Natural Beauty of the Week – June 28

I’m so excited to share this week’s Natural Beauty OTW with you!

I’m a follower of a blog which I found while looking for things to organize my Filofax. Now, having nothing at all to do with Neauties or Natural Beauty, Filofax is a brand of day planners that I really love. I use it for everything organization. There isn’t really much special about the brand in particular as far as the planning goes, but I love the actual binders. The one I have has tons of pockets and even a notepad holder separate form your planner, and I got a REALLY good deal on it. But what I really love about it is decorating the paper. There’s so much out there that you can do with it, it’s really unbelievable what people create! I found Crystal Roy’s blog while looking into Filofax organization and decoration and have spent hours reading her blog. She’s a great crafter, her Filofaxes look awesome! This week, one of her blog posts consisted of something that I love and am passionate about… Natural Beauty!

This week, Neauties’ Natural Beauty of the Week is Crystal Roy’s simple summer beauty look. I think it really is the epitome of natural beauty as far as makeup goes. I am so excited to share this with you!

The blog post is titled Simple. Summer. Beauty., and I honestly couldn’t have chosen a better title myself. The look plays up her natural beauty. She uses her makeup as, I believe, makeup was intended to be used. She just enhances her already beautiful features! The first thing she talks about is her eyebrows. She just takes a very low key, natural color and enhances them. Makes them a little thicker and a little bolder, but not too much. Just enough to bring them out a bit more.

For her skin, she just uses moisturizer to keep it in its naturally healthy state, while also keeping it very soft and smooth. (In a hot and humid climate, I think less is better. It’s so easy to sweat off or smear makeup across your face on hotter days.) She then adds just a touch of blush to bring out her cheeks. A quick swipe of mascara and a shiny lip gloss to bring focus to her eyes and lips finishes her look!

One of the best things about this post is what she says about her hair. In the summer months it can be really hard to keep that perfectly pressed hair-do in place, and besides that, your hair needs a break from all that tugging, pulling, and heat anyway! Again, Crystal just lets her natural beauty flow! She lets her hair do whatever it wants to do– she works with it, not against it. So many women spend endless hours in front of a mirror trying to perfect their hair for the day. Your hair does something on its own. Whether it’s straight, curly, or wavy you can always work with it.

For instance, I have curly/wavy hair. Every morning my hair looks a little different, and even if I don’t particularly love the way it looks that day, I work with it instead of trying to make it all uniform and straight (which, in the hot and humid summer will just turn wavy as soon as I step outside my door anyway). You’d be amazed what you can do with a little mousse, gel, or sea salt spray. My personal go-to is the sea salt spray. No matter what my hair is doing, I can spray a little all over, tousle and scrunch a few places, and let it go. I don’t have to worry about a group of hair being out of place, or the climate making unwanted changes. Not to mention, it usually  takes me less than 3 minutes to fix it. If I start catching a little frizz during the day, I just throw it in a messy bun! And of course, if its just a bad hair day that even my handy, dandy spray can’t fix… I grab a hat 🙂

(Tip: I always have a ponytail holder either around my wrist or in my wallet, because I never leave home without either one 😉 One that matches your hair color is perfect because it matches anything and everything you wear! If you can’t find one that matches, just take a small piece from the bottom of your ponytail and wrap it around the ponytail holder. You can either tuck it into the band or secure it with a bobby pin- which is something else I try not to leave home without- on the bottom of your pony tail.)

I was so excited when I received an email from Crystal yesterday morning saying we could feature her look for this week’s Natural Beauty OTW! I can’t wait for you all to read this and get inspired to play up your own natural beauty!

If you’re interested in reading more about Crystal and following her blog, go to islandgirlstudio.blogspot.com (click here to view her original Simple. Summer. Beauty. blog post). You can also follow her on Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram!

 

Crystal, you are a natural beauty, and I can’t wait to see more of your beauty looks and get a few tips in the process. We would definitely love to feature you again sometime, too!

Show us your Neauties! (Remember? Natural + Beauty = Neauties!) Use #NaturalBeautyOTW, #MyNeauties, or #Neauties 🙂

Thanks to everyone for stopping by to read our post today. Don’t forget to follow, comment, and share! Wishing you a great weekend form your friends here at Neauties!

Namaste

Natural Beauty of the Week – June 20

For this week’s Neauties’ Natural Beauty OTW, I found a short story by an unknown author that I feel displays nature’s beauty… well… beautifully!

“A shaman was in charge of the garden within a famous Zen temple. He had been given the job because he loved the flowers, shrubs, and trees. Next to the temple there was another, smaller temple where there lived a very old Zen master.

One day, when the shaman was expecting some special guests, he took extra care in tending to the garden. He pulled the weeds, trimmed the shrubs, combed the moss, and spent a long time meticulously raking up and carefully arranging all the dry autumn leaves. As he worked, the old master watched him with interest from across the wall that separated the temples.

When he had finished, the shaman stood back to admire his work. “Isn’t it beautiful,” he called out the old master. “Yes,” replied the old man, “but there is something missing. Help me over this wall, and I’ll put it right for you.”

The shaman lifted the old fellow over and set him down. Slowly, the master walked to the tree near the center of the garden, grabbed it by the trunk, and shook it. Leaves showered down all over the garden.

“There,” said the old man, “you can put me back now.”

Thanks again for stopping by, and may your weekend be filled with joy and wonder!
Namaste

It’s Summertime!

Summer is among us!Here are a few tips from your friends at Neauties to stay healthy and have fun this beautiful season 🙂
                                                                                                                                                                

1. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! We all know that we should wear sunscreen, but I still want to reiterate the importance of it. Vitamin D is great for your skin, but harmful UV rays aren’t. Remember to use a sunscreen with no less than 30 SPF and apply at 2 hour intervals minimum. Waterproof sunscreens are best for swimming and sweating in the summer heat. Another good idea for blocking those bad rays is a sunhat to protect your face and shoulders (or other clothing that can protect your skin from the heat).

Sunscreen isn’t only important when you will be outside for long periods of time. You should wear sunscreen every day. Even if you’re just running errands or taking a roadtrip, you’re still catching rays. Apply sunscreen each day, regardless of where you will be.

2. Wear shades! Sunglasses are just as important as sunscreen. Choose a pair that blocks plenty of bad rays– experts suggest buying sunglasses that block 90-100% of UV rays.

3. Drink plenty of fluids! Did you know that if you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already mildly dehydrated? It’s so important to stay hydrated during the summer months. Heat exhaustion and, even worse, heatstroke are all too common today, and it can occur in adults as well as children. Be sure to avoid sugary drinks like sodas and juices. Choose hydrating fluids such as water and coconut water. Drinks that contain electrolytes are also a great choice when trying to stay hydrated (just check the sugar content before you consume).

4. Indulge in fruits and berries. Summertime is the ultimate season for fresh fruits and berries! Choose healthy snacks like watermelon, oranges, bananas, and especially berries such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and more! Fruits have tons of vitamins and minerals, and berries are packed with antioxidants. (Coming Soon: A great on-the-go snack using fresh fruits, berries, and even a few veggies!)

5. Spend time outdoors. Don’t forget, summertime is meant to be spent having fun! Don’t spend all your time in front of the TV or on your devices. Get out and enjoy the great outdoors! There are plenty of things you can do. Go for a swim, visit the park, take a quick stroll, enjoy a sunrise or sunset, go for a picnic, have a backyard BBQ… The list goes on and on! It’s also a great way to spend time with your friends and family! All of these activities are best enjoyed with loved ones 😉

6. Get the right amount of sleep for you. Summer days are so lovely and long that it can be hard to keep your regular sleeping schedule. Experts say that adults should get a minimum of 5 hours per night, I personally try to get 7– that’s when I feel my best. Somewhere between 5 and 8 hours, you will find your optimal sleep time. But remember, too much sleep can work against you too. If you wake up about an hour or so earlier than your alarm goes off, you should go ahead and get a head start on your day. If you doze back off, you’re likely to feel more tired throughout your day.

7. Be aware of food poisoning… Your picnic or backyard BBQ could, quite easily, become bacteria ridden by leaving your raw food in the hot air for too long. Foods like mayonnaise; eggs; raw beef, pork, chicken, and fish; and milk, yogurt, and other dairy products should stay refrigerated and on ice. A good rule of thumb is if it came from the fridge, it should be kept cold.

8. Use bug spray. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting bugs are very active in the summer. Mosquitoes can carry malaria and ticks can carry lime disease. Not to mention, who loves bug bites? Yeah, didn’t think so. Going natural? DIY your bug spray to protect against those creepy crawly things we all (don’t) love!

9. Swim safely! Probably one of the most popular (and fun!) summer activities is swimming. But, swimming can be a little dangerous too. It is recommended that children through age 14 be attentively watched during their swim (regardless of their swimming skills). There are so many things that could ruin your swim when you mix deep water, concrete, and bunch of excited kids, so always follow the swimming pool rules and warning signs. Safe swimming!

10. Have fun!! If you do one thing during the summertime… HAVE FUN! Summer is the season of get-togethers, outdoor fun and games, theme parks, long days, and late nights. Whatever you’re doing this summer, make the most of it. Set aside time for family and friends, because these are the good old days! 🙂

What are your summertime tips and plans?

As always, thanks for stopping by, and don’t forget to follow, comment, and share!

HAPPY SUMMER! 🙂

Natural Beauty of the Week – June 13

Hello again! This week’s Neauties’ Natural Beauty of the Week is 2-in-1 art! Zack Pine creates sculpture with nature, then takes beautiful photographs of his artwork. This picture is a handmade sphere of sand balanced on a rock while the tide rolls in. Zack has a great eye for finding and creating beauty in nature, and we love the uniqueness of his art.

Zack learned to make art from sand, seaweed, and other nature on the Northern California beaches at a young age. This hobby of his has flourished into a breathtaking ability, and he has begun to guide artists of all ages into the art of environmental sculpture.

Click here to learn more about Zack Pine and view more of his artwork. The rock balancing photos are amazing!

Show us your pick for Natural Beauty of the Week! Use #NaturalBeautyOTW on Facebook and Twitter and let us know what you find! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Why Go Natural?

All natural products are everywhere, and the question of the hour is: “What’s the big deal?”

 

Oftentimes companies will add chemicals and fillers to their products (be it beauty or food) to increase production, thus increasing profits. This is great for the company, but what about the consumer?

Sometimes, the artificial ingredients, additives, and preservatives can cause all kinds of skin irritations. One of the most common: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS). For more information on common skin irritants, click here. You’ll be surprised how many of your everyday products contain SLS– I, personally, have found them in body wash, face wash, shampoo, toothpaste, and even a brand of deodorant (just to name a few).

Along with all these chemicals comes added fragrance. Ever wonder why the fragrance in non-natural products is so strong compared to all natural products? A lot of the time fragrance is added to cover up the harsh smell of the chemicals. So now you have a chemical added to  a chemical to cover up the smell of another mix of chemicals. Not only is that a lot of chemicals, but it can cause the headaches you get from those strong scented lotions and soaps.

Our Original lip gloss, Original lip balm, and our Shimmers are the perfect example of all natural smelling products. These products do not have any added fragrance or flavors. I would describe the smell as slightly sweet, yet natural and wholesome.

 

These chemicals in your products can also cause bodily side effects. For instance, parabens are manmade preservative chemicals used in many beauty products. It is speculated that these parabens imitate our body’s natural hormones, and that causes interference with the body’s endocrine system. Parabens are also associated with developmental disorders, dysfunction of the immune system, and learning problems in children. It is said that parabens are also associated with premature aging, have pseudo-estrogren effects, and are also associated with negative male reproductive effects. To read more about the side effects of parabens, click here.

 

Remember that ingredients are always listed from the most to the least amount in the food or product. Also remember that just because an ingredient is approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you.

Our best advice is to read the labels and research the ingredients you are concerned about. So, although not all of us know what Propylene Glycol is, with a little quick research you will find that it can possibly break down your skin cells and increase the aging process (click here to read more). With technology these days, you’ll have your answer standing right there in the store and in less than a minute! You get to decide what you take into your body and what your pores absorb.

What do you think? Is it worth it to go natural when possible?