Natural Skin Care

Organic Makeup and Eco Friendly Cosmetics For Natural Skin Care

As we see our world being destroyed by pollutants which cause disease and destruction of animal habitats, we are slowly beginning to focus more on making eco friendly choices. One way we can make our daily lives “green” is to begin using organic makeup. This choice will not only make your skin more youthful and attractive, it can also prevent you from purchasing a product toxic to the environment or aiding in animal cruelty.

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Safe and Natural Skin Care Products

When searching for organic makeup you want to ensure the products are safe for sensitive skin and have no parabens, petroleums, glutene or other synthetic ingredients. These chemicals should be avoided! They can cause harmful reactions including rashes, headaches, cancer and brain damage. Skin care products which are synthetic often contain compounds like mercury, lead, formaldehyde and petroleum. These artificial products can create serious and harmful reactions, especially for those with sensitive skin.

The best tip in skin care is to use products which are certified organic, such as those from companies like Lavera, Saffron Rouge and Vegan. Every cosmetic you can think of can be found in an organic product. From blush to lipstick, organic products are available!

The products available in organic forms include (but are not limited to) the following;

Concealer
Foundation
Eyeliner
Blush
Lipstick
Lotion/creams
Soap/body wash/ shampoo

These items often contain no preservatives, colorants, dyes or perfumes.
It may be surprising to know the fifth largest allergen in the world is fragrance.
Products with fragrance can cause headaches, rashes and more.
Instead of using products with harmful ingredients,
look for organic makeup containing pure organic plant oils, herbs,
flower extracts and essential oils.

Some Mineral Makeups Contain Harmful Chemicals
Do not be fooled by products simply stating they are “mineral makeup” and therefore
assume they’re safe for your body. Many mineral makeup products contain a powder
form of titanium dioxide which when inhaled can cause effects such as those
experienced by asbestos exposure and even lung cancer.
Titanium dioxide is safe when used in creams, preventing inhalation.

Other ingredients to watch for include propylene glycol and diproylene glycol, which are odorless and colorless. These ingredients are simple fragrance carriers and are safe and often found in skin care products. You are also likely to see dimethicone which is a silicone based polymer found in bodily care products. It is an anti foaming agent, skin protectant and conditioning agent. It is non-toxic, non flammable and inert or having little to no ability to react. Silicone is another popular ingredient in cosmetics and is ubiquitous in the earth, making it safe for bodily use.

Eco Friendly Ingredients Matter
When you are looking for natural cosmetics or other skin care products, it’s important to pay attention to ingredients. As we become more aware of the products we use and how they affect our world, we must take action to choose the healthiest products. You can begin making your life more eco friendly today!


Tips For Finding Skirt Shapes, Styles, and Fabrics That Flatter

If you dig the feminine aspects of fashion, chances are you love wearing skirts.
Skirts are one of the most versatile clothing pieces ever created.
While traditional skirts were made so long they almost dragged the ground,
today’s skirts come in such a wide variety there are styles that flatter any body type.
While some body types look better in specific skirt styles, there are a few skirt tips
women of any body type can use when finding the most flattering skirt for them.

Flattering Skirt Lengths
While the focus on finding great pants is more on cut, finding a flattering skirt rides
greatly on length. Most designers agree if you are over the age of 35, mini skirts are just not fashionably appropriate any longer. While there are an abundance of beautiful women over that age, the matter is not focused only on what looks good but also what is age appropriate. You may look great in a short micro mini, but is it really fitting for your age? Think about it!

Things to stay away from if you want your legs to look great in skirts are pleats, ruffles and low waist varieties. Pleats and ruffles will only make you seem girlish, instead of classic or modern. While a low waist can work on pants, it can be difficult to pull off a low waist skirt because they can easily make you appear as if you have a flat backside and no waist, which is never a good thing.

Denim Skirts for Any Fashion Occasion
Most women admit jeans are their favorite items of clothing! So, when it comes to skirts a denim fabric can be quite helpful and versatile. A dark washed denim skirt can be paired with heels, a button down, a nice jacket and scarf for a “business casual” look. The same skirt can then be worn to dinner or other semi-casual events. For a more laid back look, a lighter washed denim skirt can be paired with a trendy tee, tank or even a sweater and boots! You can find great denim skirts at every outlet, from Ann Taylor to Victoria’s Secret. Just remember, unless you’re going for the grunge look denim should never be torn or frayed.

Cuts and Fabric Styles
One giant mistake full sized or any sized woman can easily make is to choose skirts of inappropriate cuts. The cut of a skirt isn’t quite as important as the cut of pants, but it should still be given attention. One of the best cuts in skirts is the a-line. Fashion experts agree an a-line skirt can help define the waist area, help hide the tummy, hips and thigh area and give an overall balance to various body shapes. Stay away from sarong style skirts, unless you are hitting the beach where sarong skirts can be quite appealing. However, in everyday life, they can cause unflattering effects on the tummy area and unless you want to draw attention to your stomach they should be avoided!

Get the Right Size Skirt
When looking for skirts, be aware of the materials and textures of the skirts. Don’t choose skirts that cling to your body. No matter what size or shape they are, you will not get a flattering look if they hug every curve and point out every imperfection! Be sure you’re wearing a skirt size that allows you the freedom to sit or stand without the fabric bunching up and becoming tight. Finding the right size in a skirt is more about waist fit than anything else. So, be sure you aren’t trying to squeeze into a smaller size just because you can. Finding a great overall look is much more important!


Sunless & Fake Tan: Natural Alternatives and Self-Bronzer Products

Most stylists will happily disclose the best accessory for any outfit is a great tan! However, getting tanned skin is not always a healthy ritual to undertake. Many doctors continue to issue warnings against sun tanning and sunburns due to their relation to skin cancer. However, spending too much time in the sun not only increases the risk of skin cancer but also increases the opportunity for wrinkles, fine lines and skin damage. For ladies craving tanned skin, the best alternative to old fashioned tanning in the sun or tanning bed is sunless tanning. Getting a sunless tan has never been easier!

Natural Looking Sunless Tanning Options
Today’s self tanners offer a more natural look than ever before.
The first generation of self tanners often yielded orange results,
with impossible application techniques required.
However, the new generations of self tanners come in less concentrated formulas.
Most are bronzer products that allow users to gradually tan, over a short period of time.
With the tan building with each application, there is no risk of overdoing it all at once and ending up with a deep, uneven tan. Popular brands like Hawaiian Tropic and Bain de Soleil are even creating great moisturizer self tanning cream options for those interested in self tanning.

Other options in self tanning include spray tan booths and indoor airbrush tanning salons.
A spray tan booth can be a quick way for anyone to get a fast sunless tan.
Typically, they require you to wear a paper bikini, step into a spray tan booth,
press a button and wait to be sprayed by the booth’s airbrush system.
Most booths take less than two minutes to complete the job.
Those who want to ensure they’re getting a seamless application can pay to be airbrushed with self tanner. Many high end salons are now offering this service which does prove to be a bit more costly. However, the results are very natural.

Best Fake Tan Products and Self Bronzers
If you’re choosing to apply self tanning lotion or cream at home,
there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, exfoliating your skin is important to getting an even application.
Dead skin cells can soak in extra color pigment and leave you with splotches.
It’s a good idea to apply a thin layer of lotion on your elbows,
knees and ankle areas before applying self tanning lotions.
This will prevent the color from sticking to these thick skinned areas.
Also, be prepared to stay away from water or even rain for a few hours after your application.
If you get wet shortly after using a self tanner, you may appear spotty in color.

UV Protection From Sunless Tanning Products
The bona fide best thing about sunless tanning options is the fact they are extremely safe to use. There is no risk of being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays and thus there is a guarantee self tanning products will offer protection and often even prevention against fine lines and wrinkles.


Caring For and Treating Your Sensitive Skin with the Right Beauty Products

For those with sensitive skin, it can prove to be difficult to find skin care products which
do not irritate the skin. Sensitive skin tends to be thin and delicate.
It has fine pores and may flush easily.
Capillaries in the skin are susceptible to being broken and the skin is frequently plagued by allergens and can break out with a rash easily. The skin often burns easier in the sun, tends to feel tight when certain cosmetics are applied and can easily become itchy, or sting.


Treating Sensitive Skin Effectively
It may surprise you to know the number of people with sensitive skin is increasing in number. This is a result of pollutants, stress and UV exposure (due to lack of using sunscreen).
Those with sensitive skin can care for their skin with the use of products designed to be gentle and caring. There are keywords to look for when choosing sensitive skin care products.
Look for words including hypoallergenic, fragrance free and non-cosmogenic on the labels of any products you want to try.

Hypoallergenic means the product was created and tested to have little or no allergic reaction with the skin.
Fragrance free means no additional ingredients have been added to create or cover up fragrance. Studies show fragrance is the leading cause of skin allergy, allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema and peeling from makeup.
Non-cosmogenic means the product does not clog the pores of the skin.

Hypoallergenic Products for Sensitive Skin
In addition to staying away from harmful ingredients, it’s important to add the right components of healthy skin care into a daily beauty regimen. Begin with a gentle and non-drying cleanser, such as those made by Cetaphil or Neutrogen brands. Cleansing facial soap will wash away and remove dirt, oil and chemicals from the environment and help you with treating and preventing blemish outbreaks and acne.

The second product needed is an exfoliant. When you exfoliate your skin, you will remove the dead skin cells and leave the skin glowing. It is recommended to use an exfoliant with salicylic acid, which is easier on the skin than those products with an alpha hydroxyl. Beware of those with a toner included, as they may be too harsh for sensitive skin areas.

Next, be sure to use a great moisturizer lotion or cream. Every skin type (from oily to dry) needs a moisturizer. You should have a daytime moisturizer with an SPF and a richer nighttime moisturizer, which better hydrates the skin in the evening.

Always Use Sunscreen!
Lastly, all beauty regimes should include a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays cause the skin to burn and cause skin cancer. UVA rays cause premature aging or wrinkling of the skin. You need to look for three key ingredients in your sunscreen which will ensure healthy protection. These include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and avobenzone. These three ingredients absorb UVA and UVB rays protecting the sun from burning or other types of skin damage.

When you take care of your sensitive skin and use the tips above, you will have healthy and smooth skin that feels as good as it looks!