Happy Halloween - Moisturizing Make-up Removal

Happy Halloween! If you've ever wanted to do a bit of artistic face painting, today is the day to let your imagination go wild.

When you're finished creating the most fantastical, gorgeous make-up – go celebrate 'All Hallowed's Eve' without a worry in the world.

Even if you party through the night and arrive home almost too tired to remove your make-up, I'm going to show you how to remove your make-up, cleanse your face, and moisturize your skin – all in one go.

Not only is this method budget-friendly, but it's good for all skin types (even sensitive).

What Rooibos Has to Offer Skin

Rooibos is one of those things that trended its way into our lives on the wave of the other 'power foods' that promised eternal youth and anti-oxidant amazingness.

African Red Tea.

It just sounds all kinds of exotic, sexy and a whole lot of other easy-to-sell things, doesn't it?

Cosmetics brand Ole Henriksen offers a African Red Tea series of skin care products. I'll be honest: I try the Mist every time I come across a tester bottle. I love the look of the bottle, the scent of the product, and the whole idea of a tea being good for your skin just agrees with me somehow (and yes, I have read the ingredients list and realize full well Ole Henriksen's African Red Tea Mist contains a whole lot of other things besides rooibos).

So what does rooibos have to offer? Let's have a look!

Caffeine and Hair Growth - Mr. Bee's Photos

This is Mr. Bee's head – photographed at the end of January of this year. Mr. Bee is 30-something and otherwise healthy, but I think we can agree there is a visible thinning of the hair.

Mr Bee has been testing my hair and scalp boosting product – Stuart's Formula – since taking this picture.  He has also been doing the 30 second head massage daily (or "as often as he remembers") for the same time period.

On-The-Go Luxury Skin Care on a Budget

Some people don't really want on-the-go skincare, but because of their demanding schedules, simply need on-the-go skincare.

Take parents with small children. Imagine this:

• The luxury of a shower without interruptions
• A full 5 minutes to apply make-up
• Enough 'me time' to style the hair

These simple luxuries may very well seem like a distant dream to parents with babies or toddlers. But never fear! You don't have to wait until your child is a fully grown before you can once again allow yourself a few extra minutes of me time.

You Are Appreciated

I herald you dedicated and loving parents for putting your childs' needs first. You – of all people – deserve extra special pampering!

So, just for you – here is a list of all-natural, instant-satisfaction beauty tips that will fit most skin types, hair types, budgets, and time tables.

Now Go!

Be Pampered!

Immediately!

A Successful Failure - The Deodorant That Died

This looks a bit worse than it is. Well no, maybe it doesn't. But there is actually quite a bit of good news in the story of the stick deodorant you see here.

Ok, let's be honest, it doesn't look much like a stick. It looks more like a mush deodorant.

It also acts and feels like mush. Despite that, it is an effective deodorant that goes on smoothly and has staying power.

Lab Rats and Baking Soda Burn

What do lab rats have to do with baking soda burn from DIY deodorant? Maybe nothing, maybe a lot.

I get scads and scads of visitors to my posts about skin reactions to baking soda deodorant, and it does keep me on a constant lookout for new information.

Here's something I came across recently.

Caffeine and Hair Growth - Case Study Update

Ages ago (January), I started a case study on caffeine and hair growth. The original intention was to take and show bimonthly pictures with myself as well as the participating testers.

Sorry for the delay, but if you have been waiting for this update, I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed. The results so far have surprised even me.

Skin and pH - What's Natural?

Our skin is built up of many layers that are all fascinating to get to know, but today we're 'just' going to scratch the surface – the outermost, protective layer – also known as the acid mantle.

What's on Your Mind?

Although I often get questions about 'everything cosmetics, skin and hair care', I recently realized I have never asked you wonderful readers to tell me what you'd like to read about. What's on your mind?

Do you have any questions about cosmetics making, ingredients, production, skin care, hair care? Are you dying to know about soap-free cleansing? Pressing eyeshadows? What makes AHA's work? Why hydrosols do what they do? The best way to exfoliate? Why konjac glucomannan has such a long and unpronounceable name?

Voice your thoughts!

Semi-warning 

When people ask me something that requires research, I always try my best to do a thorough job of it (read: I may end up using quite a bit of time on it). Therefore, please don't be too disappointed if I can't provide an instant answer.

Here's a shortlist of what I've been researching and am working on at the moment – all questions that have been put to me by customers, readers, interested friends etc.:

• natural sun protection - does it exist? (I haven't forgotten, Alicyn!)
• tinctures and what to use them for
• calendula - what it has to offer
• rooibos and skincare  - is it healthy or hype?
• how can artificial sweetener ease an itchy scalp

Don't be Shy

I look forward to your questions, comments, input, and inspiration!

Maybe This is How Polyparaben Was Born

This might very well be the true story of how little 'Polly Paraben' was born.

Yes, I know it's spelled polyparaben, but I figure if we're going to misspell a name, we may as well give it a bit of pizazz and throw in a pic of an adorable little baby.

So stick with me and hopefully you will be entertained.

Lavender Essential Oil - All That and More

Before I started working with essential oils in earnest, I wasn't the biggest fan of the scent of lavender. It seemed a bit too 'clean' and 'soap-like'.

But that was then.

After working with it and becoming familiar with what lavender has to offer, my perception changed dramatically.

A recent article with new study results inspired me to revisit lavender and touch on some of the many uses of this wonderful essential oil. We'll get to the study in a minute, first let's get reacquainted with this wonderful plant.