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Prepping Pretty Spring Skin
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Welcome to guest post Monday! Want to know how to get skin back in shape after a harsh, cold winter? Read on…
Prepping Pretty Spring Skin
by Sarah Logan
When the sun finally begins to warm our faces again, and the world slowly looks a little greener, we always feel the need to freshen up our looks a bit. In an enthusiastic hurry to apply this season’s bright makeup colors, we may forget to stop and realize that the most important step is good skincare for a clean, smooth base. After the cold wind, dry heating systems, and dark days are done with our faces, most of us go into springtime looking a little dull.
To bring your face back to life, there are some basics that always help whether you’re at a spa or your bathroom sink. Firstly, be sure to exfoliate: it can be as simple as adding salt (for oily skin) or sugar (for dry skin) to your face wash or buying one with exfoliating beads in it. It always helps to add a product with something like fruit enzymes or hydroxy acids into your regimen for added results. Going to get microdermabrasion at a local spa is a great choice for deep exfoliation that will be noticed right away. Any of these options will reveal fresh skin that is glowing and smooth.
Pamper your skin this spring.
Second, you need to continuously moisturize to have skin perfect for makeup application. If you’re getting a facial at a spa, that’s great because they will both exfoliate and moisture your skin while you’re there. At home, be sure you’re using a formula appropriate for your skin type, like a gel for oily skin, a thicker cream for dry, or something in between. Some of the face lotions with radiance/skin brightening ingredients are perfect for dewy spring skin, and are a nice boost for any look.
If we just take a little extra care in reviving skin at this time of year, the reward will be a complexion that’s more awake and well-textured. Your face will look flawless all season long!
Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of Aesthetic Science Institute (ASI). ASI is a beauty school for new students interested in a career in aesthetics and licensed aestheticians interested in advanced aesthetics training and certification.
Stay natural, stay beautiful, go green!
Lipfacts or Fiction?
Posted by: | CommentsWhen I was approached to review an all natural lipstick, I was hesitant at first. I am the first one to say I am not a lipstick fan. I will choose lip gloss or lip balm any day! I really like the natural lip look. But when I thought about it, I realized that many of my readers love lipstick and may need some safer options. So I decided to go for it and explore an all natural lipstick line.
Facefacts by Lori is a small cosmetic company started by professional makeup artist Lori Hoffman. Right now, they offer lip products, but look for more cosmetic products coming soon! All Lipfacts Naturally Elegant Lipsticks are made with completely natural and organic ingredients. Lipfacts uses mineral pigments to make beautiful colors and does not test on animals. Lori sent me two colors: Raisin and Berry Mauve. These colors were very similar (a reddish-brown) and I only tried them for a day, as they were not my colors! I decided to pass them to a friend of mine….and it turns out they were her perfect colors!
My friend really liked these lipsticks! She told me they were very long-wearing, rich, and creamy. She did say that they seemed to need more moisture. I had the same thought when I tried the Almond Cream shade. I countered this by adding a top layer of lip gloss…it made it more moist. I also always use lip balm before I put lipstick on so that helped too.
This was Lori’s response when I mentioned that we thought the lipsticks needed a bit more moisture:
“The reason it feels like it needs more moisture is NOT because it lacks moisturizing ingredients , as you can clearly read on the panel, it is rich in emollient ingredients. (butters ,waxes and oils.) We needed to make a lipstick that is luxurious and truly natural, as well as VERY long lasting in color and creaminess. I believe we have achieved that. Bobbie Brown is the line I adore and I used her products as a prototype in terms of feel, texture and color payoff. I think we did a great job in creating a natural prestige version of our own that is more than comparable.”
I definitely must agree with Lori here…..it might be that I am just not used to lipstick! I also really loved the long-lasting rich color it allowed me to have. The Almond Cream shade is a lovely nude shade that gives you a very natural look. Right now, there are 8 lovely shades to choose from. Another fabulous part of LipFacts lipstick is that it contains all natural ingredients such as jojoba seed oil, shea butter, and vitamin E to name a few. Check out their ingredients page here: Lipfacts Ingredients
Lipfacts leaves out toxic and chemical ingredients. Lipfacts Naturally Elegant Lipstick contain absolutely no mineral oil, lead, petrolatum, dyes, lakes, and parabens. Remember, we ingest our lipstick and if we do this, we should be using products we can eat! Lipfacts by Lori gives women a better choice and proves that your health does not have to be compromised for beauty.
Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!
Robin
Disclaimer: I was provided lipstick samples free of charge from Lipfacts by Lori. I was not paid in any way for this review. This review consists of my honest observations of the product.
Magic for Skin: Aloe Vera
Posted by: | CommentsWhat ingredient restores dry skin? Moisturizes sun burned skin? Soothes and protects? Aloe vera!
Even before I went organic, I used it after sun exposure. It’s anti-inflammatory properties are healing for sunburned skin. Aloe also contains 18 amino acids, vitamins and minerals making it the perfect food for your skin. You can drink aloe vera juice for the internal health benefits but did you know you can use it topically as a face and body mask? You only need 3 ingredients and it’s really affordable too!
You will need:
- Aloe vera juice (organic)
- Aloe vera gel
- Rose essential oil (pure, not synthetic)
Visit From Nature With Love for affordable beauty ingredients, including aloe vera gel.
Watch the video below for exact instructions on how to make your own soothing, hydrating aloe mask. Let me know your results!
100% Pure Deals!
Posted by: | CommentsI just had to let my readers know about this great deal! 100% Pure is an organic skin care and cosmetic line with 100% safe, 100% natural, and 100% identifiable ingredients. They are vegan, gluten, and petrochemical free. Look at the contents of any of their products and you can honestly say, it is good enough to eat! Check out this post from the archives for my review on their fantastic body scrub: 100% Pure 100% Amazing
Right now the 100% Pure Special Deal of the Week is an 8 piece fruit pigmented cosmetic box + bubble bath and body scrub for $46! Normally purchased separately this would cost $85! For the bubble bath (7.5 oz.) and scrub (6 oz.) you have a choice between pink champagne and dark chocolate (yum!) In addition, you can also get free shipping with orders over $50.
This is a great way to try 100% Pure products while saving a bunch of bucks too! I know I am going to get in on this deal. I hope you do too! Visit 100% Pure to order and find out more, but hurry it may end soon.
Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!
Robin
Product Review: Blum Naturals Daily Cleansing Towelettes
Posted by: | CommentsDisclaimer: While I did find this product on my own, the company sent me two samples. I was not paid for this review.
A while back, I got caught up in a great dialogue on another blog about makeup remover wipes. So many readers were leaving comments saying how their wipes burned when they used them and I was one of them! I used to use Jason makeup remover pads and when I wiped them on my eyelids, the entire area around my eyes would burn. The eye area is so delicate! You need to be careful with what you use around them. Many of the other comments talked about commercial brand wipes filled with chemical toxins. As I read the comments I still had not found an effective natural makeup wipe.
One day I was browsing in one of my favorite stores looking for Christmas gifts. You never know what you will find at Ross! The stock changes every week and if you have a good eye, you can sometimes pick up natural or organic products. I was in the lotion and makeup section when my eyes beheld these:
Blum Naturals Daily Cleansing Towelettes for Dry and Sensitive Skin
I was going on a trip soon and when I travel, I like to keep a makeup wipe on hand to remove makeup easily. They are also great for makeup removal after a late night out. Come on, who really wants to wash their face at 3 am??
These towelettes come in a great re-closeable package, keeping the remaining wipes moist and fresh. The wipes smell great and are a nice size. Some wipes are tiny pads, but not these. Each wipe is about the size of a small paperback book, giving you more than enough space to remove face and eye makeup. And the best part….no burn at all when used around the eye area. Blum Naturals towelettes are quite effective at removing makeup and also leaves your skin feeling slightly moisturized. The chamomile extract really soothes the skin. I would still recommend using a moisturizer afterward though.
Even if you don’t wear makeup, you can still use these wipes to clean your face or refresh after the gym. One day, I took them with me to use after my workout and before I went into the sauna so my face could be fully free to release toxins!The wipes I bought are for dry and sensitive skin but they also make versions for oily and combination skin types. In addition to cleansing towelettes, Blum Naturals also makes exfoliating cloths, eye cleansing pads, face wash, and oil absorbing tissues. I have not yet tried any of these products, but I look forward to trying them soon.
And how does Blum Naturals make such a great wipe? With absolutely no synthetic preservatives, fragrances, or parabens! Nine ingredients do the job just fine:
Water, Decyl Glucoside (plant dervied,) Organic Chamomile Extract, Organic Aloe Vera Extract, Lavender Oil, Vanilla Oil, Patchouli Oil, Gluconolactone (sugar derived), Sodim Benzoate (sugar dervied,) and Glycerin
The day I found these great towelettes, I wish I had bought more, but I only bought one package. However, there is hope. Blum Naturals are carried at tons of stores! Visit blumnaturals.com for a complete list and to check out their other products. The only way you cannot find these wipes is if you live somewhere like Alaska, and even then I am sure you can find them online!
Has anyone else ever used Blum Naturals or found anther good organic or natural makeup remover? Do tell!
Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!
Robin
