*NEW*: Introducing Our New Natural Mascara

It has been years in the making and now it’s finally here, Youngevity® Mineral Makeup Natural Mascara.

I had an opportunity to try this last March at our annual convention, and it is fabulous. It made my lashes look so long and luscious, and it was easy to remove. In fact, my current profile picture was taken just after my mineral makeup session.

The best part is, it does not contain any harsh chemicals, parabens, fibers, dyes, or synthetic preservatives. And for something that you use daily, so close to your eyes, that is what you really want in a mascara, right?! In addition to it being long lasting, smudge proof, and the other essentials. 🙂

I have already added this to my next order, and I cannot wait to start using it again. For those of you who know me, the only two makeup items I wear daily are mascara and lipstick (I currently wear Poppy™ Lipstick, Item #: 166062). Recently I saw a tweet from Star Jones saying that Celebrity Makeup Artist Sam Fine says these are the two things a girl always needs. So, apparently, I was right on point…who knew?!

(By the way, this is not an endorsement of our product by either of these individuals, it is a general makeup recommendation for looking fabulous when you walk out the door. I know you knew that, but…well…you know, crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s.)

Here is the list of Ingredients:

Distilled Water, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax), Vegetable Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Sterate, Aloe Barbardensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Arnica Cordifolia (Arnica) Extract, Panax Ginseng (Ginseng) Extract, Iron Oxides, Mica.

Once you’ve tried it, we would appreciate any and all feedback. Your input helps to make our products even better. And if you want to share your photos, I would be happy to post those here.

How to Order:

If you’re already a Preferred Customer, login here to order [Item# 165001]. To shop retail or to enroll as a Preferred Customer (for free) and save 30%, select your consultant and continue to his or her website.

© 2012. SandraBiz.com. All Rights Reserved.
*Image Source: Youngevity.com, Ingredient List Source: YoungevityOnline.com.

Continue Reading

Water With Lemon? No Thanks!

If you’re like most of us, when you sit down at a restaurant, one of the first items you request is a glass of water with lemon. Now you may want to rethink that.

I was watching a recent episode of The Dr. Oz Show, featuring Chef Michael Symon discussing “Shocking Restaurant Secrets,” and what they said about lemons was startling. I had already been warned years ago to skip the lemon in the water because restaurants often do not wash the outside of the lemon, so whomever or whatever has touched it between harvest time and your restaurant plate is still present. But what Dr. Oz added to this literally made me gasp.

They tested five lemons from five different restaurants (I would presume they are in and around New York City, since that is where his show is taped), and five out of five lemons tested positive for germs, the most shocking of which was candida (candida is found only in the mouth and the vagina). Ew!!

Their suggestion was to order the lemon on the side and squeeze the juice yourself, making sure it doesn’t touch the lemon rind on its way down into your glass. Um, but you will still need to wash your hands after touching it, or at least you should (candida on the hands?!).

My Solution: I use lemon (essential) oil. I carry it with me in my purse, and pour 1 to 2 drops into my glass and it covers me for all refills during my meal. That is more than enough to help purify whatever water enters my glass and, according to our company’s essential oil expert, the oil residue from my glass will even help to purify the other water glasses it is washed with, kind of like a good deed for the day! 🙂

If you’re already a Preferred Customer, login here to order [Item# 67026]. To shop retail or to enroll as a Preferred Customer (for free) and save 30%, select your consultant and continue to his or her website.

*About Lemon Oil (Citrus Limonum): Lemon can help support the body in fighting infectious diseases, especially colds and fevers. Its scent also helps to increase concentration and neutralizes unpleasant odors. Some hospitals use lemon oil to help calm frightened or depressed patients. Lemon boosts the immune system by stimulating production of white and red blood cells. Lemon oil is a must for every aromatherapy kit, as it has an uplifting fresh citrus scent, has some immediate purifying qualities, and may help to settle the digestive system. It is an agreeable fragrance the kids will love.

© 2012. SandraBiz.com. All Rights Reserved.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.

Continue Reading

I Finally Tried WEN®…

For most of 2011, I used Hair One (Hair Cleanser and Conditioner) instead of shampoo and co-washing. I knew that once the bottle was empty I would try the product it was based on, Wen Cleansing Conditioner. Like many of you I had seen the infomercial several times but was still not convinced.

Well, I have used Wen® three times now, in fact, it’s sitting on my hair as I type (this is wash number 3), and I must say…this is some good stuff! 🙂

I will be back to give a full review and comparison a little later, but I just had to take a moment to acknowledge that in this instance, there is nothing like the real thing!

 

Continue Reading

2011 Holiday Specials

YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING GUIDE

As we approach the holiday season here are some gift giving ideas to make your shopping a lot easier:

  • 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (for the special lady in your life):
    Here is an easy way to pamper your true love, every day, with a 12-piece gift set that includes makeup, candles, skin care, and essential oils.

    Gift set includes:

    • Nourishing Creamy Cleanser™,
    • Poinsetta™ Blush,
    • Apricot™ Lipstick,
    • Bath Salts,
    • Chianti™ Lip Gloss,
    • Christmas Tree™ Eye Shadow,
    • Frosty™ Eye Shadow,
    • Smoke™ Eye Liner,
    • Ginger Custard,
    • Fir Balsam™ Essential Oil,
    • Cinnamon™ Essential Oil, and a
    • Holiday Candle.
  • PEACE ON EARTH (for her):
    Give the gift of beautiful skin. This skin care duo includes Botanical Spa Morning Hydration Cream™ and Nighttime Restorative Moisturizer™.
  • KISS UNDER THE MISTLETOE (for her):
    Delightful gift set (get ready to pucker up!) includes: Chocolate Orchid™ Vivid Liplock™, Cherry Blossom™ Lip Liner, and Lily™ Lipstick, all in a stylish crystal-encrusted leopard case.
  • NAUGHTY & NICE (for her):
    All ladies (naughty or nice) will love this selection of 4 Eye Shadows (Sugar Hill™, Cranston™, Tortola™, and Black Hills™), Blissful™ Blush, Lovely Glow™ Bronzer, Pomegranate™ Lipstick and Primrose™ Vivid Liplock™.
  • BATH & BODY GIFT SET (for the man in your life):
    Soul Purpose has put together some bath and body packages in six fragrances for you to choose from. The key features from a health perspective are that they contain: nature-based, botanical ingredients, Vitamins A, E, and D, sweet almond oil, wild-crafted shea butter (from a women’s cooperative in Ghana), antioxidant blends, essential oils, and natural fragrances. From your recipient’s point of view, they are very moisturizing, in wonderful, yummy fragrances that can be worn under cologne or by themselves. My favorite scents for men are: Haitian Vetivert Pepper and Hollywood Fresh (pictured below).
  • HOLIDAY COFFEE (for your co-workers/employees/boss):
    This holiday coffee blend includes one (1) 8 oz. bag of Gingerbread coffee and one (1) 8 oz. bag of cinnamon Hazelnut.  You can purchase these as a set or individually. They are made from freshly roasted 100% gourmet Arabica beans.
  • HEALTH GOODIES (stocking stuffers):
    There’s no greater gift to give those you care about than the gift of good health. These single serve packets make great stocking stuffers, even for the kiddies. Pollen Burst™ has a nice orange flavor and Beyond Tangy Tangerine® has more of a fruit punch flavor. Just mix with water.
  • TRIPLE CHOCOLATE TRIFECTA (for the chocoholics in your life!): This gift set includes 3 types of gourmet chocolate: Triple Treat, Triple Truffle, and TLC. And they all have great health properties, too!
  • PERSONAL SHOPPER: if you are giving the gift of good health this season, I can help you pick the perfect gift, at the perfect price point, usually already gift wrapped for the special ladies and gents on your list.

Grab these deals and more via this shopping link.

Image Source: YOUNGEVITY®

Continue Reading

Best Hair Care Finds: 2011 Edition

As a “curly girl” — my hair is a “type 4 something” for the hair experts out there 🙂 –there are few things that compare to a good hair care product staple. This year, I have been fortunate to find many that have made my daily and weekly hair maintenance routine a breeze.

TOOLS:

  • Satin Pillowcase: for years I resisted the urge to buy one of these, opting instead for the scarf method. Then after noticing some thinning in my hairline (no matter where I tied the knot), I decided to finally give the satin pillowcase a try. And I am so glad I did! This thing is like a dream. Just apply your styling products in the a.m. instead of at night, and you are good to go. I feel like a child again being able to just lay my head on the pillow at the end of the day.

    Oh, and it is suppose to be good for your skin as well (fewer wrinkles since your face slides across the pillow…but that’s just what I read online somewhere.)

  • Flour Sack: If you are looking for the perfect thing to wrap around your hair after you wash it, this is it. People normally use these to dry their dinner glasses and fine china, because they don’t leave lint. This feature is PERFECT for your hair, especially for you curly girls out there. No lint means no object for your hair to wrap itself around to create tangles.

    Just pile your hair on top of your head, fold the flour sack to fit, and tie it. My hair is a little past APL (armpit length) and I style my hair when it is damp, so I leave the flour sack on for about 15 minutes. For longer styles, you can sew a couple of these together.

    You can find these at Target.com:
    Sizes and prices will vary. Just remember, to get the Flour Sack Towel, not the microfiber one.

  • Tangle® Teezer: This is quite simply one of the best detangling hairbrushes around. It was created by Shaun P to “gently ease out tangles as well as smooth…the cuticle, …brushing in a high shine.” Although it will sound like you are ripping your hair out, it is only the sound…it is actually very gentle and soothing.

    It comes with an instructional pamphlet. It is also good for those with extensions and weaves, since it will glide over them without ripping them out.

PRODUCTS:

  • Hair One (Hair Cleanser and Conditioner): Like many of you I had been watching that WEN infomercial, and Chaz’s appearances on QVC, debating whether I would take the plunge. And just when I was about to, I found Hair One at Sally’s. Since I haven’t tried WEN yet (I am planning on buying the introductory kit after I finish my bottle of Hair One), I cannot offer you a comparison yet. However, you can find plenty of them on YouTube.

    I have been co-washing (conditioner washing) for several years now, and my hair and scalp are really good at releasing product buildup without clarifying, and I still noticed an improvement using this product. I bought the one “For Curly Hair” with Argan Oil.

  • ApHogee® Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor: I am relatively new to the ApHogee® brand. I think I first heard about it on Ateeya’s YouTube Channel and recommended it to my niece, who also has permed hair. Soon after, I noticed that my natural hair was not as curly as it used to be so I began searching for a light protein product. I was not brave enough to try the two-step protein treatment (if you do, watch Richeau’s instructional video first…good info!) but I liked what I read about the Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor.

    When I first began using it, I applied it according to the instructions because I was a tad bit nervous after reading and watching the horror stories on the two-step treatment gone bad (again, watch Richeau’s video if you decide to do it, she makes it so simple). Now — and this is not recommended — I keep it on my hair overnight. For example, Saturday is my wash day, so Friday evening I apply the Keratin 2 Minute Reconstuctor to dry hair, cover with a plastic cap, and rinse it out the next day. Again, and I cannot stress this enough, this is the two minute NOT the two-step.

  • Kinky-Curly® Knot Today (KCKT): in two words…LOVE IT!! I had heard about KCKT for a while before I actually bought it. I was watching Kim (Kimmaytube on YouTube)’s video on her leave-in recipe and decided to buy it.  I have tried KCKT alone and in the leave-in and it is great both ways.

    Back before I started washing my hair using Kim’s technique I did get two large knots in my hair and this was a BIG HELP in getting them out, without cutting my hair and without too much breakage.

    It has some really good ingredients and a pleasant smell. I bought the 8 oz. bottle.

    You can get yours for $11.99 at select Target stores and Target.com:

These are just a few of my favorites. I will be back to update the list before the end of the year to round it out to my Top 10 favorite hair care finds of 2011.

Enjoy and happy hair growing!

© 2011. SandraBiz.com. All Rights Reserved. This post may contain affiliate links, when you click on them you support this blog. Ty!

Continue Reading