During my recent trainings with Caudalie, I fell even more in love with the company and their philosophy.  In 1993, a young, beautiful couple was giving a tour of their vineyard to Professor Vercauteren, a professor of the Pharmacy Faculty of Bordeaux.  On this tour, the professor had asked the couple what they did with the unused grape seeds from their harvest and proceeded to explain to them how these seeds contained polyphenols, the most powerful antioxidant in the plant world.  With the professor’s anti-aging research, and Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas’ passion for skin care and their vineyard, Caudalie was born.

What most people don’t know about Caudalie is that they were the first company to discover and use stabilized polyphenols in cosmetics.  In addition to this groundbreaking patent, Caudalie also has patents on Resveratrol (which stimulates cellular renewal) and Viniferine (which promotes radiance and treats dark spots).  Another fascinating fact about the company is that they were at the forefront of eco-beauty before it became what it is today.  Their products are free of parabens, phenoxyethanol, mineral oil, artificial colorings or sodium laureth sulfate.  In addition, no ingredients of animal origin are used, products are not tested on animals and a maximum of natural active ingredients can be found in all of their products.

With their devotion to skin care research and the environment, Caudalie has not only grown to be my favorite eco-beauty line, but a part of my life now as well. 

So without further ado, I would love to present to you the THREE prizes I have to offer for Big City Beauty’s End of the Year Giveaway:

First Place

Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa in a Box

Second Place

Caudalie Fleur de Vigne Fresh Energizing Fragrance

Third Place

Caudalie Beauty from the Vine Sample Pack

For a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes, pay close attention to the following:

Big City Beauty is in search of a green charity to partner with.  So I am leaving it up to you guys to help me find the perfect match.  Submit your ideas by clicking here by December 25^th at 11:59pm EST and the top three charities I think will be just right for BCB will be considered for these three prizes.  After I do my own research on these submissions, the winners will be announced on January 1^st, 2010.  And like all contest held here, you must be either a Fan on Facebook or a Follower on Twitter to qualify.  So don’t forget to give me your Facebook or Twitter name with your entry.

The best of luck to you all!  And thank you again for being such wonderful and supportive readers.

Until next time my pretties…  xoxo

P.S. – To book a facial with yours truly in the new year and experience the magic of a Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa Treatment, call 212.265.3182 and request a facial with Lia!

For those of you that are new to the brand Philosophy, this is the perfect starter set for you.  It is an effective skincare line and comes at a completely affordable price.  This set includes Philosophy’s best-selling skincare products all designed to promote radiantly clear and smooth skin.  And coming in fairly large sizes, The Miracle Worker will last long enough for you to see real results.  I highly recommend it to those of you looking to try a new line but don’t want to spend a ton on purchasing an entire skincare regimen.

The Miracle Worker contains:

• 8 oz Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser
• 8 oz The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash
• 2 oz Hope In A Jar
• 0.5 oz Hope In a Tube
• 1 oz The Microdelivery Peel Crystals
• 1 oz The Microdelivery Peel Gel

Do any of you use Philosophy products?  I’m a huge fan of their body care line and especially their holiday sets. Check out my previous post on another Philosophy holiday gift set I’m definitely picking up!    And head over to Sephora.com to see more from their holiday collections.

Until next time girls and boys…  xoxo

Now a couple weeks ago I told you all that I would be attending some of the Shecky’s events that were being held in NYC.  Well I did and they were fun!  I purchased some fabulous shadows, one of a kind jewelry, and of course some skin care products.  I also received the infamous Shecky’s Goodie Bag, which came loaded with what else…  goodies!  So I wanted to share with you on this BCB Eco-Friday a brand that I came across called Noah’s Naturals.

I had never heard of Noah’s Naturals before, so when I found some of their products in my goodie bag I was super excited.  I love discovering new organic skincare!  And most importantly, I love bringing it back to share with you.  So Noah’s Naturals is a skincare, body care, and hair care line that is pretty much affordable for anyone!  You can usually find it at your local WalMart and Longs Drugs or online at drugstore.com.

They have two lines called Noah’s Naturals and Organics by Noah’s Naturals that are a family of natural and organic beauty care formulated with the highest quality of natural ingredients and essential oils.  They are certified organic and best of all they are members of 1% For The Planet meaning they donate 1% of all sales to environmental organizations worldwide.  Noah’s Naturals do not contain parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, petrolatums, propylene glycol, artificial colors, phthalates, or animal byproducts and are not tested on animals.  Their products smell good, feel good, and really work well with my tempermental skin.  I actually really, really like it!

The following are products I have tried and genuinely enjoyed:

Grapefruit Shower Gel
Hand Salve with Jojoba and Soy Wax
All Day Moisture with SPF 15 for the face
Rosemary Lip Balm
NEW Age Defying Brazilian Body Polish with Acai Berry

For more information on Noah’s Naturals and their products, visit www.noahsnaturals.com.

Until next time my beauties…  xoxo

Eczema has plagued many members of my family and unfortunately many of my friends as well.  Eczema is an inflammatory, painful itching disease of the skin, acute or chronic in nature, with dry or moist lesions.  Attractive right?  Fortunately as I have grown older, my eczema has dramatically decreased and now only affects my legs during the season changes.  I get it right at the back of my knees and have found ways to keep it under control by doing what I do best: testing out and trying all the products you can think of until I find the ones that work for me.

Well just a couple months ago, I came across an article in Allure Magazine that discussed a study done on eczema patients using coconut oil and olive oil.  I’ve mentioned before here on BCB the wonders that olive oil can do for your skin, but surprisingly not coconut oil.  I know I’ve mentioned before how much I love anything and everything coconut so I was surprised that I never thought of writing about this benefit of coconut oil before.  In fact, my boyfriend uses coconut oil as his body moisturizer every day and his skin is perfect!  So there’s gotta be something to it.

Well in this study Allure refers to, 52 patients applied either coconut oil or olive oil twice a day for four weeks.  The study found that although both significantly alleviated skin dryness, coconut oil had a stronger antibacterial effect- “clearing 95 percent of skin infections involving Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, which is believed to exacerbate eczema.”  Because coconut oil is absorbed into the skin more quickly than olive oil, it doesn’t feel as greasy on the skin either.  Try them together with this detoxifying firming scrub I wrote about earlier on BCB.

So after reading this article, and stealing some of my boyfriend’s Health Support Raw Organic Coconut Oil, I did a test patch on my skin and found it to work wonders!  It immediately alleviated the itching, instantly moisturized the dry cracks I was experiencing, and seemed to clear up my eczema breakouts much more effectively than the ointments I had been using my entire life.  It was amazing! There’s nothing better than finding a product that works for you. And I always say there’s nothing better than using a natural source free of chemicals on your skin.

So what natural skin remedies do you guys use?  Share with us and leave a comment! 

Until next time friends…  xoxo

So with a prelude to my obsession with pistachios, you will now understand why I die for Laura Mercier’s Crème de Pistache Body Collection.  Each item in this collection was inspired by the nutty aromas of pistachio desserts and contains the essences of pistachio nut, almonds, pralines, hazelnuts, and freshly whipped cream.  You literally feel like you are swimming around in a big bowl of pistachio ice cream (a total dream come true for me).  They also each contain Vitamins A and E to soothe, moisturize, and condition the skin while leaving your skin with a softly scented veil of Crème de Pistache fragrance.  Its absolutely delish!!!

Laura Mercier Crème de Pistache Honey Bath

Laura Mercier Crème de Pistache Body Scrub

Laura Mercier Crème de Pistache Souffle Body Creme

So next time you’re looking to indulge your skin in some absolute goodness, be sure to think of Laura Mercier’s Crème de Pistache Body Collection.  But let me warn you, there is a possibility that you may become obsessed too! 

Until next time everybody…  xoxo

So today I wanted to give you another tip on battling cellulite (I told you it was going to be a continuous one).  This at home recipe goes perfect in conjunction with Caudalie’s all-natural, anti-cellulite concentrate I told you about last week.  Plus its fun making your own concoctions at home isn’t it?  I’ve always been a little scientist ever since I was a little girl so I definitely think so. 

The following treatment is a great firming scrub that contains coffee beans (renowned as an anti-cellulite agent) to help detoxify and tighten the skin.  Combined with sugar and coconut, it also helps to exfoliate, reduce fine lines, and fend off acne.  Macadamia or olive oil is great for deep hydration while essential oils help to wake up your senses.  Gentle enough for every day use, this scrub will leave your skin silky smooth and will appear virtually dimple free.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups cane sugar
• ¼ cup ground coffee beans
• ¼ cup shredded coconut
• ¾ cup macadamia nut oil or olive oil
• 1 tsp. honey
• 3-5 drops essential oil of choice

Directions:

1. Mix sugar, ground coffee beans, coconut, and oil in a bowl until fully combined.  Add honey followed by the essential oil.
2. Transfer the mixture to a plastic container with a lid. (The scrub will keep for 1 to 2 weeks sealed at room temperature.)
3. Rub a generous scoop of the scrub over your arms, legs, stomach, chest, and bottom, scrubbing medium to hard depending on your sensitivity.
4. Rinse off in the shower under warm to hot water, ensuring the sugar crystals disintegrate completely.  Pat dry to allow the oils to soak into your soft, glowing skin.

Note: Those with very sensitive skin may wish to use pure cane sugar because it is less abrasive than raw.

Try this one out and let me know what you guys think.  It smells absolutely fabulous and is a great way to start your day!  There’s nothing better than the smell of coffee to get you going.  Plus this treatment doesn’t even cost you any calories like a cup of joe would!  How great is that?  Well, unless you eat it of course! 

Until next time ladies…  xoxo

*Recipe courtesy of spamagazine.com

Not only was the restaurant great, but the company we spent it with was just as amazing as well.  I had the pleasure of meeting the wife of one of my boyfriend’s business associates who actually is the heart of this post today.  At the end of our lovely meal, this wonderful woman pulled out two little sachets as a gift to both my boyfriend and myself.  She mentioned that she always makes a little gift for people she knows she is meeting for the first time.  I was so touched by her selfless act that I just had to tell you all about it here on BCB.  Inside our sachets was hand made jewelry that she had created herself and a beautiful piece made of larimar stone.  Larimar is a rare stone found only in the Dominican Republic and represents peace and clarity, emitting an energy of healing and love.  It a beautiful stone and I will always remember this beautiful woman for it.

Now throughout our dinner we carried on many conversations but one that stuck out in particular was what this lovely woman did for her own skin.  I wish I had a picture to show you but this older woman did not have a single wrinkle on her face!  She had gorgeously healthy looking skin.  She told us a story about this 60 year old woman she had met when she was younger who looked no older than 25.  She asked the woman what her secret was and the woman told her olive oil.  From then on, my new friend used olive oil on her face daily!  Little did she know that olive oil truly is a beauty secret that has been around for centuries.

Here are some different ways olive oil (a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) can give you an all over beauty treatment:

• Mix ¼ cup of virgin olive oil (to hydrate and protect the skin) with 1 egg white (to nourish and tighten the skin) and apply the mixture as a mask to the face and neck to help smooth, tighten, and hydrate.
• Mix 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil (to loosen layers of dead skin) and ¼ cup of sugar to slough away rough spots like the elbows and knees.  Can also be used with a coarse salt all over the body to tone and stimulate the skin, while keeping it hydrated.
• Pure olive oil can be used to keep hair soft and tangle free by applying to the hair and scalp and left overnight.  Follow with a great shampoo the next morning for frizz free locks.
• Take care of neglected tootsies by dipping your feet into warm olive oil for a few minutes and buffing them with coarse salt, and rinse.
• Apply olive oil all over to soften dry, irritated skin and to treat sunburns after spending a day at the beach
• For a quick treatment to tame frizzy hair and fly-aways, apply a few drops to your hands and comb through hair with your fingers.

If you have any other olive oil tricks, please comment and share with us your experiences!  And if you’d like to see more useful home remedies, click here and check out this awesome book.

Until next time everyone…  xoxo

I’d love to share with you one of my favorite recipes from the book.  I am such a huge fan of coconut and pretty much love anything that has a tropical fragrance.  So if that’s you too, you’ll enjoy this recipe that comes from Thailand:

Tropical Body Polish

½ cup of ground rice

½ cup of coconut milk

1 tablespoon of turmeric

½ cup of fresh grated coconut

Mix ingredients together to form a thick scrub.

Using circular scrubbing motion, apply the mixture all over your body.

Rinse and follow with your favorite moisturizer.

I find this treatment especially helpful during the winter months, as my skin tends to be a little drier.  With the extra need for exfoliation, and a definite desire to want to feel like I’m somewhere other than the freezing streets of New York, I love this home recipe!

Some other great SUMMER tips that come from our South American beauties can also be found in Passport to Beauty: Secrets and Tips from Around the World for Becoming a Global Goddess.  One that I thought was quite interesting was that Brazilian beauties munch on carrots for weeks prior to hitting the beach.  They believe that because carrot juice can cause a slight yellowing of the skin, it can deepen the bronze of their tans.  But like Shalini mentions, “Too much of a good thing is just that – too much.”  Carrots do have a high content of Vitamin A, which in large amounts, can be toxic.  So what I like to do is just have a glass of carrot juice after my beach day to help maintain the color I’ve already gotten.  Its refreshing, totally healthy, and definitely safe – unless you’re allergic to carrots of course!

And I just have to throw this one in there because you know I love you…  If you’re spending a day at the beach don’t forget your SPF!!!

Until next time ladies…  xoxo