Organic Product Review
Friday, January 21, 2011
Josh and I went on a little field trip the other day to my new favorite store: Whole Foods Market! I have been researching all-organic cosmetics and beauty products because I know that the chemicals that are in the products that I am currently using are not good for me. I have been checking my beauty products for quite some time and seeing things like propylparabens, methylparabens, urea, perfumes, etc and have tried my hardest to just dust it off; I knew they weren't good but I was too used to those products that I wanted to ignore it. Also with me working at a hair salon and using expensive, name-brand hair products (at a discounted price), I was treating my hair so well and did not want to sacrifice healthy hair for those bad chemicals (I know, it sounds bad!).
The last piece of makeup that I purchased was made by Urban Decay; it was a loose powder that worked fabulously! The catch: the only 2 ingredients listed were methylparabens and propylparabens, both chemicals linked to breast cancer and infertility issues. Not something that I should have put near my face, but it worked so well and I spent nearly $40 on it so I had better finish it. Every time I used it, I felt so very guilty and was hoping that I would accidentally drop it and lose all of those nasty parabens. Finally though, my Urban Decay powder is finally on it's last leg and I will be out of it probably by next week.
For those that are wondering, I will share what I am replacing my beauty products with. I'm going to say now that if you somehow stumbled across my blog through a search engine looking for reviews or whatever else, I am not the person to ask about organic products nor do I claim to be some kind of organic, all-natural guru; I am still new to the scene and hope to gain more knowledge about harmful ingredients, etc. My list is not a list of the "good and bad," it is simply a list of my personal preferences . . . and fears! :)
I have traded . . .
-Secret deodorant for Crystal Deodorant stick. From what I have used so far, I can say it works. At first I was a little skeptical because it literally is a rock-hard, dry stick. To use, you must wet the "rock" and use. There are no perfumes, so there is obviously no smell. I have not noticed any musty smell or moistness. So far, I would say that I recommend this deodorant.
-Cetaphil and Dermalogica Facewash for Avalon Organics Lavendar Cleansing Gel. I have only used this facewash a couple times (since I have purchased it) and it works fabulously. I love the smell and that it actually "suds" up. Prior to this facewash, I was using two washes that were either mild or a clay wash so there were no bubbles. This smells great and leaves my face feeling clean. BUT, it does leave my face feeling rather "tight" when I leave the shower. Would I recommend this product? Not exactly sure yet, but so far, so good.
-Dermalogica Active Moist facial moisturizer for Dr. Hauschka's Normalizing Day Oil. This. Stuff. Is. Amazing. This brand's philosophy is that "likes treat likes;" I have an oily face, so it is apparently better to moisturize with an oil. Sure, it seems counterintuitive, but trust me on this one. After my tight feeling face (from the facewash), I put half a dime size of this oil on and it immediately gives me relief and gives my skin a glow. Oh, and I go through the whole day without any nasty shine. Recommend? Absolutely!! It is a little on the pricey side but worth every penny.
-Redken Shampoo and Conditioner for Neuma products. This was a hair product line that we just launched at Omni and I was thrilled to use something totally organic that smells delicious and leaves my hair feeling better than it ever has before. They currently have 3 now 4 sets to choose from and although I have only tried 2 of them, I can guarantee you will never switch from it! My hair feels and smells great and I know that I'm treating it with one of the best products out there so it makes me feel more confident! Recommend? Definitely, definitely!
-Moroccan Oil to Argan Treatment (from Neuma). I am still using the sample packet (now on week 3!), so that alone says that a little goes a long way. I was in love with my Moroccan Oil; the smell was great, I felt like it reduced my drying time, made my hair extra soft. But, because I could try the sample Argan, I did. I like this stuff because it is colorless and has no perfumes. I feel that it also does everything that the Moroccan did. Which do I like better? Moroccan. Which am I going to use? Argan . . . it is better for my hair so I will stick to that mentality. Would I recommend this product? Yes, but only because it is an organic alternative.
-Vaseline hand/body lotion for Avalon Organics Lavendar Hand and Body Moisturizer. I love, love, love this lotion! It is to rich and creamy and makes me smell like I just left a spa. Not to mention I got a huge 32oz. bottle for about $12! :) This brand does not claim to be 100% oragnic (only 70%), but it does not have parabens, sulfates, fake perfumes, or pthalates. I would highly recommend this product because it is organic, cheap, and works amazingly.
-Covergirl, Urban Decay, Bare Minerals make up for Afterglow Cosmetics. I do not know whether or not I will be completely in love with it, but I sure hope so because I have replaced my entire makeup regimen. The most important thing to me in my makeup is the foundation and since my foundation only lists parabens and was way too expensive, I was ready to try something new. I will let you all know what I think of it after I use it all.
-Spearmint Chapstick for Whole Foods brand Peppermint "chapstick." Anyone who knows me knows that I am addicted to Chapstick in the same way that people are addicted to nicotine. No joke. Let me explain why I am so picky with Chapstick. I loved my Chapstick brand because: 1) it tasted, smelled, and felt like spearmint, 2) my lips never, ever felt chapped, 3) my lips never got red from irritation, 4) it was light enough for me to layer it on the 75 times a day like I did. Now, while standing in line at Whole Foods, I thought I'm going to replace it. No, I'm not. Yes, I am, No . . . OKAY! Fine! And honestly, I haven't used a lick of Chapstick (brand) in more than 24 hours. I have not done that in more than 5 years (and I'm not exaggerating!). This new stuff does not taste like peppermint, but it definitely smells like it and leaves a cool feeling on my lips. It is also a little thicker so I use it less often. I also notice than when it "rubs" off, my lips still feel conditioned as though the new stuff actually settles in my lips and is not only surface like my Chapstick brand was. Would I recommend it? Sure, but I have a feeling that there has to be something better out there. But for now, it is by far good enough to get me off of that other bad "drug."
I am still researching and would love to replace my toothpaste, bodywash, shaving cream and face lotion (for night time). As of right now, I don't really find it a necessity to change my perfume or hand sanitizers. Those two things will come in due time. Plus, would you have really wanted to read 2 more of my boring reviews? ;)
Posted byAshley C. at 2:42 PM 0 Love Notes
Wardrobe redo
Sunday, December 27, 2009
I guess now that I am a college graduate, that makes me a "grown woman." Josh's sister, Tiffany told me the other day that I need to start adding things to my "professional wardrobe." She didn't mean it in a mean way, just telling me that I should dress professional now (or something like that haha!). So, for Christmas, Tiffany and their brother, Micah bought me a bunch of gift cards to nice clothing stores.
I guess when it comes to clothes, I am a very simple chick; I like jeans and a plain shirt. I like to be comfortable and plain shirts make me feel most comfortable. I don't like those shirts with the writing all over them, frilly, too-girly stuff. Just plain stuff. And the cool thing about plain shirts is that you can layer and wear any fashion scarves, etc. with them. Okay . . . as you can see, I do like plain shirts. BUT, I think I am going to attempt to change that. I want people to take me more seriously and I need to dress my role (whatever that means). Over the next few months, I am going to change my wardrobe. More nice clothes . . . no more holey jeans and plain Jane here. I am going to try my hardest to stray away from the same ol' stores and try something new. Hopefully this works!
Posted byAshley C. at 6:50 PM 0 Love Notes
Runway hair
Monday, October 19, 2009
Most of you already know that I work at a salon as a receptionist. I love this place because our stylists have a little bit of everything. But, there is one stylist that I absolutely love and always go to; she is "hip," daring, and never holds back from what she can do. As I was getting my hair done today, the stylist said that our boss, Krissy found this competition that would be a perfect match for her. I guess the competition is to send in a picture of a runway updo (usually nappy, big, crazy-looking) and you have a chance to win a trip to New York and do a big time runway show. Anyway, the stylist asked me if I'd be willing to be her model! Haha Of course I said yes, it would be so much fun! The thing about this stylist is that she loves hair but make-up is her thing. She is big into the newest trends and fashion so she is always doing something new and different.
So . . . I found this fun picture that looks like something that others might do. Just a little too cute. She said that basically I'm going to look like death! Nappy hair, dark messy make-up. LOL Okay, fun! The girl below is too cute . . . not runway material! :-]
I guess the photo has to be entered before November 4, so I will be posting a picture as soon as we finish!
Posted byAshley C. at 4:53 PM 2 Love Notes
Yes, it's true. I have . . .
Friday, September 25, 2009
Okay, I'm not going to lie, I have "cankles." Go ahead, laugh. :-] I hate my ankles, or lack thereof. When I logged onto the computer today, MSN had an article about cankles and ways to get rid of them (yeah, right!). It had a bunch of links and pictures. Talk about an ego booster! I don't have cankles as bad as most of these people do, but I must admit, I do have them. It's something that I've struggled with accepting and I hate wearing shorts because of them. But hey, I'm working on the calves, so maybe they'll begin to "disappear." Haha! I feel so weird for talking about this, but it's me . . . I don't want to portray something I'm not, so you're going to get the Ashley that I am, cankles and all!
I have noticed that my last like 40 blogs I have not posted any pictures. I am sorry about that. Most of the time, I am writing blogs from work or trying to write them quickly from home, so I have not had the chance to post pictures. I promise I will have pictures up soon, though.
Posted byAshley C. at 1:37 PM 0 Love Notes
Labels: beauty, random, silliness, struggles
The scale broke
Thursday, September 24, 2009
So, as you all know, I have been doing P90X . . . very faithfully. I don't know if I mentioned it previously, but I am no longer doing the meal plan. It is too inconvenient with me being at work and school and having no time to actually cook something or pack a lunch or dinner for every place I go. For those that aren't familiar with P90X, it is a 90 day (very intense) workout plan. I am now on day 31! You are supposed to weigh yourself and take pictures every 30 days and it guarantees results. It's no lie. But . . .
I made the mistake with starting the plan during my heaviest time of the month, if you know what I mean. So, when I weighed myself yesterday, day 30, I actually weighed more. How does that happen?! I understand that muscle weighs more than fat, but sheesh! I am definitely bloated and heavier right now, but I look and feel better. But, my body fat percentage is up, too. Maybe from water weight? Who knows. My argument is that the scale is broken. What I do know though is that my stomach, legs, arms, everything is tightening up (and shrinking); there is a big difference and it's only day 30! I love this workout!
I have done very well. I would say that the hardest part for me is actually waking up extra early for school and getting the workout in. I want to just lay in bed and get that extra hour and a half of sleep. Sometimes I do and I'm forced to do the workout at night after work (which stinks!).
I would definitely recommend this workout to anyone that is looking for some high-intensity work out plan that promises results.
Posted byAshley C. at 5:07 PM 0 Love Notes
Labels: beauty, Busy, Health, random
Too good to be true
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Remember that oh-so-good tanning lotion I mentioned in a previous blog? Well, that lotion worked so well, went on smoothly, no streaks, no orange color . . . just tan! The only problem now is that it is making my skin break out in hives. I'm not talking a lot of little ones, just a few bigger ones. None of them are on my arms or face (thank goodness), just on my legs and chest . . . it's really weird. As much as I am in denial about blaming the lotion, I think I have to own up and admit that it's definitely that "perfect" lotion. I have always had sensitive skin. I cannot even use Tide laundry detergent (not even the hypoallergenic kind); it's my favorite detergent and I can't use it. This is my favorite tanning alternative and now I can't use it. Bummer!
Now . . . I can either walk around as white as snow or risk another hive break out in an attempt to find new lotion . . .
Posted byAshley C. at 4:31 PM 2 Love Notes
Labels: beauty
Love in Full Bloom
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Love in full bloom. That's what I have been feeling a lot the past few days. Maybe it has something to do with the weather. There is something so much more different from winter and summer and the feelings the two seasons bring.
Today me and Josh were supposed to just go to the park with our bucket of baseballs and two bats. One of which is probably two times the size I should use. We make do with what we have . . . I guess. We planned on going and hitting around some balls and just have fun together. Of course, those plans didn't go through. Instead, we decided to pack ourselves a lunch and go have a picnic instead. Again, those plans fell through as well. I had to hurry to get to class, so we just set up our lunch on the back patio and enjoyed it there instead. Before we started eating, I felt like something was missing on the table. "Close your eyes. Promise you won't open them." I told Josh. So, I snuck over to the lilac tree, cut him some lilacs, and brought them to him. He deserved something sweet for once. Even though they made his allergies flare up. 
The weather has been so beautiful and so fresh lately that it really has forced me to look at me and Josh's love a little differently. I truly do believe that love goes through its seasons. Summer is the best. Both in the actual seasonal meaning and in the relationship sense. Why summer? Because not only is it a time for couples to be able to enjoy each other in the beautiful weather, do enjoyable things, but most of all, my favorite reason: it's temporary. If summer were summer all year round, it wouldn't be what it is. Summer is a time of renewal, fun, and freshness. I look at summer as a representation of a dimension of love. Of course, there are 3 other seasons and love needs that. Love needs a time of hardships, dryness, and storms. If it didn't, love wouldn't be what it is. Love needs a summer time for the reconnection of the two and as much as I don't want to say it again, but a refreshment of the two souls. Even though summer is a more enjoyable time, it's opposite, winter, needs to be embraced, as well. When winter comes around, it really is a hard time for all living things like plants and animals to endure and push through this kind of weather. Not all living things get a chance to see summer again, but if they are strong enough to get through the craziness of winter, they are sure to see summer. This is so much like love. Not all couples are strong enough to persevere through hardships, but when they do, they are going to have so much more beauty to show off in the most beautiful seasons of life.
I am so grateful and thankful that God has placed an amazing man like Josh to go through life with. Anytime I need Josh, he is never behind me watching me experience life, he walking beside me, hand-in-hand experiencing it with me. I couldn't ask for more.
Joshua, I love you and I appreciate you more than I could ever express. We have the most beautiful love I know because we have been able to endure the hard times and embrace the good. Let's enjoy our summer together. I can sleep well at night knowing that I have the most amazing man to hold me through winter's nights.
Random fact: The original name for a butterfly was a flutterby.
Posted byAshley C. at 9:13 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes
Labels: beauty, fall, love, Spring, summer, winter
