Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Foreign substances seeping into your bloodstream, coursing through your veins, and invading your bodily organs….am I describing a horror movie or does this really exist? It’s real and it’s going on all over the world! Of course, I am speaking of the use of toxic and carcinogenic personal care products.  Many people don’t know they’re exposing themselves to harmful substances on a daily basis when they use their deodorant, hair spray, or moisturizer. They continue to use the products their mothers and grandmothers used because they “trust” them. They figure, if it’s on the shelf, it’s safe. It’s tough to break a habit, especially when it’s a favorite you’ve been using for years. They never think to question ingredients and what these chemicals can do to their bodies and unfortunately, these products are not regulated for safety. I was just like them before….

My Love Affair With Makeup Begins

My love of cosmetics began at at early age.

When I was a child, I used to sit and watch my mom get ready for work in the morning. She always had the same routines. Wash face, moisturize, apply makeup, and perfume. Even when I wasn’t in her room, I could always smell her a mile away! She loved her perfume. I started wearing makeup in middle school. I remember fixing my face between periods in school (sometimes this was more important than being on time to class!) One routine my mom always did was use talcum powder, especially after a shower. She would sprinkle it anywhere on her body where she wanted to stay dry and fresh, especially around the “female parts.” Oh how I wish I knew then what I know now.  If I had known about the devastating effects of talc in the body, I would have taken my mom’s powder and thrown it a mile away!

Your Worst Nightmare Come True

Over the years, my mom and I continued to use commercial cosmetics and personal care products, never thinking to question ingredients. Until the day my mother began to feel ill. After countless misdiagnoses, surgery finally confirmed our worst fears. She had ovarian cancer. This is a silent and deadly disease that is usually not diagnosed until it’s too late. After watching her suffer and wither away to a shell of her lively self she passed away only 6 months after the diagnosis. How did this personal tragedy make me open my eyes? I made a connection because she used talcum powder, a carcinogen which is linked to ovarian cancer.  When you tell people the dangers of using toxic cosmetics, a common response is, “I only use a little bit.”  Yet, it’s not taken into account that the product is used every single day. These chemicals accumulate in the body….so what you use day after day year after year collects and collects. Research shows this and has found talc particles in ovarian cancer tumors! There are serious health risks when using talc powder. I uncovered this shocking connection while doing research for my upcoming ebook, Saving Face: Bogus Beauty and the Toxic Beast. I wish my mother would have questioned more the ingredients she used when she was alive. It might have made a big difference. My only wish now is to help other women keep their mothers by making educated personal care product choices.

Your Body…Polluted!

This devastating event in my life led me to educate myself about cosmetic ingredients and change my diet as well as my beauty regimen. I realized the air and water was not the only thing polluted…so was my body! I started this blog and began work on my ebook. My mission is to change one woman at a time by educating them about the truth behind their personal care products so they can make choices which work holistically to enhance rather than harm their health. As we wrap up 2010, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for reading my blog and joining me on this journey. Be sure to hang around in 2011 as exciting updates are in the works for Toxic Beauty Blog. Happy holidays and all my best to you and yours!

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!

A Dark Brew

Countess Bathory preferred a different sort of bath....

Speaking of blood, did you know ages ago, blood was used as a beauty tool? Yes, as gross as that may sound, for one particular person of history, Elizabeth Báthory, blood was a key component of her anti-aging routine! Seems crazy, right? Well, not to her. She was a countess who lived in the late 1500s and early 1600s and was one of history’s first serial killers! She is accused to have killed over 600 young women and girls. Why would she (or anyone, for that matter) do such heinous things? Rumor has it she bathed in the [virgin] blood of her victims, believing it provided magical healing qualities and eternal youth. As you can see, the obsession with staying young started early in history. It’s still debated whether or not this story is actually true. This leads to the question….at what cost, beauty?

What sort of lengths would you go to for eternal youth?  Do you have lines you simply would not cross? Want to hear even more about the vampiric countess? Click here to go to Trutv for more!

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!

The Foundations of Beauty

Our image of beauty begins at an early age. We learn from the person who is closest to us….our mother. We see our mothers pruning and primping in front of the mirror, applying makeup, fixing their hair, putting on face creams and perfumes (by the way, this is also when we learn to use the same “toxic” products our moms use.) We learn from a very early age that we need to add all these things to make ourselves look “better” or seem more attractive. Since I was young, I have loved perfumes, lotions, lipstick, and makeup. And this ideal progresses with you to adulthood. Whatever happened to true natural beauty? Do you really need all that cream, powder, and eye shadow to feel beautiful? When we see a woman sans makeup, do we say, “Oh man, she looks plain!” What’s wrong with a bare face? I say, at least once a week (or once a month, for those who struggle) take a bare face day! I do…..it also gives your pores a chance to breathe and rest. Don’t get me wrong, I still LOVE makeup and how it can enhance your natural beauty, but you shouldn’t become completely dependent on it. It isn’t the makeup that makes you beautiful, it’s who you are as a person that projects that beauty outward.

Striving for an ideal

Can she make herself look like the model in the ad? Is this a realistic ideal for most women?

When you read magazines, the women in the beauty and fashion ads look near perfect. Is this normal? No! Do you realize that many women (even men) compare themselves to what they see in magazines, TV, and movies? Do you realize how unrealistic this is? Those ads are so airbrushed the model’s own mother probably couldn’t recognize her. In addition, celebrities and starlets have so many resources available to them that the average woman simply does not. Personal trainers, personal chefs, personal assistants, nannies, gurus….you name it! Stop comparing yourself to what you see projected out at you.  Why do we all want to be skinny? Because that is what society tells us is the ideal. You will never have Jessica Biehl’s body because you have different genetics and a different body type. It’s simply unrealistic. Let’s start being happy with the face and body we were given and make it the best body we can. So what if you have big legs….they’re beautiful in their own way!

LOVE YOU for YOU

I’m sorry if this post seems a bit preachy…but can you tell I feel very passionately about this subject? Let’s stop striving for what society views as perfect beauty or the perfect body and accept ourselves for who we are, while still knowing we can better ourselves. Let’s come to the realization that we should have our own and not anyone else’s standards of beauty. When we do this, we will feel joy inside and that joy will radiate outward with true beauty.

*** Don’t forget to enter to win a jar of Blended Naturals Organic Shea Butter Balm for smooth sexy skin! Read my review and find out the details here.

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!

In this month of love, I am feeling so grateful for the supportive readers of Toxic Beauty Blog and I want to share with you the special events that are upcoming.

Mark your calenders! I will be appearing on the Stretch Your Mind and Body radio show on Blog Talk Radio on February 23! On the show, I will be discussing many aspects of toxic beauty so be sure not to miss it. Check out the details here: blogtalkradio

Also look for reviews for really incredible products, including Real Purity, who you all know I am passionate about! In fact, you will be able to win your own set of Real Purity products, so stay tuned to Toxic Beauty Blog for all the details!

Have a great Valentine’s Day!

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!

Robin

There's magic in this sweet nectar called honey.

I always knew about the countless manuka honey benefits for the skin and body, but not until recently did I make the step to purchase some quality honey. I bought manuka honey specifically because it contains an ingredient with powerful antibacterial, anti microbial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti fungal properties.  Not all honeys are created equal! Manuka honey is versatile and just as useful externally as internally. Many skin care products contain honey as one of the top ingredients. It’s a great ingredient to look for when choosing a new skin care product.

A reader asked….does it matter which type of honey you use? The best choice is organic raw honey but I know that can get pricey. So if your budget doesn’t allow, at least be sure to get organic honey. The truth is, the less processing the honey goes through the better it will be for you.  The processing of honey destroys many of the beneficial elements. If you do decide to buy organic and raw, I highly recommend buying it online as it can be much more affordable.  Check out my video about the best wellness shop online, Lucky Vitamin. They also sell honey at very good prices.

Manuka Honey Benefits: There’s So Many!

• Treat skin blemishes/acne

• Promote glowing skin

• Protect skin from sun damage

• Cleanse skin

• Heal irritated skin

• Treat burns

• Moisturize severely dry skin

• Anti-bacterial agent

• Anti-microbial agent

• Vitamin and mineral rich, including copper, iron, silica, vitamin B, manganese, chlorine, calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorous, aluminum and magnesium

• Pain relief

• Prevent scarring

• Tone the skin and tighten pores

By now you might be saying, “Wow! I didn’t know honey could do all that!”  Just try it and you just might be incredibly pleased with the results. One of the best facial mask recipes contain honey!

Need an idea of how to use honey in your beauty routine? Check out this video for an amazingly yummy toning chocolate honey scrub. So now you know all about the amazing manuka honey benefits. You can truly revitalize your skin using natural ingredients. It’s never been so easy!

Have you used honey before in your beauty routine? If so, how did you use it? Have any good recipes to share? Let’s dish!

On a sad and completely different note, I would like to dedicate this post to Karissa Gundling, a fellow green beauty blogger who passed away on Saturday. Her warmth and genuineness came through on every post she wrote. She was an inspiration to me and will be greatly missed. See her blog here:prissygreen

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!

Robin

Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog to enter the My Lip Stuff Giveaway!

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!

-Robin

Catch all the Fall fun at ToxicBeautyBlog.com

Hey Toxic Beauty cuties!

I just wanted to post something quick to let you know things are brewin’ on Toxic Beauty Blog! There are some very exciting things coming to the blog in the witching month of October. I will be adding personalized video to the blog so you can get to know your friendly Toxic Beauty Blogger a little better.

Also, I have been blessed to be able to try many new products and will be sharing the product reviews (and in some cases the actual products!) with you. Yes, that’s right!  I am announcing product giveaways for some of these great new products! And of course, they are safe and organic so you get the best of both worlds!

The only way you can be sure to not miss a thing on the blog is to subscribe to free e-mail or RSS updates. You can receive convenient e-mails whenever the blog is updated and not have to worry about missing that new promotion, giveaway, or video! So if you are not already subscribed, simply click on the subscribe button on the upper right sidebar.

Have you downloaded your free ebook yet? Just click on the “Beautify Naturally” ebook to the right to get instant access to the best in nontoxic beauty tips.

So stay with me to keep up with all the “spooktacular” October goings on on Toxic Beauty Blog!

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!

-Robin

Green tea is not only great for your heart, but for your skin and hair too.

Did the title catch your attention? I hope so…The benefits of drinking green tea are many: weight loss, increased metabolism, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, and improving the immune system to name a few. Green tea contains EGCG, a powerful  antioxidant which kills cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. If green tea is not part of your daily diet, it should be.

Green tea is so healthy in our diet but what can it do in our beauty products?  There are times when your hair needs a break from regular shampoo and needs a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup of styling products. Enter Aubrey Organics Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo.

It deep cleans and rinses well leaving the hair healthy and manageable. It contains herbal extracts and nutrients which make the hair easy to style and cuts down on dry time (who doesn’t need more time in their beauty routine??) Green tea and nettle extract protect hair and tone the scalp. Aloe replenishes moisture while almond protein strengthens hair fiber, fullness, and manageability. You will be so pleased when you use this shampoo as it contains so sulfates, parabens, or chemicals. It’s also vegan and is not tested on animals. Here are the complete ingredients:

INGREDIENTS: Deionized Water, Coconut Oil-Corn Oil Soap, Organic Green Tea Extract (Organic Green Tea, Organic Nettle, Natural Grain Alcohol), Organic Aloe Vera, Carrageenan, Organic Lemon Peel Oil, Almond Protein, Organic Blue Camomile Oil, Aubrey’s Preservative (Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E).

You can explore the entire line of green tea products at Aubrey Organics.

Another company who have tapped into the power of green tea is Burt’s Bees. They make a collection of products utilizing this wonder ingredient. I was able to find a Green Tea set at Marshall’s (I am always looking for deals!) It contained a 12 oz. shampoo, 12 oz. conditioner, 8 oz. hand soap, and a soap bar. Burt’s Bees Color Keeper Shampoo and Conditioner uses green tea and fennel seed to help preserve color. This is a good shampoo, but when compared with Aubrey, I definitely like the results from the Aubrey collection better. My hair seems to stay cleaner longer than when I use the Burt’s Bees. If you decide to try both lines, it is up to you to decide which you like better. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the benefits of green tea or what is has done for you. Please leave me a comment.

Until next time, stay natural… stay beautiful… go green(tea!) -Robin

So it made me wonder…what is your beauty routine or ritual? Do you have beauty habits? I’d love to create an awesome dialogue on the blog with some great comments, so please join in!

Save money by purchasing a skin care set.

By now, you all know how much I ♥ Aubrey Organics products. I love how they create skin care systems and products designed for different skin and hair types too. I like to coordinate my products and use all the same items from one product line.  After 30, I decided it was time to be on the offensive and start anti-aging activities.  I found out about Rosa Mosqueta after researching which natural ingredients were best for anti-aging. Rosa mosqueta originates from rosa mosqueta oil and is a powerful anti-oxidant, providing Essential Fatty Acids and promoting youthful skin. It also has amazing skin regenerating properties and can reverse sun damage! I started using Aubrey’s Rosa Mosqueta Moisturizing Cream for the daytime. It absorbs easily, makes a great base for under make-up, and moisturizes and hydrates the skin all day. To make it even better, all the ingredients are identifiable and contains no chemicals. I was so pleased with the daytime moisturizing cream that I decided to expand to the night cream.

The Rosa Mosqueta Night Cream is a bit thicker and when applied, makes the skin shiny and glowing. That  is not really a problem though as you apply before bedtime and the cream works it’s magic as you sleep. It’s ultra-moisturizing and restores softness to dry skin. Like the day cream it contains powerful antioxidants, liposomes, and alpha lipoic acid, which in combination helps smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and leaves the skin looking radiant. After using this cream for some time, I am so satisfied with the results and you will be too!

I was delighted to find out that Aubrey uses this fantastic ingredient in it’s hair care products as well. Rosa Mosqueta Nourishing Shampoo is especially for color treated hair but can be used on all hair types. It boasts that it can remove harsh chlorine, which your hair absorbs through the water if you are not using a shower filter (click here for more on shower filters.) It also leaves your hair soft and manageable and the scent is quite pleasant (rosy!) as you shower.  Rosa Mosqueta Nourishing Conditioner contains many healthy essential oils designed to condition, untangle, and fortify for healthy hair. This line starts at $7.98 and up for an individual product and ranges in price. You can get the skin care at a discounted rate if you purchase a set.

When used in tandem, all these products do exactly what they claim to do in a safe way. Aubrey does not use any harsh chemicals. They preserve their products with citrus seed extract and vitamins. Using Aubrey products gives you peace of mind in that you know your body will not be harmed. Aubrey products are organic, safe, and effective. Visit Aubrey Organics to discover them for yourself and find the product lines that match your needs. I know you will be satisfied! If you have any questions about the Aubrey line (or anything at all) please drop me a line through the comments or contact page.

Do you use any Aubrey products? If so, which line and product works best for you? If not, which product would you like to try? I would love to know.

Until next time, stay natural… stay beautiful…Go green! -Robin