Say Goodbye to Dry: 5 tips for replenishing winter-ravaged skin

I love winter, which I realize may lead you to question my sanity. But I find cold air invigorating and refreshing after months of heat and humidity. My skin, however, is far less enthusiastic. Even during record warm winters like this one, I struggle to keep flaky, itchy skin at bay, from my chin to my shins. On the plus side, this year’s long spell of remarkably dry air has given me ample opportunity to experiment on myself, including whipping up a few DIY recipes. I also consulted with my two Minnesota-born–and-bred estheticians, who I knew would have much to offer in the way of dry skin solutions.

After teasing out what worked from what did not, I present to you 5 easy and affordable adjustments you can make to your daily skin care routine when winter attacks:

2011 Nature of Beauty Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

As I mentioned in our last blog post, we carry some excellent products that double as sure-to-please holiday gifts. But those are just a few of the many great gift ideas available at The Nature of Beauty. For the past month, I have been planning on writing a big ol' blog post listing My Favorite Things. Clearly, I kept putting it off.

If it makes you feel better, a Nature of Beauty Gift Guide isn't the only thing I'm guilty of putting off til the last minute: I have yet to purchase a single Christmas gift. For anyone. In the hopes I'm not alone, and you, too, haven't completed (or started) your holiday shopping, above is my Special 2011 Edition Last Minute Nature of Beauty Gift Guide, and below, I tell you a bit about why I think they are so awesome:

The Nature of Beauty's Holiday Gift Picks for 2011

It's been an insanely busy holiday season for us at The Nature of Beauty. Between new brands, special events, visits from the founders of our favorite brands, and a ton of fabulous new and returning customers, it's been nothing short of impossible for this girl to even find time to sit down and write a blog post!

To make it easier on myself, I asked the Nature of Beauty team to help me out by naming their pick for Best Holiday Gift of 2011. I have to say, I wholeheartedly approve of each and every selection - so here we go!

Why I Love Logona's New Makeup (and think you will, too)

Those of you who have followed this blog from the beginning know I have always had a stubborn love of Logona. Maybe it's the German in me loving the German in them. Or maybe it's because I have always known Logona to be a consistent producer of reliable and effective beauty products. Problem is, they've never been particularly sexy, nor have they ever spent so much as a minute trying to attract U.S. customers. Nevertheless, Logona has become our best-selling line in the store, as all of us who use it quickly recognized their value.

All that is about to change with the relaunch of their color collection. To say they've improved on their original line is a dramatic understatement; naw, these guys have hit it out of the park with lipsticks that deliver intense shine without glitter, mascara that volumizes without smudging or flaking, and foundation that delivers a flawless, radiant finish.

Intrigued? Let me elaborate:

Pit Potion: A magical cure for the stinkies

My best friend of over 20 years called me last week, a few hours after we sent our last email blast, announcing the launch of Pit Potion by The Nature of Beauty. "I don't understand," she said, clearly flummoxed, "You made it? I mean, no offense...but you don't make skin care. Do you?"

She had a point. I don't - well, I didn't - make skin care. At least, not for other people. Truth be told, I had been secretly accumulating quite a stash of raw ingredients over the past few years, wanting to understand how they smell, feel, and work when you mix them together. I'm not the kind of person who is content with the What; I need to know the Why and the How (I must have been the most crazy-making 3-year-old ever). Thinking I should keep these Science Geek tendencies to myself, I didn't really share my potions with anyone else. Besides, I hadn't made anything I thought was better than the products I was already selling.

Until I made Pit Potion.

What I'm Wearing (and Using) Today

It's been a long time since I shared what I've been puttin' on my face. My beauty routine has changed a bit as of late, and unsolicited customer compliments have been on the rise ever since. So maybe now would be a good time for the latest edition of What I'm Wearing Today!

New Makeup, Just In Time For Fall!

I'm not sure about where you live, but in Minnesota, this summer meant the hottest, most humid weeks we've ever experienced. Even if wearing a full face of makeup looked good in sauna-esque conditions, who would want to wear it? September, though...well, that's a whole different story. Sure, it means winter is around the corner, but it also means primo makeup weather!

With that, we've got some amazing new makeup. Here are just a few of my favorites.