Mind-Blowing Body Contouring Creams

Summer vacay season is winding down, but there's still time to enjoy a relaxing getaway. I just returned from an extended stay in the scenic mountain resort community of Lake Arrowhead, Calif., which is located about 90 miles east of Los Angeles. It's easy to be seduced by the area's alpine charm with the availability of boating, waterskiing, sunbathing and hiking activities.

Before I packed my sundresses, swimsuit and sunscreen, I made sure I brought along plenty of body contouring creams. Who doesn't want to look their bikini (tankini in my case) best? Plus, they help stimulate circulation, diminish dimpling and detoxify the body. Happy dance, indeed. 

After sunbathing on our deck, my chi/dach Rudy is ready to engage in a high-altitude hiking adventure (and maybe a snack or two).

Check out the latest body firming formulations below. And let us know which beauty products you never leave home without.

BEAUTY: Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Lipo-Conquer Body Toning Cream reinforces skin's collagen fibers, smoothes the appearance of dimpling and promotes the reduction of fatty deposits with vitamins A and E, ginkgo biloba and caffeine. BEACON: No animal testing.

BEAUTY: Elizabeth Grant Collagen Firming & Toning Body Kit contains Collagen Extra Firming Body Cream, Massage Tool and Collagen Firming & Toning Body Serum to help reduce the look of skin imperfections. BEACON: No animal testing. Also supports Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Look Good...Feel Better and Hollyrod Foundation. 

BEAUTY: Glowology Aqua Firming Body Lotion utilizes vitamins C and E, sea kelp and white tea extract to nourish and soften skin. BEACON: No animal testing, fair trade and 100% biodegradable. Also contains no dyes, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, petrochemicals or synthetic preservatives.

BEAUTY: HydroPeptide Moisturize Anti-Wrinkle Skin Firming Hydrator reduces the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks and wrinkles with peptides, acai berry, green tea extracts and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: No animal testing. Also contains no parabens, synthetic fragrances or phthalates.

BEAUTY: Mama Mio Shrink to Fit Hip & Thigh Cream utilizes Adiposlim, Adipoless, caffeine, horsetail and seaweed extract to help improve circulation, reduce water retention and flush toxins. BEACON: Contains no parabens, petroleum, phthalates, sodium laureth and sodium lauryl sulphate, synthetic fragrances or xenoestrogens. Also supports Look Good...Feel Better.

BEAUTY: Ren Wild Yam Omega 7 Firming Body Repair Cream utilizes West African wild yam and seabuckthorn berry oil to help repair and regenerate skin. BEACON: No animal testing, and contains no synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, sulfate detergents or parabens. Also donates a minimum of 2.5% of its profits to campaigns that promote a better environment and improve the lives of the less fortunate.

BEAUTY: Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil improves skin tone and appearance with apricot kernel, jojoba and wheat germ oils. BEACON: Contains no synthetic fragrances, colorants, preservatives or raw materials derived from mineral oils. Also supports Conservation International.  

Sun Kissed or Sun Dissed?

Gold and silver trump bronze at the Olympics, but not in Hollywood when it comes to tanned bodies. Many celebrities use their sun-kissed skin as a status symbol. 

Charlize Theron

Audrina Patridge

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

However, as we learn more about the damaging effects of the sun, bronze bodies no longer represent health and wellness. Overexposure to ultraviolet rays often leads to premature aging and hyperpigmentation, or even worse--skin cancer. In fact, about 65 percent of melanoma cases can be attributed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

As we celebrate National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, check out the latest sun protection factor (SPF) products.

BEAUTY: Eminence Organic Skin Care Caramel Latte Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25 contains shea butter and aloe vera to moisturize, and coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. BEACON: The company's ingredient farm in Hungary is powered by solar and wind energy. 

BEAUTY: First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Face Cream SPF 30 utilizes antioxidants such as licorice root, feverfew and white tea to help combat free radicals. BEACON: Contains no parabens, phthalates, alcohol, fragrances or artificial dyes.

BEAUTY: HydroPeptide SPF 30 features acai berry, which is said to have 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times more anthocyanins than red wine. BEACON: No animal testing, and paraben, synthetic fragrance and phthalate free.

BEAUTY: Innovative Skincare SPF 25 Treatment Sunscreen hydrates, smoothes and softens skin with aloe vera, olive leaf extract and vitamin E. BEACON: Supports Stars for Stripes and National Breast Cancer Coalition. 

BEAUTY: SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 utilizes artemia salina, a plankton extract, to protect skin from free radical damage. BEACON: Paraben free.

BEAUTY: True Natural Cosmetics Active Sunscreen SPF 40 boosts collagen with cocoa butter and jojoba oil, while aloe vera helps shield the skin against environmental factors. BEACON: No animal testing and certified by the Natural Products Association.

Marathon Love

Organizers of today's Honda L.A. Marathon hope to raise $4 million for a variety of charities--twice as much as last year's race brought in.

To accomplish this goal, more than 25,000 participants from all over the world plan to run or speed walk for 26.2 miles from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica, Calif. SHINE Beauty Beacon would like to offer the sponsored racers a collective kiss for their fundraising efforts and extraordinary athleticism.

Before we pucker up, we need to put on our best lipsticks, glosses and plumpers. 

BEAUTY: HydroPeptide Lip Plumper Fuller Smoother. BEACON: Parent company April Rain Skin Science founded the Beauty for Pure Water Foundation, which donates a percentage of proceeds to charity: water. 

BEAUTY: Jane Iredale Lip Fixation Desire Lip Stain/Gloss. BEACON: Member of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and supporter of the Berkshire Humane Society--a private, nonprofit, open-admission animal organization.

BEAUTY: Lotus Pure Organics Candy Lipgloss. BEACON: USDA certified organic, and contains no synthetic preservatives, petrochemicals, parabens, fragrances or dyes.

BEAUTY: Palladio Beauty Group Flame Lipstick. BEACON: No animal testing.

BEAUTY: Sormé Cosmetics Cherish Lipstick. BEACON: Works with the Noreen Fraser Foundation. Also supports Look Good...Feel Better.

BEAUTY: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Champagne Ice Lipgloss. BEACON: No animal testing, and products contain no oils, chemicals, alcohol, artificial fragrances or dyes.