LUXE ESSENTIALS

OILY SKIN! CAUSES, DO'S & DON'T, SOLUTIONS & ADVANTAGES!

2011-02-09T22:16:00.000-05:00

Oil is created and release onto the skin by the sebaceous glands. They are microscopic glands, found in the skin, but more abundance on the face and scalp. Sebaceous glands excrete an oily, waxy substance called sebum, which helps moisturize your skin as well as provide a protective layer against elements. When the sebaceous gland produces too much sebum, oily, acne prone skin is the result.

Heredity and hormones also plays a part. If both of your parents have oily skin, then you stand a chance of having oily skin as well. Oily skin can also be caused when hormones change. This typically occurs during puberty, pregnancy, menopause and or during any stressful physical or emotional situation.

Instinctively, the first thing one may want to do is completely stripping the skin of oil, but this will only cause irritation and will signal the sebaceous glands to produce even more oil. We don't want that! Oil production is natures way of fighting irritation so instead, you want to balance the oil by following and sticking to a beauty regiment that's designed for your specific skin needs. When washing your face, use products that are gentle but are slightly medicated or contains antibacterial lotion. Toners with citrus essential oils like orange, lemon, tangerine, grapefruit and even witch hazel are ideal for oily skin because it helps close and minimize the look of pores, plus it helps absorb the oil.

Avoid using products that leaves your face feeling dry, tight or irritated for reasons listed above. Keep your hair away from you face, this includes while you're sleeping. This is probably one of the biggest thing individuals with oily skin overlook. As mentioned above, the scalp has the biggest percentage of sebaceous glands, which means your hair will also contain oil, not including any additional oil/product you add to it on a daily basis. Wearing styles that keep your hair away from your face and wearing a scarf or sleeping bonnet, while you are sleeping, will help keep oil from transferring from you hair to your face.

A moisturizer is still needed for oily skin. Oil and moisture is not the same, the oiliness of the skin will hold in moisture, but it won't replace the moisture that you lose. Using an oil free moisturizer containing sunscreen is also recommended.

Be sure to try these additional natural solutions that you can do at home.

Thirty minutes before taking a shower or bath, apply 1/2 teaspoon each of lime and cucumber juice mixed together to your face

To clear excess oil, blend equal teaspoons of green clay powder and raw honey. Apply this mixture to your face avoiding the area around your eyes, Leave this on for 15 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water. Repeat 3 times a week or as needed

Once or twice daily, mix equal parts of lemon juice and water and pat on your face. Allow this application to dry completely then rinse with warn water. Follow with a cool water rinse.

Remember, having oily or acne prone skin isn't a death sentence, with the right combination of products and care you can manage the amount of oil that is visible. One of the great advantages of having oily skin is that it ages at a slower rate that other skin types. Now who doesn't want to look forever young!!

4 Reasons to Use Luxe Essentials Soy Candle

2011-01-27T03:05:00.000-05:00

There are many benefits to burning soy candles instead of a traditional paraffin candles.

Clean burn: Our soy candles are non-toxic and burns cleaner, without heavy petro-chemical soot that paraffin candles leaves behind on walls and in the air.

Long Burning: Our soy candles burns slower and cooler than paraffin wax resulting in a longer burning candle

Renewable resource: Soybeans are a renewable resource unlike paraffin, which is derived from petroleum

Biodegradable: Soybeans are vegetables, therefore they are biodegradable. Also it's much easier to remove soy wax from surfaces than paraffin.

Use our soy candles to create ambiance for a romantic dinner or to simply to freshen up the air of your home or office. Get it while you can, they are available in both lavender and lemongrass scents. We will be discontinuing our current soy candle collections so this will be your last chance to purchase them while supplies last here!

When Winter Is Harsh on the Body.....

2011-01-13T00:46:00.000-05:00

Most of us feel it, the cold winter air making our lips and skin, dry, flaky and cracked. In some cases, you may even experience static prone hair due to dryness. If this sounds like something you are a victim of, no worries, we have natural solutions for you. You may just need adjust your skincare/hair care routine with the seasons when necessary. Below are some tips that will help you winterize your beauty routine.

For cracked, dry lips, try an all-natural organic lip balm with healing, moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil and calendula. Avoid petroleum, petroleum jelly or petrolatum, which are some of the various forms in which petroleum may be listed. Also, stay away from ingredients such as menthol and camphor, which are commonly used because they create a tingly sensation when applied, but they tend to dry out the lips.

For dry, flaky skin, use natural moisturizers with softening ingredients such as coconut and safflower oil. Body butters tend to be heavier and thicker than lotion. You may want to consider switching to a body butter such as Luxe Essentials Lavender Body Butter during the harsh winter months. Another option is to just apply the body butter on especially dry areas such as your elbows, knees and heels. Once you have found a moisturizer, always apply to the skin upon exiting the shower, when your body is still a little damp. The water helps lock in the moisture, which enables your skin to stay softer, longer throughout the day.

If your hair becomes drier during the winter months, try deep conditioning it more frequently than you normally do during the summer months. Ingredients such as olive oil have proven the test of time and has been know for centuries as being and excellent choice for moisturizing the hair. Try a hot oil treatment using olive oil. Let sit on the hair for 20 minutes and rinse and shampoo as needed. Stay away from hair products that contain alcohol because that will only dry out your hair even more. Secondly, winter air also creates static cling. There's nothing more annoying than taking off a sweater or hood to find strands of your hair standing up away from your scalp. A simple solution is to run a dryer sheet over your hair.

So remember, when it comes to moisturizing your skin and hair, look for natural oils and use organic when available. Stay away for ingredients that tend to dry the skin and hair and use dryer sheets to calm static cling.

xoxo,

Luxe Essentials

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2011-01-05T06:30:00.001-05:00

2011 will be an exciting year for Luxe Essentials. We're looking to introduce a brand new look for our website and blog. Launch new products and create new scents of your already favorite existing products. We also hope to see everyone at all of our events that we will be participating in throughout the year. We also plan to continue our "Ingredient of the Week," and discuss topics such that will show you how to dye your hair naturally, the proper method of determining your skin type and ingredients to avoid and so much more. We're looking forward to reading your feedback and comments from all of you. We wish you all a happy and prosperous year!

xoxo,

The Luxe Essentials Team

CLEARANCE SALE!!!

2010-09-28T06:05:00.002-04:00

50% OFF THESE ITEMS!
While supplies last!

Was $20 Now $10

Lavender is great to calm the spirit and ease anxiety

Great for the legs, arms and torso

Makes a great gift for the upcoming holidays

You can moisturize your skin without worrying about harmful toxins

Was $20 Now $10

100% soy wax which burns cleaner

Made with therapeutic essentials oils

Makes a great gift for the upcoming holidays

Available in both lavender and lemongrass

Was $20 Now $10

Winter is around the corner and our skin tend to be drier during the winter months

It's 100% natural and made with organic ingredients, which means it's great for the skin

It works wonders to relieve really dry skin and works great for extra dry regions such as the knees, elbows and feet

Check out our sale here! While supplies last!

WHY CHOOSE ALL NATURAL LUXE ESSENTIALS PRODUCTS?

2010-08-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

WHY BUY OUR BODY BUTTERS?

Winter is around the corner and our skin tend to be drier during the winter months
It's 100% natural and made with organic ingredients, which means it's great for the skin
It works wonders to relieve really dry skin and works great for extra dry regions such as the knees, elbows and feet

3 GREAT FEATURES OF OUR SOY CANDLES

100% soy wax which burns cleaner
Made with therapeutic essentials oils
Comes in a reusable tin jar with a clear lid making it convenient to use while traveling

WHY OUR ALL NATURAL LOTION?

Better for your skin and your overall health
Contains nourishing oils such as safflower and sunflower which will leave your skin soft, beautiful and fragrant
You know exactly what you're putting onto your skin, no questionable ingredients here

DEAR SUMMER!

2010-06-13T20:00:00.003-04:00

One of the biggest skincare issues that arises in the summer is sunburn. I've experienced it and I'm sure many of you who are reading this article has as well. My forehead always end up being the main and sometimes only victim especially after 5-6 winter months of hardly no substantial direct sun rays. Nothing worst than a peeling red two tone forehead during your evening out in an exotic locale. Luckily, I've found some natural solutions to take the sting out of the burn.

PREVENTION

Try natural sunscreens such as the ones found here. Don't know what the SPF numbers mean? SPF 30 means you have 130 minutes of protection before you have to reapply (30 x 10)
Wear sun protective clothing. Floppy hats, sunglasses, white cotton shirts or clothing, beach cover-ups are all great clothing options to keep the sun rays off of your skin.
Stay out of the sun during peak sun hours 10a-2pm

NATURAL SUN BURN SOLUTIONS

Aloe vera: straight from the plant or a gel gently placed directly on the burnt area will provide relief from the burning feeling and help heal the damage
Yogurt: Soak a soft cloth in yogurt and place it over the burn area until it dries. Yogurt contains enzymes and acid that can help the sunburn. You can even add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the yogurt before you apply. This may initially feel uncomfortable but stick with it you will feel relief in a few minutes
Cucumber/Baking Soda: Place cucumber slices on the affected area. Run a warm bath afterwards and add 2 cups of baking soda, soak for 20 minutes. Baking soda will neutralize any possible infections and prevent further irritation and the cucumber will cool and nourish the skin preventing any possible inflammation.
Tea Bags: Prepare a big pot of tea, preferably chamomile, no sugar. Let tea cool and fully immerse a soft cloth in the water and evenly spread the water across affected area. The tannin in the tea will soothe the area and prevent any further damage.
Hydrate: It is important to drink and or apply water to the area. Drinking water will prevent dehydration and allow the skin to recover from the loss of water due to increased body temperature.

Jojoba Oil Does the Body Good!

2010-04-27T10:32:00.000-04:00

I recently visited my friend's mom whom I haven't seen in maybe over a year and is who I consider the ultimate "naturalista" and was one of my first customers. She has fought and won the battle with cancer and has done it the natural way. She has forgone traditional treatment of chemotherapy or radiation and has opted to change her lifestyle through a holistic approach. She has cut out process foods as well as beauty products laden with synthetic ingredients. As I sat down and chatted with my friend's mom I notice how unbelievably smooth and even tone her skin was, no makeup, no nothing. I told her that her skin looked flawless and asked her what she uses on her face? She told me that she used jojoba oil (pronounced ho-HO-bah) to moisturize her face. She went on to share a story about her recent visit to the doctor and when the doctor asked her age, he looked at her chart in shock to confirm it because he said he thought she was 20 years younger. She's a perfect example of putting to practice the motto that I've always believed since the conception of my company which is "nature provides us with everything that we need."

Jojoba oil is a liquid wax which comes from the seed of the jojoba plant, a shrub native to southern Arizona, California and northwestern Mexico. Jojoba oil composition closely resembles the natural sebum within the skin which is what makes it a excellent oil for the skin. It is also non-greasy and anti-flammatory and has a variety of different uses. You don't need to spend lots of money to smooth out wrinkles, moisturize your skin or to bring shine to your tresses. Jojoba is natural, inexpensive and has multiple uses.

USES OF JOJOBA

It's an eye makeup remover - Since jojoba oils is a not an eye irritant nor is it allergenic, it can be used to remove mascara, eyeshadow, lipstick and blush

It's a facial moisturizer - Because jojoba's composition closely resembles that of human sebum our skin easily accepts it without causing a reaction or a break out. If you have oily skin and is afraid of putting oil on you face, no worries, the jojoba oil will help balance the oil production on your face. Use sparingly!

Hair conditioner - Jojoba oil is a great conditioner for frizzy and dry hair. Apply to your hair and let sit with a cap under a dryer for 10 minutes or by itself for 20 minutes. Shampoo and rinse and the results will be beautiful shiny hair.

Body Moisturizer - You can use jojoba oil all over the body before or after a shower. It has a hydrating effect on the skin and will increase blood flow.

You can find jojoba oil in Luxe Essentials' bath and body oils. Click here to view!

SUMMER NATURAL FOOT CARE

2010-04-20T01:19:00.000-04:00

Expose your feet weather a.k.a. summer, is right around the corner, which means time to get those feet sexy sandal ready. If you've neglected your feet all winter, don't fret, we have natural solutions you can do at home to get your feet right.

1) First soak your feet in warm water with about a tablespoon or more of Luxe Essentials Lavender Bath & Body oil for about 5-7 minutes.

2) Take a pumice stone and scrub all the dead skin from the bottom of your feet especially the heel. Don't scrub too vigorously, you don't want to hurt yourself (it helps if this is done by someone else like your significant other, ladies, don't be afraid to put him to work and same goes to you fellas)

3) Dry your feet and massage neem oil into the cuticle and nail bed of your toes. Neem oil stops nails from splintering and peeling. It also moisturizes, nourishes, and heal dry, ragged torn cuticles. Neem oil doesn't have the most pleasant smell but don't be discourage cause it works really well. You can mask the smell by mixing it with lavender or eucalyptus essential oil

4) Apply a generous amount of Luxe Essentials Body Butter on your feet and wrap it with plastic wrap and cover with organic cotton socks and sleep overnight

5) Repeat steps 3 & 4 for a week and you'll see a huge difference in the softness and texture of your feet.

Keep in mind, this is not only just for women, men you can do this as well. You'll be surprise how happy your woman will be! ;-)

TERRACYCLE at Port Authority for Earth Day!

2010-04-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

Port Authority, in the heart of Manhattan was once this dark, seedy place that wasn't attractive nor was it something you wanted to write home about. Today, although you can still find reminance of it's once sketchier days sprinkled here and there, you don't have such a strong desire to get out of there at record breaking speed. This is in part due to the revitalization of the Time Square area in the nineties and part of that continous revival is the pop up stores that make an appearance there every couple of months.

Currently, Terracycle, which is a greenup pop up store, is located there to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. This exhibition area and boutique shop features some of New York's finest green design and fashions. The shop showcases a wide range of green products and services and host exciting weekly events including eco-friendly film, screenings, lectures and DIY events.

I stopped by there today and saw some cool products such as the bottle lamps, a wall clock made out of a vinyl record and purses made out of recycle materials. If you are in the area, and want to check out a cool eco-friendly boutique, stop by and have a looksie. For more information, check out there website here.

-NN

Great find @ Go Green Expo, NYC-BOHO MAGAZINE

2010-03-24T23:51:00.000-04:00

I had the great opportunity to visit the Go Green Expo in NYC this past Friday. It was great to see all of the green beauty, lifestyle and home products available today. I was very impressed by one particular company, a magazine right out of Montclair, New Jersey called Boho. As soon as I laid eyes on this magazine I was drawn in. The look, feel and content of the magazine was something I instantly connected with. For example, it’s the first fashion magazine to use 100% recycled paper, packaging and inks. Boho designed a rating system to help you see how companies are going green. Their rating system is called 'shades of green', an easy to read guide that will show you, by leaf count, just how green something is, or isn't. The more the leaf count the more green a product or service is. When you look through the magazine you'll see how they have rated everything from spas, candles, hair salons and soaps, which has all been featured inside.

I believe, Boho represents the future of what’s to come in the magazine world and I would love to see other publications follow suit. I also had the great opportunity to meet the founder and visionary Gina La Morte, who was very personable and was there on site to greet and meet everyone. You can check out more about Boho magazine here and when you have a chance, pick up the latest issue at your newsstand, you won't be disappointed!

-Nydia

Loved this little article in AMNY

2010-03-22T23:08:00.000-04:00

Seems like "mainstream" media is jumping on the natural bandwagon. I found this article in the AMNewYork. For those of you that are not familiar with it, its a small, free newspaper distributed daily in NYC, usually during rush hour at the entrances of major subway stations. Its a good way of quickly staying abreast of current events while riding the train if you do not have time to read the entire NY Times everyday. This article called " The Hunt for Healthy Beauty" basically gives you a pocket guide to ingredients you should avoid in cosmetics (pocket guide, very New York). Although the natural movement in personal care products has grown in popularity within the past couple of years, so many people are still unaware of some of the harmful ingredients in our everyday products. I typically only see articles like this in publications catering to that audience...ie...Natural Solutions Magazine, Boho magazine, hence why I was a bit shocked but happy when I saw this article. It was reassuring to see something like this in a regular everyday publication. My quest to bring this information to everyone and to provide products that are truly natural & organic has not been in vain.

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID: A POCKET GUIDE

(as shown on the left)

General

Quaternium-15 9 a formaldehyde-releasing preservative)
Fragrance

Eye Makeup

Parabens(methylparaben, ethlyparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben)
Nickel
Cobalt
Chromate

Nail Polish

Tosylamide formaldehyde resin (sometime causes eyelid rashes when people scratch their face)

Face Makeup

D&C red, Nos. 19, 31, 36

Eye cream, lipstick

D&C yellow no.11

Hair dyes

p-phenylenediamine
Toluene-2, 5-diamine
p-aminophenol
Lanolin (a lubricant)
Cocamidopropyl betaine

You have dark spots? We got natural solutions!

2010-03-17T10:52:00.000-04:00

I've received so many questions regarding this topic from women of all walks of life. Everyone wants to know how they can get rid of their dark spots, red spots, and liver spots/age spots. More importantly, how can they do it naturally without breaking their pockets? Before I get into that, lets rewind a bit and understand what these scars are and what causes them. Darker spots on the skin is called hyperpigmentation, which occurs when patches of skin becomes darker than the surrounding normal skin. The sun, inflammation or other skin injuries including those related to acne can cause hyperpigmentation.

Skin is comprised of three major layers; the deepest layer is the hypodermis, the middle layer is the dermis and the outer layer is the epidermis. The epidermis consists of four sub-layers, which is where most scarring occurs. These four layers rejuvenate itself by continually rotating. As the outermost layer of the epidermis ages, it's cells fall away and the layer beneath becomes the outer layer, as a new layer is forming deeper within. This is a natural exfoliation process of healthy skin assuming that there are no obstructions such as excess oil or dead skin cells. Any scars or blemishes that affected only the uppermost layer will fall away with the rest of the skin cells.

DARK SPOTS/RED SPOTS
Dark or red spots are essentially the same thing, hyperpigmentation caused by acne. On fair skin, the scaring tends to show up red to dark brown. On darker skin, the scarring shows up brown to black. They both fade over time but to speed up the process you can use the remedies shown below.

AGE SPOTS/LIVER SPOTS
Unlike dark or red spots, age spots also known as liver spots appear due to sun damage, usually on areas of the body heavily exposed to the sun such as the face, arms, and hands. Age spots usually occur in people over the age of forty due to the fact that the epidermis is slower to rotate itself.

SOLUTIONS

LEMON/LIME JUICE - the acid in the juice of these fruits are known to fade the appearance of dark/red and age spots. Dip the end of a cotton swab in freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice and apply to the spot. Leave on for about 10 minutes and rinse. Do this everyday for a month and you will begin to see a difference.

ALOE VERA JUICE/GEL - this has long been known as a general healing agent for skin problems particularly burns. Many people have also found it to be helpful in reducing the visual appearance of age spots. Simply rub the juice or gel directly onto the areas twice a day and leave it on the skin for at least 45 minutes each time. Within a month you should begin to notice improvements.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR - you have to be careful with apple cider vinegar because it can burn but it is very powerful when it comes to evening out skin complexion problems. Rub some on, very lightly with a cotton ball. The key is to apply lightly first. You want to get a feel of how your skin will respond to it.

PUREE FRUIT - fruit such as pineapple or apple contain ascorbic acid that fades scars and exfoliates the skin. Puree them, apply to affected areas for twenty minutes before rinsing off.

VITAMIN E - Apply pure vitamin E to your scar three to four times a day and you should see results within two weeks.

OLIVE OIL - Massage olive oil on the scarred skin. Olive oil has a moisturizing quality that softens the skin's texture and reduces visibility of scars.

CONSISTENCY - The ultimate ingredient needed to completely remove dark scars is consistency. Hyperpigmentation forms over a series of weeks, layer by layer. To remove it, you need to use your home remedy on a daily basis to remove the scar tissue layer by layer.

SUNBLOCK - The sun will only darken any spots that you have on your skin, so make sure you wear adequate sunblock every day to see improvement.

Remember, everyone's skin is different and you should always do a patch test first before you engage in any remedies. Consult with your doctor first about any suspicious spots to confirm that they are benign.

"Nature provides everything we need"

-NN

HERBS N' TINGS! (said in my Caribbean accent)

2010-03-07T23:15:00.002-05:00

NATURAL SHAMPOO & HAIR DYE

I have been in the lab reformulating old products to better suit your needs and also developing new ones. In my quest to develop new products, I've been researching all kinds of ingredients, from all corners of the world. I happened to stumble on a series Indian herbs which when steeped in hot water becomes a natural shampoo. Who knew??? The three Indian herbs I came across are called shikakai powder (Acacia concinna), Amla power (Emblica officinalis) and aritha powder also known as soapnut (Sapindus laurifolia). I know it all seems strange and foreign but if you have some time and willing to try something different and want to go towards adopting a more natural beauty regiment then you should really consider these natural alternatives. I actually tried the recipe below and my hair came out amazing.

Shikakai powder is from the de-shelled shikakai nuts. Shikakai is referred to as "fruit for the hair." It has a naturally mild pH, and it gently cleans the hair without stripping it of natural oils. It's a great natural hair wash which can be used to control dandruff and for sensitive skin.

Aritha Powder, also known as Soapnut Powder, comes from the fruit of the Soapnut tree. The pulp of the fruit contains a high level of saponins that act as a natural foaming agents. This powder can be used to wash delicate fabrics as well as to wash sensitive skin and hair.

The amla fruit, also known as the Indian gooseberry, comes from a small tree that grows throughout India. It is said to penetrate the scalp and strengthen hair at its root, to stop and reverse abnormal hair loss and to promote stronger, healthier new growth. It is also an excellent conditioning herb.

I realize that everyone can't just private jet it over to India and pick up some of the local fruit so I've found the powdered version of these fruits available for sale at a local India grocery & also online here.

I highly recommend deep conditioning your hair first with natural and then use these powders.

1 tablespoon of shikakai

1 tablespoon of aritha

2 tablespoon of amla

2 cups of water

Bring water to a boil, pour water into a bowl with powders and allow to steep. Once water is cooled strain and use water to wash your hair. Focus on the scalp with your hands and rinse. PLEASE NOTE: This will darken your hair, so if you are oppose having your hair darken then I don't recommend.

The top picture shows my hair right after I had washed it with regular shampoo. As you can see my hair is naturally dark brown with lighter streaks of brown in it. The picture on the bottom is what my hair looked like after using the above recipe. Darker & definitely shinier.

Another Great Read!!!

2010-02-28T16:42:00.007-05:00

Hi everyone,

I had the opportunity to attend the Integrative Healthcare Symposium as a guest, this past Friday and Saturday at the Hilton Hotel in NYC and as typical at any conference, trade shows or expos there is always literature at the entrance and of course throughout the entire show relating to the topic of choice that is being showcased. In this case, it was integrating natural health care solutions with more traditional ones. A kind of east meets west type of symposium for doctors, health care practitioners etc.

One of the most interesting piece of literature that I picked up in relation to what I do was a magazine called Natural Solutions. I've seen this magazine around for quite some time and have even maybe browsed through it at a doctors office or standing in line at the grocery store and have always thought it was a good but for some reason the issue I picked up sparked my interest more than usual and so I decided to share the knowledge with you. Surprisingly, the issue that was up for grab wasn't the latest issue, Sept. 09' but nonetheless, very relevant and informative. What really caught my attention was the article on page 35 called Faux Naturale, which in a nutshell informs readers how to tell which the difference between truly natural beauty care lines and which ones are just "greenwashing."

This magazine, overall, has a plethora of information not only on natural beauty but also on incorporating natural solutions to your health, eating and in almost every aspect of your life. So next time you're at your local bookstore or newsstand, pick up the latest issue of Natural Solutions magazine also check out their website at www.naturalsolutionsmag.com. It will definitely not disappoint.

2010

2010-02-28T15:45:00.003-05:00

Last year was a tough year for businesses big and small including mine. Although it has been a rough patch and I've had to step away from writing on this blog to concentrate on other matters, I realized that I really missed writing my weekly two cents and that 2010 is looking bigger and brighter. For all who are out there you've been following thank you for your support. Know that we will be up and writing again and there will be some exciting changes to Luxe Essentials coming in the near future.

xoxo,

Nydia

Great Read!!

2009-04-12T16:15:00.000-04:00

I happen to stumble upon this book while browsing the beauty section of a prominent book store. The title of course drew me in and as I thumbed through it I found that this could be a very good reference book for learning even more about the natural/organic beauty world. Being the "frugalista" that I am, I didn't pick it up there but instead got it at a discounted price at another notable book store in NYC, I'm on a tight budget and I do whatever it take to stay on it. I say all this to tell you that if you seriously want to learn about harmful ingredients to avoid in your personal care products and to learn how to make some of your own at home this is definitely the book for you. From the moment I picked up this book, I haven't been able to put it down, it has been added to my library of reference books on green beauty. Once you read this book you will not look at your everyday personal care products the same anymore. Julie Gabriel, a lifestyle expert and holistic nutritionist offers advice about how to adopt an all-natural beauty routine that will help you look and feel better, which toxic ingredients to look out for, and how to become a smart green shopper when looking for beauty products as well as which organic gimmicks and tricks to be aware of. What's also great about this book is that the author Julie Gabriel points out products that she thinks are completely bogus green companies and beauty lines that are truly the real thing, if not close, all this is based on her extensive research of course. You can pick up "The Green Beauty Guide" here at Amazon.com or at your local discounted book store.

xoxo,

Nydia

TOP TEN SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS YOU SHOULD AVOID

2009-03-02T19:14:00.002-05:00

1. MINERAL OIL
Is derived from petroleum and is found in everything from lotions to mascara. When applied to the skin it leaves a shiny layer on top of the skin which prevents the skin from breathing

2. SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES
Companies uses hundreds of chemicals to mimic the smell of your favorite flower or dessert treat because it's cheaper. A lot of times these chemicals irritate the skin, cause dizziness, headaches, rashes and hyper pigmentation. Don't use products that use the term "fragrance" instead look for products that uses essential oils.

3. PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Is used as an humectant in creams, suntan lotions, mouthwashes and many more products. In 1992 the FDA proposed a ban on propylene glycol in louse-killing products because it has not been shown to be safe and effective for it's claims. Need I say any more!!!!

4. TRIETHANOLAMINE
Used as a foaming/emulsifier, it is know to be harmful to the body in large amounts. Causes skin & eye irritation, drying hair & skin.

5. IMIDAZOLIDINY UREA
The most commonly used preservative in personal care and is the second most identified cosmetic preservatives causing contact dermatitis according to The American Academy of Dermatology Standards.

6. PHENOXYETHANOL
Another commonly used preservatives that the FDA states can depress the central nervous system as well as cause dermatitis.

7. METHYLPARABEN
If you don't know by now, then you will know now that anything with the word paraben attached to it is usually not good. Parabens are on everyone's radar because of it's ability to mimic the human hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast
cancers. New studies are demonstrating that whole parabens can be found intact in breast tissue and are an endocrine disruptor. Synthetic chemicals such as parabens, like fat, collects in fatty tissue, i.e. breast tissue, which the body can not eliminate.

8. DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)
Often used in cosmetics as emulsifiers and/or foaming agents, they can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and dryness of hair and skin. DEA are "amines" (ammonia compounds) and can form cancer-causing nitrosamines when they come in contact with nitrates. Toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

9. SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE
Used as a water softener, mostly in baby products this ingredient can cause eye and skin irritations and skin rashes

10) DIAZOLIDINYL UREA
Another preservative used in everyday personal care products. It releases formaldehyde when mixed with water which makes the environment less favorable to the microorganisms to grow. Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which provides sufficient evidence that formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Ingredient of the Week

2009-02-12T14:50:00.009-05:00

ROSEHIP OIL ---- "Cosmetic Surgery in a bottle"

From the moment I first read about this little known oil, I knew that I wanted to incorporate it somehow into my products. What impressed me the most about it was the amount of scientific research that has been done on the oil and the very impressive results that has been shown. But before I get into that let me give you a little background info on rosa mosqueta oil, as it's also known as.

BACKGROUND

Rosehip oil is extracted from the hip or fruit of the rose. The hip is the round tomato red fruit that occurs on rose bushes anytime from late summer to autumn. The plant is native to Chile where it grows wild. The oil has been used by the native people of the Andes for centuries.

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES

In 1988, two scientists published their findings on the effects of rosehip oil on three groups of patients over the course of 4 months. The three groups consists of, women with pre-mature aging caused by the sun, scars from surgery and patients who suffered from burns. After each group applied rosehip oil twice daily the results were considerably noticeable. Scars and wrinkles smoothed out, age spots disappeared almost completely and burns improved by 97%. There's also additional studies done that has shown that rosehip oil is great for hair care, especially perm, colored and damaged hair.

QUICK FACTS

Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive
It can be used directly on the skin, dilution not necessary
Can be used on all ages, including babies
It's considered a "dry" oil which means it absorbs easily in the skin, leaving no greasy residue
Has high levels of topical tran-retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, this is what helps with premature aging caused by the sun
Great for burns,scars, wrinkles, age spots and stretch marks (will even help scars that are over 20 years old)

So, before you go under the knife or even laser to get rid of scars or wrinkles, try a bottle of organic rosehip oil first. Take a picture of the area that you want to apply it to and date it, use the rosehip oils twice daily for about months to see results. After four months take a picture of the area again and compare side by side to see the difference, I guarantee that you will not be dissappointed.

xoxo,

Nydia

Ingredient of the Week

2009-02-02T13:19:00.014-05:00

ARGAN OIL

Predicted as being one of the the top ten beauty ingredient to look out for in 2009, this "liquid gold of Morocco," is made from the nut of the Arganic Spinosa tree. This oil is high in Vitamin E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. It is one of the rarest oil in the world due to the small and very specific growing area. Traditionally, the oil is produced by hand by local Berber woman. It is a time consuming task where the pit of the seed is cracked with round rocks. One to three kernels are removed from the pit and the kernels are gently roasted. The roasted kernels are then grounded into a paste with the use of water and then oil is extracted out of the paste.

Moroccan women have been using this oil in their hair, nails and skin. It's high concentrations of vitamin E and linoleic acid makes it ideal for treating scar tissue and reduces active blemishes. It is also known to revitalizes and improves the skin's elasticity, relives symptoms of eczema and psoriasis and reduces redness.

Another great important fact about this oil is that the women are solely responsible for extracting this oil in fairly traded co-ops and because of it's growing popularity, it has helped employ 2 million people. Be on the lookout, this oil could very well be your skin's liquid gold.

Recession-Proof Beauty

2009-01-24T14:36:00.025-05:00

We've read the headlines and have watched the news. The US economy is experiencing an economic downturn which is having a global effect on the world. So whether you are a small town girl or a big city hipster you are in some way or another feeling the squeeze in your wallets. You're cutting your spending, from leisure activities, to clothing, from dinning out to transportation. We here at the Luxe Essentials Blog don't believe that tight wallets should result in forgoing beauty regiments. In fact, this a great time and opportunity to explore natural and organic recipes at home. So instead of spending a week's paycheck at the spa, create your own spa at home. It's inexpensive, effective and better for you. Look around you kitchen, there's plenty of ingredients that you can use to create hand made products. Where do I start, you ask? No worries, I'm here to shed some light. If you have a pretty decently stocked kitchen, then you can probably find at least 6 different ingredients that you can use such as oatmeal, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, brown sugar, avocado or bananas just to name a few. Oatmeal and brown sugar makes great scrubs, olive oil, bananas, and avocados makes great hair and face masks, and lemon juice lightens the skin naturally. You can also look back at my previous posts filled with recipes that you can try as well. Remember, be creative! Here's an example of what you can create!

HYDRATING HONEY MASK

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon honey
1 small avocado
1/2 cup of olive oil

Blend together in a blender until it becomes a paste like consistency and apply to the face and let sit for 30 minutes. Wash the face thoroughly. Smooth skin will result.

F.Y.I

Milk is skin-softening, moisturizing

Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture

Avocado is rich in vitamin A, vitamin K, fiber, folate, vitamin B6,
vitamin C, copper and potassium and have been used in treating a
ton of skin ailments

Olive Oil is high in oleic acid and is a good skin cell regenerator

Recycle & Reuse Luxe's Packaging

2008-08-11T21:54:00.006-04:00

One of the great things that drew me to use the cute little clear lid silver tins that our body butter comes in was the fact that I thought, after our customer was done using the body butter, they could wipe it down with a little water & soap and reuse it for something else. For those of you who stopped by our booth at the Go Green Expo you received an small envelope filled with organic daisy seeds. We had a few of those envelopes left and I decided to try my green thumb and put some tins to use. I had about (6) 16 oz clear lid tins which I turned into planters for my organic daisy seeds. In order to create some drainage, I placed some small rocks at the bottom of the tins. You can pick up a bag of small rocks at a arts & craft store like Michael's for less than $2. I then lightly filled up the tins to about a half an inch from the top with organic dirt from Home Depot. A small bag is less than $5. Then, I made tiny holes in the dirt with my finger or you can use a stick and dropped a few seeds in each hole cover with dirt and water. Place near the sun and wait. After being away from my apartment over the weekend I came back on Monday to see these lovely little plants sprouting from the dirt. I just hope that I can keep this up. We'll see how they look in the upcoming weeks. Remember, you can use these to start planting almost anything. Fresh herbs for kitchen, lavender, sunflowers be creative. You can also use these tins to organize your office medicine cabinets or even your arts and crafts. (see picture above) The idea is to reuse or recycle.

xoxo,

Nydia

The Sun Friend or Foe?

2008-08-06T20:30:00.002-04:00

I recently spent the past week working outdoors for 8 hours under the hot sun. As you can imagine, although I slathered sunscreen on every couples of hours, I still managed to get a deep tan. I don't remember being this dark since my youthful days swimming and playing soccer. (not that I'm complaining) I got to thinking about the sun and how in American culture we're told to avoid it like a plague. As many of you may know, I spent my early childhood living in the Caribbean with my grandmother. A lot of my influences and memories comes from those early childhood years. I remember a culture where the sun, in moderation of course, was good for you. In the Caribbean, I don't necessarily recall anyone necessarily instructing people to go out and burn but the sun and ocean seemed to be viewed by the elders around me, as one of the lifeline of health and elements that bring forth life, basically, "the sun is good for you, good for vitamin E, and good for giving you a nice slight healthy glow." When I arrived stateside suddenly the sun became the enemy, the main causes of skin cancer and wrinkled damaged skin. If you take a look at ancient cultures the sun was an object of veneration. Is there some truth in what the elders and ancient cultures believed? Is the sun rays today alot different than those of an earlier time? Have we fell under the brainwashing of beauty advertisers, media, news outlets who have created an extreme phobia of the sun so they can sell the latest sunblocking formulations? So I decided to research this and see what I could find. Well according to research done by Stanford University, sunlight triggers the synthesis of vitamin D within the body, this action causes immune cells to travel to the outer layers of the skin where they are available to protect and help repair damage such as that caused by sun exposure. I remember, in his late fifties my father suddenly developed psoraisis. The doctor basically told him this was due to the fact that living here in north American spending most of his time indoors therefore he was getting less sun and that he should go back to the Caribbean to get some sun. Was the doctor on to something or should he/she should be shot for giving such advice. Ok, I know what you all are thinking. This doesn't mean that you should just abandon you sunscreen and lather on that suntan lotion and lay out. But I also don't believe that you should walk around thinking that you shouldn't be in the sun at all and avoid contact completely. Believe me, I've met individuals who do that! In moderation, I believe the sun can be good. Keep in mind, what can be considered moderate varies for person to person. You know your skin and what it can tolerate. Do I think the sun in excessive amounts can cause cancer and damage to the skin yes. Do I advocate extreme sun tanning no, but a brisk walk down a block or two on a sunny day once in a while won't kill you, remember know your limitations.

EYE CREAM

2008-07-18T11:21:00.000-04:00

This past week I was frolicking down the street and notice a small store of a moderately popular beauty brand. I wasn't very familiar with the brand so I decided to check out what they were offering. I methodically went through and tried most of their products, checking out the consistency, scent, packaging when I notice that almost every customer that came in after me was asking about an eye cream/serum. When I went home I decided to do some investigation about eye cream and I stumbled upon mixed views. The common questions ask on most websites was do we need a separate moisturizer for around the eyes? Some say yes we do because the skin around the eye is thinner therefore more susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles therefore special attention is needed in those areas. Others say no, it a big scheme by large beauty companies to charge you more for a product that has the same ingredients as a facial creams. I'm a bit undecided. I have friends that swear by eye creams and serums while I have personally never quite felt the need to use them. I would love to hear some of your thoughts! Do you spend extra money on eye creams and serums? Do you really see a difference when you use them or do you just keep things simple and use a facial cream?

Ingredient of the Week

2008-06-04T15:41:00.005-04:00

Ylang-Ylang pronounced (ee-lang ee-lang) is a small flower that grows on the cananga tree. I have to be honest, I was drawn to this flower solely because of it's unusual name. Picture this: I'm on a business call with one of my suppliers inquiring about the essential oil of this flower and of course I have no ideal how to pronounce the name. "Can you include a sample of the "Leeang Leeang" essential oil?" I ask? WRONG, try again! Needless to say I've since figured it out. When I received the small bottle of the sample in the apartment I took a wiff, thought it was nice and tucked it away. Almost a year later, I've brought it out of my stash of samples to take a closer look/smell. Ylang essential oil is described as being floral with hints neroli and jasmine. I liken it to more of smelling like heaven. It's great alone incorporated into a solid perfume or try blending it with clary sage, rosewood, bergamot, vetiver, sandalwood, orange, mandarin.

BEAUTY BY AN MEANS NECESSARY!

2008-05-27T12:53:00.007-04:00

I'm always shocked at the lengths women are willing to go to attain what they think is beautiful. If you look throughout history, it's evident that this is not anything new, from Chinese women binding the feet so that they would remain small to Europeans women wearing corsets to squeeze their waists to a size that is considered desirable. I have also fallen into this trap to attain what is considered beautiful. I've paid to endure the pain of having someone remove hair with wax in places that I'm sure you can imagine, as well as suffered for hours in heels that are clearly uncomfortable but look fabulous, but at what cost? I recently attended an industry trade show looking new & innovative ingredients (natural and/or organic of course) to use in my line of products. As I walked past a booth, I was approached by a woman representing a company that was offering snail extracts. REALLY?? Granted, I'm sure that somewhere on this planet called earth, snails are considered a delicacy and aren't repulsive as they are to us Americans but REALLY, snails? She continues to lists numerous benefits snail extracts has on the skin and entire lines has been created based on this one ingredient. Us Americans are always a step behind when it comes to the latest in skincare so maybe I should keep an open mind. So, tell me as a naturalista would you be interested in having snail extract in your products?

Go Green Expo Success

2008-04-28T00:25:00.004-04:00

Hi,

I want to thank everyone that stopped by our booth at the Go Green Expo. I met a lot of new people as well as old friends. It was great speaking with the customers in person and answering all of their questions and concerns. I met members of the press, special thanks to the guys from Rethos for stopping by. The show was a great success and along with the launch of our new 100% percent all natural lotion. Right now the lotion is available in two scents, lavender and lemongrass and will be available for sale on our website soon. Check out this clip!

xoxo,

Nydia

Go Green with Luxe Essentials

2008-03-03T16:05:00.004-05:00

Hi Naturalistas,

Join Luxe Essentials at the Go Green Expo on April 26 -27th at the Hilton New York Hotel located on 6th Avenue at 53rd St. We will have our premier product line of body butters, salts and oils available for purchase in three scents-- lavender, orange and lemongrass. We will also be launching new products such as body scrubs, 100% natural lotions, soy candles, gift sets and soaps. Here's your chance to try and purchase all of our products and ask me any questions you may have regarding labels, ingredients and packaging. Come out with the family, spend the day and find out how you and your family can treat the world and your body better. Make sure you stop by booth # 123.

xoxo

Nydia

FIGHT THE WINTER BLUES WITH LEMONGRASS

2008-02-26T00:03:00.020-05:00

As February comes to an end and March has sprung forth, Jack Frost continues to blow down upon us with blistering cold dry air, rain, snow and gray skies. I find myself wondering if winter is ever going to be over and fantasizing about being bikini clad on the beach of a far away tropical location. "Ding" The elevator door opens. I walk through the lobby, through the double doors of my apartment building to face 28 degree weather (Fahrenheit that is, for my international readers) not to mention that I'm padded up with two layers of clothing on my lower half and 3 layers of on the top, along with a mid-calf length coat, gloves, hat, scarf and hood. How's my future husband suppose to find me under all those clothes? I slowly find myself slipping into a deep dark abyss called the winter blues, should I add Evanescence & Sarah McLaughlin songs to my Ipod playlist to set the mood? Okay, maybe that last line was a bit melodramatic but hey, I got the point across right. Anyhoo, I decided to take control of my emotions and just because it's grey outside doesn't mean that I have to feel blue on the inside.

I've enlisted the wonderful power of a relaxing bath combined with lemongrass essential oil to my rescue. Lemongrass is known to uplift and balance the spirit so I thought it would be a perfect match. It also has antiviral and anti-fungal properties. I poured about 2 tablespoon of Luxe Essentials' organic lemongrass bath and body oil into a hot steamy bath. The essential oils is mixed with a combination of organic safflower and jojoba oil. I sunk down as deep as I could in the tub, making sure that I take deep breaths, and once again, I was on that bright and sunny beach, palm trees swaying and listening to the crash of the gentle waves. The citrus scent of the lemongrass essential oil always reminds me of summer and eating tangerines and oranges in my backyard as a child. After about 45 minutes of soaking in the tub, I am feeling re-energized and my spirits are uplifted.

Typically when people think of lemongrass they think of Thai cuisine but there's also this lovely essential oil that is distilled from it that can be used for soaps, lotions, and bath oils. It smells just like the name lemon + grass and has quickly become a favorite amongst Luxe Essentials' customer base. You can purchase a small bottle of organic lemongrass oil at your local natural food store, add about 20+ drops to your own combination of oils or unscented lotion. Mix thoroughly and in minutes, you've created a great product that will help you find the sunshine on a not so sunny day. If you are short on time, you can purchase Luxe Essentials organic bath & body oil here, to use instead.

Caution: You should always dilute lemongrass essential oil in a carrier oil such as olive, jojoba or safflower because it can cause skin irritation if used directly on the skin.

I'M BACK!

2008-02-12T16:45:00.004-05:00

Hi fellow Naturalistas,

I know I've been missing in action. I've been working on some new things big and small. I promise not to leaving you guys for such a long period of time again. So, what have I been working on you ask? Well, ask no more! Luxe Essentials will be exhibiting at the Go Green Expo right here in NYC. Here's your chance to purchase our fabulous body butters, oils & salts. We will also be introducing new products at the show as well. I've been developing those as well too. Stay tuned for more info!

xoxo

Nydia

Winter Dry Hair

2008-01-20T14:46:00.000-05:00

When I think of winter, I automatically thing of only dry skin. Many fail to realize that during the winter your hair can suffer from the same problems your skin does. Lately, my hair seemed extra dry & brittle. What does a woman like me do for her winter dry hair blues? Well, I've read a lot about avocado, avocado butter & oil and how good it is for the hair. I finally decided to try one of those hair mask that I'm sure that everyone has heard of. If you're truly out of the loop then let me explain. A hair mask is similar to a mask that you would put on your face except the ingredients benefits the hair. I guess you could say that's it's a fancy name for a deep conditioner. There's many different ingredients you can use in a hair mask so be creative. There are many ingredients from your kitchen cupboard that proves to be good for the hair such as eggs, mayonnaise, olive oil, avocado, banana, lemon juice and vinegar. I decided to stick to an avocado base formula so I went with a coconut avocado hair mask. This is a basic formula that I tried without a blender. I recommend using a blender, mashing avocado with a fork doesn't quite do the job.

First start with a small organic avocado cut in half and place in a blender then add about a half a cup of organic coconut oil and a half of an organic banana. Blend until all smooth and apply to head after shampoo. You can place a shower cap on your head to prevent spillage and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse out and shampoo if necessary. I keep the shampoo rinse to a bare minimal because I like to keep some of the oil from the mask in my hair. If you don't need that much oil in you hair then you may want to shampoo thoroughly. Keep in mind that this hair mask can be used for ALL hair types.

Benefits of Each Ingredients

Avocado - This highly therapeutic oil is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B5 (Panthothenic acid), Vitamin D, E, minerals, protein, lecithin and fatty acids, because of these vitamins and minerals it makes it a good condition for hair & skin.

Coconut Oil - Great as a light moisturizer on the skin and hair, helps assist in the prevention of liver spots and other blemishes caused by aging and over exposure to sunlight

Banana - Bananas contain tryptophan, a rich amino acid that is known to be extremely beneficial for hair and skin. They also contain lots of potassium which adds super softening properties to the hair shaft. All these ingredients improves the natural elasticity of the hair and prevents split ends.

Fragrance Oil vs Essential Oils

2008-01-14T22:40:00.000-05:00

I've done many shows exhibiting my line of products to customers from all over. Many will say to me "oh I'm allergic to lavender." I'm always curious wondering if they are actually allergic to lavender essential oil or lavender fragrance oils and trust me there's a huge difference. Many fail to realize that most products use lavender fragrance not essential oil of lavender. What's the difference you ask, well essentials oils are distilled from the bark, root, leaves and other materials of a plant, scrub or tree, simply put, its from nature. Also, essentials oils are used for aromatherapy because of their therapeutic and healing properties. A product that has a "lavender fragrance" or "parfum" is a scent created in a lab using sometimes up to 100+ chemicals to try to mimic the smell of lavender or whatever scent that is chosen to emulate. (strawberries, vanilla, mango etc.) Fragrance or parfum is a lot cheaper that essential oils and they can be used to create scents that nature can't create such as strawberry & mango but they don't have any therapeutic or healing properties as essentials oils does and many cause allergic reactions, headaches and skin irritation.

When reading the labels of products to see whether it's made from a natural scent or a synthetic one, there are key words that you must look for. If a product is using a synthetic scent it's usually listed as "perfume", "parfume" or "fragrance." Naturally scented products usually lists the name of the essential oils being used, for example, lavender essential oil, geranium essential oil, etc. Sometimes companies use both fragrance oils and essentials oils and in that case, both would be listed.

Once you begin to smell the difference between natural & synthetic scents you'll notice a huge difference between the scents. I'm always shocked at the difference between the smell of real lavender & the fake one. Sometimes the scents are so completely different I wonder how companies get away with calling the fake version lavender. The downfall (if you would want to call it a downfall) of choosing products using essentials oils is that you may have to give up your favorite synthetic smell like "Black Raspberry" and "Fun Frosted Cranberry" only because there isn't an essential oil for cranberry, coconut or raspberry but on the flip side of that you may find yourself discovering new scents like the essential oil of lemongrass, bergamot, grapefruit & peppermint instead.

The next time you think you may be allergic to a particular scent or you feel like the smell of a product is giving you a headache, flip it over and read the ingredients, it's probably made with a synthetic fragrance.

Happy New Year

2008-01-03T22:02:00.001-05:00

Top 5 New Year Beauty Resolution

I will wash my face every night (all the oil & soot that accumulates on your skin all day should not sit an additional 8 hrs on your face)
I will get 6-8 hours of sleep a night.
I will treat myself to at least 1 bath a week (along with my regular showers of course)
I will stop using and abusing my hair (more deep conditioners and less heat)
I will laugh until I cry at least once a week

It's a new year, make good use of it, life is short & precious and take a closer step towards natural & organic beauty regimes, your skin, hair & body will appreciate it.

LUXE INGREDIENT OF THE WEEK

2007-12-02T23:24:00.000-05:00

Eau D' Eucalyptus

What do you do when friends from out of town is coming to visit and you're feeling all the symptoms of a cold coming on? That was me, when my bff and her boyfriend were coming to NYC from New Jersey via North Carolina & of course I had to play host. That morning I was in bed with a stuffy nose, groggy & and a nasty cough that sounded like I was coughing up a lung. The right one to be more specific. I had roughly two hours to get myself together and not look like death & also to disinfect my apartment. I hacked and coughed into the night spreading all my glorious germs around my studio apartment. Once I got the phone call, "we're boarding the train, we'll be at Penn Station in a hour & a half," ok, I say & hung up. I quickly remember a bottle of eucalyptus essential oil that I had purchase a while back. I decided to turn my bathroom into a make shift sauna. I ran the shower hot & slowly filled up my bath tub. I added about a teaspoon or so and let my bathroom fill up with steam closing the door behind me. After about 3 minutes I stepped back into my bathroom closing the door behind me and inhaled. Wow! My nasal passages aren't block. Within a few seconds of being inside my bathroom, I felt a thousand times better. After soaking in my bath for 20 minutes I felt well enough to be an energetic host to my guests. I say all this to demonstrate the power of essential oils and to grandma's old fashion remedies. All the over the counter medicine didn't seem to match up with what my eucalyptus oil did for me that day. After bathing, I realize that I didn't have any Lysol disinfectant spray left. I decided to make my own disinfectant spray using the same oil I use in the bath. A mixture of eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle filled with water and "BAM" just like that you have a disinfectant spray that I used on my door knobs, light switches, futon, pillows and also to freshen up the air. In about an hours time, I felt as good as 95% and my apartment transformed from germ infested to smelling and looking fresh & clean. My friends and I enjoyed a day & evening out on the town, a ride on the Staten Island ferry to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, dinner and some shopping at the Bryant Park Holiday market rounded out a fabulous day.

Uses of Eucalyptus Essential Oils

1) Add a few drops of oil to hot water and pour into a bowl. Drape a towel over your head & inhale the steam. If you're feeling congested, groggy or suffering from a stuffy nose, the steam from this oil will instantaneously clear it all up.

2) Use as a natural disinfectant, a great natural alternative from the usual store brought kind. Fill a spray bottle with distilled water and a teaspoon of oil. Use to disinfect the air in a room and or on popular breeding grounds for germs & bacteria such as door knobs, handles of cabinet drawers, refrigerator, remote control...etc. Remember just a few spritz will do the trick.

3) The strong germicidal effects of the eucalyptus oil can help heal wounds, burns ulcers, insect bites or stings. Place a few drops on the dressing before covering up the area.

4) To help with dandruff add 10 drops of oil to your shampoo. Massage deep into the scalp, wait 15 minutes & rinse with warm water.

READING LABELS PT. 2

2007-11-10T17:20:00.000-05:00

A great tip to know about reading labels is that all ingredients are listed from the greatest amount to the least. For example, on the label on the left, the first ingredient listed is shea butter. This means that a larger portion of this product's formula is comprised of it. If you look at the bottom of the list vitamin E is listed last. This means typically a small amount of this formulation is made up of vitamin E. When reading labels of natural and organic personal care products, plant or soy based ingredients should be on the top of the list. If the first ingredient is a synthetic one, then you might want to put it down and search for something else. If water is the first ingredient, which it usually is, then you want to look at what ingredients directly follows. A general rule is that is should be soy or plant based.

Another great tip to know about reading labels is that manufacturers usually list two names for the same ingredient. Certain ingredients may be known as one name in one region or country and another somewhere else. Since the INCI name or Latin name is universal, it is used first and then the common or English name afterwards. For example, the INCI name for shea butter is butyrosperum parkii. This is done to prevent any confusion.

A great resource to use as a reference about ingredients used in the personal care industry is a book called "A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients" by Ruth Winters. In this reference guide, Winters covers what seems like every ingredient used in the personal care industry, what they are derived from and its uses and adverse effects. It's all listed alphabetically making it very user friend. In my local library it's considered a reference book so you can't take it out but it's also listed at a very inexpensive price on amazon.com. This book has been a mainstay on my bookshelf and I continue to use it as a reference guide often.

READING LABELS PT. 1

2007-10-28T16:34:00.000-04:00

Understanding What You Are Purchasing

If you been a frequent reader of my blog, you know that I like to encourage natural beauty products and regiments. I like to give tips on how you can make your own products at home and highlight the benefits of ingredients that I use on myself. I encourage readers to take time out of their very busy schedule to indulge, relax and luxuriate. For those who don't take the time out to make their own home beauty remedies but instead opt to buy natural & organic personal care products such as lotions, creams, lip balms and hair products, disciphering what's natural or organic can be confusing. Reading labels can be daunting and unless you're an expert in the field then you don't quite know what is what. For example, what does natural or organic really mean? What are parabens or petroleum by-products? If you've pondered over those same questions while standing in the personal care aisle at your local Wholefoods or local natural food store, then ponder no more. Hopefully by the time you finish reading this two part series you'll have better insight on what you're purchasing.

WHAT IS NATURAL & ORGANIC?

Unfortunately, there isn't any definite rule in the personal care industry that defines what can be considered natural. On the other hand, the USDA has laid our definitive rules for what products can be label organic. In order to be labeled 100% organic a product must have 100% organic ingredients including added water and salt. You may also sometimes see labels that says "organic" or "made with organic ingredients" and those usually have 70% or 95% organic ingredients respectively. Regarding the term "natural," well, don't be fool. The term "natural" can be applied to almost anything. Typically, manufacturers will have a small percentage of a natural ingredient in a product with the remaining amount containing synthetic ingredients.

PARABENS & PETROLEUM BY-PRODUCTS

Parabens--methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl are the most commonly used preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products. The US Environment Protection Agency has reported that these chemicals displayed estrogenic activity in several test. In plain English, these chemicals mimic your body´s own hormones and can have endocrine-disrupting action when they are rubbed into your body or washed down the drain into your drinking water. These disruptors interfere with your body´s endocrine system: your hypothalamus, your ovaries, your thyroid—virtually every system in your body. The EPA also stated that "continual introduction of these benzoates (parabens) into sewage treatment systems and directly to recreational waters from the skin leads to the question of risk to aquatic organisms." Scientists in Europe found other endocrine-disrupting body care chemicals in the bodies of fish that humans are eating, and in human breast milk. Hmm, considering that your skin absorbs 60% of what you put on it, this information sound less than appealing.

Petroleum by-products and mineral oils are prized ingredients in the personal care industry, it acts like a great emollient in lotions and creams. It is the by-product of crude oil and it's cheap and readily available. When applied to the skin petroleum, mineral oil create a barrier on the skin that prevents the skin to eliminate toxins out of the body and over time can clog pores. I know some of us have been brought up on that infamous jar of Vaseline but sorry to say but that also falls into the category of petroleum-by products.

Rules to Remember

Just because a product line says it's natural or organic on the front doesn't really mean it is, flip it over and read the ingredient list.
Look for products that says it's paraben and petroleum free.
Parabens names are usually come with the following prefixes methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl (ex. propylparabens)
If you don't know what a particular ingredient is, don't be afraid to look it up on the internet

SHECKY'S BEAUTY NIGHT OUT

2007-10-21T15:19:00.000-04:00

Visit our booth at
Shecky’s Beauty Night Out!

I will be participating in my first event in New York City. I can't think of a better venue to introduce Luxe Essentials than at Shecky's. My girlfriends and I attended a few years ago when my company was just an idea on paper and had a fabulous time. It's inexpensive and a great way to spend time with your BFF's after work. It's $30 with a giftbag or $10 without. The giftbag, I must say is great. It's not the small little paper giftbag that you normally receive at Fashion Week but instead it's a nice size cloth-like bag stuffed with fabulous goodies. There's free liquor, music, manicures, makeup, and you can shop till your heart content. There will be vendors of all kinds selling everything from beauty products to jewelry to clothes. If you're already attending make sure you stop by our booth with all of our products available for sale. There will also be a Luxe Essentials Shecky's discount that you won't able to get online or anywhere else, also for you beautynistas there will be an extra surprise at the booth. If you don't live in the NYC area, be sure to check out Shecky's website, they may have an upcoming event in your city. I'm looking forward to see you fashionistas, beautynistas and naturalistas there.

SHECKY'S BEAUTY NIGHT OUT
DATE: OCT. 24-25
LOCATION: LOFT 11
336 W. 37th St., 11th Fl. (8th & 9th Aves.)
NYC
TIME: 5PM-10P

LUXE INGREDIENT OF THE WEEK

2007-10-12T00:48:00.000-04:00

HIMALAYAN PINK SALT

It's undeniable that Dead Sea Salt is the most therapeutic salt in the world, but there is a beautiful rock salt that has been growing in popularity amongst spa insiders within the last couple of years. This 250 million year old salt, whose color ranges from deep red, pink to white, indicates 84 trace elements and iron. Known for it healing properties, Himalayan salt is used to relax the mind, heal the body, stimulate circulation, lower blood pressure and to draw toxins out of the body.

Benefits from using Himalayan Pink

Re-mineralizing the body with 84 minerals and trace elements essential to health
Replenishing electrolytes
Balancing the body's pH
Improving respiratory, circulatory, organ, connectivity tissue and nervous system functions.
Assisting in the cellular absorption of nutrients

Externally, a brine bath is recommended for detoxification, to strengthen the immune system, heal skin diseases, for rheumatism and joint diseases, to balance the skin’s pH, and for recovery after surgery. In order receive the full benefit of a therapeutic salt bath, it is recommended to use 1-2 pounds of salt per bath, and make sure that the water temperature is around 97 degrees Fahrenheit to mimic the body’s temperature. Soak for 20-30 minutes.

Facial steams are recommended for those with asthma, bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections, and for all acute, chronic, and specific illnesses of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Simply boil water, add salt to water, cover your head with a towel to create a “tent”, and inhale the vapors for 10-15 minutes.

Poultices made with the brine are used to treat open wounds, and pain from arthritis, gout and osteoporosis. Simply soak a cloth with body temperature brine, and apply the cloth to the treatment area. Wrap this poultice with a dry cloth.

When I came across Himalayan Pink Salt, 3 years ago, I just knew I had to incorporate it into my bath and body care line. Chucks of this rock salt is even being fashioned into lamps which is said to work as an air purifier by emitting negative ions into the air. My version of this beautiful salt comes unscented as a bath salt in a 16 oz silver can with a clear lid available at www.luxeessentials.com/page/page/3254009.htm

SPIRIT OF CHANGE EXPO IN STURBRIDGE, MASS.

2007-10-06T01:13:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I exhibited in the Spirit of Change Holistic Expo in Sturbridge, Ma. Spirit of change is a New England holistic magazine that was celebrating its 20th anniversary this past weekend. The magazine offers articles and information about all things holistic, such as yoga, Reiki, ayurveda, numerology and many more. It was a great experience. I set up my table in the cutest way imaginable, with my banner, products and samples. I'm pretty proud considering I travelled by myself and set up, manned and broke down my table for the two day event. I met other incredible vendors and new customers. Sturbridge, Massachusettes, is this quaint little town right across the border from Connecticut. It has a historic feel to it, with antique stores, and lots of history behind it. It was great to get out of the busy city and to get a chance to interact with customers in person and to network. Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table, made a purchase and offered words of encouragement. You can check out Spirit of Change Magazine online at www.spiritofchange.org

Luxurious Bath Recipes to Try

2007-08-20T18:04:00.000-04:00

Have you naturalistas been keeping up with your beauty regime? Well, I have and honestly I forgot how much that me time is needed. I pulled out old CD's while I soaked in the tub; Sade, John B, Kenny G. Yeah, I know. I'm showing my age. Nonetheless, my one bath a week instead of a shower was well deserved and I was able to try some fabulous natural bath recipes that I know you will enjoy as well. Most of the recipes are fun and easy to make. You can find most ingredients in your local natural health food store. If you can't find organic ingredients, no worries, the tradition version will do.

Lovely Lavender Bath Tea

Ingredients:

1 cup of organic lavender buds
1 cup of powdered milk
1 cup of colloidal oatmeal
1 cup of wheat bran
1 3 x 4 organza bag
10 drops of organic lavender essential oil

Mix all ingredients in a bowl adding the EO oil last. Scoop into the organza bag and place the remaining amount in a seal container for further use. Place filled organza bag into bath tub and let simmer. Finally, climb in and luxuriate.

Pink Himalayan Heaven

Ingredients:

3 cups of Himalayan Pink Salt
2 cups of pink organic rose petals
1/2 cup of organic apricot oil
10 drops of organic Ylang Ylang essentials oil

Slowly heat apricot oil with 2 1/2 cups of rose petals in a double boiler until roses emits their fragrance. Strain petals, add salt and EO. Pour into bath tub & sprinkle remaining petals into the bath. Climb in and relax your troubles away!

"Take a Bath Day"

2007-08-10T01:06:00.000-04:00

I remember when I first moved into my pint size NYC apartment, the ironic thing about it was that the bathroom was huge (small apt. huge bathroom, go figure) I was stoked though, I was just glad to be in NYC. It wasn't the French tub that I envisioned having someday, but it was just what I needed to use as a sanctuary after fighting through the daily urban jungle that is New York City. I decorated my bathroom in a way that I thought would be like a refuge for me and always had in arms reach the collection of bath & body products I've acquired throughout the years; bath salts, bubble bath, candles, oils etc. I remembered promising myself to take one day out of the week to take a bath instead of my normal, sometimes quick, showers. Well, that idea work for about the first 6-8 months, but as my life got busier and my bathroom got filled with more products, my once a week bath has turned into a once in a blue moon occurrence. SSSSad! Everyone needs that ME time, whether it's getting the mani & pedi you so deserve or spending a day at the spa, needless to say, we should indulge. This week I decided to resurrect "Take a Bath Day." Here are the requirements.

It occurs at least once a week. (What you do concerning your bathing practices during the other times of the week is your business! ;-)
You must soak for at least 30-45 mins.
The bath & body care products you have in a basket as decoration, USE IT! It was given to you to be used.
No distraction! No watching TV, talking on the phone, sending texts out via blackberry, sidekick etc.
Music is allowed only if it's calming and played softly. (That’s right, no Nickleback or Rhianna)
You must add at least one or more ingredients to your bath, oils, salts, bath teas, bubble bath, whatever works for you.
It is an absolute must for you to enjoy, forget about the world and your troubles and enjoy you.

Next week, I will continue with this bath series and give you a little history on bathing and some ingredients and recipes you can use. Stay tuned!

LXE INGREDIENT OF THE WEEK

2007-07-26T09:14:00.000-04:00

VANILLA

I think I've been in love with vanilla for as long as I can remember; vanilla ice cream, sandwich cookies with vanilla cream in the middle, vanilla yogurt, vanilla wafers and the list goes on. It shouldn't be a surprise that I'm dying to incorporate it into my line of bath and body care product line one way or another. (It's in development as I write!) The more research I've done, the more I've gotten intrigued by this lovely scent, where it came from and it's history. Well, in my research, I've come up with interesting tidbits about vanilla that I thought would be a great read for you naturalistas. Vanilla beans come from a plant which is an orchid (go figure, I love orchids) that originates in Mexico. It produces a bean that looks similar to a string bean but is longer, brownish to black and shinier. Inside the bean have very tiny black seeds, which are usually the black specks you see in vanilla ice cream. The vanilla orchid has mutated into 150 varieties but only 2 are used commercially, Tahitian and bourbon. Vanilla beans are the most labor-intensive crop to cultivate which is why it's so expensive. This is also why the food and personal care industries prefer to use synthetic, cheaper versions. When we think of vanilla we associate it with using it for culinary purposes but it is very popular within personal care products. According to the National Candle Association vanilla based scents have been the most popular scent for the past decade in America. Vanilla is also the most universal scent, meaning it's appeal and popularity transcends different cultures and countries worldwide. From as far back as of the time of the Aztecs, vanilla was considered as an aphrodisiac. Typically, I usually stay away from food-like scents when it comes to personal care products, (that's just my preference) but I'm a sucker for vanilla and maybe that's why. My first moisturizer from a popular bath and body care product line was from their warm vanilla sugar collection. I remember wearing that moisturizer all the time during my college years and always being complimented on how I smelled. It was never a strong scent but was just enough to tease your senses.

Besides just smelling good and possibly being an aphrodisiac, there aren’t any traditional therapeutic properties within the vanilla scent as you may find with essentials oils. The scent of vanilla does instantly put a smile on my face, and for me isn't that therapeutic enough?

New products made with natural vanilla scent will be coming out soon! Stay on the lookout.

CHEMICALS IN A JAR

2007-06-10T16:02:00.001-04:00

I was home on a lazy Sunday afternoon flipping through the channels on the television only to land on one of thoses popular home shopping channels. I ususally don't watch those channels at all, not because I have anything against them but it's just not something I normally do. On this particular day, this channel caught my attention because of the beauty brand they were trying to sell. I remember recently reading about how the brand got started and eventually how it catapulted into success, so I was interested to see what they were offering on this shopping channel. To my dismay, there was were two women selling this microabrasion kit. Basically, a chemical peel in a bottle. First, the annoucers started putting this yellow paste on the back of her arm that looks like mustard and afterwards adds this liquid solution to it that I assume activates the paste so some sort of chemical reaction can occur. The annoucer goes on to say that there's this warming sensation on the hand that you should feel and in the meantime, throwing out names of chemicals, proteins and other ingredients that this is made of that's suppose to help peel back the old layers of the skin to show new shinnier skin. During this entire demonstration my friend and I are looking at this in disgust. I know, I know, you're probabably thinking "oh well these products are tested before they are put out on the market." Indeed, that is true but still remember that this is not a regulated industry. Did I mention my friend is a guy who knows nothing about beauty regiments of women and he was just as disgusted as I was. Afterwards, they showed a female model apply this to her face as well. My male friend stated the same sentiments I was thinking, "she doesn't know what chemicals she's putting on her face," "I wouldn't put that on my face!" I thought that was funny, that this comes from a male, who's not by any means anywhere affiliated with beauty products to find these things disgusting. By no means do I want to bash anyone that uses these products. I'm not saying that I'm totally free of products that are synthetic but the more this business grows and the more that I become involved with it the more I'm moving towards a direction of an organic, natural lifestyle. It's not going to happen overnight but if I can afford it I'll do it. Ladies, I posted a blog not too long ago where you can acheive the same rewards of this chemical peel with sand from a beach. That's right, I said "sand from a beach. "Don't get caught up in the hype, think twice before you douse your skin with something that's going to cause a chemical reaction on your skin and remember nature provides everything that we need."

SHEDDING YOUR WINTER SKIN!

2007-06-10T10:44:00.000-04:00

I recently attempted to create a new lotion formulation in my apartment. I ended up with this ultra light cream instead. It wasn't quiet what I was aiming for, but sometimes when life gives you lemons you have to make lemonade with it. I wasn't going to throw it away, so I threw it in a jar and decided to give it a try. There was something about this cream's texture I loved, and although it was light it did just a good of a job moisturizing my skin as it's heavier counterparts. (ie..Luxe Essentials body butter.) Shocking! I've been using it ever since and oohhh, I'm in love. Normally, with my Sahara desert dry skin nothing light ever, ever works. I can only attribute it to two things, it's either, I made a darn good lotion/creme or that during the summer months my skin isn't as dry. I think it's both! Expect to see a new cream released by late summer from Luxe Essentials, it's already in development and I'm excited. I say all this because it got me thinking, just like we change our clothes for the season, we should change our skin regiment.

Ok, so summer doesn't officially start until June 21st, but we've already had a taste of what to expect with the 80-90 degree temperature that we've been getting. What does that mean for us skincarenistas? Well, for one, if your skin is usually dry then typically it isn't as dry during the summer. If your skin is oily, during the summer months, it may become even oilier. For these reasons, we should go lighter with our moisturizers. I usually don't change my beauty regiment but after using my cream/lotion, I realized that maybe I should and my skin doesn't need such an overdose of moisture. I also apply this concept to my hair as well. I have a dry curly fro thing going on with my hair that constantly needs to be kept moisturize. During the winter months, I used a heavier creme base moisturizer and as of late, I've slowly switch over to just using an oil, coconut oil from St. Lucia, to be more specific and it works great.

3 Rules To Remember

Go lighter with your moisturizer! Your skin typically isn't as dry or if it's naturally oily it may become oilier.
Go lighter with your hair care products! Your hair typically isn't as dry either.
Please, Please don't forget your sunscreen! I'm from the Caribbean and we tend to believe that a little bit of sun is okay, it can help your body process vitamin D so it can help keep your bones strong. Just 10 minutes of outdoor light each day is enough to do the trick. This doesn't mean to sit and fry under the sun, moderation is the key here!

Sand Isn't Just For Castles

2007-05-16T17:50:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know I've been missing, gone, like ghost. Well, I had to take an impromptu trip to St. Lucia again this year, but this time it was for an unfortunate event. A close friend of mine past away so I rushed, did I stress rushed, I mean, I brought my plane ticket at 2am and had to be at the airport at 3:30am rush to make the funeral. Amongst my sadness and state of disbelief in the sudden death, I manage to spend one day at the beach which turned out to be more of a time to reflect than to enjoy fun n' sun. Well, while at the beach my friend, Rene, offered to give me a sand scrub. After refusing twice, I finally gave in. Why not, he's a professional masseuse so he should know what he's doing. Well, for those of you who don't frequent the beach or maybe you do but just never thought about it, the sand isn't just for building sand castles. The beach, preferably a clean one, is a great resource of nature's natural exfoliant, sand. Black, white, pink it doesn't matter as long as it's clean sand. I can't think of a better more natural way of getting rid of dead skin allowing smooth, shiny healthy skin to show than with a sand scrub done directly on the beach.

Giving yourself a sand scrub is something you could do with your kids or with another friend or by yourself. I take the wet sand and spread it all over my body usually starting with my feet first and work my way up. If I feel like the sand is too rough on my skin I will add more water so that it won't feel so coarse, it's all your own preference. Rub the sand in circular motions on the skin. Take your time on each part of your body, give each section special attention and apply pressure as needed. Don't forget the especially rougher, drier regions such as the elbows and knees. I know I tend to have drier skin on my elbows and wow what a difference this scrub makes. In the process of doing this don't rinse off. If you have someone with you have him or her do your back especially if you suffer from what I call bacne (acne on the back). If you don't have super sensitive skin I also suggest doing your face as well. My girlfriends swear that a scrub from the beach on their faces removes all blackheads, whiteheads and helps bring out ingrown hairs. My right elbow, which is particularly rough, felt smoother than it had in years. If you have dry skin on your feet you can focus on that. Once you felt that you've covered everywhere and you look like a kid in a sandbox stand up and run, walk, or dive in the water and rinse off. That's it! You're done! That simply, yet very effective, expect to see smoother, silkier skin when you dry off. Oh yeah! Don't forget your sunscreen!

In loving memory of Sheldon Emmanuel Jarvis Elibox! You will be missed dearly!

COCOO FOR COCONUTS

2007-04-17T04:47:00.000-04:00

With all the grey weather we’ve been receiving here on the east coast for the past two days, I have to admit that I’ve been feeling a bit grey and sluggish myself. In my attempt to bring some sunshine to an otherwise gloomy rainy day, I decided to take some time out to pamper myself. This of course includes washing my hair, giving myself a manicure & a pedicure, apply a facial mask, light some candles and run a bath. On my recent trip to St. Lucia (located in the Caribbean) to visit my family, my aunt gave me a bottle of coconut oil. This local coconut oil is nothing like the refined version that you would normally find stateside. It has a strong nutty scent and is anywhere from a light to deep golden color. This was made by hand, probably using the method I remember my grandmother using as a child. This involves grating the fresh coconut, extracting the coconut milk, and then letting the coconut milk stand in a covered bucket for about 24 hours. After 24-36 hours, the oil naturally separates from the water producing an oil that retains the full scent and taste of coconuts. You can’t get any more natural than that. No additives, preservatives or fillers. I decided that I would use this special oil as a hot oil treatment for my hair. As usual, I shampooed my hair and afterwards heated about 1 ½ oz of oil and pour onto my scalp and hair and threw on a shower cap and sat for 20 minutes. I hopped back into the shower and rinse my hair with a small amount of shampoo. I must say that this oil did wonders. My hair not only came out softer and shinier than when I use my normal deep conditioner, but the coconut oil left my hair smelling wonderful.

LXE TOP 5 WAYS TO USE COCONUT OIL

1. Use alone as a light moisturizer for the skin, especially during the summer.
2. Apply as cuticle oil on brittle nails including toenails.
3. Infuse with your favorite scented herbs or flowers and use as a sensual massage oil.
4. Add to your bath as a bath oil to soften dry skin.
5. Put in a spray bottle and spray on your hair as a moisturizer or just to add sheen.

WHAT'S UP WITH ALL THE NAME CALLING?

2007-04-16T19:13:00.000-04:00

It has come to my attention that everyone is commenting about the title of my previous entry, which is quite understandable. Is it a typo, are my eye playing tricks on me, could her writing just be that bad? What’s going on you ask? Let just set the record straight from the beginning. LXE is my own shorthand for Luxe Essentials. It’s an abbreviation, a nickname for my company. Once again, I assume everyone is in my head and understands my inside jokes. In the future, when you see LXE in my writing understand that it’s a moniker for Luxe Essentials.

LXE INGREDIENT OF THE WEEK

2007-03-20T19:05:00.000-04:00

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil was one of the first essentials oils that I experimented with and still continue to use. I use it for my own personal use as well as in my line. When people first smell my lavender body butter, they comment on how it actually smells fresh like real lavender. I usually tell them, it’s because I use essential oil of lavender. Most people are more familiar with the more synthetic version of the scent, which usually comes from synthetic fragrance oils made in a lab. Lavender essential oil is distilled from the plant and has been used throughout centuries by the Romans, Greeks and North African women to promote healing and to calm the spirit. Lavender's aroma is floral, herbaceous, light with woody undertones. It is one of the safest essential oils to use. You can use it “neat,” meaning you don’t have to dilute it with carrier oils like you would with most essential oils. This makes it safe to use on babies and on sensitive, delicate skin.

Uses of Lavender

Overall beauty is enhanced because of lavender's triple action effects. Lavender helps heal blemishes and stimulates circulation to the skin and has amazing qualities in hair care; it is excellent in repairing damaged and over processed hair. There are so many creative ways to include lavender essential oil into your life. It is known for it’s calming properties, which makes it a premier oil for bathing and soothing depression, insomnia, stress and nervous tension. As many of you already know, a few drops in a tub makes a soothing bath. I usually take a lavender bath after a hard workout. It soothes my tight sore muscles. I recently took a trip to St. Lucia and while I was down there got bitten up by mosquitoes. Everyone can relate to how itchy mosquito bites can be. After the mosquitoes feasted on my blood during the day, I took a shower that night and rubbed my lavender body butter all over my body and almost instantly the itchy feeling from the bite had diminished tremendously.

5 Ways You Can Use Lavender Essentials Oil

1. Place a few drops on a sachet and place it near your pillow at night to help you sleep. (Sometimes when I have trouble falling asleep I place a sachet there and it helps me relax and I always, shortly after, fall asleep, if that doesn’t work take a shot of rum! JUST KIDDING!!)

2. To freshen your linen add a few drops to a terry cloth and place in a dryer. This will keep your linen smelling fresher than any dryer sheets.

3. Add a few drops of oil to water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener. I do this all the time to keep away unpleasant smells, especially since I live in a small space with a cat.

4. Place a few drops of oil in distilled water and it can be used as a wash for puffy eyes, bruises and insect bites. This works, see my mosquito story above!

5. Mix a few drops of oil in water and use a cotton ball to wipe over a pimple and let the mixture dry overnight

Essentially, (no pun intended) lavender oil can be used in many creative ways. It’s all about the individual person. Lavender essential oil is the new “tussin."

My Story

2007-03-09T18:51:00.000-05:00

I'm the Creator and Founder of Luxe Essentials, an all-natural and mostly organic online beauty company. I’ve started this company just as I decided that I wanted to move on from a hot one minute, cold another, modeling career here in New York City. I took some time off from modeling to plan my next endeavor. During this time, I began dabbling into making moisturizers. I always suffered from extremely dry skin and never found a moisturizer that worked. After researching ingredients used in the moisturizers sitting in my bathroom shelf. I realized that the moisturizers contained harsh chemicals that were not good for the skin. Shortly afterwards, I made my first moisturizer, which was an organic and all natural lavender scented body butter that worked and felt great. “I was hooked, I loved making and using my body butter and so did all of my friends.

I sent a sample of the body butter I first made to a chemist to be tested. After receiving kudos from the chemist on the formula, I knew I had a good thing. I researched for a year everything I could find about the personal care product industry and ingredients. I used one of my last modeling checks to invest into the ingredients and supplies that I would need to develop the product in my apartment. I launched my website in December 2006 with overwhelming success. Our philosophy is to "Beautify not Toxify.” I found that an overwhelming amount of skincare lines mislead their customers by making claims to produce products that are natural or organic, when, in actuality, the ingredients listed are mostly fillers and synthetic ingredients that are known to be harmful. I wanted to create products that are truly all natural and organic, but also appealing and chic and yes, I continue to make and package my products myself in my apartment.

This company has been a labor of love for me that I’d love to share with you and the rest of the world. You can continue to find out more information about us at www.luxeessentials.com or if you have any further questions I can be reached at info@luxeessentials.com