Sometimes you just need something special for dinner. This recipe makes about 8 elegant entrée servings. It’s delicious and impressive, and it just happens to be Whole30-compliant. Much of this recipe may be prepared in advance, making this a convenient option for hosting company. Your guests will never suspect you’re serving a “diet” recipe. But then, Whole30 is not a diet. It’s a lifestyle, allowing you to regularly enjoy healthful and delicious meals like this one!
INGREDIENTS: For the Spinach Cream Stuffing –
• 1 + 1/3 cup raw almonds or raw cashews, soaked at least 3 hours (or overnight) in filtered water
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 tsp. spicy brown mustard (not Dijon, see comment below+)
• 2 tsp. Celtic sea salt, divided
• ¼ tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 whole pitted date
• 4 Tbsp. Nut Pods Original Unsweetened Coffee Creamer, New Barn or homemade almond milk (I like this recipe from the lovely and very talented Angela of Oh She Glows)
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 4 – 6 Tbsp. filtered water, added 2 Tbsp. at a time to mixture while processing to form a smooth cream
• 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and very well drained For Roulades – • 2 lb. extra lean turkey or pork boneless, skinless cutlets
• 1 Tbsp. coconut or avocado oil
• 1 tsp. Celtic sea salt
• Generous sprinkle garlic powder
Hardware:
• Food processor or powerful blender (e.g. Vitamix or Nutribullet)
• Parchment paper
• Meat mallet (pounder)
• Chef’s knife + Cutting board
• 13”X9” baking pan or dish
• Nonstick coconut oil spray
• Toothpicks (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Prepare spinach cream as follows:
• Drain soaked nuts. Then place nuts into the canister of food processor with S blade attached or into the canister of powerful blender (I used a NutriBullet blender, but a food processor would work too).
• Add the next lemon juice, mustard, 1 tsp. salt, pepper, date, egg and creamer/milk to the canister.
• Place lid on food processor or blender and begin to process mixture by pulsing on LOW food processor.
• Begin adding water 2 Tbsp. at a time until the mixture comes together; has no visible pieces of nuts or date and is mostly smooth. Use as little water as necessary to be able to blend the mixture.
• When mixture reaches consistency similar to ricotta cheese, scrape the mixture into a small mixing bowl along with well-drained spinach and remaining 1 tsp. Celtic sea salt. Stir well to thoroughly combine.
• Cover with lid and refrigerate mixture. NOTE: Spinach cream may be made up to 3 days in advance. Just keep covered and refrigerated until ready to use.
2. Prepare stuffed roulades as follows:
• Place 1 large piece of parchment paper over a cutting board. Then place 2 cutlets in the center of the paper about 2” apart. Cover cutlets with another piece of parchment paper. Then pound each cutlet with meat mallet until about 1/8” thick. Repeat this process with remaining cutlets. NOTE: You can do this part in advance as well. Simply place pounded cutlets in a large freezer bag and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
3. Coat the inside of 13”X9” baking dish with coconut oil or nonstick coconut oil spray. Then add 1 Tbsp. of oil to baking pan/dish. Set aside.
4. Using clean hands, place one cutlet on a plate. Spread 2 Tbsp. spinach stuffing mixture atop of the cutlet. Then carefully roll up the roulade and if desired secure with toothpicks. Next place rolled and stuffed roulades side-by-side in prepared baking dish. Repeat this process until all roulades have been placed in baking dish. Use any remaining spinach cream to top roulades, spreading an even layer over top each roulade in baking dish. Sprinkle roulades with 1 tsp. seal salt and garlic powder as desired. Then cover baking pan or dish with aluminum foil. NOTE: Rolled and stuffed roulades may be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and kept covered and refrigerated until ready to bake.
5. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit (190° Celsius). Bake roulades in preheated oven for about 45 minutes or until the thickest roulade reaches an internal temperate 165° Fahrenheit (74° Celsius).
6. Allow baked roulades to rest about 15 minutes before serving.
Halved #Whole30 Turkey Roulades with Super Simple Sweet Potatoes, Tossed Salad, & Presto Peachy Vinaigrette.
~Makes 7-10 roulades, or about 8 servings.
+When doing #Whole30, it’s very important you get into the habit of checking the ingredient lists of anything you plan to eat or use when cooking. For example, dijon mustard usually contains white wine which is not permitted during #Whole30, so be sure to check the mustard before you purchase. For a complete list of Whole30 program do’s and don’ts as well as answers to just about any questions you may have, I highly recommend you check out the program rules here and other resources available at Whole30.com to educate yourself prior to beginning your own Whole30 journey, whenever you have questions or need some support.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: This recipe makes a fancier entrée suitable to serve to guests or company. These roulades are especially delicious served with Stupid Easy Cran-Cherry Sauce. The sweet tartness of the sauce provides a lovely counterpoint to the savory spinach stuffing and makes the meal feel even more special.
I suggest serving this entrée with a tossed salad of mixed greens, fruit and nuts. Optional side dishes include Oven Fried Sprouts;Super Simple Sumptuous Sweet Potatoes; or Quick & Easy Crispy Potatoes. A final note, the Spinach Cream Stuffing makes a terrific appetizer dip for raw vegetables. Simply spoon spinach cream into an oven-safe bowl and bake at 350° Fahrenheit (177° Celsius) for 30 minutes.
Beauty Resource for the Day:
I recently posted an article describing my favorite (and not-so-favorite) drugstore sunscreens. In that article (which you can read here), I attempted to demystify the various sunscreen “active” ingredients and discuss which types of formulas are best for different members of the family. The video that follows from the brilliant celebrity makeup artist, Lisa Eldridge, provides an even more in-depth discussion regarding sunscreens and offers a short list of recommended brands and products including those available outside and within the USA. Apparently, other countries have access to a wider variety of broad spectrum sunscreens than we do here in the United States. Bummer! But I’ll let Lisa explain the particulars.
Wisdom for the Day:
“I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” ~Jeremiah 29:11-12 (God’s Word Translation)
Read more here.
Today’s recipe continues our series of recipes based on a the HealthGrove study identifying the top 30 foods for beautiful skin and hair. In case you’ve missed any of the previous recipes from the series, you can find links for each at the bottom of this page, so be sure to check those out. In order to avoid missing any future posts and recipes, be sure to subscribe to Daily Beauty Wisdom. It’s quick and easy, and you’re guaranteed to never miss a new DBW post. Simply enter your email address in the “subscribe here” box to sign up. A few minutes later, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Click the “confirmation” button in the email, and you’re done. Easy as that.
And now, the news, er I mean, the recipe. Today’s recipe is an easy, quick-to-prepare sauce that can be used to jazz up desserts or meats. It makes a lovely sweet and tangy counterpoint when served as a dipping sauce for well-seasoned grilled poultry or pork. And it’s my preferred accompaniment for my Paleo Brownies available here. This sauce features the fantastic and beautifying ingredient – cranberry juice (food #27 from the HealthGrove list). In case you hadn’t noticed, cranberries are not just for Thanksgiving anymore. Cranberry juice, in particular, is everywhere! And for good reason, not only is is this sweet+tart juice healthy (with impressive levels of Vitamin C and potassium in every cup), it plays really nicely with other fruits. Apparently all the juice makers are onto this fact as well because there’s a seemingly endless variety of cranberry juice combos available on the juice aisles of every grocery and health food store, as noted here by the indescribably fabulous Brian Regan:
This recipe works equally well with both frozen pitted cherries or frozen (or fresh) blueberries. Just be sure the berries you select have ZERO added sugar. Both berries provide tons of beautifying nutrients. Dark, tart cherries are a great source of Vitamin C, a key antioxidant (read more about the skin beautifying effects of antioxidants like Vitamin C here) and tummy-filling fiber. While blueberries are a bona fide superfood! They also provide Vitamin C, more than a 1/3 of your daily Vitamin K requirements per serving along with several forms of phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are a group of good-for-you nutrients that include current beauty buzz-worthy antioxidants like quercitin, ferric acid and resveratol among others (Source1 and Source2). Ingredients:
• 5 dates, soaked at least 4 hours or overnight (see comment below)+++
• 12 oz. (about 2.5 cups) frozen unsweetened pitted cherries or unsweetened frozen blueberries, defrosted
• 1 cup pure (unsweetened) cranberry juice
• 1.5 Tbsp. chia seeds
• pinch iodized sea salt
• pinch ground allspice
• pinch pure Stevia extract, optional (do not use if doing #WHOLE30, see comment below)+++
• 1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice (optional)
+++When doing #WHOLE30, it’s very important you get into the habit of checking the ingredient lists of any foods you plan to eat or use when cooking. Many dried fruits (including certain brands of dates) are processed with sulfites which are also not permitted for consumption during #WHOLE30, so be sure to check the dates before you purchase/use them. Stevia and sweeteners of all kinds are also not permitted when doing #WHOLE30. For a complete list of #WHOLE30 program do’s and don’ts as well as answers to just about any #WHOLE30 questions you may have, I highly recommend you check out the program rules here and other resources available at WHOLE30’s website to educate yourself prior to beginning your own #WHOLE30 journey or whenever you have questions or need some support.
Hardware:
• Measuring cups + spoons
• Powerful blender or food processor (I used the Nutribullet Pro 900)
• A large spoon or spoonula
• Mason jar or other preferred storage receptacle with lid
Process:
1. Drain dates and discard soaking liquid.
2. Place dates and all other ingredients into canister of blender or food processor. Place lid on canister and process on HIGH until sauce is very smooth and no chunks or pieces of ingredients are visible.
3. Remove lid and test for seasonings. Adjust to taste. You may want to add 1 Tbsp. or 2 of lemon juice (as noted below) if serving sauce with a savory dish. If you do adjust the seasonings, replace the lid and blend the sauce again briefly.
4. Then carefully (this will stain) pour sauce into a jar or bottle with a lid and cover. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.
Recipe Notes:
• This recipe makes about 2.5 cups of sauce.
• Sauce will keep for about 1 week in the refrigerator.
• I recommend adding 1-2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice if you plan on using this as a sauce or dip for savory dishes.
• As mentioned above, this sauce is my preferred accompaniment for my Paleo Brownies seen below:
Wisdom for the Day:
I spend a lot of time and blog space here at DBW discussing things that will be tasty and pleasing to the tongue, but I don’t often acknowledge the power of the tongue. Words are powerful! The following Proverb reminds us that the things we say have the power to bring life or death. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.~Proverbs 18:21 (God’s Word Translation) Read more here.
Beauty Resource for the Day:
Ever hear dermatologists and other skin experts say you should reapply sunscreen every few hours, but think “okay but how the heck am I supposed to do that when I’ve already put my makeup on?” Well, Angie from Hot & Flashy has an answer, and a video tutorial, for that very question! Check it out as she enlightens us on the best ways to protect ourselves from the sun while maintaining previously applied cosmetics:
My family loves brownies. Loves. In fact “love” is probably not a strong enough word to describe Hubs’ deep and profound devotion. I think he even prefers brownies to cookies, which to me is downright un-American. But like a good little wife, I try to accommodate his preferences, at least occasionally. I haven’t done much baking since we did our first #WHOLE30 in April of this year (2016) because (as I’ve noted on a few occasions), we’ve been pretty successful at maintaining the #WHOLE30 lifestyle, even through some tempting and challenging situations.
But Hubs, in his wisdom, anticipated similar if not greater temptations arising when we were invited to a couple 4th of July potluck parties recently. So he suggested I create a paleo-correct brownie recipe we could bring along to those parties, “so I won’t be ‘forced’ to eat a bunch of unhealthy desserts.” Note his use of the word “forced,” as though one is obligated to eat 2 or 3 desserts at every party one attends. I tried to make the argument that he could actually attend the parties without indulging in any desserts, but that argument fell flat. And since we’re not currently doing #WHOLE30 (which would certainly preclude the consumption of even paleo-correct brownies), and because he’s such a wonderful husband, I figured baking a couple pans of brownies was the least I could do. And I set out in search of a paleo-correct brownie recipe I could live with.
Turns out there are many, many Paleo brownie recipes out there in Internet land! My recipe that follows is sort of a mash-up of several I found including this one from Civilized Caveman Cooking and this similar version from Paleo Grubs. The common ingredients are almond butter and cocoa powder (obv.), either honey or maple syrup, an egg or eggs, vanilla and leavening agents.
Because I find plain brownies to be a bit boring, I decided to mix it up a little and use 2 types of nut/seed butters.
Instead of using almond butter alone, I decided to try combining 2 butters as the brownie base. I’m always looking for ways to incorporate tahini into my recipes because #1 it tastes yummy (and is a great dupe for peanut butter which I still kinda miss). #2 It’s a single-ingredient food – containing nothing but sesame seeds. I’m a big believer in reading labels and ingredients lists. My stance is, the shorter the ingredient list, the better. And #3, sesame seeds have some really healthful nutrients like copper, magnesium and a surprising amount of calcium. I’ve been reading lots of articles (like this one and this one) lately urging me to eat more tahini and figured this was a great opportunity. I also elected not to melt the chocolate chips but rather to just stir a few into the mixture prior to baking. The resulting brownies have a nice textural balance somewhere between cakey and fudgey (denser and fudgier if veganized). And I’m relieved to report that you can’t really taste the banana at all (I was worried about that).
Ingredients:
• 1 cup paleo-correct (unsweetened) almond butter
• 1 cup unsweetened Tahini (unhulled is best if you can find it)
• 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 very ripe banana, mashed
• 1 cup local honey or pure maple syrup (I used maple syrup)
• 1/2 cup pure dark cocoa powder (I like this one from Navitas Naturals)
• 1/2 tsp. iodized sea salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda (NOT baking powder)
• 3 large whole eggs, lightly beaten (or vegan egg substitute as noted below)
• 1/2 cup Cacao Nibs or Enjoy Life chocolate chips
• nonstick coconut oil spray (I used Pam Nonstick Coconut Oil Spray)
Hardware:
• Measuring cups + spoons
• Large + small mixing bowls
• 9 X 13″ baking dish or pan
• Electric hand or stand-up mixer
• Silicone spatula Process:
1. Preheat oven to 340° (Fahrenheit, or 171° Celsius), and spray 9 X 13″ baking pan/dish with nonstick spray and set aside. Alternatively, you could oil the inside of the pan using a paper towel (coconut oil works best for this). If using egg substitute, prepare now and place in refrigerator until ready to use.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine nut butters, vanilla and mashed banana. Stir until well-combined and mostly smooth. There will still be some lumps, and that’s okay. I used a sturdy fork to combine this part of the ingredients.
3. Fold in honey or syrup and beaten eggs (or egg substitute) and stir to combine.
4. In separate smaller mixing bowl, sift together cocoa powder, salt and baking soda until thoroughly blended with no lumps remaining.
5. Using a spatula, GENTLY fold cocoa mixture into wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
6. Next using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer set on low, blend ingredients together for about 3 minutes, pausing occasionally to scrape down sides of the bowl using the spatula.
7. Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan/dish, and spread mixture out evenly in the dish or pan. Then place in preheated oven.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes if you used eggs and for 40-45 if you used an egg substitute. I recommend testing for doneness using a toothpick or thin knife after shortest baking time (i.e., 35 min for egg recipe and 40 min for veganized recipe). Allow to cool thoroughly before cutting.
Notes:
• My beef with brownies is that I find them to be too plain (versus cake which has icing/frosting and cookies which tend to have nuts and chips and other goodies mixed in). So I prefer serving these brownies with a sauce of some kind. And for that, I highly recommend this quick and delicious Stupid Easy Paleo Cran-cherry sauce (available here). It also makes for a much prettier (and more impressive) presentation when plated.
• This recipe could easily be #vegan-zed by substituting ground flax or chia seeds for the 3 eggs as follows: Grind about 3 Tbsp. flax or chia seeds to produce 3 Tbsp. meal (you may end up with some extra meal left over). Then combine 3 Tbsp. ground flax or chia seed meal + 9 Tbsp. water. Allow mixture to sit (preferably in the refrigerator) for about 15 minutes before using in recipe. Click to read more here.
Whole Chia Seed & Coffee Grinder
Combine 3 Tbsp. Ground Chia or Flax Seeds with 9 Tbsp. Water.
You could also use one of the egg replacement mixes available. Bob’s Red Mill makes one as does Ener-G but there are several others. I veganized the 2nd batch I baked of these brownies (using chia seed meal + water for egg substitute). I found the vegnized brownies were denser and fudgier than the brownies made with eggs (which were more cake-like in consistency). I actually preferred the veganized version. But take note, the veganized version did require extra baking time and may have a different texture.
Wisdom for the Day:
“My children, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” ~Proverbs 24:13-14 (English Standard Version) Read more here.
Beauty Resource for the Day:
In my never-ending quest to find and consume the best foods for beauty and anti-aging, I stumbled upon this slideshow from a few years back depicting the top foods to combat aging. There’ve been some controversies surrounding Dr. Oz since then (re product endorsements) but, his educational resources, like this one, have always been grounded in science and evidence-based research. Spoiler – you can check off #7 on the list after you prepare and eat a few of these #cleaneating brownies. Top ’em with my Stupid Easy Cran-Cherry Sauce, and you can check off #3 as well. What a delicious way to combat aging! Foods to Fight Aging from Dr. Oz.com
Is it hot where you live? Because it’s REALLY hot and humid where we are! I didn’t really need another reason to serve salads every night with dinner. But, these long, summer days seem to make my family more willing to eat fresh crunchy greens and lettuce every night as long as they have a continuous supply of new and exciting (read homemade) dressings to jazz up said salads. This has presented me with something of a challenge because I’m still relatively new to dressing-making (if that’s a thing). And whenever I’m working on a new dressing, I always worry that I may experience a repeat of my great mayonnaise fiasco from our first #WHOLE30 journey in April. Fortunately, I’ve learned some reliable salad dressing-making tricks since then and have discovered some tasty salad topping recipes along the way (including Presto Peachy Lime Vinaigrette, the Split Second Strawberry Vinaigrette and Paleo Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette). My current favorite method for whipping up a quick and easy, thick and creamy dressing using healthy ingredients is to employ our trusty NutriBullet 900. I’ve discovered it’s practically foolproof. And I’d highly recommend investing in a NutriBullet or other high-powered blender (e.g. Vitamix) if you’re looking to transition from processed foods to making the majority your own foods (especially dressings and sauces) from scratch.
Lately, we’ve been including a series of different fresh fruits in our nightly salads – everything from sweet seedless grapes to juicy local peaches to tangy pineapple and succulent papaya. The sweet juicy fruits and crisp greens seem to beckon for a saltier more robust dressing, something with garlic, citrus, and ginger; something interesting, with a kick. We haven’t consumed any soy products since completing #WHOLE30, but I still find myself craving something akin to a sweet teriyaki but creamier. Thank goodness for Coconut Aminos Sauce – the answer to my salty soy cravings!
Not only is this dressing soy-free, it also has a hefty dose of selenium thanks to the inclusion of Brazil nuts. The garlic and fresh ginger provide anti-inflammatory protection, and the citrus juices offer a nice hit of Vitamin C. Did I mention that the oils contribute antioxidant protection in the form of Vitamin E? It’s true. Those same extra virgin oils contain useful fatty acids that will help your body better assimilate all the valuable nutrients in the salad. This dressing is a health fest! It’s about 85-95% raw (depending on the oils you use). It’s vegan; suitable for those following a #paleo lifestyle; and is #whole30-compliant as well (provided you following the instructions in the comments below and always read ingredients and food labels). Most importantly, it’s yummy, and your family will love it!
N.B. this recipe makes about 2 cups (scant) of dressing and will become thicker as it sits in the fridge (due to the coconut oil). You will find that it becomes thin and spreadable again as soon as you spoon it out onto a salad. It pairs well with avocado or guacamole, fruits and nuts, Asian or Southwestern spices and a sprinkle of fresh herbs as shown here.
The finished product garnished with fresh cilantro
Ingredients:
Assemble your ingredients in advance for super-speedy salad dressing-making success!
• 4 dates, soaked at least 4 hours (see comment below if doing #WHOLE30)+++
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 6 whole Brazil nuts
• 1 tsp. iodized sea salt
• 1 tsp. spicy mustard (do NOT Dijon if doing #WHOLE30, see comment below)+++
• 1” knob peeled fresh ginger root, diced
• ¼ cup lime juice (I only had bottled available, but freshly squeezed is best)
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice (or more lime juice)
• 2-3 Tbsp. Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos Sauce
(according to taste, I used about 2.5 Tbsp.)
• ¼ cup extra virgin coconut oil
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or extra virgin avocado oil
• 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
(I used dark. Choose an organic cold-pressed light sesame oil such as this one if raw)
• 1 tsp. hot sauce (optional)
Hardware:
• Measuring cups + spoons
• Citrus juicer
• Powerful blender (As stated above, I used Nutribullet Pro 900)
Process:
1. After soaking, drain dates and discard soaking liquid.
2. Place dates and all other dressing ingredients into canister of blender. Place lid on blender and process on HIGH until dressing is very smooth and no
visible chunks or pieces of ingredients are visible.
3. Remove lid and test for seasonings. Adjust to your taste preferences.
If you do adjust the seasonings, replace lid and blend on HIGH for a few seconds more.
4. Pour dressing into a jar or bottle. Cover with lid and store in refrigerator until ready to use. Garnish with cilantro if desired. Dressing will keep for about 1 week in the refrigerator.
+++When doing #WHOLE30, it’s very important you get into the habit of checking the ingredient lists of any foods you plan to eat, cook with or serve your family. For example, many brands of dried fruits (including some dates) are processed with sulfites which are not permitted for consumption during #WHOLE30, so be sure to check the dates before you purchase/use them. Also, most Dijon mustards contain white wine which is also not approved for consumption during WHOLE30, which is why you’ll want to use spicy mustard instead. For a complete list of #WHOLE30 program do’s and don’ts as well as answers to just about any #WHOLE30 questions you may have, I highly recommend you check out the program rules here and other resources available at WHOLE30’s website to educate yourself prior to beginning your own #WHOLE30 journey or whenever you have questions or need some support.
BTW – If you’re looking for a salad recipe to go along with this dressing, I highly recommend using this Quick & Easy Beautifying Papaya Salad recipe. It’s healthy, delicious, and is easily adapted for vegans, paleo and #whole30-ers. And it’s chalked full of good-for-you nutrients!
Thick & Creamy Asian-Style Blender Dressing Served along side & atop Tossed Green Salad with Fruit
Wisdom for the Day:
Sometimes people ask me how I can eat vegetables all the time; don’t I get tired of the taste and so on. I explain to these folks that not only do I love the flavor of fresh vegetables, but vegetables are the original health food described in the Garden of Eden story (in Genesis 1:29) and in this cool story from the Old Testament book of Daniel:
“So Daniel spoke to the guard… ‘Why not test your servants for ten days? You could give us a diet of vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance to the appearance of the young men who eat the king’s food. Then deal with your servants according to what you see.’ The guard decided to go along with their plan and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. So the guard kept taking away their rations and the wine they were supposed to drink and gave them vegetables instead. And God gave knowledge, mastery of all literature, and wisdom to these four men.” ~Daniel 1:11-17 (Common English Bible) Read more here.
Beauty Resource of the Day:
Ever feel completely clueless when it comes to applying eyeshadow? You’re not alone. Sometimes I still look at those big beautiful (often expensive) shadow palettes that are so popular these days and feel…totally overwhelmed, like I wouldn’t even know what to do with all those color options. Luckily, great-looking eyeshadow doesn’t have to be that complicated and needn’t involve more than 2 colors! Emily Noel is here to tell us all about the “sandwich method” in this super-quick, super-informative video – complete with step-by-step tutorial, suggested shadow duos (both top-shelf and drugstore options) and listings + links for all products & tools used or mentioned in the video. The always delightful Ms. Emily really shines in this gem of a beauty Vlog!
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If you’ve followed this blog for a while or have read any recipes for beautiful skin and hair series, then you already know I’m really into cooking for beauty. Don’t get me wrong. I’m into external beauty products too. I desperately love cosmetics, makeup, hair products and beauty treatments of all kinds. My bathroom is literally overflowing with lotions and potions of all shapes, sizes and price points! But as the saying goes, beauty begins on the inside. And no amount of making up can disguise unhealthy insides. That’s especially true as we age. And I’ve found that after pregnancy, my body is far more likely to display outwardly any signs of dis-ease I may be experiencing inwardly. And since our baby girl has recently become independently mobile (translation lots more work for Mommy and Daddy to keep up with her), it’s definitely in my best interest to eat as healthfully as possible. So, I’ve been writing a series of recipes based on HealthGrove’s recent study identifying the top 30 foods for beautiful skin and hair (If you’ve missed any of the previous recipes from the series, do not despair. I’ve listed each of them below).
Fortunately for folks like me, the Internet offers tons of (mostly consistent) advice for those of us seeking the best foods to eat for health and beauty (including of course that recent HealthGrove study). Today’s recipe includes a veritable stockpile of beautifying ingredients including most notably #5 of HealthGrove’s list – PAPAYA.
Papaya – beautifying papaya!
When I discovered this article by the lovely Joy Bauer outlining the most important nutrients for anti-aging, I was inspired to begin using those nutrients in more recipes as well. However, because everyone in our household is sensitive gluten and dairy, I’ll obviously have to take a pass on the recipe she included in the article (no offense, Joy). So I decided to create my own recipe based around papaya and incorporating the other nutrients Ms. Bauer identifies as key for consumption. So here’s a rundown of nutrients this recipe offers:
Vitamin C – provided by the papaya, tomato and broccoli slaw. For more on the beautifying antioxidant benefits of Vitamin C, check out this article and recipe for #whole30 compliant #paleo and #vegan (and super-yummy) Strawberry Vinaigrette. Vitamin E – in the extra virgin olive, coconut and avocado oils as well as in the walnuts Beta-carotene (Vitamin A) – from the carrots and the broccoli slaw (as seen on the package)
Broccoli slaw is not only an antioxidant fest. It’s also quick and ready in an instant!
Selenium – provided by the Brazil nuts in the dressing. Did you know that Brazil nuts are in fact the #1 food source of selenium? Omega3 fatty acids – from the walnuts and/or salmon if you choose Lycopene (bonus nutrient) – lycopene has been shown in recent studies to protect skin against sun-related aging and sun damage. This recipe provides lycopene from 2 sources – EVOO and fresh tomato. Plus, this recipe is easily adjusted to suit vegans, vegetarians, paleo-types and folks actively doing #whole30. It’s quick and easy to prepare and (perhaps) most importantly, it tastes really good. Whoop! Whoop!
Ingredients: For the Salad –
• 1 whole papaya
• 1-12 oz. bag broccoli or cabbage slaw
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 1 whole tomato
• 2 carrots
• 1 medium jalapeno or Serrano chili pepper
• ½ cup chopped raw cashews or walnuts (I used cashews)
Protein Options –
• About 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (bones, skin and excess fat removed)
• 1 large (14.5 oz.) can wild Alaskan pink salmon, drained
• 8 hardboiled eggs, diced
• 8 eggs, scrambled and chilled
• 2 cups cooked then chilled garbonzo beans (if using canned, drain and rinse very well)
• 2 cups cooked then chilled lentils
For the Dressing –
• 4 dates, soaked at least 4 hours (see comment below)+++
• 2 garlic cloves
• 6 whole Brazil nuts
• 1 tsp. iodized sea salt
• 1 tsp. hot sauce (optional but recommended for best flavor. I like )
• 1 tsp. spicy mustard (NOT Dijon if doing #WHOLE30, see comment below)+++
• ½ tsp. minced lemongrass or 1” knob peeled fresh ginger root, diced
• ¼ cup lime juice
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice (I used OJ)
• 4 Tbsp. Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos Sauce, divided
• ¼ cup extra virgin coconut oil
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or extra virgin avocado oil
• 2 Tbsp. dark (toasted) sesame oil
+++When doing #WHOLE30, it’s very important you get into the habit of checking the ingredient lists of any foods you plan to eat or use when cooking. Many dried fruits (including certain brands of dates) are processed with sulfites which are also not permitted for consumption during #WHOLE30, so be sure to check the dates before you purchase/use them. Also, most Dijon mustards contain white wine which is also not approved for consumption during WHOLE30, which is why you’ll want to use spicy mustard instead. For a complete list of #WHOLE30 program do’s and don’ts as well as answers to just about any #WHOLE30 questions you may have, I highly recommend you check out the program rules here and other resources available at WHOLE30’s website to educate yourself prior to beginning your own #WHOLE30 journey or whenever you have questions or need some support.
Hardware:
• One or two cutting boards
• A sharp chef’s knife
• A pair of disposable gloves
• A sharp vegetable peeler
• A large mixing bowl
• Powerful blender (I used the Nutribullet Pro 900)
• Salad spinner (optional)
• A large spoon or spoonula
1. Prepare dressing as follows: Drain dates and discard soaking liquid. Place dates, 2 Tbsp. Coconut Aminos (reserving 2 Tbsp. for later use) and all other dressing ingredients into canister of blender. Place lid on blender and process on HIGH until dressing is very smooth and no visible chunks or pieces of ingredients are visible. Remove lid and test for seasonings. Adjust to taste. (I found that dressing was appropriately seasoned without adjustments but add salt or additional spices to your preferences.) Then pour dressing into a jar or bottle. Cover with lid and store in refrigerator until ready to use. Note, this recipe makes about 2 cups (scant) of dressing and may be made up to 3 days in advance. It will keep for about 1 week in the refrigerator.
2. Wash and dry all vegetables, including cilantro. If you have a salad spinner, place washed cilantro in spinner and spin until dry. If you don’t have (or don’t wanna use) a salad spinner, simply placed washed cilantro on a clean kitchen towel and pat dry.
3. Using vegetable peeler, peel carrots and papaya.
N.B. Trust me on this one! I tried cutting half the papaya without peeling it first (I figured I’d cut it like an avocado, scoring it and removing the peel afterwards). No dice! It was a disaster trying to get the peel off, and I nearly removed my fingertips along with the peel! With the 2nd half I got smart and peeled it first. What a difference. I finished chopping it in half the time and with no near-death experiences.
4. Finely chop the washed and dried cilantro. Then transfer it to mixing bowl. Next chop the papaya and all the vegetables (except pepper) into roughly equal bite-sized chunks and place into mixing bowl.
5. Put on gloves. Cut pepper in half and remove all seeds, stem and membranes.
Then chop pepper into very small pieces. Place in mixing bowl with other ingredients. Carefully remove gloves and immediately wash your hands. Try not to touch your face or anyone else before taking off, disposing of gloves and washing your hands. Also I used a separate cutting board just for the pepper and washed the cutting board and knife before removing the gloves.
6. Open bag of broccoli slaw and dump into mixing bowl along with other ingredients excepts nuts, dressing and remaining 2 Tbsp. Coconut Aminos. Then add dressing and stir well to combine. If everyone in your household wants the same protein option, then feel free to stir it in at this point. Otherwise, wait and serve several protein options along side Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
7. Just before serving, stir in remaining 2 Tbsp. Coconut Aminos and nuts.
8. Serve with multiple protein options (unless you already stirred proteins into salad). Example in our house both my mother and my Hubs selected shredded leftover rotisserie chicken. But I selected salmon as my protein of choice for some extra Omega-3 fatty acids. Additional garnishes include chopped avocado or Wholly Guacamole, bean sprouts and sunflower sprouts. Enjoy!
Wisdom for the Day:
Today I read the following quote: “Biblical orthodoxy (hypocritical religiosity) without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.” ~Francis Schaeffer And I was struck by the brilliance and simplicity of that statement. Surely a compassionate heart is an essential component of beauty. What if we made the choice to put on love and compassion the same way we put on makeup? The Bible says that we can in this passage from ~Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Read more here. I encourage you to spend a few moments each morning imagining yourself putting on love and compassion, like you’re applying makeup or sunscreen. Surely we need to apply God’s love and compassion daily as the most important and effective beauty treatment!
Beauty Resources for the Day:
Want more info on what to eat for anti-aging benefits? Check out this slideshow from the folks at Total Beauty (Hint: if you consume this dressing on a regular you can cross slide #7 off your to-eat list).
A few years ago when Hubs and I purchased our home, we found ourselves with 3,000+ sq. feet of area in need of decor and very few suitable pieces of furniture. Because we’d decided to spend most of our remaining cash (after all the initial mortgage monies were paid) on professional interior painting and in converting several rooms’ flooring from carpet to hardwood, we had very little left to spend on furniture. So, pretty quickly we decided our best bet was to purchase quality used furniture and refinish as necessary.
The first piece we rehabbed was this flat front, chest-on-chest piece circa 1950.
We chose this chest because it’s well-made, solid wood and was in good condition. Plus, it actually came with this matching vanity and stool which we also refinished (I’ll described in separate posts). We snagged these beauties for $350 total. My thinking was, because it’s flat front, the chest would be the easiest to tackle as my first refinishing project. What follows is a step-by-step description of what we did and what I learned during the process.
Step #1: Removing those hideous drawer pulls. Okay, so they’re not actually hideous. Maybe you like them, but they’re not my style and did not fit with my vision for the finished piece. Plus, removing the pulls made Step #2 a whole lot easier.
Step #2: Sanding. This took quite a while. We used 2 different electric sanders and ended up doing most of the work by hand. This is where I learned my first furniture refinishing tip. Stock up on woodworking masks because you never know what materials (and potentially even hazardous chemicals) may be flying around when you refinish a vintage piece. I nearly choked a few times, and I’m still not sure what types of fumes we inhaled as we sanded off countless layers of paint, varnish and sealants. Why take that chance? Now I wear a mask anytime we tackle this type of project. I’d add that I tried to save some cash by initially purchasing a cheap-o mask akin to those flimsy plastic Halloween masks kids wear. It left marks on my face. It was difficult to breathe through, and then the flimsy rubber band on the mask broke. Ugh the frustration! So, I recommend you purchase a sturdier, more comfortable (and yes, more expensive) mask like this one.
Step #2b: Ordering New Pulls and Appliqués. As I said, sanding took a while, so I took advantage of that delay by shopping. I spent hours browsing various internet sites, searching for exact right the pulls. The interesting thing about this chest is that the pulls on the top 3 drawers are smaller than those on the bottom two, despite having the same widths (both large and small pulls measure 2.5″ at the centers). So I really had to hunt to find pulls I liked that were available in both large and small sizes. Ultimately, we had great success with these purchased from the unfortunately-named MyKnobs.com. I was so pleased with the experience that we ultimately decided to order all new knobs for our bathroom cabinets from MyKnobs.com. I also wanted to jazz up the flat drawers by adding floral appliqués and found a great selection of floral appliqués at reasonable prices from Do It Yourself Chic retailer at ebay.com.
Step #3: Cleaning Up. Once you’ve finished sanding, it’s important to remove all the dust, as residual dust will keep the paint and primer from sticking. On the advice of various internet furniture painting gurus, we used baby wipes to clean the piece and remove excess sand, dust and debris prior to priming.
Step #4: Applying Appliqués & Priming. This step took longer than necessary. But, I learned the importance of applying appliqués BEFORE priming for best results. That’s my 2nd tip – furniture glue works best when applied directly to bare wood. If you going to add any decorative accents to the furniture you’re refinishing, do so before priming. This may seem self-evident to some, but I had to learn the hard way. I tried to apply appliqués to sanded and primed wood and it was a massive fail! The glue wouldn’t adhere and the appliqués kept sliding off. Ugh! Fortunately, it was a relatively easy fix. We just had to re-sand (to remove primer) the areas where we planned to place the appliqués. Vise grips also helped ensure the appliqués stayed in place while the glue dried. Bonus tip – We found that Gorilla Glue tends to be more effective than furniture glue for appliqué application. We used Rustoleum Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover Primer, available from Home Depot and other retailers.
Step #5: Painting. I started painting by hand using a quart of warm white Valspar paint and a regular bristled brush. But after 3 coats, the coverage was streaky, and I disliked the brush strokes left behind. I experimented with using foam brushes and found that the coverage was smoother but drippy. Even though I sanded the piece by hand after each coat of paint, I still disliked the finish. After researching the best furniture painting guides online, I decided to switch to a different paint altogether – Rustoleum PAINTER’S TOUCH® Ultra Cover 2x Satin Spray in Heirloom White. What a difference! This is now my all-time favorite paint. The coverage is beautiful. The spray nozzle works wonderfully and is so user-friendly in design. Unlike other sprays we’d tried (for smaller projects), this one never clogged or dripped. And the coverage is thin, smooth and even. No more drips or streaks! Tip 3 – If you’re new to refinishing or just don’t have time to bother with (seemingly) endless cycles of paint and sanding, get some PAINTER’S TOUCH® Ultra Cover 2x Spray. Other finishes are available but I love the satin.
Step #6: Gilding the Lilly. I love the look of golden patina over antique white painted furniture. I easily located a suitable (and inexpensive) stencil at the craft store and expected to make quick work of the stenciling using some gold craft paint. But alas, that attempt failed miserably. Next we tried several other gold paint options, everything from craft paint to specialty golden furniture paints. None seemed to stick to the paint or they were barely visible. Some even peeled right off. So we eventually sought advice from online resources and local paint stores, and ultimately purchased 1 quart of this pricey specialty gold paint, Benjamin Moore Studio Finishes Latex Metallic (at a cost of $50 for 1 QT) from the nearest Benjamin Moore retailer.
Fortunately, this product works really well with the stencils. And it was easy to apply using a rolling foam paint brush like this one. After only one coat of this stuff, we had a gorgeous golden stencil on each of the drawers.
After only one coat of this stuff, we had a gorgeous golden stencil on each of the drawers.
For the finishing touch, I used some more of the latex gold paint to highlight the appliqués, as seen here.
Step #7: Sealing. After my experience struggling with brush-on paint (and after realizing the comparative ease of spray paint), I decided to use a spray-on paint sealer. And I figured, why change to something else when we’ve had such success with Rustoleum’s Painter’s Touch products. We used this seal and protect spray and it worked beautifully. I think the finished piece required 2 cans, but it was well worth it given the time and hassle spared. And as you can see from the last picture below, this sealant has protected and preserved all our hard work despite heavy daily use.
The finished product, immediately after completion
The finished project after nearly 5 years. Still in pretty great shape. All those steps paid off in producing a lovely and resilient piece we use daily.
Wisdom for the Day:
Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. ~Psalm 119:127 (English Standard Version) Read more here.
Beauty Resource of the Day:
Wanna read more before tackling your next furniture rehab project? Check out this informative article from Frugal Girl featuring step-by-step guide and product recommendations (and lots of pictures!).
I’ve mentioned previously that I have ADHD, and I often attribute my tendency to lose interest in cosmetics to my general attention deficits. But the truth is, like most women in this culture, exposed to near constant beauty ads and media images, I’m just constantly on the look-out for the next best thing, for that magic bullet that will make my skin perfect and that will finally disguise all my perceived imperfections. I’m a marketer’s dream because I bite on all the product hook lines and chase after every sales pitch. As a result, I generally never get around to finishing the cosmetic products I purchase. Product empties are a rarity for me. So, when I found myself preparing to dispose of 5 empty bottles and 1 completely spent sponge, I felt a post was in order to describe these fantastic products and what makes them special to me.
1. Paula’s Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: Retails for $36 for 1 oz. from Paula’s Choice.com or Dermstore (plus 10% savings if this item is listed among your Dermstore “favorites” list). I adore this serum. It’s possibly my favorite antioxidant serum of all time! Plus it doesn’t contain any retinoids so I used it throughout my pregnancy and while breastfeeding, so I’m (admittedly) somewhat sentimental about this product. But even without sentimentality, this is an elegantly formulated serum that’s well-suited to all skin types and covers all your antioxidant needs. Among other ingredients it contains peptides, ceramides, and Ubiquinone (nearly identical to the star ingredient in the über expensive Prevage MD product line which features idebenone, a synthetic form of ubiquinone), along with nourishing soybean and palm oils, turmeric, bearberry and mushroom extracts. But what really excites me is the combination of multiple forms of stabilized Vitamins C and E in combination with ferulic acid. That’s nearly identical to the ingredients of the ridiculously expensive Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum ($163/oz.) from Dermstore and when purchased at physicians’ offices. But the Paula’s Choice serum is more user-friendly because it’s in an air-tight tube (not dropper-style). And of course, the Paula’s Choice serum is less than 1/4 the price. That adds up to a pretty wise beauty buy in my book!
2. Kenra Professional Clarifying Shampoo Chelating Formula: I am so in love with this shampoo, and it’s so under-rated. I’m like on a crusade to get this product its due respect! It retails for $13 for 10.1 oz. from ULTA or $32 for 33.8 oz. from Amazon. You can also purchase it in some salons (including occasionally at the “salons” inside select Wal-Mart superstores) at varying prices and sizes. I love this shampoo because it is hands-down the best clarifying product I’ve ever found. It removes styling product build-up better than anything I’ve ever tried and does so quickly, requiring only wash and very little scrubbing. Okay, so it’s not a gentle sulfate-free co-washing type product (it’s called chelating for a reason). And I have color-treated, very fine, fragile hair, so I only use it about once a month. But it’s so effective that’s really all I need to use it. Afterwards, my hair is shinier and has more volume, because it’s not weighed down by all that excess build-up. Bonus, this shampoo is hands-down the best makeup brush and sponge cleaner I’ve ever found! The larger size/price comes in at just under a $1/ounce – an absolute steal when you consider that the “value sized” 10 oz. BEAUTYBLENDER liquid blender cleanser® retails for $30 ($3/oz.). This product is the ultimate multi-tasker and a beauty bargain to boot. I simply cannot recommend this shampoo highly enough.
3. Timeless Skincare The Original Hyaluronic Acid 100% Pure: Retails for $13.16 for 2 oz. from Amazon.com Hyaluronic Acid is a big buzz ingredient these days in skincare. But it’s been around for a while (it’s most commonly used as an injectable filler). It doesn’t have the same (longer lasting) effects when applied topically, but has a nice skin-plumping effect and is a great addition to your existing anti-aging skincare routine. Turns out it’s pretty difficult to get HA in a stabilized form for topical application, so it’s usually pretty expensive. For example, I’ve also ordered and enjoy using Paula’s Choice brand Hyaluronic Acid Booster (seen here) which retails for $45 for 0.67 oz. Now admittedly, the PC’s HA product has a few more bells and whistles (several ceramides, adenosine and panthenol). But since I’m already using some pretty outstanding serums and lotions, I don’t mind saving a little money when it comes to my HA booster. And this one is a steal at only $6.58/ounce! It mixes in with nearly other treatment, lotion and potion I use and is especially great patted on top of foundations or powders, making the cakiest of applications look smooth and lovely. It’s a wonderful perk-me-up that never disrupts the pre-existing application. I like to pat it onto my eye area when I’m looking more wrinkly or tired than usual, which seems to be more often these days (i.e. since becoming a mom) and probably accounts for the recently emptied bottle.
4. Obagi Nu-derm Exfoderm Blender: Price varies, available only from physicians’ offices. In general, retails for around $100 for 2 oz. Read more about this product at Obagi.com. I was first introduced to Exfoderm Blender by the same Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner who, not coincidentally, also introduced me to one of my favorite products ever, Revision Intellishade, about which I’ve already written at length here, so I’ll spare you further rhapsodizing about it here. Suffice it to say, I trust this brilliant woman’s opinion. She never steered me wrong and the Exfoderm Blender is yet another example. Blender contains 4% Hydroquinone, probably the most-researched, most scientifically-supported skin-lightening ingredient. It’s important to understand how hydroquinone works because some people mistakenly think that it “bleaches” the skin which is untrue. Hydroquinone actually works by preventing melanin (skin pigment) production. It’s effective when used as part of a comprehensive skincare regimen that absolutely must include broad-spectrum sunscreen. For more on broad-spectrum SPF, check out this article. And if you’re interested in reading more about hydroquinone, are considering using yourself and just fancy a bit of fascinating cosmetic chemistry reading, check out this summary from Beautypedia. But back to why I love this product: I’m ashamed to admit I was very unwise about sun protection when I was younger. I even frequented tanning salons in my teens and 20s. Horrifying, I know! I had a couple sun spots on my cheeks in my early 30s, and this stuff knocked ’em out in less than 6 weeks. With consistent sunscreen application, those pesky sun/age spots on my cheeks have never returned (thank goodness). But unlike PC’s RESIST Super serum, I wasn’t able to use this product during my pregnancy or while breastfeeding. And despite my best efforts and lots of sunscreen, like many women, I developed some sun sports and hyper pigmentation (this time on my neck and chest) during my pregnancy. So I was super excited to resume using Exfoderm Blender as soon as my daughter was weened. Now that I’ve finished this bottle, I hope to purchase another one as soon as our budget allows for it. It ain’t cheap, but it’s really effective!
5. M2 Skincare High Potency Skin Refinish Retails $49.98 for 1.7 oz. at Dermstore. I was first introduced to this product a few years back when I received a deluxe sample along with an order I purchased from Dermstore. After testing that sample just once, I immediately ordered the full-sized product. Since then (about 4 years ago now), I’ve yet to experience any other exfoliant that even comes close to performing as well. Skin Refinish is great because it combines mandelic and malic acid exfoliants, which are gentler forms of glycolic acids at a pH that actually works. Along with the acids, M2 includes the ever-popular antioxidant ubiquinone (noticing a trend here?), some other antioxidants (like algae extract), hyaluronic acid and some aloe leaf extract for soothing. The packaging M2 selected is especially thoughtful. Hubs calls it “space-aged.” The bottle is frosted to avoid any light or sun damage to the ingredients (antioxidants readily breakdown and are rendered useless in the presence of light and air. N.B. that’s why expensive jars of cream claiming to provide tons of antioxidant ingredients are such a ripoff – because the prized ingredients will be rendered ineffective in a matter of days after opening). You have to twist the nozzle on the SkinRefinish bottle before the pump appears allowing you to dispense the product. Then you twist the top again, and the pump dispenser disappears back into the bottle. Pretty cool! And most importantly, it preserves the integrity of the precious ingredients inside. I use this product once per week, every Saturday night, and I immediately notice a difference in my skin. Then the next morning I wake up with brighter, tighter, glowing, more youthful skin. I love it! The most impactful exfoliant ever! Far superior to any grainy scrub. I already have my next bottle ready and waiting, so tossing this one was not too painful.
6. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: Retails for $6.99/each at ULTA or $10.99 for 2 sponges (also at ULTA). Incidentally, ULTA usually offers a buy one, get one 50% deal on these little guys. So, doing the math, that would be 4 sponges for $16.49 (plus tax obviously), or a little over $4.12/sponge. Not bad when compared to that famous pink sponge that costs $20 per! I know, I know. The two are not perfectly comparable. And this may be sacrilegious to some, but for day-to-day makeup application, I actually prefer the RT version! Feel free to hit me with angry comments. I promise to respond to each one 🙂 But I dislike the idea of using a $20 for everyday applications. Sure I like the almighty BeautyBlender too. They’re great. But I tend to save my super-snazzy, jewel-like pink egg sponges for those occasions when I’m getting all dolled up for something special. For one thing, most of the time, I’m not applying a full face of foundation. Most days I’m sticking to simple Tinted Moisturizer and for that, I prefer the flat side of the RT sponge to smaller rounded BB. For another thing, I like the softer texture of the RT for day-to-day application. The RT tends to lay down lighter coverage, which again, is more appropriate for daytime, informal usage. And finally, I use RT sponges most of the time because I’m really rough on my sponges. I routinely use the same sponge for tinted moisturizer or BB cream; to dab on a little cream foundation over said BB cream (just where I need a little more coverage, you understand); to dip into cream concealer or to dot on some color corrector; to smudge out bronzer or blush; and to smooth out my high SPF powder foundation. I even use the pointy tip to go over the (often) messy areas of my eyeshadow. At the end of the day, there’s a whole lot of color product built up on my sponges. I try to be consistent about cleaning my sponges, but I do have a baby and a husband after all. So if I have dispose of my sponges more frequently that say, every 3 months, I’d prefer not to suffer massive pangs of financial remorse every time I toss one. I feel better by saving a little cash and using the RTs most of the time, especially since the performance is really good!
Beauty Resource Video of the Day:
Check out this informative video from Makeup Geek as she shares the top reasons why we (all at one time or another) have experienced this unpleasant phenomenon, and more importantly how to avoid it!
Wisdom for the Day:
Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
~Proverbs 22:29 (English Standard Version)
Read more here.
Be sure to subscribe to Daily Beauty Wisdom to automatically receive new posts sent directly to your inbox of choice!
I’ve mentioned previously that I have ADHD, and I often attribute my tendency to lose interest in cosmetics to my general attention deficits. But the truth is, like most women in this culture, exposed to near constant beauty ads and media images, I’m just constantly on the look-out for the next best thing, for that magic bullet that will make my skin perfect and that will finally disguise all my perceived imperfections. I’m a marketer’s dream because I bite on all the product hook lines and chase after every sales pitch. As a result, I generally never get around to finishing the cosmetic products I purchase. Product empties are a rarity for me. So, when I found myself preparing to dispose of 5 empty bottles and 1 completely spent sponge, I felt a post was in order to describe these fantastic products and what makes them special to me.
1. Paula’s Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: Retails for $36 for 1 oz. from Paula’s Choice.com or Dermstore (plus 10% savings if this item is listed among your Dermstore “favorites” list). I adore this serum. It’s possibly my favorite antioxidant serum of all time! Plus it doesn’t contain any retinoids so I used it throughout my pregnancy and while breastfeeding, so I’m (admittedly) somewhat sentimental about this product. But even without sentimentality, this is an elegantly formulated serum that’s well-suited to all skin types and covers all your antioxidant needs. Among other ingredients it contains peptides, ceramides, and Ubiquinone (nearly identical to the star ingredient in the über expensive Prevage MD product line which features idebenone, a synthetic form of ubiquinone), along with nourishing soybean and palm oils, turmeric, bearberry and mushroom extracts. But what really excites me is the combination of multiple forms of stabilized Vitamins C and E in combination with ferulic acid. That’s nearly identical to the ingredients of the ridiculously expensive Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum ($163/oz.) from Dermstore and when purchased at physicians’ offices. But the Paula’s Choice serum is more user-friendly because it’s in an air-tight tube (not dropper-style). And of course, the Paula’s Choice serum is less than 1/4 the price. That adds up to a pretty wise beauty buy in my book!
2. Kenra Professional Clarifying Shampoo Chelating Formula: I am so in love with this shampoo, and it’s so under-rated. I’m like on a crusade to get this product its due respect! It retails for $13 for 10.1 oz. from ULTA or $32 for 33.8 oz. from Amazon. You can also purchase it in some salons (including occasionally at the “salons” inside select Wal-Mart superstores) at varying prices and sizes. I love this shampoo because it is hands-down the best clarifying product I’ve ever found. It removes styling product build-up better than anything I’ve ever tried and does so quickly, requiring only wash and very little scrubbing. Okay, so it’s not a gentle sulfate-free co-washing type product (it’s called chelating for a reason). And I have color-treated, very fine, fragile hair, so I only use it about once a month. But it’s so effective that’s really all I need to use it. Afterwards, my hair is shinier and has more volume, because it’s not weighed down by all that excess build-up. Bonus, this shampoo is hands-down the best makeup brush and sponge cleaner I’ve ever found! The larger size/price comes in at just under a $1/ounce – an absolute steal when you consider that the “value sized” 10 oz. BEAUTYBLENDER liquid blender cleanser® retails for $30 ($3/oz.). This product is the ultimate multi-tasker and a beauty bargain to boot. I simply cannot recommend this shampoo highly enough.
3. Timeless Skincare The Original Hyaluronic Acid 100% Pure: Retails for $13.16 for 2 oz. from Amazon.com Hyaluronic Acid is a big buzz ingredient these days in skincare. But it’s been around for a while (it’s most commonly used as an injectable filler). It doesn’t have the same (longer lasting) effects when applied topically, but has a nice skin-plumping effect and is a great addition to your existing anti-aging skincare routine. Turns out it’s pretty difficult to get HA in a stabilized form for topical application, so it’s usually pretty expensive. For example, I’ve also ordered and enjoy using Paula’s Choice brand Hyaluronic Acid Booster (seen here) which retails for $45 for 0.67 oz. Now admittedly, the PC’s HA product has a few more bells and whistles (several ceramides, adenosine and panthenol). But since I’m already using some pretty outstanding serums and lotions, I don’t mind saving a little money when it comes to my HA booster. And this one is a steal at only $6.58/ounce! It mixes in with nearly other treatment, lotion and potion I use and is especially great patted on top of foundations or powders, making the cakiest of applications look smooth and lovely. It’s a wonderful perk-me-up that never disrupts the pre-existing application. I like to pat it onto my eye area when I’m looking more wrinkly or tired than usual, which seems to be more often these days (i.e. since becoming a mom) and probably accounts for the recently emptied bottle.
4. Obagi Nu-derm Exfoderm Blender: Price varies, available only from physicians’ offices. In general, retails for around $100 for 2 oz. Read more about this product at Obagi.com. I was first introduced to Exfoderm Blender by the same Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner who, not coincidentally, also introduced me to one of my favorite products ever, Revision Intellishade, about which I’ve already written at length here, so I’ll spare you further rhapsodizing about it here. Suffice it to say, I trust this brilliant woman’s opinion. She never steered me wrong and the Exfoderm Blender is yet another example. Blender contains 4% Hydroquinone, probably the most-researched, most scientifically-supported skin-lightening ingredient. It’s important to understand how hydroquinone works because some people mistakenly think that it “bleaches” the skin which is untrue. Hydroquinone actually works by preventing melanin (skin pigment) production. It’s effective when used as part of a comprehensive skincare regimen that absolutely must include broad-spectrum sunscreen. For more on broad-spectrum SPF, check out this article. And if you’re interested in reading more about hydroquinone, are considering using yourself and just fancy a bit of fascinating cosmetic chemistry reading, check out this summary from Beautypedia. But back to why I love this product: I’m ashamed to admit I was very unwise about sun protection when I was younger. I even frequented tanning salons in my teens and 20s. Horrifying, I know! I had a couple sun spots on my cheeks in my early 30s, and this stuff knocked ’em out in less than 6 weeks. With consistent sunscreen application, those pesky sun/age spots on my cheeks have never returned (thank goodness). But unlike PC’s RESIST Super serum, I wasn’t able to use this product during my pregnancy or while breastfeeding. And despite my best efforts and lots of sunscreen, like many women, I developed some sun sports and hyper pigmentation (this time on my neck and chest) during my pregnancy. So I was super excited to resume using Exfoderm Blender as soon as my daughter was weened. Now that I’ve finished this bottle, I hope to purchase another one as soon as our budget allows for it. It ain’t cheap, but it’s really effective!
5. M2 Skincare High Potency Skin Refinish Retails $49.98 for 1.7 oz. at Dermstore. I was first introduced to this product a few years back when I received a deluxe sample along with an order I purchased from Dermstore. After testing that sample just once, I immediately ordered the full-sized product. Since then (about 4 years ago now), I’ve yet to experience any other exfoliant that even comes close to performing as well. Skin Refinish is great because it combines mandelic and malic acid exfoliants, which are gentler forms of glycolic acids at a pH that actually works. Along with the acids, M2 includes the ever-popular antioxidant ubiquinone (noticing a trend here?), some other antioxidants (like algae extract), hyaluronic acid and some aloe leaf extract for soothing. The packaging M2 selected is especially thoughtful. Hubs calls it “space-aged.” The bottle is frosted to avoid any light or sun damage to the ingredients (antioxidants readily breakdown and are rendered useless in the presence of light and air. N.B. that’s why expensive jars of cream claiming to provide tons of antioxidant ingredients are such a ripoff – because the prized ingredients will be rendered ineffective in a matter of days after opening). You have to twist the nozzle on the SkinRefinish bottle before the pump appears allowing you to dispense the product. Then you twist the top again, and the pump dispenser disappears back into the bottle. Pretty cool! And most importantly, it preserves the integrity of the precious ingredients inside. I use this product once per week, every Saturday night, and I immediately notice a difference in my skin. Then the next morning I wake up with brighter, tighter, glowing, more youthful skin. I love it! The most impactful exfoliant ever! Far superior to any grainy scrub. I already have my next bottle ready and waiting, so tossing this one was not too painful.
6. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: Retails for $6.99/each at ULTA or $10.99 for 2 sponges (also at ULTA). Incidentally, ULTA usually offers a buy one, get one 50% deal on these little guys. So, doing the math, that would be 4 sponges for $16.49 (plus tax obviously), or a little over $4.12/sponge. Not bad when compared to that famous pink sponge that costs $20 per! I know, I know. The two are not perfectly comparable. And this may be sacrilegious to some, but for day-to-day makeup application, I actually prefer the RT version! Feel free to hit me with angry comments. I promise to respond to each one 🙂 But I dislike the idea of using a $20 for everyday applications. Sure I like the almighty BeautyBlender too. They’re great. But I tend to save my super-snazzy, jewel-like pink egg sponges for those occasions when I’m getting all dolled up for something special. For one thing, most of the time, I’m not applying a full face of foundation. Most days I’m sticking to simple Tinted Moisturizer and for that, I prefer the flat side of the RT sponge to smaller rounded BB. For another thing, I like the softer texture of the RT for day-to-day application. The RT tends to lay down lighter coverage, which again, is more appropriate for daytime, informal usage. And finally, I use RT sponges most of the time because I’m really rough on my sponges. I routinely use the same sponge for tinted moisturizer or BB cream; to dab on a little cream foundation over said BB cream (just where I need a little more coverage, you understand); to dip into cream concealer or to dot on some color corrector; to smudge out bronzer or blush; and to smooth out my high SPF powder foundation. I even use the pointy tip to go over the (often) messy areas of my eyeshadow. At the end of the day, there’s a whole lot of color product built up on my sponges. I try to be consistent about cleaning my sponges, but I do have a baby and a husband after all. So if I have dispose of my sponges more frequently that say, every 3 months, I’d prefer not to suffer massive pangs of financial remorse every time I toss one. I feel better by saving a little cash and using the RTs most of the time, especially since the performance is really good!
Beauty Resource Video of the Day:
Check out this informative video from Makeup Geek as she shares the top reasons why we (all at one time or another) have experienced this unpleasant phenomenon, and more importantly how to avoid it!
Wisdom for the Day:
Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
~Proverbs 22:29 (English Standard Version)
Read more here.
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Just SOME of the SPF options from the sunscreen aisle at my local Walmart
I recently stood in front of this display at my local Wal-Mart for like 10+ minutes (incidentally way more time than I wanna spend at any part of Wal-Mart) looking at sunscreens. As I pondered various SPFs, another woman and her young daughter approached. She was similarly perplexed by the options, and she asked my advice for a kid-friendly SPF because she’d previously purchased a sunscreen that caused an allergic reaction in her daughter. We talked for a while and she mentioned how confusing finding a suitable sunscreen had become. We discussed the things she tried and her daughter’s reaction. She ultimately chose a gentle mineral (or physical) sunscreen and thanked me for the advice.
A Brief Sunscreen Primer:
Have you also noticed that sunscreen shopping has become pretty overwhelming lately? There are just SO many options out there, and all of them claim to offer sufficient protection and superior performance. It’s tempting to grab whatever is on sale or whichever bottle looks the best on the sunscreen display. Unfortunately, that’s not always a wise way to go. As with the food we eat and the beverages we drink, it pays to read the ingredient lists on sunscreens you are considering purchasing. In fact, this is especially true with sunscreen “active ingredients.” There’s a whole lot to keep in mind when sunscreen shopping, and there’s a bunch of terminology to learn. A key SPF term is “broad-spectrum” meaning the product protects against both UVB and UVA rays. UVB rays are the ones that cause skin to get red, burn or tan. UVA rays are the really nasty ones that are primarily responsible for aging, wrinkles, sagging skin and (scariest of all) skin cancer (Source).
There are 2 categories of broad-spectrum sunscreen active ingredients – mineral (AKA “physical”) sunscreens and chemical (AKA “synthetic”) sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens are generally gentler; are best for children (6 months and older) and those with allergies and sensitive skin; and work by creating a physical barrier between skin and the sun. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are mineral sunscreen actives, and most mineral sunscreens include both these ingredients in combination. Unfortunately, mineral sunscreens tend to leave a white or grayish cast on the skin and can affect makeup performance, and some people with acne may break out after using them. Synthetic or chemical sunscreen actives include avobenzone, Mexoryl SX, and Tinosorb. These ingredients dissolve into the skin more readily (that’s how they work) and are therefore easier to use under or in makeup products. However, sensitive skins, those with allergies or very young children may react negatively (think stinging skin or watery eyes) to chemical sunscreens especially when applied on the face or near the eyes. So, both mineral and chemical actives have their pluses and minuses.
The Wal-Mart encounter got me thinking that it would be helpful to create an easy-to-read info sheet comparing reasonably priced sunscreens, so that is my intent. Below I have listed a dozen sunscreen options. Each option was selected based on the following criteria: 1.) Must have broad-spectrum sun protection. 2.) Face products have an SPF rating of 45 or higher; lip SPFs a rating of 25 or higher. 3.) All sunscreens must cost $15 or less. I have listed each product by name; SPF rating; the amount of product you get; prices points from 3 selected retailers (I chose ULTA; Wal-Mart and Amazon.com); and have included brief product summaries based on my own product testing; the benefits and limitations of each (IMO); a few other comments on each product (e.g., how the product performs under makeup, if it has fragrance, is suitable for children, etc.); and my thoughts as to who may be the best person/persons in your family to use this product.
N.B. Products with an asterisk ‘*’ are brands carrying the official Seal of Approval of the International Skin Cancer Foundation (Source). That’s a whole bunch of points to consider! So, let’s get started. First the mineral-based sunscreens:
Mineral sunscreen actives are titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These products are often considered gentler and labeled for sensitive skin or very young children.
1. Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF50* (1.4 oz.). This fragrance-free all-mineral sunscreen uses 5% titanium dioxide and 3% zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum coverage but includes minimal other good-for-skin ingredients. Price points as follows: Not currently available at ULTA (though I’ve previously purchased in-store at ULTA, so you may check your local store); available for $11.80 from Wal-Mart; and $11.79 from Amazon. This product has the thinnest texture (almost watery) of any mineral sunscreen I tested. But even if you shake it up really well, it initially has a grainy feel that goes away as you rub the product into your skin. I found the graininess somewhat irritating and imagine babies and those with very sensitive skin would as well. It has a very minimal white cast and performs fairly well under makeup, again the best of any mineral sunscreen I reviewed here. As with all similar products, you must be careful to rub in these sunscreens around the tricky areas (hairline, brows, nostrils, any dry patches, etc.). With the exception of the initially grainy texture, I would highly recommend this product for all family members.
2. Cerave Sunscreen Broad Specrum Stick SPF50* (0.47 oz.). Not currently available from ULTA; available for $10.05 from Wal-Mart; and $9.99 from Amazon. This fragrance-free all-mineral sunscreen stick includes a couple of great skin-beneficial ingredients – ceramides (typical of Cerave) and hyaluronic acid but no antioxidants (just as well given the stick-style of this product. Antioxidants would be rendered useless shortly after opening). This product uses a whopping 6% titanium dioxide and 4.7% zinc oxide! With that level of mineral actives, you would expect it to be opaque, and it definitely is. This reminds me of those solid white strips of sunscreen lifeguards would sport back in the day. It’s not a product I’d use on my face before applying makeup. But it’s great for babies or young children as long as the child is willing to let you take the time to rub in the sunscreen. Given the size and style, it works really well stashed in a purse or makeup bag for on-the-go or spot applications of small areas (but again, probably not over makeup), as long as you’re able to tolerate some white patchy areas after application. Speaking of size, it’s pretty pricey given the amount you get, so keep that in mind as well.
3. Cerave Broad Spectrum Face Lotion with InVisibleZinc SPF50* (2 oz.) This all-mineral sunscreen is available for $14.99 from ULTA; for $12.12 from Wal-Mart; and for $7.99 from Amazon. As with Cerave’s stick option (above), this one is also fragrance-free and features actives titanium dioxide (present here in 4.9%) and zinc oxide (at 4.7%), the company’s star ingredient ceramides (present here in several forms) along with hyaluronic acid, peptides and beeswax. The good news is that Cerave included some antioxidants in both this formulation and the similar Cerave Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Body Lotion SPF50. The antioxidants can help provide further skin-protection against free radical damage (for more on antioxidants check out this article and recipe). This product contains Vitamin C, Niacinamide and small amounts of Vitamin E. This is a thicker lotion and leaves a definite white cast on application that takes significant time and effort to rub into skin. It works well for babies and young children, those with very sensitive skin, or anyone willing to take the time to rub this lotion into the skin. Just keep in mind that it will affect makeup performance and appearance.
4. Neutrogena pure & free baby sunscreen with purescreen SPF 60+* (3 oz.) Priced at $11.99 from ULTA.com; at $9.42 from Wal-Mart; and $13.99 from Amazon. This is a fragrance-free product featuring all mineral sunscreens (4.9% Titanium Dioxide; and 4.7% Zinc Oxide). Neutrogena also included Vitamin C (in the form of ascorbic acid), oat kernel extract and beeswax for hydration. But inexplicably, the company also included a preservative (methylisothiazolinone)+++ which, as explained below can cause sensitizing reactions when included in leave-on skincare products. This product has a thicker texture and leaves a white cast that, while less noticeable after a few minutes, may alter the color, performance of makeup. The problematic preservative in this sunscreen is the real deal-breaker here and makes this one a no-go for children and anyone with sensitive skin. I cannot recommend this product for any member of the family. Just check out the Amazon.com reviews! You’ll be convinced to go elsewhere for SPF protection. I’d suggest another Neutrogena option, Pure & Free Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF50 or Cerave’s Broad Spectrum Face Lotion with InVisibleZinc SPF50 (both above) as far superior. Both offer broad-spectrum, all-mineral SPF50 protection more appropriate for young children’s sensitive skin. Any mineral sunscreen is going to leave some white cast behind (these 2 options included), but both are far better suited to babies and young children and do not include any glaringly problematic ingredients.
+++Per this product’s ingredient list, this product contains an ingredient called methylisothiazolinone, a preservative known to cause sensitive reactions in skincare products. Here’s the link to the Beautypedia summary. Additional Sources: Actas Dermo-Sifiliograficas, January-February 2009, pages 53–60; Archives of Dermatological Research, February 2007, pages 427–437; and Contact Dermatitis, October 2005, pages 226–233).
Moving onto to the chemical sunscreens:
Synthetic or chemical sunscreens work by dissolving into the skin, so they are less likely than mineral actives to disrupt makeup application or leave whitish cast on the skin after applying. But they may cause a reaction in sensitive individual, including children.
5. Coppertone Oil-Free Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF50* (3 oz.). This product is not currently available online from ULTA; it is available for $6.87 from Wal-Mart; and for $11.82 from Amazon. This fragrance-free all lotion-style sunscreen is surprising emollient while still managing to absorb quickly and without leaving noticeable residue or cast. It performs well under makeup. But it’s worth noting that the all-chemical sunscreen actives may provoke some reaction among sensitive individuals. Avobenzone is present (here in 3%) for UVA protection along with other standard UVB chemical actives (Homesalate 15%; Octisalate 5%; Octocrylene 10%; Oxybenzone 6%). Coppertone also included minimal amounts of palmitic acid (an emollient) & some vitamin E (tocpherol). I really like this product for its reasonable price and excellent performance under makeup. I recommend it for adults and those without sensitive skin, especially those in need of a high SPF.
6. L’Oreal Silky Sheer Face Lotion Sunscreen SPF50+ Antioxidants (1.7 oz.) Not currently available from ULTA; available for $12.96 from Wal-Mart (though out of stock at time of this writing); and available for $11.99 from Amazon. This is a fragrance-free all synthetic (chemical) sunscreen which includes 3% Avobenzone for broad-spectrum protection along with Homesalate (15%); Octisalate (5%); Octocrylene (5%); and Oxybenzone (6%), all UVB protectants. The antioxidants referenced in the title are not present in large amounts. It has a thin, almost watery texture that blends in quickly, leaving no color texture behind. I find that it performs well under makeup and does not pill, crack or “bunch up” in my pores or around my eyebrows, hairline, nostrils etc. Honestly, I really like this product. I was saddened to read (among Amazon reviews) that this product may be discontinued. That would explain the difficulty I had in repurchasing a new bottle. 😟 I hate when cosmetic companies discontinue great products. If you’re able to get your hands on this stuff, it’s best for pre-makeup application, for those without sensitive skin (due to synthetic actives) or for stashing in the car to protect hands, arms, other areas you may have forgotten to cover with SPF or for additional SPF touch-ups throughout the day.
7. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen SPF70* (1.4 oz.). This very high liquid SPF is priced at $12.99 from ULTA; and is available for $10.77 from Wal-Mart; and for $11.99 from Amazon. This very thin (almost watery) liquid sunscreen uses all synthetic actives including 3% avobenzone for UVA protection as well as 10% Homesalate; 5% Octisalate; 7.5% Octocrylene; and 5% Oxybenzone (all for UVB protection). The thin, watery texture dissolves almost immediately after application with minimal rubbing required, making it ideal for pre-makeup application. And the higher SPF means if you’re the type of person who tends to under-apply your sunscreen, this may be the product for you, as long as you’re not allergic or sensitive to chemical sunscreens. There’s one catch. This product has an odd chemical smell that is quite noticeable on application and for about 5 minutes thereafter. It doesn’t bother me tremendously (I’m pretty sensitive to smells), but I am definitely aware of it until it dissipates (after about 5 minutes). Just something to keep in mind. Because of the chemical actives, I would not recommend this for young children. But for adults without sensitive skin or allergies to chemical sunscreens, this is a great option!
8. Jason Sun Kids Sunscreen SPF45 (4 oz.). Jason Sun is not currently available from ULTA. But it is currently available at Wal-Mart for $9.67, and it is available for $9.19 from Amazon. A little background, Hubs has used and enjoyed this product for several years. I’ve always commented on how much I enjoy it when he uses it because I like the smell of it. So first thing to know about this sunscreen is that it has a really obvious scent. We’re talking powerful fragrance. It’s pleasant, but it’s obviously there. So if you’re bothered by fragrance, skip this sunscreen. And I think it’s kinda weird for JÃSÖN® a company which claims to be safe and gentle, to produce such a fragranced product under the name “Kids.” But I digress. I was satisfied with Hubs’ usage of the product because it’s not an unpleasant smell (it smells a little like Hubs bathed with a bottle of old-school Panama Jack Tanning Oil), and I’m always glad when he uses sunscreen. I always considered the smell as my confirmation that Hubs was protected. So when I began researching this product for this post, I was mortified to discover that Beautypedia review indicated this product does NOT provide broad-spectrum protection. Houston, we have a huge problem (asking self why I never checked the Beautypedia review before and how I could have allowed Hubs to be walking around with sub-par sun protection for so long)! However, on closer inspection of the actual product ingredient list, I noticed that the Beautypedia review did not include all the active ingredients and specifically does not include: 3% butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, AKA avobenzone which is in fact a broad-spectrum sunscreen active.
(here’s the pic)
So, it appears to me that this product does, in fact, offer broad-spectrum sun protection. And again, I say that this broad-spectrum sunscreen bit is a tricky business. This product dissolves fairly quickly leaving minimal white cast behind. Hubs has really enjoyed wearing it and has no complaints. I have applied from my neck down and had no negative reactions or problems. However, that doesn’t make this a good option for everyone, especially children. It’s still an all-chemical sunscreen with a strong fragrance. If you’re not sensitive to chemical sunscreens or fragrance, this may be an option for you.
Here’s a few more sun protection products I really like. These products are not as widely available as those above. But they’re inexpensive and offer broad-spectrum sun protection. First let’s talk about lips. One of my worst habits (when it comes to sun protection, I have lots of other bad habits not particularly germane to this post) is neglecting my lips. I’ll admit, years, decades went by before I recognized the importance of applying sunscreen on my lips. Even when I started going regularly to the dermatologist for anti-aging treatments, using prescription-strength skincare, etc. it just never occurred to me that I needed to protect my lips. Weird right? Then one day at a family reunion, I noticed several of my older relatives had small dark greyish, almost black moles or growths on their lips I’d never previously noticed. That was enough to convince me to always apply sunscreen to my lips prior to lipstick, gloss, whatever type of color products I may use that day. Here are my current lip protection favs:
9. Almay Age Essentials Lip Treatment $12.99 at ULTA and not yet available at Wal-Mart and Amazon. It’s a clear balm includes several chemical sunscreens, including 3% avobenzone for broad-spectrum protection (N.B. it’s generally preferable to use chemical sunscreens in lip products unless you have an allergy to synthetic sunscreens). This product comes in traditional twist-up lipstick style container (similar to Maybelline’s Baby Lips) but it’s thicker than a traditional chapstick. The stick is thicker primarily because it has what Almay calls an “anti-aging” pink center core which contains primarily emollients (glycerin, fatty acids, waxes, etc.) and small amounts of antioxidants and peptides. The lovely and talented Tati reviews this product briefly here.
Be sure to check out that video for more info on this and other new drugstore products. This product goes on sheer but is pretty shiny so keep that in mind if that’s a problem for you. It may be a deal-breaker for men (some of whom will probably dislike the lipstick-like appearance of this product as well).
10. If you’re into a traditional chapstick style, check out Australian Gold’s Face Guard Stick SPF50$7.20 at Amazon at Wal-Mart. It is not currently available at ULTA. This is a simple, straight-forward sunscreen without fragrance or frills (not additional ingredients to mention). It features the standard chemical sunscreens and 3% avobenzone as primary UVA protection and can be used on the lips, ears and small areas like tattoos, or anywhere that needs extra protection. I wouldn’t use it on a baby unless you know that baby can tolerate chemical sunscreens without reaction or allergy.
11. If you’re into more emollient, Vaseline-style lip treatments, consider Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balms SPF25. These scented/flavored lip balms are available for $7.50 from ULTA; and Amazon.com. This product includes 3% avobenzone sunscreen among other chemical actives and comes in several flavors like “grapefruit & shea butter” (ULTA sells only 3 flavors). It also has several good-for-you ingredients like Green Tea extract, Shea butter and Avocado oil. However, I’d be concerned about the amount of Mint oil it includes (it’s pretty high on the ingredient list). Though Mint oil is included in a number of lip products these days (especially those claiming to “plump” lips), it’s a potential skin irritant (Source). And, I personally prefer the chapstick-style like Almay’s product above because it’s easier to apply lipstick over it. But this product works well as a stand-alone gloss or over a lipstain.
12. And finally – Paula’s Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF50* (5 oz.) is a fragrance-free lotion-style sunscreen that I’ve enjoyed for years. It’s available for $17 at Paulaschoice.com. Hint: Paula’s Choice routinely offers email exclusive sales (like the current 20% off all products anniversary sale). This particular PC sunscreen features several synthetic (chemical) sunscreens including UVA active avobenzone (3%) as well as several antioxidants (e.g., multiple forms of Vitamin E, Vitamins A and C) along with an anti-inflammatory agent and aloe. This is a wonderfully-formulated chemical-based sunscreen that absorbs quickly, leaving no white cast or residue behind. It is fragrance-free and has never caused me any tearing or allergic reaction. It does cost more than $15 without the discounts. But I’m including it in the list because you can frequently get it for $15 or so and because it has been my go-to high SPF product for at least 5 years now. I really love it! This product is also available for $17 at Dermstore.com AND you can routinely save 10% on many brands (including Paula’s Choice) by creating a free Dermstore account and a personal “favorites” list. You can occasionally find Paula’s Choice products at Amazon. And I found this product for $19.50 + $5 shipping with very limited availability here. P.S. Paula’s Choice also makes a chapstick-style lip sunscreen (billed as a men’s product) which is marvelous and fairly economical. Check that out here.
BTW, if it seems like I favor Paula’s Choice products, it’s because I do. I’ve learned so much about skincare, product ingredients and chemistry, and the way the cosmetics industry works from reading Paula Begoun’s books and articles. Her products (especially antioxidants and sunscreens) perform equal to, in many cases superior to super expensive products you’d purchase in department stores or physicians offices. I strongly recommend Beautypedia to anyone looking to improve their beauty IQ!
Summary: There are many, many reliable and well-formulated sunscreens in all price ranges, far too many to review here. When it comes to choosing a sunscreen, the most important factors to consider are, in descending order of importance: 1.) Does it provide broad-spectrum sun protection (i.e. does it contain at least 1 of the following: avobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, Mexoryl SX, or Tinosorb)? 2.) Will you use the product in sufficient quantities to get full benefit? 3.) Does the product contain any problematic or objectionable ingredients? and finally 4.) Does the product provide any additional benefits or ingredients like antioxidants, skin-identical ingredients, etc.? I hope this post has been helpful as you prepare to shop for sunscreens this summer.
Beauty Video Resource of the Day:
You may already know how much I adore the wonderfully open and honest Angie from Hot & Flashy. She recently released her 2016 video rating best mineral sunscreens of the year, and I think it’s one of her best videos ever. This year’s video is especially awesome because Angie included a visual aid to demonstrate exactly how much sunscreen the typical person is using versus how much sunscreen manufacturers assume we’re using when they issue the SPF ratings for each product as well as the amount the FDA recommends we use for sufficient sun protection. Here’s a preview: you’re not using enough!
Wisdom for the Day:
Yours (oh God) is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter. ~Psalm 74:16-17 (English Standard Version)
Read more here.
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Today’s post is part 6 in my series of recipes based on a recent HealthGrove study identifying the top 30 foods for beautiful skin and hair. As I have previously discussed, all but 3 of the most beautifying foods are #WHOLE30 foods. The 3 exceptions on the list (those foods not technically Paleo or WHOLE30-compliant) are legumes (i.e. beans), not dairy or grains. In case you missed any of the previous recipes from this series, you will find links for each at the bottom of this post. So, be sure to check those out, and definitely stay tuned to Daily Beauty Wisdom because I’ll be posting all new recipes for each of the remaining #Paleo / #WHOLE30 ingredients from the HealthGrove list (I think I’ve got about 20 or 21 left to cover). And be sure to subscribe to Daily Beauty Wisdom to automatically receive new posts sent directly to your inbox of choice!
Today’s beautifying ingredient is the sweet and juicy, bright red succulent strawberry (food #17 from the HealthGrove list). Here’s a little bit of trivia. Did you know strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside? Strawberries are low calorie, high in fiber and a terrific source of Vitamin C (necessary in the synthesis of collagen, the key component of healthy skin and hair), providing more than 100% of RDA per serving. Vitamin C is one of several antioxidant vitamins.
You may be wondering why antioxidants are important. Antioxidants protect the skin (and other cells) from oxidation which occurs when our bodies are exposed to free radicals like the sun’s rays, smog, second-hand smoke and other environmental toxins. Oxidation is akin to rusting of the body, and it’s the primary way the body shows its age. Anti-oxidants are the antidote to oxidation, like tiny molecular-level shields protecting against rust and decay inside the body. (when we eat foods high in antioxidants like strawberries) or when applied topically (when using cosmetics that have added antioxidants ingredients). The the science is mixed with respect to usage of antioxidants in preventing disease. But antioxidants are generally accepted as anti-aging superstars. Most experts recommend getting our antioxidants from foods (versus supplements) and suggest the best way to combat aging is to eat foods high in antioxidants and other skin-beneficial ingredients (like biotin and good fats); to get lots of sleep (sleep is when the body repairs itself from damage it sustained during the day); and to use products with antioxidants and other skin-beneficial ingredients (source here).
I whipped up this recipe on Father’s Day to serve to Hubs. Since this was his first official Father’s Day I had quite the special Daddy Dinner menu in the works, including among other things these paleo pancakes (remember we’re not currently doing a #WHOLE30) with homemade strawberry syrup (I used the remaining thawed strawberries, some unsweetened OJ and coconut sugar simmered on LOW for 2 hours); scrambled eggs and bacon; tossed salads and this vinaigrette.
The hallmark of successful recipe – a smiling Hubs!
Because I took a couple of preparatory measures in advance (soaking the dates in the fridge overnight and pre-measuring lemon juice + other ingredients in advance), this recipe was quite literally ready in seconds. I timed it. It took around 47 seconds, literally less than 1 minute to prepare. If using frozen strawberries (which I think is the way to go as long you are careful to purchase UNSWEETENED, AKA no sugar added berries), just remove the bag from the freezer (and place in the refrigerator) the night before you plan to make this dressing. I actually soaked the dates in the fridge overnight too, just to save a little prep time on Sunday. BTW, I used defrosted frozen strawberries in this recipe only because I had them on hand (and I’m a big believer in using what ya’ got). But It’s summertime in North America, at least. So if you can get your hands on some fresh (preferably local) strawberries, I highly recommend using those in this recipe.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup whole fresh or frozen unsweetened strawberries, defrosted and drained (if using frozen)
• 4 whole pitted dates, soaked at least 4 hours, drained (see note below)+++
• 1 tsp. iodized sea salt
• 10 cranks freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. spicy mustard (if doing #WHOLE30 be sure mustard contains no white wine)+++
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (juice from 1 small lemon)
• 1 cup avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
Hardware:
• powerful blender (I used a NutriBullet Pro), but a Vitamix or other sturdy, powerful blender would work equally well
Process:
1. Drain dates and disgard soaking liquid.
2. Add dates, strawberries and all other ingredients to pitcher or jar of blender.
3. Place blender pitcher on base, cover and blend on HIGH until no chunks or pieces of the fruit or garlic remain. It should take no more than a minute.
4. Remove blender from base and remove lid. Test dressing for seasoning and adjust as needed to taste. Then refrigerate until ready to use.
~Makes about 2 cups vinaigrette.
This dressing will keep covered and refrigerated about 1 week.
+++When doing #WHOLE30, it’s very important to check the ingredient lists of any foods you plan to eat (actually it’s always important to be aware of what you’re feeding your family, right?). Some frozen fruits contain sugar or other additives not approved for consumption during WHOLE30 (and which aren’t healthy for us to consume anyway). Sugar and sweeteners of all kinds are off limits during #WHOLE30. And, dijon mustard usually contains white wine which is also not permitted during #WHOLE30. Finally, some dried fruits are processed with sulfites which are not permitted for consumption during #WHOLE30, so carefully check the dates you use for this any other recipe. For a complete list of #WHOLE30 program do’s and don’ts as well as answers to just about any #WHOLE30 questions you may have, I highly recommend you check out the program rules here and other resources available at WHOLE30’s website to educate yourself prior to beginning your own #WHOLE30 journey or whenever you have questions or need some support (N.B. – the Facebook and Twitter feeds are tremendous sources of encouragement and support). Also, consider reading the book It Starts with Food prior to attempting a #WHOLE30. It’s chalked full of useful info and helpful tips to make surviving the whole 30 days a whole lot more tolerable (pun intended).
Whip up this simple and super-fast vinaigrette with a quick whirr of the blender!
Wisdom for the Day:
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.. ~Ephesians 5:22-25 (English Standard Version)
Read more here.
Beauty Resource of the Day:
Here’s another helpful makeup tutorial video from the brilliant Wayne Goss. This little tip will help you avoid making mistakes when applying your eyeshadow:
Hi I'm Karen.
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