I love a product that surpasses my expectations!

I had only just received an inquiry about Derma E products, when I received a sample of their Microdermabrasion Scrub packaged neatly with my Skin Botanica order.  But there are so many scrubs on the market, and few actually perform as promised.

Well, this trial was an absolute success!  I am utteryly adoring this beaded exfoliator.  It’s fabulous!

And as for the ingredients, I have provided a complete list below.  And here is a verifying statement regarding gluten in their products–I love, love, love that they are aware of the dangers of topical gluten for some of us:

Gluten Free

derma e® recognizes that some individuals with gluten intolerance may have an allergic reaction when gluten is applied topically. Most derma e® products are gluten-free, however the following may contain remnants of gluten such as oat extract:

• Stop Itch (Item #88300)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Magnesium Oxide, Silica, Volcanic Sand, Pearl Powder, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Glycerin, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Caprylic Acid, Glycine, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate

For fine lines and wrinkles, I still swear by Sircuit’s Addict, but I’ve come to appreciate this little beauty for it’s pure magic!

For lighter, day to day beauty routines, I’ve left out my concealer in favor of this dark-circle-erasing under eye cream. Even when my dark circles are their darkest, I simply dab a bit on and apply my makeup as usual, only no need for any concealer under my eyes! Sometimes I’ll brush a bit of foundation powder over my eye area, but it’s nice to know I’m not just covering, I’m treating the area.

I also love that this eye cream doesn’t conjure up any little oil bumps in the under eye area, like some cheap imitations do.

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As a tween I thought that a good facial routine meant wash, tone and spot treat.  But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve invested more in good cleansers and moisturizers than astringents or toners.

I have tried a few out here and there over the past few years, and recently decided to give
100% Pure Organic Peppermint Green Tea Facial Toner
a try.

It immediately surprised me since it has no alcohol, but has the same cool “burn” of the Windex colored toners of my past.  But whether or not it anti-ages, brightens, protects and repairs as recommended is still to be determined.  I’ll keep you posted!

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It seems that every time I visit a salon it’s not actually as pleasant an experience as I hoped. My scalp winds up breaking out in a rash–which stylists usually freak out about and do not want to tell me, so I wind up wondering why they’re acting that way.  Or my scalp becomes super sensitive and I’m left wondering why the stylist is brushing so hard.

Turns out, it’s all about the gluten.  Since I am topically sensitive to gluten, salon shampoos containing high levels of this protein from wheat, barley or rye tend to cause negative reactions for me.

This week I also getting a bit bored with my blond highlights, so on a whim, I bought a box of L’Oreal’s Natural Match Hair Color.  It is ammonia free and a bit less chemical-laden than some alternatives, but still, I hesitated to even read the ingredients, which range from ethanolamine to toluene-2–even to check for gluten.

It did take two different shades and a call to their support line for color-correcting advice, but the results are in: I LOVE MY NEW COLOR, and NO BAD GLUTEN REACTIONS!

I called back to ask L’Oreal, and guess what, this product is even confirmed gluten-free!

REN is a company for which I have the utmost respect, and I would actually love to try all of their products–if only money were no object

But I do have a wonderful little sample that I did try and quite liked–before I realized that it contained: Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein.  And for us gluten-free gals, that simply won’t do.

I will however keep seeking out some other fabulous REN products to try, of course, in the future I had better be sure to carefully read the label!

PeaceKeeper natural, gluten-fee nail paints are back!

I’m sorry for their disappearance, but thanks to a healthy supply of Peacekeeper paints at Drugstore.com, Naturally Dah’ling once again links to one of the best nail companies on the planet!

So whether you paint at home or bring your own polish with you to the manicurist, toss out toxic formulas in exchange for these healthier, long-lasting, gluten-free nail beauties.

For those of you wondering where I’ve been all these months–I’m on Twitter!

In the midst of moving, managing “The World’s First Gluten Free Search Engine” and trying to help save sweet animals from dangerous food allergies, I’ve found that 140 character communication certainly has its benefits.

To all of those who have e-mailed, I think I’ve now gotten back to you, but if not, please try again!  And if you want immediate answers to any natural or gluten-free beauty questions you may have, please come and tweet with me on Twitter!

One of my very favorite boutique skin care lines, Amelia’s Soap Co., has added some amazing new items to the line.

I rave often about how I love Amelia’s soaps, and refuse to travel without them.  Well now Mrs. Janet Amelia has been mixing up even more delightful bath beauties to become addicted to!

Famous for her gentle, moisturizing, Crisp Citrus scented body bars, the line also now includes scents like:

• Sunny Morning Soap with Orange Peal and Rosemary Petals
• Chamomile Tea and Lavender Soap with Calendula Petals
• Energizing Soap with Crushed Rosemary
• Gardner’s Soap with Crushed Apricot Seeds, Lavender Buds and Rosemary
• Unscented Oatmeal Scrub Bar (Made w/ gluten-free oats)

Mrs. Janet has also added round and rectangular soap gift sets, face polish and soap packets, and gift sets that include soaps, face polish and lip balm.

Everything Amelia’s sells is gluten-free, and in her extensive “All Natural” selection, there’s just so many wonderful choices!

You can purchase these bathing beauties from Amelia’s @ http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5518360&section_id=5690562

You may have noticed some recent updates to the Naturally Dah’ling site.  Included in those are the Sircuit Skin Crystal Creme Conditioner that I mentioned earlier this week, and Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Moisturizer with SPF 15.

Months ago owner Karen Behnke gave me a generous sample of the moisturizer. Recently I’ve pulled that sample out to use and simply cannot stop touching my face since–I just can’t believe how soft my skin is!

I am even more surprised that this light, easily absorbed cream with SPF is so smooth and silky.  Usually I find products with SPF to be heavier, or milky.  But not this little gem.

So when you do need that extra SPF protection, Juice’s Moisturizer w/ SPF is gluten-free and a great way to go!

After some confusion over whether or now wheat germ oil is gluten-free, I held off on using or posting about Sircuit Skin’s Crystal Creme Conditioner.

Months later, several sources (such as Weleda’s Pharmacists) attest to the fact that wheat germ oil is in fact gluten-free.  Always the gluten-free cynic, I’ve also personally tested the Crystal Creme Conditioner with ELISA’s EZ Gluten Test Kit and can also confirm that this product is really gluten-free.

So it’s back, with a vengence.

Okay, no vengance really, but this is an incredible conditioner, which paired with the Sircuit Shampoo produces hair prefection!

(Click the image if you’d like to purchase some today!)

Or, click here to read my review on Naturally Dah’ling.