La Isha Introduces new Travel-Size Sampler Box!

TA-DA! Drum-roll please: Here's a peek at La Isha's new Travel Size Sampler Kits! Each box measures 3 x 3 inches and closes securely, so you can pop it in your handbag for easy access! Great way to keep your favorite formulation with you at work or play for a quick mid-day application. No problems with air travel either, as all 7 sample sized formulations are compliant with FAA regulations. What do you think?

Makes a great holiday gift at only $18, which includes free shipping anywhere in the U.S.! Order them on our website at: http://goo.gl/1V7U1




Copyright 2012 Sharon Gnatt Epel/La Isha Natural & Organic Skincare

How To Dry Your Cosmetic Brushes

Here is my final installment on how to clean your cosmetic brushes!
Part V: How to dry your brushes!

Now that your cosmetic brushes are clean, it's time to dry them. Squeeze out the excess water from your brush with your fingers, or with a clean towel, and gently apply pressure to reshape the bristles into their original form.

There are several ways to let brushes dry. One way is to lay the brushes on a clean towel or paper towel on their side, and turn them over periodically to make sure the bristles on the underside dry as well. I prefer to stand mine up in either a toothbrush holder or a drinking cup so that the air dries all sides at the same time. You can also drape the brushes over the side of your sink and let them rest there until dry. Get creative!

The one thing you don't ever want to do is use a hairdryer on them, as this will not only cause frizzy bristles but destroy up the shape of the brush, rendering it pretty much useless. Happy cleaning!

P.S. Now that you know how to clean your cosmetic brushes - look what I just found: brush trees from Benjabelle.com. They work with most major brands of brushes. Aren't these awesome?

Copyright 2012 Sharon Gnatt Epel/La Isha Natural & Organic Skincare

How To Safely Clean Your Cosmetic Brushes

Do you use cosmetic brushes to apply your makeup? It is important to remember to clean them regularly to avoid bacterial contamination, especially for those brushes that come in direct contact with your eyes. There are commercial brush cleaners available, but plenty of ways to use household ingredients instead. Here are 3 methods we recommend for cleaning!

Method #1: Vinegar
Combine 1/4 cup vinegar to 1/2 cup water, and pour into a shallow bowl. Don't let the liquid reach the ferrule (the metal ring around the bristles). Stir slowly, using the bristles of your brush. Empty and refill the bowl as the solution gets dirty, and repeat until your brush is clean. Then rinse the bristles with water. Do not use hot water to rinse, because it can make the bristles frizz.

Method #2: Shampoo.
Hold the brush upside down (remember from yesterday - you don't want the water to run into the ferrule) and wet the bristles with warm running water. Add a small, squirt of shampoo into the palm of your hand and rub the bristles into it in a circular motion. then rinse the brush (facing downward). Repeat these steps until the water runs clear.

Method #3: The Olive Oil Method.
Not only can olive oil be used as a facial cleanser for dry skin, but it can also be used to clean your makeup brushes. Here's how:
Pour a small dab of olive oil into a glass dish and using circular motions, gently but thoroughly rub the bristles in the oil to loosen the dirt.
Next, squirt a little bit of shampoo or Dawn liquid (Dawn seems to work best on heavy oils) into the palm of your hand, add a little
water and rub the bristles into the suds. When you are done, turn your faucet on and holding the brush with the bristles downward (once again, to avoid getting water into the ferrule), rinse the bristles thoroughly with lukewarm water. If necessary, repeat these steps until the oil is gone and the water runs clear.

Next Installment: How To Dry Your Brushes!



Copyright 2012 Sharon Gnatt Epel/La Isha Natural & Organic Skincare

Easy Way to Prevent Wrinkles Around Your eyes!

Want to prevent and minimize wrinkles caused by sun damage to the eye area?

Remember that while ultraviolet light damages skin tissue, repetitive movements like smiling, frowning and squinting can cause wrinkles to become more prominent ov

er time. Keep crows' feet at bay by wearing sunglasses when you go outside. This will keep you from squinting in the bright sunlight and offer that delicate skin around your eyes real protection from UVA/UVB rays.

How easy and glamorous is that?!

Copyright 2012 Sharon Gnatt Epel/La Isha Natural & Organic Skincare

Are You Getting "Turkey Neck"? Try this simple remedy...

Are You Getting "Turkey Neck"? Try this simple remedy...

That wobbly red thing that dangles under a turkey's neck is known as a wattle. Found on male turkeys, and according to the late Nora Ephron, on women of a certain age as well, it is a feature we could all do without. Where does it come from?


As we age, collagen production diminishes, causing the skin to lose its elasticity and sag. Significant weight loss can add to this problem.


Nora Ephron wrote a book called "I Hate My Neck", and was famous for wearing scarves and turtleneck sweaters all year round in an effort to hide her "turkey neck".


Is there anything you can do, short of surgery to help diminish this unwelcome feature? The answer is "Yes!"


A regimen of daily exercises to help tighten the sagging skin under your chin, in conjunction with the application of natural ingredients known for boosting collagen production and tightening the skin can be very helpful. Anaerobic exercise
and strength training work on the area by strengthening and tightening muscle groups in the neck. Exercise increases blood flow, resulting in better circulation, which in turn helps to reduce toxins in the body. This helps skin become more resilient and stay tighter and more firm. There are also therapeutic-grade essential oils, among them but not restricted to frankincense, palmarosa and lavender, that not only help boost collagen levels but tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They can be extremely effective when added in the right proportions to specific specialty and carrier oils.


With dedication and consistent exercise, you can help prevent and minimize the appearance of dreaded "turkey neck"! By the way - La Isha's Breast SOS, Nutrient Rich Face Creme, and Natural Age Spot Eraser all contain a highly effective combination of therapeutic-grade essential oils that are known to combat loose, sagging skin, discolorations and wrinkles.


Here is our favorite exercise for tightening the jawline and the neck!


a. Apply a small dab of La Isha Nutrient Rich Face Creme to your neck.
b. While sitting or standing, stretch your neck looking upward, then place your index, ring and 4th fingers at the "v" indentation at the base of your throat ( just under your adam's apple) with the tips of the fingers facing up toward the ceiling.
c. Gently - but firmly - slide your fingers upwards toward your chin. When you reach the jawbone, slide the fingers of each hand out to the side, and then slide them back down along the Sternocleidomastoid (see diagram above) until you reach your collarbone.
d. Repeat this 15 times. Do this exercise twice a day, and you will be amazed by the results.


-Editor's Note: I have been doing this exercise for several years now, and swear by it! Be sure to give it a few months to see results. Remember: it took time for your skin to loosen up, so give it adequate time to tighten! You won't be sorry!


Copyright 2012 Sharon Gnatt Epel/La Isha Natural & Organic Skincare

Summer Skin Care Made Easy!

Summer Skin Care Made Easy! 

  

For many of us, summertime often means increased exposure to the sun. Here are several easy things you can do to look your best during the summer months, and help prevent the premature aging that follows sun damage as sure as night follows day. 

Ah Summertime! Gotta love it! Vacation! Kids and grandkids home from school! Trips to the beach! Daylight Savings Time brings precious extra hours of sun to play in and increased levels of vitamin D to nourish our bodies. 

Did you know that rising temperatures outside can cause your body's internal temperature to increase? When your skin is warm, your blood vessels send extra blood to the skin's surface to help cool it off. This causes a number of physiological changes, including making your face turn red, and causing the skin to retain water. When your body sweats, dirt, oil and environmental chemicals can get trapped in the pores, and potentially cause blemishes, regardless of age.

  

What's a girl to do? Here are some timely suggestions. 

1. Avoid harsh soaps! Keep your facial skin away from soaps and cleansers that contain deodorant, sulfates and potentially toxic ingredients that can be irritating and stress the natural acid mantle. La Isha's Gentle Aromatherapy Face Wash does an excellent job of removing makeup, sweat, sunscreen, excess oil and environmental impurities without stripping the skin of the critical natural moisture it needs. It is exceptionally soothing to skin that has absorbed a little too much sun. 

  

2. Exfoliate! Use a gentle, moisturizing exfoliant on your face (we recommend La Isha's Orange Coconut Skin Polish), and try a loofah (a natural sea sponge, available in health food stores) to remove dead skin from your arms, legs, and feet. Be aware that most exfoliants designed for use on the extremities can be too harsh for the tender skin on your face.

2. Moisturize! Applying a good moisturizer is critical to maintaining young-looking, well-hydrated skin. Summer heat and extra perspiration can be irritating and disrupt moisture levels. Soothe your skin after sun exposure by applying a natural moisturizer like our own Nutrient Rich Face Creme. Guess what? No need to slather it on, because it is extremely concentrated. A little dab'll do ya!

3. Protect! Did you know that your skin can burn in as little as 10 to 15 minutes?  

(lhttp://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/sunburn.html).

There is no such thing as a healthy suntan. Research has conclusively shown that sun damage causes not only premature aging but cancer (melanoma). Be sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat when you are outdoors, and apply a sunscreen with a rating of SPF 30, approximately twenty to thirty minutes before exposure in order to give it time to work. If you are not thrilled with the idea of using sunscreen, there are companies that make clothing with an SPF built right into the fabric that is definitely worth looking into. I have used it myself as an adult and purchased it for my children when they were young and amenable to my dressing them. Coolibar to this day remains one of my favorites. Check them out at www.coolibar.com.

4. Hydrate! Drink water - it's a great thirst-quencher! Not only does it hydrate your skin better than any other liquid, but it is hands down the best beverage for your body and your health. Stay away from sugary juices, carbonated soda, and energy drinks that add extra calories and introduce synthetic ingredients that can be detrimental to your health. Research shows that even natural sugars like fructose can be harmful to the body in large doses, so do yourself a favor: go ahead and enjoy your fruit, but when you need to hydrate - skip the fruit juices and drink water instead!

FYI:  There are many cosmetic bronzers on the market that can give skin the natural, sun-kissed look that first became popular with designer Coco Chanel and her infamous sun-bathing in the south of France. These cosmetics do so without subjecting skin to the harmful rays of the sun. But there is a caveat: manufacturers do not always have your best interests at heart, and may be more concerned with their own bottom line than with the health risks their products pose. Those of you who know me personally have heard me say over and over again that it is important to pick and choose our poisons very carefully. Be sure to read labels, as some of the ingredients in bronzers and faux-tanning preparations contain toxic chemicals that can be irritating, cause allergic reactions and compromise both short and long term health.

Maybe the time has come for you to embrace your natural skin tone and color sans suntan? Just saying. Think about it....

Have a happy and safe summer!

CEO/Founder

La Isha Natural & Organic Skincare

www.La-Isha.com

Copyright 2012 Sharon Gnatt Epel/La Isha Natural & Organic Skincare

Cumulative Sun Damage is No Laughing Matter!

Truck driver Bill McElligott, 69, has severe sun damage on one side of his face, after 28 years of driving on the job. According to The New England Journal of Medicine, exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays transmitted through the window of his delivery truck resulted in the left side of his face looking significantly older than the right.

This is some of the most compelling evidence we've seen for using sunscreen and therapeutic grade skincare to combat the cumulative damage that occurs from everyday exposure to the sun. Make sure you use skincare formulations that have a high antioxidant content, avoid toxic synthetic ingredients that have been linked to cancer, and be sure to include colorful fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet to maximize your body's ability to stave off free radical damage and give your skin a fighting chance against the sun.

La Isha Natural and Organic Skincare is a therapeutic grade line that was developed to combat these very issues. The formulations are based on clinical essential oil therapy and use fresh, potent antioxidants to address sun damage and help protect your skin from future assault. Be sure to check out La Isha's before and after pictures on http://goo.gl/mLtFh.

La Isha is the 1st all-natural skincare company dedicated to providing safe and effective anti-aging skincare for women 35+, and is the Winner of Truth in Aging's Five Best of 2011 Award for best bodycare.


Copyright 2012 Sharon Gnatt Epel/La Isha Natural & Organic Skincare