In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo

There are certain scents that just feel like a vacation. The kind of scent that carries you far, far away from the stressful day you’re having – even if just for a moment. I live for these products.

My In-My-Tub-Tuesday pick today, Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo ($13.50), is one of these said products.

 

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo ($13.50)

Far from just a pretty scent, this super-cleaning shampoo adds body to my fine hair while deep cleaning my hair from root to tip. You may have noticed that I mentioned the word “cleaning” TWICE in that last sentence. That’s because this shampoo really gets the job done – and all without stripping the hair of the oils we need – and want – for shine and smoothness.

The peppermint scent awakens your senses (helllloooo morning!), the rosemary helps protect against harmful environmental influences and the pure plant aroma energizes you and gets you ready for whatever you’ve got goin’ on next.

But, again, it’s that soothing-yet-invigorating scent and subtle tingling sensation it treats my scalp to that has kept me coming back for years. It’s minty fresh!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What product’s scent do you crave? 

 

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Bath & Body Works Pure Paradise Collection

With Flossie about to hit Hawaii and summer’s end in sight, I’m wanting any indication possible that summer can last just a little bit longer.

So what bathtime delights am I turning to in this tropical storm time?
Why, the Pure Paradise Bath & Body Works collection, of course!

Bath & Body Works Pure Paradise Collection ($11 -$16.50) - Pictured here: Pure Paradise Body Lotion ($11), Pure Paradise Shower Gel ($11), and Pure Paradise Fragrance Mist ($14)

Last night, I took a long, hot bath soaking in the Pure Paradise shower gel ($11). It foamed up a bit and made my bathroom smell like a tropical vacation meets my old days at camp. I closed my eyes and was able to smell both the memories of my yesterday and the future memories of my tomorrow.

What do I mean by that? Simple. It reminds me of a tropical vacation due to its summer seduction quality that it seems to have all bottled up while reminding me of my times at summer camp – filled with innocence, first love and the warm night breeze.

Of course, that might all be from the sumptuous star fruit, juicy guava or dewy cassis. Or it could be from the luscious gardenia, frangipani or water lily. But the white musk, blond woods and sunkissed coconut certainly don’t harsh my tropical bathtime buzz!

And when it came time to hydrate, I wanted the scent – and nostalgic feeling – to continue. So to town I went with the Pure Paradise Fragrance Mist ($14) and Pure Paradise Body Lotion ($11).

I went to sleep in a seductive slumber dreaming of my old pre-teen boyfriends from camp and my future boyfriends on the beach.
Now, that’s what I call a good evening, ladies!

 

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: What scents remind you of the summers of your youth? 

Friday Find: Kérastase Cristalliste

Long hair is lovely and I am definitely a long-haired lady for life. But when it comes to caring for long hair, I’m often a little overwhelmed by the amount of choices out there and underwhelmed with the results once I try them. Until now.

Kérastase Cristalliste for Long Hair

Kérastase Cristalliste is a line specifically designed to care for long hair. It promises to leave your hair shiny, luminous, smooth and radiant with a natural, lightweight feel. The unique Liquid Light Complex features an Anti-Oil Solubilization System – a dual system designed to trap and dissolve impurities, Anti-Dry Magnet-Like Polymers which are eco-friendly agents attracted to dry and sensitized zones, restoring evenness to the fiber’s cuticles protecting the hydro-lipidic layer and polishing the lengths (that’s a mouthful!) and an Aloe Vera Illuminator – a powerful natural moisturizer concentrated in essential amino acids and vitamins to enhance hair’s natural glow and shimmer. This all sounded great and Kérastase always delivers but, after a string of let-downs with my locks, I just wasn’t so sure that the results would live up to the pretty, pretty promises!

Well, after last Tuesday, consider me the newest long-haired devotee of Kérastase Cristalliste! And how could I not be?! I experienced the full Cristalliste line at Warren Tricomi in West Hollywood – with the lovely Whitney – and watched as my frizzy, dull hair was transformed into a head of shiny, luminous locks!

Experiencing Kérastase Cristalliste at Warren Tricomin in West Hollywood

 

Before Kérastase Cristalliste at Warren Tricomi and AFTER!!!

 

And, honeys, I’m in dire need of a haircut – as I’ve been growing out my locks and it’s been almost a year since I’ve had a trim – so if it can make mine look this good, imagine what it can do with your sexy strands?

The best part? My roots were as light as a feather and my hair had ooh-la-la-oomph when it came to volume. The blowout lasted three days with these fierce, fresh, featherweight products. And don’t even get me started on the sensuous scent!

Shine on, sister!!! You'll do just that with Kérastase Cristalliste

As I caught my plane the next day from LAX to DFW, I swear more heads turned as they caught a glimpse of my shiny head of hair. This single lady thanks you for that, Kérastase. And thank you, too, for keeping us long-haired lovelies in mind with this new line. The results are as beautiful as the promises!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Are you a long-haired lovely? 

Back-to-School-Backpack Beauty – LAVANILA – Delciously scented, Delightfully lasting, Deeply Memorable

Today’s Back-to-School Backpack Beauty featured product is LAVANILA. 

Why LAVANILA? Because they smell delicious enough to drink.

And I am seriously trying to ignore that Pumpkin Spice Latte so rudely calling me from down the street. Stay away, I warn you, you temptress!

And, because, it is the perfect back-to-school gift for your favorite student heading off to college – or high school – or yourself.

 

I became obsessed with LAVANILA, over a year ago, after a particularly productive (um, expensive) visit to Sephora. LAVANILA was my bargain buy–and my favorite purchase from the visit!

They had me at their precious packaging: dark chocolate and candy pastel damask. I was smitten. But it’s the scent that I fell in love with. It’s like if my grandmother’s kitchen married a french macaron bakery and they summered at a summer camp or the Sowell family lake house in Texas.  It’s even named LAVANILA! See? It’s delicious.

I have bought many LAVANILA products but the one that got me first was the deodorant.

LAVANILA Deodorant has a permanent place in my medicine cabinet

LAVANILA Deodorant has a permanent place in my medicine cabinet

 

Medicine Cabinet Friends

Medicine Cabinet Friends

 

The Vanilla Grapefruit Deodorant. Moisturizing, divine-smelling with its creamy citrus scent and long-lasting, this became my favorite everyday deodorant. I loved the scent that I left a room with while wearing it. It was subtle, sweet-with-a-bit-of-spice, and not the least bit overpowering. I wondered if they sold the fragrance on its own. They did! They do!

Move over Latte temptress: meet my new, calorie-free love!

Move over Latte temptress: meet my new, calorie-free love!

And oh good golly, the fragrance! SUCH a perfect fragrance for Fall! It’s as if Fall-kissed-summer in a bottle. A mouthwatering blend of summer sparkling grapefruit, fall cedarwood and warm Madagascar vanilla.

And, of course, I couldn’t stop there. I can have a little bit of an addictive personality when it comes to delicious things, did you notice?

So I wanted to get the Body Butter too. I loved it too, darn it! With its quickly-absorbed yet richly-hydrating formula, I knew it would be yet another LAVANILA product I would have to buy.

LAVANILA Body Butter

Lucky for me, all three came in the I love Lavanila gift set for only $49.50. I do love LAVANILA!!

I LOVE LAVANILA!

But the best part about these products (besides the deliciousness mentioned above) is that you can feel good about wearing them.
Deemed “The Healthy Deodorant”, “The Healthy Fragrance” and “The Healthy Body Butter”, you get that the focus of LAVANILA is health.

These all-natural products use REAL ingredients including vitamin-rich essential oils and butters for a naturally luxurious experience. Then, to exemplify their commitment to “natural” products, they make this healthy promise to you.

“We are committed to using only those all-natural and organic ingredients that nurture the soul and nourish the skin. Our luxurious products are vitamin-rich, non-irritating, clinically tested safe and free of harsh chemicals. NO paragons, petrochemicals, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, silicone, synthetic dyes, sulfates or aluminum.”

You read that right. None of that stuff you’ve been warned about recently is in any of these products. Plus, it’s not tested on animals and the packaging in 100% recyclable.

And this girl would like to thank them for that!

THANK YOU!!!!

Because I may have to give up my Pumpkin Spice latte to stay healthy but I’m not about to give up my LAVANILA.

p.s. Um, I’m not really giving up Pumpkin Spice lattes. I’m just trying to have a firm stance as the season begins. Once a week, I promise. A girl has to treat herself every now and then!