We are super-excited to introduce the Farmers Market Collection of soaps at Supernatural Botanicals.  They were inspired by the fresh and organic fruits at the farmers market…and they smell just as amazing as real fruit.  New shape and new delicious new scents!  Love it!

She makes healthy beauty products for a living, and for fun, she discusses “all things girly” on her blog. Read all about it and see how you can join in on the fun.

Two years ago, Robin Feltner launched both her blog and her all-natural bath and body company, Supernatural Botanicals. The blog was intended to be an extension of the business, but in many ways, her business is now an extension of the blog.  

“I started the blog to keep women, primarily, informed and up to date on the latest trends and information in beauty [and] health,” Feltner says. “But soon thereafter, [it] took on a life of its own.”

Since its launch, the blog has opened doors to new customers, business opportunities and higher search engine rankings. More recently, it’s given Feltner the chance to meet several big stars like Diane Keaton, Valerie Bertinelli, Patricia Heaton, Ann Compton, Helen Hunt and Tony Bourdain.

The blog initially served as an open forum for people to share their insights on her products, ideas and the emerging eco-friendly industry. The blog helps Feltner gain candid insight from customers and readers that she didn’t have access to otherwise, she says. “Anonymous comments can be brutally harsh at times, but it’s exactly what I was looking for,” she says. “I wanted an open dialog where they could express and/or request anything they wanted.”

The blog’s tag-line is “Discussions on All Things Girly,” which offers Feltner — and her readers — a wondrously wide range of topics from which to choose. Typically, you’ll find blog posts with beauty, fitness and eco-living topics, but occasionally you’ll find something else that strikes Feltner’s fancy.

“I’m passionate about being ‘green,’ so that crosses over into my writing quite a bit,” she says. “Beauty and fitness is a given on a girly blog, but interior design and events in Cincinnati have certainly had their share of time in the spotlight on my blog as well.”

Some of her favorite blog posts include: 

• “Thoughts on Business Casual”
• “For the Love of Vintage”
• “Diane Keaton in Cincinnati”

These popular topics drew a crowd, and even attracted the attention of the Smart Talk series organizers. They contacted Feltner two seasons ago to represent Cincinnati as their ambassador for their Connected Conversations series. “It’s been amazing,” she says. “And I have met some of the most incredible people in the process” — Keaton, Bertinelli, Heaton, Compton and Hunt, just to name a few.

 But the star power didn’t stop there. Another group found Feltner’s blog and asked her to represent Cincinnati bloggers at the recent Tony Bourdain speaking engagement.

But the big question: Has the blog beefed up her bottom line? The answer is yes, Feltner says. “The blog has helped me reach a greater customer base,” she says. “If you are doing a random search on eco bath and body in Cincinnati, you’ll most certainly find my blog amongst the top Google searches.” A successful, updated blog is a powerful PR tool and her blog is a big reason why Google goes ga-ga for her business, she says.

The blog also helps to add value to her current customers because it invites readers into her life. “I have found that readers enjoy the experience of stepping into my workshop or kitchen to see what I’m doing via pictures I post on my blog,” she says. “I find blogging a unique way to get personal with my customers and readers. It’s important for me to interact with the readers so I can be specific about giving them exactly what they want.”

She doesn’t just interact on her own blog, though. Feltner is a self-proclaimed advocate for reading others’ blogs, too. “Being ultra-connected to each other is an advantage that we’ve never had in the past, and is especially beneficial for business owners,” she says. “Although my personal interests span from green global issues to lipsticks, I do tend to visit particular blogs regularly.”

She says she adores SavortheSuccess.com, a Web site for women entrepreneurs that offers insight into what’s working (and not working) for other women in business. Another favorite of hers is Pink Magazine, which provides inspiration and tools for women in business. She also gives props to her friend Julia’s blog, Hooked On Houses, which covers her love of houses and interiors.

In addition, Feltner belongs to a local group called Cincinnati Women Bloggers. “We are a successful group of women bloggers in the Cincinnati area, and that Web site is an incredible resource to find blogs on all things local, as blog topics vary vastly,” she says.

Last but not least (at least we don’t think so), Feltner shows some chic love. “When I want to know what’s going on in the city, Cincy Chic is positively my first stop,” she says. “I have always found that if it’s worth being known, Cincy Chic knows about it and I’ve attended many local events after learning about them on Cincy Chic.”

Visit Cincy Chic  for the article. 

PHOTO CREDITS
Photographer: Neysa Ruhl
Model: Robin Feltner
Location: Lofts@4120

True or False?  Cucumbers contain a special ingredient that helps reduce puffy or swollen eyes.  Experts believe this to be false. 

Fact:  More than 90% of cucumber consists of water.  The real secret is the cooling effect of the water in the cucumbers.  It is believe that the cooling effect of the water, combined with increased humidity, is what reduces swelling around the eyes.  Cucumber in high concentration may help to improve the hydration of the skin, however, cucumbers do not contain any ingredients that specifically targets eye swelling…it’s the cool water in the cucumber that’s doing all the work.   

If you have access to sand, kick off your shoes and go walking in it.  Walking in sand is a great way to exfoliate the skin on your feet, making them baby soft (use a great moisturizer afterwards).  Walking in sand also helps strengthen your ankles and calves, making you super-sexy from the knees down.  What’s not to love about that? 

Shop our eco-fabulous bath & body line at Supernatural Botanicals.  Shipping only $2.95 on all orders!

Experience acne as an adult?  It could be your mineral makeup.  Talc-containing power makeup is made up of tiny crystals that can clog pores.  If you are experiencing acne, check out the ingredients label on your mineral makeup to be sure your makeup is talc-free.

The tousled look of “beach hair” is super-easy to accomplish, and you can make your own “beach hair” in a bottle product at home.  Combine 4 ounces of hot distilled water, a teaspoon of Kosher sea salt, and a few drops of organic lavender essential oil together in a spray bottle.  The hot distilled water will help melt the salt.  Shake well.  Spray on your hair as you are scrunching it in your hands, then set with a low setting on the hair dryer.  Sexy beachy hair in seconds.  It’s a great look for summer. 

Sale on Sugar Scrubs and Body Scrubs at Supernatural Botanicals.  Shop now!

Cover Girl has done an excellent job of letting their customers know exactly how to use their products via video clips by professional makeup artists on their website.  There are plenty of makeup tutorials for looks from casual to smokey eyes that are easy to understand and apply. 

They also provide informative general information, like these simple five rules about mascara.  Check out Cover Girl for practical applications on how to look sensational!

Mascara 101

• Never, ever pump the wand – this adds air to the mascara container, which will only make your mascara dry out faster.
• As a general rule, brown or soft black are best for daytime; black works best for night.
• Use less mascara on lower lashes than on top lashes. Or forego mascara on lower lashes for a more casual look.
• If your mascara smells funny or is more than six months old, chuck it. The eyes are very sensitive to bacteria.
• After you’ve coated lashes with mascara, add just one more layer to the outer corners. The extra coat will make your lashes look especially long.