Photo Courtesy of Muffet

I’m just gonna go ahead and warn everyone: this post is about to be a link fest.

The pretty glass bottle that my Burt’s Bees Vitamin E Body & Bath Oil came in has inspired me to buy more glass bottles for storing homemade health and beauty products. My friend Chuck told me about two really neat websites where I can find glass bottles for next to nothing (SKS Bottle & Packaging, Inc. & Sunburst Bottle Company), and I’m pretty pumped about it. The first two projects that I plan to fill some bottles with are this homemade toner and some homemade perfume that I’ll throw together from several recipes that I’ve found. I am going to make the sweetest little labels for the bottles too. So many good posts are on the way. I hope you’re as excited as I am!!

I mentioned linalool in my recent post about perfume, but I didn’t really expound upon why it should be avoided because I hadn’t done much research at that point (aside from the articles that I linked to in the post).  My curiosity was stirred once again while reading the ingredients to Danielle’s seemingly harmless body oil.  Upon seeing the ingredient “linalool” listed, I immediately did some research.

Linalool earns a hazard score of 5 from the Cosmetic Safety Database and is even linked to cancer according to that source. A few articles that I read pointed out that many people are allergic to linalool and also linked it to eczema. Some sites insisted that whether or not linalool is harmful depends on whether or not it is manufactured synthetically, which makes sense since linalool occurs naturally in lavender essential oil (which has a very low hazard score of one). Some articles stated that  naturally-occurring linalool may have anti-cancer effects. After reading all of these contradictory things about linalool, I honestly don’t know what to think anymore. The most reasonable conclusion to draw, I guess, is that I should always make sure that the linalool in my products is naturally-occurring rather than synthetic.  Synthetic is never really the way to go in my book anyway.

My lips were feeling kinda crusty (probably from me being in the sun and putting tea tree oil on them when I had that spot of poison ivy), so I used the same local honey that I’ve been using to sweeten my Perfectly Pear Tea to scrub my lips.  The honey was/is beginning to crystallize, so I figured that it would exfoliate well..and it did! I coated my lips in the honey and scrubbed it off with a warm, wet bath cloth.  Afterwards, I dabbed a little coconut oil on my lips. They feel almost unbelievably soft, and I’m into it.

Ingredients- (provided at drbronner.com)- “Organic Lemon Juice, Organic Shikakai Powder, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Lemon Oil, Organic Orange Oil”

This product gets a satisfyingly low hazard score of 1 from the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database.

Product Description (also provided at drbronner.com)- “Our organic conditioning rinse is nourishing and effective without synthetic ingredients, and is certified by the same National Organic Program that certifies organic food. The USDA logo is your guarantee of organic integrity.  Organic Shikakai [“Shee-kah-kye”] powder comes from the seed pods of the small South Asian tree Acacia Concinna, and is widely used in India for soft shiny hair. Organic lemon juice, used traditionally in the west, rinses and tightens hair shafts for excellent manageability. Organic coconut, olive and hemp fatty acids moisturize for luxuriant hair.”

Price- $9.99 for eight ounces, which seems to be pretty standard for an all-natural conditioner.

Performance- The directions on the bottle suggest pouring two caps full of the product into a cup of water, pouring it over your head, and then running your fingers through your hair. I’d suggest combing your hair with a comb before you do any of this, especially if you tend to have a nappy head like me.  As long as I comb beforehand, I have no problems with these instructions.  Otherwise, it’s a pretty painful process. This rinse makes my hair feel super soft, which I obviously love. It also makes it smell delightful, which I’ll talk more about in a second.

Scent- The scent of this product is my favorite part!! It smells exactly like a big bowl of fruity pebbles sitting beside a sliced orange.  I might continue using this product even if I didn’t like the way it made my hair look, and I’m aware how ridiculous that sounds. What can I say? I’m a big fan of fruity pebbles (but I don’t allow myself to eat them, since I’d basically be eating a bowl of sugar).

Rating- 7.5 out of 10. I subtracted two points because I miss the seventy hairs that I ripped out of my scalp while combing in the conditioner with my fingers the first time I used it. I subtracted a .5 because it makes me want a bowl of fruity pebbles, and that’s an unhealthy habit to develop (regardless of how much I love fruity pebbles and the scent of this conditioner).

As promised, here’s a sick picture of my hand that is covered in poison ivy:

The scabby area just below my fingers was covered in blisters yesterday. I think the steroids are doing their job.

Also, pay close attention to all the sweet ingredients you’re about to encounter.

The Answer’s PMS Clear Facial Mask- I’ve yet to find anything that completely gets rid of pre-period breakouts. I guess this stuff could be the ticket.

Ingredients- French green clay, Fullers Earth clay, green tea, and papaya extract.

Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Coconut Hair Creme- I actually just ordered this hair creme, and I can’t wait to try it. Needless to say, a review is on the way.

Ingredients-Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Organic Ethanol, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Lavender Oil, Organic Quillaja Saponaria Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol.

Ennecence Clean Escape Shower Gel- This stuff looks fancier than bar soap. I’m intrigued.

Ingredients- Saponified oils of virgin coconut*, olive*, and jojoba*, glycerin, vegetable gum extract, aloe vera*, argan oil*, sweet orange*, grapefruit*, and patchouli* essential oils, and rosemary extract*. *Certified Organic

John Masters Organics Herbal Cider Hair Rinse and Clarifier- I’ve had thoroughly positive experiences with John Masters Organics shampoo and conditioner, so I’m eager to try something else of  from these guys.

Ingredients- Vinegar (apple cider),* aqua (water), chamomilla recutica (chamomile) flower extract,* calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract,* camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract,* rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf/stem extract,* urtica dioica (nettle) root extract,* potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, citrus medica limonium (lemon) peel oil,* citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel oil*. *Certified Organic

Skin’s Cranberry Orange Salt Scrub- I use Skin’s Apricot Mango Eye Cream at night, and I like it.

Ingredients- Sea salt, cranberry powder*, jojoba oil*, olive oil*, mandarin essential oil*. *Certified Organic

I typically shave with Dr. Bronners Classic Liquid Soap (My favorite scents are almond and citrus), but I’m not opposed to using a natural shaving cream if I’m feeling especially adventurous.

Ingredients- (provided at albabotanica.com)- Purified water, isopropyl palmitate, certified organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice(1), tocopherol (vitamin E), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, certified organic cocos nucifera (coconut)(1), calendula officinalis(1), chamomilla recutita (chamomile)(2) and camellia sinensis (green tea)(2) extracts, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, carbomer, peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, sodium hydroxide, vegetable glycerin, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate, and botanical fragrance.

The Cosmetic Safety Database gives this product a hazard score of 4, which is neither great nor appalling. I’m not particularly crazy about benzyl  alcohol or potassium sorbate (both are commonly used as preservatives), and I very rarely use this cream shave for that reason. I’ve done some research on  the ingredients “peg-7 glyceryl cocoate” and “phenoxyethanol” and they’re not entirely safe either. Obviously, however, I’d use Alba every day of the week before using something like Skintimate.

Product Description (also provided at albabotanica.com)-”Enriched with jojoba, vitamin E, and organic botanicals, this highly concentrated, soap-free formula delivers a smooth and soothing shave with lasting comfort. A cool splash of invigorating island coconut and lime will enliven the senses like a tropical sunrise.”

Price- $6.45 for 8 oz. I’ve had mine for over a year, and I’ve only used about half of it. So I guess the price isn’t bad at all. ( Interestingly, the preservatives that make me wary of this product are also the reasons that I can safely use it for over a year.)

Performance- I love how smooth my legs are after shaving with this stuff, but I have to be very careful with the amount that I use. If I use too much, the product clogs my razor and the blades stop working.  A dime-sized portion is usually enough for each leg. It’s probably important to keep in mind that I usually don’t go a day without shaving my legs. Someone with furrier legs might need to use more, which would make it harder to keep their razor unclogged.

Scent- It smells like a fancy, tropical sno cone, and you’ll hear no complaints about that from me.

Rating- Six out of ten. I subtracted one point for the product’s tendency to clog my razor and three for the questionable ingredients.

This is ridiculous, right? Clementine is indifferent.

Moving sucks, but I think that it might suck a little less for me than it does for most people.  My possessions are pretty much limited to clothing, accessories, miscellaneous craft items,  and a lot of beauty products.  I realize what kind of person that must make me seem like, but I can’t muster the energy to care.  Our bedroom furniture is Kirby’s.  Our living room furniture is Kirby’s.  Even our dishes belong to Kirby.  I am using Kirby’s computer to type this post.  We did buy our television together, so I guess that’s something…but moving a television is a lot easier than moving a couch.  In the end, I guess it doesn’t matter much.  I’ll obviously be helping Kirby move the heavier things that belong to him, but the entire point of this post has nothing to do with couches or televisions.

The Point:

I have an insane amount of beauty products, and that picture doesn’t even begin to cover it. I use everything in the above picture on a daily basis. I own dozens of other sprays and masks and creams that I use rarely, if at all.  I think that I should cut back before it becomes a problem.  Hell, it probably already has. Why do I have four different body moisturizers that are all half full?  There is no reason for that to happen. Needless to say, I’m gonna work on it.

After my recent brush with insanity, I decided to run out and buy some calming teas. I walked into the store intending only to buy Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer Tea , but I ended up discovering that there is a new vanilla-flavored Sleepytime Tea!!!! I threw it in my shopping cart without a second thought. I’ve had a cup before bed for the past two nights, and I can safely say that it meets all my expectations. It works just as well as the Sleepytime original, and it tastes great.  It smells so good, however, that I’d almost rather sniff it than drink it.

I found these while shopping for toothpaste, conditioner, and styling creme on drugstore.com.

Anyone ever tried those little guys? I’m open to any and all natural remedies for anxiety.

Update: I typed this post last night, and I am feeling much better today. A friend gave me some St. John’s Wort. I took it promptly with a cup of tension tamer tea and a warm bath. I fell asleep to King of the Hill.  When I woke up this morning, I felt much better. I’m still considering buying the sublingual tablets. Periods are a real drag.

I plan to stick with this exact kind of coconut oil. It smells great, and it makes my under eye area soft, soft, soft.

Until a few days ago, I was taking off my eye makeup (which is usually the only makeup I wear) with olive oil.  While on our family beach vacation, Danielle suggested that I use coconut oil.  She had done the same and had an entirely positive experience.  She is always steering me in the right direction.  My eye makeup literally melted away. I will never go back to olive oil (unless I run out of coconut oil and am in a pinch).