beauty review: yumzezz natural body scrub

yumzezz [yuhm-zeez] noun, plural 1. nutrient rich skin treats that smell good enough to eat & are natural enough for most discriminating skin surfaces.

beauties! who doesn't love dessert or a sweet treat? in my home we always eat something sweet, typically after dinner, everyday. it's truly an enjoyable event and i highly recommend it. :)

but i digress…

i was sent some yummy, inedible, body scrubs to try out from a new brand, yumzezz, and i think they're quite fabulous.

everything in the yumzezz range are handmade and made to order. this ensures only the freshest product possible is delivered to you, and since most of the creations are heat susceptible, they're also packed with cold packs to retain that freshness. you'll also be happy to know that everything is paraben, mineral oil, petroleum, phthalate, formaldehyde and artificial color free {love that!}.

all three body scrub "flavors" were sent to me ~ Coconut Lemongrass, Fruiter, Mocha Crunch ~ and yes, they smell just as good as they sound. i think my favorite is the Mocha Crunch {smells like coffee and chocolate!}, but i like how my skin feels after using Fruiter {which, among other ingredients, contains seeds of fabulous fruits like strawberries, blackberries and raspberries} the best.

Mocha Crunch

Fruiter

Coconut Lemongrass

the freshness of these products really stands out and is appealing to me {i love fresh veggies and fruit and shop for them every few days myself, so…}. also, i love the fact that the founder created the products because she had a need {and want} for products that would help her dry, sensitive skin; she wanted products that would nourish and pamper but still be good for her.

yumzezz is certainly a brand i think you should check out ~ visit the website for all the details, yumzezz.com. enjoy!

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

currently loving: c. Booth Mimosa Honeysuckle Body Souffle

when it comes to my skin, keeping it nourished and moisturized is important. when a product works well, the next thing that makes or breaks my decision to keep using it is the scent. this c. Booth Mimosa Honeysuckle Body Souffle not only keeps my skin feeling soft and smooth, but it smells incredible!

i'm all about floral and citrus-infused scents, so this blend of mimosa flower, coconut, grapefruit and orange were happy-making from first smell. with it's tropical, bright and sweet fragrance, this soufflé is fabulous for summer. the rich blend of oils and skin soothers melts beautifully in to my skin and never feels heavy, so i love using it even on the hottest days.

there's so much in this body soufflé to pamper you and your skin, so you should discover it for yourself! find the c. Booth range of products at Ulta and Rite Aid {i've seen it at CVS as well}. to find a retailer near you, visit freemanbeauty.com

product sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

3 cleansing products i'm loving right now

have you been to the drugstore or your favorite mass retailer recently? if you're like me, i'm quite sure you have {LOL!}; i personally visit my local Walgreens, Target {and the like} multiple times a week, and of course with these visits come the stops to certain {cough, cough} departments that showcase a beauty girl's favorite things.

"i'm-just-going-to-look" is always what i say to myself, but …

hey, i'm only human!

in any case, the following items are very much a necessity in my beauty arsenal; they're all about cleansing {and we all know how important that is!}. 2 were purchased by me {yes, on a store visit that had no items regarding their function on my shopping list}; they are fabulous and keep me {and for one product, my beauty tools} fresh and clean.

take a look…

Rimmel London Gentle Eye Makeup Remover was a purchase made because i'm already a fan of their makeup and had never tried it, and also i was out of my fave Mary Kay eye makeup remover. it was the perfect opportunity for me to find out if Rimmel's remover was a drugstore version that would work just as well. like eye makeup removers from Clinique, Mary Kay and Lancome, i love that this beauty isn't oily, removes all eye makeup {yes, even waterproof!} and there's not a hint of sting when i use it.

keeping makeup brushes clean is important for many reasons and Sonia Kashuk Brush and Sponge Cleanser makes it super easy to do {saturate your brush bristles or sponge completely under running water, spray on cleanser, working up a lather ~ rinse under water until water runs clear. repeat as necessary; lay fat to dry}. from the first time i used it to now, i absolutely love it. it works on both synthetic and natural bristles, kills bacteria, breaks up oils and residue with ease {i use long-wearing products, so this was especially impressive}, and the scent, while strong at first, is surprisingly refreshing {i'm not sure of the exact scent, but lavender is definitely involved}.

finally, Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash* creates the luxurious, uber-foamy lather that makes me feel so fancy and pampered. the scent is a long-time favorite {when i comes to sweet scents}: fabulous, warm pistachio. it's blended with magnolia, so it keeps the overall scent on the lighter side {so amazingly refreshing}. it comes in bar form as well, and as is the case with all Dove products, this body wash contains the brand's signature NutriumMoisture® ; my skin is always so soft and pampered after using this!


what special cleansing-type goodies are getting your love these days? do tell!

*product sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

mother's day gift ideas from Laura Mercier, Nyakio and ReVive skincare

mother's day is just days away {can you believe it?}! if you're still looking for a gift, i have to recommend that you consider some of the following beauty goodies ~ because, come on, it wouldn't be right if i didn't!

take a look...

for the mom who loves to give back:

100% of the profits from the sale of Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks Crème Colour Palette are donated to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund, not only beautiful, but also helps to save women’s lives. brighten up your mother’s special day with this ultra-sheer, blendable palette that provides skin with a natural "no makeup" glow that looks soft and gorgeously sun-kissed.

for the mom who loves  {or would love} to escape to the french countryside:

inspired by her hometown of provence, Laura Mercier's new Eau Fraiche: Verbena Infusion Collection {pictured, above} captures the crisp freshness of verbena. give your mom a journey to the french countryside with one {or all} of three refreshing formulas: Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion Gel Body Moisture, Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion Crème Body Cleanse, and Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion Eau de Toilette.

for the mom who cherishes family history:

Nyakio Kamoche Grieco created the nyakio brand to pay homage to her own family’s heritage;  offer these beauty rituals and traditions that Nyakio’s family passed down to her by giving your mom one of the luxurious products from the collection: nyakio Hydrating Face Oil with Kola Nut, {a fave of yours truly ~ read my thoughts about it here}, nyakio Kenyan Coffee Face Polish  or nyakio Kenyan Coffee Body Scrub. 

for the mom who loves all things luxury:  

RéVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream, the secret behind the youthful glow of the jet set. the brand, founded by renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Gregory Bays Brown, features this cult-classic, anti-aging moisturizer and promises to work overtime during sleep, helping to eliminate imperfections and visibly diminish fine lines. she'll love her new glow!

so, what do you plan to gift your mom this year?

info and images courtesy of featured brands PR company.

spring beauty: Sunday Riley Disrobe body lotion

the luxury brand, Sunday Riley, offers pampering through their range of beauty and skincare products, including a product i'm loving right now ~ Disrobe Body Lotion.

for the past few weeks i've been using the lactic acid-based Disrobe, and from first use it's been fabulous; i've relished the silky texture and non-greasy formula as well as its light, practically non-existent fragrance. softening and hydrating, it never ceases to leave my skin feeling and looking  smoother!

you may be wondering, how is it able to work so well?

humectants in Disrobe pull water into the skin, while shea butter and squalene hydrate and repair to  lock in moisture; as mentioned before, lactic acid is also a main ingredient, which aids in gently exfoliating skin to improve tone and texture. other benefits of Disrobe include detoxification and improved elasticity.

 if you're looking to splurge on a body product for yourself, Sunday Riley Disrobe is certainly worth it! after all, there's always a special occasion to treat yourself, right?

you can find Sunday Riley products at Nordstrom, Sephora and of course, visit SundayRiley.com for more info {including makeup looks and all the latest tips} and news from the brand.

product featured sent to me for review consideration; opinions are my own; pic taken by me:)

new beauty: SheaMoisture Dry Oil Mists

to pamper your skin and give it an instant boost of moisture, SheaMoisture offers some fabulous products. and not only are they nourishing to skin, but they're so affordable! now the brand offers Dry Oil Mists, and from the description they definitely sound like they are a perfect addition to the range…

available in 4 scents, each has its own unique and multipurpose benefit. they boast quick absorption on bare skin,are suggested for use as a gloss for hair, and can even be worn as a delicate fragrance.

oh, how i love a multitasking product! 

also, these mists do not contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, gluten, synthetic fragrance or artificial color. lets take a closer look, shall we??

varieties include:

Tahitian Noni & Monoi {Soothing & Reparative} 
features a formula of certified organic shea butter, antioxidant tahitian noni, monoi, and a blend of rich coconut oil, natural floral essences and sweet almond oil.

Coconut & Hibiscus {Brightening & Toning}
made with certified organic shea butter and coconut oil to hydrate and firm skin; hibiscus flower and songyi mushroom extracts brighten and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.

Lavender & Wild Orchid Healing {Hydrating & Calming} 
this healing, hydrating and calming blend utilizes certified organic shea butter to heal; lavender and arnica to soothe; and wild orchid extract to repair dry, rough skin.

Argan Oil & Raw Shea {Anti-Aging & Softening} 
effectively rehydrates and repairs dull, aging skin. includes certified organic shea butter, argan oil and frankincense & myrrh to nourish and soften skin.

SheaMoisture’s Dry Oil Mists are available at Target stores nationwide. for more info, visit SheaMoisture.com.

info and image provided by PR for SheaMoisture

spring beauty: new Neroli & Orchid Collection + LE Fragrance Boosting Cream from L’Occitane

 set for launch on april 16th, 2014, L’Occitane has a fabulous new collection, Neroli & Orchid, featuring a limited edition Fragrance Boosting Cream.

from this collection, i have had the amazing opportunity to pamper my senses with 2 products.

first, let me tell you, beauties, the new Neroli & Orchidee eau de toilette smells gorgeous ~ i'm in love with it! infused with notes i already find appealing {orange, mandarin and peach; neroli, orchid and iris}, the scent is so unique. it manages to smell just-sweet-enough fresh and flowery, yet has a warmness to it that is not at all heavy feeling. the overall effect is so intriguing. it's simply a perfect blend of feminine, light and airy ~ a fabulous way to smell in the spring, i would say!

the other product i received to test out was the Fragrance Booster Cream. an innovative, moisturizing body cream. this gem somehow works to enhance your fragrance on the body, then locks it in for added aroma and longevity; it's a perfect match for any L'Occitane fragrance you may want to wear, but is a beautiful compliment to the Neroli & Orchidee.

other products in the Neroli & Orchid collection that also include a shower gel, perfumed soap, body milk and scented candle.

when you get the chance, please do check out this new fragrance collection!

p.s: L'Occitane suggests this fragrance layering technique to ensure your scent stays put day to night:

step 1: wash with the Shower Gel or Perfumed Soap

step 2: nourish skin with the hydrating Body Milk

step 3: apply the Fragrance Booster Cream

step 4: spritz on the Eau de Toilette

any of these products could make a great gift for yourself or anyone in your life that is a fan of floral-fruit scents. visit loccitane.com for more info!

products featured sent to me for review consideration; all opinions and thoughts are my own; pics taken by me :)

mark. shares easy beauty plan for valentine's day

for this valentine's day, mark. {@markgirl} has shared an inspiring 4-step plan for all you beauties to help you look and feel amazing. whether you have plans for a romantic date, exciting girls night out {or in}, or a simple, quiet evening at home, these brand new beauty and fashion products are quite lovely…


take a look!

 step 1: 

so fresh and so clean!
smelling great means feeling great with mark.  bath, body, and fragrance products. i think the body butters are fabulous!

step 2:
create a flawless face.
most guys prefer a more natural look; highlight your own natural beauty with the right products. try the Touch & Glow Shimmer Cream Cubes All Over Face Palette to add a perfect touch of luminous shimmer to your skin.

step 3:
emergency touch-ups at-the-ready!
be prepared with touch-up concealer, a small compact mirror and lipstick, and fragrance pencils to keep you looking and smelling great.

step 4:
get dressed and out the door!
mark. has some fun, chic apparel and accessories for your Valentine's Day outfits. they're always on trend, and easy on the wallet.



visit meetmark.com for more ideas, inspiration and products to create your perfect valentine's day {or any other day for that matter} look!

info and images courtesy of mark.

winter beauty: Lavanila Vanilla Coconut Collection

if you're dreaming about tropical islands and the warm, sun-filled days of summer amidst this blustery, uber-cold winter season, you're not alone ~ especially of you're currently dealing with crazy snow or extreme cold conditions. not fun!

and even if that's not the case {like for me, living here in droughtville, southern california}, the gorgeous scent that brings thoughts of warm sunshine and sand can be yours year-round thanks to Lavanila The Healthy Vanilla Coconut Collection. the fragrance captures the beauty and calming scents that will take your thoughts and senses away to a tropical terrain every time you use their deodorant, body butter or fragrance.

every product is 100% natural and made with ingredients such as luscious coconut, bright tiare flower, fluffy heliotrope, creamy sandalwood and madagascar vanilla. 

sounds divine, doesn't it? 

i'm sure you'll find this scent will give you the lift you need and keep your thoughts on warmer days to come…

visit lavanila.com for more info

info and images courtesy of featured brand's PR

holiday 2013 gift ideas from shu uemura, blowpro, butter London and more!

in need of more beautylicious gifts ideas? take a look at the following products and sets from some very fabulous brands, sure to make any product-loving girl happy this holiday…


shu uemura:
6 Heart Princess collection by Takashi Murami includes beautiful palettes, lip glosses, polishes and everything in between you need to sparkle this holiday season.  i can't get over how girly and fun this collection looks! definitely in my beauty wheelhouse.

blowpro:
their spray, textstyle, is a lightweight, dry texture spray with a breakthrough formula that creates instant, big texture; my daughter and i have used it ourselves! it adds shine, leaves hair touchable and looking more refreshed ~ the mini size would be a fabulous stocking stuffer or secret santa gift!

Pacifica:
i love this brand, and they create some of the best, most gorgeously scented products; now available at everyone's fave store for practically everything {Target}, the "it’s a beautiful life” holiday kits also have something for everyone! choose from the delicious Quench Lip Trio {i received this to try out and love all the flavors: Blood Orange, Sugared Fig and Cocnut Nectar}, Natural Body Trio or the Natural Skincare Collection.

Desert Essence:
give the gift of more beautiful teeth! the brand new, all-natural Dental Care line offers 6 flavors and  was created to freshen breath as well as brighten that smile without harming the environment. and if your giftee loves minty holiday scents, the peppermint soap bar would be a fabulous gift or stocking stuffer {trust me when i say, it smells amazing!}.

Biotherm:
keep skin deliciously smooth and fabulously fresh ~ a fabulous treat in the winter! you may just consider buying the much-loved Lait Corporel body milk for yourself… :)

IT Cosmetics:
i dare you to pass up the QVC-exclusive 6-pc Limited Edition Heavenly Luxe Vanity Brush Set!  made from 100 percent ultra plush, cruelty-free bristles, the chic and innovative, travel-friendly set promises to give an airbrushed finish for your skin and keep you organized, even on the go! includes uber-soft Heavenly Luxe Travel Multi-Powder Brush,  Heavenly Luxe Travel Flat Foundation Brush, Heavenly Luxe Travel Flat Concealer Brush, No-Tug Travel Crease Brush, No-Tug Travel Allover Eye Shadow Brush and No-Tug Eyeliner and Brow Brush with Spooly, all in a sleek snap shut case.


butter London:
released the gorgeous Illusionists Lacquer Collection ~ perfect for the holiday season, the Illusionists Lacquer Collection delivers glamour and chic lacquers and overcoats with a bold and unique clash of texture and opulent hues. classic lacquers Come To Bed Red and Union Jack Black are paired with a new lacquer, Bramble, and three new overcoats, Petrol, Stardust, and Stratford Honey, to add glitter textures and shimmering shades to your nails.

another fab collection to consider is the Glam Rock 6-Piece Set; it offers small, fashionable, take-them-anywhere sizes to keep those tips looking fab. create your own bespoke looks with five cult classics {All Hail the Queen, Pillar Box Red, Slapper, Trout Pout, West End Wonderland} and one new shade, Buckie.



anything on this list catch your eye? what's on your holiday wish list?

fall beauty: products to get {and keep} skin hydrated & healthy

this time of year brings a whole new set of skin challenges ~ it's important to give it extra special attention with products that will nourish and moisturize, from head to toe. since there are so many products out there, i thought you'd like to know which of them i'm loving {not because i'm so important but, hopefully, because you think of me as a good friend and you want my suggestions}, then decide which, if any, of them would be worth trying out for yourself. 

take a look…

it's always a great idea to incorporate an exfoliating product in your skincare life, year round. that said, i like to change the type of exfoliation i use from season to season. because my skin is changing {i'm not getting any younger, you know, LOL}, it's important that i get as much hydration and moisture in my skin to keep it looking fresh and smooth. one product i'm loving for this is Zensation Ultra Silky Rose Exfoliating Cream; it boasts key ingredients like sunflower seed oil, lavender, shea butter, and rose flower extract; the texture is like a fine sand, and leaves my skin feeling pampered, smooth and looking radiant and glowy.

made with a high concentration of biotechnological water rich in proteins, acids, vitamins and minerals {extracted from spirulina, a harvested green algae}, Natra Bisse Oxygen gel is an uber-luxurious facial gel that i fell in love with {and am now completely out of}. it came to me by way of a SpaceNK bag of samples {also offered to consumers} that was part of a promo for one of their celebratory beauty events earlier this year. the small sample i received in that bag of goodies lasted many weeks, and my skin is better for it. it will be a splurge, but i definitely plan to purchase it for myself!

RoC Skincare offers many amazing, highly effective treatments, creams, serums and the like. three i'm loving the most over the past several weeks include the Daily Resurfacing Disks {dual-sided and self-foaming for cleansing and light exfoliation}, which have really helped even out my skin tone {thanks to its retinol-infused formula}. they're also for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, but since i'm kind already minimally wrinkled, didn't notice a difference in that area. 

i've also been using RoC Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer and Night Cream, which sounds like a waste of time {minimal wrinkles, remember?}, but the Day Cream has an spf 30 and the Night cream is just rich enough to aid in moisturizing and hydrating my skin as i sleep. plus, they both also contain retinol, which isn't just for wrinkles, but fabulous at treating and combating skin discoloration and uneven tone.

Laura Mercier ultra-whipped scented souffle body cremes provide luxurious all-day moisture protection without being too heavy or greasy. these are so incredibly delish smelling, and my skin always feels beyond divine after i use it. there are five scents that are sold separately, but currently four of these lovely gems are offered as set in the holiday 2013 Sampler Collection featuring Laura's fave scents: Almond Coconut Milk, Ambre Vanillé, Fresh Fig and Crème de Pistache. yum!!!

the Pangea Organics Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary body lotion and Italian White Sage body oil have been pampering my skin for a couple of weeks now and i am in love. not only are all of the ingredients all-natural, but there's nothing in them that don't have a purpose. the scents are invigorating yet relaxing and antioxidant-rich…love, love, love…

Waxelene is a petroleum jelly alternative that has been working overtime for me because it's such an incredible multitasking product. i received some in a purse-friendly tube, but it's also offered in a jar {little goes a long way!!}. from treating dry my lips and cuticles to keeping rough heels and elbows away, this smells-like-fresh-honey balm is a must have!

Bare Love Body Luxury Body Fuel is a non-greasy treatment formulated with the brand's exclusive OlioLove Technology to transform and give skin the essential nutrients it needs, especially if it's dehydrated. the fast-absorbing body fuel can be used it at any point of your day, but is best when used right after a shower for fabulous moisture and added skin protection.


what skincare gems have you been {or always use} to keep your skin feeling its best during this season?

all products featured were sent to me for review consideration; all opinions are my own; pics taken by me :)

holiday 2013: gift ideas from mark.

happy november, beauties! have you started your holiday shopping yet? mark. has some gorgeous gift offerings that you can buy and stock away now!

these goodies are glamorous, multi-functional and affordable; enjoy this look at the mark. holiday 2013 collection, but a word of warning: don't be surprised if you want many of these everything for yourself...

:)

 Angled Kabuki Face Brush ~ super versatile brush perfect for loose powder, bronzer and blush for sheer to full coverage.

Fab Five Pressed Powder Eye Shadow Compact ~ Live Richly is a palette with five pigmented, pearlized shadows in a variety of blendable and easy to apply colors.

Gift of Gab Lip Gloss & Phone Case ~ this iPhone case has a removable wrist strap, will hold  up to three credit cards, cash, your iPhone and a Glow Baby Glow lip gloss!

Earn Your Metal Liquid Eyeliner ~ with its wand-style applicator, you'll be able to give your eyes the perfect pop of color; the easy-to-apply, stays-put-all-day formula includes shades Electric Blue and Copper Flash {pictured}.

Nailed It Trend Nail ~ these mini bottles house a fabulous, high gloss nail polish that stands up quite well under normal wear; duos include Tinseltown and Snowberry, Gleam Scene and Tuxedo {pictured}.

Light Show Illuminating Face Powder ~ pearlized powder formula that adds a warm glow to face, illuminates skin, hint of color and lasts for hours.

On the Dot Lip Color Compact ~ 9 sheer and glossy lip gloss shades the provide sheer coverage in a lightweight and non-sticky formula that makes lips feel soft.

Mini Juice Gems Gift Set ~ these gorgeous tinted liquid glosses provide conditioning with shimmery, transparent color for lips not to mention a yummy fruity-scent; available in Pomegranate, Fig, Raspberry and Honeydew {my fave!}.

Showcase Color & Clutch To Go ~ includes pressed powder, eye shadow; the blush lasts for hours and a variety of lip glosses boast sheer to medium coverage.

Rock This Nail File ~ gold and silver colored faux stones on one side and file sheet on the other; it's just as glamorous to use as it is to look at!

Super Color Box Total Face Palette ~ pressed powder eye shadow and blush in a variety of shades with sheer lip gloss shades and brushes for application.

Bath & Body Trio ~ set of Three’s a Charm 3-in-1 Body Cleanser, Hit Scent Solid Fragrance Pencil and Whipped Up Body Butter; scents offered Coconut Treat, Vanilla Cream, Lemon Sugar

Get Some Scents ~ this solid fragrance pencil gift set collection would be perfect as a stocking stuffer or secret santa gift! includes scents Very Sassy, Jewel Shine, Celebrate, and Jewel.

Cosmetics Bags ~ these chic small and medium makeup bags come in a snake print design and are available in Wild About Beauty and Wildly Organized

Toolin' Around Mini Brush Kit ~ this gift set includes a face brush as well as a variety of eye shadow and liner brushes perfect for travel and even everyday use.


see anything you like or think you know someone who'd love to receive any of these as a gift this holiday? visit meetmark.com for more info and to order. happy shopping...

collage images at top courtesy of mark.; all other pics taken by me and those products featured were sent to me for review consideration. all opinions my own. :)