I'm back!

I know it's been a long time since I last posted here or any of my other blogs really. For the beginning of this year I had some strange neurological issues, which affected just about every part of my life. We still haven't identified it but I am functioning very normally now. I'm ready to write again!

A few things that you can hopefully expect in the upcoming posts:
Even my best beauty regimens would only help part of the time. I was only really clear for about a week during a month but that wasn't what got me to go again to a dermatologist. My face, the entire face, would just ache. With some cleansers I could go eight or nine hours before it started hurting, but most would hurt after an hour. The doctor determined that I have an excess of testosterone and put me on a mild blocker in addition to a dapsone topical (a very simple, gentle acne treatment and anti-inflammatory) and blu-light. My skin has never been this good! I'd like to do a post detailing my regimen and one about the blu-light treatment.

I will definitely be writing a lot about makeup soon! Now that my skin isn't fighting me tooth and nail, I've been getting back into makeup, which I haven't done for several years. I'm using a lot of bare escentuals and I'm also experimenting with some vegan brands I've recently discovered. I plan on writing detailed reviews of each once I have used them a little longer.

Very exciting stuff!

Making the most of your money

One of the hardest things to get over when beginning to buy organic is the cost. Artificial ingredients are cheaper than their natural counterparts and it shows in the prices. You'll find yourself going from spending 5-6 dollars on a facial cleanser to 9-11 dollars. For some it can be difficult to feel that they are getting their money's worth, but there is hope!

• I first started with LUSH cosmetics. Lush is really great because it can be described as a "transparent" company. You know who made the exact product you have in your hands (they have the name and picture on it) and when it was made. Best of all, you can test every product on their floor and get a sizable sample of many for no cost. I once used a Coalface sample twice a day for two weeks before I ran out. They believe that you need to use a product for a while before you can know if it will be good for your needs.
• Stockpile. I enjoy shopping, which gets me into trouble sometimes. I also have very finicky skin which I am always trying to appease! So at the vegan/vegetarian store, I always check out the clearance shelf in the cosmetics section. Sometimes I can find really great deals. When that happens I end up with a half full bottle of whatever I was using before. Or sometimes you find a product just isn't what you need. I'll put those products aside and use the new one. Recently I couldn't afford to replace my cosmetics when I ran out, but because I still had some of my older shampoos/conditioners/cleansers, I just used those until I could. I've even been known to change up my routine based on what my skin seems to need at that moment.
• Be creative. You may find that one product can have multiple uses. Sometimes I'll use my creme cleanser or topical cream when my piercings are irritated, rather than buy a product just for that. This is complete trial and error.
• Invest in essential oils. Essential oils are more expensive than ready made products but are more versatile. I make my own toner using distilled water and a personalized mix of oils and swear by Rose Hip Seed Oil as a hand moisturizer. You'll be surprised how much you can do with a decent selection of these.
• Don't be afraid to try new things. There's no need to stick with one product line or company. Mix and match! If you like Company A but can't afford their 40 dollar moisturizer, you can certainly find less expensive moisturizers that are still natural. Don't limit yourself.

Not dead, I swear! Also update

I think a full year of classes followed by a whole summer, then starting Fall classes just one week later, took it's toll. I swear I had such difficulty working up the motivation to do anything at all. I was always acutely aware of my inactivity and planning to work on my blogs or kimono or do laundry and somehow never did. I don't have a real, themed and planned-out post right now. This is more of a "getting back into the habit" post.

Skincare-wise, I am very excited! I seem to have finally hit on a good combination of products and am mostly clear on my face. I also discovered a new cream cleanser to replace my Evan Healy cleanser, which I loved but couldn't bring myself to pay $35 to replace (I bought it on clearance originally for $25). I've only had it for two days, so I want to continue for a few more days before I write about it more. I love that the company, Honey Girl Organics, is based off the same island I live on. It's strange how secure that makes me feel!

Well, until then,
Ashley

Short break

Just wanted to let everybody know that For the next four weeks I will be unable to post. My summer language course is grueling-- 8-10 in the morning, 5 days a week, 4+hours of homework a night (and more on the weekends). I'll be back after if I survive!

Product Highlight: Thayer's Witch Hazel Toners

Of all the products I've used, I really have nothing but good things to say about this one. I have seen these at every health food store I've been to here and it is never more than $11. For that $11 you get 12 fl. oz. as opposed to the (maybe) 4 fl. oz. of many other brands. Using it twice daily, one bottle can last for several months. There are many varieties, including Rosewater, Lemon, Lavender and Original formulas. The best one for you depends on what you want it for. For instance, Rosewater is said to be excellent for mature skin.

I have tried the Lavender, Lemon, and Cucumber formulas. My personal favorite is Lavender, despite the fact that I don't care for it as a scent. Lemon is an Astringent and not a toner, so it contains alcohol and I found it a little drying for everyday use. I do continue to use it on days where my skin is being especially bothersome, but prefer to use one of the more gentle alcohol-free toners more regularly. Lavender is an excellent ingredient that encourages healing (so I put up with the scent).

Witch Hazel was used by Native Americans to treat surface wounds, and became an important medicinal crop for the American settlers. All of Thayer's Toners and Astringents use organic Aloe Vera to soothe the skin. Overall, I couldn't be happier with this product.

The Toner and Astringent Sampler Pack is a good option to figure out which you want to use. Hell, I have large bottles of the Lavender and Cucumber and I'm still considering getting one. It comes with one 2 oz bottle of all nine varieties for around $16. I probably wouldn't buy many of them on their own, but think it might not be a bad idea to have a small bottle, particularly the Medicated Superhazel lying around.

Designation: Must-Have Item

Myth 1: Caring for Oily Skin

One of the biggest misconceptions in skincare is that of Oily skin. From teen magazines, to commercials, or even browsing your local drugstore, the message is clear: use strong cleansers on oily skin. All the harshest products are marketed as being for oily skin. Wash off the oil; dry it up!

I tried that, for years I did, and I was always so discouraged when my skin became oily again by the afternoon. So you just keep adding more and more products to the mix. My prescription cleanser was so drying that my skin felt like crepe paper afterwards.

The Truth: Your skin is sending you a message, "I'm too dry!"

People with oily skin should use the same cleanser as a normal complected person. When your skin senses that it is too dry, it produces oil. The more you strip off the more it produces. You can see where that's going. You want to remove the surface oil without drying out your skin.

the routine: in 4 steps

1) Remember to wash your face no more than twice a day using a gentle cleanser.

2) Use a gentle toner. This will take off any residual cleanser and prep your skin for your topical/moisturizer.

3a) For acne-prone skin: Use a good topical. Tea tree oil, neem, and green tea are good ingredients to look for.

3b) Always use a moisturizer! Look for a moisturizer that is light and won't clog your pores.

the optional 4th

4a) Sunscreen: Regular use can help fade spots from blemishes. Natural moisturizers often use the physical sunscreens zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

4b) Night cream: A night cream is like a heavier moisturizer. Totally optional, but I like to give my skin a little something extra while it does the overnight repairing. Use at night in place of moisturizer.

PRN

Use masks and scrubs sparingly.

It can take some time and experimentation to find the right combination. Remember that cost is not always a good indicator of how well a product will work on your skin. No two people's skin is the same, so find what works for you!

Third time's a charm--I hope.

Greetings and salutations all! My name is Ashley and welcome to my third blogging effort. I'm really hoping this one takes. Don't get me wrong, I loved the others, but they were superficial. Sounds funny to say that here of all places but my hope is that this will be a useful blog.

All my life I've had dry scalp, poor complexion, you name it. I read the beauty magazines, listened to my mom and the dermatologist but nothing seemed to help. Almost one year ago I moved away from Texas to go to school in Hawai'i. I've always wanted to do my best to take care of the environment (or at least minimize my damage). This is a hard goal in DFW but very easy in Honolulu. Sometimes it's easier and cheaper than buying otherwise! So I took this as an opportunity to experience and learn as much as I can.

And I have learned a lot in this year, so much of which directly contradicts what I was brought up to believe about skin and hair care. If I can do one thing with this blog, I'd really like to help others out there to begin thinking differently and learn to work with your bodies--not against them. Please kokua (cooperate)!