For those of you who’ve missed it, I’m now writing regular features for the wonderful New York based Beauty & Wellbeingonline magazine. Editor Clemence Von Mueffling’s magazine brings together up and coming natural beauty brands, established writers and nutritionists, and much more.
My latest feature, Healthy Hair 101, covers some of my favourite hair cleansing and styling products. You can read it here.
With New Year’s Eve almost upon us I thought it would be rude not to share some of my top tips for a great evening!
Because I’m a girly-girl (well, sometimes), I’ve put together a low histamine beauty make-up tutorial to go with the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide.
In it I show how to put to good use all the great pure low histamine make up brands I cover in the book (RMS Beauty, 100% Pure and others), as well as the antihistamine and anti-inflammatory goodies I’ve researched.
Join my mailing list for more recipes and to be the first to know when registration for my low histamine webinar opens!
If you’ve found this information useful I’d appreciate your support (at no extra cost to you!) – please check out my online store for your health foods, supplements, kitchen items and beauty product purchases. Affiliate sales through my online store go towards maintaining the website, funding travel to interviews and purchasing all the lovely foods for my free online recipes. You’ll find these items in the “Shop with us” drop down menu on my homepage.
Please don’t forget antihistamine, pain killing foods can still hurt us, so please always check with your doctor before adding new foods to your diet.
This time last year I was still unable to tolerate shampoo on my skin.
How did I know?
Hair loss, dermatitis of the scalp, dandruff, extreme exhaustion and brain fog after showering, migraine, rash on my neck, jawline, back and upper arms, and more!
Once I realised shampoo was messing with my health I decided to brave something all the cool vegan-ish kids were in to: no-poo.
Yup, it is exactly what it sounds like.
And it is pretty gross, unless you know how to manage it.
One of my many coping strategies was to dry shampoo. Sadly though, all commercially available options had a ton of crap.
Now call me crazy – I prefer to eat my histamine allowance rather than spend it on my skin!
And so I came up with my own recipe, adding it, along with others and tons of info on histamine-raising cosmetics, to the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide.
Never one to bow to a challenge, I went out and researched but more importantly on antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty products that actually heal!
Luckily I put them all to paper, before realising that I was once again able to tolerate it. Woohoo!
I consider going no-poo to have been instrumental in my “recovery” from mast cell issues. I needed to know what was doing what in order to heal.
Being one big ball of histamine/inflammation, unable to tell whether it’s my nail polish or kiwis making me dizzy, make for one hell of a confusing time. I honestly believe that had I not eliminated all the nasties from my routine, It’d have taken a lot longer to achieve the current level of incredible health I’m experiencing (more on that here).
If you haven’t yet considered the impact of cosmetics on the healing process, I very much recommend using any number of websites like EWG and the Good Product Guide, to look up what nastiness lurks in your beauty routine.
I’m not just taking histamine raising, inflammation causing, mast cell degranulating, allergy inducing, ingredients here. We’re talking the big C.
While minerals really aren’t my favourite (see my book for more on that), I do accept that it’s a matter of going for the lesser of evils.
And that’s why you should feel free to go ahead and use anything you like instead of it. As a brunette I’ve been known to go for cacao!
JASMIN INF– — — USED DRY SHAMPOO
Ingredients:
1/4 cup tapioca starch/flour 1/4 cup rice flour 2-4 drops Jasmin essential oil (optional) 2-4 tbsp pure mineral pigment in your hair colour plastic salt shaker plastic bag
Directions:
Twist the plastic bag and cut a piece off. Your goal is to make an icing/piping bag.
Open it up on the table and smear the inside with the essential oil.
Add in the flours and enough pigment to colour.
Gather the bag together into a cake piping bag shape.
Position over the unscrewed salt shaker and then use a pair of scissors to snip off the end, allowing the powder to fill the shaker.
Do up the cap, sprinkle on your roots and allow to sit for a few minutes.
Toss your head upside down, and brush.
Join my mailing list for more recipes, to be the first to know when registration for my low histamine webinar opens, and for a 10% discount on my books!
If you’ve found this information useful I’d appreciate your support (at no extra cost to you!) – please check out my online store for your health foods, supplements, kitchen items and beauty product purchases. Affiliate sales through my online store go towards maintaining the website, funding travel to interviews and purchasing all the lovely foods for my free online recipes. You’ll find these items in the “Shop with us” drop down menu on my homepage.
Please don’t forget antihistamine, pain killing foods can still hurt us, so please always check with your doctor before adding new foods to your diet.
For those of you who tolerate essential oils, I don’t see why these would’t be a lovely gift to yourself…
A little pat on the back for all the good work you’ve done.
And a lovely smelling back it’s sure to be…
Though your non-histamine/mast cell challenged friends may be able to use any old crap on their bodies, encouraging them to explore the world of non-carcinogenic natural beauty may be the best gift of all.
And for histamine friends – understanding which beauty products raise histamine and which may lower it, in addition to providing significant anti-inflammatory benefits (in addition to dealing with wrinkles and whatnot!) is something I highly encourage.
Jasmin and Neroli are a magnificent duo, purportedly favoured by Egyptian queens and goddesses.
Hey, if it’s good enough for them…
You can make this scrub as simple or as fancy (expensive) as you wish:
Sub the essential oils for others.
Use odorless coconut oil rather than argan.
Here’s the breakdown of all that’s good for you in this body scrub…
Remember, what we put on our skin is absorbed into our body.
Or in the words of natural skin care guru Dr Alkaitis: “If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin!”
I like the ethos, but I’m a practical kinda girl – I like to smell nice!
Jasmin: natural pain killer and anti-inflammatory [1].
Neroli, bitter orange plant: the peel in particular exhibits antihistaminic properties [2].
Ginger: as powerful an antihistamine as commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals [3].
Argan oil: painkiller and anti-inflammatory [4].
Flax seed oil: potent anti-inflammatory [5]
Pomegranate seed oil [6]: anti-inflammatory, boosts hyaluronic acid, smoothing out wrinkles! Many cosmetic fillers out there are made from pure hyaluronic acid [6].
HEALING JASMIN & NEROLI BODY SCRUB
Please bear in mind that as this scrub doesn’t contain any preservatives, it must be used quickly…you can extend its life by adding some fresh rosemary or thyme.
Ingredients: 1 cup demerara sugar or course himalaya salt 1/4 cup argan oil 1/4 cup flax seed oil 2-4 tbsp pomegranate seed oil (optional) 2 drops Jasmin oil 2 drops Neroli oil grated ginger (as much as you like till reaching a pleasing bouquet)
In a bowl, mix everything up.
Adjust the essential oils and ginger to your taste!
Don’t tolerate essential oils? Muddle some mint, fruit peel and ginger!
Join my mailing listfor more recipes, to be the first to know when registration for my low histamine webinar opens, and for a 10% discount on my books!
If you’ve found this information useful I’d appreciate your support (at no extra cost to you!) – please check out my online store for your health foods, supplements, kitchen items and beauty product purchases. Affiliate sales through my online store go towards maintaining the website, funding travel to interviews and purchasing all the lovely foods for my free online recipes. You’ll find these items in the “Shop with us” drop down menu on my homepage.
Please don’t forget antihistamine, pain killing foods can still hurt us, so please always check with your doctor before adding new foods to your diet.
On the low histamine diet but still suffering from rashes and migraines? Then it’s time to examine your beauty routine!
As the head of a successful digital agency in London, meeting and pitching clients is a daily requirement, and looking good is a must. It took me a long time to accept the role that cosmetics played in my declining health, but once I did, I worked hard to get out of the toxic mindset and figure out alternatives. In this ebook you’ll find the tips, tricks and coping strategies I’ve discovered, developed and employed these last two years, that have helped me stand out from the crowd in one of the world’s most fashionable cities.
You’ll find a list of my favourite non-allergenic make-up, beauty, cleansing and styling products, my personal beauty & make-up routine and tips on everything from the perfect updo to how to have “the talk” with your hairdresser.
In this ebook I share which surprising natural products raise histamine, which age defying natural anti inflammatory and antihistamine collagen building oils and butters I’ve disocered, plus the natural antihistamine hair dye that rocks my world!
Also included in the book are resources and information on the biggest scams the make-up industry has perpetrated: hypoallergenic make up, organic labeling, carcinogenic ingredients and the hypocrisy of the pink ribbon campaigns.
Yasmina Ykelenstam – the Low Histamine Chef in Kenya on a mission to discover new beauty treatments!
A study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reports that dichlorophenol, a chemical used tap water chlorination, is associated with an increased risk of food allergies. But fear not, scientists claim that we’re much more likely to have been absorbing it from pesticides on our fruit and vegetables, or in the cosmetics we’ve been dousing ourselves in. Phew, dodged a bullet there.
“Excessive use of dichlorophenols may contribute to the increasing incidence of food allergies in westernized societies.”
Results of the study, which measured dichlorophenol levels in the urine of over 2000 Americans, was reported on by the Daily Mail in the UK and the Huffington Post in the US.
The odd part is that I can’t even say that the study was conducted today, yesterday, or even this decade. Upon checking the original study I found that the survey dates all the way back to 2005! I would love to know why a study that could have stopped thousands (at least) of people from being exposed to said ingredient (dichlorophenol), which is also found in shampoo, Dial deodorant, Colgate toothpaste, Old Spice aftershave, Neutrogena body wash, Clearasil, Revlon lipsticks, and even so called natural brands like Ahava and Avene, was not released/reported on sooner? (Click here for the full triclosan product list). I know journals have a backlog, but almost seven years? That’s the average age of my friends’ children. Kids who have spent their entire lifetime being exposed to this chemical.
Most alarmingly (to me!) triclosan is found in my (former) favourite NARS Kalahari eyeshadow.
Wondering if your shampoo/lipstick or bath product is likely to increase allergies? Check out the excellent product safety databases of the Environmental Working Group and the Good Guide. There are dozens of ingredients that rate just as high as triclosan and they’re found in pretty much everything. This is why I stick to ingredients whose name I recognise, with brands I have personally researched and know to be using only raw, natural products.
UPDATE: I’m no longer reactive to shampoo or hair dye. But I’ve stopped dyeing my hair anyway. It’s just too toxic. I use 100 percent pure shampoo and conditioner. Please remember, we can be allergic to anything, even antihistamines and natural hair dye with antihistamine properties.
Dealing with my hair nowadays reminds me of the first time I washed a baby. I was literally shaking with fear, convinced my sudsy fingers would plunder the baby’s unformed skull (soft spot), leaving me a tub of bubbly brain goo to contend with. Ok, so I’m not that freaked out by my hair routine (though I totally still am by babies!) but it’s certainly no fun. Now that I know shampoo, as well as food, makes me shake like I’m playing the carioca on my teeth, I work real hard not to get it on my skin.
I’m so, so sensitive, to point of hilarity, or incredulity. I literally can’t touch most things – a Yasmina 2.0 feature that I share with a number of lovely ladies in my Facebook mastocytosis support group. Why the shakes? Who knows – could just be an extreme incarnation of my histamine disorder, multiple chemical sensitivity, mastocytosis, whatever, take your pick, all I know is it’s a pain in my bottom.
My last experience with hair dye, though painstakingly painted only onto the ends and gingerly washed out as though the future of our planet depended on it not making contact with my skin, was a bit of a disaster. After suiting up like a charity shop outfitted deep see diver – complete with elbow length washing up gloves – I managed to step in a big fat shiny glob of it on the floor. Despite it being “natural” dye – I still paid for my vanity. It’s now time to re-do the ends but I’m not going down that route for my roots. If I ever go back on my determination to gracefully transition to silver fox, you can bet I’m going to go for the natural dye (commonly added to henna) I just found out is not only an antihistamine, it’s a potent anti-anaphylactic when applied to the skin. How about THAT?!
Here it is, the pinnacle of my low histamine beauty research:
Japanese Indigo (Polygonum Tontorum) natural hair dye prevents anaphylactic shock in rats!
Inhibition of mast cell-dependent anaphylactic reactions by the pigment of Polygonum tinctorium (Chung-Dae) in rats. Read the full study here.
PtP totally inhibited compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock with doses of 10(2) and 10(3) mg/ kg. When PtP was pretreated at concentrations ranging from 10(-2) to 10(3) mg/kg, the serum histamine levels induced by compound 48/80 were reduced in a dose-dependent manner…PtP inhibited dose dependently histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) induced by compound 48/80 and anti-DNP IgE….These results indicate that PtP may possess strong antianaphylactic activity and suggest that differences in bioavailability may cause differential activity following different administration routes.
It sure brought a smile to my face when I read that it works best when administered orally, or right onto the skin (or head?). That and the fact that indigo black is my natural colour. The henna mixture I’m using nowadays is 1 part henna, 4 parts indigo. I also add in 1 part amla (also a natural antihistamine!) to kill henna’s fiery red.
Please remember, anything can give us sensitive peeps a reaction. ALWAYS check with your doctor, test a little on your hand, and have a phone close by.
Suffer from make up allergies/reactions? Ever noticed nudes bother you less? Me too! An interview with Ilia Beauty founder Sasha Plavsic at the fabulous Being Content in London revealed why.
Ilia’s Neon Angel has my vote as one of the top all-time greats of the natural beauty worldI asked Sasha if she thought make up allergies were the driving force behind the sudden global interest in natural beauty. I mean, in a world where the Gisele Bundchen’s of the modeling world are ditching the mainstream and flocking to natural brands like RMS, surely something’s gone awry?
Sasha reckoned it was more likely that women are just better informed nowadays and have begun to question why they’d use dirty brands (my words not Sasha’s!) over natural ones when they can now get the same texture, staying power and on trend shades hitting the catwalk each season.
This season’s Ilia line was created to be more of a fashionista’s indulgence than your average Birkenstock clad granola muncher’s. Interestingly Sasha tells me that the organic angle isn’t their main selling point (their line is up to 85% organic). They’re now competing with the titans of the cosmetics industry based on their gorgeous colour palette. It’s obviously working – they’ll be setting up shop in Barney’s in New York City – certainly not something I expected to hear! It makes me very hopeful that we’ll soon see other brands breaking free of their hippy shackles.
Check out their stunning Voila lipstick below. Nothing like a neon-ish coral to bring out the beach bunny in me.
Ilia Beauty’s Voila coral lipstick.
Unfortunately a dab of this shade confirmed what I already knew – there was no way I could wear it without getting a very bad headache. Standard for me with my weirdo histamine medical condition. Sasha was kind enough to enlighten me: nude lipsticks contain far less pigment than any other shades. Red colours may affect some people simply because of the sheer quantity of pigment required.
I’m guessing it’s also because we’re really not meant to be painting on layer after layer of beetle blood onto our lips every day. Though Sasha pointed out that some companies also use red food dye instead.
How do dirty make up and cosmetics drive up histamine levels? Some studies point to up to 60% of what we put on our body being absorbed into our bloodstream. I doubt our bodies would react very well if we ate the cosmetics, so why put them on the skin? I did ask Dirk (Budka) a few times about why my histaminosis/histamine intolerance flares up when I wear most make up. In my case it’s a combination of high histamine/potential make up allergies and a bad case of hypersensitivity disorder. I’ve said it before, if you’re not improving on a low histamine diet (following diagnosis and following the low histamine list) then you should really examine what you’re putting on your skin. It took me years to accept that cosmetics were doing me in. You can read more about that in my upcoming Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide.
Thing is I can’t honestly say I won’t run back to Being Content on Monday (or order online) to pick up a tube of Ilia’s Voila. It’s just too stunning not to. Headache be dammned, I’ve done much worse in the name of beauty! Or…I could just whip out my brand new tube of Ilia’s ‘Humble Me’ – a tasteful nude with my name all over it. So sue me, I love a sexy nude lip.
Make-up allergies got you down? Have you considered that your beloved cosmetics are causing your histamine intolerance/chemical sensitivity/mastocytosis to flare up? If you’re on a low histamine diet but still suffering from make-up allergies, rashes and migraines, don’t despair, just bin the histamine raising dirty cosmetics! I did…
As the head of a successful digital agency in London, meeting and pitching clients is a daily requirement, and looking good is a must. It took me a long time to accept that cosmetics played a role in my declining health. But once I did, I worked hard to get out of the toxic mindset and figure out alternatives. In this ebook you’ll find the tips, tricks and coping strategies I’ve discovered, developed and employed these last two years, that helped me stand out from the crowd in one of the world’s most fashionable cities.
This book lists my favourite non-allergenic make-up, beauty, cleansing and styling products, home-made beauty product recipes and my personal beauty & make-up routine, as well as featuring a number of natural cosmetic video make-over tutorials and tips on everything from the perfect updo to how to have “the talk” with your hairdresser. You’ll find pages of resources and information on the biggest scams the make-up industry has perpetrated: hypoallergenic make up, organic labeling, carcinogenic ingredients and the hypocrisy of the pink ribbon campaigns.
Please sign up to the mailing list for a 10% discount on this and other books.
I find it a little bizarre that not many out there are talking about the impact of cosmetics. Even when following a low histamine and tyramine diet to the letter (almost impossible but can be done for short periods) I still suffered symptom flare ups. My attitude at the time was: “hey, I’m suffering so I may as well pig out”. Wrong. Oh so very wrong.
Then I read this great book ‘No More Dirty Looks’. It got me thinking. If 60% of what we put onto our bodies is absorbed into our bloodstream (I still can’t find the science behind this claim),then why aren’t I concerned about what it could be doing to my histamine, tyramine or other amine levels?
FEB 2016 UPDATE: More importantly, research soon revealed that chemicals and additives commonly found in most cosmetics and bath products (even the supposedly natural/organic ones) have been shown to trigger histamine release, mast cell activation and cause other immune and endocrine dysfunction. Thankfully I’m now ok with most truly organic and raw beauty products (like the RMS beauty product pictured above), as long as they’re not heavily perfumed.
Here’s a few steps to detox your beauty routine…there’s a video where I share my favourite products in a little beauty make over.
FEB 2016 UPDATE: I’ve started dipping my toothbrush in non corn xylitol which is wonderful at preventing tooth decay.
5. Embrace natural brands.
Rose Marie Swift (RMS Beauty) is my hero! A trailblazing make up artist to the world’s supermodels (including Giselle Bundchen) who sufferers from chemical sensitivity. Her make up has 4-6 ingredients, mostly raw organic. They double up as moisturiser and make up. Does not raise my histamine or drive my immune system into a frenzy. I do have to stick to the light/nude colours which I love anyway. Reds (carmine) make my lips and eyes swell horribly. I also love my latest discovery Mineral Fusion for eyeliner and Hemp Organics for lipstick. You can find both of those brands at any Whole Foods in the States but not in the UK.
