Why Using A Serum Can Really Revitalize Your Skin Health

With the release of our new reparative Barbary Fig Renewal Serum comes many questions about serums and what they do for your skin.  Serums in general are meant to treat your skin with more nutrients and concentrated doses of anti aging ingredients than a face cream can. They can also target an array of skin issues that you wish to work on and can be used under makeup or under your moisturizer if you like.

Our Barbary Fig Renewal Serum is unique in that not only does the formulation help to heal and repair skin from environmental damage, it also moisturizes and promotes new cellular growth with a kiss of primer action for a flawless makeup application. That's right, it's a 3 in 1 product and a skin wonder product that will have you cheering for joy!  You will find the need for additional moisturizer won't be necessary nor will a chemical laden primer or those skin brightening creams everyone is talking about, which can contain the horrific ingredients mercury chloride and hydroquonine in large doses. We worked around that to brighten skin naturally with magnolia oil and natural Vitamin C.

The main ingredient in Barbary Fig Renewal Serum is of course, barbary fig seed oil. With its high levels of the super antioxidant we all covet for skin boosting healing, Vitamin E, barbary fig seed oil is the latest ingredient to use for exceptional skin care.  It also contains Vitamin K, which treats concerns such as broken capillaries, dark circles and blotchiness. Our serum also contains other skin healing ingredients such as broccoli seed oil (which gives the serum the silicone-like texture allowing it to act as a natural primer and to blend flawlessly into skin), milk thistle, guava and pineapple oils as well as the purest plant energy from rose, frankincense, magnolia, melissa and Italian blood orange essential oils. These essential oils are the plant's vital energy source and are loaded with nutrients that perform beautifully to treat skin issues.  It's not by accident that the rose has been used for thousands of years to beautify or that melissa essential oil cures skin disorders. There is definite scientific facts behind these delicate scented powerhouses in healing.

We at La Bella Figura work endlessly to create formulations we believe customers want.  Ever notice how some skin creams still don't get to the root of the problem and don't moisturize enough? And when was the last time you noticed real change in your skin? Because of our desire to bring you responsible and effective skincare Barbary Fig Renewal Serum was born and we are excited for those of you that haven't discovered the power of a serum to do so with La Bella Figura. It is a product we proudly stand by and are delighted every time a customer or beauty editor or retailer calls to compliment us on.  Try a serum this winter and revitalize your skin.  It's worth every penny and with the quality of ingredients you won't feel guilty in investing in your skin health.

http://www.youbeauty.com/skin/galleries/natural-skincare-ingredients#9

Read the article about the best in natural skincare from Dr. Oz's fantastic site YouBeauty.

Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

 
I took a little hiatus last week from posting. It was just such a busy week with finishing up business, having friends from out of town vising, and getting ready for Thanksgiving. I hope this light and tasty recipe will make up for it. In my opinion, it is the perfect light meal after days of eating heavy leftovers.

My husband, who is an avid newspaper reader, found this recipe in the Chicago Tribune a few years back. Let me just say while my husband is definitely a Renaissance man (cleans, does laundry, volunteers, and helps grocery shop), he's not what you'd call comfortable in the kitchen. Once he tried to make me spaghetti, and he put whole coriander seeds in it the sauce along with a variety of other spices he just kind of plucked from the kitchen cabinet. It made for an interesting, if albeit crunchy, spaghetti experience. He's since been on a quest to find recipes he can cook and that will appease my picky tastebuds. This recipe was a big hit the first time he made it, and it has been in rotation ever since.

The featured star in this recipe along with a healthy dose of lemon juice and lemon zest is arugula. The wonderful peppery arugula is a great source of antioxidant vitamins A and C, folic acid, calcium, and magnesium. Ancient Romans used it as an aphrodisiac in spice blends. Lemon are rich in vitamin C, which not only helps to clear acne and leaves your skin glowing, but also helps stop bad breath and aids in digestion. Is there anything that little wonder fruit can't do?

So when my husband volunteered to cook, I happily mentioned that there was arugula in the fridge just begging to be put in his rice salad. About 40 minutes later he's proud of his dish and I'm eating a delicious vegan dinner that I didn't even have to cook.

Rice, Corn, and Cilantro Salad

1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp Olive Oil

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp salt

freshly ground black pepper

2 1/4cups water

1 1/2 basmati rice rinsed and drained

1/2 cups chopped green onions (the original recipe only called 1/4c.)

2 cups fresh or 1 bag frozen sweet corn kernels
3 handfuls of arugula, stems removed

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Whisk together the 1/2 cup olive oil, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp of salt and black pepper to taste in a bowl and set aside.

Heat the water to boil in a saucepan. Add rice and 1/2 tsp of salt to boiling water; reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until water is absorbed and rice is tender (do not stir), about 20 minutes. remove from heat. Let stand 5 minues and fluff with fork. (see note)

Heat remaining 1 tbsp of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and cook stirring about 30 seconds. Add corn and chickpeas and cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add remaing salt and pepper to taste, adjust seasoning to your liking. 

Mix rice and corn mixture together in a large bowl and stir in the live oil and lemon vinaigrette. Add the arugula, cilantro, and lemon zest : gently toss. Taste for seasoning, adjust and serve warm.

Note: We don't always follow the rice to water ratio as described above. We use a little less water and our cooking time is 17 to 18 minutes. This seems to be the magic formula at our house for perfectly cooked rice.

 Happy Eating,

Karen

Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

When the weather gets cold, most people get a craving for their favorite comfort food : macaroni and cheese, stews, pot pies, fried chicken, and all other sorts of other dishes mom used to make. Unlike most people, when I want something comforting it's all about Indian food. To me there's nothing more satisfying or comforting than chickpeas and potatoes simmered in rich tomato broths or vegetables bathed in a light cream sauce with deep rich flavors.

With the winter approaching, I thought I'd share one of my go-to Indian recipes for those chilly nights ahead when you need something soothing. This dish is also really easy to put together. Chickpeas are a great source of manganese, an antioxidant that is fundamental in the energy-producing mitochondria found inside most cells. Lots of recipes call for you to core and seed your tomatoes, but I suggest leaving the seeds in; tomato seeds are really high in lycopene (it's found in the rest of your tomato as well but heat breaks down the tomato flesh and destroys much of the lycopene). Lycopene not only promotes brain and immune functions, but it also improves the texture of your skin and supplies free-radical scavengers that help stop the signs of aging. For this reason, we use tomato seed oil in our under eye serum Decouverte. Serve this vegan dish over basmati rice and naan on the side, and you've got yourself one satisfying meals!

Gobi Chole/ Spiced Cauliflower with Chickpeas

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and julienned

2 small vine ripened or plum tomatoes, chopped

1 cup frozen peas

1tbsp tomato paste

3/4 tsp chili powder

1tsp coriander seeds, toasted and crushed to a powder in your mortar and pestle * (see note)

1/2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and crushed to a powder in your mortar and pestle*  (see note)

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp turmeric

1 1/2 tsp garam masala

1/4 tsp chopped cilantro leaves

1 green onion finely sliced

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 tsp (or more) salt to taste

1 cup water

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ginger and the onions and saute, stirring, until onions soften. Add the dry spice powders and saute for a minute; add the tomatoes.Cook until tomatoes soften and start to break apart, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and water. Gently fold in the cauliflower and chickpeas. Add the salt, cover and reduce heat to medium low, cook for 10 minutes. Add the peas and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until cauliflower is cooked through. If you'd like to sauce to be a bit thicker, remove lid and cook until sauce is preferred consistency.

* if your pressed for time or don't have a mortar and pestle, you can just use coriander and cumin powder.

Adapted from a recipe I found at the wonderful food blog Malabar Spices.

Hope you enjoy!

                           En Bonne Sante,
                                 Karen

Meatless Mondays with La Bella Figura

It's been so busy over here in the LBF studio lately! I'm definitely not complaining, but I've barely had time to menu plan or grocery shop, let alone cook dinner. Thank goodness for some of the frozen dinners at Trader Joe's. I'm not a big fan of frozen meals, but they have some decent choices, and sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's got to do.


Not being able to justify another frozen meal for dinner, I was trying to think of something quick, easy, and tasty. Then my husband remembered a pasta recipe I tried a few months back that he really liked. I found the recipe from a blog called Mel's Kitchen Cafe. It's really satisfying and quite delicious with the flavors of roasted asparagus and balsamic reduction. Of course, I had to put my own little spin on it by adding toasted pine nuts; I think that nutty flavor makes it something a little more special, and as an added bonus, pine nuts are high in B vitamins and vitamin E.

Asparagus has to be one of my favorite vegetables. It's great for your body, especially your skin. It's loaded with antioxidants, vitamin B6, thiamin, vitamin C, folic acid, sodium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, sulfur, vitamin A, vitamin K, manganese,  and potassium. It also contains silica, which promotoes healthy hair, nails and a glowing complexion.
  
Because the recipe calls for cheese and butter, it is not veganr. I suppose you can use a vegan butter substitute, such as Earth Balance, and a vegan Parmesan substitute. If anyone tries it, please let me know how it works out.

Penne with Balsamic Butter and Roasted Asparagus

INGREDIENTS
1 pound fresh asparagus spears cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt and more salt to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup balsamic vinegar (I added another 1/8 cup)
1and 1/4 teaspoon light or dark brown sugar
1 pound penne pasta, mostaccioli, or zitit
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces (I use unsalted so I can control the amount of salt in the recipe)
 2-3 tablespoon pine nuts
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus more for serving

DIRECTIONS
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the asparagus on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil and 1/4 tsp of the salt and black pepper. Roast until tender and just starting to brown in spots about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

While the asparagus roasts, put the the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat and toast the pinenuts until golden, tossing frequently. Start your pasta water.

Put the vinegar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until the vinegar is reduced to about 3 tablespoons, about 5-10 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar and some freshly ground black pepper.

Cook the penne according to directions on the package. Put a  ladle or two of the pasta water in a bowl. Drain the pasta water and immediately return it to the pot, do not drain it for to long. Stir in the butter and vinegar mixture. Toss until pasta is coated, adding  a bit of the pasta water to help coat. Add in the asparagus, Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and the salt to taste.

I hope you enjoy this delicious and easy recipe. I'm so glad I found this on Mel's blog! Stay tuned for next week's Meatless Monday recipe.

 

                                                                                                        En Bonne Sante,

                                                                                                                     Karen

                                                            

Natural beauty expert Siobhan O'Connor reveiws Découverte on No More Dirty Looks.

Product Review: La Bella Figura Decouverte Eye Repair Serum [UPDATED WITH A LINK]

Posted by Siobhan on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 · 7 Comments

Every so often, we get an email about a natural beauty line that sends our special authenticity detector off the charts.

You know when you can just tell that someone a) is the real deal, and b) would be really fun to have dinner with? Well, when Karen King from Chicago emailed us about her new organic skincare line La Bella Figura, that’s what happened. We wrote her back and asked what she thought her stand-out product was, which is when she told us about her Decouverte Eye Repair Serum.
Plagued with hereditary dark undereye circles—not to mention the occasional not-enough-sleep and too-many-cocktails nights—Karen says she was on a mission to find natural ingredients that would be great for her eyes. “In our research we discovered barbary fig seed oil. I was very interested in the composition of this oil with its very high linoleic acid content and because it contains Vitamin K, which helps stop leaky capillaries, one of the main reason for dark circles. However, I was very skeptical because it is very hard to get, time consuming to produce, and therefore very costly.”

Well, after experimenting on her own mug, she found barbary fig seed oil to be so great that she made an eye serum for the rest of us.

Now, to be honest, I’ve never had much of an undereye-circle issue but I totally have smile lines around my eyes (doesn’t bother me) and in the last few months I have thought the skin under my eyes might feel thinner and as a result, a little darker (bothers me a bit). Also, there are the puffy-eye days. We all have them thanks to things like salty food, booze and tears, and they suck.
I’m happy to report that La Bella Figura eye serum noticeably reduces inflammation on puffy-eye days, hydrates the lines around my eyes, and, yes, the skin under my eyes feels somehow thicker and looks less dark. It’s true! Even if I feel bad recommending a product that costs $115.
Now, am I sleeping better than I did last month? I don’t know, I think so? But the point is, it’s hard to know what’s what—but that’s always the case with beauty products.

There are no silver bullets, lifestyle accounts for a lot, so do our genes, and so does diet, but products certainly can and do work, in their way. I’m going to say this is one of those products.

Here are the ingredients:
100% Pure Organic Argan (Argania Spinosa) Kernel Oil, Organic Opuntia Ficus Indica (Barbary Fig) Seed Oil, Organic Rosa Rubiginosa (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Wild-crafted Lycopersicion Esculentum (Tomato) Seed Oil, Wild-crafted Coffea Arabica (Coffee Bean) Oil, Wild-crafted Rosa Damascena (Rose Otto) Flower Oil, Organic Tanacetum Annuum (Blue Tansy) Flower Oil, Organic Helichrysum Italicum Oil, Organic Cymbopogon Martinii Motia (Palmarosa) Oil, Organic Lavandulia Augustifolia (Lavender) Oil.
Also, check out her charming, candid blog here.

Environmental Writer and Activist Siel Ju writes about La Bella Figura on Mother Nature Network and Green LA Girl

Beauty from organic argan oil

An all-organic, chemical free beauty line from La Bella Figura impressed MNN's lifestyle blogger with its argan oil-based eco-luxe products.

Wed, Aug 03 2011 at 12:45 PM EST

Photo: Courtesy of La Bella Figura

When eco-aesthetician Diana Ralys soothed my skin with argan oil at my last facial, I was convinced to start using the luxurious skin saver every day. Calming and hydrating with a gentle smooth, silky feel and mild nutty scent, pure argan oil's a great natural moisturizer that can be used as a simple serum -- no additives, preservatives, or fragrances required.

 

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That's why I was ecstatic to try out La Bella Figura's beauty line. This boutique all-organic, chemical-free beauty company uses pure, organic, fair trade argan oil -- sustainably and ethically sourced from Morocco -- as the base in all its eco-luxe products. Its signature product: Moroccan Face Gold -- which is simply 100 percent organic argan oil. This pure beauty product's about as clean and healing as you can get -- especially for those with sensitive skin. The luxurious oil's super gentle, but powerfully moisturizing and soothing.

 

Though super sensitive types might just want to stick with pure argan oil, your skin can get a bigger beauty boost by adding a few other natural ingredients. Diana says though argan oil does a lot, she still recommends a few extras "Regardless of the skin's type or condition antioxidants, like Vitamin C are essential," she told me. "Antioxidants help to decrease skin's stress and support overall skin's health."

 

Want that Vitamin C with your argan oil? Then get La Bella Figura's Tesoro Mediterranean Blend. This serum also has argan oil as its base but also boasts bergamot fruit, lemon, neroli flower, and grapefruit oils -- which give it both an antioxidant kick and a fragrant citrusy scent. "It's got an extra boost of Vitamin C, even more antioxidants and polyphenols to help hydrate the skin, regenerate skin cells,and smooth out fine lines," says Karen King, co-founder of La Bella Figura. "The added essential oils help tone and detoxify the skin. The chamomile and bergamot act as anti-inflammatories, helping to calm breakouts and skin redness."

 

I often let my face serums double as my eye moisturizer too -- since the products are gentle enough for the most sensitive skin spots -- but La Bella Figura also offers a special eye serum, dubbed Découverte Under Eye Repair Serum. This potent potion combines organic argan oil with barbary fig oil for anti inflammatory power, coffee bean oil for moisture retention, and wild-crafted tomato seed oil to heal dry skin. Karen credits it with helping diminish dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. I've noticed that putting on Découverte every night before going to sleep really deep-moisturizes the skin around my eyes -- an area that easily get dry from putting on and taking off eye makeup everyday. Now, the skin there feels healthier and plumper!

 

Want to treat your skin to argan oil? La Bella Figura's eco-luxe beauty line's available at its online store. For a half ounce in a glass pump bottle, Morrocan Face Gold and Tesoro Mediterranean Blend cost $27.50 and $40, respectively. Try both plus the company's lip balm without breaking the bank with La Bella Figura's The Perfect Traveler Kit, which gives you trial sizes of all three products for $20. Découverte isn't included in that travel pack though -- and costs an eye popping $115 for a third ounce.

We're talking about face oils...yes, oil on your face!

Let's talk about oils and your face!  Does the thought of applying oil onto your skin instantly make you break out?  I am going to change your mind and convert you.  Oh, how I hope!

Many of us, perhaps even most of us have been told to stay away from oily creams and moisturizers in order to keep our skin blemish, smooth and wrinkle free.  We have been taught that oil is our enemy and anything that contains an oil base should be avoided like a birthday party for four year olds!  What many of us fail to realize is your cream or lotion with the "oil free" caption sitting in your bathroom cabinet is actually loaded with oil.  It's probably a petrochemical, a mineral oil, animal oil (fat) or even a good oil that has been chemically extracted and therefore has lost its potent antioxidant benefits.  How else does one create a cream, if not for emulsifying an oil and liquid formula?  We all know that oil and water don't mix.  Don't feel silly, it's not your fault that you never knew the liquid by-product to produce gasoline from crude oil was in your oil-free face lotion.  Cosmetic companies are not in a hurry to let you in on that fact.   Not many are adding glossaries with their long list of ingredients to help you to decipher the language either.  Now you know,  you have been using oil all along and you can just imagine if petroleum can fire up your car every morning it can't be good for the health of your skin.  Now that you know better you can do better. 

As we learn more and more about health and nutrition, we have discovered that oils are in fact, amazing for your skin!  That is if you believe that antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids fight free radicals, help with cell renewal and slows the signs of aging.  I was never the type to run away from oil since my fabulous Grandmother cured my every childhood ailment with olive oil.  From cradle cap to a chest cold, my Abuelita (Spanish for Grandmother) always had a spoonful of pure, cold pressed olive oil for me to ingest.  She even taught me that applying a little olive oil to your eyelashes keeps them thick and healthy and a few drops to your hair produces a gorgeous shine enviable by the rich woman who just spent a fortune at the salon.  In case you didn't know, my Abuelita was a genius! 

When I discovered argan oil I knew that I had hit the jackpot in an oil so full of nutritive benefits it would make my skin look like I had rested for 10 hours a night and just been on the best vacation of my life.  Argan oil is an oil from Morocco and produced when the kernels are cracked and cold pressed for a rich oil that, ironically is light and absorbs into your skin immediately.  It is loaded in essential fatty acids, has twice the amount of Vitamin E than olive oil and is high in antioxidant power.  It, like my Abuelita is another genius.  I began to use argan oil in lieu of my expensive moisturizers at first for its hydrating power.  After all the years of creams and lotions I will admit it was disconcerting, but I quickly adapted and after just one week of use I saw the amazing benefits and was ecstatic to say the least.  My skin looked radiant, felt soft and I could not believe a couple of unwanted blemishes were gone!  I wanted to convert everyone to try this amazing oil, however some folks were just not buying it.  When people started to notice and comment on how lovely my skin looked and asked about what I was using I would tell them my secret, much to gasps of horror.  It seems an oil on a person's face was the craziest thing anyone had ever heard of!  Until some became curious and of course, the results for them were also quick and amazing.   I suddenly had a few converts.  I also knew that I was on to something pretty special for the health of my skin without all of the parabens and petrochemicals that I had unwittingly used for years.  It was like discovering chocolate for the first time, I was hooked and I wanted to share my excitement. 

I am sure I have captured some interest in many of you and that's good.  Some of you may be just a little more suspicious and will be slow to try the power of a face oil or just have to wait to experience it for yourselves. That's okay too.  There was a time when folks were distrustful of the blueberry or made jokes about the heart healthy benefits of olive oil.  They most likely had never encountered my Abuelita.  I'm just hoping that soon enough the thought of applying topical antioxidants, vitamins, omegas and plant derived polyphenols sound like a good thing for beautiful skin.  Unless, you are committed to continue using crude oil on your face. 

Face oils are here to stay because they nourish the skin with pure plant derived benefits.  We at La Bella Figura have done some amazing things with plant derived oils and would love for you to try our products so that you too can become a fan of chemical, toxin and paraben free face oils.  It will change the way you take care of your skin and make you wonder why you haven't used a face oil long before.  We have some incredible things in the works and newly discovered oils for the best looking skin you never thought possible.   Just wait until you hear about organic barbary fig seed oil,  rosehip seed oil, coffeebean oil..I could go on with the amazing ingredients we work with at La Bella Figura.  My Abuelita has been gone for some time now and I find myself emulating her as I chase my niece with a bottle of argan oil to heal her dry skin or add shine to hair and even to apply to her lashes for healthy, long lashes.  She thinks I'm a little bonkers now, she'll be thanking me in a few years I'm certain of that!

Find us at www.labellafigurabeauty.com and learn more about La Bella Figura.

Best in skin health,

Victoria
La Bella Figura, LLC 

INTRODUCING, the latest in the anti-aging revolution: Barbary Fig Seed Oil

Studies continue to emerge that suggest certain plants high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and polyphenols may be protective against oxidative damage.  The Barbary Fig (Opuntia Ficus Indica) a member of the Cactacae family,  has been used widely in Mexico, Latin America, South America and the Mediterranean region for its nutritional properties and in traditional medicine for its hypoglycemic actions.  Recent studies show that barbary fig seed oil is extremely effective in lowering the oxidation damage to cellular structure in stressed tissue.  The components for the cell repair is attributed to the rich antioxidant capacity of the seed oil.  Thanks to its exceptional high content of Omega 3, Vitamin E and plant derived betalains, barbary fig seed oil acts as a super antioxidant amongst antioxidants and a potent fighter of free radicals.  In fact, barbary fig seed oil is richer in essential fatty acids and tocopherols than argan oil.  This rare and precious oil also acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps to calm irritated skin providing immediate relief to soothe and normalize. 

The improvement of skin tone, cellular repair and nutritive benefits to the skin make barbary fig seed oil one of the most naturally effective and latest treatments in the anti-aging revolution.  

          >  Protects the skin against environmental damage
          >  Tightens and tones skin to prevent premature aging
          >  Moisturizes and revitalizes skin for a beautiful and healthy complexion
          >  Reduces under eye puffiness and minimizes dark circles
          >  Repairs cellular tissue and promotes new healthy cell formation

A true gift from nature and a rock star in its pure, whole plant effectiveness, barbary fig seed oil is ready to take its turn to shine in the spotlight!