Swell Skin: LUSH Massage Bars

My boyfriend is one of those manly wood-cutter types. He can cut, split, load, and deliver a cord of wood in a day. What is a cord of wood? My point is this - my man works hard. Working hard usually translates to a sore back, so I give him massages just about every day. I've used a variety of oils on him, but my favorite thing to use is a massage bar. I got one from LUSH last year and that worked perfectly.


LUSH sent me one of their newer bars to try last month. It was one of their Once A Year Massage Bars (similar to this one) made especially for warming with cinnamon essential oil and a touch of glittery gold. I found it to work as well as the first bar, melted nicely, very smooth for a massage, but after awhile I got tired of sleeping next to the cinnamon scent every night and the glittery bits went through my sheets onto my feather bed underneath. Next time I'll pick up a bar that has more of a neutral scent or maybe one with a cocoa butter fragrance like the first one.

LUSH products are made with pure essential oils. They are handmade with no preservatives and they contain only vegetarian ingredients. These bars are great for massages or moisturizing straight out of the shower. They come with a little tin, so you can take it with you (our bars have gone camping with us). The bar is much more convenient than an oil. I've shopped around for a similar product locally and have been unable to find anything that works as well.



Image credit: LUSH.com

Swell Skin: Pacific Shaving Co for Men & Women

Awhile back I had the opportunity to try some of the wonderful products from Pacific Shaving Company*, but as my primarty sampler was my wonderful son, Max, I found it difficult to write my review until now. Max had Cerebral Palsy and I did all his shaving for him. He had very sensitive skin and I really had to try quite a few products before I found something that wouldn't irritate him.

I tried both the All Natural Shaving Cream as well as the Blade Oil that you spray directly on the razor on Max. It worked wonderfully - gentle, effective, smelled great. Max's face looked extra handsome and felt very smooth. The Shaving Cream, it's a little misleading - it comes in a little jar. I thought, wow, we are going to blow through this thing, but you use a smaller than normal amount, possibly because it's not all air.

The girls and I also tried the cream. It works well on legs and underarms. The Blade Oil extends the life of your razor and the All Natural Shaving Oil is a perfect for a girl like Bailey - no more shaving bumps. Instead of cream, you use a few drops of oil for a smooth shave.

All Pacific Shaving products are made with essential oils and certified organic ingredients. You can find them at Whole Foods, Harmon Discount Health & Beauty, Drugstore.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, Path Mark, Snyders, or your locak A&P.

*Product sample furnished to writer for review.

Image credit: Pacific Shaving Company

Swell Men: Isaiah Mustafa & Old Spice

Do you remember that Old Spice commercial from earlier this year, "Look at me... now look at your man..." with the handsome actor, Isaiah Mustafa? I read recently that he signed a talent deal with NBC. He's not tied to any specific project at this point - NBC wants to be sure that they get him before anyone else.




Old Spice is featuring Isaiah Mustafa in a new commercial that you can view here. It won't be available on national TV until the 7th of July, after it appears in theatres. So, that makes this an official *Sneak Peek*, I do believe.

Old Spice has certainly come a long way since my Grandpa started using it. Do you want to know a secret? I've been using their Cyprus deodorant/anti-perspirant ever since I reviewed. I love it.

Image credit: PicApp.com