Ipsy: January 2014

     Subscription beauty boxes seem to be all the rage right now. Everyone is seemingly anxious to get their hands on the latest and greatest in beauty and health and I am no exception to that. I was a Birchbox subscriber for upwards of 18 months and loved getting my box every month. Sadly, last month I cancelled my subscription with them (things were just getting a little redundant with them for me, not to say there weren't some gems over the months!). I caught on to Ipsy shortly before I cancelled Birchbox. Their reviews seemed really good, the products I've seen looked amazing and instead of coming in a little box ( and I did love those boxes, what crafts!!) they arrive in cute little "glam bag" (yes, a reusable little makeup-esque bag) instead cute mailing packaging.

 

 

 

 



Furthermore, Ipsy costs just the same as BB ($10/month). As soon as I got my first glam bag (which I was highly satisfied with) I logged on to the website and saw reviews from other subscribers. It was the general opinion that this bag wasn't  up to par with past bags. Being that I pretty much loved this bag I have tremendous hope for awesome things to come from future bags. So basically I'm saying, so far so good!!
Here's what I received this month:

 

 



*Mojito Lip Balm by Malin + Goetz
This lip balm is scientifically balanced to restore and replenish your lips. It's basically a lip gel that helps with daily maintenance, prevention and treatment of dry or irritated lips. It contains all natural ingredients and sensitive skin technology. In fact, all of their products (which you can view on their site, www.malinandgoetz.com) are based on the sensitive skin technology, the owners knowing themselves what it is like to suffer from a variety of skin issues. Everything is color free and paraben free, which is always a plus when it comes to skin especially. Using a small amount of the mojito lip balm gives an instant relief with a little bit of shine, where as using a more generous amount creates a glossy look, perfect for layering over lipstick! My husband and I both tried this and it truly does leave your lips feeling amaze!! A full size balm costs about $12.00, which is totally worth it when you look at the science behind the product and the story behind Malin + Goetz.


*Liquid Foundation by Yabby
I haven't tried any of the Yabby cosmetics so I was excited that this was included in my bag (and in my shade!!). It's said to give an "unbelievably natural" finish with a super smoothe texture. It is an oil free formula and the ingredient cyclomethicone is great for oily and/or sensitive skin. They claim that the foundation mimics skin's natural sheen to create flawless skin. Now, I have been experiencing with lots of different foundations, tinted moisturizers and BB creams as of lately (my skin is being a little unpredictable with this crazy east coast weather), and having tried this formula by Yabby I would have to say that it is on the top of my list. I liked the look of my skin after application and since a little goes a long way you can build your coverage, blend well and it's ultimately cost effective. A full size will run you about $14, which is quite comparable, if not more affordable, with other popular foundation choices. Check out www.yabycosmetics.com for more details and products.



*the POREfessional by Benefit
Being no stranger to Benefit and it's amazing line of products, this was certainly a pleasant surprise. I'm sure most of you have heard of the POREfessional by now, or at least seen it while skimming through a magazine. If you aren't familiar let me fill you in: this is a pro balm used to minimize the appearance of pores. It quickly minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines to create smooth skin (sort of in the way a primer would even the skin's surface). It can be applied under or over your makeup (I definitely prefer under). It's translucent in color, oil free, and complements ALL skin types. It also contains a Vitamin E derivative that protects skin from free radicals. Full size will be about $30, but I consider it to be worth the value, especially if you're dealing with visible pores. Check out Benefit at your local prestige cosmetics store, or online at www.benefitcosmetics.com



*Makeup Cleansing Towelettes by Absolute!
Like the subscription says, these are makeup cleansing towelettes. They carry the usual promise of clean, fresh feeling skin and so on and so forth. I did not get too excited about these to be honest. The scent of the ones I received were pomegranate; but to me it smelled just like flavored vodka when opening the package!! It removed all of my makeup just fine but I did not feel like my face was refreshed, it actually felt a little sticky to the touch. I'm a fan of wipes by LA Fresh, Say Yes To..., and even Maybelline Express.

*Balm Me Up Organic Sweet Cocoa & Tangy Body Balm by Balanced Guru
This body butter by Balanced Guru is meant to balance dry skin. It moisturizes without leaving a greasy feel and it smells absolutely lovely. It's great even for the elbows, knees and feet too. All ingredients are USDA certified organic and also contains essentials such as Cocoa Butter, Babassu Oil, Shea Butter, Sweet Orange Essential Oil, Lime Essential Oil, and Mandarin Essential Oil. This particular balm costs $30, but a lot of their other products are more modestly price. One thing I specifically love though is that this line is Cruelty Free and that makes me super happy. If you want to learn more about Balanced Guru and their line of products go to: www.balancedguru.com



I can't wait to see what Ipsy has in store for February! It's my birth month so hopefully the beauty gods will smile upon me ;)
It feels good to sit in bed, on the NEW laptop, typing and planning blogs and etc. I post a lot of beauty related topics, which was my original purpose in creating this blog, but I have lately been debating posting more personal stories about the adventures and obstacles both myself and the PR have been dealing with. I am just very cautious about my little personal bubble I suppose, although it does always feel good to vent, so to speak. I guess what I am ultimately getting at is that I don't want anyone thinking I'm shallow or materialistic, because if you knew me you would know I am far from any of those things. Just remember, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle", and isn't that the God's honest truth.

XO,
J.

Why We Buy Organic.

     So, apparently the concept of buying organic food has been of some debate, with the main argument being that there really isn't a significant difference in whether you buy USDA certified organic food or not. My husband was even one of these skeptics, that is, until I let him in on some of my personal research. I'm glad to say that he now stands behind our organic purchases, as well as the healthy eating lifestyle we're developing! I don't want to make this post into a big debate, I just want to share why I (we) choose to buy organic versus mass-marketed foods. If you find it insightful, great!

     It might be beneficial to actually talk about what "organic" means in this context...using the label of organic means that the farmer has grown and processed their produce, meat and dairy without the use of chemicals to fertilize, kill weed/insects or prevent disease. Natural approaches are instead used to tackle such tasks. The U.S. department of agriculture has three tiers of organic labeling.

1.    The green "USDA Organic" label (which is what we primarily look for)...this seal is placed on items that are certified 100% organic.
2. Any food labeled "organic" is usually around 95% organic, meaning that for the remaining percent of ingredients the farmer has used approved non-agricultural substances on the USDA approved list.
3. The third level basically consists of processed foods that may contain some organic ingredients, at least 70%. It is also important to note that just because a package says "hormone free", "free-range", or "all natural", this does not mean the item is organic!!

My husband and I do most of our shopping at Trader Joes, but of course there are countless number of options; ie...Whole Foods, for one.
     The main issue my husband bought up was that there was no significant difference in buying organic produce versus whatever else may be on the shelf. Well, conventional farmers who don't adhere to USDA organic standards and practices typically use pesticides. Now, peeling or washing fruits and vegetables may rid the produce of some of those pesticides, but by peeling the produce you are taking away significant nutrients and vitamins that are what's best for you. Take a peach for example: a peach has really soft skin. If a farmer is spraying pesticide or what not on the peach, the skin is soft enough to allow the pesticide to penetrate...so, your body is still taking in that pesticide. Why not save yourself from all that and pay the $1 or 2 more for the basket of organic peaches, that you know you can eat all of, allowing your body to soak in all those important nutrients. Also, if the pesticides and chemicals used by conventional farmers aren't "so bad", then why when we see these farmers spraying are they decked out head to toe in protective coverings, gas mask and all! That image is enough to steer me away from such produce. So, let me now just switch to bullet points to talk about a few other reasons we buy organic.

• Organic farmers are helping the environment by reducing pollution, and even by the conservation of water and soil.
• Although I already touched on pesticides, I want to readdress it again in terms of kids...children come into most of their pesticide exposure through eating fruits and vegetables that are not organic (and this is from a study by the Environmental Working Group). Personally, I don't want my nieces and nephews exposed like that, or my future babies! Further more, a 2005 study showed that sampled umbilical cord blood contained up to 21 different pesticides that crossed the placenta...Pregnant mamas...keep those babies safe as possible!!
• Organic foods contain no hydrogenated fat, which has been linked to heart disease! Organic= heart healthy!
• Not only does organic farming aid the environment but it is more animal friendly as no cages are used and animals are fed an all-natural diet. Now, this could be a whole second article/post for me. I was a vegetarian for a solid 2 years until I began researching organic and paleo diets. Now I don't eat red meat. But I have incorporated some organic chicken back into my diet until I can figure out just what my ultimate healthy eating plan is. I did notice that the occasional meal with organic chicken has given me that protein boost I need, as well as helping in jump starting weight loss, go figure.

     Those are some pretty valid point in my mind. A lot of people also argue that organic foods are more expensive. This is true, but 2 counterpoints come to mind: 1) you get what you pay for and 2) the extra money your spending finds its way back to organic farmers, who actually spend a lot of their own money to adhere to USDA organic standards and submit all the proper paperwork to be considered organic.
     If you live near stores that carry organic products I urge you to look for that little green label and do some research of your own. For us, the next best thing is a farmer's market (which we are lucky to have a few nearby). Buying from a farmer's market is your next best bet because you know the produce is coming from a local source, and sometimes the farmers are on hand so you can ask questions.
     It wasn't a hard switch for us to start buying organic, it just made sense to us. I make smoothies everyday with spinach, apples, coconut milk (all organic), which are great for detox and overall health!! I never thought my husband would drink a green smoothie, but he does!

I am still a novice, I guess you could say, when it comes to organic, so if you have links to any great resources post in the comments below. Or if you know of any great paleo information (that's my next endeavor...gotta eliminate that soy!).
Hope everyone is having a great October (my favorite month!)...My husband and I will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary at the Melting Pot in 10 days!!! So much to look forward to for us.
XO,
J.