Products that go on your underarms aren’t generally the ones you rave about, but when I received Clarsskin Underarm Cleanser ($22) to try, I was genuinely excited.

I guarantee armpits are something most women do think about. Deodorants/anti-perspirants leave a waxy buildup that worsens underarm bumps and makes shaving difficult. This deodorant residue also contains metals that can yellow your clothing.

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I love EcoTools makeup brushes, so I was excited to test out their bath and body line. Their collection is paraben-free, phthalate-free, and cruelty-free, and care was taken to make the line not only eco-friendly but both bold and chic. The packaging is brown and green with a playful splash of pink, and the collection is also affordable, with products ranging from $7.99-14.99.

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This post is labeled guy-approved because this review includes products that have been deemed guy-friendly – meaning, your guy could use them and love them as much as you do, giving you twice the incentive to buy if you live with him or just find yourself stashing products at his place.

The scent in particular of Maris Naturals Skin Care products — Bali Vanilla — is one I’d consider “unisex.” I say this because when I first slathered on the body crème expecting a very feminine vanilla scent, the smell was much more earthy. This makes sense looking at the list of ingredients, which includes spicy clove and sandalwood. The formula, containing shea butter and orange wax, is richly moisturizing which is a selling point for me. But the smell wasn’t something I’m used to. So, I decided to stash the body crème along with the Bali Vanilla Bath & Shower Gel at Boyfriend’s place in his bathroom (no way I’m using his Irish Spring or Jergens post-shower on my dry skin!).
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I was excited to receive a package of Epicuren Discovery skincare products just as fall swept into Portland, as the cold weather is when a flawless skincare regimen becomes a must. During the summer months I can slide by on a weekly scrubbing and occasional moisturizer, but in cold weather, daily diligence is necessary.

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One beauty product I always have stockpiled is body scrub. I absolutely cannot get enough of them. Nothing is a better prerequisite to shaving than a luxe, moisturizing body scrub. I love having super-smooth, richly moisturized skin! However, I am a bit particular when it comes to body scrubs, and my favorites are always the ones that contain the most natural emollients and preferably do not separate in the jar.

Skinn Cosmetics Sweet & Smooth Sugar and Shea Butter Body Polish fits both my criteria. It is the most perfectly blended sugar scrub I’ve ever used; actually, when I dipped my fingers into the jar to scoop out a bit of the product I was confused by how buttery the consistency was. “Where’s the scrub?” I wondered.

However, when I smoothed on the body polish, I could feel the sugar scrub doing its bit as well. It was love at first scrub.

The ingredients include cane sugar, shea , mango, and cocoa butters, and avocado, sweet almond and various fruit seed oils for a sweet-smelling, super-moisturizing exfoliating experience.

A little certainly goes a long way, so at $18.50 for a 4oz jar, Skinn Sweet & Smooth Body Polish is more than worth your pretty penny.

Editor’s Note: Product(s) featured in this post were provided by brand PR to Frappelattes Beauty & Lifestyle Blog for editorial consideration. However, please know that we would never feature a product that has not been tested and approved.

Monday mornings can be a little sluggish for all. I know I don’t like to bother with beauty product overload while getting ready on Mondays, so the more multi-tasking a product is, the better.

Also, I sometimes shower at night then again in the morning, so using a double-duty body wash for both cleansings can be a little stripping on the skin. This is especially true now that the weather is dry and chilly. I’ve found a little multi-tasking shower gem that is perfect for a gentle cleansing and moisturizes skin to boot. It easily eliminates the need to slather on body lotion before bundling up to head out into the cold – a plus for a rushed Monday morning.

H2O Plus Sea Pure Cleansing Body Oil ($22) lightly foams rather than working up a lather and contains shea butter and pure sunflower seed oil to aid moisture retention after cleansing. It has a light, pretty lavender smell. Of course lavender is calming, so the scent of this cleansing oil won’t wake you up per se – that’s what coffee’s for. But, its rich moisturizing benefit may get you out the door a little quicker by eliminating the need to apply body lotion.

Editor’s Note: Product(s) featured in this post were provided by brand PR to Frappelattes Beauty & Lifestyle Blog for editorial consideration. However, please know that we would never feature a product that has not been tested and approved.

On Sundays I like to curl up on the couch with my laptop or a book and ideally relax for the day – today is no exception. I also like to have a bottle of wine ready for an evening of personal spa time – a fresh mani/pedi if needed, but only after quiet bath time. Extra points for a luxe sensory experience. A few drops of essential oil in the bath – lavender is one of my favorites – a great full-body cleanser, a body scrub, a body butter, and I’m good to go.

For such an experience I recommend Jericho Black Mud Soap for face and body, Jericho Spa Relaxing Salt Scrub with Lavender Oil, and paraben-free Jericho Spa Body Butter in Vanilla for after bath.

The Black Mud Soap contains natural black mud and other minerals actually derived from the Dead Sea. It is gentle enough for face yet has deep-cleansing properties suitable for body. It even helps to clear up acne, should you have that issue. Jericho Spa’s Dead Sea Salt Scrub with Lavender Oil exfoliates body well and fills your bath experience with a super-relaxing lavender oil scent. After emerging from the bath, pat skin with a towel, but leave it damp before applying Jericho Spa Body Butter. Your skin is left super-smooth and moisturized and your bed sheets will smell of whichever scent you choose – basically rocking you to sleep.

Jericho beauty products can be browsed and shopped at JerichoSkincare.com.

Editor’s Note: Product(s) featured in this post were provided by brand PR to Frappelattes Beauty & Lifestyle Blog for editorial consideration. However, please know that we would never feature a product that has not been tested and approved.