Beauty Without Borders

As you know, I'm currently on Spring Break but I didn't go anywhere interesting or exotic. I just stayed here, in the Seattle area to get some much needed R&R. Well, in the April issue of Women's Health, the magazine reveals 15 of the best international beauty picks that can now be found stateside. No need to deal with the hassles of travel...these products will make you feel like you've experienced an international makeover.

For additional information about these products or for more internationally inspired beauty tips, head over to womenshealthmag.com. Oh and be sure to read to the end of this post for some very interesting "Beauty by the Numbers" factoids!

AUSTRALIA

Invisible Zinc face and body sunscreen ($26 for 5.3 oz, adorebeauty.com.au)

• The world’s highest skin cancer rates are found down under; this sunscreen fights the killer sun and deflects UV Rays
• Packed with ultra-fine particles of zinc inside a likely, light-weight lotion

FRANCE

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentre ($25 for 2.6 oz, temtu.com)

• The secret to French women’s flawless skin
• Plant extract preserves skin’s ideal pH, giving your complexion that certain jen ne sais quoi

ENGLAND

Philip Kingsley Weatherproof Styling Froth ($20 for 5 oz, philipkingsley.com)

• Brit beauties fend off frizz with this froth
• The foam conditions, holds and deflects moisture
• Fights flyaways, even in soggy London

SWEDEN

Sachajuan Hair Repair ($28 for 8.45 oz, ronrobinsoninc.com)

• Contains algae and proteins to protect and restore silky locks
• Sweden is known for those stunning blonde bombshells – now we know their secret!

KOREA

The Face Shop Mung Bean Cleansing Foam ($8 for 6.7 oz, 408-248-3223)

• Exfoliates and dries oil – and Korean researchers say the legume may reduce irritation

ICELAND

Moa: The Green Balm ($38 for 1.69 oz, luckyscent.com)

• When you live on an island near the Arctic Circle, you better know how to revive your skin
• Packed with native herbs like yarrow, combined with Icelandic water to soothe scaly skin, dry cuticles, cuts, rashes and even frizzy hair

JAPAN

Dr. Ci: Labo Basic Black Blemish Control Gel ($36 for 1.75 oz, cilabousa.com)

Chidoriya Oil Blotting Face Paper ($7 for 30 sheets, chidoriyaworld.com)

• Asian women swear by this shine-fighting tag team
• The gel clears skin with gentle botanical extracts
• The face paper sops up grease without smudging makeup

ITALY

Karite Butter Cleo Body Cream ($8 for 8.5 oz, drugstore.com)

• Prepare to be ogled Italian-style
• Treat your skin to this whipped-yogurt and shea butter moisturizer smells like dessert and makes your skin more irresistible than gelato

SOUTH AFRICA

Wisdom of Africa Kalahari Melon Body Polish ($43 for 6.7 oz, 978-443-7006)

• With mountains, desert, and ocean in their geography, South Africans face a triple threat when it comes to the elements
• This South African treasure taps the antioxidants in the native fruit’s seeds to moisturize and repair sun-damaged skin

NEW ZEALAND

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream ($35 for 1 oz, antipodesnature.com)

• Stimulates collagen production so you look as fresh as this cream smells

Beauty By Numbers

$39 The amount per month the average American woman spends on beauty treatments

$71 The amount the average Italian woman spends on beauty treatments

92 The % of British women that rarely or never visit a dermatologist

80 The % of women in South Africa that wear fragrance every day; 80% of Chinese women don’t

38 The % of Indian women that say they own zero skin-care products

73 The % of Australians would choose to shell out for body massages if money were no object

52 The % of Koreans that would spend their cash on skin-lightening treatments

45 The % of women in China that say they can’t live without lipstick

53 The % of Italian women feel they look younger then they are.

38 The % of people in China that use teeth-whitening treatment (including toothpaste) daily.

Additional Beauty Facts:

- American and British women are most likely to feel they look stressed and tired

- Women in Germany and Italy say mascara is their most essential beauty product

- Argentine and Canadian women are the most satisfied with their looks.

- Japanese and French women are least satisfied with their looks.