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If you've tried every kind of cover stick, cream, gel, and powder to cover the dark circles under your eyes, but still look like a raccoon. Don't worry, we'll show you how to send those bags packing!

When covering under eye circles, keep three things in mind: color, consistency, and technique.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too light a concealer will exaggerate the problem, making the area look as if something was covered up and creating the raccoon look you're talking about.

 

Choose a shade that is no more than one or two shades lighter than your skin color, and always avoid white. For those with darker skin, choose yellow-based concealers (try those from Urban Apothecary), which will counteract the blue in dark circles.

 

Creamy concealers are the best. Since they won't cake or pull at the delicate eye area. Urban Apothecary's Correct & Reflect stick utilizes properties that reflect light away from the darker areas of the skin while at the same time providing coverage.

 

An easy to use trick is mixing a bit of face lotion and concealer in the palm of your hand. Gently tap the mixture on the area under the inner eye only, allowing the heat of your finger to blend the concealer into your skin.

 

The good news is, early research suggests that vitamin K, which has been used to diminish the appearance of bruises, can help to fade undereye circles. Try eating more leafy vegetables, cheese and liver. Vitamin K is also found in asparagus, coffee, bacon and green tea.

Having anxiety? Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Want some help? Essential oils and daily aromatherapy can help immensely - let's check out the scents that target certain (bad) moods and some that will turn any frown upside down!

Memory Loss or Concentration Problems? Confronting concentration issues and memory loss can be daunting and leave you feeling tired and confused. Luckily, basil, black pepper, cypress, rosemary, lemon and peppermint can supply you with just the right aromas to get your cerebellum curtly crawling with cleverness! We recommend Cake Beauty Cake Walk Triplemint Foot Creme, Get Fresh Santa Monica Bath & Body Renewal Kit, H2T Shower Gel in Lavender, or Rene Furterer Naturia Gentle Balancing Shampoo	Get Fresh Santa Monica Bath & Body Renewal Kit
Aspen Bay Reserve Candle Mandarin Mint	Feeling Sad, Depressed, Burnt Out? Some days are worse than others - whether its the weather or waking up on the wrong side of the bed that causes it - we all have those days of feeling down in the dumps.  Aromas like basil, bergamot, clary sage, frankinscence, geranium, grapefruit, jasmine, lemon, mandarin, orange, sandalwood, rose, ylang ylang, and lavendar, will help pull you through! We recommend trying Luxo Banho Olive Oil Bar Soap, Skin An Apothecary Lavender Mint Salt Glow, Aspen Bay Reserve Candle Mandarin Mint, or Kai Perfume Oil.  These products are infused with cheerful scents that will not only give you a fresh start in the morning and but they last throughout the day!
Overwhelmed and Angry? Anger is usually triggered and unexpected, making feelings of madness and frustration burst and linger. Scents such as neroli, patchouli, petitgrain, orange, and roman chamomile are known for their calming influences.  Next time you begin to feel angry try Capri Blue Canvas Collection Hand Soap, Skin An Apothecary Soy Body Whip in Chamomile Flower, Aunt Sadie's Cranberry Candle, or English Soap Company Italian Wrap Soap in Cinnamon Orange. These scents will help you keep your cool and feel levelheaded, serene, and unflappable!	Capri Blue Canvas Collection Hand Soap
Leila Lou by Rosie Jane Eau de Parfum	Overcome with Fear and Insecurity? Having issues with your job, money, or family can make you feel scared, worried, or defenseless. Scents like bergamot, cedarwood, frankincense, jasmine and sandalwood can assist in relaxing and clearing your mind; preparing you to think through the problems and provide clarity in judgement. Make your move with products like Rene Furterer Carthame Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner, Kalastyle Cedar Wood Soap, Leila Lou by Rosie Jane Eau de Parfum, or Kama Sutra Massage Oil in Pleasure Garden.

I rave about Skin, An Apothecary every chance I get!!  I've gotten so many friends and family members hooked on the luxurious soy body whip that I can't keep track!!

All of their scents are lovely....but I am especially fond of the newest release, Iris.

In honor of Skin, An Apothecary’s 25th birthday, they named the newest aroma blend after the companies owner, Iris Goldflies.

 It’s a warm, feminine blend of iris petals and purple freesia, chased by a hint of fresh,  green pear and made just a bit moody by the addition of amber and patchouli.  

Feminine with a dark side, so they say!!  Who doesn't love that for a tag line! 

I love the fact that the scent is subtle and not as strong as some of the other aroma blends.  If you have been waiting for a light, warm inviting scent....this is perfect for you. 

The Soy Body whip is a decadent treat for your skin, that leaves skin hydrated and glowing.  The blend of Vitamin C, soy and coconut oil, will infuse your skin with nutrients and moisture. 

Check out the body washes and sugar glow scrubs available from Skin, An Apothecary as well....they also are wonderful and make the perfect gift!

Mid January, there's nothing I reach into my purse for more than my lip salve. I feel like my lips are terribly dry all the time, and I spend tons of time and energy fighting that dryness. Unfortunately, my skin is in bad shape too, but I rarely dedicate any time to protecting it like I fight off dry lips.  I slap on moisturizer so that I can apply makeup, I put on lotion so that my legs don't feel dry, but I often have to deal with breakouts and dull skin as the months progress. What's a girl to do? How can I "winterize" my skin?

While working at Beauty of a Site, I finally learned the best practice for keeping my skin clean, healthy, moisturized and protected during the harsh winter months. The two major steps?

1. EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE.

We can't stress this enough.  More than any other time of the year, our skin gets dry and dead skin cells build up on the surface of our body.  We can apply lotion and they don't show, but the cells still hang around, and can cause irritation.  A quick scrub in the shower everyday will drastically improve the health of your skin, keeping your pores clean and clear of blockages and making way for your skin to get the essential nutrients it desperately needs. Try Skin's nourishing, hand mixed Sugar Glow for the perfect Winter exfoliant.

2.  Applying skin creams

Of course lotions do a wonderful job, but the creamier the formula is, the more powerfully it will deliver you from dryness. And don't be fooled: lotions off the shelf can a lot of time include all sorts of harsh chemicals that your body simply soaks up, that might cause you more harm than good by the end of the day.  That's why we suggest Skin, An Apothecary scrubs and creams, because they are hand whipped by our friends at Skin, full of ingredients that do only good for your skin and never harm. Decadent, rich and delightfully thick, these creams cure winter dryness like nothing we've ever seen! Try their Soy Body Whip today!

Skin, An Apothecary's holiday fragrance is featured, for a limited time, in both the Sugar Glow and the Soy Body Whip.  It's truly a fantastic way to celebrate the season.  We describe the fragrance like this:

A delicious blend of autumn nostalgia and holiday anticipation.  This mix of ginger, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon is an ideal way to soak in the season.

Simply oozing with the sensations of a quickly cooling November, Skin An Apothecary's decadent Ginger Snap Sugar Glow and Soy Body Whip are available for sale here. Skin an Apothecary Ginger Snap products are the perfect homemade, luxurious and thoughtful gift!

Mother's Day is a particularly emotional and wonderful part of the year for me. Not yet being a mother myself, Mother's Day still very much makes me thankful for my wonderful mother. After spending a half an hour reading every card I could find at the grocery store, I decided to show her how special she was, with a few less words. Whether the woman in your life is a busy mom of five, a beloved parent figure or a dear friend, mothers everywhere deserve a little pampering on this wonderful holiday.

Pick out a gift that does all the talking

Help her pamper herself...

• ... with a pedicure.
  Chasing toddlers, running around the office or working on her garden, she probably needs to give her peds some loving attention. Principessa's Perfetto Pedicure Deluxe Pedicure Set includes Principessa's luxurious and oh-so-effective foot balm, along with the files, buffers and moisturizing accessories she needs, all gift wrapped in a beautiful pink box. (Shop pedicure supplies here)
• ... with aromatherapy
  You might not be able to send her away to her favorite vacation spot, but you can help to renew her mind and calm her spirit with just the right blend of essential oils. Skin An Apothecary's hand-mixed formulas feature unique fragrance blends that are designed to indulge, excite, calm or sooth.  Explore all of their unique aroma blends here. (Shop Skin An Apothecary here).
• ... with ageless skin.
  A woman's confidence and energy often come from her feeling beautiful. Help the cherished woman in your life to keep looking as young as she feels, every day. Help her indulge in professional Hale Cosmeceuticals skincare that will reduce the appearance of wrinkles, infuse a health glow and give her face a lift. (Shop Hale Cosmeceuticals Facial in a Bag here).

Sugar or Salt Glow? Which is better for you? We'll give you some tips, but let us know what you think!