http:/www.amalouskin.com. We never thought we'd find it! Aluminum-free, paraben-free deodorant that actually works.

Why were we looking you ask? Because aluminum acts to block the pores that cause sweat. Except that your body is then prohibited from performing its natural function of ridding itself of toxins.

We've also heard that aluminum, parabens and/or other chemicals contained in many anti-perspirant deodorants may be linked to potential health risks. (Neurotoxicity; cancer; Alzheimer's? Um, no thank you.)

But let's face it. Pretty much all of the stuff out there has failed miserably --either from reducing odor or prohibiting that feeling of sweaty pits. And most "natural" deodorants have a slimy texture or else they're a dry rock-like contraption that you're supposed to scratch your under-arms with... a rock?!

Now Hallelujah! We found two Crystal Deodorant Roll-Ons that actually work--In summer heat! (Remember, the operative word being Roll-On.)  We tested them over Memorial Day Weekend--a scorcher here in the North East. No dripping, no smelling. Amazing. Our quest is finally over!  Crystal® Body Deodorant Roll-On or Naturally Fresh® Deodorant Crystal Roll-On, both about $4.00 at Walgreens, CVS or amazon.com.

Still can't take the leap from traditional anti-perspirant deodorants? Then try these lower-toxic choices: Almay Unscented, Roll-On, Clear Gel or Solid; Unscented Lady Mitchum Clear Gel; Mitchum Clear Gel, Sport; Ban Original Roll-On, Unscented; Speed Stick Solid, Unscented.

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/74569
http://www.suite101.com/content/aluminum-in-deodorant-a45498http://green-living.families.com/blog/is-your-deodorant-safe
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse.php?category=antiperspirant%3B%3Bdeodorant&&showmore=products&start=0

Do Your Hands Look Old?

So did ours.

Try this Do-It-Yourself Hand Scrub. The sugar exfoliates dead skin cells while the olive oil sinks in to nourish, moisturize and rejuvenate. Use it once a week. It works, it feels fantastic and you can make it yourself in no time at low cost. You probably have most of this stuff in your kitchen already.

Lemon Hand Scrub

Mix 2 1/2 Cups of Sugar with 1 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add in 4 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice (or any other scented essential oils that you may like. For example: lavender or spearmint).

Mix really well until a gritty paste forms. Spoon into a glass container and cover with a sealed lid. Makes 12oz. (We suggest putting in a 12oz Mason Jar.)

Bonus for Body and just in time for Summer:  Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Mix 2 Cups of Brown Sugar and 1 Cup of Granulated Sugar together until there are no lumps. Add in 1 Cup of Sunflower or Safflower Oil. Add 1 Tablespoon of Pure Vanilla Extract. (Sunflower Oil or Safflower Oil don't carry as strong a scent as Olive Oil, but you can use Olive Oil if you prefer.)

Mix together well and scoop into a sealable glass container with sealed lid.  Fantastic for tan legs.

Not into doing it yourself? Try Giovanni® Sugar Scrub, Hot Chocolate (about $9.00 on Amazon.com) or Fresh® Brown Sugar Body Polish (about $65.00 at Sephora)

Summer Reading

There was something about the 7th month of pregnancy that made us voracious for the quick read. Maybe it was our enlarged size, making us slow and sleepy--so that nothing sounded better than feet up on the couch with a good book. Or maybe it was the approaching change of life that made us want to escape our own for a wee bit.

To combat the slightly stressed mood of impending birth, only the easy-breezy is recommended. Here's a suggested start of oldies but goodies:

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Bangkok 8 by John Burdett (we recommend the entire series of these books)

Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins

Freddy and Fredericka by Mark Helprin

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Happy Summer Reading!

xoxo Amalou Skin

Flipping Over These Perfume Bottles!

We can't help it.... we're suckers for packaging and we just LOVE these perfume bottles!

The Hamsa mystical amulet, featured on the bottle, is a symbol of good luck and brings prosperity, while scaring away evil. The scent is inspired by Morocco where East meets West. Notes of white lotus, frankincense, black currant and coffee.  http://www.hamsa-perfume.com/

On a totally different spectrum: Crabtree & Evelyn brings us its Floral Fragrance collection, with single notes pronounced in Lily, Lavender, Rosewater and Iris. These bottles are so pretty and feminine we just can't stand it!
http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com/eng/categories/collections/rosewater

xoxo Amalou Skin

Music Soothes the Savage Beast

We couldn't do without it....Pandora.com and lullaby versions of adult music for our beastly beauty babies.

Pandora literally rocks, because all you have to do is think of a song you are currently in love with. Or else remember a loved song from your own childhood (like This Land is Your Land or Free to Be You and Me). Type it in, and then Pandora creates a radio station with similar songs - all just for you. Your own station, tailor-made for your taste.

We listen to our "Free to Be" Pandora station with our kids every morning when we eat breakfast... We've discovered great children's music from Jerry Garcia ("3 Men Go A Hunting", "Hopalong Peter") and Kira Willey ("Caterpillar, Caterpillar"--her Fireflies album of musical yoga for kids-- fantastic!). And finally, Matt the Electrician ("Little Hands"), just to name a few. We enjoy the songs as much as our kids do.

But the most wonderful thing of all? For naptime, stack your playlist with lullaby versions of Coldplay, the Beatles, John Mayer, Bob Marley, Simon & Garfunkle, Journey... Works every time and the songs don't drive you nuts. Lullabies for everyone!

xoxo Amalou Skin

Try This!

TRY THESE SUNSCREENS:

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid. Fast absorbing, matte finish for normal to combination skin: Goes on awesome over your regular moisturizer - it is perfect for work-outs because it doesn't run into your eyes. It doesn't smell too "chemically" or "sunscreen-y". Doesn't leave that whitish look on your skin after application (ie you don't have to rub your face off trying to rub this in).

Kiss My Face's new Face Factor SPF 50 Sunscreen for face and neck with antioxidants, peptides, cucumber, green tea and licorice extracts. Sounds awesome right? Available at Whole Foods and www.kissmyface.com.

Mineral option: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream for face and body.

Mineral option: Johnson & Johnson's Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 40. For kids all-over and adult bodies

TRY THESE GOOD MAKE-UP TIPS TO MAXIMIZE SPF COVERAGE:

Sweep SPF powder over your regular SPF and makeup : deflects light and gives a nice finish to your makeup.

Try: ColoreScience Wild to Mild Primer SunReliable Skin Bronzer SPF 20, Colorescience Pro Sunforgettable SPF 30 Powder Brush or Physicians Formula Solar Powder Pressed Powder, Light Bronzer, SPF 20

Tinted Moisturizer: Stila Sheer Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free, SPF 30

SPF Lip balms:

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm Lemon and Chamomile, SPF 25

Alba Botanica TerraTint, SPF 8, in all the pretty colors: Blaze; Bloom, Dawn, Garnet, Sienna, and Sunset at http://www.amazon.com/

SunPretty!

xoxo Amalou Skin

The food you eat or don't eat may be inflaming your skin.

According to wives' tales (or more aptly known as common sense), consider the following:

Stop consuming foods which may exacerbate acne: Dairy; chocolate; and refined sugar.

Stop smoking--for your complexion and a host of other reasons.

Try drinking herbal peppermint tea. Besides aiding digestion, easing heartburn and relieving nausea, mint tea may also help your complexion. If your body isn't digesting properly, then toxins are diverted to your skin as the body tries to eliminate them through your pores, which may cause blemishes. Drinking mint tea to flush out impurities counter-acts this effect. (See www.newbeauty.com/dailybeauty/entry.aspx?id=3625)

Also, try eating foods that have beneficial effects on your skin: Cherries, bananas, kiwi, citrus, wheat germ, nuts, tomatoes, leafy greens, broccoli and salmon.

You know, you are what you eat.

xoxo Amalou Skin