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Over the past few years, we’ve tested more lip sticks, glosses and balms than we could possibly count, all promising numerous benefits with varying results. 

Bottega Verde, Italy’s largest cosmetics brand, has finally hit the US market with its best-selling, natural beauty products. Founded in Tuscany, Bottega Verde uses more than 300 active ingredients derived from nature. Their vast range of products includes beauty care and body treatments that harness the natural properties of almond, aloe, shea, olive oil, honey and more.

Since olive oil is so closely associated with Italy and the Tuscany region, we chose to sample some of Bottega Verde’s extra virgin olive oil products, including Olive Oil Body Butter, Hand Cream, Lip Balm and Shower Gel.

The Olive Oil Body Butter has a really nice creamy consistency that is much lighter than other body butters we’ve tried. The smooth texture makes it easy to spread as it literally sinks into your skin, leaving it feeling soft and silky smooth. The floral fragrance with subtle green notes is delicious without overpowering. The Olive Oil Hand Cream is an even lighter consistency which is ideal for softening and protecting hands without any greasy residue.

Organic olive oil is the active ingredient in the Lip Balm Stick which glides on easily and offers long-lasting protection for lips, making them softer and smoother immediately. The balm also has a light fragrance which pleasantly lingers. Finally, the Olive Oil Shower Gel has a nice, creamy consistency that cleanses while nourishing the skin leaving it lightly fragranced.

Sound amazing? Don’t just take our word for it - you can sample some of Bottega Verde’s most popular products for free with their Italian Beauty Sample Package (worth over $24).

We’re also giving away an Olive Oil Gift Set featuring all the products mentioned here. Just leave a comment below and we’ll choose someone at random to win! (Contest is open to US residents only; winner will be chosen on 11/30/10)

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Bottega Verde. All opinions are 100% mine.

We know we’ve been covering a lot of lip stains lately (like here and here), but they are just so…efficient. Their color lasts so much longer than any lip gloss or lipstick, and you can customize the depth of your hue by using single, or multiple applications. 

We don’t have to tell you just how long we’ve been on the hunt for the holy grail anti-aging moisturizer…obviously long enough to NEED an anti-aging moisturizer. It’s been a long road, but we may have finally hit the jackpot with Olay’s Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer Plus Cooling Hydration.  

This heavy hitter fights the signs of aging and keeps skin refreshed, providing the benefits of 7 anti-aging therapies plus a burst of invigorating mint-extract complex to keep skin feeling refreshed. It’s lightweight, oil-free, and leaves skin smooth, more even-toned, and definitely younger looking.

Total Effects Plus Cooling Hydration fights 7 signs of aging by:

• Soothing dry skin with cooling moisturization
• Fighting dullness for a healthy-looking radiance
• Refining to minimize the appearance of pores
• Hydrating to firm the appearance of skin

The moisturizer is a dream under makeup or alone, and hydrates skin with no greasy feel or film left behind; it sinks into the skin quickly and really improves appearance. Since receiving a sample, we haven’t been without it!

$22.99 at drugstore.com