Fair-skinned beauties face a dilemma: to suntan or to fake it? Since the American Cancer Society and dermatologists everywhere recommend lathering oneself in SPF to prevent melanoma and wrinkles, the fair-skinned beauty usually opts for faking it (and it cuts down on those painful sunburns!). But how to fake it a tan without slathering oneself in toxic chemicals???
Lavera Sunless Tan--Self Tanning Lotion is the answer. I was very skeptical about trying a natural sunless tanner, especially one so affordable ($27.50), as I immediately had thoughts of a streaky, orange mess. Not so with Lavera Sunless Tan! My first thoughts were that this sunless tanner was very moisturizing and had a pleasant scent. But I was also pleasantly surprised at the "tan" that developed several hours later. It's definitely on the light side, so those of you searching for a deep Brazilian tan may need to skip this one, but two applications on light skin does give nice color. I'm pleased with this one!
BUY IT!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Lavera Cornflower Shampoo
OK girls, let's be honest. Sometimes we have a little problem called dandruff. There is a lot of advice out there on how to deal with it, from home remedies to topical prescriptions, and I've tried it all. At the time of my chemically independent resolve I was using some pretty harsh stuff on my head that was controlling my dandruff, but it was just an endless cycle. I didn't have high hopes for a non-toxic alternative, but since I was buying some other stuff off of Lavera's website and needed to reach my free shipping threshold I though hey, why not give it a try.
Lavera Cornflower Shampoo has great suds (due to the Sodium Coco Sulfate--not sure if that's "legal", but at least it's not SLS) and gets my hair clean. It claims to "clarify and tone", and I think it helps to balance my scalp to prevent dandruff. I think my scalp is actually healthier! I'm kind of in shock! I can't believe it works!
BUY IT!!!
Lavera Cornflower Shampoo has great suds (due to the Sodium Coco Sulfate--not sure if that's "legal", but at least it's not SLS) and gets my hair clean. It claims to "clarify and tone", and I think it helps to balance my scalp to prevent dandruff. I think my scalp is actually healthier! I'm kind of in shock! I can't believe it works!
BUY IT!!!
Aubrey Organics White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner
And now the REAL test. Organic hair products. Let's talk about my hair. It's curly and frizzy, but with the right product and super conditioning I have beautiful curls which I have learned to love. I normally use Ouidad products which are fantastic and are the most moisturizing products I've ever tried, so I knew that it was a tall order to expect an organic shampoo & conditioner to perform as well. I was right.
I did some research online and decided to try Aubrey Organics, which is an uber-natural and organic line that isn't too expensive. They have several choices of shampoo and conditioner for dry, frizzy, curly hair. I decided to go with the White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner (~$10ea.), which I picked up at a small health food store near my house.
Shampoo: The shampoo doesn't have much of a scent, but it does lather a little (which is a big complaint about most non-toxic shampoos because they don't have sodium lauryl sulfate in them which gives you big suds). After using a few times though, I just don't think it gets my hair as clean as my usual poo.
Conditioner: The conditioner smells great and detangles, plus it can be used as a leave-in treatment for 15 minutes on dry hair before you shampoo/condition as normal. However, the scent lasts and lasts, eventually giving me a slight headache and the fear that everyone can smell my hair. I tried the 15 minute deep conditioning once and wasn't impressed--didn't really notice a difference.
Aubrey Organics is about as natural as you can get. However, in my quest for non-toxic beauty I believe I might have over-shot a little. Now I'm afraid to try another line--performance anxiety! I am considering Modern Organic Products (MOP) though, as they seem to be more mainstream and still keep out the nastiest of the chemicals. Until then, dare I say that good hair may be worth the health risks???
I did some research online and decided to try Aubrey Organics, which is an uber-natural and organic line that isn't too expensive. They have several choices of shampoo and conditioner for dry, frizzy, curly hair. I decided to go with the White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner (~$10ea.), which I picked up at a small health food store near my house.
Shampoo: The shampoo doesn't have much of a scent, but it does lather a little (which is a big complaint about most non-toxic shampoos because they don't have sodium lauryl sulfate in them which gives you big suds). After using a few times though, I just don't think it gets my hair as clean as my usual poo.
Conditioner: The conditioner smells great and detangles, plus it can be used as a leave-in treatment for 15 minutes on dry hair before you shampoo/condition as normal. However, the scent lasts and lasts, eventually giving me a slight headache and the fear that everyone can smell my hair. I tried the 15 minute deep conditioning once and wasn't impressed--didn't really notice a difference.
Aubrey Organics is about as natural as you can get. However, in my quest for non-toxic beauty I believe I might have over-shot a little. Now I'm afraid to try another line--performance anxiety! I am considering Modern Organic Products (MOP) though, as they seem to be more mainstream and still keep out the nastiest of the chemicals. Until then, dare I say that good hair may be worth the health risks???
Afterglow Light Glow Kit
I just love sampler kits of any kind. A great eye shadow palette, a gift with purchase, a starter kit--these are what cosmetics dreams are made of. Am I right??? What a great way to try new products and get a great value at the same time. Enter the Afterglow Light Glow Kit.
Let's start with what you get: a stacked sampler set including 2 foundations (both light...Ivory for warm undertones, Bisque for cool undertones), bronzer (in medium), blush (in First Blush--a mauve color), translucent setting powder, and eye shadow (in Cashmere--a light gold color). Also included are a mini kabuki brush, a little petri dish for tapping out your minerals, and a shiny silver cosmetics bag to hold it all. Oh, and instructions.
I never jumped on the Bare Escentuals bandwagon. I think I am the only one. :-) So I may be the last girl on earth to try powdered mineral foundation, but apparently it was for good reason. After trying this kit, I am convinced I am just not a powdered foundation kind of girl.
A little about me so you understand where I'm coming from and what I expect from foundation. I have fair skin with cool undertones, but constantly wear sunless tanner, so I usually use the 2nd to the lightest foundation available in a line. I prefer to buy my makeup (especially foundation) in person at a department store so a professional can match me to my perfect shade and I can check out coverage, texture, etc. before I buy it. However, Afterglow is a relatively small operation and the closest store that carries it is 300 miles away, so the Light Glow Kit was the best I could do. I look for light, sweatproof coverage with SPF, similar to a tinted moisturizer that evens out skin tone but doesn't shine. I'm not into heavy, cakey makeup, and I don't usually break out so don't need too much coverage. Not too much to ask, right?
Bisque is probably the right foundation color for me. It provides medium coverage (a little more than I'm used to) and SPF, but I don't like the texture of the powdered foundation. Also, when applied near my eyes it accentuated my very first fine lines (which I actually hadn't noticed until this powder had settled into the cracks--OH SNAP). Perhaps a liquid concealer around the eyes would be best when using powdered foundation. It takes longer to apply (probably just because I'm not used to it) and I'm all about speeding things up in my beauty routine. However, to my friends who are into powdered foundation, I'd definitely recommend because it seems like good quality stuff. Oh, and the kabuki brush is sooooo soft!
Next in the little sampler tower comes the bronzer. Since I have fair skin, most bronzers are too dark for me, but I feel the need to complain that Afterglow included their medium bronzer in the Light Glow Kit. WHAT??? Why didn't they include their light bronzer?! Suffice it to say the medium was WAY too much for me. Moving on.
Blush! First Blush is a very pigmented mauve color, which is too dark for my fair skin. Note to Afterglow: in the Light Glow Kit, include a lighter bronzer and blush! That said, it is a BEAUTIFUL color, so for those of you with medium or darker skin tones, snatch this one up. It is shimmery, but not glittery, so it doubles as a highlighter. I will probably use this blush but re-purchase a slightly lighter color.
Next in the tower of fun is translucent setting powder. I don't really have too much to say about this one--it's just translucent setting powder. It does the job with no talc or toxic chemicals, so thumbs up.
The Cashmere eye shadow is good quality pure mineral eye shadow in a gold/bronze color. It has a slight shimmer to it. I have blue-grey eyes and am always on the lookout for eye shadow colors that really bring out the blue...this does not. So, it's a good color, but just doesn't do much for me.
So overall, my first experience with mineral cosmetics was a good one. Afterglow definitely makes good quality stuff, it's just that some of the shades in this kit weren't for me. Can I also just comment on the TIME it takes to apply mineral makeup? You have to shake out the perfect amount in the little petri dish and if you dump too much it's really hard to get it back in the pot. I prefer pressed powder eye shadow and blush for ease of application. But, if you're a loose minerals kind of girl, here's where you can buy it.
Let's start with what you get: a stacked sampler set including 2 foundations (both light...Ivory for warm undertones, Bisque for cool undertones), bronzer (in medium), blush (in First Blush--a mauve color), translucent setting powder, and eye shadow (in Cashmere--a light gold color). Also included are a mini kabuki brush, a little petri dish for tapping out your minerals, and a shiny silver cosmetics bag to hold it all. Oh, and instructions.
I never jumped on the Bare Escentuals bandwagon. I think I am the only one. :-) So I may be the last girl on earth to try powdered mineral foundation, but apparently it was for good reason. After trying this kit, I am convinced I am just not a powdered foundation kind of girl.
A little about me so you understand where I'm coming from and what I expect from foundation. I have fair skin with cool undertones, but constantly wear sunless tanner, so I usually use the 2nd to the lightest foundation available in a line. I prefer to buy my makeup (especially foundation) in person at a department store so a professional can match me to my perfect shade and I can check out coverage, texture, etc. before I buy it. However, Afterglow is a relatively small operation and the closest store that carries it is 300 miles away, so the Light Glow Kit was the best I could do. I look for light, sweatproof coverage with SPF, similar to a tinted moisturizer that evens out skin tone but doesn't shine. I'm not into heavy, cakey makeup, and I don't usually break out so don't need too much coverage. Not too much to ask, right?
Bisque is probably the right foundation color for me. It provides medium coverage (a little more than I'm used to) and SPF, but I don't like the texture of the powdered foundation. Also, when applied near my eyes it accentuated my very first fine lines (which I actually hadn't noticed until this powder had settled into the cracks--OH SNAP). Perhaps a liquid concealer around the eyes would be best when using powdered foundation. It takes longer to apply (probably just because I'm not used to it) and I'm all about speeding things up in my beauty routine. However, to my friends who are into powdered foundation, I'd definitely recommend because it seems like good quality stuff. Oh, and the kabuki brush is sooooo soft!
Next in the little sampler tower comes the bronzer. Since I have fair skin, most bronzers are too dark for me, but I feel the need to complain that Afterglow included their medium bronzer in the Light Glow Kit. WHAT??? Why didn't they include their light bronzer?! Suffice it to say the medium was WAY too much for me. Moving on.
Blush! First Blush is a very pigmented mauve color, which is too dark for my fair skin. Note to Afterglow: in the Light Glow Kit, include a lighter bronzer and blush! That said, it is a BEAUTIFUL color, so for those of you with medium or darker skin tones, snatch this one up. It is shimmery, but not glittery, so it doubles as a highlighter. I will probably use this blush but re-purchase a slightly lighter color.
Next in the tower of fun is translucent setting powder. I don't really have too much to say about this one--it's just translucent setting powder. It does the job with no talc or toxic chemicals, so thumbs up.
The Cashmere eye shadow is good quality pure mineral eye shadow in a gold/bronze color. It has a slight shimmer to it. I have blue-grey eyes and am always on the lookout for eye shadow colors that really bring out the blue...this does not. So, it's a good color, but just doesn't do much for me.
So overall, my first experience with mineral cosmetics was a good one. Afterglow definitely makes good quality stuff, it's just that some of the shades in this kit weren't for me. Can I also just comment on the TIME it takes to apply mineral makeup? You have to shake out the perfect amount in the little petri dish and if you dump too much it's really hard to get it back in the pot. I prefer pressed powder eye shadow and blush for ease of application. But, if you're a loose minerals kind of girl, here's where you can buy it.
Suki Butter Cream Healing Salve
The very first purchase I made in my quest for non-toxic beauty was from the Organic Divas (www.organicdivas.com). This is a great place to get started because the Organic Divas only sell high quality, non-toxic beauty products from companies that are run by women and made in the USA. I feel like I can trust the brands they sell to be generally the best there is, even if a particular product might not work for me.
So let's get on with it: Suki Butter Cream Healing Salve.
From the box: "multi-functional, long-lasting balm...nourish, moisturize, heal & protect any areas on your body that need special attention...ideal for all skin types especially eczema, dermatitis, stretch marks, cuticles, bruises, elbows, hands, feet, & like all Suki products...great for babies too."
LOVE this salve. It comes in a glass jar (how nice! I was so used to plastic) and the box lists all pertinent information including a complete ingredient list all in a bright yellow contemporary design. The product smells like lavender (love lavender). It is pretty stiff in the container (which I expected since it's a salve vs. a lotion) but spreads easily in your hands--very smooth. I can't comment on all the box claims, but for dry skin and cuticles it is great and I've been using it on my hands every night. I would use this instead of my usual intense healing hand/body lotion and cuticle cream.
BUY IT!
So let's get on with it: Suki Butter Cream Healing Salve.
From the box: "multi-functional, long-lasting balm...nourish, moisturize, heal & protect any areas on your body that need special attention...ideal for all skin types especially eczema, dermatitis, stretch marks, cuticles, bruises, elbows, hands, feet, & like all Suki products...great for babies too."
LOVE this salve. It comes in a glass jar (how nice! I was so used to plastic) and the box lists all pertinent information including a complete ingredient list all in a bright yellow contemporary design. The product smells like lavender (love lavender). It is pretty stiff in the container (which I expected since it's a salve vs. a lotion) but spreads easily in your hands--very smooth. I can't comment on all the box claims, but for dry skin and cuticles it is great and I've been using it on my hands every night. I would use this instead of my usual intense healing hand/body lotion and cuticle cream.
BUY IT!
Hey there!
Hey there!
I have been on my quest for non-toxic beauty for about a month now, so I've tried a lot of products that I can't wait to tell you about! I'm going to try to post the reviews here in chronological order from e-mails I sent my friends in the beginning--before I started this blog. Then as I try additional new items I'll add new posts!
Health & Love,
Laurel
I have been on my quest for non-toxic beauty for about a month now, so I've tried a lot of products that I can't wait to tell you about! I'm going to try to post the reviews here in chronological order from e-mails I sent my friends in the beginning--before I started this blog. Then as I try additional new items I'll add new posts!
Health & Love,
Laurel
Background
Welcome to my blog! I'm going to jump right in and begin reviewing makeup and beauty products. If you want information about why you should switch from your regular products to non-toxic ones, check out these websites:
- http://www.organicdivas.com/ The Organic Divas explain the Dirty Dozen (the 12 chemicals you DON'T want in your beauty routine). Also a great site for buying guaranteed non-toxic beauty products that are made in the USA by women owned companies.
- http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ The Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database is a great place to check your current products and see how toxic they may be. The database rates beauty products on a toxicity scale of 1 to 10. I try not to use anything rated 5 and up. While it isn't exactly scientific, it gives you a general guide.
- http://www.gorgeouslygreen.com/ This is the website that corresponds to the book Gorgeously Green, by Sophie Uliano. The book has a chapter dedicated to green beauty with an emphasis that nobody's perfect and we all just need to do what we can in our lives to try to improve our own health and the health of our planet.
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