Avocado and avocado oil offers so many benefits when used in your skin products. Did you know that avocado contains vitamins A, B1, B2 and D, lecithin, potassium as well as vitamin E. In addition to the vitamins it contains proteins and more than 20% essential fatty acids (amino acids). It is a sought after skin care ingredient because it has so much to offer.Avocados are used in anti-aging products because of its nourishing and hydrating abilities. The Department of Food Engineering and Bio... Read Full Story

Oatmeal in skin care products has been around as long as I can remember and I will say that I am now over 50 years old. As a teenager I recall using facial masks and bath and body products that contained oatmeal. I loved oatmeal skin care products then, and to this day I still use oatmeal in my skin care routine. The only difference now is that I make my own oatmeal scrubs and masks and will soon try my hand at making some oatmeal bar soaps.Oatmeal has wonderful properties that can nourish an... Read Full Story

With the onset of the H1N1 pandemic and the normal flu season at bay, it is no wonder that hand sanitizer sales are on the rise. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill harmful bacterial, such as streptococcus, salmonella, staphylococcus, E. coli and shigella. Hand sanitizers physically destroy the germs however these products do not claim to kill viruses.While hand sanitizers can be useful when soap and water are not available, there are key elements that make them effective. For a hand sanitizer... Read Full Story

Emu oil is made from the fat of a large bird called the Emu. These birds are native to Australia and history has it that this oil was used by the Aborigines for treatment of wounds, burns, scars, and muscle and joint paint. Today Emus are raised and harvested in the United States. They provide a rich lean meat that is fat free and low in cholesterol and a remarkable skin care treatment from the fat of the bird.Emu oil is comprised of approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids including an omeg... Read Full Story

The use of essential oils goes back as far as 6000 years when Egyptian physician, Imhotep, the then God of Medicine and Healing recommended fragrant oils for bathing and massaging. In 4,500 B.C. Egyptians used myrrh and cedar wood oils for a embalming their dead and 6,500 years later the preserved mummies prove the fact discovered by the modern researchers that the cedar wood contains natural fixative and strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties. From that time forward there has been nu... Read Full Story

Fashion isn’t just the clothing you put on; it includes the color of your eye shadow right down to the color of your fingernails. Pretty well manicured fingernails can add so much to your overall look.So what are the latest trends in fingernail polish and shape? Well after some thorough investigation it appears that dark colors are the trend this year. Colors such as dark orange, coppers, wine, lavender, navy, plums, reds and dark browns are the color of the season. Additionally shimmer, glit... Read Full Story

There seems to be a debate on whether or not a toner is necessary in your skin care routine. I for one am a dedicated toner user. Toner has been part of my skin care routine since I was in my twenties and I am now over 50.Toners are used after cleansing your face but before moisturizing. They are meant to remove the last bits of cleansing lotion, dirt or debris and to restore the skin’s pH balance. Additionally, depending on the type of toner and the ingredients they contain, they can off... Read Full Story

Homemade skin care is fun, easy to make and both effective and inexpensive. Hope you can try some of these recipes and let me know what you think.Toner for Large Pores10 drops Patchouli essential oil2 fluid ounces of distilled waterMix both ingredients in a small spray bottle. Shake well to blend oil and water prior to each use. Spray on clean, washed face.Patchouli offers many benefits in skin care products. Has a toning and tightening effect due to its astringent properties and therefore co... Read Full Story

I suffer from under eye bags and puffiness in the mornings and I was ecstatic when I received Olay’s anti-aging roller for eyes to review. How exciting!On first glance, I was intrigued. The product is about the size of a marker with small rollers on one end. A couple of clicks on the other end send the fluid to the rollers. Application is easy; just roll on under and around the eye area and then massage with fingertips.Olay’s claim for this product is to “reduce eye puffiness, regenerate skin... Read Full Story

Although you may think your brown eyes are common and plain, you are actually blessed to have brown eyes. Brown eyes can wear so many shades of eye shadow and go from smoky eyes for evening wear to a light and natural finish for day wear.Not all brown eyes are created equal. There is different color of brown eyes ranging from deep dark brown to a lighter brown. Additionally the specs in the iris can vary from yellow to copper toned specs. When selecting the perfect color for your brown eyes, ... Read Full Story