Natural Beauty - Skin Deep

I know it's pretty early in my blogging career  to start a 'series', but I did say that I would devote this to all the things I make so I feel obligated to identify it as slightly different from the original theme.
Well I happen to be really into not putting chemicals in and on my body and I want you to be the same.
This is sort of an introductory post to what I'm planning on doing, so check back in often to see what I am plotting.


Like a lot of people, I never really thought about what was in my beauty products.
Lotion is lotion right? In America there are regulations on that kind of stuff... right?
Wrong.
It all started when I realized that a lot of cosmetic companies test their products on animals, at first I thought I was to make sure that their products wouldn't hurt other animals if they got a hold of it or something; I thought it was done humanly and in a way that would assure the animal was not harmed. Wrong again, a lot of the products tested are done on little rabbits who often become blind from eye cancers caused by shoving chemicals repeatedly into and around their eyes... But that's a discussion for another time.
At first I was heart broken, why would they do this? Then I started to get mad. WHAT in the world are they putting in these products that would require testing? Why are some of these chemicals causing cancer? Aren't there things that come from nature that can do the same thing?
So when I was about ten or twelve I stopped using products tested on animals, I refused to pay companies that would give bunnies cancer.
Thought that was the end of it but alas, wrong.
When I was fourteen I got pretty curious about what all those ingredients I couldn't pronounce really meant and to my horror I found out that just because a company didn't test their products on animals didn't mean that they didn't USE animals in their products, in other words sodium tallowate isn't as harmless as one my think (Hint.: it has tallow in the name). Many people make this mistake because for one, it is really freaking hard to read ALL of the ingredients that are written in tiny print while you are standing in a florescent lit supermarket isle while people are shoving past trying to hurry up and get what they need (all of that is done on purpose, don't let anyone fool you).

Knowing some Greek and Latin can usually help someone figure out if something is plant derived or animal derived (hydrolyzed collagen and hydrolized elastin... you don't need greek and latin to figure that one out) Usually something ending in Acid should be looked into before purchasing (fatty acids can be obtained from animals and plants). But still, it's so hard to research every single ingredient, especially when there are 20+.
That can be very easily solved though, don't use things that have more ingredients than you are willing to look up. Use only homemade products, that way you really know what's in it. Then again, not everyone has the time and resources for that.
Or keep a journal of chemicals and ingredients  that you research; that way you don't have to dig around for the same ingredient and you'll be well informed of what is natural or what is far too refined for use.
I do this by sitting down with a product and listing off all the ingredients that I don't know or am not sure how they work; then I go to the computer and research away. Pro tip, use more than one source when you are looking these thing up, then write it out in your journal when you truly understand how it works. You'll be amazed how many ingredients are just fancy names for natural things and how many are possible carcinogens and irritants.

If you are interested in this topic I highly recommend reading Drop-Dead Gorgeous by Kim Erickson; guys and girls. I learned so much just by lightly scanning it a few times, I can't imagine what it will be like when I finally sit down and read it cover to cover. 

So since I am done with High School....

I thought, "Hey, let's make a compilation of my art work!", since now I have extra time on my hands.

Before I show you my art work I wanted to take a quick moment to reflect on High School and my personal experience.

First off, thank you to my wonderful teachers for guiding me through different subjects and expanding my knowledge. Thank you dear friends for making life interesting and showing me I am not too socially awkward. Least but not least, thank you to my family and boyfriend for supporting me and dealing with all my crazy. 

This may be the most cliche thing to say, but I wish I did more things in High school, I wish I joined more clubs and challenged myself in more difficult classes. I feel obligated to tell all the kids that are coming in from homeschooling into public schooling to just get out there and get involved. At first I thought I couldn't do anything because I was home-schooled, I thought I was behind on everything. WRONG. Most homeschooling curriculum is actually a year or two ahead, I learned that the hard way. If you are uncertain, take placement tests! Don't let anyone push you around and make you feel like you should take lower classes because you weren't raised in their system.

Don't be intimidated that everyone seems to have a ton of friends, just join as many activities as possible, be nice, be respectful, be yourself, and friends will follow. NEVER pick on people, do onto others as you would have them do onto you. Only good karma here. 

If you ever get bullied like I did, just ignore them; I know this is SO hard to do when it is happening to you... But if you just stay kind and happy, people will see that you are a good person and will leave you alone... or you'll attract a group of great friends. If you are STILL picked on... like me. Stand your ground. Don't let people push you around, you can still be nice yet strong; it takes practice, but it will pay off in the future. Never let things like that go too far, I'm not saying to freak-out at everything but if something makes you feel uncomfortable, TELL SOMEONE... preferably an adult you trust.

Work hard! A teacher will be more willing to help you if they see you working hard, don't try to act cool and slack off just to impress the wrong people; school is much more important and useful than whether or not the 'cool kids' think you're cool too.

Always be yourself, always be kind. Don't involve yourself in drama or anything else you don't want to do. You are you, no one can change that.

Okay, I think I'm done with my rant... for now.

Here is some of my artwork, it's not a lot... but I like to take my time on things... you'll see why.
I LOVE details, I find it so hard to start a project because I want to start on details right away.
Most of my work is conceptual... I love to hear what people think about my stuff, I feel as though thoughts are more than half of the piece.
This is not even close to all of my work... just everything I had pictures of at the moment.
I throw a lot of things away if I think they are a waste of space... I don't like to be held down by work that I don't really like... there are a few pieces that I kept that aren't very good at all, I have them as a reminder that a rush job hardly ever makes anything good. (it's pretty apparent what those pieces are).

First lets get 2D out of the way since I am not very good at it. I don't seem to have enough patience to sit down and slowly hack away at a drawing. 

Yes it's suppose to be upside down

Here is my 3D art.... I love working with tactical things, its easier for me to understand.

 And a little bit of sewing! I miss sewing.

I taught myself how to drape with this project

Made from old jeans and scrap fabric/other materials 

Nothing except the thread used to sew it together was new.

All recycled! 

Have a wonderful day~