LK's Grab Bag

Here is my down-and-dirty clean list of …..

“What I’m Using Now”…. a story of one woman’s (this woman’s) quest to find cosmetics, skin, hair and body products as free of chemicals as possible, yet not feel like I’m wearing Birkenstocks and smell like lavender.

DISCLAIMER: One woman’s boost is another woman’s bust (as in not working, not boobs). These work really well for me, but might not be perfect for you. And… fair warning….many of these are not inexpensive solutions…. but I’m worth it, and so are you :-).

Click on the pictures of the products for links where you can buy these products on the internet. If there is no link from a picture, that means you should be able to find it in a health store or health/grocery near you. Many are probably not available through retail stores in your area, but you can always check around.

The good thing is that once you settle on products that work well for you, you become accustomed to ordering them rather than browsing in a store for something that might catch your eye. Saves you time and wasted money (admit it… how many bottles, tubes and jars do you have in your bathroom, more than half full, filled with products you tried and didn’t like. How much time and money was wasted on those products? I’m giving you some really good reasons to not buy/try those anymore).

This post will be linked under the Products section in the right hand column on this page.

BODY CARE

1. Anti-perspirant: NONE

The chemicals in anti-perspirants are effective at a cost, and there are no chem-free alternatives that will stop perspiration – which, let’s face it, is unnatural. Read this article to understand why it’s unhealthy to use these chemicals and what you might try instead.

2. Deodorant: Usually none, or

Miessence roll-on

(diet can play a very big roll in the need for deodorant… see linked article above)

3. Toothpaste:

Tom’s of Maine Clean & Gentle SLS and Fluoride Free

(they also make with fluoride…. you make the call)

or

Miessence toothpaste (I’m liking the Lemon flavor)

4. Body Lotion:

Miessence Intensive Body Cream

mixed with

liquified coconut oil, Egyptian Magic or Jojoba oil.

5. Hand lotion:

John Master’s Organics Blood Orange and Vanilla Lotion

(I sometimes add a bit to the mix above for the body… it’s yummy but a bit pricey). You can get this at Whole Foods but the link here is cheaper:

6. Body Wash and Soaps:

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Organic Castile Liquid Soap

(lots of scents.. rose and lemon are my favs). This has an amazing variety of uses (hence the name 18-in-1… read the label!)… besides a great body wash, it makes a fantastic hand soap, especially when you water it down 1:8 (1part soap, 8 parts water) and put in a foam pumper bottle. For those who must have a bar soap, Bronner’s makes a bar soap version of all their 18-in-1 soap scents.

HAIR CARE

1. HAIR COLOR: For those who aren’t absolutely insistent on going lighter, henna colors are the ONLY chem-free way to go, and they IMPROVE YOUR HAIR QUALITY dramatically.. but you can enhance, brighten or deepen color, not lighten.

Morrocco Method Hennas

and their video tips (a must see if you want the best results) are fantastic, and I like

Lagona Hennas (the powdered version)

as well. If you have a desire to go with henna (and you will be happy you did) feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

2. Shampoo: NOTE: if you are switching from chemical shampoos to natural shampoos, you need to give it a few weeks… the first few times you use many natural shampoos they may not lather up at all… but they will improve as you get the chemical gunk off your hair. However, some shampoos like Wen (have not tried it) and Morrocco Method (tried… not sure it does the trick for me, but I’ll keep trying) do not lather at all.

This one lathers up when your hair gets used to it, and it works really well:

Miessence Desert Flower Shampoo

I also like

Nurture My Body Volumizing Shampoo Fragrance Free

3. Conditioner:

Miessence Shine Herbal Hair Conditioner

John Master’s Organics – any of them, and I really like the Herbal Cider Hair Clarifier & Color Sealer

 and

Nurture My Body Conditioner Fragrance-Free

4. Hair spray: I don’t use any, although I have a bottle of

Intelligent Ingredients Perfect Hold Hair Spray

which is one of the only well-rated hair sprays out there.

 

SKIN CARE:

OK… here we go… I use lots of products, and I have come upon this program of skin care through trial and error… this is what works REALLY well for ME. Whatever is left on your palms of anything I mention here, rub onto the back of your hands 🙂

My Skin Type: I am 54, with skin that is drying a bit with each passing year. I also spend most of my time in a dry, mountain climate. I like a lot of moisture, which means I err on the side of a shine to my skin in my efforts to stay well moisturized throughout the day.

MORNING

1. CLEANSE with Face Wash:

Organoderm Olive, Cucumber and Watercress Cleanser

Maybe my favorite product of all time. DO NOT WET YOUR FACE BEFORE APPLYING FOAM WASH. Wet only your hands with warm water, then squirt 1-1.5 pumps of foam into your hands and massage on face. Remove with a warm washcloth (great exfoliator), rinsed and gently wiped over face a few times.

2. MOISTURIZE: Get a decent sized bottle with a spray top and fill with filtered, purified water. Add a few pumps of

Miessence Rejuvenating Skin Conditioner

(also used in the evening routine in a different way) and a couple of drops of any essential oil you want (not necessary… smells nice… too much of some essentials can irritate skin).

Spray face, neck, chest and one palm with this mixture. Pump a nickle-sized amount onto wet palm of

Marie Veronique Sun Protective Oil

rub between both palms and apply to face, neck and chest. (I buy the 4oz. size and save a good deal of $$)

Moisturize eyes with 1 pump of

Marie Veronique Eye Serum

on upper and lower eyelids. This is directed for night use, but it isn’t moisturizing enough for me… however, it’s perfect under make up during the day.

3. PROTECT: I put a small amount of

Egyptian Magic

in one palm (about the size of half a fingernail) and mix with a couple of pumps of either

Marie Veronique’s Everyday Sheer Coverage  SPF 20

or

Mositurizing Face Screen SPF 30

Both come in a few tints (you can call and get samples). Blend well between palms so the Egyptian Magic is liquified and mixed with the tinted sunblock. Spread the mixture all over face and neck (and chest if it will get exposure). This step is sunscreen and sheer makeup in one.

4. PROTECTIVE FINISH:

Jane Iredale PurePressed Base SPF20

(this is just like Bare Minerals or similar, but cleaner and well rated) – I use two colors – one deeper color on brow, hairline, cheeks and chin, lighter shade everywhere else and blend the two well with brush in circular swirling motion all over face. I also choose the pressed compact versus the loose powder, as I want to reduce the inhalation factor of the loose minerals.

NIGHT

1. MAKE UP REMOVER: 

2. CLEANSE: same as morning.

3. REPAIR: Mix the contents of one capsule of

Marie Veronique Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin C Supplement

or

Skin Lightening Vitamin C Supplement (I alternate between the two each night)

with 2 pumps of

Marie Veronique Anti Wrinkle Serum or Skin Lightening Serum

I add a pump or two of

Miessence Rejuventing Skin Conditioner

Mix in palm with finger until all powdered supplement is dissolved. Spread over face, neck, chest, and use excess for back of hands and arms. Let dry for a few moments.

4. MOISTURIZE: Spray face, neck, chest and one palm with water mixture and use 2 pumps of

Marie Veronique Anti-Aging Oil (or the Plus version)

and spread over face, neck and chest.

Use 1 pump of

Miessence  Firming Eye & Neck Serum

on eyes and neck.

I add 2 pumps of

Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta Night Cream

(greasy feeling dissipates pretty quickly, leaving just a well-moisturized feel). This is the poorest rated product I use (Cosmetics Database rates it a 5), but I have not found a night cream that will still leave my skin feeling moisturized in the morning and yet doesn’t feel like I will slide off the pillowcase at night. If you find one, let me know.

Finally, I add more

Egyptian Magic

under and at outer corners of eyes, on lips and anywhere else I want extra deep moisture.

Well that’s just about enough of all that, isn’t it? It looks and sounds like a lot, but it’s a groove, a routine and it doesn’t really take all that much time. What took time was researching and trying so many products. Hopefully some of these work for you, and that you seek out well-rated alternatives (CosmeticsDatabase.com) if they don’t.

If anyone wants make up recommendations, I can do those in another post.