I apologize for the serious lack of updates as of recently.
However, my life has contained little to blog about – I don’t think anyone
wants to hear about my return to healthy eating, daily
Bar Method classes/ellipticallizing (I made that a word), and the daily fighting of
super-fun parasites evolving into stomach viruses, a lovely takeaway from my
Indian adventure.
But, I felt it necessary to inform everyone of my latest
skincare finds – all of which are organic! I have been eating mostly organic
and unprocessed food since I was a young girl, but to be honest, if a cosmetics
or skincare product works well and there happens to be a ton of chemicals in
it…I’ll continue to use it. For me, as long as there is no adverse reaction, it
is okay. On a sheer whim, I began using organic skincare products, and I have
to say, my skin has not been this clear since I was in the fourth grade. Yes,
that is when I began getting acne.
I think in my lifetime, I have tried at least 500 different
facial care products. That may even be a low-ball count. I’ve found products
that work for a short term, but then the season changes, or my skin type goes
wacko, and bam, I’m left with spots.
My skin is supremely bizarre – extremely dry, yet acne
prone. I seem to also have a lot of redness, which I have essentially accepted
at this point. The main concern for me is keeping spots at bay. For the past
few years, my acne has not been bad, but there were some stubborn zits on my
chin and lower cheeks that just seemed to never budge, no matter what spot
treatment I would use. I've solved this by mixing
Lavender Essential Oil (Young Living) and
Sibu Sea Buckthorn Oil into my nighttime moisturizer (currently
Kiehl's Rose Arctica, but another favorite is
Yes to Carrots' Calming Night Cream - so cheap!).
Mountain Ocean Skin Trip – Although I can eat a whole lot of it,
I have been slow to get on the whole “extra virgin coconut oil as moisturizer” bandwagon. Maybe it is my aversion to laying around naked and waiting for my body
oil to dry for hours when I could be fully dressed and out the door, but
something about body oils always made me feel as if I had clogged pores and a
sweating problem. Anyways, getting to this body lotion, which, indeed contains
coconut oil – it’s fabulous. It smells like real young Thai coconuts, not that
sickening sweet Bath & Body Works catastrophe that reeks of a Pina Colada
made from artificial concentrate. But most importantly – it works like a charm.
It absorbs SUPER quickly (my holy grail fast absorber is
Crème de Corps Light Weight Body Lotion and this is comparable), and leaves skin soft and lightly scented,
but not oily in the slightest. This will be a beach staple this summer as it
was designed to be used after sun.
Solar Recovery Spray and Hydrating Cream – This brand is a
miracle. Two years ago, I was sunburned beyond recognition (the Jersey shore
has stronger sun than you think – even when you are reapplying SPF 45 every 2
hours…). I discovered this at Whole Foods, and since then, have not been able
to use anything but this product on sun-parched skin. It is basically a blend
of essential oils, but boy, does it work. I’ve recommended it to hoards of
(Irish) friends, and they all have amazing results. Seriously a must have for
anyone who ever steps foot outdoors.
Maui Babe Browning Lotion – So, I’m about to contradict
myself by telling you to apply soothing oils and then recommending a tanning
lotion. However, when using this OVER sunscreen (my favorite, as I’ve mentioned
before, is
Josie Maran’s), it helps you to get a lovely touch of color. Don’t
mind the balsamic vinegar-esque smell, because this gives you a golden glow
without self-tanner and with the ability to protect your skin. Besides, that is
what showers are for.
Sanre Lemon Sparkle Toner - I'm a sucker for anything that says "lemon sparkle" on the bottle. And it's not a seltzer? Sold x2. While practically every derm says that toner is not necessary, I cannot deny how wonderfully clean it makes my skin feel. I usually use plain rose water from the Indian market, but this product is fabulous! It removes the excess makeup that my face wipe plus makeup remover combo does not. In addition, it is made almost solely of essential oils and completely of ingredients that I can pronounce. The best part? It's made in Sarasota, Florida, where my grandmother lives - a coincidence I found out after I studied the bottle at home. I picked mine up at Whole Foods.
Organix Moroccan Argan Oil - Okay, this isn't a skin product, it is for hair, and I found it completely by accident. While visiting a friend, I asked if her roommate had Moroccan Oil I could borrow, assuming she would lend me the stuff in the dark brown bottle that I had adored for years, and she came back with this. I figured I would try it. I was amazed by the results - my hair was sleek, shiny, and still had volume. I bought it as soon as I could! While I will never give up my beloved Moroccan Oil, this is an awesome finishing product for the summertime and a good bottle and size for travel. A word of advice: don't go crazy spritzing, or you may look a little, well, unclean in the hair department.
The rest of the products pictured are new purchases that I
have yet to test. I’ll let everyone know what I think of them as soon as I get
a chance!
