Interview: Kelli from CrushedBotanicals and me.

This interview I did with another Etsy seller, Kelli, who owns and is the creative mind and powerhouse behind her brand, CrushedBotanicals. So here we are…Enjoy 🙂

1. How does your mineral makeup compare and even contrast to name brand mineral makeup companies?

When I set around to design and formulate my own line of mineral make-up, I thoroughly tested and reviewed other brands on the market. I wanted to stay away from Bismuth Oxychloride and Silica, which many name brands use and are considered toxins. Also, I wanted to a finish that was matte, not shiny, good for everyday natural looks. I wanted to keep the shine and shimmer to the eyes and create a soft touch, ethereal textured skin look for my customers. Lastly, I wanted to be about creating various shades, including asian, latina and darker skin tones that many make-up brands tend to ignore. I was able to incorporate all of these desires into an all natural, organic handcrafted product that I am proud is made in the USA completely (including the plastics and labels!) and is affordable.

There are some wonderful make-up brands out there, and how I differentiate my brand to the others is my personal customer service, attention to details, and working one-on-one with a customer to ensure the perfect color and tone match.

2. What made you decide to make and sell mineral makeup? And, what are some of the processes you have to go through in order to make the best quality makeup? 

I received my MBA in the United Kingdom at the University of Aberysytywth, Wales, after completing my undergraduate studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Living and studying abroad and immersing myself in business studies opened up an entirely new perspective on commerce and trade. I realized I could combine my years of retail marketing work with my newly found confidence of graduate degree business knowledge into my own brand. I loved make-up and realized that my perfect ‘life business’ fit was to create my own brand and label, now known as Crushed Botanicals.

3. What is your top-selling product(s) and why?

My top selling products are:
My Detox organic skincare– customers rave that it removes acne, and is a God send to their skincare needs.
Undereye concealer cream– customers say it has completely changed their make-up look and allows them to look more ‘younger’ and more rested.

4. Do you think that there is a difference in mineral makeup compared to drugstore makeup? If so, how is it better or how does it differ? 

Absolutely, for one it is handcrafted IN the USA, not imported from a poorly regulated sweatshop overseas. It is sourced with absolutely pure ingredients. I have seen first hand ingredients made for mineral makeup from ‘factories’ in other countries and the reality is stunning. They use extremely low quality colors that are wrapped around toxic substances to create eye makeup and mineral makeup. 

So there you have it! As I have done my own shopping through her site I have just realized how beautiful her eyeshadows are and how luscious the body souffle looks! Please check out her shop and support this great all-natural business who believes that the customer and the quality comes first! Thanks so much Kelli!

Time to Try Results!

Hello all! I know about two weeks or so ago I was going to write a review about the Yes To products… well, that time has come!

My first one to review will be the Yes To Tomatoes Shampoo and Yes to Tomatoes Conditioner. I have been using these natural and tress-friendly products for about the two weeks now.

Let’s start with the shampoo. First off, the smell was surprisingly interesting. The fragrance was not overpowering and the overall appearance looked great! The shampoo lathered very nice and instantly gave my hair a clean yet silky feeling. As for the volume part, I really haven’t noticed much of a difference, and believe me, my hair is as straight as it can come and lacks complete dimension. The shampoo also seems to leave my scalp a bit more itchy compared to other natural shampoos I have been using, but maybe I will start to get used to it.

As for the conditioner, the fragrance was light yet delicious. Some of the ingredients listed in both the shampoo and conditioner made them a must have for me to try. The conditioner contains gingko extract, mushroom, tomato, dead sea silt and more! For conditioners, I usually prefer something a little thick because I like the feeling of a deep conditioner working its way through my hair. Yet, this conditioner, even though it was light, surprisingly made my hair silky, shiny and unbelievably soft. Again, not so positive about the whole added volume but to each their own. Overall, I highly recommend the conditioner, not only because it makes my hair feel great but the ingredients are enough to make me want to indulge in the wonderful benefits of lycopene!

Finally, to the Yes to Blueberries Towelettes.. It really does the job. For me, I honestly felt like it did an excellent job at cleaning the makeup off of my face but not my eye makeup. I would highly recommend these towelettes for your gym bag or purse for when you need that pick-me-up clean feel. My skin did not feel tight or dry after using due to some of the moisturizing properties found in this natural product. I will be using these before and after a workout and at the beach to wipe away the sea and sand feel! The smell is not the most pleasant but it does not linger for very long.. another bonus!

Thanks for reading and I highly recommend looking into this brand and company.. and if there are suggestions for other all- natural beauty products, I am all ears! 🙂

Got Almond…. Milk?

Hey there! About two months ago I discovered a fantastic new drink that has remarkably changed my feelings about the plain old cow milk. (Don’t get me wrong, cows are great but they’ve got some competition!)

This milk that I am talking about is called Almond milk. Almond milk is a nutritious and natural alternative to regular milk. Full of vitamins and minerals, this milk has quickly become my new favorite! And for those who are lactose and tolerant, this is your new go-to. It is lactose and even soy free. I usually prefer the unsweetened almond milk because of fewer calories and no sugar! The brand, Blue Diamond creates a multitude of flavors including dark chocolate and vanilla. The dark chocolate is even in to-go sizes which is a great snack on the run instead of candy bars or potato chips!

I add this flavorful drink to my cereal and I even put it in my iced coffee as an extra nutritious bang to my black coffee! I am still getting calcium from this milk which is a concern for all who need to make sure they have strong bones! Pick this alternative up at grocery stores like Wal-Mart, Martin’s, Target, etc. I promise you will not regret adding a milk where there are no preservatives or added hormones that are sometimes in regular cow milk. And, it does not have as much cholesterol and is not high in unhealthy fats! 

Time to try Thursday..

Hello all!

By now I hope you all are starting to become more aware of the natural world and the health benefits it has to offer.  This post will be about my plan to try new products that are natural.I will report back in about a month with the results of these products I planon using.

The products are by the Yes To.. brand.

Since it’s starting to get warm out, I have been exercising more due to sunshine 🙂 because of that, I need a good product that doesn’t involve me having to wash my entire face, just a face cloth that removes my makeup and leaves healthy ingredients behind. I will be using the Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Towlettes. These wipes will alow me to remove my makeup and dirt buildupbefore and after exercising. This products is 99% natural and I am so excited to use it!

Another product I will be using is the Yes to Tomatoes shampoo and conditioner for volume. My hair is thin and unfortunately lacks volume.. Hopefully this shampoo and conditioner brings some life to my locks! With tomato extract and almost 100% natural, I will take this very convincing shampoo to the test.. Just looking through the ingredients I am very hopeful too for the outcome of this product! I know that everyone does not have thin hair but this brand offers a wide selection of shampoos and conditioners that tend to your tresses’ needs!

Happy testing!

Interview: DressGreen and me.

Hey everyone!

For this post, I had to pleasure of interviewing Lauren, owner and creator of DressGreen. Find her at etsy.

Her products are 100% natural and 100% original. Her homemade collection spans from handcrafted soaps to toners to moisturizer and then some! And with almost 20,000 sales on Etsy and extremely high and positive feedback on her products, what’s not to love?

Enjoy folks! 🙂

1. What inspired you to get started to make natural products?

I first became interested in all natural products several years ago when I realized I had a serious case of sensitive skin. Everything from lotions to laundry detergent would make my skin react in negative ways. After trying several ‘natural’ products on the market, I found that they either weren’t the quality I needed (still had parabens, overwhelming fragrances, or other bothersome synthetics), or didn’t work as effectively as I hoped.  To top it off, most of these commercial ‘natural’ products were priced well outside of my fresh-out-of-college budget. This led me on my DressGreen quest – to develop natural, super-effective, and safe products that were not only enjoyable to use, but affordable as well.

2. Could you briefly explain why you think natural products are better?

There are several reasons that I recommend and personally prefer natural skin care products over products based mainly on synthetics.  The first and probably most important is seeing the overwhelming, positive results in skin health produced by naturally-based products.
I’ve always felt that it’s important to remember that the skin is our largest organ – what we put on our skin is absorbed into our body.  We all need to ‘feed’ and ‘nourish’ our skin in the same way we nourish the rest of our body.  Natural ingredients contain the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nourishing components necessary in a healthy skin regimen.  So many of the synthetic chemicals used in commercial skin care have negative or unknown side effects, making them a poor substitute for natural ingredients.

3. What is your top selling product(s) and why do you think it is?

It’s really a tie between my facial creams and facial soaps.  I offer options for various skin types, with the top-selling creams being the Calming & Clarifying (targeted towards oily, combination, and breakout-prone skin), and the Pure Hydration (targeted towards normal to dry, sensitive, and maturing skin types).  Both the Charcoal Facial Soap and undressed Facial Soap are also customer favorites.  I think the popularity of these products comes from the quality and performance they provide.  Each product is free of parabens, petroleum-based ingredients, and other harsh synthetics. These traits can be difficult to find in other facial care lines.
Another important part of these products’ popularity is that each item in my line is 100% hand-crafted by me in my DressGreen studio – this is actually not as common in small natural skin care lines as you would think as many companies make at least some portion of their products from pre-made bases manufactured by large commercial suppliers.  This compromises not only the freshness of those other products, but also the quality, and the security of knowing exactly what ingredients are going into your products as well as where those ingredients are sourced from.

4. How do you come up with the combination of ingredients in your products? 

I first focus on what the function of the product is supposed to be, and what skin type I am working to create a new product for.  From there, I choose the ingredients most appropriate to those needs that at the same time will complement one another with their natural skin-enhancing qualities.

5. How much research and testing does it take before you release a new product?

After I finalize the general recipe for a new product (which can take months of choosing and acquiring ingredients, testing formulations, changing ingredient percentages, and finalizing aspects of the packaging and labeling), I then send out samplers to local customers, friends, and family.  After each person has had the opportunity to use the new product for some amount of time, I collect feedback from them on everything from the product performance for their skin type, to the packaging I have decided to use for that product.  At the same time, I’m also developing my own feedback on the product’s performance, how it holds up in different environments and climates, and the long-term integrity of the ingredients I’ve chosen.  I then return to my studio and make any necessary tweaks/changes, and finally send out another batch of samples.  Only after this process is complete do I release a new product in my store.  This full process generally takes anywhere from a few months, to well over a year depending on the complexity of the product.

6. Finally, what do you think the greatest health hazard in drugstore products are? 

The most dangerous aspect of commercial skin care products is that they are not regulated by the FDA.  Several ingredients can be used in the USA that have restrictions placed on them in markets like Europe, where the skin care industry and long-term health effects of skin care ingredients is taken more seriously.  This leads to harmful and inappropriate ingredients in everything from body cream to baby shampoo.  Commercial products frequently use the least expensive ingredients in order to maximize their own profits, and though some of these ingredients may perform decently in short-term situations, they begin to cause skin issues and sensitivities over time.
I also think it’s important to mention that the quality of drugstore products is severely compromised in that a product may be several months old before it even reaches the shelves of a drugstore, and then may sit there for several more months before being purchased by a consumer – who wants to get a ‘new’ body cream that was actually made a year (or more) ago.  The ingredients are aging and becoming less effective and heading towards rancidity during that entire time.

Please check her out everyone! I strongly recommend supporting this business, and a business operated and made by someone who actually cares about her customers and what she is selling to them. I am extremely anxious to use her products, especially the Pure Hydration Facial Cream!

Thanks again, Lauren!

My Green Pledge.

Hi there everyone! Today, I plan to start the process on making an impact, not only to myself but for the environment.

We all know of recycling, and planting trees. But, ever stop to think about if that truly is enough?

I am a firm believer in doing something you love and having it make you feel undeniably good about yourself. As odd as it may sound, turning off a light that’s not in use, walking, planting and maintaing a garden, and even buying Fair Trade all give me a sense of accomplishment. I feel as though I am not only saving for now, but am preventing for the future.

This list below is my green pledge and my determination to follow it as best as I can:

1. Grow a garden and not use pesticides.
2. Turn off every light, computer monitor, printer, and device when not in use.
3. Unplug items such as chargers and radios when not in use.
4. Buy Fair Trade and products that do not contain animal by-products, items that are not tested on animals, and items that are biodegradable.
5. Spread the word of the importance of recycling, saving paper, supporting businesses that give back, and the joy of being outdoors.
6. Buy products that are made in the U.S.A. and products that are energy efficient.
7. Educate myself on the importance of being green and keep up with news on the environment.
8. Keep track of my carbon footprint.
9. Plant trees and flowers in the spring. Gotta love that CO2! 🙂
10. Lastly, keep track of not only what I am putting on my body, but also what I am putting in my body.

What is your green pledge?

What in the World Wednesday…

Hello all!

Today I would like everyone to be more aware and informed of the products they use. I mean, do you really know what ingredients are between the lines of your product? So, this made me wonder…. what in the world is put into our daily products?

Let me introduce you to this highly informative website,.

I discovered this site about a year ago and have followed it ever since. This site was founded in 2004 and incorporates a staff of scientists to really research what the ingredients in our products are. They discover if they are hazardous or detrimental to our health and offer alternatives. Just type in the brand/product you regularly use like Revlon, Maybelline, etc. and the site will take you to a list of the products and the rating of how hazardous the products are from a scale of 0 to 10. Ten obviously being the most hazardous rating possible.

I strongly recommend visiting this helpful site and support their efforts at letting everyone know the real facts!

So go on and inform yourself of the truth!

Introduction….

My apologies, I was so excited to start this blog up and forgot the introduction!

Anyways, this blog will be about the all natural and organic world and how to lead a healthier lifestyle. I will answer questions like, are the products we are using considered natural? Why the organic world? How do I become more natural? What will be the outcomes and what will I learn to change not only myself but the world one natural product at a time?

I plan to introduce you to those who are trying to make a difference in what they use and how they live. ‘Going green’ is becoming exceptionally popular now especially in places like California. I want to know, why is this trend not just a trend anymore? What is it doing not only for me but for the environment as well?

I am always open to comments and suggestions about new products and more insightful information about this lifestyle. Follow me as I take you on this journey to discover the truth, make a difference, and look and feel beautiful and healthy. 🙂

What in the World Wednesday?

I recently watched an extremely interesting and informative documentary on the life and the empire of the original and the fantastical Dr. Bronner. Not only did I learn so many fascinating facts about the company, I also learned of the man who started it all. It made me wonder… what in the world made Dr. Bronner, Dr. Bronner?

‘Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox’ documented the life of this fascinating man and his family.

Widely known for his all-one purpose liquid soap, his company has now expanded from liquid  soap into a vast assortment of USDA Certified Organic products. Thanks to this documentary, I learned of this man who truly cared for people and for the better of ‘spaceship earth’. As odd as he may have appeared to some, he was innovative and ingenious. The writings and scriptures on the soap labels not only show the oddity of this company but the sincerity as well. Though he has passed, Dr. Bronner’s family continues his legacy and business while promoting multiple charities and connecting with the lives of everyday people.

I strongly support this man and this company more so now than ever due to this cutting edge documentary. Dr. Bronner’s organic products are now available almost everywhere, so there’s no excuse to not get out there and try some! Or, if already a user, you can keep buying these eco-friendly and certified organic products. Check out their website as well to learn more about the company and those who dedicate their time and efforts to it: http://www.drbronner.com.

My Everyday Go-To’s

 

Everyone has their favorite everyday products. So, in order for you to get to know me, I want this post to be about my favorite organic products and why.

Korres Mineral Foundation. This handy all natural powder foundation has beneficial ingredients in it such as rose extracts and SPF 30 to protect my fair skin from the sun. I bought this magic powder at Sephora.

Organic Lavender Honey Scrub. I picked up this aromatic body scrub in at a lavender farm in Maui, HI. The smell is invigorating and it is made right at the farm with essential organic properties.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Mascara & bareMinerals READY eyeshadow 4.0. The mascara is full of healthy ingredients and is free of animal by-products, parabens, etc. And the eyeshadow is mineral with properties that provide anti-aging benefits. I also bought these goodies at Sephora.

Weleda Skin Food & Avalon Organics Vitamin C Eye Cream. Sadly, winter in the Mid-Atlantic brings about cold and harsh winters. Whenever my skin needs a natural pick me up, I go to these products. Weleda is a thicker lotion that can be used for face, hands, elbows.. places that can show the wrath of winter. And the organic eye cream has vitamin C which has become a popular ingredient for anti-aging products.

Giovanni Magnetic Energizing Shampoo. With the matching conditioner, these amazing hair products have revived and given my hair such natural shine and care. I recommend this duo for the spring and summer months more so than the winter.

Thayer’s Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner & goodstuff organics Revitalizing Facial Mask. Although toner can be drying in the winter, this all natural toner is just the opposite. It does not contain the drying out alcohol that most toners contain and has the potent antioxidant properties of rose water. Lastly, the facial mask contains pumpkin, which can be a natural exfoliator. This organic product gives me smooth skin and takes the dull away!

I am always looking for new all natural products to try!

Which leads me to wonder… what are YOUR favorite organic/all natural products and why?