My skin is what you would call "fair". Ask me how much I would love to have a nice golden tan or not hear mid August "wow you are so white!"  There is just no way that my skin will tan and I learned at a very young age that a sun burn is not worth it. Even if I did burn it would not turn into a tan it would be red and blotchy then nicely peel off revealing my pail skin again. I have also learned that protecting my skin means more then avoiding a bad burn. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, it is estimated that 1 million new cases occur annually. One of the leading causes of skin cancer is sun exposure. In December I went to my doctor because a small mole on the side of my face looks different, slightly changed shape and colour. Next week I am having it removed and making sure I have it looked after. No matter if it is something or nothing it really makes me think about protecting my face and my skin. Sunscreen is one of the best things I can use to make sure my skin is not getting any ill effects from the sun. I have used sunscreen my entire life, in the summer when I knew I would be outside for a period of time. But what about the days that I am just out and about, the winter days that I have spent outside for the day? I have looked at the ingredients that are listed on a sunscreen label, I am not sure I can even pronounce half the words correctly. I thought to myself, is this really something I want to put on my face several times a week? So I have again turned to Skin Essences Organic for the perfect solution for my skin. The Canadian Cancer Society says that cancer now affects 1 in 2.6 women and 1 in 2.3 men. Numerous studies suggest that the increasing number of carcinogens in products, food, and the environment are the cause of these rates. Tropical Tradition is a 100% certified organic sunscreen with an SPF up to 30. I have been using this product for the last several weeks every time I walk out the door for the day. Last weekend I went snowshoeing for 3 1/2 hours and at the end of the day my skin felt great!! Usually I will at least get dryness to my skin, wind burn or sunburn. Not this time!! This time my skin was hydrated, soft and there was no redness at all. I also have peace of mind that I have ingredients like coconut oil and a natural form of zinc oxide absorbing into my skin instead of chemicals that can cause what I am trying to prevent.

So one thing I have noticed over the years is some woman and girls with long hair go months even years with out cutting it.  Why do they do this I asked myself?  The reasons I am always given is because they are growing it out or they want it to stay as long as possible. I totally get it ladies, I am feeling the long hair right now too and am even guilty of leaving it too long between cuts.  This can happen very easily for a couple reasons, it is easy to get away with it because long styles hold their shape a lot longer and when it gets it to the long length you want you might not be sure what to do with it.  So what is the problem with leaving your hair for long periods of time without getting it trimmed or cut?  When hair is left the ends will eventually start to break and split.  Split ends can actaully be seen if looked at closely.  Over time that little split end will run up the hair shaft resulting in many inches of damaged hair.  Damage hair has a very dull, flat look and will cause your hair to knot and split even more.  I always suggest to my long hair clients to come in every 2-3 months even for a small trim to keep those split ends gone.  There is an old wives tale that says that if you cut your hair it will grow faster...well even though it might seem that way that is not what is actually happening.  What is happening is you are getting rid of damage, keeping your hair strong and preventing breakage.  Another thing to consider when growing your hair out to the desired length is if you have been trying for a while and your hair never seems to pass a certain length it probably never will.  Hair grows for a period of time and for each person that length of time is different.  And each individual person grows hair at a different pace as well.  So if your hair grows 1 inch a month for 2 years then you will only be able to grow 2 feet of hair.  On average hairs grow between 1/4 of an inch to 1 inch a month.  The amount of time can really vary from 2 - 10 years.  One of my clients questioned that saying "then how come I could grow my hair to my waist when I was a kid.?"  My response was "because you were a lot shorter:)"  So don't worry ladies getting a little snip sooner then later will help your lovely long locks. 
Long, short, straight or curly, I believe that the best looking hair is healthy looking hair! 

Why does Skin Essence Organics stress that their products are 100% certified organic? What does that mean and why is that different then other organic or natural products on the shelf?  100% certified organic means that each and every ingredient is certified as an organic ingredient under the Canada Organic Regime.  But are all products labled organic under the Canada Organic Regime 100% organic?  No!  Under the Organic Products Regulations only 95% of the contents of a multi-ingredient product actually have to be organic.
"Only products with organic content that is greater than or equal to 95% may be labelled as: "Organic" or bear the organic logo."  Got to wonder what might be in that 5%. These are the products that can carry the certification. What if we drop the word certified all together and you just see the word "organic".   Could a skin care or cosmetic company use that word if it wasn't?  Yes then can...but how do you ask?  According to New Vegetarian and Natural Health, "Most cosmetics companies  utilizing the term 'organic' on their label are using the chemistry definition of organic-meaning a compound that contains carbon." By using this definition  they could say that "a toxic petrochemical preservative called methyl paraben is  'organic' because it was formed by leaves that rotted over thousands of years to  become oil."   They also add that  "Nowhere do the  terms 'natural' and 'organic' take more of a bruising than in the cosmetic  industry."  Now lets take this one step further and drop the word organic and use the word natural.  The USA (where most of our cosmetics and skin care come from)  has no government regulations for the word unless it is refering to poultry and meats.  Think of how many times you have seen these words and have reached for a product because of what the lable claims.  With Skin Essence 100% Certified Organic Skin Care you have the reassurance that what you are wanting is what you get. 


http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/orgbio/stainte.shtml
http://www.organicformulations.ca/organic_beauty.htm
http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/difference-between-natural-products-organic-products-2417.html

I have used many products over the years from professional products to drug store brands.  I have very sensitive/temperamental skin and have never been satified with the products I have found.  Then I was introduced to Skin Essence Organics and Jennifer Lane Personal Care Products by Jennifer Lane.  Loving how they felt on my skin the first time I used them I was still not convienced that they would stay as great as they first seemed.  I have had that false feeling before, you find what you think is a great product because of the first impression it leaves, but then after daily use you realise that the product is not holding up to it's promises.  I kept using these wonderful natural products for 3 months and my skin keeps getting better and better.  I have people comment everyday on how great my skin looks.   I have come to the realization that the products that are full of chemicals and preservatives were contributing  to some of the problems that I had with my skin.  Cleasers that stripped my face of its natural oils, exfoliants that are too rough and lotions that don't absorb and sit on the top of the skin.  I decided in December that these were such quality, well made products that I could offer them to my clients with confidence.  Finding products that work as well as they promise, are organic and free of chemicals is such a great feeling - almost feels as good as my smooth skin ;)