In addition to The Scented Life, I’m also a writer at Dating Dames.  A DD reader recently mentioned reading an article about the four things that a man is looking at when he first notices you. Apparently, one of the ways you can catch his attention is to have clean, pretty hands. The reader mentioned that she is a nail biter and she wanted to work on beautifying her hands. 

Hhmm, that got me thinking…… We’ve got a whole network of experts here on the b5media Beauty and Style Channel. 

SpaBeautifully suggests a combination of frequent manicures and the use of Develop 10 nail products. For details on how the Develop 10 system works, click here.

Aly, at eBeauty Daily suggests exfoliating, “….then, before bed, mix avocado oil and primrose oil in equal parts, apply a few drops to hands and feet, cover with gloves and socks, and go to sleep.”  This is just one of 24 tips Aly shares in her post “24 Steps to Look Younger in 24 Hours.” 

Liberty, at the Teen Style Lounge shares a quick tip for setting your polish in a hurry…….”After smoothing on your polish, allow your nails to air dry for one minute, then dip them in ice water for 3 minutes. The cold water will essentially freeze-dry your polish.” 

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As your nails grow out, keep them smooth by filing in one direction only, with a good quality emery board. Avoid picking at your cuticles and use a good moisturizer to keep the skin around your nails healthy.

Growing up, my lovely mom always kept her nails neatly shaped and painted a light color - usually a frosty white or very light pink color. She used a rose-scented moisturizer that I haven’t seen in years, but Jurlique has something similar in their new Rose Hand Cream. It’s an intense moisturizer that uses rose, calendula, and viola in it’s unique formula.

Develop 10 image credit - Amazon.com

Jurlique hand cream image - Sephora.com

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One, why don’t we say phrases like “amongst” in California?  It flows so much sweeter than “among” does. 

Two, I haven’t given any thought to what I’d like for Christmas, but if I had my wishes, it would be something that made me feel very girly - soft and fragrant, just the way my guy likes me.  He is always sniffing me and then going , “Mmm…” I love it.

I believe that Steve and I would both enjoy the results of using this………..

The Amazing Grace Layering Collection ($72 Value)
What it is:
A three-piece Amazing Grace fragrance gift set.

What it does:
Give gracefully this holiday season. The Amazing Grace Layering Collection features Philosophy’s best-selling fragrance in a picture-perfect package. The gift of Grace is ideal for someone who wants to smell clean and beautifully feminine.

What else you need to know:
This collection includes an 8.0 oz Perfumed Shampoo, Shower Gel, &Bubble Bath; a 4.0 oz Perfumed Shimmer Body Lotion; and a 2.0 oz Spray Fragrance, all in an elegant pink keepsake box.

If you run into my guy, I’d appreciate you passing the hint on to him.  He’s kind of clueless when it comes to gifts.  ;D

Image credit: Sephora.com

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Let the sunshine in with the Marc Jacobs Daisy Gift Set. This charming fragrance set transports you to the playfully innocent world of Daisy. At the heart of Daisy is a lady-like floral with a vintage edge. Sophisticated violet captures the eclectic, feminine Marc Jacobs flavor, and adds a touch of whimsy. Daisy is always elegant, always enchanting, but not too serious—a sparkling bouquet that wraps spirited freshness in comfort and warmth.

This Sephora-exclusive set includes a 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Spray and a 0.02 oz mod gold Solid Perfume Ring in a delightful gold pouch.

Notes:
Strawberry, Violet Leaves, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Gardenia, Violet Petals, Jasmine Petals, Musk, Vanilla, White Woods.
Style:
Sunny. Happy. Free.

When you visit Sephora.com, don’t forget to sign up for the Sephora’s Wish Come True Sweepstakes. The first step is to become a registered Beauty Insider.  Each week they are gifting one Beauty Insiders their special beauty product gift wish. It’s an up to $300 value. When you sign up for Sephora’s Beauty Insider, you receive regular notifications clueing you into special savings, special offers, and a yearly birthday offer. Click here for official rules and information.

I’m a member of Sephora’s Beauty Insider’s program and I get regular emails with great offers in them.  I got an Insiders offer in today’s email for an adorable, white, mini train case packed with 15 samples.  It’s free when you spend $25 online.  If you are interested in this offer, be sure to enter the code BEAUTYBOX at checkout.

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This week I had the opportunity to sample some products from Merlot USA. 

I was very excited to try the Merlot Divine Eau de Parfum Spray. My oldest daughter was home when the mail arrived and we quickly spritzed ourselves.  I liked it. It’s a fresh, light fragrance. I think it had an “earthy” quality to it.

I hope they decide to come out with a candle, because it would make a great home fragrance, as well. We all liked the bottle.  It is tall, thin, and can be used later for a bud vase. 

I had seven ladies try the fragrance. Five of them loved it, one liked it, and one was not a fan. I’d say that six out of seven is pretty good.  One of the testers had this to say, “It’s a nice, light scent, that would be best suited for a romantic date. Your date would want to move in close.”   

Merlot Divine

Merlot also sent me some of their Grape Seed Moisturizer.  I loved it. I’m 42. I have combination skin and occasional breakouts (not fair - there should be a law against having to live with grey hair and pimples at the same time) my skin can be tricky.  This moisturizer has a light feel, but delivers some serious moisture, and it did not break me out. It has a nice soft scent (it’s the inspiration for the Merlot Divine scent). My daughter, Bailey, who is sixteen, tried the moisturizer. Again - no breakouts. 

Merlot has a large selection of skincare products and they are all very reasonably priced.  I am going to look into their eye cream.  I’ve been in the market for a new eye cream.  

Grape Seed Moisturizer

Image credit - Merlot USA Skincare

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Kenzo Parfums is celebrating 20 years by re-launching their website, www.kenzousa.com. 

On Monday, November 17th, the newly re-designed Kenzousa.com will be unveiled.  To celebrate the occasion, Kenzo Parfums is inviting you to their first ever Friends and Family Anniversary Event between Monday, November 17th and November 24th, where you will receive 20% off your entire purchase! 

 Remember to use the savings code 08family when placing your order!

Image credit: Kenzo Parfums

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This from GlamBlush:

Each in a metallic flask-like bottle, with the signature bunny engraved on top, the four scents incorporate oriental themes, citrus, mint, sandalwood and musk. Whether a high-rolling daredevil, seductive and sexy, athletic, or red-carpet ready, one thing’s for certain; if you wear Press To Play, you’ll always get the car, the cash, and the girl. Speaking of just that, on hand for the celebration were the Girls Next Door, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson.

To find out which version of the new Playboy fragrance is right for you or the man in your life, click on Playboy Fragrances and “Press to Play.”

Vegas Playboy

Heart notes: lavendar, jasmine, geranium

Head notes: Apple, basil, tea

Base notes: Musk, Vanilla, Tonka, Georgywood

Hollywood Playboy

Heart notes: lavendar, rosewood, jasmine, cedarwood

Head notes: Mandarin, thyme, bergamot, elemi

Base notes: vetiver, musk, warm amber, vanilla, sandalwood

Miami Playboy

Heart notes: rosewood, cyclamen, jasmine

Head notes: bergamot, leafy green, apple, ozone

Base notes: musk, amber, cedarwood

Malibu Playboy

Heart notes: cedar, jasmine, coriander, iris

Head notes: citrus, apple, mint, leafy green, verbena, neroli

Base notes: musk, tonka, sandalwood,  cashmere woods

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Do you live near any of these stores? 

• Bloomingdale’s San Francisco
• Bloomingdale’s Michigan Avenue, Chicago
• Bloomingdale’s Beverly Center, Los Angeles
• Bloomingdale’s Soho, New York City
• Bloomingdale’s 59th St, New York City

If you do, then get over there quick, because today is the first day of Benefit’s B-Spot Scavenger Hunt.  Prizes include a $200 shopping spree from Benefit cosmetics, a $200 Bloomingdale’s electronic gift card, and 15 lucky winners will receive a full sized bottle of Benefit’s new scent, B Spot.

Bloomingdales.com describes B Spot ….

Every gals got one (a few, actually)b spots, that is. Awaken your most seductive pulse points with this new fragrance from Benefit. Its a sexy combo of lush mango; faster, faster, freesia; provocative peony & steamy sandalwoodand dont forget to shake, shake, shake your amber, baby!

A scavenger hunt sounds fun.  Kind of like an Easter egg hunt for grown-ups. I can remember slumber party scavenger hunts from my pre-teen years - hitting the neighbors up for a yellow #2 pencil or a pink tennis ball. Did you and your friends do that? Good times…….  

If you are interested in getting in on the fun, here’s more information:

Benefit’s B-Spot Scavenger Hunt

November 13, 2008 - November 15, 2008

All Day

Join Benefit in the B-Spot Nationwide Scavenger Hunt at Bloomingdale’s. Find a hidden magnifying glass and become an instant winner. Hurry, prizes must be claimed by November 15 at the Benefit Cosmetics Counter.

Image credit - Bloomingdales.com

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Ingredients are very simple:

2 cups Sea Salt

2 cups Epsom Salt

15 drops essential oil (I usually use Lavendar)

food coloring (optional)

 Lavendar oil has a very relaxing scent.  It is one of my favorites.  In fact, one of my dreams is to operate a Lavendar farm someday.  I grow it on my patio, which is something I will get into in a post later on.  Some other choices include a citrus blend  (energizing) or eucalyptus (relaxing).

 Pour the salts in a bowl and add the oil drops.  The drops are strong and are not meant for direct full-strength contact, so mix them in carefully with a wooden spoon, not your hands.

 You can add color to your salt for decorative purposes. I usually leave mine plain white, but I used a green/blue combination here, so that you can see how it works. I used 2 drops of blue food coloring and 2 drops of green.  Then, I mixed it through, just like I did the scented oil.

It takes a few minutes, but eventually you get a nice even color.  Store the salt in a covered container.  That’s it! Easy, wasn’t it?  

Images credit - Michelle Smith

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The Beauty Counter Blog has this to say about Pomegranates:

POMEGRANATE/ (pom-a-gran-it)/ n./ 1. A biblical fruit native to the Mediterranean region, with a reddish rind, sweet aromatic scent, and filled with hundreds of edible seeds; / 2. A traditional representation of fertility, pomegranate is packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals, which can age the skin, e.g., “Modern goddesses continue to enjoy the natural, youth-enhancing properties of pomegranate, a beauty staple from the cradle of Western Civilization.”

The anti-oxidants in Pomegranates make it an excellent ingredient in skin care products.  Burt’s Bees features it in many of their products including their Naturally Ageless Night Creme. 

If you are a bath lover, Ortigia Sicilia Pomegranate Bath Oil, a product of Sicily is available at At Home On Main Street. 

Moisturizer image credit - Burt’s Bees 

Bath Oil image credit - At Home On Main Street

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I know it’s still a little early for Holiday shopping, but if you are like me, you have quite a few November birthdays to cover.  I have my mom, my nephew, my dad, and my girls each have a couple of friends.  I like to put together something cute and fun for these people whose birthdays tend to get overlooked in the pre-holiday rush. 

 For example, for my daughter’s friend Brooke, we picked out a pink flower-print purse, silver wallet, Lip Smackers Coca Cola lip gloss set, foldable purse/mirror combo, and a Hello Kitty pen that changes colors.  She turned 11 and that can be a tough age to buy for - feeling a little too old for toys, but not a teen yet. I am happy to say that I got a call from the party - Brooke telling me that she loved the gift. Yay!!   

Are you looking for something cute and special to give as a gift?  Or maybe as a treat for yourself?  Then, take a look at this adorable clip on solid creme perfume from Vera Wang.  If you purchase it from Sephora now, you can get free shipping by entering the code GIFTY at checkout.

Here’s a detailed explanation of the perfume charm from Sephora:

Princess Sparkling Creme Perfume
Created for the playful, unpredictable, independent woman who treats every day like an event and adventure. This is a woman who likes to make her own magic, this sheer, flirty blend of water lily, lady apple, mandarin meringue, and golden apricot skin are melded with sheer floral notes, accented with dark chocolate, and finished with a pink frosting accord, amber, warm woods, musk, and vanilla–a whimsical treat.

This charm-ing perfume solid easily attaches to a key chain, purse, or belt loop–perfect for princesses of all ages.

Notes:
Water Lily, Lady Apple, Mandarin Meringue, Golden Apricot Skin, Ripe Pink Guava, Tahitian Flower, Wild Tuberose, Dark Chocolate, Pink Frosting Accord, Precious Amber, Forbidden Woods, Royal Musk Captive, Chiffon Vanilla.
Style:
Sheer. Tropical. Delectable.

 Image credit: Sephora

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