Here are a few of these ingredients and the risks attached to them:

* Parabens – Parabens are used in many cosmetic products as preservative. They also have bacteriocidal and fungicidial properties. Parabens can irritate the skin, especially in individuals who have Rosacea. Some reports have linked parabens to cancer, but no causal link has been proven so far. They’ve also been linked to endocrine and fertility problems.

* Sulfates – Sulfates are used in many shampoos and toothpastes. They help soaps and shampoos to foam up. Sulfates penetrate the skin and have been linked to damage to the immune system and cancer. In addition, sulfates are irritating to cataracts, eye damage, skin irritation, and premature baldness.

* Synthetic Dyes – Synthetic dyes are used to make cosmetics look pretty. Synthetic dyes can be carcinogenic.

* Petro-Chemicals – These are made from petroleum and are considered possible carcinogens. In addition, Mineral Oil, a common ingredient in moisturizers, interferes with skin’s natural ability to protect itself and can lead to dryness and chapping. It’s used primarily because it’s cheap.

* Phthalates – Phthalates, besides being tricky to spell, can lead to damage of the liver, lungs, kidney, and the reproductive system. Phthalates are used in cosmetics because they cause cosmetics to “cling” to the skin and they increase a products staying power.

I’m no scientist, but with all the great products out there that avoid these ingredients, why take the chance?

Image credit: Sxc.hu

Post from: Pretty by Nature

The Once Upon a Shine is subtle gloss that is described as “barely-there,” and it carries a bit of mint. The offer is available in the following colors; Sheer Ruby, Sheer Fig, Sheer Crystal, and Sheer Fruit Punch.  Once Upon A Shine is normally available for $14.50.

The Smileage Plus Lip Gloss is light lip tint that is full of lip-smoothing organic ingredients like Beeswax, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Aloe, and Cocoa Butter. The essential oils of Tangerine and Lime give it a nice scent.  The free tints available are  Off-Beet, Raw Honey, Sugar Cane and Eco-Pink. It’s normally $11.

This glosses are available on a first come, first served basis, so some colors may no longer be available. In addition, enjoy FREE shipping on order that is $40 or more through today, August 18, 2009. 

Image credit: Origins.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Beauty Without Cruelty Eye Makeup Remover
$6.89 – 4 ounces

Very easy to use – apply a little to closed eyelid with a cotton ball, wipe off. Simple. It’s made with a gentle botanical formula containing calendula, chamomile, witch hazel, and vegetable glycerin. Completely vegetarian – no animal ingredients, no animal testing.

Jason Pure, Natural & Organic Makeup Remover Pads
$8.59 for 75 pads

Skip the cotton balls, these gentle pads come pre-moistened with makeup remover. They are safe for contact lens wearers and clear away even waterproof makeup. They are made with natural organic ingredients like comfrey, cucumber, aloe, chamomile and vitamin E, B, and C. 

Yes To Carrots Eye & Face Makeup Remover
$9.99 for 8.45 ounces

Yes To Carrots – I love that product name, because I love carrots. This full-face makeup remover is with carrot juice, pumpkin, sweet potato, and mud from the Dead Sea.

Image credit: Drugstore.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Based on the belief that everything we put in – and on – our bodies must be nutritious and safe, Intelligent Nutrients® is the first complete range of truly certified-organic products designed to support both your health and beauty.

From nutritional supplements to anti-aging skin and hair care to aromatic perfumes, all products are designed for superior performance and derived from ingredients so pure they carry the USDA or Soil Association seal of organic approval.

Developed by world-renowned beauty pioneer and environmental activist Horst Rechelbacher, Intelligent Nutrients® harnesses the anti-oxidant power of seeds while being free of traditional cosmetic chemicals.

 Intelligent Nutrients Organic Awaken – Wake Up

Organic Awaken – Wake Up, is made from a certified organic essential oil blend. The line includes additional aromatherapy fragrances that aim at comfort, romance, calm, nurture, and finding focus.

Fragrance notes: Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Spearmint, and Black Pepper.

Image credit: ULTA.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

I write a lot about products and I do love products – love to try them, love to talk about them, and I really love to share them, but natural beauty actually starts before the products. It starts with eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, getting exercise, and finding a way to relax, because stress and the effects of stress are not pretty on anybody.

The best way I know to relieve my stress is to spend some time at the park. I walk there and run there, but my favorite thing to do is to take a raft down to the water and just float on the creek.

I’m lucky, because I work at home, which gives me the flexibility to get away for a bit  (but it also means I never truly get to leave the “office”).  I live close to the park, so the whole trip can take about an hour, an hour and a half, and afterward I’m ready to get back to the business of the day.

Do you have a quick stress reliever that you’d like to share?  What does natural beauty mean to you? 

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Did you know that in addition to spa manicures, Dashing Diva also carries a wide array of lovely nail enamels and nail care products. 

I love the variety and I appreciate that they carry a couple of natural nail products that are great for natural beauty fans, like us.

Cuticle Nectar is an orange-scented oil that nourishes and conditions both cuticles and nails.

Cuti-Peel is a cuticle remover made with glycerin, almond oil, and Allantoin. It smells of violets and it preps both nails and cuticles for polish.

Guess what?  Dashing Diva is sponsoring a cuticle-loving giveaway for Pretty By Nature. If you’d like to win these two natural nail products, please leave a comment on this post.  I’ll announce a winner next week.

If you are in NYC, the Dashing Diva, at 201 E. 15th St, at 3rd Ave, will be holding a fundraiser for “Team In Training,” on Tuesday April 7th, 2009, 5-8pm. 

“Team In Training,” raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The event features a manicure and pedicure for $35, with 20% of that going to “Team In Training.”  The event is open to the public. Visitors will receive a gift bag and a free Cosmo cocktail. 

Lastly, if you are interested, I’ve still got a couple of giveaways open. You can find them here and here.  I will be closing both out at the end of the week. 

*All giveaways are open to readers in the US only.

Image credit: Dashing Diva.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

MyChelle uses only natural ingredients, which is ideal for those with sensitive skin and acne. Their mineral cosmetic line features:

Cream Foundation
Blush stick
Eye Shimmer
Lip balm/lipstick
Lip gloss

They also have a line of skin products and other items. Their gift sets are terrific bargains because you get multiple products for one low price.

Key ingredients include:

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil: Antioxidant and skin brightener; a deeply penetrating light oil which gives skin a beautiful texture and glow; helps reduce appearance of wrinkles, spots, freckles, and acne.

Silica: Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and controls sebum for a smooth matte finish.

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil: Quickly penetrates the skin; powerful antioxidant; rich in flavonoids; inhibits allergic reactions; protects the skin’s own collagen, elastin, & hyaluronic acid.

Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordii Oil Copolymer: Two vegetable oils flash heated in a vacuum to create a copolymer that gives natural shine and body without chemicals or petroleum derived ingredients.

Castor Isostearate Beeswax Succinate: Eco-cert ingredient; a castor oil derived copolymer that moisturizes and increases wear time.

MAXI-LIP: Lip plumping peptide clinically proven to increase lip volume and reduce fine lines around lips over the course of 30 days use.

Lauroyl Lysine: A molasses derived amino acid that promotes lip health and has been shown to fight cold sores.

You can check out the MyChelle line at mychelleusa.com. Right now you can get 15% OFF all products through January 31, 2009.

Photo credit: MyChelle Dermaceuticals

Post from: Pretty by Nature

As the holiday season winds down, just about all us are feeling the pains of wearing way too much festive attire. Those strappy heels may be gorgeous…but they leave our feet feeling anything but!

Many foot conditions can be easily treated by using Epsom Salt, a naturally occurring mineral available for purchase at supermarket or drug stores. Epsom Salt offers an affordable, back to basics approach to treat your feet. Try these tips to improve your foot hygiene
routine.

Soak Away Pain and Swelling
Suffering from tired, aching feet? Let Epsom Salt come to the rescue! Dissolve a half cup of the mineral into two quarts of warm water. Pour the water into a container and soak your bare feet for fifteen to twenty minutes, once or twice a day. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for
a refreshing scent. Then, rinse your feet off with clean tap water and dry them thoroughly.

Exfoliate Dry Skin and Calluses
Did you know the skin at the sole of the foot is denser than any other skin on the human body? Use this treatment to soften and remove excess dry skin. Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches. Massage the entire foot concentrating on the heels and ankles to remove any dry, rough spots.

Remove Splinters
Splinters can cause pain, swelling and possible infection if they’re not removed promptly. Here’s how to safely remove it. Clean a needle, a pair of tweezers and a small pair of nail clippers with isopropyl alcohol and let it air-dry. Be sure to swab the pinching surfaces of the tweezers and the cutting edges of the nail clippers. Soak the area in Epsom Salt to soften the skin and help draw out the splinter.

Treat Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection of the skin on the foot. Athlete’s foot is by far the most common fungal infection of the skin. Soaking the feet in Epsom Salt and warm water is helpful to relieve the burning and itching.

Get Rid of Foot Odor
Try a foot soak made of plain water and a half cup of Epsom Salt for a relaxing foot treatment that also helps deal with unwanted foot aroma. Epsom Salt will help to absorb foot odors.

Treat Toenail Fungus
Soak your affected toes in hot water mixed with a palm full of Epsom salt three times a day.

Image: Epsom Salt Industry Council

Post from: Pretty by Nature

When I was younger my mother used to swear by using baking soda as a toothpaste. I rebelled and bought some conventional toothpaste as soon as I could and never looked back. However recently a dentist recommended my husband try it out to lighten his teeth since all of the over-the- counter stuff caused him tooth and gum pain. She said that it would not produce immediate or dramatic results but it does in fact work for lightening and plaque. She did say that we probably should not use it on a long term basis but maybe a month or two every year would be fine. The solution that is used in over-the-counter whitening products is basically the same solution that yoiur dentist would use only in much, much smaller quantities. So chances are if you it causes you pain, you’re not a candidate for professional whitening either. I already use a mixtuer of baking soda and castille soap to clean just about everything in my home so we have a lot on hand and I pretty sure almost everyone does. I’m looking for testimonials here. Please share your experiences with using baking soda to lighten your teeth. Was it successful? Was it a pain in the butt? Discuss.

Via Amazon

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Of course I was at LUSH today…of course I was. Of course I couldn’t leave the store without buying something…of course. Even though I broke my own “30 Day no non-essentials” rule to get it. Except for really soap is an essential if you think about it. Also I love pumpkin, so it had to happen. Their limited edition Great Pumpkin Soap is AWESOME. I know I say that a lot but no really it is. The scent is amazing but not overpowering. It’s not that artificial scratch ‘n sniff sticker pumpkin scent but like a real pie is baking and maybe the hint of something else. It’s subtle for sure but the best part is that it is so creamy and moisturizing. I kept finding reasons to wash my hands all day today. I highly advise you to check it out.

Via LUSH

Post from: Pretty by Nature