On Wednesdays We Wear Pink: Brooklyn Botany Himalayan Salt Body Scrub

I’m kind of obsessed with body scrubs. Anything that's going to smell good, feel great and make my skin look amazing definitely gets high marks in my book. And the Brooklyn Botany Himalayan Salt Scrub delivers in spades.

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On Wednesdays We Wear Pink: Soap & Glory Skincare

Raise your hand if you like products with super cute packaging. Now raise your hand if you like when they're also amazing. I assume everyone is raising their hands now, so I'm about to let you in on a little secret. You're going to fall in love with Soap & Glory.

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On Wednesdays We Wear Pink: Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub

Admittedly, I am not the most frequent user of face scrubs and exfoliators. I typically find that they dry my skin out and cause more breakouts than if I just leave it alone. But, in the case of the Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub, I find myself reaching for it again and again -- because, honestly, it's just THAT good.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Kinara Spa

We know of Kinara as the facial stop for A-list celebrities before they hit the red carpet. Yes, the Red Carpet Facial really is divine, but this spa tucked within Robertson’s row of luxury retail stores offers more than just ultimate facial treatments. Kinara provides a one-stop shop for all kinds of beauty treatments so you can be pampered from head (at their hair salon) to toe (at their mani and pedi stations).

I was treated to a body scrub in their special Vichy shower room and a blowout with the famed hairstylist Gui. I’ve had plenty of body scrubs before, but nothing as unique as the Kinara body scrub, which is performed with a suspended shower that holds eight rotating showerheads. When I arrived, I checked into the bright two-story spa and was shown to the changing room and lockers. I changed into a fluffy robe and was led to a back waiting room with comfortable couches, fruit infused water and lots of magazines.

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Scrumptious Shea: The Best Shea Butter Shower Products

Shea butter. We've all heard if it, and we know it's supposed to do something good for us, but what is it, really? Extracted from the nut of the African shea tree, shea butter is a fat originally used in cosmetics, cooking and even as a topical painkiller because it is loaded with fatty acids, melts at body temperature and binds well to water, making it a great, fast-acting and long-lasting oil.

So it's no surprise that there are tons of beauty products loaded with this special butter. This series will cover three different categories of shea-rich beauty products. First up, hair and body products that find their way into our shower!

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Make a Mint: Bliss Super Minty Soap 'n Scrub

Want to really revitalize your shower -- and yourself? Reach for a tube of Bliss Super Minty Soap 'n Scrub.

The cult favorite from Bliss, the Bliss Mammoth Minty Scrub Soap, has been transformed into this zingy, refreshing scrub. Trust me when I tell you it's bound to leave behind soft skin and a renewed zest for life!

Peppermint and jojoba beads blend together to create a tingly, exfoliating experience. I like to use this scrub after I've lathered up with body wash -- it's a great way to get rid of any lingering dryness. And it's definitely super minty!

Bliss Super Minty Soap 'n Scrub retails for $32 at blissworld.com.

Body Wash Week: Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser

Here's the thing. I love body wash. At any given time, I have about 16 in my shower! And this week, I'll be bringing you some of my newfound favorites. Up today: Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser.

Remember when I told you yesterday that I really don't like scrub cleansers? Well, there must be something in the water of my shower, because all of a sudden I'm in love with them. This one from Origins is even better than I could have dreamed!

If you want a zesty kick to start your day off right, this is the body wash for you. It smells distinctly of grapefruit, which is no surprise since that's the foundation of the whole Gloomaway collection. It's sweet and citrusy, and it really brings a cheerful aspect to your shower routine. The exfoliating properties don't irritate the skin, but make it look and feel super soft and smooth. And a dime-sized amount is all that's needed for a rich, full lather.

Seriously, what's not to love?

Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser retails for $22.50 at sephora.com.

Body Wash Week: Carol's Daughter Lavender & Vanilla Body Cleansing Scrub

Here's the thing. I love body wash. At any given time, I have about 16 in my shower! And this week, I'll be bringing you some of my newfound favorites. Up today: Carol's Daughter Lavender & Vanilla Body Cleansing Scrub.

If I'm being honest, I normally don't like two things -- lavender and body washes with exfoliating properties. So it's kind of a wonder that I immediately gravitated toward this body wash, which not only smells of lavender but is actually a cleansing scrub. But miracles are bound to happen, and discovering this body wash certainly counts as a miracle to me!

The inclusion of vanilla cuts the lavender, making the scent pleasing and sweet rather than heavy and cloying. And rather than feeling too harsh for my sensitive skin, the scrub is soft and nourishing, thanks to Vitamins C and E. Coconut and sugar add to the overall sweetness but don't take it into confectionary land.

In a nutshell? This scrub is certainly worth a try. It may surprise and delight you!

Carol's Daughter Lavender & Vanilla Body Cleansing Scrub retails for $18 at carolsdaughter.com.

Scrub A Dub Dub: Bite Beauty Whipped Cherry Lip Scrub

I don't know about you, but my lips get super dry and chapped once winter hits. No matter how many times I apply lip balm throughout the day, they dry out almost immediately! Enter Bite Beauty Whipped Cherry Lip Scrub.

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Wake Up and Smell the Coffee: Pacifica Kona Coffee & Sugar Detox Whole Body Scrub

Now, I'm not a coffee drinker. I just don't like the taste. But I do really love the smell -- and the fact that caffeine makes skin look amazing. So is it any wonder that I've fallen in love with Pacifica Kona Coffee & Sugar Detox Whole Body Scrub?

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I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream! ME! Bath Choco-holic Shower Sherbet

I know the following for certain:

1) I love ice cream.

2) I love chocolate.

3) A good body scrub ranks among my very favorite beauty products.

4) The combination of all of the above makes for one pretty fantastic shower experience.

In case you were wondering, the ME! Bath Choco-holic Shower Sherbet smells divine and leaves skin feeling super soft and smooth. What could be better?

ME! Bath Choco-holic Shower Sherbet retails for $30 at mebath.com.

Salon and Spa Directory: Vinothérapie Spa by Caudalie at the Plaza's Crushed Cabernet Scrub

When I think of the Crushed Cabernet Scrub I recently enjoyed at Vinothérapie Spa by Caudalie at the Plaza, one word comes to mind. DIVINE. From start to finish, my experience at Caudalie could not have been more decadent, more detoxifying, and, yes, more divine.

As if walking into the Plaza on 5th Avenue weren't enough to make me feel like a lady who lunches, the Vinothérapie Spa by Caudalie elevated me to princess status from the moment I stepped off the elevator. The changing area is spacious and well-stocked, the people working there could not have been more gracious, and the lounge is BEAUTIFUL. While I decided not to drink wine during my visit, there is a sommelier on hand to help you choose from a fully stocked wine bar while you relax on chaise lounges and munch on fruit and nuts.

But it was the Crushed Cabernet Scrub that really left me feeling rejuvenated and glowing from head to toe. This 35-minute service is at once invigorating and relaxed. I was impressed that the scrub application wasn't rough or hurtful upon my skin -- in fact, due to the grape seeds, honey and brown sugar, it was quite pleasurable and smelled incredible! After a quick Vichy shower (much needed, as my body was both covered in grape seeds and super sticky from the honey), my therapist massaged a blend of Contouring Concentrate and Nourishing Body Lotion into my skin, which left it feeling so unbelievably soft and smooth, I couldn't stop running my hands over my arms and legs for the next three days! (Yes, this feeling lasted even after multiple showers at home!)

I honestly can't say enough good things about my experience at Vinothérapie Spa by Caudalie at the Plaza and the Crushed Cabernet Scrub. From start to finish, I was treated like a princess and left with skin softer than it had felt in weeks!

The Crushed Cabernet Scrub is $145 for 35 minutes. For more information, visit caudalie-usa.com.

Disclosure: This treatment was provided free of charge for potential editorial consideration.

Get the Smoothest, Softest Skin with Caudalie

Want skin so soft and smooth, it will feel like a baby's you-know-what? Then you simply must try these two miracle products from Caudalie -- the Crushed Cabernet Scrub and Vine Body Butter.

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Yummy On My Tummy: The Belli Skincare Pregnancy Line

Earlier this fall I had a chance to sample some of the products from the Belli Skincare Pregnancy line. Why, you may ask? Because later in the fall, I had my own product!

That there (above) is Walter John Reed, my son, who was born on October 21st. Though he’s the light of my life now, when he was in utero, I was slightly less enthusiastic. Bloated, sore, itchy -- I like to explain pregnancy to people like having almost every single malady you’ve ever had -- just all at once. Enter Belli’s Pregnancy collection. All of these treatments are teratology tested and include no ingredients that have ever been connected to birth defects or other problems in pregnancy. That’s some real peace of mind for women who already have a lot to worry about!
My favorite thing about the Belli collection is the scents. I’m not much for stinky products in general, but during pregnancy, most women are extra-sensitive to smells. Special thanks to Belli for using pure and simple fragrances that inspire calm and relaxation. Check out a few of my faves below!

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BeautyChick Bests 2010: The Body Edition

Now that the year is coming to a close, I thought it only right that I bring you a roundup of my favorite products from the past year! So, without further ado ... introducing BeautyChick Bests! I'll be doing videos throughout the next week detailing all the launches this year that got my pulse racing.

So do you want to know what my favorite body products for the year were? Watch my video to find out!



Seen in this video:

Philosophy Candy Cane Foaming Bubble Bath and Shower Gel ($16)
Philosophy The Gingerbread Girl Shower Gel ($13)
Sara Happ The Body Scrub in Vanilla Bean, 10.1 oz ($46)
Balenciaga Black Body Scrub
L'Occitane Vineyard Rose Pure Shea Butter

Minty Fresh: Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub

I must admit, at first I was a bit apprehensive. With its grainy, salt-like texture, Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub did intimidate me. But then I opened the container, and out wafted a smell so invigorating, so intoxicating, I simply had to give it a try.

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Favorite Alert: Sara Happ The Body Scrub in Vanilla Bean

I've got a new favorite body scrub, and I'm simply bursting at the seams to tell you about it! It's none other than Sara Happ The Body Scrub in Vanilla Bean.

I've long been a fan of Sara Happ's line of fragrant, delicious lip scrubs. So when I saw a contest on Twitter to win a tub of the brand-new body scrub, I signed up -- and I actually won!

This scrub has exceeded all my expectations. While my legs are usually on the dry, ashy side, they're now soft and gleaming thanks to Kukui nut, macadamia and sweet almond oils packed within the rich formula. The scrub smells absolutely amazing, and I only need about a dime-sized amount per leg -- so it's guaranteed to last me just about forever.

Sara Happ The Body Scrub in Vanilla Bean retails for $46 at beauty.com.

Summer's Best Citrus Products: Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow

From big, juicy oranges to tangy lemons and limes, summer means one thing to me -- citrus-scented products. Discover all of my favorites in this series!

There's nothing I love more than a huge tub of body scrub -- especially when it's as chic as Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow. I love displaying the gorgeous oversized tub in my shower almost as much as I love using it!

My legs have a tendency to be on the ashy side. Not so with this luxurious scrub. Ginger stimulates metabolism and tones, lime peel refreshes and purifies, and sea salt cleanses and exfoliates. This scrub even works to prevent ingrown hairs after waxing!

The rough, salt-like consistency makes a little of this tartly terrific scrub go a long way. I think I've died and gone to heaven.

Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow retails for $62 at blissworld.com.

A Peek Inside My Shower -- With Video!

Following up on my video showing you a peek inside my vanity, I decided to give you a little foray into my shower as well! I've stockpiled my little stall shower with as many products as I can possibly fit inside ... from shower gels and body scrubs to hair masks and my beloved Clarisonic Mia, there's no stone left unturned! Hope you enjoy!

Feel Great, Exfoliate: Kate Somerville Exfolikate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment

I have a problem with exfoliators. Most of them leave my skin looking and feeling drier and more parched than before I started. Not the case with Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment. This -- you guessed it -- gentle scrub makes my skin glow.

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