Veronica Greene Beauty Blog

One of the most important holidays, about the most important person, is coming up. It’s a day of family gatherings, socializing, crunching, and, of course, gift-giving.

Here are 5 suggestions to show your love and appreciation for that special woman in your life.

1.Cake – try a scrumptious Strawberry Shortcake from MilkBarStore.com. White moist cake with cream and strawberry filling that can be ordered in the form of a shortcake, shortcake truffles, strawberry shortcake caramel snap tin, etc. There are multiple options with many available for $50 or less.

2. That perfect desert – a set of 25 colorful and flavorful mini cupcakes from Baked by Melissa. These include Cookies and Cream, Triple Chocolate Fudge, Red Velvet, Vanilla and Sprinkles as well as many other flavors. Yummm!!! $32

3. Something to inhale – a perfect fragrance that is! We tried (and Loved!) the Aquatic Perfume Sampler Set from Sephora. Five mini fragrances with varying aquatic scents, beautifully packaged and easy for mom to carry in her purse. Perfect for the upcoming summer. $25

4. Breath fragrance – our own Veronica Greene breath sprays that come in three different and delicious flavors. Beautiful on-the-go packaging for a product that freshens breath and tastes amazing. A perfect gift! $16 each or get all three for $48.

5. Flowers – nothing says ‘I love you, mom!’ better than a beautiful flower arrangement. For this special gift, we like The Bouqs. Co. They have many options in a varying price range with multiple arrangements available for under $50. Whatever her favorite flower is, their arrangements are sure to wow! Bouqs.com

We wish everyone a beautiful Mother’s Day filled with fun, joy and making beautiful memories with this very special woman.

Let’s face it! Our breath is one of the first things people notice about us during an interaction. Bad breath can have a negative effect in business and also be an immense turn off during a romantic encounter.

But what are the actual parameters by which we should evaluate our breath spray? Here are a few attributes that can make your breath spray (and your breath) an absolute winner!!

1. Clean – since the spray is going in your mouth, always check that it contains only clean ingredients. Though there are no official guidelines on which ingredients are harmful, there have been multiple lists of ‘banned ingredients’ compiled by multiple outlets. We have our own list that is very comprehensive and we stand by avoiding all ingredients on it. For more information and to see our list, take a look here: Clean and Sustainable – Veronica Greene Brand (veronica-greene.com)
2. Sustainable – while clean ingredients are safe to use in the human body, sustainable ingredients are the ones safe for our planet. All ingredients (and packaging) of the spray should be harmless to Earth. Above all, your breath spray ingredients should never be tested on animals.
3. Easy to carry – the packaging should be small enough for the ‘on-the-go’ lifestyle. It should be easy to hold, simple to use and should easily fit in a purse. Our VG Breath Sprays do exactly that!!
4. Flavor – most companies place emphasis on mint. We, at VG Brand, prefer more unique and exotic flavors.
5. Effectiveness – after all, the spray is supposed to make your breath feel fresh and clean for as long as possible. The secret behind the VG Spray effectiveness is our proprietary technology that places the ‘cleaning ingredients’ into tiny nano globules which burst over time, making the freshness last longer.

Tip:

Wow!! Are we in February already?! It’s the coldest month and a perfect time for our most favorite holiday.

We Love Valentine’s Day!!

Not only is it the time for snuggles, decadent chocolates, flickering candles and champagne bubbles, but also a celebration of love and romance with sensual kisses, passionate embraces and sweet whispers.

We, at VG brand, had so much fun putting together a list of absolute must haves for V-Day 2021. These will help you set the mood, create a feeling of romance and make it comfortable to get close to your special someone.

Here we go:

1. Chocolates – we love the Knipschildt’s (yes, impossible to pronounce) assortment of 12 decadent and smooth chocolates. The brand was named one of the Top 3 in the world by Gourmet Magazine and the taste of these multi-colored, multi-flavored creations definitely lives up to that reputation. They are sold through Williams-Sonoma.com and are packaged in a beautiful dark red box.
   Price - $34.95

2. Mood Setter – try the Apple Blossom Classic Candle from Nest.com. Not only does it have the most sensual sweet fragrance of red apples, apple blossoms, white amber and cedarwood, but it also comes in a beautifully designed red box. The candle, itself, is in a red striped glass container. All around perfect for Valentine’s Day.
   Price - $44

3. Sensual Treat – for a truly gourmet experience we recommend the macaron from LaDuree Paris. It’s a French desert that made its way into many corners of the world. Two small almond based cookies (not too soft, not too crunchy) connected by sweet filling, they come in many flavors and colors. The Napoleon III box from the Classic Collection includes 12 pieces of flavors of your choice. The packaging is very ornate and comes in three different colors. Perfect for a gift.
   Price - $41

4. For Him – a very masculine and rugged AirPods Pro from MarkAndGraham.com. We like the black or dark brown options. USA made from Horween leather it has an LED charging indicator that shows when the battery is low on power.
   Price - $35 as is or $47 with a classic foil monogram

5. Skin Fragrance – OMG! The Fragrance Discovery Kit by (Malin+Gaetz). Why we love it…It’s gender neutral, perfect for him, perfect for her. Plus, this eau de parfum comes in a set of six on the go 2ml vials. The fragrances are totally unique and unexpected (our favorite kind). They come in bergamot, cannabis, dark rum, leather, stem and vetiver.
   Price - $24

6. Breath Fragrance – talk about feeling confident while getting close!! Our own VG Brand breath sprays come in three unique flavors such as pear, orange ginger and black currant (more flavors coming soon. Promise!!). They will freshen your breath while making you feel sensual and romantic. Multi-flavored, multi-colored, they come in easy to carry, perfect for the life on the go 10ml glass vials. Plus, they are made with only clean ingredients. Rose and gold packaging will make them a perfect gift, whether for yourself or that special someone.
   Price - $16 per vial, or $48 for the set of three

We hope your Holiday this February turns out to be all you expect and more.

Happy Valentines Day from the Team at VG Brand.

It has always been one of our top brand priorities to use only clean and sustainable ingredients that hold up to the industry standards.

We are happy to report that the industry has just hit a new high point with California State Assembly Bill 2762 signed into Law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. This Bill had received wide support from groups including the Environmental Working Group (EWG) as well as Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).

The law provides that starting January 1, 2025 ‘no person or entity shall manufacture, sell, deliver, hold or offer for sale, in commerce any cosmetic product that contains any of the following [12] intentionally added ingredients’

1. Dibutyl phthalate (CAS no. 84-74-2)
2. Diethylhexyl phthalate (CAS no. 117-81-7)
3. Formaldehyde (CAS no. 50-00-0)
4. Paraform­aldehyde (CAS no. 30525-89-4)
5. Methylene glycol (CAS no. 463-57-0)
6. Quaternium-15 (CAS no. 51229-78-8)
7. Mercury (CAS no. 7439-97-6)
8. Isobutyl­paraben (CAS no. 4247-02-3)
9. Isopropy­lparaben (CAS no. 4191-73-5)
10. m-Phenylen­ediamine and its salts (CAS no. 108-45-2)
11. o-Phenylen­ediamine and its salts (CAS no. 95-54-5)
12. The Per- and Polyfluo­roalkyl substances (PFAS) and their salts

While this is currently a California State Law, we consider it a huge step in the right direction to assuring that the Cosmetic Industry Standards are followed. This Law will ensure that various harmful substances are kept out of cosmetic products, especially considering that many of these products are used by women of child bearing age.

Our brand considers it a top priority to comply with Industry Standards. Therefore, none of the ingredients on this list are used in any of our products.

For our list of ingredients please visit:
Frequently Asked Questions – Veronica Greene Brand (veronica-greene.com)

For our own list of banned ingredients please visit:
Clean and Sustainable – Veronica Greene Brand (veronica-greene.com)

Thanks for reading and, as always, we wish you and your family to stay healthy and safe during these unusual times.

Welcome to the 2020 Holidays! 

This is by far the most unusual Holiday Season we’ve had in generations. Wearing masks, socially distancing, and doing most of our holiday shopping online rather than physically going to stores is a new and different experience.

That said, the holidays that are coming up are for celebrating family and giving thanks for everything we have. We hope that you and your families are staying safe and healthy through the season and beyond.

To help with online shopping, we’ve compiled a list of five gifts you can easily order and have delivered. They are not only affordable but are all attractive and useful gifts that are sure to wow any recipient.

Here we go:

1. Makeup (face) – we love the Baked Sculpt and Glow 3 - in - 1 Palette from Ulta. A perfect trio of Bronzer, Blush, and Highlighter, it comes in warm, neutral, and cool sets. Filled with useful oils and extracts, it can be used as powder or cream. Its formulated without parabens, mineral oil, and fragrance. Price: $15
2. Makeup (lips) – our own Veronica Greene Brand liquid lipsticks come in 5 different shades and two different consistencies. From the neutral Sweet Whisper to deeply dramatic Va Va Vixen, it is sure to make a major pout statement and comes beautifully packaged too! Price: $19
3. Fragrance – Atelier Cologne Perfume Stories Mini Set comes with seven vials, 2ml each, of different scents that we absolutely adore! The set covers everything from citrus to vanilla to cedarwood. The packaging is beautiful, as well. A perfect gift all around. Price: $24
4. Fragrance (for your breath, that is) – our Veronica Greene Brand breath sprays have, in fact, been compared to fragrance. A choice of 3 flavors (and more coming soon!), ranging from spicy citrus to gourmet pear, it is as delicious as it is beautifully packaged. Price: $16
5. Gourmet – for the chocolate lovers, our absolute favorite is the Lindor Holiday Sampler Gift Box. It comes with 36 pieces (about 1 lb) of unique and sensual chocolate experience ranging from dark to white shell with various fillings. Add to it the beautiful holiday packaging, and you have a perfect gift! Price: $19.99

These include our most favorites for this Holiday Season!

We wish you a Happy and Healthy Season filled with warmth and smiles.

In this era of a global pandemic, it may be difficult to take your little one to a pediatrician or a pediatric dentist, especially for an in-person visit.

Teeth, however, will not wait to make their presence known, and usually start to make their appearance around age six months. Teething is usually a challenging time for babies, and occasionally even more so for the parents.

Having just gone through my baby’s first teething stage (at age 8 months), I can understand, first hand, the challenges of keeping your baby happy and healthy through their teething process.

Here is a rundown on what to expect, how to soothe, and what to watch out for during your baby’s teething stage.

• Irritability – the baby may cry more than usual.
• Drooling and skin rash around the mouth – when teeth are coming in, they may stimulate your little one’s salivary glands to produce more saliva so that the baby may drool more than usual. The presence of saliva may cause a rash around the lips.
• Coughing – mild and without congestion.
• Biting and Gnawing – a natural reflex to relieve the discomfort of teeth coming through the gums.
• Low-Grade Fever.
• Cheek rubbing and ear pulling – your baby may have referred pain making them feel some discomfort in the cheeks and ears.

2. What to do – there are several things you can do to help your little one through this process:

• Chilled Fruit – any fruit that is cooked and does not cause any allergies can be chilled and placed into a mesh feeder (to prevent choking) and given to the baby.
• Cold Washcloth – may be placed on sore gums. Make sure to keep it in your hands at all times when it’s in the baby’s mouth.
• Gum massage – with washed hands, you can gently massage their little gums in a circular motion.
• Teething toys – you can give your baby a non-gel filled teething toy. The toy can be chilled in the fridge or freezer to provide some relief. Choose a toy that is easy for your baby to hold.
• Wipe the drool away – this prevents irritation. You can use a soft burp cloth or a small soft towel.
• Plenty of cuddles – babies feel vulnerable during this stage. Giving them comfort and reassurance through hugs is a beautiful way to help them through the process.

3. What to watch out for – certain things are not part of the norm during teething and may need you to contact a pediatrician. These include:

• Fever – if over 101.
• Liquids – the decreased need for fluids.
• Rash – other than a facial rash.
• Cough and congestion – may be a sign that the baby is ill.
• Diarrhea and vomiting – if uncontrollable.

I hope that these suggestions and tips will help you to navigate your baby’s teething process.

In the meantime, look out for our November article, where we will explore the teething timeline and how to take care of your little one’s newly erupted teeth.

In this very unusual year, we all made adjustments and changes to our lifestyle.

Social distancing and mask-wearing have been an unwelcome change yet are necessary to try to stay healthy.

One big surprise for many has been a struggle to keep a clean and fresh smelling breath under that mask.

Why is our breath worse with a mask?

There are already several reasons why breath can have less than desirable odor. These include lack of proper oral hygiene, eating certain foods like garlic, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol. Now, with a mask, there is an extra source of bad breath.

It’s normal for a mouth to house billions of different bacteria. These help to keep the mouth healthy and aid initial food digestion. These bacteria are divided into aerobic (need oxygen to survive) and anaerobic (do not need oxygen to survive). The anaerobic, non-oxygen bacteria are the ones that produce unpleasant breath.

Usually, we breathe in a certain amount of oxygen when we speak or eat.

Now, enter the face mask, which limits the amount of oxygen we breath in during the day.

This lower amount of oxygen can change the proportion of the bacteria in the mouth, making the anaerobic bacteria dominate, hence the bad breath.

These anaerobic odor-causing bacteria thrive in dark, warm, and moist areas that are devoid of oxygen, which is why our breath tends to be worse in the morning, and when using a mask.

What to do?

1. More oxygen – no, we are not advocating an oxygen mask. That said, if you are in a private area such as your home, take a few breaths through your mouth to increase the amount of air going in. Just make sure the air is clean and not too cold.
2. Mouthwash – swoosh several times over the course of the day. This will help to keep the bacterial load in check. We recommend any of our VG Mouthwashes. They don’t just whiten teeth but will freshen your breath as well.
3. Breath Spray – especially the kind you can easily put in your purse. Any of our VG breath sprays will do the trick. We offer 3 flavors and more on the way!!

While there are a number of reasons breath can have an undesirable odor, there are also a number of ways to combat it.

Wishing everyone clean and fresh breath and to stay healthy in 2020 and beyond.

In the last year, the world has experienced a fundamental shift in the way we view socializing, interacting with others, watching our health, and traveling.

The airline industry has made extensive changes in flight schedules, seating arrangements, and mask requirements on flights.

If you choose to travel, whether essential or not, here are the top five items we recommend to bring with you on the plane:

1. Mask – we can’t stress this enough! Whether you are flying to or from a state with mask requirements, a mask will likely be required to board the plane. Some airlines are now banning passengers who refuse or fail to wear a mask. In terms of safety, a triple layer mask, may be one item standing between you and a possibility of infection. We recommend a surgical triple layer mask with loops that are short enough to provide a snug fit over your nose, mouth and chin. These usually come in light blue color and have adjustable wiring to fit around the nose.
   
   
2. Breath Spray – after all that breathing into a mask for the entire flight you may feel a change in your breath. A freshening and tasty breath spray is very rejuvenating for the mouth. We recommend our Pear, Orange Ginger or Black Currant sprays. More flavors coming soon – Stay Tuned!!
   
   
3. Disposable Gloves – hand rails, luggage, door handles… You are likely to be touching multiple surfaces before, during and after your flight. Airports have thousands of people go through them on daily basis, which means you can’t be too careful. A pair of disposable gloves can save the day.
   
   
4. Hand Lotion – after your flight we recommend removing the gloves and thoroughly washing your hands. It’s likely that from gloves and soap hands will become dry. A moisturizing and highly absorbent lotion can save the day.
   
   
5. A really awesome lipstick – wearing a mask on your flight, as well as in public places means your lips are constantly in contact with it. We do not recommend wearing lipstick under the mask. When the mask finally comes off, using a great moisturizing lipstick will do wonders for your lips (and likely for your mood too!!). Any of our lipsticks will do the job to help you face the day in style!!

By the time we are adults, most of us have a clear understanding of what oral care entails. However, it can be confusing and vague as to how to care for baby teeth. As a dentist, I’ve seen the effects of neglect in younger patients, which often leads to caries (cavities) that lead to baby teeth loss early and adult teeth coming in incorrectly. As a new mom, I’ve done a great deal of research on the subject to make sure my little one has great teeth for years to come. The following will answer some questions and dispel several common misconceptions about caring for primary teeth.

MYTH: Baby teeth aren’t that important.
FACT: Yes, your baby’s primary teeth are temporary and will eventually fall out. However, they have many essential functions before adult teeth replace them. Baby teeth are very important for eating and getting proper nutrition. They also play a role in the development of the face structure and in holding space for adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early because of decay, the other baby teeth could shift into its position, so there isn’t enough space for the adult teeth to grow in. Another reason those tiny teeth are critical: your baby’s speech development. These teeth will eventually help to produce sounds like th and sh.

MYTH: Teething can make your baby sick.
FACT: Although you may have heard that teething causes diarrhea, fever, and a whole host of other problems, recent research shows that any symptoms are quite mild. Gum irritation, drooling, and irritability are the most common symptoms associated with teething, according to a recent study in Pediatrics; some babies may also experience a slight rise in temperature. 

MYTH: You should brush your baby’s teeth once daily.
FACT: The latest research shows that twice a day is better. Cavities are caused by plaque, a thin film of bacteria that forms on the tooth surface. It takes brushing more than once a day to clean off the plaque. Before your baby has any teeth, clean their mouth and gums with a damp washcloth. Once the first tooth sprouts, switch to a small, soft-bristled toothbrush, and use a fluoridated toothpaste in small amounts. 

Myth: Babies can’t get cavities.
FACT: Any tooth can get a cavity. Baby teeth are part of a human body, small as it may be, and are therefore exposed to bacteria, which are present generally in the mouth. Also, the permanent tooth is forming right at the ends of the root of the baby tooth, so any infection in the baby tooth can damage the permanent tooth. One study found that children who had cavities in their baby teeth were three times more likely to develop cavities in their adult teeth. In addition to brushing, the most important way to reduce your baby’s likelihood of developing cavities is to avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle of formula or juice or breastfeeding your little one on and off throughout the night. 

MYTH: You should schedule the first dental checkup by age 3.
FACT: The American Academy of Pediatrics and the AAPD now both recommend that a baby see a dentist after the first tooth appears or by first birthday at the latest. According to studies, about 60 percent of children in the U.S. have tooth decay by the time they’re five years old. At the first visit, a pediatric dentist will do an exam to evaluate your baby’s current cavity risk and talk with you about what you can do to keep your baby’s mouth healthy. After the first visit, your little one should have a dental checkup every six months or as recommended by your dentist.

With Candy for Halloween, pies for Thanksgiving and Eggnog for Christmas, it’s easy to lose track of the amount of sugar we eat during the Holidays. Which is why it’s extra important to practice great dental care during this time of year.

Here are a few myths (and myth busters) about Holiday diet and dental care routine.

Myth - You should stay away from Holiday sweets
Reality - Timing Matters
It’s totally ok to eat sweets and other sugary foods. Try to eat them with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals and helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.

Myth - Only candy and refined sugar can cause damage to your teeth
Reality – Be picky if it’s sticky
When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are sticky and tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating a lot of dried fruits such as cranberries, make sure to rinse with water and brush carefully. To finish up? Try our Blood Orange and Ginger and French Golder Pear Whitening Rinse. Swoosh, swoosh!!

Myth – Alcohol cannot damage teeth
Reality – Moderation
‘Tis the season for Egg Nog and Thanksgiving Sangria! If you choose to drink, try to drink water alongside or after your drinks. Also, try our Alcohol-Free French Golder Pear Whitening Rinse. Not only will it rinse away alcohol, but it will add to that Holiday Flavor.

And remember: Too much alcohol can dry out your mouth.

Myth – All candy is equal
Reality – Not all candy is the same
Some candies are more problematic than others. Hard candies can put your teeth at risk because, in addition to being full of sugar, they’ve also been known to cause broken or chipped teeth. (Be careful not to break or chip your teeth when eating nuts as well!)

Myth – sweets are the only carbs that can damage your teeth
Reality – Watch out for Starch
Starchy foods, such as pasta and dough, are sneaky because they often get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in chips and cakes, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up, brush well and rinse.

Suggestions? Our Black Currant Whitening Rinse.

Staying with great oral care routine is important every day of the year, but becomes even more so during the Holiday Season, which is filled with sweets and other yummy temptations.

Staying with great oral care routine and using proper oral care products will keep you smiling through the Holidays!!