Credit: Joe Shlabotnik

As I’ve mentioned in passing, I am fair, fair, fair redhead. My entire life, I’ve spent summers wearing a hat, covered in a T-shirt and lounging under an umbrella applying multiple layers of sunscreen. What can I say? It’s what I know. Just a few years ago, my fair skin became even more particular, breaking out with the application of most sunscreens and completely rejecting sunless tanner with full-out itching and hives. (A fair girl allergic to sunless tanner? Oh, the cruel irony. Also, oddly enough, FBG Erin has the same strange problem. I am not alone in my paleness.)

Now to add to the craziness and my own personal fear of the sun and anything in a tube, the Environmental Working Group put out its newest list on the best and worst sunscreens. According to the report, 92 percent of sunscreens either don’t adequately protect skin from sun damage or contain hazardous chemicals—or both. Some can even accelerate skin cancer. Oh joy. This is why, obviously, I offered to review this natural sunscreen.

Tips to not get burned—literally or figuratively.

—Jenn

Although we’re all health and fitness up in here, occasionally we like to branch out and, ya know, try new things. So when Outblush, an awesome fashion and beauty blog, asked if we wanted to do a guest post, it’s no surprise that we responded with an ecstatic ”Hells to the ya!” We love their site! Read on for our review of a natural sunscreen that is safe for California babies and really, everyone. And if you’ve never heard of Outblush, check it out!

Our new fave sunscreen (and fashion blog)!

–Jenn

Stretching at Shane Diet Resorts

We’ve all heard about those fancy spa and fitness resorts where you travel to a beautiful part of the country and spend a week or so eating only delicious, organic food, working out with fun and unique activities, and spending a lot of time just relaxing with a massage or some meditation. Ah, it just sounds glorious. But what if a fitness spa retreat isn’t in your summer vacation budget? We have an answer for that!

The good people over at Shane Diet Resorts, a weight-loss spa located 90 minutes from New York City in the Catskill mountains, recently released a guide to re-creating a day at their resort at home. Read on for an hour-by-hour game plan for having the best and healthiest staycation ever, no matter your budget!

How To Create Your Weight-Loss Spa Experience

8 am—Wake up,  stretch and then head out for a refreshing walk to get your body ready for the day. Walking is the single best activity for losing weight. Bring along your iPod to listen to a book or your favorite music.

9 am—Eat a healthy breakfast of two scrambled eggs, a banana, and a piece of whole wheat toast with jelly and a pat of butter. This satisfying breakfast will jump-start your metabolism for the day, preventing you from over-eating later.

10 am—Take a long bike ride. If you don’t own a bike, rent one. (You can spring for the rental cost for a few hours, since you didn’t splurge on a trip to the resort, after all!) Try exploring a new area or a park to mix up your routine and keep it exciting.

Noon—Create your own facial. Mix a ripe banana with 1 teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Then, apply to your face for 15 minutes and rinse with a steaming washcloth. This is great for oily skin.

1 pm—Prepare a healthy lunch of Greek salad with low-fat dressing and a whole wheat pita. Opt for a fresh peach as your dessert.

2 pm—Practice yoga. Clear your mind with a class at your local gym, or there try a free online podcast. This is great for both your mind and your body.

3 pm—At Shane Diet Resorts, guests take classes to learn techniques for healthy food preparation at home. Try cooking a new recipe for fun, such as banana bran muffins to have for breakfast the rest of the week. Check out some of the delicious recipes from the resort here.

5 pm—Try interval running either on a treadmill or outdoors. Alternate 1-minute intervals of fast sprinting with a 1-minute recovery jog in between. This type of training enables you to burn more calories in less time.

7 pm—For dinner, prepare a piece of grilled chicken with mango salsa. Be sure to watch the portions on your side dishes—try a ½ cup of steamed brown rice and 1 cup of steamed zucchini with herbs.

8 pm—Take some time to relax. See a movie with a friend, or dive into a favorite novel followed by a warm bath. And lastly, get a good night’s sleep!

That’s it! A lovely day of activity, good food and spending time focusing on one thing and one thing only—you!  A big thanks to Shane Diet Resorts for the tips! —Jenn

In most Posh posts, we review something directly related to fitness like running shoes or sports bras, but today we’re mixing it up! Read on for three reviews of things that have recently caught our attention and think are worth sharing!

LiLiKiKS

Now that one of us is expecting a wee one, we’re a little more aware of products that encourage health and physical activity in young’uns. Like LiLiKiKS, for example. This line of active wear was designed just for younger girls’ bodies and lifestyles. We’re a tad smitten with many of the pieces. Heck, I’d rock quite a few, including the jacket at left. They’re stylish, fun and look hella comfy (we, of course, couldn’t really try them ourselves).

Although the site says the line is all age-appropriate, some of the pieces seemed a little tight and some of the skirts and shorts were pretty short, but I’m no mom, so judge for yourself. The prices are a tad high but not ridiculous (like $30+ for shorts and $60+ for jackets), but let’s be honest: Anything that encourages girls to get active at a younger age? HECK YA.

No Frizz Restyling Spray

I’ve never been much of a product gal, but when I do get the chance to squeeze in a workout before work or over lunch, I have been stuck in this common conundrum: to work out longer and not shower or work out for less time and fit in a shower. Either option sucks, but this little bottle of awesome helps strike a balance between the two. With a few light mists, this “style reviver” detangles, reduces static and makes hair shiny, helping to restyle hair with light conditioning and hold. It smells nice, too, which is always a plus.

I put it to the test after a particularly hot run (read: dripping with sweat), and it really did make a huge difference. It didn’t make my hair look perfect, but it did make me head back to the office with the confidence that I didn’t look like I just ran through a sprinkler. Hooray! The Restyling Spray also doesn’t include parabens and petrochemicals, which is good news for those of you avoiding toxic chemicals in your beauty products.

Maybelline Super Stay Makeup

I’ve been super-loyal to my Maybelline mascaras ever since I started mascara-ing my lashes. But when it came to foundation, my heart belonged to another brand. That is, until I tried Maybelline’s SuperStay 24HR foundation.

I got to try the foundation at Self magazine’s Workout in the Park media preview event, and I’ve been a convert ever since. The product makes my skin look fabulous, if I do say so myself, while still looking natural. And for a fitness twist? The foundation is built to withstand heat, sweat and humidity—a bonus if you’ve got to hit the grocery store on your way home from the gym. Plus, it is super long-lasting and won’t rub off easily (I’ve yet to find makeup that doesn’t rub off EVER). Heart it.

—Jenn & Erin

Credit: sanberdoo

Working out regularly sure does make you feel good. But after day after day of getting sweaty, occasionally sore and sometimes developing a callus or two on your hands from hitting the free weights, a girl (or guy!) could sure use some extra beauty time. The below articles shares 10 not-so-usual ways to pamper a loved one this holiday season. Or better yet, read on and pamper yourself for all of your hard work in the gym this year!

10 Products to Pamper a Fitness Fanatic

It’s holiday gift time again, and, like me, you may be at a loss as to what to buy your fitness-loving loved ones, especially those who are already decked in top-notch performance wear and already own the best workout gear. Well, here’s an often-forgotten gift idea for your loved ones: beauty products. Click here to read more…

What’s your favorite beauty product for your active lifestyle? —Jenn

I love stockings. No, not Leggs. The Christmas kind. In fact, I probably enjoy opening up my stocking more than opening up presents. Stockings are just so cute, and the stuff inside is all small and cute, too. It’s a win-win really. Last week, we gave you the FBG Gift Guide, and today we’re going to give you a bunch of FBG-approved stocking ideas that will not only stuff your stockings but also make your fit friends and family members happy as a Christmas goose.

Enlighten Up

We were offered the opportunity to review this documentary a few months ago and had to say yes. The film basically has a regular non-spiritual dude, Nick Rosen, dive into the yoga hippity-dippity world headfirst. Over the course of just a few months, Nick is immersed in the practice and travels around the world, examining the good, the bad and the ugly of yoga. He meets celebrity yogis (like this and this one), true believers, crazies and world-renowned gurus. The film follows Nick—who’s pretty darn cute yet  sometimes frustrating—as he attempts to find his spiritual side via yoga. I won’t ruin the ending for you, but it’s definitely interesting. And, like I said, Nick is kind of a hottie. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for your yoga buds—or skeptical friends!

Banglz

Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could burn more cals just walking around or doing errands? That’s exactly why two busy moms dreamed up and created a product (that they sent us to try) to do just that! Banglz are fancied up ankle and wrist weights that look more like a bracelet than a weight and are light enough to wear all day, yet heavy enough to up your burn. They’re not the most fashion-forward bracelets I’ve ever seen, but their usability still makes it a fantastic gift for your friends on the go!

Violet Love

You know how I have a small, oddly shaped head? Well, the creator of Violet Love heard my call (or, you know, read my post) and sent us a few of her new SHE by VL performance line of headbands. I tried the black headband and while it didn’t stay perfectly (again, I’m not sure if ya’ll understand just how freakish of a head shape I apparently have), it did stay better than any other kinds I’ve tried, next to the Bondi. So if you have a small-headed friend or family member who needs help keeping her hair back during workouts, please stuff one of these babies in their stocking. They’ll thank ya!

MeSheeky

I cannot stop saying “MeSheeky.” It’s my catchphrase now. How you feeling, Jenn? “MeSheeky!” Was that concert fun? “Yea, it was MeSheeky!” And then there are times that I throw on one of these cute little MeSheeky skirts for a yoga workout and chant “MeSheeky” repeatedly while I dance around the house. It’s a good warm-up. AND to further the “MeSheeky” word obsession, when you go to their website, it hits you with a full rotating list of fun MeSheeky-tastic words. There are tons of good ones, but my personal fave is “Sheeky Boom Boom.” Go ahead and say it again for good measure. Sheeky Boom Boom. Fun, right?! And the apparel is just as fun as it sounds. (I know because they sent me one to try.) These sustainable, yoga-inspired, lounge-wear pieces (basically skirts you put over leggings) take you from workout to street. The look is inspired by the layering of a dancer’s warm-up clothes, but they’re super flattering and fun to wear. Plus they’re eco-friendly! Perfect for the yogi, dancer or green lady in your life!

iSkin

Does someone in your life have a Nano 5G? (I wish I did. Hint, hint, Santa!) Well, if they do, you might want to consider putting an iSkin in their stocking. The Duo Band Nano G5 Clear Hydro Carbon Poly with Armband is perfect for the active gal or lad in your life. It has an adjustable armband strap with breathable silicone, anti-slip support and antimicrobial protection that keeps bacteria and odor away. Silicone also covers the Nano itself, protecting it from the iPod dangers at the gym: scratches, moisture and bump-da-bumps. The click wheel even has its own protector that keeps it safe and dry. We haven’t tried this one ourselves, but I have a iSkin for my iPod classic, and I simply adore it!

aquaBling

You know those cute little wine charms that are popular these days? Well reader Evie Clercx had the idea to make a healthier version for water! These chic water-bottle accessories are designed, she says, to promote health, eco-conscious living and personal style for women. We’re behind that! These little guys are perfect for running groups, the gym, events or while traveling. And, again, they’re awfully cute. Hide these in your loved one’s stocking, and you’ll never have to worry about wondering whose water bottle is whose ever again! And as a special to FBG readers, aquaBling is offering 20 percent off all orders placed before January 31! All have you have to do is enter coupon code FIT when you order!

EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale

For those in your life who love numbers, organization and counting-counting-counting, give them the EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale. We haven’t tried this one, but EatSmart has a solid reputation for easy-to-use and accurate scales.  This scale is small enough to fit in a stocking (cute, right?!) and even includes a free Calorie Factors book that allows you to calculate calories in a portion for more than 1,000 whole foods. And it has the ability to easily subtract the weight of a plate or a bowl. The scale comes in silver, black chrome, white, white chrome or red, so it’ll fit with any kitchen decor!

FBG Undies

And last but not least, don’t forget about our small items in the FBG store! These hip-hugger undies are playful and the perfect stocking stuffer for the fit bottomed girl in your life. Last year, we had one reader buy one for all of her sisters! And remember, fit bottoms come in all shapes and sizes, so spread the FBG love!

—Jenn

And because we also want to make sure that Santa treats you dear readers well this holiday, comment below and you’ll be entered to win Enlighten Up on DVD, a set of Banglz bracelets, a Violet Love headband or a MeSheeky skirt! Happy holidays from FBG!

Guys, you can take a break from FBG today. That is, unless you want some insight into the trials and tribulations the ladies face on a daily basis: messy post-workout makeup, germy gym bags and cluttered purses. We know they’re not the biggest problems you could face in your life, but they are a hassle, and we do have solutions!

Pond’s Towelettes
I know there are some ladies out there who just don’t sweat. And that’s great. We’re so happy for you! Really. But Jenn and I are both sweat monsters when working out. I’ve learned that having a towel around is always a necessity, and Jenn swears by grabbing the treadmill nearest the fan for the well-being of everybody at the gym. By the time my workout is over, my face is usually a red mess, and my makeup is usually smeared from here to kingdom come. That’s where Pond’s comes in!

These great towelettes are the perfect solution for removing makeup before a workout or for cleaning yourself up afterward. If you can’t make it to a sink or shower to wash off properly (like when you’re hiking) or if you just don’t want to use the industrial strength soap at the gym, these are a great substitute. They take your makeup off in a hurry, and don’t leave you with any weird filmy feeling on your face. And they smell nice!

cinda b Gym Bag
During a gym bag giveaway months ago, Jenn and I were sad to discover that some of our readers use some of the SORRIEST excuses for gym bags ever. And while we can’t solve all of your gym bag problems or give bags away daily, we can point you in the direction of the cutest and most functional gear there is. Many of you mentioned the foul gym bag smell as being your major problem, and we’ve got a solution.

The cinda b Overnighter bag is a quilted bag that can be used for the gym or, as the name says, an overnight bag. What we love about it is that it can be thrown in the washing machine when it starts smelling funky. Plus, it is pretty much adorable and comes in 11 flavors. FBG readers can get 15 percent off on orders through Sept. 15. Just enter CBFitBottom at checkout. Stinky bags begone!

Pouchee
The Pouchee is cleverly named after a kangaroo because, well, it’s a cross between a mini purse and a ginormous wallet that holds all of your must-haves, kinda like a kangaroo carries all of her personal belongings (read: joey) in her pouch. It’s totally functional, comes in fun styles, and it’s named after a kangaroo. Awww.

I’ve used my Pouchee to store, not a joey, but all of my IDs, gift cards, credit cards and any other card you can think of, plus my sunglasses and cellie. Basically, I put everything in there that I must have. Then, when I want to transition from my daytime purse to after-work gym bag, I can easily pick out my Pouchee, throw it in my gym bag and go. It really does help me feel more organized, and it’s way cuter than a Ziploc.

And there you have it: Great fixes for some of life’s minor gym annoyances. And trust us: When we find a solution for copious amounts of sweating, we’ll let you know. —Erin & Jenn

Working out has so many awesome side effects: big muscles, a strong heart, more energy. Unfortunately, there are other little-discussed side effects: sweat and stench. Sweat is, of course, a natural side effect—proof that you’ve worked hard. Those salty little drops are the proof in the workout pudding. But after a good exercise session, not only does your body become a sweaty, stinky mess, but your clothing does, too. Luckily, people smarter than me are out there every day battling nature and science and finding cures for the smells that come with the hard work.

GymSoap
This liquid soap is specially formulated to combat all of the potential terrible icky-ness a gym can harbor: germs, bacteria and fungus. With all of the people using various machines in the gym, it’s easy to see how the germs can spread, and GymSoap will go to bat for you to knock them out. The liquid soap eliminates 99.9 percent of the bad stuff, including creepy crawlies like the flu virus (has flu been in the news recently?), athlete’s foot, MRSA bacteria and ringworm. Plus, the soap is very gender-neutral—my husband even tried it at home and gave it his seal of approval. I used it as a body wash as well as a face wash. It didn’t dry my skin out, and it left me feeling fresh. It smells natural, with tea tree oil and extracts of chamomile and elderflower. To me it had a slight medicinal smell, but that’s the price you pay for a bad-ass germ-killing soap.

Want to give it a try? Leave us a comment or shoot us an email at contact@fitbottomedgirls.com to enter to win. We’ll give away a bottle each to two lucky readers. FBG readers can also get 20 percent off when they order by entering code gs20!

WIN Detergent
When Jenn recently visited me, we hit three tough exercise classes, one of which was hot, sweaty yoga. This guaranteed six sweaty workout outfits on which to test WIN Detergent. I was admittedly skeptical about the product just because I’d never had any noticeable problems with my regular detergent. WIN definitely came out of the battle as the victor, though, as the clothes smelled fresh as a daisy post-wash. And trust me, Jenn and I tried really hard to find even a whiff of stench. WIN works in very scientific ways that I won’t go into, but basically it uses hydrogen peroxide to kill odor-causing bacteria, viruses and fungi, while being gentle on sport-specific, high-tech wicking fabrics. A WIN win!

So go forth and work out, but don’t let your bacteria multiply. Now you have no excuse to stink! —Erin

I’m sure you haven’t had enough standardized testing in your life, so here’s an SAT flashback to have fun with: (cue Jeopardy theme)

ERIN: EAR BUDS::

(A) Jenn: running
(B) Jenn: shopping
(C) Jenn: headbands
(D) Jenn: chocolate
(E) Jenn: Bob Harper

This isn’t a trick question. But, take as much time as necessary.

…

Okay, answers in! Did you guess C? ‘Cause if you did you’d be right!

Here’s why (and then no more analogies, promise!): Erin has a well-noted history with not being able to find head phones and ear buds that actually fit her “freakishly small” ears (her words, not mine). And I have a similar issue with headbands and wraps, as I have a freakishly small head (my words this time).

This issue is exacerbated by with the fact that I adore headbands and wraps. In their funky colors, fun widths (thick, skinny, double and triple bands—I love them all!) and low price point, I’m always a sucker for a new headband. And I’m always hoping that this will be the band that stays in place. The Holy Grail of hair accessories, if you will.

If you’re like me and have problems finding the right headband to keep your hair out of your face during workouts, read on. I don’t exactly have the Holy Grail on headbands (okay, I have nothing close to it), but I do have a few products that make some progress on the small-head prob and a few tips that will have you digging out your older, ill-fitting-yet-cute headbands that have been banished to the back closet. Intrigued? (Note to normal-sized-head people: Don’t stop reading just because your head size isn’t an issue! The new products I’m about to feature are super fun and great for workouts for any cranial size or shape.)

Bondi Bands
A coworker of mine stumbled upon the Bondi Band at a race, hipped me to it, and Bondi and I have been hair buds ever since. While the bands aren’t perfect per se—they still slide off my oddly shaped noggin—they are one of the only headbands that I can wear on a 3-mile run without losing my mind because, on the whole, they stay where they’re supposed to for at least 30 minutes. Plus, they come in a ton of fun designs and some of them help wick away sweat. I’m a huge fan of the black band because it goes with everything and the polka dot designs because, well, I heart polka dots.

Goody Goodies
Although their (or any other brand for that matter) headbands with the little rubber grippers never stick on my head as they should, I’m a Goody StayPut convert. They actually created an adjustable head wrap. Genius! It’s amazing, and you can tighten or loosen as needed. Not to mention that they have a kickin’ line of barrettes for those wispies that just won’t stay in your ponytail. Goody, goody is right!

Anything at Target

Credit: jimk_9999

And when all head wraps fail, I just go for the plain headband. The hard, plastic ones always stay in place for me, although they usually give me a headache if my workout goes too long, and if they’re like the one at left, they are a tad 90s. I am particularly fond of this more fashion-forward variety by Xhiliration though. Ah, the life of a girl…tough isn’t it?

Now what about those poorly fitting headbands that are collecting dust in your closet? Don’t throw them away just yet. There is hope! I highly recommend using strategically placed bobby pins to help them stay put (I usually put one behind each ear) or try putting gel or hairspray on the section of your hair that the band hits. This highly increases your chances of hairband success. And, when all else fails, you can always whip out a hat or visor and just cover that darn hair up!

Do any of you have other great tips for keeping your hair back on runs or getting a headband to stay in place? Puh-leaze share in the comments below! —Jenn

It’s not always convenient or possible to shower after a workout. This can leave you a big, sweaty mess, and embarrassed to stop off at the grocery store where you’ll inevitably run into a former flame or high school nemesis. You only meet those people when you’re in need of a shower.

To combat this beauty battle, I’ve been using Jonathan Product Redo Freshen-Up Mist (of my own free will, no product placement for the Fit Bottomed Girls). It works for hair and skin, and you simply spray it on your hair to freshen up. The cucumber/rose essential water refreshes, natural botanical extracts cleanse, refresh and moisturize, and vegetable enzyme neutralizes odors. It’s basically Febreze for your head. It’s technically fragrance free, but it smells light and refreshing to my discerning nose. I love using it on my skin to feel so fresh and so clean clean. And while it won’t take away the need to wash your hair after a tough workout, it will buy you some time and will leave you less disgusting than you were before. That should be an ad slogan. $18 for 5.1 oz or $8 for 1.7 oz.

Another one I’d like to try on a rainy day would be the Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray. It’s supposed to absorb excess oil and buildup, which sounds ideal for post-workout grossness. $21 for 3.2 oz. or $11 for 1.4 oz.

Bumble and Bumble offers a hair powder that sounds intriguing for “styling ease, dry cleansing and tinting.” Depending on how you use it, you can use it for tinting your hair or just for absorbing the oil. Interesting. $19 for 1 oz.

Cake Beauty also has a yummy-looking refreshing powder for hair and body. It’s said to smell like lemon cookies. Mmmm! $18 for 1.7 oz.

Note: These products are a bit pricey, so if you know of drugstore products that do trick, we’d love to hear about them! —Erin

Photos grabbed from http://www.amazon.com/.