I’m a natural blonde. But I learned at an early age, apparently I wasn’t blonde enough. I remember I was about six years old when my mom started spraying Sun-In on my hair at the pool in the summer. This went on for years, so when I got older I continued the tradition, because blonde is apparently good. Then I learned that I could use the hair dryer instead of heat from the sun to get the same effect year round. Surprisingly, my hair handled the abuse pretty well. And then one summer I heard about girls mixing lemon juice with hydrogen peroxide to make their hair even MORE blonde. Well, this I had to try. I forget what ratio I used (lemon juice to peroxide) but it probably didn’t matter much. I dumped the mixture on my head and blasted it with a hair dryer. It worked…but turned my soft hair to straw. That was the last time I experimented with peroxide.
Late into my college years, I really started getting into herbs. I was mixing potpourris, cooking herbs and making herbal wreaths. I loved reading about the plants and their properties. There must be a mad scientist inside of me, because I once again started experimenting. After the development of our Herbal Aftershave, Tropical Lip Balm, Deodorant Powder and a few other products that have since been discontinued, I turned my attention back to hair. I knew infusions of lemon, chamomile and calendula could give me that oh-so-coveted “blonder” look. So I made a tea. And poured it on my hair and went out into the sun. It worked. But this time, my hair felt (and smelled) fabulous. I had to share this creation with everyone else who didn’t feel blonde enough.
I researched and created another blend for folks with dark hair. Soon I packaged my whole herbs into large tea bags which were sold in pretty printed envelopes. I kept this product around for a while, but discontinued it about four years ago as sales were sluggish. Maybe people didn’t want to bother making a tea for their hair. Or maybe it was easier to just use a hair dye.
I still think the concept of hair herbs is a cool one. If you want to try it, mix together the following:
Blonde: lemon peel, chamomile, calendula
Brunette: rosemary, sage, black tea, cloves, black walnut shells
Red: hibiscus, red rose petals, rose hips, red clover
Make a strong tea with your herbs, leaving them in the water for up to 30 minutes. After shampooing, apply your herbal rinse to hair. Comb through. The more often you use the tea, the more dramatic the results.
You can add other herbs which will benefit the condition of your hair too. If your hair is dry, try adding marshmallow root, elderflower, lavender or nettle. For oily hair, add yarrow, witch hazel bark, watercress, strawberry leaf, lemon balm or horsetail. Want your hair to have more body? Try oat straw, dandelion, burdock root and apple cider vinegar.
Herbal hair rinses are easy, beneficial, and fun to mix and feel as luxurious as a spa treatment. As for the blonde thing, no matter how stupid I think it is, part of it is still engrained in me. I wish it wasn’t. Hair color doesn’t determine how pretty or attractive you are. That comes from the inside.
Make up should make you feel good. Make up should make you look good. But above all else, make up should be FUN. And when someone asks you what lipstick color are you wearing, isn’t it more fun to say, “Seduction” instead of “Pink Mauve”?
Sometimes people have issues with our names. I’ve had customers take offense to our eye liner name Smoking Gun. The name has nothing to do with a weapon. Smoking Gun refers to evidence that is highly suggestive in favor of a particular hypothesis. There are also customers who won’t buy our Orange Mimosa or Strawberry Champagne lip balms because their names have alcohol connotations. And I once had a very angry lady call me complaining that the Brown Sugar eye liner she purchased did not match the brown sugar she had in her cupboard.
But how do we come up with those crazy color names? Is there a formula to it, a science? Nope, it’s nothing like that. Sometimes it’s as simple as looking at a color and calling it what it looks like. The shade Chrome in the Rock the Smokey Eye Shadow Palette just looks like chrome. Sometimes we will post the color on our Facebook page and ask customers what they would name it. Other times we all sit around and look at the color and make a list of names we think we should call it, and then pick the best name from that list. Sometimes I’ll be driving to work and think “Hmm…Bombshell would be a cool name for a lipstick.” And then there are times when the names we come up with have a story behind them. Some of the stories are happy, some are melancholy, but I think the coolest names are the ones that have a meaning. I’ll share a few.
San Francisco – I’m not a city person. But if I was ever going to live in a city, it would be San Francisco. I just love it there.
Camelot – I think my dad secretly wanted to be a performer. I remember him bouncing around the house when I was little, singing “Light My Fire” by the Doors at the top of his lungs. But one of my favorite memories of him is when he would act out and sing songs from the musical Camelot. He acted so serious, like he was Richard Burton himself up on a NY stage. Used to make me laugh and that’s how I want to remember him.
Valentine – This is a family name on mom’s side. It makes me think of my mom, my grandmother and how much I miss them. Also I just missed being born on Valentine’s Day by 4 hours.
Fairy Dust – Okay, there’s a part in the movie “The Bird Cage” where Nathan Lane is rehearsing for his show. He’s supposed to be a getting a perfect mythical creature to come to life, so he waves his hand, motioning like he’s sprinkling something and says “fairy dust, fairy dust, fairy dust…” You’d have to see the movie – it’s a funny scene and one of my favorite movies of all time.
Mocha Latte – my favorite coffee drink and one my close friends tease me about (because I get it decaf, non-fat, no foam, no whip, one pump…..)
Sunset Strip – Named after the famous street in Hollywood. Kinda straight forward, but I love Hollywood (also the name of one of our lip gloss shades)
Charisma – A song by the band KISS
Vanilla Pie – This is an actual pie that a family member used to make. I swear it was pure sugar, but tasted heavenly.
Orange Mimosa – The first time I was in the Napa Valley region of California, I took a hot air balloon ride. It was magical. When that was over, there was a breakfast buffet prepared for us. It was the first time I was introduced to the drink orange mimosa, and I was in love!
PS Pink – PS does not stand for Post Script in this case…we won’t say what it stands for LOL
Falon – Named after my precious kitten who sadly passed away last year. She came to us in very bad shape (she was missing an eye) but we nursed her back to health and she was a sweetheart who was full of life. Her handicap never kept her down. Sadly she had feline leukemia which cut her vibrant life very short. We only had her for three years, but I’ll never forget how special she was.
Abyss – Our little kitten Falon was black as night, and we believe she was part Abyssinian.
Kashmir – Named in honor of a friend’s beloved cat who also passed away last year. She was named after a Led Zeppelin song.
“I’m melting!” screeched the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz. No one wants to feel like that when they’re out in the sun wearing make-up. Try these tips to keep your face looking cool and fresh.
1. Start with a clean face. Make sure your skin is just washed and free of any oily residue from cleansers or moisturizers. The more pure the canvas, the more pure the finished work of art (you!).
2. Less is more. Skip the heavy foundation. Not only is the natural look preferred while you’re having fun outside, it also helps to prevent makeup from melting. Apply a light layer of our Pressed Powder Mineral Foundation on your complexion before applying the rest of your makeup. This acts as a barrier on your skin against the heat, making it harder for your makeup to melt off right away. I prefer to use our Kabuki Brush to apply the powder, as it yields a more even, flawless result.
3. Blot, blot away! Instead of attacking forehead sheen with a ton of powder, makeup artists first take away excess oil with blotting papers. And blot, don’t wipe. Wiping only smears your make up. I always have napkins or tissues on hand to blot away “the shinys”. If your skin is still a little shiny after blotting, follow up with a light dusting of pressed powder. This keeps skin from looking cakey.
4. Stay hydrated. A quick spritz of our Hydrosol Face & Body Mist goes a long way to refreshing and resetting your make-up, and it feels and smells great. Plus it’s 100% natural.
5. Stick it to the lips. Personally if I know I’m going to be outside for any length of time, I use our JobaColors Lip Liner all over my lips and follow up with a light coating of our Orange Mimosa Lip Balm. The lip liner seems to last longer on my lips, and the lip balm gives my lips a dewy appearance. If you prefer a lipstick, apply a light coating of foundation powder on your lips before applying your lipstick. The powder helps the lipstick adhere to your lips longer.
6. Keep it light. Color that is. Have you ever been embarrassed by your dark eye shadow melting, forming dark creases on your eyelids? With neutral eye shadows like the shades in our Cosmopolitan palette, this issue is easier to conceal. Lighter shades are still prone to melting but hiding it and fixing the problem will be more convenient for you.
7. No floating heads. Don’t neglect the rest of your body. That means making sure that arms, legs, and décolletage are smooth and glowing too. Avoid the “floating face effect” which is when your face is an entirely different color than the rest of you. Ensure that doesn’t happen by using less make up, and brushing a little bit of our Mineral Bronzer on your shoulders and chest.
Mask
It all started when my aunt bought me a plant called lovage. “It’s an herb,” she explained. Kooky Aunt Pat and her “herbs”. Being the inquisitive type, I decided to do some research on herbs….and never looked back. Soon I learned that herbs had uses other than culinary. I could make stuff with them! Before long I was combining chamomile and calendula to make a hair rinse, green tea, oatmeal and lavender to make bath bags and ultimately yarrow, peppermint and bay to make our now famous Herbal Aftershave.
Working with basic natural ingredients that can be found in your kitchen is my true love. There’s no reason to drop big bucks at a beauty store or trendy spa, when all you need for beautiful skin is at the supermarket.
Homemade skin treatments aren’t a new idea. Thousands of years before commercial products were available, ancient Egyptians made powders, ointments and lotions by combining plant extracts with natural oils. In China, a combination of ground orange seeds and honey was used to help keep skin clear [source: National Honey Board]. And in the 2nd century, ancient Romans combined animal fats with starches to make facial creams.
When making your own facial mask, it’s important to know your skin type so you can choose the most beneficial ingredients for that type.
Normal skin does not feel dry or oily. At midday it still looks fresh and clean. Only occasionally does it have dry patches or break out. Oatmeal, fabulous as a bath soak, also makes a great face mask for normal skin. Grind it a bit in the food processor, add water to create a paste, and then allow it to sit on your face for a few minutes. Liquid face masks are also very simple and great for normal skin. Many celebrities swear by olive oil. Use extra-virgin, and spread it on your skin. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water. Skin is left feeling luxuriously smooth, and fine wrinkles are less noticeable. You can also try a honey- olive oil combination. Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply to your face and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off with water water. Gently pat the face dry. Unflavored plain yogurt is also great for toning any type of skin. Apply a thin layer and let sit for ten minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
Dry skin has a thin texture and can feel dry to touch. It can feel tight after being washed, and by midday flaky patches may appear. Honey is the number one ingredient, in my opinion, for dry skin. It’s a humectant, meaning that it will help skin retain moisture. One of my personal favorite facial remedies involves applying raw honey to my face. I apply it in a thin layer, and leave it on for about 15 minutes. My dog Ginger used to love when I made this mask; so I’d have to make sure she was in another room or else I wouldn’t have any honey left on my face. Rinse with warm water and enjoy how very soft your skin feels. Flax seeds also make a wonderful one-ingredient mask. Flax seeds provide powerful, good-for-your-health omega-3 fatty acids. In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of flax seeds and just enough water to cover. The seeds will swell and the water will become gelatinous. Spread the gel on your face. When dry, rinse off with warm water.
Oily skin often feels greasy. After washing it feels fine, but by midday it looks shiny. Break out spots can be frequent. Combat oiliness while firming your pores with an egg white mask. Whip the whites of two eggs into a light foam. Spread a thin layer of the foam to your face. Allow the foam to become firm, then simply rinse the mask away. Your skin will feel tighter and pores will be diminished. Oily skin can benefit from occasional gentle exfoliation. Try a tomato facial. Puree one ripe tomato with a teaspoon each of lemon juice and instant oatmeal. Spread the mixture across your face, allowing it to set for about 15 minutes. Then rinse away to reveal fresh skin. Other natural exfoliators include papaya and pineapple which both contain an enzyme called bromelain which removes dead cells and cleanses pores.
Combination skin is normal with a few dry patches and a few oily patches. Dryness is usually on the cheeks and oiliness is usually on the T-zone. Most women have combination skin. Green tea is great for combination skin, and has long been touted for its anti-aging and wrinkle fighting properties. Dissolve a single teaspoon of green tea powder (matcha) into a half teaspoon of water so you’re left with a thin, smooth paste. Spread the paste across your face, allow it to sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse away, revealing radiant skin. Sweet smelling roses are perfect for balancing out the oily and dry areas of your skin. Mix together 2 tbsps of rosewater, 1 tbsp natural yogurt, room temperature (not lowfat or non-fat), 1 tbsp honey. Apply mixture to skin and allow to remain for ten minutes. Rinse with warm water. I found the following recipe on line. It was created by facialist Chanel Jenae of Santa Monica. In the article, Jenae says pumpkin is loaded with natural exfoliating acids and antioxidants. She uses pumpkin pulp in her facial peels at her salon “to brighten, calm breakouts, and soften the appearance of fine lines and sun damage.”
Purée the fresh pumpkin pulp into a thick paste. Add the egg (this acts as a binder). Stir in a splash of omega-rich almond milk. Mix well. Apply the mask, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes, depending on your skin sensitivity. Rinse with cool water and moisturize as usual.
Most face masks, whether homemade or bought, seem straightforward: Simply smooth the mask onto your face, then rinse off after a period of time. But properly applying the mask can make a big difference.
Gently rub the face mask into your skin. The massaging motions will help increase blood flow, improving your skin’s appearance. To get the most of your massage, apply light pressure to your jaw line with your fingertips. Slowly move upward until you reach your forehead, then start again.
Other benefits of massage include a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, which can in turn lower blood pressure and boost your immune system, although this is more likely to occur if the massage covers more than your face.
After the massage, let the mask set for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the specific recipe instructions. Set a timer. When the appropriate time period has passed, rinse the mask off with warm water using a washcloth.
Don’t be afraid to add other spa-like experiences to your home beauty regimen. In addition to facial massage, set the tone for your face mask by changing your surroundings. Dim the lights, gather a few candles and play some soft music. Relaxing in the tub for a warm soak while your mask is doing its magic can help you unwind by providing a stress-busting experience without the hefty price tag.
Or consider having a natural beauty ritual party. Each guest can bring their favorite natural mask recipe, while the hostess provides basic ingredients like oatmeal, honey, eggs, yogurt, tea and some herbs from the garden. Play some cool music, whip up your own masks and kick back with some girl talk. Just don’t let anyone bring a camera!!
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