If you’ve been around this blog long enough, you’ve probably seen me reference my never ending diet (and if you want an update, here it is: I apparently have plateaued just two pounds away from my goal.  OH COME ON!).  Anyhow, the point is that I’m spending a LOT of time in the gym.  And it’s getting really old, especially now that the temperature is starting to creep up.

So what’s a girl to do?  Luckily, science has already answered that question for us – there are a wealth of products out there to help me fake the last few pounds of progress (until the plateau breaks):

Trimming Down Inches

• Rodial Tummy Tuck – This is my secret weapon (and I’m not alone in my love for this – after being featured on The Rachel Ray Show on March 6, 2009, Tummy Tuck sold out almost instantly. Don’t despair – Beauty.com has a waiting list for customers desperate to try it), a product made specifically for my problem area: the belly.  This fig-scented gel helps to break down fat cells, while neuro-peptide boosts cell metabolism by stimulating a cell reaction similar to the body’s natural response to exercising).  Microfibers condense cells, providing an immediate tightening effect.  The best?  This is clinically proven to reduce the abdominal area by up to one inch in just eight weeks.  Join the wait list for the $130 product at Beauty.com.

• Philip B Cucumber & Blue Orchid Hand & Body Crème – A huge cult classic (this is one of those products that you use if you know beauty), this lotion has cutting edge anti-aging complex drenched in oligopeptide chains to firm and tighten skin.  Even better, the scent is absolutely heavenly.  $47 for 6 oz, or $12 for a 2 oz (airline-approved!) bottle at PhilipB.com.

• Korres Garcinia and Guarana Toning Cream-Gel – This fast-absorbing cream/gel hybrid is incredibly effective at reducing the appearance of cellulite.  The formula uses garcinia to reduce local fat formation, and guarana (a well-known lipolytic agent) to regulate the breakdown of fat.  Ivy, ruscus and centella invigorates microcirculation, thus significantly reducing the “orange peel” aspect of the skin. $27.

• Dr. Hauschka Rosemary Leg & Arm Toner – I know what you’re thinking … “Toner?  For arms and legs?  REALLY?”  Yeah, really.  One of the easiest ways to cheat looking good in a tank top is to do a set of push ups; this increases blood flow to the arms, smoothing skin tone and making muscles look more defined.  So consider this your push-up-in-a-bottle: the warming quality of the rosemary essential oil improves circulation, and continued use can actually reduce the appearance of varicose veins.  $34.95 at Dr.Hauschka.com.

• Aveeno Positively Ageless Firming Body Lotion – A great drugstore option featuring “natural shiitake complex” (which is the key to the brand’s popular Lifting & Firming line for face), this lotion is proven to improve skin texture and provide visibly firmer skin in as little as two weeks. $9 for 8 oz at Drugstore.com.

That “I Just Worked Out” Glow

• Dr. Hauschka Blackthorn Body Oil – It’s so cliche, but it’s so true … Good skin is really the secret to whatever look you want to pull off.  And I’m not just talking about the skin on your face; the skin on your body also ages, shows signs of fatigue and can honestly make it difficult to pull off even a semi-convincing faux tan.  I love this body oil (which contains blackthorn, birch leaf and St. John’s wort extracts) for its ability to restore skin elasticity and actually minimize the appearance of stretchmarks.  $28.95 for 2.5 oz at Dr.Hauschka.com.

• Tarte Glam Gams Bronzing Leg Stick – We all know that one of  life’s big rules is to highlight your assets – and I’ve got killer legs (I store all of my fat in my upper body, for some freakish reason).  So while I’m still hoping to trim from my arms and belly, I may as well rock a super short mini and sky high heels.  This secret weapon takes that sexy look to a whole different level: my legs look taught, tone and tan, while the stick application lets me play with shadows for muscle definition (it’s an advanced move, but so worth locking yourself in the bathroom for hours to perfect).  Perfect for legs, yes, but also great for arms and cleavage.  It’s also packed with a wealth of skin-friendly ingredients, including acai berry, goji berry, maracuja and pomegranate.  $30 at tarte.com.

• True Blue Spa Glow and Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15 – It’s the oldest body builder trick in the book precisely because it’s the most effective: self tanner.  This gradual self tanner, which is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, gives you all the benefits of a faux glow (including the visual slimming effects) along with moisture. Plus, the glow slowly builds over a couple of days, meaning that you’ll never have a Lindsay Lohan-esque orange accident.  $15 for 6 oz at BathandBodyWorks.com.

What’s The Point Of Looking Good If Your Skin Doesn’t Feel Good?

• Jo Malone Vitamin E Body Treatment Scrub – Exfoliation removes all of the dead, dull surface cells, leaving behind soft, radiant skin.  This naturally gentle salt product banishes dull, dry skin while depositing healing Vitamin E to protect.  Best of all, it left an uplifting scent that stuck with me for hours.  $75 for 21 oz at JoMalone.com.

• Origins Modern Friction For The Body – As a dermabrasion product, this offers a deeper exfoliation than traditional scrubs and exfoliants.  And I’ll be honest – while I do love Origins, I was a bit hesitant to try this, as I have had some very, VERY bad reactions to at-home dermabrasion in the past.  But I’m happy to report that I had a great experience with this option.  It was incredibly successful at sloughing off the dead, dry skin that I develop every winter, leaving me with super supple skin.  True to the brand’s identity, the formula contains a number of natural extracts and ingredients, including:

Corn Cob Extract and body-brightening Scutellaria rapidly help reduce visible evidence of sun exposure, ashiness, crepey skin and uneven patches. Roughness-removing Rice Starch helps resurface to restore radiance. Purple Rice from China helps diffuse environmental damage-doers before they can create discolorations.  Shea Butter smoothes away sandpapery skin. And Amazonian Cupuacu Butter works to restore suppleness.

$34 at Origins.com.

Tags: Aveeno Positively Ageless Firming Body Lotion, Beat The Gym, Beauty, Body Products, Dr. Hauschka Blackthorn Body Oil, Dr. Hauschka Rosemary Leg & Arm Toner, Jo Malone Vitamin E Body Treatment Scrub, Korres Garcinia and Guarana Toning Cream-Gel, Origins Modern Friction For The Body, Philip B Cucumber & Blue Orchid Hand & Body Crème, Rodial Tummy Tuck, Tarte Glam Gams Bronzing Leg Stick, True Blue Spa Glow and Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF 15

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