Astrida Naturals - Unrefined Shea Butter Products for Natural Skin and Hair Care

Google+ to Launch Business Pages

2011-11-07T14:18:00.000-06:00

Move over Facebook... Google+ Plus is ready to release pages!

Much like the current Facebook pages that are available for brands and business Google+ will soon have pages for anyone who wants to connect with their customers. I think this is great news because I really like Google+. Right now I have a personal google plus profile that I use to share everything with everyone. For me it's perfect. I can share what I want with who I want using circles. I can share what's new with Astrida Naturals to a targeted group. It has a Twitter feel but with more personalization and people actually interact and respond. And while Google+ is growing in popularity, it doesn't have the sigma that Facebook has gained when it comes to distribution of private information.

Now that Google has announced pages will soon go mainstream, I'm excited! I can see this becoming my new preferred method for interacting with fans and customers. I'm sure more exciting news is to come.

Solid Cologne - New Product For Men!

2011-11-04T09:26:00.004-05:00

For all the men out there, Astrida Naturals now has solid cologne created just for men.

The Haylaro Scent - This cologne is a spicy blend of oakmoss, sandalwood and musk.
The Joronus Scent - This cologne is an earthy blend of sandalwood, bergamot and musk.
The Wise Man Scent - This cologne is a spicy blend of patchouli, orange, and clove spice.

We also have a simple Masculine Musk and Spicy Bay Rum.

Scented African Black Soaps

2011-10-24T09:54:00.002-05:00

Astrida Naturals now has scented African Black Soap!

Why, because everything is better when it comes in your favorite scent!

It took lots and lots of trial, error and testing but I have finally perfected the subtle art of incorporating unique scents into African black soap while keeping the integrity of the product intact. The final result is a tradtional African Black soap bar that has added benefits of essential oils cooked right into the final product.

Get your scented African black soap!
On Astrida Naturals on Etsy
On The Astrida Naturals Website

New Treasury: Don't Fear the Dairy!

2011-08-17T20:22:00.000-05:00

My unrefined shea butter has been featured in a Etsy Treasury gallery inspired by dairy products. Curated by Chochosan on Etsy. Please enjoy!

New Treasury: Sunny Summer Smile!

2011-07-29T15:56:00.001-05:00

My soap has been featured in a Etsy Treasury gallery featuring golden home decor and other items. Curated by HeyChica on Etsy. Please enjoy!

New Product! All Natural Shea Butter Soap with Oatmeal & Banana Extract

2011-06-02T18:13:00.000-05:00

Astrida Naturals has a new soap!

Made with Shea Butter, Oatmeal, and Banana Extract for a moisturizing, creamy, smooth soap with a rich lather. Has a subtle oatmeal scent.

Available now at www.AstridaNaturals.com
Shea Butter Soap with Oatmeal and Banana Extract

New Product! Rhassoul Clay Dry Face Mask with Apple and Papaya Fruit Extracts

2011-03-23T09:00:00.002-05:00

For a long time I have wanted to add face and hair masks to my arsenal of products. Personally, I use masks on a weekly basis. I love the way they instantly make my face feel fresh and healthy and help my strands retain moisture. Recently, I started working on getting a hair mask together which is in the testing phase now... but, more on that later. Right now the face masks are rolling out in Astrida Naturals!

My first face mask for sale is the Apple and Papaya Fruit Clay Face Mask.

This mask is formulated with rhassoul clay, kaolin clay, and rejuvenating alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) rich apple and papaya extracts. Add your own wet ingredients to make this mask a customized and rejuvenating experience.

Use weekly after cleansing and exfoliating to help tone and rejuvenate your skin.

KEY INGREDIENTS:

Rhassoul Clay, also known as Moroccan Red Clay is considerably more absorbent than other cosmetic clays making it an effective detoxifying treatment. It contains a high amount of trace minerals which help to draw out impurities and excess oils on your skin.

White Kaolin Clay is one of the most gentle and fine of all cosmetic clays that help to draw impurities out of the skin. It is suitable to use for even the most sensitive skin types. Kaolin clay helps stimulate circulation to the skin while also gently exfoliating and cleansing it.

Apple Extract contains alpha-hydroxy acids. Often used for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties and is great for dry or mature skin.

Papaya Extract is rich in vitamin A and C and works to stabilize oily skin.

Apple and Papaya Fruit Clay Face Mask

Available at AstridaNaturals.com

Unrefined Shea Butter vs. Refined Shea Butter

2011-03-09T13:40:00.002-06:00

What is the difference anyway?

Not all shea butter is processed equally.

You have probably heard plenty talk about unrefined shea butter and its superior healing benefits. Anti-aging, stretch mark treatment, moisturizing, sun-protection, & acne fighter, to name a few. But, did you know that you need to be using unrefined shea butter to receive any of these benefits? And the fresher the unrefined shea the higher the potency of its sought-after antioxidants? It's true, read on to learn about the difference...

All true shea butters are initially extracted from the African Karite (Shea) Nut tree.

Unrefined Shea Butter can either be extracted from the Karite Nut by hand using traditional West African methods, or with the use of a mechanical press to speed up the process. Both methods produce shea butter and shea oil without the use of chemicals or synthetics. The end product is known as unrefined shea butter, raw shea butter, or virgin shea butter and has the highest concentration of antioxidants, healing benefits and natural UV protection. Unrefined Shea Butter can range from beige to light yellow in color and has a slight naturally occurring smokey or nutty aroma. Unrefined shea butter that is bright yellow has an added root extract that gives it its deep golden color.

Refined or ultra refined shea butter is extracted and processed with high heat and chemical solvents such as hexane. It is usually pure white in color and contains no odor. Though refined shea butter may contain some moisturizing properties, most all of other healing benefits found in shea butter have been lost.

Nearly all mainstream products that use shea butter in their formula are made with refined or ultra refined shea butter due to its longer shelf life, pure white color, and lack of odor. These products can be good moisturizers, but if you are buying them to say.. help prevent or fade stretch marks or reduce wrinkles, the truth is you are probably not going to see any results.

For more education on unrefined shea butter visit the American Shea Butter Institute

What's in this Shea Butter....? Carrot Seed Essential Oil.

2011-01-26T12:48:00.000-06:00

New Shea Butter product alert!
Shea Butter Stick with Carrot Seed Essential Oil.
Featuring: Carrot Seed Essential Oil.

Carrot Seed Essential Oil is considered one of the best essential oils for mature skin due to its toning and revitalizing properties. High in Carotene and Vitamin A anti oxidants, Carrot Seed EO works well in moisturizers, toners, and washes.

Has an earthy, woodsy, herbaceous and warm scent.

At Astrida Naturals You can find Carrot Seed EO blended in our Shea Butter Sticks and in our Mature Skin blend Moisurizer

Skin Care Tip - Baking Soda as Facial Scrub or Microdermabrasion!

2010-09-10T09:55:00.000-05:00

Looking for an inexpensive way to get smoother, glowing skin? Try baking soda!

It might sound a bit weird, but using baking soda as a facial scrub is a great way to gently get rid of those dead skin cells that could be clogging your pores, causing acne and dulling your complexion. Some have even reported that this helps to fade acne scars! The addition of oatmeal keeps this scrub from being too drying.

Try this homemade recipe:

2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground oatmeal (just throw some oats in a blender or food processor for a few seconds!)
water

Mix baking soda and oatmeal small cup and add just enough water to form a paste-like consistency (you wont need much!) Wash face with cleanser, then apply the mixture to your face in slow circular motions. Gently exfoliate for about one minute then rinse clean with warm water. Follow with toner and then moisturizer.

This recipe is gentle enough to be used as a part of your daily skincare regimen. For an added boost, mix with plain yogurt instead of water. You will add more moisture as you exfoliate and get the added benefits of yogurt's alpha and beta hydroxy-acids which can also help to break up those stubborn dead skin cells you want to get rid of.

To use as microdermabrasion just leave out the ground oatmeal from the recipe. Apply a fingertip's amount at a time to your face using slow, gentle circular motions until all of the baking soda has been applied. Then rinse away with warm water.

So simple!

Awesome Customer Feedback for Astrida Naturals Oil Perfume

2010-09-02T23:17:00.000-05:00

Today I received some great feedback from one of my customers and had to share!

"I'm totally crazy about this roll on oil. I'm pregnant right now, and all my normal perfumes smell too much like alcohol, but your oil is just right! I may be a big ol' pregnant lady, but I wanna be a pretty smelling one.Lol. Thank you! I will surely be back!"

- Alexis in California

Awesome! I'm so happy that my products are being enjoyed.

Best Food For Healthy Skin

2010-09-01T14:48:00.000-05:00

Want healthy skin? Well, what you eat can have a lot to do with a good complexion.

Dr. David Bank, President of the New York State Society for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, shares the 10 best foods for your skin. Most of these foods are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and good fats. In addition to these foods I would also add water as an important food. OK, so water isn't really a food group, but adding an adequate amount of water daily to your diet will also help in keeping your skin at its healthiest.

No. 1: Avocados: The creamy, green fruit is abundant in essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish your skin inside and out. Avocados also contain a lot of Niacin (vitamin B3), which is important for healthy skin since it acts as an anti-inflammatory and soothes irritated or red/blotchy skin.

No. 2: Mangoes: Mangoes contain more than 80 percent of your daily vitamin A requirements, which is essential for maintaining and repairing skin cells. A deficiency in vitamin A will result in a dry, flaky complexion. Mangoes also contain antioxidants, which fight free-radical damage that can prematurely age skin.

No. 3: Almonds: Almonds contain 150 percent of your daily vitamin E needs and are rich in oils that moisturize your skin. They also contain antioxidants.

No. 4: Cottage Cheese: The selenium in cottage cheese teams up with vitamin E as a powerful free-radical-fighting antioxidant team. Selenium also protects against skin cancer and dandruff.

No. 5: Acerola Cherries: Different from average cherries, Acerolas supply 100 percent of your daily vitamin C intake. As an antioxidant, vitamin C fights skin damage and wrinkles and plays a central role in the production of collagen, the structural protein in your skin.

No. 6: Oysters: Oysters fight pimples because they’re rich in zinc. The mineral affects sebum production, which is a deficiency that contributes to acne.

No. 7: Baked Potatoes: Trade French Fries for a steaming baked potato. One baked potato (with the skin) provides 75 percent of your daily copper needs. Copper when combined with vitamin C and zinc produce elastin fibers that support skin structure. Copper deficiency in your diet can reduce skin’s ability to heal and cause it to become rigid and lifeless.

No. 8: Mushrooms: Essential to your skin, riboflavin is found in mushrooms and is involved in tissue maintenance, repair and improves skin blemishes caused by rosacea. The body uses large amounts after sustaining a burn or wound, or when undergoing surgery.

No. 9: Flaxseed Oil: Flaxseed oil is one of the best sources of essential fatty acid. One teaspoon of flaxseed oil provides 2.5 grams of omega 3s, which hydrate the skin. Essential fatty acids also dilute sebum and unclog pores.

No. 10: Wheat Germ: Super nutritious, wheat germ is the embryo within a grain of wheat. It is a good source of biotin, a vitamin C that’s crucial to skin health. A mild biotin deficiency can cause dermatitis, a condition characterized by itchy, scaly skin.

50 Best Skincare Tips - By InStyle

2010-08-18T12:53:00.000-05:00

InStyle has created an extremely comprehensive photo gallery list of skin care tips covering everything from the best ways to remove make-up to the best essential oils to nourish your skin. Check it out.

Mist Moisturizer, Not Water - 50 Best Skin-Care Tips of All Time - Summer Skincare 2010 - Beauty - InStyle

Because we can all stand to take a little better care of our skin!

Your official guide to Twitter - My response

2010-08-09T21:30:00.000-05:00

I came across this Etsy forum thread this evening and had to make a response. Please see the original post and, if you have the time, read some of the responses that generally agree with the original post before considering my dissenting opinion.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6595303&page=1

My response:
Hmm. I wonder if most people on Etsy are just overly sensitive to the concept of spam?

Before you gasp, hear me out.

I have no problem posting my links on Twitter. I get views, people who may not normally think to look at Etsy, might (yes, might) be looking at my products, and that makes me happy. Especially in an Etsy world where views are harder to come by and the categories have become more and more saturated with sellers.

Of course, I do not only post links. In fact I started my twitter account as personal and private; and only recently expanded it to promote my products. So as a result, I think I have a good mix of conversational tweets and promotional tweets. But without posting links I'm not sure how else the promotional aspect could come to fruition. I see posting my links as necessary, not abusive, and not at all spam.

The summary of my opinion is that at 140 characters, it seems a bit naive to think that using tweeter as a means to make deep connections is really possible or a good use of your promotional efforts. So I say, go ahead, make your witty comments about your life and post those links. Why not? If you feel I'm spamming, stop following. Simple, see?

Treasury Time

2010-07-11T11:33:00.001-05:00

I had to share this beautiful treasury made by one of my EAOC Team members. I love the colors, and the featured products aren't so bad either.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c3385ecb3de8eef3b56241f/golden-hot-summer

Thumbs Up

2010-06-27T21:46:00.002-05:00

Here is some recent feedback from my customers...

Oakmoss Sandalwood Solid Perfume
Absolutely nummy... very unique, soft fragrance... I LOVE it!
These are perfect for travelling (and they're not a liquid for airport security:-)... I love 'em!
- Lisa in Minnesota

Verbena and Lemon Perfume Oil Roll On
I love the scent of verbena and lemon! It's one of my fave scent combinations so I'm jazzed Maia has this as a perfume! I'll be trying this out soon but it smells fantastic. It also reminds me of my time in the south of France. Thank you!
- Genie in British Columbia

New Shea Body Lotion

2010-06-18T17:25:00.001-05:00

Now introducing Shea Body Lotion. A brand new product from Astrida Naturals.

Made with 100% Pure, Unrefined Shea Butter from Ghana. Ultra moisturizing and nourishing, this rich and creamy lotion is formulated to soften and hydrate your skin. The 8oz size bottle comes with a locking lotion pump. Apply after getting out of the shower, or anytime you need an extra moisture boost, to enjoy healthy soft skin all day long.

Get yours today!

First Sale!

2010-06-15T23:33:00.001-05:00

I am so proud to announce that after 4 weeks of running, I have received my first order from www.astridanaturals.com.

This is the product I sold, Vanilla & Sugar Roll On Perfume Oil.

Astridanaturals.com is my free standing, independent website run with the Big Cartel shopping cart application. I still consider the design a work in progress, but so far, I am very satisfied with the experience.

New Labels

2010-06-03T17:07:00.002-05:00

New labels are coming! I'm excited to be getting new waterproof labels for all of my packaging. I haven't created any redesigns yet, but I think the new waterproof labels will go a long way to ensure I have the opportunity to expand my product line.

Shampoos and conditioners anyone?

Astrida Naturals is Back.

2009-09-22T12:53:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! It has been a very long time since I have been in business, but after an 8 month hiatus, Astrida Naturals is finally back online!

For those of you who don't about us, Astrida Naturals brings you high quality body and skin care products that are designed to pamper and improve the quality of your skin and hair. We specialize in products made with 100% raw, unrefined shea butter.

Check out my shop.
www.astridanaturals.com

New Items - Shea Butter Lotions

2008-10-13T13:20:00.005-05:00

New to my shops this week are Shea Butter Hand and Body Lotions! This rich and creamy, moisturizing lotion is loaded with skin softening ingredients like 100% pure, unrefined shea butter from Ghana, jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, evening primrose oil, and aloe to name a few.

Ultra moisturizing and nourishing, this rich and creamy lotion is formulated to soften and hydrate your skin. The 4oz size squeezable bottle is perfect to throw in a bag for convenient use anytime throughout the day or keep one handy in your bathroom and apply after getting out of the shower to enjoy healthy soft skin all day long.

Available in unscented and scented varieties! Stock up today!

Silkfair
My Etsy Shop
My Ebay Items

The Joys of Self- Employment

2008-09-15T13:16:00.002-05:00

Aah! The joys of being self-employed. I love the fact that I am self-employed. To me, it means that I am more in control of my life and finances. It is very liberating indeed, but it is not without its hardships either. If you are thinking about taking the self-employment jump take a look at this article shines some light on 10 self-employment myths.

10 Self-Employment Myths from the Critiques and Reviews blog.

New Scents - Solid Perfumes

2008-08-28T19:56:00.005-05:00

I am currently expanding my solid perfume collection!

New scents this week.

Tiger Lily - A sweet, floral scent of freshly cut tiger lilies with subtle notes of mandarin and acai fruit.

Ylang Ylang - A rich, soothing, sensual and slightly floral aroma.

Sugar & Spice - A deliciously sweet blend of sugar, cinnamon, and a hint of clove.

Astrida Hair Care - My Progress

2008-07-31T22:21:00.003-05:00

I'm still working on the shampoo and conditioners with shea butter. My most recent formulation of conditioner seems to working very well. I tried it this morning and my dry hair now feels very soft. I am very pleased with the product but disappointed with the smell. I haven't quite gotten the right blend down. My shampoo on the other hand is not quite as far along. I'm still not getting the desired ph balance in the final product and the formula all together is still too thin. I know people don't like their shampoo to run. So, there is still more work to do there. Stay tuned, I'll keep you posted.

A Natural Preservative?

2008-07-22T10:59:00.008-05:00

Ah, yes here we go again. More talk about preservatives. There are so many different views on the subject the more I research the more it makes my head spin! So, for today let's just talk about natural preservatives. Do they really exist? I recently came across a website the debunked a lot of the natural preservative myths, including one in particular, grapefruit seed extract.

News Flash - This is not really natural!

"Grapefruit seed extract is not grapefruit juice. It is not simply ground up grapefruit seeds. It is not grapefruit essential oil. Chemical manufacturers take the leftover grapefruit pulp, a waste by-product from grapefruit juice production, and in an intensive, multi-step industrial chemical process, change the natural phenolic compounds into synthetic quaternary ammonium compounds... Grapefruit Seed Extract is not “natural”. It’s a chemically altered form of grapefruit seed. If you’re going to call it “Grapefruit Seed Extract”, you could by the same reasoning call Sodium Laurel Sulfate “Coconut Oil Extract”."
-Treasured Locks

Yikes. Okay so what is the conclusion? Extract is one of those funky words that can be thrown around to make people think something is really something it isn't. If we all knew Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLES) as "Coconut Oil Extract" then people would probably think it was good for your skin. Instead we know SLES as a chemical detergent and surfactant that might be a possible carcinogen. Names are important, choosing preservatives or any other cosmetic ingredients be sure you know the meaning of the name that you are looking at. It may not really be what you think it is.

Have You Checked Out Silkfair Yet?

2008-07-14T18:50:00.006-05:00

Today, I had my first sale on Silkfair and was very pleased. The fees were so low! Sellers, have you checked out this site yet. If not, you should, there are no initial fees to set up shop or create listings on Silkfair. You only pay when something is sold.

Getting my first sale felt like a breath of fresh air. Once it was the sale was completed I didn't have to worry about paying again to re-list the sold item. Up until now, listing fees on online marketplaces has always felt like an unavoidable cost of doing business; who knew there was an alternative. The people who created Silkfair did. Their vision is to free sellers from focusing on listings and re-listings and allow sellers to concentrate on what really generates sales; outside promotions and marketing. Sellers, take a minute to really consider what this could mean for your business and then think about how much more effective your online shop can be.

So, have you checked out Silkfair yet?

Back on the Grind

2008-07-13T21:49:00.003-05:00

I'm back on the grind again with my shea butter body care creations. After my brief break from all things shea, I came back strong with a couple of big orders from my suppliers. Yes, I am officially buying in bulk now. With pounds of shea butter and oils at my disposal I will have more flexibility to create and experiment with new products without stressing about wasting my precious supplies. I'm really excited about my new hair product line. Unrefined shea butter makes an excellent conditioner and African black soap is a great shampoo base. I already use plain black soap to wash my hair and I can tell you that it is great! The black soap always leaves my hair soft and clean. I'll be adding my own special blend of vitamins, humectants, moisturizers and proteins to enhance the liquid black soap into a more traditional form of shampoo. I'll keep everyone updated on my progress.

It's Been Awhile!

2008-07-05T13:17:00.002-05:00

Oh my goodness, it has been a while since I've blogged! Things are getting a bit busy here, but I'm starting to adjust again. Business at Azizi Books, my bookstore, is picking up again. We are having a few big time authors come to do signings, that's exciting, and I'm trying to plan some additional store events. I also opened a new Etsy shop, called Media Move, for motion graphic design and have been working to redesign web pages for our existing shops. (Check out the new www.azizibooks.com)

In the meantime, I'm still creating for Astrida Naturals. I've added a few new products in the last few weeks and more products are still coming out. I'm currently working on an African black soap herbal shampoo and shea butter conditioner. Also look out for wholesale. I'll be offering a supply of wholesale bulk unrefined shea butter soon, so you can also get the good stuff.

Much love, as always.
Maia

New Items from Astrida Naturals!

2008-06-10T10:31:00.012-05:00

It's June and I have new products coming into all of the Astrida Naturals stores!

Astrida Naturals Solid Perfume.
Available in .5 ounce tins.

This solid perfume is made with a moisturizing base of shea butter and sweet almond oil and is the perfect size for quick and discreet touch ups without any hassle or mess. These sleek and classy tins are easy to carry with you wherever you go and will not leak when closed properly.

Ginger Lime. My first perfume scent is a blend of ginger and tangy lime. Combined, they create a fresh, slightly citrus, long lasting scent that is enjoyed by both men and women.
Look out for more great fragrances in my stores.

*Attention*
Looking for a great deal? Astrida Naturals new Ginger Lime Solid Perfume is available on Ebay as an auction. Bidding starts at only .99 cents. Bid Now!

New Scents of Astrida Naturals Pure Shea Butter
Available in 4 ounce jars.

New additions to my scented shea butter collection include fresh coconut, sweet mango papaya, and antiseptic tea tree.

All products are currently available at www.astridanaturals.com also known as my store on www.silkfair.com

Please also visit:
My Etsy Shop astridanaturals.etsy.com
My Ebay Store stores.ebay.com/Astrida-Naturals

What is the Truth About Parabens?

2008-05-31T11:19:00.004-05:00

This morning I was reading an email that I received from on of my skin care groups about parabens. As many followers of natural skin care will tell you, parabens are bad. Parabens are chemical preservatives that are used in almost every mainstream personal care product on the market today. You will find then in deodorants, lotions, creams, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, and more. The reason why parabens are so widely used is because they are very effective in preventing bacterial growth and have a relatively low cost. Though the FDA says they are safe, they are believed, by some, to cause cancer. This fear has spawned a small movement of people to try natural skin care products preserved with other more natural alternatives to parabens. I myself have used Cosmocil CQ and Germall Plus in lotions and creams, both are paraben free preservatives.

So, do they really cause cancer?

According to the chemist who wrote the post, parabens have not been proven to cause cancer at all, and this whole paraben scare is really the result of misinterpretation of scientific findings. A study in the UK of 20 women with breast cancer found parabens in the tumors of 18 of the women. But... no other body tissues were sampled, no normal breast tissue was sampled, they could not identify the source of the parabens (we don't know that they came from skin care products because parabens are also present in food we eat), and they only sampled 20 women (a very small test group). Results from this study were found to be inconclusive.

So, why do we all believe parabens are bad? Well, another article I read stated, "studies began to expose the estrogen-like property of parabens. Twelve studies have confirmed estrogen-like activity in laboratory rats injected with parabens. The results indicate a weak form of estrogen, but it's there." I also found that, "scientific evidence suggests exposure to estrogen and substances that behave like estrogen may increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer." Because of the wide use of parabens in personal care products, this may indicate some area for concern, but since there is no actual scientific proof, manufactures see no reason to stop using the preservative.

Personally, I'd like to err on the side of caution.

Sure, parabens may not have actually been proven to be harmful, but if there are more natural alternatives out there, then that's what I am going to use. It's not just about preventing cancer, it's also about preventing toxic buildup in our bodies in general. Spiritually, I'm getting closer to nature. I'd like that to be reflected in my skin care as well.

New Item from Astrida Naturals!

2008-05-26T11:38:00.009-05:00

This weekend I added a new product to my list. Now the Shea Butter Body comes in a Sandalwood Vanilla scent. Out of all of my fragrances, the Sandalwood Vanilla is currently my favorite. Made from a heavenly blend of sweet, aromatic vanilla and deep, luscious sandalwood and delicate notes of sensuous amber this scent always seems to warm me up. Men even seem to love it.

Check out this new product at my stores today.
Silkfair
Etsy
Ebay

Astrida Naturals is now on Silkfair

2008-05-23T16:00:00.005-05:00

Have you noticed anything different about my blog lately? Look to the right... that's it, now scroll down a bit... Ah. There it is! The new Silkfair widget. I am now a seller on Silkfair as well.

Haven't heard of Silkfair you say. Well, you are probably not alone, because Silkfair is a new site. Just launched in March of this year, Silkfair is going to make strides when it comes to connecting buyers and sellers. I am very excited about this new site. All of my shea is listed there now. Sellers, if you are looking for a new place to list your items and get more exposure, seriously consider Silkfair. In the wake of disappointing eBay practices, Silkfair has really simplified the selling process. It is so easy to list there, and oh, did I mention that there are no listing fees! That's right, no listing fees. You will only have to pay fees when you actually sell something. Another feature on Silkfair that is destined to become a favorite of mine, is that sellers can have their own personal blogs and forums. This is a great way to connect with your buyers. I will also be blogging on Silkfair and using the forums to answer questions about my products and skin care. Buyers, Silkfair is a great for you too. They make it easy to search for the products you want by description, title, tags, materials, and price to name a few. You can even search by color. Very convenient!

So, have I now convinced you to check out Silkfair? There are a lot more benefits that I didn't get into, so you will have to visit the site to learn more. Try something new! Go to www.silkfair.com right now browse. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Visit Astrida Naturals on Silkfair!
http://astridanaturals.silkfair.com

African Black Soap

2008-05-19T20:41:00.007-05:00

Have you ever used African black soap? Well if you haven't you don't know what you are missing. African black soap is one of the most gentle, deep cleansing, and non-drying natural soaps out there. Traditionally made in Africa, black soap has been shown to smooth skin, relieve acne, and treat skin irritations. It works for all skin types, from oily to dry, but because of its gentle nature, black soap is an excellent cleanser for sensitive skin, you can even use it on your face.

I was first introduced to black soap by a vendor at Chicago's African and Caribbean International Festival of Life and, I have to admit, when I saw it I was a bit skeptical, and totally against using any bar soap on my face. However, when I finally tried it, I loved it. The soap felt so gentle! I have combination skin, so the black soap turned out to be perfect for me by cleaning the oily spots and not over drying the dry areas. I never thought I'd be able to use a bar soap on my face, but with African black soap it is possible. Anyone looking for a mild cleanser with skin clearing benefits look no further, because black soap is definitely for you.

Varying by region, traditional African black soap can be made from a variety of natural oils in Africa such as palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and the ashes from plantain leaves, agow tree bark, and cocoa pods. When the plantain or cocoa pod ashes are combined with water they form a natural lye. Then the oils are added to the water and stirred to form soap. The black soap I sell contains unrefined shea butter, virgin palm kernel oil, plantain leaves and cocoa pod ashes.

African black soap is naturally a soft soap. It also has a high glycerin content. Because of this, black soap will readily absorb moisture from the air, and if it is left sitting in water, black soap will dissolve into it completely. On the bright side, you could bottle the watery leftovers and use it as a shampoo, or liquid face wash. That is, of course, up to you. To keep black soap a bar, store it in a dry place between uses.

For more information on the uses and benefits of African black soap read this article.
African Black Soap Revealed

Traditional African black soap is available at my Etsy Shop, Ebay Store, and now, also on Silkfair

New Item from Astrida Naturals!

2008-05-15T10:40:00.013-05:00

After listening to my customers, I decided to create another shea butter product to add to my growing list. Although, they love the 100% pure unrefined shea butter, they are concerned about the consistency. At room temperature shea butter can be quite solid (see my post about the consistency of shea butter) and it can be hard to work with if you don't know how. So, in response, I came up with another option for all the unrefined shea butter lovers who are looking for a softer shea.

Now introducing the new Shea Butter Body from Astrida Naturals. Here is part of the description.

Are you looking for an amazing moisturizer to use all over your body? Look no further! With over 65% pure unrefined shea butter, this product has all the healing and moisturizing properties you would expect of unrefined shea butter in an soft, easy-to-use, body butter formula.

I blended this shea butter with coconut oil and glycerin to create a smooth creamy butter that can be used all over your body. Now, some people may ask, why blend your shea with other oils, won't that diminish its effectiveness? Not necessarily. This shea butter blend contains over 65% of pure unrefined shea butter in the mix. That's plenty! Especially when you compare it to other body butters in the market today that are using ultra-refined shea butter (shea butter that has been chemically stripped of its natural healing properties) at lower quantities. In addition, coconut oil and glycerin both have great skin care benefits. Coconut oil is an excellent skin moisturizer and softener, that absorbs quickly, and glycerin is a liquid emollient and humectant that helps to draw moisture back into your skin. Blended together, all of this makes for an exceptionally moisturizing skin care necessity.

This product is available at my Etsy Shop and my Ebay Store.

Rebate Day for Me!!

2008-05-13T15:21:00.003-05:00

Finally after months of anticipation, I have gotten my rebate check from the government. Whoo Hoo! (I realize there are those of you still waiting, don't worry your time will come.) So now what to do with the money... Ok, I knew this moment would come, I had a plan. Save some, pay credit card with some, and, oh, spend some! Well it may not work out that way for me. What I really want to do with the money is use it to grow my business because, hey, bath and body supplies ain't cheap!

Neither is marketing and branding.

I realized yesterday that I am still building on my brand power. The Astrida brand is in infancy, and still needs more personality to really take off. Ok, now I've read many of business books and taken classes about business, entrepreneurship, (remember I also own a bookstore) and marketing. I know the importance of branding and filling a niche, but for some reason I don't feel as if I am applying my knowledge as well as I should be. The light bulb hasn't quite gone off in my head to exactly what Astrida Naturals will be when she grows up. Now, I know that there are people who may tell me that I shouldn't be selling yet if my branding isn't all the way together. Maybe I shouldn't, but the fact remains that I still have a great product with more great products on the way. I'm banking on that for the time being.

Happy Mothers Day

2008-05-11T12:29:00.015-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all the mothers out there today,
a very blessed day.

Shea Butter Questions - Consistency and Heating Methods

2008-05-06T11:26:00.004-05:00

I've been getting a few questions from my buyers about what the consistency of their Unrefined Shea Butter should be.

At 65 - 75 degrees, approximately room temperature, your Unrefined Shea Butter will be semi-soft or solid. This may be harder than you expected if you were envisioning a more buttery consistency. But don't worry! The melting point of Shea Butter is about 85 - 90 degrees. This is why when you rub a bit between your hands or on your skin, it will melt easily and absorb quickly into your skin or hair.

So, what do you do if you feel your Shea Butter is too solid? Well you have a few options, first you can leave it as is and use a finger to warm the area you want to scoop out of the jar when you want to use it (this is what I do). Another option is to simply leave your Shea Butter in a warm area of your house, such as under a lamp for about an hour or so to soften the entire jar of Shea. If you want more immediate gratification, then you can place the jar in the microwave and heat it GENTLY. I'm talking 10 seconds at a time at medium heat, people! You never want to heat your Shea Butter too long or too fast or you will ruin it and cause it to go grainy. As long as you don't do that you should be fine and can heat your Shea until it becomes oil (Shea makes a wonderful hot oil treatment or massage oil). If you need to solidify your Shea back up, then just place it in the fridge until it reaches the consistency you like.

Astrida Naturals, Now on Ebay.

2008-05-04T19:59:00.009-05:00

Astrida Naturals now has a store on Ebay!

In an effort to expand my reach to the masses, I have decided to open an Ebay store. The same unrefined shea butter products that I sell on Etsy are now available on Ebay, as well. Here is the link, http://stores.ebay.com/Astrida-Naturals. Look there to find my pure unrefined shea butter and my scented shea butter blends, and of course, anything else I will sell in the future will also be available at my Ebay store.

I also plan to sell a few other items on Ebay that I could not sell on Etsy. For example, you may find shea butter products from other manufacturers on my Ebay store. (Etsy has strict rules against reselling any products not made by you.)

Nature's Shea Butter is a brand that we sell at Azizi Books. Since I am still in the product development stages for my other creations, I found that selling Nature's Shea Butter in the meantime is a good way to fund my own research and testing. It doesn't hurt that Nature's Shea Butter has some great products as well. Look at my Ebay store for soaps, body washes, and lotions from Nature's Shea Butter, http://stores.ebay.com/Astrida-Naturals.

The Incredible, Edible . . . . Shea?

2008-05-01T13:07:00.003-05:00

The other day I was promoting my shop to some people in an Etsy chat room, when one chatter exclaimed that her husband thought that shea butter was for cooking. LOL's came rolling out on the screen until I informed the other chatters that shea butter can be eaten. Of course, I can't really read any expressions through my computer, but I think some people may have been shocked. Someone said that was gross, but I said that in West Africa women have been cooking with shea for years, and it's also used in the US and Europe in the chocolate industry as a substitute for cocoa butter. Rumor has it this is also a healthy butter/oil. I remember reading once that it is similar to olive oil in the fact that it is a healthy cooking oil for frying foods, but I have yet to verify this. (If anyone finds out if this is true please let me know!)

Many Uses for Unrefined Shea Butter

2008-04-28T16:53:00.007-05:00

I am fascinated with Shea Butter. When I first started making my own skin care products, I looked up a variety of ingredients and their benefits to determine what was best to use in my concoctions. When I discovered shea the benefits seemed to go on and on. I never really knew much about shea before. I mean, I knew it could help with scars and stretch marks, like most people do, but a few years ago if you would have asked me what was better, shea butter or cocoa butter, I would have said cocoa butter. Boy was I wrong! Shea is great for scars and stretch marks but that is only the beginning! Unrefined shea butter does so much more....

Regular use of unrefined Shea Butter produces softer, smoother healthier skin and is safe for all skin types. Shea Butter is a natural source of vitamins A, E, and F. (It also contains cinnamic acid, but more on that in a later post!) These antioxidants help the skin to retain its natural elasticity, absorb moisture from the air, and help prevent premature wrinkles by boosting collagen production.

Shea Butter contains natural UV sun protection that is estimated to be around an SPF 6. Daily use of Shea Butter on the face and body reduces sun exposure, which in turn slows down the rate of aging. Shea Butter also acts as a natural mantle against elements of cigarette smoke, smog and chemical pollutants in the atmosphere.

Shea Butter can also help your hair. It provides moisture to dry or damaged hair from the roots to the very tips, repairing and protecting against weather damage, dryness and brittleness. It also absorbs quickly and completely into the scalp to rehydrate without clogging pores. It is particularly beneficial for processed and heat-treated hair, and is an excellent treatment for dry scalp.

The benefits and uses of unrefined Shea Butter go on and on... here is a summary.

Use for increased healing:
Sun damaged skin and burns
Scars and blemishes
Small wounds and scrapes
Helps to prevent and relieve diaper rash
Relieves itching insect bites & stings
Relieves muscle fatigue, aches & tension

Use for skin care:
Absorbs quickly into skin leaving it smooth and soft
Increases elasticity
Moisturizes dry and chapped skin and lips
Helps to reduce wrinkles by boosting collagen production
Helps to reduce and prevent stretch marks and fade scars
Relieves eczema
Minimizes razor bumps and can be used as a shave cream

Use for hair care:
Heat slightly for a hot oil treatment
Dread maintenance
Scalp moisturizer
Protects hair from environmental elements
Prevents hair breakage

Now, you know you want some shea now!

My Treasury

2008-04-26T17:44:00.006-05:00

After many minutes of stalking the list, I finally got a treasury!

(For those of you who don't know about treasuries, you can read about them here, it's a great way to help promote other Etsy sellers).

Actually, this one isn't my first, it's my second, but I am much more proud of this one. Other people seem to like it too, which is great. I just picked the list from some of my favorites. Take a look at it by following the link below. But do it quickly! Because it took me so long to write a post, the link will only be active for 16 more hours .... and counting.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=41149

I like making treasuries, think I'll do this again!

Million Blog List

2008-04-23T07:48:00.008-05:00

I'm # 966

Some one wants to see how long it will take to register one million blogs. They say that there are 70,000,000 out there, so how long will it take to get to one million? Well, I read somewhere that it would take 50 years if they continue at the rate they are going at now. Right now they are up to 966, that's my number, Astrida Naturals is listed as 966. Not a bad number, I guess, but I liked my first number better. A few days ago when I first logged on to the site to add my blog I was number 710. When I went there today to check my listing it was removed and another was in its place! A note said that section could only be edited by registered users now. I am a registered user so I looked at the editable page. It said my blog was removed because it was SPAM! Ouch. I guess I didn't list it right. I added a link to my Etsy page as a part of the description. It said you could have up to 500 characters in the description, but I didn't see anything about restricting what you should write so it's not considered spam, and who the heck decides that it is? Ok, so it's not about self promotion, I get it now, but they should make that clear from the get go. Oh well, so I modified the listing and added Astrida Naturals in the 900's section as 966. (966.... hmm, well, we can talk about numerology later) Hopefully, I won't get removed from this silly list again.

Add your blog to the million blog list...

Eco Cosmetics Making Video

2008-04-22T11:07:00.009-05:00

Take a look at this webcast video about making eco-cosmetics from Threadbanger.com. There is information on how to make lip balms, hair spray and sugar scrubs. It also features Luca, from Lollibomb, another Etsy seller who has had much success with her shop. Such an inspiration . . . You go, gurl!

-Maia
Astrida Naturals

The Buck Stops Here.

2008-04-19T11:27:00.003-05:00

Have you made a conscious effort to buy handmade and shop locally? If so great! Us local business people and crafters really appreciate you leaving the big chains to support us. If not, you should! Buying handmade items and shopping at local stores and businesses helps your community in so many ways. It provides jobs and makes sure that when you are spending your money, the money circulates there and doesn't go off to some far away mystical land. Go to http://www.buyhandmade.org/why-buy-handmade to find out more about why you should buy handmade.

As an Etsy seller, I see the value in buying handmade items, because that is what the whole Etsy community is about, but as an independent bookseller, the buying local movement is also very important to us. I mean we are standing up against giants like Amazon, Borders, Barnes and noble, who often discount frequently in a market where prices are set by publishers. It's hard for us independents! So, I just want to emphasize, next time you are on the lookout for the next New York Times bestseller, check out that local bookstore. If there isn't a generous discount it's not because they don't want to give you a good deal, it's because our hands are tied. But that is another story entirely!

Stop shopping at Wal-Mart, and support the little people!
I took the handmade pledge! You can to at http://www.buyhandmade.org

I must have real soap!

2008-04-16T11:42:00.007-05:00

So, the other day I was going to the store. Recalling an earlier conversation with my boyfriend, Terrence, I remembered that we needed soap for the shower. Now, lately I have been using natural soap from the health food store and black soap from my one of my shea butter distributors. We had some of that at home already, but I knew he didn't want that, as I haven't been able to convert him to the natural way, yet.

I walked to the soap aisle and began reading the labels. I looked at Dove, here is what I read, "chemical this, chemical that, jibber jabber...., " a whole bunch of stuff I can hardly pronounce, yuck. I scanned frantically for some recognizable ingredient, water was buried in there, but that's all I found. Then I remembered that Oil of Olay had a soap with shea butter. I knew it wouldn't be the good shea butter, but some natural butter is better than none, right? Well, shea butter was the last ingredient on the list. Of course I don't know for sure, but that probably means that there is less than 1% of shea in that soap! I rolled my eyes and walked away from the soap aisle realizing that I was spoiled. I've been too well informed about real soap and it's benefits, so now I am a snob. I couldn't buy the fake detergent, perpetrating as soap, even for someone else. I must have real soap!

Introducing Astrida Naturals

2008-04-15T12:22:00.000-05:00

A Note From Maia,

Some time ago, I was evaluating my skin care regime and I discovered I was unhappy. Even though I was using several products all designed to deal with my various skin care issues, I realized I wasn't getting the desired results. I was spending a fortune, and as I became more environmentally aware, I realized many of those products were also processed in harmful ways. So, I began reading, researching, and asking questions. This is when I discovered the phenomenal powers of African Shea Butter.

I began using shea myself, and as I experienced great results for my skin and hair, a passion developed. I learned that not all shea butters are the same. Only unrefined shea butter has all the healing and moisturizing benefits. I began working directly with African importers to ensure I was getting the real thing and that the women who work to harvest the shea nut were fairly compensated. Astrida Naturals began when I decided to manufacture my own line of shea butter products.

As always, I am still learning, but gradually becoming an expert at this as I learn more. I'd like for this blog to become a resource for all things shea butter. Do you have any questions about shea butter? I can find the answers and I will post them here. In the meantime I hope you will visit my shop http://astridanaturals.etsy.com and support my business as it grows.

Sincerely,
Maia