Natural skincare leader Desert Essence Organics has a line of Fall and Winter beauty products to protect your skin from the cold weather.

Keeping with their mission, all of the products are 100% vegan, biodegradable, cruelty and wheat/gluten free. And contains no parabens, sodium laurly/laureth sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances or colors, silicones, EDTA, glycol or petroleum based ingredients.

All the delicious scents retail for $8.99 or less and are available at www.desertessence.com.

JoJoba Oil | $ 7.99 (2 fl. oz.)

* Is a pure and natural extract, which will penetrate and moisturize your skin without leaving any oily residue
* Can be used to remove makeup and to cleanse clogged pores
* It softens your hands and feet after massaging them with Organic Jojoba Oil
* Good for moisturizing the scalp and in preventing dry skin or dandruff
* Suitable for most sensitive skins
* May be used as a leave in hair treatment while in the sun or as an aftershave moisturizer

Almond Hand and Body Lotion | $8.99

· Provides deep nourishment to dry skin.

· Skin will feel soft and silky.

· Lightly scented with rich, natural almond oil.

· Organic Almond Extract and Almond Oil: Contain a high level of Vitamin A, E and B, proteins and fatty acids. Almond oil is able to penetrate the skin, providing nourishment and moisture.

· Organic Sunflower Oil: Due to its high content of the powerful antioxidant Vitamin E, sunflower oil helps to repair damage done by environmental stressors.

· Organic Shea Butter: Absorbs quickly into skin without leaving a greasy residue. Its emollient properties help skin retain moisture and restore elasticity, resulting in skin that feels smooth and supple.

I love this body wash it has a really great juicy apple smell and the ginger adds a little kick. It’s the perfect pick  me up scent in the morning to get you going. My skin feels clean, soft and smells great after using Green Apple & Ginger body wash.

Green Apple & Ginger Body Wash| $8.99 | Moisturizing Formula

* This antibacterial cleanser purifies while nourishing the skin.
* Organic Ginger Extract and Ginger Spice: A proprietary blend of ingredients that leaves the skin feeling moisturized and revitalized.
* Grapefruit Seed Extract: Gently deep cleans pores and refreshes skin.
* Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Help improve oil balance of the skin and gently exfoliate to reveal the next layer of fresher, younger skin.

A great lip balm I love the tea tree oil, it leaves my lips feeling super moisturized.

Lip Rescue with Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil | MSRP $2.50

· Contains Tea Tree Oil and Vitamin E to protect your lips from the effects of extreme weather conditions.

· Saves your lips from the adverse effects weather conditions and environmental pollutants.

· No animal ingredients or testing.

Thanks to Elaine M. for the tip! I am a huge shower cream addict and I can’t wait to give this a try.

I have just seen the post by Erin about a body lotion she is using while pregnant. I noticed her comments about dry itchy skin, and I’d like to recommend a product to her that helped me a lot when I was pregnant. I found that most shower creams and gels were too drying, or my skin had become sensitive to them, as my skin was very itchy and uncomfortable, even after using special maternity body creams, body butters and oil gels. I then discovered L’Occitane shea butter shower cream, which made a huge difference to me. They come in a variety of natural fragrances, but are quite subtle, which suited me as smells could really set off my morning sickness. I can never use some Dove products again simply because of the smell for that reason!

L’Occitane Ultra Rich Shower Cream

This delicate and generous shower cream gently cleanses body and hair while preserving their natural balance. Creamy texture and detergent-free formula, with high percentage of 5% of nourishing Shea Butter, natural coconut foaming base and soy proteins, leave skin soft and supple, and hair with high shine. In a squeeze bottle perfect for shower and travel.

$20.00

I was just sent some Skindinavia makeup finishing spray to try and I was really excited to see what it could do. I try a lot of different makeup products so it was nice to try something that will go with all my favorite makeup right now instead of replacing it.

The packaging is very clean and basic nothing flashy but let me tell you the proof is in the pudding! My first try was the  No More Shine spray and I love it. My face is very prone to shine, even in the cold weather after a few hours my T zone gets shiny and my makeup can lose that fresh look. 

The spray is very easy to use I just spray a few spritzes right before my foundation and then a few more once all my makeup is on. The immediate feeling was a rush of cool, very refreshing. As I checked my makeup every few hours today it still looked just as fresh ans shine free as when  I first applied.  

I also love the 10 years younger finishing spray. I am getting fine lines around my eyes and I am noticing how much some of my makeup settles into them making them more pronounced. The last few days with the help of 10 years younger my makeup doesn’t settle into the lines and draw attention to them. 

I definitely recommend the Skindinavia line they have a spray for everyone, check out their site to see all their great products. They also sell their products in a range of sizes so you can try a smaller sizes to find your favorites. 

www.skindinavia.com

Skindinävia has basically created a new makeup category—the makeup finish. No need to change your routine – we all know how long it takes to find the perfect foundation, setting powder and bronzer… these finishing mists keep your makeup on for 16 hours without drying out or going into pores and wrinkles. It’s an interesting new way to moisturize and prime your skin post-makeup.

It basically takes the makeup you have, regardless of brand, and perfects it for you. The result is makeup that looks as fresh as when you applied it up to 16 hours later. No more clumping, caking, creasing, sliding or fading…and in this economy who wouldn’t want their expensive (or inexpensive at that…) makeup to last up to 50% longer?

Seeing as we’re in the middle of the changing of the season, there are a number of skin fluctuations that follow suit—extra dryness, patchiness and sometimes even peeling. Skindinävia has expanded its product line with new makeup finishing mists to address a variety of common makeup problems all women experience.

* 10 Years Younger Makeup Finish: Keeps makeup hydrated and out of wrinkles.

o The first anti-aging product for your makeup. Reduces the appearance of lines by keeping makeup from settling in them. Innovative mist holds makeup by keeping the surface chilled and well hydrated for hours avoiding drying and slippage. Six hygroscopic (water attracting) moisturizers stop foundation, eye shadow, blush, and concealer from flaking or becoming powdery and helps reduce makeup slippage into pores, fine lines, wrinkles, or scars. Unique pigment dispersion system helps avoid clumping and conceals uneven texture or discoloration, such as sun damage and age spots. Works with all types of makeup.

  * No More Shine Makeup Finish: Absorbs oil and controls excess shine.

o Oily skin types can now have perfect makeup for hours with fewer touchups. Contains oil control system that both absorbs excess oil and controls surface shine throughout the face and T-zone. Stops makeup sliding and meltdown without excessive drying. Weightless mist cools makeup surface 20°F degrees to curtail oil from sliding through as shine on foundation, blush, and concealer. Light dispersing particles deflect shininess to deliver a matte look for up to 16 hours. Works with all types of makeup, great for teens.

Audrina Patridge may not be able to choose a boyfriend, but she’s happily playing favorites with her skincare. “[I'm] obsessed with Epione moisturizer,” she said recently of the line developed by Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Simon Ourian, which seeks to maintain skin – without going under the knife. “I use it daily.”

Which, is only $120.00, so go wild!

• A rich, decadent hydrating moisturizer to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles
• Combats dehydration and defends against the daily onslaught of environmental aggressors like dryness and air pollution
• Restore the appearance of radiance, tone, clarity and luminosity associated with healthy skin
• Replenish youthful, firmness and three-dimensional contours

Source

Congratulations to our winner Jenny!

Contest-

• There will be 1 winner.
• Winner will receive Hydroptimale THI3 Light & Comfort Hydrating creams, and a Hydroptimale THI3 Hydrating Mask
• Enter by leaving your name and email address in the comments!
• Contest runs Friday, 10/23/09 to Friday, 10/30/09
• US residents only
• Please only enter once
• After the winners have been announced, you will have 48 hours to respond.

Good luck!

As the winter months are upon us, harsh winds and dry air damage your once vibrate and radiant complexion. Everyone strives for healthy and hydrated skin all year round, and Sothys has the solution. Sothys offer the ultimate solution for dried-out skin: Hydroptimale; a third-generation hydration system created to reinforce the skin’s water reservoir.

Hydroptimale THI3 Light & Comfort Hydrating Creams: Patented Sothys complex Optimizer SC regulates water flow through the skin the Molecular Patch acts as a pseudo-skin. Made of osmolytes encapsulated in algae and vegetable polymers, it assures ultimate and long lasting protection and hydration, at least 8 hours. Filagrinol® complex containing extracts from pollen, wheat germ oil, soybean and olive hydrates, softens and improves the overall function of the skin. Sothys’ Hydroptimale Creams produce instant hydration improvement in the skin by up to 82% after three hours. After continuous use for one month, hydration can be improved by 66%. (Price: $55, 1.7 oz)

o Recommended Usage: Apply morning and night to first reduce external signs of dehydration and increase skin suppleness.

Hydroptimale THI3 Hydrating Mask: Hydrating Mask offers an instant solution to any type of dehydrated skin, plumping the skin with moisture for a healthy lift and glow by re-balancing the water exchanges within the skin and lessening the tightening sensation associated with dry or dehydrated skin. Beetroot extract balances water movements in and out of the cells to improve their metabolism while plant-based complex Filagrinol retains and optimum moisture in the top layer of the skin with extracts of pollen, soybean oil, olive oil, and wheat germ oil. (Price: $33, 1.7 oz)

o Recommended Usage: Apply after sun exposure, post-laser or microdermabrasion, before or after glycolic or chemical peels, post party or during vacations.

According to Caroline Rushworth, Director of Education for Sothys, “dehydration is one of most prevalent conditions affecting all skin types. It is the first sign and cause of premature aging, therefore, good hydration is imperative for the health and good condition of the skin. Hydroptimale THI3 is a revolutionary multi dimensional hydration program containing patented active ingredients to reestablish optimum moisture levels in all layers of the skin. Once hydration is restored the skin will appear more youthful, the metabolic functions are improved, the skin is radiant and balance achieved.”

About Sothys

In 1946, Sothys was a beauty institute in Paris, where a list of exclusive customers enjoyed fine French products created by Dr. Hotz, a medical biologist. Sothys was acquired by the Mas family in 1966 and chairman Bernard Mas decided to add to the beautiful Sothys range and increase its availability. By 1970 Sothys had entered the United States market under the direction of esthetician Christian Garces. Sothys became an instant hit for estheticians looking for a professional, results- oriented product line. Over two decades later, it continues to be the forerunner in an extremely demanding industry. Much of Sothys’ success is due to its focus on education. Not content to simply sell its products, Sothys offers continuous, complementary education to estheticians and therapists who want to learn not just about the products, but about the industry in general. At the Sothys Institute in Miami, and at regional Sothys offices across the Nation, classes are offered, with topics ranging from hands-on body workshops to cosmetic chemistry. For more information, please visit www.sothys-usa.com.

From sexy nude lipstick to solve-it-all-oil — OK!’s Contributing Beauty Editor Kim Kardashian reveals her 5 beauty essentials!

Sexy Nude Lipstick
This shade is perfect for every skin tone and any occasion; it lasts for hours! Lipstick in Belle de Jour, NARS, $24;

Luscious Lashes
The hard wax in Anastasia’s mascara adds incredible volume, thickness and curl to lashes. It’s also hypoallergenic.
Lash Lifting Mascara in Black, Anastasia Beverly Hills, $22; sephora.com

Skin-Saving Concentrate
I love using this concentrate as a primer under my makeup since it keeps my skin feeling silky smooth, and it helps my makeup stay on longer!
The Concentrate, La Mer, $350; Saks Fifth Avenue

On-The-Go Wipes
I can’t live without my wipes, which are gentle and effectively remove all makeup.
Daily Facials Express Wet Cleansing Cloths,Olay, $5; drugstores

Solve-It-All Oil
This oil prevents wrinkles around my eyes as well as stretch marks on my body. It keeps skin nourished and hydrated.
Bio-Oil, Union-Swiss, $12; drugstores

OK!

I am in my second trimester of my pregnancy now and one thing I can’t live without is lotion. I have tried everything trying to keep my skin moisturized and the dreaded itchiness at bay. Belli was kind enough to send me one of their All Day Moisture Body Lotions to try and I am really enjoying it. 

I apply right out of the shower and my skin just drinks it up, they shea butter is a great moisturizes and absorbs quickly. One of my favorite features of this lotion is the essential oils it contains. The most prevalent scent is Lemon Oil which smells just delicious and helps perk me up.  Lemon oil also has the therapeutic quality of calming upset stomachs which any pregnant girl can tell you happen all too often. There is also a lighter note of Chamomile that helps comfort and calm.  A great lotion to help ease a least a few of the pains of pregnancy.

Belli All Day Moisture Body Lotion

All Day Moisture Body Lotion deeply moisturizes, comforts and soothes dry, itchy skin. Features the essential oil of lemon, which is known for its uplifting qualities and aroma-therapeutic ability to calm upset stomachs. Chamomile softens and refreshes.

Directions: Apply daily to slightly dampened skin.

Belli All Day Moisture Body Lotion $25.00