Natural Makeup Blog

EDTA stands for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid .  This used in products as a preservative.  It is not only used in cosmetic and beauty products, but is also used as a preservative in foods.  This chemical compound is made from formaldehyde, ethylenediamine,  and sodium cyanide – all toxic chemicals.

EDTA is also a chelating agent, which means it has a capacity to bind metal ions.  Because of this ability to bind heavy metals, it can cause different health problems and is linked to heavy metal toxicity.

While reading ingredient labels, find natural makeup and beauty products – not to mention foods – that don’t have this ingredient!

With a New Year comes the chance to start fresh by feeding your skin with a healthy, skin-nourishing mask.

This Organic Facial Mask recipe will not only help you start the year off with deeply moisturized skin, but also give you a wonderful excuse for a  personal pampering session!

Honey Oatmeal Moisturizing Mask

2 tsp. – Organic Yogurt

1 tsp. – Finely Ground Organic Oatmeal

1 tsp. - Organic, Raw Honey

Blend all ingredients in a bowl.  Smooth over face.  Leave on for 5-10 minutes.  Relax.  Rinse off with warm water and pat skin dry.   Finish treatment by applying a small amount of Lauren Brooke Organic Facial Serum to face and around eyes.

As the years creep by, the first areas of the skin to be affected seem to be around the eyes.   Here’s some tips to keep those fine lines from showing your true age.

1) Be as gentle as possible.  Don’t pull, stretch, or tug the skin around the eyes.

2) When removing makeup or rubbing the eyes go from the outer eye area towards the center.  This will prevent the inner delicate skin from being stretched and pulled.

3) When removing mascara, apply Eye Makeup Remover to two Q-tips and slide lashes between cotton swabs.  This allows you to take the mascara off the lashes while avoiding the normal ‘racoon eyes’ that happens when rubbing it off the lashes and onto the eye area.

4) Apply a natural eye cream or Organic Facial Serum around eyes every morning and evening.

As an esthetician, I have met many, many women who struggle with acne problems – even middle-aged women who never had acne as teenagers!

Blemished skin can be difficult and have devastating effects on self-esteem.  I have noticed with my own experience as well as with other women that changing from chemical-laden makeup and skin care products to using more natural and organic products can help tremendously with long-term skin health.

I just received a testimonial from a customer and wanted to pass along her experience with Lauren Brooke Foundation for those who are looking for a foundation that is natural and gentle with acne-prone skin:

Dear Lauren,

I wanted to tell you how much I love your foundation!  It seems to be the only makeup I’ve tried (and I’ve tried A LOT) that doesn’t aggravate my acne.  Thanks so much for your help.

Debra

It’s a mouth full, but what is it and where does it come from?

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is derived from coconut oil.  Coconut oil is different than other plant-derived oils.  It has a very high melting point of around 76 degrees Fahrenheit/24 degrees Celcius, and it consists of many different fatty acids, most of which are Caprylic and Capric fatty acids.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, or Fractionated Coconut Oil as it is sometimes called, is created by separating the caprylic and capric fatty acids (or medium chain fatty acids) from the long chain fatty acids in coconut oil.  This separation is done physically by a press or centrifuge, so there are no chemicals or solvents used in the process.

Because of this, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a safe and natural ingredient that can be used in natural makeup and body care products!

If you’ve been noticing more wrinkles around your eyes after applying Powder Foundation, try Lauren Brooke Organic Facial Serum.  This serum combines wonderful skin-friendly oils that help those wrinkles disappear!

A wonderful tip after applying Powder Foundation is to put a drop or two of the Facial Serum on your fingertips and gently tap it under your eyes.  This helps to both moisturize your skin as well as blend the powder so it doesn’t settle in the fine lines and make them more noticeable.  Try it and see!

Most moisturizers and facial serums contain either mineral oil and other petroleum-derived oils, or oils that have been processed or heated during production which causes much of the natural plant nutrients to be destroyed.

Lauren Brooke Organic Facial Serum contains only cold-pressed, Certified Organic natural plant oils and is created without any heat.  This deeply-absorbent oil blend includes several potent oils such as: Rosehip, Borage Seed, Sea Buckthorn, and Pumpkin Seed Oils.  Combined, these oils create a unique and powerful Facial Serum which is anti-inflammatory and exceptionally high in Vitamins C, E, A, Essential Fatty Acids and plant-derived minerals to create deeply nourished, revitalized and balanced-looking skin.

 Neem oils and extracts come from the Azadica Indica, or Neem, tree.  Neem has been in use in India since 4000 BC.  Ancient texts refer to neem as the curer of all ailments and is referred to by local people as ‘the village pharmacy’ because of its myriad of uses.  The Neem tree is seen as good luck in India and is a key herb used in Ayurveidc and Unani medicine.

Neem is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic, and antiparasitic which makes it very beneficial to both natural skin care and cosmetic applications.  With its Vitamin E and essential amino acids, neem oils and extracts contain moisturizing and skin regenerative properties which is ideal for vibrant, radiant looking skin.

True beauty comes from within. But it helps when you could also enhance your physical appearance with safe cosmetics that don’t harm the skin. Go for mineral makeup that is made using the finest natural ingredients. This type of makeup will give your skin a radiant look while infusing the skin with beneficial vitamins and nutrients while you wear it.

For your eyes, apply base colors to create an even eyelid skin tone before putting on contour colors or shades that give depth and shading to the eyes. Don’t forget to add some highlighters to highlight areas of your eyes. Lastly, use mineral eye liner to accentuate the outer area of your eyes.

The loofah plant is a cucurbit, a group of plants including gourds, pumpkins, and cucumbers. It grows as a flowering annual vine. The pollinated flowers grow cylindrical green fruits that eventually develop into a fibrous seed pod.   When mature,the fruits become a tough mass of fiber that makes a wonderful natural exfoliant.  Loofahs are excellent in the bath or shower.  Their exfoliating action leaves your skin feeling clean and tight. 

To use, squeeze a small amount of cleanser on the loofah and gently exfoliate the face with small circular motions.  For best results, allow sponge to dry between use, and replace every 4-6 weeks.  For natural skin care, Natural Facial Loofahs keep your skin healthy and fresh-looking.