This is just a quick post. I have had a lot of people ask me what I recommend for make-up and what I use for sunscreen.

First, I want to be clear that if there was any possibility of Garden Girl producing an SPF face product I’d do it in a flash. Unfortunately, it is prohibitively expensive for us to do it and here’s why – the FDA has to approve a specific formula because it would be considered an over-the-counter drug.

But believe me, I share in your frustration. I cannot find a face product that I feel good about using. There isn’t one that has ingredients that are even close to what I would want to use.

Which brings me to mineral make-up. I use mineral make-up everyday now because the minerals not only make your skin look flawless, but it has the added bonus of having sun-blocking minerals. So it’s a great safety net.

The make-up I have been happiest with is www.everydayminerals.com. They offer a great free trial kit (you pay only for shipping) and then their full-sized products are very reasonably priced. I love the powders, however some of the brushes haven’t been great and the lipstick seems to dry out my lips so I am still seeking a lipstick (lead-free, of course!) I definitely think they are worth taking a peek at!

So what do I use for sunprotection aside from mineral make-up? I have resorted to Blue Lizard either SENSITIVE skin or BABY (none of the others – as they contain nasty Oxybenzone). Baby and Sensitive are actually the same product – just different names. It does contain parabens which I usually avoid like the plague, but it only has Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide – and it doesn’t stink, it has no added fragrance, isn’t terribly sticky/gooey like some others, and generally does a great job. It was also on the list as one of the best when EWG reviewed sunscreens last summer. So until I find something better (and believe me, I’m looking for suggestions!) – this is what my family will be using all summer.

So check out Blue Lizard – it is available at CVS (and I’m guessing Walgreen’s as well). If enough people were interested, I would consider offering it on my website as well. Let me know!

Just in case you didn’t get the email, this week’s special offer is more of an apology – since our order system was down all weekend (UUgggghhhhhh)

So here’s a wide open, no strings attached FREE SHIPPING offer.

Simply go to

www.gardengirlskincare.com

and when you place your order, use coupon code:

FREESHIP

This offer is good through WEDNESDAY, May 28th.

Happy shopping – and fingers crossed that nightmare will not happen again and our order system will continue to churn along like it always had – happily and peacefully, without any issues!!

I’m back from a great “girls” weekend with my high school friends. We had a great time – great food, lots of fun catching up and shopping! (plus tons of walking) Sometimes just a couple of days away can be so rejuvenating. I loved being away, but loved coming home even more. I missed my family!

So now I’m snuggled comfortably at home, boys sleeping soundly, and I’m thinking about what special treat I can offer you all for the one day sale. And here’s what I think is a nice little Monday morning bonus:

$5 off any order

Simply go to

http://www.gardengirlskincare.com/

and shop away! Need some extra help around the eyes? Check out Like Magic with a wrinkle-reducing peptide complex and hyaluronic acid. Or try Eye Can’t Believe It eye cream with natural, skin firming DMAE. Maybe your hands are a little dry and could use a rich hand cream like Hand it to You? Or perhaps you’re looking to give your skin a little life – exfoliating the old and revealing the new – with the fabulous Pucker Up Coconut sugar scrub.

Then, use coupon code

MAY19

when checking out. Happy shopping!

I’m sitting here indulging in a bit of the Office AND Desperate Housewives, one of the few instances where I get complete control of the clicker – YEA – and I’m thinking back on a wonderful Mother’s Day that I had today. Fenway Park was open for a walk-about on the field (WAAAYYY cool – never been on the field) then for lunch and a nice ride on the Swan Boats. Oh – and I also bought a great essential oil fragrance at a neat shop in Kenmore Square. What a great day!! (until my youngest fell off the seat on the trolley, and then banged his lip on the metal bar on the seat about 2 minutes later, leaving him with a fat lip).

So I’m in a very Happy Mother’s day mood – which of course can be to your benefit. So here’s this week’s deal

First off – it is a TWO DAY deal instead of a one day – so you can shop through Tuesday.

Second, for the first time it is a TWO TIERED offer – depending on your spend.

Use coupon code
MAY12ONE

and receive
$10 off a $60 order (and free shipping, as always)

OR

Use coupon code
MAY12TWO

and receive
$25 off a $125 order (again, free shipping)

So that’s it. Easy. Bonus.

Treat yourself – you deserve it, right?

Just go to www.gardengirlskincare.com and shop away!

I’m so excited to announce that we have made a tweak to our face cream formulas that will make them even better! All face creams now include Hyaluronic Acid (HA) – an amazing natural ingredient that is found naturally in skin but depletes with age. HA binds water, holding 1000 times its weight in water. It draws moisture deep into skin and holds it there, resulting in smoother skin and reduced fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to draw the other active ingredients of the products into the skin as well.

So to celebrate this – I am offering

$5 off our face creams (No Worries, Nature Nurture, Eye Can’t Believe It, or Bright Idea)

Simply go to the website

www.gardengirlskincare.com/facecare

Place an order (no minimum!!) and enter coupon code:

MAY5

Enjoy, and may your skin thank you