restore moisture and add shine...

Bella Sugar posted a great hot oil treatment for your hair. This is great for hair that feels dry and looks dull. I love the idea of adding fresh avocado. Just remember, your hair will feel a bit heavier until you wash it a couple times. This recipe is best to to when your going to wear your hair up for a couple days. Click here to view the full recipe.

Top-to-Toe Guide to Luxe Bathing...

I am very pleased to post an article about "luxe bathing" that I wrote for Chic Today magazine. A fabulous bath is so important, so I was thrilled when I was chosen to write a full article on the topic. Chic Today is an online lifestyle publication which covers topics such as fashion, art, travel and beauty to name a few. To read the article and check out the full current issue, themed Gilded Glory, click here at chictoday.com. There are some other great reads and fun fashion in this issue as well. You can read online or download a free copy, look for the article under the beauty section.

a hint of rose...

One of my favorite product lines, Weleda makes an amazing rose body oil. Rub directly onto the skin to moisturize or add a few drops to your weekly bath. The scent is warm, earthy and pleasantly fades as it's absorbed by the skin. Also available in trial or travel size. Purchase at your local health food store or online.

a little Almond Oil can go a long way...

Above oil by Aura Cacia, available at auracacia.com.

It is still freezing in NYC and I am finding that my skin both feels and looks dry by the end of the day. I have always been a big moisture person so I tend to lather up with plenty of lotion in the AM, but the lotion isn't cutting it lately. Now I go straight to the source and use pure Almond Oil. I forget that a lot of the time less is more. Apply after a shower or bath and your skin will not only glow, but feel satisfied all day long. Oh, one tip I have for you, do not get dressed immediately after applying, let your skin soak it in, otherwise your clothing will! Available almost everywhere including your local health food store.

a new skin solution for the new year...

Saaf pure organic skincare is a wonderful new product line founded by Dr. Mah Hussain-Gambles, a qualified homeopath and pharmacologist.

Using rare, organic, cold pressed botanicals and finest quality, steam distilled organic essential oils with scientifically proven healing and anti-ageing properties, Saaf Pure Skincare has been certified by the Soil Association. It qualifies, too, for Halal accreditations, by employing a policy of no alcohol, no GMO's and no irradiation. Further accreditations make it vegetarian and vegan approved as well as being cruelty free and Naturewatch certified. Available in select locations. I will try to update all flawless beauty readers when Saaf becomes available online or in the U.S.. I can't wait to try these products by Saaf, the skin serums sound amazing!

scrub that dry skin goodbye...

I think all this freezing NYC weather has me thinking of ways to warm up and get rid of dry skin! Below is a great recipe involving rosemary and sea salt. Sea salt revitalizes the body and is always a good base for body scrubs, it also encourages the elimination of toxins. rosemary is one of my favorite oils. It is believed that Rosemary helps clear thinking, improves circulation (so perfect when your cold) and boosts the nervous system.

Mix 1/2 cup coarse sea salt with 1/4 cup rosemary oil (or adjust to your liking). Apply with hands, washcloth or body-scrub tool. This can be done in the shower or bath. Whats great about the bath is that you can soak in the sea salt and rosemary oil for awhile.

perfect gift for the holidays...

As I said may have said before I LOVE all and any products by Jo Wood Organics. The shelf appeal is so great and the product is such nice quality. The scents are both sensuous and luxurious. So, to say the least, I was very excited to come across this Amka gift set available online at Saffron Rouge. The gift set includes the Amka Organic Body Dew, Organic Body Oil, Organic Bath Oil and Organic Body Lotion. Amka (which is Swahili for 'to wake') is enchantingly fresh with top notes of Bergamot and Neroli and a romantic heart of Egyptian Jasmine and Iranian Rose Otto. This set is definitely number one on my holiday wish list!

healing herbal baths...

There is nothing more healing and relaxing than a nice warm bath. Adding different essential oils can enhance the whole bathing experience. Try to create a bathing routine, meaning bathing the same time everyday or the same day every week. It is also important to make sure you are not rushed for time and are in an environment that has little distractions. Each person has different habits and relaxation requirements so it may take more than one bath to find yourself fully able to relax. Below are a few of my favorite healing oils to add, feel free to mix, depending on your mood.

Lavender: Relaxes muscles and soothes nerves. Perfect for when you are stressed, angry or scared. Lavender also has a cooling element, great for warm summer nights. Lavender is also great for soothing skin rashes.


Rosemary: Promotes circulation while warming, rejuvenating and relaxing the body. Perfect for people who just can't seem to get warm enough! Rosemary oil also is good in the winter because it helps brighten and restore color in the skin.


Sage: Sooths and opens up the lungs, neutralizing negative thoughts and emotions. Sage cleanses the body tissues of sadness and fear. Sage also can help treat body acne.

make it glow...

A deeply moisturising and energising organic body oil from Jo Wood Organics. Active plant extracts of gingko, guarana and ginseng encourage circulation so that oxygen and nutrients can make their way into your cells and toxins can make their way out, leaving you feeling refreshed and revived. The anti-oxidants in apricot and grapeseed oils protect the skin against damaging free radicals, and Arctic bilberry, a rare and precious oil rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, soothes and replenishes dry skin, leaving it supple, soft and smooth.

This body oil is pricey though! About 100$ so below is something that I find just as Luxurious, the shelf appeal is not as nice though ;). Available at Origins and now 95% Organic!



Massage all body oils into your body after a bath or shower while your skin is still damp and warm, or add to a nice warm bath...