A good once a week application will do wonders. Make sure you massage very gently because the skin on your lips is very sensitive. It’s great for dry, chapped lips in the winter too. Of course just using a toothbrush and water works to exfoliate and soften your lips too if you’re in a hurry. The sugar concoction will take you just a few steps further though.

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Post from: Pretty by Nature

Since today is Father’s Day I thought I would talk about a “natural” products geared towards men. It must smell like grass or beer or something. The hubs has beautiful hair that he refuses to put product in, so I have to be careful to not offend his senses when trying out a new shampoo on him. Ole Henriksen’s Natural Hair Wash with Sea Kelp seems to fit the bill. He doesn’t use conditioner because OMG that would take a whole extra two minutes don’t you know, so he needs a shampoo that doesn’t strip the hair too much. This is paraben free and doesn’t contain any lauryl/laureth sulfates.

We will have to hold out and see how it actually performs over time since he got this in his Father’s Day goodie bag today. I know, I’m sure he was thrilled. “Awesome, shampoo…thanks.” He also got a sushi set that he is very excited about. FYI, sushi with salami is a no-go.

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Post from: Pretty by Nature

On my list of must sample goodies is her Organic Kelp and Ylang Babassu Shampoo Bar and the Organic Carrot and Wheat Germ Cleansing Oil. All of her products are made to order in small batches using fair trade and organic ingredients when possible. All of the packing is 100% recyclable and/or biodegradable. Please tell me what you think of her product line if you have tried it out. I’m busting at the seams in anticipation. I will let you all know if they deliver or not. I feel like a school girl with a crush. You had me at whipped hair butter.

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Post from: Pretty by Nature

Typically when I am home I carry around my own version of these, which I make myself. In all fairness they are usually for baby butt wiping but they make a great refresher for me too. We use cloth wipes, which are just small squares of very soft flannel. Little baby washcloths also work great too. When we leave the house I just throw a few in a bag or small container and spritz them with a homemade essential oil concoction. I also threw them in the fridge the other day because it was so hot and just wiped my neck and face with them. Very refreshing when you feel grimy, hot and misused by the world. There are lots of options but I use the following solution:

• 8 ounces of distilled hot water
• 2 bags of chamomile tea
• 5 drops tea tree oil
• 1 teaspoon almond oil

Steep the tea in the water and then discard the teabags (or use again later) and then add the rest of the ingredients. Let it cool and put in a spray bottle. A few spritzes are usually all I need and this solution lasts for a while. The tea tree oil has anti-bacterial properties so it’s great for your hands too.

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Post from: Pretty by Nature

 

J.R. Watkins has just expanded their product line to include natural home care. I haven’t tried many of their personal care products but I will be trying them out in the near future. What I like about them is that they are pretty much available everywhere; even the big box stores. Their personal care products are free of parabens, sulphates, petro-chemicals etc. The packaging while beautiful and old-world looking, I wish was made more responsibly. Maybe glass would be better.

Now their natural home cleaning line includes all the same beautiful design aesthetic and commitment to natural ingredients. You can check out the complete line here. I will say that I like the idea of finding healthier alternatives when possible but even more important is finding solutions that can eliminate the need for 18 different products. Their all-purpose cleaner is a great alternative because it’s concentrated which means it will stretch further and also cut out the need for the cleanser for this, another one for the stove-top, another one for the shower kind of thing. All in all I think these are great alternatives and I might try the dishwashing liquid and find a way to reuse the container when I’m done. Has anyone tried any of these yet? Let me know please.

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Post from: Pretty by Nature

Obviously then the first thing that caught my eye about Ren’s Seaweed and Sage Shower Gel was the seaweed. Seaweed has a ton of great benefits for your skin including detoxifying and hydrating. They use seaweed extract in addition to essential oils. Here you can find a complete list of ingredients. Ren says this about it:

This is a clean product formulated to promote naturally healthy skin. It is free from petrochemicals, sulfates, synthetic

fragrances, PEGS, animal products, synthetic colors, propylene glycol, TEA, DEA and parabens. Ren is against animal

testing.”  

Sounds pretty promising to me and since it fits my current obsession I think I might try it. Has anyone tried this shower gel out? I’m kinda iffy about the Sage but I figure I like sage butter so it can’t be too far off.

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Post from: Pretty by Nature

My husband is the ultimate gift giver. He puts lots of thought into it and it’s always something I wasn’t expecting or had even forgotten about but REALLY wanted. It’s rarely anything lavish, just really thoughtful. I on the other hand am a horrible gifter. I have every intention of planning ahead but then the date is upon me and I’m scrambling at the last minute. I will never live down the fact that I forgot his birthday one year and only remembered when the checkout guy at the market said, “hey happy birthday”.

This year for Father’s Day I’m really trying to get it together. I’m secretly amassing a bevy of little treats for him. At least one of them is sure to convince him that I tried. When I came across my latest Etsy find I knew it had to be included. Homemade Fight Club bar of soap from Beth’s Craft’s is just perfect. He loves Chuck Palahniuk and the movie. I know he would think it was funny and because he’s frugal like that, he would use it. It’s got Vitamin E oil, grapefruit oil, goats milk and other things that you can easily pronounce. What do you think? Would you ever get this for your Dad? I’m thinking men of a certain generation would not get it. Tacky?

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Post from: Pretty by Nature

I got my monthly treat from Saffron Rouge this week and I felt obliged to share it with you. Samples of John Masters Organics Shampoos. I’ve been curious and at the same time apprehensive about trying the line out. What Kirsten says about it:

There are no petroleum-based ingredients, sodium lauryl sulfate, propylene glycol, parabens, or other artificial colors, fragrances or fillers in the entire range. And as expected, John Masters Organics does not test their ingredients or products on animals.

I have to say that I have not tried them yet only because this week my showers have been about 40 seconds each. This only gives me enough time to sort of toss stuff at my hair and body while people (very little people) throw things (balls, books, cookies, shoes) into the tub. I hope to give it a real try this weekend. Everyone that I have spoken to that has tried it has loved it though. Is it really made from only organic ingredients? Hmm, I doubt it but it does have all that other stuff going for it. Unfortunately Skin Deep doesn’t have any information about it yet. They also have an organic dog shampoo if you are so inclined. However if you are so inclined, please give me your phone number because I think you may need more people friends. Raves or rants about any of John Masters Organics hair products? Dish please.

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I’m not quite sure about some of the measurements since I didn’t write it down but I think you can just play with it until it it looks about right. You will need 1/2 and avocado, 1/4 of a cantaloupe, 1/2 a banana and equal parts yogurt and wheat germ oil. Throw it all into a blender or food processor and smooth on your hair for as long as you like. For extra benefits put a shower cap on while you wait. Obviously rinse well or you will have a trail of ants following you. Let me know if you try it out, I’m curious about the results. Oh and I think the leftovers would make a killer breakfast smoothie, no?

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Luckily I was able to pull myself together quickly by pulling my hair back into a bun and swiping on some mascara and lipstick. It was one of rare days where I actually had to look presentable. I actually got a few compliments, *snort* if only they knew. The pulled back hair look requires a certain precision or else it just looks like you were lazy. Which I am so it’s a fine line.  I’ve been using Lisa’s Hair Elixir from Carol’s Daughter and for me it is truly a magic elixir. It makes my hair soft and supple. Like touchably soft, it’s not an illusion. It smells very musky, not at all sweet like I first thought it might. I used it to smooth down all those little hairs that I can never seem to contain. It also de-puffed my hair. You really can’t use very much at a time, this stuff is very potent.

Carol’s Daughter also just brought back their hair smoothies and I am so there. I think I’m going to pick up the Tui Hair Smoothie; it looks amazing. Now I’m off to stalk New Kids and leave my husband for Jordan Knight.

Via Carol’s Daughter

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