As many beauty brands claim to be natural, natural based, or organic – how can one really tell? Many companies use a few healthy ingredients mixed in with mostly synthetic chemical and petroleum based colors, fragrances and preventives so they can call their product “natural based”. It is true, though, that many beauty care products can be made without the use of these synthetic and petroleum based ingredients.

What to easily look out for when reading your beauty product labels:

Petroleum Based Preservatives: There are most commonly found in the form of “parabens” such as methyl paraben, propylparaben and butylparaben. These are actually synthetic chemicals being used as preservatives.

Petroleum Surfactants – These are typically used as foaming agents to create lather. The most used ones are sodium lauryl sulfate and propylene glycol or cocamidopropyl betaine, which many claim to be derived from coconut oil, but it is actually produced with petroleum based chemicals to manufacture it.

It won’t take too long to get familiar with reading your ingredient labels and to tell which products are truly natural or organic.

Post from: Pretty by Nature

A friend of mine recently suggested bathing in a warm tub sweetened with tub tea. And guess what? It is addicting just as well.

Bath by Bettijo makes one of the best tub teas around. She has two variations available. One is made with a combination of Lavender and Chamomile, and the other with Spearmint and Eucalyptus (which is great to use when you are congested).

Each tub tea jar comes with an antique tea diffuser to which you simply add the tea to it, and steep into your bath as the water warms and fills.

Each jar retails for $24, and comes with enough tea for 30 baths and the diffuser.

Post from: Pretty by Nature

For example – toothpaste. I have always used Crest – from my early childhood years, and still do to this day. It has been recommended by every dentist I have gone to, and I trust their recommendation. Now I see that there are plenty of natural and even organic toothpastes on the market. Besides wondering about taste, my question is, do these toothpastes work as well as the one my college-educated, experienced dentists recommend? Do I give one, or two, three… a try? Or do I draw the line and continue to use what has worked for me for the last – almost 40 years?

I am intrigued, and am sure I will gave a few of these natural toothpastes a try to at least compare. In looking for some, I have come up with these, and have summarized my thoughts on purchasing.

Tom’s of Maine – probably the most widely known natural toothpaste, and I have even considered using this in the past. This is on my must purchase list, and can picked up at most local drugstores.

Glacial Blue Tooth Oil – this one almost gives me the willies. I don’t know if I could stomach brushing with an oil. This is a blend of natural oils including peppermint, spearmints, and almond oils. Sounds like it may taste good, but not quite on my list due to the fact that it is an oil and the hefty price tag of $25 for 1 oz.

JASON NutriSmile Plus CoQ10 Gel Toothpaste – this is on my list. It sounds more like a “regular” toothpaste with some great tasting ingredients such as orange, cinnamon, and mint.

Fresh Umbrian Clay Toothpaste – from a wonderful beauty product brand comes a newer organic toothpaste made with umbrian clay. Clay in my mouth. I really don’t think that the benefits will outweigh my feelings on this one. Clay in my mouth, I just don’t think I could do it.

So, I guess I do need some recommendations.

Tags: essential oils, natural oils, organic beauty, tooth care

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Well, I have been experiencing the ultimate in minerals with a rare combination of minerals from Bare Escentuals and their RareMinerals Skin Revival Treatment.

This is quite different than what you might expect. It is almost like a makeup, as in the way you apply it and for the fact that it does come in shades, that you apply right before bed. I buff on these miracle minerals (I am using the clear formula) right as I get into bed. They buff on simply with the sponge that comes attached to the jar, which is great. It is even easy to detach and wash too.

Onto my results. When I first applied it, I did it in front of the mirror. Immediately, I would notice a more air brushed, matte finish to my skin. This in itself is a reason for loving it because my skin didn’t look so scary as a freshly cleansed, makeup free face sort of does.

Long term, the benefits have been a bit more overwhelming. Really. Overwhelming. My pores are basically invisible. My skin tone is so even, which is amazing. I have used creams and treatments for years that have never even come close in comparison to what RareMinerals has done for my tone. And not only is my tone more even, my skin appears more bright and fresh when I wake up.

So how does this work? RareMinerals is composed of a balanced blend of the complete 72 organic macro and micro minerals that are found in nature. And these work together in harmony with your own natural body chemistry. Some of other beneficial ingredients are Vitamin C, A, Rosemary, White Tea, Honey Brush, Wheat Germ extract, and Aloe Vera Leaf.

Now, do not confuse this with makeup, as it is only for use at night and bedtime. It is a Nighttime treatment. This makes the $60 price tag not as scary. And given the fact that I have been using my jar for about 5 – 6 weeks now, and it seems like I have used hardly any of it coupled with the way my skin is acting with it makes me not even flinch when I think about the cost.

RareMinerals is available at Sephora.com, in Sephora stores nationwide, in Bare Escentuals boutiques and by calling 800.227.3990.

Post from: Pretty by Nature