Finding the perfect body wash is no easy task.

I don't think I have ever even finished an entire bottle of shower gel or body wash. Not because I do not like one or another, there are just so many wonderful washes on the market each with it's own qualities. Let's face it, a new or different scent is always so welcoming in the shower making the discovery of the ultimate wash so difficult. Yes, I am very wishy-washy when it comes to body washes.

First, to be a good wash, it needs to smell nice. Not overpowering where it will interfere with any body creams or fragrance, but a scent that smells nice when simply worn alone. I like a good lather - the more bubbles the better - but I have found some washes that I really like that have a minimal amount of bubbles, but make up for it with another quality. Finally, I like to feel moisturized from my wash, clean too. Not left with a film or feeling stripped, but feeling and smelling fresh and clean, using it as intended.

Over the past week or two, I have used a number of different washes, ten in fact. One was a scrub, the other just washes. Two of them have made their way to my husband's shower, and one to my son's. The rest I am sharing with my daughter - and she can't even pick out a favorite either.

Olay Calm Release with Violet and Lavender* - This body wash has quite a strong smell, but nice, that suds up quite nicely. It feels very moisturizing and almost slippery, but it contains a large amount of petrolatum (second on the ingredient list after the water) and I think that is why I feel moisturized without really getting moisturized in the end. This is my daughters favorites as she loves the heavy violet scent.

Sephora Coconut Body Wash - When I smelled this in Sephora, I just had to have it. Being that it was probably 20 degrees outside, I think it conjured up thoughts of warm sun as I took it in. It makes me feel the same way when I use it in the shower. The scent and nice sudsing has me looking for it a lot, only to find that my husband sneaks this one out of my shower. When I remember to, I sneak it back in before my shower.

Bath and Body Works Velvet Tuberose* - Though this is not made with the finest of ingredients (I hate that B & B W uses so much mineral oil as fillers in their products), this Signature Shower Gel in the Velvet Tuberose scent makes one think that it is. I sort of think of my grandmother who loved to travel and was a bit mysterious when I open this scent. And just look at the notes in the fragrance: top notes - Modern Citrus, Dewey Magnolia, Juicy Apricot, Ylang Ylang, Green; mid notes - Tuberose Accord, White Freesia, Tender Cyclamen, Diamond Orchid, Heady Gardenia, Indian Jasmine, Succulent Fig; base notes - Addictive Ambers, Sensual Sandalwood, Exotic Spices, Cashmere Accord, Warm Musks. As with all the B & B W washes and gels, there is a lot of soapy lather and I like the way a little goes a long way and the bottles seem to last forever.

Philosophy Soul Mates in Grapefruit - This citrusy scent also makes one think of Summer, or at least a warm sunny winter day. The scent is great, more citrus than actual grapefruit, in my opinion, and a superior wash like all of the Philosophy famous 3-in-1's.

Suave Exhale Calmly Body Wash* - This is a bargain body wash that I really like. Just because it is such a bargain, does not mean it is not bubbly and beautiful feeling on the skin. The Lavender and Vanilla scent, which was so overdone years ago, is a softer version scent in this wash.

Dove Cream Oil Body Wash in Ultra Rich* - Dove is really making a dent in the mass market these days, and I will be honest that this was my first try with a Dove bath product. Ultra rich is right on, as this is a thick wash, almost creamy, yet lathers nicely. It has a nice florally scent, nothing too fancy or overdone. For a first timer, I am pretty impressed.

Lancome Body Delisse Immediate Soft Touch Moisturizing Body Wash - After my Lancome facial a few weekends ago, I have a new found love for the Lancome fragranced products. This wash is no exception. It smells divine and is very moisturizing. It makes a smaller lather, but feels very rich as it cleanses my skin. I just noticed that Salicylic Acid is in the ingredient list, and I think this is why my skin feels extra smooth when I use it.

GapBody Body Scrub in Night Fall* - Initially I wondered if this were a product for men, which probably explains why my son grabbed this one up right away. I used it just once, but liked the gentle scrubbing action of the sugar and sea salt. The Night Fall scent is very dark and woodsy, like I said, making me think it is better to stay with my son in his shower.

Avon Skin So Soft Fusions Body Wash* - A winner from Avon, I love the little micro beads in this creamy body wash. I am not overly crazy about the scent, and it definitely lathers less than most, but the way my skin feels after cleansing, definitely makes up for it. I need to investigate to see if this is available in other scents and it might be one of the more permanent residences in the shower.

Caress Exotic Oil Infusions Moroccan Body Wash* - A creamy wash that foams as it lathers, engulfing the shower with a very exotic scent, as in the title. The scent does not stay with me, but the scent it left in the bathroom made my son grab this one up too. Just as well, as I just don't like dark, musky scents in the shower all that much - unless, it is mixed with a floral, that is.

*Thanks to Total Beauty, I got these new washes in my CEW goodie bag! 

Are you as hot as I am? I know I am not the only one looking for different ways to feel cool and refreshed.

Philosophy has some empowering products that will leave us both cool and refreshed. All you have to do is jump in the shower and use these:

Empowermint Body Mask ($25), Hot Salt Scrub ($25), and Body Butter ($25) will not only make you feel refreshed, it will instantly cool your skin, leaving it almost tingly. And I don't even think I need to mention how hydrating Philosophy's products are, so you know how soft and smooth your skin will feel after using them.

Check these empowering products at Philosophy.com, Nordstrom, QVC, or Sephora.

Ahh...refreshing! 

Self-Tanning season is here. You do avoid the sun at all costs, or cover up, or slather on that SPF, now don't you? And when you are looking to get that golden bronze glow, you self-tan...right?

I received some great self-tanning tips from New York City's SAVA Spas' owner Joanna Czech. This celebrated esthetician offers her self tanning Do's and Don'ts to achieve the perfect tan - the safe way!

DO
- Exfoliate Entire Body First concentrating on ankles, toes, fingers, elbows & knees
      Czech recommends: Nuxe Foaming Scrub
- Dry off completely
- Apply a small amount of product to avoid streaking. (Better to reapply than to over apply)
     Czech recommends: Lancome Flash Bronzer for the Body and Babor Self Tanning Lotion for the Body
- After applying to the sensitive areas (ankles, toes, fingers etc…), lightly brush over with a towel to remove excess product.
 - For the face, use a self tanner that is made for the face (Face products tend to have a lighter texture than ones for the body)
     Czech recommends: Babor Self Tanning Cream for the Face
- Wear loose, dark clothing afterwards

***Incase you mess up, have a tint remover for hair accessible (you can purchase in a beauty
supply store), they work well for quick removal
***If tanning for a certain event (ie. wedding, vacation, etc.), plan your tanning schedule
backwards from that date to be sure your sun-kissed look will be perfected in time!

DON’T
- Don’t wait for the day before a big event to try self tanning. Each person reacts differently and turns a different color
- Avoid exfoliating with scrubs that contain essential oils as they may leave a film on skin.
- Don’t mix lotion with your self-tanner
- Don’t forget your ears
- Don’t exfoliate for 1 week after applying
- Don’t workout the day of application
- Don’t shower 6-8 hours after applying 

SAVA Spa regularly treats celebrities like Kyra Sedgwick, Uma Thurman, Sting, and more. SAVA Spa is located at 211 Pinehurst Ave.  New York, New York. If you are in the city or visiting soon and want to make a Spa visit part of your trip, call 212-543-0008 to book one of the fabulous treatments they offer.

I have read the rave reviews of Maryam's Soap Nook's products, and am thrilled to have finally gotten to give some a try myself.

All of Maryam's products are all natural, and hand made with love in each batch.

I am such a sucker for handmade, hand cut soaps. And I am in love with this Dutch Apple Pie Handmade Soap. This soap is enriched with palm oil, olive oil, coconut oil, goats milk, shea butter, monoi de Tahiti oil, and Vitamin E. How enriching is that? It smells amazing with the aroma of fresh from the tree granny smith apples, smoothered in butter, cream, sugar, and cinnamon, with a background of fresh baked crust. Yum - is the best way to describe this. Each bar is $5.00.

Mayam also offers some glorious whipped shea butters. Hers are entitled Whipped Shea Monoi Body Butter. There is nothing like a whipped shea butter on rough knees, elbows, and feet, and to soothe sun scorched skin. And this shea butter is so ultra rich. Some of the scetns, scented only with essential oils, of course, include Sweet Lavender Herbal, Jasmine and Neroli, Chocolate Lovers, Fresh Cut Flowers, Pomegrante and Wild Berries, just to name a few. This Whipped Shea Monoi Body Butters sell for $15 for an 8 ounce jar or $25 for the 16 ounce jar.

I hear that Maryam'a Shea Butter and Dead Sea Salt Glow Scrub are her star product, and I can't wait to try that. It sounds like a perfect mix of ingredients to exfoliate and moisturize skin.

Be sure to visit Maryam's Soap Nook to see her handmade goodness for yourself.

If you are a self-tanning worshiper such as myself, you may look for a self-tanner that had benefits beyond the beautiful bronzing.

One brand that I recently found that has a few different types of beneficial products in their self-tanning line up is St. Ives.  The line is called Healthy Brilliance. In the line are four products.

Brighten & Glow
This should be use prior to the actual bronzing products. This is made with natural sugar crystals to exfoliate while the added natural ingredients, including olive oil ester, leave your skin smooth, bright and glowing readying for your self-tanning product.

Firm & Glow
Using caffeine and ginseng, this moisturizer goes beyond a sun-touched glow to help naturally tighten and tone your skin.

Renew & Glow
With age-defying green tea and anti-oxidants, this body moisturizer helps you achieve a sun-touched glow and helps to reveal younger, healthier looking skin.

Protect & Glow
This is a body moisturizer with an SPF that helps protect your skin against harmful UV rays while it gently gets your glow on. And with the natural Shea butter, your skin feels softer and smoother as you use it.

I just started to use the Firm & Glow lotion to get my legs beautifully bronzed, and so far so good. The color is nice, and gradual. It has taken just about a week to get my legs where I feel they look nice and golden. Not too tan, but more naturally bronzed for Spring. 

You can buy St. Ives Healthy Brilliance products online at drugstore.com, while it can also be found at mass merchandisers nationwide.

Is your skin feeling or looking tired? Does it need a glow? Mine did, until I started using these Mint Buffing Beads from Renee Rouleau.

I recently started using this scrub, polish - whatever you want to call it - twice a week. With a powerful punch of Peppermint from the pure Peppermint extracts, my skin immediately feels tingly, refreshed, and what I really want - glowing!

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Call me a little wacky, but I actually TIVO QVC's beauty shows if I am not home to watch them live. Yes, I am a bit of a beauty freak. Have you figured that out yet?

But these shows not only contain some great products, but great application and product tips as well. I love the different sets they put together, and they usually have an item exclusive to QVC, or special pricing. What's not to love, ladies?

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I know it is very late in the month, but I didn't want to leave out LaLicious and it's contribution for BCA month.

LaLicious is giving 20% of sales from its’ Best-Selling Scrub Sampler to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Fund.

The Lalicious Sugar Soufflé Sampler three-pack of mini scrubs comes in your choice of either Brown Sugar Vanilla, Coconut Cream, or Coffee Bean or Lily Mango, Gardenia, and Passionfruit Lime .

The scrubs are not only delicious sounding, they work divinely. With the perfect combination of their ingredients, LaLicious Soufflés' sugar helps exfoliate, condition, moisturize, and smooth you to perfection

The sampler sets are $25 and are available exclusively on lalicious.com.