As I write this, it is snowing here in the Poconos. What better time to write about a skin care line based out of Hawaii? The best part was taking the picture of the tropical products in the snow!

I had the opportunity to try Kohana’s Wild Ginger Moisturizing Body Wash from their Hawaiian Rainforest Collection and Bamboo Lemongrass Body Buff from their Palaau Spa Collection. The Wild Ginger Moisturizing Body Wash smells of ginger and lime. It’s a scent that tends to awaken the senses. I love that the main ingredient is aloe–that told me from the start that this body wash was going to be soothing to my skin. And the Bamboo Lemongrass Body Buff is a delicious mix of what smells like lemon zest and sugar. The sugar, bamboo powder and oil concoction of Macademia Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Kukui Nut Oi and Lemongrass Oil create a medley of awesomeness.

All products from Kohana are natural, vegan, organic and cruelty-free. See all of their products at www.KohanaSkin.com. Have you used any products from their line?

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.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

When New Jersey-based bath and body company, DollyMoo, contacted me about trying their organic scrubs and body oils, I was nervous. I love when indie beauty brands contact me, especially when they are quasi-local to me, but always feel the pressure that they are crossing their fingers I’ll love their product enough to write about it to help them garner awareness. That pressure is always there for me because I understand what it means to be a start-up beauty business…and I know what it means when your budget is ridiculously small when it comes to sending product out for review. Why do I feel the pressure? Because there have been many times that the product is just not something I can endorse for one reason or another and it makes me feel sooooo bad.

Thankfully, this was not one of those times.

DollyMoo is created by two sisters, Amy and Nicci. They sent me Coconut Citrus in both their Body Scrub and Body Oil to try. And let me tell you, the smell alone makes you long for the warm summer sun, sipping something cold and refreshing while taking in the scents of the beach…wearing your SPF of course! The scrub combats dry skin without much of a fight, although if you have any scratches or cuts at all avoid using the scrub in those areas as this is a salt scrub (i.e. cuts will sting). While the scrub sloughs off dry, flaky skin, the oils seal in moisture. (Tip: It’s great to use prior to shaving!)

Application of the Body Oil only requires 1 pump (per leg, arm, etc.) It’s best to apply it as soon as you get out of the shower without skin being completely dry. This helps the oil seal in that moisture that is so very necessary in the winter when fireplaces, wood stoves and thermostats set high dehydrate the skin. It will feel a bit greasy at first (it is an oil after all), but I found that it absorbed into my skin by the time I was putting on my clothes.

Definitely a product line that delivers on its promises. Your skin will be hydrated and healthy and it will smell so good! Check out their products at www.dollymoo.com.  Have you tried their collection?

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.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

It’s officially November, and I’ve finally traded in my signature iced coffee for a more autumnal alternative – green tea. Besides the sheer comfort that curling up with a hot cup of green tea brings, the drink has some incredible health benefits that range from weight management to powerful antioxidants.

Now, organic beauty brand Aperio has harnessed the powers of the drink to create beauty products that are as soothing  as a hot cup of tea.

I had never heard of Aperio before, so I was excited to test out their goods. The brand’s goal is to promote skin health through natural ingredients — and all products are formulated without heavy chemicals, so you’ll feel good about what you’re putting on your skin.  Especially during the winter months, there’s nothing I love more than a good exfoliator to slough off dry skin and get that summer-esque glow back.  I tested out Aperio’s green tea sugar body scrub and was pretty pleased – aside from smelling delicious, the scrub lasted awhile before it disintegrated so I was able to max out my scrub session.

After you’re done exfoliating, the in-shower softening cream is a great replacement for your run-of-the-mill shower gel.  It’s both cleansing and moisturizing, and it doesn’t just sit on your skin as many shower gels tend to do.   Finish up the indulgence with a dollop of Green Tea lotion for a shea butter-y  finish.

All three products together are a decadent little shower treat….not to mention you’ll be smelling of sweet green tea  after using them together. Who doesn’t love a little scent layering?

Aperio has a slew of other all-natural and deliciously fragranced products that won’t irritate your skin. Find them at  www.aperionatural.com. Have you tried any of their products?

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.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

Cosmetics are notorious for containing harsh chemicals, synthetic ingredients, and being sold in mountains of unnecessary packaging. Environmentally friendly cosmetics companies are starting to pop up here and there, but few have gone to the lengths that Physicians Formula have with their Organic wear line to ensure that they provide their customers with the best all-natural makeup solution on the market. The ingredients are free of synthetic preservatives, 100% cruelty free, and even the packaging is created with the earth in mind. 

For the moment, Physicians Formula Organic wear seems to be focusing on foundation products – powders, bronzers, and brushes, but these are the most important products in terms of ingredients, as you tend to use them all over your face rather than just in a particular area. I particularly love the way the compacts are designed – it’s a recycled paper compact (yes, really) with a natural goat hair brush. Beautiful and responsible – a great combination.

Save on your beauty purchases at ULTA from TheFind’s coupon site.

*Guest beauty post from my friend’s at TheFind.com.

Shannon Nelson

Website - More Posts