Romy Raves

I don’t know about you, but as the easy, breezy days of summer come to a close, I find myself feeling sort of melancholy. I really love the freedom and playfulness of summer, and as Fall rapidly approaches, its back to business, school, routine and structure. However, a trio of tropically inspired products might be able to ease my transition just a bit, and remind me of the sweetness and lazy days of summer.Â

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Let me introduce you to Ligne Tropicale, a wonderfully yummy anti-aging body care line from Pevonia Botanica which consists of three amazing anti-aging body products: a De-Aging Saltmousse, a De-Aging Mist and a De-Aging Body Balm. These products come in two divine tropical smelling scents: Papaya-Pineapple which rejuvenates and Mango-Passion Fruit which brightens. Not only do these products smell insanely good, but they really hydrate and nurture the skin.

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First, I use the Tropicale De-Aging Saltmousse which has a wonderfully light whipped texture that exfoliates, nourishes and hydrates the skin all at the same time. I really like the emollient creamy texture of this scrub because it foams up nicely and at the same time does a thorough job of exfoliating the skin. And I noticed that after using this scrub, my skin looked smoother and fresher.Â

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Next, is the Tropicale De-Aging Mist, which is refreshing, cooling and super hydrating. This yummy mist contains a blend of tropical fruits including Pomegranate, Papaya, and Pineapple (which easily puts me in a ‘summer’ state of mind) combined with Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe, and Chamomile. The Hyaluronic Acid is a potent hydrator, bonds moisture to the skin and it provides a nice base for the final product in the trio.Â

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Last, but not least is my personal favorite product in this tropical trio, the Tropicale De-Aging Body Balm. I love this product because it smells good enough to eat, has a silky texture that I adore because it absorbs really quickly, and probably my favorite feature of this product is that it has awesome staying power that keeps my skin moist and supple throughout the whole day (in fact, when I shower the next day I can STILL feel the silky moisture on my skin). This balm is formulated with tropical fruit extracts, shea butter, retinol, marine collagen and elastin polypeptides that smooth the look of wrinkles on the body, repair skin damage, and brighten overall skin tone. I can’t resist all these wonderful anti-aging ingredients (in a body treament!), so I keep this wonderous little balm next to my bed as a special night time hand treatment too!

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Doesn’t it all sound so yummy and enticing, especially with the added bonus of anti-aging ingredients for the body? You can buy this wonderful tropical trio in a lovely gift set here. What are your tricks for keeping a ‘summer state of mind’ alive even when the temperature drops?? Please post and share!

In honor of my birthday this year, I’ve decided that it would be awfully nice of me to do something special for my loyal readers like you. So I have put together some special treats for you to enjoy, may I have a drum roll pluh-eeze. . . . . . It’s Romy’s Birthday Freebies!

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I have compiled a list of various freebies that I have deemed Romy Raves worthy for you to sign-up for on the web (some are clubs and some are offers), print out and score some recessionista worthy loot. Please let me know how you make out and thank you for making my Birthday a Happy One!Â

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Free Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry’s–One Free Single Scoop for joining Chunkmail
www.benjerry.com/chunk

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Baskin Robbin’s–One Free 2.5 oz. Scoop
www.baskinrobbins.com/bdayclub/registerinfo1.aspx

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Cold Stone Creamery–Free Ice Cream Creation
www.coldstonecreamery.com/birthday/birthday_club.aspx

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Free Food

Red Robin–Free Burger

http://apps.fishbowl.com/a/redrobin/join/agegate.asp

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Rubio’s–Free Taco & A Free Meal on Your B-day
www.rubios.com/beachclub/

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Benihana–Free Dinner (up to $30)
http://www.benihana.com/email

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El Torito–Free Guacamole & A Free Entree on your Birthday

http://www.freeshiet.com/Share/Nationwide-Free-El-Torito-Meal-on-Your-Birthday-63.aspxÂ

Fuddruckers–Free Burger

http://www.fuddsclub.com/

http://www.fishbowl.com/clt/tnyrms/lp/join/join.asp

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Free Lifestyle & Entertainment

Sephora Beauty Insider–Free Trio of Lip Glosses on your Birthday and Deluxe Samples: : BTW I am proud card carrying member of this great club, lots of treats for us beauty junkies

http://www.sephora.com/beautyinsider/

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Disneyland–Free Park Entrance on your Exact Birthday
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/disneyland/index?name=CelebrationsDLRFreeOnYourBirthdayPage

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Hollywood & Highland Center Elephant Card Birthday Perks

http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/information_elephantcard.php#birthday

This hip entertainment center in the heart of Hollywood is offering a whole bunch of perks just for signing up for their free elephant card. Once you sign-up, all you need to do is show your current ID and Elephant Card within a week before or a week after your birthday and to get the following free perks:

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Spa Luce at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa
Complimentary day pass with a $50 credit towards a treatment ($75 value)
Kodak Theatre
Complimentary Kodak Theatre Guided Tour ticket
MAC Cosmetics
Complimentary set of lashes and lash application ($12 value)–I’ve RAVED about this awesome perk before
Twist at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa
Complimentary dessert
Mann Chinese 6 Theatres
Free small popcorn with beverage purchase. One per person
Kelly’s Coffee & Fudge
Free cookie
Beard Papa Sweets Café
Complimentary cream puff

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One of my ongoing beauty misssions is a relentless quest for moist, supple lips. Why you ask? Three reasons:

1) I HATE the feeling of dry lips—tight, flaky and yucky

2) Dry lips make you look and feel old and dried up

3) And last but not least, plump, hydrated, wet, pouty lips are sexy as hell and kissalicious!

With that said, I can now reveal (‘In No Particular Order’ for you DWTS fans), my absolute Favorite Lip Quenchers for Summer 2009:

Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment with SPF 15 by Fresh

This is the latest creation by those creative geniuses at Fresh, which is an enhanced upgrade of the cult fav Sugar Lip Treatment. It has the same nourishing oils, hydrating butters and a yummy bright citrus and sugar flavor, but this new version also has a delightful sublte rose tint that makes your lips look flushed and just bitten. I love the way this product feels going on my lips because it has the right amount of hydration and I love the lemon and sugar flavor. But I think I love this new and improved version even more, because of the pretty pink aluminum packaging and the addition of a reddish pink tint–it feels like a very girly lip treat!

Vitamin E Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 by Jo Malone

I recently discovered this lovely lip conditioner packed with vitamin E and liked it instantly. I found it nicely moisturizing, healing because of the vitamin E, and slightly cooling with a hint of menthol. I really like the light texture and weight of this product and it has just the right amount of gloss. And I always like a hint of flavor in my gloss, and the minty quality in this lip conditioner is perfect and refreshing.

Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector with SPF 15 by Murad

This is a yummy, juicy, perfectly shiny fruit flavored gloss with a hint of pink. It is both exfoliating and conditioning and I love how it makes my lips both supple and glossy. This feels like the perfect spring or summer gloss to me!

Lip Service Anti-Aging Lip Balm with SPF 50 by HissyFit

I have been raving about this brilliant new fav all summer (I love the playful diva-like ‘tude of this burgeoning company.) This lip balm is wonderfully hydrating, anti-aging, and has a nice lip plumpimg effect. But the best thing about it is that it has a major SPF of 50, so you can look good and feel good about its level of protection at the same time.

The Lip Balm by La Mer

This is one of my newest discoveries, which I am especially loving as a renewing night time treatment that totally gets rid of my dry flaky over-exposed summer time lips. I love the hint of mint and it feels luxurious, calming, and soothing all at the same time. This beautifully made balm has the same nutrient-rich broth that is found in La Mer’s cult favorite Creme de la Mer, along with a patented lipid complex and a unique mineral complex, which all work together to moisturize and protect your lips.

Kiss Mix by Eve Lom

This is the most medicinal, mentholly product in the bunch, but I love it! It’s a bit tackier than most, its wonderfully tingly, refreshing and feels like it is really healing my lips. It also contains zinc oxide which acts as a natural sunscreen. This is the type of product I would turn to in the winter months, when my lips are sore and dry and need lots of TLC and healing.

Renewal Lip Complex by Dermalogica

This is the most unique lip product in this group because it has THE best and most innovative packagaing and delivery system–you twist the barrel and it pushes out a rich, emollient, nourshing balm through seven little holes and onto your lips. This inspired dispenser drenches my lips with a luscious, moist anti-aging lip balm-type-serum that I just love, and it truly feels more like an anti-aging treatment rather than just a lip balm.

Aromessence Baume Levres Lip Balm by Decleor Paris

This is my favorite bedside fix because I love the calming aromatherapy smell and bits of herbs in the balm, it makes me feel relaxed and sleepy. It is very emollient and hydrating, and my lips instantly feel coated in lovely nuturing natural herbs. This night time treat feels so good going on and it really shifts my mood.

What have I missed? Please post your favorite lip treat, I am always interested in getting tips from other beauty mavens.

Once in a while, amongst all my trend forecasting and my beauty blabbing, I like to throw in a post with some real substance, a post that can really make you think and shift your perspective and today is one of those days.

Recently, I had a transformational experience with a group of girlfriends that I adore, that really challenged and frustrated me, but most importantly it helped me grow and become a better person by going through it. It also made my relationship with these women even stronger because we were honest, real, confrontational yet constructive.

Do you have friends like this? Friends that call you on your shit? Friends who don’t let you off the hook easily and make you really look at the way you live your life in hopes that you will learn and grow from the experience? I DO!! At times I don’t like it, the self-absorbed little girl inside me says “whatever, I don’t care what you think, I know I am right so there!” but the adult woman inside me knows better. I know I have hurt them by making a decision that impacts their lives without thinking about the consequences of my actions beforehand. My adult self knows how important self-less-ness is, and how in the future I need to think about the consequences of my actions on others before just doing whatever I want. I have learned that its time to be a grown-up, less impulsive and more thoughtful. And it’s not easy, it’s hard but worth it becasue that’s where the growth opportunity—Oh yeah, and admitting you were wrong, that’s hard too.

Is this at all relatable to you? Do you have friends that raise your game? Friends that by being in relation to them, you grow and become a better person? Fluffy relationships are a dime a dozen, but real in-depth honest relationships are the ones that enrich your life and help you grow.

To these women (The Sage, Hippie and Do-Gooder), I say thank you for being in my life, for not letting me off the hook easily and for making our relationship stronger because of your brutal honesty. To those of you reading this, I want you to know how precious these more challenging relationships are and that they definitely are worth fighting for–treasure them because they are rare and special.

Being the beauty trend maven that I am, I am ALWAYS on the hunt for inspired and innovative products that solve annoying and common beauty challenges. Take frizzy hair for example, not an earth shattering problem, but typically a nusance when I don’t get every ounce of moisture out of my hair or have the flawless pulling technique of a seasoned pro to obliterate pesky frizz. However, the L’Azzio Hot Air Smoothing Brush has changed all that.

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L’Azzio has created a unique patented straightening and smoothing ionic ceramic barrel brush that easily smooths your hair with very little effort. The interchangeable ionic ceramic barrel brushes are made out of wood which allows hot air to flow through the bristles like a blow dryer without overheating. The ceramic and ions improve luster and control frizzies while the natural boar bristles gently help distribute the hairs natural oils.

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But aside from all this high tech innovation, this cool new brush REALLY WORKS! After the traditional blow-drying is done, you use this tool on DRY hair to smooth and finish your style—and that’s where this product really impresses and works its magic. With minimal effort and only one styling tool at a time (I think this is my favorite feature because rolling, pulling and holding a blow dryer all at once usually makes me feel like a bumbling idiot), you are able to effortlessly wrap your hair around the brush of your choice (the interchangeable brush heads come in small, medium and large BTW–I prefer the Large brush) and get a nice taut grip so that you seemlessly smooth your hair all the way down.Â

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To me this is like a high quality roll brush, flat iron and blow dryer all in one with the muscle of a pro–I LOVE it and think it does a fantastic job of imparting smoothness and shine in one fell swoop (not to mention the cost savings of having three tools in one!) Very inspired and very cool! This is definitely a keeper in my beauty product arsenal.