Mineral Makeup

I will be updating this post once I can try out my makeup a few more times, but I wanted to make a quick post for the wonderful momma that sent me some.

Lucy is behind Mum Mum's Crafts on Etsy. I've been able to try out my samples only once so far, due to being sick the last couple weeks, but I really liked it. I'm a very pale women with freckles, so I've always had a hard time find foundation that was just right for my skin tone, even light foundations were always too dark and covered up my freckles (which I don't want! I loove my freckles:). Her Fair was perfect. I didn't have those unsightly lines around my jaw like I used to with other foundations and my freckles weren't muted. It was so easy to put on and very light weight. Even after I added blush and eyeshadow, I didn't feel "weighed down" like when I used to wear makeup (I haven't wore makeup since Lyla was born). Next I applied her 3-in-1 Peach Glow as a blush. It's such a beautiful color and I felt it complimented me very well. All the blushes in stores seem way to pink or red, but this was just perfect for me. Last I applied her Pink Pearl Eye Color. It tied in everything so nicely! Since I've not been feeling well, after putting everything on I looked refreshed and flawless, yet my face didn't scream "I HAVE MAKEUP ON!" When Jeremy got home from work that day, he noticed right away that something was different, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was (which I feel should be the case with makeup). He said to me "Wow honey, you look really good. Did you do something today?"

I can't wait to try out other mineral makeup. I have some samples sitting here from Crystal behind The All Natural Face on Etsy, so once I'm feeling up to it, I'll be trying out her makeup as well and will post a review. Once I have some more followers, I would love to start doing giveaways and mineral makeup is definitely on my list of things I'd love for you all to try!

Momma Cloth

I finally went out and bought a new memory card! So now I can talk a little about my momma cloth. I can't really say I've switched yet, but that's only because I haven't had a period yet! I bought 6 pads from Blossom on hyenacart. These things are too cute! They almost make me wish I would start already so I can try them out. I did wear one for a whole day though, just to get a feel for them, and man are they comfy. You can't even compare them to a disposable pad, or a tampon for that matter. I honestly forgot I was even wearing it. During my search for an alternative menstrual product, I spoke with many women who have already made the switch to cloth and was surprised to hear the same thing over and over again, "My periods are lighter, shorter, and less crampy." Now who the heck doesn't want that!? I don't know about you, but I've always had bad periods. When I was in Middle School they were so bad I was actually sent to the E.R a couple times because we thought something was seriously wrong, but nope, just menstrual cramps. So after I start menstruating regularly again I plan on testing this tale out. I will chart my first 6 periods and let you all know what I come up with! Though, with me planning on extended breastfeeding, who knows when I will start again. So the results will obviously be awhile:) Feel free to test it out for your self though! If you do, I'd love to hear if you have noticeable changes in your cycle:)

Gross!

In my search for more natural, toxic-free cosmetics I have stumbled upon two very informative websites. I can't believe the nasty things that go into cosmetics (shampoos, soaps, makeup, etc)! At "The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics", I read under "Cosmetic Laws" that the FDA does not review or regulate any of what goes into our cosmetics. "Major loopholes in U.S. federal law allow the $50 billion cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no required testing, no monitoring of health effects and inadequate labeling requirements. In fact, cosmetics are among the least-regulated products on the market."

As I searched through "Cosmetic Database" today in search of a safe shampoo, I was even more shocked to see that a lot of their listed "low hazard" products had ingredients linked to Cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, violations, restrictions & warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity, and "other" concerns which they write out for you. They also tell you whether the product you are looking at is compliant with the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. Sadly, most of the ones I viewed were not. So, if the "low hazard" products had a few of the above mentioned ingredient links, what do the "high hazard" ones have!?!?

Also, I found out that non-toxic and tocic-free mean competely different things! Non-toxic means the petroleum chemicals has been buffered with other chemicals to make a gentler product. These types of products still contain petroleum-based chemicals. Toxin-free products use simple, natural ingredients. The thickness and texture will probably be different and sometimes there are slight variations batch to batch. Soaps (not detergents) have no Sulfates--lather will be less, but the cleaning power is superb.

I was able to find two retailers listed that had NO toxic ingredients in their shampoo products and were COMPLETELY compliant with the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. I would assume if their shampoos are completely toxic-free then the rest of their products are also. I will be checking more into that.

Nothing Nasty is a UK based business inspired in 2001 when it's owner, Elin Ross, was pregnant with her first child. For more background click here. Her products look amazing and I was excited to buy something to try out, but once I converted their currency to US currency I was jolted back to reality! It is kind of pricey, but one can expect that with a natural product that is not mass produced. We just don't have that kind of money right now.

Poof's Closet is a US based family business that was inspired after the owners mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Her family became determined to stop using products laden with toxic chemicals. Their shampoo was more in my price range and after talking to the "money maker," I was given the O.K. to buy a bottle. I decided I could keep using ACV as a conditioner so I just ordered their "Poofy Organics Baby Poof Body Wash & Shampoo" so that Lyla and I could both use it (you should check out Johnson&Johnson on the database! OMG). An 8.5oz bottle cost me $17.06 after shipping costs. I'm very excited to try this product out! I'll be posting a review after I've used it a couple times, so make sure to check back!

No Poo Update

Just a little update. It has now been over a month since I last used shampoo or conditioner. My hair is still a little oily, but it's getting much, much better. I'm feeling really good about October and am pretty sure everything will be balanced back out and the way nature intended before the month is over. Keep checking back:)

Monster Fluff

I just wanted to make a quick post about Monster Fluff Studio. After purchasing the wrong size and having to send Lyla's soaker back, I finally received her replacement today! I love, love, love it. Monster Fluff is ran by a mother/daughter team and their products are so cute. When I received the soaker today though, I noticed what I thought was a flaw in the stitching. After sending Amber a quick message to give her a heads up in case something was wrong with their sewing machine she promptly replied with this message:

"Hi Kyla, I'm glad you got it, and I hope it fits her well. The bunched part of the zigzag stitching is where we stop and start sewing on the doubler. Unfortunately it has to be there in order for the thread not to come unraveled, it's more noticeable with a zigzag stitch, but we use that stitch to insure the doubler and the soaker stay stretchy. I start it at the bottom of the soaker so it's less noticeable.Thanks again Kyla, Have a great week! Amber"

The stitching really doesn't bother me and she does put it in a not-so-obvious place so it's not a big deal. I just wanted to post about it though in case any of you mommas (or papas) out there want to purchase from them, you're not suprised like I was! I look forward to doing buisness with them again. Wonderful customer service:)

Here's the stitching:

And her cute fluffy butt:)