Hot and Cold

In the basic Hauschka regimen warm compresses are used to increase circulation, soften dead skin cells and relax the pores. A cool compress or splash after cleansing will constrict the pores and force any excess oils out, preparing the a skin for either toning or conditioning.
Hot and cold also have an impact on an emotional level, warm will relax and soothe and cool will energize and refresh.
Lately I noticed that I am rushing through my twice-daily ritual, not breathing and getting the full effect of the products, hurriedly splashing a bit of cold water on my face at the end. Although the lavender bath is great all year-round and for all skin types, there are times when the other baths in the line can be very beneficial.
A good alternative is the spruce bath. Spruce is also very relaxing but more importantly it promotes deep breathing which I really need help with. After doing five or six warm spruce compresses, (you can do just one but it feels so lovely after a long day so I do several) rinse your compressing cloth and bowl with cool water, then fill about 1/4 full of cool water and one squirt of lemon bath. Finish your regimen with five or six cool lemon compresses, inhaling deeply. You can also do a few on your neck, throat and decollete'. This feels especially nice during warmer months or during a fever or hot flash.
I usually only do the cool lemon compresses in the morning since it is too energizing for me in the evening. I do the cool splash in the evening.
It can be too expensive to collect every aromatherapy bath, so what you can do is purchase the kit (pictured above) and decide which baths you prefer. I can get about six uses or three days' worth for facial compressing and two full baths per glass vial, and you get one of each bath: lavender, lemon, spruce, sage, and rosemary. Rosemary is NOT for use on the face, it is far too warming and could be irritating.
Happy compressing!!

Organic Wear

I really, really didn't want to like this new line.
I saw it during my weekly pilgrimage to the grocery store. I saw it and filed it away in my brain to research further at a later date. The following week I glanced at the package looking for an ingredient list. I didn't find one. "Aha!" I thought...just as I suspected. Another fake-natural line trying to cash in on the organic movement. Tonight I finally took the time to look at the Physicians Formula website and check out the ingredients. They were...natural. I knew when I saw the ECOCERT
logo on the packaging that the line may very well be legitimate but I was still doubtful until I looked at the website and ingredients.
The entire line is very affordable at between $6.95-$13.95 and some of the products include a goat hair applicator brush.
Physicians Formula has always been one of the highest-quality conventional/drugstore brands. Founded in 1937 they chose not to use over 100 of the known most-irritating ingredients. It does make sense that a company dedicated to cosmetics for sensitive skin would choose to make a line of products made with pesticide-free botanical ingredients.
I just usually automatically reject anything I see on the shelves of my local grocery or drug store (unless it's Whole Foods and even there I double-check the ingredients) I have gotten so used to seeing so-called "natural" products that are really just regular old conventional products with the same nasty ingredients but with a lavender flower on the label and possibly a few drops of lavender oil or lavender "fragrance" on the ingredient list.
I think it's great that what used to be solely a niche market is now expanding into conventional channels. Anything that makes large companies more responsible is a good thing, even if their motivation is simply cashing in on a hot trend. Organics are better for our bodies and for our planet and now the average shopper (vs. the obsessive label-reader) will also benefit.

Go Green!

The great thing about the natural industry is, it has gotten so big and made so much money that it is inspiring more conventional companies to become more eco-friendly and environmentally responsible.
Everywhere I look I see "natural" (some companies do a better job than others in putting their money where their ingredients lists are, but...baby steps) products in recycled packaging that has, of course, not been tested on animals and I love it.
One of my favorite companies, Smashbox has a new Spring collection called "Green Room." Here's what their website has to say about it:

"Turn over a new leaf with the GREEN ROOM SPRING 2008 COLOR COLLECTION from smashbox cosmetics. With the purchase of every GREEN ROOM product, a Moringa tree will be planted in a developing country by Trees for the Future. The Moringa or “Miracle Tree” is a powerhouse of nutritional value and provides a self-renewing food source for people in need. More trees also mean less soil erosion and cleaner air and water for a greener future. All GREEN ROOM packaging is biodegradable or recyclable and all products are made with environmentally-friendly formulas so it’s beauty you can feel good about!

Although I've always liked the Smashbox products, I've never known much about the company. Here is what I found on their website:

SmashBox Photo Studios, Los Angeles, 1991

dean and davis factor, two very different entrepreneurial brothers and the great-grandsons of makeup legend max factor, combine their knowledge and skills to form SmashBox Photo Studios los angeles. davis brings his talents as one the leading celebrity and fashion photographers; dean provides the business acumen and marketing skills to create a full-service photography facility. people such as annie liebovitz, mary ellen mark, matthew ralston and herb ritts fill the factor's studio each day with celebrities from all genres of the industry, and covers of every imaginable magazine are shot at SmashBox Photo Studios.

SmashBox Photo Studios, Los Angeles, 1997

SmashBox Photo Studios has become much more than just a studio. it has become an enterprise, complete with five still studios, a sound stage, beauty agency, production company, equipment rental house, gourmet catering company and home to the hippest los angeles parties.

with the celebrity and fashion crowd coming and going, dean and davis field demands from top makeup artists to create a line of cosmetics that will meet the standards of the serious-minded professional, as well as the discerning cosmetics consumer.

SmashBox Photo Studios, Los Angeles, 1999

SmashBox Photo Studios is gaining popularity, with smashbox cosmetics right behind it. los angeles-based celebrities, new york-based models and makeup artists frequent the studios. the smashbox cosmetics team of top makeup artists grows daily. smashbox cosmetics earns a following to rival that of the studios from which it was born.

SmashBox Photo Studios, Los Angeles, 2001

smashbox enterprises continues to thrive. SmashBox Photo Studios has reached an internationally-acclaimed level and the sleek, portable, soft-and-edgy look of smashbox cosmetics brings atmosphere, attitude and energy to the united states, canada, united kingdom, middle east, philippines, greece and more. the smashbox cosmetics makeup artist team grows to include the most knowledgeable and respected artists in the competitive world of glamour. the great-grandsons of the infamous max factor successfully keep the smashbox name where it belongs.

SmashBox Photo Studios, Los Angeles, 2003

presenting a permanent alternative to the geographical inconvenience of past los angeles fashion weeks, dean and davis factor offer up smashboxfashionweeklosangeles. SmashBox Photo Studios enjoys a central, culver city setting conducive to creating a fashion extravaganza unlike anything seen before. offering an authentic angeleno experience, smashboxfashionweeklosangeles will not only include the world¹s top designer runway shows, but will make sure that editors, buyers and celebrities have a good reason to sit back and stay awhile: doggie day care, complimentary gourmet food, beauty treatments, shopping, press room with online access and office supplies, drinks and great music. look for smashboxfashionweeklosangeles every season during los angeles fashion week.

DAVIS FACTOR

as one of the leading celebrity and fashion photographers, davis travels the world on photo shoots, spotting trends in fashion and beauty. he has photographed countless celebrities including jennifer lopez, kirsten dunst, dido, l'il kim, and calista flockhart. his magazine credits include ALLURE, ESQUIRE, JANE, MADEMOISELLE, HARPER'S BAZAAR, MARIE CLAIRE, l'UOMO and VANITY FAIR. in addition to his full-time photography career, he is the chief creative officer of smashbox cosmetics.

DEAN FACTOR

dean factor oversees all business matters relating to the company. he acquired his business expertise while completing his MBA at the university of southern california in 1991. he joined his older brother at the SmashBox Photo Studios and smashbox enterprises was born. dean is chairman of the board and ceo of smashbox enterprises.

**I had no idea they were related to Max Factor. From what I've found online they have always been cruelty-free but not necessarily "natural." I am excited about the Green Room line and will take a look at the ingredients when I see it in person.

Makeup Alley

There have been a few things that have enriched my life on the internet. One is Google...another is Makeup Alley. I joined a couple of years ago so I could read product reviews. I love keeping up on current trends but I am mostly exposed to natural products. Makeup Alley helps me keep up with conventional brands that I may not have known about otherwise, especially after canceling my Allure subscription. (too anti-esthetician/anti-natural/pro-dermatologist/pro-plastic surgery)
Makeup Alley also lets you trade products you are not using for others that you want. This has been so fun for me, I've gotten some great stuff and (cyber) met some really great people.
I looooove natural products but have to admit I enjoy fun new colors. I'm a sucker for Smashbox, they've always been a somewhat guilty pleasure since they are a conventional line. I've been able to acquire a lot of their products on Makeup Alley.
I've also gotten a lot of Bare Escentuals (I worked there ten years ago and became addicted to their glimmers) and some really yummy candles and essential oils.
I have almost gone through all of my product "stash", all of the excess stuff I wasn't going to use and wanted to trade, so I am nearing the end of my swapping career. It's been really fun and I have a really satisfying new mix of products.