Giveaway!

Head on over to Caravan Sonnet to enter this fabulous giveaway!

Yes, the Arbonne contibution is from yours truly... so if you want to have a chance to experience the beauty of Arbonne for FREE now is your chance!

The lucky winner receives;

$25 Visa Giftcard
$10 Starbucks Giftcard
1 Beautiful Handcrafted Pair of Earrings from Always, Katie
1 Free Make up primer or mascara from Arbonne
35% off first order from Arbonne through Anna
3 Jodi Picult Books
1 Six Month Membership to the Parcel Post Tribe

Here's a sample from Caravan Sonnet, by my lovely friend, Rebecca!

Happy Tuesday y'all! I am so excited to team up with these lovely ladies to offer one lucky winner a variety of prizes!

The wonderful thing about this giveaway is that there are multiple prizes! Are you still looking for a graduation gift? A wedding gift? You could win it here! Looking to try out Arboone? Looking for a fun summer book? These prizes will give you some options! Or win a Starbucks or Visa gift card for you or a friend! All you have to do is enter via the rafflecopter below! 


Good Luck y'all and Happy Summer!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A fresh perspective

Slathering your skin with lotion.  Powdering your nose with makeup.  Smearing on lipstick.  Washing hands, feet and face.  Let's face it, skincare products are in every household.

Ever thought about what's IN these daily used, much need essentials?

I hadn't either.  I mean goodness, everyone has been hearing about the dangers of American/processed food - GMOs, preservatives, and a whole list of non-organic stuff that is currently being shoveled into our diet.  But what about the lotions, lipstick, soap, shampoo, foundation, mascara, etc?

First off, don't think I'm the expert.  I'm not, nor claim to be.  I just look, read and research (sources listed below).  Don't take my word for it, research it yourself, analize ingredient lists, read articles and take an honest approach to skincare.

----

Arbonne - Pure. Safe. Benefical.

Yes, Arbonne is concerned about what is in their products, but they are also strict about what is not included in their products.


Beautiful Switzerland

Did you know; American FDA has banned only 10 ingredients from skincare products.  European Health Union has banned over 1300 ingredients.  (did your mouth drop open?  mine too.)

Interesting to note the FDA does not have the authority to test chemicals, require safety testing or recll harmful products.  Cosmetic companies are wholly responsible to adhere to the correct guidelines themselves.  The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) is responsible for chemical and skincare testing.  CIR is funded by Personal Care Products Counsel which is made up of over 600 personal care companies.  A bit biased?  You be the judge.

On the other side, Euoropean Union Cosmetic Directives (EUCO) mandates that cosmetics "must not cause damage to human health when applied under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use." EUCD also has each state member regulate products under their jurisdiction.

Arbonne adheres to to the Swiss/Euro standards.


Two "P's" left out

Parabens are a common preservative found on the shelves of your local department and beauty stores. Mascara, shampoos, deodorant, lotions and moisturizers... that's just a few.  Parabens are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, can cause hormonal disruption and are linked to breast cancer.

Phthalates are common in perfumes and fragrances (not Arbonne!).  These harmful chemicals are used to strengthen plastics and longevity.  Banned from children's toys, yet slathered on our skin.

Arbonne excludes both of these.

Mineral Oil (petroleum)

"Oil refineries pump out heating oil, automobile fuel, chemical feed and... mascara ingredients."  Isn't that comforting.  Mineral Oil is derived from petroleum, or gasoline. Commonly found in eye shadow, lotions, creams, foundation, makeup... you get the idea. 

Why?  If it's so unhealthy, why?  $$$  Understand now?  Mineral Oil is inexpensive and leaves the skin feeling moisturized.  In reality the moisture is eliminated from the skin, leaving it drier than it was before. Mineral Oil acts as a barrier, preventing the skin from absorbing nutrients. 

Premature aging, stirring up acne, preventing toxins from being released, drying out your skin, as well as being linked to cancer are a couple things Mineral Oil excells in - that and mechanical lubricating.

Arbonne cares for your skin, not your car - excluding Mineral Oil.

Get Rid of Animals (in your skincare)

An animal breathes its last breath; whether by natural causes or rushing traffic.  Put in a big pot (at a rendering plant), all said creatures are boiled down.   A thick frothy white substance rises to the top.  This layer is scraped off and sold.  The #1 buyer of said furry beasts and cute critters - US Cosmetics.

That's all I have to say on that issue.

Support the Acid Mantle

Say what? My friend Kori explained it well.  I'll just summerize her findings.

The pH scale goes from 0-14. 1-7 is acidic, 7-14 is alkaline and 0 is neutral. Our skin has a slightly acidic pH. This Acid Mantle is our body’s first defense when we come in contact with bacteria. 

A correct Acid Mantle” helps our skin fight off bacteria! 

Typical skincare products actually have an alkaline pH, which breaks down the good acid causing skin issues and weakens our defense of bacteria.  Interesting to note; a child's skin is usually more alkaline.  The Acid Mantle does not develop until puberty, thus resulting in more sickness and viral infections.

Arbonne products are all pH correct - supporting the Acid Mantle and strengthing your skin.

Are you still with me?  

Arbonne is devoid of (just to name a few);

Mineral Oil, parabens, phthalates, animal by-products, gluten, soy, dyes, fragrances and more.

Whew!  Go ahead, dance a jig that all such harmful ingredients can be avoided.

Wanna give these lavish and healthy products a try?  Stay tuned...

Sources

http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/12-cosmetic-ingredients-legal-in-the-us-but-banned-elsewhere

http://www.divinecaroline.com/beauty/makeup/american-beauty-why-europe-bans-cosmetics-america-won’t

http://www.livestrong.com/article/185370-why-is-mineral-oil-bad-for-your-skin/

http://www.caravansonnet.com/2014/05/thursday-health-thoughts-arbonne.html

A fresh opportunity

I was slightly interested, but not really.  A coffee date just to talk about how I could start an in-home business didn't appeal to my crowded schedule.  I had heard of this company, yes, but like I said, my schedule was full.  I almost told my friend "no, thanks!"

Good thing I didn't.

A week later I found myself sipping a hazlenut mocha blended drink, peering at charts, expanding my mind to skincare products, chatting with two friends and dreaming of a white Mercedes.  True story.

My eyes were opened.

Thoughts of "what animal did I rub into my skin this morning?" and "I had no idea that sweet smelling lotion was full of not-so-sweet ingredients" and "wow, America really doesn't know a thing about healthy skincare products... I'm moving to Switzerland!"

Turns out I don't have to move to Switzerland (unfortunately), I can know what I'm putting on my skin and roadkill doesn't need to find its miserable self on my valuable skin.

Thank you, Arbonne!

I cannot wait to unfold the specifics of what I just mentioned.  Blow-your-mind incredible.  At least I thought so, and I've a hunch you'll agree.

The Arbonne that's now in my home, it can be in your home too.  Actually it'll be in your cabinents, by your sinks, in cupboards, bedrooms, kitchens, purses and of course - on your skin.

The long and short - I've the joined the Arbonne Team and cannot be more excited.

Check back soon for a fresh perspecitive on skincare and a full disclosure of the above statements (including the white Mercedes. Yep, I knew you were still a little confused... haha!)