Category Archives: Beauty

Beauty, Healthcare

Foot Massage with Essential Oils (Yummy)

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In keeping with finding new ways to take care of ourselves (and not only with cruelty free makeup and makeup tools), I am delighted to share with you that I have a “win + win” idea to enhance your well-being.  That’s right! And you can step right up and take advantage it of it.

♦ According to research, a foot massage can deliver  these benefits: reduce stress; pain relief from the side effects of chemotherapy; multiple sclerosis; and, reduce high blood pressure.

Those of you who follow the HairBlues blog know that I am a certified aromatherapist/aromatherapy enthusiast.  I continue to study Complementary and Alternative Methods (CAM), which can be used to aid us with our health/wellness issues.  Aromatherapy and the use of  Essential Oils are on that list. As a Certified Aromatherapist, I continue to learn through the  study of  essential oils about the  therapeutic benefits these plant-based products can offer.

Continue reading Foot Massage with Essential Oils (Yummy) →

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Beauty

What is Green Makeup?

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Those of you who have been interested in our on-going conversation about  “Cruelty Free’ makeup may also have come across  some cosmetics, which claim to be “Green” . In addition, you may have seen cosmetics advertised as ‘organic’ and “certified organic”.  Below are some descriptions on what these terms mean.  As always, click on the source links for detailed descriptions.

♣ Cosmetics that don’t have any chemical emulsifiers, binders, synthetics, fillers, or paraben preservatives and that use botanicals and minerals, says Jessa Blades, a professional green-makeup artist, based in New York City.

♣ “Green makeup does not have the chemical ingredients that make mascara waterproof or lipstick last all day, so you’ll have to reapply more often,” she says. “Long-wear products are a red flag.”
Source: https://www.organicspamagazine.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-green-makeup/

♣ Green cosmetics, also known as bio cosmetics or eco-friendly makeup, are cosmetics that are generally manufactured using all-natural, non-toxic ingredients. Many green cosmetics use naturally occurring mineral ingredients for coloring and sun protection purposes. Source: https://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-green-cosmetics.htm

The list is quite long for cosmetics that claim to be organic.  Below is a link to a detailed description of certification which is 100 percent organic, versus just organic. Also included are logos indicating “organic” from various countries:
US, France, Germany, Canada to name a few.
Organic Certification of Cosmetics

Beauty

Cruelty Free: Makeup & Shaving Brushes

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Happy New Year to you all!  Have you made any New Year’s resolutions that you think you can keep?

Since my last post, I have continued my research on “cruelty-free” products that relate to our beauty regimen and the choices we are making to render ourselves beautiful.

So with that in mind, I decided to check what our makeup brushes are made out of. How many of us have actually thought about where our makeup brushes come from? What is used to make them?  This might make you feel a little uncomfortable, but it turns out that makeup brushes are often made from animal hair! That’s right. Squirrel hair, and badger hair.  Badger hair is in fact used for some of the best and expensive shaving brushes!  So guys, you also should be thinking about what you are using to shave that handsome face in the morning. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) shaving products can also have animal derived ingredients. Continue reading Cruelty Free: Makeup & Shaving Brushes →

Beauty

Cruelty Free Cosmetics for Holiday Beauties!

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Since my post about Governor Jerry Brown’s  signing of the  Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act in California scheduled to go into effect January, 2020, I’ve been pleasantly introduced to a whole cosmetics world I was not in touch with. And, I must admit that I am so happy to continue my voyage towards  being aware of what this could mean for many of us who are looking to support the environment, be kind to animals, and feel gratified that the products we are purchasing guide us toward a more healthful way of conducting our beauty regimen. Because I think this is important for us to be aware of, I will continue in the New Year (2019) to report on my findings and introduce you to many more options for making this choice in the future.

♥ Recently, CoverGirl announced that they will join the Cruelty-Free cosmetics industry.  In order to do this, they had to choose not to sell their products in China.   You may recall that American and European companies that sell their products in China are subject to compulsory animal testing.  However, Cruelty Free International has launched a pilot for Leaping Bunny certified cosmetics to sell in China.  This could have a huge impact on cosmetics companies around the world.

♥ Take a look at the CoverGirl  collections  just in time to makeup for the parties this holiday season and in the New Year ♥  Stay beautiful!
https://www.covergirl.com/en_us/collection-makeup/

Source documents: 
https://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/news/is-covergirl-cruelty-free/
https://crueltyfreeinternational.org/

Beauty

Holiday Gifts & Makeup Transitions

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I am always excited to share with you holiday ideas for make-up and gift giving, especially when I think those ideas can be useful and fun.  As you know, I have been having a conversation with you about cruelty-free products.  I think it is a way for us to get in touch with a future that is coming for some of us very soon.  Millennials  are way ahead on this issue.  Some consider themselves Vegan! I am sure you are wondering what is the difference.  Well, I checked.

Vegan products do not contain any animal ingredients or animal derived ingredients (such as, honey, beeswax).  Often vegan products are free from animal testing too.  However, the ‘vegan’ term is not regulated. And, a vegan product is not guaranteed to be cruelty-free.  Also, a cruelty-free product may not be ‘vegan’. Are you following me? 

♥ One way to be somewhat more confident about what is vegan and what is cruelty-free is to buy your makeup from cruelty-free companies with vegan items.  Those companies will often tell you what the ingredients are for your specific needs. source:
https://logicalharmony

Below are companies I found that I think you will enjoy looking up and buying ‘transition‘ cosmetic gifts for yourself and  for those on your gift list.  Some of the items can be found at Target, for example. 🙂

♥ Charlotte Tilbury – Vegan company https://www.charlottetilbury.com/us/pretty-glowing-skin-palette.html
♥ 100% Pure – I was mostly attracted to the presentation on this website.  You will enjoy browsing and learning about how they create their cosmetics. They also have gift cards.
https://www.100percentpure.com/products/online-gift-card

♦ Logical Harmony has a full list, which states the products are cruelty-free and vegan. Click the link below.
https://logicalharmony.net/cruelty-free-vegan-brand-list/

Beauty

Transitioning to Cruelty Free Cosmetics

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I have Good News, which I am absolutely delighted to share with you.  Some of you may remember my last post about transitioning to using cruelty free cosmetics, and that California’s Governor, Jerry Brown, has put that goal on the agenda of California to be the first US State to make it a law, by penalizing corporations that sell products, which test on animals effective January 2020.Since the last post, I have worked toward doing my research to aid me in transitioning and to reach a goal of using cruelty free cosmetics.

I must say the search has turned out to be delightfully enlightening.  That’s right!  For starters, I suggest that you pickup a copy of Plant-Powered Beauty, by authors Amy Galper and Christina Daigneault.  It is a thorough skincare guide and in a beautifully presented format you will enjoy. It has recipes you can use for your personal skincare routine.  Amy and Christina remind us that the skin is our largest body organ.  Therefore, what we put on it affects our entire ecosystem.  Pick up a copy.  I found mine on Amazon.com

Continue reading Transitioning to Cruelty Free Cosmetics →

APPS, Beauty

Animals Will be Freed from Testing Cosmetics

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For those of us who have wondered what we are going to do about the question of using cosmetics, which are tested on animals, California is taking  an affirmative action to tackle this question by voting to pass a Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, which will go into effect by January 1, 2020. Governor Jerry Brown recently signed the act.   California will become the first state to penalize corporations, that sell products which are tested on animals.

Some Facts:

  • American and European cosmetics brands sold in China are required to have animal testing.   If you are using a product that is sold in China, it is not cruelty free.
  • Various products, such as, shampoo, deodorant, and  perfume that we use in the US are also sold in China.  For example, Maybelline; Este Lauder; Origins;  and, Clinique,
    Check whether your brand is on that list by clicking here:
    ♥ Animal tested cosmetics list
  • Brands on the “leaping bunny” list are considered to be cruelty free. You can review this list by clicking here:
    ♥ Cruelty Free Kitty
  • The FDA  does not require animal testing for cosmetics.
    You can read details at this link: Humane Society
  • You can load a free app on your iPhone or Android Phone, which helps you find companies that tell you if the company tests on animals.  Use this PETA link:  https://www.peta.org/action/bunny-free-app/

♥ Amazon sells cruelty free cosmetics: https://www.amazon.com

♥ Use your Bunny Free app to check if the product is truly cruelty free by typing in the product name.

 

Beauty, Healthcare, In the Know

Drinking Water for Your Health & Well-being

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How many glasses of water have you drunk today?

Did you know that drinking water to hydrate your body is not the only beverage that will satisfy the daily requirement? That’s right, coffee, beer and other soft drinks also qualify for getting liquids into your body.  However, what I learned by reading about various ways to get that ‘boring glass of water’ into this body is that you can get your water by eating other food items as well!  Yaaay! Yes!  How about eating some yogurt, which is 95% water? Don’t like yogurt?  There’s more you can eat to satisfy the water requirement.   For example, watermelon (92% water), lettuce (95% water), one medium apple (84% water).

Continue reading Drinking Water for Your Health & Well-being →

Beauty

Brown Skin Care for Summertime

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Brown skin women often are surprised when they get burned by the sun.  Although brown skin does have a natural SPF of 13, allowing us to stay in the sun longer than women with white skin. However, we still need sunscreen to protect us from absorbing ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

  • Ultraviolet light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that makes black-light posters glow, and is responsible for summer tans — and sunburns. However, too much exposure to UV radiation is damaging to living tissue. 
  • UVA & UVB contribute to the risk of skin cancer

Here’s what you need to know and do to protect that beautiful skin of yours. 

  • Use sunscreen!  Sunscreens blocks/ absorbs the UVA  &UVB rays before they affect/damage your skin.
  • The SPF rating is a measure of the time it would take you to sunburn if you were not wearing sunscreen as opposed to the time it would take with sunscreen on.
  •  SPF 15 product blocks about 94% of UVB rays; an SPF 30 product blocks 97% of UVB rays; and an SPF 45 product blocks about 98% of rays.
  • Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you go out into the sun.  This will allow your skin to absorb the product and create a protective shield.
  • Apply sunscreen to your face, neck , hands, and scalp! Apply after swimming even if it’s “water-proof”.
  • Look for broad-spectrum products .
  • Check expiration dates.  Toss after one year.

Continue reading Brown Skin Care for Summertime →

Beauty

Pimples & Tea Tree Essential Oil Safety

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Some of you may have already noticed that I am an Aromatherapy Enthusiast.  In fact,  I find essential oils fascinating.  So much so that I studied and acquired my Aromatherapist Level One certification, at the New York Institute of Aromatic Studies, which is an approved school by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy ( NAHA ).

Essential Oils are all the rage recently and I expect the popularity of essential oils will continue to grow.  After all, many of us are looking for ‘natural‘ remedies to take care of fairly simple beauty issues.   However, along with their popularity, I am forced to clarify and point those who are using essential oils in a direction, which advises you to use them safely.

  • I came across an article recently which suggested that you could use Tea Tree oil (also known by its Latin name  Melaleuca alternifolia) for pimples. I do know of persons who have used Tea Tree essential oil as a remedy for pimples. However, I suggest that you use caution when applying essential oils on your skin.

As a matter of fact, if you are not knowledgeable/trained in the use of essential oils, I suggest that you research first.  Take a look at the link below for suggestions on how to use Tea Tree oil, and be safe first.

https://www.aromaweb.com/articles/dilutingessentialoils.asp