Beauty & Skin

June 11, 2014

Birchbox unboxing June 2014

Posted in Beauty & Skin, Makeup / Cosmetics, Subscription boxes

Benefit Cosmetics – Benefit They’re Real! Mascara: no cones but not waterproof and I’m not a huge fan of the brush type. I can’t ever seem to get the spiky ones to work as well as the brush type wands. It ranks a 4 with the cosmetics database which is ok though.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain in Valentine: cones rule this out for me which is too bad because it’s a cute shade AND it’s a healthy 2 with the skin deep cosmetics database. So healthy and cute but I can’t use it personally.

English Laundry Signature for Her: no no no. Not only is it a synthetic fragrance but it has even more unhealthy ingredients beyond that. On the plus side though this one came in a sealed pouch so it didn’t kill me when I opened the box so that part’s good. It ranks an unhealthy 7.

Evologie Stay Clear Cleanser: looks good. It’s ok. I’ve used it for about three days now. Not a miracle worker but seems pretty good. Not too harsh which is one of the problems with many of the acne focused cleansers. It has not caused any problems and I do wonder if it would have better results over time because it’s not harsh. If you want a soap style cleanser this seems like a good choice. It’s going to be tough for anything to beat the Liz Earle hot wash cleanser though. This ranks a decently healthy 3 with the skin deep cosmetics database.

Number 4™ Super Comb Prep & Protect cones rules this out for me. If they hadn’t added fragrance though it would be pretty healthy too – it ranks a 3 as well.

Still not signed up for Birchbox?

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June 1, 2014

Natalie Zea short to medium hair (bob) from The Following
{ Season 2, Episode 12, Betrayal }

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Hair

Natalie Zea short to medium hair (bob) from The Following • via ClothingCult.com I’m a little obsessed with Natalie Zea’s (character Claire Matthews) short (er) to medium length curly bob in this episode.

It’s like a shorter version of Connie Britton’s hair and I think it would work well with my hair and be an easier length to manage particularly during the summer. Maybe also look good with a slight ombre / highlights on the bottom (nothing too harsh) or just lightening from summer sun and the pool. 🙂

I may see if I can find someone who can actually cut my hair for a change as I’ve been cutting my own hair for years. Why? Because of too many stylists no matter the price gave me the exact same cut no matter what I ask for and I could cut my own hair better. I spent $20 and I spent $120 and did not get the cut I asked for really any time I went.

But I don’t think I can pull off this cut on my own so it’s probably time I risk letting someone else try again. I would be armed with a whole series of photos and different angles though so maybe I’ll have better luck? 🙂

May 15, 2014

Birchbox unboxing May 2014

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Beauty & Skin, Hair, Makeup / Cosmetics, Skin Care, Subscription boxes

Caldrea Body Lotion – in Aloe Water Apricot

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 4 Fragrance added (likely synthetic), no cones, could be healthier but not bad. This scores a 4 with the cosmetics database (0 is healthiest, 10 is worst.) The synthetic fragrance knocks that down a lot but it does have some other ingredients that are excellent for skin moisturizing so I’ll probably give this a try.

Caldrea Body Wash – in Aloe Water Apricot

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 5 Fragrance added (likely synthetic), no cones, could be healthier but could also be worse. This scores a 5 with the cosmetics database. I’m not big on body washes anymore so I’m not sure yet if I’ll try this.

Marcelle New·Age 8 in 1 Power Serum

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 4 Cones rule this one out for me personally. It has one ingredient to be a little concerned about which brings it’s ranking up to a 4 with the cosmetics database (0 is the healthiest, 10 is the worst.) Not bad, could be better but if it’s not something you are allergic to, I would give it a shot.

PIXI Beauty Shea Butter Lip Balm – in Pixi Pink

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 3 Pretty good here. None of the usual nasties. No fragrances etc. This ranks a healthy 3 with the cosmetics database. Now lip balms are nice but I do lean towards glosses so I’m really not sure how much I will use this in particular.

This is going to sound a little odd but between the name, the color, and the tube itself, this reminds me of some sort of tinkerbell lipstick I had as a kid. The color is a fairly vibrant pink but it’s also still a lip balm so it’s sheer.

One thing to note – the twist tube on this seems to like to let the product fall back down into the tube. This is something Pixi Beauty needs to maybe work on. This is not a dollar store product (like I would wear anything from the dollar store to begin with – scary!) and it makes it a bit harder to put on.

PIXI Beauty Shea Butter Lip Balm in Pixi Pink

PIXI Beauty Shea Butter Lip Balm Pixi Pink swatch

PIXI Beauty Shea Butter Lip Balm in Pixi Pink on lips

PIXI Beauty Shea Butter Lip Balm in Pixi Pink closeup

Votivo Candle Travel Tin

Ok here’s where I’m going to get a little weird. Soy candles are supposed to be healthier than paraffin candles right? Well every time I’ve tried to go with healthier candles, I’ve ended up with a MASSIVE headache. Soy candles. Paraffin candles with natural scents. I’m not sure what goes on here that really messes with me. Basically the only candles that don’t give me a headache are synthetic (I know, bad) and paraffin. Best is a basic vanilla. I will give this one a shot even though it looks like it’s soy with synthetic fragrance so not entirely healthy. But I really have not figured out my deal with candles. Tim is the same way though … with some opposite allergies (he can’t handle lavendar for example) so it makes candle choosing VERY difficult and I opt for the “not healthy” candles because “not healthy” is better than a massive headache.

Out of the box the smell is decent. Lit might be another story completely. We’ll see.

Supergoop!® Everyday SPF 30 with Cellular Response Technology

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 5 Another neither here nor there. See my comments on the sunscreen ipsy sent this month. This is also a 5 with the cosmetics database. With a little planning you can do better. Take a look at my previous post on natural / healthier sunscreens.

So the May 2014 Birchbox overall: some things I’m really excited to try and some things that aren’t my cup of tea. Still worth the $10/month to try some new products!

Still not signed up for Birchbox?

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May 15, 2014

Ipsy glambag May 2014

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Beauty & Skin, Hair, Makeup / Cosmetics, Skin Care, Subscription boxes

Hang Ten Classic Sport SPF50

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 5 This one I’m kinda on the fence on this one. No cones (issue for me, not everyone) and no synthetic fragrances and some of the other common nasties. It can be hard to find a good healthy sunscreen but not impossible. Or at least it’s easier online. This one based on the ingredients ranks a 5 with the cosmetics database. Good enough if you have very little in front of you to choose from and are in a pinch. But not quite good enough in my opinion for any advanced planning situations. Take a look at my previous post on natural / healthier sunscreens.

Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 2 Dimethicone rules this one out FOR ME. But you know me, I LOVE most of Pacifica’s products so if you aren’t sensitive to cones, go for this one. This ranks a healthy 2 with the cosmetics database.

Avène Thermal Spring Water

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 0 It’s water. In a spray can. BUT I’ve learned that not all water is created equal. Minerals in the water can make a HUGE difference in the quality. I doubt I would buy this though simply because it’s an aerosol spray and at $12.50 per bottle. It’s ph 7.5 but I also wish it had details about mineral content. http://www.aveneusa.com/products/thermal-spring-water But it does make me consider adding mineral water to a pump spray bottle. …. I do have a bad feeling that I’m going to actually like this one despite the aerosol and price….

Side note: I’ve been drinking a lot of Gerolsteiner Mineral Water because of it’s mineral content. Magnesium in a bioavailable form in particular and I think I might pop some of that in a spray bottle. For a fraction of the cost. I know it’s not the same but again, not aerosol.

On the plus side, this one was from Drugstore.com which means that there’s a discount this month for Drugstore.com orders.

Balanced Guru No Frizz Organic Sesame and Lemongrass Balancing Oil

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 0 AWESOME ingredient list. This one I’m looking forward to trying. I wish it didn’t have soy oil BUT it’s organic so I’m going to give it a try. This one ranks a 0 (super healthy) with the cosmetics database.

Boo-Boo Cover-Up

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 6 Dimethicone rules this one out for me. Also bad is added synthetic fragrance and mineral oil. This ranks a 6 in the cosmetics database.

So the May 2014 Ipsy glambag overall: some things I’m really excited to try and some things that aren’t my cup of tea. Still worth the $10/month to try some new products!

Sign up for Ipsy:

http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-h051sec1kqq5g8p
{affiliate link – I get 250 points which points equal products but it’s still a little unclear how many points to the dollar}

April 16, 2014

Birchbox unboxing April 2014

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Hair, Makeup / Cosmetics, Nail Polish, Skin Care

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 6 I have brows that are already thick and pretty much stay put so this isn’t a very useful product for me. You could however probably also use this as a very natural-look mascara though. But it does have parabens in it and it ranks a 6 with the cosmetics database.

Color Club Gala’s Gems Collection in Gold Rush

Always welcome Color Club nail polishes and they are 3-free. The colors this time are neither here nor there though. The one coat I applied was only ok looking. They look like pastels online but are actually a frost shade. Gold rush is a frosty white with the tiniest touch of warmth and pink to it.

Davines Oi / Shampoo

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 5 Cones rule this one out for me. And then there are the ingredients that it’s not finding that are messing with the report. But even without those unknown ingredients, the report comes back a 5. This is pretty high for a shampoo and if you could figure out those other ingredients, they might make this an even less healthy product. I think I would pass.

Davines Oi / Conditioner

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 6 Again more cones rule this one out for me. This doesn’t have any unknown ingredients like the shampoo but it ranks a 6 with the cosmetics database. Not healthy enough.

KIND Healthy Grain Bars

Sugary but WAY better than a candy bar! 🙂 Kind is a good brand. nonGMO and gluten-free. I wish brands would stop using soy lecithin so much but it’s an emulsifier and I get why they do … (not the same as soy protein which is what most people can have a problem with) so I’ll cut them some slack on this. Heck, I was trying to avoid soy but soy lecithin is in most chocolates too so oh well. Great extra.

Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therapy Body Wash

ewg-skindeep-cosmetics-database-score-unknown The Gilchrist & Soames website says “…contain no parabens, phthalates, petrol-derived ingredients, mineral oil, urea, DEA, TEA or propylene glycol. They do contain food-grade, naturally derived USP glycerin and natural conditioning agents from honey and the brassica plant. We’re also committed to cruelty-free development and vow to never test our products on animals.” But there are no ingredients listed on either the Birchbox site for this nor on the company’s website. I really wish companies would get their ingredients online both for transparency as well as for those of us who have some allergies they need to check. 9 times out of 10, when all of the ingredients aren’t posted, the product probably isn’t healthy for you (unless there’s simply no product info online yet.)

Birchbox unboxing April 2014

So a bit of a miss on this month’s Birchbox as well for me. :/ Oh well – sometimes they are a perfect fit and others not as much. 🙂

Still not signed up for Birchbox?

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April 13, 2014

Ipsy Glambag April 2014

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Makeup / Cosmetics, Skin Care, Subscription boxes

Ipsy Glambag April 2014

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 2 Cones rule this one out for me personally. Otherwise though it ranks a 2 with the cosmetics database so it’s not unhealthy for you.

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil Travel Size

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 1 dimethicone is the first ingredient. Again this is natural but cones have without a doubt caused major acne breakouts for me. Again another one that ranks well with the cosmetics database that I just can’t use. This one ranks a 1.

Demeter Jasmine Perfume Oil Roll On

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 3 From the Demeter website: “…some Demeter Classic fragrances are all natural, we do use some synthetic ingredients in most Classic fragrances. Generally speaking, the ingredients in our fragrances are at least 95% derived from natural and sustainable sources, and we use no artificial color or Phthalates or parabens.” Since synthetic fragrances rank poorly when it comes to your health, 5% is still not natural enough for me for a fragrance. They do have a small natural fragrance line that they say “Demeter Naturals fragrances are completely natural.” But I also know that they are allowed to put things into products in very small quantity without adding it to the label so I think I would rather go with some essential oils than trust a brand that primarily makes a synthetic fragrance line. The Jasmine Perfume Roll on is NOT part of the naturals line. It does only rank a 3 though which is below my usual threshold for trying something … torn on this. The only purpose is scent and it’s synthetic…

dr. brandt® microdermabrasion

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 6 no cones, no parabens, no phthalates, etc etc. It does have synthetic fragrance added though. The current skin deep cosmetics database report ranks it a 6 HOWEVER the ingredients on that report are wrong and don’t match the current product ingredients. So I did a custom report and it ranks a … 6 still. Oh well. This is higher than I want to go on a product that scrubs skin off my face. Particularly with the synthetic fragrance added.

Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow in champagne

ewg skindeep cosmetics database score 1 Cones again rule this one out for me but it ranks well and is only a 1 with the skin deep cosmetics database.

So this month was a bit of a bust in my opinion on the Ipsy bag for me. Nothing I can use but there are some good products in here nonetheless.

I looked at the other products that people were sent and there wasn’t anything I was too excited about.

I would have loved another Coastal Scents eyeshadow brush simply because I love the one I have. I haven’t bought another because of the shipping is more than the brush. The Classic Shadow Medium Natural brush is only $2.49… heck I’m just going to go ahead and buy a couple more since my other eyeshadow brushes have seen better days and it’s currently 25% off. Oh and my other problem is that I look at their other brushes and want to try them and before I know it I have 20 other brushes in my cart when I just thought I was going to go buy one… 🙂