Follow up: Natural Beauty Products!

Hey fans,
Just wanted to give you a follow up and give you an inside scoop of what I've been experimenting with lately: with my quest for an all natural beauty routine.
       If you read my last blog entry, you know that I was most concerned with hair care products, so that's  what I tackled first. I was previously using Kevin Murphy products - which are not terrible on the chemical scale, but they do have sulfates and I wanted to try to avoid those. I'm probably going to save my Kevin Murphy Luxury Conditioner for special occasions. What I did add though is John Masters Organics Zinc & Sage Shampoo and the Citrus & Neroli Conditioner, plus the Sea Mist spray for some added texture and to enhance the waves in my hair.
        What's been different: The shampoo did take some adjustment. It doesn't have sulfates so it doesn't lather. So I just add a little water and smooth it over my hair instead of piling my hair on top of my head and working that lather through like I used to. I use the conditioner pretty much the same way- just smooth it down to the ends, make sure its coated well, and let it sit while I shave my legs. I'm finding that I'm able to get my hair just as clean- it may not feel quite as soft and fluffy like it once did but that's ok with me because it also doesn't feel like it gets dirty as often and I'm actually washing my hair less. (which is better for your hair)
          Deodorants: This has been tricky because I'm just as stinky and sweaty as the next gal. My favorite deodorant (and the one that works the best for me) has been La Vanilla Healthy Deodorant in vanilla grapefruit. It has the white color and moisturizing texture that I used to like from my Dove deodorant. Some of the other brands like Tom's of Maine, work okay but they more of a sticky texture that I don't seem to like as much. One type from Weleda actually comes in a spray (it looks like a Toner bottle) and it's not bad either but requires frequent re-application. I'm not through researching this category for sure!
           Nails:  This is a category that might not mean much to you if you don't wear nail polish, but I have gotten quite attached to painting my nails in all kinds of different colors. Especially this spring, because very bright and cheery colors are being released from all major brands. What I discovered though is that some major nail companies are getting with the program reformulating their products without Formaldehyde with is fantastic! OPI has deleted 2 out of the 3 yucky chemicals and Spa Ritual (which I love) doesn't have any of the 3 chemicals. (Formaldehyde, Toulene, and DBP) Zoya is another completely chem free nail brand and there's another newer one called RGB- this company has gorgeous, fashionable colors that are miles away from your basic baby pinks and reds. I bought one called "Deep", a sultry deep merlot red, and I plan to go back and get the "Sea" which was sold out- it was an amazing shimmery, deep emerald green.
          Make up: I've been trying many different all natural make up lines and there's definitely some highs and lows. Here's what I've been using on a daily basis: After my skin care routine and applying moisturizer I put on the new Eminence tinted moisturizer in Caramel. (spf 25) I blend it thoroughly. Then I put on my Eminence sun defense powder in Peaches & Cream (spf 30). I spritz one of my Eminence toners to set the powder and make it water (read: sweat) resistant. I discovered W3LL People make up and it is really fun. The multi-stick cream foundation + concealer "Narcissist" is cool- just dab it on with your fingers: just where you need it -on the redness and blemishes and blend well. Voila! You have even skin and look polished. I also got a multi-stick blush "Universalist" that you can even put on lips and eyes too. Its trickier to master but really pretty. I got a loose powder eye shadow, Elitist: a light gold with some twinkle, and the Nudist lip gloss/stick. I use Glo Minerals Papaya Glo Blush when I want more color on my cheeks. So far I have 2 eye shadow palattes from Mineral Fusion (in Stunning and Symmetry) which I sort of like. The colors are nice but I wish they had a softer texture. I'm using Josie Maran's Volume Argan Mascara and it's not bad. It works well but tends to run if I get sweaty or have a cry. I also am really loving the new Eminence Illuminating powder blush in Chai Berry. Its nice on the upper cheek bones. Then I may or may not set everything with my Mineral Fusion Setting Powder.
So that's it! You too can look beautiful without using suspicious chemicals in your beauty routine. Remember: you don't have to change everything at once- just one at a time will be easier to handle and eventually you'll be chemical free!

Do you want cancer? Put down that foaming body wash!

I think I just found a book that will change my life. No More Dirty Looks: The Truth about your Beauty Products, by Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt. The authors of this book have done what I have wanted to do ever since I became an Esthetician: research all the major ingredients in thousands of personal care products, talk to a few doctors and really determine what you should and should not be putting on your body. The results are depressing for sure, when you realize that your beloved Nars eye shadow and Bath & Body Works lotion is gonna have to go... But sort of inspiring too. Because now I'm informed and get to experiment with a whole slew of natural products that work just as well, smell fantastic and won't give me weird rashes and pimples like the chemical varieties. And keep in mind too, that the reasons to ditch go beyond rashes and pimples. Some ingredients could be contributing to cancers, tumors, allergens, organ functions, breathing problems, and in the right concentration: even death.
Whoa. That's pretty serious. Now, some ingredients don't have enough data to really tell us exactly what harm they can do to our bodies, but why risk it if its a product you only sort of think works for you?
To get the most out of this subject, I really think you should pick up this book and read it cover to cover. But for the interest of this blog entry I'll briefly tell you about your hair care. (Your skin care and body-cleansing needs are taken care of with Eminence products since they are 98% organic and contain absolutely no chemicals!)

Why you should care more about what hair care products you're using: Because your scalp is one of the most absorbent part of your body. Anything you put on your hair and head goes into your blood stream and can therefore travel all over the body! So why would we want to help those chemicals? Some will be eliminated when you pee but others can hang around, up to a year. This is scary stuff.

Ingredients to avoid in your shampoo and conditioner:
Sodium Laurel Sulfate- it's byproduct produces a carcinogen, which is cancerous.
Preservatives, like DMDM hydantoin and methylparaben: can release formaldehyde, which when in the body can effect estrogen, thyroid, and neurological function.
Fragrances/Perfume- This is a big category. The perfume industry has it's own trademarking laws and is not included with FDA testings. Each fragrance can contain hundreds of chemicals and none of them are considered safe. They are known neurotoxins, and can affect allergies and hormone levels.

Those are just 3 reasons to switch your shampoo and conditioner- but what about your de-frizzer? Your de-tangler? Hair spray, hair gel, mousse? And here's a biggie: hair dye.  I'm not quite ready to tackle hair dye, but am going to look into more natural henna dyes.

When you're ready to go shopping for new products, you can consult this book (it has great recommendations) or just read those labels. Look for natural ingredients and fewer rather than  more ingredients. Go to trusted product lines like John Masters Organics, Aubrey, Avalon, and Dr. Hauschka. You can even make your own products using basics like baking soda, apple cider vinegar and cornstarch!
Remember that Most Commercial Beauty products have chemicals to some degree. Even the ones that claim they are "natural" or "organic". The USDA only requires products to have a small percentage of "natural ingredients" to be able to label them that way. You will find much cleaner products at Whole Foods or your local natural grocer. Even some drug stores are now carrying the cleaner lines. Also, Most products advertised on TV and in magazines are likely to have chemicals. Do not be swayed: Even if your favorite actress says that product is the best she's ever tried.

Next on my list to tackle: Makeup and Nail care. That's going to be a doozy.

Brand new to Pearlescent: Organic Beauty!

Now carrying the new Organic Mineral Beauty line from Eminence! This is the first time Eminence has released any type of make-up line and I am thrilled! The line includes:

-Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25 in 2 different colors: Caramel Latte and Cocoa Latte. 

(Antioxidant rich ingredients include Linden tea and Shea butter to moisturize, Aloe to soothe and calm the skin, and Zinc for sun protection.) 

-An Illuminator Blush: Chai Berry Glow 

-A Bronzer: Mocha Berry Bronzer 

(both blushes have Acai berry, Green tea, Vitamins A & E- help to control oil and give your skin a beautiful subtle glow.)

-And the Cinnamon Lip Plumper Gloss (Cinnamon oil stimulates circulation-- like that Paprika masque! 

which gives the lips a sexy pout, a healthy pink color, and Pomegranate oil soothes and moisturizes)

A beautiful Powder brush rounds out the collection to smoothly blend all the products. 

And for a limited time a FREE organic cotton linen make-up bag will be given away with purchases of 2 or more Organic Beauty products! 

 

*This introductory beauty collection is meant to give you a youthful, sun-kissed glow. The tinted moisturizers are not meant to match specific skin tones, like conventional foundations, but rather to give a slightly darkened appearance resulting in a SAFE tan. So instead of laying out in the sun or (God forbid) using a tanning bed, try the new Beauty line! Make-up applications and tutorials are available with your appointment! 

Detox Experiment: What am I putting in my body?

       2011! It's a new year and for many, that means new beginnings. During the month of January we are bombarded with commercials telling us it's time to get healthy and loose weight. It's actually a lot of pressure! I don't necessarily think you need to immediately join Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, but it does tend to be a good time of year to reflect on your life and start making healthier choices. 
       I came upon an article in Austin's Natural Magazine about how to detox your diet. There were lots of good tips and some sorta far fetched ones... (buy a calf, take it to a butcher and put all the meat in your freezer?? Good idea, but not sure that's gonna happen for a lot of folks.) 
       So, here's a question: Why should I care about detoxing? 
-When you fill your body with toxins, you overwork your liver. So eliminating those toxins allows your liver to catch up on its task of detoxifying and in turn your body functions better, you feel better, and have more energy! [Toxins include processed foods, chemicals, alcohol, and parabens (preservative ingredients in some cosmetics that have been proven to lead to breast cancer) and anything foreign that is difficult for your body to process.] 
       The article suggests eating organic foods as much as you can, avoiding processed foods whenever possible, taking a daily probiotic, and cleansing your body once a year. A cleanse can be done in a variety of ways. It can be as simple as having a "clean" diet for a period of time: 7, 10 or even 21 days. Clean foods are the ones found in nature- fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Its also important to avoid breads, dairy and alcohol during this time. You could describe this diet as mostly Vegan. Some choose to take this detox even further by doing a liquid diet of Miso soup, no sugar juices and then supporting your body with supplements. In addition you can add in colonics which really ensures your body to expel all toxins. This is definitely a difficult plan and tough to stick with, however people with fungal and yeast problems, digestive problems and/or parasites will notice huge differences in the way their body's function. 
     Don't forget about the toxins in your cosmetics! What are the ingredients in your soap, shampoo, toothpaste, lotions and make up? 
     So this got me thinking: What am I using on a day to day basis? Here is a short list of what I did just today. I'll designate a - or + sign to signify either -chemicals or +chemicals. (from the majority of ingredients) 
     Morning routine: Jason Sea fresh toothpaste (-), Yardley Lemon Verbena bar soap (-), Enfusia Organic Pomegranate Berry body wash (-), Kevin Murphy shampoo and conditioner, and detangler spray (-). Eminence skin care (-) including cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer. 
     Makeup: Eminence sun defense powder (-), Sephora Mineral Pressed Powder (-), Nars eye shadow and blush (+), Clinique eye liner (+), Josie Moran Argon Mascara (-), Eminence lip balm (-)
     Foods: Organic Zhi hot tea White Pomegranate (-), Central Market Flax Seed Oatmeal (-), Sun maid raisins (-), Wallaby Black Cherry Yogurt (-), Grilled Cheese Sandwich w/ Eziekel bread (-), HEB cheddar cheese (+), HEB Genoa Salami (+), with spicy pickles (-) and Smart Balance butter (-), and Loaded Baked Potato with chopped beef (+). More Zhi tea (-)
      Obviously there are things I can do differently. And each day is a little different for me. This might be a fun experiment for you to try too! Just think about everything you put in or on your body in one day. Maybe there are small changes you could make to put less toxins in your body? It doesn't have to be all or nothing! 

Sarah's Favorite (Eminence) Things!

A Few of My Favorites! 
As an avid Eminence user for 3 years, it is difficult for my to pick just a few products for my personal use: Just take a look at my bathroom cabinet! But if I were stuck on a desert island, this is what I'd take with me. 
(*Note- My skin type is combination-to-dry)


Cleanser- Because of its softening properties, and its ability to both break up oil and take off dry skin flakes and its invigorating smell, I chose the Eucalyptus Cleansing Concentrate. It really is concentrated, so you only need a dime size amount and add water. (an alternate would be the Lemon Cleanser because it is so gentle and smells heavenly) 


Toner- The Sweet Red Rose Toner is beautiful! Not acidic feeling at all, it smells like fresh roses (and that's what it is- essentially Rose water). It reduces redness and inflammation too. So soothing. (my alternate is the Stone Crop Mist- it really refreshes the skin and has a little salicylic acid in it. It also hydrates and slightly lightens pigmentation)


Exfoliant- For me, nothing beats the Rosehip Maize Exfoliating Masque. You get a scrub and a masque in one and it is perfect for ANY skin type. I like to put in on while I sit in a hot bath- all over the face, chest and upper arms. The result is supple soft skin free of impurities. It can get gummy if left to dry out but add a little water to it (even cleanser if in a pinch) and it's consistency is great. (the alternate is the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant- which is a new product. It is rice powder with lactic acid and can be added to any cleanser or used alone)


Masque- This is a tough one. There are approximately 30 masques! All are rich with plant extracts. The masques are either pectin based- with fruits, or more cream based. I tend to prefer the cream base so I would choose the Hibiscus Calendula Recovery Masque. It smells like tropical flowers and has actual flower petals in the masque. It immediately calms down the skin and deeply hydrates and moisturizes. It is so gentle you can even sleep in it. 
(my alternate would be the Sour Cherry Masque- it smells like Cherry pie and you kind of want to eat it. It firms and tightens the skin and minimizes pores)


Serum- I love a good serum. I look at it as one last opportunity to get concentrated ingredients deep into the skin to repair and protect. Eminence serums are unique in that they are less expensive than other serums of equal caliber. Why? Because ALL Eminence products are concentrated- unlike other product lines where ONLY the serum is concentrated. So Eminence doesn't need to increase the pricing on their serums. I LOVE the Eight Greens Youth Serum. And I'm always using it in my home care. It has plant phyto estrogens, which give your skin an estrogen boost-- important when you're having your monthly cycle (when estrogen drops and testosterone spikes and you end up with a break out) And of course as you age your estrogen drops as well- and estrogen is what helps protect your collagen and elastin. (my alternate would probably be the Couperose C Serum- for the way that it reduces redness and gives your skin a Vitamin C boost)


Moisturizer- This is a hard choice as well because I love moisturizer. I would bathe in it if I could! I have really fallen in love with the Biodynamic Apricot Calendula Moisturizer. The texture is so velvety and soft. It soaks into the skin beautifully- leaving you feeling moisturized but not sticky. (my alternate might be the Sugar Plum Oil Free Moisturizer- I love the way it smells and it is perfect for day use- not heavy at all)


SPF- For my daily sunscreen I use the Sun Defense Powder (in Peaches & Cream) for a slight tint to the skin since I don't use much make up. Its Spf 30 and completely chemical free. (the alternate is Tomato Sun Cream- which I also use often: if I'm not wearing makeup. Its light and has Spf 16. I would use this as my day cream by itself) 


What are your favorites? Inquiring minds want to know! 

Ahead of everyone, again: Vita Skin!

Vita Skin Collection

Coming Fall 2010!
The new Vita Skin system: Masque & Vitamins
Eminence is launching a brand new skin care system capable of real results in 14 days. 
This unique system consists of a 30 day supply of oral vitamins plus a specific targeting masque. Choose what your skin needs: Firm Skin, Calm Skin or Clear Skin. Or, combine 2 or 3 lines for ultimate healthy and beautiful skin. 


What is so different about Vita Skin?
Cutting edge technology is introduced in the vitamin supplements by way of the delivery system. The Moisture Defense System of "pill inside of a pill" technology effectively delivers moisture sensitive ingredients into the body. This system creates internal and external barriers to prevent water migration and maintain stability of the ingredients to ensure the the delayed release of the nutrients found in the inside capsule. This ensures that ingredients like acidophilus, zinc, arnica and acai will actually reach your stomach for optimal digestion before being dissolved by digestive acids. Many vitamins on the market are partially digested before they've had a chance to properly release into your system. In addition, the vitamins and masques are formulated with the same ingredients to hit those problem areas in two ways: internally and externally. 


Which one is for me? 
Ask yourself: what do I struggle with most with my skin? A) Do you have a tendency to be red, irritated, hyperpigmented or you think you have rosacea? B) Do you have occasional hormonal breakouts, oilier skin, or chronic acne? C) Or do you want to look younger and have less fine lines and wrinkles and tend to have dryer skin? 


If you chose A, you fall under the Calm Skin category. The Calm Skin Vitamins consist of soothing ingredients like milk thistle help detoxify the blood and control inflammation. Blueberry and barberry deliver powerful antioxidants, healing vitamins and nutrients. Active ingredients include flax seed oil and garlic oil and help to strengthen capillary walls and alleviate redness and treat bumps and irritations. Then use the Calm Skin masque to reduce redness with arnica, marigold, ivy, and horse chestnut. Add in the Couperose C Serum for an added boost of vitamin C and to further treat redness. 50% of users reported reduced skin redness in 14 days with the Calm Skin Solution! 


If you chose B, you want Clear Skin! The Clear Skin Vitamin system consists of borage seed oil to dilute sebum and reduce oil, acidophilus to regulate yeast and reintroduce healthy bacteria into the body. Regulating bacteria is the key to less breakouts. Take the daily vitamin and then use the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque 2-3 times a week featuring yogurt, cucumber, marigold, stone crop and tea tree. Add in the Herbal Spot Serum to help fade acne scars and pigmentation. 75% of users reported a reduction in acne lesions and scars in 14 days and 100% of users had a reduction in the number of acne scars in 28 days with the Clear Skin Solution!


And if you chose C, you want firm and youthful looking skin. The Firm Skin vitamin system actively works to repair and renew cells and retain moisture. Seabuckthorn, vitamins A & E, Resveratrol, grape seed, and quercetin protect and enhance the skin and combat free radicals for a youthful glow. Follow daily vitamins with the Firm Skin Acai Masque. Use 2-3 times a week to feed your skin with antioxidant and vitamin rich acai, hyaluronic acid, blueberry, raspberry, brambleberry, and seabuckthorn. Add Strawberry Rhubarb Serum to further introduce hyaluronic acid to increase your skin's moisture levels. 86% of users reported improvement in skin elasticity after 14 days and 100% of users reported an improvement in skin elasticity and firmness in 28 days with the Firm Skin Solution! 


Remember: To get proper results from each system: Gently cleanse your skin morning and night, spritz a toner to rebalance your pH, exfoliate weekly, take 1 vitamin per day, apply the coordinating masque 2-3 times a week for 10 minutes (or try sleeping in your masque!), apply the recommended serum underneath your moisturizer, finish with sun defense powder spf 30 or make sure your moisturizer or make up has sunscreen. 

Feed yourself, feed your skin!

Maybe its been a while since you took a nutrition class. It can be confusing, to pick out which fruits and vegetables to eat and why they are so important. And maybe you're confused as to why you would care if these same vitamins and minerals were in your skin care or not. Just remember: feed yourself internally and externally for healthy skin, eyes, improved hearing, good digestion, luminous skin and to fight free radicals, viruses and infections. Here is a list of vitamins and minerals with which fruits and vegetables to incorporate into your diet and coordinating Eminence products. Paired together, you'll be doing double duty for your body! 
Note: You can get many nutrients from eating meat and dairy but they are not among Eminence ingredients so I'm not focusing on those in this article. 


Vitamin A- Why it's important: Improves eyesight, fights viral infections, essential for growth and renewal of new skin cells. Applied topically, it boosts collagen production and promotes cell turnover.
Raw carrots- (Biodynamic Hawthorne Tonique and Quince Body Lotion, Carrot Vitamin Masque) Cooked spinach, Baked sweet potato (Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel) Turnip greens, Winter squash, Collard greens, Cantaloupe, Romaine lettuce, Steamed broccoli and Peas. 


Vitamin B1- Why it's important: Maintains energy, helps nerve & muscle activity, keeps heart healthy. Increases fatty acids in the skin, which promote exfoliation and firmness. 
Sunflower seeds- (Shea Butter & Mint Moisture Balm, Biodynamic Lemon Grass Cleanser), Corn (Guava & Bamboo Moisturizer), Sesame Seeds- (Quince Body Lotion), Oatmeal- (Biodynamic Radish Seed Refining Peel), Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, Spinach, Pineapple (Pineapple Enzyme Masque) 


Vitamin B6- Why it's important: Keeps nervous system healthy, breaks down sugars and starches, and helps amino acid build-up. 
Banana, Baked potato, Avocado, Garlic- (Garlic and Tomato Masque), Raw red pepper, Watermelon- (Biodynamic Primrose and Melon Balancing Masque), Cauliflower. 


Vitamin C- Why its important: Reverses free radical damage (chemicals, pollution, etc) Regenerates cells, essential for vitamin E and iron absorption. The building block of collagen which is essential for structure, tone and elasticity.
Steamed broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Strawberry (Upcoming Summer Line including Strawberry Dermafoliant, Strawberry Rhubarb Serum and Strawberry Rhubarb Masque), Orange- (Mandarin & Rooibos Masque) Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Grapefruit- (Grapefruit Vitality Masque), Pineapple, Winter squash, Blueberries- (Blueberry Detox Peel). + Lots of vita c from Rosehip Whip Moisturizer and other Rosehip products. And from Lime Cleansing Masque, Lemon Cleanser. 


Vitamin E- Why it's important: Antioxidant that helps build and maintain healthy skin tissue. Protects skin from UV rays, discourages development of prostate cancer and Alzheimer's.
Wheat germ, Leafy greens, Nuts- (Herbal Spot Serum), Whole grains- (Tomato Seed Oil). 


Folate- Why it's important: Essential in fetal development, healthy nervous system, production of red blood cells, prevention of bone loss and dementia. 
Beets, Split peas, Papaya, Mustard greens, Peanuts, Flaxseeds- (Eight Greens Phyto Masque), Orange, Raspberries-(Raspberry Pore Refining Masque). 


Iron- Why it's important: Oxygen transport, cell growth, immune system. 
Soybeans (Blueberry Soy Cleanser), Spinach, Sesame Seeds. + Lots of iron from Wild Plum Eye Cream. 


Magnesium- Why it's important: Relaxes muscles and nerves, strengthens bones, good blood circulation. 
Sunflower seeds, Sesame seeds, Prickly pear, Roasted almonds- (Almond & Mineral Treatment), Summer squash. 


Potassium- Why it's important: Improves muscle tone, electrolytes, lowers blood pressure.
Winter squash, Avocado, Beets, Fresh figs, Brussels sprouts, Cantaloupe, Banana, Tomato- (Tomato Oil Control Gel). 


Zinc- Why it's important: stabilizes metabolism and blood sugar, boosts immune system, and male fertility. 
Wheat germ, Sesame seeds, Peas. + Lots of zinc from Sun defense mineral powder, Tropical Vanilla Sun cream. 


In addition to this list, ALL Eminence products are infused with vitamins. A "Biocomplex" is added to most of the products which is a type of preservative and antioxidant booster of vitamins A, Ester C, E, Coenzyme Q10, and Alpha Lipoic Acid. Moreover, these products are cold pressed- which means that the vitamins are never killed by heating them. And as I'm sure you're aware, they are 98% organic, which means no parabens or chemicals. In fact, they are vegan. So you can feel good about yourself, that you are feeding your body every time you reach for your Eminence product or receive a Pearlescent facial!