Hello my loves!  I just wanted to let all my NYC’ers know that my job is participating in Spa Week from April 12-16, 2010.  If you would like to experience the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa in the Plaza Hotel, please call to book with yours truly!  We are offering our 45min spa facial for $50!!!  It’s a deal you can’t beat!  I hope to see some of you as clients, so don’t forget to mention my name (Lia) if you decide book! And if I’m not available on a day you need, ask them to contact me and I will try my best to come in for my fabulous readers! ;)

Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa

One West 58th Street, Floor 4

New York, NY 10019

212.265.3182

For a list of spas that are participating in Spa Week near you, head to SpaWeek.com.

And for a list of other Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa treatments that are offered all year round, head to ThePlaza.com.

Until next time my loves…

Hey dolls!!!  I am very excited to announce that GILT.com is hosting a sale

from now until February 20th on spa services and products at my work!

Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa

4th Floor of The Plaza Hotel
1 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019
(212) 265-3182

Get great deals on facials, massages, and body treatments for you (and maybe even a friend)

and even better deals on skin care with complimentary free shipping!

Some of the products featured are even ones that I’ve given away on my most recent contest.

So come pay me a visit and book a facial with yours truly!

Happy Spa-ing!

xoxo

For those of you not only looking for the anti-aging benefits of drinking red wine, but for the whole body benefits as well, Caudalie Vinexpert Dietary Supplements are just for you.  Working from the inside out, these small little capsules come packed with everything you need to get increased anti-ageing protection for all of your organs, including the skin.

The following is a list of key ingredients and their benefits:

• Resveratrol- firming and anti-wrinkle
• Stabilized grapeseed polyphenols- anti-oxidant
• Grapeseed oil, borage oil, and evening primrose- moisturizing and nourishing

Just take two capsules a day in between meals and you will have unveiled the secret of the French Paradox in as little as a few weeks.  How simple and fabulous is that?  So get your supplements now at Caudalie-usa.com and don’t just make your skin look beautiful, radiate from the inside as well. 

P.S.- Spend $100 online from now until January 31st, 2010 and get a complimentary firming face roller by entering promo code FIRM at checkout.

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!

I’ve mentioned before on BCB how much I love Caudalie’s products.  From their cleansers to their body regimens, Caudalie is by far one of my top skin care lines.  Not only are their products highly effective, they are derived from natural sources and strive to continually be eco-conscious.  Overall, Caudalie’s mission to effectively treat the skin while maintaining respect for the environment goes hand in hand with my personal philosophies as well.

So today I wanted to tell you all about my love for Caudalie Beauty Elixir and how it seems to be the only thing that instantly makes me feel better on sick days other than being babied by my mom and boyfriend.    This spray is an anti-dull complexion treatment that smoothes features, tightens pores and literally provides an instant burst of radiance to the skin.  With ingredients like orange blossom and organic mint, the smells and sensations provide the perfect pick me up.  My senses are awakened, my skin feels soft and dewy, and I actually look alive!  What more could I ask for when feeling completely under the weather?

Now not only does Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir make for a great pick me up, it can also double as a wonderful after-shave for men or an exceptional makeup setter.  Just spritz it on before your moisturizer, after foundation, or any time of the day for instant energy and radiance.

What helps you guys out when you’re not feeling too well?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Until next time my friends…  xoxo

So looking for a healthier alternative, Kristin had asked me what my recommendation would be for an organic makeup remover.  So pleased to get an eco-question, and finding it hard to pick just one, I decided to compile a list of my top 5 organic makeup removers.  These all come from brands I trust and are all just as excellent at removing makeup as the other not so eco-friendly brands.

1. Origins Well Off- This fast and gentle eye makeup remover is probably my overall favorite.  Gentle cleansers work to quickly dissolve makeup while Rose Damascena helps to soothe and calm the delicate eye area.  By applying with a cotton pad, the cleansers break down eye makeup so efficiently that there is very little need for rubbing and tugging.  And the best part about it is Origin’s Recycling Program.  You can bring all your empty cosmetics containers (regardless of brand!) to your nearest Origins retail or department store nationwide.  They will send your empty containers to be recycled and used for energy recovery.  Being the first in the industry to do this, they are adding to their good deeds by rewarding anyone that participates with a FREE sample of choice of one of Origin’s high-performance skincare products.  It’s so nice seeing a company that really supports a good cause.
2. Caudalie Cleansing Water- Perfect for those with sensitive skin, this water cleanser attracts dirt like a magnet and sweeps it away without rubbing.  There is no need to wash your face afterwards, as there is no oily residue left over like most makeup removers can leave behind.  I actually use this product just for that reason.  In fact, it is actually a facial cleanser as well so you can use it as a secondary cleanse after you initially remove your makeup.  It also doubles as a toner including soothing and hydrating ingredients that work together to add radiance to the skin.  It’s one of Caudalie’s (one of my fav skincare brands) top sellers and is definitely suitable for contact lens wearers.  I highly recommend it.
3. Organic Wear 100% Natural Makeup Remover- These makeup removers come in every possible form you could think of making it super easy to pick what works best for you.  They come in pads, towelettes, liquid form, and lotion form.  The soft pads and towelettes are 100% natural and contain Organic Wear’s ultra gentle formula that helps to condition eyelashes and soften the skin with organic aloe vera extract.  They are also infused with organic cucumber extract to soothe the delicate eye area as well as organic soy and olive oil to moisturize and fight free radicals.  These removers even contain organic lavender essential oil, which provides the perfect calming effect right before bedtime.
4. Eminence Herbal Eye Make-Up Remover- This soothing makeup remover is gentle enough for all skin types and actually helps to keep the pH of the skin balanced.  Key ingredients contain calendula flower extract which is an anti-irritant, cucumber extract to revitalize, comfrey extract to supply Vitamin E, green tea extract which is an antioxidant and rich in Vitamin C, and chamomile and lavender to calm and balance the skin.  Having many anti-irritant qualities, as well as nourishing components, this organic makeup remover is the perfect compliment to any skin care regimen.
5. Jurlique Eye Makeup Remover- Being a moisture-based cream, this eye makeup remover effectively removes eye makeup without causing irritation.  The biodynamic ingredients include jojoba oil, organic sunflower, an astringent that corrects oiliness, and calendula to soothe and rebalance the skin.  You can apply it with your hands or on a cotton pad and it can be removed by wiping or rinsing off (whichever you prefer).  I do want to warn those of you with sensitive eye areas, as it may be a little too active for you.  What I really like about this makeup remover is the fact that it is cream based unlike most makeup removers that leave an oily residue.  I really feel like it is moisturizing my eye area while actually getting rid of impurities as well.

Well, those are my top 5!  I hope that some of you decide to try these out and switch over to a more natural, earth-friendly alternative.  And please keep in mind that I have yet to find an eye makeup remover (organic or not) that truly gets off all my mascara without a little struggle.  It just seems to be one of those things that skin care companies simply cannot figure out.  So let me know what you guys think of these and please keep those questions coming!

Until next time…  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

The FDA does not require approval of cosmetics before their manufacture and sale.  The FDA regulates cosmetics only in the areas of safety, labeling, and the claims made for a product.  Ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance, starting with the ingredient having the highest concentration and ending with the ingredient having the lowest concentration.  Ingredients with a concentration of less than 1 percent may be listed in any order.  This is why it is so important to match the marketing claims made by a company with the ingredients listed on the back.

For example, yesterday I told you that I’ve tried several anti-cellulite treatments.  St. Ives has always been one of my favorite drugstore body moisturizers, so when they came out with St. Ives Cellulite Shield Advanced Body Moisturizer, I was very excited to try it.  However, my results were not as apparent as they were with Caudalie’s.  These are the ingredients St. Ives advertises as their main innovative ingredients in this anti-cellulite moisturizer:

• Green Tea- Known for attacking free radicals
• Caffeine- Known to stimulate the skin’s circulation, targeting “imprisoned fat”
• Citrus Extract- Known to rejuvenate and energize the skin
• Menthol- to invigorate tired, sluggish skin as it cools
• Glacial Water and Botanicals- Known to moisturize and hydrate the skin

Now although their claims about these ingredients have been proven to be true, to be highly effective, these ingredients must be listed toward the beginning of the ingredients list.  Without being in a high enough concentration, the potency of these ingredients becomes diminished. So I took a look at the ingredients list and checked to see just how much of these wonderful ingredients are actually in this anti-cellulite treatment.  Here is what I found out:

• Green Tea- Listed at ingredient number 45 out of 52
• Caffeine- Listed at ingredient number 12 out of 52
• Citrus Extract- Listed at ingredient number 50 and 51 out of 52
• Menthol- Listed at ingredient number 29 out of 52
• Glacial Water and Botanicals- No specific evidence of “glacial” water and botanicals listed all throughout the lower half of the list

So I took this information and now understood why this product might not have worked as well as I had originally thought it would.  It still acted as a great moisturizer and I still love St. Ives lotion just because of the experiences I’ve had with it before, but I’ll be more careful now before I jump on the bandwagon.  It was obvious that although St. Ives Cellulite Shield Advanced Body Moisturizer did contain these active ingredients, they were not in a high enough concentration to be effective in the way they had intended.

So next time you run out to your nearest store just because you saw a great ad or commercial on some new innovative product, make sure you do your research first.  And since its beneficial for you to have one, I recommend purchasing Milady’s Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary. It’ll help you understand why certain things are in your product, what those chemicals listed really do, and translate all the latin names for you.  It’s a great little thing to take with you on your next trip to the department store.

Until next time ladies…  xoxo

Now how many of you wish you could smooth out those infamous dimples in your skin?  And no I don’t mean the cute dimples that appear in your cheeks when you smile.  I’m talking about those dimples in your butt and thighs!  Yup, cellulite has plagued many of us women for quite some time. And it seems like there have been thousands of products out there that claim to get rid of cellulite.  Well let me break it down to you a little bit here on some important facts about cellulite:

• Cellulite is gel-like lumps of fat, water, and residues of toxic substances beneath the skin, usually around the hips and thighs.
• Cellulite is caused primarily by female hormones and genetics, meaning men don’t get it!  Lucky!
• Cellulite becomes visible when damage to the dermis occurs causing the fat cells to become closer to the surface of the skin.  This damage happens when water is lost and the collagen and elastin tissues become weakened.  Another reason to stay hydrated!
• Unfortunately, reducing the appearance of cellulite is a continual process and cannot be completely diminished.  But fortunately, there are ways to refine our figures and smooth out that dimpled skin even if it does take a little work.

Caudalie Contouring Concentrate is an ultra-concentrated care product that really does produce visible results.  It comes with a 30 day marked gradation on the side of the bottle that lets you know exactly how much you need to apply each day.  I’ve just completed my first 7 days and have to tell you that I am so pleased with the results.  Not only has the product started to smooth out my dimples, my skin feels firmer and totally hydrated all day long.  Made completely with active ingredients coming from plant extracts, the solution itself also helps to drain excess water weight and leaves a refreshing lemon scent that is 100% natural.  Its something that has made an easy transition into my daily regimen and makes me feel better in my own skin.  How much more could I ask for?  I’m so happy to have finally found an anti-cellulite treatment that has given me visible results so soon and am really excited to see what continued use of this product can do!  I’ll definitely be keeping you all posted!

Until next time my loves…  xoxo