Spring

Maternity Beauty: Mama Mio

Everywhere you look are publications and advertising that attempt to glamorize pregnancy and motherhood. And we pregnant women, made insecure by the physical changes of motherhood, are all too easy prey.

Perhaps my personal favorite affront to the pregnant is the dreaded designer maternity jean… complete with a 34" inseam only suitable to be worn with stilettos. Oh yeah, I'm just dying to shove my bloated feet into a pair of stilettos right now! Please!

I'm halfway through my second pregnancy, and in my opinion there is really nothing less glamorous in the world. As a result, my version of pregnancy glamour is a bit different. Rather than torture my tired body in an attempt to look good, I embrace the changes in my body and indulge in soothing rituals and beauty routines that make me feel good.

A big part of this indulgence is Mama Mio Deluxe Skincare For Supermamas. Developed by three friends with experience in the skincare industry, Mama Mio debuted with Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil, a decadent moisturizer which was soon so popular the team launched an entire range of skincare products to prevent stretch marks, hasten the healing of scars, tone the skin, soothe aches and just help Mommies relax.

Mama Mio maternity skincare is formulated specifically for the pregnant. What does this mean? Not only will your skin be treated to what it needs to survive what Mama Mio refers to as the "nine month s-t-r-e-t-c-h", but you needn't fear that any ingredients would be harmful to your little one. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing, when you're already worried about everything else!

During my first pregnancy, I attempted to keep my skin soft and supple using popular cocoa butters available in any drugstore. Only issue was, the fragrance made me sick to my stomach! Mama Mio products smell absolutely heavenly. The signature scent is called "Gravida", which translates to "pregnant" in Latin. This scent is a carefully selected blend of 10 essential oils known to be beneficial to the pregnant among us (Mandarin Oil, Petitgrain Oil, Lime Oil, Lemon Oil, Neroli Oil, Orange Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Lavender Oil, Bergamot Oil and Grapefruit Oil). I am quite literally addicted to this glorious scent, and find that it helps me remember to moisturize!

I've had an opportunity to sample three products from the extensive Mama Mio line:

The Super-Rich Body Cream is an amazingly rich moisturizer, and utilizes Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and Shea Butter to keep skin feeling soft and smooth.

Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter is an intensely concentrated moisturizer. It's formula is rich in Essential Fatty Acids to increase skin elasticity. I have my fingers crossed!

Boob Tube is a moisturizer designed to prevent stretch marks as breasts grow for nursing, and includes an anti-oxidant to keep skin firm and toned as they shrink when your work is done!

I'm so crazy about Mama Mio, I'll absolutely continue to use some of the products beyond pregnancy!

Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter retails for $35, Boob Tube retails for $38 and Super-Rich Body Cream retails for $26. What an amazing gift these super-rich treats would make for an expecting friend, or for yourself! Click HERE to head to the Mama Mio website.

Like what you just read? Be sure to head to the Raging Rouge Beauty Blog homepage for more makeup reviews, product swatches and beauty news.

Splendid Links!

From the Splendicity community, comes this week’s splendid best in beauty, style and shopping! A Touch of Blusher picks personal favorites from the Fafi for MAC collection. It’s an Urban Jungle out there! Style Goodies found ten, safari-inspired pieces from $20 to $365! Snarkstress tells you how to handle a last-minute Oscar invite from George Clooney. Miley Cyrus’s Oscar look has Teen Style Lounge’s vote for “Must Copy for Prom”. Beauty Banter gives you A Girl’s Guide to Primers…. everything you ever wanted to know, including the best products to buys! 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic has an exclusive spring look from shu uemura. STYLEnosh questions how you feel about yourself and your style. The Scented Life is excited about a new Bond No 9 Andy Warhol scent, Union Square, just in time for spring! The Latest Luxe has found her golden ticket to happiness in the Mulberry Mabel Bag. My Wardrobe Today tries out the Turbo Ion Croc Wet to Dry Flat Iron – is it worth the hype? Wardrobe Oxygen reviews two style savers under $10 that should be in any woman’s luggage. Every amazing hair style begins with a great brush – Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint tells all. The Fashionable Kiffen lists the top ten trends for Spring 2008. Raging Rouge falls in love with the California-girl beauty delivered by tarte Ready, Set, Glow. makeup loves me goes on faux-cation! eBeautyDaily talks about her favorite essentials, and some soon to be essentials, from 3 Custom Color Specialists.

Cosmetics With A Cause- theBalm

theBalm Gloss From time to time, I’m made aware of beauty brands thoughtful enough to give something back to the community. I’ve decided to create a new category on Raging Rouge dedicated to charitable beauty brands, as a result!

To recognize National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Week (March 10th-17th), theBalm has created a limited edition KISS MS GOODBYE version of their best-selling “Girly Girl” BalmShelter Gloss.

During the month of March, theBalm will donate 25% of proceeds from the sale of this shade to the cause. And who could resist it? This coral shade of gloss smells like strawberries and bananas, and even protects from sun exposure with an SPF 17!

The New York City Chapter of the National MS Society helps the thousands of New Yorkers impacted by MS to move their lives forward. They provide comprehensive support services and educational programs to people with MS, their family and friends, and raise funds locally to support the National MS Society’s research initiatives.

Be sure to check out theBalm Balm Shelter glosses during the month of March, to purchase KISS MS GOODBYE and make your contribution to the cause!

Beautiful Reads From The Beauty Blog Network

Buying a Flat Iron shouldn’t be intimidating. The Flat Iron Buying Guide 101 from StyleBell will set (and get) you straight!
Canadian Beauty compares drugstore sculpting blushes to department store ones. See which brand comes out on top!
The Muse gives you a dose of Beauty on a Budget with comparisons between Vincent Longo’s Wet/Dry Sparkling Eyeshadows and Milani’s New Runway Eyes Wet/Dry Eyeshadow!.
Dr. Oliver Zong gives Raging Rouge readers tips for a relaxing and safe pedicure.
Forget Botox! The Beauty of Life finds a new way to banish those pesky lines with a fantastic product by Patricia Wexler M.D.!
A Touch of Blusher picks personal favorites from the Fafi for MAC collection.
Savvy Skin tells you how to avoid getting Cosmetic Acne from your makeup and skin care products.
Beauty Anonymous shares what she likes about Dior Spring 2008 Makeup Collection.
SugarShock gives you the lowdown on one of the biggest nail trends right now, as worn by Rihanna at the Grammy Awards: day-glo nails.
Click here to find out what Beauty Blogging Junkie is using to achieve swingy hair that is so shiny, you could fog it up were you to breathe on it.
Beauty and Personal Grooming writes about the beauty uses of coconut oil
Temptalia gives a second sneak peak at MAC’s Dazzleglass collection, launching in May!
Winter time taking a toll on your face? The Daily Cookie tells you about one cream that just didn’t help to relieve her of dry, winter skin.
Big Giveaway at Bionic Beauty! Two winners will get Diana B’s body lotion and shower gel. Wait until you smell these products, Yum!
Read about Makeup Moxie’s new lip butter addiction in her review of Korres Lip Butter.
Beauty Banter asks YOU who gives best face on the red carpet… from the Oscars, 2008!
Glossypink tells you how to get the shimmering look of one of the most stunning red carpet stars!
Spoiled Pretty reviews the bold and the beautiful shadows and liners from Milani’s newest collection. The colors are so yummy, you won’t believe your eyes!
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic tries zapping her blemishes with the Thermaclear, but did it work?
Poufy Buns are back in a big way. Pursebuzz.com shows you how to create a poufy bun with ease. Just like Heidi Klum at the Oscars, but just a bit more manageable 😛

MAC Cosmetics N Collection, Nanogold Eye Shadow

Did you know there’s actually a term for people afraid of gold? The term is "Aurophobia". Spring 2008 is an inconvenient time to have such a fear. Gold is hot, hot, hot in the world of beauty this year.

In fact, when MAC Cosmetics recently introduced their new N Collection–chock full of neutral, skin-toned shades– they still chose to include an eyeshadow called Nanogold. This subtle version of gold shadow is perfect for any gold-phobic out there to incorporate a little bling into their cosmetic regime. Rather than being overtly metallic, it’s a creamy beige shade with a hint of gold. Nanogold is more subtle than a true gold, but equally brilliant and glamorous.

This gorgeous shadow retails for $14. Click HERE to head to Nordy’s for your dose or click HERE to check it out at MAC online. I must warn you this shade is sold at at MAC online at the time I’m writing this!