Ojon’s Tawaka “The Ball” ($65.00) is a cleanser and full-body polish. Inspiration behind the product comes from a 1000 year-old cleansing ball only available in the Tawaka villages in Central America. Ojon’s version contains Savage Cacao (antioxidants), Ojon Oil (restorative), Alula Leaf Extract (anti-irritation), Passion Fruit Oil (Omega-6), Swa oil (moisturizing). Each ball takes two days to produce, and each one contains as many antioxidants as would be found in 2,834 pounds of blueberries.
Now, let me tell you what it’s like! Continue reading →
You know how people always recommend that you get a professional bikini wax done before attempting it yourself at-home? Well, LISTEN TO THEM! I am telling you from experience that this is probably the best way to go about it. You will see how it should be done; you get a real, live visual experience and can file it away for future use. It is not to say that my at-home bikini waxing experience was regrettable, but it did not go as smoothly as it could have gone.
I recently received Parissa’s Quick & Easy 2-in1 Roll-On Body Sugar ($19.99) waxing kit that’s good for legs, body, eyebrows, face, and bikini. So it’s pretty much the mega-kit of waxing kits because it’s ready to take on any unwanted hair wherever it may grow! You also get 20 large, reusable (!!) wax strips. Yes, I said reusable, and yes, they really are reusable!
The best part about the wax kit is the wax itself. It is a sugar-based wax that you heat up quickly in the microwave, then roll onto the hairy bit. Apply the wax strip, then remove lightning-fast in the opposite direction as the hair growth. It isn’t painless, don’t let someone fool you that it’s painless! There may be some lucky ladies who don’t experience much pain, but for the rest of us? Probably some involved. The faster you do it, the less painful it is–much like pulling a bandaid off. Back to why the wax itself is awesome: it washes off with complete ease. No matter if you’re a pro and get the job done or if you can’t get it and want to give up, you can wash off any excess or residual wax easily with lukewarm water. What I like about it is this means you don’t have to worry about sticky wax clinging around, but also if you can’t handle it or it’s not working out–you can pack up the kit and not have to keep truckin’.
The second best part is the reusable strips. The strips are large, which is great for larger parts of your body (I imagine you might be able to cut and trim if you wanted to be all DIY with it), and since the wax dissolves so easily, the strips rinse right now. I set them out on a towel to dry, and then back in the box they go.
I give this kit a big thumbs up! It’s budget-friendly, will last you awhile (with the reusable strips–also eco-friendly), and it’s pretty easy to use. The only exception is I advise anyone wanting to use it for the bikini area to make sure they have a good grasp on how to do it and not just go gung-ho into it (like I did, stupidly!).
Get Parissa at Ulta, Whole Foods, and www.parissa.com.
Soap & Glory is my new favorite budget bath & body line. In my shower product post, I told you how I adore their Flake Away Body Polish. It’s an awesome salt-based scrub that works wonders on your skin, gently exfoliating and sloughing off all of the dead skin cells. I also tried their Righteous Body Butter Lotion, which has the same scent as their Flake Away scrub. I often will apply this rich body lotion after my shower, because it’s quite moisturizing, and it reinforces the scent and smell of the scrub. I actually got my boyfriend to use this on his rough spots (elbows, mostly), who would have thought? I like the products I’ve tried from the brand, and I hope to try out more in the future. I know many of you expressed an interest in more drugstore reviews/coverage, so consider this in that direction 
Soap & Glory is available exclusively at Target. In-store may offer more product selection than online, FYI!
A few weeks ago, I tested Gillette’s Venus Embrace, which is a five-bladed razor. It has a “Protective Ribbon of Moisture” that goes around the razor head, which basically helps make the shave go smoother both during and afterwards. It also has a ShowerPod, which has a suction cup allowing it to attach to your shower wall. The ShowerPod is of decent size, such that it can hold extra cartridges so you can grab them whilst in the shower. No more of those, “Ugh! I forgot to change the blade!” moments.
Last time I wrote about razors, I raved about the Schick Quattro. I know what the first question you have for me is: which one is better?
Well, find out! Continue reading →
JOICO Skin Luxe Golden Shimmer Gradual Self-Tanner feels like a luxury product at a bargain price. For $15.95, this is a subtle self-tanner with a nice, golden sheen/shimmer that accents and highlights both your natural and faux glow (from the self-tanner). It smells of tropical coconuts, and it is even moisturizing on its own accord (probably because of the coconut oil and aloe vera).
The brand is actually a division of Shiseido, in case the connection gives you a better sense of familiarity and not, “What is this brand?” kind of a feeling. I personally prefer subtle self-tanners, more often than not opting for gradual ones, because I’m fairly tan on a regular basis. I also tan up really quickly once the sun starts shining (really, one day is all I need in the sun–despite high SPF–to come back tanned). Gradual self-tanners also work in my favor, because it means I can add a little glow, shimmer, and moisture instantaneously. I have had a thing for lightly shimmered lotions, just because I love the way they make my legs look in skirts. You can find a JOICO near you at www.joico.com.
Do you use self-tanners? Which ones do you like? Do you use them year-round or only in a particular season?
A month or so ago, my body wash of choice was Travertine Spa’s Botanical Body Wash in Citrus ($22.00). Unfortunately, it was so popular in my shower, that my boyfriend got his hands on it and went through it in two weeks. This body wash contains jojoba oil, chammoile, calendula, and other essential oils, making it on the “natural” side of the beauty spectrum. What I particularly liked about it was the soft citrus scent that lingered in the shower, but faded by the time you moisturized your body. I also liked how easily it foamed and lathered (a must for any body wash for me!), so I could use a little and make the bottle stretch. My boy does not understand this concept at all, and he’ll use several squeezes of any body wash he likes (and yes, he steals the ones I love all the time! boo!).
I always enjoy trying out at-home spa products, because I can’t fit regular spa trips in my budget (and a part of me feels like they aren’t worth the money–at least not at my current income level). So being able to check out and use products that will give me my own personal “spa experience” at home and for a fraction of the cost of a true spa experience is always something I’m on th elook out for. I tend to be able to stretch out my shower products, so I don’t mind splurging a bit if it’s going to make me feel relaxed and enjoy using the product.
Have you tried at-home spa products? What has your experience been like?
