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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After several uses though, my scalp seems in quite a bit of disharmony, it is as if my scalp is protesting–I won’t grow beautiful healthy hair as long as you use this junk on me!  Seriously.  So I have stopped using it, but since it is labeled as “gluten-free” I am not sure why my head hates it so.

And then I did a bit of research into the ingredients.  And found one in particular that I was unfamiliar with, and do not want to be:

• Stearalkonium Chloride — A chemical used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health. Toxic.

Nice.  You know, when I bought this (relatively cheap) product in a drug store, I did think it was too good to be true, and it was.  Needless to say, I have just ordered more Hamadi.

Here is the first of what will be many videos to come demonstrating the use of ELISA Tek’s EZ Gluten Test Kit, a simple, effective way to test foods and products for gluten.  In this first video I tested Dr. Hauschka’s Natural Lipstick (which was previously verified gluten free via the Dr. Hauschka company). And was able to proudly confirm that yes, it really is gluten free!

Here’s my demonstration–and during the testing I really didn’t know which way the test would go!

I am in a wonderful state of skin shock!

At Tuesday night’s Gorgeous and Green, I was very fortunate to meet Karen Behnke, founder of Juice Beauty.  I have long been a fan of Juice Beauty’s Blemish Clearing Serum.  So when I heard back from a customer service rep that the products cannot be confirmed as gluten free, I was quite distraught about finding a replacement. 

On Tuesday night, however, Karen was shocked to hear this news and confirmed that the product is in fact gluten free!  She was unsure of how this misinformation came my way, and very appologetic, but most importantly, proud to review with me the organic ingredients she uses in her products, all of which are gluten free and !

Now, I have been blogging a lot lately about how nothing can ever compare to my 100% Pure Organic Healing Balm facial moisturizer, but last night I just may have found it’s match–and it contains an SPF.  A quick spritz of the Juice Beauty’s mist and application of moisturizer, and I woke up with soft, supple skin.  I’ll continue my trial to be sure, but I just may be loving these other Juice beauties already!

The Cleansing Cream is just not for me.  If you’re familiar with Jurlique’s Daily Exfoliating Cream, it is similar, though I actually prefer Jurlique’s.  The Cleansing Cream is a pasty consistency and is meant to be pressed into the skin to deeply cleanse while also exfoliating.  The issue is that I prefer a cleanser that a) also removes makeup b) goes a long way so I can also use it down into my decollage and c) can be used on the entire face which again, helps in removing makeup.  Plus, it contains wheat germ oil, which means, it’s probably not gluten free.

So I’ve moved on.  I am not trying the Sircuit Skin X-Trap Face Wash, which is a concentrated gel.  And to help remove all of the dirt and oil that’s built up, I am presently wearing my Environmental Defense Mask by Naturopathica.

I will continue to try out the Toner, Moisturizer and Facial Oil–until I simply can go no longer without my 100% Pure Organic Healing Balm, that is.  Seriously though, I do think there is something to using a toner and an oil.  Time will tell . . .

I am so excited to learn that Target will be partnering with Rogan Gregory’s Loomstate line to produce an eco-friendly line, due out April 19th.  Though, like the Go International collaborations, the line will be expiring, in this case on May 16th.

Though Target’s “limited time only” marketing ploy is genius, I am a bit sad the line is not slated to continue into the summer.  Perhaps it will do so eco-fabulously that it will stick around?  A girl can dream.

The line will feature pieces for both men and women and will carry a rather nice price point ranging from $14.99 to $44.99.  Some of the natural fabrics will include organic cotton, linen and silk–I love silk!!