Phantastic Products Inspired by the 2009 World Series

For the second consecutive year, my Philadelphia Phillies have made it to the World Series. So to mark the occasion, Amber from Beauty Blogging Junkie - a native Philadelphian, who happens to live in the land of the Yankees – and I have teamed up for a baseball-inspired, beauty double header.

We’re shining a spotlight on big league beauty products that step up to the plate and knock the cover off the ball. Since there are nine dudes on a baseball field, Amber and I have chosen nine categories – and we're giving shout-outs to products that hit it out of the park.

So get your head in the game and read on for some phantastic product recommendations…

Face: Back in September at the Lela Rose Spring 2010 New York Fashion Week show, I asked Sarah Lucero (Key Makeup Artist for Stila) to recommend one Stila product that every woman should buy. She quickly answered Stila's One Step Makeup Foundation, and now I know why. Stila just launched their Makeup Player – and right now, it’s the only way to get your hands on this miraculous product. One Step Makeup Foundation is a primer, foundation, concealer and powder all in one – to cover all of your proverbial bases. The consistency is kind of surprising; it almost looks/feels like colored foundation primer...that's the texture. But it looks fantastic on…not too sheer, not too opaque. Plus, when my sebaceous glands try to throw me a curve ball and sabotage my makeup, One Step makeup Foundation keeps my combination skin from getting shiny – so my face looks as flawless in the homestretch as it did at the beginning of the day/night. Pick up this switch hitter at stilacosmetics.com.

Eyes: The old adage goes, "Keep your eyes on the ball." So what should you keep on your eyes? Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils, of course. I've said it before and I’ll say it again: Urban Decay's main ingredient must be crack, or some other controlled substance…because that’s the only explanation I can find to rationalize my addiction to their products – particularly their eye pencils. Velvety-soft, the formula stays soft and creamy for blending (about 30 seconds), then dries down to a long-lasting finish that WILL NOT budge. If, at this stage of the game, you don’t own at least one of these pencils – well, you have seriously dropped the ball. Lucky for you, Urban Decay just released Super Stash - a set of nine mini-sized 24/7 pencils, including four new, limited-edition shades. Buy this immediately. It's a good call.

Lips: My new lipgloss love is Phiff!, a new Dazzleglass from MAC's Magic, Mirth, & Mischief holiday collection. Alone, it imparts a peachy shimmer to lips. But it's also a team player; layer it on top of your favorite lipstick and it's a whole nother ball game.

Nails: When it comes to nail polishes, Zoya is in a league of their own. They are the longest lasting polishes I've ever used; expect knockout nails that go into extra innings (two weeks – with minimal upkeep). And they're free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects. Just when I thought Zoya couldn’t get any better, they hit it out of the ballpark with their limited-edition ULTRAGLITTER collection for winter 2009/2010. Luna (silver glitter), Astra (rose glitter) and Nova (magenta glitter) provide full coverage in just two coats for ultra-intense, ultra-gorgeous, glitterrific color. Astra (on my nails in the above pic) is the Dottie Hinson of the collection – but, honestly, this trio is so amazingly beautiful that, in comparison, they make most of my other polishes look like Marla Hooch.

Hair: Before I wash my hair, I like to indulge in a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment. But I don’t always have 15-30 minutes to let that mess marinate…which is why I am so thankful for Ojon's Restorative Pre-Cleansing Treatment. It’s that pinch hitter I need when what I want is immediate gratification. Perfect for gals on the go - in just 5 minutes, this intensive daily treatment prepares hair to absorb the ingredients of your shampoo, conditioner and products. If you want homerun hair, I suggest you run your behind to Sephora or ojon.com and pick up a tube.

Skin Care: I used to be very dismissive of natural and organic beauty products - particularly skin care. I thought that I needed to patronize products with harsh chemicals to get my problem skin to act like it had some sense. In fact, I would often joke that I didn't care what damage a product did to my insides, as long as my outsides were looking good. But I've done a complete 180 since discovering Amala, a luxurious collection of skin care and body care products with 100% natural formulas. Since April, I've been using their Purify line - a collection of products formulated for oily and acnegenic skin types – which help control excess oil and shine, clear clogged pores, and prevent and heal blemishes and blackheads with treatments inspired by the healing plants and flowers of Eastern Asia. And just when I thought Amala couldn't get any better, their new Purifying Blemish Treatment came outta left field . Using Blue Lotus, Tea Tree and ginger, it gently treats blemishes while playing hardball with acne-causing excess sebum. If your battle with breakouts has you ready to throw in the towel, I highly recommend you add Amala’s Purifying Blemish Treatment to your anti-acne lineup. Seeing that it's all-natural, I'd call it the Roy Hobbs of skin care.

Bath and Body: I'd be way off-base if I failed to include DERMAdoctor's KP Duty Body Scrub on this list. It has got to be the best body scrub ever. KP Duty is a dual-action chemical and physical exfoliator that blends the best of a chemical peel and microdermabrasion into a single, easy-to-use treatment. Dermatologist-recommended chemical exfoliants dissolve the glue that cements epidermal cells together, while non-abrasive synthetic beads lift away dead skin cells without inflicting trauma to the epidermis. So, in layman's terms, this product runs circles around that scrub you've got sitting on the edge of your tub. DERMAdoctor KP Duty Body Scrub is a game changer.

Fragrance: Forget Jack. All I need is Jil, the newest fragrance from Jil Sander. "An elegantly structured floral amber composition, Jil reflects the true spirit of Jil Sander. A clear focus and a subtle fusion, to define a totally contemporary simplicity and sensuality." With notes of Pink Pepper, Lavender, fresh tangerine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Heliotrope, musk, and warm vanilla bean, this perfume scored points with me – right off the bat. Starting this month, Jil will be available exclusively at Dillard's.

Beauty Tool: I'm not quite sure how I lived without MAC's 219 Pencil Brush. I am an eyelining fool, so I absolutely adore how this brush allows me to turn any of my powder shadows into a smoky eyeliner; so, considering my eyeshadow stash, my smoky eye options are endless. The 219 Pencil Brush is also perfect for smudging pencil eyeliners, without erasing the line. The pencil retails for $23…but if I had to give you a ballpark figure for its actual value, I’d say it's priceless.

Visit Beauty Blogging Junkie for Amber-approved beauty products that bat a thousand.

CEW’s Best Beauty Products on QVC!

Tonight, the 2009 Cosmetic Executive Women Beauty Insider Choice Awards Winners and Finalists will be showcased on QVC! Tune in from 10 p.m. to midnight (EST) for special promotions on the best in beauty.

Featured products will include everything from skin care to hair care to cosmetics. A few of the highlighted products to be featured include: Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, Fresh Appleseed Brightening Exfoliant, Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Foundation, Living Proof No Frizz, NIA 24, Ojon Tawaka "The Ball," Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment, YSL Rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15, Bare Escentuals Bareminerals 100% Natural Lip Gloss Duo, and Philosophy Hope in a Jar SPF 20.

2nd Day Hair: Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Spray

Pop quiz, hot shot. How many times a week do I wash my hair per week?

If you've been paying attention, you know that more than one shampoo every seven days would have me looking like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (I picked him cuz he's pretty). My hair's just so dang fine and brittle.

On day one, my hair is looking okay. 24 hours post-shampoo, my hair is looking quite fab...if I do say so, myself. But on the seventh day, my tresses are looking tore up and terrible. At the end of the week, I have to coat my hair in creams, balms and shine serums just to comfortably walk down the street without eliciting 'who let the crazy girl outta the asylum?' stares. And even then, I need to pull my hair back into a ponytail to prevent nature from taking its disastrous course.

So I'm elated to report that I've found a product that gives me a 2nd day hair look on day seven!
Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Spray is enriched with Ojon and Swa oils, and infuses hair with a nourishing dose of omega 3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids while adding shine. It can be used daily (and even layered throughout the day) without weighing hair down or causing buildup.

Basically, it's Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment in a fine mist formula. You spray it on dry hair, and it's like a wake-up call for dry, damaged and/or limp locks...reviving your style and imparting weightless sheen. For additional volume, just flip your head upside down and spray the root area. One thing to note: this product is not a hairspray; it doesn't give hair any hold whatsoever. So if that's what you were hoping for, too bad. It's great for someone like me who doesn't wash her hair every day, because it means you can spray day after day without leaving your hair crispy and crunchy.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Spray is a QVC exclusive, so don't bother trying to track down a can elsewhere.

Next up on my Ojon shopping list...

Restorative Leave-in Treatment: Replenish much-needed moisture to your hair with this leave-in restorative gel. Packaged in a pump bottle, it uses Ojon and Swa oils to add shine and hydration to hair. Dispense one to three pumps into your palm, and rub hands together. Apply evenly throughout damp hair. Finish with a blow dryer or let your hair air dry.

Restorative Pre-Cleansing Treatment: This product is billed as the Restorative Hair Treatment, in a super-concentrated, in-shower formula. Before shampooing, emulsify a quarter-sized amount between your palms and apply to dry or damp hair. Comb hair gently from roots to ends to distribute evenly, and leave in for up to five minutes before rinsing. The founder of Ojon says the Restorative Pre-Cleansing Treatment is so amazing that it eliminates the need for conditioner!

In the words of Black Eyed Peas' front man, will.i.am: "Gotta get get."

Ojon Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to Margaret Gabriele, Naomi Shapiro, and Aimee Waerhouse - winners of Spoiled Pretty’s Ojon giveaway. They have won Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner, a $64 value! This unique duo cleanses and conditions hair, leaving it soft, silky and manageable.

Thanks to Ojon for sponsoring the contest. Check back later of the announcement of Spoiled Pretty’s next giveaway!

Ojon Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner Giveaway!

As trees are budding and tulips are blooming, Ojon thinks it's the perfect time to tell you a little bit about their favorite flower.

A key ingredient in Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner, Passion Flower oil is rich in vitamin C and calcium and has a high concentration of essential fatty acids, known for their ability to help hydrate and nourish dry hair. When combined with Ojon oil and the antioxidant-rich properties of rare Tawaka cacao, this unique duo cleanses and conditions hair, leaving it soft, silky and manageable.

Formulated without sulfates, colors or parabens, Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner work to combat springtime frizz and flyaways by restoring precious oils hair loses over time.

As April showers give way to beautiful May flowers, I'm teaming up with Ojon to spoil a few of you pretty. Three lucky winners will receive Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser and Conditioner (a $64 value)!

Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser is a a 98% natural, intensively moisturizing, antioxidant-rich and sulfate-free cleansing treatment for the face, body and hair. Formulated for all hair and skin types (particularly dry, damaged, aging skin and hair), this cleanser quickly and thoroughly absorbs into the skin and hair - helping to increase firmness, elasticity and vital hydration, leaving skin and hair feeling velvety-smooth with no oily residue.

Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Conditioner is a unique, in-shower hair, scalp and body conditioning treatment that quickly and thoroughly absorbs into the skin and hair. It helps increase firmness, elasticity and vital hydration, leaving skin and hair feeling velvety-smooth with no oily residue.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read "Ojon Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Sunday, May 17th. Three winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Monday, May 18th, I'll announce the winners' names. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents.

Kim Kardashian's Favorite Hair Styling Cream

What's Kim Kardashain's favorite styling cream? She loves Ojon Animated Styling Cream.

"It increases hair volume, adds separation and texture, boosts moisture and shine, and it's non-greasy. I use it when my hair is down and I'm wearing a sleeker look. It's also the perfect cream to use in a pony tail when you want it slicked back but not that oily-greasy look. You guys should try it!"

For more of Kim Kardashian's beauty and makeup tips, click here.

Source, Photo

Hold The Phone...Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Now Available In Spray Formula?

Ojon's miracle product, the Restorative Hair Treatment, is now available as a spray! But there's a catch...until June 2009, it's a QVC exclusive.

Right now, it's available as part of the Ojon Restorative Hair 4-Piece Collection with Bonus - available at QVC.com. For less than $55, you get: 3.8 oz Restorative Hair Treatment, 8.44 oz Ultra Hydrating Cleanser, 8.44 oz Ultra Hydrating Conditioner, 9 oz new Restorative Hair Treatment Spray, 2.5 oz Tawaka Rejuvenating Cream , comb and gift bag.

If you're familiar with the brand and own any of the above, it might not be worth $55 to get your hands on this new spray...unless your Ojon supply is low. But if you're new to Ojon and want to sample some of the brand's signature products, this is a good buy because, purchased separately, this collection would cost $107.

Have A Ball: Ojon's Tawaka The White Ball

Ojon new Tawaka The White Ball is a rich, decadent body cleansing and conditioning treatment that produces a creamy lather that can be used in the bath or shower to purify and nourish the skin to silky perfection. Formulated without fragrance, artificial color, sulfates, silicones, or preservatives, The White Ball is a lavish luxury that conditions dry, winter skin.

The unique blend of ingredients, including a high dose of White Cocoa Seed Butter with wildcrafted Ojon and Swa+ oils, lets you "roll your way" to velvety-soft skin.

Available exclusively at Sephora stores and sephora.com.

In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway: Weekender

Tis the for weekend getaways. But when you're packing for your summer sojourn, remember that you're going aways a weekend, not a lifetime. Yours truly has a penchant for overpacking... and as a repeat offender, I've picked up a few tips over the years. Here are a few to help lighten your load and travel like a pro:

* Don't choose a big bag for a trip that will only last a few short days. If you pick one that's too large, you'll be tempted to fill it up. Instead, select a small to mid-sized overnight bag and edit your list of trip essentials.

* Weekend getaways are all about breaking routines and doing something different and fun. When you think of your trip in these terms, you'll see that it's not necessary to bring all of the beauty products you typically use on a daily basis.

* When packing, consider your destination, the weather forecast, your planned activities, and the outfits that you'll be wearing. These factors will help to guide your beauty products choices.

* When it comes to products, think compact and efficient.

Today is day six of Spoiled Pretty's In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway Week. And - boy oh BOYY - do I have the bag for you!


The BOYY Pablo Summer Weekender is so chic that it makes you wanna schedule a trip every weekend, just so that you have more opportunities to show it off. The bag features a sand stripe linen body, whiskey leather box compartment and trim, waterproof lining, adjustable matching handles and shoulder strap, one inner zip pocket and two pouches. And the hand-painted dust bag can also be used as a tote!

One lucky winner will receive the Summer Weekender, filled with the following essentials:


Goody Mosaic Ouchless Purse Brush: The ultimate in snagless styling. This brush is smaller sized – perfect for travel or on the go styling.


Goody Mosaic Mini Versa Comb: This 3-in-1 comb is small enough to fit in your purse, but large enough to maintain your style.


Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets: These sheets absorb oil from the skin, effectively reducing shine - but without disrupting your makeup. They come in a slim, pop-up package for convenient access.


Clean & Clear SOFT In-Shower Facial: Provides a deep cleansing treatment to detoxify, smooth and soften young skin. The In-Shower Facial treatment is applied to skin while steam produced by the hot water allows the ingredients to deep cleanse pores while infusing moisture into the skin. The product is left on skin for one minute, then gently massaged into skin to exfoliate dead skin cells and extract impurities from pores. Skin is left feeling smooth and soft after just one minute.


Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes: These gentle, ultra soft cloths contain superior cleansing technology so effective it removes even waterproof mascara. With one step, it effectively dissolves all traces of dirt, oil and make-up. And it's gentle enough to use around the sensitive eye area, even for contact lens wearers.


Ojon mini TUNU Flexible Finishing Hairspray: This one-of-a-kind flexible hold finishing spray is formulated to add incredible fullness, control, and shine with a hold that allows the hair to still move naturally. It contains 100% pure wildcrafted Ojon oil, supported by clinical studies to instantly strengthen, hydrate and restore a healthy look and feel to dry, damaged hair. Plus a unique UV-inhibiting antioxidant complex stays in the hair to help protect color longer.


Tarte Lips Ahoy Lipgloss Set: For healthy, chic, on-the-go beauty, Lips Ahoy is the perfect little treasure. Packaged in a nautical pouch, these 4 mini double-ended, t5™ super fruit infused lipglosses with a water resistant formula leave you ready for smooth sailing!

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "BOYY Weekender Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Friday, July 4th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Saturday, July 5th, I'll announce the winner. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents only.

And be sure to check out the other bag giveaways. You can enter all of the giveaways, but you can only win once. Good luck!

In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway: Gym Bag

If you read my last post, you know that, this afternoon, I took a trip to TJ Maxx. What you probably don't know is that I went there on a mission to find new athletic attire.

You see, I recently joined a gym. After a long hiatus, I'm back on the scene - and I have to admit that I'm feeling a little zafdig next to all of the resident hard bodies. So until I slim and trim my body, I've resorted to hiding underneath some sporty outfits. Trying on the gear was a workout in and of itself cuz I'm majorly sore from my personal training sesh yesterday. But I found some cute separates, so I'm ready to head back tomorrow.

What I didn't need to buy, however, was a stylish gym bag. More on that in a minute...

So what are the necessities for your gym bag this summer? Obviously, you'll want to pack items like a towel and an mp3 player. But I also recommend that you also include a few key beauty essentials...so that, post-gym, you won't have to take your sweaty, smelly self straight home. Give your credit card a little workout and stock up on the following:

* If your hair is normal to oily, I'd recommend taking along travel-sized shampoo and conditioner. If your hair is dry/damaged/color-treated, then you might want to carry a dry shampoo or a product that revives your style.

* If you shower at the gym, you'll need some sort body wash and facial cleanser. Many gyms have those basic amenities. But if you're reading this, you're a beauty junkie...and you don't want no generic toiletries. You're better off bringing along some deep-cleaning products that will clear your pores of dirt, oil, and sweat.

* Odor may be a sign of an effective workout, but I think you'll agree that it's far from fetching. Deodorant is a no brainer. No?

*Spritzing on a light, fresh fragrance is also a nice precautionary measure - especially if you forgo a splish splash in the gym shower.

* A reusable water bottle is an excellent idea. I advocate aluminum (like those from SIGG) over plastic. But whatever you choose - you might want to pour your agua into a cup. Recent reports have shown that quenching your thirst straight from the bottle leads to "water bottle lips" - which are fine wrinkles around the mouth. Quel horror!

Today is day two of our In The Bag Summer Beauty Giveaway Week, so I'm spoiling you pretty with this lovely Lug gym bag.


The Puddle Jumper Gym Bag was featured on Oprahs "O List" and is a must-have for any active individual. Stuff it solid with items galore! From your ipod, glasses, pens, papers, clothing, bottles, cosmetics, etc., even throw your stinky sneakers in the back separated ventilated pocket! This bag represents functionality at its best while not compromising your sense of style!

For the winner, this bag will be accompanied by the following goodies:


Ojon Revitalizing Mist: This alcohol-free, leave-in conditioner detangles, refreshes and reactivate your style without washing. With a revitalizing fragrance, it neutralizes odor as it moisturizes and preps the hair for restyling. It's also a great moisturizer for the skin!


Neutrogena Rainbath Shower & Shave: As a body wash, this fresh, marine-scented gel is enriched with ingredients that clean and moisturize your skin without leaving behind a heavy residue. As a shave gel, the silky lubrication helps your razor glide smoothly over your skin while soothing aloe helps prevent dryness and irritation. This clean-rinsing formula won't build up on your razor—or your skin.


Clean & Clear Deep Action Refreshing Gel Cleanser: The icy gel turns into a foaming lather that instantly cools and invigorates your skin as it dissolves dirt and oil trapped deep in your pores.
After washing, it leaves your skin feeling refreshed and revived, with the unmistakable tingle of a really deep clean. Completely oil-free, rinses clean, and won't clog pores.


Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets: Softer than paper, these silky sheets leave your skin feeling refreshed by instantly removing excess oil and shine from your face, without smudging makeup or leaving behind powder.


Bath & Body Works Body Splash in Enchanted Orchid: This lighter, casual fragrance is perfect for fragrance layering or enhancing the fragrance effect of previously applied products, such as body lotion. Notes include Calypso Orchid, Pink Grapefruit, Waterlily, Crisp Apple, Fresh Gardenia, Vanilla Orchid, Heliotrope, and Creamy Amber.


Goody Ouchless Detangling Comb: Flexible teeth slide through wet or dry hair without snags or pulls. Easy does it with this gentle approach to soft, manageable hair.


Secret Flawless Antiperspirant/Deodorant: Performs in more ways than any other anti-perspirant. It has strong protection, goes on clear, has self-renewing fragrances, it's smooth and lightweight, and has skin-nurturing conditioners.

To enter, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name. The subject line should read "Lug Gym Bag Giveaway." The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Monday, June 30th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Tuesday, July 1st, I’ll announce the winner’s name. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. & Canadian residents only.

And be sure to check out the other bag giveaways. You can enter all of the giveaways, but you can only win once. Good luck!

Ojon’s Swa+ Liquid-Hair Building 4-step Ritual Kit

Ojon is celebrating a commitment to environmental sustainability and preservation by donating 10 percent of all online sales through ojon.com during the month of April to MOPAWI, a non-profit group dedicated to promoting development in the native populations of eastern Honduras.

So how can you help preserve Mother Nature and your mane, all at the same time? Go to ojon.com, put the Swa+ Liquid-Hair Building 4-step Ritual Kit in your basket, and proceed to checkout.


Used once a week, for eight weeks, the Swa+ Liquid-Hair Building 4-step Ritual Kit helps restore the protein bonds in hair, increase hair strength, targets hair density loss, forms a protective shield around the hair to smooth hair fibres, and minimizes hair breakage caused by damage.

The 13-piece kit includes:
1 - 8.44 fl. oz. Swa+ Stimulating Cleanser
1 - 8.44 fl. oz. Swa+ Nourishing Conditioner
1 - 2.5 fl. oz. Swa+ Hair Juice Daily Leave-in Treatment
8 - 0.24 fl. oz. Swa+ Concentrated Liquid-Hair Boosting Serum
2 - Swa+ Serum applicator nozzles

This kit is ideal for thinning, limp, weak, dry, and/or damaged hair. My hair is all of the above, so I had to try it myself...and after only one use, my hair feels a little more resilient. I’ll continue to use this kit, and will keep you posted about my hair’s progress.

Ojon’s Swa+ Liquid-Hair Building 4-step Ritual Kit is available exclusively at ojon.com.

New Addition

Last week, I took a trip to Sephora. Yeah, I realize that I should just start paying rent there...but this time, I had a good excuse. I accidentally fried my hair and was in desparate need of a miracle (aka a new jar of Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment). But while I was browsing around, the cutest blue and brown bottle caught my eye.

LAVANILA, famous for their vanilla scented fragrances (Vanilla Blossom, Vanilla Grapefruit, and Pure Vanilla) just added another player to the team. Vanilla Coconut is an indulgent blend of coconut, hints of monoi Tiare (a Tahitian white flower), and a warm sensual base of Madagascar vanilla bean. This new addition is, in my opinion, the best of the bunch – and its creamy, yet refreshing scent comes just in time for Spring.

And here’s the kicker… LAVANILA's breakthrough fragrances are infused with natural fragrance oils and 100 percent active botanicals. So given that skin absorbs 60 percent of what you put on it, it’s nice to know that every spritz feeds your skin with antioxidants, amino acids, essential vitamins, and minerals.

Vanilla Coconut is available in a 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray ($56) and 8 oz Vanilla Coconut Body Butter ($25). Available at lavanila.com, Beauty.com, and Sephora.

Good Hair Days Are Made Of This

I sure know how to pick ‘em…

So without having heard anything about Ojon’s new Rare Harvest Tunu Elastik Hair Tamer, I picked it up on a whim during a recent trip to Sephora. Ojon has yet to disappoint me, so I took a chance on this $25 leave-in hair relaxer/de-frizzing balm.

Here’s what the package promised:
* imparts a soft, flexible smoothness to all hair types
* naturally seals the cuticle to stay sleek
* eliminates frizz caused by humidity
* provides a moisture barrier
* formulated without alcohol and silicone
* perfect for all hair types - straight, curly, permed, or relaxed

Does it deliver? You betcha! I took the bottle to Erik, my hairstylist, when I went to the salon yesterday evening. We were both surprised by how smooth and glossy my hair was after blowdrying – and its gel/mousse hybrid texture doesn’t weigh my fine hair down. Best of all, it’s snowing/sleeting/freezing raining here in Philly – but you wouldn’t know it to look at my hair. Even one of my co-workers remarked this morning. My hair has been looking seriously jacked up for weeks…so I was super excited to get a compliment – you don’t even know. I was doing the happy dance. And I have Ojon (and Erik) to thank.

Bottom line: Go get this stuff right now. It’s $23.50 on QVC, but if you buy it at Sephora and you don’t like it for whatever reason, returning it is a breeze. But chances are you won't return it, cuz I know you're gonna love it!

Here's The Skinny

Fall has finally come to Philadelphia. Unfortunately, it brought steady rain and winds with it. On days like today, when I don’t feel like doing to much to my hair – because I know the weather will just un-do it – I pull it back into a pony or bun, then reach for a skinny headband. It adds polish to an otherwise bland hairstyle.

This look works better on hair that has a little texture, so if you’re working with freshly-washed hair, use a product like Ojon’s Animated Styling Cream or Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan Product. To keep the headband in place all day, lightly spray the underside with hairspray before sliding into place.

Nordstrom has some gorgeous headbands, but I suggest getting more bang for your buck by purchasing yours at Urban Outftters, Forever 21, Goody.com, or Scunci.com.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: If traditional headbands give you a headache, look for ones with elastic banding on the back.

News You Can Use

I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but I spent my Saturday night watching QVC.

Totally by accident, I stumbled on QVC while channel surfing…and was surprised by the addictive nature of their Beauty Newsmakers Face-to-Face, a special that gives viewers the inside scoop on beauty from the industry's leading experts.

The program showcased new and bestselling products from Bare Escentuals, Borba, Essie, Kate Somerville, Laura Geller, Mally Roncal, Ojon, Peter Thomas Roth, Smashbox, and Tarte – just to name a few. I was also surprised to learn that many of the show’s featured products are QVC exclusives. For example, RareMinerals Blemish Therapy with Brush won’t be available at Bare Escentuals stores, counters, or on their website until February 2008 - but you can buy it now at QVC.

I usually consider myself immune to home-shopping television, but this particular program was absolutely riveting. The hosts were selling the you-know-what out of those products. I had to restrain myself, several times, from pulling out my credit card and picking up the phone.

For more information about the products featured on QVC Beauty Newsmakers, click here.

It's Unanimous

According to Lucky Magazine and its readers, the new and undisputed beauty heavyweight champion of the world is Sephora.

For the first annual Lucky Shopping Awards (featured in the November issue), the magazine gives props to the best department stores, boutiques, chain stores, and websites.

"Sephora has become the definitive one-stop shop," says beauty edito Christina Mueller. They really do have everything: Fresh, Ojon, Stella McCartney's organic skincare - plus high-tech dermatologist lines lik Dr. Brandt Skincare and N.V. Perricone M.D. Cosmeceuticals. In New York branches, you can find Anastasia brow studios.

Sephora Trivia: Sephora is the combination two words—Sephos and Zipporah. Sephos was the term for all things pretty in ancient Greece and Zipporah was the name of Moses’ wife who was renowned for her exceptional gorgeousness. Put the two together and, voila, you’ve got my beauty Mecca's moniker.

The Beautiful People, The Beautiful People

From Elle to Essence, In Style to In Touch – it seems like every editor, stylist, model, and actress has fallen under the spell of Ojon. Month after month, my favorite magazines extol the virtues of this company’s products, particularly their Restorative Hair Treatment – “a versatile hair rejuvenator that strengthens and restores dry, damaged hair.”

With a price tag of $55 for 5 ounces, I was a little cynical. But then I figured that if Ojon was good enough for Gisele Bundchen, Demi Moore, and Scarlett Johansson, I could at least give it a try. So I picked up the 1.35 ounce jar ($22 at Sephora)…and now I’m wishing I had just trusted my gut and bought the 5 ounces.

The Restorative Hair Treatment is “Ojon in its purest form,” made with natural antioxidants and 100% pure Ojon palm nut oil - the same rare oil used by Central America's Miskito Indians, known as "the people of beautiful hair," for over 500 years. It instantly hydrates and fortifies damaged and abused hair, leaving it amazingly soft, shiny, and manageable. Even healthy hair shows a noticeable improvement.

What I heart most about this product I that it does triple duty. To use as a deep conditioning treatment, warm a teaspoonful in the palm of your hands and distribute onto dry hair, from scalp to ends. Leave on for 10-20 minutes, and shampoo well. For a leave-in conditioner, just warm a small amount in the palms of your hands until it becomes a lightweight oil, and distribute thoroughly through towel-dried hair. Heat a very small amount in the palms of your hands and smooth over the surface of dry-styled hair to use as a shine enhancer.

After using this product, I noticed the difference as soon as I blow-dried my hair. My mane was softer, smoother, and shinier than I’d seen it in a long time. Even better, I didn’t need to coat my strands with several different products, post-shampoo, to achieve this result. If there’s anything that I appreciate, it’s immediate gratification.

Bottom line: Restorative Hair Treatment is the secret to beautiful hair, in a nutshell.

Ojon products are available at Amazon.com, Nordstrom, Sephora, QVC (they’ve got some great discounts), and Ulta.