Product Review: Asquith & Somerset Shea Butter Luxury Sugar Scrub

In this post I share my product review of Asquith & Somerset Shea Butter Luxury Sugar Scrub. I never heard of the line but love a good body scrub, and I bought it on a whim at T. J. Maxx for $5. Asquith & Somerset Shea Butter Luxury Sugar Scrub removes the surface of dry skin cells and leaves skin feeling supple and revitalized. The scent is deliciously cozy! In fact, I smell it right now as I'm writing this post. The scrub is not too abrasive (as oppose to salt scrubs) which is best for my sensitive skin.  I like to exfoliate at least once a week, targeting my knees, elbows, legs, heels and my bum. It leaves me as smooth as a baby's bottom-no pun intended lol. 

Why Is Exfoliation Important?

Exfoliation is considered one of the most important techniques that you can perform on your skin to resolve certain skin problems as well as to achieve healthy and glowing skin.

How Do I Know If I Need To Exfoliate?

A simple test you can do at home to see if you have surface dry skin cells on your skin is to take a piece of clear tape and apply it to the forehead. Rub it gently and remove. Look at the tape, and if there are little pieces of flaky skin, then you need to exfoliate!

What Skin Care Problems Does Exfoliation Resolve?

Blemished skin

Post Breakout Red/Dark Marks

Clogged Pores

Hyperpigmentation

Dry Skin

Those who desire smoother skin

Those concerned with anti-aging

5 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Dark Circles for Sleepless Mommies

The remedy for getting rid of dark circles under your eyes is always get more beauty sleep. However, I haven't been able to do so since the pressure from my LO on my bladder makes me have to use the bathroom at least every 30 minutes. At one point, I thought, " I can't wait until I deliver so I can sleep and get rid of these circles". Then reality struck--and I realized, I will be resting a lot less once he makes his arrival! So, needless to say, I went on a hunt for the best ways to treat this less than flattering issue. Here are 5 natural ways to keep a fresh face even when you're running on a few hours of rest.

1. Use cucumber slices.  Cucumber slices have long been used to reduce puffiness and refresh the appearance of skin around the eyes, providing a fast pick-me-up for tired and puffy eyes. While your LO is in slumber, place a slice over each eye, extending over the darkened area. Do this daily for 10-15 minutes.

2. Use a potato.  Liquidize a whole uncooked potato in a liquidizer. Scoop out and place the pureed potato on your eyes. Lying on your back, keep it there for 30 minutes. Wash with warm water and voila! Some spas in the good ol' US of A, charge $60 for this method!

3. Use a frozen spoon.  Put a spoon in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Take it out and place it over your dark circles and keep it there until it becomes warm again.

4. Apply cool tea bags to your eyes daily.  Lie down, preferably in the morning, and leave the cool and damp caffeinated tea bags over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. Keep your eyes closed. The tannin in tea bags reduces swelling and discoloration. You can refrigerate them overnight so they will be ready in the morning.

5. Eat well.  Eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink lots of water and take vitamins daily. Pack your meals full of healthy fruits and vegetables, like blueberries, green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains and fish etc. that are loaded with essential minerals and enzymes. Also, cut out salty, carbo-loaded food and processed foods as much as possible.

Coconut Oil's Beauty Benefits

Though I'm on a maternity wear hiatus, I have been exploring new beauty regimens to see what will work for me after the arrival of my LO. Besides my weekly facial masks, scrubs and nail care routine, Coconut oil is my new go-to beauty product. I know, I know, I'm the last person to discover this amazing product. I started using it as a basic skin lotion and of course became curious of its other uses. There are plenty, but here are the 10 ways I have been using this super ingredient. 

1. As an eye makeup remover. I have used many other marketed products to remove my eye makeup but they either burned or left my eyes feeling dry-not to mention I always had to tug away at the sensitive skin around my eyes to truly remove my makeup. Coconut oil is the total opposite. Everything came off smoothly and left my skin dewy and nourished. Unlike olive oil, it didn't leave my skin feeling greasy-my skin absorbed the coconut oil giving it a healthy feeling.

2. It also works as a great stretch mark cream which I undoubtedly found intriguing in my pregnant state. Massage into the skin to help prevent and diminish stretch marks. It's best absorbed while the skin is slightly wet-so slather it on after you get out the shower. I leave my jar in the bathroom so the heat from my shower helps soften and melts the oil.

3. Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick. It leaves my lips kissably soft.

4. As an intensive nigh-time facial facial moisturizer. It also lightens age spots.

5. Coconut oil works well as a massage oil. 

6. Ditch the high-dollar face cream and use coconut oil as a daily moisturizer. My skin has never felt better.

7. Massage the oil into your scalp to treat dry, damaged hair. Rub into hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours. It also helps to de-frizz split ends.

8. Use it to soften hands and feet. I apply a generous amount, rubbing it into my cuticles and throw on some socks for an intensive over night treatment. 

9. As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion. 

10. When mixed with equal parts of sugar, coconut oil makes a great smoothing body scrub. 

There are other ways I will find coconut oil beneficial after the arrival of my LO. Coconut oil treats cradle cap, can be used as a natural lotion for baby, a great substitute for Lanolin nipple cream and much more.