The First-Ever…2011 Epic Beauty Awards.

WINNERS – MAKEUP

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WINNERS – HAIR CARE

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WINNERS – SKIN CARE

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WINNERS – BODY CARE

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WINNERS – BEAUTY TOOLS

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WINNERS – BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE

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Hey everyone! I did two other posts on my skin care routine back in January and April, and I figured it was about time to do another one since some things have changed.

Since sticking to a 100% paleo/primal foods for about 4 months now (instead of half-assing it for the 2+ years), my skin has become even easier to manage. As a result, I don’t do as much to my skin, and my routine is more casual. Good times!

(By the way, are you on the Epic Beauty Guide Facebook page yet? I post exclusive tips and info on there…just so you know…nudge nudge.)

{SKIN CARE}

CLEANSER. Filtered water, $ for the filtration system**
A must-have. People with sensitive skin may find that water irritates their skin or makes their face red – however, it is not the water itself, it is the chlorine and all the bits of allowable chemicals (VOCs, THMs, pesticides, etc.) in city tap water. Chlorine dries out the skin, makes hair brittle, and can exacerbate asthma and eczema. So I shower in filtered water, I drink filtered water, and I use filtered water to wash my face.** I soak a soft face cloth in warm water (definitely warm, almost hot) and press it on my face for a minute or so, then gently wipe my face with the same wet towel. I don’t scrub. Not only does it feel good and is super relaxing, it also gently removes any dirt and any excess oil. I have found that water is all I need (note that I don’t wear makeup – if you wear makeup, you need to use something like coconut or almond oil to remove your makeup first, then use a cleanser suited for your skin to get all the makeup off).

FYI: You guys know me – always researching, always sticking my nose into new information, the latest technology, yadda yadda. Well I’ve been paying very close attention to the issue surrounding chloramine. What the heck is it and why should you care? Chloramine is fast becoming a popular (and inexpensive) way of disinfecting our tap water. It is a chlorine-ammonia compound, and even worse than chlorine. It’s important to find out if you have chlorine or chloramine in your water. Just ask your local water district if they ever use chloramine. If they do, you need to get a special filter (this is the only filter I know of that can handle chloramine and remove it safely) because regular carbon filters (which make up the majority of filters) will NOT work on chloramine effectively because it requires a large filter and lots of time. It’s a big deal because chloramine is highly toxic, lethal to marine life, does not evaporate from the water (you can’t leave the water out and expect chloramine to evaporate like chlorine does), and creates nasty nitrite-like by-products. Yum.

**I get asked often what filter I use. I saved up and bought a whole house water filter from Environmental Water Systems. I still have their shower filter (this is the one, my brother has this one too) and sink filter (this is my sink filter), even though I don’t need them anymore because of the house filter. Just get what fits your budget and don’t waste your money on cheap crap because it’ll end up costing you more in the long run (shorter filter life, cheap materials, etc.). The reason I use this brand is the reason I use any brand (like ARCONA, Sircuit, Skin Apotheke, Rahua, etc.) – it has to be super high quality, last a long time, and be good for my (and your) health.

TONER. ARCONA Triad Pads, $30, 45 pads (lasts up to 45 days with daily use)
Love these. I use a pad after I wash my face with water or by itself if I’m traveling, staying in a hotel with chlorinated water, or camping out where no running water is available. I use the scrubby side for my face, then I turn it over and use the smooth side to wipe my neck and chest. It’s extremely refreshing, smells delicious, and I love the little glow it leaves behind.

EXFOLIATOR. Sircuit Skin Mocha Loca 4% Lactic Acid, $75, 1.3 oz. (lasts 3–4 months with use once or twice per week)
This looks and smells just like chocolate. I use it about 1–2 times per week. I smear on a small amount in my T-zone (forehead, nose, sides of the nose, chin) and leave it on about 10–15 minutes. The result is super smooth skin. No redness, no irritation, no flakes, nothin’. I’ve found that it’s great for preventing blackheads. My other favorite exfoliant is Skin Apothke Ubtan Scrub ($15, 2 oz.), but I prefer to use chemical or enzyme exfoliants lately.

MOISTURIZER. Coconut oil, $19, 32 oz.
Perfect for night time and waking up to super soft, hydrated skin. I find that since I’ve been eating more healthy fats, my skin is staying hydrated on its own, so I only use coconut oil every other night or so. Previously I was using ARCONA Magic White Ice ($38, 1 oz.) and it’s an excellent moisturizer, particularly for oily skin and for day use. I still have it in my cupboard in case I should feel dry and need some moisture without the obvious sheen of coconut oil.

Aloe vera gel, $5.75, 16 oz.
Aloe is fantastic for oily or normal skin, or those that are acne prone. I love aloe for moisturizing in the morning if I need it. It’s very soothing, heals up blemishes, and helps keep blackheads at bay. Plus, it’s super cheap! I have aloe plants, but I don’t like robbing them of their leaf gel all the time, so I alternate between my fresh plants and the bottled gel (it’s important to get pure aloe gel with non-harsh preservatives and no other added fillers or liquids).

EYES. Skin Apotheke Vitamin C Rejuvenating Eye Balm, $21.95, 1 oz.
This is the best eye cream I have ever used, and I’ve tried tons. It has a creamy, lightweight texture that melts into your skin. As you guys know, I’m pretty pale so my skin has a tendency to show those lovely bluish-green (on some people they are purple) under-eye veins. I have seen a tremendous improvement by using this, in conjunction with lots of sleep, lots of water, and leafy greens.

EYELASHES. Home Health Cold Pressed Castor Oil, $8.29, 16 oz.
I’ve used castor oil on my lashes for years and it keeps them thick and healthy. Check out the post I wrote on how to get long, thick eyelashes.

ANTI-AGING TREATMENT. ARCONA Vitamin A Complex, $68, about 2 oz. (lasts 3+ months) and ARCONA Youth Serum, 20% Vitamin C, $87, about 2 oz. (lasts 6+ months)
I started using both of these a few months back (maybe in February?) and it’s fantastic for knocking out those dehydration lines (precursors to fine lines, which are precursors to wrinkles) and healing a blemish or fresh acne scar. They are both pricey but last me a long time. The Vitamin A really reduces the amount of blackheads and keeps the skin incredibly moisturized, and the Youth Serum is great for under the eyes (C helps to thicken thin skin under the eyes). FYI: They are often 20% off at Spalook.

DEODORANT. Elegant Rose Boutique Lavender Vanilla Natural Deodorant, $7.50, 2.5 oz. (lasts at least 4 months)
This deodorant does not irritate my skin, it smells amazingly good, and it lasts all day.

{MAKEUP}

FOUNDATION. While I don’t wear foundation, I know of some good brands that have great ingredients and have received good feedback and reviews. See my previous post on makeup here (I list makeup toward the bottom of the article).

CONCEALER. I love RMS Beauty and Jane Iredale concealers for covering up a blemish or under eye circles after a funky night’s sleep. Whatever it is, those are my two go-to brands for natural concealers.

OTHER STUFF. I love wearing eyeshadow, mascara, etc. when I feel like it or for special occasions. See my previous post on makeup for specific brands I use (they are listed toward the bottom of the article).

FTC Disclaimer: I am not paid by, or sponsored by, any of the companies I mention in this article. I purchased everything myself. All comments are my 100% honest opinion.

What is your skin routine and favorite products? Feel free to share!
~Steph x

…Do you have any sug­ges­tions or alter­na­tives for those of us look­ing to make our skin and hair care more nat­ural with­out break­ing the bank?

–Popple

This is a great question. If you’re used to spending $3 on a bottle of Suave or Pantene, then you honestly won’t find anything comparable to that cost in the all-natural/organic market. Unfortunately, it is more expensive to produce healthy things, and until the corporate and economic environment shifts over to accommodate lower prices of natural and organic products, conscious consumers will have to pay more. Granted, some of these natural brands are bent on being a high-end product (in order to compete with high-end department-store type brands) and carrying a high price tag. It’s unfortunate, but you’ll find that with any product, natural or not. It often becomes all about selling an image and a perception instead of selling a quality product that is truly healthy for us, but that’s more of a philosophical and ethical discussion, and I’m focused on what we can actually do about it.

Now, if you are accustomed to forking over $20 or $30 (or more) per bottle for a fancy salon or department store product, then it makes sense to shift over to a natural product in that general price bracket since you’ll find many of them there.

It may also help to look at quality, all natural and/or organic products for how much they cost per day or per month, rather than balking at a higher price at the onset. A moisturizer that costs $30 but is completely healthy for you and lasts 3–4 months, costs $7.50-$10 per month. I would rather spend a little more money on my food and skin care products than risk getting a completely preventable disease because I decided to spend a few bucks less on a cheaper, artificial product.

Here are a list of brands that are acceptable in terms of how natural and effective they are. There may be a few things that I’m not particularly fond of, but we all have to do the best we can.

• Yes to Carrots
• Burt’s Bees
• Juice Beauty
• Trillium Organics (I love their salt body scrubs)
• Everyday Shea
• Aubrey Organics (I use their shampoo but their skin care is good too)

{GENERAL GUIDELINE}
If you find inexpensive brands of natural/organic products in a local store or online, just read your labels and make sure they are free of SLS (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate), parabens, and petroleum-based products or byproducts. Just do your best!

I’m sure I missed a few good natural/organic brands that are on the lower end of the price spectrum, so if you have a brand you would like me to investigate, feel free to leave a comment!
~Steph  x

OCTOBER 2011 UPDATE ON THE WAY

Hey everyone! I just updated you on my skin care routine in January, but in March it started to get warm (it’s in the high-80′s here already) so I needed to change some things and simplify it a little bit. Thussss, I want to share what I am doing. I have also included what I use for hair care, as well as makeup on special occasions since I get a ton of requests for makeup recommendations.

{SKIN CARE}

CLEANSER. ARCONA Triad Pads, $30, 45 pads (lasts up to 45 days with daily use)
A must-have. I use a pad in the morning and a pad at night, after using an ARCONA Clarity pad. I use the scrubby side for my face, then I turn it over and use the smooth side to wipe my neck and chest. It’s extremely refreshing, smells delicious, and leaves your skin moist and glowing. Since I don’t wear makeup (except on my eyes) and I don’t live in a heavily polluted area, the pads are an excellent replacement for washing my face with a traditional cleanser. The pads are also useful if you are traveling, staying in a hotel with chlorinated water, or camping.

ARCONA Clarity Spot Repair for Face/Body, $28, 45 pads (lasts up to 45 days with daily use)
These pads are amazing for preventing hormonal blemishes women tend to get around period time, and excellent for preventing razor bumps and ingrown hairs (face, legs, etc.). The smell is really intense and makes my eyes water, and even though my skin is sensitive, it does not irritate it whatsoever and is great for days when my skin might be pretty oily due to hormonal shifts. I like to use one before I workout to prevent any workout-related blemishes. Works wonders.

EXFOLIATOR. Skin Apothke Ubtan Scrub, $15, 2 oz. (lasts about 4 months with use once or twice per week)
This scrub has been in my arsenal for almost a year now and is great for all skin types, especially those that are prone to redness and irritation. This is safe to use daily, but more sensitive skin may choose to use this less often. You can mix it with yogurt (plain, unsweetened, no additives or preservatives) or plain filtered water. This scrub imparts an amazing glow on your skin, and it will feel incredibly smooth and nourished, not dry or irritated. A must-have.

ARCONA Cranberry Gommage, $42, 3.4 oz. (lasts about 6 months with use about once per week)
I have been using this scrub for about 6 months now, and it’s amazing for preventing blemishes and eliminating blackheads. I have about 1/3 of the tube left, so for the price, it lasts a very long time. I alternate between the Ubtan Scrub and this Gommage whenever I feel like it. I really love the rounded jojoba beads in this, so if you have uber-sensitive skin prone to tearing and flaking and blemishes, give this scrub a try.

MOISTURIZER. ARCONA Magic White Ice, $38, 1 oz. (lasts 2 months)
I use 1–2 pumps for my face and neck. It’s the perfect moisturizer for me (my skin is oily in the T-zone, normal on cheeks, and tends to be sensitive). It absorbs quickly, smells lovely, doesn’t leave a greasy feeling, and really helps to balance the skin instead of just covering it up in some goopy moisture mess. This is the best moisturizer I have used (aside from coconut and olive oil). This will not be moisturizing enough for dry skin, though.

EYES. Skin Apotheke Vitamin C Rejuvenating Eye Balm, $21.95, 1 oz.
This is the best eye cream I have ever used. It has a creamy, lightweight texture that melts into your skin. As you guys know, I’m pretty pale so my skin has a tendency to show those lovely bluish-green (on some people they are purple) under-eye veins. I have seen a tremendous improvement by using this, and you can hardly see them now. This also works perfectly under concealer.

EYELASHES. Home Health Cold Pressed Castor Oil, $8.29, 16 oz.
I’ve used castor oil on my lashes for years and it keeps them thick and healthy – if you’d like, check out the post I wrote on how to get long, thick eyelashes.

BLEMISH TREATMENT. ARCONA Tabula Rasa, $22, 1.17 oz.
This is really runny and thin, so I use it by unscrewing the pump top and dipping a Q-tip into it. Just dot it on your blemish once or twice per day, and that blemish will be gone within 2 days. I like that it doesn’t dry out or irritate my skin. For a double whammy, you can use the Clarity pads (see above) to tone after you wash, then dot this on. Let it all sink in for a few minutes and then apply your moisturizer.

ANTI-AGING TREATMENT. ARCONA Vitamin A Complex, $68, about 2 oz. (lasts 3+ months)
At 24, I needed to start using an anti-aging product (the younger you start, the better). So I started using this about a month ago and it’s made a lovely difference in my skin already. I am fair and have incurred my share of sun damage when I went through a period of 2 years where I was out in the sun a lot and not wearing sunblock or a hat. This is pricey, but it lasts a long time because you only use it 3 times per week. If you’re prone to blackheads and fine lines (or dehydration lines), then this product would be great for you. It really reduces the amount of blackheads and keeps the skin incredibly moisturized and works to even out your skin tone by reversing sun damage (thanks to the vitamin A).

DEODORANT. Elegant Rose Boutique Lavender Vanilla Natural Deodorant, $7.50, 2.5 oz. (lasts at least 4 months)
This deodorant does not irritate my skin, it smells amazingly good, and it lasts all day. It doesn’t stop you from sweating (you don’t want that, anyway…you’re supposed to sweat), but it does stop any potentially nasty smells.

{HAIR CARE}

SHAMPOO. My hair is fine and naturally curly, and because it’s curly the cuticle does not lay flat and is prone to dryness and frizzies. I have found the best shampoos for me are Aubrey Desert Herb Shampoo, Ctonics Core Shampoo, and Amazon Beauty Rahua Shampoo. I alternate between them every few days or so.

CONDITIONER. I use Ctonics Elixir Blossom Conditioner as a strengthener and thickener, and Amazon Beauty Rahua Conditioner to moisturize.

TREATMENT. Once every 2 weeks I use hair treatment oil from Skin Apotheke.

{MAKEUP}

FOUNDATION. While I don’t ever wear foundation or tinted moisturizer, I have been asked for recommendations on those that are natural and of good quality. I have investigated foundations based on their ingredients and reviews, and have found that Alima Pure, All Natural Face, Living Nature, Vapour, and Miessence would be good choices. See if you can order samples first, but if not, most stores have great return policies if a color or something doesn’t work out.

CONCEALER. RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up in 11 or 22. An excellent concealer for under-eye circles or a blemish. This goes on smooth and creamy, stays on all day, doesn’t crease, and doesn’t clog your pores (you don’t want those little while milia bumps!).

MASCARA. Real Purity Mascara in Brown and Black, $13
This is my favorite all-natural mascara. It doesn’t irritate my eyes, the brown color looks natural with my whiteness and red-blonde hair (black can look too harsh for the day, but looks great for nighttime), and it doesn’t flake or rub off. Awesome product, and the best mascara I have ever used.

EYELINER. Bare Minerals or Jane Iredale. They are natural and do not irritate my eyes or rub off. If you like the waterline, make sure to set the liner with a matching natural eyeshadow powder (see below).

EYESHADOW. I have a collection of eyeshadows from Alima Pure, My Beauty Addiction, All Natural Face, and Jane Iredale. I bought a few sample sizes of Alima Pure because it’s so cheap and I don’t use them that often. I have had the same tiny samples for about a year. I use their matte black and matte brown eyeshadow powders to set eyeliner on the waterline.

BRUSHES. All of my brushes are from Sigma, with the exception of 2 brushes from Alima Pure and 1 from 100% Pure. The Sigma brushes are my favorite since they don’t shed and are easy to use since I’m such an idiot with makeup sometimes.

MAKEUP REMOVER. Aura Cacia Organic Sweet Almond Oil. It is great for removing eye makeup and moisturizing the eye area. For full face makeup, you may want to use coconut oil instead.

FTC Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with or sponsored by any of the companies I mention in this article. In the past, I have been sent free products to try by Arcona and Skin Apotheke, and have since re-purchased everything on my own. Everything is my 100% honest opinion.

What is your skin routine? If you’ve tried anything mentioned here, how did you like it?
~Steph x

I have come across some incredible natural skin care products this year, and I wanted to share my must-haves with you.

1. 100% Pure Organic Lavender Honey Facial Cleansing Foam, $18.50. This is my go-to face wash, and the only face wash I’ve used consistently for almost a year. I love foaming washes, and foams are great for dry skin as well, particularly if you are sensitive and prone to clogged pores (cream cleansers tend to contain waxes that can easily clog pores). 100% Pure has a wide variety of foaming washes for all skin types, so if the lavender honey wash isn’t for you, try one of their other face washes. A bottle lasts me about 2–3 months.

2. Skin Apothke Ubtan Scrub, $15. My favorite scrub of all time. I’ve used dozens of scrubs and exfoliators over the years, and none have treated my sensitive skin the way it always wanted to be treated. You mix a little of the scrub with your choice of either water, organic milk, or organic plain yogurt and gently massage in circular motions for a minute or two. It effectively prevents blackheads and leaves your skin softer, radiant, and polished without feeling dry and irritated. Though the price went up a few dollars, this scrub is so well worth it. This will always be a staple in my medicine cabinet.

3. Arcona Triad Pads, $23. I have been using these pads for toning, removing the last remnants of my Ubtan scrub, and as a face wash if I’m traveling and don’t want to use chlorinated water to wash my sensitive skin. These all-purpose pads have Steph-approved ingredients (that is the first and last time I’ll refer to myself in third-person…promise), they smell good, feel good, and have a slight exfoliating action to one side of the pad. I even use them on my neck and chest for some extra freshening. These are definitely coming with me to Coachella this year.

4. Arcona Magic White Ice, $38. This is on the pricey side, but it’s my favorite moisturizer. My skin absolutely loves this stuff. It is very light, non-greasy, absorbs quickly, and leaves a nice dewy look to the skin, which makes it perfect for all but the driest skin types (you will most likely have to apply another moisturizer on top of this if you skin is excessively dry). I would normally use grapeseed oil on my cheeks and coconut oil on my T-zone, but MWI has been an excellent replacement and I don’t have to wait for it to sink in like the oil before I leave the house. I use only 1 or 2 pumps, and this will last about 3 months (or longer, according to some reviewers).

5. RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up, $36. A little goes an incredibly long way with this one. I used a little sample for about a month before I bought the full-size! This is the best concealer I have used for my under-eye area. It is smooth, creamy, doesn’t crease when you smile, and its neutral tone matches my skin perfectly. Plus, it lasts all day long (I don’t set it with powder or anything). I used color # 22 in the summer but got a sample of # 11 since 22 is proving to be a little too dark for my skin now that it’s heading into winter.

6. Rahua Amazon Beauty Conditioner, $34. This is my go-to conditioner for keeping my fine, curly hair smooth and super soft. It doesn’t weigh my hair down and keeps it from getting frizzy, even in really dry or humid environments. I have yet to find another conditioner that rivals Rahua’s amazingness. Plus, a bottle will last you about 4–6 months.

7. Jaime Earl White Tea Hydrating Masque, $24. This is the best mask I’ve used for hydrating parched skin. If you tend to get dry patches or overly dry skin in the winter, definitely give this mask a try. I like to leave it on for an hour, wipe off with warm water, and follow it up with an oil (for your body, try omega-rich Jaime Earl Ootanga Body Oil, $32 and for your face, try grapeseed, coconut, or olive oil).

8. Skin Apothke Organic Vitamin C Rejuvenating Eye Balm, $21.95. This has a lovely, creamy texture that does not clog pores or contribute to milia. Better yet, it lessens dark circles and fine lines. As you guys know, I’m pretty pale and you can see the bluish-green veins under my eyes (especially if I’m tired or slacking on the green smoothies), but after using this for over a month, you can barely see them. If you use under-eye concealer, this cream is great for moisturizing beforehand and makes for a smooth application.

9. Elegant Rose Boutique Lavender Vanilla Deodorant, $7. This stuff is amazingly effective and smells so good it can even be a perfume. You will still sweat of course (you don’t want to use an antiperspirant – you are supposed to sweat), but the sweat will not smell bad whatsoever. The best natural deodorant I have ever used. As long as she keeps the ingredients the same, I’m sticking with this one forever.

10. Real Purity Mascara, $13. I have this mascara in black and brown, and both colors are rich, non-flaky, and leave your lashes looking lovely. I also love that the formula doesn’t irritate my eyes (many natural mascaras I have tried either flake off or make my eyelids itch) and does not cause my lashes to shed or feel dry. It’s easy to remove with oil, but does not come off if you should cry from laughing too hard. I replace the mascara every 3 months.

11. Environmental Water Systems Counter Top Water Filtration FC150 – “Essential Plus”, $139.95. I have this model and their whole-home Spectrum unit at home, and since my brother started going to college, we got him this unit and their shower head filter. This is the best brand of water filtration I have found, and I’ve researched all of them. They’ve been in business for over 20 years, use the best carbon filtration available, the units are super high quality, and the water that comes out is free of chlorine and chemicals that upset our skin and hair. Using filtered water is one of the keys to having awesome skin. One of their online retailers (link above) is having a sale right now – enter code 10ALLSINK at checkout and you get 10% off this unit or any other sink filtration. 25WHLHM takes 25% off the price of their whole-home systems.

12. Sweet Bee Magic, $29.95. This balm is similar to Egyptian Magic, works just as well, and is about half the price. It is extremely hydrating and fixes everything from dry skin to dermatitis. Yoga tends to rough up my hands and feet, so one of my favorite uses for Sweet Bee is to rub it on and put on cotton gloves and socks. In the morning, you wake up with super soft hands and feet. This has been a staple in my medicine cabinet for about a year, and I’ll always have a jar around.

FTC Disclaimer: I have not been paid or sponsored by any of the manufacturers or brands mentioned. Some products were sent to be for free to try, most I have purchased myself and have re-purchased products that had been sent for free initially. Everything is my full and honest opinion, and I would never recommend anything to you guys if it didn’t live up to my standards and expectations.

If you’ve tried any of these products, let me know what you think of them! Do you have any products you would recommend?
~Steph  x

Oh! I almost forgot about the FTC disclaimer: I never accept payment for reviews, nor am I affiliated with any of the brands mentioned. Sometimes I am sent products to review, but actually doing a review on them is up to me and whether I think it’s good enough to recommend to you guys.

I embedded the video below, and I included all the links to the products in this article.

{CLEANSER}

100% Pure Lavender Honey Facial Cleansing Foam, $18, 6 oz.
In the summer, I use this nightly and I usually wash twice — a real quick once-over and rinse, and then a second time where I spend about 30–60 seconds gently massaging the cleanser on my skin. You get a better, more thorough, but non-irritating washing that way. In winter, I wash nightly or every other night.

{EXFOLIATOR}

Skin Apothke Ubtan Scrub, $9, 2 oz. (lasts foreverrrrr)
Great for all skin types, works really well on sensitive and dry skin. Safe to use just once a week, or every other night. Imparts an amazing glow on your skin, and your skin will feel so incredibly smooth and nourished, not dry or irritated. I love this scrub.

{TONER}

Neem Man Neem Leaf Extract, $36, 8.4 oz.
I’m thoroughly addicted to this product. It comes straight from Australia, and it’s seriously worth the price. It lasts for a very long time, and it works really well to prevent blemishes and tone the skin. It’s a great product to have around for everything — blemishes, bug bites, sunburn, eczema, whatever you need it for, neem is there for you! I get the 250 ml bottle (8.4 oz.) every 2 or 3 months. I believe it’s an extra $10 or $11 to ship to the United States. (P.S. This is especially good for sensitive and dry skin that cannot tolerate tea tree oil.)

{MOISTURIZER}

100% Pure Coffee Cherry Caffeine Face Cream, $31.50, 1.6 oz. (lasts forever)
100% Pure Nourishing Facial Oil, $25, 1 oz.
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $12-$16 for 12–16 oz. at grocery stores
I like to rotate between these three moisturizers, and sometimes I include Tropical Traditions virgin coconut oil ($19.95 for 16 oz.) in the mix too. I like switching it up and I don’t use a moisturizer every night in the summer. In the winter, I use a moisturizer once or twice per day, and I’ll layer the oils with the face cream. I like to use the Nourishing Facial Oil around my eyes as well, as it is hydrating, anti-aging, and doesn’t clog pores.

{BLEMISH TREATMENT}

Best Bath Store Acne Treatment Gel, $16.95, 4 oz.
Just shake it up really well and apply a little amount to whatever spots need treating. Totally non-drying and also works great as a preventative for spots, which is great if you’re prone to hormonal pimples and blackheads in larger areas. Overall it’s the best blemish fighting stuff I’ve ever used.

Mario Badescu Silver Powder, $12, 1 oz.
This stuff has gotten over 100 stellar reviews on Makeup Alley — I’ve used it twice since I got it a week ago and love it. It works great for unclogging pores and preventing and removing blackheads. This will be a staple of mine, and I recommend it to anyone who gets blackheads or large pores or very oily skin that tends to get congested. Plus, you don’t use much, so this jar would probably last you a year if you used it 1–3 times per week.

{OTHER FUN STUFF}

Home Health Cold Pressed Castor Oil, $8.29, 16 oz.
I’ve used castor oil on my lashes for years and I swear by it. It truly nourishes your lashes, keeping them thick and healthy. Sometimes I wear my natural mascara and when I take it off at the end of the day, I apply a little bit of castor oil to re-nourish and re-hydrate my lashes.

Muji Cut Cutton Pads in Large, $4.95, 120 pads
These are great all-natural unbleached cotton pads, excellent for use with toners and lotion masks (a skincare technique recommended in Chizu Saeki’s Japanese Skincare Revolution book). I bought 4 bags of them back in December ’09 and I’m just now going through my second one. Well worth it.

Aloe Vera Gel – Fresh, ~$6.99 for a plant at nurseries
Aloe is a moisturizing, calming, healing, blemish fighting, wonderous plant. I highly recommend getting a plant or two (or three), taking good care of them (keep them in full sunlight, don’t overwater), and using their amazing gel when you need it. I’ve been using it nightly for about a week and tried it as a primer before putting on tinted moisturizer for an event — it worked great!

I always love knowing what you guys use in your skin care routines that work for you, so feel free to post a comment!
~Steph x

Exfoliating your skin on a regular basis does wonders for improving its look and feel — you’ll wind up with smoother, softer skin, and if you’re prone to blackheads, you’ll have less of them.

The trick is finding a quality scrub or exfoliator that will do a great job, but doesn’t contain unsafe artificial ingredients and won’t irritate your skin in the process. These are my Top 5 picks for exfoliating products.

{PICK #1}

Skin Apothke Ubtan Scrub
I am completely hooked on this natural, Ayurvedic herbal scrub. It is soothing, anti-acne (and anti-blackheads), and imparts a gorgeous glow on the skin. Use 1–3 times per week depending on your skin type. This scrub is best for all skin types, and sensitive skin will especially appreciate it. The bottle may be deceivingly small, but I’ve been using the Ubtan scrub for over 2 months, 1–3 times per week, and I still have half the bottle left! ($9, 2 oz., available at Etsy.com)

{PICK #2}

Talulah Vanilla Bean Rejuvenating Cleanser
This vanilla, rice, and sugar scrub is a great choice for those with oily, thicker skin. Sensitive, thinner skin should rub the scrub in the hands prior to applying to the face, just to wear down the exfoliating particles a bit so it’s gentler. Smells amazing, too! ($26, 4 oz., available at talulahskincare.com)

{PICK #3}

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser
Organic lemongrass, sugar, and soothing herbs make this lemonade-smelling scrub an excellent choice for acne-prone skin. However, if you are allergic or sensitive to chamomile (ragweed family) or algae (seaweeds) then you may not find the same positive results with this scrub that so many people rave about. ($29.95, 4 oz., available at amazon.com)

{PICK #4}

Eminence Organics Scrubs
This company provides a wide selection of scrubs, peels, and polishers that smell divine, work wonderfully, and are good enough to eat (i.e. Mimosa Champagne Sugar Scrub). You can go to the Eminence website and see exactly what scrub would work best for your skin type, so you’re not stuck in a one-size-fits-all situation. (Priced around $40, 8.4 oz., available at amazon.com)

{PICK #5}

Naturopathica Glycolic Purifying Peel
For skin that is often irritated or sensitive, non-physical exfoliators like salicylic and glycolic acid may be the better way to go. For this, my favorite is this treatment from Naturopathica. While the price is steep, it is well worth the quality and hard work this product does on behalf of your skin. It prevents acne (especially blackheads) and keeps your skin smooth and soft without any scrubbing. ($68, 2.5 oz., available at naturopathica.com)

{BONUS PICK}

KAVI Microderm Exfoliator
This glycolic and crystal cream exfoliator is ideal for mature skin and those seeking to even out their skin tone (if you have acne scars or sun damage — rejoice!). I wouldn’t recommend it for those with active acne. This is a great option for an at-home microdermabrasion treatment that has natural, plant-based ingredients instead of all the artificial junk you don’t want on your skin. ($56, 2 oz., available at kaviskin.com)

Let me know if you have used any of these products and how you like them! Also, if you have any good (and natural) exfoliators you use, feel free to post a comment telling us what it is.
~Steph  x

Sorry it’s been so long! How is everyone?

For my first post of June, I would like to share with you the skin care and beauty products that I’m loving for summer.

1. Tropical Traditions Gold Standard Virgin Coconut Oil. This is my staple, but I use it a lot more in summer than I do in winter. If I go out and wear eye make-up, I use this to gently remove it without stinging my eyes. I also use it to prevent blackheads and blemishes, since coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is a powerful non-toxic fungus and bacteria fighter. I just keep a jar of this in my cupboard, and in the summer it stays in a soft, semi-liquidy state so it’s easy to use a cosmetic spatula, spoon, cotton bud, or cotton swab to scoop out some coconut oil. Then you just put it on your skin wherever you want. Some people use it in their hair, but for my fine, curly hair, I prefer to use purely moisturizing oils (I list one below).

2. Best Bath Store Acne Treatment Gel. This stuff is amazing. You can dab this on at night and it dramatically reduces any pimple (and redness) to almost nothing by morning. Better yet, you can also put it on in the morning and no one will know. Oh! And it doesn’t dry your skin out at all. It has a funky herbal scent that I really like, and the ingredients are pure and 100% natural, of course. This gel will be especially useful if you workout a lot and tend to get sweat-related blemishes on  your back — this gel clears it right up.

3. John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler. This is a great conditioner for dry hair. I put a little on my ends before shampooing to prevent the ends from drying out, then once I rinse out the shampoo, I re-apply the conditioner farther up my hair and let it sit for a few minutes. I’m left with soft, delicious-smelling hair that’s not weighed down at all (which is easy to do to my hair!).

4. Organic Apoteke Detox Face Mask. This is a great face mask. I usually make my own, but I didn’t want to pass this up because I loved the ingredients and it got great reviews on Makeup Alley. I tried a spray tan about 2 weeks ago and my skin reacted pretty negatively to it (read: breakouts), so with the help of this mask and the BBS Gel (above), it cleared up 100% in 2 days. So this mask has a permanent place in my cupboard, and gets 5 stars for being very soothing, reducing redness, and eliminating existing problems as well as preventing any new ones. And again, love the ingredients for being pure, organic, and 100% natural.

5. 100% Pure Organic Lavender Honey Facial Cleansing Foam. I love this company’s entire product line, but this is my favorite. I use this face wash most of the time — I’ll change it up occasionally by using goat milk powder mixed with water, or their cranberry foam wash. This wash smells wonderful, works well, and doesn’t dry your skin out. I even used this for a while in the winter, and still no bad drying effect, which was surprising considering the majority of face washes I’ve tried always cause some drying. About once a week I’ll mix my lavender wash with 1 tsp. of really fine organic sugar or some MSM powder to make an awesome scrub. If you have normal or oily skin, you can try mixing it with aluminum-free baking soda (I like Bob’s Red Mill variety).

6. Sircuit Skin Cosmeceuticals Handsome Creme. Everyone I know loves the incredible smell of this thick lotion, and the name (Handsome) is so cute and catchy you’ll never forget it. The ingredients are great and very healing, and even contains fructooligosaccharides, which is a prebiotic that helps to feed the good bacteria on our skin (this is why I also recommend yogurt for the skin all the time, even though yogurt is more of a probiotic than a prebiotic).

7. Hair Therapy Wrap Cordless Thermal Turban Heat Wrap. Michelle sent me one of the wraps to try and I’m really glad she did because I’d been thinking about buying one for a few months. I use this with my John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner or Weleda Rosemary Hair Oil (see below). First I put the conditioner/oil on, put on a shower cap, put the entire therapy wrap (it has microwaveable heat pads inside) in the microwave for a minute or two, and then pop it on my head over the shower cap. It’s a bit heavy for my head (they’re coming out with lighter gel-packs soon), so I usually leave it on for about 20–40 minutes. It stays hot for a long time, which I like, and you can always re-microwave it if you think it’s not hot enough. I’m glad it’s not super-hot because I’m not a fan of any kind of heat damage. ;D I love the results, it makes the conditioner work that much better. This is a must-have for summer, especially if you’re swimming in hair-damaging chlorinated pools or the salty ocean.

8. Weleda Rosemary Hair Oil. Rosemary and burdock are two of the main ingredients in the all-natural oil, and both are known for promoting scalp balance and hair growth. I use this oil at least once per week and my hair feels and looks so amazingly healthy that I went out and bought two more bottles so I’d never run out. ;D I pour a bit into my hands and take my time gently massaging it into my scalp (I pour more into my hands as I go along, my goal is to coat all of my hair) and smoothing it through all the way to the ends. Then I wrap my hair in a bun and either put my heated hair wrap over it (see above), or I do a BodyRock.tv workout which heats up your scalp (and your whole body, for that matter) and helps the oil works its magic.

9. Aura Cacia Vanilla Essential Oil (in Jojoba Oil). Oh…my…goodness. This smells so incredible. I love natural perfume oils, and this one is my favorite along with their Jasmine essential oil. I just dab a few drops on my skin and smooth any remaining bit into my hair. Mmmm! If you’re sensitive to commercial perfumes and tend to sneeze or get headaches around scents, then you’ll absolutely LOVE this because it’s completely natural and only has 2 ingredients — jojoba oil and real vanilla extract. Plus, it’s cheaper than commercial perfumes and even if you use one or two drops a day (which is all you need), it’s going to last you at least two months.

10. Sweet Bee Magic All Over Skin Cream. Sweet Bee sent me a jar and two little samples (which I gave to some friends so they could get hooked) of their product a few months ago, and haven’t had a chance to try it until now. It really reminds me of Egyptian Magic, but for some reason, it works a lot better for me than EM ever did. If you ever get dry patches or if you’re prone to dry feet because you walk around barefoot a lot or do yoga, this will soon turn into your holy grail of skin creams. I had a little dry patch on the my left cheek yesterday, and when I woke up this morning is was 80% gone. It’s very soothing and incredibly moisturizing. Hoorah!

Just an FTC note: I’m never paid by or affiliated with any of the products I recommend, and I always tell you if I received an item for free (the hair wrap and bee magic, in this case).

Let me know if you use or try any of my favorites! I’d love to know what you think.
~Stephanie  x

Hey everyone! It was brought to my attention by Audrey that JASON may be using a synthetic form of Vitamin E in the oil I use and recommend.

The ingredients in their Vitamin E Pure Beauty Oil states only one ingredient, tocopheryl acetate, and since JASON clearly marks the front of the bottle with “natural ingredients” then there is no reason to assume that this is synthetic dl-tocopheryl acetate and not the natural d-tocopheryl acetate. So to clear this up, I corresponded with JASON and discovered the truth about it:

consumerrelations@hain-celestial.com wrote:

> Dear Ms. Elizabeth,
>
> Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding our Vitamin E Pure Beauty Oil. We strive to maintain the highest quality products and appreciate your patronage.
>
> The Vitamin E used on this product is synthetic from the ester of Tocopherol and acetic acid, Tocopherol is a synthetic material.
>
> Thank you for your continued support of Jason Natural Products. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us at 1–877-JASON-01 (527‑6601), Monday through Friday from 7AM – 5PM Mountain Time.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> George
> Consumer Relations Representative
>
> Ref # 2044048

This was my response:

Thank you for the response, George.

Since this product is synthetic, then why is it clearly marked as natural? Tocopherol is not inherently synthetic — you have to source it naturally, or produce it synthetically. And since this is the case, this is not only false advertising, but it is harmful to those of us who actually use and rely upon real, natural ingredients. I do NOT appreciate being lied to, especially when I use this product on a regular basis and was not aware that I was putting something synthetic on my skin.

As a result, I have reported Jason to the FTC and Organic Consumers Association, as well as alerted my subscribers to this fact.

Sincerely,
Stephanie

I’m definitely disappointed in this company, and will not be purchasing from them again, especially in light of such irresponsible behavior and laziness — there are so many sources of natural vitamin E that there is no excuse for them to use something synthetic and claim it as natural. There have been numerous studies citing that synthetic vitamins can cause issues with the liver, skin (including cancer, irritation, burning, and blisters), and hormone imbalance. Since what we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bloodstream, it is wise to use as many natural, non-synthetic products as possible.

I apologize for recommending this product when I had no clue it was synthetic.

I have found two TRULY natural alternatives in capsule form that you can break open and apply fresh to your skin. If there’s a store in your area that carries a natural vitamin E product (natural vitamin E will start with a “d-”) without any added preservatives or synthetics, you can try that as well.

Dr. Weil Vitamin E Complex – 60 capsules

Pure Encapsulations – Vitamin E – 180 softgels

{Links to Everything I Mentioned}

One of my favorite fellow YouTubers, Queenie Chan (BEAUTYQQ): http://www.youtube.com/BEAUTYQQ

Ingredients for My “DIY” Overnight Blemish Treatment:
Desert Essence 100% Tea Tree Oil
JASON Pure Vitamin E Oil

Amazing Overnight Blemish Treatment Product (A big thank you to Derma-Rx for sending me this product, thank you!):
Derma-Rx Blemish Spot Treatment

Crane 1 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier

{Update on Acne Book}

A few of my amazing readers have asked me via email when the acne book will be ready, and I want to say in about 2–3 weeks. I’m taking a road trip in a few days, and I’ve been working my tail off on compiling ALL of my skin care/anti-acne knowledge into this one book, so I hope it will be really  helpful and available soon. In the meantime, check out these two posts I’ve written on getting rid of acne:

3 Secrets to Clear Skin (No More Acne!)
10 More Secrets to Clear Skin & A Flawless Complexion

Oh, and of course, FTC disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies/manufacturers I mentioned here. I was not compensated for my review. All my opinions are my own, and I am always honest and forthright with my thoughts.