Au Naturale Body Spa Secrets

Natural goodies for your home spa rituals.

Ready or not the Holidays are HERE along with cooler, dryer weather that can wreak havoc on skin that may also be drying out. Time to tap into my Spa Secrets as I have so enjoyed visiting some of the top day spas in the NYC area. The secret is not in the fluffy robes and towels (while those are wonderful) but in the products used on your skin. I have been phasing out mineral oil and dimethecone this past year so the main products I rely on do not have them. So how do you get A-List celebrity skin...at home? Read on for my secrets for your home body spa!

Body Spa Secret #1. Exfoliate! Sublime Beauty CEO Kathy Heshelow

Dry Body Brushing
I've said it before but this bears repeating. Dry Body Brushing with a soft, natural boar bristle brush does wonders for: circulation, the lymphatic system and exfoliation to facilitate glowing skin.
Start at the soles of your feet, doing long upward stokes towards your heart for all your limbs. Skin will be slightly pink and flushed. Next hop in the shower to remove dead skin cells. You will be amazed at how much better your skin looks and feels after only a week of Dry Body Brushing. As the soles of your feet and heels tend to be a bit thicker and rougher, I like to use the Amope Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Rechargeable Brush. Waterproof so it's perfect in the bath. 
Get both the long handled and hand held Boar Bristle Body Brushes at SublimeBeautyShop.com and learn more about Skin Brushing HERE.

Body Spa Secret #2. Gentle Cleansing

Gentle Cleansing
Our skin has a delicate acid mantle which helps keep bacteria and germs at a minimum. So any soaps or cleansers should be gentle and not strip away your skin's precious oils. These beautiful and fragrant natural soaps by Claus Porto are handmade in Portugal. The perfect size for travel, they are a delight to the senses.

Amelie Cloth Shower Cap

The Healthy Body Wash by Lavanila can be used for the bath, shower or shaving. Contains no petrochemicals, mineral oils, silicone, sulfates or parabens. This is the type of product you'll want for your Au Naturale Body Spa. Visit Lavanila.com

Schmidt's Natural Deodorant is fragrance free and does an amazing job of keeping you fresh. Free of aluminum, propylene glycol and parabens. Main ingredients are natural arrowroot and coconut oil. This has been the best natural deodorant I've tried and prefer over Jason's. See it at Schmidtsdeodorant.com

Body Spa Secret #3. Detoxifying Mud

Detoxifying Mud
People have been visiting the Dead Sea and spas in Israel for centuries for their water and mud treatments. One of the best mud products to use on your body is Borghese's Fango Active Mud. This mud is really black and dries hard so I've not used it as much on my face but my body. I prefer Sublime Beauty's Collagen Antioxidant Mask for my visage. However for large pores on your body, Fango is the way to go. Slather it on and relax! See it at Borghese.com

Body Spa Secret #4. Moisturize

Moisturize Your Body
You should moisturize within about 5 minutes of leaving your bath or shower for maximum results. Use a water based moisturizer first. Everyone has a favorite body butter but here are some of mine:

Tatcha of Japan Indigo Soothing Silk Body Butter. Good things come in small jars I suppose but this blue tinted cream is amazing. Absorbs quickly with no real fragrance. Visit Tatcha.com

Limoneira Lemon Avocado Body Butter is actually from a citrus orchard in Santa Paula California. They specialize in growing huge sweet Meyer Lemons therefore this cream is so natural and pure. Perfect for helping to lighten freckles and sun damage. Visit Limoneira.com

Sublime Beauty Cellulite Whisperer + Dry Skin Brushing.  Enjoying the Spa at Crystal Springs Resort in NJ.

Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner is the sneaky way to cheat a summer glow and disguise cellulite (not that we have any, but see the Cellulite Whisperer above)! It's main ingredients are grape and sunflower seed oils so I would put this on last after the body butters. Smells like the beach, all coco-nutty! Gradually develops into a tan so unlike a bronzer, will not rub off on sheets. See it at SkinnyTan.com 

Body Spa Secret #5. Seal in that MOISTURE

Seal in that Moisture
After applying your moisturizers and body butters, top if off with a pure, natural oil like this Daily Body Oil by Sublime Beauty. Contains ONLY pure, natural sweet almond, sesame, argan and jojoba oils plus a touch of vitamin E. This literally "seals the deal" helping the moisturizers you've just applied to sink in and soften more effectively. Skip the mineral oil based products and go the Body Spa route with all natural oils with no additives. Check it out at SublimeBeautyShop.com

Remember a woman who wears no perfume has no future according to Coco Chanel.