Misc. Toiletries

Long week = long bath

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It was a long work week…actually, a long work month. All I wanted to do this weekend was stay indoors, eat left over Halloween candy and watch movies (cue: Can’t Hardly Wait).

One thing I realized this weekend is…if there is one thing I want when I grown up 😉 it’s a big bathroom…with a big tub with a nice big flatscreen TV mounted in front of it. I don’t need a big house or a 3 car garage…I just want a nice bathroom so that after a long work week I can escape in there, take a bubble bath, and watch re-runs of ‘old 90s’ movies.

Right now, I don’t have such a spa-like retreat in my house…but this weekend, I made do. One thing that helped make my bathroom more spa-like = Dr. Teal’s Lavendar Vapor Bath

Nick randomly bought a bottle at Wal-Mart a few months back and I gave it try. For ~$5 this is one of the best bath products I’ve ever used. It is more than just a bubble bath because it is formulated with lavendar essential oil. A half cup or so creates a foamy, bubbly bath…and the lavender scent is just strong enough to remind you to relax and soak it all in. I find that it helps soften the water and I can sit in the bath even longer. And because it’s only $5 a bottle – I don’t feel bad pouring in a little extra. The Dr. Teal’s leaves my skin feeling soft and it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin (phhhew).

I’ve seen Dr. Teal’s at Wal-Mart and Ulta – and it is sold online through Amazon so it’s easy to find!

A few months ago, I wrote a blog post on the benefits of lavendar (link below!) this is another product that capitalizes on the calming/soothing properties of lavendar. So, if you’ve had a long work week…or month…and need a little time to yourself – pour some of this into a bath and relax. And until you have a flatscreen TV mounted over your tub – grab a gossip magazine and don’t worry about getting the pages a little soggy.

the sweet smell of summer

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I was bored with my standard body lotion…I was searching for something more exciting but it also needed to do its #1 job which is to moisturize my skin without leaving me feeling greasy.

During yet another trip to Sephora, I happened across a line of body butters by:Pacifica

Pacifica packaging is bright and tropical…reading closer the line is paraben and sulfate free (as well as being ‘free’ of a few other chemicals). I was impressed with the variety of fun & distinct body butter scents.

7 scents in all (from Mango Grapefruit to Tahitian Gardenia)…running the gamut from fruity to floral. I was pulled towards the Hawaiian Ruby Guava which is a sweet, fruity smell:

What I like:

  • It comes in a tube – easier to travel with, and it shrinks as the product gets used up – therefore, making it even more travel/gym bag-easy!
  • The Hawaiian Ruby Guava smell is tropical and fun (so yummy & summer-y!!) – when first applied the smell is noticeable, but fades subtley over time. Which I like, I wasn’t looking for an overpowering smell
  • It moisturized well! My skin stil lfeels nice, hours later
  • It sunk into my skin/wasn’t greasy – which is huge, especially with body butters
  • It comes in a 8 0z. tube @ $18  a pop – but it also comes in a small 2.5 oz. tube for $5. I went with this size because it’s purse friendly, and I wanted to try it out first before committing to the bigger size
  • Paraben free! wooooopp

According to Sephora: Intensely moisturizing, protective, and full of skin-loving naturals, this Body Butter melts beautifully into skin providing rich, long-lasting hydration. Each is infused with one of Pacifica’s signature fragrance blends, which contain natural and essential oils. Free of sulfates, mineral oils, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and artificial colors and 100% vegan with no animal testing.

Sephora also carries the perfume for each of the scents. I thought I’d share this fun product line. If you like more subtle scents, this might not be the line for you. But, if you’re looking for something fun that evokes imagines at beautiful flowers and tropical fruits – give this line a try.

Are you sulfate-free?

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 Sulfate free shampoo…Why do we care? What does this even mean?

First, there are a couple types of sulfates – these are also in order of least irritating (1) to most irritating (4):

  1. Sodium Myreth Sulfate
  2. TEA Laureth Sulfate
  3. Sodium Laureth Sulfate
  4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
  5. Ammonia Laureth Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is most commonly used in all kinds of soap products from shampoo, to facial cleaners – so, let’s focus on that – what is it?:

    • SLS is a powerful, grease cutting detergent, aids in the foaming nature of soap
    • To put it simply, SLS is used to make soap ‘soapy’
    • It cuts and removes oil effectively

So…why is it in shampoo?

  • To help suds it up! We have been ‘trained’ that, we need that lather to get a good clean
  • This ingredient helps cut/remove oil…and we don’t want oily hair!
  • It’s cheap to produce (more of a reason for manufacturers to use it)

What’s the problem then?

  • Even in diluted quantities, SLS is irritating to the skin and scalp
    • Have ecezema? (like me!) – SLS can irritate this already irritating condition
  • We’ve all gotten shampoo in our eyes at one time or another…it burns! SLS is likely the culprit
    • Tear-free baby shampoo? Well, it’s ‘tear free’ because it’s sulfate free
  • It’s also been known to be damaging to the hair follicle (can lead to weakened hair structure)
  • SLS can strip colour from your hair – hello, that’s not a good thing for us girls who spend good money on highlights/professional coloring!
  • The SLS found in our soaps is the same as you would find in a car wash or even a garage, where it is used to degrease car engines – ewww!!

BUT – to date, SLS has not been banned from shampoos and cosmetic agents by the FDA as unhealthy or a cancer causing shampoo ingredient.

What is sulfate free shampoo?

  • HELLO – shampoo without the sulfates. Manufacturers use alternative ingredients to get a similiar effect

Why try sulfate free shampoo? – to…

  • Avoid harsh sulfates!
  • Avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils, and your scalp too (which can lead to them drying out faster than normal)
  • Help maintain color treated hair longer…SLS stripping my nice color?! No, thank you!
  • Help avoid further irritation if you have sensitive skin

According to some critics there are a couple trade offs:

  • Sulfates do a good job cleaning…
  • Sulfate free shampoos won’t strip hair/scalp as much but will need washing again sooner
  • Some sulfate shampoos don’t lather up as well, which is the result of removing the SLS, the foaming agent. This can cause people to use more product to get the foam they’re use to

My take – I’ve been using a sulfate free shampoo, and it foams very well without needing more product (see reco below)

The main reason I initially tried this product – was to avoid sulfates to help maintain my color longer. If I can get a couple additional weeks out of my color, that’s money saved at the salon. I went with L’Oreal – because it was at CVS, and it’s cheaper. I purchased the shampoo specifically for color treated hair. Name: L’Oreal EverPure Moisture Shampoo, Rosemary Juniper

Why I like it:

L'Oreal EverPure Moisture Shampoo (sulfate free)

  • It smells amazing
  • It suds up just fine! I don’t have to use more than usual to get a good lather going
  • It makes my hair feel clean, and soft (in combination with my conditioner)
  • It’s less expensive than salon brands
  • I like the tube container- it’s lighter, and easier to carry in my gym bag
  • I can’t say that it has made my color last longer – but my highlights didn’t get brassy last time around…

More info from L’Oreal on this –

Sulfate-Free Color Care System:

  • Anti-Fade System
  • 100% Sulfate-Free
  • No Harsh Salts
  • Natural Botanicals
  • 100% Vegan
  • Not tested on animals, no animal byproducts

Color-preserving formula there are no harsh sulfates and salts that can strip and dull your color.  The EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System* protects and conditions hair for long-lasting color purity.

EverPure shampoos create a luxurious and rich lathering experience, while natural aromatic properties from rosemary and juniper help energize and invigorate the senses.

EverPure Moisture Shampoo gently cleanses, deeply nourishes and revitalizes dry, damaged hair.  Its rich moisturizing formula reveals your hair’s natural softness and shine, helping your color shine through.

Other sulfate free shampoos:

  • Kiss My Face – Miss Treated Shampoo
  • L’Oreal – Everstrong Reconstructing Shampoo
  • RedKen – Nature’s Rescue Detox Shampoo
  • Moroccan Oil Shampoos

Do you use sulfate-free shampoo? Is it great…or all hype?

Sources: About, BeautyTopTips, NaturalHealthInformationCentre, Drugstore

Quick Beauty Tip #3: the many functions of baby wipes

/ BethonBeauty / 2 Comments

Quick Beauty Tip #3:

Baby wipes…they can play an even more valuable role outside of the bathroom/away from the changing table.

For me – baby wipes come in handy in other situations – specifically for air travel, car travel, at the beach, and while applying make up  

And when I say baby wipes, I mean baby wipes…not antibacterial wipes…I usually go with sensitive skin-version.

 How/when I use them:

  • Aside from hand sanitizer and lotion, I always pack a travel size set of wipes in my purse when flying. They’re great for freshening up during/after a long flight (hello, layovers!).  You never know when there might be a spill, and patting one on your neck mid-flight can cool you off…especially if you’re a nervous flyer like me!
  • I keep them in the car…good to have around if you’re eating something sticky, or during the summer when eating an ice cream cone in traffic, who else does this?!
  • At the beach – maybe I have OCD, but I have to have wipes at the beach. I hate sunblock/sand hands, ew. I use the wipes to get the sand off my hands / keep myself stick-free
  • When I am doing my make up, I use one to wipe my foundation-covered hands. Or, if I am blending eye shadows with my fingers (which I usually prefer over an applicator), I wash my finger tips clean with a wipe, as not to mix colors! Some people might go to the bathroom to wash, or use a towel, I find baby wipes helpful while I’m in the midst of doing my make up

 Typically, I use the CVS-brand Soft Clothes for sensitive skin:

They have a $0.99 travel pack which is great, takes up little room in my purse. Target also has good wipes, for cheap (up & up brand)

 If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, paraben-free alternative – they sell Punky Business wipes on Drugstore.com. They’re a bit more expensive @ $4.99 a pack, but they’re gentle, made in the USA, and better for the environment.

It’s rainy in Boston…

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For a frizz stopper – see my post on Moroccan Oil: http://wp.me/p1kq6s-2f

 

Oh and, I started using the Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Conditioner – I was skeptical at first, but my hair has been so soft, and less frizzy. Paraben-free, to boot! The bottle lasts awhile. I use a quarter size amount, but I have a lot of long hair.

Find it at G2O Salon (my fave) on Newbury St., Boston – or, many other salons and it’s sold online:

http://www.amazon.com/Moroccanoil-Moisture-Repair-Conditioner-8-5-Ounce/dp/B002N5MKM6

 

 

Photo courtesy of: Realsimple.com