I was recently given the opportunity to review several Starflower Essentials products. Starflower Essentials is an organic and natural skin care company that offers food grade holistic skin nutrition products. “Food grade” is the classification given to products that can literally be eaten safely. Most cosmetics are “cosmetic grade”. Starflower suggests: “Isn’t it better to use products on your living, breathing skin that you could eat, rather than products that would harm your digestive system if you ate them?” – I agree!
The first product that I tried from Starflower Essentials was their ClarySea Face Mask ($26. for 3 oz). Their website describes this product as:
A highly mineralized, detoxifying mask designed to nourish, regenerate and effectively flush deeply embedded toxins. Most effective when applied after Herbal Facial Steam, as both these preparations greatly enhance the effectiveness of the other. Dormant powder becomes a brilliant green colour when mixed with water delivering fresh and alive enzymes, vitamins and minerals to all layers of the skin. Needs no preservatives.
I love the fact that this comes in a powder form, enabling you to bring it to life by adding water. Key Ingredients of the ClarySea Face Mask are: Food Grade Mineral Clay; Active Blue Green Algae; Arctic Seaweed; Organic Essential Oils of Clary Sage & Lavender.
This mask starts off a rich paste (depending on how much water you add) that is a bright, vibrant shade of green. The mask tightens as it dries, drawing impurities out of your skin. It washes off easily with a warm washcloth.
I followed up the mask with their Royal Vera Nutrient Face Toner Mist (with ingredients like Organic Aloe Vera, Distilled Witch Hazel, Organic Chamomile extract and more), and then the Restora Night Serum for troubled skin.
All in all, I really enjoyed testing my samples of Starflower Essentials products. I will continue to use them, and will consider purchasing in the future. I think the prices are truly fair for the organic, food grade, high quality products that Starflower offers.
Have you tried Starflower Essentials products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
The best deals are going on now! Consumer Reports says that the first two weeks of December have the best discounts and coupon offers. Check out these top coupons for the month of December, offered by CouponSherpa.com:
1. Macy’s
Receive free shipping plus 20% off on orders of $99 or more with coupon code PERFECT.
2. Coldwater Creek
Use Coldwater Creek coupon code AFLC439 to save $25 and receive free shipping on orders over $100.
3. Gamestop
$15 off in-stock orders of $100 or more using coupon code MERRY.
4. Footlocker
Use the Footlocker promo code LKS1VR37 to receive free shipping on orders over $75.
5. eBags
Free shipping plus a 20% discount using the coupon code LINKSPEC20.
6. Vans
Get free shipping on any order by using coupon code OKBYME.
7. Neiman Marcus
Use code DECFS to receive free shipping on orders of any amount.
8. Finish Line
Save $20 on an order of $100 or more using the Finish Line coupon code BFCM.
9. Bath & Body Works
Spend $50 or more and receive free shipping with the promo code FREEGIFT50.
10. Crocs
Save $15 on your order of $75 or more with promo code HOLIDAY15.
This winter, I have reverted back to the Oil Cleansing Method (or my version of it) to hydrate and cleanse my face. I have been using Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil to do this, since I have a huge jar available and have also been using it as my body moisturizer of choice.
The oil cleansing method has many benefits, including deep cleaning and breaking down natural oils, dirt and makeup without stripping skin of moisture like many cleansers can do. I have previously posted about this, here.
This time around, instead of making a complicated blend of oils, I am solely using coconut oil. I just take a small scoop of the large jar with me in to the shower, and while showering, it softens and melts into a thick oil. I use a wet washcloth with warm (not hot) water to open up my pores and then apply the oil. I massage in circular motions, paying most attention to my cheeks, nose, and forehead. I then apply the washcloth over my face for a few seconds to let the oil set in, then use the washcloth to exfoliate and wipe away any remaining oil.
Since my skin is acne-prone, I am pleased to report that this method has not yet caused any major breakouts or problems. I love that I am using something natural and that my skin feels smooth and pleasant. I am sure to apply a salicylic acid product after cleansing to help prevent any breakouts, as well.
So far, my skin feels hydrated, soft, non-flaky, and most importantly, clean!
Have you tried the OCM? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
‘Tis the season for holiday parties. Your holiday look can be fabulous with the right accessories and makeup, but a gorgeous nail color will really tie it all together. Check out the below guideline from Nail expert and Creative Director of Pretty Woman USA (www.prettywomanusa.com) Aija Vilemsonne, and be sure to nail your holiday look at your next event!
All that Glitters
Nail art, though fashionable, may not be appropriate for your annual holiday office party. Since you are steering clear of patterned nail art to make a statement, experiment with sparkle. Perfect for the holiday season, a gold or silver glitter polish makes a statement without being too loud. Glitter polish goes great with black, darker colors and even basic colorful and patterned outfits. Sparkle and stand out in the crowd. If you prefer to steer clear of glitter, try metallic colors for the same effect. Wearing a basic nude dress? Try a navy metallic polish.
Go bold
For those planning to wear black and darker colors, splash on two coats of red polish to play up your holiday look. With a plethora of shades at your disposal, you can play up your LBD and suit your personal style. Feeling hot? Opt for a fire engine red. Want to play it safe? Go with a copper or burgundy polish. It doesn’t end at red. If you would like to opt for a different shade, Aija recommends a shade of violet, a great color this season for a similar effect.
Neutrals and Pastels
You can’t go wrong with neutrals. This universal look is very easy to wear with any outfit. If you are wearing a heavily embellished or colorful patterned outfit, stick to the basic neutrals. A basic color will better suit your overall look. If you plan to wear a basic color, for instance a dark purple, add some flair and go with a festive pastel mint green polish. Pastels, though neutral, compliment and transform a basic look into a fun, appropriate holiday party look.
For more nail tips and trends, visit www.PrettyWomanUSA.com.
What do you think of these tips? Add yours in the comments below!
I am a huge fan of Mad Gabs! I first became familiar with the brand many years ago as I wrote in to a contest in a magazine and won a tin of their mint lip balm. I am thrilled to have gotten an opportunity to review Mad Gabs products for Dolce Beauty because I remembered how much I loved that lip balm. I’m pleased to say, their products still do not disappoint.
My new favorite lip balm is Mad Gabs Coconut-Lime Wildly Natural Lip Butter ($3.50). This Coconut-Lime Wildly Natural Lip Butter is a stick of smooth, soft lip butter that smells like a tropical getaway. I love their simple, natural ingredients: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax, Shea Butter, Natural flavor, Mango Butter, Vitamin E.
If you like a little color with your moisture, you may be interested in one of Mad Gabs’ Wildly Natural Lip Glosses, or their Bear and Moose Lip Shimmers. I really like the plum shade, as it’s the perfect natural lip color for my complexion.
Have you ever tried Mad Gabs products? To learn more about the brand, check out madgabs.com. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Beauty icon Marilyn Monroe has got to be arguably the most recognizable starlet of all time. There is a ton of buzz about Michelle Williams in her new role as Marilyn in My Week with Marilyn. Michelle is not naturally a ringer for Marilyn, but with some beauty magic, I think the stylists got her looking pretty close.
A lot has changed in the beauty industry since the 1950′s. Now, you can learn how to do your makeup like Marilyn with new tips from Celebrity Makeup Artist and Beauty Expert, Melanie Mills. Check out Melanie’s tips, compared to Marilyn’s original beauty regime, below:
1950′s: Pond’s Cold Cream was applied at night before bed.
Now: To get flawless skin like Marilyn’s, use Lancome Visionaire. It’s the first moisturizer to have LR 2412, a molecule that propels through skin layers to re-create a beautifully even surface with or without makeup.
1950′s: Max Factor’s Loose Powder was used to pat down makeup.
Now: At any given moment, Marilyn was always camera ready. Mattify your look with Skindinavia’s No More Shine. It holds makeup in place for up to 16+ hours while giving a glowing dewy finish.
1950′s: Chemist Hazel Bishop created the first no-smear lipstick.
Now: To get your lips to stop traffic like Miss Monroe’s, choose a long-lasting bold hue with a satin finish. Melanie loves Rachel Zoe’s Exude Lip Creme in Red #1. This Vitamin E & C fortified formula has a creamy gel texture which is applied by an innovative twist that pushes lip creme through the plastic tubing.
1950:’s A steady hand was needed to apply eyeliner.
Now: Marilyn kept her eyes defined by thick black liner on the top of her lids. Dior’s Backstage Eyeliners are stick-on adhesive patches; one pair in the set even includes Swarvoski crystals.
1950′s: Maybelline was just first starting to use synthetic replace petroleum mascaras.
Now: Marilyn Monroe had dark full lashes which really made her eyes pop. The Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect Rotating Mascara has a brush that rotates in both directions to extend lashes to their full potential.
What do you think of these tips? Add your favorite Marilyn makeup tips in the comments below!
For more on Melanie Mills, check out her website.
