Posted by beautyqueen on March 7, 2010
We have a few new surprises for all my beauty fans! First off the site has been upgraded!! And we have a few fun things to store for you. If you are sign up for my newsletter you will be hearing soon about all the cool stuff I got planned. Including giving away a set of Hands of Hope Collection!!
Now at last the brand new Ladybug Collection!
Daisy Dweller!
Brand new! I found it needs at least 3 coats to look its best. I like this yellow and found it looks good against my skin. Its also a glitter in case you can’t tell.
Signs of Spring
This is a very pretty blue! I found it takes about 3 coats to look its best. It is a creme!
Man Bug
This is a pretty green, very spring like! Reminds me of the green of the flowers I have growing in my front yard. Not at all like Frosty Meadow my personally favorite green of all time. Its lighter, takes 3 coats and glitter!
Ode to a Ladybug
Ever seen the color of a ladybug wings? Then you have seen Ode to a Ladybug!! This one only took 2 coats. Its thought of as a creamy glitter. I found it very pretty and bright! I would love to see on someone’s toes with white dots to look like a ladybug. 
Love Bug
Very pretty pink! Needs 3 coats to look its best. Its also a glitter!
Now for the one I wasn’t too crazy about. I don’t know its just didn’t rock my boat like the other 6 did. What are your thoughts about this one?
Beetle Bailey
This one is a creme and I think I applied three coats. It was the last one I did a swatch on. I got really lucky that the sun was out today for sure!
You will find them at Overallbeauty.com along with all the other awesome colors by BB Couture!
UPDATE: The Butterfly Collection is now available!
Posted by beautyqueen on March 5, 2010
Everyone knows or should know by now that you need to wear sunscreen especially on your face and neck. Well as all children need to start now. Your major sunburns you receive as a child can show up later as skin cancer.
Who hasn’t seen someone who never wore sunscreen? Who spent their youth laying around at the beach or anywhere they could in the sun, thinking all that time that having a tan makes you look healthy and rich? Since the 1920’s when Coco Chanel self-proclaimed “tanning a fashion accessory” a golden brown tan has been considered a sign of good health. That I just got back from a “getaway” to sun-drenched island in the Caribbean idea. Like clean air and the great outdoors, it has been assumed that the sun, being part of nature, could only be good for you.
Read my article about: Why is Sunbathing Bad For You?
They look older than they are and who wants that? Sun-bunnies look so old and wrinkled now and with the whole world wanting to look younger why do it this to yourself? Don’t get me started on tanning booths..
But most sunscreen as problems, its smells, it doesn’t apply well, way too thick, gives you that white pasty look and most of all not all are natural. Another major problem that I personally have with most sunscreens and it blocks my pores which in turn are causing me to breakout.
Sunscreen you apply to your body when you are sunbathing (which you shouldn’t do anyway) smells like coconuts and which is great if you are on the beach not in the office.
They say even if you have a home with lots of windows that give you lots of natural sunshine you need to wear sunscreen.
These days many of you the only way you are getting any sunscreen is in the foundation you might be wearing or the skin cream but that isn’t high enough UV protection. Why? Because till now no one has come up with a better sunscreen that is high in SPF protection, all natural.
Well now someone has! As well as made with plant and mineral based formula that doesn’t smell like that stuff you put on a diaper rash. Sorry nothing against that stuff, got children but I don’t want my face smelling like it. (any mom’s out there reading this? You know just what I am talking about!)
David Crisp owner of Solar Aegis has seen all the problems that sunscreen has as well has had skin cancer himself, went to work on a better sunscreen. The company is based in Florida, I think they would know a little bit about sun and what damage it can cause.
Quoting David M. Crisp, Jr., President & Founder of the company.
“I developed skin cancer six years ago, at age 35, and this product is the culmination of years of learning about this disease, exploring preventative and treatment options, and developing a superior product. We want to arm the consumer with accurate information, then offer protection with peace of mind.”
I asked David what made his sunscreen better and this is what he had to say: “ I have zinc oxide as my active at 17%. I’m also using a “clear” zinc which was recently brought to market from Dow. It is not a nano particle, which is good, but they have been able to adjust the physical property of the particle so that it does not give you that white, pasty look that is common with similar products.”
Showing you how it looks when you first apply it right out of the tube.
See how light it looks?
See how you can’t tell I have applied it? This is the best sunscreen ever!
One SolarAegis tube contains 2.5 oz. SolarAegis is a broad spectrum UVA/UVB, SPF 30, all-natural, plant and mineral-based lotion that goes on clear and dry. It is non-greasy and nonstaining. Its special formulation is even great for darker skin tones, including African American and Latino, because it does not leave a white residue like many sun protection lotions.
Features:
• An all-natural, powder-based formula that rubs in dry with no greasy residue.
• No oxybenzone, octisalate, octinoxate or other chemical sunscreens.
• Will not stain clothing. • No white, pasty residue left on the skin.
• Moisturizers and Vitamin E to assist in repair of already damaged skin.
• Biodegradable formula.
• No animal testing.
More from David Crisp owner of SolarAegis.
There were a lot of things that came together to allow for the creation of SolarAegis. I got my first skin cancers six years ago, at the age of 35. Knowing I lived the better part of my youth unprotected from the sun I wasn’t too surprised at the possibility of this health issue, but my younger brother posed a compelling question: “You’ve been wearing sunscreen religiously for the last 15 years. How do you know your sunscreen isn’t contributing to the cancer? You’re rubbing those chemicals all over your body”.
This certainly made me think and I began researching sun health and the ins and outs of sunscreen. Amazingly, I found that sunscreen, from its beginning in the 1940’s, was created to prevent sunburn (caused by UVB rays). Americans wore sunscreen for the next 50 years thinking they were protected. Unfortunately, the products in the market weren’t protecting against UVA rays that penetrate deeper and are more active in causing skin cancer. The result is that we now have a cancer (skin) that is growing in numbers faster than all of the most publicized cancers combined, including, breast, lung and colon, respectively.
I had spent nearly 20 years working as an executive in the chemical industry. I knew products that went in to personal care and even food that had questionable track records. Could my brother be right? What’s the story? Who is watching the shop? It wasn’t the FDA. I set out on a mission to develop something I could wear every day. A product that would be safe and convenient and provide the best protection possible. I addressed all the key concerns with most sunscreens currently in the market. Thickness, greasiness, odor, harsh chemical active and inactive ingredients. Each of these got attention. The result was an all-natural formula with plant and mineral based ingredients. Rich in Vitamin E and other emollients to protect, nourish and moisturize the skin. All in a non-greasy, easy to apply lotion that has broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection. I can say it but you won’t understand until you try it.
This is something that can even go on under make-up in the morning.
(I started wearing it over my moisturizer and found it didn’t break me out!)
Remember back prior to the 1970’s when nobody wore a seatbelt? (I was living in Germany at the in the early 80’s and you wore a seatbelt, no questions asked and you got a ticket if you did not. When I got back to the US I still wore my seat belt because I was already used to doing it. I couldn’t understand why not, when it saves lives right?)
Now you get in a car and don’t even think about it. It’s part of your routine. This is my goal with SolarAegis. Everyday protection that you take pleasure in using. Lastly, we plan to release an all-natural baby product before summer starts.
How about a little science? There are two types of UV Filters!! David has given me so much information about sunscreen!! I am so glad I got to chat with David on the phone as well as be able to do this review.
Let me start by explaining that there are two types of UV filters. Chemical and mineral.
Chemical: These are chemicals synthetically produced for the purpose of filtering UV rays. They are large molecules and they are absorbed by the skin (this is why most sunscreen directions tell you to apply 30 minutes prior sun exposure). The UV light hits these molecules and there is a photochemical reaction between the molecule and the UV ray. The reaction “absorbs” the ray but, in turn, the molecule is broken down. Once the molecule it broken it can no longer be effective blocking more rays so it has a finite level of effectiveness.
Simply put, the chemical filter gets “used up”. This may be quicker or slower depending on UV intensity, time of exposure and level of physical activity. Reapplication is absolutely a must depending on the variables I just mentioned. The downside to these chemical filters is that when the molecules break down, they often generate free radicals which cause damage to the skin cells.
There are some camps that argue this damage can be just as hurtful as the UV rays you are trying to protect against. Additionally, because these products are absorbed by the skin, research is showing that they do have an affect on the function of the human body. Namely disrupting estrogen levels. There are also other concerns that are well documented but I won’t bore you with too many details.
Examples of these chemical UV filters are avobenzone, oxybenzone, para-amino benzoic acid (PABA), octyl salicylate, octinoxate, to name a few.
Mineral: These molecules exist naturally in the earth’s surface. They are solids (as opposed to the oily liquids mentioned above). These particles sit on top of the skin and actually reflect UV light. Because they reflect the UV and are not chemically reacting and breaking down, these particles don’t get “used up” like the chemical UV filters. They do not need to be reapplied for the simple reason that they aren’t going anywhere unless they are rubbed, washed or sweated off.
I will, however, give you my usual disclaimer and tell you that anytime you are swimming, sweating or exposed to intense sunlight, it is still best to reapply to assure adequate coverage and protection. The two mineral UV filters are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
SoarAregis Sunscreen tubes we are going to be giving away! Got 3!!
Now we are get to give away 3 tubes of this most amazing sunscreen! As well as Overall Beauty gets the great honor of starting to offer it soon at Overallbeauty.com
SolarAregis was given for review free of charge. We were not paid to say a word..
Posted by beautyqueen on February 26, 2010
I got very lucky and got to test out a new sulphate free and paraben free shampoo and conditioner by a company I had never heard of and now wish I had got to know of them sooner.
I was wandering the web looking for a sulphate free shampoo and found http://www.aunaturelayurveda.com/ Ever visit a place that the minute you are there it feels like a spa? Funny as this might sounds when I first visited http://www.aunaturelayurveda.com/ that is just what it felt like. I had just walked into a spa.
Now I am always looking for a better shampoo and conditioner for my baby fine blond hair. And many brands I have tried tend to weight down my hair and so when I try to curl it the curl doesn’t stay.
Well while visiting
Au Naturel Ayurveda website I saw they had sulphate free shampoos and I just had to try it out! I contacted the company who are based in New Jersey and they were kind enough to send me with my order of shampoo and conditioner a body moisturizer and bath salts all the scent I had chosen which was the Fresh. I love citrus!
Here is what the company says about their products they send me:
Fresh Citrus Hair Cleanser:
Fresh Citrus Hair Cleanser is gentle and mild . It is sulphate free and paraben free. It has got an uplifting, energizing citrus aroma. Helps to strengthen and nourish hair while cleaning and conditioning. Leaves hair shiny and manageable.
It has got an exclusive formula, which cleanses and repairs hair to its best. This gentle formula uses the calming distillates and essential oils. Glycerine, Vitamin B & E, Oat extract, Wheat protein, Jojoba oil and Rosehip oil enhance conditioning properties of this shampoo. It is fortified with vitamins and antioxidants .
It works to restore healthy hair. The ingredients in this hair cleanser helps your hair to stay strong, healthy, nourished, shiny and glistening and keeps it healthy. Enhanced with bio-nutrients that nourish, moisturize and improve scalp condition.
Natural, Vegan Certified, Artificial Color Free, Artificial Fragrance Free, SLS Free & Paraben Free.
Fresh Citrus Hair Conditioner:
Fresh Citrus Hair Conditioner has got a fresh uplifting citrus aroma. It has got the moisturizing properties of Rosehip oil, hydrolized Wheat, Vitamin B, kosher vegetable glycerin and distillates. Our conditioner makes hair shiny, bouncy, strong and healthy. The active ingredients in this conditioner leave the hair feeling smooth, shiny and lustrous without weighing it down. It is fortified with vitamins. It is blended with natural ingredients to create a wonderful conditioner that nourishes, strengthens and revitalizes hair. This conditioner makes your hair soft. It banishes tangles and leaves your hair easier to manage.
Natural, Vegan Certified, Artificial Color Free, Artificial Fragrance Free, SLS Free & Paraben Free.
Fresh Citrus Body Moisturizer:
Fresh Citrus Body Moisturizer comes in a lovely, sensual and intimate aroma. This body moisturizer has a delicious and energizing citrus aroma . Delightfully scented with fresh essential oils and therapeutic herbs, this exotic blend will repair and nourish the skin and helps to rebuild collagen levels. It revitalizes the skin and helps to promote a smoother and softer skin. It helps in maintaining a healthy, well moisturized , firm and amazingly toned. Formulated with Wheat protein, Jojoba oil , herbal extracts, aloe Vera, Rosehip oil, D Panthenol that leaves you feeling silky smooth. It nourishes, hydrates and rejuvenates your skin.
Suitable for all skin types especially dry and mature.
Natural, Vegan Certified, Artificial Color Free, Artificial Fragrance Free, SLS Free & Paraben Free.
Don’t know about you but have you ever tried a sulphate free shampoo?
The one issue that many run across is its doesn’t foam up like you think a shampoo should. The reason why is because it’s the sulphate is the major foaming agent. No sulphate you are just going to get less foam. BUT doesn’t mean your hair isn’t getting clean, just less foam. What you may not know is it’s the sulphate and paraben in your shampoo that while you are washing your hair it’s also stripping your hair of all its natural oils. So your hair is being damaged pretty much every time you wash your hair which is why using a sulphate free paraben shampoo is so much better for you’re the health of your hair.
Check out my article here about it: Are Sulfate-Free Shampoos Really Better for your Hair?
The conditioner left my hair feeling silky soft. And with lots of body! And there is just enough scent of citrus but not overwhelming like some can be.
The body moisturizer was a bit more runny than I like in a body lotion but makes up for it by being in a pump instead of a flip lid.
The whole product like was delightful and does deliver as promised as well is Vegan Certified. And you know there just isn’t enough good products for those who are vegan.
I am hoping in the future to be able to offer this brand of sulphate free shampoos, conditioners and body moisturizer’s. They have more types and scents available at their site.
Visit them today and get ready to have amazing hair!
Also I am giving away their bath salts!!
Adara Aromatic Bath Salt has a delicate, mesmerizing floral aroma. Au Naturel brings the purity and serenity of the Mountains in the form of Adara Aromatic Bath Salt. It has got immense relaxing , rejuvenating and therapeutic properties. Adara is authentic Ayurvedic , natural and holistic product.Adara Bath Salt is a pure, hand-mined salt that is derived from the foothills of the pristine mountains.This extraordinary, pure and rare salt has been a valuable commodity for centuries. It has got a rich mineral content that includes over 84 minerals and trace elements such as: calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and iron.
Overall I give their products a hands up! Visit their site and see if it feels like you are walking into a spa. Its calming, relaxing and beautiful. Love their products and I am so sure you will too!!
http://www.aunaturelayurveda.com/
(I paid for the shampoo and conditioner, company was kind enough to send me body moisturizer for reviewing. As well as the bath salts to give away for this review.)
Its in the mail for the WeBlogConference Swag Bags plus more!!
I don’t even have them yet!
Technorati rocks!
