Get Gorgeous This Earth Day with These Five Eco-Friendly Beauty Products

We’re celebrating Earth Day the only way we know how… stocking up on our favorite eco-friendly and all-natural beauty products. From sustainable skincare to sulfate-free shampoos, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite eco-friendly beauty products to celebrate Earth Day. 

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream ($46.50 each)—Nothing is quite as soothing as Kiehl’s facial cream formula and to celebrate Earth Day, this limited edition  packaging is designed by Alanis Morissette and Zachary Quinto. We also love that 100 percent of proceeds going to Recycle Across America.

The Beautyblender ($19.95) is an ergonomically designed non-disposable sponge that helps with applying foundation and makeup for a flawless look.

BITE Beauty Lush Lip Tint ($24)—Bite Beauty is known for their gluten-free, made with only food-grade ingredients products that pack quite the ethical punch. We’re a fan of these luscious lip tints that hydrate, nourish and revitalize lips without any sticky finish.  

Facial-Flex Ultra ($38)—Forget Botox and facelifts, we’re the all-natural alternative to facial rejuvenation. This device is clinically proven to lift and tone the 30 muscle groups of the face, chin and neck. How’s that for an easy multi-tasking product?

Avalon Organics Lavender NourishingShampoo and Conditioner ($10.50 each)—Treat your tresses to this moisturizing shampoo and conditioner set that packs a formula that’s free of parabens and sulfates, not to mention is made with natural extracts and oils that will leave you with soft and shiny hair.

Spa-goers Rejoice! Spa Week Returns April 15th-21st

Our favorite bi-annual national event, Spa Week, is back for spa newbies and lovers alike who want to enjoy some serious me time. Choose from a variety of full-service, luxurious spa and wellness treatments that are specially discounted for the entire week—penny pinchers can now enjoy a bevy of select spa and wellness treatments for just $50 each! We’ve rounded up a handful of our favorite $50 spa services from coast to coast:

1.    Zero Gravity Moonstone Facial at Euphoria Spa in New York City: Whether you get frequent headaches or hangovers, this facial includes a double cleanse, exfoliation and marma point massage to cleanse blocked energy and a customized mask to radiate beauty and balance.

2.       Stress Relief Floatation Session at Oakland Floats in California: Sleep-deprived individuals can experience a new way to relax with Oakland Floats soundproof floatation tanks filled with warm saltwater that is free from all external stimulation. Consider it the new cat nap.

3.       Coconut Pineapple Body Balm Wrap at Catamaran Spa in California: Detox and hydrate your skin with a dry gentle brush exfoliation treatment and full-body application of their coconut pineapple body butter (yum!).

4.       Lip Plumping at Smooth MED in New York City: Not everyone is gifted with a pillow lip but that’s why we rely on Smooth MED for their lip plumping service that’s a quick and painless beauty treatment that will take your pretty pout to a whole new level.

If you’re a newbie to spa week, you can sign up at SpaWeek.com to view a list of spa offerings based on where you live. Browse through hundreds of participating spas (and see which ones offer Facial-Flex!) and treatment options and book your appointments directly on the website.

Anti-Aging Solutions that Won’t ‘Tax’ Your Budget

20 million Americans owe money to the IRS this tax season – a stress capable of causing wrinkles on anyone. If you owe tax money, your frugal, cost savvy budget this month probably doesn’t include expensive anti-aging remedies. You’ve probably accepted your fate of another stressful tax season, another year of looking older than you are.

But we don’t think that’s fair. We think you’ve paid your debt and should suffer no more! Instead of paying anywhere between $50- $100 to look your best, we have compiled our favorite anti-aging solutions that won’t break your bank.

What you’ll need for the best anti-wrinkle cream:

·        2 tsp jojoba oil

·        1 tsp coconut oil

·        3 tsp apricot kernel oil

·        3 tsp Rosehip seed oil

·        5 drops carrot-seed essential oil (optional)

·        1 1/2 tsp beeswax pastilles

·        5 tsp rose-water

Place beeswax, jojoba, coconut, rosehip and essential oils (basically everything besides the rose water!) in a double boiler or right in a stainless steel pan (I have one just for making homemade skincare).  Heat on low very gently to melt wax about 5-8 minutes.  Stir well, remove from heat. Slowly stir in rose water. Place in fridge until set. Makes a small 2.5 oz jar. Use in the morning and evening.

What you’ll need for the best anti-wrinkle tincture:

·        Fresh rosemary

·        1 cup of white wine or vodka

1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary, which would cover with a glass of white wine (for dry and normal skin) or a glass of vodka (for oily skin). Put this mixture in a bottle or glass jar and then shake it every two days. Strain it after six weeks and you can use it. Store it in a cool, dark place. Every morning and evening, rub you face with a cotton pad dipped in the tincture. And after six weeks there will be no doubt that you will feel its beneficial results.

What you’ll need for the best anti-wrinkle mask:

·        Half of a banana

·        1 tsp of honey

·        1 tsp of yogurt

·        2 slices of cucumbers or dried apricots

Place the banana, honey, and yogurt in a bowl. Mash with a fork and apply with your fingers to your face. Apply the fresh cucumbers on your eyes. If you are using dried apricots, soak them in water for several hours and then arrange them around the eyes. This will make the skin more elastic and will minimize the small wrinkles around the eyes. Let the mask dry for 20-30 minutes. Wash off your face with a clean, warm washcloth.

Your genes only govern 30% of how you age; the other 70% is up to you. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and plentiful sleep can ensure you look and feel young. Other anti-wrinkle tips include protecting your skin and eyes from the sun, sleeping on your back to avoid face lines, and hydrating your body and skin regularly.

Is Your Makeup Getting Old? There’s An App for That

According to the calendar spring has arrived, and with it comes the undeniable desire to clean sweep our lives. In the process don’t forget to spring clean your makeup bag. Unlike food, pharmaceuticals, and many other products that have the handy dandy expiration date, makeup often times does not, but it does expire.

You have probably experienced the clumpy, less bristle like mascara or your favorite lipstick appearing to be a different color then you remember. These are all signs it is time for a replacement, but wouldn’t it be nice to avoid the guess work and have a definitive date these items should be replaced? Let’s be honest, most of us have a hard time remembering what we purchased last week, let alone several months back, add a few kids to the mix and you might not remember what you did a few minutes ago (thanks to mommy brain). So there are some options: label your makeup with the date purchased or jump into the 21^st century and allow technology to come to your rescue with several beauty apps that send a reminder when it is time to toss out the old and replace with the new. I think the technology option is the clear winner here.

There are several apps that were recently showcased in the Providence Journal that get the job done on both iPhone and Android mobile devices. 

MAKEUP LIFE

Price: $1.99

Device Compatibility: iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
IUTA Score: 6.8
Language(s): English, Japanese and Korean
Download: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/makeup-life/id475189006?mt=8

Features: Select the type of product (foundation, mascara, lotion etc.), upload a picture of the product (optional), rate the product, add date of first use, add expiration date or select auto option and you are on your way to maintaining an up to date makeup bag. This app also features an expiry date alarm that notifies you in advance of the expiration date giving you time to restock.

BEAUTY ALERT!

Price: $1.99
Device Compatibility: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.
User Rating: 4.0 out of 5 Language(s): English
Download: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beauty-alert!/id385957049?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Features: This app makes keeping track of cosmetic expiration dates easy. Simply add the date of first use, product details and start receiving alerts when it is time to replace. Simple easy app.   

    

CHECK YOUR COSMETIC
Price: Free on Android

Device Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up
User Rating: 4.1  out of 5
Language(s): English, Russian, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Romanian 

Download: http://www.androidpit.com/en/android/market/apps/app/org.example.checkyourcosmetic/Check-Your-Cosmetic

Features: Select from 54 brands entering the batch code often located on the bottom of the product, outside packaging, or ink stamped on the product to determine the production date, shelf life, and expiration date.
Not app savvy, no worries as below are the recommended toss-times for most commonly used cosmetics:

Face Makeup
Toss-Time: 6 months for liquids; two years for powders

Mascara
Toss-Time: 3 months

Eyeliner and Eye Shadow
Toss-Time: Liquid eyeliners, 3 months; cream eye shadows, 6 months; pencil eyeliners and powder eye shadows, 2 years.

Lipstick and Lipliner
Toss-Time: Lipstick and gloss, 2 years; lipliner, 2 years or more

Regardless if you are app happy or super organized, remember beauty products do go bad and can be harmful if used past their prime. Stay healthy, happy and beautiful with simple toss-time reminders.