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- Yes To Carrots Shampoo and Conditioner
- Alima Pure Summer Stargazing Collection (Giveaway)
- Badger Certified Organic Lip Balms
- Dear GBG: Jane Iredale Products
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Hello, your friendly neighborhood lip balm addict here. I’ve come to a very important conclusion lately about lip balms and I need to share it with you. Lately, I’ve been lamenting about how many of my natural lip balms start out great, and then turn into lumpy bumpy sticks that aren’t that pleasing to apply. (And I type lip BLAM every single time…why can’t I get it right?). 
I always thought that maybe it got too hot in my bag and the ingredients were revolting against each other or something but I think I figured out the real reason. Shea Butter? Every lip balm I have that contains shea butter seems to eventually turn into a bumpy lip balm. I don’t know if it ’s the formulation or the ingredient itself or a lack of beeswax or if it’s even that at all, but it seem to be a common theme. If anyone can enlighten me, please do.
Anyway, I came to this conclusion because I have a couple lip balms that seem to stay intact… smooth and lip balmy just like I like them. One of those lip balms are Badger’s Certified Organic Lip Balm. The main ingredients are Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax and Castor Oil (all organic) which seem to keep these in their smooth state so applying them is like a lip balm should be.
They have a zillion yummy flavors, my favorites seem to be the citrus-y ones like Pink Grapefruit and Tangerine but they all perform. They use all Certified Organic ingredients when possible as well as fair trade cocoa butter. I just love the conscientiousness of this company and can’t stop singing their praises (as evident by my love for their sunscreen and anti-bug balm too).
Get Your Balm On: You can purchase Badger Lip Balms in many places, but if you want to grab one (or 10) online you can find them on their website BadgerBalm.com and on Amazon.com!
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Categories: Badger Balm, Lip Balm
Q: Have you tried Jane Iredale products? Any thoughts on the products?
So far neither of us have tried any of these products but in the interest of hopefully finding something new I went investigating. I went hunting around on SkinBotanica.com to see what kind of ingredients we were dealing with. So far, from what we can tell Jane Iredales products are free of some of the top nasties we usually avoid like parabens, phthalates, free of chemical dyes and preservatives, and are never tested on animals. So her products are a better choice when it comes to make up. Comparing a label off a Jane Iredale foundation to one of the “big ones” is a joke… you can actually pronounce the ingredients and they have less than 87 letters in each word.
Her products have won awards like Natural Health Beauty Awards Best Foundation Award so performance sounds like it’s not an issue. I can’t say with 100% confidence that all her products are 100% chemical free if that’s what you’re looking for. For example almost every product contains Dimethicone, and I have found one or two products that contain Phenoxyethanol, but in the grand scheme these are a much better choice. Compare hers to any L’Oreal product and you’ll see the difference.
Find Them: You can pick up Jane Iredale’s Cosmetics on SkinBotanica.com
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Categories: Ask LovelyMama, Jane Iredale, Uncategorized
Every once in a while I spend a little time browsing Etsy, as many of us do. Etsy is such a great place to find safer bath goodies and we’ve reviewed some before. My newest find is a store full of handmade soap and spa goods made by Catherine Filippeli. Her store is chock full of bar and guest soaps that look good enough to eat. With scents like Oatmeal Lavender, Ginger Mint Fig Coconut Milk, and Pomegranite Sage you are sure to find something that suits you.
I was attracted to her lovely Honey Lime Bee Soaps full of lime oil and honey to boost circulation and clear congested pores. Plus the unusual shape makes this great for guests or just for something new and fun. Sometimes it’s nice to depart from the usual rectangle bar. Along with lip balm, my other collection habit is bar soap – so I’ll be ordering a few to get me through the summer. Nothing like a shower with a fresh bar of soap that smells like citrus, honey or herbs.
Many of her soaps are made with only essential oils but a few do use other scents. A quick note to Catherine and she confirmed that all of her scents and oils are phthalate free. Sweet!
Get Soap: You can check out Catherine’s shop on Etsy at catherinefilippelli.etsy.com
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Categories: Bar Soap, Etsy Finds
I bumped into the new skincare line Potent & Pure from Kiss My Face during my morning errands and of course had to check it out. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Kiss My Face since I was young. First it was because it’s all my parents bought. I was shaving my legs with one of those funny round pink razors you give teenagers in 7th grade when they realize they have the fuzziest legs in gym class. But now, mostly due to ingredient discrepancies. I have in the past run into a few of their products that do contain parabens or “fragrance” and not known what to make of it.
However I think more of their newer lines, while not 100% chemical free, are a safer choice than some of the mainstream chemical cocktails available. Potent & Pure is a new skincare line they’ve released boasts its free of parabens, phthalates, SLS, artificial colors and fragrances. You could probably look up one or two ofhte synthetic ingredients and find something incriminating but I chose to share this for one simple reason.
Based on the volume of email we got asking about a daily moisturizer with sunscreen, as well as my own quest for something more natural in that area, I felt it warranted a mention. They have a Facial Creme & Sunscreen with SPF 10 using titanium dioxide as the sunscreening element.
It’s not greasy, does have a sliiightly whiteish tint if not rubbed in totally and is a little more fragrant that I usually like but it’s not too overpowering. Living in Florida I could use some better sun protection on a day to day basis so this might be something I can use for now without looking like an oil slick.
Find It: I found mine at Target but you can also order it and their other products online on KissMyFace.com
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Categories: Kiss My Face, Moisturizer, Sunscreen
I stumbled on Cactus & Ivy through another blog (Eco-OfficeGals.com I think?) and saw what a great looking line of products they carry. So I looked deeper to check out the ingredients and found that they have an exceptional line that’s free of parabens, phthalates, PEG’s, propylene glycols, synthetic fragrances and SLS. I ordered myself their cute little sampler kit to get acquainted with their products.
All the products I tried were really impressive. They aren’t separated like some natural brands and apply and feel great on skin. Sometimes with really natural products you feel like you’re putting food on your body. Not so with Cactus & Ivy. My favorites? The Key Lime Body Wash (I’m a sucker for citrus smells) and the Peppermint Tree Foot Balm that comes in a twist up applicator (like a deodorant!).
They have a really wide variety of products like lip balms, bar soap, and one thing I haven’t seen before, Nail Balm which looks totally intriguing! Olive oil and horsetail strengthen and nourish brittle nails and cuticles… sounds divine! One or two products do contain phenoxyethanol but if you look through carefully the vast majority of their products don’t contain it. They publish the ingredients on their website for easier shopping. I really tend to respect companies who do that more than the ones who don’t!
Get It: You can pick up a sampler set or any of their great products on their website Cactus & Ivy.
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Categories: Bath Goodies, Cactus & Ivy
We realize that some people are in the fluoride camp and some are against it. Either way, finding a safe natural toothpaste can be a challenge especially if you’re trying to avoid sodium laureth sulfates and fluoride. The lovely woman who owns and operates Nayla Natural Care, based in Canada, sent us a couple toothpastes to try out.
The Green Beaver Company has a line of natural toothpastes that are flouride free and completely natural. They have a bevy of interesting flavors, which is key for me because natural toothpaste reminds me of dirt (Yes, I’m talking about YOU Tom’s of Maine) but this is definitely not the case with The Green Beaver Company.
Their flavors include Cilantro Mint, Green Apple, Star Anise and the two I tried Frosty Mint and Zesty Orange. If you aren’t used to natural toothpastes it’s an adjustment no matter what. No natural toothpastes behave the same way Crest does but they do still have the same desired effect. This is no different and the suds factor is lower than traditional pastes, but the clean factor is not lacking. And they don’t taste like dirt! The Frosty Mint is a nice minty flavor and cleans along with natural mineral whiteners such as Silica and calcium carbonate. They also add calcium ascorbate, which contributes to the normal development and maintenance of teeth and gums. The Zesty Orange is a nice departure from usual mint flavors and is totally invigorating.
With the lack of flouride and all that other icky junk, these are safe for toddlers and children since they can safely swallow it without harm. (They should be supervised but still.)
Find these and other great safe products here: Nayla Natural Care! Her store is adorable and has great products. This is the perfect place for our Canadian readers to stock up on the products we review on SafeMama.com! She ships to the U.S. too!
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Categories: Deodorant, Green Beaver
It’s no secret I get hooked on certain products. Just ask me how many lip balms I have at any given time in my purse. (Currently 6). See? Addict. My other secret addiction is bar soap. I don’t know if it’s the traditional nature of bar soap or the rush I get when I open a brand new bar. Either way, I prefer it over body washes… especially for my face. I have sensitive skin and am prone to rosacea. So I am on a constant hunt for an alternative to Cetaphil’s bar soap that my dermatologist recommended. I just can’t bring myself to continue using it.
During my search I found Tilvee Eco Ethical Skin Care. I haven’t had the opportunity to try their products out but I was giddy over the simple facts. Their products are free of all chemicals including Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Preservatives, Petrochemicals, Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates and not to mention they don’t test on animals, are committed to green business practices and are signers of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Can you say “love”?
As a suitable replacement for that old Cetaphil Cleansing bar I think their Shea Butter Facial Cleansing Bar might be a good contender. People who suffer from rosacea tend to be sensitive as well as have dry patches so the gentle shea butter would be an ingredient to combat that. Stuff is on sale right now so I might have to pick up a lip balm too. See? Can’t ever resist.
Follow Up Review: I started using this on my face (remember…I’m sensitive with rosacea flare ups) and my skin has actually improved in the last few days of using it. My skin isn’t as dry and dare I say my rosacea is clearing as well. I think this is a great product. Bye bye Cetaphil.
Get It: Pick one up on their website Tilvee.com – go now because their having an Earth Month sale… 25% Off!
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Categories: Bar Soap, Face Wash, Tilvee Eco Ethical Skin Care
A lot of attention is being paid to the fact that baby skin care products being independently tested are coming up containing formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane. The source of the problem is not enough regulation from the government agencies requiring product makers to test their products to determine their safety. In fact there is no one requiring any skin care or make up company to adhere to much of any safety standards before things hit the market. Here on LovelyMama, that concern for us is with cosmetics and skin care for us too.
Lipstick, which I don’t wear much of but many do, contain a bevy of chemicals including parabens, phthalates and a bevy of other chemicals… oh yeah and LEAD. Since we’re putting lipstick on our lips, we ingest it day to day. A study came out from The Campaign For Safe Cosmetics where they independently tested found that “two-thirds of the 33 samples we tested contained detectable levels of lead; of those, half were above the legal limit for lead in candy.“ This is especially dangerous for pregnant women since lead can cross through to the placenta and cause birth defects or worse.
This is why chosing organic makeup is a smart idea.. not only does it not contain lead and icky chemicals, but they actually do good things for your lips, like actually moisturize them.
Some brands to try:
Dr.Hauschka Lipstick – Free of synthetic chemicals and Yellow Blue and Red lakes… instead it’s tinted with natural minerals and scented with essential oils.
NVEY ECO Organic Lipstick – I love the makeup coming from this company for their organic plant and mineral ingredients and soft feminine colors.
*smooch*
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Categories: Dr. Hauschka, Lipstick, Nvey Eco
While perusing a local magazine at the doctor’s office I read about Tammy Fender, a West Palm Beach-based beauty “guru” who originally started out working at a cosmetics counter. She later became an aesthetician and wanted to really get to know what goes in our skin care and provide the best and most natural alternatives. She dedicated her life to researching botany, aromatherapy, holistic chemistry and medical science. With all that knowledge, she developed her own chic and fabulously holistic brand named, not surprisingly, Tammy Fender.
Her skin care line is 100% organic and almost completely natural, void of things like parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances and ingredients. She uses natural clays and essential oils to purify and preserve skin. Her private practice caters to clients individual skin care needs and is legendary for her signature facials and holistic healing treatments.
This line is part of the elite group of natural skin care-coupled with Tammy Fenders expertise-so it doesn’t come without a price, but it’s one indulgence I’d love to treat myself to. I’d kill to get my hands on her expertise, or at least just a bottle of her Capillary Strengthening Blend to help heal my mild rosacea.
Pamper Yourself: If you live in or near West Palm Beach, Florida you can make an appointment for a consultation or order her products direct from her website TammyFender.com.
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Categories: Tammy Fender
I’m trying to find a relatively inexpensive facial moisturizer/sunscreen combo (of at least 30spf) – have you seen anything out there? Thanks!
Welcome to my personal hell! I have had a HELL of a time trying to find daily moisturizers that contain safe SPF and have come up disappointed time and time again.
The biggest problem isn’t that there isn’t products out there that are daily moisturizers with SPF, it’s that many of the organic and safer lines use what we feel are unsafe sunscreen ingredients. The Environmental Working Group’s organization Skin Deep did a study last year on sunscreens after news came out that some sunscreen ingredients such as Oxybenzone are endocrine disruptors which can affect the nervous system, has been linked to cancer in some laboratory studies, and creates free-radicals when exposed to the sun. After digesting that we determined that physical sunscreens were best (Zinc Oxide or more common Titanium Oxide) which stay on top of the skin and don’t absorb into the bloodstream.
Hence, my daily moisturizer was pitched in the trash and I went hunting for something better. So far I have yet to find a great one that I love and have been relying on the SPF in my mineral makeup to keep my covered but the search continues. I tried Aubrey Organics but their lotion looked more like something I’d find in a swamp than something I’d want to put on my skin. However there are a few I haven’t yet tried that I thought I’d share here so some of you could give them a go.
Juice Beauty Organics SPF 30 Mineral Sheer Moisturizer: A chemical free moisturizer that uses titanium dioxide to block the sun. I was worried to try this since I used a sample of a thicker version and it smelled like metal, but this looks promising. In fact I may go up to Sephora later and check it out. They have several other options to try as well.
Living Nature Daily Defense SPF 15: The sun filtering protection of Zinc Oxide defends skin against premature aging while Manuka Honey and Harakeke boosts hydration. Suitable for all skin types. Again, I haven’t tried this but it looks like a nice option.
100% Pure Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration SPF 20: Not one weird ingredient in the bunch. we’re big fans of all the 100% Pure products so they get a thumbs up from us.
Reader Tip! Cheryl writes in, “Just want to comment on your latest post about daily sunscreens. You suggest Juice Beauty sunscreen, and there is also the cheaper Juice Organics line by the same company. The Juice Organics SPF 30 Light Tint moisturizer is good, and it’s $14.99 at target and at juiceorganics.com.”
Unfortunately none of these are in the “cheap” category and honestly, I don’t think we’re going to find what we’re looking for at CVS in this category. But considering this is something you put on your face every single day, it might be worth the extra bucks to make sure what you’re slathering on is safe and natural.
Have a question about products or ingredients? Ask us!
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Categories: Ask LovelyMama, Juice Beauty, Living Nature, Moisturizer, Sunscreen
