Simply Saturday: Comfort Makeup — Organic Style

The weather is crisp and it dictates that we take care to nourish our skin. The word comfort comes to mind. Wrappingup in a warm coat, or slathering a luxury cream on our bodies are applies to our faces too. Makeup can be comfortable. So get comfy with these skin-saving tips for Simply Saturday makeup. And to increase your comfort level — try using organic makeup that's über good for your skin. The best way to apply comfort makeup? With your God-given digits! 1. Skip Matte Makeup Instead, try makeup that nourishes your skin and offers double-duty benefits. Look for soft glow and low-level gleam. 2. Use products that multi-task. Double duty makeup is our friend! 3. Keep it simple. As difficult as it may be, pare down to only 3-4 products for your simple, comfort makeup application. Start with Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer $38 This triple-duty comfort cream is a protective and preventative lightweight moisturizer, sheer foundation, and sunscreen (SPF 30) in one. It contains Argan Oil, which has many benefits such as softening the skin while also toning and firming. Flush cheeks with Vapour Organic Beauty Blush-Stain $28 This multi-use tube of gorgeous color can be used on lips and eyes too. Formulated with a therapeutic base of light, dry plant oils with natural mineral pigments and vitamins. After you apply to cheeks, use the remainder on your eyelids for a pop of natural color. Don't forget your lips! Finish eyes with Tarte Lash Hugger Natural Mascara $18 Seal the deal with Alba TerraGloss $5.95 Simply apply over your freshly stained lips for a touch of shine. Shop: Lip Gloss by Alba Mascara by Tarte
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Editor’s Picks: Use These Products to Fight Dry Winter Skin

Winter is no excuse to have dry and flaky skin! Combat the rough winter skin with these staples that will keep you hydrated all year long. Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Body Butter Collection packs pure shea and cocoa butters with skin saving essential oils to deliver instantly softer skin. While other Body Butters use synthetic preservatives and chemicals including parabens, silicone & mineral oils that can clog pores, prevent absorption of beneficial ingredients and accumulate in the body, we pack our natural formula with smart, natural ingredients that that allow for faster absorption of body beneficial vitamins and immediate hydration ($19; Lavanila.com). Korres Moisturising Hand Cream with Almond Oil & Calendula will relieve dry hands with rich yet non-oily botanical extracts. Calendula, combined with almond oil and aloe, helps retain natural moisture of the skin, leaving hands smooth and supple. A blend of natural butters and antioxidants provides additional comfort. Use the 91.9 percent natural formula daily for immediate and long-term relief ($14.50; Sephora.com). Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare Recapture Day + IR Defense Anti-Aging Cream SPF 30 is formulated with a bio-copper complex that helps correct the most visible signs of aging. It uses three effective technologies to revive, improve and protect your skin while recapturing a youthful appearance ($69; Kohl’s). Shop:
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Editor’s Picks: The Hardest Working Beauty Products for Labor Day

In 1884, just two years after the first “workingmen’s holiday” was celebrated, the Central Labor Union christened the first Monday in September as the official Labor Day holiday. As beauty buffs, we’re insatiable. When it comes to the art of beautifcation, we operate to an 8-count of harder, better, faster, stronger–we’re constantly on the prowl for those products that are always on the grind and keeps us gorgeous. So in honor of this tribute to our nation’s workers, we have dedicated this edition of editor’s picks to the hardest-working beauty products we know. Our Labors of Love are as follows… Editor-in-Chief Tracey’s Labor of Love: Black Opal Brightening Scrub $9 “I love this double duty scrub/mask. I scrub my face like crazy before I get in the shower. Then I let the mask work its wonders while I do my daily duty in the shower. The last thing I do is rinse off the mask. My skin is exfoliated and brightened in one fell swoop. And the best part is that this Black Opal scrub mask duo is under $10. On top of that the benefits are culmulative–my skin gets progressively smoother and brighter while I use this hard working beauty product.” Chelsea’s Labor of Love: Benefit Cha Cha Tint $30 “This mango colored blush in a bottle is the epitome of perfection! I am on the darker side of the spectrum for Black/African-American skin and many tints don’t show up on me. However, this bottled blush is highly pigmented, even on darker skin tones. It has a brush applicator that makes Cha Cha Tint an amazing multitasker—great for lips and cheeks. For a flawless, fetching face, Cha Cha gives a glowing color like no other.” Taylor’s Labor of Love: Coralactives Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser $22 “Simply put, CoralActives Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser does double duty by cleaning and exfoliating simultaneously. This is great because I don’t want to do any more than I have to in order to get the job done.” Staff Labor of Love: Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Complexion Correction Pads $36 “Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Complexion Correction Pads is a powerhouse in a pot. It truly sets the standard for adult acne correctors everywhere since it doesn’t have a traditional, medicinal smell. In fact, it brings the spa to you by incorporating peach bellini! But soothing scents beside, I’ve never experienced such immediate results after using a skin care product. All I saw was glowing, poreless skin. With all the anti-aging benefits, soothing botanical extracts and inclusion of glycolic and salicylic acid, you’re definitely doing your skin a huge favor!” Terez’s Labor of Love: Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Creme $9 “I’m a huge fan of Burt’s Bees and I can’t say enough about the Coconut Foot Creme. It is nothing short of miraculous and it transforms rough, calloused feet overnight! This creme has a rich, honey-like consistency and smells delicious. I’ve also used this product to moisturize and protect dry elbows, knees and cracked cuticles.” Nalo’s Labor of Love: Estee Lauder’s DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 $43 “Since it is important to use a moisturizer with SPF in the summer as well as during the cooler months, Estee Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 works for all seasons. This hardworking beauty product reduces the appearance of fine lines, discoloration and dullness. It also fights free radicals while refreshing the skin with cucumber. Apply daily and at night to reap the benefits. ” Bona Fide Face Deidre’s Labor of Love: DDF Glycolic 10% Toning Complex $35 “I love when I don’t have to be slave to a great acne product. What’s worse than acne? Having to keep an acne product in tow in hopes of keeping an onslaught of fresh zits at bay. I use DDF Glycolic 10% Toning Complex about twice a year to give my skin a glowing, renewed state so my products-of-the-moment get their glory. This product rivals treatments at the derm office minus the sticker shock.” Shop the beauty products that work hard for the money: Face Anti-Aging by Estee Lauder
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Bad Beauty Habits: Terez Vows To Take Her Vitamins

The bad beauty habit I need to break in 2012 actually qualifies as a bad habit all around. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I am terrible about taking vitamins! I’m aware of all the benefits, yet I continue to neglect my health and (more importantly?) my beauty by skimping on my daily multi. I'm quite disciplined about other beauty habits, but for some reason I consistently forget my simple one-a-day. I know, I know- it’s terrible! And as a nursing mother, double shame on me. But I’m ditching my bad beauty habit once and for all this year. I plan to start a healthy new routine by setting myself up for success. As a busy working mom, the easiest way for me to remember my vitamins is to carry them with me. Ordinarily that would be a hassle, but this year I’ve upgraded to Sprayology Oral Vitamin Spray. Here's what you need to know about Sprayology: Sprayology® reinvents the vitamin as it invigorates a generation of time-deprived professionals. These pioneering nutritional supplements are sprayed into the mouth and under the tongue, where they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Unlike the traditional capsule form, oral sprays bypass the digestive system, which can degrade the restorative properties of nutrients, so more nourishment makes it into the bloodstream. Vitamins are vital nutrients that our bodies need for energy and to prevent disease. Our bodies cannot make vitamins, so we must take them as part of our diet through the foods we eat and through supplementation. The key to a supplement's effectiveness is its ability to transport an appropriate amount of the active ingredient into the bloodstream in a timely manner. Spraying the vitamin under the tongue allows absorption directly into the body. Additionally, the delivery of vitamins and minerals by a sublingual spray is convenient and tastes good. Proof that multivitamin-mineral supplements protect health continues to accumulate: Taking a multi-vitamin for 15 years or more may reduce the risk of colon cancer by 75% Daily doses of multivitamin supplements have been found to cut fetal deaths, low birth weight, and pre-term births by 40% Studies show that women with the highest intake of folate and vitamin B6 may cut their heart disease risk in 1/2 Men & women taking levels of Vitamin E higher than can be obtained from food have lower rates of heart disease Daily multivitamin supplements have been found to boost immune response by up to 60% in older people Viamin E supplementation has also been found to boost immune response in the elderly Researchers estimate that regular use of vitamin supplements could delay the onset of cataracts by at least ten years. It couldn’t be easier—just a few quick sprays and I’m on my way! No need to lug around a huge, heavy bottle, wash several tablets down with a gallon of liquid, or face my horse pill-swallowing phobia. Plus, Sprayology comes in a palm-sized mister that fits right in my purse. Vitamin capsules are SO 2011. Sprayology is super convenient, efficient, easy to use, and even tastes good. With a variety of homeopathic, vitamin, and mineral sprays to alleviate everything from PMS, dry skin, to jet lag, there's no better way to keep my 2012 beauty resolution! So now that I’ve spilled, what’s YOUR bad beauty habit?
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Product Review—Skin Care: Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil—It’s a Keeper!

Winter weather can really put your skin under stress and if you’re in a cold part of the country like I am, it’s extremely important to keep your skin well moisturized. Lately, I’ve been into oils to help defend my skin against the harsh weather and was thrilled to try Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil that I’d been hearing rave reviews about. About Tarte Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil: What it is: A 100 percent pure organic maracuja oil. What it does: This undiluted organic and moisturizing maracuja oil quickly absorbs for firmer, brighter, smoother skin. Pure maracuja oil is rich in vitamin C, so skin appears instantly brighter and more radiant, as well as essential fatty acids (EFAs), a requirement for healthy skin cells that the body cannot produce on its own. EFA deficiency can result in the breakdown of essential skin cells which causes skin to appear dry and aged. By supplementing skin with pure maracuja oil, you are infusing life back into dull skin and replenishing EFAs to rapidly rebuild and repair. This potent antiaging elixir that has anti-inflammatory benefits promotes active skin recovery and delivers maximum hydration without any greasy or filmy feel. My Results: Since first using Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil I knew that my skin loved everything about the oil. Never leaving a greasy feeling, the oil has visibly improved my skin, leaving it more luminous and hydrated. After thoroughly cleansing the skin I apply the oil nightly before bed and in the morning my face looks and feels amazing. I’ve benefited so much from the Maracuja Oil that I will probably start using the oil throughout the year. Bling Factor: Pro: Non-greasy, Paraben free, Mineral Oil Free Con: N/A Price: $48 Buy Again: Yes Packaging: 5 Blings The oil arrives in a really cute case and beautiful purple and gold glass bottle. Overall: 5 Blings
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