Tea Time

A few weeks back, I attended the TotalBeauty.com launch event at Space NK in SoHo, NYC. My trip up from Philadelphia was, let’s put it this way, an adventure. So upon crossing the threshold into the store, I quickly downed two glasses of champagne and perused the inventory with my fellow beauty bloggers – shout out to Marina, Elke, Julia, and Antonia for putting me at ease and making me feel so welcome!

I was introduced to many new brands and products that night, but the one that I immediately regretted not buying was the Thai Tea Body Wash from Philip B. Seriously, I was on Amtrak riding back to Philly thinking, “Why didn’t I get that body wash? It smelled sooo yummy.” After a week of hemming and hawing, I broke down and decided I had to have it; and it’s been a fixture in my shower caddy ever since.

Inspired by Philip B.’s journey through Asia, Thai Tea Body Wash is enriched with 20% pure botanical plant extracts indigenous to Thailand. Ingredients include Thai Tea (rich in antioxidants), honey (moisturizes), coconut oil (softens skin), milk proteins (gently exfoliates), peppermint (stimulates circulation), lemon grass (normalizes oil production), ginger root (soothes skin), and citronella (deodorizes and balances oil production).

The smell is sweet, yet invigorating (it reminds me of the spa) and is the perfect AM pick-me-up I need before starting my day. It foams well, and tingles a little on the skin - thanks to the peppermint oil.

At $40 (you can get it at Amazon.com for $35) it’s pricey; when I first saw the cost of the Thai Tea Body Wash, my eyes were as big as saucers…don’t ya just love my puns? But a little goes a long way, so don't use a cup when a teaspoon will do (there I go again) and use a loofah to extend the life of the 12 oz. bottle.

Tea Time

A few weeks back, I attended the TotalBeauty.com launch event at Space NK in SoHo, NYC. My trip up from Philadelphia was, let’s put it this way, an adventure. So upon crossing the threshold into the store, I quickly downed two glasses of champagne and perused the inventory with my fellow beauty bloggers – shout out to Marina, Elke, Julia, and Antonia for putting me at ease and making me feel so welcome!

I was introduced to many new brands and products that night, but the one that I immediately regretted not buying was the Thai Tea Body Wash from Philip B. Seriously, I was on Amtrak riding back to Philly thinking, “Why didn’t I get that body wash? It smelled sooo yummy.” After a week of hemming and hawing, I broke down and decided I had to have it; and it’s been a fixture in my shower caddy ever since.

Inspired by Philip B.’s journey through Asia, Thai Tea Body Wash is enriched with 20% pure botanical plant extracts indigenous to Thailand. Ingredients include Thai Tea (rich in antioxidants), honey (moisturizes), coconut oil (softens skin), milk proteins (gently exfoliates), peppermint (stimulates circulation), lemon grass (normalizes oil production), ginger root (soothes skin), and citronella (deodorizes and balances oil production).

The smell is sweet, yet invigorating (it reminds me of the spa) and is the perfect AM pick-me-up I need before starting my day. It foams well, and tingles a little on the skin - thanks to the peppermint oil.

At $40 (you can get it at Amazon.com for $35) it’s pricey; when I first saw the cost of the Thai Tea Body Wash, my eyes were as big as saucers…don’t ya just love my puns? But a little goes a long way, so don't use a cup when a teaspoon will do (there I go again) and use a loofah to extend the life of the 12 oz. bottle.

The Commitment-Phobe Finds A Fragrance

I recently introduced my sister, Lauren, to Comptoir Sud Pacifique’s line of fragrances – and was surprised by how strongly she responded to their Vanille Citrus scent. You see, Lauren is an incredibly fickle perfume user who never buys full-sized bottles because she can’t commit to just one.

The warmth of Vanille Citrus is nicely balanced by the zest of candied lemon peel, Brazilian orange, and blackcurrant syrup. With this sexy, playful perfume, you’ll be sure to stand out in a crowd of too-serious winter scents.

My sister raved about the smell, which she described as something akin to “vanilla lemon bars.” “It makes you want to eat yourself,” Lauren joked. “Vanille Citrus is not really a perfume to wear during a night out, but makes a great everyday scent – or a nice alternative to your favorite fragrance.”

Sold at Sephora and Amazon.com.

The Commitment-Phobe Finds A Fragrance

I recently introduced my sister, Lauren, to Comptoir Sud Pacifique’s line of fragrances – and was surprised by how strongly she responded to their Vanille Citrus scent. You see, Lauren is an incredibly fickle perfume user who never buys full-sized bottles because she can’t commit to just one.

The warmth of Vanille Citrus is nicely balanced by the zest of candied lemon peel, Brazilian orange, and blackcurrant syrup. With this sexy, playful perfume, you’ll be sure to stand out in a crowd of too-serious winter scents.

My sister raved about the smell, which she described as something akin to “vanilla lemon bars.” “It makes you want to eat yourself,” Lauren joked. “Vanille Citrus is not really a perfume to wear during a night out, but makes a great everyday scent – or a nice alternative to your favorite fragrance.”

Sold at Sephora and Amazon.com.

This Peel Makes Its Mark By Fading Yours

Just now, my mom called asking me to recommend a facial peel for my sister, Lauren. There are many types of peels on the market, so I inquired about what kind of result Lauren was looking for. My mom explained that the Molton Brown Skinbalance Toning Lotion I had raved about was doing a great job of clearing up my sister’s blackheads – but the process was resulting in some hyper-pigmentation. It didn’t take me long to offer a suggestion...almost immediately, I remembered a product I purchased over a year ago – that yielded great results.

Used consistently (1-3 times per week), Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel visibly reduces the appearance of post-acne marks. What I like most about the treatment is that it contains Salicylic Acid to prevent new breakouts from forming and discourage future marks. The product does a wonderful job of exfoliating skin…after using the peel, my skin had a healthy glow and was smooth as a toddler’s tuchis.

My only criticism is the smell – it isn’t pleasant, but it’s tolerable…and you get used to it after a while. In Spoiled Pretty’s opinion, it’s a small price to pay for smoother, clearer skin.

Available at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, Walgreen’s, Eckerd, CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart and Kmart.

This Peel Makes Its Mark By Fading Yours

Just now, my mom called asking me to recommend a facial peel for my sister, Lauren. There are many types of peels on the market, so I inquired about what kind of result Lauren was looking for. My mom explained that the Molton Brown Skinbalance Toning Lotion I had raved about was doing a great job of clearing up my sister’s blackheads – but the process was resulting in some hyper-pigmentation. It didn’t take me long to offer a suggestion...almost immediately, I remembered a product I purchased over a year ago – that yielded great results.

Used consistently (1-3 times per week), Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel visibly reduces the appearance of post-acne marks. What I like most about the treatment is that it contains Salicylic Acid to prevent new breakouts from forming and discourage future marks. The product does a wonderful job of exfoliating skin…after using the peel, my skin had a healthy glow and was smooth as a toddler’s tuchis.

My only criticism is the smell – it isn’t pleasant, but it’s tolerable…and you get used to it after a while. In Spoiled Pretty’s opinion, it’s a small price to pay for smoother, clearer skin.

Available at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, Walgreen’s, Eckerd, CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart and Kmart.

Have You Found The One?

Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue perfume has been a favorite among women since its debut in 2001. Its mixture of Sicilian Citron, Granny Smith Apple, White Rose, and Amber is nice, but I never understood the hype. So on a recent trip to Sephora, when a saleswoman asked me if I’d like to try Dolce & Gabbana’s new fragrance, The One…well, I almost took a pass. But, as a beauty blogger, I have an obligation to neutrally report beauty news. I’m glad that I took one for the team because The One is warm, sensual, and sweet – just like we always dreamed ‘the one’ would be.

“The top notes radiate a vibrant luminosity, with a sun-touched citrus, while warm fruity notes of luscious lychee and succulent peach add to the delight. The passionate heart evokes an exploding femininity, with an opulent floral soul, creating a distinct, audacious signature. An unexpected hint of plum glows as the base finally blooms with luscious allure into the lasting warmth of vanilla and sweetened ambery-musk notes.”

The One is available at Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Sephora.

Have You Found The One?

Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue perfume has been a favorite among women since its debut in 2001. Its mixture of Sicilian Citron, Granny Smith Apple, White Rose, and Amber is nice, but I never understood the hype. So on a recent trip to Sephora, when a saleswoman asked me if I’d like to try Dolce & Gabbana’s new fragrance, The One…well, I almost took a pass. But, as a beauty blogger, I have an obligation to neutrally report beauty news. I’m glad that I took one for the team because The One is warm, sensual, and sweet – just like we always dreamed ‘the one’ would be.

“The top notes radiate a vibrant luminosity, with a sun-touched citrus, while warm fruity notes of luscious lychee and succulent peach add to the delight. The passionate heart evokes an exploding femininity, with an opulent floral soul, creating a distinct, audacious signature. An unexpected hint of plum glows as the base finally blooms with luscious allure into the lasting warmth of vanilla and sweetened ambery-musk notes.”

The One is available at Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Sephora.

I Scream, You Scream

As a little girl, my favorite flavor and scent was vanilla. Not much has changed since then, as I still have a bit of a sweet tooth – and not just when it comes to food. That’s why I am so excited to try Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Blow Dry Cream.

It’s made with 100% Tahitian Vanilla Bean Oils and silk amino proteins to nourish and strengthen hair. Organix promises that the cream's "heat memory" lengthens the life of your style, while providing thermal protection from the heat of blow dryers, curling irons, and other hair styling tools. And Lucky Magazine says it smells like vanilla ice cream.

Why am I still writing about this and not out buying it?

Organix products are available at Target, Walmart, Walgreen’s, Amazon.com, and CVS.

I Scream, You Scream

As a little girl, my favorite flavor and scent was vanilla. Not much has changed since then, as I still have a bit of a sweet tooth – and not just when it comes to food. That’s why I am so excited to try Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Blow Dry Cream.

It’s made with 100% Tahitian Vanilla Bean Oils and silk amino proteins to nourish and strengthen hair. Organix promises that the cream's "heat memory" lengthens the life of your style, while providing thermal protection from the heat of blow dryers, curling irons, and other hair styling tools. And Lucky Magazine says it smells like vanilla ice cream.

Why am I still writing about this and not out buying it?

Organix products are available at Target, Walmart, Walgreen’s, Amazon.com, and CVS.

Hell Has Officially Frozen Over

On Friday night, after returning home from a night out with friends, my husband took a long, hard look at me and asked, “Honey, when’s the last time you exfoliated?”

I was aghast at the question, considering this was a man who, just a few years earlier, had been cleansing his face with the same bar of Irish Spring he used to wash his body. He has since graduated to less archaic methods of skincare, but since when was he an expert in the art of exfoliation?

After taking a long, hard look at my dull complexion in the mirror, I reluctantly agreed that my husband might be on to something – so I asked what he recommended. He handed me his Energizing Face Scrub by Nivea For Men, and told me to give it a try.

As you all know, I’m not above using men’s products – so I applied some to my freshly-washed face and worked the product in in circles. The fine scrub particles are not for the faint of heart – so if your skin is on the sensitive side, you may find this to be a bit too abrasive. Otherwise, it’s great at unclogging pores and getting rid of excess impurity build up.

My husband’s Energizing Face Scrub did just what it promised – it smoothed my complexion by lifting off rough, dead skin. The “fine scrub particles” were a little more aggressive than I’m used to - so I think I’ll stick to my Fresh Sugar Face Polish and steal, I mean borrow, his Nivea Face Scrub once a week. And if he ever gets stingy and I have to go buy my own, it’s only $6.

Available at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, CVS, Walgreen's, and Rite Aid.

Hell Has Officially Frozen Over

On Friday night, after returning home from a night out with friends, my husband took a long, hard look at me and asked, “Honey, when’s the last time you exfoliated?”

I was aghast at the question, considering this was a man who, just a few years earlier, had been cleansing his face with the same bar of Irish Spring he used to wash his body. He has since graduated to less archaic methods of skincare, but since when was he an expert in the art of exfoliation?

After taking a long, hard look at my dull complexion in the mirror, I reluctantly agreed that my husband might be on to something – so I asked what he recommended. He handed me his Energizing Face Scrub by Nivea For Men, and told me to give it a try.

As you all know, I’m not above using men’s products – so I applied some to my freshly-washed face and worked the product in in circles. The fine scrub particles are not for the faint of heart – so if your skin is on the sensitive side, you may find this to be a bit too abrasive. Otherwise, it’s great at unclogging pores and getting rid of excess impurity build up.

My husband’s Energizing Face Scrub did just what it promised – it smoothed my complexion by lifting off rough, dead skin. The “fine scrub particles” were a little more aggressive than I’m used to - so I think I’ll stick to my Fresh Sugar Face Polish and steal, I mean borrow, his Nivea Face Scrub once a week. And if he ever gets stingy and I have to go buy my own, it’s only $6.

Available at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, CVS, Walgreen's, and Rite Aid.

The Beautiful People, The Beautiful People

From Elle to Essence, In Style to In Touch – it seems like every editor, stylist, model, and actress has fallen under the spell of Ojon. Month after month, my favorite magazines extol the virtues of this company’s products, particularly their Restorative Hair Treatment – “a versatile hair rejuvenator that strengthens and restores dry, damaged hair.”

With a price tag of $55 for 5 ounces, I was a little cynical. But then I figured that if Ojon was good enough for Gisele Bundchen, Demi Moore, and Scarlett Johansson, I could at least give it a try. So I picked up the 1.35 ounce jar ($22 at Sephora)…and now I’m wishing I had just trusted my gut and bought the 5 ounces.

The Restorative Hair Treatment is “Ojon in its purest form,” made with natural antioxidants and 100% pure Ojon palm nut oil - the same rare oil used by Central America's Miskito Indians, known as "the people of beautiful hair," for over 500 years. It instantly hydrates and fortifies damaged and abused hair, leaving it amazingly soft, shiny, and manageable. Even healthy hair shows a noticeable improvement.

What I heart most about this product I that it does triple duty. To use as a deep conditioning treatment, warm a teaspoonful in the palm of your hands and distribute onto dry hair, from scalp to ends. Leave on for 10-20 minutes, and shampoo well. For a leave-in conditioner, just warm a small amount in the palms of your hands until it becomes a lightweight oil, and distribute thoroughly through towel-dried hair. Heat a very small amount in the palms of your hands and smooth over the surface of dry-styled hair to use as a shine enhancer.

After using this product, I noticed the difference as soon as I blow-dried my hair. My mane was softer, smoother, and shinier than I’d seen it in a long time. Even better, I didn’t need to coat my strands with several different products, post-shampoo, to achieve this result. If there’s anything that I appreciate, it’s immediate gratification.

Bottom line: Restorative Hair Treatment is the secret to beautiful hair, in a nutshell.

Ojon products are available at Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Sephora, QVC (they’ve got some great discounts), and Ulta.

The Beautiful People, The Beautiful People

From Elle to Essence, In Style to In Touch – it seems like every editor, stylist, model, and actress has fallen under the spell of Ojon. Month after month, my favorite magazines extol the virtues of this company’s products, particularly their Restorative Hair Treatment – “a versatile hair rejuvenator that strengthens and restores dry, damaged hair.”

With a price tag of $55 for 5 ounces, I was a little cynical. But then I figured that if Ojon was good enough for Gisele Bundchen, Demi Moore, and Scarlett Johansson, I could at least give it a try. So I picked up the 1.35 ounce jar ($22 at Sephora)…and now I’m wishing I had just trusted my gut and bought the 5 ounces.

The Restorative Hair Treatment is “Ojon in its purest form,” made with natural antioxidants and 100% pure Ojon palm nut oil - the same rare oil used by Central America's Miskito Indians, known as "the people of beautiful hair," for over 500 years. It instantly hydrates and fortifies damaged and abused hair, leaving it amazingly soft, shiny, and manageable. Even healthy hair shows a noticeable improvement.

What I heart most about this product I that it does triple duty. To use as a deep conditioning treatment, warm a teaspoonful in the palm of your hands and distribute onto dry hair, from scalp to ends. Leave on for 10-20 minutes, and shampoo well. For a leave-in conditioner, just warm a small amount in the palms of your hands until it becomes a lightweight oil, and distribute thoroughly through towel-dried hair. Heat a very small amount in the palms of your hands and smooth over the surface of dry-styled hair to use as a shine enhancer.

After using this product, I noticed the difference as soon as I blow-dried my hair. My mane was softer, smoother, and shinier than I’d seen it in a long time. Even better, I didn’t need to coat my strands with several different products, post-shampoo, to achieve this result. If there’s anything that I appreciate, it’s immediate gratification.

Bottom line: Restorative Hair Treatment is the secret to beautiful hair, in a nutshell.

Ojon products are available at Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Sephora, QVC (they’ve got some great discounts), and Ulta.