You might remember us mentioning Indego Africa in one of our Holiday Gift Guide installments catered to the “Haue Hippies” in your lives. At the time, we raved about Indego Africa’s capsule collection for Nicole Miller, which consisted of totes, fabric-wrapped bracelets, skirts, turbans and shorts, all handcrafed by the network of Rwanda-based female artisans under the Indego Africa umbrella, women who the non-profit organization seeks to empower via the creation of strategic global business partnerships and the creation of new marketplaces through which these up-and coming entrepreneurs can sell their wares. On the heels of its partnership with Nicole Miller, Indego Africa has teamed up with J.Crew for Spring 2012, collaborating on a limited-edition of tribal-flavored wrap bracelets.

The Indego Africa for J. Crew Cloth Wrap Bracelets ($22.50 each at JCrew.com and Shop.IndegoAfrica.org) feature Dutch wax cloth twisted and sewn into wrap-around pieces by the women in the Rwanda-based cooperatives Cocoki and Abasangiye. Each bracelet measures 30″ in length an features 2″ tabs on either end, which can be tied into a haphazard knot or tucked in for a sleeker look. Each bracelet should wrap around the wrist about 3 times for a tribal-meets-Boho-meets-beach-babe look. Ad, of course, you can stack the bracelets up should you wish to make a bolder statement.

The braided cloth wrap bracelets are available in a patterned green, yellow, and blue cloth with black scale-like accents; an abstract purple and indigo pattern with dots and tie-dye elements galore; and a pink, yellow, and navy color scheme with white stripe accents.

Not only will the Indego Afria for J. Cree Cloth Wrap Bracelets add a globe-trotting, multi-ethnic, culturally savvy vibe to your ensemble, but their sale will help to improve the standard of like of the Rwandan women responsible for their creation.

]]> http://www.sickathanaverage.com/2012/05/wrap-it-up-with-indego-africa-for-jcrews-cloth-wrap-bracelets.html/feed 0 http://www.sickathanaverage.com/2012/05/converse-x-gorillaz-spring-2012-collection-feel-good-footwear.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=converse-x-gorillaz-spring-2012-collection-feel-good-footwear http://www.sickathanaverage.com/2012/05/converse-x-gorillaz-spring-2012-collection-feel-good-footwear.html#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 20:38:20 +0000 SickaThanAverage http://www.sickathanaverage.com/?p=8953

In 2006, Noodle, Murdoc, 2D, and Russell Hobbs of the Gorillaz accomplished what such musical greats as Bjork and PJ Harvey have yet to achieve — the animated rock band earned a Grammy Award (in the Best  Pop Collaboration with Vocals) for “Feel Good Inc.,” their single with jazzy hip-hop pioneers De La Soul. Sure, we can debate the rationale between the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences snubbing such innovative, sonic masterminds as Björk, but let’s first consider how surreal it is that a virtual band managed to sell over 15 million albums, its members amassing a loyal following and even earning accolades from the crotchety award-granting community.

After a hiatus from the music scene, the Gorillaz reunited for the February release of  their single “DoYaThing,” featuring Outkast‘s Andre 3000 and LCD Soundsystem‘s James Murphy, a new cut produced as part of Converse‘s “Three Artists, One Song” campaign and a promotional tool for the launch of the limited-edition Gorillaz x Converse Spring 2012 sneaker collection.

Currently available at Converse.com for $60 each, the collection consists of four Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers — three high-tops (a green camo print with a digital twist thanks to the juxtaposition of geometric shades in varying tones of green; a brown pair with a military-style insignia recalling the patches on Murdoc’s Army jackets and the Pazuzu statue directly above it; and a white pair with pencil-like illustrations of  the various characters in the Gorillaz universe) and one low-top (a white sneaker with multi-colored character outlines). All of the artwork printed on these canvas sneakers was created by British comic book artist Jamie Hewlett, who developed the concept behind the Gorillaz alongside his former roommate, music producer and singer-songwriter Damon Albarn, back in 1997.

The dog days may be over, as Florence Welch put it, but the Demon Dayz are here again.

High-definition cameras help us capture images (both still and moving) that appear so crisp they’re almost mind-blowingly hyperrealistic. Unfortunately, that means they also register every wrinkle, bump, pock mark, blemish, sun spot, makeup clump, loose eye lash, stray eyebrow hair, and so on. When you’re watching your favorite primetime series and the camera zooms in on the protagonist, you may find yourself thinking, Whoa, I’m looking right into this woman’s pores! Just imagine how horrified and vulnerable that actress must feel when stepping on set, knowing these invasive-feeling cameras will magnify all those perceived “flaws” that make her feel self-conscious. 

Fortunately, the advent of HD cameras and TV screens has been met with innovations in the makeup realm, including powerful foundation formulas that conceal any problem areas and perfect skin while — and this is key — appearing invisible before those snoopy, pesky, zoom-happy camera lenses.

You may be thinking, But what does this have to do with me? I’m not an actress. I’m not a news anchor. I just want a foundation that works! Well, here’s why this has everything to do with you: the right HD foundation will also be imperceptible to the naked eye so that, even as you carefully cover the dark and shadowy crevices of your complexion, conceal redness, camouflage blemishes, and even your overall skin tone, it won’t seem like you have any makeup on, making others swoon about your amazing skin.

And, without a doubt, the best HD foundation (and, quite possibly, the best foundation — period) is the Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Foundation ($42 at Sephora.com), a feather-light, oil-free liquid foundation that offers medium-to-full coverage (depending on how much you layer on, of course) and yet, astoundingly enough, appears near-invisible so that, no matter how close people get, they won’t truly know whether you’re wearing any makeup. Whether you’ll be standing under harsh stage lights or sitting across from a handsome man during a date, then, the MUFE HD Foundation will have you looking and feeling prepared for even the most meticulous complexion scans.

Available exclusively at Sephora, the MUFE HD High Definition Foundation comes in 25 shades that truly cater to women of all skin tones — and yes, ladies, that includes Latinas and African-Americans. As a Puerto Rican woman, I know how tough it is to find the right foundation. Whether you have a fair, medium, or dark complexion, oftentimes the foundations on the market don’t take into account the wealth of undertones that give our skin tones their unique pigmentation. But I can say with confidence that the MUFE High Definition Foundation does, in fact, cater to women of all ethnicities.

 Part of what makes the Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Foundation so superb is its fine texture and its ability to moisturize skin and make your complexion look dewy and radiant as opposed to flat and one-dimensional (another common side effect of liquid foundations). Even hours after application, the foundation won’t become dull, nor will it flake, crease, or clump.

Here’s a shot of me wearing the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation in Alaska. See how you can’t even tell I’m wearing anything? It’s so so high def!

Since teaming up with Target several years ago, makeup artist Sonia Kashuk has developed cosmetics, jewelry and makeup organizers and bags, and beauty tools bearing astonishingly affordable price tags — all without ever sacrificing quality or durability. The Sonia Kashuk Spring 2012 Makeup Collection is no exception, incorporating everything from limited-edition palettes packaged in summery wicker-covered compacts and brush sets bearing illustrations and instructions on how to create a smokey eye to a new range of moisturizing lipsticks that offer SPF protection, punchy nail colors that merit being seen poolside, and bronzers and blushes to create a sun-kissed glow.

One of the most trumpeted launches for the Spring 2012 season is the new Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color With SPF 16 ($9.99 at Target.com and Target stores), which features a new formula enriched with fatty acid-rich brown seaweed extract , ceramides and palmytoil peptides to smooth lips and minimize any puckering or wrinkling, and SPF 16 to protect lips from UV rays (which, of course, can make wrinkles on the lips surface that much quicker). Available in 14 shades, the lipsticks feature a lightweight, almost gel-like feel and offer a semi-sheer finish that’s rather natural — even when applying some of the darker, more vibrant hues. If you’re looking for ultra-saturated color, these lipsticks may not be your top choice but, if you’re a bit trepidatious about applying adventurous hues, then you’ll appreciate the lustrous, slightly see-through quality of these lip colors. And, in terms of comfort level, you’ll be reveling in how hydrating and nourishing they feel.

Since summer is quickly approaching and we’re all coveting golden skin, the collection incorporates a stunning Illuminating Bronzer ($12.99 at Target.com and Target stores), a hydrating pressed powder bronzer with subtle , multi-reflective shimmer packaged in a round compact and embossed with a croc skin pattern. If you prefer to concentrate on flushed cheeks, you can check out the two new brown seaweed extract-infused Beautifying Blush ($8.99 at Target.com and Target stores) shades: Flushed and Spice.

Another complexion essential: the Perfecting Transparent Mattifier ($14.99 at Target.com and Target stores), a colorless gel-like formula that you can smooth onto skin to eliminate any shine, make skin softer to the touch, an reduce the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines. Best of all, you can use it as a primer, before applying foundation or powder, or atop makeup, whenever any oiliness threatens the cohesiveness of your beauty look.

On the eye makeup front, the collection includes several offerings. First, there’s the Instructional Eye Shadow Palette in Eye On Pure Color ($19.99 at Target stores), an ’80s-flavored palette incorporating cabana-worthy shades of turquoise, sea foam green, sky blue, and azure, along with light violet and purple, medium peony pink and coral, and hints of sandy beige and brown. Those looking for a full-service palette will love the Limited Edition “Escape to Paradise” Face Palette ($19.99 at Target.com and Target stores), which features five eye makeup products (an espresso-colored shimmer shadow, soft beige and mink shades with a matte finish, a high-shine, sparkle-loaded nude shadow, and a deep mahogany eye hue), along with a bold coral blush and three lip gloss hues (one shimmering neutral color, a sheer coral, and a bright pink) . All the colors are packaged inside a wicker-covered compact with turquoise and yellow trim that snaps shut to resemble a beachy clutch.

After the jump, you’ll find close up photos of some of the key launches for Spring 2012, along with swatches. Get into it!

SATIN LUXE LIP COLOR WITH SPF 16

As previously mentioned, the new paraben- and fragrance-free Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Colors with SPF 16 ($9.99 each at Target.com) are formulated with anti-aging ingredients like brown seaweed extract and palmitoyl peptide, plus they feature SPF protection, making them all the more ideal for the spring and summer season when so many of us neglect the tender skin on our lips, failing to offer it SPF protection even as we smooth sunscreen onto our faces and limbs.

Packaged in rectangular black cases with the word “Sonia Kashuk” printed along their length in oversize white letters, the Satin Luxe Lip Colors are available in: Soft Nude, a muted beige with hints of peach; Barely Nude, a soft beige with pink undertones; Nude Pink, a light pink with neutral undertones; Sunkissed, a warm, demure coral; Currant, a deep plum-tinged brown; Blushing, a warm pink shade; Roseberry, a warm raspberry tone; Sugar Plum, a pinkish plum; Rosette, a reddish pink; Violetta, a sheer pink-tinged violet hue; Vivid Coral, a near-tangerine coral pink; Pink Punch, a tropical-flavored hot pink; Ruby Rose, a raspberry ice cream color; and Classic Red, a pure red with cool undertones.

Below, you’ll find swatches of my four favorite hues: Pink Punch, Vivid Coral, Violetta, and Ruby Rose. As you’ll hopefully see from the photos, the colors have a glistening satin finish that looks icy and cool without being saturated with glimmer (micro pearls or chunkier glitter bits). While vibrant, these colors are rather sheer so, once applied to lips, they won’t look quite as potent as they do here, mainly because the natural color of your lips will work to counteract the boldness of these shades. Still, they do offer a nice pop of bright color and they feel incredibly comfortable on the lips thanks to the new-and-improved formula.

Here’s a shot of me wearing the Violetta color. As you can see, the lipstick doesn’t look nearly as intense on my lips as it does in the swatches above, but it’s still a pretty, demure shade. Do keep in midn, however, that the lipsticks are not long-lasting, so you will have to reapply quite often if you wish to maintain your lip look throughout the day.

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SPRING 2012 NAIL COLOURS

The Swinging Sixties seem to have been a source of inspiration for the new Spring 2012 Sonia Kashuk Nail Colours ($4.79 at Target.com), which recall Pucci frocks and hip pool parties. The new shades are: Fairy Princess, a slightly retro mint green hue with light turquoise shimmer to give it a magical feel; Purparazzi, a creamy purple reminiscent of a pack of Bubblicious grape bubblegum; Dream of Genie, a juicy watermelon pink; Hot Pursuit, a deep  vermilion; Tango Mango, an on-trend tangerine hue; and Golden Ticket, a shimmering gold with a near-molten feel.

Check out how the Purparazzi Nail Colour looks:

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BEAUTIFYING BLUSH

Aside from the Perfecting Transparent Mattifier, which is an absolutely genial product, the new Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush ($8.99 at Target.com) shades constitute my favorite offerings from the new collection. When you first flip open the top of these round compacts and look at the blush colors, you might expect them to have a creamy texture. One you glide your finger across their surface, however, you’ll find that they have a very soft and velvety but decidedly powdery feel (the result of the powder being so finely milled).

As with the Satin Luxe Lip Colors, the Beautifying Blushes are formulated with anti-aging ingredient — in this case, brown seaweed extract, which is known to firm the skin and help retain elasticity.

For Spring 2012, Sonia Kashuk created two warm, perky shades: Flushed, a clean bright pink with warm undertones and a semi-sheer finish so that, when swept onto cheeks, you’ll get that just-pinched look; and Spice, a peachy pink color with gold shimmer that makes your skin appear sun-kissed.

Here are swatches of the Spice and Flushed Beautifying Blushes:

Next, check out a photo in which I’m wearing the Flushed color (pardon my hair in this pic — I hadn’t finished styling it yet!). As you can see, it’s a nice shade to accentuate cheekbones and contour features, and it’s not so bright as to look cartoonish or feel overbearing.

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Well, ladies, that’s the scoop! Let me know if you’ll be picking anything up!

Blair Waldorf-like socialites, wealthy pearl-loving matrons, and ladies who lunch as a virtual career (in between planning some extravagant fête for their charity du jour) may still prefer to swing their Nancy Gonzalez, Judith Leiber, and Kate Spade purses while frolicking uptown, but the savvy, trend-setting, streetwise divas downtown believe New York City is ruled by another handbag designer: Rebecca Minkoff. Since launching her eponymous handbag line with the release of her now iconic Morning After Bag in 2005, Minkoff has emerged as one of the Big Apple’s most beloved and respected designers, treasured for her unique ability to marry whimsy and sophistication, edge and elegance, attitude and poise in all her pieces. Neon quilted leather, multiple zipper embellishments, hammered or pyramid stud accents, and animal print details all surface in her collections, and yet they do so in a manner that never feels abrasive or garish; instead, they channel just the right amount of audacity and bravado.

Hopinh to make her designs more accessible to everyday women, Minkoff joined forces with mark. to design the limited-edition Rebecca Minkoff Delight Bag (shown above), available for $60 exclusively at Shop.Meetmark.com. The rocker-flavored faux leather Delight Bag is roomy enough for every day use — it measures 11 3/8″ in length, 8″ in height, and 1 7/8″ in width, so you can fit your wallet, keys, makeup bag, phone, and any other essentials inside — but the embellishments along the top flap make it feel way more special than any ordinary black purse. Equipped with a hidden magnetic closure, the top flap features a silver-toned buckle and strap detail at the center for a Sons of Anarchy-esque effect, while the entire surface features silver-toned square pyramid studs encased by square-like shapes made of hammered round metal studs. Three interior pockets (a large zippered pocket and 2 smaller slip pockets), along with a detachable shoulder strap, complete the design.

Can’t wait to get your hands on this dapper delight? Well, now is your chance! One lucky STA winner will add this Minkoff for mark. original to her wardrobe. Read on for the details!

REBECCA MINKOFF DELIGHT BAG GIVEAWAY

 Contestants must be 18 years or older and reside within the continental United States to be eligible. To vie for a chance to win your very own Rebecca Minkoff purse, you must complete all of the following steps.

1. Follow @sickathanavg and @markgirl on Twitter.

2. Tweet about the giveaway, making sure to @reply both @sickathanavg and @markgirl and to include the hashtag #minkoff4mark in your message. The more retweets your message gets, the more entries you’ll have (and the more chances to win)!

Sample tweet: “I just entered to win a Rebecca Minkoff for @markgirl bag from @sickathanavg RT for your chance to enter! #minkoff4mark”

3. Leave a comment below once you’ve tweeted about the giveaway and make sure to include your Twitter handle and to leave an e-mail address where we can contact you should you win the sweeps.

The deadline to enter the giveaway is May 27th at 11:59 p.m. EST. One winner will be selected and announced both here and on Twitter by May 29th.

Good luck!

If you’re looking for evidence that less can, in fact, be more, just check out the Shiseido Spring 2012 Makeup Collection, an extremely well-edited collection that, while smaller than some of its predecessors, manages to pack just as much sex appeal for beauty-starved consumers. The new collection consists of 7 new Shimmering Rouge Lip Colors and 3 new Shimmering Cream Eye Color shades($25 each at Nordstrom.com and Macys.com) that, together, add up to a perfect 10.

As you might remember, for Fall 2011, Shiseido Artistic Director Dick Page tread into cream eye shadow territory, unveiling the brand’s twelve introductory Shimmering Cream Eye Color shades, all inspired by the photographs he snapped during his many travels. For Spring 2012, this family of long-wearing, crease-resistant, luminous cream eye shadows welcomed three new members: Ice, a misty, light sea foam blue color with gray undertones and silver micro pearls to lend it a fresh, cool quality reminiscent of the sea spray released when ocean waves crash against the shore; Sunshower, a coral-tinged copper shade with gold and bronze shimmer; and Pale Shell, a light, opalescent pink with white and silver shimmer.

The three new Spring 2012 Shimmering Cream Eye Color shades($25 each at Nordstrom.com and Macys.com) were formulated with Shiseido’s proprietary Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE complex, which helps them hydrate the skin so that they look all the more vibrant and the area on which they’re applied remains smooth and crevice-free.

I raved about the Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Colors in the fall, and this season has only helped to intensify my amorous sentiments. Not only do the colors look fresh, alluring, complex, and luxuriously multi-dimensional, but the formula is so airy that the makeup glides onto skin almost effortlessly, all the while managing to cover the desired surface area and leaving behind no patchy, streaky, or sparse areas. Even better, the cream color doens’t feel thick and lumpy on the lids, allowing you to blend and diffuse the pigment with ease. Hours after the initial application, the color will still retain its dewy luster — an impressive feat.

After the jump, you’ll find swatches of the Ice an Sunshower shades, along with photos of a look created using the latter. Here’s hoping you love these creamy concoctions as much as I do!

Below, you’ll find swatches of the Ice and Sunshower shades. As you can see, the Ice shade is a very cool, slightly moody, glacial light blue. It has a frosty feel thanks to the clear and silver micro pearl particles in its formula, which lend the pale blue hue an arctic sheen, and yet there’s a kinetic energy to this color that makes it feel more appropriate for summer, when we all dream of aquatic scenes, as opposed to the snowy winter season. The Sunshower shade, meanwhile, feels earthy and warm thanks to the bronze-tinged coppery hue, the coral undertones incorporated into the shade, and the sprinkling of clear and golden pearl particles to add a sensual glistening finish.

Next, you’ll find two photos that show how the Shiseido Shunshower Shimmering Cream Eye Color looks on eyelids. In these photos, the cream color is worn on the lids without any additional eye shadow, primer, or base color — just a hint of Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liquid liner in Mat Black 0L.

Ready to shimmy your way to more shimmering lids?

On Mother’s Day, celebrate all the women who have inspired their own children to “jump at the sun,” to dream while waking, to aspire to greatness. Whether you’re fêting a sister, friend, aunt, mother, grandmother, or in-law,   a simple trinket with a hand-written note is sure to make her feel like the work she does, the sleepless nights and sacrifices made, aren’t going unnoticed or unappreciated.

Below, you’ll find a few last-minute gift ideas — just in case you need to dip into a store before heading to that next destination (no judgment here — we all procrastinate sometimes!).

Carol’s Daughter Memorable Mists Trio, $29.50. Available at CarolsDaughter.com

This inbox contains three of Carol’s Daughter’s most popular and distinctive shower gel and body soufflé scents — Almond Cookie, Sugared Violets, and Orange Ambrosia — each in a dry oil mist formula that you can spritz on whenever your skin needs a moisturizing pick-me-up. The Almond Cookie Dry Oil Body Mist, of course, will make you feel like you’re in a quaint bakery thanks to its sugary almond-meets-marzipan smell, while the Orange Ambrosia Dry Oil Body Mist will invigorate your senses with its mixture of juicy Sicilian blood orange and mimosa notes and the Sugared Violets Dry Oil Body Mist will remind you of the violet candies so popular in France. Each dry oil body mist contains shea butter, sweet almond oil, açai extract, and soybean oil to hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.

Philosophy Italian Soda Bar Trio, $25. Available at Sephora.com and Sephora stores.

Have you ever wondered what it must have felt like to hang out at a 1950s Italian soda bar after school, sipping your drink while propped atop one of the stools or sitting inside one of the snug booths therein. Well, while these mom-and-pop soda bars are virtually extinct, replaced by chain restaurants and coffee shops, you can at least try to keep the memory (or the fantasy) alive by turning your shower into an aromatic ode to these once ubiquitous establishments with this nostalgic shower gel set from Philosophy. Packaged inside a darling, house-shaped box with a faux striped awning decorating the angled top panels, the Italian Soda Bar Trio features three 6 oz. Shampoo, Shower Gel & Body Baths: Black Cherry Italian Soda (my personal favorite), Strawberry Italian Soda, and  Limoncello Italian Soda.

Mustela Newborn Set, $42. Available at ULTA, Buy Buy Baby, Babies “R” Us, Destination Maternity, Sephora.com, and MustelaUSA.com

If you know a recent mother or someone who is expecting, this gift will prove to be a perfect one  since it includes everything she’ll need to tend to her baby’s delicate skin. The Mustela Newborn Set includes: the Foam Shampoo For Newborns, which helps to prevent (and heal) cradle cap;  Physiobébé No-Rinse Cleanser, a soap-free cleanser perfect for sponge baths or quick wipe-downs; the Hydra Bébé Body Lotion, a hypoallergenic, phtalate- and paraben-free moisturizer for even the most sensitive skin; and the Vitamin Barrier Cream, the perfect end to a diaper change since it helps to prevent any rash from appearing.

And here’s a gift from Mustela to you — if you like Mustela on Facebook (Facebook.com/Mustela), you can enter to win the ultimate Mustela Baby Shower Prize Pack. Three fans will win the coveted grand prize, which includes over $500 in Mustela products, a $250 Diapers.com gift card (any mom will tell you there’s no such thing as having too many diapers on hand!), a $100 Tiny Prints gift card (so you can print invitations to your shower or send announcements of your baby’s birth after his/her arrival), an Eleni’s New York “Baby on the Way” cookie gift box (to ease those cravings!), and a Babybjörn Baby Carrier Miracle (so you can head out with your child resting close to your heart). In addition, 10 users will win the Mustela Newborn Set shown here, while another 15 will win a Dermo Cleansing bottle.

Sonia Kashuk Bright Horizons 4-Piece Brush Set, $15. Available at Target stores.

Talk about getting bang for your buck! This set features four of Kashuk’s award-winning brushes (Domed Multi-Purpose Powder Brush, Eye Shadow Brush, Crease brush, and Pointed Liner Brush), all with remarkably soft bristles and tangerine-colored handles, packaged inside an envelope-shaped bamboo clutch with perky orange piping along the sides and the edge of the fold-over flap.

H2O+ Blue Body Lotion, $18. Available at H2oplus.com

To help you navigate this transitional time, we’ve amassed some top-notch moisturizers that work year-long — whether it’s hot and sticky, rainy and cool, or harrowingly frigid. Bring it on, Mother Nature!

Bella Lucce Rainforest Restoraton Açai Antioxidant Body Creme, $29. Available at BellaLucce.com

As soon as you twist off the lid of this luxurious body cream, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to an Amazon rainforest thanks to the product’s buttery, slightly nutty, yet sweet aroma, a result of the cupuaçu seed butter, macadamia seed oil, açai berry oil, hibiscus extract, and passion fruit oil in the formula. Whereas many body butters can feel too rich for use in hotter, more humid months, this body cream has a surprisingly light consistency akin to margarine so that it almost seems to melt onto your skin. In fact, you’ll barely need to rub it in since the skin seems to soak the cream up in a matter of instants. Best of all, your skin will feel markedly smoother and more comfortable — when I applied this cream before bed, I woke up to find that any dry patches ha been eradicated and the red bumps along my forearms (a mild case of keratosis pilaris) were both less visible and less noticeable to the touch.

As previously mentioned, the key ingredients in eco-friendly skin care brand Bella Lucce’s Rainforest Restoration Açai Antioxidant Body Creme include: macadamia nut oil, which is comprised mainly of essential fatty acids (over 70%) that moisturize and soften the skin (among them oleic acid, which both moisturizes skin and helps it to retain moisture by fortifying its natural barrier, and palmitoleic acid, which helps in anti-aging regimens); passion fruit oil, which is rich in vitamins A and C, both of which are vital to clear, radiant skin; açai berries, treasure troves of antioxidants that prevent premature skin aging; organic hibiscus extract, which inhibits elastin degradation, brightens and protects skin due to its vitamin C content, and functions as an antimicrobial; and babassu oil extracted from Brazilian palm trees, a source of lauric and myristic acid that helps the skin create a protective coating that prevents moisture loss.

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter, $18. Available at PacificaPerfume.com

There’s a succulence to the scent of Pacifica’s Blood  Orange Body Butter — the combination of blood orange, Italian mandarin orange, and juicy but tart raspberry makes for a scent that’s zesty but not overly acidic, somehow incorporating a hint of sweetness into a citrus-y cocktail. But this paraben-free, vegan-friendly body butter has more than a seductive fragrance to lure consumers. The stellar moisturizer is quickly absorbed by the skin, leaving it smooth and soft thanks to a mixture of natural botanicals like: aloe vera juice, a natural anti-inflammatory that accelerates the healing of wounds and topical inflammations; safflower seed oil, a skin conditioner packed with linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that fortifies the skin’s immune system and promotes cellular activity, leading to younger, more radiant-looking skin; rose hip oil, which boasts a high concentration of vitamin C, a natural skin brightener, and an even higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acids that work to prevent visible aging signs from arising, accelerate the healing of wounds and scars, and soothe inflammations; mango butter, a moisturizing substance rich in essential fatty acids; shea butter, the beauty industry’s go-to ingredient for moisturizing skin; almond seed oil, a non-greasy skin conditioner and emollient that contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and E, which together work to boost cellular rejuvenation, protect the skin from free radicals, and restore the optimal moisture balance to the skin; cucumber extract, an anti-inflammatory; lavender extract, an anti-septic and anti-fungal agent that helps to soother any inflammations, wounds, or abscesses; and white tea extract, which protects the skin from oxidative stress and safeguards the skin’s immune system.

Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado, Olive & Basil  Skin Revitalising Body Lotion, $22, and Avocado, Olive & Basil Skin Nourishing Body Butter, $34. Available at Crabtree-Evelyn.com

Avocado and olive oil are at the heart of this skin care collection from Crabtree & Evelyn, which aims to tackle ultra dry skin and to leave it softer than that adorable Downy bear. Not only are olive branches symbolic of peace treaties and new alliances, but the oil extracted from their fruits has been dubbed “liquid gold” thanks to its lubricative abilities, its rich antioxidant content (which protect the skin from the environmental scavengers that lead to wrinkles, sun spots, and other aging signs), and the linoleic acid in its constitution, which helps skin retain moisture. When olive oil is paired with avocado oil, a substance known to penetrate the skin at a higher rate than many of its botanical counterparts and which moisturizes and softens the skin,  the result is a one-two punch that culminates in a triumphant dermal dryness knockout. Free of parabens, phtalates, sulfates, mineral oils, and propylene glycol, this entire range is suitable for all women — even those with highly sensitive skin. Both the Skin Revitalising Body Lotion and Skin Nourishing Body Butter (ideal for those with parched skin) feature an herbal fragrance that punctuates the basil, sage, and olive in the formula, referencing a Mediterranean kitchen with this fresh mix of spices.

Seaweed Bath Co. Wildly Natural Body Creams, $12.98 each. Available at SeaweedBathCo.com

Each time you press down on the Wildly Natural Body Cream ‘s pump dispenser, a silly string-like stream of lotion will appear on your palm in a curling miniature mound. The vermicelli-like lotion has a light-as-air texture, making it ideal for hotter months when applying moisturizer can feel like an extraneous chore. Made using all-natural ingredients, Seaweed Bath Co.’s Wildly Natural Body Creams feature Hawaiian kukui oil, which is rife with oleic and linoleic acids; argan oil, an easily absorbed emollient an skin conditioner rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids; shea and cocoa butter, both excellent moisturizers and softeners;  soothing aloe extract; and rejuvenating seaweed extract. The Body Creams are available in four varieties: Eucalyptus & Peppermint, Citrus Scent, Lavender Scent, and Unscented. I’m personally smitten with the Citrus Scent since it reminds me of blood oranges and ruby red grapefruits.

Shea Moisture Organic Olive & Green Tea Body Butter, $9.99. Available at Target stores. 

Since it’s a body butter as opposed to a lotion, the Shea Moisture Organic Olive & Green Tea Body Butter features a thicker consistency so that you’ll likely have to rub the product on your skin a bit more vigorously in order to properly blend it into skin. Still, the body butter doesn’t feel so thick as to be confining and stifling, nor does it leave behind any greasy residue. What it does leave behind is a radiant, glistening finish that makes skin appear more youthful and healthy.

The antioxidants in the olive oil used to formulate the body butter work to create a protective barrier on the skin, sealing in moisture while neutralizing free radicals, thereby offering both skin conditioning and anti-aging benefits. Green tea extract, meanwhile, soothes any redness or inflammations (including peeling skin, eczema, and minor wounds). The last key ingredient in the formula, avocado extract, softens and replenishes thanks to its concentration of vitamins A, D, and E;  the presence of sterolin, a plant-derived complex that contributes to the synthesis of dextrose and fortifies the skin’s immune system; and this creamy fruit’s  essential fatty acids content, which help to promote proper cellular function. Together, these natural ingredients smooth, hydrate, and calm skin while also impairing our skin cells’ ability to regenerate and to produce the nutrients necessary to maintain skin elasticity.

Personally, I love applying this body butter at bedtime since, when I wake up in the morning, my skin feels shockingly soft (it even alleviates the little”chicken skin” bumps on my arms). Plus the smell manages to feel both earthy and refreshing, with no single note outperforming its teammates (so you need not worry about smelling like guacamole or some olive-heavy Mediterranean dish).

During the summer, when your feet are exposed almost 24-7, try applying this body butter to your heels to keep them from looking ashy or cracked.

St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion, $5.29  at Drugstore.com. Also available at mass food and drug retailers nationwide.

The key to radiant skin: a combination of optimal hydration and consistent cellular activity ranging from collagen and elastin production to regeneration. The St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion focuses on not only hydrating skin but improving its texture and overall appearance via a unique Alpha Hydroxy Acid-rich formula, with the AHAs in question being citric acids. This AHA complex works mainly as an exfoliant, allowing dead skin cells to slough off and revealing new and radiant skin, but it also helps to stimulate collagen and elastin production and to repair photo-damaged cells.

Curel Ultra Healing Intensive Lotion, $8 at Drugstore.com and Target.com. Also available at mass food and drug retailers.

This inexpensive moisturizer features a very subtle citrus scent that makes the application process more pleasant but which has a fleeting lifespan so that, once the lotion is completely absorbed, the scent will not linger on and compete (or clash) with your choice of perfume. Initially, the lotion feel a bit balmy, slightly sticky a la petroleum jelly,  but any greasiness quickly dissipates as the skin absorbs the product. Once it does, you’ll rapidly notice your skin feels smoother thanks to Curel’s proprietary ceramide complex works to mimic the skin’s natural protective barrier, thereby maximizing moisture retention. The eucalyptus in the formula, meanwhile, provides a pleasant cooling sensation as you massage the lotion onto your skin.

Repechage Sea Spa Hand Cream, $19.50 for 2 oz. Available at Repechage.com

Whenever I apply this luxurious lotion to my hands and my 8-year-old son is looming nearby, he beams before saying, “Mommy, I want to smell like the beach too!” That’s the magic of this ultra fluid moisturizer, which softens and hydrates hands while keeping visible aging signs at bay. The hand cream features a shea butter base rich in vitamins A, E, and F, which together help to protect the skin from environmental aggressors and to stimulate the cellular regeneration necessary to enjoy supple, resilient, radiant skin. A combination of EcoCert-approved seaweeds and sea plants, meanwhile, protects the skin from oxidative stress (due to their concentration of vitamins C and E), locks in moisture (thanks to their alginic acid content),  and increases cellular proliferation (thanks to their beta carotene and amino acid content). Soothing botanicals like lavender oil (a known anti-septic and anti-fungal), eucalyptus oil (valued for its circulation-boosting and antiseptic properties, along with its uplifting aromatherapy benefits), and chamomile extract (a gentle anti-inflammatory) round out the list of power-packed ingredients in this hand cream’s formula.

Nuance by Salma Hayek Dark Cacao & Coffee Firming Body Cream, $14.99. Available at CVS stores.

If you’re as heavily caffeinated as I am, you’ll relish the Coaching-like scent of this body cream, part of Salma Hayek’s Nuance beauty line, available exclusively at CVS. It may smell like sheer decadence, but this taupe-colored cream actually helps problem appears appear more toned thanks to the coffee seed extract in the formula. Cocoa butter, safflower seed oil, rice brain oil, and cornflower extract hydrate and soften the skin, while improving the overall texture and tone. When you apply the lotion onto your forearms, hips, thighs, or stomach, you’ll likely feel a bit of a tightening sensation, along with a tingling, cooling effect. Once a couple of minutes pass, the tightening, prickly sensation will fade away but your skin will feel softer and your tone will seem a bit more even (thanks to a boost in circulation). The firming effects, meanwhile, are temporary  (don’t expect to go down a dress size!), but you’ll relish every second in which you feel all the more trim and slim.

This summer, as you feel the sand caressing your toes, make sure they look as gorgeous as the ocean expanse with the new Zoya Summer 2012 Beach & Surf Collection. This two-part collection features 12 shades divided into two themes. First, there’s Beach, which features creamy, perky colors that will conjure up images of beach chairs under oversize, shade-offering umbrellas; plush cushions inside curtain-adorned resort cabanas; kayaks and surfboards; and refreshing Mai Tais, Strawberry Piña Coladas, and Caipirinhas. Second, there’s Surf, which includes similar shades that, instead of a creamy finish, feature tons of sparkle and shine, thereby referencing the natural luster of the sea.

I’ve been swatching the Zoya Beach Collection shades ($8 each at Zoya.com) and, with every nail polish I try, my excitement for the comming summer season mounts. Not only are the shades ideal for summer, arguably the most cheerful, optimism-filled, carefree season of the year, but they’re gorgeous in their own right. In fact, the Wednesday nail lacquer has already become my favorite Zoya blue shade ever!

The six shades in the Beach Collection are: Wednesday, a light aqua blue that’s similar to the color of a Tiffany & Co. box but features slightly greener undertones; Tracie, a lime green color reminiscent of a Caipirinha beverage but featuring more olive undertones and finished with a subtle, all-over sheen; Arizona, a deliciously creamy tangerine orange; Shelby, a coquetish strawberry milkshake pink; Reagan, a deep, creamy magenta with plum purple undertones; and Lara, a true hot pink reminiscent of azaleas.

After the jump, you’ll find swatches of these shades for your reference. See which one will be a fixture in your beach bag!

TRACIE

This is a very unique shade of green since, as you can see, it teeters on the line between lime and olive, so that it winds up looking almost like a light moss green shade, and yet it’s joyous and vibrant than any moss or sage color you’d typically find. Like the other nail polishes in the collection, it’s mainly a creamy tone, but it does have a subtle silver sheen to it that makes it feel icy and dewy.

WEDNESDAY

It may be called Wednesday, but this gorgeous light aqua shade is meant to be worn on Monday through Sunday. Officially my favorite Zoya blue shade, Wednesday makes me think of reclining chaises, bits of sea glass, and wedding ceremonies at the beach.

REAGAN

Though it’s not the most original shade in the collection, Reagan is a necessary addition, adding a darker, more robust hue to the palette. The creamy pink color is not only richly pigmented but it has a purple base that makes it reminiscent of magenta orchids.

ARIZONA

With tangerine being one of the most popular colors this season, Arizona is bound to be a hit with trendy, “in-the-know girls. This particular shade is extremely creamy and the color manages to read as bright and ebullient without going into neon territory.

SHELBY

Arguably the daintiest shade in the bunch, Shelby might remind you of pink lemonade, strawberry milkshakes, and pink cupcake frosting. It actually reminds me of My Little Pony figures, which adds a charming nostalgia element.

Based in Venice, California, 10-year-old brand Knock Knock specializes in stationery, journals, books, paper goods, and office paraphernalia with quirky, humorous, irreverent sayings and illustrations that help you stay organized while infusing a sense of fun into otherwise mundane tasks. Their “Eat” note pad, for example, features pages divided into two columns — Dinner and Not Dinner — and then further organized by adding horizontal rows, each labeled with a day of the week, so that you can keep track of what you’re consuming or even make a thorough week-long meal plan.  Blocks of sticky notes, meanwhile, bear phrases like “Just Sayin,” “Mental Note,” “Duh,” “or “Stupid Question” along their top surface, so that the main sentiment behind your memo is conveyed from the very beginning.

Knock Knock recently unveiled some aptly clever new additions to its product array, among them  the Culture Vulture Pad ($6.50 at KnockKnockStuff.com) and the OMG Sticky Notes ($3.99 at KnockKnockStuff.com) pictured above.

Each cube of OMG Sticky Notes features 100 square sheets, each measuring 3″ by 3″ and featuring a solid kiwi green color along the periphery, the letters OMG stamped across the top in an oversize font to amplify the emphatic tone we associate with this digital age abbreviation. At the center of each note, you’ll find a paragraph’s worth of lines so that you can jot down the news, gossip, or observation you want to share. Directly above these lines, you’ll find four boxes you can check: FYI (“For Your Information”), LOL (“Laugh Out Loud”), TMI (“Too Much Information”), and IMHO (“In My Honest Opinion).

The uses for these OMG Sticky Notes are endless — you can post them on the fridge for your roommate to see, as a way of filling him/her in on the previous night’s exploits before heading to work; stick them to the edge of your co-worker’s computer to avoid the conspicuousness of water cooler bochinche sessions; or pass them to a friend in class to make those seemingly endless lectures a bit less tedious.

The Culture Vulture Pad, meanwhile, targets pop culture enthusiasts  like myself who are constantly consuming some form of media — whether it’s watching TV and films, listening to Spotify or tuning into Pandora, browsing through different websites and blogs, hunting for hilarious viral videos, devouring books and magazines, listening to podcasts, and catching indie bans in concert.

Each Culture Vulture pad contains 60 pages, each measuring 6″ x 9″ and featuring an olive green and cream color scheme. Every single page is divided into three columns labeled “Watch,” “Read,” or “Listen To.” These are then further  broken down via the three pre-labeled rows corresponding to each category. For the “Watch” column, these rows include the subcategories: “Movies/Television,” where you’d list all the shows you DVR religiously and the films you’ve been dying to see; “Viral Videos,” where you’d jot down any funny clips circulating the Web (for instance, the “Sh•t Girls Say” series); and “Cheap Entertainment,” where you’d list all those competition and reality TV shows (or awful made-for-TV films) you secretly enjoy. For the “Read” column, the subcategories include “Books/Authors,” where you’d likely list the prestigious titles on your summer reading list; “Websites,” where you could include your favorite online news outlets and blogs; and “Trashy Stuff,” where you could add anything from gossip rags to romance novels.  And, for the “Listen To” field, the subcategories are: “Artists/Bands,” so that you can remember to download the latest songs from buzzed-about artists; “Podcasts,” so you can tune in and hear music experts ruminate about the genre of your choice, the unheralded talent therein, and the Herculean forces dominating mainstream; and “Guilty Pleasures,” where you can secretly declare your love for, say, One Direction or Bruno Mars.

Near the bottom of the pad, you’ll find a “Notes” box with lines that span the length of each sheet, allowing you to jot down any pressing thoughts on the pop culture fare you listed or to add any adiditional reading, viewing, or listening materials.

Here’s the kicker: at the bottom of each sheet, you’ll find the words “To Reference” followed by three boxes labeled “Cheap Entertainment,” “In Casual Conversation,” or “To Prove Hipness.” Now, every subcategory features lines in which you can list items and, on the left-hand side of each line, you’ll also find a box you can check. This allows you to check off anything on the sheet— say, the latest episode of “The Killing”— and, in a matching pen color, check the corresponding box at the bottom of the pad (like, for example, “On Blog,” to signify you’ll be discussing the episode therein).

For fun, I filled out one of the sheets of my own Culture Vulture pad with some of the music I’ve been listening to, books I’ve been eager to read, and programs I’ve been following (check it out in the image third from top).

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Want to get in on the fun? Then enter our Knock Knock Culture Vulture Pad and OMG Sticky Notes Giveaway!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

1. Follow @SickaThanAvg and @knockknock on Twitter

2. Tweet the following: “I just entered to win @knockknock Culture Vulture Pad and OMG Stickies from @sickathanavg at  http://www.sickathanaverage.com/?p=8681“

3. Leave a comment below saying you’ve followed these steps. Make sure to leave an e-mail address, so you can be contacted should you win the giveaway.

 All contestant must reside within the United States to enter and must be 18 or older. The deadline to enter is May 18th at 11:59 EST. The winner will be announced by May 20th, both on Twitter and within the comments section below.

Good luck!