Review: Kramers Health Foods

Today, I wandered across the street from one of my downtown classes and I came across a great hidden gem in Chicago. Kramers Health Foods on South Wabash in the Loop. I saw it as I was exiting my class building so I thought I'd go in for a bottle of shampoo... I was shocked by the size of the store and the amount of products they had.

You walk in and there are coolers of healthy pre-made foods from kale salads, to sandwiches, to vegan and gluten free nachos. Not to mention the amount of cold drinks they had with the most healthy ingredients. I got a Bragg Organic ACV Apple Cinnamon drink and it was delicious. Only 32 calories!

Keep walking down the store and there are aisles and aisles of nutritious protein bars, vitamins, supplements,
homeopathic remedies, healthy snacks, teas, and a mini grocery section FILLED with non-GMO, vegan, vegetarian and gluten free foods that were priced fairly well. It will make you want things you never knew you needed. Never thought you needed bee pollen capsules? You do now. I don't know what Fenugreek Seed is but I want it.

The right side of the store has everything beauty related ranging from makeup, to hair products, to mouth care, to soaps and everything in between. Of course I picked up a few things... An aloe vera shampoo for oily hair, a bee pollen soap, and Now Solutions sweet almond oil. So excited to try out my new products and expand my cabinet of natural products.

Upstairs they have a Cafe that I unfortunately didn't have time to go in, but from the looks of it, it seemed great! Pressed juices, salads, soups and sandwiches. I'll have to go back one day after class.

I'm so happy I finally went into Kramer's because I know it will become a staple store for me.

--Ms. Makeup

Spring Skincare Routine

Spring is finally here! Because it is getting warmer, I've switched up my skincare a little with my products from iHerb.com

I wash my face morning and night with the NutriBiotic Non-Soap Skin Cleanser. I love this stuff! It's a PH balancing cleanser so it doesn't leave that tight, dry feeling. It's fragrance free, paraben free, all that good stuff. Highly recommend! Purchase

I'm still using the Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner (morning and night.) I don't think I'll be using a different toner for a very long time. This one is natural, smells amazing and gives your face that extra step of feeling really clean. And it's alcohol free! Purchase

During the day I use the Aubrey Organics Every Day Basics Moisturizer. I do like this moisturizer a lot, but it's not the absolute best I've ever used. You need a very minimal amount because a little goes a looong way with this stuff. I rub it between my hands and apply a layer to my face to where the moisturizer gets very white. I let it sit for a few seconds and then I really rub it in. You can tell upon using this product that it really sinks into your skin. It controls my oily skin without drying. Purchase 

At night I have been using the Now Solutions Avocado Oil. Now, although I do have oily skin, for whatever reason, avocado oil doesn't increase the oilyness in my skin over night. It really seeps into the skin and doesn't just sit as a layer above your pores. This is the greatest way of moisturizing I have ever found for my skin type. Purchase

Finally, before bed I apply a little 100% cocoa butter to my lips for extra moisture at night. Purchase 

My skin has never looked so "normal" and clear before and I really believe it's from these products. Using more natural products has really helped me and I encourage others to make the switch. I have even received a few compliments on how nice my skin has looked lately, which is always a great boost of confidence!

--Ms. Makeup

My New Favorite Website

IHERB.COM

After watching this video on youtube, I instantly went over to iHerb and placed an order. I got oils, lotions, face wash, deodorant, natural sweeteners, etc. I'm so excited about it. The amount of products this website has is insane. Over 35,000 things to choose from! They've got foods, vitamins, makeup, beauty products and stuff for the home. It's easy to choose your price range because they have a wide assortment of prices from low to high. And everything is almost 100% natural, which is amazing! They also have freebies and small amounts of products to test out for a couple of bucks. I can't wait to get my order and review all the products. You can use the coupon code HPV433 for a discount on your first order! 

Coming soon!

--Ms. Makeup

IHERB.COM

Check out EcoholicBeauty's videos on YouTube!

Natural Beauty: Skin Care

I have recently realized the importance of using all things natural. I have very sensitive skin and the smallest ingredient can change my skin and make me itchy and uncomfortable. Because of this, I have decided to go natural. It can become expensive, but I have compiled a list of my natural skincare essentials that are also affordable: 

Makeup Remover

Olive Oil or Coconut Oil. Simple as that. Since these are oils, they will break down your makeup as well as moisturize. Put a small amount on a cotton pad and that's it!

Face Wash

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap. This comes in both liquid and bar, but I prefer the bar soap. Dr. Bronner's is an amazing brand that is 100% natural, cruelty-free and vegan. I have only tried their soap, but my parents have used their products forever. They have lotions, lip products, shaving cream, etc. They smell amazing and are inexpensive too, at $4.69 a bar. 

I like this soap because it doesn't give my skin that tight feeling after I wash it off. It leaves me feeling really clean and it doesn't break me out or give me any problems. I also use it as a body soap. Peppermint is my favorite! You can purchase it here. 

Toner

Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner. I found this product on a whim off of Amazon.com and I am so happy I bought it! This product is alcohol free so it won't dry out your skin. This toner has witch hazel in it which is often used medicinally, but also for acne. If you like the smell of rose, then you will looove this scent. Since using this, I have noticed a difference in my skin's texture. It is more calm and feels more smooth to the touch. You can purchase it here. 

Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar. Who knew that something that smells as bad as vinegar would be a miracle, multi-use product?! Not only does ACV have a ton of health benefits when you drink it, but it can also be used as a toner. I thought it would be harsh on my sensitive skin, but not at all! Once you get past the smell, it feels really nice on your skin and the smell does go away once it dries. I take about one part vinegar to two parts water, mix it up and put it on a cotton pad. Feel free to dilute it to your skin's liking. ACV is amazing for skin because it naturally balances the ph, which means it will equal out the oily and dry patches. It also helps with big pores and acne scarring. 

*Can also be used as a conditioner! Again, mix 1 part ACV- 2 or 3 parts water. After shampooing, apply to scalp and hair and let it sit for about 2 minutes. Makes hair feel great- shiny and moisturized!

Moisturizer

Sadly, I have yet to find an all natural moisturizer that I actually like. The best I can do is give my favorite paraben free ones-

1. Alba Even Advanced Sea Lipids Daily Cream. Best moisturizer I have used. 

2. Trader Joe's Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion. Not the best for oily skin, but it does have SPF.

Mask

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask. This is a mask made out of 100% bentonite clay and it's awesome. Completely minimizes pores to help clear up skin. Although this is extremely messy and hard to take off, it's worth it and gives your skin a good deep clean. Can be used with ACV as well! You can buy it here. 

WARNING

Don't be fooled by a product that claims to be "ALL NATURAL". Familiarize yourself with unnatural ingredients and check all the products you buy. I have recently come to find that LUSH, the all natural cosmetic company, actually puts methylparaben and propylparaben in quite a few of their products. BAD. Unfortunately I realized this after purchasing the Ocean Salt face scrub (which I love, so this really sucks.) Moral of the story, check the ingredients on everything!!! Don't be lazy, read the label.

Here's safecosmetics.org's schpiel on why you should care about parabens: 

Parabens are used to prevent the growth of microbes in cosmetics products and can be absorbed through skin, blood and the digestive system. Parabens have been found in biopsies from breast tumors at concentrations similar to those found in consumer products. Parabens may be found in a wide variety of products including shampoos, lotions, deodorants, scrubs and eye makeup, and are found in nearly all urine samples from U.S. adults regardless of ethnic, socioeconomic or geographic backgrounds. Adolescents and adult females had higher levels of methylparaben and propylparaben in their urine than did males of similar ages.

Your skin is an organ and anything that gets applied directly to it will end up in your blood stream... Think about it. To find more amazing natural products, check out iherb.com here.

--Ms. Makeup

**Added Bonus**
A humidifier really helps your skin retain moisture during the winter and if the air in your home tends to dry you out. I highly recommend. Helps with sleep too! 

Review: Alba Even Advanced Sea Lipids Daily Cream

Face lotion is always a product that I feel like I struggle with. I just settle for whatever I have at the moment and I've never really used a great lotion for my skin. However, after using the Alba Sea Lipids Daily Cream, I now realize how important it is.

This lotion caught my eye because it's supposed to help the appearance of skin to make it look more even and less blotchy/dull. It's also hypoallergenic and Alba is generally a more natural based brand. It's paraben free, too- very important!

I am almost finished with this product and I will be repurchasing it. It's a really light moisturizer but it's still hydrating. It doesn't clog my pores or cause me to break out at all. I actually feel like it has improved my skins texture. This lotion has a nice, fresh scent, but it's not overpowering. It wears nicely under makeup and doesn't cause me to get greasy during the day. One thing I will say is that if I shower with this on my face at night, it tends to get in my eyes and this stuff burns a little. So watch out for that.

The container has lasted me about a month and a half and it costs $16.99, so it's not too bad on the price. I would recommend this for any skin type. This comes in a night cream as well and I'm interested in trying that out, too. You can find this at most drugstores, Target, and some health food stores.

Link to Alba lotion

--Ms. Makeup

How To: Makeup for an Interview

Today's post is about proper makeup for a job interview. I had one today and I really liked how my look turned out so I thought I'd share! You definitely don't want too much, so to get my natural look keep on reading ---> 

1. First, use a primer to make sure your foundation lasts all day and doesn't get shiny. You don't want your interviewer to think you're dirty! I used Smashbox Photo Finish Blemish Control. Using your fingers, put this all over your face but be sure to focus on the middle of your face because that is where makeup tends to thin out during the day.

2. Apply a natural, matte foundation using a dense foundation brush. I used Makeup Forever's Mat Velvet (LOVE.) This stuff lasts a long time- takes about 5+ hours to get shiny on my face, which is really good! 

3. Set your foundation with a translucent (or natural color) powder. I used Laura Mercier's Translucent loose powder and it worked so well. Really great product, but a little on the pricey side.

4. Apply a light & pretty blush to give you a little flush. Take Benefit's Hervana to the apples of your cheeks, but don't use too much!

5. Before applying eyeshadow be sure to use a primer. Do not forget this or your eyeshadow will crease and it'll look like a mess! Urban Decay Primer Potions are the best. My eye makeup still looks perfect at the end of the day whenever I use this. 

6. To get the most natural eye look I used Urban Decay's Naked Basics palette. I put W.O.S. all over the lid, Naked 2 in the crease, a very small amount of Faint in the outer crease and Foxy with a bit of Venus as a brow highlight. 

7. Apply a thin line of eyeliner on your upper lash line and flick it out to get a slight wing. Don't go overboard on this step because you really don't want too much. I tried out Essence's Super Fine Eyeliner Pen because it's incredibly thin & I really liked it! And it's $2.99 from Ulta! 

8. Top it off with your favorite mascara! Today I used Bare Minerals Lash Domination, but I did not like it at all... Review coming soon. 

9. Finally, apply a little bit of lip product. I chose one of my favorite Baby Lips in Peach Kiss. Its really neutral with a slight bit of shimmer and shine. You could go for a light pink if you wanted something a little more fun. 

Voila! You'll be ready and feelin' beautiful for your interview! Go get em'!



Good luck!

--Ms. Makeup

Pros of coming home from college- getting to sneak into your sisters room and try out all her makeup. All the products I used today are from her makeup collection, so thanks girl (hehe!)

Must Have: Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

To me, this is the greatest hair product on the planet. I have gone through three or four full size tubs and I've never looked back! If your hair is feeling dull, if your highlights are drying out your hair, or you just want a really good deep conditioner, this is for you! Macadamia Oil is really great for your hair because it heals, nourishes and rejuvenates. This brand uses Argan Oil and Tea Tree Oil as well. Read on to see a full review ---->






1. Scent. AMAZING. It's really earthy, yet very sweet, kind of fruity. It has a very rich scent and it definitely lingers on your hair, which is something I look for. I cant exactly pin point the notes, but take my word for it, it smells like heaven. If it came in a perfume or candle, I would buy it.

2. Feel. I have tried many, many hair products over the years, but this mask is unlike any other. It makes my hair softer than anything. It has a thick consistency, which I love, yet you don't need a ton of this. A little bit goes a long way because it really spreads throughout your hair. I have pretty frizzy hair, and when I use this, the frizz is mostly gone and it makes each strand incredibly smooth. If you consistently use this, it will transform the texture of your hair to be smooth and silky!

3. Usage. I like to use this once a week and leave it in for about 10 minutes from my ears down. I have also left this in for hours with saran wrap over it after a bad hair dying job and it made my hair feel so much better. I have also used this as a daily conditioner because I have very course and thick hair (you only need a tiiiiiny bit!) I would not recommend doing that if you have thin or fine hair because it might be too powerful. I always brush out my hair right before I wash out the product to make sure it was evenly distributed.

4. Packaging. Adorable! It reminds me of a little coconut. It has a brown hawaiian/floral pattern with green accents. It also has a matte finish which is a nice touch.

5. Price. This product is more on the pricey side. The full size tub (8.5oz) is $36. But if you try it, you'll know it's worth it! They do sell single 1oz packages for those who want to get a few uses out and see if you like it ($4.) I have found it on amazon for $5-10 cheaper. The 8.5oz usually lasts me about 5-6 months.

From this line I have also used the shampoo, conditioner, healing oil treatment, healing oil spray, and nourishing leave in cream. All equally as amazing as the next! I am really interested in trying the new dry shampoo, but it is a little pricey for the size of the can. I am also dying to try this --- CLICK ME!

Have you tried this miracle product? Here is the website to learn more Macadamia.

--Ms. Makeup

If you're curious, here is what a macadamia nut looks like!

macadamiahair.com