Keep That Summer Skin Acne Free

The summer heat can be a bummer on the skin. The humidity can cause breakouts that put a damper on those perfectly sun-kissed faces. Not to fret my Diva's. The Queen Helene Mint Julep masque will put that those break-outs in check.

Dry up acne pimples and rinse away blackheads. This Mint Julep masque helps to dry up acne pimples, rinses away blackheads and even shrinks enlarged pores. Relaxes tired facial muscles and eases tension lines on the face and neck.

Buy it for only $3.49 at your local beauty supply store.

WHO LOVES IT?: Clear Skin Divas

Butter Up For The Summer

When you think body butter, think luxurious, tropical and light. I know we usually think thick and greasy but not this Illipe, Lemongrass & Sugar Body Butter by Crabtree and Evelyn.

This award winning body butter is light and great for the summer months. It conditions the skin with a blend of tropical illipe butter, shea butter, coconut oil, macademia nut oil, sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil. This fabulous butter tones with lemongrass and clarifies the skin with sugar. Excellent for all skin including oily types, it absorbs quickly and easily.

Free of mineral oil, synthetic dyes and parabens. So go ahead and indulge!

Buy at www.crabtree-evelyn.com 7oz $26

WHO LOVES IT?: Summer Diva's who crave their body butter

MICHELLE OBAMA A CLASS ACT

Divas all around the world are LOVING Michelle Obama affectionately known as Michelle O. She has style, brains and confidence. What a Diva!

Many compare her to Jackie O which is such a compliment but I say Michelle is one Diva who's paving her own way. Her classy divalicious style has caught the eyes of fashionista's all around the world. This is evident because after wearing her Donna Ricco dress on The View it sold out nationally in one day. Now that's Diva power. You go Michelle!

Buy the dress at www.donnaricco.com for $99.00

WHO LOVES IT?: Diva Obama & The Divas at The View

EMBRACE YOUR KING AND HELP CHARITY

Embrace your King for Father's Day. He will love this breathtaking fragrance that says "sexy, rich, unique and passionate"; and I'm sure you will too! Slightly dangerous, explosive yet cool. Hints of Sicilian Lemon, Champagne, Tuscan Basil and smooth Rum. In the support of breast cancer awareness, Sean John Fragrances will donate $10,000 from the Unforgivable by Sean John Eau de Toilette Spray (4.2 oz) proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. So embrace your King while helping a worthy cause.

Buy at department stores, 4.2oz. $78

WHO LOVES IT?: Kings & Princes

FRESH SUMMER SCENT

The perfect citrus blend for the on the go summer Diva. Enriched with organic verbena from Corsica, lemon oil from Sicily and grapefruit extract from Italy, this new summer fragrance, "Citrus Verbena Summer Fragrance", tones and leaves the skin scented with an invigorating and fruity fragrance.

Buy at www.loccitane.com 5.1oz - $45

WHO LOVES IT?: On the go Diva's

GET YOUR MIST ON!

Your beautiful face will thank you for this cool mist during the dog days of Summer. Ole Henriksen's African Red Tea Face Mist is a calming and clarifying antioxidant, anti-aging tonic for all skin types. It's formulated with fresh ingredients such as African red tea, white tea and pomegranate to hydrate, tighten pores and tone. Paraben free!

Buy at www.sephora.com 4oz. $28

WHO LOVES IT?: Diva Cameron Diaz

ELBOW GREASE SHOULD DO IT

Tropical paradise! This blend of oils and beeswax bring back nostalgic memories of cold winter days and warm summer breezes. Lovingly compared to your moms handy "petroleum jelly", this moisturizer is a natural alternative without the extra grease. A recommend moisturizer for dry or damaged skin.

Buy at www.pookapureandsimple.com 4oz. $10

WHO LOVES IT?: Diva LaChanze (The Color Purple)

TIME TO GET THOSE TOOTSIES IN ORDER

Beloved Body Care is a great indie line that has grown by leaps and bounds. With offerings like Mint to Be Foot Butter, I can surely see why. Their foot butter is highly moisturizing and has an unprecedented love affair with essential oils that stimulate, invigorate and sooth. This theraputic and buttery blend are surely meant to be.

Made with a generous amount of unrefined Shea Butter, Mint to Be Foot Butter has sure made a difference in my feet. It also helps to extend the softness of my heels after I get my pedicures. I actually use their entire foot line. I'm determined to be a "sandal ready" Diva.

Buy at www.belovedbodycare.com and local spas. 2oz. for $10.50

WHO LOVES IT?: Diva JHud, Diva Mom Winans

A DIVA MUST SPA 101

HOW TO SPA 101

1) RELAX
If there is one word to remember in a spa it's relax. You are paying for this time and you deserve to be pampered and treated from head to toe. Give yourself permission to have your time and do not be intimidated by the place or the people, they are there for you. Liberate your mind and body of worries, discomfort and fear of awkward moments and open yourself to the enjoyment of the spa experience. This is especially true for first time spa goers.

2) CHECK IN
This can be overwhelming, especially the first time so make sure you arrive early for your treatments. You will usually be given a schedule of your treatments and a locker to stash all your belongings. Then you will receive your robe/sandals and you can disrobe. Suddenly, like entering a monastery, the quiet and relaxation of the environment will envelope you and all the other robed spa goers.

3) WEARING MY BIRTHDAY SUIT?....OH MY!
Absolutely, but wear your robe while you are not on the massage table, please. Wearing underwear for a massage undermines the spirit of the day and brings to mind those painfully awkward adolescent annual physical exams that were required before school started.

Before you go to the spa, take some time to yourself, get undressed, snuggle into your robe and pretend that a lovely person is walking you down to a private massage room. Imagine them showing you the massage table, the sheet you are to climb under and the hook for the robe. Now disrobe and fling yourself onto your "table", under the sheets, and wait 5 minutes for the massage therapist to come back in the room. Now you know what to expect.

It is ok to wear a bathing suit in the Jacuzzi between treatments. There will be some people who choose to be naked in the Jacuzzi and those that prefer a suit. Either way you will be fine.

4) FUN THINGS TO DO BETWEEN TREATMENTS
A spa day is a worthwhile investment and many spas create packages to pamper your body for the entire day. Make sure you are aware of all of the amenities at the spa like a pool, hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas. You may want to use these services between your spa appointments and they are almost always free.

5) TIPPING
It is always appropriate to tip for the spa treatments you receive. Some spas provide clients with envelopes for each treatment. You can tip each technician 15-20% of the total cost of a particular treatment at the end of the day as you are leaving. You just drop the envelopes off at the same place you checked in earlier that day. You might want to call the spa beforehand to understand their policy so you do not feel awkward and wonder if you are tipping correctly. Remember, the spa wants you to be comfortable and they know you won't be carrying cash around in your robe all day. Bring some extra cash so you have it on hand for the tip.

Speak up if......
You want a male or female massage therapist
You're pregnant
You take prescription medicine regularly
Feel pain in a particular area before the treatments
You are under a physicians care for a specific condition
If you are not happy.....about a treatment or the spa experience If the spa experience is painful

information courtesy of spaemergency.com

WHO LOVES IT?: Relaxation Diva's

TWO FOR THE ROAD

Our lips can become dehydrated, chapped and painful during the summer months. The good ole' sun can take a toll on our kissable attraction. Paula Dorf has created a luscious treat to exfoliate and condition the lips. "Two For the Road" includes a sugar and jojoba oil lip exfoliator which has microfine crystals that gently melt away flakes and roughness. Follow it up with the soothing lip balm that's incredibly soothing and not at all greasy. It also will give you a hint of color.

I'll take two kisses for the road.....pucker up!

Buy Simple Skin Two For the Road at www.pauladorf.com $28 4oz.

WHO LOVES IT?: Kissable Diva's

LEMONADE, THAT COOL REFRESHING DRINK

Boy is it hot and summer hasn't even started. One things for sure, there's nothing like a cool glass of lemonade on a hot, humid day. During the summer, my mom always made a fresh pitcher of lemonade weekly. Throughout the years, she has experimented with so many flavors, fruits and herbs. Each delicious experiment has brought pure joy to friends and family alike. So, I've decided to share a summer time memory with you.

Mommy's Sparkling Minty Peach Lemonade

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup of fresh mint leaves

6 cups of fresh water

8 freshly squeezed lemons (more or less depending on your taste)

1/4 cup of lemon juice from concentrate

1 cup sugar; less or more to your liking

1 fresh peach sliced in quarters

2 extra mint leave stems

1 can of ginger-ale

PREPARATION:

Heat the mint leaves in 2 cups of water until boiling. Reduce heat to a simmer and leave for 5 minutes. Let cool, then strain boiled mint leaves. Combine mint water with the rest of the water (4 cups), squeeze in fresh lemons. Add sugar and lemon juice. Stir. Add in peach and extra mint leaves then chill. Add ginger-ale once chilled. Viola! ...Lemonade, that cool refreshing drink!

WHO LOVES IT?: Sunshine Diva's

POMEGRANATE IS IN THE AIR

There's nothing better than walking into a home and feeling and smelling the essence of home sweet home. It embraces nostalgic thoughts that tend to comfort, relax and embrace the senses.

You can capture such a feeling with Nyakio's Pomegrante & Sage home diffuser. The fruity yet earthy fragrance yields a sophisticated blend of dark berries, pomegranate and cassis.

It's time inhale and smell the pomegranate. Fragrance your home for up to two months.

Buy at www.nyakio.com or www.amazon.com 7.5oz. $58

WHO LOVES IT?: Home Sweet Home Diva's

THE AUDACITY OF HOPE

THE DIVA'S LOUNGE TEAM EXTENDS OUR HEART-FELT CONGRATULATIONS TO SENATOR BARACK OBAMA FOR CLINCHING

THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

HISTORY WAS MADE AND IT CAN NEVER BE ERASED!

WHO LOVES IT?: Diva's Who Believe in Change

QUEENS IN THE MIDST

"Short or tall, thick or thin, I love the skin that I am in!" is only one of the many affirmations presented on each bottle of J. Blossom's fun, natural bath and body products for girls.

My 7 yr old niece was the recipient of J. Blossom treats; strawberry banana to be exact. She was overwhelmed that she had her own set of natural body care. The products are wonderful and beautifully packaged. I found myself dipping into the natural body lotion until I was ordered by my niece Maya to "keep your paws away, Auntie".

Any little Diva would love to receive such a thoughtful and fun gift. Available in Great Big Grape and Strawberry Banana Smoothie. Thanks for thinking of our girls Diva Jamila!

Buy at www.jblossom.com $3 - $39

WHO LOVES IT?: Little Diva Maya

FLOWERS ARE THE BOMB!

A beautiful fragrance that's sweet, slightly floral and rich in beauty. From the faux diamond bottle to the floral explosion, Flowerbomb's full-bodied fragrance screams Diva with it's ability to command the attention of both men and women.

Enjoy the seduction of tea, bergamot, sambac, jasmine, orchid, freesia, rose and patchouli.

As this fragrance gently lingers, you will quickly come to the realization that Flowerbomb is without a doubt THE BOMB!

Buy Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb at www.flowerbomb.com or www.nordstrom.com 1.7 oz $95.00 - 3.4 oz $150.00

WHO LOVES IT?: Sophisticated Diva's

SUN PROTECTION

Sun protection is essential. Dr. Hauschka offers an array of sunscreen products to give your skin a fighting chance against free radicals and the sun that we just can't get enough of.

Sunscreen Spray SPF15 is available in a convenient spray bottle which makes for easy application. Botanicals, sesame oil and avocado soothe and hydrate the skin while protecting. In addition, mineral sunscreen titanium dioxide provides moderate sun protection for all skin types. This formula is gentle and non-irritating so it can be used on the face as well as the body. Ok, you've been informed so don't you dare go out without your sunscreen :).

Buy 5.1 fl oz for $24.25 at sephora.com or www.DrHauschka.com

WHO LOVES IT?: Smart Diva's

MEMORIAL DAY TEASE

So they say you shouldn't wear white shoes before Memorial Day? Well, Diva's were created to break the rules. Step out right in these white beauties by Steve Madden.

Buy at www.SteveMadden.com

WHO LOVES IT?: Defiant Divas

GRAPEFRUIT AROMATHERAPY

The summer is quickly approaching and it's time to leave the gloomy mood of uncertainty behind. With the aromatic scent of grapefruit, you can make everyday refreshing and uplifting. Proven to soothe, clear and brighten the senses, Origins has reintroduced their grapefruit Gloomaway collection.

Their body wash/bubble bath is a rich cleanser that cuddles the skin in a creamy foam. This 2-in-1 power wash will also produce a tub full of skin-softening bubbles to help you relax and focus.

Buy at www.origins.com or your local department store 8.5 fl. oz. - $21.00

WHO LOVES IT?: Diva Amber Strauss

CURLY Q's NEED LOVE TOO

I'm a Curly Q and have a lot of Diva Fashionistas who are too. So to all my curly friends, this is for you.....

Rapid Recovery: (From the Miss Jessie site)

This once weekly intense luxurious deep treatment is the essential weapon for ensuring that your curls regain their healthy shiny bounce week to week. Rich shea butter and avocado cream oil penetrate for a radiant sheen that reinforces a smooth tangle free curl. Quite simply, your curls just behave better with a weekly dose of Rapid Recovery Treatment™.

Great for: Restoring moisture and supple elasticity to dry, brittle curls, kinks, waves and naturals. This essential, intense deep treatment is a natural curl’s secret weapon.

Buy at www.missjessies.com 2oz. $9 - 12oz. $48

WHO LOVES IT?: Curly Q's & Natural Fashionista's.

HANDS, NAILS AND CUTICLES...OH MY

Creamy, moisturizing and hydrating -- These are the three words that come to mind when you think of L'Occtiane Shea Hand Creme. Formulated with 20% Shea butter, this hand creme is sure to soothe even the driest skin, nails and cuticles.

Protect your skin with a product that's been tested by the hands of time.

WHO LOVES IT?: Pop Diva Madonna

Buy at www.loccitane.com. $25 5.2oz.