Tried and Tested
Product Picks
No one wants to venture blindly into
the product maze that is today's cosmetic counter. Not to worry, dolls…
we’ve come to the rescue. From cleansers to lip colors, we've tried it,
we've tested it, and now we're tellin'. Here’s a roundup of the latest and
greatest products that actually deliver on their beauty promises.
Revitalize
Exfoliating Gel Cleanser

Designed
to Revitalize, Renew, Rejuvenate and Restore, R Bath and Body offers up four separate
formulas of their products to cater your skin’s every need. We love the
Revitalize group, sure to wake up tired skin. Chock full of vitamin C, peppermint
extract and lavender extract along with the soothing scrub of jojoba beads, R
Bath and Body’s gentle, but efficient Exfoliating Gel Cleanser
is a perfect way to start or end your day. And, if your summer skin looking more
solemn than sunny, add some extra moisture and life with any of R Skin Care’s
Shea Butter Body Treatments. These products are available for $8
and $10, respectively at rbathandbody.com.
ideeli.com – Shopping Community
If
you’ve ever lusted after a $2,500 bag or have found the perfect piece of
out-of-your-price range jewelry, ideeli.com
might just be the antidote to your fashion impotence. This by-invitation-only
site and its email alerts feature the sale of top-of-the-line, exclusive brand
clothes and accessories for a fraction of the cost that you’d pay in stores
(that is, if you can even FIND it in-store). Shop away with their free standard
membership and, if when you upgrade to a “First Row” membership with
Ideeli, get to-the-minute notifications about upcoming sales and have the chance
to win freebies of the products you love. So, if you are looking to expand your
collection of handbags while still having some dough to keep inside, log on to
ideeli.com
and request an invitation.
Min
New York’s Solution2 Rollerball
Mid-summer and
bikini-clad, bronzing beauties have more to worry about than just coordinating
their itsy-bitsy bikini with a complementary tote. ‘Tis the season for meticulous
grooming and battling against post-waxing and shaving ingrown hairs and irritation.
Luckily, we’ve uncovered a little secret in Min New York’s Solution2
Rollerball. This easily applied, clear ointment contains liquid aspirin and organic
spearmint to reduce post hair-removal irritation and seal the pores. Plus, the
convenient packaging and application system is just as easily applied on the beach
as at home. This summer-saver is available for $20 at minnewyork.com.
Kissable
Couture’s Dream Gloss
A delicate mix of subtle
color and a hint of shine, Kissable Couture delivers a gloss like no other. This
gloss goes on smoothly and the formula is just thick enough to cover, but thin
enough not to go sticky post-application. We love the Dream color, which blends
light brown with pale pink, creating a dimensional hint of color and a striking
glossy finish. This gloss Kissable Couture’s many other shades, are available
for $22 each at kissablecouture.com.
Blistex’s
Silk & Shine Lip Balm
Blistex is doing us all
a favor this summer by making sure we keep our lips protected with Silk &
Shine lip balm. Packed with vitamins A, B5 & E this PABA-free balm also
provides SPF 15 protection, so it’s perfect for those long summer outdoor
adventures. With its satisfying subtle glide, this sheer “pearly”
gloss goes on smoothly to keep lips looking healthy and polished. It’s made
with real silk extracts leaving lips moisturized, smooth and conditioned. Beach
bunnies around the world thank Blistex for packing this practical little balm
with protection and a hint of silkiness. Pick this tiny gem up for $3 at Walgreen’s
nationwide or at Walgreens.com.
Weil
by Nature's Path Pure Fruit & Nut Bars
From trips
to the beach to long workdays, sometimes there is just enough time to grab a quick
snack in lieu of a full lunch. But, conscious of what’s truly good for our
bodies as well as what tastes good, we’re always on the lookout for great
snacks that travel well, no matter the conditions. The organic Nature’s
Path has collaborated with Dr. Weil bringing forth Weil Pure Fruit
& Nut Bars—vegan, USDA organic and wheat free snacks that are portable
and satisfying. The Chia Razz bar (our personal favorite) is packed with
raspberries, apples, cashews, dates, raisins, & chia seeds. The Chia
seed, which boosts energy and strength, is said to aid in weight loss, improve
intestinal regularity and regulate blood sugar. If Razz isn’t your
flavor of choice, choose from Banana Manna, Goji Moji, Chocolada Walnut or Pistachi-Oh!
These bars are available at health food stores nationwide and for $2 per bar at
worldpantry.com.
Schick
Quattro for women
Four blades seem excessive, even
dangerous, for a razor. Until, of course, you try the Schick Quattro for women
and get a clue into what our leading men have known for years: more blades equals
a closer shave. Any lady desperately seeking a smooth shave for summer will be
delighted at the extreme closeness of the Schick Quattro for women. Blades aside,
this razor packs in two conditioning strips, a pivoting head and a sturdy metal
handle to make shaving a smooth experience. Leaving nothing but smooth, stubble-free
skin behind, once you go four blades, you won’t go back. This razor is available
for only $9 at drugstore.com.
Pure
Organics’ Lemongrass and Tea Tree Facial Cream
It’s
a universal truth that the right amount of moisture is instrumental in maintaining
healthy-looking skin. Pure All Organic uses all natural products to make the most
of moisture with their Lemongrass and Tea Tree Facial Cream. Using essential oils
of organic apricot, avocado and coconut combined with beeswax and, of course,
lemongrass and tea tree, this cream comes together to provide weightless and long-lasing
moisture. Pure Organics’ Lemongrass and Tea Tree Facial Cream is available
for $14 at pureallorganics.com.
Natural
Spa’s by Earth Friendly Products’ Pomegranate Body Soufflé
Utilizing
pure, plant-distilled ingredients Natural Spa’s Pomegranate Body Soufflé
lends a stunning fresh scent to a whipped moisturizer that is light, easily absorbed
and without any trace of stickiness. So whether it takes up permanent residence
in you medicine cabinet or comes along with you in your purse of beach bag, this
whipped body cream is perfect for staying fresh and moisturized during the stifling
summer months. This Body Soufflé is available for $26 at ecos.com.
e.l.f.
Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder
Not only does this bronzer
lend the perfect, sun-kissed bronze to highlight cheekbones but, as a sweet bonus,
this generous sampling of bronze is only $1 on eyeslipsface.com, along with each
of e.l.f’s products. This impressive pressed powder loosens up with the
help of the e.l.f Blushing, Bronzing and Blending Brush, contributing to the perfect
summer glow. So, even if you’ve been stuck in the office and not able to
bask in the sun’s rays, you’ll look like you’ve relaxed on the
beach all day.
Zia Natural Skincare:
Fresh Cleansing Gel And Bamboo Exfoliant
Chock
full of natural ingredients and soothing botanicals, Zia Natural Skincare’s
Skin Basics collection puts its ingredients to work for all skin types. From parched
to overly oil producing, no matter the state of your skin Zia’s Fresh
Cleansing Gel and Bamboo Exfoliant ensure a clean and nourish routine
that rivals the top of the line. What’s more, these generously sized, top-shelf
products come without top-shelf prices; $12-25 on zianatural.com.
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Got a spa, salon,
product or service we should know about? Email our editors at editorial@prettycity.com.