The fruit is legendary, but just recently are pomegranate extracts appearing in beauty products and cosmetics, with manufacturers capitalizing on the perks offered by the bulbous fruit.

Photo compliments of Food Network.

Pomegranates are high in polyphenols, believed to be the superior antioxidant in combating aging and fighting illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. In addition, the sweet-tart smell of the fruit lends a luxurious and fresh feel to beauty products and cosmetics.

Murad's Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser foams to cleanse and tone skin, as well as stimulate new cell regeneration. The pomegranate extract includes powerful antioxidants to protect skin from the damaging effects of environmental elements.

Murad also makes Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30 To Go, providing the same antioxidant-rich benefits as the cleanser.

Bath and Body Works line of Pure Simplicity products boasts a Polishing Face Scrub in Pomegranate. The scrub encourages skin cell turnover and gently sloughs away impurities, while the Pomegranate extracts promote healthy, evenly-toned skin.










One of the most cost-effective, pomegranate-inspired, beauty solutions is Softsoap's Pomegranate & Mango Moisturizing Body Wash. This giant bottle of sweetly-scented, exotic body wash leaves you energized and your body smooth. The price-tag is just as much a benefit as its moisturizing capabilities!

Engage in some post-shower moisturizing with Bath and Body Works Temptations Shimmer Lotion in Pomegranate Martini.

Demeter, well known for their accurate portrayal of hundreds of fragrances, makes a pomegranate eau de cologne spray, called Pick-Me-Up Spray without any unnecessary fragrance notes. The pomegranate eau de cologne is simply reminiscent of the fruit itself. It's subtle and light, and easy on the pocketbook.

While it's not considered a traditional cosmetic or beauty product, POM Wonderful is a nice addition to any beauty regime. POM Wonderful juices and teas start from the inside out in guarding against premature aging and illness. They're a refreshing and tasty way to promote good health using pomegranates' powerful antioxidants.

Photos are hyperlinked to online vendor.

While I was in France I made several observations on the French women and how they do fashion and personal appearance. I don't want to make sweeping generalizations since I realize every woman is different, but here are some things I noticed:






Hair Coif didn't seem to be quite the priority it is in the US. Even in Paris I saw few or no highlight jobs, and lots of natural browns, brunettes, and dark blondes. In addtion, the women don't wash their hair every day, and it shows. They often style it in braids or ponytails. Some of them wore scarves on their heads.





Skin care Conversely, skin care is a huge priority! My cousins and all their friends take immaculate care of their skin. They don't wear as much makeup as is common here, and their skin just glows. They are careful to wash and moisturize.




Staying Active The French lifestyle naturally incorporates far more walking. Since so many people take public transportation as a way of life, they are frequently required to walk several blocks to get to the metro and several blocks to get to their destination. For this and other reasons I observed NO overweight women in Paris and very few in Lille, the city I visited to see my cousins. In Paris especially, I'm sure this fact is partially influenced by thenumber of smokers. The whole idea that "Smoking Kills" doesn't seem to have caught on over there yet, but nicotine suppresses appetite.




Water Heard of the cliche French woman walking down the street with a baguette? Add a bottle of water to that picture and you'll just about be right. They seem to constantly be guzzling the rock juice, which plays no small role in their ability to keep their weight down and their skin fresh. Head to the water coolers, gals!



Joie de Vivre (Joy of Life) The French are serious about their food. They are even more serious about enjoying their food. Forget grabbing a quick bite in 30 minutes or less--it's considered rude for a waiter to be constantly bugging you the way they do in the States. Lunch often took us almost 2 hours, and dinner 3 hours. Always the exception are the crepe and sandwich stands, but who wants to eat on the run when you can enjoy yourself?

This principle is enforced in the home, too. There's no hurrying through the four or five-course meals. This is something I'm really trying to enforce in my own life now. Less rush means less overeating! Remember, it takes 20 minutes for your brain to receive the message that your stomach is full. If in doubt, eat less!



Color French women aren't afraid of lots of color. They wear black but rarely alone. They accessorize with scarves, hats, and shoes. They aren't as particular about matching as we are, either. They don't shy away from wearing black with brown, for example.

The claim: "Enhance the healthy glow of your skin instantly. This non-greasy, fast-drying, fresh fragranced formula provides instant, natural looking color without the sun. Specially formulated with bronzers to enable you to see where you have applied product and to provide an even, flawless, streak-free, natural looking tan."

The good: You just can't beat the price. It's probably the least expensive self-tanner out there. It comes in a large tube, and you can afford to use quite a bit of it if you want. It's super-moisturizing and easy to apply. The instant color helps you keep track of where you have applied the lotion, and the color is remarkably warm and subtle.

The bad: Like most self-tanners, this stuff reeks. When you first apply it, it seems lightly fragranced by coconuts and chocolate, not an unpleasant combination. But give it half an hour, and you'll stink to high heaven. Most people apply it right before bed, sleep while it's "baking" and shower the smell off in the morning.

(The person who invents a truly fresh-fragranced self-tanner--at an affordable price--is going to make a mint off of fashionistas one day.)

The ugly: It can be a little splotchy as it fades. And it will stain clothing and bedsheets, especially in the event of perspiration. As always, watch out for darker spots on ankles, feet and hands.

Want to read more reviews? Check 'em out here. Available at drugstore.com and Wal-mart.