Have a Damage-Free Swim

I grew up in southern California, and during summer, I was practically half fish; I’d spend all day in the pool if I could. As fun as it was, though, my swim time wreaked havoc on my hair—thanks to the chlorine, it was as dry as straw and full of split ends.

But these days, water babies (or their moms) don’t have to worry about damaged hair! The Swimmer’s Defense Shampoo & Body Wash and Conditioner from California Baby offer cleansing gentle enough for a child’s delicate hair, but strong enough to battle the effects of chlorine. That means no more chemical deposits, including the green tinge that copper sometimes leaves behind, leaving tresses softer and healthier. The Conditioner even contains natural sunscreens for added protection. Plus, these products are all-natural, contain no nut oils, gluten, soy, oat or dairy and work just as well for adults.

California Baby Swimmer’s Defense products retail for $11.49 each and can be found at californiababy.com or by calling 877-576-2825. They’re also available at select Whole Foods locations and natural food stores nationwide.



-- Mackenzie Walton

Score a Style Transformation...On Wheels!

NYC girls, you're in luck! Starting today, the 27th, until the 29th, you can transform your look from head to toe, thanks to the John Frieda Style On Site Tour.
The tour kicks off here in the big apple, then the team will be hitting the road and making style accessible to real women everywhere with a mobile salon! It's an 18-wheeler that has been gutted to become a salon with the works: styling stations and chairs, a receptionist, and even a waiting area!

Led by celebrity stylist Harry Josh (he's worked with Blake Lively, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gisele Bundchen, Amanda Seyfried, Ellen Pompeo), the John Frieda expert team will provide complimentary 15-minute consultations and styling lessons.

Once you arrive on site, you'll schedule a 15-minute appointment on a first-come, first-served basis for a styling lesson with a top John Frieda stylist on your own specific hair issues and even walk away with a “hair prescription” from the stylist! Then, you can buy the recommended formulas on-site at a drugstore.com kiosk.

Next, hit up the BCBG mini boutique where the latest must-haves will be on display! Lon on to BCBG shopping kiosks and order the season's style essentials online with an exclusive John Frieda discount!

Can't make it? Don't fret! You can still get Harry Josh’s expertise at home. While on tour, he'll be giving women virtual transformations via Skype video sessions and select Skype sessions will also be posted on the John Frieda site, giving women everywhere access to Josh’s step-by-step tutorials.

**Crystal Fenton

Celebrate Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! Head to an Origins store for this AMAZING deal: Just bring in a bottle of your current face wash (empty or full) to trade in for FREE! You'll get either a full-size Checks and Balances Frothy face wash ($18.50 retail value) or A Perfect World Antioxidant cleanser with White Tea ($20 retail value)!

Eco-Chic Clean-Up

The sad truth: Sometimes, I’m just too tired (or too lazy) to go through an in-depth cleansing routine before bed. But rather than go to sleep with my makeup on, ruining my skin and the pillowcase at the same time, I just have a quick clean-up with one of the Bear Naked Wipes from Josie Maran Cosmetics.

Now available in a travel-friendly mini-pack, Bear Naked Wipes To Go are soft, gentle and effective. A blend of aloe vera, chamomile, cucumber and Vitamin E easily cleans away makeup, soothing skin at the same time. Plus, the wipes are biodegradable, so you can use them without hurting the environment.

Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from Bear Naked Wipes is donated to the Natural Resource Defense Council’s Polar Bear SOS initiative, which is dedicated to helping save the polar bears and their habitats.

The mini-pack comes with 8 wipes and costs $6; purchase at Sephora stores or at Sephora.com.

-Mackenzie Walton

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day falls on May 9th this year. That's just around the corner! But there’s still time to get the important women in your life something special—here are a few of our suggestions.


The strikingly beautiful glycerine Heritage Soaps from Crabtree & Evelyn are handcrafted by 3rd generation soap makers in Switzerland, utilizing botanical extracts and over 10% glycerine. They work for all skin types and come in three gorgeous scents—chamomile, lime and blackcurrant. For an extra-special gift, get all three! They’re available for $7 each at crabtree-evelyn.com and at over 6,000 locations worldwide.


Being a mother is rewarding, but it can also be hard—sometimes, at the end of the day, you just need to relax with a drink and a long bath. Now you can combine the two with the Bourbon Bubbler Body Scrub from FarmHouse Fresh®. It combines coarse brown sugar, Kentucky whiskey, Vitamin E and rice bran oil to create a non-oily, non-sticky scrub with a super-sweet scent—gingersnap-pecan! Available for $32.50 at farmhousefreshgoods.com, or in fine gift shops, spas and resorts.


Give her the gift of grace—or rather, the Amazing Grace Mini Fragrance Set from Philosophy. It contains three mini products, all in the light, distinctly feminine Amazing Grace scent: shampoo, bath & shower gel, restorative hand cream and spray fragrance. Layer on the products, and skin will smell amazing and ultra-clean. Plus, since nothing in the set is over 4-oz., it’s perfect for travel! Visit philosophy.com to purchase for $35.

-- Mackenzie Walton

Support a Cause with Just One Click

Want to make a difference? It'll only take one minute and twenty-three seconds of your time.

Jergens® Skincare and The Skin Cancer Foundation have teamed up with actress Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) to create a video that explains how she gets her gorgeous, sun-kissed skin tone. The answer: Jergens® natural glow moisturizers, which give skin natural-looking color without harmful sun exposure.

Until August 31, Jergens® Skincare will donate $1 to The Skin Cancer Foundation (up to $20,000) each time the video is viewed. It's embedded below so you can watch it right away. So save your skin--and help others save theirs, too!



-- Mackenzie Walton

Get Your Beauty Rest!

I wake up every morning with soft, tangle-free strands and smooth, crease-free skin...yes, it's really true. So listen up ladies, because I'm about to reveal my snoozing secret!

Rest your pretty head on the Branché charmeuse case and you'll wake up looking just as gorgeous as the night before. The 100% premium silk pillowcase protects so-sensitive facial skin, prevents crease-induced wrinkles, smoothes the hair cuticle and reduces hair breakage, even including 18 amino acids and high copper content to restore elasticity and shine. They’re available in standard and king sizes in a number of gorgeous hues. Head over to branchebeautysleep.com to see them for yourself!

**Crystal Fenton

Lamas Beauty Events in NYC

If you live in the New York City area, you’re definitely in for a treat. This month, the natural, botanically rich products from Peter Lamas Beauty are debuting at Duane Reade stores. And to celebrate this event, two Manhattan locations are offering consults, freebies and a chance to meet Peter himself!

At each store, customers can receive individual hair consultations and a free sample from Lamas’ Chinese Herbs System (a $7.95 value) with purchase of a product. Plus, Peter—a celebrity hair and makeup artist who’s worked with everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Jacqueline Kennedy to Kate Winslet—will be there to discuss natural beauty products and how to incorporate them into your everyday routine.

WHEN & WHERE:

Thursday, April 29th
11 am to 2 pm; 5pm to 7pm
Duane Reade, Herald Square (151 W. 34th St.)

Friday, April 30th
11 am to 2 pm; 5pm to 7pm
Duane Reade, Rockefeller Center (51 W. 51st St.)

For more information on Peter and his products, visit lamasbeauty.com.

-- Mackenzie Walton

Come On, Get Happy

What makes me happy? The weather in New York City today, for one. Temperatures climbed well into the 80s, and for a West Coast native like me, that’s practically heaven!

Another thing that makes me happy: the Happiology line from Illume. These body products—all paraben-free and cruelty-free, with organic ingredients—come in three fresh, energetic scents that are designed to make you happy. Here are a few of my faves:


The Energizing Body Butter ($18) is thick and instantly moisturizing, and the Yuzu Mint scent gives it an invigorating touch. The crisp blend of fresh grapefruit, yuzu, eucalyptus, spearmint, peppermint and vanilla will perk up your senses!


Start the morning off with a positive note by using the Energizing Body Wash in Sunshower ($18). The bright, summery fragrance includes notes of sparkling bergamot, dewy moss and white lilies.


For a quick pick-me-up, keep a Rollerball Perfume ($16) in your purse. Dab the Bamboo & Agave scent on your neck and pulse points and enjoy a blend of blue bamboo, agave leaves, fig, lotus flower, Mexican lime, cucumber and natural lemon oil.

You can get all these products in any of the three fragrances at illumecandles.com.

-- Mackenzie Walton

Add Color to Your Life

These products have shades that make us smile!


* The 100% vegetarian Hydrating Body Washes from Silky Cosmetics come in four great scents—Bliss, Sorbet, Charm and Sweet mint—that are sure to please, but their cheerful colors will also brighten up your shower. ($13 each, silkycos.com)


* The Natural Nail Lacquers from A Beautiful Life are 3 Free (no DBP, toluene or formaldehyde), non-toxic and soy-based, so they’re even safe for kids. But with bold shades like 80’s Pink, Rockstar and Big Red, everyone will love them. ($12 each, abeautifullife.com)


* Starting in May, you can give yourself a retro ’60s vibe with the Eye Colour Crayon Trios from Mirabella. The Moonbeam trio, featuring cool shades of Purple Haze, Bugaloo Blue and Limelight Green, and the warmer Sunshine trio, with Yellow Submarine, Hot Pants Pink and Clockwork Orange tones, will both give your eyes turn heads. ($29 each, mirabellabeauty.com for locations)

-- Mackenzie Walton

Travel-Ready Shampoo Picks

Already planning your summer vacation? Don’t forget to pack shampoo—just check out these mess-free, space-saving alternatives to traditional shampoo.


With Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, you can clean your strands in a snap. Just spray onto hair, then brush out the powder—it’ll get rid of dirt and other buildup and boost volume, all without water. Now available in a super-convenient travel size, so you can tuck it in your carry-on without any trouble. Find it for $7.50 at beauty.com and skinstore.com.


Want a no-fuss, no-muss shampoo that won’t explode in your suitcase? Try the All Access Go Anywhere Shampoo Bar from TIGI’s Rockaholic line. You use it just like regular bar soap, only apply it to your hair—it cleans, conditions and even provides UV protection. Plus, the patchouli scent is amazing! Available for $9.95 at professional salons.

-- Mackenzie Walton