Category Archives: Beauty

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!

Beauty

Skin Deep Beauty & Gel Nail Manicures

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The holiday season will be upon us in a relatively short time.  Manicures, and makeup will be in full force for those of us attending parties and trying to look our ‘best‘.  For some people, that also means getting their nails done at a nail salon.

In  a recent inquiry from a family friend, I was asked about my Gel Manicure, and why I would take the ‘health risk’ of having them done. This re-ignited a conversation and a revisit to learning more about this ‘beauty’ subject.  The last time I researched and wrote about  this topic on Hairblues was in 2012, https://hairblues.me/2012/12/10/gel-manicured-nails-dos-donts/

Continue reading Skin Deep Beauty & Gel Nail Manicures →

Beauty

Is Sunscreen for Darker Skin People Necessary?

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It was a very hot and sunny day when I went for a walking exercise and ‘mindfulness‘ escape. I was about to cross a street when two women who were driving a convertible car stopped to let me cross. They were brown-skin , and neither person had on a hat. I suspect they probably did not have on sunscreen because they were dressed very nicely.  As beautiful as they looked, I  was concerned to think that  they had not  ‘protected’ themselves from the sun while in the car.  Consequently, I  walked back to tell one of the women that she should protect her head and put on a hat.  Continue reading Is Sunscreen for Darker Skin People Necessary? →

Beauty, Hair Care, In the Know

Cruelty-Free Shampoo

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Summertime is probably the season when we wash our hair most frequently.  ♥ In keeping with our search for cruelty-free beauty products, I found some appealing hair care suggestions from Cruelty Free Kitty and Clean Green Simple, which I am sure will satisfy your personal requirements for using cruelty-free products.  Click on the links below for more information .

Happy Summer!

♣ Cruelty Free Kitty.com
♣ https://cleangreensimple.com/products/

¿ Not sure what to do about your shampoo?  Check out the My Beauty Bunny website at this link :
♣ https://mybeautybunny.com/how-do-i-find-out-if-a-brand-is-cruelty-free/

 

 

Beauty

Sunscreen That’s FDA Grase

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The safe sunscreen  conversation continues to be more complicated, which I learned in a recent New York Times article.  It turns out that Oxbenzone and octinoxate have been found to affect ‘disrupt’ our hormones.  Yes! Of course, it does makes sense that this could happen since it’s damaging the coral layer of the ocean.

In the article, it mentions that chemicals may affect : endocrine disruption, high rate of allergic reaction, cancer.  We can agree that this is serious enough to be concerned, and that we should pay attention and focus on using products, which are FDA GRASE (generally recognized as safe and effective).
For starters, listed below are some ingredients and products, which are GRASE:
◊ zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
◊ New products: REN Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30 Face Sunscreen. ($36)
◊ Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 ($34)

Continue reading Sunscreen That’s FDA Grase →

Beauty

ADOPT A CORAL REEF & Sunscreen Advice

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Hello Everyone,

Now that we know something about how Coral Reefs contribute to our planet’s well-being, and  which sunscreens are best to use to protect our Coral Reefs,   I want to let you know that you can Adopt A Coral Reef

♥ Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, and Dr. Sejal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City provide us with suggestions on how to apply sunscreen.
For example, do you know whether you should apply sunscreen before or after your moisturizer?

The Verdict

OK, but seriously, should you put on your SPF before or after moisturizer? Both Zeichner and Shah agree on a little trick to get the best of both worlds: Apply a light moisturizer first, let it soak in completely, and finally finish with your SPF. “My best recommendation is to double-dip and layer a moisturizer with sunscreen first” — let it fully absorb — “and then layer another straight sunscreen, be it a mineral or chemical blocker, on top,” says Zeichner.
Source: https://www.allure.com/story/when-to-apply-sunscreen-before-or-after-moisturizer

Beauty, In the Know

SPF Sunscreen for Coral Reefs & Earthling Beauties

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Earth Day
(April 20, 2019)
makes us aware that we all are responsible for our planet’s well-being.

I often use this time of year to  research the ‘best’ SPF products for our skin during the summer months.

  1. I have learned that SPF products are among those, which are harming the planet’s  Coral Reefs.  In July of 2018, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing two common chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, which many researchers worldwide have deemed potentially harmful to aquatic life. https://www.consumerreports.org/sunscreens/the-truth-about-reef-safe-sunscreen/

    2. A coral reef is an underwater
    ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups.
    An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reef

With that unexpected news, I took the precaution to find out which sunscreens may help you  be a better Earthling when you buy SPF products  to protect your skin and the skin of your family members.

Below are a few Cruelty  and Coral Reef safe Sunscreens.
Click each link  for more details.

Sources:

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) →

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