Raise your hand if you’re one of the few beauty product aficionados  left who have yet to discover the amazing eco-friendly, cruelty-free brand Aveda; if your hand is still in the air, you’ve no idea what you’ve been missing!

Founded in 1978, the renowned Minneapolis-based company has trademarked use of the Art and Science of Pure Flower and Plant Essences in creating some of the finest hair/skin care products available.  To summarize their mission statement: Beauty is as beauty does–it does not qualify as beauty if it hurts any of the diverse life forms that the best beauty artist of all, Nature, created.

So, assuming you’re new to the brand, where do you begin?  What should you try first?

Since most of us wash our hair on a regular basis—and are often dissatisfied with our current shampoos and conditioners—let me recommend one of my personal favorites from the plethora from which to choose (starting with a personal favorite): Black Malva.  This gentle cleanser smells terrific, and works with its companion conditioner to help maintain color in between salon visits.

Since I regularly dye my hair an inky shade of black, I love how the key ingredients (black malva, black tea and aloe—all of which are certified organic) work to discourage the brassy reddish tones that love to wreak havoc on my color’s overall cool undertone.  Don’t worry if your own hue doesn’t match mine; while Black Malva yields the best results on deeper brunette shades, gals (and guys!) with lighter brown/honey blonde hair should try the Clove formula.  Extremely pale blondes benefit from Blue Malva (also works well on grey); try Camomile if you’ve got highlights.  Last, but certainly not least, Madder Root suits auburn, red or chestnut shades.

All of these formulas are available on Aveda.com, where a 1-liter bottle costs $26.50. Unfortunately the conditioners are only sold as a $17.00 8.5-oz tube, but since experts caution against over-zealous use on hair that is already colored, if you supplement your regular routine with the appropriate hue, you’ll find you can stretch the value of the $43.50 you’ve spent!  (Speaking from my own experience, I bought the 1-liter bottle of shampoo sometime in November and have about ¾ remaining.  Obviously the conditioner doesn’t last as long, but I have plenty of that left as well.)

Moving right along—there’s plenty more to see here—allow me to give a special shout-out to the Brilliant line.  While the entire collection could, arguably, be touted as Aveda’s pièce de résistance, my two favorites are the Damage Control pre-styling spray and the Spray-On Shine.

I use the former while my hair is still damp; the latter works wonders after blow-drying/flat-ironing—avoid that whole [unattractive] I-just-washed-with-yesterday’s-bacon-leftovers look by not spraying too much!  An 8.5 fl. oz bottle of Brilliant Damage Control will set you back an additional $15, with 3.4 fl oz of Spray-On Shine eating up $20.

However, if you spend at least $80, Aveda.com will ship your new regimen for free—and offer you a free sample of 2 of the top-rated hair care products.

I realize how quickly the cost of such specialty items can add up–and that most of us are on a budget—but again, because these Aveda products really last, the overall value-to-initial-cost ratio does, in fact, favor value.

Jen #2

My nails are looking fantastic lately. That’s not something I usually say either. They are growing faster, not splitting and the cuticles are looking less ragged. The two things I have done to get fantastic nails are: take Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn capsules and use Rejuvacote by Duri Cosmetics.

I will do a separate review and giveaway (yay!) for the Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn products. But, for now, let me just say that the supplements have made my nails look great! They are so much stronger, are growing much faster, and they just look healthier. I received my first batch of Sibu products for free (to try out and consider for a review), but I have since purchased more, because they really work!

Note from Jen: I have chosen Sibu Beauty as an affiliate (meaning there are ads on My Beauty Bunny) because I believe in the products. All reviews are 100% honest and 100% my opinion! I wouldn’t tell My Beauty Bunny readers about something if I didn’t think it was good. I stand behind my words. Just ask my friends and family – I won’t shut up about it!

Sea Buckthorn products with natural Omega 3, 6, 7, and 9.

The Rejuvacote (by Duri Cosmetics) I have been using has also helped a lot. It’s a base and top coat that you are supposed to put on daily for a week and then take off and start over. I haven’t done that, but the two times I have used it as a clear gloss (no nail polish underneath), I have noticed that my nails are much stronger.

I put it on and leave it for a week until it starts to chip. Then, I’ll use nail polish remover, and start over. I feel like my nails are much less flimsy and not as prone to breaking.

Before, when they got to a certain length, I could pretty much guarantee my right, pointer finger nail would break off. With Rejuvacote, it hasn’t happened yet!

I also heard the girls on the TV show 24 use this product to keep their nails from breaking while filming.

The quest for a smooth, porcelain-like complexion has led many a beauty junkie (including yours truly) to spend beaucoup bucks on a myriad of products–all of which promise to deliver the same coveted end-result: noticeably tighter/shrunken pores.  Some of these glad-handing miracle workers love to cross-reference a concurrent reduction in the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles; can you think of any woman in her ’30s who is not dually concerned with those pesky little signs of aging?!

I suppose I should mention: I am a female of Asian descent.  While it *is* true that, generally speaking, those who share my ethnic heritage are blessed with an innate defense against the dreaded crow’s feet, there’s a price to pay for our genetic gift.  Asian complexions tend to have pores which are greater in both quantity and dimension, leaving us with more opportunity to be vexed by equally annoying blackheads–looks like size matters, after all!  So, it really is in our best interest to find an effective–yet gentle–weapon against this epic battle for oil control; with my recent discovery of Murad’s T-Zone Pore Refining Gel, I think I’ve managed to cast a Magic Missile into the darkness [of the skin on my nose].

Continue reading Lotions & Toners & Pore-Refining Treatments…Oh My!

Looking for an anti-aging serum with natural, paraben-free, organic ingredients that actually work?

I tried Jeune D’Age Organics Anti-Aging Serum, and I’m very impressed with the quality of the ingredients and the relatively low price. The really unique part of this product is that each dose comes in its own sealed packet, which preserves the freshness and keeps the product from oxidating.

I really like the fact that the company is forthcoming with the ingredients and they have no problem telling you exactly what is in the product – only good stuff of course!

Here are some of the active ingredients:

• Organic aloe vera
• CoQ10
• DMAE
• Acai oil
• Organic extracts of bilberry, orange, lemon, cranberry and sugar maple
• Vitamins A, C, E, B5 and B3
• Hyaluronic Acid (a great moisturizer; and this one is vegan – NOT made from rooster combs)

The serum turns white when you really rub it in, and it seems to absorb and moisturize better when you do that. Once it’s absorbed, it leaves your skin feeling moist, but not at all greasy. Those with oily skin will be pleasantly surprised. It absorbs completely and is great for use under makeup.

It’s great for all skin types and can be used as a moisturizer, but VERY dry skin might need another moisturizer on top (which is the case with most serums that I have tried).

The packets come in a cute box that is made with flower seeds, so you can plant it when you’re done! They also sell refills at a cheaper price, so you can reuse the box.

Jeune D’Age just came out with a facial cleanser, toner and a face and body lotion – reviews coming soon!

Subscribe to My Beauty Bunny by Email