Updated Packaging: The Honest Co. Body Oil

Finally a pump bottle instead of the pull up cap of the older bottle.  Slippery hands while applying the body oil, not a good thing.  Klutz.  Fall/Winter, I mix this with Aveeno lotion and apply post-shower for super soft skin.  This packaging is a definite improvement!

Unboxing: Julep Maven July 2014

This month's Julep Maven choice was the 'Modern Beauty' box with product rather than polish.  I have a ton of polish already and I've been getting gel manicures lately and my collection has been just sitting.  I skipped June's box because I didn't find any of the products offered to be of interest, but July's had the Bare Body Milk that sounded wonderful!  I still have last summer's Beach Tonic Dry Body Oil that smelled fantastic.  I also liked that this was paired with Mint Condition Pedi Creme for a full body smoothing experience.  Checked my Jules account, I had enough for a box, so this box was FREE!

Julep Maven boxes are always festive!

Promotion for Body Polish or Body Milk

The Poolside Collection promotional cards.

Full size Mint Condition Pedi Creme 3 fl oz and Bare Body Milk 6.8 fl oz

Pedi Creme information

Pedi Creme 

What the website says:

Formerly known as The Best Pedi Creme Ever!, our much-loved foot moisturizer is back with a new name and the same fast-acting formula.

Features & Benefits:

• Provides soothing moisture and gentle exfoliation for rough, dry skin
• Formulated with alpha hydroxy acids, shea butter, coconut oil, essential oils and vitamin E

I tried the Pedi Creme after showering and wore these Earth Therapeutics Aloe Socks and wore them to sleep.

Results? Smooth feet! I'm sure with continued use since there are alpha hydroxy acids, this will make my feet more supple.  The summer weather can cause really dry skin on my heels and around my toes.  Since it has been really warm, I don't think I can use my aloe socks while sleeping every night, so I'll maybe do this routine every other day or every 3 days as needed.

Body Milk information

Body Milk ingredients

What the website says:

What it is:
An ultra hydrating body lotion for thirsty skin. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula leaves a soft, silkyfinish that's not heavy or greasy, and our signature Beach Tonic fragrance lets you smell like summer all year long.

What it does:

• Milk thistle locks in moisture and helps protect against environmental factors.
• Olive oil delivers essential fatty acids to hydrate and repair.
• Grapefruit oil promotes cell turnover.
• Orange peel oil brightens dry, dull skin.

Pros: -Fantastic scent
         -Paraben & sulfate free
         -Body milk leaves my skin soft and lightly scented
         -Pedi Creme leaves my feet soft

Cons: Steep in price.

Cost: Mint Condition Pedi Creme - $20, $16 Julep Maven
         Bare Body Milk  - $24, $19.20 Julep Maven

Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes to the Bare Body Milk because of the unique scent if you liked the Beach Tonic fragrance.  No to the Pedi Creme because of the price, even with the Maven discount.  It is a great product, but I feel you can find other foot creams with the same results.

HG: Body Lotion - Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion

While I haven't totally given up my perfumed lotions, I needed something better for my skin that held in moisture. I have noticed patches of eczema on my arms lately and using scented items has a tendency to make those areas irritated. I have found my current holy grail body lotion - Aveeno Active Naturals! The 2 pack at Costco for $16 is a plus too. My skin retains a nice, supple feel and the patches of eczema have calmed down. Another plus to his lotion is that it is paraben free! Definitely trying to make a more conscious effort to buying healthier skin care products that are budget friendly.

Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil Gel with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E

I have had some bad reactions to baby oil. I used to slather on baby oil after my shower without having any problems. But, thanks to eczema I've developed over the last few years, I have stayed away from it until last year when I found this in the baby aisle at Targhey.


What the website says:
This convenient, no-mess gel, enriched with aloe vera & vitamin E, helps seal in moisture. It's great to use for baby massage or for anytime you want to soothe and hydrate your baby's skin.

Locks in up to ten times more moisture on wet skin that an ordinary lotion can on dry skin.

Definitely a convenience having this in gel form. I still have to be careful when applying to certain areas, but I love this on my legs! So smooth and soft! This is good to use during the fall and winter. Not so much during the warmer summer months in my opinion as it can feel a bit too heavy.

Once you step out of the shower, don't towel off! Work the gel into the skin with the moisture left from your shower. You don't need a lot of product, so work with a small amount. You can pat the excess water off after. After it has been absorbed, your skin is so soft! 6.5 oz for about $5

L’Occitane Amande Lotion with Milk Concentrate

I loved this lotion after using some of my girl Cat’s one night before going out. Not only does it have a great almond scent, but its non-greasy and really penetrates my skin! I managed to pick this bonus size of the lotion at the Seattle Premium Outlets L’Occitane store and even got an extra 10% discount that day! While the price tag sale of $42 is pretty steep, you only use a small amount as opposed to several pumps of some other lotion. Not only is the scent great but it does state that it has firming properties! As directed, I apply this lotion from bottom to top in circular motions, concentrating on areas like the thighs, stomach and bust. Its not a wonder treatment, but it is a nice treat to slather this on after my shower! I use this sparingly now since it is pretty damn expensive!

Victoria’s Secret Bare Bronze Scrub and Bronzer

I have had this scrub and bronzer for a little over a year now. Should be ok to use since it was packed away and not exposed to direct heat and sun. I got this out of a kit from Victoria’s Secret when me and Myra were down in LA. She obviously does NOT need bronzer since she’s already golden brown delicious. Haha! The scrub itself is pretty gritty so a light hand when applying is needed. It has a tropical coconutty scent that smells so good! The base to the scrub is a cream, and there is no lather. The bronzer gives me just a hint of golden color. I didn’t dramatically change, but my already tan skin was slightly enhanced with a tinge of color. I'm just glad that I didn't turn a weird color. The funny thing about the bronzer is at the end of the day, you have a buttery smell! T said I smelled like graham cracker pie crust. LoL! I don’t see the scrub on the website anymore, but they do still sell the bronzer. I may just pick up a full size for the winter season when I’m feeling pale and I can't make it over to Desert Sun to get my tan on. $16 will get you 6.7 oz of product which isn’t too bad and in my case, it doesn’t make me orange so its worth it!

Top choice scent for fall: PUMPKIN!

Fall is nearing, but the way it feels right now in Seattle, it still feels like summer! I like tying my scents with the season and my favorite last fall was pumpkin. I decided to bring it back again with Healthy Sexy Hair's Pumpkin Shampoo and Conditioner and Bath and Body Work's Temptations Pumpkin Pie Paradise 3-in-1 and lotion. All of the products smell the same surprisingly! My bathroom smells like pumpkin pie after I shower! :)