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Janine’s Morning Skin And Hair Routine… Exposed!

Posted by Community Content on May 1, 2013  

We’ve been talking a lot about eczema this past week, and Janine here is no stranger to it. In this great routine, she talks about keeping it at bay in sunny Miami, her love of Yarok, and a surprising reaction she had to… argan oil! Enjoy!
Name: Janine
Age: 25
Hometown: Miami
Profession: Sales for a wonderful eyewear brand while I go to school for massage therapy
Weather: Humid and warm
Skin: Olive toned, tan easily. I get the one guaranteed pimple a month during my period, but other than that I am pretty clear. I used to have combo skin with a good amount of blemishes and dry spots, but once I eliminated cleansers and soaps from my face, my skin has never been better. I have had eczema since I was 9, and the only thing that keeps it at bay is an ultra-moisturized and minimalist beauty regime. I got into a routine when I was 15 to use Dr. Bronners and natural body oils and have pretty much kept it that way for the last 10 years. However, after a gnarly allergic reaction to argan oil a few weeks ago (I slathered the stuff all over my face without patch testing it first), my eczema is back at full force and even my minimal routine has proven ineffective. So it has been tough to try to deal with my eczema when there is nothing much else to remove. It’s been getting better now that I have time to get some sun for 15 minutes a day at the beach during my lunch break (I work 1 block away from beach access!), and have eliminated soap from my routine, and gluten and dairy from my diet (and added lots of Vitamin D and Omegas).
Hair: Super dark, thick and wavy. Ever since the flare up, I’ve had some bad dandruff that I treat with this awesome homemade hair mask that I read on Yarok’s website. I never style it, as it dries wavy with no frizz. It’s an absolute dream, and its probably 40% genes, 60% Yarok shampoo. I will never change from that shampoo. Ever since you wrote it up a few months ago, I knew I had to try it and I instantly fell in love.
Star: Penelope Cruz
Before the shower…

I dry brush my entire body, taking the time to focus on my joints and always brushing towards my heart. I then do the Ayurvedic body massage that you so highly recommended and also take the time to focus on myself and have a few minutes of relaxation and meditation in the morning. I usually just use straight avocado, almond or coconut oil. I might add a few essential oil drops, but usually I leave it out. This is my time to focus on gratitude and acceptance for the body I have and I make it a point to tell myself that my knees are beautiful and my inner thighs couldn’t be more perfect. I think this has been really important for me and I have noticed an impact in the way I view myself on a regular basis since I started.
In the shower…

I try to save as much water as I can, and since most of my grooming takes place outside of the shower (including my hair removal with the use of an epilator), I just rinse off some of the oil, do some more massaging (I love massage!), and make sure i’m cleaning the bits that need a bit more attention and wet my hair. I use shampoo in my hair about twice a week with Yarok Shampoo. I know it’s pricey, but it is the best shampoo I have ever used in my life. And I believe in spoiling my hair, so a $50 shampoo that lasts me 4 months is worth it. And it is the only one that doesn’t cause me to itch (and it smells sooooo good).  I’ll wash my face with honey and maybe add in some sugar if I want a scrub. I always brush my teeth in the shower (which I’ve been told is a strange thing to do?) and will use Jason’s SLS-free toothpaste while I let the shampoo sink in. With this shampoo, there is no need for conditioner, even with my long thick hair, because of the softening seaweed in it. Usually my showers last less than a few minutes.
Outside the shower…

I pat dry my skin and am rarely ever oily, but am super moisturized, just the way I like it! I then use Egyptian Magic to moisturize my face, keeping my hair back in a bun until it sinks in. I hardly ever use deodorant, unless I know its going to be a long or activity-intensive day, then I will splash on some diluted tea tree oil and I’m good to go for hours.
Finishing touches…

I only wear kohl eyeliner. I started using a clean one by Daliia and it is fantastic! I’ve used dirty ones in the past that made my eyelids itch and my eyes dry, but this one is solid gold. It stays on pretty well throughout the day and will need only a touch-up if I end up going out at night.
In general I drink A LOT of water, as I’ve noticed a difference in my skin if I slack off. I also eat a vegan, gluten-free diet (minus the honey, obviously) high in fats. So lots of coconut oil (smoothies!), avocados, nuts, etc. I am confident that I will kick my eczema into submission with happy thoughts, water and lots of oil!
We believe too! Thanks for sharing.

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Alicia’s Morning Skin and Hair Routine… Exposed!

Posted by Community Content on February 13, 2013  

Meet Alicia, a young mom who keeps her routine clean and simple! We love it.

Name: Alicia

Age: 29

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Current Weather: Cool one day, hot the next – humid

Hair: Just past the shoulders, wavy, fine

Skin: Fair, Combination

Favorite Actress: ‪Ava Gardner

Working mother, and almost 30!

Before I had my daughter I had no idea that there were clean products out there because I didn’t know my products were dirty! After reading No More Dirty Looks, I really started to change things up for my 6 year old daughter as well as myself.  (I’ve even got my husband to change a few things)

In my teens I had acne and have some scaring on my temples. After I had my daughter it all seemed to just clear up on its own.  I will have a few break outs here and there but nothing like the past.  I love Hylunia’s Grape Seed Exfoliating Scrub. I used it once and week and it makes my skin feel great! I am also a fan of pretty much anything Badger.  Ok, on to the routine!

In the shower…

I normally only wash my hair once a week and when I do I use Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell shampoo and conditioner.  I wash my parts with Dr. Bronner’s sometimes lavender other times citrus.  When I need to shave I use coconut oil and wash my face with Hylunia Cleansing Lotion.  Sometimes I use Jane Iredale’s Magic Mitt to clean my face if I am in a hurry.

Out of the shower…

I spritz my face with Hylunia Colloidal Silver Spray and apply their day lotion.  I then rub my entire body down with grape seed oil + sweet orange. After that I take my hair out of the towel and put a drop of the grape seed oil then about half a pump of Dr. Bronner’s Coconut Lavender Hair Cream.  I am sorry to say that I dry my hair on a low heat setting because if not it’s just out of control.  Oh, and I brushed my teeth at some point with some type of Tom’s toothpaste.

Finishing touches…

I use baking soda on my pits. Then apply Iredale Pressed Powder in Bisque, Jane Iredale Blush, Physicians Formula Organics mascara, and sometimes I fill in my eyebrows a bit with Silk Naturals Brown Cream.  I use Acure Organics Lip Balm occasionally, if I remember.

Then, it’s time to wake up my daughter, wait for her to get dressed (this can take a while), fix her hair, and help her get ready for her day. (She loves Badger Body Oil when her eczema is bothering her)

Well that’s it!

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Annette’s Morning Skin and Hair Routine… Exposed!

Posted by Community Content on February 6, 2013  

Thank you thank you! After last week’s post, we got a bunch of submissions from a variety of wonderful women. Don’t forget to send yours if you haven’t yet! Today meet Annette: She hates to shower, which kind of makes us love her. Enjoy her awesome routine!

Name:  Annette

Age:  49

Hometown:  Manteca, CA

Current weather:  Sunny, cold (for CA)

Hair: Chin length, colored, fine and wavy

Skin:  Fair, freckled, “mature”

Favorite celebrity:  Lauren Hutton.  She just gets more badass the older she gets.

In the shower…

Full disclosure. I hate to shower. It takes too much time out of the morning; time I would rather be doing other things before I have to get to work. The warm water makes me itchy and my face gets flushed.  I don’t sweat much and I’m not very hairy (thanks to getting rid of toxic products, I believe).  Instead, I do what my mom calls a “bird bath.”  I clean the pits, bits, and feet, dry brush the rest and apply oil.  It’s Diva Wash on the bits and Whole Foods olive oil soap for the pits and feet. I use Tom’s deodorant.  I will hop in the shower on the weekend or if I don’t have to work so as not to freak out the hubby.

I wash my hair a couple times a week with Rahua volumizing shampoo.  I condition every day with Yarok Feed Your Volume conditioner.  I just recently switched to the Yarok and I’m happy with it.  I’ve gotten second-day hair a few times, something that didn’t happen with what I was using before.

Outside the shower…

Whether I’ve showered or just dry brushed, I massage in argan oil.  I’ve tried lots of lotions and other oils and the argan provides lasting moisture but is not at all greasy. It’s more expensive than other oils, but it’s so multi-purpose I feel like I cut down on multiple products.  Kahina makes the best, but Mountain Rose Herbs has a good version for a lot less money.

I wash my face at night.  I oil up my face, neck and chest with argan oil, using it around my eyes to remove my eye makeup.  While the oil sits I use a cotton ball dipped in witch hazel to remove the oil from around my eyes and some warm water and a washcloth to remove my mascara.  I use a Pai muslin cloth and nice warm water to massage the makeup/oil off my face.

I use a splash of witch hazel and a drop of carrot seed oil as toner.  While my skin is still damp I rub in one squirt of the Kahina Brightening Serum and a couple drops of argan oil.

In the morning I put some raw, organic honey on my chin, jawline and temples and let it sit while I get ready to wet my hair.  I tend to get bumpy through those areas and the honey helps keep them clear. After I have washed and/or conditioned my hair I repeat the toner/serum/argan oil mixture from my night routine.  This sets the stage for my SPF/foundation combination.  I comb out my hair to let it air dry while I put on my makeup, making sure the insane cowlick at the crown of my head is covered and behaving itself.

Finishing touches…

I mix one squirt of John Masters SPF 30 Sunscreen and the same size dollop of Jane Iredale Dream Tint.  I love the Dream Tint. There’s no mica so it isn’t at all shiny. I really dislike being shiny.

I use a small angle brush to apply Jane Iredale PureMatte powder on my eyelids, under my eyes and around my nostrils.  I plump up my brows with Jane Iredale Purebrow.  I still need a little filling in so I use Cover Girl eyebrow pencil.  I chose this one because it’s a nice taupe.  Even though I have dark hair I don’t want a dark eyebrow pencil.  It’s too severe.

I line my upper lids and the outer half of the lower lids with Nuance by Salma Hayak in brown.  On my lids I use Universalist 2 (from my Quarterly package).  I’m surprised how much I like it.  I didn’t like the RMS Living Luminizer all that much.  In the crease it’s 100% Pure’s “Toffee.”  I finish off the eyes with Nuance by Salma Hayak Ultra-Defining Mascara in black.

I would LOVE to let my hair air dry but it’s too fine.  It really needs some love from the blow dryer to help with volume. I also have to tame a few spots with a curling iron.  It sounds like a lot but it’s really very fast.  Once it’s dry I hit it with a few sprays of Intelligent Nutrients Volumizing Hairspray.

That’s it.  Pretty simple really.  So much more simple than when I was “dirty.”

Thanks to Siobhan and Alexandra for this venue and to everyone who shares her wisdom.  I have benefitted greatly from what I have learned here.  I look forward to learning so much more!

Thank you too! And everyone who participates here. x

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Sonal’s Morning Skin And Hair Routine… Exposed!

Posted by Community Content on January 16, 2013  

Meet Sonal, who has sent her morning routine all the way from… India! We love to see clean girls from all of the world sharing tips, so this is particularly exciting. Enjoy! And as an aside, have any of you used turmeric in a face mask? This is a fairly common practice in India, and we’ve always wanted to try it…

Name: Sonal

Age: 21

Hometown: Delhi, India

Current weather: cold and windy

Hair: shoulder length, fine

Skin: clear with occasional pimples on my forehead, sensitive to sun, easily irritated

Favorite star: Julia Roberts

In the shower

I find showering at night very relaxing and it also saves time in the morning. I use a homemade mixture of ground sugar, olive oil, coffee grinds and clay as a body wash and scrub. I shave with olive oil or almond oil.  For my hair, I use Dove shampoo (not very clean I know!) every alternate day. Once a week, I mix a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar with the shampoo as a clarifying rinse.

I wash my face with raw organic honey; it works well for me as I rarely use any makeup. It very soothing and cleansing at the same time. However, on days when I do use cosmetics, I use a rose and almond soap bar sold at a nearby grocery store.

Outside the shower

My body is generally moisturized due to the olive oil I use in my bath scrub. I use a homemade green tea toner or when I am feeling more luxurious organic rosewater on my face. My facial skin reacts to most oils, so for moisturisation I use a mixture of aloe vera gel and a basic glycerin containing cream. Since I don’t use hair conditioner, I let my hair dry partially and then run some jojoba oil through the ends; I find that it does the job very well, leaving my hair tangle free without weighing it down.  Sometimes, when I feel like having textured waves in my hair, I use The Body Shop’s Hair Wax (which is silicone and paraben free)

I use a clay and turmeric face pack twice a week at night; the turmeric lightens pigmentation and fights infection.

I use pure almond oil as a lip moisturizer. I used to have rather dark, pigmented lips but they are much lighter and pinkish now after having used almond oil over the last year.

Finishing touches

I religiously use sunscreen on my face even when I am stepping out in the sun even for a little while. Other than that, I just use some lip tint on my lips and I am done. I never use any foundation as I have generally quite clear skin. I carry a facial mist in my purse; I spray it on my face whenever it’s dry or dehydrated- it’s a mixture of rose water and aloe vera gel.

I am very particular about my warm water with honey and lemon drink in the mornings; I feel that it regulates my digestion. I used to go quite heavy on caffeine until I realized it is quite abrasive for the stomach lining; since then I always drink green tea with lemon; rose tea and basil tea are my favourites.

I got interested in clean skincare when my face started reacting to most commercial, chemical cosmetics. So, far by skin feels better than it did a year ago and it is much lighter on my pocket as well!

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Elizabeth’s Morning Skin And Hair Routine… Exposed!

Posted by Community Content on December 5, 2012  

Meet Elizabeth and her parakeets, Blanche and Spencer. For such a young gal, she sounds like she’s got a lot figured out. Unsolved mysteries? A deodorant that works (that she’s not allergic to), and a concealer that truly conceals dark circles. The floor is yours for recommendations, friends.

Name: Elizabeth

Age: 22

Current weather: You know, 70 degrees one day and snowing the next….Pure Michigan.

Hair:  Chest length, Asian

Skin:  Medium with almost no breakouts, dark circles

Favorite star or icon from the past:  I’m not really into celebrities but here’s a picture of my beloved parakeets Blanche and Spencer.

In the shower…

After slathering my face in raw Michigan honey, I step into the shower.  I wash my hair with Giovanni Root 66 Max Volume shampoo, which I buy in a huge liter pump bottle at my local TJ Maxx for super cheap and it lasts me about 9 months.  I wash my underarms, bits, and feet with 100% Pure’s Meyer Lemon Butter Soap.  Rinse.  Then I stand in the shower for a minute and gently squeeze the excess water out of my hair.

Outside the shower…

I instantly put Alba Botanica’s Original Unscented Lotion on my face and body after toweling off.  Then I make a side part in my hair and brush my teeth with Burt’s Bees Whitening Fluoride-free Toothpaste.  If I’m in a rush, I blow dry my hair; on leisurely days, I let my hair air dry as I sloth around the house.  If my husband is still sleeping, I usually get back in bed and cuddle him for a few minutes.  Then I drink a glass of water or make matcha green tea.

Finishing touches…

Makeup-wise, I focus on concealing my dark circles, defining my lips with a little color, and contouring my cheeks.

I’ve been looking for a magical concealer to make my dark circles disappear and I’m pretty it doesn’t exist.  Among the ones I’ve tried, Mineral Fusion performs the best for me.  It’s probably that I need to get to the source of my dark circles – allergies and lifestyle.

I line my lips with 100% Pure’s Perfect Naked Pink lip pencil which is a “my lips but better” natural pink shade for me.  Then I apply cocoa powder with an EcoTools Blush Brush to contour my cheekbones.  I tend to not wear mascara but when I do it’s 100% Pure Black Tea Mascara or geoGIRL Featherlash Mascara in Grey.  I appreciate 100% Pure’s great ingredients and blueberry scent but it flakes and smudges on me while geoGIRL’s is cheap, available at my local grocery, largely smudge-proof, and extremely natural looking even though the ingredients aren’t quite so clean.

The air is now pretty dry so I spritz my hair with a mixture of aloe juice and Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat conditioner to keep static at bay.  On special occasions, I dab on a few drops of Intelligent Nutrients’ 100% Pure Sambac Jasmine Absolute which I use sparingly from a sample vial.  Oh, and I’m searching for an effective deodorant.  Lavanila mysteriously stopped working on me after about a month of happy usage and I had an allergic reaction to Soapwalla.  Right now I’m using a crystal deodorant, which is just okay.

At night…

I wash my face with warm water and a washcloth, making sure to avoid my forehead since unnecessary exfoliation causes skin to overproduce oil and be plasticy-shiny. Then I put on more raw honey, brush my teeth, rinse off the honey, and put on a light layer of the Alba Botanica lotion.  Lastly, I apply Petite Threla’s Jasmine Lip Balm which smells like pure luxury!

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