Can We Talc?

I got stinky feet. And apparently it’s hereditary. My sister and daughter both suffer from rank-foot-itis as well. In fact, upon entering the world, the first thing my husband noticed about my kid was the size of her feet. The first thing I noticed, shortly thereafter, was the stench they carried along with them. They’ve yet to relinquish their odorifousness. Well, I am pleased to report that there might finally be a cure for this malady from which I, and so many other innocent souls living in stenchy silence, suffer. Oh, happy day! Approach summer with confidence, my comrades, because I have a solution for you. What’s more, it comes from a product I had previously scorned: talc. Honestly, I’ve always shied away from talc because I simply didn’t know what to do with it. Furthermore, I rather dislike the fragrance of baby powder, so it hardly seemed worth the reported risks that "scientific studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder in the genital area is associated with a three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer". Even pediatricians tend to avoid recommending it for babies anymore, as there may be some danger to their lungs, if inhaled. Who knows what to believe anymore? I guess it’s all gonna kill you somehow, so you better use the things that bring you the most joy, enjoy them while you can, and suck it up when the consequences hit. Just hope you’ve acquired enough accumulated delectation to get you through the rough spots. Anyway, if I can’t use it on my baby and I can’t use it on my baby-maker, what do I do with the vexatious “extra product” that always seems to comes with my bath and body kits? ... Funk foot!

*Product Review: Perlier Talcum Powder

I have the Dark Chocolate, Vineyards Nectar, and Shea Butter with Coconut Milk 3.5 oz. talcs from Perlier. They each came as rather unwelcome accompaniments to my other coveted products, but you can buy them individually (by the pair, to be more exact) at HSN.com. They come in a delectable variety of fragrances for $10 - $20.50 per two-pack. They’ve always just annoyed me, but now that I’ve found a couple uses, I’m lovin’ ‘em. First, I sprinkle a little powder into my stinky shoes and ... ta-dah! Foot funk eradicated and replaced with the pleasant aroma of my scent-of-the-day. It serves a practical purpose and creates another way for me to layer my favorite fragrance. My feet stay drier too. Second, since I am queen of all that stains, I sprinkle a little powdery magic on any bothersome oil stain and let it sit overnight. In the morning, I scratch the powder into the stain a little, blow off the excess, and miraculously ... that nasty butter or olive oil blemish is gone! My clothes smell fresher too. In the end it may kill ya, but you’ll smell good on your way outta town. For a great new twist on the old “baby powder" scent, and a surprising new appreciation for an always-known-but-never-cared-about personal hygiene staple ... 4 Stars.

Dream Team

Just because the Lakers have assembled a nearly perfect (and certainly more than adequate) team, don’t think for a minute that those scouts aren’t constantly on the look-out for another All-Star to clench the title. My quest … no different. You can just wipe that look of judgement right off your face.

*Product Review: Trader Joe’s Moisturizing Cream Shave

This is TJ’s attempt at a “more natural” shave product, and it is much appreciated. If you’ve ever actually looked at the ingredients in your average shave gel, it’s pretty scary. Those babies are packed with preservatives, anti-microbials, and brain-numbing chemicals. Not only is this creation cheaper, but it’s less likely to leave you with some crazy chemical-induced butt boil at the end of the day. It’ll cost you $3.49 for an 8 fl oz tube, but that’s still cheaper than most natural-type varieties. In fact, I tried Philosophy’s Razor Sharp at $18 for 8 oz and, not only was it chalk full of chemicals, but it left me with abrasions and scarring from the razor sharpness of it all. Terrible product! For a fraction of the cost, this TJ Cream Shave whoops its ASS! I love the Honey Mango scent, it smells fruity, sweet, and summery. They came out with an unscented version a little while ago, which I used to buy for my husband, but it seemed to disappear as quickly as it appeared. I find that to be the major problem with Trader Joe’s. In spite of that fact, and for their efforts to make healthier affordable … 4 Stars.

Trader Joe's Honey Mango Moisturizing Shave Cream with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E for Men and Women

What Do Doctors Know, Anyway?

Upon any disappointment or hurt in my daughter’s life, she is apt to say, “Put da wotion on, Mama”. I then follow-up with, “Lotion doesn’t fix everything, Baby”. Well, I recently took her to the dermatologist for a suspicious looking bubbly red rash travelling around her body. After a quick glance, the doctor said, “It’s just eczema. She’s probably allergic to nickel”. The doctor proceeded to leave the room, after which the nurse came in with a plastic baggie and handed it to the baby. Her eyes popped as she realized what the magic baggie contained: “Oh, Mama … WOTION!” You’ve never seen a smile so big. OK, so maybe lotion does fix everything.

*Product Review: Virgin Coconut Butter

So I bet you thought coconut butter was one of those major heath no-no’s. That evil ingredient in movie theatre popcorn they assure you will enlarge your butt and narrow your arteries. Well, such is the case for REFINED coconut oil, but as it turns out, Unrefined Virgin Coconut oil is actually quite the opposite. You can find it at any health food store, organic even. (Cold-pressed is the best.) If you love the aroma of fresh coconuts, you’ll adore this product. Not only is it healthy to cook with, but it adds a wonderfully subtle and exotic flavor to your favorite dishes. In addition, it’s able to preserve its health benefits (of which there are many, Google and be amazed) at a higher temperature than, say … olive oil. Because it’s so pure (just one ingredient) it makes a perfect baby lotion, smells divine (unlike refined coconut oil, which has no fragrance), and even has anti-fungal properties. If your skin is not too dry, it makes a good body butter and a wonderful hair moisturizer that leaves a beautiful sheen, without the build-up. I’ve even used it on my face. What more can I say, it’s a multi-tasking miracle! Now, I must mention that it only remains a solid at room temperature and lower. If you’re taking a tropical safari, it’ll turn into a melty mess right quick, but it does still retain all of its beneficial qualities and will harden up again once it cools. Skin care companies (like Sumbody) sell this for butt-loads of money, but you can find lower-end and generic versions from around $6.99 for 14 oz at Whole Foods and the like, then it goes up from there. Price wise it's on par with olive oil, but when you consider its many uses, much more cost effective. AND you’re using a product that’s good for your health, your hair, your skin, and the environment. Fabulous … 4½ Stars.

Enough About You, Let’s Talk About Me.

My bathroom is my sanctuary; it is my very own. I do not share it with my husband. His filth shall never penetrate the walls of my sacred fortress. (Oh, get your mind out of the gutter!) OK, so I’m not rich, I do share it with my baby. But … well … she’s a baby. The point is, after the baby goes to bed, it’s the only time I have to focus totally and completely on me. I close the door and just … delight. I open and smell each of my lovely commodities, then plan my fragrance experience for the next day. I primp, hydrate, and massage the day away. ...Wow! I am a nut. Oooooh, nuts smell so good!

*Product Review: Weleda Skin Food

This is one of those “green” products that hails from that good for you/good for the environment company, Weleda. The uber-thick cream is intended for anywhere you have “dry and rough skin”, but I have found it to be the saving grace for my face. Never did I imagine, in my younger years, that I would put such a heavy product on my face. I used to have the oiliest, shiniest nose EVER! But, as I get older, I’m drying out like the Sahara. Good times! About a year ago, I tried countless products and NOTHING seemed to keep my face moisturized for more that a few hours. If I found something half-way decent, it would break me out something fierce (I break out if you even look at me the wrong way). Weleda’s Skin Food has been the answer for me: lasting moisture, multitasking, all natural, and non-blemish-causing. Of course, like most things not likely to cause you cancer, this line of products is on the expensive side. You can find most of their line at virtually any health food store, but now even Target carries the Skin Food at a more affordable $17.49 for 2.5 oz. This multi-purpose poultice is well worth the price, though. I use it, not only on my face day and night, but on my hands as well. I have to admit that I haven’t traditionally liked wearing hand lotion to bed, as I touch my face a lot and it breaks me out. However, if the cream on my hands is already on my face … voila! Problem solved. 10 points for that handiness. Good for my body, great for my face, green for the Earth … 4¾ Stars.

Weleda Skin Food - 2.5 oz.

Bedtime Bath and Beauty

Anyone else think it would be fun to have a grown-up slumber party? Sure, I’m just a few moments over 15, but I still think it would be awesome to dance around in girly panties while testing all your girlfriends’ latest bath and body chattel. Or modeling your recent clothing / lingerie acquisition and receiving an HONEST opinion.

*Product Review: Natural Touch Contour & Hanes Concealing Petal Underwire Bras

Soooo (speaking of underthings) … for those of us with rather boring bra sizes (say a 34 or 36 B or C), I have uncovered the greatest find. Now for any size remotely unusual (like a 32D) or in need of seriously well-crafted support (like a 42H), Target is surely not the place for you. HOWEVER, if you’re just the right exceptionally average size, it can be a wonderland … like my body. :-) (Sometimes being average is actually quite rewarding.) I stumbled upon two really nice bras at fantastic prices. The first is the Natural Touch (a division of Vanity Fair) Contour Underwire Bra for $14.99. It’s seamless (with a slight jacquard texture), full-coverage, and provides great shaping and support. The straps are a little wider than you’d normally find in this size, which makes it super comfortable without being matronly. As far as I’ve noticed, it comes in white, black, a very light nude, and a really soft and pretty lilacy-mauve (available in 34-38B-D). Even though it’s full coverage, it does dip down just enough to be practical with most necklines and give a slightly sexy feel to a very basic bra. The second is the Hanes Concealing Petals Underwire Bra (Style #G511) for $12.99. The concept of this bra is to ensure modesty, which I guess it does, but I’ve just found it’s a great t-shirt bra. Completely seamless and smooth, this full coverage number creates an almost undetectable foundation for any outfit. This came in a slightly darker nude color, as well as black, white, and some fashion colors (like purple). It covers more, so it may not be as versatile with all necklines as the Natural Touch, but it’s still a wardrobe staple. Truly, I currently reside at a rather hard-to-find 32C, but sometimes (as in the case of these little bolder holders) I can fake a 34. Both bras are slightly stretch and molded-cup, which ensures the lift and shaping nature may have so cruelly taken away (or never provided you with). The Natural Touch you can find at Target.com, but for the Hanes model, it looks like you’ll have to actually walk your little booty into Target (or I’m sure you could find it at Walmart, Kmart, Sears or Hanes.com). It’s well worth the trip for a budget-friendly, easily accessible wardrobe essential … 4½ Stars.

Natural Touch by Vanity Fair Full Coverage Bra - Mauve Print 34C

Green Goddess

Let me just say that I have a health and socially conscious side. I would much prefer to exclusively use products that contain no environmentally or systemically harmful chemicals, preservatives, or artificial fragrances. In a perfect world, it would be thusly. I was even on an all-natural kick for a couple of years and through my breastfeeding days. And, I’ll admit, I’m MUCH more strict about what I put on my baby’s skin. Even now, I still truly believe that this is the best thing for us, as our skin is the largest organ, and therefore the gateway to our health and well-being. I’m no scientist, but I’m positive that many of the diseases we all suffer from can be traced to toxic substances leaching into or bodies from the products we apply to our skin alone. That being said, my superficial side’s come back for a visit. I have yet to find an “all natural” product that smells as good AND produces the same results as conventional ones. Therein lies the rub (pardon the pun). Another concern for mass hoarders, such as myself, is that having cream sans-preservative is a recipe for disastrous rancidity. Natural products serve the sensible best: those who buy one product and use it daily, until it’s gone, then move on to the next. They aren’t meant to last more than 3 months to a year, and thus must be used in a timely fashion. Be sensible or beware the consequences: shelf life or YOUR life.

*Product review: La Vanilla The Healthy Deodorant

Nobody ever talks about this stuff, but it’s pretty good. You can find the 1.7 oz. stick at Sephora or sephora.com for $18. As another option to daily applications of brain-killing antiperspirants, this couldn’t be better. I like the Vanilla Grapefruit variety. Now, I must confess that I still need the traditional Alzheimer’s-waitin-to-happen antiperspirants when I’m going to tackle anything strenuous or stressful, but at least it gives my body a chance to detox on those plain old ordinary days. For a healthy (as the name would imply), aluminum, pthalate, and paraben-free alternative, that actually cuts the funk … 4 Stars.