In order to properly celebrate this milestone birthday, the folks at Aveda are developing a Birthday Program. If you join program, you will receive a full-size customized aroma Personal Blends Pure-Fume Spirit or Body Care product on your next birthday. Invite your friends to join and if 5 of them do, you’ll get a free travel-size Aveda Foot Relief.

Aveda Foot Relief

Aveda’s Foot Relief softens, smooths, deodorizes, and invigorates feet and legs. Contains Fruit acids, Castor, Jojoba, Lavender, and Rosemary oils.

Also, use the savings code BIRTHDAYto receive a free Hand Relief and free shipping on orders over $30. Offer expires September 30, 2009.

Aveda Hand Relief

Uses plant emollients, humectants, fruit acids, and vitamins A and E to increase moisture levels and elasticity in the skin. Helps to diminish signs of aging and leaves hands softer and smoother. Contains Licorice extract and Meadowfoam seed oil.

Image credit: Aveda.com

Post from: Pretty by Nature

In the next year I am planning some changes. I’d like to move to another area, an area that doesn’t get as hot, so the mountains or the ocean are the directions I’m thinking about. I want to do more with my photography side business and I’d love to go back to school.

I already wear SPF every day, but I’d like to take it a step further and make a point of wearing a hat when I’m exercising outside, something I haven’t done as much as I should. Although, I do wear a hat when I float on the creek.

I want to get back into a regular running routine, one that I can manage, because I know that it’s the form of exercise that truly works the best for me. I want to make yoga a regular part of my life again, because a loss of flexibilty is the first step toward becoming truly old. I don’t mind being older, but I do not ever want to be old.

Blue Canoe Organic Yoga Top

And I’m going to color my hair. I have been going the natural route or the highlight route, but I think it’s time to get rid of these grays. I want to blend, not change my color. I spend too much time in the pool and my highlights are suffering for it.  Also, who has time for constant grow-out maintenance?  I’m looking for something simple to use and to maintain.

If you happen to be reading this on your birthday, then happy birthday to you, too!

Creek image: Michelle Smith
Yoga top image: Blue Canoe Organic
Hair color image: Light Mountain Natural Color & Conditioner

Post from: Pretty by Nature

The reason behind this?  I think it’s a combination of good role models, good ad campaigns, and good women who steer their men in the right direction. Real men know it’s important to moisturize and wear sunscreen. They know that an aftershave does not have to sting to work. Botanicals and natural ingredients do the job of balancing the skin gently.

Korres products for men incorporate ingredients like Marigold, Aloe, Jojoba, and Vitamin E to mositurize and protect a man’s skin. The line contains no Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Dyes, Petro-Chemicals, Phthalates, GMO, and Triclosan. 

Absinthe Men’s Shave Cream features:

*Absinthe extract: Contains essential oils and flavonoids to smooth skin and protect from irritations with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and refreshing properties.
*Jojoba oil: Moisturizes and softens.
*Vitamin E: A moisturizing antioxidant.
*Active Aloe®: A moisturizing antioxidant that supports the skin’s immune system.

Marigold & Ginseng Aftershave Balm features:

*Ginseng extract: Enables the delivery of water and nutrients to the skin, thus improving its tonicity and firmness.
*Marigold: Soothes and heals wounds.
*Active Aloe: A moisturizing antioxidant that supports the skin’s immune system.
*Hamamelis: An astringent and anti-inflammatory agent.

Image credit: Sephora.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

The daily prizes are Burt’s Bees Beeswax lip balm. There will be one grand prize winner, 24 first place prizes (a limited edition T-shirt autographed by Julianne Moore) and 100 second place prizes (limited edition C&C California for Burt’s Bees T-shirt).

Enter the sweepstakes at VoteforNatural.com.

Burt’s Bees offers a variety of fantastic stuff including natural skin care products, hair care products, soaps, lotions and more. Personally, I love their Lemon Poppy Seed Facial Cleanser, which uses lemon oil, yucca extract, poppy seeds and other all natural ingredients to remove makeup and leave your skin clean, hydrated and refreshed.

Photo credit: Burt’s Bees

Post from: Pretty by Nature

Here’s a great homemade facial that uses chamomile tea, papaya, honey and banana (sounds like a good drink).

Try it and let us know what you think!

Post from: Pretty by Nature