Herbacin is a German company that offers a range of skincare from footcare to herbal bath items. They grow their own plants and herbs then make natural products.
I tried a neat little sample kit of the following:
- Warming Balm with carnosine and Vitamin E to bind free radicals and strengthen cell membranes
- Foot Peeling lotion for gentle deep cleansing and smoothing of rough skin
- Foot Cream with allantoin and panthenol to soothe and rejuvenate, and prevent calluses, corneas, and cracked skin
- Cooling Gel for hot feet and tired, heavy legs, containing three cooling ingredients: menthol, menthyl lactate, and camphor, ensuring long-lasting and invigorating freshness
- Leg Lotion for intensive moisturizing care for stressed and tired feet
- Cleansing Gel with camomile and urea, represents the newest line extension of our foot care range of products
I think my favorite was the Warming Balm. Its perfect for tired legs and feet. Before I give myself a pedicure, I liked using the Leg Lotion so my skin is ultra smooth and soft.
Good news! The products from Herbacin do not have parabens, mineral oils, animal ingredients or synthetic colors. Also they do not test on animals which makes me very happy.
by Caroline Leavitt
Gatsby girls want to keep their pretty porcelain complexions so Dr. Lewinn by Kinerase Instant perfecting B. B. Cream Suncream is what you want to slather on. It’s broad spectrum with a SPF of 15 and it moisturizes and attacks fine lines even as it protects against the damage the sun can do. I loved how soft and hydrated my skin felt!
Of course you want your facial powder to keep makeup dewy without that dry powdery look, so you can dance at those fabulous East Egg parties until dawn. Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder is infused with botanicals to minimize shine and oiliness and to keep your skin looking radiant. I usually don’t use powder because it seems to scream, “Look at all the lines!” but this powder made my skin look flawless.
The eyes have it for modern day flapper girls–with Kinerase Restructuring firming eye cream. This goes on silky smooth and best of all, when you use it at night, it stays put and does not migrate into your eyes so you wake up looking like a creature from the Black Lagoon.It’s got a lovely creamy texture and since I’m perfume-allergic, I really appreciate that it has no scent.
Bosley Professional Strength Hairspray can keep those roaring twenty bobs in perfect place. It has no stiff or sticky feel and it kept my ringlets bouncy all day!
For the prettiest pucker, you will want to try Wet N Wild Megalast Liquid Lip Colors. I loved and test drove two shades, which stayed on through a pizza and a shake and kept my lips soft and subtle.
To finish your look, try painting your nails with Duri’s new collection called Once Upon A Dream. These shades are soft, pretty and ideal for the warmer months. Colors go on opaque and last for several days without chipping. Only $6 a bottle!
107S – CLOUD TRUE BLUE
108S – PILLOW PINK
109S – SOFT SLUMBER BLUSH
110S – LILAC DREAM
111S – SLEEPING BEAUTY INDIGO
112S – PIE IN THE SKY GREEN
Here are a few of what I believed to be true statements about natural beauty products before I began researching and really putting various brands to the test. My mind is forever changed!
Natural Beauty Product myths….
Natural / Organic beauty products smell bad.
I used to think that anything that was natural would smell like the inside of a vitamin shop. Not true! While some very clean, eco-friendly and organic products may not smell like perfume (this is a good thing for your health), they don’t smell bad. Thanks to the absence of manufactured fragrance, they often don’t have a strong smell and if anything, the use of essential oils smell fresh and clean.
Natural cosmetics don’t work as well as my favorite drugstore/department store brand.
False! Completely not true. I have found that foundation from 100% Pure, Vapour Organics and Josie Maran offer clean, non toxic products that work just as well or even better than the high end brands I used to use. Often the color cosmetics are pure and derived from nature and the colors so highly pigmented that you don’t need a lot.
There are weird things in natural cosmetics.
I don’t know what I thought was in organic and natural products. Seeds? Hay? Actually, the weird stuff is in the rest of the makeup, toxins, synthetics, chemicals and additives that pose a danger to your system. There are good things in organic skincare like oils, herbs, berry extracts, vitamins, minerals, aloe, flower water and more goodness that comes directly from Mother Nature with no side effects.
People who use organic products are strange.
I imagined pot smoking, non- deodorant wearing hippies rubbing grass all over themselves as the prime targets for the natural beauty and skincare industry. I don’t think this way anymore. I think those who chose to wear natural, organic makeup and use natural skincare are people who care about their health and may have a cancer risk and want to do everything to avoid adding chemicals to their bodies. Or those who want to be as healthy as they can be and live a long and disease free life.
Its hard to find good products if you go natural.
You have to do a little research but the products are certainly out there and readily available! I happen to love researching so I’ve been enjoying the process of finding excellent and healthy products. I advise you to do your homework however, and check up on the Skin Deep website here before buying anything at all.
If the label says “natural” it has to be good for me! Right?
Wrong! I don’t know how companies can get away with loading up their products with toxins then announcing it’s “natural.” I took a look at a few brands who boast natural ingredients and discovered them full of chemicals. Calling a product “natural” can be extremely misleading. This is where familiarizing yourself with ingredients comes in handy. You will want to stay away from these, often referred to as “Black List Ingredients.” Unfortuntely, ingredients in personal care products such as cosmetics, are not regulated so these can slip through the cracks and consumers believe the product in question is healthy or good for you. Synthetic chemicals that contribute to allergies, environmental damage and even cancer are consistently found in products that are labeled ”natural” !
Organic and natural products are really expensive
No more than what you dish out for your favorite foundation at Sephora, Nordstrom etc. Drugstore.com offers a nice variety of green beauty products and the ingredients are listed so you can read them over. Sometimes there are sales and coupons which definitely helps! I reason that yes, the organic products may be costly but you use less because they are highly concentrated with great natural ingredients. Its well worth the investment.
by Samara DiGiovanna
I won’t lie- I’m always a little hesitant to put anything with the words “oil” in my hair, as my hair is very thin and over processed. I’m afraid it will look greasy and in the need of a good washing. That is NOT the case with these hair care products. Just after one use, my hair is in much better condition and not “oily” at all.
The Agadir Argan Oil hair care line nourishes hair with organic argan oil, one of the rarest oils in the world and a little goes a long way. The shampoo and conditioner, which are sulfate free- leave my hair not only smooth and frizz free but leaves my hair smelling so amazing all day long. The Argan Oil Hair Treatment works miracles in my hair. Only using a tiny drop, I massage the oil all over the ends of my (bleached) hair.. I put it up into a bun and leave it for an hour or so and when I let down my hair, it’s smooth, shiny and way healthier than before! Also, check out the Agadir Argan Oil Hair Shield 450 Plus Spray Treatment which protects dry damaged hair from heat styling!
This line of hair care is for all types of hair and works wonders in color treated and/or damaged hair! You can find out more by going here.
By Samara DiGiovanna
Rimmel London is hands down one of my top favorite drugstore brands of makeup. With top quality products, rivaling top department store brands, at drug store prices, Rimmel’s products are tough to beat.
I’ve been a fan of their face primer ever since it came out, their lipstick “Airy Fairy” has been a staple in my purse and makeup drawer, and my go to foundation is their Lasting Stay foundation, number 100. Not to mention, I have found their nail polishes to be some of the best out there, in a gorgeous variety of shades, easy to apply, and amazing staying power; with high shine and no chips for at least 5 days.
Needless to say, I was thrilled when I found out I’d be getting the opportunity to review beauty products from Rimmel.
Rimmel’s Scandaleyes Eyeshadow pencils glide on smooth and stay on all day without smearing or ending up in the creases of your eyes! I actually use these “eyeshadow” pencils as eyeliner because it goes on so nicely! Coming in a variety of colors, this is a perfect way to add a pop of color to your eyes without going over the top. Try the purple shade as a liner for brown or hazel eyes, or the silver or green for blue eyes.
Lasting Finish Matte Lipsticks by Kate Moss is a new line of matte lipsticks from Rimmel. As I mentioned before, “Airy Fairy” is one of my staple lipsticks that I carry everywhere and I’ve been using this new line quite a bit now too. Coming in a beautiful array of colors, there is something to compliment everyone’s skin tone. Goes on smooth and lasts for hours.
Rimmel London’s BB Cream is a 9 in 1 skin perfecting makeup. If you haven’t tried a BB cream yet, this is the one to try. I’ve been grabbing this most mornings instead of my usual foundation. Not only does it brighten and smooth your skin, it also offers great coverage (I’d say it’s a happy medium between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation) and helps even out your skin tone. Where has this been all my life??
Next time you are at the drugstore, pick this product up. You won’t be disappointed!
As of JUNE 1st, this blog will feature only {natural/organic} and cruelty- free beauty products!
Plus the usual book reviews and much more.
Things are changing at Hello Dollface and its been a long time coming. I started this blog because I LOVE makeup, skincare and hair products. In fact, long before I began writing about beauty, I was obsessed. As a little girl, I would walk up and down the cosmetics aisle (when there was only Maybelline, CoverGirl and L’Oreal) and I couldn’t wait for the day I’d be able to wear it!
A few years ago I had the desire to switch to natural products but didn’t know how to go about it- I’d been working with so many great PR firms and brands that I didn’t want to lose them. Plus, is a lot excellent makeup out there and I wasn’t ready to stop using my favorite, toxin filled foundations and lipsticks. I tried to ignore the fact that companies were testing on animals which I can’t bear the thought of.
Meanwhile, I began to stop eating processed foods that had no nutritional content. I started juicing and doing yoga. I read the labels of everything I bought and watched endless documentaries on nutrition. At the same time, I started reading ingredients on cosmetics, skincare and hair products. I noticed that my hair was looking worse and maybe, I thought, my hair was taking a beating from the ingredients in the products I was using. I started using organic skincare and my skin began to improve. I decided to only use natural products on my hair and see if there was an improvement there as well.
I learned that 80% of what we put on our body is absorbed through the skin. So if there are chemicals and toxins in the things we are putting on our skin, our bodies are taking that in. With my strong family history of cancer, I can’t afford to be increasing my chances by allowing myself to put various toxins on my body, in my hair. If Im eating well and exercising, shouldn’t I apply the same philosphy to my personal care products?
Now here’s a disclaimer- I’m not perfect and do eat the occasional french fry. I paint my nails with toxic nail polish. I line my eyes with an eyeliner that I love, one that’s not all natural. Going green, clean, eco-friendly and organic takes time and research and there are definitely trade offs.
Maybe its not important to you to wear natural makeup and read labels and that’s okay! Maybe you love your makeup from the department store and don’t want to give it up and that’s okay too. We all have to do what’s best for us individually, no judgement here.
Over the next two weeks, Hello Dollface will begin to post only natural beauty products, articles and recipes, any tips about health or nutrition I think you will like. And of course I will always write book reviews because reading is my passion.
Have you made the switch to natural products? Will you? Do you think natural products aren’t as good as the ones you’ve been using? I am here to introduce you to amazing makeup, skincare and hair products that is natural, organic and cruelty free. Stay tuned.
I am always looking for new recipes to try and this one sounds delicious plus its really healthy. If you haven’t tried quinoa, I urge you to give this ultra nutritious grain a whirl. Its packed with protein and extremely versatile.
**Kimberly Snyder’s Quinoa, Avocado and Corn Salad
The only pre-prep with this dish is to be sure to soak the quinoa overnight. Finalize the rest of the recipe in the morning or early afternoon. It tastes great at room temperature, so it’s perfect to bring to the barbeque, pool party, park or beach!
Ingredients:
3 cups water
1 ½ cups dry quinoa
Raw kernels or 2 ears of organic corn (preferably white, if available), shaved right from the cob
2 avocados, sliced and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 Tbs. finely chopped red onion
Dressing Ingredients:
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. Bragg Liquid Aminos or low-sodium tamari
1 Tbs. brown rice vinegar
Directions: Be sure to soak the quinoa overnight in water and rinse well before using. In a saucepan bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat, add quinoa and simmer until the water is absorbed and the grains become translucent and soft (about 10 to 15 minutes). Pour the quinoa through a strainer and set it to the side in a bowl.
Blend all the dressing ingredients together in a blender until smooth, or simply add them to a small bowl and whisk well with a fork. Add the kernels of corn to the quinoa, along with the avocado and chopped onion. Mix well. Pour the dressing on top of the mixture and mix well again.
**This recipe is from New York Times best selling author of The Beauty Detox Foods and celebrity nutritionist, Kimberly Snyder.
I could so relate to this book, It’s Your Fault: My Journey through Back Pain, a Teenager and Self-Discovery by Wendy Coblentz. Having both a teenager and chronic back pain that is currently sending a numbing and shooting pain down my arm, I quickly read this book hoping for some kind of clarity. But enough about me!
Wendy suffered from such terrible backpain even at the most inconvenient times, she’d have to lay on the floor. She suffered every day and in search of a cure for her debilitating back pain, she went to every doctor imaginable. Wendy tried physical therapy, body work, and other alternative therapies to no avail. While she lived in pain, her teenage son was up to some troublesome shenanigans which probably added to Wendy’s agony.
This book was a page turner, I wanted to know what happened to Wendy and how she finally got some relief! Its funny and well written and I think I read the whole book in two days. If you have chronic pain, a teenager, like to laugh, or are interested in a good book, then It’s Your Fault is the perfect read!
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