Friday, April 15, 2011

What I will be making next (5/1) The Oil Cleansing Method (OCM)!

Some of you may remember that a facial cleanser was the first product I made (you can CLICK HERE, HERE, and HERE for a memory jog if you'd like)! Neither of those cleansers really did it for me. I mean they worked, but the fennel seed cleanser took a little more time to make than I like, heaven forbid I spend more than 5 minutes on a product :), and the green tea toner got ruled out because... well... it turns your skin green.


So I have been left in search of another facial cleanser. My Husband and I have sampled a slew of different organic facial cleansers but we never end up buying the same one twice because we haven't found "the one" yet. I absolutely DREAD washing my face because my skin gets soooo incredibly dry after. If I don't wear any make-up I will go as many days as possible without washing just to avoid the inevitable alligator face that follows. Luckily, now that Coconut Oil is a part of my life, I can at least treat the dryness between washings... but then it hit me, what if I could find some kind of cleanser that wouldn't make my face look like the desert floor? *Don't stop reading if you have oily skin, this applies to you too!!!*


Image from: thankgodimnatural.wordpress.com

That's when I discovered this: http://simplemom.net/oil-cleansing-method/ basically, you use essential oils to cleanse your skin. If you are prone to moderately, or extremely oily skin this is for you too!!!



This (below) is taken DIRECTLY from simplemom.net (and the link above)


Alright, it might sound a little odd to clean your face with an oil, especially if you have oily skin. But contrary to popular belief, oil does not cause oily skin or acne. That culprit is usually a combination of hormones, trapped bacteria, and dirt.


Like your hair, the sebum that the skin secretes is actually good for your skin — it’s there to protect it from the outside environment, and to keep harmful things from seeping in. Since water doesn’t break up oil, most commercial cleansers are marketed with the “oil free” stamp of approval, making them easy to splash off.
When skin’s natural oils are removed, the body’s reaction is to compensate by producing more oil, much like shampoo does with our hair. Or if your skin is dry, it’s because all the oil has been stripped away, and your body doesn’t compensate by replenishing it (that was my case).
Here’s a direct quote from acne.org:
Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principals of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to desolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.”
So in essence, good-quality oil is the perfect substance for cleaning sensitive skin, such as on our face, because it helps gently remove the dirty oil and replaces it with good, nourishing, healing oil.
So are you convinced yet? Either way, I will be trying this starting 5/1!!

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

How does your make-up rate?

Check it out here at the Cosmetic Database!!!

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Such a cool website! If you're on the market for a new blush, eye-shadow, hair/body product, etc. check this site first to see which are best for you.

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6 Make-Up chemicals you should avoid

For the make-up you will be purchasing, here are the 6 make-up chemicals you should avoid...


*Excerpt*
Many consumers are under the impression that labels on cosmetics offer some kind of protection. Unfortunately this is not the case, especially in the USA where personal care ingredients donMany consumers are under the impression that labels on cosmetics offer some kind of protection. Unfortunately this is not the case, especially in the USA where personal care ingredients don't need FDA approval, any health studies or pre-market testing. Canada is not much better; it just approved cosmetic labelling in November 16, 2006 but with a year deadline for compliance. Approach your personal care products and cosmetics with caution. Read the label and decide whether that lovely shade of lipstick, blush or eye-shadow is worth the risk. Is having full volume hair or thick eyelashes worth compromising your health? The following list is just a few of the chemicals found in basic personal care products. You can learn more and even do a search of your particular product with Skin Deep Safe Cosmetics Database, a campaign being run by the Environmental Working Group...


CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE ARTICLE




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First thoughts on making Bronzer

CLICK HERE to see original post with instructions, ingredients, etc.

Bronzer Parts and Price
(this varies a lot depending on which ingredients you decide to use. You can use anything from just cinnamon+sugar or cornstarch, to nutmeg + cocoa, or a combination of ALL the ingredients below).

I liked the smell of the "rose otta" EO better, but that glorious smell came with a not so glorious price tag.

Organic Cacoa Powder: $7.99
Rosemary Essential oil: $5.39 (chose Rosemary because it was the least expensive of the 3 options: rose otto, lavendar, or rosemary)
Organic Nutmeg: $2.49
(already had organic cornstarch and cinnamon)

I was hesitant to put this in the bronzer compact I am currently using because I wanted it for back-up, but now that sparks are flying and a new romance is budding, I think I will be switching it over.


The Process:
Mix desired powders together (in desired proportions) and if so choose, add essential oil. I just kind of put a "pinch of this" and a "pinch of that" in. I chose to use all of the powders listed because I wanted to be able to experiment with each application until I found the right mix. 


Complaints:
Not sure how important the essential oil was. I have nothing to compare it to, but didn't seem to make the powder more "compact." Also, if you don't own any of these ingredients and decide to use all of them, it can be a real investment at first $15+.


Compliments:
Chemical free. Again, love that I am putting edible ingredients onto my skin. I also love the fact that I could go to sleep one night without cleaning my face and I wouldn't be stressed about it in the least bit. Although it can be costly to purchase everything at first (some bronzers, especially organic, cost $15+ regardless) it is like the never ending bronzer. I mean, I think it would take me at least a year to run through all of these ingredients? I also like that I can change it up with my skin tone. I hate choosing bronzers because whatever I buy in the summer most definitely wont work for me into the winter. With this, I can literally adjust it (if I want to) every time I apply. 


So I clearly have no other make-up on in this pic and I am far from "fresh faced" but I just wanted to show how natural looking the bronzer is. I didn't put any on my neck so you could see the contrast. In the future, I will probably put a few more coats for a darker look.
Performance:
I was going to wait until the morning to try this, but I was just too anxious to see if it worked. I fell in love immediately. It's soooo lightweight and it smells good (not too strong, but a hint of yummy). I hate face make-up in general, I can never get myself to wear foundation or powder, but I started buying bronzer about a year ago in search of something that would kind of even me out and wouldn't be too suffocating. Even though bronzer is lighter than foundation, I still feel yucky whenever I put it on. I can't name any of the ingredients in it, and it just kinda sits on your face. With this (especially knowing what we do about cinnamon) the feeling didn't bother me at all, and I could care less if any of the ingredients sank into my pores, help yourself!

Will update 5/1/11 after two weeks of use.


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Final Review on Mildew Cleaner

CLICK HERE to read my first thoughts on part, price, and process making this product.

Like a real dummy, I didn't think to take a "before" picture, but the windowsill (to the right of the solution) was black.  As you can see, there is still some mildew remaining, but almost completely gone.


My Final Thoughts:
Cons- Not a "quick fix." Takes more than one application. Tea tree oil smell can be strong directly after application.

Pros- Easy to make, chemical free, and most importantly, it works! As I mentioned in the "cons" it doesn't work right away. The mildew I had in my shower has greatly improved, but it works a little bit at time. I would notice it getting a little lighter after each application. I also like that you just let it air-dry. I would literally spray it on and walk away. No scrubbing, no prune hands, spray and go! Still have some mildew hanging on for dear life, so we'll see how long it takes 'til it's completely gone... I will update when it's gone!

Overall- Worth a try. I halved the solution and it has lasted 7+ applications on a small area, so I would imagine it would last at least a couple applications on a large area (I treated a few problem spots in my shower, just chose to picture that location because it was by far the worst). A great solution if you have small areas of mildew in the kitchen/bathroom/basement, etc. Probably not the best solution for you if you're having a BBQ that night and want all the mildew on the back of your house gone ASAP. 


Will you be trying this solution? Let me know!


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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

What rating does your Organic Milk have?



Apparently, not all Organic milks are created equally. This website has investigated, tested, studied, and rated the majority of Organic milks that are on the market right now. Since reviewing this, and delving a little deeper into my study of Organic dairy, we have switched from Horizons (who seem to have a really bad rep in the Organics world) to Organic Valley.

Check to see how your milk holds up!
http://www.cornucopia.org/2008/01/dairy-report-and-scorecard/

(after clicking the link, go to the tab at the top that says "scorecards" there you can pick from egg, dairy, meat, soy, etc)


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Sunday, April 10, 2011

Grape seed Oil (cook with it, massage with it, or moisturize with it!)

To sum it up, Grape seed oil sounds like a dream come true for skincare. I am starting to wonder how all of these beauty secrets are so well kept? Other than Aromatherapists, who are always 20 steps ahead of me when it comes to knowledge about essential oils, the general public seems to be in the dark about how inexpensive and  AMAZING all of these oils are! I am including myself in that general public, as I realize with each new discovery just how "in the dark" I am about all things "oil."  With each new one I learn about, I am shocked that I never knew this before and convinced that I will never use anything else.



OK, now on to Grape seed oil. When I first started learning about this oil, I was surprised to learn that it shared a lot of the same claims as unrefined coconut oil. I almost felt guilty as I felt my loyalty shifting to this even less expensive (can you believe it?) miracle oil. I have a feeling that my loyalty is going to get tossed around til Tuesday as I continue to learn about these things :)

I will sum up what I've learned about the oil, then include some links below with sites that I thought had some great information! Here goes...

Grape Seed Oil on Skin
  • Non-greasy, thin, lightweight carrier oil
  • Is easily absorbed into skin
  • Vitamins and essential fatty acids make it a great wrinkle fighter
  • A moisturizer with anti-inflammatory antioxidants that fight acne and retard aging process
  • Promotes restoration of collagen, reducing skin damage
  • etc.

Grape Seed Health Benefits
  • Reduction of cardiovascular risk
  • Reduction of Cancer risk
  • Shown to help heal wounds, burns, and swelling or inflammation after surgery
  • May help improve vision and and blood glucose control
  • etc.


Grape Seed Oil for Hair
  • Dandruff Reliever
  • As conditioner "normalizes scalp"
  • Helps restore breakage and prevent split ends
  • Promotes hair growth
  • Adds shine without a greasy appearance
  • etc.


Links with more info...
LIVESTRONG's grape seed oil info (make sure to click all of the links along the right hand side of the page for more info)





What do you think?



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