When I filed this just-published “15 Best Body Lotions for Less than $15” story for Homemakers.com, Live Clean’s Baby line hadn’t yet made its debut. Well, it has now, and it’s messing with my numbers. I want to add something to my list of 15. But it makes 16. What to do?

Numbers, shmumbers. Fifteen or 16, it’s about budget-friendly choices that make your skin feel good. Whether or not you have wee kiddies, Live Clean Baby Moisturizing Baby Lotion ($6.99 CAN) certainly fits the reasonable bill when it comes to wallet, earth and body. Formulated for the most delicate and sensitive among us, the 98-percent plant-based lotion calms dry, itchy, adult skin quickly and leaves a soft, clean, utterly appealing baby-fresh scent (similar to baby powder but not as cloying).

However, I wish this were in a pump bottle rather than a squeezie. I have enough trouble with a tube when I’m mid-application and grab it with lotion-y hands for more. A pump is easier, particularly for mothers who often need both hands when dealing with wriggling infants.

Like the rest of the Live Clean family of Canadian eco-friendly hair-and-body care, the baby collection is biodegradeable, free of parabens, phthalates and animal products, and housed in recyclable packaging. And if you do have kids, this lotion could come in handy for counting games: one for you, one for me….

Live Clean Baby is available at Loblaws, Wal-Mart, Pharma-Plus, London Drugs and Sobey’s (Maritimes). Image courtesy of Live Clean.

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NOXZEMA REVIEWS: BeautyGeeks Readers on Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream

See who else is reading BeautygGeeks on the FACEBOOK page

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I said once in a story for Homemakers.com that black and blackened-purple polish did for nail lacquer what Quentin Tarantino did for John Travolta’s film career: kicked it back into the spotlight with an unexpected quirky dark turn.*

Seriously, since goth-chic hues hit so big, nail colour has never been hotter. Soft, pretty pales such as Essie’s Ballet Slipper aren’t going anywhere, but now we’re primed for unexpected shades in way we’d not been before.

Exhibit A: OPI You Don’t Know Jacques, the colour of wet stone. Style editors fell for it right away and the folks at Concepts Day Spa in downtown Toronto tell me they can’t keep it in stock. It’s the hot neutral — looks great with most skintones, whether undertones are pink or yellow (grey looks great with both, doncha know).

I’d have gushed about You Don’t Know Jacques ($9.95 CAN) earlier, but I only just got around to trying it myself. A few days ago I went for my first manicure in months. Worth waiting for: perfect nail shape and precise application courtesy of Debbie at Concepts, awesome colour, and the feelin’-pretty sense that comes from having groomed hands.

Nice to meet you, Jacques.

*I know. Quoting myself. But I’m having a rare self-appreciative day, something I think we all need on a regular basis. No, not Janine-appreciative days, although those are nice I’m sure, but moments of feeling we’re Okay Folk, quirks and all. Good times, those. OPI is available at select salons and spas; visit www.opi.com. Image courtesy of OPI.

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ENTER TO WIN $200 CAN worth of Benefit Cosmetics!

ENTER TO WIN Live Clean earth-friendly hair-and-body care stuff!

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Feel hot? Wanna look hot? In a good way?

Check out my 10 Summer Beauty Tips on Homemakers.com for looking beat-the-heat terrific from head to toe. Fun advice and some great new and staple products to try, including some of my favourites. (I know, I have more favourites than most folks. It’s a beautiful cross to bear. *grin*)

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Enter to WIN a LUSH Retro Gift Box!

Photo: Darren Whear. Model: Alexis Jardin. Makeup: JF