ics are full of unregulated, untested petrochemicals. Does that mean you shouldn’t wear any makeup? Not at all. Makeup artist Jessa Blades, of Blades Natural Beauty (BladesNatural
Beauty.com), says that switching over to natural, safe, mineral- and plant- based cosmetics is easy, as long as you are realistic. In general, the fewer ingre- dients used, the safer the product. “Give natural products a bit of time, and don’t be so hard on them,” she sug- gests. Her natural eyeliner requires reap- plying a few times a day, she says. “But I’m willing to do that for my health.” Her tips for making the transition: 1) Switch slowly; don’t dump all your old favorites all at once; 2) Go natural on the prod- ucts you use every day, such as con- cealer and lipstick, which gets absorbed directly into the bloodstream when you eat or lick your lips; 3) Change your ex- pectations, as natural makeup is not as long-lasting, inexpensive or easy-to-find as the more common, but toxic, stuff. The good news is when it comes time to remove it, all you need is raw coconut or sweet almond oil and a cotton ball. “Natural makeup just slides right off,” says Blades.
Naturally safe alternatives to commercial chemical deodorants may be made with lavender, cypress or geranium essential oils, beeswax, baking soda or rock crystal salts.
~
ehow.com
Getting a good night’s rest is not only healthful, it in- duces others who see our well-rested faces to per- ceive us as more healthy and attractive than those who are sleep-deprived, according to research by the Karolinska Institutet, in Sweden. The study is the first to demonstrate that the objective of get- ting our “beauty sleep” is the right thing to do.
~ British Medical Journal HANDS
The smell at the nail sa- lon is noxious; should I be worried about what’s going onto my fingernails?
“If your eyes are watering, your nose is twitching and your lungs are seizing up, you should listen to your body,” says Loux. It is hard to get colors—es- pecially bright, deep, rich, shimmering ones—to stick to nails; consequently, of all cosmetics, nail polishes tend to contain the most toxins.
“Nail polish is one of the tougher products to find for someone who’s looking to go natural,” says Loux.
But she points out that some brands are eliminating toluene, a petroleum- based solvent that the Environmental Protection Agency has linked to mild to severe problems with respiratory and nervous systems as well as kidney and liver functions. These less toxic polishes require more benign remov- ers than conventional noxious-smelling acetones. Always apply them outside or near an open window. Even better, achieve a smooth, clear shine without any polish using a nail buffer. It’s a quick, inexpensive way for men and women to sustain a natural, finished look.
FEET
What can I do to get my winter-weary feet ready for sandals?
In a word, exfoliate. Rub away calluses and thickened, cracked skin with an emery board, and then relax while soak- ing feet in Epsom salts to soften skin, and rub gently with a luffa or pumice stone. Foot scrubs containing salt or sugar granules invigorate and increase circula- tion, especially if they include pepper- mint, rosemary or tea tree oil within a moisturizing Shea butter or organic foot oil. Exfoliating creams, similar to facial exfoliates, but stronger, also help peel away withered winter skin. Always be sure to apply a moisturizer to protect the newly exposed skin. Remember to soften elbows and knees, too.
Frances Lefkowitz’s new book, To Have Not, was named one of five Best Memoirs of 2010 by
SheKnows.com. Connect at
FrancesLefkowitz.net.
natural awakenings
May 2011
25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40