Nice Nails--Naturally

Trying to find some natural nail products? Trying to stay away from formaldehyde containing products? Here's good news...Nail Tek, Inc. has introduced a citrus-based nail strengthener. "Citra Formaldehyde Free" replaces the formaldehyde element found in most nail strengtheners with citral--a naturally occurring chemical derived from lemon and orange oils. They have formulas for specific nail types--one for soft, peeling nails or dry, brittle nails. (mine!) Go to http://www.nailtek.com/ for more info.

Rockin'Robin or the Twitter Bird...

I have been using Twitter for a little while now. I find that it is fun and informative. Starting out I didn't have much knowledge of what or how to Twitter...

So if you are new to Twitter or just want to maximize your Twitter efforts to promote your business, you can find a sea of info on the Internet to help you. It can be a daunting task finding the good stuff so I thought I would share the blogs and info that I particularly like on the subject.

TwiTip: http://www.twitip.com/
Twitter Handbook Blog: http://twitterhandbook.com/blog/
Twitter Handbook: http://twitterhandbook.com/
Blog of Mr. Tweet: http://blog.mrtweet.net/
Several free e-books on using Twitter for business:http://www.ariwriter.com/2008/12/8-free-ebooks-on-twitter/
Have fun!

A Car Needs Oil but Not Your Skin...

What is more dreaded than a zit or pimple?

Nearly 85% of people will experience some form of acne during their lifetimes. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), acne is the most common skin disorders in the United States, affecting 40–50 million Americans at one time. Acne (acne vulgaris, common acne) is not just a problem for teenagers; it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. It is not unusual for women, in particular, to develop acne in their mid- to late-20s, even if they have not had breakouts in years (or ever). On the positive side, those few individuals who have acne into their 40s may well grow out of it.

Some common misconceptions:

*Acne can simply be washed away. Over-washing will further irritate the skin.

*Food: Parents often tell teens to avoid pizza, greasy and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don't cause acne or make it worse. Although some recent studies have implicated milk and dairy products in aggravating acne, these findings are far from established. **see Dr. Mockros’ advice…

*Pimples should be squeezed. Picking and squeezing pustules will only make acne worse because picking can spread acne-causing bacteria and squeezing can result in pushing infected material deeper into the skin.

Help for acne:

*Washing once or twice a day with a mild cleansing bar or liquid will keep the skin clean and minimize sensitivity and irritation. Gathered’s Love My Face Wash can be formulated for oily or problem skin.

* Use a gentle astringent/toner to wipe away oil. Gathered’s Facial Toner is very mild.

* Don't be afraid to hide blemishes with flesh-tinted cover-ups or even foundation, as long as it is water based or oil-free.

*Steaming and "deep-cleaning" pores is useful, both alone and in addition to medical treatment, especially for people with "whiteheads" or "blackheads."

* *Here is some good advice from Dr. Lacie Mockros (Minser Chiropractic Clinic): “When treating acne you need to look at two places, the skin itself--keeping the skin free of bacteria, and treating the gut. Most often we talk about diet and cleaning that up. We discuss avoiding certain triggers such as chocolate, refined grains, foods that can cause sensitivities (eggs, soy, peanut, milk and potato). To also work on cleaning up the gut we would recommend the good bacteria (lactobacillus acidophilus). Starting an Omega-3 FA is also very beneficial to help the skin heal and reduce inflammation. It is said in Eastern Medicine that the skin reflects the gut, if your insides are full of junk your skin will be too!” Thanks, Dr. Mockros!

The Pink Tree

I came across this site and thought it was a good way to get your products reviewed and at the same time do something good for a charity. It's called the Pink Tree. Here is what it is all about:

Welcome to The Pink Tree, product review site. The concept is simple, send your small products in for review, their picture will be taken, a review will be written about you (your company) and the product, and you will have the satisfaction of seeing your product numerous times in the review pictures. Readers will be able to do a back search for the other products shown on the tree.When the tree is full, certain products can be donated to proper charities, in your company's name.It is a simple concept that can bring joy and publicity to your company. http://thepinktreefrommilkandcookeez.blogspot.com/

You can donate any items that a woman or child would like. It doesn't have to be bath and body products (like those from Gathered From The Garden). You can send anything creative that you make. The Pink Tree will give you credit and some PR. So...what could you send?

Body Images

I just returned from a wonderful vacation to Miami and Key West. This included visits to the local beaches. I was really surprised at how the girls and women were dressed/not dressed. I guess my age really shows. When I was younger, "plump" gals very rarely ever wore a two piece swimsuit much less a bikini. What I saw on vacation was that anyone can and did wear bikinis!

What does this say about body image? To me, it seemed like these girls and women were very confident in how they looked (0r didn't care?). I think being comfortable with your body image is a good thing but it wasn't very pleasing to my eyes to see very overweight women wearing skimpy little bikinis. I'd much rather see them wearing something that looks attractive on them.

Am I alone in this thinking? Should girls and women expose their fat rolls and cellulite for all to see or is a little cover-up a good thing? What's your opinion?

Little Girls and Mom's Make-up

Little girls have always loved to play with mom's make-up. I think this is especially true with the influence of tween stars like Hannah Montana and the commercial influence of make-up marketing to girls as young as three. I know my own granddaughters love to put on lip gloss and nail polish.

How safe are these cosmetics for little girls? Environmentalists are concerned about exposing children to chemicals found in these products. According to "Taste For Life" magazine The Environmental Working Group found toxins in the blood and urine of female adolescents after the use of several cosmetics. On average, the girls, ages 14-19, tested positive for 13 hormone-disrupting chemicals each. Parabens, commonly used as cosmetic preservatives, were detected in every girl tested. This is a concern because during teen years is when brain and reproductive systems are developing.

While it remains unclear how dangerous these toxins are, the group advises teens to:

*Reduce the number of beauty products they use.

*Use paraben-free skin products, shampoos and sunscreens. Parabens can mimic estrogen, interfering with reproductive health and some studies have linked them to breast cancer.

*Seek out fragrance-free beauty products and to reduce exposure to phthalates, linked to a host of medical problems including infertility issues.

*Avoid products labeled “antibacterial” particularly hand soaps with triclosan listed as an active ingredient on the label. Use regular soap and water instead. Triclosan has been found to disrupt the thyroid system, which can affect brain development in the young, and is suspected of contributing to the development super-strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

*Use the EWG’s Shopper’s Guide for more informatio to guide your product choices. EWG also maintains the public Skin Deep database to help consumers find safer products. ed in minute amounts, really are, scientists worry that their effects could compound over time.This is a concern because during the teen years is when the brain and reproductive systems are developing.

Two Connecticut moms have launched a skin care line called "Good For You Girls". (http://www.goodforyougirls.com/) These products are specifically formulated for young skin with no synthetic chemicals. This fun website has three products to order: cleanser,toner and moisturizer. It also lists beauty tips for girls. When my granddaughters get old enough to use these products I'll be sure to have them check out this site!

Choose Skincare With Care

When looking for skincare products reading the label is a must. If you look for the Natural Products Association's Natural Seal you will know that 95 of the product's ingredients are certified natural. The ingredients are listed in order so you know what the main constituents are. Avoid synthetic antibacterials, mineral oil or petroleum, phthalates and sulfates.

Look for ingredients such as shea,cocoa and mango butters, apricot kernel oil, vegetable glycerin and vitamin E. Biodegradable cleansers are good for your health and the environment.Soaps and skin care products with goat milk are good for many skin conditions including rashes, dry skin and eczema. (My niece has severe eczema and Gathered's Goat Milk Lotion is the only one she can use.)

Natural skin care products are really not hard to find. There are dozens of companies that produce good quality, natural skin care products and they can be found using Yahoo, MSN or Google without much difficulty. Yes, they can be expensive, but they are no more expensive than similar, products containing synthetic chemicals produced by major brands such as L’Oreal, Lancôme, and others.

In order to do a lot of good for your skin, you should choose ingredients that clean, moisturize, protect, and feed the skin. Natural skin care sure seems the way to go.

Bold, Red Lips?

I always think that red lipstick makes the wearer look so sexy and confident. However, I've been a little nervous about wearing it myself. But I found some good tips for finding and putting on the right shade of red for you.

*Choose a color based on your undertones. If your skin is olive, orangey reds work best. If your skin has pink undertones,try blue-based reds. True reds are the ones that make your teeth pearly white and actually look good on everyone. If you're red-shy,try berry tones, wine or plum shades.

*If you want your reds to look really perfect, match your liner to your lipstick.

*Here's a tip to keep lipstick off teeth. Apply your shade, then place a clean finger in your mouth, purse your lips and pull your finger out along with any excess color.

*Test on your lips. Most women try out lipstick on their hands, but that's often a different shade than your face. Head to a makeup counter to test directly on your lips, scraping a bit of color off with a Q-tip.

*When you wear red lipstick you probably should stay away from red nail polish. This is because your nails can clash with your lips, or they can create a look that is too harsh. To keep things feminine and soft you should try using a clear polish, a French manicure, or a neutral color on your nails.

*Prevent "bleeding" by applying a little concealer around the border of your mouth.

*Don't toss a red lipstick in a shade that doesn't work. "Top it with a gold gloss to warm and soften it, or add a pink gloss to take it to the bluer side

*The great part about wearing red lipstick is that then you can keep the rest of your look subtle and natural-looking. Just a light bronzer on the cheeks and a little mascara and eyeliner should do the trick.

I'm happy to announce that the winner of our lotion gift will go to Rana Pickering. Thanks everyone for your great cheap beauty tips!