Good Deal Alert: ZOYA Nail Polish - Buy 3, Get 3 + Free Shipping

Just a quick note that Zoya nail polish is having a good July 4th sale. Buy 3 and get 3 free. Plus free shipping with code 34FREE. If you aren't interested in purchasing that many polishes at once, the code also appears to work for free shipping on a single item. I think it's time to stock up on new colors.

Zoya July 4th Sale Link

Check The Expiration Dates On Your Over-The-Counter Medications

I'm always banging my drum to check your makeup products for their expiration dates since they can carry Staph and other diseases. Well, here is a post to get you to clean our your medicine cabinet. You're probably going to need the big trash can for this one.

We have two bathrooms, upstairs and downstairs. Over the course of a year, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and related products float between the two, are replaced in one and forgotten about in the other. We don't need two bathrooms full of products, but that's how things migrate around the house. I got on a tear this weekend and cleaned out the bathroom cabinets, drawers and under the sinks. There were so. many. expired. products. In the downstairs bathroom, I filled up a kitchen trash bag with expired products, empty containers (!) and broken bits that had found their way to the back of drawers. The do we have any lipbalm? was answered when I found a dozen tubes in various corners of the downstairs bathroom. I'm not joking.



This stack is what I pulled from my bathroom. Most of these are vitamins and digestive aids. Their expirations date from 2013 and up. I had a bottle of Tylenol not pictured that expired in 2011. That's FIVE YEARS out of date. I hung my head in shame.

Aside from taking vitamins and medications that were woefully out of date, most of these bottles were barely used. We couldn't find X because it wasn't where it was supposed to be. Buy another one and start using it. The first one turns up. Circle of life. So much money wasted. I estimate this stack is about $50 in unused, outdated products. Ouch.  



Some suggestions I am implementing to keep our meds fresh and my money out of the trash can.

• Streamline medications - Do you really need 5 products for a single issue?
• Which products actually work well for you? 
• Dedicate a single space for storage and return errant bottles there.
• Keep a special eye on the expiration dates of liquid medications, those tend to turn faster.
• Buy generic medications at the Dollar Tree or similar stores: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxin, allergy, Excedrine Migraine (20 pills for $1).
• Time to turn back the clock? Time to change your fire alarm batteries and the expiration dates on all the products you use.

While a bottle of Vitamin B two years out of expiration probably won't hurt you, you won't get the same benefit as a fresher product. Vitamins and medications do break down over time, both physically and in potency. Since most people keep medicine in the bathroom, you have to factor in heat and moisture into the viability of expired products. I had a huge bottle of flax seed oil pills turn into a gelatin concrete mass because I kept it in the bathroom. Don't repeat my mistakes.

Further discussion about expiration dates.

Drugs You Never Take Past Their Expiration Date
Harvard: Drug Expiration Dates - Do They Mean Anything?

Guidance from the FDA of prescription medication disposal. I strongly disagree with flushing medication down the toilet. For any "flushable" medications they name, I would recommend crushing them up and throwing them out with the cat litter, coffee grounds or something else fairly disgusting. The point is to keep them out of the hands of addicts. That doesn't mean you need to destroy the environment by putting them into the water system.

Just Discovered Lily Farm Fresh Organic Skin Care - Paraben Free, Gluten Free

 
I just ran across an article about Lily Farm Fresh Organic Skin Care and wanted to share their products with the readers. This company is based in Colorado and uses ingredients they grow on their own organic farm - 7th generation farmers. USDA certified organic. I think that's pretty cool.

 Let's check out some of their products.

Lily Farm Fresh Organic Skin Care Nourishing Facial Cleanser, 3.4 ounces, $18.35

Purified water, Lily’s homemade almond oil soap, natural grain alcohol, vegetable glycerin, symphytum officinale (comfrey*), chondrus crispus (irish moss), hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), citrus limon (lemon juice*), xanthomonas campestris (xanthan gum), hectorite mineral, citrus grandis (citrus seed extract), essential oils of lavandula angustifolia (lavender), salvia officinalis (sage), melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), cinnamomum camphora (camphor), and tocopherol (vitamin E oil) 

Lily Farm Fresh Organic Skin Care Calming Facial Toner – Unscented, 3.4 ounces, $22.39

Purified water, natural grain alcohol, vegetable glycerin, aloe vera spp. (aloe vera), eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus*), symphytum officinale (comfrey*), foeniculum vulgare (fennel*), laminariales (kelp*), calendula officinalis (calendula*), sambucus nigra (elder*), chamomilla recutita (chamomile*), tussilago farfara (coltsfoot*), equisetum arvense (horsetail*), and citrus grandis (citrus seed extract) *USDA certified organic

Lily Farm Fresh Organic Skin Care Hydrating Moisture Mist, 3.4 ounces, $19.95

Purified water, natural grain alcohol, symphytum officinale (comfrey*), chondrus crispus (irish moss), matricaria recutita (chamomile*), calendula officinalis (calendula*), vegetable glycerin, essential oils of cananga odorata (ylang ylang) and lavandula angustifolia (lavender), and citrus grandis (citrus seed extract) *USDA certified organic

Lily Farm Fresh Organic Skin Care Rejuvenating Enzyme Mask, 1.6 ounces, $29.99

Honey, natural grain alcohol, carica papaya (papaya), ananas comosus (pineapple), symphytum officinale (comfrey*), equisetum spp. (horsetail*), mentha piperita (mint*), tocopherol (Vitamin E oil), ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), and citrus grandis (citrus seed extract)
*USDA certified organic

Lily'scustomers give them raving reviews. I signed up for the mailing list. I really like that this is a family operation and they are their own organic farm. Complete transparency. They even give you an interesting behind-the-scenes tour of their lab.

Original article I read.

Post Update: NYX Lipstick Contains BHA, a Known Carcinogen and Dangerous Ingredient

My post about NYX Lipstick containing BHA and BHT from 2011 still receives quite a bit of traffic so I thought an update would be helpful for people who run across it. To summarize for new readers: NYX products are inexpensive but many contain ingredients that are known carcinogens, especially their lip products. Let me repeat that: Some NYX lipstick and lip gloss products contain BHA (a known carcinogen) and BHT (toxic for human immune systems) . 

What does BHA and BHT do?  Both of these are antioxidants and fragrance maskers. They keep products fresh and smelling nice.

From the Environmental Working Group

About BHA: BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) is a preservative and stabilizer; U.S. National Toxicology Program, a part of the National Institutes of Health, has classified BHA as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" based on evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. 

About BHT: Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a toluene-based ingredient used as a preservative in food and personal care products. Known human immune toxicant or allergen.

About TOLUENE: A volatile petrochemical solvent and paint thinner, toluene is a potent neurotoxicant that acts as an irritant, impairs breathing, and causes nausea. Mother’s exposure to toluene vapors during pregnancy may cause developmental damage in the fetus. In human epidemiological studies and in animal studies toluene has been also associated with toxicity to the immune system and a possible link to blood cancer such as malignant lymphoma. (Toluene is what makes nail polish smell good. Most polish companies removed Toluene from their products years ago.)

NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick - Contains Carcinogen BHA

Let's take a moment and reapply our lipstick. Having any second thoughts about NYX yet? I went through the NYX website's lip products and looked at the ingredients for all of their products. Here are the BHA and BHT winners for 2016.

• Butter Lipstick - BHT
• Butter Lipstick Sets 3, 4, 5 - BHA
• Macaron Lippies - BHA
• Matte Lipstick - BHA
• Plump It Up Lip Plumper - BHA
• Chunky Dunky Hydrating Lippie - BHA
• Extra Creamy Round Lipstick - BHA
• XTreme Lip Cream - BHA
• Glam Lipgloss Aqua Luxe - BHT
• Glam Lipstick Aqua Luxe - BHA
• High Voltage Lipstick - BHA
• Jumbo Lip Pencil - BHA
• Lip Primer - BHA
• Mega Shine Lip Gloss - BHT and Butylparaben
• Wicked Lippies - BHA

NYX does sell lip products that don't contain BHA or BHT. If they can formulate their new products without them, why can't they update the formulas for their older products that so many people purchase? Read your labels. As a consumer, you don't have to settle. Spend your money with companies who care about the health and safety of their customers.

Favorite Things: 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

I was organizing my products draw and realized I needed to do another post about my love for the 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. I've been using it twice a day for over 5 years now and can't do without out. I actually ran out a few months ago and my under eyes were miserable. I knew the cream was luxurious and felt good on my skin but I hadn't realized how much my eyes really needed it. After a co-worker asked if I was feeling well (eye puffiness and tired look), I threw my hands up and was fortunate to catch the cream on sale. I stocked up.


Below are 3 of the 4 Coffee Bean Eye Creams I purchased from the 100% Pure website (on sale!). I average about one tube a quarter, so this stash will hopefully do me for the rest of the year. When this product first came out, they were in a glass pump bottle. Cut to me scraping the inside with a eye shadow brush handle to get the remaining product out. I am very happy that 100% Pure has changed to squeeze tubes for most of their products.


100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream, 1 ounce, $25
Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Leaf Juice*, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water (Organic Rose Hydrosol)*, Rosa Canina Seed Extract (Rosehip Oil), Coffea Arabica (Organic Green Coffee) Seed Extract*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Extracts of Coffea Arabica (Coffee Cherry) Seed, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla Absolute) Fruit, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla Wax) * Certified Organic

If you have never tried this product, the cream is very rich and smooth. You just need to use a dab under your eyes. I sometimes apply twice if my under eye area is feeling tight or dry. The difference is immediate. It vaguely smells like coffee but other than that, no perfumes or funky scents.

Check out the reviews from other users: 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream Reviews

My Beauty Blender Just Turned 5!

As I was giving my makeup brushes their weekly washing, I realized I've had that Beauty Blender for quite a while. Digging around on my past orders on Drugstore, I discovered that it and my 100% Pure Caffeine Eye Cream were the first things I ever bought on that website. Last month, that pink wobbly turned five. 

I'm kind of amazed it's still in relatively good shape. I remember the You Tube makeup gurus frequently complaining that theirs fell apart after a few months. I use mine almost every day and wash it weekly (sometimes more often). I don't use any special makeup brush cleaner or baby shampoo. I give the credit to another holy grail item, Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash. I buy the giant 32 ounce refill jug. I put it into a foaming hand soap dispenser and wash everything with it, including my face. It easily removed the heaviest makeup from brushes and the Beauty Blender. Big fan here.

Eventually, this little fella will have to retire and I will buy a new Beauty Blender. I am shooting for 7 years out of this one. I think I can, I think I can...

Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash


Around $13-15, 32 Ounces

Castille soap (water (aqua), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, tall oil, potassium hydroxide), glycerin, eco-harvest melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) root extract, hedychium coronarium root extract (awapuhi), fucus vesiculosus extract (bladderwrack), cymbopogon martini oil (palmarosa), citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) peel oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower oil, calendula officinalis flower oil, callitris introtropica wood oil (blue cypress)

Haul: Roots & Fruits Natural Soaps

It's rare that I do any type of haul these days. Most of my purchases are a re-buy of a holy grail staple that is always in rotation. I purchased a bar of the Roots & Fruits Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey soap about a month ago because I had been reading about apple cider vinegar on hair care forums. I have also been trying to move away from bottled shampoos to shampoo bars. I am wild about this ACV and honey soap! I've been using it exclusively as a shampoo bar for the past three weeks (review on that to come). Giving it a big thumbs up so far.



Around $3, 5 ounce bar

This bar was created to help balance your skins natural pH and nourish your skin.
 
Ingredients: Palm Oil, Kernel Oil, Water, Glycerin, Coconut Acid, Red Palm Oil (Elaeis Guineenis), Fragrance, Shea Butter, (Butyrospermum Parkii), Salt, Apple cider Vinegar (Acetic Acid), Aloe Leaf Juice (Barbandensis), Honey, EDTA, Mineral Pigment, Essential Oil.

The tower of Roots & Fruits soaps are stacked two deep, so there are 12 bars in total. I bought these on Amazon. They are the full size bars and smell divine. Aside from the Apple Cider for my hair, I am also using the Papaya and Chia Seed soap. Makes the entire bathroom smell good. I want to get into all of them to test them out, but I am trying to be good. This will be enough soap to last me the rest of the year. I can guarantee Santa will receive a note to reorder these come December.

Learn more about Roots & Fruits Soaps.

Eye Opener: Medications as a Source of Paraben Exposure

If you think that you only have to avoid parabens in your makeup and beauty products, think again. The National Institute of Health studied individuals from a fertility clinic to see how taking medication containing parabens impacted the concentration of parabens in their bodies.  It's no surprise that actually ingesting something containing parabens will raise the levels of parabens in your body. You can read more about the study below.

This study made me curious and I spent a few minutes searching for over-the-counter medications we actually put in our bodies. You always check the back of that bottle of lotion for ingredients, but do you check your suppositories? 

Preparation H should be called "Preparation Paraben". Those little suppositories contain both methylparaben and propylparaben.

Children's Tylenol Liquid Contains Butylparaben.

Medications as a Source of Paraben Exposure

• Parabens are used in some medications and may adversely affect reproduction
• We compare urinary paraben concentrations in relation to medication use
• We control for use of personal care products, an important exposure source
• Paraben-containing medications were associated with increased urinary concentrations
• Paraben-containing medications can be a source of very high paraben exposure

OBJECTIVES

Determine whether paraben-containing medication contributes to high urinary paraben concentrations.

METHODS

Individuals at a fertility clinic provided multiple urine samples during evaluation/treatment and reported 24-hour use of medications and personal care products (PCP). Repeated measures models compared specific gravity-adjusted urinary methyl, propyl, and butyl paraben concentrations between samples “exposed” and “unexposed” to paraben-containing medication.

RESULTS

Eleven participants contributed 12 exposed and 45 unexposed samples, among which paraben concentrations did not differ. Use within seven hours was associated with 8.7-fold and 7.5-fold increases in mean methyl (P=0.11) and propyl (P=0.10) paraben concentrations, respectively, after adjusting for PCP use. However, these associations decreased to 1.3-fold (P=0.76) and 2.6-fold (P=0.34), respectively, after removal of one influential individual.

CONCLUSION

Paraben-containing medications contributed to higher urinary paraben concentrations within hours of use.

Read the study here.

Favorite Things: Uncle Harry's All Natural Tooth Powder - Paraben Free, No SLS

For years, I have been using the dental products recommended by my dentist. Your dentist should know what is best for your teeth and gums, right? RIGHT? Not so much.

I had extremely sensitive teeth. The slightest hot or cold would make my whole mouth hurt. My dentist recommended Sensodyne this, Crest Pro that and gallons of different mouth washes. Not only did my teeth still hurt, but I would frequently develop blisters on the inside of my mouth after brushing. My gums were also starting to recede from a couple of teeth. I was faithful to dental hygiene and was always very careful with my teeth. Why was this happening?

I stopped that chemical freight train just like I did when I went paraben free and started doing research. I found I was not alone in my overly sensitive teeth and mouth blistering. Many other people were complaining of the same issues.

The frequently named ingredients culprits:

• sodium laurel sulfate 
• triclosan
• fluoride (yep, some people have an allergy)
• plastic bits used in whitening toothpastes 
• saccharin  

I threw my tubes and bottles in the trash and hoofed it over to Whole Foods where I purchased Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil & Neem Toothpaste. My mouth stopped blistering and my teeth sensitivity dropped quite a bit. I liked the toothpaste but I noticed my teeth were starting to look dingy. That's when I found Uncle Harry's All Natural Tooth Powder.

Uncle Harry's All Natural Tooth Powder is as basic as it gets. Natural chalk, sea salt and some essential oils. Basic and amazing. It cleans your teeth and balances the ph in your mouth for healthier gums. It also really freshens your mouth. My teeth started getting whiter after the first brushing. I use the regular but there is a whitening version as well. It's a powder, shake a little into your palm and scoop it up with a wet toothbrush. You would be amazed at how little product you have to use to brush your entire mouth.

I'm on my third bottle of this and couldn't be happier with the results. I went in for a checkup last week and the hygienist kept commenting on how healthy my gums looked. She fussed about not having anything to scrape. The best part was when she blasted my teeth with cold water to rinse. It didn't hurt at all.


Seriously, if you have teeth or gum issues that never seem to get better, check out some of the Uncle Harry products. They are reasonably priced and certainly worth a try.

Benefits:

• Whiter teeth
• Fresher breath
• Gums are happy
• Healthy feeling mouth
• Use less product
• No toothpaste globs smeared in the sink
• No toothpaste globs clogging the drain
• Impress your hygienist

I Wonder If I Can Make Pope Francis Go Paraben Free...

When I saw the headline that Pope Francis met with You Tube beauty vloggers, I laughed. It had to be an Onion story. Nope. He met and praised fashion and beauty personalities for their positive messages and sense of community. Thinking on it a bit, I have to agree with him. Regardless of the topic, a good blog or You Tube channel can bring people together for a common interest and create a micro community. This is one hip Pope.

Now, I just need to get Pope Francis on the paraben free wagon.

"The eclectic group of 12 YouTubers addressing the pontiff included Louise Pentland, a British videomaker behind the Sprinkle of Glitter channel, who was praised by the pope for her fashion and beauty clips.

“I am glad that you carry out the type of work you said, following the line of beauty, it’s a great thing. To preach beauty and show beauty helps neutralise aggression,” said the pope, sharing a table and laughing along with the video bloggers.

The pontiff instead advised the videomakers to help those of their followers who feel lost. “You can create a virtual identity; you belong to this circle at least virtually. From that you can start taking a path of optimism and hope,” he said."

Read the Guardian article.

May Empties and Reviews: Burt's Bees, Shea Moisture, Physician's Formula Organic Mascara

Just finished up Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Shampoo, Burt's Bees More Moisture Conditioner, Physician's Formula Organic Mascara and a powder compact by Carmindy for Sally Hansen. I've been trying hard to shop my bathroom closet and get through all of those half-used bottles and tubes before they expire.

It's embarrassing how may bottles that are half full or less stacked up in the closet. I'll eventually make my way through it all. Eventually.

Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo 13 ounces, $10. 

Deionized Water, Decyl Glucoside (Sugar Beets), Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) (Certified Organic), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) (Certified Organic), Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Vitamin E, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem), Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (Coconut Oil), Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Rosemary Extract, Silk Protein, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract (Honeysuckle), Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Japanese Honeysuckle)


Review: I have purchased various Shea Moisture products over the years. Thumbs up on the entire line. The shampoo and conditioner are very thick and smell fantastic. Most shampoos are mostly water, you get your money's worth in this small bottle. Since it is so thick, use half the amount of what you would normally use. Rub it between your hands and then work it into your hair. Don't plop a squirt of it directly on your scalp, you need to work it through your hair.

This version is made for thick, curly hair. My hair isn't curly but I use it because it is so rich and moisturizing. It made an immediate difference on my hair. Recommended.

Burt's Bees More Moisture Conditioner 10 ounces, $8.

aqua (water, eau), cetyl alcohol, brassica alcohol, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, cetearyl alcohol, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, adansonia digitata oil, hydrolyzed jojoba protein, arginine, theobroma grandiflorum seed butter, parfum (fragrance)*, sodium polyaspartate, stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl laurylglucosides chloride, glycerin, brassicyl isoleucinate esylate, cetrimonium bromide, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, behenyl behenate, lactic acid, sodium chloride, leuconostoc ferment filtrate, potassium sorbate, phenoxyethanol, limonene, linalool *natural fragrance

Review: I'm a big fan of the Burt's Bees conditioner line. It is another very thick hair product that actually saves you money since it's not watered down. This smells great. Just a dab will do you since it's so thick. Start at the bottom of your hair and work your way up. I also used this as on occasional leave in. Recommended.

Physician's Formula Organic Wear Mascara $9

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Water*, Glycerin*, *Iron Oxides, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Beeswax*, Jojoba Esters, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Tapioca Starch*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract*, Stearic Acid, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract*, Cellulose Gum, Glycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate May Contain: Titanium Dioxide

Review: I'm a long-time user of the Organic Wear mascara line. Nearly a decade now? Before I went paraben free and used regular mascaras, I was losing several eyelashes every week. Since changing to this mascara, I lose one or two a month. This was a moment of enlightenment for me. 

I've tried most of the different versions that have come out, but I always return to the original or the Jumbo Lash. I wouldn't recommend their Fake Out mascara with fibers for daily use. Those little fibers fall off and into your eyes. The original is a holy grail product for me. I take it off with grape see oil (another holy grail product). A couple swipes and it's gone. Recommended. Try it!

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty by Carmindy Pressed Powder. 

This one makes me a sad panda. I was a huge fan of the Carmindy line of cosmetics that Sally Hansen put out. The ingredients were great, they were quality products and reasonably priced. Unfortunately, Carmindy stopped partnering with Sally Hansen to start her own line (which apparently did not take off) and these wonderful products were discontinued. I was very upset. They gave me the perfect makeup line and then took it all away. You can still find the remnants of this line on Amazon and Ebay but I recommend against purchasing. They are near or at the end of their shelf life. I just threw away a couple of unopened lip glosses I had bought in my frenzy to grab what was left. I'm going to sit in a corner and pout for a while.

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Water*, Glycerin*, *Iron Oxides, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Beeswax*, Jojoba Esters, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Tapioca Starch*, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract*, Stearic Acid, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract*, Cellulose Gum, Glycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate May Contain: Titanium Dioxide - See more at: http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-us/productdetail/eyes/mascara/01063.html#sthash.1FOryiBp.dpuf