Continuing on the Organigoth journey....

It has been a very long while since I have posted anything. I kind of gave up on this page because it doesn't seem like anyone else has both an affinity for darker things and living healthy. I have been researching away, as usual, and I have made some very positive changes to my life in terms of food, supplements and beauty products. I figured I'd share them with the air, and the interwebz. I was also wondering if I should start posting about food and supplements instead of just beauty/skincare. We'll see how it goes.

Anyhow, I have come across some new products that I absolutely love and want to discuss. First is a new daily moisturizer with spf!

 Badger SPF 16 Sunscreen Lotion Aloe Vera

• Price: $17.99 for a 2.9 oz. tube
• Can be found at www.badgerbalm.com, various health food stores
• First impressions: Felt very light, no scent!
• Cons: I haven't been able to find any except the fact that it's a tad pricey?
• Pros: Light, non sticky, doesn't leave skin greasy.

I suspect you are noticing the level of spf on the tube. Yes, it is only spf 16! Why on earth would someone like me only use spf 16?? This will not improve my ability to pale! Well, in my research I have been learning more and more about vitamin D, that most important of vitamins that your body makes from exposure to *gasp* sunlight. It wasn't too much of a surprise when I discovered that my vitamin D levels were alarmingly low. I avoid the sun at almost all costs. It was,  however, a big surprise to find out how many wonderful things vitamin D does, and how terrible a person can feel with a deficiency. Rickets anyone?? I won't go into all that vitamin D does for the body, you can learn about that here: http://www.kriskris.com/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms/ But knowing what I know now I have decided to embrace a lower level of sun protection when I go out.

If you have read prior posts you know I have been on the hunt for the perfect daily moisturizer for FOR EV ER. I was sad to see my SUPER by Perricone moisturizer go because of unhealthy ingredients. I loved how it felt and the level of spf was high, plus it smelled divine! Almost every truly natural moisturizer with spf I have tried has been disgustingly sticky and thick, or left my face shiny and greasy. I found out that Badger was introducing a new sunscreen LOTION! I love my Badger products! They are committed to being truly natural, use organic ingredients whenever possible, and are easy to find at my local health food store. Although their regular sunscreens didn't work for my face, they do work nicely on my body. I went to my nearest Whole Foods to pick up the lotion as soon as it came out. Having been burned by so many other products, I tried a little on the back of my hand while I shopped. I wanted to check to see if the lotion was going to give me trouble before I spent the money on it and it ended up in my FAIL bin. The first things I noticed when I applied the lotion were how light it felt and how it didn't have that odd odor sunscreens usually have. It seemed to soak into my skin with very minimal effort. I went about doing the rest of my shopping, every so often feeling the back of my hand for tackiness. By the time I was ready to check out I couldn't tell I had applied anything to my hand beyond it feeling softer, so I bought it and rushed home to try it out on my face.

It's been months since I purchased it and I have to say I love love love this stuff! It's very light and soaks in easily. It doesn't have a scent, which I have been having issues with lately, and best of all it doesn't leave me greasy or sticky. When I wear powder it acts as a very nice base and goes over my Vapour Organic primer splendidly.

Next we have Tsi La Natural Perfumery and Organics Fiori D'Arancio Perfume!

• Price: Eau de parfum $95 for 50ml Eau de parfum oil $44 for 4ml
• Can be found at www.tsilaorganics.com, www.spiritbeautylounge.com
• First impressions: Oh yum!!
• Cons: Expensive!!!! Scent doesn't last terribly long on me.
• Pros: Smells delicious! Totally organic and free of phthalates!

Unfortunately, my body seems to be becoming more sensitive. Almost everything I smell lately gives me a headache or makes me feel ill. Even scents on other people seem to make me feel sick. I have also become much more strict about ingredients in the products I use. All of this has led me to begin searching for new perfumes.
I prefer gourmand, or citrus scents for every day wear. They have become very popular, and although that is a plus for those who use conventional phthalate ridden scents, it didn't really help me. Natural perfumes are of course harder to come by, and organic perfumes harder still. Most of them are cliched granola hippy patchouli stink bombs. I stumbled upon Tsi-La (pronounced chee-la) on the glamorganic goddesses site and was immediately intrigued. I ordered a sample which came with a few other scents, but by far Fiori was my favorite! It smells like an orange creamsicle!! I was happy to find that it doesn't make me sneeze or give me a headache. Most natural perfumes have issues with staying power, and this one is no different. I have tried layering it, first the oil then the spray, and it lasts a little longer than the two alone. I have yet to purchase the full size of either because they are pricey. Since I'm working with samples this is another "special occasion" scent, but it's a definite favorite and may possibly become my new signature scent.