Current Top 5 Favorite Natural Moisturizers

I am obsessed with moisturizing; I can't tolerate the feeling of dry hands and lips. As a nurse, I wash my hands an innumerable amount of times in a day. I usually use whatever terrible and useless cream is lying around our unit, but at home I am sure to compensate. Our family has always tried to use simpler products, which not only are more effective, but a lot cheaper. Most of the products can be find at your local Indian or African store for a few bucks. 

1. Unrefined Shea Butter:

This is a long-time family favorite. I can honestly say it is the most moisturizing product out there for me. My skin does not respond to coconut oil or cacao butter in the same way. Yes, it is sticky and tacky. Yes, it is thick. But, you will not have dry skin for like 2 days. It is too heavy for my face, but we use this as a body butter and nothing can compete. Also, from experience, there is nothing that heals and fades scars faster. 

Since we use 100% unrefined solid Shea butter, other creams that only have a few percent of it do not impress me greatly. As an exception, I do really enjoy L'Occitane En Provence hand creams, especially as they smell lovely and are perfectly sized for traveling. I am also pretty easily sold by packaging and these are sold in tubes that remind me of oil paint. I am a painter so that probably is not cute to anyone else, but I love the industrial-chic combination. Most of their hand creams are 20% Shea or greater. I like this Provence-based brand in general, although I recognize that they are unreasonably expensive. 

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another long-time favorite in our house. It melts a lot faster and is thinner. It moisturizes well, but not as well as Shea. We also use this as a body moisturizer, but what is great about coconut oil is the versatility. You can use it as a very effective makeup remover, you can use it on your face, you can use it as an amazing pre-shampoo conditioner, etc. In the winter, if your scalp and hair need a little hydration, massage coconut oil into your scalp and hair (and especially the ends) and put it in a bun. I would not recommend leaving it in all night--for some reason, my hair does not respond well to that, but a half hour every week makes a big difference. Do it on the day you have extra time to rinse it out.

I think pretty much everyone is on coconut oil, but if you somehow missed the boat, do try!

3. Macadamia Cream

I buy this when I go to Guatemala from an herb garden co-operative run by women and benefiting women and children. They make their products by hand using the herbs that they grow. These lovely ladies have a wide range of products, such as rose and aloe facial cream, rosemary/aloe shampoos, (LOVE this) countless teas, natural soaps and so much more. They utilize all of their herbs for natural treatment and support, externally and internally. These ladies are so knowledgeable about their products and about natural medicine. The medicinal uses are listed on all of their labels along with the ingredient list, which is usually less than 3 ingredients. I usually buy the rose cream for my face, but I decided to try the macadamia cream on my last visit, and it really suits my skin. The texture is light but moisturizing. It almost works as a primer under my makeup and it smells nice. I use this cream more for when I travel.

Macadamia cream has a high amount of fatty acids and acids that keep skin taut. I would think this cream is thin enough to be an option for mixing in essential oils. 

4. Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter smells amazing. This is the only brand I buy and it is also from Guatemala. It is sold at a chocolate-making museum/store. I buy/regularly use their cocoa butter chapstick too.

The texture at room temperature is the most hard from this list. If the room is cooler, you really have to sharply dig in to get the product. I find that it takes a bit to melt too. It is the most similar to Shea but not as rich. It is much less sticky and tacky. I use this mostly for my hands, arms, and sometimes my face. Again, I take this more when I travel due to the size. What I love about cacao butter is how it smells in combination with a rose-based perfume. The scent also reminds me of Guatemala and traveling, so I'm a bit biased.

5. The Ordinary 100% Plant-derived Squalane

This is the newest one on the list for me. I have been trying to get into a solid night-time skincare routine (cannot stick to anything). I am still trying out different products, but this one I still like. This feels like an oil, but it is an emollient. I use this after my toner and serum as a final moisturizer, mostly just at night. My skin looks a lot more hydrated in the morning. It comes with a dropper and I only need to use 2-3 drops.

Squalane absorbs slowly and acts like a seal on the skin, keeping the hydration in. It also helps with skin cell repair.

My kitten, Lumos, naturally thought this set-up was for her

What's your infallible moisturizer?

-Anila

India: the lines in your hands

I don't know how to read palms, but I'm learning to read hands. I'm learning to study the wrinkles of skin, the colors on a finger, the hands that are so worn that it's a wonder a fingerprint still exists underneath. I'm learning to study hands but not in a medical way. In a way that tells stories; stories about time, stories about life, stories about love. There are so many stories that hands could tell about a person's life: the first time they held their mother's hand, the first time they broke a fall, the time they took a test, the time they picked up a first paycheck. The time they consoled a friend, the times they clapped with happiness, the time they were sweaty from being around a crush, the time they brought a love closer. The time they cooked a meal for a spouse, the first time they held a baby, the time they held your grandmother's arm while she walked, the time they wiped away tears. And the time and time after that. All of the times they turned towards God, open-faced and vulnerable. Hands are the most tangible interface to life, they become our livelihood, the way we connect with people and how we manifest emotion. How can they not be beautiful?  

During my brief visit, I asked some people if I could photograph their hands to which I was almost always met with a puzzled look. But I got to hear some beautiful stories about lives in India that I would have otherwise never had a chance to encounter. Older women told me stories about how they married, how they built lives with their husbands and how much they struggled to raise their children, and some that are still struggling. Many of them spoke with a lightness of heart that I found endearingly captivating, never letting any one thing bother them for too long. They told me about how much India had changed, but they also spoke about how much harder young people make life for themselves. These women had an awareness of the cultural change that has been occurring over the last several decades that you can't read from any history book. They told me that while they had different hardships than people do now, they also had a simpler life, a simpler happiness. Many of them held my hands when we spoke, an universal act of love and respect. Younger girls were often shy as magnolias, but left me with at least a smile and if I was lucky, a hug. A young boy told me about his daily ride to school, who he is friends with, and how sometimes his teacher beats him for not doing homework, how he'd like to go see America.

There is much to be said about what some of these stories say about the fabric of India: the poverty that still exists, the scarcity of resources, the vast need for change in political infrastructure. But, there are many articles and authors more qualified to discuss those issues. If ever you find yourself in India, and I really hope that you do, I hope you'll meet some people to tell you stories about their lives. Beyond the endless beauty of the physical spaces in India, there is the infinite beauty of the people. Starting with the lines in their hands. 

Be easy, loves

- S 

mosaic

We met up in Philadelphia recently and decided to check out Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. It is a mosaic art environment in the South Street neighborhood by an artist named Isaiah Zagar. He includes glass bottles, mirrors, and many other colorful and unique objects in his work. It took fourteen years to complete.

Shrug: Zara

Long jean jacket: vintage (gift from cousin, taaanks)

Sandals: Lennon by Report (in nude)

Here are some more recent looks. I am obsessed with these sandals by Report. Can you tell?

Sweater: Forever 21

Loose pants: H&M

Chiffon kimono cardigan: Forever 21

(Philadelphia, outside an adorable coffee shop, "Chapterhouse". It has GAMES! Do you know how much we enjoy playing cards and drinking anything with espresso in it? Much more than most children.)

Faux fur: BB Dakota via 6pm.com (This stands out, wear at your own risk, it was complimented uncomfortably frequently)

Boots: Paris Hilton's Grey Martina

Oversize blouse: Express (old)

We are being incredible slackers/are unhealthily busy. A huge food post is to come soon, along with a shamefully neglected Acacia Label review of a beautiful dress from Spring. Yes, Spring. I shall return.

-A

isla del encanto part II

One of the gladdest moments of human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy.
Richard Burton

What I love most about this country, are the people. I love that the children initiate smiling and waving at you and when you greet them first, they return the pleasantries without a hint of mistrust (even the 12 year old boys!) I love that the women walking with their men would pass you by with a smile, without protectiveness (even if one accidentally were to glance upon her companion). I love that the men are not afraid to sit with their legs crossed or show vulnerability. I love that they may just tango in a tea cafe, and that they will tango with their eyes closed and with succinct talent, exactly in step, despite how distant the sound of the music may be. I love that a person will leave their job to walk you to a place that you asked directions for. I love that young men may just come up to you and start a conversation without a comprehensible ulterior motive, and then pleasantly walk away, without even asking for your name. I love that you can just share the snack you are eating with the Puerto Rican lady behind you, and she will accept it, wordlessly. I love that when you speak an inarticulate Spanish, the people respond as if you were fluent. I love that cafe owners will close their shop and still not kick you out. 

In summary, regresaremos.

M.A.

M.A.

M.A. (what a beautiful child)

M.A.

M.A.

T.W.

M.A.

M.A.

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.
Lin Yutang