Image via svtea.com

What is Greenwashing exactly?

Greenwashing is a spin technique used by companies to make their products appear like they are environmentally friendly, organic and/or natural. I’m sure you have all seen the labels with the pretty images of leaves and green colors or the use of matte, papery product labels that even tell you they are ‘Organic’ or ‘All Natural’ despite the ingredients list being practically made of ALL the chemicals to avoid and the packing being anything BUT biodegradable.

How are they allowed to lie to the customer?

Unfortunately, it is not illegal to promote on the label that their product is ‘Natural’, ‘Green’ or ‘Organic’ even if it isn’t. So, the marketing masters of the business disguise their chemical filled products with aesthetically pleasing labels in the hope that you’ll trust them. What they can’t hide, however, is the need to list ingredients right on the bottle and also the fact they can’t legally put a ‘Certified Organic’ label on their packaging.

Australia does have a policy that say they will punish companies that provide misleading information on their labels but some still manage to slip through the cracks.

How do I avoid being Greenwashed?

Despite the pretty labels and the alluring idea that your old favorite makeup brand has listened to their customers and come out with their own “natural” products, you must ALWAYS. READ. THE. INGREDIENTS. Be a smart consumer and don’t always trust the big brands. The ingredients label never lies. If ‘Green Tea Extract’ is the 30th ingredient on the list after a myriad of 10 syllable chemicals you don’t recognize, chances are that you are being fooled.

Also, make sure to look out for the ‘Certified Organic’ label. This doesn’t always make for a ‘greener’ or healthier product but it does help you know if the company is being truthful in their product promotion or not.

Ladies, now’s the time to check your beauty pantry and ask yourself – Are you being greenwashed?

We love you Mum’s and hope that you feel the warmth and love today from all of us who appreciate you more than anything!

Happy Mother’s Day from Alexami!

Image via Ultimatecleanse.ws

Here are your guidelines:

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Make sure to drink at least 1 to 2 litres per day of distilled or mineral water. This will keep the skin looking young and supple as well as the myriad of other benefits that water provides.

Wear sunscreen. We all know the song but it does serve some truth. Wear that sunscreen everyday, even in winter. This will slow down signs of aging, protect from dangerous skin damage that can cause melanoma and will also keep the skin moisturized.

Go organic, don’t panic. What women tend to skip over is the fact that their skin is not a barrier but, rather, an organ that absorbs whatever is put on it. Instead, opt for natural and organic products that aid your body rather than pumping unnecessary toxins into your bloodstream that will only fatigue your body. Many non-organic products on the market are also proving to cause far more serious issues than the companies would have you believe.

Eat happy and healthily. Opt for organic vegetables, colorful fruits and fresh, free range meats. The shorter the shelf life, usually, the better it is for you. So, avoid those middle supermarket aisles as much as possible and stick to the fresh areas. Changing your diet from mostly processed foods to mostly fresh foods will dramatically change your overall appearance; Your skin will be more radiant, your eyes more white and bright and your hair and nails, stronger.

Exercise. I know, I know, you’re all saying ‘well, duh’ but really. Make a habit of getting out with the dog, the kids or the hubby and going out for an evening stroll, having a game of tennis, going bowling, ice skating, WHATEVER. Just make sure to move at least 30 minutes everyday outside of your usual activities. This, like your diet, will start to show on the outside as well as help elevate your overall mood.

Breathe. We do it unconsciously day in, day out but many of us forget to notice how important it is. So, when you have 5 minutes spare just sit or lie down. Relax and spend time focusing on the natural rise and fall of your breath. Don’t force it, just let life breathe you as it does throughout the day but give it the attention it deserves for just this moment each day. Any thoughts that cross your mind, let them fly by and bring attention back to the breath. In perfoming this daily, you will start to notice drastic changes in your mood and other areas of your life. Lengthen the duration as you feel necessary.

And that’s it. That’s the magic formula. There’s no special cream, injection, expensive spa treatment or any other fad product that can get you the results that the above things can. Treat your body right and it will treat you the same in return. Don’t resort to the ‘quick fix’ because it will only cause further problems in the future.

Make a list and do all of the above suggestions every day for just 2 weeks and you WILL notice a drastic positive difference in your life.

Have a happy and healthy day.

Lara

Here’s a quick DIY recipe if you have some spare time or if you are a DIY hobbyist.

For those of you who are unsure as to the uses of setting/refresher spray, refer to the end of the post!

Let’s get right into it….

What You’ll Need:

• Green Tea – Make sure to brew it in boiling water so that it can release the caffeine in the green tea.
• Distilled Rose Water – Anti-inflammatory and soothing.
• Aloe Vera Gel or Glycerine – Adds moisture into the skin.
• Distilled Water – Do NOT use tap water as this will cause more harm than good.
• Tea Tree Oil – Antibacterial, anti-fungal and can help alleviate symptoms of acne.
• Lavender Oil – Has a calming effect and relieves anxiety. Also anti-bacterial.
• Spray Bottle

How to Do It:

1. Make 1 cup of green tea in boiling water (either on the stove or with a jug). Leave to cool.
2. Add to the green tea mixture 4 drops of tea tree oil, 2 Tbsp of rose water and 2 drops of lavender oil. Stir.
3. Into a separate glass, mix 1-2 Tbsp of your glycerin or aloe vera gel with 6 Tbsp of distilled water. This step you may need to fiddle around with depending on whether you have dry or oily skin. Oily skinned ladies, maybe start with slightly less of the glycerin or aloe vera.
4. Combine the 2 mixtures and decant into a spray bottle of your choice. You can usually find these at your local pharmacy.
5. Try it out for a few days and if you don’t like how it’s interacting with your skin, play around with the quantities to suit your skin type. You can also add some different essential oil’s. Just make sure they’re safe on the skin.

***

What is setting/refresher spray?

This is a spray usually used once all your makeup is applied. As powder makeup usually sits on the surface of the skin, setting spray moisturizes the powder beads so it fuses more with the skin allowing it to last longer into the day.

You can also use the spray as a refresher spray throughout the day to give your skin a radiant glow and sheen. If you are lack with timing, there are plenty of good mist toners out there too.

Happy….setting and refreshing!

In The Nude

Though our summer tan may be peeling away, that doesn’t mean we can’t keep looking naturally radiant and flawless all year round. The nude face trend isn’t disappearing off the runways anytime soon. So, put your best face forward by keeping the focus on concealing under eye bags/circles and other imperfections, using luminous face creams and making sure keeping hydrated throughout the day.

Get the Look with Alexami’s Mineral Illuminating Powder, Perfect Puff Mineral Foundation, Vegan Lip Gloss, Herbal Mineral Mascara and a Microfibre Facial Cloth to exfoliate and clean the skin.

Look at Me Liner

Black liner will never become an obsolete beauty product. Bring it into the new season by using it as the focal piece of the face by either using the boldest black you have in your beauty pantry or by winging it out so much people will think you can probably fly. Take note of how Lanvin did it this year but tone it down to suit your style and occasion. Wear it with a bare face and nude lip for the day time or a darker plum lip for the evening.

Get the Look with Alexami’s Mineral Matte Eye Shadow in Black (mix with jojoba oil or water to make into a gel/liquid liner) and Herbal Mineral Mascara.

Up In Smoke

Every woman loves a smokey eye when hitting the town but the runway for this season have been showing that the smokey eye can easily be worn during the day too. Just make sure to steer away from the vibrant blacks and browns and towards softer colors that compliment your skin tone. Green eyed ladies, think a scrumptios eggplant purple. Blue eyed gals, opt for earthy grey-browns.

Get the Look with Alexami’s Mineral Matte Eye Shadow and Herbal Mineral Mascara.

Turn Around, Bright Eyes

(For our more daring ladies)

This final trend is for the less conservative ladies out there who want an easy but attention grabbing look – The colored mascara! Seen on a few runways over the past couple of seasons, we’re wondering if this look will catch on like it did back in the late 80s/early 90s. For now, we’re loving the way Stella McCartney used it in her F/W12 show. Play it up to your skin tone with different colors (we’re thinking dark purples and golds).

Make your own colored mascara by warming up a eye pencil of your choice with a lighter then depositing the color onto a spoolie or disposable mascara wand. Before the formula dries, apply generously to pre-curled lashes. Voila! Cheap colored mascara!

•••

I hope you have gained some inspiration from these looks. Show us if you’ve tried out any yourself in a comment or on our Facebook wall.

Happy Autumn everybody!

Images via weheartit, Tumblr, Style and NYT

Image via life123.com

Below we’ve found some new uses for some of the most common EO’s that you may have in your pantry:

Lavender

• Great for relaxation and taming anxiety
• Rub onto your feet for an all over body relaxation or pour a few drops into a bath
• Pour some on your pillow to help you sleep
• Apply to bug bites to reduce swelling and itching.
• Rub on chapped lips and skin to moisturize.

Peppermint

• Put a few drops into tea or warm water to aid indigestion.
• Apply to the soles of the feet to reduce symptoms of fever.
• Inhale for an instant mood and energy boost.
• Rub on temples and forehead to relieve symptoms of headache.
• Place a drop on the tongue to stop bad breath.

Tea Tree

• Great anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-viral.
• Add a few drops into your bottle of shampoo to cure dry scalp.
• Dab on pimples to treat acne and swelling.
• When you have a cold, add a few drops to a bath to relieve symptoms.
• Add a few drops to your laundry to make your clothes smell fresher.

Give some a try for yourself! Do you have any essential oil uses that some of us may have not tried? Let us know in a comment.

Hope everyone’s having a fabulous weekend!

What is it?

Bikram Yoga was developed from Hatha Yoga. It is a 26-posture sequence that repeats twice making a 90 minute routine. The catch? The practice takes place in a studio heated to 40 degrees Celcius.

Below are the poses that are performed:

Image via Palter.ca

Why try it?

Along with the usual benefits of Yoga, it is claimed that due to the heat and the sweat being produced, many toxins are released from the body. It also keeps all of your muscles warm allowing for less stress on your body (especially people with injuries) and easier flexibility and movement.

Some beginners tips for Bikram yoga:

• Trial it first. Most studios offer a trial period (either free or for a small non-contracted fee) which will allow you to get a feel fornot only the class, but the studio too. Make sure you feel comfortable and welcome there, otherwise you will not want to keep attending.
• Bring a buddy. Having a buddy to bring along to each session not only makes you feel more at ease in a new place (and doing awkward poses in front of strangers) but you can also motivate each other to keep attending classes.
• Wear breathable workout gear. Many hot yoga participants basically wear a glorified bra and underwear set due to the excessive sweating. You, however, can simply opt for something highly breathable so that you don’t feel like you’re wearing 5kgs of sweat-filled attire.
• Get a hot yoga toweling mat (if you’re looking to do this regularly). Due to the sweat, a regular yoga mat just won’t cut it as you’ll be slipping and sliding all over the place which can be highly distracting. You can also just bring a regular towel with you. At the class, you’ll slowly learn what works best for you.
• Bring a big bottle of water with you to rehydrate yourself after your session and also keep hydrated throughout the day BEFORE you session. DO NOT opt for energy drinks or sports drinks. Water is your best friend! And if you need some flavour, then reach for some organic coconut water.
• Learn your studios rules BEFORE you go to your session. Many Bikram studios have strict rules such as not allowing people to leave the room for the first 30 minutes, or not being allowed water until the 3rd pose. Have a friendly chat to the instructors so you know what to expect.

Alenka has become a recent fan. Here’s what she has to say about her experience:

“After recently hearing all of the amazing benefits of Bikram Yoga, I decided to start taking some classes for myself to see what all the fuss was about. I must admit that during the first session, I didn’t think I would be able to make it all the way through as I have never experienced so much sweating with any other activity before. It’s no wonder though as you are practicing in a room heated to 40-degrees!

Once it was all over, however, I felt so energized and amazing that I continued to attend 6 classes over 10 days. After each class you feel cleansed of any toxins, your skin feels soft and toned plus I feel like I look younger and have less wrinkles. It’s almost like a natural microdermabrasion!

Since my trial sessions, I have now persuaded my daughter to join me 4 times per week and we are both loving it. Not only do I feel more energized on a daily basis but I am more focused, especially in my business pursuits. I am also hoping to improve my knees through my yoga practice due to a pain that still remains from a bad car accident that I had 20 years ago and has always limited me in certain sports.”

Alenka attends Bikram Yoga Gold Coast. Click here for more information on them.

Give it a try for yourself. You’ll either love it or hate it but what have you got to lose except maybe a few toxins? And just remember, the first session may be uncomfortable but don’t give up just because that was hard. Push through that mental barrier and you may surprise yourself and be all that much more healthier for it!

Happy weekend all!

This year brought some stunning looks with an obvious trend and focus on enhancing natural beauty, something we here at Alexami strongly approve of. So, we thought we would give you all a few of our favorite faces of the evening and how you can recreate their look!

Emma Stone

Firstly, we have cutie Emma Stone. This look is perfect for almost any occasion and will suit you gorgeous gals with cool and paler skin tones.

1. The Base – On a clean face, apply Alexami’s Mattifying Primer to prepare the face. Follow with Alexami’s Mineral Foundation Powder in Matte, in the color that suits your skin tone.

2. The Eyes – As a base, apply Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Pearl White with your finger all over your lid and up to your brow. Then using a blending brush, lightly dust Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Candy Pink over the lid and just above your crease. For the liner, dip a brush such as Alexami’s Vegan Angle Brush into a small bit of water. Dab of any excess moisture onto a tissue then using the slightly damp brush, dip into Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Matte Black. Line the very inner corner of your top lid and continue along the rest of your eye making sure to stay close to your lash line. Apply another line just above the one you made to thicken the line out slightly at the outer lid. Moisten your brush again if necessary then finish with a cat eye flick tapering to a fine point just beyond your outer corner (refer to image). Finish the eyes with Alexami’s Herbal Mineral Mascara in Black and lightly fill in your brows with the technique of your choice (either shadow or pencil).

3. The Lips - Exfoliate and moisturize the lips with lip balm. Follow with Alexami’s Mineral Vegan Lip Gloss in Raspberry. Then pucker and press your lips to a tissue to mattify the gloss slightly.

4. The Cheeks – Being careful to keep this very subtle, lightly apply a dusting of Alexami’s Perfect Puff Minerals Blush in Candy Pink to the apples of your cheeks.

Octavia Spencer

Next up is something for the darker, warmer toned beauties using Octavia Spencer as inspiration. Her look, as Emma’s is very versatile. It manages to be sultry but not too dramatic at the same time.

1. The Base – On a clean face, apply Alexami’s Mattifying Primer to prepare the face. For a more radiant finish, make your own liquid foundation (for tutorial, click here) with Alexami’s Mineral Foundation Powder in the color for your skin tone. Apply to face with a sponge by blotting it onto the skin. Contour the face with Alexami’s Mineral Bronzer in Medium/Dark, focusing on your cheekbones, temples and under the chin.

2. The Eyes – Using your finger, apply Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Camel all over the lid and up to the brow. Using a shader brush, press Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Cappuccino over the lid up to the crease. Put Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Black onto a small/medium blending brush and tap off excess to avoid any fall-out. Guide this into the outer crease of the eye and from the outer edge of the lid to the center. Blend well with a larger blending brush. For the liner, dip a brush such as Alexami’s Vegan Angle Brush into Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Matte Black and apply along the upper lash line. Finish the eyes with 2 coats of Alexami’s Herbal Mineral Mascara in Black and then lightly fill in your brows with the method of your choice.

3. The Lips – Exfoliate and apply lip balm to your lips then follow with Alexami’s Mineral Vegan Lip Gloss in Bronze. Blot the lips with a tissue to mattify the gloss slightly.

4. The Cheeks - Using a blush brush, apply Alexami’s Perfect Puff Minerals Blush in Coral pink along your cheek bone. Finish by highlighting your cheekbones with Alexami’s Mineral Illuminating Powder in Gold.

Jennifer Lopez

Despite the controversy over Jennifer’s small ‘wardrobe malfunction’, she still looked radiant and amazing as always. This look is so great for the evening and would suit neutral to warm skin tones.

1. The Base – Same as Octavia’s above.

2. The Eyes – Using your finger, apply Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Soft Peach all over the lid and up to the brow. With a small/medium shader brush, apply Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Aubergine to the outer crease and into the inner part just below the eyebrow, avoiding the very inner crease (reference image above). Blend out well with a blending brush. Using the shader brush again, apply more Aubergine below the eye, focusing more on the outer side. With a clean shader brush, apply more Soft Peach over the lid, avoiding overlapping your defined crease that you just created. For the liner, dip a brush such as Alexami’s Vegan Angle Brush into a small bit of water. Dab of any excess moisture onto a tissue then using the slightly damp brush, dip into Alexami’s Mineral Eye Shadow in Matte Black. Thickly line your top lash line to the outer edge. With the excess powder that remains on the brush, line the very outside of your lower lash line and pull it up into a flick (as seen in picture). Now, using Pearl White and the damp brush technique, apply another line just above the flick you created. This opens and lifts the eye. Finish by filling in your brows and applying 3 coats of Alexami’s Herbal Mineral Mascara in Black along with false lashes if so desired.

3. The Lips - Exfoliate and apply lip balm to your lips then follow with Alexami’s Mineral Vegan Lip Gloss in Clear. Blot the lips with a tissue to mattify the gloss slightly.

4. The Cheeks – Jennifer has very slight contouring which will be created with bronzer during the base application. To make the whole look pop though, apply Alexami’s Mineral Illuminating Powder in Gold to your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose.

We hope that you enjoy these looks and give them a try for yourself! Let us know how they turn out!

Their services include:

Make sure to check out their website for more information on their services and location by clicking here!

Have a good Friday everyone. The weekend’s just around the corner!

Things You’ll Need:

• Mineral powder of your choice (I used Alexami mineral powder Ivory)
• A face oil (almond, coconut, baobab, jojoba, tamanu) – it depends on your skin type
• A mixing cup
• A small spatula
• Optional: Essential oil (make sure you know the oil is safe on the face first!)

How to:

1. Pour as much powder as you desire into your mixing tub.

2. Add facial oil. Ratio of powder to oil is 2:1. Stir with spatula until no lumps remain. Remember to add more powder or oil depending on the consistency you’d like.

3. Add 2 drops of your chosen essential oil and stir again.

4. Apply mixture to face with a sponge, foundation brush or fingers.

5. Finish it with another layer of dry Alexami mineral powder or with Alexami translucent powder  if desired. Setting powder is especially recommended in humid climates or on oily skin.

6. You’re done!

Below are my results from applying one layer of my new foundation by blotting it on with my sponge. I love the coverage and it gets rid of my unwanted redness. Please excuse my awkward face!

Also note that mine looks quite oily as I used coconut oil. If I had it around, I would have used jojoba as it is more delicate. It’s all about experimenting to find what works best for yourself and your skin.

Hope this inspired you guys to try it out for yourself!

Until next time

Lara