The Best Body Products

These are my favorite body products - the ones that didn't fit neatly into any of the other categories. I'd love to hear what yours are!

Caswell-Massey Cucumber Body Splash: This refreshing, skin-tightening body splash has the most addictive fragrance. I’m not usually a fan of “green” scents, but the combination of cucumber, melon and vanilla is one of my favorite smells, ever. This is perfect for spritzing on skin after a hot shower, and it keeps body blemishes at bay. $18

Murad Acne Clarifying Body Spray: At last—an acne treatment for the body that is easy to apply. This spray bottle delivers the salicylic acid formula to trouble spots, even when used upside down. It treats, heals and soothes in one easy step. $32

Yon-Ka Huile Corps Petit Grain Body Oil: I don’t know if this is the miracle potion it claims to be, but using it so enjoyable that it doesn’t even matter. It claims to improve body shape and contour, fight aging and stretch marks, improve blood and lymph circulation, neutralize free radicals… the list goes on and on. All I know is that the scent is intoxicating, like all Yon-Ka products, and the texture is sublime. $33

Clarins Relax Body Treatment Oil: This gorgeously-scented, luxuriously-textured body oil is packed with essential oils designed to soothe stress and fight fatigue. One whiff produces instant relaxation. [Clarins Body Oils remind me of Yon-Ka’s: the packaging, the fragrances, even the claims, are very similar.] $45

StriVectin-SD: A growth spurt during puberty graced me with stretch marks on my outer thighs, and this product really seems to make them less obvious. The key is to use it as directed, three times a day. $135

Erno Lazlo Intensive Decollete Cream SPF 20: Many bust creams make empty promises, but this one really delivers. The rich gel-cream formula firms, lightens brown spots, and most importantly, protects with sunscreen. It also leaves skin silky and smooth. $84

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Tenue Bust Contouring Spray: One quick spritz of this light, refreshing, non-greasy spray on neck and bust makes skin feel instantly firmer, more taut. It’s also supposed to make the bustline look fuller. I can’t confirm its bust-enlarging properties yet, but there’s always hope. $66

Lierac Body Care: Lierac has the most exhaustive, complete list of body products on the market. There’s a cream, oil, or ampoule for every imaginable malady: creams to firm the bust and flatten the tummy; fade stretch marks and combat cellulite. And they come in every form: creams, serums, oils, lotions. My personal favorite is Thekoa Firming Toning Oil. The gorgeous bottle is faintly Middle Eastern, and the scent is seductive. I love the texture and the way it wakes up my skin. $20-80 (approx.)

Tend Skin: This salicylic-acid based treatment really zaps ingrown hairs, and prevents new ones from forming. The smell is strong, but just a dab on a cotton pad covers the entire bikini area. $20

Benefit Flamingo Fancy: This shimmery, golden body lotion is a must for any big night out. A little bit, mixed in with your regular lotion, gives legs, arms and décolleté a glistening, golden sheen that turns any body from drab to cocktail-dress-worthy. $24

The Best Body Products

These are my favorite body products that don't fit neatly into any of the other "best body" categories. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Caswell-Massey Cucumber Body Splash: This refreshing, skin-tightening body splash has the most addictive fragrance. I’m not usually a fan of “green” scents, but the combination of cucumber, melon and vanilla is one of my favorite smells, ever. This is perfect for spritzing on skin after a hot shower, and it keeps body blemishes at bay. $18

Murad Acne Clarifying Body Spray: At last—an acne treatment for the body that is easy to apply. This spray bottle delivers the salicylic acid formula to trouble spots, even when used upside down. It treats, heals and soothes in one easy step. $32

Yon-Ka Huile Corps Petit Grain Body Oil: I don’t know if this is the miracle potion it claims to be, but using it so enjoyable that it doesn’t even matter. It claims to improve body shape and contour, fight aging and stretch marks, improve blood and lymph circulation, neutralize free radicals… the list goes on and on. All I know is that the scent is intoxicating, like all Yon-Ka products, and the texture is sublime. $33

Clarins Relax Body Treatment Oil: This gorgeously-scented, luxuriously-textured body oil is packed with essential oils designed to soothe stress and fight fatigue. One whiff produces instant relaxation. [Clarins Body Oils remind me of Yon-Ka’s: the packaging, the fragrances, even the claims, are very similar.] $45

StriVectin-SD: A growth spurt during puberty graced me with stretch marks on my outer thighs, and this product really seems to make them less obvious. The key is to use it as directed, three times a day. $135

Erno Lazlo Intensive Decollete Cream SPF 20: Many bust creams make empty promises, but this one really delivers. The rich gel-cream formula firms, lightens brown spots, and most importantly, protects with sunscreen. It also leaves skin silky and smooth. $84

Yves Saint Laurent Haute Tenue Bust Contouring Spray: One quick spritz of this light, refreshing, non-greasy spray on neck and bust makes skin feel instantly firmer, more taut. It’s also supposed to make the bustline look fuller. I can’t confirm its bust-enlarging properties yet, but there’s always hope. $66

Lierac Body Care: Lierac has the most exhaustive, complete list of body products on the market. There’s a cream, oil, or ampoule for every imaginable malady: creams to firm the bust and flatten the tummy; fade stretch marks and combat cellulite. And they come in every form: creams, serums, oils, lotions. My personal favorite is Thekoa Firming Toning Oil. The gorgeous bottle is faintly Middle Eastern, and the scent is seductive. I love the texture and the way it wakes up my skin. $20-80 (approx.)

Tend Skin: This salicylic-acid based treatment really zaps ingrown hairs, and prevents new ones from forming. The smell is strong, but just a dab on a cotton pad covers the entire bikini area. $20

Benefit Flamingo Fancy: This shimmery, golden body lotion is a must for any big night out. A little bit, mixed in with your regular lotion, gives legs, arms and décolleté a glistening, golden sheen that turns any body from drab to cocktail-dress-worthy. $24

The Best Intensive Body Moisturizers, Ever

This category covers the very best intensive body moisturizers, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream: This exotic product has very down-to-earth benefits. Created by a young Japanese pharmacist in 1957, it’s since become a staple for its ability to heal peeling, parched skin on knees, elbows, and feet. It’s packed with healthy hydrators like glycerin, vitamin E and B12. $29.95
2. Surgeon’s Skin Secret: Another decades-old standby, this basic yet effective formula contains nothing but beeswax, light mineral oil and lanolin. You can even use it on your lips. For travel, the same formula comes in a handy lavender-infused stick. The packaging is nothing to rave about, but the unbeatable, unfussy formula and modest price tag make it a best bet. $13.95
3. Lotil Cream: Formulated in England, where they know a thing or two about dry skin, this cream is a staple in British medicine cabinets for its ability to heal cracked, split skin, and prevent it from recurring. $16.50
4. Deep Steep Moisture Stick: Adorable packaging aside, this is one seriously ingenious little stick. An all-natural blend of cocoa and shea butters and essential oils melt on contact, relieving dry skin without greasing up fingers. It comes in two inspired scents: Honeydew-Spearmint or Grapefruit-Bergamot. $16
5. Aquaphor Original Ointment: If it’s gentle enough for a baby’s bottom, it’s gentle enough for your knees. Originally formulated to treat a baby’s delicate skin, this fragrance-free, preservative-free formula is safe for even the touchiest types. It soothes raw, irritated skin and helps heal dryness. $16.50 (approx.)
6. DDF Glycolic Intensive Cream 18%: Spread a little of this thick cream on dry patches before bed, and you’ll wake up to stunningly silky knees, elbows, and feet. It even helps control mild cases of psoriasis. $39
7. Elon Skin Repair System: This heavy, extremely moisturizing cream stays put, continually delivering soothing moisture to skin that is dry, rough and cracked. $19
8. Osmotics Tri-Ceram: This innovative cream contains a patented formula that is designed to replenish the skin’s ceramide deficiency, which can cause skin disorders such as eczema, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. If this cream can help heal those skin conditions, imagine what it can do for everyday dryness. $30
9. Atopalm MLE Cream: This steroid-free cream soothes irritated, dry, flaky skin without any unwanted side effects. Gentle enough for even the most sensitive, this concentrated cream can be used all over, or only on seriously dry parts. $30
10. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream: This basic, non-irritating formula can be used on face and body to seal in moisture. It’s so light, it doesn’t aggravate acne or leave skin greasy, but so hydrating that, when used regularly, it heals painful cracked fingertips. $10 (approx.)

The Popular Vote
1. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, $3 (approx.)
2. The Body Shop Body Butter, $16
3. L’Occitane Pure Shea Butter, $35
4. Avon Moisture Therapy Intensive Extra Strength Cream, $6 (approx.)
5. Aquaphor Original Ointment, $16.50 (approx.)
6. Cocoa Butter
7. Lush King of Skin, $10.20
8. Nivea Creamy Conditioning Oil, $6.99
9. Kiehl’s Intensive Treatment and Moisturizer for Dry or Callused Areas, $21
10. Shea Butter

The Best Body Creams, Ever

This category covers the very best body creams, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity.

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Acqua di Parma Relaxing Orange Soft Cream: I took this entire collection on my honeymoon to St. Barth’s, and the hip blue packaging and luscious light citrusy scent won over me and my husband. This soothing, deeply hydrating cream is infused with the anti-aging benefits of vitamins A, C and E, plus orange blossom extract to make skin vibrant and glycerin to trap moisture. $55
2. Christiane Celle Calypso Perfumed Body Cream (Mimosa): This rich, luxurious cream is flowery without being fussy. I love the beautiful glass jar and the way it hydrates the most parched skin. $56 (approx.)
3. Nivea Renewal Night Crème for Body: Ceramides and vitamins F and H provide some serious skin therapy, firming and strengthening your skin while you sleep. The relaxing fragrance offers therapy of the aromatic kind, putting your senses in the right mood for slumber. $9.51
4. Archipelago Botanicals Soy Milk Hand & Body Body Crème No. 3: I don’t know what it is about this cream that has me reaching for it above almost any other. It’s addictive. I sent a tube to my cousin, and it became an instant favorite. Maybe it’s the soft, clean-smelling, barely-there scent, or the soothing, hydrating formula. I can even use it on freshly shaved skin without a hint of irritation. $15
5. Enessa After Bath Body Oil (Fresh): Most body oils have warm, spicy aromas, but this one is really unusual. It’s just as luxurious as other body oils, but it absorbs quickly and leaves behind nothing but a fresh, clean scent. It’s formulated with a combination of oils, including golden jojoba, grapeseed, safflower and essential oils of lemon, mandarin and orange. $28
6. L’Occitane Honey Harvest Body Balm: I love the warm sweet smell of honey, a great moisturizer, and this balm is packed with it, along with other nourishing ingredients like propolis and royal jelly. The creamy texture absorbs quickly and leaves my skin yummy and silky. $33
7. Fresh Rice Dry Body Oil: The company describes the scent of this amazing oil as “camellia and grapefruit deepened by luscious bourgeon de cassis, ripening into a fruity, earthy essence.” I call it addictive. I can’t stop slathering this oil on my arms and legs, or enlisting my husband to rub it into my shoulders. It’s got botanicals designed to warm muscles, and leaves skin silky, not greasy, with a gorgeous glow. $42
8. Dr. Hauschka Rose Body Oil: I know that a lot of people find a pure rose fragrance rather grandmotherly and old-fashioned, but I love it. This smells like walking through a rose garden after a summer shower, and it soothes skin and spirit while leaving behind a subtle sheen. $31
9. Benefit Bathina “Touch Me Then Try to Leave…” Cream: This cooling cream is so girlie and indulgent, it instantly became a favorite. The scent is seductive yet subtle, and it absorbs easily, leaving you moisturized but never greasy. $26
10. Neutrogena Body Oil with Sesame: This has been a standby since college, and it’s still hip. The subtle scent of sesame is sophisticated and slightly Asian-inspired, and it’s instantly relaxing. Plus, this is a “light oil” that absorbs instantly, leaving skin silky, not greasy. $15 (approx.)

The Popular Vote
1. The Body Shop Body Butter in Cocoa, $16
2. Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter, $23.50
3. Bath & Body Works creams, $14-28
4. BeneFit Bathina “Touch Me Then Try to Leave”… Cream, $26
5. Avon Moisture Therapy Intensive Extra Strength Cream, $6 (approx.)
6. eSoaps Whipped Cream, $6
7. Lush Dream Cream, $19.95
8. Natural Esscents Body Whip (any scent), $7
9. Nivea Crème, $3.69
10. Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream, $26

How Not to Feel Like a Frump When Pregnant

Pregnancy doesn't have to mean 9+ months of pure frumpery. It can be one of the most exciting and sexiest times of your life. Before I lose you - wait. I'm not saying that pregnancy is not the most major adjustment and transformation your body will ever make. I'm just saying it's possible to make it go more smoothly. All it takes is some strategic shopping and pampering, and a change in attitude. Here are my top tips to a sexy pregnancy:

1. Take good care of yourself. You can't look good if you feel awful. Unfortunately, nothing can eliminate morning sickness and other pregnancy ailments, but you can help alleviate any discomfort you feel by avoiding any nausea triggers and pampering yourself. Get a massage if your back aches (just make sure your therapist is licenced in prenatal massage!), take a bath, make a cup of tea - whatever it takes.

2. Celebrate your body. Oddly, by making a ritual of using belly butters and oils morning and night and focusing on my growing belly, I came to like and respect what was happening to my body a little bit more. I started to see it as beautiful, if not necessarily physically, then because of what it represented.

3. Surround yourself with positive people. Sounds trite, I know, but it's amazing how the attitudes of negative people can rub off on you. If you have girlfriends who have nothing good to say about being pregnant, change the subject. Who needs that?

4. Shop in regular stores. This is IMPORTANT! I have a very hip friend and boutique owner who never owned a single piece of maternity clothing. While this probably wouldn't work for most of us, it is possible for every woman to mix it up a little! During my most recent pregnancy, I only wore maternity clothes about 10% of the time. With all the empire, tunic and babydoll clothes in style right now, I didn't need to stick to maternity. Wearing normal clothes makes you feel like a normal person. You can buy current trends and talk sales with your girlfriends. And in a small town like mine, where maternity options are virtually nonexistent, it's a lifesaver. Shopping at regular stores for maternity-friendly styles opens up a whole world of options, and will save you a ton of money.

5. Splurge on a few great pieces. For example, the only maternity must-have, in my opinion, is a great pair of maternity designer jeans. You'll wear them again and again. Buy them early in your pregnancy to get the most mileage out of them, and buy a versatile boot leg style in a darker wash.

6. Make it a point to flaunt what you still love. During my first pregnancy, I bought a fabulous olive jersey dress with a flowy top and a miniskirt. After all, my legs hadn't changed, so I wanted to show them off. And people noticed. I swear that some college guys checked me out when I went to a college reunion event, and a few people actually stopped me and told me I was the prettiest pregnant woman they had seen. Why? It's because pregnant women rarely show any skin, and in some cases, any style. It shocks people, and is a real confidence booster for you. So whether it's a beautiful neck or slim arms or a pretty face, play up your assets!

7. Wear heels as long as you can. They will tell you not to. Ignore them. (Note: Do not pack them to wear home from the hospital after a c-section. Trust me on this. Not a good idea.)

8. Control what you can. Your body goes a little haywire during pregnancy, so take extra good care with the things under your control, like your makeup, hair, nails, etc. Make them as gorgeous as possible, and you'll feel more like yourself.

9. Remind yourself of all the celebrities that are currently pregnant, and take some fashion and beauty cues from them. Somehow, it made me feel like I was in glamorous company, even if I didn't look anything like Heidi Klum when I was pregnant.

10. Get out there and enjoy life! Take a "babymoon" with your husband, go out to dinner with your girlfriends, enroll in a fun class. Focus on doing everything now that you may not have time for later. You'll thank me for this!

The Frump Factor: Nursing Attire Part I

Thank goodness I have a gorgeous newborn with a full head of hair, because her beauty helped to detract from my feelings of frumpiness last night when I toted her along to a meeting. In preparation of a visit with the flatiron that never happened, my hair was pulled back. I wore a black sleeveless wrap front jersey dress from James Perse, BCBG black patent d'Orsay pumps, and a Donna Karan pink wrap cardigan. Nothing worked. The dress didn't seem to fit my postpartum body, the cardigan hung listlessly, and my hair looked dated and frizzy. Yuck. In a way, dressing as a nursing mother is more challenging and more fraught with opportunities for disaster than maternity fashion. It's hard to keep from looking disheveled while nurturing another human being. Somehow, it always seems to show. So, for myself and the other nursing mothers out there, I plan to research some of the options for nursing mothers, from the conventional to the not-so-obvious, and I'll start with the upiquitous nursing cami.

The Glamourmom Nursing Tank: Let me start by saying that I ordered this in a size too big, a medium instead of a small, based on the company's own sizing information. I recommend ordering according to your shirt size and not according to your bra size, unless your breasts are extremely large. Because of this, the tank is just a little too big throughout the whole body. Otherwise, these offer great style (there are now longer, tunic-length versions available, as well as some trimmed with lace), great fabric, and great versatility. They're comfortable and reasonably stylish, and can be worn as underwear or outerwear, and even to bed. I do have a couple of gripes, however. First, the nursing closure is tricky at best, and requires two hands sometimes, which is tricky when you have a hungry, crying infant to deal with. Second, I wish it wasn't so obviously a nursing tank, but the straps very clearly show the nursing closure, taking away some of the glamour and putting the emphasis on the "mom" part of the name. Otherwise, I consider these an essential.

Check back for more nursing fashion reviews!

The Post Baby Body

I admit it. I'm lucky. It's been less than 4 weeks since Eva was born, and I've already lost my pregnancy weight. But my body still has a long way to go to look anything like it did pre-baby. Here's what's wrong:
1. I still have the discoloration on my stomach from whatever they applied to it during the c-section.
2. My incision site is still puffy and ugly and covered with tape.
3. The skin on my stomach feels dry and crepey and a little rough, and when I bend over, even the littlest bit, it wrinkles up like an accordion.
4. My stomach still protrudes a little.
5. My breasts are either massive and painfully engorged, or sad and lopsided, depending on how much Eva has been eating.
6. I have no muscle tone due to lack of exercise.

So now begins the work of getting things back in order. Check back often as I report on what works and what doesn't on the long road back to normalcy!

A Gift for Yourself

If only I'd seen this earlier. Sephora has come out with a brilliant gift idea that would have made every girl on my gift list happy. It's called the Scent Sampler. Basically, you buy your lucky giftee a $50 fragrance gift certificate, and it comes packaged with an assortment of ten hot new fragrances. She tries them all, picks her favorite, and then redeems the certificate at her local Sephora for full-size bottle of her fragrance of choice. It also gives fragrance fanatics a chance to try all the hot new scents without making several trips to Sephora. So simple, yet so perfect. We all know how dicey it can be to try to choose a fragrance for someone. Either you take your chances with such a personal purchase, or you resort to buying them more of what they've already been wearing. Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?
Fortunately this is one gift you can easily give yourself, especially if, like me, your hectic schedule doesn't give you much time to roam the perfume section of your favorite department store. Now if only someone would do this with candles and other home fragrances as well (my latest obsession for the last several months has been to find a signature scent for my home!).