by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Green Beauty
Election stuff. Are you as over it as I am? OK, OK… I am stuck somewhere between “anxiously refreshing The Huffington Post roughly 10x a day” and “If you turn on the news I might ACTUALLY kill you with my eyes.”
I’m sure I am not the only one who feels like the last few months have been stress incarnate. I cannot wait for Tuesday to come — and GO — so that we can be OVER all this madness. Amirite?
While we sit and wait and hope and pray and try not to drink all the gluten free beer in the fridge, don’t forget that this is the PERFECT day for a self-love date. Since you’ll inevitably be sitting on the couch biting your nails anyway, you might as well pamper yourself. Here are 5 face masks to help you destress this week:
IF YOUR SKIN NEEDS A SUPER CHARGE:
Then the Pele Mask by Mahalo is for you! Named after the Hawaiian Volcano Goddess Pele, the mask is supercharged by “botox-plant” Hibiscus, anti-inflammatory Turmeric, collagen-boosting Vitamin C, anti-aging Neem leaf, oxygenating Cayenne, sebum-balancing Witch Hazel, wrinkle-fading Guava, acne-fighting Holy Basil, toxin-magnet Volcanic Ash Clay and bacteria-absorbing Activated Bamboo Charcoal. A concentrated, intelligently detoxifying bioactive mask that transforms problem, tired skin to unveil glowing, paradise-radiant complexion. Activated by water, this astute formula morphs from dull powder to a satin mousse, swelling and sizzling as it brings to life the luxurious botanicals. Perfect for de-stressing your skin as well as your mood.
IF YOU NEED A NEW RITUAL:
If you think this week is the best time for a new skincare and self-love ritual, The Honey Mud is going to be your new best friend! A distinctive union of raw Honey, White Halloysite Clay and aromatic pure plant oils come together to bring you a truly intoxicating and highly addictive cleansing or masking ritual. This amazing cleansing “mud” can be used to clean skin or leave it on for 10-15 mins to use it as a mask. The Honey Mud infuses your skin with active enzymes and nourishment while restoring your optimal hydration and individual rhythm. A unique fresh start feeling!
IF YOU NEED SOME R&R:
There’s nothing quite like the feeling AFTER your votes are in. I know my #1 goal will be to do my Cacao Antioxidant Ritual. These pre-mixed mask is an all-time favorite! Josh Rosebrook’s products were made for your serious R&R days. Your skin will thank you, too! This mask contains excellent organic ingredients for brightening, rejuvenating, detoxifying, toning, tightening, and softening skin. This powerful organic antioxidant mask is the ultimate multi-tasker. I absolutely love the delicious chocolate-y smell and how it instantly leaves skin looking clearer, tighter and brighter.
IF YOU BLEED BLUE:
If you can’t get enough BLUE on Election Day, I have just the mask for you! Indie Lee’s Clearing Mask is a gentle yet effective detoxifying mask. Fruit acids help eliminate dead skin cells while plant extracts nourish and protect the skin. Purify clogged pores and relieve congested skin with organic healing ingredients like seaweed, chamomile, camphor extract and bentonite clay. This mask is one of my favorite ways to both cleanse and rehydrate skin when it’s being fussy or dull. Truly works on sensitive skin like mine.
IF YOU ROCK RED:
Ready to make your skin great again? I have JUST the solution! This cellular repair mask is incredible. Organic ingredients repair, regenerate and fortify damaged or mature skin. Formulated with Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, and Strawberries, this anti-aging mask nourishes and restores vitality. It smells SO amazing you’ll want to eat it… and the ingredients are so pure that you CAN! This mask removes environmental damage while infusing your skin with some great antioxidants and much needed nutrients.
LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO DESTRESS? YOU’LL LOVE THIS.
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Featured, Green Beauty
Ohhhh, highlighter. How I love you. Ever since I discovered highlighter, I’ve been obsessed. When highlighter is applied correctly it can brighten up your complexion, play up features you love or can even camouflage less desirable parts of the skin.
Highlighters can help minimize dark circles, decrease the look of wrinkles, and can give a natural, youthful glow. Highlighters are made to emphasize the areas the sun naturally finds your face. It’s usually the last step of my makeup routine!
There are five main areas to apply highlighter:
- Cheekbones for a youthful dew.
- Forehead for a sun-kissed look.
- Underneath the Eye Brow for a glamorous 90’s throwback.
- Inner Eyes to erase tired eyes, dab a bit of highlighter in the inner corners of your eyes.
- Cupid’s bow to give your lips a full, pouty appearance.
I’ve compiled an ultimate guide to the healthiest highlighters!
Gia Minerals Suvar [Use code ORGANICLIFE (or BEAUTIFULEARTH until 4/25) for $$ off] My very personal favorite is from my own collection with Gia Minerals! I’m obsessed with Suvar! This versatile compact can be used as a subtle highlighter or a glamorous eyeshadow. It’s a shimmery, pearlescent white color that’s perfect on the cheeks, to highlight lips, across eyelids or in the corner of the eyes. A little goes such a long way – I’ve barely dug into this palette and I’ve had it for quite a few months now! So fun to play with – and I always get compliments on how dewey and finished my makeup looks!
Kjaer Weis created a cream formula to add a summery “just kissed by the sun” finish to every skin tone. This highlighter can be used to enhance and accentuate, with a warm pearl color that lends itself to use as a cream eye shadow, either by itself or on top of a darker eye shadow for a subtle, iridescent finish. (Use code EARTH10 for 10% off)
W3ll People Bio Brightening Stick is one of my favorite makeup products ever created! This powerful skin brightener has been designed to optically diffuse skin imperfections while capturing light to create a flawless, even glow. It’s the perfect trick for sleepless workaholics to look rested and radiant! The creamy all-natural formula has a satin smooth, weightless finish and uses premium organic botanicals including aloe and grape seed oil to nourish and soothe skin. (Use code EARTH10 for 10% off)
Alima Pure Highlighter is a great pick-me-up for the cheeks, forehead, eyes and shoulders. Incandescent and brightening, they will perk up your complexion, accentuate the features you love and add an overall youthful, healthy glow.
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer is an ultra sheer, glowing, luminizer with a translucent, satin-pearl finish. Lasts all day long. This formula is the ultimate illuminator for highlighting the skin with a sensuous, sheer, luminous glow.
RMS Beauty Eyepolish in Lunar is a pretty perfect champagne pearl shimmer that can double as a highlighter/lipstick for more of a frosted evening look. Apply some to the corner of eyelids for an instant model-down-the-runway effect. Spring looks, here you come!
Vapour Trick Stick Highlighter is amazing for a lit–from–within glow. With a few quick strokes, your skin takes on a lustrous youthful glow that brightens. This stick instantly defines the face.
La Bella Figura Beauty – Brazilian Denise Golden Corrective Highlighter is a personal favorite since I worked on the campaign with them! I’ve loved this highlighter since the founder of the company, Victoria, first opened her in front of me in NOLA before our photoshoot and I saw her sparkle! A warm sun-kissed glow can be yours with this skin loving and nurturing golden highlighter. It also contains Kakadu Plum Extract which is packed with Vitamin-C and is a potent free radical scavenger.
Happy to be able to share my favorite ways to light your face up!
Want more tips on green beauty? Find them here!
With Love,
Tara
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Health
The healing power of herbs has been documented since the dawn of recorded history, and they can help with everything from whitening teeth to improving moods.
There are many fun, creative ways to spruce up your wellness routine with herbs. Here are some of my favorites:
1. As a beverage garnish
You’ve likely dropped herbal garnishes into your mojitos, so why not extend this technique to other drinks you enjoy, like iced tea or lemonade? Some herbs that can freshen up any drink-even plain water-include rosemary, basil, and lavender. You can also lightly crush these herbs to release their flavors and add them to any drink for a tasty, healthier alternative to sugary beverages. Many people choose to add CBD oil, a herbal extract, to their beverages for a great mood and energy booster. Adding this good vibes cbd to your favourite morning beverage is a great addition to maximise your wellness routine.
Rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties and it’s amazing for your skin and digestion. Basil has been shown to fight stress, clear skin, and detoxify the body. Lavender has similar health benefits.
2. As an ice infusion
Have some herbs lying around you’re not sure what to do with? Throw rose petals, mint, sage, or rosemary into your ice try, place it in the freezer, and allow it to freeze. These infused ice cubes will make any drink Pinterest-worthy in mere minutes. They’re also a super easy way to sneak herbs into any picky kid’s diet!
3. In a bath
Taking a hot bath can be one of the healthiest things we do with our day. Throw in some healing herbs and you’re well on your way to combating everything from sore muscles to stress and anxiety right from the tub.
Add herbs like lavender, camomile and dandelion directly into the bathwater to promote healthy, happy skin, or boil these herbs in water first and then add the herbal water into the tub as it fills up. There are also soothing herbal tea bags that are made to soak through bathwater and can help combat everything from headaches to arthritis. Full of calming plants like lavender, camomile, and dandelion, these tea baths are great stress fighters.
4. As a DIY steam
If you’ve ever tried a steam facial at your spa, you know that this kind of self-care can get pricey. So why not save your skin-and some serious coin-by trying out these treatments from home?
To prepare a steam facial in your own kitchen, add some boiled water into a bowl with healing herbs for the skin, such as jasmine flowers, chamomile, peppermint, rosehips, lavender, or bergamot. Wash your face with an organic cleanser (without exfoliating). Drape a towel over your head and hold it over the steaming water for about 10 minutes. Breathe deeply, allowing the heat to relax you and awaken, open, and rejuvenate your pores.
5. As a nightly mask
One of my personal favorite ways to use herbs is in a nightly face mask that you can make at home. Start this ritual by combining a few tablespoons of French green clay, a few tablespoons of Rhassoul clay, and a teaspoon of Himalayan salt. Then add a few drops of your favorite essential oils made from herbs like lemongrass, lavender, cinnamon, or garlic. Add a tablespoon of filtered water and mix until muddy, not runny. Apply as a face mask with your fingers or a fan brush and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
Clay works as an aggressive absorbent to soak up all the oil and toxicity that clogs pores and causes breakouts. Combined with herbs, it becomes a skin-cleansing concoction that “zaps” the affected area and achieves naturally clean, clear skin.
For more tips on how to use herbs to live your healthiest life, check out my book, Cured by Nature, available where books are sold.
(Originally shared on Mind Body Green.)
by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, Featured, Fitness
It’s February.
The month where you get to sit back and ask yourself honestly, “Am I still kickin’ that resolution’s butt, or what?”
Maybe some of you have fallen off the wagon. You’re not alone.
I cut my workout routine in half the last few weeks due to my busy schedule and man, do I have to work double time now! Totally paying for it. I realized that I needed the one thing that helps me get over anything: motivation. So I thought I’d share the things that kept me motivated the last week, in hopes that they can help you through your workout slump too!
(Check out this week’s video for my favorite fitness routines!)
Find a routine
I know a lot of people who aspire to be fit, but they don’t know where to start! This is what inspired me to create my fitness plans, which are beginning level to moderate level exercises that are specifically designed to be done at home and by anyone, regardless of fitness level.
But I get it: that’s not for everyone. It might not be for you.
Maybe you WANT to go to the gym every day. Or you need a partner in crime every day. Or a trainer. Or you prefer to use heavy equipment.
Whatever gets you to do it, find a routine! Then stick to this routine – every single day. Even on hard days. Even on days where you wanna give up or are in pain. Even if you can’t imagine that it could possibly be working – do it. It’s your routine, and it’s there to work for you.
Invest
Speaking of the gym, a trainer, or finding a routine, investing in your fitness will definitely help you in feeling like you have a big reason to get up in the morning and do the work: you paid for it. Whether it’s purchasing some Jillian Michaels DVDs or finding a good yoga routine on youtube, investing even just your time into learning strategies for your fitness is a great motivator!
Take Time For Yourself
Feeling better is about you – and only you. Take time to access what your real fitness goals are. Write them down. Are you really trying to lose 10 lbs, or do you have a larger goal, like running a marathon? This time taken to access not only where you’re at, but where you’re going, is like having your best friend there rooting for you. Your best friend is just you this time 🙂
Imagine
If you’re bored with the same old routine, start to use your imagination. Check out active.com for sporty events near you, and imagine yourself finishing them! How good will that shower or warm bath feel after you’ve worked your butt off? Pretty dang good, I’d say! Imagine your new body, your new goals, your new life with the fitness level of your dreams! Some of the best motivation, I think.
Incentivize
Way #2 to use your imagination in this way is to incentivize yourself to finish. I always look forward to a warm bath or shower after my morning routine, or perhaps I allow myself a big ol’ dairy free ice cream cone as a reward. I constantly think about these things when working out gets hard or boring. If you follow me on snapchat (@organiclifeblog hi friend!) you’re able to peep how bored I get sometimes during at-home yoga workouts. I had to fast forward through half of mine the other day! Haha. How’s that for shavasana?
Only you know what will push you to complete your goals. Reward yourself after with something you love for a job well done!
Want more tips to stay motivated?
With Love,
Tara
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll
Smoothies and tonics are a huge part of my daily ritual – especially my morning routine.
This time of year, we all need a little detox, cleanse or even something to get us super energized in the morning! Here are some of my favorite recipes for tonics I have been making for my health lately. Try them yourself to see a healthy boost immediately!
Super Tonic
Two whole years ago this tonic got me over my flu pretty much immediately! I take it every day now and have not been ill once since – not even a sniffle!! I recommend this super-tonic to all!
Ingredients:
To Make:
- Add 1 TBSP Calcium Ascorbate to 2 shots Coconut Kifer.
- Add Life Equals probiotic capsule or take internally with shot.
- Take as a shot once an hour if sick. Daily if healthy.
Why It Works:
Ascorbate calcium is a form of vitamin C that is used to prevent or treat low levels of vitamin C in people who do not get enough of the vitamin from their diets. Vitamin C plays an important role in the body. It is needed to maintain the health of skin, cartilage, teeth, bone, and blood vessels. It is also used to protect your body’s cells from damage. It is known as an antioxidant.
Coconut kefir is quite simply fermented coconut water. This probiotic beverage is very healing to the digestive system and the liver and creates a strong immune system that is ultimately responsible for your good health.
To add an extra boost use a probiotic capsule as well. I get my probiotics from Life Equals. Use code ORGANICLIFE75 for 75% off your subscription order!
Total Body Tonic
Ingredients:
To Make:
- Boil Water
- Add Ginseng to Tea Catcher
- Add Water to Tea cup
- Squeeze Lemon into tea.
- Drink as a full cup of tea or a shot
Why It Works:
Ginseng’s Latin name, Panax, comes from the same Greek root as our word, “panacea,” meaning all-healing. That’s not much of an exaggeration. A great deal of research shows that ginseng significantly improves athletic performance and relieves fatigue. Ginseng also relieves the ravages of stress. Japanese researchers showed that the herb reduces the secretion of stress-related hormones. Ginseng also improves immune function and appears to prevent cancer. University of Southern California researchers report that, in vitro, the herb increases production of interferon, the body’s own antiviral compound.
Lemon is an excellent and rich source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that protects the body against immune system deficiencies. It helps to flush out toxins and balances pH levels in the Body.
Better Blood Tonic
For better blood health and immunity!
Ingredients:
To Make:
- Add herbs to a tea catcher.
- Add Boiled Water to your herbs.
- Add Ashitaba powder and stir.
- Let seep. Drink as tea.
Why It Works:
Dandelion Root is an excellent blood purifier that neutralizes acids and has a strong alkalinizing effect on the body.
Echinacea is recognized as one of the most powerful blood and lymphatic cleansers in the botanical kingdom.
Garlic is an excellent blood cleanser, lowers blood fats and is a natural antibiotic.
Goldenseal is also an excellent blood, liver, kidney, and skin purifier.
Ashitaba has been reputed to nourish the blood and women will often use it to increase the flow of breast milk.
Better Skin Tonic
For better skin, hair and healthy nails!
Ingredients:
To Make:
- Add herbs to a Teacatcher.
- Add Boiled Water to your herbs.
- Let seep. Drink as tea.
Why It Works:
Calendula is a garden plant in the daisy family that, like aloe vera and witch hazel, has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It is also a vulnerary agent that helps to heal wounds and soothe damaged skin, such as sunburn, cuts and scrapes. Many have also used calendula oil to treat eczema.
Lavender may be more famous for its relaxing effects of the mind, but it also helps to soothe skin, too. It is rich in a compound called linalool that assists with skin healing while also preventing tissue degeneration keeping skin firm and preventing wrinkles. To make lavender even more of an anti-aging wonder, it encourages the growth of new skin cells due to its cytophylactic properties. Lavender also helps to heal wounds, scar tissue, acne, eczema and problem skin. Being anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-toxic, anti-bacterial and an anti-septic just serves to show how incredible lavender is for skin.
Chamomile is one of nature’s miracles. It has an incredible number of benefits, and none more so than for our skin. Alpha-bisabolol – a compound found in chamomile – reportedly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by accelerating the healing process of the skin while also possessing anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Moon Juice Beauty Dust expands beauty throughout the body, calming the nerves, increasing collagen and silica production, toning and firming tissue, both hydrating and fortifying skin, hair, nails and cell membranes from the inside out with wildcrafted Pearl, Goji, Schizandra, Rehmannia, Lo Han Guo and a hint of Stevia for taste.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know if you make any of these delicious tonics for your health!
With Love,
Tara
