Beauty can Bite

I came across this earlier today and thought it was important to share...

I, for one, never use to spend much time thinking about what I put on my skin. I thought, "hey, it's got to be safe, otherwise the makers of the make-up, lotions, etc couldn't sell it." WRONG! This couldn't be further from the truth. 

One day, can't remember the exact day...sorry. ;-) I learned about the dangers lurking in those "harmless products." 

When I discovered a toxic ingredient in a product and then proceeded to research more on that particular ingredient I was shocked..uh, gross!! This was the case for any toxin I just happened to come across..each one was eye opening.

Oh, how I wish I had been educated on this sooner. But, alas...since I can't go back and I can only look forward and choose to make better choices.. that is what I will do.

The skin is the body's largest organ, did you know that? I didn't know that for the longest time. Makes sense that what we put on our skin should be just as important as what we eat, as what we put on the outside will eventually be absorbed into our bodies through our pores and into our bloodstream and cells...

Oh...just the thought of all of the sunless tanner I used to cover my fair and freckly skin with turns my stomach. (not even mentioning the make-up,etc) Live and learn...I have learned.

source

I am learning day by day new things...things I did not know about years ago. It is interesting to see how much I have changed as the years go by.  I am trying to rid my system of toxins that I have bombarded my system with throughout the years...in doing so I have done some changing of my ways when it comes to make-up and  products I use on my skin. 

My rule is pretty simple..and I try to live by this as much as I can (though I am not perfect): don't put it on my skin unless I'd want to eat it, too.

Here is a site I have found to be pretty helpful in taking a closer look at cosmetics and such: cosmetics database

So...what do I currently use?

Here are somethings I like to use on my skin and hair...

Make-up: Currently in the process of switching from Bare Minerals (as it isn't as healthy as I once thought). So, I'm still in research mode for the mineral make-up scene. Anyone use any mineral make-up that they love and would be interested in recommending to me? 

Now...granted I wouldn't want to "eat" mineral make-up, but I think you get my drift. ;-)

Lotions: raw, unrefined shea butter as well, as yep you guessed it...extra virgin coconut oil. 

Shampoo/conditioning rinse: Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar (I love the no-poo method). It works beautifully and my hair is very clean...and talk about inexpensive!!

Leave- in hair conditioners: (used when needed) raw unrefined shea butter, extra virgin coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil.

Facial Masks: something I am currently experimenting with. Will update this when I find something I really like.

Anyone else have any natural body care products you like? Any homemade natural body care recipes you'd like to share? I'd be so thankful. ;-)

Have a naturally beautiful day everyone!

-kelly

P.S. Stay tuned...I have some fun giveaways in store for you all. ;-)

JustNatural Organic Skincare: A Review

Hello Blogosphere!! By the sounds of it..many of you are attending the Food Buzz Festival in San Francisco this weekend. I am not one of them, unfortunately...one of these years I will (fingers crossed). I think it would be great fun to go and finally meet those bloggers who I converse with about healthy foods, fitness, and overall wellness. One of these years I say...one of these years.

Really, though...I think that until I really start blogging more about food and dishing out those fantastic recipes to you- should I even dare attend one of these grand events for food bloggers? I'm thinking probably not YET! I'm working on it. Promise!

To all who are attending...I will live vicariously through your posts and tweets. ;-) Have lots of fun!

So, onto a review. I was recently sent a 4 oz container of Natural Body Shea Butter from JustNatural Organic Care to review on my blog.

You might recall I recently did a review on shea butter. I am in love with shea butter. This was my first time trying a shea butter with a mix of a variety of all natural skin loving ingredients. I am always a big fan of being able to pronounce all of the words in an ingredients list. If I can't read it or decipher what an ingredient is...well, it doesn't touch my skin.

This body butter is a lovely, thick, moisturizer for skin. It doesn't feel greasy, blends into the skin quickly, and has a lovely soft scent of frangipini (plumeria) and lavender essential oils. Very refreshing scent. I love putting this on right before bed as I find the scent very calming and relaxing. I give this a two thumbs up! Oh, before I forget...one other thing I like about this product is that a little bit goes along way, which is good because you wouldn't have to buy it as often (I like that). Who wouldn't,especially in this crazy economy? ;-)

Oh, have you entered my giveaway for TWO soy candles from Soy Candles by Phebes? These are simply some delicious smelling candles which fill up a room with yummy smells. Don't be bashful!  Enter here.

Have a great evening! Have a wonderful weekend!

Slather Me Up In Shea Butter Please!

Hello Bloggergents and Bloggerettes!

I don't know about you all, but colder temps leave my skin pretty dry. I truly don't dig having dry skin. So, I was so excited to get a much needed package in the mail this week. The answer to all my dry skin problems...

SHEA BUTTER!!

I got this package of West African Shea Butter from Sheabutterhut.com. So far I am very happy with this product. I put it on and immediately felt relief from that dry icky feeling. Oh yes, that made me smile!! Now, don't get me wrong..I'm not turning my back on my coconut oil (I still love you good ol' coconut oil). I'm just adding a new friend to the all natural moisturizing mix!! Shipping was super fast, too!  Shea butter is a must for dry skin times of the year, for sure, as well as any other times of the year, in my humble opinion.  Plus, it's all natural with no nasty chemicals, which is a major plus in my book!!

A pound of goodness that will live happily with my skin and hair

Doesn't look too creamy...oh but it melts and is wonderful!

Simply rub in your hands and apply to your skin and/or hair

Are you familiar with shea butter? Shea butter is all natural 100% raw, unrefined, plant fat-based cream (make sure that you are buying it raw and unrefined to keep the nutrients all in tact).  It contains vitamins A, E, and F, as well as unsaponifiables which have been reported for their healing magic.

Seriously, the first time I had heard of shea butter was from a woman in her 50's who had sincerely considered having Botox done to cut down on some of the wrinkles she was noticing. She had mentioned this to her husband who discouraged her from it and said that since she had been using shea butter many of her wrinkles had left her skin. She used to have lines above her lips, which looks similar to those caused by years of smoking (which she did not). All of those wrinkles disappeared with continuous use of the shea butter.

Okay, I'm sold..I believe in taking care of your body's largest organ..the skin. I also believe that what goes on the outside of the skin makes its way into the body somehow, which makes me think twice before I slather something on my skin. This has been a gradual choice of action for me..years ago, I never thought twice about what makeup I used or what lotions/moisturizers I put on my skin.  I like to keep things much more natural and as chemical free as possible. You live and learn,right...?

Some of the claimed benefits of shea butter:

• Natural SPF 20 (from naturally-occurring  cinnamic acid) 
• Chemical free insect repellant
• Helps restore elasticity of the skin
• A natural diaper rash cream
• Evens skin tone
• Prevents stretch marks during pregnancy
• Skin moisturizer
• Relieves dry skin, dry scalp, peeling skin, Eczema, and Psoriasis
• May lesson or diminish blemishes (like age spots and scarring)
• May be used as shaving cream (to avoid irritation)
• Natural wind and sun protectant

Let me also mention, as I was thrilled to find out...it doesn't clog pores, which is lovely!

Anyone ever try shea butter? Love it? Hate it? Where do you get your shea butter, if you do use it?

Have a wonderful, naturally smooth weekend. ;-)