Needful Things - Bella Vita Miracle Soap

Bella Vita Miracle Soap - $15 - in citrus, lavender and fragrance free varieties - a baked natural clay pellet filled with a delicate Marseille soap base that when wet, lathers to soften the exfoliating action of the stone.

It has lots of great uses:

Removes hard skin on elbows, knees, hands and feet - calluses disappear;

removes the most stubborn stains - including  those left by hair dye, self-tanning cream and ink;

and exfoliates non-sensitive parts of the body and helps reduce ingrown hairs when used before epilation.

 Just lather up the wet stone with a few drops and water and scrub gently - and for optimal life of the stone, don't leave it in water and it should last from 6 - 10 months!

Available now at fine health food stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Dry hands find relief with Bella Vita, Avon and Lotus Aroma!

Bella Vita Miracle Balm - 80g - $15 -heals chapped or cracked skin and provides total care for hands or any dry spots on the body. It contains the healing and protection of propolis - a blend of bee secretions, pollen and tree resin which is created by the bees to protect their hives from infection and it's natural antiseptic and antibiotic properties are equally beneficial for people; along with emu oil, castor oil and comfrey for additional restorative and soothing properties.

Available in health food stores across Canada.

Avon Planet Spa Blissfully Nourishing Hand, Elbow and Foot Cream - 75ml - $10 - contains African shea butter harvested from the tropical regions of Africa which is rich in vitamins to perfectly nourish, moisturize and renew dry skin.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

Lotus Aroma Intensive Hand Repair Cream - 50ml - $15 - available in Citrus Zest, Exotic Verbena and Unscented - specifically designed to relieve damaged, dry and chapped hands with a silky textured formula containing: organic shea butter - to protect, nourish and regenerate; organic cupuacu butter - to moisturize and soothe; organic baobab oil - to soften, rejuvenate and heal; cranberry extract - an antioxidant; organic cranberry oil - an antioxidant that is anti-aging for sensitive skin; aloe vera juice - to moisturize, soothe, nourish and firm; vegetable glycerin - to moisten and moisturize; and oligoline 2C - a red algae extract that  protects, moisturizes and smooths.

Available at fine pharmacies and health food stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Get natural protection with deodorants from Soapwalla and Bella Vita!

I've been big on natural products for the face for a long time now but until these deodorants crossed my desk, I had never even considered going natural for the armpits...

Soapwalla Deodorant Cream - 60ml - $12.99 - this powerful, all-natural deodorant cream utilizes superfine vegetable powders, clays and lavender, peppermint and tea tree essential oils to absorb moisture, inhibit bacteria and ensure a long-lasting and highly effective experience. With a frosting-like consistency that ensures effortless manual application and quick absorption.

Available at www.freshfaced.ca.

Bella Vita Formidable Deodorant - 30ml - $12 - a 97% natural, aluminum and alcohol-free, non-pore clogging cream that is so gentle, it's ideal for delicate, sensitive skin - even for after chemotherapy, electrolysis or laser hair removal. The formula contains the healing and protection of propolis - a miraculous blend of bee secretions, pollen and tree resin - created by the bees to protect their hives from infection so that's got to be good for the pits!

Available at The Big Carrot.

I like the idea in theory, but honestly having to rub a cream manually into my armpits kind of grossed me out. I know I shouldn't look at it any differently then using body cream on any other part of my body but there you are, my weirdness knows no bounds... The products themselves smell good and worked just fine, another delivery method and I'd be all over them!

- Lisamarie -