Green Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season!

It's that time of year again, when everyone scurries to the mall in search of the perfect gift for that special someone. While most of us relate the holiday season to the stress of last-minute shopping, fighting for parking spots, and over-maxed credit cards, the true meaning of the holidays is often forgotten. Spending time with loved ones, thinking of others less fortunate than ourselves and creating long-lasting memories are the true gifts of the holiday season.

This year, we decided to compile a list of great gift ideas that truly embodies the spirit of the holidays.

1. Instead of buying an expensive gift for each person on your list, why not take the next 6 weeks to make a meaningful connection with each person? Whether it's going for a coffee with a loved one, or taking a relative for a stroll, these are the moments that you'll remember in the future.

2. Looking for green, eco-friendly gift ideas? Have your friends and family create a holiday wish list at Ethical Ocean, a marketplace devoted to all things green. Our friends at Ethical Ocean (www.ethicalocean.com) have made it easy to sort through products by filing them under their ethical claims. You can feel good about knowing that your gift hasn't harmed the planet in any way, and is helping to support communities throughout the world.

3. Give a tree, plant a tree, or dedicate a tree in someone's honour. At www.lovetrees.ca, you can purchase a $15 tree planting certificate to have a tree planted in North America, Africa, or Haiti. Always a great stocking stuffer idea as this is the gift that makes a contribution for years to come.

4. For the person that seems to have everything, consider giving them the gift of a charitable donation. Providing the basic necessities for those in need can make a meaningful impact on many families, especially at this time of the year. The following link is a list of the Top 20 charities in Canada, with a breakdown and percentage of where your donations go: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JQQYf2xOjfmCjRdXtYRZrr3sclzG0yrbQPdjIibqjGUW90EN2C7M0suAtZP5ApqeT804nWju_kpJmFY1YMZsTOFJM1Imsk3uKEU_l4-Nu-xbe2KyJM3pIrGdoq_yAC06CwzufAebKWM/s1600-h/top20Charities.jpg

5. Organize a Recipe Exchange for the holidays with a group of friends. This idea challenges your taste buds with creative and new ingredients, while staying under budget.

6. Give the gift of time and experience, rather than material goods. Offer to weed a friend's garden, or give lessons in a talent that you excel at. Offer baby-sitting time, or plan to make dinner for your family once a month. Volunteering your time not only makes a great gift, but it also provides you with a new experience to increase personal satisfaction.

This year, make a positive difference to the environment by choosing original and thoughtful gifts. Pause and reflect on the true meaning of the holiday season as it is so easy to be swept up into the commercial aspect of it. We hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season!

W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics

Harmful Chemicals in Baby Products

Many of today's baby products contain ingredients that are not only toxic, but are often unnecessary. Although the demand for more natural products has increased over the years, cosmetic manufacturers continue to use carcinogenic ingredients in products made for babies.

We believe that it is important to create an environment that is free from harmful chemicals at this important life stage. Decreasing a baby's exposure to chemicals from day one could mean a lower risk of allergies and chemical sensitivities, and lower risk of cancers and other illnesses. Choosing healthy alternatives to conventional baby products is simply one way of reducing your baby's exposure to chemicals. Here is a list of things to watch out for:

Mineral Oil (Baby Oil)

What exactly is Baby Oil? It is mineral oil, a by-product from petroleum. Despite being made for sensitive skin, it most likely has a fragrance added to it, derived from a synthetic origin. Mineral oil is known to coat the skin like plastic wrap and prevent the skin from "breathing." This interferes with the skin's natural ability to eliminate toxins; in fact, it has the opposite effect by clogging pores.

Since mineral oil is derived from crude oil (a non-renewable resource), it is also incredibly harmful if ingested. Mineral oil contains hydrocarbons, which can lead to severe vomiting and fatal lung damage in infants. With all the natural alternatives available, this ingredient should be avoided at all costs, for both your baby and the environment.


Talc Powder

The size of the minerals found in talcum powder are so small that they can easily be carried in the air like dust and reach the smallest areas of the lung. Inhaling the powder has been found to cause serious lung complications in infants. The use of talcum powder has also been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer in women, although more clinical trials still need to be studied on this controversial product. Most often, the use of a diaper ointment is just as effective at preventing diaper rash as talcum powder, without the harmful effects.


Bisphenol A (BPA)

In addition to banning Bisphenol A from baby bottles, Health Canada has recently issued a warning about all products containing BPA. This chemical compound is found in some hard, clear, lightweight plastics and resins. Until recently, it was used in the production of plastic baby bottles, drinking cups, and various types of food containers. Animal studies suggest that, once ingested, BPA may imitate estrogen and other hormones. Luckily, there are now a variety of options available for sippy cups and baby bottles, now free from BPA.


Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde are both probable carcinogens
though the risk of cancer from absorption through the skin is not fully understood. The chemical can also trigger adverse skin reactions in infants, children and adults. It is often recommended to avoid exposure to these two chemicals, especially for those suffering from eczema or contact dermatitis. The European Union has banned 1,4-dioxane from cosmetic products. And formaldehyde is not allowed in cosmetics sold in Japan and Sweden.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics recently commissioned a report to determine which children’s bath products were contaminated with formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. The results of the study can be found at this link:
http://safecosmetics.live2.radicaldesigns.org/article.php?id=426
Unfortunately, 61% of the 48 baby and child personal care products tested had both chemicals!

It is also interesting to note that many "tear-free" shampoos are formulated with numbing agents to prevent babies from feeling the pain.


Phthalates

Baby shampoos, lotions and powders often contain phthalates, a chemical found in many ordinary products including cosmetics, toys, vinyl flooring and medical supplies. They are used to stabilize fragrances and make plastics flexible. Exposing infants to chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems. The products with the strongest phthalate association were baby powder, lotion, and shampoo. Although more evidence is needed to determine the harmful link between phthalates and health, it is best to choose products that are labelled phthalate-free.

For more information, you can always use this website as a resource on safe, non-toxic products for your children and yourself. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

You'll be fascinated to learn about all the safer alternatives that are now available.


W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics

Best Start Baby: making your own baby food.

With the recent baby boom in my circle of friends and the upcoming birth of my new niece or nephew, my sister and I explored the benefits of making our own baby food. We wanted to ensure that we are providing the best start for this new baby. By making our own baby food, we could be picky about choosing only food that was locally produced where possible, nutritious, and free of additives or preservatives.

In addition to the obvious health benefits to making your own baby food, there is also a cost benefit to this project. Despite the pricey cost of organic food, the higher quantity that it yields provides a greater cost savings. It's also a simple and fun project, taking only about an 1 hour to prepare for a week's worth of meals.

We wanted to share some of our tips that we learned while experimenting with making our own baby food:

Offer a variety of foods for your baby. This is the best way to shape your baby's palate.

Steaming food is the best way to keep all the nutrients in food.

Enjoy the natural flavours of food--don't add any spices, salt, sugar, butter, or seasoning, although I sometimes make an exception to cinnamon and tumeric due to their proven health benefits.

Here is also a guide to what your baby can eat during their crucial months of early development:

4-6 months
Babies can eat fruits like avocados, pears, and bananas, or cooked vegetables like green beans, squash, and sweet potatoes.
Cereals made from oats, rice and barley are also good choices.

6-8 months
This is a great time to introduce new food to your growing baby. You can try different fruit combinations that allow you to provide your baby with the most nutritious foods. In order to keep track of food allergies, make sure that you are only introducing new foods one at a time, and at least once a week. Foods that commonly induce an allergic reaction in children include:

Strawberries
Egg whites
Cow's milk
Wheat
Seafood
Citrus fruits
Tomatoes

8-10 months
Babies can be harder to feed as they start to become picky during this age. Looking at more textured foods and finger foods are an ideal option at this time.

10-12 months
This is the best opportunity to offer a wide variety of food to your baby. You can expand the number of foods to introduce to your baby so that their taste buds can recognize new flavours and senses. Spices can be added at this time, such as cinnamon or tumeric. This is the time to be more creative with baby food recipes.

Because of their hardness, texture or shape, some foods can cause infants to choke. Avoid giving these foods to children under 12 months of age:

Raisins
Grapes
Nuts
Popcorn
Hot dogs
Peanut butter
Raw carrots
Raw peas
Raw apples
Corn kernels

Raw honey should also be avoided during the first year of life, as it contains bacteria that could cause serious harm to the digestive tract of your baby.

Here are some easy recipes provided by The Vegan Society (www.vegansociety.com) that have been tried and tested by my loving circle of new moms:

Age 6-7 months
Vegetable Puree

1 large potato, peeled and chopped
Florets removed from 1 broccoli stalk
1 courgette, sliced
2 or more tbsp soya milk

1. Steam or boil all vegetables for 10 mins or until cooked.
2. Cool a little and place in a blender with soya milk. Blend until smooth and creamy. Other vegetables can be used instead of those listed.

Age 8-10 months
Lentil Stew

25g dried red lentils
1 small potato, peeled and cubed
1/2 tsp tomato puree or tomato juice
1 small carrot, cubed

1. Place all ingredients in saucepan and just cover with water. Bring to the boil slowly and simmer until all liquid is absorbed and vegetables are softened.
2. Cool a little and blend until smooth and creamy.

Age 10 months +
Shepherd's Pie

750g potatoes, peeled and cubed
25g-50g vegan margarine
50ml or more soya milk
Vegetable oil for frying
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 stick celery, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, diced
75g dried red lentils, cooked in water until tender
1 x 400g tin tomatoes, chopped
150ml vegetable stock

1. Steam potatoes until soft. Place in separate bowl and add margarine. Mash thoroughly, adding soya milk until potato is smooth and creamy. Place aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in frying pan and add onions and celery. Fry until tender. Add carrot, lentils, chopped tomatoes and vegetable stock. Simmer for 20 mins or until lentils are cooked and liquid is absorbed.
3. Place in casserole dish and spread creamed potato on top. Heat in oven at 180C, 350F or gas mark 4 for 15-20 mins until potato is browned on top.

W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics

The Importance of Shea Butter

Shea Butter is one of the most luxurious healing and moisturizing agents that can be found in Nature. It is derived from the nut of the shea tree, grown in the wild in West Africa and used by African women to keep their skin smooth and lineless.

Collecting shea butter is a tedious task. It involves sorting and picking the shea nuts, washing them and leaving the nuts out to dry. The shea nuts are then roasted over a fire until they turn shiny and oily. After the drying process again, the roasted shea nuts are pounded into a mortar until a dark chocolatey sludge appears.

The chocolate mixture is then ground into a smooth paste, adding a little bit of cold and hot water to the mixture. The shea butter than starts to separate from the mixture, after cooling, and rises to the surface, similar to the separation of cream from unhomogenized milk. The gray mass is then heated over a fire, and the butter is left at the bottom.

Shea butter is used for a variety of purposes, not strictly for cosmetic uses. In West Africa, it has many meanings--it is the pride of the women in Sahel region of Africa, not only for it's skin softening properties, but also as a source of income and independence. In fact, women exclusively collect and trade shea butter, as it is known as a curse for men to touch the shea tree. Many cooperatives have been built from the making and trading of shea butter, and women have been united to improve their living conditions through the sale of shea butter.

Aside from leaving your hands and feet feeling like silk, shea butter is used as a vegetable oil for cooking. It is highly nutritious and contains fat soluble vitamins and essential plant sterols. It is safe enough to consume, and it is also one of the safest ingredients to use for massaging the delicate skin of babies. In addition, shea butter is used as an intensive hydrating and healing treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and cradle cap.

At Pretty, we use over 90% concentration of shea butter in our hand and foot butters, as we know the importance of this miraculous nut. The rest is simply pure essential oils and antibacterial neem oil to keep the butter fresh. We know that using this important ingredient in our products does wonders for our skin, but it also helps to support a community of women to live independently and provide for their families.

W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics

Pretty Perspective Series: what does Pretty mean to you?

Dear Pretty,

I have been a fan of your products since you first launched. It’s refreshing to see a great cosmetic line that embodies mother natures ingredients and respects the environment. I hope you plan on expanding your product line for men soon. My wife uses Pretty almost exclusively and I love the smile it brings to her face. I went on line the other day to purchase some products to surprise her and came across your blog. I must admit, this is my first time blogging and for some reason I was compelled to do so.


What does Pretty mean to me?

Pretty is a state of mind, it’s a feeling of comfort, love and confidence. Pretty is not tangible nor can it be seen with the naked eye. My wife and I have been together for 3.5 years and what we have is Pretty special. My life revolves around a few simple pleasures.

Giving my wife a little kiss on the cheek while she still lays asleep in the morning,

holding her hand while we walk the dogs or just watching her laugh.

Throwing a football with my nephews or enjoying a feast with my parents on a Sunday afternoon. To most this may seem mundane, but to me, I’m the Prettiest guy in the world.

I think we make life too complicated. No one ever has it all figured out and Mother Nature's path in life can be a bit bumpy at times. Often we get sidetracked and we literally can’t see the forest through the trees. I’m no different, and at times it’s important to stop and better value the love and relationships around us………only then will we truly experience real joy.


Kudos again to you for embracing the challenge and having the dedication to produce such a great product line. My wife comes to bed with your face mask all the time…..it must be true love.


Wishing you all a Pretty life,

Constantine

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the practise of applying essential oils to achieve physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Dating back over 5000 years, essential oils have been used for methods of healing since the existence of the Egyptian Pyramids.

What exactly are essential oils? The rising popularity and increased usage of essential oils in the Western world is evident most often in cosmetic practices. Essential oils are the highly concentrated and extremely potent aromatic essences of plants. They are derived from a variety of flowers, herbs, bark and leaves from around the world. Although they are called oils, their actual consistency is not oily. In fact, essential oils are quickly and easily absorbed into the skin.

There are multiple uses for essential oils, ranging from stimulating circulation and preventing hair loss to opening up nasal passages and preventing headaches. At Pretty, our products are based specifically on the practise of using aromatherapy to heal and balance the skin. There are so many uses for oils as each one has its own unique properties and therapeutic uses.

I like to keep an "emergency" kit of essential oils with me that include the following pure essential oils:

Lavender oil for headaches, burns, bug bites, and sore muscles.
Peppermint or eucalyptus oil for migraines, bug bites, itchy rashes, fatigue, congestion.
Tea Tree oil as a natural disinfectant (antibacterial and antifungal). It's also great for bug bites, scratches, and scrapes.
Roman Chamomile for relaxation, easing sore muscles, and as an antispasmodic.

We do encourage you to try making some of your own products by combining pure essential oils. The following recipe is a great one to try: it helps to calm the mind and relieve insomnia.

Insomnia Recipe

Ingredients:

10 drops Roman Chamomile
5 drops Clary Sage
5 drops Bergamot
2 drops Lavender

Directions: Blend the oils well in a clean dark-colored glass bottle. Add 1-2 drops to a tissue and place inside your pillow to aid you in falling asleep. Or if you have an essential oil diffuser, you can add this combination to the diffuser for an hour prior to bedtime.

We would love to hear and share some of your recipes or usages for essential oils.


W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics

Kenyan Inspiration

A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to travel to Kenya, where I was able to see first-hand how to truly appreciate nature and learn the importance of living a sustainable lifestyle. Not only was the landscape jaw-droppingly beautiful, but the culture of the Masai people taught me more than I could imagine about living in harmony with our planet.

Their focus on embracing our land and learning how to use the natural resources available to them was truly inspirational.

Take a look at some of these photos that demonstrate how innovative one can be when we strip away many of the material goods that we take for granted.

The Masai of East Africa build their homes with sticks, cow dung, and grass. The cluster of homes is surrounded by a boma, a thick thorny bush of acacia trees. The boma provides formidable protection against lions, elephants, and the dangers of the wildlife in the Serengeti.

Their shoes are made of rubber tires, taking recycling to a whole new level. Their cooking utensils are made from gourds or carved instruments from wood. Cattle is considered sacred to the Masai, and the blood and milk of the cow is their main source of food. Living as their ancestors did, there is little evidence of Western civilization in their tribes.

The waste produced through their daily activities is recycled back into the earth, through the process of decomposition. Their "leave no trace" philosophy made perfectly sense in an area where humans beings live alongside the wilderness. Despite their evident lack of commodities, the people were friendly, happy, and caring. We celebrated through dance and song, around a fire that we watched them start using dry grass and the strategic angle of the sun.

In our world of over-consumption and our society's focus on always wanting more, it was a humbling experience to see how many people in the world live with so much less. This experience really made me question whether we were placing value on the wrong things in society.

W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics

The Pretty Perspective Series: Lisa's Story

This story is near and dear to my heart, written by someone who I think is incredibly beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics


Lisa's Story

This is going to sound characteristically unfeminist for me but I'm not sure if I have ever thought of myself as pretty. While I never remember a time in my life where I was called ugly or plain, I'm not sure 'pretty' was ever anything I aspired to or thought of myself as. Early in my life, my mom discouraged me from wearing make up and shaving my legs like my classmates (luckily I'm Chinese) and while I was fairly spoiled, I never wanted 'pretty' clothes either as I have always been very much a tomboy. Being pretty was just never a priority for me.

For someone who considers herself a feminist and socially and politically aware, I don't know if I have ever head on dealt with feelings about being pretty or if I should have some affirmation for myself. One of my best friends in the whole world is gorgeous (inside and out) and through my early 20's, I came to recognize that in the presence of someone significantly prettier than me, I could get 'lost' or become invisible. I'm lucky it didn't bother me much because I realized that as soon as I conversed with guys or girls, some kind of 'pretty' shone through because I was no longer invisible. The older I got and the more I grew into the woman I am now (with many mistakes and lessons along the way), the more I have come to know this to be true. The older I get, the 'prettier' I have become. I'm no prettier physically than I was when I was 19, but I must wear confidence and maturity well because I no longer am that invisible girl I was over 10 years ago.

My sense of pretty has always revolved around character and how a woman shares who she is through self expression, whether in dress, mannerisms or personality. For some women, that involves wearing make up, nice clothes, or whatever helps them show the world who they are, but to me, pretty is that delicate balance of expressing yourself without having your exterior overshadow who you are on the inside. Cliche, but at the end of the day, looks fade and a pretty face is just another pretty face without someone who knows that what matters most is inside.

L.L

The Pretty Perspective Series: Brian's Story

My friend Brian is an accomplished author of Not All Men are Monsters, an autobiographical book about sex, travel, food, and life. He has spent much of the last few years travelling and blogging around the world, developing his culinary skills from different cultural experiences. You can read his amazing blogs at: http://sextravelfoodlife.wordpress.com/

What do men consider beautiful? This is Brian's perspective.

W.L



The Pretty Perspective Series: Brian's Story

I’d like to start by distinguishing what the difference for me is between pretty and beautiful. There are a couple circumstances when I’d be most likely to use the word pretty to describe something: the first would be an adolescent girl who is dolled up, and the second would be for objects that create an attractive focal point, such as a pretty dress, pretty shoes, a pretty necklace, and so on. So when I think of ‘Pretty’ as a cosmetics line, I think of products that move the attention off of objects, and back to the woman, by rejuvenating the natural, youthful glow found in unadultered skin.

The word Beautiful and the concept of beauty is something that continues to expand for me, as I’m exposed to more and more people around the world through my travels. I’ve appreciated women with features in all shapes, sizes, and colours, and to be completely honest, it is a woman’s attention to the most fundamental of details that I find most beautiful. Some of the first things I will notice and compliment a woman on are her natural nails, hair that looks soft without any split ends, and healthy skin (in Africa, I often find myself looking down at women’s heels, to see if the skin is soft or cracked). When a woman takes care of these very feminine features without having to colour or doll them up, it gives me the impression that she knows how to take care of and appreciate herself, and doesn’t feel the need to hide behind makeup or expensive trips to the salon to look and feel beautiful. The ultimate for me is when I take a woman out, and she only needs a few minutes to fix her hair in whatever way suits her mood, and a few minutes more to put on a dress that is flattered by her confidence to go out without any makeup on.

When it comes to defining what physical part of the female body is most beautiful, I feel that this is something unique in every woman, and finding and cherishing that special feature is a great way to nurture our bond.

So my recommendation is to pay attention to the most natural features that make you feel like a woman, feel comfortable in your own skin, and allow your confidence to radiate and reflect the beauty inherent in every one of you.

B.J
http://sextravelfoodlife.wordpress.com/

Pretty Story Contest!

Send us your story about what the word "Pretty" means to you and when you feel most beautiful at info@prettynaturalskin.com

We will feature your story in an upcoming entry of the Pretty Blog, and you will automatically be entered into a draw to win a beautiful gift basket of our bestsellers! This gift basket has over $200 value and comes with the following products:

Skin Savior
Beautiful Hair Wellness Oil
Triple Rose Floral Essence
Rose and Geranium Radiance Serum
Pure Radiance Cream
and an assortment of soaps and bath fizzes!

Best of luck and we look forward to hearing some of your stories!!

The Pretty Perspective Series: Denise's Story

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. The Pretty Perspective Series is a tribute to women celebrating their unique perspectives on beauty. Each story is written from the heart by women in different life stages, sharing what the word Pretty means to them, and when they consider themselves most beautiful. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I do, and I encourage you to share your story with us in the celebration of feeling beautiful.

W.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics



Denise's Story

A few short months after my boyfriend had proposed to me, I finally gave in and thought I would do the most traditional and exciting thing for a newly-engaged woman. Wedding Dress Shopping.

So, with my best friend in tow, and latte in hand, I trekked my way through to a series of bridal gown appointments with visions of the two of us crying when ‘THE dress’ finally draped itself on my body.


Oh, who am I kidding? As a ‘mature’ bride-to-be in her mid thirties, I found myself barricaded by a never-ending sea of ivory and diamond white dresses and in the company of other bride-to-be’s but of the other variety: younger, slimmer and very beautiful. I couldn’t help but notice the accompanying stretch marks everytime I stripped down a gown to put another one on; then walk out to see an ‘older’ image of me in the mirror. Sure, the girl next to me could have passed for half my age, but I couldn’t help but think of the series of ‘bridal bootcamps’ I’d have to attend to slim myself down to her size.

I thought back to when I was a daydreaming 6 year old girl envisioning the Perfect day; my Ken-doll groom in a tuxedo, and slim Asian-barbie version of myself in a bridal gown. This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind while standing before the full-length mirror in a tight charmeuse gown. (Might I add that charmeuse, will show every single curve, dimple and panty-line known to woman-kind.).

I made my way home and changed into my pajama pants and my Fiancé’s oversized hoodie, washed my face, and put my hair up in a ponytail.

“How did wedding dress shopping go?” mused my Fiancé. “Was it everything that you thought it would be?”
“I work in Marketing, honey. I think I just fooled myself,” was my reply.


He draped me in a big hug and kissed me, and proceeded to tell me how cute I looked in his old high school sweatshirt. Tackled me onto the couch and snuggled with me while watching one of my obsessively girly TV shows.


How is it that I felt more beautiful in his arms than in the prettiest wedding gown worth 5 figures?


I guess what I’m saying is it’s not the dress that you wear, nor what the fairy tales and what youth promise you that make you feel Beautiful. It’s those special people in your life and around you that bring out the best in you, no matter what.

D.P.

The ONE thing that makes me feel pretty

A friend of mine recently called me at 6:00 am in a panic, having forgotten her mascara at home while attending an out-of-town conference. It was a make-up emergency. When I arrived, tube of mascara in tow, she claimed that she looked really tired, didn't feel pretty, and couldn't look anyone in the eye. I laughed at the time, thinking how silly she was and how beautiful she looked anyway, but self-reflection has everything to do with self-confidence. For her (and like so many women), mascara was her one thing. You know, the ONE thing that you just can't leave the house without doing.

It got me thinking, what's the one thing that I do to make myself feel pretty?

It may be a stupid answer, but I wear high heels. It doesn't matter what I look like or where I'm going, I like my shoes high. In my mind, they transform me, from ugly duckling to beautiful swan. From shy and awkward to confident and out-going. I don't know when my love affair with high heels developed, somewhere between high school and university, but all I know is that I can't live without them. I cringe at the thought of what my collection of high-heeled shoes must be doing to my posture and back alignment, but I don't care. To me, the world looks different when I'm a little taller and simply put, I just feel pretty. I once left mid-way through a party to drive home and switch my 2-inch heels to 3-inch heels. That extra one inch made all the difference. It's silly, isn't it?

After asking around my group of friends, I discovered that everyone has a thing that they do to feel pretty. It is highly variable between women, and it obviously ranges depending on where one is during their life stage. Here are some answers that I received from the beautiful women in my life:

I always straighten my hair.
I wear sexy lingerie, even if no one else can see it but myself.
I curl my eyelashes.
I iron my clothes.
I tweeze my eyebrows obsessively.
I wear my contacts instead of my glasses.
I drink red wine while having a bubble bath.

and my all time favourite answer from Granny Anderson,

I wear my "good" dentures.

With the exception of the last answer, many women can identify with some of the answers listed. They all work the same way to boost our mood, spirits and self-confidence. Yet despite their great impact, each answer has no other significance to anyone else but yourself. In fact, I'm sure that all of these things are probably not even noticeable to anyone else.

These beautifying rituals that we do everyday may at first seem to help us appear more beautiful to others, but in reality, it's the exact opposite. It's simply to feel beautiful for the joy of it, for nobody else but yourself. And when you feel good about yourself, you cannot help but radiate a beautiful and positive energy.

W. L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics

Pretty Obsession: James Wong

Lately, I've been obsessed with ethnobotanist James Wong, the author and television host of Grow Your Own Drugs. He's got plenty of tips on how to take care of yourself through herbs and natural remedies.

He mentions how to use plants, herbs and flowers to deal with common issues such as colds, coughs and stomach pains. For example, in a recent episode, James mentions how to harvest the power of flower petals to make luxurious beauty products. He simply turns chamomile flowers into a gentle milky bath, then uses rose petals to make a soothing leg wax treatment. It's amazing what one can do with everyday flowers.

Here are some face care recipes that the staff at Pretty Organic Cosmetics love:

The first one is relatively simple: a Honey and Egg Mask. All you need to do is add 1 table spoon of honey to an egg. Mix them well and apply the mask to your face around bed time. After the mask has dried, wash your face with water. By applying twice a week, you will find your pores tighten, wrinkles are reduced and skin feels more supple.

The Apple Mask. Get half an apple and crush it with green clay (like the Pretty Treatments Masks!). Then add in 2 teaspoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tsp of flour. Mix well, then apply on clean skin. Keep it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water. This Apple Mask helps to revitalize skin cells by increasing cell turnover.

Yogurt, Banana and Honey mask can help tighten pores and peel off dead skin. You will find your skin immediately brighten after applying this mask. It is most suitable for dry skin types. Mash half of a banana and mix it with 1 tablespoon of honey and a small cup of yogurt. Apply the mixture in face for 5 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.

We also love his recipes for a warm bath with a handful of lavender flowers and some epsom salts-- guaranteed to melt your stress away. He also has tons of recipes in his book on how to make your own remedies from lemon balm lip salve, to cherry cough syrup. It's great for the DIY'ers out there.

S.L at Pretty Organic Cosmetics

Dangerous Ingredients in Cosmetics

I have a theory on skincare.  Unless the ingredients are pure enough to be ingested, I will not put it on my skin, the largest organ of the body.  


Similar to reading food labels, it is just as important to read labels on your cosmetics.  You may be surprised to find ingredients that are not only harmful to your health, but often unnecessary.  I challenge you to find a cosmetic product in your household and take a close look at the ingredient list on the product label.  Compare it to the following list of ingredients that should be avoided in all cosmetics:  


1.    Parabens (methylparabens, propylparabens, butyl parabens, ethyl parabens).
Widely used in cosmetics for their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, parabens are often found in products that need to be produced on a mass scale.  They are cheap and effective;  parabens help with preserving the shelf-life of the product for multiple years.  Nevertheless, current research has identified the preservative to have possible links with breast cancer and also disruptive to the endocrine system.  Although it can be argued that parabens are used in small amounts for cosmetic purposes, why even choose to be exposed to them when there are so many other alternatives available now?   


2.  Petrolatum or mineral oil.  
Ever wonder why using certain lip balms lead to drier and more chapped lips?  It's because of petrolatum, an inexpensive ingredient found in common lip balms.   Not only is this ingredient derived from a non-renewable resource, but it also interferes with the natural moisture barrier of the skin.  


3.  Propylene glycol.  
This ingredient is commonly found in anti-freeze and can cause allergic reactions in many individuals, even in concentrations as low as 2%.  Some cosmetics can contain up to 50% of this ingredient.  It should be avoided at all times for any patients with ezcema or dermatitis.  


4.  Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or Sodium Laureth Sulphate.
SLS is known as the "MSG" of cosmetics.  Added almost to everything, SLS acts as a detergent and makes products foam better.  It is also a major skin irritant, having been linked to itchy, inflamed skin due to its protein-denaturing properties.  It can also irritate eyes and mucus membranes, and has been linked to carcinogenic activity.  


5.  Phthalates.
This ingredient is commonly found in perfumes and other toiletries.  In North America, it is added to plastics to increase the flexibility of the material.  Phthalates have actually been banned by the European Union for use in children's toys for fear of ingestion.  In cosmetics, it is an industrial chemical that acts as a solvent.  Phthalates can be absorbed through the skin and have been shown to cause serious side effects, including a wide range of reproductive and genetic health problems.  


6.  Formaldehyde or Imidazolidinyl Urea/Diazolidinyl Urea
Instead of using parabens, many cosmetic manufacturers are substituting with formaldehyde or its derivatives.  These ingredients are toxic and are the primary concern for contact dermatitis.  Avoid at all costs if you have sensitive skin or are prone to eczema.  


7.  Ethanolamines (DEA, ETA, MEA)
These ingredients are used as surfactants in cosmetics; however, they are also known to be toxic, flammable, and corrosive.  In fact, ethanolamines are both skin and eye irritants.  They may also form carcinogenic compounds (nitrosamines) when in contact with certain ingredients.  
 
 

8.  Phenoxyethanol
This tricky ingredient is added to many "natural" or "organic" cosmetics.  It is used as a preservative so that cosmetic manufacturers can list their product as being "paraben-free."  In Japan, it has actually been restricted for cosmetic purposes.  Current research demonstrates that phenoxyethanol can depress the central nervous system. Recently, the FDA issued a warning against consumer products (nipple creams for new moms) that contained phenoxyethanol. 


These are just a few of the ingredients to avoid in your cosmetics.  In the end, it is you, the consumer, that makes the choice in what you put on your skin.  


Cosmetics made with high quality herbs and plant ingredients are often shelf-stable for 6 months without the use of synthetic preservatives.  You just need to look for a product that is not mass-produced and made in small quantities.  I'd prefer a shorter shelf-life to my products than having the "junk" added to it.  

W.L

Welcome to the Pretty Blog!

Welcome to the Pretty blog, an extension of the Pretty Life! We invite you into this world, where our philosophy and insights about life can lead you to a positive sense of well-being.

As the founder of Pretty Organic Cosmetics, a small Toronto-based holistic skincare company, I would like to thank all of our friends and family for the insight and advice that we've been given along the journey to creating Pretty.  Without you, this would not have been possible.

I want this blog to be about anything and everything that relates to feeling beautiful, both inside and out.  We hope to focus on living clean, and sharing green living tips with all of our readers.

What is beautiful? Like all girls growing up, my childhood was filled with feelings of self-doubt and awkwardness. Flipping through countless magazines not only made me think that I was not beautiful, but rather that I needed to be society's idea of beautiful. And to do so involved spending lots of money on lotions, potions, and more.

As I grow older, my definition of beautiful has evolved through experiencing life's ups and downs. I see now that the most beautiful person in the world is my mother, and the love from my family defines who I am and how I think of myself.

I am beautiful. In my own quirky way. I may always wish to be a little bit taller or a tad skinnier, but in my own way, I know that I radiate beauty through kind words and a loving smile.

I've invited a few friends to define what they think of the word beautiful and what it means to them in the upcoming blog entries.

Thanks to all the support we've received since launching. I'm excited to announce our first review of Pretty, found on an amazing website for all things yoga.... Check it out at: http://ombyoga.com/2010/04/23/things-we-love-pretty-cosmetics/

We welcome any comments or suggestions about topics for this blog.

Until next time, keep smiling!

W.L