I use Parissa wax strips for legs and body.  I like to use them on my thighs and knees because I hate shaving there.  If only I could stand to grow out my calves, but so far, no go.

I’ve used the women’s Parissa strips exclusively until last week.  Parissa was on our grocery store list and my husband was kind enough to spend several minutes searching for them.  When he couldn’t find them, he asked for help.  I know!  I can see the cheeks all pink and the hesitancy in his eyes.  Anyway, he was directed to Parissa Tea Tree Wax Strips for all hair types (and for men! Hence, the man’s shoulders in the picture!).

I gave them a shot and I am convinced they yank out the stubborn hair on my knees better.  I also really like the tea tree smell.  This could be psychosomatic, but what the heck, right?

Where he got it: Central Market, N. Lamar.  What it cost: approx. $12.

I make my own yogurt–it’s easy!  Really, you should give it a try.  Especially all of you out there in love with Fage.

So, I really like yogurt.  I was thinking the other day about skin peels while I was eating my breakfast.  I started thinking about ingredients in the peels.  You know, Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids and such.  It occurred to me that yogurt has the same acids in it as milk.  This is why if you take a milk bath your skin is softer.  It gently exfoliates.

After this brainstorm, I decided I would try a yogurt mask every other night for a week and see what happens.  Let’s say, I am what you would call glowy!  A word of caution, you don’t need much and it is a bit smelly.  Also, every other night is too many.  Like any other skin peel product, 2 – 3 times a week is best.

I think I may not pay for another skin peel product again.

Oh, this was beautiful going on.  I bought basic black and it is the loveliest, deep color.  Truly the black I wish my lashes were.  The brush is also good and grabs all the little lashes perfectly.  I really feel like this is the best brush out of the natural mascaras I’ve tried.

However, the formula does not wear well.  I don’t know if it’s the slightly humid Austin climate or what, but this ran down my face before noon.  I tried it on several different days to see if I could find a cause, but got nothing conclusive.  I wore it when I wasn’t even moving around much and it still ran.  I even tried brushing a little powder under my eyes, but that didn’t help either.

Where I got it: Whole Foods, 6th & Lamar.  What it cost: $33.95(!!!).

I am impressed with this serum.  It contains L-ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, reserveratrol and grape seed extracts.  I have been using it every morning for almost a month now and have noticed a change in my skin.  It’s a little plumper and a lot more even.  I did have some rough, dry patches when I started using it and a little breaking out.  I decided not to give up and am very happy I didn’t.  Well worth the price.

Austinites:  I got this at W3LL PEOPLE, http://www.w3llpeople.com/.  Mimi helped me pick it out.  I really like this store because they don’t try to sell you on the entire product line.  They only recommend products they think will work with your skin type.  Plus, everything W3LL carries is paraben free and not animal tested.  Two thumbs up.

Where I got it: W3LL PEOPLE.  What it cost $87.

My fine-haired friends, I have good news for you.  I have found a volumizing shampoo and conditioner combo that works.  Giovanni Root 66 Max Volume shampoo and conditioner are great.  The shampoo isn’t everything I want, so I add Burt’s Bees Super Shiny to it in my palm.  Pretty much half Giovanni, half Burt’s Bees.  My hair is clean without being super squeaky.  Add the conditioner to your ends working up to about two inches from your scalp.  Rinse with warm to cool water.  You’ll have bouncy hair that’s soft and silky, too.

Where I got it: Whole Foods, 6th & Lamar.  What it cost: approx. $8, Giovanni, $7 Burt’s Bees.

Suki is an all organic, cruelty free company that uses ingredients so pure you could eat them.  Cool.  Not that I’m into eating my skin care, but for some reason knowing I could makes me happy.

This Eye Repair Balm is pretty good.  It definitely does its job.  I look well rested and fresh in the mornings when I put it on before bed.  I had a week of sleepless nights and it didn’t show as much as normal.  Since I had just started using this product, I’m going to give it credit for keeping me from looking like a zombie.  Subsequent sleepless nights have confirmed my hypothesis.

This product contains organic carrot, primrose and grapeseed.  It smells great, a bit citrusy and a bit like mown grass.  The consistency is the hard thing–literally.  It’s a balm, just like those little pots of flavored lip gloss we used to wear, but firmer.  You have to take some on your fingers and really let it warm up before you can dab it under your eyes.  You also have to have the patience to pat it in.  Unlike eye cream, it does not have a lotion like consistency.  Because I’m a fan of speed, the balm part annoys me.  But, this eye balm works and it’s in my medicine cabinet right now.

Where I got it: Central Market, N. Lamar.  What is cost: $33.95

I tried several different products from this line.  The wonderful people at Viva Day Spa have a very knowledgeable staff to help you choose from the lines they offer.  I ended up leaving with the Phloretin CF, Serum 20 AOX+, Eye Renewal Gel and Phyto Corrective Gel.

Phloretin CF – I was really excited to use this product as Phloretin is being touted as one of the best new antioxidants around.  I used it for a month with no real results.  In fact my skin texture appeared a little drier than normal.  For the cost, I don’t think I would try it again, but maybe it works for other people out there?  Let me know.  I’m curious if it’s just a marketing thing.  $150, luckily I got a sample.

Serum 20 AOX+ – I was surprised by this one.  After the Phloretin CF didn’t work, I didn’t expect their lesser version to.  It penetrated my skin better and felt like it really sunk in.  My skin clarity improved and looked plumper.  I thought I had found a good product to add to my regimen.  Though, I had forgotten to check on the animal testing status of this company.  They test; I did not purchase a full size.  The hunt continues for an animal friendly antioxidant serum that works.  $114 for full size.

Eye Renewal Gel – This product uses a 5% hydroxy acid blend.  On that note, DO NOT wear this if you plan on being in daylight.  Acids + daylight are bad news.  You’ll cause skin damage.  I took one drop of this and dabbed it under both eyes every other day, applying a normal eye cream on top.  You need very little of this liquid like gel which makes it economical.  The results were very good.  My fine lines were much less noticeable and there was no irritation using the gel on the delicate eye area.  $58.

Phyto Corrective Gel – This is supposed to work using natural ingredients (not listed) instead of hydroquinone to lighten scarring and sun spots.  I used it diligently on one small scar for a month.  Nothing happened.  $56, luckily I got a sample.

Where I got them: Viva Day Spa, S. Lamar.

Bottom line – Some good products if you don’t mind spending the money, but I think I am going to stick to my original plan and get away from companies that perform animal testing.

I want to start out by saying I love the powder foundation by Jane Iredale.  So much so, that I am completely disappointed in the mascaras.

Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara – This is the most expensive one in the line up, beware before buying!  It goes on so well.  You’re convinced, this is it!  You have done it!  You have finally found a natural mascara, that is very pricey, but does its job.  One hour goes by.  Still good, but is it you or do lashes feel kind of dry?  Maybe, not.  Besides, who could tell if their lashes were dry?  Two hours later, flakes.  You brush them off and think: ok, if I have to brush off flakes every once in a while, no prob.  Three hours, flakes and slight smudge.  Four hours more flakes, more smudge.  By the end of the day you look like you haven’t slept because you can’t keep the flakes from smearing and smudging under your eyes.  Not attractive.  Also, it was not returnable.

Jane Iredale Pure Lash Mascara – Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment.  I don’t know.  Though I hated the Longest Lash mascara, I decided to give the Pure Lash a try.  I figured it doesn’t have those stupid fibers which were probably what was flaking all over the place.  This one left some flakes and smudge, but not nearly as bad.  The issue was, I couldn’t get it to come off with soap and water.  I am not an eye makeup remover sort of girl.  I don’t like to have jars and bottles of stuff I don’t use.  I think mascara should wash off with a little soap and water.  Not this one.

Where I got it: Beauty Store, Central Park, N. Lamar.  What it cost: $16, way too much.

Ok, I am huge into sunblock.  I’m always chasing friends down and making them put it on.  With that in mind, it is REALLY hard to find a good, natural sunblock that isn’t greasy.  I have found a few and will let you in on them.

Face & Body:

California Baby SPF 30+ – Good stuff!  It is thick, so you need to use it in small amounts with lots of patience or you’ll end up Casper-ish.  The active ingredient is micronized Titanium Dioxide, which some people may have a problem with, but I don’t.  The Environmental Working Group Cosmetics Database did a study on micronized sunscreens and found they were ok.  One word of caution.  Titanium Dioxide is a great natural ingredient, but it doesn’t have the UVA blocking strength of Zinc Oxide.  So if you can find a non-greasy Zinc Oxide sunblock, you’re better off.  I have found natural sunblocks tend to have better sweat and water resistance, too.  I bike to work four days a week (yes, even in August!) so I think I’ve got a good thing here.

Badger SPF 30 – This is it!  But, if you have oilier skin you will feel it sitting on top when it’s humid or hot out.  It simply doesn’t soak in as well.  But, it’s active ingredient is Zinc Oxide so you are getting the best UVA spectrum block.  The base is olive oil, Beeswax, Jojoba oil, Cocoa Butter and other natural oils.  Dry skin people rejoice!  This one you will love.  Oily girls like me, use a wash cloth with mild soap and a little exfoliation to get it off.

Face:

Arcona Reozone SPF 40 – I am in LOVE with this!!!  I mean it.  I can pedal hard in 106 degrees, sweat, sweat, sweat and it’s still there!  Plus, it dissolves easily with a little facial cleanser.  Hard working, comes off easy.  Doesn’t get better than that, right?  Well, darn it, it could.  Once again, we’ve got Titanium Dioxide as the main block, but there is Zinc Oxide as well.  Probably not as good as all Zinc Oxide, but much, much better than just Titanium Dioxide.

DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30 – This is a moisturizer plus Zinc Oxide for sunblocking ability.  Pretty good stuff.  A little heavy for me because I always put on a Vitamin C serum in the AM which seems to have some sort of moisturizing property.  Because the DeVita is a moisturizer first, it is not very sweat or water resistant.  One thing that bothers me about this product is in the instructions that come with it, they suggest applying it in the evening can somehow make your skin more sun resistant.  Um, not likely at all.