In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of April 22nd-April 28th

CVS-  When you spend $15.00 in Simple Skin Care you get $5.00 extrabucks when you  use your card.

           

Target-  Neutrogena Naturals cleanser or scrub is $5.99.  Click on Target link below for 1.00 off coupon.

Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean gel, cream, and paste are $3.00  Click on link below for $1.00 off 2 coupon for their hair care products.

                 

                 Tom’s of Maine antiperspirant- $3.49  Click the link below for a $1.00 off.

                  

                 J.R. Watkins grapefruit body scrub- $9.99

                 Yes to Cucumbers facial towlelettes- $5.99

     Burt’s Bees tinted beeswax lip balm- $6.99  Click below for a $1.00 off of 2 Burt’s Bees   products coupon 

            http://coupons.target.com/earth-month-coupons Check out the target page for  great coupons on many earth friendly products.

Rite Aid- Aveeno Hair Care is $5.99 and you get $1.00 UP Reward dollars to use on your next purchase.

Walgreens- Buy $20 of Burt’s Bees products and get $5 in Register Rewards.

Review of Miessence Rejuvenating Cleanser

          This is not a product I would normally review as the price of the product is quite high for my tastes, but the product is all organic and I received some samples from the company.  The line is based in Australia and claims to be the first organic beauty line.  The products are either USDA or Australian certified organic.  They carry cosmetics, skin care, body care, hair care, baby products, and cleaning products.  

            The first product of theirs I’m trying is the Miessence Rejuvenating Cleanser.  

             The cleanser is designed for dry/mature skin and says that it is “a rich, emollient cleanser formulated with rejuvenating organic geranium, hops, and chamomile for dry or mature skin.  Softens and freshens, gently removing perspiration and pollution.” 

            The product gives some specific instructions for use.  It says to gently press the face with a warm, soft cloth to soften and prepare the skin for cleansing.  Massage cleanser into face and neck.  Remove with a damp cloth and plenty of water.  If wearing make-up, a second cleanse is necessary.  I tried the sample as by the directions and massaged the product into my skin, but the product was almost more of a lotion and just seemed to blend into my skin.  It did not feel as if it was really cleaning my skin.   After wiping it away, my skin really did not feel any cleaner and I would have liked to have to have more to try to wash away more of the makeup that I had on my face. 

            Next onto the price.  The product is not inexpensive.  The product sells for $44.50 for 8.5fl.oz.  The size of the product is decent, but it just seems like you would need a lot of the product to fully clean your face. 

            I love the idea though of a fully certified organic face product and after doing some research into the ingredients (which I will share in another blog post) they are all carefully chosen for their moisturizing, anti-aging, and repairing features. 

Pros:  All certified organic ingredients with moisturizing and anti-aging properties.

Cons:  Face did not really feel clean after using, high cost, would need lot of product to clean face.

If you are interested in learning more about the product below is the link for the product’s webpage.   http://miorganicproducts.com/skincare/rejuvenating_cleanser_dry_mature_skin.php

In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of April 1st-April 7th

Target-  Aveeno 18oz lotions are $7.99

                 Aveeno 6oz foaming cleanser is $5.49

Rite Aid- If you purchase $20 of Burt’s Bees products you can get a $5 Rite Aid Gift card through rebate.

Free Sample of Garnier Ultra Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer

Haven't had a chance to fully check out the ingredients, but on the Target Sample Page you can get a free sample of Garnier Ultra Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer.  Click on the link below to get your free sample. 
http://samples.target.com/#?lnk=sr_rd_free_samples

In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of March 25th-March 31st.

CVS-  Aveeno Lotion, Face, and Body Wash Products are 2/$13.

             Aveeno Sun Care and Large Lotion is $8.99

             Simple Facial Cleansers are $4.00. 

Rite Aid- Simple Facial Cleansers are $4.99

                   Aveeno products are Buy 1 Get 1 50% off

Walgreens- Organix Body Wash, Lotion, or Hair Care is Buy 1 Get 1 Free

In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of March 18th-March 24th

CVS-  Organix Body Lotion or Body Wash is $5.99

Target-  Simple Skincare eye make-up remover and moisturizing facial wash is $5.99

Rite Aid- Buy $15 of Aveeno skin care and get $5 Up rewards for next purchase.  There is also a $2.00 off Aveeno coupon in the Rite Aid ad.

Click Here for a free sample of Garnier's New Pure and Clean Shampoo

Get a free sample of Garnier's New Pure and Clean Shampoo when you click below.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=249657038455132&set=a.174431299311040.46257.109263975827773&type=1

The product contains no dyes, parabens, or silicones. 

Free Sample of Gud Lotion

Burt's Bee's has a new line out called Gud.  Check out their facebook page and get a free sample of their lotion.

http://www.facebook.com/Gud?sk=app_173756732737396

Nurture from Nature: In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of Mar...

Nurture from Nature: In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of Mar...: Not much this week in the way of deals, only: Rite Aid- Renpure Organics Hair Care is Buy 1 Get 1 Free.

In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of March 4-March 10.

Not much this week in the way of deals, only:

Rite Aid- Renpure Organics Hair Care is Buy 1 Get 1 Free.

Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing and Makeup Remover Final Review and Ingredients

Two weeks have passed and here is a list of what is in the product and my final verdict for the face wash.  The ingredients for the product are listed clearly on the back of the bottle and are nicely labeled to make clear which products are naturally based. 

Water- Purified Water

Cocamidoprpyl Hydroxysultaine- Coconut/Palm Kernel Derived.  This is used to create the foaming aspect of the product.

Sodium Laurel Sarcosinate- Coconut/Palm Kernel Derived.  This is a more mild cleaning agent.

Cocamidoprpyl Betaine- Coconut derived. This is coconut mixed with other synthetic products to produce a skin conditioner and foam booster.

Glycerin- Vegetable. This is a natural ingredient that is a by product of soap making.  It is known to draw moisture into your skin.

Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum- Peruvian Tara Seed. This is a skin conditioner.

Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum- Peruvian Tara Seed.  Used as a skin conditioner.

Coco-Glucoside- Vegetable.  This is a mixture of glucose and coconut oil that is used as a cleanser and foaming agent.

Glyceryl Oleate- Vegetable.  This is a combination of glycerin and oleic acid a naturally occurring fatty acid.

Glycol Distearate- Vegetable Derived.  This is a skin conditioner made from steric acid which is a naturally occurring fatty acid.

Guar Hydroxpropltrimonium Chloride- Guar Bean Derived.  This is used as a conditioning agent.

Caprylyl Glycol-  Skin conditioner that can be naturally or synthetically based.  As this was not clearly labeled as the other ingredients are it seems that this is probably synthetic.

Acrylates Copolymer-  This is a synthetically produced product created from different acrylic acids.  This product is used to increase the thickness of a product.

Potassium Sorbate-  This is potassium salt of sorbic acid, a naturally occurring antimicrobial compound.  This is used as a preservative.

Benzyl Alcohol-  This is a liquid that occurs naturally in some foods and plants, but is also created synthetically.  It is used as a preservative.

Fragrance- This is anything natural or synthetic added to the product that gives the product a pleasant smell. 

On the back of the bottle it states that the product is 86% naturally derived and the remaining ingredients are essential to blend the product together and maintain effectiveness. It seems that although many of the products are naturally derived they are sometimes combined with other synthetic products to create the ingredient. 

Even two weeks later, I am still very pleased with the product.  I was really concerned that it would be end up being very drying, but I have been overly pleased with the nice balance that my skin has.  It is neither too greasy nor too dry.  It does a great job of removing makeup and cleaning my skin all without drying.  The product really does perform as promised.  I would highly recommend this product.    

Pros:  Removes makeup easily, cleanses well, not drying, great price (Walmart has been the best price I’ve seen for the product $5.97), do not need a lot of product to cleanse skin, product lives up to promises.

Cons:  For me there really were none.  The face wash worked great for me and I will continue to use it well after the trial period.

In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of February 26- March 3

A lot of Aveeno Products are on sale this week. 

CVS-  Aveeno Skin Care is 2/$13 with card and you get $7 in extrabucks when you use your card.

Rite Aid- All Aveeno is Buy 1 Get 1 50% off and if you purchase $15 of Aveeno items you get $5 UP Rewards for your next purchase.

 

Walgreens- Aveeno Products Buy 1 Get 1 50% off including Aveeno Baby

Rainbow Henna Hair Color Review

Henna hair color has been something I have wanted to try for awhile and especially after reading the warnings inside regular hair dyes.  Henna hair color is not very easy to find and I had always heard in the past that it tends to turn hair red, so after doing some research I decided to go with the Rainbow Henna Hair Color.  The company has been around since 1976 and specializes in henna hair color.  They use only 100% organic henna with other plant bases to affect the tone that will show up on your hair.  I purchased this product online from a health company called www.imedmart.com which carries health supplements and other health products.  I purchased the product for $4.15 and shipping was $3.99.  That is comparable to buying a box of hair dye off the shelf.  The product arrived in just a few days. 

I was still a little apprehensive about trying the product, but planned on following the instructions exactly.  I chose the Persian Medium Brown which seems to be the closest to my hair color.  The product arrives as a powder and gives good instructions for mixing the product.  The basic instructions are just to mix the powder with 1 cup of boiling water and then apply.  They also list other products to add to enhance the color and results.  

For my color, they suggest to add 1 cup of brewed coffee to help tone down red tones.  They give a tip of adding 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to help the color adhere to grey hairs, of which I unfortunately do have some. They also suggest adding 2-4 tbsp of olive oil to help condition hair and to help with the rinsing process. 

I combined all the ingredients into one giant jar and got a very thick, dark green paste with an odd plant based smell.  At this point, I debated whether I wanted to try this, but figured that this is not permanent and will fade.  The product is very thick to apply and is messy.  

 Once I got it through my hair, I put a shower cap over the top and let it sit.  It is suggested to leave the product on for 60-75 minutes.  I was afraid the product would be very hard to get out of my hair as it was so thick, but was pleasantly surprised that it washed out quite easily in the shower and after a regular shampoo and conditioner it was completely out.  

Despite the messy application and odd smell, I was very pleased with the color.  It really enhanced my medium brown color.  It covered the grey hair decently and also some of the leftover highlights I had gotten last summer.  It left my hair so soft and smooth.  This is supposed to last around 4 weeks so we’ll see how it holds up.

Here is the before and after pictures of the color. 

 Before:

After:

Pros:  Good price, all natural ingredients, color as promised, decently covers grey hair, leaves hair soft and smooth

Cons:  very messy to apply, long processing time, odd smell

I would definitely use henna again, but would next time mix half of the powder and try to make it a little more liquid.  If I could apply it from a regular hair color bottle I think it would be a lot less messy.  I loved the results.  They don’t suggest doing major hair color changes with henna, but if you are looking for just an enhancement of your real color, the product is great.

In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of February 12-February 18th.

CVS-  Aveeno-  Buy 1 Get 1 50% off. 

Rite Aid- Organix Hair and Skincare- Buy 1 Get 1 50% off.

Buy $15 of Burt’s Bee’s Products and get $5 UP Rewards for your next purchase.

Walgreens- Renpure Organics Hair Care- Buy 1 Get 1 50% off

                         20% off select Aveeno Cleansers, Anti-Aging Treatments, or Eye Roller

Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing and Makeup Remover Review

    

     I’ve been seeing the ad on TV for a new Neutrogena Facial Cleanser called Neutrogena Naturals which promises to cleanse without using harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, and dyes.  I visited the website to find out more.  The line is based on a few fundamental ideas:

1. Pure, Safe, and Effective- The product is supposed to provide the same great Neutrogena results with out the use of chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes, or phthalates.

2. Bionutrients- highly concentrated chemical compounds found in nature that are essential for healthy-looking skin.

3. Experts- scan the globe in search of time-tested solutions and ingredients from natural sources as well as examining thousands of plants to find bionutrients essential for skin health.

     It sounded like just the kind of product I wanted and I was anxious to try it out.  I purchased the product at Walmart for $5.97 for a 6oz bottle.  At first, I was a little disappointed by the size of the product as the TV commercial makes the product look a lot larger, but the price is very reasonable and the size is comparable to other face washes on store shelves.

     The product promises a one step face wash and makeup remover without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.  It is supposed to rinse clean and leave skin soft.  On my first use of the product, I was very impressed.  One pump of the bottle was plenty to clean my face.  The product goes on very smooth and builds a nice lather.  It washes clean and does leave my skin soft as promised.  The product has a very faint, but clean scent.  I am initially in love with this product.  As I use it over the next two weeks, I will be looking to see if it causes any breakouts and if it keeps my face smooth and moisturized.  I’ll let you know how it holds up and what the ingredients are in the product. 

If you want more information about their products check out their website at: http://naturals.neutrogena.com/

The Dark Side of Conventional Hair Dyes

Many people use conventional hair dyes and probably do not think twice about it.  I know I was one of those people.  I usually just scan through the information packet and really just want to know how to mix the product and how long it should sit on my hair.  I genuinely knew the product was not great for you, the chemical smell alone proves that, but I actually took a moment to sit down and read the insert information and I actually got a little scared after really reading it. 

I did not buy some unknown brand.  This is from the Clairol Nice ‘n Easy Color Blend Foam.  Under the important safety instructions it reads:

Do not use this product if you have experienced any reaction to hair color products, or have sensitive, irritated or damaged scalp.  In these cases consult a doctor before using any hair color product.

There are also tips on what to do if you have a reaction to the product during and within 48 hours of coloring your hair.

If during coloring you experience any stinging, burning or rash, discontinue use as this may be an indication of a more serious reaction.  Do not color your hair again before consulting a doctor.

Any rapidly spreading skin rash, dizziness or faintness, shortness of breath or swelling to eyes/face, rinse immediately and seek immediate medical attention.

If after coloring or on the following days you experience problems, such as itching, rash, swelling to eyes/face, blistering or skin/scalp weeping, seek immediate medical attention. 

I am not trying to scare anyone away from coloring their hair as I have colored my hair regularly over the years and have not had any side effects, but after carefully reading the insert, I am going to take a break from coloring and see if I can find out more about what is actually in hair dyes and try other natural alternatives.  I’ll pass along what I find out.

Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion Final Review

Two weeks are up and I have been using the Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion exclusively and here’s what I think about it.  I am very pleased with the overall results of the product.  My hands after two weeks of use in the winter are smoother than they have been any other winter that I can remember.  It has overall been a more mild winter, but the weather did get much colder last week and my hands are not drying and cracking as they usually do.   I love that a lighter lotion gives such great moisturizing benefits.

If I were to choose their lotion again I would go with the daily moisturizing formula.  The scent was a bit heavier than one I would prefer and I don’t seem to feel any more calm and relaxed after using the product. 

As for the ingredients, I do feel like it is one of the better products on the market and does meet their philosophy of using new and natural ingredients, though I feel their marketing really stresses the natural ingredients.  Also, be careful as you choose different products in their line as I did find some of their products had parabens in them. 

Overall, the product is a good quality one for the price ($7.99 for a 12oz bottle) and it is often on sale.  It is easily found in the major retailers and performs as promised.

In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of January 22-January 28th.

CVS-  Organix Body Lotion- $4.99 with card.

             Organix Hair Care- Buy 1 Get 1 50% off with card.

             Simple Skin Facial Washes and eye makeup remover- $6.99 with card.

Target-  Simple Skin Care 5oz facial wash and smoothing facial scrub are $6.99

Rite Aid- If you buy $15 of Simple Skin Care you get $5 UP Rewards for your next purchase.

Why I Choose Paraben Free Products

Some of you may have heard of parabens, for some of you this may be a brand new term.  The reason I am mentioning the item is that if you buy mainstream beauty and cosmetic products you are almost guaranteed to find this as one of the ingredients.  It is usually listed as methylparabens, ethylparabens, propylparabens, and butylparabens.

Parabens are a type of preservative found in cosmetic products and are used to extend the shelf life of products.  They can be found in shampoos, moisturizers, shaving gels, spray tan solution, makeup, toothpaste, and most other beauty products.

I like to find products that are as chemical free as possible, but parabens I feel most strongly about as parabens have been found in low doses in breast cancer tumors and imitate artificial estrogen (which is linked to breast cancer.)  I first became aware of this through the Wikipedia article on parabens.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben.  I then took a look at the referenced article called: Significance of the Detection of Esters of p-Hydroxxybenzoic Acid (Parabens) in Human Breast Tumours. Philip W. Harvey and David J. Everetthttp://www.maxgreenalchemy.com/images/ParabenEditorialDarbre.pdf 

If you don’t want to read the article it basically explores how parabens were found in low levels in breast tumors and how possibly they got into the system through under arm deodorants and other beauty products.  It also talks how parabens show characteristics of hormone activity, specifically oestrogen which is a major factor in the growth of breast cancer. 

Parabens are usually found at the bottom of the ingredient list which usually means that there are low levels of the ingredient in the product, but take a look at nearly every body product you own:  lotions, body washes, shampoos, face washes, moisturizers, foundations, concealers, blushes, deodorant.  There may be small amounts in each product, but these are products that you use at least once, sometimes twice a day.  It may not be something that would affect you immediately.  My concern is just that this exposure over many years may cause problems in the long run.  The above article was from 2004 and now being 2012, there does not seem to be much progress in this area and just feel people need to be aware of what they are being exposed to.  I am just concerned about the lack of awareness of what is in the products we use everyday and feel people have a right to know what they are placing in and on their bodies. 

In Store Natural Product Deals for the Week of January 15-January 21st

CVS-  All Aveeno Hair Care is $5.99 with card.

Target-  10% off all Aveeno Baby toiletries.

Rite Aid- Tom’s of Maine: Toothpaste, Mouth Rise, or Deodorant  $3.99, but get $3.00  

                    UP Rewards with card.  It’s like getting it for 99¢.

                                                       

Burt’s Bees-  When you purchase $20 worth of their, Lip, Facial, and Skin Care products you get    $5.00 UP Rewards on your next purchase. 

Simple-  (a UK line with no artificial dyes, perfumes, or harsh irritants)  Buy one get one 50% off.

Simple Skincare Products being offered in the US

          

Simple is a UK’s #1 skincare line that began in the 1960’s and they claim to use only the purest ingredients.  The line is free of dyes, artificial perfumes, and harsh irritants.  As of right now the line is just being launched in Rite Aid Stores.   Initially, I am pleased with the line as European standards are much more strict when it comes to what is allowed in beauty products.  As soon as I can get my hands on some, I’ll let you know what I think.

If you want to check out the line the US site is: www.simpleskincare.com