It may sound silly, but even though I don't drink, those Corona commercials snag my attention every time.

Sounds of the ocean, the sense of relaxation and the refreshing lime placed perfectly in the bottle neck. It's that lime that calls out to me saying, "Let me quench your thirst."

The same could be said for lime in beauty products, because it has so many benefits.

Lime essential oil is a natural astringent and clears oily skin, so it is perfect for acne prone skin. When used in body care, such as A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Wash, Body Lotion and Salt Scrub - be sure to use it where dirt and grime tend to build up the most, such as your back or chest.

Sometimes the most obvious place to use it (your back) is often overlooked in the shower since you are already rinsing off with water or the shampoo trailing down your back. Plus, backs and chests need to be moisturized too!

The fragrance of lime when applied topically also revitalizes the senses and plays a part in mood. It creates clarity and mental focus.

And the same goes for the other citrus essential oils in A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus: grapefruit, lemon and orange. Lime, in addition to these other oils, are known to be uplifting. In a word, the fragrance is simply happy. (Que Pharrell here.)

As with any citrus oil, they do cause photosensitivity, so be sure to wear a good broad spectrum sunscreen when heading outdoors (which you should be doing as part of your anti-aging and skin cancer prevention regimen anyway!)

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Honestly, the easy button was made for people like me. There are just some things I have no patience for, and nail art is one of them. I wish I could tell you that as a beauty blogger I am super creative and uber crafty and create endless nail looks to swoon over, but the truth is, my nails go bare most of the time. It's a tragedy really. For some reason, ever since I wore shellac back in 2011, my nails have never grown to any substantial length. But that's not my only excuse. I simply lack the skill required to paint cool scenes on my tiny nails. Then Pinterest to my rescue! I came across an amazingly easy nail art tutorial, and I was pretty excited to be able to recreate it with some modifications. You'll need: A large piece of paper 2 Flossers 3 Bottles of your favorite polish in complementary colors 1 Base Coat 1 Top Coat I recently received Ricky's NYC RickyColor Nail Polish in Final Share Weekend (hot pink), Sweating in the Subway (bright purple) and Banker Husband (bright teal.) This was a great opportunity to wear them all at once (and to show off my mad new skills.) How to:

• Apply a thin layer of base coat.
• Apply one solid color  to all nails. (I chose hot pink.)
• Lay your paper flat. Towards the top swipe one color a few times (generously) in the same spot so that you have a thin layer of color.
• With one hand under that part of the paper (to push the paper into the thread), use your other hand to dip the thread of your flosser into the pool. Be sure to ONLY get the thread covered in polish (or else it will be a big mess on your hands.)
• Now firmly apply the floss three times across your nails on one hand in different spots. (I did mine straight across, stacked.)
• Apply your final color on the paper, swiping enough to create a thin layer of it.
• With one hand under that part of the paper, use your other hand to dip the thread of your flosser into the pool, getting only the thread wet with polish.
• Firmly apply the floss three times across your nails on the same hand, but in different spots. (I did mine diagnol.)
• Repeat these same steps on your other hand.
• Lastly apply your top coat and let dry.

Easy peasy. I love that each nail doesn't look the same, yet it still looks cool. All the colors work together and the look is eye catching. The original how to called for putting the polish pooled in a bowl, but I didn't want to waste more color than I had to and I only wanted to get the thread wet with paint and not the whole flosser. What do you think? If you replicate this how to, let me know! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+ *Disclosure

It has been a never ending winter here in the northeast and my skin is really not happy about it. In one of my last posts, I was so excited to add two new products to my daily beauty line up for dry skin…but now we can make that three. I’ve never had such a problem with dry skin before, especially on my face. If you live in an area with brutally cold temps and you’re experiencing this same sensitivity and dehydration on your face, meet the Miracle Skin Transformer Miracle Balm ($36) from Sarah McNamara. While a vitamin C serum was a great addition to my daily routine, the never ending freezing cold temps were still leaving areas around my nose really dry. It was actually kind of embarrassing and I felt so self conscious that I couldn't get that area under control. I’ve never had to deal with skin issues like this before and my heart goes out to those with regular dry skin. On the coldest days, I felt like nothing was giving me the relief and hydration my face needed until I found Sarah McNamara’s Miracle Skin Transformer Miracle Balm. Miracle Balm is a multi-use beauty balm and creamy oil designed to hydrate sensitive, irritated skin and enhance the skin’s own natural repair process.  It’s made of a unique formula blend of waxes, oils, botanical antioxidants, and reparative ingredients like Manuka Honey and Japanese Licorice Root Extract.  It's pretty much a combination of a bunch of really great ingredients for your skin that replenishes, calms, restores, repairs, and quenches your thirsty skin. I swear, it couldn't have come at a better time for me. Actually it's a blend of over 30 moisturizers! This is not your average moisturizer, it really is more a balm. Thicker, more concentrated, and so creamy you really only need a dab. If harsh winter weather has left you painfully dry, Miracle Balm provides instant relief and protection for distressed skin and is for anyone with severely dry, dehydrated skin due to harsh weather, aggressive cosmetic treatments, or environmental reactions. TRUTH! I feel like I'm preaching now, but seriously the harsh weather has been sucking any moisture from my face and a few little dabs on Miracle Balm puts the moisture right back in. Miracle Balm is totally soothing solution for the driest areas of your face and body. Just apply Miracle Balm with your fingertips to soothe irritated skin.  It's safe to apply anywhere on the body including face and lips. If you're not sure about this because of the price tag, I should also mention again that this is a multi-use product. It's not just for your face!  You can use it for dry area of your face and body, but is also super convenient to have on hand to smooth fly-aways, condition lips, use as a face highlighter, and even to transform powder eye shadows into creams. There are tons of different uses for Miracle Balm! Aside from hydrating your face and body, Miracle Balm can help you deal with many skin challenges like reducing redness, soothing areas post-waxing, healing and smoothing cracked heels, stings and bug bites, and even after sun exposure. Try it and let me know what you think! If you found this skin care review helpful, please Like, Share and Pin it! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure

Lapis, The Spa at Fontainebleau’s Director of Spa operations, Josie Feria, came up with a few DIY spa treatments to rescue and revive your skin, and hopefully calm your mind. Take some time to nourish your body and senses. RESCUE ME SCRUB Benefits: Exfoliation of dry surface skin and increased hydration Ingredients: ½ cup mineral salts 2 tbsp of any carrier oil such as avocado, jojoba, grapeseed or kukui 5 drops lemongrass oil Directions: In bowl using a metal spoon blend mineral salt with carrier oil – thoroughly mix until it becomes a paste. Gradually add in lemongrass oil, blending after each drop. If scrub is too thick add a few drops of water and remix. Moisten the body in a warm bath or shower and apply scrub to body by hand or using a moist loofah pad in circular motions. Using a loofah pad or other textured body sponge or brush will increase the effects of the exfoliation. Beware of being too energetic as you may scratch the skin. Skin will be rosy and feel energized. Thoroughly rinse skin and apply body lotion. RESCUE SOAK Benefits: Relaxation, detoxification and mineralization of body Ingredients: 4 oz mineral salts 1 cup baking soda Directions: Add mineral salts to bath as warm water is running. Caution should be taken with hot water as may cause lightheadedness. Add baking soda. Using a bristle brush, loofah or sisal mitt, dry brush the body in upward strokes – this will exfoliate the skin, make the treatment more effective and increase blood circulation at the skin’s surface, which is key to skin regeneration. Lower lights and burn a candle at the edge of the tub. Have a glass of cool mineral water and lemon slices nearby to refresh and rehydrate your body. Play soothing, calming music. Soak at least 15 minutes adding warm water as needed – the longer the soak the greater the benefits. Rinsing is optional – towel dry and apply body lotion. Optional - Add in drops of lemongrass oil to increase aromatic benefits, provide pain relief and soften skin. While enjoying your soak try on these complementary experiences: Hair mask – Massage in a hydrating oil or cream into hair and wrap in shower cap Face treatment – Apply a hydrating mask or clay mask to the face with a small amount of water Eye treatment – boil a chamomile tea bag, chill and moisten 2 cotton eye pads. Apply to eyes and place a sleep make over eyes to secure – this treatment will not only reduce puffiness and dark circles but will enhance relaxation benefits due to the exclusion of light and vision. RESCUE MY FEET Benefits: Soft, touchable feet Ingredients: 2 tsps mineral salts Directions: Soak feet in warm water with mineral salts. Massage scrub (see recipe above) to onto feet and wrap in warm wet towels, allowing towels to cool off. To warm towels – put under very hot faucet /squeeze out excess water and place in microwave unrolled for 1 minute on high (or more time if needed.) Using wet towels remove scrub. Use pumice stone or other callous reducer on any tough, thick skin – be careful not to overdo it and over sensitize your feet. Rinse off. Apply body lotion and place feet in plastic bags and cotton socks. Follow towel recipe to warm the socks but use a lower microwave setting and less time for maximum benefit. Leave socks on overnight. While enjoying your feet treatment try on these complementary experiences: Warm a hand towel and place around your neck to increase relaxation. Apply scrub to hands, thoroughly rinse and apply a body lotion and tuck into cotton gloves or mitts for the night. If you found these DIY spa treatment tips helpful, please Like, Share and Pin it! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+

Whomever said that spa treatments are just to relax, never experienced the ones that go beyond relaxation and additionally treat an ailment. An old-time Thai remedy that is still used today, the Six Senses Thai Herbal Poultice, offered in Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives, increases blood flow and circulation, relaxes tense muscles, and alleviates pain and inflammations when applied directly onto the skin. Making your own herbal poultice is easy and the treatment is a great way to fight off the common cold, the flu, and viruses. The skin, our body’s largest organ and one of the first lines of defense against disease, quickly absorbs the herbs’ medicinal benefits for instant relief of stress, aches and pains. All ingredients are found on the islands of the Maldives, as well as in many of our supermarkets and pantries! Six Senses Thai Herbal Poultice Recipe What You'll Need: Fresh or dried herbs including Kaffir Lime, Galangal, and Lemongrass. (Before making your poultice with other herbs, be sure to research their properties to ensure they aren’t irritants.) Yarn/Thread White Cloth Bowl for mixing Steps: · Put 1 cup of each herb in a bowl and mix it well. · Take a large handful of the herbal mixture and place it into the center of your cloth, making a firm bundle (no bigger than a tennis ball in size.) · Tie the top with yarn or thread to create a handle for your poultice, keeping it tight so it will not become loose when in use. · Using a steamer or a hot pot, boil water and drop in the poultices until steamed, about 30-45 minutes. · For application, first check the heat of poultice on the inner forearm. Once the temperature is to your liking, place with pressure on the body on areas that are tense and or painful up to 30 minutes. · Use your Thai Herbal Poultice up to 4-5 times each before making a new one. If you found this DIY beauty post helpful, please Like, Share and Pin it! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+

Combination skin friends rejoice! I've discovered an amazing moisturizer that gives your skin the moisture it needs while keeping your skin looking matte.

Olay Fresh Effects Dew Over Hydrating Gel is an oil-free moisturizer that is lightweight. It's also formulated with a powder that comes to the aid of that oily t-zone and reduces the shine without reducing the hydration needed to keep skin balanced. Since most of us with combination/oily skin tend to be acne prone, this hydrating gel doesn't clog pores.

Dew Over feels like a gel-moisturizer combo texture to the skin, applies smoothly and absorbs quickly. It has a nice honeysuckle and white tea fragrance, which is very light and fades within moments of wearing the moisturizer on your skin. There is absolutely no greasy residue whatsoever.

While this has been a great moisturizer this winter for me, I am most looking forward to Spring and Summer when my skin is a mess from heat and humidity. A hydrating gel will be the perfect remedy. Have you tried it yet?

If you found this skin care review helpful, please be sure to Like, Share and Pin it! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Check out our natural bath and body line!

*Disclosure

I think I can speak for most of us when I say ... I am so over this winter! It can feel free to exit stage left anytime now. This winter has been brutal! Snow removal has been a pain, navigating the slippery roads has been a disaster, and the cold has been killer on my skin. Being a compulsive lip balm and moisturizer user, I don’t remember ever feeling as dry as I have this winter. I’ve never had (or needed) a special Winter skin care regimen. My usual daily moisturizer and lip balm were all I needed … until this Polar Vortex-out of control-freezing cold-full of snow-winter we are in the middle of. My skin hates this winter and to be honest, it started to get a painful. My poor face actually started to hurt and my lips … oh my lips … they were SO dry it was painful.  My usual routine wasn’t cutting it this winter, so I’ve enlisted some new products to join my daily routine and I can report that I am dry no longer.  I’m thankful for that. It was a terrible feeling to smack my lips together and have it hurt. Same goes for my face. The Groundhog saw his shadow, so we’ve got a bit longer to suffer this winter! If you’re experiencing dry skin or dry lips, here’s what did the trick for me. Let’s start with lips. I thought I had tried every lip balm under the sun, but apparently I missed one. My usuals weren’t working this winter. I don’t know if my lips were just too used to them or what, but my go-to balms weren’t moisturizing my lips enough to protect them from this killer cold weather and they were drying out against my best efforts to keep them coated. I don’t know why I didn’t try LypSyl sooner, but now that I have I can’t imagine not having a tube with me at all times. Maybe the secret to nourishing my super dry winter worn lips was LypSyl’s pure Swedish beeswax … whatever it was, my lips are happy again and that makes me happy.

LypSyl, which is SPF 15, is ultra light and moisturizing.  It has a slight minty tingle when you first apply it and the packaging is cute. There’s a little bee on the side as the slider to get the product to come up and down.  Rich moisture without a thick formula; it was seriously a godsend after suffering from weeks of dry painful lips. As far as my skin goes, my usual day and night moisturizing wasn’t cutting it. My face was starting to feel the effects of the negative temps and for the first time in my life, the skin on my face actually started to hurt. Being someone who has used facial moisturizer since I was like 10, I’ve never experienced dry skin on my face before, let alone painful skin on my face. After doing some research, adding a Vitamin C serum to my daily routine seemed to be my best bet during the winter. Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C Dry Skin Cocktail (around $20 depending on where you buy it) will not only be my winter addition, but likely a year round new addition to the daily routine.  As far as serums go, this is pretty inexpensive considering it’s fabulous and you can buy it at your local drugstore. Both major wins. More proof that great skin care products don't have to be expensive and bought from some fancy counter.

The low down on Lumene's Vitamin C Dry Skin Cocktail: Highly conditioning bioactive oil complex combines cranberry and cloudberry seed oils to help nourish and vitalize even the driest skin. Improves skin smoothness and visibly diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by dehydration. Suitable for normal and especially dry skin. Formulated without parabens. The secret weapon inside: Arctic Cloudberry! It’s the ultimate, multi-task beautifier. Its age-defying seed oil is rich in omega acids that protect andstrengthen the skin. The berry's high vitamin C content – more than double the amount in oranges – is particularly beneficial in restoring  skin, while the detoxifying properties of the nectar give skin a brighter, more radiant glow. Lumene’s Bright Now Vitamin C Dry Skin Cocktail was pretty much my skin saver this winter. I use it most days in the morning before my moisturizer and at night after I wash my face. While I haven’t necessarily noticed a difference in the appearance on my fine lines and wrinkles, (I’ve only been using it for a few weeks) I have without a doubt noticed the difference in how nourished my skin feels. It feels like my thirsty skin guzzled it all right in. The actual formula reminds me of the left over juices you would find inside the package that a paper face mask comes in. The packaging often tells you to use the left over juices on your hands and neck, so I’m very familiar with rubbing that serum all over myself. Lumene Vitamin C Dry Skin Cocktail feels just like it… and that’s a fabulous thing! Layering this under a good moisturizer will help to instantly bring you skin back to life and get rid of any dryness. I will without a doubt be purchasing both of these products again. While I'm happy to have my winter skin problems solved, let's hope we don't have TOO much longer of this cold to suffer through! Stay hydrated my friends! If you found this skin care review helpful, please be sure to Like it, Pin it and Share with friends! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

The biggest mistake people make is tweezing too much. Avoid over plucking as it can take months for brows to grow back. Follow these tips from Malynda Vigliotti, aka Boom Boom, to get the perfect brows every time. Brows are sisters, not twins – they should be proportionate, but not identical. Tip: The space between brows should be equal to, or a little wider than eyes. Take a long eye shadow brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the side of the nose. Where the brush meets the brow is where brows should begin. To find the end, extend the brush diagonally from the nostril following the outside edge of the eye toward the brow. Where the inside edge of the brush hits is where it should end. If brows are too far apart, it can make the nose appear larger – yikes! (See the step by step brow guide with pictures.) Arch Madness. The best brows have a slight arch. To find, hold a brush parallel to the outside edge of the colored part of the eye (the iris). Where the brush meets the brow is where the highest part of the arch should be. Brush brows up – it gives a clearer picture of the situation and lifts everything. Leave no stragglers behind! Read: 3 Brow Essentials Sterilize with a clean surface, use an antiseptic wipe and a pair of clean sharp Tweezerman tweezers with a slanted tip (they will last a lifetime because you can mail them in to the company to be sharpened). When tweezing, hold the slanted part of the tweezer as close to the skin as possible, hold skin taught and pull in the direction the hair grows. This will reduce irritation and pain. Map it out! Use a white eyeliner or Boom Boom's Push Up Brow and draw a line on to follow. Remember the 4 basics:

• Do not make them too far apart in the center (brows should start at the inside corner of the eye)
• Identify where the arch is and make sure not to over tweeze on the brow bone (it should be a straight line)
• Do not make them too short – longer brows are better than short; take it easy, better safe than sorry.
• Begin tweezing anything below the line - remove the liner and there should be a clean brow that is not over-tweezed.

Sanitize by applying Bacitracin ointment – hair follicles are yanked out at the root leaving an open area susceptible to bacteria and infection, ointment seals the area with an antibiotic to sooth and reduce bumps. If you found these beauty tips helpful, please be sure to Like it, Pin it and Share with friends! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+

How to get this look from Sam Villa

Thin hair, fine hair, medium hair, thick hair...we all have one common enemy: frizz. However, those with thick hair get a double whammy, frizz + an overly full looking coif. A Girl's Gotta Spa! Facebook fans asked, "What types of hair products work best on thick hair to make it smoother, less frizzy and not looking overly full?" Expert hairstylist trusted by celebrities, Sam Villa, responds: For thick hair in need of moisture and slimming down, products that contain cationic conditioners, ceramides and Shea Butter are essential. The go-to product line is Redken Real Control. The entire line nourishes and improves the appearance and health of the hair. Real Control Slim Supreme Hair Slimming Serum reduces excessive volume and adds sleek smoothness with all-day humidity resistance and luscious shine. Got a question you want answered by an expert? Leave a comment and let us know! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+ *Disclosure

Being part Italian, olive oil was always a staple growing up in my childhood home. As a child, I never knew the health benefits my parents and grandparents were passing on to me, all I knew is that it added delicious flavor to my food.

Once I began to work in beauty, I was mesmerized by all of its benefits to skin, as well. Olive fruit oil is high in Vitamin E, which we all know is fantastic for its anti-aging properties. It's high in oleic acid and is a good skin cell regenerator. It works to attract external moisture to the skin, while still permitting the skin to properly release sweat, shed dead skin and release sebum.

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin E, but also includes vitamin A, polyphenols, phytosterols and avenasterol. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals and combat environmental pollutants and aggressors that we all deal with daily.

These antioxidants have the natural ability to stimulate cells and return skin to a firmer, smoother, and healthier state. In order to craft the best lotion for dry skin, olive oil is one of the main ingredients in A Girl's Gotta Spa! ® Body Lotions. This natural moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated and nourished. I've long been using soaps, lotions and body washes with olive oil and have seen for myself the profound affect it can have to keep skin healthy. If you use skin or body care products with olive oil, rest assured, you will kiss dry, itchy skin goodbye!