VA VA VERBENA – PRESS THE REFRESH BUTTON

Posted by L.A. 12.06.11

I was using some lovely lotion recently and wondered what that refreshing fragrance was. Lo and behold, it was Vanilla Verbena Stress Relief from Bath & Body Works. I know all about vanilla, but I knew almost nothing about verbena, a lemony flowering plant. The leaves are fuzzy but the flowers are lovely white, pink, purple and blue. The essential oils of the Common Vervain are harvested for perfumes and beauty products. Here are a few you might like to try.

PURE SCENT

Photo Credit: www.sephora.com

Feel good with pureDKNY Verbena. This pure scent adds a fresh drop of verbena to make you feel calm

SWEET AS HONEY – BEAUTY’S BUZZ FACTOR

Posted by L.A. 09.15.11

Cleopatra is just one of many gorgeous women throughout the ages who knew about the benefits of honey. The natural healing agents found in honey contain a variety of enzymes and antioxidants that form an antiseptic barrier, protecting your skin. Antibacterial agents help ward off toxins that can cause the skin to age prematurely. And it’s good for acne, too. Because honey allows the skin to regenerate soft and supple new layers, it’s used in cleansers, creams, shampoos, shower gels and other beauty products.

We’ve done some research and found some nifty items that will let you show the world your sweet side.

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THE BEAUTY OF PROVENCE

Posted by Dorene Kaplan 11.17.09

A glorious field of lavender in Provence. Photo credit: wayfaring.info

By Editor-at-Large Dorene Kaplan

Abundant with rosemary, thyme, basil, olives, oleander and lavender, Provence has long been France’s breadbasket as well as fragrant flower garden. But in the last thirty-five years, this idealized area of southeastern France has left an edible mark on global beauty.

L’Occitane, for one, is a company synonymous with beauty from Provence. With boutiques located in more than 85 countries, its skin care, body, bath and fragrance collections are still developed and produced in the small Provence town of Manosque.

And it’s been that way since 1976, when L’Occitane founde