The Greenridge Herbal Thymes

The Ultimate Facial Goes Green

Do you miss getting a facial lately because you're afraid of the products they use at the spa? I am!
I so happy to report that I recently found an esthetician I feel comfortable with who will be using my products for a facial! It's not every day I go around asking estheticians if they will use my products for a facial, but I'm sure a lot of them would be open to it. Here's why:
1. They save money from using their own products on you
2. You can tell them you are sensitive to a lot of products and comfortable with only Greenridge
3. You will be introducing them to the idea and concept of going organic green, which is very exciting

Here's what I am bringing with me - the Face Petals Sample Kit, oily blend. It includes everything I will be needing and more for my facial. It comes with: Lemon Tea Tree Toner, Chamomile Rose Facial Creme, Synergy Day Serum, Jojoba Rose Eyemakeup Remover, Face Petals Cleansing Grains, Face Petals Brightening Scrub, Dead Sea Mud Masque, Face Petals Cleanser and Patchouli Organic Soap.

I'll update after with the results! I'm very excited! I hope this prompts you to feel more comfortable approaching an esthetician to do the same.

Shrinking Large Pores

Large pores. It's inevitable, although we all wish it wasn't. We have more than 20,000 pores which help to detoxify our skin. Pores help protect and hydrate skin but can become blocked with dirt, excess oil, or makeup, causing breakouts and the appearance of large pores.

Here are some tips to help keep those large pores under control:
1. Rinse with your facial cleanser using warm water. Then follow with a cold water rinse. You should see results right away!
2. Cleanse. Keep your face clean all day. Cleansing skin more than just in the am and pm routine will help keep skin clean, and prevent clogging of the pores. Keeping your skin and pores clean will help your pores look smaller.
3. Use a masque at least once a week. I recommend the Berries & Roots Enzyme Masque to help draw out impurities from beneath the top layer of the epidermis.
4. Use an exfoliator a few times a week. The Face Petals Brightening Scrub is an excellent exfoliator and can also be used as your daily cleanser. It is very gentle yet effective and can be used daily.Pores help to regulate our skin temperature and remove dirt and impurities.
5. Toning help to gently, but thoroughly clean the pore's surface of oil and dirt. Our toners work naturally with your skin by utilizing botanicals and plant essential oils which help the skin to dissolve dead cells. Keep them clean by utilizing the benefits of natural herbal skincare products. Avoid products filled with artificial ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, ureas, fragrances, and more, which can lead to pores that are imbalanced. These artificial ingredients dry out the skin, telling it to produce more oils, so you are left with a combination of oily and dry skin.

Over the course of time, using nature's own resources to care for our skin will help it to stay in a harmonious balance. It's never too early or too late to eliminate unnecessary un-natural products from your routine. Keeping your skin healthy and clean will help refresh and revitalize not only your skin but will also help to refresh and revitalize your mind and spirit, preparing you for the day's challenges.

Beautify Your Facial Routine

The beauty and color of herbs and spices doesn't just have to be enjoyed visually. The wonderful variety we can choose from the local produce aisle or farmer's market can make great additions to our daily beauty routine, and some ingredients can be extremely useful in facial masques.

Decorate a natural wooden full of mini plates of fresh cucumbers, lemon juice, flax seed meal, bath salts, and coconut milk. Add some candles, fresh flower petals, and bay leaves for color and texture. Bring the bowl into the bathroom with you for a tranquil spa indulgence.

Here's how you can use what's on your tray:
Cucumbers - use whole slices over the eyes while you soak in the tub. Use grated cucumber to massage into your face after cleansing.
Flax Seeds - Combine teaspoon of flax seeds with tablespoon of facial masque powder. Add liquid and mix. Apply to face for 10-20 minutes, then rinse and scrub the facial area. The flax seeds will have time to release their nutritious oils onto the skin, and when you rinse they provide a light exfoliating action.
Lemon Juice - Add to masque for the liquid phase for an instant anti-oxidizing vitamin-C skin boost.
Coconut Milk - Use after cleansing for a wonderful pre-moisturizing treatment, then rinse.
Bath Salts - Add tablespoon or two to the bath while relaxing.

Taking a few extra moments to beautify your facial and bathing experience will create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility around you. It will heighten the zen feeling in your bathroom, and make you feel beautiful both inside and out.

CO2 Extracts and Your Skin

Years ago, I began experimenting with wonderful CO2 extracts and learning about the sophisticated effects they have on the skin. CO2 extracts contain the highest amount of plant substances for an essential oil. This process is a gentle, low-temperature extraction by liquefied carbon dioxide preserves teh most healthful substances of the plant, with vitamins, aroma, and enzymes unaffected.
As I have progressed a few months ago into a raw food diet I have been witnessing first hand the incredible effects that living foods rich in enzymes can have on the body. CO2 extracts, in my scientific opinion, are the living extracts yielded from a plant, achieving high quality characteristics that nurture our skin.
Isn't it interesting that a finished CO2 extract is sterile because of the high amount of natural antibacterial properties?

Look for more of our products to be enhanced with this wonderful substances as we progress into 2008 and beyond. Your skin is living and so it will appreciate being fed with living substances like CO2 extracts.
Here are a few products that are enriched with these healthy, harmonious extracts (off the top of my head):
Chamomile Rose Face Cream
Calendula Primrose Day Cream
Face Petals Secret Serum
Pumpkin Face Cream

I know there are more than this (products that contain CO2 extracts) so poke around a little and always read our ingredients - we're not afraid to share them!

An Unexpected Treatment Tip

I received this email the other day from one of my regular customers who is a true gem when it comes to letting me know what she thinks about the products, and I thought it might interest you...

"oops! I came upon a 'treatment' via error! I used the cleansing grains...which I love to pieces.........then thinking mask after exfoliating, I THEN used the Roots & Berries Enzyme mask..being in the blind fog that I am usually in at end of a long day......then I REALIZED..BOTH OF THESE ARE EXFOLIANTS!!! I'VE DOUBLE EXFOLIATED! Too late; was a done deal! My skin looks t.totally amazing! Has 'ironed out' every line on my face.....probably because I've exfoliated my skin off! Is not unduly red, irritated...just looks awesome. I hope it still looks this way in the morning.....I don't think I'd recommend this 'treatment' on any kind of regular basis...but maybe every couple months to get an overhaul. lol.... Had to share my 'treatment'. I did use my Secret Serum and Midsummer's Night after this whole procedure, :) I can't believe how GOOD my skin looks right now. I wonder if anyone else has ever done this...have a good night."
- Jean

Then I received a follow up today:

"Hi....had to give you a 'the morning after' update on my accidental 'double exfoliation' last night. My skin still looks GREAT!!! LIKE having a booster shot! I think I'm onto something here! My monthly 'face lift'.......also an interesting {possible?} "side effect". Maybe was the double dose {overdose} of Roots and Berries and grains..but I had the most marvelous dream last night..Was so clear, detailed and so beautiful. I was moving into a huge home, beautiful decor and I kept finding treasures..vases, lamps....a whole shelf of looked like Ivory mortars and pestals....there were rooms off rooms and these were filled with treasures..just like the Treasure Room in National Treasure movie.....I've never dreampt in such detail, such color and surrounded by such beauty! {I may start drinking the grains and Roots & Berries!..sprinkle them on my salad!} lol. This whole 'accident' turned into an 'experience'. :) Just wanted to tell you I think your Roots & Berries and cleansing grains hav 'magical powers'....and nobody will ever convince me otherwise!
lol..............thanks!
- Jean

Thank you Jean for sharing your wonderful tip! A great idea to "double up" and get "double" the pleasure!!!