How to: Dye eyebrows using Henna.

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Before I start with today’s post, there are a few things I need to address.

1. Some people are allergic to henna without knowing! Please do a patch test to see if this applies to you!!! Please research online how to do a patch test!Henna is known to be dangerous to people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency), which is more common in males than females. Infants and children of particular ethnic groups are especially vulnerable
 I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CHOICES. I AM NOT LIABLE FOR ANY OF YOUR INJURIES RESULTING IN THIS. THIS INFORMATION I AM PROVIDING IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. I repeat educational purposes only!!!!!!

2. Make sure you purchase 100% pure henna that is packaged and not blended.

(wikipedia)Para-phenylenediamine "black henna" use is widespread, particularly in tourist areas.^[46] Because the blistering reaction appears 3 to 12 days after the application, most tourists have left and do not return to show how much damage the artist has done. This permits the artists to continue injuring others, unaware they are causing severe injuries. The high profit margins of "black henna" and the demand for body art that emulates "tribal tattoos" further encourage artists to deny the dangers.^[47][48]
It is not difficult to recognize and avoid para-phenylenediamine "black henna":^[49]

• if a paste stains torso skin black in less than ½ hour, it has PPD in it.
• if the paste is mixed with peroxide, or if peroxide is wiped over the design to bring out the color, it has PPD in it.

Anyone who has an itching and blistering reaction to a black body stain should go to a doctor, and report that they have had an application of para-phenylenediamine to their skin.

3. Use common sense when trying a product. Do some research to see if the product comes from a reputable manufacturer.

4. The FDA (http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductInformation/ucm108569.htm) views on Henna: "Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved only for use as a hair dye. It is not approved for direct application to the skin, as in the body-decorating process known as mehndi. This unapproved use of a color additive makes these products adulterated and therefore illegal"

So to make the long story short...

Dying your skin using Henna in the USA is considered Illegal due to the fact that there needs to be some Industry oversight in making sure "which" products are considered safe to use. Yes, it's red tape and many that do use Henna are calling for the FDA to review this "ban".

So before I go to the HOW TO, this is what I am declaring.

1. OUT OF MY OWN FREE WILL I AM CHOOSING TO DYE MY EYEBROW
2 I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED WHEN USING HENNA
3. I PURCHASE HENNA THAT IS 100% PURE.
4. I AM SHOWING THIS "HOW TO" IN CASE A PERSON WISHES TO DYE THEIR HAIR OR EYEBROW. I AM NOT ENDORSING THE USE OF HENNA. THE DEMONSTRATION I AM GIVING IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

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On with the SHOW!

I have always been intrigued with Henna. When I saw some "henna" I took the chance, I bought some. I did alot of research before delving into it. So, like a kid in a toy store, I was ready play with my henna!

Before I get to the show and tell, I am going to show you which Henna I used.

This particular Henna by Hesh gives a reddish/orange tone. Perfect if you have natural strawberry blond hair or red hair.

Back of the box of Henna, showing it is 100% pure.

STAY AWAY from this Henna brand: RESHMA!!!! I got irritated with a red reaction!!!

So, for you to set your henna you need to mix your henna with freshly squeezed lemon/lime juice. DO NOT use the fake STUFF, it needs to be fresh!!!!!! There is no need to add water. Its just henna and lemon/lime juice- that's it!!!!!!

Basic Henna How to!!!!

The mixture you see up there was actually way too much! For your eyebrows all you need it half a lemon/lime!!! You need to add enough Henna to yield the texture of yogurt or vanilla/chocolate pudding/ Another way to think about it, the texture of cake mix, after you have mixed it with milk, eggs, etc. It cannot be runny!!! Nor dry in texture, it needs to be a perfect marriage of both- Like vanilla pudding or Yogurt!
BUT the most important aspect is that YOU MUST ALLOW 24 HOURS for the henna to cure!!! And again, DO NOT dilute with water, only with lemon/lime juice that is freshly squeezed. You can leave it covered with saran wrap in a dish bowl, use an old tupper ware or like me use an old pill bottle. You can leave it in the fridge (my preference) or leave it on top of a place where no one can touch it (kids, pets..etc)

My henna cured for 24 hours.

Getting ready for Henna DYE-- what you need

1. OLD t-shirt for you to wear.
2. gloves, like the ones that come in pre-packaged hair coloring boxes
3. tooth pick, the end of a cotton swab (q-tips), but the cotton end cut off to apply the henna. have a few cotton swabs handy for cleaning up around the area.
4. scotch tape/ or vaseline // used as a guide, to the dye doesn't go over the area.
5. TIME-- you need to give yourself 2-5 hours depending how dark you want the dye to be.

My eyebrow prepped with tape

My eyebrow with Henna, it may look like i went over the line, but its actually cleaned up. The tape gives the illusion that it's messy!

You will notice the henna get dry, get a bit "cracked". Make sure you area is completely saturated with the henna, that way you do not have "spots" that do not have the dye!You can apply a little honey when it gets cracked so that way the henna stays there and does not fall off.

My eyebrow fully dyed with Henna!!

 After allowing 2 hours, this is how my eyebrows looked!! I took off the henna with water with an old wash cloth. Pretty Nifty, huh??? When I have some "extra" henna I use it for my "roots". But when I dye my eyebrows, I do not have to work extra hard on them when I get ready. That's the benefit of this.

Natural Beauty: Rice powder/ Corn Starch/ Tapioca Starch as setting powder

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Rice powder and Corn Starch powder as setting powder

Before I go on and explain this blog topic, allow to me to explain briefly why I used pill bottles for storage. Number 1) Because I did not have cosmetic jars. Number 2) I am cheap and did not want to spent gas money and regular money just to pay for a $2 jar. With gas and all, I thought it would be too much of a waste. I rather use that money to purchase nail polish, that's just me. Moreover, I take medication that lasts every month, I get refills and end up  having a bunch of these bottles left over. So, yes I am being frugal and "green" at the same time. Ok...moving on.

There is no denying all of us having different skin types. I have oily skin. In fact, some weeks ago I went to Elizabeth Arden beauty counter since they were having these face analyzing tools which measures your skin elasticity, sun damage and so forth. My face results came back mixed. I have good elasticity (thanks to my nightly ritual using Grape Seed oil, which I will post another time about), but I do have a bit of sun damage (thanks to my golfing day during high school) and have very oily skin. On top of having oily skin, and I allergic to talcum powder. You know the powder you use after the shower, the fancy one you use for your face. YES that one. I did not realize I was allergic to talcum until 6 years ago. Before the internet and everything virtual, there were 2 ways you gained information about beauty products and advice, well 3. First one, from either your mother, grandmother or friends. Secondly, you get it from magazines (even during the 1990s even that was an expense my mother could not afford). Third, well finally from the television. Back in the 1990s there was a show hosted by Cindy Crawford on MTV called " House of Style" (just read on rolling stone MTV it bringing back the show, AT LAST MTV has some braincells after all). At that time, she would talk about fashion, trends and even cool tips. Heck even when I was 14 back in 92' I even experimented using koolaid to stain the hair! An idea that was advertised in one of their episodes. But when it came to cosmetics, my goodness it was all a mystery to me, sadly the show did not raise any issue of cosmetics and allergic reactions. In fact, I thought it was completely normal that your nose or face would itch after setting it with powder. It was not until 6 years ago I came across a beauty forum when other women were discussing that issue. They pinpointed that talcum powder as the perpetrator of their cause for itch and allergic reaction. Alas, I now knew why all those years my nose was red and my face itched like hell. So, now when I buy cosmetics it needs to be talcum free, period. A year ago my beloved Loreal Hydra Perfecte loose powder was discontinued ( just barely past month they started releasing it again, kudos for Loreal). So, my search for a setting powder came to a halt until I was browsing Palladio cosmetics at Sallys. They had a setting powder that had rice powder (BIG plus) but they use as a filler Talcum powder (big minus). After doing some research of old cosmetic techniques used for cosmetic (using plain rice powder, tapioca starch or cornstarch for set the makeup) I exclaimed "Eureka"!!! Got a 1 pound bag of rice powder for just One dollar at an import store and I already had Corn Starch in my kitchen. Depending where you purchase it, but cornstarch can set you back no more than 3 dollars. It offers no "white cast" to my foundation. It soaks up all the oil of my face. Gives me a lovely matte finish and MY FACE DOES NOT ITCH!!!!!! It is the perfect translucent powder on the market with no harsh additives! I even mix my rice powder with some clay for a lovely mask. So whether you are light complected, dark complected, have combo oily skin or even sensitive skin give both corn starch or rice powder a try. Even if you are not into the whole "natural beauty" lifestyle, give these powders a chance. It made a real difference on me and the results are worth it. Let me know if you have tried this or if it worked on you or not. I would love to hear you! Til' Next time!

**update**

I was using corn starch for a while and sadly it makes my skin itch just as bad as talc :( . So it is with great regret that I cannot recommend the use of cornstarch. I have read many great articles on how some individuals are allergic to corn in every which way. I can eat it, but it cannot be in my cosmetics. On the upside is that when I bought my rice powder I failed to mention I did buy Tapioca Starch aka "arrow root powder". Both tapioca and rice powder do not make me itch, seriously. Still wonderful skin mattifiers. Both of them were purchased at the Asian good store for about a $1 each. I highly recommend to check out places that sell lots of Asian goods. I find that those places have great food/items at a very reasonable cost. Plus I am all for supporting mom and pop stores. In case you are wondering, I stored my tapioca powder in one of my medicine bottles *ha ha  ha*. But anyways, thanks for reading.

Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash For Oily/Combo skin-review

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Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash for Combo/Oily Skin

Desert Essence is a brand I have only seen in two places (physically): Sprouts Farmers Market and Vitamin Shoppe. There are 2 honest reasons why I bought this face wash: Because it was on sale [told you I love sales (from what I can remember It was originally at 8.99, in sale for 6.99 @ Vitamin Shoppe)]. Secondly, because I wanted to try out the brand. I have never ever purchased anything from Desert Essence. Thanks to the internet I read loads of reviews about this product with mixed emotions. Because my face is as oily  as the worst oil spill you can google about, I said to myself "What the hell, if it doesn't work, I can always return it".

Before I get to the juicy review let me tell you about this product. It has 8.5 fluid ounces. Comes with a pump. Has ALL and I mean ALL natural ingredients. No parabens, no mineral oil, no Sls, and the list goes on and on. According to the official dessert essence website it claims

 " NEW! The extract of Hawaii’s fragrant awapuhi plant brings additional softening properties to this gentle, but effective cleanser already rich in soothing extract of goldenseal and essential oil of chamomile. Eco-Harvest® Tea Tree Oil leaves a clean that feels oil-free, and with regular use, helps improve your skin’s texture and radiance".

Better Nutrition Best of Beauty Awards, 2009

My THOUGHTS 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this product. It claims exactly what it promises. I love how my face feels super clean. It really takes the dirt of my face. Beware! If you have open sores or acne that is healing, YOU will feel the burn/sting sensation. NOW, I don't mind it. TO ME its disinfecting the wound and will help to heal it faster. To some, this may be a complete turn off. Some reviews I read around said "it dries your face". You know what, that is true. But you see I WANT my face dry. I want the oily layer of my face GONE. It does a fabulous job doing that. So if you have a "normal, normal to dry, or "sensitive" face. Then this product is not for you. Desert Essence makes other face washes for those particular skin types. I personally like to rotate my face wash. I have a generic "neutragena" one, this one I am reviewing, Cetaphil and a few bar type face washes. My only issue I have with this product is the pump. For some reason the soap dries to this film, and even after I clean the pump it still would not pump properly. So I had to buy a travel size bottle with a pump to pour the product in. But that's my only issue. 

My advice? Check websites that carry this product and see if there is a sale that way You can save a few dollars. One more thing, they have a mega 32 oz bottle as well for 14 dollars. Once I run this one out, I am going to purchase the big bottle.

Again, this was a surprise find. I really don't purchase with an agenda (because it has the finest ingredients). But my goodness, this was one hell of a positive surprise!

It has Holy Grail quality and Natural Beauty ingredients wrapped into ONE! Highly recommend!!!!!!!!!! 

 https://www.desertessence.com/