A beauty product that will light you up

Ianthe Kabakov, creator of oWp (Objects with Purpose), has created a candle with several purposes.

While all of her candles smell amazing, they can also be used as soothing massage oils/body butter when warm and solid perfumes when cooled.

The candles are made from 100% organic, non GMO, bio-degradable, pesticide free, ecologically sound, socially just, 100% certified and completely sustainable coconut butter. The coconut butter allows the candle to burn at a low temperature, which also enhances each candle's life span. Sounds too good to be true, right?

oWp candles are made in Los Angeles and can be found in several boutiques including Fred Segal's Zero Minus Plus in Santa Monica, California. They can also be purchased online. These are a great gift idea for women and men who enjoy relaxation and moisturizing body butters and oils.

Argan Oil - The New Beauty Queen

There's a new oil in town, so clear out your drawers, shelves, showers, and cabinets, and make room for Argan Oil. Argan Oil is extracted from the Argan Tree in the vast deserts of Morocco. It has been used by Moroccan women for hundreds of years, providing them with beautiful glowing complexions. The oil is rich in Vitamin E & essential fatty acids, adding beneficial anti-aging properties.

Argan Oil also helps and prevents dehydration, inflammation, hyper-pigmentation, and sebum production. Josie Maran's Organic Argan Oil To Go should be in every girl's makeup bag. The oil is a quick fix for dryness, scarring, and fine lines, and it's only $14 online and at stores like Sephora.

Moroccanoil®, the newest haircare craze, offers shampoos, conditioners, oils, and other products that are my current haircare faves. Argan Oil molecules in the products work because they are so small they easily enter the hair follicle to moisturize. Argan Oil also acts as a powerful antioxidant and UV protector, it is rich in vitamins and natural elements that strengthen the hair, including Vitamin F (Omega 6), Vitamin A to improve elasticity, Vitamin E to protect against free-radicals, and Phenols to shield against environmental stressors like UV rays and air pollutants.

Do yourself a favor and run to the nearest Sephora for some Argan Oil skincare and then head over to a salon that sells Moroccanoil. You won't be disappointed.

Is the Patricia Wexler Acnescription line being discontinued?

I recently heard rumors that Bath & Body Works Patricia Wexler Acnescription line was being discontinued. Great news - they just emailed me back saying it's not being discontinued!

They mentioned it is currently available online and that other products from her are still available in stores. This might mean they're no longer selling the Acnescription line in stores, but at least it's not retiring! Yay!

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

If you are one of the unlucky many of us who weren't aware of a thing called stretch marks when we were 13, and didn't start applying shea butter to our hips and stomachs from that day forward, don't worry, there is still hope!

I'm not even kidding, if I apply Clarins High Definition Body Lift lotion (yes it's expensive, but I do believe it is worth it) to areas where there are stretch marks for just a few days in a row (at least 4 days in a row for best results), they will fade away. Of course if you don't use the lotion every day, they will eventually come back. But it works very well if you need to get into a bikini in a few days.

Another tactic I use to battle these is taking a dry skin brush and brushing over them. This action increases blood flow. I then add a detoxifying product like Elemis Cellutox Active Body Concentrate and put that over the areas, which is also supposed to help reduce any cellulite. I believe a combination of these two products works like a charm! Let me know if this works for you.

What products will make my skin look great?

Every month I try to get to the dermatologist for a microdermabrasion and glycolic peel. 2 months ago, my esthetician gave me Replenix Retinol 5x Serum and Replenix Green Tea Facial Serum.

I used both of these, along with a glycolic/salicylic acid face wash, and my skin has never looked better! I honestly believe in these products. I put the Retinol serum on at night and then the Green Tea Serum on during the day and am in love. I hope this helps anyone looking for a facial regimen! Xoxo, Venus

Tanning Beds Increase Cancer by 75%

Tanning Beds as Deadly as Arsenic and Mustard Gas, Experts Say... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32187497/ns/health-cancer/

Do you trust beauty advice on blogs?

I have a passion for making my skin and body look great and I want to share my techniques with you.

Everyone is so different that no one product is necessarily going to work for every single person.

You can see what other people have recommended, or vote yourself at TotalBeauty.com.

In the meantime I'll keep updating you with beauty and health advice.

XoXo,
Venus