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    <title>Welcome to &#13;Aria Milan</title>
    <link>http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Natural_Product_Reviews.html</link>
    <description>Natural Product Reviews for a &lt;br/&gt;Caring world</description>
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      <title>Get Vibrant Youthful Skin With GHC's Parfait Visage Face Cream</title>
      <link>http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/16_Get_Vibrant_Youthful_Skin_With_GHCs_Parfait_Visage_Face_Cream.html</link>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:17:35 -0400</pubDate>
      <description>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/16_Get_Vibrant_Youthful_Skin_With_GHCs_Parfait_Visage_Face_Cream_files/44%27%29.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Media/44%27%29_1.jpg&quot; style=&quot;float:left; padding-right:10px; padding-bottom:10px; width:97px; height:88px;&quot;/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;The epitome of natural beauty is having a vibrant and youthful face. Great care should be taken when deciding on facial skin care products to use on a daily basis, as the face is part of the countenance one shows to the world. Radiant skin is a reflection of a person`s healthful state on the inside; therefore, natural and chemical-free products should be the first thing to consider. A facial cream that really stands out in excellence is Parfait Visage made by GHC (Global Healing Center).  I was not only impressed with this face cream, but also the company. GHC was founded by Dr. Edward Group III and he has dedicated his life to educating people on the true principles behind achieving optimum Health His supplements and body care products help one to achieve this by supporting the detoxification mechanisms in the body. Dr. Group explains in his book Health Begins In The Colon that most diseases are created when your body is exposed to toxins to the point where it can`t detoxify itself at the pace that the toxins are being absorbed. An overburdened immune system is what leads to disease. Therefore the process of detoxification is very crucial in getting your body back into balance and working at an optimum level.  For health maintenance, and to make the process of detoxification easier on the body, it is important to use body care products that are free of harmful chemical additives. GHC`s products are 100% natural with no-synthetic chemicals or preservatives.  Parfait Visage means &quot;Perfect Face&quot; in French. And this is what this product helps you to achieve. After using this face cream, I am convinced that this is the most effective facial moisturizer I have come across and is now a regular part of my skin care routine. The information about this product, found at (&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ghchealth.com/organic-face-cream.php&quot;&gt;www.ghchealth.com&lt;/a&gt;) , explains how to achieve healthy, vibrant skin by incorporating this product into daily habits that include drinking more water to hydrate your body, cutting out aging substances such as alcohol and caffeine, and being aware of personal habits that contribute to wrinkles and premature aging. The concept behind this beauty product is to nourish not just your facial skin, but to take steps to nourish your whole body. Trying this product out inspired me to re-examine the effects of my lifestyle on the appearance of my skin on a much deeper level.  Upon using this face cream, I noticed that my skin became much more supple and smooth. It evened out my skin tone within a week and eliminated blemishes after three days. I had a rough skin patch under my eye that wouldn`t go away, but after applying Parfait Visage every evening before going to bed, the patch disappeared after 2 weeks. Now that is quick results. I also noticed fine lines I was starting to develop in the corner of my eyes fading and some of the them have disappeared completely. I was so impressed with this product that I had some of my friends test it and let me know what they thought. Since I live in a tropical environment where the sun`s rays are strong year round, premature skin aging is a common occurrence. One of my friends said that since using the product for a week, she`s been carded every time she ordered a cocktail. Now I don`t endorse alcohol, and one of the guidelines to achieving maximum results with this product is to eliminate alcoholic beverages, but I do feel this is a testament to the effectiveness of it as she`s 10 years over the drinking age limit.  The secret to smooth, youthful skin is to be found in nature and certain plant extracts and oils in combination have long been cherished as the &quot;fountain of youth&quot;. The knowledge about these exotic ingredients have been kept from the public while being used by exclusive European spas that cater to the rich and famous. These ingredients are what`s included in Parfait Visage so not only is one getting an all-natural product when they purchase this, but they are also getting the benefits and wisdom that these plant ingredients put forth in helping one achieve youthful skin.  These exotic ingredients include (Natural Lotion Base):  * Organic Whole Leaf Aloe Vera  * Organic Hemp Seed Oil  * Vitamin E Mixed (Tocopherols &amp;amp; Tocotrienols)  * GH3  * Iridodial  * Micro-Colloidal Silver  * Opti-MSM  * Organic New Zealand 10+ Manuka Honey  * Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar  Essential Oils  * Organic Blue Chamomile Oil  * Organic Indian Frankincense Oil  * Tunisian Neroli Oil  * Rose Oil  * Organic Lavender Oil  * Hungarian Carrot Seed Oil  * Organic Jasmine Oil  The key to how this cream works is through cellular regeneration -- it helps in maintaining the normal elasticity in the collagen upon which the outer layers of skin rest. The properties of this product help to stimulate circulation within the blood near the surface of the skin. Through this action, the blood gets oxygenated and this energizes the skin cells and allows them to regenerate at 6 to 8 times the normal rate.  Parfait Visage provides your skin with vitamins and minerals, and is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. Part of the action of the cream breaks down and digests dead skin tissue and stimulates the birth of new healthy tissue. And its application doesn`t just apply to the face, it can be used on other parts of the body as well. According to GHC`s website, this cream helps remove cellulite in and around the thighs.  When I first opened the product box, I was excited to find that each cream container comes with its own 2.5 - 3 carat ecstasy topaz that you can collect and set into jewelry. For anyone interested in crystal energy, topaz is known for enhancing individual creativity and inspiring hope. Polished topaz has a nice luster and is a great mood up-lifter. An ecstasy topaz is an orange topaz that has been coated with a titanic film on the underside that adds a beautiful, rainbow effect. This extra gesture really pushes this product ahead of other organic face creams on the market and is a reminder that in the pursuit of achieving natural beauty , both the body and spirit must be attended too.  According to the website, Parfait Visage is different from other facial creams in that it is:  * made with no refined, hydrogenated or bleached oils. All of the oils used in this product are cold-pressed and in their natural state.  * Each batch is hand-made fresh, every 3 months.  * Made with 100% all natural and organic ingredients.  * Made without toxic stabilizers, emulsifiers or preservatives  * Made using a cold blending process that reduces any possible heat damage  This last point is important because to take advantage of the full benefits of the plant oils and natural ingredients in the cream, it is essential that these retain their natural enzymes and nutrients. Because this product doesn`t use any chemical preservatives, it needs to be refrigerated. There are a lot of natural products on the market that advertise similar benefits but they are rendered less effective because of how they are produced. Many of these inferior products are heat treated during the blending process and this kills the plant enzymes and nutrients so what you are getting is a &quot;dead&quot; product.  This is not so for GHC`s Parfait Visage. This skin cream is very much alive with organic plant oils and nutrients.  You can order Parfait Visage at (&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ghchealth.com/organic-skin-care&quot;&gt;http://www.ghchealth.com/organic-sk...&lt;/a&gt;) or call 1-800-476-0016. This product`s price is well worth it as your skin will &quot;drink up&quot; the nutrients and you`ll notice a big difference in the condition of your skin. You can order Dr. Group`s book Health Begins In The Colon also at (&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/&quot;&gt;http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/&lt;/a&gt;) .  Look beautiful naturally!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;References:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen&quot;&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.kmle.com/search.php%253FSearch%253Dazotic%2526FuzzyTrack%253Dacetic%2526IsFuzzy%253DYES&quot;&gt;http://www.kmle.com/search.php?Sear...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ghchealth.com/organic-face-cream.php&quot;&gt;http://www.ghchealth.com/organic-fa...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;References:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen&quot;&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.kmle.com/search.php%253FSearch%253Dazotic%2526FuzzyTrack%253Dacetic%2526IsFuzzy%253DYES&quot;&gt;http://www.kmle.com/search.php?Sear...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ghchealth.com/organic-face-cream.php&quot;&gt;http://www.ghchealth.com/organic-fa...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;</description>
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      <title>Use Dr. Group's Detox Foot Pads to Look and Feel Your Best</title>
      <link>http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/16_Use_Dr._Groups_Detox_Foot_Pads_to_Look_and_Feel_Your_Best.html</link>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:36:12 -0400</pubDate>
      <description>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/16_Use_Dr._Groups_Detox_Foot_Pads_to_Look_and_Feel_Your_Best_files/detox_foot_pads_140_200.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Media/detox_foot_pads_140_200_1.jpg&quot; style=&quot;float:left; padding-right:10px; padding-bottom:10px; width:97px; height:139px;&quot;/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;In this day and age, keeping the body healthy requires a great amount of conscious effort. This is due to the enormous amount of toxic chemicals in our modern environment; these toxic chemicals are in our water and food supply, in the products we apply to our skin, and in the very air we breathe. Most people are familiar with the old adage for achieving optimum health -- eat right and get plenty of exercise. People who incorporate these elements into their daily habits are on the right path but they are missing the third point of the triangle, so to speak. Eating a variety of fresh foods will provide your body with needed nutrients. Exercise strengthens the body so that the muscles and bones don`t become weak. But if the person doesn`t actively engage the detoxification process of the body, then eating habits and exercise will not sustain an optimum health state. This is why Dr. Edward Group of the Global Healing Center (GHC) has developed with the help of Kenrico Inc. an all organic Detox Foot Pad that focuses on heavy metal, chemical, and toxin removal.  In the past, it may have been enough, to sweat from physical exertion, as it is an effective way to eliminate toxic elements from the body, but the modern technological age is characterized by less physical activity. The immune system is great at detoxifying the body of chemicals, heavy metals , and parasites but with the amount of toxins bombarding us today, it can easily become overburdened and this eventually leads to disease. Using Dr. Group`s Detox Foot Pads by Global Healing Center is a great way to kick start the detoxification process, or to maintain a clean body.  Lately, there seems to be a lot of questions on whether these detoxifying foot pads work. GHC`s Detox Foot Pads are created with high quality ingredients by Kenrico Inc. This is the top detox foot pad company in Japan, producing detoxifying foot pads for the Japanese market since 1985. Kenrico has received many awards from the Japanese health science and medical community. All of their products have been lab tested for effectiveness and the company itself has 12 different types of detox foot pads made with various detoxifying ingredients. This is because every individual reacts differently to these ingredients and this manufacturer helps companies choose the best products for their specific demographic based on the characteristics of people living in that particular part of the world.  The main ingredient in the detox pads is &lt;a href=&quot;http://ghchealth.com/bamboo-vinegar.html&quot;&gt;Bamboo vinegar&lt;/a&gt;. This vinegar has been used in Japan for many years because of its ability to assist the body in removing toxins and waste. Dr. Group worked together with Kenrico Inc. to create an organic detox pad that focuses exclusively on removing heavy metals as well as other chemicals and toxins that people are exposed to every day here in the United States.  These ingredients include:  * &lt;a href=&quot;http://ghchealth.com/wood-vinegar.html&quot;&gt;Organic Wood Vinegar&lt;/a&gt; : Promotes the transport of toxins through cellular membranes.  * &lt;a href=&quot;http://ghchealth.com/bamboo-vinegar.html&quot;&gt;Bamboo vinegar&lt;/a&gt;: Aids the body`s ability to discharge undesired waste.  * &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ghchealth.com/agaricus-blazei-murrill.html&quot;&gt;Organic Agaricus Blazei Murril&lt;/a&gt;: A Brazilian mushroom that may help with the body`s defense against allergy related diseases.  * Tourmaline Gemstone: Promotes the body`s negative Ion response.  * &lt;a href=&quot;http://ghchealth.com/amethyst-gemstone.html&quot;&gt;Amethyst Gemstone&lt;/a&gt;: Promotes the body`s negative Ion response.  * &lt;a href=&quot;http://ghchealth.com/dextrin.html&quot;&gt;Dextrin&lt;/a&gt;: Helps absorb toxins and heavy metals drawn out of the body.  * &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ghchealth.com/loquat-leaf.html&quot;&gt;Organic Loquat leaf&lt;/a&gt;: Contains several beneficial acids that promote fluid secretion.  * &lt;a href=&quot;http://ghchealth.com/dokudami.html&quot;&gt;Organic Dokudami-Houttuynia cordata&lt;/a&gt;: Contains alkaloids that aid in drawing waste from the body into the foot pad.  On top of having all of these great ingredients, GHC`s detox foot pads can be used in conjunction with the reflexology chart that comes with every pack. By placing the pads on specific acupressure points, the negative Ions in the Amethyst and Tourmaline open up the meridian points on the foot that connect with the specific organs associated with that point. This aids in the drawing of unwanted toxins from the specific organs.  Not all foot pads are created equal. It is important to choose products that are safe and reliable. GHC`s foot pads are all manufactured in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified facility and have gone through rigorous testing to make sure that the product is of excellent quality. Some of these tests include thermal graph testing, alpha brainwave testing and negative ion testing. This is extremely important because there are many cheaper foot pads out there that can potentially be hazardous to you and actually leach harmful chemicals into your body instead of taking them out.  There are many reasons I recommend this product. First of all, it does what it was made for, and it does it extremely well. I feel great the next day after using the pads. It was obvious to me when upon removing them that they were absorbing toxins as the pads were a dark brownish black. After using them for 5 days in a row, they were less brown and sticky suggesting that the detoxification was working. Now I use them once a week which is suggested for regular body maintenance, though you can use them more often depending on if you are on a cleanse or not. One of the major reasons that I prefer GHC`s foot pads over any other is because it is not only organic and has superb ingredients but it is also packaged in radiation proof Mylar packaging so that if it is &quot;irradiated&quot; during delivery, it will not affect the product.  Global Healing Center`s Detox Foot pads are a phenomenal product and deserve the highest rating possible. You can follow this link to &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ghchealth.com/detox-foot-pads.php&quot;&gt;buy GHC's Detox Foot pads&lt;/a&gt;, and the best thing is that they have a 100% money back guarantee. To learn more about the detoxification process of the body as well as how to keep your body healthy, a great resource is Dr. Edward F. Group III`s book titled &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ghchealth.com/health-begins-in-the-colon.html&quot;&gt;Health Begins In The Colon&lt;/a&gt;.  Feel beautiful naturally!  &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;References:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ghchealth.com/&quot;&gt;http://www.ghchealth.com&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.consciousmedianetwork.com/members/egroup.htm&quot;&gt;http://www.consciousmedianetwork.co...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.youtube.com/user/GlobalHealingCenter&quot;&gt;http://www.youtube.com/user/GlobalH...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.kenrico.com/&quot;&gt;http://www.kenrico.com&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;</description>
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      <title>Add a Little Sheen to Lips without Color Overload with Eco-Lips Lip Tints</title>
      <link>http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/16_Add_a_Little_Sheen_to_Lips_without_Color_Overload_with_Eco-Lips_Lip_Tints.html</link>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:33:54 -0400</pubDate>
      <description>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/16_Add_a_Little_Sheen_to_Lips_without_Color_Overload_with_Eco-Lips_Lip_Tints_files/7A66CDD9-3790-4AF5-BA85-91768DD8C491.1.png&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Media/7A66CDD9-3790-4AF5-BA85-91768DD8C491.1_1.png&quot; style=&quot;float:left; padding-right:10px; padding-bottom:10px; width:129px; height:73px;&quot;/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;There are many variations in lipsticks not including the infinite shades of color that these cosmetic products come in. One way to classify lipsticks is to categorize them in terms of lip coverage. This would range from &quot;invisible&quot; or sheer to a thick matte finish with everything in between, from lip glosses to lip creams that look like paint. This variety may not have blossomed from the modern woman's lust for a texture to &quot;go with every look&quot; but more from the ingredients available. At least this was the case during historical times. Attractive lips have particularly been desired throughout history as evidenced by the discovery of tints applied to the lips in the form of crushed semi-precious jewels in Mesopotamia as far back as 5,000 years ago. This is in contrast to other prehistoric make-up (such as eye-liners and skin powders) that showed up on the scene 4,000 years ago with the Ancient Egyptians. Looking at past examples, it is clear that the quest for beautiful lips wasn't always a perilous one and was often fraught with side effects from toxic ingredients -- the Egyptians used to extract a purple colored dye from seaweed that contained iodine and bromine mannite which would result in serious illness. Thankfully, today's women are not restricted to crushed carmine beetles and lead laden lip glosses for enhancing the color of their lips -- Eco Tints (made by Eco Lips) work just fine and are made with safe, natural ingredients.  I recently did a review on Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers that had texture and color coverage akin to conventional lipsticks. For more subtle and natural looking lips, Eco Tints work great. I classify tints as one level above lip glosses in its ability to provide color to lips, with lipsticks being at the far end of the scale as providing the most coverage. There are many who don't like to where make-up at all, but if they were to choose one thing to apply, tints and lip glosses would probably be the least likely to compromise one's moral stance against the use of cosmetics as an instrument in the objectification of women.  Eco Tints is like a chapstick and lip tint rolled into one. It provides a hint of shimmering color while acting as a moisturizer.  These lip tints are made with 90% Organic Ingredients:  * Organic Sunflower Oil  * Organic Beeswax  * Organic Castor Oil  * Organic Coconut Oil  * Organic Vanilla  * Organic Aloe Vera  * Tocopherol  * Iron Oxides  * Mica  * Titanium Dioxide  * Candelilla Wax  The tint comes from natural earth minerals. There are 3 shades in all -- Rose Quartz (pink), Plush Red (deep red), and Mocha Velvet (brownish red). All of these add a shimmering effect and this is achieved through the use of iridescent minerals. I point this out as a personal appreciation to how far we've come technologically. In the past, shimmering effects in cosmetics were achieved through the use of a substance made from fish scales.  I usually like to go for lipsticks as I like the color intensity that they provide. But there are times when I feel like going out without any make-up at all and I always carry around a lip moisturizer in my purse. For me, Eco Tints add the benefit of a little color when I'm just in the mood to apply a lip balm. Regardless of whether one decides on Eco Tints or not, it is always best to choose an all natural lip tint product that is free of lead, parabens, and sulfates, just to name a few. Lead in lipsticks is especially something to watch out for as a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report recently found that a significant portion of brand name lipsticks sold in the U.S. contain a high level of lead, which is a neuro- and central nervous system toxin.  Eco Tints are gluten free, cruelty free, carmine free, lanolin free, and contain no hydrogenated oils. It's a great time to purchase them if one is interested as they are currently 20% off and selling for $3.99 . This is a great deal on a great product. You can purchase these by going to (&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ecolips.com/Products.aspx&quot;&gt;http://www.ecolips.com/Products.aspx&lt;/a&gt;) .  Look beautiful naturally!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;References:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipstick&quot;&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipstick&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ecolips.com/EcoTints.aspx&quot;&gt;http://www.ecolips.com/EcoTints.aspx&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recorded_history&quot;&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/12/news/companies/lipstick_lead/&quot;&gt;http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/12/new...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;</description>
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      <title>Add Chemical-Free Color to Cheeks With Miessence Blush Powder</title>
      <link>http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/16_Add_Chemical-Free_Color_to_Cheeks_With_Miessence_Blush_Powder.html</link>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:29:08 -0400</pubDate>
      <description>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/16_Add_Chemical-Free_Color_to_Cheeks_With_Miessence_Blush_Powder_files/images3Fq3Dblush2Bmakeup26hl3Den26safe3Doff26client3Dsafari26rls3Den26sa3DG26um3D1.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Media/images3Fq3Dblush2Bmakeup26hl3Den26safe3Doff26client3Dsafari26rls3Den26sa3DG26um3D1_1.jpg&quot; style=&quot;float:left; padding-right:10px; padding-bottom:10px; width:92px; height:124px;&quot;/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;The act of blushing is associated with the glow of being in love and has always been considered an alluring quality. Throughout the ages, women have applied color to their cheeks to capture the beauty of the blushing effect. The perfect shade of blush is a prize find. The right color for cheeks can mean the difference between a healthy, youthful glow and a sick pallor. Finding &quot;just the right color&quot; can be a challenge in and of itself, but narrowing the search to include finding the right blush in an all natural cosmetic can be a frustrating endeavor. Most cosmetics on the market are awash with harmful chemical additives . One could deduce that these chemical additives play a key role in the texture and &quot;feel&quot; of the cosmetic. If chemical allergies aren't a factor, conventional blushes feel great and the color lasts for hours. With many natural and organic cosmetics, one doesn't have to worry about absorbing toxins, but these products usually don't look and feel as natural on the face, and they tend to cake. Miessence is a line of organic body care and cosmetic products that offers a pure mineral blush which gives cheeks a beautiful, natural color.  The mineral blush powders come in two types of finishes -- Satin and Silk. The Silk colors have a matte finish and is great for daytime use. The Satin colors have a shimmering effect and is perfect for evenings out. There are three colors in all and each color has a Satin and Silk version available. The difference in shades between the Satin and Silk colors are significant so in actuality, there are 6 colors to choose from -- Ginger Blossom Satin, Ginger Blossom Silk, Apricot Dew Satin, Apricot Dew Silk, Desert Rose Satin, and Desert Rose Silk. These colors offer enough of a choice for people of different skin colors, from very fair to dark, to pick a shade that will match their skin tone. According to the Miessence catalogue: the Silk colors look very light in the the containers but darken when applied and the Satin colors look like how they appear in the jars.  I tried the Ginger Blossom Satin blush powder and I was surprised to find that it went on very smoothly and naturally. It livened up my face but didn't over-power my cheeks with color. This blush was natural enough for me to use during the day and had a lovely shimmer to it. The first time I tried it, I applied too much but felt confident that the color would fade after a little while like so many other blush products do. After a few hours, I looked in the mirror and had a double-edged surprise -- on the one hand, the color hadn't faded so it looked over-applied but the plus side is that the color stayed put on my cheeks really nicely. I can fairly say this is the best mineral blush powder I've used and the shimmering color adds a vibrant glow to my face.  I've tried many natural cosmetics in the past and I've been disappointed with almost every product. The challenge I've found with natural cosmetics is that the texture just doesn't feel right and the color choices aren't enough to find the right shade to match my skin tone. I imagine this is true for a lot of people. The easy way would be to just continue using conventional make-up products, except for one uncomfortable truth: conventional cosmetics contain dangerous chemical ingredients that are carcinogenic and endocrine disruptive. What a lot of people are left with is the choice to look really good by using toxic products or sacrifice the optimum look for much healthier alternatives.  This does not hold true any more when it comes to Miessence blush powder.  The ingredients of the blush powder are:  * Mica  * Sericite Mica  * Organic Rose (Rosa Damascena) Essential Oil  * may contain Iron Oxides  These are very simple ingredients which makes me feel that my search for a good blush powder is over. When shopping around for cosmetics, it's best to avoid products that contain Coal Tar Dyes, PEG, Talc, Dimethicone, and Parabens, just to name a few. Taking the time to switch to natural cosmetics from toxic products is well worth the time and effort not just for your health but also for your beauty in the long term. Many of these harmful chemicals also cause skin irritation and free-radical damage that can lead to premature aging.  For a natural look with this blush powder, apply it with a blush brush and when more color is desired, apply with a sponge. The only drawbacks I found was that it comes in a loose powder and for those who are used to hard powders, this takes a little while to get used to and is a little messy. Also, the containers are a little small, about .21 ounces or 6 grams. Overall, I recommend this product as it is a wonderful blush and is softly scented with rose oil. The price of this blush is &quot;higher end&quot; at $22.95 but is worth it. To order this product, go to the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.miorganicfamily.com/&quot;&gt;(miessence organic family website)&lt;/a&gt;. Be sure to select the destination of where you want your order shipped as this is an international company and the currency will reflect the destination country. In upcoming articles, I will be reviewing the Miessence foundation and lip creme.  Look beautiful naturally!  Update: Since I last wrote this review, I've been informed that Miessence has reformulated their blushes and have blended both the Silk and Satin effects in three colors -- Desert Rose, Apricot Dew, and Ginger Blossom. I have tried the new blushes and they work even better! These blushes have the combined effect of shimmer and matte so it's appropriate for both day and evening wear. When the light reflects off the cheeks, the shimmer effect is very noticeable but during natural lighting (when the sun shines during the day) the blush is toned down as the matte effect is more prominent. Desert Rose has a warm brown/pink color to it, Ginger Blossom is a nice all-around pink shade and Apricot Dew is a radiant pink with an uplifting apricot hue to it. These new blushes are highly recommended and are very versatile.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;References:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blush&quot;&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blush&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mica&quot;&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mica&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://antiagingchoices.com/harmful_ingredients/toxic_ingredients.htm&quot;&gt;http://antiagingchoices.com/harmful...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/&quot;&gt;http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.mionegroup.com/en/home&quot;&gt;http://www.mionegroup.com/en/home&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;</description>
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      <title>Get Healthy, Supple Lips With Eco-Lips Lip Balm</title>
      <link>http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/15_Get_Healthy,_Supple_Lips_With_Eco-Lips_Lip_Balm.html</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:34:14 -0400</pubDate>
      <description>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Entries/2009/7/15_Get_Healthy,_Supple_Lips_With_Eco-Lips_Lip_Balm_files/t_1104.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ariamilan.com/www.Ariamilan.com/Natural_Product_Reviews/Media/t_1104_1.jpg&quot; style=&quot;float:left; padding-right:10px; padding-bottom:10px; width:97px; height:97px;&quot;/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;The lips are a very sensual part of the body. When it comes to skin care, many people take this area for granted and don't apply a lip moisturizer until problems, such as chapping, occur. Once this happens, getting the moisture on the lips back into balance is harder than preventing healthy lips from becoming dry in the first place. A good thing to have handy that can be applied throughout the day is a natural lip balm that is free of synthetic chemicals as the lips are one of the most absorbent areas on the body. Many conventional lip balm brands tend to be sold everywhere, making them easy to grab when one is in the checkout lane at the local super market, but are actually not ideal as they are made with harmful chemicals. A brand of all natural lip balms that are surprisingly effective and are economical is Eco Lips.  Why Using a Natural Lip Moisturizer is Essential  Unlike the rest of your skin, the lips do not secrete sebum which is the natural way the body balances moisture on the skin's surface. The only &quot;natural moisture&quot; your lips get is when you lick them. This only provides temporary relief as saliva actually contributes to lip dryness. Over time, if lips are chronically dry, the skin surrounding the lips lose their elasticity and this leads to the appearance of fine lines around the mouth. This is a sign of premature aging and is easily preventable by keeping your lips well moisturized.  To be effective, lip balms contain oil. Most lip balms on the market are made with petroleum based synthetic oils that are suspected carcinogens. Because of the absorbent nature of the lips, careful consideration should be taken when choosing a lip care product. It is best to choose lip balms made with natural, and whenever possible organic, ingredients.  Eco Lips is a small company based out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They are dedicated to creating quality lip care products using mostly organic, earth-friendly ingredients. As stated on their website: certain ingredients, such as vitamin E, aren't available in a certified organic form yet. There are many different lip balms available in varying moisturizing strengths, providing a wide range of products that can meet everyone's lip care needs. Following is a description of the different products.  Eco Lips Pure &amp;amp; Simple  A great, all-around moisturizer is their Pure &amp;amp; Simple lip balms. They come in three savory flavors -- Kiwi-Strawberry, Coconut, and Grape. This lip balm goes on very smooth and locks in lip moisture. It's great for everyday use and for general lip protection as you go about your day.  The ingredients are:  * Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil  * Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax)  * Organic Flavor  * D-Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E)  This lip balm made my lips feel silky and, unlike other conventional products, didn't cake at all. I applied it before I went to sleep and the next morning, my lips felt soft and were still pretty moisturized. I highly recommend these for maintaining healthy lips that aren't chapped. If your lips are slightly dry, this will do the trick but for lips that are flaking, I recommend a different product.  Organic Eco Lips Hemp  When you are in need of even more moisture than what a regular lip balm can provide, the Organic Hemp moisturizer will work just fine. This lip balm is packed with nutrients that deliver a balance of essential fatty acids (EFA) and essential amino acids for a truly healing product. Hemp seed oil is easily absorbed and provides the lips with a near perfect ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids; including gamma linoleic acid (GLA) -- a nutrient that is also found in mother's milk. These nutrients make lips soft and supple and is a good protector. This lip balm comes in vanilla flavor and does not smell like hemp at all which I consider is a good thing. When applied, it has a very soothing sensation to it (it's slightly cooling like camphor) compared to the Pure &amp;amp; Simple balms which feel silky.  Organic Eco Lips Gold  When your lips are chapped or when you've spent a large amount of time outdoors and your lips get sunburnt, the Organic Gold balm provides the ultimate moisture for lips. Its most abundant ingredient is jojoba oil which has a high vitamin E content. Vitamin E is an effective skin healer and is an anti-oxidant. Jojoba oil is one of the most prized moisturizers as its molecular structure is similar to the skin's own natural oils. This lip balm is also enriched with vitamin A.  I found Organic Gold to be a substantial moisturizer and is able to heal chapped lips fairly quickly. Prior to reviewing these products, I had been having problems with painful, dry lips even though I live in a warm, humid climate. Just like the breaking story that Mike Adams' recently posted titled Mobile Phones Causing Skin Disorders reports, I've noticed that my lip condition had worsened by extensive mobile phone use. Regardless of the cause, after using this lip balm for 4 days my lips have returned to normal. I don't like the feel of heavy moisturizing cream on my lips and with Organic Gold, this was not the case at all. This lip moisturizer feels very natural and I suspect it has to do with the jojoba oil -- I highly recommend this product as a natural alternative to medicated lip balms.  All of these lip products are 99 % organic, cruelty free, gluten free, and petroleum free. Eco Lips does sell a vegan lip balm that is bees wax free but I didn't get the chance to review it. The integrity of the company is strong so I imagine it is a decent product. Eco lips also makes private label lip balms; you can find more information about that by (&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ecolips.com/PrivateLabelLipBalm.aspx&quot;&gt;clicking here &lt;/a&gt;) . I was surprised by the affordability of their lip balms, the price is very reasonable and they last a long time. You can order these by going to (&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ecolips.com/Products.aspx&quot;&gt;http://www.ecolips.com/Products.aspx&lt;/a&gt;) or by calling (866) 326 - 5477 toll free.  Look beautiful naturally!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;References:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ecolips.com/&quot;&gt;http://www.ecolips.com/&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum&quot;&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum&lt;/a&gt;) &lt;br/&gt;(&lt;a href=&quot;http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0004/ai_2603000465&quot;&gt;http://findarticles.com/p/articles/...&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;</description>
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