NEUTROGENA Norwegian Formula Hand Cream ($3.59/2oz @ target.com, amazon.com) – if this is the way the Norwegians do hand cream, I’m totally in! This is not like any other hand “cream” I have ever used. And it’s not really even a hand cream. It’s more of a thick salve or ointment that seems to stay on the skin for a while but not in a greasy way but more in a protective way. This one is getting my hands through the winter weather.

NARS Cinematic Lipstick in Short Circuit from the Guy Bourdin Holiday Collection ($26 @ sephora.com) - If bright lippies are your thing, this is a great orange-red that I’ve been wearing for the past week straight. Things are cold and drab right now so why not perk up with this hot shade?  And it so catches me off guard during the day that when I walk past a mirror and catch a glimpse, I almost don’t think it’s me in the reflection!

PIXI BEAUTY Glow Tonic ($29/8.5oz @ dermstore.com, pixibeauty.com and amazon.com) – this is a brand new area for the brand and if this is any indication of the quality of what they’ll be putting out, I’m in! It’s an alcohol-free toner that exfoliates using 5% glycolic acid and nourishes it with aloe, witch hazel, hose chestnut extracts and ginseng.

GOURMET BODY PASTRIES Sweet Tarts Candy Whipped Shea Butter ($12/4oz, $21/8oz @ gourmetbodypastries.com) – I’m so not into dessert smelling body products so I’m glad that this brand makes some for us like this Sweet Tarts one. Yum! Smells great and it works even better on the skin and uses just a few ingredients – oils of olive, coconut, almonds and vitamin E as well as Shea Butter, aloe and vegetable glycerin. That’s it! Love this kind of brand. 

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

I’ve been feeling a little fruity when it comes to scents in the shower and these two have been filling up my nose with delight!

LUSH Rose Jam Shower Gel ($10.95 - $29.95 @ lush.com) – I just noticed that this is not a permanent product in the line, however, their UK site ships internationally so I’ve linked to that site if you want to order. And oh, you should so order this! Upon first giving this one a whiff, it’s like one of those Zest soap commercials from yester-year – the whole body wakes up and a smile comes across the face. The combination of Rose Obsolute, Rose Oil Egyptian Geranium and Sicilian Lemon is so delightful. And oh, before I forget, you should know that it also works nicely as a shower gel. Haha. Hopefully they will make this a permanent product in the line soon. 

GOURMET BODY PASTRIES Lemon Soufflé Sugar Body Scrub ($14/4oz, $25/8oz @ gourmetbodypastries.com) – If you like dessert-scented products, support indy brands, and prefer using products with real ingredients inside, this would be a great brand for you to try. Take their scrub. You just gotta love a product with just the essentials – sugar, castor oil (not just for constipation. It’s a great humectant), olive oil, essential oil and fresh lemon zest. Like the above one, this is another that has me sniffing and sniffing it for the love of the lemon. And the prices are right on. 

Disclosure: Samples of these item were provided for review purposes.

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