Fran Drescher is very well spoken here and its worth seven minutes of your time to watch and listen. Plus, I love the white interior of the backdrop. Check out her website’s Beauty Do’s and Don’ts here. Then head over to the EWG’s list of Myths on Cosmetics Safety.
Keep reading Hello Dollface as I share the information I learn, and recommend beauty products that are cruelty free,vegan and natural. In the coming months, I’ll be trying to slowly make the switch to using natural products, will you?
If I had a cute little face with fine features and big eyes, I would totally cut my hair off. I haven’t had really short hair since I was in about sixth grade. I have terrible memories of my Spanish teacher calling me a chico instead of a chica and I still haven’t recovered.
I’ve got some tips for those of you who are bold and daring and who will or have gone short. Keep reading…
“Just because most of us are not ideal does not mean you cannot go short,” says celebrity hairstylist Louis Angelo of Garren New York Salon. 
“Look in the mirror and focus on your best feature. If it’s your eyes, short, cropped hair with a slight fringe grazing your eyebrows focuses attention on your eyes. Do you have nice cheekbones? Short hair swept up and away from your face is your go-to look. To show-case your lips, consider a Chanel-inspired, ‘20s flapper bob a la “The Great Gatsby.” The bottom line of the bob draws attention to your lips, whereas a chin-length bob defines the chin.”
“You can always go to a men’s barber shop where you will most likely emerge with a masculine crop top, more severe and hard-lined. If you want to be modern, with an edge but with a more feminine allure, visit a salon where the stylist can incorporate feminine touches without giving up the strength of the final look. Soft fringe, a wispy tapered neckline or small feathered-off bits around the ears and nape allow you versatility in styling, the options to go hard or soft, masculine or feminine, geometric or smooth—you decide!”
“Cutting hair short is already a dramatic move, but to rev up the drama, consider enriching the color for even more of a statement. If you are blonde, go platinum. If you’re a redhead, try cinnamon-ginger. Brunette? Think dark cappuccino. And if you have black hair, make it raven-midnight-ebony. Just as I collaborate with Christopher John, Garren New York Salon Color Director, it’s best for your hairstylist and colorist to work together with you in making this decision”
“Whether or not you opt for a change of color, the right styling products are key to keeping a short cut looking fabulous. For looks that are more controlled and contained, I recommend, René Furterer STYLING WAX to add definition and a touch of glossy shine. A dab of René Furterer MODELING PASTE is perfect when you need a little fullness and structure for your cut with more staying power—push it up and it stays up. Think Charlize Theron.”
“A flapper bob like Carey Mulligan’s should be tight and small, like a little cap that fits close to the head. I recommend spraying damp hair with René Furterer FIORAVANTI shine enhancing detangling spray before your blowout to help keep hair smooth and modern.
“For the punk rock vibe of Anne Hathaway’s sculpted, lifted look, try working in a dab of René Furterer VEGETAL SCULPTING GEL before blow-drying. I find that the trick with all styling products for short hair is to work in a little at a time—you can always add more if needed.”
“Last, book regular trims with your hairstylist. Even when you decide to grow out your short crop, a trim and reshaping every three to four weeks will keep your look on trend.”
I don’t know what happened exactly, it was like a slow morph into wanting to “green my beauty routine” which landed me here. Maybe its the fact that I’m trying to eat healthier and be better about chemicals, but I am really interested in learning about toxins and what’s in my makeup, skincare and haircare.
Every day I dedicate time to researching ingredients and looking up eco-friendly, natural, green, organic beauty products. Often these products are a little difficult to find, more expensive, and less likely to send samples for review purposes.
It’s way easier, cheaper and more convenient to run to Target or CVS and grab makeup when I need it. I still love my L’Oreal Paris products (mascara and lipgloss especially!) and I used to simply buy what I needed without struggling over lists of ingredients and trying to understand what’s good and what’s bad. Did you know that labeling a product ‘natural’ or ‘dermatologist tested’ doesn’t mean the product is free of nasty chemicals and cancer causing toxins? You really have to take time to learn the beauty jargon!
Right now I’m using mostly organic beauty products but I’d be lying if I said I was 100% chemical and toxin free. I think switching up a beauty routine takes time. Its always important to know what’s in your skincare, hair products and makeup, be informed. You don’t have to be a radical and start making your own cosmetics, but start small, learn about common ingredients, make decisions accordingly. Here is a good place to start.
I found this list and I’m posting it here so you can give it a quick look and learn a little something.
TOP 20 LEAD-TAINTED LIPSTICKS
1. Maybelline Color Sensational (125 Pink Petal): 7.19 ppm
2. L’Oréal Colour Riche (410 Volcanic): 7.00 ppm
3. Nars Semi-Matte (1005 Red Lizard): 4.93 ppm
4. CoverGirl Queen Collection Vibrant Hues Color (Q580 Ruby Remix): 4.92 ppm
5. Nars Semi-Matte (1009 Funny Face): 4.89 ppm
6. L’Oréal Colour Riche (165 Tickled Pink): 4.45 ppm
7. L’Oréal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor (748 Heroic): 4.41 ppm
8. CoverGirl Continuous Color (025 Warm Brick): 4.28 ppm
9. Maybelline Color Sensational (475 Mauve Me): 4.23 ppm
10. Stargazer Lipstick (103c): 4.12 ppm
11. Revlon Matte (009 Fabulous Fig): 3.32 ppm
12. Sonia Kashuk Luxury Lip Color (27 Mauvey): 3.12 ppm
13. Avon Beyond Color (558 Mad For Mauve): 3.08 ppm
14. Avon Endless (530 Mauve Amour): 2.87 ppm
15. Revlon ColorStay (375 Ripened Red): 2.84 ppm
16. Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer (d Toffee): 2.81 ppm
17. Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl (631 Luminous Pink): 2.81 ppm
18. Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl (643 Satin Plum): 2.77 ppm
19. Cover Girl Continuous Color (595 Iced Plum): 2.74 ppm
20. Stargazer Lipstick (101c): 2.71 ppm
Some of you may not care about chemicals in your beauty products, some of you will stick with the luxury brands you love and others may not want to give up your favorite makeup despite knowing its full of “bad stuff” and I understand on all fronts. We can explore natural products, still see what’s happening with our favorite drugstore makeup and take it day by day. Thats how I eat and exercise, on a day by day basis, not going too crazy but taking it slow and steady.
I’m going through all of my makeup and reading ingredients, making my own choices. I really have been digging natural makeup, skin and haircare, and will probably swap out the majority of makeup in my drawers for safer alternatives. What about you? How do you feel about the subject?
I’ve been reading a lot lately- as usual- and the last book I read took me a week to get through due to time contraints. Here is a list of books currently sitting on my kindle, ready to read! Have you read these? Do they look good to you?
The Pink Hotel by Anna Stothard
A seventeen-year-old London girl flies to Los Angeles for the funeral of her mother Mandy, from whom she had been separated in her childhood. After stealing a suitcase of letters, clothes and photographs from her mum’s bedroom at the top of a hotel on Venice Beach, the girl spends her summer travelling around Los Angeles returning love letters and photographs to the men who had known her mother. As she discovers more about Mandy’s past and tries to re-enact her life, she comes to question the foundations of her own personality.
In May 2012 Kirstie Clements was unceremoniously sacked after thir – teen years in the editor’s chair at Vogue Australia. Here she tells the story behind the headlines, and takes us behind the scenes of a fast – changing industry. During a career at Vogue that spanned twenty – five years, Clements rubbed shoulders with Karl Lagerfeld, Kylie Minogue, Ian Thorpe, Crown Princess Mary, Cate Blanchett, and many more shining stars. From her humble beginnings growing up in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney to her brilliant career as a passionate and fierce custo – dian of the world’s most famous luxury magazine brand, Clements warmly invites us into her Vogue world, a universe that brims with dazzling celebrities, fabulous lunches, exotic locales and of course, outrageous fashion.
Few books have altered the perception of a celebrity as much as Marilyn. Gloria Steinem reveals that behind the familiar sex symbol lay a tortured spirit with powerful charisma, intelligence, and complexity. The book delves into a topic many other writers have ignored—that of Norma Jeane, the young girl who grew up with an unstable mother, constant shuffling between foster homes, and abuse.
A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard
Helen Wadsworth’s husband, Arthur, was declared missing in action during an OSS operation in France, but the official explanation was mysteriously nebulous. Now raising a teenage son who longs to know the truth about his father, Helen turns to Frank Hartman—her husband’s best friend and his partner on the mission when he disappeared. Frank, however, seems more intent on filling the void in Helen’s life that Arthur’s absence has left. As Helen’s affection for Frank grows, so does her guilt, especially when Peter Gavin, a handsome Marine who was brutally tortured by the Japanese and has returned with a faithful war dog, unexpectedly stirs new desires. With her heart pulled in multiple directions, Helen doesn’t know whom to trust—especially when a shocking discovery forever alters her perception of both love and war.
I have been reading this book since I got it a few weeks ago. I like to sit and page through it, reading different parts when the mood strikes. As I’ve been trying to be healthier in all the choices I make, the timing of Jessica Alba’s lovely book couldn’t have been better.
When Jessica became a mother, she wanted to surround her new baby with only the very best- healthy and non toxic products. Like all new moms, she didn’t want her precious new baby coming in contact with anything that could cause allergies due to fragrance, chemicals etc. Unfortunately she found many common household items contained toxins and chemicals that are bad for our bodies, especially infants. This was the inspiration for Jessica to form The Honest Company where the products are toxin free and natural. (I’ve tried a few of the products and really liked them!)
In her book, Jessica describes everything from eating healthy to eco-beauty (my favorite part of the book) and her clothing style (this isn’t so much about being eco-friendly as it is about her own style) to furnishing her home with lead free paint, eco friendly furniture and safe carpet. I keep flipping to the beauty section so I can learn about the non toxic beauty products Jessica likes and uses. There’s a big index in the back of the book where she lists various companies that are natural/chemical free.
I think many people live their lives completely unaware of how bad chemicals are for our bodies, whether its using cosmetics with parabens or clothing coated with chemicals or the toxic cleansers used to clean your home (I’m guilty on all fronts!). This book definitely informs you of everything you need to be aware of and inspires you to make better, healthier choices.
The pages are filled with gorgeous photos, tips, lists and down to earth advice from Jessica. I think the book is very beautifully done and I enjoyed reading it. This is definitely a great place to start if you are beginning your own journey to going green!
I love a beverage that will provide nutrients and result in great looking, youthful skin which is why I juice almost every day (for more on my juicing recipes and health related topics, go here) and recently I tried this delicious Beauty Nectar by Ashieda. This little bottle will: INCREASE Collagen Production * REDUCE Wrinkles and Fine Lines * IMPROVE Overall Skin Tone * GIVE YOU Glowing, Younger-Looking Skin
“Drinking one 2-oz bottle daily gives you the pure hydrolyzed collagen protein to give your skin back the strength and elasticity of youth in one convenient pre-measured bottle.”
I’ve been drinking this every day around lunch time and my skin does look really good, smooth and clear. I feel that drinking it daily, long term, would probably give you amazing visible improvements! And it couldn’t be easier, open it and drink it up!
From Ashieda, I also received a Natural Facial Mask. This product is like giving yourself a professional facial at home. This mask hydrates, moisturizes, infuses skin with nutrients and brightens skin. You do need to set aside a reasonable amount of time to allow the mask to work so I’d advise you to apply it when you can sit for about an hour and let it work.
I had heard a lot recently in my organic, green beauty search about using a natural Konjac Sponge to clean skin so I was super excited to receive one to try. Its a small round sponge that expands in water and helps cleanse the skin, eliminates blackheads, dirt, oil, renews skin and balances the ph of skin. I love using this, its non abrasive and helps give skin a natural radiance.
Check out everything from Ashieda by going here!
With a name like The Almighty Cincher, you expect great things. And this corset doesn’t disappoint. I took it for a test drive and wow! instantly my stomach was super flat, my sides were tighter, and I stood taller! Besides that, my back pain was nearly eliminated. That was probably the most amazing benefit that I did not expect.
Here are the details of this slimming shapewear:
“Some users wearing the AMIA Almighty Cincher 8-10 hours a day for 30 days report sustained reduction of 1-4 inches in the midsection. What’s their secret? Like all Almighty garments, the Cincher utilizes the science of compression to support long-term slimmingPowerLatex core stimulates thermal activity and perspiration, mobilizing fat and toxins. You’ll see results as soon as you put it on.”
I’ve read that this is excellent to wear after having a baby- if I only knew that fifteen years ago when I had my first child! With this Cincher, you can wear your own bra and underwear, it fastens around your midsection with a rather sexy hook and eye closure.
If you have a poochy belly, have just had a baby, have back pain, or just feel like you want to be “held in” and improve your posture, this item is a must have. Check out this and more from Hourglass Angel by going here.
When I got an email asking if I’d be interested in checking out Bee Naturals, I was very excited! There’s nothing I love more than learning about new products, especially when they are natural and non toxic.
The Bee Naturals story goes back to Barbara Chappuis who as a nurse, needed to protect her sensitive hands from the substances she came in contact with. Many of the products on the market were full of chemicals and she wanted a product that was pure and nurturing so she developed her own creme called the Skin Creme Bar. That grew into what is now several pure, natural skin care products and “everything in Bee Naturals products have a specific therapeutic purpose. They protect and heal skin, period.”
I tried a couple of products and really liked them all. I read through the ingredients and love that they don’t contain anything harmful or weird. I’ve been using the Cuticle and Nail Oil which has softened my cuticles and dry skin around nails. I cannot get enough of this oil! It contains lemon and lavender oil plus anti-fungal tea tree oil.
The Lip Gloss in Strawberry adds a hint of color and lots of shine and offers a very smooth, hydrating texture.I am all for natural lip products especially when I think about how much I apply it- and how much I accidentally lick or eat off throughout the day! The Queen Bee Liquid Honey Skin Cleanser is a non drying cleanser that removes makeup, dirt, oil, etc. You don’t need a lot of this, a little on a soft cloth will do the trick! Because it’s gentle and non irritating, I use it all over- not just for my face.
Whitening Pre-Brush Oral Rinse is by my sink at all times. It helps clean teeth, keep them white and contains nothing harmful. Its the ideal rinse to keep teeth in tip-top shape.
The Bee Naturals don’t stop there! A look through the site will show you a wide variety of gentle skin care products. There are bath and body products, items for baby, mens skincare and much more. I can’t wait for you to check out the products and see for yourself! Head over to the Bee Naturals page here.
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Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. - Thoreau
