Get Your Coffee Fix With b3 barista bath and body Review And GIVEAWAY! 2 WINNERS! 7/4

I want to start out by saying I do not drink coffee...Well, unless I am in Canada. They have Tim Horton's, and their coffee MUST be laced with heroin or something, because once you try it, no other coffee will ever do. (Why do Canadians always seem to have the best stuff?) While at home here in the States, I tend not to indulge in coffee at all. Okay, maybe the occasional iced cappuccino smoothie concoction at Wawa, but even that is a rarity! I am just not a big fan of coffee. Unless, of course, I am using it on my skin. You heard me right: I use coffee on my skin, and I LOVE it! This may seem odd to you. It did to me when I first discovered the b3 barista bath & body product line, but let me tell you, these people are absolutely genius! Want to know more? Let me tell you more about this company and their revolutionary products.


the science (taken from the b3 website.)

barista bath and body – b3 – products are formulated with organic coffee, coffee extract, essential oils and herbal extracts to maximize the therapeutic benefits of coffee. In recent years, coffee has re-emerged as a natural restorative exhibiting numerous advantageous properties. Published studies have documented the benefits of topical application of coffee and its major constituent, caffeine.

To understand why b3 chose coffee as the key ingredient in our formulations, it is important to understand how pH levels affect your body, the complex structure of the hair and the skin’s natural defense system. 


pH balance

pH (potential of Hydrogen) measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. A balanced pH is critical to maintaining healthy hair and skin. Hair and skin is slightly acidic in nature, with a pH of 4.5 to 5. Coffee also has a pH of 4.5 to 5. A high pH causes hair cuticle cells to swell and become rough and contributes to residue retention. Soap and water (pH of 12) strips away the body's natural defense system.


hair

Hair is made up of complex proteins that originate in the hair follicle. Each individual strand of hair is composed of three distinct layers: The cuticle, a shingle-like layer of over-lapping cells, acts as a protective barrier for the softer inner structures and is said to be water resistant. When the cuticle is damaged, the hair appears dull, tangles easily, and has a rough texture. The cortex, a spiral structure beneath the cuticle, makes the hair extremely strong and gives it elasticity. The cortex also holds the hair’s water content. The medullary canal is a hollow or partially hollow shaft which appears in some hair strands; its presence or absence can alter the way in which the hair interacts with light. Hair products with a high pH cause the cuticle cells of the hair to swell and become rough. Residue is a major factor with hair products that have an unbalanced pH.

skin

Skin is the largest organ of the body. The outer layer, epidermis, protects the body from external factors such as bacteria and chemical contaminants. Our skin’s first line of defense is called the acid mantle, a thin oily film that sits on top of the epidermis. The pH of the acid mantle is about 4.5 to 5.5. Our slightly acidic skin helps to fight off harmful bacteria. Many of the contaminants that might enter our skin are alkaline in nature (pH greater than 7). The skin’s natural acidity neutralizes these chemicals and bacteria. Beneath the epidermis is the dermis composed mainly of collagen and elastin which gives our skin its strength and elasticity. Retaining moisture in the dermis is an important factor in smooth, soft skin. Soap and water used by many to routinely cleanse the skin (pH of 12) neutralizes the skin’s natural acidity stripping away the body’s natural defense system.

the raw truth

Our formulations do not contain endocrine disrupting or mutagenic agents - they are paraben-free, phthalate-free and sulfate-free. We use natural preservatives (e.g. citric acid) instead of parabens and have replaced sulfates with natural salts to provide a rich lather. Our formulations use pure essential oils for fragrance rather than phthalates.


Sounds great, doesn't it? Who knew that coffee, that familiar morning beverage, could be so beneficial to the skin and hair? I had no idea the wonderful benefits that coffee could bring to the world of beauty and skin care before trying these products! But b3 has made a believer out of me. I received a large assortment of these awesome products to review. I was impressed by them all! I would like to share my experiences with you. I think you might be surprised. I sure was! I would like to tell you about my absolute favorite products from this line:

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perk it up
energizing shampoo
  This coffee-based shampoo received its name because it really does energize your hair – providing a “cleaner clean” as it awakens the senses.

Benefits
When researching the formulation, b3 was determined to create a shampoo that is pH balanced, removes impurities, and is free of parabens, sulfates or phthalates. The result is perk it up, a natural shampoo that delivers brighter, shinier hair that is full of life. Brewed organic coffee gives this shampoo a pH of 4.5 to 5.0 – critical for moisture retention and shine. perk it up uses a naturally derived surfactant-based formulation that spreads easily and rinses out fully. Since perk it up won't strip your hair of it's natural beauty, it is ideal for both color treated and non-color treated hair.

MY OPINION:
When I first opened this shampoo, I was immediately struck by the rich aroma of coffee. It smells like a freshly brewed pot of the finest java! I was a bit worried that I would smell like coffee all day after using this shampoo, but I was wrong in my assumption. Perk It Up is wonderfully energizing and leaves hair very clean, without stripping the hair's natural oils or leaving behind a gross residue. It also provides a nice, rich lather. My hair was soft, bouncy, and somehow lighter and healthier feeling after using this product. And no, my head did NOT smell like a pot of coffee all day. I love this shampoo, since it seemed to take away that icky feeling hair can acquire from styling products and everyday exposure to the elements, leaving it soft, supple and clean feeling. This product gets an A++ from me!

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triple shot3
3-in-1 coffee shower gel
triple shot3 percolates the senses as it cleanses your body. A hydrating combination of organic coffee and vitamin E, triple shot3 energizes as it exfoliates for soft, supple skin.

Benefits
Your skin is the largest organ of your body and it protects you from bacteria and external contaminants. Maintaining the skin’s pH at the proper level is vital to healthy, glowing skin. Soap and water (pH of 12) neutralizes our skin’s acid pH - stripping away our natural defense system. This 3-in-1 gel has a pH of 4.5 to 5 which supports the skin's natural healing properties to condition and moisturize your skin. Add an exhilarating experience to your morning routine – let this silky-smooth 3-in-1 shower gel cascade across your body to stimulate every pore.

MY OPINION:

Again, here is yet another product that is a total must have. This shower gel is nothing short of amazing! It, too, smells like freshly brewed coffee! Perfect for a wake-up call to the senses during your morning shower! While this smells rather strongly like coffee during use, you will NOT smell like coffee all day long. This shower gel lathers wonderfully, and leaves the skin feeling super-soft and renewed in a sense. Again, there are no harsh chemicals so there is no residue left behind, just the feeling of soft, healthy skin!

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one lump or two
coffee & sea salt body scrub
Imagine silk sheets, a baby’s face, a cashmere sweater or whipped cream – that’s what your skin will feel like after using one lump or two. Our body scrub is a fusion of coffee, sea salt and turbinado sugar combined with avocado and neem oils to detoxify and hydrate the skin.

Benefits
Your skin, the largest organ of your body, regenerates itself every 25 to 50 days depending on your age. The epidermis sheds millions of dead cells, daily, to make room for new cells. The best way to assist the natural process is to exfoliate your skin - remove the outer layer to reveal the newer, softer, more supple skin beneath.

MY OPINION:

This body scrub is fantastic! I am a huge fan of exfoliatiors, especially during the warmer months. I wear a lot of sundresses and love my skin to be soft and radiant. This body scrub leaves my skin amazingly soft, smooth, and moisturized. The combination of coffee, sea salt and sugar gently and effectively sloughs off dead, dry skin, and the avocado and neem oils provide so much moisture. This product doesn't smell as strongly of coffee as the previous 2, and again, does not leave you coffee scented. This is truly a spa quality product that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home! Another A++!

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room for cream
exotic origin body creme
b3 formulated our exotic origin body crème as a luxuriant way to indulge the skin.

Benefits
Creams don't replace lost moisture but form a barrier between the skin and the air to prevent evaporation of your skin’s natural moisture. This crème has a pH level between 4.5 and 5.5, which provides the natural balance necessary for moisture retention and a smoother appearance. room for cream is simply amazing – everyone who had tried this product, no matter what age or skin type, has raved about how fabulous their skin feels even after just one use.

MY OPINION:

This has got to be one of the absolute BEST lotions I have ever tried, if not THE best. (And I have tried a LOT of lotions and body creams in my day!) After the very first use, my skin was ridiculously soft. My husband couldn't keep his hands off of me! This creme is ultra-rich and luxurious and penetrates quickly into the skin leaving it velvety and super moisturized. This creme has kind of an odd smell, but it's not at all unpleasant. Just different than any other creme I have tried. I use this creme every single day, and my skin has never felt so wonderful. If they sold this by the gallon, I would buy it. Yes, it's really THAT GOOD!

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And these are just my personal favorites among their huge selection of products. They are all wonderful, though! I also really love the Froth lip balm.The expert team at b3 barista bath and body have created a line of superior, spa quality products that nurture and pamper the skin and nails, leaving you feeling absolutely beautiful and radiant. b3 even won the 2010 Discover Beauty Award from CosmoProf, the largest beauty trade show in North America AND they were a finalist in the 2011 CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) Awards! They have even been featured in leading publications such as Cosmo, Parent, Southern Living, and Bon Appetit! b3 is literally revolutionizing the skin care world and changing the way we look at coffee!

Who knew that coffee could provide more than just a wake-up call?! So while I am not a coffee drinker, I will definitely be a coffee "wearer" from now on. These products are amazing, and perfectly Ph balanced to bring out the absolute best qualities your skin and hair have to offer. What a way to start every day, don't you agree?

BUY IT:

You can purchase b3 barista bath and body products on their website  and at select fine retailers.

You can also connect with them on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their newest products and promotions!

WIN IT!

b3 is so sure you'll become a believer, too, they would like to give TWO of my lucky followers a b3 Essentials Set of their own!

One winner will receive the b3 Bath Essentials Gift Set, which includes  8 oz. sizes of perk it up, soothe those jitters, triple shot3 and a full size bar of make mine black beautifully packaged in an 8 in. by 8in. decorative wooden gift box. ARV: $70.00!

My other lucky winner will receive the b3 Body Essentials Gift Set! The b3 body essentials kit contains 8 oz. sizes of room for cream, pump of flavor, one lump or two and a .15 oz. froth packaged in a beautiful wooden 8 in. by 8in. decorative gift box. ARV: $75.00!

Please complete the mandatory entry FIRST. Also include a valid e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win! Feel free to use the following format to prevent spammers from bugging you! yourname(at)aol(dot)com.

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This giveaway will be open until 11:59PM EST on 7/4/2011. I will choose my winner using random.org. I will post the winner on this blog as well as tweet, share on Facebook, and contact them via e-mail. The winner will then have 48 hours to respond or I will be forced to redraw. Thanks for entering, and good luck!

***Disclosure: I received a complimentary product to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***