Pretty by Nature

October 23rd, 2008

Bright Eyes

I have a confession to make. I hope we can keep it just between us. Ready? I’m old and tired…no seriously. What does this mean? Well it means that I’m usually in bed by 9:30-10pm and my idea of a hot date with my husband would involve a babysitter, a luxury hotel room and about 16 hours of sleep. Well and maybe the complete second season of Mad Men. The result is that I look like I’m sick or high most of the time. The bags, the dark circles and the redness are so not cute.

Enter Suki’s Eye Repair Balm to save my fragile self-esteem. I have actually tried the old Preperation H under the eyes trick and my skin was not happy. Oh and gross, HELLO. So when I saw Suki’s balm I thought it was worth it. After two weeks I can say that I love it. I haven’t seen dramatic results but I can see a distinct difference. Now I don’t look like I’ve been up for 36 hours popping pills. If I put it in the fridge I think it works even better. Ok maybe not but at least it feels better. Read more here for a complete list of ingredients.

I’ve found a temporary solution to the red eyes problem with these eye drops but I don’t want to keep using them for the long term. Do you have any suggestions for me? What natural remedies have you used to help dry, red eyes? Please don’t say more sleep because you will have to talk to the kid about that one since he still wakes up a couple times a week and decided to start his day around 5am.

Via Future Natural

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By Noel Boehm -- 0 comments

October 20th, 2008

Natural Lip Exfoliant

I’m sorta obsessed with my lips. I’m sure you have figured this out if you have been here before. The key is to maximize your lip balm or listick’s performance. The best way to do this is to make sure your lips are nice and smooth before you apply your balm or gloss of choice. A great trick is to mix sugar into something (i.e olive oil, walnut oil or un-petroleum jelly) and gently massage into your lips with an old toothbrush. Any sugar will do but I prefer light brown sugar. I can mix up a little jar’s worth and it will last in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.

A good once a week application will do wonders. Make sure you massage very gently because the skin on your lips is very sensitive. It’s great for dry, chapped lips in the winter too. Of course just using a toothbrush and water works to exfoliate and soften your lips too if you’re in a hurry. The sugar concoction will take you just a few steps further though.

Via Unpetroleum

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By Noel Boehm -- 2 comments

October 18th, 2008

Limited Edition Halloween Special from LUSH

Of course I was at LUSH today…of course I was. Of course I couldn’t leave the store without buying something…of course. Even though I broke my own “30 Day no non-essentials” rule to get it. Except for really soap is an essential if you think about it. Also I love pumpkin, so it had to happen. Their limited edition Great Pumpkin Soap is AWESOME. I know I say that a lot but no really it is. The scent is amazing but not overpowering. It’s not that artificial scratch ‘n sniff sticker pumpkin scent but like a real pie is baking and maybe the hint of something else. It’s subtle for sure but the best part is that it is so creamy and moisturizing. I kept finding reasons to wash my hands all day today. I highly advise you to check it out.

Via LUSH

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By Noel Boehm -- 1 comment

October 18th, 2008

Link Love

Since it appears to be the last nice weekend of the season, I’m sure you’re all out enjoying it. If you happen to not have a life, like me, here’s a link roundup for your viewing pleasure. Enoy!

Tree Hugging Family has a great recipe for an herbal hair conditioning spray. I absolutely love the smell of rosemary and I’m sure a nice spritz straight out of the fridge would smell awesome.

Simply Home Remedies gives a run-down of Mrs. Stewarts Bluing, which can be used all around the house and is non-toxic and eco-friendly. I bought a bottle of this about 5 months ago and I haven’t been quite sure what to do with it. I think I’ll finally try it now.

TreeHugger reviews the beauty product line Juara. They are 100% vegetarian and paraben, plathlates and sulfate free. It’s worth a read so you can decide for yourself.

Have a great weekend!

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By Noel Boehm -- 0 comments

October 15th, 2008

Gift Ideas

Since today is my wedding anniversary, well ours not just mine, I thought I would list a few things that are on my “Must Have” list. Chances are something might catch your eye and you can add it to your list as well. Maybe for yourself or maybe for someone else. I won’t judge. I’ve been trying to cut out all truly unnecessary non-essential purchases lately but it is just so HARD. A few reasons why:

Origins Ginger Body Souffle with Olive and Apricot Kernel oils is just calling me. I tried it out a few months ago while in a store and I haven’t been able to get it off my mind. Something about the texture and the faint scent was highly appealing.

100% Pure’s Fruit Pigment Lip Gloss in Cocoa Berry is the perfect warm Fall lip color. It’s light and glossy so you won’t feel like you’re wearing a heavy lipstick if that doesn’t appeal to you. I’m all about the lip gloss and this one if free of petrochemicals so yeah.

Green Thumb Hand Repair from Etsy Seller Dress Green is the perfect take anywhere solution for winter dryness. In the Winter I find myself having to take my gloves off quite often in order to wrangle the Bug. As a result they get dry and rough and they actually start to hurt. This looks like it would totally fix my problem. This or a nanny. Ha, I kid…not really though.

So let me know if you have actually tried any of these already or what items are on your must have for Fall and Winter list. I’m nosy like that.

Via Dress Green

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By Noel Boehm -- 0 comments

October 14th, 2008

Hot Apple Cider Bath Soak

Fall is my favorite time of the year. It’s also prime apple pie and apple cider season around here. Apples are great for your health in general but they are also great for your skin. A great cool weather bath soak that also smells divine uses grated apples, oatmeal and cinnamon. Roughly grate the apple and bind it together with a little honey. Wrap it in some cheesecloth with a cinnamon stick and a cup of oats. Tie it off and throw it in the bath. It will leave your skin feeling incredibly soft and luxurious.

The apple and honey mixture also works well as a facial mask. You can add an egg white to it as well if you choose and leave it on for about 10 minutes. It will help your skin’s elasticity as well as keep it looking soft and dewy.

Via MyRecipes

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By Noel Boehm -- 1 comment

October 13th, 2008

The Great Pumpkin

Most people either love or hate Halloween. I hate it, like a lot. The hubs considers it his high holy day on the other hand. Our storage is currently filled to the brim with rubber rats and spiders, cauldrons and a fog machine. About the only thing I can get down with about the “holiday” is pumpkin. I’ll cook up all the pies and spiced pumpkin seeds you want but just don’t ask me to wear a costume.

Pumpkin (and butternut squash) is actually really good for you to eat as it’s chock fulla antioxidants and vitamins. The small pie pumpkins will taste much better and require less work than the decorating kind. The canned version you find in stores is actually a variety of butternut squash. The large jack-o-lantern kind can still be used for homemade beauty treatments and for the seeds. By the way the seeds are rich in zinc, which has many benefits, including helping your reproductive organs. Especially if you’re a man. I’m just saying.

Here’s a great recipe for a homemade scrub that looks so good I don’t know if I should eat it or slather on my knees. I guess I could do both. It would sure make your house smell like Autumn. Now excuse me while I go destroy a fog machine.

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By Noel Boehm -- 0 comments

October 12th, 2008

Burt’s Bees Vote Natural Sweepstakes

Right now, you can enter the Burt’s Bees Vote Natural Sweepstakes for a chance to win daily prizes and a shot at their Vote Natural Grand Prize - a year’s supply of Burt’s Bees natural personal care products.

The daily prizes are Burt’s Bees Beeswax lip balm. There will be one grand prize winner, 24 first place prizes (a limited edition T-shirt autographed by Julianne Moore) and 100 second place prizes (limited edition C&C California for Burt’s Bees T-shirt).

Enter the sweepstakes at VoteforNatural.com.

Burt’s Bees offers a variety of fantastic stuff including natural skin care products, hair care products, soaps, lotions and more. Personally, I love their Lemon Poppy Seed Facial Cleanser, which uses lemon oil, yucca extract, poppy seeds and other all natural ingredients to remove makeup and leave your skin clean, hydrated and refreshed.

Photo credit: Burt’s Bees

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By Kori Ellis -- 1 comment

October 10th, 2008

Papaya Banana Facial

If you want to make a natural facial at home, you should head to your kitchen. You can use a variety of different things from your refrigerator for a good facial treatment. Personally, I’ve used everything from avocado to watermelon.

Here’s a great homemade facial that uses chamomile tea, papaya, honey and banana (sounds like a good drink).

Try it and let us know what you think!

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By Kori Ellis -- 0 comments

October 8th, 2008

Pink Ribbon Edition - Pur Désir de Pivoine Liquid Hand Soap

Yves Rocher offers a tremendous selection of natural and botancial skin care, makeup, body care and other beauty products. And right now, when you are shopping from Yves Rocher, you can give back to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

During October, $2.00 from each bottle of their Pink Ribbon Edition liquid hand soap goes to the cause. And since each bottle is only $5.00, it’s a fantastic deal.

So when you are shopping for all your other natural beauty essentials, be sure to add at bottle of the Pur Désir de Pivoine Liquid Hand Soap to your shopping cart!

For more information about breast cancer, turn to Pink Ribbon Review, where Karen blogs about raising breast cancer awareness.

Photo credit: Yves Rocher

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By Kori Ellis -- 0 comments