Both Empowering and Refreshing.

Are you as hot as I am? I know I am not the only one looking for different ways to feel cool and refreshed.

Philosophy has some empowering products that will leave us both cool and refreshed. All you have to do is jump in the shower and use these:

Empowermint Body Mask ($25), Hot Salt Scrub ($25), and Body Butter ($25) will not only make you feel refreshed, it will instantly cool your skin, leaving it almost tingly. And I don't even think I need to mention how hydrating Philosophy's products are, so you know how soft and smooth your skin will feel after using them.

Check these empowering products at Philosophy.com, Nordstrom, QVC, or Sephora.

Ahh...refreshing! 

Self-Tanning Tips!

Self-Tanning season is here. You do avoid the sun at all costs, or cover up, or slather on that SPF, now don't you? And when you are looking to get that golden bronze glow, you self-tan...right? We all know the Kardashian Sisters love a self-tan and look gorgeous with their glow.

I received some great self-tanning tips from New York City's SAVA Spas' owner Joanna Czech. This celebrated esthetician offers her self tanning Do's and Don'ts to achieve the perfect tan - the safe way!

DO
- Exfoliate Entire Body First concentrating on ankles, toes, fingers, elbows & knees
      Czech recommends: Nuxe Foaming Scrub
- Dry off completely
- Apply a small amount of product to avoid streaking. (Better to reapply than to over apply)
     Czech recommends: Lancome Flash Bronzer for the Body and Babor Self Tanning Lotion for the Body
- After applying to the sensitive areas (ankles, toes, fingers etc…), lightly brush over with a towel to remove excess product.
 - For the face, use a self tanner that is made for the face (Face products tend to have a lighter texture than ones for the body)
     Czech recommends: Babor Self Tanning Cream for the Face
- Wear loose, dark clothing afterwards

***Incase you mess up, have a tint remover for hair accessible (you can purchase in a beauty
supply store), they work well for quick removal
***If tanning for a certain event (ie. wedding, vacation, etc.), plan your tanning schedule
backwards from that date to be sure your sun-kissed look will be perfected in time!

DON’T
- Don’t wait for the day before a big event to try self tanning. Each person reacts differently and turns a different color
- Avoid exfoliating with scrubs that contain essential oils as they may leave a film on skin.
- Don’t mix lotion with your self-tanner
- Don’t forget your ears
- Don’t exfoliate for 1 week after applying
- Don’t workout the day of application
- Don’t shower 6-8 hours after applying 

SAVA Spa regularly treats celebrities like Kyra Sedgwick, Uma Thurman, Sting, and more. SAVA Spa is located at 211 Pinehurst Ave.  New York, New York. If you are in the city or visiting soon and want to make a Spa visit part of your trip, call 212-543-0008 to book one of the fabulous treatments they offer.

A Visit to Maryam's Soap Nook.

I have read the rave reviews of Maryam's Soap Nook's products, and am thrilled to have finally gotten to give some a try myself.

All of Maryam's products are all natural, and hand made with love in each batch.

I am such a sucker for handmade, hand cut soaps. And I am in love with this Dutch Apple Pie Handmade Soap. This soap is enriched with palm oil, olive oil, coconut oil, goats milk, shea butter, monoi de Tahiti oil, and Vitamin E. How enriching is that? It smells amazing with the aroma of fresh from the tree granny smith apples, smoothered in butter, cream, sugar, and cinnamon, with a background of fresh baked crust. Yum - is the best way to describe this. Each bar is $5.00.

Mayam also offers some glorious whipped shea butters. Hers are entitled Whipped Shea Monoi Body Butter. There is nothing like a whipped shea butter on rough knees, elbows, and feet, and to soothe sun scorched skin. And this shea butter is so ultra rich. Some of the scetns, scented only with essential oils, of course, include Sweet Lavender Herbal, Jasmine and Neroli, Chocolate Lovers, Fresh Cut Flowers, Pomegrante and Wild Berries, just to name a few. This Whipped Shea Monoi Body Butters sell for $15 for an 8 ounce jar or $25 for the 16 ounce jar.

I hear that Maryam'a Shea Butter and Dead Sea Salt Glow Scrub are her star product, and I can't wait to try that. It sounds like a perfect mix of ingredients to exfoliate and moisturize skin.

Be sure to visit Maryam's Soap Nook to see her handmade goodness for yourself.