Romy Raves

I cannot live without sunscreen, it is definitely one of my top must-have beauty products. It’s like a shield of armour that I wear everyday without fail, rain or shine. And being true to my beauty maven roots, I am always on the hunt for the best sunscreen products available, and IMO nothing comes close to the Anthelios line by La Roche-Posay. I feel that Anthelios is truly the gold standard in suncare (especially for the face) because of the state-of-the-art UV protection and the amazing silky formulas. For years, Anthelios has been a cult fav among dermatologists and celebrities because of its innovations and high quality product. Recently, La-Roche Posay has introduced Anthelios 6o Sunscreen, their highest level of protection yet and the best textures ever.

So what’s all the hype about? This new Anthelios 60 line has a break through technology called Cell-Ox Shield. This is a synergistic combination of patented high efficacy sun filters and powerful anti-oxidants that further protect your skin at the cellular level. It also offers a very high level of broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection which has a unique stabilizing performance booster that delivers longer-lasting protection, as well as advanced efficiency against UVA rays. Anthelios 60 also contains a powerful anti-oxidant complex called Senna Alata, a tropical leaf extract known to defend skin cells.

Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Fluid ($27.50 US) This is the ‘WOW’ product in the line because it is has super light innovative formula (ideal for normal to combination skin), that absorbs instantly and dries to a beautiful silky matte finish. I just love the way this texture feels on my skin and it doesn’t weigh it down. I especially love it in the humid tropics when my skin doesn’t need the added moisture and it really protects against the potent island sun. The formula is just divine for everyday too, make-up goes on beautifully over it and it’s an added bonus that it has mega-watt UV and antioxidant protection. In fact, the Ultra Light Fluid is so amazing that it is commonly referred to as the Shaka-Shaka throughout the world, and one is sold every 15 seconds worldwide.

Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Lotion ($26 US) This texture is a bit creamier and geared more towards normal to dry skin types. It is still fast absorbing and non-greasy like the other Anthelios products, but it gives the skin a more hydrated sheer finish. I like to use this product on top of an anti-aging serum in the morning and I feel that this formula is more compatible with product layering. 

Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk ($34 US) This is the multi-purpose product in the Anthelios 60 line, suitable for all skin types and the melt in milky formula is perfect for the body but gentle enough for the face. This texture also absorbs quickly and leaves your skin hydrated and smooth with a velvety finish. This tube is more of a one stop shop product and it is almost three times the size of the other two products. I personally prefer to use different sunscreen formulas and products for my face and body, but if you are a minimalist, this one is perfect for you. 

I am the first to admit that I am a totally a champagne girl, it has always been my drink of choice whenever I go out. I have always felt that my preferred drink says alot about who I am: bubbly, effervescent, noticeable, and celebratory. These attributes of champagne really resonate with me and are probably why I enjoy it so much. Well, being a girl with champagne tastes (and a lifestyle blogger), I was recently invited to a press preview luncheon to sample a new champagne cocktail called Dirty Blonde Champagne Cocktails (they had me at the name, don’t ya just love it?) Dirty Blonde Champagne Cocktails are a premium “champagne” cocktail that offer an upscale alternative for drinkers who enjoy wine and want something beyond today’s flavored beers, wine coolers, and value-priced pre-mixed drinks. These fun flirty cocktails are a delightful and tasty blend of bubbly white wine, fruit infusions, and spirits (12% alcohol by volume).

They come in yummilious, female appealing flavors like Raspberry Flirtini, Citrus Mimosa, Sparkling Mojito and Peach Passion Bellini. In Los Angeles, they are launching the Flirtini and Bellini flavors and I had a chance to sample both of these refreshing beverages. I liked the combination of the red raspberry, cassis and vanilla flavors of the Flirtini and I loved the delicious juicy combination of ripe peach and tropical passion fruit in the Bellini–DEELISH!! And the cute little bottles that come in a four pack (affordably priced) and Springy pastel colors of these beverages only add to the feminine appeal. 

These inspired girls-night-out cocktails are the brain child of Kristen Raskopf, founder of Dirty Blonde Champagne Cocktails (who coincidentally has blonde hair.)  She came up with the idea for Dirty Blonde after looking for an alternative to existing margaritas and cosmopolitans, and she wanted something upscale and effervescent. Kristen says, “I wanted a brand that would be very distinctive, something fun & flirty, but also a name that I was connected to personally.” So, is she a ‘Dirty Blonde’? “Absolutely, being a Dirty Blonde is an attitude. I created Dirty Blonde Cocktails to capture this fun, flirty personality.” This Champagne Girl is all over that!

Dirty Blonde Champagne Cocktails are currently available in select states at BevMo, Henry’s and Ralph’s and you can find them at BevMo online HERE. Cheers Girlfriend!

Many of you know that I am both a beauty maven and a foodie, so its no wonder I was super excited to attend a Blending Bash at KleanSpa in MindfulNest in Burbank (a super cute store that showcases artisanal designers). I was invited to attend this fab soiree by Jennifer AKA the Scentual Mixtress (LOVE that!) Jennifer is a goddess with beautiful energy and a NOSE (meaning that she really knows the art of smelling and combining fragrances in just the right way.) She is also the creator of KleanSpa, a beautiful line of handcrafted beauty products that are definitely worth checking out.

Jennifer recently began hosting these super fun monthly Blending Bashes at MindfulNest (usually on Sunday Evenings) where you have the  opportunity to formulate your own signature fragrance. During this inspired event, you are able to create, blend and walk away with a roll-on perfume and an extreme moisture shea lotion in a fragrance of your own creation. And to enhance the appeal of this event, KleanSpa usually partners with local restaurants and caterers so that you have the opportunity to sample yummy eats and drinks during the gathering. All this fun and creativity for a mere thirty five bucks! And as an added bonus, you can shop the unique assortment of artisanal items at MindfulNest too.  

During the bash, you  have the unique opportunity to work one on one with this Masterful Mixtress and custom blend your own signature fragrance. The process goes something like this: First you tell the Mixtress what types of fragrances you like and then you start sniffing to see what you like and what you don’t. If you get desensitized she has coffee grinds nearby too. Once you have a few fragrances you like, the Mixtress starts pairing the notes that go well together and eliminating those that don’t and then she starts combining your fragrance–making sure you have the right elements of a good base, middle/heart, and top notes. You sniff along the way to see if it smells good to you or if you want more of one scent or another until you get it just right. Jennifer expertly guides you through this process, so you feel confident and supported in creating something sophisticated and delicious.

Then you put on your apron and mix your custom scent into a luscious creamy shea lotion and give it a name. This whole experience totally appeals to both my beauty and foodie side! I created my Sultry Sassy Spring Blend with notes of  Fern, Fig, White Tea, Pomergranate, New Cucumber, Grass, and Ginger Milk—Green, fresh, slightly fruity, and the ginger adds a little spicy sultriness to the blend and I LOVE it! 

This was such a fun, scentual, creative experience and I highly rec giving it a sniff and a whirl  if you live in the LA area. And if you don’t live near by you don’t have to miss out on these fab products either, because from now through May 2010 Romy Raves Readers get 20% off all products at www.KleanSpa.com by entering the code ROMYRAVES20

And as a special treat, I am also doing a Blending Bash GIVEAWAY for you and friend ($70 Value!) , so you both can having the pleasure of creating with the Mixtress. All that you need to do for your chance to win this fabulous scentual experience is become an email subscriber of Romy Raves   AND  a Fan of the Romy Raves Facebook Page  AND post a comment on this blog post telling me what your favorite Spring/Summer fragrance is and why you love it. That’s all you need to do. I LOVE comments and want to encourage my readers to regularly post comments and share your thoughts. This contest will end at midnight PST on Monday, May 3rd, 2010. The winner will be selected using Random.org. You must live in the Los Angeles, CA area in order to take advantage of this regional prize and only one entry per person.  Good Luck!