Everything She Wants

Taking long hot baths with epsom salt and bubbles is my favorite way to de-stress and shake off the seasonal blues. So at a recent media event for Lifetherapy , a paraben, sulfate and cruelty-free bath and body brand that promotes self-nurturing through the power of scent, I nearly lunged into a beautifully displayed claw foot bathtub full of fragrant salts and rose petals. Founder Lynette Lovelace has overcome numerous health challenges including severe endometriosis and believes that when we take ownership of our frame of mind, positivity follows.  The Chicago native has learned to take life as it comes, to pay it forward, and above all, to live in the moment with optimism and gratitude. Lifetherapy's moisturizing handcreme, luxe body wash/bubbling bath and hydrating body lotion are enriched with shea butter, vitamins and other rich skin conditioners. The brand also makes soothing soy candles. To help you #chooseyourmood , each product is available in five signature f...

We usually think of honey as a sweetener.  But did you know that manuka honey is a natural anti-inflammatory that protects against oxidative damage, kills bacteria ten times more effectively than regular table honey, helps wounds heal and eases common digestion and stomach issues? Sourced from the Manuka super plant, it can also be used topically as a healing face mask. Here's a DIY mask recipe from the  Melora manuka honey brand: 1 teaspoon of manuka honey 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon of rose water Mix the ingredients. Wet your face lightly to make the application easier. Apply the mixture all over your face with clean fingers. Leave it on for a minimum of 20 minutes of more. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry. If you have sensitive skin, skip the cinnamon. And when mixing Melora manuka honey with tea or water for ingestion, let the water cool to a warm temperature before adding.  Boiling or extremely hot water will kill off most o...

What does Brooklyn smell like? Well, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t a fragrant candle or body butter.  But Brooklyn Flavors  ( 820 Washington Avenue, 718-854-7486), a Brooklyn-based natural skin care shop, wants to change that perception. Brooklyn Flavors owner, Sophia Sylvester/Yelp Created by Brooklyn native Sophia Sylvester, Brooklyn Flavors offers a signature scent inspired by some of the borough’s most distinct streets and neighborhoods (w isely, there's no Gowanus Canal flavor).  For example, Bed-Stuy ’s flavor is an earthy blend of sandalwood, jasmine, cedar wood and patchouli; Canarsie Cookie smells like freshly baked sugar cookies with butter cream frosting and vanilla extract; and the Caribbean-inspired Church Avenue combines juicy mango, papaya, jasmine peach and coconut.  Sylvester’s mission is to make quality handmade products using natural ingredients and to promote a healthy approach to candles and beauty and b...

Each year you probably ponder, "What should I get Mom for Mother's Day?" But even if your Ma already has closets and dressers full of everything, you still have to show her how much you care and give her something she wants, needs or both. To help you navigate all of the gift options out there and select the perfect gift for that special lady, here are a few beauty gift ideas under $50. 1. S heaMoisture Peace Rose Oil Complex, Community Commerce Collection (from $8.99, available at Target) is the newest offering from this cruelty and paraben-free hair, bath and beauty brand with ethically-sourced and natural ingredients. The collection features a unique blend of roses to nourish sensitive skin and dry hair, and was handpicked for Target's 2016 "Made to Matter" program as one of the 20 leading natural, organic and sustainable brands in the industry. We especially love the Peace Rose Oil Haircare Collection , which includes sulfate-free No...

While shopping in Target with one of our girlfriends, we stopped in the "ethnic hair aisle," as we like to call it. Our friend was looking for a specific pomade made by Carol's Daughter , and during our search we encountered a couple other determined women perusing the shelves for tried and true and new hair care products for locs and twists. As women of color, our hair story is something that unites us, so it was reassuring to have an impromptu meet-up group with other freedom hair sisters. Cantu natural hair care products inspire you to be your own beautiful /Image courtesy of Cantu Thank God It's Natural products are salon-quality./Image courtesy of  tgin For our two cents, we added that SheaMoisture and Kinky-Curly have satisfied most of our natural haircare needs for many years, however, we were recently introduced to new products from Cantu Shea Butter  and tgin (Thank God It's Natural).  And we love both paraben-free brands. Here's a s...

Each spring, Organic Spa Magazine hosts one of the best beauty and wellness media events of the year.  And Everything She Wants is always happy to be included. We get to chat with emerging brands, and come home with bags of swag. Here are five new, natural beauty products under $25 we discovered at the Organic Spa event. We love 'em and we think you will, too. SheaMoisture's Community Commerce Zanzibar Marine Complex collection ($5.99-$10.99) is infused with rich antioxidants to revitalize dry, dull skin and to renew brittle, lackluster hair. The seaweed-based ingredients are paraben-sulfate-and-cruelty-free, and ethically sourced from small cooperatives of women farmers in Zanzibar; and the certified organic Shea butter is ethically sourced from women's cooperatives in Ghana. Ten percent of sales will go directly to these women to help expand their businesses. Available exclusively at Target. MyChelle Advanced Argan Oil ($14.50) is a lightweight, anti-...

Champagne and chocolates are nice. But to help you think outside the heart-shaped box this Valentine's Day, here are a few unique sweet treats for you or your Valentine. Palais des Thés Sweet tea sampler set ( $29) features five tubes of yummy whole-leaf tea including green, black, and rooibos   varieties with indulgent flavors such as chocolate and vanilla. Whether you're going on a romantic date or planning to paint the town red with your girlfriends, I Smell Great   (from $28) eau de parfum and scented water mist, soft body whip, reactive lush lip and hair fragrance will do exactly what the name suggests. You'll smell great thanks to playful scents like Candy Crush, Beach Babe, Wild Honey and Angel Cake. Nubian Heritage's  Patchouli & Buriti Collection   ($4.49-$12.99) includes bar soap, infused body butter and bath, body & massage oil.  The scent is s weet, spicy and uplifting to the senses.   Patch...

Winter is just getting started, but my thoughts have already turned to spring. And visions of a tropical getaway to Miami, Rio or Maui are dancing in my head. So here's a short list of Everything She Wants ' must-have beauty picks and essentials to help you prep for and to bring on your next spring fling. 1. For a few weeks, I've been using the collagen boosting  Eminence Citrus & Kale Potent C + E Serum  (and masque) in tandem with Eminence's  Stone Crop Hydrating Mist , illuminating  Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum   and nourishing  Facial Recovery Oil ,  and my skin texture has a renewed youthful glow. The anti-aging products are good for all skin types, absorb quickly and are packed with effective, natural ingredients and antioxidants. 2. Dry feet aren't sexy nor are they sandal-ready. And  Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy  has done wonders on my coarse, cracked heels. The ointment will also ...

There are just too many great gift ideas to fit into one post, so here are more of Everything She Wants ' holiday gift picks under $100. For the snow bunny Whether you're on or off the slopes, you need these cozy, fleece-lined and slightly futuristic looking  Khombu Alta Snow Boots ($79) with elastic laces and a drawstring top to keep them nice and snug. For the natural beauty Moisturize and nourish your dry skin blues away with The F resh Market   (check stores for pricing) health and beauty essentials . This new line of private-label hand creams ad body butters infused with organic olive oil, organic shea butter and other organic plant-based ingredients is available in The Fresh Market stores nationwide. Varieties include Bergamot Clementine, Fig Olive Leaf and Vanilla Cardamom. For the bling iover We love these black Swarovski crystal square stone lever back earrings from LoveYourBling ($26).  The whimsical, handcrafted jewelry line was ...

Founded by Clelia Angelon, Surya Brasil is a sustainable, cruelty-free beauty brand and lifestyle company. During a trip to the brand's pop-up at the seasonal Holiday Shops at the Winter Village at Bryant Park , I met Clelia, a svelte woman in her 60's with vibrant red hair and a magnetic personality to match, and her lovely daughter Wanda Malhotra, who runs the New York arm of the business. Me with Surya Brasil founders, Clelia Angelon (l) and Wanda Malhotra (r). The company launched in 1995, initially with its staple product, the chemical-free Surya Henna Powder made with raw materials imported from India. The powder is guaranteed to cover your stubborn grays, and its sister product, Surya Henna Cream , is the first hair coloring product with organic ingredients. The mother-daughter team discussed how Surya Brasil is about much more than its eco-beauty products. It signifies a mindset and lifestyle. Clelia is vegetarian, a staunch animal welfare advocate, and she s...

It's officially fall, so it's time to switch up your beauty regimen and look for products with more moisturizing and exfoliating benefits. To assist you with your picks, here are five products that Everything She Wants  recently gave a test drive. Nyakio Kenyan Coffee Body Scrub smells good enough to eat and feels like a luxe spa product.  The unique fusion of Kenyan coffee beans, sugar, shea butter and mongongo nut oil, jojoba and avocado oils will invigorate and soften your skin. After receiving a review sample a while back, I searched high and low for another bottle of Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Body Wash , formulated with oats, aloe vera and vitamin E. Duane Reade and Walgreens didn't have it and a local store that sells natural beauty products was sold out, but I finally found the miraculous wash that fights acne, detoxifies and sloughs away dead at Whole Foods. The lightweight Bare Minerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer  effectively provides b...

Fashion Week is back and Everything She Wants plans to attend a few presentations, previews and runway shows.  To help us look and feel our best amidst the hustle and the bustle, here are a few of our must-have beauty and fashion essentials. 1. Nubian Heritage African Black Soap Body Wash keeps us feeling refreshed even while rushing from show to show. The paraben-free wash lathers up nicely and contains anti-bacterial and moisturizing ingredients including 100 percent Shea butter, Vitamin E, oats, palm ash, plantain peel extract, tamarind extract and papaya enzymes. The soap also seems to effectively combat smelly stress sweats. And we only regret we didn't discover this cleansing wash sooner! 2. We never thought we'd find a powder we like as much as Bare Minerals' loose powder, but SheaMoisture 's new illuminating powder is our new favorite. The powder comes in several shades including ours (Mandalay Dusk) and is available exclusively at Target, along wi...

We love SheaMoisture because the hair, bath and body brand is paraben-and-sulfate-free and made with natural and certified-organic ingredients. Adding to their stellar lineup of products, SheaMoisture has a new solution for keeping your skin supple, firm and cellulite-free--the new SuperFruit Complex collection ($4.99-$9.99) available exclusively at Ulta locations nationwide. SuperFruit Complex collection./Photo credit, Everything She Wants Each product in the SuperFruit Complex collection contains a proprietary blend of certified organic Shea Butter (a rich emollient that intensely moisturizes and rejuvenates for softer skin); Green Coffee Bean Extract (helps nourish, contour and smooth dimpled, uneven skin); and an antioxidant-rich complex of Raspberry Ketone, Goji, Acai and Guava (highly effective in promoting smooth, youthful skin). The products include: SuperFruit Complex Body Lotion  -- Kiss cellulite goodbye thanks to this nourishing lotion that helps improve yo...

Want a New Year's resolution you can keep? Here are a few healthy beauty products to help you ring in the new year with renewed lips, hair and skin. Get ready for your New Year's Eve smooch with NIVEA   Raspberry Rose Kiss Lip Butter . And if you can still find one at a Target near you, NIVEA has an adorable limited-edition tin with Kiss of Shimmer and two Lip Butters. Suave Professionals Natural Infusion range are salon-inspired hair care products infused with natural ingredients.  The three hair care collections ( Anti-Breakage & Strengthening products with Awapuhi Ginger & Honeysuckle; Moisturizing products with Macadamia Oil & White Orchid ; and All Day Body products with Seaweed & Lotus Blossom ) are all free of parabens and dyes. Available at mass retailers in January 2014. Organic Aura Cacia Daytime Argan Facial Oil Serum and Nighttime Baobab Facial Oil Serum will keep your skin looking refreshed and like you just got a spa facial. ...

For those of us who struggled with acne as adolescents, the last thing we want to do is deal with adult acne. Like when we were teens, adult acne can be embarrassing and cause us to feel less confident at work and in social interactions. What causes adult acne? According to WebMD , adult acne is caused by sebum, an oily substance produced by the skin's sebaceous glands. Sebum clogs pores, which attracts bacteria and become inflamed. For some adults, breakouts are a result of hypersensitivity or the overproduction of male hormones known as androgens. An imbalance in both male and female hormones (estrogen) can also cause breakouts. In women, this can happen during pregnancy, perimenopause  and menopause. Besides hormones, some medications and cosmetics also contribute to developing acne. How to treat adult acne? Gentle cleansers are a good option. We apply our favorite cleanser to our Vitagoods Face & Body Cleansing Brush, and that routine has worked wond...

According to an article in The New York Times , a new study found that in addition to a trace amount of lead, a wide range of lipstick brands contain as many as eight other metals--from cadmium to aluminum. Now experts are speculating about what happens when these metals are swallowed and absorbed every day? In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration published a report that found traces of lead in 400 leading lipstick brands including Cover Girl, Maybelline and L'Oreal. Although the lead found in lipstick reportedly causes no real or unusual health risk, the Center for Disease Control has acknowledged that no level of lead is really safe.  And the new study published in the journal Environmental Heath Perspectives , also found traces of cadmium, cobalt, aluminum, titanium, manganese, chromium, copper and nickel in 24 lipsticks and eight lipstick brands priced from $5.59 to $24 . What this means for you?  To make an informed choice,  Everything She Wants' suggests...

Five lucky Everything She Wants' readers will win one of SheaMoisture's delectable organic body scrubs!  The scrubs are a natural way to exfoliate dry, dead skin. The fragrant flavors up for grabs are: Olive & Green Tea, Red Blush & Sage, Lemongrass & Sage and  Coconut & Hibiscus. Here's how to win: Leave a comment with your first name and tell me why you like natural bath and body products? Like SheaMoisture on Facebook ( https://www. facebook .com/ SheaMoisture)  and follow them on Twitter @sheamoisture4u. Follow me on Twitter @TracyEHopkins. Good luck! Five winners will be randomly selected. The giveaway offer ends Sunday, Aug. 4 at 11:59 p.m.

Stay refreshed and fresh smelling all summer long with new products from the Vitabath Fragrance Collection ( $7.99 to $9.99 per product ) that comes in four delectable scent families: Spa Day, In Bloom, Fruit Fanatic and Cupcake Couture. Along with its famed vitamin blend, Vitabath incorporates natural ingredients from an antioxidant-rich blend of seven super-fruits-- Acai Berry, Goji Berry, Pomegranate, Green Tea, Noni, Coffee and Mangosteen--to moisturize, protect and revitalizes your skin. One lucky  Everything She Want s reader will win a full set of one of the 16 fragrances available (see descriptions below), including a  Body Wash, Fragrance Mist, Hydrating Body Lotion  and  Exfoliating Pouf . That's a $35 value! Here's how to win (all steps must be completed to be eligible): 1) Follow me on Twitter @TracyEHopkins 2) Retweet this post 3) Leave a comment on this post and tell me your fave summer scent? This giveaway offer ends Friday...

To accentuate your natural summer glow, your warm weather beauty regimen should be minimal and low maintenance.  For a refreshed feeling, bath and body products with light floral and natural scents are best.  Here are some of the beauty picks Everything She Wants  can't get enough of this summer ( and beyond ). Body NIVEA's Touch of Frangipani is a hydrating shower gel that entices with the fresh fragrance of Hawaiian Frangipani flowers (also called Plumeria) and moisturizing pearls made with sunflower oil. Developed with NIVEA's breakthrough Hydra IQ Technology, your skin will feel refreshed long after you shower. Vitabath's "Spa Day" Fragrance Collection's  hydrating lotion comes in several de-stressing, therapeutic scents including   Lavender Chamomile Hydrating Lotion, Green Tea & Sage, Citron Leaves and Cucumber & White Tea.   Each paraben-free lotion moisturizes your skin with a mix of aloe vera, safflower and olive oils for sm...