This summer, Kiehl’s Since 1851 helps its customers stock up on more than just sun care— they are going to keep them stocked in summer beach reads! What a great idea.

From June 24 through Labor Day, customers can visit their nearest Kiehl’s freestanding store, drop off a well-read favorite and pick up a new title. Also, customers who purchase a Kiehl’s sun preparation will also receive a Limited Edition “Safer Fun in the Sun” bookmark, to further remind them of the importance of sun protection.

At Kiehl’s, they hold firm in the knowledge that the regular use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen is a vital aspect of any daily skin care regimen and the key to healthy, protected skin. Kiehl's strongly recommend the consistent use of sun screens for the face, eye area and body on a daily basis throughout the year, even on cloudy, seemingly “sunless” days. Because summer days are the longest of the year, and there’s greater interest on outdoor activities, it’s even more important that the face and body be fully protected.

Here is a list of the sun protection products in the Kiehl's line up. 

• UV Protective Everyday Facial Moisturizing Sunscreen Cream SPF 15 uses Mexoryl SX to offer the face broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection from the sun.
• UV Protective Suncare Sunscreen Cream For Face and Body SPF 20 also uses Mexoryl SX for broad-spectrum protection; water-resistant after 40 minutes of water activity.
• Vital Sun Protection offers very waterproof formulas with specific products for children’s sensitive skin.
• Ultra Facial Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 features lightweight color coverage with SPF protection, perfect for every day.
• Facial Fuel SPF 15 -daily SPF protection, formulated with men in mind.
• Lip Balm SPF 15 -available clear, and in tinted formulas.

And, if you MUST wear a tan:

Sun-Free Self Tanning Formula -lightweight formula dries in 1 hour. (Still wear your sunscreen!)

My skin is so picky with sun screens, so I usually stick to what I know does not cause me to break into the hives. As I have found that Mexoryl SX work well for me with no adverse reactions, I look forward to trying out the face and body formulas.

"plan you summer spa vacation on spas of america"

With the Kiehl's Earth Day Initiative and their new products featuring fairly traded moroccan argan oil, I think it is fitting that I wrap up green week with my experience at the Kiehl's flagship store. I was lucky enough to have a private tour of the store and play with some of their products when I was in NYC with Glam earlier in the month.

The store on Third Avenue, between 13th and 14th street has been in existence since 1851. They have expanded the site all the way to the corner, but it is special to experience a part of history in the store, as about half of the store and it's furnishings are original.

"It was 1851 and a small apothecary opened on “Pear Tree Corner” at Thirteenth Street and Third Avenue. The Brunswick Apotheke served the citizens of the burgeoning Lower East Side medicinal herbs, unguents and concoctions mixed to family recipes. After thirty or so years, a gentleman by the name of John Kiehl began working for the owners of the small apothecary, eventually taking over the business and renaming it the John Kiehl Apothecary. Along with his apprentice, Mr. Irving Morse, the two gentlemen pioneered many of the traditions in service and product formulation which characterize Kiehl’s today. "

The store is amazing, and the customer service is unprecedented. Many of it's employees have been working at the store for years, many of them for more than ten years. It is like a family, and they welcome you into their family by making sure you select products that are actually right for you. They have countless testers and samples and are happy to help you in any way.

I quickly discovered their Original Musk Oil Eau de Toilette Spray, and it is now my signature scent. I use it daily and the I am constantly being told that I smell so nice. Not "what are you wearing?", as if I have on too much of a scent. Why I did not pick up the shower gel and lotion in the Musk scent is beyond me. I thought it might be too much, but I now know I cannot get enough of it.

The story behind the Kiehl's signature scent is awesome: "In the early 1920’s, a unique fragrant oil was formulated in our humble apothecary – Kiehl’s flagship store, located at Thirteenth Street and Third Avenue in New York’s East Greenwich Village. For reasons unbeknownst us, it was stowed away in the store’s basement in a vat labeled simply “LOVE OIL”. The vessel was discovered in 1958 when the store underwent renovations and in 1963, the essence, renamed “Musk Oil” for its richly sensuous scent, was reintroduced to our patrons. It was an instant success not only as a scent, but as one of the great fragrance trends in the industry."

While at the store, I picked up another one of my favorite products, the Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak. It was one of my favorite finds last Summer, and it is still one today. My hair thanks Kiehl's for this again and again. Some of my other favorite Kiehl's products include Intensive Treatment for Dry or Callused Areas - perfect for both hands and feet; Abyssine Lotion SPF 15 - helps to fight off free radicals and keep my wrinkles at bay, and included the must-have SPF protection; Ultra Facial  Cleanser and Toner, two of my newest favorites that I need to post all about, as the toner is like any other that I have used before; and their newest Superbly Restorative Products infused with the fairly traded argan oil.

The  visit was amazing and I cannot thank Kiehl's enough for hosting us that rainy morning. It was an experience, and one you must partake in when in NYC. You will thank me and your hair and skin will thank Kiehl's for getting to know them better too.

Earth day is almost upon us, and great companies are taking a stand. One of my favorites, Kiehl's, has a great offer, good on Earth Day (April 22nd) only.

The first 50 customers to return their empty Kiehl’s bottles to one of the Kiehl's free-standing stores on April 22nd for recycling, will receive a Kiehl’s reusable canvas tote bag. Of course, this re-usable tote will come in handy and it will help to reduce consumption of plastic and paper shopping bags.

What a beautiful idea, Kiehl's.

Log onto Kiehls.com to search for a location nearest you. I bet you won't have a hard time filling up your bag with some of Kiehl's most fabulous products either. (I have so many product suggestions, as I had a private tour of the original Kiehl's store when I was in NYC. You will have to stay tuned for that!)

I did not get to attend this year, but there is nothing better then the CEW Beauty Awards if you are a beauty enthusiast like me.

“The CEW Beauty Awards are the only product awards voted on by beauty insiders – CEW’s 4,000+ members who live and breathe this industry. Their combined expertise is a powerful recommendation to consumers looking for the best-in-class,” said CEW president Carlotta Jacobson.

The nominations included 621 products in 32 categories. Oh, where to begin!

Congratulations to the winners:

FACIAL SKINCARE:
Acne Treatment $10 and over
MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross All-Over Blemish Solution
Acne Treatment Under $10
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Pads
Anti-Aging $30 and over
Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Wexler Intensive Night Reversal & Repair Cream
Anti-Aging Under $30
Olay Definity Deep Penetrating Foaming Moisturizer
Cleanser & Scrub $12 and over
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap
Cleanser & Scrub Under $12
Dove Energy Glow Skin Brightening Facial Cleanser
Eye Treatment $20 and over
Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift
Eye Treatment Under $20
Tweezerman After Tweeze Soothing Cream
Lip Treatment $14 and over
FusionBeauty LipFusion XL
Lip Treatment Under $14
tarte fRxtion Sugar Exfoliator & Lip Balm Duo
Moisturizer $30 and over
Shiseido Cosmetics Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Moisturizing Cream
Moisturizer Under $30
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
Peel and Mask $25 and over
Shiseido Cosmetics Benefiance Pure Retinol Face Mask
Peel & Mask Under $25
Lumene Time Freeze Instant Lift Mask

MEN’S SKINCARE:
Men's Skincare $15 and over TIE
· Kiehl's Eye Alert
· The Art of Shaving Body Scrub with Tangerine and Eucalyptus Essential Oils

MAKEUP:
Eye Product $15 and over
Chanel Inimitable Mascara
Eye Product Under $15
CoverGirl LashExact Mascara
Face Product $18 and over
SK-II AirTouch Foundation
Face Product Under $18
M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Touch-Up Stick
Lip Product $15 and over
Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour
Lip Product Under $15
Bourjois Paris Effet 3D Mobile Cell Phone Charm

HAIR CARE:
Hair Care & Coloring Product $15 and over
Frédéric Fekkai Ageless Damage-Defense Capsules
Hair Care & Coloring Product Under $15
John Frieda Professional Hair Care Luminous Color Glaze

BATH & BODY:
Body Treatment $15 and over
Origins Natural Resources Modern Friction for the Body
Body Treatment Under $15
Dove Energy Glow Shimmering Lotion
Scented Bath & Body $15 and over
C.O. Bigelow Lemon Cream Body Wash
Scented Bath & Body Under $15
Olay Body Wash plus Ribbons

NAILS:
Nail Care & Color Under $12
Avon Instant Manicure

SUN:
Sun Product $15 and over TIE
· Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30
· La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX
Sun Product Under $15
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55

SCENT:
Women's Scent $35 and over
Prada Eau de Parfum Tendre by Prada
Women's Scent Under $35 TIE
· Grassroots Happily Ever After
· Sonia Kashuk Beauty @Target Sonia’s Solid Perfume Palette
Men's Sent $30 and over
Sean John Fragrances / Estée Lauder Unforgivable by Sean John

INDIE BEAUTY AWARD
This award celebrates innovation in independent companies that have been in existence for less than five years, giving young beauty brands an opportunity to be recognized for their achievements.
skyn ICELAND

As if any of us beauty product addicts need another reason to drop $85 on great beauty loot, Neiman Marcus entices us with their great Beauty Event tote bag full of awesome samples.

So, what do you get? An exclusive Pink NM tote filled with:
• Fresh Lychee Sugar Lotion, 60 ml
• Kiehl's Since 1851 Doublesided Packet: Packet includes Crème de Corps Lotion and Crème de Corps Body Wash. Each packet, 5 ml
• Lancôme Extreme Mascara
• Natura Bissé Glyco Peel, 6 ml
• Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Parfum,1.48 ml
• Neiman Marcus Verbena Soap
• Valentino Rock 'N Rose Eau de Parfum, 2 ml

The promotion has begun online and runs through March 11th (or until supplies run out), but it is not available in store until March 1st, where it also goes until the 11th.

Get yours now!