by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Cancer, Discounts, Health, Product Reviews, Skincare
When I finally met Gloria, the Founder of Born Skincare, a few weeks ago at Yoga Journal, I could not hug her tightly or praise her products enough. I mean, it was fan girl central. I LOVE her products! I mean LOVE.
The beautiful Gloria’s journey into the natural product world started a lot like mine when Gloria’s brother was diagnosed with cancer. Even though this incredible message behind the products really speaks to my heart, that’s not the only reason I love Born Skincare. It’s also not just because they’ve helped my skin tremendously (although this post will prove they have!) Not just because they’re made with 100% amazing, organic ingredients and love with great intention. Not just because I use Born Skincare each and every day.
I almost hugged Gloria to death because her products have literally saved my life.
Let me elaborate…
If you remember from this post, I suffer from a severe case of scoliosis and arthritis. How does this translate in real life? Well, essentially, it means my back is full of excruciating knots. My muscles often feel like cracking bones, or like someone has stuck a knife in them and is turning it over and over. Not pretty. It doesn’t make life happy. Feels not so good. Because I know how it feels to live with a condition like this, it then comes as no surprise to find that some people may have reached the point where getting surgery on their spine is the next step to take, as scoliosis can be a lot to handle sometimes. With this being said, with surgery as big as this, doing research beforehand by checking out this website, for example, could be a start, as well as speaking to healthcare professionals about this procedure.
All of this I manage with yoga, herbs, and meditation. But recently, my lower back just… went out. I had never really understood what this meant until the morning a few weeks ago when I woke up, threw the covers over to get out of bed, and couldn’t move. The pain was totally excruciating. It was beyond what I had ever felt. And it was really, really inconvenient. Moving is really, really crucial to my job. I couldn’t even begin to start getting out of bed, never mind beginning a yoga practice that may ever promise to help me move. I was so upset.
First, I charged my Source for Muscles from Born Skincare on my crystals & quartz charging plate from Hood x Hippie. It promotes love, gratitude, forgiveness and compassion. I extend this mantra to myself as well as others before applying the oil. This helps to energize the oils with good, healthy intentions as well as acclimate it to my energy before applying it to help my pain.
Along with my yoga practice, herbs and daily affirmations, I need something topical and natural to combat the inflammation. That’s where The Source for Muscles comes in like a knight in shining armor!
With a pure muscadine oil base (this oil is incredible for your skin!) The Source for Muscles perfect to use anywhere from your achey muscles to your sore neck or anywhere you get aches and pains. It also combats the kind of severe inflammation that can leave you bedridden, as I was.
I literally use this oil every time my back acts up. I apply it directly to the sore spot and rub it in gently. It’s jam packed with Eucalyptus and Menthol, which make up the ancient healing ingredients in this pretty powerhouse. Eucalyptus has anti-inflammatory and analgesic affects, acting as a numbing agent as well as relieving the pain, inflammation and soreness in my muscles.
It’s also a decongestant, making it great for your chest if you feel a cold coming on as well. Menthol is a peppermint with a pungent but refreshing flavor that serves as another amazing anti-inflammatory agent in The Source for Muscles. It also works as a relief from tension headaches, nausea and pms symptoms. Gloria’s sourcing is so pure and feels incredible when applied to the skin!
When I applied The Source for Muscles to my lower back for 2 straight days, I could finally begin to move enough again to begin my yoga practice again! It was nothing short of miraculous! I can’t say enough good things about this incredible combinations of oils and herbs. I will never be without it! Within 48 hours of using this on my inflammation I was back in action – totally safe and good to go – as long as my trusty Source for Muscles was by my side!
Now that I’m feeling better, I still give The Source for Muscles a good rub down on sore muscles and aches and pains after a good workout or my yoga practice.
Gloria is offering a 15% discount on The Source for Muscles this week with coupon code ORGANICLIFE at checkout!
Take advantage of this awesome deal while it lasts!
With love,
Tara
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Give Back, Green Beauty, Skincare, TARA Collection, Tara Perfume
I am SO excited to finally share The TARA Collection by Delizioso Skincare with you today! You can head over here to see what we’ve been working so hard on! Save $25 off the full collection!
You can catch my interview about the TARA Glow Collection on The Vibrant Kitchen today. Michelle asked me some awesome, fun questions about the line, my book and some tips about health and beauty.
So, what’s the TARA Glow Collection all about?
Delizioso Skincare’s Tara perfume is a mystical and sexy holy grail. The altitude of organic spirit within this perfume is deep, radiant and inspiring. With an inviting, delicious and invigorating blend of 100% natural plant essences, this exotic aroma is truly the finest standard of pure Madagascar Vanilla and a perfect self-love ritual.
The TARA Adorned Blushing Mousse formula blends into skin, adding a truly natural and gorgeous flush of color. Flattering for all complexions, the mousse is weightless and can be worn over or under powder to add a pop of georgous rosiness to cheeks.
The TARA California Bronzing Mousse is perfect for every complexion and shade, this mousse adds a natural hint of California bronze to skin. With a super smooth and creamy application, the mousse can be used to add a sun-kissed tan to contour.
The TARA Glow Creme Luminizer adds a natural glow to skin. With a super smooth and creamy application, the creme adds a mezmerizing highlight factor for any complexion and shade.
The TARA Radiant Glow Body Oil is a luxurious skin quenching oil with added bronzing shimmer to add a natural glowing and radiant sun-kissed effect to skin. Scented with the glamorous aroma of TARA and made with raw and organic ingredients, the oil hydrates skin and keeps it nourished while maintaining a light, non-greasy texture. I absolutely love the way it looks on the skin.
And, of course, the TARA Botanical Atomizer Perfume (a crowd favorite!) Delizioso Skincare’s Tara perfume is a mystical and sexy holy grail. The altitude of organic spirit within this perfume is deep, radiant and inspiring. With an inviting, delicious and invigorating blend of 100% natural plant essences, this exotic aroma is truly the finest standard of pure Madagascar Vanilla and a perfect self-love ritual.
Each product is made with 100% love and Organic Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil and Tara Signature Blend (Natural Essential Oil & Absolutes).
5% of your purchase goes towards The Cancer Research Institute, in honor of my late Father.
Thank you all for your unending love and support. I am so happy to share this day with you!
With Love,
Tara
Product Photos: Delizioso Skincare
Lifestyle Photographer: BPM Photo
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Green Beauty, Product Reviews, Skincare
Face oil. Seems kinda counter-intuitive right? Believe it or not, face oils have been around for centuries. They contain essential fatty acids, which are crucial in keeping skin young, supple and smooth.
Personally, the right natural oils (which come from nuts, trees, flowers or plants) have not only balanced and hydrated my skin, they’ve completely evened it out and rid me of nasty breakouts, hormonal acne and cysts! Yes, oil!
What’s the difference between an oil and your conventional lotion or cream? Lotions and creams are a mixture of oil and water, and often conventional serums also have an additive that waters it down. However, restorative oils and concentrates are extremely beneficial to your skin, as long as you use the correct oil for your skin type.
So, who made the list of best natural oils?
Genetix Detox Repair Serum
I call the detox repair oil my liquid gold – it’s amazing as an oil cleanser, a moisturizer, a scar treatment, calms skin and evens your tone and overall complexion. A staple in my beauty cabinet! The Detox Repair Serum is specifically formulated with the highest level of french green clay and activated charcoal. Effectively fights blemishes, reduces acne, and helps keep skin free of new breakouts. Healing, organic vitamins are designed to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores while zinc oxide, a natural mineral, provides oil control by absorbing excess sebum. The result is clearer skin that lasts. I use this oil on my skin at night to combat any breakouts, dry skin and acne scars. Essential oil and scent free, which I LOVE! (Use code STAYWEIRD for 25% off this week!)
Which skin type is it good for?
✔ Oily/Acne-Prone/Combination
✔ Normal
✔ Dry
Glow Brightening Serum
Acne not your battle? If your skin is more on the dry/mature, dull or sensitive side, try this skin-smoothing, radiance-boosting retinol youth serum with organic vitamins A, D + C, melatonin and hyaluronic acid for post-facial results and all day hydration. It’s free of essential oils and perfume, so it’s perfect for sensitive skin! is formulated with high potency, organic rosehip, melatonin and hyaluronic acid that immediately tackles dull, pore-clogging dead skin cells, revealing smoother, fresher, younger-looking skin.
Fine lines appear visually plumped, the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation and the visible signs of aging are reduced for a healthier-looking complexion. Perfect for all skin types and all ages, this treatment is enhanced with turmeric and chamomile for maximum brightening and instant radiance. I have so much love for this oil — It’s beautiful! It also doubles as a gorgeous highlighter (Use code STAYWEIRD for 25% off this week!)
Which skin type is it good for?
✔ Normal
✔ Oily/Acne-Prone
✔ Combination
✔ Dry
✔ Sensitive
Cellular Recovery Serum
This magnificent face serum is a top favorite among this incredibly luxurious line. This serum is packed with powerful anti-oxidants, omegas, vitamins, and free radical fighters. Nutrient-dense organic rosehip, magnesium and CoQ10 can penetrate the tough outer layer of your sebum and once there, initiate your skin’s repair process, revealing a vibrant, smoother skin texture.
Main ingredient melatonin has been proven to clinically reduce and reverse the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. With daily application this super serum moisturizes, improves clarity + contributes to a more beautiful, balanced and youthful complexion. All the beautiful oils and herbs in this Cellular Repair Serum promote cell structure and healthy regeneration as well as repair the current damage.
This serum is also essential oil and scent free, which I LOVE (the rest of the oils in this article are scented)! Use code STAYWEIRD for 25% off this week!
Which skin type is it good for?
✔ Normal
✔ Oily/Acne-Prone/Combination
✔ Sensitive
✔ Dry
✔ Mature
(Grab the whole collection and take 25% off with code STAYWEIRD!)
Josh Rosebrook’s Deep Hydrating Serum
It’s also no secret that I adore Josh Rosebrook. He’s one of my dearest friends and my incredible stylist. And his products are LA A-list favorites! A conconction of incredible oils for every skin type (coconut, jojoba, grape seed, apricot, sunflower, hemp and seabuckthorn) as well as exotic herbal infusions of skullcap, marshmallow, neem leaf, green tea, st. john’s wort, and more, this incredible and scrumptious-smelling oil is my go-to day oil. One application leaves skin golden and glowing all day long! This not only rejuvenates skin – it re-awakens it! The phytonutrients help promote collagen and balance skin. Not only is Josh a delight in person, his whole line is amazing! Wake up with a bright, clear, beautiful face!
Kypris Beauty Elixir II – Healing Bouquet
You know by now that I love me some essential herbs in my beauty products, so when this Jasmine, Rose, Patchouli blend met it’s CoQ10 vitamins E and C, I was hooked. I adore Kypris’s elixir not only for her incredible, lush aromatherapy benefits and her delicious lingering scent, I’m super impressed by her GMO-free, kosher standard. This sexy and expertly crafted formula encourages skin to be at it’s most plump, hydrated and happy; a beautiful oil standard that also contains baobab oil, which I adore because it’s perfect for my acne-prone pores. Even though it contains coconut oil, it is virgin, which my face can absolutely tolerate. Loving this more and more the longer I try it!
African Botanicals Neroli Infused Marula Oil
This oil is so good it got a huge mention in my first book! Marula oil is my standard for golden-looking skin, and this formula from African Botanicals does not disappoint. I prefer Marula oil to a lot of other oils out there because my skin just drinks it up. It covers all my bases: it’s hydrating, skin clearing, and evens my skin tone, as well as brings out just the right freckles in the sun. The smell is addicting but subtle because it is Neroli-based, which also makes it extremely anti-oxidizing. Totally pure, no preservatives, and no nonsense. Marula oil is wonderful for all skin types, and great for under the eyes, dark circles or to combat redness. This oil does not leave my bedside – I apply it every night without question, waking up to supple, sexy, sun-kissed skin, even during winter months when my skin tends to get dull and dry.
Vintner’s Daughter
This serum is a luxurious multi-correctional infusion of 22 of the world’s most active organic and wildcrafted botanicals. At the heart of this powerful treatment is an energy dense phyto radiance infusion. Combined with highly targeted essential oils, the formulation combines anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, skin firming phytoceramides, nourishing fatty-acids and powerful anti-oxidants to help fight signs of aging; stimulate cellular turnover; maintain skin elasticity; strengthen capillaries; inhibit melanin production; prevent wrinkles; deliver oxygen to cells and protect against free-radical damage.
Odacite Marula Neroli Concentrate
I was gifted this gorgeous concentrate from The Detox Market and I couldn’t have been happier! Odacite makes beautiful serum’s that are incredible for you! I love everything from them I have ever tried – including this over-the-top hard working but super afforable gluten free concentrate. It also contains rose oil, lemon-myrtle and vitamin E for the added skin benefits. I apply this before and after long hikes or surf sessions and if my skin is especially dehydrated. It’s amazing for travel because of it’s convenient size, and the scent lingers and is totally addicting! A little goes a long, long way. I use just a few drops to cover my whole face and neck.
Tamanu Oil
Tamanu has the unique ability to promote the growth of new tissue. It’s been used for centuries on everything from troubled skin to sores, shingles, fibrosis, burns, eczema – you name it! Oil of tamanu contains three basic classes of lipids: neutral lipids, glycolipids, and phospholipids. The oil also contains a unique fatty acid called calophyllic acid, and a novel antibiotic lactone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent called calophyllolide. These and other components of tamanu oil, including anti-inflammatory coumarins, account for some of the oil’s beneficial activity. This amazing oil has been incredible for my skin on acne, acne scars, psoriasis, and wrinkles. It accelerates wound healing, skin growth and overall it just plain makes skin look super plump and younger. It prevents up to 85% of cell damage as well, so applying Tamanu oil before I go out in the sun is a must for me!
What are some of your favorite face oils? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
