Category Archives: Beauty

Beauty

Missing Your Lip Balm & Lipstick?

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During the age of the CoronaVirus19 those of us who like lip balm and lipstick have found it rather annoying to leave it on our masks.

It may seem that this issue is really connected to our ‘vanity’, so I thought I would check why we like lip balm, and whether there is a reason to wear it more than to support our vanity.  It turns out that I was in for a surprise. One reason to wear lip balm is to protect your lips from the sun (it is important to wear one that has SPF protection of 15 or better).  Keep in mind that in addition, lipstick  is not equal to lip balm.  In fact, you should put lip balm underneath your lipstick as a protective base.

♦ You can read more about why lip balm is good for your lips here:
https://www.dentalassociates.com/blog/lip-balm-good-you

♦ Use these links to learn more about the best SPF lip balms:
https://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/g26934681/best-lip-balm-with-spf/

♦ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-moisturizing-lip-products-under-face-masks_l_5ee9214bc5b6cef88dd7b39b

Continue reading Missing Your Lip Balm & Lipstick? →

Aromatherapy, Beauty, In the Know, Parents

Hydrosols: Plant Therapy and Essential Oils

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Since the summer season of 2020 has started, let me share with you something that I truly enjoy  at this time of year –
Hydrosols aka Hydrolats.

HairBlues  followers know that I am an essential oils enthusiast, and that I use them as a Complementary Assisted Method (CAM) for wellness enrichment.   What makes essential oils even more attractive to me is that every time I attend a webinar about them, people from all over the world are also attending, trying to figure out how, when, and why these “gifts” from plants can help us.  To quote the News Correspondent, Rachel Maddow, “Why is that?”

In her book “Hydrosols, The Next Aromatherapy”, Suzanne Catty refers to aromatherapy as a branch of “phytotherapy” (plant therapy).
The study of aromatherapy continues to give me  “Aha moments“.  In my research I find that the story continues – that essential oils can provide therapeutic benefits, which make one feel and live better.  Suzanne Catty defines hydrosols as the equivalent of a homeopathic version of essential oils.  To quote her, “Hydrosols are the condensate water coproduced during the steam-or hydro-distillation of plant material for aromatherapeutic purposes.” Continue reading Hydrosols: Plant Therapy and Essential Oils →

Beauty, COVID-19

Beauty & Wellness Rescue

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chaos-645336_1920I must admit that I have been perplexed about what to write for my May post.  Given the chaotic time we are all confronting with the Coronavirus challenge, it seemed impossible to figure out what could be important enough to share via Beauty Topics.

On further reflection, I decided that it is important that we not lose ourselves in this formidable challenge by denying ourselves self pampering and what we do ‘normally’ (observing certain restrictions). A sense of continuity is most important when our world has been turned upside down.  It’s the little personal rituals that keep us centered when we are figuring out our new terrain.  In keeping with that idea, I think taking care of ourselves should include how we look on the outside, and how we feel on the inside as we navigate through life’s eruptions – new and old.

Below are some suggestions for you to explore, and to help you look and feel better.
mandala-1996751_1920
For your body 
♦ https://www.corepoweryogaondemand.com/keep-up-your-practice
♦ https://www.wphospital.org/blog/march-2020/wellness-at-home-recommended-sites-for-you

For your makeup
♦ https://www.covergirl.com/en_us/makeup-tips?fid=cg-how-to
For Entertainment 
♦ https://www.alvinailey.org/performances-tickets/ailey-all-access?utm_source=aaadt_eblast_482020&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=allaccess_divining

For your mind and well-being
♦ https://nycaroma.com/2020/05/12/a-guided-to-your-senses-aural-meditation/

Wishing you Peace & Wellness,
Judith

 

Beauty, Beauty Change, Conversations, COVID-19

HairBlues: To our Professionals with Gratitude

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hairblues thanksThose who rely on hair salon specialists, flexible schedulers, and beauty professionals are facing major adjustments in managing their own hair and other things at this time. We are learning all over again what brought us to the salons in the first place:  we are not nearly as proficient at performing those beauty tasks as the professionals whom we rely on. However, rather than feeling sorry for this “beauty reality check”, it occurred to me that this might be a good time to offer sincere thanks to those specialists who take such good care of us. Have you tried lately to do your nails, hand or feet, or tried waxing your own face, or managing your hair so that it looks more than just presentable? These are not welcome challenges.

 In recent days, the people who have jobs in hair/beauty salons have not only “NOT” been able to give us luxury treatments, to which we have become accustomed, some of them may even have been stripped of their livelihoods by way of collateral damage.salon-1923165_1920After all, this is exactly the kind of  work where the professional performs in close proximity with the client.  With little to no “prior notice”, COVID19, has intruded itself into that very private space. Until the last possible appointments, these reliable professionals continued to entertain our shared stories, our “prepared reality”,  by applying their creative talents to our faces, hair, nails, and above all to our egos. Now, many of them find themselves in the position of having to apply for unemployment benefits. Some are wondering, no doubt, how they will manage the near and distant futures of their bill payments, childcare, etc.  For some it is the challenge of a lifetime.curler-2224006_1920 (3)

I searched the www for some ideas on what these beauty professionals suggest that their customers do during this crisis.  I am impressed with their care and attention to our needs even during this period.

Suggestions:
♦ you can manage your hair until the salons are open again.
♦ there are ways for you to maintain your hair color.

Continue reading HairBlues: To our Professionals with Gratitude →

Aromatherapy, Beauty, Conversations, COVID-19, Healthcare

Time Out for May Chang

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Hello, aerial-view-of-green-and-flower-field-3908916

The news lately about COVID-19 has been disturbing. However, I want to take a “mindful time-out“  to put  visual concepts of beauty in this post to remind us that our planet is still filled with beauty. And, once again to remind us that we must try to see more than our current troubles.heart oceans

As some of you know from following HairBlues, I am a certified aromatherapist, grounded in the wellness remedies of plant therapy and essential oils.   So, in this post I want to introduce you to the essential oil, ‘May Chang‘.   In my own experience, one whiff of ‘May Chang‘ essential oil quickly reminds me of peace and calmness. I am aware that because I live on this planet, there are those who distill the plants and flowers. Their work and process bring this fine oil to me. I am further comforted by the accumulated  knowledge of those who work with essential oils at a level that I have a newfound respect for.  In the meantime I benefit from that knowledge source: one can find solace even when there is much at stake by taking a “mindful time-out“ to breathe. Continue reading Time Out for May Chang →

Beauty, cosmetics, cruelty-free

Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Bill for 2020

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It’s a brand new year, and  brand new times  for cosmetics in California. That’s right!

Some of you may remember my post in September 2018, when I reported that a bill was introduced by Former Governor  of California, Jerry Brown to BAN animal testing for cosmetics. https://hairblues.me/2018/09/30/animals-will-be-freed-from-testing-cosmetics/

It turns out that animal testing cosmetics is not a requirement to prove that cosmetics are safe.  The new  law has come  into effect as of January 1, 2020. This new law bans the sale or import of animal tested cosmetics.  In addition, the states of Nevada, and Illinois have joined in the push to BAN animal testing on cosmetics.  This is the first such law in the United States.  https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/02/01/business/ap-us-animal-tested-cosmetics-bans.html

Continue reading Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Bill for 2020 →

Beauty, eyelashes

Eyelash, Eyebrow Beauty & Safety

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Happy New Year!

I am remembering  the  holidays: all of my friends, family members who were looking their very beautiful best for the parties, and the holiday festivities.  Some of the women had VERY LONG EYELASHES, which they had put on cosmetically with a technician’s help, who had glued  them  on individually.

I decided to research what safeguards we should take when enhancing our eye beauty.    After all, our ability to grow eyelashes has to last us the rest of our lives.  Eyelashes actually perform various functions: for example, protecting us from foreign particles, and infections.  And, do you know that  our eyebrows protect our vision  from sweat and moisture?
Continue reading Eyelash, Eyebrow Beauty & Safety →

Beauty

Beauty with Good Intentions

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Best lipstick deals — donate and beautify.  I don’t know about you but I“LOVE” lipstick.  And, if I can have new lipstick and donate to a cause, and be respectful to animals and the planet, well that’s a win-win deal for me.  Click on the links below for an exciting way to buy your next tube (or tubes) of lipstick.  I guarantee you will find a color(s), which make you want to pucker up  and  “do  good”  at  the  same  time.

New Arrivals

For more choices click
Cruelty-free Lipstick

I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment and share what type of cruelty-free cosmetics you use.

 

Beauty, Conversations

Is Your Essential Oil Authentic?

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Everywhere I turn lately, it appears Essential Oils are all the rage, and they are a huge money maker.  In addition,  whenever  I sign-up  for an  aromatherapy  webinar  people  from  all  over  the  world  are  in  attendance,  looking  for  solutions  and  remedies  to support  their mind, body and spirit well-being.

As a certified aromatherapist and  trainer, this topic comes to me voiced as concerns from those who are purchasing ‘essential oils’ without having any knowledge of how to ascertain when a product is ‘authentic’.

The task of ascertaining “authenticity” in this product is formidable because, given the circumstances in today’s USA market, these oils are not regulated by the USDA unless they are ‘certified organic’.  (https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/labeling)

As starter conclusions in this formidable task about “authenticity” in essential oils  is that these oils are not synthetically produced.

So what is the difference?  Essential Oils are acquired from plants, by various distilling methods. In addition, essentials oils are known to have the added impact of therapeutic benefits, which can be useful in enhancing your mind, body, and spirit when used properly and safely.  When you are purchasing essential oils look for the ‘botanical‘ name along with the common name.  For example: Lavender (common name), has the botanical name Lavandula angustifolia
 Continue reading Is Your Essential Oil Authentic? →

Beauty, skincare

Fall Beautiful Skincare

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As we transition from Summer to  Fall it may be that you should consider tweaking your skincare routine.  That’s what some of the dermatologist and other beauty consultants suggest.  Here is a link to some guidelines for you.

And, when you’re done viewing the tips for how to moisturize, exfoliate, and lotion-up,  take a look at the suggestions from Cruelty-Free Kitty.  You will be glad you did.

Stay beautiful!