Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Story of Cosmetics

Throughout my personal search for the best beauty products for myself, I've taken the time to educate myself on ingredients that are included in a lot of beauty products. I am able to read ingredient labels well enough to know if the products that I am interested in purchasing and trying on myself, and potentially recommending to friends and family, are not only effective with beneficial ingredients, but safe as well. A lot of ingredients that are used in cosmetics and other beauty products contain toxins that can be harmful to the body. They can increase the risk of cancer, cause reproduction problems in men and women, and even increase learning disablilities. Crazy, huh?? Whats even more crazy is that the FDA has no regulation of the ingredients that go into our products, and does not even assess how safe these ingredients are! Thats just insane!!

I found this video that really brings to light the dangers of using "just any" products on yourself and your loved ones. I consider myself to really be aware of what I'm using on my body, but this video really drove something home to me: the importance of using pure, safe, and beneficial products and informing the people that I love (and even who I dont know) about making better decisions about what they use as well. Its so important.

PLEASE watch this video. Maybe it will make you think the way it made me think about things. Maybe you will learn something you didnt know before. Maybe it will drive you to take action like I am. Message me with your thoughts, and if you are interested in learning how you can make a difference in your life and the life of others through choosing better products, please feel free to contact me.

Here's the link to the video: The Story of Cosmetics

Enjoy.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Sunday Giveaway! : Arbonne Virtual Illusion Lash Enhancer


WIN THIS TODAY!!


Arbonne Virtual Illusion Lash Enhancer 0.25 fl. oz
($34.00 value)


Do you ever wish your eye lashes were longer, fuller, and stronger?
Magnify your eyelashes with this science-based, nourishing formula that helps transform the appearance of volume, texture, density and radiant shine in lashes. Strengthening and conditioning ingredients revitalize lashes, helping to prevent breakage, and promote longer, thicker looking eyelashes.
Recommended for:
All skin types
Usage:
Using the applicator brush, apply along lash line as with an eyeliner. Use twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, after removing eye makeup. In the morning, allow five minutes for the product to dry before applying eye makeup.
*No purchase necessary. Win this product by entering your name, address, and telephone number to melissawilson@myarbonne.com . The 10th entry will be chosen as the winner. One entry per person.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Icon: Aaliyah



There are some people who have truly inspired fashion, beauty, and pop culture as a whole. When the word "icon" is spoken, people like Audrey Hepburn, Jennifer Lopez, Farrah Fawcet, or even Rihanna may come to mind. But for me (and many other people), Aaliyah is an icon who should never be forgotten.


Aaliyah was only 22 at the time of her passing, but she had been on the scene since the age of 15. She began her career as a shy, beautiful tomboy wearing sunglasses, bandannas, hats, sneakers, Timberland boots, and baggy clothes.





As Aaliyah got older her style (both fashion and musical) matured with her. The sunglasses came off and the clothing became more "womanly", yet she still had her "tomboy" edge to her. As a Tommy Hilfiger model, Aaliyah beared her belly, wearing tiny tube tops and bandeaus, but also wore her pants baggy and low, showing the rim of her Tommy boxers.




















In the last years before her incredibly untimely death, Aaliyah's style truly came into its own. She embrased the woman that she was becoming showed it by wearing dresses, heels, and form-fitting clothes.




No matter what, Aaliyah was always tasteful, and alway classic. Truly a natural beauty, Aaliyah never wore tons of makeup caked on her face, or clothing that was inappropriate. She was always conscious that she had young women who looked up to her, and presented herself in a way that was fashionably respectable. As a person, Aaliyah was very down to earth and her entire style reflected that. I feel that although Aaliyah has her fans that will be forever loyal to her (myself included) and will always remember the influence that she had no only in the music world, but also in style, there are still people who seem to forget the impact that Aaliyah Dana Haughton actually had. She was classic. Aaliyah was on the edge when it came to fashion. She was, in her own words, "sassy yet classy. Never trashy." Truth.
As we approach the 9th year since Aaliyah's tragic death on August 25th, I felt that her spirit should stay relevant. If she were alive today, I can only imagine how music and fashion would be. They say the good die young, but to me, Aaliyah was great. That being said, I believe that Aaliyah was, is, and always will be a true ICON.

Carol's Daughter Hair Smoothie

This has been such a hot summer so far, and my hair is really feeling the effects of all this heat. I've also been swimming a lot (I'm a pisces...I LOVE the water!) and being in a chlorinated pool a few times a week is also taking its toll on my hair. I've been doing a pretty good job of keeping my already dry curlies hydrated by shampooing immediately with a shampoo that is specifically designed to remove all cholrine from the hair, then I'll ALWAYS use a good conditioner and leave it in for a few minutes longer than normal. My hair is always easy to detangle and never feels too dry.


With all the heat and chlorine that my hair is being exposed to however, I felt that it is necessary to get a little more intense with hydrating my hair. For my birthday back in March, my sister bought me a gift card to one of the only places that gives me serenity on this earth...you got it! SEPHORA! I've been holding onto this gift card for months now debating on what to buy. So yesterday, I rushed out of work and knew exactly what I wanted to use my gift card on. I purchased the Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie for $20. I've used other products from Carol's Daughter before, and honestly, I wasn't super impressed with them all. I felt like some of them were either too heavy for my hair, or just not heavy enough. I figured that if this treatment is heavy, that will be a good thing though. Plus it smells like a little slice of heaven in a 8oz jar.




According to the Carol's Daughter website, the Tui Hair Smoothie "is an intense, deep conditioner rich in essential oils and Shea and Cocoa butters that provide moisture and protection to dryness and brittleness. The creamy, nutrient-rich ingredients immediately detangle unruly hair and boost shine." Sounds just like what I have, and exactly what I need. This hair smoothie is also free of parabens, mineral oils, petrolatum, and artaficial fragrance.


I haven't tried it yet. I'll probably deep treat my hair after my swim today. Most likely, I'll use it with a plastic cap and my hooded dryer so that I get a really intense treatment. I'm excited to try and I'll post results when I'm done!


Has anyone ever used any Carol's Daughter products? Has anyone ever used one of their Hair Smoothies? What are your thoughts?