What's in this stuff?

Photo credit: skinwerein.com

Hi there!  Welcome to Love & Long Lashes! Thanks for stopping by!

As of lately, I've started wondering about the ingredients in the beauty products I use.  I guess before now, I never really stopped to consider what was in the creams, soaps, lotions & cosmetics I smear all over myself on the daily.  Now that I've started pondering this, there seems no going back.
I'm not one to buy in to the idea that everything is a carcinogen.  That being said, I still don't like the idea of being covered in chemicals having no idea what they are, or how harmful they could be over time.  
It's very vogue to be organic and vegan and "all natural" but that's not why I'm thinking about these things.  I've been researching a lot in order to build a business model for a natural soap & cosmetics company which I'm considering starting.  Oh, the things I've already learned!  I'm almost ready to go through every room of my house and throw away all the chemicals - every soap, cleaner, fragrance oil, shampoo, conditioner, lotion & cream.  I just have so many and I really, really, have no clue what's in them.  Plus, I haven't yet dropped dead from washing my dishes with Dawn.
As consumers, we're used to relying on our trust of the companies we buy from.  We often start reading the ingredient list and begin to think it might as well be in Latin, because there's no way we'd understand all the different chemical names.  Some sound scary, but aren't bad - as is the case with baking soda which is also called sodium hydrogen carbonate.  Others are supposed to do things like "degrease" but actually end up stripping our skin of all moisture, making us flaky and uncomfortable.  Yeah...no thanks.
I think that its healthy to question these things, and make sure that we know what we're using on our bodies, in our homes and on our children and pets.  I don't have all the answers, but I'm getting a lot closer to knowing what I will accept in my products, and what I won't.  We all know that "all natural" isn't always what it claims to be, so make sure you do a little research yourself so that you know what you're buying.  The age of ignorance about beauty products & manufacturing processes is officially over for this gal.  

XoXo
-JoAnna

Individual Style vs. Trend Adoption

Hey girly girls!  Thanks for checking out my (new) blog!  Check back as I continue to build up this baby with all kinds of fun, feminine topics!

I've been thinking about style a lot lately (blaming/loving Pinterest).  Frankly, I am not an adopter of trends.  Maybe I'm no longer in touch with what's "in" fashion, or maybe I just never wanted to be just like everyone else.  I prefer to believe the latter.  Today, I will examine individuality demonstrated through fashion style, albeit not necessarily all the way to the bizarre looks donned by the likes of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry (both of whom have created looks that have been insanely beautiful as well as way-over-the-top, straight into the realms of ridiculous).
When I was in high school, the grunge scene was huge.  HUGE.  Everyone (myself included) was sporting Doc Martens boots and plaid flannel.  Lucky for us, it was comfy AND trendy.  Sweet! (RIP Curt Cobain...still love you.)

Photo Credit Unknown

However, high school was the late 90's for me, and that was just about the last time I was on-trend.  The name skinny jeans generally implies that fat thighs need not apply. 

Photo Credit: Cubus.com

I've always been a boot-cut flare kind of gal anyway.  

The latest ballerina flats are a nice additive to my shoe addiction, so hey, at least I'm sort of trendy in that way...

9 Fun Flats
Photo Credit: Fashiontips.blogspot.com

I do love a fabulous Coach bag. 

My first, and most favorite, Coach bag, the Ashley Satchel.

They're great quality for the money.  I'm still rocking this baby (on rotation) nearly 3 years later.  It looks as good today as it did in this picture!  However, I don't love them as much now that I see them on literally every woman who passes by.  The tarnish of popularity.  

I guess in addition to being out of the trend loop (despite my affection for fashion magazines) I'm actually turned off by the lack of individuality and uniqueness that being trendy automatically distances you from.  What I think is cool shouldn't be was everyone else thinks is cool, too.  If that's the case, I can't celebrate my own search for style, or my originality.  

How about you? What is your take on trendy vs. traditional? Do you think classic style is better than what's new and fresh?

Weigh in with your comments, and don't forget to subscribe!

Until Next Time,
XoXo - JoAnna

Welcome!

Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm JoAnna, a author/writer/blogger who loves all kinds of girly things! 

This blog is still under construction. Please check back for new content featuring fun topics like makeup, hair, style, interior decor, arts & crafts, relationships, fitness & weight loss and much more! 

***all a lady really wants is love & long lashes***

XoXo 

JoAnna