Kale

Kale

Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A, which is necessary for all cell growth and turnover. Skimping on beta carotene can lead to dull, lifeless hair and dandruff, which is really just dry skin. Regularly eating kale, a leafy green vegetable, is one of the best ways to pack beta carotene into your diet for healthier locks. You can saut&eacute a bunch or two with a little olive oil and garlic, or try my delicious recipe for crispy kale chips: Cut or tear fresh kale into pieces, place in a single layer on a baking sheet, mist with oil spray and bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Peanuts

Peanuts

You may have heard about the benefits of biotin for hair health in a shampoo ad, or read in a magazine that taking biotin supplements can make your hair grow faster. Biotin is a B vitamin essential for hair growth and overall scalp health, but our bodies make their own biotin in the intestines, and it's also found in many common foods. A biotin deficiency is therefore very rare, so supplements are usually unnecessary if you're eating a balanced diet that includes some high-biotin foods. Peanuts are a great choice, as they're also high in B vitamins and folate, which contribute to healthy hair.

Skinless Chicken

Skinless Chicken

Skinless chicken breast is another healthy source of protein, and it's rich in B vitamins — folate, B6 and B12 — that maintain healthy hair. These vitamins play an important role in the creation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to all body cells, including those of the scalp, follicles and growing hair. When the body is deprived of B vitamins, the cells can starve, causing shedding, slow growth or weak strands that are prone to breaking.

Macadamia Nut Oil

Hi Everybody, Here is some more news you can use. 

Use macadamia oil, not only it is widely available it has various uses and it not known to be high on the allergen list. Use macadamia oil for salad dressings, personal hygiene (shaving, moisturizing, perhaps even sunblock given the squalene content), light sauteeing and stir frying, mayo-making, and essentially anything you’d normally use olive oil for.

To read more: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/macadamia-oil/#ixzz29bPRadmQ

Introducing Colored Palettes!

Lush N Verdant now has do it yourself colored palettes available today!

http://lush-and-verdant-company.myshopify.com/collections/colored-palettes

Reasons to Eat Your Veggies!

Black Superfoods

Brown rice is good for you, but black rice is even better. That's because the bran hull contains significantly higher amounts of vitamin E, which bolsters the immune system and protects cells from free radical damage. In fact, black rice contains more anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries, according to a study from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. 

These legumes are loaded with iron: One cup has about 8 milligrams, getting you almost halfway to the daily requirement of 18 milligrams for women. Lentils also boast high levels of soluble fiber, which may not only lower your cholesterol, but could also improve immune function, according to a new University of Illinois study.

Polyphenols found in dark berries may help reduce cognitive decline in older age by cleaning up cells that impair brain function, researchers at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston say. 

Blackberries are also hugely fiber-rich -- one cup has almost 8 of the 25 grams you need daily.

The dark skins of these beans are packed with bioflavonoids -- potent plant-based nutrients that may protect against cancer, research out of Cornell University reveals.

Move over, edamame. A Korean study found that eating black soybeans can help reduce the risk of thrombosis -- a type of blood clot that's potentially fatal -- even more than yellow or green soybeans. 

And all soybean oil contains alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fatty acid that may reduce the risk of heart disease. 

Green and white teas get all the health hype, but good old black tea has its perks, too. It contains theaflavins -- antioxidants that a study from Rutgers University in New Jersey suggests may improve recovery from muscle soreness after intense exercise. Drinking black tea may also lower your risk of having a heart attack. 

Avocados are for you!

Avocados are not just for eating! A good source of biotin, avocados help to prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails. When applied topically, they can hydrate parched skin.

Create Fuller Lips

In honor of Scandal which will not be on tonight!

• Start with a lip liner in a nude color, and lightly draw a line just slightly outside your natural lip line. Smudge the liner for a more natural look. Avoid dark liner and don’t draw too far outside your natural lip line.
• Fill in your lips with a pale shade like MAC High Tea or Laura Mercier Passionfruit. These both have a bit of frost, which will reflect light and bring out the fullness in your lips. If you don’t care for frost, choose a color that's a shade lighter than what you usually wear. When you highlight, you bring forward, and when you contour, you sink in, so light colors on lips will appear to plump them up, while dark colors tend to make them recede and look smaller.
• Finish with a bit of gloss in the center of the top and bottom lips, where your lips are naturally the fullest. Look for a gloss with a bit of sparkle, to reflect the most light, like Prestige Wonder-Full Lip Plumping Gloss in Deluxe. It’s a bit minty and doesn’t slide around.
• If you’re happy with your lip color but want subtly fuller lips, then simply put a dab of lighter gloss in the center of your upper and lower lips to create the illusion of fuller lips. 

Keep the hair off your face!

Keep your hair clean, especially if you have bangs or a fringe. Consider keeping all hair completely off your face. Hair can spread bacteria and germs, especially if it's not clean. If you have oily hair, make sure you keep it off your face and wash it regularly and don't use conditioner on your fringe just on the ends and mid lengths on the back of your hair.

Wedges and how to use them

Wedge Sponge 
This is a great makeup tool for applying liquid foundation evenly and for smoothing creams into your skin. When using with foundation, press and pat, rather than dragging the sponge across the face. If you have skin allergies, be sure to choose wedge sponges that are latex free.

Tea Tree Oil Benefits

What are the Benefits of Tea Tree Oil?

Tea Tree Oil has wonderful properties that makes it a popular natural agent for curing all three types of infectious organisms: fungus, bacteria, and virus. More importantly, it is known to effectively fight a number of infections that are resistant to some antibiotics. Therefore, Tea Tree Oil is an excellent natural remedy for hundreds of bacterial and fungal skin ailments such as acne, abscess, oily skin, blisters, sun burns, athlete's foot, warts, herpes, insect bites, rashes, dandruff and other minor wounds and irritations.

Studies have shown that Tea Tree Oil also treats respiratory problems ranging from common sore throats, coughs and runny nose to severe conditions such as asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchitis. The anti-viral properties of the oil fight many common infectious diseases such as chicken pox, shingles and measles, flu, cold sores and verrucae. It also strengthens the body's immune system, which is often weakened by stress, illness, or by the use of antibiotics and other drugs. It can also be used as a mouth wash, since it is highly effective in healing oral candidiasis (a fungal infection of mouth and throat).

Uses of Tea Tree Oil

Skin Infections

Acne Treatment

A common use of Tea Tree Oil is as a natural Acne treatment. 

Boils and Carbuncles

Tea Tree Oil has also been used for the treatment of Boils or Carbuncles. 

Toenail Fungus

Tea Tree Oil help treat toenail fungus infections. Simply apply 1 to 2 drops of the oil directly onto the infected toenails and rub it above and under the tip of the nail. Repeat this once per day. 

Warts

Many people have also found that Tea Tree Oil can be used as a very effective treatment for Genital Warts. 

Bad Breath, Inflamed Gums, and Plaque

Tea Tree Oil, when used as a mouth wash, acts as a natural cure for bad breath, oral candidiasis, gingivitis, plaque, and inflamed gums. It also kills mouth bacteria prior to dental surgery and also reduces mouth irritation that is often caused by dental procedures.

• Add 3 drops of Tea Tree Oil to a cup of warm water.
• Use the solution as a mouthwash two to three times daily.
• Always spit out the Tea Tree Oil mouthwash. Do not swallow it.
• You may also add 1 drop of Tea Tree Oil to toothpaste when brushing teeth.

Sore Throat and Congestion

Tea Tree Oil can be combined with a simple steam inhalation technique to naturally cure congestion, sore throat, chest infections, and clearing up mucus:

• Fill a large cooking pot or bowl with water.
• Bring the water to a boil.
• Remove the pot from the stove and add 2 to 3 drops of Tea Tree Oil into it.
• Cover your head with a towel and lean over the top of the bowl so that the long ends of the towel are hanging down at the two sides of the bowl.
• Inhale the vapors for about 5-10 minutes.
• Repeat the process each night before going to bed until symptoms are cured completely. If symptoms persist for more than 5 days it is best to consult your doctor.

Canker Sores and Laryngitis

Diluted in water, Tea Tree Oil is an effective treatment for canker sores and laryngitis:

• Add 3-4 drops of Tea Tree Oil to one cup of warm water.
• Gargle this solution twice daily. Do not swallow.

Dandruff and Lice

Studies have shown that shampoos with 5% of Tea Tree Oil can cure dandruff and help get rid of head lice. 

Yeast Infections

Tea Tree Oil can also be used as an effective Home Remedy for Yeast Infection Treatment.

What are the Side Effects of Tea Tree Oil?

Pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid the use of Tea Tree Oil.

Undiluted Tea Tree Oil can cause itchiness, irritation, and redness on sensitive skin. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, it is always safer to dilute the oil in another base oil such as olive oil.

Pure Tea Tree Oil should never be taken internally in its undiluted form. Extra care should be taken when using it near the eyes, genitals, or even as a mouthwash. If taken internally, Tea Tree Oil can result in diarrhea, vomiting, impaired immune function, excessive drowsiness, sleepiness, confusion, poor coordination, and even coma. If you notice any of these symptoms of overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Where and How to Buy Tea Tree Oil

Pure Tea Tree Oil and shampoos that contain Tea Tree Oil can be found in almost any natural health or nutrition store, or from online retailers such as Amazon.com.

Health Benefits of Sage Essential Oil

This oil has a number of non-cosmetic medicinal uses which are enlisted below:

• Anti Fungal: The presence of Camphor and Camphene in this oil gives it an anti fungal property. This oil is capable of inhibiting fungal infections internally and externally and gives relief from fungal infections like dysentery, skin diseases, athlete’s foot, dermatitis etc. This property is one of the causes behind its use in skin care products.
• Anti Microbial: Just as it can be used against fungus, it can be used against microbes too. The components in it which gives protection against fungal infection, gives protection against microbial infections too.
• Anti Bacterial: This oil is equally useful in countering bacterial infections, as it kills bacteria and inhibits their growth. This property can be used to heal ailments like bacterial infections in ears, nose and throat, eyes, genitals, urethra, colon, intestines as well as on the skin and in wounds.
• Anti Oxidant: This is perhaps the ace card of this oil and the reason behind its so extensive use in anti ageing and skin treatment products. Anti oxidants, as the name suggests, acts against the oxidants or the free radicals in the body, which are the main causes behind aging. These anti oxidants slow down aging and prevent symptoms of aging like wrinkles, shagging skin and muscles, reduction in vision and hearing capabilities, malfunctioning of brain, memory loss, degeneration of tissues, macular degeneration and nervous disorders.
• Anti Septic: Since it has anti microbial, anti bacterial and anti fungal properties, it serves as an anti septic for wounds, surgical incisions, post natal injuries, ulcers, sores etc.
• Anti Inflammatory: It reduces inflammations on skin, inflammations due to fever, entry of poisonous stuff in the blood stream, excessive use of intoxicants and narcotics, ingestion of excessive salty or spicy food, influence of very hot winds etc. It helps cure inflammations in stomach, intestines and excretory tracts too.
• Anti Spasmodic: This property of Sage Essential Oil is useful in treating all problems arising out of spasm, such as pain in stomach, chest and intestines; coughs; convulsions and cramps.
• Cholagogue & Choleretic: Both of these properties mean the same, that is, the property which promotes discharge of bile. This helps in digestion, soothing the stomach and the whole digestive system against inflammations caused by excessive acids, neutralizing acids in the stomach and blood stream and thereby giving relief from acidity and acidosis, which in turn protects us from peptic ulcers due to acidity, as well as from boils, eruptions and skin diseases which are caused when acid level rises in the blood.
• Cicatrisant: This is yet another property due to which it has made so strong a place in the world of cosmetics as a key ingredient of anti-marks and anti-spots cream. This property helps vanishing the scars, fat cracks, post natal abdominal crack marks and after-spots left by boils, pox, sores etc. This also helps quick healing of wounds and incisions.
• Depurative: It speeds up removal of toxins from the blood through excretion or through sweating and thus purifies blood, acting as a depurative.
• Digestive: It acts as a digestive medicine in case of indigestion or otherwise, by facilitating decomposition of food by promoting secretion of bile and gastric juices and by inhibiting microbial growth in the digestive system which interferes with the digestion.
• Disinfectant: The anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti microbial and anti septic properties of Essential Oil of Sage make it an effective disinfectant, as it gives sound protection from internal and external infections.
• Emenagogue: Regularizes menstrual cycles and helps resume obstructed menses. This oil activates certain hormones such as estrogen which helps bring about clear menstruations and gives relief from problems like headache, nausea, weakness and fatigue, depression etc. which happen during periods.
• Expectorant: Gives relief from cough and cold and infections in chest and respiratory tracts. Also gives relief from congestion resulting from cold.
• Febrifuge: Reduces fever by fighting infections and gives relief from inflammation of fever.
• Laxative: It facilitates excretion and gives relief from constipation by promoting discharge of certain fluids as well as stimulating the intestines.
• Stimulant: If all the properties of this Essential Oil are to be described with a single term, then ‘Stimulant’ would be the appropriate word. Most of the properties it displays are the different expressions of this stimulating property of Sage Essential Oil. It stimulates brain, nervous system, liver, spleen, circulation and excretion, thereby activating them.
• Other Benefits: It helps heal dermatitis, herpes, psoriasis, sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis, accumulation of phlegm, cerebral palsy, sciatica and lumbago and induces mental stability, alertness and cures depression.

Few Words of Caution: Being a nervous stimulant, those with epilepsy or hysteria or having history of them, should avoid using it. Further, since it contains camphor and camphene, which are toxic in nature, it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Blending: Essential Oil of Sage blends well with essential oils of Clary Sage, Geranium, Ginger, Lavender, Orange, Vetiver, Neroli, Rosemary and Tea Tree.

This article was contributed by Aparup Mukherjee

Reasons why primers are awesome mostly

• Smooths the skin’s surface and evens out skin tone
• Helps to disguise blemishes and blend in your concealer/makeup more evenly
• Makes your foundation stick around longer
• Fills in fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduces shine

The New LNV Line

The new LNV Line is available on:

http://lush-and-verdant-company.myshopify.com/

Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliate Regularly

Once or twice a week, exfoliate your skin in the shower. A washcloth or loofah is enough to do the trick. For the best results, lightly scrub the skin in a circular motion. "This will remove dead skin that is dull or flaky," Dr. Gilbert says. Your skin will look brighter and feel softer. Plus, you'll have removed the dead skin that can prevent lotions and creams from absorbing effectively.

A word of caution: Be careful not to overdo it. If you scrub too hard or too frequently, you run the risk of irritating skin and leaving it drier than it was before.