LAURIE HERMANN

What a stroke of luck that I bumped into the inspirational Laurie Hermann at my local farmer’s market. We got chatting and I quickly realized that Laurie’s got a serious grip on beauty from the inside out. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease (thyroid) and was advised to radically change her diet, and think about every product she puts on her skin. The result of  the changes she made are evident in the glow she gives off. She’s off all her meds and walks the gorgeously green walk. Also, she’s created a line of fabulous skin care products that I was eager to test.

Although I only tested 3 products, I was really impressed with all of them:

Shave Oil: I got this for my husband, however, tried it on my legs first! It gives for a very close shave (no rash afterwards), but you do need to rinse out your razor really well after.

Sun Body Oil: This is magical if you like a body oil that also protects you from the sun. There are no physical or chemical barriers, but Laurie believes that we can protect our skin like the Polynesians do, by using specific plant oils, which contain natural sun screening compounds: kukui, meadowfoam seed, macadamia and coconut. I tested her oil out on a blisteringly hot Los Angeles day. I applied the oil half an hour before going out, and then I actually lay out in the sun (around 3.30 in the afternoon) for 1 hour. I didn’t burn at all. Laurie says that her 11 yr old girl who is a junior lifeguard, uses it to protect herself too.

Nature’s Face Wash – Ocean Fresh: Laurie told me that customers drive for miles to her stall to stock up on this unique face wash! It’s a fine powder that, with a little water, mixes into a paste. I love that it contains kelp, which is so nourishing for your skin. It’s almost, but not quite an exfoliating wash. I gave it a whirl with my Clarisonic Mia and it left my skin feeling very fresh and squeaky clean.

Laurie has turned her diagnosis into something so wonderfully positive for all of us. She also gives a lot of nutritional advice on her blog, and like me, LOVES virgin coconut oil to take internally, and for glowing skin.

Laurie is offering G.G. readers free-shipping through the end of September: Code: gorgeousfromlaurie