Cosmetics Safety and Great Saving

We know we’ve come along way baby in terms of healthy skin and personal care products here in the US in the past decade. But where do we Americans actually sit where safety in our cosmetics and body products are concerned? How protected are we by our government?

Not very, sadly enough. Though there are more trusted nontoxic cosmetic and skin care lines on the market today, our government is still doing relatively little to guarantee the safety of these products.

The European Union is a good role model for us and are making great strides in the campaign for safer cosmetics and personal care products. Their policies on testing, ingredient usage and labeling requirements are more stringent than any others. For further information on cosmetic safety regulations, read this article at Lavera.com.

Saffron Rouge is another stop for safe organic cosmetics, and right now is their Red Dot Sale. Certain items are marked down until out of stock. Head over and check it out for great savings on trusted organic brands.

Put Some Spring in Your Step

I don’t know where you are hanging out right now, but here in the Midwest it seems everyone is singing the same song. Can’t wait for a little warm weather and sunshine. Even a heat wave of 50 degrees or so would be welcomed. And you definitely see more smiling faces when the sun is shining, which hasn’t happened a whole lot as of late.

There are a few things we can do to bolster some good energy in the dark, dreary months of winter. Glowing skin is always my go-to mood booster – and no, you do not have to hit the tanning beds. There are some truly terrific – and safe! – self-tanners on the market that leave you with a natural, healthy glow. Great place to start.

Working out is always good for your healthy, energy and self-esteem and setting goals now (before we’ve even seen the light of spring) is a great way to pump it up for warmer months. So hit the gym, get out your exercise ball or take the dog for a nice long walk. Even if you don’t feel like it, you will be amazed how great you’ll feel after.

Next up, a good shave! This may seem like a no-brainer, but I think sometimes in the pants-wearing season we tend to neglect that area of upkeep. So, next time you shower don’t forget those gams. Rather wax? Try MOOM sugar-based hair removal. This stuff is all natural (I am always tempted to lick it) and super easy to use. Just heat in the microwave (be sure not to get it too hot) and apply with a wooden applicator stick. Unwanted hair zips right off with a muslin strip. You can do your underarms and bikini area too, but I am not that brave. Please do share if you go there. We’d love your tips!

Try some scent. Our sense of smell can conjure up all kinds of reminders. Remember the scent you work in high school, or the one you wore on your wedding day? Well, it works for summer too. The one I wear year-round is the warm, sensuous scent of vanilla. This stuff never gets old and always reminds me of a beach….or at least the patio and a glass of lemonade.

Try these products to get some spring back in your step:

Lavera Self Tanner for face and body -- Both products are as easy to apply as putting on your usual face and body moisturizers.  No streaking or orange-ness.  I use this stuff year-round.  For best results exfoliate prior to use.

MOOM Hair Removal System -- Much easier to use than wax and is made up purely of natural ingredients.  Just heat, apply and strip.

Lavanila Pure Vanilla -- This intoxicating scent is perfect for invoking a little warmth into your senses.  And the light, natural aroma is perfect even for us scent-sensitive.

Image:  Marcos Vasconcelos Photography at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Get in the Zone

It can be difficult at times to accomplish everything you want and need to get done.  Work, kids, volunteer time and justs keeping up with the house can seem overwhelming.

Below are some posts that will pick you up, whether by treating yourself to an at-home spa experience, a great give-away or just a little eye candy.  Enjoy!

Try an at home facial for some diy pampering

Pretty, pretty.....it's funny how something living can brighten up your wintery space

And check this awesome giveaway.  Talk about crafty, this mother of five has transformed her modular house into a beautiful space.  A new fave blog!

I am having trouble keeping up with my life right now, thus no blog posts of my own.  Thanks for bearing with me.

And stop back here next week for posts on new products I've tried and an interview with a Dr. of  Ayurveda!

Green Beauty Myths

Beautorium sent this clip from Charlotte Today, an NBC affiliate in North Carolina. It is an interview with Tastee Cosmetics Creative Director Jami Svay about busting green beauty myths.

The three myths:

• Green beauty products are not colorful
• Green beauty products are too expensive for us regular folk, and can only be afforded by celebrity
• You need chemical-loaded products for them to be effective

I have been in this business long enough to; 1) know these are not true, and 2) kind of not think about them anymore. Truly, I was actually surprised to realize that many still think of organic beauty products as stinky, bland concoctions.

You can purchase any green skin care or cosmetic product of your choosing that is equal to the consistency, texture, color and effectiveness of any conventional product. Honestly and without a doubt! And the added bonus, obviously…no harmful ingredients. Of course, there are still product lines that carry the green claim but still contain chemical ingredients. You have to be careful, read labels and not believe all green claims.

Check out this article on getting started with green beauty.

Use code charlottetoday at Beautorium in the next 2 days and receive 15% off. The nontoxic beauty brands I personally recommend at Beautorium are Dr. Hauschka, John Masters Organics, Pangea Organics, Revolution Organics, Sophyto, Suki, Trilogy and Weleda.

Image credit: TheTruthAbout...'s at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Green Beauty Samples

Reposted from Feelgood Style

Most people, when starting out with green beauty products, have no idea where to begin. Which products should I purchase first? Which will my skin like? And which are truly safe products, for that matter?

There are several online retailers who help with these decisions and get your new green beauty regimen off to a great start. Simply, easily, and without spening a lot of money. These are also worth a look if you already have a green beauty routine in place and would like to try a few different products. It is always fun to sample new stuff!

You are going to love Love Lula’s free sample and trial size program. Trial sizes are up for purchase at lowered prices and free samples are available when you spend over £5 (app. $10). A great way to try out some pricier products.

Choose 2 free samples at Saffron Rouge with purchase from a generous list including cleansers, moisturizers and hair products. Spend over $95 and receive 5 free samples.

Caren Online offers a vast selection of Try Me! sizes for a very modest investment. Totally worth the few bucks spent. Check out this article on Caren’s blog on how to get started with green beauty.

The Nature of Beauty offers a variety of samples for just $.01 (yep, a penny!) Choose from 3-7 samples depending on purchase amount.

Image:  SukiPure.com

The Pioneer Woman Knows Jim

If candles are your thing then you have probably already heard about the ingenious Jimmy Belasco. He makes soy candles with the most delectable, subtle yet strong-enough-to-fill-a-room scents and donates a portion of his proceeds to various charities.

Now he’s gone one step further and will let you create your own packaging. How cool is that?

Check out his cute site and pick up a few valentines, 3 romantic scents are on sale for the holiday of love. Here is a post on the subject by The Pioneer Woman which triggered the title of this post.  You see, my dog's name is Jim (in photo above) and he looks just like her dog (Charlie) and apparently acts like him too.  I get such a kick out of reading posts about her dog because she could be writing about mine.  Sorry about the inside joke!

Valentine’s Steals

After several years of marriage, Valentine’s Day can take on a whole new life. It sometimes ends up more about the kids’ school parties and making valentine’s for their friends than getting something special for your Valentine.

Organic chocolate is always a favorite and one of the best has to be Dagoba. While I love any flavor or form of chocolate, milk chocolate is my fave. I know, we are supposed to be eating dark for its health benefits, and it is super good. But in my book, nothing beats the yummy, creamy chow-down-ability of a high-quality milk chocolate bar.

The hubby usually gets me a couple of them for V-Day and I squirrel them away so that no one else eats them when I’m not looking, though I do share on a limited basis. Roses are lovely, no doubt, but I tend to go a little crazy without chocolate (cocoa-loco?) and the really good stuff is a definite treat!

But let’s move on to green beauty. Listed below are a few great deals on organic beauty products to get you smoothed, softened and smelling divine just in time for the day of love.

Brilliant organic beauty shop, Saffron Rouge, is running a terrific special on gift cards –now through Feb 14th when you order one $100 gift card you can purchase a second at 50% off. A great way to treat yourself and another.

Lavera has come up with a way to save you some green while getting your pucker valentine’s-ready. Now through Feb14th get 25% off lip care products. A really great deal on some really great organic products. I love Lavera lip glosses! Use promo code VALENTINE2010 at checkout.

Get soft and supple with Bubble & Bee’s Slather it on Sale! They’ve marked down their prices on Lathering Salt Scrubs in Peppermint Vanilla and Raspberry Lemonade (this one is truly mouth-watering). This sale is only going until the end of the day (Feb 5th) midnight so you’ll have to hurry…..

Image:  Pink Sherbet Photography at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Eye Shadow Obsession

As I wrote on Feelgood Style, I have been playing around with eye shadow more lately. It is a fun and easy way to really add something different to your look.

My absolute fave right now is Revolution Organics Glow Beauty Balm in Bronzed. It looks very dark in the tube but goes on very natural, even on my super fair winter skin. I smudge a little on the apples of my cheeks and eye lids and it really adds a new dimension to my look in a very subtle way.

Another switch as of late is in the eye liner arena. I have always, always used brown pencil eye liner, but recently have been applying some dark shadow to lash lines with a sponge applicator and blending. Mix the powder shadow with a drop of rosehip oil to give it sticking power.  It is amazing how a darker liner can really brighten up your eyes.

Attempting a dark eye is somewhat intimidating if this isn’t a look you usually go with. This look from green makeup artist Christy Coleman’s site is smokin’ hot and actually easier to achieve than you may think. Start with a light shadow, like Sand from Lavera’s Eye Shadow Duo No. 3, then blend your dark shadow from lash line to crease. This tends to look best when the dark shadow has a creamy, glossy look. Mix your dark powder shadow with a little of the rosehip oil or even your cream blusher, to get the effect.

Special for OBS visitors: Shop at Lavera and receive 10% off any regularly priced item when you enter code organicbeauty2010 at checkout. Discount is valid for one use per customer through Dec 31 2010.

I am still working my way up to the smokey eye. Have you tried this look? If not, does this make you want to?

Image:  dreamglow at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.