Archive for Natural Beauty

Mode Cosmetics: The Glamour of Green

April 7, 2008 at 8:21 am · Filed under Lips, Natural Beauty, Product Reviews ·Tagged , , , ,

Mode CosmeticsI’m always on the lookout for new beauty products, so I was excited to hear about Mode Cosmetics. Co-creators Cristina Samuels and Jennifer Isaac pride themselves on producing high quality products that are natural, effective, and affordable, so obviously I enthusiastically checked out their website myself.

Created with natural botanicals and essential oils, the key ingredient list for their cosmetics reads like a shopping list for the farmer’s market: Peppermint, orange, and avocado oils, strawberry, watermelon and wildberry flavors, vanilla beans…I could go on and on.

From long wearing lip liners and super smooth eye pencils, to lip balms, glosses and lip shines loaded with good-for-you ingredients like shea butter and sweet almond oil, Mode Cosmetics certainly has left me wanting to try many of their products, and the pricing is so great, a girl like me could really go nuts. Did I mention the free shipping over $50 offer?

It might take me some time to choose from the 90 shades of chip resistant nail polish, but based on my original perusal of colors, if you are looking for that special shade, I’m sure they have it!

It’s difficult to decide what I’d like to try first, but the full coverage lipsticks (in 36 shades) especially tempt me. The product description page reads, “super high pigment, long lasting lipstick that hugs lips with luxurious rich color in buttery creams and natural pearl frosts.” Of course I want to try that. Seriously, who wouldn’t want their lips to be enveloped in the silky smooth texture of organic shea butter, nourishing oils, beeswax, and Vitamin E?

With an emphasis on simplicity, a commitment to using non-wasteful packaging, and the healthy benefits and the fresh aromas you expect from natural products, Mode Cosmetics generously puts the glamour in green!

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Triology Rosehip Oil

April 2, 2008 at 12:04 pm · Filed under Body, Face, Moisturize, Natural Beauty, Product Reviews ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Trilogy Rose Hip OilRight now I am loving this rosehip oil from Trilogy. Perfect for smoothing out dry skin, repairing sun damage and reducing the signs of premature ageing (not that any of us are worried about that), this 100% organic oil is super-fine and absorbs into your skin in an instant. It is also claims to assist your skin in repair and new growth as it provides essential nutrition and aides your natural moisture balance. Just the right consistency for a nighttime treat, this rosehip oil is gentle enough to use on your face, but effective enough to use on your body, providing the best botanical skin care while you sleep.

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Burt’s Bees…Sweet As Honey

March 26, 2008 at 8:53 am · Filed under Body, Moisturize, Natural Beauty, Product Reviews ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Burt's Bees Milk and Honey Body LotionI am a bonafide moisture junkie. From hydrating lotions and bath oil sprays to thick, rich body butters and creams, my skin drinks up a moisturizer faster than my flat iron heats up, and I have a CHI so you know that’s fast! Always a lover of the various fragrances and textures I experience from product to product, I’m favoring the sweet scent and lightweight feel of Burt’s Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion lately.

Think of the calming properties of milk combined with the nourishing, restorative properties of honey (and a little coconut oil) mixed into a silky, smooth lotion that softens your skin from head to toe. You can practically feel it calming your skin the second you smooth it on, and the soft honey scent is really yummy, not too thick or sugary.

To me, Burt’s Bees products are truly one of a kind. Their corporate mission is dedicated to scouring the earth in search of the most natural, effective ingredients available, and they intentionally design their packaging so that you’ll use the products up before they expire. How smart is that?

With en environmentally friendly packaging, and gentle formulations created from as many natural ingredients as possible, Burt’s Bees products really are “harvested from nature.” I really love their entire product line, but today is a milk and honey day.

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Shield Your Skin

March 25, 2008 at 8:00 am · Filed under Body, Moisturize, Natural Beauty, Product Reviews ·Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Skin MD Shielding LotionAs a self-proclaimed moisture junkie, I am never within 2 feet of a hand cream, body lotion or lip balm. Habit maybe, but in the winter, it’s an absolute necessity! In the colder months, my skin gets dry, dry, dry, and couple that with the super hot 20 minute showers and of course, I’m a super smoothing fanatic. Yes I like to moisturize, but if I have to do it so often, well, maybe what I’m using isn’t so great for this time of year? You can almost SEE the light bulb over my head, I know.Enter Skin MD Shielding Lotion. The first thing I can tell you is that it’s different than anything I’ve tried, and I’ve tried everything. I would really consider this skin care, not just an ordinary moisturizer. It’s ‘this close’ to being a treatment cream instead of a body lotion. But what’s so different?A shielding lotion not only restores moisture to your skin, but acts a protection layer, forming a barrier between the skin and the outside elements. This barrier allows the skin to moisturize itself, like it’s supposed to. What a concept, right?

Skin MD Shielding Lotion is lightweight and greaseless, and a little goes a long way. No need to pile it on. Nor do they recommend you do so. Just a tiny bit will cover a large area of skin, and not only soften and smooth, but keep it hydrated. That’s the part that blew me away. Hmm… a moisturizer that keeps your skin moisturized! I know, you see the light bulb again.

A thin layer will protect your hands all day! Even after you wash them, you can feel the Skin MD Shielding Lotion still there, working. And not in a greasy “now I can’t touch anything” way. It soaks right into your skin immediately, but later you can feel it there. It’s almost as if the texture of your skin is renewed. It really is that different.

I’ve been using it 2x a day for about a week now and I have really noticed a dramatic difference. My skin is definitely softer and more hydrated. It doesn’t have that ‘stripped’ rough, cold-weather feeling.

My true test? Working at a computer all day, I take a lot of notes and touch a lot of paper. (I know, I know, bad for the environment, I’m working on that!) Anyone who does this knows how dry your hands get. I have 3 different tubes of hand creams right in front of me now as I type this, but I haven’t touched them since the Skin MD.

If you have a constant battle with dry skin, you should give this a try, the only thing you have to lose is the flaking, the itching, the rough patches….You get the idea!

Check out what the manufacturer’s site says: “Skin MD Natural™ is promptly absorbed, without the slightest hint of any greasy or oily feeling or residue, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield.” Succinct and exactly right.
Bonus Points: It’s hypoallergenic, no animal testing, paraben free and non-comedogenic. What more could you ask for? Well, maybe a giant sized bottle so I don’t run out!

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Beauty Tip: Elminating Dark Circles

March 24, 2008 at 11:25 pm · Filed under Eyes, Makeup Videos, Natural Beauty ·Tagged , , , ,

Say goodbye to those dark circles with these quick beauty tips from Ford Models!

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Burt’s Bees Sets the Natural Standard

March 24, 2008 at 8:38 am · Filed under Body, Lips, Moisturize, Natural Beauty, News ·Tagged , , , , , ,

About this video: Natural personal care products are hardly a fleeting trend. According to a new survey sponsored by Burt’s Bees and conducted by TSC, a division of Yankelovich, more consumers are aware of the natural ingredients that go into personal care products than they were five years ago. A large percent of those surveyed, actually 60%, also thought the government or industry regulates natural personal care products—and almost 100 percent thought they should.

With the growing awareness of potentially harmful ingredients in personal care products, more are turning to natural products. Natural personal care company Burt’s Bees says they have the responsibility to help consumers fully understand what “natural” products are—and what they aren’t—for the good of their well-being and for the good of the environment. To do so, Burt’s Bees wants to set a natural standard—encouraging other companies to join—and together adopt one “natural” standard.

For more information on this initiative and natural products visit, www.burtsbees.com

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Discover Nubar “The Healthy Alternative for Beautiful Nails”

March 24, 2008 at 8:00 am · Filed under Nails, Natural Beauty ·Tagged , , , , , ,

nubar Support the CureAs a nail polish lover I’m always thrilled to try new colors and brands, yet I am also very concerned with what I put on (and in) my body. With so many chemicals and toxins in products today, a girl could really go crazy, which is why I’m very excited about today’s post: A review of “Support The Cure with nubar nail lacquers.” Let’s start with “the cause” part of the program.

Sold as a 4-piece collection with a Base Coat, Top Coat and two fab colors (Pink Cami and Je t’aime – which is currently on my toes) this set comes packaged together in a clear handy storage bag. The packaging reads “Support The Cure” and support it I do. 10% of the retail price of the Collection for the Cure will go towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Cancer Treatment Research Foundation and the City of Hope.

More than 1500 people per day die from cancer in the US and on average, breast cancer accounts for almost 15 percent of all cancer-related deaths in women in this nation. Not only do I try to do my part to buy items that support the ‘pink ribbon’ campaign whenever possible, I think it’s absolutely crucial to seek out products that are free of toxins and chemicals that can cause harm. If something contains a toxin that is known to be harmful, I’d really have to agree with avoiding it. It just makes sense.

Did you know that many nail polish manufacturers have acknowledged that their products contain Formaldehyde, Toluene or (DBP) Phthalate, which are chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects? After being touched with the effects of cancer within his own family, Noubar Abrahamian, founder of nubar, didn’t want to produce a product that could possibly harm customers so he set out to develop a healthy alternative. The result is nubar, the leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative, high-quality Nail Art and Nail Care products. With an understanding of what it takes to be successful in the competitive and ever-changing world of nail technology, nubar is constantly striving for the best products to offer their customers, and they totally deliver that promise with this set.

This incredible 4-piece collection of nail polishes has everything you need for a terrific set of nails, and the Formaldehyde free, Toluene free and Phthalate (DBP) free formulations are right up my alley, and formulations like this should at least be on your radar while shopping. If you can find a great product that works without all the chemicals, why buy the chemicals? nubar works.

With clean, dry nails I start with the nubar Foundation Base Coat, a sticky base coat meant to prep my nails for the upcoming polish. It goes on smooth and sets in a flash. Something I love because I am one of those impatient people who always smudge my wet nails from constant touching to see if they are dry. This base coat was dry on nail one before I finished nail ten, how’s that for fast?

Next up, the color. I chose the Pink Cami, a light pale pink with just a hint of opalescence. Think subtle shine and shimmer, not young glitter. It glides on smooth and the coverage is great. Because I have the time, I put on two coats for good measure, though one coat would be fine for a causal look. The second coat goes on a smooth as the first, and my nails are super shiny and streak free. I hate when the brushes leave brush strokes, nubar must hate that too because there isn’t a brush stroke in sight.

A quick sweep of the nubar Diamont Top Coat and my nails have that high shine, glossy finish. The top coat definitely sealed in my color because I am on day three of being chip free! I should correct myself, I’ve been referring it to nail polish, but it’s really nail lacquer. My nails look great, like I just had a manicure, and yours will too. I promise!

This set is great treat for yourself and perfect for all the women in your life, AND supports a great cause. Plus it’s affordable, only $28 for the complete set. Let’s face it, nubar has really set the standards high without compromising wear-ability, durability or strength in the process. I’m so glad I tried this, I’m sticking with nubar from now on. Bye, bye chemicals and toxins. I’m glad to see you go.

So go ahead, Support The Cure with nubar, The Healthy Alternative for Beautiful Nails.

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