Bumpy Ride: A Long Journey To Rid My Legs Of Hair Bumps

Since I hit puberty, I've been cursed with hair bumps on my legs. Because the hair on my legs is coarse and grows in a curly pattern, sometimes as the hair grows out, it curls back under the skin into the same follicle. And because the hair is trapped under the skin, even after I shave, I still have many unsightly ingrown hairs.

The condition isn't physically painful, like razor bumps; but it is emotionally painful, as I've spent many years hiding this condition beneath long skirts and pants - even during the dog days of summer.

For half of my life, I've had a serious case of leg envy. Every time I see a woman with silky smooth gams, I selfishly hope that she silently suffers from stretch marks, bacne or some other embarrassing ailment that isn't apparently obvious. It just isn't fair!

I've tried a million and one products and techniques to solve the problem...and while I've yet to discover a panacea, I have found a temporary solution.

To keep hair bumps to a minimum, here are my shaving suggestions:

1) Don't start shaving as soon as you get into the shower/bath; allow the steam and warm water to soften the skin and hair.

2) Next, exfoliate (like all get out) with a scrub that won't irritate skin. Right now, I'm enamored with LaLicious Coconut Cream Sugar Soufflé Scrub, an all-natural sugar scrub made with coconut oil that absorbs quickly and easily into skin, leaving it moisturized and protected without feeling greasy. Pure cane sugar crystals buff away dead skin cells while sweet almond and vitamin-e oils condition, moisturize, and smooth you to perfection. And it smells amazing; if heaven has a tropical all-inclusive resort, this is probably what it smells like. By exfoliating, you will release the ingrown hairs that are trapped beneath the skin.

3) Slather your legs with an ultra-hydrating shave cream; I'm a fan of eos Shave Cream, which is so moisturizing, you can shave wet or dry (though I recommend wet). Then shave with a new or relatively new razor; the sharper, the better. Gillette's Venus Embrace razor takes shaving to a whole new level of smoothness with 5 blades that deliver a dramatically close shave.

4) Finally, when you emerge from the bath/shower, don't towel off completely. While your legs are still a smidge wet, slather on lotion or body butter. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion is an excellent choice because it heals, softens, and tones - plus an 8.5 oz bottle costs less than $5!

Even if you don't have issues with ingrown hairs (I hate you...just kidding...okay, not really), you can benefit from my bumpy journey to smooth stems. The above routine is highly recommended for achieving your closest shave ever.

Recessionista's Fabuless Pick of the Week: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Gel Oil

Palmer's new Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Gel Oil with SPF 15 is an all-over-body gel with a unique, fast-absorbing formula that can be used on dry skin or after a shower or bath. It not only leaves skin with a hydrating sheen, but aids in protecting against sun’s most harmful rays, every day, with an SPF 15 formula.

For more video product reviews and tips, click here for Spoiled Pretty TV.

Product Polygamy Week: Bath and Body

It’s Friday, which means the final installment of Product Polygamy Week. Read on for the Spoiled Pretty picks that will rock your body…

PERFUME
The Barb: L'Instant de Guerlain
I was searching high and low for my review of L'Instant de Guerlain and finally realized that I never wrote one…which makes no sense because this perfume is my signature scent. This floral Oriental fragrance is one of the most beautiful and complex scents I have ever smelled. Every time I wear it, I just brace myself for the compliments - and it certainly leaves a lasting impression. L’Instant is described as a “soft, sexy scent comprised of an intricate blend of interwoven fragrance harmonies, like citrus honey, magnolia inclusion, and amber harmony.” I’m no master perfumer, so to be honest, that means nothing to me; to my untrained nose, this perfume has a soft and powdery scent that dries down to a sensual, musky vanilla. I imagine that L’Instant would be a staple on Charlotte York-Goldenblatt’s vanity, but Carrie Bradshaw would definitely sneak a spritz when she’s visiting Charlotte’s Park Avenue apartment.

The Nicki: Philosophy Amazing Grace Perfumed Body Spritz
I’m a fan of potent perfumes, and I’m a little heavy-handed in the application. So I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the light, clean scent of Philosophy’s Amazing Grace Perfumed Body Spritz. After smelling it on me, my sister (who I usually have to bribe for compliments) asked me what I was wearing. When I told her what it was, she said that I smelled very nice. I was like, “OMG. Stop. The. Presses. My sister just said something nice…to me!” Needless to say, it has become a staple in my daily beauty ritual. And sometimes I even find myself spraying the air and linens with Amazing Grace, like it’s Febreze or something. That’s how good it smells.

The Margene: Deauville pour Homme by Michel Germain
My new favorite scent isn’t new at all. In fact, we have a decade-long history. Ten years ago, in a perfume shop in the Bahamas, I fell in love with Deauville pour Homme by Michel Germain. But I was too broke to buy it and Mama Spoiled Pretty wouldn’t lend me the money to buy a men’s cologne. Then a few months ago, Deauville and I were reunited in a suburban Philadelphia TJ Maxx. The icing on the cake? It only cost $9.99!!! It was fate…now we’re reunited and it smells so good, though Señor Spoiled Pretty is a little weirded out.


SHOWER GEL/SOAP
The Barb: Jaqua Buttercream Frosting Shower Crème
Not only do Jaqua’s Buttercream Frosting products pamper my parched skin, they smell like heaven - a sweet tooth’s version of heaven, anyway. Like vanilla frosting with a hint of fresh strawberries, Jaqua's Buttercream Frosting Shower Creme smells so much like the real thing, I have to remind myself that it’s not edibile. I can only hope that Jaqua is developing hair care, shaving cream, toothpaste, antiperspirant, and contact lens solution…so that every square inch of me can smell saccharinely sweet.

The Nicki: Jo Malone Orange Blossom Shower Gel
I once had someone ask me, “If you were going to take your very last bath on earth, what oil, salt, or bubbly brew would you use to make it especially soak-worthy?” My answer: without a doubt, it would be Jo Malone Orange Blossom Shower Gel. The scent is like heaven.

The Margene: Johnson's Vanilla Oatmeal Body Wash
The latest installment of my Recessionista’s Fabuless Pick of the Week series featured Johnson's Vanilla Oatmeal Body Wash. And for good reason. The creamy formula lathers up nice, thoroughly cleanses my eczema-prone skin without stripping, the oatmeal relieves my itchy scratchies and the subtle vanilla scent is warm and comforting. And it’s less than $5.


LOTION/MOISTURIZER
The Barb: Johnson’s Softlotion 24 Hour Moisturizer
I am a big fan of Johnson’s Lotions, particularly Softlotion 24 Hour Moisturizer. This non-greasy, fast-absorbing lotion smells like baby oil and is enriched with hydrating emollients and natural lipids ingredients to maintain hydration and prevent moisture loss. It keeps the ashiness at bay and leaves my skin touchably soft all day.

The Nicki: 100% Pure Organic Virgin Coconut Nourishing Body Cream
I recently fell hard and fast for 100% Pure’s Organic Virgin Coconut Nourishing Body Cream, which worked wonders on my desiccated skin. The scent is so yummy fantastic that I thought to myself, “the world would be a better place if everything smelled exactly like this.” Even Mama Spoiled Pretty, who complains that my favorite scents are too cloying, said that Organic Virgin Coconut Nourishing Body Cream smells good enough to eat. Ironically, it doesn’t remind me, at all, of coconut…fresh baked oatmeal cookies is more accurate.

The Margene: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil
No matter what your skin situation, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil is “right on top of that, Rose” (shout out to Amber and other fellow fans of Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead). This preservative-free, lightweight formula contains an exclusive blend of key ingredients for scars, stretch marks, dry, damaged skin, uneven skin tone, aging skin, lines and wrinkles. The oil locks in moisture; your skin will look and feel soft, with a radiant sheen. The product sinks in on contact and the formula is non-greasy and non-staining, so you don’t have to wait to get dressed.


HAIR REMOVAL
The Barb: Schick Intuition
When Schick unveiled Intuition a few years ago, I instantly hated it. The music in the commercial was that disgusting pop song Intuition by Jewel. Don’t get me wrong. I dig Jewel…Pieces of You Jewel. Not pop tart Jewel. But when my Aunt Bunchie gave me a whole bunch of Intuitions for Christmas that year, I couldn’t be a Scrooge and throw 'em out. So I tried them and fell in love right then and there. You would think that the ‘skin conditioning solid’ would prevent the blade from getting close to the skin, but you would be wrong. Intuition is the closest shave I’ve ever had. It’s really all I use at home.

The Nicki: Gillette Venus Embrace
Now on the road, that’s another story. When I travel, I pack Venus Embrace; it travels better than the Intuition. The pivoting head allows the blades to stay in constant contact with the skin, even around nick-prone areas like knees and ankles. The soft grip handle provides increased control in the shower, and the razor comes with this super cool ‘ShowerPod’ that suctions to the tile and conveniently stores the razor and extra blades. Pair it with Satin Care Alluring Avocado Shave Gel, which is intensely moisturizing and has a light, fresh scent.

The Margene: Miracle Threading (King of Prussia Mall, PA)
If you’re not in Philadelphia, you’re missing out. On New Year’s Day, while shopping at the King of Prussia Mall, I found myself in front of the Miracle Threading kiosk across from Sephora (excellent location). Usually, there are ladies lined up to get their eyebrows waxed and whiskers get pulled from their chinny chin chins; but on the 1st, there was no one. I imagine that most of these hirsute regulars were home nursing their hangovers. So, based on my mom’s and sister’s rave reviews (and the lack of a line), I decided to sit in the chair and let Pina go to town. Did she ever. A few short minutes later, my upper lip was baby butt smooth and my eyebrows were shaped to perfection. Literally, my eyebrows had never looked so well-groomed. Pina is precise; when I returned home that day, I gave my eyebrows and upper lip a close inspection - and there was not one stray hair. Pina is on point, so if you’re in the Philadelphia area, get yourself over to Miracle Threading (on the upper level of the Plaza - as I said, across from Sephora). Yes, it’s a little weird getting threaded in public, but when you see the finished product, you’ll be glad you sucked it up and acted like a big girl. Call 484.300.7945 for more information.

Well, that concludes Product Polygamy Week. Did you fancy? I hope that you take advantage of my sage advice and enter into some loving relationships with these products. Are you sad to see this theme week to come to an end and jonesing for another fix? Visit Amber’s final post before you start pouting.

And tune into HBO'sseason premiere of Big Love on Sunday, followed by the absolutely hilarious Flight of the Conchords.

PS - Big props to Beth at Glamour.com for giving Amber and I a BIG link LOVE yesterday!

Recessionista's Fabuless Picks of the Week

I’m eczema prone in the wintertime, so I can’t be sudsing up with just any old body cleanser this time of year. Last month, while shopping at CVS for wrapping paper, I came across Johnson's Vanilla Oatmeal Body Wash, and quickly snatched it off the shelf. For centuries, oats have been used to soothe, protect and moisturize dry and irritated skin; so I figured if this body wash contains oatmeal and is gentle enough for infants, it couldn’t hurt. I’m glad that I took a chance because this bottle o’ bubbles is just what the dermatologist ordered. The creamy formula lathers up nice (sans sodium lauryl sulfate) thoroughly cleanses without stripping, the oatmeal relieves my itchy scratchies and the subtle vanilla scent is warm and comforting. And for less than $5, it’s this recessionista’s pick of the week. And it’s even more fabuless if you actually have a baby…you can share!

After you emerge from the shower/bath, do yourself a favor and don’t dry yourself completely. Pat your skin with a towel so that there’s still some moisture on the skin - then apply Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil all over your body. This preservative-free, lightweight formula contains an exclusive blend of key ingredients for scars, stretch marks, dry, damaged skin, uneven skin tone, aging skin, lines and wrinkles. The oil locks in moisture; your skin will look and feel soft, with a radiant sheen. The product sinks in on contact and the formula is non-greasy and non-staining, so you needn’t wait to get dressed. The scent is to die for (like a frothy black and white milkshake) and it’s only $10.99 for a 5.1 oz bottle!

Everyday Can Be Sun Day With Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula SPF 15 Body Lotion

You all know that by night (and weekend), I am a beauty blogger extraordinaire. But did you know that, by day, I work for the American Cancer Society? Well, since May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, allow me to drop some knowledge on you.

There are more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States. That’s more than cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries and pancreas combined! Warmer weather is finally here and many activities move outside, so be sun smart and to follow some easy tips to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

* Limit Direct Sun Exposure during Midday (10 am and 4pm)
* Cover Up* Wear a Hat
* Wear Sunglasses That Block UV Rays
* Avoid Tanning Beds and Sunlamps
* Use a Sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or Higher

My new favorite sun protection product comes courtesy of Palmer’s. Their Cocoa Butter Formula SPF 15 Body Lotion really makes skin care easy to integrate sun care into my beauty routine.

The formula is enriched with cocoa butter and Vitamin E, which helps promote elasticity and suppleness while soothing chapped, parched skin. And with SPF 15, it’s a great everyday way to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Plus, when you smooth it on, it has this delectable chocolate fragrance – which somehow morphs into a fresh, powdery scent once it sinks in. How does Palmer’s do it? I dunno.

Try this lotion for yourself and see if it works its magic on you. At $6.65 for an 8.5 oz. bottle, you have no excuse.

Star Style Secrets

Celebrities are expected to always look put-together and polished. They have the privilege of working with the most talented and sought-after pros in the beauty biz. The January 2008 issue of In Style has an article entitled “365 Star Style Secrets” to help women boost our style quotient with some celebrity know-how. The piece features insider tips and tricks – so you won’t end up on the 'What Were They Thinking' list.

Here are a few of my favs:


“To make lips look naturally pink, I put on – then wipe off – red lipstick and then apply clear gloss.” –Halle Berry


“I use Omega-3 oil – I love light oil on my skin. It’s one of my favorite feelings in the world.” -Gwyneth Paltrow


“My mom taught me to moisturize with cocoa butter because it’s natural.” –Eva Mendes


“Joico K-Pak deep conditioner saves my dyed hair. I’ve tried everything and this works best.” –Kate Walsh


“Sometimes I put a dab of Jing Jang Crème on my eyelashes to make them shine.” -Ellen Pompeo


“The Japanese mascara Kiss Me by Blinc never smudges, and you can slide it off at the end of the day with a little water.” –Rebecca Romijn


“Curl lashes to open up eyes. Shu Uemura’s lash curler is the best.” –America Ferrera


“I’m super-conscious about my skin and have never gone to bed without washing my face with Cetaphil.” –Kate Bosworth


“Mademoiselle by Essie is the perfect nude nail polish. Not too pink, white, or beige, it matches everything.” -Hayden Panettiere


“If I have doubts about my outfit, a red matte lipstick adds instant glamour. NARS Velvet Matte in Cruella is a true scarlet.” –Rashida Jones


“Eyes are the windows to the soul; I like mine to stand out with jewel tones.” –Angie Harmon


“Dr. Hauschka make the most amazing lip balm in the world.” –Jordana Brewster

Be Cordial To Your Lips

I love Palmer’s. Everytime I turn around, I’m back in love with one of their products. Lately, I’ve been indulging my chocolate cravings with their brand new Cocoa Butter Formula Dark Chocolate & Cherry Lip Butter.

In one simple step, this lip treat hydrates and softens with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E to heal and soften even the most chapped lips. It leaves behind an irresistible sheen that’s not sticky or overly glossy – it’s more of a “don’t hate me because my lips are so naturally moist and sexy” look, if you will. And the cherry on top? It will only set you back $3 and the yummy scent is reminiscent of a cherry cordial.

Also available in Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Flavor (which tingles with breath-freshening peppermint oil). Palmer’s products are sold at Amazon.com, CVS, Drugstore.com, Walgreen’s, Target, Walmart, Ulta and palmerscocoabutter.com.

So I'd Like To Know Where, You Got The Lotion

Since purchasing Palmer’s Swivel Stick, I've become so obsessed with the vanilla scent of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Products that I’m slowly building an arsenal. Last week, I purchased the Body Gloss Lotion – and, again, I am beyond pleased with the product as well as the price.

This lush, luxurious cream illuminates skin with a subtle shimmer. Pure Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, and other rich emollients provide just the right amount of moisture, leaving skin soft and smooth.

Available at Amazon.com, CVS, Drugstore.com, Walgreen’s, and Ulta.

Cuckoo For Cocoa Butter

To prep my pout for the lipstick trend that’s all the rage this season, I simply visited my neighborhood drugstore and purchased Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick to moisturize and soothe my dry, chapped lips.

The conditioning stick can be used all over the body and locks in moisture for hours. And because cocoa butter is a natural moisturizer derived from the cocoa bean (the same bean that brings us chocolate), the stick smells just like a frothy black and white milkshake...proof that a moment on the lips doesn’t always mean a lifetime on the hips!

Available at Amazon.com, CVS, Drugstore.com, Walgreen’s, and Ulta.