Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Face, Skin and Décolleté

I am no beauty queen, nor am I makeup obsessed.  Make-up isn’t something I live for, nor die for. I can leave the house without makeup, though I hardly ever leave without eyebrows or mascara. However, I do know a little something about the trials and tribulations of skin. I was on two rounds of Accutane as a teenager; you know, the heavy stuff. As a result my adult skin is bountiful with large pores, but I probably only get 5 pimples a year max (unless I’m pregnant).  I have slept in makeup most of my life. A few years ago I was with my father and brother. We all have different variations of the same nose. I remember looking at the pores on his nose. I never thought anything of the giant craters, and I am sure he never did either, but it hit me, that was my future nose, and that is no nose for a woman. So after many different experiments with many different skin care products, expensive and cheap, I arrived at the most amazing products in the world, Dr. Hauschka. I definitely want to emphasizes that skin care is leaps and bounds more important than makeup. The goal of skin care is not to have to wear so much makeup, and those that wear tons of makeup generally do not have good skin care. In addition to looking for the best products, I also wanted ethical products, but like with everything, I straddle that grid too.

I should probably include some hysterical joke about the title and what your décolleté is (believe it or not we all have one), but I am struggling for wit right now. My first site of the term was in the Dr. Hauschka brochure with directions to include my décolleté in my beauty procedure. Quite concerned that I might not have a décolleté I googled it. Apparently it is the upper part of a woman's torso. I think in the terms of skin care it means the area between your neck and your breasts, what a simpleton such as myself might call, your chest.

The Brands

AlimaPure sends great, little samples with  all orders
Ethical, Humane, Mostly Vegan:
  •             Dr.Hauschka
  •             Stila
  •             Tarte
  •             AlimaPure (supporting small business bonus)
  •             PeaceKeppers (they specialize in "cause-metics")

The other side of the grid:

The Process
(“process” sounds like it takes a long time, it doesn’t)

Night:
I brush my teeth with homemade toothpaste at night. In the morning I think I need the stronger rat poison stuff. (Homemade: baking soda, coconut oil and peppermint oil)
Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Milk- wash my face with this and warm water (all of these products are meant to be patted into the skin and not rubbed, use Dr. Hauschka’s press and roll method)


Charlie Banana Wipes- I use these wipes and LOVE them for my face. They are really baby bum wipes (though these have never seen a baby’s bottom). They are so soft and two sided. I use the soft side at night and the rougher side in the morning to apply my toner since it isn’t absorbent). I splash my face with cold water after to close the pores.

Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream Light- I like this at night, it is thicker than what I use in the day. You really don’t need as much as is pictured. It smells great and sometimes I find myself petting myself because it is so soft. Dr. Hauschka argues against night creams; however, my skin is always itchy and dry at night, so I use it.

Raw Honey- Occasionally, maybe every week and a half, I put raw honey on my skin before moisturizing. You rub it in and leave it on for a little while, 10-20 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Hands- I often use a lot of my face products on my hands when I remember. I personally believe the clearest signs of aging are on people’s necks and hands (even after plastic surgery). Why not treat them like you treat your face?


Morning:

Dr. Hauschka Cleansing  Milk- I wash my face in the shower in the morning; the steam will really pop open your pores.

Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner- Using the rougher side of the cloth wipe I use the toner on my skin and down my neck. Toner is also nice after you work out to wipe off the sweat.

Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil- I apply about 5 drops all over my face, even my nose! I know it sounds counterproductive to put oil on your face; however, the over production of oil is usually due to dryness. Also, oily skin doesn’t wrinkle as early on as dry skin (the only benefit of oily skin). I find that this stuff causes my face to be less oily throughout the day; in fact, I never have a shiny nose. I am sure most people would be concerned about breaking out from this. I break out from coconut oil on my face, but not this oil.

Kiss my Face- I use this as my all over body lotion when I come out of the shower

Mama Bee Belly Butter- I use this while pregnant on my belly, backside and chest, any area where stretch marks are possible….sometimes even my thighs.

The only downfall to this skin care morning routine is that it doesn’t include sunscreen. Although I am not a crazy supporter of the 100 spf sunscreen nation, I do like a little protection on my face. However, this is something that can be added when needed.

Morning Makeup:
Bare minimum for me means eyebrows and eyelashes. I think I was supposed to be albino. Although my skin is light, I am not insanely fair and my hair is dark. However, my eyebrows, eyelashes and the hair on my body is blond. The only benefit is I can get away with waxing my eyebrows three times a year. I look weird without eyebrow shadow and mascara so those are the two things I usually wear no matter what.



This is my arsenal of make-up I use every day that I go out in public. It takes me about 5 minutes to put my “face” on. My makeup is very light. Obviously, what I do varies depending on the day and season. I don’t wear blush year round, and I don’t wear lipstick every day.

Peace Keeper Eco-Sensual Lipbalm- This is a lip moisturizer; I actually usually put it on right after I use my toner.

Eyes:
Stila Smudge Crayon Eye Primer- I put this all over my eyelids to hold the shadow and liner on throughout the day. I have chronic dry eye and use eye drops throughout the day, this prevents me from looking like a raccoon.

Dr. Hauschka Liner- I put this on top and bottom lids and smudge it a little. As I said, this stuff stays on very well for someone who is always putting eye drops in.

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo- I prefer powder to an eyebrow pencil; it looks way more natural.

Doir Eyeshadow- I have always used this stuff, and I like it a lot. It stays in place, and it isn’t too bold.

Alima Pure Eyeshadow (luminous shimmer)- This is my new favorite, I have their shimmery line, and it isn’t ridiculous for every day use. It stays on well throughout the day.

Mascara:      

Stila- This has a nice thick brush and stays on nicely.
                       
Dr. Hauschka- Sometimes I use this on top of Stilla because it  separates lashes very well. I bought this first, but the alcohol  (I assume that’s what it is) in it made my eyes tear up when I applied it, so now I just use it sparingly. It is a great product though; I think I just have sensitive eyes.


Face:

Alima Pure Concealer- I only use this if I have a pimple

Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation- I love this foundation, and especially love the brush they make as it is extra soft and according to their website, good for sensitive skin. It covers nicely, but lightly and minimizes the look of pores without clogging them like Bareminerals.




Tarte Bronzer- I lightly apply this just about every day as a nice little color pop and healthy glow.
 
Tarte Natural Cheek Stain- This is not only a great creamy blush, but also can be used as lip-gloss!






Peace Keeper Lipstick- This lipstick is nice and doesn’t make my lips look all dry and peely. I maybe use it 2 times a week.


Obviously it is important to do your own research with different products. Both Dr. Hauschka and Alima pure have sample sizes that you can order and try out (Dr. Hauschka it’s a travel pack). Tarte and Stila are available at Sephora if you want to try it and have the option of returning it if you don't like it. See what you like best.
           

Friday, May 10, 2013

A-Z (okay, maybe Y) of "off-the-beatten-path" Family Friendly Foods

I came across an article on Parenting.com that was a list of “off-the-beaten-path food for toddlers A-Z” Although some foods were off the beaten path (B is for Black Strap Molasses) most I found to be pretty standard things that I think maybe people don’t think to feed their kids but aren’t something someone would give you a funny look for (K- Kiwi, D-Date, P-Pumpkin). I’m not knocking any of these foods, but it got me thinking about what are some real “off-the-beaten-path” things that I feed myself or my family? So here is my “off-the-beaten-path” list. I didn’t go insanely off the path because I think they should be readily, or fairly readily available foods. Disclaimer: Everything has pros and cons that you have use your own judgment in weigh. In addition, I am not a doctor nor am I a nutritionist…I’m just a mom who reads up on things. So here they are:

A: Adzuki Beans: These are little red beans that make for a yummy vegan breakfast a friend taught me about by combining them with brown or wild rice and dates to make a sort of porridge (I throw in chia seeds too). They are a nutty sweet bean with great benefits in the bowl department due to their magnesium and fiber content. They are also rich in zinc and iron. Bean in general are fairly magical!

B: Black Strap Molasses- I am keeping this suggestion because it is a new find for me. It is high in calcium and iron. As a family that doesn’t consume milk, this is a great option to add to our food to sneak in a little extra calcium. You can cook kale with it, or add it to a shake. (Runner up: Beets/Borchet)

C: Chia Seeds- These are not just for pets. They are a wonderful seed that is easy to sneak into things, and it is high in protein, contain omega-3, help balance sugar, cholesterol fighter. I often add chia seeds to quinoa and rice. (Runner up: Coconut Oil)

D: Date Paste- Parenting.com says dates. I say dates are great, but date paste is a little more off the path and certainly an awesome sweetener. You can blend it into shakes, almond milk or bake with it.

E: Elderberry- Elderberry isn’t really something that I would eat, but it is a wonderful defense against colds that is safe and readily available. I generally mix elderberry with coldeeze when I feel a cold coming on mix it with room temperature water and chug it.

F: Flax Seed Oil- With a yummy, nutty flavor, flax seed oil is a nice addition to most dishes. I usually just squirt some into our shakes, or on our food instead of olive oil. It is another source of omega 3’s and fiber.

G: Goats Milk- If you are going to consume milk, goats milk is the most easily digested milk. If it the most similar to human milk and when breast milk isn’t available it is wonderful for a formula substitute (there are tons of recipes for that on line). It is also possible to get fresh goats milk in most states where fresh cows milk is illegal. (Runner up: Goji Berries)

H: Honey (raw)- Raw honey, especially local, helps fight allergies, but my favorite place for honey is in my cosmetic bag. Raw honey is a wonderful hair treatment that can be used to slowly lighten your hair. It also is wonderful on your skin for minimizing pores and acne scaring (I mix it with coconut oil and make a mask).

I: Injera Bread- Later on I have teff on the list, so maybe this isn’t fair because it’s main ingredient is teff, but it is a lovely, light and gluten free bread like option.

J: Japonica Black Rice- This is a nice alternative to brown or wild rice. Although “Japonica” is kind of cheating because it is a trademark name, it is an ancient type of rice that has made a resurgence.

K: Kale- Certainly growing in popularity, kale is a great source of calcium. I personally hate kale chips, but there are other options like raw kale salads, cooked kale, kale in a smoothie.

L: Lotus Root- A very low calorie root vegetable, so it satisfies that carby craving without the calories. It is a complex carb and high in fiber which is great for blood sugar. It is also very high in vitamin C.

M: Mushrooms- Just about the only vegan food that is naturally a great source of vitamin D…no fortification here. Mushrooms come in many varieties that appeal to different taste buds and different nutritional needs.

N: Nato- This is not something that I eat personally as I avoid soy and can’t get over my memories of the smell of my mom eating it as a child (dirty socks). However, it’s worth mentioning as it is a little known “super food” which is high in both K1 and K2. K2 is hard to find (it’s mostly in bacteria, yuk) but really prevents bone loss by some pretty drastic numbers. Nato is basically fermented soy beans.

O: Oolong- Although not as amazing as green tea, oolong does have many of the same benefits without the intense flavor. I personally get pretty instant stomach cramps from green tea, so I find oolong to be a nice alternative.

P: Persimmon- An often overlooked and rather delicious fruit, I didn’t have my first persimmon until I was 30 years old and decided to buy one for my son.

Q: Quinoa- Completely mainstream and perhaps not really “off-the-beaten-path” now, but still one of my favorite grains. Quinoa is very versatile and wonderfully high in protein. It is also an easy sell for most people because it is a fluffy light grain and not to different from couscous in texture.

R: Rainbow Trout- Very similar looking to salmon, in fact the first time I bought it I pointed to it thinking it was salmon. The flavor is much more mild than salmon. (with all seafood, wild caught is obviously preferred and in my opinion with certain fish, the only option (especially salmon))

S: Sauerkraut/Kimchi- Fermented cabbage has amazing enzymes that help the body to digest more efficiently. I try to consume a cup of sauerkraut a few times a week, even better would be daily.

T: Teff- I fell in love with teff the first time I had Ethiopian food. It is used to make a very yummy, spongy bread called injera. Teff makes a very delicious sweet, warm cereal. It is a great source of iron and fiber.

U: Ugly Fruit- A citrus fruit that packs vitamin C and protein it is somewhere between an orange and a grapefruit (though I can’t stand grapefruit so obviously it’s not that close to one in flavor)

V: Vinegar- Okay, okay, so I use vinegar every day and go through TONS of it, but I hardly every actually consume it, though my son LOVES vinegary foods like cucumber salad and pickled beets. Vinegar is my cleaning lady. It can be used to safely clean just about anything. I clean my son’s toys and sometimes even his hands with it. Half water and half white vinegar in a spray bottle goes a long way. My husband hates vinegar and the smell nauseates him so I started adding a few drops of orange oil into my cleaning solution. This also helped because while pregnant anytime I cleaned all I wanted was salt and vinegar potato chips.

W: Water from the Tap- The more I look around me the more I see that this one is WAY off the beaten path. Tap water has gotten a bad name thanks to the wonderful advertising bottled water companies do. Tap water is tested more often than bottled water and is much more closely monitored. I’m not going to even get into the trash that comes from all of the bottles or the chemicals in the plastic or the cost.

X: Xylitol- This is something that really is only good and safe in very small doses and may just be the lesser of evils. I love chewing gum, so xylitol offers a safe option to sugar or fake sweeteners. It also has antibacterial elements to it, which is great for killing bad breath.

Y: Yucca- Is a root vegetable that is an amazing anti-inflammatory. I have made it like chips (similar to fried plantains) or as more of a mashed potato (comes out very gooey). They are pretty readily available in ALL supermarkets in my area.

Z: (Runner up according to my husband: Little Debbie’s Zebra Cakes) ….I honestly have nothing for this one. The only “z” I eat is zucchini, and it is certainly not off the beaten path.