As a child I knew what she meant– Be Nice!

While there is a saying that “Beauty is only skin deep,” I think that the statement “Pretty is as Pretty Does,” contradicts the notion that beauty is only on the outside– That beauty comes from within.

We spend a lot of time thinking about the external.  Fighting those wrinkles, with lotions and potions.  But there is little talk about our “Pretty is as Pretty Does” Self, and how our emotional health transforms our beauty.

Think for a minute about the women you find most beautiful.  I think of Audrey Hepburn.  Her beauty was not only external but it was her grace and humor that made her more than just pretty, it made her beautiful.

Think for minute about a women you know that is pretty, but she doesn’t cross over into beautiful.  Some one like Lindsey Lohan comes to mind (maybe because she was recently in the news). Her inside unhappiness over takes the fact that she could be a beautiful women.

Positive mental traits do seem to make a women more beautiful. Pretty is as Pretty Does.

So add “Pretty is as Pretty Does” to your skin care routine, it is a free and cheap method that is a proven age defining method.

Our DIY Tomato Mask was featured on Skin Care Solutions.

“2. Use tomatoes to befriend dirty and oily skin: The natural acids in a tomato loosen dirt from pores. This along with the tomato’s concentration of lycopene, vitamin A and vitamin C make it an excellent treatment for acne and skin cleansing in general. A recommended tomato-based natural product is Burt’s Bees Garden Tomato Complexion Soap or you can make your own tomato face mask.”

“Exfoliate like whoa, on face & body: These bar soaps are a perfect/quick way to slough off dead skin cells without loofahs or exfoliating gloves to give skin a oil-free smooth surface. Jackson Sage‘s hand crafted/small batch bar soap collection cleans deep with only all natural & essential tea-tree & lemon sage oils with skin healing moisture.”

Read full article on TheLuxurySpot.com >>>>

As for the Doggie Sage Herbal Shampoo itself, it worked great! First off, the herbal smell was definitely preferable to the chemical smell of most pet shampoos. Also, a little bit went a long way – this stuff lathers up really well!

MissMalaprop.com, Aug 16, 2010

Read full review >>>>

When Whole Foods opened the store in Short Pump (Richmond, VA), they actually contacted me!  The Regional Office found me on etsy, and wanted a local body care person.  Not only do they seek out local producers/growers/vendors, the team memebers in the stores are supportive and amazing to work with.  I am not just saying this because I have my products in select Whole Foods, but because I have really enjoyed working with Whole Foods and appreciate their local vendor program.

In honor of local vendor week, last night Whole Foods Market at Fair Lakes, hosted an event Green Your Routine, a do-it-yourself workshop with me, Erika Hollen.

The topic was Green Your Routine– “Get tips on how to simplify your routine, what skin care ingredients are must have, how to create products from your kitchen cupboard, and tips on how to create a spa quality experience on a budget.”  It was a general class so we talked about various brands, not just Jackson Sage, and I mentioned cheap tips (such as using Witch Hazel to Apple Cider Vinegar).  We talked about where to spend the money if you are on a limited budget and why.

And if learning how to Green Your Routine was not enough– then maybe a goodie bag will do the trick!

Samples included full size lip balm from The Merry Hempsters (I got a sample of the Orange flavor and I am loving it), Essence Soap, Brigit True Organics (another local Body Care Company based in Charlottesville), Dr. Hauschka (Although this is everyones favorite natural brand, sadly I can’t use because it has peanut oil in it!), Jackson Sage (Hey that’s me!).

Everyone also received a snazzy handout (that I created) entitled Green Your Routine.  I won’t give you the whole handout, you will have to show up for a class, but, I will give you the DIY Detox Face Mask Recipe with goodies from your kitchen:

1 tsp Honey
5 drops Apple Cider Vinegar
5 drops Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Rice Bran
1/2 tsp Corn Meal
Apply in gentle circular motions, avoid eye area.  Leave on 5-10 minutes.  Wash with warm H2O.

Thank you Fair Lakes Whole Body Department for making this event possible!

Overview of the show:

From Art Throwdown

Utter cuteness by Bee’s Knees Studio

From Art Throwdown

Tasha McKelvey wonderful bird pottery! (I have one of her bowls I keep by my bathroom sink to mix my face masks)

From Art Throwdown

And who could not want this picture of a squirrel with a gun by Monkey Dog Studio!

From Art Throwdown

The show will be up till September 9, and 5% of the sales go to the Richmond SPCA!

“I’m super excited about this opportunity to browse creations such as handmade bath and body products from Jackson Sage; funky, slightly offbeat jewelry by Keen Designs; homemade perfume from Modern Atelier; elegant ceramics by Tasha McKelvey; and vintage-inspired baubles from Twist Style.”

See full review on Richmond.com >>>>>

Grapefruit & Green Tea Renewing Masque
For All Skin Types
Honey 1 tsp
Adzuki Bean & Rhassoul Microscrub 1 tsp
Grapefruit Juice   1 /2 tsp
Lavender & Green Tea Toner 1 /2 tsp
Rose Hip & Vitamin C Serum 5 drops
Tea Tree & White Willow Bark Serum 5 drops

Directions
Mix ingredients together. (Adjust ingredients for desired thickness.) Cleanse face with Cleanser. Mist face with Hydrating Mist. Leave face damp from Hydrating Mist. Apply masque in a circular motion to face, avoid eyes. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Post Masque Care
Mist face with Hydrating Mist. Add two drops of Serum to a pea size amount of Skin Cream, apply to face.

Highlights of Additional Ingredients
Shiitake Mushroom Extract (in the Rose Hip & Vitamin C Serum): increase cell turnover, improve firmness and hydration, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Pumpkin Seed Extract (in the Rose Hip & Vitamin C Serum): Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
Rice Bran (in the Adzuki Bean & Rhassoul Microscrub): A gentle exfoliate that helps to prevent wrinkles, heal blemishes, absorb dirt and balance oils.
Rhassoul Clay (in the Adzuki Bean & Rhassoul Microscrub): Rich in minerals, reduces dryness, improves skin clarity, improves elasticity, and skin texture.
White Willow Bark (in the Tea Tree & White Willow Bark Serum ): anti-inflammatory, clams and soothes skin
Honey: Antibacterial, anti-fungal, increase skin hydration
Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil (in the Rose Hip & Vitamin C Serum): Nourishing and restoring oil. and rich in vitamin E and anti-oxidants.
Helichrysum (in Tea Tree & White Willow Bark Serum ): Antibacterial, and wound healing
Echinacea (Adzuki Bean & Rhassoul Microscrub): anti-inflammatory antioxidant and antiseptic.
Green Tea (in Lavender & Green Tea Toner ): Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral. Helps to protect skin against UV radiation.

Jackson Sage was listed as one of the eco-friendly travel necessitates!

“Richmond-based skin and body care company, Jackson Sage (www.jacksonsage.com) offers sample kits for all skin types with travel-size containers of cleanser, micro-scrub, toner, mist and skin cream, all tailored to your skin type. The kit also comes with a recipe book, so you can whip up treats for your face from fruits, veggies and other ingredients you have around the house. Jackson Sage’s products are handcrafted in small batches with natural and organic ingredients and contain no artificial colors or fragrances.”

Go to the Richmond Eco-Travel Examiner to  read the complete article >>>

Of course all this digging in the dirt leaves my skin rough and dry.

Below are a few of my favorite post garden products to heal and renew.

Renew Your Hands and Feet: Exfoliate with Handcrafted Soap

Handcrafted soap is excellent for Garden Hands (and beach feet). Choose a natural soap with build in exfoliation to remove tired (and dirty!) dead skin.  Choose To Go., Lavender & Rhassoul, or Happiness.

Don’t want to get dirt under your finger nails?
Take a bar of soap, dig finger nails into bar leaving soap under nails. Leave under nails while gardening. When you are done, wash hands. The soap will prevent dirt from getting stuck under your nails!

Renew your Body and Feet: Therapeutic Bath Salts

Spent too much time in the garden or by the river?  Our special blend of Therapeutic Bath Salts soothes tired muscles and moisturizes and repairs skin.  Dead Sea Salts, release toxins and excess fluids.  Calendula Oil, heals, softens and soothes skin.  Alfalfa Leaf Powder aids in relieving fatigue, and inflammation.
Been running around barefoot?  Soothe and soften feet by using the Therapeutic Bath Salts as a foot soak.

Renew and Repair your Hands, Knees, and Feet: Soften Up Salve

Soften Up Salve is excellent to soften, soothe, repair and heal garden hands, knees, feet, sunburns and even bug bites.  The secret is in the botanically infused oils.  Calendula oil soothes and heals dry skin.  St John’s Wort aids in healing wounds, sunburns and bug bites.  Sea Buckthorn treats scars and dry skin.  Apply after a long day in the garden to repair skin and treat bug bites.  Don’t forget to apply Soften Up Salve (or pick one the Firming Body Creams such as Garden Hippie or Lavender) before (and after) sun exposure to reduce the possibility of your skin drying out and/or skin peeling.