.:: CybeleSays ::.

Getting To The Shea of Things - Part IV

Here we are at our last installment of awesomely Shea, Shea Butter products, so here are six more pleasing ones to sexify your skin.

1. TREAT BEAUTY Cacao Lip Scrub ($16/1oz @ treatbeauty.com)
2. HAMADI Shea Hair Cream ($24/4oz @ beauty.com)
3. LALiCiOUS Lily Mango Body Butter ($22/7.3oz @ lalicious.com)
4. EMiNENCE ORGANiCS Lip Trio Kit ($60 @ skin-one.com)
5. COLLECTiVE WELLBEiNG Hand Cream – Shea Butter/Chamomile ($11/3.5oz @ collectivewellbeing.com)
6. CLiNiQUE Deep Comfort Body Butter ($23.50/6.7oz @ clinique.com)

Heavenly Nose Part … Four

What do you think when you smell a pleasing beauty product? I seem to assume that if it smells nice, it must work, right? Wrong! There are a lot of them out there that yes, they smell nice, but belong in the trash. Here’s our last installment of products that not only perform up to par but also smell heavenly.

1. C.O. BiGELOW new Body Wash in Wild Berry ($12/10oz @ cobigelow.com) from the Village Perfumer Body Care Collection
2. NOAH’S NATURALS Rosemary Mint Conditioner ($10.99/10oz @ noahsnaturals.com) from the Organic line
3. AROMAFLORiA Teakwood Foaming Body Wash ($20/8oz @ aromafloria.com)
4. BOOTH’S Shea Butter Cream Bath ($6.99/16oz @ drugstore.com)
5. LiNDEN LEAVES Ginseng and Orange Blossom Crème de la Crème Body Butter ($25.95/7oz @ lindenleaves.com)

Cream Yer Face, Cream Yer Body

 

ZiA NATURAL SKINCARE Nourishing Crème ($36.95/1oz @ uncommonscents.com)

• Contains eight cellular renewal ingredients
• Certified organic
• Priced right

BiOELEMENTS Vitalization Rich Intensity Body Crème ($49.50/8oz @ dermstore.com)

• Frosting-like texture
• Contains pure botanical oils
• Nose pleasing scent

Grown Up Cream

My motto has always been the more the better and I’m glad this next one has a lot of more! WEI EAST Natural Body Perfector Hand & Body Treatment ($50 @ weieast.com) is a huge 13.5oz so you can slather every inch of your hands and body. The pink formula has the tiniest hint of shimmer like more of a sheen or glow that’s groovy for us grown ups. We have to act our age, right? I have read a couple of reviews where the person using it broke out in a rash. I didn’t have this happen, obviously, but if your skin tends to be sensitive, make sure to do a spot test. Also available in a 8.81oz for $36.25.

Getting To The Shea Of Things - Part III

Here are some more products that max out the Shea Butter.

1. LA COMPAGNiE DE PROVENCE Hand Crème ($14/3.4oz @ lcdpmarseille.com)
2. SWEET GRASS FARM Shea Butter Lotion in Fresh White Lilac ($8.95/16.9oz @ sweetgrassonline.com)
3. MD SKiNCARE Powerful Sun Protection SPF 25 Lip Balm ($18/.25oz @ sephora.com)
4. L’OCCiTANE Shea Cotton Ultra Comforting Cream ($38/1oz @ beauty.com)
5. IN KRiSTiNE’S SHOWER Shea Butter Bathbombs ($2/1-2oz to $17.99/12-2oz-pack @ inkristinesshower.com) in scent picks Malibu Baby, Sunny Days and Girly Girl.
6. NATTY GiRL Body Sugar Scrub in Yuzu Peach ($26/13oz @ nattyproducts.com)

Heavenly Nose Part Tres

We are quite obsessed with products that work and smell terrific so let’s focus on body parts this time. We clean them and moisturize them and these are some that will make your skin tingle and nose dance.

MiSTRAL Organic French Shea Butter Soap in Lilac of May ($7.50/7oz @ mistralsoap.com)

JUNE JACOBS Papaya Body Balm ($46/7oz @ junejacobs.com)

MOR COSMETiCS new Fruits of Cornucopia Body Bar ($19 @ @ morcosmetics.com)
PURE HAPA Haupia Orange Soufflé Body Cream ($24/3.2oz @ purehapa.com)

Get Yer Summer On

This next one is the biggest, fattest welcome product to get you from spring into summer. ESTEE LAUDER’s new Bronze Goddess Body Oil Spray ($29.50/4oz @ esteelauder.com) is at the top of my list on those days that are extra warm even though it’s only April. My nose detects a mix of bergamot, mandarin, Tahitian Gardenia and sandalwood. And their body oil sprays are some of the lightest I have ever tried. Never greasy and they sink into the skin quickly.

This scent also comes in an Eau Fraiche Skinscent and Body Lotion.

Getting To The Shea Of Things - Part II

In continuing our coverage of great Shea Butter products, I am really surprised at the number of ones that have the word Shea in the name of the product and then the ingredient is waaaaay down on the list. It seems like it was almost an after thought, “Oh we need to put some actual Shea Butter in there since it has it in the name.” Anyway, here are some more recommendations with the ingredient right at the top of the ingredient list.

• CAROL’S DAUGHTER Unscented Shea Body Butter ($20/8oz @ carolsdaughter.com)
• FREDERiC FEKKAI Shea Butter Hair Mask ($22.50/5oz, $32/9oz @ sephora.com)
• JERGENS Shea Butter Cream ($6.29/7.5oz @ drugstore.com)
• BATH BY BETTiJO 100% Pure Whipped Shea Butter ($16.50/2oz @ bathbybettijo.com)

Heavenly Nose - Part Dos

In continuing our coverage of new products we’ve discovered that not only work but smell delightful, here are three more to add to your list:

NOODE & BOO Heavenly Honey Wash ($22/7oz @ noodleandboo.com)

KAZAM NATURAL BODY CARE Body Lotion in Sweet Orange Ginger ($15/8oz @ kazambodycare.com)
BAREX’s AETO line Bamboo & Wild Mango Fortifying Hair Mask ($26/8.5oz @ fourseasonsproducts.com)

Getting To The Shea Of Things

I have long been fascinated with the ingredient Shea Butter. The two words are luscious and how it is used in beauty products is very nourishing. So we decided to do a four-part feature on Shea Butter products that are out there and ones that are worth trying out.

A little history – the nut is indigenous to Africa and how they get the butter is by extracting the yellow to ivory-colored fat from the fruit from the Shea tree. This is achieved by either crushing it or boiling it. It has long been touted for its superior moisturizing traits as well as its ability to fade scars, heal rashes and even work magic on stretch marks.

I’m sure you are aware that the closer to the top an ingredient appears in an ingredient list on the back of any product, the more of that ingredient it contains. But what I find funny, well peculiar actually, is that a product with the word Shea in the name can sometimes have it listed far down the list. So check the back of your products when it comes to this awesome ingredient to see how concentrated it really is. It should be listed in the top three at least and these all below are list it second and will appear as either Shea Butter or Butyrospermum Parkii. Here are some with Shea right up at the top, where it should be.

LUSH Buffy ($10.75/3.3oz @ lush.com)
VON NATUR Grapefruit Whipped Butter ($42/5oz @ vonnatur.com)
BATH AND BODYWORKS 'Shea It Isn’t So' Shea Butter Foot Cream ($15/4oz @ bathandbodyworks.com)
MiSTRAL Shea Butter Hand Cream in Milk ($17.50/2.6oz @ mistralsoap.com)

Woke Up ... Fell Outta Bed ...

Can you believe today is the first day of Spring? This is my favorite season and here are some products I slathered on, lit up and spritzed about when I awoke to welcome it in.

LE COUVENT DES MiNiMES Eau de Toilette in Verbena & Lemon ($21/3.4oz @ dillards.com)

TiGI Bedhead Body Melon Head Body Butter ($15/7oz @ spiralhaircase.com)
PADDYWAX Fresh Ruby Grapefruit Soy Candle ($18/5.5oz @ paddywax.com) from the new Eco Collection.

Getting Skin In Shape

Balms, butters, salves -- if it’s thick and smells nice, I’m putting it on my skin. SPACE NK Stillness Body Balm ($30/6.7oz @ spacenk.com) is creamy like frosting and infused with Shea butter and cocoa butter. Surprisingly enough this Stillness fragrance’s first scent ingredient is lavender. If you’ve read Cybelesays for a while, you’ll remember that I don’t like lavender at all. But I guess if you mix it with other scents like incense and musk like this one does, then it's ok. Space NK's scents seem to be a hit or miss with me but this one has hit written all over it.

Heavenly Nose - Part Uno

After trying Treat Beauty’s Sugar Free Hand Therapy Butter a few weeks ago, it got me to thinking about products that smell great and work and those that smell great and don’t work. In the next two months, we’ll bring you a few that we are just loving. Hair, body, face, it can be in any category. So here are some ones that smell heavenly AND work!

MiSTRAL Extra Rich Bath And Shower Gel in new Wild Blackberry ($16/10.8oz @ mistralsoap.com)

Amplify Volumizing System Thicklift Liquid Volumizer ($15/4.2oz @ matrix.com)
PERLiER Olivarium Super Nurturing Body Cream ($30/6.8oz @ whatshebuys.com)

My Upset Skin

My skin is sure killing me these days because it’s so dry this time of year. I have a humidifier on every night and that won’t visibly help my skin, especially on my legs but C.O. BiGELOW’s Derma Remedy Intense Dry Skin Therapy Both Lotion ($18/6.7oz) will. This hypoallergenic concoction is for really dry, chapped and overall bummed out skin and claims to provide a moisture barrier for more than 24-hours. Got eczema or psoriasis? These will really help those conditions too. Part of the trio of products is the Derma Remedy Intense Dry Skin Therapy Medicated Treatment ($16/2oz), that will treat cracked skin, which thankfully is not quite mine, but it's good to know that it exists. Use either one of these with the Derma Remedy Intense Dry Skin Therapy Body Wash ($16/6.7oz) and really protect and heal your skin. Spring can’t come soon enough! All three @ bathandbodyworks.com

It's Always Worth The Time

Here’s a strange confession - I’m not always in the mood for a Body Butter. Lotions and creams seem easier to use, in every way. A Body Butter takes some time to work in. Ok, not that much extra time but still. I don’t exfoliate every shower but if I do, I make sure to take the time to rub in a good butter afterward so my skin will really reap the rewards. One I’m loving right now is SEPHORA’s Body Butter ($16/6.7oz @ sephora.com). Each is lushly spiked with Shea Butter and beeswax. And this Citrus Sage one totally gets me excited for spring!

Valentine’s Day Picks

I’m pretty easy. Give me a gift of beauty and I’ll love you forever! Here’s a few I’ll be wearing tonight…

NARS new Dolce Vita Set ($50 @ sephora.com) – Blush Duo contains Albatross and Lovejoy for defining and sculpting. Round out a sexy pout with the mauvy Dolce Vita gloss.

LUSH new Play Your Cards Right ($8.95/2.8oz @ lush.com) – it’s no secret that I an obsessed with their massage bars and this one in the Sex Bomb scent is the latest addition.
SHU UEMURA False Eyelashes ($18-$50 @ shuuemura.com) – I still need a lot of practice at applying but once they’re on, wow, sexy!

 

Quick Pick Body

Dry skin got you down? SANCTUARY Body Moisture Spray from UK’s BOOTS is a really light oil infused with vitamin E, jojoba oil and almond oil. In the depths of winter, it’s nice to apply a light moisturizer and still reap the benefits of a heavy one. $9.99/8.4oz @ cvs.com

Take A World Tour

TACT BEAUTY CARE invites you to “Discover the World” through each of their four bath and body collections highlighting different regions in the world. The Brazil collection uses the ingredient Cocoa, the France collection all contain Lavender, the India Collection is just what you would guess, Ginger & Spices. And the forth collection is what I’m focusing on here, the Greek line, which focuses on their number 1 export, Olive Oil. We all know it’s good for your insides but did you know how good it is for the outside? These Olive Tree products contain organic extra virgin olive oil and powerful plant extracts and anti-oxidants. We loved their Shower Gel a few months ago and just got a chance to try some of the others in this group. Really liking the Body Cleanser ($14/10.14oz) and the sister Body & Hands Moisturizer ($16/10.14oz). Also check out their hair care line and there’s even a Hair Mask ($28/6.76oz). Gotta try that one out! All @ tactbodycareusa.com

Looking East For Inspiration

BATH AND BODYWORKS is taking inspiration from Asia with their new Far East Escape Collection from the True Blue Spa, which comes out today. Pamper yourself with each of the five products that contain ingredients from Asia that are known to have skin nutritious ingredients. And I love how self-explanatory each product is!

Clean Karma Gently Exfoliating Daily Body Wash w/Crushed Lychee and Bamboo ($13.50)

Rice To the Rescue Rice Pudding Body Polish with Rick Milk ($17.50)

For Heaven’s Sake Super Softening Oil-To-Cream Bath & Shower Wash with Sake ($15)

Mystic Silk 24-Hour Ultimate Moisture Body Lotion with Silk Protein & Rice Bran Oil ($15)

Self Meditating Body Butter with Rice Bran Oil & Green Tea ($15)
All @ bathandbodyworks.com

It Puts the Lotion In the Basket

This is the perfect one for these cold weeks. Who wants to stand in a cold room after a shower to apply body lotion? The HEALiNG GARDEN Relax Therapy Green Tea Collection 2-in-1 Moisturizing Body Wash with Lotion ($6.39/7oz @ drugstore.com) cleans and moisturizes right in the shower with vitamins A, E, and C. It took a few tries to get used to as it doesn’t lather up. This one is part of their aromatherapy line and this green tea scent restores your sense of calm with Asian sandalwood and peony petals. So relax, if only for a moment.

Holiday Pick - Skin Gel It

I have always been a fan of OPI Avojuice Skin Quenchers ($6.80/6.6oz and $1.90/1oz @ opi.com). Two new one that have the Holidays written all over them are the Candy Cane Juice and Berry Merry Rose Juice. They are skin moisturizers but not your everyday ones. They are more of a body gel moisturizer. So cool! Each contains avocado and aloe and theCandy Cane one smells of sweet peppermint and has a hint of shimmer. The Berry Merry smells of lush rose and raspberry. They are only here for a limited time so scoop some bottles up quick.  

Holiday Pick - For Pops

I mailed one of LA COMPAGNIE DE PROVENCE’s soaps to my father a few years ago for him to try. Since he’s French he already has very discerning tastes so I wasn’t sure if he would dig it. Wow, was I wrong! He really loved the Savonnette “155” Lavande and called to tell me all about it. So this season, I’m giving him more products from the line and venturing into the Extrait D’Olive (Olive Extract) collection, like the Shower Gel ($16/6.8oz) and Soap Bar ($5.50/3.5oz) I know I can’t lose! All @ lcdpmarseille-usa.com

Holiday Pick - Beauty On A Budget

UK line, BOOTS, knows what a woman likes and wants, lush body products! They have put out several sets and all are reasonably priced. Our pick is the Boots Fresh! Selection Box. It contains full sizes of their Sweet As Honey Bath Milk (9.4oz), Strawberry Surprise Body Cream (4.7oz), Chocolate Fix Body Wash (4.7oz), Banana Bonanza Bath Crystals (1.7oz), Pink Grapefruit Swirl Soap (2.6oz) and a cute apple looking body polisher sponge. $14.99 @ CVS stores

Holiday Pick - Minty Fresh

LALiCiOUS only uses peppermint essential oils in their Candy Cane line of products. Choose from Sugar Souffle Scrub ($32/16oz), Body Butter ($22/8oz), Body Wash ($16/8oz) or Body Oil ($20/8oz) all scented with the sweet scent of peppermint and @ lalicious.com

Give the gift of a smile this season with GoSMiLE’s Peppermint Candy Smile ($16/3.5oz @ sephora.com). This whitening fluoride toothpaste uses silica to gently polish away stains.
PHiLOSOPHY’s Candy Cane Lip Shine ($10 @ sephora.com) makes you feel like you’ve got fresh breath every time you inhale.

Holiday Pick - Work It Girl

We’ve always been big fans of the PRiNCiPESSA line and they have given us one to help turn our friends onto their great products. And this 10” x 7” lunchbox doesn’t contain sample sizes. The Bellina Box ($54 @ principessabeauty.com) is three full size products! Cattiva Diva (3.4oz) is the ultimate hand cream, Dolce Dreams (8.5oz) whipped body cream and Fresh Fiore (8.5oz) shower cream. Treat the princess in your life with this one.