What's In That Stuff?

I use natural skin and hair products. I think natural stuff created by Heavenly Father will always turn out to be better in the end. But it's not just my theory, it's proven that chemicals and synthetic ingredients can be very bad for your skin as well as the rest of your body. Normally, the word "natural" on a product's label means nothing. When I say natural, I'm talking about ingredients that when I read the label I know what they are. You really have to read the label!

Why should you care what you're putting on your skin? Your skin actually absorbs chemicals and things that touch it. Don't believe it? Just think about all of those "patches" they sell, like the nicotine patches and the birth control patch. Your body is absorbing the stuff right from the patch. In fact, up to 60% of the products we use on our skin are absorbed and deposited into the blood stream! They say that the average woman will absorb 30 pounds of the ingredients contained in moisturizers over sixty years. That's gross when you look at what's in your average moisturizer. The stuff can cause cancer.

Also, most everyone who wears anything on their lips ends up eating it. I've read that the average woman eats around 6 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime! Find something in your kitchen that weighs 6 pounds or several things that add up to six pounds to see just how much lipstick that is. It makes me fat just thinking about it. So you better make sure that your lip stuff is made with ingredients you wouldn't mind eating. -Jen

Here are some links to read more about it:

Article: The Dangers Of The Mineral Oils Found So Ubiquitously In The Majority Of Cosmetic Products

Book: Dying to Look Good : The Disturbing Truth About What's Really in Your Cosmetics, Toiletries and Personal Care Products

Book: Beauty to Die for: The Cosmetic Consequence

Book: A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients

Eyebrow Shaping

Did you know that well-shaped eyebrows can do more for your face than almost any cosmetic? I've known that, but sometimes I have a hard time knowing what to do with mine. I just found this book called Beautiful Brows: The Ultimate Guide to Styling, Shaping, and Maintaining Your Eyebrows. Here's what it says:

How many times have you plucked, waxed, trimmed, stenciled, or penciled your eyebrows -- or paid someone else to do it for you? It's hard to control the outcome of these methods when you're at home standing in front of a mirror or in a salon letting a stranger make the decisions for you.

You need to:
Discover the best brow shape for your face.
Learn what to do with too much or too little hair.
Determine the pros and cons of waxing vs. tweezing.
Maintain your new look.

Click Here to learn more!

Here's a great article about how to shape your brows!

Before the Clock Chimes

By Megan Elliott

Cinderella you've heard of millions of times,
But my story's forgotten before the clock chimes
Well you would do well my little friend
To remember my story right to the end
So close your eyes, forget about sight,
And I'll take you back to that magical night.
As I happily readied myself in my home
This is what happened: I was all alone. . .

Tonight's the night, the royal ball,
And I'm the fairest of them all
My hair is curled my step is light,
I bet I am a lovely sight
Just one thing more before I go,
The mirror will my reflection show
My mirror is magic it does not lie
It says what society sees tonight
As I approach it in my dress,
I'm primped, perfumed, and neatly pressed
So I stand in front of this mirror of mine,
And ask a question as old as time

Mirror, Mirror on the wall,
Who's the fairest of them all?
"Not you" my reflection said with a sneer,
"For you are far too fat my dear,
Your hair, it might as well be strings,
Your arms, what funny looking things,
Your feet too big, your eyes too small,
You should not go to the royal ball
Your knees are knobby; your nose sticks out,
Your legs are short, chubby, and stout.
Do not get in your carriage tonight
For you are so ugly- a ghastly sight."

I ran away with tears to cry
I thought that night I'd rather die,
I went to my favorite spot near a tree
Alone to cry, just ugly me.
But as I sobbed, someone took my hand.
I looked up- 'twas the Prince of all the land!
"Why do you cry sweet friend of mine,"
He said with a smile so gentle and kind.
"I am ugly," was all I could say
"I cannot go to the ball this day"

"Ugly my child? Who told you such lies?
Now, get on your feet, and dry your eyes.
On beauty I'll teach you a thing or two,
Beauty like yours comes in numbers so few
Your hands are clean your heart is good,
You try to do just as you should.
You're kind to others, no matter who
Why I don't know anyone kinder than you,
You're willing to give even if it's not much
You're there to assure with a gentle touch
You show how you care everyday
You smile at everyone who passes your way
Talk of ugliness I'll not hear again,
For you are fairest in all the land."

He gave me a hug and left with a smile,
And I sat and thought for a little while.
If I were ugly the Prince would know,
Since he thinks I'm not, to the ball I should go.
So I dried my tears and walked away,
And never forgot what I learned that day.
And I had a wonderful time at the ball,
For I am beautiful after all.