Beauty & Skincare

Ken Paves You Are Beautiful Hair Care Line is a Luxury, Yet Affordable Line Available at Walmart

I was introduced to the runway looks of celebrity hair created by uber famous hair stylist, Ken Paves on Oprah, almost a decade ago. I remember buying his clip in hair extensions after seeing his collaboration with Jessica Simpson. So, when I found out he created an affordable line of luxury hair care products, I was beyond excited to try them! I have been searching for products for my entire family. I am very brand loyal and discovering a brand that would benefit everyone in our family meant the world to me. I was searching for products that could moisturize and tame my daughter Ella’s wild and frizzy hair. Her hair has different textures. The front part of her hair is very dry and frizzy, while the back is silky, wavy and soft. I also wanted a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for myself that would eliminate the dryness that comes with tightly curled, kinky hair.
The Ken Paves You Are Beautiful™ hair care line was born from Ken Paves’ nearly 20 years as a celebrity hair stylist and beauty industry expert, and his belief that every woman should have access to salon-quality hair care products. The product assortment ranges from shampoos and conditioners for different need states to styling products. The hair care line is meant to inspire all women, everywhere, to celebrate and enhance their natural beauty with affordable, luxurious hair care products that provide solutions for the most talked-about hair care concerns. Ken Paves You Are Beautiful™ is made with pure, plant-based ingredients and 100% essential oils, without sulfates, parabens, phthalates, neurotoxins, aluminum, glycols or synthetic fragrances and dyes. The Ken Paves You Are Beautiful™ line is made with 100% essential oils which serve as a natural fragrance, no synthetic fragrances are added.
The products smell, look and feel amazing to the touch! I took Ella to our hair salon to have her stylist wash, condition and style her hair with the products from the Smoothing Line including: Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner, Thick Conditioning Mask, Detangling Thermal Protectant Spray and the Repair & Nourish Shine Serum today! Even Ella’s hair stylist was impressed with the quality and especially the zen inducing fragrance.
Ella and I both fell in love with Ken Paves’ new haircare collection for Walmart at first try. Everything is luxe, efficient, affordable and looks great in your shower. Taking good care of your hair doesn’t have to be a long and expensive process. You Are Beautiful™ covers everything from frizz and dryness, to detangling and repairing.
The 18-product collection includes shampoos, conditioners, a thermal protection spray, relaxing balm, volumizing mousse (which is also great for men) and more for all hair types and lengths. Prices range from $13 to $19. Available at Walmart and Walmart.com
{Disclosure: A complimentary sample was sent for review. I was not paid to write this post and all opinions are my own.}

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Lip Smacker is the Perfect Lip Balm for Little Ladies

As child, I can remember the first time my mom bought me my first set of lip glosses. I was seven years old. I can remember the smell and taste of each and every gloss vividly. They were by Lip Smacker and they were deliciously flavored and scented in all of my favorite yummy treats which included: cream popsicles, cotton candy and even my favorite soda pop, root beer. Reflecting on these happy memories, I thought it would be a great idea to partner with Lip Smacker and include their flavored lip gloss and lip balms in the goodie bags for my daughter Ella’s 7th birthday party last month. Lip Smacker is the ultimate premiere lip gloss for little girls because it offers the perfect amount of shimmer and isn’t too sticky. It’s also very long lasting (if you don’t lick it off), it has the most delectable flavors of any other brand in the market and has vibrant eye catching packaging. I’m such an admirer of Lip Smacker because it reminds me of my childhood and because it’s incredibly moisturizing and now I get to share these products with my daughter and all of her friends.
{Special Thank-you to Lip Smacker for partnering on this post. All opinions are my own.}

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Sanctuary Cosmetic Center Now Open at Tyson’s Corner

The Sanctuary Cosmetic Center is a new medical beauty spa for local plastic surgeon Dr. Soheila Rostami, who studied ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery and the University of Maryland before moving into oculo-facial plastic surgery. The 4,000-square-foot center opened last month on May 8 in Tysons Corner as a venue for surgical and non-surgical skincare treatments.
Aging can change skin’s appearance as early as your 30th birthday or by later in midlife, depending on your beauty routine and habits. There are a multitude of ways to make your skin look younger, brighter and fresher. Dr. Rostami of Sanctuary Cosmetic Center offers some of her best anti-aging tips:
Dr. Rostami’s Anti-Aging Tips
What should busy stay-at-home or career moms do immediately/start immediately to jump start or revitalize their anti-aging regimen?
When it comes to anti-aging, both men and women should start with neuromodulators such as BOTOX and Dysport. These injectibles temporarily relax the muscles responsible for creating wrinkles, thereby reducing forehead, crow’s feet and other fine lines. There is nothing out there in the industry at the moment that can compete with the power and ease of neuromodulators in seeing instant results in aiding in anti-aging. Starting early with neuromodulators is much more acceptable today in helping to age gracefully.
What’s the number 1 way to protect your skin from aging prematurely?
Protecting your skin from prolonged sun exposure is the number one way any one can protect themselves from premature aging. Our skin is the largest organ in our body and it also is the first to show signs of aging. When choosing a sunscreen product, it is important to make sure that the main ingredients include titanium and zinc oxide. These ingredients are sun blocks rather than sun screens – meaning they actually protect the skin by creating a barrier between the sun’s rays and the skin’s surface.
What are the 3 products every woman should have right now?
Every woman, and man, should have three particular products in their beauty repertoire. The first must-have is a resurfacing product. Such products contain vitamin A – most commonly known as a retinoic acid or retinol – which help the skin to regenerate itself thereby eliminating dead cells and revealing newer, younger skin. The second must-have is a pigmentation controlling product. These products can contain coffee bean and soy bean which correct skin tone pigmentation due to age spots and acne scars. The third must-have is any product whose main ingredient is vitamin C. Vitamin C’s anti-oxidant potency lies in its ability to recreate collagen. To get the most bang for your buck, try pharmaceutical grade vitamin C products.
Besides the face, how can someone protect the not-so-commonly thought of areas like arms and legs?
Our arms and legs are also big indicators of aging and most people, unfortunately, forget to treat those areas until there is already significant signs of aging. Thanks to modern technology, there are now non-invasive procedures that can be done in as little as 30 minutes, spread over a few months time, with zero pain and down time. High radio frequency and ultra sound machines can now treat those forgotten larger areas like the arms and legs. Results can reveal tightening of the flabby skin under the arms and around the knees through increasing collagen levels.
{This is a sponsored post courtesy of Sanctuary Cosmetic Center. I was gifted products in exchange for this post.}

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MOTHER’S THERAPY ORGANIC HAND SANITIZERS

Even though I’m a diligent hand washer, I’ve never enjoyed using hand sanitizer. The primary reason I have never used hand sanitizer is how sticky and dry they make my hands feel. Mother’s Therapy Organics recently sent me samples and to my surprise, they’ve succeeded in making me a huge fan. The Mother’s Therapy Organic Hand Sanitizer is made of aloe vera, Echinacea, goldseal and lavender oil. Because of it’s 99.9% germ-kill ratio and just as importantly for kids, it’s quick-dry properties, they use natural alcohol as the active ingredient in their Kids Hand Sanitizer. The non-greasy hand sanitizer doesn’t dry out your hands because it leaves behind a skin-softening aloe vera-based lotion that absorbs into the skin. But, what I’m in love with is the fresh cucumber scent this product has. This sanitizer not only protects your hands from germs, it leaves your skin feeling soft, moisturized and smelling absolutely beautiful!

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BABY MANTRA SHAMPOO & BODY WASH AND CALMING LOTION

Looking for a shampoo and body wash that’s certified natural, began, cruelty free and even gluten free? Start your baby care right from the beginning!! This bundle set includes Newborn Shampoo, & Body Wash and Calming Lotion. This set is perfect for use on baby’s delicate skin and contains everything a new parent needs to keep baby clean, comfortable and happy!!! All Baby Mantra products are NPA certified, Organic, Natural and Gluten Free. The body wash is very creamy and rinses off very easily. The lotion was very light, smelled great and went on very smooth. The moisturizing elements lasted all day.

{Disclosure: I was provided a sample of Baby Mantra shampoo/body wash and calming lotion to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received.}

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BABY BLISS WITH ORICO LONDON

ORICO LONDON LITTLE LOVE BABY PRODUCTS

I love trying new beauty products on myself! But, when it comes to my kids–I’m very careful about what I put on their skin. As a general rule of thumb, I test it on my own sensitive skin for at least a week to see how it affects my skin before slathering on any new products on their delicate skin. My son Logan is the most sensitive with very dry flaky skin with a touch of eczema. However, after I used the full line of Orico London Little Love products on him, his skin actually improved! I am pleasantly surprised! It only takes about a dime size of the Gentle Soothing Body Wash to lather the entire body of a four year old and about a quarter size squeeze of the Protecting Baby Skin Balm. My kids actually really like the soft, honey and royal jelly scented fragrance of the products. It personally reminds me of the sweet smell of a beloved lady who used to own the local downtown pharmacy that I used to frequent as a child, a place my mom purchased all of my skin care products. Thankfully, products have come a very long way since then. OricoLondon products are free from parabens, are certified natural and organic, using pure, natural ingredients and are entirely free from Sulphates, DEA, PEGS, Petroleum, Mineral Oils, Artificial Fragrances and Colors, Silicones, TEA, formaldehyde releasing preservatives (quaternium 15, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-Diol), phthalates, propylene glycol, and 1,4-Dioxane. And Orico has the Ecocert guarantee, which gives me 100% peace of mind.

Gentle Soothing Wash

Wash with love. Little Love Gentle Soothing Wash is a certified organic baby wash with all-natural ingredients to cleanse and moisturize soft, sensitive baby skin. With neroli and coconut to calm and soothe your Little Loves this is perfect at bath time as a baby wash or shampoo. $19 To purchase, click here.

Protecting Baby Skin Balm

Soothe with love. Babies need love, protection and comfort to thrive and Little Love Protecting Baby Skin Balm is formulated with that in mind. An urban-perfect balance of all-natural ingredients including neroli, shea butter, castor and sunflower oils, this organic baby balm moisturizes and protects delicate baby skin and creates a sense of calm for Little Loves. Smooth on to soothe away a diaper rash for a happy, relaxed baby and a happy you! $24. To purchase, click here.

Nurturing Baby Massage Oil

Massage with love. Little Love Nurturing Baby Massage Oil is formulated specifically to nourish and protect baby’s skin. With neroli and rosehip oil to nurture and calm this soothing oil is perfect after baby’s bath. Using this oil is a relaxing way for mommy and baby to bond and a great way to protect a baby’s skin from the harsh winter elements. $35. To purchase, click here.

{Disclosure: I was provided samples of Orico London Little Love Baby to facilitate my review. However, all opinions are my own}

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BOTOX® Cosmetic is the go-to wrinkle treatment for millions of Americans. It’s been the top cosmetic procedure for 6 years running and there’s no close second. There are alternatives, Dysport® and XEOMIN®, but BOTOX commands the vast majority of the market.
The reasons for the popularity of BOTOX are pretty simple. In a culture that values youth, getting a few injections and then returning to work or meeting someone for lunch is easy and effective. It’s not exactly cheap, but the $300 to $500 most people pay for a treatment is worth trimming a few years off their appearance — and it’s a fraction of the cost of cosmetic surgery.
The relative ease of getting BOTOX treatments, however, has led to individuals assuming that just about anyone can perform the injections. In fact, BOTOX parties, although less common now than a few years ago, are still around. Friends gather at someone’s home, drink some wine, and have a guest injector provide BOTOX to the attendees. Sometimes the treatments are discounted.
Reducing a medical procedure to the equivalent of a social gathering, doctors says, devalues the risks inherent with any medical treatment. BOTOX injections are relatively safe when given by an experienced doctor, but complications do occur. Pain and bruising are the most common, but in the rare instance that something goes wrong, patients need a doctor in a medical office to treat them.
Besides the physical risks, patients may unwittingly be getting ripped off by injectors who either dilute the drug or use something that’s not BOTOX at all. Fake BOTOX (and other drugs) is a real threat, prompting the FDA to issue a warning to physicians last fall to beware of “rogue wholesale drug distributors.”
BOTOX and other neurotoxins are injected with precision into tiny muscles that are responsible for causing wrinkles around the eyes and forehead when we make facial expressions. The prescription drug blocks transmission of nerve signals to the muscles.
The Physicians’ Coalition for Injectable Safety (PCIS) states that at a minimum BOTOX should be injected by a registered nurse or physician assistant under the supervision of a qualified doctor who has prescribed the injection for you. Additionally, the organization states the patient should always have the option of requesting a doctor to perform their injection.
But too often, says one plastic surgeon, doctors don’t even see patients who come in for cosmetic injections.
Dr. Houtan Chaboki, a specialist with BOTOX injections and facelift surgery in Washington, D.C., told The New York Times that the growing trend of injections and other non-surgical cosmetic treatments being performed by physician assistants is concerning.
“They might be under physician supervision, but the physician may not even be in the room,” the surgeon told the newspaper in a story published last August. “They may just be reviewing the chart afterward.”
The concern that practitioners without enough training or experience are performing cosmetic injections prompted the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) to recommend that only physicians administer injectable soft tissue fillers (such as JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®) and neurotoxins, including BOTOX.
Exactly who can perform injections is regulated state to state, but all states require a healthcare professional to administer BOTOX. In England, where rules regulating who can administer cosmetic injections are more lax than in the U.S., the Royal College of Surgeons has pushed for allowing only trained doctors, nurses, and dentists to give BOTOX injections.
The bottom line for patients is to ensure that the person performing the injections is a qualified doctor or licensed RN or physician assistant. That’s especially important for anyone getting the treatments at a salon or day spa, which may not have a doctor directly supervising the staff on a daily basis.
Dr. Chaboki’s Offices are located at: 2021 K Street NW #206, Washington DC 20006 and at Sibley, 5215 Loughboro Road NW #210, Washington DC 20016. For more information, click here or visit www.potomacplasticsurgery.com.
{Disclosure: Compensation was provided in exchange for this sponsored post.}

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Minimergency Kits for Moms

To begin the New Year with the first of my Beauty Posts, I wanted to share a product with you that I absolutely love! It’s the Minimergency Kit by Pinch Provisions.
No one needs a Minimergency® Kit more than a mom. The Minimergency Kit for Moms contains anything a mom might need…IN A PINCH®. Includes 17 must-haves: lip balm, breath freshener, dental floss, emery board, clear elastics, earring backs, mending kit, stain remover, deodorant towelette, pain reliever, caffeine gum, facial tissues, adhesive bandages, hand sanitizing towelettes, thermometer, mini crayon set, and the smallest deck of playing cards you’ve ever seen. The sporty chic pouch features white transparent mesh and a black zipper. Measures 3.5″ x 2 ” x 2″. Pinch Provisions offers a large variety of Minimergency Kits for everyone including: Moms, Girls, Teachers, Bridesmaids, Brides, College Students, Grooms, Men, etc. Not only is this the perfect little pouch to carry around in your tote, gym bag or handbag–it is absolutely the perfect gift for everyone in your life. Click here for more information or how to purchase a Minimergency Kit for yourself or a loved one.
{Disclosure: The Minimergency Kit was gifted in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. }