The Natural Balance Blog

Natural Bulk Cosmetic & Personal Care Bases for Wholesale or Private Label - Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, Cruelty Free, Organic Ingredients

2010-12-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

Emily's Beauty In Balance now offers a variety of Natural Bulk Cosmetic and Personal Care Bases for your Natural and Organic Skin, Hair & Personal Care Wholesale or Private Label needs. All bases are paraben free, sulfate free, cruelty free and made with wholesome organic ingredients.

WHAT ARE BULK BASES?

Bulk bases are cosmetic formulations in bulk or large sizes. A base is the most basic formulation of a product which forms the foundation for more complex products.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH BULK COSMETIC BASES?

Emily's Beauty In Balance Cosmetic Bulk Bases are formulated to stand as great gentle as-is products, ready to use upon purchase. Or, we can customize these bases for you by adding essential oils, cosmeceutical actives, botanical ingredients, humectants, added moisturizers, fragrance, you name it.

You can also add your own additives to the bases by up to 5%, great if you want to have fun creating a custom product or trying a variety of additions.

Add organic essential oils to your base and see how fun it is to custom blend your own unique line of natural products!

CAN I BUY IN BULK AND THEN BOTTLE EMILY'S BEAUTY IN BALANCE BASES USING MY OWN BRAND'S LABEL?

Absolutely! That is what is so so fun about buying in bulk from Beauty In Balance. It is perfectly fine to use our bases as your own Private Label Natural Personal Care Product. We even have bottles, jars, custom labels and labeling templates for you to use to create your own unique natural personal care line!

WHAT IF I AM NOT INTERESTED IN STARTING MY OWN LINE? ARE BULK BASES STILL RIGHT FOR ME?

One of the best things about Emily's Beauty In Balance Natural Bulk Cosmetic Bases is that they help you and your family save on personal care essentials. How many times per month do you buy small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and other basic items? You can save a bunch and also reduce your impact on the environment by buying your natural personal care products in bulk.

You can buy pretty bottles to put your products into, refilling as necessary. This reduces waste.

Or, you can make great natural gifts for friends, family and loved ones buy buying natural skin, hair, bath and body products by the gallon and pouring into smaller bottles. Just make a nice personalized label and viola, a custom gift that is cost effective and great for the user!

ARE EMILY'S BASES GOOD FOR SENSITIVE SKIN?

All of Emily's Beauty In Balance products are designed to be extremely gentle on all skin types, even the most sensitive skin. We accomplish this by avoiding so many of the commonly used cosmetic chemicals on the market which are known to irritate the skin and cause sensitivities.

None of our bases contain any sulfates, parabens, phthalates, dyes, artificial fragrances or petroleum by-products. Plus, we do not test any products on animals, so all of our products are cruelty-free.

HOW DO I CUSTOMIZE MY NATURAL BULK BASES?

Customizing Emily's Beauty In Balance Natural Cosmetic & Personal Care Bulk Bases is easy. Just choose an Unscented Natural Bulk Cosmetic Base decide what you'd like to add. Emily's Beauty In Balance Ingredient Glossary is a good start for figuring out what kinds of botanical ingredients will give you the effects you desire with your additions.

Bases are designed to hold up to 5% additive. But always start with less and work your way up. Most bases work best with about 1-3% additive. And essential oils are very potent - you don't want to add to much as the effects can be positive at very low concentrations. Remember, it's easier to add more than it is to take away!

To calculate 5% for example , all you do is multiply your quantity by .05. So, if you have 1 gallon that is 128oz. Multiply 128 x .05 to get 6.4oz of additive. That means you can add up to 6.4oz of any added ingredient such as essential oils to your base.

A great tool for beginning cosmetic chemists is google, believe it or not! Let's say you want to add 2% essential oils to your 1/2 gallon of shampoo base. Here are some search inquiries you can type right into google to help you:

A) .5 gallon in oz

Google tells you that 1/2 gallon is equal to 64 ounces!

B) 2% of 64

Google says 1.28. So you can add 1.28 ounces of essential oil to your half gallon base.

But what if you only have a pipette that is in milliliters? Google is also great for conversions! Type in:

C) 1.28oz in ml

You need to add about 38ml. Easy!

WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH ADDING MY OWN INGREDIENTS AND SCENTS? CAN YOU DO IT FOR ME?

If you would rather have all the work done for you, and just want a customized base to arrive all pre-mixed and ready to use or bottle, you will love our Custom Formulated Bulk Bases.

We make the process easy for you with our simple form. Just choose your base and then check off the ingredients you would like added. We will do all the calculating and mixing, ensuring the perfect blend that you created.

Some ingredient choices with this method are Vitamins, Organic Essential Oils, Botanical Flower Waters, Specialized Essential Oils Blends, and Premium Cosmeceuticals such as Hyaluronic Acid, DMAE, and Glycolic Acid.

You can even take it one step further if you don't want to bottle the product yourself, and opt for our Private Label Program, where you choose your products, custom ingredients, bottles and labels and the fully customized, packaged product shows up on your doorstep ready to sell!

If you have any questions about Natural Cosmetic and Personal Care Bulk Bases, feel free to contact us at info@emilybeautyinbalance.com and we'd be glad to help you out!

Enjoy the holiday season!!

Start Your Own Organic Personal Care Brand - Introducing EBB Private Label!

2010-04-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to start you own personal care line? Do you love natural and organic products? Would you have fun creating your own custom skin, hair and body care formulations but don't want to have to do all the work of finding the right ratios of ingredients, mixing and packaging?

Emily's Beauty In Balance Private Label Program is for you!

How Private Label Works

We will guide you through the easy process of choosing and customizing your products, picking the perfect packaging and designing your own custom labels.

Natural and Organic Skin, Body and Hair Care Products with YOUR Name On Them!

What is private label?

Private label is YOUR label. Emily's Beauty In Balance manufactures and customizes your natural and organic personal care products for you, and then you sell those products under your own brand name. We do all the hard work. All you do is decide what would make your products perfect, and tell us with our easy to use forms!

What is the process? How to I begin designing my own natural products line?

We have made it so easy for you to formulate and design your custom private label personal care line , you can start today! All you do is visit our Private Label Menu Page and choose the private label product you would like to customize. Once you click on the product, you will be directed to a product page with an easy to use form that guides you through the customization process. You can add all of the perfect natural and botanical ingredients, vitamins and essential oils you want to make the product you have always dreamed of providing for your customers!

On the product page, you will also choose your bottles. If you do not see the bottles you want, or you would like to include an ingredient you do not see listed, just Contact Us. We can find exactly what you want in our warehouse or elsewhere and get it for you quickly.

When you add ingredients to your custom product, you will see the price shown a t the top of the product page changing to reflect your additions. Once you have the product just right, click 'Add to Cart' at the bottom of the page. Voilå! Your own unique custom private label natural and organic products will be specially formulated and shipped directly to you within 10 business days!

Can I also get custom labels for my new private label personal care products?

Absolutely! Emily's Beauty In Balance offers a variety of custom label options for your new products. We can even help Design Your Very Own Brand Logo if you do not already have one.

If you would like to order labels for your products, then after you formulate your product and add it to your cart, visit our Ordering Your Custom Labels menu page. Here you will be walked through the easy process of choosing a design and customizing your colors, fonts and text. You can even send us special graphics that you would like included in your label design. It's so fun!

Again, if you do not see a design that you are in love with on our Ordering Your Custom Labels menu page, then just Contact Us. We'll design one you're happy with.

Have fun!

Remove Indoor Toxins With Plants

2010-02-20T09:03:00.000-08:00

Levels of indoor air pollution are on the rise. Health effects such as headaches, fatigue, allergies, nervous system disturbances, MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity disorder), and many types of cancer may be attributed to a host of indoor pollutants. Pesticides, phenols (found in most disinfectants), carbon monoxide, nitrogen and radon gases, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds such as benzene and TCE (trichloroethylene) are just a few of the toxic offenders that have found their ways into our homes.

Reducing the amount of chemicals that we use inside the home is one way that we can lessen the extent of the indoor pollution that can wreak havoc on our health. Another helpful weapon against the onslaught is the magic of common houseplants.

Recent studies by NASA scientists have found this list of the top ten common indoor plants that can clean the air inside our homes and offices by absorbing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and benzene from the air:

1. Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) - Also called the "Butterfly Palm"

2. Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

3. Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

4. Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta)

5. Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis)

6. Philodendron (Philodendron sp.)

7. Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

8. Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii “Alii”)

9. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”)

10. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa”)

More information can be found here:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air-filtering_plants

2. TED talk on growing fresh air.

Superfoods For Health and Vitality!

2010-02-08T12:02:00.000-08:00

Superfoods! Experts say that there are many easy to find "superfoods" that can help you ward off diseases, manage your cholesterol, and improve your mood. Here is a list of Superfoods you can eat today for greater health and vitality:

APPLES protect your heart, aid healthy digestion, help improve lung capacity and cushion your joints to prevent arthritis.

APRICOTS fight certain types of cancer, help control blood pressure, save your eyesight, protect against Alzheimer's and slow the aging process.

BANANAS protect your heart and strengthen your bones.

BEANS lower cholesterol, aid healthy digestion, stabilize blood sugar and fight cancer.

BLUEBERRIES boost memory, fight cancer and protect your heart.

BROCCOLI strengthens bones, saves your eyesight, fights cancer and helps control blood pressure.

CAULIFLOWER protects against prostate cancer, fights breast cancer and guards against heart disease.

CHERRIES protect your heart, combat cancer, slow the aging process and help cure insomnia.

CHILI PEPPERS aid healthy digestion, fights cancer and boosts the immune system.

FIGS naturally promote weight loss.

GARLIC lowers cholesterol, controls blood pressure, combats cancer, and naturally kills bacteria.

HONEY heals wounds, aids healthy digestion, naturally increases energy, fights against allergies and helps prevent ulcers.

LEMONS and LIMES protect your heart and are great for smoothing the skin.

OATS lower cholesterol, fights cancer, and helps regulate blood sugar in people with diabetes.

OLIVE OIL protects your heart, smooths skin and helps fight cancer and heart disease.

ORANGES support the immune system, fight cancer, and strengthen the respiratory system.

PINEAPPLE relieves colds, strengthens bones, helps dissolve warts and aids healthy digestion.

RICE conquers kidney stones and helps stop strokes.

STRAWBERRIES combat cancer, boost memory and help to calm stressful nerves.

SWEET POTATOES are a natural mood elevator.

WHEAT GERM combats colon cancer and improves digestion.

YOGURT strengthens bones, guards against ulcers and supports the immune system.

Just adding a few of these nutrient rich superfoods to your diet each day can have an astounding effect on your quality of life, health, and future.

A Note On Preservatives

2010-02-01T08:28:00.000-08:00

Educate Yourself About the Preservatives in Your Personal Care Products

WHAT ARE PRESERVATIVES?

A preservative is an agent added to a compound to protect that compound against spoilage by microorganisms. Such microorganisms include yeasts, molds and bacteria which thrive in natural products because these products contain water and plant sugars that nourish them and create an ideal breeding ground. Preservatives work by either killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms that can spoil a product.

WHY DO WE NEED PRESERVATIVES?

If a product spoils that means that it is vastly colonized by bacterial and/or fungal organisms. These organisms are living and breeding in the product, feeding off of its natural ingredients. Not only are many of the spoiling microorganisms pathogenic (disease-causing), their metabolisms also produce byproducts highly toxic to humans. No matter how careful and sanitary we are in preparing a product, or how clean the conditions in which it is stored, there will always still be microorganisms present in any common environment. We all know that germs are everywhere, and that our immune systems are able to prevent these germs from hurting us most of the time. But in a product providing so much nourishment, the quantity of such germs can increase rapidly to the point at which our immune systems will be overwhelmed and illness will result from contact.

AREN'T THERE NATURAL PRESERVATIVES?

There are many natural materials which can protect against spoilage organisms. High levels of sugar can preserve a product, as is seen in jams and preserves. Honey has been cited as a barrier to many bacteria. Alcohol can protect against some spoilage, as can desiccation (removing of water). Other forms of natural preservation are antioxidants like Vitamin E and natural compounds that protect a plant from self-degradation such as essential oils.

SO WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE JUST USE NATURAL PRESERVATIVES?

The problem with natural preservation is that there is no way to add naturally preserving compounds to a product in a high enough concentration to avoid microbial contamination without causing severe irritation or allergic reactions. Some gentler preservatives will not irritate skin, but then again they are not broad-spectrum preservatives. Broad-spectrum preservatives are necessary because rather than protecting against one type of organism, they protect against a wide range of potentially harmful bacteria, yeast, mold and fungus.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE "NATURAL" PRESERVATIVES ON THE MARKET, AND PRODUCTS THAT ARE PRESERVATIVE-FREE?

This is simply a fallacy. CTFA and USP challenge tests have not found any conclusive evidence in favor of these so-called “natural” preservatives currently available. While many of these may have some relative success, they are all found to be very limited and can only provide protection against a handful of very specific strains.

Many products do not have any preservatives listed, but do have an ingredient labeled “Fragrance.” Manufacturers are allowed to list fragrance as an ingredient but are not required by the FDA to disclose the actual ingredients of the fragrance. This is one of the ways that many of the most popular and successful “natural” product lines on the market hide their use of preservatives.

Products that use tinctures or extracts could appear to have no preservatives, but many extracts are made with propylene glycol which is preserved with parabens. But since this propylene glycol is merely considered a processing aid and not an actual ingredient, it is not listed on the product. If such a processing aid is used in high enough concentrations, effective preservation can result without being disclosed. Also important to note is that many products simply do not require preservation. These would be products that do not contain any water, such as oil, fat or waxed based products.

HOW WE PRESERVE OUR PRODUCTS

At Emily’s Beauty In Balance we use a combination of natural inhibitors along with broad-spectrum preservatives to provide a paraben-free protection alternative and ensure a safe product shelf life of 1 year. The natural inhibitors that we use are Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Azadirachta indica (Neem) Oil, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Salix nigria (Black Willowbark) Extract, Essential Oils and Citric Acid. Our broad-spectrum protection is provided by a Phenoxyethanol and EDTA system.

Phenoxyethanol is a safe preservative because it is not pH-dependent, meaning it is very stable and will not break down into harmful substances in the body or environment. It is non-reactive, which means that it will not react with other product ingredients or air. So even in your body it cannot be used and will be eliminated in urine. It does not react with any chemicals in the environment. Phenoxyethanol has had some bad press because it was found to be an irritant at concentrations higher than 2.2%. But many organic substances are also found to be irritants at high concentrations, such as Tea Tree Oil, Thyme, Oregano, and a long list of other common essential oils. We use Phenoxyethanol in our products at a concentration less than 1% where it is safe, effective, gentle and non-irritating.

EDTA is derived from sodium salts and is a chelating agent. A chelating agent binds minerals such as magnesium which is essential for the growth of mold. This binding blocks the mold from using the magnesium. Because of EDTA’s binding ability it is commonly used in chelation therapy, which is the process of removing heavy metals from those who are suffering from lead or mercury poisoning. The EDTA is injected into the bloodstream of the patient where it binds with toxic heavy metals to form compounds that are easily excreted in the urine. It is safe and even beneficial because it can actually pull heavy metals from your skin upon application.

This system is far superior to the common paraben preservative system and much safer than adding no preservatives. We believe that it is the best option for products with many natural nutrient rich ingredients that micoorganisms would love just as much as your skin will!

Make Money Doing What You Love

2009-12-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

The Simple Guide to Making a Living Doing
What You Love!

Find Your Passion, Find Wealth

Alright, so you've found something that you're passionate about, and now you want to know how to make it a career.

It won't be easy, but it will be fun and rewarding. With the right attitude and motivation, you can do it! Here's how:

1) Education. Learn all you can about what you love to do. Find out how other people have become successful at it. Read all you can find, including books, magazine articles and anything you can find online. There is a lot of free information out there, so read that first. Find a mentor, someone who knows about what you want to do and ask him or her questions. Talk to others who are doing what you'd like to do. Make use of online forums to get answers from experienced people. Seek others who are doing it well and study their actions.

2) Action. Make sure you don't wait to long to do this step. It is easy to become caught up in researching and fail to move forward when necessary. It will be sooner than you think. After three weeks to a month of reading, just make a move. You can keep learning in the meantime, but there is no substitute for doing. Start doing what you love for free. Provide your service to family, friends, or new clients who will pay a small amount. You can start a blog and write about your experiences. Once your ideas are online others can learn about what you do.

3) Improving. Get better at what you do. This involves doing and making mistakes. Mistakes are our best teachers. If you stick with it, you will get better and better. It takes drive, desire, and determination. Don't give up, have fun!

4) Charging. As soon as you are good at what you do, you can start charging people for it, and they will be happy to pay for good work! You can start with a low price, as the most important things are the experience and clients you will be gaining. If you work really hard and do a great job, people will recommend you to others. You can raise your rates slowly as your skills improve.

5) Keep Getting Better. Never stop learning, reading, asking, growing. Don't be afraid to ask your clients for feedback to improve. Keep moving forward.

6) Streams of Income. This step is where you really start making money. And this doesn't have to wait until you're done with all the other steps. In fact, you can be working on it all the time. Streams of income flow toward you, and you can build one at at time until many are coming your way. Some examples are regular jobs, ad or affiliate income from your website, freelance jobs, online courses that you charge for, merchandise, online or downloadable products, membership websites that charge a fee, etc.

There are many ways to make money doing what you love. The key is to find as many income streams as possible, so you are not relying on just one thing. Eventually, you will be able to live off of your passion!

Things to Consider:

Location and Supplies. Will you need an office? Equipment? Most passions do not require a large space to start. You can probably begin from home with your computer and what you already have on hand. Try to avoid making a commitment to an office or retail space for as long as possible to keep overhead low. It is tempting to buy things for your business because it is fun and makes you feel legitimate. But resist the urge to splurge! Commit to starting small and making the most of what you have to avoid going into debt.

Keep or Quit Your Dayjob? Of course it would be ideal to be able to devote all of your time to your passion to make it successful. If you can cut back on your expenses enough to be able to afford a few months off, by all means do it. If not, don't fret. You can still make time to work on your passion before and after work, and on the weekends, The key is making a schedule and sticking to it.

DIY? You might wonder if you should work for a company or do it yourself. There are benefits to both, but eventually working for yourself will be more profitable and enjoyable. However, working for a company is a great way to gain knowledge and experience. Plus it might give you access to equipment and supplies you would not otherwise have access to. Once you get good enough at what you do, you will be in high demand. Then you can name your price!

Alright, you're on your way! Go for it!!!

Emily's Philosophy

2009-11-20T12:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I am Emily Boege, president and founder of Emily's Beauty In Balance natural skin and body care. This brand is not only my work, passion and inspiration, but also a journey for me.

It has become a guiding principle for me to strive for balance in all areas and in all endeavors. Through experiences both pleasant and trying I have come to realize that in my life, there is no quality more desirable, more honorable, more promising, or more worthy of my effort than the attainment of balance and the beauty therein.

I believe that in balance we find alignment, proportion and harmony. Balance embodies symmetry, stability, equality and poise. It gives us steadfastness, self control, self possession and focus. It is evenness, justice, equanimity and accord.

Balance is where we acclimate, calibrate, integrate and adapt. It is a regulation, a rectification or a minor adjustment; a slight compensation to make things stand on their own. It is the willingness to change; to alter our stance to suit the mechanics of the moment. The proper arrangement which is always changing and always challenging us to conform.

In balance is attunement, neutrality and redemption; balance is a place where everything is settled, everything is tallied, and everything is totaled. In balance we find the sum and the square, when all is accounted for. In the balance of ourselves we find our personal inventory; a statement of self, where we align with---and listen to---the center.

It is an instrument in tune, a beautiful face, the way life grows, Ying and Yang, day and night, darkness and light. It is my guiding principle and the inspiration for our products.

My studies in biology, endocrinology and science in general have proven to me that there is no doubt about the connectedness of all things, both inside the body and out. In endocrinology, the study of hormones which are the body's communication system, we observe the great dependence of the body's signals and function upon the correct balance of chemicals at any given time.

When one chemical is off, other chemicals compensate--it is quite a beautiful balance, but one that we must respect by ensuring that we do all we can not to confuse our bodies, not to tax them or stress them by asking for too much work and compensation to be done.

Our bodies are amazing and have many mechanisms in place to safeguard against mistakes and diseases. But when we assault them with tasks, just like a computer, they can become overwhelmed and malfunction. This is when illness and disease are most likely to result.

Our reliance upon simplicity within the body is precisely why I believe strongly in the use of the most natural products available combined with a wholesome diet and the cleanest environment possible. What we put on our skin is absorbed inside where it can either harm or heal, nourish or wreak havoc on our natural balance.

Thank you for your support in our vision, and for reading about my thoughts on balance and why it is so important to me. I would love to hear what you have to say on the matter, or on any other matter regarding your philosophy and how you find balance in your life. If you would ever like to chat or share your ideas, please feel free to email me directly at emilyboege@emilysbeautyinbalance.com. I always look forward to meeting our customers and hearing about what is important to you.

With Great Respect,

Emily Rachel Boege

President

Emily's Beauty In Balance

The Benefits of Aromatherapy

2009-10-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy provides many excellent benefits by way of stress relief, mood enhancement, circulatory improvement, respiratory stimulation and immunity boosting activity. It can tremendously benefit those who suffer from a variety of emotional, psychological and physical problems. While aromatherapy cannot cure medical conditions, it can provide relief from many side effects and symptoms of illnesses and disorders. This relief is due to the ability of aroma-chemicals to interact with your own body chemistry and cause it to release chemicals that help you relax, enhance your mood and boost your circulatory, respiratory and immune systems.

There have been cited reports of the use of essential oils to effectively reduce inflammation, heal wounds, decrease respiratory congestion, kill fungal and bacterial infections, aid digestion,relieve migraine headaches, improve skin conditions, increase blood circulation, regulate hormones and relax muscles. With the scents of natural essential oils we can create environments that match our desired mood and persona. We can revive our spirits, increase our energy and focus levels, nurture romance or calm frazzled nerves.

Citrus oils are known to alleviate depression and stimulate a better mood, while Mint or Pine scents instill a fresh, clean note that helps relieve headaches. Jasmine and Sandalwood are ideal to instill romanticism. Rose and Ylang Ylang have antiseptic qualities and have also been used as natural antidepressants. It has been found that oils of Lavender, Sandalwood and Sage can stimulate the production of serotonin, our natural “happy chemical.” It is for this reason that these oils are highly effective in the treatment of insomnia, stress and anxiety.

Healthy Skin Guide

2009-10-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

Daily Skincare

Daily skincare is important for keeping the complexion in balance. Balanced skin is clear, soft, healthy and radiant. We must cleanse to remove dirt and impurities that can accumulate throughout the day and night, tone to balance and improve texture, and moisturize to hydrate and protect.

1. Cleanse

Makeup, environmental pollutants, excess oil, dirt and dead cells accumulate on the skin's surface every day. These substances can clog pores, cause breakouts and make skin look dull. All it takes is a simple cleansing to prevent the buildup of these impurities.

How to properly cleanse skin:

Cleansing does not need to be harsh to be effective. A gentle cleanser can do wonders, and won't strip the skin of its essential oils and nutrients. For the most effective cleansing, apply a small amount of a mild cleanser to the face and neck with fingertips or a soft cloth. Skin can be moist or dry at this point. Begin to add warm or lukewarm water to form a light lather and massage the skin with very gentle circular motions. This will dislodge dirt and impurities. Do not tug or pull on the skin! Our facial skin is very delicate and we do not want to cause undue stress that can lead to broken capillaries, stress-induced breakouts or wrinkles. Rinse cleanser away with mild or cool water and pat dry with a soft cotton towel.

2. Tone

Toning is important because it will remove any last traces of dirt or impurities that cleansing may have missed. In addition, it restores balance to the skin after cleansing by closing pores and restoring the skin's natural pH. Toning refines the skin's texture and primes for moisturizer by aiding in the absorption of nutrients and hydration.

How to tone skin:

Apply a small amount of an alcohol free toner to a toning cloth or cotton ball and gently sweep over skin, avoiding the delicate eye area. Allow to dry before applying additional products.

3. Moisturize

Every skin type needs moisturizer, especially after cleansing and toning. This essential step in daily skincare nourishes, rehydrates, protects, soothes and softens skin. It can help to prevent premature aging as well as to diminish lines and wrinkles. A good moisturizer will condition the skin, making it soft, smooth and supple. It also protects the skin by forming a barrier to dirt and pollutants and sealing moisture inside.

To Rehydrate and Protect Skin:

Apply a small amount of a nutrient-rich, natural moisturizer to freshly cleansed and toned face and neck. Use gentle upward motions to "feed" thirsty skin until most of the product is absorbed, adding more as needed. The key is treating the skin delicately, avoiding tugging or pulling, especially around the eye and lip areas.

With just a few minutes a day and these three simple steps you can improve your skin's tone, texture, clarity and function for a smooth, soft and radiantly healthy complexion.

Timeless Beauty Tips From Audrey Hepburn

2009-09-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

The following poem was written by Sam Levinson. Levinson's words were so loved by Audrey Hepburn that she used to read them to her children for inspiration and claimed to live by them. Hepburn's natural beauty reflected the great character of the woman within. She was kind and selfless, with a generous spirit. We could all learn from the way she lived her life and how effortlessly she exuded grace and elegance.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

The History of Aromatherapy

2009-09-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

The term aromatherapy was first used to describe the use of plant and essential oils for physical and psychological wellness in the 20th century. However, the foundations of this art and science date back to ancient times.

Infused oils and herbal preparations have long been utilized for spiritual and medicinal practices as well as for cosmetic purposes. Thousands of years ago the Chinese, Egyptians and Greeks were using aromatic plants for well-being. Chinese practitioners burned incense to create a feeling of harmony for spiritual practices. Egyptians were the first culture to create a process of distillation so that the crude oil could be extracted from cedarwood. Later, Persia and India also devised rudimentary distillation machines.

The ancient Egyptians used oils of myrrh, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and cedarwood to embalm the dead. It is believed that they were also the first people to use the word perfume, which comes from the Latin per fume, or “through the smoke.”

In ancient times both Egyptian men and women used perfume to increase attractiveness. They placed a solid cone of fragrant resin and oils on top of their head and as time passed, their body heat would slowly melt the fragrant cone, releasing a steady stream of scent.

Ancient Greece birthed one of the first professional perfumers, a man by the name of Megaleion. Megaleion mixed the essential oil of myrrh with a fatty oil base and used the mixture for aromatic, anti-inflammatory and healing purposes.

In the 11th century a.d. Persian scientist Avicenna invented a coiled cooling pipe that allowed for more effective distillation of aromatics and brought more attention to essential oils as fragrances and remedies. The 11th through 15th centuries brought major advances in medicine and the properties of herbs was well-known. More plants were being distilled for their medicinal and aromatic benefits. The new essential oils were rosemary, juniper, frankincense, sage and rose.

By the 16th century apothecaries were common. People could go and purchase essential oils for personal use. This led to the advent of perfumery, which was soon considered an art form and became a very prosperous industry by the 19th century. The term aromatherapy was coined in 1928 by René-Maurice Gattefossé in an article he wrote after applying lavender oil to a burn left no scar.

In 1937 Gattefossé then wrote the book Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones végétales which included information on aromatics, classification of essential oils and the basis of the action of plant compounds. This book was widely read and is still in print to this day.

The industrial revolution of the 20th century minimized the popularity of using essential oils. But today we are witnessing a growing trend toward the return of utilizing natural products including essential oils for aromatic, cosmetic and medicinal benefits.

Visit Emily's Beauty In Balance for more information and nature's best aromatherapy products.

Why We Avoid Parabens

2009-09-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

Parabens are chemicals widely used in the cosmetics and personal care industries as powerful preservatives. Preservatives are necessary in all products that have water in them because water is a breeding ground for bacteria and many types of fungus. Preservatives protect the product from these microbes keeping the product fresh and healthy.

Sounds good, right?

Wrong. The problem with parabens is their implications in cases of allergic reactions, estrogenic activity (acting the same way that the female hormone estrogen acts in the body), and even breast cancer.

While parabens have long been deemed as “practically non-toxic,” (Soni, M.G. Evaluation of the health effects of methyl paraben: a review of the published literature. Food and Chemical Toxicology (2002))recent findings are suggesting otherwise.

Skin irritatation, contact dermatitis, and Rosacea are just a few effects being reported as allergic reactions to parabens found in commercial health and beauty products.

Experiments have shown that parabens act as xenoestrogens (according to Wikipedia, xenoestrogens are novel, industrially made compounds that have estrogenic effects and differ chemically from naturally occurring estrogens produced by living organisms. Their potential ecological and human health impact is under study.).

At Emily’s Beauty In Balance we believe strongly in the vital importance of a natural balance in the body. Hormones play an immense role in this, maybe even more than any other factor. When the hormones are out of balance, the body is out of balance. When the body is out of balance, diseases and afflictions result.

Why add artificial hormones to your body?

How many of the products you use each day contain parabens?

With the estrogenic activity of parabens known, it is no surprise that they have been found to be linked to breast cancer.

Parabens were found directly inside of breast tumor tissue in a study by PD Darbre (Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumors. J Am. Coll. Toxicol 2004). There have been many other studies in which up to 18 out of 20 breast tumor samples contained parabens.

Do we know for sure?

No one does. For now, this is just speculation. But we make our products without parabens because we can’t ignore the data and wait for cold hard proof. Beauty In Balance is about making educated decisions about our health and bodies.

Balance and The Virtue of Temperance

2009-08-31T11:38:00.000-07:00

Of thirteen beneficial principles outlined by Benjamin Franklin as keys to his success, Temperance was listed first. Was there a reason for this? Could it be the most important virtue?

Franklin further explained his first principle with the instructions "eat not dullness; drink not to elevation." Taken literally, the meaning of this advice is obvious. Eating too much makes us feel dull or ill and can lead to obesity and the corresponding health defects. Drinking too much alcohol can make us lose control, do things we normally wouldn't and shouldn't do, make us sick and ruin our organs.

But what about further implications? Why would Benjamin Franklin see this virtue as so important?

This week I thought a lot about Temperance and what it really means to exercise it. My conclusion was that Temperance is paramount to a balanced life because without employing it we cannot begin to master any of the other virtues necessary for success.

How can one sustain any virtue without the ability to control the self in the presence of desire? Metaphorically, eating to dullness and drinking to elevation symbolize indulging in desires to a point at which doing so has rendered us less effective individuals. This is why maintaining our appetites within the bounds of reason is essential to moving forward in our quest to master ourselves and increase our quality of life.

Can the man who has eaten three boxes of cookies and a quart of ice cream get up and have the energy he needs to accomplish his tasks? Can he who has consumed an excess of alcohol be trusted to make the right decisions for himself and his family in a time of crisis? Similarly, when we cannot control our actions in the face of temptation we cannot expect ourselves to perform at our peak levels or think clearly enough to make the right choices when it counts.

The importance of Temperance is further demonstrated in the fact that it is considered one of the four Cardinal Virtues of Christianity and Catholicism. In this instance it is known as the practice of moderation and interestingly, St. Augustine defined it as "love giving itself entirely to that which is loved..." St. Augustine's is a vision of believing in something so highly that it would be a sin to allow for distraction or corruption away from its value.

Temperance is commonly represented in allegorical sculpture as a woman mixing wine and water in two jugs. Thus both the wine and water are diluted with each other to make two mixtures of equal and moderate potency. The wine is tempered by the water.

Ghandi's Seven Blunders of the World (view here in previous Natural Balance blog) exemplify this concept of tempering---or diluting---one thing with another in order to render the potency of a potentially problematic concept more benign. Wealth is tempered with work, pleasure is tempered with conscience, knowledge with character, commerce with morality, science with humanity, worship with sacrifice and politics with principle.

Fourteenth century sculptures show Temperance, Temperantia, with a clock on her head and wearing a horses harness. Here the bit is in her mouth and she is holding the reins. The clock can represent dominance and control over the passage of time (see how temperance relates to tempo and temporal), in addition to a measure of self-control---for it is the strict regulation of the mechanics of clockwork that renders the clock useful. So may our regulation of ourselves deem us useful in the eyes of Temperantia.

Because of its wild freedom, endurance and virility a horse can symbolize our own will and animal instincts. Temperantia both wears the bit and holds the reins. She is thus both controlled and controlling.

To Doug McManaman, author of an article entitled The Virtue of Temperance, "the measure of temperance is the order of reason." This means that the moderate behavior is governed by our determination of what action is most reasonable in a given situation.

McManaman continues to describe intemperance as a condition akin to slavery and states that acquiring the four Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Courage and Temperance all depend on Temperance itself. He further explains that this is because the virtues are a function of the will, yet with intemperance the will is not free but rather at the mercy of our longing.

This dependence of all virtue upon the practice of Temperance is precisely why it is classified as a cardinal virtue, where "cardinal" signifies "pivotal." Every righteous habit we are to acquire is rooted in our ability to exercise discipline, restraint, moderation and ultimately, Balance.

In order to determine the most reasonable action in any circumstance and achieve mastery of Temperance we look to Greek philosopher Aristotle, who believed that all virtue is rooted in the mean. By 'mean,' he was referring to the arithmetic average, or most typical and rational behavior in a determined set of behavioral choices. This average is also known in mathematics as the "central tendency," and according to Aristotle it is toward this central tendency that the virtuous man will lean.

An average as a model for righteous behavior can similarly be seen in the Neo-Confucian Chinese concept entitled the "Doctrine of the Mean." This concept echoes the Taoist philosophy of honoring the balance of nature through moderation in all things. The natural balance represented in Taoism can be seen depicted in the Ying Yang.

Doctrine of the Mean has also been translated as the "Middle Way," the "Unwobbling Pivot," and "Focusing the Familiar." Unwobbling pivot in Chinese is 'chung yung,' where 'chung' means leaning neither one way nor another and 'yung' means not changing.

According to the Doctrine of the Mean, the mean is a way of perfecting the self through directing one's mind toward a constant state of equilibrium and therefore achieving eternal balance. The guiding principle of this doctrine is abstention from acting in excess.

Temperance and abstaining from excess can in fact be seen in countless literary depictions throughout both ancient and modern history, with the earliest documented representation in the Cretan story of Icarus and his father Daedalus. In this story, Daedalus builds wings for his son and himself so that they can escape from their king. He warned Icarus to "fly the middle course," but Icarus did not listen. Icarus flew so high that he burned his wings on the sun and fell to his death.

Other examples include the words "Nothing in Excess" inscribed on the door to the temple of Delphi and Plato's philosophy of proportionality exemplified in the metaphor of a boat. According to Plato, "If we disregard due proportion by giving anything what is too much for it; too much canvas to a boat, too much authority to a soul, the consequence is always shipwreck."

Temperance is ultimately a balance in action, and by tempering our behavior we can invite the benefits of a more balanced disposition into our lives. It is self-restraint, control and rationality. What are some ways we can integrate it into our every day choices and interactions? How will this lead to further success in other areas?

Ghandi's Seven Blunders of the World

2009-08-27T14:08:00.000-07:00

1. Wealth without work

2. Pleasure without conscience

3. Knowledge without character

4. Commerce without morality

5. Science without humanity

6. Worship without sacrifice

7. Politics without principle

—Mahatma Gandhi

Take It From Benjamin

2009-08-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

In 1723, seventeen year old Benjamin Franklin arrived broke as can be in Philadelphia. Success after success followed in the form of inventions, business ventures and political esteem. He was later able to retire at the age of 42 as a very wealthy man. Franklin claimed that his great success was owed to practicing and religiously following thirteen principles. These principles are:

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself, avoid trifling conversation.

Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have it's time.

Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; waste nothing.

Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

Sincerity: Use no harmful deceit; think innocently and justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly.

Justice: wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

Moderation: Avoid extremes; forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, nor at accidents.

Chastity: Be chaste in matters with the opposite sex.

Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Many have suggested exploring Franklin's principle by means of meditating on one per week and trying to incorporate each weekly principle into your life as much as possible.

The Body-Mind Balance Connection

2009-08-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

An interesting connection has recently been found by researchers at Tel Aviv University between physical balance and anxiety disorders. Dr. Orit Bart and her associates have analyzed children diagnosed with anxiety disorders and discovered that the majority of them also suffer from problems with balance and coordination. Moreover, Bart claims that physical therapy targeting and improving physical balance problems has been shown to also help resolve anxiety issues.

Bart's research shows that while not all children with anxiety also have balance problems, all children with balance problems do exhibit anxiety. After a twelve week sensory-motor intervention, children in Bart's research group had markedly improved balance skills. With this new balance came heightened self-esteem, and eventual return of previous anxiety to normal levels. This is a direct example of treating the mind through the body.

When the body is in balance, the mind is in balance. When we lack balance, we feel anxious about the control we may or may not have over ourselves and therefore doubt the effectiveness of our minds. But when we work to obtain greater balance, our confidence increases and we are empowered to trust our minds' abilities more. Thus we are engaged in a cycle where power begets power and struggle begets struggle.

Therefore we must work to increase our balancing ability, and we may rest assured that it is easier than we may think. This is because with the knowledge that we may use the physical realm as a means of ensuring a higher degree of mental wellness, there are a host of tools and techniques at our disposal that we can see, touch and feel. We are not limited to the abstract, or to cognitive approaches which for most can seem elusive and difficult.

Because of the power we have over the physical, we can use our own operational thinking to the advantage of our minds. For example, an operation---or action---as simple as cleaning your desk. My desk is so cluttered right now that I feel anxious about all this stuff I have to do. Everything is a mess before me and I don't know where to start. But if I take a few minutes and organize my desk, stack the papers in the right places with the most important documents on top, throw away trash, take my empty yogurt and cups to the kitchen and a quick wipe clean with a sponge, I will definitely feel more in control of the situation.

I can even make a list of what I need to do, of my priorities, and set it neatly in front of me on the desk. At that point I will know all that I need to do, and I won't have to remember it---it is right there on the list. There is no clutter clouding my vision of the tasks at hand. What can be done is done at the moment. Then I can continue to write this with a clearer mind, with more confidence, with more BALANCE. That is the connection between the physical and the mental/emotional. Between the body and the mind.

Balance is about effectiveness, and ultimately, about happiness and contentment with our selves and the world around us.

What can you do today to increase the balance of your body or of your physical world? How will this affect the state of balance in your mind? Will you feel better? Accomplish more? Have less anxiety?

A Balanced Diet

2009-08-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

Eating a balanced diet is probably the single most important thing that you can do for yourself. When we are properly nourished, we think clearer, feel better, and can contribute more. When we are improperly nourished the effects can be severe, and sometimes we don't even recognize it.

If your body has all it needs it can function the way it's supposed to, making all of the chemicals it needs to keep you running smoothly. This sounds obvious, but at times the negative effects of less-than-ideal nutrition can accumulate subtly over time without us being fully aware of them.

Being tired, feeling depressed, not sleeping well---these can all be related to your nutrition. And it isn't even all about avoiding junk food---more often than not, we are more negatively affected by what we don't eat than what we do.

No carbs, low fat, no sugar, no dairy, no red meat, you name it. The list goes on and I'm sure that all of us at one time have been at least tempted to consider these "diets" as effective. But what they say is true---if you deny yourself, you will have cravings. These cravings are your body's way of telling you what it needs.

Our brains run on glucose, a sugar. Carbohydrates are our fuel. We need fat to make lipids, which make up the very shape of our cells. And we need the amino acids which come from protein to make up the hormones that are our body's communication system. Leave any essential components out of your diet and you are asking for trouble.

So eat balanced meals! That means a little of everything. Variety is the only way to assure you are taking in all of the essential nutrients you need to function at your optimal level. This idea of a little of everything, and everything in moderation should guide us in all of our choices in life. Balance is the key to success.

Welcome to The Natural Balance Blog!

2009-04-12T19:09:00.001-07:00

Welcome to The Natural Balance Blog, presented by Emily's Beauty In Balance. Here we can create a community of helping one another by sharing ideas about the creation of more balanced lifestyles.

Balance is an essential quality that can be very difficult to achieve. It must be practiced with concentration and persistence. Imagine what a challenge it must have been to stand up and take those first steps as a baby---falling, getting back up, falling, and getting back up again! But we all did it, and likely without much instruction or prompting.

As time went by we got better at walking, falling less and less. Soon it felt completely natural and we could no longer remember what it had been like to stumble and struggle. The human body takes to balance, as does the mind. We all have an innate inclination to strive toward it.

Once something new is learned and balance has been obtained, it seems that balance was always there inside just waiting to be discovered. Like the baby learning to walk, child learning to ride a bike, or gymnast learning to perform superhuman feats, once we find a center and acknowledge it as a part of us we cannot lose it but only build upon it. Our foundation is only strengthened.

Balance is at the heart of every great achievement of humanity. Without stabilizing one level of success we cannot move on to the next with confidence or competence. But with the patience and determination to learn and cultivate the sense already within us, the possibilities are endless. We have great potential as well as the tools necessary to bring our greatest dreams to fruition. And it all starts at the center.

This is where I find Beauty in Balance.

Where do you find it? And what does balance mean to you?

Thank you so much for visiting The Natural Balance Blog. I think we will have a good time here, and can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Sincerely,
Emily Rachel Boege
Founder, Emily's Beauty In Balance
emilysbeautyinbalance.com