Natural Beauty
Amazon Jungle Beauty Secret: Lipstick Tree
I have been doing some volunteer work in the Amazon rainforest this past month and came across a beautiful tree with heart-shaped, red spiky fruits. My Peruvian host told me that it’s an Annatto, or more commonly known as the “lipstick tree!”
He ripped off a fruit, broke it in half and then rubbed the tiny red seeds between his fingers. The seeds produced the most vibrant red, creamy paint-like substance which immediately started to stain his skin. The lipstick tree has many uses for the locals, it is used as face paint, dye, lipstick and even to repel mosquitoes.
The color lasts for hours. I wish it came in other shades..
4 Natural Face Masks Using Eggs
Just got home from the grocery store and upon entering my house, I dropped the eggs, leaving half of the carton cracked!! I do not waste food, and since I would hate for all of those chickens to have laid in vain, I began researching quick ways to use these broken eggs. While my boyfriend had his heart set on the world’s largest breakfast burrito, I decided to rub them on my face instead 
Check out some easy all natural masks you can whip up with ingredients from your own kitchen!
Acne Mask for Oily Skin
This mask is fantastic for acne prone, oily skin. The oatmeal gently exfoliates skin, the egg tightens pores and the lemon juice acts as a natural astringent.
1 egg white
1/3 cup oatmeal
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
What to Do:
Mix the egg white and oatmeal together in a bowl. Add olive oil and lemon juice to the mix. Apply to the face for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Rejuvenating Mask
This recipe blends uses chickpeas to soften the skin, a banana to reduce puffiness and redness, and an egg to tighten pores.
1 Egg
4 Tablespoons Chickpea Flour
1 Banana
What to Do:
Blend chickpea flour and the banana together until it forms a paste. Beat the egg and add it to the mixture, mixing well. Apply to the face for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
Acne Mask for Dry Skin
The egg yolk is rich in fat which moisturizes and soothes your skin. They also contain Vitamin A which is found in many prescription acne medications.
1 Egg yolk
What to Do:
Spread the egg yolk gently over your entire face. Leave on for 15-30 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Refining Mask for Very Dry Skin
This hydrating and skin enriching egg yolk mask will soothe, smooth and refine dry and scaly skin. The honey helps to heal and the yogurt gently exfoliates and cleanses while refining and tightening your pores
This mask will soothe, smooth and refine extremely dry skin. The honey and almond oil helps to moisturize, while the yogurt gently cleanses the skin.
1 Egg yolk
1 tablespoon organic Honey
1/2 teaspoon Almond oil
1 tablespoon Plain unflavored Yogurt
What to Do:
Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl until they form a smooth paste. Spread the mixture over your face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and apply a rich moisturizer.
Exfoliating Mask
This toning egg yolk mask exfoliates, soothes and tightens the skin.
2 Egg yolks
1/2 cup Plain unflavored Yogurt, with active culture
1/2 teaspoon Sea salt
What to Do:
Mix all of the ingredients together until you have a smooth paste. Spread the paste gently on your face and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Review: Reviva Labs
When Reviva Labs contacted me to review several of their products, I was a bit hesitant since I am very picky about what goes on my face in terms of skincare. However, when I discovered their products were all natural, AND they earned the seal of approval from my grandma (who looks 15 years younger than she really is), I decided to try them out!
The Glycolic Acid Cream
It’s impossible for me to actually pick a favorite product out of the three I tested, but the Glycolic Acid Cream is definitely a strong contender for the title! I’ve been interested in Glycolic Acid creams for awhile and since Revia Labs is a leader in the glycolic acid field, I was excited to try out the best of the best!
What is it?
Glycolic Acid is derived from sugar cane and is used as a natural exfoliant. It loosens any dead skin cells and whisks them away, increasing the rate at which younger cells reach the surface. It is clinically acclaimed to help diminish visible wrinkles, discoloration and age spots. As an added bonus, using Glycolic Acid allows your other skincare products to penetrate deeper. Sign me up.
Review:
Even though I wanted to jump in with the heavy duty 10% Glycolic Acid Cream, I decided to start with 5% since I read that you should allow time for your skin to get used to the product (or you risk irritation). They warn you that there may be stinging when you apply the cream, but I felt none. Since I don’t have sensitive skin at all, I made my boyfriend try it (haha) and he reported no stinging either.
I applied the cream at night, before bed, and I woke up with the smoothest skin ever; it literally felt like a brand new layer had emerged! Getting these amazing results so quickly encouraged me to keep going with the product. After about a month, my skin looked incredibly clear and bright (I even received compliments!) and I have noticed I am breaking out much less. Since I am 23, I can’t vouch on it’s ability to fade lines and wrinkles, but I have noticed that it has started to fade some mild acne scars on my chin! I am in love with this product and will definitely be purchasing a jar of the 10% very soon.
Ingredients:
My absolute favorite thing about this product is that it’s all natural! The ingredients consist of:
purified water, glycolic acid polymer (extracts of sugar and rhubarb), extracts of pumpkin, peach, sage, chamomile, witch hazel, Vitamins A, D, E safflower oil, and sunflower oil. No parabans, chemicals, dyes – nothing!! Amazing.
The Essential Fatty Acid Cream
What Is It?
Reviva Lab’s Essential Fatty Acid Cream is one of their newer products but it has already won an award for the 2010 Skin Care Innovator of the Year!
As we age, our skin begins to lose Essential Fatty Acids which results in the thinning and increased fragility of our skin. Reviva Labs EFAs cream was designed with 10 different Essential Fatty Acid oils (including sunflower, avocado, hemp, flaxseed, borage, black currant and pomegranate) to create a fuller, smoother look and feel.
Review:
Like I said before, I am only 23 therefore thin skin is not a problem for me at the present time. However, I am all about prevention and was super excited to see what this cream was all about.
I have had the hardest time finding a daytime moisturizer to go underneath my foundation without turning me into a greasy mess within hours. Before I tried this cream, I immediately dismissed it as a night cream when I saw how many oils are in the ingredients. I was so wrong!! This cream feels incredibly light and soaks into the skin so quickly, leaving a smooth surface that is not greasy at all! My foundation stays put all day and I have not notice any increased oilyness whatsoever. The first time I used it, my boyfriend commented that my skin “looked good!” Granted, he is dating a makeup artist and is much more in tune with these things than a normal guy, but still. The only thing I’m not crazy about is the smell. It smells kind of like tea, which is a good smell… just not for my face. It does go away very quickly though.
I love the immediate results I get from this product and I trust that I am preventing my skin from thinning just by using it 
Ingredients:
Purified water, aloe vera gel, veg. glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, borage oil, rosehip oil, hemp oil, avocado oil, wheat germ oil, black currant seed oil, olive oil, sesame seed oil, polysorbate 60, stearic acid, glyceryl laurate, panthenol, pomegranate oil, mixed tocopherols, olive squalane, soy liposome, green tea extract, sweet almond oil, allantoin, cocoa butter, phenoxyethanol and ethyl hexyl glycerin and benzyl alcohol (preservatives).
Makeup Primer
What is it?
We all know what a primer is right? If not, primer is worn underneath your makeup to increase longevity, “fill in” lines and refine the texture of your skin for a smoother application of makeup.
Review:
To be honest, when I got this primer in the mail, I was pretty apathetic. “Reviva Labs is a skincare line .. what do they know about makeup? hmm whatever, I guess I’ll try it.” were my exact thoughts…I couldn’t have been more wrong, I LOVE THIS PRIMER!!!
I carry about 5 different primers in my makeup kit. I don’t really know why; probably because I haven’t found “the one” just yet. After testing Reviva Lab’s Makeup Primer, I have taken out 3 of my other primers and replaced them with this!! It’s that good. It makes your skin feel so incredibly soft and silky. Other primers in my kit had a more watery feel and oily appearance (*cough Smashbox cough* ). Reviva Lab’s primer has a thicker consistency without feeling or looking oily. Note: It’s important to let the product soak all the way into your skin! Upon application it will probably feel greasy and heavy (which threw me off at first) but once it soaks in, you are left with a smooth, perfect canvas to apply your makeup on.
I recently used this primer on an actress for a red carpet appearance because I knew her makeup had to last all night. Later, when I saw pictures, the makeup looked exactly the same as when I left her house. It also works amazingly on mature skin!! It fills in lines and wrinkles, hydrates the skin and makes makeup go on perfectly. I love this product so much that I steal it from my kit to use on myself (which I never do)! My only gripe is that it takes kind of a long time to soak into the skin, and when I’m on set, time is money.
Ingredients:
Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), olive oil, coenzyme Q10, squalane.
CONS
So, since I’ve raved on and on about these three products, I feel like I should think of some type of con, so you don’t think I’m being paid (which I am NOT!! Read my disclaimer at the bottom).. haha
The only thing I can think of (besides the smell of the EFAs Cream and the amount of time it takes for the primer to soak in) is the packaging. When I first checked out Reviva Labs, right away I judged the brand solely on their packaging. It looked outdated and I immediately wrote it off as a line for “mature” customers.
The Bottom Line:
Obviously, we know not to “judge a book by it’s cover” but with so many products on the market today, it’s honestly hard not to. I am SO glad I tried these products because they have all become regular staples in my beauty routine and I am most definitely looking forward to trying out many of their other products (hello Hyaluronic Acid Serum!). Not only are Reviva Labs’ prices incredibly affordable, they contain all natural ingredients and the quality of the product is truley amazing. A+!!
www.RevivaLabs.com
Disclaimer: From time to time, companies will send me products to review. I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally. Sending me product does not guarantee a review and I accept no monetary compensation for in exchange for reviews.
OCC Releases Vegan Makeup Brushes!
As if Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics needed to give me yet another reason to love them…
Last week the 100% Vegan and PETA Approved brand, released their highly anticipated line of Vegan Professional Makeup brushes!! OCC has been raising the bar when it comes to Cruelty Free products for years, and these professional brushes are a fantastic alternative to the traditional, animal hair brushes.
David Klasfeld, the founder of OCC (and an incredible makeup artist fyi), gave Last Looks a little more information about his brand’s newest release..
Why did you decide to create a line of vegan makeup brushes?
“It was actually our customers who inspired us to create the new brush line. We received so many requests for this type product because our customers realized that we had quickly become the industry leader in professional makeup products that were not only cruelty-free, but completely vegan as well. This really made us determined to create the best line of synthetic brushes out there, not only for use by artists, but for our customers’ use at home as well.”
OCC was the official makeup sponsor of LA Fashion Week and I heard that the artists working the shows were some of the first to field test these brushes. What feedback did you receive from the makeup artists at the shows, and will your brushes be a viable option for professionals, as well as consumers, in terms of quality and performance?
“While synthetic brushes of varying quality is no major innovation in the cosmetics industry, ours is the first entirely synthetic line to be determined completely by artist feedback and tested for performance in professional situations before being made available for sale. Feedback at LA Fashion Week could not have been more positive. Any suggestions made were taken into account before the brushes went into mass production, and are now available as determined and approved by our artists.”
The introductory selection of brushes include:
Large Round Powder Brush
Foundation Brush
Concealor Brush
Tapered Blending Brush
Angled Blending Brush
Short Shader Brush
Large Shader Brush
Small Shader Brush
Angle Brush
Check Them Out HERE
What do you think? Are you as excited for these cruelty free brushes as I am?
An Effective Natural Remedy for Kidney Stones
While this topic is not necessarily “beauty” related, an estimated 10% of people in the US will experience a kidney stone at some point in their life. Those that are unfortunate enough to suffer from kidney stones (thanks to some unlucky genetics, I am one of those people) know just how excruciating and debilitating the experience can be. Many women claim the pain is worse than childbirth!!
A few years ago, I was rushed to the hospital after suffering from severe pain in my lower back. I was vomiting, screaming and thrashing around in agony; the pain was incomparable to anything I have ever felt in my life. When I got to the hospital, I found out there is not much they can do for kidney stones unless they are too big to pass naturally. It took what seemed like forever for them to administer morphine to ease the pain. I stayed in the ER until the stone has passed and left with a FATTY hospital bill.
Earlier this week, I woke up with that familiar ache in my lower back, blood in my urine (sorry, TMI) and intense fear for what was about to come. Luckily, I remembered a website that I found several months ago; 227 real, unbiased people raving about a natural cure for kidney stones.
I immediately whipped up this miracle concoction and within 30 min the pain was gone. Whenever I felt any amount of pain over the next few days, I would drink the “juice” and 30-40 minutes later, I would feel 100% better. Never did the pain escalate above a 3 (on a 1-10 pain scale).
If You Are Suffering From Kidney Stone Pain, Try This Natural Remedy For Yourself:
-2oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
-2oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Combine the ingredients, stir well and drink!! I will warn you now, the taste is disgusting, but it’s so much better than the pain you will experience without it. Repeat twice a day, or anytime you feel the “ache.”
There are a ton of natural remedies for kidney stones (um, no thanks to pureed asparagus and Coca Cola. ew) but this one has the most positive reviews. I have had amazing results with it and highly recommend it to anyone who is suffering from kidney stone pain.
TO READ 227 OTHER UNBIASED REVIEWS OF THIS REMEDY PLEASE VISIT EARTH CLINIC HERE
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and you should never substitute information from this Blog for information obtained from a licensed medical professional. These statements and opinions are from my personal experience and opinion, and are in no way substitution for professional medical treatment.
Earth Day Beauty Offers
Today marks Earth Day’s 40th birthday!! Even though awareness of environmental issues has drastically increased over the past few years, the Earth still needs more help than ever! In honor of your mother Earth, please do something to celebrate and show her you care Carpool to work, plant a tree, replace your light bulbs with energy efficient alternatives and take advantage of the amazing beauty offers below!
Earth Day Beauty Offers:
The Body Shop: Take 20% off all orders until 4/25! Also receive free shipping on all orders over $60.
Josie Maran: Receive free shipping on all orders over $22 and 22% of the proceeds will be donated to Global Green
Kiehls: Kiehls has partnered with Julianne Moore, Pharrell Williams, Malia Jones and Jeff Koons to raise awareness and money for The Rainforest Alliance. Each celeb has designed their own label for Kiehls 100% Organic Acai, Damage Protecting Toning Mist. 100% of the proceeds for this product (up to $200,000) will go to The Rainforest Alliance
Tarte: Receive 30% off all orders until April 25th with checkout code: EarthDay. Also receive a free “Be Good To Your Mother” tote set on orders over $60!
Some Eco-Friendly Cosmetic Lines to Check Out:
Cargo’s eco-friendly line is called Plant Love, the products are 100% natural and free of any chemicals, dyes and fragrances. Even the packaging is green (it’s made out of corn!). Plant Love has recently been awarded the honor “Best Green Makeup Line” by InStyle magazine!
Check out Plant Love and shop their amazing products: Here
Tarte Cosmetics is brand that is doing incredible things for the environment! From their eco-friendly offices, all the way to their products. Tarte carries a line of Vegan makeup as well as a whole range of products with their special t5 super fruit complex. With every purchase of a t5 super fruit complex product, Tarte supports the Sustainable Amazon Partnership to promote management of the Brazillian Amazon Rainforest! Last but not least, Tarte enforces a customer recycling incentive program! Send in certain empty containers and receive 15% off your next purchase.
All information about Tarte’s efforts can be found on their website: Here
As an awesome drugstore, budget friendly option, Physician’s Formula offers their line “Organic Wear.” All ingredients are 100% certified organic and the packaging is also environmentally friendly, using 93% less plastic than regular compacts!
Check out Physician’s Formula “Organic Wear”: Here
Happy Earth Day 2010!
Remember, Earth Day is celebrated only one day a year, but it is important to keep up with your environmentally friendly efforts throughout the whole year! The future depends on it.
How to Add Eggs to Your Beauty Routine
Chances are you have a ton of eggs laying around your house after Easter, so why not use them to your benefit?! Check out these three easy recipes you can add to your beauty routine tonight.
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3 Easy Egg DIY Recipes!!
1. Egg and Honey Face Mask
Whip up 1 egg and a teaspoon of honey together in a bowl.
Apply evenly to your face, avoiding your eyes, and wait for it to dry.
After about 15-20 min, wash the mask off with lukewarm water.
The egg tightens pores and the honey moisturizes!
For Normal to Dry Skin: Use only the yolk of the egg
For Oily Skin: Use only the egg white.
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2. Egg, Vinegar and Olive Oil Hair Conditioner
Mix together 2 eggs and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Coat your hair thoroughly with the mixture and cover with a shower cap.
Wait 30-45 minutes and rinse out with lukewarm water. If you use too hot of water, the egg might start to harden, which will turn into a nasty mess.
The final step is to do a final rinse with 1/2 a cup of vinegar.
The olive oil seals in moisture and conditions your hair, while the lecithin and protein in of the eggs helps to moiturize and strengthen your strands. Adding vinegar at the end adds shine to dull hair!!
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3. Egg White and Oatmeal Acne Mask
In a small bowl, beat the whites of 1 egg until smooth.
Add in 1 teaspoon of oatmeal and mix together until it forms a paste.
Apply evenly to your skin and let dry for about 15 minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Egg whites act as an astringent which tightens pores and tones the skin, while oatmeal draws out oils and impurities.
Tip: Are all your Easter eggs hard boiled? Eat them!! The lutien inside of eggs increases elasticity, lipid content and hydration in your skin!
The First Eco-Friendly Fragrance
Nautica Goes Green!
I’m a little behind on the bandwagon with this one, but having just saw an ad for this cologne that was released last April, I thought I would share anyway!
Nautica has released the first Eco-Friendly Fragrance called Oceans. It’s special biodegradable, water-based formula is not only good for the environment, but also for your skin! It’s gentler and longer lasting than most alcohol based colognes, and the packaging is made from biodegradable materials.
It smells really good too! Very fresh and clean. It’s ingredients consist of Ocean Air, Lemon Tonic, Sea Salt Rose, Lavender Reef, Geranium, Amber Crystals and Regatta Accord. The scent is not incredibly unique, but if you are looking for an environmental friendly fragrance for your man, this is it!
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Photographer: Mikael Jansson
Model: Luke Flynn
Boost Your Immune System!
5 Natural Ways to Avoid Getting Sick
Tis’ the season… for cold and flu outbreaks! 
Just about everyone I know has been sick this season, and H1N1 is still a legit scare in the U.S. Recently, I have been keeping taking extra care of my immune system because I cannot afford to get sick. Even though this is a beauty blog, healthy=beautiful, so here are several of my tips to keep yourself cold and flu free for the holidays!
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1. Echinacea
Echinacea is the best known herb for strengthening your immune system and warding off infection. It comes in the form of capsules and tea, but I take the liquid drops. 20-30 drops in a glass of water, and you’re good to go! I wouldn’t recommend taking Echinacea everyday because your body starts to get immune to benefits of the herb. Once a week is a good dosage during the season, take it more frequently if you start to feel yourself getting sick.
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2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is at the top of many people’s immune booster lists for a reason. It makes your body produce more infection fighting white blood cells and anti-bodies and helps to prevent the entry of bacteria and viruses! You can get your daily dose of Vitamin C by taking a daily vitamin supplement, and Emergen-C powder is also really good! Of course, natural fruit and veggies is the absolute best way to get this vitamin! Broccoli, Papaya, Oranges and Kiwi contain the most Vitamin C.
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3. Airborne
Chances are, you know what Airborne is and you probably have taken it before. Many don’t know that it actually is all natural and contains a special blend of over 17 vitamins and minerals that help support our precious immune systems! I am a believer in these miracle tablets, and take them at the first sign of sickness.
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4. Apple Cider Vinegar
As an age-old, home remedy for tons of ailments from diabetes to acne, of course Apple Cider Vinegar is on the master list of immune boosters. It works by balancing your body’s PH to make it more alkaline (instead of acidic). Disease, cold and flu have an almost impossible time living in an alkaline environment, so trust the ACV! Make sure you buy raw, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar with “the Mother,” which are just live enzymes. I use Bragg’s version and take 2 tablespoons in a glass of water (add honey for taste).
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5. Acai
Although Acai has gained recent popularity as a weight loss supplement, the berry has been around for ages as an immune system ally. It destroys free radicals (pollutants that can damage your cells) and is a natural protector against disease and bacteria. My favorite way to take Acai is through this juice available at Sam’s Club. I take a shot of it twice a day and it taste sooooooo good!!
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Of course, exercise, enough sleep and a healthy diet are the best ways to ward off sickness, a little outside help is always appreciated and welcomed
DIY Cranberry Face Peel
A Great Thanksgiving Beauty Treatment
I love creating my own DIY beauty treatments out of things laying around my house. Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, why not use some of the traditional food on your face! And no, I’m not talking about Turkey or stuffing, ew
Cranberries are a wonderful source of antioxidants which can minimize inflammation and slow down the aging process. They are also full of vitamin C which helps to build collagen. Even if you pass on cranberries as they make their way around the dinner table, I would think twice about the benefits they can give your skin.
What You Need:
1 tbs Plain Gelatin
1/2 Cup Cranberries
DIY
1. Mix all your ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Make sure to mix and mash the cranberries well and stir the ingredients until they have a paste like texture.
3. Place the bowl in the fridge and keep an eye on it. It will need to thicken but don’t let it set all the way. Wait about 20 minutes.
4. Massage the mixture into your face. Avoid your eye area.
5. Relax for 15-20 minutes letting the mask penetrate your skin.
6. Peel it off!
7. If you need to, rinse your face with warm water and moisturize.
