happy mother's day: luxe treats

The best mother's day gift also make great gifts all year long. These treats from Sara Happ are a perfect treat for moms who never take time for themselves.

The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ ($24), the original lip exfoliant, comes in great flavors like vanilla bean (shown here), almond creme, peppermint, brown sugar, cinammon sugar, cocoa and creme brulee, is designed to eliminate dry, flaky skin to leave lips ridiculously soft and supple. Just massage onto lips in a circular motion then wipe away with a tissue. You'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

The Lip Slip By Sara Happ ($24), otherwise known as one luxe balm, offers the richest, glossiest hydration imaginable. Wear it all day. Wear it overnight. Results are immediate. It's infused with Sweet Almond, Jojoba and Macadamia nut oils, with a polymer blend that took two years to perfect. Smooth onto lips after exfoliating. Wear it alone for universally appealing shine that brings out your lips' natural color, wear it over color for unbelievable shine, or put it on before bedtime and wake up to a plump, baby-soft pout.

Vanilla Bean Body Scrub by Sara Happ ($46) is silky, not greasy, hydrating, not oily, gentle enough to do no harm and tough enough to remove even the roughest dead skin. Kukui nut, macadamia and sweet almond oils that leave zero residue behind and sugar crystals get the job done right. Massage a generous amount onto wet skin using a firm, circular motion then scrub away. Rinse thoroughly and reveal smooth skin all over.

Go to www.sarahapp.com for more info.

breakthrough beauty: flower power

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Breakthrough Beauty

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as reported by Susan Redstone

on TV3 Good Morning Arizona

Some days, you just can't get into the right mood or frame of mind. Would it be great if a magic potion could fix all that? Try Lotus Wei Flower Essences ($22 each)--they're mood enhancing flower elixirs designed to adjust your emotional and mental levels, and balance your body and mind. Just select the flowers you are visually drawn to in order to find out what attributes you need more of. For example, if you pick the pink flower, you need more joy in your life so you should try Joy Juice for more laughter, playfulness and fun. Inner Peace makes you relaxed, calm and confident; Infinite Love lets you enhance and attract love; Quiet Time helps you dissolve tension, quiet your mind, and sleep soundly; Inspired Action helps you get things done, stay motivated, and be clear and decisive; and Pure Energy energizes, revitalizes, and protects you from the stress of others. In addition to the flower elixirs, there are body oils to add to the bath, misting sprays to spritz on your sheets, and other great options. Founder Katie Hess hand-collects exotic flower essences from around the world and infuses them into elixirs, organic skincare, and natural perfumes to awaken inner and outer beauty. Want to try them yourself? Get more info at www.lotusweiessences.com or stop by the Joya Spa (www.joyaspa.com) at the Intercontinental Montelucia (www.icmontelucia.com) in Scottsdale to purchase.

hair that gets noticed

True story: I was waiting on line at the bank and a woman walked up behind me and said: "Wow! You have beautiful hair!" The day before, I had washed my hair with two new hair products, Redken Body Full Shampoo and Light Conditioner, proving that they do offer volume that lasts for 24 hours. The clear hair shampoo provides cotton (softens and detangles), wheat extract (adds texture, volume and body) and soy protein (reinforces hair to prevent breakage) for a fuller, voluminous look. It gives you a rich lather and leaves your hair smelling clean and fresh. The creamy conditioner is an ultra-lightweight detangler which contains soy protein to give hair bodifying strength. Plus, it's safe for your hair color and leaves hair with a natural-looking shine. See for yourself at www.redken.com or a local beauty supply store.

you can't be too rich!

I'm having a bad beauty day. I just got through trying to squeeze the last drop of Mario Badescu Super Rich Olive Body Lotion (6 0z., $10; 16 oz., $22) out of its bottle. I mean, the ink on the label is even worn off from overuse. The funny thing is, I'd never even heard of Olive Body Lotion until I received a sample to test-drive. Now I don't understand why there hasn't been much buzz about it. The only answer I can come up with is that its dedicated users want to keep it a secret so it doesn't go flying off the shelves, making it more difficult for them to get their fair share. When I first tried it, I figured it was going to be just another body lotion. But before long, I was addicted to its rich moisturizing properties, the way it left my skin feeling silky smooth, and its clean, refreshing scent (it's subtle but there). It's definitely a must-have after my showers when I smooth it on every inch of my body. And it dries in seconds so I can go about my day. I can assure you--I won't be lotion-less for long. I'm planning to go to www.mariobadescu.com as soon as I'm finished typing this to order more.

glimmer with shimmer

What girl doesn't want to get flowers? Excluding one unfortunate friend who's allergic to "the great outdoors," no one I know. That's why you'll flip for Laura Mercier's new Shimmer Bloc Gilded Garden ($38), a limited edition baked illuminating powder. The concept? Baked technology--makeup that's baked under high temperatures to create luxurious pigments with subtle shimmer and long-term staying power. The pigments combine to give the face and body a youthful glow without leaving it looking frosty or metallic. This ethereal effect is caused by light-reflecting properties that give skin a healthy glow and brighten eyes, cheeks and body with natural color and light. Plus, it's oil-free and ideal for all skin types. The best part? Four shades of shimmer powder in a floral motif are set in a sleek, black compact that looks great on any vanity or when pulled out of a makeup bag for a quick touchup. Some women are just in the know when it comes to makeup and Mercier is one of them. She founded Laura Mercier Cosmetics in 1996 with a classic, current palette and has evolved the brand to include skin care, bath and body, and fragrance lines. This is one item to spring for this season; it'll brighten up your daily makeup routine and ensure things are coming up roses, even in these doomed economic times. Pick yours at www.lauramercier.com.