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When choosing your Brazilian waxer, make sure to do some research into the facility you’re considering.  Start with a call to get a feel on the knowledge of the staff, do they know what type of wax is used, is the Brazilian something they are very familiar with or just a once in a while thing?

Does the facility use brand new wax? OR do they use a new stick to dip into the wax each time?  both scenarios are acceptable, but make sure they do not double dip!  Of course you have no way of knowing if they do this to other clients but most likely they will treat you as they do others and it should all be good, right?!  Also with the Brazilian, make sure the place is clean, it’s also recommended that the technician wear gloves.  The parts de-haired by the Brazilian wax are not areas you want to introduce to any bacterias.

 Although it is highly advisable to go to a professional for a Brazilian you may just be interested in a regular bikini wax and hair removal.  In that case, look into Completely Bare’s at home wax kit.  It comes with everything you need to perform a wax on your lip, underarm, bikini, legs and more in one little package.  Looks super good, let me know your experience if you try it. 

April showers bring May flowers?  April Showers May Bring flowers would be more appropriate.  I’m getting quite frustrated by the sluggish tulips and no-show crocus in my garden.  It’s enough to make me want to throw in the trowel and get a good stiff drink.  Thankfully body showering is much healthier and pleasant and I’m especially pleased to talk about a new product I’ve been using.

It is often said to make lemonade out of lemons but what I really love are limes.  I’ve quenched my thirst with a Brazilian bath and shower gel from Brazilian Fruit that has transported me to the beachside cafes and gum drop mountains of Rio.  The scent of Caipirinhas (a Brazilian drink made from rum, sugar and lime juice served on the rocks) is soothing and comforting.  The best part, there are NO parabens or mineral oil. 

Caipirinha shower gel is appropriate for all skin types, contains sugar cane and lemon pulp extracts to nourish your skin after a long day of work or play.  It’s important to note that the extract comes from lime pulp and will not cause photosensitivity to your skin.  I really love this at night, since I don’t go out to bars, it’s a nice compromise to carry the scent of a drink.    Check out the www.brazilbeautyproducts.com website for all the best skincare! 

Is Vogue’s April 2008 cover Racist? 

In Vogue’s history (over 100 years) this is the first time a black man is featured on the cover.  Gisele Bundchen and LeBron James are at the center of a controversy.  Some have compared the pic to a King Kong clutching a white woman and the teeth baring look on LeBron demeaning.  I can see both sides of this argument.  On one side big deal, “races” have been mixing and the fact that Gisele is from Brazil is interesting since Brazil (like America) has a long, and at times, somewhat unpleasant history of inter-racial relations.  On the other hand it is insulting, why would he be clutching her like that in that setting, wearing that!

  Vogue has waited all this time and this is what we get?

Not to discount LeBron’s fabulousness BUT… there have been countless black men that have been “on top of their game” and not featured. What’s so different about April 2008?  It’s the only time in history that there is a big potential we’ll have our first black presidential nominee.  Interesting timing to say the least.  But I’d hate to think that…

Maybe the goal was to present Gisele in a different way?  We see her everywhere, I even opened up Money Magazine and there she was!  By the way, you’ll be relieved to know that she doesn’t demand Euros as was rumoured!

 Chances are good that famed photog Annie Liebovitz wanted to do something different that we’d stop and notice, if that was the goal it worked. 

Is it racist?

On first glance YES! what’s so fashionable about a b-ball uniform?  maybe it’s just fashionable to be photographed with a light woman?  It’s hard to say, we just don’t know if the people at Vogue did this intentionally to stir up publicity. Or perhaps they are so out of touch with reality that they don’t understand that real people don’t like to look at caricatures.  I hate to blanket the whole thing with “racist” because we just don’t know what went on behind the scenes.  

It’s the dead of winter, few months to go ’til spring.  I’ve been spending way to much time inside, I need to get a mental trip. 

So what do Brazil ’s Carnaval and Fresh Sugar Lemon have in common?  they both make me think of summer! There’s no better way to do that than with music and fragrance! 

Winter is a great time to listen to tropical music like samba.  There are tons of samba compilation cds available to get you in the mood for Carnaval in Brazil (February 2 - 5, 2008). I wish American tv would play Carnaval, I watched it a few years ago on Brazilian tv and it seems very tame compared to when I was growing up. 

I never really thought about it but I’m sure I can find somewhere on the web to watch… hmmm…   Fragrance is another way you can bring that tropical feel to your wintry abode.  I’ve been using Fresh Sugar Lemon Eau de Parfum and it’s been taking me down memory lane. 

Summers in Brazil, getting fresh orange juice, churascaria’s with lemon juice on the table and of course fresh sugar-y lemonade. 

Summer just wouldn’t be summer without lemonade wherever you are.  Sugar Lemon has notes of Italian Bergamot, Yuzu, Mandarin, Lychee Flower, Orange Blossom, Ginger Flower, Oak Moss, Caramel, White Santal.  It is refreshing and invigorating and a must for any fragrance lover.  Not to mention a lot cheaper than going to Brazil!

Photo Credits: Sephora and People’s Daily