If you do use traditonal bleaching or whitening toothpastes, then don’t use them every day – alternate with a regular toothpaste. If you use a bleaching kit, be aware that the ADA has not approved these products and their use may lead to an erosion of your enamel.

The Natural Dentist  products use ingredients that help to whiten your teeth and protect your teeth with non-harmful natural ingredients. Instead of peroxide, they use silica, glycerin, bamboo, and citric acid. They have research to back up their products, you can access it here.

The Natural Dentist people sent be two products to try for review; the Pre-Brush Whitening Antigingivitis Rinse and the Healthy Teeth & Gums Whitening Anticavity Toothpaste. I have been using them for a week. I think my teeth are a little whiter, but more importantly, to me anyway, they feel clean and fresh. The Peppermint Twist flavor toothpaste tastes great – reminds me of the Big Red gum that I chewed as a teenager.

Here are a few details about each product:

Pre-Brush Whitening Antigingivitis Rinse

*Natural silica from Bamboo Powder for whitening and stain removal
*Peppermint and Sage Oils to help prevent and reduce plaque and gingivitis (the earliest form of gum disease)
*Helps to prevent bleeding gums, a common sign of gingivitis
*Cleansing ingredients: Grapefruit Seed Extract, Menthol, Xylitol
*Soothing ingredients: Aloe Vera Gel, Vegetable Glycerin
*No alcohol, artificial ingredients, bleach or peroxide

Healthy Teeth & Gums Whitening Anticavity Toothpaste

*Gently removes stains with customized polishing silica 
*Strengthens teeth & prevents cavities
*Protects against acid erosion
*Freshens breath
*No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or artificial Ingredients
 

You can find The Natural Dentist products at CVS, Drugstore.com, or the Vitamin Shoppe. Click here to download a $1 off coupon, good for any of The Natural Dentist products.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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The Organic Pharmacy sent me three of their Organic Glam makeup products to try for review; foundation, blusher, and lipstick.

*Luminous Antioxidant Foundation in Shade 01 – This is hands down the best foundation that I have ever used. It comes in a tube and I’m able to do my entire face with about a pea-sized drop. The foundation feels very light on my skin. I have used powder foundations for the past few years, because I dislike that mask-like feel that you usually get from liquid or cream foundations. There’s no mask-feel here. It’s sheer, my freckles were muted, but still show through. I asked my daughters what they thought and they said, “It looks like your skin only better.” What more could a person ask of their foundation?  I’m hooked. The foundation can be layered for more coverage, if that’s what you are looking for.

*Blusher in Pink- This is a powder blusher in a bubblegum pink shade. At first glance, you might think that it’s too pink. No, just right – especially if you regularly use a bronzer.  (Bronzer alone can look muddy, brighten it with a blusher).  Use a light dusting on the apples of your cheeks and it wakes up your entire face, looks like you spent the afternoon in the garden. A bright pink will flatter many different skin tones.

*Lipstick in Red -  This is a classic red, perfect for a night on the town. I am a gloss girl, rather than a lipstick girl, so I layer the lipstick over lip balm for a lighter look. It’s smooth, creamy, very nice.

You can find all of these products online, but if you get a chance to visit the Beverly Hills shop, be sure to schedule one of their many spa treatments.

Image credit: The Organic Pharmacy

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Keeping your lips smooth is easy.  The trick it to use a two-step lip care program. First, exfoliate. Second, moisturize and protect.

I usually use a moistened washcloth or toothbrush (no toothpaste, just use water) and I massage the rough skin off gently.  I follow with a lip balm that contains a mixture of almond oil (to smooth) and wax (to protect). 

Sometimes, unfortunately, that is not enough. If you’ve reached that point, then try something like the Fern Lily Girls Pear Kiwi Pod Exfoliating Lip Scrub. It’s made with healthy vegan ingredients like Candelilla Wax, Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Sugar (for exfoliating), Olive Oil, Safflower Oil, Mowrah Butter, Flavor Oil, and Organic Kiwi Seeds (for exfoliating).

The lip scrub is easy to use. Apply a small dab, gently work across lip surface, then rinse. Follow with Fern Girl Lip Conditioner.

The lip conditioners are available in a variety of scents/flavors. If you have a hard time narrowing down a favorite, you can chose 3 to try here. They are made with a combination of moisturizing, protective, vegan ingredients and pure essential oils.

Image credit: Fern Lily Girls at Etsy

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The products contain ingredients that help protect against premature aging. Polyphenols like those in the grape seed are powerful antioxidants that shield the skin from environmental eliminates – the sun, pollution, harsh weather. Perfect for protecting skin during the Winter.

My Caudalie Must Have Set
$68  ($121 value)

*1.6 oz Grape Water
*1.0 oz Beauty Elixir
*1.6 oz Instant Foaming Cleanser
*0.5 oz 1st Wrinkle Eye Cream
*0.33 oz Night Infusion Cream
*0.14 oz Lip Conditioner

All the products are made without any animal ingredients (vegan products), mineral oil, sodium laureth sulfate, parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, or phenoxyethanol.The Beauty Elixir and Grape Water are made without synthetic fragrances. The Beauty Elixir and Grape Water are made without Petro-Chemicals.

This kit ships free and users who tried it have rated it as worth 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Image credit: Sephora.com

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I like to use homemade bath salts,  bubble bath, or Sabon’s Honey Peach Mineral powder. It is a sweet-smelling, effervescent treat for the tub – and it’s good for my skin. It’s made from a blend of Dead Sea salts, minerals, and essential oils. It naturally contains the minerals magnesium, calcium, and iron. These minerals are known to lower blood pressure, help with rheumatism, relax you, soothe tired muscles, and soften your skin.

If Honey Peach is not your fragrance of choice, then you might try Patchouli Lavendar Rose, Patchouli Lavendar Vanilla, and Vanilla Coconut.

Honey Peach Mineral Powder
17 ounces for $24

I got an email from Sabon today and they are offering a free gift with purchase starting today, November 11, 2009 through November 18, 2009. Sabon is promising to ship orders on time for Christmas delivery if you place the order before December 15, 2009.

I can’t find any specific information about what each gift entails (size, scent, etc), but I’m guessing, going by the code and the photo, that it’s a candle, a hand lotion, or a body oil.

The free gift offer codes are:

CANDLE09
LOTION09
BODYOIL09

Image credit: Sabon.com

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The 4th Cosmetic Market opened recently in Chattanooga and  it’s anticipated that even more branches will open throughout the US very soon. If you don’t live near The Cosmetic Market, they are based in  Nashville, you can shop online and find products from eco-friendly companies like Dr. Hauschka, Eköh Cosmetics, Stella Care, Herbal Essentials, Eco Lips, Jurlique, Ecoist Bags, Essence of Vali, Smashbox Green Room, Cargo PlantLove Lipstick, REN, Korres, Allison Raffaelle, Shu, Malie, Body Sonya Dakar, Mop, Pureology, and Crystal Rock Deodorant. 

The Eköh Party Prep facial mask that I reviewed is available there. It’s a great mask for use before a special occasion (holiday party, perhaps?) or if you are like me and your skin breaks out at a certain time of the month.

The Cosmetic Market  is offering Splendicity readers a great online savings deal this week. Save 20% this week – November 9, 2009 through November 15, 2009. Use the savings code PRETTY at checkout.

Image credit: The Cosmetics Market

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Tarte Smooth Operator SPF 20
$35

Smooth Operator is an oil-free foundation that gives a light to medium coverage. It has a light feel on your skin, “…”water-in-silicone” formula blends into your skin as easily as a moisturizer…”  It’s formulated without Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petro-Chemicals, or Phthalates.  It is made with antioxidant ingredients like Vitamin A, C, or E.

Korres Wild Rose Foundation
$28

This is a brightening foundation, so it’s a good choice for someone whose skin is beginning to show some signs of aging. The coverage is long-lasting and it has an SPF of 20. It’s made with Vitamin C and Wild Rose extract. Wild Rose extract has been proven to brighten skin tone, repair fine lines and wrinkles. It’s moisturizing, but oil-free. It’s made without Parabens, Sulfates, Mineral Oils, Petro-Chemicals, Propylene Glycols, Ethanolomines, or GMOs. This foundation is also helpful for post-acne problems.

NVEY Organic Moisturizing Fluid Foundation
$45

This foundation is both moisturizing and “aromatic.”  It’s been certified organic by OFC Australia and the Australian government.  It’s lightweight and the coverage is sheer. It’s breathable, so it’s a great choice for someone who has oily or acne-prone skin. Some of the ingredients include chamomile, cucumber, calendula, and rose absolute.

Image credit: Sephora

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*Don’t over-highlight blond hair. The golden tones are what you want. Jennifer Aniston is the perfect example. Only Gwen Stefani call truly pull off platinum.

*When choosing jeans, look for a pair with at least 2 percent Lycra. The stretch will help to support your figure and it makes your butt look better.

*See a fitting expert to help you find the correct bra size. Two things that really help your figure instantly – good posture and a good-fitting bra.

*Dark,  matte lipsticks ages a face. Pick something pink and with a bit of gloss. Another thing, that I do myself , is to apply lip balm and then layer  lipstick lightly over it. It gives a little color, but it’s translucent.

*Aging skin benefits from creamier forms of makeup – cream blush, cream concealer, cream bronzer, and cream foundation. Use a tinted moisturizer if you can get by with a smaller amount of coverage. You don’t have to purchase a special already tinted moisturizer. I mix a few drops of liquid foundation into my everyday moisturizer. Sometimes I add a little shimmery highlighter into the mix as well. It helps to brighten your face and blur the lines.

Image credit: Zuma Press.com

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I have a few basic makeup brushes that I use all the time:

*Kabuki brush- A kabuki brush is a short, full brush. It’s used with mineral foundation application.

*Cover Up brush- This is a short brush, sort of thin, tapered at the ends. I use mine to apply powder concealer. You might chose a smaller, narrower brush for liquid or stick concealer.

*Eye Shadow Brush- I use a small, square-shaped brush for applying eye shadow. It’s soft, but  has a bit of firmness to it. You want it to apply color, but not scatter it all over your cheek.

*Eyeliner brush- This is a small, firm, angled brush. You can use it either wet or dry with a powder shadow/liner.

Sephora carries a collection of synthetic (vegan) antibacterial brushes that has each of these brush types in it.

You don’t have to buy a collection – my brushes are a ragtag bunch of brushes that I’ve collected over the years because they fit my needs. This brush set is a customer favorite with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Once you find your perfect tools, remember to care for them properly  and they will last for years.

Image credit: Sephora.com

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Fun in the Sun Mineralize Kit
$59.50

The Fun in the Sun Mineralize Kit consists of 3 color products and a little mini buffer brush. There’s a Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne (Shimpagne? What color is that?), Blush in Nuance (Nuance?), and the eye shadow is a duo called Play on Plums (okay, probably purples). I can’t see any information listed about the ingredients in the makeup. The Play on Plums shadows are described as “Bronzed burgundy mono/Peachy gold with pink and bronze veining (Frost).”

Pinkzapoppin! Mineralize Kit
$59.50

The Pinkzapoppin! kit contains Skinfinish in Light Flush, a blush in Dainty, and the shadow duo is Love Connection. Love Connection is a “Pale beige with gold and blue veining/Warm gold mono (Frost).”

Image credit: M.A.C Cosmetics.com

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