How to Wear the Perfect Natural Red Lip

When wearing red lipstick, the color you choose is very important. It has to go with your complexion and hair color. Any clashing will take you from glam to slam instantly.

You also need to make sure the lipstick you choose is truly natural. Let’s recreate InStyle magazine’s The Year’s Best Red Lips guide with all natural lipsticks.

Blonde Hair / Fair Skin
 
Think: Taylor Swift
InStyle Choice: Cherry-red lipstick with clear gloss
Green Choice: Revolution Organics Freedom Gloss in FREEDOM True Red

Blonde Hair / Medium Skin

Think: Sienna Miller
InStyle choice: Brick red lip stain with lip balm
Green choice: SANTE Lipstick Balm SPF 15, red

Blonde Hair / Dark Skin

Think: Beyonce
InStyle choice: Cool-tone, creamy red lipstick
Green choice: SANTE Lipstick in deep red 08

Red Hair / Fair Skin

Think: Julianne Moore
Instyle choice: Creamy tomato-red lipstick
Green choice: Lavera Beautiful Lips Lipstick in Deep Red #4

Dark Hair / Fair Skin

Think: Julianna Marguilies
InStyle choice: Cool, wine-red lipstick
Green choice: Couleur Caramel Lipstick in Garnet

Dark Hair / Medium Skin

Think: Salma Hayek-Pinault
InStyle choice: Modern, orange-red lipstick
Green choice: Nvey Eco Organic Lipstick #369

Dark Skin / Dark Hair

Think: Taraji P. Henson
InStyle choice: Matte, true-red lipstick
Green choice: Logona Pure Red

 SANTE America is offfering Organic Beauty Source readers a 10% discount site-wide with discount code OBS10. Offer good on one use per customer and excludes SANTE kits.

Image:  le jardin public - CS photo at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

Burt's Bees 100% Natural Solid Perfumes

Forget that little something for the girls?  Need one more stocking stuffer for your daughter?  Or maybe you've earned yourself a treat?  I have just the right surprise for you!

Let me start from the beginning.  Tina, one of many gals who keep me in the loop on new green beauty finds, sent me one of Burt's Bees new Perfume Solids -- a cute little tin of scented balm.  I thought, "How cute, what a great stocking stuffer this would make for my little girl!" and squirreled it right away.

A couple of weeks later Tina asks how I like the perfume, and it occured to me I'd never even tried it.  So caught up in holiday mode.

Well, since then I have tried it.  I and I love it, and so does my daughter.  Yes, we treated ourselves early.

Burt's Bees Solid Perfumes are made up of natural plant oils of coconut oil and sweet almond, beeswax, and shea butter.  These hydrating ingredients make these littles scents seem more like a balm and sink right into skin.  The fragrance is made up of Burt's Bees own unique blend of pure essential oils, not the nasty synthetic fragrance of conventional perfumes.

There are four lovely-scented perfumes in the line:

Herbal/Fruity -- this is the one that I tried and it is a light fruity blend of peach, jasmine, black tea, ylang, and vanilla

Citrus-Floral -- a blend of Brazilian orange, Floridian grapefruit, rose petals, and cedarwood

Citrusy -- a mix of lemon, grapefruit, and cedarwood

Citrus Woody Floral -- a mix of Italian lemon, sweet pineapple, rose-geranium, and wood

The sweet tiny tins are easily transportable and pretty too.  And at only $10 a piece you can grab one of each.

Image:  Burt's Bees.com

Organic Cosmetics Review -- Infotone Face Mister

Earlier this week I posted on Feelgood Style on a unique new skincare item, the Infotone Face Mister.  Sure a facial mister is nothing new, but what makes this product unique is that it has no ingredients.  Well, except for purified water.  And a cool little ceramic ball.  If you are going, "huh?", please read on...

Here is what I reported on Feelgood Style~

In the world of natural and organic cosmetics we are always talking about toxins. Toxins used to grow ingredients for cosmetics, toxins used to process ingredients for cosmetics, and toxic ingredients that are added to cosmetic products. Our main desire in using natural and organic beauty products is to decrease our exposure to toxins.

Using skincare, cosmetics, and personal care products free from harmful ingredients is on effective way to lower your toxic exposure. Another way is to use products with fewer ingredients. Or say…one ingredient. Like water.

Water? How can simply using water work on my skin?

Infotone Face Mist is a new and innovative skincare product created by AquaLiv, makers of water detoxifying systems. The purified water “contains a non-toxic and 100% natural mineral clay ceramic ball that features AquaLiv’s BioT™ Bioinformation Technology”. This little ceramic ball infuses the water with qualities said to help the skin with such things as hydration, suppleness, firmness, texture, wrinkles, pigmentation, and blemishes.

As for explaining the BioT™ Bioinformation Technology, that is a bit complex. If you are science minded, it may make sense to you right away. If you are on the not-so-science-y end of things, it may be a bit hazy. As put by Craig Hoffman, Inventor of AquaLiv Water:

"Any contaminate that water has been in contact with, even if removed through purification, leaves harmful bioinformation in that water. The body reacts to that water as if the contaminate was still present. This is what we have learned from our studies."

AquaLiv Water Systems are said to create negatively charges ions through the addition of electrons. This is supposed to erase the water “memory” of past toxins it may have contained and provide healthier, safer, more pH balanced water.

Well, I admittedly know very little about the science of purifying water, but can give you my opinion of the Infotone Face Mist. I have been using the mister for the past few weeks, twice daily, and do like the product. Though I have not noticed any pronounced improvements in my complexion, it is a handy product to have around. I have been using it as a toner after my nightly cleansing and as my morning cleanser when I am in need of a simple, light cleansing (in place of my usual green tea). This would also be a convenient skin refresher in summer months.

The coolest thing about the Infotone Face Mist is that the ceramic ball is reusable. Simply refill the mister with purified water and keep on misting. The ball’s ionic effects should last for up to one year.

For more information on water purification and AquaLiv’s BioT™ Bioinformation Technology read their information page.

Image:  AquaLiv.net

Organic Cosmetics Review -- MADARA Shimmering Moisturizing Lotion

You know how MADARA Flower Dust Shimmering Moisturizing Lotion is on my Holiday Wish List?  And you know how Jessica sent me a bottle of my very own?  And you know how I promised that I would give you all the juicy details?  Well...

I could not wait to try this body lotion after seeing it on The Zoe Report last month.  Shimmer or glow in a body lotion not only adds a little glam, but illuminates the skin, which is always flattering.  Makes pale skin look young and healthy, and tan skin look even better.

Needless to say, this time of year skin needs all the help it can get.  I've been using self tanner to keep things glowing and MADARA Flower Dust Shimmering Moisturizing Lotion really enhances the effect.

Like I told you last week, I have been giving my bod a daily dousing of MADARA Firming Oil for deep hydration.  After allowing a few mintues for the oil to soak in, I apply a layer of the shimmer lotion to my arms and chest where it shows off the sheen.  Can't wait for summer.  This stuff is going to look great on a tan!

MADARA products are certified by ECOCERT and made from natural and organic ingredients without any of the nasties.  You can find MADARA products at Beauty Habit where they are still running their special on MADARA products:  buy $65 or more in MADARA products and receive a free MADARA Hair Care duo.  You can read my review of the MADARA Shampoo and Conditioner here.
So, a couple of days ago I wrote about Seasonal Pick Me Ups.  Did I follow through with a day of self nurturance?  Yes, I did!  Sure, I still worked, and did all the the "home" stuff.  But I made sure I got some exercise and treated myself right.  And, yes, I even cut back to one cup of coffee.  If you can sneak in a little time for yourself (especially this time of year) it is soooo worth it.  Don't know if it will happen today, but there is always tomorrow...

Seasonal Pick Me Ups

Who’s been feeling run down lately? I would wager we all have.

I decided that today, instead of feeling the stress and caving in to it with more coffee and ibuprofen, I would try to actually do a little self nurturing and see how that goes. It is amazing how we overlook ourselves and put others first, especially this time of year. Not to say that doing for others is a bad thing, it is kind of what the season is about. But if you are not up to par, you had better take a look at yourself before delivering that next batch of cookies.

Here is my list of good-for-me items that I am going to indulge in today ~

Exercise – Like most Moms I know, I’ve been skipping the treadmill lately. Who has the time, right? Well, today I have vowed to get in a little energy pumping run, even if it is only for 20 minutes or so. I know I will thank me later.

Green tea – I also plan to replace my 2nd and 3rd cups of coffee for the day with anti-oxidant packed green tea. Will let you know how this goes.

Skin Buff – Exfoliating takes an extra minute or two in the shower at most and leaves skin not only feeling super soft and smooth, but looking like you have had a really great night’s sleep.  SANTE Facial Exfoliating Cream Lotus & White Tea sloughs gently and adds a boost of moisture to skin.  Perfect for winter time exfoliating - soft smooth skin without the dryness.  SANTE America is offfering Organic Beauty Source readers a 10% discount site-wide with discount code OBS10. Offer good on one use per customer and excludes SANTE kits.

Again, my fave body exfoliant is plain old milk and sugar, but if you add a few drops of Sweet Almond or Olive oil this time of year, it will add a little moisture for dry skin.  I also read somewhere the other day (Ladies Home Journal, I think?) that Catherine Zeta-Jones uses a mixture of honey and sea salt to keep her gorgeous bod soft and supple.  Honey is a very healing and moisturizing ingredient.  I may just have to give this one a go.

Get Glowing – It is so amazing how a little tan can boost spirits and make you feel like you look thinner, more radiant and youthful. I usually use a natural self tanner throughout winter months for just a hint of glow on my face, arms, tummy. It is a real upper. Lately I have been too busy to worry about these little things, but today I am going to take the time. And really, it is just as simple and quick as putting on your daily face and body moisturizer.

SANTE makes this step a no-brainer with Soleil Self Tanning Moisture Cream and Self Tanning Lotion. These are my tanners of choice this year, are all natural and result in an amazingly natural-looking glow. No orange-y-ness and no streaks. You can read about them on my Holiday Wish List, and find a code there too for a great deal on all SANTE products.

These little pick me ups may add an extra 30 minutes to my schedule today. But, it will be worth it!

If you are in a pinch for gifts for the girls, check out my Holiday Wish List for some great, good-for-you beaty ideas.  You should still have time to order.

Image:  -Alina- at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.

I'm Loving MADARA Firming Oil

For actually hydrating the skin -I'm talking deep down hydration here- you have to have a great body oil. Oils are my favorite for face and body, and you can still apply your regular lotion on top.

My fave of the moment has to be MADARA Firming Oil. This yummy combination of rich plant oils (Sunflower, Jojoba, Soybean) plus Calendula and Chamomile for soothing, make this oil deeply hydrating. And the light orange-y scent is fresh and uplifting.

And, added bonus, MADARA Firming Oil touts skin-firming, cellulite-reducing properties. I massage this oil onto my entire body after showering, always using gentle motions toward the heart as recommended in Ayurveda.

Shop MADARA products at Beauty Habit now and receive a free MADARA Haircare Duo with purchase of $65 or more in MADARA products. I've tried the hair care products and will report on them in the near future. Not to be missed.

Image:  Madara-USA

Feel-Better Products

Uh, I woke up with a head cold today AND lots to do.  Not a good combo.  So, I grabbed a few select products and hit the shower.

Sweet Jessica of MADARA sent over some more products for me to try.  I wrote about a few of them here and the Shimmering Body Lotion is on my Holiday Gift List -- will give you more details on that one next week.  Today I used  the new MADARA hair care products -- Colour & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner.  These two hair care products have the most fabulous scent.  I know "spring meadow" is cliche but that really is what they smell like.  And they left my hair soft and shiny, all without any nasty ingredients.  Love 'em!  You can purchase MADARA products at b~glowing and Beauty Habit, or check them out on Open Sky.  I highly recommend these terrific products.

My complexion was looking super pale and sallow from lack of sleep and stuffed up-ness, so I knew a little exfoliation was in order.  Pratima Skincare Diamond Botanical Facial Refiner does the trick by gently sloughing away dry flaky skin, but leaves behing light moisture.  My skin loves this stuff.  I wrote about this product here but it is still not on the Pratima Skincare site.  Will let you know when it comes in.  If you want to make a great winter time exfoliant at home simply mix enough organic milk into organic sugar to make a scrub consistency and add a few drops of olive or sweet almond oil for hydration.  Works like a charm.

My head felt so heavy and achey, so I reached for the aromatherapy.  Aromatherapy Personals by NuWorld Botanicals are mixtures of targeted essential oils to suit many of life's ailments, in a convenient roller-ball bottle.  The Sinus Headache Personal really helps to clear and calm your head with its lavender/eucalyptus scent.  I will be dabbing this stuff on all day.

Can't wait to curl up under a blanket tonight with a cup of tea and just...re...lax...

What are your natural cold feel-betters?  Please share!