Quick Natural Pore Treatments (Found in Your Fridge!)

November 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

Happy Monday! :)

Last week when I posted the DIY Peel-Off Mask recipe, I decided I also wanted to share a few easy at-home natural toner/ astringents you can get right in your own grocery store.

Many of my Fruit Facials already have ingredients that work to tighten your pores and absorb the oils on your face. BUT, sometimes we don’t always have the time to do a full facial/ skincare treatment. Don’t worry though, there are a few different options you can use for a quick natural pore treatment.

[ RELATED: 5 Steps to Cure Oily Skin ]

Tomato:

This wonderful fruit contains Lycopene, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, and has been known to protect the skin from UV rays. Added bonus: Researchers have found that Tomato also helps keep your skin looking youthful!

How-To:

1) Find the reddest tomato you can (but any tomato you have will work)

2) Slice the tomato in half (or if you have plans for the tomato later, then you can just take off a quarter of the tomato)

3) Place the rest of the tomato in the fridge. We are done with that part of the Tomato.

4) Take the piece of tomato that you cut off and gently rub this across the skin on your face & neck- focusing on “problem” areas. You only need to leave the juice of the tomato on your face for a few minutes.

5) Gently rinse your face off with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply your moisturizer of choice.

Lemon:

This fruit is great for so many things. Everything from cleaning counters to jazzing up your beverage. Best of all, it does wonders for your skin ;)

How-to:

1) Cut a slice out of your Lemon

2) Place the rest of your lemon in the fridge

3) Take your slice and gently rub it against your face and neck- Focusing on “problem” areas. Just like with the tomato, you will only need to leave the juice on your skin for a few minutes.

4) Gently rinse your face off with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply your moisturizer of choice.

*Note: It is normal to feel a tingly sensation on your skin when using either of these fruits. Please test each one on a small patch of your skin first. Be sure to rinse off if you notice redness or if the tingle becomes uncomfortable.

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Fruit Facial Friday: Avocado

July 27, 2012 By 3 Comments

It’s that special time of the week again! Fruit Facial Fridays are always so important because they’re a little reminder to always make time to pamper yourself. This is something I often neglect- but when I do let myself relax and take time for myself, I feel SO much better.

This Avocado Fruit Facial is great for the hot summer days. Although we’ve had a nice break from the hot weather here in Los Angeles, I know that August is just around the corner. Last week’s Watermelon Fruit Facial was so refreshing, I couldn’t help but think a recipe including fresh Cucumber had to be in this weeks facial. Use this mask to moisturize and hydrate your skin :)

 

1/4 of an Avocado (about a 2.5″ chunk)

2″ piece of Cucumber (Peeled)

2 tsp Honey

add ingredients to blender and blend until you get a fairly smooth paste.

  1. Apply a generous helping to your skin and relax for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Rinse off with luke warm water and apply moisturizer afterward.
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St. Ives Daily Hydrating Body Lotion Review

July 21, 2012 By 1 Comment

I purchase lotion like most girls purchase nail polish. This might be surprising considering how sensitive my skin is, but I love to use lotion and i’ve been shopping for natural brands for years now.

Lotion Review St Ives

I was at my local CVS store a few weeks ago and decided to take a gander in the skincare isle. It’s always nice when you can find drugstore brands you like for a fraction of the high-end brand cost. With the large selection there I sifted through many brands. Everything from Aveeno to Dove.

[Related: How-To Stay Hydrated this Summer]

I came across this St. Ives lotion and decided to give it a try. It has Vitamin E and had a fairly natural ingredients list compared to the other brands. As a bonus the bottle was 21oz and less money than many other, more expensive brands. Here’s what I thought about this:

Pros:

  1. This lotion is formulated without Parabens or Phthalates
  2. Does not contain Animal Ingredients
  3. The bottle contains 20% Post-Consumer Recycled Material
  4. I had no rash or break-outs when using this lotion
  5. Has a nice, light floral scent

Cons:

None so far :)

 

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Harmful Chemicals found in Cosmetics

July 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Cosmetics Chemicals CosmeticsByCortneyHere at Cosmetics By Cortney, we love to advocate healthy beauty products. It can get a little confusing with most cosmetic companies claiming to be “Natural”, “Healthy”, and “Hypo-Allergenic”. Be sure to carefully read the labels on all of your beauty products and understand what they mean. Unfortunately cosmetic companies have very low standards that they are required to produce by, so it is up to us to decide what is healthy and what is not for ourselves.

For more information on ingredients in cosmetics, be sure to check out our Sheer page and feel free to Contact Us if you don’t see an ingredient you think we should have listed! We also have a Contact Tab to the left of this page :)

A few Harmful Ingredients commonly found in cosmetics:

Talc/ Talcum Powder:

A 1993 US National Toxicology Program report found that cosmetics grade talc, even though it contained no asbestos-like fibers, caused tumors in animals. There is an inextricable link between talc and asbestos, which virtually everyone knows causes cancer. In fact, the two are virtually chemically identical.

Synthetic Fragrances:

Perfumes and other products that produce a distinct scent may contain hundreds of chemicals to produce that scent.

We’ve mentioned this many times before, but you should always be cautious of anything that is very strongly scented. I always try to limit my perfume usage to special occasions.

In 1986, the National Academy of Sciences released a report saying 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. These toxic chemicals are capable of causing birth defects, cancer, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. (Yikes!)

Sodium Fluoride:

The fluoride which is added to our toothpaste and water supply is a byproduct of the aluminum, steel, ceramic, phosphate fertilizer, and other chemical industries. It is usually added to toothpaste and soft city water in the forms sodium fluoride, sodium silica fluoride or hydrofluoric acid.

Fluoride has been said to weaken the human will by calcifying the pineal gland. The pineal gland (also called the “third eye”) is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain. It produces the serotonin derivative melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and seasonal functions. Fluoride was used by the Nazis to sterilize inmates and make them docile.

How Often Do You Check the Labels on Your Cosmetics??


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*DIY* Fruit Facial Friday: Watermelon

July 6, 2012 By 4 Comments

Watermelon Fruit FacialWhat better month for a Watermelon fruit facial than July?! With all of the Watermelons i’ve seen at Picnics lately, I decided that was my sign to post a new Fruit Facial recipe on Cosmetics By Cortney. Aside from the wonderful hydrating properties of watermelon, Like most other fruits it also has Vitamin C. Watermelon will help cleanse your skin while delivering Vitamin A as well.

[ Remember!: I Highly Recommend Watching my Prep Video before trying any of my Fruit Facials ]

Recipe:

1/2 cup Watermelon

2 T-Spoons Grapeseed Oil

2 T-Spoons Honey

Add a Small Chunk (about 2 inches) of Banana as Desired

 

One  benefit of this Fruit Facial is that you don’t need a blender! Just mash up your ingredients and stir well :)

[Related: Avocado Facial]


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My April 2012 BirchBox. Should You Get One?

April 29, 2012 By 1 Comment

I got my April BirchBox a week or so ago and I decided i’d share it with all of you. I get a lot of questions about the monthly beauty box programs and decided i’d share what I receive each month. I have not yet tried these products.

As fun as it is to have a little present show up every month, it’s a good idea to research which box best suits your needs. There are some great programs out there, but you have to be sure to choose one that will provide you with the products you want at the price you can afford. There are programs that are monthly, quarterly, and annually from a variety of price ranges.

Here is what I got in my BirchBox for April 2012:

BirchBox April 2012

Befine Skincare Sampler: Revive dull skin with this gentle cleanser and moisturizer duo. Bot use rice extracts to restore skin’s natural barrier.

WEI White Lotus Hydrating Face Treatment Pad: This single-use face mask is soaked with a blend of Easter botanicals and hyaluronic acid to give skin an instant moisture boost.

Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift: The new Taylor Swift perfume. A light sensual scent.

Zoya TRUE Spring Collection: A nice mild and balanced blue. I think this is a perfect muted color for the summer time.

MicrodermaMitt: This all-natural silk mitt gently exfoliates dead skin cells and pore-clogging debris.

SEE: Nicki Minaj Fragrance Release

SEE: Celebrity Photos without Retouching!

 

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10 Eco-Minded Labels Explained

April 19, 2012 By 4 Comments

organic labels beauty cosmeticsIt’s already tough to shop responsibly, given how widely words like “organic” and “natural” are thrown around. To make things even more complicated, though, there are also tons of ecological certifications products can get. They’re designed to tell consumers that a product is more ecologically friendly, but not all certifications are the same, and some are much more strict than others.

here are 10 common logos broken down to show what each of them means:

 

  • Natural Products Association Certification: The Natural Products Association certificationmeans:
    • Any product labeled “natural” must be made with at least 95 percent natural ingredients – that is, from renewable resources found in nature. No petrochemicals are allowed.
    • No parabens, SLS, chemical sunscreens, or phthalates.
    • No animal testing.
    • The packaging must be environmentally conscious and sustainable.
  • The NaTrue Label: The NaTrue label means that a product has been certified to contain only water, natural ingredients, and nature-derived ingredients.The label has three grades: Natural Cosmetics, Natural Cosmetics with Organic Ingredients, and Organic Cosmetics.
  • Whole Foods Premium Body Care: OK, so why is a store’s seal on the list? Because a lot of people shop at Whole Foods, and this seal promises that a product:
    • Is free of parabens, SLS, and more than 250 other ingredients deemed unacceptable.
    • Has no synthetic fragrances.
    • Has minimal environmental impact in production, sourcing, and disposal.
  • Vegan Certification: This label means just what you’d think it does: no animal testing, no animal products. It doesn’t take a stance on parabens and other controversial ingredients.
  • The Leaping Bunny: Created by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, theleaping bunny symbol shows that a product is made without animal testing at any stage of its development. It stands out from other “no animal testing” seals because all companies are independently audited to ensure adherence to the strict guidelines. If the audit fails, the company is no longer able to use the symbol.
Source: 10 Eco-Minded Labels to Know
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*DIY* Fruit Facial Friday: Brightening Skin Perk

March 30, 2012 By 1 Comment

I had been feeling like I wanted a little “perk” for my skin lately, so I decided to make this fruit facial. If you want a nice youthful-brightening boost, try this one out!!!

 

If you have a particular skin concern you would like help with or a Fruit Facial you would like featured, please comment or contact me. 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup Mango
  • A little over 1Tsp honey
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 Kiwi Peeled

Directions:

  • Add ingredients to blender
  • Blend approximately 1-2 minutes
  • Add mixture to bowl or cup of choice
  • Gently use fingers to massage facial onto face and neck area, applying generously in small circles
  • Leave on for 5-10 minutes
  • Rinse with luke warm water, being careful not to get into eyes
  • Pat dry with soft towel
Be sure to comment and tell me what you think!
Don’t Miss: Last weeks On The Go Fruit Facial video

 

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Origins Checks & Balances Frothy Face Wash: Review

March 22, 2012 By 1 Comment

Typically I don’t use “frothy, “foamy” or “fizzy” facial cleansers. I have normal/ dry and sensitive skin so anything foamy on my face typically spells “bad news”. However, there is a happy ending to this face wash story. I’ve been using this cleanser for about 2 months and so far I haven’t had a break out.

Below I have listed the pros and cons to this face wash.

The Pros:

  • Okay for sensitive skin: So far, i’ve had no Break outs, Redness, or Rashes.
  • Moisturizing: Although it foams, it really does “balance” out your complexion. No excessive dryness for me.
  • Brightening!: Probably my favorite thing about this. My skin looks so youthful and refreshed after washing my face- I typically have the urge to skip the foundation when I use this face wash.
  • Removes makeup easily: Although this is not labeled a “makeup remover”, i’ve found that when i’ve been wearing makeup all day this removes it without a problem. *Note:I have not tried removing water-proof makeup with this, nor have I put this on or around my eyes (and I wouldn’t recommend it!)

The Cons:

  • A little doesn’t go a long way: Although I don’t have to use an incredibly large amount, i’ve found that I have to use a little more of this product than my gel cleanser of choice.
  • The Cost: Currently this is $19.50 for a 5oz bottle. You’ll have to decide if that is a good deal or not. I’m right on the line about this one. My gel cleanser is 12oz for $30.00 and I feel lasts longer for just $10.00 more. You decide :)
Be sure to comment and let me know if you’ve tried a really great cleanser lately!

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*DIY* Fruit Facial Friday: On The Go

March 20, 2012 By 3 Comments

I’m happy to announce: Fruit Facial Fridays are back by popular demand! Unfortunately YouTube has been having some (very inconvenient) technical difficulties so this Fruit Facial Friday is being posted on Tuesday instead of last Friday :P

Why do an at home Fruit Facial?:

When you do your own Fruit Facials, you can be sure that you are only using the best ingredients on your skin. NO additives, Nothing Artificial, Just Sheer ingredients. I’ve sworn by my Fruit Facials for years. I have different ones for all skin types and you can check back every Friday to see new ones. I honestly think these do more for my skin than any store-bought product i’ve ever tried. And the best part is that most of my ingredients are VERY affordable. Once you try these, you will fall in love. Your friends will all be asking why you have such amazing skin :)

The great thing about this Fruit Facial is that it is designed with the busy girl (or guy!) in mind. You don’t need a blender , you don’t have to heat anything up, and you only need 3 ingredients! Suitable for all skin types. Just follow a few simple steps and you’re good to go!

To see the video click here. Or here to see past Fruit Facial Fridays.

Be sure to watch my video on how to prep your skin before one of my Fruit Facials.

What You Will Need:

  • A bowl to mix ingredients
  • Measuring spoons
  • A fork or any mashing/ mixing tool

Ingredients:

  • 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil
  • 1/2 Teaspoon honey
  • About 2 inches of a ripe banana.

Instructions:

  • Mash up banana in your bowl of choice until you have a chunky paste. It doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth.
  • Add 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil
  • Next add 1/2 Teaspoon honey
  • Mix until well blended.
  • Immediately apply your Fruit Facial to a small patch of your (clean, makeup free) face. Wait for about 5 minutes to make sure that you don’t have any bad reactions to the facial (Occasionally people will have reactions to even the most natural ingredients, so it’s important to follow this step).
  • Next, gently apply the fruit facial to the rest of your face and neck area.
  • Leave on for about 10-15 minutes (or even 5 if you’re in a big hurry)
  • Gently rinse your face with luke warm water until the Fruit Facial mixture is completely gone. Pat dry.

It’s really amazing to see how well these work to repair and improve skin.

Please comment and let me know how you liked your Fruit Facial!

 

 

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