Beauty Blvd.

How do you care for your SweetSpot?

"Do you brush your teeth with shampoo? Wash your hair with toothpaste? Of course not. But you use WHAT? On your WHERE? Why would any woman cleanse any part of her body with products not designed for that specific use." I had to giggle when I read that line in the Sweet Spot product information, I had never really thought about it like that. I just assumed soap was basically it, I mean I've seen a ton of intimate grooming products before but they just didn't look right. By right I mean they looked too old fashioned (douche?) or just weird (okay douche again) or too heavily flowery scented, it's a vagina not a field of flowers and mostly all those other products do is make it smell like a vagina with flowers on top.



Luckily, I've never had an UTI though I know plenty about them, I understand the causes, appreciate the science behind pH balance and try to stay away from products that would disrupt that. (side note: I am a nurse otherwise I probably wouldn't even care about pH balance and the likes) That is why Sweet Spot Labs products intrigued me, I saw them at Rickys NYC - looked them over - and saw that they were pH balanced and seemingly gentle enough, plus the packaging and branding has a refreshing vibe to them, SweetSpot Labs sums it up perfectly their products are "the re-birth of feminine hygiene in its modern form." My favorite products from the line are the Spot Fresh (unscented) which is a gentle soap for use down there and the SweetSpot Labs On-The-Go Wipettes that are perfect for use after the gym. I might not replace the wash once it's gone, because like I said I've had no problems from using regular body soap but the On-The-Go Wipettes are definitely a keeper for me. These products are available at Drugstore.com and Ricky's NYC

I'm such a fan of palettes, especially refillable palettes that come in great everyday plus evening colors. Colorscope Refillable Palette for Eyes and CheeksWarm by Prescriptives is a great set that houses on of my newest favorite eye colors Sable which is a bronzed plum with golden shimmer in it. Plus the colorscope refillable palette is only available for a limited time and it's already on sale for just $39.50

First off let me say, that I decided not to post pictures of my "start" body in fact I decided not to even take any to mark the start of this series. My main focus is not looks, instead it's health. Point blank bottom line: I need to be more healthy and being active and eating right is the way to go. With that being said, I am not on a diet. I'll never ever go on a diet, in fact I hate that when people say I'm going on a diet or I'm on a diet those phrases invoke images of denying yourself of the things you want to eat. I'm not saying McDonalds every day is the way to go, but denying yourself certain treats and snacks isn't either. Instead the keys to success are moderation and eating healthier.

I've traded in my Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque for Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face & Body and I don't know how I ever lived without it! Borghese mud's are cream of the crop as far as face and body muds are concerned, and the price tag will let you know it for sure at $61.00 for 17.6oz. But seriously it is worth every single penny! I started out using it on my entire body (excluding my face) and it made my skin feel so soft and so pampered that I had to try it on my face.... I'm amazed at the result. My skin felt clean, soft, and my pores looked a lot smaller. I plan on being like my fairy blog mother, Julia from All About Pretty and using it once a week as an at home spa treatment. Her skin is like butter and if you want to read all about her skin care regimen head over to another one of the best beauty blogs, Makeup Bag. Beauty.com is currently running a special that will allow you to sample all the best Borghese products (a $183 value) for only $31.50!

Essentially Borghese Holiday Gift Set Includes:
Fango: Active Mud for Face and Body (6 oz / 170 ml) - Cleansing Mud Mask for Face and Body. Gives devitalized, over-tense skin a new surge of vitality with clear, youthful radiance. Moisturizes and relaxes tired lines. Helps firm and elasticize body skin. Leaving skin in a receptive state for further Borghese treatment.
Tono Body Creme (6 oz / 170 ml) - Body Moisturizer. Take control of your body with this extra-rich moisture treatment. Enriched with CuraForte™ Moisture Intensifier to keep skin soft and sleeker-looking over time.
Bagno Gel: Gentle Foaming Gel for Bath and Shower (8.4 fl oz / 250 ml) - The complete purifying gel. Gently frees deep-down impurities, while moisturizing skin. Helps create a more even textured, sleeker appearance. Natural botanicals of thyme, comfrey, chamomile and cornflower help soften and condition the skin.
Curaforte: Moisture Intensifier (1 fl oz / 30 ml) - The moisture booster essential for healthier looking skin. Worn beneath your moisturizer, it gently lifts away dull, compacted surface cells, allowing more of your moisturizer to penetrate. Actually increases skin's capacity to hold moisture by 200%. In a matter of days, fine dry lines are minimized...skin looks radiant, more alive.
Cura Da Vita Protettivo SPF 15 (1 fl oz / 30 ml) - Daily protective moisturizer for normal-to-dry skin. Specially formulated to provide maximum moisturization and continuous protection against dehydration. With the exclusive Filtrex™ sunscreen system, this lightweight lotion moisturizes and protects your skin from premature aging caused by environmental hazards, such as UV light and pollution.
Splendide Mani: Smoothing Hand Creme SPF 8 (2.5 oz / 71 ml) - Helps even sun-exposed, chapped and wind-burned hands feel incredibly soft and look smoother. Forms a water-resistant shield. Enriched with moisture-attracting Liquid Crystal Molecules that re-awaken a youthful-looking texture and suppleness. Contains the Acqua di Vita "Living Water" Complex®. With regular use, it diminishes the visible signs of aging on surface skin.
Botanico Eye Compresses (30 Pads) - Spa luxury...serious skin treatment. Infused with a blend of soothing botanicals and our Acqua di Vita "Living Water" Complex®. Cool and refreshing, these compresses help combat puffiness, dry stress lines and dehydration in the fragile eye area. Alcohol and fragrance-free. Suitable for contact lens wears and sensitive eyes.
Sponge

It's 2009! Yay... we've all made it to see another year so let's make it a beautiful one. It wouldn't be a brand spankin' new year without some kind of New Year's Resolution, right? I have some resolutions (I prefer the term goals) that are strictly beauty.

1. wear spf every single day no matter the weather is looking like
2. wear eye cream every day
3. wear at least mascara and lipgloss if I'm leaving the house (supermarket counts)
4. start a work out plan
5. keep nails and hands looking beautiful even though I wash them about 1000 times a day (I'm a nurse)

The only resolution that might be a little tricky is number 4, but without a healthy beautiful body what's the point in make-up and nice clothes right? More on that another time. Enjoy the first day of this New Year!

I told you all about my skin issues, and now I have added another product to the arsenal - Benefit's Boo Boo Zap. Again, I was at the Benefit counter (I really need to stay away!) and I picked this up and the sales girl came over like "OMG I love that stuff, it really works and FAST!" The product junkie in me said I'll take it and handed over my credit card, before the logical side of me could think it over.

Seriously, what is it about cosmetics and products?!? Anyway, I couldn't wait until I got home, I opened up the box, pulled out the slim bottle, popped open the top, and ... disappointment! I was hoping to see a roller ball, applicator tip, or something. There was nothing, just a flat opening with four tiny holes. It didn't stop me I put some on my finger then dabbed it on a pimple, but the liquid continued to run down my face. The packaging of this product, makes it very annoying to use, but I continued using it and after 2-3 days I saw a difference - the pimple was dried up. Not completely gone, but very much smaller than it had been. So the product works, but it's a bit messy to use. But there is an alternative that I haven't tried yet (the logical is telling me to use this one up first) The Ka Pow! nighttime blemish gel and it's clear so you can use it using the day.