Eye Popping Eyes

Hi there! Do you remember when you would thickly outline a character in a coloring book with crayons and then lightly color the entire object? Thus creating a lovely picture with contrasting shades and points of interest. That is exactly what eyeliner does for your face. It highlights one of your most beautiful features – your eyes.

Eyeliner dates back to the Egyptians who wore it to protect their eyes from the desert sun. Now, we use the liner to define our eyes, giving them sexy silhouettes and contours. Pencil liners have an amazing versatility that liquid liners lack. Pencils have the ability to line inner rims – especially on the lower lid. They can create a smoky eye, double as a shadow, and fill the spaces between lashes. Remember: carefully apply eyeliner, never pulling skin taut. Most important, have fun with eyeliner. I have compared two black pencil liners to see which performed best.

Gabriel Eyeliner
Long lasting and creamy, Gabriel Eyeliner is a softer black – appearing dark charcoal. Easily create a classic smoky eye or blend the liner with eye shadows. With only ten ingredients, this eyeliner safely enhances features.
Gabrielcosmeticsinc.com, $12

Physicans Formula Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Eyeliner
Although not entirely lasting on the inner lower lid, the velvety application proves worthy of touch ups. The sultry, deep black eyeliner emphasizes lids and offers natural definition. Organic wear Eyeliner includes Organic Jojoba Seed oil to moisturize skin and organic Beeswax, which provides the silky consistency.
Organicwearmakeup.com, $7.95

Have a beautiful week!

xo

Sun Cream

Good morning beauty! I have been working on the sun cream search for quite some time now, and I am excited to share my reviews with you. Even if you are not as fair as Nicole Kidman, you probably need to protect your delicate skin. Personally – as an extremely fair-skinned woman – I need a sun cream.

First, just a little background information about sun creams. Sun creams should prevent both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from harming skin. UVA rays cause the greatest skin damage – premature aging and wrinkling – as the rays penetrate deeper into skin. UVB rays cause the nasty burns.

Sun creams either work chemically or physically. Chemical sunscreens absorb and release harmful rays. In other words, sunscreen chemically screens the rays in the layers of your skin. Sunblock is physical. By creating a thick layer on skin, it physically blocks ultraviolet radiation.

Both sunblocks reviewed below are SPF (sun protection factor) 30 – the minimum one should use. Remember, apply sun creams 15-30 minutes prior to exposure and again after swimming or perspiring.

Check out the American Melanoma Foundation for more sunscreen information http://www.melanomafoundation.org/prevention/facts.htm.

Image Skincare Solar Defense Organic SPF 30
An outstanding facial sunblock, Image Skincare Solar Defense promptly disappears into skin with a matte finish. Zinc Oxide provides UVA and UVB protection and Retinyl Palmitate – a vitamin A derivative – fights aging. Image Skincare is sold in skincare professionals’ offices and spas. However, the Web site states that an “easier-to-use Image Online Ordering system” is effective June 12. Perhaps online ordering? Most offices or spas sell a small (.25 oz) sample for $3 – a great way to test an unknown sunblock.
Imageskincare.com, $33

Lavera Sun Spray SPF 30 Neutral
Lavera’s spray bottle top makes for a convenient and speedy application. The sunblock blends quickly – no white residue or flaking here! The waterproof formula includes Coated Titanium Dioxide to block UVA, B and C rays. Organic evening primrose oil nourishes skin, while vitamin E acts as an antioxidant. Lavera claims the sunblock provides “instant protection,” meaning immediate sun time. So, start spraying and enjoy the open air!
Lavera.com, $31

Have a beautiful week!

xo

KB

Hello! Kitchen Beauty makes its third appearance with some invigorating techniques. Enjoy and tell me how your skin feels!

Epsom Salt
What is more luxurious than a relaxing bath? Why, a relaxing bath with detoxing salts, which leave skin smooth and refreshed. Epsom Salt is composed of magnesium and sulfate, which ease stress and flush toxins. Magnesium also regulates enzyme activity – improved digestion! Add 4 cups of Epsom Salt and 2 cups of baking soda to a warm bath. Soak for 20 minutes and rinse. Feel rejuvenated and enjoy skin’s new gleam.
Bonus: Epsom Salt doubles as a body exfoliant.
Drugstore.com, $5.99

Washcloth
The original facial scrub, a washcloth is a simple and effective way to exfoliate. Wet face with warm water – too hot or cold water can break capillaries. Gently scrub face in a circular motion, concentrating on oily areas. Do not irritate skin by severely scrubbing for too long. Rinse and calm skin with a splash of cool water.
Application tip: Use a fresh cloth daily, as a used cloth is prone to mildew and bacteria.
Ikea.com, $4.99

Have a beautiful week!

xo

B2B Part II

Good morning! This week, I am enhancing the B2B lists, as I think it is increasingly important to beware of "natural" claims. Remember, trust ingredients not labels.

Brands to Buy
Aguacate & Co.
California Baby
Perfect Organics
Teens Turning Green

Brands to Ban
Bare Escentuals
Juice Beauty
Kiehl's
Organix

What are your thoughts on these products or any others reviewed on The Cheeky Peach?

Have a beautiful week!

xo

Skin Protection

Hello there! This week, I am reviewing two face lotions. One with sun cream and one without. I wear both quite often - they are fantastic.

Kimberly Sayer Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizing Cream-SPF 25
Skin is the body’s largest organ, which is why a daily sun cream should be a beauty conscious woman’s top priority. The dermis needs protection from the sun; it also needs hydration. Kimberly Sayer masterfully combines the two greatest beauty concerns into one phenomenal product. The Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizing Cream-SPF 25 protects skin without feeling greasy - a common problem with many SPF moisturizers. Nontoxic Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide act as natural sun block, while Beech Bud Extract heals damaged cells. The overall anti-aging and anti-wrinkle formula promises the best and thoroughly delivers. Skin looks bright and smooth.
Application tip: A small dab will cover entire face.
Kimberlysayer.com, $32

Suki Balancing Day Lotion
Good day lotions are hard to find. Either greasy, heavy or sticky, moisturizers should avoid certain descriptions. Successfully avoiding the negative list is Suki Balancing Day Lotion. Suki’s weightless formula is extremely nourishing and soothing, evening skin tone and offering a healthy glow. White Willow Bark Extract acts as an anti-inflammatory to calm skin. Ingredients of Organic Comfrey Extract and Organic Rose Extract heal and provide antioxidants. The lotion proves true to its name, skin feels balanced and results show quickly. Test this lotion before purchasing if particularly sensitive to smells. It has a strong scent, which is hard to place.
Application tip: Two pumps will cover entire face.
Sukipure.com, $31.95

Be sure to visit thecheekypeach.com and the blog at thecheekypeach.blogspot.com.

Have a beautiful week!

xo

B2B

Good morning beauty! I am introducing a new element of The Cheeky Peach. Brands to Buy and Brands to Ban are the new guidelines to natural and organic shopping. Obviously, I cannot use and review every product, therefore, I am recommending brands that contain the purest ingredients overall. Brands to Ban include brands that market themselves as natural, but are far from it. This list is a work in progress, which will certainly grow.

Products reviewed on The Cheeky Peach are free of synthetics, parabans, chemicals, colorants, and dyes. It’s hard to know which “natural” brands to trust. Even Whole Foods brand beauty products contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Benzyl Alcohol – two known cancer-causing ingredients. Be careful and shop with me!

Brands to Buy
100% Pure
Acquarella
Aubrey Organics
Burt’s Bees
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps
Kimberly Sayer
John Masters Organics
Suki

Brands to Ban
Cargo
Molton Brown
Nature’s Gate
Tarte

Have a beautiful week!

xo

Lotion

Finding a body lotion that fulfills The Cheeky Peach requirements has been a daunting task. There always seems to be one ingredient that ruins the entire product; for example, benzyl alcohol. After searching for months, I’m so excited to share the following product with you, as I think it’s truly wonderful.

Aubrey Organics Ultimate Moist Unscented Hand & Body Lotion
Incredibly hydrating, Aubrey Organics Ultimate Moist Unscented Hand & Body Lotion leaves skin supple and nourished. In fact, the creamy lotion drenches skin with moisture. Key ingredients of organic sunflower and macadamia nut oils help restore moisture to skin and improve texture. Plus, coconut fatty acid cream base heals that winter “alligator” skin. Apply after bathing for the maximum effect.
Aubreyorganics.com, $9.95

I was finishing my second recommendation when I, sadly, discovered the use of Phenoxyethanol in the product. This highly controversial ingredient is restricted in Japan. Furthermore, studies from 1941 (!!!!) and again in 1996 revealed “brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses.” Check out the full report at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=704811&nothanks=1

Have a beautiful week!

xo