Product Review: LL’s Magnetic Clay Baths

A successful detox program involves both allowing your body to release accumulated toxins from your cells as well as helping it flush those toxins out of your system. Without proper elimination, those newly released toxins could continue to circulate throughout your blood steam and end up becoming lodged in your cells all over again. That’s why it’s important to drink a lot of water and get enough fiber, either through fiber-rich foods or supplements. Fiber bonds to toxins, helping to draw them out of the body.

Review: Ancient Minerals Transdermal Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that is often recommended during a detox, and for good reason: it relaxes muscles, including those of the bowel, helping the body release toxins and clear up any blockages.

So on my recent foray into the world of detoxification, I was glad I had recently gotten my hands on some topical magnesium products from Ancient Minerals: some magnesium bath flakes, a concentrated magnesium gel, and a magnesium oil spray.

Skincare Review: Skin

I discovered Skin unexpectedly one day while browsing through one of my favorite Kansas City boutiques, Stuff. Stuff sells an eclectic array of art, jewelry, and collectibles from artists throughout the country, plus, evidently, skincare. Skin is a line of chemical-free skin and body care products created right here in the Kansas City area.

Skincare review: Boscia

I was first introduced to Boscia when my mother-in-law, who works at Sephora, handed off a sample of the Willow Bark Breakout Treatment. It’s a lightweight gel that goes on clear — not heavy or sticky like some other acne treatments. I wasn’t familiar with the company so I looked it up and was pleasantly surprised to learn that Boscia products are preservative free and botanically based. They also rate a low 2-4 on the Skin Deep Database.

Advice from a skincare junkie

Long before I ever worked behind a cosmetics counter (first for Estee Lauder and then for Clarins), I amassed dozens of beauty tips from magazines that I always wheedled my mother into buying every time we went to the grocery store. Having let a friend convince me to apply two different shades of blue eyeshadow all the way up to my eyebrows in the seventh grade (it was 1987, after all), I was determined not to commit any more cosmetics faux pas. So it surprised me when one of my Lauder coworkers had never heard that lipstick lasts longer if you fill in your lips first with lipliner. Didn’t other women learn this stuff when they were younger?

Skincare Review: Vickery & Clarke Natural Apothecary

Update 2/13/2010:  Due to the level of interest and traffic this post has received, I’ve e-mailed CVS customer care to urge them to reconsider discontinuing this product line.  I’ve received a response stating my comments have been forwarded “to the appropriate group at CVS for consideration.” Will report back if I hear anything further.

I was really surprised to learn that these products even exist. A natural skin care line made with herb and flower extracts … whose products contain more than 94% natural ingredients … that uses no parabens, SLS, phthalates, or petrolatums … and is available exclusively at CVS for an average $5 price point? Get out!