I didn’t have to go over the rainbow, but I sure found my little pots of gold (okay, they are actually black, but what the heck!) 

I was getting myself into a tizzy about going to the Quebec Winter Carnival, where everyone knows that half the fun is bundling up against the killer cold, while the other half tries to keep your inner and outer body from looking like dried flakes!  

Not everyone is lucky to boast a robust physique like Bonhomme Carnaval’s, but I figured if the mascot could keep up with the rigours of winter, so should I. All I needed was a helping hand from one of nature’s best friends, LUSH, makers of “fresh handmade cosmetics.” 

Here are a few of my favourites that allowed me to survive some of the most extreme fun things I’ve done. Could you imagine sitting in an inground 95-degree outdoor hot tub, surrounded by nothing but snow, dashing madly between the tub and plunge pool, waterfall, tunnel and sauna? Or tramping through the snow-covered sidewalks of Quebec City looking for Simons, the famous Quebec department store? There were saner moments, though, when we went on a meditation walk at Spa Eastman in the Eastern Townships……….all in the name of fun a.k.a. Girlfriend Getaways! 

SKIN DRINK MOISTURIZER

As the name suggests, this baby is loaded with nourishing almond, sesame and evening primrose oils, cocoa butter, aloe vera, avocado, and infused with neroli and rose (essential oils) – all the vital ingredients for quenching thirsty skin!  

DREAM CREAM HAND & BODY LOTION

Lavender, chamomile and olive oil and rose water are combined with oats as a therapeutic skin remedy (following an ancient Celtic custom). This creamy lotion is a no-fuss solution to calm even the most irritated skin. How many times have you used a product that feels sticky or wet long after you put it on? Not this little beauty, that’s why it’s called a “dream cream!” 

LEMONY FLUTTER CUTICLE BUTTER

This is truly irresistible and smells good enough to eat because the folks at LUSH got really carried away! They put lemon, lavender, chamomile and marigold into a little pot, then stirred in enough beeswax and shea butter to take care of pesky cuticle problems, but it even comes in handy for smoothing out rough spots on elbows, knees, toes or heels. 

FAIR TRADE FOOT LOTION

I am spoiled rotten when it comes to foot rubs. Yep, it’s a ritual for me and I refuse to feel guilty. I just hope Fair Trade never goes out of production because it’s got all the right stuff my precious feet need to keep in shape. First of all, it’s a feminine pink with peppermint, and then they added all the best skin softeners like cocoa butter, almond oil, glycerine and lanolin. But that’s not all it has. Did you know that spearmint and peppermint essential oils promote circulation and also prevent fungus and bacterial infection? Well, now you know! 

PRICE TAGS

Skin Drink Moisturizer 45g $17.95

Dream Cream Hand & Body Lotion 240g $24.95

Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter 45g. $11.95

Fair Trade Foot Lotion 225g $22.95  

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics are sold at 42 locations across Canada, online at www.lush.ca or telephone 1-888-733-LUSH 

- PamelaAnn Campbell