Hi Lovelies,
Welcome back! And if you are new here, welcome 💕💕💕
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| Julie from Complete Natural Clarity |
Today I wanted to introduce you to someone special - Julie from Complete Natural Clarity. We connected over Instagram, and I was immediately drawn to her warm personality. We enjoyed talking green beauty brands and products, and I soon learned about the multiple health struggles this lady faces (seriously, my dermatitis is nothing compared to what she has!) but even with so many odds stacked against her, she remains to be a ray of sunshine in the green beauty community. I don't even know how she does that, I feel I wouldn't have so much strength in me? Please go and read any caption on her IG posts - and you will immediately know what I mean, she has so much passion and knowledge that she shares, but she does that in a way that is non judgmental, very warm and real, and you won't be able to resist to connect with her. Her inner beauty and the light she shares with the world really shines through. No masks or "social media persona" here - this lady is not only internet REAL, she is REAL REAL! Genuine and real to the core.
And her blog rocks too - you will find the links at the end of this post. So sit back, relax and enjoy this interview with her. And grab a coffee or matcha latte, it is a long one :)
💕 Please introduce Yourself to those who might not know You?
Hi! I'm Julie, a green lifestyle blogger at completenaturalclarity.com. I've always been a person who I felt is sort of good at many things, but not particularly spectacular at anything... The one thing that's always been my driving force in life is creative writing.. And books.. 📖📖📖 Reading is my natural Xanax 🤗 About 12 years ago, I started devouring books on green beauty/lifestyle, health, and wellness. I'm also a mother of a sweet baby boy and a licensed counselor with a masters degree. To put all of this together: my love of writing creatively, learning about and sharing all things Green Living, and the magical realm of holistic wellness, my blog became my sacred space to combine all of the above into one treasure trove of natural beauty, in all its many forms. 🏵️
💕 How has going natural and non toxic in your beauty regimen changed your overall health and beauty?
I've always been fascinated by delving into topics and figuring out how things work, what makes people do/feel/think a certain way, and finding the root cause of problems....pretty much everything that western medicine isn't! 9 years ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (an underactive Thyroid) after I started slowly gaining weight and feeling incredibly lethargic/exhausted. Doctors only wanted to treat the numbers on my blood tests and refused to listen to me when I complained that all of my original symptoms were still ruining my quality of life. One doctor flat out told me to get used to it and that I would feel awful the rest of my life! It took 9 years of researching diet, nutrition, lifestyle, exercise, and how the Thyroid works in the body and responds to medications for me to finally realize what was going on. After having my son, I became pre-diabetic and have full blown hoshimotos disease (Hypothyroidism becomes an Autoimmune disease over time, despite medication). I went to specialist after specialist and asked about Reverse T3 playing a role. Traditional doctors won't even look at Reverse T3 and I was told to find a "different type of doctor in NYC". I did my research and called over a dozen doctors trying to find one that would test my Reverse T3 levels and help me treat it. I found ONE GP (not even an Endocrinologist!) who was willing to listen to me and it turns out my Reverse T3 levels were through the roof, despite the rest of my lab results being normal!! We added T3 to my medication to balance the way my thyroid is breaking down hormones and... 5 months later, I'm down 25 pounds without changing my routine in any other way! (I've been exercising 5-6 days a week for years and my diet has always been mindful and in moderation).
I say all this because Green Living is about being as informed and educated as possible... It's not easy and a lot of times it's overwhelming and despairing trying to stand up for oneself and push forward. Doctors are people just like you and me... They make mistakes and they're most certainly not all-knowing! Going green has a lot of detective work involved as we try to attain answers to questions our society has been ignoring for so long.
Going natural and living as non-toxic as possible has taught me to not give up easily. This lifestyle has also taught me to honor my body, be grateful for everything my body does for me each and every day, and to nourish the skin I'm in. I'm definitely healthier, happier, and so much more informed since my green beauty journey began!
💕 Three things that make You happy?
Fairy tales, music, and books. 📖🌈 oh... And makeup, of course! 💄😃
💕 What is the best advice You've been given?
Nothing in life worth having is easy. Love yourself before you can truly and wholeheartedly love another. In the end, love is all there is. We're all living this life as one. Lift each other up and everyone will flourish!
Secondly, I've finally learned what it means when people say happiness isn't a destination, it's a journey.... The root of happiness lies in what we tell ourselves each day; the thoughts we carry with us through life affect every aspect of our lives. Be positive, persevere, and keep moving forward! Doors will open, and possibilities are all around you. 🌠
💕 What people inspire You?
Honestly, I have been so incredibly inspired by the women in the Green Beauty Community... I didn't know what I was getting into when I first started my blog, as I've never been much of a social media person. I created my first Instagram account when I started my blog a little over 2 years ago. The women in this community are so empowering and empathetic on a level that is genuine and real at its core. I love scrolling through my feed and reading all of your positive words of encouragement, educated facts about toxins and nontoxic products, and inspirational quotes that motivate me when I'm struggling at my core. I absolutely love that! I feel that once people make the switch to using natural products and to live a mindfully healthy lifestyle, people naturally start looking within to being the best version of themselves. The positive energy is literally contagious!
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| Complete Natural Clarity favourite products |
💕 What are Your three (or five) can't-live-without-it green beauty products?
Root's Pearl Powder Foundation (HG, full coverage mineral foundation). Silk Naturals Blur Tinted Oil Control Setting Powder (every person with oily skin will rejoice at this glorious setting powder!). Tinted lip balm from Silk Naturals or Root & Kari Gran lip whip in Tinted (HG night balm).... And because I can't just have those, I absolutely adore Chai Love You lipstick by Red Apple Lipstick and Root's blushing Bronze in Sophie. Maracuja oil is my favorite skincare oil for acne prone skin!
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| Julie from Complete Natural Clarity wearing her green beauty favourites |
💕 Your best DIY recipe?
Pure Activated Charcoal can be used in so many ways! It comes in powder form and you can simply mix it with water to form a paste for spot treatments for blemishes, an all over face mask to detox the pores, and as an all natural teeth whitening paste! Just sprinkle some on your Toothbrush for a super quick teeth whitening rinse.
💕 What do You like and dislike about yourself?
I dislike that I can get overwhelmed easily and that I'm prone to anxiety and depression. It feels like a constant battle at times. I like that I'm always trying to improve myself each day in some way. Learning never ends, no matter how old we get! I don't mind getting older and for each birthday that passes, rather than focusing on being another year older, I like to focus on what I've learned that year and how I've grown as a human being. 🌈
💕 Your proudest achievement?
I've never actually admitted this publicly, but due to the eye condition that I was born with, my vision is not fully correctable with glasses, so I was never able to see the chalk board in school. Despite being visually impaired my whole life, I completed a master's degree in Counseling, as well as a certification in Wellness Coaching. There were many, many times I wanted to give up. There was a strength inside me that propelled me forward, despite all odds being against me. I've never had anything come easily to me in life; I've had to work harder than most people to get where I am. It's taken many years to be truly grateful for everything that I am, rather than resenting everything that I'm not. Truly coming to terms with that is hands down my greatest accomplishment! 🙏
💕 What are You currently reading?
I'm always reading 1 nonfiction book and 1 fiction book. My mind really wants to be reading a dozen books at once, but I've finally trained myself to narrow it down to two at a time. I've found this is the best way to fully absorb the content and/or storyline. Right now, I'm re-reading Wuthering Heights after I found a beautiful antique copy that captivated my heart. I'm also reading The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael T. Murray, N.D., and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
(I am taking notes! ~ Renata)
💕 If You were to formulate a natural skincare or beauty product, what it would be?
A natural acne-fighting product that actually works! I have yet to find one that truly, truly stops active breakouts in their tracks. I've found some options that heal acne that's already on the mend, but never something that has stopped a blemish from getting out of control once it formed. Fighting acne at the source is a tricky matter, but the green beauty scene really, really needs to invent a topical concoction that works in a similar way that copious amounts of benzoyl peroxide does (minus all the havoc benzoyl peroxide causes on the skin, as well as internally). I know, I know... That might be impossible. Tea tree oil is recommended as a natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide, and in theory they may hold similar properties, but in actuality tea tree oil does absolutely nothing to treat, prevent, or heal acne for me. In fact, it seems to break me out even more in deep, painful cysts 🤔. Tea Tree oil and argan oil have been the most widely recommended products to me in treating active acne on the skin with claims that these products alone cured other's acne... I don't know what kind of acne those people had and I know everyone is different so I'm not saying it's impossible... But, after many years of research and trial and error using myself as a Guinea pig, I've come to the firm conclusion that it's highly unlikely that any oil alone is the cure to acne. And I feel that these unrealistic claims cause acne-prone people to inevitably give up on trying to use natural products on their skin. This breaks my heart and is why I'm sharing this with you! It's not hopeless! It's just more complicated.
I digress, though... 😂 In sum, I'd create my HG, 100% Natural Acne-fighting regimen. And if I ever do, I guarantee that tea tree oil and argan oil probably won't be high up on the ingredients list, if at all. 😊
💕 Your guilty pleasure?
Binge-watching TV shows on Netflix... When I'm feeling completely emotionally drained and too physically exhausted to read or exercise, I really do love a good show and movie to relax and recharge!
💕 Your top tips for being healthy and happy?
Move your body!! Our bodies were designed to move. When we have stagnant energy that can't flow freely, we become more aggressive, angry, and bitter (not just towards others, also towards our perception of ourselves). Exercise is not only incredibly important for our physical health for our heart and detoxification, it's also vital for our mental health and well-being. Exercise helps release feel good neurotransmitters in the brain, causing us to combat depression and anxiety in a completely natural way!
Secondly, try not to let other's perception of you change the way you feel about yourself. We give other people entirely too much power over our feelings of self worth. We can never make everyone happy and the best thing we can do for the entire world is to be the best possible version of ourselves. This means we have to utilize a lot of self care practices and honor the body we're in! 💞
💕 What scents excite You?
I love Grounding scents with a hint of spice and feminine elements... Musky scents, Jasmine, lavender, Sandalwood, Clove, vanilla, cinnamon... Tiny, tiny amounts of patchouli here and there.
💕 What is Your mantra in life?
"As you realize the world evolves" - Ravi Sing
💕 Favorite affirmation if You have one?
"I am balanced, I am strong"
"Let love guide your way"
💕 What's Your favorite beauty trend at the moment?
I'm a big fan of the magical, unicorn-like elements in beauty with different highlighter shades in pastel tones with glowy, healthy, radiant skin! I love adding elements of Magic in my makeup looks, while still creating super-wearable looks! My favorite highlighter of all time is Root's illuminator in Sarah, which is an absolutely gorgeous lavender! It's pure magic and it makes me so, so happy just looking at it!
💕 3 resources every girl needs..
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin 📖 Skin Deep database at EWG.org✨ and The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield 📖
💕 Once an week for my health...
Make time to recharge doing something I truly, truly love and being mindfully present the entire time..no interruptions and no distractions!
💕 Crazy health idea that actually works?
Oil pulling! It's tough, especially after my son was born, to do this regularly, but when I do, oil pulling does make me feel better, in general! I swish around extra virgin coconut oil for at least 10 minutes (make sure to spit it out in the garbage and not your sink! Oil isn't kind to pipes in the house).
💕 What do You do to de-stress?
Bellyfit workouts (dance, yoga, meditation, stretching), read a book, journal, watch a favorite movie, listen to music, apply makeup for some zen time.
💕 Last thing you do at night?
Apply my Kari Gran lip whip as I think about everything I'm grateful for each day.
💕 Tell us a secret!
Hmm.... I used to be very goth in High School 😂. I still love me some good ol' rock n roll!! 🎶🎸🎶
💕 A few words to Green Life In Dublin readers?
Don't ever let another person's perception of you change the way that you feel about or see yourself. Let love be your driving force in life and never give up! Keep believing in fairy tales and let magic find its way into your world with open arms and an open mind! Love and light. 🙏🌈✨💞😘
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| Complete Natural Clarity family |
Julie
*Green Beauty/Lifestyle & Wellness Blogger*
Licensed Counselor, MA
Certified Wellness Coach
IG: @completenaturalclarity
Blog: completenaturalclarity.com
So, that's my post for this Monday, I hope you enjoyed it! If you want to check out more Natural Beauty interviews, click on the links below, there are some good ones. And I have more of them coming :)
Sonia White from Love Lula
and last but not least, Linda or Lindalu19.
P.s. Please make my day and subscribe & share this or any of my blog posts on social media - it helps to get the green beauty word out and for that I Thank You! Follow me on my new blog Greenlifeindublin.com, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube.
Lots of Love,
Renata.
Enjoy my content? I would appreciate any contribution to my PayPal Tip Jar - any donation will get You my eternal gratitude and more awesome green beauty reviews Your way! I weed out all the greenwashing products so You won't have to.
That is my daughter in law and I always look forward to reading her blogs. She is an interesting person, and I am glad she is family. 🤗
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Julie's mom in law <3 I think you are lucky to have such a wonderful lady in your family! I love her and her wonderful blog too xo Have a lovely day!
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