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

Does Your Bra Fit?

If you're pregnant, gained weight, just had a baby, are breast-feeding, just stopped breast-feeding, just lost the baby-weight, or else just lost weight -- then probably not.

The expansion and contraction of boobs and ribcages during these processes can pose a real challenge to bra-shopping. Not to mention bra-wearing. The pinching, pulling, popping, poking, puckering - and that's just the bra.

Here is your solution: Two great bras that move and grow with you but still give great support.

The AHH Bra: These have no underwire at all but still give enough support to confidently wear in public. The fabric is very soft against the skin. These are good to sleep in as well. Sizes are according to shirt size, not regular bra-measurements. www.ahhbra.com or www.HSN.com

SPANX Bra-llelujah!: The Bra-llelujah! Soft Cup bra has no clasps and no underwire, so no pinching at all. It's an all hosiery bra with "give.' Very comfortable. Or you can chose the Bra-llelujah! Full Coverage Front-Close Underwire Bra. The elastic-free straps and hosiery back offer stretch and support at the same time. www.spanx.com or www.amazon.com

We wish someone had told us about these during our pregnancies!

xoxo Amalou Skin
http://www.amalouskin.com

Feel Good About Your Scent.

We adore the smell of perfumes, oils, fragrant scents of most kinds. It makes us feel pretty, feminine and is a great mood booster.

BUT, more and more we are reading that many chemicals found in traditional perfumes are potential neurotoxins, carcinogens, endocrine (hormone) disruptors, or else are environmental toxins. (See: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/toxic-effects-of-perfume.html; http://enjoysimplicity.com/2011/02/toxic-fragrance-in-your-perfume).

The good news is there are some very pretty lower-toxic options to consider.

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pacifica® French Lilac™ solid perfume ($9.00 at Sephora.com) and most other of the Pacifica solid perfume scents. (French Lilac Notes: lilac, magnolia leaves, heliotrope, ylang ylang, hyacinth, nectarine.)


Tocca® also makes two solid perfumes, Brigitte and Cleopatra, that smell pretty and feminine. (Brigitte Notes: Rhubarb, Papaya, Ginger, Rose, Iris, Saffron, Sandalwood, Musk. Cleopatra Notes: grapefruit, lush greens, white jasmine, tuberose, patchouli, golden amber, vanilla musk.)

Fresh® Sugar Lemon Eau de Parfume is also a low-toxic, great smelling option. (Notes: Italian lemon, mandarin, lychee flower, orange blossom, ginger flower.)

Smelling Good Sweat-Pea!
xoxo Amalou Skin
http://www.amalouskin.com

Time to Switch Up Your Make-Up Bag?

With the help of the EWG's SkinDeep Cosmetic Database, we've found a host of beauty products that score a 3 or less on the toxic scale. So you can feel good about what makes you feel pretty. Everything listed can be found at Sephora.com, Amazon.com or Target.

Self Tanners:
*Tarte Glam Gams Leg Bronzing Stick (about $30.00) (Score 1)
*Josie Maran Argan Bronzing Oil (about $52.00) (score: 2)
****Neutrogena Sun Fresh Foam (about $15.00) (Score: 4: If you really want to look tan and don't mind the higher Score)

Foundation:
*CARGO Liquid Foundation Wet/Dry Foundation (about $32.00) (Score: 0)

Mineral Makeup Foundation:
*Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Origin Pressed Powder, Buff Beige Organics (foundation) (about $12.00) (Score 1)

*Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation, (about $25.00) (Score: 1)
*Cover FX Powder FX Mineral Powder Foundation, (about $35.00) (Score: 2)
*Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15, (about $35.00) (Score: 3)

Tinted Moisturizers:
*Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Tinted Moisturizer (about $10.00) (Score: 3)
*Stila Sheer Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free, SPF 30 (About $25.00) (score: 3)

Eyes: Concealer:
*Jane Iredale Active Eye Concealer (about $16.00) (Score: 1)
*Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Well Rested for Eyes (eye shadow/concealer) (about $18.00) (Score:1)
*Juice Beauty Correcting Concealer (about $22.00) (Score: 2)
*NARS Concealer (about $22.00) (Score: 3)

Eyes: Eyeliner:
*Boots No. 7 Amazing Eyes Pencil (about $7.00) (Score: 1)
*Josie Maran Cosmetics Eye Liner (pencil, NOT liquid) (about $18.00) (Score: 1)
*Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Liner (about $7.00) (Score: 2)
*Korres Eyeliner pencil (about $16) (Score: 2)

Eyes: Eyeshadow
*theBalm Overshadow 100% Mineral Makeup Eye Shadow (about $8.00) (Score: 1)
*Boots No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow Palette (about $8) (Score: 2)
*Smashbox Eyeshadow (about $16.00) (Score: 2/3)

Mascara:
*Boots No7 Maximum Volume Mascara, Brown/Black (about $8.00) (Score 2)
*Smashbox Bionic Mascara, Jet Black (about $20.00) (Score: 2)
*Korres Mascara (about $18.00) (Score: 3)

Blush:
*Smashbox O Glow Intuitive Cheek Color (blush) (about $26.00) (Score: 0)
*Jane Iredale In Touch Cream Blush (about $26.00) (Score 1)
*Juice Beauty Glowing Cheek Color (about $16.00) (Score: 2)
*Bare Escentuals bareMinerals All-Over Face Color ($18.00) (Score: 2)
*TheBalm Down Boy (Blush/Shadow) (about $26.00) (Score: 2)

Lipstick/Lip gloss:
*Boots No7 Mineral Perfect Lipstick (about $7.00) (Score: 0)
*Smashbox O-PLUMP Intuitive Lip Plumper with Goji Berry-C Complex (lip plumper) (about $24.00)(Score : 1)
*Burt's Bees Super Shiny Lip Gloss and Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss (natural color set) (about $7.00)(Score: 2)
*Mally Beauty Lipstick (about $15.00) (Score: 2)
*Mally Beauty New Naturals Lipveil (about $15.00) (Score: 2)

Lip Balm:
*Softlips Organic Lip Balm, Pure Pomegranate (about $3.00) (Score: 1)
*Alba Botanica Hawaiian: Lip Balm (about $4.00) (Score: 1)
*Juice Beauty Organic Lip Moisturizer (about $15.00) (Score: 1)

Happy Shopping!
xoxo Amalou Skin
http://www.amalouskin.com
For more lists on less-toxic products See:

http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=personal

Skin Care Takes Time

You need to give your skin care regimen time. NOTHING works over night. Your skin needs at least two weeks to settle into the routine and to give the products a chance to work.

Follow these basic steps:

* Cleanse/exfoliate.
* After washing your face, PAT dry, do not rub.
* Use alcohol-free toner, especially if you suffer from break-outs.
* MOISTURIZE - always.
* Use sunscreen every day.

If you work out: wash your face BEFORE you work out, so that residual products don't clog pores while you sweat.

As affirmation, check out Dr. Schultz/DermTV on YouTube.com: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ4rduiq-7I

xoxo Amalou Skin.

Run It. Walk It. Move It.

If you're okay, we're okay. But if you've been thinking about it for more than a month, than it's time. To Start Exercising.

We suggest running or walking. Four times a week. Not a killer-routine either: 30-40 minutes max. Outside if you can. But inside on a treadmill works too.  It's not an expensive commitment and the routine is a slave to your schedule, not the other way around.

We say this because its good for your mind and your over-all well-being. Not because we're advocating dramatic weight loss or body transformation - though with time, that's a possible bonus outcome.

When you exercise, your mind produces endorphins, which help combat stress, anxiety and depression. So just a little bit of movement will help elevate your mood. No dramatic changes - just a little boost. Which is what most of us need.

If you've just had a baby and you're not in your comfort zone- mentally or physically- give yourself a month. Then start moving. Take your baby in a jogger and go for a half-hour walk. Then move your way up to a half-hour jog. Babies love motion. If they cry, stop, hold-them, breast-feed them if that's what's called for; bottle feed them if that's where you're at. Whatever. Then start again. If it doesn't work out the first time, don't get discouraged. Just try again the next day.

Excuse-Busters:

I don't want to spend a lot of money on this- I don't know if I'll even stay with it.

Running shoes at Target cost $28.00 and they're made by a leading athletic foot wear company. Target and Walmart also sell athletic clothes and jog bras.

I'm nursing.

Check out La Leche League's Hi-Impact Sports Bra (about $27.00. Prices vary regionally). Walmart and Target also sell nursing sports bras (about $17.00-$27.00).

Pack in your stroller: water; sun block; diaper & wipes; nursing cover. You can get a really pretty nursing cover at BéBé au Lait: www.bebeaulait.com

If you can't get outside and you're not afraid of a small investment:

HSN sells treadmills on their FlexPay program (payment installments) so that you can pay a smaller amount and get the machine home, paying off the entire cost in about 6 installments. Of course prices for machines vary, but there are usually FlexPay options that start at about $140.00. Also, the HSN website and shows will often offer free-shipping.

WE LOVE to watch running DVDs from VirtualActive . They are virtual videos of running and hiking trails throughout some of the most beautiful places in the country - the next best thing to actually being there. And they keep you interactive with your work-out, so that you'll actually stick with it. Purchase one of four running DVDs or four hiking DVDs for about $20.00 on their website: www.vafitness.com

IF you do decide to stick with walking or running, we suggest treating yourself to some 15Love Apparel. The clothes are super-comfy and cute. And we LOVE the website which has a playlist of suggested music to move to. www.15loveapparel.com

Finally, if you want to do good while you move, join the Curves for Change ("C4C") 5K Run/Walk at 7PM, Thursday May 19, 2011 in NYC, at 103rd Street and Riverside Drive (or sponsor a participant). C4C supports the empowerment of women and girls.

The money raised from this event will support two organizations, The Komera Project (www.komeraproject.org) and Hardy Girls, Healthy Women (www.hghw.org).  To sponser a participant in the 5/9/11 5k event, go to www.crowdrise.com , type in C4C in their search box and click on the event to donate as little or as much as you want.

xoxo Amalou Skin