Andalou Naturals: Omega Glow Serum

Photo Taken by Theresa Gonzales

Product Review:
Hello lovies! Sorry I have not been posting recently. Anyway I must say this is the very first time I have tried Andalou products. In my opinion I just think they have tasteful packaging. I bought the Andalou Naturals Omega Glow: Facial Concentrate in a 1.9 FL oz product around 5-6 months ago for under $20 (I know pretty pricy!). The serum is a moderately viscous clear fluid with a subtle sweet smell. You only need 1-2 full pumps to get enough of the product around your face and neck.  I have been using this in the AM and PM right before my moisturizer. Now, I've heard of people mixing their serums with their moisturizers, but serums are very concentrated and so I just like the thought that my skin drinks up all that good stuff before putting on the moisturizer so I don't "shock" my skin. I am prone to buying anti-aging stuff although I am in my early 20's, I know this angers alot of people that are older than me, but I just think that I should be trying to do preventative things now than waiting until symptoms actually do occur. On that note, I of course was attracted to this product because of its fruit and stem cell derived ingredients and their advantages. For more information on the benefits of fruit stem cell I have provided a link here that takes you to Andalou's website. I will also copy and paste some of the information below.

Fruit Stem Cells in your Skin Care:

Apple Fruit Stem Cells
Malus Domestica fruit stem cells, from the Uttwiler Spatlauber apple varietal, are rich in
phyto-nutrients, proteins, and long-living cells. This unique composition of self-renewal growth characteristics awaken dormant skin cells, making them behave like younger cells, while enhanced longevity properties contribute to healthy cell duration and age-delaying protection.

Apple Stem Cells:

• Stimulate healthy cell renewal
• Protect longevity of skin stem cells
• Delay senescence of essential cells
• Slow chronological aging of skin

_____________________________________________________________

Grape Fruit Stem Cells
Solar Vitis fruit stem cells, from the rare Gamay Teinturier Freaux grape, are characterized by extremely high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants and free radical scavengers, enhanced by the interaction of special epigenetic factors and metabolites to help protect the skin and epidermal stem cells from UV radiation and premature photo-aging.

Grape Stem Cells:

• Protect skin stem cells against UV damage
• Increase the skin's UV tolerance
• Maintain healthy stem cell characteristics
• Defend against aging from prolonged exposure

_______________________________________________________________

Argan Fruit Stem Cells
Argania Spinosa fruit stem cells, derived from the ancient Berber tree from Morocco, are designed to delay the depletion of dermal papilla stem cells, effectively revitalizing dormant root cells and accelerating the natural repair process to combat chronological aging of hair follicles.

Argan Stem Cells:

• Penetrate follicular pathways
• Delay the depletion of vital stem cells
• Stimulate dormant root bulb cells
• Accelerate natural repair processes 1.

Product Ingredients:
Aloe Barbadensis Juice*, Lauric Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Juice*, Vegetable Glycerin, Fruit Stem Cell and BioActive 8 Berry Complex*, Resveratrol, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Hyaluronic Acid, Olive Squalane, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis (Myrtle) Extract, Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Glycopeptide, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Glyceryl Monolaurate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape Seed) Polyphenols, Borago Officinalis (Borage), Rosa Canina (Rosehip), Linum Usitatissimum (Flax), Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) and Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oils*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter*, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos), Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis, and Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Extracts*†, Laminaria Digitata (Kelp) Extract, Allantoin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyamopsis Tetragonolobus (Guar) Gum*, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil*
*Organic
† Fair Trade
Made naturally without GMO’s, gluten, paraben preservatives, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic colors, dyes and fragrances. Verified Gluten-Free 100% Eco-friendly, Vegetarian & Cruelty-Free 2.

Crystal Essence Deorderant Review

 

Photo Taken by Theresa Gonzales

Okay I've mentioned in my earlier post that I tried Crystal Essence Crystal Deodorants, but when they came out with these new scents and in a spray or roll on option, I decided to buy the Chamomile & Green Tea and I don't go anywhere without it! Instead of dealing with the hassle of moistening your Crystal Deodorant stick, the liquid form is a much more convenient buy. All you need is a quick spritz and you are good to go. I have perfected my underarm emergency spritz in public mwaha!! There are more scents available in Lavender and White Tea, Pomegranate, and also the original unscented formula (see picture below). I definitely enjoy using this product! I think I purchased this 4 Fl oz bottle for $3.99 at a Coop store around 4-5 months ago and I still have about less than 1/4 of the bottle left. The front label says the product does not contain any Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Hypoallergenic, and Paraben Free <3. I love that as you put it on you feel a slight menthol sensation, at least with the Chamomile and Green Tea scent. The scent is natural smelling and mild. I would suggest changing up with the different scents if you wish to continue this product.

Product Ingredients:
Straight off the Bottle: Water/Aqua, Pottassium Alum, Chamomilla   Recutita (Matricaraia) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Bicarbonate.

Photo Courtesy of Deal Seeking Moms

A few sites with information about the negative effects of harsh chemicals found in most mainstream Deodorant Brands:

Healthy Muslim

Ben Greenfield Fitness:

#1) Aluminum: This is added to deodorants to prevent sweat by causing cell swelling which squeezes the sweat ducts closed. Check the label of your deodorant for aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium or any other chemically phrase that includes the word “aluminum”. This metal can easily accumulate in your body, and is associated with neural issues such as Alzheimer’s. The last thing you want is your deodorant destroying your brain.

#2) Triclosan. You can find this in many deodorants, and it is a carcinogenic pesticide that you can absorb through you skin and easily store away in body fat. It’s added as an antibacterial, but ironically, may actually encourage growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria

#3) Talc. Talc, or “talcum powder” can often contain asbestos, and is classified as carcinogenic if so (you can read more at cancer.org) It is typically added to deodorants to prevent rash and help keep the skin dry – but should be avoided.

#4) Parabens. Parabens include anything that begins with methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl or butyl, and these are all toxic petrochemical compound that can disrupt your hormones, mimic estrogens and other hormones, harm your reproductive system, and act as carcinogenic compounds.

#5) Propylene Glycol. This is a form of mineral oil that is also found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. In deodorant, propylene glycol works as a humescent, which preventing the escape of moisture or water. But it is neurotoxic and can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. [List goes on] 1

Salt Cyrstal Deodorants: Naturally Fresh and Crystal Essence Review

Photo take by Theresa Gonzales

I have to regretfully admit that I have god awful underarm odor. I don't mind sweating, because it is a natural process that eliminates the bodies' toxins. Also, using antiperspirants tend to have more chemicals like Aluminum. (I will provide links on the negative effects of these chemicals below). Well, in my naive plea I thought I had tried just about everything to keep my underarm odor at bay, I used brands like Dove, Degree, Mitchum, Ban, Secret, and Suave. I have used aerosol forms, gel forms, solid forms, roll-ons the whole shebang. After a while I noticed my underarm skin discoloring and the use of these brands left embarrassing dark yellowish stains on the underarms of my shirt. I don't know if any of you experienced the same things, but I ended up just washing my underarms frantically in public bathrooms--the horror.
It was not until I was a college freshman when I first entered a Coop in Bellingham Washington. I felt such a feeling not so unlike walking into the Garden of Eden.
So many brands to choose from! I decided to try Naturally Fresh's Deodorant Crystal which is a natural salt. As you can see in the picture it says that the product does not have harmful Aluminums, it is paraben/PG free, and is hypoallergenic. 

Review: I did not enjoy using this type of deodorant, you have to wet the top of the crystal before you can rub the crystal along your underarms and then wait until the moisture evaporates and it starts to chaff your skin before you can stop rubbing it under there. I just didn't feel any residue on my underarm, so I could never tell if it was on or not. Also, it takes a while to put on, when you are in public, you can't sneak a wipe or spritz, and god forbid if you don't have a water source to put on the cyrstal you are a sitting duck and hope you start sweating so you can use the moisture out of that . You have to keep rubbing until the sweat dries away, but then I get nervous and I sweat some more! Another thing I found interesting about the crystal, after you had rubbed your underarm with it, the crystal starts to smell like your underarm odor for awhile, as if  the crystal sucks in the odor. I have tried other brands of Salt Crystal Deodorants such as Crystal Essence (pictured below) that worked exactly the same as the Naturally Fresh Brand. I'd have to say the Natural Salts Deodorants in cyrstal form is not very convenient for me, and if you are an excessive sweater like me you have to re apply many times throughout the day to neutralize the odor. I would say this would be great for people who don't have as bad underarm problems as myself.

Courtesy of Mallerysdeals
Accessed 9/22/2012

Sites for Negative Effects of Aluminum and Propylene Glycol:

• Self Growth

• Naturally Fresh

• Healthy Muslim

• Education

Product Ingredients for Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal:

Natural mineral salts (Ammonium Alum), Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Extract)

Oh-So Yummy Homemade Sugar Scrubs for your Body and Face

Photo Taken by Theresa Gonzales

Store in a cute Mason Jar

A great activity for a slumber party! You can use it for party favors, and presents! Let me tell you how incredibly, painfully easy  it is to make these sugar scrubs at home with ingredients you can already find in your own pantry! Before you stumble into your kitchen ransacking the cabinets, I advise you that making these scrubs are no different than cooking. So add each ingredient according to your taste. If you would like more coffee smell, then add more coffee grounds! If you like your Sugar Scrub to be more heavy and thick, add more carrier oils. Remember to try and keep your ingredients as Organic as possible lovies!

Advantages of Routine Exfoliation:
Exfoliating the skin regularly gets rid of dead skin cell thus enabling moisturizers to easily penetrate the skin making your products work more efficiently. There are many options out there a part from sugar. For examples salt crystals, pumice, other types of rocks, sponges, etc. Make sure to not rub on your skin too roughly.

Ingredients For this Tantalizing Coffee Sugar Scrub:

• Brown Sugar
• Coarse White Sugar
• Ground Coffee
• Coconuts Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Steps:
1. Mix well, the Brown Sugar, Coarse White Sugar, and Ground Coffee.
2. Pour extra virgin Olive Oil and Coconut Oil until you get the consistency you like with your scrubs.
3. Store in an air tight jar or vessel.
4. ENJOY AND SMELL BLISS!

For all you perfectionists, I know you need exact measurements, there are a number of youtube videos out there. Just type in Homemade Sugar Scrubs and just go crazy! From what I encountered, measurements seem to be equal parts Sugar and Coffee Ground ratios. Essential Oils require 1-3 drops, and Carrier Oils such as Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, etc. are poured in according to desired consistency.

Brief Carrier Oil Info:

Almond Oil- This vaguely aromatic oil is gentle and rich in protein and vitamins. It is nourishing, light and softening for dry hands, eczema and irritated skin. It is a good lubricant, so it blends well with other oils as an excellent massage base. 

Avocado Oil- This is a rich, heavy oil with high vitamin content. It is often blended for a velvet-like consistency. It also contains a mild sunscreen.

Coconut Oil- Traditionally, this was the main carrier oil in tropical Asia because of its abundance. It is a thick saturated oil with its own distinct smell. It remains stable for a long period and is particularly nourishing in hair treatments.

Grapeseed Oil- This is an extremely fine and pure oil, so light it absorbs immediately into the skin. It is good for helping the essential oils penetrate quickly. It leaves a satiny, not sticky,  coating.

Jojoba Oil- This is a natural fluid wax rather than an oil. It has a fine consistency (similar to collagen) which effectively penetrates the skin. It reputedly nourishes hair and prevents hair loss.

Macadamia Oil- The acids in this oil are natural components of skin sebum. It has a rich nutty aroma and consistency. Its emollient qualities make it a good all around moisturizer, particularly for dry and mature skin.

Olive Oil- Rich in proteins and vitamins, this oil is rapidly absorbed by the skin although it has a strong aroma and is often blended with other oils. It is a naturally warming oil, so it is good for massage in cold weather or in treatments for muscular pains.

Wheatgerm- This is a rich, dark oil, high one vitamin E but sometimes thought too heavy and aromatic to use alone. It is an antioxidant: its stabilizes essential oils and other carrier oils, making them last longer. It also benefits scarring. 1.

evanhealy Rose Vetiver Day Moisturizer

Photo Taken by Theresa Gonzales

Product Review:
Ladies and Gents! I have been using this moisturizer in the mornings and evenings for two months now and I am loving it! I recently got this as a Bridal Shower gift from my Hubby's Mom which she bought from Marlene's Market & Deli on 38th in Tacoma for $38.95 . However, you may also visit the brand's website (evanhealy) to browse around or buy their products as well.
 

The Rose Vetiver Day Moisturizer I have comes in a 1.4 oz glass jar. The reason why I chose to try out this moisturizer is because I have combination skin, which means I have both oily and dry skin on my face and this Moisturizer is suppose to be ideal for skin types like myself! The texture has a smooth, creamy feel - not too runny nor thick. The Moisturizer has an off-white beige color to it. After two months of using it the oils did not separate and the creamy texture is still in tact. This suggests that the moisturizer is thoughtfully bonded and is preserved for a good while. Keep in mind I live in Washington State so atmospheric conditions may create different results. More importantly,  I did not break out after using it and the product easily seeps into my skin leaving my skin damp - but not oily or dry. The smell is Aromatic, calming, as I put it on my face I feel a slight tingling feeling. The Calming sensation might be related to the effects of Vetiver, which I have stumbled across more info about Vetiver in a book, titled Asian Secrets of Health, Beauty, and Relaxation.

"Vetiver oil comes from the roots of vetiver grass grown largely in India and Indonesia. [It has a] [d]eep smokey base note, with a woody yet sweetly spicy undertone. [Vetiver is] [k]nown as the 'oil of tranquility' in India for its deeply relaxing effect, vetiver is traditionally woven into mats or screens and hung in rooms to evoke a sedative atmosphere. It keeps insects away, and while it stimulates blood flow and relieves muscle tension, it also stimulates the production of breast milk if massage with oil into the chest. Like sandalwood, it is beneficial for anxiety as well as insomnia and helps you cope in times of upheaval."1

I encourage you all to try this product, I can't say for certain every product works exactly the same for people of like skin conditions as myself because everyone's skin is unique and people may react differently. Don't be shy to ask for samples. At Marlene's Market & Deli, samples are out all the time!
 

Product Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Rosa Damascena Flower Water* and/or Pelargonium Capitatum (Rose Geranium) Water,* Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice,* Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil,* Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil,* Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Polyglyceryl-3 Methyglucose Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Fractionated Coconut Oil), (Vegetable) Glycerin, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Nut Oil,* Cetyl Palmitate (and) Sorbitan Palmitate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil,* Fucus vesiculosus (Bladder wrack) Extract,* Hippophae rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Oil,* Calendula Officinialis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract,* Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Malva neglecta (Mallow) Extract, Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) Extract, Trifolium Pretense (Red Clover) Extract, Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Xanthan Gum, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Oil, *Vetiveria Zizanoides (Vetiver) Oil, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Fruit (Essential) Oil, Salvia sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Pretty Face (and) Nasturtium (and) Iris Flower Essences.

Ingredients courtesy of evanhealy.com accessed 9/21/2012

I am all about reading and getting familiar about product ingredients, because if you think about it, ladies and gents. There may be a few synthetic or harsh ingredients that are not harmful in small quantities, however if you think about everything you put on your skin during the day it certainly adds up. From Face Washes, to Serums, Moisturizers, lotions, Deodorants, etc. So it is best to use close to Organic ingredients as you can so you don't disturb your bodies' natural functioning and of course, it is overall better for the Earth.

Be Proud of What you Got Going on!

In order to be able to enjoy trying new things, we have to be comfortable in our own skin and accept who we are and love who we are! There may be qualities of our face or bodies that we do not like, but we have to understand that our attitude towards these qualities are not intrinsic; that is to say, we are not born thinking that thin is beautiful or that a pencil skirt is best worn with high heels. Rather, these inscribed on us by convention created outside of us - in the things we say and the media we are subject to. Indeed, it is important to remember that the media is a business and the concept of Beauty is always changing - always; "being thin is beautiful," "tan skin is sexier" - these are rules in a game not our own and it is important to realize that it is a game: we decide the moves we make. So let's have some fun!

Photo Courtesy of 99 Bali accessed 9/20/2012

Welcome my fellow Eco-Cosmeticians and Fashionistas!

Hello everyone, my name is Theresa, and I am a recent college grad from Western Washington University. I graduated with a B.A. from the college of the Humanities Department: Liberal Studies and I concentrated on Religion and Culture. As you can see, my degree has no connection with beauty or fashion. However, as I have now graduated from college, I feel like I have missed out on many fashion and beauty opportunities that I did not have time for as a working student: now is the time for change. WWU is mostly known for its Environmental majors through Huxley College. However, WWU cultivated an environmentally conscious environment which permeated all of the departments both through policy and the faculty they hired. Moreover, they taught many of its student's the importance of Environmental responsibility and sustainability.

The reason why I am starting this blog is to inform many Eco-Conscious individuals by shedding light on existing Eco-friendly Brands and companies out there in the market; these brands can be eco-friendly alternatives to mainstream brands. When consumers make choices on their fashion and beauty materials, brand names are usually the reassurance of a good or bad product; it informs you on the quality of the product: the location it was made, how it is made, what it was made out of--all of these catch phrases are webbed into a label. Now in an ever changing capitalist economy, there are a multitude of brands out there making it quite overwhelming deciding where to begin and how to progress. I hope to help you and learn with you in this process by analyzing our current skin care methods, make up, and fashion routine in order to try and make more responsible choices for our bodies, this Earth, and generations to come.