Hot Aveeno Deal at Costco

A few weeks ago, reader @krazylove007 on Instagram shared this deal with me, and I'm so happy to be able to pass it along to you:

Right now at Costco, you can get a 3-pack of Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Wipes for $7. As you probably know, just ONE pack of these wipes retails for about that price at most drugstores. I saw these at my Costco just yesterday (when I purchased the box pictured above) so this deal is definitely still out there!

As you might remember, my holy grail makeup towelettes are these wipes from Simple. However, I have seen many raves for these Aveeno wipes, which made me want to try them (especially at this price). I figured that if they don't work for me, I can always use them for removing makeup swatches from my hands and arms (hashtag: beautybloggerproblems). But I will of course review these for you after I've given them a proper testing.

Anyway, I just wanted to pass this tip along in case you love these. You can't beat $2.33 per pack (well, you probably can if you're an expert couponer, but you know what I mean!).

Thanks so much, @krazylove007, for the fantastic tip!

Review: New Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment

Press Sample

Let's face it: there are times when you may need a heavy-duty ointment. It's never pretty when the occasion arises but, as I found out recently, an ointment like this can come in mighty handy.

NEW Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment

(retail: around $8, 3.0 oz)

I was given the new Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Oitment for review a while back, and I can't say I was "hoping" for an occasion to really test its abilities, but one did come up. So let's see how this worked for me when I needed it the most...

New sunscreens, skincare and haircare from Aveeno

Attention Aveeno fans! We've got some new sunscreens, ointments and dandruff products on tap for Spring 2013. Take a peek:

 AVEENO® PROTECT + HYDRATE™ SPF 30, 50 and 70

• Long-lasting, broad spectrum and photostable protection against sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays with ENVIROGUARD™ Technology
• Formulated with skin-soothing ACTIVE NATURALS® Oat to leave skin healthier than before sun exposure
• Provides 24-hr skin hydration against chlorine, salt water and sweat
• Water & sweat resistant (for 80 minutes), oil-free and non-comedogenic
• Dermatologist Recommended

• Available: March 2013 at national food, drug and mass merchandisers

• Suggested retail price: 
• SPF 30 & 50: $8.99 – $9.99 3.0 oz. tube
• SPF 70: $9.99 – $10.99  3.0 oz. tube

Keep reading to see the other new Aveeno products heading to stores near you this month...

Spotted: New Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream SPF30

Did you think I was done with the "new sightings" posts for a while? Not even close! I recently spotted a TON products at the drugstore, so I hope you're prepared for lots and lots of posts in the next day or two!

Let's start the parade with this new BB cream from Aveeno (I didn't even know they had plans to release one!):

 

 New Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream SPF30

 (retail: $17.49 at Rite Aid, 2.5 oz)

NOTE: I am hoping that this product will also come in a "medium" (like their tinted moisturizer) but as of the time of this post, I do not know if it will also come in a "deep" shade (fingers crossed).

I think this BB cream is unique (compared to other US BB creams) in that it's specifically geared toward breakout-prone skin. I'm happy to see that you get more than double the amount of some of some other drugstore BB creams (2.5 oz), which helps to justify the higher price. I'm also happy to see that this is SPF30.

Keep reading for more details, including the full ingredients list...

Review: Aveeno Active Naturals Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo

Longtime readers know that I'm a bit of a dry shampoo connoisseur and I've lost count of how many dry shampoos I've reviewed here over the years. I've got oily skin, oily roots and side-swept bangs, so dry shampoos are a necessity for me when I skip a day between washings. A few sprays and my bangs can return from the Land of Grease to live another day!

I was very excited when I received the new Aveeno dry shampoo for review a while back because I've had good experiences with Aveeno haircare (I'm a big fan of Aveeno Nourish+ Moisture Shampoo, which won my Cheapie Award for "Best New Shampoo" in 2009). I've been using this dry shampoo for over a month now, so let's see how it's been working for me.

Aveeno Active Naturals Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo

(retail: around $7.99, 4.8 oz)

Keep reading for my full review, included before-and-after photos...

New products from Aveeno

Attention Aveeno fans! Aveeno has launched three new products and I've got the scoop for you today. Some of you may have already spotted these products in stores but for the rest of us, hold tight--they'll be there soon:

AVEENO® PURE RENEWAL™ Dry Shampoo

Rejuvenates hair for a clean, fresh look between washes

• Removes excess oil and impurities to help boost volume
• Lightly fragranced to refresh with each use
• Sulfate-free for gentle cleansing
• Safe for color-treated hair
• Available: July 2012 at national food, drug and mass merchandisers
• Suggested Retail Price: $7.49 - $7.99 (4.8 fl. oz. bottle)

   
AVEENO® ULTRA-CALMING® Makeup Removing Wipes

These gentle, soft wipes soothe and cleanse, removing dirt, oil, makeup and even mascara

• Safe for everyday use and sensitive skin friendly
• This oil-free formula contains ACTIVE NATURALS® Calming Feverfew™ to help leave sensitive skin feeling soothed & balanced
• Noncomedogenic, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested
• Available:  July 2012 at national food, drug and mass merchandisers
• Suggested Retail Price: $6.49-$6.99 (25 wipes)

  

AVEENO® ECZEMA THERAPY Care Kit

Two-step daily care kit: Eczema Therapy Bath Treatment and Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream

• Helps relieve uncomfortable eczema symptoms
• Helps relieve itchy skin and seals in moisture
• Steroid-Free, Fragrance-free
• Includes 6 bath packets, 1 5oz. moisturizing cream
• Available: September 2012 at food, drug and mass merchandisers
• Suggested Retail Price: $13.99 – $15.99

As many of you already know, I have a thing for dry shampoos (I think I've reviewed half a dozen varieties here over the years). I've had good luck with Aveeno haircare in the past, so I'm looking forward to trying/reviewing this new offering in the near future.

Review: Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub

If you're a longtime reader of this blog, then you know I love my facial scrubs. I've got very oily skin, so I always benefit from a nice exfoliation once or twice a week to help deep-clean and keep my skin smooth. Without a doubt, my love of facial scrubs is why I've reviewed so many on this blog, so let's see if this one rivals my holy grail drugstore scrub!

 Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub

(retail: around $7, 5.0 oz)

Spotted: lots of new products and displays (pic heavy)

I've got some CVS, Target, Walmart and Rite Aid sightings for you today, lovelies!

First, it appears that several of you may have missed my post containing the info about the new Jesse's Girl baked palettes and 9-pan palettes, because I've been flooded with emails recently asking if I had any info about them. If you missed my post with the information I received directly from Jesse's Girl, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

As luck would have it I spotted the new 9-pans at a local Rite Aid the other day, so I wanted to give you a closer look at them:

Spotted: New Aveeno Living Color Color-Preserving Shampoo and Conditioner

Ever since I first tried Aveeno Nourish+ Moisturize Shampoo back in '09, it's been a staple in my shower. I just adore it and even awarded it "Best Cheapie Shampoo" for my 2009 Cheapie Awards. So of course I was excited to see that they've expanded the Aveeno haircare line with these new additions:

Aveeno Living Color 

Color-Preserving Shampoo and Conditioner

The thing that kind of bums me out is that the bottles state: "For medium-thick hair".  What? Do you mean to tell us that gals with fine hair can't use this? Fine-haired girls color their hair too, Aveeno!

Have you seen this new addition to the Aveeno haircare line yet? Is your hair medium-thick and color-treated? If so, do you think you'll give this a shot?

New Aveeno Smart Essentials Skincare Collection

I spotted this new Aveeno display and I know so many of you are Aveeno fans, so I wanted to be sure you knew about these new products:

Aveeno Smart Essentials Skincare Collection

Left to right:

Daily Detoxifying Scrub (retail: $8.39 at CVS)

Pore Purifying Facial Cleanser (retail: $8.39 at CVS)

Daily Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 30 (retail: $18.29 at CVS)

Nighttime Moisture Infusion (retail: $18.29 at CVS)

My initial thoughts? I love that the daytime moisturizer is SPF 30 and I'm always happy when I see a new facial scrub on the market--I loooove my physical exfoliators! But allow me to vent for a minute about the jar for the nighttime moisturizer. I honestly can't think of a single woman I know who prefers jars for skincare these days. It's probably the number one complaint I see from my fellow bloggers when it comes to skincare. No one likes to dip their fingers into a jar every night because product gets under your nails, not to mention it's not exactly sanitary. Also, some of these ingredients tend to lose their potency/efficacy when repeatedly exposed to air and/or light. Soooo...what's up with the jars? Does anyone have a valid argument for these jars? If so, please please leave a comment on this post and educate me! I'm begging you!

Review: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser

Back in June, the lovely Stephanie over at Aquaheart's Obsessions posted a review of this product and shortly afterward, I went and picked it up.  Stephanie said this was a gentle cleanser and it also removed her eye makeup (I love love love all-in-one cleansers!) and since I'm a sucker for foaming cleansers, well I just had to try it.

 Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser 

(retail: around $7.99, 6 oz)

The first thing I noticed about this cleanser is that, even though it is fragrance-free, it does have that signature "Aveeno" scent to it (a soft, oatmeal-ish fragrance). It's not strong though, and I actually really love the scent of Aveeno products so it didn't bother me one bit.

I should tell you right now that I have oily skin with a super oily t-zone. My skin is not sensitive, but I've noticed that as I get older, certain products tend to irritate my face a little more than they used to. I also suffer from adult acne from time to time, especially during that TOTM.

I'm not going to lie: the first time I used this, I was a little bit underwhelmed. I've used and loved some great foaming cleansers over the past few years (I still really enjoy Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser which I reviewed a long time ago) but this one's a bit different.  When I dispense the product into my hand, I have to use about five or six pumps to get enough product to cover my face (that kind of seems like a lot, huh?). Also, the foaming agent seems to be a little on the weak side. In other words, when I apply this product to my face and start working it in, I notice that the foam quickly dissipates and it feels like I'm just working plain ol' water into my skin. This can be a little bit of a challenge if you're used to cleansing with a thicker product.

That said, I also noticed that ever since I purchased this product back in June, it's the cleanser I most often reach for in my shower.  That may seem weird given the complaints I just mentioned, so I had to ask myself, "Why do I keep reaching for this if it's a little bit of a pain to use?"

Well, I've come to the conclusion that my skin seems to really like this cleanser. My face feels extremely clean when I use it, yet it never feels stripped, dry or tight (again, your results may vary, especially if you have dry skin). Also, with a tiny bit of elbow grease, I am able to remove even my long-wear makeup and mascara with this cleanser (note: I do not use waterproof mascaras).  I've done the "toner test" several times after using this cleanser and my cotton pad always comes back clean.

So I guess, in my opinion, the lack of foaming and extra few pumps are worth the results. I love the soft, natural oatmeal smell of this product, and here's the best part: I've been using this pretty religiously since the middle of June and just now, at the beginning of October, the bottle is starting to feel a bit light. I'm willing to bet I'll run out completely within the next week or two, so four months worth of cleanser for $7.99 isn't bad at all, right?

I can't really speak to the "calming" effect that this cleanser claims to have, since my skin generally doesn't need calming.  But I can tell you that I haven't had any additional break-outs, redness or irritation since I've been using this cleanser, which is part of the reason I keep coming back to it.

If you love foaming cleansers and you're in the market for one with minimal fragrance that removes most makeup, this might be a nice choice for you.  But just remember that it might not function like the foaming cleansers you're used to, so be prepared for a little bit of an adjustment period.

Have you already tried Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser? What do you think of it?

Amazing haircare deals at Rite Aid this week--but hurry!

Before I start this post, I want to remind any of you Physicians Formula powder foundation fans that PF powder foundations and bronzers are on sale at CVS this week for $5.99. I have been holding on to a $1 PF coupon for a while now and I finally used it the other day to get my beloved Healthy Wear SPF50 powder foundation for just $4.99 (regular retail is around $14 so that's a heck of a deal that I don't want you to miss out on if you're a PF foundation fan).

No on to the post:

This could not have come at a better time for me, because, as fate would have it, I'm running dangerously low on shampoo and conditioner right now. So if you're like me and you need to stock up, I've got some GREAT deals to tell you about, but you have to hurry because these deals end Saturday (or today, if you're in a test market like me) at Rite Aid.

1) Aveeno haircare is on sale for $5.99, and there was a $1 coupon in most Sunday papers last week. AND, there's also a $4 coupon on the Video Values site right now! So watch the video, print your coupon and you're looking at a bottle of Aveeno shampoo or conditioner for a buck or two (if you have the Sunday paper coupon, you can stack it with the Video Values coupon!). This is an amazing deal that you can be sure I'm going to take advantage of, since I love love love Aveeno's Nourish+ Moisture Shampoo. If you've got damaged/color-treated/dry hair, I think you might love this shampoo as well. It's just so luxurious and moisturizing but it never weighs my hair down. It's perfection for me, and it's normally around $7 a bottle.

2) Nexxus fans! This is pretty darn amazing. First, if you haven't registered your Rite Aid Wellness+ card online yet, you NEED to, because every week Rite Aid emails Wellness+ members exclusive online coupons and info. You're really missing out if you don't register your account online, so I suggest you do it ASAP at RiteAid.com. Last week I got this in my inbox:

Offer good through 10/2

But it gets better! This week, Nexxus products are on sale BOGO1/2OFF. But wait! There's more! (I feel like an infomercial!) There's also a coupon on the Video Values site for $6 off when you buy two Nexxus products. So let's do the math here:

[EDIT: I made a mistake the first time I did this, so I've edited it and corrected my error. -G]

Let's say you buy Nexxus Therapee Shampoo (33.8 oz, retail: $17.99) and Nexxus Comb Thru Finishing Mist ($4.49). Without any sales or discounts, your total would be $22.48. With the BOGO1/2OFF sale, that brings your total down to $20.24. And since you bought $20 worth of Nexxus, you'll also receive $7 back in +UP Rewards, which brings your total down to $13.24. But THEN, you've got the $6 off 2 Nexxus products coupon from the Video Values site, which then brings your total down to just $7.24. For two full-size items!

And remember, there are tons and tons of haircare and makeup coupons the Video Values site right now. I just printed out a $3 coupon for Salon Graphix (finally, I'm going to try their dry shampoo!) and a $1 coupon for Infusium (good to save for the next Infusium sale and stack with a manufacturer's coupon). Oh, and don't forget you can also print a $5 off $25 purchase coupon if you plan on doing some hauling. I will definitely be using this coupon on top of the Aveeno, Nexxus and Salon Graphix coupons for even more savings.

I hate to sound preachy, but please print out any and all coupons for the items you love and use on a regular basis. Even if there isn't a good sale to pair them with this week, you never know what type of sales are around the corner. If you've got those coupons in your purse, they'll help you to get your favorite products for free (or very close to it). So print them just in case!

For a complete list of all the Video Values beauty coupons for October, click here.

And don't forget--if you want to take advantage of the Aveeno or Nexxus deals, you have to do it by Saturday! Happy shopping.

CVS is trying to make me gain weight

No, really! I think CVS is attempting to weaken my will to eat fruit when I get a sugar craving. I've scanned my CVS card four times in the past week or so and each time, the CVS slot machine gives me chocolate coupons. Dove, Godiva, M&Ms, you name it. Every single time, I get not one, but two $1 or BOGO coupons for chocolate. And no makeup coupons. What gives? I think I've only purchased chocolate once or twice in the past six months at CVS. So why, CVS, are you trying to tempt me into buying more chocolate than anyone should have in their home at one time???

OK, now that I've gotten that off my chest, I'd like to show you the mini-haul I did at CVS today because I'm pretty happy with the amount of money I saved. I hope that when I show you these hauls, it inspires you to get out and start clipping coupons, watching sales, and paying attention to your Extra Bucks opportunities because it really can save you a ton on things you buy and use on a regular basis!

Here's what I bought today, with the exception of one item, which is not pictured (more on that in a second):

L to R: Biore Makeup Removing Towelettes with Green Tea, Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser, John Frieda Root Awakening Strength Restoring Smoothing Lotion (not pictured: Schick Hydro 5 Blade Razor)

I gave the Schick Hydro to my little brother as an early Father's Day gift, and I actually got that for free (which I was all too proud to explain to him, of course. I love watching his eyes glaze over as I explain my "process"). In case you're curious about how I got it for free, there was a $5 coupon in last Sunday's paper for the Schick Hydro, and this week CVS has it on sale for $8.99 with 4 Extra Bucks. So when all is said and done, it's free.

As for the other goodies, well I had been wanting to try that Aveeno cleanser ever since I saw Aquaheart's review of it. So even though it's on sale this week at CVS for just $1 less than the regular retail price ($6.99 instead of $7.99), I had 2 extra bucks in my wallet from when I bought my Maybelline The Falsies Mascara last week, which cut the cost down even more.

John Freida, Biore and Jergens products are on sale this week at CVS, and when you buy $10 worth of products from these brands, you get 3 extra bucks. So I got the John Frieda product for $5 (retail: $6.99), and the Biore towelettes for $6 (retail: $7.99). But then I also had a $3 John Frieda Root Awakening coupon from the newspaper, and the Biore Towelettes had an instant "Save $1 Now" coupon attached to them, PLUS, I had those 2 Extra Bucks from my previous Maybelline purchase. So that brought my total down to $5 for both items.

So how did I get my grand total down to $4.99? Easy! I purchased the John Frieda, Biore and Schick Hyrdo products in one transaction, using my $1 Biore coupon, my $3 John Frida coupon, and my 2 Extra Bucks from my previous Maybelline purchase. After I bought these items, I got the 4 Extra Bucks from the Schick Hydro and the 3 Extra Bucks my Biore/John Frieda purchases. So I used those to pay for the Aveeno Foaming Cleanser, which, remember, is on sale this week for what? $6.99!

So when all was said and done, I paid a grand total of $4.99 for all three products (plus the Schick Hydro Razor).

Now, I want to tell you that I did NOT have this planned out in my head when I walked into CVS. Unlike a lot of people who are much more savvy, I kind of wing it and make my trips to the drugstore an adventure. Sure, there are things I pay attention to in the weekly circulars (like that Hydro deal) but other times, I like to walk down the aisles and discover the Extra Bucks deals and then go through my coupon bag and see if I have anything I can pair it with. It's a challenge to get the best deal, and I will not stop until I can get the products I need/want for the least amount possible!

Hope you enjoyed this post, and I will definitely be reviewing everything in the above pic, so please check back later for those reviews if you'd like to see them.

In the meantime, I'd love to know YOUR coupon/sale process. Are you more methodical about clipping coupons and studying the weekly circulars, or do you like to figure it all out once you're in the store?

New CVS brand products and crazy deals at...Vons?!

Let me start by telling you that I was at CVS yesterday and, of course, I played the CVS "slot machine" (my term for the CVS card scanner that shoots out coupons for you whenever you scan your card) and guess what? I got the $5 off 2 Revlon products coupon on my very first try! So if you haven't been to CVS yet this week, GO and scan your card because you can combine it with the $3 coupons I told you about yesterday! And of course you can save it for next week and follow the awesome tip from Drugstore Divas, which makes the savings even sweeter!

OK, so when I was at CVS, I noticed some new interesting CVS brand products that I wanted to show you:

Did you know that CVS now has generic versions of Aveeno haircare? I didn't either! As a lot of you already know, Aveeno Nourish +Moisturize is one of my very favorite shampoos (it even made my 2009 Cheapie Awards) so I cannot wait to try the CVS version because, well, I will be able to tell you exactly how it compares to the original. I know the original like the back of my hand! If it's a good dupe, this will be great because the CVS version is only $5.99 and the CVS slot machine always prints out $1 off coupons for CVS haircare products, which will bring it down to $4.99 (a lot better than $7.49 for the original). But again, we'll see how it compares (fingers crossed!).

I also spotted these CVS brand versions of Dove deodorants and body mists! For now it's just the Lemongrass & Grapefruit and Cucumber & Green Tea scents, but hopefully they'll eventually release a generic version of the Pomegrante & Lemon Verbena too (you know how much I love that one!). And I think (not sure) but I think that you'll be able to use the $1 off CVS skincare product coupons that the slot machine always tends to print out if you decide to purchase these. I mean, these products qualify as skincare, right? OK, maybe I'm pushing it, but it never hurts to try. What's the worst that can happen? They tell you, "Sorry, you can't use these" and you move on, right?

Next I'd like to show you some crazy things I spotted at my local Vons. If you don't have a Vons grocery store in your city, but you have a Safeway, you might want to check and see if your Safeway has these deals too, since Safeway is the parent company of Vons (for those of you not in CA or NV, Vons is a very popular grocery store chain in California, with also a few locations in Nevada). I can't promise you that you'll find these exact deals at Safeway, but it never hurts to check!

And if you don't have a Vons or Safeway in your area, feel free to read on anyway, because I spotted some new products that I have yet to spot anywhere else, so you can always keep an eye out for these in your area.

I noticed that Vons is currently introducing a TON of new beauty products into their inventory, and when they launch a new product they offer it at a discounted "Introductory Price". I don't know how long the "Introductory Price" lasts, so I'd hurry if you want to take advantage of these low prices because they're definitely temporary. Also, there are tons of $1 off L'Oreal skincare coupons floating around in the Red Plum mailer, etc., so you can snag The Scrublet for just $4.99 if you play your cards right!

In my version of the Red Plum mailer this week (I know Red Plum changes from region to region so it may be different in yours) I got a $3.75 off one bottle of Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion coupon. Since Vons has this on sale this week for $4.99, I can snag a bottle for just $1.24! Hopefully you got this coupon too, and you live near a Vons, because this is a GREAT deal (click here for my review of Sheer Infusion if you missed it).

Also, did you notice those products to the right of the Vaseline lotions? I didn't even know EOS made body lotions!! Here's a closer look:

These are paraben-free, 97% natural body lotions that come in three versions: Replenish, Moisturize (which is cucumber-scented) and Repair. I love how they have the little signature indentation at the bottom (just like the lip balms, which you know I'm obsessed with!).

Vons also carries EOS Shave Cream (which Target also carries--yay!) in two scents: Pomegranate Rasberry (left) and Vanilla Bean (right).

And last but certainly not least, I spotted a new Tone Body Wash fragrance that I haven't seen anywhere else yet in my area:

White Clay & Pink Jasmine? I love it! And look at the pretty holographic pink design on this bottle. I had to take a quick sniff and...I have to tell you, this one is delightful! It's a soft, sweet floral that seems perfect for spring. Can't wait until this goes on sale because I love the formula of Tone's body washes.

That's it for this report but, as always, I'd love to know what you think, and if you've spotted these products in your area as well!

Spotted at Target (Part 2)

I mentioned yesterday that I spotted so many new bath and body products at my local Target the other day that I couldn't fit them all into one post. So here is part two of my recent discoveries--I hope you find some goodies here that you're excited to check out at your local Target. Our options for new, affordable springtime bath and body products are mind-numbing right now!

Kings & Queens has come to Target!! If you haven't heard of Kings & Queens, please check back tomorrow because I will be posting a review of the product I bought (featured above--can you guess what it is?). I rarely, if ever, purchase things at full-price, but when I took one whiff of this particular Kings & Queens product, it HAD to be mine. More on that tomorrow...

Have you seen this new B&B brand called Savour? Some of you may remember a while back that I was talking about how much I love the Orbit Mint Mojito flavored gum, and how I wished that someone would make a shampoo or body wash in this scent. Well, guess what? Savour has Mint Mojito body products! I was FREAKING OUT when I saw this!!

To my nose, their Mint Mojito scent is a little heavy on the mint and weaker on the mojito, but heck, I'll take it! Also, there are some other very yummy scents in this line, such as Buttercream Cupcake, Raspberry Gelato, ChocoLatte, and my personal favorite so far, Margarita Sunrise:

I took a whiff of the body mist and OMG OMG OMG. OK, first, it doesn't really smell like a margarita to me, but what it DOES smell like is 7-Up! It's got this sweet, bubbly, effervescent, citrus scent about it that is pure 7-Up to my nose and I freaking LOVE it! If you're a bubbly, citrus scent lover, you have GOT to check this one out. It's amazing. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Have you seen these new Aveeno products yet? Blueberry + Goji Berry (my favorite), Vanilla + Chamomile, and Grapefruit + Rosemary scented body lotions! The price made me step back a minute though (ouch!), especially for such a small bottle (11 oz), so definitely keep your eyes peeled for coupons and sales if you want to give these a shot.

OK, have you seen the new Pomegranate & Lemon Verbena Dove Body Wash yet? I didn't even know about this scent until I saw it during this trip, and there were only two bottles left (as you can see in the pic above) so I had a hunch it was probably pretty good.

I had NOOOO idea how good it would be, ladies. OMG, if you are a fruity/tart/sweet/citrus person, you HAVE to give this one a whiff. My problem with most Dove products is that, no matter what the scent it, they tend to always have that underlying "Dove" scent to them. That's not a bad thing, but it's usually present in their body washes and soaps. But this one? No "Dove" scent at all. This body wash smells like pure, sweet pomegranate juice! It's tart, it's citrusy, it's sweet, it's just a whole lotta YUM, if you ask me. It really does smell like you cracked open a bottle of pomegranate juice--I can't explain it any better than that.

And the best part? It's on sale at Target this week:

Like I said before, if you are a person who loves tart, sweet, citrusy, berry scents, get your booty to Target this week--I think you will LOVE this new body wash! I bought one and I am totally obsessed to the point of coveting it.

After a discovery like that, it's kind of hard to come down and talk about other body washes, but I did want to metion that Dial has two new interesting scents that may appeal to you. On the left is "Cherry Seed Oil & Mint" and on the right is "Grape Seed Oil & Lemongrass". I like that these are pretty unusual fragrance combinations, and to me they both smell very clean and refreshing. I might pick up the Cherry Seed body wash if I get a good coupon. Definitely give these a sniff the next time you're at Target and let me know what you think!

And finally, I had to snap some pics of some clearance baskets I spotted at my local Target:

Essie polishes for $3.98! Obviously these are all pretty much pinks and reds, but still fun to dig through.

All the mini tubes of Weleda are on clearance (Skin Food, etc.) and the Yes to Carrots lip glosses and tinted lip balms are all reduced to $1.62. You can also see that there are a few Boots products in this bin (eyeshadows, mostly) but they weren't reduced to insane prices (most of them were still around $5 each).

And finally, because I just have to rave about this, my brother and I went to lunch yesterday at a local Korean restaurant, and I had the MOST amazing vegetarian tofu soup I have ever had in my life. There were potatoes, three kinds of mushrooms and delectable little silky pieces of tofu throughout this soup, which comes in a sizzling clay pot to your table. If you've in San Diego, you probably know that there are two Korean tofu houses on Convoy St. and I'm having hard time deciding which one is better...this soup blew my mind!

That's it for now, but as always, I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the products I've mentioned above!

Interesting new skincare products from Aveeno, Neutrogena and RoC...

Wow, this is pretty crazy. Check out this "coming soon" article from Happi.com:

Johnson & Johnson is set to roll out new products that have their roots in wound care, a company stronghold.

Based on bioelectricity, the system will be available in three mass beauty skin care brands, Aveeno, Neutrogena and RoC, and sold in kits, priced from $24.99 to $49.99. According to sources, retailers are already applauding the launches.

The new system, dubbed Cytomimic, is said to harness the power of the body’s own innate bioelectricity signaling system to generate energy to the surface layers of the skin to stimulate the renewal process.According to J&J executives, zinc and copper are the "battery" and they get together and produce a small current to help the skin.

Each kit requires users to follow a two-step system, by first applying a serum or gel that contains the bioelectricity technology and then immediately applying a cream that contains ingredients that help activate the first one.

The RoC Brilliance kit makes the boldest claims, with clinicals that show antiaging improvements around the eye area in as little as three days. RoC, uses E-Pulse, a patented technology, in an Activating Serum, which is meant to be applied first. The second step, the application of a Boosting Complex that contains antiaging ingredients, then triggers ion-mineral conductors in the Serum to rejuvenate the look of skin. RoC Brilliance includes three treatment systems. The Eye Beautifier asks the user to apply the Activating Serum around the entire eye area, followed by the Beautifying Crème. The RoC Brilliance Day Rejuvenating Moisturizer SPF 20, calls for applying the Activating Serum all over the face immediately followed by the Rejuvenating Crème SPF 20. Then there’s RoC Brilliance Night Recharging Moisturizer, which uses the Activating Serum followed by the Recharging Crème. Each kit will sell for $49.99.

The Aveeno Ageless Vitality uses natural ingredients with the Cytomimic technology to get antiaging results. This system contains a blend of naturally charged biominerals, such as zinc and copper, in a Biomineral Concentrate, which, when combined with an antiaging moisturizer containing ingredients such as blackberry leaf extract and dill, builds elastin and “restores energy to elastin-deficient skin.” There are three kits available under the Aveeno brand, as well, one targeting eyes, and one for day with SPF 30 and one for night. The Aveeno kits will sell for $39.99.

Neutrogena Clinical contains a multipatented Ion 2 Complex in a Gel Serum that J&J said when combined with an Activating Cream fortified with Tetrol-E, aims to smooth and refine skin over time. A Facial Lifting Wrinkle Treatment SPF 30, Eye Lift Contouring Treatment, Lifting Wrinkle Treatment Starter System SPF 30 and Eye and Facial Lifting Wrinkle Treatment Night are available with all except the starter kit selling for $24.99; the starter kit will sell for $34.99.

So...are you excited to try any of these products? The prices seem high, but if they deliver on even half of their claims, it might be a worthy investment for some of us (especially compared to high-end alternatives). As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Review: Aveeno Nourish+ Moisturize Shampoo and Conditioner

If you're a drugstore shopper, you've probably seen the new Aveeno haircare collection by now. In fact, I posted a pic a while back the first time I saw this collection on the shelves and I've been waiting patiently for these products to go on sale ever since. In the meantime, I signed up for some free sample packets on CVS.com (this promo has ended but click here for another sample offer) and they actually arrived in about two weeks, which is fast for freebies. I ordered the "Nourish+ Moisturizer" Shampoo and Conditioner and I knew instantly I was in love with the shampoo. From the minute it touched my hair I just knew I had to have the full-size bottle. This shampoo is sooo silky and it's got great slip. It literally made me feel like I was cleansing my hair with liquid silk. It makes my hair so soft but magically it doesn't get greasy and it gives me lots of bounce, body and shine.

Needless to say, I was jumping for joy a couple of weeks ago when Rite-Aid had the Aveeno Haircare collection on sale for $4.99 a bottle (regular price: $7.99) so I picked up both the "Nourish+ Moisturize" Shampoo and Conditioner. I really couldn't tell from the sample packet if I liked the conditioner enough to warrant a purchase because I could only get one use out of the sample (my hair is getting really long).

I have to say that I like the "Nourish+ Moisturize" Conditioner, but I don't love it. It does a decent job at moisturizing my hair, but it doesn't leave my hair much softer than the conditioners I already own. I really don't see anything about this conditioner that rises above the other ones in my collection, but by the same token, it's not a bad product by any means.

In my opinion the rockstar of this collection is the shampoo. I still can't get over the texture of the formula and how it makes my hair feel, and what a true joy it is to shampoo my hair in the shower (a task I really don't care for since my hair is long and it takes a lot of effort to wash). I can honestly say that, because of this shampoo, I actually look forward to shampooing my hair. It's that much fun.

If your hair is dry and in need of a boost of moisture, I would give this shampoo a try. What the heck--order the free sample and see for yourself!

One last thing: I should warn you that these products do contain wheat, so if you have wheat allergies you might want to avoid them.

Have you tried any of the Aveeno haircare products yet? I'd love to know your thoughts!