Benefits of Raw Honey: Whether it is in the blender or slathered right on the skin, raw honey makes one sweet choice for overall health and natural beauty. Raw honey contains 27 minerals, 22 amino acids and 5,000 live enzymes which aids in fighting disease and boosting the digestive system. When we have a healthy gut, we have beautiful skin! Studies have shown daily consumption of honey raises the levels of protective antioxidants which help to keep the damaging free radicals in check. Yes, it does raise blood sugar levels slightly, but it’s a much better option than sugar which is devoid of any vitamins and minerals. Toss on a little honey mask while you sip your smoothie to exfoliate, unclog pores and clarify your skin for a gorgeous glow.

Sweet Honey Smoothie Directions:
Fill blender with…

• 8 oz unsweetened vanilla hemp milk
• 1-2 handfuls organic romaine lettuce
• 1 tbs raw honey (local if you can!)
• ½  frozen banana
• 1 tsp cashew butter
• 1 tsp bee pollen
• 1 tsp raw cacao powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Blend ingredients until smooth and enjoy your organic Sweet Honey Smoothie.

Organic Beauty Talk: Why did you decide to start going organic?
Megan Porschen: In 2009, at the time of my natural, organic transition my body was suffering from severe allergies and asthma from living in the pollution ridden city of LA. I knew my lifestyle needed a major health change. I became aware of the dangers of using unregulated cosmetics when I discovered a few books on green beauty and stumbled upon the campaign for safe cosmetics. My mother has also inspired me greatly because of her passion for handmade organic soaps and homeopathic remedies.

OBT: How has going organic and non-toxic changed your hair, skin, and/or overall health?
MP: I feel better internally, externally, and consciously. My body has never been healthier. I also cleaned up my diet and started to work out regularly which also contributed to my holistic lifestyle.

OBT: What have you learned most through this process?
MP: That there are many products and companies out there that are amazing and dedicated to human health and sustainability.

OBT: What are some of your favorite organic, natural, toxic-free products?
MP: For makeup I love RMS Beauty, Vapour Organic Beauty, Ilia beauty, Jane Iredale, Cargo Plant Love, Christopher Drummond Beauty and Glam Natural. And for skin care I love Jurlique, Derma e, Tata Harper, Beauty Counter and
Pangea Organics.

OBT: How has Organic Beauty Talk helped you in your journey?
MP: I constantly find the information posted up to date, exciting, and sophisticated. I’ve also found out about other people in the green beauty community, which makes me happy because there is change
happening.

OBT: Anything else you’d like to add?
MP: I love that I’m part of a green movement that strives for the very best in values, company’s products, and humanity. I also have a few friends who are bio chemists who make cosmetics, so if I ever have a question about an ingredient I can always call them up and get all the details.

Thanks Megan! You and your work are absolutely beautiful! xx

If you want try 100% Pure’s Pink Grapefuit Lip & Cheek Tint and Black Tea Fruit Pigmented Mascara ($33 value), simply leave a comment below and make sure you like our Facebook page. One lucky winner will be chosen on Monday, May 20, 2013 at 12pm CST and announced the same day. US residents only.

Don’t forget you can also check us out on Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and now Instagram. Be beautiful!

100% Pure Pink Grapefruit Lip & Cheek Tint Ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Honey Beeswax, Grapeseed Oil, Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), Pigments of Cranberry, Pomegranate, Blackberry, Raspberry, Cabernet Grape, Plum, Strawberry, Cherry, Peach, Apricot, Blueberry, Cocoa Bean, Carrot and Tomato, Strawberry Extract.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara Ingredients: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Organic Green Tea), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Cera Alba (Honey Beeswax), Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract (Blackberry Extract), Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract (Blackcurrant Extract), Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract (Raspberry Extract), Hydrolyzed Oat Protein (Oat Protein), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein (Wheat Protein), Pantothenic Acid (Pro-vitamin B5), Fucus Vesiculosus Extract (Seaweed Powder), Coconut Stearic Acid (Coconut Acid), Mica, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter (Cocoa Butter), Pearl Powder, Oryza Sativa Germ Powder (Rice Powder), Theobroma Cacao Extract (Cocoa Powder), Coffea Arabica Seed Extract (Powdered Coffee Beans), Mel (Lavender Honey), Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract (Oregano Extract), Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract (Thyme Extract), Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract (Rosemary Extract), Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (Lavender Extract), Hydrastis Canadensis Extract (Goldenseal Extract).

Benefits of Goldenberries: Confession time…I used to be addicted to Sour Patch Kids. Yes, it was a problem! Most of us know sugar is far from a beauty food and we should avoid it as much as possible. When I discovered goldenberries, also known as gooseberries or Incan berries, I couldn’t believe how much they reminded me of those sweet and sour treats I loved! Even better, these dehydrated little gems have a super dose of antioxidants and are a good source of vitamins A and C. These chewy treats are believed to improve organ function and help maintain a healthy weight. The abundance of Complex B vitamins are great to reduce stress, improve memory and even relieve PMS. A handful of this superfood to your morning smoothie will have you feeling beautiful in addition to looking gorgeous!

Goldenberry Smoothie Directions:
Fill blender with…

• 8 oz coconut water
• 2 tbs goldenberries
• 2 handfuls organic spinach
• ½ cup frozen mango
• ½ avocado
• 1 tsp chia seeds

Blend ingredients until smooth and enjoy your organic Goldenberry Smoothie.

If you want to try African Botanics Pure Marula Oil ($85 value, your choice of Pure Marula Oil or Neroli Infused Marula Oil), simply leave a comment below with why you want to try marula oil and like our Facebook page. One lucky winner will be chosen on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 12pm CST and announced the same day. US residents only.

Don’t forget you can also check us out on Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and now Instagram. Be beautiful!

African Botanics Marula Oil Ingredients: Sclerocarya birrea (Marula Essential Oil).

Read my review on African Botanics Marula Oil.

• 100% Pure - Natural hair conditioners with certified organic ingredients to restore dry/damaged hair, for healthy/glossy locks, to revitalize bounce and body, and to promote a healthy scalp ($18 for 8 fl oz).
• Acure Organics - Natural hair conditioners with mostly organic ingredients to nourish, moisturize and volumize hair ($10.99 for 12 oz).
• EO Products - Natural hair conditioners with organic ingredients for normal, dry/damaged, fine, heat-styled and color treated hair ($8.99 for 8.4 oz).
• Intelligent Nutrients – Natural hair conditioners with certified organic ingredients for dry/damaged/color-treated hair and all hair hair types ($22-$30 for 15 oz).
• John Masters Organics - Natural hair conditioner with organic ingredients for dry, normal, damaged, color-treated, and all hair types. Also has an Herbal Cider Hair Clarifier & Color Sealer Shampoo ($14.50-$26 for 6-8oz).
• Living Nature - Natural hair conditioners with certified organic ingredients for normal to oily and dry/damaged hair ($25 for 6.76 oz).
• Max Green Alchemy - Natural hair conditioner with organic and wild crafted ingredients for healthy scalps and shiny hair ($14.99 for 8.8 oz).
• Miessence - Natural hair conditioners with mostly certified organic ingredients for normal to dry, normal to oily and oily problem scalps ($24.40 for 8.5 oz).
• Neals Yard Organic - Natural hair conditioners with mostly organic ingredients for normal, dry/damaged, fine and all hair types ($18 for 6.76 oz).
• Sebon Organics – Natural hair conditioners with organic incredients for coarse/colored/dry/damaged and fine/colored hair ($15.95 for 8 oz).
• Shea Moisture - Natural hair conditioners for ethnic hair, although also work on non-ethnic hair too. For dry/damaged, thick/curly, dry/itchy scalp and fine/thinning hair ($9.99 for 12 oz).
• Yarok - Natural volumizing hair conditioner made mostly with organic ingredients ($27 for 8.5 oz).

I’ve also found Alba Botanica, Aubrey Organics, Avalon Organics, Desert Essence, Giovanni, Jason and Nature’s Gate to be some great natural hair conditioners on a budget (under $7 for 8-32 oz) throughout the years on Vitacost.

Anything missing from this list? Leave a comment with your favorite natural or organic hair conditioner and why it has you talking.

Looking for Shampoos? Read our list of the best natural and organic hair shampoos.

Benefits of Cashew Butter:  The “f” word can be a little scary to embrace, but this is a healthy FAT that we should all love in moderation! Cashew butter is naturally sweet and contains a nice balance of essential fatty acids, protein, iron, copper and magnesium- wonderful for bone, muscle and joint health. Healthy nut butters are a great way to keep you feeling fuller, satisfied and energized… and cashew butter is delicious in smoothies. When you get bored with almond or peanut butter, cashew brings a creamy, melts-in-your-mouth alternative with beautiful nutrients.

Cashew Cream Smoothie Directions:
Fill blender with…

• 8 oz unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tbs cashew nut butter
• ½ tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 frozen banana
• 2 medjool dates (pitted)
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp local raw honey
• handful of organic spinach if you’re feeling green (optional)

Blend ingredients until smooth and enjoy your organic Cashew Cream Smoothie.

I’m loving this pretty natural makeup look that Britanie put together for Organic Beauty Talk. It’s simple enough for any woman to do, great for any age and extremely versatile on a number of different skin tones. Personally, I like to look like I spent a long time on my makeup, without actually doing so. I like beauty looks that I can make happen in 10 minutes or less, and even better, if I can get everything done in 5 minutes or less with minimum upkeep throughout the day. I want makeup that looks polished, sophisticated and won’t weigh my skin down. Well here’s Britanie, so she can tell you how she created this beautiful easy makeup look that I can definitely see myself wearing all spring and summer long…

I am a big fan of smokey eye looks but sometimes (especially in the warmer months) but lets face it, we don’t always have the time to spend going through all of the extra steps to get that  dramatic look for the day. This look is super easy and perfect for warmer days and days where you are in a hurry but still want to add some drama.

I have been using a lot of RMS Beauty products lately because they are so easy to blend and all work beautifully together. For my eyes I started out using a pure matte white cream shadow on the inner corners of my eyes to brighten up my face and then added a brown/purplish cream shadow to the inner and outer lids as a base for the loose shadows. I added a dark chocolate matte brown loose eyeshadow on my entire lid. For the crease of my eyes I added a darker brown to add more depth, I then added a tad bit of a matte vanilla color to my brow bone to blend out all of the colors. I also applied a brown eyebrow pencil on my brows and also used it is an eyeliner and added two coats of mascara. For the lips, I went with a light pink shade which helped to further brighten up my face and also bring out my blush color a little more.

To get this natural makeup look, I used:

RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up in 11

RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Smile

RMS Beauty Cream Shadow in Magnetic

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom

The All Natural Face Vegan Eye Diva Stix in Milk

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin FakeOut Mascara in Black

Benecos Eyebrow Designer Pencil in Brown

Purely You Minerals Loose Eyeshadows in Dark Chocolate, Bare and Vanilla Latte

Beautiful Britanie! Learn more about Britanie and read her natural beauty story.