natural Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Seren Holistic Lifestyles

I’m the kind of gal who likes to put on a bit of ‘slap,’ other words know as make up. It makes me feel good and I enjoy the process. Maybe it’s the artist in me coming out, as I’m literally painting my face. I only wear make up when I go out or to my day job. Weekends are au natural.

During my transition to a more healthful lifestyle it came into my awareness that everyday beauty products are full of nasty chemicals. Our skin is our biggest organ and just like everything in nature it’s a two-way gate. Toxins can be released out through our skin so toxins can easily be absorbed back inside.

My focus on todays post is all about make up. There are many ‘natural’ claiming brands out there on the market. Oh I do love a good ‘green washing’ debate. All I advise is to read the ingredients label of your products. If you can’t pronounce the word or have no idea what it is then find out. You might be surprised. Products such as foundations, blusher, eye shadows and lipstick may well contain toxic ingredients such as petrochemicals, bismuth oxycholoride, GM products, talc and fillers. These chemicals can be equated to allergies, irritations, fertility problems and even cancer.

After hours of online research and a good Soul conversation I felt it was time to clear out my make up bag. It’s a good idea to do this every twelve months anyway as products do have a use by date. Most of my products were coming up for chuck out time so out they went. I literally opened the bin and tipped the contents of my make up bag in it. Yes a little drastic but it’s what ‘I’ felt I needed to do.

The cosmetics brand I now use is INIKA. You can read all about the founder Miranda Bond’s story here. My favourite brands have always been developed with a solid personal story behind them. Miranda was struggling with fertility issues that lead her onto a holistic path. This lady walks her talk and developed INIKA cosmetics as a result. “A 100 percent natural beauty brand incorporating mineral makeup, vegan and organic products that are completely free from synthetic chemicals and harmful ingredients.” INIKA products are lush. The eye shadow stays on all day, even during the Australian summer. I love the mineral powder foundation that gives great coverage even on my oily days.

With my blusher I decided to try a different brand, Elusyion. I preferred their colours after test-driving some sample packs from an awesome website Naturally Safe. (You can test drive nearly all the products in small 2 serve bags) I compared the ingredients between the Elusyion blusher with the very popular Clinique blusher. Twenty-two ingredients for Clinique (including some nasty’s) compared to seven in the Elusyion. Click here & here to see for yourself.

Okay I’ll put my hand up and be honest with you before I come across as too holier than thou. One product did not go straight in the bin. My final push at my make up overhaul was to quit waterproof mascara. It was my favourite thing. No panda eyes for me. I’ve used it since I first started wearing mascara aged 14 or 15. It was my first make up discovery. Waterproof mascara is probably the evilest thing out there and it goes next to one of your most precious commodities, your eyes. Full of chemicals to make it water resistant this mascara is similar to oil or solvent based paints. The time it takes to remove or scrub off with special oil based remover should be a good enough indication it has no business near your body. The first toxin free mascara I am test driving is Earth Lab Cosmetics 100% Natural Raw Mascara, so far so good. It is so light & natural I even forgot I was wearing it and gave my eyes a good old rub. When I realised what I’d done I checked my eyes and no smudging!

Since switching to the toxin free cosmetics my skin has been a lot better. Cleaner and clearer, it has a healthy glow, it is happy. I look back on how I’d cover the signs of toxin overload (pimples, rashes, flaky skin) with more toxins, i.e. mainstream make up. Toxins on top of toxins. Some may say why not get rid of cosmetics altogether, this would be better wouldn’t it? For me, as I’ve said I like to wear makeup. What counts is how I feel inside knowing I am not adding unnecessary toxins that can be avoided by wearing natural brands.

Check out the image below with a quick break down of how many chemicals there are and the most worrying in a selection of our every day products.

Do you wear chemical free makeup? Share your favourite finds in the comments below.

Love Seren xx

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©Seren Holistic Lifestyles Blog 2013 
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It’s coming to the end of a really hot summer here in Australia. Staying hydrated is super important any time of the year but even more so in summer or if you are participating in sports that make you sweat. (or if you were on the same train as me last night with broken air conditioning, woo steamy!)

Water is vital for survival. We can last a lot longer without food than we can without water. Roughly three to five days before the body and internal organs start to shut down. Our brains alone are composed of 70% water. Every part of our bodies relies on water to make it work.

It is well documented that the ideal recommended amount of water a human should consume per day is about two litres. This is very negotiable. Everyone is different and depending on your lifestyle you may need more or less. If your hauling butt outside on a 40-degree day, then yeah you’re going to need more. Common sense stuff really.

Here’s an interesting fact for you. Vegetarians need less water than meat eaters to stay at optimal hydration. Why? When we consume animal based products extra water is required to break down the nitrogen atoms they contain. Nitrogen can only be processed by the body to make urea with the aid of water. (1) I can personally back up for this statement. Since returning to being vegetarian I am requiring less daily water than I did during my meat eating days.

Hydration is not solely about water either. Nutrients called electrolytes play a large part in our hydration balance. What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are positively or negatively charged ions that conduct electrical activity. In the human body electrolytes must be present in proper concentrations to maintain fluid balance, muscle contraction and neural activity. (2)

Electrolytes are a combination of sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium. These are all lost through sweating. That is why in hotter months or following vigorous workouts it is important to replace these minerals.

Most of us are aware of the symptoms of dehydration. Headaches, muscles cramps, fatigue/dizziness, nausea and sometimes-impaired mental clarity. A raging thirst usually means you are already dehydrated.

There are loads of electrolyte replacements on the market. It is a personal choice, which you chose. I personally steer clear of the high sugar sports drinks. Any drinks that are coloured are a good indication there are some not so good ingredients in there. Coconut water is awesome, very natural. Even better if you can get it fresh from the ‘nut.’

This recipe is a favourite, tried & tested one. It’s been around the block in Bikram Yoga circles for a long while. Bikram’s wife Rajashree is credited for its invention. Its’ simple, cheap and all the ingredients are easily found in your local super market or health food store. Happy hydrating!

Love & Light

Seren xx

References:

2 –Dolan. S.H. 2012, http://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/715/electrolytes-understanding-replacement-options/

1 – Virtue. D. 2003, Eating in Light: Making the Switch to Vegetarianism on Your Spiritual Path. Loc 579

Image credits:

Honey – http://www.foodiesorganic.com.au/order-online/honey-jams-spreads/honey-raw-1kg-ambrosia/

Posts Tagged ‘natural’

Toxin Free Make-Up

Natural Electrolyte Drink