Beauty, Circumspect Sunday, Weekly Bling

Circumspect Sunday: Easy Like Sunday Morning

October 4, 2009 / No Comments

As girlie girl as I am, I have days where I really, really hate to get dressed, take a shower or even comb my hair. Not a pretty picture I assure you. But there is something beautiful about just hanging out at home in my “natural” state, coffee cup and newspaper in hand. You know, an easy Sunday morning. So that was my day today. I didn’t even do my work, my homework or cook. Just hung out in my t-shirt, with my remote and watched my team get beat down (football). And I sort of felt justified because I’m kind of sick and I thought a non-stressful day would make me feel better.

But just the opposite happened. I feel even more stressed because I didn’t do anything, and my hair looks like Ben Wallace’s and I have a pretty hectic day tomorrow and I need to look presentable. And here I am doing my blog at nearly midnight because I made a promise that I would do it everyday. So where it the beauty? I think the beauty is that I exercised my option to relax. Something that single mothers like me rarely do. And taking that time for yourself, that’s a beautiful thing.

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Look Better Naked: Top 5 Exfoliating Body Lotions

Who among us doesn’t want to retain the beautiful, youthful and radiant skin we were born in? I’m sure we all do; or at least I do! That is the reason why skin care products are gaining more recognition each day. You can’t turn the channel or flip through a magazine without seeing some new product related to promoting skin health. And then of course there are the models with glowing skin. Kind of like Chanel Iman on the left… With that said, as aging adults (and those of us who never plan on aging, but simply want to keep our bodies beautiful) it is crucial that we include exfoliation in our daily, or at minimum, weekly skin care routine. Body exfoliation is the process that removes dead skin cells and protects the skin from harmful effects of fungi and dirt. As a result, it helps the new, glowing skin to resurface. When we think of exfoliating we often tend to think only about our face.However, it is just as important to give the same attention to the rest of our body as we do to our face, neck and décolleté. Remember- our skin is the largest organ we have! As our age increases, the body's natural ability to shed dead skin cells decreases gradually, making skin pale and dull. To regain the soft, glowing, youthful skin we need to exfoliate on a regular basis. Here are my Top 5 Exfoliating Body Lotions: 1. Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Lotion $9.49 This exfoliating body lotion promotes skin renewal and repair, helping smooth fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet and forehead creases. A 10% glycolic AHA gently exfoliates dead skin, bringing, younger, smoother skin to the surface. Increases skin moisture while leaving skin looking supple and refined. 2. Burt's Bees Cocoa & Cupuacu Butters Body Lotion $8.00 A blend of rich Cocoa and Cupuaçu Butters mingle with botanical moisturizers like Sunflower and Olive Oils. Burt’s Bees Cocoa and Cupuaçu Butter lotion is clinically proven to make your skin feel soft, smooth and super healthy for up to 24 hours. 3. Alba Botanica – Very Emollient Body Lotion Maximum Dry Skin w/AHA $12.00 A natural, maximum moisture body lotion packed with rich botanical emollients and humectants to relieve dry, itchy skin instantly and provide 24 hours of hydration. This exfoliating body lotion blends aloe vera, green tea and chamomile extracts plus antioxidants to nourish, soothe and soften dry skin on contact. Cellular renewal is supported with alpha hydroxy acids, so extremely rough, dry skin develops a fresh and healthy-looking appearance. 4. DERMAdoctor KP Duty $30 KP Duty incorporates medically proven technology including ingredients for hydrated and healthy skin. Medically potent levels of Glycolic Acid blends with Urea, the dermatologist-recommended humectant, to soften and smooth away the driest, roughest skin. 5. Kiss My Face Moisturizer Peaches & Creme w/ AHA $11.95 This quickly absorbing, 4% AHA moisturizer is recommended for daily use on the face or body to help unblock and cleanse pores, speed up the exfoliation process, allow new, healthy skin cells to emerge and reduce discoloration and age spots. Body Lotions & Creams by Burt's Bees
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Bad Beauty Habits: Terez Vows To Take Her Vitamins

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Winter weather can really put your skin under stress and if you’re in a cold part of the country like I am, it’s extremely important to keep your skin well moisturized. Lately, I’ve been into oils to help defend my skin against the harsh weather and was thrilled to try Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil that I’d been hearing rave reviews about. About Tarte Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil: What it is: A 100 percent pure organic maracuja oil. What it does: This undiluted organic and moisturizing maracuja oil quickly absorbs for firmer, brighter, smoother skin. Pure maracuja oil is rich in vitamin C, so skin appears instantly brighter and more radiant, as well as essential fatty acids (EFAs), a requirement for healthy skin cells that the body cannot produce on its own. EFA deficiency can result in the breakdown of essential skin cells which causes skin to appear dry and aged. By supplementing skin with pure maracuja oil, you are infusing life back into dull skin and replenishing EFAs to rapidly rebuild and repair. This potent antiaging elixir that has anti-inflammatory benefits promotes active skin recovery and delivers maximum hydration without any greasy or filmy feel. My Results: Since first using Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil I knew that my skin loved everything about the oil. Never leaving a greasy feeling, the oil has visibly improved my skin, leaving it more luminous and hydrated. After thoroughly cleansing the skin I apply the oil nightly before bed and in the morning my face looks and feels amazing. I’ve benefited so much from the Maracuja Oil that I will probably start using the oil throughout the year. Bling Factor: Pro: Non-greasy, Paraben free, Mineral Oil Free Con: N/A Price: $48 Buy Again: Yes Packaging: 5 Blings The oil arrives in a really cute case and beautiful purple and gold glass bottle. Overall: 5 Blings
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