Natural Beauty: Mixed Berry Lips

Berry lips are all the rage for this fall and I am definitely on board with the trend! Now that we are deep into the season, I am all about donning the bold berry lip during the day and right through the night. Pick your color or go for a mixed berry shade -  raspberry, blackberry, cranberry, boysenberry...they all create a striking look for fall.  While choosing your berry color, also be mindful of whether a matte, gloss, cream or sheer option looks best on you. My natural beauty pick for this trend is RMS's lip2check product in Diabolique.  It is very rich in color yet can also be applied on sheer........... 

Beauty Food: Concord Grapes

Concord grapes take me back to childhood when my mom would pack my lunchbox with a toasted PB&J that had sweet, gooey dark purple jelly. Oh, it was good, loaded with sugar but good! Now, I try to avoid the refined sugar but the taste of the grape is something I always crave this time of year (feels very back-to-school). The good news  -  Concord grapes are great for you!

Studies have shown that these  deep purple grapes pack a punch of powerful nutrients. They are loaded with polyphenols, which are anti-oxidants found in the the skin and seeds of the grapes. They also are high in Vitamin C and essential minerals. Polyphenols are known to help reduce blood pressure and may help with cognitive functioning. Plus, they are thought to reduce oxidative stress which in turn helps with keeping a youthful appearance. The power of purple is pretty clear here and these little babies are in season. So reap the benefits and add them to your list of seasonal fruits to enjoy. Keep reading for recipe!

Natural Beauty: Blush into Fall

In the early days of fall, as we are transitioning out of summer and are just starting to reach for our sweaters, it's time for our makeup to make a switch too. I find that moving right into deep hues or jewel tones can be a bit jarring so I prefer to go with warm blush tones. They accentuate the end of a summer tan and give way to a fresh glowing look that is still sheer yet has just enough pop of color. Keep reading to get the look....

Natural Beauty: How To Get The Summer Glow

Ahhh, tis the season to look sun-kissed and beach babe beautiful. But too much sun is damaging to the skin and most self-tanners/bronzers are loaded with chemicals that are toxic. Soooo...what is a girl to do? We have done our homework for you! We have found some new tanning products and bronzers that have low-hazard scores when it comes to toxicity.  Plus, we have great natural health tips that will keep you glowing well after summer has come and gone.

DIY Beauty: Chamomile Cranberry Cleansing Grains

As an alternative to soap, I typically remove my makeup at night with either DIY cleansing grains or my custom blended Intrinsic Beauty Rejuvenating Night Serum (which will be available to you all very soon!). Depending on what I think my skin needs, I often mix-up the ingredients in the cleansing grains. However, my go to is the Chamomile Cranberry Oatmeal blend, especially when my skin looks a bit tired..... 

DIY Beauty: Beachy Waves Hair Spray

Whether you are off for one last Caribbean vacation this spring, dreaming of long summer days and starting to get beach ready (like me!), or just want to have the "stepped off the beach look," then this DIY beauty pick is for you. Carefree loose waves seem to be everywhere these days and well, I just love the perpetual I am on vacation hair. It's simple, easy and beach like sexy. Keep reading for the DIY....

DIY Beauty: Dried Herbal Facial Steam

With summer right around the corner, I am sure many of you are thinking about a fresh faced look. After a long cold winter and a spring that has been almost non-existent thus far (at least in the northeast), our skin has taken a beating this year. An herbal facial steam is a wonderful DIY treatment to help clear out the impurities, hydrate the skin and boost circulation to give you that healthy glow we all love. There are many herbal combinations you can use depending on your skin type. Here is a base recipe that I like to use that is good for most skin types. You can add additional dried herbs to this recipe for your specific skin type, as well. If your skin is sunburn, inflamed and/or extremely broken out then it is not the right time for an herbal facial steam as it will only exacerbate your condition.  A facial steam should not be used more than once a week. I usually make the time once a month. Here is to radiant summer skin! Keep reading for the recipe... 

Good Morning: Kale, Heirloom Tomato & Goat Cheese Frittata

A frittata is the ultimate solution to a quick and easy, no-fuss breakfast, especially when you have not been to the market in a little while and you only have a few ingredients in your fridge. You can throw in your left-over vegetables and whip it up in no time flat. Or you can plan ahead and have it for a Sunday brunch with friends. The ingredients in this frittata can usually be found in our fridge and I  like to use kale in a lot of my recipes because it is loaded with nutrients, anti-oxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. 

DIY Beauty: Hot Oil Winter Hair Treatment

Winter weather can wreck havoc on your hair! The seasonal elements of ice cold wind, rain and snow can result in dryness, friziness and dullness. However, with some extra special care and attention, you can maintain your lovely locks. We recommend deep conditioning your hair 2x's a month with an all natural hot oil treatment. Per usual, we prefer to make our own and have just the DIY recipe to bring your hair softness and shine all frosty season long.

Natural Beauty: Detox Your Makeup Bag

Here at Intrinsic, we believe that health and beauty are one in the same. However, when looking into the majority of women's cosmetic bags the two don't seem to be equal. Most of the mainstream cosmetics and personal care products that are on the market are loaded with harsh synthetic ingredients and toxins. Your skin absorbs approximately 60% of whatever you apply to it into your bloodstream, so you are essentially eating these toxic chemicals. And unfortunately, some of the ingredients have been been linked with adverse health risks such as reproductive problems and cancer.

So where do we go from here? Well, starting with your makeup (we don't want you to get too overwhelmed and suffer extreme separation anxiety), we have outlined some tips to help you detox your cosmetic bag and suggested some of our favorite natural product alternatives.

DIY Beauty: Citrus Salt Body Scrub

Winter Citrus is going to be featured all week long on the site! Not only our we cooking up a storm with it, but we are incorporating it into our winter beauty routine. Hiding under multiple layers, this is the time of year when skin often becomes neglected.  Dryer than usual by being exposed to extreme cold and then stifling indoor heat, your skin needs a little extra attention. Our DIY Citrus Salt Body Scrub contains fine sea salt with a blend of jojoba, olive and sweet almond oils along with grapefruit and sweet orange essential oils to moisturize, exfoliate and brighten your skin. Did I mention that citrus oils are known to increase circulation and in turn are thought to help combat cellulite? Additionally, the fresh citrus smell is uplifting and helps to wake you up in the morning. Use once a week all winter long and enjoy the skin boosting effects! Go to the jump for the recipe.