This guest post is by John Smith.

Here are some quick and easy tips for both guys and gals who love their long locks and aim to keep it that way. The world is full of going-bald-folks, so let’s turn that around as much as we can! :)

1) Brushing your hair twice or thrice a day is the secret to beautiful hair. The most important follicle function, which is a result of hair brushing, is the work of the sebaceous glands. These microscopic glands are responsible for providing your hair with natural oils called sebum. Brushing your hair daily allows these tiny glands to open, breathe, and produce their natural oils. In fact, most beauty experts swear that brushing is a form of natural conditioning!
When you brush your hair you are massaging the scalp, increasing blood circulation by stimulating the capillaries, and allowing the stem, root, and bulb of your hair to breathe in life-giving oxygen. Brushing helps to clean your scalp from dead skin, and the leftover chemicals from hair gel, mousses, hair spray, and even shampoo and conditioners.

2) Eat proteins and leafy greens. According to the American Dietetic Association, the foods that boost muscle growth will also boost hair growth. The Dermatology Consultants of Westchester Scarsdale agreed by adding that our bodies have a priority system of sending nutrients to the most important parts of the body, so if there is a lack in nutrients, our hair is the first to go. Excessive amounts of alcohol, sugar, and salt can also lead to thinning hair and hair loss. Make sure that natural foods that are rich in protein, iron, zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and biotin go on your plate.

Of course, if you’ve been already eating healthy for what seems like forever and have not had any results, then don’t worry. Consult your hair care specialists or hair stylist for some advice or tricks of the trade. There are hair care products out, like Regaine, that are made for improving hair growth. The nice thing about Regaine for men and women is that is fairly easy to use with no mess or nasty side effects involved. Washing and conditioning your hair is only a start to good hair. The next step is to feed it well.

3) Rinse your hair after gym hours and time in the sun. Sweat causes a salt build-up on your scalp that dries out your hair and causes it to get brittle and damaged. The scalp has many tiny pores that must be open to breathe and stay healthy, but when you sweat these pores become blocked with salt and bacteria. Avoid this by rinsing your hair after gym hours. Rinsing your hair daily with plain water under the shower is best, because using shampoo everyday will dry your hair out.Stress less.

4) Massage your head with oil and without. Massaging your head helps increase the blood and oxygen circulation to each of hair follicles. You can massage your head with or without oil, but most hair care experts suggest that you should try to massage your head at least once a week using rosemary oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or carrot seed oil. Rosemary oil is the most popular for curing hair loss and is found in many hair oils and hair products because it increases cellular metabolism and stimulates hair growth. But other oils work just as well. In this case it’s the massaging that will have the greatest effect on the growth of your hair.

About the author: John Smith is an avid writer who does his best to follow good health and lifestyle habits. He specializes in writing about healthy lifestyles and natural cures.

This guest post is by Sabrina of BESskincare.com.

With all this talk of parabens and chemicals in our favorite beauty products, it makes sense to take a step back and try greening our routine a bit. You’ve probably already started making changes to your skin care lines, but did you ever consider what you were putting on your hair?

Just like your skin, what you put on your hair is absorbed into your body and affects it. Rather than release ozone diminishing CFC’s with every spritz of the hair spray and drying your scalp with heavy gels, try these alternatives.

Sweet Hair Spray

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then maybe you’ll have sweet locks too. This simple hair spray alternative doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients, nor will it release damaging CFC’s into the environment.
All you will need is:

• 4 teaspoons of sugar
• 1 cup hot water
• 2-4 drops of your favorite essential oil for an extra sweet scent
• Fine mist spray bottle

Bring your water nearly to a boil, then remove from heat. Add in your teaspoons of sugar and stir until they dissolve. Allow this mixture to cool.

Once your sugar water has cooled, pour it into your spray bottle then carefully add in your drops of essential oil. Give it a little shake then spray.

Depending on how strong you want your hold to be, you can adjust the level of sugar to water. The more sugar you add, the more it will hold. If you don’t use hairspray often and want to preserve your cocktail a bit, add a tablespoon of vodka. It will keep it bacteria
free and add to its shelf life.

CocoGel

If you are loco for coconut oil like me, then you are going to love this next super simple alternative.

Rather than use a store bought hair gel, opt for coconut oil straight up. Coconut oil is malleable because it hardens at cooler temperatures. You can rub a little between your fingers then mold your hair as you would a regular gel.

The trick with this one is to not overdo it. If you add too much oil, you will end up looking like a T-Bird from the movie Grease.

What I love most about this on is that it is budget friendly and great scalp and hair moisturizer. You can’t go wrong!

Beer Infused Volume

Nothing like a cold beer at the end of a hard day’s work, am I right? Instead of drinking it all, save some and pump up your locks with a beer infused volumizer.

All you need is:

• 1 ½ cups regular beer (do not use light)
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice

Just mix all of your ingredients together in a spray bottle and shake it up. The beer’s yeast will help pump up the volume and the lemon or lime juice will prevent you from smelling like a brewery.

If beer isn’t for you, try using coconut milk. All you do is spray, fluff and style as usual for added volume. This is probably the simplest solution to flat, lifeless hair.

Now that I’ve given you no reason to blow your dough on hazardous hair products, which one are you going to try first?

Author Bio: Sabrina is a jet setting, DIY loving, blogger for BESskincare.com. She likes to find natural and budget friendly alternatives to as many beauty and skin care issues like Homemade Face Lifts: http://besskincare.com/homemade-face-lift

This guest post is by Amanda Green of SkincareHQ.org.

Going green is a smart lifestyle choice, but you might find that your options on multiple things are much more limited than they were before. The bright side is that the products you get are a million times better for not just the environment, but also for you! One of the things you might find your options limited in is foundation. Don’t worry, however, because today we’re going to show you how to pick out the best foundation, and one that is totally green!

Tip #1: Make Sure It’s Eco-Friendly or All Natural

Even though some products label themselves as ‘Eco-friendly’ or ‘all natural’ it still pays off to read the ingredients on the package. If you find something that you think doesn’t sound all natural, chances are high that it’s actually not. Studies have shown that many products who label themselves as Eco-friendly or all natural still use ingredients that just don’t fit the bill. You can always do some online research of your own if you’re unsure about a product you want to use and can’t get enough information off the bale.

Tip #2: Pick The Perfect Color

Now that you’ve figured out which brands actually fit the bill, you need to pick a perfect color for your natural skin tone. Remember to pay attention to undertones, as this is the area most people run into problems with. There may be multiple brands out there with a perfect or nearly perfect color choice for you, so it’s good to find something that lines up with all five of our tips. If you aren’t sure what your coloring is, trial and error is your best bet. Some brands may also offer color matching at department stores.

Tip #3: Choose Something That’s Good For Your Skin Type

Here’s the big one. You need to find a foundation that is made for your particular skin type. Sensitive skin types don’t need to worry too much with all natural products, but keep an eye out for anything on the label that you know causes a reaction. Try to remember that if you are oily skinned, then picking a foundation for dry skin types will aggravate your skin problems, and vice versa. A lot of foundations will tell you on the packaging what skin type is best suited for their product, so do a quick read through if you aren’t sure.

Tip #4: Pick The Right Coverage For Your Needs

Each foundation offers a very unique type of coverage, but it’s usually broken down into three categories: light, medium, or full coverage. Light coverage is perfect for normal skin types, or for people of any skin type who have limited blemishes and skin imperfections. Medium coverage is great for those with an average amount of blemishes, and maybe a little bit of redness. Full coverage is for those people with acne scars, a more than normal amount of blemishes, or any type of highly noticeable skin imperfections. Know which one you need, and stick to a foundation that has the right coverage for your skin issues.

Tip #5: Don’t Break Your Budget

No one is going to be happy if they spend a fortune on a foundation, period. What a ‘fortune’ actually consists of depends on your individual income, of course. Some people think that spending $10 on a foundation is a good price, while others think it’s perfectly reasonable to spend $50. Figure out what you want to spend, and then stick to it. It’ll save you a lot of heartache and self doubt in the long run.

If you keep these five great tips at the front of your mind while on the lookout for your perfect foundation, you will end up with something you can be proud to wear, happy to use, and that fits you perfectly. Best of all, it will be fantastic for both your health and the environment. So good luck, and I hope you find that perfect match with ease!

Author Bio: Amanda is a skin care and make up fanatic hailing from Minneapolis, MN. Amanda is also the author of SkincareHQ.org which features a guide to The Best Full Coverage Foundation. Aside from writing, Amanda is an avid traveler and one day dreams of living in Buenos Aires. Questions or comments for Amanda? Feel free to connect with her @Skincare_HQ on Twitter!

Consumerism is at an all-time high. Most of us are victims to its lure (including yours truly!) so it’s about high time we put our foot down and take control of what we buy. There are 4 beauty products that yes, you actually DON’T need, save for some very specific circumstances. Even then, it’s questionable – there’s always a cheaper alternative, or one you can do it yourself.

Lip scrub 

Dry, flaky lips are a common problem regardless of the weather. Your diet and hydration levels can affect your lips, but most of us simply use a lip balm. That helps.. temporarily. Then we’re back to biting and scraping and it becomes a never ending, painful cycle. Lip scrubs are supposed to remove the flakiness and leave your lips smooth and supple, making lip balm even more effective.

But why pay 10.00, 20.00 or even more for a tiny jar that really just consists of sugar or some other gentle abrasive, moisturizers and a hint of flavor? That’s ridiculous. Just make them yourself! I personally love coconut oil and brown sugar, so this awesome DIY lip scrub recipe from Honestlywtf is a dream. We all have coconut oil, honey and brown sugar in the house, so this is a low-cost/nearly free way to get your lips back into kissable condition.

Toner 

Toners.. do you need them, or not? Those with oilier skin like the extra feeling of cleanliness and even those without just like the extra refreshing feeling (or just revel in seeing those dead skin cells on the moistened cotton pad). Some skin care experts argue that toner is unnecessary if you simply use the right products.  Some products leave residue behind, leaving your skin feeling unclean. Others claim that there are alkaline products that unbalance your skin’s pH level (skin is on the acidic side), leaving you needing to re-balance with an acidic toner.

I have oilier skin, but I never use a toner. I don’t feel I have to. My cleansers usually do the job right the first time. But, if you feel you must use one, either opt for a gentle toner or make your own! Try this beautiful DIY facial toner recipe that uses rose petals and distilled water from NoobCook.

Foot cream

I actually laugh when I see foot cream products. Sure, the skin on your feet’s thicker and rougher than your hands or the rest of your body, but a separate product just for your feet is still absurd. Hand creams and certain body butters are formulated to be just as thick and rich as foot creams, so why not use those? Make your products do double duty!

You can also use a thick body butter or body oil to moisturize your feet instead. I like using thick butters such as Nourish USDA’s Softening Body Butter or 100% Pure’s Hand Creams. Soften your feet with a soak and thoroughly scrub them first, which makes it easier for the cream to absorb into the skin. Slater on your favorite cream, then cover your feet with plush socks and leave overnight. You’ll get super soft feet the next day, and all without spending extra unnecessary bucks!

Pure butters like shea butter and cocoa butter also work well. You can also use a petroleum jelly alternative with multiple uses, like Beeseline.

Leave-in Conditioner

Most of us don’t need a separate bottle of leave-in conditioner. Most of these are in liquid form and are normally sprayed on the hair for both detangling or used daily for extra moisture. The concept is great – you just don’t need to purchase an entirely separate product for it.

Detangling is best done with a wide tooth comb and in the shower, while using your actual conditioner. If you feel you need the extra hydration after towel drying your hair, I recommend using an oil like coconut or argan. Smooth it through damp hair. You can also use it after it’s dried and styled for extra shine and moisture. Drier hair types can use more. Finer hair can use less for that healthy sheen.

However, if you must use an actual leave-in conditoner, try Original Moxie’s Everyday Leave-in Detangling Conditioner.

Althea of Thea Skincare got in touch with me a while back and contributed many wonderful articles to Garden of Beauty. Thank you! :) However,  she also sent me a few samples from her organic skin care line, and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice they were! Here’s a little information about Thea Skincare:

Thea Skincare’s  organic, natural skincare products are designed to deeply penetrate & replenish your skin like our unique range for sensitive skin.Our natural beauty products include luxury organic-enriched moisturizers, natural body creams, organic eczema treatments andnatural acne products .

All our organic skin care products are pH balanced, and 100% paraben and sulphate-free as well as being free of any artificial fragrances. Thea Skincare products are enriched formulations for dry and dry, sensitive skin. Our natural beauty products are vegan-friendly, with clinically certified bases that have not been tested on animals so you can use the entire range with complete confidence.

Althea provided generous samples for several of her top selling products – the Skin Brightening Fruit Enzyme Creme Cleanser and Fruit Enzyme Creme Moisturizer.  How’d they work out for my normal to combination skin? Let’s take a look!

Skin Brightening Fruit Enzyme Creme Cleanser

One of Thea Skincare’s top sellers, this fruit enzyme creme cleanser gently washes away oil, dirt and makeup residue while leaving your skin soft and deeply cleansed, but not dry. With ingredients like organic aloe juice, organic green tea, organic bilberry, orange, lemon & cranberry extracts and Vitamin E, it has all the good stuff you need and none of the bad stuff you don’t.

This cleanser was very refreshing and even felt a bit exfoliating. It definitely seemed to cleanse deeper than your average face wash. It smelled wonderful, like sweet, fresh fruits, and rinsed clean and easily. I saw a definite glow from just the first use. Is it skin brightening? Oh, I’m sure it would be – especially after repeated use.

Skin Brightening Fruit Enzyme Creme Moisturizer

This light, deliciously fragranced moisturizer obviously pairs well with the skin brightening creme cleanser above.  I applied this after cleansing with the above, and it felt just right. Not too heavy, and gave me just enough moisture everywhere without feeling forced to put more on drier areas or less on oilier ones.  Like the cleanser, the ingredients here are wonderful! For instance, Organic Shea & Mango Butter intensely moisturizes and hydrates skin, while Seaweed Extract  detoxifies, nourishes & increases blood flow. It also includes skin brightening fruit enzymes to give your skin a natural glow with repeated use.  I don’t think it’ll be moisturizing enough for dry skin, but should work well for normal to combination types.

So, what’s the overall verdict? Definitely wonderful products for those with dull skin looking for a natural brightening solution. Great for normal to combination skin.  Use with an exfoliator for even better results. I wouldn’t buy them on a regular basis, but that’s only because money is very tight for me now. If you can snag a sample of Thea Skincare’s best sellers, I encourage you to give it a try!

Price: £20.95 (cleanser, 100ml), £24.95 (moisturizer, 100ml)

Buy at: Thea Skincare

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Chemical Free. Cruelty Free. Concern Free.
Discover what it means to never again worry about what you put on your skin. Every nurturing Nourish product contains nutrient-rich, organic fruits, vegetables, and plant extracts – and nothing else.

I discovered Nourish USDA through glowing reviews on Dina’s wonderful natural beauty blog Be Beauty Smart. She mentioned the fact that they were the world’s first USDA Organic Certified line of skin care products and loved the simplicity of the brand. I was intrigued and decided to check it out for myself, and I’m very glad I did!

Nourish USDA keeps things simple and basic. Organic body butter, lotion, body wash, deodorant, hand wash, body polish, and even raw shea butter are your choices here. With fragrances like fresh fig, lavender mint, almond vanilla, wild berries and even unscented, there’s definitely a scent perfect for your senses.

I bought the Organic Body Wash and Organic Body Cream in Wild Berries. I was leaning towards lavender mint but had tried on a bunch of lavender products recently so I was  a little tired of the smell. The order arrived quickly and with minimal packaging.

The body wash is surprisingly creamy and thick for an organic, natural product. It has a yellowish tint. The wash did smell like wild berries – the scent wasn’t as strong as I expected, but it was definitely there and very tart, yet light. It lathered up quite nicely, again a surprising feature for a product without sulfates. I don’t normally use body wash but this has changed my mind about them – now I’m a big fan! So are my brother-in-laws and my husband, as they too used the wash with abandon. So, I can conclude that this is definitely a unisex product that anyone would enjoy.

The body butter is super thick, firm and moisturizing, and very potent. You’ll need to warm it up a bit before use so it’s easier to spread. Only a little is needed to soften rough areas. It has the same lovely scent as the body wash, but better since it’s in butter form. I initially used it on my arms and legs, but saw that the rich, creamy texture was too heavy for my skin so I relegated it to just my elbows, knees and feet. I love using this body butter on my feet, then covering them with socks overnight. My toes are incredibly silky the next morning, an amazing feat for such an inexpensive product!

Oh right, I should mention that – Nourish USDA have great, affordable prices for such high-quality products. When you think organic, you usually think $$$. Not Nourish – a big 10 oz bottle of body wash and their long-lasting body butter will set you back a mere $9.99 each. Awesome, especially since my budget’s so tight lately. The body wash lasted about 2 months, and that’s with everyone using it about twice a week. If it’s just you, expect it to last longer. I’m still working through the body butter and it’s been almost 7 months!

Overall, I’m super pleased with my experience, and would definitely purchase again! I look forward to trying the organic body lotion and hand wash in Lavender Mint.

Ingredients:  http://www.nourishusda.com/ingredients/

Price: $9.99 for a 10 oz bottle of body wash, and 9.99 for a 3.6 oz jar of body butter

Buy at: Nourish USDA

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

This guest post is by Althea Giscombe, Founder of Thea Skincare.

You will have heard about organic and there is certainly lots of discussion about ‘organic’ skincare in the industry. It is one of those words people have come across and have heard but what does it mean and why is there so much talk about it?

It’s really quite simple, anything that is organic is produced without any synthetic chemicals and does not involve the use of any type of chemical, such as pesticides, artificial fertilisers or synthetic chemicals.  A good quality organic skincare product will have at least 70% of its ingredients being organic, with the rest of the ingredients coming from natural sources.

Our skin, like our other organs, needs to be fed daily with highly nutritious ingredients so that it looks and feels healthy.

And these days both men and women are striving for better glowing complexions and skincare products with a high percentage of organic ingredients do just that.

Organic products are great at feeding the skin, adding nutrients and keeping the skin hydrated and moist.

Excessive dryness of the skin can cause pre-mature ageing and initiate skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and even acne. Skincare moisturisers act as emollients, in other words ‘natural skin softeners’ and moisturisers.

Moisturisers have three main functions:

      1. They keep the skin moist, nourish the skin and prevent the skin from losing moisture.

      2. They allow the skin to breath, release toxins and take in and release moisture.

3.  They protect the skin from day to day elements and harmful bacteria, helping the skin to heal  when it needs to.

The best skincare moisturisers are those derived from ancient old ingredients, that is, from traditional edible plants.

These ingredients offer high skincare nutrition, are easily absorbed by the skin and allow the skin to breath while moisturising and nourishing the skin.

Here are 10 of the best organic skincare moisturisers that should be found in organic skincare products:

1. Organic Aloe Vera

Organic Aloe Vera is highly moisturising, soothing, and has skin calming properties and is excellent for dry and sensitive skin and just about any type of skin related problem that you can imagine.

2.  Organic Avocado Oil

Avocado Oil is an excellent emollient and is used to nourish, smooth and invigorate the skin while helping to transport active nutrients and vitamins to the skin. It has excellent bactericidal and soothing properties and is particularly good for sensitive skin.

 3. Organic Carrot Oil

Carrot Oil is obtained used for its content of beta-carotene (Vitamin A). Carrot Oil also contains Vitamins B, C, D and E. It is primarily used for rejuvenating and re-hydrating damaged, dry and ageing skin.

4. Organic Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is one of nature’s richest moisturisers and can do wonders for your skin. Cocoa Butter, like Shea Butter, has the ability to improve the skins moisture, retention and elasticity and is effective at relieving skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.

5. Organic Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin. It is also an effective moisturiser for all skin types, but particularly for dry skin as it prevents dryness and flaking of the skin. Coconut Oil also delays wrinkles and sagging of skin, which normally become prominent with age.

6.Organic Jojoba Oil

Jojoba Oil is referred to as the ‘miracle skin care ingredient’. It is particularly effective in adjusting skin imbalances due to excess dryness or oiliness. Natural Jojoba moisturises and softens by forming a breathable lipid layer, diffusing into the skin leaving behind a silky feel. Healing also takes place because of the high proportion of naturally occurring vitamin E within it and its naturally occurring anti –inflammatory properties.

7.Organic Meadowfoam Oil

I refer to Meadowfoam oil as one of the ‘new generation’ of natural skincare moisturisers. It is widely used in skincare products because it is moisturising, extremely stable, and capable of adhering and staying on the skin. It forms a moisture barrier and will assist the skin with preventing moisture loss and on top of that offers natural ultra violet protection and reduces wrinkles and the signs of ageing.

8. Organic Mango Butter

This exotic, tropical butter is relatively rare in the west, but it is being used more and more in natural skincare products due to its healing, moisturising and rejuvenating properties.  Mango butter rejuvenates skin due to presence of antioxidants. It helps to neutralize toxins, to generate skin cell renewal and prevents wrinkle formation.

Mango Butter also contains natural skin acids, which are excellent natural exoliators and gently remove dead skin from the surface of the body. It also contains nutritious skin vitamins such as vitamin A and high amounts of vitamins E, C, D, group B vitamins, folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium. And this wonder butter also protects skin from sun damage.

9. Organic Palm Oil

Palm Oil is one of the best natural anti-ageing moisturisers as it contains the hard to find toctrienols, which are members of the vitamin E family. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that helps the skin to fight free radicals, which damage the skin and cause fine lines and wrinkles. It is added to skin care products not only for its anti-ageing properties, but also because it provides deep moisturising benefits making the skin soft and supple.

10.  Organic Shea Butter

Shea Butter is unique because of its high content of fats, which act as a natural skin moisturiser.It is extremely high in Vitamins A, E & F and enhances cell regeneration and capillary circulation. Shea butter also moisturise the skin with all the essential elements it needs for balance, elasticity and tone.

About the Author

Althea Giscombe, BSc (Hons), MSc, Founder of Thea Skincare

Althea was born in Leeds and attended Nottingham Trent University at the age of 18, where she gained an honours degree in Combined Sciences and a year later was awarded a grant from the Science and Engineering Research Council to do a masters degree in Manufacturing and Polymer Technology at Loughborough University. Althea has worked in a number of corporate companies including Avon Cosmetics where she learnt about cosmetic skincare formulations and brand marketing.

In 2008, Althea went to Malawi in Africa for the first time which changed her life and perception of nature and Africa itself. It was there that Althea learnt about life that was simple, pure and natural. She lived in a mud hut within a traditional African village for a month and experienced life as a local Malawian, learning about living with nature and their way of life and how they used their natural environment to survive and to look after their skin.

Althea enjoyed the natural environment and one of her African experiences was when see was sitting by the lake one day just thinking how breathtaking it was and how lucky she was to be there, when all the women from the village arrived at the lake and began to take off their clothes. They then  started to rub sand all over their bodies. Unsure of what was happening, Althea soon realised that they were using sand to exfoliate and condition their bodies. These experiences were the inspiration for her natural and organic skincare range,Thea Skincare http://www.theaskincare.com/.

• All products are 95-100% natural
• At least 10-15 deluxe samples in each box (no foil samples)
• Ships internationally
• Filled with useful beauty tips and tons of coupons for every product in the box
• They promise to NEVER include the same product in 2 months

 

The October 2012 box included 11 deluxe samples and an overall retail value of $84.30! Generous sizes give you plenty of time and opportunity to fully test the products, and they’re also convenient for travel (especially crucial for the upcoming holiday season!) The deluxe sizes are generous and I really feel I get my money’s worth with them. At any rate, subscribe and have fun discovering new brands – and feel secure knowing all the products you’re using are safe for your skin and good for the planet. Purchase any of these directly at The Natural Beauty Store!

Burst Organic Beauty Bar Customizable Body Wash

Burst Organic Beauty Bar is a unique concept where you choose the ingredients and scent! Custom made natural beauty products are affordable and made just the way you like it. I love this idea to my very core. :) The sample I was given, Coffee + Caramel, smelled like walking into a coffee shop. It was heavenly. The wash itself lathered up generously and did a good job cleansing, and the scent is just so strong and seems to last for a while on my skin. I’m a new fan!

Burst Organic Beauty Bar Customizable Body Butter

Burst Organic Beauty Bar also creates customizable body butters. The sample I received,  Chocolate + Cranberry,  smells like dessert and is very rich, creamy and moisturizing. Absorbs quickly and the scent lasts and lasts – just the way I like it! It’s not a subtle scent, either, which I also love. If you want a subdued scent, choose wisely. They reek of very high quality and I feel you definitely get your dollar’s worth by ordering from Burst. I know I will be!

Authentic Skin Remedies Balance Sea Water Facial Toner

A pleasantly light facial toner that feels great after a long day (or starting such a day!) The handle spray bottle makes this the perfect companion for travel. I’m going to Vegas next month and plan to pack this in my purse for a pick-me-up after the flight. :)  It’s lightly moisturizing and and has a fresh, clean scent.

Wine Delights Natural Bath Salt Assortment

Because I don’t take baths, I used this in my weekly foot soak. I got three scents – Beer, Champagne and Cabernet Sauvignon. They smell really nice, but I don’t know if I can say they actually smell like the names they posses. Regardless, they make great soaks, and my footsies felt relaxed and the scent served as some relaxing aromatherapy.

ATL International St. John’s Wort Raw Carrier Oil 

Now, this was a surprise to receive - raw carrier oil! I like grapeseed, almond, jojoba and coconut, but have never tried St. John’s Wort oil. It has a light, slightly earthy scent but nothing that really bothered me. This is a light, quick absorbing oil and feels great on the skin alone, but would also be great when mixed with some essential oils. This would work great after a shower, as a massage oil and I think it could work as a base for your DIY body scrubs.

Virga Botanicals Gentle Lavender Creamy Facial Cleanser 

My skin is a normal type, so creamy cleansers are normally too strong for me, even during the winter. That said, I gave this one a shot. It did its job, but I did feel some sort of weird residue afterward (maybe I didn’t rinse well enough)? I think it’s too rich for my skin. The lavender scent is strong but in my opinion, not too overpowering. It may not be suitable for those with sensitive noses.  I’ll probably give this to my mother-in-law – she has dry skin.

Accidental Herbal Cinnamon Honey Lip  Jam

Sweet tasting, a little gritty and sort of has a goo texture. It tastes great so there’s no fear of accidently licking it off . The cinnamon gave my lips a slight tingle, which was nice but it really is a personal preference. I didn’t like the greasy feeling if you put on too much though – a little will take you very far, so this sample will last a long time. This will be great for the upcoming colder months.

Happy Pumpkin Exfoliating Mini Sugar Pumpkin Soap

Lovely and super cute soap (it’s shaped like a pumpkin)! Makes a great guest soap and decorative piece. Smells delicious  too! I didn’t find the lather to be very intense though, but I used it as a hand soap instead of for the shower. Considering its price, this novelty soap is only great as a cute pumpkin themed gift, but nothing more.

BioGrazzia Grazzia Bio-Regen Natural Face Cream

This rich, creamy face cream felt very nice after a long, hot shower (where I washed my face). My skin soaked up the cream immediately  though it felt a little too heavy for me. Still, my face felt fantastic the next morning and I do love it’s earthy, natural scent.  Great stuff, and I highly recommend this.

Petal Organics Firming Phyto-Petal Bio Active Body Cream

I don’t know about its firming properties as I wasn’t able to use much and for very long, but it does feel very soothing and creamy. Lovely texture. It felt nice on my skin, not too tightening or anything off-putting. Smells nice, too. However, the price is way too steep for me so I’ll have to pass on this.

Ariona Skincare Organic Argan & Camu Camu Healing Balm

This is a great all-over balm for any dry area on your body. I personally like it on my hands and feet, two of my driest areas now that winter’s here. I also used some on my knees. It does a fantastic job nourishing my cuticles and hands, and my heels have never felt better! With ingredients like camu camu and argan oil, you can’t go wrong and its simplicity is what drew me in.

Interested in The Natural Beauty Box? Purchase your box here or simply buy the full sized products at The Natural Beauty Store! I can’t wait for November’s box, and I intend to keep subscribing for as long as they’re around! :) Overall, The Natural Beauty Box gets a perfect 5 stars for the wonderful products, incredible value and for truly being a uniquely natural beauty solution for those wanting to be a bit more green! :)

This guest post was contributed by Amber Merton.

For those who want healthy, vibrant, and youthful skin, there is a secret that goes beyond what’s applied to the skin – it’s what goes into your mouth! Yes, diet is just as important to the health and glow of your skin as the products that go on it. Below is a list of some of the nutrients that can help in your pursuit of lovely, supple, and youthful-looking skin.

Water is one of the most oft-overlooked “potions” that can help to add luster to the skin. If you aren’t getting your 8 glasses per day, your skin can appear sallow and dull. Hydrate your skin with plenty of clean, refreshing water. And remember, if you’re thirsty, your body may already be beginning to get dehydrated. Keep a bottle of water and drink throughout the day, refilling it when needed. Some nutritionists even recommend taking your body weight and cutting that in half, resulting in the number of ounces to drink per day (example: if you weigh 150 lbs., drink 75 oz. of water per day).

Vitamin E is important for the skin because it helps to seal in moisture, preventing the skin from becoming dry and scaly. It also acts as a guard against the sun, offering a protective layer as it were. Sunscreens have Vitamin E as one of their main ingredients. Almonds and sunflower seeds are great sources of Vitamin E.

Antioxidants are one of the most important “ingredients” in your regimen for beautiful, lustrous skin. Antioxidants help to stop damage to skin cells, and promote the formation of new collagen. Some of the best antioxidant-containing foods that are helpful for longevity of the skin are berries, tomatoes, spinach, and green tea.

Omegas 3’s are essential fatty acids that help stave off inflammation that causes wrinkles and dry skin. These fatty acids help keep the protective layer of your skin moist, so that it remains softer, firmer, and more elastic. Some good food sources of Omega 3’s are salmon (and other fish), walnuts, and flax seeds.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant (as is Vitamin E), but deserves special mention. Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, which is the main structure of the dermis (inner layer of skin) helping to keep the skin firm, and helping to prevent wrinkles. Vitamin C is also necessary for wound healing and DNA repair. Good sources of Vitamin C that are helpful to the skin are sweet potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers (green and red), and of course citrus fruits.

Vitamin A is another antioxidant very important for the skin. It helps to reverse aging, boost collagen, protect against the sun, and unclog pores. Of course, one of the best sources of Vitamin A is carrots. And just one mango contains more than 80% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin A.

Selenium is a mineral that acts as a protector against skin damage from the sun, helps the skin to maintain its elasticity, and possibly helping to prevent cells from becoming cancerous. Only small amounts of selenium are necessary in the human diet. Good sources of selenium to help optimize the skin are Brazil nuts, whole wheat bread, turkey, and tuna.

To look and feel beautiful on the inside and out, make sure you maintain a well-balanced diet. Your skin will thank you for it!

Amber Merton is a proponent of natural living, proper nutrition, and a good dose of fitness. She writes for the natural latex foam mattress manufacturer, Plushbeds.com.

This guest post is written by Tina Antony. Thanks!

Skin care products are there to help nourish and protect our skin from damage and wear. The sun, the weather, even the makeup we use all contribute to the damage our skin incurs. It can even cause our regenerative ability to fall short. Therefore, choosing the right product based on your skin type is the only way to go.

Many skincare products can be found all over the internet, though it is best to keep to the known brands and websites. Quack skin care products may be cheap but they are dangerous for your skin, and should be avoided at all costs. Search out the recognised websites that sell skin care products. Many of these also widen their range of care, and go into other products such as nail care or hair care.

Always take care to choose a product that will compliment your skin and/or help it combat against unwanted effects, such as dryness or greasiness.

Knowing Your Skin Type

Knowing what your skin is like and what affects it is important, especially when you trying to decide what sort of skin care product is good for your skin. There are basically 5 skin types, though medical problems and other anomalies need to be taken note of as well. These types are normal, sensitive, dry, oily and a combination.

Normal

A normal skin type has the least amount of problems in care and appearance. The oil output, elasticity and suppleness are all normal. The skin should look smooth and clean, and with a healthy complexion. It is easy to take care of normal skin, as they require less drastic measures to even everything out.

Dry

Dry skin types feel flaky and tight, and are prone to developing premature wrinkles and a sallow skin tone. While fine for young people, it requires a lot of thorough care with age.

Sensitive

Sensitive skin is a harsher form of dry skin and is generally very dry and tight, and is easily irritated. It is the most problematic and delicate type of skin, and requires a great deal of research in order to find the right products.

Oily

Oily skin is a more problematic skin, as it tends to look greasy and shiny. People with oily skin usually have large pores, and are prone to becoming riddled with spots, though wrinkles are no longer a problem.

Combination

Combination skin types are the most common type of skins, and are generally a combination of dry and oily skin. Patches of skin will be dry, such as the cheek areas, while other patches will be oily, like the nose. Due to this the skin requires several types of care in different facial areas.

Testing your skin type is relatively simple, and there are several ways to do so. The easiest is to simply use tissue paper to wipe your face just after you wake up in the morning. Normal, sensitive and dry skin types will leave no trace of oil, while oily skin will leave traces of oil, particularly if swiped on the nose, cheek or forehead. Combination skin types will leave oil traces only from the forehead and nose.

Why Worry About What Sort of Product to Use?

You should always research the right product for you before buying something. This will not only save money, but also the time you may spend constantly trying different products in search of the right one. Your skin will also be spared from products that may do more harm than good. If in doubt, ask your dermatologist on your skin type and advice on the products you should use.

Tina writes about how consumers could go about choosing the right skincare products and hair care products. Her articles are very helpful for women and men alike.