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...

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." 

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'm officially in love with this blush. See how I gave it five stars. Yes, it's that awesome. And it's not full of horrid ingredients you wouldn't want on your precious skin.

As I'm slowly recreating my make-up collection from scratch... "goodbye chemicals, hello minerals!"... I have been testing out various products. I want make-up that is healthier but that will still give me good coverage & color. I found Pixi and fell in love with the shimmery pinkness of this blush. I highly reccomend this blush to anyone looking for deep, true color in a blush. It goes on smooth and lasts all day. The best part is that it comes in an array of colors! 

Pixi Perks:

• Rosehip extract for a vitamin boost!
• Honeysuckle flower extract for anti-inflammatory properties
• Talc-free, paraben-free and fragrance-free
• Jojoba oil conditions, while Vitamin E protects and nourishes