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.

hello spring!

This past weekend, I was finally able to indulge myself with a professional body scrub at my local Equinox Fitness Club (www.equinoxfitness.com). I had been dying to shed my skin of the ravages of winter and smooth things over in celebration of the new season. The esthetician used loofah gloves and a sea salt/aromatherapy oil mixture to exfoliate my skin from head to toe. I left feeling smoothed, soothed, revived and ready to show some skin this spring.

I also left wondering how I would maintain my silky smooth look and feel. Thankfully, I found Naturopathica Lemongrass Mimosa Body Scrub ($28). Its gently granulated formula features micro-ground bamboo to slough away outer layers while extracts of Sugar Cane, Citrus and Apple penetrate for deeper exfoliation. It has a zesty lemon scent (thanks to lemongrass, mimosa, Jasmine and Ylang Ylang), so if you work it into your AM shower routine, it will really give you the lift you need to get your day started. Check out www.Naturopathica.com and spas nationwide for more info or to purchase.

scrub, slough, smooth

A good body scrub is the key to maintaining soft, smooth skin during the winter. Thankfully, LA-based Stark Waxing Studio delivers--with its Stark Body Scrub ($24). Finely ground walnut shells slough off dead skin cells and the gentle lather releases the invigorating scent of fresh chamomile, lemon verbena and peppermint. For extra smoothing, use the Stark Exfoliation Mitt ($9) daily to promote smoother, healthier skin and prevent and release ingrown hairs. Tip: Exfoliate skin dry then repeat once in the shower. The net-like surface is gentle on skin but rough enough to make a difference in your skin's texture. Finish with Stark Soothing Oil ($23) made from apricot seed oil which nourishes and softens skin, organic lavender oil, an anti-inflammatory, and organic peppermint oil which relieves irritation. Massage into dry elbows, knees, heels and anywhere your skin needs a little smoothing. It really heals and it smells great too. This three-step routine is easy to follow and can really save your skin this season. Check out these products and others at www.starkwaxingstudio.com.

beauty for a cure: LaLicious

A kiss is not just a kiss... This month, LaLicious donates 15% of their new Sugar Kiss scent purchases online to the Breast Cancer Research Fund. A blend of sugar, rose and vanilla combine in the Sugar Kiss Sugar Souffle Scrub ($34) and Body Butter ($24)--the perfect ways to satisfy cravings without the calories. They smell really sweet (think cotton candy!) and leave your skin feeling buttery soft and smooth. Go to www.LaLicious.com to place your order and help fight breast cancer at the same time. Talk about a sweet deal!