In progress.....

Massage melts, to be listed soon!
Head Bather

Peek at the shirt

I will get a better shot of this soon, it's drying now after it's first wash.

Head bather

Found: Lost Pictures of New York Blizzard

Silicone, the good, the bad, and the oil free.

There has been a lot of talk about silicone in bath and beauty products in my world lately. Mostly as it relates to primers and facial lotions, so I began to do a little research.  What are they, what do they do, the pros and cons of this very common ingredient. Silicone is often used as a generic term for nearly all substances that contain a silicon atom, commonly used as implants in cosmetic surgery because they resist body fluids, and are largely-inert, man-made compounds with a wide variety of forms and uses. Typically heat-resistant, nonstick, and rubber-like, they are commonly used in cookware, medical applications, sealants, adhesives, lubricants, and insulation. Silicone comes in many forms and in my searches I cam across this very comprehensive list of the names and properties of each. So thank you The Beauty Brains for your great list.

In facial products silicone can create a layer that smooths the skins surface, create a barrier to protect makeup and keep in moisture. Consumers have become accustomed to the silky feel that silicone can give a lotion or cream containing oils. In hair products they smooth down the cuticle and weight down the strand making hair heavier and less prone to flyway's and frizz.
Silicone and my skin don't seem to get along though, just my opinion. This barrier that protects your foundation can also trap oil on your skin and in your pores. I have found that some products that have silicone in them can cause me to break out more frequently (lovely cystic type acne, and annoying little white heads). I have tried drugstore and department store brands and if there is any silicone in there after a few days the breakouts start.

As for hair products, I am reluctant to give up the 'cones. I have thick, wavy, colored, long hair and silicone helps me tame the mane. Some of the con's that many people say about silicone's are just not true. For instance hair doesn't breath, it is a dead keratin cuticle, so silicone cannot suffocate your hair. It can however smooth together split ends a bit making it more difficult for you stylist to see the damage. Though I have been noticing  more acne on my neck and back, leading me to think that I should lather rinse and repeat more often, and use my facial scrub on my neck and back to remove any stray products.

I have also read that oil based cleansers may help remove the silicone and remove the build up, which I would think would reduce the break outs as well. So this week I have begun using a cleansing oil, Jojoba mixed with some essential oils that I originally blended for my scalp. I will let you know how it goes.  For me I will refrain from silicone in my everyday facial routine as much as possible, even if I have to deal with an oily feel every now and again. On the infrequent events where I need my makeup to last and last, I won't hesitate to use a primer with silicone because they do work, but I will be sure to remove with oil cleanser and may even use a little mask to clean up what ever is left in my pores.

Smart is beautiful,
Head Bather

Thanksgiving leftovers

Yes I still have leftovers from the turkey day, from our Saturday feast. There are many good recipes out there for casseroles and stews but I am not in the mood for such things.
So today for lunch it's homemade gnocchi out of some of the mashed potatoes (I have a gallon freezer bag full, this only used half of it)



2 cups mashed potatoes
1 beaten egg
1 cup or more flour (I had to add more than a cup because my potatoes were very moist)
1/2 teaspoon salt
I mixed everything in the kitchenaid with a dough hook. Then on a floured surface I divided into four balls, and each ball was pinched and pulled into about a two inch thick row (nothing too neat). Take a fork and cut the row into half inch pillows. Toss into boiling water and remove after they float.

Now I know the right way to make them, and I can tell you from experience they do not taste any different, sorry food purists. I have also frequently bought the packaged variety, and they are good too, and when you just have to have them they are great. Homemade can be so tender and just like little clouds of deliciousness, and only took about fifteen minutes to make.



The sauce is just a jar variety with some diced leftover ham, yeah I'm not interested in authentic just taste.

Enjoy,
Head Bather

Earth Body Bar is here!

Finally after a long week I have got something to show for my work, just in time to be thankful.

These body bar soaps are made with hemp seed oil, dead sea mud and the lovely scent of Nag Champa. Hemp seed oil is a great skin moisturizer with a light green tint, and dead sea mud is thought to have many healthful properties and adds a wonderful silky lather that is great for shaving.
All soon to be available on my zibbet and etsy stores.
Now to get ready for the holidays!
Head Bather

Little bits of beauty

One of my favorite brands is Bare Escentuals and around the holidays they have great product that are perfect for travel or the gym bag. Last year I scored these cool eye shadows that are pressed on a card in coordinating pairs, no thicker than a credit card.

There were also small sizes of their plumping lip gloss.
The only bummer is that some things never come back into rotation. This year no eyeshadow cards, there are some cute shadow compacts this year, but still too bulky for my gym bag. They also have small eye liners that look great.

 Hope your holidays are plump and bright!
Head Bather

P.S. I talk about their products because I like them, I was in no way paid by bare escentuals.