Spring Cleaning: In Stores Now

Here in New York City, the month of March came in like a lion and left like a lion. Rain and snow pelted us at both ends of that long month. So we're delighted that April has arrived. Cherry blossoms, warmer temperatures, open windows and daylight that stretches long into evening are among our favorite things. April is also our favorite time to clean, get organized, freshen up our routines and begin new projects. And what do we get for all our efforts? We must treat ourselves to something yummy. Lemon-scented body butter, anyone? Find out more about this and all kinds of other new goodies, in stores this month.

Refreshing body butters.
Caswell-Massey brings us the Verbena Shea Body Butter, which not only has the delicate, lemony scent of a verbena plant, but is comprised of 23 percent shea butter. You cannot go wrong with this uplifting, creamy skin soother. But you might want to eat it ‑- shea butter has the airy, creamy texture of chocolate mousse. And for your knees, heels, elbows and cuticles, we love Caswell-Massey's Shea Butter Balm. Packaged in easy-to-use stick form, this balm instantly relieves dry skin. Available in Caswell-Massey stores nationally, or at CaswellMassey.com

Buff nails.
A chic new look this summer is the "naked manicure," manicured hands with matte, buffed nails. Neutrogena offers a shortcut with Instant Nail Enhancer. Just one thin coat daily provides a satiny sheen without buffing. Unlike nail polish, this product won't dry out nails and contains vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5 to strengthen nails. Available in food and drug stores or at Neutrogena.com.

Skin care from nature.
Apivita Aromatherapy Express offers a complete range of skin products made with fruits, vegetables and essential oils. Apivita Express Facial Day Cream with Tomato and Facial Night Cream with Carrot come in two stackable jars. Check out these lightly scented, spa-like treatments by going to PureBeauty.com and selecting "Bath and Body Works."

Eye miracle.
Erno Laszlo's Antioxidant Complex for Eyes really does appear to instantly lift the skin around the eyes. Packed with antioxidants, this high-tech gel also promises to diminish fine lines and prevent premature aging. Available at Laszlo counters in fine specialty stores or at ErnoLaszlo.com.

Sweet Scrub.
Tahitian vanilla has been used to enhance moods for hundreds of years. Now Tahitian Noni Moea has combined this rich fragrance with sugarcane in the amazing Sugar Scrub Vanilla and Sugarcane. The company also makes Sweet Banana and
Macadamia Body Souffle. Go to TahitianNoni.com.

Soft lips.
If you're the woman who can never have enough lip balm, check out Neutrogena tinted lip balms. They're sheer, with just a hint of color, and we love them because they are infused with moisturizing ingredients and sun protection. Each one contains aloe and vitamins C and E, and unlike some lip savers, they don't come off the moment you apply them.

Amber glow.
Looking sun-kissed has never been this easy. Estee Lauder's line of "just off the beach" products includes a range of bronzers in powder and cream: Amber Bronze Sienna Earth Powder and Amber Bronze Bronzer Crème SPF 12. Lauder also offers a liquid bronzer for the face. Whether or not you want the fake bake, you'll love Lauder's Amber Bronze Lip Gloss Balm. It's the bomb.

For hot hair.
In some parts of the country the sun is already burning hot, and if you're in one of them, you'll need Redken's UV Rescue products. The line is comprised of sun milk with SPF 12, protective oil, swim cream, brunette guard and blonde guard. The line is designed to safeguard hair and scalp from the damaging effects of sun, sea and pool. Check out their after-sun products too.

Restore moisture to nails.
Barielle's Restorative Nail Serum is a lightweight pre-polish serum that cleans and primes nails with a complex of alpha hydroxy acids to hydrate and strengthen nails. Just apply one coat over clean nails, allow to dry, then follow with base coat and polish. Available at Barielle.com.

Bronzed eye tones.
Mary Kay offers MK Signature, three bronze-tone eye colors that can be used together or separately. These dazzling shades, in mocha, auburn and sunlight, offer a range of looks because they can be used wet or dry and are crease resistant.

The scent of spring.
Elizabeth Arden is getting us ready for the exhilaration of summer, adding splashes of distinctly seasonal notes to her Green Tea fragrance. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Summer contains top notes of tangerine, lemon and bergamot and middle notes of cyclamen, water lily and wild rose, all over a base of sheer musk, white amber and crystalline moss.

Travel kits.
Boscia, the preservative-free skin-care line, is introducing two great skin-care kits to take on airplanes. One focuses on keeping skin healthy and oil- and shine-free, and the other addresses dry skin and lines. Available at select department stores, or at Boscia.net.

source from http://beauty.ivillage.com