September 28, 2011

Don't be a Flake....Exfoliate!



Fall is here and the winter-like weather is quickly approaching!  And being the summer baby that I am,  I'm quite sad about this....but I digress.  Let's get back to the topic at hand -- Dry Skin!  Although dry skin can happen any time of the year, it is most common during the winter months.  Blasting heaters and next to freezing temps can really deplete the moisture from your skin and there is nothing worse than dry, flaky & ashy skin.  With this being said, the following are very important:  Stay moisturized, Drink lots of water, and don't forget to EXFOLIATE! 

In an effort to keep my skin looking and feeling healthy, I have gone through soooo many different products.  Although I am still on the search for a lotion or body cream that I can't live without (any recommendations??), I have found a scrub that I absolutely LOVE....Escential Sugar Scrub by Thibiant Beverly Hills!! 



While visiting a good friend of mine in Los Angeles, I happened across this product in her shower on the last day of my visit.  Yes, I am THAT friend who stays at your house and "tests" your products...so, if you leave anything in the shower or on the counters I am more than likely going to try it.  lol  And I am so thankful that I did! 

Escential Sugar Scrub is AMAZING!  The combination of Manoi Oil with sugar and these natural oils --Avocado, Coconut, Jojoba, Macadamia Nut, Safflower & Sweet Almond....this scrub will transform any shower into a tropical spa paradise and leave your skin feeling baby soft!  And unlike other scrubs that I have tried, it is gentle enough to use every day!

I, honestly, could not believe how soft & moisturized my skin felt after using Escential Sugar Scrub.  It is so emollient, that I probably could have skipped out on using lotion for the day!  Once I returned home from my SoCal visit, I called up my friend to ask her for the name of "that sugar scrub I used in your shower".  lol Once I had the name, it was a wrap.  I located Thibiant Beverly Hills online, placed my order and that's pretty much all she wrote!  :)  It retails for $28.50 (with free shipping) and can be purchased online, http://www.thibiantbeverlyhills.com/ or directly from the spa, if you're in the area!

I know that I have ranted & raved about this sugar scrub and obviously we all have different likes and dislikes.  While I prefer a sugar scrub, others may swear by a salt scrub....it's all a matter of choice and preference!  What's the difference, you might ask?  Although they essentially offer the same results, these scrubs differ in other aspects.  Here are a few of the differences:

Salt Scrubs
  • More coarse than sugar resulting in a rougher exfoliant.
  • Can efficiently remove dry patches, razor bumps & ingrown hairs while leaving your skin soft and smooth.
  • Has detoxifying properties that draw impurities out when applied directly to skin.
  • Not recommended for sensitive skin.
  • Can sting if you use before and/ or after shaving....OUCH!

Sugar Scrubs
  • Softer and more gentle than a salt scrub, making it more suitable for sensitive skin.
  • The sugar in the scrub acts as a gentle glycolic acid that helps to break down dead skin cells at the molecular level.
  • Sugar scrubs do not have the mineralization benefits of a salt scrub.
  • Use a sugar scrub before shaving for an ultra close shave & after shaving to prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
  • Not suited to those with excessively rough skin, as it is gentle and will not help in removing the dead skin.

Take the time to experiment and come up with the exfoliation routine that is right for you.  By exfoliating regularly, you can achieve & maintain healthy, radiant and youthful looking skin....even in the dead of winter!

Other Scrubs You May Like:

XOXO

September 23, 2011

Bond No. 9 - The Ultimate Accessory!



About 5 years ago, some friends introduced me Bond No. 9 fragrances and i've been hooked ever since! I'm the type who likes to be able to, subtly, smell a perfume on me and most of all I want it to L-A-S-T!  There's nothing worse than a perfume or cologne that evaporates from your skin in a matter of hours....what's the point?!?  I want a fragrance that turns heads and Bond No. 9 never disappoints!

With over 40 fragrances to choose from, each named after a different neighborhood in NYC, you are sure to find a scent that you absolutely & positively adore!  Not to mention, their bottles are TO DIE FOR!  Seriously, you will not want to throw your empty bottles away.  lol  But wait there's more....many of the fragrances are uni-sex.  And if I might add, they layer well with one another....creating a unique blend & scent that is all your own!

My first purchase was Astor Place which still holds a special place in my heart but my hands down favorite is ** drum roll please **......

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE FOR HER!!


An exotic blend of jasmine, tuberose, gardenia, vetiver, vanilla.....they should have called this one "Sexy in a Bottle" because that's exactly how I feel after a few spritz of this perfume! ;)  Other notables are Scent of Peace, New Haarlem, Bryant Park, High Line & Nuit De Noho, just to name a few.  And for the fellas, I recommend trying  Bond No. 9 Signature, Brooklyn, Wall Street & Harrod's for Him... YUM!!

The newest baby in the collection (which I have yet to smell but I can't wait to get my hands on) is:

I LOVE NY!



Blue Bottle for Him, Pink bottle for Her, & the Black bottle for All!!  These fragrances arrived on counters Sept. 18th and are currently available at Bond No. 9 boutiques, specialty stores & online, http://www.bondno9.com/.  Many will scoof at the retail price ( I know, because I was one of them) and excuse me while I go into "cliche" mode......you get what you pay for!

If you are a Bond No. 9 "newbie", stop at your local Saks Fifth Avenue and/or select Nordrom's to check out Bond's collection of fragrances.  I can almost guarantee that you will not be disappointed!  And to my Bond No. 9 "enthusiasts", please share your thoughts, favorites, and blends....would love to know!

And remember, fragrance completes an outfit while accentuating your individual style! ;)

XOXO

September 21, 2011

Not to Prime is a Crime!

Next to airbrushing....Facial Primers are the key to a smooth canvas!  A good primer will minimize your pores and fine lines while allowing your foundation and/ or powder to go on giving you a flawless complexion! ;) 

On my way out of town, I ran into Sephora for some last minute shopping and ran across One Prime Day by Benefit Cosmetics.  It's a mini-set of three primers that every girl should have in their make-up bags! 



All three are great but my absolute FAV was That Gal!  A little of this and some powder and I was ready to go! I have only been using this product for a little over a week and have gotten TONS of compliments about how great my skin looks.  And the good thing about the One Prime Day kit is that you can't beat the price....$10 ($28 value)! I'm sure after testing this kit out, you will run out and buy the full size which retails for $29.  ;)


Primer Honorable Mentions:

~ Photo Finish by SmashBox Cosmetics has a very velvety finish and comes in 11 different formulas to match your skin and target problem areas!



~ Veil Mineral Primer by Hourglass Cosmetics goes on satiny smooth and is formulated with SPF 15 for an added bonus!





Ladies, you can't go wrong with either of these 3 primers!

XOXO

Welcome!

Hi there and welcome to Beauty MaRx The Spot! I would like to first start off by saying "Thank You" for taking the time to visit my blog.  :)  The purpose of this blog is to share beauty secrets  & I completely welcome any and all feedback relating to beauty products that you feel work or ummmm, not so much!  lol  I do not consider myself to be an expert but I am constantly being asked about the products that I use....so why not share my "secrets"!   I will try and keep my blog as up to date as possible with features of my "Favorite Things".

So sit back, read, interact and most of all, E-N-J-O-Y!

XOXO