Listen to my latest podcast to find out what tools are available with these free resources for attending to your well-being.
https://anchor.fm/judith-guerra7.
January 23 is International Integrative Health Day!
https://anchor.fm/judith-guerra7.
Category Archives: Conversations
https://anchor.fm/judith-guerra7.
A Conversation about Cruelty-Free, Vegan Beauty Products and Climate Change.
These days the conversation about climate change is a constant concern. A recurring topic on HairBlues.me has been cruelty-free and Vegan products. This month we continue that conversation as we explore what the differences are between cruelty-free, vegan cosmetics, and why some companies use “green” packaging.
The November Wellness Connections podcast explains the difference among these products, and packaging.
Do you know cruelty-free products are not more expensive?
Source: Are Cruelty Free Brands Actually More Expensive? (crueltyfreeonly.com)
Do you know that there is no confirmation testing on animals makes cosmetics safer for humans?
Source: http://www.humanesociety.org/resources/cosmetics-testing-faq
Do you know that Covergirl has a Vegan product called CleanFresh?
Source: Is CoverGirl Cruelty Free and Vegan? (2021 Update) – Cruelty Free Only
What is “green packaging“?
Source: https://www.thecosmeticboxes.co.uk/
Find out more about cruelty-free and vegan products :
ethicalelephant.com/crueltyfree-vs-vegan/
Reasons to Use Vegan, Cruelty Free Products – Cocosoul (mycocosoul.com)
Natural Skin Care & Hair Care Blogs – Cocosoul (mycocosoul.com)
Happy Holidays!
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This month’s blog post provides ways and ideas to support breast cancer organizations in the fight for a cure. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization.
General Information
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
28 West 44th Street, Suite 609
New York, NY 10036
Toll-free: 1-866-346-3228
Fax: 646-497-0890
bcrf@bcrf.org
Please note: They do not solicit over the telephone
Ways to Give | Breast Cancer Research Foundation (bcrf.org)
Read the blog at:
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/
Learn how to donate items:
https://breastcancerpickups.org/donation-guidelines/
or call 1-888-233-0858
Other ways to support:
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-support
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/nbcf-programs/breast-cancer-support-group
Donate a Car:
https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/more-ways-to-give/cars-for-a-cure.html
Breast Cancer Research Stamp:
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/2014-breast-cancer-research-stamps-S_555304#content
Essential Oils & Well-being Conversation
I had the pleasure of being a guest on a podcast with Amy Anthony, who is the creator of https://nycaromatica.com/
Amy says her passion is “plant-based, well-care modalities“, and that it is “closest to her heart”.
That is what I recognized when I first took a class with Amy Anthony at the former New York Institute of Aromatherapy.
I was actually “hooked” by Amy’s passion for plants and essential oils. Her knowledge base is extensive. She lights up the room with her “plant energy“.
Amy is a certified clinical aromatherapist. She has studied Herbalism, and has an in-depth “poetic” knowledge of plants. One of the places she teaches is the New York Botanical Gardens. The list is long of her accomplishments, and I encourage you to visit her website.
When you have an opportunity listen to our conversation.
Listen to other podcasts with Amy Anthony at:
https://nycaromatica.com/podcast/
Is It An American Thing: SUNSCREEN?
Episode #14 of the Wellness Connections introduces you to a conversation I had with some people who think that Sunscreen is an “American“ thing. This conversation informs those who think that this is true that there is evidence to the contrary.
https://anchor.fm/judith-guerra7
The websites below are worth looking at.
Sources:
Natural Nigerian Website:
https://naturalnigerian.com/2018/01/18/do-africans-black-people-need-sunscreen/
Bare Skin Naturals Website:
https://bareskinnaturals.com/helpful-tips/ig-live-on-sunscreen-do-africans-need-to-wear-sunscreen/
Afropolitain Website:
https://afropolitain.com/the-real-reason-africans-dont-wear-sunscreen/
Bolden Website:
https://www.boldenusa.com/blogs/discover
Just FYI
Guidelines from American Academy Dermatology Association
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/types/common/melanoma/skin-color
SPF HAIR, Beauty & Wellness
Have you ever thought about using SPF on your hair during the months when you may be spending a lot of time on the beach, playing tennis, or just being outdoors during sunny days? Probably not.
It turns out that SPF for haircare is something we should pay attention to. Not only should we protect our bodies, we should also spray sunscreen on our scalps.
Hairblues has discussed this topic before, but I can not say it often enough. People of color NEED to use SUNSCREEN. See the excerpt below for details.
Health experts advise everyone, regardless of skin color, to use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Although dark-skinned people won’t get sunburned as quickly, they will still burn and are still susceptible to sun-induced damage—such as sun spots and wrinkles—and cancer .
True or False: Dark-skinned People Don’t Need Sunscreen … True or False: Dark-skinned People Don’t Need Sunscreen | Winchester Hospital
As the Cancer Foundation states:
“Everyone under the sun needs to use sunscreen“.
“If you use an SPF 30 product properly, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen“.
This includes children and babies.
Reminder you want to purchase products that do not have Oxybenzone and Octinoxate
SPF Skin and Planet Safety
Happy Earth Day ! In celebration of Earth Day, Today Hairblues is focusing on “planet friendly” SPF products . By the way, do you know that there are two ingredients in most SPF products , which are harmful to coral reefs?
SPF has a range of uses. For example, it’s remarkable that simply stated, when used correctly, sunscreen products may help prevent some skin cancers, including melanoma. “Sun protection factor (SPF): Is a number on a scale for rating the degree of protection provided by sunscreens.” Some African-Americans and Hispanics have a misunderstanding about requiring sunscreen. In fact, although darker-skin people have more melanin, they can get sun-burned and get skin cancer. The great Jamaican Reggae artist Bob Marley was diagnosed with Melanoma, which happened to be located just under a toenail.
Is your SPF product “safe reef spf“? Hairblues has focused on this topic in the past. And, you may recall the two ingredients in SPF determined harmful to the coral reef eco system – Oxybenzone and octinoxate should be avoided, if at all possible, for greater “planet safety.”
Black HISTORY & BEAUTY
During Black History Month I like to put a spotlight on beauty products and companies owned and operated by African Americans. One example is Gloria L. Williams, the CEO of Footnanny, Inc.
Williams is from Montgomery, Alabama. She created the company with the knowledge she gained as a young girl watching her mother. She declares that her mother would mix “creams, ointments and oils” along with an “Old Fashioned Rub Down” to attend to sick and elderly neighbors.
Founder and CEO
Footnanny, Inc.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for products that can help me care for my feet. One of the foot buffer’s I recently used turned out to be just what I needed. The Footnanny RESCUE Buffer . After following the directions and using the buffer with a cream, I was very happy with the end result.
We can all use a little pampering, especially during these stressful times. Why not treat yourself to some tender loving care? Lift your spirits and well-being with a soothing pedicure and relax.
Visit her website to learn more by clicking this link – (1) all – Footnanny
Breast Cancer Beauty
Oftentimes Cancer patients face challenge with their skin and beauty care caused by the chemo, radiation, and scarring, among other things. The treatments can cause issues women may not be familiar with, nor, how to manage them. I searched the www for some support on how to manage some of the difficulties women face for which there is support.
* The Cancer Horizons website provides support with information, free products and services. These are links to websites and services, which provide free makeup sessions, wigs, and even free makeup samples. It’s all designed to support the cancer patient through the cycles of getting well. Try exploring the website yourself by clicking this link. https://www.cancerhorizons.com/cancer-products/skin-care/
You may also want to explore the
* Look Good Feel Better website which supports women navigating cancer treatment by learning how to enhance their beauty routines . The website is supported by certified professionals who volunteer their services to support cancer patients with guided lessons. Due to Covid19 – currently sessions are provided virtually. Click this link to learn more – https://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/virtual-workshops/
If you want to participate in supporting these organizations use the links below.
https://www.cancerhorizons.com/become-a-sponsor/
https://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/donors/donate/
Sleepless in Covid19 Times
How are you sleeping these days? Recently I have had some issues with getting a ‘good nights sleep’, and I am not the only one I know who is having this problem in Covid19 times.
Lack of ‘Beauty Sleep’, seems to be the least of our concerns these days as we attempt to figure out how to live and prepare our lives, and family members safely for this challenging Covid19 period.
Sleep has been determined as therapeutic to our wellbeing. It supports a healthy immune system; physical health; emotional wellness, and more.
HairBlues 