Back in June, I had reviewed two of celebrity stylist Chaz Dean’s WEN cleansing conditioners. Though I enjoyed the Tea Tree and Sweet Almond Mint varieties, I gotta tell you: I’m even more impressed with the Cucumber Aloe!

As you may recall, these cleansers are different from conventional shampoos–they do not foam or produce any lather. That’s because they do not contain any of the standard sulfate detergents that induce suds; those pearly bubbles are known to strip colored hair of both tint and moisture. (So much for that whole “squeaky clean” concept.)

But I digress–you probably want to know why I’ve chosen a BFF for my hair. My rationale is quite simple: I love that I can have a dye-job that lasts and clean, healthy tresses! WEN’s Cucumber Aloe formula has been designed to be simultaneously moisturizing and clarifying, both of which suit fine hair or oily scalps (with dry ends). I’ve been using this product for a couple months now; a thorough rinse ensures no leftover residue.

Key ingredients:

• cucumber fruit extract
• organic aloe vera leaf juice
• extracts of rosemary, chamomile and marigold
• menthol
• witch hazel
• avocado

I guess I’m not the only one who’s in love with WEN! Check out the testimonials: if it’s good enough for Julianna Margulies….

As are the rest of the cleansers, Cucumber Aloe is indeed cruelty-free–it’s Chaz-tested by the stylist himself. And while certainly not cheap, this product delivers a consistent performance. The current QVC sale helps to mitigate some of the cost; don’t miss out!

Jen#2

Product info and images courtesy of Chaz Dean and QVC.

Celebrity still courtesy of IMDb. Photo by David M. Russell–copyright 2010 by CBS Broadcasting Inc. All rights reserved.

The sun has finally begun to shine, and the cold winter weather has broken! Around this time of year, we begin to fill our closets with sundresses and chic strappy sandals, but wait a minute–not so fast! Before you strut your stuff in those sassy wedges, take a good look at your toes: if you’ve neglected your poor feet during the winter months (as many of us do), now is the time to pamper those tootsies with a home pedicure.

Not only will a home pedicure save you a ton of cash, you’ll also have total control over the products you use.  This helps lessen the chance of any inhumane products slipping into the mix. For a cruelty-free–but incredibly luxurious pedicure– look no further than SpaRitual products! They’re not only humane–they’re also vegan and free of synthetic ingredients.

Here’s what you’ll need to make the most of your foot-pampering experience:

• First, remove any dead or rough skin from your heels with Let It Go Callus Remover.  This elixir smooths your feet and helps ease callus build-up with fruit acids, tea tree oil, sugar cane and aloe.

• Try some Sole Mate Hydrating Foot Balm next to deeply moisturize and soothe those tired feet; they’ll be most appreciative!  With a rich formula consisting of baobab oil and organic Fair Trade Shea Butter, this decadent cream even exfoliates with papaya extract and tamanu oil.

• Finally, after all your hard work, comes the fun!  Apply a fabulous shade of polish to show off those smooth, sexy feet! SpaRitual nail polishes are healthy, because they’re  free of commonly used chemicals such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde and toluene. Hot pink is the hot color for Spring/Summer 2010, so be sure to try Hope Springs Eternal.

Congrats–you’re all done! With just a few easy steps, you’re ready to hit the sand and flaunt twinkle toes worthy enough to be the envy of elite salons and nail enthusiasts everywhere.   Go ahead, you deserve it!

Editor’s note: Content provided courtesy of  guest blogger Amber McKinnon on behalf of Jolie Hair and Beauty Academy, a cosmetology school with locations in both MA and PA; to learn more, click here.

Then a few years ago my best friend and fellow Sun Goddess was diagnosed with skin cancer. So we both went from spraying tanning oil all over our bodies and baking in the sun to lathering on the highest SPF we could find all over our face and bodies and being sure to always wear sunglasses and hats.

With my new precautions, I lost my tan and missed having that color. Looking tan makes people look thinner and camouflages cellulite. Besides, how many pictures of celebrities are out there with gleaming white bodies in bikinis? Not too many, if any! I have tried several different sunless tanning products to get that golden glow without risking my health and have many horror stories, but Solerra Tanning Mitts are definitely not one of them.

Solerra Tanning Mitts are super-easy to apply. Even a beginner sunless tanner would get a great tan. And don’t worry about turning orange with this product. Instead, expect an amazing bronze color. I was surprised by how quickly it dried and how soft my skin felt after applying the product. My skin literally felt like silk.  Most sunless products also have a distinct odor that I personally don’t care for, but Solerra did not have this smell. As a sponsor of the Skin Cancer Awareness Foundation, Solerra understands the dangers of too much sun and has created a product that is a wonderful alternative. The best part is that a day after using the Solerra Tanning Mitts my friend commented on how tan I looked. So, Solerra passed the ultimate test and I will be using this product again.

Below are some tips that I use when applying any type of sunless tanning product:

• Apply at night after a shower. Be sure to shave and exfoliate and to dry off completely before the application.
• Immediately after the product has been applied, moisturize your entire body (where the product was used). I use whatever lotion I have in the house.  I find that moisturizing after the sunless tanning product helps to prevent any potential streaking.
• Always wash your hands! Even though the mitts protect most of your hands, depending on your hand size, the heels of the hands can get some of the lotion on them.

Guest blogger Ella is a makeup artist, former cosmetic counter maven, and lover of all things beauty. She loves trying new products and can’t resist a great deal. She prides herself in her closet full of beauty supplies, which is bound to make even the most obsessed beauty junkie jealous.

Of course, I realize the importance of applying a daily lotion. The skin on our bodies takes so much abuse. Not only is it losing moisture all day, but the sun, wind and pollution are damaging it too. Personally, my dry and scaly arms and legs having been begging for attention.

And Ella’s words were just the push I needed in the right direction. It was time for me to start taking more time for me, and believe it or not, body lotion was exactly what I needed. But it had to be the right body lotion. I decided to try Jergens Naturals Extra Softening Moisturising Lotion. It’s from Jergens’ UK division and it’s delightful.

It has a creamy, yet lightweight consistency with a sweet buttery fragrance. It absorbs quickly and helps my skin feel velvety smooth.

It contains 95% nautral ingredients, which make my skin feel soft, never greasy. Shea Butter relieves roughness and holds in moisture. Yogurt softens and restores the skin’s pH balance. Soy extracts contain vitamin E and provide antioxidant protection. It’s also paraben free.

I’ve been applying this lotion after my shower every day, as well as throughout the day, and my skin has never felt better. This is definitely a habit I can get used to.

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I decided to try their Organic Lavender Shower Gel, an organic-based, paraben-free skin treat.

From first use, this product surprised me. Since it’s a sulfate-free product, I prepared myself for a low lather, but it actually had a rich lather that helped me feel like I was getting completely clean–without making my skin feel the least bit dry.

It’s skin-soothing ability is due to its organic oils, like coconut, jojoba and olive oil. These instantly absorb so they don’t make your skin feel greasy, only soft and comfortable.

Of course, with a name like Lavender, it does indeed have a fresh, calming fragrance. Lavender essential oil and rosemary extract combine to soothe and comfort, which makes it a perfect bubble bath as well.

Another Russell Organics product that I’ve been using with my shower gel is a body scrub called Lemon Jojoba Body Polish. This creamy exfoliant uses Jojoba beads to gentle slough away dead skin cells while Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, and Safflower Seed Oil soften even the driest skin. With each use, my skin feels smoother and looks healthier. Not bad, since the skin on my body usually looks rough and dull. It also leaves my skin smelling as fresh as lemons.

Yes, I think I’ve found the perfect combination to clean and beautify the skin all over my body. I’m not sure if I’ll ever go back to that gross bar of soap. Not only does my body thank me, but my bathtub does too.

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