What My Skin Revealed About My Health!

Have you ever noticed how a simple cold can wreck havoc on your skin? The health of your skin takes a backseat when you are ill as your immune system works overtime to focus on healing your body.  Simply put, a  weak  body = malnourished skin!  

I suffered from a relentless cold the week prior to Thanksgiving and my skin is still recuperating.  The lack of  nutrition, hydration, sleep, and exercise left my skin (more noticeably my face) dull and dry.  I normally have combination skin, but noticed my entire face looked dry immediately after washing.  I mean EXTREMELY DRY!  I'd wash my face and before I could even put my moisturizer (Coconut Vanilla Oil) in the palm of my hand it was gray....EEEEK!

To combat the dryness I had to stray from my normal routine just a tad. The exfoliating twice per week and my usual facial mask with bentonite clay would only exasperate the condition of my face.  I continue to use my Liquid Black Soap daily to cleanse and have added a moisturizing facial mask (pics & recipe below) biweekly to rejuvenate my skin.  (lol....I have yet to master the art of selfies)

Glycerin, Milk & Turmeric Mask

*These measurements are approximate. If you'd prefer a thicker mask, use less glycerin.*

~2 tbs powdered milk  (rejuvenates, nourishes, moisturizes-contains lactic acid which is great for gently exfoliating & softening)
~1 tbs vegetable glycerin (humectant- seals in & attracts moisture to skin)
~1/4 tsp turmeric (antioxidant, nourishes skin *Turmeric does temporarily stain- you may want to use less if you have lighter skin.)

Combine all ingredients, apply to face, let dry (about 15-20 min), then rinse.  VOILA!

Those who are familiar with me or my product line know how much I appreciate simplicity.  These are ingredients I keep in my stash.  I challenge you to use ingredients you have on hand to create a mask suitable to your skin condition or skin type! Have questions???? Shoot me an email or post   
to our fb page.

ttyl,

Lydia

Bye Bye Blooming Bouquet. Hello Vanilla Ylang!!!!!

So…….. I've decided to discontinue the ‘Blooming Bouquet’ scent in our product line and replace it with ‘Vanilla Ylang’.  This is actually the very first blend of oils I put together 7 years ago and it was a customer favorite!   If you’re of fan of sweet floral scents you’ll fall in love with Vanilla Ylang!

Vanilla Ylang Whipped Body Butter is available now and this new scent will be available in the Moisturizing Gift Sets and Bath Oils at the beginning of the year.   Get your Blooming Bouquet scented Moisturizing Gift Sets, Whipped Body Butter, and Bath Oils before they're gone! 

Speaking of being gone....I spent much of last week in my "lab" restocking items that we sold out of at back-to-back vendor shows! The top seller was the Coconut Vanilla Oil- not many people could resist the aroma once they sampled it ;) I had a ball and met lots of great customers and other vendors from all over Ohio!  We go to these shows to sell our products (DUH!!) but it's also a pleasure to support other local small businesses and crafters.

~~As a reminder~~ EvaJenaeNaturals.com is open 24/7 for shopping.  Orders placed December 24-25 & January 1 will be shipped within 48 hours of the following business day.  To ensure delivery in time for the holidays, please place your order prior to December 15th.

xoxo,

Lydia

Reasons to Buy Handmade

Still looking for holiday gifts? Consider buying handmade this season (or any time for that matter)! Here's what inspires me to buy handmade......

#1  Inspiration.  When shopping for handmade items in person or online take a moment to get to know the crafter and the story behind the products you are purchasing. Chances are you'll be inspired by the reasons they decided to launch their business.  I know my face just lights up when someone is genuinely interested in how I got started (wanna know....).  

#2 Quality of products.  Speaking from personal experience, there is quite a bit of effort put into manufacturing handmade products to ensure customers are receiving the maximum benefit.  As an indie entrepreneur, one of my main goals is to produce a quality product with benefits that are uncommon from big box manufacturers.  Each ingredient I use has been researched and has a specific purpose.  No frills.  I believe in keeping my product line simple, yet effective.  

#3  Support Small Business.  Small businesses are the backbone of our economy locally and nationally. The money you spend is going directly back to the owner to support their family and community.  Most small business owners (myself included) use a portion of their profits and/or products to support local schools and organizations.  We realize the importance of giving back and serving the communities we live in.

#4  Customer Engagement. As crafters, we are passionate about what we create and relish opportunities to engage our customers! I love reading the reviews left by my customers and hearing about how the products helped them or their family.  Replying personally to emails, social media posts/inquiries, and including "thank you" notes with every purchase are ways I engage with my customers.  It is my pleasure to stop and talk to my customers.  How many business owners can actually say that?

~Lydia

Coconut Vanilla Oil GIVEAWAY!!!

We're giving away our newly released Coconut Vanilla Oil (4 oz)!  

 Coconut, avocado & grapeseed oils are perfectly blended and infused with aromatic vanilla beans to form the ultimate moisturizer.  All 3 oils are easily absorbed and are great for  the skin and hair.  Use Coconut Vanilla Oil to seal in moisture and add a lustrous shine to hair or massage into skin to moisturize and add a luminous glow!  The blended scents of organic coconut oil and vanilla beans is simply heavenly! 

As with all of our products....this oil is 100% natural, vegan & cruelty free!

Ingredients: cocos nucifera (coconut oil), persea gratissima (avocado) oil,  vitis viniferia (grape) seed oil, vanilla planifolia (vanilla)bean

To enter, simply leave a comment below and share our facebook page.  YES, it's that simple!  The contest will end November 3rd at midnight and the winner will be announced on November 4th!

Good luck!

Don't forget to connect with us on instagram and twitter!

xoxo,

Lydia

https://evajenaenaturals.com/

Sharing My Regimen....

So a couple of days ago I shared a post on how to find the best products for your skincare regimen.  Today, I thought I'd share the products I use and my routine.  

For starters, I have extreme combination skin,  My t-zone is very oily and the rest of my face is awfully dry. Like everyone else with oily/combination skin, I've tried a million and one over-the-counter products to try and combat the oil.  WASTE OF MONEY! If I notice the oil or dryness becoming too much, I'll correct it with the Oil Cleansing Method.  The page recommends a combination of oils for my skin type, but I've found that using this method with plain old extra virgin olive oil is perfect for my skin :)  Again, I use this method when my skin seems to be abnormally oily or dry (maybe every other month or so) just to balance it out.  

The products I use regularly are of course from my product line, Eva Jenae Naturals.  Daily, I cleanse twice a day with Liquid Black Soap followed by moisturizing with just a drop of Coconut Vanilla Oil.  I love the way organic coconut oil smells and makes my skin feel!  There's a subtle glow that doesn't make my skin feel oily or heavy. I know a lot of people steer clear of putting oil on their face and do their best to strip the oil from their skin, but that's a big mistake.  Our skin produces oil naturally, and when we strip the oil from our skin it only produces more oil.  The trick is to try and work with your skin's natural production of oil.  

Weekly, I make it a point to take a few minutes to relax and give myself a facial at home with Eva Jenae Naturals Revitalizing Facial Kit.  It includes everything you'll need to give yourself 10 spa quality facials at home: 

• Exfoliating Face Wash to cleanse and exfoliate
• Detox Clay to remove toxins from the skin and pores
• Facial Oil to nourish and rejuvenate from within the skin
• Instruction Sheet
• Measuring spoon

I recommend steaming your face for at least 5 minutes between exfoliating and using the detox clay in order to open your pores.  It allows the clay to better cleanse your pores. I've done the facial with and without the steam and there is a noticeable difference.  There are a few ways to steam your face, but I like to simply boil a pot of water and hold my face above the steam with a towel over my head. (Sometimes I'll add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to the water if I'm feeling stuffy or add some chamomile leaves for a soothing effect.)  If your face is burning you are too close to the steam! Please don't burn yourself!  

My routine is not time consuming and doesn't require going out and spending a ton of money on products that counteract one another.  It's simple....and I realllllllllllllly like simple ;)  

Lydia

https://evajenaenaturals.com

Find YOUR Skincare Routine!

The quest for the perfect facial products and routine plagues millions of women and men around the world! We are bombarded daily with commercials and overflowing aisles in the grocery store with products promising to end all of our skin woes.  Before getting caught up in the madness take some time to get to know your skin and the basics of tailoring your routine.

• Know your skin type and be aware of skin issues (acne and allergies for example). Blindly buying skin products without knowing your skin type can be counterproductive and discouraging. 

1.  Normal skin is not oily or dry and has an occasional blemish or outbreak.  Wash and moisturize twice daily, use a spot treatment for blemishes when necessary, and exfoliate once or twice per week.  
2. Dry skin feels tight and may be flaky in some areas.  Due to a lack of hydration, dry skin may also look rough or bumpy.  Wash twice daily with a gentle cleanser that won't strip your skin followed by a deep penetrating moisturizer.  Exfoliate once per week with a gentle exfoliate if your skin can tolerate it.  
3. Oily skin is more prone to blemishes and is visibly shiny.  Those with oily skin should wash twice per day to keep pores clear, exfoliate twice per week and use a very light moisturizer. Refrain from washing your face too frequently to remove oil!  This can actually cause your skin to produce more oil.  Once in the morning and then again at bedtime is enough.   
4. Combination skin is just that- a combination of more than one skin type.  Your nose, forehead and chin are usually oily while the rest of your face is usually normal. Cleanse twice per day, exfoliate twice a week, and use a moisturizer suitable for both skin types.

• Keep your hands out of your face & stop popping your pimples ! I know it's tempting, but our hands easily transfer blemish causing bacteria to our faces. The scar you'll leave is far more unsightly than the pimple. Use ice to subdue inflammation and apply apple cider vinegar or witch hazel to dry it up. 
• Don't switch all your products at once! Introduce one new product into your regime at a time and allow your skin to adjust.  You won't know what is working/not working if you switch everything at the same time.
• Be patient with your routine!  Once you know you have the right products give your skin a chance to respond to them.  It is not uncommon for your skin to react negatively at first, but this will subside once your skin adjusts to the new products.  
• Your routine is YOUR routine! Don't try a product just because it worked for someone else. Your skin is unique and should not be compared to another individual's.  Do what works for your skin! 

Until next time....

Lydia

https://evajenaenaturals.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVA JENAE....(well almost)!!!!!!

EJ's (Eva Jenae's) birthday is tomorrow!  I swear this child starts the countdown to her birthday the day after her birthday!  I can't believe she'll be 8! ...too bad we can't just freeze time when we want :(  For her birthday, we plan to celebrate at home...just the 4 of us.  My husband and I have selected a gift for her that'll keep her pretty busy ;)

So, I've been working on a multi-purpose oil for a few months now and I finally found the perfect combination of avocado, grapeseed, and organic coconut oil infused with vanilla beans.  The scent of the coconut oil blended with vanilla smells DELICIOUS!  It is lightweight, easily absorbed and provides extraordinary moisture and nourishment to your hair, skin, and face.  To read more about the benefits of these oils visit Our Ingredients page.  I'm still working on a name and finalizing packaging, but will be sure to let you know when it will be available at evajenaenaurals.com.  

Six handmade soaps are curing as we speak will be available the 1st week of October. Aren't they beautiful? (we'll highlight each them in another post)

Until next time my friends,

Lydia

WOOSAH.....

Isn't she gorgeous???? Her smile just lights up my world!  Eva and I had a photoshoot a couple of months back and she was just hammin' it up!  Special thanks to Ashley Marie Photography for the fabulous shots! (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashley-Marie-Photography/213819878631870) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well summer's almost over, the kiddos are back in school,  AND I CAN FINALLY BREATHE!!!!!!!!!!  The past few months have been a rollercoaster and I'm thankful everything is settling down. 

Things got really crazy around here when my hubby (who's active duty Air Force) returned home early from Afghanistan.  No, he wasn't injured in combat....he ruptured his achilles  playing basketball....SMH.  Nevertheless, his injury required surgery, physical therapy, and me being his nurse and chauffeur.  I was more than happy to take care of him, but I'm certainly glad he's back on his feet.  Even his cast couldn't stop him from shooting around with our son!  LOL..now that was a sight

I am ABSOLUTELY THRILLED about the direction Eva Jenae Naturals is headed!  For starters.....you can now find our products on the shelves of Simply Vague in The Mall at Tuttle Crossing in Columbus, OH! Simply Vague has a second location opening late September at Polaris Fashion Place and will also carry our products there.  YAAAYYYYYYYYY! 

That's not all- I'm finalizing the details on our wholesale and fundraising programs to launch by the end of September.  Yep, it's a lot of work, but I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Oh, I almost forgot.....I changed our labels.... AGAIN ;) The white labels were a little too plain and my fear was that they wouldn't stand out on store shelves. I switched to the kraft labels to fit in with the whole "natural" theme, but the material was not waterproof and absorbed whatever oil or water it came in contact with. I was not a happy camper.  The current label is waterproof and has a parchment type background.  I like it, but let me know what you think. 

xoxoxoxo,

Lydia

Well hello world......

I know it's been a while....hope you didn't think I forgot about you   ; )  Things have been so busy with the family and business lately. It feels good just to be able to sleep in an extra 30 minutes since school ended for the kiddos!

It's the summer now and everyone's eager to break out their flip flops.  Before you expose your feet to the world please make sure they are presentable......PLEASE! A lot of people seem to think that you have to go to a nail salon or spa to get the perfect pedicure.  NOT TRUE!  You can achieve the same (if not better) results by doing it yourself at home. I stopped going to the nail salon years ago because I hated the wait, the fumes, and then getting a mani/pedi only to mess it up as soon as I left the salon.  UGGGHHHH!  Besides, imagine how much money you can save annually by skipping your regular trips to the nail salon.  

Here's a testimonial on our Softening Body Polish submitted by a customer:

Alright it's your turn!  Take a few minutes and treat yourself to a comforting pedicure:

1. Soak your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes-add 1/2 cup of epsom salt if you like.  It will aid in soothing aches and help to soften the rough skin.
2. Use a good pumice stone for the rougher areas of your foot.
3. Pat your feet dry, then scrub with Softening Body Polish in a circular motion (steps 2 and 3 can be repeated as many times as you like until the desired smoothness is attained).
4. Rinse and dry feet thoroughly.
5. Be sure to seal in moisture with our Cocoa Shea Lotion Bar or Whipped Body Butter.  If you're not stepping out, put on a pair of cotton or spa socks to retain the moisture in your feet. 

Until next time.....

Lydia

Change is Inevitable...

There are a few changes on the horizon that are necessary as we prepare to take our business to the next level. We're working on finalizing our wholesale contract to allow vendors in the local area to purchase our products and sell in their stores.  Once the kinks are worked out, we will begin to expand to other cities and states.  Be on the lookout for that wholesale information to be added to our site.  If you know of a business interested in all natural skincare lines, be sure to mention us!

We plan to phase out our white labels for kraft colored labels.  The labels fit well with our "all natural" theme and will help us stand out a little better on the store shelves.  Right now we're just looking to secure the best deal on those.  There may also be other minor packaging changes, but the same great product will remain!

After analyzing our current pricing and manufacturing costs, we have have been forced to make the difficult decision to raise the price on most of our products.  This decision did not come overnight and  though difficult, it was necessary.  Various oils were tested to replace the higher priced ones, but they did not produce the same quality product.  We simply cannot run a successful business if we continue to absorb the price increase of the ingredients that we put into our products. You will see the price changes on our website in the upcoming weeks.

Our commitment continues to be providing luxurious yet affordable products. Thanks to our loyal customers who have made purchases and referred customers to us.  A plan is in the works for a token of our appreciation ;) Stay tuned.....

Paying it Forward

Please watch ...this is an AMAZINGLY AWESOME story that brought tears to my eyes!  How often do you hear of selfless stories like this on the news?  Not often, but we should.

In short, Mr. Tony Tolbert decided to loan his home to a homeless family (rent free) for a year so they could get back on their feet. Such a profound gesture!  He reminds us that we can all give back in some fashion. As he stated, we don't have to be Bill Gates or Oprah to pay it forward- give what you can with what you have.

I feel a sense of obligation to pay it forward as a responsible business owner and citizen. My business currently makes in-kind donations to local groups and charities.  We do what we can with what we have. Helping those in need benefits me by knowing that I can make a positive impact in a person's life, no matter how minuscule the gesture may seem.
 
Tipping a bit extra, giving an encouraging word, mentoring, or even taking the time just to listen are all ways we can give back.  So, what will you do to pay it forward?

What's In Your Bottle?

We've all seen these "guarantees" on commercial products right?  Am I the only one who finds these claims disturbing?

 Just walk down the endless aisles of skincare products in nearly any store and you'll see what I mean.  It's easy to be mesmerized by all the pretty bottles and jars advertising claims of instant face lifts and guaranteeing beautiful skin instantly.

Before you commit to overpaying for such promises, keep these facts in mind:

1. READ YOUR PRODUCT LABELS! The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not closely regulate ingredients used in cosmetics manufacturing (as I stated in one of my previous blog posts) and have only banned 10 ingredients.  Compare that to Europe which has banned nearly 1,100 ingredients! The products you have been purchasing may contain synthetic fragrances and colors, parabens and even petroleum based ingredients that will do more harm to your skin in the long run.  Just take a few minutes to look up some of the ingredients on the product labels that you already have...the pros and cons may surprise you!
2. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND A FORTUNE TO GET GREAT RESULTS!  I'm absolutely amazed at the prices of some skincare products and even more amazed that people will actually pay for it.  Deciding to use natural products in your skincare routine can save quite a bit of money (and space) because you can often use one product for multiple purposes.  For instance, my $8 Liquid Black Soap can be used as a body wash, shampoo or even placed in soap dispensers in the bathroom. How much money would you have spent on 3 separate products???? 
3. THERE ARE NO INSTANT FIXES! Please don't get your hopes up believing that whatever's in a jar/bottle is going to remove all of your skincare issues overnight. It's just not going to happen!  
4. EVERYONE'S SKIN IS UNIQUE!  Because of this fact, it's impractical for any product to be able to deliver the exact same results for each consumer.  Get to know your skin- find out what the causes of  your skin issues are and what you'd like to improve, then research products and ingredients that will benefit YOU.  It's a process of trial and error. 

 I often get questions from others about treating eczema and other skin issues when I share my story [read it here] of how I began creating my product line.  While I share my story and what worked for my daughter's skin, I stress that it is what worked for her and that everyone's skin is different.  It would be irresponsible of me to make claims that my products will "heal" or "treat" any condition and then guarantee those results.  This is true with any skincare product whether it is prescribed or purchased over the counter. Think about it- if your dermatologist prescribes something to you, what do you do if it doesn't work?  You go back and he/she prescribes something else. Like I said TRIAL AND ERROR.

Be patient. Get to know your skin and what natural ingredients/products will work for you ;-)

Why Entrepreneurship??

This image says it all..... 

I have dreamed of owning my own business since I was a teenager, though I hadn't yet pinned down exactly what that business would be.  It's not a feeling I can quite explain, I just knew at an early age that I would not be working for someone else all of my life.  Not that there's anything wrong with working for someone all your life-it's just something I didn't picture myself doing.

In 2011 my family transferred from Florida to Ohio due to military orders and I found myself unemployed and discouraged. Even with a Master's degree and years of experience my prospect for employment was dim due to the local economy.  I decided to make the best of my situation by transforming my hobby of making skincare products into a business.  Sounds simple right-NOT! It has definitely a challenge having to wear so many hats, but they are all overshadowed by the passion I have for what I do. 

My children are what keep my dreams of entrepreneurship alive. It is so rewarding to be able to see my children off to school in the morning, be home to greet them in the afternoon, sit down and converse with them about their day and assist them with their homework. When both my husband and I were working full time, our children would be in school/daycare from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.!  What little time we had together in the evening was spent running between the children's sporting events and  preparing to do it all over again the next day. I'm not sure how long we could keep that schedule up! 

There are days when things don't go exactly as I have planned and I just want to throw in the towel, but failure is not an option.  When I'm feeling discouraged or disappointed I glance at the picture of my kids on my vision board and I am reminded of the legacy that I ultimately want to leave for them.  I want them to know that diligence and dedication does pay and hopefully they can build on my success and pass that legacy on to their children. 

Eva Jenae Naturals may never become the next Johnson & Johnson and that's alright with me.  I will remain encouraged, optimistic and of course diligent.

 My babies...they make me sooooo proud!

Cheers to the New Year......

WHO'S EXCITED ABOUT 2013????? I am more than ecstatic about the possibilities ahead and plan to embrace all opportunities with open arms.

I've dived right into expanding my product line!  After months of reformulating and testing- four new products were introduced: Rosemary Mint Hair Dressing, Softening Body Polish, Mint Bath Oil and our Facial Kit. Stop by my store to view the entire product line at EvaJenaeNaturals.com.

Also, a great deal of my time has been put into researching social media and I must say it is overwhelming!  Facebook, google +, pinterest, twitter, instagram, tumblr, linked in, newsletters.....where does it end?  I realize how important social media is in any market and have personally seen how businesses can be positively impacted if they are able to use it effectively.  With that being said, the upcoming weeks and months will be spent trying to determine which platforms work best for Eva Jenae Naturals.....stay tuned!