5 September 2013

Review: Kiss Nail Dress Decals




Nail art is all the rage right now, but not everyone has the time to sit in the salon and wait for all of these kooky add ons to dry and set. Decals have become a popular alternate option since they are easy to apply and change, and available pretty much anywhere, making them very accessible for those even in remote areas.  I’ve used Sally Hansen decals in the past, but since the parent company (Coty) has questionable practices regarding animal testing, I was eager to try nail decals by cruelty free brand KISS.

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20 August 2013

Review: NYX Slim Lip Pencil




Former (or current) MAC lover?  Put down that “Spice” nude pencil immediately!  Not only are you buying a product from a line that is animal tested in China, but you are severely overpaying, my friends.  If you are a makeup snob and only want products made in Europe, you are in luck here!  The NYX Slim Lip Pencil is made in Germany by Schwan-Stabilo, which also makes MAC’s pencils–surprise!  I personally stock my kit with a lot of products from NYX, but the lip pencils have become sort of an obsession.

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13 August 2013

Review: Acure Organics Dry Shampoo




Acure Organics Argan Stem Cell + CoQ 10 Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is a great addition to any hair care regimen. It’s ideal for helping blow dries last, boosting volume, adding texture, extending time between shampoos for fragile or colored hair, and for oily hair types.

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2 August 2013

WIKD: Tea Tree Oil




This week’s Weekly Ingredient Knowledge Drop is about Tea Tree Oil.

Tea Tree – The leaf of the tea, or ti, tree had a long history of use by the indigenous peoples of Australia to treat skin ailments as well as respiratory ones. The aroma of the oil is warm, spicy, medicinal and volatile.

On the label it is otherwise known as: Melaleuca oil

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25 July 2013

A Few of My Favorite Things (Vol 1)




Merry Christmas in July!

This past year, as part of my partnership with Perelandra Natural Foods in Brooklyn Heights, I wrote up a holiday gift guide with some of my favorite natural beauty items we carry at the store.

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24 July 2013

WIKD: Titanium Dioxide




Titanium Dioxide, one of the top fifty “chemicals” produced worldwide.

On the label it is otherwise known as: 1385RN 59; 1700 WHITE; 234DA; 500HD; 63B1 WHITE; A 200 (PIGMENT) ; A 330 (PIGMENT) ; A-FIL; A-FIL CREAM; A-FN 3; AEROLYST 771

What is it? – A naturally ocurring mineral; the greatest covering and tinting powder of any white pigment used in nail, bath, and makeup products with white coloring; also used as an opacifier.

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18 July 2013

Review: Suki Skincare Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser




I am an exfoliating fiend. As a person with oily/combination skin and large pores prone

to acne (winning combination!), exfoliating plays a key part in my skin care routine to
help keep my complexion even, pores tight, and breakouts at bay. One of my perennial
favorites is the Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser from Suki Skincare.

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16 July 2013

Why You Should Hire a Professional Makeup Artist for Your Wedding Day




I know there are a lot of wedding DIYers out there, and I salute you; those invitations were adorable, the handcrafted details throughout  are charming, and let’s face it, the props you have picked out for your photobooth are pretty much awesome.  Kudos!  However, pretty please really consider if you want to do extend the spirit of DIY into your own makeup on your wedding day.  

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12 July 2013

Review: Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara




Dr. Hauschka (which many natural skincare buffs are already familiar with) is a German based skin/bodycare and makeup brand whose philosophy focuses on achieving balanced skin based on the 28 day natural cycle of renewal. Dr. Hauschka’s color cosmetics and skin care are BDIH certified and do not contain parabens, petrochemicals, paraffin, synthetic fragrances or colors, ethoxylated ingredients, GMOs, or artificial preservatives and and do not participate in any animal testing. Now down to the nitty gritty after the jump.

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8 July 2013

Weekly Ingredient Knowledge Drop (WIKD): DMAE




My very first Weekly Ingredient Knowledge Drop (WIKD) is about …((drumroll, please!)):

DMAE (aka dimethyanimoethanol)

What is it? – An antioxidant. Chemical cousin of choline.

What does this ingredient claim to do? – Dr. Perricone made DMAE famous in ‘The Perricone Prescription’. DMAE is said to give your skin a more youthful appearance by increasing elasticity and firmness because it helps to regulate skeletal (smooth) muscle movement. DMAE is said to add definition to facial contours by helping to pick up the slack in aging facial muscles.

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