The GREEN Re-boot and Natural Chapstick!

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I've posted, but I am coming back and re-booting my blog as a GREENER beauty blog (*insert applause sound effect*)!

Over the past two years, I have been trying tons of more "natural" products in an attempt to have cleaner makeup and skin care.  With all the research I've been doing on EWG.org, you realize how many chemicals there are in all the everyday products we use.  In the process of trying to go greener with my beauty products, I've tried things I love, and products I wanted to love (but didn't), which will all be blogged about soon!  

Don't get me wrong, I'm not 100% green--there are a few things in my make-up arsenal I can't manage to give up just yet, but I'm trying to limit my beauty vices.  Until I can find a good, more natural alternative that gives me similar results to the more chemical-y, mainstream counterparts, I'll keep them in my regiment.  You still have to live, right? :)  I'll be posting weekly--stay tuned for greener (and my not-as-green) beauty reviews!

Here is my first GREENER post for 2014:

My natural lip balm remedy:

Dr. Bronner's Magic Organic Lip Balm!! 

I was lucky enough to purchase this on a whim at Target and am I glad I did!  My eyes were drawn to the word "organic" and who am I kidding, more often than not, I will buy any lip product if it feels right (which is way to often).  Most of the time, I'll try a new lip balm, use it a few times, find it doesn't hydrate my dry lips enough, and that's the end of it.  I have a graveyard of barely used lip balms (I know, not so green of me, tsk tsk).  This one was different--from the first time I used this Magic Organic Lip Balm, my lips felt very hydrated and my lips sighed in relief!  I felt this way not just with the first use, but every time thereafter--hence, it's been my lip balm of choice for the past 1.5 years--MAGIC!  I normally can't stay faithful to a lip balm for more than a month or two because it seems that lip balms just stop working for me, but Dr. Bronner's and I are going strong!  I've gone through 4 tubes of this stuff--I've tried the Lemon Lime, Naked and the Orange Ginger.  Lemon Lime and Naked are fabulous--Naked just smells like nothing (if you ever wondered what nothing smells like, purchase one of these).  Orange Ginger on the other hand--not so much--the ginger smell was too overpowering and I couldn't handle it.  I personally don't like to eat ginger, so the thought of having to smell it all day made me feel a bit queasy.  But if you're a ginger fan, you may LOVE it, and in that case, please purchase!  

The only downside to this lip balm is that it doesn't contain any SPF, so you may want to look into something else for when you're out in the sun.  Otherwise, it has managed to sneak it's way into my "staples" list--which is tough, considering how annoyingly dry my lips are!

Pros:
-works on very dry lips
-inexpensive (I buy mine online or at Whole Foods)
-contains less than 10 ingredients
-I can pronounce every ingredient on the label

Cons:
-none so far

Information from EWG/Skin-deep:
Hazard Score: 1; Data Available: Limited

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/176372/Dr._Bronner%27s_Magic_Organic_Naked_Lip_Balm_%282008_formulation%29/

Buying this lip balm has opened the floodgates for me and the Dr. Bronner's line.  I'll be posting soon about the other products I use from his line and what my thoughts are on those too! 

Chapped lips be gone

I've decided to post a beauty item of the week.  This way, I can focus on a star product a week and be thorough about what the product does, it's pros and cons. As much as I love "top 10" lists of beauty items, I sometimes find them overwhelming because I want to write them all down and buy all ten of them...then become even more overwhelmed calculating the cost of all these additions to my beauty regiment.  I'm not hating on those "top 10" lists at all, because I will inevitably make one of those posts, just not today. :)   Now introducing.....


Beauty loot item of the week: THE Best Moisturizing Lip Treatment-- Lansinoh Breast Cream



Ok, before you get disgusted and turn away from this page, hear me out for a second.  I first read about people using this as a lip treatment a few years ago.  I thought the same thing when I read about people using something used for chapped nipples for breastfeeding mothers on their lips, believe you me.  But I was desperate for a good lip treatment.  I had been using tons of different products that were drying out my skin (from acne treatments to regular exfoliation), and nothing on the market seemed moisturizing enough.  I tried so many over-the-counter and department store lip remedies, nothing seemed to work longer than a 1/2 hour.  Lips would go back to their crackly, peely self.  Once I got over the fact it was a nipple cream, I went to Target, acted nonchalant at the register, and rushed home.  At first application, I LOVED IT!!!! From the first time I've used it until now, it moisturizes like a dream.  Moisturizes for hours and a little goes a long way.  Consistency is thick (similar to vaseline), color is also like vaseline, but applies clear.  Also, during these cold winter months, it has saved my lips from crazy chap-ness.  





Since it comes in a big, conspicuous tube, I recommend getting a small container to put this in (that way you don't have to answer any awkward questions).  This one tube will last you a VERY LONG TIME.  I've had my bottle for over two years and I haven't finished it.  If you have trouble squeezing out the cream, warm it up first.  This cold weather has been making it difficult to squeeze out the cream, so I've been putting it next to my heater for a few minutes before I make the transfer into my little, inconspicuous container. 


Pros:
-very moisturizing
-low cost
-contains no preservatives or additives 
-no color
-one tube lasts a long time


Cons:
-comes in a large tube
-need to purchase small container


As you can see, I'm all about this.  I have turned several friends on to this because they have all tried mine and they see why I like it so much.  If your lips need moderate hydrating and not intense levels of hydration like mine, Aquaphor is also a good substitute.  You can find small tubes of this at your local drugstore and it already comes in a small tube you can throw in your purse.