V&M NATURALS

Behind the scenes on Planet V&M

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Getting Started Kit

*All emu soaps and lotions are exclusively formulated for Venus&Mars by Venus and Mars' licensed formulator.*


GETTING STARTED KIT
costs Php 370



Have you heard about EMU oil?
Emu oil is an oil made from the refined fat of the Emu, a bird native to Australia. It has been used for a thousand of years for the treatment of burns, wounds and bruises. It has also been used as a pain reliever for bone, muscle and joint orders. It is used to soften the skin while making it 2.5 times thicker and stronger, (thus reducing fine lines and wrinkles!) and is frequently found in ointments for dry cracked heels. It is considered to be the "it" ingredient in beauty products, such as natural analgesics, non-surgical facelifts and wrinkle removers because it is the only natural oil that penetrates the skin the fastest.

Emu oil has has been shown in studies to aid in reducing scar formation in healed burn wounds, muscle sprains and arthritis due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to lighten the skin's appearance.


COZ GREAT THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

Make sure you only use products with authentic high-grade ingredients down to the base oils. Do not be fooled by seemingly essential ingredients. A premium item is great up to the last drop of oil. :)


Before even putting on anything on your face or skin, wouldn't it be nice to know that your skin is in itself close to perfect?

Venus&Mars is proud to present to you Getting Started, a kit that includes the three emu soaps in 60g bars and emu lotion (of your choice) in a 30ml bottle. This is perfect for those beauty junkies who want only the best for their skin while getting their money's worth and having the chance to try the products in small packages.

Make sure you indicate the lotion variant in your order form. :)

Getting Started Kit in Organza Pouch (organza pouch, still in the works)

EMU LIP DETOX

*All products are exclusively formulated for Venus&Mars by Venus and Mars' licensed formulator.*


GIVE YOUR LIPS A BREAK! DETOX! YOUNGER-LOOKING LIPS IS JUST A SWIPE AWAY!
SMOOCH LIP BUTTER BALM
Introductory Price: Php 170




Make sure you only use products with authentic high-grade ingredients down to the base oils. Do not be fooled by seemingly essential ingredients. A premium item is great up to the last drop of oil. :)


Break free from chemicals! Give your lips the authentic, lavish pampering it has always wanted. Venus&Mars lipbalm is the perfect treat. Made out of the finest essential oils, lips will surely be younger-looking in no time. There’s nothing more it could ever ask.

Lip balms have been around for years but unfortunately, Dr. Charles Brown Fleet, the inventor of lip balm in 1889, included petroleum in his formulation. Until today, petroleum is still highly being used in the cosmetic industry.

Petroleum-based lip balms actually DO NOT HELP CHAPPED LIPS. They may actually worsen the condition of the lips. Petroleum-based products simply coat the skin, thus inhibiting its ability to breathe, absorb moisture and release harmful toxins. Petroleum-based lip balms provide a QUICK FIX to treat dry lips, however, have you ever noticed that after a while, the lips actually feel a bit painful, that inexplicable seemingly mild tingly feeling? Petroleum-based products only keep your lips feeling moist and you have to constantly reapply to keep it that way. This may actually cause your lips to feel more irritated and even infected when bacteria get trapped between the lip skin and petroleum coating.

A good lip balm must penetrate the skin and not simply coat the skin with that greasy feel. Petroleum makes our lips slick and look sexy; in reality this is very unnatural. ‘Coz at the end of the day we wouldn’t want to see our lips still bare and dry. Well-moisturized lips like that of a doll’s need balms that contain ingredients that are quickly absorbable. Venus and Mars Smooch lip butter balm will surely deeply penetrate the skin cells to hydrate and moisturize the lips. It contains emu oil, avocado butter, avocado oils, coconut oil, sunflower oil, castor oil, jojoba wax, peppermint essential oils, unrefined beeswax and vitamin E oil.

Bliss Of A Nymph

*All products are exclusively formulated for Venus&Mars by Venus and Mars' licensed formulator.*

BLISS OF A NYMPH
Fresh Herbs Dry Oil Mist

100ml bottle costs Php 310



Comparing our fresh dry oil mist to The Body Shop's olive oil mist (which btw costs like gold), it certainly is a no-brainer to choose the latter over Venus&Mars' Bliss Of A Nymph!


Not a fan of lotion but want to get some more moisturizing within the day or just even after you shower?

I love the clean feeling that showers give me that I always end up wishing for them to not end! So what do I do? I can't spend the whole day in the bathroom alone! I have other options, dear friends! Yes, I do! Ahem ahem, Venus&Mars' Bliss of a Nymph makes me prolong that clean feel after every bath. This skin-softening mist disappears fast on the skin while leaving it extra smooth. You'd find yourself asking, "is this really oil?". This may be applied on wet or dry skin (especially on bare legs, believe me! I love using it after shaving my legs with Venus&Mars' Minty Geranium Mud bar. There's just a different feeling with this combination. :) teeehee.). Try spraying on some of this dry oil mist after you shower and feel more refreshed and cool for a longer period of time. It is very very soothing. It may also be used as an alternative to perfumes. It has a very mild and feminine scent, not the weird scent of herbal that we know. :) It kinda smells like one of Calgon's fresh scents. :)

A little spray does go a long way. It could not be any easier than spray on, rub in and go!

Venus&Mars Tip:
Pat off excess mist with a towel. Do not use if you expect a grand sun-exposure. :)

EMU LOTIONS

*All my emu lotions are exclusively formulated for Venus&Mars by Venus and Mars' licensed formulator.*


VENUS&MARS EMU LOTIONS

Filled with 15% more emu oil than US emu lotions! You’ll surely get your money’s worth with these babies.



CLEOPATRA RUB

I super love the moisturizing effect of lotion but I never liked the greasy part of it, (especially since it can get really hot here in the Philippines!). With the special formulation of Venus&Mars' Cleopatra Rub, I now feel like always applying lotion - morning and night! I even have it with me everywhere 'coz it's now stuck in my kikay kit (just in case I need some moisturizing! :)) Cleopatra Rub also gives you some more tender lovin' with its sunscreen blocker. Now you're sure ready to sing Mariah's Byebye to skin cancer, sunburn and skin aging. :)

COMMON INGREDIENTS OF BOTH VARIANTS
Emu oil, goat's milk, hazelnut oil, shea butter, almond oil, beeswax, SPF 15

I've actually chosen the best of the best essential oils that will give the greatest skin experience. Read on to learn more. :)

"Goat's milk has a PH level similar to our skin, which helps protect the skin from invading bacteria and chemicals we come in contact everyday. This is highly recommended to people who has various skin allergies, eczema and dry skin for it rejuvenates and soothes the skin while moisturizing it. Hazelnut oil has a very fine texture and is easily absorbable and penetrates fastly into the skin. It works hand in hand with emu oil thus making your skin really absorb all the ingredients we've put here together. It acts as a superb toner for the skin and aids in the regeneration of the cells while it gently moisturizes the skin. Shea butter nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E and F, prevents premature wrinkles and soothes the skin. To learn MORE about the skin benefits of shea butter, click here. In case of loss of moisture, almond oil is known to help restore it. It serves as a great emolient by lending a soft beuatiful glow to the skin. Almond oil is the best therapy for conditioning the skin, improves the complexion and gives a younger glow. Beeswax is said to be one of nature's most perfect products. It is a hydrating ingredient that increases skin's essential moisture."

Cleopatra Rub filled with Cocoa Butter
I am very mindful about the ingredients that I use on my products because I want them to produce only the best results while meeting not only my high standards, but yours too. Cocoa butter is known to be another ultimate moisturizer. It is also a natural anti-oxidant that clears and smoothes the skin. It is a natural source of vitamin E for dry or chapped skin. It contains no petroleum, chemicals or any harsh preservatives.

I did not include a whitening extract in this particular variant because I would like to recommend this even to pregnant women. To learn more about cocoa butter, read this.

Cleopatra Rub filled with Grape seed, Sunflower Extracts and Calamansi Extracts
Over the last 26 years, it has been shown that grape seed extracts are one of the most powerful antioxidants. Studies have shown that they are 50 times more powerful than vitamin E and 20 times more powerful than vitamin C at preventing free radical formation. Can you just imagine the efficacy of grape seed extracts when combined with calamansi extracts that are known to produce vitamin C? As a very effective anti-oxidant, they help our body resist blood vessel and skin damage, inflammation and other harmful effects of free radicals. However, their function is more than protection. They help repair by improving and stabilizing the skin protein collagen too. Sunflower extracts, on the other hand, provide a protective barrier that resists infection and is actually used on infants!

This variant is recommended to those who want to moisturize and whiten their skin while detoxifying it from harshest chemicals there is.

EMU SOAPS

*All my emu soaps are exclusively formulated for Venus and Mars by Venus&Mars' licensed formulator.*

Have you heard about EMU oil?
Emu oil is an oil made from the refined fat of the Emu, a bird native to Australia. It has been used for a thousand of years for the treatment of burns, wounds and bruises. It has also been used as a pain reliever for bone, muscle and joint orders. It is used to soften the skin while making it 2.5 times thicker and stronger, (thus reducing fine lines and wrinkles!) and is frequently found in ointments for dry cracked heels. It is considered to be the "it" ingredient in beauty products, such as natural analgesics, non-surgical facelifts and wrinkle removers because it is the only natural oil that penetrates the skin the fastest.

Emu oil has has been shown in studies to aid in reducing scar formation in healed burn wounds, muscle sprains and arthritis due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to lighten the skin's appearance.

Venus&Mars' little secret: Many users of Venus&Mars' emu soaps say they stopped applying deo since they started using the bars. Well, based from my experience too! So add me to the list. :) My personal tip, apply it and leave it on for a couple of minutes before rinsing it off.

Note: We get our Emu oil straight from the United States.

VENUS&MARS EMU SOAPS
Venus&Mars soaps make each and every part of the body soft enough to kiss. :)

These bars are made with 25% more emu oil than the US Emu Soap, so if you tried the US emu soap before, you surely can’t miss this and discover for yourself the benefits they have especially when combined with other essential oils.

Make sure you only use soaps with great ingredients down to the base oils.

COMMON INGREDIENTS OF ALL THREE SOAPS:
BASE OILS: Emu oil, goat's milk, olive oil, beeswax, tea tree essential oils
(Imagine all the goodness of Emu oil with these four fine essential ingredients!)


"Tea tree oil is an excellent natural antiseptic for skin infections. It penetrates immediately to the skin and mixes with body oils to treat various skin conditions such as acne, insect bites, cuts, burns, infected wounds, bruises, boils, scabies, diaper rash, prickly heat, sunburn and many more. Studies have shown that the simplest method to treat acne prone skin is to wash the face with soaps containing tea tree mixed with superb essential oils. Goat's milk has a PH level similar to our skin, which helps protect the skin from invading bacteria and chemicals we come in contact everyday. This is highly recommended to people who has various skin allergies, eczema and dry skin for it rejuvenates and soothes the skin while moisturizing it. Olive oil has become very popular in the skin care industry. It was discovered 5000 years ago and the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks took full advantage of this priceless oil. It is known to maintain elasticity of the skin and protect it from harmful and age-accelerating free radicals while keeping it moisturized. Beeswax is known to nourish and soothe the skin. Trace amounts of vitamins and minerals are also found in it. It forms a light barrier on the skin that prevents the loss of moisture from dehydrated skin and helps seal in the moisturizing oils without clogging the pores."


Minty Geranium Mud a.k.a. the Whitening & Shaving Mud Soap
120g bar costs Php180




What better way to get rid of the irritating thick strands from our bod than to use an all-organic, ingrown-hair-healing and whitening soap in our regular routine? Minty Geranium Mud bar is especially formulated for those who constantly worry about growing hairs on their legs and face even after only a day of shaving. These days, depilation creams are too expensive and even harsh on our skin. No matter how much they advertise these creams to have moisturizing ingredients, they couldn't deny the big concentration of chemicals they use in manufacturing their products. Don't you think this is alarming?

Minty Geranium Mud bar is filled with only the best ingredients (citrus oils, peppermint, dead sea mud, geranium and papain) to give your skin silky smoothness and at the same time the perfect nourishment it requires. This soap has a very rich lather and feels very fresh and minty on the skin because of its peppermint and citrus oil content. It also has a very citrus yet mild scent that's so refreshing you'd never want your bathroom without this soap. Minty Geranium Mud! Just say hello to a silkier smooth, healthier, fresher and fairer skin!

NOTE: This may be used in every bath - even without the frizzy hairs! But do not use this bar as your everyday facial wash if you are distracted by its mildly cool, minty feel. :)

"Citrus oil is extracted from Lemon Peels and Orange Peels. It stimulates the microcirculation of the skin. It is effective for cellulite, wrinkles and dull skin. Citrus Oil is also a refreshing cleanser, purifier and a potent antiseptic agent. When applied to the skin, it combats bacteria and infections and promotes healthy scar tissue. It is known to have anti-rheumatic and immunostimulating properties. It's an excellent toner and tonic for oily skin and hair. Peppermint leaves a cooling and soothing sensation on the skinand produces a bitter sweet, herbaceous and powerful aroma you'll surely love. The miracle of the dead sea mud is an interesting wonder. It is known to be very effective in calming troubled and irritated skin and they are often prescribed to treat conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, dandruff, and dry, itchy skin. All skin types will benefit from their softening, conditioning effect. The dead sea mud we use in our soap is not powder. It is the nourishing Dead Sea Mud from the Dead Sea itself imported from Israel. Geranium essential oils are known to be a great astringent, clear oily complexions, get rid of acne and relieve sluggish skin. Papain has been used for many skin conditions. Its ability to break down inactive proteins is used to remove dead tissue from burns, to help skin injuries heal, to relieve psoriasis, to remove warts, and to treat ringworm. Cold sores caused by Herpes simplex virus have been treated successfully with both oral and topical papain-containing products. In laboratory studies, topical application of papain has also shown some antibacterial properties, which may be due to papain's interference with an enzyme made by certain bacteria. And of course, it is a very popular skin whitening extract. We can never go wrong with this. :)"

I love this soap because unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with inactive hair follicles. They just keep on growing, literally! Being the really busy person that I am, it is so much of a hassle for me to spend (and spend) so much time in the shower just to get rid of the hair without getting all the nicks and cuts! With this soap, I tell you, worries are gone! You'll really see dead skin off your legs. :) You can remove the hair a lot more quickly too and the strands will stick to the blades because of the wonderful oils. In any case where accidents still come in, healing comes quickly because of the imported emu oil! Pesky scars are gone! Blades will also be protected from the water because the foam and oil coat them. Get this soap and save a lot more (money, time, and who knows, your love life too! ;p) while getting only fairer and smoother skin!

What more is great about it? May also be used as your everyday whitening soap!

Coffee Fame a.k.a. the Power Detox Bar
120g bar costs Php180



Coffee Fame bar is especially made for people who want to detoxify, detoxify and detoxify. Remove impurities and toxins from the skin while moisturizing and whitening it with this bar. No more sluggish skin due to stress and whatnots.

Made out of real coffee beans, green tea and papain aside from what is already mentioned above as its common ingredients with the other variants.

"Coffee is a natural antioxidant and astringent. Antioxidants play a very important role in fighting off free radicals, according to scientists at Scranton University. If left to their own, free radicals would attack and kill cells - thus speeding up the aging process. Papain has been used for many skin conditions. Its ability to break down inactive proteins is used to remove dead tissue from burns, whiten the skin, help skin injuries heal, relieve psoriasis, remove warts, and treat ringworm. Cold sores caused by Herpes simplex virus have been treated successfully with both oral and topical papain-containing products. In laboratory studies, topical application of papain has also shown some antibacterial properties, which may be due to papain's interference with an enzyme made by certain bacteria. "

Poppy Plush a.k.a. the Mild Bar for Sensitive and Problem Skin
120g bar costs Php180



Poppy Plush bar is especially dedicated to those with sensitive skin. Perfect for future moms out there (Coz I know its hard for you to see the perfect soap for you)! But this bar of course is not limited to moms, it's great for those who suffer from sluggish skin as well. Ingredients include poppy seeds, more goat milk and honey for intense moisturizing and mild exfoliating for the gentlest skin. We do not include and recommend papain (even if it is organic) to women who carry babies to ensure utmost safety.

Poppy seeds are known to remove skin impurities while revitalizing and mildly exfoliating sluggish and sensitive skin.

Friday, August 8, 2008

See What Exfoliants Can Do For You


Here's an excerpt from The Natural Soap Book. Hope this helps us learn more about what we can do for our skin, the largest organ of our body.


"Our skin needs to be cleaned periodically of impurities. As skin functions normally, sweat glands and sebaceous glands rid our bodies of waste and toxins. They also trap external pollutants on the skin’s surface in a barrier of sebum and sweat. It is our job to clean the slate regularly.

Exfoliants are materials with irregular textures used to release debris which collects on the skin’s surface. They add some texture to our soap’s lather, increasing the soap’s cleansing qualities: the grainier lather removes dirt and dead skin cells while stimulating the healthier cells below…When using exfoliants, never rub with force. Soap and a little texture will pick up much debris, without a heavy hand."

- Susan Miller Cavitch, The Natural Soap Book