine Blossom & Honey Body Crème, so she can delicately moisturize her skin afterwards. The result is a fresh, youthful fragrance combination and a personalized, bespoke gift. Jo Malone also offers pre-packaged gift sets such as the Cologne Collection, which includes six popular travel-sized Jo Malone Colognes. The scents may be used alone or combined to create a signature scent. The Collection includes Amber & Lavender, Grapefruit, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Pomegranate Noir, Red Roses and Orange Blossom.  Order yours at the Jo Malone counter or go to JoMalone.com and have it delivered directly to mom!

I'll admit it, when I first heard of Josie Maran's line of products I did not plan to try or buy anything (I know, such the beauty snob huh?!?).  But then I got a sample of the Argan Oil and have decided re-form my opinion on models turned beauty entrepreneurs.  This legendary, lightweight oil, grown organically in Morocco, is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids but does not feel sticky as a lot of E oils do.  I used it this morning as a moisturizer (absorbs amazingly fast) and then used it all over my body from head to toe (including my cuticles) and split ends. For a mom who does not have a lot of time in the morning, this is almost a miracle product.  My skin has had a subtle glow all day but I don't feel greasy. 

Best part is it's 100% organic!  Housed in a recyclable glass bottle with an easy to use applicator, I even used it on my son's rash and the redness went away almost immediatley.  The only drawback is the scent, it stinks.  But god is it good.  Just make sure you spritz on some perfume afterwards.  $48 at Josiemaran.com

I am having severe anxiety as I write this. My four year old son is having surgery this week and I have not been able to sleep! It's a very minor procedure but still, any procedure to a mother is MAJOR! I've been trying to find ways to relax and have discovered a perfect at home "therapy".  Put a few drops of "Drops of Nature" in a sinkful of hot water, soak a hand towel in it, squeeze excess water out and wrap around your neck and shoulders.  Instant relaxation for tense shoulders and neck!!!  I love the scent of "Renew", a blend of wonderful oils including peppermint, bergamot, sweet orange, lavender and almond oil.   It also makes a perfect bath oil!  The elixir is meant to be carried in your bag so if you're in a stinking cab or stressed out at the office; you can pull it out and apply on pulse points.  It's also that time of the month for me and I've been rubbing this on my lower abdomen, does not take the cramps away but does make me more relaxed.  $25 at Drops of Nature.

No this line is not from goofy actor Jack Black! It's actually about as far as you can get from him! The Jack Black skincare line is a leader in men's grooming and now in the interest of going green they've introduced PureScience Technology - a new formulation technology created with natural, organic ingredients. All the formulas contain certified organic ingredients, are fragrance, paraben and colorant-free, are animal friendly, and have been dermatologist tested. Personally I've never been a huge fan of Kiehl's (with the exception of their creme deodorant), but for men there's not that much of an offering when it comes to skincare (some of the big Sephoras in NYC don't even have a section for men!). I think Jack Black is a great alternative to Kiehl's (the packaging is even a little similar, no?). Though this line is aimed at men, it's completely uni-sex I've been using the Body Rehab Scrub & Muscle Soak ($35) as an exfoliator after getting my legs waxed and it feels great on the skin. It's perfect for removing flaky, dry skin and it's infused with eucalyptus and rosemary so it has a very refreshing scent (not too strong though as many products infused with herbs often tend to be!).