Everyday Baby Steps

L'Oreal Products You'll Want To Try

marybabysteps — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:48:20 -0800

L'Oreal is a trusted brand in cosmetics. They've been around forever. I've been a fan of their eye shadow for some time, but I've never really tried many of their other products. In fact, I never knew L'Oreal had such a wide range of products until they sent me a box of goodies to try after I put out a query to HARO about fall makeup. I was introduced to a wide range of products. They have hair care and color, skincare, cosmetics, even men's and kid's products. Here are my absolute favorites!

Collagen Filler Day/Night Cream

I have to be honest and tell you that I didn't think I'd be swayed by the skin care products. You see, I'm very dedicated to my Mary Kay. I admit it, I went in with a closed mind on this one. I've tried other skin care lines, and while it's fun to play and experiment, I always go back to my trusty standby. I've been using the L'Oreal Collagen Filler Day/Night Cream for well over a month now, and I love it.

The formula is creamy and thick. My skin feels so soft after using it. It looks plumper and smoother. It's been great now that dry skin weather is starting to set in. Though my skin is combination/oily, I tend to dry out once the furnace kicks on. I love massaging this cream into my skin and having no dry patches throughout the day. If you've got oily skin, you may like the Day Lotion better, rather than a thick cream. But I recommend switching to a creamy or dry skin formula for the winter months if your skin is at all prone to dryness.

Revitalift Deep Set Wrinkle Repair Eye

I've found over the years that eye cream is a must. Without it, the skin around my eyes looks crepey and feels dry. I like that this eye cream has a formula for both day and night, all in one tube. You know how I love multi-tasking products for moms! The best thing about these eye creams is how gentle they are. I have extremely sensitive eyes. I've used some eye products that make my eyes sting terribly if I get even a tiny bit in them. I haven't had that problem at all with this product. The only recommendation I have is to be careful when dispensing the product. If you're not, you end up with too much cream. No one wants to waste product!

Clean Artiste Waterproof and Long-Wearing Eye Makeup Remover

This is great stuff! Simply soak a cotton ball or sponge, and wipe away the day's eye makeup. Again, remember that my eyes are super sensitive. Not an issue with this product. It's strong enough to do its job, but it's gentle to even the most sensitive eyes. I genuinely recommend this eye makeup remover.

If you're like I was, and you aren't very familiar with what L'Oreal has to offer these days, you'll want to visit their website to check out all the amazing products they've come out with recently. You'll also find makeup tutorials from my new obsession, Project Runway. You may even want to become a fan of L'Oreal on Facebook.

Quick Summer Hair Care Tips

marybabysteps — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:30:29 -0700

We're about midway through the summer. Does your hair feel like mine, coarse, dry, and dull? I recently realized that I should have been taking better care of my locks from the very beginning of summer. After swimming at the pool and playing outside, the damage from so much chlorine and sun is really starting to take its toll. But it's not too late to repair the damage. Here are some things you can easily add to your routine to bring back your hair's shine and vitality.

Wear a Hat

Your mom probably told you to wear a hat in the summer to protect your scalp from sunburn. This is still a good idea, but it's also smart to cover up your hair to protect it from sun damage. While SPF is great for protecting your skin from the sun's damaging rays, it doesn't work the same way with hair. A sun protectant in hair products like shampoo and conditioner would only be washed away when rinsed out. Therefore, the FDA has not allowed for hair products to display an SPF level on their packaging.

Moisturize

Though you won't find an SPF hair product, you can look for ones that contain a protectant like sunflower oil. Also, check for moisturinzing and conditioning ingredients to help restore moisture lost to sun and surf. You'll want to apply protective products liberally and regularly in order to maximize their benefits. I use KMS California Solperfection After Sun Shampoo, which contains coconut oil, grapefruit extract, and caffeine, all beneficial to hair health. I recently started using Healthy Sexy Hair's Soy Renewal. This product came in My Pretty Pink Box and has sunflower oil and argan oil to protect hair. Since adding these to my regimen, I have noticed a difference in the condition of my hair. You may also want to try using a leave-in conditioner containing natural ingredients like keratin, wheat germ protein, or jojoba oil to condition your hair. The product's effectiveness wil be enhanced by the summer heat.

Give It a Soak

Rinse hair with clear water before and after swimming. Wet hair will absorb less chlorine than dry, and it makes sense to rinse away as much of the chemical as you can after taking a dip. Bring along a bottle of fresh water with you expressly for this purpose. I usually fill a bottle or two with water to keep us hydrated throughout the day, anyway.

Take a Break From the Burn

You may want to take a few days off from your electric styling appliances like blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons. That kind of heat just strips away moisture and damages your hair's cuticle. I recently got a cute new style that requires lots of straightening, but it also looks nice with my hair's natural curl. So I skip the iron at least every other day, which helps to mix things up a little, too.

Good luck keeping your hair in tip top shape this summer and have fun. Stop by Total Beauty and check out their quiz to find out what's the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair for a little help on deciding which hair product to buy.

Guest Post on Eco-Friendly Bath and Body Products

marybabysteps — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:44:21 -0700

Now that Mother’s Day has officially passed, it’s time to remind ourselves that mothers need to take care of themselves all year long. Sometimes it’s hard with the kiddos but mama needs to keep herself happy & that means pampering! Even if you are not on vacation, you can take a break and a temporary trip from the world.

Eco-friendly bath & body experiences are the perfect way to do it. Today, more and more moms are concerned about what they are putting on their skin & many small businesses are paying attention and coming up with products that not only pamper...but are actually good for you.

Amourai Organique (http://www.luvamourai.com) is one such business. Owner Raiquel Cole has a small line of hair products made with organic ingredients. The goal of this company is to treat your head like a princess with products such as Silver Spoon Shampoo (sulfate free), Knight in Shining Armour (deep conditioning) and Majesty Jojoba Hair Lotion (a light conditioner to keep the frizzies away).

Now that you have your head covered, it’s time to move on to the rest of your body. Bidwell Botanicals (http://www.bidwellbotanicals.com) is another great place to shop for goodies. Jill Jones (owner of Bidwell) recommends their Lavender Goat’s Milk Soap and Grapefruit Passion Salt Scrub (scrubs are wonderful for exfoliation and grapefruit makes women smell young). . Bathing in Luxury (http://www.bathinginluxury.com) has a Whipt Pudding (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21968719) which is made with shea butter that will keep your skin soft and glowing all year long. You’ll also want to look at their long list of soaps.

To keep you in the mood, consider scenting your home with products from Barcelona Bath & Body (http://www.barcelonabathandbody.com). Their Room Refresh uses a fine mist and essential oils to have your home smelling fabulous in an instant. The bottle even has a safety clip to prevent accidental spraying! Or check out their sachets (available in 5 mood-calming scents) for your car...driving with kids can be so stressful.

It’s critical to remember that YOU are important...as well as your family...so make some “me” time for yourself every day.

---
Liz Nonnemacher
http://www.wickedlychic.com, Independent Shopping for the Wickedly Fashionable

Natural Products From Juice Beauty

marybabysteps — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:22:12 -0800

I told the folks at Juice Beauty that I was looking to highlight beauty products for moms that were quick, easy, and natural looking. They sent me some great stuff to try out. I got to try Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist, SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer, and SPF 8 Lip Moisturizers.

About Juice Beauty

Juice Beauty caters to women looking for organic skin care. Their line contains "a patent-pending 100% organic juice blend", and their total organic content in their products is 95%. Wow, almost nothing in their products is not natural! And the description actually sounds kind of yummy.

The products actually do smell kind of yummy. I love using beauty products that have a pleasant smell. To me, it really enhances the overall experience of pampering myself. Not only do Juice Beauty's products smell yummy, they provide beneficial results for your skin. The organic ingredients offer age-defying results due to the antioxidant properties, and it's much healthier to use organic products since cosmetics absorb into your skin. Juice Beauty products contain no pesticides, parabens, or petroleum.

The Products

I learned some really great things by trying these organic beauty products. I found that I could really simplify my makeup routine and get out the door quickly, while still looking good. I tend to be a beauty perfectionist, putting on every products from primers and highlihgters to liners and powders, skipping no steps in between. Maybe this is why I found myself in a no makeup rut; no one has time for all that!

Juice Beauty makes looking good simple and natural. First I tried the Hydrating Mist, which contains a blend of grape juices, oloe vera, rosehip, grapeseed oil, and vitamins. The formula is meant to hydrate and balance your skin. It felt wonderful going on, and little went a long way, and the smell is fresh and light. What an awesome combination first thing in the morning!

Next I applied the SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer, which contains a grape and pomegranate juice blend as well as antioxidants and nutrients. It's important to protect and nourish your skin, and this product provides both benefits while also providing pretty good coverage. I was a bit concerned when I opened the lid and saw the color. I was afraid it would be too dark for my very fair, freckled face. I also feared that the cream formula would irritate my oily/combination skin. The desciption says it's good for all skin types, and it was right. My makeup didn't fade all day and the oil was under control. The application was also easier than I anticipated, as I usually prefer powder mineral foundation. I jused used a sponge to evenly apply it, working from the center out. Check out the results.

Please forgive the photography. Self-portraits are really not my thing! You can see there's really no tell-tale makeup line at my jawline, and the color is natural, not at all orangey. Take a look at the lip gloss. That's Juice Beauty's SPF 8 Lip Moisturizers in Playful, a pretty dark rose color. I received a three-pack that also contained Naturally Clear and Joyful, a rosy pink. Your lips need protection too, and the natural ingredients like mango and passionfruit essence and honey really are moisturizing. These lip moisturizers feel great and go on smoothly.

Juice Beauty products work amazingly well for me. They provide protection and coverage that I need, and they look very natural. They're also a good value. A little goes a long way. Did I mention they smell good? I'd recommend trying them if you're in the market for a convenient, organic, and effective skin-care or beauty line.