When your skin is dry, it's really important to exfoliate it. But it's bad to exfoliate without re-hydrating your skin! Avon's Skin So Soft Fusions Dual Softening Body Wash $6.50  6.7 fl. oz.  multi-tasks, with an affordable, effective body wash that cleanses, exfoliates and moisturizes all in one. The lightly scented body wash feels silky even though it contains little "smoothbrasion: beads that help gently slough off dead, dry skin cells. My skin felt soft and smooth after using it, but thanks to the ultra-conditioning agents in this product, my skin also continued to feel smoother and softer the next day--pretty nifty!  I tried the "Renew & Refresh" formula, with a green floral scent with lily petals and roses.  The scent was nice in the shower, but quickly dissipated so it didn't compete with my favorite perfume.  There's also "Light & Lush" (a light citrus with lemon and grapefruit) and "Soft & Sensual" (with rose, jasmine and ylang ylang).  TIP:  His skin gets dry, too...I'd leave the citrus-y "Light & Lush" in the shower where it's accessible --he'll be tempted to try it.

I love the scent of lemon, especially when I really need something more than coffee to get me going. Tea Tree Lemon Sage Energizing Body Lotion $12.95 6.8 fl. oz. by Paul Mitchell, in a  flip-top tube, smells like a zesty lemon drop. It's full of nourishing, moisturizing, Buriti fruit oil  and tea-tree oil that invigorates your skin.  We didn't try it, but we'd also recommend the companion Body Wash $9.95 6.8 fl. oz. With these two, you're sure to start the day, smiling. Even better, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree has a partnership with American Forests, an international non-profit organization dedicated to a healthier environment. Paul Mitchell products fun the planting of enough trees through American Forest to offset all carbon emissions from the brand's manufacture and distribution.  A portion of all Tea Tree product sales also fund American Forests Global ReLeaf and Wildfire RelLeaf programs to help preserve our natural resources at home and abroad. *see our "Hair Helpers" section for more Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lemon Sage products.

Why just burn a candle, when you can also do something great for your body?  The Scandle Body Massage Candle $21.95 10 oz. is a fragrant hand-poured body massage candle.  It melts at 2 degrees above body temperature to produce a soothing and healthy body/massage oil that has moisturizing shea butter, Vitamin E, jojoba and soy butter.   It's the perfect companion for a spa night or romantic night for two. The large Scandle comes in an attractive, re-usable  (Refills $9.95 - $10.95) ceramic container with pour spout.  The candle will burn 30-50 hours.  However, for those who just want a smaller and super-affordable version, there's the  Travel Tin $12.95 4 oz. The off-white candle comes with a rubberized orange band around it  (doubles as a bracelet if you wish).  I tried "Calming," that smelled wonderfully of relaxing lavender. There's also Uplifting, Sensual,  Healing and Detoxifying scents. I've seen other wax-as-massage candles, but these are particularly nice. If you want something unusual to try out with someone special, or you're just the type that just can't keep hands out of the candle wax, Scandle Body Massage Candles are a great choice. Even if there's no romance in your life right now, you can pamper yourself and use the moisturizing, Vitamin E infused wax,  as a soothing treatment for hands and feet!

Caroline Chu, new to our review this column, creates innovative, luxurious products centered on overall well - being. Using the highest quality natural ingredients available, her products  are created for women of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles, to help them feel confident and empowered. The Advice Sisters tried two bath/body products: Caroline Chu Shower Gel  $18.00 11.8 fl. oz and Caroline Chu Moisturizing Body Lotion $18.00 11.8 fl. oz.   The packaging is elegant, minimalistic, and nicely unisex: clear, smoke-grey plastic bottles with black pump tops.  I also like the fact that the Caroline Chu web site offers a list of all the ingredients in her products, so you can decide whether they're right for you. The Shower Gel, infused with chamomile, offers a mild, not very foamy cleanser, that's  enriched with vitamins and soothing aloe vera -- good for all skin types.  There isn't a loud, "smell me!" moment. and it provides a spa-style experience for every member of the family. The  Moisturizing Body Lotion  also absorbs quickly and leaves the lightest hint of a fresh, floral scent behind, along with smoother, hydrated skin.  This lovely lotion has natural plant extracts help tone, firm, and revitalize  (use it when your skin is damp, after showering, for best effect).  It's also Infused with aloe, Vitamins E, A, C, and B5  to help nourish. Your entire family will like it!

Pur Minerals Correcting Primer $29.50 is one of those products you don’t really how much you need, until you try it.  It’s a lightweight, nearly sheer, silky gel type primer in a pump bottle that goes on under your foundation (or on bare skin) to make your skin look nearly flawless and help your makeup stay put. I LOVE these See a thumbs-up review  of Pur Minerals Correcting Primer on the AdviceSisters Blog.

Facial redness is not a chic look, yet plenty of people suffer from this skin condition that hard to conceal. You either look like you're wearing a mask, or you end up with blotchy skin showing through the cover-ups. Clinique is helping to solve the problem with a new product called Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder $32.50.  he generously sized jar of loose, natural powder minerals, is a soft, creamy yellow, that neutralizes the look of redness.  The product contains a patent-pending complex rich in natural, anti-irritants, suitable for even the most sensitive skin (even for those with Rosacea). The key ingredients include caffeine and extracts of magnolia bark, poria cocos (mushroom), and grapefruit that work to visibly calm redness. Calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium help absorb excess oil, and Vitamin E  (antioxidant) is also included. The included,  swivel-up brush,  is the size of a lipstick tube, and it has Clinique's unique, antibacterial technology that helps protect the brush from developing mold, fungus and bacteria. You can use this allergy tested, 100% fragrance, talc and oil-free, non acegenic powder with or without makeup. If you lightly dust it on, the effect is subtle. Apply more under makeup, and it really is remarkable. If your skin is ruddy or you have rosacea, you'll consider this a miracle, must-have!

Unless you have unusually flawless, smooth skin, your makeup will never look absolutely perfect without a good face primer. A great new one is Prescriptives Flawless Face Primer $27.50 that helps smooth out and even out the texture of your skin. It'll help your makeup look more flawless, and it also provides a base for it to adhere to, so it'll last longer. This primer is super light–you’ll quickly forget you even used it.  However, you'll notice that your skin looks great, and then you'll remember: thanks go to Prescriptives!  I used to think that primers were not really necessary,  but once I realized how much better they make my skin look, and how they boost the performance of foundation and tinted moisturizers, I became a believer.  Maybe you don't need to use a makeup primer on a casual weekend, but it's a must-have when you want to look your best. This  Prescriptives primer is a serious multi-tasker. The silky lotion also helps to diminish the appearance of large pores, lines and wrinkles, redness and discoloration. It's oil- free and visibly calms and soothes your skin while it reduces excess oil. For a product that will help your foundation stay-put, look great, and provide overall skin benefits, you can’t beat this one.

Diorsnow Sublissime skincare is an innovative, whitening and brightening range that brightens skin by generating white skin cells. The technicalities are a bit complicated, but basically, Dior employs two key technologies: Pro-Active Brightening Regulator (PABR), a breakthrough technology in brightening science; and the combination of JDEline (a yeast extract that reinforces the dermal-epidermal junction of the skin) and E-Cadherine-accel (a protein which has an accelerated action against spots).  DiorSnow Whitening Spot Reducer $45.00 .13 fl. oz. is a fresh, light gel with a creamy texture comes in a clean, pen format that you apply on dark spots. The active ingredient is Lightenine, an anti-oxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that is a melanin fighter (melanin is a pigment that affects skin, eye, and hair color in humans and other mammals. It is produced by melanocytes, which are found in the bottom layer of the skin's epidermis). When applied locally to dark spots on your skin, this seemingly simple (but obviously not), powerful product works to continue the overall brightening effect of the other ingredients and other products in the DiorSnow Sublissime line, from cleansers to foundations. If you want  whitening products, you can't go wrong with these. They're effective, and also well priced.

When most of us think of acne treatments, we think of a cream, lotion or potion we apply to the affected areas.However,  Ifrenel  $24.95/24 packets is a kaolin clay and salicylic acid based cleanser in single-dose, powder packets. These packets are intriguing because they don't just cover up a zit. They cleanse, protect and cover skin with natural mineral ingredients and 1.5% salicylic acid (encapsulated in corn starch to provide a slow release of the ingredient). Rub the product dry onto your face and then wash it off. Oil and dirt are draw up and held in the clay via capillary action, while salicylic acid helps exfoliate to reduce existing breakouts and prevent new ones. This product also helps smooth your skin and reduce the production of oil, so your skin stays less oily and keeps your foundation from spot breakthroughs, too. Ifrenel is not as economical as a large bottle of zit cream, but dry packets are very portable. You can carry several week's worth and not add weight or worry that they will leak in your bag or be confiscated at the airport. Instead of using your regular cleanser in the morning, snap open one of the single-use packets and pour the powder into your hand. Gently apply it dry to your entire face, even the parts without any breakouts (avoid eyes and lips), Then just rinse the powder off with water. This one-step, rinse-off treatment will help make your skin smoother and less oily, too! Its non-irritating and preservative free, and clinically tested with an allergy tested formula. Most people will need just one packet a day, but you can use it twice a day. It may be a bit harsh for people with very dry skin (use an oil-free moisturizer only if dryness occurs) but for convenience,  effectiveness, a natural product, and a more pleasurable way to deal with acne, Ifrenel is definitely well worth the cost.

If you want to make younger skin last, look to Bliss, and Peeling Groovy $65.00 1. fl. oz. while you're sleeping. This amazing, retexturizing solution-formerly known as "Sleeping Peel Serum" is sure to continue to be a gigantic hit for Bliss, once again. The clear serum in a glass pump jar works hard while you're sleeping to help perfect the texture of your skin; reduce the look of  fine lines and large pores, and lighten blemishes and sun-damaged spots for smoother, younger,  looking skin. While Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) is the gold standard for this type of exfoliating skin treatment, it can also be supremely irritating to sensitive skin. Peeling Groovy's serum has  kinder to skin, gentler,   FAs (filaggrin-based amino acid antioxidants).  As a beauty reviewer for more than a decade and one with very sensitive skin,  I cautiously applied Peeling Groovy to the backs of my hands, before putting it on my face.  There was a slight tingle.  I waited for my skin to get red and blotchy...but it didn't happen!  Encouraged,I tried it on my face for a few days.  I initially thought that since it didn't burn my skin like the AHAs, it might not do anything much to retexture my skin. I can't use anything for every long since I'm always trying new things, but the few days I used this product really did help to make my complexion smoother and brighter--and all I had to do is apply it and get some beauty rest. Maybe Bliss should just call it: "Sleeping Beauty!"

Auriderm from Biopelle, Inc. a Ferndale Pharma group Company is new to our reviews this column. Their products feature Vitamin K Oxide, a more stable form of Vitamin C that help reduce bruising by helping the body to re-absorb a substance in our blood called “hemosiderin.” Hemosiderin or haemosiderin is degraded ferritin, and can appear as an abnormal microscopic pigment found in the human body. When hemosiderin is injured, it is responsible for the stain or discoloration of tissue around the site of an injury. The body will eventually re-absorb some, or all of the stain, but it takes a long time.  Auridern goes to work when the blood vessels (or even tiny capillaries) are broken due to a variety of causes including deep cosmetics filler injections or other procedures.  I tried the Illume Eye Cream $50.00 15 .5 oz. in a travel-friendly tube. The unscented cream slides on easily, and helps treat discoloration under the eyes It also has ingredients to reflect light and reduce puffiness.  I used it for a few days, and saw moderately good results, so I'm assuming with regular use, this one would work quite well.  I also tried the citrus-y smelling Auriderm Clearing Gel $40.00 1 oz. The gel with 2% Vitamin K Oxide felt cool and a bit tingly on my skin.  Applied twice a day (morning and evening) the product helps to reduce the appearance of spider veins. It also repairs and rebuilds vascular and capillary walls to help prevent further spider vein, with promising results. The products are a bit pricey, but if you suffer from these conditions, it’s a small price to pay for relief. These products should be effective, but there isn't any website for Auriderm and I couldn't get a lot of information about how to use them.  Auriderm is available from Physicians offices, however, so ask your doctor.

Dry,, sensitive skin...what a drag!  Regular cleansers and moisturizers may have irritating ingredients that only add to the problem, but you’ve got to do something to help your skin. CeraVe by Coria Laboratories, Ltd. is a line of skin care products that was developed specifically to help dry, sensitive skin. A patented “MVE” technology releases various ingredients in a controlled way over a period of time, allowing skin to be hydrated long and more efficiently. Since this is a line for sensitive skin, the ingredients are free of fragrances, harsh chemicals and propylene glycol and detergents that can make a person with sensitive skin rue the day they tried that product!  I tried the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream $14.99 16 oz. The jar is plain white plastic, but the product inside is special: loose, white, unscented cream pampers dry, sensitive skin, sensibly. Nourishing ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, water and fatty acid esters are released (through that MVE technology) deep into the skin, to provide a pampering, nourishing, deeply hydrating treatment that won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin.  It is easily absorbed and totally non greasy.  It isn't a sexy product but it works.

I am a real fan of Biotherm's skin care products. They're great quality, feature cutting-edge ingredients, and they work! Two new products for the face help dry and stressed out skin: Multi Recharge Daily Super Hydrator for Exhausted Skin $37.00 1.69 fl. oz., and Aquasource Micro-Fine Super Serum $36.00 1.69 fl. oz. The Multi Recharge Daily Super Hydrator for Exhausted Skin has a long name, but, in short, it is a soothing, moisture-packed treat for parched skin that's exhausted. You already know what an exhausted person looks like.  Maybe you're feeling a bit tired, even as you're reading this!  When you're tired, your skin shows it. This product helps to re-energize your skin, and it's not just a pick-me-up, but one that's packed with moisture, too! The cheerful, orange and white pump bottle dispenses this amazing "SOS" (save our skin) product with ginseng (for energy) and a lot of good-for-your-skin ingredients. The light lotion feels cool and even a bit invigorating as you apply it, and quickly dissolves into your skin to leave it feeling (and looking) like it's just had it's morning coffee! You can see a difference, immediately. Now that's, amazing! Aquasource Micro-Fine Super Serum is another welcome addition to the world of deep moisturizers. This one arrives in an ice-blue and white pump bottle. The color by itself makes you feel as though something special is inside--and it is.  It is formulated with Himalayan Pink Salt and Biotherm's patented Vitreoscilla Ferment (a microfine hydrator rich in essential minerals, including iron, to help stimulate your skin’s ability to hydrate itself). An exclusive Biopolymer helps insulate skin against moisture loss in any climate. This serum is silky, without any residue or greasy feel. You won't even remember you used it until later, when you realize your skin is still soft and moist.

I didn’t get the Chocolate Masque $28.00 2 fl. oz .by Hemloq in time for our Winter What Works column, but since I’m crazy about chocolate, I was intrigued. While there is cocoa listed as in ingredient in this masque, other natural, good-for-your-skin ingredients come first, including witch hazel and almond and macadamia nut oils. The simple, plastic, screw-top jar has a nice label that looks hand-applied. The instructions suggest that you steam face with a wash cloth before using this product, and then leave it on 15-20 minutes to get the full effect. I am one of those people who prefers the instant gratification of a quick skin treatment, but when you have time to indulge in relaxation and pampering, this is a perfect spa night treat. The super-moisturizing masque looks like milk chocolate pudding. On your skin, it can help undo some of the tightness and dryness associated with dry skin.  Super-emollient Shea butter, lactic acid (a mild exfoliant) and aloe vera are soothing and the product is also paraben and sulfite-free. If you are seeking a natural, moisturizing skin masque that’s gentle but effective, this product that will make you feel good, and healthy.

Boscia, new to our columns, has a limited edition, only-at-Sephora set of five Essential Must-Haves $38.00 ($76.00 value). The company has gathered five of it's most popular products, and put them together in "try me" sizes. Kits like these let you sample products before you commit to the full-sized items and today, the small sizes are great for travel  This set of Boscia faves contains: Purifying Cleansing Gel 4.06 fl.oz.; Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15 .5 fl. oz; Recharging Night Moisture  .5 fl. oz.; Green Tea Blotting Linens (100 sheets) and a really fabulous,  Willow Bark To-Go Treatment ("click it") Pen 0.14 oz.  They are packaged in plain white containers with green accents (very unisex) and are free of: Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petro-Chemicals, and Phthalates. TIP: Since they are preservative free, you should use them before there expiration date on the box.  Each Boscia product contains a proprietary, botanical blend of two extracts: Jojoba Leaf and Willow Herb. Both help solve the most common skin problems: dullness, dryness, fine lines, lack of firmness, blemishes, and sensitivities. Jojoba Leaf is an antioxidant. and Willow Herb Extract, a natural, skin-calming botanical that helps to alleviate inflammation and reduce redness. For someone with oily or combo skin, these products are especially great. The gentle cleanser and the really Moisturizers (very light, fast absorbing, and effective) are very good.  The blotting sheets are a must-have in your handbag, along with the Willow Bark Breakout Treatment.

Skyn ICELAND'S excellent products has ingredients from quite a unique place-- Iceland itself.  The products use some of Iceland's natural resources in a  proprietary Biospheric Complex that contains mineral-rich Icelandic glacial water, arctic berries, oxygenated lipsomes, butterfly bush and thyme extract --boosted by high tech skincare. The result is a collection of easy to use, very effective products that relieve, heal and replenish chronically stressed skin. In the Icelandic language, "skyn" means "senses."  You'll defomote;u see a connection between mind and body when using these rejuvenating products. Introduce Skyn ICELAND to your tired, exhausted, irritated and depleted skin  and watch it come back to life. The Fundamentals Kit $70.00 is a $120 value that has three "must-haves" from the collection: Glacial Face Wash is a pleasant to use, creamy, foaming cleanser that refreshes and purifies chronically stressed skin without stripping its natural moisture. Follow with Antidote Quenching Daily Lotion -  a lightweight, invigorating and hydrating tonic for chronically stressed skin that offers an immediate shot of moisture with a spicy, cooling effect that helps to decongest, calm and stabilize skin (you will feel an immediate difference) and also Icelandic Relief Eye Cream.  This cream treats the delicate skin under your eyes. The area  will immediately feel hydrated and soothed, while the product works to reduce puffiness, wrinkles and dark circles. These products are exceptional, and the kit is exclusive to Sephora, It's a great way to get to know Skyn ICELAND --a connection you'll be very, very glad you've made!

A guy’s skin can be just as sensitive as a woman’s, but if he wants to look neat, he still has to shave every day. Nature’s Gate Organics Shave Gel n Lemongrass & Clary Sage Creamy Shave Gel $6.99 pampers his skin with certified organic botanicals instead of chemicals, and Vitamins A & E, aloe vera and witch hazel, to reduce the irritation from shaving and soothe and moisturize his skin. The scent of this gel is amazing–like freshly mown grass (to me at least–others noticed the citrus-y lemongrass more and liked that, too). The flip-top tube is tastefully dark green and grey so it’s masculine but easy on the eyes. This shave gel is easy on his skin, easy to use, easy to like, and easy o the budget.  Our male reviewers gave it two thumbs up!

Lip balms that you can share, are sexy!  A wonderful line of lip balms that are truly unisex are the new line of A La Mode Lip Balms by Crazy Rumors. These clear balms smell like your favorite flavors of ice-cream (Almond Fudge, Banana Split, Mint Chocolate, Orange Creamsicle, Pistachio, and Raspberry Sherbet) but they last longer than a sundae, and cost less than a cone. They really do smell very much like the ice-cream treats they're named after. The Pistachio balm actually calmed my craving for ice-cream while moisturizing my parched lips...how can you beat that? Crazy Rumors also has a fantastic line of coffee and tea-themed flavors Perk "Lip Latte" or Brew "Tea Balm" .15 oz tube or .25 oz tin $4.00.  All of These swivel-up balms have Vitamin E and enriched moisturizing organic shea butter and soothing jojoba oil, blended with organic natural flavors. The "sweet" side is natural stevia!  The thing I like so much about these silky, pampering balms is that they are super-moisturizing, but not shiny, so guys don't feel weird wearing them (or kissing them off of their sweethearts). Treat your sweetie to a bunch of these balms for sweet treats that smell great, but won't expand a waistline. Of course these aren't just for guys, but these are balms for sharing.

Most men want to feel clean and take care of their skin, but they don't want to work at it, be confused by products, or overwhelmed. Bioelements has a range of products in seven categories to suit skin types from very oily to dry, and even acne-prone and sensitive.  An easy, effective product for men from this company is their HIS Bioelements Volcanic Mud Soap  $18.00 6 oz. The solid, oatmeal-colored bar soap is packed with all sorts of "good stuff" to make face and body of all skin types, effortlessly better.  The soap cleanses,  exfoliates, and defends against breakouts on face and body, too.  The scent reminds me of warm earth but our male reviewer said it reminded him of pipe tobacco.  Ground oatmeal sloughs off dead skin. Ginseng, sumac, gotu kola, dong qui, watercress, support and strengthen the skin, especially when it's under stress.  Oatmeal soothes and exfoliates; olive oil soothes and heals, coconut oil and neroli oil are also soothing, safflower oil hydrates and softens, castor oil is an emollient,  lavender and sage oils heal and have antiseptic properties. Our reviewer liked the nicely foaming, super-uncomplicated way to cleanse more than "soap and water" for the health and well being of his skin. It's for every man who wants to do a bit more, without fussing.

Guys, L'Oreal has something great, and new, just for you!  Their Hydra-Energetic Cleanser $6.99 5.0 fl. oz. arrives in a clear, plastic flip-top tube with black, white and matte, silver accent, that showcases the cheerful, bright orange gel, inside.  It's specifically designed for a man's skin, and the sensitivity he might feel after shaving. It's got a unique blend of soothing and softening ingredients, as well cooling menthol, and oat derivatives that help to eliminate impurities and prepare the skin for shaving. The scent is herbal, manly, light, and pleasant. The soap-free, pH-neutral formula is good for all skin types.  Our male reviewer liked it a lot--especially the scent, the tingling cool feeling, and the plastic, flip-top tube. He was less impressed with the idea that this cleanser was good for his skin and would help make it look more lively...but that's a guy, for you.  It's a nice. budget-minded product that might just make him more interested in his own skin care.

After a while, my color just loses it's “oomph.”  It still looks ok, but it’s no longer vibrant or shiny (almost like nail polish that’s dulled without a top coat).  John Frieda’s Luminous Color Glaze $9.99 6.5 fl. oz. and Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine $9.99 6.f fl. oz. can revitalize dull color. The clear acts like a shiny top coat and the Color Glaze gives it a color boost. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to stretch your color investment just a bit longer, and it’s easy as pie. The longer you use the Luminous Color Glaze the more color is distributed, along with even more shine. There are shades to suit blondes (honey to caramel), brunettes (chestnut to espresso) and redheads (deeper to richer), and all are completely free of ammonia, dye and peroxide. The color looks alarmingly deep in the bottle, but it’s a mild, sheer glaze that won’t alter the color of your hair much–just boost a bit of color and shine. You can’t change the color of your hair with this product and it’s not permanent. Apply it as directed until you visit your salon for new color, or use the Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine daily. Add it to wet after shampooing and conditioning. Three minutes, even once a week, adds a bit of gloss. TIP: For a weekly treatment, leave the Luminous Color Glaze Clear on your hair for 20 minutes, then shampoo and style as usual. It's like adding a shiny top coat to nail polish that’s getting dull.  John Frieda's  Frizz -Ease and Night Frizz-Ease Serums and his trio of Weather Works by FRIZZ-EASE daily use products are beloved by women who thank him daily for their smooth, straight, shiny, hair. If your hair naturally flat, Luxurious Volume Full Splendor Shampoo $6.50 8.45 fl. oz, and conditioning 8.45 fl. Oz $6.50 add fullness, thickness and lift, with ingredients that strengthen and “fill” hair strands from the inside out. The products plump up strands so they stand up from the root instead of hanging flat and lifeless. Other ingredients coat hair on the outside to make hair look thicker, and polymers help your strands stay together, so they look thicker and are easier to style. Both shampoo and conditioner come in attractive blue tubes with golden flip-tops. Also spritz on John Frieda Lavish Lift Root Booster $6.50 8.77 fl. oz from the pump top bottle, concentrating on the rootsl. Styling polymers plus lightweight silicone keeps hair shiny and under control, as well as thickening, lifting and protecting it from heat styling. The alcohol-free formula leaves hair crunch-free and soft, without flaking or drying. I didn’t try all the products in the Luxurious Volume line (there’s also a mousse and a hair spray), but if  limp, fine, thin, lifeless hair is your problem, these products offer an inexpensive, effective solution!

Your scalp can get as dry and dull as your actual hair. Pep it up with Biolage Scalptherapie Cooling Mint Shampoo $14.00 13.5 oz., Conditioner $16.00 13.5 oz. and Oil Control Treatment $16.00 4.2 oz.. This trio of hair treats helps to energize your scalp, remove excess oils, and soothe hair while offering a peppy, cooling/minty feel (thanks to mint and Kola Nut Complex). While it may seem counter-intuitive to use a shampoo that removes oil to actually soften your hair, this shampoo not only makes your scalp feel, for lack of a better word, freshened, it also leaves your hair soft, shiny and manageable. Mine felt like it had been treated to a super-cleanse and a moisturizing/shine treatment. Your scalp can also be oily. Scalptherapie Cooling Mint products focus on cleansing your scalp (as well as your hair) with a unique, “bio-cushion complex” that has green tea (for toning), mallow root (to soothe) and aqua oils that expand into quilted droplets that form a protective cushion against irritants. There are ingredients that purify and revive the skin on your scalp while glycerin absorbs excess oil (to normalize), and a blend of mint and kola nut stimulate and energize. TIP:  when using a conditioner, apply it to the ends of the hair first, working your way up to the scalp rather than starting at the scalp. This will allow the mid-lengths and ends of the hair to receive most of the conditioning, where it's needed most. It will also prevent excess build-up on the scalp. If your hair is truly oily, The Oil Control Treatment is a true boon. It's great if you if you shampoo your hair in the morning and find it limp and greasy before the end of the day! The powerful but fine mist of this product (with a light scent) minimizes the effects of oily scalp and hair. You can re-apply as often as you wish, too!

Hair treatments were often messy affairs that required a life of leisure -- but not anymore! The newly revamped, Redken Chemistry (formerly called "The Redken Chemistry System") offers a fast (about 15-minute plus blow drying), in-salon treatment that is personalized by your stylist with a range of options, to pamper and protect your hair.  Your stylist will help to choose the treatment that's best for your hair.  For example, if you hair is weak and damaged, you can add a "Strength Shot" There's an "All Soft Shot" for dry/brittle hair; a "Dandruff Control Shot" for dry/flaky scalp (all the shots can be blended together except for the "Dandruff Control Shot); Extreme Shot Phase is for deep treatment for weakened, distressed hair; Smooth Down Shot is a deep treatment for very dry, unruly hair; Color Extend Shot protects color-treated hair to help the color last longer; and the "Real Control Shot" works to repair damaged areas of the cuticle so really distressed hair looks and feels smoother, stronger, and more manageable. The Clear Moisture Shot offers deep treatment for normal to dry hair.  There's a lot more to learn about Redken Chemistry, so I blogged about it.

Ponytails will never go out of style. For Spring, they’re a must-have. Whether you wear them high on the top of your head or low at the nape of the neck, a ponytail can sometimes look a bit shabby when it’s just held with an elastic band.  An easy, quick, all-in-one way to make a ponytail, pretty, is with one of the unique, hand-crafted ponytail holders from Di Manno Designs.  Theirs consist of an elastic ponytail band attached to a leather band that snaps around the ponytail like a cuff bracelet (only much smaller). Their “hair cuffs” come in exotic skins like black croc, zebra or leopard pony $33.00 and genuine python skin $45.00, or in patent leather $28.00 in four basic colors: red, white, black and tan, or genuine leather $28.00 in red, white and back. The hair cuffs are available in 2" x 5" standard or 1'” x 5" narrow. There is also a pigtail set 1" x 4". Secure your ponytail with the elastic and then snap the cover over it.  The only downside is that if your hair is super-thick, you may have a bit of a challenge getting the hair cuff around it, but for most people, this isn’t going to be a problem. The Hair Cuffs are a perfect travel accessory for those bad hair days when you want to look polished and fashionable, but don’t have the time or tools to fuss.

I’m forever looking for ways to keep my hair sleek and shiny, but I can't "fight the fight" without great hair care products. Matrix Sleek.look has eight products that help protect your hair, and keep it sleek and less frizzy between shampoos. The key feature is a“24 hour multi-mend technology”  that instantly smoothes and repairs damage before frizz takes hold. The ingredients include time-locked smoothing agents to protect against humidity, ceramide to seal and repair split ends and help protect against future damage, apricot oil;  shea butter to moisturize hair so it’s smooth and protected;  and UV filters to keep your color vibrant and protect against the damaging effects of the sun. Often, smoothing products can feel heavy or make hair greasy, but the Shampoo $15.00 and Conditioner $15.00 made my hair feel soft and shiny, and helped keep it from getting “wild” without wilting it with oils. There are a number of serums, smoothers and conditioners in this line, all in mood lifting cheerful orange packaging and reasonably priced at $15.00-$16.00 . They can be found at sleek.look salons.

If you love the scent of lemon, and you want a great, thickening shampoo and conditioner, you're in luck!  We have just discovered new Paul Mitchell Thickening Shampoo $10.95 10.14 fl. oz. and Conditioner $11.95  10.14 fl. oz.  Along with an amazing, fresh and lemony scent, these products a blend of thickening agents and natural extracts such as lemon, sage, peppermint, and tea tree oil.  The Shampoo has a nice, rich lather and panthenol to help strengthen damaged hair and reduce split ends.  The Conditioner is a lightweight and yummy smelling product that protects and adds shine, while it improves manageability and reduces static.  The combo is pleasant to use, reasonably priced, and a wonderful boost every time you use them.

Even if your scalp isn’t prone to dandruff, everyone gets dry scalp and flakes now and then. There are plenty of dandruff shampoos that can cure the problem, but the problem with many of them is they’re unkind to your hair.  Use these detergent-strength dandruff banishers and find your hair stripped of all moisture and sometimes, even your hair color.  The chemicals can make dandruff shampoos pretty evil-smelling, too. DandruffScalpCure Shampoo $35.00 10.1 oz/$10.00 2 fl. oz and Conditioner 35.00 8.5 oz/410.00 2 fl. by Pureology, are totally different! For starters, the shampoo is 100% vegan, with organic botanicals or mushroom blend, green tea and burdock root to calm soothe, strengthen act as an anti-inflammatory, and provide antioxidant protection. The company doesn’t test on animals, and makes you feel even better by offering a true aromatherapy experience. Instead of smelling coal tar or chemicals, this luxury dandruff treatment smells rose, Plumeria, sandalwood, amber and vanilla! More importantly, along with effective 2% pyarithione zinc in the shampoo and 0.5% in the conditioner, these products feature Pureology’s signature "AntiFade" complex, a blend of antioxidants and UVA/UVB full spectrum sunscreen that helps maximize color retention so your color doesn’t fade with your flakes. I was worried that my hair would look and feel like straw, but Pureology’s professional but gentle formula left my hair shiny and soft as it worked. To be effective, you have to use dandruff-foghters a few times a week for several weeks to see long lasting results. The nicely lathering, nice smelling formula that makes hair actually look good as it deals with dandruff makes Pureology’s DandruffScalpCure Shampoo and Conditioner so luxurious and pleasant to use, managing flakes is a pleasure, not a chore. They’re really, really good!

If you color your hair, sulfates, surfactant and salts can dull color and strip much-needed moisture from it.  EverPure by L’Oreal Paris is a new, complete, sulfate-free color care line that won’t break your budget. Every product is sulfate-free and gentle to color-treated hair. They have UVA/UVB filters in the conditioners and masques to help prevent color from fading in the sun, and of course, they help keep hair soft and healthy looking.  These products smell fresh and slightly herbal, with extracts of mint rosemary and juniper--true aromatherapy bennies. There are 11 initial products in Frizz Fighting (EverPure Smooth), Volumizing (EverPure Volume) and Extra Nourishment (Everpure Moisture), plus a UV daily protection spray $8.99 for all hair types. The Shampoos and conditioners are $6.99 8.5 fl.oz. There’s also a Leave-In Conditioner $8.99 6 fl.oz and Deep Restorative Masque $8.99 5.1 fl. oz in the EverPure Moisture line, and a Deep Control Masque $8.99 in the EveryPure Smoothe line. The Anti-fade system helps color last up to 32 washes. I tried the EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Leave-in Conditioner. The shampoo was luxuriously creamy and reasonably foamy. washed out nicely, and left my hair looking healthy and nice.  The leave-in conditioner was easy to apply from it’s plastic pump bottle, and detangled nicely, while leaving my hair suitably soft. A plus is the mauve metallic packaging with hot pink accents.  If you are seeking a 100% vegan product that is not tested on animal s and contains no animal by-products and you want products that pamper your color and your hair, these are definitely worth the cost. Every little bit helps.

Very dry, cracked skin on your heels and feet aren’t just unattractive, they can be painful. Barielle’s new Heel and Callus Treatment Cream $22.00 6 oz can ease the pain of rough and cracked skin now, and with continued use, make your feet more fabulous for sandals season. Normal walking patterns, a love of flip-flops, and even poorly executed pedicures can make your feet extremely callused. Before you know it, the skin is dry and cracked! You can scrape and cut callus off your feet, but it isn’t easy, and can be dangerous. This new cream helps to soften and reduce callus (the thickened, hardened skin on your feet and heels caused by repeated contact to hard surfaces) without cutting or scraping it off. The formula has a high concentration of emollients and skin softeners including Shea butter, soybean oil, Vitamin E, aloe and stearic acid, as well as marine derived sea kelp extract and algae extract that offer deep moisturizing bennies. When you massage this product into your skin, it almost covers it like a silken glove that sticks to your hands to soften them, as well. It’s meant for feet, but of course you can use it on elbows and knees and any area that is dry and callused (I used this on calluses on my thumbs, and it works amazingly well). Apply before bedtime and you’ll wake up to verifiably softer ski. It won’t remove callus but it will soften it. Over time, that rock-hard callus will yield! It’s a great product that fits a very specific need. If you need it, you’ve got to have it!

Pedi-Relax by Sante Active is a French line of effective foot care products combining science with natural essential oils that look expensive, but are shockingly affordable. For more than 35 years, Europeans have enjoyed these products featuring gels, creams and sprays that pamper, protect and refresh your skin. Now, the line is available in the USA. The srp. of the products is $7.99 per item, and includes an Exfoliating Cream, Moisturizing Massage Cream, Moisturizing Repair Cream, Refreshing Deodorant Spray, Intense Hydrating Cream, and Protective Barrier Cream. Read this entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Although I mostly think of Essie as one of my favorite nail polish choices, Essie also has some very nice products for hands, feet and nails. A new collection of products called "Naturally Clean" are particularly great, with natural ways to sanitize hands and nails, whether in preparation for a salon manicure, or DIY at home. The products come in simple white plastic pump or screw-top bottles, with clean, green and white labels,  All feature botanicals including eucalyptus oil (known for antiseptic properties), and a blend of vitamins, glycerin, and natural emollients to keep hands soft and smooth. The aromatherapy scent is a plus. There are five different products in the Naturally Clean line. I particularly liked the Moisturizing Hand Wash with Nourishing Botanicals $14.00 8 fl. oz.  The pump bottle features a clear liquid cleanser that has coconut oil and aloe vera to nicely moisturize even dry hands, and Vitamins A and E for antioxidant protection. This gentle cleanser smells fresh and green, and is suitable for everyone in your family (good for the office, too). I also like the  100% Natural Purifying Hand Treatment with Nourishing Botanicals $24.00 8 fl. oz. The clear gel smells fresh and uplifting, like grapefruit, absorbs quickly, and since the sanitizer is formulated with aloe and naturally derived vegetable glycerin, it's moisturizing. The Vitamin-enriched rice brand oil also provides antioxidant protection. Perhaps the best product I tried is the Purifying Nail Polish Remover with Moisturizers and Vitamins $6.00 4 fl. oz.  Not all nail polish removers are equal. This one whisked away even several coats of stubborn polish without having to scrub one little bit, yet it won't strip your nail bed and dry it out. The remover is infused with natural vitamins and antioxidants, plus eucalyptus oil-very impressive!

After a long, cold winter, my nails are showing the strain–dry, peeling, cracking and soft.  Luckily, Citra Formaldeyde Free Nail Strengthener $15.00 .47 fl. oz by Nail Tek can help  make them better.  Their protein formula seals the layers of the nail together safely, thanks to naturally occurring aldehydes derived from citrus sources that completely replace formaldehyde. Every time you apply the clear, formaldehyde-free formula, you reinforce the good works and help to thicken your nails, while helping them to become stronger and more flexible.  The only downside is a strong initial smell, although it dissipates, quickly. There are three different formulas: for strong, healthy nails (to protect); for soft, peeling nails, and for dry, brittle nails.  If you need help for your nails, don’t just sit on your hands--get a nail strengthener like Citra Formaldehyde free.

The Ped Egg $10.00 + *6.99 shipping is a plastic foot file in the oval shape of an egg, with a reservoir to hold the skin shavings as it hones down rough heels and calluses. I've seen this inexpensive but impressive little gadget in a lot of places including the Telebrands Web site, and even in my local drug store. This travel-friendly foot file could save you money as well as ward off foot problems, and pain. The Ped Egg has over 135 stainless steel micro blades (they remind me of a grater) to gently buff away dead, dry skin. There are also two adhesive, emery board/buffing pads that you also can stick on the egg, to smooth out the final bumps. You'll have to have just a bit of patience to run the Ped Egg back and forth over your skin --it takes longer than with a professional file, but the upside is that this file will "grate" through the hardest callus without cutting or ripping your skin to shreds. Missed the Ped Egg review on the Advice Sisters Blog? Read it now.

If you read the Advice Sisters Blog, you know that Creative Nail Design is the nail company of the fashion world and the runways, mentioned at least once every single day during Spring 2009 Fashion Week and numerous times in the archives.  Now Spring is here, and some of the gorgeous Nail Polish approx. $6.00  colors I saw on the model's fingers and toes, back in September 08, can be yours, too!  Metallics that have a soft patina instead of gaudy shimmer are popular, in shades like "Iced Cappuccino" a soft, ladylike, metallic brown used at the Omnia Luo runway show (among others) last season; and "Moonlight & Roses," a  magical, sheer, opalescent, shell. For Spring, try the sheer, whisper soft peachy pink called "French Pink," perfect paired with "Bisou de Lulu," a stark, medium-opaque white you can wear by itself (several coats makes it completely opaque), or with the opaque, creamy, flesh colored polish called "Cocoa" Tip:  coloring your nails in a neutral or light shade is a great choice, especially if your nails aren't long and strong (think "Cher"  in the 1970's). On the wild side, there's "Nail Noir," a blackened plum that is a modern classic.  CND has a fabulous, bold red called "Wildfire" (featured on the TIBI runway). The bright, uplifting, fire-engine red is both glamorous, and sexy, universally flattering, and wearable day or evening. Creative Nail Design polishes are available in dozens and dozens of colors, in Créme; Frost; Glitter ; Metallic ; Opalescent ;  Shimmer and sheers. They're formaldehyde and DBP-free, and have a UV absorber to protect your color from fading or discoloring. The brush makes application smooth and easy, and even the handle is easy to hold. High fashion, high quality, and for not a lot of cash.*Check the Advice Sisters Blog for how-top posts, and VIDEO featuring Creative Nail Design backstage at Fall 2009 Fashion Week!

Pampered Toes $10.00 *6.99 shipping is a real treat when I've walked too much or squished my feet into pointy shoes. It's a set of two plastic, gel-filled pieces with five holes (one per toe). They look a bit like a ladder for Gumby. The gel "ladders" are soft but not entirely squishy. They separate and stretch your toes so that they get the benefits of the same relaxing, stretching exercises you might do for your back, neck or arms. Putting on Pampered Toes takes a little bit of practice, since your toes are probably not used to being stretched far apart. Also, they weren't entirely comfortable at first (you will get used to the feeling). The first time I tried these I couldn't manage to wear them more than 8 minutes, but when I removed them, I can honestly say that my toes felt energized and quite wonderful! Even though I didn't think my toes were achy, they felt so much better after wearing the Pampered Toes that I was really surprised! The only downside, if there really is one, is that you can't walk around very well with these--they're bulky. Sit down on your couch to watch the evening news, or check your emails on the computer. Even better, put on your Pampered Toes and soak your tension away in the bathtub!

After all the dark, blackened Winter nail colors, it's a relief to see the delicate, sheer, pastels of Barielle's "Sun Goddess" Collection.  Their Nail Polish $8.00 offers a subtle, ladylike alternative that's a breath of fresh air. Barielle nail polish is not just shiny, easy to apply and nice to wear. It's formulated to offer safe, healthy and long-lasting glossy color coverage free of formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl-phthalate. It's suitable for women during pregnancy--but check with your doctor before using any cosmetics. Since I've been using Barielle Polish my always-fragile nails seem to have stopped chipping so much.  The half-dozen shades are all soft and shimmer-free. My favorite is "Sand-al Chic," a pale pink/peach sheer, and "Skinny Dip," a true sheer peach. One coat gives you a subtle wash of color, two, just a bit more opacity. "Nauti-Gal" is a sheer, lightly toasted taupe perfect for a nude look, as is "Beaches & Dreams" is a light, creamy, opaque peach. "Sailors Delight is a creamy, pink mauve (a good choice for a bride) as is " Shell Shock" a cheerful, medium pink sheer that's universally flattering). These lovely, neutral shades will be perfect until Fall rolls around and nail polish trends veer towards the dark side, again.

Avon's Foot Works Thermal Exfoliating Scrub $7.99 3.4 fl. oz is a little helper that's new and definitely good to use. The super-thick cream comes in a flip-top tube and instantly smoothes out minor roughness and dry skin on your feet. It's a perfect follow-up to a pedicure. I was surprised at how much this self-heating scrub warms up on contact with water and your skin. It's like an electric blanket for your feet! The heat doesn't last for long, but it does last long enough to relax you. As you work the cream into your skin, exfoliating beads clear away rough skin. While not a substitute for a foot file, it does a good job for maintenance and to deal with little bits of skin that pull on your socks and pantyhose. Most of all, it's affordable and fun to use. Make it a weekly treat! 

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