Getting Ready for Summer Fun--What You Need to Know

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  I hope this isn't a topic that's a turn-off. My hope is, rather, that it will serve as helpful advice to my female readers.
  
  
  Awhile ago, I read something interesting. It was a short piece explaining how, over the winter, dead skin cells build up in the armpit area. The result being that come summer, aka sleeveless season, if you look at your underarms, you'll see a darkened area where those cells are caught up in your deodorant or anti-perspirant. Not too attractive, is it? The article I read claimed that this was a particular concern of blonde-haired women, but I think it probably applies to others, as well.
  
  
  What's the answer? Fortunately, it's quite simple. Give that area a good cleaning and some good exfoliation. I use soap with "scrubbies," such as a salt bar or something with seeds or pumice. Additionally, a good shower scrub, such as my Shower Glow (I know, a shameless plug) will make this an easy task.
  
  
  Use it once or a few times, and you'll be ready for tank tops!
  
  
  
  Now, if the weather would just cooperate.

Oils and Skin

I am happy to report that Beau-dacious is coming along well, healing from his eye injury and subsequent surgery. He goes to the vet tomorrow for another check up, and I fully expect good news. :-) I'm just hoping that he can now get a hair cut, as he is looking awfully fluffy!

How about you? How are you looking now that winter is becoming spring? This is the time that we begin to assess our bodies, hair, and skin. Do we need to lose weight? Need a new haircut? Is the skin looking sluggish and dull? Although I offer products only for skincare, there's no denying that many facets of care are important in helping us look and be our best.

To look as vivacious and beautiful as we can be, we need to take care of ourselves. We need to take care of our physical needs by eating right, exercising, and getting adequate rest. We also need to take care of our spiritual needs.

Building from that, we can use cosmetics to care for our skin and to enhance what we have. Careful cleansing is an important first step, morning and night.

Exfoliating regularly is next. Once a week is usually adequate for dry skin, and twice for normal or oily skin, as more dead skin cells build up on oily skin.

Toning is a third, sometimes neglected step. It helps close the pores, so to speak, and removes the last vestiges of makeup. Toner should also add skin conditioners that will work on skin during the day.

Finally, moisturizer is essential, as it helps hold in the moisture from your skin. Sometimes, younger women, or those with oily skin will opt not to use moisturizer, thinking that they don't need it. A good moisturizer that is developed for your skin type is a vital part of your skin care routine. It can actually help regulate oil production, increasing it in dry skin, and lessening it in oily skin. It can help prevent wrinkles, and it can condition your skin while you're wearing it, all the while making your skin look better.

I do offer a facial soap for $6, and now. . .

We are unveiling our new Body Glow shower exfoliant! It is a mostly-solid sugar/salt and oil mix that you use in the shower to gently exfoliate your skin. We've worked and worked on our formula, creating one that, while moisturizing, isn't greasy and doesn't make the shower slippery. It feels and smells great, and really does the job.

Just wet your skin, massage it gently, first on the hands, to the arms, then feet, legs, and finally, the torso. It's easy to rinse off, and your skin will thank you!

It's only $12 for an 8 oz. jar. Scents include: Lavender*, Gingered Orange, Lilac Breeze, Groovy Patchouli*, Black Raspberries & Vanilla, Shea Flower, Mint Medley*, Sultry Sandalwood Vanilla, Fresh Clean Herbs, and Spun Sugar. (*essential oil)

Just because this is the week of the Lucky Irish, I am extending the introductory price THIS WEEK -- just $10! Exfoliation never felt so good.

Not on my site, but available, are:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea.
Liquid shower gel: All natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00
Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7
Foaming Soap: Comes in Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, and Lavender, as well as our regular scents. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Donations made to Missionary Flights International and Clean the World.org., bringing soap to people who can't afford it, thus, helping to stem disease in third world countries.

Have yourself a wonderful week!

Progress!

Last week, I shared the story of my puppy's eye damage and subsequent surgery. He came home with a "button" on his eye to keep his 3rd eyelid open; so, for last week, his name was "Button-Eyed Beau."

I am happy to announce that today, his button was removed, and the vet thinks he is making good progress toward healing! Now, if I could figure out how to get Tobey to be friendly, things would be terrific. Other progress includes our weather. We went from having a good-sized winter storm to having sun and temps. in the 40's. It's feeling like spring is actually approaching, and I am ready. I even saw daffodils and Iris poking up from the ground. I'm practically giddy.

I've decided to hold over the introductory offer on Body Glow! For this week, it's $10 instead of $12. This is a great time to try it. Start getting your skin spring-ready.

Don't forget about the Luck o' the Irish gift pack of soap and your choice of scent body spray. It's only $10, but you'll have to order soon to get it by St. Paddy's Day.

New product - Yea!

We have a winner in our blog comment contest. It's Cindy Jones, for her excellent comment about including elderberry in our first-aid kit. Thanks Cindy!

Another great announcement is the introduction of a new product. After many trials, we have a Body Glow for the Shower to unveil! It's a salt/sugar, oil exfoliant that is mostly solid, but soft enough to scoop, and the oil doesn't leak out. It feels great on the skin, and rinses off well, leaving you moisturized, but not oily. The shower won't be oily, either. It comes in our standard scents, Love My Lavender*, Gingered Orange, Spun Sugar, Rice Flower, Fresh Clean Herbs, Lilac, Black Raspberry & Vanilla, Sultry Sandalwood Vanilla, and Mint Medley*. *denotes essential oils You'll love it!

A special introductory offer to my blog readers is $2 off each jar of as many Body Glows as you like. Hurry, because the offer only lasts through Feb. 28.

For those wanting to know, our road trip to NJ was a success. Traveling was easy, with not a flake of snow on the way there, and only a little on the way back. We had such a good time with our daughter, son-in-law, and our two little grandsons, that it made for great memories.