Bliss Eau-lection Body Lotion

The election is all over the place and will be for the next few weeks, I have been following debates and as much coverage as I can review on a daily basis.  One of my classes for the MBA this semester is a Microeconomics class and we have been discussing any type of economic policy and the healthcare debate in ever single class since the end of August.  I am not going to turn this blog into a political forum... I would rather discuss beauty products and relax when I am shopping.

But sometimes I see a product tie-in that is so funny and so perfect that I just cannot skip over covering it in a post or two.  The limited edition Bliss political body lotions made me laugh out loud when I first them on the Nordstrom website and I knew that I had to write up a quick post on them.  No matter what your political views on the candidates in this election, you are sure to giggle when you see these two body lotions.  So far, I have only seen them on the Nordstrom website and I am keeping my eyes pealed for them on the Sephora website but I am willing to bet that they won't carry them if they don't already have them in stock...

The first of the two lotions is Obama Orange, a light fruity body lotion.  "Bliss 2012 'eau'-lection collection: May the best scent win!  O-bama Orange Body Lotion vs. Mint Romney Minty Body Lotion.  After the shower, slather on O-bama Orange Body Lotion from shoulders to shins for a vibrantly scented moisturizing experience."  I wouldn't mind owning this lotion more just for the amusement and laughs that it would provide me every time that I walked by it.

The second of the two lotions is for Romny of course.  Mint-Romney shuld be very similar to my beloved Twisted Peppermint lotion, I love that scent so much, mint scents are among my favorites all throughout the year!  "Bliss 2012 'eau'-lection collection: May the best scent win!  O-bama Orange Body Lotion vs. Minty Romney Minty Body Lotion.  Slather on from shoulder to shin for a mint-essential moisturizing experience."

These are just funny and would make great party favors if you invite people over to watch the debates or to watch the results begin announced.  I love that Bliss is not taking this election so seriously and still wants to have some fun with it!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Bliss Eau de Toilette

I feel like the past few fragrances that I have checked out have been the first of their kind from their company. Last time, it was an accessories company branching out into fragrance and this time around it is a skin and body product company moving into this territory. The latest company is Bliss, a line that is known for it's quality body products and famous spas. The first fragrance from this company is based on their spa and the atmosphere created in them. Sephora is the exclusive retailer for this product so I turned to their website for a description of the product and the notes.

Sephora places this fragrance into the floral family. "This 'in-spa-rational' fragrance captures the essence of Bliss spas: the best possible feeling in the world. It's a mood-boosting fragrance with a vibe that's hip, fresh, and modern. This scent is light enough to spray every day for a signature fragrance - but exceptional enough to wear on special occasions. A fabulous French perfumer and longtime Bliss client formulated this beautiful blend with notes of vibrant citrus and dewy greens. Bright florals give way to lasting bergamot, cucumber, lily, ylang ylang, and violet". This fragrance reminded me of "spring in a bottle" the second that I sprayed some on for the first time in Sephora.

The notes of this fragrance are: Bergamot, Dewy Greens, Cucumber, Lily, Ylang Ylang, Violet. Based on the notes and the way that this fragrance developed on me, I actually place it more into the "fresh" category than the "floral". The green notes and the cucumber are the strongest on me and compromise the heart of the fragrance instead of the violet note.

This fragrance is sold in the EDT however I found that the lasting power is more along the lines of a body mist. I really only got about two to three hours until I needed to reapply. For myself, that was the major drawback because I really liked the fragrance otherwise. I think this is a great choice for the warmer weather especially if you are somehow how either doesn't like strong fragrances or has a significant other who is sensitive to fragrance. This is great fragrance for all those who are looking for a lighter, green fragrance to wear during the warm weather months.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer

Everyone that has not been living under a rock for the past 10 years knows that sun protection is important. Most people that are looking for sun portection are concerned with the SPF number, or the Sun Protection Factor. Also, the whole beauty industry is aware that a good sunscreen will protect against both kinds of the damaging sun rays.

However, what most people don't know is that the sunscreen rating system that is in use in the United States only measures the skin burning UVB rays. So a sunscreen that is dubbed as effective is really only effective at screening out the UVB rays. The level of protection for UVA rays is not measured so with an SPF of 30, an individual will be protected against UVB rays for 30x longer but the user doesn't know if the UVA ray protection is effective for 30x longer or if the minimum of the UVA blockers are in the suncreen. The UVA rays are not burning your skin but they are actively aging skin and breaking down skin proteins.

This system for determining sun protection effectiveness is only used in the United States. In Japan, sunscreens are rated for the amount of protection that they provide against both types of sun rays. This system is called the PA rating and it is able to rate UVA rays along with the current system of rating UVB rays.

Wish you were in Japan? Well so do I. Since I can't fly around the world just to purchase sunscreen I have to shut up and deal. Right? Wrong! Bliss has just released the first sun product in the United States that was tested using the PA system and can assure the user of protection from both types of the sun's rays. This product is called Best of Skintentions and it is described as a "daily moisturizer that offers SPF 15 PA++ UVA/UVB Sun Protection for all skin types".

Here is some more information about this product from Sephora, "Bliss Best of Skintentions is a moisturizer on a mission to provide beautifully, healthy skin - today, tommorrow, and beyond. Invest in your complexion with this formula's powerful sun and antioxidant protection, essential illuminating phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that work together to keep your skin safe and smooth".

Three thoughts - I like this system that measures the UVA rays, I am so glad that the United States still operates in the Victorian era with sun protection and that other major countries are far ahead of us, and I hope this product comes out with a higher SPF.

photo courtesy of Sephora