Bang Up Beauty

Photo Credit: Pinnacle Health Radio Hello beauties! Continuing on my mission for safer products I returned to Ulta to look for more aluminum, paraben and cruelty free products. I was happy to add lipstick, bronzer, highlighters and more to the list! Don't forget to check out and subscribe to my YouTube channel! I have reviews of select products mention in this post. Do you have a favorite? Share it with me! Too Faced - Aluminum, Paraben and Cruelty Free Natural Needs Intense Color Coconut Butter Lipstick Melted Matte Longwear matte Lipstick Candlelight glow Highlighting Duo Powder Radiant Bronzer Baked with Love Blush, Brighten and Glow Better Than Sex Mascara Tarte- Gluten, Mineral Oil, Aluminum, Paraben and Cruelty Free Amazonian Clay 12-hour Highlighter Amazonian Clay Bronzer Blush and Glow Blush and Highlighter Juice Beauty - Paraben, Talc, Aluminum, Cruelty Free, Vegan, Use Organic Products Phyto-Pigments Ultra- Natural Mascara Phyto-Pigments- Eyesha...

Photo Credit Wise She The first blog I had published I proposed a challenge to switch  out a product once a month that you are using that may contain parabens, aluminum and other toxins like ammonia and excess synthetic fragrances and dyes. I had also urged readers to start paying attention to the ingredients list on your cosmetics. Once I began to do this myself I became overwhelmed!!!  I realized that there is still so much to learn when it comes to the transition to a more natural lifestyle. Even the most trusted and all natural advertised brands had aluminum in their products. If not aluminum then they weren't cruelty free or they had talc and a ton of synthetic coloring and fragrance. Photo Credit Fragrant Earth As I have embarked on this natural forward beauty adventure I realized how inconvenient it is. There are some wonderful natural beauty products out there that meet the ideal checklist. The only thing was I couldn't find those products in a store ...

Photo Credit Dr. Axe I have incorporated essential oils in my beauty and health routine for many years now. Making my own beauty recipes is not only fun but the best way to know exactly what you are putting on your skin. However, not all skin is created equally and should be paid close attention to. My favorite and very simple recipe that I use on a regular basis is an avocado mask. I like using this recipe because I can adjust it to how my skin is behaving. Avocado is the ultimate youth doctor! Being that it is rich in potassium and antioxidants it makes for a wonderful anti aging fruit whether applied topically or ingested. It can also aid in treating acne because it contains so many vitamins like vitamin A, B, K and E. With all of these factors involved it makes for a great base in any beauty practice. Photo Credit The Beauty Crop Avocado Face Mask To Match With Your Skin Type Take one half of an avocado and it mash down the best you can. The chunkier the consist...

Photo Credit Parmaca Unfortunately our standard deodorant contain genetically modified ingredients, parabens and aluminum. Switching to natural deodorant is ideal for our health to protect ourselves from absorbing these harmful chemicals directly through our lymph  nodes. This is scary because high levels of aluminum in the system has been directly link to Alzheimer disease. Since this discovery many people have switched to an all natural paraben and aluminum free deodorant. Before making the plunge there is a process to take. Or else risk walking around smelling like you  are smuggling onions! What do you do? SWEAT IT OUT!!! Drink A LOT of water, go to the sauna, do hot yoga, cardio or anything that gets you sweating. To help things out there is a popular simple recipe using bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. Photo Credit Just Beauty 1 tablespoon bentonite clay 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar  1-2 teaspoons water Mix it all up and rub i...

Photo Credit Suzie Weber Sustaining your energy is the key to being successful at just about anything. Athletes, high level executives, moms etc... I've recently stopped drinking coffee due to the over acid production it was causing me and I have found myself running out of steam. Below are 3 vampires directly effecting your energy levels. What is listed below are what directly effect your digestive system. Our bodies spend a ton of energy on digestion alone. If we can create an easier environment for our bodies to digest what we eat easier we can increase our energy significantly. Here are three ingredients to eliminate from your diet to increase your energy naturally! #1. Processed Soy Photo Credits LIVEKINDLY This came to me as a shock, especially since I am new to vegan eating and so many recipes call for tofu and soy milk. Here's what I found. Soy contains high levels of phyto-estrogen which can disrupt the adrenal gland and thyroid, causing infert...

Photo Credits Fablore Dare I say it? Yes, preservatives can be good! Ok, there I said it.  Preservatives get a bad wrap (and for good reason). However, preservatives help cosmetic products to remain safe to prevent harmful bacteria growth and any microbial visitors.  Below are some pointers to know the difference between good and bad preservatives and how to choose cosmetics that work best for you.  Good- The nice natural preservatives and antioxidants. These are the guys we don't need to fear. Benzoic Acid Sorbic Acid Salicylic Acid Alcohol Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Polyphenols Flavonoids Bad- Chemicals that can harm the reproductive organs for males and females and can also help you develop a super power to become immune to antibiotics developing  MRSA (gag!) Ethylparaben Propylparaben Butylparaben Isobutylparaben Triclosan Methylisothiazolinone Methylchloroisothiazolinone Chlorphenesin ...