December 12, 2017

Pore Scrubbers

These little scrubbers are amazing. They are oval, palm-sized, silicone pads with bristles on one side and a suction handle on the other side. The idea is to slide the handle between your middle and first finger so you can massage the bristle side into the skin. You can use your normal face wash or even an exfoliant with the scrubber. It's very gentle on the skin and can be used daily. Because they are made of silicone, they won't grow bacteria. This is huge because most sponges or brushes we leave in the bathroom never fully dry, which is a breading ground for bacteria. Since the handle has a suction cup, you can stick it right to the tile in your shower. To clean them, wipe with alcohol or throw in a cup of boiling water. They are perfect for travel since you can fold them and they dry quickly. I have seen them everywhere. I got mine at TJ Maxx and paid $4.99 for the 2-pack. Sephora sells one for $6, Amazon has them and I heard Walmart sells them for $1 (although when I went to Walmart I couldn't find them). I highly recommend these. My face feels very soft after I use it. I definitely think these scrubbers provide a more thorough clean than simply using your hands. 



November 20, 2017

Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin

It's that time of year again. The heat is on full-time at your office and at your house. You walk outside to below freezing temps. It's always windy. These things can take a toll on your skin, severely drying it out. This is the time of year you need a heavy duty moisturizer. 

Castor Oil - for all you oil haters out there, this isn't your typical oil. In fact, it feels nothing like oil. It's a thick, clear, odorless, tasteless substance that has been around for years. Castor oil is a vegetable oil made by pressing the seeds of the ricinus communis plant. It's primary use is as a liquid laxative but it does wonders for the skin. It contains certain beneficial salts and esters that function primarily as skin-conditioning agents. It penetrates deep into the skin tissue and nourishes it with the fatty acids. It's famous for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Castor oil reduces pigmentation, fades blemishes, and reduces acne. The fatty acids in castor oil help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It also aids in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and works especially well for crows feet. It's basically miracle in a bottle. The best part is the price tag, around $3 a bottle. Grab one today at your  local grocery store, Walmart, or Target in the laxative section.

 -Dry skin? This is your answer. I had really bad dry skin around my nose. I applied the castor oil with a q-tip before bed. The dry skin was significantly better the next morning. I applied it for a few days and the dry skin was gone. 
 -Need a night-time moisturizer? Wash face as normal and don't dry it all the way. Immediately apply the castor oil while face is still wet. The castor oil is thick, and a little sticky, so the water allows you to rub it in easier. One applied, your skin absorbs castor oil very quickly so you aren't left with an oily feeling. Your face will feel super soft in the morning. 
 -Have an eczema patch? Put the castor oil on that too. Skip the cortisone creams and opt for an all-natural alternative. 

Beautycounter Cleasing Balm - don't let the name throw you off. This versatile formula can be used as a cleanser, moisturizer and as an intensely nourishing face mask. I don't use it to cleanse the skin, I only use it as a moisturizer. With vitamin C to brighten the appearance of skin, vitamin E to protect the skin and raspberry and cranberry seed oils to hydrate, it's basically another miracle in a bottle. With its high concentration of natural butters and oils, the cleansing balm is an easy way to soothe and treat areas prone to chronic dryness. You can even use it on elbows, knees and knuckles or to soften cuticles before a mani. Just rub a small amount where needed, as often as needed to keep those irritation-prone areas supple and smooth all winter. Not familiar with Beautycounter? Their Ingredient Selection Process ensures safer and cleaner products that work beautifully. This rigorous process handpicks the best ingredients, such as an antioxidant-packed fruit trio. What’s not included? Approximately 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals on their “Never List” that they never use to formulate products. The cleansing balm comes with a hefty price tag of $80. Honestly, it's worth every penny. A little bit goes a long way so the bottle will last you a while. This is my favorite moisturizer and I don't know if I can ever live without it.




November 13, 2017

As if I Hair & Tressed to Impress

Perfectly Posh not only nailed the name of their new shampoo and conditioner, but also nailed the product. The shampoo, As if I Hair, and the conditioner, Tressed to Impress, are amazing. They both have a juicy citrus, lychee and coconut scent. The smell alone is worth buying it but they actually work too. My hair felt super soft and smooth after one use. You all know I don't wash my hair everyday (dry shampoo is my best friend) and I could still smell the scent in my hair 2 days later. 

As if I Hair is is formulated with olive and coconut extracts to moisturize dry hair and the scalp. It features quinoa to help fortify as you cleanse, plus soothing calendula and fruit extracts to pamper your scalp. 

Tressed to Impress is formulated with Abyssinian oil and coconut extracts to moisturize and condition the hair. It also features quinoa to help smooth, detangle, add shine and add vitamin B5 for healthy looking locks. 

Both are formulated for all hair types. As always, Perfectly Posh products are made without petroleum, parabens, lanolin, tallow, sulfates and phthalates. Perfectly Posh uses the best globally sourced ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, palm oil, sea salt, charcoal, coconut oil, honey, sugar and avocado...just to name a few. ALL products are made in the U.S.A. and cruelty free. 

You can buy the products directly on the Perfectly Posh website. They are $18 each which is less than the sulfate filled shampo you buy from the salon...






October 30, 2017

Pay Attention to Your Skin While Flying

As I sit here on my flight from Florida back to New York, I thought it would be the perfect time to blog. I travel a lot, it's a great perk having a sister who is a flight attendant. Thanks Allison. Planes are filthy. I read an article that made me think twice about everything I touch on a airplane. It said the seat back pockets are the dirtiest part, that second to the tray table. If you travel on the best airline, Jet Blue, you have the TVs at every seat. With the TV comes the little bacteria filled remotes on your armrest. Basically I sit in my seat, don't touch anything, and don't get up the whole flight. I could go on and on about other dirty parts of an airplane but let's stay on track here.

Let's talk about what you should do while traveling.....

1. Stay hydrated - one of the best things you can do for your skin during a flight is to drink a lot of water. Cruising at 36,000 feet in recycled air does a number on your skin. Whenever the environment is moisture-free (i.e. recirculated air in a plane) the air actually draws moisture from wherever it can, including your skin. I keep a glass water bottle in my travel bag. Most airports have water bottle refill stations by the gates. You can fill up before you board so you have lots of water for the flight. You should also try to avoid coffee and alcohol on the flight as it dries out your skin even more. This might be hard, especially since Jet Blue sells splits of champagne now..

2. Bring a hydrating mist - your skin produces more oil trying to battle the dehumidified air while on a plane. Hydration sprays will help absorb the oil and help the skin stay hydrated. Rose water helps hydrate, revitalize and moisturize the skin. My favorite is Cortas, which is a product if Lebanon and sold at most European stores. It's $2 and comes in a large glass bottle that i just transfer it to a smaller spray bottle. The Vitamin Shoppe also sells this Heritage Store Rose WaterTarte also has great one, Rainforest of Sea 4-in-1 Setting MistA portable, multipurpose setting spray that primes, sets, hydrates, & refreshes skin while locking down makeup for 12 hours. It's important to spray right before you board. Spraying inflight is useless as the dry air pulls out the moisture right after its applied. 

3. Bring lip balm - low cabin humidity dries out your lips. The average comfortable humidity level for humans is 40-70 percent; most airplane cabin humidity levels are at around 20 percent. You should bring a chemical free, oil-based, lip balm that actually locks in moisture. Some great ones are, Dr. Bronner Lip BalmBeautycounter Lip ConditionerBadger Balm, and Eco Lips.


4. Bring hand sanitizer - revert to the first paragraph, planes are dirty. Bring hand sanitizer and use it often. If you must use the tray table, spray some sanitizer on a napkin and wipe it down first. You should also wipe down the armrest with the remote. Do you know how many fingers have been on that per day? Yuck! Try Dr. Bronner Hand Sanitizer or Everyone Hand Sanitizer.


Safe travels xoxo



October 21, 2017

EO® and Everyone™ Products

In 1995, Brad and Susan were asked to create five essential oils blends for Bloomingdale’s holiday gift guide. In a garage on Potrero Hill in San Francisco, they got to work. Susan and Brad soon became 40 people. They decided to name their company EO® for the essential oils that were both their first products and the heart and soul of everything they create. To capture the purpose of their vision, they chose the motto: Love Life, Live Clean. Today, EO® operates out of a San Rafael facility with over 90 employees.
EO® Products

In 2012, they took their ten years’ experience and launched a line of products designed for young people and large families who had little or no choice for quality, botanical body products. Everyone™ for every body was born. Everyone™ is fun, affordable body care made for every day, every budget and every body. These products are as gentle on you as they are on the planet. 
Everyone™ Products

At EO®, they research, develop, manufacture, and ship their own products. Over the last twenty years, as they grew from mixing blends in a three gallon stock pot to producing hundreds of products in their 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility, they learned a lot about the cosmetics and personal care industry. Because there are no certifications in the personal care or cosmetics industry for organic ingredients, they chose to follow the guidelines for food. 

In 2004, they became a certified organic manufacturer, certified by the California of Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). 
In 2011, they became the first personal care company to be certified non-GMO by the Non-GMO Verified Project. 

All of their products are USDA Organic, non-GMO, synthetic fragrance free, cruelty free, gluten free, PCR and B Corporation. Their products DO NOT contain parabens, laureth sulfate, propylene glycol, polysorbstes, phthalates or artificial colors or dyes. They even provide a Green Glossary of ingredients they use. Transparency is important to them, which is why they put this comprehensive Green Glossary together to help you understand everything that makes up EO® and Everyone™ products.


You can shop right on their website or their products are sold in 2,424 stores in 60 different states/regions. You can search here to find a store near you. 


I love their story, I love their products, and I love this company. So "Love Life, Live Clean" and check out EO® today!





October 10, 2017

Environmental Working Group

I know I blogged about the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, last year but they made some changes so I wanted to share. For those of you that don't know about EWG, they are a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. Their mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. EWG is broken up into two separate websites, EWG for energy, farming, food and water, and EWG Skin Deep for cosmetics and personal care.

EWG Skin Deep is a cosmetics database that contains information and online hazard assessment for over 70,000 products. Launched in 2014, their staff scientists compare the ingredients on personal care product labels and websites to information in nearly 60 toxicity and regulatory databases. They rate products on a scale from 0-10, the lower the number the better the product is. Please check out the EWG Skin Deep website if you haven't already done so.

They had a Skin Deep app that you could download on your phone, scan products in the store, and instantly know what you should and shouldn't buy. The Skin Deep app has gone away, so sad, but what they replaced it with is even better. The new app, EWG Healthy Living, combined two of their most popular resources, EWG and EWG SkinDeep. Now the product health and safety ratings for 200,000 food AND cosmetic products are simply one click away.

Go to the App Store and download the app today, it's free!








September 29, 2017

Make your Own Face Oil

I know that I am completely obsessed with oil (my friends will 100% agree) and that's because it has worked wonders on my skin. Oil gets such a bad rep and people are afraid to use it. Oil is the only thing I put on my face, I don't even own any face cream or lotion anymore. I started using straight oil but now I'm all fancy and mix oils together and add essential oil (my friends also joke that I'm a chemist). Below are some of my favorite oils and instructions on how to mix them.

Step #1 - Grab your bottle
Any dark glass dropper bottle will work. Vitamin Shoppe has these or Amazon has these

Step #2 - Choose your base oil
This will make up a majority of the oil so choose wisely. You can use any oil you want but below are my favorites.  You can revert to my Oils 101 post for full descriptions of each one.
Jojoba oil
Avocado oil
Apricot oil
Grapeseed oil
Sweet Almond oil

Step #3 - Add your bonus oil
This step is optional. I like to add a bonus oil for extra nourishing.
Carrot seed oil - high in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E and carotol, which bring new life to the skin
Evening primrose oil - very gentle oil, great for acne and very moisturizing
Rosehip oil - full of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that can help hydrate, correct dark spots and reduce scars and fine lines

Step #4 - Add your essential oil
Lavender - antimicrobial and antioxidant, great for acne
Frankincense - helps reduce acne, helps reduce the appearance of large pores, prevents wrinkles and   helps lighten and tighten skin to slow signs of aging
Citrus - provides high levels of vitamin C to heal and protect the skin
Orange - promotes production of collagen to fight signs of aging, like wrinkles and brown spots
Lemongrass - antiseptic and astringent properties make it perfect for getting even and glowing skin
Rose - provides deep hydration to the skin, reduces redness, brightens complexion and it's extremely
beneficial for maturing skin especially during times of hormonal change
Cedarwood - tightens the facial skin and gives a youthful appearance

Fill the bottle 2/3 with your base oil. Then fill the bottle almost to the top (just below where it starts to go into the neck of the bottle) with your bonus oil. If you are using carrot seed oil, just add a few drops. Add 5 drops of essential oil and shake to incorporate. Just use a few drops to cover your entire face. Your skin will soak the oil in very quickly and you will not feel greasy. The biggest problem with oil is that people use too much. Your skin can only absorb a certain amount, once its absorbed, the excess oil sits on the top layer of your skin, making you feel greasy.



September 16, 2017

EXO Pure Remover

Pure Remover™ is a naturally moisturizing nail polish remover derived from plant-based, organic ingredients. It's designed to condition and repair your nails while it removes polish. It's acetone-free, alcohol-free, non-flammable and non-toxic. It comes in four scents; lavender, orange, mint and unscented. 

Pure Remover contains just a few ingredients, biodegradable esters and USDA certified organic essential oil blend. It is safe for use on natural nails, acrylic nails, and removes most gel polishes. All of their products are carefully crafted with clean, organically derived ingredients in Buffalo, NY. They do not test on animals.

I will never buy an acetone remover again. This one doesn't smell up your house, doesn't contain toxic chemicals, and moisturizes your nails. Skip the stinky acetone, and pamper your nails with Pure Remover.

I bought mine at the Tony Walker store in Buffalo, NY. You can also buy online on the EXO Supply website.


        





September 04, 2017

Chemical free beauty steals at Ulta

On September 3rd, Ulta launched their 21 Days of Beauty. During this campaign, you can get up to 50% off their most loved brands. Fortunately for us, some of those brands are chemical free. Pur, Tarte and Cover FX all made the cut.

September 5th - Pur Primers  Regularly $33 on sale for $16.50

September 6th - Tarte Double Duty Beauty Lip Sculter Lipstick and Lipgloss Comes in 16 colors. Regularly $24 on sale for $10. 

September 10th - Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Precision Longwear Eyeliner Regularly $20 on sale for $10

September 22nd - Tarte Tartiest Lash Paint Mascara Regularly $23 on sale for $10


They even have a few items on sale for the whole 21 days. 

Pur Eye Polish - Comes in 6 colors. Regularly $26 on sale for $16.50

Tarte Double Duty Gel Foundation  Regularly $39 on sale for $27

Tarte Mattifying Primer Regularly $32 on sale for $22

Cover FX Cover Click Stick - Comes in 9 shades. Regularly $18 on sale for $10.80

All these deals are available in store and online. I can't wait to go grab some of these items at these amazing prices!





September 01, 2017

Spearmint Tea for Clear Skin

I hate tea. I don't discriminate either, I hate all kinds of tea. The only time I can drink tea is when I'm sick. Even then, the only tea I can tolerate is the Youthberry Tea at Starbucks. Once I found out about spearmint tea, and it's many health benefits, my thoughts on tea changed.

1-2 cups of spearmint tea a day is more effective than any prescription remedy for hormonal acne. Hormonal acne is usually large cyst like pimples that can be deep, painful and take for ever to clear up. Hormonal acne is anything below the lip line, so your chin, chest, even your back. This acne is caused by a hormone in our body called androgen. Androgen causes increased sebum production (sebum is the oil our bodies naturally produce). The more oil your body produces, the higher chance of blockage, which leads to breakouts. Spearmint is an anti-androgen and helps balance and decrease the level of androgens in the body. It also proven to help reduce sebum production. Balancing your hormones aids in significantly reducing hormonal acne.

Spearmint contains vitamins, antioxidants, and vital nutrients. It's also anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. I've read many articles where people rave about the tea and how it's changed their skin. So put down the chemical acne creams and pick up a cup of spearmint tea instead.

This is the spearmint tea I buy. I got it at Wegmans but Whole Foods and Amazon have it too.