Dry shampoo

Hey guys, it's Leena. Ever hear of dry shampoo? Well if you haven't, dry shampoo is something you put in you hair to make it fresh and clean. Dry shampoo is great if you haven't taken  a shower for a day, or just got back from the gym and have to go somewhere right after. Some dry shampoo can be on the pricey side so today I will teach you how to make some of your own!
DIY: Dry shampoo
1/2 cup of corn starch
1 tsp of baking soda
What to do:
What you want to do is out all of your ingredients together and then mix them together. To finish it off, out it in the fridge for 5 minutes and after that you can use it!
It spray it in your hair, put it in a travel size spray bottle. This will make it easier to apply to your hair.
You DO NOT want to use dry shampoo more than a few times in a row because this is bad hygiene and you should take a shower. I hope this helps you!
Kisses,
-Leena

http://m.wikihow.com/Use-Dry-Shampoo

Lip Stick Recipe

Lip stick has many harmful chemicals, so heres a healthy solution.

The Base Recipe

•  1 teaspoon beeswax pastilles
• 1 teaspoon Shea butter or Cocoa Butter
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

This base recipe will create a smooth, clear lipstick that is very moisturizing and protective. It is made from completely natural ingredients and is safe for us on the lips or skin. If you want, you can add color with the following add-ins to create a color of your choice.

Optional Color Add-Ins

• For Red Hues: 1/8 teaspoon of beet root powder or 1 drop of natural red food coloring with no chemical additives. NOTE: Add these very slowly as a little goes a long way!
• For Brown/Tan Hues: 1/4 teaspoon (or more for color) of organic cocoa powder, a tiny pinch of cinnamon or turmeric to get the shade you want
• For a more Matte texture: 1/4 teaspoon bentonite clay- I use this with a color so it doesn’t leave a white tint on the lips.
• For Scent: A drop of essential oil of choice (optional)

Other notes: I got all of my supplies from Mountain Rose Herbs, including the plastic container, which was $0.30.

What to do

Melt the beeswax, shea butter/cocoa butter and coconut oil in a glass jar without a lid in a small pot of simmering (not boiling) water. It should melt quickly because so little of each ingredient is used.

When melted, remove from heat and add any optional ingredients like color or scent. To get the hue in the picture above, I used a tiny pinch of beet root powder (1/8 tsp or less), 1/4 tsp cocoa powder, 1/8 tsp bentonite clay, 1/8 tsp cinnamon and a drop of peppermint essential oil (just because I like the smell). I think I added slightly more cocoa powder after mixing to darken it up slightly but I didn’t measure that one.

Once all ingredients are mixed well but still liquid, use a dropper to pour into the lip chap container. I used the glass dropper from an old tincture bottle. Fill just below the top as it will expand slightly as it cools. Leave to cool for at least half an hour. Store in a cool place (under 80 degrees) or it will soften.

Enjoy!

~Ta Ta For Now~

Bubble bath

At home bubble bath.

What is better than a nice relaxing bubble bath? How about one that you made all by yourself? This soapy mix will make your bath smell super great! Here is what you’ll need:

 Light on the Froth Homemade Bubble Bath

•               1/2 cup of liquid castile soap

•               1 Tbsp vegetable glycerin

•               2 tsp white sugar

15 drops essential oil

 (below is a chart that will tell you about different scents)

Directions-

Combine everything in a small bowl and stir well. Transfer to a container with lid. Let sit for 24-ish hours before using. Pour under running bathwater. This should keep for 2-3 months in a dark, cool place.

SCENT CHART

Chamomile: This relaxing oil is especially good for your skin and children.

Jasmine: This is another good one for kids.

Lavender: This relaxing oil moisturizes skin and relaxes both muscles and mind.

Lemon: If you have oily skin or hair, try experimenting with lemon. It also has antidepressant qualities.

Peppermint: This tingly oil stimulates your mind, as well as relieving dry skin and hair. It also helps clear up congestion and relieves itching.

Rose: This oil is relaxing and especially good for skin. It also has antidepressant qualities.

Rosemary: This oil is good for almost all skin and hair types. It relieves both mental and physical pain and even improves memory.
Bye For Now Yasmeen

FAVE PRODUCT!!!

PRODUCT: C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve No.012

Cost: $5.50
Where to find it: Bath & Body Works or http://www.bigelowchemists.com/c-o-bigelow-rose-salve-no-012.html

Uses:
moisturizes chapped lips
good for dry skin
good for cuticles
helps your face

Directions:
Rub on desired areas
External use ONLY
Ingredients:
Petrolatum, Lanolin oil, Octyldodecanol, helps moisturize snd soften dry skin
Rosa Canina fruit extract can soften skin and reduce wrinkles and scars
Jojoba Esters helps skin's elasticity
Bisabolol helps skin heal faster

Review:
This product is great, especially for chapped lips. Although it is a little expensive, it’s definitely worth it. I recommend using this lip balm daily for lips in need of healing.

-MAC

Ingredients to look out for

Ingredients to look out for: Here is a list of some ingredients you should be aware of and try to avoid. 

• Formaldehyde
• Paraben
• Phthalates
• Triclosan
• Sulfate
• Fragrance
• Lead
• Nanoparticles
• Phthalates
• Petrochemicals
• GMOs
• Triethanolamine
• Ethanol amines
• Diethanolamine

Why should you be concerned about using products that contain these ingredients? 

Current studies show that our bodies absorb about 80% of everything that is topically applied to our skin. It used to be thought that if you were not eating these items it did not effect you. Now we know that this is not true and these ingredients that can be found in our personal care products make their way inside of our bodies. 

So what are you putting on and into your skin? The average teenager puts at least 17 items on their skin a day. Adults use an average of 12.

Why is this a problem? Some of these ingredients  can disrupt the way your hormones interact and actually mimic hormones, which has been linked to cancer and reproductive issues. Some of these ingredients may also cause: nervous system damage, sever allergic reactions, hormonal acne, obesity, depression, brain damage and reproductive defects.

So if this is so dangerous why can stores sell these items? The USA has no regulations as to what is in skincare and cosmetic items. 

You can read more about this in these books:

 
Also visit: www.ewg.org

-Ta Ta For Now- SST

What is in our Cabinet?

What is in our Cabinet?

What is in our cabinet? 

Let's take a look.......

Cetaphil is a very propular cleanser. What is in Cetaphil? 

Here is the list of ingredients.  

Water

Cetyl alcohol

Propylene glycol 

Sodium lauryl sulfate

Stearyl alcohol 

Methylparaben 

Propylparaben

Butylparaben

Ceyl alcohol-alcohol can be drying. 

Propylene glycol- can cause skin irritations such as redness, tears, burning and itching.

Sudium lauryl sulfate- can cause respiratory illness, canker sores and skin irritations. 

Stearyl alcohol- can cause skin cancer and strokes.

Methylparaben- can cause breast cancer, skin damage, and eye damage.

Proylparaben- can cause mimic as the hormone esterogone which can lead to wight gain, fluid retention, and interruption of hormone balance which could effect reproductivity.

For more information on the side effects of ingriedants download the free app MyWaterfrom the apple app store.

-Ta Ta For Now-SST 

Helpful Resources

We are making a list of some helpful websites, blogs, and books. 
You can use the resources to learn more about safe products and about the dangers of toxins in our environment. 


Websites 
http://www.safecosmetics.org/

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/

Books

Blogs
http://mychemicalfreehouse.blogspot.com/

~ta, ta, for now~SST

Visit this page again it will be updated shortly.

In our cosmetic drawer...

In our cosmetic drawer...

Let's see how safe is our mascara? 

In our cosmetic drawer we found a tube of Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara. 

Here are the ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Beeswax (Cera Alba), Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polybutene,C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax,Panthenol, Silica, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Peg-100 Stearate, Pvp, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Sericin, Gossypium (Cotton) Seed Oil, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Sorbic Acid, Bht, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate. May Contain +/- : Iron Oxides (Ci 77491- Ci77492- Ci 77499), Mica, Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Carmine (Ci 75470), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288). N° 02521/N.

Cetearyl Alcohol can cause burning, stinging and irritation.

Glyceryl Stearate may cause headaches, dizziness, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst and nausea.

While silica is usually safe there are rare cases where kidney stones can occur.

Ceteth-10 Phosphate can  irritate the digestive track causing upset stomachs, diarrhea, heart deices, fluid retention, heart failure, kidney disease and cirrhosis.

Alcohol in Makeup and Skincare.

Today,  in just about any shopping center you enter you are bound to find a towering wall of cosmetics. Now with the growing knowledge of ingredients people are able to know what is good for them. Even though there are some amazing all natural brands out, there are still some brands with products that contains some awful stuff. One terrible ingredient is alcohol.  The specific name of the alcohol is Ethyl Alcohol. This is the most commonly found alcohol in makeup and health care items such as hair spray, hair gel, lotions, face wash and facial toners. This type of alcohol is the same that is found in beer and wine. This alcohol is bad for your skin because it is able to dry faster than water. This means that when you put this product on you face or body it will dry out your skin…quickly. One example is when it is used in lotions. The lotions out there do have a hydrating ingredient in them but also the alcohol. So because the alcohol will dry much faster then the hydrating part it will just dry out you skin. You probably won’t connect the dry skin to what is claimed to fix your dry skin. Then you’ll use more of the lotion, and as it dries out your skin, you will feel like using even more, which is good for the company producing the lotion. If you don’t want to use drying lotions then stay away from alcohol containing products. 

Below is a list of alcohol free products.

Products free of Alcohol.

Lotion- Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Fragrance Free Nourishing Lotion $9.99

Hair Spray- L’Oreal Paris Everstyle alcohol-Free Styling Spray $5.97

Hair Gel- Free & Clear Hair Styling Gel For Sensitive Skin and Scalp $8.99

Face Wash- Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash $4.29

Toner- Thayer Witch Hazel Toner Rose Petal $9.95

Read more about alcohol in skincare here:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/paulas-choice/alcohol-in-skin-care-the-damaging-facts-you-need-to-know/10151499686764004

and here:

http://www.thehealthyskinblog.org/alcohol-in-cosmetics-yes-or-no/

Bye For Now Yasmeen

Stay away from products that contain this!!!

Hi everyone...have you been at CVS looking for some makeup to buy, but don’t know what’s good for you and what to stay away from? Well I’m here to help! Today I’m going to tell you what you should stay away from and what’s good for your skin. Lets get started!

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate-
This product has really harsh chemicals in it. Although it hasn’t been shown to cause cancer, It HAS BEEN shown to be very irritating to the skin—even more so if you already have sensitive skin. Verdict? NOT good!

Thimerosal-
This product can be found in mascara. Thimerosal is a preservative which has mercury. It is very TOXIC and can cause brain damage. AVOID it! Read more here: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=16684434&loc=ec_rcs

What to look for....
Instead of thimerosal you shoud look for ARGAN in your mascara. It’s good for your skin and hair. It has essential fatty acids in it, and it also has vitamin E in it. Verdict? CHOOSE this!

Look at this option here: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4680125

Kisses, Leena

M.A.C.'s Intro...

Hi, my name is M.A.C. and I’m in eighth grade. I’m looking forward to helping you learn the secrets of skin care. I love playing the trombone in band and look forward to playing in the high school next year. I also love reading. My favorite book is “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton. I like writing poetry and short stories, too. I like riding my bike and being in nature, but my favorite kind of weather is when there is snow outside. I LOVE SNOW!!!!! I’m really excited about learning all about our favorite products, and I can’t wait to share my findings with you! After all, who doesn’t like looking their best?

Leena's Intro...

Hi! I’m Leena, and I’m 12 years old. I dance, but next year I hope to do more horseback riding on a regular basis. I’m in my sister’s Girl Scout troop because I bridged up into her troop at 7 years old and I’ve been with them ever since. Some of my favorite TV shows are Pretty Little Liars, Sam and Cat and Ravenswood. I love to take pictures and I play the saxophone. I also love Instagram! I’m interested in the environment because I think that it’s important to make sure we save it and protect it for future generations. On this blog, I’ll be teaching you about what’s good to for you and your skin, and what can actually harm you. I’ll also teach you about alternatives to these products. I’m looking forward until the next time!

Kisses, Leena

Yasmeen Intro...

Hey there I’m Yasmeen and I’m 13 years old. I have been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten and I’m one of the girls that will be posting on this blog! Right now I am in the eighth grade. I am involved in the high school marching band. In the seventh grade I was asked to join as a trombone player, but now I play the baritone. When I’m not playing music I love to listen to it. Bands I am a fan of are Pierce The veil, Sleeping With Sirens, All Time Low, Bring Me The Horizon, and Of Mice and Men to name a few. Music really interests me because you can express so many different emotions though it. Here is the “heart” formation our band performed during a competition this past fall.

The subject of beauty and skin care also interests me because I want the best for my skin (and yours). I do not want to put on lotions or makeup that has hidden, harmful ingredients in it. Throughout this blog, I hope to uncover some hidden ingredients in makeup and skin care, and post some reviews of both good and bad products.
Bye For Now, Yasmeen