Pretty Rosy

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just because you didn't get a dozen roses, doesn't mean you can't smell like them! Another wonderful Epicuren product I love, love, love is their After Bath Rose Petal Moisturizer.


Epicuren Body lotions are super luxurious, great for your skin, and the scents are divine! My favorite is the Rose, which is why I thought today would be the perfect day to tell you about it (although the Kukui Coconut is another fave).

Tip: The lotions have enough slip to make them perfect for massage - just in case your loved one deserves a little special treatment today...

Super Hydration

One of my new faves is Eminence Linden Calendula Treatment Cream. Eminence is an amazing company from Hungary and their hand-made products are 100% Organic. They've won awards for their sustainable farming and green practices...even their packaging and shipping practices reflect their commitment to the environment.

Best for dry, dehydrated skin conditions, this versatile nourishing treatment can be used as a mask or a rich night cream. I love using it in the treatment room - it seems to plump up every thirsty skin cell! And the smell..... it's my favorite smell of any product - ever! I want a body lotion that smells like this!


This stuff is a must for anyone suffering with dry or irritated skin. Our Eminence rep calls it "Nature's Neosporin", because it's very soothing for cuts, cracked skin, minor irritations, little peely patches, sore noses after a cold....

Keep in mind, Eminence products are very concentrated (they're made without any water), and they are meant to be diluted with a little water (or one of the amazing Eminence Toniques)... so a little goes a long way - and one jar will last forever!

We carry Eminence products (including this little gem) at Petite Spa.

Beeswax Candles are Super Pretty

Happy New Year, Pretties!

I hope you enjoyed the holidays. For me, they came and went so fast!!

I want to tell you about my favorite gift. This year, my family and I decided to ask for a few things we'd like. I was delighted when I got not one, but two, 100% pure beeswax candles.


I will definitely blog in the future about how amazing bees are (honey, for example, is so great for the skin), but for now, let me tell you what is so brilliant about the beeswax candle.

Unlike candles made with paraffin, which emit toxic substances like toluene and benzene when burned, beeswax candles are non-toxic and hypo-allergenic. They emit negative ions into the air - which actually attract and neutralize pollutants like dust, dust mites, mold, bacteria, viruses and other toxins. Negative ions also improve mood and impart a sense of well-being.

As an added bonus, beeswax burns brighter, hotter, cleaner, and longer than any other wax. And honestly, you really can't compare the golden glow and the natural honey aroma to any other candle... especially once you know the inside scoop.


Wouldn't you rather enjoy a natural, healthy product that comes from nature, is a renewable resource, and makes you healthier, than burn a bleached, perfumed, petroleum waste product that has been linked to cancer, asthma, and birth defects? Ummm... I would! They are permanently at the top of my my wish list.

You can find them at most health food stores and here or here.

Super Product

I love Epicuren's Acne Cleanser~ formerly known as Medicated Acne Cleanser. I guess they took out the word medicated because it makes the cleanser sound harsh, and it's not. And it really doesn't have to say acne on it either, because it's great for any skin type that may be prone to breakouts or congestion and is slightly on the oily side. As long as your skin isn't dry or dehydrated...it's a perfect, very mild, yet gently exfoliating cleanser. I think it should be called Acne Prevention Cleanser. It's just a touch medicated with 1% Salicylic Acid, yet it's got moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Paraben free. Fragrance free.


We carry it at Petite Spa (where I work) - stop by for some and say hello!!

Smells Pretty (but not too pretty)

As you may have gathered from an earlier post, I am not fond of artificial fragrance. That includes any kind of synthetic perfume, perfume-y lotions, scented candles, and most incense. Most. But not all. There is one type of incense that I absolutely, positively love. I'd like you to meet Tara Healing Incense.


Original Tara Healing Incense

I find most incense to be cloyingly sweet, headache inducing, slightly nauseating, and generally irritating. Probably because it's toxic. An occasional whiff of Nag Champa is nostalgic - and doesn't bother me too much. But really, this is the only incense that not only agrees with me, but kinda rocks my world.

It is made by Tibetan refugees living in India, and this is what it says on the box:

"Tara Healing Incense which has been used for centuries old is a traditional Tibetan medicine for stress, depression and tension. It is prepared by hand according to ancient Tibetan medical system and is composed of 31 different pure and natural herbs. It is effective, non-toxic and non-addictive."

I always have a stash at home. And a few extra boxes on hand to give as gifts. A delightful little thing. Enjoy!

Probiotics. Skin.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria.


Good bacteria help keep the immune system healthy. Your diet and lifestyle largely dictate the balance of good bacteria to bad bacteria hanging out in your body. Things like antibiotics (which kill ALL the bacteria, the good with the bad), long term use of birth control pills, stress, diets high in sugar, wheat, and processed foods all diminish your body's good guy count. Sometimes the bad guys can take over and cause other problems (like yeast and other fungal infections). That's why doctors often recommend eating yogurt when you take antibiotics - because yogurt contains acidophilus and acidophilus is a probiotic.

It is optimal to take a high quality probiotic supplement. You can buy probiotic supplements at any health food store. If you ask where they are, you will most likely be directed to the refrigerated section, as most probiotics need to be in the fridge to stay alive. Here's the deal though: there are several brands of probiotics that are stable at room temp and don't need to be refrigerated. I prefer these. That way, I can simply keep them in my purse and take them at my convenience.

Here are a few brands I like, but there are many:

Jarro-Dophilus EPS

Dr. Ohhira's

PB 8

Kyo-Dophilus

It's important to have various strains of probiotics in your supplement, too. Some brands have just one strain, some have a bunch. Go for the ones with a bunch and switch them up from time to time, so your body gets lots of different good guys.

In 1964, Dr. R. H. Siver conducted a study using probiotics to treat gastric and intestinal disorders. He discovered that, in addition to improving his patients' gastrointestinal conditions, facial skin cleared up in 80% percent of his patients with acne. And the skin improved within the first two weeks of supplementation. Wow, right? Isn't it crazy that that was in the 60s and to this day most dermatologists still prescribe antibiotics (to teenagers, no less) for acne. The antibiotics only really appear to help while you're taking them, and when you stop, the acne comes back - only now your body is more resistant to antibiotics and probably completely wiped clean of good bacteria.

Here is an article you can read for a little more info.

The skin is the body's largest organ. Your skin looks the best when your body is thriving and healthy. Good bacteria help keep bad bacteria in check which leads to better health. I take them every day. Just sayin'.

Subtle. Pretty.

I'm not a huge nail polish person. Don't get me wrong... I love a nice pedi. I figure, since I wear Birkenstocks almost every day, the least I can do is keep my toes looking pretty. It's just that there are very few colors I feel look good on me - especially on my fingers. Recently, I've been liking the idea of a nice beigey, greigey, taupey color for my hands. Something kind-of neutral, and not too dark. I like a little bit of dark on the toes, but it looks too gothy on my hands. Here's OPI "You Don't Know Jacques" on my feet. (A few weeks in now, but still looking decent, no?)


But it's just too dark on my hands.

So. I started scouring the internet for a khaki beige I could wear on my hands. Found a few maybes. There was Chanel "Particuliere". A great mushroomy color. A bit more brownish than "Jacques", which I'd love for toes, but not hands. Plus, at $23 a bottle, you reaaaaally gotta love it. I would, however, plunk down the cash for Chanel "Khaki Vert" polish when/if it comes out for regular people to purchase - and if it's as perfect in real life as it appears online. It's some exclusive limited edition color that was made for Fashion's Night Out (Sept 10 in NYC). Those of you who know me are probably laughing, because you know how not hip to these things I am. I'm telling you, the search for the perfect polish can change you! How cool is this:


So... I went into Sephora last night. I usually feel like I need to wear a gas mask in that place - all the synthetic fragrance gives me a headache. But, alas, I was on a mission. I was told that Sephora's OPI line had a color similar to "Particuliere" called "Metro Chic". I checked it out - and it's great. Very similar to "Jacques", actually, but not quite what I was looking for. And that's when I found it... "Under My Trench Coat" ~ Where do they get these names? It's exactly what I was looking for - a light greyish-beigeish khaki with metallic gold just subtle enough for it to gleam, but not so sparkly that you feel like a teenager. I love it on my fingernails in a single coat. And it will be great on my toes with two coats.


Here's the best part: OPI polish is DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde free. Love it!

Update:
Here's an interesting article a friend just sent me about "non-toxic" polishes. So, OPI doesn't contain the"big three" offenders... but that doesn't mean it's totally natural. Just not AS toxic!

Best Eye Cream. Ever!

I never used to be that sold on the whole eye creme thing. I figured, if I'm using an amazing moisturizer, that will be enough. And there's some truth to that. But that was before I discovered Dr. Alkaitis Organic Eye Crème. This stuff is truly amazing!


It seriously feels like heaven on the skin. Rich, yet fluffy. Not sticky or gel-like. And some eye creams I've used actually make the skin around the eye feel tight... like it's being lifted. Which just doesn't work for me. Not this stuff. Dr. A eye cream feels creamy and refreshes tired eyes while reducing puffiness, dark circles and fine lines.

You can use it under make-up or pat it on over concealer for a dewy finish. I love how it looks on - super glowy, but not sparkly or anything. And the best part is it's 100% raw, organic, and biologically active. It's health food for your skin.

Dr. Alkaitis Holistic Organic Skin Treatment Products are made in-house in small batches with ingredients so pure you could literally eat them!

This is the only eye cream I have ever tried that I feel completely confident and enthusiastic about recommending to my clients and friends. I loooooove it!

We carry it at Petite Spa, where I work. If you come in for it, let them know you read about it here! And maybe I'll even be there.... come say hi! Better yet, come in for the Organic Skin Food Facial with all Dr. Alkaitis products. If you mention my blog, I'll give you a complimentary Organic Enzyme Treatment with your facial.

RMS Beauty

RMS Beauty, created by NYC makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, is formulated with raw, food grade, organic ingredients. It appears to be the perfect line for someone like me who doesn't want any chemicals at all in her cosmetics. In addition to being great for your skin, the colors are absolutely beautiful!


I can't wait to try the "Un" Cover-Up, The Living Luminizer, and the Lip2Cheek in hmmmm... either Illusive or Rapture.
I passionately recommend checking out Rose-Marie's personal website, Beauty Truth, which is dedicated to educating women about toxins and some of the misconceptions in today's beauty business. She explains why she created RMS Beauty. Very inspiring!
Please let me know if you use it, and what your favorite products and colors are.

Stop and Smell the Jasminas

I recently spent five days in NYC and loved every minute of it. I am now fantasizing about becoming bi-coastal. My friend Sarah took me to ABC Carpet and Home where, among many other things, I lusted for this:


Oh, my heavenly heavens.......

The scent is from Intelligent Nutrients, and is made with certified organic essential oils. It doesn't contain any petrochemically derived ingredients, only the plants themselves. So it smells like perfume, but is non-toxic and won't give you a headache.

Here's an interesting article from Environmental Working Group (the same folks who bring you the Cosmetic Safety Database, where you can type in a product and see how it ranks in terms of its safety/toxicity), about hidden chemicals in perfume and cologne.

In addition to Jasminas, I also fell in love with two of their other scents, Attune and Focus. I stepped away and decided I didn't need to buy three bottles of perfume. Now I miss them terribly, and wish I had gotten at least one! I don't wear synthetic fragrance (I'm one of those that gets toxed-out when I'm around regular perfume or artificially scented candles...), so I really don't own any perfume. But I know now that I should. The actual bottles on the product website are not nearly as beautiful as the ones in the apothecary section at ABC, for some reason. Wish I could show you. But I'm sure they smell just as gorgeous...