Today I thought I would share one of my Pinterest boards that is highly relevant to this blog – NATURAL BEAUTY RECIPES <– Click there to see some of the recipes I’ve collected so far from a DIY Color Booster for Blondes to a Mocha-Frappuccino Facial Mask .

{Whole Living’s DIY Color Booster for Blondes}

On Pinterest already? Follow me here: http://pinterest.com/allnaturalannie/

1. Please tell us a little about your journey and the founding of Living by Nature. Living Nature approached me to be their first ever spokesperson. It was perfect timing as at that time, I was seriously looking at my life and how I was going to approach my 40′s and the aging process. After making the decision that I was going to age naturally, and trialling the product for six months, I joined forces with Living Nature. Living Nature was founded in 1987 by Suzanne Hall who started using NZ native plants to make skincare products for her own skin as she wanted to use only natural ingredients. Today it is privately NZ owned.
2. How does living in New Zealand impact the formulation of the line? NZ is known for its nature and its native plants which have been used medicinally by Maori (people of NZ) for centuries. So, the range is based on the unique native botanicals like Harakeke Flax, Totarol, Manuka Honey, Manuka Oil, Hallo Clay and Kelp found only here in NZ.
3. What sets Living Nature apart from other natural beauty companies? Firstly, all the products are 100% natural and not many companies can say that. Living Nature’s products carry the BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetics Seal which is a world-leading independent auditor of natural skincare, and set some of the most rigorous standards worldwide for naturalness. The products are made here in NZ at the Living Nature’s own factory where all product development, formulation, filling and dispatching is done. Even the packaging has no nasties in it and is recyclable and 100% free from BPA and phthalates. The recyclable paper packaging uses vegetable dyes and inks and no chloride or dioxin.
4. Could you choose one or two Living Nature products as your favorite(s)? I find this really hard to do as I love so many of the products equally! But I would say the Radiance Night Oil which my skin just loves because of the wonderful bouquet of naturally healing and restorative oils-calendula, jojoba, rose,rosehip oil, frankincense, the smell is blissful! Lovely to apply just before bed. The Extra Hydrating Gel is exceptional as it truly nourishes and balances the skin and restores the vitality to my skin which at my age is a must.
5. What products would you recommend to someone trying Living Nature for the first time? Obviously, the products should be in harmony with a person’s skin and its needs ie dry/oily/normal/mature etc. But I think The Radiance Night Oil, Vitalising Cleanser which is a very gentle and effective cleanser, Eye Make Up Remover-again so gentle, no stinging or oiliness with this product and Firming Flax Cream- fantastic for softening fine lines.

Lorraine Downes, New Zealand’s only ever Miss Universe and former Dancing With The Stars champion, joined Living Nature in 2010 to encourage women around the world to turn to 100% natural skincare as the healthy, safe and effective alternative to synthetic beauty products. Lorraine’s love of New Zealand and the miracle properties of the ancient native botanicals is what propels her to help women discover what she has discovered — you can take the healing and rejuvenating properties of nature and apply them to yourself. As a professional image consultant, she has worked with women for 25 years.

  {Louise Henderson, Living Nature’s Global Marketing Manager

& Lorraine Downes, Living Nature’s Spokeswoman}

Here’s a glimpse of a few of my favorite gifts — my friends and family know me oh too well.

{Terra Essential’s Aroma Roll On in Pink Lotus}

{Coconut Shampoo by Desert Essence}

{Rich Shampoo with Hibiscus and Honey by LOVE & TOAST}

{birthday card made by my 8 year old nephew :)}

Happy weekend everyone!

These are some of my latest favorites from the line:

Free shipping on orders over $50 right now!

Some pluses (aside from the wonderful scent itself) — it’s under $10, it’s easy to carry with you, it promotes relaxation, and it never gives me headaches (like many conventional perfumes). The stick also comes in Tea Tree (great for bug bites & blemishes), Eucalyptus (helps with cold symptoms) and Peppermint (excellent for headache relief).

Hope everyone has a great start to the week!

Well after many, many years and many, many natural deodorants, I think I have finally found one that I’m going to stick with. It’s Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant.  I specifically like the Vanilla Lavender version of this silky deodorant, but there are a few other great scent options. I have to warn you about the price… it’s $18… I know, so expensive for a deodorant, but my thrifty self actually thinks it’s worth it. It smells so nice and the scent really lasts all day. In a way, you can consider it an $18 perfume — now that’s a good deal, right? Let me know if you give it a try!

If you’re someone who experiences dryness and is looking for a really rich yet natural facial moisturizer I would highly recommend Pomega5′s Healing Cream. It is ultra nourishing and reparative with key ingredients like pomegranate oil, shea butter, calendula oil and carrot oil.  It’s a tad pricey ($70), but a little goes a long way and the ingredients are sooo therapeutic. Let me know if you give it a try!

Have a great weekend :)

• 2 tsp canned pureed pumpkin
• 1/2 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp organic heavy whipping cream

How to:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl
2. Cover entire face minus the area directly around your eyes
3. Leave on for 10 – 15 minutes
4. Rinse face with warm water

Photo Credit: Dylan Price

This mask is perfect for fall with a therapeutic mix of vitamin A to heal skin and reduce fine lines, cream to moisturize and reduce redness, and honey for an extra dose of moisture and antiseptic properties (great for breakouts). If you’re going to have these ingredients on hand, you might as well make my favorite dessert aka a delicious pumpkin pie too. If you haven’t tried using honey instead of sugar before, I would highly recommend it, but just make sure to decrease the amount of honey (use ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon honey in place of 1 cup sugar, and reduce the other liquid ingredients by 2 tablespoons).

Natural beauty is always about what we put into our bodies as well as what we put on them so don’t forget to eat lots of delicious fall produce and try out some new beauty treatments with them as well!

This scrub thoroughly, but not harshly, exfoliates skin through two main ingredients — sea kelp and walnut. After using this scrub your face immediately feels super clean and refreshed, but not dry. The natural ingredients in this scrub actually accomplish 3 goals with 1 product –  the top layer of skin is exfoliated, pores are cleansed and new cell growth is stimulated. The scent? Mild, refreshing and minty. Oh and did I mention the color? Dark, dark green – like shockingly green – it’s quite fun.  This is a strong claim, but I really think it might be the best scrub I’ve used to date!

{via}

• a Body Scrub – add a spoonful of crushed Epsom salts to a palm full of body wash and exfoliate damp skin.

• to create Wavy Hair – mix a teaspoon of salts + a few drops of olive (or jojoba) oil + 1/4 cup H20 in a spritzer bottle and mist on damp hair.{via}

• Winter Decor – put a candle and “snow” (Epsom salt) in a pretty glass jar like this one below. {Photo Credit: The Inspired Room}