L'OCCITANE Sale

While all the clothing retailers are bombarding you with their summer sales, it's only fair that I mention one of my favorite product lines has a "sale" too.

French beauty brand L'OCCITANE has a great selection of their products discounted 20 to 50 percent until July 10, 2007.

I love the luxurious feel of the Shea Butter Body Lotion and couldn't pass up the larger 16.9 fl. oz. size for $36. It's pricey, but definitely worth every cent.

And since they're 20% off and I've never seen them on sale before, I had to purchase a few of the Extra Gentle Soaps. The Milk, Verbena and Lavender scented soaps are great for sensitive skin and last a long time.

The L'Occitane sale prices are only valid at L'Occitane stores and usa.loccitane.com. All products are available while supplies last, so act sooner rather than later.

Real Simple July issue

Real Simple's July issue is jam packed with lots of good information.

The beauty section has two can't miss articles; stubble trouble and summer hair help. Stubble trouble (pgs 91-97) lists the pros and cons of four hair removal methods then provides six product recommendations. Summer hair help (pgs 99-103) provides the quick-fix and preventive measure for four common summer hair dilemas.

My favorite section, road tests (pgs 155-174), tackles bras, teeth whiteners, ice cream makers and pickles. Such an interesting, and odd, combination that I found myself carefully reading each category. While all four categories were very informative, I was most impressed by the 10 "winner" bras and the fitting tips.

All my fellow laundry fanatics will be drawn to the hints on how to keep white clothes white (p. 189). But y'all probably do that stuff already. ;)

The July Real Simple issue is available now wherever magazines are sold.

remember to look down

Summer officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere next week.

I'd like to take this opportunity to remind every one to look at their feet, especially their toes, when choosing their shoes for the day. No matter how tempting, if you look at your toes and wouldn't want anyone else to look at them, DO NOT wear open toe shoes.

Here are a few guidelines for summer toes:

You do not have to have the perfect pedicure day after day to show off your toes. You do need to cover up (better yet, remove) chipped nail polish.

You don't need to wear toe nail polish. You do need clean, filed toenails.

Use a pumice stone on your feet at least three times a week.

Know when to call in a professional. If you are completely helpless when it comes to your feet, get a pedicure and watch what the technician does.

Feel free to pass this information along to any "known offenders".

Band-Aid Blister Block

This product might be the answer to every diva's new shoe dilema, "Should I wear these out tonight? I don't want to get a blister."

Band-Aid's Blister Block promises to invisibly prevent blisters. It's a natural based lubricating formula packaged in a small roll-up stick that reduces rubbing on the skin. The stick formula makes it non-messy and easy to apply. It's ideal for open toe shoes (no exposed band-aids).

I bought one but haven't had the opportunity to try it. It does glide on easily without leaving you feeling slippery and has a faint, pleasant floral scent. I did read a few reviews on drugstore.com and the reviewers said it worked, but needed to be re-applied.

I'd love feedback from anyone who has already tried the Blister Block. I'm wondering if it works on "corns" too.

Band-Aid Blister Block is available at most drugstore chains, mass retailers (Target, Wal-Mart) and online at drugstore.com.

Pantene Texturize Moussing Foam Wax

Last month's "trust the expert" post discussed some new hair products I had purchased. I mentioned that I discovered a category I had never heard before, gel wax.

The May issue of Lucky Magazine introduced me to another category I wasn't aware of, mousse wax. I was intrigued by Lucky's write up because they mention you can use this on wet hair for volume and dry hair for extra texture. And, I'll admit it, I spent part of the 80's with a perm so mousse makes me a little nostalgic.

I decided to try the Pantene Texturize Moussing Foam Wax. It's only six bucks and readily available.

Pantene is right on the money with their description, "easy-to-use whipped foam wax crosses a wax with a mousse for lightness and stability". When I used it on wet hair, I had volume without fly-aways after blow-drying. I had amazing results when I applied a small amount to dry hair (sans product before blow-drying). I ended up with so much volume and texture that my husband called me "Rock and Roll Diva".

This product seems like a regular mousse until you start to work with it. The directions say to (after dispensing) "rub hands together, making a thin layer", then applying. The mousse wax seems to turn into a thin layer of slighty tacky water. I noticed a texture change when I was working this into my dry hair. The longer I had it on my hands the tackier it became.

My diva haircare experiment continues and I'd love to hear from anyone who has other haircare product suggestions or questions.