Okay guys – are you reading this? Your lady does not want flowers, cheesy cards, boring chocolates or stuffed animals for Valentine’s Day. She wants something that shows you really “get” her. Something that shows you put some thought into a Valentine’s Day gift – not just stopped at a drugstore on the way home from work and picked up something from the sale bin.

Women are so confusing, right? Well, I’m going to make it easy on you. If you’re thinking about getting her expensive jewelry, you should probably still do that. Or she’ll get mad at me. But, also consider a bottle of perfume oil from Opus Oils. These luxury perfume oils are not going to break the bank, but they are sexy and UNIQUE. Like she is. You know it.

Island Girl Collection

So, is your lady fond of the beach? Is her idea of a dream vacation a trip to Jamaica complete with warm nights, spiced rum and coconuts? Then try the Island Girl Collection. Key Notes include scents like lime, coconut, vanilla, pomegranate, black currant, orange flower and jasmine.

Roller Girl

Is your girl tough and sexy? Does she prefer fishnets and spiked heels to nude stockings and sensible pumps? Try Roller Girl, with notes of licorice, black cherry, vanilla and vetivert.

Jitterbug Collection

Would your lady have fit right in during the roaring ’20s? Try Jitterbug, reminiscent of a vintage French perfume, it has key notes of four different kinds of Jasmine!  Also with Sweet Honeysuckle, Sparkling Lemon Essence, Luscious Orange Blossom, “Beach Found” Ambergris, Blond Tobacco & Sultry Sandalwood.

Wild Child

Is your special gal more of a free spirit? Flowing dresses, kale chips, patchouli and feather earrings? Well, you should definitely try all-natural, Wild Child. This is my personal favorite. I’m not exactly a hippie chick, but I do love patchouli – especially when it’s tempered with softer scents. Key Notes: Aged Dark Patchouli, Saffron, Honey, Milk, Peach, Tuberose, Black Currant, Dark Amber, Ambergris, Sandalwood and Vanilla.

Divine Collection

Is she your goddess? Try the Divine Collection with names like Eros, Pan, Isis and Venus. Sultry and sexy scents that tell her you worship her every step.

Afraid of the Dark Collection

If you know your lady is an adventurous one, you can even check out Opus Oils’ Afraid of the Dark, Fetish and Burlesque collections. Not for the faint of heart!

Dirty Sexy Wilde

And ladies, get your man a bottle of Dirty Sexy Wilde – this is like catnip for me. I keep spraying it on my man when he’s not looking. It’s so sexy! Key Notes include Galbanum, Red Mandarin, Violet, Rose, Night Jasmine, Blond Tobacco, Oakmoss, Coumarin, Musk, Civet & Ambergris. 

About Opus Oils:

Opus Oils is a Perfume Atelier located in the heart of glamorous Hollywood, CA with a European Division/Workshop in Paris, France. Opus Oils is one of the few niche perfumers involved in the quickly growing field known as ”Natural Perfumery.” All products are manufactured in the USA (unless specifically stated otherwise). The company’s goal is to create high quality, unique couture perfumes in the traditional methods of the artisan perfumers of centuries past, with an emphasis on natural ingredients.

Opus Oils’ specialty lines of boutique fragrances are hand blended, “aged” and poured in small batches to insure the highest quality and freshness. They use an extremely high concentration of essences in all scents. All fragrances are in a base of fractionated coconut oil, so there is never the harsh infusion of alcohol commonly found in so many commercial fragrances. Fractionated coconut oil is a light textured oil, which is odorless and tasteless. It is moisturizing and absorbs well, leaving your skin silky smooth without any greasy feeling. It does not stain sheets or clothing. Not all products are vegan, but Opus Oils has a strict policy of  NO animal testing!

You can purchase Opus Oils perfumes, lotions and bath products online or visit their Hollywood, CA shop. You can also contact opusoils@msn.com or call: (323) 667-3376 with any questions.

Jen

I love a good shaving cream. Let’s just say that I have some swarthy eastern European ancestry and when it’s the dead of winter, with no capris in sight, sometimes I’ll just let my legs revert back to their natural warm & fuzzy state. When I want to feel like a girl again, I love to use a luxurious shaving product and turn the whole process into a pampering bath time ritual. Aubrey Organics Crème de la Shave is a moisturizing shave cream that protects and soothes the skin with emollients and fruit extracts.

I tried the Pomegranate scent, which contains antioxidants to protect and tone as well. I loved the thickness of this cream; I only needed a little bit to ensure a close and comfortable shave. There is way less irritation when I use a thick cream like this (and usually less nicks and cuts) and my legs feel smoother than when I use products like soap or conditioner.

Aubrey Organics is certified by Leaping Bunny, and their commitment to organic and sustainable products and practices has been recognized by other regulatory organizations like the USDA, BDIH, QAI and NPA. Be sure to check out their website, Aubrey Organics, for more information on this company and their commitment to environmental sustainability.

Crème de la Shave is available in 5 different formulas and scents. You can check them out and purchase online at their website for $5.77 (free standard shipping on orders over $25!). You can also find Aubrey Organics at many national health food stores.

Abi

New Year Puppy

Guest post by Casey Slide

Every year, I make a couple resolutions, including a financial New Year’s resolution and a health and beauty one. Since I’m on a tight budget, I always try to pick cost-effective beauty goals. As much as I’d love to buy a gym membership or get electrolysis, some of the best things I can do for my body don’t cost a penny and have greater effects than the more costly solutions.

If you’re also on a tight budget but need a way to better yourself in the new year, use these 10 beauty resolutions to get started.

Totally Free Options

1. Get Your Beauty Rest
Getting the proper amount of rest can make you appear more beautiful, healthy, and alert. In fact, according to one study performed by Swedish researchers, a good night’s sleep is the most effective beauty treatment available. The body repairs itself on a cellular level while you sleep, which helps you look younger for longer. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep each night in order to get the maximum effect from your beauty rest.

2. Don’t Pop Your Pimples
What’s worse than having a pimple or blackhead? A scar or an infection. Having your hands near your face can cause breakouts. Make this resolution now so that when you walk by a mirror and notice a tiny imperfection, you won’t impulsively pick at the blemish.

Additionally, if you bite your nails, commit to stopping that bad beauty habit. Use nail polish to help you stay away from your nails and as a reminder not to touch your face.

3. Take a Warm Shower Instead of a Hot Shower
This free beauty resolution also saves you money on your gas or electric bill. Instead of taking a hot shower, turn the temperature down just a little to take a warm shower. It may take time to get used to the warm water, but you’ll notice right away that your skin has more moisture, particularly in the winter months.

4. Rinse Hair in Cool Water
If you decide to switch to warm showers, go all the way and rinse your hair with cool water to make your hair shinier. I love the effect this has on my hair, but I have to really brace myself for the cold water. You really have to commit to saving money to follow through with these resolutions.

Inexpensive Options

5. Wash Your Face Before You Go to Bed
If you’re like me, once it gets to a certain time of night, I become too tired to do anything. If I haven’t washed my face at that point, I forget it altogether. But by doing this, I am only harming myself, especially if I am wearing makeup.

Washing your face before bed cleanses you from a long day giving you a fresh feeling. It also removes makeup which otherwise opens your face to dirt and bacteria, leading to breakouts. Make sure you wash your face with a facial cleanser, and if you wear mascara, use a makeup remover appropriate for your eyes. Drugstores and grocery stores have an array of good facial cleansers available for less than $5.

6. Floss
What’s the purpose of flossing? To keep your teeth healthy and strong. The effects of not flossing create a downward spiral that can eventually result in the loss of your teeth. Plaque becomes tartar, tartar causes gingivitis, and gingivitis leads to periodontal disease.

While dentists and periodontists can fix these unpleasant†occurrences, treatment can be costly and painful. Do yourself a favor and take the easier, more cost-effective route by flossing and taking care of your teeth.

Tip: If you don’t have time to floss, try flossing while watching TV, sitting at red lights, or in the shower – which gives you an excuse to enjoy the warm water.

7. Use a SPF Moisturizer
I’m a young adult, but I have already started to notice the effects of the sun that come with age – sunspots. In addition to sunspots, the sun also causes wrinkles and skin cancer. Exposure to the sun affects beauty and youthfulness, as well as your health.

You can protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen. Many products you already use, including moisturizers and makeup, have sunblock. Look for SPF moisturizers and makeup at the grocery store and the drugstore to find multiple options under $10.

8. Discard Expired Makeup
The majority of women do not take expiration dates for makeup seriously, or perhaps they don’t realize that makeup has expiration dates at all. Makeup doesn’t last forever and breeds bacteria that can harm sensitive areas, such as the eyes.

Label products when you purchase them and throw them out as they expire. Cosmetics don’t always have expiration dates, but you can find guidelines for discarding expired makeup online. While you may spend more money when you throw away old makeup, you’ll also avoid potential medical problems and associated bills.

9. Do Home Manicures and Pedicures
Instead of paying for expensive nail treatments at salons, make a resolution to do your nails at home for one year. This saves a lot of money, and it also saves you time since you won’t have to drive to get your nails done or wait at the salon. Watch for sales at the drugstores to stock up on nail polish and store it in a cool, dark place to avoid separation and discoloration.

You can also commit yourself to moisturize your feet daily to help heal cracked heels. To do this, put lotion on your feet each night and then wear socks overnight. This inexpensive cure really works to heal worn-down feet.

10. Make Homemade Natural Shampoo
You can learn to make your own natural homemade shampoo recipes online, including several options that will work with your hair type. When you make your own shampoo, you save money and you avoid putting harsh chemicals on your body or down your drain.

I use malt vinegar or cider vinegar as a rinse because it removes dandruff and relieves an itchy scalp. In addition to homemade shampoo, you can try to go natural with other products, such as homemade toothpaste and acne treatments.

Final Thoughts

This year, improve your health and focus on your beauty without putting yourself in a more challenging financial situation. Ultimately, you do not need to make expensive purchases to have a healthier look. Get a good night’s sleep every night, use preventive measures like flossing, avoid harmful chemicals, wash, and moisturize to improve your overall health and beauty. Good luck!

What are your cost-effective beauty New Year’s resolutions? Please share your tips below.

Guest post by Casey Slide – a stay-at-home mom in the Atlanta area who writes about frugal lifestyle, beauty, and home living topics on Money Crashers.

So, I tried InviCible Scars, a cruelty free product created by nationally recognized breast reconstruction surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo. Following his research at the Shriner’s Burn Hospital for Children, Dr. Chrysopoulo realized that most scar therapies are based on clever marketing, not science.

Dr. Chrysopoulo met Mr. Roland Hoffmann, a successful business executive a few years ago. Shortly thereafter, they assembled a team of nationally acclaimed chemists and PhD’s to create InviCible Scars.

The product contains only clinically-proven ingredients, and avoids harmful ingredients and skin irritants. Unfortunately, my facial skin is reactive to Vitamin C, so I can only use this on my body. The good news is that’s where the scar is (on my hand)! I’ve been using it for a couple of months (and I can’t say I’ve been religious about using it night and day), but the scar is significantly lightened. I’m very impressed.

A note: make sure to use sunscreen when you use a lightening product or the hyperpigmentation (dark spots) can get worse. You should be doing that anyway.

Ingredients:

Silicone (Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer), Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate), ProBiosyn-4 (Helianthus Annuus [Sunflower] Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Carthamus Tinctorius [Safflower] Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate [Licorice Extract])

Jen

I’ve spent the last few years looking for a good skincare line that will restore my complexion to its former glory. Recently, my requirements have also included that the line be cruelty-free and organic, without the harmful preservatives and fillers that seem to dominate many drugstore brands. I’ve been using Madre Lab’s line for the past month or so and I am officially hooked. I realized the extent of my addiction when I nearly had a panic attack because I thought I left the foaming cleanser in a relative’s shower after a long distance Thanksgiving visit.

The pH-balanced facial care line includes the Creamy foaming cleanser, Purifying toner, Refining Micro-Polish and the Camellia Care Concentrated Green Tea Skin Cream. All of the products contain Madre Labs ‘ResveraPhenol Skin-Perfecting Complex’, which is a plant based complex designed to help diminish existing skin damage and minimize future damage.

The Refining Micro-Polish was my first experience with consumer-grade microdermabrasion and I was a little wary because my skin is sensitive and prone to redness. While gently buffing the thick, grainy scrub into my skin, I felt a pleasant warmth and very slight tingling. When I rinsed the scrub off, my skin felt smoother than it has in years and had a clarity and glow that I haven’t seen since an expensive facial I received years ago. I’m a microdermabrasion convert. In addition to the cocktail of renewing anti-inflammatory ingredients, this scrub uses bamboo and volcanic sand to exfoliate the skin, while shea butter and various plant-based emollients calm and soothe simultaneously.

The soap-free foaming cleanser provides a nice, luxurious lather that doesn’t feel drying.  Only a small amount is needed to clean the whole face and neck, so it goes a long way.

The purifying toner is refreshing – removing impurities and encouraging hydration.

The Camellia Care Concentrated Green tea skin cream is light and would be perfect for the warmer months. This crème contains antioxidant EGCg, hyaularonic acid and the ResveraPhenol complex.

The first words that came to my mind after using these products together were “nourishing” and “nurturing”. The clarity and tone of my complexion has improved and I feel like I’m doing my skin a treat every time I cleanse, instead of worrying that I’m stripping it dry. The company behind these products, Madre Labs, is committed to providing the highest quality products (they sell dietary supplements and personal care products as well!), using an Analytical Testing Procedure to ensure the quality of their raw materials. Their logo, “NO No-No’s”, signifies that they’ve done their homework when sourcing the best and safest raw materials, ensuring that everything that goes into their products is beneficial to both person and environment.

These products are available at iherb.com. The Camellia Care Cream is $19.95, while the other 3 products retail between $25.00 and $40.00. Also, check out Madre Labs on Facebook for articles on healthy living and discount codes for online orders.  (Use WOW123 to get $5 off your first order at iherb.)

Abi