Tag: organic

Getting Dressed

Saving Money on Body Care, Skincare, and Cosmetics–Things to Know

Christy


Makeup, skincare products, haircare products, and everything else it takes to make you look good at the next Ole Miss game can add up to a pretty hefty sum…

But are there actual tried-and-true ways to save money on those products you actually do use and love…and not waste money on products you will never use and might even hate…without losing that all-important Southern belle image?!

1.  Know how much you are actually spending as compared to other similar products or sizes available in that particular product. Calculate how much a product costs per ounce/gram by dividing the product retail price by the number of ounces in the product.

 

2.  Know what products have won awards, such as…

 

 

3.  Know your skin…The most important step in caring for your skin is understanding your specific skin type. To figure your skin type, gently pat a blotting paper on the different areas of your face and hold the sheet up to the light. The five different skin types are…

  • a.  Combination Skin…Combination skin is the most common skin type since there are so many more sebaceous, or oil-producing, glands around our noses than other areas of our faces, but people with this skin type have a consistently oily T-zone with consistent dryness in other areas of the face, such as the cheeks.
  • b.  Dry Skin...Dry skin is characterized by small pores, an overall feeling of tightness, more visible lines, less elasticity and a duller complexion.  Dry skin requires moisturizer throughout the day, especially when you first wake up or after you cleanse your face. Cleansing dry skin leaves it feeling taut and dehydrated.
  • c.  Normal Skin...Normal skin is not too dry and not too oily. Your skin usually has an even tone,  a soft texture, and little flakiness. You may get an oily T-zone in hot weather, but generally this area is oil-free. People with normal skin will feel clean and clear after cleansing…and might still be in need of a little moisturizer, but will not need to apply moisturizer very often throughout the day as the skin stays fairly moisturized on its own.
  • d.  Oily Skin...Oily skin types tend to have larger pores, a shiny and  thicker feeling complexion, frequent blackheads and pimples. Cleansing the face often and avoiding heavy creams and emollients help minimize the appearance of oil. Oily skin feels clean and oil-free after cleansing, but oil returns shortly after cleansing.
  • e.  Sensitive Skin...People with sensitive skin experience a low-level of discomfort-breakouts, rashes, red spots, stinging, swelling, flakiness, itching-at all times. People with sensitive skin have trouble finding products that do not irritate the skin and cause a reaction. Look for mild products without fragrance, harsh ingredients like alcohol and menthol, and harsh scrubbing agents such as crushed walnuts, pumice, and aluminum oxide crystals.



4.  Know yourself...What kind of makeup wearer are you?

We apply makeup to help us project the image we want the world to see…as contrary as this may sound, to help us  be “our true selves.”

Each of us has some sort of “beauty routine ritual” that really works for us as individuals….a routine or regimen that makes us feel fresh, grounded, whole and ready for the day…and propels us forward with confidence, grace and self-empowerment.

This image or “true self” will be individualistic, specific, and perhaps difficult to put into exact words…but each of us has an idea of the type of person she wants looking back at her whenever she takes the time to look in a mirror.

Knowing yourself and the image that you wish to project will help you define your personal needs and aproach both the world of beauty and the world of fashion from the proper perspective.

Starting to know yourself in this arena may be easier if you first understand the following five types of makeup wearers.

  • a.  The makeup hoarder ..The makeup hoarder is an informed customer who feels confident shopping for beauty products and probably has a huge stash, but is uncomfortable actually wearing it.
  • b.   The makeup junkie…The makeup junkie is an informed customer who feels very comfortable shopping for and wearing makeup…who reads the top makeup blogs regularly,  watch Youtube videos, frequent makeup counters. She appreciates and owns good quality makeup products and brushes.
  • c.  The makeup know-it-all...The makeup know-it-all can be shown or told nothing that she haven’t seen or heard before.
  • d.  The makeup novice…The makeup novice is interested in, but also intimidated by makeup. She knows very little about applying makeup and has worn little to no makeup in her lifetime.
  • e.  The makeup wearer…The makeup wearer is an informed consumer who feels comfortable with her makeup and skincare routine. Although she has a general knowledge of makeup and skincare and wears makeup daily, she does not consider herself an expert.
Getting Dressed

Cruelty-Free Body and Skin Care Brands…#4

Christy



1. Queen Helene

  • Availability…Albertson’s
  • Focus…famous for their Mint Julep Masque
  • Founded…in 1930
  • Ingredients… ingredients like cocoa butter which is rich with vitamins and natural emollient properties, pomegranate oil for its antioxidant protection against the skin-aging effects of environment, and essential oils to help relax tired muscles and ease tension
  • Mission…to provide a full line of affordable and effective body care products that are passed on from generation to generation
  • Philosophy…
  • Price Range…$7 for body lotion

2. Renee Rouleau

  • Availability…spas in Dallas and Plano, Texas
  • Focus…effectively correcting every skin type’s concerns
  • Founded…established in 1996 by celebrity esthetician, Renée Rouleau
  • Mission…to help people maximize their skin’s potential with a propietary line of natural, high-performance products based on nine unique skin types
  • Philosophy…that the skin care industry’s one-size-fits-all approach was not in-sync with what the modern client wants, or needs, in their pursuit of balanced, healthy skin
  • Price Range…$46.50 for body serum

3.  Rodial

  • Availability…Nordstrom
  • Focus…famous for products like “Bee Venom” and “Dragon’s Blood”
  • Price Range…$78 for body serum

4. Radical Skincare

  • Availability…Sephora
  • Founded…by Liz and Rachel, the daughters of Dr. Richard F. Edlich MD.PHD, world renowned Professor of Plastic Surgery
  • Ingredients…extract of paracress, seaweed extracts, macadamia and desert date palm oils, glycerine
  • Mission…to provide solutions that are as effective as possible for all skin types.
  • Price Range…$78 for body serum

5. S.W. Basics

  • Availability…Target
  • Focus…using as few ingredients as possible, usually 5 or less per products
  • Price Range…$20 for body oil

6. Suntegrity

  • Focus…offers sun care and nothing but sun care
  • Founded…in memory of all of those who lost their lives to skin cancer
  • Ingredients…only the best known physical block ingredient (non-nano size zinc oxide)
  • Mission… to provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and super anti-oxidants and amino acids to enhance that protection and help with skin repair
  • Philosophy… It doesn’t make sense to use these types of sunscreens to prevent skin cancer only to get another kind of cancer.
  • Price Range…$24 for sunscreen

7.  Sukin

  • Focus…Australia’s Number One Natural Skincare Brand
  • Founded…in Melbourne, Australia in 2007
  • Ingredients…the highest grade essential oils, antioxidants, and botanicals
  •  and 100% natural botanical extracts…naturally derived, cruelty free and vegan
  • Mission…to provide high efficacy, environmentally sustainable and affordable natural skincare products that restore the natural vitality and radiance of your skin and hair
  • Philosophy…producing the highest standards of natural skin, hair and body care products begins with sourcing quality ingredients
  • Price Range…$14 for body lotion


8.  The Wonder Seed

  • Focus…hempseed oil
  • Founded…by Theresa Ruiz-Hellings and her daughters Elena and Juliet and formerly known as The Healing Seed
  • Ingredients…100% natural, vegan, with no parabens, and no artificial colors or perfumes
  • Mission…to nurture, heal and protect skin and hair with a complete line of products rich in virgin organic hempseed oil, the most nutritious oil on Earth
  • Philosophy…From our families to yours, we wish you vibrant health for your most wonderful life!
  • Price Range…$17 for body lotion

9. Tatcha

  • Availability…Sephora
  • Focus…based on the rituals of the Japanese geisha
  • Founded…in Japan by Victoria Tsai
  • Ingredients…complete list here
  • Philosophy…less is more
  • Price Range…$48 for body butter


10. Yes To

  • Availability…Ulta, drugstores all over the world
  • Focus…products in their carrot, blueberry, tomato, cucumber, and grapefruit ranges
  • Ingredients..95% NATURAL INGREDIENTS…no parabens…packaged in recyclable packaging whenever possible.
  • Mission…to make skin feel good while bringing a smile to your face
  • Price Range..$13 for body lotion.
Getting Dressed

Cruelty-Free Body and Skin Care Brands…#2

Christy

 

 
1. Desert Essence

  • Availability…Whole Foods, Amazon, iHerb
  • Focus…
  • Founded…35 years ago
  • Ingredients
  • Mission…to bring you the results and peace of mind you deserve
  • Price Range…$9


2. Ellovi

  • Availability…Sephora, Nordstrom.
  • Focus…healthy-looking, hydrated skin
  • Ingredients…macadamia nut, coconut, marula nut, hemp seed, and shea…no synthetic ingredients, preservatives, parabens, or other secret ingredients.
  • Mission…to make the best natural skincare products, but the best skincare products of any kind… to always make our products with integrity and the finest ingredients from around the world
  • Philosophy…that what you put on your skin goes more than skin deep.
  • Price Range…$26



3.  First Aid Beauty

  • Availability… Sephora, Ulta
  • Focus…sensitive skin that’s prone to irritation
  • Ingredients…Shea Butter, Colloidal Oatmeal, Ceramide 3 and the FAB Antioxidant Booster…
  • Price Range…$30

4. Glossier

  • Founded…in 2010 as a venture for the editors of IntoTheGloss.com, a super-successful beauty blog
  • Ingredients… hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, paraben free, cruelty free
  • Price Range.. $22 for body cream


5.  Gourmet Body Treats…

  • Founded…started in 1996 by Waleska Agosto Feliciano in the summer of 1996 who after moving to Texas from Germany quickly found that most of the personal care products she began using were irritating to her skin
  • Ingredients…locally-sourced vegan, natural, and organic ingredients such as honey…cruelty-free
  • Mission…to convey to you how much we care about what we do, and for you to be a part of it.
  • Price Range…$20 for cleanser

6. GOOP

  • Founded…by Gwyneth Paltrow in collaboration with Juice Beauty
  • Ingredients…made from organic ingredient…and they’re even safe to eat. Gwyneth Paltrow herself actually ate some of the moisturizer as part of a promo…Argania spinosa (argan) nut oil, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, cetearyl alcohol, sodium cetearyl sulfate, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract (and) glycerin, tocopherol (vitamin e)
  • Mission…to make every choice count
  • Price Range…$11 for body lotion



7.  Hugo Naturals

  • Availability… Whole Foods
  • Focus…to bring excitement, integrity, exuberance, and a fresh way of seeing life
  • Founded…started out from handcrafted soaps that were made with all-natural ingredients and sold at our local Farmer’s market
  • Ingredients…Complete List
  • Mission…to enhance peoples’ lives by creating amazing products made from the best raw materials that the Earth can sustainably give
  • Price Range…$9

8. Hush + Dotti

  • Focus…creating hip, sexy, luxurious & incredibly effective beauty products without all of the toxic garbage
  • Ingredients…love, monoi – cocos nucifera (coconut oil) & gardenia tahinensis (tahitian gardenia), theobroma grandiflorum (cupuacu nut butter), butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), persia americana (avocado fruit oil), prunus armeniaca (apricot kernel oil), capryllic capric triglycerides (natural vegetable esters derived from coconut oil), alpha tocopherol (vitamin e)
  • Philosophy…LOVE is our first ingredient for a reason. Love is in the aromatherapy you experience from our products. Love is what you feel when your skin radiates from the purity of our products. Love is what you’ll feel from our amazing customer care team. Love is the quality ingredients we put in every jar. Love is our commitment to giving you our very best
  • Price Range…$38 for body balm

 …

9.  Indie Lee

  • Availability…Anthropologie, Amazon, The Detox Market
  • Focus…eco-friendly solutions for every skin type from acne-prone to super dry
  • Founded…by Indie Lee after awakening on April 22, 2009 after conquering a life-threatening brain tumor that pointed to environmental toxins as the culprit
  • Ingredients…jojoba oil, apricot oil, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang ylang
  • Mission…to enhance the face and body with gratifying green glamour
  • Price Range…$36


…

10. Juice Beauty

  • Availability…Sephora, Ulta
  • Focus…products that are more natural and organic than other skincare brands
  • Price Range…$18

11.  Korres

  • Ingredients…sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil, Shea butter, avocado oil, grape seed extract, ..
  • Price Range…$31 for body butter


12.  Mogi Mousse…

  • Focus…individuals with normal to dry and extra dry, sensitive and/or maturing skin
  • Ingredients…shea butter, organic oils, botanical extracts, and essential oils… packed with vitamins, essential fatty acids, minerals and antioxidants
  • Price Range…$54 for body butter
Getting Dressed

Making the Switch to a “Cruelty-Free” Lifestyle (without making it cruel to you yourself)

Christy



Legally, laboratory animals form a special category of animals and are not currently protected from ordinary animal abuse and cruelty laws.

But if enough of us speak up loudly enough, perhaps this fact could be changed.

 

 

Making positive changes and choices--one decision at a time, one individual at a time–always impacts more than just that one individual. Any act of kindness, no matter how small, has a ripple effect.

Making the decision to change to a cruelty-free lifestyle–one product at a time, one individual at a time–eventually could have enough of an impact to convince large companies to stop animal testing altogether.

 
Make this lifestyle change gradually. Switching over one product at a time, instead of going all out and buying everything at once, will make the the transition more manageable and cost effective.

Take an inventory to see what products you already have on hand–makeup, skincare, shower essentials, toothpaste, deodorant–that are already “cruelty-free.” However, don’t feel like you need to replace everything all at once.

This will help you know which products you can continue to purchase and which ones you may need to re-evaluate for more conscious options.

…But instead of simply throwing everything isn’t found to be “cruelty-free,” replace particular product with a cruelty-free alternative as you are almost finished with it.

If you do find that one or more of your favorite products are made by a company that does still do animal testing, take the time now to find a cruelty-free alternative that works well. Researching brands and products before you’re desperately out of it gives you time to find the right brands, products, and shades.

Do not wait until the last minute to find an alternative for that product(s). If you do, you will probably end up reaching for the same non- “cruelty-free” product out of habit.

Getting Dressed

Cruelty-Free Body and Skin Care Brands…#1

Christy

Not only are there more and more cruelty-free natural and organic cosmetic companies being started these days…but also a slew of cruelty-free natural and organic body and skin care companies popping up.

These products-which are good replacements for brands that test on animals…including Aveeno, Garnier, Olay, Neutrogena, and St. Ives…can more easily be found and are being formulated to address various skin type needs and concerns.

The next few posts will be a guide to cruelty-free skincare brands and the locations where they can be found.

1.   Alba Botanical

  • Availability…available in many drugstores, Amazon, iHerb.
  • Focus…acne-prone skin
  • Ingredients…high quality, 100% vegetarian products that overflow with botanical ingredients such as aloe vera, green tea and chamomile extracts
  • Mission…to Do Beautiful…to help fellow women look beautiful on the outside while feeling beautiful on the inside
  • Price Range… $10 for body lotion

2.  Athar’a Pure

  • Focus…ancient Ayurvedic skin care treatments and dosha types
  • Ingredients…the best natural and organic pure, plant-based ingredients found on earth…without the use of toxins, chemicals, parabens, dyes, phthalates, sulfates, artificial fragrances.synthetics, alcohol or any other harmful ingredient or preservatives
  • Mission…providing you with high quality, luxurious, vegan beauty products that are cruelty free and never tested on animals
  • Price Range…$22 for body lotion

3.  Avalon Organics

  • Availability…Walmart, Kroger, Sprouts, Amazon, iHerb
  • Focus…anti-aging
  • Ingredients…plant-based organic ingredients from only trusted sources
  • Mission…founded on the deep-rooted belief that all beauty comes from the Earth…deep reverence for the Earth and a respect for all living creatures.
  • Price Range… $9


4.  Andalou Naturals

  • Availability…Amazon, iHerb
  • Founded…by Stacey Kelly and Mark Egide in 1999 as the very first certified organic personal care line
  • Ingredients…fruit and plant stem cells
  • Philosophy…Beauty is YOU – a simple and bold empowerment message to consumers and the industry at large. Beauty happens in the moments of the everyday (for individuals and organizations) – the little choices that we make along the way that all add up to monumental change: Commit to defining beauty one action at a time and be Empowered, Radiant and True. Beauty is YOU.
  • Price Range…$15 for body lotion

 


5.  Blissoma

  • Focus…demanding skin types, such as extremely sensitive skin and allergies
  • Ingredients…100% natural, Certified Vegan…a much stricter ingredient palette than even most “natural” brands…packed with certified organic botanicals, bioavailable vitamins, essential fatty acids, and skin-soothing seed oils
  • Mission…to provide true solutions to uncomfortable skin conditions…to help people develop a healthy, happy relationship with their skin… to bring forth a positive, loving vision of what beauty can be, embody inclusion, and enhance the dignity of all people
  • Price Range…$36 for body lotion

6.  COOLA

  • Availability…Sephora, Ulta
  • Focus…sunscreen
  • Ingredients…natural, organic, sustainable and locally sourced…vitamins and age-defying antioxidants…without parabens, paba and phthalates
  • Mission…Better for your skin, better for the environment.
  • Price Range…$32

7.  Derma E

  • Availability…Whole Foods, Sprouts, Ulta, CVS, Walgreen’s
  • Focus…the belief that skin health can be visibly improved through the right combination of potent vitamins, wholesome nutrients and exceptional ingredients.
  • Ingredients
  • Mission…to honor our customers with products that promote healthier-looking skin and business ethics that promote a healthier world.
  • Price Range…$13

8.  Dermadoctor

  • Availability…Sephora
  • Focus…problem-solving solutions for skin concerns ranging from anti-aging challenges to blemishes, chicken skin bumps and perspiration dilemmas
  • Founded…by Dr. Audrey Kunin
  • Ingredients…include Artichoke Bud Extract and Bayberry Fruit Extract
  • Mission… to provide effective solutions to skincare problems without the need of a prescription
  • Philosophy…DERMAdoctor is truly just what the skin doctor ordered.®
  • Price Range…$58 for body lotion
Getting Dressed

8 Reasons Even Southern Women Who Like to Fish and Hunt Should Consider Switching to Organic Cosmetics

Christy


To a Southern woman, taking away our “beauty products” is similar to taking away firearms to a Southern man. We realize that “Even an old barn looks better with a fresh coat of paint. We consider putting on a full face of makeup is actually part of putting on the “full armor of God…after all, the higher the hair, the closer to God.

But even Southern women are becoming more and more concerned about the fact that many ingredients in our beauty and personal care products expose the wearer to a range of health concerns and may be linked to illnesses such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Even if most of us are not tree huggers…(after all, we love our bacon and fried chicken way too much to ever be vegetarians…the only reason we buy fabric shopping bags is so that our groceries won’t fall out of the bottom of the bag when we carry them into the house because the bagged at Walmart refused to double-bag them)…we do respect the idea that using certain products “harms the environment,” and we like river rafting and fishing way too much to simply stand by and let that happen.

Here are ten good reasons that even Southern women should consider switching to organic cosmetics instead of simply using the Cover Girl foundation and Bonne Belle bright blue eyeshadow that we all grew up with.

1. Organic 

cosmetics will not harm the environment……

…and that’s one less thing to worry about while we’re getting dressed to go deer hunting or bass fishing….or watch some Bulldogs fight some Razorbacks.Conventional beauty products often contain aluminum and petroleum. Retrieving the aluminum and petroleum needed to make cosmetics requires a great deal of mining to be done in some of the world’s most beautiful and sensitive areas, such as the Amazon rainforest. Every year miles of land are destroyed and stripped of vital wildlife.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be so hesitant to all ask ourselves about every single product that we use while getting dressed…

  • Is the packaging recyclable?
  • Were the ingredients in the product grown with synthetic chemicals and fertilizers?
  • What happens when those chemicals go down the drain?
  • What will this do to our water supply and the local ecosystems?

2. Organic cosmetics contain no harsh chemicals...

Conventional makeup often contains chemicals that can not only cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, but many of these chemicals are downright poisonous to the endocrine system.

For example, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $72M of damages to the family of a woman whose death from ovarian cancer was linked to her use of the company’s talc-based Baby Powder and Shower to Shower for several decades.

To make matters worse, The FDA has not formally regulated beauty ingredients since 1938.

A few of the main toxic chemicals found in beauty and skincare products include….

  • Formaldehyde, often found in baby ‘no tear’ shampoos and haircare products, liquid soaps, nail polish, may be a contributing factor in cancer development if inhaled or absorbed through the skin for a prolonged period of time.
  • Lead, often found in lipsticks and toothpaste, can cause brain damage, seizures, gastrointestinal issues, reproductive dysfunction, and kidney dysfunction.
  • Nitrosamine, found in almost everything, can form when certain chemical ingredients are mixed together and are usually not listed as an actual ingredient….yet many studies link nitrosamine to cancer. In 1996, the FDA “suggested” that cosmetic manufacturers remove any ingredients that create nitrosamine when combined with other chemicals, but this suggestion has been pretty much  ignored. In fact, ten percent of cosmetics still contain combinations of ingredients that create nitrosamines.
  •  Parabens…such as propylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben and butylparaben….are found in almost any beauty product that has water added to it. Parabens have been shown to disrupt hormones and have the potential to cause cancer. A 2004 study found parabens in 18 out of 20 samples of human breast tissue. Parabens are in almost 100% of drugstore skincare products and cosmetics.
  • Phthalates…found in nail polish, air fresheners, perfumes, body sprays, detergents, and soaps…are not commonly listed as an ingredient, but a study by SafeCosmetics.org, found phthalates in at least 72 products they tested. Phthalates have been shown to disrupt hormones and decrease sperm count.

3. Organic makeup is better for your skin...

Products that are 100% vegan contain no artificial ingredients and are free of preservatives, parabens, additives and sulfates. USDA-certified organic beauty products only include organic ingredients that meet the same growing standards as organic food. Organic makeup is also free of mineral oils which can clog pores and cause skin irritation and breakouts.

4. Organic makeup does not contain harmful, mysterious “fragrances.”… 

Nearly all scented makeup products and perfumes list the word “fragrance,” but companies are not required by the FDA to list the actual ingredients that make up the “fragrance” in their products because that combination of ingredients is classified as a trade secret.

You may never know what harmful chemical components comprise those man-made scents that are actually behind that wonderful scent you so enjoy inhaling. You may actually be breathing in hormone-disrupting chemicals that could lead to infertility, cancer, nervous system disorders, allergies, and birth defects.

If a product is labeled as USDA-certified organic, each ingredient that makes up the “fragrance” will actually be listed individually on the packaging…and the product will include only 100% natural ingredients.

5. Organic makeup can help your skin have a smoother, more youthful appearance…

Organic products often contains cocoa butter and various other nutrient-rich oils…such as extracts of white tea, grapes, apricots, and pomegranate seeds. Organic skincare products often contain oils…such as extra virgin coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, and olive oil.

These oils provide the essential fatty acids needed for healthy, youthful skin, act as an antioxidant protective barrier, and may inhibit the production of collagen and elastase, two enzymes that break down the integrity and elasticity of the skin.

 

6. Organic makeup provides a certain level of sun protection…

The skin on the face is thinner and more susceptible to UV-related skin aging. Ingredients commonly found in organic cosmetics that can help protect your skin from the sun include…

  • Coconut oil
  • Iron oxide
  • Titanium oxide
  • Vitamin C
  • Zinc oxide

 

7. Organic makeup is better for sensitive skin...

Chemical-based cosmetics are more likely to cause skin reactions such as dry rough patches, rashes, rosacia and breakouts.

8. Organic makeup often performs better than traditional products…

Certified-organic beauty products are made with superior ingredients…ingredients that are pure, fresh and simple. Just as the best meals are usually not made ingredients that are pure, fresh and simple, neither are the best beauty products. Better ingredients mean better results.

Sweet, Sweet Sunday

Baking Soda and Dental Care

Christy
Getting Dressed

Vegan OTBC Face Masks

Christy

IMG_4702-0

Face masks are a great addition to any skincare regimen. They can help keep your skin clear and healthy, and help you unwind after a long day.

 

And doing a face mask while you are already in the shower is great because the steam from the shower opens your pores and allows the nutrients and vitamins to actually be absorbed into your skin much more easily.

 

 

Key factors to consider when choosing a face mask include…

  1. Skin Type (best for)...People with oily skin should look for a mask that helps control oil and shine, while those with dry skin need a hydrating mask that will restore moisture to the skin.
  2. Specific Issue…such as acne, wrinkles, dry skin
  3. Time Commitment
  4. Type Mask…Masks can be found in several different types…such as vegan sheet masks, powder masks you can mix with water or your favorite skin serum, gel-like masks, and clay masks

 

Some popular cruelty-free and vegan face masks that are available include..

 

  

1. Acure Radically Rejuvenating Face Mask

  • Availability…Walgreen’s
  • Best for…aging skin
  • Ingredients…Moroccan red clay, marshmallow root extract, aloe vera
  • Price…$15
  • Specific Issue…cell repair
  • Time Commitment…10-15 minutes
  • Type Mask…clay

 

2. AHAVA Purifying Dead Sea Mud Mask

  • Availability…Ulta, Macy’s
  • Best for…acne prone skin
  • Ingredients…Dead Sea mud, kaolin, vitamin B, chamomile
  • Price…$35
  • Specific Issue…helps clear acne and prevents further breakouts
  • Time Commitment…two minutes
  • Type Mask…mud

 

3. Aubrey Organics Age-Defying Therapy AHA Mask

  • Availability…Amazon, iHerb, Vitacost
  • Best for…aging skin
  • Ingredients…sea buckthorn oil, natural fruit acids, rice spheres
  • Price…$15
  • Specific Issue…exfoliating
  • Time Commitment..5-10 minutes.
  • Type Mask…clay

 

4. Camu Clay Invigorating Anti-Aging Clay Masque

  • Availability…Live Ultimate website
  • Best for…all skin types and needs, from acne control to hydration to anti-aging
  • Ingredients…organic green tea extract, bentonite clay, kaolin, walnut extracts, acai, Camu Camu berries
  • Price…$34
  • Specific Issue…exfoliating
  • Time Commitment…10-20 minutes
  • Type Mask…clay

 

5. Dr. Alkatis Organic Universal Mask

  • Availability…online
  • Best for…acne-prone or sensitive skin
  • Ingredients…seaweed, vegetables, organic grass juice complex
  • Price…$39
  • Specific Issue…deep cleansing
  • Time Commitment…10-20 minutes
  • Type Mask…powder

 

6. Lush Cup O’ Coffee Mask

  • Availability…online or Lush stores
  • Best for…oily or acne-prone skin
  • Ingredients…coffee grounds, cocoa extract, kaolin
  • Price…$12
  • Specific Issue…under-eye bags and circles, oil control
  • Time Commitment…15 minutes
  • Type Mask…scrub

7. Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful Super Hydration Sleepover Mask

  • Availability…Target, Ulta
  • Best for…dry or sun damaged skin
  • Ingredients…sunflower oil, shea butter, avocado oil
  • Price…$15
  • Specific Issue…moisturizing
  • Time Commitment…overnight, does not require rinsing
  • Type Mask…leave-on
Getting Dressed

Vegan Face Mask Recipes

Christy

IMG_4702-0

Face masks are great for both winter weather—with its snow and hail, cold winds, and indoor heating systems—and summer weather—with the damage that may have been picked up from being out in the sun way too long.  They can also be great for many different skin issues, such as dry skin and acne breakouts.

Below is a collection of simple face mask recipes that contain ingredients that you possibly already have on hand.

 

1. Almond Oil…1Tbsp lemon juice, 1Tbsp almond oil or coconut oil

 

2.  Avocado…1/2 of a mashed ripe avocado, 2Tbsp honey

  • Benefits..extremely hydrating
  • Best for…all skin types, especially dry skin

 

3. Banana…one mashed banana, 1Tbsp honey

  • Best for…dry skin

 

4.  Chai...1Tbsp honey, 1/2tsp cinnamon, 1/2tsp cinnamon nutmeg

  • Benefits…gently exfoliates skin
  • Best for...oily or normal skin

 

5.  Chamomile Tea…1C brewed chamomile tea1Tbsp manuka or raw honey, 1tsp nutritional yeast

6.  Cinnamon...2Tbsp warmed honey, 1tsp cinnamon, 1 wedge of fresh lemon

7.  Clay…bentonite or kaolin clay and enough water to make a paste

8.  Cocoa…1Tbsp cocoa powder, one mashed quarter of avocado, 1Tbsp hone

  • Benefits…pore-refining and a great antioxidant

 

9.  Coconut Oil...1Tbsp coconut oil, tea tree oil or lavender essential oil

  • Benefits…moisturizes, helps fight off any skin infections, helps to keep your skin clean and clear

 

10.  Cucumber...1/2 of a cucumber, 1Tbsp honey, 1tsp or more bentonite or kaolin clay as needed to create a paste

  • Best for…especially oily or acne prone skin

 

11.  Eggs…an egg yolk, 1Tbsp of honey, 1Tbsp olive oil, 1/2C oatmeal

  • Benefits…egg white proteins tighten pores and zap acne-causing bacteria 
  • Best for…oily skin

 

12.  Honey...1tsp honey, 1Tbsp natural yogurt

  • Benefits…healing and antibacterial, makes a perfect base for acne-fighting masks.
  • Best for…acne-prone skin
  • Note…True vegans can either substitute a little bit of pureed banana for the honey, or simply omit it.

 

13.  Matcha...1tsp matcha, 1tsp chlorella, enough water or aloe water to create a paste

  • Benefits…”wakes up” the skin and gets your skin glowing

 

14.  Nutritional Yeast…1tsp nutritional yeast, 1Tbsp organic yogurt

  • Benefits…great acne fighter, rich in vitamin B
  • Best for…acne-prone skin

 

15.  Orange Juice…3Tbsp orange juice, 1/2C hone

  • Benefits…vitamin C, helps even out your skin tone

 

16.  Papaya…2Tbsp honey, 1/2C mashed ripe papaya

  • Best for…those who have hyper-pigmentation, sun spots, and uneven pigment

 

17.  Strawberries…3 strawberries, 1oz lemon juice, 8oz plain Greek yogurt, 1oz honey

  • Benefits…exfoliates and brightens the skin, refines pores, natural antioxidant
  • Best for…all skin types

 

18. Tomato…Blend half of a ripe tomato into a puree with a fourth of a cucumber

  • Benefits…contains silica which helps firm up sagging skin, improves complexion, soothes skin irritations, reduces puffiness, and balances skin pH
  • Best for…those wanting an even complexion and soft, smooth, flawless skin

 

19.  Turmeric…2Tbsp flour, 1tsp turmeric, 8Tbsp milk or yogurt, a few drops of honey

  • Benefits...antioxidant that slows down skin cell damage, exfoliant that improves skin texture, diminishes wrinkles
  • Best for…acne, dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, and wrinkles

 

20.  Yogurt….…1tsp plain organic yogurt, 1tsp honey, 1/2 ripe avocado, 2tsp olive oil

  • Benefits….yogurt contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that dissolves dead skin cells, helps create a natural glow, prevents breakouts, and instantly softens and smoothes skin
  • Best for…dry skin, acne-prone skin
Getting Healthy, Sweet, Sweet Sunday

The Essentials about Essential Oils

Christy
Chamomile; German Chamomile; Hungarian Chamomile; Camomile; Matricaria recutita; Chamomilla recutita; Matricaria chamomilla
Chamomile; German Chamomile; Hungarian Chamomile; Camomile; Matricaria recutita; Chamomilla recutita; Matricaria chamomilla is a member of the Aster Family, Asteraceae or Compositae, the dried flowewrs of which are one of the most well-known herbal teas of commerece, valued for flavor, mild anti-inflammatory activity, and a calming effect.

Essential oils are perhaps the oldest known element in following a “natural health” regimen…dating back to the ancient Egyptians, who seem to have used them as far back as 3500BC for religious, cosmetic, and health purposes.

Essential oils have been called the “life blood” of the plant and are typically extracted from within the many shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes and seeds in which they are found through the process of steam distillation. These essential oils have been used for both physical and emotional benefits for thousands of years.

Each person will respond to the aroma, or these specific chemical elements, when breathing in the scent of an essential oil, in his or her own unique way…based on individual emotions, behaviors, memories, and experiences.

That being said, certain essential oils are always considered to have a certain effect regardless of these factors. Certain oils simply almost always seem more uplifting, more invigorating, more calming, more soothing….

In a future post, I will be sharing a list of the best essential oils to use when fighting insomnia.

 

But what good is that list of essential oils and a brand new vial of essential oil…if you’re like I was the first time that I purchased essential oil. It sat in my bathroom for years before I finally gave it away to my daughter because I had no clue what to do with it…(okay, did I just admit that?!)

Chamomile; German Chamomile; Hungarian Chamomile; Camomile; Matricaria recutita; Chamomilla recutita; Matricaria chamomilla
Chamomile; German Chamomile; Hungarian Chamomile; Camomile; Matricaria recutita; Chamomilla recutita; Matricaria chamomilla is a member of the Aster Family, Asteraceae or Compositae, the dried flowewrs of which are one of the most well-known herbal teas of commerece, valued for flavor, mild anti-inflammatory activity, and a calming effect.

Essential oils can have a huge positive influence on us both physically and psychologically.

Physically, using essential oils aromatically can help heal and maintain the respiratory system by improving the quality of the air we are breathing and protecting us from environmental threats…

Psychologically, using essential oils aromatically can help control moods, tension, and stress.

But first, how and why do essential oils work aromatically?

When you inhale essential oils, you are actually breathing in a fine mist or vapor of the actual oil. This vapor contains all the same properties of the actual liquid oil itself, just in a different format.

Once you have inhaled the vapor, the scent of the essential oil interacts with smell receptors located in the brain, known as “olfactory sensors.”

These “olfactory sensors” are part of the “olfactory system,” the part of the brain that regulates our sense of smell. The “olfactory system” part of the brain is located near and closely connected to the limbic system.

Once the scent is processed by the olfactory system, it travels through the olfactory nerve to the limbic system.

The “limbic system” is the part of the brain responsible for processing smell, emotions, behavior, memory, and thoughts…and that can help us feel calm, encouraged, and so forth. Here, the scent triggers responses in the brain based on memories and experiences.

Notice that the limbic system, the part of the brain most closely connected with the olfactory system, is not connected with processing sight, sound, or touch…explaining why smell, more than any of the other five senses, is so successful at triggering emotions and memories.

And why essential oils have a particularly powerful effect when used aromatically.