It has always been a part of A Girl’s Gotta Spa!’s  MO to highlight beauty brands that give back. We love philanthropy.

This week, we are loving Zolani Organics, a skincare brand dedicated to creating products that are not only high in quality, but help sustain economic income for needy families in Ghana, West Africa.

As someone whose full-time employment lies in nonprofit communications – a nonprofit dedicated to providing aid to Ghana, specifically – I felt an immediate connection to Zolani Organics.   Zolani is a company I like to call “Fair Trade Fabulous” as all products contain lush, locally-harvested ingredients and a portion of each sale goes towards sending books and school supplies to children in West Africa.

Zolani Organic products are heavily reliant shea butter, a nut extract from the locally-grown African tree. Shea butter is a luxurious moisturizer, is rich in vitamins A, E, and F, and the collagen-boosting properties have even been connected to fading unsightly stretch marks. If you haven’t treated yourself to a rich shea butter product yet, this is the product to try – you’ll feel fabulous inside and out, knowing you are helping a child continue his or her education.

Visit Zolani’s “About Us” page for more information on the brand’s mission, and be sure to check out their blog to learn more about current fundraising goals.

Amanda Huggins

Amanda is a PR and communications girl living and working in the NYC area. She is a firm believer in the powers of a strong cup of coffee and fire-engine red lipstick.

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Lately my sister, who seems to be very knowledgeable about any and everything that has to do with skincare has been raving about the benefits of incorporating a facial serum into my skincare regimen.  My sister is in her thirties, but can pass for sixteen and often times does, her skin is absolutely flawless so whenever she gives me skincare advice I always take it.  So for the past few weeks I have been using the greenbeauty youth boost facial serum twice daily, in the morning and at night.  As indicated by the name, the greenbeauty youth boost facial serum is both natural and organic and contains apple stem cells in addition to vitamin A and C, green tea, amla fruits and licorice root.  This combination of ingredients is supposed to  firm and even skin tone, smooth the appearance of fine lines, brighten skin and enhance skins’ luminosity and the results are supposed to be visible in just 14 days.

The first week I used the serum, I didn’t really notice much of a difference in the appearance of my skin, but since it said results in 14 days I thought I would wait another week to see if it delivers.  It’s now been a little over two weeks and I do indeed notice a difference in my skin.  First of all I have had absolutely no blemishes since I’ve started using the serum…even during that time of the month.  My skin also looks brighter and healthier…I guess you could say it looks more youthful.  I’ve also started using a bit of the serum on my hands to see if it will also improve the appearance of the back of my hands…I just started doing this so it’s too soon to report on the progress.

The youth boost facial serum is also a great product to apply before a workout.  I personally do not like using facial moisturizers before a workout (even the oil free kind) because my face gets really oily and starts to feel clogged halfway through my workout, so I’ve been applying just the serum and my face is definitely less greasy after a tough workout…plus I’m being good to my face and body at the same time.

Have you tried greenbeauty Youth Boost Facial Serum? Share your experience in the comments!

Gail Lewis

Gail is at times a model, most of the time a blogger, but always a beauty junkie.

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As a fairly active, busy gal, I spend a lot of time outdoors and admittedly don’t take care of my skin as well as I know I should! It can be tough to take the time out to moisturize dry summer skin, but it truly doesn’t have to be such a chore. In fact, this the kind of pampering is truly necessary — especially in these hot summer months — so why not take the time to quench your skin and relax in the process with Adara Virgin Coconut Oil?

Eco-friendly, fair trade, and the highest grade Organic Virgin Coconut Oil available in the market, Adara products are all about providing the best nourishment for your skin while keeping up with ethical business practices, so you can have peace of mind while you hydrate! Available in six different scents, from green tea to lavender, this product will be your new favorite summer moisturizing agent — simply slather on rough patches to lock in moisture and be on your way to smoother, more supple skin!

- Alex Gambardella

Guest beauty post for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! from my friends at TheFind.com.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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If  you’re anything like me, shaving is one of those beauty rituals (chores) that most of the time (every time) you wish you could skip…it’s just not that enjoyable (and doesn’t make much sense) to drag a sharp object across your skin in pursuit of smoother, softer skin.   It is, however, kind of a necessity if you plan on wearing anything shorter than ankle length…or if you’re not in THAT stage of the relationship, when if your someone special runs their hands across your legs and encounters a bit of stubble you’re not embarrassed and they don’t immediately remember that the have an early deadline tomorrow and have to head home to get some sleep (I thought you worked for the government, they have Sunday deadlines…go figure).  Nothing ruins a perfect, romantic Sunday morning faster than stretching seductively in bed and in the process revealing a not so sexy patch of underarm fuzz…and you even woke up with glowing skin, not so bad morning breath and sexy bed head…in which country is it again that women don’t tend to shave their armpits? 

One of the few things I loved about  Minnesota winters was not having to shave as often, to me that alone was worth the below zero temps, but this winter I moved to warm, sunny Florida.  I was excited by the prospect of taking a break from the cold and snow and thermal underwear (yup you actually do need them sometimes.)   While Florida has been exceptionally good to me there has been one teeny drawback…if I want to wear all those cute dresses (that I would store until summer in MN) year round, shaving on a regular basis would be required…also I’m not in THAT stage of the relationship as yet, so stubble is not cute!  Hence, any product that can make shaving seem like less of a chore is cause for excitement…enter eco-armour Shaving Foam.

This shaving foam promised that it would eliminate nicks and cuts, ingrown hairs, razor burns, red bumps and dull blades, plus the packaging is really cute and it is an eco-friendly product.  The ingredients in the foam are all natural and organic and are all derived from renewable resources, which means it has very little impact on the environment.  Needless to say I was actually looking forward to shaving on a Friday night.

However, I am sad to say my excitement level began to plummet after the first swipe of the razor.  While the foam smelled amazing (I used the laflora foam, I  have the pommango as well which also has a delicious scent ), after my first application it seemed to vanish after about five seconds on my skin.  Well, in order for it to “work it’s magic,” it is recommended that you apply one layer and let it sit for a minute then apply another (to your skin and razor) before you begin shaving. This is a bit time consuming unless you are taking a bath and don’t mind laying there and waiting for the foam to “work it’s magic.” I then applied a second layer of foam, but it also evaporated after a few seconds on my skin, so I kept re-applying and went through almost half the bottle.  After the shave my skin actually felt a bit drier than normal.  So I would not say I experienced/noticed an immediate improvement from using this product instead of my regular shaving foam.  I do think that it’s great that you can apply the foam to your razor head after shaving to extend the life of the blade.  Also, while I did not notice an immediate improvement, two days later I did notice that I had fewer razor bumps than normal.

While I can’t say that this shaving foam made me dread shaving any less, I do think that perhaps after a few weeks of using it I might notice less ingrown hair and red bumps.  However, as it stands right now, this foam requires more work than I would like to incorporate into my shaving routine.  So until I decide to move back to MN or start laser removal treatments, I will continue to scour the earth…or nearby drugstores in search of that shaving foam/gel/cream that might inspire a hum instead of grumble at the prospect of shaving.

~Gail

Gail Lewis

Gail is at times a model, most of the time a blogger, but always a beauty junkie.

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Here’s another review from Neal’s Yard Remedies line of skincare products for men! You can find it at www.nealsyardremedies.com. And check out my prior review on Neal’s Yard Remedies Invigorating Body Wash.

~ Nando

Nando

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Congratulations!

You survived the Holidays.  We all know that even though the Holidays can be a great time of year, spending time with our loved ones, all those amazing treats (peppermint bark anyone?), dancing the night away on New Year’s Eve…they can also be the source of an insane amount of stress.  There’s the obsessing over the perfect gift for your very particular sister (normally a gift certificate would suffice, but she did help you put up with “that thing” and said she’d keep quiet about it), battling deranged last minute shoppers for that parking spot (that I know you saw me waiting for and my blinker’s on, so don’t try to sneak in or it’s WAR), planning the perfect Christmas dinner menu (did they say they are or were vegans…or is it vegetarians…and what’s the difference again…), being stuck at the airport for days (and of course it’s the one time you didn’t bring a change of clothes in your carry on) and the list goes on. And this year you handled all of that stress with more grace than  Kate Middleton during her engagement announcement to Prince William. There were absolutely no minor or major breakdowns, but breakouts on the other hand…

During this Holiday season my skin decided to have it’s 15+ minute in the spotlight. Combined with all of the other stressors, my skin freaking out freaked me out even more, which in turn freaked my skin out and the vicious cycle continued.  I got desperate and started trying EVERYTHING.  I’m sure assaulting my face with a different product on a daily basis did not help the situation any.  On the verge of another mini freak out over my face, I went online and started reading up on every acne treatment solution….there are A LOT.  In an effort to avoid stressing out over which product to choose, I just made the decision to go with the most cost effective, just in case it didn’t work for me.  And this is how I started my now love affair with the Juice Beauty Organics To Clear Skin kit.

The kit includes a clarifying cleansing gel, exfoliating green apple peel (for sensitive skin), replenishing blemish clearing serum, lightweight oil-free moisturizer and a bonus eco-bamboo headband.  It promised that the 30 day supply of products would be “the perfect organic solution to clear, healthy skin with four simple steps” and for me it most definitley has been.  I was actually a bit hesitant at first about how well the clarifying cleansing gel would clean my skin (since for me if I don’t see a lather it ain’t clean!) but it did an amazing job.  My skin has been blemish free for the past few weeks (I ordered the kit right after Thanksgiving and have been using it since.) Also, after I use the mask (sometimes I sleep with it), my skin absolutely glows.

The only complaint I have is that my skin is not sensitive so I feel as if the green apple peel is not doing as much for my skin as it could be if it were full strength, also the moisturizer does not contain any SPF so I have to use an SPF over it, but the results are well worth the extra application.  All of the products in the kit have been surprisingly gentle on my skin (I say surprisingly because I always expect acne treatments to smell and feel like chemicals.)

I know that saying “I resolve to be stress free in 2011″ is a bit of stretch for most of us, but hopefully resolving not to stress out over acne this year is a resolution we can actually keep if this kit continues to do as promised….but so far so good!

Find it at www.Beauty.com.

~ Gail

Gail Lewis

Gail is at times a model, most of the time a blogger, but always a beauty junkie.

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2008 saw the beauty industry transition into the importance of being all natural with products ranging from skin care to spa treatments to hair care to cosmetics. In 2009 the focus will no longer just being about who is green or all natural, but about specific ingredients and their benefits. Pierce Mattie and I put together a forecast for the top 10 ingredients that consumers will hear more about in their beauty products in 2009.

Argan Oil: This incredible skin care miracle, known for being one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin E with 80% essential fatty acids, has been a beauty secret of Moroccan women for centuries. It can be dually used on skin and in hair for its high level of antioxidants and ability to replenish hair and skin’s natural moisture.

Acai: Sometimes referred to as “The Fountain of Youth,” this Brazilian berry contains antioxidants, amino acids, essential omegas, fibers and protein that positions itself as a formidable fighter in anti-aging products. Acai can be found across the board in skin care, cosmetics and hair care products.

Goji Berries: This nutrient-rich berry, well known as Wolfberries in the Himalayas, has often been called a “super food” due to its abilities to fight free radicals and boost the immune system. While there are no inherent benefits of Goji in fragrance, that hasn’t stopped perfumers from including this sweet yet tart scent into their perfumes.

Baobab: Rich in riboflavin, niacin and vitamins C, A, D and E, baobab has incredible anti-aging properties although you won’t just find it in creams and moisturizers, but also in exfoliating scrubs and hair care.

Acerola: Ingredients high in Vitamin C, like acerola, are being used more often due to their ability to even out skin tone and brighten complexion. Skin care brands will be using acerola more to target those who have issues with skin redness and inflammation.

Blueberry: Chock full of amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, blueberries are another super food that will be used to fight aging in beauty products. Also known as a “super fruit,” blueberries have long been known for its ability to revitalize the skin; it was just a matter of time before beauty brands began to incorporate it more into their skin care products.

Probiotics: Last year Pierce Mattie PR termed probiotics a “buzzword” among beauty brands, but now those brands are delivering more than just buzz with this sister category to Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals. Probiotic skin care will be branded as another “clinical-like” line of products, which beauty consumers tend to lean towards as science-based.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3: This Cosmeceutical that is becoming found more often in anti-aging products to fight fine lines and wrinkles will be even more prevalent in 2009. Products that contain Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3 will be branded as a temporary alternative to cosmetic procedures.

Myrrh: With the increasing popularity of Ayurveda in the Unites States, this ancient ingredient is also resurging in perfumes and skin care products. The rich royal resin with the slight vanilla fragrance so popular in incense also stimulates circulation and has lifting effects.

Turmeric: A highly regarded ingredient in India, Turmeric is widely known for its medicinal properties. Turmeric will be found in acne-related creams and lotions, as it is an antiseptic and can aid in preventing and removing blemishes. It will also be found in hair removal products as well as in the formulation of sunscreen in more natural products as well.

So what do you think? Do agree with the ingredients listed? Are there others you would add?

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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I had the fabulous pleasure of going to a Holiday event at Origins’ Soho store while in New York a few weeks ago. Where I live, you cannot find an Origins store, so it was an amazing experience to be in such a relaxing and incredible smelling place. I walked out with their Tree-Mendously Ginger Holiday gift set, which is an amazing bargain by the way (only $60!) For this post, I will review two of the products in it, the Incredible Spreadable Scrub and Savory Body Wash.

The Incredible Spreadable Scrub is a mix of spicy and sweet, this Ginger-scented bath and body product has a warm aroma that I found grows on you with each use. Of the two products, I found the Incredible Spreadable Scrub to be amazing. It’s a mix of brown and white sugars and olive oil, so it is a fabulous exfoliator while deeply hydrating your skin. While I used it over my entire body, the most noticable place that it worked wonders on was my elbows! Winter is always a bad season for my elbows, which always get so dry, but this scrub totally and completely fixed that.

The savory body wash scent seemed to have a bit of a lemon fragrance to it. I always find citrus scents to really wake up my senses and tend to use them more on the mornings where sleep was very little the night before. The texture is creamy and really makes your skin feel great.

The rest of the Tree-Mendously Ginger gift set includes:
Ginger Souffle Whipped body cream
Ginger Essence Intensified Fragrance Rollerball
Incredible Spreadable Scrub Ginger body smoother
Ginger Float Cream bubble bath
Ginger Burst Savory body wash

Definitely something worthy of gifting for the Holidays!

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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Have you ever wished that you could mix and match scents in your lotions and scrubs? Salus is a customized bath and body store that not only sells natural and organic good-for-you beauty products, but gives you a wide range of fragrances to choose from–so creating scents that are unique to your personal liking. I talked with owner Elissa Klaver recently about her Hemp Lotion. While we all have dry skin here in the mountains, my 4 year old and 18 month old tend to get eczema. Hemp works wonders on eczema, so I chose Salus’ Hemp Lotion in Peppermint Swirl to go along with the boy’s excitement for all things Christmas and Christmas-like scents.

The great thing about Salus’ products is that you can also choose your desired fragrance level. The options they give you are light, regular and strong. Now I am a girl who loves to smell the fragrance of the products she wears all day long, however, I know there are people who have fragrance allergies and I wouldn’t want to cause them any distress, so regular strength would be good for me.

Salus’ Hemp Lotion smelled amazing. My son Duncan said, “Mmm it smells like candy cane’s!” Which honestly is wonderful because he willingly let me put lotion on him every night. Many times he cries and fights me because regular lotions would burn when put on his eczema. The lotion really soothed his dry scratchy skin and so much so, that after a while my 9 year old began to ask if he could use it.

We all loved it’s thin texture and how quickly it absorbed into the skin with the best part being that it wasn’t greasy at all. Salus has over 300 scents and essential oils to choose from. For the Holiday season they even have spicy pumpkin, fig, cranberry, peppermint, Frankincense & Myrrh. You can see all of their product offerings at www.shopsalus.com

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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