Kiehl's Soy Milk & Honey Combo

This abrupt cold weather is already wrecking havoc on my skin -- it's dry! So to smooth and soften my body parts, I reach for one of my favorite scrubs at bath time. KIEHL'S Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish -- rich with Shea and Jojoba butters, sweet almond oil and, of course, honey and soy milk. The creamy formula comfortably exfoliates skin leaving it primed for hydration. Add to the routine the new Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Whipped Body Butter and my skin feels silky smooth. Claims to provide up to 24-hour hydration. When I pair the two together, I feel the difference (especially when I remove my socks -- my legs don't itch where the elastic was :) and it doesn't feel greasy. $35 for 8 oz.

Got a full sample of The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Body Scrub and I'm also a fan of this one. It's subtle and gentle for those who prefer a softer scrub. Has a sweet berry scent and contains honey (ultra hydrating).

The Style Checklist

Fashion authority, LLOYD BOSTON, hosts Closet Cases, writes for ESSENCE Magazine What To Wear Now and contributes to PEOPLE Style Watch Magazine. This month, the style guru released a guide that we can live by -- The Style Checklist: The Ultimate Wardrobe Essentials for You.

Page after page, he encourages women to invest in items that are truly timeless for style that is individual and iconic. According to LLOYD, every women should:

• have a polished wallet...it's the mark of a women who means business.
• own a ladylike evening coat...wearing your daytime coat over a cocktail dress is a "DON'T."
• invest in a crisp white shirt...accents just about anything.
• add knee boots to wardrobe...they're a key statement piece (and are trending right now so enough said!)

"Building a closet with staying power" is easier than you think. Avail at Barnes & Noble/$22.99 or on their site for $16.55.
(partial credits Uptown Magazine)

The Perfect Scar Cocktail

SCARTINI is a potent aid for scars, burns, stretch marks, acne scars and surgical incisions. The miracle cocktail contains Lychee extract, best known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Throw in Centella Asiatica, a plant extract that reduces redness, boosts collagen production, and promotes faster healing, and you have a healing powerhouse. SCARTINI has a roller ball applicator for even application and a light fruit fragrance.



The scar serum was created by Erin Elmore (from Apprentice 3) after suffering from several injuries that caused serious scarring. She teamed with Dr. Shareef Jandali, Chief of Plastic Surgery at University of Pennsylvania who tired of friends and family complaining of high priced treatments. Word spread with every use and now even doctors recommend the product. Post surgical patients are raving about SCARTINI and some are using it to ward off wrinkles and as a make up base. The concentrated serum travels well and is only $29.99. Could be worth adding to your medicine cabinet.

Get Glowing

I finally ran out of my NARS Body Glow right before vacation. So I took a trip to SEPHORA and discovered their signature SUMMER GLOW SET. The duo includes a silky body lotion, the Melted Beach Body Butter and the Beach Glow Spray. The Body Butter is a bit thick but literally melts into the skin and deposits a beautiful bronze glow. The spray mimics the NARS product, a hydrating oil based mixture of exotic fragrance and subtle shimmers. The products contain shea butter, aloe, jojoba and macadamia seed oils and witch hazel, a natural toner. The only concern is the spray pump clogs after awhile so it may need to be replaced with a generic one (if that's possible). Solution? Add some of the concoction to your favorite lotion or use directly out of the bottle very carefully. Try a sample or take the plunge and purchase. At $25, it's worth it for sure.

Performing Double Duty

For various reasons, there may be times when we need a substitute for our normal beauty products. Whether it's because we've run out or are on the go, in a crunch, these essentials have to be "replaced."

Interested in a quick fix?

• Add shine to dull hair immediately. Try JOHNSON's Baby Oil Gel. A little goes a long way!
• Dab a rich hand cream onto hair to calm fly aways in a cinch. NIVEA Creme works well.
• Slather on hair conditioner like GARNIER FRUCTIS Haircare Body Boost Conditioner when you're out of shaving cream. Instantly moisturizes legs in the process and reduces risk of razor burn.
• Soften cracked cuticles with lip balm for immediate conditioning. I like YES TO CARROTS Conditioning Lip Butter.

Each of these double duty performers are less than $5.00 at local drugstores. But the best thing about these products is you probably already have them at home, at your desk or in your bag!

Your Time to Shine

Tis the season to show off! Summer showcases sexy skin, shiny hair, arms, legs, decollete, shoulders, and just about everything else. You want to be sure you shine (b)right.

SKIN: Start by displaying radiant skin. KIEHL'S Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil ensures skin looks dewy, soft and smooth./$30 at kiehls.com for 4 oz.

HAIR: Got dry, flat, dull hair? MATRIX BIOLAGE Delicate Care Organic Certified Oil Treatment does away with all three. Tames fly aways, restores sheen, and softens dry coarse hair. Paraban and silicone free. Retails for $22 at fine salons.

NAILS: Maintain your mani/pedi with RIMMEL London Lasting Finish Professional Base & Top Coat Pro. Special time-released formula enhances shine overtime and creates a smooth glossy finish that lasts up to ten days./$3.99 at drugstores

LIPS: Amped up 3-D shine without the goop in this gloss. LORAC Multiplex 3-D Lip Gloss has holographic pigments for a super lacquered look. Moist texture keeps lips ultra glossy. Try Cliche for a burst of color/Five other shades at $22 each at beauty.com.