Pretty by Nature » skin-saving

More Bounce To The Ounce

Noel Boehm — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:59:13 +0000

So I finally was able to crack into my latest sample packet from Saffron Rouge and I have to say I’m really impressed. The samples were from a New Zealand based company, Living Nature, that uses active, native plant ingredients foind in New Zealand and are BDIH certified natural. I tried the Vitalising Cleanser and the Nourishing Day Cream. The scent was almost non-existent for the cleanser which was a plus for me because I just really don’t like too many competing scents. The Day cream was a little bit stronger, scent-wise, but it grew on me. I tend to have oily/combo skin so I don’t think that either product was really suited for that but if you happen to have skin that’s a bit more dry it would be excellent.

I love the products that are being developed in New Zealand and Australia. They just have such a fresh and unique outlook on beauty products that my skin reacts well to. Check out Bare Naked Beauty for lots of other products. I literally could spend thousands of dollars on their site. I really can’t say that I would regularely stock my cabinet with one of Living Nature products as they are on the expensive side. I will say that just a few ounces was enough for two applications so your dollar would stretch. Plus I am currently still using the African Black Soap I told you about and I am seeing a huge difference. All in all I am loving the products that Saffron Rouge offers and the fact that they (Kirsten Binder specifically) are obviously personally invested in their integrity. Can’t ask for much more than that.

Via Living Nature

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Organic Liquid Foundation

Noel Boehm — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:30:12 +0000

So I know we’ve talked about NVEY Eco Cosmetics here before. I love their mascara but I haven’t really gotten around to trying anything else from the line. Well I had a friend ask me to reccomend a foundation the other day since she didn’t want to continue to use the one she had as it was laden with chemical baddies. I don’t wear foundation but I steared her toward NVEY because they have several options that look promising. I would like to see if there are any of you who have actually tried their liquid foundation and how you thought it worked for you? Also if you have any experience with other brands of natural and/or organic foundations, please speak up.

Via Future Natural

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Witch’s Brew

Noel Boehm — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:59:40 +0000

I find a lot of things these days that were once great and then replaced by newer, better things have now swung back into fashion. A lot if it obviously has to do with the eco-friendly trend and finding alternatives to our chemical laden lifestyles. Which begs the question, “Why did we stop using them in the first place if they worked so well?” I mean baking soda and castille soap works better for household surfaces than any other packaged cleanser you will find. Hands down. Neither Seventh Generation nor Soft Scrub can hold a candle to it.

This obviously extends to the area of beauty. Like how many women used to use Witch Hazel? It used to be a staple in almost every woman’s medicine cabinet. It can be used as an astingent, to treat certain skin conditions. Heck you can even use it on your ‘roids, but we won’t talk about that. The possibilities are endless. Make sure it’s a natural version though since many drugstore brands contain isopropyl alcohol. What other “old-fashioned” treatments do you use that work really well? Please share!

Image via Thayers

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African Black Soap

Noel Boehm — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:47:12 +0000

Over at TreeHugger today there’s a great article about African Black Soap. Apparently it can heal the world and fix a broken leg too. No but seriously, it sounds like this soap can do just about everything. I need something like that. A one stop do-all soap. It can be used on everything from your hair and body for general use to treating skin rashes as well. I have heard that it does wonders for acne and eczema so I did order a bar from Amazon today. I need something that is easy and not drying. I’ll let you know how it works!

Via Amazon

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My So-Called Scented Life

Noel Boehm — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:31:06 +0000

Make sure you check out our blog of the month, The Scented Life, and get a coupon code for 40% off of Tarte cosmetics. Way back in the way back machine I used to love their cheek stain. It made me look all daisy fresh and innocent. Haha…suckers. Now they have a “natural” version.

With the purchase of every tarte natural beauty natural cheek stain, you’ll be supporting Sambazon’s Sustainable Acai Project (SAP), a member of the Fair Trade Federation, which helps to preserve the Amazon Rainforest through forest conservation, improved living conditions and educational opportunities for communities in Brazil.

Well alrighty then you can save the Amazon and look pretty. *Tongue firmly in rosy hued cheek* After you visit Amy and leave her a comment to tell her how fab she is you can head on over to Tarte and check it out for yourself. Your welcome.

Via Tarte Cosmetics

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Clay It On Me

Noel Boehm — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:28:20 +0000

I just spied this from C.O. Bigelow and I am soo tempted to run out and get it tomorrow. In this kind of weather my face is majorly oily. It just drives me crazy especially on the rare occasion that I wear makeup. I’m all about the clay because I just love the way it feels going on and it leaves my skin soft but not dried out. I wasn’t able to find the ingredient info on it so I may have to see an actual bottle of it in person before I make a decision. Me likey though. Me likey a lot.

Via Bigelow Chemists

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Everything Old is New Again

Noel Boehm — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:24:11 +0000

Head on over to LUSH to see some of your old favorites that have been brought back by popular demand. Don’t you just hate it when you fall in love with something and then the company goes out of business or they discontinue a product? Well my LUSHlies, you will not have to feel pained any longer. The back from the dead goodies are only available online so if you feel truly desperate you might find yourself pulling an Elaine just so you don’t run out. I don’t know if this is a limited time only thing either. I already have Ne Worry Pas bath bomb on my short list. Decadence awaits.

Via usa.lush.com

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Good On Salads Too

Noel Boehm — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:35:14 +0000

Not to beat a dead horse but it’s like really hot here. I’ve been filling up the fridge with cucumbers and juicy fruit to keep us hydrated. I know cucumbers are good but I wanted to find a recipe for a cleanser or mask. I found this one and it looks delish. I almost want to eat it, minus a few ingredients, on some Naan. What beauty treatments have you used cucumbers for? Any other good recipes to share?

Via WHFoods

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Cool and Refreshing

Noel Boehm — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:15:05 +0000

So I don’t do the sun. I would rather be cold than hot any day; I’m just over it. I enjoy nice weather but not actually being in the sun for more than 10 minutes at a time. I’m trying not to ruin my family’s fun this Summer with my attitude so I’m eyeing Farmaesthetics Cool Aloe Mist to get me through. We all know aloe vera is great for sunburns and skin ailments. When I was in gymnastics my mom kept a bottle of gel in the refrigerator to spread on my hands after practice when I had a rip. Farmaesthetics concoction has aloe vera, witch hazel, lavender and bergamot.

I’m thinking about carrying this around with me when we go to the beach and to outdoor festivals this Summer, so when I need to just chill out I can spritz some on and feel refreshed. Of course you could always make your own using the same ingredients and it would be cheaper and last longer. Or I could just hole myself up in my house until it gets cold again and then complain for the next seven months about how I wish it was hot.

Via Future Natural

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Where It’s At: Two Turntables and Some Bubble Bath

Noel Boehm — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:10:32 +0000

One of my favorite places to shop when I’m flush (so like once a year) is Anthropologie. It has a very Paris flea market feel. A really overpriced, touristy Paris flea market for yuppies perhaps. Nonetheless you can find lots of little trinkets and cool bath and beauty products. I first discovered Korres there and have been a little lovesick over it ever since. I was trolling their website today and I came across the most gorgeous bubble bath in a swanky looking bottle. Lollia’s Believe Bubble Bath lists rose water, bergamot and cedarwood among it’s key ingredients. So then of course I wanted to know what the actual ingredients were since it looks utterly decadent. Disapointingly it contains parabens and Sodium Laureth Sulfate and some other junk. So I decided to come up with my own and package it in a wine bottle with a pretty hand written label. Better for my skin and it would make a nice gift.

Without the extra sudsy crap of course you won’t get the same luxurious movie bubbles but it will still be moisturizing and lovely. You can just chunk off some pieces of your favorite natural skin bar, add a bit of almond oil and a few drops of the essential oil of your liking and there you go. For aesthetics you can even add some dried flowers to the mix. I think it would look cool even if you didn’t take the label off of the used wine bottle first. Now to drink a bottle of wine…so much work.

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