Essence of Vali Passion Massage Oil & Love Mist Gift Set

This newest addition to our Essence of Vali brand arrives just in time for Valentines Day!  Treat yourself or a loved one to this refreshing all-natural aromatherapy gift set that’s designed for those special moments.

Enhance romance with the invigorating scents of orange zest, ylang ylang petals, patchouli leaves and ginger root known for their aphrodisiac effect.  Treat your partner to an aromatic massage or share a bath and be enveloped by the intoxicating aroma and richness of pure, natural Jojoba oil.   Mist sheets and pillow cases with Passion Love Mist to continue the aromatic adventure with all natural plant essences!

This special gift set contains:  2 oz Love Mist and 2 oz. Passion Massage & Bath Oil packaged in a red organza pouch perfect for gift-giving.

Special Introductory Price: $14.95

We mean "cocoa love" here, because we LOVE cocoa butter. But "love balm" works, too.

Our Cocoa Love Hand and Body Balm is pure perfection. It is a deeply moisturizing blend of cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil. It has a strong scent of chocolate, thanks to the heavy cocoa butter content.

Meanwhile, the Cocoa Love Lip Balm pampers the lips with cocoa butter and coconut oil. Castor oil gives the lips a beautiful, subtle sheen. And for all you chocolate lovers, we added real, theobroma cacao powder! (Organic and fair trade, of course.)

These items are great for your purse, travel case, or for keeping in your desk at work. And they are the ultimate Valentine’s Day treat. Chocolate kisses (not the ones with those pesky calories)…a sensuous chocolate massage… You might want to skip dinner and go straight for dessert.

Both these items are vegan (a great way to show love for your fellow creatures). Our lip balm comes in tins, which are not only much more environmentally-friendly than plastic tubes, but contain over TWICE as much lip balm as those tubes. Further, our hand and body balm is so rich that you only need a dab. In other words, both these items show your love for the environment, and are extremely friendly to your pocketbook.

Now through February 14, 2010, we are offering this gift set at a reduced price: $11.95. (Normally, it sells for $12.95, or $13.90 if you buy each item separately.) Take advantage of the savings and pick one up for yourself or your special someone.

Okay, count me IN on the honeysuckle rose bandwagon!  This stuff is LUXE, so rich and creamy and smells delightful, not overpoweringly floral like I feared.  It smells like sweet candied roses, lol, whatever that would smell like.  I hate floral scents, so if I’m loving this, then it definitely is good!  lol

the great, natural ingredients are: coconut fatty acid cream base, aloe vera, shea butter, wheat germ oil, jojoba oil, honeysuckle oil and a host of other natural yummy for the hair things     I added olive oil as well and sat with it on my hair under a shower cap for an hour while I watched something.

When I took the cap off, holy sweetness, it was so soft and lush!  Definitely definitely definitely like this conditioner!  Hopped my happy self into the shower to rinse it out then cowashed with my organix coconut conditioner.  I’ve been finding that when I rinse it out with water as cold as I can stand, that it really does make curls pop more, so I did that.  Applied Kinky Curly Knot Today and coconut oil, then sprayed with concoction that I made and talked about in previous post.  After that, it was experiment time where I tried out the new technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx9WhK-NY00

Results:   well, I don’t know….it’s okay.   Pretty much figured out that she and I don’t have the same type of hair, lol!  Mine does not look like hers, but ya know at least I tried something different. Pretty much an afro with some curlies popping somewhat, decent look, but I’ll stick to my twist outs or roller sets.  Just more my speed!  I used Fantasia IC gel instead of ecostyler and am glad that hair isn’t crunchy even though i used a truckload of gel.  I’ll probably wash this out in a couple of days and maybe roller set my hair since I bought new rollers today.

edit:  i look all of 12 years old in these pics, lmao….i swear, i’m of age and legal, for all you who may have naughty thoughts looking at me and my fro goodness and glasses   It looks different in real life, looks better….i dont know why hair never shows up right in pics for me!

Here is an updated photograph of my hair. My hair is not styled in the photography…. nor am I (sans make-up). It is a bit hard to see, but it has grown out a bit. I am still using the same regime as before except I failed to mention that I use jojoba oil and sulfate free shampoo as well. I choose to use a Sulfate-Free (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate) Moisture Shampoo and Condition, such as Treasured Locks or JASON Natural. With all of this talk about sulfate-free shampoo and condition, what exactly is sulfate and why is it considered to be a bad ingredient?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is basically the ingredient that helps the cleaning product “foam up.” These foaming agents are chemically known as surfactants. Basically, it is a de-greasing agent. You can find this ingredient in detergents, hand and body soaps, and other household cleaning agents, such as Easy Off Oven Spray and Mr. Clean Multi-purpose Surface Cleaner. What’s so bad about it? Well, in a nut shell, it changes the nature of your skin protein, which may cause skin irritation. Remember that proteins are amino acids that are essential to proper cell health (cells take in nutrients, turn these nutrients into energy, carry out specialized functions, and reproduce as necessary). If these cells are damaged, you are damaging, in this instance, your hair health. In addition, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (below) both can lead to direct damage to the hair follicle, skin damage, permanent eye damage in children and even liver toxicity. I believe for African American hair, in particular, this ingredient should not touch the hair. African American hair generally lacks natural moisture, which is why many believe that they should add oil and *gulp* grease. Grease is a no no! See the previous blog on mineral oil. However, good oil, such as Olive oil or Jojoba oil, is great. I’ll talk about this later in the blog.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate is closely related to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in that it is the “foam up” agent in soaps, shampoos, detergents, cleaning products, and even toothpaste! This ingredient is slightly less irritating than Sodoium Lauryl Sulfate. Laureth is the extensive modification of lauric acid, which is a natural fatty acid. Basically, it dissolves grease , which causes a drying effect. It can also changes the nature of skin proteins (denatures skin proteins), which causes skin irritation and can leave your skin susceptible to environmental contaminants. I have heard and read reports where SLS can cause cancer and mimic estrogen, causing PMS and fertile effects, but I have not seen any reports that confirm this 100%. I can say that it dries the skin by stripping the protective lipids from the skin surface so it cannot effectively regulate moisture. Hence hair products companies marketing ploy of “extra moisturizing” hair products. If the moisture of the skin and hair is properly taken care of, then additional moisture should not be needed. What kills me about many “moisture added” hair products is that they also include SLS. If additional moisture is needed when using hair products with no SLS, then we should consider using a natural moisturizing agent, such as Jojoba Oil.

Jojoba Oil is my hero. Jojoba oil is actually a botanical extract of the seeds of the  jojoba tree. Though we refer to Jojoba oil as an OIL, it is actually a wax ester. Wax ester, which is basically a fatty acid, is very similar to human skin oil (sebum). It is theorized that applying jojoba oil to the skin can trick your skin into thinking that it is producing enough moisture , thus balancing your bodies oil production. Due to this effect, jojoba oil does not clog or block your pores! Actually, it works great for unclogging your pours. Jojoba oil provides all day moisture (unlike other water based moisturizers that eventually evaporate during the day), balances your bodies oil production, it doesn’t clog your pores, it spreads and absorbs well and evenly, and it is free of pesticides, GMO’s (genetically modified organisms – the insertion and deletion of genes to create new sets of genes, aka to create a new organism), and it is sustainably farmed (I’ll talk about the benefits of purchasing food from sustainable farms in my next blog because after all, you are what you eat. What you eat benefits your body, which includes your hair). It gives your hair an adequate amount of shine as well.

So, what is my hair regiment? Well, I don’t shampoo my hair daily, but I do condition it daily. I shampoo my hair every 3 days with ThermaFuse, but I rinse and condition it in the shower daily. Once my hair air dries to the point where it is still damp, but not completely dry, I massage a quarter size of jojoba oil into my hair, making sure to massage my scalp and spread the oil evenly through my hair. I then comb my hair out with a large toothed comb, currently a large toothed detangler. I do not brush my hair not because it is bad, but because you should never brush your hair when it is wet, and I style my hair when it is wet. My older sister, who is half Chinese, also does not brush her hair because she styles it wet. Both our hair is very soft and has much shine without the need for brushing. Each person is different, however, so it is your job to figure out what works best with your hair and body chemistry.  After I comb my hair, I then apply my hair product, which is at this time Curl’s Curl Sufflé ($16 for 8 oz) or Brocato’s Kurlkarma (which is silicone, paraben, and sulfate free). The best product that I have used to enhance my natural curls is Bumble and Bumble’s Curl Conscious Calming Creme, which is a bit expensive for me at this time ($27 for 8.5 oz). Bracoto’s is a decent alternative ($14 for 6 oz), though African Americans have to use quite a bit to get the effect the proper curl enhancement. Bumble and Bumble makes my hair look luscious and really forms my curls very well. A little goes a long way. I then style my hair with my fingers, working through the product, and molding my hair to my desired look. Soon I will start posting some of my more daring styles onto the my blog because I do often coif my coiffure. Also, little cute styling doilies as well that I come across. Maybe a tutorial or two on proper hair wraps. Stay tuned!

We boast about how our Head to Toe Body Creme will help all skin types feel softer and look smoother.  But we know the list of ingredients can be somewhat daunting.  So, we’ve pulled out some of the most important ones and outlined what, exactly, they do for your skin.

The gel of the Aloe plant has been used to heal the skin for centuries.

The Aloe Vera plant has been used for centuries as a remedy for a number of skin conditions.  This plant holds within its skin a thin gel that, when applied topically, can help heal wounds and strengthen cells by bringing oxygen to the skin.  In our Head to Toe Body Creme, the Aloe Vera helps keep the skin moist and healthy.

Amino Acids are peptides.  There are four main acids that, when combined, form an effective skincare treatment.  These four are Proline, Glycine, Leucine and Lysine.  Aunt Odie’s Head to Toe Body Creme contains all four of these acids. Together, they will work to build collagen, which is what makes the skin firm.  We lose collagen as we get older, which is why wrinkles appear.  This formula exfoliates, moisturizes and releases toxins, all the while strengthening the skin, and improving the look of wrinkles and age spots.

A Jojoba seed pod. The beans secrete oil, useful for helping with irritated skin conditions.

Jojoba Oil comes from the beans of the jojoba plant.  The beans secrete an oil very similar to the oils produced by the human skin.  Therefore, it is easily absorbed into the skin.  It is known for helping reduce the signs of aging in skin by promoting the growth of new cells.  It’s especially good for people with eczema and other skin conditions, as it will soften and moisturize the skin.  There is also an antibacterial component to the oil, so it’s often used to treat acne.

Lignin is a complex chemical compound found in the walls of plants.  It’s what gives vegetables their crunchiness.  In our Head to Toe Body Creme, lignin helps the skin better absorb ingredients.

Power is in the product. Medium Hold Styling Cream is a hair quenching treat. Not only is it an amazing styling product, it has the nourishment of a treatment product.

Infused with Organic Hyssop, a vitamin and nutrient botanical. Rosemary is another nutritious botanical that is used to stimulate and refresh. Also used as a antimicrobial to help keep free radicals away from the scalp. A blend of natural conditioning agents that help keep hair free of tangles and to make hair easy to comb out of style. Silk proteins bind strongly to the surface of the cuticle, which provides moisture and strength to any damaged areas. Jojoba Oil is a plant-derived oil that has very similar biochemistry to sebum, which is is a natural oil the sebaceous glands secret to protect the hair from drying out. Jojoba oil is an excellent moisturizer for the hair.

This product is great for styling any hair type. Simply massage a small amount through the hair and continue to style. Acting as a medium hold styling cream to provide styles that last with incredible flexibility, meanwhile adding nourishment and repair to the hair.

This is one of the many SLI Beauty products that you can customize. Add your very own custom fragrance or add some Argan oil to take it to the next level of hair care.

SLI Beauty is a completely customizable private label hair care solution, who’s products are Sulfate Free- Paraben Free- Phthalate Free – Salt Free.

To learn more go to www. salonlabel.com or

info@salonlabel.com

Direct 1.250.590.3700

” Put your salon’s name on the most organic and natural private label products possible.”

With the current spotlight on youthfulness, it’s hard to accept aging. No matter how old you are, inside your heart you still feel eighteen. The trouble is, appearance defies the inner you! Aging comes to all of us, but it need not be traumatic. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to retain your youth with anti aging cream. Some are simple applications of oils, while others involve recipes of various ingredients rivaling the most sophisticated concoctions you’ll find at the cosmetic counter. You can whip up your own customized anti aging cream at little expense and with beautiful results. Let’s take a look at some of these home made alternatives.

No matter what anti aging cream you choose, understand that diet, just like your mother told you, plays an important part in preventing aging skin. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are essential, providing nutrients that slow aging of the skin. With proper diet and a good anti aging skin cream, you can take years off your apparent age.

Let’s start with basic oils. Sweet almond oil softens the skin, as do avocado and jojoba oils. Sweet almond oil is good for less mature skin, protective yet light. If you’re older, avocado and jojoba oil are ready to meet the task. Women in the South Pacific have been using avocado oil for centuries, and their skin reflects the care. Avocado oil is high in vitamin E, known to maintain and repair damaged skin. Jojoba oil is the older woman’s best friend. A nightly application renders big results. Jojoba oil penetrates the skin overnight, with a soft and non-greasy result by morning, filling in those wrinkles for a much younger look when used as a daily regimen.

When searching out an anti aging cream that’s right for you, consult with your herb dealer to find out the various effects each oil has on different skin conditions. Do some research to find out which oil is best suited to your age and skin condition. Many commercial creams contain cetyl alcohol, which has a drying effect and is often included to avoid the ‘greasy’ look. When buying a commercial preparation, notice the cetyl alcohol content overall. It’s preferable that this be a minor ingredient, far down on the list of major ingredients.

A search on the net for anti aging cream recipes will yield a panoply of different ingredients in various proportions. Natural anti aging cream typically eliminates cetyl alcohol, as a counter productive ingredient. Cocoa butter, lanolin, and various oils usually predominate, with vitamin E, C, A, zinc and aloe included to support aging skin, restoring elasticity, softness and suppleness.

Papaya leaves are antiseptic and promote new cell growth, and available in tablet form. You can grind tablets into powder, mix with a bit of water and apply directly to your skin for a healthy, rejuvenating treatment.

Your anti aging cream can be just around the corner, customized to you, with a result you’ll love!

Are you one of those people who feel frantic if they forget their lip balm at home?  Are you “addicted” to Chapstick, or Carmex.  You just *may* be addicted, and that’s no laughing matter.  Now, go grab you lip balm and read the tiny little print telling you what is inthe lip balm that you love so…

Does it contain phenol?  Camphor?  Maybe, menthol, of salicylic acid?  If it does, chances are that the reason you cannot go without your lip balm is that on, or more, of those ingredients causes your lips to actually become drier after it has been applied! So, you keep applying it, and your lips feel better for a bit, then dammit!  Your lips feel dry or chapped again, and you reach for your lip balm again, and the cycle begins and goes on and on…

This is the time of year when we naturally need a little something to add moisture to our lips, due to indoor heating, lack of humidity, and cold outdoor temperatures.  Maybe you are like me-a habitual lip smacker/licker/chewer.  With that sort of behavior, anything that I put on my lips doesn’t last for long.  So, what can you do if your lip balm is a “baddie”, and contains phenol, or other drying ingredients?  You go find a lip balm that is natural, and does not contain addictive, drying ingredients.

This summer I found a lip balm at the natural food store, made by Alba Botanica, that had an spf 15–your lips do need sun protection, too-and had no bad stuff, like camphor, phenol, or menthol.  It is colorless, and contains beeswax among other things.  I like it well enough, but it a stiff sort of lip balm, and it takes a lot of effort to apply it in such a way as to feel like you got some on your lips.  It does a fiar job, and it is fragance free, if that matters to you.

My favorite lip balms are made by Aromaleigh Mineral Makeup, and they come in a host of yummy scents, with no yucky ingredients.  I also love the Aromaleigh Nourishing Color Cremes for when I want color, and lip loving ingredients.  The lip balms are clear and they have a consistency that allows for fast, smooth, and easy application.  In short, it doesn’t feel like you are trying to put wax on your lips.

The price is right, too.  They are regularly priced at $4.85, but are often 25% off, like right now, so they cost $3.64.  If you read this immediately, and rush to the Aromaleigh site before midnight tonight, October 20th, you can use the coupon code for another 20% off!  Wow!  I also suggest that you try the Aromaleigh Nourishing Color Cremes, and their lips stick, which is the only lip stick I will wear–love it, love it!  But, those are reviews for another time.

So, before you whip out that phenol containing lip balm again, to apply it for the 100th time today, head over to Aromaleigh, or seek out some other natural, non addictive lip balm.  Your lips will thank you!  These terrific lip balms contain Shea butter, jojoba oil, beeswax, avocado butter, meadowfoam oil, and vitamin E, among other good things…

Yesterday I finished Alex’s Austermann Step socks in colorway Bark, and tonight I finally managed to catch him holding still long enough to take some pics.  He had built our second fire of the season only moments before, so I took advantage of that and the fact that his feet were already right there!  I’m pleased; the sewn bind-off makes the top nice and stretchy but they seem to stay up well.  I think I knit them almost perfectly for his feet!  This is all wonderful, considering the last pair of socks I knit him was a disaster.  These were knit two at a time from the toe up on one long Knit Picks size 1 circular needle, and I used all but about 5 yards of the remaining yarn.  I may make a little sock or stocking ornament for the Christmas tree with what’s left.

I also finished knitting my first Christmas gift for a family member today, but can’t share it here until after Christmas so the recipient doesn’t see it!  If you want to check it out, visit my Ravelry page. I plan on putting lots more Christmas gifts on there, as soon as I finish (or start) them!

And then there was Proof, during which I was mentally violated by Gwyneth Paltrow.

To avoid charges of bias, I will fess up right here. I mean, you can still charge me with bias, but since I will have admitted it, there seems little point, hmm?

Here is the basis of my bias: Gwyneth annoys the crap out of me. There is nobody else whose hair I want to pull more. And Baby CHEESES will someone ever give the woman a carb? She is critically in need of a feed of rice pudding. You can actually see her wasting away on screen.

Gwyneth evidently attended the Tom Cruise School of Acting, whereby as long as you have a minimum freaky charisma allied with plasticity of skin, you can employ one, single gesture to cover all human emotion and pass it off as acting. (In Tom Cruise’s case, this is of course the double-hand point. In Gwyneth’s, a bewildered frown with eyes crossed.)

Director: Cut, cut, CUT! Goddamit! Babydoll, get your sweet ass over here!

Gwyneth: I presume one is referring to me.

Director: Who? Yeah, whatever. Gwynnie honey. Since your features are so pale and indistinct, we need you to – what’s it called again? – oh yeah. We need you to ACT more.

Gwyneth: I can act you know. I won an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love.

Director: What’s that? You might want to speak up while you’re at it. I want you to EMOTE. I want to see the spit, I wanna FEEL the sweat. Set to it, there’s a good girl.

Director (aside to sub director): Stupid bitch. Needs a good feed of rice pudding.

I have no idea how she won an Oscar, although I can only conclude she must have donated many varied and nasty sexual favours to the entire Academy.

Now that’s out of the way: in Proof, Gwyneth plays the petulant, whiny, lank-haired daughter of a brilliant mathematician. She gives up her own studies when dad goes woopdewoohoo and then misplaces his mortal coil. Then her father’s student finds a notebook containing a mind-blowing proof to some theorem, which Gwyneth claims she wrote.

Honestly, it’s a stretch believing Gwyneth is capable of forming coherent sentences, never mind that she is a mathematical genius.

Gwyneth’s character is consumed by the likelihood of following her father into insanity. She appears to be crazy because she fears going crazy. Which is undoubtedly tragic but no more than, say, genocide – or any number of other things.

Her sister is supposed to be a harridan, but all I felt was sympathy for her. She turns up the day before their father’s funeral try to persuade Gwyneth to wash her hair – I completely understood where she was coming from – and Gwyneth gets all snotty about hair being dead tissue so Jojoba Oil won’t make any difference. Well, I’ve used Jojoba on my own dead tissue and the stuff is a miracle, so that shows you how much she knows.

Jake Gyllenhaal is her father’s former student, the drummer in a rock band of maths geeks. This time I suspended disbelief – hung it by the neck until dead – and then tried swinging it around and juggling it a while, but it was no good: maths geeks are just not that good looking. Trust me. I studied maths, and we were a dull looking bunch of monobrows. The best bit in the movie is the band’s song ‘i’, comprising three minutes of silence.

Disregarding all that, the movie is worth a watch.

We caught up with some stylish celebs and top make up artists to bring you their get-gorgeous tips and tricks that you can DIY at home! Here are the tips we found most useful:

To keep her scalp hydrated and healthy, Padma Lakshmi (host of “Top Chef” and Pantene spokesperson) told us she microwaves a cup of jojoba oil and massages it into her hair. We tried it and it left our hair feeling nice and soft. (Photo courtesy Pantene).

To create beach-y waves on singer Kelly Clarkson, celebrity make up artist Brett Freedman uses a golf ball size dollop of shaving cream foam, which adds body and hold. Apply from roots to ends and style as usual. This trick works best with classic foams, like Gillette Foamy Shaving Cream ($2.99 at beauty.com) but if you have “gel to foam” formulas, just use half a golf ball, he said.

Celebrity make up artist Elke Von Freudenberg, who has worked with stars such as Kate Moss and James Franco, said her favorite secret she offers clients is to use baking soda mixed with water to make a pasty facial scrub before photo shoots. The scrub removes dead skin cells without causing redness or irritation and makes skin smooth so foundation will look flawless. (Image source: armhammer.com)

According to Epsom Salt Council spokesperson Peter Smolowitz, many celebs use the stuff as part of their beauty routine. Heidi Klum reportedly relaxes in a bathtub with two cups of Epsom Salt for 12 minutes before big red carpet events. The Epsom Salt relieves stress and draws toxins out of skin. Smolowitz said Epsom Salt can also be used in gentle facials (mix 1/2 tsp into a cleansing cream), as a hair volumizer (combine it with warm deep conditioner and leave it on for 20 minutes), and as a foot scrub (mix with petroleum jelly and a few drops of oil). (Image source: epsomsaltcouncil.org).

Chris Lanston, a make up artist who has worked with shows on MTV, Miss USA, and the Tyra Banks Show, gave us some simple tips you can use with products already in your bathroom during the morning rush. To reduce puffiness around the eye area, dab on some Preparation H ($11.99 at beauty.com). To reduce the redness of a blemish, try putting some Visine Original ($7.99 at beauty.com) on it, he said. We put both tips to the test with satisfying results – after a couple minutes our eyes looked refreshed and skin tone evened out!

Check out the ladies of StyleBakery for even more fashion and beauty goodness!

I am a sucker for all things that smell pretty, such as flowers, perfume, and babies.  I am also a bath addict, and have been all of my life.  This has lead to an unhealthy love for Bath and Body Works products.  When I say unhealthy, I mean that, as the products are jam packed with nasty stuff, like parabens and the like.  So, I am trying to quit…

I have said before that most of us start using natural skin and body care products and cosmetics in a gradual fashion, replacing one bad product for one good, natural, product.  That is, unless you have used natural products all of your life.  Not many of us have, especially if you are my age–not that old, but not that young, either.

So, while I have been using nothing but natural stuff on my face for a while now,and it shows beautifully, I have been a little lax with my body care products, and since mu body is bigger than my face, well, it is time to make the switch.  Of course, I have dabbled in Burt’s Bees skin care products in the past, and liked them well, but they do cost a lot.

I have already made one products change, and that is from using a body wash to using a great smelling oatmeal soap that I picked up at the natural food store.  I used nothing but this same kind of soap back in my college days, so not only does the oatmeal soap clean me well, including my face. it takes me back to my youth.  That it priceless.  I am also exploring some nice looking cold process soaps on etsy.com.

Meanwhile, how to moisturize my body?  I could certainly use olive oil, and have, or grapeseed oil.  I made a wonderful, all natural body butter a year ago, that I gave as Christmas gifts, but my portion is long gone.  So, I have been searching, and have ordered three whipped body frostings for etsy.com seller, HeavenScentBoutique.

I was searching Etsy last week for a natural cream or lotion for my body that smelled nice.  That is important to me.  In my search, I found that heavenScentBoutique was having a penny sale that ended that night–sorry you missed it–buy two products, get the third for a penny.  So, I bought three of these whipped body frostings.  They are 93% natural, and have no parabens or other yucky stuff.  I figure that 93% natural is a good start, right?

I chose the lime coconut scent, the creamy pumpkin, as Fall is coming, and the Madagascar musk, as I like exotic scents.  The seller makes each batch by hand, to order, so the turn around time is 7 to 10 days, so I do not have my order in hand and have not tried the body frosting, but I am excited.

These whipped body frostings contains aloe vera, palm oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, green tea, vitamin E, vitamin A, and sweet almond oil.  There are fragrance oils, and colorants, which makes these products not 100% natural, or 100% perfect, but as I said, a start is a start and I am a sucker for a sale.

How are you all doing on your homework of replacing one bad product for a naturally good one?  Let me know what you’ve done, and where you found your new, natural product!

I love to put great smelling oils in my hair. I usually end up making my own infusion of oils and adding my own fragrances to them. My favorite oils and butters including how I use them are as follows:

Olive Oil

I use olive oil in a variety of ways. I use it to boost conditioners and enrich my oil mixtures. Olive oil is great in that it isn’t terribly heavy and it can be used in combination with almost any other oil or conditioner. Olive oil is so widely available nowadays that you can always keep some on hand. Or if you are like me, then you have a huge container of it because you like to use to create body salves or to cook with.

Castor Oil

I haven’t always used castor oil on my hair. I started using it over a year ago and I really like it. At first, I didn’t use it properly. I used to put a bit on my hair after I got out of the shower but I realized that it took FOREVER for my hair to dry. So I started putting it on while my hair was completely dry. It acts as a sort of gel for me and it adds great shine. I also add castor oil to my conditioners and my spritz bottle.

Coconut Oil

What can I say? I love everything about coconut including the oil. A little can go a long way so I like to get it in large portions so I can use it in other ways. I usually use coconut oil to boost conditioners as it mixes quite well with them. I also use it because of its super moisturizing properties.

Jojoba Oil

I have always used jojoba oil either by itself or mixed with other products. Many products use jojoba oil in it because it is so nourishing to the hair as well as the skin. I like to use jojoba oil mainly in my hot oil treatments. It leaves my hair soft and shiny.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Now this was an entirely new product for me. When I started to see it online, I just had to try it. It is super thick and yes, it is dark brown. I use it in the same way that I use regular castor oil. I don’t like it in my spritz bottle because it does seem to mix well. But other than that, I really like this product. It is more expensive than the regular castor oil but it works just as well.

Wheat Germ Oil

I use this oil as a booster when one of my daughters have flaky scalp. I know my mom suffers from a form of psoriasis which leaves her scalp extremely dry and flaky even after a wash. So to combat that, I put wheat germ oil directly on her scalp in the areas that seem flaky and dry. It helps to clear it up in a day or two.

Almond Oil

For many years I have used almond oil on my skin. Within the past few years I began to use it on my hair. I use it as a booster oil for hot oil treatments or conditioners. It works really well for me.

Soybean Oil

I use soybean oil as a filler oil for almost anything. It is light compared to some other oils I have used and it mixes well. Soybean oil is an healthier alternative that some hair care products use instead of mineral oil.

Grape Seed Oil

I like to whip my butters with grape seed oil. It is lighter than olive oil but it can tolerate heat better. It is odorless and that works well if you want to add your own fragrance to your oils and butters.

Shea Butter

I LOVE shea butter. It is so good for so many things. I see why there is such a craze over it. I think some natural women have been turned off of shea butter simply because of not knowing how to properly use it. Shea butter is thick so a little goes a long way. I would suggest melting down a bit each time you want to moisturize your hair instead of trying to put the pure butter directly on your hair. When it is melted, you can better gauge how much to use and it won’t leave any waxy residue in your hair. Shea butter works very well with other oils and butters. I use shea butter in my conditioner and oil blends. Of course I use it for skin care but that is another topic all together.

Mango Butter

I use mango butter in the same ways that I use shea butter. If I don’t feel like using shea butter, I will use mango butter. The only drawback is that it more expensive than shea butter.

Happy Growing!!!

Sustainable Esscentials

I decided that I would come up with a great Nail and Cuticle Balm when I noticed how bad my nails and hands were looking!  I   looked like I had just burrowed out of jail using only my hands!  Not a pretty vision, I know!

So I started to do some research, which I narrowed down to the following ingredients:

• Coconut Oil – in some locations (much warmer than our Central Coast of California), this carrier oil is a liquid, like you would expect.  But in cooler areas, its natural form is a solid, which melts to a liquid once it’s put on the hand, using the body’s heat.  It is primarily a “barrier” oil, that doesn’t absorb into the skin, but can be mixed with other oils that can be absorbed.  It also has a longer shelf-life than many other carrier oils, if kept in a cool place without direct sunlight.

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• Jojoba Oil – this is always a liquid, though it’s actually considered a wax, and it’s chemically closest to our own skin oils.  It is readily soaked into our skin, nails, and hair.  It is an anti-fungal, an excellent moisturizer, and has an unlimited (within reason) shelf-life.

• Calendula Oil – this is an infused carrier oil, rather than a distilled oil.  It is known for its skin healing abilities, and its anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties.

Calendula

• Horsetail Herb Decoction – A liquid infusion of Horsetail Herb (simmered in water for several hours, the strained).  Horsetail has the highest amount of silicon of all plants and is what Collagen is made from.

Currently, my eczema is slightly under control. However, there is a dog in the house that is making me kinda itchy. I am using Vanicream, Jojoba oil, Cetaphil lotion, Cetaphil soap etc!!

I have little bumps on my forearms that are super itchy. I REALLY do not know where this came from because I have NEVER had a breakout on my arms?!? I mean the creases of my arms but definitely not my forearms? I am thinking maybe it is the Vanicream. The Vanicream is working wonders on my neck and face. Maybe it not for the body?? Will try and just use it for the face and neck and see if my eczema on my arms go away. Lets hope so!!

I currently made another twitter…twitter.com/eczema_lyss YEA ridiculous that my name is ECZEMA_LYSS on twitter but I am just trying to make a point. And it kinda goes with my name?

Anyway I am also taking multivitamins and purified fish oil pills. We’ll see how that goes. Changed my laundry detergent to all natural and changed my toothpaste to TOMS. Also using natural shampoos and conditioners.

These bumps on my arms are worrying me? Why must one part of my body be under control and then another part of my body go ballistic?? Is it the steroids?? Is it the lotions??

I am also currently running every other day after work. Trying to see how that changes my body. I like feeling exhausted so I fall asleep easier. Makes me scratch less..

Hope your eczema is ok Let me know!

Hello all!

So my good friend keeps asking me what I use on my skin, but I find it so tedious to answer that because I use SO MANY gosh darn products!  Yes, I’m a skincare junkie.  I think it’s because when I was younger, my mom didn’t believe that skin care products could help me – she would just say “Just wash your face more often!”, so I was only allowed to buy the cheapest kinds (ie. Clean & Clear – blechhh).  So now, I am always on the hunt for better & more economical products to use, since I go through skincare really quickly.

To be honest, the main reason my skin has improved dramatically is due to prescription products from my dermatologist.  But as my skin begins to age, it’s becoming a lot more sensitive, so it can’t take the harsh chemical-y creams daily.  Also, any oral medication he prescribes I try my best not to take, because I’m trying to void my organs of having to process any more chemicals than it already has to (from foods, air, cosmetics, etc.)

So this collection of products is a mix of trying to balance oily/acne prone skin, with super dry/sensitive skin, with pore/blackhead control products and anti-aging products.  Basically, my skin has tons of demands.

Cleansers

Left: Philosophy's Purity Made Simple | Right: The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil Facial Wash (gel)

As you can clearly see, I prefer Purity over the Tea Tree Oil. I bought TBS’s facial wash because they were having a 2/$18 sale on all Tea Tree products, and this is a best-seller.  It’s good enough, but doesn’t REALLY help with oil/acne control, and I always have tons of makeup residue left if I only used my fingers to massage it onto my face.

I just bought Purity last week, and so far (using it day & night), it’s helped a lot in healing my dry skin and balancing it with my oily skin (that’s what it claims to do anyway).  Smells nice & does a better job at getting rid of makeup…but I did a test by following up with an Equate facial wipe after using Purity, and I still had traces of foundation on my face.  I still really like it though – it hasn’t made me break out like it did for Pursebuzz!  FYI: I asked the MUA at Sephora why Canada doesn’t have the foamy version, and she said it’s because there is an ingredient that hasn’t been approved by the CFDA in it.  So I guess Ebay it is for those who prefer it!

Olay's Daily Facials in Deep Cleansing

My mom bought me these from Costco (pack or 3 boxes) and they’re awesome!  I take a sheet with me every time I go to the gym or pool, because they’re easy to take with me and are disposable after use.  I don’t exfoliate at home, but using these sheets 2/3 times a week @ the gym count as my exfoliation.  Super convenient tip: After using it on your face, there is tons of leftover foam & soap left in the sheet.  Use it as an exfoliating body scrub!

Toners 

Left: Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner | Right: The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil Freshener

 I can’t stress how much I LOVEEEEE the Rose Petal witch hazel.  It smells fabulous & does a great job of getting rid of traces of makeup, and moisturizes while it tones.  The Thayer line has tons of different types of witch hazel toners (lemon, aloe vera, original, etc.), but I chose the Rose Petal one because it moisturizes and helps with maintaining youthful skin (plump skin = younger looking skin).  This bottle lasted me for about 6 months, and I just bought a new bottle.  Available at organic shops for $8.99 (at Kensington Market).  I also saw it at Whole Foods for $12.99 in the Beauty section.

The TBS toner is clearly the old school bottle, but the product is still available in the new packaging.  This was a gift from my sister.  I rarely use it anymore because it is too harsh for my skin now, but back when I was super acne prone, this felt like it was doing something good underneath the surface of my skin.  I still use it on my T-Zone in the mornings to control oil throughout the day (doesn’t really work, I just like the idea of it!)

Moisturizers 

Left: Clinique Superdefense Very Dry to Dry | Centre: TBS Tea Tree Oil Blemish Fade Night Lotion | Right: TBS Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream

After reading about Superdefense on PB, I decided to try it out.  As I approach mid-20s, I’m constantly thinking about how to prevent further damage on my skin-in-transition (previously, I was using Chanel’s Beauté Initiale Energizing Multi-Protection Cream; but way too pricey to keep using – but it really was great!)  The Clinique counter I went to had run out of Combination/Dry formula, so I ended up getting Very Dry to Dry, which is great for the winter, kinda too oily for the summer (but my mineral makeup does a great job of hiding that).  It will probably be good for me when I move to Montreal, because I hear the winters there are KILLER! I like the built in SPF 25, but it comes with a mild SPF scent.  It was around $50 (but got it with a GWP deal) and is lasting me forever and a day since I use it with a spatula (which prevents contamination, and wastes less product because you can scoop the product more precisely).

The Blemish Fade Night Lotion is very pricey for the tiny tube ($19) but if you wait for the 2/$18 sale, it’s a steal! This is my second bottle because I love it very much.  Really does help with fading old scars, and works wonders as a spot treatment, day or night.  I currently use it on my T-Zone at night time.

The Vitamin E cream comes in different formulations, but I got the Intense version so that I could use it on my mildly eczemic cheeks at nighttime.  Very moisturizing and not heavy feeling at all.  Smells very pleasant.  I’m on my second jar of this stuff, but I recently bought Egyptian Magic cream after watching Tao rave about it.  I think that will replace this stuff (and I prefer that it’s a more natural alternative too!)

Biore Skin Preservation See the Future Eye Cream

This is from Biore’s new line of products aimed at 20-somethings who are between teen acne and wrinkles/aging skin.  So far I like it – doesn’t irritate, very good moisturization, and smoothes out nicely along my eyes without having to tug and rub it in.  Box says to use it during day, but it doesn’t have SPF, so I only use it at night.  For day eye cream, I just gently & carefully tap on my Clinique Superdefense around my eyes (because it has SPF 25)!

Oils

Left: Jojoba Oil (100% Pure Expeller Pressed) | Right: Bio-Oil

I bought the jojoba oil after reading about it on tons of natural makeup forums (good for OCM & any other moisturizing solutions).  This tiny bottle was kinda pricey, but I hardly use it.  When my skin got super crazy dry and flakey in the winter, I would drop some of this oil into my jar of TBS Vitamin E Intense cream and use it as a moisturizer.  Jojoba oil is the only oil that is the closest match to our body’s natural sebum, so it doesn’t clog pores.  My only complaint is that it’s a little hard to thin out – kinda viscous, but not like, syrup viscosity.

I bought Bio-Oil after seeing commercials that it is great for getting rid of scars.  I had tons of acne scars so I started using it on my face, but it made me break out!  So now I use it only when my jawline is getting rather dry (because I don’t break out there), and on scars on my body that I would like to fade away.  My mom uses it on her allergy rashes (around her eyes), and it does a great job of soothing them away.  I have friends who have used it for their stretch marks during pregnancy, and that has helped as well.

Masks/Treatments

Left: Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser | Right: Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose In It

I bought the Pore Refining cleanser on a whim when it was on sale thinking that maybe I’d see some results using it as a cleanser.  NOPE!!  Just burned my eyes because of the AHA/BHA in it.  Also, cleansing your skin with it doesn’t allow the active ingredients to actually work on your skin during such a short time.  So I went online and found out that many people were using it as an at-home mask!  Because of the AHA/BHA, it acts like a mild chemical peel while helping tighten the look of pores.  I don’t know about the pore part, but it does make my skin smoother.  Even though I have sensitive skin, it doesn’t irritate it – leave it on for about 10-15 minutes and wipe off with facial cloth.

I bought the Scrub Your Nose in It mask just last week, and I’ve only used it twice.  I love the tingly feeling when I put it on my T-Zone, and how it scrubs as your massage it onto your face.  I don’t see dramatic results yet, but my pores do look less gunky right after I remove it.  $12.99 @ Shopper’s Drug Mart.

Left: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Face Mask | Right: Mario Badescu Silver Powder

I thought I’d round out my Tea Tree collection by getting the mask.  I like the idea of it “drawing out impurities”, so I’ll keep using it till it’s done.  I don’t think I’ll repurchase though.  It doesn’t dry on your face, which I love, and I do feel like my skin is smoother/squeaky clean after I wipe it off.  I don’t really need the Tea Tree effects any longer, so time to move on when the jar is finished.

I bought the Silver Powder from Blu3’s blog sale a while ago.  The white powder has silver in it to soak up oil and gunk from your skin, so I use it on my T-Zone.  This tiny little jar lasts forever, because you have to wet the product, which makes you use a lot less than you think you need to use.  When I wipe it off though, I get a lot of powdery fall out over my counter, and my pores have powdery residue in them (which I suppose means that it’s really getting in there and sucking out the oil).  So I just have to scrub a little more diligently in those areas.  I dunno – it’s hard to gauge how well it’s working when you don’t actually see little blackheads coming out (like pore strips).

Overall, I use masks at least one or two times a week, interchanging between all of them as my skin sees fit (if I’m breaking out, I’ll use the Tea Tree mask, if I’m feeling super oily, I’ll use Mario Badescu, if I’m flaky I’ll use Neutrogena, etc.).

Conclusion

I use ALL these products regularly.  My most basic routine is Purity to cleanse, Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner, and  the appropriate moisturizer for the time of day (morning/night).  

My skin isn’t perfect, but because I am diligent with taking care of it, I believe that that is why my skin is as nice as it is!  I can’t help pollutants in the air, but I can try and prevent them from damaging my skin with the right products.  I also believe that what you put in your body shows up on your skin.  So I eat tons of fruit and veggies (which is great because I really enjoy them!)  I also highly recommend getting a dermatologist and consulting with them.

That’s that I suppose!  Thanks for sticking by and reading the whole post – this took half a day to compile  and write!  If you have any questions/concerns/suggestions, please leave a comment!  I will respond as a reply on this post.

Jojoba oil is made of a small molecule that will not clog the pores. It is extremely soothing and beneficial to the skin. Jojoba oil is a fantastic natural moisturizer, and it can help to counter excessive sebum production.

The white pus-like substance that comes out when you pop a pimple comes from sebum. Sebum production is part of maintaining healthy skin, but an excess amount results in acne. You can purchase jojoba oil at most health food stores. NOW is an excellent brand to look for when buying jojoba oil.

Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching on Sunday and I wanted to post about a product that is affordable, easily accessible, and something that would make most moms feel special. My pick is Carol’s Daughter Body Butter ($18) and is available online and at most Sephora stores.

Carol’s Daughter Body Butter is filled with ingredients your skin craves to keep it soft and supple: shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil and sweet almond oil. And what’s even more important, is what isn’t in the Body Butter. You won’t find petrochemicals, phthalates, parabens, or synthetic dyes. Carol’s Daughter does not claim to use 100% all-natural or organic ingredients, but again, we’re looking for a lower price point here and I am happy that no petrochemicals or phthalates are being used, at least in the Body Butter. You’ll want to be sure to read the labels of their other products if this is important to you. The consistency of Carol’s Daughter Body Butter is thick and balm-like, but warms readily and absorbs quickly. It’s super hydrating and feels luxurious as you massage it into your skin.

Finding a scent for the mom in your life can be challenging, but I say just go for it. With a body butter in general, she can use a little on her hands for a subtle scent, or go crazy and put it all over if she really falls head over heels with your choice. Carol’s Daughter gives you many to choose from. Love is laden with honey, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Ocean has rosemary, cyclamen and rose. Ecstasy is pineapple, white florals and musk. Almond Cookie is for the real sweet lover and has marzipan, tonka and vanilla orchid. Mango Melange is succulent fruit and coconut, and Jamaican Punch is Fuji apple, cinnamon and musk.

My favorite is Groove Body Butter. And groovy it is. There is nothing about the notes listed that say I should like this. Red currant and sugared dewberries (too sweet!), Tahitian vanilla and cocoa (that might be OK, but with that sweetness I was thinking too foody) and musk (dear gawd…..I cannot do musk). But somehow, it all works and I love it. The red currant tempers the whole deal and keeps its fruitiness just tart enough so the scales don’t get tipped too far into the cloying realm. And the vanilla and cocoa are not of the foody type, just the aromatic swoon-worthy variety. And the musk? What can I say….it’s one of those rare breeds that works for me. It’s not a clean musk, white musk or an “Egyptian” type musk. It’s a fruity musk I guess, a groovy musk.

All of these scents, Groove, Ocean, Mango Melange, etc. also come in other products like scrubs, oils and gels. So you could make your mama a lovely gift set and even mix and match the fragrances. So have at it and pick one up for yourself.

Carol’s Daughter is available at Sephora, their online store and their US stores.

Posted by ~Trish