Organic Makeup Girl

I’m immensely excited about this brand. Butter London Nail Polishes are Big 3 Free (no formaldehyde, no toluene, and no DBP) and non-toxic. That is not even the best part though, the formula is incredible: long-lasting, easy to apply, and a great, high-quality consistency. The color range is pretty nice too! My favorites are Trout Pout and Slapper. Although Butter London has been around for a bit, you can now purchase it at Sephora, which makes me quite happy.

It’s love. :)

Katie

Although this product is new, the concept of a cleansing conditioner is not. Wen and Hair One have preceded Ren. However, in my opinion, Renpure is the first company to get it right! A bottle of Wen will cost you about $35.oo. Hair One is about half that at $15.00. Ren is approximately $10.00 (on their website) but you can find it even cheaper at Harmon’s.

What is the allure with Ren?

• Renpure products are healthier for you and the earth.
• Ren is easy to use – pump the product out, massage it into your scalp, let it sit and rinse (does not require multiple steps like Wen and Hair One).
• You can use it as a leave-in conditioner or detangler in addition to using it as a shampoo/conditioner.
• Your hair is left amazingly soft, clean and shiny.
• Ren contains Keratin, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter.
• Ren comes in two scents: Rosemary Mint and Sweet Pomegranate. I have both in my shower and alternate between them.

Try Ren! Let me know what you think below. My experiences with Renpure as a brand have been awesome, and I’m excited to continue using their products.

-Katie

It’s Earth Day! Let’s talk about going green…and your beauty, makeup, and skincare product routine! So, how many different products do you use per day? Toothpaste? Sunscreen? Deodorant? Moisturizer? Shaving Cream? Shampoo? Conditioner? Body Wash? Hand sanitizer? Foundation? Powder? Bronzer?

I challenge you to tally up the number today. Now, think about the ingredients label for each product. Can you read all of the ingredients? If not, are you comfortable with applying those chemicals to your body? Since there is very little legislation protecting consumer health, when it comes to cosmetics and beauty products, it’s up to you to choose healthier options. It’s easier than you think and even committing to make small changes to your routine will have a great impact.

Organic products are better for you and for the earth! Here is a guide for going green with your makeup:

1. Commit to buying healthier beauty products

2. Discard old makeup and beauty products (Seriously, the eyeshadow you wore to prom? Needs to go…)

3. Enjoy the products you have and once they run out, replace them with greener versions

4. Purchase new products. Some of my favorite brands are Zoya, Josie Maran, Eco Tools , Lavanilla, LUSH, SpaRitual, Tarte, and Renpure.

5. Enjoy your new products and spread the word. Consumers can shape the cosmetic industry and change the landscape of it with the demand for healthier, greener products.

Quick fixes to help you get started:

• Pick up a healthy shampoo/conditioner, I recommend trying Renpure Organics
• Use a greener deodorant, I recommend Lavanilla or Tom’s
• Swap out your nailpolish for a Big 3 Free version (meaning free of Formaldehyde, Toluene or DBP), check out Zoya or SpaRitual
• Read this article from the Cosmetic Databse, Top Tips for Safer Products.

If you still need some convincing:

• Making small changes to your beauty routine will make a huge difference! Start out by using Big 3 Free nail polishes and avoiding products with fragrance.
• Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives. - Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Beauty products (makeup, fragrance, etc.) will make its way inside your body -whether it is by absorption through the skin (your largest organ) or inhalation.
• Chemicals found in beauty products have been linked to cancer, reproductive and respiratory concerns, and have been linked to other diseases.
• Visit the Cosmetic Database, type in the name of a product you use, and evaluate it. Your product will be given a rating on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the safest.

Happy Earth Day!

x0,

Katie

Nail polish is one of my favorite things. I love wearing it, putting it on, and looking at it (both on me and on others!). I love it on my fingers but also on my toes and I think it looks so pretty in the bottle. It is easy to travel with, can make an outfit pop, and is a reflection of personality.

I was really disappointed when I discovered how harmful conventional nail polish brands are (on the cosmetic database – http://organicmakeupgirl.com/cosmetic-consumers-read-me/). Some of my favorite brands that I have been wearing for years (like Essie) suddenly seemed off-limits and dangerous. Nail polish lost its appeal to me because I felt so guilty wearing it.

A little bit of research led me to Zoya. This brand really enables me to enjoy nail polish again! Zoya nail polish is free of formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl pthalate and camphor. The polish is also vegan-friendly. I like the fact that my nails can look pretty without compromising my health. :)

Zoya has an incredible range of colors to select from – each shade has an intensity rating (of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most opaque). In addition, each color has a color description, and information on the color family it belongs to, the finish (cream, frost or metallic), and tone (warm or cool). Zoya makes it really easy to find colors that work well with your skin (check out this youtube video on how to find the right color for your skin tone:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHPecpNYehc).

Right now, I am loving Zoya Elodie and Zoya Erin. I recently purchased Zoya Audrina, Zoya Sabrina and Zoya Kali (I am waiting for them to come in the mail!).

I get my Zoya nail polish at zoya.com, where each bottle is $7 (+shipping and handling). This is an awesome brand and I highly recommend purchasing their nail polish! :)

x0 Katie

Renpure again?!? Okay so this is not my first post about Renpure Organics. I have been a huge fan of this company & their products for a while, if you are interested in what I have said in the past check out these: http://organicmakeupgirl.com/review-renpure-organics/ & http://organicmakeupgirl.com/review-renpure-organics-volumizing-conditioner/.

Today I am going to talk about Renpure Organics Amazing Miracle Deep Penetrating Reconstructor. This product is a great deep conditioner! To use it: apply it after shampooing, wait (3-5 minutes) & rinse. The best part about Miracle Deep: it can be used daily! Many deep conditioners are too heavy to use daily but not this one. It is a great pick for co-washing because it is free of sulfates, parabens, colors & dyes, which is awesome. Additionally, the product is made with organic extracts. It is safe on color-treated hair as well.

In terms of consistency, the product is pretty thick. It smells awesome. Also, the conditioner was not tested on animals (it was actually tested on the family that produces it!) and it is made in the USA, which is awesome.

I bought my Renpure Miracle deep at Harmon’s (and there is actually a try it free rebate attached!) — give it a try if you are looking for a healthy deep conditioning option.

Katie x0

(4/5)

Exfoliation is too often associated with summer, spray tans and sand. Exfoliating can make your skin feel luxurious, even when it is cool outside! Tree Hut sugar body scrub is an amazing, accessible scrub that is used to exfoliate the skin. The main ingredient in this product is sugar and the scratchy substance is a fabulous exfoliator. The prodcut smells sweet and has an incredibly thick consistency which makes it easy to work with. To use Tree Hut sugar body scrub: scoop some into your palm, rub in circular motions on your body, and rinse. Follow up with a moisturizer to complete the  treat for your skin! :)

Exfoliating the skin will improve the overall appearance of it. Keep in mind, it is unnecessary to exfoliate every single day but it is beneficial to do it 1-2 times per week. Avoid exfoliating by the skin surrounding your eyes – it is too sensitive and will not respond favorably.

I have purchased Tree Hut Sugar Scrub repeatedly throughout the summer and now into the fall…it is a shower staple that everyone should try! There are no parabens in this product, and it is formulated with organic shea butter and brazilian nut oil.I use about 1 tub/month but at less than $6, it is a luxury that anyone can afford. And of course, I got it at Harmon’s.

x0

Katie

I am SO excited about this package! All of these things items arrived yesterday: 2 bath bombs (butterball and bon bomb), 1 stepping stone, 1 bath melt (you’ve been mangoed), 1 deodorant powder (coconut), 2 facial “tokens”, and 2 tiny soap samples. Although I have made countless trips to LUSH and have tried many of their products, all of these particular products were first time purchases. I will be sure to review each & give some tips on how to use them.

Lush products can be a bit pricey, for example, the bath bombs range from approximately $4 – $6, which is a lot considering they really do not last very long (1-2 baths). Since LUSH products are handmade and formulated with many natural ingredients, I think they are worth indulging in, at least every once in a while! :)

x0 Katie

Co-washing. What an unattractive name for a pleasant process! To put it simply, co-washing is washing your hair with conditioner. Typical shampoos contain chemicals that are harmful to your scalp and overall health. Approximately 60% of what you put on your skin (scalp, etc.) is absorbed by your body. When you shampoo, you are exposing yourself to chemicals. Most shampoos contain elements like petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates, artificial colors and fragrances.

Why do you put yourself at risk for health issues and other unfavorable outcomes by using shampoo? Well, I like to think that it is because you have been conditioned (hah, no pun intended) to think that you NEED shampoo to make your hair clean. False! The lather that your shampoo creates is not solely responsible for cleaning your hair. You actually help the cleansing process along by massaging your scalp and rubbing your hair between your fingers. So when you replace your shampoo with a conditioner, preferably an organic one, you will be making a great choice.

So the concept is simple and it is likely something that you will be able to experience for free. Start off co-washing by swearing off shampoo, at least give it a week or so. Use your current conditioner in the shower to wash your hair. Make sure you use the conditioner in the same way that you would a shampoo – massage it around your scalp and rinse it well. Follow up with more of the same conditioner. Let the product sit for a few minutes while you do whatever else you must while you are in the shower. Rinse with cool water and enjoy!

I love co-washing. I think you will too!

xo Katie

p.s. Renpure conditioners work really well with co-washing. : )

(5/5)

Renpure organics shampoo and conditioner was an impromptu purchase at Harmon’s recently. I am trying to reduce my dependence on shampoos and conditioners that are laden with parabens, sulfates and harmful chemicals. A series of bright bottles caught my eye and I was delighted to see organic in the title of the brand! I popped open the top – sometimes these products can smell too earthy for me – but I was pleasantly surprised & impressed with the summery, fruity scent. I purchased three bottles (they were thankfully on sale!). I use A LOT of conditioner, about 2x as much shampoo I use – so I purchased two conditioners and one shampoo.

The moisturizing shampoo had a catchy tagline – “my pretty hair is parched.” So I bought this & the matching conditioner. Both products are fabulous. The shampoo is moisturizing but does not leave any type of unwanted sheen/oil on the hair. I use it every other day. Additionally, it smells awesome! It is definitely a great pick for the summer. I have incredibly tangly hair and this conditioner does a good (not great) job of detangling but in the defense of Renpure Organics, I have yet to find a great, organic, detangling conditioner.

I also purchased body & shine “i love my hair” conditioner which seems to be VERY similar to the moisturizing conditioner. I truly notice little difference – both work well, smell great and leave the hair soft & .:sigh:. nourished.  : )

Check out this brand if you happen to come across it! Otherwise, check out their website: http://www.renpure.com/. Their section on chemical exposure is of particular interest to me & it might be informative and useful for you as well!

xo Katie

This lip balm smells so good! I love everything about it:

*USDA organic – always a plus ;)

*the scent – delicious but light

*the lip balm itself – incredibly moisturizing

*the packaging – easy to use and cute

I would definitely repurchase! I have tried several eos products in the past but this is a new favorite!

x0 Katie