Containing fruit oils that nourish dry, parched lips immediately, the scent is pleasant without being overpowering.

Finding a hydrating lipstick that also wears well and stays on for hours is almost impossible, but Vapour has managed to come up with one.  I seriously only have to reapply every 5-6 hours.

I’m currently in love with Tryst, a gorgeous red.  My other fave is Incognito, a warm neutral that looks perfect with no other makeup on.

Available at If a Goddess Wore Makeup.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

Now here’s how this relates to beautiful skin.  Toxins trapped in the colon can find their way to other body parts as well as to the skin showing up as acne flare-ups, rashes and other skin issues.  Basically, lemon water aids in washing toxins out of the body.

Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant – good for neutralizing those pesky free radicals that damage skin cells.

Some of the other benefits of drinking lemon juice in water are:

• reduces the amount of phlegm in the body
• blood purifier
• boosts immune system
• may lower blood pressure
• makes body more alkaline/less acidic

My suggestion is to start with the juice of half a lemon squeezed in to 8oz of warm or room temperature water. Drink this the first thing in the morning.  You can work your way up to the juice of a whole lemon in 16oz of water if you wish.  Rinse your mouth with fresh water after to neutralize the acid from the lemon so you don’t have to worry about the  possibility of it eroding the enamel on your teeth.

Lemon water is a tasty, refreshing drink and FYI – Trader Joe’s sells a bag of 6 lemons for $1.49.  Now that’s what I call an affordable beauty remedy.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

Beauty Foods

fresh fruits  (especially berries, avocado and pomegranate)

fresh vegetables  (especially dark, leafy greens and broccoli)

walnuts

salmon

extra virgin olive oil

green tea

chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseed oil

These foods are anti-inflammatory, loaded with antioxidants, Vitamins A & C

and omega-3 fatty acids.

• avoid processed food/junk food/fast food
• limit sugar and alcohol
• drink lots of purified water
• investigate Dr. Weil’s Anti-inflammatory Diet
• investigate the Mediterranean diet

Beauty Supplements

Resveratrol – studies show it has amazing anti-aging properties

Vitamin C – protects against UV induced cell damage

Turmeric – helps with acne and aging skin

Fish oil – promotes more vibrant and youthful skin

Probiotic – supports good digestion and elimination

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

A little does go a long way. The oil penetrates easily, does not leave an oily residue and can even be used around the eye area.

My new favorite way to use argan oil is on my hands and as a cuticle oil. I use only one or two drops on the back of my hands then rub them together bringing the oil out to moisturize the cuticles as well.  I avoid the palms of my hands.

I carry a cute one ounce size of 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil in my cosmetic bag now and use it instead of hand cream.  My hands have never felt so soft. It’s also working to fade the few brown spots I have from the sun.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

• Apply makeup in natural light. The more brightly and evenly lit your face is, the easier it is to blend well and not over-do anything.
• Instead of waiting to wash your face at midnight when you might be too tired and want to skip it, get it done as soon as you get home early in the evening.
• Bronze or gold eye shadow create a beautiful contrast for blue eyes. Try using your bronzer as a shadow.
• Good posture can make you look taller, thinner, younger and more confident. And it’s free!
• Avoid anything with mineral oil (a by-product of petroleum). It’s like putting saran wrap on your skin; smothering the skin not allowing it to breath or eliminate toxins, clogging pores and actually drying the
  skin out.
• Even if you’re a “no makeup” girl, you may need concealer. Don’t resist. This is a must have for many of us. Getting rid of the darkness under the eyes, makes you look healthy, well rested and brings more attention to the eyes.
• Get a shower filter. There are many health and beauty benefits.
• Be as diligent about reading cosmetic labels as you are about reading food labels.
• Nothing opens up your eyes like an eyelash curler. Curl lashes first then apply mascara.
• Don’t be concerned about using a cleanser from one company and a moisturizer from another. It’s about you and what works best not brand loyalty.
• Think of red lipstick as a  fun accessory!  Because many commercial lipsticks contain lead especially the red shades, opt for one from a natural/organic company.
• Brows are very important and one of the first things I look at when doing a woman’s makeup. Have your brows shaped at least once by an expert, then keep up by pulling out the strays once or twice a week with a good tweezer like Tweezerman.
• Is under-eye puffiness in the morning a problem? 
Use an eye cream that contains caffeine and store in the fridge. The cool temperature of the cream (along with the active ingredients) will help to reduce swelling.
• Sunglesses!  Large-framed wraparound styles block out the most light limiting both vision damage and sun-induced wrinkles. Protect yourself especially between 11am and 3pm.
• Consciously relax your face. We give ourselves some of the lines on our faces by squinting, raising our forehead, puckering, or habitual movements that can etch fine lines and wrinkles in place.
•  Make your own tinted moisturizer by mixing a drop or two of your favorite liquid foundation with a moisturizer in the palm of your hand.
• Think of your face as extending down to your chest. So when applying treatment products, massage into face, throat and chest. These areas need the same TLC as your face.
• According to every wellness guru, sugar is BAD for your skin. Sugar triggers the formation of AGEs (advanced glycation end products), which are believed to cause fine lines and wrinkles. Treat yourself once a week instead of every day.
• Avoid sleeping on your side or even worse on your stomach. Try sleeping on your back to avoid wrinkles. Wake up without creases and lines from the pillow pushing up against our skin all night.
• Does your skin feel dry when the weather turns cold?  Most women are over-cleansing and under-moisturizing. Dry skins should cleanse once a day with a non-foaming cleanser and switch to a rich cream moisturizer. The products you use in the summer usually don’t work in the winter.
• Follow the 3-4 month replacement rule on mascara. Why take a chance with bacteria and possible infections? I jot down a date in my appointment book reminding me when to buy a new mascara.

Natural News

Not Just a Pretty Face

Eclectic Eating & Wellness

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Post Punk Kitchen

Kimberly Snyder

Green Beauty Team

No More Dirty Looks

Christy Coleman

Chemical of the Day Blog (or so ….)

Enjoy!

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

I had a natural interest in herbs, and began reading Jethrow Klauss/Back to Eden in my early teenage years and playing around with herbs. One day a friend and I went to Santa Fe (I’m from Albuquerque) and took the backway home. There was an unusual tourist attraction in Golden, NM called the “Glass Bottle Garden”. As this site was originally a stagecoach stop, it was filled with antique liquor and medicine bottles. Our curiosity piqued, so we stopped in. It turned out the proprietor (Ardell) was an herbalist and out of nowhere asked if I would like to study herbs with her. I did, off and on for about 18 months. I moved from NM, and my passion for herbs transitioned to essential oils. About 20 years later, I became a massage therapist and started making my own products for my clients. In addition, I did some teaching of reflexology and aromatherapy. Because of the success I started having with my clients and classes and a brief encounter with supplying Nordstrom with some of my products, I decided to make an over the top natural skin care line that would involve my communication with the plants to guide me and a comprehensive model including nutritional supplements, minerals and flower essences. This inclusive model is still unsurpassed in the current market, even with thousands of competitors.

How is the OHA skin care system different from other brands?

The OHA skin care “SYSTEM” involves a unique blending and layering method that allows clients to receive the benefits of an entire skin care system in 3-5 minutes, two times a day. It is simple, sensuous and super effective! The system  includes: 1.Cleanse 2.Exfoliate 3.Tone 4.Treat and 5.Protect. What are the benefits?  The benefits include: 1. dewy and moist skin 2. rejuvenating elasticity and firmness 3. reduction of wrinkles 4.bright and even skin tone and 5.noticeable improvement in skin texture. 6.natural UV protection (this term can be translated as supression of UV damage).  In addition, the ingredients and packaging are incredibly clean, non toxic to your face, body and the environment. It’s like being able to “get your green on” and being rewarded with fabulous skin.

The biggest concern I hear from women is that they want to be assured that natural/organic skin care is as effective as the department store/drug store brands they’ve been using.  What’s your opinion on that?

I can understand people’s reluctance to change, however even with a small amount of research/investigation these same women would discover and should be more concerned about the toxicity that department/drug store brands use. For those companies, marketing is the key factor in their dollar investments, not ingredients. Most of these companies, for example still package their products in plastic. Not only is this hazardous to the environment, but certain components, phthlates for example, leach into the product, then into our bodies and finally into the sewage and water systems. As far as effectiveness, you only need to try the products for a few days to see the response your skin will have. Because we put our money into the ingredients, it shows up on you skin. Specifically we use organic ingredients, that are active on your skin – 2 types of Vitamin E, 2 types of esterfied vitamin C, MSM, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Coenzyme CoQ10, highly unusual and therapeutic essential oils, trace minerals from the Great Salt Lake and Canadian flower essences to achieve overall skin health, deliver anti aging benefits and skin radiance. We are packaged in dark glass, which protects the valuable ingredients and is completely recyclable and non toxic to the water, soil and air.

What are some of the most beneficial ingredients that you use?  What are the benefits?

Most companies focus on one or two ingredients. OHA has been designed to showcase a team of expert ingredients, all working together to create an effective skin care system.  As a result OHA’s formulations are founded on a different concept from our competitors with intended broader outcomes. We are not just a cosmetic, although we do achieve cosmetic benefits. But moreover, it is both highly therapeutic and medicinal. When you treat the skin, you are after severalgoals such as: great looking skin, integrity of the immune system and support of the skin. The skin being not only your largest organ, but a SENSORY organ. It relays vital information to the brain, and nervous system. The skin’s overall health is connected also to your respiratory and cardiovascular system. In order to try to answer your questions, only beneficial ingredients have been chosen. Alone they would not be as effective as they are in concert with each other.  These  benefits are: 1. Anti-oxidant 2. Anti-inflammatory 3. Cell Regenerative 4.Lipd barrier protection (AKA Epidermis) 5. Structural support of collagen

Some women seem resistant to using oils on their faces.  The Intensive Nutrient Complex contains several oils.  Can you help us understand the importance of this serum?

This question is really more about the physiology of skin. To begin with lets create an easy picture – that of salad dressing. Suppose you put in you 1 cup of water and then you add 1/4 cup of oil. What happens? The oil floats to the top and just sits there. That is a good diagram for the skin. Your skin is what keeps the water in your body and in this case your face.  Skin cells are mainly composed of lipids aka fats and they form a film comprised of lipids.Lipids are part of oils, not water. In the epidermis this film prevents major water loss, and provides antibacterial and fungicidal protection from the outside environment. In addition cell membranes are composed of fats/lipds/oils and assist with nutrient apsorbtion. Therefore using oils is an essential part of caring for the skin. Not to mention that most anti-oxidants are oil, not water soluable. Now, there has to be some qualifications of oils and their structures. Oils high in essential fatty acids are similar to the structure and composition of our skin. They are easily absorbed and contain vital nutrients to be delivered into the cells. Without natural moisturizing factors, the water in your skin would soon evaporate and the skin becomes dry and cracked. Keeping water in your skin is also key to nutrient absorption as water transports nutrients in and transports waste out of cells.  The Intensive Nutrient Complex is made up of many oils rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9′s as well as other essential fatty acids. There are important antioxidants, 2 forms of Vitamin E (tocopherol and tocotrienol), an oil soluable form of Vitamin C (esterfied), Alpha Lipoic Acid, 4 Supercritical Extracts, essential oils of Rosemary, Sandalwood, Frankinscence. This product is designed to be effective in maintaining moisture, nourishing the cells, providing natural UV protection,  reducing inflammation and regenerating damaged cells. It is highly absorptive and will not create pimples. It is the most concentrated product we have and hugely popular because our customers find it so beneficial.  As a side note, mineral oils and petroleum oils have a much different chemical composition from our skin and provide a heavy film, making it hard for the skin to let anything in or out.  They can be useful in extreme cases, like severe diaper rash or sunburn, but OHA has nothing to do with those types of oils.

I love the name of your company – OHA (Organic Healthy Aging). Any advice for healthy aging of the skin in addition to using OHA BioActive Skin Care?

Truly, one cannot “anti-age” but certainly one can healthy-age! As so often recommended, LOTS of water drinking. The addition of electrolytes really helps water keep our bodies hydrated. The extra addition of 3-4 drops of Lemon essential oil help us stay detoxified, and effectively fight viruses and bacteria and makes the water taste lovely. Glass or stainless steel water vessels of course. Also drinking green tea. Supplementation of CoQ10, Vitamins C & E, Alpha Lipoic Acid and enzymes to help us utilize the nutrients in our food – notice many of the same ingredients that are contained in the skin care products. Deep breathing exercises, walking and yoga of course. Plenty of rest. Eat organic and juice whenever possible. Spend at least 3-5 minutes a day saying wonderful things about yourself  and to yourself. Be grateful not only for your life, but the beauty that is you.

Thank you Martha for the wealth of information. And thank you for creating the OHA products that we love so much!

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

How to dry brush:

Stand naked in the shower. The water is off and your body is dry.
Starting with the bottom of the feet, brush in a small circular motion with only the slightest bit of pressure so it feels good, but doesn’t hurt. Tops of the feet are next, then move up the legs one at a time, thighs, hips, butt always moving upward toward the heart. Move to the fingers, palms and tops of the hands brushing up the arms, under the arms, the chest. Be careful around the breasts and of course avoid the nipples. Starting at the waistline, do your small circles on the abdomen and stomach then move up the back, to the shoulders, back of the neck and even your scalp if you want to.

Don’t get hung up about the right or wrong way to dry brush.
It should only take 3-5 minutes and is best done twice a week.

When finished brushing, turn on the shower and rinse away all those dead skin cells. I use very little soap following my dry brush routine.

Benefits:

• exfoliates dead skin cells leaving the body feeling smooth, soft and glowing
• stimulates and increases circulation
• helps the body flush out toxins through the skin
• stimulates the lymphatic function for improved health
• may help with cellulite

Give it a try.   Your body will thank you just in time for summer.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

The review below will appear in Mindful Metropolis.  Here’s a preview:

The Healthy Home

Dr. Myron Wentz & Dave Wentz

We all want to feel better and live a long healthy life, but it’s not easy because of the toxic world we live in. The authors of The Healthy Home explain that our homes may be the best place to start making small changes in order to minimize our risks and create a healthier environment. They guide readers through a typical home room-by-room pointing out hidden dangers such as: indoor air is more polluted than outside air; fluoride in our water and toothpaste is poisonous; regular bar soap is safer than anti-bacterial washes; non-stick cookware at high temperatures release toxic gases that have actually killed pet birds; and plastic, which has become such a part of our lives, has got to go.

Filled with helpful quizzes, thought-provoking cartoons and side bars of scientific facts and studies, this is a comprehensive guidebook of simple solutions to help any family begin to lessen their toxic burden.

(The authors will donate 100% of their proceeds from sales of The Healthy Home to nonprofit organizations, the most notable being Children’s Hunger Fund.)

Sheila Hansen, www.ifagoddessworemakeup.com

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila

“Beauty has started wars and inspired sonnets.  It’s serious and superficial.  Beauty is about a dream of a better self.”           Linda Wells, Editor in Chief, Allure Magazine

I have been a fan of Allure magazine since it came out 20 years ago.  I was a few years into my career as a makeup artist when I bought the very first issue.  A magazine devoted to makeup and beauty…….WOW!   I’ve kept my subscription all these years.

Last night I sat for 2 hours and read the April issue cover to cover.  It’s the special “Get Gorgeous Skin” issue.  And ladies, I highly recommend it.  Lots of information about skin care, new treatments, makeup tips from the world’s top artists with a little bit of fashion and gossip thrown in.  I always read the Letter from the Editor.  Linda Wells is so cool.

Allure isn’t perfect.  Sure, I got pissed at them when they put Britney Spears on the cover and thought about dropping my subscription.  I even wrote a letter to the editor about that one.  No response, but I forgave them.

I love Vanity Fair , a good book  and drinking coffee with my husband on Sunday mornings while we read The Chicago Tribune.  But I have to say that when my new Allure arrives each month, I still get excited.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila