The perfect pink lipstick? Zuzu Luxe - Vegan Gluten Free Lipstick in "Beso Beso"

Buy "Beso Beso" on Amazon

I have long been a fan of Gabriel Cosmetics and their sister brand Zuzu Luxe. As far as green beauty goes, this company is long-standing and fabulous and I just love Zuzu Luxe lipsticks! I've had several favorite colors that I've spotlighted on this blog in the past, but I just found another keeper....Possibly the most perfect, rich shade of pink I have found.

I liked it so much I wore it for my recent photoshoot with Los Angeles photographer Tom Wayne Bertolotti!

The shade "Beso Beso" is not too pale, and has just enough shimmer to give the hue a very slight iridescence. Check out the pictures above and below to see it worn on its own on the lips.

Zuzu Luxe lipsticks are made of wonderful green ingredients and are not drying to the lips. They are long-lasting, rich in color, and healthy to wear.

Click the links above or below to buy on Amazon.

Follow this blog for honest reviews, pictures and ideas on green beauty products.
 

Wearing Zuzu Luxe lipstick in "Beso Beso"

Zuzu Luxe Lipsticks (Beso Beso),0.13 oz,Ultra Pigmented and long lasting, Enriched with Jojoba Seed Oil and Aloe for ultra hydrated lips.Natural, Paraben Free,Vegan, Gluten-free,Cruelty-free, Non GMO.

The study of physical 'mindfulness'

Yoga, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, dance and voice lessons… all of these practices are beneficial for the improvement of bodily awareness, proper breathing, flexibility and movement. Personally, I like to refer to all of these practices as ‘physical mindfulness’ practices. When done correctly, all of these activities require an immense amount of focus; they require the ability to change what our body is doing habitually; and they all require patience. Mindful repetition, patiently practiced daily, will allow the brain to re-wire itself, thus allowing for more flexibility, both mentality and physically.

All of the practices mentioned above also require for the student to become more self-aware of his or her own body. In meditation, we become more aware of our surroundings and of the present moment. Similarly, when practicing physical mindfulness, we must be in the present moment to really be aware of how our body is working and reacting at the very moment that we are trying something new. 

This seems obvious, but it really is amazing how much the human brain will wander off track, when it is not trained to be mindful. Without the intense focus on the present moment, similar to that of meditation, how would an opera singer be able to memorize and sing properly the florid musical passages such as are found in the music of Handel or Mozart? How would the ballet dancer be able to remember the steps of a footwork sequence in a modern ballet show? It is a focus without the distraction of nuisances from earlier in the day. It is a complete devotion to what one is engaged in at the present moment.

The study of ‘mindfulness’ has recently taken the world by storm. Everyone seems to be talking about the benefits of mindfulness for the brain. Yet, not only can one practice mindfulness through silent meditation, a wonderful exercise that helps the brain maintain its elasticity, but one can also practice mindfulness in a very physical sense, to improve everything from our posture and our way of movement, to our vocal production. When the brain is ready and open for change and new ideas, and when the brain is ready to be challenged by a lack of habitual patterns, then we are open to become physically mindful of our own bodies. We can then learn to breathe, to sing, to walk, and to carry our bodies more efficiently, maximizing our potentials.

Organic coconut oil as a fantastic hair treatment

Filled with antioxidant benefits and vitamin E, coconut oil is not only a healthy cooking oil, it is an extraordinary moisturizer. Coconut oil has been a huge fad in recent years, and once you understand the benefits and multiple uses of this incredible natural oil, it’s not difficult to understand why so many people have embraced the oil as their staple moisturizer, cleanser, and even hair conditioner.

For the hair, coconut oil is extremely conditioning and illuminating. To test out this miraculous organic beauty secret on your own - and to get really beautiful hair - try the following routine:
Saturate your hair with coconut oil, keeping in mind that below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the oil solidifies; you may have to rub the oil between your palms for a few seconds. The oil melts easily through the warmth of your skin. Run your oiled hands through your hair thoroughly and gently roll up your hair in a loose bun (loose to prevent breaking your hair). You may optionally cover your head with a shower cap, if you are worried you will rub your head against anything. Leave this treatment in your hair from 1 to 6 hours. Then, shower and shampoo / condition as usual, being extra careful to thoroughly shampoo your hair to wash out the excess oil. When your hair is dried, you should notice that your mane is extra fluffy, soft, luminous and possibly even more voluminous (results vary for everyone).

Follow this blog to keep up to date with various natural beauty and healthy lifestyle tips and reviews. This blog is meant to be a helpful tool for people who are looking to switch to natural cosmetics, but who don't know where to start. I post reviews and articles about products that have worked well for me personally. Hopefully these articles are helpful to my readers, in helping them choose makeup and skincare that are toxin-free and all-natural!

Most popular natural oils for the face

Most women in America spend hundreds of dollars per year on facial creams, hoping to stall the inevitable process of aging. While many factory-produced creams are clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and all the other goodies that come with age, studies show that many natural oils - applied to face in their pure, natural, unaltered form - deliver just as good, if not better, results. Many people are discouraged with using natural oils because they try either the wrong oil, which is not suitable for their particular complexion; or, they use too much oil per application, which can cause break-outs. With most oils, 3 to 5 drops of oil are enough to cover the entire face.


Ideally, you want the oil to absorb quickly, so you do not want to over indulge in the application. If your face feels very oily after about 5 minutes, you have probably used too much oil. If you have very dry skin, sometimes a "treatment" for the face is helpful, where you would use a little too much oil, every few days. However, if you have oily skin, then you have to be careful, and use the oils sparingly, to avoid breakouts.

Some of the most popular oils to try if you have dry to very dry skin are olive oil, avocado oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, almond oil and jojoba oil.

Some well-rated oils to try if you have normal to oily skin are argan oil, coconut oil, maracuja oil, almond oil and jojoba oil.

You can get most oils on Amazon or even at your local grocery store. The key is to purchase oils that are organic (so that the plants and seeds from which they are extracted are not treated with toxic pesticides) and I also believe it’s our responsibility to purchase from eco-friendly brands that promote fair trade and humane, animal-friendly practices.


The best way to choose which oil is the right one for you (I personally use several different oils and I enjoy switching it up to reap the benefits of each of my favorite oils), is to study the particular benefits of the oils available.

Here is a wonderful website that describes the uses of many carrier oils, including notes on what skin types the oils are appropriate for:

http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/carrieroils.html

This company also lets you buy a set of three sample oils to try, so you can purchase a small amount of oil to test out before committing to a larger bottle. Keep in mind, when buying facial oil, a 1-ounce bottle will last a very long time, since only 3 to 5 drops are used per facial application!

Please leave comments below to start a discussion on your favorite facial oils. Follow this blog to keep up to date with various natural beauty and healthy lifestyle tips and reviews. This blog is meant to be a helpful tool for people who are looking to switch to natural cosmetics, but who don't know where to start. I post reviews and articles about products that have worked well for me personally. Hopefully these articles are helpful to my readers, in helping them choose makeup and skincare that are toxin-free and all-natural!

A fabulous lipstick by 100% Pure - Tempest Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick

It's time to share a new post, after months of not sharing new posts. It's fitting to present my readers with one of my very favorite green beauty products to date: 100% Pure's Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick. Pictured below, in the lovely tube, and on my lips is 100% Pure Cocoa Butter Matte lipstick in the oh-so-fantastic purple hue "Tempest". 

A huge fan of purples, fuschias and lavenders, I naturally love those shades on my lips, for that great pop of color. I personally love doing minimal eye makeup and having that striking pop on the lips :)
And "Tempest" by 100% Pure delivers! I should mention that there are several gorgeous shades to choose from with this brand and I recommend visiting a 100% Pure store to check them all out. 

This lipstick is long lasting and doesn't dry out the lips, as many matte lipsticks do. In fact, it leaves my lips soft and happy - as the shade would suggest anyway! ;)

100% Pure is a fantastic #allnatural #greenbeauty brand that offers skincare and makeup that is free of parabens and other nasty chemicals. 

#100pure #lipstick #greenbeautyblog #makeup

Sinfully natural lips with Zuzu Luxe all-natural lipstick in 'Sin'

Above: Zuzu Luxe toxin-free and all-natural lipstick in 'Sin'

Having replaced all of my synthetic make-up with natural, mineral-based products, it’s become a huge passion of mine to share information about some of the wonderful natural cosmetic brands that I have researched and tried for myself. One of the most important makeup products to be weary of is lipstick, simply because we ingest most of it! And why would women who wear lipstick regularly want to ingest some of the harmful toxic ingredients that are shamelessly added to popular brand-name lipsticks? If you are new to researching the toxicity found in cosmetics, I urge you to read the article below about the chemical dangers in most popular brand-name lipsticks:

http://draxe.com/is-your-lipstick-toxic/

One of the oldest and highest reviewed natural cosmetics brands in America is Gabriel Cosmetics, which also produces the ‘Zuzu Luxe’ line. Zuzu Luxe lipsticks are some of the best lipsticks I have ever tried. They are not drying, are extremely pigmented, last for hours, and – best of all – they are made from 100% natural ingredients. They are also gluten-free and vegan.

I personally own a few shades of the Zuzu Luxe lipstick collection. In the photo above you can see the color ‘Sin’, which is a rich, sultry, coppery red color with brown and a tiny bit of orange undertones. This lipstick has a nice shimmer to it as well.

As a performer, I rely on lipstick often to bring out my lips under strong lighting. I find that the shades of Zuzu Luxe lipsticks that I own are perfect for the stage. Another shade I own is called ‘Vino d’Amor’ and you can see it in this video link, where I am performing with the lipstick on. It lasted perfectly for the entire concert without fading!

Check out the Gabriel Cosmetics company website, where they offer a ton of lipstick colors to choose from. There is a shade for everyone!

Follow this blog to keep up to date with various natural beauty and healthy lifestyle tips and reviews. This blog is meant to be a helpful tool for people who are looking to switch to natural cosmetics, but who don't know where to start. I post reviews and articles about products that have worked well for me personally. Hopefully these articles are helpful to my readers, in helping them choose makeup and skincare that are toxin-free and all-natural!

An all-natural, fabulous, moisturizing, pigmented tinted lip conditioner by Scentuals

The best in Canadian green beauty? Check out this fabulous lippie by Canadian green beauty brand Scentuals:

Pictured above: Scentuals tinted lip conditioner in "Passion"

Scentuals is a Canadian all-natural green beauty brand that produces body care and skin products free of harsh, carcinogenic chemicals - and it's always nice to give a shout out to the country I grew up in! Featured today is the Scentuals tinted lip conditioner in the beautiful shade "Passion". It is a gorgeous slightly metallic finish fuchsia color that has pigment and lasting power surprising considering the healthy, synthetic-free ingredients in this lippie! Each ingredient in the Scentuals' lip conditioners has benefits, including the pigment. Check out the list of lip-loving ingredients from the company's website, where they also list the benefits of each ingredient: 

Organic beeswax: provides a protective barrier, locks in moisture

Organic sunflower oil: rich in vitamins A, C, D and E to nourish lips

Organic coconut oil: : prevents destructive free-radical formation to maintain a youthful pout

Organic shea butter: superior moisturizer with healing properties and some UV protection

Organic carnuba wax: provides emollient, moisturizing and skin protectant properties

Vitamin E: natural antioxidant to fight free radical with healing properties

Flavour: natural plant extracts for fun & enjoyment with some healing /antibacterial action

Colour: natural micas for shimmery colour and as a block from harmful UV rays

The ingredients are also 86.5% organic, which is an added bonus to health-conscious consumers. Free of lead, petroleum products and synthetic dyes and fragrances, these yummy-smelling (all from natural plant extracts) lippies are the real deal for green beauty lovers!

Pictured above: Scentuals tinted lip conditioner in "Passion"

Scentuals lip conditioner in "Passion" has a natural citrus scent and flavor and feels delectable on the mouth. Not only does it last a long time, it also leaves the lips so refreshed, smooth and protected.  
Scentuals offers four all-natural lip conditioners, each with a unique color and flavor! Check out the Scentuals website for more information on this awesome Canadian brand and the rest of their amazing natural personal care products!

Be sure to follow this blog for various natural beauty and healthy lifestyle tips and reviews. This blog is meant to be a helpful tool for people who are looking to switch to natural cosmetics, but who don't know where to start. I post do-it-yourself natural remedy tips, as well as positive reviews and articles about toxin-free products that have worked well for me personally. Hopefully these articles are helpful to my readers, helping them choose makeup and skincare that are healthier both outside our bodies and inside! 

Another fantastic toxin-free all-natural lipstick by Honeybee Gardens: South Beach

Check out Honeybee Gardens’ Truly Natural Lipstick in the shade 'South Beach' below:

 

Honeybee Gardens’ Truly Natural Lipstick in 'South Beach'

Coral lipstick shades are a good picker upper for gloomy fall days. And those lipsticks are even better when they are all-natural, like Honeybee Gardens' lipsticks! Vibrant in a subtle way, Honeybee Gardens' lipstick shade in 'South Beach' is reminiscent of flowers and sunshine, so it hydrates the mind and spirit, but also the lips! This lipstick is packed with lip-loving moisturizing all-natural ingredients. With great lasting power, like all of Honeybee Gardens' lipsticks, this is a fantastic gentle coral hue that is not too loud (for those who like more subtle lip colors). 

Here is the ingredients’ list for this vegan, paraben-free and FD&C color-free lipstick:

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil *, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter+, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl alcohol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Iron Oxide (CI77491, CI77492, CI77499, CI 45410) (*certified organic ingredients; + certified Fair Trade).

For other lip shades from Honeybee Gardens featured on this blog (as well as other fantastic green beauty brands' lip products), check out the LIPS section of this website. Honeybee Gardens lip colors have definitely been a favorite lipstick brand on this blog!

Honeybee Gardens is a veteran brand in the natural cosmetics industry. They have a huge range of products, from hairspray, to soap, to makeup. Visit Honeybee Gardens’ website for a look at all their offerings. I've always been impressed with whatever I have tried from Honeybee Gardens, and their products are also very affordable. The company also offers samples of many of their products, so customers can try small amounts before committing to buying full-size amounts. That’s always helpful for those who are trying to find the best natural brands for themselves.

Be sure to follow this blog for various natural beauty and healthy lifestyle tips and reviews. This blog is meant to be a helpful tool for people who are looking to switch to natural cosmetics, but who don't know where to start. I post do-it-yourself natural remedy tips, as well as positive reviews and articles about toxin-free products that have worked well for me personally. Hopefully these articles are helpful to my readers, helping them choose makeup and skincare that are healthier both outside our bodies and inside! 

Pixi releases vibrant, convenient, paraben-free multibalms!

Check out Pixi's newly-released  multibalm in 'Soft Strawberry' - a simply gorgeous and vibrant red shade!

Pictured above is Pixi's new multibalm in 'Soft Strawberry'

Pixi's newest release, the multibalm, is a vibrant treat for your lips and cheeks. Available in five varied colors (something for every skin tone!), this is a convenient stick balm that is meant to be dabbed onto the lips and cheeks for a fresh burst of color on your face. 

The formula of this multibalm product is matte,with a powdery feel. It lasts for hours on both lips and cheeks, and provides hydration too, so no need to apply lip balm prior to applying this color to your lips! 

Overall, I'm quite pleased with this multibalm; it's paraben-free and very economical, as are all of Pixi's products. Although there are synthetic ingredients in Pixi's makeup and skincare lines, the brand chooses responsibly, in order to maintain a low price for consumers without resorting to using the worst toxic ingredients! Any synthetic ingredients in Pixi products are either harmless or rank very low on EWG's Skin Deep database. 

For more information on Pixi's awesome multi-balms, check out the Pixi website! Stay tuned to this blog for more articles and reviews on do-it-yourself beauty ideas, green beauty, toxin-free beauty and healthy lifestyle!

Another refreshing facial treat by Hyalogic: Episilk Pure HA Face Serum

Have you tried hyaluronic acid yet? It's one of the latest trends in skin care and is a highly effective moisturizer. Hyalogic is a brand that specializes in formulating products rich in naturally-derived and vegan hyaluronic acid. Check out my review of the green beauty brand's pure hyaluronic acid serum below!

Episilk Pure HA Face Serum by Hyalogic

Have you tried hyaluronic acid yet? It's one of the latest trends in skin care and is a highly effective moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in our bodies, in our joints, ligaments, epidermis and eyes. With age, our bodies' production of hyaluronic acid decreases, and therefore, makes us more susceptible to joint pains, wrinkle formation and other age-related issues. Beauty and health brands have figured out that one way of combating age-related skin and joint issues is by feeding our bodies (and thereby "restocking" them) with hyaluronic acid.

There are plenty of skin creams out there now that boast hyaluronic acid as a main ingredient. But the trick is to find a source of hyaluronic acid that is free of toxic chemicals and carcinogens. Hyalogic, a green beauty and green health brand, makes it simple by offering pure, vegan hyaluronic acid skin care products with minimal ingredients. Episilk Pure HA Face Serum by Hyalogic, featured today, is a hydrating face serum made up of hyaluronic acid and water. That's it! Most green beauty nerds would agree - fewer ingredients is usually better! No need to mess with the perfection of pure, natural ingredients...

Episilk Pure HA Face Serum is light-weight, and is perfect as a moisturizer all on its own in warm summer months, or as a base (prior to thicker creams) in cold, dry weather. The formula pumps out as a gel-like substance that spreads super easily and feels really slippery upon application, but the formula does absorb into the skin rather quickly, without leaving a mess. With just one use, and almost instantly, skin feels velvety smooth. Because this serum spreads with such ease, a small dime-sized amount is all you need to moisturize the whole face. The 1-OZ bottle that this serum is sold in will last a long time!

Hyalogic is a brand that specializes in formulating products rich in naturally-derived and vegan hyaluronic acid. Hyalogic offers a wide array of gluten free, vegan friendly, dye free, fragrance free and cruelty free products - from dietary supplements to topical skin care products.

Want to learn more about Hyalogic? Be sure to check out the Hyalogic website! 

Stay tuned to this blog for more featured products from Hyalogic and for other green beauty articles!