Have you ever wondered what a $12.95 bar of soap would feel like? Well, let me tell you, it feels heavenly. Leave it to me to find another expensive beauty habit…!  This Pure Castille Soap by Angelic Soap is so deliciously luxurious and utterly lovely that I find myself thinking, “How did my skin manage before this?” Colorless, scentless and gloriously aged for over a year, this creme de la creme bar is ideal for all skin types. Silky and nourishing, I find myself having to reach less and less for body lotion when using this olive oil based soap. (Hasta la vista, snake skin legs!) Safe for face and babies too, this makes for an elegant “one-size-fits-all” cleanse for the whole family. And as an “icing on the cake,” when stored properly and allowed to drain between uses this Pure Castille soap will far and beyond outlive any soap you’ve ever known before.

Angelic Soaps also has a wide offering of scented soaps as well.

Cinnamon Sugar Shea, Coco’s Little Black Dress (a gorgeous homage to the Coco by Chanel fragrance) and Tahitian Vanilla Shea were all particular favorites.

If you’ve never lived beyond Dove (or Irish Spring, gasp), it’s time to take a walk on the wild side. Your skin will say thanks.

Up until a few weeks ago, I’d never had a mind blowing shower. I’ve had good showers, maybe even a great shower, but certainly nothing mind blowing. Though it was my second shower of the day (which I usually don’t like to do because it dries out the ol’ Irish skin), I was excited to try out some new products. Prince Charming even claims I did a fist pump in the air when I got them in the mail. I guess I was doing my best Situation impression…. Sunnybrook Gardens Sampler Gift Set, you had me at hello.

Now, I have an eensy weensy bathroom with a very unglamorous shower. I’ve done my best to spruce it up, but to put it quite honestly: there is nothing farther from luxurious. But somehow, this sampler gift set (packaged so nicely that even P.C. commented) managed to have all the trimmings inside to transform this very un-luxe space into something suddenly tranquil and dare I say spa-like?

Now, mind-blowing or otherwise, I consider the shower to be somewhat of a sacred space. I’ve hatched some of my best ideas in the shower– it’s the one constant place where I can get my gears turning without distraction. So it’s sort of extra nice to have a little something special in there. Especially when all the goodies are handmade and not laden with chemicals!

What comes in said sent-from-Heaven sampler pack anyway? For $28 you’ll get:  one Hand-Milled natural soap, one facial scrub with 100% cotton scrubby, one small jar of an organic sugar scrub, one small jar of Sea Clay body mud, one lip balm, one Lava lip gloss, one small bottle of body oil, one cocoa butter solid lotion/massage bar, one small jar of body butter, a single use package of bath salts and one package of  bath fizzie.

All of the products are great. I’ve become a sucker for a thorough rub down of the body scrub (which smells decadent), followed by a nice sitting with the body mud and finally, finished off with the chamomile lemongrass body butter– forget about it….I’m relaxed, brain jammin’ with good ideas and my skin is looking swell. The soap, loaded with blueberry seeds, is the perfect everyday exfoliant. And if I could, I’d have one of Sunnybrook Garden’s lip balms in every drawer, handbag, car console, makeup bag and jacket pocket that I own. It single handedly, brought my lips back to reality– no more strips of dead skin hanging off (I assure you, it was as sexy as it sounds).

Truly, the epitome of a pick-me-up– everyone I know is getting these as gifts. Really, they’re THAT good.

Ah, I know I am so behind the times getting this up, but hot DAMN, do I love the Naked Palette by Urban Decay. Featuring twelve neutral eyeshadows in a mix of matte and shimmer finishes, this has become a staple in my makeup bag. Complete with a clear, creamy primer (which is fabulous) and a versatile brush that doesn’t suck, I consider my fifty dollars well spent. Mostly brown, nude-y colors, with a few gray ones peppered in, you can easily take your look from day to night in an instant. Perhaps what I was most impressed with, however, was that I haven’t experienced any fallout when applying these. No stray crumbs, no ruining my cheek highlighter, no giving myself an accidental “black eye.” A rare find, indeed.

I’ve stated in previous posts that I have cool coloring (dark hair, pale skin with pink undertones and light eyes)– I look AWFUL in warm colors. So when I first opened this palette, I saw a few “red flags,” if you will: a gold shadow and two rusty ones. A fourth of the palette suddenly seemed unusable. But hell, I tried them anyway.I found that combining them with a few different colors (always with “Sin”), was the ticket and adding them as “pop” color in the center of the lid as a final finishing touch added the perfect amount of glam. (And didn’t make my lids look like they were having liver failure.)

Recently, Urban Decay put out a Naked2 Palette featuring 12 different taupe and griege shadows. Receiving rave acclaim, this much anticipated sequel has sold out online temporarily. But not to worry, it’ll be back soon– Urban Decay isn’t one to miss making a buck.

Pick up one (or both) of these cult favorites and find out for yourself what all the buzz is about! You won’t be disappointed.

Recently, I started getting exponentially creeped out by how much crap goes into beauty products. I mean really, they chock full of cancer causing, downright horrendous ingredients and the only reason companies use them is because they’re cheap. And it thoroughly rubs me the wrong way. So as part of my continued cross-over to natural, organic products I have invested in deodorant and shampoo. It admittedly took me several tries to find the right deodorant. As I’d go to bed smelling like a 13 year old boy, I say to myself, “Is this really worth it?” Yes, it is and I finally found the right product. After doing some investigation online, I came across Bubbleandbee.com. What a resource! What is really neat about them is they

stand behind their deodorant– which is natural and organic– so if it takes you a couple tries to find the right one, no problem. I’ve also been using their “Really Good Shampoo” which smells like fresh squeezed lemon juice. Loaded with only wholesome ingredients, this takes a little getting used to as it doesn’t leave you with a “squeaky clean” feeling the way a synthetic shampoo (i.e. Pantene, Herbal Essences, etc.) does. It also requires a vinegar or lemon juice rinse in place of a conditioner (took me a couple tries, but lemon juice is definitely the better pick where my hair was concerned and I didn’t end up smelling like a salad). The tough part is that you have to go through a “detox” period where your hair looks…rough.

Prince Charming and I relocated to the Pittsburgh area at the beginning of August. With a two month window of little to no obligations, we dubbed it our “life hiatus.” During said time, we’ve been bumming around, learning many of

the cool nooks and crannies of our new city. And, because it’s been a hiatus, I have also taken to not blow-drying my hair and wearing virtually no makeup. (Gasps understood.) I toyed around with not shaving my legs for a period, but honestly, who wants to look at prickly dark hair on lily white skin? (Turns out, no one.) But there have been two staples that I have been unable to live without: my Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Tinted Moisturizer (in Light) and my Benefit Watt’s Up! highlighter. The former is a sheer coverage foundation, moisturizer and SPF all in one. It simply evens out your skin while using only a small dab of product. Easy to use, packaged sleekly and of the highest quality, I don’t know why this took so long to find its way into my hands! The latter is the newest highlighter from Benefit (the brightening authority). Adorably shaped like a light bulb, this champagne-colored, cream highlighter makes a festive addition to my collection. It even comes with a cotton buffer at the bottom to make blending easy-peezy. The color is unbelievably spot on and the cream texture is long-lasting. It definitely helps me fake baby’s bottom, “lit from within” skin.

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with perfume. My dresser tops are covered in them (I think it’s pretty, Prince Charming thinks it’s clutter– tomatoes, toe-mat-oes)… And now I have a new one to join the pack: Paris by Balenciaga. I was in a store and had spontaneously sprayed this on, knowing nothing about its notes, etc. and found myself sniffing my wrist again and again. I even went back the following day when I discovered how well it lasted on my skin. Demure, airy and downright sexy, I thought, “This deserves a place on my dresser top.” Notes of violet, cedarwood, pepper, patchouli and vetiver round out this well-balanced gem. Packaged in a timeless, clear crystal bottle with with a cream, crackled t0p, this would certainly bring an air of elegance to any vanity.

Good day Beautista readers.

My name is D. John Robinowitz and I am an artist in residence working in cooperation with the Beautista.  My first post will offer some advice for the practical man who cares about his appearance but has little time or effort to fuss about this aspect of himself for more than a minute or two per day.  Also, the products discussed below can serve as great gifts for a boyfriend or friend especially if you’re trying to send the “hygiene message.”  The Beautista slips me a new cologne sample when my man musk is leaning especially left of center and often leaves a new conditioner in the shower when my locks begin mimicking the consistency of a dirty Brillo pad.  The first products I’d like to mention come from Mixed Chicks, a company that specializes in products for curly hair.  Over the years, I’d hated the majority of shampoos and conditioners that promised moisture but then, didn’t quite deliver.  When I tried the Mixed Chicks products, I was astounded at the effect on my hair.  The dry feeling had disappeared.  I highly recommend their shampoo, conditioner and especially the leave-in conditioner which doubles as a styling product.  It smells fresh and vaguely like a Pina Colada on a hot summer night.  These products don’t cost much more than the Aussie/Tresseme/Old Spice bottles that may be occupying your shower stall as you read this.

But, I promise they will deliver superior results.  I also noticed that they now produce a men’s line called His Mix which I have yet to try.  However, the aforementioned product, as I’ve proven, is unisex.

Another new product I’ve been using in the groom room is Original Vetiver from Creed.  This cologne  will make you smell fantastic and it is perfect for late summer and fall.  I’m not a  professional nose but this one smells like clementines and autumn.  This bottle is admittedly very pricey but you can sometimes find some sweet deals through web-based fragrance shops.  If this is out of your price range, you can always go for some Curve by Liz Claiborne, a personal favorite with notes of Lemon, Mahogany and Musk that can be worn year round.  It’s been known for years that ladies flock to those wearing Curve (ahem, Beautista), which may be why this fragrance has been unchanged since 1996 and is still the 17th most-sold cologne in the U.S.  I’ve also tried Curve Chill for Men which is similar in some ways.  I recommend both but suggest starting with the original.

Signing off for now.  I hope that then men in your life can get the results from these products that I have.  Next time, I’ll dig out some older products and remedies that are still used widely today.  Thanks to the Beautista for having me and happy trails.

Kiehl’s has just came out with a FABULOUS, light-as-air moisturizer that couldn’t be anymore ideal for summer. The Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream is a weightless drink of water to the skin and is absorbed instantly. Similar in texture to NARS’ Aqua Gel Hydrator, this gel-cream (leaning way more towards the gel side though, I’d say) is targeted to those with combination-to-oily skin. For y’all out there who have been struggling to find a moisturizer that doesn’t feel heavy or greasy– no matter how “oil-free” and “light” the label claims it to be– you have finally met your match in this latest product from Kiehl’s. And retailing at $24.50, it’s nice to know it ain’t breakin’ the piggy bank either!

I must have Barbie on the mind because all I’m interested in wearing is bubblegum, hot pink lipstick (visions of me turning into Magda from Something About Mary just sashayed through my mind…). My latest love is with Trish McEvoy’s Vibrant Pink lip color. It’s reminiscent of Angelika gloss (from NARS) in color, but of course, is more sheer. A true, blue-based pink, this lipstick made no attempts at turning orange (my nemesis) once applied. The no-fuss application and light texture, round this out as my Summer 2011 “Best Beauty Find.”

*Please note that the lipstick appears much more coral in color in the photograph than it is. It is truly blue-based.