Beauty411

The "Scoop" on Open Sundaes

Open Sundaes is a Canadian Bath & Body line that gives new meaning to the words "girly girl".  These handmade products are not only fun, but are done with incredible attention to detail.  All the fun and eye candy of tempting treats without the calories. 

Here's the scoop:  The Bon Bon Bath Melts come four to a container.  With flavors like Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Raspberry, Cherry Almond Shortcake and Bubble Gum, they look exactly like a colorful box of candy.  Drop one into your bath water for a heavenly treat.  If you didn't know better, you'd swear the Blue Hawaiian Cupcake Bubble Bath was the real deal!  Shaped like a cupcake with frosting on the top, it's a real treat.  An interesting product is the Chocolate Shake Hair Powder.  You shake it into your hair, work through and it's like a dry shampoo with a chocolatey fragrance.  And one of my favorite products is the Lip Toppings, which is a delicious tasting, sheer lip gloss with a hint of shimmer.  Not goopy or sticky, this really feels--and tastes--good on your lips.

If you need a gift for a 'tween, shower favors, a Mother's Day or Girlfriend gift, or just want to treat yourself, check out Open Sundaes.  All the fun without any of the calories!  For more information on Open Sundaes products, visit the online store.

Soaptopia: 100% Junk Free!

Soaptopia is a small soap company in California with a big sense of humor and a fabulous product!  I love being able to feature artisan businesses with great product lines and Soaptopia definitely fits that description.  Add that the bath products are handmade, natural and with a dedication to being "100% Junk Free" and you have the makings of one hip, bathing experience.

Soaptopia creates over 40 different flavors and scents, so there's a soap for every body.  The soap is made with a base of olive oil, shea butter, hemp seed oil, coconut, palm and essential oils.  I tried the Orange Blossom and Blue Velvet soaps and totally love them.  They last forever and are so moisturizing that even out of the shower, your skin is left soft.  I also tried ALOTTA Bubbles, which is a sulfate-free, sugar-based bubble bath.  Great scent and lather.  And my favorite product is called the 50/50 Body Balm.  When I first looked at the jar, I went "what is this?".  Then I put it on my skin and went "this is sensational!"  The 50/50 Dr. V'Nilla, is a 50% blend of deep natural therapy creme swirled with 50% Madagascar Vanilla Essential Oil.  It's unlike anything I've ever tried, and it's incredible. Trust me on this one.

Soaptopia offers a 5 for $25 special on their soaps when you use code 5for25 checkout.  Orders are shipped in recycled boxes with natural nesting fibers and leaves, flower buds and other natural fillers.  Gift wrapping is free. Make sure to browse the website to see the entire of line of products.  Give Soaptopia a try and bathe 100% Junk Free!

Frilly Lilly: Delectable Bath & Body Treats

Frilly Lilly is a dessert-inspired product line that was created to not only look good, but to perform as beauty and bath products should.  I'm happy to report that this whimsical line succeeds on both counts.  Frilly Lilly is a diverse line--everything from adorable bath bombs to hand lotions and nail care.  The products smell divine and the pretty packaging satisfies a "girly girl" like me.  I had the opportunity to try out some of the hand and nail products.  The Lemongrass Sage Hand Cream is definitely a product that has become a favorite.  Thick and rich in shea butter, with a fresh lemon scent, it moisturizes even the worst winter-cracked hands.  Another favorite product is the Frilly Lilly Cuticle Cream.  A light pink cream that deeply hydrates and conditions cuticles, the container is cute enough to leave on my nightstand. The cuticle oil and cuticle remover also work well.

Frilly Lilly is known for their bath concoctions.  There's a strawberry shortcake bundt cake for your bath that looks divine.  And if you want to sit in the bathtub all day, smelling all sweetness and daisy cake, we won't tell.  Think about Frilly Lilly for shower favors or girlfriend gifts, but order with enough time to allow for shipping from Canada.  Frilly Lilly can be ordered off their website and is also available at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, Kitson in LA and The Wynn and Palms Hotels in Las Vegas. 

Perlier La Voglia Matta

Perlier, one of the staples in the bath and body category, introduces La Voglia Matta, "The Great Desire" fruit-scented shower gel and body milk set.  Fruit extracts are used to improve skin smoothness and texture while helping skin stay supple, soft and lightly fragranced.  The shower gel and body milk duo comes packaged in an organza drawstring bag, making for a nice presentation and perfect for gift giving.  The scent is fresh and light; in addition to Sweet Strawberry, Black Berry is also available.  Perlier products can be found online, in department stores and at HSN. 

Not Soap Radio

Not Soap Radio is a whimsical line of bath and body products, creatively packaged and reasonably priced. I tried and enjoyed the "I'm Not Here, I'm Really" Getaway Gift set which is a set of 3 body souffles, thick and rich in shea and cocoa butter.  So where are you...Really?  At the Spa is an apricot/lavender scent...think soothing.  At a Beachfront Resort is a blend of pineapple, coconut, vanilla and hibiscus;  Walking the Red Carpet is a blend of jasmine, rose and red currant.  The trio comes in a cute suitcase-shaped box.  This would make a great gift for a girlfriend's birthday.  Another product that would be perfect for some in-home pampering is the Spa Chocolat set, (because sometimes indulgence is a necessity and not simply a desire) which features an exfoliating body polish, a body souffle and a face mask--all chocolat scented and no calories! No, the set doesn't come with the Johnny Depp Chocolat movie, but hey, you can always rent that.  Lastly, for all you Sorority Sisters out there--Go Greek with the first Greek-licensed bath & body collection.  There are roll-on perfumes as well as a trio of mini lip glosses (vanilla cake batter and peppermint flavors) that are available for 25 different sororities.

Not Soap Radio is offering readers a fabulous 20% off discount on your order when you shop from their website store and use the coupon code beauty411 when you check out.  This is a great opportunity to show your sorority spirit, play Cupid, or pick up favors for upcoming weddings.

Here's the skinny on.....skinnyskinny!

skinnyskinny soaps are a product that you have to try to believe.  I was sent a sampler of skinnyskinny organic bar soaps and bath salts to try.  In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm generally a shower gel kind of person.  But I was curious about this line.  skinnyskinny soaps are hand made, using certified organic ingredients.  In addition, the hip packaging is recycled and they manufacture in a carbon-neutral manner.  Impressive.  But what is more impressive is when you step in that shower and lather up.  The chocolate soap is made with a whopping 20% (unrefined fair trade) cocoa butter and is so moisturizing; it feels incredible.  Another favorite is the lemon and blood orange with oatmeal.  Again, not only does this soap smell great, it exfoliates.  For a great selection of artisan soaps and bath products, check out the skinnyskinny line. You can order skinnyskinny soap directly from their website; for additional retailers check here.  You don't need to be on a diet to get skinnyskinny!