Molly 'n Me Glow in the Dark Nail Polish: Don't You Know that You're Toxic?

Tamatha

A little over a month ago, I was on Martha's Vineyard for a wedding (that sounds a lot posh-er than my life actually is). After my friends and I had a fabulous lunch at The Net Result, we were wandering around the little shopping center there and decided to check out The Toy Box, a cool looking toy store.  My eye was caught by a container of nail polishes, some of which were glow in the dark.  That, my friends, was something I could not resist.  Not only did the glow-in-the-dark nail polish speak to the part of me attracted to tacky-ish things, but it was only $4.00, so it felt like a totally reasonable purchase--especially in a place like the Vineyard where things are quite pricey.

Of course, it was only later, that the rational side of my brain pointed out that this nail polish was probably exactly the sort of product I avoid: completely unnatural, no doubt tested on animals (the poor bunnies!), and, I was willing to bet, made in China.  So serious demerits for me.  Listen, I need one of you readers who normally doesn't care about such things to buy some natural product made here in the US of A (or your home country, I'm not picky) and not tested on animals to cancel this purchase of mine out, okay?

Anyway, the nail polish in question is, Molly 'n Me Glow in the Dark Nail Polish.  I picked out this awesome shade of bluish-purple.  In fact, that was part of why I decided to get the nail polish, because it came in a great shade of blue that I wanted anyway.  I was really excited to try it.  I finally got around to giving it a whirl shortly before Halloween.

DevaCare Low-Poo May Ruin All Other Shampoos for You

Tamatha

I unquestionably trust my hair stylist.  I rely on her to pick cuts that work with my hair type (especially since I do zero styling--I don't even own a hair dryer) and to choose hair colors that will be flattering to my coloring.  So if she advises that I try a product, I follow her advice.  She has yet to steer me wrong.

I spend good money on my cut and color.  But not only do I go eight weeks between colorings (and hair cuts, for that matter), my hair color of choice is red.  For those of you who do or have dyed your hair red, you know this means the color fades quickly.  Annoyingly so.  Given the "investment" I put in my hair color and the length of time between colorings, I am definitely not going to risk having the color fade any faster than it already does.  So, from the time I gave up my boxes of henna to have my hair professionally colored, I have relied on Rachel's advice for what I should use to wash and condition it.

Several years ago, the salon where she works started selling a sulfate-free shampoo, DevaCare Low-Poo, and she recommended I try it.  I'd heard of sulfate-free shampoos, and the rationale behind them made sense to me, so I was happy to give the shampoo a whirl.  I've pretty much never looked back.

A Face Moisturizer for All Seasons: Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Oil-Free Moisturizer

Tamatha

I know, I know.  I'm like a broken record with the Alba Botanica products.  But listen, when you find a brand which consistently makes excellent products, there's simply no reason to risk a disappointing experience with another brand.  Besides, this was one of my first Alba products, so there.

As you may recall from my Pineapple Enzyme Facial Scrub review,  in the same travel kit which contained that scrub, I also discovered my favorite face moisturizer.  Technically, in that kit it was the Natural Hawaiian Moisture Cream, but when I asked for the full size of that for a present, the Main Squeeze chose the Oil-Free version, which turned out to be a good (easy-to-make) mistake on his part.

Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener: Where Did You Get Those Eyes?

Tamatha

I may not be the best person to review an eye primer, since until about a year ago, I didn't even know this stuff existed, but I'm going to do it anyway.  I swear, back in the 80s, which was the last time I was in the know about make-up, eye primer was not a thing.

Recently, however, some of my lady friends on the Facebook (and here) have been talking about eye primers, and I thought I should check it out.  Considering the infrequency with which I wear make-up, I wasn't about to invest in a pricier eye primer (for ex., Urban Decay or Too Faced).  Luckily for me, when I dashed to CVS on New Year's Eve, fingers crossed that my old standby, Revlon, would have one, they did!  Enter Revlon's PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener.

I'm about to Get Up on My Soapbox: Made from Earth's Blood Orange Soap:

Tamatha

For fall, winter, and spring, I am all about the shower gel.  But summer?  That's another matter all together.  In the summer, I want something that is going to leave my skin feeling nothing but clean.  I want something that's going to cut right through the sweat and sunscreen.  I want to leave the shower feeling like I'm the cleanest thing on the whole effin' planet.  In the summer, I break out the bars of soap.

Pinky Made the Mistake of Letting Me Have Free Reign with Today's Hot Links

Tamatha

It's summer, (maybe not technically, but come on, it's summer) which means it's time for all that summer reading you want to do.  Perhaps you are looking for some recommendations?  This collection should keep you busy. (NPR)

OK, while I was looking for that link, I found this fascinating story about Dorothy Parker and how her ashes came to be interned at NAACP's headquarters in Baltimore. (NPR)

One more link for book recommendations (you know your book stack isn't quite high enough, because it hasn't toppled over and trapped you yet).  Last year, I coordinated Cannonball Read III for Pajiba, and the Cannonballers came up with this great list of the best books they read for CBR-III. (Pajiba)

Honey, You Need to Ditch that Apricot Scrub, Part III: Alba Botanica's Sea Algae Enzyme Facial Scrub

Tamatha

I know that it's been a while, ladies and gentlemen, but as you may recall, I am on a quest to get you to stop using that apricot scrub, which is so terrible for your skin!  First, I tried (and loved) Pevonia's Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, but it was a bit out of my price range, so I continued my search.  Then I tried Alba Botanica's Pineapple Enzyme Facial Scrub, which I also liked and which was more affordable, so I decided to make it my new scrub.  At the time, though, I thought I might need to find something a bit more exfoliating and a little less moisturizing once warmer weather rolled around.  And I was right. 

Do you remember that lovely week of unseasonably warm weather many of us had in mid-March?  I do.  It was glorious.  But there was one draw back, my face decided to break out.  At first, I wondered if Cindy had cursed me, but then I decided that the change in weather was to blame and went in search of a new scrub.  So, it was off to my local natural food store.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter: As Smooth as...Wait, That's too Easy

Tamatha

A couple of weeks ago, CVS gave me a coupon for $3 off a Revlon make-up purchase. Those bastards actually figured out one of my weaknesses (took 'em long enough). So last week, before the coupon expired, I took myself to the Revlon section of my local CVS. I briefly considered the nail polishes, but nothing caught my eye, and to be honest, when I received the coupon, I pretty much knew I'd be picking up a lip color of some sort.

As I've mentioned previously, I have a thing for lip stuff. On top of that, I recently went through a lipstick/gloss/tinted balm purge. I cannot tell you how long I'd had some of those lip things, but let's just say that Melody would have been beyond horrified. So clearly, I was overdue on restocking my lip color collection.

For All-Over Soft Skin: Aveda Replenishing Body Moisturizer

Tamatha

About ten years ago, my hair stylist gave me a tube of Aveda's Replenishing Body Moisturizer for my birthday, and I haven't looked back since.

I love this moisturizer like nobody's business.

I use it year round. Since it's humid in New England in the summer, I mostly use it for my hands and feet during those warmer months. In the winter, however, this lotion is my go-to for keeping dry skin at bay.

One of the things that I like about this moisturizer is that it has a really nice consistency. It's not too thick, which is why I can use it throughout the year. But it's also rich enough so that I don't have to slather myself to feel the effects.

Hot Tip: What to Do with that Leftover Apricot Scrub

This scrub don't get no love from...we!

If you've been playing along at home, you know that I am on a personal mission to get you to ditch your apricot facial scrub. In my first post on the topic, I explained why it's bad for your skin. Hopefully either that post or the second one convinced you to put down the apricot facial scrub and find one less damaging to your delicate skin.

But if you are like me, you couldn't bring yourself to actually throw it away, and wondered what the heck you were going to do with whatever amount of scrub you had leftover. Luckily for me (and now you) my friend, Marie, volunteered a perfect solution. So here's your hot tip:

Use it as a scrub for your feet.

Perfect, n'est-ce pas?

So, when your feet start to get a bit rough (this happens to me in the summer), grab your old apricot facial scrub, and give your feet the spa treatment.

Now your face and feet will thank you.

Contributer: Tamatha

Getting Crafty with Cleaning Supplies: Make Your Place by Raleigh Briggs

Tamatha

For well over a year now, the Main Squeeze has been on a homesteading kick. I think some of it started when he read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan some years back.

We started being much more locavore in our food habits; though we've had a summer farm share for over 15 years, we started having a share in a root cellar three years ago, we have our own small vegetable gardens, and we also frequent the local summer and winter farmers' markets--we're those kind of people. He's also gotten into doing more homesteading: some canning, a lot of freezing, and making things like sauerkraut.

I'm in Love with Alba Botanica's Coconut Milk Cream Body Wash

Tamatha

This winter I have been feeling particularly dried out. Even though I was using a moisturizing body wash, I was still finding that parts of my skin would feel uncomfortably dry in the short time between when I walked out of the shower and when I moisturized. Since I was getting low on body wash and was going to need new stuff soon, I decided to look for something even more moisturizing when I made my weekly pilgrimage to the local natural food store last weekend.

I looked at a few options, but wasn't feeling like any of them would be more moisturizing than the body wash I was already using. And then I looked at the pricier Alba Botanica Hawaiian body washes.

Honey, You Need to Ditch that Apricot Scrub, Part II: Alba Botanica Pineapple Enzyme Facial Scrub

Tamatha

Last time we checked in, I was heeding my aesthetician, Lisa's advice to walk away from my apricot-walnut face scrub. I was loving the Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser she had given me a sample of, but had to continue my search for a new scrub, because although amazing, Pevonia is a little too dear for my pocketbook.

I immediately thought of another facial scrub I had tried several years ago, a pineapple one, which at the time, I thought wasn't exfoliating enough. But now, well, we know that less exfoliating is actually better, so it seeemed like a good idea to give this facial scrub another try. Since it is from a brand I trust: Alba Botanica, that only added to its appeal. (You may remember that they make my favorite lip balm.) The facial scrub in question is their Pineapple Enzyme Facial Scrub from their Hawaiian Skin Care Collection.

Tamatha's Wish List: Books, Movies, Booze, Oh My!

Tamatha

Books - I may have become a much less prolific reader in recent years, but that doesn't mean I don't still covet books.

The Best American Short Stories 2011 edited by Geraldine Brooks

I was first introduced to this annual collection of short stories in 1998 when my roommate at the time was given a copy by her folks for Christmas. She made the mistake of leaving it out in the living room, where I picked it up and devoured it. I never realized how much I enjoy short stories, but that collection was eye-opening and fabulous. I've been asking for it every year for Christmas since. I highly recommend this collection, even if you don't think of yourself as a short story fan.

Honey, You Need to Ditch that Apricot Scrub. Try Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser Instead.

Tamatha

Last week when I was getting my brows done, I asked Lisa to leave the tops of my brows alone (I have blond eyebrows, I can get away with this) because my forehead was freaking out. I don't usually have sensitive skin, but on this day, I did. She commented on how dry my forehead was and said I should exfoliate. When I told her I do, she gave me a look. Later when I mentioned that I use an apricot/walnut scrub, her reaction was, "That is THE WORST!"

She then explained that apricot and nut scrubs are actually bad for your skin, because the scrubby bits are too sharp and actually cut your skin. (And then Kolby linked to this article in Tuesday, December 6th's Hot Links, which confirmed what Lisa said, so there ya go.) Lisa then gave me a sample of Pevonia Botanica Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser to try.

Revlon Lash Fantasy Total Definition Mascara: Yes, please.

Tamatha

Given my affinity for all things natural, you might be surprised that A) I buy pretty much all my make-up at the drug store and B) I am a seriously loyal Revlon customer. It all started back in 1990 when Revlon was one of the first big make-up companies to stop testing on animals. I wanted to support this great move on their part, so I started buying their products pretty exclusively. And I've been supporting them ever since.*

I've tried a few of Revlon's mascaras over the years, and the Lash Fantasy (terrible name aside) is my favorite. *Especially* since it now has my favorite style of mascara wand--the kind with the rubber bristles. These flexible bristles are so much better than the traditional, stiffer ones.

Who Doesn't Like Tinted Lip Balm?: Badger Lip Tint & Shimmer

Author: Tamatha

You may remember that I have a slight lip balm addiction. In addition to meaning that I must be no more than two feet away from a lip balm at all times, this addiction also means that lipsticks and I have a problem. They just disappear. Or, if I'm really lucky, I end up looking like I'm wearing only lip liner (and too much of it too boot). Note: no lip liner has actually been applied to my lips, but the lipstick has seemingly migrated to just the edges of my lips--lovely! At the same time, I'm often drawn to lipsticks (they're less of a "commitment" than other forms of make-up) and I own far more than any woman who rarely wears the stuff probably should. What can I say? Hope (or perhaps delusion) springs eternal.

Further Detoxing Your Mani: CVS Biodegradable Formula Polish Remover

Author: Tamatha

This summer I ran out of cotton balls and nail polish remover at the same time. So I headed down to the local CVS (see, I don't do all of my shopping at the natural food store). Luckily, the two items are shelved with each other and after I grabbed the triple-size organic cotton balls, my eye was drawn to a new product: CVS' Biodegradable Formula Polish Remover. In addition to being biodegradable, it's also a non-acetone polish remover, and the bottle says that they use 30% less plastic than acetone polish removers of similar size. On top of all that, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it's not tested on animals. Clearly, this product has Tamatha written all over it.

Nourish Food for Healthy Skin's Cucumber & Watercress Face Wash: Truth In Labeling, My Ass!

Author: Tamatha

Last summer I was at my local natural food store because I needed to buy more secondary face wash. (My primary face wash, the one I use daily, is an apricot scrub; this was for those times when I need to wash my face a second (or third, or fourth) time during the day.) My plan was to get more of the one that I had recently run out of, but my eye was caught by Nourish Food for Healthy Skin's Cucumber & Watercress Face Wash, which in addition to being all kinds of natural, is also certified organic. If you've read my bio, you know I'm a sucker for beauty products that claim to be natural. So, something organic is only going to set my bells a-ringin' (is that an actual saying, or am I just making up my own shit now?). ANYWAY.

Un-Petroleum: The Only Lip Balm You'll Ever Need

Author: Tamatha

Back in the day I used to be a normal person with normal lips. Sure, when winter rolled around, they’d get a little dry, so I’d slap some Chapstick on them and be good to go. Then came the winter of ’91. I was lured in by a brand of lip balm that extoled its lack of waxiness and its medicated-ness. Little did I know that “medicated” means that it has some sort of mint oil in it, and more importantly, that things like peppermint oil actually dry out your lips (or so I’ve heard). And since that fateful winter, I’ve been one of those people. You know the type, unable to go anywhere without having at least one, if not two or three lip balms handy.