Natural Product Pick: Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deordorant Cream

A while ago I posted about my quest for a natural deodorant that actually worked, here. I thought I had found the holy grail of natural deodorants in Truly's Natural Deordorant, until I found out I was allergic to it. Turns out it's the baking soda, the one ingredient that I've baked with & even brushed my teeth with that apparently does not play nice with my skin.

Pouty Product Pick of the Moment: RMS Beauty Lip Shine in Sacred

The last thing I put on before I leave the house is a lip product. Depending on how the mood strikes me it might be as simple as a lip balm or  a super bright pout (like this one or this one).

While perusing the sweet little shop, Shen Beauty, in Brooklyn with my sister I came across RMS Beauty lip shines.  I quickly dabbed some of the lip shine in sacred on my hand & knew it would be coming home with me.

Kristen Arnett, a green beauty makeup artist, introduced this line to my sister (& me!) which means it hits all the bells & whistles that a natural beauty product should have - it's made with completely safe ingredients & it works just like it should - amazingly.

I usually steer away from pots as I just don't like dirty fingers in things but I distinctly remember Kristen boasting about how the coconut oil's* anti-bacterial properties make it safe to use for us germ freaks.

The buildable color goes on smooth. You can use a little or a lot depending how you're feeling.  This color starts off pink but can work it's way to more of a red which I love. I'm even using it on my cheeks too - just apply lightly with your ring finger & blend in for a healthy flush.

Click through to see a snap of how one layer of it looks on my lips.

*As if I couldn't love coconut oil more - it's in here too. I think the stars have definitely aligned for this one.

Swish with Coconut Oil for Clearer Skin

I've never had perfect skin. In fact it's probably my biggest daily battle & insecurity (there I said it). I always listen in when people with poreless complexions say that they "take care of their skin" or they do nothing at all and that's why it looks the way it does.  Personally, I'm pretty sure the (in)balance of my skin lies in somewhere in the mixture of genetics, stress and diet.  I've used most creams, lotions, potions and scared my husband when I come out of the bathroom with a face mask fit for Halloween. I've used super natural remedies and other chemically ones that I would like to deny but I won't because I've tried lots. The only things that seem to really keep my breakouts at bay in the past have been drinking lots of water (I mean lots) & being on vacation.  Obviously I can't be on vacation every day of the year and I really do try my best to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

A couple weeks ago my sister, fellow natural product enthusiast, told me about coconut oil pulling or as I like to call it swishing.  Just when I thought I had exhausted all the ways I could love coconut oil in comes this skin saver.

What is she talking about? I'll tell you. At least once a day you take a spoonful of coconut oil & swish in around in your mouth for 5-20 minutes which ever you have time for. I do this in the shower or while I'm blow drying my hair in the morning.  You just swish and after the max amount of time you have to give that day you spit it out (either in a garbage or your toilet, if you spit it in your sink it might end up building up in there over time & clog it). Then you scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper.  I use a copper tongue scraper like this one.

Ok so what's it all about? What you're doing is detoxing all of the bacteria in your mouth.  That's why it's super important to scrape your tongue after so you don't swallow all the toxins you just pulled from your mouth.

This simple practice can make a huge difference in your skin.  My skin isn't perfect but since I've started my swishing routine I've seen a big difference in it which leaves me less stressed and just a smidge more confident. Some say that they notice that their skin glows from this - SIGN ME UP!  Plus, since coconut oil has antibacterial properties it will also keep your gums healthy and teeth whiter!  So give it a try, what do you have to lose?

Truly's Natural Deodorant: Good Enough to Eat

If you are within an earshot of a tv, radio, computer or smart phone you've probably heard the latest news on Angelina Jolie's decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy.  This procedure reduced her risk from getting breast cancer from 87% to 5%.

I will now climb up on my proverbial soap box because this is my blog/soap box. Cancer is caused by all sorts of factors these days or at least it seems like it to me.  There are some easy things we - yes you & me - can do to prevent it.   It starts with paying as much attention to what we put ON our body as to what we put IN our bodies.

I've posted about safe products before & how I try my best to use only  good-for-me products. But I'm not perfect, sometimes I have to err on the side of what works instead of what's most natural.  This was true when looking for natural deodorant. Many deodorants on the shelf today contain aluminum which is linked to cancer. The deodorant & antiperspirant world has us believing that rubbing aluminum based formulas on our 'pits is the only way to stay clean, dry & stink-free.  Who cares if aluminum is linked to cancer if I'm not sweating or smelly? Me! That's who!  Hence why the idea of rubbing a cancer causing agent on my armpit close to my breasts just doesn't sit well with me. 

The good news is there is a deodorant god, her name is Truly. Truly's Natural Deodorant is the answer to my natural deodorant prayers. I'm an totally convinced & converted. I think this product is so nice that I blogged about it twice (read my other post here).

Truly's Natural Deodorant is made with just four ingredients: organic coconut oil, powdered sugar (sugar, cornstarch), baking soda, beeswax.  I have cooked with, ingested and digested all of these ingredients & I can say this without fear of what may happen to me because they're all completely natural & safe.

Not convinced yet? Here's some other reasons you'll love Truly's Natural Deodorant:

1. It smells delicious. It smells like cookies - yes cookies but it doesn't leave you smelling like your deodorant - you know what I mean if you've ever rubbed one of those deodorant solids on that come in a blue tube on your 'pits.
2. It's long-lasting. Just rub a small amount on clean pits in the morning & you're good for the day.
3. It's small enough to stash in your purse & TSA friendly to bring on that tropical vacation.

I'm so happy that this is now part of my daily routine.  If you'd like to opt out of preventative surgeries (like me!) make this simple change today & use an aluminum-free deodorant. You can get Truly's Natural Deodorant online or if you're in NYC (& soon DC) you can pick it up at any Shobha Location.

April Shower Products with Safe Ingredients

1. Acure Organics Cleansing Creme; 2. Shobha Exfoliating Cloth;
3.Mineral Fusion Volumizing Shampoo; 4. Acure Organics Cell Stimulating Body wash.

I love finding new products with safe ingredients that actually work.  Usually products with good ingredients are bit more expensive - but I've found some that are the exception to the rule. Here are some products are what I have in my shower this spring:

A Natural Choice: African Black Soap

8 great reasons why I ditched my body wash for this soap:

1. It has ingredients I can pronounce & are so natural there's nothing but good stuff in here! (ingredients: African Black Soap Base, Shea butter, Oats, Aloe, Plantain Extract, Vitamin E, Essential Oil Blend, Vegetable Glycerin, Palm Ash, Rosemary Extract, Iron Oxides.)
2. The smell is subtle but fruity & far from the overpowering scented body lotion days of my collegiate years.
3. It lathers so well & it's sulfate-free.
4. It fights acne while moisturizing & is safe for you face & body!
5. It lasts longer in my soap case than any other body wash I've spilled all over my shower floor.
6. It doesn't irritate my skin after shaving.
7. Its TSA friendly.
8. You can purchase it for under $5! (I purchased mine at WholeFoods for $3.99!)