I received some products from Surface Hair Care (all of which are gluten-free and contain nothing but natural, sustainable ingredients), which simply blew away my expectations! After just one wash and conditioning with their Trinity products, my hair was shinier, more lustrous, and had much more body. Then I tried out their Trinity Protein Cream, which kind of makes up for all the mean things I do to my hair (like heat styling, coloring, etc.), so by the time I got to their Theory Aerosol Finishing Spray I was prepared to love it, and I 100% do!

Please check out my latest video, in which I tell you all about just how fabulous Surface Hair Care is! The only down side is that it is not currently available to order online, but must be purchased at a salon, but the great news is that if a salon near you carries Surface, that means that you can go to the salon for an entirely gluten-free experience!!

To locate a salon near you that carries Surface, visit SurfaceHair.com.

This week a very exciting new educational took was launched which helps educate us as consumers about some of the unjust methods that are used for gathering raw materials for many of our every day consumer products, SlaveryFootprint.org. According to this new State Department funded site: Every day tens of thousands of American women buy makeup. Every day tens of thousands of Indian children mine mica, which is the little sparkles in the makeup.

While the cosmetic industry does not require cosmetic grade micas be naturally sourced, or lab-produced, both versions are used by nearly all mineral and traditional cosmetic companies. Unlike iron oxides, which for cosmetic use must be lab-produced, there is no current way to differentiate whether a produce contains unethically sourced, mined micas, or those that are synthetically produced.

Hopefully well-respected natural beauty brands will quickly take steps to ensure that all of their micas are synthetic, but for now, this is just another reason to look for those mica-free natural cosmetics lines that use cosmetic grade iron oxides instead.

There has been some interest in this subject over the past few months, so I thought I’d take a moment to clarify:

• What are Iron Oxides? Rich, intense, pure pigments used to color natural and mineral makeups. Even most Micas are colored with Iron Oxide pigments. And in nearly every natural cosmetic line, you will find Iron Oxides. As for lines listed here on Naturally Dah’ling, you will find them in Gluten Free Beauty, Jane Iredale, Afterglow, Dr. Hauschka, Mineral Fusion and Lavera products. All of these lines are renowned for their commitment to creating pure, natural products.
• Why are they not natural? The FDA permits the use of only Cosmetic Grade/Lab-Produced Iron Oxides for use in cosmetics, as naturally occurring Iron Oxides can be contaminated with unhealthy ingredients. So in this case, natural is not the safer option.
• What are alternatives? I do not use products containing FD&C colors/dyes, and will never use them in my own product formulation, nor do any of the most respected natural beauty lines. FD&C colors are synthetically derived and can contain coal tar, they can also cause irritation (I for one experience allergic reactions to them). Food and botanical color sources could become a viable alternative in the future, but food based pigments are not currently FDA approved for use as cosmetic colorants, and could require the use of harsher preservatives. There are a couple of botanical color sources currently allowed, such as annato which produces a yellow/orange hue. But most of these colors are not favorable to creating products that match the skin tone. Most food and botanical cosmetics that I have tried did not perform like professional cosmetics, the textures, finish and adhesion were off, in my opinion.

So while your natural cosmetic products might only be 99.9% natural, as they may contain minute quantities of rich Iron Oxide pigments, they are still the best of what’s around!

These days I’m a bit more paranoid about maintaining my hair’s fullness. Going gluten-free in my diet and in my hair products made a huge difference for me, in fact the last few times I actually visited a salon and they lathered me up with gluten-laden shampoos and conditioners, my scalp broke out in a rash. So these days I use only gluten-free hair care products and I even (egads!) cut and color my hair myself (calling the number on your hair care box is a quick and easy way to find out whether it’s gluten-fee).

I’m trying lately to be better to my hair and scalp though, so I’ve sworn off coloring my hair for at least six months, and I’ve been more careful not to disturb the delicate balance of my poor scalp. But with my roots growing longer and darker by the day and feeling as though my hair looks thin and lifeless, I’m pretty much been depressed about it.

Then a couple of weeks ago something occured to me–I remembered reading about Low EMF hair dryers and wondered if one of these could help. Apparently hair dryers, just like microwaves, can emit an Electromagnetic Field which is arguable danger to our health. And apparently hair dryers are one of the worst culprits. So I got to thinking, if I am trying to shower my head with a little extra TLC and be generally better to it, perhaps it would also appreciate a healthier hair dryer. It was a hunch, but I figured I’d see where it led.

I don't see any scalp, do you?

And so my search for a Low EMF hair dryer began. There’s not too much info. available on the subject, but I did find that CHI has several options. Not wanting to pay $150 for a hunch, however, I set off for TJ Maxx to see if they had any fancy Low EMF hair dryers. At first I thought my search would be unfruitful, then I came across a FHI Heat Nano Weight Pro 1800 and it was a Low EMF hair dryer!! Mind you, I had probably never spent more than $20 on a hair dryer, and many have died by my hand, but this was for the health of my scalp.

I couldn’t wait to wash my hair and give my new FHI dryer a whirl, I wondered if it would actually seem any different, or if it was just a whole bunch of hype. IT WAS DIFFERENT! SO DIFFERENT!

The dryer was just slightly heavier than my former cheapie Revlon model, but not as heavy as the professional dryer that my Mom has. I loved that it wasn’t too noisy either. I once had one of those quiet hair dryers (I do believe the hype that a super loud dryer in your ear all the time can not be good for your hearing) and never could find a good replacement when it died. But the FHI wasn’t too loud, and the cold shot button actually really worked–it didn’t just shoot out air that is slightly less warm, but blasted out cool air to set my round-brush created waves.

When I had finished, WOW! My hair looked so much fuller! All of my worries about my hair appearing thinner had vanished, I even felt like I had a bit of a Bardot style going!

And what about the EMF’s? Well, the experience of using the dryer was MUCH more pleasant. So personally, yes I do buy into the hype, because there just is something about this dryer that makes it better to use, and my hair has been looking more fabulous than ever, so I’m definitely sold on the investment–I’ve even been able to cut down on washings to just every other day. In hindsight, if I knew that it would work this well would I have paid full price for a new FHI Heat hair dryer (which can be between $100-$200), absolutely! Without a doubt! LOL, even our dog Waylon prefers it. It’s the oddest thing, trying to use other hair dryers on him is about as successful as brushing his teeth, but the FHI he doesn’t mind–makes you wonder, doesn’t it.

Now this is all just a theory on my end, I just “had a feeling” one day that a Low EMF hair dryer might help. I’m no scientist so I can’t say what the health effects have been really, but there is something about my new Low EMF hair dryer that has me in its utter adoration.

I had breakouts on my back and chest several years ago. And it was not fun. But by realizing what some of your triggers are, you might be able to clear things up all on your own like I did–without pricey or drying products.

Don’t get me wrong, I tried seeking professional help first. I went to a dermatologist, a doctor, an acupuncturist, an aesthetician, but nothing helped. Doctors even told me that the strongest, most severe types of acne medication would not have even helped my horrible breakouts–thank goodness, considering all of the dangers now linked to some of these products.

Then I was diagnosed with intolerances to gluten and casein. So I went gluten-free in my diet, but I took it further still. I was already using only natural, paraben free products for my hair care, skin care and cosmetics, but I wondered if gluten in these products was also sabotaging my skin.

And guess what . . . it was! But there are still other ingredients that I avoid as well to keep my back and chest ready for strapless, backless and whatever kinds of outfits fit my mood.

I actually still receive emails from people all the time who are also suffering from acne on their chest, back or face, and here is the advice I usually share:

Top Tips for Battling Acne on Your Back, Chest and Face

• Start With Diet: If you suspect that you might have a food intolerance, try doing an elimination diet for a few weeks to see if you can target any trigger foods. The top eight food allergens are wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, dairy, fish, shellfish, eggs.
• Check Your Shampoo: If you are sensitive to any foods, you may need to purchase shampoo, conditioner and styling products that are also free of them. Think about it, when you’re in the shower, your hair products rinse right down you back and chest.  It’s also a great idea to wash your body last, so you can wash off hair products like conditioner, which is meant to coat the hair and could be coating your back and chest.
• Use a Gentle Cleanser: If you’re sensitive to something like gluten, you may also be sensitive to common irritants like parabens or fragrances. In my case two bars of soap can be exactly the same, but if one has any amount of fragrance oil in it, it’ll be fine on most of my body, but use it on my back, chest or face and I’ll get a zit. So I only use fragrance-free, natural soaps or cleansers on my face, back and chest. Even using your face wash (if it meets the criteria) is fine, but it will cost you more!
• Check Your Laundry Products: Personally, I haven’t had much problem with fabric care products, though I do try to use fragrance free, natural options. For some people, the icky chemicals in fabric softeners can irritate the skin.
• Don’t Over-Treat: Your back and chest are not used to a lot of products, and the less the better for keeping them clear. In my case just putting any type of moisturizer on my neck will cause a pimple–even if it has built in acne fighting power! Think more about what you put in your body and what you cleanse it with, and then you shouldn’t have to use any topical creams or treatments on your back and chest. These can just irritate and dry the area–over drying of acne prone areas can result in your skin just producing more oil and more acne.
• Be Patient: It took a while for me to figure all of this out, and the time I spent with the breakouts was pretty unpleasant. But I did figure it all out, and now everything’s clear! I do still get one or two spots on my chest or face at a certain time each month from time to time, but now if I do, I just make sure that I’m cleansing the area with a good, gentle cleanser, and if it’s on my face I make sure I’m using my Facial Moisture Serum twice a day to balance. But I also know that it will pass and one pimple every couple of months I can handle!!

European beauty experts have favored natural, oil-based beauty serums to chalky-feeling, oil-free moisturizers for decades. And the reason is that some natural, plant-derived oils can actually retrain the skin to help regulate oil production.

The first time I was ever told to put oil on my skin to stop oil and breakouts, I was shocked! As far as I had always been told by department store makeup brands, oil was  bad, right? Not true. Especially since natural oils like Jojoba Oil and Macadamia Oil are actually very close to the skin’s natural sebum. And Essential Oil Palmarosa also helps to combat acne and balance oil.

So while you may need to use a bit less of your moisturizer, like this Moisture Serum, in the Summer, just because your skin isn’t as dry, it’s still an important part of your Summer beauty routine. Stick to a gentle, exfoliating cleanser to help wash away dirt and dry skin cells, your moisturizer and sunscreen when you need it, and you’ll be simply glowing this Summer!

I did find mineral makeup more breathable than their predecessors, but it still felt heavier than I was accustomed to.

At the time that I set out to develop my Natural Anti-Aging Foundation Set, I had come to love Jane Iredales’s Amazing Base and Afterglow Cosmetics’ Organic Mineral Foundation. I had tried countless other mineral makeups, and these are in my opinion, some of the best of what’s around.  But still, keeping my skin hydrated even while wearing drying mineral powders was a bit of a challenge.

I wanted to create a makeup product that didn’t just make my skin look better while wearing it, but also acted as a skin care product, so that even when I am not wearing the foundation the quality of my skin is improved.  This Foundation Set may take some getting used to for some, as it’s quite unlike anything else on the market. Which is why I’ve just recorded a new video to show you how and why it may be worth a try.

Now to be totally honest, I haven’t had a mani/pedi in years–not professionally anyway. I tend to prefer to avoid some of these tricky situations by taking things into my own hands, like doing my own nails (and coloring my own hair–eeks!), especially since I tend to be pretty hard on my hands and chip away even the most loyal of polishes quite quickly.

But whether you’re doing your nails at home, or having a nice little break and getting a mani/pedi, fabulous nails can also be gluten-free nails!

For years I’ve known about the wonderful gluten-free Nail Paints of PeaceKeeper. And now there are several other players in the world of gluten-free nail polishes that are also free of toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate. Here are a few more nail companies that are gluten-free, and greener than most:
PeaceKeeper

Zoya Nail Polish

Refreshingly Free

Acquarella Water Color Nail Polish

Honeybee Gardens WaterColors NonPeel Nail Polish

If you do get a professional mani/pedi and opt to bring one of these better brands instead of using one of their in-stock colors, be sure to also bring in your own body cream. Some nail salons offer hand or foot massages with a body lotion, but because it may contain ingredients that you’re not cool with, it couldn’t hurt to have your own on hand!

Here are a couple popular ingredients that seemed more like they might be in cosmetic containers than the actual products (if anywhere!):

• Polystyrene: which is also known as one of the most widely used types of plastic is commonly used for containers of food, chemicals and solvents. And if not recycled can take centuries to biodegrade. But I also spotted it in a facial cleanser, lip gloss and various hair products.
• Polyethylene: otherwise known as the plastic used grocery and shopping bags, is also known for it’s slowness to biodegrade, as without exposure to UV sunlight, the process can take hundreds of years. That said, guess where I spotted this ingredient–in lists on several long wearing or waterproof eyeliners. Note: polyethylene can be produced from non-petroleum sources, but I’m assuming that the cosmetic companies are as usual going with the cheap stuff in an effort to cut corners.

I found these ingredients listed in products from both department and drug store brands.

Bottom line, stick with brands you trust, and before you trust a brand, do a thorough assessment of the range of ingredients that they use/consider safe for you to be putting in your hair, on your skin, and on your mucus membranes (lips/eyes).

Here are a few ingredients that I hear people mention all the time, and wince when I realize are in eye makeups, underarm deodorants and other products that wind up getting absorbed by the body or making their way into our mucus membranes:

Neem Oil–This oil, which I spotted in some former favorite holistic eye makeup products is often used for its antibacterial properties, which would be especially important in an eye product, as these can be breeding grounds for bacteria. But is the cost worth the benefit? Neem oil can be damaging to organs such as the liver and kidneys, and should especially not be used during pregnancy, as it has been shown to produce damage to organs vital to maintaining pregnancy, and ingestion of more than 5ml has lead to death in infants.

Tea Tree Oil–Often seen in products like natural deodorants, tea tree oil is used for its anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. But some common side effects include skin reactions such as itching, rash or worsened eczema. While too large of topical doses can cause poor muscle coordination and even difficulty walking, but worse yet, when taken orally, this ingredient can cause severe reactions ranging from hallucinations to coma. Tea tree oil should also not be used during pregnancy, or by children, as hormonal abnormalities like enlarged breasts in prepubescent boys has been shown to occur.

Carmine–Considered one of nature’s only “true reds,” this pigment is made from grinding up the abdomens of cochineal (beetle). But not only is it not a cruelty-free ingredient, but also a common skin irritant. And when used as a food dye, this natural red has even caused such severe allergic reactions in some such as anaphylactic shock.