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Sibu Beauty Review

Posted by html404 on March 30, 2012
in All Natural Products, Eco Friendly Products, Health, Health and Nutrition, Personal Care Products, Reviews, SALES

I was recently given the opportunity to review a Sibu Beauty product called Sea Buckthorn Revitalize & Renew, a liquid supplement for skin, hair and nails. I loved the look of the company and their commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.

Sibu Beauty

Sibu Beauty products all started with a meeting between Sibu’s founder, Bruce McMullin and an ayurvedic specialist (which is Ayurveda, which literally means “The Science of Life,” is an ancient healing science from India Source) in Calcutta, India. This specialist told Bruce about a “powerful holy fruit, the Sea Buckthorn berry” and Sibu was founded in 2003.

Sibu has a complete line of products including: facial cream, body cream, balancing facial cleanser, hydrating serum, replenishing night cream, sea buckthorn seed oil, age defying eye cream and a bar of facial soap. Products range in price: $6.95-$50.90. They even have a couple new products not in their brochure.

All of Sibu’s products are chemical free, contain no artificial flavors or colorings and no preservatives. The company seeks to use the sea buckthorn berry responsibly and in a sustainable manner. Sibu Beauty also practices fair trade in that they offer fair wages to the people of Tibet who harvest the berries, environmentally safe processing techniques and healthy, safe working conditions. (Source: Sibu’s product brochure & website)

The company’s founder is committed to giving back to charity, which you can read more about on their website under the “Giving Back” tab.

Sea Buckthorn Revitalize & Renew

Sea Buckthorn is suppose to improve skin tone and texture, supports hair and nail growth. It is full of Omega 3, 6, 7 & 9 fatty acids. Omega 7 is rare, but supposedly vital for cellular support. It is also a powerful free radical scavenger.

Ingredients: Besides the Omega fatty acids, sea buckthorn fruit puree, apple juice from concentrate, white grape juice from concentrate, acerola fruit juice from concentrate, evaporated cane juice, banana puree, sea buckthorn oil seed oil, natural flavors, pectin, xanthan gum.

Sibu Beauty Review

I am pretty skeptical by nature, but have had such a dry face this winter that I was willing to try anything to help alleviate the flakes and scales! I received a 25.35 fl.oz. bottle of the Sea Buckthorn and started taking it….oh nearly a month ago, I guess. I have taken a tablespoon or so each day, pretty consistently but have missed days and think there might be just the slightest change, maybe. Definitely no overnight differences or incredible results by any means.

By my last tablespoon, which I took yesterday, I think I was finally getting use to it’s unusual flavor. I am not a huge peach or apricot fan and I would have to say that Sea Buckthorn reminded me of a mix of those two fruits. I would literally shiver after drinking it, but I persevered because I wanted to be able to give an honest review of how well it worked. I could have easily given up the first day! Just goes to show that if you keep trying a food/drink you can start to kind of like it, even if you didn’t in the beginning.

I like the idea of this product, but the ingredient “natural flavors” is always something hidden. While the ingredients are not organic, two of these products have a low score on EWG.org (Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic site), so that is very good. The other products were not showing up in the database.

Overall, this was an ok product and I am glad I tried it. However, ultimately I think beauty products are a personal choice and we have to find what works best for us. For more information about this product please visit: www.SibuBeauty.com

Sale & Discount

Right now they have a sale going on until tomorrow night:

20% OFF Sitewide + Free Shipping!
Use coupon code SIBUDEAL20 on checkout.
Free shipping offer excludes Sibu Raw. Offer ends March 31st.

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LISTERINE® and REACH® #HealthyHabits for a Lifetime Oral Care Challenge!

Posted by html404 on February 22, 2012
in Family Stuff, Personal Care Products

Did you know that 75% of all American adults have periodontal disease and do not even know it?
Did you know that there are billions of germs in our mouth, more than there are people on the earth? That’s a lot isn’t it?
Did you know that a third of the people in the US do not eat their favorite food or smile because of dental problems?
Did you know that 50% of American children will have a cavity between the ages of 5 and 9?
Did you know that 51 million hours of school are missed each year due to dental issues?

Pretty sobering, eh?

We have been struggling with a couple of our children’s oral care habits. No matter what we say nothing seems to get through to them, until recently one of my older daughters was explaining in detail what happened to teeth when the dirt, sugar and germs broke down the tooth. That particular child said, “Really?” Then took off to brush his teeth. A break through? Maybe, but I have my doubts so that is why we are participating in LISTERINE® and REACH® Healthy Habits for a Lifetime Oral Care Challenge!

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing and participating in the Healthy Habits for a Lifetime Oral Care Challenge. We are being compensated by Johnson & Johnson and TheMotherhood. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review and compensation, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Dry Skin

Posted by html404 on February 19, 2012
in Family Stuff, Health and Nutrition, Personal Care Products, Products for Dad, Products for Mom, Shopping

The winter months are hard on the skin and our family is no different. Dry hands, face, elbows and even feet and legs get that scaly cracked skin. This winter my face has been so dry and I cannot figure out why. My husband’s hands have been extra dry and very rough, but he thinks that his frequent use of hand sanitizer may be at the root of his problem. Some of the younger children’s legs have been dry. We do not bathe as often during the winter so it is hard to pin point what is causing the dry skin. It has become my quest to find a solution.

We have tried numerous products and lotion, one has worked better than others but still leaves a greasy residue. That’s why when we were introduced to Dial™ NutriSkin™ I decided to try it. It is new and they are adding extra vitamins and nutrients to it therefore it appealed to me to see what it was like. I went to Walmart since they were having an in-store demo so I could try it before I bought the lotion. I have to be careful what I buy because so many of my children have sensitive skin.

Walmart did not have the full selection of Dial™ NutriSkin™ lotions or body wash. I was really looking forward to trying one of their fruity scented body washes, but they only had two and one was not very fruity smelling. In their lotion, I could only choose from 2 products: Shea Butter and Aloe. The demo lady had a third lotion on the demo table but I forgot to try it after the Aloe because I had so much Aloe on my hands! I liked both in regards to scent, but decided on the Aloe because it was on sale for $3 and the demo lady gave me a coupons for $1 off. I really liked that price compared to the $4 regular price and the $5 price of other brands. So far my hands are still very smooth and soft, not to mention good! My husband just put some on so time will tell Dial™ NutriSkin™ lotion will work for him.

My oldest daughter will be the final judge on this product since she has the most chemical sensitivities.

As a side note, I was talking to a friend this weekend who has eczema and psoriasis and she takes Vitamin D supplements and/or cod liver oil to combat it and it helps. She only does this during the winter months when she doesn’t get enough sunshine.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions expressed are my own. #DialNutriSkin #Cbias

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Butt Bench Review

Posted by Brande on January 31, 2012
in Furniture, Personal Care Products, Products for Mom

My first thought when I was first approached with something called a Butt Bench was, a Butt What? After looking at the website (http://www.buttbench.com/), my curiosity instantly changed to I need one of these!

A Butt Bench is a wooden seat for the bathtub, it rests on the back of the tub and has 2 suction cups that attach to the wall. Imagine, not having to be a flamingo or sitting on the edge of your tub trying to shave your legs. How many of us have had near accidents with falling over or sliding around on a slippery tub edge. Come on, it’s okay we’ve all done it. With this product, NEVER AGAIN. The Butt Bench is very sturdy and can easily be removed or installed when it is needed. Their website says in the FAQ’s section, the Butt Bench can hold up to 300 pounds. They are available in Cedar, Pine, Pink Pine, and White Pine. The Butt Bench is also available in 12″ or 15″.

Here are 2 pictures from the Butt Bench website.

My Review –

Awesome product! It is indeed sturdy and I feel much safer when shaving my legs. I came down with a sinus infection is past week and it was great to sit in the steam. It’s also good storage for shampoo bottles and soaps, no more having an avalanche of bottles.

Good news! They are having a Valentine’s Sale!

Find them on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/buttbench1

Or Twitter – twitter@buttbench

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Vitabath Review

Posted by Brande on September 18, 2011
in Personal Care Products, Shopping

“More than fifty years afters its debut, Vitabath has revitalized its product line with the introduction of the Fragrance Collection – 16 sulfate and paraben free body washes that leave skin feeling clean, refreshed, and vibrant. Featuring fresh, playful fragrances, a nourishing blend of Vitamins A, B3, B5, C, & E, and an antioxidant superfruit blend, the Fragrance Collection moisturizes and revives skin with its rich, luxurious lather.”

The Vitabath Fragrance Collection offers four unique, youthful fragrance profiles:

Spa Day is available in Green Tea & Sage with Aloe Vera, Lavender Chamomile with Lavender Extract, Cucumber & White Tea with Cucumber Extract, Citron Leaves with Lemongrass Extract.

In Bloomis available is Beach Blossom with Passion Flower Extract, Nouveau Rose with Evening Primrose Oil, Ivy & Lily with Chamomile Extract, Asian Orchid & Coconut with Angelica Extract.

Fruit Fanatic is available in Grapefruit Vanilla with Grapefruit Extract, Green Apple & Lily with Coneflower Extract, Wild Red Cherry with Cherry Blossom Extract, Pomegranate & Blood Orange with Orange Peel Extract.

Cupcake Couture is available is Dreamy Pink Frosting with Sweet Almond Oil, Luscious Lemon Creme with Lemon Extract, Heavenly Coconut Creme with Coconut Oil, Scrumptious Vanilla Sugar with Shea Butter.

My review:

I received the Fruit Fanatics Pomegranate & Blood Orange with Orange Extract. It’s so refreshing to wake up to, with the fresh smell of oranges. It makes my skin feel smooth and clean. Wonderful product! I’m thinking about getting Cucumber & White Tea with Cucumber Extract and Heavenly Coconut Creme with Coconut Oil!

The Vitabath Fragrance Collection is available from www.myvitabath.comand national retailers including Fred Meyer, Ricky’s Beauty, Harmon Drugs, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Ulta Cosmetics, AAFES and Stages Stores.

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Review ~ Squid Balm

Posted by Professor on July 31, 2011
in All Natural Products, Baby Products, Eco Friendly Products, Family Stuff, Gift Ideas, Handmade Items, Health and Nutrition, Organic, Personal Care Products, Products for Dad, Products for Mom

Squid Balm

A Vast Variety of Vegan beauty goodies….

Vegan products that are Nut-free, Bee0free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free.

These products are great for sensitive skin types!

Solid product means Squid Balm is TSA friendly as well as eco-friendly.

There is a myriad of choices on Squid Balms Website ranging from skin and body car to hair care! The products are scented or unscented…something to suit everyone’s taste!

OUR REVIEW:

We received the following products:

UNSCENTED ~ Squid Balm Solid Lotion Bar

UNSCENTED ~ Handcrafted Cold Pressed Avacado Oil Soap

UNSCENTED ~ Squid Silk Solid Conditioner Bar

Squis Squeak Solid Shampoo Bar ~ PURE

Gentle Oil Cleanser ~ For Normal Skin

This is such a wonderful product! I must say that I sought them out for my daughter who is 2 and has severe Eczema on her little body. I am tired of using steroid creams and was searching for a natural alternative when I found Squid Balm. I opted for the phytoestrogen (plant estrogens) free option that Squid balm offers…so I must say I cannot comment on the scented line of this product. The phytoestrogen free products are also free of xenoestrogens (synthetic chemicals that can mimic estrogen in the body), fragrance free, phthalate free, nut free, gluten free, and paraben free. I opted for this option because of the Eczema and anything that a product can eliminate to suppress flare-ups is a plus in my book! However, with that said…this product is so wonderful that their scented line can only enhance the “awesomeness” of Squid Balm!

On to my review…

Theese were all AWESOME products for my daughter with sensitive skin. She did not have an Eczema flare up while using this product. It actually helped to clear up the Eczema. I was extremely surprised to see how well she took to the product. Often creams (even sensitive, fragrance free) creams irritate her skin…causing it to “burn” as she says when applied. Squid Balm DOES NOT burn or irritate the skin…in fact she liked the lotion bar so much she carries it around putting the cream on herself. This is such a relief to a mother who used to have to hold her daughter down to apply cream! All of the products were great for her little skin… I liked the shampoo bar because it too was easy to apply and since she was already used to Mr. Squiddy (as we affectionately call the solid lotion bar because of the cute logo) she was not apprehensive about letting me wash her hair as she usually is with the commercial shampoo I was using.

The only thing I did not try out on my daughter was the Gentle Facial cleanser (I saved that one for myself!) the cleanser is nice and smooth and does a great job! In fact I like it more than the cleanser I was using previously! The only thing I wish is that the bottle I was given included a pump…I received the 1 oz size which does not come with a pump. I would imagine that a pump dispenser would be much easier to use with the product and cause less waste! I must also admit that I swiped the conditioner bar for myself (my 2 year old does fine with just shampoo and no conditioner) I am currently using this in lieu of shave gel…let me tell you this is by far the BEST thing I have used for shaving! The conditioner bar has many used from traditional conditioner to styling crème…but I liked it best as a shave lotion.

All in all these products are truly AWESOME! I am so glad I have found Squid Balm for myself and my daughter…we will use this product for years to come!

To find out more about Squid Balm and to order please visit:

http://squidbalm.com/index.html or look them up on facebook or twitter!

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Review ~ Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes

Posted by Professor on June 1, 2011
in Cleaning, Family Stuff, Health, Personal Care Products

Cottonelle Flushable moist wipes are pre-moistened to provide a more thorough cleansing and freshening than with toilet paper alone! Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes are Alcohol-free, sewer and septic safe. For best results, only one or two wipes should be flushed at a time.

Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes are suitable for the following purposes:

With toilet paper as part of your bathroom routine
When traveling
To clean hand and faces

Visit www.cottonelle.com for more information about this and other products.

OUR REVIEW:

This was a very nice product to get to review. I have used Cottenelle before but never the fresh scented product. This wipe is nice and thick and has a nice clean scent. I found that they did their job as expected and we did not have any problem with them flushing down the toilet. I did find that they work well as a baby wipe also…I have a toddler still in diapers and this wipe did a great job cleaning my toddler.

The product is dispensed in a nice pop up container. The product came with an adhesive wall hook that you can attach to the wall above or around your toilet paper holder. Unfortunately I do not have space to hand up the product near my toilet paper so I had to forgo that idea…but for those who have space it is a nice addition to the product.

The only thing I did not like about the product was that sometimes the wipes could be difficult to remove from the dispenser. I had to reach in and grab the wipes to get them to come out…they did not “pop” up like a traditional wipe container would…but I suppose that since they stay in the container it is less likely that they would dry out.

All in all, this was a great product to try and we will be buying Cottenelle Flushable Moist wipes in the future!

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Prefense Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer ~ Review

Posted by Professor on April 25, 2011
in Cleaning, Fun Stuff, Personal Care Products, Safety

Have you ever used a hand sanitizer only to be overwhelmed with a harsh alcohol smell that lingers long after use? Prefense hand sanitizer is completely alcohol free and proactively and persistently offers protection from germs up to 10 hand washings! Amazing!

Prefense Botanicals Benefits:

· Alcohol free
Sanitizes nails and skin on contact
Protection from germs up to 10 hand washings
Works wet or dry
Safe for kids and adults!

I must admit that even though the product boasts that it is alcohol free…when I took my first pump of the product I still was expecting that alcohol scent to waft to my nostrils. I was pleasantly surprised when I smelled a nice clean botanical scent instead. I had to laugh at myself because the product did exactly what it promised, why would I expect any different…perhaps because the thought of hand sanitizing evokes a memory of harsh alcohol scent. Let me tell you this was a great experience…a wonderful scent and it forms a proactive antibacterial barrier wet or dry! The scent is derived from a silica complex with soothing organic botanicals. This product is truly a new generation of hand sanitizer! We also liked that the sanitizer was a foam and not a gel. Gels can be messy…prefense is a foam that is neatly pumped from the dispenser and goes on evenly. We also like that it comes in handy purse size (1.50z) or a larger (80z) family size.

To find out further information about the product check out their website http://www.prefense.com/

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bareMinerals Review

Posted by Brande on April 20, 2011
in Girl Stuff, Organic, Personal Care Products, Shopping

About the Product and Leslie Blodgett (Creator)

“We’re on a mission to change the way woman feel about their skin.”

“In developing a skincare line, we championed our expertise in minerals and their ability to energize skin cells in an entirely different way than conventionally done before. We use only the finest quality ingredients in our products – the purest, most beneficial minerals from the earth – to give you the results you desire without the use of harsh chemicals, preservatives or irritants.”

“It all began when Leslie Blodgett, Creator of bareMinerals, sought out a visionary in the field of organic agriculture with over four decades of experience. This farmer had unearthed a complex blend of essentials through a unique process, these minerals yield a densely rich concentrate capable of extraordinary skin-renewing benefits.”

“Clinical studies further validated the transformative efficacy of this soil: Faster cell renewal, reduced pore size, increased luminosity, softer, smoother, younger-looking skin. Today, this rare soil is our proprietary, 100% pure RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex and the miracle ingredient in our groundbreaking bareMinerals skincare line. For the past decade, we’ve perfected the bareMinerals skincare formulas to combine the very best nature with science and modern technology so you can experience extraordinary results. Help prevent, treat, and protect with bareMinerals skincare – the all-in-one solutions to your skin’s needs.”

The product I received was the Skin Renewing Trio, 30 day Try Me Kit. The kit included a purifying facial cleanser, firming eye treatment, and purely nourishig facial moisturizer (combination skin).

Purifying Facial Cleanser: “This deep cleansing, hydrating formula removes makeup, dissolves impurities, and re-balances skin for a softer more luminous complexion.” The ingredients include pineapple, lychee & guava fruit enzymes, avacado oil, and pomegranate extract.

Firming Eye Treatment: “Restore firmness and reduce puffiness around the eye area with this breakthrough treatment to reveal younger looking eyes. The ingredients include vitamin E, soybean & sunflower seed oil and roman chamomile flower.

Purely Nourishig Moisturizer (combination skin): “Hydrate skin with this lightweight, yet remarkably effective moisturizer for iproved firmness, elasticity, radiance and skin texture”. Ingrediants include honeysuckle, rooibos (red tea), green tea, chamomile, coffee, licorice, vitamins A, B5, and E.

My Review

Just a background on my face. My chin, forehead and nose are more oily than my cheeks.

I’m always leary about trying new facial products. I had a bad experience with a very abrasive product. I’m old fashion when it comes to facial products. I normally use the blue tub of paste that starts with an “N” to deep clean my face.

I’ve been activity using the bareMineral products instead of my own now for about a week. I followed the directions on each bottle saying to cleanse or apply morning and at night. I found the bareMinerals purifying facial cleanser worked well on making my pore smaller and cleaned my face well. The firming eye treatment also worked well, my skin felt a little tighter in that area. And the purely nourishing moisturizer, I love it on my cheeks. However, I did notice that since my nose, chin, and forehead are normally oily. It seemed to make them look more oily than usual. But, still a great product.

The product box showed the ingredients, however the product bottles did not. Maybe it is because they are a trial sizes.

bareMineral products are available at QVC. I went on the QVC site to see what other products bareMinerals have and my search returned 155 products! And people seem to love all their products! Lots of 4 & 5 star ratings! To purchase these or any other bareMineral products you can call QVC at 1-888-345-5788 or visit www.qvc.com/bareescentuals

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Organic Toothpaste: An Alternative to Chemicals

Posted by html404 on March 8, 2011
in All Natural Products, Guest Post, Organic, Personal Care Products

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post. While we appreciate our guest writer’s submissions, this does not constitute endorsement or agreement to the opinions expressed in the articles featured.

by Sally

Brush your teeth! Mothers are constantly reminder their children to do this. Since the beginning of childhood, the emphasis on good dental hygiene is drilled into most kid’s minds, with the threat that if they do not follow this daily hygienic duty, their teeth will rot, fall out and they will be left toothless. Of course, no one wants that! Therefore, we obey and most people brush regularly, obtain dental insurance and get regular check-ups with the good intentions that they are preventing tooth decay, gum disease and providing a healthy service to their bodies. Moreover, most people never give thought to the fact that some toothpastes contains dangerous, harmful ingredients. After all, this is a product that must go into the mouth so it has to be safe, in all regards. Unfortunately, this is
not the case. Many popular brands of toothpaste contain ingredients that are harmful and carcinogenic.

Potentially Harmful Ingredients in Name Brand Toothpaste

Sodium Fluoride

When examining the ingredients on popular toothpaste labels, many only give one active ingredient, Sodium Fluoride, as an anti-cavity. This ingredient is classified as a toxin when ingested or inhaled in high doses. It is often used in cleaning products, psychiatric medications, anesthetics and in Sarin Nerve Gas. It was regularly added to the water in concentration camps during World War II to help keep the prisoners more compliant. It is also added to our public drinking water supply. Although it does work to help prevent cavities, it also can cause collagen to breakdown in muscles, skin, bones, kidneys and lungs and in lethal doses can affect the circulatory system and the heart.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

This ingredient is used in low doses for toothpaste and in larger doses for cleaning products, degreasers and soaps. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate has been shown to be associated with the development of mouth ulcers. Because of the harshness of this ingredient, it can damage oral tissue lining inside the mouth.

Hydrated Silica

This ingredient is added to many popular brands of toothpaste as a whitener. This ingredient works as an abrasive on the surface of teeth, which can harm the enamel causing a severe wearing down of this protective surface. Those who have receding gums, gum disease, sensitivity and tooth decay should avoid using toothpastes with this additive.

So, what is a person to do? After all, we cannot just stop brushing our teeth, unless we have some good dental insurance and don’t mind the sound of a drill. The best solution to this problem that many people have found is to switch to an organic toothpaste. Organic toothpastes contain safe, natural ingredients such as herbs and essential oils to fight bacteria, protect gums and freshen breath. There are a wide variety of these products to choose from today, which do not contain any harmful ingredients. Many
popular brands include Tom’s and Kiss My Face. Both of these can be purchased at Whole Foods Markets or Amazon. Using these products can provide the necessary tooth and gum hygiene to keep teeth and gums healthy, without the risks of causing harm to the body.

Sally is a dental hygienist and health expert who spends her free time traveling to local elementary schools teaching youngsters how to care for their teeth. After exploring dental insurance options as a new college graduate and as a single mom, she became passionate about preventative care in order to save money. After all, in this economy, it’s better to save now rather than pay later!