Le Mascara Bio by Avril

Sincerely I've never found such a huge difference between average drugstore mascaras and natural ones. Avril mascara is the proof that you can pimp your eyelashes without damaging them and the environment. 

#100 Aphorism of the week: Go for it

Shoot for the moon.

Even if you miss,

you'll land among the stars.

Norman Vincent Peale

Image by 1MS

Akamuti Cuticle Moon Butter

I can't stop biting my cuticles, I'm pensive and I release my nerves like this. I'll stop it, one day -.-' 
I've read good reviews about Akamuti's balm, so after finishing my Badger's one and DR Bronner's one, I took this. 
The consistency is different from the other two, this is more of a buttery mousse, very pleasant to apply. Its smell is quite intense, it smells of fresh limes and you might perceive a touch of vegetal oil in the background. 

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea europea), Organic Macadamia Nut Oil (Macadamia integrifolia), Organic Beeswax (Cera alba), Organic Fair Trade Honey, Organic Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Lavender Essential Oil (Lavendula angustifolia), Lime Essential Oil (Citrus aurantifolia), Organic Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon).  

Regarding nails, it does a great job at making them stronger and shinier day after day. Unfortunately for my extremely dry cuticles and chopped hand skin, it isn't nourishing enough. I like it as a daytime hand cream since it absorbs pretty well, just leaving your skin a bit shiny (for me it is not a problem). Since it has this soft consistency, I would hardly recommend to also use it as a scrub for cuticles by mixing it with a little of sugar. Try it and let me know! :) 

#99 Aphorism of the week: Love

You know you're in love

when you can't fall asleep

because reality is finally better

than your dreams.

Dr. Seuss

Image by DailyGalaxy

La Saponaria: Sapone Papavero e Cipresso

Come ho già ripetuto varie volte, la saponetta a cui non rinuncerei mai e poi mai è quella alla shorea di Fitocose. D'altronde ciò non mi impedisce di provarne di nuove :) 
In questo caso vi vorrei parlare di una piacevole scoperta: i saponi de 'La Saponaria'. 

#98 Aphorism of the week: Be Different

In order to be irreplaceable,

one must always be different.

Coco Chanel

Image by TheFrisky

DIY Deo Roll-On: the Glorious 5 plus 1!

Such a strange title for a DIY, I recognize it. I just found a great recipe for an effective and delicate deodorant, without using alcohol or potassium aluminum. The latter is not a harsh ingredient, but it doesn't allow your skin to breath, because it is a very powerful astringent, so it doesn't let your skin expel the toxins trapped in your body as it should. I'll keep on using potassium aluminum without problems in 'special occasions', otherwise I'll stick with this more physiological version. By the way I've purchased two new deodorants, just to get inspired for future recipes; as soon as I try them out, I will let you know my opinion. 

Natural Beauty Wishlist (Spring 2014 Edition)

When spring knocks on my door, I feel the compelling need for change. Changes in life, changes in horizons, changes in thought patterns, changes in perspective. I need radical and total regeneration. Talking about skincare, as you know, I'm always more opting for simple products, better if multi-purpose. I've been mentally planning my escape from this boring everyday life for months and now it's time for me to think about what to carry with me in case I make the move (I will, I just don't know when. I know, it should be now!) 

S.O.S. Pureté Cleansing Brush

What makes this cleansing brush so interesting? Usually this kind of tools have quite stiff bristles, that's why I abandoned all of them after a few uses (except for Clarisonic, which has been a savior for my skin). This brush instead is more like synthetic make up brushes, soft and gentle. 
I'm not sure it can accomplish its promises (deeply cleanse your clogged pores), but I wouldn't mind to try it out, even if it's quite expensive (21.90€). 

#97 Aphorism of the week: Ego

Ego implies Unawareness.

Awareness and Ego

cannot coexist.

Eckhart Tolle

Image by EarthAngels

Mind over Medicine

Image by ViviNuovo

'Your body hears everything your mind says' 

'Mens sana in corpore sano': i latini avevano già individuato il punto su cui sarebbe opportuno focalizzare il discorso relativo alla salute. I progressi scientifici e tecnologici degli ultimi decenni hanno reso possibile una sempre maggiore precisione nell'individuazione delle 'malattie' e nella loro 'cura' mirata, ma questa continua evoluzione ha contribuito al miglioramento della salute umana? Si nota un crescente interesse verso uno stile di vita sano, ma allo stesso tempo aumenta l'incidenza di 'malattie moderne' e tumori, non appare tutto ciò un controsenso? No, se si accetta il fatto che la salute è innanzitutto il risultato dell'armonia tra corpo e mente, il famoso equilibrio psicofisico, da molti denigrato o semplicemente sottovalutato. "Cos’altro è il dolore, dopo tutto, se non una percezione mentale? Cos’altro è la depressione se non una condizione mentale?" Il celeberrimo effetto placebo dimostra come un pensiero o una convinzione possano avere risultati tangibili e quindi conseguenze biochimiche all'interno del nostro corpo. Il potere della nostra mente è volutamente o ingenuamente screditato dalla medicina ufficiale, da sempre affascinata dal sintomo, che ostinatamente cerca di reprimere ed impedirne la manifestazione, quando invece dovrebbe considerarlo come una spia in grado di guidarci verso la guarigione e quindi verso un rinnovato equilibrio e stato di salute. Lissa Rankin, partendo da una base scientifica e considerando il discorso da un punto di vista olistico, dimostra come i pensieri e le emozioni negative siano la causa scatenante dello stato di 'non-salute' e quelli positivi, invece, il motore primario che ci guida all'autoguarigione.