Does the Sun Really Age You? #Ad

Shannon Smyth

Disclosure: Thanks to RoC® skin care with SPF I'm getting my skin ready for the Summer as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #WomenWhoRoC skincare-with-sunscreen

Does the sun really age you? A question those without a single wrinkle or dark spot ask with skepticism. I'm pretty confident I never asked this question when I was younger simply because I wasn't invested in the long term health of my skin. I was just about the here and now, and I only really wanted sun-kissed skin. All without any sun protection at all. Even now, I still want a glowing tan. It makes me look younger, it masks my uneven skin tone, and it makes me look thinner (you just gotta love an optical illusion.) The difference between now and then? I understand that sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 (as recommended by the AAD) is an absolute must. My skin will still darken a bit, but protected. Some of the RoC® skin care products I've been using, RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer and RoC® MULTI CORREXION® 5 in 1 Chest, Neck and Face Cream both have broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30.  This is sufficient for every day application, but if you plan to head to the beach, make sure to use it in conjunction with a sunscreen you will re-apply every two hours. sun-aging sun-safety There are two types of UV rays, UVA and UVB. They each do something a little differently to the skin and a good reason to use a broadspectrum sunscreen, which covers both. Think UVA = aging and UVB = burning. UVA is what causes those pesky dark spots and skin cancer and UVB causes photoaging and skin cancer, as well. If you go to a tanning salon (and truth be told, I used to in my late teens/early 20's), it's UVA rays that are emitted the most (which is why you tan so fast in the booth.) Here's more info about the two: UVA: Can pass through window glass. Is not affected by a change in altitude or weather. Is present all day, at the same intensity and every day of the year. Penetrates deep into skin layers. Is 95% of the sun’s rays. Is 20 times more abundant than UVB rays. Affects long-term skin damage. UVB: Cannot pass through window glass. Causes sunburn. Causes tanning. Helps the body with normal vitamin D production. Varies with the season. It is more intense in the summer than in the winter. Varies with weather conditions. Is more intense at midday than in the morning or late afternoon. Is more intense at high altitudes and near the equator. Is protected against by the SPF in sunscreens. Is related to more than 90% of non-melanoma skin cancer. skincare-sun-safety Back in the "olden days" skin care products didn't come with built-in sunscreen. I'm glad they do today to protect our skin from damage. In terms of my skin, there's not too much I can do about sun damage caused from the past, but using skin care products like RoC® with SPF 30 will help protect against future sun damage when used with other sun protection measures. How are you protecting your skin from sun damage? 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 and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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Silk Therapeutics Nurture ++ Moisturizer Review

Shannon Smyth
Did you know that your skin needs different skin care products not only based on your skin type, but also based on the region you live in? It's true. For example, your needs will be different in the dry-heat of Nevada than say someone who lives a place with high humidity, like Florida. Or in a city full of environmental pollutants like smog versus a rural small town. I live in a high elevation up in the Pocono Mountains, which contributes to crazy dry skin (body, face, scalp) in the Fall and Winter, and oily skin from constant cleansing due to humidity in the Summer (I think Spring is the only season we catch a break around here.)  Dry skin? Review of Silk Therapeutics Nurture++ via @agirlsgottaspa I recently reviewed Silk Therapeutics Purely Smooth daily firming complex, which works much like a primer to smooth out skin imperfections. One of the recommendations when using this product, is to use one of their Nurture facial moisturizers after applying Purely Smooth. Nurture comes in three variations to best suit your skin's needs: Nurture for oily/combination skin, Nurture+ for normal to dry skin and Nurture++ for dry skin. Right now, my skin needs that intense hydration, so I'm using Nurture++. However, as Summer approaches, I'll need to switch to Nurture, which is a mattifying lotion. Silk Therapeutics has a skin care quiz you can take to find the right products for you if you are unsure where your skin type lies. All 3 Nurture moisturizers only have 8 ingredients total, all nourishing and just the right amount that your skin needs. One of which is pure silk protein. Silk-therapeutics-nuture Nurture++ suprisingly isn't a heavy cream, which most moisturizers for dry skin typically are. It's very smooth and creamy, applies easily and quickly absorbs. It does really work well with Purely Smooth. I noticed an improvement in my skin's dryness within days of using it (I've been using it for several weeks now.) This is a moisturizer that you can use day and night. I've yet to be disappointed by any of Silk Therapeutics skin care products, and I'm certain you won't be either. 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 and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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Smoothie Recipes from the Best Spas

Shannon Smyth
Get swimsuit ready with these amazing smoothies from some of the best spas! via @agirlsgottaspa If you are looking for delicious smoothie recipes from some of the best spas, we've compiled a list for you! So get ready to indulge your tastebuds without expanding your waistline with these vitamin and mineral rich smoothies! Potassium Punch: Set on a 1,100-acre rainforest, Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort fuses tropical fruits from Costa Rica in its SIBO Smoothie. Crafting a potassium-packed concoction, the smoothie features papaya, banana, pineapple, spinach, beets and orange juice. Smoothie Recipe: 1 Tbs Pineapple 3/8 cup Banana 1 Tbs Papaya 1 Tbs Spinach ¼ cup Beets 6 oz Orange Juice 1 scoop ice Get beach body ready with these delicious smoothies from some of the best spas! via @agirlsgottaspa Miami Cleansing: Overlooking panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, travelers staying at Conrad Miami can tap into the Miami lifestyle by ordering the Cleanse and Detox Smoothie that boasts flax seed, apple, spinach, celery, parsley, cinnamon and water. Detox Smoothie Recipe (makes 4 glasses): 1 Cucumber Lemon Juice from 2 Lemons 1 Bunch Parsley 1 Green Apple 2 leaves Kale 1 Stalk Celery 1 tbs Ground Flaxseeds 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon Blend all of the ingredients and garnish with a sliced strawberry. Get swimsuit ready with these delicious smoothie recipes from some of the best spas! via @agirlsgottaspa Island Detox: Located off the coast of Puerto Rico, W Vieques Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island is a wellness-focused oasis offering guests a boost of carrot, ginger, orange, and cayenne pepper in its Sunrise Detox smoothie. For hydration under the sun, the property’s Biekes Detox features agua de coco, celery, pineapple, and apple garnished with fresh coconut. Sunrise Detox Smoothie Recipe: One whole orange ½ carrot ½ green apple ½ ginger Blend and top with a dash of cayenne pepper. Garnish glass with carrot string Get beach body ready with these delicious smoothie recipes from some of the best spas! via @agirlsgottaspa Biekes Detox Smoothie Recipe: 4oz. fresh coconut water 1 cup of diced pineapple ½ celery ½ green apple Blend and garnish with fresh coconut shavings. Get beach body ready with these delicious smoothie recipes from some of the best spas! via @agirlsgottaspa Sleeping Blend: Led by Chef Matthew Byrne, Tiger Woods’ former private chef, Hilton West Palm Beach offers vitamin-rich smoothies for guests, sourced from area farms and marketplaces with local fruits, veggies and herbs. Highlights include a sleep-inducing blend of kale, spinach, green apple, coco water, avocado and energizing mixed berry blend with orange juice. Although this Hilton doesn't have an on-site spa, this smoothie recipe is delish! Smoothie Recipe: 1 cup Kale 1 cup spinach 1 Whole apple 6 oz. fresh coconut water ½ Avocado Blend ingredients vigorously. If you try any, let us know what you thought! 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 and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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Pedicure How-To: Get Your Feet Sandal-Ready! #Sponsored

Shannon Smyth

This post was sponsored by Amopé™ as part of an influencer activation for the #AmopeCrowd and Socialstars™. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review, but all opinions (and sandal-ready feet) are my own.

Get your feet sandal-ready with Amopé™! How-to pedicure. #AmopeCrowd #DoYouAmope #Sponsored Florals and citrus, a shorter hairstyle, light breezy dresses, sandals...warmer weather opens the doors to both shed our winter layers and reveal some skin. Depending on how you look at it, this can be a welcomed change, or something that you dread. I used to be embarassed to wear sandals or my favorite flip-flops out in public. It always seemed that no matter what I did, I could not reign in the cracks on my heels or the dryness on the tops of my toes. (Please tell me I'm not alone.) Sure an amazing pedicure at one of my favorite local spas would whip my feet into shape, but only for a short time. As much as I enjoy time at the spa, it's not always in my budget and sometimes I just can't swing my schedule. So finding the right products to get that spa-worthy pedicure at home is something I'm always on the hunt for and I think I finally found the right mix. Get your feet sandal-ready with Amopé™! How-to pedicure. #AmopeCrowd #DoYouAmope #Sponsored I've been talking about the Amopé™ Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Rechargeable Foot File for a few months now and I have to say, my feet have never looked better. I've been using it 2-3 times a week to exfoliate my feet using it on two speeds and both wet and dry. How-To Pedicure on Dry Skin: Doing a pedicure on dry skin with no water involved is easy peasy and literally only takes a few minutes. I'd recommend this when you don't really have too much time for a full-on pedicure. I squeeze this in while I am watching one of my favorite shows (The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Shark Tank, The Profit, etc.) 1. Put a few sheets of paper towel under your feet, and turn your Amopé™ Pedi Perfect on the highest speed (press the top button once.) I use this setting just for my heels, the sides of my feet and my big toe (for some reason I tend to get calluses on that toe the most.) Do this for a good 60-90 seconds moving the electronic foot file up and down. It works fast, so this amount of time is plenty. 2. Next, turn it to the lowest setting (hit the top button twice) and focus on the ball of your feet, gently on the tippity top of your toes (avoiding your nails) and anywhere else that your feet are sensitive. This will only take you less than 60 seconds. 3. Most of the exfoliated skin will be on the paper towels, but if there are any on your feet, just gently wipe it off. 4. Apply cuticle softener then clip and file your toe nails. Then push back your cuticles. 5. Apply your favorite lotion, which you'll notice will quickly absorb into your skin now that you got rid of the dead skin. 6. Last step is applying your favorite polish and top coat. Get your feet sandal-ready with Amopé™! How-to pedicure. #AmopeCrowd #DoYouAmope #Sponsored How-To Pedicure on Wet Skin: One of the best things about the Amopé™ Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Rechargeable Foot File is that it is waterproof so you can use it in the shower and around water. Sometimes I just use it in the shower (again, when I am short on time) and sometimes I soak my feet to really soften them up. 1. Grab a plastic basin and fill it with warm water. Drop in a bath bomb - a mini bath bomb will do the trick, but most of the time I only have medium-sized ones on hand. The epsom salt will help to purify and remove toxins and the fragrance is always a great stress reliever. Soak for a good 5-10 minutes. 2. Follow steps 1 and 2 from the dry pedicure how-to minus the paper towels. 3. Grab your favorite salt scrub (mine is citrus) and scrub between your toes, around your nail beds and then a once over your entire foot. I love salt scrub for this because it has just the right amount of grit to really exfoliate where the electronic foot file can't go. The moisturizing oils in mine really hydrate my feet too. 4. Rinse and pat dry leaving your feet slightly damp. 5. Apply your favorite hydrating lotion - and don't forget between your toes (I feel like this is often overlooked!) 6. Then follow steps 4 and 6 from above. You could of course do this while watching your favorite shows too, it just takes a bit longer. These steps can be done in the shower, as well, naturally waiting to do steps 4 and 6 until you are actually out of the shower! I do the dry, quick version 2x a week and then do the wet version via shower once a week. Once a month I do the wet version with the basin and bath bomb. It makes a huge difference and I'm no longer embarassed by my feet. They are super soft, hydrated and are no longer dry and cracked. If you follow this how-to I would LOVE to hear from you, let me know the difference it makes in your feet! Follow Amopé™ on Facebook! 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 and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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Spa-Like Hair with Pai-Shau

Shannon Smyth
Spa-like hair care from Pai-Shau - love it! via @agirlsgottaspa This is likely the only time where you hear me rave about tea. I'm your coffee-obsessed kind of girl, but this hair care line by Pai-Shau based on a proprietary blend of concentrated steeped teas, is making my life right now. Pai-Shau is a vegan and cruelty free hair care line that marries an ancient bathing ritual from Vietnam with modern day science. I received Pai-Shau's Replenishing Hair Cleanser and Supreme Revitalizing Mask (from their Hydrating Ritual) and Biphasic Infusion (from their Enhance Ritual) to review. Having never heard of this brand, I held no expectations - which honestly, is the best thing to have, because I was totally WOWED. Love this cruelty free shampoo from Pai-Shau. Review on @agirlsgottaspa Since I recently colored my hair, using sulfate-free hair products are a must. The Replenishing Hair Cleanser and Supreme Revitalizing Mask are both sulfate-free, color-safe, paraben and gluten-free. The hair cleanser itself is not a very large bottle, only 8.4oz. However, as is usually the case, good things come in small packages. This cleanser is no different. While the ingredient list is not on the bottle or on the website, it is on the box and it appears that besides the tea, there is also shea butter in this cleanser, which explains why it is so hydrating. While the fragrance itself is not listed by name, it smells of sandalwood and maybe a bit of patchouli. Whatever it is, it smells very earthy and something that would be used during a spa treatment. This hair cleanser is thick when it comes to consistency and pearl white in color. It feels great and rinses clean without making your hair feel stripped. Supreme Revitalizing Mask from Pai-Shau - an intensely hydrating hair mask! review on @agirlsgottaspa The Supreme Revitalizing Hask Mask is also a thick conditioning treatment. It too has the same earthy fragrance as the cleanser. The directions state to apply it generously to towel-dried hair and to leave on for 5 minutes then rinse. However, this mama doesn't have time for a post-shower treatment, so I simply applied it while in the shower and left it on while I washed my face, shaved my legs, etc. then rinsed. My hair felt gloriously silky smooth and hydrated. Biphasic Infusion Rejuvenating Concentrate for Hair from Pai-Shau... review of this Enhance Ritual on @agirlsgottaspa At first I thought the Biphasic Infusion was a hair serum and would come out of the bottle like one... it works much like one, however, it's a liquid concentrate. The bottle needs to be shaken before pumping it out, as the ingredients separate. This product pumps out like water, so really cup your hand to keep it from spilling everywhere. You can apply it to damp or dry hair, I found that it works the same either way. It works great to smooth hair and tame frizziness. Since it's super thin and watery, it is essentially weightless and doesn't make hair greasy. Overall, I really liked how smooth, soft and silky my hair felt. I'm not typically a fan of earthy-musky type fragrances, but this one is not overwhelming or perfumey. This is a great product line worth checking out! Pai-Shau is only available at salons (none local to me though.. boo.) 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 and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: Press sample

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Garnier Olia® Hair Color Review #Spon

Shannon Smyth

I’m sharing #MyOliaStory as part of a Garnier® sponsored series for Socialstars™. All opinions and hair color are my own (well... the hair color is Garnier®.) Garnier® Olia® Hair Color #review via @agirlsgottaspa #MyOliaStory #spon

Looking to lighten, brighten or darken your natural hair color without the eye-burning smell of the chemicals involved? That's a common theme among at-home hair coloring kits that we all cringe about - literally. That toxic smell while coloring your hair. I haven't colored my hair in about 2 years due to pregnancies and I've been tired of looking at the strands of gray and dullness of my hair. (Sometimes I wear the tired mom look like a pro.)

With an 8 month old as my sidekick these days, getting out to the salon isn't easy. Using an DIY hair color is a good option, but my #1 MUST - I did not want that ammonia smell for Ethan and myself to take in. Enter Garnier Olia®. Olia has 60% oils, no ammonia, and natural flower oils, and there is ZERO eye-stinging smell - I mean there is literally none. Garnier® Olia® Hair Color #review via @agirlsgottaspa #MyOliaStory #spon

My goal was to cover the gray and brighten up my dark brown hair with the intention of eventually lightening it for Summer. Instead of simply trying to make a decision in the aisle of the drugstore, I chose to check out their website first to browse the different colors. In the brown hair section, I quickly identified my hair color as Olia 4.0 Dark Brown.  

Knowing that I'm going to begin the lightening process soon, I decided that it was better to still stay in the brown range so that lifting the color would be an easier process if I did it slowly (vs immediately going with a blonde color and possible coming out orange - yikes.) I chose Olia 6.0 Light Brown.

On the box, dark brown hair won't lighten much using light brown, but it will help to brighten the color with a healthy shine. Plus it helps make it easier when I'm ready to go a little lighter (my goal is to eventually have a golden brown hair color, somewhere in the Lightest Golden Brown - Dark Blonde range. (I haven't decided.)

The kit comes with developer, colorant, after color conditioner, applicator and gloves. It's super easy to use, did not drip at all, and despite my semi-long hair, only took one bottle to completely saturate it. My hair is actually pretty thin, there is just a lot of it giving the illusion that I have thick hair.

Once this ammonia-free hair color was on my head, it was only a 30 minute wait time until I needed to rinse, apply the after color conditioner for 2 minutes and then rinse again. Let me tell you that it was easier than I thought it would be with Ethan watching in his high chair with absolutely no bad smell to bother him (or me.)

The result? 100% gray coverage with shiny hair that looked healthy. I love it!  

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Silk Therapeutics Purely Smooth daily firming complex Review

Shannon Smyth
Silk Therapeutics Purely Smooth daily firming complex review via @agirlsgottaspa Smooth as silk... that's one way to describe how I'd like my weathered skin to feel. But what if you want to accomplish that without an ingredient heavy product (some of which include chemicals that I can't even pronounce), is that even a possibility? I've used Silk Therapeutics before, so when they asked if I wanted to try their Purely Smooth daily firming complex, I didn't hesitate to say yes. And by the way, Purely Smooth only contains 5 ingredients. Unscented is: water, silk, Vitamin C, rosehip oil and sodium anisate (a natural emulsifier), while Lemongrass swaps rosehip oil out for lemongrass essential oil. Silk Therapeutics Purely Smooth daily firming complex review via @agirlsgottaspa I received the Lemongrass, which has a very crisp, clean and lemony aroma. It reminds me of getting a facial at a spa. It comes in a glass jar with a small spatula to scoop the product out with. Avoid using your fingers, as this will introduce bacteria into the jar. Silk Therapeutics Purely Smooth daily firming complex review via @agirlsgottaspa One thing I noticed about Purely Smooth in the jar, other than its invigorating scent, is that it looked to have the consistency of tapioca, much like the Renewing Peel I've previously reviewed. While it looked kind of thick and bumpy when I scooped it out, it spreads very thinly on your skin. This product should be applied prior to moisturizer so that there is no barrier between it and your skin. You will literally feel this product working. It's a cross between a light tingling and a sort of "fresh" sensation on your face. It wasn't painful or intrusive and isn't long-lasting, but you are aware of it for a few moments while it sinks into your skin. Also, don't layer it on thick - more will not amplify the effects of the product, in fact, it may cause your skin to flake if you apply too much. You only need a dime-size amount spread evenly to your face and neck. Then apply moisturizer after applying Purely Smooth. Silk Therapeutics Purely Smooth via @agirlsgottaspa Since my hand is a wrinkle-fest, I thought it would be a good way to demonstrate how lines are quickly smoothed using Purely Smooth. It's pretty clear that where I applied Purely Smooth, my skin looks smoother and less "aged" versus where I didn't apply it at all. I hope Silk Therapeutics can make a hand cream like this for old lady hands like mine. This daily firming complex quickly absorbs and dries to a matte finish (which I am grateful for with my combination skin.) What I like about this product is that it contains Vitamin C, which works to boost healthy collagen, as well as fade pigmentation that often creates uneven skin tone. Their pure liquid silk also aids in the smoothing of skin by working with collagen. shannon-1

(That's not me super-imposed in front of a nice setting, it's actually the view from a large boulder in my front yard!)

What's most noticeable to me after using Purely Smooth is that my forehead is not fraught with fine and deep set lines. The lines between my brows are still there, but I expect that when I'm squinting a little (it was pretty bright out.) I'm happy with how my skin looks after, and like most people, when you see a noticeable difference when you use a product, you're basically assured that it works. I'm in the process of trying out Silk Therapeutics Nuture++ Moisturizer and will have that review in a few weeks. Have you tried anything from Silk Therapeutics? 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 and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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Must Have Aloe Vera Beauty Products

Gail Lewis
Must-have aloe vera beauty products via @agirlsgottaspa Aloe vera has long been known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Anyone who has had a sunburn knows that aloe vera is a must-have beauty staple. I've begun to notice that lately aloe vera is in everything from beauty products to juices and supplements - I've even seen it frozen in ice cube trays, which makes complete sense since the benefits of aloe vera seem never-ending. Some of the many advantages to incorporating aloe into your beauty routine are:
  • When taken in a supplement or drink, it helps to support a healthy digestive system, a healthy immune system and normal muscle and joint functions
  • It reduces toxins in the body, aids in digestion and has an alkalizing effect on the body
  • It is high in amino and fatty acids as well as vitamins and minerals
  • It'ss great for applying topically to burns, abrasions, psoriasis, bug bites and sunburnt skin
  • Since aloe is has a high water content, it is a great way to hydrate, moisturize and rejuvenate skin
  • Aloe increases skin elasticity by making it more flexible through collagen and elastin repair
  • Aloe is also an emollient, helping to soften and soothe the skin
  • It helps supply oxygen to the skin cells, increasing the strength and synthesis of skin tissue and induces improved blood flow to the skin
With all of these amazing benefits, it's no wonder we're finding it in more skin care products. Below are some of my favorite aloe vera beauty products: 1. Sustainable Youth Ultra Creamy Cleansing Lotion, Elasticity Cream & Revitalizing Serum: These products are amazing when used together or on their own.  They all contain alasta, which is the most potent immunostimulatory ingredient derived from Aloe.  The Ultra Creamy Cleansing Lotion is extremely luxurious.  It thoroughly cleanses my skin, but leaves it feeling soft and moisturized and not stripped like a lot of facial cleansers.  It also has a beautiful calming, but fresh scent that I absolutely cannot get enough of.  The Firming & Revitalizing Serum is a really lightweight serum that is immediately absorbed into my skin leaving it baby soft, smooth and glowing.  The Elasticity Cream is also fast absorbing and lightweight, but leaves my skin hydrated, refreshed, soothed and feeling firmer. 2. Farmaesthetics Cool Aloe Mist This cooling, hydrating mist offers immediate relief to inflamed skin. It's also a great makeup setting spray, an amazing refreshing facial and body toner and a purifying mist for skin. 3. Alothera Moisturizing Shampoo and Keratin Conditioner In addition to smelling amazing, these products together leave my hair soft, shiny and silky.  The conditioner works like a deep conditioning treatment on my hair.  I left it in my hair for just 2 minutes and I could feel the improvement in my hair immediately. 4. Biorepublic Aloe Rescue Revitalizing Sheet Mask This eco-conscious sheet mask is very soothing, hydrating and easy to use.   I can see and feel the difference in my skin right away.  I would highly recommend using this mask after a day at the beach, after a long flight or anytime your skin fees dry and irritated. 5. 365 Everyday Value Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Juice On its own this juice is a bit tough for me to swallow, but I love adding it to my favorite healthy juices and smoothies, after all beauty does literally begin from the inside out! This juice is available at Whole Foods. 6. A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Wash: I'd be remiss if I left out this amazing natural and organic body wash. With aloe as the main ingredient, this body wash soothes and hydrates skin as it cleanses. The mix of citrus essential oils creates an invigorating shower experience. 7. InviCible Scars: Scars need to be mositurized in order to heal properly. And since skin is inflammed during the healing process, it only makes sense to use a scar treatment that contains aloe. While aloe won't fade your scar (InviCible uses Vitamin C and licorice root extract to handle that part), it helps to strengthen the collagen structure in your scar to minimize its appearance. Do you have a favorite aloe beauty product not on this list? Share it 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 and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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A Girl's Gotta Spa! Available in Canada

Shannon Smyth
@agirlsgottaspa natural, vegan and cruelty free bath and body products are now available on Amazon Canada! It has been a dream of mine to spread my wings internationally when it came to retailing my natural bath and body products. It is my belief that every woman deserves to be pampered. Thanks to one of A Girl's Gotta Spa!'s retailers, Lock & Mane, that dream is coming true. As the official and exclusive retailer for A Girl's Gotta Spa! on Amazon, Lock & Mane, has launched our products in Canada under their subsidiary, Beauty Slam. Our mission at A Girl’s Gotta Spa! is to empower women to believe – You Deserve to Be Pampered – and we do this without harming any animals, without toxic ingredients and without harming the earth.  Know someone in Canada that could use a little pampering? Please share this post! Go sneak a peek at Amazon.ca! Are you a retailer interested in more information about A Girl's Gotta Spa! wholesale opportunities? Please contact us today!

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An Easy Way to Squeeze in Fitness

Gail Lewis
Zobi fitness review via @agirlsgottaspa I'm one of those people who truly enjoys working out. I absolutely love how I feel after a workout and actually dread missing my gym time. There are those times though, when life happens and my hectic schedule just does not allow for driving to the gym and putting in an hour plus long workout.  During those times I still try my best to incorporate some form of fitness into my day, which is where the Zobi comes in very handy. Squeeze in fitness anywhere with Zobi via @agirlsgottaspa The Zobi is a total body tool that helps you to condition muscles, burn calories, and work your core.  The ergonomic shape of the Zobi makes it is easy to grip. Due to its versatility, I can use the Zobi for a total body workout, including cardio, or on days when I am targeting specific muscle groups. The Zobi also comes with a workout DVD for those days when you want to mix it up by incorporating new workouts into your routine or if you do not have a routine and need some ideas. Total body workout with Zobi via @agirlsgottaspa Don't be fooled by the look of the Zobi - it is 7lbs and absolutely works those muscles! It's just the right size and weight to be effective while also not being difficult to travel with. When I'm on the road for my modeling shoots, sometimes finding a gym is easier said than done. Taking the Zobi along with me means I can squeeze in a workout from the comfort of my own hotel room. Using the Zobi is an afforable way to incorporate fitness into your daily life. Just set aside 30 minutes a day and you'll be amazed by the results! 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 and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: Press sample

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