.png)
How's it going, friends?
I know everyone is doing their best to stay healthy and sane during this incredibly weird time. We're eating our toilet paper rations, and finger painting with fresh vegetables instead of eating them. I've robbed two Charmin Ultra trucks, and I bought a Homeschool Helper tranquilizer... so I'm slowly entering into a life of crime like a good Zombieland American.
Just kidding.
But seriously, as difficult as this transition has been for everyone, there is some light:
I'm spending more quality time with these 5,000 kids. They are spending more time with each other, and outside. We are spending less money on extras, cooking more at home, and getting things done around the house that we've been forced to put off for so long ( shaved my legs this week.) We are missing our extended family and friends, and appreciating their company more because we can't have it. We are worried about the impact this will have on our Nation's health and economy, but more importantly we are counting our personal blessings and using more prayer power on others.
With all of that mushy stuff out of the way, I want to talk to all of you crazy people stuck at home placing online orders, or staring at their pores in the mirror because they spent the first week of this "safer-at-home" order eating Doritos and using the couch as their napkin. Feeling a little gross? Me too.
Here are some of my favorite Health and Wellness products to use this Spring (and we could all use a little Health and Wellness this Spring):
1. Acure Argan Oil and Pumpkin Shampoo: Acure is one of those companies that actually care about people. They don't use harmful ingredients, like parabens, sulfates, pthalates, synthetic fragrances, or artificial colors, and they only use Fair Trade Certified and Organic ingredients. They don't test on animals, and they donate part of their proceeds to charity. In addition, their shampoos smell amazing and actually clean your hair. That is one issue I've had with "safe" products -- they never leave your hair feeling as good as the chemical-filled stuff does. Acure shampoo works wonders on my oily hair, but also keeps it healthy for the long haul.
2. Acure Body Beautiful Conditioner: This conditioner has all of the benefits of other Acure brand products, as stated above. It leaves my hair tangle free (which has always been an issue for me), and supper moisturized without limpness, oiliness, or heaviness.
3. Rusk Thickr Mousse: I only use this product when I'm going out, before I blow dry my hair. BUT... I'm addicted. I apply it to my roots, brush it through my hair, and after I blow it out there is SO much added volume. With fine, thin hair, it's difficult to find a mousse product that adds volume without damage, crunchiness, or that wet look. This stuff is awesome. It doesn't have the cleanest ingredients, so I only use it occasionally. My ultimate goal is to have mermaid hair that sweeps the floor, and so I have to keep the 27 hairs on my head as healthy as I can.
4. Acure Brightening Cleansing Gel: This face wash does what it is described to do: it leaves my skin feeling clean, and bright, without drying it out. It's pretty amazing, and because it is made by Acure, I know it is made without harmful ingredients.
5. Incredibly Clear Charcoal Lemonade Facial Scrub: This might be my favorite product on the whole list. I have always been leery of scrubs; they usually dry my skin out incredibly, and a face without moisture is a face that will break out. After using this product for the first time, I noticed that my skin felt no dryer, was nice and smooth, and felt like it got a good deep clean. I use this once a week and it has helped me to maintain a brighter, healthier looking complexion.
6. Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner: I use this Witch Hazel after I wash my face, and before I moisturize. It's basically back up care for your pores, to make sure they are completely clear of grime. Since using it, my skin has actually gotten tighter. I don't mean that it feels dried out and rigid -- It feels more youthful! The Rose Petal ingredient is excellent to combat the aging process -- and yes, at 32 it is high time I began the War on Aging. It also doesn't dry my skin out like other Witch Hazel products I've tried.
7. Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil: I use unrefined coconut oil as my daily skin moisturizer. There are a bunch of brands that I bounce between depending on what's on sale. Sky Organics has a good one, and so does Spectrum. I've tried some local Organic versions, and they aren't as creamy. I know everyone assumes that Coconut Oil would remain super greasy on your skin, but it is the perfect base for your foundation. It does look greasy when you first apply it, but after a little time you can wipe off the excess. It's my belief that replenishing the oils you remove from your skin when washing is the best defense against over producing. Your body produces oil to moisturize when your skin is dry, so keeping it moist (what a word) will help combat that excess oil! I'm less shiny than ever before!
8. Renpure Coconut Milk and Vitamin E Body Lotion: This lotion smells divine, goes on light and creamy, and doesn't have any harmful ingredients (like pthalates, sulfates, parabens, or dyes). My skin never breaks out with it, and I made it through this harsh Florida winter (small joke) without looking like a dead bonfire.
9. Goby Electric Toothbrush: This is an awesome, sleek looking electric toothbrush. It leaves my teeth feeling professionally cleaned every time I use it, has 30 second timers for each quadrant of your mouth so you always brush evenly and for a full 2 minutes, and has a subscription program so you automatically receive new brush heads every 3 months. The older I get, the more work maintaining myself requires (lol). This toothbrush has begun restoring the whiteness of my teeth, and will probably improve my overall health. #yourmouthmatters
10. Cold Pressed Hexane Free Organic Castor Oil: This is absolutely disgusting, but I dump this stuff on my hair. I want my hair to be healthy, and I want it to grow. Castor oil is sort of a vitamin rich miracle oil, that will keep your scalp moisturized, and your new growth hair healthy. Look for an oil that isn't heat or chemically processed. I dump it on my hair, wrap my hair in a silk Scrunchie (not kidding) and then let it do its magic before I wash it out the next morning. Its thick, sticky, and doesn't smell great but I WILL have mermaid hair if I have to ruin every pillow in my house. I've noticed that my hair is steadily growing without breakage, and usually winter is when you experience the least hair growth. I don't know if it's the combination of Acure hair products, with Castor Oil, with a silk Scrunchie, with the revolver in the library (awesome Clue joke)... or if it's just the Castor Oil; but, my hair is finally feeling like it did before a hair tragedy that I don't want to talk about.
What you need to know about the 10 above products: they are safe to use, they are of high quality, they are easy to find, and they won't break the bank. The only splurge on the list was the Goby Electric Toothbrush, but I use that once a month so it was worth it. Just kidding... I brush my teeth at least every week.
But seriously, brush twice a day so you don't end up like the Tiger King and his friends. Also, don't do Meth. And that Carol totally killed her husband.
xoxo
Alyssa
PS: let me know what your favorite products are, or if you have the opportunity to try any of these!
Comments