You never have to be without lip balm again thanks to the ingenious invention from LiLu Lip Care! You know how it is, your lips look great as you walk out the door, but it doesn’t last. And those long-wearing lip-care products dry out your lips. So they created an innovative way to carry a small amount of […]
LiLu Lip Balm Sterling Silver Jewelry!
So, most of you know I’ve been on a mission to fix my “mysterious” health issues for years now. This year, I’ve really switched into high gear by adopting a paleo diet, and working with integrative doctors and health practitioners that are interesting in healing, rather than pushing pharmaceuticals (been there, done that, got the t-shirt…).
Western medicine is all about fixing you when you’re completely broken, while integrative or functional medicine is about healing you before you get to the broken place. I don’t want to sound like I’m anti-Western medicine. My sister is a doctor, and she helps SO many people. I take medications that have saved my life. Look – if I have a broken bone or an aneurysm in my brain, I am not going to an acupuncturist or herbalist – I’m going straight to Cedars Sinai to get help!
But that being said, there is a very wide range between “perfect health” and “diseased”, and that space can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Especially when you’re uber-sensitive like me. I’ve been on the Western medicine circuit – had a zillion blood tests, ultrasounds, stress tests, even an MRI, and they all said “you’re perfectly fine” (Well, one said I have fibromyalgia). So doc – why do I feel awful all the time?
The reason is that I have complaints that either can’t be fixed with a pill or they aren’t taught in medical school (and are generally seen as psychological problems – good article on this here). Or sometimes the pill makes the problem worse. A good example is when I told a doctor that I didn’t want to take Advil every day for migraines because I was worried about what it would do to my liver. He told me he could prescribe me a much higher dose of ibuprofen (generic for Advil). Great – thanks.
On the flip side, there are a lot of QUACKS and crazies out there in the “natural” or “alternative” medicine space. A LOT. So I keep my skepticism on level 11, and I look for practitioners who do a lot of research, and preferably ones who can measure results. Not everything can be measured of course, but I’d rather base my progress on test results and not just “a feeling” when possible.
So I was very intrigued when my friend Sophie Uliano raved about her “hormone guru” Candace Burch. Candace has a company called Your Hormone Balance, and she consults with women (and men) all over the world to help them get their hormones into balance. My personal feeling is that if you’re having health issues (especially unexplained ones) or you’re over the age of 35, you should probably get your hormones checked.
Candace says that hidden hormone imbalances can sabotage our health and cause a huge number of unwanted symptoms:
So, first you need to know what the symptoms of hormone balance are (more info on the Your Hormone Balance site). Then testing is the next step to detect specific imbalances and match them up to the symptoms you are experiencing.
The key hormones that Candace looks at are: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol (adrenals). This article is already way too long, so I won’t go into what each hormone does, and what the symptoms of an imbalance for each one are, but you can read all about that on Candace’s website. I highly recommend checking this out and doing more research to see if your symptoms match up.
Hormones can be tested via blood, urine or saliva. There is a lot of debate between Western and functional medicine tribes on which is better. Here’s an article on the pros and cons of blood tests, urine tests and saliva tests. Saliva testing is preferred by functional and integrative medicine practitioners, not only because it is non-invasive and pain free, but because test results tell us so much about the root cause of numerous hormonal woes.
In saliva, we are measuring free, unbound, bioavailable, or ACTIVE hormones that have left the blood stream to become activated in the cells of the body where hormones do their work. Capturing these hormone levels in saliva, as they move freely through salivary glands into the target cells of the body, we can pinpoint deficiencies, excesses and imbalances that match up with the specific symptoms we are experiencing.
In standard blood tests, free, active hormone levels are not measured. What is generally measured are hormones still “bound” to red blood cells and thus INACTIVE. So a blood test can’t tell us if we are making the right amount of hormones, or how well they are working for us at the cellular level. But that’s exactly what we need to know in order to determine if the symptoms we suffer from are hormone related.
According to this article, “About 95-99% of steroid hormones circulating in the bloodstream are bound to carrier proteins. Saliva contains unbound, bioavailable hormones. Therefore, salivary concentrations better represent circulating levels of free hormones, which are likely to affect the body and be responsible for symptoms related to excessive or deficient hormone levels.” This PubMed article explains more about the pros and cons of saliva testing for hormones. Candace has a great article about why she prefers saliva testing here.
And one more thing – saliva testing is known as the gold standard for checking adrenal (cortisol) function since standard blood draws using needles can provoke a stress response (because no one likes being pricked with a needle!) that falsely skews test results. Plus, it’s better to look at a graph of cortisol over the course of the day rather than just one point in time.
So, Candace sent me a saliva hormone test from Ayumetrix. I had to wait until a specific range of days of my cycle, and then I had to spit into a series of test tubes at specific times during the day. It’s not exactly fun to try to get enough saliva to fill up tubes throughout the course of a day, but it beats a blood test every time (I hate needles!). I put the saliva samples in the mail and then waited anxiously for my test results.
Finally after a few weeks or so, I got the results back, and scheduled a 50-minute session to go over them with Candace. Here’s what we found. I have:
After my call with Candace, she gave me a 50+ page action plan. Most of the lifestyle changes were ones I have already made this year – like adopting a paleo diet with wild-caught fish and grass fed meat, cutting out alcohol and sugar and artificial sweeteners, etc. She gave me several supplement recommendations, and the list below is what I ended up ordering. I will be trying these out in very low doses to start (because I’m a sensitive little flower lol!), and I’ll let you know what works for me.
I also ordered Aviva Romm M.D.’s book, Adrenal Thyroid Revolution on Candace’s recommendation. For the low testosterone, I’m going to make an attempt to lift weights more often (which I’m already doing but not as regularly as I’d like), without doing anything with very high intensity, because that can hurt my adrenals even more.
Candace tells me that SO many women ask her, “Why didn’t my doctor tell me about this?” Or, “Why did my doctor put me on synthetic hormones?” Women have been using bioidentical hormones in Europe for many years. I don’t know why the US is so slow to catch up on things like this, gut health, and even animal testing laws! The good news is that functional and integrative doctors are making progress, so I encourage you to find one. And if hormones are something you’re interested in testing, contact Candace at Your Hormone Balance and tell her Jen from My Beauty Bunny sent ya!
The post Are Your Hormones Keeping You From Losing Weight and Living Your Best Life? appeared first on My Beauty Bunny.
Becca Cosmetics has launched the limited edition Be A Light Face Palette $46 designed to achieve the perfect, most natural contour and highlight ever! If you’ve been afraid of contouring, these compacts make it a breeze with a highlighter, blush, blurring powder and contour. The palette even comes with a guide to show you the placement of […]
BECCA Cosmetics Be A Light Face Palette!
The heat wave here on the west coast is a killer. Last week every day last week was around 95° or more and this week we’re going to be in the triple digits every day. Here in the Pacific Northwest we are not used to the extreme heat–a lot of people don’t have air conditioning. […]
Question of the Week: What “super ingredient” in skincare are you most intrigued by? I’ve been using CBD or hemp oil for sleep and I’m interested in how it can help in skincare. My Beauty Bunny – found a store that sells cruelty free and vegan dupes of your favorite perfumes! Painted Ladies – Attention […]
The Lipstick League Talks Skincare!
Prime Beauty has been disappointed with celebrity skincare too often, so is Robin McGraw’s Revelation brand different? Find out! Rodin Olio Lusso Geranium & Orange Blossom Luxury Face Oil just received a rave review from Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog because it is lightweight, fast-absorbing and gives skin a gorgeous luminous glow. Furthermore, it is remarkably […]
Question of the Week: What “super ingredient” in skincare are you most intrigued by?
Right now, I’m most intrigued by CBD or hemp oil in skincare. For a long time now, I’ve been avoiding most oils at the suggestion of my acne coach. But I do realize that everyone is different and what works for one may not work for someone else (true in just about everything, right?). I’ve been reading that CBD or hemp oil has the capacity to turn off over-productive oil glands, while healing skin. So it could be useful for acneic, but dehydrated skin like mine.
So, I have been using Veggimins CBD Skin Serum for the past two weeks on the left side of my face only. I’m trying to be as scientific as possible with my test – not contaminating the right side with any CBD – only using my regular Emme Diane Hydraluxe Cream (that I KNOW won’t break me out) on that side. Side note – you can use code BUNNY10 if you want to save some cash on your Emme Diane products (which I rave about constantly for good reason). ANYWAY…the Veggimins CBD serum has hemp extract, and a mixture of other skin-healing oils: rosehip, argan, jojoba, sea buckthorn, geranium, frankincense, myrrh and rosemary. It’s not the best test for CBD alone since there are other oils, but…so far – no breakouts and my skin seems to be drinking it up!
The Lipstick League – week of 7.23.18
Please note that not all Lipstick League posts are cruelty free.
My Beauty Bunny – found a store that sells cruelty free and vegan dupes of your favorite perfumes!
Painted Ladies – Attention oily skin friends: Sheila from Painted Ladies has three mattifying primers (sans silicone) that will keep your makeup from sliding off your face. And for all budgets!
Phyrra – I’ve teamed up with two of my cruelty-free beauty BFFs, Jen & Emily, to bring you an Amazing Giveaway. One lucky follower will win $200 in CASH, plus a prize package of skincare and makeup worth $800!
Prime Beauty – If you like sparkling, fresh citrus scents for summer, I have a beautiful one for you; Skylar Capri. Read about this natural, cruelty-free company and their mission.
Realizing Beauty – A matte lip mousse? Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Check out Christa’s review of all 8 shades of the new Urban Decay Lo-Fi Lip Mousse!
we heart this – Facial hair; we all have it, we all hate it. We discovered the best way to get rid of it. It’s easy, it’s inexpensive, and it’s simple. Show your facial hair who’s boss!
Blushing Noir – We all love surprises, especially beauty related ones! Enter to win a HUGE surprise box of makeup and skincare to get you ready for Fall. Open Worldwide!
EauMG – I know I talk a lot about expensive perfumes (it’s not me! It’s the industry!), but today I’m sharing a “budget” perfume that smells like it costs at least double what retails for. See, you don’t have to spend a fortune to smell good.
(Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)
My Beauty Bunny is Currently Craving: the Becca Ultimate Coverage Longwear Concealer, because aren’t we all on the hunt for the perfect concealer?
The post I’m Intrigued by Veggimins CBD Skin Serum appeared first on My Beauty Bunny.
Hard Candy is a drugstore favorite here on Prime Beauty Blog. It’s hard not to love this affordable, bold, cruelty-free brand. Whenever I get a Hard Candy package, I can’t wait to open it up and give the new products a try. Just in time for National Lipstick Day, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on […]
New! Hard Candy Glitteratzi & Plumping Serum
This exclusive three-piece collection features two new CC+ complexion must-haves—one that’s your best-selling favorite, now in a matte finish, and one that’s your skin-perfecting powder— plus, a revolutionary brush for flawless application. While CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40 delivers full, natural-looking matte coverage, skincare and SPF 40 UVA/UVB broad-spectrum sunscreen, CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder with SPF […]
IT Cosmetics QVC Today’s Special Value!
This is only my second month with BoxyCharm and again I’m impressed! First, a little about the BoxyCharm Subscription. It costs $21/month but the value is much, much higher. You will get 5-6 beauty items each month that include nail care, skin care, makeup, haircare, fragrance and more with at least 4 of those items being […]
BoxyCharm Subscription Box for July!
I’m teaming up with fellow cruelty free bloggers, Phyrra, Emily Wolf Beauty and my cruelty free skincare guru Emme Diane to give one lucky follower $200 in CASH, plus a huge collection of cruelty free makeup and skincare worth $800! Total value of the prize is $1000!
Entering is super easy. All you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter below. You can enter up to 9 times using the optional entries listed, plus a daily tweet option. You can also gain unlimited friend referral entries (see my Instagram post for details).
Here’s what we’re giving away:
$200 Cash (via Paypal) (You can have a beauty shopping spree anywhere you like with this prize!)
Emme Diane – Consultation and Custom Skincare Regimen (up to $248 value) (Read my reviews – Emme is a gift from the heavens – my skin is clear for the first time in my adult life!)
2 Jouer Lip Cremes – Fraise Bonbon, Shibuya ($36) (OMG these are gorgeous – I wish I could keep them for myself!)
3 Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner Pencils – Roach, Demolition, Psychedelic Sister ($63)
2 Urban Decay Born to Run Vice Lipsticks – Ready?, Marfa ($36) (I’ve been obsessed with “Ready?” – check out my swatches and review here.)
1 Urban Decay Vice Lipstick – Ember ($18)
1 Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Eyeliner ($22)
1 Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($24) (A must have for any beauty fanatic.)
1 Urban Decay Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette ($49) (You know you want this one! Check out my review and swatches.)
1 Aether Beauty Rose Quartz Crystal Gemstone Palette ($58) (A gorgeous natural palette with mystic vibes.)
3 Charlotte Tilbury Color Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencils – Smoky Emerald, Amethyst Aphrodisiac ($54)
4 Pop Beauty Flashadows – Black Dazzle, Crushed Copper, Naked Glitz, Cosmic Confetti ($48) (Did you see the swatches of these in my Instagram stories? So pretty!)
2 EM Cosmetics Infinite Lip Clouds – Crimson Red, Faded Clementine ($32)
8 The Balm BalmJour Creamy Lip Stains – Hola, Konnichiwa, Salut, Aloha, Hello, Namaste, Ciao and Ni Hao ($112) (These are sooooo gorgeous!)
Total Value – $1000!
Enter via the Rafflecopter below (it may take a second to load). This giveaway is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram or Facebook. By entering, entrants confirm they are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s term of use. These makeup products are not Emme Diane approved as non-comedogenic or acne safe. US only. By entering, you agree to the official rules.
The post Huge Cruelty Free Makeup, Skincare and $200 Cash Giveaway! appeared first on My Beauty Bunny.
Lots and lots of skincare companies have a celebrity spokesperson. Many of these celebs are merely lend their face to the product. However, Robin McGraw, wife of talk show host Dr. Phil and founder and CEO of Robin McGraw Revelation® is more than a face to front a product line. She has worked closely with chemists for years and […]
Robin McGraw Revelation Skincare!
Skylar is a brand of natural perfumes that you can feel great about spritzing. What does ‘natural’ mean in regard to fragrance? Clean ingredients. Clean formulas. Hypoallergenic Scents. All Skylar Body products are comprised of natural ingredients as much as possible. They use real flowers, fruits, and botanicals in their perfumes so they smell smooth, natural, and refined. […]
Capri Natural Fragrance by Skylar Body
Someone in my Beauty Bunnies group on Facebook turned me on to this amazing perfume company in the UK that sells vegan and cruelty free perfume dupes! I’ve been so excited about this because the majority of the perfumes in drugstores, department stores and even Sephora and Ulta are NOT cruelty free.
Eden Perfumes has a huge collection of cruelty free perfumes, candles, aftershaves, and colognes. The perfumes are sorted by floral, fruity or oriental, and there’s a wide range in between these categories. You can even search for your favorite (non-cruelty-free) perfume and they will suggest a dupe!
Not only can you replace your favorite perfumes with animal-friendly fragrances, you can save some MAJOR cash because at £18 for 30ml, Eden Perfumes is very wallet-friendly as well! There is free shipping within the UK, and they do ship to other countries, including the US. The shipping is not cheap for us Americans (£20 is the price I saw for the US), BUT even with the exchange rate, that’s less than half the price of a perfume bought from a department store.
They didn’t have a match for Versace Bright Crystal Absolue (which I tried at Sephora and my fiancé LOVES on me), but they had the regular Bright Crystal as a dupe. They are using vegan, non-animal ingredients so the scent is not going to be exactly the same. You’d be surprised at the weird animal parts perfume houses use! I have a crazy strong sense of smell, so I can tell it’s not an exact match, but I think it’s harder for the average nose to suss out.
I REALLY like No. 475 which is a neroli based fragrance for men or women. It has top notes of bergamot (my fave!), orange, lemon, lavender, myrtle, rosemary, and bitter orange. Middle notes are African orange flower, jasmine, neroli, and pitosporum. Base notes are amber, ambrette and angelica. The citrus makes it a happy fragrance and the amber and jasmine make it sexy and warm. This one is a cruelty free and vegan dupe for Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford.
No. 413 is a really nice dupe for Poison Girl by Dior. It’s a sweet, caramel, oriental, vanilla scent. Top notes are bitter orange and lemon. Middle notes are rose and orange blossom. The base notes are gourmand – warm and heavier: tonka bean, sandalwood, vanilla, almond, tolu balsam, cashmere and heliotrope. It’s a mix of sexy and girly. I feel like it’s a great scent for someone in their mid-20s who has graduated from Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works, but still wants a girly scent.
No. 17 is a really great one for summer. It’s a fruity floral dupe of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. It has a fresh, clean lemony scent. Perfect for a hot day when you want to smell good but don’t want to wear something too heavy or warm.
No. 168 is great for the man in your life. It’s a woody aquatic men’s fragrance with top notes of grapefruit, sea notes and mandarin orange; middle notes of bay leaf and jasmine; and base notes of patchouli, oak moss, guaiac wood and labdanum. It’s a nice combo of sexy and clean. It’s a cruelty free dupe for Invictus by Paco Rabanne.
I think Eden Perfumes is such a great find since you can save money and save animals lives while smelling GOOD! Maybe I’ll be able to stop by their storefront when I’m in London for my honeymoon this fall! Have you tried this brand yet? If so, let me know which perfumes I should get in the comments below.
The post Vegan and Cruelty Free Perfume Dupes! appeared first on My Beauty Bunny.
Question of the Week: Spill it, what products do you use on your eyebrows? Since I’ve had my brows microbladed, I sometimes fill in with Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Pencil and I’m done! EauMG – It’s hot. It’s humid. I’m craving refreshing, citrus “eau de colognes”. And boy, have I found a real stand out […]
What Are Your Favorite Brow Products?
The Beauty Spotlight Team is excited to welcome a new member joining the group with her terrific beauty (and more) posts. Meet Kate of Kate Loves Makeup who is a 32 year old makeup lover from Texas. Besides having two dogs she adores Kate works full-time in Finance and Accounting and enjoys wine, photography, trashy […]
Question of the Week: Spill it, what products do you use on your eyebrows?
I’m pretty pick about my cruelty free eyebrow creams, pencils, brushes and liners. The more I try, the more I realize exactly what I like (and what I don’t like). For years I used Chella Eyebrow Cream in Tantalizing Taupe. I still use it from time to time, and I still think it has the best cool toned taupe shade for me. I also really like that it’s travel-friendly because the brush is attached. My only complaint is that the brush is a little wide, and it tends to get gummy with continued use, which makes it hard to get a really fine, straight line. I tried cleaning the brush without much success, so I find it’s best to just repurchase after the brush becomes unusable. So I’m still a fan of Chella but I don’t use it every day.
Then I tried the cult classic from the brow guru herself, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe. I really like the formula, I still use it, and her Brow Brush #12 is really nice. The pomade is easy to apply, and it’s easy to get a nice straight line around the edges of the brow. It doesn’t budge and smear all over the place. The only issue I have is that the colors tend to be on the warmer side and I prefer a cooler med-dark taupe. The Anastasia taupe is on the lighter side. Maybe I need to try Ash Brown instead? It may be too dark, but I will probably buy that one and give it a try.
Kat Von D Brow Pomade Swatches – Taupe, Medium Brown and Dark Brown
Kat Von D Browstruck Dimension Brow Powder Swatches – Taupe, Medium Brown and Dark Brown
Kat Von D Signature Brow Pencil Swatches – Taupe Medium Brown and Walnut
I recently received samples of the new cruelty free and vegan Kat Von D eyebrow products. I am in love with the Kat Von D 24-Hour Super Brow Long-Wear Pomade. The pomade is great – very similar to the Anastasia Dipbrow formula actually. It doesn’t smudge (great for oily skin or humid climates) and it goes on easily. The main reason I like this one the most is that it comes in every color imaginable! Not only do they have great cool toned browns, they have colors to match every type of fantasy hair shade, like pink, purple, blue, green, bright red, etc. The color that I’ve been using is Medium Brown (the browns tend to be quite dark), but it actually may be a little dark for me. It’s best when I pair it with a lighter shade of the pomade or one of the Kat Von D Signature Brow Precision Pencils or the Browstruck Dimension Powder for the inner part of the brow closer to my nose.
I also really love the Kat Von D eyebrow brushes. There are two synthetic (vegan and cruelty free) brushes – the #70 Pomade Brow Brush, which has a thin, firm, angled tip, and the #75 Powder Brow Brush, which has bristles that are spaced out like a comb to fill and shape – meant to be used with the powder, but I like to use it with the pomade too.
The Lipstick League – week of 7.16.18
Please note that not all Lipstick League posts are cruelty free.
EauMG – It’s hot. It’s humid. I’m craving refreshing, citrus “eau de colognes”. And boy, have I found a real stand out in the genre with this one from Mugler!
My Beauty Bunny – has a review and swatches of the Urban Decay Born to Run summer makeup collection – including eyeshadow, lipsticks and eyeliners!
Painted Ladies – Deck Of Scarlet Edition 9 was designed by Brit blogger Belle Jorden and the results are stunning. Sheila has swatches and a makeup look featuring this awesome makeup subscription service.
Phyrra – Thinking about taking a trip? Make sure you check out my Vacation Essentials to Make Your Trip Better. You’ll want to pack these for your next trip!
Prime Beauty – Tired of fighting the frizz? Prime Beauty has a variety of Shea Moisture Hair Care products than can help tame the summer frizzies.
Slashed Beauty – Curious about the Instagram-famous beauty brand, Karity? See swatches of the Karity 21 Shadow Palette in Matte and you’ll see why they’re trending!
we heart this – We have found a new entry into the Lip Balm Hall of Fame. Part balm, part cream, and we are ALL obsessed.
Beautygeeks – is giving away THREE collections of cruelty- and gluten-free hairstyling products (value $130) from buzz-y brand Design.Me, and is especially chuffed because the giveaway is open to readers in the USA as well as Canada.
Blushing Noir – Fall is one of the best times for makeup collection releases and the NARS 7 Deadly Sins Audacious Lipstick Palette is just the first of many that will have you drooling!
(Wondering what the Lipstick League is? Find out here.)
EauMG is Currently Craving: I thought I was a strong woman that could avoid buying another highlighting palette this year. Well, I’m not. Who can resist the beauty of Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Skinlighting Trio?! It’s absolutely stunning.
The post Cruelty Free Products for Selfie-Ready Eyebrows appeared first on My Beauty Bunny.
I’m a little late to the party on this one because many of you have already seen this gorgeous Born to Run summer makeup collection from Urban Decay. But there are some gems in this collection, and I didn’t want to let it slip by without showing you some swatches and letting you know what I think!
Let’s start with the Born to Run eyeshadow palette. The idea behind this new Urban Decay palette is obviously “summer” and “travel”, and I’ve been having a bit of wanderlust myself lately, so I’m already on board with the cute travel-themed packaging. But beyond that concept, the palette was designed to be an all-in-one, something you can take on a trip without having to pack multiple palettes. There is a mix of warm and cool tones, some earthy tones and some brights. There’s a mix of shimmers and mattes, which is a must for a palette that is going on vacation with me. The only complaint I have is that I’d like to see fewer of these bright orangey earth tone shades. I LOVE copper shades but for some reason the super orange brights are not great for me. I know they are super popular right now, but I feel like I have too many of them, and they can look clownish or muddy on my super pale olive skin tone. If there were a few darker browns in here, I’d be happy. Overall, I really like this palette, and I’m really impressed that there are fun colors mixed in – like purples, pinks, blues and even a mermaid turquoise shimmer.
The eyeshadow shades:
There are three Vice lipsticks in the UR Born to Run collection: 66, Ready?, and Marfa. 66 is my favorite -a rich mauve-nude matte. You really can’t go wrong with a cool toned mauve pink like this. Ready? is a bright rose metallized sparkle which is fine on it’s own for a barely there makeup look, or as a topper with another lipstick. And Marfa is a dark berry matte with pink micro shimmer.
There’s also a travel sized version of the All Nighter Setting Spray in the collection, which I’m actually pretty excited about! I plan to take it to Scotland with me for my wedding this fall, so I can make sure my makeup stays ALL night! It’s oil free and paraben free.
And last but not least, there are three new 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils to match up with the Born to Run eyeshadow palette: Lucky (metallic burnt orange), Double Life (reddish brown copper metallic), and Overdrive (emerald metallic green) and. These are really pretty, super wearable, and waterproof!
The post Urban Decay Born to Run Collection Swatches and Review appeared first on My Beauty Bunny.
When summer days are hot, there is nothing quite so wonderful as something cold and refreshing to drink. Unfortunately, many of those cold and refreshing drinks people love are also unhealthy. Most sodas are a mess of chemicals and sugar and even “koolaid-type” drinks are, at best, empty calories.
This wonderful list of Fruity and Refreshing Summer Beverages is here to help! I found some really great recipes that featuring natural ingredients that will provide you and your family with delicious things to drink all summer long. And there’s a lot of variety here, to suit a wide range of tastes.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with some Passion Fruit Meyer Lemonade. Or cool off with some amazing Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte. You can even whip up some Homemade All-Natural Sports Drink that will beat anything you find in the store.
You can obviously tweak these recipes to be vegan, paleo, AIP, keto, or whatever diet you’re on. Don’t go overboard with the sugar and the quantity and these can be healthy treats!
The best part is that beverages made from fresh ingredients taste so much better than the artificial stuff. Healthy and delicious – what could be better than that?
1. Strawberry Lime Cucumber Mint Spa Water – Wholefully
2. Calamansi Juice Filipino Lemonade – The Little Epicurean
3. Pasionfruit Meyer Lemonade – Love and Olive Oil
4. Sugar Free Kool Aid – Sugar-Free Mom
5. Non Alcoholic Sangria Recipe – The Idea Room
6. Herbal Ice Cubes and Fruit Herb Drinks – Shrimp Salad Circus
7. Natural Sports Drink with Electrolytes – Five Heart Home
8. Passionfruit Lemonade Recipe – Baking Bites
9. Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte Recipe – Pinch of Yum
10. Simple DIY Grapefruit Soda – Wholefully
11. Sparkling Key Lime Fruit Punch Recipe – Inside Bru Crew Life
12. Passion Fruit Bubble Tea Recipe – Love and Olive Oil
13. Rainbow Citrus Infused Water – The Pretty Bee
14. Mango Iced Tea – Flour On My Face
15. Fruity Blender Punch Recipe – Shaken Together Life
16. Cherry Mint Infused Water Recipe – Little House Living
17. Watermelon Dragonfruit Smoothie Recipe – Happiness is Homemade
18. Strawberry Mango Agua Fresca – Dinner At the Zoo
19. Strawberry Soda – Five Heart Home
20. Tamarind Lime Lemonade Mocktail Recipe – Vegan Lovlie
21. Minty Peach Tea – Five Heart Home
22. Fruit and Herb Lemonade – Love and Olive Oil
23. Raspberry Limeade – Foodie Misadventures
24. Easy Fruity Pink Lemonade – Flour On My Face
25. Lime Mint Frozen Drink Recipe – Delineate Your Dwelling
26. Lavender Lemonade Slush Recipe – Horses and Heels
In a rush? Don’t want to make your own summer drinks? Here are a couple of healthy drinks I recommend right from the shelf! Aloe Detox Water and Steaz Prickly Pear with Green Tea.
The post Fruity and Refreshing Summer Beverage Ideas appeared first on My Beauty Bunny.
When you grow up in Florida, like I did, you come to accept life with frizzy hair. It’s an unfortunate reality of the humid climate. I can remember so many days of styling my hair, only to have it turn into a giant frizz ball. And only within a few minutes of being outside. […]
Shea Moisture Frizz Defense Collection
Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of people mention the pros and cons of CBD. I know it’s still a little controversial because it comes from the cannabis plant, but I’ve heard many people claim it can be a highly safe and effective treatment for certain health conditions. If you’ve been wondering how CBD (cannabidiol) works and whether it’s right for you, keep reading to find out what I’ve learned about using CBD oil.
For starters, CBD is the common name for cannabidiol. When everyone is mentioning this phrase, what they are really describing is a type of phytocannabinoid compound that naturally occurs when the marijuana plant is grown. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other compounds in marijuana, cannabidiol is not psychoactive or intoxicating. This means that it does not alter behavior, mood, cognition, or perception when it is consumed. You can still do normal things like go to work or cook dinner while using CBD oil. It’s about as relaxing as a glass of wine, but you do not have to worry about mental impairment!
First of all, I’m not a health care professional – let’s just get that out of the way! I have done some research on CBD but please do your homework and talk to your doctor, functional medicine doctor or other health care provider before deciding if CBD is right for you. When I first heard about cannabidiol, I was curious to know why so many people have been raving about it. I’ve been told that CBD works by using receptors throughout the body to create homeostasis, meaning a sense of balance. For example, if you are anxious, it may help you calm down and return to a more normal state. Here are a few of the many ways that I have found cannabidiol can be used to treat health issues.
One of the first ways that we became aware of cannabidiol was a few years back when people were suggesting that one variant could be used for kids with epilepsy. It is true that cannabidiol is one of the most effective means for treating the brain seizures that happen with epilepsy and other illnesses. Doctors who are researching it have found that it can reduce the frequency of seizures more than other medications, and it also has fewer side effects than traditional forms of medication. The compound helps to block seizures because it dampens and blocks brain receptors from absorbing other chemicals that could trigger a seizure. Because of these benefits, the FDA approved Epidiolex, which is the very first marijuana based drug as a form of medical treatment, in June of 2018. It is specifically used to treat a couple types of childhood epilepsy, but even adults with epilepsy say cannabidiol is a huge help.
Another one of the most helpful uses for cannabidiol that I’ve read about is dealing with all sorts of nasty types of chronic pain. People have long used marijuana for its pain relieving qualities. For example, Queen Victoria was prescribed marijuana for her menstrual cramps back in the day! Cannabidiol could be great for pain relief because it allows people to get the benefits of pain relief without having to load up on Tylenol or NSAIDs, but from what I’ve read, it seems to only work when THC is in the mix. A CBD/THC combo could potentially be helpful for things like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, heavy menstrual cramps, Crohn’s disease, chronic migraines, and more. I personally haven’t had much luck trying CBD only (without THC), but I know many people who swear by CBD topical muscle rubs or tinctures for pain.
If you’ve been dealing with anxiety or depression, cannabidiol can help. Some say it creates a slightly relaxing and uplifting effect that helps to smooth away the constant negative thoughts associated with these mental disorders. It may also help you sleep. Cannabidiol can be a great way to help people find balance, deal with stress and cope with social anxiety. I personally noticed that CBD gives me a bit of relaxation along with a slightly fuzzy brain. Most of the people I have talked to who use CBD for anxiety don’t get the brain fog reaction that I get. I always have weird reactions to everything and I’m super sensitive so I hope you’ll try it for yourself and let me know what you think. My good friend and fellow cruelty free blogger, Courtney, from Phyrra.net swears by her CBD tincture for anxiety!
Over the past few years, research has found that those who smoke marijuana have a much lower inflammation level, despite the risks associated with smoking anything. It turns out that the reason marijuana could help to reduce inflammation is actually from cannabidiol. The medication activates certain receptors in the brain and halts overall levels of inflammation. Since inflammation worsens problems like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and other autoimmune disorders, cannabidiol may be very effective for people with autoimmune disorders. It may help to reduce the severity of symptoms and keep flare ups from happening. Doctors are just starting to study the anti-inflammatory effects, but they definitely seem promising! CBD is also found to have brain-protective, antioxidant properties. I don’t recommend smoking because that has its own health issues. You can use an oil tincture under the tongue, an edible, or try vaping (which has its drawbacks too but also lets you absorb a lot more CBD than other methods).
There has been a lot of interest in CBD and hemp seed oil in skincare recently. Some say it helps to lower inflammation in skin, helps the life cycle of basal cells in your skin, act as an extremely powerful antioxidant, and even help with acne (lowering oil production and acting an an antibacterial). I was under the impression that hemp oil was a pore clogging ingredient, but now my interest is piqued, so I’ll try some CBD skin serums out and report back!
Some people think that cannabidiol can cause weight gain because they picture the stereotypical stoner wolfing down a bag of chips when they have the munchies. However, you may be surprised to learn that the appetite stimulating effect of marijuana is actually from THC. In fact, one of the few side effects of cannabidiol is that it may cause a reduced appetite. Studies have found that those who use cannabidiol are far less less likely to suffer from metabolic disorders that cause obesity. Cannabidiol may help with controlling metabolic disorders because it MAY lower the levels of fasting insulin and regulate the system that decides where fat will be stored. There’s a study in the American Journal of Medicine here, but remember – correlation is not the same as causation!
I haven’t experimented with CBD enough to know if this is true for me, but if you have, please let me know in the comments below! Also important to note – marijuana smoke has an estrogenic component that can mess with your hormones (and not great for weight loss or acne in my experience), but CBD and THC themselves don’t seem to be estrogenic in normal doses (yay!). CBD may also help with intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and other gastrointestinal problems but there’s not much research done in this area yet.
All of the benefits of cannabidiol might sound great, but I’ll admit I was a bit worried about the potential legality. The exact legal nature of cannabidiol changes depending on where you are. In the United States, it is still a schedule 1 drug that is illegal under federal law. However, people interested in using cannabidiol should keep in mind that states can set up laws that may not always agree with federal law. Therefore, 30 states allow the use of cannabis products, including cannabidiol, for medical conditions. In addition to those 30 states, 16 more states have allowed people with medical problems to use cannabidiol even though other forms of marijuana are not legalized. The only four areas where you cannot get any cannabidiol products legally (currently) are Idaho, South Dakota, Kansas, and Nebraska.
Just like the legality of cannabidiol, your ability to actually purchase the product will change depending on where you live. If you live in one of the eight states where cannabis products can be purchased without a prescription, all you need to do is find a shop to buy it in. If you live in one of the 38 states where only medicalized versions of cannabidiol are allowed, you will need to check out the law to see if you have a condition that legally qualifies you for medical cannabidiol. You will then need to visit a doctor and get a prescription. Once you have the prescription, you can visit a dispensary to get cannabidiol. Most CBD retailers ship to all 50 states, and I don’t see anyone getting locked up for CBD, but always check your state laws before you order CBD online.
The exact amount of cannabidiol you take may vary, and you should always follow your doctor’s orders. However, the average standard dosage is 25 milligrams twice a day. I’d suggest keeping it low for the first few times, or you might find yourself feeling way too relaxed at first! The medicine is normally sold as either a paste or a tincture. Patients typically take it orally by applying the correct amount under the tongue, letting it absorb in the mouth, and then swallowing. It can also be taken orally as a pill or an ingredient in a piece of food. There are all sorts of yummy candies, cookies, and fudges made with cannabidiol.
If that’s not the type of thing you’re interested in, there are other ways to get cannabidiol into the system besides swallowing it. It can be turned into a liquid that can be used in a vaporizer or inhaler, and it can also be turned into a cream that you can smooth onto your skin. There’s even some unusual products like cannabidiol laced tampons for cramps. If you are interested in using cannabidiol, you will find that there are countless ways to take it!
Okay so where should you get your CBD? You may need to find a dispensary, or you may be able to buy it online. I recommend looking for organic CBD because the cannabis plant can absorb poisons from the soil easily. Note that some companies use organic plants, but they haven’t gone through the process to certify it, which to me, is acceptable (sort of like when a brand is cruelty free but not Leaping Bunny certified), but it may not be acceptable for you. So do your homework and ask questions! And I’ve also been told it’s useful to look for a full spectrum CBD. Full spectrum means that an oil or product contains all of the cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant in nature, rather than just CBD. Full spectrum products are associated with the “entourage effect” – this refers to the increased effectiveness of these products due to the different cannabinoids working synergistically.
Here are some CBD companies I have tested out myself, and can recommend. None of these have paid to be included in this article. Samples were sent to me to review.
Extract Labs– Full spectrum CBD tincture, CBD vape juice, CBD massage cream, shatter, crumble
Extract Labs ships to all 50 states and almost every country worldwide. Their CBD products comes in lots of fun flavors, and they have muscle and body creams with infused CBD as well. Their facilities are registered with the FDA and licensed with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Every bottle that leaves their lab has a full set of 3rd-party Certificates of Analysis associated with it that is available online. Each set of testing for ingestible and vape products includes a separate analysis for the cannabinoid profile, potential microbial life, mold, heavy metals, residual solvents, and pesticides/herbicides/insecticides. Most companies only provide an in-house pass/fail sheet, but Extract Labs publishes each batch online for anyone to review. Follow Extract Labs on Instagram.
Windy City Organics– Veggimins CBD chocolate bars, CBD chocolate hearts, CBD skin serum, CBD for pets
Windy City Organics products are made in small batches with great attention to detail. Their entire facility is strictly free of gluten, dairy, corn, soy and GMOs, and they have some really delicious vegan (dairy free) and paleo CBD chocolate hearts and bars, as well as a CBD skin serum that is made with pure hemp CBD. Organic hemp, sea buckthorn, rosehip, argan, raspberry seed, and exotic marula fruit oils work to boost hydration, improve elasticity and replenish the skin with a bounty of essential fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and E, carotenes, and flavonoids. I’m also really into their paleo, vegan chocolate, bars and nut probiotic products! Follow Windy City Organics on Instagram.
CBD Oil from a Non-Cannabis Source– Real Scientific Humulus Oil (RSHO-K) is made with a non-cannabis source of CBD, so there are no trace amounts of THC at all. Less than a decade ago, a team of doctors and scientists discovered an alternative source of CBD in the jungles of India. Then, they selectively bred the plants to create a potent CBD oil extract. The main ingredient is considered GRAS – generally regarded as safe – by the FDA.
Diamond CBD – Full spectrum CBD oil tincture, CBD massage cream, CBD edibles
Diamond CBD has an online shop with every kind of CBD you could want from full spectrum oils to massage creams and edibles. Their team is made up of doctors and scientists and they are dedicated to producing quality CBD products. Their products are carefully monitored throughout the production process, and include 100% natural, lab tested, CBD extracts. They would like to offer My Beauty Bunny readers 50% off – just use coupon code IG50.
If you’ve tried any type of CBD, I’d love to hear your experience – either good or bad! Let me know in the comments below.
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