Tata Harper's Organic Skin Care With No Fillers

Photo: Tata Harper

As founder Tata Harper says, "potentially toxic chemicals" ... "have no place in the products we use on our skin every day." So if you are searching for skin care that works, yet is free of synthetic ingredients, look no further than her brand. 

But know going in that her luxe elixirs are pricey! You are paying for one-of-a-kind formulas  -- with no fillers or generic bases. Harper's comprehensive line, which includes makeup and treatments, are created from scratch by her -- with skin care chemists -- to provide targeted results, namely preventing and/or smoothing wrinkles. She claims that each bottle of product is a multi-tasker. One bottle of serum is concentrated with between 9 and 29 active ingredients; whereas, competitors have far fewer active ingredients. Therefore, customers can buy one of her products to do several jobs (like brighten, tighten and rebuild collagen) resulting in younger looking skin. That's good because you might only be able to afford one bottle of product!😄

Tata Harper's serums and lotions are made with certified organic ingredients that come from the company's sustainable 12,000 acre farm in the Champagne Valley of Vermont. Each year the farm grows the herbs, flowers and fruit used in Harper's beauty formulas. All the phases of production -- from research and development ... to packing and shipping -- occur at the farm.

Indeed, the line is expensive, which isn't surprising for products that aren't mass produced. For many of us, a purchase is a splurge, but you know what you're getting ... high doses of the finest, organic ingredients with no fillers.

The best deal is probably the Rejuvenating Serum for Home & Travel set. To get the best price, check both Amazon and Harper's website periodically for special offers.

Also check the links below for budget friendly organic skin care. THE SAVVY SHOPPER strives to give you knowledge and options. Enter "serum" in the blog's search box for previous posts highlighting other great products at different price points. Fortunately, effective products are easy to find with a bit of reseach.

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The Ordinary Skincare Is Extraordinary

In looking for photos, I stumbled upon the BeautyFrenyBlog, so you can also read what another blogger has to say about the line.

As THE SAVVY SHOPPER, I'm always in search of the best skincare (that works according to science) for less. The more choices, the better for consumers. 

In my ongoing research, I've hit upon another excellent skincare line, called The Ordinary, a brand from parent company Deciem. Their beauty team specializes in chemistry and biochemistry to make effective skin products, with a focus on the latest innovations and keeping prices affordable. 

Moreover, the skincare is free of the usual undesirable suspects, such as "parabens, sulfates, mineral oil,  methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, benzalkonium chloride, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury, oxybenzone." 

The line is sold in Europe, Canada, and on Amazon, as well as, various online retailers like ASOS.  There are several Deciem brick-and-mortar stores here in Manhattan including: (1) 611 Madison Avenue; (2) 194 Columbus Avenue; and (3) 26 Prince Street. No animal testing is involved in developing the products.

Here's a cheat sheet of best serums compiled by YouTube's Cassandra Bankson linked here. (Updated Jan. 12, 2023) 

By taking the time to read about the treatments via the Ordinary website, you can figure out what your skin needs and build your custom skincare routine. But instead of paying $40+ for designer brands, you pay $10-$20 or less and receive six times the amount. Is that not savvy shopping?

Here are two products from The Ordinary I recommend starting with: 

1) Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane - Fights multiple signs of aging with quicker cell turnover without irritating the skin.

2) Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - Hyaluronic acid attracts up to 1,000 times its weight in water and helps the skin retain moisture. Vitamine B5 supports the formula.

Add other skin care essentials as needed, including direct acids, antioxidants, and sunscreen. The offerings include a face foundation in 12 shades with sunscreen as an ingredient.

Customers and their wallets💸 love💘 The Ordinary beauty! So popular, distributors have difficulty keeping the brand in stock.


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Pixi Glow Tonic Has A Cult Following

You are looking at Pixi Glow Tonic, an exfoliating toner. Once only available in the United Kingdom, it recently arrived in the U.S. by way of Amazon and Target stores.

In the UK, it has a cult following. The tonic contains aloe vera, ginseng, witch hazel and glycolic acid, ingredients we could call the fantastic four, because they hydrate, tone, firm, and smooth the skin, giving it a lovely glow.

Without alcohol, the toner gently removes dead skin cells for healthy looking skin. It's the fresh, healthy skin that produces the glow.

Now that Target stocks Pixi Glow Tonic, the price in the U.S. has been cut in half. It sells for $15, making it a budget friendly toner that packs a powerful punch!

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Going Organic: Face, Body And Hair Essentials

Although I buy makeup and personal care items from the corner drugstore, I also love organic products.  All things being equal, I prefer organic cosmetics, as well as, skin and hair care items.  But like everything else in life, I compare the benefits with costs and convenience.  No matter how outstanding a product is, if it's crazy expensive, who can afford to use it everyday?

The Industrial Revolution has been both a blessing and a curse.  It's made products cheap and available for the masses, but it has also brought us new worries like stripping products of their natural benefits and the safety of using certain chemicals to manufacture and preserve them.  So whether it's as an individual or a society, there's not one simple answer for choosing products:  In every instance, benefits verses costs, convenience and availability.

In the 21st century the masses are living relatively well, at least in industrial societies.  Nowadays we do more than just subsist.  We are exceptionally good at producing plenty of affordable products.  We now have the luxury of asking:  Can we make smarter products?  Can our products be better and healthier and good for our planet?  Are you like me (still shopping at drugstores) but leaning towards organic?  As our demand for organic products increase, their costs should come down.  Only products certified as organic can claim the label.  I use "certified organic" products and read "natural"  product ingredients carefully since there are no regulations to use the term.

Here are my picks of earth-friendly personal care products to try:

Jurlique Skin Care – A company founded by two scientists, the skin care is blended from herbs and botanicals harvested from a 153 acre farm in unpolluted South Australia.  The company has serums and moisturizers to treat dryness, oiliness, sensitivity and aging.  Costs: $17-$75.

Karma Organic Nail Care – It's organic, 100% biodegradable, non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.  And it supports Farm Crops.  The polish is long lasting, and the polish remover comes in lavender, tea tree, or unscented with vitamin E.  Costs: $10-$12.

Korres High-Drama Antioxidant Color Collection – A 7 piece makeup collection featuring eye shadows, eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss, all formulated with good-for-you ingredients like cherry oil, evening primrose oil, vitamin E and more.  Jewel-tone colors with rich pigments.  Costs: $29.50.

Aveda Hair Care – Shop by hair type and solutions, from straight to curly to damaged to controlling dandruff.  The Sampure shampoo cleans and fortifies any hair type.  It is a calming mix of 25 plants and flowers and is infused with a smoothing botanical aroma of your choice.  Costs: $10.50 for 8.5 Fluid ounce.

Ecotools By Alicia Silverstone – Cute cosmetic bags and quality brushes made with 100% eco-friendly materials and practical details.  Great for traveling and storing your makeup.  Costs: $7.99-$14.99.

Dr. Teal's Therapeutic Solutions Epsom Salt – Epsom salt is used to rid the body of toxins, relax tense muscles and revitalize the skin.  Lavender induces a good night's sleep so you wake up looking fresh and beautiful.  Costs: $5-$6 for 3 pounds.

The Body Shop's Hemp Body Butter – Dermatologically tested for very dry skin.  It moisturizes for 24 hours and contains Community Trade hemp seed oil.  The Body Shop looks for natural ingredients from around the globe for their assortment of face, hair and body products.  They have always been environmentally responsible and against animal testing.  Costs: $16 for 8 ounces (without a deal).

If demand increases, going organic will be good for you, the environment and your wallet.  Look closely: Organics are starting to appear in the aisles of the corner drugstore.


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Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

At the end of summer and during the dry winter months, skin takes a beating from the sun, wind and cold. It needs some tender loving care. Beauty editors are raving about Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, comparing it to 2 expensive luxe cousins, La Prairie Skin Cavier Luxe Sleep Mask and Valmont Moisturizing with a Mask. Yet Laneige costs much less ... $25 vs $350.

Laniege Water Sleeping Mask is good for all skin types, from oily to dry and sensitive. A gel, it has patented  (what it calls) "Sleep-Tox™" ingredients such as antioxidant-rich Hunza Apricot and Evening Primrose, plus "Moisture Wrap™" technology -- which are 6 moisture rich minerals formulated to calm, hydrate and rejuvenate the skin overnight.

Apply it as a last step over your face serums before bed. 

Customers and beauty editors alike give this skin care gel top marks for its moisturizing and rejuvenating properties. Not only does it add moisture back to the skin, it softens lines because dry skin looks old. A hydrated face looks and feels its best, appearing supple and younger.

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The Skinfood Beauty Line

Gold Caviar for anti-aging

Skinfood is a skin care, hair care and cosmetic line that uses the highest quality food, such as black sugar, royal honey, egg white, avocado, peach sake, yuja and gold caviar to create its products.

The company buys food from organic farms around the globe, which utilizes eco-friendly and sustainable growing methods, then formulates powerful food-based skin care, hair care and makeup.

Address specific skin concerns like acne, dryness, redness or anti-aging with a variety of special face serums and creams; or add an Argon Oil Serum to repair and condition your hair. The focus is "on long-term beauty, not short lived results." 

The cost of items start at $5 and go up. With promotions, prices are reasonable for clean, top-notch ingredients. It's another winning brand to get to know. Makes terrific gifts; and choice is a Savvy Shopper's best friend!

Currently beauty editors are excited about Skinfood's limited edition Snoopy Collection, a collaboration with K-Beauty.

The Snoopy Collection

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Best Oils For Skin, Hair And Nails

Photo: Seebiz.net

At one time I used baby oil after showering to protect my skin from dryness. Right after bathing is the best time to seal in moisture. What's more, one of the changes I made over the last year was to replace baby oil with nature's organic oils. 

But nature's organic oils are more costly per ounce, and if you shower every day as lots of us do, the expense can really add up! Plus in comparing the various types of organic oils, some are 2-5 times more expensive then others. Are they worth it? And, is one type better for your skin and another for your hair? 

I do think switching to an organic oil is worth the extra money for a product you slather on your skin everyday, but you don't have to use the most expensive, or the rarer, harder-to-produce ones to benefit.

A dub of the more common types of organic oil does the trick of moisturizing your skin, hair and nails. In general, I use a richer coconut oil in winter and argon oil or olive oil in the summer. But I don't sweat the difference too much and stick to lower price choices from reputable manufactures, since we need a lot of product over a year's time. 

Here are 10 fabulous organic oils to consider:

Argon Oil - Comes from the fruit of Moroccan argon trees. It has high levels of vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Reportedly, it reduces

inflammation also (which keeps skin looking young). Great for skin, hair and nails.

Coconut Oil - Has Vitamin E, protein and lots of fatty acids. One of the heavier oils, making it perfect for winter's brutal cold. Good for skin, hair and nails.

Grapeseed oil - High in antioxidants, vitamin E, and omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to moisturize, tighten and tone the skin. Not as rare (and thus lower in cost) than some of the others, but just as powerful for beautiful skin.

Jojoba Oil - Contains vitamins B and E, as well as, minerals like zinc and copper. It absorbs easily into the skin. Yes, I love it, but it's one of the more expensive natural oils, so I don't buy it as often as I'd like. Great for skin or hair especially if you have oily skin or scalp.

Marula Oil - is known as Africa's beauty secret. Naturally soothing and healing, it is light and absorbs well into the skin. Rich in vitamins C (4 times the potency than in an orange), vitamin E, omega 3, omega 6 and linoletic acid. Protects the skin against free radical damage and promotes the production of collagen and elastin. Boosts skin firmness and density. Great for skin, hair or nails.

Olive Oil - An affordable all around fantastic moisturizing oil for skin, hair and nails. Has vitamin E, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and seems to be a barrier from the sun's harmful ultra-violet rays. As a teenager, I borrowed the extra virgin olive oil from my mother's kitchen to use as an after-bath-skin-oil, a practice that didn't last long. She didn't approve and hid the bottle from me. So you see, Mom, I was ahead of my time!

Rose Hip Seed Oil - Has Vitamins A and C, omega fatty acids and linoletic acid. Excellent for uneven skin tone, acne and aging skin. For the skin, it speeds up cell turnover and the production of collagen. One of the more expensive oils, but if you need it, pay the piper.

Sweet Almond Oil - Almond oil comes in 2 varieties: sweet and bitter. While bitter, has a few benefits, it's the oil from sweet edible almonds that are the most popular. Sweet almond oil is rich in vitamin A, B, E. It soothes and treats dryness and inflammation. Almond oil removes impurities and dead skin cells. Improves circulation and helps firm dull, aging skin. Almond oil adds lustre to hair and moisturizes nails also.

Add drops of the next two oils to coconut oil, rosehip seed oil, or olive oil (in lieu of using them alone) to promote healthy skin and hair growth:

Clary Sage Oil - Reduces inflammation of the skin; controls oily skin and acne; stimulates hair growth and gets rid of dandruff.

Geranium Oil - Improves circulation and reduces inflammation, which slows down aging and promotes a healthy scalp and younger looking skin; speeds up the healing of wounds.

You can click the links below for previous posts pointing you to retailers (I personally use) who offer affordable prices for top-notch pure organic oils. I order from Puritan's Pride and use Sonoma Naturals.

Here's a super DIY recipe for an all purpose moisturizing cream from Popsugar Beauty. I need to buy glycerin to make it!

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The Skinny On Face Serum ... And Skin Care

This beautiful woman has no wrinkles, freckles ... or pores due to air brushing.

If you are lucky and blessed, you get old.  All of us are heading that way, so why not accept it?  You will never be 21 again, not in Hollywood, nor on Main Street. 

But, you can have healthy skin at every age.  With so many products flooding the market, which one do you really need?  According to leading dermatologists, the answer is face serum.  Face cleansers and moisturizers don't matter as much as the serum.  That's because the serum can penetrate deeper layers of skin.

Skin experts say, a face moisturizer has larger molecules than a serum.  The only purpose of a moisturizer is to hydrate the top layer of the skin.  Unlike moisturizers, face serums have tiny molecules and are formulated to deposit moisture and nutrients to deeper layers of the skin.

There are a variety of face serums to address specific skin needs from (1) blocking the loss of collagen and (2) brightening the skin to (3) rebuilding collagen and (4) treating deep winkles.  After you figure out what the target of your skin regimen is, choosing a serum becomes less confusing.

It is not necessary to use both a face serum and a moisturizer, but many people like the feel of the combination.  Always apply a face serum before a moisturizer.  Remember that only the serum penetrates the deeper layers of skin to slow down, or improve the signs of aging.

According to skin doctors, there are a few rules of thumb:

*You can apply antioxidant serums (prevents the breakdown of collagen) or skin brightening serums in the morning, followed by a moisturizer with sun protection.

* It is not necessary to wait for the face serum to dry completely before you apply a moisturizer.

* Apply anti-wrinkle serums with either retinol (over-the-counter) or retinoids (prescription strength) at night, but not during the day.  Sunlight destroys the vitamin A derivative, which speeds cell turnover.  To work, use a product with at least 0.1% retinol packaged in aluminum [to protect it from sunlight and air].  You may also have to transition, i.e. use a few times a week until your skin builds up a tolerance for it.

*A glycolic acid serum (exfoliates and brightens skin) deactivates serums containing vitamin C, retinoid or hydroquinone [a skin whitener] cream.  Be careful when layering products so you don't cancel the benefits of one with another.

Tip: The most expensive skin products are often not the best.  When comparing brands, if the first three ingredients are the same, the products will work exactly the same.

Recommended face serums that are reasonably priced include:

Use Day or Night --

1. Boots No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum, $22

2. Olay Regenerist Micro-sculpting Serum, $22*

3. Mad Hippie For Your Face Contains Vitamin C + E +Hydaluronic Acid Serum, $28 - Brightens, tightens and smooths skin. Vitamin C serum is also thought to help sunscreen work better.

4. Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Triple Boosting Serum with Concentrated Total Soy Complex, $20-$25

5. Origins Brighter By Nature Skin Tone Correcting Serum, $40

6. Patricia Wexler M.D. MMPi Skin Regenerating Serum, $65
*The whole line of Olay skin care products are highly rated by several dermatologists and product rating lists.

Use Only at Night --

7. RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, $22

8. Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Moisture, Night, $23
9. Olay Professional PROx Deep Wrinkle Treatment, $42 [Replaces the cheaper Olay Total Effects Intensive Restoration Treatment, $21]

10. Patricia Wexler M.D. Intensive Deep Wrinkle Treatment, $60

And a few final thoughts:

When you look closely at mature celebrities whose faces have been treated by the best plastic surgeons and potions money can buy, they may not have wrinkles, but they don't look young either ... only different.  The celeb may not look like other 60 year olds, but neither does he/she look like a 30 year old.  That's because nothing can truly turn back the hands of time.

Personally, I am as susceptible to clever marketing as the next person.  So two years ago I started using a face serum that claims to hydrate my skin and fight free radicals. I like how it feels, but when comparing my face to areas where I don't apply a serum, like arms, legs, shoulders, belly, etc, I don't see a difference in my skin.  All of my skin looks the same.  I think the best way to preserve your skin from aging is to eat good food and stay out of the sun.  My mother says worries will kill you ... and make you look old.  So if you want to look younger, stop worrying about wrinkles and all the things you can't control and lead a life you enjoy.  A positive, open spirit takes years off your face!

The quote cracks me up! These girls should get out of the sun.

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Juno Antioxidant Superfood Face Oil

Customers are raving about Sunday Riley Juno Antioxidant Superfood Face  Oil on Amazon. With 82% of 5 star reviews, it's hard to ignore! The face oil contains cold pressed berry seed oils, namely: red raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, cranberry, black cumin and wild carrot. When added to moisturizers after washing your face, the face oil seals in the moisture to protect and brighten the skin. Many of its reviewers say using Juno makes their skin glow.

I don't go out of my way to buy face oil, yet have picked up 4 oz bottles of Rose Hip Oil, as well as, Rose Oil at excellent prices from T.J. Maxx, so I understand why customers would add a face oil (really it's a universal skin oil) to their skin care routines. I add my rose mix oil (a link to the 2nd one I have) to creams and lotions to winterize my skin for extra protection during the driest months of the year.

With its powerhouse of anti-oxidants, Juno is another contender. Its berry seed ingredients have the power to brighten the skin producing the glow customers are loving. Hydrated skin would appear to glow, or look its best, also.

The reason I'd give Juno a try is precisely because of its pure and clean berry seed ingredients and stellar customer reviews. Since so many people have used the oil on their faces without breakouts, I'd tend to trust it if I needed an extra face ointment to beat back Old Man Winter. Cold pressed plant ingredients in skin care is a plus!

So we have another brand to know about and perhaps ... just perhaps Juno will find its way to T.J. Maxx to be snatched up by me! So many great items end up there. Often I think T.J. Maxx is a fabulous marketing tool for merchants to get consumers to discover their products! Once you try and like it, you'll pay the full retail price if you must. Without bargain finds, cold pressed essential and berry oils are pricey!

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Beauty Advent Calendars

Many retailers offer Countdown Advent Calendars or 12 Days of Christmas Calendars with gifts of makeup and/or skin care. For a beauty enthusiast, receiving an advent calendar of beauty items, one per day, feels like winning a lottery! Here are the top 2 impressive ones: 

1) Let's begin with the holy grail from Liberty (see top photo↑). Expensive at £169, which is $226.22 for 24 days of gifts. A click on the Liberty link here shows you what a magnificent presentation it is. The makeup and skin care contained in it is top-notch of lesser-known, up-and-coming brands giving a beauty aficionado the chance to discover fantastic new products. Wow, people are selling just the empty box on eBay for $60 bucks!

2) Estee Lauder - Created another festive package. The multi-dimensional star is a big ornament made of sturdy cardboard with 25 hidden compartments of goodies! Estee Lauder is the parent company of several famous cosmetics: Not only the Estee Lauder line, but Clinique, Origins, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Smashbox, Michael Kors and GlamGlow, therefore the holiday star contains 25 wonderful products from all these lines! Cost: $270 per box. 

Good luck getting your hands on the #1- Liberty or #2- Estee Lauder Advent Calendars as they are wildly popular. At this point, I'm seeing them marked up in price on eBay. (Make a mental note to look for next year's Limited Editions in October 2018.) But don't fret ... there are tons of other fetching Advent Calenders with makeup and skin care items that are equally desirable, not as pricey and still available. Here are some to consider:

3) Ole Henrikson 12 Days of OLE Glow Skincare Advent Calendar - From Denmark, an assortment of 12 cleansing and nourishing skin care products, including mini sizes of facial scrub, botanical moisturizers, hydrating gels and anti-aging serums. Sells for $49.

4) Ulta 12 Days Of Beauty - A box of fun, trendy holiday tinted and generously sized blush, crayons, illuminators, glitter eyeliners, matte lip cream and metallic lip gloss. Price: $13.50

5) NYX Professional Makeup Lippie Countdown Advent Calendar - 24 days of NYX's most loved lip colors, including glosses, creams, matte and bright vamps. Usually $65, but $45 at Ulta.

A fun roundup of the Best Advent Calendars of 2017 can be watched here.

Something for every budget. Any of the choices make pleasing gifts! More is not always better, but it's certainly gooood.😉


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