breakthrough beauty: flower power

prettyisprettydoes

gives you

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of today's

Breakthrough Beauty

feature...

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.

expert advice: brush up on your brush basics

We all do it, usually every day. But sometimes little things like brushing your hair can become so routine, we may forget the basics. TRESemmé celebrity stylist Mara Roszak helps us brush up.

PIPD: Why is it important to brush your hair?

MR: "It is important to brush your hair because everyday we shed a certain amount of hair naturally and if your hair isn't being brushed daily, some of that hair gets locked into the other hair and causes knots and tangles. It’s best to brush hair when it’s wet in or out of the shower to cause less breakage."

PIPD: How often should you brush?

MR: "Daily in the shower, preferably with conditioner to prevent breakage. Brushing dry hair can cause damage and breakage. Always brush starting at the ends and work your way up."

PIPD: How do you choose the brush that's right for you?

MR: "I always recommend metal brushes or brushes without the balls on the ends of the bristles, which can damage hair."

PIPD: What's the best way to clean your brush?

MR: "Clean your brush with a wide tooth comb by scraping it at the base of the brush."

For more great hair care tips and products, check out www.Tresemme.com.

shiny happy people

There's so much hype about this product--backordered for months--thar I just had to try it! A miracle serum, they say? Hmmm... Let's see. I smooth it on pre-shampoo to intensely hydrate and condition my hair and I also try it after blow drying as a shine serum with UV protection (just a drop will do to avoid the greasy look). When I style my hair, it looks chic, straight, and--yes!--it really shines. But I'm not the only one who thinks so. Chris McMillian uses it on Jennifer Aniston's famous locks. Sheryl Crowe, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Kate Bosworth and Emily Blunt are also fans. It smells sweet (think camillia) too which makes you want to rub some on. The best part is that you get such a gorgeous shine, you instantly think you should save it for a special occasion but, the truth is, you can use it any day! To try it yourself, go to www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com/styling/design-and-perfect/essence-absolue.htm and order your very own bottle.

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.

st. patrick's day beauty: go green

Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day, right? So if you want to get into the holiday spirit, but wouldn't be caught dead in a bright green dress or a shamrock tattoo, here's a more subtle way to celebrate. Try Sue Devitt's Hydrating Marine Minerals Eye Palette in Green Isles ($37.50).

No, it's not a throwback to the seventies--it's the 2010 version of eye shadow chic. With four glamorous shades to help you shade, highlight, line and define, the palette gives you long-lasting eye color and high-impact beauty.

But not only does it make your eyes look alluring, the unique formulation offers extraordinary hydrating and refreshing properties of the sea, designed to increase skin's moisture level and vitality. (Great for eyes that have started to show their age!) It contains Sea Butter, Shea Butter, Ceramide 2 and Hyaluronic Acid in addition to vitamins, minerals and proteins that help skin absorb water from the air while restoring skin's natural elasticity. So it goes on smoothly and stays on till the party's over!

I have always had a passion for green shadow--maybe because it adds life to my naturally green eyes--but have often been afraid to apply it. This palette offers options for the more timid as well as the more daring among us. For more info, go to www.suedevittbeauty.com.

st. patrick's day beauty: pretty green things

A touch of green can turn a basic manicure into one that really turns heads. For St. Paddy's Day, paint your digits with Sula's Paint & Peel Polish in Fern ($9). The nature-inspired shade gives nails a fresh, clean look and pays homage to the famous shamrocks the holiday is known for. The best part: The one-of-a-kind, water-based formula lets you peel off the polish in one clean sweep--no nail polish remover required! So you can show off your Irish roots on Wednesday and go back to pristine pink the morning after. Check out this and other radiant shades at www.sulabeauty.com and celebrate in style.

moisture where you need it

When it comes to moisturizers, it's hard to choose the one that's right for you especially when you skin craves hydration one minute but not so much so the next. Extreme Regenovive Hydro-Zone ($47.50) by Italian Beauty’s Perlier, which launched exclusively at HSN and hsn.com this past Sunday, uses ‘smart hydration’ technology, targeting the parts of your skin that need moisture the most. Thanks to Trehalose-2 alpha, a natural sugar found in the desert rose that absorbs moisture and gradually releases it, Hydro-Zone absorbs and distributes moisture according to the needs of the skin--even in extreme climate conditions. The first thing I noticed when applying Hydro-Zone is its smooth, moisturizing texture. Just apply twice daily after your cleansing routine and you'll be giving your skin the hydration it craves. It's also designed to fight the signs of stress, time and age...what more could you want in a moisturizer? No matter what your skin type, it's worth trying. Go to www.HSN.com to purchase.