Beauty Product Roundup

One of the Silver Linings of this past year was becoming friends with LK of LK’s Grab Bag blog. Can I just say that I was absolutely blown away her. She is smart, funny, gorgeous, fit as a fiddle and well, generally inspiring.

Did I mention savvy? Holy Moly. LK is committed to living an extraordinarily healthy life, recognizing that what we put on our bodies is as important as what we put in them. She is unbelievably savvy when it comes to products. This is an area that I was, Ahem, not so savvy about (e.g., I had the 3 year-old concealer in my makeup drawer and I buy cleanser in bulk, kept “effective” by the innumerable chemicals in them).

Recently, LK did a beauty product roundup on her blog and I have proceeded to incorporate most all of the products into my own routine – finally. Hey, better late than never, right (Silver Lining).

A BIG thank you to LK for all of the work that she does to weed through the intricate (and insanely overwhelming!) maze of the beauty world. As she said, “It looks and sounds like a lot, but it’s a groove, a routine and it doesn’t really take all that much time. What took time was researching and trying so many products. Hopefully some of these work for you, and that you seek out well-rated alternatives (CosmeticsDatabase.com) if they don’t.”

LK generously offered to share her research with The Silver Pen. Below, I have grouped the products together (because I’m all about categories!). Thanks again to LK for doing the work and for sharing it!

• John Master’s body lotion.
• Miessence Intensive Body Cream mixed with liquified coconut oil (found in the grocery store).
• Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Organic Castile Liquid Soap This has an amazing variety of uses (hence the name 18-in-1!) Besides a great body wash, it makes a fantastic hand soap, especially when you water it down 1:8 (1part soap, 8 parts water) and put in a foam pumper bottle. For those who must have a bar soap, Bronner’s makes a bar soap version of all their 18-in-1 soap scents.
• Deodorant: Usually none, or Miessence roll-on (diet can play a very big roll in the need for deodorant). You can learn more about that (& many other things!) on LK’s Grab Bag. 
• Desert Essence jojoba oil.

• Nurture My Body Volumizing Shampoo Fragrance Free
• Nurture My Body Conditioner Fragrance-Free
• Miessence Shine Herbal Hair Conditioner
• John Master’s Organics. I like the primrose for dry hair.
• Intelligent Ingredients Perfect Hold Hair Spray

1. Organoderm Olive, Cucumber and Watercress Cleanser: Quite possibly LK’s favorite product of all time. DO NOT WET YOUR FACE BEFORE APPLYING FOAM WASH. Wet only your hands with warm water, then squirt 1-1.5 pumps of foam into your hands and massage on face. Remove with a warm washcloth (great exfoliator), rinse and gently wiped over face a few times.
2. Marie Veronique Sun Protective Oil. Rub between both palms and apply to face, neck and chest. (I buy the 4oz. size and save a good deal of $$)
3. Marie Veronique Eye Serum on upper and lower eyelids. This is directed for night use, but it isn’t moisturizing enough for me… however, it’s perfect under make up during the day.
4. Egyptian Magic in one palm (about the size of half a fingernail) and mix with a couple of pumps of either Marie Veronique’s Everyday Sheer Coverage  SPF 20 or Mositurizing Face Screen SPF 30 Both come in a few tints (you can call and get samples). Blend well between palms so the Egyptian Magic is liquified and mixed with the tinted sunblock. Spread the mixture all over face and neck (and chest if it will get exposure). This step is sunscreen and sheer makeup in one.
5. Jane Iredale PurePressed Base SPF20. LK uses the pressed compact versus the loose powder to reduce the inhalation factor of the loose minerals.

1. MAKE UP REMOVER: Desert Essence jojoba oil lghtly massaged into eyelashes and eyelids with fingers (I know I’m supposed to say lightly, and that might give images of a really delicate approach, but truthfully I’m not THAT gentle … not as you see in commercials where they seem petrified of peeling their eyelids back with the slightest touch). Delon flat cotton rounds from Costco. LK wets them with warm water, press all the excess water out, and then wipe eye lids until they are clean of the oil/makeup schemer.
2. CLEANSE: same as morning. Organoderm Olive, Cucumber and Watercress Cleanser
3. REPAIR: Mix the contents of one capsule of Marie Veronique Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin C Supplement or Skin Lightening Vitamin C Supplement (LK alternates between the two each night) with two pumps of Marie Veronique Anti Wrinkle Serum or Skin Lightening Serum. Add a pump or two of Miessence Rejuventing Skin Conditioner. Mix in palm with finger until all powdered supplement is dissolved. Spread over face, neck, chest, and use excess for back of hands and arms. Let dry for a few moments.
4. MOISTURIZE: Spray face, neck, chest and one palm with water mixture and use 2 pumps of Marie Veronique Anti-Aging Oil (or the Plus version) and spread over face, neck and chest.
5. Use 1 pump of Miessence  Firming Eye & Neck Serum on eyes and neck.
6. Add 2 pumps of Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta Night Cream. 
7. Finally, she adds more Egyptian Magic under and at outer corners of eyes, on lips and anywhere else I want extra deep moisture.

• Tom’s of Maine Clean & Gentle SLS and Fluoride Free
• Miessence toothpaste

As LK said, it seems like a lot at first, but definitely settles into a nice routine. One guaranteed Silver Lining: your body will thank you!