Vegan Beauty Review: Arbonne: conscious beauty made easy

A lil' about me...

My name is Sunny Subramanian and I've been vegan since 2000. I owe it all to my furry felines at home: Towane, Spirulina, Kaduki and Conan. The reason I'm vegan is because I love animals and would never want to contribute to the pain and suffering of any living being. I'm a member of the LA based animal rights group The Vegan Vixens.
I'm trying to help break the stereotype that all vegans are stinky, hairy earth babies. I want the world to know that you can be vegan and still be uber girlie and relish new and exciting beauty products that are vegan, cruelty-free and free of nasty chemicals and preservatives.
If you would like to have your vegan product reviewed on www.veganbeautyreview.com, please e-mail me at sunbundelicious@yahoo.com

A few good reasons to go vegan:

• You'll save lives
• You'll live a lot longer
• You'll have more energy
• You'll reduce your risk of cancer
• You'll reduce your risk of heart disease
• You'll have lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• You'll get better nutrition
• You'll lower your chances of getting food poisoning
• You won't be ingesting growth hormones and antibiotics
• You'll get sick less often
• You'll fit into your old jeans
• You'll give your body a spring cleaning
• You'll have healthier skin
• You'll make a strong political statement
• You'll reduce waste and air pollution
• You'll earn good karma points
• You'll save money
• You'll help save the planet

Famous Animal Friendly Quotes

"Animals are my friends... and I don't eat my friends."

~George Bernard Shaw

"You put a baby in a crib with an apple and a rabbit. If it eats the rabbit and plays with the apple, I'll buy you a new car."

~Harvey Diamond

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."

~Immanuel Kant

"I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being."

~Abraham Lincoln

"To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana."

~Buddha

"To consider yourself an environmentalist and still eat meat is like saying you're a philanthropist who doesn't give to charity"

~Howard Lyman

Recipe for Vegan Lip Balm

Lip balm is surprisingly easy to make using the easiest/quickest/laziest way possible that involves all common household tools.

What you'll need:

-lip balm base or waxes+oils+extras

-essential or flavor oil(s)

-pipettes (one for each flavor)

-microwave or double-boiler

-glass measuring cup with pouring spout

-spoons or spatulas

-lip balm tube holder

-lip balm tubes, jars, pots, lids, bottle caps, etc.---any container that you would like to use for your lip balm

-shrink bands for sealing containers

-newspaper or craft paper to cover your counters

-towels for cleaning up

The Fastest Way

Step 1: Preparation

(a) Buy your supplies.

(b) Set up all the supplies you'll need on a counter top covered in newsprint or craft paper. You'll be glad you did this because lip balm can be hard to clean up if you make a mess. It's recommended to work in the kitchen as close to the microwave as possible, since you'll be using it a lot, if you're following this method. Be sure you have all your supplies ready, including the containers you'll be pouring into. Once the mixture is melted, you'll need to work quickly, but steadily, so the mixture doesn't harden before it has been poured.

(c) Put on your favorite apron/lab coat, if you feel so inclined.

Step 2: Scooping

Scoop out your base into a glass measuring cup that has a spout.

Step 3: Melting

Melt the base in the microwave. Take out every 30-45 seconds and stir, so that the base is heated evenly.

Step 4: Flavoring

After the base has melted completely and has cooled very slightly, use a pipette to drop in the appropriate amount of flavor or essential oils. Use a different pipette for each flavor/scent that you use, so as not to cross-contaminate. 2-4% is a good rule-of-thumb for flavor. Essential oils need less, about 0.3-1.5%. The oils you choose may recommend different proportions, so check before you get started. Stir just until mixed.

It is important that you add your flavor/essential oil after you melt the base. If you add the flavor before you melt the base, it will lose its potentcy in the heating process.

Step 5: Pouring

Using the very same measuring cup that you melted the base in, pour your mixed and melted concoction into your tubes or jars or what have you. That's why the spout is so handy. If you're using tubes, fill only to the top of the inside screw. Once the mixture has cooled, finish filling the tube. Pour almost all the way to the top, for that professional and rounded look. This process avoids the risk of cracking that can occur when filling the tube in one go. If you're using jars or lids, just pour all the way to the top in one pour.

Don't be discouraged if you make a mess when you first start pouring. After a few tries, you'll be a pro. It's all in the wrist.

Step 6: Labeling

Make some sweet labels.

Below are some examples of recycled containers for lip balm.

Step 7: Sell your lovely lip balm or give it to all your friends!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Arbonne: conscious beauty made easy

Arbonne International has a simple motto: pure, safe & beneficial. There are a myriad of reasons to use Arbonne products. They are formulated without dyes or chemical fragrances, they are organic, never tested on animals, certified vegan, hypoallergenic, ph balanced and petroleum free. Arbonne is also formulated in Switzerland and made in the USA.

Arbonne carries products for women, men and babies! They have amazing skin care, anti-aging treatments, makeup, hair care, aromatherapy and products for weight loss and nutrition.

Arbonne also offers the opportunity for people to start their own Arbonne business. You can become a client, consultant "wholesale buyer" or business builder. Why not start making money selling vegan beauty products that you already love?

A few recommendations:

NutriMinC RE9 REality Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 8 ($49.50): This moisturizing formula helps prevent wrinkles and sun damage while drastically improving skin tone. It's important to know that it's recommended that sunscreen be used every day of the year and not just when it's sunshiney outside. UV rays are always present, even when it's cloudy. This sunscreen is perfect for wearing under you makeup.

Intelligence Hand Cream ($14): This thick and rich hand treatment formula is packed with anti-aging ingredients such as liposomes, phospholipids, alpha hydroxy acids, antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. It's prefect for all skin types and is especially a must have year round.

Arbonne also has an Intelligence Herbal Foot Cream ($16) which I believe is just as important to use every day to help keep feet soft and supple. Key ingredients in this herbal blend include alpha hydroxy acids, avocado oil, rice bran oil and menthol. You can also order these babies in a travel size. I love to use this cream right after a nice, relaxing bath. My feet and tosies stay in tip top condition with this herbal concoction.

And now for my favorito...

NutriMinC REnewing Gelee Creme Hydrating Wash ($39): It's an emollient, cream-based, ph balanced gel cleanser that cleans without drying your skin. It's perfect for all skin types and your skin will feel so incredibly clean and soft after using this wash. It's the perfect foundation to having amazing, youhtful looking skin. Use this and the above mentioned sunscreen and you are guaranteed to look like a hot mama for life.

Arbonne is animal friendly and gives you amazing results. I highly recommend you give it a whirl. Jami Lathan, Arbonne Consultant, is one of the most delightful and helpful people in the Arbonne community. She can help you determine what's perfect for your skin, give you recommendations and advice and make your vegan beauty care shopping experience a memorable one.

For more info: Arbonne