Tuesday, April 7, 2009



At the very end of my pregnancy with Rayna, I went to the ob-gyn to get the usual non-stress tests and the like. Before the tech got started with me, she asked if I had used any cocoa butter on my belly that day. I told her that I hadn’t, and she said that was good because caffeine from the cocoa butter could enter my bloodstream and give the baby an erratic heartbeat, thus causing mixed test results. I went home and tried researching this and I didn’t find anything to indicate that it was true, but it did get me thinking.

When I was pregnant I went through great lengths to stay away from paint fumes, lunch meat (the hardest for me, since I craved Italian hoagies every day, lol), possibly unpasteurized cheeses, etc, but I never really gave too much thought to what items I was slathering on my body multiple times a day. Belli Skincare is the #1 recommended pregnancy skincare brand by OB-GYNS and is the only skin care line in the world that is teratology screened. That means that every product and ingredient is safe, even for pregnant mommies. I wish I had heard of Belli when I was pregnant, because I definitely would have confidently used their products (and possibly even saved myself a few stretch marks in the process).

Well when Belli Skincare asked if I would review their products I was pretty excited. You know all about my frugality and I have to say that I don’t buy cool stuff for me very often. They hooked me up with some awesome products and I’m going to go over a few of my favorites here. They also are so generous to give a special discount to my readers and one lucky reader will win a Motherhood Essentials Kit (valued at $38.99)! Keep reading to get all the details.

The Motherhood Essentials Kit contains:

-Pure Comfort Nursing Cream- Now, I am not currently nursing, but I do have SUPER dry skin, so I used this thick lanolin balm to moisturize really dry spots (like elbows and knees).
-Eye Brightening Cream- This one really was awesome. It revives puffy and tired eyes and must contain some type of light-reflecting property, because instantly my dark circles looked much improved. Not that I'm traveling anywhere these days, but I think this would be great to perk your face up after those long, dry flights.
-Body Firming Serum- I don’t know if there is a product under the sun that could firm my stretch-marked stomach. My husband was VERY concerned that I was going to post before and after pictures…seriously! What could he really have been thinking?! Anyway, I have tried all of the stuff I could think to try, like Bio-oil, PreferOn, etc. and nothing has helped. I can honestly say that I have seen some improvement in my saggy belly skin since using this product. Now according to the Belli website, you can use this product all over as “a multi-vitamin for your skin”, but so far I have exclusively used it on my stomach. You won’t see any after pictures, but you can take my word for it.
-Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer- Pretty straight-forward. Moms are constantly sanitizing their hands and those Purell-types leave skin pretty dry. This hand sanitizer actually leaves them softer than they were before. The size that comes in this kit is perfect for the diaper bag.

I got to try a few other products, including the Belli Baby Bundle of Joy Gift Set which left Rayna soft and smelling faintly like honey. Yummy! ;) But my favorite product was the Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator. Honestly, this was the first thing I tried because I love anything that smells minty. I used this exfoliator before I applied the Body Firming Serum, so that everything would absorb the way it should. I like that the consistency of the “scrubbers” is like a fine sand (instead of those ones that feel like broken shells, you know which ones I mean!) and doesn’t hurt or irritate you in the process. So combine the refreshingly minty smell and that it gently sloughs away dead skin cells and you have my new favorite scrub.

I think that Belli Skincare really fits the need for products that you can feel good about using and giving to others, knowing that they are both safe and effective. But I’m sure you’ve heard enough of my thoughts on them and are ready to try some out yourself or give to a loved one. Check out the Belli Skincare website here and shop around. When you place an order, you will receive a 20% discount for being a reader of mine. Just enter the code OTHERHOOD at checkout.

PS- The folks from Belli found my blog through my friends at Otherhood, a social event company for moms in South Jersey. -- If you are in this area and are looking to get out of the house (with and without your little one!) check out their website here for their awesome events. I have been to a few of them and they’re fun and worthwhile. You can also check out (and subscribe/follow) their blog.

Also ready to enter the giveaway? To enter: Visit Belli Skincare and then come back here and post a comment telling me which product you’d most like to try. Be sure to include your email address so I can get a hold of you if you win! If you are worried about spammers, type your email address something like this: queenmotherblog(at)gmail{dot}com and you're good! This giveaway is open to residents of the US only.


**Want up to FOUR extra entries?**
1. Add my button to your site! Look over to my right sidebar where it says "Grab this button!" and copy and paste the code somewhere on your site. Then come back and leave me the link to your page in a comment.
2. You can post about this giveaway on your blog and then leave the link to your post in a comment. Though I would love a fancy write-up, a quick link on one of your posts will do!
3. Subscribe to my feed and post a comment letting me know.
4. Follow my blog and post a separate comment letting me know.

Just be sure to post separate comments for each additional entry, as I will be using a random number generator to choose the winners from all of the comments.

I will be accepting entries until 5 PM EST on April 17, 2009. The winners will be notified by email and also a post here on the site. Enjoy, and good luck!!

100 comments:

Valerie said...

Calm Me Hair and Body Wash looks good
KawaiiNeko2008 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

The eye cream sounds the best to me! Thanks, Tania
taniagurl110(at)yahoo.com

Denise S. said...

The Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator sounds great to me.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

Acne Clearing Facial Wash looks good

Unknown said...

I live the Hair and Body Wash too. I just subscribed to your feed. Thank you for having this contest.

stOOpidgErL said...

I would love to try out the Belli Pregnancy Gift Box. I just found out today that I'm pregnant!!! :O)

Kim said...

I'd LOVE this: Stretchmark Minimizing Cream

Kim said...

subscribe

The Merry Death said...

I'd like to try the Stretch Mark Minimalizing Cream.
meredycat*lycos*com

The Merry Death said...

follower.
meredycat*lycos*com

Carolyn G said...

I would love the eye brightning cream. I have dark circles and need this.

Carolyn G said...

I follow your blog

Carolyn G said...

I subscribe

chromiumman said...

love to try the Acne Clearing Facial Wash

Unknown said...

i like the stretch mark cream - i have so many!

autumn398 (at) yahoo.com

lsfish said...

Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25

Mel said...

The hand sanitizer will be great! I'm constantly washing my hands trying not to get sick! And I will try anything for stretch marks!

Lori Carey said...

Since I am at the end of my pregnancy, and plan on breastfeeding - I think this product is something I would like to try:

Pure Comfort Nursing Cream

Jen lleras said...

I would like to try the acne clearing wash, I hate pregnancy pimples!

jennifer.lleras@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I am also a follower! Thanks Girl! Tania S. (franklin) just in case lol

Unknown said...

As a mommy too, I would love to try the stretch mark cream!!! Thanks!

http://www.belliskincare.com/motherhood/stretchmark-minimizing-cream.html

mmentor said...

wonderful for me

llinda29 said...

I want to try Calm Me Hair and Body Wash

Anna said...

I just delivered last week and I used Belli's Elasticity Belly Oil through out my pregnancy and I was hooked--no new stretchmarks but I still have a few from my first pregnancy. I can't wait to try the Eye Brightening Cream and the Body Firming Serum--my tummy needs some help--it's like abowl full of jelly. Thanks for the promo code!

Rebecca said...

I would like to try Calm Me Hair and Body Wash - looks like it would smell delish!! :-)

rebeccakatzer at gmail dot com

~*Michelle*~ said...

Loving (and needing desperately) that eye cream!
Thanks for a great giveaway!!!!!

Peace~
*~Michelle~* (your LOSTaholic friend)

mogrill said...

The Hair and Body Wash!! Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

Rachel Lundy said...

These look like very nice products. I would love to try the Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator. Thanks for doing this giveaway!

Anonymous said...

I would love to try the Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25. There is a definite lack of products for nursing/pregnant moms on the market. I miss my pre-baby acne free skin, but wouldn't risk the little man to get it back! Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog. Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com

HilLesha O'Nan said...

I like the Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF-25.

lilacbutterfly [at] earthlink.net

Anonymous said...

I am also a subscriber! Tania Taniagurl..you should know me :-)

Erica said...

i always struggle with dark circles so i would LOVE to try the eye cream! i have yet to find something that works!
ericandathan(at)yahoo(dot)com

~Sandy~ said...

Really wonderful products! I would love to try the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream :O) I have a couple stretch marks (courtesy of my kiddies) that i would love to minimize! thanks

shopaholicmommy at hotmail dot com

~Sandy~ said...

i follow your blog~

~Sandy~ said...

your button is on my sidebar

~Sandy~ said...

i subscribe via email

Rachael @ Empowering Mommy said...

What a great giveaway! I never knew this existed but it looks like I might very well get hooked on it! :-) I would love to try the Protect Me Diaper Rash Cream for my daughter. I like that it is safe for her skin. Thanks so much!

Rachael
couponmomma2009@gmail.com

Whitney Hannam said...

I think I would enjoy the stretch mark cream, have a few of those.

Christian Frugal Mama said...

The calm me batha nd body wash sounds fantastic. Thanks for the giveaway!

Vaishali said...

I am pregnant with my first child so I would love to try the Elasticity Belly Oil.

vaishu23(at)gmail.com

Danielle said...

I would love to try the Calm Me Hair and Body Wash.

ldsmom2201 at yahoo dot com
http://juanshappywife.blogspot.com
http://homeschoolunitstudies.blogspot.com

babybarnplus said...

I would love to try Calm Me Hair and Body Wash for my baby, I have posted your contest & button here: http://www.topsavings.com/index.asp?ID=22301

babybarnplus (at) embarqmail (dot) com

KelliAnn Christensen said...

I would love to try the Elasticity Belly Oil.
kb3388@hotmail.com

Katherine said...

Calm Me hair + body wash sounds splendid!


waleckak att gmail dott com.

AmyLynn said...

I would love to try the Acne Clearing Facial Wash...since I suffer from acne. Thanks for the chance to win! These product sound wonderful!

AmyLynn said...

I follow.

AmyLynn said...

I subscribe.

Anonymous said...

Stretchmark Minimizing Cream

Amanto4@aol.com

DEBIJOT said...

I would like to try the Foot Relief Cream

DEBIJOT said...

email subscriber

DEBIJOT said...

follower

lace said...

The Acne Clearing face wash would be wonderful to try.

Esme said...

i love the idea of the body exfoliator.

joannaonthelake said...

Belli Skincare products sound fantastic! I enjoyed learning about them and they offer so many wonderful items! I would love to try the Calm Me Hair and Body Wash on my 7 month old daughter. This products sounds so gentle and soothing for her delicate skin. I also like the sounds of the Nourish Me Enriched Body Lotion for my daughter. Again, very luxurious and gentle for her skin. I would love some nice, healthy pampering products for my skin, it has been out of whack ever since I gave birth and I would love to use some of the Belli products to heal it back to health! Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter.
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

I am now Subscribed to your feed through email. Thank you!
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

Molly K said...

I would love to try the Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator. After the harsh winter I really need this.

Molly K said...

I became a subsriber.

Erin said...

The eye cream sounds great!

Anonymous said...

I'd most like to try the Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator. Thanks.
-Terra H.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

LC said...

I would love to try the eye cream!

thanks for the offer!!!

leahrcole at yahoo dot com

wooster said...

I would like to try the Acne Clearing Facial Wash.

heaventrees said...

I would love the Foot Relief Cream. This winter has been hard on the feet.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to try the elasticity belly!!!

Keitha said...

I would like to try the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream
Thanks

keithadanielle at yahoo dot com

Keitha said...

I am subscribed

keithadanielle at yahoo dot com

Keitha said...

I follow

keithadanielle at yahoo dot com

shes.here said...

I really need to try some good products that works, and this sounds like what I need. Thanks

Light474 said...

I subscribed and I would get the Belli Pregnancy Gift Box for myself.

Kyndra said...

I would like to try the Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator and Stretch Mark Minimizing Cream from Belli!

themeimlookingfor at yahoo dot com

Linda said...

calm me hair wash looks so good.
thanks
linda
walshhomeschool(at)hotmaildotcom

Happi Shopr said...

Calm Me Hair and Body Wash and the Acne Clearing Facial Wash look good. trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

Courtney said...

I'd love to try the Eye Brightening Cream! I definitely need it :)

annasmama0702@gmail.com

Courtney said...

I follow, too!

annasmama0702@gmail.com

Jen Sheets said...

I would love the stretchmark minimizing cream!

jgsuesheets(at)yahoo(dot)com

covercover said...

Protect Me Diaper Rash Cream

Pamela S said...

I'd love to try the foot relief cream for my cracked heels. Momma needs some help here!!

pamelashockley at netscape dot net

Kristin said...

Probably the bundle of joy gift set
norton_kristin2yahoo.com

Kristin said...

subscriber
norton_kristin@yahoo.com

Jinxy and Me said...

I like the brightening cream.

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm a follower!

Lisa Garner said...

I would love to try the Acne Clearing Facial Wash for my misbehaving skin!
Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Lisa Garner said...

I'm a subscriber. Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Lisa Garner said...

I'm also following your blog. Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

Hélène said...

I would like to try the stretchmark minimizing cream.

Anonymous said...

I would love to try the scar revision gel for my new badge o' honor/mommy scar. Thanks! theprophecygirl@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I would like to try rhe All Day Moisture Body Lotion. garrettsambo@aol.com

oceanrena said...

Stretchmark Minimizing Cream

liliesrnice said...

Id like to try the protect me diaper cream on my little one.

Donna said...

I would like to try the Nourish Me Enriched Body Lotion.
donna444444@yahoo.com

chazvgo said...

Id love to try the Body Firming Serum :)

Donna said...

I am a follower.
donna444444@yahoo.com

lilyk said...

I would like to try the Calm Me Hair and Body Wash!

ms.lilyk@gmail.com

lilyk said...

I subscribed to your feed.

ms.lilyk@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to try the hand sanitizer...

masonsgranny59 said...

I heart the Hair and Body Wash:)

/\Heather/\ said...

I like the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream. Thank you!

GabbyLowe said...

I'd like to try the Belli Pregnancy Gift Box

GabbyLowe said...

I subscribe

GabbyLowe said...

i'm following you