October is National Eczema Awareness Month - Think AVEENO

Not saved for Breast Cancer Awareness only, October is National Eczema Awareness Month too. According to Dr. Kenneth Beer, a board-certified dermatologist and dermapathologist, a voluntary Assistant Professor at the University of Miami, and a consulting associate in the Department of Medicine at Duke University, eczema is an immune reaction that targets the skin. This chronic skin disorder is produced by inflammation that causes the skin to become itchy, red, and dry - even cracked and leathery. Eczema can be triggered by stress, heat, and sweat; sudden changes in temperature; extreme cold/dry climates; heredity; a nd airborne/food allergens or irritants. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. Left untreated, eczema can have an enormously negative impact on overall health, well-being, quality of life, and restful sleep.

I had eczema at one point in my life, and I hated it. According to the National Eczema Association, eczema is very common and affects more than 32 million people. As a result, most dermatologists see eczema patients frequently. Mine did.

Treating eczema for babies, children, and adults requires a combination of preventive and therapeutic efforts. Dr. Beer recommends hydrating cleansers and barrier creams with soothing ingredients, like colloidal oatmeal (found in AVEENO Eczema Therapy and AVEENO Baby Eczema Therapy products). He says to use them daily to maintain the integrity of the skin's barrier. Look for products with ceramides - essential lipids found naturally within the skin - that play a key role in enhancing and restoring the skin’s protective function.

When I had eczema, I tried all kinds of remedies - prescription and non-prescription - and those that worked the best included AVEENO products. That's why I'm proud to be an AVEENO Ambassador. AVEENO, a pioneer in the study of natural ingredients, has harnessed the naturally soothing power of the Active Naturals Colloidal Oatmeal to develop the AVEENO Eczema Therapy Collection. This eczema-soothing collection uses the best ingredients in nature to care for your eczema and help break the cycle of irritated skin.

Colloidal Oatmeal effectively relieves the itch associated with minor skin irritations like eczema. The AVEENO Eczema Therapy Collection has been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance for providing gentle, superior ingredients to soothe skin with eczema.

There are two collections, and I have used them both. The AVEENO Eczema Therapy and AVEENO Baby Eczema Therapy Collections are available at AVEENO.com and at national food, drug, and mass merchandisers.

AVEENO Eczema Therapy Bath Treatment was my all-time favorite. I still use it, and the eczema is long gone. It's an extremely soothing bath.

• Formulated with Active Naturals Colloidal Oatmeal, a long recognized ingredient to relieve itching and soothe and moisturize skin
• Disperses in your bathwater to treat itchy, dry, or irritated skin
• Unlike some sprays and creams, this soothing treatment also gently cleanses and moisturizes for soft, smooth, and healthy looking skin
• Steroid-Free, Fragrance-free
• Dermatologist recommended

AVEENO's Moisturing Cream takes over after you step out of your treatment bath.  With Active Naturals Colloidal Oatmeal, humectants, and ceramide, this fragrance-free moisturizer will keep your skin from itching.

You can also find corresponding products for use on your baby's irritated skin. Check out all of AVEENO's Eczema Therapy products at this link. Then go to your nearest drugstore to get rid of the itch. Remember, eczema is treatable. It won't plague you forever if you take good care of your skin.

Photos courtesy of AVEENO

AVEENO Protect + Hydrate Sun Flash Giveaway Contest (U.S. ONLY)

This contest has ended with two winners!

Great timing! AVEENO is kicking off the unofficial start of summer with the debut of a new Jennifer Aniston “I Love Summer” Ad in Times Square next week. To celebrate, AVEENO will be offering free samples of the new AVEENO Protect + Hydrate SPF 30 outside of the Walgreens in Time Square on Thursday, May 23.

Walgreens and AVEENO will be offering consumers samples of AVEENO Protect + Hydrate SPF 30 and launching the new Jennifer Aniston “I Love Summer” advertisement, which will be featured on the Walgreen’s Billboard next week. 10 am to 4:00 pm.

If you are in New York, just head for Walgreens Time Square - NW corner of Broadway and 42nd Street between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. If you aren't in New York, you can enter a giveaway contest here. It's even better than the samples you can acquire in New York.

Two Best Things in Beauty U.S. winners will receive all three full-sized sunscreens shown here, AVEENO PROTECT + HYDRATE with SPF 30, 50, and 70!

• Formulated with skin-soothing ACTIVE NATURALS Colloidal Oatmeal, which hydrates skin to keep it soft, smooth, and feeling healthier than before sun exposure
• Provides 24-hour skin hydration against chlorine, salt water, and perspiration.
• Long-lasting, broad spectrum and photostable protection against sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays with ENVIROGUARD Technology
• Water- and sweat-resistant (for 80 minutes), oil-free, non-comedogenic, and fast-absorbing
• For use on face and body
• Dermatologist recommended
• Suggested retail price: SPF 30 and 50 = $9.99 per three-oz. tube; SPF 70 = $10.99 per three-oz. tube

I have two prize sets to give away. How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many readers, such as GFC - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" and "AVEENO" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Monday, May 20, 2013, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open only to residents of the United States. AVEENO will send out the winner's prize. The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photos courtesy AVEENO

AVEENO Celebrates Earth Month with a Best Things in Beauty Giveaway Contest (US Only)

Earth month is here, and going green is easier than you may think. This month, reach for the eco-friendly AVEENO Pure Renewal Hair Care Collection ($7.49-$8.49 per product) featuring Active Naturals Balancing Seaweed Extract. As an AVEENO Active Natural Ambassador, I have received these products, used them, and love them.

AVEENO's Hair Care Collection was formulated by AVEENO scientists with the help of eco-friendly celebrity stylist, Patrick Melville. This collection offers sulfate-free cleansing without parabens or synthetic dyes.
The folks at AVEENO knew it was important to provide consumers with a product that offers non-abrasive cleansing with the lathering benefit not seen in other sulfate-free hair care products. The brand also took additional steps to make this product especially earth-friendly in terms of the ingredients, packaging, and innovation - even how the product is transported to retailers.

The formula is 90% renewable and produced using a low-energy, solvent-free process that yields zero waste AVEENO uses a starch-based formula, derived from potatoes, that delivers the performance of traditional shampoo without releasing polluting chemicals into the environment.

AVEENO is offering Best Things in Beauty readers an opportunity to celebrate Earth Month with a giveaway featuring AVEENO's Pure Renewal Hair Collection. The winner will receive the entire collection: AVEENO Pure Renewal Shampoo, AVEENO Pure Renewal Conditioner, and AVEENO Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo - along with a special tree planting kit that we hope you will use to add some green to our earth.

I have one prize to give away. How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many readers, such as GFC - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" and "AVEENO" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, April 27, 2013, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open only to residents of the United States. AVEENO will send out the winner's prize. The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photos courtesy AVEENO; collage made by yours truly

AVEENO Garden Giveaway Contest to Honor Rachelle Roper and Her Feed the Need Garden

AVEENO's Be An Active Natural Fund has named its third $10,000 winner, Rachelle Roper of Belleview, Florida and her organization Feed the Need Garden! So, who is Rachelle, besides a saint who wants to end hunger? While growing up, Rachelle learned all there is to know about gardening and producing her own food. During the economic downturn, she recognized the need to share her insight with others in her community. From there, her Feed the Need Garden was born, a non-profit with the mission “to end hunger locally by teaching those in need how to grow and preserve their own food.”

Even as a young girl, Rachelle was helping to plant the family garden. She grew up learning how to live off the land. Fast forward, and as an adult she began to realize just how many children and families were going to bed hungry in her own county, Marion County, Florida. She began to hand out non-perishable food from her bookstore. This didn’t strike her as enough. She wanted to not just give a handout, but a hand up. It was time to make her dreams of teaching people how to grow their own food a reality, and her Feed the Need Garden was born.

Rachelle works full time on Feed the Need Garden's programs and has acquired a permanent location to teach hands-on classes. She is invited regularly to speak and teach at various groups and organizations throughout the county. For Rachelle this has been a life-long quest. She is excited to share the knowledge that she has about growing your own food, hoping to end hunger locally - one family at a time. She believes that no one should have to go to bed hungry at night, and with the proper training and tools, we all have the opportunity help end hunger.

To honor of Rachelle’s passion for gardening, AVEENO has offered one of you a garden-themed giveaway! The winner will receive a special garden starter kit (image above) as well as seeds to plant a select few of the coveted AVEENO Active Naturals ingredients in your own backyard. Even if you aren't into gardening, this will be a stunning gift for one of your friends who is passionate about the beauty of the garden.

You really need to check out Rachelle's charity at Feed the Need Garden. It would be nice if you would donate $1 (or more) to completely fund her good work. I did (make sure to "Update Total" at the top of the page. If you continue to fill out the form without clicking that button, you may have to start again). Feed the Need is a 501(c)(3) charity, so your donation, if you make one, will be tax-deductible.

To celebrate Rachelle's good deeds and her program, AVEENO wants to help one of you a start at your own garden - or encourage a friend to dig. As a gardener, I drooled when I saw the prize. Do you know how much those tools are worth? While I don't have an exact dollar amount to disclose, anyone who has shopped for gardening tools will know this is an amazing prize.

When you grow too many zucchini in your own garden? Donate some to a local food bank or soup kitchen. The needs are great, and we (the United States) aren't doing as much as we should to ensure that no one goes hungry.

How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of entrants I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "AVEENO" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, August 18, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open only to residents of the United States (sorry). AVEENO will send the prize to the winner. For the rest of the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photos courtesy of AVEENO and Feed the Need Garden

AVEENO Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads

AVEENO's Clear Complexion Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads (about $6) are (dual-textured cleansing pads pre-moistened with natural soy and salicylic acid, a blemish-fighting ingredient to help clear and prevent breakouts and help improve the skin's clarity and even out tone and texture. These pads are textured on one side to gently exfoliate and smooth on the other side to lift way dirt, oil, and makeup that can clog pores and cause breakouts. They are hypoallergenic, oil-free, and soap-free - gentle enough for everyday use and sensitive skin.

Because I'm an AVEENO Ambassador, AVEENO sent me these lovely cleansing pads to try. I think cleansing pads are the best thing ever for times fatigue makes even before-bed or early morning cleansing a dreaded chore. Salicylic acid, one of the ingredients in AVEENO's Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads, and I don't get along, so I asked a friend at work - let's call her Goldie - to test them for me. Goldie's review follows.

I met Charlestongirl at work last year and we became great friends. She brought perfume samples in her first week at work (wouldn’t you know it?) (Note: This is not what made us friends, but it helped.) Despite being 29 (at the time) and generally beauty-illiterate, especially when it comes to the likes of Bottega Veneta and other fine brands, I graciously took what she had to offer. Lucky for me she’s never stopped.

After seven months, I’ve accumulated a small box of perfume samples, some make-up, a pair of By Terry purple flip flops, and two faux snakeskin-textured Neiman Marcus totes, pink and gold, that I adore and use for everything. The latest freebie was perfect for me - AVEENO Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads.

These things are awesome! I have struggled with acne my whole life, and although I’m pretty much in the clear now, this summer has ignited a real comeback. That is how I know these cleansing pads really work. The packaging touts self-foaming, and that was the first thing I noticed. You only need one pad (no water required), and it takes only a couple of swipes to work up a lather - way more lather than my usual face wash. The pads themselves have a beautiful, clean, and light aromatic smell like all AVEENO products, which is a big reason I buy them. What I loved most about them was the dual-textured surfaces. After weeks of using these, my skin feels clean, extremely soft, and surprisingly renewed, which I attribute to the tiny bumps on the pads that scrub away old skin to bring new skin to the surface. The best part is they’re quick and easy to use when you come home from a night out and want nothing more than to fall into bed.

I highly recommend AVEENO's Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads to anyone with adult acne, oily skin, or who appreciates a mini-facial. I did some research on where you can find these, and they seem to be everywhere: Walgreens, Target, the usual suspects. I’m also dying to try the other products in the Clear Complexion line that I found on the Aveeno Web site (Ed. note: Goldie has them now).

Has anyone else tried this product or any of the other Clear Complexion items? What did you think? Also, I’m looking for some good age-defying products, so please let me know if you can recommend any that work really well. I am 30 now!

Photo courtesy of AVEENO

Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner

There are a few advantages to being an AVEENO Ambassador - not the least of which was a package in the mail of AVEENO's Pure Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner. I used them entirely and had to go out and buy more. I love them - and I couldn't get the containers to give up another precious drop.

The Pure Renewal line was developed to be a new, pure way to renew your hair every time you wash it. The exclusive sulfate-free, Active Naturals formulas (proprietary to AVEENO), combined with balancing seaweed extract, bring hair back to its natural, most balanced state with each wash.

AVEENO scientists have harnessed the power of Active Naturals Balancing Seaweed Extract in formulas that provide a unique cleansing and conditioning system to rebalance and preserve our hair's optimal moisture levels. My hair, dry from age and highlighting (plus my overall dryness because I can never remember to drink enough water) can always use a moisture treat. My problem is that many moisturizing shampoos and conditioners leave my hair silky, but totally limp and lifeless. Pure Renewal provides the moisture I need without leaving my hair limp and devoid of volume.

Rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals, Balancing Seaweed Extract works together with sulfate-free, naturally derived cleansers in these formulas that effectively remove impurities without over-drying or over-moisturizing, to leave hair shinier, healthier looking, and more manageable. 

There are three Pure Renewal products: 1) Pure Renewal Shampoo, 2) Pure Renewal 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, and 2) Pure Renewal Conditioner. I am using Pure Renewal 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner as my shampoo and Pure Renewal Conditioner to end my treatment, despite the fact that I could stop with the one-step product. The double conditioning leaves my hair nicely hydrated.

My hair behaves nicely after using these two products. It holds the style I create with my blow dryer, and, best of all, keeps the volume in my hair style all day and into the next.

The Pure Renewal hair care products smell great. They have a very green scent - not at all overwhelming and not one that carries forward into my day. The scent makes my in-shower hair-care experience more pleasant.

I read a customer review on AVEENO's Web site that called these products "awesome." I have to agree. There are few mass market hair care lines that capture my attention and keep it. The Pure Renewal products have earned a permanent place in my shower.

Check them out. You can find them everywhere - drug stores, supermarkets, discount stores - anywhere you can find AVEENO -  even my favorite Costco. They are more than worth their ultra-affordable price - generally between $7 and $9. I don't really feel badly about running out (I wash my hair every day) when I can replace them for those prices. I do shake out every last drop, a habit when I love something. You've got to try them.

Photos courtesy of AVEENO

Celebrity Hair Stylist Patrick Melville Answers Our Questions and an Amazing Giveaway Contest

Synonymous with glamour, high fashion, and timeless beauty, Patrick Melville is one the most prestigious and premiere hair stylists in the fashion industry. A former boxer (!) in England, Patrick began his 30-year career in London for British Vogue. His work has graced the pages of Vogue, W, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, and he has collaborated with top editorial photographers.

When he moved to New York City, Patrick joined the creative team at the renowned Pipino Buccheri Salon and then spent several years as Creative Director of the Warren-Tricomi Salon. In July 2007, Patrick launched his first-ever independent salon, The Patrick Melville Salon & Spa, at The Sports Club/LA at Rockefeller Center. His list of celebrity clients would blow you away. They include Catherine Zeta-Jones, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Brooke Shields, Sting, Mark Tom Cruise, and Harry Connick Jr. That's variety!

Patrick is also the official spokesperson and branding consultant for AVEENO. He recently answered AVEENO Ambassador questions and shared some tips with us (yes, I'm fortunate to be an Ambassador, and you benefit from the relationship, as you'll see below). Here are Patrick's tips and tricks.

What cut will create the most volume for fine, long hair? What should we ask for at the salon?

The cut that is best for fine, long hair is a cut that has long layers…some softer, shorter pieces around the face. Also add a sweeping fringe that sweeps to the side and creates a lot of versatility to give hair maximum volume. Products are key, such as a lightweight volumizing spray at the roots because, as you know, volume comes from the roots. Remember to make sure to tell your stylist to keep the layers long. Layers can thin the hair if too short.

I have long black hair that used to be shiny and silky, now it has lost some of its luster. How can I get it back?

The best way to get back your luster is to use the AVEENO Nourish+ Shine Shampoo and Conditioner along with the AVEENO Living Color Shine Glaze, which can be used on all hair types. This will give you maximum shine and close the cuticle and boost the life back into your hair.

I'd love to hear Patrick Melville's specifics on hair care for extensions and hair care for mixed hair (like hair for half black/half hispanic, hispanic hair-care problems).

The best way to treat extensions is to make sure they do not stay in too long or grow out too much. Either will put stress on your own hair when using styling tools. The best way to take care of them is to be sure to condition every time you shampoo and to use the AVEENO Nourish+ Leave-In Treatment before styling. This will make the extensions more manageable and will lock in moisture. This also applies to African American hair or Hispanic hair that tends to be drier by nature and more coarse. Like your skin, when it's dry you need to apply more moisture. The leave-in conditioner locks in moisture and helps elasticity to lessen breakage.

I’d love to get the scoop from Patrick about how to make thin hair look thicker. Mine just gets super-stringy as it grows longer. It’s awful!

Make sure you trim your hair on a regular basis and do not use any type of oil or silicone-based products. You should use a volumzing spray and apply a lightweight styling glaze to damp hair before blow drying. Do not over-blow dry, and when you are finished, use the AVEENO Nourish+ Style Fortifying Hairspray to create fullness and body, making hair swell and look thicker.

Does Patrick have any hairstyle tips to get women over 40 out of the hair "frump"? Maybe some tips on how to update a look. Most images and tips I get are for young women, so I'd love some for "older" women.

As you may know, women over 40 do not have to cut off their hair to look less frumpy. I suggest cutting the hair to the collarbone with some longer layers. This will give the hair some energy and still allow you to be very versatile with styling options. For example this cut allows you to put your hair back into a low chignon or a French twist. This will still give you that soft, sexy look without having to cut off your locks to stay youthful and feminine.

Patrick recommended AVEENO products in his answers to these questions, and AVEENO and Recyclebank have an offer for you. One lucky winner will receive five products, which will be sent directly to the winner by AVEENO.

• AVEENO NOURISH+ Shine Shampoo and Conditioner
• AVEENO Living Color Shine Glaze
• AVEENO NOURISH+ Style Fortifying Hairspray
• AVEENO NOURISH+ Leave-In Treatment
  

How can you enter this contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, December 17, at midnight. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to residents of the United States. For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photos courtesy of Patrick Melville and AVEENO

A Special Hurricane Irene Giveaway Contest from AVEENO

Congratulations to Dlori and Holstrom4!

We’re nearing the end of summer, and we need to concentrate on beauty, not Hurricane Irene! While everyone's sad to see this fun-filled season drawing to an end this way, AVEENO gathered some styling and hair tips from celebrity hairstylist Patrick Melville to get you through the next few months.

Patrick gave AVEENO his tips for transitioning your hair from summer to fall. By following these tips, you’re sure to be a stand-out beauty this coming season. Patrick says, “When going to the beach those final days of summer, apply any of the AVEENO NOURISH+ conditioners throughout your hair to protect it from UV rays. In addition, always bring a hat or scarf to cover your hair from the sun. Coming out of the pool or ocean, make sure to rinse hair well with fresh water, apply some NOURISH+ conditioner, and comb it evenly through your hair. This will remove the chlorine or salt from your hair and put moisture back in.”

“After the hot summer, you'll want to cut off those beach/pool frizzy ends. Shampoo and condition your hair with AVEENO NOURISH+ to restore hair vitality and elasticity. If you color your hair, it's time to go a little warmer with your color. Try using AVEENO LIVING COLOR to help restore shine to your hair - shine that was lifted out by the UV rays during the summer months.”

“Once we’ve finally beat the humidity, hair will be a little smoother, and you will be adding more shine to your blow dry. Coming out of summer, I always feel hair length should be brought up the neckline a bit. This also helps rejuvenate the hair after the summer months.”

AVEENO is offering two lucky Best Things in Beauty readers an opportunity to win a shampoo and conditioner from the NOURISH+ Revitalize or NOURISH+ Volumize lines. Interested? Here's the "fine print" for the contest.

There are a few simple steps to enter. First, all you really have to do is leave a comment on this feature and tell us whether you prefer a Revitalize or Volumize set. After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest mentioning AVEENO in your tweet. I tweeted the contest, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. Only one tweet will be counted as an entry. I appreciate multiple tweets, but it's not necessary.

The deadline for entries will be Tuesday, August 30, at midnight. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winners. I will e-mail the winners on Tuesday. The winners will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

The contest is only open to U.S. residents, and the prize will be mailed to the winners by AVEENO or Recyclebank. Wasn't it nice of them to give us something to get our minds off Irene? Good luck!

Photo and contest courtesy of AVEENO

Celebrity Hair Stylist Patrick Melville on Color Trends and Cutting Tips

AVEENO checked in with celebrity hair stylist Patrick Melville, who shared his thoughts and tips for hair cuts and color trends. There's a lot of information packed into his two-minute video. Give it a whirl.


As an AVEENO and Recyclebank Ambassador, I receive some great information. I like to share it with you. If you want to see a larger version, click on this link.

Photos courtesy of AVEENO

AVEENO Hydrosport Sun Care

This is the time of year when beauty bloggers get all preachy about sun care. Playing in the sun, whether lounging at the beach, playing golf, or just working in the garden, will be a menace to your skin. I didn't write "can be," I wrote "will be," and I did that for a reason.

I am a member of the generation that came of age believing that nothing was prettier than a beautiful tan. Throughout my early school years, I swam competitively, and I was in the sun, either training or playing most of the time during the summer months. During those years, I tanned slowly over the summer.

Things changed during college - and immediately after - when we dedicated time to achieve a golden tan, the darker the better. I don't recall there being any such thing as self-tanners. Some gals achieved a sun tan effortlessly after a few hours in the sun. Others, like me, worked hard to achieve a golden look, spending hours lying on beach towels anywhere we could (even on the roof of the dorm). We didn't believe in sunscreens; we used baby oil, reputed to help us tan. We slow-baked, something like food coated in oil and placed in the oven for hours to develop a crisp skin.

I still remember the blisters from sun poisoning (radical sunburn) and painful recoveries - all self-imposed in a quest to look as good as my dark-skinned friends. It was accepted; it was what we did. No one told us that the damage from those sessions would lay dormant until later - that one day we would awaken to notice spots on our chests and arms, but worse on our faces - spots ranging from dark freckles to large patchy areas of hyperpigmentation. That word came later, as the medical profession began to warn of the dangers of the sun's rays and our parents' generation began to develop melanoma and forms of skin cancer.

Today, no one can claim to be unaware of the sun's dangers. The only questions that remain are how much protection is enough, and how to adequately protect against both UVB and UVA rays.

AVEENO has some new sun-care products I like. They offer a wide range of products with photo-stable technology and broad-spectrum protection. They are convenient to use - my favorite feature. One line, Hydrosport Sunblock with Natural Lotus Complex, is available three formulas.

• Hydrosport Sunblock Spray with SPF 50
• Hydrosport Sunblock Spray with SPF 85
• Hydrosport Sunblock Lotion with SPF 85

The sprays are my reach-for sunscreens. I keep one near the front door. They are convenient and can be applied even when you are wet or drippy. They leave my hands dry, so I don't have to keep a towel at hand.

Hydrosport harnesses the unique water-repelling ability of the Natural Lotus Complex, a special blend with naturally-derived ingredients (you've seen it in hair products to protect against humidity). This exclusive formula provides long-lasting UVA and UVB protection and withstands water and sweat, two elements that will wipe out your sun protection in a jiffy. Lightweight and non-greasy, these revolutionary sunblocks form a thin, breathable shield that will cling to the skin, even when it gets moist.

You need to remember that AVEENO recommends reapplying your sunscreen whenever you go in the water, just as the U.S. federal government recently warned. It's nice to know that you'll have some protection when the sweat starts to pour off your skin - when it's so hot and humid it's unbearable (maybe on the golf course if not in the garden?) - but it's better to reapply than assume your protective barrier is still in place after swimming or a couple of hours in the sun. A spray makes it easy to reapply without getting all gooey. Most dermatologists recommend application of a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every two hours while outside.

The new government rules about sunscreen claims go into effect next year. You'll see changes in labeling (you may see SPF 50+ for protection factors higher than 50, and you are likely to see the "++++" system phased out for UVA protection). Companies will be required to prove that their products offer UVA protection. As the industry starts to give us more information, you can bet AVEENO will be at the forefront of the leaders providing sun care in the mass market. They work hard to ensure that their products combine nature and science to protect your skin - gently and effectively. As an AVEENO Ambassador, I've had opportunities to talk with their scientists, and I'm impressed by their dedication to make AVEENO products best in class. We are actually expecting some new information on the sun care from AVEENO soon. When I get it, I will share it with you.

For now, I'm sticking with my AVEENO sprays when I pop outside to pull weeds. I don't need any more of those ugly spots on my skin!

Photos and product courtesy of AVEENO

AVEENO and Best Things in Beauty Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Kathy T! She won these wonderful AVEENO sets!

To celebrate Mother's Day, AVEENO and its partner, Recyclebank, are sponsoring an incredible giveaway contest. As I mentioned in a Friday Forum, I joined the AVEENO Ambassadors program for bloggers who care about beauty and the environment. You reap the benefits.

Whether you're a new mom, a seasoned mom, or excited to shower your lovely mom this holiday with appreciation (possibly a bit late since our contest ends Saturday), we know you are ready to celebrate this Mother's Day. AVEENO wants to help with a Mother's Day giveaway!

AVEENO believes that the ingredients found in nature, and proven by science, have the power to help every woman discover the full potential of her own natural beauty. The contest prize is a 2011 Mother's Day Kit starring the AVEENO Positively Ageless Complete Starter Regimen and the AVEENO Baby Eczema Therapy line, perfect for mother and baby!

Each product in the POSITIVELY AGELESS Complete Starter Regimen is specially formulated with the ACTIVE NATURALS Natural Shiitake Complex. A natural antioxidant, Natural Shiitake Complex works with the skin's own natural renewal process and has been shown in scientific studies to provide a broad range of benefits to the skin.

With its unique blend of shiitake and mannentake mushrooms, Natural Shiitake Complex has been shown to provide antioxidant activity to help defend against free radicals that can damage the skin. In a clinical study, when women used the kit as directed, 100% of them showed improvement in their skin in as little as one week.

Eczema is among the top five skin conditions for babies 0 to 36 months of age, with 10% to 20% of all infants experiencing some kind of eczema. I developed it as an adult - and started using baby eczema products! The AVEENO BABY Brand, one of the most preferred brands of infant skin care by pediatricians, has harnessed the naturally soothing power of ACTIVE NATURALS oatmeal to help care for baby's skin with eczema.

Aveeno Baby Care was developed in partnership with leading dermatologists. AVEENO's BABY Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream and BABY Cleansing Therapy Moisturizing Wash have been shown to improve the quality of life for babies with eczema and have been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. In a clinical study, over 90% of babies showed improvement in multiple symptoms of eczema (roughness, dryness, itchiness, or scaling) when used daily.

How would you like to win these sets of products? Pretty cool contest, I think.

How can you enter to win? Easy! Just leave a comment here once. After you comment, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can "earn" a second entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and "AVEENO" in your tweet. I will tweet the contest this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. You can earn a third entry by following the blog - either here or on Twitter (any entrant who is already a follower will automatically earn the follower point, but you can save me time by telling me you're a follower in your comment). I can't track followers through a third-party service, so you need to be on Google's list for me to verify the entry.

We'd love it if you would sign up on Facebook to be an Active Natural. Check out this link. You'll get valuable coupons when you pledge to take smell steps for big changes in our environment.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, May 7, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner at that time. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends. The winner's prize will be shipped by Recyclebank and AVEENO.

The contest is open to residents of the United States. Good luck!

Photos courtesy of AVEENO and Recyclebank

The Friday Forum - April 22 - Happy Earth Day!

I love dogwoods! This one is a volunteer in my garden. It placed itself perfectly at the front corner of my house, after I had lost a limber pine to an ice storm. It was a welcome guest who made this a home. I have several flowering trees in my garden that were probably brought to me by birds (another great reason to encourage birds by feeding them!). This is one of the best. It came at a time when many of our dogwoods were dying from blight, one of those sad twists of nature that can take our precious trees away - for good.

Every day should be Earth Day. That's why I'm an AVEENO Ambassador, a partnership with Recyclebank. In celebration of Earth Month, AVEENO has kicked off an interactive incentive program with Recyclebank on the AVEENO Facebook page to encourage consumers to take small steps towards beautiful change. Small changes can add up to a big impact, and each of us has the power to transform the health and beauty of the communities in which we live. The AVEENO BE AN ACTIVE NATURAL program lets us all join together and take these small steps toward a more beautiful Earth. AVEENO has invited everyone to join all of us on a journey to take a million steps to transform our own health, our spirit, and our communities. Check out the AVEENO Facebook page to see how you can participate.

I'm enjoying a vacation day off from work. I have many errands to run, so it won't be restful, but I hope to feel accomplished when the sun sets. I'd love to shop, and I know I will pop over to Nordstrom briefly. I'm also looking forward to the arrival of a shipment at Neiman Marcus. I'm hoping some of the "overdue" items on my lust list arrive. I also need to clean clutter.

Are you planning to watch the royal wedding next Friday? Unfortunately, I will be working, and I can't imagine taking a vacation day to watch the whole event. I suspect there will be news clips galore - if not reruns - so I'm sure I'll get to see the pageantry. Kate Middleton is a gorgeous young woman, so she is bound to be beautiful. It will be fun to see her dress, hair, and makeup. Will there ever be "another Diana"?

It's time for The Friday Forum. We use the forum to share information and chat. Did you find any deals you couldn't resist this week? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By Monday, most readers have moved on.

Don't forget to enter this week's STAGES of BEAUTY giveaway contest! I'm always surprised by the response to skin care giveaways. We get half the entries we get with makeup. Why is that? The winner of this contest will receive three fabulous products tailored to her age group - all effective and luxurious. The value of the prize is so much higher than the value of, say, a single lip gloss. You smart gals enter in droves for makeup. What's the deal?

Photo by BTiB

Feverfew's Anti-inflammatory Benefits - Try Aveeno's Ultra-Calming Products

Courtesy of Cosmetics & Toiletries, the word is out that plants such as feverfew has anti-inflammatory characteristics and may be used in place of topical steroid creams to treat sensitive skin and moderate atopic dermatitis. That's a stunning conclusion! Dr. Jessica Wu, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist and previous consultant for Johnson & Johnson, shared her findings in a report in Dermatology Times.

Feverfew, according to Wu, has a well-documented anti-inflammatory effect. While she notes that pure feverfew can cause dermatitis due to its highly irritating compound parthenolide, the parthenolide-free extract developed by Johnson & Johnson for its Aveeno Ultra-Calming products was shown in a study to be 35 times more powerful than green tea in fighting cytokines that cause inflammation. In addition, patients treated with the extract showed less redness, blotchiness, dryness, and tightness.

This is good news for people with sensitive skin who want to use natural products to control irritation, redness and rozacea, and inflammatory processes - maybe even cystic acne.

The study of plants and their medicinal and cosmetic effects, despite many years of research, is still in its infancy, given the rich source of materials available for study. We still have a lot to learn from plant lore and ancient practices!

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Best Drugstore Beauty: Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment

Was your skin dry in December? It only gets worse as January yields to February. When my skin is dry, it starts to itch and feels taut. To soothe the discomfort, I use Aveeno's Soothing Bath Treatment ($7.95).

I first tried this bath additive when I was having a bout of eczema, and I've used it ever since. I love to relax in a warm bath, but I know that soaking can be drying. Not with this treatment!

Advertised for itchy, irritated skin, Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment is made of 100% pure natural colloidal oatmeal — an ingredient long recognized for its ability to relieve itching — that Aveeno mills into an ultra-fine powder. When dispersed in water, this powder forms a soothing milky bath that works as a natural cleanser to provide temporary skin protection and relieve irritation and itching caused by anything, including dry skin, poison ivy/oak/sumac, rashes, insect bites, eczema, hives, and sunburn. It's very gentle and perfect for sensitive skin. Additionally, the treatment is fragrance- and soap-free.

Each box has eight single-use packets (that's only $1 per bath). Get your bath water running, pop open a packet, and slowly pour the contents under the running water. I find the treatment stays a bit lumpy, but I swish the bath water around a bit, and most (not all) of the lumps dissolve. The bath water feels rich with healing oatmeal - without the feeling that you're bathing in breakfast.

This bath treatment deserves its "best drugstore beauty" label. See what you think! You can find it wherever Aveeno products are sold. I know that CVS, Walgreens, Target, Amazon, and Drugstore.com all sell this bath treatment.

Photo courtesy of Aveeno