Citrus Crumble Cookie Bars Recipe

Shannon Smyth
Citrus Crumble Cookie Bars Recipe from @willcook4smiles using ingredients inspired by @agirlsgottaspa Energizing Citrus scent What a way to treat yourself! Delicious, soft cookie bars topped with citrus marmalade, made with orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit essences, and of course, topped with sweet, crispy crumble. Citrus Crumble Cookie Bars Recipe from @willcook4smiles using ingredients inspired by @agirlsgottaspa Energizing Citrus scent Hello everyone! It’s so nice to meet all of you, friends of A Girl’s Gotta Spa! I'm Lyuba and I am from Will Cook For Smiles. I am taking over today to show you another sweet way to treat yourself. You already know about spa days, wonderful skin and hair products, but you can’t forget to treat your taste buds and your tummy once in a while too. I'm sure you already know about Shannon's bath and body line intended to pamper you. A Girl's Gotta Spa! products are made with all-natural ingredients, they are purely honest, simple, effective, and made in small batches to ensure the best results. In addition to being perfect for your skin, they are also engaging to your senses. Making your skin beautiful and luscious to the touch, it also engages you with an aromatic citrus scent. Citrus Crumble Cookie Bars Recipe from @willcook4smiles using ingredients inspired by @agirlsgottaspa Energizing Citrus scent This scent is exactly what inspired me to engage more than my senses of touch and smell, but also my sense of taste. Since I didn’t want to bite my arm after applying the Energizing Citrus Body Lotion (good thing my instinct stopped me because I was about to,) I decided to create something inspired by the wonderful scent of these products. After reading the short (and delicious) list of the natural ingredients in these products, I created my own ingredient list, combining all of my favorite citrus fruit. And what a better way to treat yourself than with some simple, soft, and aromatic cookies. We do love some cookies, don't we? So this one is for you, ladies! Immerge yourself in some "delicious" body products after a nice, revitalizing shower and help yourself to some sweet cookie bars! Citrus Crumble Cookie Bars Recipe from @willcook4smiles using ingredients inspired by @agirlsgottaspa Energizing Citrus scent Ingredients: Cookie Layer: ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature ¾ cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1¼ cups flour ½ tsp baking soda ¼ tsp salt Citrus Marmalade Layer: 1 – 18 oz. jar of marmalade 3 Tbsp. grapefruit juice Zest from 1 lemon Zest from 1 lime Crumble Layer: ½ cup brown sugar 2 Tbsp. white granulated sugar ¾ cup flour 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a 9x9 baking dish. (8x8 will work too if you have to use that size.) Cookie: In the bowl of an electric mixer (or using a hand held mixer), cream together butter and sugar for a couple of minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat until mixed. Lower the speed to low, sift in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix the ingredients on low speed until just combined. Spread cookie batter in the baking dish, evenly. Marmalade (can be prepared before starting the cookie layer): Add marmalade into a sauce pot and heat it up over medium heat. Add grapefruit juice, lemon zest, and lime zest. Mix well and simmer, stirring often, for about 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Spread citrus marmalade over the cookie layer. Crumble: In a mixing bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, brown and white sugar until evenly incorporated. Pour in melted butter and mix (cut in, not mush) it with a fork, forming coarse crumbles. Spread crumble all over the marmalade, evenly. Bake for 37-40 minutes. Let it cool completely before cutting. Citrus Crumble Cookie Bars Recipe from @willcook4smiles using ingredients inspired by @agirlsgottaspa Energizing Citrus scent Citrus Crumble Cookie Bars Recipe from @willcook4smiles using ingredients inspired by @agirlsgottaspa Energizing Citrus scent Let me know if you try it! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Here are more delicious recipes to try from Will Cook for Smiles: Chewy Key Lime Coconut Cookies

Chewy Key Lime Coconut Cookies

Layered Double Chocolate Smores Crumble Cookie Bars

Layered Double Chocolate Smores Crumble Cookie Bars

Gooey Loaded Peanut Butter Cookies

Gooey Loaded Peanut Butter Cookies

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Improve Your Brow Game with Chella

Shannon Smyth
Improve your brow game with @ChellaBeauty via @agirlsgottaspa My brows are sparse and basically non-existent in some spots. They also do this caterpillar ish from years of plucking the wrong way when I was younger. I've considered getting permanent makeup with a brow tattoo, but to be honest, I'm not a fan of needles (which is also the reason I don't think I'll be getting Botox any time soon.) So the next best thing, and really the only option for me, are brow pens, pencils, brow gel and highlighters. Chella recently sent me their Tantalizing Taupe Eyebrow Color Kit, and I was totally on board to give it a try and up my brow game. Improve your brow game with @ChellaBeauty via @agirlsgottaspa Chella's brow kit comes with a pencil sharpener that can sharpen both large and small pencils, Latte Highlighter Pencil, Tantalizing Taupe brow color pencil and brow defining gel. Taupe is a mid-range brown, not too dark and not light. I think it would be a great fit for most brunettes. The brow gel is clear and weightlessly thin. It's not clumpy at all and sometimes I really had to look at the applicator to ensure that there was gel on it. When you apply it, it's not sticky on your brows or even obvious, so your brows look natural. With the brow pencil I was able to fill in color to make my brows look a bit more lush. I also have a scar in one of my brows, and since scars don't grow hair, a brow pencil is the only way to cover it. (You can see it in the before - after picture below.) The Latte highlighter is flesh toned and gives my brows the look of being lifted, which also makes my eye area as a whole look lifted. The products didn't seem to wear off, but were easily removed with makeup remover. Before and after with @ChellaBeauty Tantalizing Taupe Eyebrow Kit via @agirlsgottaspa Click to read the review! Voila! Before and after. I really love the look of my brows from using this kit. It transforms my face. What do you think? Chella's Tantalizing Taupe Eyebrow Color Kit is available on their website and in any of their 4 brow bars in California. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: press sample

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Diminish the Look of Fine Lines and Wrinkles #sponsored

Shannon Smyth

Disclosure: Thanks to RoC® Daily Resurfacing Disks, I'm getting taking care of my skin as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #WomenWhoRoC

roc-anti-aging-skincare Are you looking for a simple way to cleanse and exfoliate your skin all in one beauty product? Do you have fine lines, wrinkles and sun damaged skin? Then you may want to consider the Daily Resurfacing Disks from RoC®. I've been using it daily for the last few weeks and found it an easy product to incorporate into my skin care routine. RoC’s Daily Resurfacing Disks as part of an anti-aging beauty and skin care regimen via @agirlsgottaspa #WomenWhoRoC #sponsored RoC® Daily Resurfacing Disks are gentle enough to be used everyday and are intended to help diminish the look of fine lines (after one week), diminish the signs of photoaging (after 4 weeks) and over time reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pores (12 weeks.) One side of the disk is smooth and the other side is textured with little bumps to exfoliate the skin. The exfoliation isn't rough, but I LOVE using it on my nose and chin area where I have blackheads. I've definitely noticed a difference with my blackheads becoming less noticeable... which means my large pores on my nose are less noticeable because they are not filled with gunk. (Eww.) exfoliating-skin-care The Daily Resurfacing Disks can also be used as a makeup remover, however, I have only used it to remove the makeup on my face and not my eye makeup due to how foamy the disks are. I do use it *around* my eyes, though, where my crows feet are (very carefully.) The disks are self-foaming, but soap free (and oil free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.) They are fragranced, but not any more so than other facial cleasers I've used. skin-care-over-40 In this pic I am not wearing concealer or primer so that you can see just how sun damaged it is. The spots on my nose are not pores, but hyperpigmentation (although I do have large pores, but you can't see them because this stuff works really, really well!) If you read my blog regularly, I am always saying that I am paying for the skin sins of my youth when I didn't wear sunscreen on my face. This is the proof. You guys. Wear sunscreen. I do know that fading sun damage does take some time, especially to the extent that I have it. I'm looking forward to seeing a difference. I haven't used it for 4 weeks yet (just 2.5), so hoping that consistent use will render visible results with that issue. Like I mentioned earlier, I do see a difference in the appearance of my pores due to the exfoliation and the really fine lines have softened a bit due to the moisturizing nature of this product. Would love to know if you've tried them or have any questions! Leave a comment! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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Best Body Washes for Acne-Prone Skin

Shannon Smyth
Best body washes for acne prone skin via @agirlsgottaspa Bacne. Something that is often dreaded when the warmer weather hits and you want to ditch the layers. While I personally haven't experience body acne, I do have keratosis pilaris on my arms and legs, so I know the feeling of having a skin condition I want to clear up and am often embarrassed by. There's a lot of great body washes out there that can help diminish body acne without a prescription and without the uber drying effects of benzoyl peroxide. While that's an effective ingredient, it just creates a secondary issue for you to have to deal with - dry, flaky skin. No thanks! Here are 4 body washes that we've found work best on body acne (and smell great too!) Yes to Tomatoes Acne Fighting Body Wash This body wash has 2% salicylic acid, which is a known exfoliant that is also an anti-inflammatory. Since most body acne is caused by clogged pores, this is effective at cleansing acne-prone skin. This body wash is also sulfate-free and cruelty free. A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Wash The citrus essential oils are the magic of this body wash. Lemon and lime are natural astringents, cleansing the skin of blemish-causing bacteria. It also contains 30% aloe vera, which soothes inflammation. Sulfate-free and cruelty free. The Body Shop Tea Tree Body Wash Tea tree isn't just a great anti-acne oil for your face, but great for your body as well. Tea tree oil won't over-strip your skin, a common problem when using benzoyl peroxide type body washes. Sulfate-free and cruelty free. Origins Clear Improvement Purfying Charcoal Body Wash Activated charcoal is one of my favorite ingredients for combatting acne. It's something I use in my skin care regimen and my skin has never been clearer. This body wash, with it's minty fragrance, is effective at banishing the blemishes. Which body wash do you use to combat acne? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: affiliate links

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5 Surefire Ways Pampering Helps Boost Your Mood (and Confidence)

Shannon Smyth

Disclosure: I’m sharing #MyOliaStory #ad as part of a Garnier® sponsored series for Socialstars™

You've probably experienced this scenario yourself - you're in a rut and feeling meh when you decide to take a moment to yourself to rejuvenate. Sometimes it's something simple, like a bath or it's something a little more dramatic (like chopping your long locks.)

Regardless of the act, it suddenly gives you that restoration of spirit you needed and that spring in your step is back. Happiness and confidence go hand in hand. When I am happy, I feel my most confident and like I can achieve anything. When I'm feeling down, it often feels like my goals are not within reach.

We've all been there. So what can you do to give yourself a kick in the pants? You want my honest answer? Self care. Pampering yourself is is the most natural mood booster I know. It's not selfish by any means, it's transformative.

Here are 5 tips for pampering yourself to boost your mood (and confidence):

Get a haircut. There's something therapeutic about cutting off what's weighing you down while venting to your hairstylist. Other things I love about it - the head massage, the hum of the hair dryer, the eventual amazing hairstyle that I can never duplicate at home. I recently decided to chop my long hair. It felt like magic and all of the compliments I got just made me feel really, really good.
5 ways to boost your confidence via @agirlsgottaspa #MyOliaStory #ad
Color your hair. Go lighter, go darker or just refresh what Mother Nature gave you. Either way, in between haircuts, coloring your hair also has a transformative effect on the way you look. It makes you WANT to look at yourself, smile and say, "Damn girl, you look good!" I'm currently stepping down my hair color with Garnier Olia® 6.0 Light Brown from super dark brown to hopefully a super light brown/dark blonde by the time I'm done. It's giving me shiny hair with 100% gray coverage. I also love that it smells nothing like hair dye. (Check out my getting summer-ready post about it.)
red lip confidence
Go red. I cannot speak the praises of red lipstick enough. You're never too light or too dark to wear this confidence in a tube. I used to think so until one day I basically asked Twitter to find the right shade for me and tweeted a pic of myself. Some beauty editors answered the call and told me the type of red I needed, along with some recommendations. Once I found my perfect red, I haven't looked back. In fact, I now prefer red over any other lipstick color in my makeup bag. It'll make you feel sexy, glamorous and confident.

Take a walk. Get those endorphins going, boost that seratonin. Me and exercise aren't really friends, but going for a walk doesn't seem like work. When I lived in the suburbs, I would park my car in a neighborhood I wished that I could one day live in and just walk through it. I made up stories in my head about living in this house, being friends with someone in that house, etc.

Now that I live in the Pocono Mountains and have a lake in front of my house, I love walking the mile around and taking in the beauty. Many times I go with a friend or with one or some of my sons. By the end of my walk I always feel much better. The French Manor Inn and Spa, Le Spa Foret, massage review via @agirlsgottaspa Get a massage. This favorite spa treatment isn't just about indulgence. It releases tension, decreases stress and simply quiets the mind. Massage helps to drain the lymphatic system which boosts your body's ability to heal itself. Going to a spa is obviously my first choice for this because you also have the added benefit of aromatherapy and stepping away from interruptions, but getting a shiatsu massager for at-home use is always an option as well.

What are some of the things you do to help boost your mood and self confidence? 

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Aromatherapy Diffuser: Gurunanda Essential Oils

Shannon Smyth
Gurunanda Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser and essential oils review via @agirlsgottaspa One of the main things I love about walking into a spa is the calming scent that fills the air. It's like instant relaxation before your spa treatment has even begun. When I was younger, my sister used to burn incense sticks. It was all the rage back in the early 90's. To be honest, I would make fun of her for it. All these years later, I didn't realize that it was a form of aromatherapy... and now I love it, just in essential oil form. I recently received the Gurunanda Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser, and honestly, I'm so in love. Some of the benefits of this aromatherapy diffuser: The diffuser itself is super lightweight. Even with water in it, which is enough for 2.5-5 hours of use, did not make it weighty. Each essential oil box has a scratch and sniff sticker so that you can sample the fragrance before purchasing. The diffuser lights up at the top - red, green and blue. You also have the option of turning the lights off. The on/off button also controls the lights and diffusing time. Press once for lights and 2.5 hours of continuous mist. Press twice to turn off lights. Press three times for 5 hours of mist every 15 seconds without lights. Pressing 4 times turns it off. Whichever amount of time you choose, the diffuser automatically shuts off after that alloted time. The diffuser has a low level white noise hum to it, so it's a little relaxing to listen to. The diffuser and the mist are not hot at all, so no worring about burns or it becoming humid in the room. The best part is that once you put a small amount of water into the chamber and two drops of your preferred essential oil, and hit the button, the mist is literally immediate. I was blown away. Having only experience with units that have to heat up, I love the fact that the ultrasonic waves have zero start up time. Talk about instant gratification. Since there is no heat involved, the integrity of the essential oils are not compromised. Gurunanda has 9 blends of essential oils. I personally love Focus (especially needed on Monday mornings, rainy days and late afternoons.) Focus is a blend of lemongrass, rosemary, and citronella. I love lemongrass; it's even in my Silk Therapeutics Purely Smooth daily firming complex. They also have Breathe Easy (eucalyptus, peppermint and lemon), which I plan to use when I'm congested or my allergies are acting up. These oils are not just for the diffuser, but can also be used in your bath, mixed with a carrier oil and massaged onto your skin and made into a room spray. Have you tried this aromatherapy diffuser? Let me know in the comments! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: sample

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6 Tips to Avoid These Summer Skin Problems

Shannon Smyth
6 tips to avoid these summer skin problems via @agirlsgottaspa Oh the summer skin care woes. From sunburn to body acne to sun parched skin, we've gathered expert tips for how to avoid them from the start. Perspiration, body acne Expert Tip:  “To prevent breakouts in the summer, use oil-free moisturizer. During the hotter months skin’s natural oil combined with oil-free moisturizer is enough to keep skin well-hydrated. This trick will also help prevent skin from looking too shiny in the summer.” –Alina Cimpoeru, lead esthetician at The Guerlain Spa Treatment: The deep cleansing Orchidee Imperiale “Cure” Facial utilizes products from the renowned Orchidée Impériale skincare range to fight signs of aging, and leaves acne-prone skin feeling fresh and radiant. Our favorite product to use at home: Subtle Green Vienne Moisturizing Lotion for face and A Girl's Gotta Spa! Body Lotion for body 6 tips to avoid these summer skin problems via @agirlsgottaspa Bloat, Water Retention “Hydration, hydration, hydration! Drinking plenty of water post-treatment helps to flush out the toxins overall smoother and healthier glow. Common causes of water retention during the summer months are the beaming heat, which causes the body to be less efficient at removing fluid from tissues, hydration is the main key to healthy skin!” says Spa Lead Tamra Spier at Hilton Orlando’s eforea spa Treatment: Beach Body Contouring Wrap is designed to get travelers ready for the beach, lemon and lime team up with seaweed and micronized green coffee to slim, tone and breakdown fat. Our favorite product to use at home: 1907 Alkaline Water  6 tips to avoid these summer skin problems via @agirlsgottaspa Sunburned body Expert Tip: “One of the most important recommendations I give after sunbathing is to rinse your body with fresh water to remove salt and/or chlorine from the skin. These two elements will dry the skin quickly. The skin is incapable of producing water, only oils, so during summertime it is imperative to consume plenty of water; your skin will really appreciate it.” – Frank Garcia, Spa Director at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Treatment: The Anti-Aging Massage uses a Swedish technique combined with a plant based anti-aging massage cream. The cream contains frankincense, which preserves tissue and stimulates collagen synthesis, Roman chamomile to protect skin cells, Mango and Cupuacu butters to nourish and sooth the skin, and plum kernel oil and quinoa oil to fight dehydration.  Our favorite product to use at home: A Girl's Gotta Spa! Body Wash (has 30% soothing aloe) 6 tips to avoid these summer skin problems via @agirlsgottaspa Cracked heels/feet Expert Tip: Wearing sandals too often can crack the skin around your heel. This summer, maintain skin’s elasticity with a mineral exfoliator. It will act like a soap and leave you with a baby soft skin – Christophe Champs, Studio Manager at the Metropole Espa Monte-Carlo. Treatment: The Black Diamond Scrub by Réverence de Bastien (created by Bastien Gonzalez, famed “pedicurist to the stars”) is a mineral foaming scrub combining black diamond, particles of mother of pearl and black volcanic sand for a natural exfoliation that clears away dead skin cells, leaving feet smooth and silky. Our favorite product to use at home: Amope Wet Dry Pedi Foot File  6 tips to avoid these summer skin problems via @agirlsgottaspa Chapped Lips, Wind-Burned Face Expert Tip: “Use chamomile tea to soothe and relieve some of the discomfort of sunburned or wind burned skin. The chamomile tea tannins offer anti-inflammatory properties that relieve the sense of burn and make you feel calm. I fill a spray bottle with cold tea and spray tea directly on the skin or for sensitive areas around the eyes, use teabags and place them over the eyes.” – César Sánchez, Spa Manager – Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose Treatment: The Antioxidant Facial is an oxygenating, anti-aging facial that utilizes ingredients brimming with antioxidants, including an application of natural ingredients rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and botanical extracts, to refresh and hydrate sun- and wind-burned skin, combat premature aging, disrupt hyperpigmentation and provide skin with a healthy glow. Our favorite product to use at home: Lasting Smiles Lip Balm and Teami Skinny Tea 6 tips to avoid these summer skin problems via @agirlsgottaspa Dehydrated/Flaky Skin Expert Tip: “After a hot shower, cleansed skin is more receptive to getting hydrated using Thermotherapy. For dehydrated skin, use a hydrating serum for the face and neck. Soak a towel in warm water, cover the face and rest for five minutes. Then apply hydrating lotion, soak a face towel in iced water, cover and rest for five minutes. Skin feels hydrated, tighter and firmer.”  – Michelle Arce, Marketing Director at Zen Spa Retreat – Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino Treatment: For dehydrated skin, the Deep Skin Hydrating Booster Treatment uses a combination of peeling, ionization and thermotherapy of marine collagen and hyaluronic acid to instantly plump skin cells with extra moisture, restore smoothness and enhance skin's suppleness. Our favorite product to use at home: Block Island Organics Revitalizing Night Cream Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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5 Sun-Kissed Summer Prep Tips For Glowing Skin

Shannon Smyth
6 Sun-kissed summer prep tips for glowing skin via @agirlsgottaspa If you're looking to get your skin Summer-ready, read on for tips from spas that give some skin advice you'll want to start using ASAP. Inflammation, Environmental Irritant Damage Tip: The wound healing herb, Calendula, is traditionally known to reduce inflammation and soothe irritation.  Create an at-home face mist, combine dried Calendula flowers and oats in a French press, letting it steep in boiled distilled water for 10 minutes.  Once cool, pour into spray bottle and spritz face liberally for soft and hydrated skin. – Barbara Close, Founder at Naturopathica Chelsea Healing Arts Center & Spa Treatment: Perfect for those ready to escape the urban city and head to the beach, the Bio-Energy Lift Facial treatment uses a combination of liquid microdermabrasion technology with advanced skincare formulas to re-energize and remineralize the skin by replenishing oxygen consumption while repairing and protecting the skin from free-radical damage and environmental irritants. Our favorite product to use at home: A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Wash (ingredients include calendula, aloe and other plants.) 6 Sun-kissed summer prep tips for glowing skin via @agirlsgottaspa Dull Complexion Expert Tip: “I love a good body scrub to eliminate the accumulation of dead skin cells and get that healthy glow in the summer. To maximize results, scrub with a body brush in circular movements then apply coco oil which provides deep hydration and promotes the removal of dead cells to brighten a dull complexion.” – Nicole Courrau, Spa Manager at Sibö Rainforest, Spa & Retreat – Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort Treatment: The Well-being Body Massage begins with a dry body brushing to remove dead skin, oxygenate outer layers of tissue and stimulate the lymphatic system. Native coconut oil is applied using flowing movements, soothing the body and renewing the skin with a relaxing massage. Our favorite product to use at home: A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Salt Scrub 6 Sun-kissed summer prep tips for glowing skin via @agirlsgottaspa Cellulite Tip: “Caffeine is to cellulite as Kryptonite is to Superman: its worst enemy. Recycle those coffee grounds and give yourself a daily scrub followed by a rich moisturizer to combat those lumps and bumps." Sharla Martin, Spa Director at The Windsor Court Hotel Treatment: Summer Regal Retreat - A detoxifying treatment that begins with dry brushing of the body to release toxins, followed by an invigorating full body coffee scrub and steam shower to slough all the unwanted dead skin from your body. The transformational effect finishes with a stimulating ginger oil massage and spine revitalizing mask. Our favorite product to use at home: Svelta Coffee Sugar Scrub  6 Sun-kissed summer prep tips for glowing skin via @agirlsgottaspa Premature aging, collagenases Tip: Banana- This powerful fruit isn’t just good for eating, but can also be used as a creamy face mask. Mash one banana up with a teaspoon of orange juice and a teaspoon of plain yogurt, and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. The vitamin A will help fade dark spots and blemishes, while vitamin B will prevent aging, and potassium will moisturize and hydrate skin cells. – Albert Cruz, Spa Manager at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino’s eforea spa Treatment: The Age Defyer Facial uses powerful skin-illuminating botanicals, a multi-acid peel, brightening facial serum, and unique cooling masque; leaving skin lighter, brighter, and more refined. Our favorite product to use at home: We also love this DIY banana facial mask Brittle hair, dry scalp Tip: Whip an egg white thoroughly along with two tablespoons of lukewarm water. Apply the mixture to your damp hair and scalp and massage with your fingertips in a circular motion for 15 minutes. Then shampoo your hair with cool water. Do this once or twice a week, depending on the condition of your hair. – Albert Cruz, Spa Manager at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino’s eforea spa Treatment: Discover true Caribbean relaxation with the spa’s 110-minute Relax & Reflect body treatment that includes a gentle skin cleanse, relaxing Salt Scrub, hour body massage, and scalp massage complete with a restorative aromatherapy oil blend of sweet orange, palmarosa, and rose geranium. The treatment utilizes ESPA’s all natural and silicone-free Pink Hair & Scalp Mud cream for a mineral-rich conditioning mud mask that leaves hair and scalp feeling soft, smooth, and reinvigorated. Our favorite product to use at home: Keune So Pure Exfoliating Shampoo Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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Getting My Hair Summer-Ready #MyOliaStory #Ad

Shannon Smyth

Disclosure: I’m sharing #MyOliaStory as part of a Garnier® sponsored series for Socialstars™ The fabulous hair color is all mine.

Shiny, healthy hair with Garnier Olia via @agirlsgottaspa #MyOliaStory #sponsored

Keeping my hair color vibrant, healthy looking... and most of all, covering the grays, is important to me. It feels like post-pregnancy that the gray hair is coming out in full force. I don't want to look older than I am, so I have no shame in dying my hair. 4 weeks ago I gave Garnier Olia® a try in 6.0 Light Brown, as my goal is to start stepping down to a lighter color by Summer.

A few years ago I frosted my hair blonde. Yes, you heard that right - frosted. So 80's. And my hair totally looked the part. It was unnatural looking and I couldn't wait for it to grow out. This time I'm doing it right and taking it slowly instead of just diving in.

My 14 year old had to learn the hard way recently when he wanted to dye his hair blue. He has dark brown hair like me and thought he'd be blonde in a matter of 30 minutes. That was a whole lot of nope. His hair turned an orangey yellow and once he added the blue... he was green. Love my hair color with Garnier Olia via @agirlsgottaspa #MyOliaStory #sponsored My hair color has held up well, as has the shine. It's still a nice shade for the Spring and something I can step myself up to for Fall once I've gotten as close to a light golden brown as I can get without being too brassy for Summer. With 100% gray coverage, my grays are still nicely concealed. My hair doesn't feel dry and is still soft to the touch.100% gray coverage with Garnier Olia via @agirlsgottaspa #MyOliaStory #sponsored In a few weeks it will be time to color my hair again with Garnier® Olia® and I'll be trying to take it a shade lighter. I'm thinking I might also chop my locks for some added effect. Maybe an angled bob or lob. I've had both, and to be honest I prefer to have long hair. But I just keep can't seem to make it work and my hair tends to always be in a ponytail. One thing I can say, is that since coloring my hair, I've been curling my hair more often to show off how great my hair looks. Best hair color to cover gray via @agirlsgottaspa #MyOliaStory #sponsored Please check out my Garnier® Olia® review - I'd love to hear if you've used Olia® and/or if you'll be changing up your hair color now that Summer is almost here! 

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A Girl's Gotta Spa! Partners with Lilly's Bathcarry

Shannon Smyth
A Girl's Gotta Spa! partners with Lilly's Bathcarry Lilly's Bathcarry is an online boutique that has been providing luxurious skincare and scent therapy products to customers since 2002. Lilly's Bathcarry has a wide selection of indie, emerging and established brands all with the same singular focus - seeking out the best pampering products on the market. Throughout Lilly's travels, a guilty pleasure has been finding unique skin care and scent therapy products. She would fall in love with a product and when it came time to replenish it, she couldn’t find it anywhere. That’s how Lilly's Bathcarry was born. A Girl's Gotta Spa! is proud to now be sold at Lilly's Bathcarry. Our mission statement is virtually the same, both brands believing - you deserve to be pampered. Go ahead and give them a look! www.lillysbathcarry.com Are you a retailer interested in more information about A Girl’s Gotta Spa! wholesaleopportunities? Please contact us today!

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