Reinventing Me.

Yes, I'm back.  And I'm talking about my hair.  Again.
Unless you're new here, you shouldn't be surprised.
Just be happy I'm not talking about my menstrual cycle.
Again.

The significance of this post this time is not just that I have a new 'do.  It's not even about the fact that it's the first post in 2014!  (OMG! YAY!)  It's that EVERYTHING 'round here is getting redone!

Life Candy is now a blog about recapturing our inner and outer Saucy Girl.  It's about personal evolution.  I'll still be talking about my family and my life and me, but with a twist.  Stick around, and you'll see what I mean.

Meanwhile, my hair.

So, it's been about a year and a half since I got a haircut.  No, I'm not kidding.

It's my stylist Jane's fault, really.  She's fantastic!  She knows how to cut my hair so that it's happy and doing what it does naturally, I'm not fighting it on a daily basis, and I still look awesome no matter the length of mane!  She's my hair whisperer.

But I realized it was time.  My hair was becoming a pain to work with.  It was heavy, and really dry at the ends no matter how much conditioner I dumped on it.  And there was so much of it that I felt like I was wearing a wig.  Of my own hair.
I made my appointment.  And of course, on the day of the appointment, it looked like this...

I know, sorry.  Bathroom selfie.  And no urinal.  Next time.

Crap.  I was seriously thinking of cancelling.  Look at those curls!

But also look at how overwhelmed by hair I am.  My mop had taken over.  It was sucking the life out of me.  I believe it's the primary cause of me forgetting how to do triple integral calculus.  I am the anti-Samson of intelligence!  Quick!  Cut it before I forget how to use a spoon!

But wait, I wanted it to be long still.  Seriously.  I worked hard to get it that long!  No, really.
So, my amazing Jane chopped most of the bulk around the sides, kept the length, blew it all out, and...

VOILA...

Young, perky, stylish, saucy... It's totally me, right?!  

I love it so much!  This is the new me.  Like Roomie has a whole new wife!... who he perves just as much as his old wife... which is a lot.  Seriously -- ALL PERVING, ALL THE TIME!

Anyway, it was time for a change.  Long overdue.  Same with this blog.  We're long overdue for some fun here.  So, let's do it!  Come along!  It's going to be a wild ride!  For all of us!  And my hair!

my 8 fall fashion favourites.

I'm so happy it's Fall.  The kids are back at school.  The trees are turning all shades of gorgeous.  I don't have to shave my legs as often (Oh, yeah, I totally went there).  And I'm downing as many yummy Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Salted Caramel Mochas I can get my little mitts on.

And speaking of mitts, another perk of the season is that I can now once again wear all of my favourite clothes!  I love dressing for Fall.  It's still warm enough that I don't need my parka and Sorels yet, but it's cool enough that I'm not limited to just shorts and a tank top, which I gotta say was completely due to hot weather alone and not for fashion because um, hello, back-fat?

I list below my favourite fall pieces.  Some I have already, others I have to replace.  Check it out, and let me know what YOU plan on wearing this season...

1: Denim Trench, aka, my "Cowboy Matrix" coat.
This is my absolute fave.  FAVE.  I didn't bling it up as I'd planned, because I realized it's perfect as it is.  On me.  On the hanger, it looks kinda sad and crappy.  On me, it looks awesome, and makes me look like I can kick some Agent ass.

2: Jeans.
I'm short-waisted, so I need to wear low-rise jeans so as to not look like Steve Urkel.  Boot cut (see #3).  I love jeans.  Mini does not.  She also doesn't like chocolate so much.  We believe she might've been switched at birth.
Anyway, I want these Gap jeans.

3: Boots.
I don't like to own lots of footwear.  I'm so anti-Imelda.  Lam has more shoes than me.  And he's 9.  So, I like to buy footwear that covers more than one season.  Like boots.
When I choose the one pair of boots I'm willing to welcome into my life, I want them to be fashionable, good for casual and dressy, warm to -40C, good treads, and can last, which is, let's face it, a tall order for Winnipeg because the anti-slip salt we put all over the place is real killer for footwear.  And NO to the high stiletto heeled boots because I'm a spaz and I'll just break something wearing them.

But all that being said, Mama wants these LV boots.  Because, well, they're swank.

4: Gloves.
Simple, leather-ish.  No extra padding or insulation necessary.  I'll put my hands in my pockets if I have to.  I just need my fingers to be protected... and not useless.
Loving these driving gloves that I spotted on Asos.  They're Dents, who source their leather "as a by-product from the food industry".

5: Hat.
I am in love with these newsboy hats. I have a couple of 'em. Unfortunately, Roomie always calls me "Comrade" when I wear them. Weirdo. He's just jealous because, as he puts it, "Girls in hats look cute. Guys in hats look like idiots."

6: Big Bag.
Time to switch back to my big sling bag, aka, my Big Bag o' Trouble.  The strap is wide and sturdy, so I can sling it across my shoulder and be on my way, hands-free-like.  And it's big enough to handle all the gloves and hats I want to stuff in there... alongside my netbook, notebook, and slutty erotic-romance novel.

7: Chunky cardigan.
Couldn't you totally picture this cardigan underneath my cowboy matrix coat?!  OMG, in love.  It's long, which is perfect.  Zip, not button.  And it's a gorgeous colour.  My favourite, burgundy.  Hmmm...  oh, Santa...

8: Sarong.
Yes, sweeties, no need to move your eyes slightly back up to read it again. I said "sarong".  But not as a skirt.  Oh no.  Sarongs, with their soft texture and size, make the perfect scarf.  They're warm, big enough to wrap around several times, yet very light.  I've used them into the dead of winter.  I swear by 'em.  And they remind me of hot sunny tropical days... even when it's -40C outside.

And OMG, when did I get the lip implants?!  Angie Jolie much?

Okay, now you.  And... go.

my everyday skincare: ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.

If my latest project's taught me anything, it's that my skin looks like crap.

See?  Okay, it's a dark shot, but trust me, it's totally ick.  My complexion is dull.   It's uneven and blotchy.  If your computer had touch-o-vision, you'd realize that it's rough and bumpy too.  And I have what looks like {gasp!} age spots!  Ew!

I've tried drinking more than the 8 cups of water I already drink daily and eating less crap like sugar and carbs, but it just made me pee a lot... and lose some weight -- which is great, but my skin still looked like Freddy Krueger's on a good day.

In the end, I couldn't deny it anymore.  My longstanding routine of hot steaming washcloth and natural coconut-based moisturizer just wasn't cutting it.  It couldn't keep up with the stress, the hormones, and the, um, aging.

I was really bummed about this because I've NEVER had to do anything special to have great skin until now.  Truly.

Even in my teens, when pimples are supposed to be at their peak, I was smooth and clear, and had that lovely mocha glow most Filipinas usually have, you know, post coital.  Except I was a teen.  A pure Catholic school girl.  And innocent.  I hadn't even had a boyfriend.  Or boy toys.  Yet.

Anyway...

So, last week, instead of hitting my favourite health food store, I decided to hit the mall.  I was going to get the Big Guns!  If I had to melt all of this bad skin off, I would!  Dammit.

Now, every morning and night, I wash with a hot steaming wash cloth, then I use -- all from The Body Shop (TBS)...

1: TBS's Vitamin C Skin Boost
- as an after-cleansing serum
2: TBS's Nutragenics Smoothing Day Cream
- applied a few minutes after I let the Skin Boost absorb
3: TBS's Vitamin C Microdermabrasion 
- twice a week

That was on the 12th.  Now, it's been over a week, and I have to say, I've seen a noticeable improvement in my skin's texture.  I look more awake.  And OMG, it smells so GOOD!  Yummy and orange-y.

And look...

I have no makeup on in this picture.  I should've at least put some lipstick on, eh?

Okay, it might not be obvious in the picture, but it's so soft and smooth!  When I brush my hand against my skin, I need to stop and go "Oo, nice."

So if I stop you on the street, scream "Touch it!  It's so soft!", and point frantically at my face, just bear with me.  And don't call the cops.

I'll post more after pics in a few.

What's your skincare routine?  Share with me.

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What do the contents of your handbag/purse "say" about you?

It's been a long time since I've done one of those full disclosure purse thingies. Judging from all the emails I got the last time I displayed the contents of my Big Bag o' Trouble, I think I gave you nightmares for a week! 

But I'm doing the minimalish-ist thing, so I think my purse will be less scary.  (I don't know -- do any of you consider a Hello Kitty lanyard scary?)  I don't just shove anything in there anymore.  Every item has a reason for being.  And this is more important now than ever before because I'm going car-free and don't necessarily want to lug extra crap around if I don't have to.

Now what if an alien (like one of the hot Star Trek aliens that look human... think: The Outrageous Capt. Thadiun Okona) or your neighbourhood hobo happened across my forgotten bag?  What would they think this person is?  (I'll include my take too.)

1: Sponge Bob Bag (borrowed from Mini)
Alien: "Fun-loving.  I'd like to hang out with this person."
Hobo: "I can wear it as a hat."
Me: "This is a 12-year-old girl or boy."

2: Aveda Lip Tint in Cocoplum
Alien: "She's a woman... Oooh, yeaaah..."
Hobo: "Can I eat that?"
Me: "Oh, she is a girl.  Or a boy who stole his sister's lipstick.  Or a boy who wears lipstick."

3: Historical Romance Novel
Alien: "She loves romance.  Romance with hot humanoids like me."
Hobo: "Oh, toilet paper!"
Me: "She's an adult.  Who loves romance novels.  Probably likes to read them when she has to wait for long periods of time."

4: Antibacterial wash
Alien: "I like a clean woman." Um. Okay.
Hobo: "What is this shit? I wouldn't know.  I don't have cable.  Hey, this belongs to a woman with cable!"
Me: "She hates germs.  Probably likes to use it just before she eats.  She likes going to restaurants."

5: Aveda Lotion
Alien: "She has soft skin."
Hobo:  "Smells like stuff I can eat."
Me: "She probably lives in a very dry area, and her skin gets parched."

6: Notebook
Alien: "I wonder if she writes down her fantasies." This dude's getting weird and creepy.
Hobo: "More toilet paper!"
Me:  "She likes to stay organized.  And when she gets an idea, she doesn't want to lose it, so she jots it down."

7: Advil
Alien: "I bet these are her birth control pills."  Really, dude?  And are your headache pills as big as apples?
Hobo: "This isn't much of a meal."
Me: "She gets headaches or really bad PMS, and she wants to be prepared.  She won't let headaches or cramps put a damper on her day!"

8: Wallet
Alien: "Hey, her husband's cute too.  Maybe he'll be interested in a threesome!" Oh, for the love of-!
Hobo: "She's got no cash.  Hey, but there's a lot of toilet paper in here too!
Me: "She's a mom and wife, and her family is everything to her.  And she's everything to them -- a couple of "I love Mom" notes from her kids.  A Starbucks card -- she loves her coffee.  Oh, a receipt... decaf.  Another receipt... tea.  She's nice -- she's signed her donor card."

9: Keys
Alien: "Only 2 keys.  It'll be easy to figure out which one goes to her bedroom. Hehehe..."
Hobo: "Great.  I can pick the wax outta my ears with this here long key."
Me:  "She has a yoga key fob.  She likes yoga and staying healthy.  And not a lot of keys.  She has a house and a car.  Very simple."

10: MP3 player with Hello Kitty lanyard (not in photo: ladybug ear buds)
Alien: "I bet she has hot sexy music on this thing."
Hobo: "Maybe I can trade this for a shopping cart.  Oh!  Or a tinfoil hat."
Me:  "Hmm. Maybe she is a 12-year-old girl."

11: Razr Cell Phone
Alien: "Oh, I'll call her and see if she's home."  I hope he doesn't find out where I live.
Hobo: "I can get a second tinfoil hat with this!"
Me:  "She's social.  And she has many friends she can call and who love her."

12: Reusable Shopping Bag
Alien: He's already left for my house.
Hobo: "I can use this for my tinfoil hats.  And as a shirt when it's hot."
Me:  "She respects the environment.  Good girl."

How about you?  What's in your bag?!

This post brought to you by:

streaking.

Hey, look, I made the list of super kick ass Canadian Moms! I know, awesome, eh?!

Now, before you head over there and check out my fellow kick ass moms, I present evidence of my (and my daughter's) kick-ass-ness. Last night, we did some pink hair dye magic, and now we look like rock stars! The pictures don't do 'em justice, but it's better than nothin'!

Check it...

hams after haircuts.

As promised in yesterday's new 'do reveal post, here are Mini and me hamming it up for the camera!

What started as this... (gah, what a horrible angle for me -- still, my monkey girl is cute!)


Resulted in these...

the new me: can bobbleheads still be sexy?

I feel like a bobblehead, but I love it! Some notes...

1: Sadly, I couldn't donate my hair. It was all layered, and they only accept hair where the shortest layer is 14 inches. My hair didn't qualify.
It really was too bad because there was a lot of hair on the floor that could've been used for something, if not wigs. I mean, it could've at least made a merkin or two.

2: Mini and I both had our hair cut today. I'll put up our resulting photo shoot soon. Stay tuned!

Thanks to everyone for voting in here, on Facebook, and on Twitter. So... what do y'all think?! :)

hair dilemma: big chop or not?

Yes, I'm having another hair dilemma (when am I not?!), and I'm hoping I can get some input from all of you... well, at least from those of you who aren't all WTF?! It's just hair!!!.

If you've been following me for a while, or know me IRL, you know that my hair is a big part of me -- at times, quite literally -- so, I don't do anything drastic without some great thought, research, and obviously, harassing of my readers.

Tomorrow, I see my dear hair stylist Jane. And I'm thinking of telling her to make me look like this -- minus the "turning me into a young Japanese girl" part.

Now, the last time I had hair that short was in April 2007. And it was NOT cut by Jane, so it wasn't as gorgeous as I knew it could've been.

Oh, and it wasn't a layered bob like that. It was just a bob -- like Teri Hatcher in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. And I want a more "just rolled out of bed, tousled, sexy, morning-after-a-hot-night-before" kind of bob.

BIG difference.

Since then, two years, and 2 haircuts (where at least 6 inches were chopped off each time) later, my hair looks...

Like this. (Yeah, I look this "sharp featured" every morning -- feel for my husband.)

So, my hair does grow FAST. Any major choppage would be unnoticeable in about 3 months.

Anyway, I don't know if I should get the Big 12-inch Chop or just another 6-inch trim.

Could you please help me decide -- because I'm crazy and can't decide on my own?

What kind of haircut should I get?
	The Big 12-inch Chop (shaggy layered bob)
	The Usual 6-inch Trim (long layered)
pollcode.com free polls

My Everyday Skincare

2008 marks 10 years of my no facial cleanser lifestyle!

Little did I know that the simple decision to give my poor, broken-out skin a short break from cleanser/soap was just the first step on my road to simple and natural body and skin care.
A former cosmetics-counter girlie-girl, I've become one of those people who believe that, in beauty, less is more, and the more natural the ingredients, the better. Let your natural beauty shine through!

See this picture of me? I get compliments on this everyday look, but I do so little to achieve it. And I firmly believe others can have the same results too!

Now, for those who asked, and for posterity, here's what I do - from head to toe - to look like this...

In the shower:
Everyday, I clean my hair with just water and a comb. Every other week, I use baking soda. I scrub my face with a wash cloth and nice warm water. Then I lather the rest of me up with Desert Essence Organics' Green Apple & Ginger Body Wash, the smell of which still reminds me of those martinis my girlfriends and I use to drink! I also use one of those rough body mitts to exfoliate.
As soon as I step out of the shower, I slather on the Aubrey Organics Ultimate Moist Unscented Body Lotion. Anti-perspirant? Dove Unscented.

At the sink:
I brush with Tom's of Maine Toothpaste. Then I scrub my face with water and a wash cloth. I find it too dry to live without facial moisturizer up here in Canada, but I'm still on the lookout for a natural and organic one. So, until I find one I like, I'm using the Aubrey Organics on my face too.
This is the same routine I use at the end of the day.

At my makeup case:
I just use Almay One-Coat Mascara in Black and Aveda Liptint SPF15 in CocoPlum. I haven't been using foundation or concealer lately. It feels uncomfortable using it in the summer, and I'm too lazy/rushed to use it in the winter, so I've just decided not to use it anymore.
I'm thinking of switching to the Black Mascara by Dr. Hauschka. My favourite organic food store just started stocking it, so I'll be trying that out.

So, that's 6 products in total, more or less natural and organic.

What's your everyday skincare? Share with me!

Here are some all-natural beauties... just so you know I'm not crazy... :)

• Sarah @ Going Bananas Blog
  
• Anthony @ Raw Model
  
• Sarma @ One Lucky Duck
  

Lotions & Cosmetics are Food...

... and when we start thinking of them that way, the better off we'll all be.

Once again, no, I'm not telling you to go and chow down on your lipstick or eyeshadow.
I'm saying that you need to watch what you put on your skin because what you slather on you will eventually be in you.

Our skin absorbs 64% of what we put on it.

That's why the use of transdermals - like the nicotine patch and contraceptive patch - is such an effective way of administering drugs and medicines. In fact, according to EcoVoice.com, it's 95% more effective than oral administration.

In light of this, you'd think that cosmetics, lotions and all other "skin-centric" beauty/hygiene products would be just as strictly regulated as pharmaceuticals. Well, they're not. Cosmetic manufacturers can (and do!) put all sorts of chemicals, including cancer-causing substances, in their products and get away with it.

So, it's up to us, the savvy consumer, to choose our products carefully with a focus on natural and certified organic ingredients whenever possible.
Go on and pull out your makeup bag. Check all your favourite products on www.cosmeticsdatabase.com for safety.

I've done this myself, and although the database isn't complete, it did give me insight into which product brands to avoid or embrace. I've been overhauling my makeup basics, trying to stick to natural products - organic where possible - and minerals, and so far, here's what I've got...

Body Lotion: Aubrey Organics Ultimate Moist Unscented
Tinted Moisturizer: PF Organic Wear (Natural to Tan)
Powder: Everyday Minerals - Medium Tan
Mascara: Almay One Coat Mascara - Black
Lip Colour: Aveda Lip Tint SPF15 - Coco Plum

This is what I wear almost everyday, so I'm glad to know I've chosen safe products to feed my skin... although I'd like to find a better mascara. Any recommendations? :)

MEM: Eco-Shopping for the Girlie-Girl

This week's My Earth Monday installment is a bit of a departure from the usual. I guess I haven't yet shaken off the after-effects of yesterday's Mother's Day, and still feel the desire to spoil and indulge myself. :)

So, this week, I'm shopping! Ok, not really buying anything, just doing a little online window shopping. I found some really sweet stuff from Ecoist I just had to share with you today.

I just love Ecoist! They take things destined for the landfill, and through Grupedsac (Group for the Promotion of Education and Sustainable Development), a non-profit organization in Mexico that helps underprivileged citizens earn a fair living on projects that preserve the environment, they hire skilled artisans to create things from jewelry to laptop cases to tote bags.
And for every item Ecoist sells, they plant a tree.

Right now, I'm lusting after their $15 card wallet made from billboards for the movie '300'. :)

Here are some other cool things...

Bracelets by Ecoist - The official "Stop Global Warming" Ecoist bracelets. Adjustable for kids and adults. We plant a tree for every bracelet sold. Help spread the word. Handmade from recycled candy wrappers, soda labels, and food packages.


Rice Bags - These one-of-a-kind bags are made from recycled feed and rice bags from Southeast Asian fishing villages. Each bag is manually woven and lined with cotton. Convenient compartments and zippers add great functionality to these unique bags.
The purchase of these bags provides employment to disabled and disadvantaged artisans and ensures they are paid fair wages and have safe working environments.
Brought to you by Gecko Traders.


Movie Billboard Laptop Cases & Bags - Ecoist collects outdoor movie billboards that were headed for a landfill and produces unique pieces, such as laptop cases, tote bags, messenger bags, and wallets. Colourful and abstract, as well as, sturdy, durable, and waterproof.

What's Your Makeup Lingerie?

All my makeup fits in a small Kama Sutra Honey Dust tin... with room to spare. No, I don't have much makeup. Not anymore, at least. In my 20s, I experimented a LOT. I lived in Hawaii (you can get stuff in the US you just can't get in Canada) and Vancouver BC (you can get stuff in Vancouver you just can't get in Winnipeg) at the time. My bathroom counter was lined with every skincare and cosmetics line you can imagine!

But when I hit my 30s (and once again living in Winnipeg), I realized that sinking half my paycheque into an RRSP (registered retirement savings plan) rather than the local M.A.C. counter would probably be better for my future. Around this time, I started to adopt a more natural look, just enhancing what I already had.

Thus evolved what my friend Jen at Mythbuster Beauty calls my "makeup lingerie".

What is "makeup lingerie"?
It's the bra and panties of the face. It's what you would never leave the house without putting on first, just in case you run into an old high school rival or the ex who dumped you, or heaven forbid, you get hit by a bus (hope you have clean underwear on too!).

So, what's YOUR makeup lingerie?

Here's mine:

mascara - Avon Astonishing Lengths waterproof (black) - and my lashes must be curled!

brow gel - Rimmel Style & Shine

tinted lip balm - Aveda (coco plum)

tinted moisturizer - PF Organic wear (Natural to Tan) - used as concealer around the eyes

Okay, now you! :)

The Sun Comes Out and the Snow Boots Come Off

It'll be 9C today, if the weather people are to be believed, and since it was warm enough yesterday for Mini to forgo wearing her jacket, I figured we should start to make the transition to spring outerwear.

So, I went into the bowels of my home and brought up the spring/summer jackets and shoes. They all still fit for the most part, except for Lam's rain boots. Too small. Bummer, really, because his not wanting to wear his snow boots to school anymore was actually the catalyst for this event. Again, bummer.

Mini, on the other hand, is in rain boot heaven. Her yellow boots finally fit, and she's been wearing them around the house. "Look, Mommy, my boots fit! I'm a big girl, right?!"

You know, it's transitions like these - going from winter to summer and vice versa - that frustrate me. We now have two sets of outer wear in our closet because Winnipeg weather is very fickle until about, oh, June, when it allows us to put our parkas in storage.

Meh, I should just stop complaining. It's getting warmer, and the snow drifts on my front yard are melting. Happy happy. :)

Friends south of the equator are experiencing their seasonal transition too.

So, are you all suited up for the new season? Not yet? Have been for weeks already?

My Earth Monday: Switch to Natural Bath Products

Image: Light Showers by jurvetson

Welcome to another My Earth Monday! Yippy!
As you can see from the title of this post, this week's challenge is to switch to natural bath/shower products.

This is strictly stuff in your bathroom. I'll be tackling cosmetics and other grooming products in a future My Earth Monday.

We're running out of shampoo and conditioner in this house, plus I need some bath wash - which I prefer over bar soap - so, if I'm going to go out and get new stuff, I might as well get the good stuff!

It's no secret that many of today's drugstore bath and shower products are loaded with harmful chemicals that are known carcinogens, irritants, hormone disruptors, and poisons. Some examples of those found in personal care products include:

Sodium lauryl sulfate -
This stuff, found in shampoos, conditioners, bath and body washes, and kids' bubble bath, actually cleans by corrosion. It interferes with the skin's ability to self-moisturize, and has been linked to cataracts in adults and eye development in kids under 6.

Propylene Glycol -
This stuff, found in shampoos, lotions and deodorants, is known to cause musculo-skeletal damage, liver damage, and thickening of the skin.

Diethanolamine (DEA) -
Used as an emulsifier in shampoos and conditioners, it is a known carcinogen.

And that's just 3 ingredients! For more, check out the list at Healthy Living International .
Be sure to check out the ingredients in the shampoos, conditioners, and soaps you have at home right now!

Don't forget, the harmful chemicals that don't get absorbed into our bodies get washed down the drain and into our rivers and lakes causing harm to other living things!

So, this week, I'll be shopping around for a natural alternative to shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. If you want to join me, you can:
1) swap these items in your shower too.
2) choose one shower item to change... maybe the one that you're running out of right now.
3) do all that and swap out even more stuff like your body lotion and deodorant too.

Let me know if you're in!

Wanna Try?

The natural store at drugstore.com [aff]

Bath Petals

The House of Aromaticz

Results of Last Week's My Earth Monday: No More Plastic Water Bottles...

I went to Aviva St.Vital to get my SIGG bottle, and it's perfect and beautiful. See?

It's lightweight and has a wonderful leakproof cap. We didn't go out again after that shopping trip, because Lam got sick the rest of the week, so I didn't get to test drive away from home, but I foresee a flood-free bag in my future!

Hope you did well too. :)

Is it Ever OK to Eat Lipstick?

Photo: Experiment in Lipstick

No, I don't think it's ever OK to eat lipstick.

I don't open my purse while running errands and think "I only have time for a bite of my Aveda". It's been a long time since I bought lip product for its scent and/or taste... although cherry-flavoured lip balm still makes me smile.

But I know I still end up eating it... while eating my tasty poached eggs, drinking my cups of green tea, smooching with Roomie...

In fact, the average woman eats over 6 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime (that's over 500 tubes!)... so maybe we should be buying lipstick based on its edibility.

In Cindy Mortimer's article in the November 2007 Issue of Alive Magazine, many ingredients in drugstore lipsticks are known to cause irritation and UV sensitivity, are known pollutants, and are known to be carcinogenic. Yum..

For truly yummy lipstick, reach for the natural stuff containing Vitamin E as a preservative, ingredients like cinnamon or shea butter as antiseptics, and emollients such as cocoa butter or beeswax.

Is your lipstick harmful or healthy? Find out at:
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Roomie just suggested that the next post should be "Is it Ever OK to Eat Glue?" Good grief...