The year was 2006. Arielle was only 17 when fate played its hand. She was young, spirited and full of energy. As an accomplished cross-country runner and like many dedicated athletes, Arielle experienced sore muscles after exercise. An over the counter medicine seemed like a good solution and she applied it regularly all over her legs. In addition, she used adhesive pads which, like her over the counter cream, also carried the anti-inflammatory drug, methyl salicylate. Had Arielle known the proper application, she would still be running. Instead of applying it sparingly and for no more…

"This Neem Salve is a LIFESAVER." Says Sabina, one of our valued customers. It saved her from a recurring rash on her face. She is one of many that have fallen in love with our salve. "Your neem salve has changed my life. No more breakouts." Says J.Smitty from Ontario. We hear... "Phenomenal" Or simply just, "Wow." Personally, I cannot get enough of the smell. Call me weird because not everyone loves the earthy natural scent of neem, and I didn't always. Perhaps it's an acquired sense, but after running out of x-cream for my dry hands (these 20 seconds washes have that tendency…

Masking is a challenge  To be effective, the mask needs to be snuggly placed across the bridge of the nose, flattened against the cheeks and secured under the chin. But all too often, we are witnessing on others, or perhaps ourselves, a mask that is too big or too small.  Masks that are so tight we feel the suffocation, so loose we hear the wind tunnelling, so misshaped it cannot even find the chin. But the worst is the mask that pops the nose.  In this scenario, the mask has dropped completely off the nose, still hiding the mouth but exposing the nostrils. This…

Back in the peak of the Black Death (1348-1350) when everyone was dying left right and centre, a quartet of thieves were captured and threatened with being burned alive for their crimes against the plaque victims. Let’s ask the thieves how they stayed safe. “Why,” implored the judge, “can you go about committing such horrific theft crimes against the ill and the dead and yet remain immune to this horrible plague? Tell me your secret and be spared the fire of death.”  The story goes that the four thieves, who were previously spice and perfume merchants, had lost their jobs due to the…

Dear Cosmetic World,  It’s all about the toner. We mostly love you, but true to form, you confuse us once again. What is the difference between a toner and an astringent and should we care? I think yes, but let’s read on.  A toner is water based. An astringent is alcohol based. At least it should be. Or used to be. There is the danger of drying out the skin with too much alcohol so astringents are mainly recommended for the oilier skin types. But caution is advised. When people cleaned with regular bar soaps and heavy cold cream, residues on the skin were a huge issue. Cold…

The two young teens closed their menus having settled on their breakfast options.   “What can I get for you this morning?” the waitress asked, pen poised. Felix looked up and grinned. “Well, I’m going to have the 3-egg option, sunny, brown toast and jam, orange juice and coffee, please.  And I think my buddy is going for the Red Dye #40. “ Both the waitress and Oscar appeared confused. Oscar shrugged and said, “Um, I ate already so I’ll just have the Kellogg’s corn flakes, but with the strawberry flavoured milk. And throw in the Yoplait yogurt on the side, please…

Some TV ads are so irritating you just have to grab the remote and FF, skip, silence, or smash.  ‘Anti-Aging’ cream ads fall into that category for me and once viewed I do not wish to see it again. I do not believe most of what I hear and I feel sorry for those who spend money on false assurances, sometimes at a risk to our health. We buy. We try. What about our crushed morale, when success was not around the corner. Lift the crow’s feetTighten the layersShrink the bagsLighten the dark circles Promises. Promises. Promises to achieve the truly perfect solution to aging? A constant…

Alarm awake another dayPut the body wash in playFocus, stretch to morning cleanseSquish the pump. Squirt away  Bubble lather aims to cleanGentle soothing grapefruit sheenPromising a glow skin shineIs danger lurking? Quite unseen? Ready now to face the day!Although quite polluted.Sad to say Our skin often feels it could use a little help. This typical morning cleansing ritual described above would not occur if you truly knew what you were doing. Body washes are in. They smell great. Affordable. Functional. What more should one ask for? How about asking for a cleanser that does not contain…