Forever and Ever and Ever and Ever

The smell of vanilla instantly takes me back to 1989, in the kitchen of my childhood home. I'm baking homemade chocolate chip cookies with my brother and my mom. Always a loving, selfless sister, I never fought my brother over the licking of the mixing spoon. Why? Because while he was busy smearing raw dough all over his mug, I was sneaking spoonfuls of vanilla extract into my mouth! I promise, it never made me sick. (Okay, there was that one time...)

Lavanila Laboratories Forever Frangrance Oil in vanilla grapefruit takes me back to this dear memory of mine, with strong, sweet notes of vanilla, married with a balancing citrus, giving this classic flavor a mature, delicate blend.

I love the rollerball application too-I can't help but wonder how I could have worked a rollerball full of vanilla extract into my mouth back in the day...

What Rhymes with Biore? GIVEAWAY!!!!

Peanut Butter loves Jelly and Spaghetti adores a good Meatball. like Cereal and Milk, Biore's Acne Fighting Cleansers and Deep Cleansing Pore Strips are the perfect pair, one makes the other better! 

If you asked any one of theses duos, I am certain they would confess that they simply could not live without their counterpart. So, we at Brainy Beautys ask: What is it that YOU simply cannot live without?

Tweet your love to #JustCantLiveWithout by August 11th, 7pm (eastern). Our editors will award their fave, most heartfelt chirp with a free Biore set including a 6.77 ounce bottle of Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser and a box of 14 Deep Cleansing Pore Strips!

Tweet on, peeps! 

You Cheeky Cow!

Cowshed is an England based line of holistic products and treatments that originated in... drum roll please... a cow shed!

They feature natural botanicals from sustainable resources containing the highest quality oils and guarantee the following extensive karma boosting list:

• No Parabens 
• No Petrochemicals (petroleum bi-products)
• No Sulphates (artificial foaming agents)
• No Animal Ingredients (spare a little organic beeswax and wildflower honey)
• No Artificial Fragrancing or Colours
• No Animal Testing (not now, not ever)  

They were gracious enough to pass two of their indulgent products my way and as soon as they arrived I planned a relaxing home spa experience.

 Left: Cowshed Knackered Cow Relaxing Bath & Body Oil, $31

Right: Gorgeous Cow Blissful Bath and Shower Gel, $25

The Gorgeous Cow Blissful Bath & Shower Gel is truly delicious. It features "Madagascan Ylang Ylang, Moroccan Rose and Indian Palmarosa to evoke happiness and French Lavender and Linden blossom to soothe." It's a sophisticated shower treat to wind down a hectic day, or even to use in the bath for a relaxing soak.

The Knackered Cow (love it!) Relaxing Bath & Body Oil is unlike any other product I've experienced. I actually have never used a bath oil before... I felt as though it necessitated a vintage silk kimono, martini, bouffant and long cigarette holder. And maybe some jazz in the background? In other words- it felt super posh to draw a bath and pour in some exquisitely smelling bath oil. The bath water itself also felt different- richer and thicker, and you could see some oil beads on the top. After rinsing off and patting dry, my skin felt hella soft and lightly scented.

I'm also a sucker for pretty packaging and Cowshed definitely delivers there too. 

If you're looking to up the ante on your shower and bath rituals, definitely take a trip to the Cowshed!

Cowshed is available at Barneys New York, Barneys.com and Cowshed.com

Can I Get an Amen?!

Relais and Chateaux Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel & Spa was born of a shared passion for the convent and for the beautiful region of Provence. 




I'm not one for mass, and if you offered me a million bucks I wouldn't be able to name the current Pope is (Francis? John? Kanye?), but using Le Couvent des Minimes collection is one religious experience I can get behind!

Le Couvent des Minimes is a product line of natural skincare, fragrance, and bath and body formulas founded on the heritage and traditions of the convent of Mane. It was built 400 years ago in the village of Mane in the south of France to shelter the botanist monks of the Minims, who used their extensive knowledge of plants to tend a garden of curative herbs and flowers. Centuries later, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary continued the monks' original convention of cultivating beneficial ingredients to help strengthen and restore those in need in their community.

Each formula is crafted using age-old phytotherapy (that's something with plants!) and aromatherapy (but way better than spinster candles!) practices honed over centuries, blending effective ingredients to nourish and replenish. Plus, the packaging is fantastically gorgeous and the company also donates 1% of total sales to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary association to support health and childhood projects.

Preach!

I was fortunate enough to sample three of the extensive product offerings: The Complete Moisturizing Cream, Eau des Minimes Botanical Fragrance, and the Smile Lip Balm Honey, Rich Formula. My breakdown, dear beauty parishioners:

1) Complete Moisturizing Cream: I just want to tote this jar around in my purse and pull it out and use it everywhere to show everyone how fancy I am (and then subsequently fall right on my face). Firstly, it smells amazing. Secondly, even though it's a rich formula it doesn't feel heavy on the skin and sinks right in. Thirdly, its active extracts of four beneficial roses and hydrating grapeseed oil make skin look radiant and feel ridiculously soft. (1.7oz, $33)

2) Smile Lip Balm Honey, Rich Formula: What's not to love?! It's packed with softening honey extract, nourishing shea butter, beeswax and royal jelly. Load up that kisser! (0.5oz, $13.50)

3) Eau de Minimes Botanical Fragrance: If you read this blog at all (and dammit you had BETTER), you would know that I am quite a picky b when it comes to fragrances. So when I tell you how I OBSESSED I am with this and that it smells like sunshine and rainbows and freshness and wonder, you had best believe it is capital L-O-V-E. It's my new daily go-to and is so perfect for the summer and early fall. Praise be! Besides my expert opinion it might also be helpful to know that it includes a mix of lemon, blood orange, and grapefruit, as well as seven plants selected for their beneficial properties. (16.9 fl oz, $69; 8.75 fl oz, $49; 3.4 fl oz, $38; 1 fl oz, $14)

The full Le Couvent des Minimes collection is available at usa.lecouventdesminimes.com and select items at ULTA Beauty.

All photos courtesy Tractenberg & Co.

A Fragrant Buffet

A brief history of my scents sense:

Middle School: GAP Dream and Love's Baby Soft (classics!)
High School: Bath & Body Works assorted body sprays (too many to count!)
College: Lancome Oui (sadly discontinued!)
Post-College: Dior Addict 2 (totally designer you guys!)
Post-Post College: Marc Jacobs Daisy (Ahhh smells SO good, I still wear it on the daily!)

Clearly I am a devoted donner of habit when it comes to perfumes and something has to truly move me to make it my everyday aroma. Out of the eight offerings in Avon's arsenal, I can honestly say I found one winner and a lot of okays.

Unplugged: Too creamy and got to be a bit much the longer I had to smell it.

Outspoken by Fergie: Started off a bit much but dried really nice into its notes of black leather.

Outspoken Intense by Fergie: She should've kept this one to herself. Too fruity and flowery!

Far Away: Too sweet at first, but settles and dries into something rather lovely.

Far Away Exotic: Would be nice for a date night, but too much for daily wear. 

Rare Pearls: Powdery and feminine, it dries to nice amber notes. This one was my runner-up fave.

Secrets to Keep: These names are ridiculous, no? Although this scent was ok.
 
And now my winner:

Step Into Sexy:  Cheesy name, great fragrance and my favorite by far! It's violet leaf and golden amber make it a perfect choice for a seductive date night.

You can find these scents and more online at Avon.com

Pure BIOBLISS

Like, OMG! It's the "new anti-aging advancement in skin care!"

Hallelujah! Woot woot! Yeeeeeee-haw! Wheeeeeeee!

I mean, come on- every new anti-aging product/system/treatment/etc makes this claim. And as mentioned in previous posts, I am a, shall we say, maturing woman (what? 30 is no 19 people!) and therefore increasingly down with experimenting with the latest wrinkle preventing lotions and potions. But I am also increasingly realizing that most all include fantastic, fancy ingredients that will indeed improve the look and feel of skin long term. So when it comes down to it, you really just have to find something that you love and that you feel works for you. Perhaps that something will be BIOBLISS.

The BIOBLISS System offers a range of products in order to prepare skin and extend the anti-aging effectiveness of its treatments:

Clean: This mild and refreshing cleanser includes calming cucumber extract, Aloe Vera and skin protecting antioxidant Vitamin E. Plus, it smells awesome and left my face feeling super clean.

Srub: I had no idea this was even an exfoliating scrub until after I used it (labels?! who needs em'!?) because it was so extremely gentle. Once I read the packaging (those blasted labels again!), I discovered that it's derived from coconut, olive, macadamia nut, sunflower and avocado. Nothing abrasive about any of those!

Lock It In Serum: This was my least fave of the bunch. Personally, it smelled funny and had a weird texture. And it's specially matched to the Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Patch, of which I did not receive a sample. HARRUMPH! (But my skin did feel super soft after using it.)

Hydrate Lotion: My oh my did my face feel soft and supple after using this! La-la-la-loved! I did feel though that it is better suited to fall/winter months, as it was a bit thick for the current hot and humid Michigan climate. At $60 a pop it's an investment, but definitely a splurge-worthy pick!

To learn more about BIOBLISS, these and other products visit www.biobliss.com

Listen to Your Mama

We at Brainy Beautys hunt for intelligent and attractive products on the daily, so when a treat like Mama Mio's Mighty Moisture comes along, we cannot help but find ourselves with the happiest of happy faces!

What gets me most excited about products by Mama Mio is the mission of four brilliant women to provide feelings of gorgeousness for other sexy mamas by using only the best ingredients. All Mama Mio gems come in bright, cheery packaging that provides a snapshot of the company's history and intention, a bit of info on the goodies inside, as well as a few hidden positive affirmations. 

Mighty Moisture is packed with massive strength, including proteins, peptides, and humectants intended to plump, hydrate, firm, and balance your skin. It's like a trip to the smoothie bar for your face!! This beautifully scented (seriously-the smell alone of this stuff takes my brain to a 5 star spa!!) lotion goes on smoothly and lightly and there are instant moisturizing effects once applied. 

A bonus feature to this (like many products by Mama Mio) moisturizer is the "Little book of confidence" that is tucked inside. This pumped up pamphlet includes several exercises (think: facial yoga!) to help rehab your facial muscles, tighten your skin, and increase Mighty Moisture's mightiness!