Ah, winter. The time of family, holiday cheer, delicious warm yummy-tummy food (as Mr. Charming and I like to call it) and severely dry lips & limbs.
Even as we head into Spring, I still find my lips to be crackly and not-so-sexy when I'm not exfoliating them properly. I stumbled on to this super-cute blog, Honestly WTF and the writer shared a lip scrub that has become my new go-to. (Click the blog title to be taken to the page). I swapped out the brown sugar for organic sugar, but it yielded the same fabulous results. After scrubbing my lips just twice I noticed a noticeable difference in the smoothness of my pucker! It's become a 3x a week staple in my bathroom. Now my lips are kissably soft. Take that Winter! Guest posts are super awesome! You know why? Well for a few reasons really... 1.) I get to spend time talking to some of my favorite girls on collaborations. 2.) I get to have more awesome content on Nosh & Nurture, and they get some shout-out love. 3.) Some days I get really busy at work, and then get really tired, and it's awesome to have one of my girls be like, "oh hey, I got this one." I love them. So today is apparently National Lipstick Day. I saw it all over Instagram, so I asked my beautiful sister who is a beauty writer and cosmetology student to write a great little piece on how we can get a better pout. Take it away Ash... Hey Nosh & Nurture readers! Want perfect, Hollywood lips? You don't need injections to get a plump pout. You just need to treat your kisser kindly. 😘🙌 First, exfoliate your lips with a tsp. of water that is mixed with a pinch of sugar and cinnamon. The cinnamon will help plump the pout. Always brush your lips with your toothbrush to bring the blood flow to your lips, and cover with a lip balm. Next, use a lip plumper that has chili extract, cinnamon, (if you opt for the natural route like Miss Mandi) or a plumping agent. If you're trying to create the illusion of a bigger upper lip, especially for photos, roll a small piece of paper towel to fit under your top lip to create the illusion of a sexy, accentuated pout. XOXO Ashley Victoria For more tips from Ashley, follow her on Instagram at @AVMakeup_Artistry Let's face it, a girl wants to look beautiful. I believe it is deeply encoded somewhere in our DNA. But here's the problem with that little fact... Make-up contains chemicals and toxins. Chemicals and toxins like phthalate's, lead, ammonia, parabens, fragrance (not the natural pretty kind) and lanolin. And these chemicals and toxins are bad. Very bad in fact, and have been proven to cause all sorts of nasty problems like cancer, reproductive challenges and allergies. I made a pocket-printable for you to keep in your purse of all the really nasty ones. That's just not worth it in my opinion to feel pretty. Now a small disclaimer before I go raving about my mineral make-up findings. All products pose a risk for those that are sensitive and it's not great to have even mineral makeup on your face or eyes overnight, but unless we are willing to go outside, find some red rock powder and make our own rouge (didn't think so), then it's definitely a healthier way to go. So as I started to overhaul my beauty bag, one of the first companies I stumbled upon was Mineral Fusion. More specifically their mascara. It was love at first swipe. It's long lasting, gives full lashes, comes in true jet black (or brown if you prefer) and most importantly, no gross chemicals. My eyes have become very sensitive in the last couple of years. Baby blues that use to take all kinds of torture on sets and at photo shoots, covered in heavy products from MAC, will now become red or swollen if I sleep in ANY product overnight. But I have found that this mascara is gentle enough that I can wear it all day and night to magazine events. It also washes off easily. Another product I love in the line are the pencils. The eyeliner is creamy and glides on smooth and I love the deep black color it gives for dramatic eyes, and the brown eye pencil is PERFECT for filling out my eye brows. My brows are very small, and I like to draw them on when I want to look more "done up." wearing the Mineral Fusion mascara (1 coat for day wear) and Mineral Fusion Brun pencil on eye brows) And finally, their eye shadows. I ADORE these. I've tried MANY mineral eye shadows and most don't give dark pigment which I crave for nights out. Mineral Fusion color pots come in an assortment of colors and these two are my personal favorite for blue eyes. The gold and brown mix I use for day time, and for more dramatic eyes to bring out my eyes natural blue, I use the blue and deep green palette. They glide on smooth, the color lasts and they wash off easily as well.
Overall, I recommend this line to anyone seeking a healthier alternative for the beauty bag. If you have any questions on my beauty routine, contact me here. For more information on Mineral Fusion, visit http://www.mineralfusion.com *this post is not in any way sponsored by Mineral Fusion. These are my honest, personal opinions of all items within. Each year I like to make a list of my goals to moving toward more healthy, whole, organic living. I did a Natural Goals post in 2013 for home, food and body. And this year, I am doing the same. My beauty routine has gotten quite the overhaul and I've met some amazing beauty experts and make-up creators along the way. What I've Accomplished: Full make-up overhaul. I adore my new makeup routine. I got rid of SO many of my chemical products and it's so much simpler to find things. I use all mineral, no chemical eye shadow, mascara, lip products, and blush. I will be doing a product review on all soon! Using all natural products. From my body scrub, to my natural tangerine vanilla soap, my organic plant-based shampoo and conditioner and my essential oil perfume, I try to keep as much artificial fragrance out of my routine as possible. I also smell like a coco-nutty-hawaiian fruit. Yoga and meditation on the regular. This has been so crucial in my over-all calm and well-being. Being so susceptible to anxiety and worry through my not-so-great gut health and hormone imbalances, taking time to just pray, talk to God, do devotionals, do yoga, stretch and meditate on the Word has been so important for finding balance and handling stress on the daily better. My hair is SO much healthier. So, I know last post I was very sad I was no longer a blonde. And, ok, some days I still struggle, and Mr. Charming and I find this to be a touchy subject because he knows how much I love being blonde, but I will say my hair hasn't been this long in a LONG time, and though it's still pretty thin, its definitely in a better state than its been in years. So I'll stay chest-nutty brown for a while longer. Detox. I found out this year I have a genetic mutation that hinders my detox pathways. I'm saving up to see another Dr. about this too, because, quite frankly, it sounds like something that totally sucks, but in the meantime I'm trying to do as much healthy stuff as I can. I take coconut oil and kale in my smoothies everyday, I dry brush before shows and I try to work-out when I'm not exhausted. This can def. be an area I improve. But I am trying to make small steps to improve. What I Still Want To Do:
A Better Cardio Routine. Since finding out about my MTHFR mutation, it explains why when I vigorously workout I get sick. Which sucks. I LOVE running and dancing, but I also need to respect my body. I would like to get into a better habit of taking walks with Mr. Charming and my girlfriends, just to try to sweat a little, de-stress and get some cardio in. DETOX, DETOX, DETOX. Like I said above, I found out this year I have a genetic mutation that hinders my detox pathways. So I'm trying to find more healthful ways to detox without my body getting sick in the process. In addition to what I'm doing above. Toothpaste and Deodorant. I'm awaiting my next Honest Co. shipment that includes toothpaste, and I'm still on the hunt for an aluminum-free deodorant that lasts all day. Or at least half a day. Or at least a half of a half of a day. I've been using the Juice Beauty products for just about a year now. It started when I found their foundation and from there purchased a starter kit of all of their other available products. Below are my reviews on whats a hit, whats a miss, and what I can't get enough of.
Nutrient Moisturizer - This was a product I did not buy more of once my initial supply was gone. It could be because I don't have dry skin to begin with, I'm more combo/normal, so this moisturizer felt a little thick. And although its all natural, I didn't care for the scent. Cleansing Milk - I. Love. This. Face. Wash. This cleansing milk cleanses and tones and removes dirt and makeup wonderfully. My face feels tighter and cleaner and the scent is very light, almost lemony. I can't see myself using another face wash. I've found a winner with this one. Green Apple Peel Sensitive Skin Mask - Tightens my pores and is fun. I love using this for Girl's Nights. Put on my Apple Peel mask, bake some gluten-free cookies and pop in a chick flick. Though I don't think I necessarily need this mask, per say, as my face feels just as tight and cleansed when I use just the milk alone, I do it periodically to clean a little deeper and like I said before, face masks are just fun and feel luxurious. Pamper away, ladies! Hydrating Mist - Feels a little sticky. I like to hydrate my skin when I travel, but I will stick to the spritz can of Evian. Works just as well and doesn't have the balminess or scent. Antioxidant Serum - Cool and soothing on my tired eyes at the end of the day. I haven't noticed an improvement on what my eyes or under eyes look like, but it does soothe. I also love their exfoliating face wash, lip moisturizers and their vegan bamboo makeup brushes. I am excited to try their oil free moisturizer in hopes it will compliment my skin type better. Let us know if you've tried any Juice Beauty products and which are your favorite! For more information on these and a vast array of other products visit: http://www.juicebeauty.com/ Earlier this year I received my certificate in natural beauty. I got to take an awesome class all about how to rid your beauty cabinet of harsh chemicals. Learning and obtaining recipes for making my own soaps, moisturizers, shampoo, make-up and other beauty products.
As we approach winter, a lot of people don't think of sunscreen as a necessity for their bag as they pack to hit the slopes, a weekend trip to the cabin, or rushing around doing their Christmas shopping. However, the sun is just as harsh in the winter on our skin as it is in the summer, plus there is the added annoyance of dry, winter skin. Bummer, right? However, I have a homemade organic sunscreen recipe that not only saves you money, but is free of yucky chemicals AND moisturizes your skin. Win. Win. Win. That's something to be jolly about. Enjoy! Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil 2 Tablespoons of Bee's oil / Beeswax 2 Tablespoons of Zinc Oxide Tea Tree Oil Pot of water Empty Can Process: Combine Bee's oil, coconut oil and zinc oxide in the empty can. Add a splash of tea tree oil. Boil water in a pot and place the can in the pot of hot water to heat the mixture. Stir, and heat, until mixture turns to liquid. Pour heated liquid mix into a glass jar to cool. Store in a cool place and enjoy your homemade organic sunscreen. So. It's true. I miss being a blonde. Since the age of 14 I've been a platinum blonde. (except for this one summer, when I was on tour and my hair was red, brown and blonde. You know, when I was off being fabulous and "finding myself). Not sure what was going on but it was fun at the time... haha... When all of my symptoms started around fall 2011 and I started cleaning up my food and my home, I had to wonder if all of that toxic hair dye had something to do with it. We'll never know I guess, however I did know that I didn't want to keep sending chemicals into my body when I was trying so hard to detox. For a while I let my hair grow out, because I didn't know what to do. It was all kinds of a mess, dirty blonde roots, with blonde hair. Luckily, (I guess) this new "ombre" trend EXPLODED around that time and everyone thought I looked like that on purpose. I didn't. But I went with it while I was in a funk about what I was going to do about the ever growing two-toned mop of hair. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not totally vain. But I am a girl. A girl who comes from the music industry and it's engrained in me to feel good about myself. What HAS changed is that I was taking a stand to put my health first, hence the ombre do'. I searched, and searched, and SEARCHED for hair color that wouldn't give me cancer, hormonal disruption a rash or a third leg... and not shockingly every organic, fancy-shmancy salon within 50 miles that claims to have "healthier, safer" hair dye still carried color that was full of PPD and other harmful, harsh chemicals. They were ammonia free, but PPD is the one you have to look out for. So, I continued my quest until I stumbled upon a review of Palette By Nature. A hair color made from minerals and I decided to give it a try. My hair stylist told me she would put it in for me, so I decided to order a box and take it to her. The first color I chose however came out a little too ashy and my hair ended up looking a little gray, fading to an odd dark bluish hue, then finally to brown. I then decided to order a warmer toffee brown and went back to my stylist... its rich, and warm and I love it. The smell is pleasant, fruity. Your hair will feel a little grainy until you've shampooed a few times... and if you are going to apply it yourself, its dark and will get everywhere... so I suggest using a professional stylist who will apply it for you. I've used it three times and am pleasantly surprised. Although I miss being blonde, I like knowing that I am making a better decision for my body. And I know that when its time to start a family I can keep up with my hair while I keep the little nuggets environment safer. Will I one day go back to blonde? I don't know. Sometimes I get the impulse to just do it. But then I take my supplements, and eat my organic salad and I go back to being content as a brunette for now, in this season of my life. Plus, it's fall! Warmer, richer colors just work darling! ;)
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