No make-over today

I didn't have time to post my make over today, so I will do another post some time next Wednesday or Thursday! That will be the last post for this blog.

And, stay tuned for my Totally Tubular Tubeless Experiment

The end... for now

Well, today marks the end of this blog and the beginning of a new one. I just really want to wear all my make-up again. I like it, even the stuff that is questionable. It was a fun experiment. I know, I didn't quite make it to the end of the month, but sometimes when you're done, you're done. I do have to say that I think my pores are definitely smaller and my skin truly did benefit from the break. I highly recommend taking a make-up break for anyone who has clogged pores, pimples, or any other annoying face thing.

My favorite natural product that I used during this time: Aubrey Collagen Therapeutic Cream Moisturizer. Unlike its name, it is not really creamy. It is not at all oily. I think it is a great basic moisturizer to help improve skin elasticity. It is vegan and all natural and is leaps ahead of many of its competitors (in my humble opinion).

My plan now: go back to using my favorite make-up. Intermittently, I will post here to keep you up to date. If I feel like my skin is getting icky again, I definitely will do a 1 week make-up break to refresh it. I think that our skin definitely needs air, and I also think that make-up does not make us beautiful. I do love color and beauty and enjoy make-up so I wear it. But, I also don't feel that it is necessary.
Here is my end of blog picture. Sometime tomorrow, I will post my makeover! Please stay tuned for my August blog where I will be attempting to watch no television for 30 days! Maybe I'll make it to the end this time.

Be beautiful, natural people!
Wear make-up or don't
We shine from the inside

Day 21 - unless something amazing happens...

I probably won't post again until the end of the month so I can share the results of this experiment.

My take so far, it is a worthwhile venture. We definitely don't need to cover our bodies in chemical - laded products to look beautiful. And, we don't need to feel bad about it if we do decide to cover ourselves in whatever we want to please our own aesthetics.

With some exceptions (like purposefully hurting others), I think that people should not be judged for doing what they want to do. Wear make-up, don't wear make-up, exercise, stay on your couch, drink, stay sober, paint yourself green, dance naked, join a commune, work three jobs, get married, vow to stay single, have kids, don't have kids... I think you get it. I am a big believer in personal freedom. I don't know why I am going on about this, but I do think it is important. This really has nothing to do with nature or natural products at all, but I want my readers to know that I think it's great to be who you are and to accept others for who they are. So many fights, wars, arguments, etc. start because people don't agree, just agree to disagree and move on with your life. Be friends with like-minded people and have tolerance for all!

Day 20 - Essential Oils

So, I am sort of running out of natural beauty products to review. There are plenty more out there, but I don't feel right reviewing them unless I have used them for at least a week (and even that is probably not long enough!

So today's blog is about lemongrass oil. I love it - It is in the shampoo and conditioner that I use by Dessert Essence, and I also add it to vinegar and water to clean my counters. Between the water dilution and the added fragrant lemongrass essential oil, the vinegar smell is barely there and you are left with counters that smell like summer. And, it is an all natural and homemade cleaner that is super inexpensive. The lemongrass oil is the most expensive ingredient in the mix, but one tiny bottle lasts for  at least a year. I use about 8 - 10 drops of it in a normal sized spray cleaner bottle filled with approximately 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water.

Cleaning natural is easy, effective, and makes you home a safer place for little people and pets.

Day 18 ... over halfway through

At this juncture, I ask myself, how long will I keep this up? At least until the end of the month and I imagine longer... I would like to say forever but I know that is unlikely. And, as my husband pointed out, we have been swimming in a pool this week. I didn't really think of it, but the pool chlorine is certainly a chemical. While I did not brush my skin with it, I did become coated with it as I swam. Will I ever give up swimming in the summer? no. I like lake swimming too, but I really love pools too.

So, I guess you could say I am off track, but I am still going to keep it up for the rest of the month. And, I plan on only using natural mineral make-up for eternity, with the exception of extra special occasions, for which I get my make-up done (like my brother's upcoming wedding in January). Other than big and glamorous events such as that, I will let nature beautify me!

Here is today's picture. Looks like natural products have cured my nearsightedness! (not really)

August blog preview: Follow me as I attempt to avoid television for the month

Day 16 - small amounts of chemicals add up

Check your sunscreen - if there are a bunch of unpronounceable ingredients, it is probably a bit toxic to use. Of course, sunscreen is important, so look for a natural brand. Aubrey Organics, Kiss My Face, and Burt's Bees all make some acceptable versions of sunscreens. Don't use a spray version because those have even more chemicals.

I realize that there is a lot of conflicting information floating around the importance (or unimportance) of worrying about ingredients. Many people argue that the amount of dangerous chemicals is so small that it couldn't possibly affect us. I might agree with that logic if these small amounts of chemicals were not present in a majority of products that many of us consume and/or put on our skin.

Example: For breakfast, we eat a granola bar with some type of preservative.
                Then, we take a shower using tap water, regular soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc
                Next, moisturize with lotion that has a list of ingredients at least 12 long (many unrecognizable)
                Eat some skittles
                Have some lunch out somewhere, not sure what the restaurant uses
                Put on some sunscreen
                Swim in a pool
                Afternoon fruit snack, non-organic
                Frozen meal for dinner after a busy day
                trip out to get ice-cream

All of the things on the list above can happen during the course of a fun summer day. I am not saying to avoid fun summer days, not at all. I love fun summer days. I love ice-cream, from any place. I love candy with artificial colors. I am just saying that we should all be aware of what is going into our bodies and try not let small amounts of chemicals build up too much. I have chosen to start with skin products because it seems a bit easier than eating clean.

I hope to try clean eating for a month too, but I think I am much less likely to make it.

Day 15 - The Beauty of Exercise

Note to reader: This post has nothing to do with natural products, instead it discusses nature itself - the wondrous place where natural products come from.

To help give your face a natural, luminous shine: spend lots of time outside, exercise, embrace water, and breathe in the outdoor air. I know this could sound strange to some, but in a world of televisions, computers, video games, busy work schedules, etc, many of us do not spend much time exercising, especially outside. I say, unless the weather is actually truly horrific, run outside, swim in a lake, swim in a pool (not natural, but still outside), take a hike, ride your bike, or do whatever exercise you like to do, but do it outside. Why outside? We need vitamin D, and it is best absorbed from the sun. We need oxygen, and we can get lots of fresh and free oxygen outside. Exercising is generally more strenuous outside too, due to the natural curves of nature's winds, bends, and surprises.

I hope this post inspires us all to get outside more! Walk during your lunch break, eat outside, have fun, and enjoy your summer!

Day 14 Henna Hair Dye and You

So far, everything has been going smoothly, feeling good, and ready to take on the rest of the month. I think I will continue into August as well.

Yesterday, I used Rainbow Henna in light brown. It is a great and natural way to dye your hair. The only drawbacks are that some people are allergic and it is a messy project.

My advice: follow the directions on the jar, use apple cider vinegar if you have grey hair, and wrap your hair with plastic wrap while it sets. I don't use heat, but you can to speed up the process.

Since, I have been using Henna, my hair has become softer and healthier. It is a great and inexpensive way to add color to your life. You can use berry tea, lemon juice, and other add-ins to make your color a slightly different shade.

Happy beautiful hair to all of you!

Day 10 - Back again

I took a day off because of a writing workshop I am attending. It is super intensive and great. I have been more prolific than usual, which is very inspiring.

I am sticking to the plan. I think my pores are starting to look a little smaller but not completely sure.

My product recommendation for today is hydrogen peroxide - the stuff that always comes in a brown bottle. Why is it so great? It kills bacteria. That is great because bacteria cause pimples. So, if you use a peroxide soaked cotton ball to clean off your face (after pre-washing), morning and night, this will reduce new pimples tremendously.

Side note about pimples. Your skin is greatly affected by your digestive system. Taking probiotics daily will help your skin stay clear. Why? The probiotics are good bacteria that help reduce bad bacteria, your digestion gets better, and everything stays clear.

Good luck, nature people! Go for a hike :)

Day 8 - nothing new

Hello all - Just posting to let you know that I am on track for a successful plan and excited to learn the results of this natural experiment.

I probably won't post until Friday or Saturday due to a super busy week.

Good night blogging world

Day 7 - Morning Picture

So, I think maybe my skin is improving, but it is hard to tell from my pictures. I will try to post a better picture this weekend. Like everyone, I am always on the ruN! heading out to writing class now, Good day world!

Day 6 - Some new picks!

One of today's product picks is Tom's of Maine natural moisture soap. It is completely natural, and I have been using it both for bathing and shaving my legs! I have used soap to shave my legs for a while now, but this soap has been the greatest! It leaves my body super soft and moisturized, as the name advertises. So often I am disappointed by the names of products, but not at all in this case.

Today's next product picks are shampoo and conditioner by Desert Essence. Desert Essence is another great natural brand that is not over priced. Right now, I am using the lemongrass version. I love the smell for summer, so refreshing. Be careful not to get it near your eyes though, because the lemon grass is strong and sometimes makes my eyes feel uncomfortable. Next time I buy more shampoo, I will definitely choose Dessert Essence brand again and try a new scent, only because I have sensitive eyes. I have tried many (many!) natural shampoos. Most of them leave my hair feeling dirty, but this one is amazing. It is natural, smells great, and it works!

Good luck natural friends! Don't buy into big corporation's beauty promises. It is a ruse to get us to spend our money. They prey on us because they know we want to look younger and more beautiful. But many high end products are harmful and do not do what they promise.

I will keep posting more good brands to try as I use them. Feel free to post any comments or suggestions for this blog.

Thank you for reading

Day 5 - Still Alive - Product Reviews for Bentonite and Red Clay

Hello all. I am alive and feeling great. No harsh chemicals here and nothing to fear. I would like to give a shout out to the brand, "NOW." Now products are great and affordable. The company makes all kinds of vitamins and skin products. I am using their Moroccan Red Clay Mask. It is gentle and effective! I would say it is a better choice for sensitive skin than Bentonite Clay. Bentonite Clay, however, is a great mask for those with oily skin. Either way, your skin will benefit. And, the best part is, no high price facials.

Both bentonite clay and red clay come in powder form. All you do is add some water. For 10 dollars or less you can get a jar that will last you a good long time!

Day 4 - nothing much

Nothing much has changed since yesterday. I have stuck true to the plan. I have a face wash product review I'll post later. And another product review maybe?

It feels good to use nature's bounty to nourish my skin instead of petrolatum and other weird stuff that probably doesn't belong near our bodies.

More later...

Day 2 - the journey continues, a slight mishap ensues

Turns out, I need a little more self-control. Being a woman and all, with a little free time in between appointments, I decided to check out Bare Minerals. I have both good and bad news to deliver. Their product seems great, and I am excited to try their mineral powders and eye shadows. When it was too late, I realized that some of their products are not chemical free at all. Sort of misleading, but I should have foreseen it.

In any case, just to be completely fair to my readers and my cause, I am going to start over. The mistake I made today was using their primer on my skin. I most definitely should have known better, but I allowed the lovely customer service person to apply away before I read the ingredients. Luckily, that was the only product that I used that had any chemicals.

I definitely love their mineral face powder, eye shadow, and blush, no chemicals there and seem like they might actually be good for my skin.

Tomorrow is a new day! The project continues! I am determined to see the results of my experiment.

Day 1 picture and product recommendation

Okay, well,
maybe not the greatest picture. But, hopefully good enough to see what I look like. I will take pictures weekly to see if there are any noticeable changes. For the next picture, I will take a day time picture without my glasses in better light. I didn't get a chance earlier today, but that was how I originally planned it.

Last time I did not wear any make up for awhile, my skin looked much better, pores smaller, and complexion less blotchy. So, I am hoping the same thing will happen this time.

Just to be clear, I am not using any chemicals at all on my skin, including soaps with chemicals, deodorants with chemicals, moisturizers, etc. The natural products I am using currently for moisturizing are by Aubrey and Avalon. Additionally, I like to use a bentonite clay mask mixed with apple cider vinegar for a weekly or biweekly deep clean. I highly recommend bentonite clay because it is very effective and very affordable. It can be a little messy to apply but it dries quickly. Let me know if you try it!

Sweet dreams world

Skin - Our Largest Organ

Our skin is our largest organ. During the course of my time writing this blog, I will not be using any products on my skin that contain chemicals. I have removed all of these offenders from my bathroom cabinet, and I was surprised to see the quantity of harmful skin and hair products I own.

It is scary to think of how much I spend on products meant for beauty, that in the long run, are much more likely to cause harm and premature aging.

To begin this experiment, I am going to avoid chemical skin products for a minimum of 30 days, today being the first. Each day, I will post a paragraph or two about how I feel.

Coming soon: I will post a picture of my face today.

In 30 days: I will post the "after picture."

Additionally, I will post some of chemical free product reviews.

Feel free to post any questions, comments, or snarky remarks!