Just Say NO! to toxic ingredients

I scroll through the internet sometimes looking at other mineral makeup lines and what is available out there. I look mostly at ingredient listings; I am often surprised at what is in what we put on our skin! IF, and this is a big IF, I am lucky enough to even find them listed on the site. Most times, I search the entire site and find nothing. That makes me wonder...Why dont they list thier ingredients? Dont other people look? Don't we want to know what were putting on our skin? Why would someone buy cosmetics with out knowing what is in it? I know you read the ingredient labels at your grocery store...don't you?

Once you find the ingredients, the comon advise is to read through the list and if you cant pronounce something on the list, dont buy it. Now, I don't think that just because we can't pronounce a word it is harmful, although, it is something to consider, I think, if we don't recognize a word It just means we have not learned what it is yet; we have not yet educated ourselves. So, let's get started...

Go into your bathroom, your purse, your bedroom and pull out your cosmetics. Set them all in front of you, .....now, let's read those labels. This post is the first in a series about ingredients to watch out for. Let's start with ....

Parabens, of any kind (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl), it will look like this: methyl- paraben, ethylparaben, probylparaben, butyl- paraben.

Parabens are a group of inexpensieve synthetic preservatives commonly found in many different cosmetics and body care products, such as moisturizers, face and skin cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, sunscreens, deodorants and antiperspirants, shaving gels, toothpastes, makeup (including some mineral makeup brands), and many others. They are also used as preservatives in food and beverages, and in some medications.

The issues are : Parabens are possible hormone disrupters and possible carcinogens. Here are some highlights/excerpts taken from a series of articles from the EWG (environmental working group).

"Some parabens can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions.  Laboratory studies indicate that parabens are estrogenic, meaning they can mimic the hormone estrogen, disrupting normal function of the hormone system.  In a recent study, traces of 5 different parabens were found in the breast cancer tumors of 19 of 20 women examined."

"There is no clear consensus on the risks of parabens, however studies have linked it to several ailments, including breast cancer. Some reports claim parabens are a carcinogen that can disrupt normal hormone function and can mimic the effects of estrogen. This exposure to external sources of estrogens is what increases the risk of breast cancer. Though cosmetic companies argue that parabens used externally in products are not absorbed by the body, one study found the chemicals in breast cancer tissue of 19 out of 29 women studied."

"Urine samples of 100 adults were also studied by The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and nearly all contained parabens."
"The European Union already banned the use of sodium methylparaben in fragrance because it can strip pigment from the skin, and while the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. has regulations regarding the use of parabens in food and drinks, the same regulations do not apply to the use of parabens in personal care products."
Yes, some cosmetic companies claim that cosmetics do not get into your blood stream, I for one, don't buy it. The pores on your skin absorb what you put on it. Be sure what you put it on it is worthy of your health.
Clearly, the debate is ongoing, for me though, if the likelihood exists that using parabens is toxic and I can easily avoid them in my cosmetics and body care...then why wouldn't I? That to me is a no brainer.
Next newsletter, another ingredient to watch out for, so stay tuned. For now, get rid of those parabens.

Friends enjoying the garden party open house last month

Next Open House September 13th
2:00 to 5:00
San Carlos
Contact me for an evite with details

Join me for an ice cream social with April of Beadentric studio in San Carlos and see, touch and try on all our goodies. This will be a real treat! In more ways than one ;) 

New Products to try

I searched and searched for a Truly Natural Mascara that contained healthy ingredients. As something we wear so close to our eye, I feel this is important and mascaras are generally not known for thieir beneficial ingredients. Well, here it is! Ready for you to give it try. Those that have tested it so far like that it does not clump, it covers well and stays on. 

Velvet Crush Mineral Lip Stick
A beautiful, creamy mulberry shade

I am bringing in more mineral lip colors with coverage that feel  "substantial" on the lips. I have two colors so far, Velvet Crush and Antique Brick. I will add more soon! Along with these, lip and eye liner pencils.

I also found Non-Toxic Nail Polish and Polish Remover, with out that noxious aroma that is SO unhealthy to breathe. When you use other brands of polish, be sure to be in a well ventilated room.

All, of course, with no parabens ;)

Raffle Winner!

Each month I hold a raffle to win a treasured gift. This month it is a free pair of earrings.  Stay tuned for the announcement of the lucky recipient, and be sure to ask how to get your name into the raffle.

www.style-essentials.org

Contact me here

Just a quick update on a few new & exciting news items at Style Essentials.

Don't miss the End of Summer Garden Party and Open House on Sunday August 23rd at 2:00 in San Carlos. For more information look here

Bring a friend or two and enjoy the afternoon in the garden.

There are few things to highlight this month~

I have a steep SALE on eye pencils and brow pencils, until stock is gone. Normally these pencils are $14.00, NOW are only $5.00 each. First come first serve!

I have a brand new mascara to share with you...you will love this one. Those of you who know me, know that I am a stickler for pure ingredients, so I searched and searched for a mascara with out parabens and other unhealthy ingredients. I found a truly natural mascara for you (and me too!). I will be taking orders for this new product through August and will carry it in my inventory ever after.

If you have not been here in the last couple of weeks you don't know about the great Dash Stacker Mineral Eye Color Pots. These are beautiful colors of eye shadows, stacked three high that would normally sell for $15.00. Now you can get them for $5.00 when you purchase $50.00 at Style Essentials.

As always, there are new jewelry styles waiting to be taken home by you!

I would love to see you at the Garden Party, but if you cant make it, call and set an appointment to visit the Style Essential Boutique...bring a friend, we'll have a cup of tea together.

Style-Essentials.org
Contact me through the above link

Blue Green Smoothie

Just in! Green stone necklace and purple stone necklace with magnetic clasp and matching earrings on sterling ear wires. Necklace $18.00 and earrings $10.00

I got a lot of positive responses from my juice blog a bit ago, so I thought I would add a new smoothie for you to try. I call it my Blue-Green smoothie because it has blueberries and....hold on...SPINACH in it. Yum!

Here is the (kid friendly) recipe:

Juice of 2 valencia oranges and 1 lemon (fresh juice is best)

1 frozen banana (doesn't have to be frozen, but it does give it that slushy frozen effect)

1/2 Cup frozen blueberries (or fresh)

handful of baby spinach

a squeeze of flax oil

Blend this all in a blender and pour into a pretty glass to have for breakfast, or a snack or even dessert! In fact, this could be dinner on a hot day! BTW, to make really good smoothies you’ll need a really good blender. I use and recommend the Vita Mix.

Speaking of blues and greens...You can apply almost any mineral to any part of your face; this multi purpose feature is the beauty and flexibility of mineral makeup. However, blues and greens are regulated to your eyes only.

Now, I have, what I think is good news on the Mineral Makeup front.

As you know, I believe the "Affordable Mineral Makeup" to be one of the finest products you can use on your skin. I also appreciate the fact that the company is very eco-friendly.

However, I have been personally challenged by how the reps are treated in the company. For the past few months I have been researching to see what else is out there that would give us the same quality ingredients and wide range of color selections.

Well, I have found it! Drum roll please.....

Introducing DASH Natural Mineral Makeup!

Not only is the line the same quality that I have come to expect from the first line, but they have other great features as well.There is a more extensive lip color line, a Skin Care line with high quality ingredients (I am very excited about this), and what's more....their pricing is much better! Dash Natural Mineral Makeup is truly the AFFORDABLE Mineral Makeup. You get a lot more minerals for you money. Plus, they are so friendly! We all win!

And really, not only do we need to remove toxic ingredients from our products, we need to remove them for our emotional life's as well. Don't you agree?

I am no longer offering the old line of makeup. As much as I loved it, and still feel the product itself is excellent, I have not loved the company behind it. If you bought from me before, please know that if you want to continue to use the products you have, I will support you in that. However, I will be offering the new line of DASH Natural Minerals "You only need a little Dash" from this point on. I have a few other surprises as well, so don't go anywhere ;-)

When you are ready to make your next makeup purchase, let me know. I am excited to show you what DASH has to offer. Please call or email me so you can come to see the minerals in person. You always have the option of ordering online, but I am happy to show you live and in person the products. It just so much easier that way, as well as more fun! Plus, you will get to see the latest jewelry that I showcase. There are ALWAYS new designs coming in.

And there is more news...I have been VERY busy. Another drum roll please......

To go along with the new line of makeup....Also introducing....the new Style Essentials website

www.style-essentials.org

Please take a look to see what it offers. I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to give me suggestions as well. I can sure use them!

and with all this talk of makeup, let's not forget.....

Marcy's Designs

Fabulous jewelry at amazing prices

New designs just arrived! Gorgeous as usual, some old favorites and many new ones. Contact me to set up an appointment to see them before they are all gone!

I still have lots more to share, but I will save it for next time, but here is a peek:

Coming soon....Young Living Essential Oils!

&

Future blog posts:

How to apply your mineral makeup

Let's talk about ingredients

How to apply mineral makeup videos

Mineral Primer, tips and tricks

Style-Essentials.org

Contact me through the above link

Sun Kissed

Diva Bronzer with Basic Essentials Kabuki Brush

Necklace is Murano glass and Swarovski crystal necklace @ $10.00

Warm and sparkly!

Don't skip your bronzer. Your mineral makeup bronzer provides your skin with a perfect golden appearence while ensuring a healthy and natural look. All you need is just a small amount brushed onto your face to achieve a luminous sun-kissed effect. Bronzers extend the life of your natural tan, and can give you that sun-kissed look with out the damaging effects of UV rays. However, the right brush is crucial to get the right look, a kabuki is good. And be sure to keep your bronzer brush seperate from your foundation brush. You don't want bronzer in your foundation and foundation in your bronzer. Oh my!

Affordable Mineral Makeup offers two shades of Bronzer, Grand Bronzer and Diva Bronzer; I think most of us can wear Diva. For a natural look, apply Diva Bronzer to those areas of your face that the sun normally hits- the tip of your nose, your cheeks, your forhead and your chin, even your chest and neck area, giving you a warm healthy glow.

Coming soon, a video to show you a great way to apply your bronzer!

As always, do let me know if you have questions, and please, share your comments.

In fact, do send me your questions/concerns with makeup, health and beauty. I will do my best to answer your questions or forward you to the right source. What would you like to learn about from Style Essentials? Send your questions and comments via the comment section of the blog or directly to me. I want to hear from you. What do you want to know?

Contact me through the above link.

Frivolous

Radiant Rose Cheek Color

You know what is fun, frivolous and creative about using minerals for your makeup? Well, alot of things, but for today I will tell you this; you can use your eyeshadow for nail polish. Or, your cheek color for your lipgloss.

So, try this: Take one of your pretty colors of any mineral, one of your favorites, and sprinkle a bit on a tissue. Now, take your clear polish and pick up some minerals on the brush. Now, spread on your nails. Perfect. No need for base coat, as there are NO DYES in the minerals so you dont need to worry about your nails yellowing from the dyes in the polish. (No dyes is good news for your skin too). Now, apply a top coat and wa la, your done.

Easy to travel with. Just pack your favorite minerals and clear polish.

Now, try this: choose another favorite mineral color, say.....Wish Shimmer, and sprinkle it on a tissue, now dip a clear lip gloss wand in it and apply to your lips. There. That's pretty.

I do have another recomendation for you in regard to nail polish...for those times you just want the old fashioned kind of polish, Grin. Try Butter London Polish; a non-toxic line of nail lacquers. Butter London comes in the most dazzling array of colors AND it does not contain the three offensive ingrediants in most polishes; because of this you would think that this polish would not have very good performance, but it does. It lasts and is it ever shiny! I just love it.

"NO Formaldehyde, NO Toluene, NO DBP, and NEVER have."

If I could carry Butter London I would! Oh now, that would be fun.

Here is helpful information from Affordable Mineral Makeup

Affordable Mineral Makeup has a customer forum that is very helpful. A tremendous amount of information and guidance is there for the mineral makeup. You can ask for help, get makeup application techniques and get color comparisons to other brands. Of course, you also can ask me, because I would love to help. (I may even go to the forum to find your answer if I dont know it off the top of my head ;) but feel free to look there as well.

Remember, 20% of all profit from Style Essentials goes to www.tapproject.org to help children over the globe have clean water to drink.

To try the minerals, or jewelry designs (great graduation gifts) contact me from my website below, and I would be thrilled to be of service.

www.naturalmineralmakeup4you.com

Honey and Almonds

Look to your kitchen cubboard for healthy, glowy (did I make that word up?, I like it) skin. You have heard it before, the simplest and healthiest skin care can be found in your cubboard. Save some of your raw honey you use for your tea, and use it to wash your face. Really. I keep a jar of raw honey in my shower, and scoop some on my hands to wash my face with it. It rinses off much easier than you would think. It feels and smells yummy too. Honey is antiseptic and a humidifier so it keeps mositure in your skin, while cleaning exceptionaly well. It isnt sticky either. Rather suprising, I think.

Want another trick? Almond oil. I have searched for a quality eye makeup and face makeup remover for YEARS. They either sting my eyes, or contain ingrediants I cant even pronounce, or just plain cost too much. My friend Rupal had a brilliant idea. Almond oil. Again, really. No stinging, pricing very fair, and best of all one simple and beneficial ingrediant, almonds. So, I gave it a try. I LOVE it. Another suprise? I dont find it too oily. For good pricing and a quality almond oil, I shop at Mountain Rose Herbs. You can even buy the organic version, a bit pricier but I find it worth it. Give honey and almonds a try, and let me know what you think.

Juicy

Some of my favorite beauty tips that I could ever think to share are actually health tips, because, are they not one and the same? Oh, sure, I could recommend the right colors, techniques and products, but nothing works like bathing your cells in nutrients. Juicing, in my opinion is one of the best things you can do for your skin, health and life. When I juice regularly, I feel fabulous. In the past friends have asked me for my juice recipes, so here are a few of my favs:

• (All organic, all washed) Four carrots, one apple, one stalk celery, half a cucumber, and one bunch parsley. I use a champion juicer, but there are several good juicers on the market. 
• Or, try two small cucumbers, three stalks celery, four large romaine leaves, two green apple and one lemon (peel the lemon). Yum. 
• One last one, for now, instead of juicing, this one is blended, then strained. One bunch kale, one apple, one lemon (peeled again) and one cup water. Blend (I use a vitamix) then strain. To strain I use the amazing nut milk bag.  You could also use cheesecloth.  Coincidentally, as I was finishing up this blog entry, along comes Dr. Mercola again, with a post of his own about....juicing! 

Glow from the inside. Your affordable mineral makeup will look gorgeaus on your glowing skin. And, you will feel great!

Oh, and drink LOTS of pure water as well.

And, while your at it, try these beauty goodies...All NEW

Envy

This is a pearlescent array of greens.

Light greens with a touch of gold pearl.

Looks great on eyes. 

Jade

This is a jade green accented with green and gold cosmetic glitter to make an alluring green.

Golden Grape

This is a shiny combo of grape purple and light gold making it an unique color with different tones.

Cork (more matte colors to come, by the way)

This is a semi matte light brown shade with green undertone

Bamboo

Bamboo is a pearlescent combination of greens and browns.

And something else new...., Introducing Affordable Fabulous Jewelry!

My dear, long time friend Marcy, designs lovely jewelry and I am honored to offer the line to you. Many pieces are made with sterling silver and fresh water pearls, these designs also have amazing affordable prices. At this point, nothing I offer sells for over $30.00; these same designs would sell in the stores for at least double these prices. If you know me, then you know that in addition to good pricing, I would only feel comfortable offering high quality, and that they are. I have been wearing these designs as I go to the park pared with my jeans, as well as with skirts while running errands around town. Easy to wear, fun to wear and terrific. They dress me up, and I like that! 

Bronze Coin Pearl and Crystal Necklace $30.00 and Sterling Silver Earrings $15.00

Shell Pearl Bracelets $6.00 each

These look fabulous worn together

Coin Pearl Necklace $25.00

Wear long, or doubled up. Stunning.

More designs to come! Curious? It can be as simple as asking me to bring a few pieces next we see each other, or ask to arrange a showing, with friends or one on one, or merge the two and have a jewelry and mineral makeup party. They make sensational gifts too!

www.naturalmineralmakeup4you.com