Beauty Au Natural

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair

2012-02-15T13:26:00.002-05:00

Juice Beauty sent me a couple samples of their Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer and Eye Treatment. It took me a while to test them out but I finally did. I have to say, I immediately felt a tightening and firming of my skin. It felt moisturized but tighter, not too tight. I can smile and wrinkle my forehead without that weird tight feeling some products can give. It just seems like my skin is immediately responding to these products. Since I have been short on sleep, I especially need this in my eye area. The scent is delicious and citrusy. My skin has a great flow afterwards.

Some fun bonuses from ordering from the Juice Beauty Website are free shipping on orders over $50 and right now, they have a limited time special offer. Spend $60 and use code BLUSH to get a free blushing beauty kit worth $50 with a full size Reflecting Gloss, Glowing Cheek Color and Illuminating Eye Color. While supplies last, expired on 2/17/12 at 3am.

image from Juice Beauty

Information from the Juice Beauty Website at www.juicebeauty.com:

Our organic anti-aging line uses fruit stem cells to radically reduce and prevent wrinkles and heal your skin. Clinical results show an 88% reduction in appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Moisturizer:

A proprietary blend of fruit stem cells deeply penetrates the skin to repair DNA damage and encourage new cell growth to aggressively firm and eliminate wrinkles. Antioxidant-rich fruit juices, fat-soluble Vitamin C and plant oils hydrate and improve elasticity for lasting, advanced age defy results.

Apply every morning and evening over cleansed face, neck and décolleté.

Eye Treatment:

A proprietary blend of fruit stem cells and a high concentration of fat-soluble Vitamin C works at the cellular level to repair skin DNA damage and encourage new cell growth to aggressively firm and eliminate dark circles and fine lines around the eyes. Antioxidant-rich fruit juices and plant oils hydrate and improve elasticity for lasting, advanced age defy results.

Apply with applicator around the eye area to stimulate circulation.

Ingredients are listed on their website.

A great video about this collection:

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted. My opinion is completely honest no matter how I received any items mentioned on this blog.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Mineral Eye Makeup Nirvana Report

2012-02-11T16:33:00.000-05:00

If you are newer to my blog, you might not know what I am talking about when I say "nirvana." This became the name of my mission to wear all my Bare Escentuals eyecolors without repeat a few years ago. I started out by calling it a diet but a forum friend suggested that it sounded more like a nirvana so that became the name. I think it is important to use things you own so I want to make sure I use all my makeup and I have a large collection so it takes a while. It can be a lot of fun because you can discover or rediscover colors you might not remember on a daily basis.

Here are the details of my current nirvana. This time around, I am trying to wear all my mineral eyecolors, this includes shadows, glimmers and liners. I count samples of colors too since they are still a color in my makeup drawer. I am trying to wear each eyecolor without repeat. To keep track, I flip them over in my storage drawers so I don't grab it next time when I go to get colors to wear. I am not counting my pressed natural shadows, high shine tubes, or big & bright liners for this. The only colors that count are my loose mineral shadows and liners.

I did a quick count of what is in my storage area. I have 641 colors total to wear. 515 colors are Bare Escentuals shades. 126 colors are from other mineral make up lines. Out of those numbers, I wore 151 colors total so far. 134 of them were from Bare Escentuals and only 17 from other mineral make up lines. That leaves me with 507 colors I need to wear. Yikes! Still a long way to go. I only started this in December so I am doing well, especially considering that I do skip make up some days. I am looking forward to discovering new favorite colors and color combinations.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted. My opinion is completely honest no matter how I received any items mentioned on this blog.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

100% Pure Organic Rose Hydrosol Facial Tonique

2012-02-10T13:34:00.000-05:00

I purchased the 100% Pure Organic Rose Hydrosol Facial Tonique/Mist for my mother and grandmother once for Christmas and skipped myself. I finally picked it up for me in a 100% Pure Weekly Value set and I love it. I like to spritz it on before I apply moisturizer or argan oil. My boyfriend seems to love how it smells. The scent isn't strong and doesn't seem to last long. It feels very soothing and fresh on your face. I read some great things about hydrosols in No More Dirty Looks and had to try this so I am really happy I did. This particular one is great for sensitive and/or dehydrated skin so it is wonderful for the dry winter months or year round if that is your skin type. It retails for only $13 and you can find it on 100% Pure's website but I have also seen it on QVC and Drugstore/Beauty.com.

From the 100% Pure Website:

ORGANIC ROSE HYDROSOL
FACIAL MIST

100% Natural, 100% Vegan, Gluten free

Organic Rose Hydrosol is the collection of the steam from the production of pure rose essential oil from steam distillation. Hydrosols contain exactly the same medicinal properties as essential oil. Organic rose hydrosol will hydrate, refresh and soothe all skin types. Made from organic roses, does not contains synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, alcohol, preservatives or any other toxins.

FOR SENSITIVE AND DEHYRATED SKIN TYPES

Ingredients: 100% Organic Rosa Centifolia Flower Water (Organic Rose Hydrosol)*

* Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic

Net Weight 60 g / 2 oz

Badger Cheerful Mind Balm

2012-02-08T11:20:00.000-05:00

I have become addicted to Badger Balms and even have my boyfriend using some of them. My absolute favorite one is Cheerful Mind Balm. This is one of the first ones I purchased. It smells divine. I love to just sit and sniff it, especially at my desk while at work. Another nice option is to rub your fingers in the balm and then massage it into your temples, or anywhere you feel will benefit you from having the scent there. It is a nice way to stop and take a minute for yourself to just relax and breathe.

The scents in the Cheerful Mind Balm are intended to cheer you up. If you are feeling down, having a cloudy day, feel a bit defeated or tired out, I suggest this one. It just smells so happy when you breathe it in. I love anything with sweet orange but this combo is one of the best I have smelled. It is so sweet and fresh. I tend to smile when I take a deep breath of it.

Info from the Badger Balm Website:

Citrus aromas always encourage a cheerful mood - imagine peeling an orange and the lovely scent that fills the air. The essential oils of Lemon and Sweet Orange cheer and uplift the mind while Spearmint dispels that "cloudy day mood". Ylang Ylang offers a beautiful, sweet flower scent that brings a smile to your lips. Badger Bill says that all you have to do is look at the tin and it will make you more cheerful! This is one of his favorite balms because when he rubs it on his temples, it never fails to bring about a fresh new perspective on whatever he is pondering.

Directions for use: Just rub a little on hands, temples, forehead, or anywhere that needs soothing and breathe it in - the aroma will do the rest.

Ingredients: *Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), Essential Oils of *Citrus Auranitum Dulcis (Sweet Orange), *Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon), *Mentha Viridis (Spearmint), *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Verbenone), *Cinnamomum Cassia (Cinnamon), *Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange), *Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang), and CO₂ Extracts of *Rosa Canina (Rosehip) & *Calendula Officinalis (Calendula).

* = Certified Organic

LATHER Ultra Mild Face Wash

2012-02-06T11:58:00.001-05:00

I received this item to review and had fun trying out something I had not used in years. I discovered LATHER on QVC years ago and tried many of their products back then. While this cleanser is not 100% natural, it is very gentle so if you have really sensitive skin, this might be for you. It is a light cleanser, very liquidy and clear. You apply it to your damp face and massage. Due to the light nature, it is not something I recommend for use with a Clarisonic*. It is a great all over daily cleanser to use to simply wash your face. It leaves your skin feeling very clean without stripping it. It is free of sulfates and parabens. You can find it at: http://www.lather.com/

*Note - After posting this, someone wrote to me and said they use it with their clarisonic. I guess it depends on the user and how many pumps of face wash you use.

Info from the LATHER website:
This product is the perfect solution for those who want to cleanse with
a foaming preparation yet do not want to strip their skin of its natural emollients. It has gentle surfactants and soothing botanical extracts that leave the skin glowing, ready for toner and moisturizer. Sulfate-free and paraben-free.

Use: Apply to damp skin and massage in circular motions to create lather. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

INgredients: deionized water (aqua), laurylglucoside, laureth-7 citrate, glyceryl cocoate, propanediol (zemea), aloe barbadensis extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract*, punica granatum (pomegranate) extract*, chamomilla recutita (chamomile) extract*, olea europaea (olive) leaf extract*, asparagus officinalis extract*, camellia sinensis (white tea) extract*, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, DL-panthenol, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, citric acid, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, ethylhexylglycerin, tetrasodium EDTA.

*organic ingredients

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted. My opinion is completely honest no matter how I received any items mentioned on this blog.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Chopra Center's 21-day Meditation Challenge

2012-01-31T17:16:00.000-05:00

I finally started meditating last summer. It was so funny. My boyfriend had seen Deepak Chopra on Dr. Oz and recorded it for me. I watched the show and really felt encouraged to start meditating. It is something I have wanted to do but find hard to get started on my own. I know my yoga instructor does it and there are many places in town near my work that offer it but I wasn't sure where to start or what was right for me. I know I tend to get lost in my own thoughts when I try to be quiet so I needed a guided meditation. I saw on the Chopra Center's website that they had a 21-day meditation challenge and you could pay to listen to them all. The price wasn't bad so I thought this was good. Not too long after finding this, I saw that they offer the program for free at various parts of the year and sign up for the next one was starting. How perfect! It can't hurt to try something for free. I did the 21-day challenge and felt so many changes within myself. Sure I might miss a day here and there but they leave the old meditations available for long enough so you can catch up. This was at a very difficult time in my life and I truly feel I came out of it better. They recently had the same exact program for free so I signed up to do it again. Even though it was all the same meditations I had done over the summer, they affected me differently this time around.

I enjoy this program because they tend to include a variety of guides throughout the program. Davidji is my favorite, his voice is so soothing. It doesn't matter what religion you are. It is all about your own spiritual well being and being present in this moment. It is a great way to grow or to simply get some alone time to tone out your day.

Now the Chopra Center is having a new 21-day Meditation Challenge. I am signed up and looking forward to it. This one is called the Body-Mind Odyssey. It starts on Feb 20, 2012. How it works is you register on their website for free during this time and they will email you a new meditation daily. You can do it at your leisure, whenever it works best for you. If you don't do it, no one will know. It is all up to you. You can register through Facebook or without Facebook. If you are on Facebook you can follow the challenge on Facebook for any updates.

If you are interested, click here to register for free! Join me and many others in 21 days of meditation.

100% Pure Luminous Primer

2012-01-31T13:56:00.001-05:00

I have been on a mission to find a more natural face primer and found one that I like. I have been using 100% Pure's Luminous Face Primer. It is full of vitamins and antioxidants and has resveratrol in it. I purchased this in a collection from 100% Pure and am so glad I did. It ended up being the most used item in the collection for me.

It feels nice on your skin. The scent is a little odd. To me, it smells kind of like pizza dough LOL The scent doesn't last so no worries. You won't smell like a bread factory kitchen all day. It goes on smooth and you can tell it is very nourishing. I love how my skin feels. It took a little while to adjust because I was used to that really smooth feeling silicone bases primers give your skin. I wanted to stop using silicone and after a while, I don't notice the difference anymore. My Bare Escentuals foundation applies just like always and stays well. My only real complaint is the pump. I found that mine stopped working and I worried it was empty but I opened it and found plenty in there. I decided to dip a Qtip to get the amount I needed and that is how I have been using it since. One stir of the Qtip in the bottle is just the right amount to put a light layer on my face.

I am still on the hunt for a great natural eyelid primer. For now I will keep using Bare Escentuals Prime Time for eyelids. If you have any suggestions, please share!

Info from the 100% Pure Website:

100% Natural, 100% Vegan, Gluten free

Light reflective pigments diffuse the look of lines and wrinkles and make skin instantly luminous, brighter, healthier and glowing. Infused with red wine resveratrol, vitamins and antioxidants to shield from free radical damage. Silicone-free.

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Gel)1, Jojoba Oil, Jojoba Wax Esters, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Extracts of Organic Camelia Sinensis Leaf Ferment (Green Tea)2 and Resveratrol, Silica, Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado Butter), Lonicera Caprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle), Mica

Net wt.1 oz / 30 ml

US $26.00

Unjunk Your Junk Food - A Beauty Au Natural Book Report

2012-01-30T13:17:00.001-05:00

I attended a Twitter Party for the new release of the book, Unjunk Your Junk Food by Andrea Donsky, Randy Boyer, & Lisa Tsakos. It was both fun and informative. I made some friends in the online natural community. The authors gave away a few copies of their book and I was one of the winners. I was planning to pick up the book eventually so this was perfect.

My book arrived a while ago. I was happy to see a nice little card from Andrea and to find that the book had been signed. That always makes it extra special.

I have to say, this book is great. It is chock full of information but not in an overwhelming fashion. You get info but it is delivered in a quick and easy to understand format and then they have tons of comparison pages for foods. Very much in the style of Eat This, Not That books. You flip through and see a not so good choice on the left with all the info on why it isn't a good choice and a great alternative on the right page with lots of info why that is the better choice.

The book isn't all about weight loss and cutting calories, it is more about nutrition and health. It is more about cutting chemicals and additives out of your diet and eating a more natural healthy choice. It also includes information on healthy and not so healthy fats so it is a good source for those wanting to lose weight or keep track of what they put in their bodies. I find this especially helpful for dieters because many diet or weight loss foods on the market or full of junk. It is time to unjunk your food. Have healthy snacks for yourself and of course, for your family! They have a handy dandy chart of ingredients to look out for. I think this book is a great resource for anyone. It is small enough to throw in a handbag and take with you, as long as you don't carry one of those tiny purses.

For more info on the book, a link to a free download and links to buy the book, check out their website: Unjunk Your Junk Food by Andrea Donsky, Randy Boyer, & Lisa Tsakos

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted. My opinion is completely honest no matter how I received any items mentioned on this blog.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

A Natural Winter Skin Remedies Giveaway

2012-01-28T20:48:00.000-05:00

Time for a winter giveaway here on Beauty Au Natural. The cold weather here has my skin needing extra moisturizer lately so I thought I should do a giveaway to help your skin this season.

You can enter below by using the Rafflecopter Widget to enter. All directions are listed there.

Here is the prize you can win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

LATHER - Orange Peel Soap

2012-01-28T20:23:00.003-05:00

Since I learned to make olive oil soap, I think natural soaps have become a new addiction. This is a great one. LATHER sent me a few items to try out and this was one of those items, Orange Peel Soap.

This is a nice size bar of soap, comes wrapped in a cute wrapper and it is all natural. The scent is light and pleasant. It leaves your skin feeling nice and clean without being dried out. Especially important during dry winter months. It works great for cleansing your body or your hands. Since washing your hands is the most important way to avoid getting sick, this is a great thing to keep by your sink. Bar soap is said to be the best form of soap to wash your hands with so why not go nice and natural. When this is wet, it feels super creamy. It retails for $8 per 4oz bar. This particular item also donates to a charity with your purchase. See below for more info.

Info from the LATHER website:

Perfect for normal or combination skin, this soap includes organic orange oil to gently cleanse while the bright, citrus scent uplifts the senses. Organic orange peel is added for gentle exfoliation. Rosemary extracts acts as a natural preservative. Sulfate and paraben-free.

Use: With water, work into a rich lather.

Ingredients: saponified oils of palm*, coconut* and olive*, orange oil*, orange peel*, rosemary extract*. *organic ingredients

For every olive oil soap sold, LATHER will donate the equivalent of five bars of soap to Clean The World, a non-profit organization that recycles and distributes soap around the world to people in need.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted. My opinion is honest and 100% my own. The way I obtain items does not sway my reviews.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

A look with Bare Escentuals August, October, May & Black Iris

2012-01-27T14:41:00.002-05:00

A look with the last 3 eyecolors from the Year of Beauty collection that I haven't posted a look with yet. I loved these colors together. It looked like a sunset!

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer for face
Bare Escentuals Prime Time for eyelids
Bare Escentuals Original Foundation in Golden Fair
Bare Escentuals Summer Bisque as concealer
Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Matte as all over face color
Bare Escentuals original Mineral Veil
Bare Escentuals Soft Focus True as bluhs
Bare Escentuals August from lash to above crease
Bare Escentuals October on lid
Bare Escentuals May in crease & V
Bare Escentuals Big & Bright Liner in Black Iris
100% Pure Mascara in Black Tea
Bare Escentuals 100% Natural Gloss in Cosmo

Natural Light:

Flash:

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Alima Pure Organic Nourishing Lip Balm

2012-01-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

I tried one of these out a while ago and when Alima Pure had a sale, I picked up a few more. They are slender tubes and remind me a bit of Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers. Alima Pure has some great color variety and they are really creamy on. I love a good tinted lip balm style lippie. You can find them on their website: http://www.alimapure.com/lips/nourishing-lipbalm

I snapped a couple pics.

From L to R:Fig, Sweet Pea, Mango, Holly Berry

Info from the Alima Pure Website:

Luscious Lips.
Treat your lips to a little taste of heaven with Alima Pure's Organic Nourishing Lipbalm. Filled with soothing antioxidants, rich pigments, and organic plant oils and butters, our lovely lipbalms have you covered. Lightly scented with a touch of organic peppermint oil. Yes, you deserve it.
$7.00 (.07 oz/2 g)

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

A look & review with Vapour Organic Beauty Mesmerize Shimmer Eye Treatment & Eye Liner

2012-01-22T14:20:00.003-05:00

I was given the chance to try out Vapour Organic Beauty's Mesmerize Shimmer Eye Treatment and Eye Liner/Smoky Eye Tool. It took me a little while to get the hang of them since I am so used to using mineral shadows but I think I got it and took some pics to share with you. You can find Vapour Organic Beauty online at http://www.vapourbeauty.com

The eye colors are quick and easy to use. You can use one shade or blend them together. They are creamy and warm to your skin so if you feel your skin is too try for minerals or powders, they might be something to try. I found that a powder primer worked better than Bare Escentuals Prime Time for eyelids. I used Alima Pure's Balancing Primer Powder on my lids. Then I warmed the eye colors on the back of my hand and applied the stick directly on my eyelids. After I applied the colors, I blended a bit with a brush and then I used the eye liner and smoky eye tool. After that I applied just a touch of BE mineral veil to set the colors. Next time I might use a little more to see if it helps alleviate the little bit of creasing I experienced. Aside from the slight creasing in the crease of my lid, the colors lasted and looked really pretty on.

Info from the Vapour Organic Beauty Website:
Mesmerize Shimmer Eye TreatmentContains: 70% Certified Organic Ingredients & 30% Minerals and Vitamins

100% Natural
Chemical Free
Cruelty Free
Gluten Free
Made with Wind Power
Biodegradable ingredients
Inner & Outer Packaging Recyclable
No Nano Particles
No Irradiation

Ingredients: Organic/Bio Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Organic/Bio Cera Alba (Beeswax), Silica, Castor Isostearate Beeswax Succinate, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Organic/Bio Chrysanthemum Morifolium (Chrysanthemum Flowers), Organic/Bio Euphrasia Officinalis (Eyebright), Organic/Bio Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) [+/-: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Mica (CI 77019), Carmine (CI 75470)]
Net Wt: .11oz

Mesmerize Eyeliner with Smoky Eye Tool Contains 70% Certified Organic Ingredients

Cruelty Free
Inner & Outer Packaging Recyclable
No Nano Particles
No Irradiation

Ingredients: Organic/Bio Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic/Bio Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Organic/Bio Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Organic/Bio Elaeis Guineensis (Palm Kernel) Oil, Organic/Bio Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Organic/Bio Cera Alba (Beeswax), Aqua (Water), Silica, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethoxy Diglycol, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Fulvic Acid (Peat Extract), Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, Phenoxyethanol, [+/-: Barium Sulfate, Gold, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Mica (CI 77019), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide ( CI 77510 ), Ultramarines ( CI 77007 ), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Chromium Oxide Green ( CI 77288)]
Net Wt. .028 oz

Here are my pics:

Back of liner box

Back of Smitten Box

Back of Dream Box

Smitten on Left, Dream on Right

L to R: Black Velvet Liner, Smitten, Dream

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer for face
Alima Pure Balancing Primer Powder on eyelids
BE original foundation in golden fair
BE summer bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan Matte as all over face color
BE Mineral Veil as finishing powder
100% Pure Pot Rouge in Baby Pink as blush
Vapour Organic Beauty Smitten on outer 2/3 of eyelid & crease
Vapour Organic Beauty Dream on inner 1/3 of eye and inner crease
Vapour Organic Beauty Black Velvet Eye Liner, smudged with smoky eye tool on bottom lashes
100% Pure Black tea Mascara
Vapour Organic Beauty Siren Lipstick in Tryst (*won in contest)

Natural Light:

Flash:

I am not affiliated with this company. These eye products were sent to me for review purposes. My opinion is completely honest and not affected by how I received the products. All other items mentioned were purchased by me for my own personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Indie Lee on Shop NBC Sunday 1/22/2012

2012-01-20T21:51:00.004-05:00

Happy Indie Lee week here at Beauty Au Natural! I wanted to update you about Indie Lee having her TV premier on Shop NBC Sunday, it looks like the times may have changed since my recent posts.

Acupuncture - My Experience

2012-01-20T14:45:00.000-05:00

Thanks to balancedlifecenter.net for the image

I am very lucky to have a general practitioner who is supportive of alternative medicine. She encouraged me to try acupuncture for my never ending allergies and chronic sinusitis after years of visiting allergists didn't resolve the issue. Since I deal with other medical issues, this was a good all over treatment for me. I have mentioned this a few times to friends and readers so I wanted to write about it but not until I had gone further into my treatment. I hope this is informative and helps you understand things a bit more. I am not an expert, just a patient talking about my experience.

I did some research and found the website for a local acupuncturist whose office very close to my workplace. It is nice because I am stop by on my way to or from work or go as my lunch break. I went in first for a free evaluation in late August. She asked me about any symptoms I was hoping to get treated and evaluated me. She then told me how she would go about treatment for my concerns. My top 3 concerns I wanted treated were the allergies & chronic sinusitis, anxiety & depression, and digestive issues. Acupuncturists can usually diagnose you from appearance as well as your pulse. She took my pulse on one side (my wrist) and asked how I sleep. I told her I sleep fine because I always just thought I was a night person. Then I said, well I do get wired at night and go to bed late. She said she could tell from my pulse. Then on my other side, she asked if I get knee pain which I do. She said for my issues and what she can tell about me that she would do a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatment. She told me that I had a Spleen and Lung deficiency and asked if I wanted to proceed with treatments. I decided to go for it since I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

She said to start I would need weekly acupuncture treatments and when I came in for my first appointment she would have info for me and know which herbs she wanted me to take. I started the next week. I will start by saying that I am not a needle person. I nearly had a breakdown the first time I had to have a blood test, though I do much better with them now as long as I don't look. Acupuncture needles are very different. They don't hurt and they aren't very big. They do not necessarily feel good or bad either. It depends on how the qi, or energy, is in that area. Sometimes the needles feel like a zap of energy, sometimes they give me an achy sensation, sometimes they feel tingly, sometimes I get a quick woosh of energy and then don't feel much. The most important thing is to keep breathing while they are inserted, it really helps.

When I go in for an appointment, I need to wear something comfy that I can handle laying there for some time in. My legs up to my knees need to be easily accessed as well as my forearms and feet. Most of the time, she will ask how I am and if anything is bothering me, she will add it to my treatment. One time I had a very upset tummy so she treated me for that and other times she adds my low back pain and hip pain to the mix.

Normally, my treatment involves needles inserted at the base of my skull, the needles are flexible so I can lay on them without them going in further or hurting. Then she puts some on other points of my head, sometimes I barely know where they are. Some needles are inserted on my face, especially for sinus pressure, usually around the cheekbone, sides of my nose and then the spot between my eyebrows. Needles are also placed in my hand and forearm. Needles are placed on my knee, along my shins and my feet and ankles. Needles are also placed in my ears and if my tummy is upset, they are placed in my belly. I was very nervous when they were placed in my belly but I have to admit, I barely felt those.

Picture of one of the treatment rooms at my acupuncturist's office, Phoenix Rising in Saratoga Springs NY

Once the needles are placed, she makes sure I am comfortable and puts on some relaxation music. She turns down the lights and leaves me for about 30-45 minutes. I usually close my eyes and try to relax. Sometimes I do a lot of thinking and sometimes I meditate and zone out. When she comes back and removes the needles, it doesn't hurt at all. Once in a while you might get a little dot of blood or bruising. She told me that is actually a good thing because it means the flow was really opened up there.

I also take Chinese herbs daily that I get from my acupuncturist. I miss a day here and there but they really do seem to be helping. I take 3 of each at least once per day. Once is particularly to help with all my phlegmy grossness and the other is to help with my immune system.

After 6-8 weeks, my treatment started to spread out to every 2 weeks and now I am going monthly. She told me that some people are cured and some need regular maintenance appointments. Since my health issues were very involved and things I have had for a very long time, I needed more intensive treatment at first.

Changes I have noticed since treatment:

Immediately after treatment, I notice that I am totally relaxed. I feel no sense of anxiety or depression. When treated for tummy trouble it felt completely better when I left. My sinuses often feel more open and I just feel relaxed and happy. I tend to sleep really well after treatment (especially since she treats me for sleep issues). Whens he treats my low back and hip pain, it helps relief some of the tension back there. The pain isn't quite gone but it is lessened.

Over the long term I notice a lot of changes and so does my acupuncturist. She says my pulse is improving and is much stronger than when I first came in and my skin looks brighter and more alive and healthy. She asks if I have been sick, had any infections, asthma attacks, etc and I haven't.
I have not had a cold, infection, any sort of bug or even an asthma attack since I started treatment. I do get out of breath when I workout but I am pretty sure that is more from being out of shape and I tend to catch my breath faster than I used to. I feel happier, more balanced and like I have more energy. My digestive issues are getting more under control, not perfect because it also has to do with my diet and stress levels, but definitely much better. I don't feel exhausted, depressed and like laying around anymore. My sinuses are less congested, though I still have post nasal drip and some inflammation, there is definite improvement.

I think I am on the road to recovery. This along with slowly making changes to my diet seem to help. My acupuncturist gave me information on my deficiencies and suggested 2 books for me to read. One was Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. The other one was Healing with Whole Foods. I ordered both and took a lot of notes. I have come to realize that I eat way too much processed packaged food. I now bake my own bread and buy natural meats that say they are whole range, grass fed & steroid and antibiotic free. I can sense a change in the quality of the food I eat. I eat a lot more fish, which is something I enjoy so this wasn't a hard change to make. If I buy packaged snacks, they are organic and have ingredient lists with a lot more words I actually understand and can pronounce.

For my deficiency diagnosis, I need to eat more drying and warming foods. You can research the types of foods these are online or in books quite easily. It is funny because I did a lot of reading on Ayurveda recently and that makes the same suggestions for my dosha type. I guess I really do need to eat more drying and warming foods.

I still have a lot of work to do on my health but my mission is to get myself the healthiest I have ever been. I am hoping to get my weight under control. I want to get my back and hip injury healed and recovered. I am currently going through Physical Therapy and Yoga for that. I am trying to be more active in general but am doing low impact things that will not bother my injury. I want to keep my moods stable and get my digestion back in check. It will take a lot of work but I know I can get there. There is no one answer that works for everyone. I just need to find what is right for me and keep it as my lifestyle.

If you would like more info about what can be treated with acupuncture, my acupuncturist has some good info on her website. You can read more here: Phoenix Rising Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Indie Lee - The Body Balm

2012-01-20T11:51:00.000-05:00

Product #1 this week was Indie Lee Lemongrass Citrus Body Wash
Product #2 this week was Indie Lee The Eye Balm
Product #3 this week was: The Cleanser
Product #4 this week was: The Foot Scrub
Product #5 this week was: The Blemish Lotion

Product #6 this week is: The Body Balm

I like to use The Body Balm on my feet more than anything. They do tend to be the most dry skin on my body. I use the Foot Scrub from Indie Lee in my bath. Then after my bath, I apply the Body Balm to my feet, especially on my cracked heels and put socks on to hold in the moisture. This would also be great for rough dry patches anywhere else if you have them like dry cracked winter hands. I did try this on my knuckles when they were cracking from too much germaphobic hand washing and it helped. It is full of good natural stuff and smells very relaxing and soothing to me.

Info from the Indie Lee Website:

Indie created this all natural balm to deliver healthy, soft to the touch skin. Farewell dry, chapped hands and heels.

Featured in Everyday with Rachael Ray.

Ingredients - 100% Natural: Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) Oil, Avocado Oil, Beeswax, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Essential Oils of Lavandula Angustifolia, Anthemis Nobilis, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia and Tocopheryl Acetate

Directions - Massage onto dry or effected areas daily as needed. 1.5 oz

Indie Lee - The Blemish Lotion

2012-01-19T19:58:00.000-05:00

I don't break out too often but do get some blemishes so I decided to try this out. It is a different technique to me. Since the pic here was taken of it laying down, you can't tell that the pinkish "stuff" settles towards the bottle and a clear liquid rises to the top. When you use it, you dip a Qtip down into the pink stuff and then apply it to any breakouts you have. You can see it on the skin so I apply it before bed. It is intended to be a night treatment. It stung on one pimple, maybe the skin was broken on that one but never stung again. It seems to work well, especially if I can catch a breakout before it hits it full potential.

Info from the Indie Lee Website:
This robust drying lotion treats acne, reducing the redness and irritation of blemishes. An overnight treatment.

Ingredients - 100 Natural: Purified Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Colloidal Sulfer, Zinc Oxide, Salicylic Acid, Magnesium, Aluminum Silicate, Camphor, Iron Oxide

Directions - Allow product to settle in the bottle (do not shake). Dip cotton swab into sediment at bottom of bottle. Dab onto affected areas. Recommended for use at bedtime. External use only. 1.0 fl oz

A look with Bare Escentuals January, February, November & Indigo

2012-01-18T23:03:00.000-05:00

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer for face
BE Prime Time eyelid primer
BE original foundation in Golden Fair
BE Summer Bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan Matte as all over face color
BE original Mineral Veil
BE Soft Focus True as blush
BE January from lash to brow
BE February on lids
BE November in Crease & V
BE Big & Bright liner in Indigo
BE Flawless Definition Curl & Lengthen Mascara in Black
BE 100% Natural Lipgloss in Plumtini

Natural Light:

Flash:

Indie Lee - The Foot Scrub

2012-01-18T17:24:00.000-05:00

Product #1 this week was Indie Lee Lemongrass Citrus Body Wash
Product #2 this week was Indie Lee The Eye Balm
Product #3 this week was: The Cleanser

Product #4 this week is: The Foot Scrub

Yet another Indie Lee product I picked up when there was a Hautelook sale was The Foot Scrub. Lord knows my feet need all the help they can get these days. I remember when I was young and my feet were always soft and I thought it was so weird that other people got dry feet. Well, now I don't live in sneakers and it seems my feet notice the change. I like the use this scrub during a nice long bath. I will end a bath with a mini pedicure by doing a scrub and then moisturizing when I get out of the tub. This scrub is really nice. It has the refreshing scent of Tea Tree and Mint and feels really nice on my feet after a long day. I have a lot of problems with my feet so any pampering feels great. This scrub isn't like the body scrub from Indie Lee. This one is more coarse and less dense. It really is a true salt scrub but the skin on your feet is tough so it is just right for a foot scrub. I tend to use extra on my heels and the callous I always get on my big toes. Your skin is really sensitive and very absorbent after a good exfoliation so it is important to follow up with a good natural foot cream, balm or lotion after. Then I wear little ankle socks to keep the moisture on my feet for as long as I can. I usually wear them to bed and kick them off during the middle of the night. Your feet do a lot of hard work, why not give them a little treat now and then!

Info from the Indie Lee Website:

Indie created this natural scrub with shoe lovers in mind. Use The Foot Scrub to polish and beautify your feet so you can kick up your heels in your favorite strappy sandals or peep toe pumps.
$24.00

Ingredients -100 % Natural: Dead Sea Salt, Pacific Sea Salt, Atlantic Sea Salt, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (sweet almond) Oil, Essential Oils of Melaleuca Alternifolia (tea tree), Mentha Piperita (peppermint) and Eucalyptus Globulus

Directions - Scoop a small portion into hands and massage thoroughly onto damp feet, preferably after soaking for a few minutes. Massage rough areas like heels and callouses in a circular motion. Rinse well and pat dry. Use once or twice weekly. Best results if followed by The Body Balm. 12.0 oz

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

A look with Bare Escentuals December, April, July & Caviar

2012-01-17T17:21:00.001-05:00

Another look with Year of Beauty eyecolors from Bare Escentuals.

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer for face
Bare Escentuals Prime Time eyelid primer
Bare Escentuals original foundation in golden fair
Bare Escentuals Summer Bisque as concealer
Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Matte as all over face color
Bare Escentuals original mineral veil
Bare Escentuals Soft Focus Glee as blush
Bare Escentuals December from lash to brow
Bare Escentuals April on lids
Bare Escentuals July in crease & V
Bare Escentuals Caviar Wetlined
Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition Curl & Lenghten Mascara in black
Pacifica Blood Orange Lip Quench

Natural Light:

Flash:

Indie Lee - The Cleanser

2012-01-17T17:13:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Indie Lee week here at Beauty Au Natural!

Product #1 this week was Indie Lee Lemongrass Citrus Body Wash
Product #2 this week was Indie Lee The Eye Balm

Product #3 this week is: The Cleanser

Yet another Indie Lee product I picked up during the big sale on Hautelook is The Cleanser. My decision to test this out had good timing since my BF has started using my Yes to Cucumber towelettes and we are close to out of them so I opted to start using this instead. I prefer this cleanser at night, mostly because I use my Clarisonic in the morning and don't find this to be a good fit with the clarisonic unless you apply a lot of it to your face first which seems wasteful to me. I use this at night before bed to cleanse my skin and remove my makeup. I use a cotton pad to remove my eye makeup with this and it works well and is gentle as long as I am also gentle. No harsh scrubbing of the eyelids. Then I massage it all over my face and rinse. Let me tell you, my face feels super clean but not dried out at all after using this and OMG it smells divine. If you are like me, you love the scent of strawberries, maybe because of my childhood memories of playing with Strawberry Shortcake? This cleanser has Strawberry Essential Oil in it so it smells like sweet strawberries. Yummy!

Info from the Indie Lee Website:
Indie created this gentle, effective, double-duty cleanser to wash away impurities and remove makeup naturally. A perfect start and end to every day. $25.00

Ingredients - 100% Natural: Purified Water, Decyl Glucoside, Disodium, Coco- Glucoside Citrate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Hyrdolyzed Wheat Protein, Xanthan Gum, Strawberry Oil, Lycopene, Phenozythenol*, Ethylhexyglycerin * *Derived from natural sources.

Directions - Use twice daily. Shake well before using. Apply to closed eyelids with a cotton ball; message additional cleanser over entire face. Rinse with warm water. Gently blot with towel to dry. External use only. 4 fl oz

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Indie Lee The Eye Balm

2012-01-16T19:06:00.000-05:00

Product #2 during Indie Lee week here on Beauty Au Natural is The Eye Balm

I really wanted to try the eye balm so I picked it up when I placed my big Hautelook order of Indie Lee goodies. This is a balm, not a cream so it is different. It is pretty much solid but warms to your touch so I just swirl my ring finger around in there and apply the bit that warms and ends up on my fingertip. It is very moisturizing and seems to be working well for my eyes. It is gentle too. It has Lavender Oil in it so I find it especially nice to wear at night but still gentle for your delicate eye area. Since it is so moisturizing and full of good for you oils, I wear it every night for bed. I still wear a lighter eye treatment during the day. I tend to get dark cirlces under my eyes from allergies and they don't seem too bad lately so this may be helping.

Info from the Indie Lee Website

Indie'e eye balm gently helps protect the tender, sensitive skin around the eyes. The calendula oil reduces puffiness and dark circles, while mango seed butter helps smooth wrinkles and hydrates.

Ingredients - 100 % Natural: Calendula Oil, Beeswax, Magnifera Indica (mango) Seed Butter and Lavandula Angustifolia (lavender) Oil.

Directions - Use twice daily around your delicate eyes. For external use only. 1.0 oz

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Indie Lee Lemongrass Citrus Body Wash

2012-01-15T17:42:00.000-05:00

Since I bought a bunch of Indie Lee products when they were in Hautelook last month, I opted to have an Indie Lee week here on Beauty Au Natural. I am going to review 1 Indie Lee product per day this week. Best part is, Indie Lee is making her TV debut on Shop NBC on Sunday so this was great timing. I only found out that she was going to be on Shop NBC when I mentioned that this week would be Indie Lee week. How serendipitous? Keep your eyes open for Indie Lee on Shop NBC on Sunday Jan 22, 2012.

Product #1 this week is Indie Lee Lemongrass Citrus Body Wash

This is one of the first products I tried from my batch of Indie Lee goodies. I think body wash is an easy one to work into the routine. I use it with an exfoliating shower poof and use about 3-5 pumps depending on how much lather I need. Since it is natural, you do need a little more for a lot of lather, that is nothing unusual. I like to suds up from chin to toe some days and other days I just want to clean what needs to be cleaned, especially in winter when my skin can dry out from overwashing. I have to say I love this body wash and use it frequently. I normally keep 2-3 body washes in the shower for variety. I love this one in the morning, especially if I am really tired and can't wake up easily. This smells awesome and gives me that boost I need. If you like lemongrass/citrus smells, try this one out. It is nice on my skin, I feel clean but not all dried out and I don't feel any residue left on my skin.

Info from the Indie Lee Website:
Indie's daily body wash gently cleanses your skin. The refreshing lemongrass, citrus scent stimulates your senses, while leaving you feeling clean, fresh and ready for the day. 12.0 fl oz

Ingredients - Aqua, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (from creatine or caffeine), Xanthan Gum (from glucose, lactose or sucrose), Pathanol (vitamine B5), Xylitol (fruit and vegetable), Oat Flour, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Pure Essential Oil Blend, Biovert (from glucose and lactose)
* Paraben Free
* Phthalate Free
* Sulfate Free
* DEA and TEA Free
* Artificial Fragrance Free
* Propylene Glycol Free
* NO animal testing

Directions - Apply lemongrass wash on hand, washcloth or Luffah. Lather over wet skin. Rinse off. Enjoy! For external use only.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Celebrity Beauty Secrets Revealed!

2012-01-13T12:06:00.001-05:00

Watch this video!

Stop comparing yourself to celebrities, models and pics in magazines and media! Love yourself, appreciate your body and skin because it is yours and keeps you alive and going everyday. The person you should most want to look like is YOU!

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

No More Dirty Looks - A Beauty Au Natural Book Report

2012-01-12T23:21:00.000-05:00

I have been mentioning this book for months now and naughty me, it has taken me a while to finish it. I have not been a good reader lately so I need to really find the stress-free time to sit down and focus, plus with low-back issues, it is hard to sit for a while and stay comfy enough to read. This bad librarian has finally finished her homework and is writing a book report.

My copy of No More Dirty Looks and my Cynthia Rowley reading glasses

The book: No More Dirty Looks by journalists Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt
The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe & Clean Cosmetics

They also have a website & blog at: http://nomoredirtylooks.com/

How did I find this book? - My officemate knew I am into natural cosmetics and saw the authors on TV. She suggested it to me and I picked it up at our local Borders. I guess that confession admits how long I have been reading this book since Borders closed LOL

I am a huge fan of this book. I already know I want to go natural so the book was mostly informative and encouraging to something I have already decided to do. You will likely get upset reading it. You will either get mad about how many chemicals are out there and allowed in our stuff OR you will get mad and put the book down and go back to your usual beauty routine. This is your decision but I am happy this information is out there. All I can say is I learned a lot and what I already knew was confirmed. I am very happy to have this resource at my side for my future in trying to stay natural. It isn't all facts and boring stuff either, the include personal stories and expert advice.

About the book:

Chapter 1 - Why We're Coming Clean

You get to read the story of the authors and why they first started looking into beauty products ingredients and why they went natural.

Chapter 2 - The Regulation Game

This is the background chapter. By far the least fun to read but in some ways, the most important. This is all about the industry and the lack of regulations of the beauty industry in the USA. To quote the book, "Companies can and do use pretty much anything they like in their products, because that's how the laws are written." (page 9) You will get a lot of history and industry info in this chapter.

Chapter 3 - Dirty Ingredients

Here we go. This is the chapter all about the bad guys, those nasty chemicals we want to avoid. I love the way this is written because it really lays out the details on each ingredient or chemical group. I found many I have been avoiding for years but learned about more I should really start keeping an eye out for. Some on the list are the ones I have bad reactions to so in some ways, I am grateful to my system for not letting me wear such things.

Chapter 4 - Your Hair

Now the chapters are broken down into product type which is really easy to follow and also great depending on which products you are more concerned with. I do great with staying natural with skincare but hair...I still could use some work. This chapter was a learning experience for me. It deals with the many products that may be used on your hair and also talks about different techniques for washing your hair. You have likely heard or read how we shouldn't be shampooing our hair all the time. I use a natural shampoo and conditioner right now but might consider testing out the technique described in the book. I think I need to work up to it and see how my hair does. Not only do they describe the bad chemicals, they list products they have tested and like that are not full of nasty chemicals. I definitely want to try some of these out. It is so hard to find good products for curly hair but I have fine curly hair which adds another aspect to it. It would be nice to get my hair routine truly natural.

Chapter 5 - Your Face

A great chapter all about your face. They discuss your face, how skin works. They also talk about all the many products we might use on our poor faces. Of course, on a happy note, there are plenty of great suggested natural products listed. This chapter is where I learned about facial oils and decided to give them another try and have to say THANK YOU to No More Dirty Looks because this may be one of the best skin routine changes I have ever made. Oh my happy face! There is actually a step-by-step guide on how you should wash your fave on page 127. Another great part of the suggested brands suggestion is a little boxed off area in each chapter with a list of drugstore items. You can go natural without ordering expensive products, you can find friendlier brands at your drugstore or Target.

Chapter 6 - Your Makeup

Another chapter with tons of info. This one is all about natural forms of makeup and what to look for to make sure they are the good stuff. They also have great tips from Jessa Blades, a natural makeup artist. There is a step-by-step guide on how to wash your brushes. They have info on how to make your own cosmetics. Then of course, their suggested brands. I am happy to report that Bare Escentuals original spf 15 foundation is listed as well as other great brands like Alima Pure.

Chapter 7 - Your Body

Info about your body, your skin and the fact that hooray, this is one of the product types with tons of natural options out there. They talk about everything from lotion to body scrubs to self tanner (which is most never natural or good for you, there are really only 2 safe self-tanners out there). They have info on do it yourself body scrubs and deodorant. I think I might try these out. Their suggested self-tanner is by Lavera and I have heard amazing things so I plan to test this one out.

Chapter 8 - Your Nails

You have seen me post before about nail polishes needing to be 3-free. That means they are free of the worst 3 chemicals found in most nail polishes. Brands like OPI, Zoya, Butter LONDON and more are all 3-free. Keep an eye out for polished that are not. Also, you need to be wary of nail strengtheners and treatments. Check those ingredients. They talk about everything from fake nails to buffing manicures. They have do it yourself suggestions and suggested products.

Chapter 9 - Your Diet

Yes, that is right. Your diet plays a huge role in how your skin, hair and nails look. You are what you eat and if you eat a lot of junk...you might just look like it. I am not one to judge. I eat far too many sweets and am the first to admit it but I try very hard to eat less processed and drive thru food and stick with more natural unprocessed foods. Lots of info on supplements, foods that help, drinking water, and they include a shopping list to help you out. When a beauty diet list contains great foods like tomatoes, green tea, salmon and extra virgin olive oil...I am sold. I am not so good about the green leafy stuff but those, yes please! They also have dark chocolate on that list.

Chapter 10 - Your Lifestyle

What this chapter talks about is how your lifestyle can affect your looks. Things like stress, sleep, working out, love and sex, meditation, smoking, and yoga. Of course, some of these are great for you and some are bad.

Then the book closes with and afterword and an Appendix. The first appendix is the ingredient black list. Needless to say, I photocopied this and plan to take it around the house to check my ingredient lists, then I will take it shopping with me. The next appendix is full of resources for more reading.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased this book myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Welcome New Readers

2012-01-10T13:59:00.003-05:00

It looks like I picked up some new readers during my SITS featured blogger day so I am hoping you all enjoy my blog and want to stick around, same for other readers I already have of course.

I got some great questions and feedback and now that my blog is really taking form, I have some changes and updates to make. Nothing too major, but I hope it will be more user friendly for you all.

Tags:

I am going back through my entire blog and creating tags to make it easier to find what you are looking for. When I started, I use all kinds of tags but I don't think they are as useful and creating obvious product type and brand categories. Once I am done with this, you will see a tags section in the column to the right where you can can click on a tag, for example "eyecolors" or "bare escentuals" or "lippies" and you will see all the posts related to that tag. As a librarian, I am very picky about these all matching and being streamlined. It is like I am cataloging all my previous posts.

Suggestions:

I would love to know what readers want to see, whether it be a brand you want to suggest to me or a type of product you are interested in finding out about natural alternatives. I am open to any and all suggestions and at my own discretion will see what I can do about them. You can go to the column on the right to the contact me section and let me know.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Hooray, It is my SITS day!

2012-01-09T08:30:00.000-05:00

Today is my day to be the featured bloggers on SITS. What is SITS you ask? SITS stands for "The Secret to Success is Support" and it is a blogger community online where female bloggers can support one another and learn blogging tips and much more. They have over 10,000 members. Today is my turn to be the featured blogger on their website, yay!

Welcome to all my fellow SITS Girls stopping by my blog for the first time. Poke around, ask questions, leave comments and I will gladly try to respond ASAP. You can also visit me and my blog on facebook, twitter and Google+. Links to all 3 are in the column on the right.

About me and my blog, Beauty Au Natural - Beauty Au Natural is a blog all about staying beautiful naturally. Most of the time I write about natural or low-chemical beauty, bath & body or skincare products but I also venture into other topics that help us stay beautiful. You will see posts about travel, baking, meditation and more on here on occasion though most of the time I am talking about my quest to find the right natural product for a certain use (like my hunt for a great natural deodorant), writing reviews about natural products I have finally tried out or posting looks or tips for natural cosmetics. I am also hoping to branch out into trying to make some at home products and share them on here. If you know anyone who makes natural products or know of a brand you would like me to look into, I am more than happy to do what my budget allows. Please feel free to share.

If you want to grab my badge to share on your blog, here it is.

Just copy and paste this code to add it to your blog or webpage:

Thanks to the SITSterhood for all the support and information they provide.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

A look with Bare Escentuals June, March & September

2012-01-08T14:40:00.001-05:00

Time for some Bare Escentuals Year of Beauty looks. The first one is a green look. I have been on a green kick lately. I loved this!

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer
BE Prime Time for Eyes
BE original foundation in Golden Fair
BE Summer Bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan Matte as all over face color
BE Mineral Veil (original)
BE Soft Focus True as blush
BE June from lash to brow
BE March on lids
BE September in crease & V
BE Big & Bright Liner in Oz
100% Pure mascara in Dark Chocolate
Hibiskiss Tinted Lip Balm in Sunset

Natural Light:

Flash:

Time for a Natural Beauty Virtual Yard Sale

2012-01-06T14:54:00.000-05:00

Now that my holiday shopping fun is over and the medical and car repair bills are paid, it is time to downsize and sell all the extras or unused beauty products sitting around needing new loving homes. Time for another Virtual Yard Sale!

All the items I have listed for sale can be found on my Blog Sale Page http://www.beautyaunatural.com/p/heathers-big-beauty-blow-out-sale.html You can also click the link in the column on the right.

Let me know if you have any questions! Happy shopping!

I am not affiliated with these companies.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Crazy Rumors - Hibiskiss Tinted Lip Balms

2012-01-05T13:38:00.001-05:00

I've been reading Alicia Silverstone's Blog, the Kind Life. In December, she suggested some "kind" gifts. One of them was Hibiskiss Tinted Lip Balms. They were in her shop on Open Sky. Open Sky is a new way to shop where they have recruited 80 experts in their field and you can select the ones you want to follow. They add items they think you will like to their "shop page" and you can order from there. If you click the link here: http://osky.co/wI7t3C I get credit for referring you.

This kit has since sold out on Open Sky but you can find it on the Crazy Rumors website at http://crazyrumors.com/all-natural-lip-colors/hibiskiss-gorgeous-lip-colors.html

So anyway, Alicia Silverstone has a page on Open Sky and she had the Hibiskiss Aloha Collection of Tinted Lip Balms on it. I decided to go for it. The collection contains 6 lip colors. They are infused with hibiskiss which is a lovely flavor/scent. They are all natural and vegan.

I find them to be extremely creamy and love the hibiskiss scent. They smell great. During the dry winter months I am especially addicted to lip balms and love finding fabulous new natural ones. I am going to give these and A. They are very moisturizing but also have quite a bit of color, especially on your lips. They do remind me a bit of Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Shimmers minus the stong minty scent.

Info from Crazy Rumors Website:
100% All Natural, Cruelty - Free & Vegan

Certified Organic Jojoba Oil, Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Certified Organic Shea Butter, Candelilla Wax, Soy Wax, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Natural & Organic Flavors and/or Pure Essential Oils, Vitamin E, Certified Organic Carnauba Wax, Natural Stevia

Some pics I took:

Tropical

Sunset

Pearl

Coral

Sunrise

Breeze

Swatches Shown: Left Top to bottom: Tropical, Sunset, Pearl Right Top to Bottom: Coral, Sunrise, Breeze

Bare Escentuals - The Glamorous Life

2012-01-04T15:46:00.001-05:00

The last treat to myself during wisdom teeth removal recovery was Bare Escentuals The Glamorous Life from Ulta.com. It looks like it isn't available right now or I would link to it. I am sure it will show up again somewhere, most of these kits do.

I also ordered some conditioner for my boyfriend which sadly was a newer item that was not what was described on their site (ingredients weren't even close to the same) at all so I had to return it...which of course cost as much as the conditioner to send back. Needless to say, from now on I will think twice before ordering non-BE kits from Ulta.com in the future. I should have just kept the conditioner we didn't want, oh well. I was mailing holiday gifts when I returned it and didn't think straight. On with the happy pics.

I love the colors in Glamorous Life, though I didn't try out the Pretty Amazing lippie since I cannot wear an ingredient in them. I also skipped the eyeliner since I am sticking with more natural products. The eyecolors and blush alone with the gold mineral veil are worth it to me. I have been wearing this blush constantly. Here are the pics I took.

Five Star Blush, Plush Eyecolor, Spotlight Eyecolor

Plush dry, then foiled, Spotlight dry then foiled and Five Star Blush on the bottom

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel and Antioxidant Serum

2012-01-03T16:06:00.000-05:00

I decided to try out my deluxe samples of Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel and Antioxidant Serum over the holidays as a nice treat for my skin. The book, No More Dirty Looks, which I am going to blog about soon, recommended this as a great natural peel as it uses fruit enzymes. Since peels can be quite harsh, this is a great one to go all natural with. Juice Beauty kindly sent me a sample of the sensitive variety of their peel and I am glad they did. You can find these products and more at www.juicebeauty.com

I applied a layer of the peel to my face, avoiding my eye area and kept busy for about 10 minutes or so. I rinsed it off with a wash cloth and warm water. My skin was definitely red but it did not hurt. My skin normally gets red from a decent face mask so I was fine with this and knew it would likely go away soon. I applied the Antioxidant Serum after the peel was rinsed and it felt really nice on my skin. I have to say that my skin felt super smooth and soft after this and looked fabulous. I think I would only use this once per week. I think this is an excellent addition to my routine for my skin type as I do have sensitive yet oily skin prone to blackheads and occasional breakouts. It felt great going into the new year with such nice feeling skin.I knew my skin needed a little something more in my routine and I think this might just be the thing. The serum is very nice too and I think the healing properties to it are perfect for use after the peel. My skin drank it up.

Juice Beauty currently has a special running. If you spend $75 or more, use code RENEW to get a free Deluxe Renewal Kit. Expires 1/5/2012 More info at: http://www.juicebeauty.com/web-specials/

Info from Juice Beauty:

Green Apple Peel Sensitive

This Patented organic fruit acid complex with raw cane sugar exfoliates to reduce breakouts, discolorations and fine lines. Heals while hydrating with rejuvenating algae, vitamins and antioxidants for a smooth, glowing complexion.

Apply a generous layer to cleansed face, neck and decollette up to twice weekly. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse well. Depending on skin type, follow with Juice Beauty’s Blemish Clearing Serum or Antioxidant Serum.

More info and ingredients can be found at http://www.juicebeauty.com/store/peels-and-serums/green-apple-peel-sensitive.html

Antioxidant Serum

Clinically proven to prevent free radical skin cell damage up to 85%. This lightweight serum will feed your skin with vitamins and antioxidants from organic juices. Moisturizes with fatty acid-packed plant oils and smoothes fine lines with peptides, alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10. A Daily Essential for all skin types.

After cleansing, apply to entire face (safe for eye area), neck and décolleté morning and evening before moisturizing.

More info and ingredients can be found at http://www.juicebeauty.com/store/peels-and-serums/antioxidant-serum.html

More Green Apple Peel Sensitive Pics:

I am not affiliated with this company. Though these samples were sent to me for review purposes, my opinion is honest and not swayed by this.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

An Argan Oil Update

2012-01-01T23:54:00.001-05:00

I posted a review of 100% Pure's Organic Argan Oil a while ago: http://www.beautyaunatural.com/2011/12/100-pure-organic-argan-oil.html

As I stated then, it seemed to be a learning process for me. I am not used to facial oils. I did some research and read a lot about facial oils in No More Dirty Looks by Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt. Thanks to them, I decided to go for it and use this argan oil daily. I opted to use it each night before bed. Just one little pump from the 100% Pure bottle and that was more than enough for my face. I tend to have very sensitive yet oily combo skin so I did a gentle cleanse, then applied an eye treatment and then the argan oil.

With facial oils, don't be afraid. The benefits outweigh any worries about oiliness. As long as you don't use too much, you should be fine. I wear it to bed, only because I find that certain spots on my face might take a little more time for it to absorb into my face. I have to say....my skin has never looked better! Since using 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil nightly, I have actually gone without make up more often because my skin has looked just that good. My skin isn't more oily or breaking out. It seems to have a natural glow and radiance more than usual. I am really happy and plan to keep using this every night before bed. One thing to keep in mind with this kind of oil is it may bring out any congestion from under the surface so you might have a break out at first but it will heal quickly. The oil is drawing out the impurities and has healing properties. If you have been on the fence about argan oil, I say go for it or try to get a sample if you can. Use it a couple nights per week at first to get the hang of it.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Indie Lee - Coconut Citrus Body Scrub

2011-12-30T22:14:00.000-05:00

When Indie Lee products were available on Hautelook, there were some great deals. I had budgeted to buy some of her products to finally try this holiday season but with these deals, I really went nuts...well worth it though. The first product I want to share about is the Coconut Citrus Body Scrub. I had asked Indie Lee on Twitter what product(s) to try first and the body scrub was one of them.

This body scrub is a bit different. Often when you use a body scrub, it is really liquidy with the granules in it but this one is almost solid, not hard but more solid than cream-like. I just dig my fingers into the soft mound of scrub and get some scrub to massage into my skin. I usually have to dip in a couple times to get the amount I like. I love to use it when I take a bath and do a nice scrub on my legs before I shave. This leaves my skin feeling supple and moist, very soft and moisturized. I find the scent to be very warm and tropical which makes me love using it in this cold weather all the more.

This body scrub is available on Indie Lee's website at http://indielee.com/ It retails for $38 and can be bought alone or in a gift set called The Power Trio.

From the website:

Ingredients

Saccharum Officinarum (sugar cane), Coco Nucifera (coconut) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) Oil, Melissa Officinalis (lemon balm), Essential Oils of Cymbopogon Citratus (lemongrass) and Vanilla Planifolia (vanilla)

Directions

Massage onto moist skin with hands, wash cloth, or luffah; rinse with warm water. Best to use weekly, prior to shaving, during a bath or shower. Keep at room temperature to prevent hardening. For external use only.

Scentsy Solid Perfume

2011-12-30T00:29:00.001-05:00

I do love my Scentsy for the home but recently they came out with Solid Perfumes. They come in a handful of scents at this time. A friend who is a Scentsy Consultant sent me one of these to try out and review in my blog. I had my choice of the scents and asked to try My Wish. My Wish is a mix of earthy fig, sweet violet and marshmallow. I find that it smells different than the home fragrance of the same name. A bit warmer and sweeter but that could also be how it turns out mixed with my skin and body chemistry. It applies really smooth and creamy but doesn't leave any residue on your skin or clothes.

Unlike their home scents, the solid perfumes are designed to be worn on your skin and are cosmetic grade. Not only that, but they are lacking a lot of the nasty chemicals usually found in perfumes. They are not 100% natural but are a great low-chemical alternative. I have been able to wear this with no problems and I tend to have a lot of issues with perfumes and fragrances. My boyfriend hasn't complained either which is always a good sign.

You can only get these from Scentsy. They retail for $18 each. I am hosting an ONLINE Happy New Year Scentsy Party. You can order online from the comfort of your own home and it will all be shipped to your door. I find that their shipping is quite fast and they pack everything really well. My party is running from January 1, 2012 - Jan 15, 2012. On January 1, Scentsy has their fabulous Bring Back my Bar scents available so that is when my party starts. You can access my party and place an order here: Heather's Scentsy Party Link

Info from Scentsy:
Scentsy Solid Perfume is applied to the pulse points on your wrists and not only deliver long-lasting, portable perfume, but are designed to be nourishing and moisturizing to your skin. Here are a few specifics:
1.       Paraben-free
2.       Sulphate-free
3.       Phthalate-free
4.       Benzene-free
5.       Silicone-free
6.       GMO-free
7.       Propylene glycol-free
8.       Dye-free (no added colorants)
9.       Never tested on animals

Here are some pics:

The last 2 ingredients cut off from the list were Castor Seed Oil and Titanium Dioxide. While not a 100% natural option, this does have a lot less chemicals than many perfumes on the market.

Just remove the little plastic cap and apply to your pulse points!

And a fun video from Scentsy:

I am not affiliated with this company. I was given this item for review purposes and my opinion is 100% honest and not swayed by how I got the item.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Natural Beauty Book Haul

2011-12-28T17:59:00.000-05:00

I went more practical with my Christmas wishlist this year and some of the items I wanted were books about natural beauty products and how to make your own as well as other everyday products. Here are the books I got as gifts, yay! I plan to blog about them as I attempt things from the books. I also plan to write a book report on "No More Dirty Looks" from journalists Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt, which I have been reading on and off since summer. I should be ashamed as a librarian to be reading so little but I am terrible about reading when I am stressed out and distracted. I should have it done by the end of this week off from work.

Beautiful Twists by Ella Dean on Etsy.com

2011-12-27T17:21:00.003-05:00

This is a LONG OVERDUE post. I found out about Beautiful Twists from Ella Dean because a friend of mine had her very own lip conditioner designed via Beautiful Twists. I decided to give the products a try this past summer since they are great natural vegan products. I am only sorry it took me this long to post an entry about them here on my blog. The seller is away at the moment but I suggest you add her to your Etsy circles and keep an eye out for her great handmade products. The scents are just scrumptious.

I tried out their Lip Conditioners, Bath Salt Soaks and Goddess Mist. The lip conditioners I tried were my friend's which is Air Force Wife Rachel's Vegan Lip Conditioner. This one is described as angel food cake topped with raspberries & cherries. Yummy! I also tried Aphrodite's Embracing Your Inner Beauty Potion and Woodland Nymph Kisses. These are really luscious.

image from Beautiful Twists Etsy.com Shop

I also tried 3 Himalayan Soothing Rose Petal Bath Salt Soaks because it let me try out 3 scents in cute little jars.The scents I tried were Pampering Songs Of Vanilla Cola For A Goddess, Never Too Old For Unicorn Dreams and One Smart Chocolate Chip Coffee Cookie Latte For A Much Deserved Goddess. How cute are these scent names?!?!

image from Beautiful Twists Etsy Shop

Then I tried the Greek God Avel's Vanilla Cola Goddess Mist which is super sweet and delicious smelling. Makes me wish I could drink a vanilla coke. I like to spritz this one on anytime to freshen up and smell super sweet.

image from the Beautiful Twists Etsy Shop

A Green Holiday Look with Bare Escentuals

2011-12-27T12:28:00.000-05:00

I decided to do a nice green look for Christmas Day and took some pics (finally). It has been a while since I posted a look so my apologies. Life has been pretty hectic.

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer (for face)
Bare Escentuals Prime Time for eyes
Bare Escentuals original foundation in Golden Fair
Bare Escentuals Summer Bisque as concealer
Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Matte all over
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil
Bare Escentuals Blush in Five-Star
BE Wearable Pistacio from lash to brow
BE Moss on lids
BE Starlet Karen in crease & V
BE Lush Topaz wetlined
100% Pure Mascara in Black Tea
BE 100% Natural Lip Liner in Natural (smudged with Qtip, only applied to outline lips)
BE 100% Lipstick in Bread Pudding
BE 100% Lip Gloss in Fruit Punch

Natural Light:

Flash:

eos lip balm - Share the Love Set

2011-12-26T00:33:00.003-05:00

A dear friend sent this set to me as a gift and I am happy to say that I am really pleased. I had never tried eos lip balms before so I was very excited to test them out. The eos Share the Love lip balm set is great. The packaging is adorable. The balms are in sphere form and have screw on tops which prevents any sort of cap loss. They are just too cute and they feel great on, so smooth and creamy instead of gooey like a chapstick. Best part is that they are 95% organic and 100% natural. I think natural lip products are one of THE most important ones to stick with since studies show that we eat a lot of lipstick in our lifetimes. For my friends with gluten sensitivities, they are gluten free too.

This set comes with Strawberry Sorbet, Sweet Mint & Passion Fruit. They all smell delicious to me and I am pretty picky about scents.

Here are some pics!

I am not affiliated with this company. Though these items were a gift, my opinion is honest and completely my own. It is not swayed by how I received the item.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Yes to Carrots Color Balm

2011-12-22T11:37:00.001-05:00

While Christmas shopping at Target, I found this as I was looking for some nice bath & Body set gifts. I picked up a Yes to Carrots Color Balm in Soft Plum. Since I love their lip butters, I had high hopes for this one and they were met. This is extremely creamy and feels so nice on. The color is so sexy. I love the soft plum shade because it gives my lips a gorgeous plummy pout look. This is another purse keeper. My little purse lippie pouch keeps growing with all the fabulous natural tinted lip balms I have found lately.

I can only seem to find info on this in regards to it being sold at Target. Colors available are Soft Plum, Rosy Bloom and Peachy Keen. They retail for $5.99 each. Look for it in the natural aisle near Burt's Bees and the like. The ingredients list looks great and it states that it is 99% natural.

Here are some pics:

Bare Escentuals Year of Beauty

2011-12-21T13:34:00.000-05:00

Bare Escentuals had their Friends & Family sale so I knew I wanted to buy this kit when it was on. I was recovering from my wisdom teeth extraction so I wasn't able to make it to the mall for my local boutique's sale but I was able to order online. I am so happy I got this as more retail therapy while feeling miserable. This is a fantastic set of 12 full size eyecolors. The shades are gorgeous and at 20% off, I was happy to pick this up. Here are my pics! Click the image if you want to see a bigger version.

Shown in order going by calendar months, January through December

Swatches applied dry, then foiled wet: shown in same order as image above, Jan through December

Holiday Baking: Kaleidoscope Cookies

2011-12-20T01:02:00.003-05:00

The second kind of cookie I baked this year is Kaleidoscope Cookies. These are from a recipe in Betty Crocker's Cooky Book which I have loved for a long time. It is a new reprint but still in the old fashioned format with the old school recipes. I love it!

You start with the base recipe for Petticoat Tails and then alter them to make Kaleidoscope Cookies.

I made green ones, pink ones and chocolate ones. This recipe makes tons of cookies. The recipe says 10 dozen but I never counted. It depends on how your rolls turn out and how thick yours slices are.

This recipe is slightly adapted from the original in the Betty Crocker Cooky Book as linked to above.

Ingredients:
2 cups of butter
2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
2 TSP vanilla
4.5 cups of flour
1/2 TSP salt

You mix the butter, sugar and vanilla thoroughly. Stir the flour and salt separately and then add to the dough. Mix with your hands. Divide the dough into 3rds.

Follow the directions below, then...Chill overnight and then take the dough out to warm up enough that it will slice easily. Slice the dough about 1/8" thick. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 7-9 min at 375.

First 1/3: Green Kaleidoscopes
I added lemon extract and green food coloring and mixed with my hands.
Roll into a log, about 2" across then roll in colored sugar or sprinkles of your choice. I used non pareils. Roll tightly in wax paper and stick it in the fridge (Note the G Love reference).

Second 1/3: Pink Kaleidoscopes
I added almond extract and red food coloring and mixed with my hands.
Roll into a log 2" across and roll in colored sugar or sprinkles. I used red colored sugar for this one. Afterwards, I realized I should have chosen a different color because the red and pink made them look like little slices of ham or bacon to me LOL Roll tightly in wax paper and stick it in the fridge.

Third 1/3: Chocolate Kaleidoscopes
I added 2 squares of melted semi-sweet chocolate to the dough and mixed with my hands.
Roll into a log 2" across and roll in colored sugar or sprinkles. I used green sugar for these.
Roll tightly in wax paper and stick it in the fridge.

Holiday Baking: Chocolate Chip Shortbread

2011-12-19T15:21:00.000-05:00

Not necessarily beauty related but I think doing what we enjoy makes us more beautiful and I enjoy baking.

I make these every year and they tend to be in high demand. My friend threatened to defriend me on facebook if I didn't make them this year LOL I found the recipe years ago on Allrecipes.com and have used it ever since. They might not look like much but they are delicious.

You can find the recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-chip-shortbread-cookies-i/

This year's batch.

Hello Kitty Ruby Brush Set

2011-12-19T11:53:00.002-05:00

I have to admit, one of my biggest fears was surgery of any kind. I had to go to the oral surgeon to get my wisdom teeth out and though I was nervous, I am proud that I didn't freak out or have an anxiety attack or anything like that. I had a coupon for $20 off $50 at Sephora so to celebrate my bravery and cheer myself up from many days of eating nothing but soup & jello, I placed an order. One of the items I got for myself was the Hello Kitty Ruby Brush Set.

When this kit arrived, it seemed bigger than I remembered them being in the store. It is adorable and I am so happy I got it. It was already marked down to $34 so I added a nail polish and small Pacifica item to my cart for free shipping and enough spent to use my discount. There is a comment on the Sephora site complaining about the cost, man, this person has obviously never been to a Sanrio store. Hello Kitty is not a cheap date but she is well worth it!!!

The kit is just plain cute, I love it. I love the brushed metallic red color which seems to be a theme in a lot of beauty items I have purchased this holiday season. It comes with a face brush, eyeshadow brush, shader/blending brush, angled eyeliner brush and lip brush. All the brushes are synthetic which is my new fave kind of brush. I think I will store all my mini brushes there from now on. Here are some pics!

Badger Balm Lip Tint & Shimmers

2011-12-18T13:49:00.002-05:00

I picked up a Badger Lip Tint & Shimmer in Copper a while ago at a local food co-op and decided to try some more so I added them to a Drugstore.com order. I love the Copper shade so I decided to try Red Jasper & Garnet. The lip tint & shimmers come with the color on one end and an Opal Shimmer on the other end. It is nice because you can wear the color alone or add the shimmer to it for more moisture and that pop of shimmer for fuller looking lips. You can also wear the Opal Shimmer alone as a lip balm with a hint of shimmer. I think this is a great leave in your purse kind of lip product plus they retail around $6.50 each so they aren't too rough on the wallet. They are available on Badger's website as well as from places like Drugstore.com.

Here is the info from the Badger Balm website:

Natural Mineral Color & Shimmer! Over the years, we've had many requests for totally natural tinted lip balms. We've taken our popular and super moisturizing Cocoa Butter Lip Balm formula and added minerals to create four natural colors. Even better, each stunning mineral tint comes with a beautifully translucent "Opal Shimmer" on the other end. They're rich in moisturizing Certified Organic ingredients including Extra Virgin Olive Oil, soothing Aloe Vera, and antioxidant-rich Fair Trade Certified^TM Cocoa Butter. The Fair Trade Certified^TM label lets you know it is good for all involved, and because it's made by Badger, you know it's the best stuff around!

Directions for use: Apply to lips any time to moisturize, protect & add a little color and shimmer.

Ingredients: *Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Theobroma Cacao (Fair Trade Certified^{TM Cocoa}) Butter, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil, *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Extract, and CO₂ Extracts of *Rosmarinus Officinalis ( Rosemary), *Rosa Canina (Rosehip) & *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn).
Each Tint contains one or all of the following: Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Silica, Iron Oxide.
* = Certified Organic

My Pics:

Copper

Red Jasper

Garnet

Opal Shimmer

My Handmade Soap Gifts

2011-12-17T13:34:00.002-05:00

The soap I made at soapmaking class in November is finally completely cured and ready to go. It took me a while to find time to finish them for gifting. I picked up decorative paper, gift bags, and raffia at Joann's & the soap trays at Etsy.com.

To read about the soapmaking class, visit my blog posts at:

http://www.beautyaunatural.com/2011/11/soapmaking-with-mcgillycuddys-naturals.html
AND
http://www.beautyaunatural.com/2011/11/soapmaking-class-continued.html

Here are pics of my finished gift soaps:

I printed little labels with info on the soap

I glued those labels to little natural gift bags

Each bar is paired with a re-purposed cedar soap tray I purchased on Etsy.com

Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Lipstick

2011-12-14T13:59:00.001-05:00

I picked up a Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Lipstick at a natural shop near work. My first purchase was Celestial which I loved so much I went back for another one and picked up Caliente.

They are natural and feel great on. I do notice a difference in consistency depending on the shade. Celestial is more smooth and fluid to apply and Caliente is a bit stickier but not too bad. The color is really pretty. Both of these are more of a shimmery finish. They also have matte colors.

I also want to rave about their customer service. When I bought Caliente, I noticed that it smelled a bit stale and was very hard and sticky so I emailed them. They told me that I must have gotten a bad lipstick and sent me an immediate replacement. The new one is much better!

The lipsticks retail for $11.99 and you can pick them up at their website http://www.honeybeegardens.com/ or from www.mothernature.com or amazon.com.
Edited to add: FREE SHIPPING

Get free shipping if you order from their site. No order minimum.

Enter code FREE4XMAS at check out and your shipping is FREE to anywhere in the US.

From their website:
Product Ingredients: canola oil, ricinus communis (castor) seedoil, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil,butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) fruit, beeswax, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seedbutter, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, tocopherol (vitamin e), origanumvulgare (oregano) leaf extract, thymus vulgaris (thyme) extract, cinnamomumzeylanicum (cinnamon) bark extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leafextract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower extract, hydrastis canadensis(golden seal) root extract. May Contain: titanium dioxide, iron oxides,ultramarine blue, carmine, manganese violet.

Here are some pics:

Caliente on Left, Celestial on Right

Alima Pure Cold Outside - Swatches, Looks and Sale!

2011-12-14T00:51:00.000-05:00

What fantastic timing! I am finally posting my swatches and looks of Alima Pure's Cold Outside Collection and they have it on sale for 1 week only. Normally it is $36 for the set and for this week only it is $26!

Eyecolors applied Dry first, then Foiled wet

Look 1:

Wear the set along with Alima Pure Sweet Pea Lippie and the usual BE face products

Look 2:

My Alima Pure Black Friday-Cyber Monday Haul

2011-12-12T23:27:00.002-05:00

For Black Friday - Cyber Monday, Alima Pure had a special offer that if you spent $35 or more, you got a free set of mini eye brushes. I had wanted to try one of their Seasonal Collections so I ordered Cold Outside for $36. Cold Outside is a set of 3 full size eyeshadows and 1 full size blush. The mini brush set came in a brown bag and also included 2 samples. All orders also come with 2 samples so I ended up with 4 samples total.

The colors are gorgeous and I love their packaging. These colors have a hint of sparkle which seems so perfect for this time of year. It is like sparkling snow. They are beautiful both dry or wet (foiled).

The synthetic brushes are adorable and worked really well with the eye colors. I am surprised by how much I loved them. They are short handled versions of their full size brushes. These are just the brushes I would use to apply most eye looks.

Stay tuned for pics of color swatches and some eye looks using these colors!

My pics:

Even though they have the bird design on their lids, the inner lid is flat and clear so you can easily swirl or wet your eyeshadow or liner.

LATHER Pink Grapefruit & Ginger Sugar Scrub and Illuminating Creme

2011-12-11T22:38:00.001-05:00

I had the pleasure of trying out LATHER Pink Grapefruit & Ginger Sugar Scrub and Illuminating Creme. At first I wasn't sure if the scent would be for me but when I opened them, yummy! It is a really nice sweet aroma.

I am a big fan of using a scrub on my legs before shaving so that is how I decided to try this out. It smells delicious, applies gently and feels nice on. I massaged the scrub into my legs after they were damp from my shower. After rinsing it off, my skin felt great and my razor was gliding smoothly for a nice clean shave. After my shower, I dried off and applied the Illuminating Creme. It has a nice light shimmery glow, nothing overdone or glittery but so pretty to give skin a beautiful highlighted dewy look. This would be great for a night out, over sunkissed skin or to just have a nice dewy glow because you want it. It isn't too heavy and absorbs well while giving that hint of dewy shimmer. I plan to use this a lot so that should tell you it gets my thumbs up.

You can buy these individually from LATHER, $18 for the scrub or $22 for the creme or you can buy the duo, called Sugar & Spice for $35. The duo is also available from QVC.

From LATHER:

Sugar Scrub - This skin-refining, delicious-smelling body scrub gently exfoliates dead skin cells with sugar granules while hydrating with emollient oils and shea butter. Botanical extracts of olive, green tea, licorice root and arnica calm the skin and provide antioxidant properties, and organic aloe vera provides soothing relief to sensitive skin. An aromatic essential oil blend including pink grapefruit and ginger lightly scents the skin while uplifting the mind and spirit. Paraben-free.

sucrose, glycerin, propanediol, water, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil, eugenia caryophyllus (clove) leaf oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, salvia sclarea (clary) oil, zingiber officinale (ginger) root oil, carum carvi (caraway) seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, linum usitatissimum (linseed) seed extract*, punica granatum extract*, olea europaea (olive) fruit extract*, laminaria digitata extract*, morinda citrifolia extract*, camellia sinensis leaf extract*, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), hydrastis canadensis (golden seal) extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, althaea officinalis root extract, verbascum thapsus extract, trifolium pratense (clover) flower extract, camellia oleifera leaf extract, lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract, arnica montana flower extract, citric acid, potassium sorbate, chlorphenesin, phenoxyethanol. *organic ingredients

Illuminating Creme - This softening body creme conditions and moisturizes skin while providing a subtle hint of shimmer derived from mica, a natural mineral. Shea butter and emollient avocado oil transform dry skin into silky, soft and supple skin. Organic olive leaf and pomegranate extracts calm the skin and provide antioxidant properties. The sparkling aroma is derived from an uplifting blend of essential oils including pink grapefruit and ginger. Paraben-free.

water, caprylic/capric triglyceride, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), glycerin, stearic acid, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, glyceryl stearate SE, dimethicone, mica, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil, eugenia caryophyllus (clove) leaf oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, salvia sclarea (clary) oil, zingiber officinale (ginger) root oil, carum carvi (caraway) seed oil, aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, linum usitatissimum (linseed) seed extract*, punica granatum extract*, olea europaea (olive) fruit extract*, laminaria digitata extract*, morinda citrifolia extract*, camellia sinensis leaf extract*, panthenol, tocopheryl acetate, cetyl alcohol, emulsifying wax, polysorbate 20, disodium EDTA, carbomer, titanium dioxide, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, hexylene glycol *organic ingredients

I am not affiliated with this company. These items were sent to me by the company for review purposes. My review and opinion is not swayed by this.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Juice Beauty Friends & Family Sale - Dec 2011

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Another great Friends & Family Sale! This one is from Juice Beauty and it is a rarity to get a flat discount on their products so this is a treat.

Details:

Friends & Family event Dec 9-12th.
It’s 25% off all orders + Free Shipping with code: JBFF2011

Visit: http://www.juicebeauty.com/

Bare Escentuals Friends & Family Sale - Dec 2011

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Oh happy day! It is time for the Bare Escentuals Friends & Family Sale. These typically happen twice a year and I am happy to say, I have held off on shopping so I might actually get to shop this time around.

Details:

The sale lasts from Dec 8 - Dec 11, 2011.

‘Tis the Season! The Bare Escentuals Friends & Family Event starts at midnight tonight (PST) and lasts through Sunday at 11:59PST.

Enjoy 20% off and free shipping for orders over $50 at Bare Escentuals boutique, BareEscentuals.com or by calling 1-866-214-4076.

Print this and bring it to the boutique with you!

Tarte Friends & Family Sale - December 2011

2011-12-05T16:37:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to pass along the info, Tarte Cosmetics is having their Friends & Family Sale. Enter Code FFDEC and get 30% off until Dec 12, 2011. More details on their site: http://tartecosmetics.com/

A Holiday Season Bare Escentuals Must Have Blush & 7 Layer Cake Giveaway

2011-12-04T12:59:00.001-05:00

It is time to celebrate the 2011 Holiday Season and what better way than with a giveaway! I was gifted these items which I already own so I want to share with my loyal readers. You can see the prize in the picture below, all contest details are below that. Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

Prize includes:

A Must Have Blush Kit with Bag (eyeshadow size Posh, 1st Class & Hot Shot blushes, a tapered blush brush and a bag with mirror)
Also includes 100% Natural Lip Gloss in 7 Layer Cake, full size

How to Enter & Giveaway Rules:

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

100% Pure Organic Argan Oil

2011-12-01T15:53:00.001-05:00

100% Pure kindly sent me some of their Organic Argan Oil to try out. I have to say, simply looking at the price alone, this is a great deal. You get 1 fl oz of organic argan oil for $19. If you have shopped around for argan oil, you know it often runs for a lot more money.

Info from the 100% Pure website:

100% Natural, 100% Vegan, Gluten Free

100% Pure Organic Argan Oil rich with vitamin E, phenols, carotenes, squalene, and essential fatty acids to deeply moisturize, nourish and soften. Famous for its healing and restorative properties, Argan Oil can be used on clean skin, hair, cuticles or anywhere else that needs moisture and softening. Gluten free.

Ingredient: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (100% Pure Certified Organic Argan Oil)

At first I wasn't sure about this oil or any oil for my face. I tend to be a combo of sensitive and oily skinned so the thought seemed wrong but the more I read, I realized you can't think of oils like that. Skin treatment oils like argan should not make your skin more oily. I tried it out on my hands because they were dry and they seemed to feel nice though it wasn't as moisturizing as a hand cream. Next, I did a clay face mask and then applied this to my face. It actually felt good on my skin and you really want to use high quality stuff on your face after a heavy exfoliation or mask because your skin is ready to absorb. I was happy to say, my face liked this a lot. I felt a little too greasy in my T-zone area but I was able to blot and felt better. I think the use of oils is very much trial and error and getting used to them. I am happy with how my skin felt after this organic argan oil and think I will keep using it as an after face mask treat. I don't think my skin would be good with this on before attempting to apply make up but if I am doing an evening skin ritual, this works well. It all depends on your skin type. If you are looking to try out argan oil for the first time or have bought it in the past but want a more affordable option, I suggest you give this one a look. I actually read recently a recommendation to massage some oil into your skin before cleansing with a gentle facial cleanser. I think I am going to try that next.

Press Release Info:

I am not affiliated with this company. The product was sent to me by 100% Pure for review purposes but my opinion is not swayed by this. I would never recommend a product I do not like!

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Indie Lee - All Natural Beauty Products - Sale Tomorrow

2011-11-29T13:31:00.001-05:00

I wanted to give some props to a great creator of natural beauty products, Indie Lee. Her story is amazing and inspiring and I hope you will take the time to look into her products. She is also very sweet as I have learned from tweeting back and forth with her on Twitter. She has a wonderful learning center on her website that I have linked to in my ingredients info page. I suggest you check it out: http://indielee.com/learning-center/instruction/

The exciting news is that Indie Lee products are going to be on sale at Hautelook tomorrow with some fabulous deals. I cannot wait to place an order and hope you do too. You can access Hautelook through my invitation link if you don't already have an account there: Heather's Hautelook Invitation Link

Indie Lee's Story:

From www.indielee.com

Hi, I am Indie Lee. On Earth Day 2009, I was given another chance at life and a new perspective on beauty. I awoke from brain surgery to discover that a potentially fatal tumor had been successfully removed. Having learned that environmental toxins may have been the culprits, I began devoting myself to leading a healthier lifestyle. Using the finest, all natural ingredients, I created a luxurious line of beauty products. Remember, what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. This experience has also taught me a very important lesson: Life is a gift, treasure every moment. Always let your inner beauty shine through.
XOXO ~ Indie

For more info on Indie Lee and her amazing products, I suggest you check our her website www.indielee.com or the wonderful write up about her on Hautelook. There are also these other sites & blogs who have showcased her and her product line.

Brain Tumor Survivor: ''World Was in Technicolor''

Moxie Reviews: All Natural Beauty Products & Interview: Indie Lee

Beautylish: Spotlight on Indie Lee

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

My Top Choices for Natural Beauty Holiday Gifts - 2011

2011-11-26T20:06:00.001-05:00

This holiday season, I am trying to give more natural gifts and thought my readers might want to do the same. Here are my top natural or low-chemical gift ideas for this 2011 Holiday Season. This list is full of items I would love to receive &/or gift this holiday season!

Bare Escentuals Year of Beauty Collection $72.00 (*Hint: Wait until early December for their Friends & Family Sale to be announced, you can save 20%). A whole year of beautiful mineral colors for your eyes.

Sephora by OPI's Glimmer Wonderland 18-piece mini nail color set. Great colors, lots of variety and tons of fun for someone who loves to paint their nails. $48

Pacifica Take Me There Collections, exclusive to Sephora. Choose one of their amazing natural scents and get a 3-piece kit for only $18. Great gifts for most anyone. My fave: Indian Coconut Nectar.

Sephora's Hello Kitty Noir 5-piece Brush Set contains an adorable Hello Kitty with 5 synthetic bristle brushes and her blinged out bow. Gotta love anything with Hello Kitty. $55

Want more affordable brushes? Go for Eco Tools! They make wonderful yet affordable synthetic eco & animal friendly brushes and other products. They have a great little holiday set as well as some other sets available year round. You can find them in local drugstores like Walgreens or in most Target stores. You can also order them a Drugstore.com which is currently offering a gift with $20 Eco Tools purchase.
My faves:

Eco Tools Bamboo 6-piece mini eye brush set
$7.99

Eco Tools 5-piece Bamboo Brush Set
$10.99

Eco Tools Limited Edition Beautiful Expressions Kabuki Set
$14.99

Need some aromatherapy with a kick? Try Lotus Wei Organics Mini Serum Kit. Try all 6 mood boosters in Joy Juice, Inner Peace, Infinite Love, Quiet Mind, Inspired Action, Pure Energy. These are some of the best aromatherapy products I have ever tried. $40

A great way to try out 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Cosmetics and Skincare: The Strawberry Box Set. Get a tinted moisturizer with SPF, Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream, Strawberry Gel Cheek Tint, Strawberry Lip Glaze, an eyeshadow/liner in Fig and a vegan eyeliner brush, all full size for $65 100% Pure can also be purchased at QVC or from Alex & Von.

Burt's Bees has some great gift sets out this season. I have seen them on display at Target or you can order online. Check out my top 2 stocking stuffer choices:

The Burt's Bees Tinted Balm Shimmer Combo: Comes with a Red Dahlia tinted lip balm and a Fig lip shimmer. $9.99

Burt's Bees Simply Shimmer: a 3 pack of lip shimmers in Peony, Fig & Champagne. $9.99

Some great little gift sets are from Badger Balm. I love their gift bags. They have some great gift sets available as well as individual products. Shop their website before 9am EST on December 1 and get 15% off their whole site! They are also available at Ulta. My top 2 scent choices are:

Stress Soother. The Stress Soother gift bag comes with a tin of Stress Soother balm and a cocoa butter lip balm. $11

Cheerful Mind. The Cheerful Mind Gift Bag comes with a tin of Cheerful Mind Balm and a Sweet Orange Lip Balm. $11

Want to support a natural small company? Try Goat Milk Stuff. They have this great Gift Box which contains a soap, a lotion stick, a lip balm, a bath fizzy and a sugar heart scrub all for $35

Another small company I highly recommend is McGillycuddy's Naturals. The products are made locally to my home and the owners are really great people. They sell a lot more in their shops but have some fab products available on their website. Pick up a variety of items for skincare, bath & body or some wonderful natural soaps. Prices range from $3.95 - $12.95

My final choice, so far, this holiday season would be the Lather Pamper Pack. You get a mini tub of their AHA hand cream with evening primrose, lavender & eucalyptus foot cream, bamboo lemongrass foaming body scrub and manuka body butter, all for $25. Lather is also available at QVC.

I am not affiliated with these companies.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Soapmaking Class Continued

2011-11-24T23:57:00.001-05:00

The soap I made at soapmaking class is still curing. You can read all about the class on my blog at Soapmaking with McGillycuddy's Naturals

I decided today, since I had time after Thanksgiving dinner, to finally cut and shape my soap. The soap is still curing and is still moist so it was pretty easy to slice. I borrowed my mom's chef knife so the cuts would be smooth and sliced bars out of the soap. I had some ends and trimmings left so I made mini bars of soap and molded the rest into little soap balls.

My 1 brick of soap that I made turned out to give me 24 full size bars of soap, 9 mini bars of soap and 13 soap balls! The soap has to finish curing but will be ready to use or pack as gifts soon.

Burt's Bees Facial Towelettes with White Tea Extract

2011-11-21T14:28:00.001-05:00

image from the Burt's Bees website

Since I am a huge fan of natural facial towelettes, I had to try the new ones from Burt's Bees. The Burt's Bees Facial Towelettes with White Tea Extract were in my local Target so I picked them up. I normally use the Yes to Cucumbers Towelettes but opted to use these instead for a while to see how I liked them.

From the Burt's Bees website:
Remove make-up, cleanse and tone in one easy step. Infused with White Tea and Cucumber Extracts plus Aloe, these towelettes clean your face naturally. So you can give your skin the care it needs no matter where you are.

Removes dirt, oil and make-up without rinsing
Formulated with White Tea and Cucumber Extracts
Dermatologist-tested and ophthamologist-tested
FSC Certified, natural fabric

Ingredients: aqua (water), aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glycerin, camellia sinensis leaf extract*, cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, tocopherol, citric acid, parfum (fragrance)**, xanthan gum, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, dicaprylyl carbonate, caprylyl/caprylpolyglyceryl-4 caprate, dicaprylyl carbonate, caprylyl/capryl glucoside, glycine soja (soybean) oil, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, amyl cinnamal, citral, citronellol, limonene, linalool *White Tea Extract **Natural Fragrance

My review:

I have to say that I really liked these facial towelettes. The scent was nice and natural, not too overwhelming. I think it is more feminine than the Yes to Cucumbers scent but not too bad. I am not sure if my boyfriend would use them though he will use the Yes to Cucumbers variety.

They made my skin feel nice and clean. They did an okay job removing my eye make up and removed my face make up well. Burt's Bees lists them as 99.1% natural vs the Yes to Cucumbers Facial towelettes which are 98.7% natural. I find both to be excellent options and it really depends on your scent preference. I think my personal preference is still for the Yes to Cucumbers ones because their wipes seem to do a better job at removing my eye make up. I am not sure if it is the texture of the towelette or their ingredients but they work well for me. I will gladly use the Burt's Bees towelettes too. I give them an A!!! These are a great item to keep in your purse, your car, your gym bag or on your sink or night stand. You can't beat a natural way to freshen up, clean your face, be gentle to your skin and remove your make up in a 30 pack for $5.99.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Soapmaking with McGillycuddy's Naturals

2011-11-19T19:27:00.001-05:00

I was so happy that I was able to sign up for a soapmaking class with McGillycuddy's Natural's. They only had 2 left this season and after I had a little fender bender, I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it so I had to wait until late this week to register.

The soapmaking class was held at their farm in the Cobleskill NY area, a little town called Dorloo. This is about an hour trip for me and the class ran from 9am-12pm so I had to get up really early to make sure I got there in time. I was shocked that I actually woke up before my alarm went off though I prefer to wake up before the alarm goes off because I hate hearing the alarm. I got ready and headed out with my GPS to guide me. I took a route I didn't expect to get there but I think it was a good thing because the route I expected the GPS would take actually had a lot of construction going on and I might have run late.

We got to learn about soapmaking, some history, some chemistry and some of the McGillycuddy's Naturals background story. Our class was actually being held in the room where they produce all of their soaps so it was cool to get to see behind the scenes. There was a station with supplies set up for each member of the class. We all got info on how to make soap so we know how to make it on our own if we want to, though a lot goes into it.

My soapmaking station

We started by mixing lye with water. You have to be really careful with lye because it is a corrosive alkaline substance (also known as sodium hydroxide). It is safe to use but you have to be careful while it is in this form because it can burn your skin. When we mixed it in powder form, it looked kind of like crystals, with water, we had to wear protective goggles, face masks and gloves. We stirred the mixture and took the temperature. It got hot and smoked. It was fascinating and felt like science class. We left them outside on a table so the temperature would drop to where we needed it.

My Safety Gear

We went back into to each measure our mixture of coconut oil & soybean oil, already melted for us. We got to pour this into a bucket on a scale until we had the right amount. Then we mixed olive oil with it which cooled the temperature pretty quickly. Once the lye mixture was cooled down to around 100 degrees, we brought them inside. To take the temperature of the lye mixture, you should stir it a bit first. When I stirred, I accidentally rested my arm where my mixing spoon had been sitting on the rim and it had left some lye there so my skin started to itch pretty badly. I let them know and was immediately shot with Windex! Just like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding! I swear! It did help cool down the burning itch I was feeling. My skin is so sensitive so it looked pretty red immediately even though it felt better. This is why you have to be careful when dealing with lye and making soap. When I went to explain what happened to my boyfriend, I started to explain what lye is and he said, I know about lye...Fight Club. I quickly remembered as it is one of his favorite movies and books, oh yeah, they made soap LOL Don't worry about the safety of lye, when you add it to the oils, they neutralize the lye.

My oil mixture

Once the lye mixture and oil mixture were within 5 degrees of one another, we mixed them together. We carefully poured the lye mixture into the oils and stirred and stirred and stirred. It started to thicken a little. As we stirred, they mixed our custom selected scents for us. We got to smell all their essential oils and fragrance oils and pick what we wanted. We could have 1 scent alone or mix 2. I stuck with the essential oils and wanted to mix orange with ylang-ylang but didn't know how they would go together. They did a mix test with me and added a drop of ylang-ylang first since it is strong and then one drop of orange at a time until we liked it. Once she hit 4 parts orange to 1 part ylang-ylang we both seemed to really like it and I went "oooooooh" so I knew that was the mix. They brought my essential oils over to me and I asked if I could add oatmeal and she said yes and brought me some. The oatmeal was ground up in a food processor. We could also add dried rosebuds, camomile, rosemary, peppermint leaves, poppy seeds, apricot kernals, etc for texture, exfoliating or other properties. I opted for oatmeal since it is so good for your skin, soothing and balancing.

Me pouring my soap mixture

I used a hand blender to mix the oils and lye until it thickened and got to a trace point. This is when you start to see a pattern left behind as you move the blender and it starts to look thick like cake batter. Once it got to that point, I added my essential oils and oatmeal and blended away. When the mixture was ready, I slowly poured it into a sterlite storage container (shoebox size) lined with saran wrap. After the soap is poured, I carefully wrapped the saran wrap around it so it was enclosed. I sealed the sterlite container and wrapped it all with my thick beach blanket to keep it warm and shielded from light. We all actually finished early so we got to hang out and chat and ask questions. They gave us all samples of their soap, one milk soap and one olive oil soap.

The soap poured into the container

After I headed home, I carried my soap in, still wrapped in it's beach towel. It felt really hot, somehow that surprised me. I found a safe spot for it since I was not supposed to open it for 24 hours. I let it sit, wrapped for all that time. I could smell it a bit through the container and towel and I was excited and wanted to see how it turned out but they said if you peak at it, you might ruin your whole batch.

All snuggled up in a beach towel

I waited until the afternoon on Sunday and opened it. I removed the top layer of saran wrap and decided to plop it out onto the lid of the sterlite container. It was still pretty soft. I am leaving it to cure some more before I slice it. When I finally slice &/or shape my soaps in a day or two, I will share pics and info.

My brick of soap

To see the next steps, view the following blog posts:

Soapmaking class continued:
http://www.beautyaunatural.com/2011/11/soapmaking-class-continued.html

My Handmade Soap Gifts:
http://www.beautyaunatural.com/2011/12/my-handmade-soap-gifts.html

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint Trio Pics & Review

2011-11-16T15:10:00.001-05:00

I was able to place a small order during Pacifica's Love This Sale sale, woohoo for 20% off!

I picked up a refill of my fave Indian Coconut Nectar Body Wash, a Tahitian Gardenia spray perfume and a Bali Lime Papaya Solid perfume to try. The one item I knew I had to order was the Color Quench Lip Tint Trio and I am so happy I did! I also have to rave about Pacifica's shipping. If you spend $50 you get free shipping and it is UPS and arrives insanely fast from the West Coast. I placed my order on Nov 4 and it arrived in NY on Nov 7.

The Color Quench lippies are a bit chunkier than what you usually think of as a lip tint or lip balm which is nice. They will last a while. Some of them are more sheer and others are more pearly. The scents are great, not too much and more natural so they aren't too overwhelming. They are like scented lip balms for grown ups made with coconut oil so they are super moisturizing, not like those chapsticky ones of our childhood.

Some reviews complain that they don't have enough color or that they are gritty. They are natural and they are just supposed to be a tint so that explains the lack of bold lasting color to me. The gritty feeling is only felt when wearing the sparkly ones and it isn't that bad. I think they are quite pretty but I also have full pouty lips so they work well for me. At $18 for a set of 3 full size lippies, I don't think it is bad at all. The packaging is beautiful, I am saving the box though I am not sure what for, maybe an art project someday. I think these would make a great treat for yourself or stocking stuffer. They do have these individually at Sephora stores so if you live near a Sephora, stop by and swatch them to see how you like them. Since they are not bold heavy colors, I think they are great for wearing with a more dramatic eye look.

Info from the Pacifica Website:

Moisturizing EFA's with avocado and coconut oils
Spot-on sheer color; subtle, natural flavor
Perfectly Portable, 100% recyclable tube
100% vegan. Cruelty-free
Free of phthalates, parabens, mineral oils, GMOs, triclosan, propylene glycol and petroleum

Shades:

Guavaberry – A quintessential berry stain
Coconut Nectar – Shimmer, golden raisin
Blood Orange – Sweet coral with a pop of pink

My pics (all taken via Ottlite lighting):

Blood Orange

Guava Berry

Coconut Nectar

Blood Orange

Guava Berry

Coconut Nectar

Dust Organic Mineral Cosmetics

2011-11-14T09:50:00.001-05:00

Thanks to their website for the image!

I finally got to stop by the Body Lounge in Saratoga Springs to check our Dust Organic Mineral Cosmetics. Another great eco-friendly and cruelty-free mineral make up line. This one was created locally in my area by Aleah who is both a Certified Licensed Esthetician and Master Makeup Artist. Aleah owns the Body Lounge in Saratoga, a very different kind of spa. Of course, the part I was most excited about was her line of mineral make up, Dust. I got to sit down with Jennifer who is the Body Lounge's make up artist. She helped me pick out some colors I liked so I could finally try them out.

The eyecolors I picked up were Orchids & Diamonds, Sagebrush Pearl, and Golden Green. I took a lot of pics and wore them recently. Here are my pics and comments:

Pros:

Local company, made in the USA
Cruely-free animal friendly
Earth friendly
Gorgeous color selection, vibrant shades, fabulous depth, some opalescent/holographic-like effects
Chemical free, natural and organic
I have a local place where I can go pick them up or if you order only shipping is a flat rate

Cons:

A little pricey ($20 each for eyecolors)
Smaller jar size
Fill level of the jars isn't "full" which I know is important to many

It was suggested that I poke a hole or two in the seal to get the color out but that didn't work well for pics

Pics of open, unsealed jars

Side by side jar comparison with a Bare Escentuals mini eyecolor

A pic of the jar fill level

Colors applied dry first, then wet (foiled) Top to Bottom: Golden Green, Sagebrush Pearl, Orchids & Diamonds

Orchids & Diamonds with BE B&B Liner in Indigo


Golden Green on lids with Sagebrush Pearl in Crease & V, BE B&B Charbronze liner

The Ever Changing and Growing Make Up Storage

2011-11-13T21:33:00.001-05:00

I am really working on streamlining my entire apartment. I am tired of feeling overwhelmed and overcrowded. I had other plans for the weekend but had a little car accident which changed my plans and had me set to spend a couple days close to home so I did a lot of sorting and cleaning. One of the projects was my beauty storage area. My make up collection keeps growing and I noticed that it was getting harder to find things. I also wanted to start wearing other brands that I had in other storage so I opted to finally intermingle my mineral make up brands and store them all together to make it easier. I also had to go through some things to see if they were still good and sadly found some items that were past their shelf life. Anything that smelled wrong or that I knew was too old went in the trash. Luckily, my collection is mostly mineral pigments which don't spoil.

Here are some pics of the final storage. I still need to figure out how I want to label other brands of minerals in the drawers.

The overall area sits on top of my dresser.

I print labels for each drawer so I know what is stored there.

My current method for labeling Bare Escentuals jars

Some of the other brands, not sure if or how I want to label them.

My flip top storage. I keep lip gloss, lip and eye pencils, mascara, etc in the stand up section and lippies in the flip tops

Inside flip top 1

Inside flip top 2

Lippie storage on top of the right side of the drawers

Vincenzo and Hello Kitty guard my high shines, Leslie signed compact, body lingerie and cup of brushes to be cleaned (on the left side)

My daily basics live on top of my dresser on an easy to clean placemat

My recently downsized brush collection along with other brand blushes, gel eyeliners and pressed shadows

Alima Pure - A Review

2011-11-12T09:53:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Fig & Sage for the logo image. "Put a bird on it." ~Portlandia

Now that I have worn each of my Alima Pure samples, I wanted to share a review since many have asked me what I think of their products. First off, the only products I tried were eyecolors, luminous shimmer blush and organic nourishing lip balm.

Alima Pure as a brand is a wonderful alternative. Their packaging is adorable. They are very eco friendly and animal friendly and everything they make is as natural as mineral make up can be. They are Leaping Bunny certified as well as Certified Natural Cosmetics. Everything on their site is rated 0-2 on Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. They are cruelty free, even their brushes are free of animal products. They donate at least 1% of their revenue to environmental organizations. The list goes on and on. This is a great company doing a lot for natural beauty and the environment.

Their prices aren't bad at all, very comparable with other mineral make up lines if not a lot better than some I have seen. They send 2 free samples with every order. Their shipping is fast and everything comes packaged well. They have a full satisfaction policy, if you don't love it, you can return it. Their products have been seen in Real Simple magazine, Whole Living magazine, Natural Health magazine, Natural Solutions magazine and many more. Alicia Silverstone frequently talks about their products on her blog, The Kind Life.

Thanks to Alima Pure's website for the image

Alima Pure Eyecolors are great. They have a simple array of colors so you won't be too overwhelmed...unless you want to buy them all. I tried out some neutrals, some greens and some purples since they are what I wear most. They also sent me some free samples with my order so I got to try out more shades than I selected which is nice. It gave me more variety to work with. Since I am a sucker for sparkles, the Luminous Shimmer Eyecolors and liners were my favorites. I posted looks and swatches using all the colors I ordered so you can go back in my blog and see them. The greens were my absolute favorites but the purple look came out great too. I hope to order most of them in full size eventually. ***Edited to add: Eyecolor samples are no longer available but samples of all other items are still able to be ordered***

Thanks to Alima Pure website for the image

Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Blush was the big surprise here. I am in love with this blush. It is gorgeous!!! I tried Black Raspberry and Tea Rose and think I would wear these everyday if I could. I just ordered a full size Black Raspberry because it is that pretty. I love the glow it gives to my cheeks along with some healthy color.

Thanks to Alima Pure's website for the image

The Organic Nourishing Lip Balm is great too. It comes in a thin tube, very cute packaging. It is similar to the tinted lip shimmers from Burt's Bees if you have tried those. I tried Fig and keep reaching for it so I ordered a couple more colors to try. It is all natural and so gentle on my lips. The color is really rich and pretty too and the lippie is creamy.

Right now, Alima Pure is having their Friends & Family sale. Starting 11/11/11, enter promo code BFF20 at checkout to get 20% off your purchase! http://www.alimapure.com/

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I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

A look with Alima Pure Amethyst, Lilac, Aubergine & Black Violet

2011-11-11T19:45:00.001-05:00

Don't miss Alima Pure's Friends & Family sale. Starting 11/11/11, enter promo code BFF20 at checkout to get 20% off your purchase! http://www.alimapure.com/

I am wearing:

BE Brightening Prime Time
BE original foundation in Golden Fair
BE Summer Bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan Matte
BE Mineral Veil
Alima Pure Tea Rose Luminous Shimmer Blush
Alima Pure Amethyst from lash to brow
Alima Pure Lilac on lids
Alima Pure Aubergine in crease & V
Alima Pure Black Violet wetlined
100% Pure Blackberry Mascara
100% Pure Lip Glaze in Raspberry

Swatches applied dry first, then foiled

Natural Light:

Flash:

A look with Alima Pure Quartz, Grace, Milan & Twilight

2011-11-11T19:38:00.001-05:00

Don't miss Alima Pure's Friends & Family sale. Starting 11/11/11, enter promo code BFF20 at checkout to get 20% off your purchase! http://www.alimapure.com/

I am wearing:

BE Brightening Prime Time
BE original foundation in Golden Fair
BE Summer Bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan Matte
BE Mineral Veil
Alima Pure Black Raspberry Luminous Shimmer Blush
Alima Pure Quartz from lash to brow
Alima Pure Grace on lids
Alima Pure Milan in crease & V
Alima Pure Twilight wetlined
100% Pure Blackberry Mascara
Alima Pure Organic Nourishing Lip Balm in Fig

Swatches applied dry first, then foiled

The Original Lo-Lo Bar by Bar-Maids

2011-11-09T14:59:00.000-05:00

When I was in Portland, OR last spring, I picked up a Lo-Lo Bar in a yarn shop. What is a Lo-Lo bar you ask. They are solid all natural moisturizer bars that come in amazing scents. The scents are so yummy, I had a hard time choosing just one but I opted for Red Clover Tea. I love it because it will always remind me of my trip to Portland. While I have friends who like this for their hands when they knit, I am not a knitter (not yet anyway) so I use it for my legs! I love to use it after I shave my legs or after a bath. You rub it on your wet skin and it activates the moisturizer which absorbs into your skin and leaves your soft and smelling super yummy. I am very sensitive to scents and fragrance and these don't bother me at all. Their packaging is eco-friendly and snazzy. I love the retro vibe. I can't wait to try more!

You can find Bar-Maids online at their website: http://www.bar-maids.com/ They have an online shop and a retailer listing. The products are great, all natural and very affordable.

From their website:

LO-LO is a deeply hydrating skin-loving moisturizer that contains natural ingredients, nourishing antioxidants and vitamin-rich oils and butter. The bar quickly penetrates, leaving the skin soft and smooth, not greasy or sticky. Compact and convenient, it is the perfect traveling companion for purse, suitcase, backpack, and gym bag.

BENEFITS: When the bar is applied to the skin it becomes fluid (making it ideal for massage). Quick absorbing, no greasy, sticky, or flaky reside to stain paper, clothing, fabric, etc. Once on the skin, it lasts through multiple hand washings, eliminating the need to reapply moisturizer. Lo-Lo quickly soothes and softens skin. It is especially effective on dry, rough patches.

TIP: Use on bug bites and bee stings for immediate relief, or scrunch in hair for great shine & frizz control.

TO USE: Remove from can and apply a light layer across your skin to moisturize: hands, feet, elbows, knees, hair ~ everywhere! A little goes a long way! Double the benefits and apply to slightly damp skin, like right after taking a shower or bath. The Lo-Lo Body Bar, used daily, will moisturize your hands for approximately nine months.

INGREDIENTS: Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Beeswax, Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Oil, Theobroma (Cocoa Butter), Organic Olea Europaea (Pure Virgin Olive) Oil, Prunus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Seed) Extract, Essential or Fragrance Oils.

PACKAGED in an earth-friendly and skin-safe tin, never experience bottle breaks, leaks, or explosions again. Shelf life is approximately 18 months. Shelf life can be extended by storing below 65 degrees. We recommend that Lo-Lo be kept out of direct sunlight.
-100% Natural Ingredients- -Antioxidant & Vitamin-Rich-
-Cruelty Free- -Deeply Hydrating- -Gluten Free-

My pics:

A Lippie Reaction

2011-11-08T16:38:00.000-05:00

A pic of my happy healthy lips not wanting anymore chemicals!

Since it seems the rumor mill has grabbed hold of my lip reaction to a lip gloss and gone wild with it, I thought I should clear the air and explain things myself. Remember that game we used to play as kids where you whisper something in someone's ear and it keeps going around the circle until the last person says what was said to them and it is usually totally different than what was originally whispered? It was a lot like that. I got some interesting questions regarding what happened.

Here is the story. I have severe chemical sensitivities and allergies. There are certain chemicals found in many beauty products that I must avoid or I have a skin reaction. One of those ingredients is ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. This is a chemical additive with sunscreen properties that is known by many names. This is the most common listing. Years ago, I started to get terrible reactions on my lips. My lips would itch, get red, swell and puff up (think Angelina Jolie but painful). Not only that, but my skin would often crack and blister and it would take a long time to heal. I found out that this ingredient was what caused the reaction, along with most other chemical sunscreens.

To make a long story short, I started to have problems with my lips again recently. Luckily, the reaction was not as bad as it used to be. I had not been reapplying all day long like I used to. My lips were sore, red and chapped and starting to itch a lot. They almost felt numb which told me puffy was coming soon.

I started reading ingredient info and found out that the brand new Pretty Amazing Lip Glosses from Bare Escentuals have ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. I suppose I was to blame in a way for being too complacent in my diligent ingredient list reading. I had come to expect Bare Escentuals products to be safe, even though years ago when I started wearing BE, they had Vitamin E sticks that had this ingredient and I had a reaction to them too. The Pretty Amazing Lip Glosses are currently only available in kits: Rowdy in the RSVP Collection, Perky in Putting On The Glitz, and Sass & Oomph in the Pretty Amazing Lip Collection.

This was a wake up call for me to be more diligent about reading ingredient labels. You never know if something you react to is in a product. Unfortunately, my desire and need to stay as natural as possible has me slowly weeding some fun products from my collection but overall, I think it will be better for me and my wallet. I am not going to wear Pretty Amazing lipcolors or lip glosses or Buxom lip polish anymore. They are all too synthetic for me and I need to stay more natural. I hope this better explains things.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

A look using Alima Pure London, Pyrite & Pine and Badger Lip Tint & Shimmer in Copper/Opal

2011-11-07T13:20:00.000-05:00

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer
BE original foundation in Golden Fair
BE Summer Bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan Matte
BE Mineral Veil
Alima Pure Tea Rose Luminous Shimmer Blush
Alima Pure Pyrite from lash to brow
Alima Pure London in crease & V
Alima Pure Pine wetlined
100% Pure Blackberry Mascara
Badger Lip Tint & Shimmer in Copper & Opal (Copper on entire lips, Opal on center of lips)

Natural Light:

Flash:

A look with Alima Pure Meadow, Cedar, Truffle & Carnevale

2011-11-06T20:57:00.001-05:00

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer
BE original foundation in Golden Fair
BE Summer Bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan Matte
BE Mineral Veil
Alima Pure Black Raspberry Luminous Shimmer Blush
Alima Pure Meadow from lash to brow
Alima Pure Cedar on lids
Alima Pure Truffle in crease & V
Alima Pure Carnevale wetlined
100% Pure Blackberry Mascara
Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Lipstick in Celestial

I skipped prime time for eyelids today and simply rubbed the 100% Pure Luminous Primer on my lids instead. It worked ok.

Swatches are applied dry first, then foiled

A look with Alima Pure Chamomile, Raven, Sphinx & Denali

2011-11-06T00:37:00.000-04:00

The latest Alima Pure look from my sample haul

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer
BE original foundation in Golden Fair
BE Summer Bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan Matte
BE Mineral Veil
BE Prime Time for eyelids
Alima Pure Black Raspberry Luminous Shimmer Blush
Alima Pure Chamomile from lash to brow
Alima Pure Raven on lids
Alima Pure Sphinx in crease & V
Alima Pure Denali wetlined
100% Pure Blackberry Mascara
BE 100% Natural Lipgloss in Babycakes

A look with Alima Pure Atlantis, Bayou & Maya and Fig lippie

2011-11-05T10:30:00.003-04:00

Continuing to try out all my awesome Alima Pure samples. In this look I am also wearing one of their Organic Nourishing Lip Balms. This lippie is gorgeous and feels so good on my lips. They remind me of the Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers.

I am wearing:

BE Brightening Prime Time for Face
BE original foundation in Golden Fair
BE Summer Bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan Matte
BE Mineral Veil
BE Prime Time for eyelids
Alima Pure Black Raspberry Luminous Shimmer Blush
Alima Pure Atlantis from lash to brow
Alima Pure Bayou in crease & V
Alima Pure Maya wetlined
100% Pure Blackberry Mascara
Alima Pure Organic Nourishing Lip Balm in Fig

Swatches, applied dry first, then foiled

Natural Light:

Flash:

A look with Alima Pure Ash, Juniper & Mystique & Swatches

2011-11-04T16:09:00.003-04:00

I am wearing all my new Alima Pure samples before I wear anything else. So far so good with these colors. I am loving them. Biggest surprise, the Luminous Shimmer Blush. Gorgeous!!!!

I am wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer
BE original foundation in Golden Fair
BE Summer Bisque as concealer
BE Faux Tan matte
BE Mineral Veil
Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Blush in Tea Rose
BE Prime Time for eyelids
Alima Pure Ash from lash to brow
Alima Pure Juniper in crease & V and outer 1/2 of lid
Alima Pure Mystique wetlined
100% Pure Mascara in Blackberry
Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Lipstick in Caliente

Swatches of the colors, first dry, then foiled

The Thanksgiving Beauty Au Natural Glamorista Giveaway!

2011-11-02T23:53:00.002-04:00

As a way of celebrating the holidays and giving thanks for all my wonderful blog readers, I am hosting a Thanksgiving Giveaway. This month, I am going to giveaway 1 brand new Bare Escentuals The Making of a Glamorista Collection!

This collection contains the following:
1- full size Giggle Eyecolor
1- full size Elegance Eyecolor
1- full size Big & Bright Eyeliner in Intense Black
1- full size Posh Blush
1- mini Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara in Black
1- Full Size 100% Natural Lip Gloss in Cosmo
1- Double ended Lid, Line & Crease Brush

If you want to see detailed pics of the collection along with swatches, check out my blog post here: http://www.beautyaunatural.com/2011/06/bare-escentuals-glamorista-collection.html

Win a brand new one of your very own!

Enter Now!

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

My Switch to Eco Tools Face Brushes

2011-11-01T18:00:00.000-04:00

I have recently fallen in love with Eco Tools face brushes. After trying them out during summer and participating in their Choose to Live Beautifully campaign (a campaign that let you send in beauty products to be recycled and you would get up to 2 coupons for $7.99 worth of Eco Tools in exchange), I adore brand. Their brushes are extremely soft and great to use with mineral make up. They are so gentle on my face no matter how much I use them. They don't seem to shed much and are less likely to get smooshed from harder application technique. The brushes are both earth friendly and cruelty free. If you are an animal lover or trying to be more green or both, these brushes are for you. I have switched my face brushes to almost all Eco Tools brushes along with some other synthetic brushes and my face seems happier for it. I am not sure what I will do with all my old brushes, recycle or gift them? Who knows. For now, I am extremely happy. I have a huge eye brush collection so a complete switch is less likely though I find myself reaching for synthetic brushes over animal hair brushes more and more. Not only are the brushes great but they are extremely affordable and can be found in Target stores, Walgreens, Wal-Mart and more!

My new Eco Tools face brush routine:

I apply my Bare Minerals original foundation with the Retractable Recycled Kabuki or the Bamboo Bronzer Brush. Both are fabulous for coverage and insanely soft and gentle on my skin. (Images from the Eco Tools website)

Next, I apply my Summer Bisque concealer with the Bamboo Deluxe Concealer Brush or the mini version that came in the Bamboo 5 piece Collection. (Images from the Eco Tools website)

I apply Faux Tan Matte or another All Over Face Color with the Mineral Powder Brush from the Bamboo 5 piece brush Collection.

I apply Mineral Veil with the Bamboo Powder brush. It is so soft and fluffy and covers my whole face quickly. (Image from the Eco Tools website)

I apply blush with the Bamboo Blush Brush. My God, this brush is supple and luxurious. You will want to put blush on all the time! (Image from the Eco Tools website)

That is my new mineral make up face routine! If you are too sensitive skinned for animal hair brushes or just want something earth and animal friendly, these brushes are worth a try. You can't beat the price either. If you want to know what stores near you should have Eco Tools, check out their Where to Buy Page.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***

My Alima Pure Sample Haul

2011-10-31T20:56:00.001-04:00

I finally ordered some samples from Alima Pure. I mostly ordered sample jars of eye and blush colors. You can order samples for $1.50 each so I decided that was the best and more affordable way for me to try out a bunch of color, plus they send 2 samples with every order. Not only that but they ran a special that day that meant you got 5 extra samples with your order of $35 so I got 7 samples on top of the ones I ordered. I also picked out a lippie to try.

The company sticks with pure mineral ingredients and is cruelty free. Alicia Silverstone often talks about them on her blog, The Kind Life. I look forward to trying out these colors and posting some looks. I have heard nothing but good things about the brand so I can't wait.

My Haul:

Lotus Wei Flower Essences & Wei of Chocolates

2011-10-31T14:46:00.003-04:00

I first heard about Lotus Wei on No More Dirty Looks blog. Then soon after, I saw it at a local green spa, Complexions, when I went in for a massage. I thought about picking some up after my massage and my massage therapist used some of their lotions on me during my massage and I have to say I loved them. I picked up 2 Body Sprays and 2 of the Chocolates to try out.

On the Lotus Wei website, they ask you to pick the flower that speaks to you the most. I can never pick just one. If you go ahead and click on Moods, you will see the collection of body products. They use flower essences in order to bring nature back into our lives. Wei of Chocolate is a sister company that makes chocolates containing essences as well. The 2 are meant to help bring more balance and health to you. The trick with the chocolates is that you are supposed to put it in your mouth and let it melt, never chew. If you love chocolate like I do, that is not an easy thing to do. I have to say, letting the chocolate melt in my mouth made a difference. I could taste and appreciate the chocolate as well as the essences. It let them release into my system at a nice slow pace and it almost felt like a mini meditation just sitting quietly and letting the chocolate do its thing. With the sprays, I love to spritz myself anytime of day or night. I use Quiet Mind the most. I love to spray it on before bed to help quiet my thoughts. It also smells fantastic. Inspired Action is another favorite of mine.

I had a wonderful experience with their customer service. One of the spray pumps would not spray so I submitted an online form on their website. After I didn't hear back, I posted on their facebook page too. It seems their online form was broken and I helped them discover it so they were very grateful and kind. They not only sent me a new sprayer for my bottle but 3 sample bottles of Quiet Mind, Infinite Love & Pure Energy. They seem to really appreciate their customers and are involved in some fun events in the NYC area that I wish I could get to, often combining their essences with yoga.

Some info on the essence moods that I own:

Quiet Mind is meant to help you get rid of tension, calm your mind and sleep soundly. The scent is described on their website as Refreshing, clarifying Lemon, Geranium, & Coriander. I love this one. I spritz it on before bed most nights.

Inspired Action is meant to help you get things done, maintain motivation and be clear and decisive. The scent is described on their website as Exotic & spicy with pink pepper, Jamaican bay & citrus. It is so bright and citrusy, very lime scented on my skin. It really helps liven me up. I thought it would be good to help me get moving since I need motivation to get plenty done, get active again and try to be more creative.

Infinite Love is meant to help you attract & enhance love and to be more kind to yourself. The scent is described on their website as Beautiful soft aroma of Red Rose, Red Mandarin, & Beeswax Absolute.Such a pretty natural scent. Like we all don't need more love and to learn to be more kind to ourselves.

Pure Energy is meant to energize and revitalize as well as protect you from other people's stress. The scent is described on their website as Warming & yummy Grapefruit, Cinnamon, Coffee & Black Pepper. Another yummy one and anything that protects me from other's people's stress should come in a vat!

They do not run cheap but I have to say I am impressed. I got them as a treat to myself on a spa splurge day. The lotions were used in my massage and she mixed them. I think I remember her saying she used the Infinite Love and Quiet Mind for me. I smelled great and felt great when I left. I also have to say, every single person who worked at the spa was excited about these products. My massage therapist (who is a friend I know) told me she never believed in aromatherapy until she tried this product line.

As for the chocolates, I wasn't as brave to try the funkier flavors so I picked up the Wei Pure and Wei Inspired. They are all vegan, organic, gluten free and fair trade.

To find out more about Lotus Wei Essences visit their website at: http://www.lotuswei.com/ or like them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lotuswei

To find our more about Wei of Chocolate visit their website at http://www.weiofchocolate.com/ or like them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/weichocolate

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased these products myself for personal use unless otherwise noted.

***Please do not use the content or images from this blog without crediting the source and linking back to this blog. Doing so without permission and crediting the source is copyright infringement.Thank you.***