at Butterfly Effect’s online store and official blog!

http://www.shopbutterflyeffect.com/blog.asp

By, Shayna Teicher

I keep meaning to post something about this Gel Facial Cleanser with Superfuit  and Chlorella Growth Complex and somehow keep getting distracted. 

So I’m doing it right now, while I have just a few quiet minutes:

I am LOVING this cleanser. It’s NOT for dry skin- for that, Acure makes a really lovely Cream Cleanser with Olive & Mint- which is good, because my skin is oily. The gel has the frothiness and clean feeling that, being an oily-skinned lady, I like in my facewash. There are no sulfates or chemicals that can strip skin’s acid mantle leaving it dry and vulnerable. It takes off my mineral makeup and the daily grime and sweat that come with the sweltering summer days here in Sarasota, FL. It also smells fresh and invigorating- kind of an herbal citrus blend. 

You’d think that would be enough, but it’s also packed with antioxidants (as are all the Acure products) thanks to their unique Curoxidant blend of herbs and superfruits. Organic Acai, Fair Trade Organic Olive Oil and Organic Chlorella Growth Factor boost cell turnover to keep your skin looking its best. I’ve been following this cleanser with Acure’s Rose and Red Tea Toner and Radical Resurfacing Lotion and I think I’ve found my summer love. 

Acure is also incredibly devoted to sustainability and to people. From their certified organic and fair trade ingredients, to the philosophy behind the brand, to their dedication to helping to prevent and cure breast cancer, Acure makes it clear that their mission goes far, far beyond creating a wonderful, safe, effective product for women to love. Their mantra says it all: Acure for your skin, Acure for the planet, Acure for a cure. Works for me!

Originally Posted at Butterfly Effect’s Official Blog

By, Shayna Teicher

don’t do a lot with my hair, but I have a handful of looks that seem to work for me. Some days though, I don’t want to deal with my crazy mane and I just twist it up. Most days it ends up that way anyway. Consequently, there are always bobby pinseverywhere. In the bottom of my purse (and in all the little pockets as well), in my makeup bag, on the nightstand, in the car’s cupholders, in my jean pockets, on the coffee table, the bathroom sink, the kitchen counter, the freezer, the back porch, in the couch, on the roof, in the mailbox…ok, a slight exaggeration perhaps, but you get the point. I’m a bobby pin slob. That’s also a LOT of bobby pins. Eco-friendly? I didn’t think it was, so I went in search of some enlightenment…and found almost none…except this one thing…

Hours online, phone calls Goody and Conair, no one seemed to have a definitive answer regarding a) what metal bobby pins are made of and b) are they recyclable? How many are sold each year in the US?  No idea. I bet it’s a lot though. A few online sources (including some educational ones with experiments using a bobby pin to demonstrate the process of annealing and tempering steel) indicate that bobby pins are generally made out of steel but none of the companies I spoke with could confirm it. If, however this is the case then bobby pins should be recyclable.  I also found “The Bobby Pin Revealed”- I’ll let it speak for itself. 

Brilliantly, however, Goody has just come out with something they call a “spin pin”. Made of nickel (at least the Goody rep on the phone said she “thinks” it’s nickel), this pin looks like a double helix, made to be twisted into your hair to hold it in place. They say it takes the place of 20 bobby pins- while that’s probably a subjective estimate, I can tell you that a single spin pin is all I need to hold my long hair in a bun all day. For more creative looks (or ladies with more hair), you can use the second pin and seriously lock your hair in place. Seriously. While I doubt the “spin pin” is going to replace all my bobby pin needs, it’s certainly earned a permanent (for now, at least) spot in my makeup bag! They also come in two sizes. 

Note: If you have shorter hair (above the shoulders) or your hair is exceptionally fine this may not work the best for you without using a bit of texturizing product first.

Tip: When you’re placing the pin before spinning it into your hair, your goal is to get the two ends positioned with one in the bun and one in the hair at the base, so you’re “locking” the two together as you spin the pin. If you do this right where you’ve tucked the ends of your hair into the bun, you get the most hold. 

Where to get ‘em: just about anywhere that sells Goody hair products- I got mine at Target. 

Originally Posted on Butterfly Effect Beauty’s Official Blog

By, Shayna Teicher
Dear Beauty Chick,…A lovely customer of mine recently asked me when she should throw out makeup (I’m pretty sure she was in the midst of a “spring cleaning bug” as one has hit me recently as well.) So naturally I said “That’s a great question- I’m so glad you asked!” 
As much as we hate to throw out cosmetics and skin care products we never got to use up, it’s even more important not to use something that’s “past its prime”. Open skincare and makeup can become contaminated with microbes, bacteria, etc over time and the result of using an old product can harm more than your wallet. Using expired or contaminated products can result in irritation, mild breakouts or even an infection.  

Before I offer some good rules for keeping your makeup bag free of un-fresh products, keep in mind there are a lot of “guidelines” out there for how often to pitch things, but your main rule of thumb should be to always get rid of anything that now smells, looks or feels different from when it was new, no matter how old (or new) it is (rancid lipstick, for example, often smells a bit like crayons). There is an exception to this, however- some natural creams (Like Sanre Organic Skinfood) can separate a bit as they don’t use any chemical emulsifiers. In these cases, simply stir it back up with a clean utensil to reincorporate. I’ve listed the product types below in order from most frequently replaced to longest lasting.

Mascara: 3-6 months. If you’re using something with preservatives (like a department store brand) you can probably get away with closer to 6. For 100% natural ones (like Honeybee Gardens or Dr. Hauschka) better to play it safe and pitch after 3 months.  

*TIP: Hopefully you all know this one by now, buy it bears repeating- don’t pump your mascara wand, it simply incorporates air into the tube making it dry out faster and inviting bacteria in. To get more product on the wand, swipe it in a circular motion around  the inside of the tube.

Lip Gloss. 6-24 months. I’ve seen sources that say lip gloss is good for up to two years, which it probably is (if you use a clean applicator every time and never leave it in the sun or your car….). The germaphobe in me though, wants to replace my lip gloss every 2-3 months. If you use the same one or two colors every day, they probably won’t last you much longer than that anyway. So there you go, 3 months to two years (I know, not the written in stone answer you were looking for). This is one of those common sense things. If you’ve just battled a cold sore or the flu, probably best to get rid of whatever lip product you were using and get a new one. If you’ve been healthy and your lip gloss still smells, looks, tastes like new, gloss on!

Creams and Liquids: 3-12 months. These can be trickier, new types of packaging (like airless pumps) have greatly extended the shelf- life of some of these products up to a year, but products in open jars/bottles still don’t usually hold up more than 3-6 months. Again, your everyday practices make a big difference as well. If you’re super strict about always using a clean, sanitized brush in your pot of gel eye liner, for example, it’s going to last a lot longer than if keeping you don’t. These include gel & liquid eye liner, cream concealer, liquid foundation, cream eye shadow, etc.

Pressed & Loose Powders: 1-2 years. Most powders can keep for up to two years- whether or not there are preservatives will make a difference here. If you see a paraben or phenoxyethanol in the ingredients and you keep your tools clean, it’ll probably be good through two years. Likewise, loose powders (like pure mineral foundation) that are free of all oils, waxes, additives and preservatives are also good for a few years. Keys to telling if they’re bad are if they have a change in consistency or color or don’t apply as smoothly as they once did or start to feel “chalky”. Pressed powders can also get what looks like a hard “film” on the surface- a sign it’s time to throw it out These include eye shadows, pressed foundation, face powder, pressed & loose blush, etc. 

Pencils, Crayons & Sticks: 1-2 years. These guys can last a few years depending on the formulation and if you keep them clean and sharpen them frequently. But if the product seems drier, smells different or appears cracked or crumbly, it’s time to pitch it, no matter how old it is. This includes: lip pencils, eye liners, lip sticks, “crayons”,  blush sticks, etc.

Originally Posted on Butterfly Effect Beauty’s Official Blog

WHAT’S A BLOTTING PAPER? 

When I mention blotting papers I usually get one of two response: “Oh my gosh- I LOVE blotting papers!” OR “What the hec is a blotting paper?” Either way, most people I know who have tried them, end up being hooked, and for good reason.

Essentially, blotting papers are just what they sound like: little sheets of “paper” used to absorb excess oil on the face or set makeup in place. They usually come in a little pack of some sort. Simply press a sheet (gently) against your skin and the fibers of the paper absorb oil and moisture, eliminating shine but leaving your makeup intact. They’re especially fantastic for oily and combo-skin as they help eliminate the excess oil without having to re-apply powders throughout the day. For the drier skin types, they can help with sweat and humidity. Even guys can use these!

Seems pretty basic, right? So what’s the “eco catch”?. While blotting papers are traditionally a natural product made from some sort of absorbent material (rice paper, silk, linen, and hemp to name a few) and sometimes have additional ingredients (like silk powder or botanicals) on or in them, some companies have managed to complicated this simple concept. They may use other ingredients, including dyes and perfumes in or on the papers and the papers themselves may not even be natural (Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control papers are a great example of this).   

For me, at least, the whole point of blotting papers is to help control oil without putting any chemicals or additional product on the skin. Additionally, as they are single-use and each sheet is thrown away after use, it’s ideal to find papers that are made from sustainable fibers and are also biodegradable

ENTER TATCHA: ABURATORIGAMI JAPANESE BLOTTING PAPERS

 Tatcha’s blotting papers are generously sized- larger than many other blotting papers. They’re also strong and absorbent enough to use both sides- one sheet was plenty to de-shine my oily complexion. In barely seconds they whisk away oil and you can see it on the paper too so you really know it works!  It doesn’t hurt that the packaging is beautiful, too. When asked in a recent interview for the blog Beautylish “These papers are that special?” Tatcha’s founder, Victoria Tsai, answered “Absolutely. It’s unusual to find something truly historical. The further we get along in the future, we must realize that there’s wisdom in the past to look for. I think it’s a beautiful concept to perpetuate old rituals and secrets, and if people in Japan still use it after 300 years, it’s working.” I agree!

 The origin of these papers comes from the heart of imperial Japan. Abura-tori-gami actually means “oil blotting paper” in Japanese and refers specifically to the papers that result from the production of gold-leaf. For centuries gold craftsman used the abaca leaf to protect the gold as they hammered it into whisper-thin gold-leaf which was then used to enrobe the majestic pavilions. What was left was sheets of natural, absorbent abaca paper. Aburatorigami are considered to be the “gold standard” (no pun intended) in blotting papers. It remains a mystery exactly when, but somewhere along the line the geishas realized the benefit of using the discarded papers to keep their makeup flawless and their complexions oil-free. Aburatorigami have been a Japanese beauty staple ever since.

Because Tatcha papers are made from abaca leaf, not only are they strong, soft (no potentially irritating wood pulp) and absorbent, but they’re also environmentally friendly and sustainable. As blogger/professor/ scientist Alastair Iles puts it, “artisans hammer away on old leaf and use the abaca leaf to protect the gold. As such, it’s a by-product from a tradition craft process that’s deeply rooted in Japanese culture, thus using material that might otherwise be thrown away. After the paper is used, it can be composted, as it degrades naturally back into the earth. No oil-based chemicals are used; the energy comes from human, not from fossil fuels. As a result, aburatorigami has relatively low environmental impact.”

TATCHA’S PHILANTHROPY

When the recent natural disaster hit Japan, founder Victoria didn’t hesitate to jump in to find a way to help. Donating all the profits from their March special Kokoroyori Aburatorigami gift set, Tatcha was able to donate $10,000 for disaster relief. They’re also an active supporter of Save the Children, a humanitarian organization that has been active in Japan for over 25 years. In response to this act, Victoria said “In times like these, our friends are our greatest resources. Amidst the tragedy in Japan, there is also astounding beauty in the spirit of the Japanese people working collectively to support survivors. [It was] In appreciation of a culture that inspires us so.” And, as Victoria and Tatcha Aburatorigami were inspired by the traditions of Japan and its people, I’m inspired by Victoria and by a product that demonstrates how green and gorgeous beauty can be. 

Originally Posted at Butterfly Effect’s Blog

Thank you and welcome to our newest followers! Butterfly Effect’s Tumblr page is no longer the “home spot” for all the Butterfly Effect newness. The good news is you’re only a click away from it. The Butterfly Effect blog has moved HERE, so now it’s fully integrated with our online store. From reviews on fab new products (like Tatcha’s blotting papers) to info on things like whether soy or dairy really cause breakouts, this is where it’s all at.

To be in the know about all our fantastic new products, specials, events (if you’re in the area) tips and more, I hope you’ll sign up for our monthly (occasionally bi-monthly) e-mails. When you do, you’ll get a code good for FREE shipping at www.livebutterflyeffect.com FOR LIFE!

It’s been one year and four months since Butterfly Effect holistic beauty boutique opened in beautiful Sarasota, FL and now the next big step has been taken! Butterfly Effect’s online beauty boutique featuring our favorite and best-selling natural & organic skincare, bath, beauty and makeup products launched at the beginning of February and I couldn’t be more excited! 

WWW.SHOPBUTTERFLYEFFECT.COM features all the best of Butterfly Effect’s flagship boutique, plus the added benefit of being able to shop from anywhere and have it delivered right to your door! Shipping is free on all orders over $100 and plenty of free samples are included with every order. We actually look at what products you’re getting and try to pick sample we think you’ll enjoy and will work for you. You can also request specific samples of nearly everything so you can always have an opportunity to try a product before you buy it. 

For years I wanted to find a way to share my favorite natural and organic skincare, makeup and body products with people as well as create a forum to really answer people’s beauty questions and help them learn how to choose the best products for themselves, and www.shopbutterflyeffect.com is the beginning of being able to connect with people all over the country! Please, visit, enjoy, call or email will all your questions and share with friends! 

BONUS!!!!!: Sign up HERE for Butterfly Effect’s e-mails and not only will you receive updates regarding new products, events, specials deals and more, but you’ll also receive a coupon code from us good for $10 off your first online purchase of $25 of more! When you sign up, be sure to put this in the comments section: $10 tumblr code

Butterfly Effect

451 North Orange Ave

Sarasota, FL 34236

(941) 552-6728

Ok, so if you’re following (or were following) this blog, then you’re aware that it’s been a long long while since I’ve posted. That’s cause I’ve been working on THIS!:

www.shopbutterflyeffect.com 

Butterfly Effect Holistic Beauty is finally online! All future blog stuff will be posted through there…

So…back on June 30th I posted an article from VegFamily.com about the pros, cons, myths and facts about soy. Consider this my follow up. Regardless of whether you suffer from breakouts, if you eat dairy and/or soy, I hope you will read this and find it to be helpful.

For those who haven’t heard my story, a huge part of how I ended up opening Butterfly Effect and getting into this business in general, was that I had constant skin problems starting from my early teens. From oily skin, to hormonal breakouts, to funny little patches of eczema, it was always something and despite spending plenty of my money, (starting with my earnings from working at a bead store from ages 14-17) and buying everything from high-end skincare to special makeup that was recommended to me by countless department store ladies/makeup counters/infomercials/health food stores, nothing ever seemed to make an improvement. I was on and off birth control, which (while I was on it for the fourth time) did seem to help, but overall it just made me a crazy person- many of my friends will vouch for this, bless them. I also started eating organic and using natural products. 

At this point, I realized that you can’t take anything at face value, not what the sales people tell you and certainly not what a product’s packaging says- they want you to buy their product when you read its label. Then I found mineral makeup. When I started wearing i.d. bareMinerals (I now custom blend my own mineral makeup) around my junior year of college, my skin saw a HUGE improvement and I knew there was something to this whole “natural thing”, that there was benefit in putting less on your skin rather than more and certainly in putting less chemicals on your skin in general. I hate to say it, but other than my introduction to mineral makeup, the biggest improvements I’ve ever seen in my skin have come from my own research and using deduction to rule out triggers, NOT from salespeople or physicians. That’s why when I recommend skin care products to customers, I always ask lots of questions and encourage them to pay close attention to things like their diet, activity level, chemical/product exposure and daily lifestyle when trying to determine the cause of a skin issue (very different from the approach of too many MDs: treat the symptoms, if they go away, what does it matter what the cause was? Sorry if it seems harsh, but this has been my experience.) I’ve seen people with breakouts caused by cell phones, shampoo, skin cream, natural extracts, wheat, dairy, soy, chemicals, mineral oil, etc…all who went to the dermatologist who simply wrote them a prescription. Breakouts aren’t always caused by what you think.

Part of my journey in dealing with breakout prone skin and switching to a more natural, organics diet has been cutting back on dairy, which in turn, has resulted in my eating more soy (thank goodness for Purely Decadent soy ice cream- see? All my posts really do go together!). I noticed a significant difference in both the oiliness, and in the amount, size and severity of my breakouts when I cut back my dairy. I went from consuming probably 3-5 servings a day to 1-3. As I started eating more soy the breakouts seemed to improve even further. When I went online to see if other people had had similar experiences I was surprised to find lots of people on opposite sides- either switching from dairy to soy made their skin worse, or it improved it. There was little in between and I was having trouble finding a source to bridge the gap.

In his abstract “Pathogenesis of Acne”, Dr. Toyoda M. Morohashi (Japan) explains that “Acne results from hyperkeratinization and obstruction of the pilosebaceous follicles secondary to androgen-stimulated failure of normal desquamation of the follicular epithelium, androgen-stimulated sebum production, subsequent colonization of the follicles by Propionibacterium acnes and other organisms, and variably, inflammation.” Basically androgenic (male) hormones stimulate sebum production (the mix of oils and dead skin cells our skin produces), which prevents the normal process of the natural shedding of the outer layers of the skin and leads to hardening of those cells and blocking of the sebaceous follicles, leaving them prone to acne-causing bacteria and inflammation. This explains why traditional, over the counter acne remedies rely on exfoliation (salicylic acid) and anti-bacterial (benzoyl peroxide) action, or else, hampering oil production all together (accutane). The key word in Dr. Morohashi’s explaination is ANDROGENS: a group of “steroid hormones that stimulate or control the development and maintenance of male characteristics”. If androgens are a culprit behind acne, how are so many women (over 75% of girls age 16-18 experience acne) being exposed to them? It seems highly unlikely that such a substantial portion of the population would all suffer from an overproduction of the same hormone. More and more studies are pointing to milk and dairy.

In a talk at Harvard University, Ganmaa Davaasambee, “a Mongolia-trained medical doctor, a Japan-trained Ph.D in environmental health, a fellow [in 2006] at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, and a working scientist in the Harvard School of Public Health,” discussed the link between cancer and dietary hormones, in particular, the estrogenic hormones found in milk and dairy. “Among the routes of human exposure to estrogens, we are mostly concerned about cow’s milk, which contains considerable amounts of female sex hormones,” Ganmaa said. She also noted that dairy accounts for 60-80 percent of estrogens consumed. Where do all these hormones come from? In order for commercially bred cows to be most productive (for the nearly 300 days a year that they are milked!) they need to be kept pregnant. Those hormones that the cows produce are also in their milk, so when we drink that milk or eat dairy made from it, we are ingesting those hormones. While the high levels of estrogens in modern dairy may have a connection with cancer rates (the focus of Ganmaa’s study- which you can read about here), the same milk also contains androgens, progesterone (which breaks down into androgens), and androgen precursors. It’s the androgens (testosterone producing hormones) that are a trigger for acne, especially in women who are already biologically sensitive to male hormones.

The level of hormones present in milk depends on the how far along in the pregnancy the cow is. “Milk from the late stage of pregnancy contains up to 33 times more signature estrogen compound (estrone sulfate) than milk from a non-pregnant cow…” making “the milk we drink today quite unlike the milk our ancestors were drinking without apparent harm for 2,000 years.” Ganmaa isn’t declaring dairy itself a bad food, but she is questioning its safety when it’s produced using our modern techniques. “Milk is a food of great complexity, and contains high levels of beneficial nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D.” Even cows not treated with BGHs (bovine growth hormones) contain these hormones, because they’re still kept pregnant.

This would explain why many women experience improvement in their acne with the use of birth control- the estrogen hormones helps counterbalance the excess of testosterone/androgenic hormones. Unfortunately, this isn’t a cure, it’s just a band-aid.  

In the experiences that people were sharing online, some people who tried switching from dairy to soy in an effort to improve their breakouts found that they were allergic to soy and that it actually made their breakouts much worse. Others found that switching to soy delivered an improvement- indicating not only that they may have been experiencing a dairy intolerance, but that the estrogenic compounds in the soy itself might be beneficial. Sheesh! The conclusion? While there may not be a definite answer, it’s relatively easy to use trial and error to find out if dairy and/or soy are behind your acne woes.

This would be my recommendation: If you currently consume dairy and soy, try cutting out only dairy for two weeks. You don’t even have to cut it all, just a significant amount; I just don’t want to give up my morning latte, but I’ve cut out all ice cream and yogurt, and most cheese. After two weeks do you see any improvement? Then add it back and cut out soy for two weeks. What changes have you seen? I think many people will find right away that cutting out one or both of these food groups leads to improvement of acne symptoms. Note: many processes foods contain milk and soy ingredients, so if you eat a lot of those, be sure to check the ingredients labels to see if you’re getting dairy and soy in unexpected places. If you couldn’t see an improvement being either dairy-free or soy-free, then you have to try cutting out both.

For me, the experience of experimenting with my diet was well, WELL worth it. I learned that while I need to avoid dairy in excess, I can have a little, and soy (perhaps it’s the additional estrogenic compounds) seems to help, rather than hurt my situation. For men, however, I would note that while eliminating dairy may be helpful in quelling acne, practice moderation in enjoying soy substitutes, as there is still research being done to determine how much soy, due to it’s estrogenic compounds, is safe for men (and I haven’t gotten to that article yet!). As my father enjoys reminding me “everything in moderation.” It’s all just another example of how where our food comes from and how it’s produced is just important, if not more so, than the food itself.

Have you had any skin revelations? Do you have experience dealing with dairy or soy reactions? Please share!

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/12.07/11-dairy.html

http://dermatology.cdlib.org/124/original/acne/danby.html#2

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11479771?dopt=Abstract

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desquamation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,835434,00.html

This JUST in- Since O Magazine’s 10th anniversary issue a couple of months ago, O has been featuring special deals every month to bring some of their favorite things to their readers at special prices. Just yesterday, I received an e-mail from Alexandra at Revolution Organics- they make wonderful natural/organic multi-tasking color sticks and super-cushy lip glosses.- and the August issue of O Mag (which isn’t even on the stands yet) is featuring Revolution Organics Freedom Glosses! 

I love O-Mag and I love Revolution Organics, so I’m joining in and honoring the promo here at Butterfly Effect. While I don’t have an online store yet, I’m always more than happy to take phone orders and shipping is a flat $5 (free for orders over $75)

Now through August 30th- Revolution Organics Lip Glosses are only $20- regularly $26

It’s hard enough to find a truly natural lipgloss- one without mineral oil, petrolatum, chemical emulsifiers, dyes and other chemicals. It’s even harder to find one with vibrant colors, the perfect amount of shine and doesn’t disappear in two minutes. Thankfully, Revolution Organics Freedom Gloss more than fits the bill. Plus, it moisturizes and protects your lips with castor seed oil, olive fruit oil and shea butter, contains organic Jojoba oil to nourish and condition and contains natural extracts and plant proteins to deliver antioxidants and vitamins (great for preventing those little lines around the mouth.

 There are only five colors, but they’re incredibly versatile and can be blended or layered either with each other, or with Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Multi-Tasking Beauty Balm- an irresistable chubby stick that’s richly pigmented (with only minerals-again, no dyes) and does triple duty as a creamy, blendable cheek color, a great base to enhance the color and wearability of the glosses or as a lip color by itself.

Right now my favorite combo is layering the gloss in Freedom (a slightly sheer, vibrant cherry red) with Vibe (a sheerer, bronzy tangerine). The result is a slightly coral-red that’s perfect for yellow-based skin (like mine) and looks really fresh when you keep the rest of your makeup on the neutral side. I do have to admit though, my inspiration for this one is the beautiful models from the past few J. Crew catalogs.

Colors (from left): Innocent, Truth, Integrity, Freedom, Vibe