During the winter months, our skin gets extra dry, which is always annoying. There’s nothing worse than having rough and scaly hands, especially if you’re going on an interview or on a hot date. Not to mention it’s flu season, which requires us to wash our hands even more in an attempt to ward off pesky germs, leaves our hands super dry.

That’s why we BGs should always keep a travel size hand lotion in our purses. With so many different brands on the market, it’s hard to tell which creams work the best. Being the product junkie that I am, I’ve probably tried and applied them all for you! From the fresia scented dollar store brands to shea butters at L’Occitane, I’ve slathered and lathered them all!

Remember all hand lotions are not created equal! Here are a few of my picks:

Vaseline Intensive Care Hand Lotion $3.99 www.drugstores.com

Jaqua Pink Buttercream Hand Lotion $8 www.bathandbodyworks.com

Carol’s Daughter Lemon Rose Hand Cream $10 www.carolsdaughter.com

Kiehl’s Hand Lotion $22.50 www.kiehls.com

L’Occitane Hand Cream $10 www.loccitane.com

Bliss Body Butter Hand Cream $18 www.sephora.com

Curel Hand Lotion $4.79 www.drugstore.com

Yesterday, while walking in Midtown enjoying the beautiful, yet kinda weird mild weather, I quickly became enthralled by the SUPER SALE signs posted in the windows of The Body Shop. Taken by the sweet scents that consistently pour out of the bath & body store, I rushed in hoping to catch fabulous end-of-the-season sales and I did!

After looking through throngs of undesirable holiday scented lathers and lotions, I was overjoyed to find a cute jar of tinted lip gloss/balm for only $3.

Once I applied the cranberry-colored lacquer to my lips, I immediately began contemplating whether or not I should try other brands of potted glosses/balms. Prior to this purchase, I wasn’t a fan of lip treatments that require using fingers or a brush to apply. Since I’m pleasantly surprised with my new gloss/balm I just might give a few other glosses/balms in a jar a try!

Check out some of these beauty finds:

Carol’s Daughter lip balm available at www.carolsdaughter.com for $6

Lancome Juicy Gel…E available at Sephora for $18 www.sephora.com (various shades available)

Benefit tinted lip moisturizer available at Sephora for $20 www.sephora.com (various shades available)

Nars Lip Lacquer available at Sephora for $23 www.sephora.com (various shades available)

MAC tinted lip balm available at www.maccosmetics.com for $14.50 (various shades available)

Tinted lip balm available at The Body Shop for $8.50 www.thebodyshop.com (various shades available)

Su Uemura lip lacquer available at Sephora for $23 www.sephora.com

What’s the perfect holiday gift that you can give a BG or guy who is always on the go and always helping others, but never seems to find time for themselves? Oh yes, this includes YOU too — a gift certificate to a spa!

A nice spa treatment will help the over-worked, tired and always busy loved one in your life take a break from his or her demanding schedule and escape the daily grind.

Spa treatments have been proven to be an effective way to alleviate stress and provide relaxation for your mind, body and spirit. Whether it’s a facial, Swedish massage or a mani or pedi, giving one’s self “me” time is essential to healthy living. When you feel good, you treat others well and are more productive.

Here are a few popular spas throughout the U.S:

Bliss Soho

One of their most popular treatments right now is the “Mistle Toes.” This treatment gives your shopped out soles a lift with this hot milk, sweet orange oil and cinnamon stick soak plus paraffin wrap pedicure. Served with a cup of hot apple cider, and you’ll get a FREE holiday Essie nail polish.
60 min $70

568 Broadway, 2nd Floor
NYC NY 10012
212 219 8970
www.blissworld.com

P.S There are several Bliss spas throughout the United States. Check the website for more locations.

Honey Child Salon & Spa

I once got my hair styled at this salon/spa and received more compliments on my hair than I’ve ever gotten in my life! Plus, the owner is a BG!

735 N. LaSalle
Chicago, IL
(312) 573-1300
www.honeychildsalonandspa.com

The Root of You Salon and Day Spa

They boast a great massage called the “Awakening.” It’s a 50 minute Swedish full body massage that releases muscle tension with slow strokes along with finger pressure applied both following and across the grain of muscles and tendons to promote relaxation and help improve circulation. $70

5190 Buffalo Speedway
Houston, Texas 77005
(off Highway 59 on Buffalo Speedway @ Westpark)
832-778-1225
www.therootofyou.com

Le Petite Retreat Day Spa

One of their best-sellers is the True Transformation Facial. This classic custom spa facial helps restore skin’s dull, dried, damaged appearance. Aromatherapy and marine-based elements rich in trace minerals balance skin’s ph level, replenishing lost nutrients for that healthy, youthful glow.
60 mins: $110

331 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles CA, 90004
(323) 466-1028
www.lprdayspa.com

About a week ago I attended this beauty event held in the fashion district in the heart of NYC. Even though I wasn’t feeling the best, I made it my business to brave the cold to see what the beauty gods had to offer.

Not exactly feeling up to reveling in what seemed like a really great party, I scoped out the scene and made a few rounds to several vendors and quickly decided that it was time to head toward the swag bag and make my exit.

After I got home, I checked out the goodies and found that I had obtained a few nice treats. I was elated to know that my trek to the beauty event was not in vain; although I am convinced that the freezing air made my cold even worse, but who cares, that’s the sacrifice one makes in the name of beauty!

Here is one of my favorites:

Lumene’s Radiant C Beauty Drops Available at CVS stores nationwide for $22

Although this anti-aging skin product came out a few months ago, I had never tried it. So I thought, what the heck? I might as well give it a go since it claims to make skin visibly smoother in 28 days and is supposedly packed with anti-oxidants, berry oils and other great skin enhancing agents. Plus, InStyle claims that fellow BGs Halle Berry and Vanessa Williams are huge fans, which only made me want to try it even more.

After washing my face, I applied the cute orange capsule of moisture to my skin, it tingled a bit, and left my skin feeling both mildy dry and moisturized — weird, I know. I then applied my tried and true Oil of Olay oil-free moisturizer that I use religiously every night as directed on the Lumene box (they advise you to continue using your regular night creams in addition to one drop/capsule) and went to bed.

I did this regimen for about 5 days and I must say, my skin looks more radiant and clear than prior to using these drops/capsules. Could this all be in my head? I’m not sure, but I can’t wait to report back to you once my 28 are up. Hopefully, my skin will only get better! Stay tuned. If you’ve tried this product, let me know what you think of it.

Now that the holiday shopping season has officially started, it’s time to shop ‘til you drop! I love the holiday season because it’s the only time of year where you can find super cute beauty gift sets. Not only do you find unique sets that are only available during the Christmas season, but they’re usually reasonably priced. From hand creams, to eye shadow sets, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for the girly BGs in your life.

Check out some fabulous sets I’ve come across:

Blockbuster Palette available at Sephora: www.sephora.com for $48

Victoria’s Secret Ultra-moisturizing Hand & Body Cream Coffret for $12.50

Fresh Sugar Tart Gift Set available at Sephora: www.sephora.com for $58

L’Occitane Hand’s Best Friend Hand Cream Trio available at Sephora: www.sephora.com for $25

Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B fragrance available at Sephora: www.sephora.com for $55

Available at Victoria’s Secret: www.victoriasecret.com for $12.50