Made from Earth: Holistic Honey Body Lotion

Hello ladies,

I have recently been enjoying Holistic Honey Body Lotion by Made from Earth. This natural lotion is an effective moisturizer filled with wholesome ingredients like organic honey, vitamin E, and neem oil. It also has an alluring fragrance that makes it a pleasure to apply.

Holistic Honey Body Lotion has a light consistency. This moisturizer is perfect for transitioning from the cool weather into Spring. With the approaching seasonal change, I no longer need to use body butters to stay hydrated. My dry skin requires care and attention year round. Holistic Honey Body Lotion has been essential in maintaining my skin's moisture levels.

I apply a medium layer after showering. The lotion absorbs fairly quickly, imbuing softness. I am impressed by how well the natural formula sinks into the skin. For those ladies who gravitate towards traditional products for fast action and absorption, I believe Holistic Honey Body Lotion would change your impression of what a natural product can do.

The scent of this lotion is lovely. Organic honey has a complex aroma that differs from the conventional varieties found at the supermarket. At the local farmers' market, there is a beekeeper who gathers honey from fields of native wildflowers and woodland hives near flowering trees.

These honeys vary in taste and scent by location of the hive and the season the honey was collected. Holistic Honey Body Lotion has a similar aroma to the some of the tree honeys I have experienced. It's sweet, dark and gingery. I would love it if the scent of this lotion could be translated into perfume.

Ingredients: Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel), Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Emulsifying Wax NF, Organic Honey, Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Oil, Stearic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Limnathes alba (Meadowfoam seed) Oil, Usnea barbata (Usnea Lichen) Extract, Xantham Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Salix nigra (Black Willowbark) Extract, Essential Oils, Azadirachta indica (Neem) Oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Oleoresin, Mannan, Citric Acid.

Honey is a natural humectant. Its effectiveness in drawing moisture to the skin makes it an ideal ingredient in lotions. Having strong antioxidant properties, honey can help neutralize free radicals and prevent damage that shows on the skin as lines and wrinkles.

Functioning as both antibacterial and antifungal agents, honey can encourage healing in cuts and skin irritations. It's a great added benefit in a skin lotion.

Neem oil is a staple in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been used to treat psoriasis, eczema and acne conditions. Balancing moisture levels, it's a wonderful tonic for the skin.

If you looking for a beautifully scented moisturizer composed of healthy ingredients, check out Holistic Honey Body Lotion by Made from Earth.

Made from Earth Holistic Honey Body Lotion was sent to me for review. Visit madefromearth.com to explore the entire range of natural products.

Happy painting, ladies!

Get Festive Giveaway Winner!

Hello ladies,

The time has come to determine the winner for the Get Festive Giveaway!

Here presides the honorable judge Cooper on a park bench.

He is a miniature daschund

With major authority.

In a bowl are 779 hand written contest entries mingled with biscuits.

He savors the thought of the task.

Cooper is on the job.

He is ready to stare down the obstacles before him.

Things quickly get turned around.

He shakes his head in defiance

And perseveres.

He noses around

To uncover the hidden truth.

Cooper experiences

How the taste of victory

Can be quite literal. What do you have there, Cooper?

The winner is Thifa!

Cooper is a bit topsy turvy from the proceedings.

He quickly regains his composure and is ready to resume his neighborhood watch.

Good boy, Cooper!

Congratulations to Thifa! Stop by her cooking blog: student-kitchen.blogspot.com. There you will experience some recipes and ideas for delicious and affordable meals.

Many thanks to our giveaway sponsors: Overall Beauty, requited love and made from earth.

A special thanks to Cooper and his human companion LJ for their assistance.

Please enjoy the latest offering at painted Lady fingers: the Make It Fancy Giveaway! You will have a chance to win the Gabrielle Faust Eye Shadow Collection from Overall Beauty, a Nfu-Oh nail polish ring from Ginger Kitty Designs, eight nail art stamping plates from chez-delaney and a skin care assortment from Reviva Labs. Enjoy!

Happy painting, ladies!

Made from Earth: Organic Lip Balm

Hello ladies,

Made from Earth Organic Lip Balm has been in residence in my make up bag for the past couple months. This product is sweetened with a delectable vanilla flavoring. It is filled with natural emollients and skin healing vitamins A, D and E.

Organic Lip Balm has a firm consistency that softens and melts as it touches the lips. This product is far more emollient than the standard drugstore Chapstick. I found it's perfect as a light coating under lipstick and gloss. It moisturizes without causing color to feather or shift.

Since I have dry skin, I prefer a heavier balm as a nighttime, winter treatment. Organic Lip Balm offers the right consistency for daily use under makeup. I think those with normal to oily skin would find this balm offers optimal hydration throughout the day.

Made from Earth creates lip balm in the following flavors: blueberry, citrus, mocha, spearmint and vanilla. Each tube is sold individually. The mocha and vanilla are also available in a pairing called Ice Cream Flavors.

I appreciate the natural scent and taste of their vanilla flavoring. Made from Earth perfumes their products lightly. There is enough of an aroma to enhance the application, but not so much as to become distracting. I am tempted by their blueberry and mocha flavors.

Ingredients: Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract and Organic Calendula.

Sunflower oil is an optimal choice in caring for the delicate skin on the lips. Rich in vitamins A, D and E, sunflower oil contains fatty acids responsible for nourishing the skin. The potent antioxidants in sunflower oil can help lessen free radical damage and assist in preventing signs of premature aging.

Beeswax provides a natural protective barrier for the skin. It acts as a humectant by attracting moisture to the skin and sealing it against the elements. Particularly beneficial in winter, beeswax also offers antibacterial and anti-viral properties. It can be a useful healing agent in treating the cold weather problem of chapped lips.

A natural way to keep lips feeling soft, Organic Lip Balm is a daily treatment compatible with make up application. It's a great basic to add to your natural skin care regimen.

Vanilla Organic Lip Balm was sent to me for review. The retail price is $3.99 USD. You can shop the full line of skin care products at madefromearth.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

2010 Favorite Products: Beauty and Skin Care

Hello ladies,

I put together a grouping of my favorite products from 2010. These aren't necessarily new releases, but rather products that I discovered over the past year that became an integral part of my beauty routine.

Hard Candy: So Baked Bronzer in Tiki

This is the first bronzer that has truly complimented my fair skin. I use it as a blush and as a highlight all throughout the year.

This mini primer comes as a sample with each In the Shadows eye shadow collection. It's a phenomenal primer that I wish were sold full size. The mini tube is nice to toss in a travel cosmetic bag. Only a small amount of primer is required to keep eye makeup in place throughout the day.

Bella Sugar Cosmetics: eye shadows

This small, family run company produces the smoothest, most pigmented pressed shadows I have tried. My 18 shadow palette shows evidence of serious use. The pan is visible on quite a few shades. I have received so many compliments when wearing these shadows. Their greens and pinks are particularly noteworthy.

Make Up For Ever: Lift Concealer

I use this concealer under my eyes every day. It provides natural, crease resistant coverage.

B'Liv by Cellnique: Off With Those Heads Blackheads Sebum Gel

With twice daily application, Off With Those Heads has dramatically reduced the blackheads on my nose. Even if you have small pores that aren't yielding to a comedone extractor, this product will help clear them. At present, my blackheads are showing about 80% improvement with continued results each week.

Neutrogena: Ageless Restoratives Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizer SPF 20

I apply sunscreen every day no matter what the weather. Neutrogena makes many effective sunscreens, but Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizer is among my favorites for its weightless texture and compatibility with makeup application.

Neutrogena: Intensive Moisture Wrap

This Norwegian formula body treatment is reminiscent of Neutrogena's popular hand cream. With consistent use after showering, I haven't once experienced a dry patch this winter. Intensive Moisture Wrap is my new cold weather staple.

Bathory Diabolique: Scrub

I could praise these foot scrubs 'til the end of time. Beautifully perfumed and rich with skin healing shae butter, each scrub offers its own artisan beauty. Bathory Diabolique scrubs have helped keep my feet soft despite all the city walking I do.

Made from Earth: Rooibos Tea Face Scrub

This face scrub employs tiny jojoba spheres for exfoliation. I appreciate the wholesome, organic ingredients as well as the soft feel of my skin after each use. Perfect!

Pure Source: Protective Day Cream

This moisturizer is so healing for dry, sensitive skin. With continued use, my cheeks are smooth to the touch even on the coldest days. Protective Day Cream provides an effective barrier against environmental agents.

2010 could also be called The Year I Discovered Reviva Labs. My medicine cabinet looks like a slightly pillaged shrine. I have an assortment of partially full bottles and jars, all in active rotation. If I were relegated to using products from only one skin care company, it would be Reviva Labs. Below are a few of my absolute favorites of all that I have tried.

Reviva Labs: DMAE Firming Fluid

I am currently half way through my second bottle. DMAE will help firm skin along the jaw line and cheek bones. For anyone who has decided to pursue healthy weight loss this New Year, DMAE can assist with maintaining skin elasticity.

Reviva Labs: Skin Energizing Gel

I apply this gel under my nighttime moisturizer to increase its effectiveness. Because of Skin Energizing Gel, I no longer have to use heavy night creams to keep my skin hydrated.

Reviva Labs: Non-Chemical Light Skin Peel

Light Skin Peel is a great multi-purpose facial mask. It helps clear pores, refine skin texture, maintain natural oil balance and exfoliate dry skin. I can see how it would benefit just about every skin type. I use this mask every week. I wish I could give a sample to everyone I know.

Have any of you tried my favorite products? Do any seem tempting to you? What are some of your most reached for beauty items from the past year?

You can read disclosure information for each product and find purchasing information at the original posts.

Happy painting, ladies!

Made from Earth: Green Tea Toxin Cleanser

Hello ladies,

My experience with Made from Earth Green Tea Toxin Cleanser has shown that natural ingredients can provide the same deep cleansing action as chemical surfactants. This product is dual purpose. It can be used as a daily cleanser or left on the skin longer as a pore refining mask. There is an array of skin healing components: aloe, green tea, milk, honey, lavender, and chamomile along with Vitamins A, B, C and E.

Green Tea Toxin Cleanser has a creamy consistency. I find that I only require a small amount to throughly cleanse my dry skin. The flip cap seems to dispense more than I would need. I shake the bottle to move product towards the top of the bottle neck. I dab a little on my finger tips and massage it evenly onto my face and neck.

I could see Green Toxin Cleanser benefitting a variety of skin types. Adjusting the amount applied changes the level of cleansing. A medium coating of product left on the skin for a few minutes will act as a deep cleaning facial mask. For dry or combination skin, you can apply the cleanser as a mask to the T-zone area and then dot a smaller amount on the cheeks right before rinsing. I love using this technique in the shower so I can multi-task.

This cleanser has a light and fresh scent that makes it pleasant to use. The natural fragrance doesn't linger in any way. While Green Tea Toxin Cleanser is technically unscented, the herbal and floral ingredients offer a gentle perfume.

Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Camellia sinensis (Organic Green Tea) Extract, Lactose (Milk), Lavendula (Organic Lavender) Distillate, Anthemis nobilis (Organic Roman Chamomile) Distillate, Rosa damascena (Rose) Distillate, Vitus vinifera (Grapeseed) Oil, Emulsifying Wax NF, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Edta, Xanthan Gum, Organic Honey, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Ester), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Pro-Vitamin B5), Retinol Palmitate (Vitamin A), Mannan, Salix nigra (Black Willowbark) Extract, Azadirachta indica (Neem) Oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Oleoresin, Citric Acid.

As the primary ingredient, aloe is reputed for its skin healing benefits. Aloe has a similar pH balance to human skin, making it useful in healing acne, inflammation and sensitivities. It's vitamin, mineral and nutrient rich composition helps deliver more oxygen to the skin to assist with cell turnover. This action can help skin appear more youthful.

Since it contains milk and honey, Green Tea Toxin Cleanser is vegetarian, but not vegan. The idea of milk as a cleansing ingredient makes me think of Cleopatra and her famed milk baths. There is science behind the luxury. The lactic acid in milk is a natural exfoliant, assisting in brightening the complexion. Honey has antimicrobial properties. It is known to help treat acne. As a cleansing agent, it can help remove impurities from the skin while adding softness.

If you are looking for a natural product to provide deep cleansing with respect to skin sensitivity and pH balance, Made from Earth Green Tea Toxin cleanser is worth adding to your regimen. I definitely recommend it.

Green Tea Toxin Cleanser was sent to me for review. This product can be purchased at madefromearth.com. The retail price is 15.99 for an 8 oz. (36 ml) bottle. Green Tea Toxin Cleanser is currently on special along with many other skin care items throughout the site.

Would you like the chance to win a full size bottle of Green Tea Toxin Cleanser along with BB Couture nail polish and a chic wristlet? Stop by the Get Festive Giveaway! before the end of the day January 7th to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!

Get Festive Giveaway!

Hello ladies,

Come join in celebrating the winter holidays at painted Lady fingers with the Get Festive Giveaway!

Let's take a look at the beauty gift pack one lucky winner will receive:

The entire BB Couture Christmas Collection of eight sparkling polishes.

A paint-by-numbers songbird wristlet from requited love.

Made from Earth natural skin care:

Organic Lip Balm, Three Berry Organic Face Serum and Green Tea Toxin Cleanser.

BB Couture For Men: Silver Balls, Blue Christmas.

BB Couture For Men: Roasted Nuts, Santa's Sak.

BB Couture: Icicle, Plums & Sugar.

BB Couture: Ride My Sleigh, Santa Baby.

A hand made, double zip wristlet from requited love on etsy.

Made from Earth: Green Tea Toxin Cleanser.

Made from Earth: Three Berry Organic Face Serum.

Made from Earth: Organic Lip Balm.

The items pictures were sent to me for consideration. The winner will receive her prizes directly from the giveaway sponsors. Many thanks to Overall Beauty, requited love and Made from Earth for participating!

The Get Festive Giveaway! is open internationally for followers and e-mail subscribers. The contest runs through the end of the day January 7th. To keep this simple, I am willing to count the date as the last available time zone worldwide. As long as it is January 7th somewhere on the planet, you may still enter.

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory:

1) Become a follower or e-mail subscriber of painted Lady fingers. If you are currently a follower or subscriber, that certainly counts! Please let me know in the comments which option you choose for keeping up with painted Lady fingers. For example: I follow via Google Friend Connect or I subscribe via e-mail. Be specific. I check entries very carefully.

If you follow via Google Friend Connect, log into the proper account when you leave your comment. If you follow via Google Friend Connect, your account has to have some public aspect. It is okay if you don't follow publicly, but there needs to be some signs of humanity on your profile page. If you subscribe via e-mail, your e-mail address must be confirmed through feedburner. If you have never received an e-mail related to painted Lady fingers' blog posts, you do not have a confirmed account.

2) Include your e-mail with your entry to qualify. If you forgot to write your e-mail in with your contest entry, leave me another comment with your e-mail address.

Both 1 & 2 together = 1 entry.

Optional extra entries. There are lots this time!

3) Let me know: What other BB Couture polishes (aside from the Christmas Collection) are on your wish list? You can browse the full catalog of nail color at Overall Beauty. 1 entry.

4) What is your favorite item from requited love? 1 entry.

5) What other Made from Earth products are you most interested in? 1 entry.

6) Like Made from Earth on Facebook. 1 entry.

7) Blog about the contest in a post or add contest info to your sidebar. I will definitely count your entry if your blog is not written in English. I will also count your entry if your blog is just getting started and has a small number of followers. These extra entries are meant to be inclusive and fun. Please provide a link. 2 entries. If you use one of my contest photos, add another entry. Please mention that you used a photo.

8) Tweet about the contest. Only once, please. Here is a tiny url for tweeting: http://tinyurl.com/233ja9p. Please provide twitter user name. 1 entry.

9) Have painted Lady fingers on your blogroll or add painted Lady fingers. Please provide a link if I haven't already commented on your blog. Otherwise please remind me. I want to be sure to count the entry even if painted Lady fingers has been on your blogroll for a long time. If you have a nail polish blog and you would like to be on my blogroll, please e-mail me. 1 entry.

10) In appreciation, I am going to add an extra entry for those who comment regularly on non-giveaway posts. I do enjoy reading your feedback! Thank you! Not to worry, I am very inclusive with this extra entry. 1 entry.

You are welcome to put all your entries in one comment or return to the contest post with comments for each entry. Either way works for me. Your entries don't have to be sequential. Enter in any way you like whenever you like before the end of the day January 7th.

Feel free to enter this giveaway even if you have won recently. If a little extra good fortune comes your way, you deserve it!

Best of luck, ladies!

Made from Earth: Rooibos Tea Face Scrub

Hello ladies,

I have recently been enjoying Made from Earth's Rooibos Tea Face Scrub. This all natural scrub is the perfect selection for its gentle exfoliating and moisturizing properties. The combination of aloe vera, rooibos tea extract and vitamin E makes this scrub a healthful product to add to your skin care regimen.

For exfoliating, there is nothing more satisfying to me than scrubbing. Different than other natural products, Rooibos Tea Face Scrub employs jojoba beads to throughly cleanse the skin. These aren't the oil filled variety. They are small, waxy spheres that can be massaged against the face and neck to remove dead skin cells.

The round shape is superior to exfoliating with crushed walnuts or apricot seeds. The jojoba spheres provide gentle and even cleansing with no rough edges.

I am really impressed with how soft to the touch my skin feels immediately after using Rooibos Tea Face Scrub. It's most apparent on my cheeks, near the jaw line, where my face tends to experience the most dryness.

While the directions state to lightly massage into face for five minutes per treatment before rinsing, I believe two minutes is sufficient. I tried scrubbing for the full five minutes and the recommended time seemed more suited to a facial or an occasional deep cleansing than a twice weekly treatment.

The natural fragrance of this scrub is sweet and comforting. It reminds me of sitting at a cafe table and drinking a frothy, coconut steamer. It has a light and creamy, coconut scent.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Juice, Cocos Nucifera (Organic Coconut) Oil, Aspalathus linearis (Organic Rooibos Tea) Extract, Emulsifying Wax NF, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Olea Europea (Organic Olive) Oil, Palm Stearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Wax Beads, Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil, Persea Americana (Avocado) Oil, Hamamelis Virginana (Witch Hazel), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Salix Nigra (Black Willowbark).

While Rooibos is best known as African Red Bush Tea, its healthfulness extends beyond the teacup. It's antioxidant and detoxifying properties are utilized in skin care. Rooibos extract contains natural alpha-hydroxy acids and zinc, ingredients that promote skin healing.

I appreciate the variety of organic oils included in Rooibos Tea Face Scrub. Coconut, olive, jojoba and avocado oils are blended to make the scrub moisturizing. The consistency is creamy and luxuriant with the jojoba beads adding a gentle massage.

If you are looking for a quality, natural exfoliant to help skin feel smooth and moisturized during the winter months, I can recommend Rooibos Tea Face Scrub.

Rooibos Tea Face Scrub was sent to me for review. This product is available for purchase at madefromearth.com. The retail price is $24.99 USD.

Happy painting, ladies!