All About Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of my favorite beauty ingredients. A highly versatile product, it has powerful antioxident properties, will not clog pores, and is highly moisturizing. Better yet, it works well with most skin types and is available at supermarkets and specialty food shops everywhere!

Olive oil is well-known as a cooking ingredient in many Mediterranean cuisines. It is believed by many people that ancient Mediterranean cultures understood pure olive oil as a skin care product as well! Women have used olive oil directly as a moisturizer in a variety of more recent contexts, and in recent years, natural lifestyle communities have re-appropriated olive oil as a popular ingredient for skin care and natural health regimens.

I personally do not have a preference as to which type of olive oil I use for skin care-- my current favorite is plain, cold-pressed olive oil. Some people prefer Extra-Virgin, but I have found regular, cold-pressed olive oil to be perfectly useful for me. I use it in a body scrub (recipe to be posted soon!), and it can be used in lotions, aromatherapy products, and sprays. Many people enjoy massaging a small amount directly onto the skin as an all-natural overnight moisturizer. If you have very sensitive and oily skin (like I do), I would recommend sticking to olive oil as a body product, not as a face product-- it is a very intensive moisturizer, and might be a bit much for very oily skin.

A word of caution-- there have been concerns of late around adulterated olive oil in the marketplace. Be sure to check the prices of your olive oil (a quality olive oil should cost a bit more than other household ingredients-- but a little goes a long way!), and go with an established or boutique olive oil company.

In any case, don't write off olive oil as only good for cooking. It's great to have around for all sorts of beauty and skin care purposes!

Welcome, and Intro!

Hi beauty buffs!

Now you all know what I look like sans-makeup. How ironic for a beauty blogger, right?

First, a bit about me. I have been a bit obsessed with makeup since the ripe old age of 11. In fact, in middle and high school, I was known by my peers to have a serious problem with makeup. Like many, I first found out about makeup through my mother. Her collection of blushers, lipsticks, and perfumes fascinated me. When I took it upon myself to run an internet search on products, I discovered an entire world devoted to the art of makeup. I learned that there is actual technique involved (what a thought!), and that there are career fields devoted to applying, developing, and teaching about makeup and its artistry. I read up on all the new products, and even read makeup artistry and technique books. I was hooked.

Then I discovered these things called chemicals.

My first year of college, I decided to try out a scented detergent. Later that week, I happened upon an article regarding the (un)regulation of fragrances in personal and home care products. I was freaked! I had had no idea that the word "fragrance" was relatively unregulated in the marketplace, and could refer to a variety of chemicals (many of which could be carcinogenic). Furthermore, not only can fragrances be problematic, but so can my beloved makeup products! The FDA does not regulate the cosmetic industry's product safety, leaving the industry itself primarily responsible for the safety of consumer products. In a perfect world, I thought the populace at large would make certain of oversight for cosmetics safety, but I realized this was not a reality. In the meantime, it was basically up to me to make sure I wasn't smearing scary chemicals onto my skin. I decided to take charge of the situation. My new penchant for natural and organic beauty was born!

However, one roadblock kept cropping up in my natural product journey... products can be expensive!!! After many web searches and research extravaganzas,  I have figured out some affordable ways of participating in natural beauty cultures. I decided to start this blog to share what I've learned about easy, CHEAP, and fun natural beauty lifestyles. I will be publishing skin care recipes made with ingredients right from your kitchen, reviews and tips on organic and natural beauty and home products, and info on the legacy of natural beauty ingredients in world history. I am also blogging to continue learning about natural and organic beauty. So comments and constructive feedback are always much appreciated!

And, my favorite food EVER is ice cream! I am a big believer that everything in my life is better when I'm eating choco chip cookie dough deliciousness. So stay tuned for random pictures of dairy (and/or non-dairy/soy, depending on the day) delight alongside my beauty posts!