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DIY Raw Anti-Aging Face Mask and Moisturizer

6 Sep

DIY Face Mask

This Face Mask is so delicious… I was eating it before, during and after applying it on my face! I adapted PeggyKotsopoulos’ Anti-Aging Homemade Natural Skin Face Mask recipe into a Raw Vegan one.

Simple Face Mask Ingredients

Raw Vegan Face Mask

Puree all together:

  • 1 banana (potassium revitalizes the skin)
  • 1 avocado (for vitamins A and E to soften the skin)
  • 1/2 orange, juiced (vitamin C)
  • 1 big spoonful raw almond butter (more vitamin E and protects skin from pollutants)
  • 1 big spoonful raw honey (for blemishes and zits, and anti-aging properties) (if you don’t use honey, try olive oil or a few drops of sea buckthorn oil instead)

Step 1: Apply generously to your face. Leave it on for 10 – 20 minutes. It will begin feeling firm and tight.

Step 2: Wipe off. My face felt kind of ‘matte’. Then rinse.

Step 3: Apply just enough DIY Anti-Aging Moisturizer and feel your face loving it. Notice my cheeks are a little rosy and glowing.

Anti-Aging Moisturizer

In a small tub, mix together:

Peggy’s book Must Have Been Something I Ate also contains other very easy and simple homemade beauty products, suck as natural skin exfoliators, toners, lip balm, lip gloss, body moisturizer, cellulite treatment, acne zapper, age-spot remover, teeth whitener and breath freshener.

Step 4: Allow your face to soak it all in.

I was surprised that extra-virgin olive oil is not at all greasy. The skin soaks it all in and my skin feels wonderful!

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Review: Ursa Major Natural Skin Care for Men

8 Jun

This is a Father’s Day idea for a guy that is more man than beautician. I asked my “I-don’t-even-own-a-hairbrush” husband to try some natural skin care products for men for my blog.  I didn’t think he would agree, but since his friend works at Ursa Major, I think it made any persuasion much easier.

Oliver Sweatman and his partner, Emily Doyle, started Ursa Major in Vermont in 2009 because he said, “I tried a LOT of so-called ‘natural’ products and couldn’t find anything that met all of my personal criteria for a great skincare solution:

 – no toxins/premium natural ingredients/as close to 100% natural as possible (and ideally, with as much organic content as possible too, although realizing that can affect price)

– great performance – the product does what it says it’s going to do on the label

– delightful experience – sublime natural aromas, delightful textures, smart packaging, copy, etc.

 In other words a spirited, sincere, natural alternative to all the bland, synthetic, mass-produced stuff out there…”   Their first product, the Stellar Shave Cream, was launched in December 2010.

Ursa Major: Natural Products for Men

The Products

My husband used the shaving cream, wash, toner and balm for about a month.  We took before and after pictures and we don’t see any differences in the wrinkles department (a department he was not aware he had), but my husband’s very sensitive skin did not break out at all and his skin also seemed to be smoother to me.

Shaving cream usually gives hubby rashes or leaves his skin dry.  He has had a hard time finding product that doesn’t make his skin break out. In fact, he won’t shave unless an event dictates the need for a clean look. Nevertheless, the Ursa Major Men Shaving Cream worked wonderfully.

The Facial Wash also worked well.  For the first week, my husband’s skin was dry if he did not follow the wash by the moisturizer.  This was not the case after the first week in that his face felt hydrated all the time.

My husband also noticed that the toner and wash made his hands softer but not less durable – just simply through exposure after applying cleaner/toner/balm to his face.  My husband rows 5 to 6 times a week (an internationally ranked rower) and found that he was not getting any additional blisters.  In fact, his palms are more flexible and softer.

For my husband, these are significant improvements due to the use of products.

Overall, my husband says these products work as well as or more than processed products for sensitive skin.  They are easy enough to use for someone (a man who is) not really interested in a daily prep work for the face.  If you are interested, you can find Ursa Major in various retailers around the world.

Did it pass my cosmetics criteria?

1. smell – Not much.  Very mild.

2. sensitivities –  None.

3. taste – I usually taste synthetic products when I put it on my face and drink water right after, but my husband’s response to this was: “How would I know, I didn’t eat the stuff!”

4. moisturize – Worked well with little dab.

5. everyday comfort – I asked my hubby if a real man would use these products everyday, his response: “Quick and Easy to use.”

6. lasting effect – yes, it lasts the whole day.

7. eco-friendly – these products do not contain any foaming agents, slip agents, surfactants, fragrances, coloring agents, preservatives, penetration enhancers, or other unnatural ingredients.

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Review: Your Right To Be Beautiful

5 May

Your Right To Be Beautiful Volumizing Shampoo & Anti-Aging Facial Cream

Well, I tried the Anti-Aging Cream a few years ago and didn’t like it.  It just didn’t work for me then.  But my friend Cayce recently reminded me of Raw Food Advocate, Tonya Zavasta’s, Beautiful on Raw Products after she tried the Multi-Herbal Green Clay Mask.  Cayce said she absolutely loved it.

So, I decided to give it another try recently and was really surprised because it works!  Apparently, just this year, Tonya tripled the amount of sea buckthorn fruit extract in her cream… and it has made a big difference!  My skin feels wonderfully hydrated during the day and night.  In fact, in my vain search for Vegan cosmetics, I think among the moisturizers, Your Right to Be Beautiful Facial Cream has given me the best results so far in hydrating my skin and for lessening my wrinkles.  Yes, in my opinion, even better than Acure’s moisturizers!

Less wrinkles and more hydrated on Your Right To Be Beautiful Anti-Aging Cream… and no make-up in this photo too!!

I also decided to try the Volumizing Shampoo and was surprised again by Tonya’s products.  The shampoo lathers very well.  Although every time I use it I feel like the suds are stripping my hair of its natural oils as I rinse, but my hair is always easy to comb afterwards and as it dries, I find my hair just ‘falls’ well.  I’m wearing my hair down again without doing anything to it.  My son, who has had a fetish for his Mama’s hair since he was born, exclaimed as soon as he touched my dry hair after I used this shampoo, “Mama!  You’ve never had softer hair!  It’s like baby hair!”  And this is true, I haven’t had softer hair since using ‘healthier’ shampoos.

My son wanted to take this photo of me today while we were playing in the garden. It is rare for me to leave my hair down because it is so fine and thin.  I don’t have the time to fix it nor do I want to put product on my hair.  I only have time to wash, comb and let it air-dry.  My hair falls well naturally with Tonya Zavasta’s Volumizing Shampoo!

I am truly surprised by the quality of Tonya’s cream and shampoo!   To me, her website seems a little dull and old compared to the more updated websites of Acure, Suki or even 100% Pure.  The packaging of the Your Right To Be Beautiful products also looks cheaper.  The woman I was e-mailing at her company didn’t know how to entertain the idea of sending me samples to review.  She didn’t.  And in fact, she stopped responding to me, so I had to buy the cream and the shampoo for this review from my health food store.  Judging from the website and my communication with its representative, this company does not seem like it would have quality products… but they do!  The cream and shampoo are definitely worth a try!

Now I want to get her facial brush and start dry brushing my face!

 

Did it pass my cosmetics criteria?  Absolutely!

1. smell – I love the smell of the cream. It smells luxurious.  I’m not crazy about the Lotus Flower smell of the shampoo, but it smells… ‘clean’.

2. sensitivities – none.  It says it is safe for very sensitive skin.

3. taste – no adverse taste when I drink water right after the application of the cream.

4. moisturize – Yes it does (cream and shampoo)!

5. everyday comfort – Yes.  An all-in-one cream that works is a wonderful product for a busy Mama who just wants results with minimal work.  As for the shampoo, it softens and at the same time adds volume to my thin and fine hair!

6. lasting effect – According to the website: “Your Right to Be Beautiful Facial Cream contains sea buckthorn oil, known for its amazing nourishing, regenerative and restorative actions. Coconut oil, aloe vera leaf extract and avocado oil add soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Mango seed butter helps to protect your skin from dryness.  The cream is suitable for every skin type, including sensitive skin and can be used as a daily moisturizer or as an enriching night cream. You can apply the cream under makeup foundation or as a soothing aftershave.”  As for the Volumizing Shampoo, “You’ll notice my shampoo and conditioner contain more ingredients than the average similar products. Why? Because I wanted these products to include everything known to deliver shine, volume, softness and manageability to hair while still being as pure and natural as humanly possible.”

7. eco-friendly – The ingredients are Vegan and a handful are Certified Organic.  Not exactly completely RAW like Bee Yummy’s products, but, as a Raw Foodie, Tonya says she keeps the quality of her beauty products as high as she can too. She sources the best ingredients that she can for the products that she personally uses and sells.

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Review and Give Away: Bee Yummy

16 Apr

Are you looking for RAW facial products?  I have tried Alkaitis day and night creams before.  Although I loved them, they left my face feeling greasy and sticky all the time.  The fragrance was also pretty overpowering.  Applying make-up, which I seldom do, was a little difficult on a sticky face too.

After asking around for Vegan product recommendations for my face, nobody recommended Bee Yummy.  Maybe because their products are not fully Vegan.  Although they are RAW FOOD products, honey, bee pollen, proplis and Royal Jelly are their primary ingredients.   Many Raw Vegans like me, who consume raw honey, would use them.  I stumbled upon them through my own research and I wondered how well they would work on my face.  live live organic accommodated my curiosity and sent me 2 sets of samples: 1 for me and 1 for one of my lucky readers!

Bee Yummy Face Products are made of RAW ingredients: Eye & Lip Cream, Face Lift and Skinfood. Feel free to eat some while applying on your face!

Bee Yummy Eye & Lip Cream is simply Olive Oil, Beeswax and Balsam Fir Needles.  It is a solid, but you can melt a little at a time when you apply it on your skin.  I had come back from a trip to Colorado, where it was dry and cold.  My lips were a little chapped – and after only a day of application, this made my lips feel soft and smooth.  I tried to use it on my eyes, but found it a little difficult (I am used to dabbing eye cream, not applying some with so much pressure that it stretches my skin) and time consuming to melt and apply around my eye area.

Bee Yummy Face Lift is simply Wildflower Honey & Honey Cappings, Kombucha Mushroom, Royal Jelly and Pure Water.  I used it twice in the past 2 weeks as a mask for 30 minutes (though they suggest using it throughout the night too) and I loved the feeling!   On my search for more products that work, I recently tried one mask that was so tight it felt like my skin was going to crack.   Bee Yummy Face Lift was not like this at all.  It made my skin feel moisturized and firm without being too tight at all. In fact, it will be the mask I use from now on! Although I still want to try some DIY Superfood Facemasks… when I have some extra ingredients and time on my hands that is!

Bee Yummy Skinfood is simply Wildflower Honey & Honey Cappings, Bee Pollen, St. John’s Wort Flowers, Propolis, Royal Jelly, Balsam Fir Needles and Pure Water.  I haven’t had a chance to try this product myself at all because I gave my sample to my son.  He ate something he was allergic to 2 weeks ago and broke out with eczema on his face.  I usually use coconut oil or shea butter to help reduce it and more high-raw Vegan foods in his diet to help cleanse his system.  This time, I wanted to try Skinfood instead of the coconut or shea butters. Well… after seeing how fast my son’s eczema disappeared after using Bee Yummy Skinfood, I went ahead and bought my son a 2oz bottle to keep in his drawer.  I wish I had some photos but I frankly didn’t think his skin would be better so quickly and I lost the opportunity.  Another good thing about Skinfood is that a small amount goes a long way too.

Any of you want a sample?  Please simply comment here and the winner will be announced on Earth Day!

Did it pass my cosmetics criteria?  Absolutely!

1. smell – who doesn’t love the smell of honey?

2. sensitivities – my son is allergic to so many sweeteners.  The only sweetener that his body is truly fine with is honey.  Needless to say, we don’t have honey allergies at our house.  We love raw honey.

3. taste – you can EAT all of Bee Yummy products.

4. moisturize – I love the Face Lift!  It is now my preferred face mask.

5. everyday comfort and 6. lasting effect – According to their website: “As a cosmetic cream Bee Yummy™ nourishes your skin with at least 27 minerals, 22 amino acids, 105 live enzymes & co-enzymes, hormones, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, and pigments. Another amazing, if not the  main feature of  Bee Yummy™ is it’s healing effect. It is excellent to help heal wide range of skin conditions: burns, sunburns, open wounds & cuts, pimples, blemishes, bed sores, stretch marks, chapping etc. We have reports from our clients that it has been very helpful for psoriasis, eczema, rosatia, poison ivy, and other conditions.”

7. eco-friendly – Vegans won’t like that honey is their primary ingredient, of course.  According to their website, their “ingredients have been hand harvested in a small wilderness area with it’s own micro climate. Honey, Pollen, Propolis & Royal Jelly are made by the same colony of bees from a small apiary, which accounts for energetic harmony and synergy of our cream. Honey is collected from the wildflowers, is unfiltered (just dripped from the comb), and contains the cappings of the hive with their precious, mysterious substances. Pollen, depending on season, is from a mixture of Wild Dandelion, Wild Roses, Raspberries, Asparagus, Goldenrod, Wild Apples, and Cherry Tree blossoms. Propolis is of the highest quality: only from Poplar and Fir trees. The flowers of St. Johnswort are picked by hand at noon, when the juices are drawn up from the roots, stems, and leaves into the flowers. Only select, young tips of Balsam Fir are used as a vitamin C source. No preservatives are needed because Honey, Propolis, and Balsam Fir are the nature’s  best preservatives and antibiotics. Honey is the only food on earth that will keep forever, and so will our cream.”

Want to try them? Just leave a comment below and the winner of the sample set will be announced on Earth Day!

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Review: Acure Face

8 Apr

Acure Products

Besides 100%Pure, Acure was the most recommended Vegan cosmetics brand by my community of Mamas. I should have started out my vain quest for Vegan products that really work with Acure face creams  The Acure face products I recently purchased were amazing: Day Cream, Night Cream, Facial Serum and Line Eraser. I shouldn’t be surprised because I love their Lemongrass Argan Oil Shampoo (they gave me a bottle sample) and their Acure Oil (I bought this). During the last 2 weeks of using Acure face products, my face didn’t miss Clarins at all.  In fact, my skin felt absolutely moisturized and I didn’t get an extra amount of wrinkles as I did when experimenting with other Vegan non-synthetic brands.

The Proof is in the Pudding, here are the photos:

My face, on mainstream, plant-based products with synthetic fillers. For a mid-30's Mama, people tend to think I'm a decade younger than I really am. I used to think it was all in my diet... but moisturizers, I discovered, have a lot to do with it too!

My face, while experimenting with new plant-based, natural and non-synthetic products... dry... and, as my hubby says, with my wrinkles in full glory. Looking my real age here, I suspect!

2 weeks after Acure, my face is in love with the day cream, the night cream and the facial serum!!!! Moisturized, not wrinkly and without the synthetic chemicals!!! I'm back to feeling young again!

Did it pass my cosmetics criteria?  Absolutely!

1. smell – wonderfully mild in fragrance.  They didn’t bother me at all.

2. sensitivities – my skin did not break out with any of the products.  To me, they felt very mild.  My skin also did not feel dry and unprotected.

3. taste – after I used the product, there wasn’t a bad taste when I would drink water or eat immediately afterwards (something my mainstream products do!).

4. moisturize – with a lot of Vegan moisturizers, I usually missed the creaminess of my mainstream brand.  I also tend to miss how Clarins seemed to penetrate my skin.  I didn’t have to miss this feeling with the Acure products at all.  FYI, I loved the Serum over the Line Eraser, as the former seemed to do a better job reducing the wrinkles.

5. everyday comfort –  the creams are mild, light, non-greasy, not shiny, absorbed easily.  The serum is absorbed quickly too, although it is an oil and is a little greasy.  I applied only a little serum at night and for a wee bit of grease, the reduction of wrinkles come morning was all worth it.  Makeup was applied on easily after using the day cream.

6. lasting effect – yes!  I love these products!!!  I haven’t tried anything my face loves better than Acure face products so far. Note: the day and night creams contain Cholorella Growth Factor.  According to their website: “Clinical studies have shown CGF to increase collagen expression by 333% when used at 1% concentration*. Our anti-aging products use our CGF at an amazing 5% concentration.”  Hmmm… so that’s what my face needs!

7. eco-friendly – Acure says their decisions are based on green packaging, green products, social consciousness and a triple bottom line: “We use only the purest, most effective fair trade, natural and organic ingredients available. We travel the globe to find the highest quality ingredients to formulate our products. Each ingredient is selected with great care to ensure a sustainable and eco-friendly supply chain.” “We believe in pursuing a triple bottom line. People and planet are just as important as profit.”

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Green Giftcard and Goody Giveway time!… sponsored by Alex+Von and Green Your Beauty Routine with Veronica

29 Mar

By Veronica Medrano

What is Alex+Von?

Alex+Von is an innovative new company that is creating a chic and practical way for women to make income, selling products from natural and organic boutique brands. Consultants have the flexibility to sell in person or online and every sale supports a local, small business. Alex+Von is a unique direct-selling company that stands out because of its sustainable mission and healthy, green and eco-friendly brands that are loved by many.

Alex+Von Current Brands:

100% Pure:

  • Ingredients: Exceptional quality and high concentrations of natural ingredients to deliver antioxidant and vitamin benefits. No synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, petrochemicals, chemical preservatives, water, cheap fillers, thickeners or any toxins. Uses organic and food-grade ingredients.
  • Cruelty Free & Vegan: Products are never tested on animals and it is the company’s mission to help and save animals.
  • Eco-Friendly Packaging: Made from recycled plastic, glass, aluminum and paper. Printing uses soy and vegetable ink. Formulas are 100% biodegradable. Shipping materials use recycled and biodegradable materials.
  • For: Everyone including women, men, teens, pregnant/nursing women, children
  • Product Lines: Fruit Pigmented Makeup, Skincare, Bath & Body, Hands, Hair, Children
  • Skin types: Dry, Oily, combination, acne, aging, extremely sensitive
  • Bestsellers: Brightening Face Scrub + Mask, Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer w/ SPF 20, Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream (as seen on Dr. Oz), Fruit Pigmented Black Tea Mascara
  • Motto: “Health food for your skin”
  • Press: 100 % Pure has been featured in over 1000 different magazines, newspapers and TV shows in the US and internationally.
  • Celebs using 100% Pure products: Dr. Oz, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspooon, Tom Cruise, Madonna
  • Order 100% Pure: http://bit.ly/wQ1fMs

Suki:

  • Ingredients: Natural, organic or food grade high quality ingredients. Synthetic and chemical-free. Uses fair trade, organic and biodynamic ingredients from local companies whenever possible. No nanotechnology.
  • Proven Results: Spa grade, clinically-proven cosmeceutical products (marriage between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals or dermaceuticals). Cosmeceutical activity much show 70-80% efficacy in order to make a real difference on the skin.
  • Cruelty-free, vegetarian and Vegan (except a few products that contain responsibly harvested beeswax)
  • Eco-Friendly Packaging: Recycled materials, made with biodegradable, vegetable inks and is recyclable
  • For: Women, men, teens, pregnant/nursing women and babies
  • Product Lines: sukiface (exceptional antiaging line), sukibody, sukihair, sukitogo, sukispa, sukicolor makeup
  • Skin types: Dry, oily, combination, acne, rosacea, aging, eczema, extremely sensitive
  • Bestsellers: Exfoliating Foam Face Cleanser, Concentrated Face Toner, Balancing Day Face Lotion, Pure Facial Moisture
  • Motto: Clinically-proven natural solutions
  • Press: Suki has been featured in numerous magazines, in the U.S. and internationally and has received many recent Awards
  • Celebs using Suki products: Courtney Cox, Eva Longoria, Katherine Heigl, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson
  • Suki info video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eywllHVV0pg
  • Order Suki: http://bit.ly/FQi09s

WeeDecor:

  • Playful, personal Eco-Friendly Decals for kids’ rooms
  • Designer brands bringing modern style to kids’ rooms without having to use a drop of paint
  • Removable and Reusable
  • High-Quality Biodegradable Fabric
  • PVC free
  • Order WeeDecor: http://bit.ly/xwsvy0

Original Moxie (new a+v brand):

  • Natural, toxic free hair care made with essential oils
  • 3D Diagnostic system which eliminates guesswork by helping you identify the products that fit for your hair type (Analysis based on Density, Dryness or Degree of Curl* – see image)
  • Ingredients: Natural and organic, whenever possible.
  • Product types: curl enhancing, volume boost, frizz fighter, wave maker, get it straight
  • Order Original Moxie: http://bit.ly/GYGFFI

Upcoming Brand: high definition, natural makeup (name reveal coming in next few weeks)

Why I chose Alex+Von…

As a stay at home mother, this opportunity appealed very much to me, especially knowing that I could share my passion for green living and products that would help others achieve the same. Having been surprised with a micro-preemie baby, gave me lots to think about with regards to what I wanted to do secularly…continue at my big city job as a techie or stay at home with our fragile preemie? The answer was obvious, and to this day I have no regrets! Alex+Von has allowed me stay at home, work flexible hours and do just that…focus on her. Alex+Von supports women who want to work from home in any type of circumstance or stage in their life. Whether you want work part-time and add some income or focus on direct selling as a full-time career.

Why should you ‘Green Your Beauty Routine’?

Green your Beauty Routine with Veronica is my green mission to promote awareness about the importance of healthy, toxic-free and chemical free brands and products. My facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GreenYourBeautyRoutine) is dedicated to inform, warn and help consumers educate themselves about what they put on their skin…very important, since 60% of topical products enter your body bloodstream! I also love helping others learn what products are best for their skin type and families and assist them in ‘Greening their Beauty Routine’ as much as possible. I enjoy posting many general green topics, tips, makeup how-to’s, alex+von specials and givewaway info—so, make sure you tune in often!

Green and Glam Prizes

There are two GIVEAWAYS, so read carefully… 🙂

Green Your Beauty Routine! Giftcard Giveaway

One very fortunate reader will win a $25 gift card to use towards any Alex+Von brands and products. There will be a few ways to accumulate entries (up to 3 are possible): 1) Like Green Your Beauty Routine with Veronica (http://www.facebook.com/GreenYourBeautyRoutine) on FB + Like Mama’s In the Kitchen and She Ain’t Cookin’ (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mama-in-the-Kitchen-and-she-aint-cookin/104174956286423) = 1 entry. 2) Follow @GreenUrRoutine+ Follow @MamaInDKtchn on Twitter (1 entry), and for a final entry 3) fill out my skincare questionnaire here: (http://bit.ly/FQ9vbj). Up to three entries total. Simply comment here stating your type of entry so that we can track all entries. Winners will be announced on Earth Day: 22nd April 2012.

Why You Should Join My Green team! Goodies Giveaway

Roll call!…Looking for some green-loving folks to share natural, organic, eco-friendly and high-quality boutique brands. Are you looking to make some extra money while showing your love for healthy living? I was never really a ds selling girl, but after realizing my passion for green beauty came so naturally, it was such a breeze to convey this to my audience and clients. Think about it… 1) not only do you get to share your green passion, but 2) you get to sell and make commission on stuff you love, 3) you get a discount on purchasing products you need for yourself, 4) you get to show love to mother earth, 5) you get to work online in your cozy faux bunny slippers or in-person at parties, shows or events, 6) you get to work as little or as much as you want and achieve the salary you desire and 7) you get to join an amazing young company where you can be heard as an independent consultant or a founding member (yes, founding member and more commission is still up for grabs!)

Alex+Von really has a tremendous team and the owners still interact with every consultant when there are questions. All members volunteer helpful information, tips and brands! Recommend a green brand, and it might get chosen as an a+v brand based on need and natural-ness. If you want to hear more about this opportunity, there are weekly no pressure calls for prospective consultants who’d like to just get more information. I’ll post this info on my FB Page.  Btw, March has a great opportunity for anyone joining, since any party host can join and purchase their starter kits for half off.  April will have another great opportunity as well…stay tuned on my FB page.

Now let’s talk more green goodies.. To help build my team, I’d love to award the following prizes to the next 3 consecutive sign-ups. FIRST consultant who signs up on my team will win a 100% Pure .50 oz organic coffee bean eye cream (bestseller and anti-wrinkle cream as featured on Dr. Oz ), a 100% Pure shimmery cocoa berry lip and cheek stain, and a 100% Pure real fruit-pigmented lip gloss, Retail value $33.00. SECOND and THIRD place sign up will also win a 100% Pure lip gloss, Retail value $13.00.

For more information on the alex+von opportunity and to join my green team:  http://bit.ly/HpIn3j

As well, please email me at colormegreen2@yahoo.com if you have any additional questions.  Thanks again for reading my post, look forward to hearing from you!  XOXO…Veronica

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Review: Suki (clinically-proven natural solutions®)

28 Mar

In my search for earth and body friendly Vegan cosmetic products, one of my readers (who also happens to be very passionate about cosmetics and works as a consultant for Alex+Von) suggested I try Suki products.  Although I received a few samples from Veronica c/o Alex+Von,

Suki Samples I received from Alex+Von

I decided to go ahead and buy myself an affordable “To Go Complete Care for Youthful Skin” kit from Suki after taking their Skin Quiz.

Suki's To Go Complete Care For Youthful Skin Kit

I figured that a week’s worth of products is usually long enough for me to figure out if my skin likes the products and I had the flexibility to use the free samples to compare with the products I bought.

My Impressions

Suki products are light, mild, moisturizing, not overly fragranced and left my face feeling ‘clean’.  Maybe it was psychological that I didn’t miss my Clarins products at all because I read on their website that “suki® blends advanced, high performance clinically-proven actives with 100% synthetic-free & organic ingredients, innovating the first treatment formulas that bridge the gap between science & nature. our products have an exceptional level of bioavailability that outperforms synthetics without harsh side effects & functions in unison with the body’s natural biological processes.”  They also state that “suki® is the first skin care solution with visible results proven through consumer clinical trials.”

I did use up my “To Go” Kit and most of the samples in just over a week.  When I sat down to write down the products that I loved and the products that I felt were just OK, it didn’t really surprise me to discover that I preferred the Vegan products over the Vegetarian ones instinctively.

The Products I Loved

– Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser (vegan)

  • an award winning product
  • I loved how massaging the product in between my hands immediately created an amazing amount of foam, which I then applied on my face.
  • this felt lovely on the skin
  • I preferred this to the creamy foaming cleanser (below).

– Creamy Foaming Cleanser (vegan)

  • I preferred this over the Moisture-Rich Cleansing Lotion – perhaps because I prefer a foaming cleanser to a lotion.  The lotion is a Vegetarian product and I didn’t feel it did as a good a job in cleansing my face, particularly on days when I had makeup.
  • it left my face feeling soft and cleansed well without stripping it dry.

– Transformative Cleansing Clay (vegan)

  • light and thin
  • you can use it as a cleanser or as a masque.  I used it as a masque and left it on my face for 10-15 minutes.  It dried nicely – not overly tight, just right.
  • it left my skin feeling soft.

– Pure Facial Moisture, both balancing and nourishing (vegan)

  • for me these were the STAR products of Suki
  • light, thin oils that are easily absorbed
  • they do not leave a thick film of grease on the skin
  • these oils don’t get into the eyes at all (like other oils do)
  • the face feels like it can really breathe at night
  • my skin felt wonderfully moisturized with these oils and made my skin feel very soft in the morning!
  • I love them and after my samples were done, I wish I had more!
  • P.S. I used more than just 1 – 2 drops at a time…

Now For The Photos

A few days before trying Suki products, still on my mainstream Clarins products

The week while trying Suki Products. I do have a little make up on, but skin looks great from afar.

Without make up and an up-close photo taken the last day of testing Suki products.

To me, there seems to be just a little more wrinkles on Suki than when I am on Clarins.  But as their website says “suki® innovation lab™ utilizes the latest clinically-proven actives from natural resources instead of conventional synthetics that cause topical damage & long term disease.”  They also remind me that knowing my beauty “means accepting, nurturing & expressing our authentic selves… also means having honest & complete information… we can trust… knowing what we consume, both inside & out.”

Did it pass my cosmetics criteria?

1. smell – wonderfully mild in fragrance.  It didn’t bother me at all.

2. sensitivities – my skin did not break out with any of the products.  To me, they felt very mild.  They products are also gluten-free.  Many are Vegan.  Their website states that “suki® is committed to creating clinically-proven cosmeceutical solutions that remain 100% synthetic-free & formulated with advanced technology.”

3. taste – after I used the product, there wasn’t a bad taste when I would drink water or eat immediately afterwards (something my mainstream products do!).

4. moisturize – I loved the breathable evening oils the most.  The Intensive Nourishing Cream was ok.  It wasn’t bad at all, but I prefer creamier products.

5. everyday comfort –  mild, light, non-greasy, not shiny, absorbed easily.  Makeup was applied on easily after using the cream.

6. lasting effect – I love their breathable night oils!  If I don’t find anything better than the products I loved (outlined above), Suki will be my facial products of choice.

7. eco-friendly – The company, based in Massachusetts, states that it is eco-friendly from it’s ingredients, manufacturing, packaging and shipping, as well as it’s activities outside of the company.  Check out their environmental policy here.

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Review: 100%Pure Red Wine Resveratrol Antioxidant Serum and Nourishing Cream

15 Mar

I have had a month long love-and-hate relationship with 100%Pure’s Red Wine Resveratrol Antioxidant Serum and Nourishing Cream.  Veronica did warn me that to effectively find a product that works for my skin, it would be a trial and error process – a process I was/am not looking forward to.  Not only can such a process be tedious, but also expensive, wasteful and time consuming.

Although I knew I was going to get a sample of the nourishing cream from Alex+Von, I got my hands on both the serum and the cream in time for a 2 week holiday.  Having heard so many wonderful things about it, I couldn’t wait to try it.

As they say, a picture paints a thousand words.  Let’s let these photos tell you what happened:

My face before the trip: moisturized!

My face, while on holiday, 2 weeks after using the Red Wine Serum and Cream: dry, wrinkled and tired.

My face a week after the trip: I decided to give my face a break from cream experimentation and went back to my conventional moisturizer. Less dry, less wrinkled and less tired!

My face after my 2nd trial run: I decided to give the Red Wine products another try to see how they would do in my home environment without other factors (like traveling, eating differently, etc). After just 2 days, I couldn't stand it any longer. My face, especially around the nose area, felt crumbly and as dry, wrinkled and tired as it did after 2 weeks of using Red Wine products on my holiday.

My tried and tested conventional product, Clarins, though plant based, is rated 2 to 10 out of 10 (with 10 being the most hazardous and toxic to one’s health) by the Environmental Working Group.  My night and day creams alone are rated 6 and 7 out of 10, which means they are deemed as moderately to highly hazardous to one’s health.  According to Veronica, “Clarins and other conventional products, do have great ingredients but combined with other synthetic fillers may expand skin and temporarily fill in the gaps and give you the effect you are looking for (fill out wrinkles), but at same time you will be adding other chemicals to your body on a constant basis.  There ‘are’ natural products that can do the same but you have to keep the trial and error process going until you find what works best for ‘your’ skin.“

Sigh.

My husband can’t believe I am still using Clarins.  “You call yourself a Raw Vegan? What’s wrong with looking more natural, with your wrinkles in all its glory?”  Well… I want to make the switch, I do!  But, I want to make sure I switch to a product that actually works best for my skin.  So, on with the search!

Did it pass my cosmetics criteria? NO!

1. smell – it has a mild fragrance.  It isn’t strong.

2. sensitivities – my skin did not break out with the serum or cream.  They just dried me out.

3. taste – after I used the product, there wasn’t a bad taste when I would drink water or eat immediately afterwards.

4. moisturize – although my face did feel hydrated the very first day I used it, any moisturizing effect just went downhill from there.  Although quite greasy, both the serum and cream left my face feeling dry, wrinkled and tired.

5. everyday comfort –  The serum is very greasy.  The cream is lightly greasy.  I found that they were not easily absorbed by the skin and I was left with a light shine all day long.  Applying make up afterwards was also not as easy as I am used to.

6. lasting effect – I cannot recommend this product at all.

7. eco-friendly – According to the company: “100% products are truly 100% Pure-no synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, harsh detergents or any other unhealthy toxins… our formulas are never tested on animals (everything we use is food grade and does not require testing)… 100% Pure products are never diluted with water, alcohol, thickeners, emulsifiers or any other “fillers”.

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Review: 100%Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

15 Mar

One of my readers, Veronica from Alex+Von (a green company that focuses on natural, organic and ecofriendly boutique brands), sent me a sample tube of 100%Pure’s most talked about and publicized Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream.  According to 100%Pure, a Clinical Four Week Study showed:

– 97% saw reduction of puffiness
– 87% saw reduction of dark circles
– 93% say it reduced the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
– 100% say it improved skin hydration & moisturization
– 93% say it improved skin firmness/elasticity

Kate Hudson uses it and it even made it to the Dr. Oz show (look at 1:50 on the video).  Who wouldn’t want to try this organic coffee bean caffeine eye cream?

My First Impressions

It was late, I was extremely tired and ready for bed when I decided to try some.  When I opened the tube and squeezed some onto my finger, the smell took me back to the first time I ever drank coffee, which was when I was 7 years old.  I don’t exactly remember how it happened, but I was enticed by the smell of a thermos full of coffee.  There wasn’t anyone around and I proceeded to pour myself 7 cups of the yummy smelling drink, mixing in some milk and lots of sugar… and drinking every last drop.  I was WIRED!  Now, as an adult, I haven’t drank coffee in 10 years.  But as soon as I applied some of the Caffeine Cream around my eyes, I was as wired as that time when I was 7. In an instant, my tired eyes were suddenly wide awake, bright eyed and ready to party.  My eyes have never felt that kind of jolt of energy before.  It was then that I first physically realized how true that:

“As much as 60% of topical skin-care products are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.

They should be consumed with the same prudence that we use to choose our breakfast cereal.”

– Dr. Nancy Lonsdorf, M.D. an lowa-based physician in April 2006 issue of Women’s Health Magazine.

Did it pass my cosmetics criteria?

1. smell – coffee!!!

2. sensitivities – It will wake up your eyes, so use it in the morning!  The company states that their product “does not contain harsh detergents, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances that can irritate the skin, they are perfect for sensitive skin.” Plus, 100% Pure is GLUTEN-FREE.  As with all natural products, do take note if you do have any allergies to their ingredients.

3. taste – I imagine it tastes like coffee!

4. moisturize – yes.  It is not drying.

5. everyday comfort –  This is a light cream, non-greasy and easily absorbable.

6. lasting effect – I felt the caffeine effect immediately the first time I applied it.  I didn’t feel quite the same way subsequently, but I imagine it is because I now use it in the morning.

7. eco-friendly – According to the company: “100% products are truly 100% Pure-no synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, harsh detergents or any other unhealthy toxins… our formulas are never tested on animals (everything we use is food grade and does not require testing)… 100% Pure products are never diluted with water, alcohol, thickeners, emulsifiers or any other “fillers”.

More Info?

If you want to buy their products… Just wait!  One of you is eligible to win a $25 gift card from Alex+ Von after I review 100% Pure Red Wine Resveratrol Face Serum and Cream and Suki products.

If you are thinking about signing up as a consultant at Alex+Von, Veronica has a special surprise for you too!  You can contact her directly: colormegreen2 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

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Review: 100%Pure Nourishing Body Creams

11 Mar

100%Pure Nourishing Body Creams

In my search for Vegan and Eco-Friendly cosmetics that actually work, many people have recommended 100%Pure.  One of my readers, Veronica Medrano Alcantara, also contacted me.  Incidentally, she is also a consultant at Alex+ Von, a GREEN company that focuses on natural, organic and ecofriendly boutique brands.  They are also dedicated to extremely personalised service in helping their clients find the right solutions for their beauty needs.  Veronica gave me her personal questionnaire to fill out in order to help me better choose the right products for my current skin.   For my face, she suggested I try Argan Oil, 100%Pure’s Red Wine Resveratrol or Super Fruits.  As you all know, I tried Argan Oil for a few days and loved it.  Veronica then sent some 100%Pure  and Suki samples.

I was thrilled for the opportunity to try 100%Pure products after having so many people raving about their products. 100%Pure uses 100% natural and 100% vegan ingredients, many of which are organic.  100%Pure products are also gluten-free.

In my packet from Alex+Von, I received 4 sample packets of 100%Pure’s Nourishing Body Cream: Cabernet Grape, Coconut, Green Apple and Vanilla.  The top main ingredients are indeed natural and vegan: organic aloe juice, organic rose hydrofoil, cocoa butter, avocado butter, grape seed oil, organic rose hip seed oil, candilla wax, black currant oil, tocopherol (Vitamin E) and ascorbryl Palmitate (Vitamin C).  Not quite as Spartan as Sprout’s cream, but all natural and vegan as well!  All of the 100%Pure body creams I tried were lusciously sweet smelling and creamy, but not greasy.  They spread easily and were absorbed quickly into the skin.  I consider these creams wonderfully light enough for day use.  If you choose to use these – get ready for olfactory heaven!  The Cabernet Grape and Green Apple smell exactly like their fresh fruit, so much so that the nourishing body creams made me feel like I was bathing in their juices all day. My son loved these fruit creams.  The Coconut and Vanilla, on the other hand, were my favorites.  Both smelled like coffee with strong highlights of coconut or vanilla.  With these body creams, I felt luxuriously edible, like I was bathing in coconut or vanilla cream pie all day long.  

This busy Mama found herself stealing 5 more minutes of my day just to moisturize… that’s how enjoyable these creams are!

Did 100%Pure Nourishing Body Creams pass my cosmetics criteria?

1. smell – like dessert comfort food: very sweet and very strong. All natural and NOT synthetically made, but I wouldn’t use this lotion if I were going to a doctor’s office that had signs that said “Please respect allergies and don’t wear perfume in this office”.

2. sensitivities – The company states that their product “does not contain harsh detergents, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances that can irritate the skin, they are perfect for sensitive skin.” Plus, 100% Pure is GLUTEN-FREE.  As with all natural products though, do take note if you do have nut or seed allergies.

3. taste – didn’t taste it!  But they smell good enough to eat!

4. moisturize – a light cream that absorbs well.

5. everyday comfort –  not greasy, absorbs well, spreads easily… smells divine… definitely, I could use this everyday!

6. lasting effect – yes, it works!

7. eco-friendly – According to the company: “100% products are truly 100% Pure-no synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, harsh detergents or any other unhealthy toxins… our formulas are never tested on animals (everything we use is food grade and does not require testing)… 100% Pure products are never diluted with water, alcohol, thickeners, emulsifiers or any other “fillers”.

Interested in trying some?  WAIT till the end of the month, Alex+Von has some Freebies for a few of you!!!

If you want to buy their products… Just wait!  One of you is eligible to win a $25 gift card from Alex+ Von after I review 100% Pure Red Wine Resveratrol Face Serum and Cream, 100%Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream  and Suki products.

If you are thinking about signing up as a consultant at Alex+Von, Veronica has a special surprise for you too!  You can contact her directly: colormegreen2 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

So, watch out in the coming weeks for more information!  You can also comment here and I will make sure you know when the follow-up reviews are posted.

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Review: Sprout Skincare

5 Mar

Sprout Skincare Mini Kit

In my search for Vegan Cosmetics that really work, I stumbled upon Sprout Skincare Products.  Nobody had recommended them to me, but after I took a look at their website, I immediately contacted them and asked if I could review their products.  Well, Sprout Skincare Products are the exact line I want to have in the guest room in my house for my guests to enjoy.  Beautiful in its simplicity from ingredients to packaging, everything in the mini-kit I received contains only 3 edible Vegan ingredients each.  In fact, most of their other products also simply contain 3 Vegan ingredients.  I could recreate any of them easily in my own kitchen:

– body scrub: organic demerara sugar, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut
– cream: fair trade Shea butter, organic extra virgin coconut oil, organic extra olive oil
– exfoliant: Maine sea salt, organic almond flour, organic oats

And yet, when I use them, they feel luxurious.  The body scrub really helped the dry skin I received from 10 hours on a plane.  The facial exfoliant did its job too.  But, for me, the star of the mini-kit is the cream.  I wish I had a huge tub of it.  Soft, light and creamy, its consistency is like store bought body lotion without the toxins.  It is absorbed easily into the skin and is very hydrating.  I honestly prefer the feel of Sprout’s cream to the Raw Chocolate Body Cream I have been making!

Sprout Skincare Exceeded My Cosmetics Criteria

1. smell – subtle and natural, no extra fragrances

2. sensitivities – none

3. taste – you can safely eat them!  No problem ingesting or absorbing toxins!

4. moisturize – the cream is wonderfully hydrating without being greasy

5. everyday comfort – it does not leave the skin greasy or sticky and it is absorbed easily and immediately.

6. lasting effect – I could use the cream everyday!

7. eco-friendly – according to Sprout material, their ingredients are “sourced from organic, Fair Trade, or small farms.”. What’s more, all Sprout products are handmade in New York.

For people in the East Coast especially, Sprout Skincare Products make the perfect gifts for family and friends.  For those who don’t want to spend time creating their own skincare products and have some extra money to spend, these products are one of the simplest and mildest on the skin!

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Review: Acure Organics Argan Oil (First Impressions)

12 Feb
Acure Organics Argan Oil

Of all the moisturizers that were recommended, I must have heard ‘Argan Oil’ the most. Supposedly, this ‘liquid gold’ from Morrocco has endless beauty benefits for our skin, hair and nails.  It is extremely high in Vitamin E and fatty acids, making it an amazing moisturizer and emollient.  People claim it also reduces blemishes, wrinkles, skin inflammations and scars.  It is said that it slows down premature aging caused by oxidation.  Used on the hair, it revives the dullness, promotes growth and prevents split ends.  Really?  That sounds too good to be true!

Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to try it on my face.  I didn’t even bother waiting for a sample to come, I just bought it.  I chose Acure Organics Argan Oil because Acure was also one of the recently recommended cosmetic companies and their Argan Oil, I noted, is 100% USDA Certified Organic.

After the First Application on My Face as an Evening Moisturizer

  • no smell
  • not greasy at all like coconut or jojoba oil
  • spreads nicely and thinly
  • easily and quickly absorbed
  • did not leave my face shiny or sticky
  • did not leave a thick, heavy film on the surface
  • my skin felt wonderfully moisturized and hydrated

The Morning After

I’ve never felt my face as smooth and silky as it did when I woke up! It felt as soft as a baby’s bottom! I immediately went to the mirror and my skin was glowing. The fine lines were… wait a minute, where are they? I cannot wait to use it again tonight!

Acure Organics Argan Oil Exceeded My Cosmetics Criteria

1. smell – subtle, not overpowering

2. sensitivities – did not sting, did not tingle, did not break out

3. taste – no strong adverse taste at all when I drank water after application

4. moisturize – yes, very hydrated and my face felt protected

5. everyday comfort – it does not leave the skin greasy or sticky, it is absorbed easily and immediately, and I’m not afraid of leaving residues of it on my pillow or my hair as I sleep.

6. lasting effect – yes, unbelieveable results!!! This one is a keeper!

7. eco-friendly – according to my contact at Acure Organics:  “Our Argan Oil is USDA Organic, 100% pure argan oil, fair trade certified through Fair Trade USA and in recycled glass at an affordable price.  We also donate $1 of every bottle sold to Bright Pink.”

Thank you to the people in my life who recommended Argan Oil. I LOVE IT! This is better than any other evening moisturizer I have EVER tried.  

(Note: This is my own review of the product.  Acure Organics did not pay me or compensate me in any way for such a positive review!  Let me reiterate, I bought this product with my own money – and will buy it again!!)

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Review: MyChelle Dermaceuticals

12 Feb
The MyChelle Samples I received.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals were the first of all samples of the recommended cosmetics I received in the mail. My contact at MyChelle said they were running low on samples, so I only had enough to last for 24 hours. I realize that is usually long enough for me to figure out if my skin likes the products or not.

I followed the MyChelle Six Steps to Beautiful Skin Approach:

1. CLEANSE: Fruit Enzyme Cleanser

I loved using this! It was thin and light with only a subtle fragrance. It was not sticky or harsh on my skin – and yet it was able to effectively take off my make up without stripping my natural oils.

2. TREAT: Incredible Pumpkin

The directions said I would feel a tingling after 5 minutes, but I didn’t. I actually felt a lot of tingling after the 6 steps were almost done. I didn’t particularly like the smell on this one: it smelled like canned pureed pumpkin baby food.

3. SERUM: They gave me 2: Perfect C Serum and NoTox Anti-Wrinkle Serum

I preferred the NoTox Anti-Wrinkle Serum by far! The Perfect C Serum was light with a mild smell, but it felt astringent on my skin – like alcohol. Sure enough it does contain denatured alcohol. The NoTox Anti-Wrinkle Serum, on the other hand, felt wonderful on my skin – even if it too contains some denatured alcohol. It was light, mild, thin yet hydrating.

4. MIST: I didn’t have any samples.

5. NOURISH: Deep Repair Cream

I really liked the Deep Repair Cream. It was creamy and thick but not at all greasy. It had a nice subtle smell too. This cream didn’t feel like it would have long lasting power because my skin just absorbed it all in a few seconds and left my outer layer feeling bare. The next morning, however, my face still felt hydrated. I applied some again after my morning routine and applied some makeup soon after, which glided on very smoothly and easily with no problem at all. My only negative comment: this cream does slightly sting my eyes.

6. PROTECT: I didn’t have any samples.

MyChelle Passed My Cosmetics Criteria

1. smell – subtle, not overpowering

2. sensitivities – slightly stung my eyes and my face tingled a little (but the latter was to be expected according to the directions)

3. taste – no strong adverse taste at all when I drank water soon after application

4. moisturize – upon application, my face did feel hydrated, but it didn’t feel like it would have lasting effect because I didn’t feel like the moisturizer left a protective layer over my skin. My face felt more exposed to the dry winter than usual… but then look at #6.

5. everyday comfort – products were not sticky, greasy or shiny. Make-up applied easily and effectively over it.

6. lasting effect – yes, surprisingly, my face still felt hydrated the next day – despite feeling like it wouldn’t!

7. eco-friendly – yes! According to their website, their products are pure and nontoxic, they are always cruelty-free and never tested on animals, 100% Vegetarian, most are Vegan!  And they give to charity!

After Thoughts

I wish I had more samples to try for another few days. Based on the 24 hour trial, I would choose to use the Fruit Enzyme Cleanser and NoTox Anti-Wrinkle Serum daily. I liked the Deep Repair Cream and would probably use it everyday too if not for the slight stinging issue on my eyes. I would probably choose to use the Deep Repair Cream in the morning and combine it with a more hydrating product at night, like Argan Oil.

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Vain Vegan with Cosmetic Issues

11 Feb

Ingredients for Raw Moisturizer: This is fantastic for the body.  I don’t wake up with dry legs anymore especially in the winter.  But, both my son and I broke out after applying some on our faces – must be the cacao butter…? So, I’m looking for a new healthy face moisturizer!

For the past 6 years, I’ve tried everything on my face from simple extra virgin organic olive oil, coconut oil and/or jojoba oil, to healthy products like Dr. Hauschka, derma e and ZIA, to Raw Vegan products like Alkaitis, and even a very high end line Cellcosmet (a very generous gift).  But time and time again, I was unhappy with these products for one or more reasons: too greasy, too sticky, too drying, too expensive, and the list went on.  At the end of the day, I would just go back to my same old, same old commercial cosmetics brand – a product I’ve been using for ages, very reliable, not greasy, not sticky, not drying and a product my skin just feels at home in.  But, I’m not happy to report that it is rated 7 out 10 (with 10 as most toxic) by the Cosmetics Database of the Environmental Working Group.

By Word of Mouth: The Way to get Cosmetic Recommendations

Even with a great diet and with wonderful skin (people tell me all the time that they think I’m at least a decade younger than I really am), I want my face to feel hydrated and moisturized.  I felt like a prune after a year of not applying anything to my face at night (Dr. Hauschka, a year was long enough for me!).  Needless to say, I’m tired of experimenting, not to mention spending money on new products.  So I have been asking my readers and my holistic mothers groups for recommendations.  The result?  This list:

–          100 Percent Pure: Nourishing Creams, Coffee Eye Cream, Red Wine Resveratrol

–          Alkaitis

–          Ann Webb

–          Argan oil

–          Acure

–          Dr. Hauschka

–          L’Ibri – these products and my skin did not get along at all!

–          Living Nature of New Zealand

–          Miessence

–          Mineral Fusion (for makeup)

–          MyChelle

I’ve contacted the recommended companies I have not already tried before (and a few others like Bee Yummy, Sprout, Suki, Your Right To Be Beautiful) for samples which I can test for myself and review for you! Some companies have sent a few samples, some a lot and some have not even returned my e-mail yet.  So, I’ll just start reviewing products as they come.

My Cosmetics Criteria

As I review the products, these are the most important criteria for me:

  1. Smell – is the fragrance subtle or too much? I mean, can I sleep well with it on?
  2. Sensitivities – does it sting my skin or my eyes? Do I break out?
  3. Taste – after I apply the moisturizer does the water I drink or food I eat taste like chemicals?
  4. Moisturize – does it hydrate my skin deeply? I don’t want my face to feel like a desert.
  5. Everyday comfort – is it too greasy, sticky, shiny? Does my make up easily glide on after I apply the moisturizer? Or am I facial glue?
  6. Lasting effect – when I wake up the next morning, does my face still feel hydrated?
  7. Eco-Friendly – is it organic and vegan (or at least vegetarian)?

So, here we go!

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Moisturize with Raw Chocolate Cream!

6 Feb
It smells like chocolate. It tastes like chocolate. It feels simply luscious on the skin!

Discovering Cacao as Emollient

My son has been obsessed with chocolate since we read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Last week, we were traveling and he discovered Palmer’s Cocoa Butter in the bathroom where we were staying. My son only uses extra-virgin coconut oil on his skin at home, and then only when his skin is dry… so bottled lotions are absolute novelties to him. Clearly, ecstatic in finding one made from ‘cacao beans’, he applied thick layers of that yellow cream all over and delighted in his new smell.

“Mama! Mama! Daddy! Daddy! Do I smell like chocolate?“

“Yes, you do!” I smiled because I love my son’s innocent enthusiasm, I love watching his joy in the simplest of things and I love being present when he does make all these kinds of new discoveries. “Guess what! We can make your very own Chocolate Cream at home! Would you like that?”

“You mean from real Cacao Beans?” his eyes widen.

“Yes, from Raw Cacao Butter and Coconut Oil!”

“Can I choose the flavor?” he smiles.

“Of course! It will be your very own Chocolate Cream! It will be so pure, you can even eat it!“

As soon as we arrived home, it was the first thing he wanted to do.

Our Chocolate Cream

I decided to experiment with Natasha St. Michael’s Natural Body Cream Recipe.

So, we gathered the ingredients: raw cacao butter, extra virgin coconut oil, raw Shea butter and my son’s choice of essential oils (doterra’s On Guard).
We weighed the butters in a bowl: 3 oz cacao, 3 oz coconut and a big dollop of shea.
We placed our bowl in hot water and stirred to make sure everything melted properly. Then, we added our essential oils (about 5 drops for my son’s cream).
We transferred our raw ‘Chocolate’ Cream into containers.
Then we refrigerated them without the lids until they hardened.
My son couldn’t wait to dig in! Note: we used a child-proof container for his cream.

Results

I lathered some on my hands and after half a day, they still felt like silk! Touted for conditioning and protecting the skin, I used to use Palmer’s Cocoa Butter myself 10 years ago, but this raw Cacao Cream is different. It brings moisturizing to a different level! So in the evening, I made time to quickly whip a tub for myself too! I added 15 drops of doTerra’s Whisper in mine, which has rose, jasmine, bergamot, cinnamon, cistus, vetiver, ylang ylang, cocoa, vanilla, sandalwood, and patchouli. It smells absolutely delicious! I think my husband may be tempted to try it too.

Note: at room temperature, this Chocolate Cream may melt or become grainy – if the latter happens, simply heat it between your palms and you are ready to moisturize! Don’t worry if it feels greasy at first, your skin will absorb it within minutes. Also, a little of this goes a long way!

What Essential Oils are excellent for the Skin?

According to Modern Essentials, the following oils are recommend for:

  • chapped/cracked skin – myrrh
  • dehydrated – geranium, lavender
  • dermatitis/eczema – helichrysum, thyme, geranium, melaleuca, lavender, patchouli, bergamot, rosemary
  • dry skin – geranium, lavender, Roman chamomile, sandalwood, lemon
  • oily/greasy skin – lemon, cypress, frankincense, geranium, lavender, marjoram, orange, rosemary
  • rashes – melaleuca, lavender, Roman chamomile
  • scars – lavender, rose, frankincense, helichrysum, geranium, myrrh
  • sensitive skin -lavender, geranium
  • stretch marks – lavender, myrrh
  • wrinkles – lavender, fennel, geranium, frankincense, rose, rosemary, myrrh, clary sage, cypress, helichrysum, lemon, orange, oregano, sandalwood, thyme, ylang ylang

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