The End is Here

I have truly enjoyed writing this blog for the past 11 months, but all good things must come to an end. Living in Detroit and having a husband in the automotive industry has finally caught up to me. While the rest of the country has been steadily on the decline in the past few months, the decline of Detroit has been real for the past several years. With that being said, I regretfully have to say my days of shopping have been numbered and my days of saving have begun. I have this URL until the end of December and will try to add a few more posts before then, but I just just wanted my loyal readers to be aware that I am closing shop coming the end of December. I want to thank everyone for your comments, input and concern and I hope everyone continues to remain inspired to stay "green", read labels and live the healthiest life you can live- spiritually, mentally and of course, physically.

Take Care,
Peace,

Julie

Boosts the Immune Function of Skin...and Controls Shine

There's nothing better to calm down oily skin than a clay mask. For some reason, the clay just soaks that oil right up. For the past 2 weeks I've been using Brittanie's Thyme French Green Clay with White Tea Mask twice a week and what a difference it's made to the shine on my face. This product is gentle, not irritating, not drying and it doesn't cause redness. I originally wanted to try this for the shine effect but after doing research, I have found that "ingredients in white tea are effective in boosting the immune function of skin cells and protecting them against the damaging effects of the sun." "White tea extract protects the skin from oxidative stress and immune cell damage adds another important element in the battle against skin cancer." If you've read the post on my family history of skin cancer and my sunburn history you know how this interests me and how important this discovery is to me, so I have to say, this product rocks in performance but the protective effects of the White tea excite me even more. 4 out of 4 stars for performance and price.
**Brittanie's Thyme LLC products are currently being considered for USDA organic certification and all products are 95% organic or higher.
*Brittanie's Thyme is a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics signer— of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*This product scores a 0 on the EWG scale. (all 20 Brittanie's Thyme products score a 0 or a 1 on the EWG scale).
*The Brittanie's Thyme website is: http://www.brittaniesthyme.com/.
*This product is $6.00 for a 40ml tube of this powdered product. (To be mixed with water when ready to apply).

An Oasis For My Chapped Lips

Tis the season....for chapped lips that is. It's only October and my lips are already drier than the Sarah Desert in July. I've never been a fan of Chapstick because no matter what flavor it is, they all make me gag, not to mention, you know me and my make up fetish, we all know I need to have a little color on my lips even if i'm just running to the gas station. In looking for moisture and color in an all natural product, I easily found Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer (I chose the shade Papaya)at my local CVS. This product is perfect, it smells like peppermint and it gives my lips that medicated "tingle" so I know it's doing its part in healing the dried skin on my face that I call lips. The color is a nice stain to my lips and it lasts from morning until lunchtime, after lunch I usually have to re-apply it and that will last about 4 hours until I leave work. For $4.99 I just can't beat it. 4 out of 4 stars for performance and value.
*Burt's Bees is a Compact For Safe Cosmetics Signer which means "The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics — of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing."
*All color's of the Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer score a 3 on the EWG/ Skin Deep Scale.
*The Burt's Bees website is www.burtsbees.com
*This tube was $4.99 at CVS.

Forever Young

Do you want your skin to glow? Do you want to look like you just had a facial or a really expensive trip to the dermatologist for a little "work"? Well, I have found the perfect anti aging product that works in 5 minutes and costs next to nothing. I have been using Healing-Scents Exfoliating Facial Peel 3 to 4 days per month (per the directions, not to be used more than once a week)and my skin just glows... and the best part, it's quick and easy and somewhat painless. This product comes in liquid form and because it's a liquid, it's easy to apply a thin coat with your fingers. The best part is, it dries in about 5 minutes. 5 minutes once a week to great looking skin....that's it. The downside, I would not recommend this product if you have really sensitive skin, it contains citric acid, lactic acid, witch hazel, etc. so it does cause redness and a bit of irritation. I would also suggest using this product on the weekend, not on a work day because your face will be red for a good half hour after rinsing it off, but once the redness dissipates and the glow kicks in, you will be hooked. 4 out of 4 stars for performance and value.
*Healing Scents is a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics signer— of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*This product scores a 2 in the EWG database.
*The Healing Scents website is: http://www.healing-scents.com/.
I paid $5.95 for a 1/2 oz jar.(Much cheaper than a facial or a visit to the Dermo).

Citrusy Soft

For the past couple of weeks, I've been using Brittanie's Thyme Organic Citrus Facial Cleanser. This product is made with all of four non toxic ingredients you would find in your local health food store (aloe gel, jojoba oil, vegetable glycerine and essential oils) and is "free of chemical additives such as parabens and other harmful agents."
Thanks to the organic aloe gel and jojoba oil, this liquid cleanser really softens my skin without making it super oily or causing blemishes. My skin has been really soft, yet clear.
I always use a toner on my skin after washing my face to see if the cleanser I'm using really gets out the dirt, grime and makeup and I've noticed on the days where I am wearing light makeup, my skin feels super clean after using this product, but on the days when I have that "full face" of makeup on, (yesterday for example) I had to use extra toner because this mild cleanser just doesn't seem to get every last ounce of foundation and powder off of my skin.
Basically what I'm saying is...this is a great gentle product, non toxic to me and the environment. It's great for dry or oily skin and really does it's job for the most part. If you are a Vegas showgirl or on TV and always wear tons of makeup, just be sure to use a little extra toner just in case....3 out fo 4 stars for performance and value.
**Brittanie's Thyme LLC products are currently being considered for USDA organic certification and all products are 95% organic or higher.
*Brittanie's Thyme is a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics signer— of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*This product scores a 1 on the EWG scale. (all 20 Brittanie's Thyme products score a 0 or a 1 on the EWG scale).
*The Brittanie's Thyme website is: http://www.brittaniesthyme.com/.
*This product is $12.00 for a 4 oz pump bottle.

Just in time for the cold and flu season, get $1.50 off Cold Comfort Crystals now through October 31, 2008.

It's About Thyme

Who needs chemicals and petroleum based products to make your hair sleek and smooth? For the past several days I have been using Brittanie's Thyme Organic Hair Silk...and I'm loving it. Used on wet hair this product helps to smooth and protect my hair while blow drying. Used on dry hair, it makes my hair silky and smooth every time. This product is made with organic oils (just 2-3 drops will do you) and nothing else...no chemicals, no mineral oil, nothing irritating to you or the environment. I also love the delicious lavender scent which helps brighten my didn't want to get out of my cozy bed, morning mood. I've finally found the "perfect' leave in conditioner/hair serum I've been looking for- at no cost to the environment. 4 out of 4 stars for performance and value.
**Brittanie's Thyme LLC products are currently being considered for USDA organic certification and all products are 95% organic or higher.
*Brittanie's Thyme is a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics signer— of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*This product scores a 1 on the EWG scale. (all 20 Brittanie's Thyme products score a 0 or a 1 on the EWG scale).
*The Brittanie's Thyme website is: http://www.brittaniesthyme.com/.
*This product is $7.50 for a 1 oz pump bottle.

Sweat Happens...Fight It Naturally

Not that I'm usually a sweathog or anything, but sometimes, no matter who you are, sweat happens...and when it does, you just have to hope and pray that those evil little sweaty bacteria guys don't cause a stink.
I guess I chose poorly when I decided to try the Weleda Sage Deodorant (the other choices are Citrus or Wild Rose) because the sage is a tad on the masculine side for me. The other problem is, the scent dissipates quickly...I go from highly scented to no scent at all in about a half hour....If I wanted no scent, I would have chosen unscented deodorant.
On the other hand, I have yet to stink. This aluminum and phalate free deodorant really keeps the bacteria at bay. Per the package "Natural essential oils of Sage, Lavender, Rosemary, and Thyme, along with the extract of Licorice Root, prevent and neutralize unpleasant body odors caused by bacterial action", and trust me, it works for a full 24 hours if not longer.
I also like that this pump spray is packaged in a recyclable glass bottle, (remember it takes petroleum to make plastic), so I have to give kudos to that.
I do notice a few seconds of sting if applied right after I shave, but really after a few seconds, it's gone. All in all, I like this product and am going to have to give it 3 out of 4 stars for performance and 4 out of 4 stars for value.
*Weleda is a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics signer— of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*This product either scores a 1 or a 2 on the EWG scale. Per the EWG site the WELEDA DEODORANT-SAGE SPRAY scores a 2 and the WELEDA SAGE DEODORANT scores a 1...I have no idea what the difference is between the two, maybe one is an older formula?
*The Weleda website is: http://www.weleda.com/index.php?id=85&L=1
*I paid $10.99 for a 3.4 oz pump spray bottle at Whole Foods, however, this is a huge bottle and should last me several months.