Ferro Cosmetics Eye Candy Pearl Eye Shadows

I'm not much of an eye shadow gal. I find them too dully matte or disco-queen sparkly to spend my hard-earned money on. Depending on the outfit, I either quickly sweep my bronzer or blush
on the outer creases and c'est tout. But I recently became a fan of Ferro Cosmetics Eye Candy Pearls; they're the perfect blend of creaminess and shimmer.

Pretty factor: These hand-made shadows contain mica and silica—minerals that give a subtle, pretty luminosity. They're available in 11 gorgeous shades. My fav is Come Hither, a coppery peach that beautifully compliments tanned summer skin.

Eco factor: No talc, bismuth oxychloride, preservatives, petroleum by-products, fragrance or dyes. Ferro Cosmetics runs a "green" office, using recycled-content paper, unplugging everything at night, using smart light bulbs, etc!

To buy: $9.99 at ferrocosmetics.com

Ingredients

Nikkel Holistic Skincare Microdermx Cream

I know, I know. Another microdermabrasion cream-kit on the market? But this one is different. This one is Q-U-A-L-I-T-Y. Of the eye-crossing number of microderm creams and facial scrubs I’ve used, Microdermx, made by L.A.-based Nikkel Holistic Skincare, is truly the crème des crèmes. Why? The quality of its crystals and the plethora of soothing ingredients.

Pretty factor: Instead of harsh, second-rate exfoliants like pumice, magnesium oxide, sodium bicarbonate or unfused aluminum oxide, Microdermx uses medical-grade corundum crystals—which are second only to diamonds on the Mohs scale of hardness. Plus, the crystals are so microfine (at first touch, the product feels simply like face cream) that they exfoliate with superb evenness.

Generous amounts of chamomile and aloe prevent the skin from becoming unsightly ruddy and rose hip seed oil, rich in vitamin A, aids reparation. I was wow-ed by how baby-butt-smooth my face felt afterward.

Numerous Microdermx customers have reported their skin tone to be more even, pore size smaller, and wrinkles, acne scars and brown spots diminished after just a couple months of use (2-3 times/week).

Eco factor: No petrol additives like paraben preservatives, mineral oil, or propylene glycol, nor synthetic dyes or fragrance

To buy: just $45 at microdermx.com. By the way, it's 30 bucks cheaper than Dr. Brandt's Microdermabrasion in a Jar and $40 cheaper than Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate!

Ingredients

Hi readers. Sorry for the delay in fresh posts. Since starting a new Web job a week ago, I've been swamped and tired. Blehck! I hope to get up two new posts—one a new, high-tech and all-natural micro derm cream and the other, gorgeous eye shadows—by next week. Stay tuned and thanks for reading!

Fresh Food-Based, Celeb-Used Skincare Line: The Body Deli

I was recently sent a press release from a skincare line based in Palm Desert, California that’s all-natural and uses fresh food ingredients (instead of being mostly chemical with a couple food ingredients like a CVS-sold line….) Anyway, this company is called The Body Deli and customers include lovelies Kate Hudson and Alicia Silverstone.

Two of The Body Deli’s best-sellers are the Cucumber Juice Toner, which ships on ice and must be stored in the fridge (love it!) I’ve been using it the past month and can’t get enough of its super soothing blend of organic aloe vera, chamomile and cucumber cells, which calm, depuff and reduce redness.

Another best-seller, the Blueberry Facial Polish, also contains amazing ingredients: antioxidant-rich blueberries, colloidal oatmeal, which exfoliates while soothing, and healing meadowfoam and rosehip seed oils—all in an aloe vera juice base. It's a great line to check out if you like your products so pure you can eat them.

Eco factor: The Body Deli products contain organic, fresh plant, fruit and veggie extracts. No sulfates, parabens, silicones, petrochemicals, or synthetic colors and fragrances

To buy and ingredients: TheBodyDeli.com