In LA, June gloom was in effect Monday morning before the parade. Does that mean I don’t need SPF? Not a chance. I recently came across my new favorite SPF that I can wear during the day underneath my makeup without any application complications. Kinerase’s Daily Defense Cream SPF 30 is an amazing sunscreen and I’ve kept it tucked away in my purse ready for any moment. The added bonus is that it leaves a soft layer of moisture on my skin that hydrates throughout the day. Since I’ve had it, I haven’t gone one day without using it because it feels that good.  After using my daily, moisturizing SPF, my normal natural makeup steps were done followed by a spritz of Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray to lock everything into place. #24 Jersey on, ready to sit in traffic. After a long hour and a half in traffic, we finally found a spot in downtown at the end of the Laker parade route to start the festivities and excitement. If you’ve ever hesitated to go to downtown LA, you have reason, but don’t be afraid. It’s cleaned up a lot and if you aren’t looking for trouble you won’t find any. Just as we got there the clouds melted away and the sunshine poured in clearing a perfect day to celebrate.

The crowd was huge and the anticipation was building. The hard work of the season paid off all for the fans and the city. To experience the buzz, joy and the excitement of 2 million Laker fans around you is truly an amazing thing. Words cannot describe the aura of the victory parade. While walking to the destination and standing in the hot sun on the scorching asphalt, you start to feel the effects of the sun. Luckily someone came prepared like Mary Poppins. The lifesaver: Avene’s Thermal Spring Water. It’s similar to Evian’s water spray, but full of trace minerals and silica. This is another must have beauty product during the warmer months. It’s great to use as a mister when you’re feeling the heat, perfect refresher to wake up your skin and is soothing all along the way. The fine Parisian mist is fragrance free and works wonders for sensitive or stressed skin. I carry it with me at all times, any time I need a pick me up, it’s only a mist away. Monumentally amazing for a hot, large crowded area for your precious skin.

After waiting and waiting and the anticipation building among the crowd you finally see the police brigade come down the street. 5 helicopters swarm in the sky above, vuvuzelas sounding, fans screaming, Laker flags in the air, people standing on bus stops, roof tops and even on statues at USC. Finally you see them, first the Laker girls in a double decker bus then the champions. The crowd goes wild at this moment with hands in the air, balloons and confetti being released everywhere. The wait is over and there you have Kobe Bryant, one of the best NBA players ever, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Ron Artest, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and more acknowledging and thanking their loyal fans for the support and momentum of the season. The wait is over, no more playoff games for the year, no more worrying or working out who will win games 2, 3 & 4. Instead of rioting, a crowd is united and joyous. 2 million people of all ethnicities are there together in harmony to support and rejoice for that one reason which is an accomplishment in itself over the Thursday before. My definition of beauty isn’t taken of what is on the outside but starts with your inner beauty. It’s how you conduct yourself and your actions that say much more about anyone than what you can see. To see a city united and so many people celebrating together under the buildings of LA is a beautiful thing. Absolutely stunning and in a recession it’s what a city needs.

If your Father’s Day shopping goes anything like mine it starts about 3 days before the holiday and consists of pacing through Sharper Image until you become so familiar with the products that you contemplate applying for a new job.  This year Shopping for my dad’s present was easier than ever.  While browsing for myself I happened to stumble upon some great Father’s day gift ideas.  I never thought that while searching for beauty products I would find anything for my dad, but I was pleasantly surprised.

The first item I came across was MICHAEL KOORS Eau De Toilette Spray for men.  Not only does the bottle have a sleek, manly look, but it smells great too.  My dad has been wearing the same boring cologne since I can remember.  I thought this would be a great opportunity to update his scent and why not do it in style with a trendy Michael Koors brand.

Source: Flickr User tomontoast

The next gift for dad that I discovered was a male daily essential set.  I know for a fact that my dad has yet to discover the world of smooth moisturized skin and I have a feeling he is not alone.  Too many men have no idea what they are missing out on.  This product is a must have for my dad and many dads alike.  I feel that it is my responsibility as a woman and his daughter to open his eyes to the comfort of moisturized skin.

My third finding was by far the best one.  I love my dad, but I have to admit he is a bit of a complainer.  Traveling is no exception.  He is always getting frustrated with putting his liquids in small containers and finding an organized way to pack everything.  I think I may have just found his solution.  The Menscience  travel kit that I purchased has everything from ear plugs to shampoo and the best part is the small travel bag that it all comes in.  This gift will ease the stress of traveling for my already frazzled Dad.

After my shopping frenzy was over, I felt so accomplished.  This was the fastest I was ever able to find a gift for my dad, and I found 3! For the first time ever the hardest part of choosing a present didn’t involve searching for one, but instead will be deciding which one to return.

Colorescience:  Sunforgettable Brush SPF 30

I love this sun care/skin care product for its application ease, light feel and portability- not to mention it has received the Seal of Approval from the Skin Care Foundation of America. It provides SPF in an easy brush applicator which is perfect for reapplying throughout the day. The Sunforgettable brushes come with or without color making it ideal for women, men and even children. You can stick one in your purse, your child’s backpack and don’t forget your husband’s golf bag!

PCA:  Protecting Hydrator SPF 25 – pHaze 7

A favorite among dermatologist and estheticians, this emollient moisturizer is formulated to provide extra protection from UVA and UVB rays. It absorbs quickly, is fragrance-free and leaves your skin feeling soft. pHaze 7 has also received the Seal of Approval from the Skin Care Foundation of America.  I love moisturizer with SPF because it’s a double duty skincare product- it’s easy on your wallet and makes practicing safe sun care effortless. If you use this every morning, you won’t ever leave the house forgetting to apply sunscreen. Stock up for summer now!

Kinerase: PhotoFacials Sun Damage Reversal System

I just started using this morning and evening regimen of skin care products to reverse the sun damage I have from spending my summers at the beach. So far, so good!  The 3 step process (exfoliating wash, daytime and evening moisturizer) uses Kinetin to attack wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation and uneven texture caused by UV exposure. A clinical study showed that 89% of users saw an improvement in only 4 weeks. I’m on week 2 and my skin does feel smoother. I really like how evenly the moisturizer goes on and how light it feels. I’m optimistic for the final results!

Spread the word and be sure to practice SAFE sun exposure this summer.

SOURCE: flickr user: Antikris

While vacationing in Thailand I couldn’t help but notice that Thai women are obsessed with sunscreen protection. From wide brimmed hats on the streets to long sleeves in the pool and ocean to SPF 100+ in the supermarkets, these ladies practiced very safe sun protection! While it’s the beauty ideal to have tan skin in the west, it’s ideal to have white skin in the east.  So forget tanning oils and beds, and self-tanner; instead, imagine rows upon rows of skin lighteners and SPF sun protection. However, as a result of the Thai’s sunscreen protection obsession, they have the most beautiful skin!

It doesn’t take a dermatologist anymore to know that staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen will help prevent fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation (aka age spots), and more importantly, help prevent skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, there has been “an estimated 350 perfect increase in the number of skin cancers over the past decade and a half.” And in case you didn’t know, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month so definitely check out the site and learn what you can do to help prevent skin cancer.

So in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the beautiful women of Thailand I ask; why don’t more women in our youth-obsessed, cancer phobic world practice safer sun protection?

Well, yours truly has always been good about wearing her antioxidants, SPF, sun hat and lounging in the shade.  No one can be perfect and I occasionally falter (gasp!). However, my Thailand adventure reignited my personal sunscreen protection flame and the hat-loving Lauren is back with a list of my favorite SPF sun protection beauty products!

Not all of us have the gumption to publicly parade the streets in America with an oriental umbrella (oh how I miss my days in Bangkok!!); therefore, Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Brush SPF 30  is the perfect alternative. You can whip it out whenever you need to refresh your face sun protection, ideally you should reapply every 2 hours—this brush makes it super convenient!

Another easy way to shield your skin from damaging is SPF sun protection in a spray or wipe! Both are a simple solution to applying or reapplying sunscreen. I love the wipes because I can be a bit of a germ freak and this way it isn’t a big deal if I can’t wash my hands, but make sure you find biodegradable wipes so they’re eco-friendly!  Sprays are great too and you get a little more bang for your buck. Check out this one from Korres, it has a yummy orange scent!

Grab your hat and your SPF sun protection and get ready for summer! Keep me posted on all your summer sun situations!

Source: Flickr user massdistraction

Let’s start at the basics, you take a shower in the morning and the first thing you put on is probably a lotion or moisturizer because your skin may be a little dry from the hot water. You want to start the day off in the best mood possible and a natural body lotion can help contribute. My recommendation for a natural body lotion is Pangea Organics Hand and Body Lotion. This lotion has top grade essential oils in each formulation that deliver aromatherapy and aid in skin health improvement. It comes in 5 different variations that are all very therapeutic and nourishing to your skin. My two favorites are the French Chammomile with Sweet Orange and Lavender and Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary. Each of the scents has different therapeutic benefits so you may customize to your aromatic needs. If I’ll be out in the sun it’s extremely important to add sun care. I absolutely love Decleor’s Aromessence Solaire Body for its natural protection booster. For the alternative price, Coola suncare also offers a yummy smelling sun block that is waterproof and helps moisturize.

The next step in my regimen is incorporating a natural moisturizer. My sensitive skin is very touchy with chemicals, so switching to a natural moisturizer was easy and I noticed the difference almost immediately. Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturizer is amazing because it comes with a blend of firming peptides and vitamin C that help nourish and replenish the skin’s moisture level at the same time helping to build collagen. This moisturizer is made of 100% organic ingredients and Juice Beauty is dedicated to providing eco-conscious skincare. An easy way to bypass foundation in your beauty routine is to use a tinted moisturizer, but a lot of them have harmful ingredients. (One I happen to be completely allergic to) Suki Skin Care’s Tinted Active Moisturizer is an amazing multi-functioning product that helps firm, reduce inflammation and prevent premature aging. By using this in the morning you won’t have to go through the motions of a moisturizer and foundation/powder.

Source: flickr user aussiegall

Earth day is a day that everyone should take notice and it’s fun to get involved. It’s not just doing good for our mother earth but for yourself and your future. For more information on earth day and natural beauty products you can check out the rest of the fun natural cosmetics glow has in the natural and organic section. Make sure to take the steps to be beautiful and make sure that you’re helping our gorgeous earth at the same time. The best part about shopping online, is it’s the green way to shop. Beautiful earth, beautiful you.

Flickr User: jasonpaluck

Finally, spring has sprung. We’ve put the sweaters away and pulled out the flip flops. Now we need to update our skincare routine with the latest spring beauty trends. Hello sun dresses and tank tops!

Spring Update #1: Exfoliate.

Thick winter moisturizers and dead skin can leave your complexion drab and dull. During spring, make sure exfoliation is part of your skincare routine. Once or twice a week, exfoliate with glycolic or salicylic acid to uncover new vibrant skin. I love DDF – Glycolic 10 Percent Exfoliating Oil Control Gel with Salicylic Acid 2 Percent.  Show off your fresh face with a low pony and cute spring headband.

Spring Update #2: Throw out old cosmetic products to make room for new spring beauty colors.

Yes, I know you paid good money for that mascara and lip gloss but do you really want to hold onto it for 2 years? Old cosmetic products breed bacteria. The shelf life for mascara is 6 months maximum and for lip gloss 18 months. Consider all the money you’ll save by not getting a gross eye infection. By the way, natural beauty products have an even shorter shelf life. Reward yourself for the time spent spring cleaning by buying a new blush in a trendy spring color like coral or light peach.

Spring Update # 3: Incorporate an allergy friendly under eye cream into your spring skincare routine.

Blooming flowers are beautiful but puffy allergy eyes are not. Look for an under eye cream that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as green tea and aloe to help reduce signs of puffiness. I love SkinMedica’s Uplifting Eye Serum. For a more natural beauty product, Juara’s Sweet Black Tea Eye Crème is fab. This spring, going “green” is a major beauty trend!

Spring Update #4: Fake it – a tan that is!

Although we have to wait a few months before taking a summer vacation, we can look like we spent a week in Hawaii with a little help from self tanners. Self tanner is the perfect addition to your spring skincare routine because it helps you look like a golden goddess without any of the harmful UVA/UVB rays. Plus, a tan is the perfect compliment to all spring beauty trends.

What are your favorite spring skincare additions and trends? Please share.

Source: Flickr User Molly Darling

Step 1: Prepare in advance. About two weeks before V-Day, start being extremely nice to your man and surprise him with random acts of kindness. Remind him why he loves you and fell in love with you. Whisper sweet nothings into his ear, seduce, cook, clean and be that trophy wife for him that he’s proud to parade around. Of course, we all know the fact is that men have short term memories which last about 1-2 weeks. If you’re unusually nice to him two weeks before V-Day, he’ll be persuaded into believing that you’re this awesome all the time (and hopefully forget about that one night rendezvous with his brother). Therefore, you’ll get better gifts on V-Day and won’t mind spending the money on his perfect honey.

Step 2: One week before V-Day, cease this barrage of kindness and pretend to be disinterested. Let the lost puppy chase his owner. This way you can guilt him, or in the least instill fear in him and really put him on his heels. He’ll be thinking: “what happened? What did I do? Did she forget about how much she loves me?” And really, if fear has gotten us into two wars, it can at least get us a bit more than flowers and candy, am I right ladies? At this time, it’s a great time to put up your list of gifts where he can see them, as “suggestions”. You can even have the kids help out with this one and send over an email to your hubby of a “this is what mommy wants”.

** This step is tricky because you have to be careful not to let him know your game. As soon as he realizes he’s being manipulated, he’ll no longer be guilted into buying gifts; and guilt it the key to getting what you want!**

Step 3: Establish competition. Take some time to do your makeup, hair and put on that certain item of clothing that you know makes him go bananas. Men thrive off of competition.  If you sneakily insert a fable (or a true story) about how some other lover gave you the best Valentine’s Day ever, he’ll be sure to try to out-do his competition.  But once again, subtlety is extremely important you don’t want to over-do it.

The last step of your grand scheme is almost a repeat of step one. Start planning for next year.  Guys don’t really remember details, they remember GRAND gestures. The key here is to overreact and thank him excessively for such a wonderful V-day, when you get your Jane Iredale ChocohoLICKS lip gloss set and your Vera Wang Eau De Parfum. In turn he feels gratified and accomplished as a man, and remember that specific feeling of greatness for next year.

Don’t feel bad, you’re actually doing him a favor through all of this. Men don’t realize the importance of having an effective hair dryer and other essential makeup and skin care products. If they did, they’d realize that we’d be able to get ready in half the time that we normally do and they’d have no hesitation on buying them. So don’t feel guilty about a little “influencing” to get what you want, you’re only saving him serious money spent on roses and unnecessary weight from candy.

There you have it ladies, the only surprise that my lovely husband should be getting after all is how much I’ve spent on his black American Express card. Just don’t forget that after you get your wish list, thank him and love him dearly, as he is your other half. According to Maslow, men are easy; he’ll want sex, food, and some stroking to his ego, plus, a happy wife = a happy life. Stick to those principles and you have a happy man.

Love,

The Maniacal Housewife

How well is your skin holding up in the midst of our winter season? I thought I was taking good care of my skin until I started using iQ Derma’s Life Without Wrinkles moisturizer. Winter’s low humidity condition can cause dry, irritated, dry skin if not treated properly. So before you hit the slopes this winter season make sure you follow these skin care tips for the perfect complexion.

1. Bust out the humidifier

• With the windows sealed shut and the heat kicked up to high, your house could get very dry. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air; turn it on during the night and not only will you wake up with great skin but you’ll be well rested too!

2. Moisturize more

• Applying a moisturizer once a day is not enough; make sure to apply morning and night for the best glow you can get.

3. Don’t skip out on the sunscreen

• Sunscreen isn’t just for the summer months. The sun’s reflective powers are an issue all year round, 17% on the sand and 80% on the snow. Try using a moisturizer that has an SPF of 25 of higher in it to help protect your skin from UV rays.

4. Help your hands out

• Your hands are the thinnest part of your body and they need the most help because they have fewer oil glands than the rest of your body. Try carrying a travel size lotion bottle with you to keep your phalanges in tip top shape.

5. Grease your feet

• Cracked feet are never in style, so make sure you exfoliate and try using a foot lotion that contains petroleum or glycerin during the winter for extra protection.

6. Milk your face

• If you have extra dry skin, try to avoid all face masks, harsh peels, alcohol-based toners or astringents. All those products strip the oil from your face. Instead try a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are “deeply hydrating,” rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face.

7. Never leave home without your chapstick

• The skin on our lips is very thin and there are no oil glands to help protect them, so it is up to you to protect those bad boys.  Stay hydrated to keep your lips moisturized, Vitamin B helps keep your lips from cracking and don’t forget to stash chapstick in every place possible.

8. Avoid hot baths / Shorten your shower

• Hot water steals from the skin moisture causing dry skin, so it’s best to shower in lukewarm water. If you can’t live without your scorching hot showers, try to keep them short and try showering only once per day

9. Stay hydrated

• Fruits and vegetables in your daily diet release a lot of water to your system. Hydrate from the inside out.

10. Ditch the deodorized soaps

• Stick to milder soaps that won’t strip the essential oil from your body’s surface.

Stay warm,

Jehan

Probably the ingredient that has received the most press is Moroccan Argan Oil, used in our Raw Color Lush Lash Pure Botanical Mascara and Raw Skincare.  We purchase argan oil harvested by an all-women’s cooperative in Morocco’s Berber region, founded by a very inspiring women, Professor Zoubida Charouf, who is a natural beauty herself.

Flickr user: Mayu ;p

The Argan forest plays a critical role in the region as it supports over three million people (out of a total Moroccan population of just over 30 million), but it is in decline as a result of over-exploitation, soil erosion and desertification. Through this cooperative, a literacy program as well as a reforestation program has been put into place. This has resulted in dramatic improvements to the lives of the Moroccan women, who now have access to education programs and the responsibilities of operating a business.  At the same time, the cooperative’s reforestation program has made a very positive impact on the socio-economics of the region, as it helps ensure that the Argan trees will be around to benefit the future.

Flicker User: Jeremy Couture

I think it’s interesting that the cooperative is 100% women operated.  I saw the most inspiring documentary on microlending (loaning small amounts of money to the very poor to enable them to start their own business without the pressure of having to immediately pay the money back) and it was found that loaning money to women proved more successful. Not only were women generally more reliable when it came to paying back the loan, but they tended to use the profits from their business to send their children to school, promoting sustainable, socio-economic development through education and eliminating illiteracy. Girl Power!

Another unique sustainable ingredient we feature is the ultra-emollient Andiroba Oil, found in our Raw Skincare Andiroba Botanical Face Primer. Andiroba comes from the Marajo Island in the Amazon, which is totally surrounded by fresh water. The 200,000 people who live there are blessed with abundant fish during the ‘dry season’. But during the other half of the year, when the fish migrate elsewhere, the population suffers. This same ‘rainy season’ is also the cue for the Andiroba tree to deposit its water-born seeds. Large numbers of these seeds are carried downriver every year and deposited on the beaches. The Brazilian company Brasmazon saw an opportunity to turn them into an alternative income source and helped to establish a cooperative to collect the seeds and extract their oil for sale to the cosmetic industry.  This cooperative was a finalist in 2007’s World Challenge, a global competition aimed at finding projects or small businesses from around the world that have made real difference through enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level.

But my favorite sustainable ingredient in the Raw Natural Beauty line is Ambiaty.  This ingredient really is the best of both worlds – delivering unmatched skincare benefits (stimulating collagen production up to 230%!) while also helping to support the local communities in Madagascar.  Ambiaty is harvested by only one supplier in Madagascar, and at only one time of year.  Not only that, the collection of Ambiaty helps provide a regular income to families and villages who participate and contributes to the sustainable development of these communities through increased schooling of children, through the purchase of school supplies and the construction of new school rooms. While increasing anti-aging benefits, it’s also helping the community.

Flickr User: IFRC

In light of the horrific earthquake in Haiti, I want to say that I am so proud of my uncle who last week was part of a team of 79 doctors and nurse practitioners who brought 30,000 pounds of drugs and surgical equipment to Port-Au-Prince.  He’s there for over two weeks, treating upwards of 100 patients a day.  Sadly, local doctors have been unnecessarily amputating limbs, leaving thousands without the ability to work or support themselves for the rest of their lives.  For the last 10 years my uncle has been actively trying to promote sustainable development in Haiti.  As founder of the nonprofit organization Mission for Haiti’s Children, his team is committed to improving health care, education, and economic development.   As part of the Mission’s work, a clinic was built in La Croix that now treats 25,000 patients a year. The organization has also built a maternity center, a school, and a grain mill, and helped to establish a fish farm, a rabbit farm, and a well-drilling program to help encourage self-sufficiency and end poverty.

This is obviously an example of someone making a really big impact, much like Professor Zoubida Charrouf in Morocco, but I love that we can all contribute to this type of positive change when we seek out products that use sustainable ingredients!

The solution to my hair problem was helped by one product that I can honestly swear by. Using an overnight conditioning treatment when you have colored hair is a must. It brings shine, moisture and vibrancy back into damaged hair and can make all the difference. The night before the races, I used Kronos Phyx Overnight Repair Masque. I can’t lie, this product can be a little pricey but it’s worth every penny. You put it on at night and can sleep on it, then wash it out in the morning and tada! Shinier, healthier hair just like that.

The next thing to do was taking care of my skin. It was dry and aching for some moisture, since my busy life hasn’t allowed me to pay much attention to it. I can’t stress enough how important it is to moisturize your skin everyday regardless of your skin type. My skin is naturally on the dry side, but the fall and winter season definitely amp up the dryness. Since my skin was pretty dry, I didn’t want to use anything harsh to exfoliate, but it was that time of the week to do so. Using a fine grained sugar scrub, I gently massaged it in tiny circles around my face. No pulling, no frantic scrubbing, just a motion that was easy, but good enough to get the job done. Next thing on the list is to finish up with a hydrating toner and a moisturizer. I absolutely love Jason Organic’s moisturizer because it’s not too oily, but sits perfect on my skin while hydrating it, and if i wanted to put on makeup afterwards it doesn’t compromise any of the makeup product application. Since I used a hydrating toner that does my skin wonders, I didn’t need to use a heavier moisturizer. You can substitute the moisturizer and toner for a moisturizer that’s a bit heavier for great results also.

Waking up the morning of, my hair was hydrated, and my skin was soft and supple. After a regimen like that and some tender love and care to your hair and skin, you’re not just ready for the day but you’ve got a more confident self. Now on to the next thing on the list – to win..