Royal Baby Countdown: Fireworks on Both Sides of the Pond

The Duchess of Cambridge: Great expectations.

Summer begins with a big bang this year. In addition to America celebrating its 237th anniversary year of independence over the long Fourth of July holiday weekend, we will soon see fireworks on the other side of the pond with the birth of the royal baby of Prince William and Princess Kate in a few days. 

Photo by Michael Lane

The due date for the British bundle of joy had previously been set for mid-July. However, many royal bump watchers speculate the baby may make a surprise appearance and arrive even sooner--perhaps as early as this weekend. 

The gender of the third in line to the throne remains a mystery. But for those who follow astrology, an early July birth means he or she will be born under the water sign of cancer and in the year of the snake. The personality traits for this astrological alignment include sensitivity, gentleness, compassion and understanding, which will likely come in handy for the future monarch.

In the meantime, the Duchess of Cambridge needs a lot of care and pampering during this stage of her pregnancy--as well as any other woman in her second or third trimester. Therefore, we've assembled several stretch mark creams and body butters that provide soothing and softening benefits for the skin. We've punctuated these products with some goodies for newborns, as well.

Let the fireworks begin. Have a fun Fourth of July!

FOR MOM

SHINE: Apothederm Stretch Mark Cream. BEAUTY: Nourish and firm the skin, and fade the appearance of red and silver stretch marks with cocoa seed and shea butters, hyaluronic acid, peptides and olive fruit oil. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, phthalates or fragrances.

SHINE: Basq Advanced Stretch Mark Butter Intensive Treatment. BEAUTY: Shea butter, and jojoba and grape seed oils maximize healing and hydration, and minimize scar formation--especially during the second and third trimester. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens or phthalates.

SHINE: Caldrea Coconut Fig Leaf Body Creme. BEAUTY: Enjoy a spa day at home as you moisturize and mend your body with rice bran oil, shea butter, and therapeutic aromas of coconut and fig. BEACON: Free of parabens and phthalates. 

SHINE: L'Occitane Jasmin & Bergamote Lait Parfume Body Milk. BEAUTY: Shea butter, grape and sunflower seed oils, and jasmine and bergamot oils leave skin softened and scented. BEACON: The L’Occitane Foundation supports women’s entrepreneurship and visual impairment fields of action.

SHINE: Mama Mio Pregnancy Essentials Kit (Boob Tube, Tummy Rub and Lucky Legs). BEAUTY: This travel-size trio helps build your skin’s strength, circulation and elasticity to prevent stretch marks and sagging. BEACON: Contains no parabens, petroleum, phthalates, sodium laureth and sodium lauryl sulphates, colorants, synthetic fragrances or xenoestrogens. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: MoonEssence Body Butter (Bergamot & Grapefruit). BEAUTY: Green tea extract, shea and mango butters, and jojoba oil pamper and perk up dry skin. BEACON: Vegan and gluten free. Supports the Carousel Fund.

SHINE: Pevonia Botanica Ligne Tropicale De-Aging Body Balm (Papaya-Pineapple). BEAUTY: Repair and replenish your body with sunflower seed oil, shea butter, and papaya, pineapple and pomegranate fruit extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, PABA, urea, formaldehyde, artificial colors and sulfates. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Prana SpaCeuticals Nourishing Milky Cleanser and Attar Firming Body Milk. BEAUTY: Aloe juice, glaucine, and almond and sunflower seed oils help clean, comfort, and keep fat cells and cellulite at bay. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and SLS.

SHINE: SkinnySkinny Lavender Organic Body Butter. BEAUTY: Nourish your body with cocoa and shea butters, and hemp and sesame seed oils in a rich and revitalizing formula. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty-free. Contains no sulfates or artificial preservatives.

FOR BABY

SHINE: Dionis Goat Milk Skincare Guess How Much I Love You Ever So Gentle Shampoo & Body Wash, Diaper Cream and Lotion. BEAUTY: This trio for tender skin ensures that your baby's body stays soft and supple with aloe vera leaf extract, avocado oil, castor seed oil and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.