truth serum

Do your taste buds get all tingly by the prospect of a vegan, nearly sugar-free superfood kind of treat?  No?  It can be tricky to find a cookie that truly tastes delicious and but doesn’t trigger any guilt. We’ve all heard it loud and clear:  sugar is the devil’s BFF and we should avoid it like toxic waste. As someone who loves her treats, especially chocolate, this poses a problem. Along comes Raw Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Superfood Bars.  They’re a revelation!  I was turned on to this recipe at an anti-aging workshop given by my friend and naturopathic doctor,...

2018 is the year I had a really big birthday.  Hint: It ends in a zero.  The upside of that is I’m far pickier about what I really need so only the “little luxuries” tend to make the cut these days.  Anytime I find something I really like (read…repurchase regularly), is something I want to share with anyone who will listen. Here’s what made my Favorite Things List this year: (Does anyone else immediately get transported back to Julie Andrews singing in the “Sound of Music” when they hear the phrase “Favorite Things?” … “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on...

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Here at Kari Gran, giving back to causes we truly believe in has always been important to us. Over the last six years, we’ve donated to help with eye-sight surgeries around the world to the Houston Food Bank after Hurrican Harvey.  And this holiday season we want to do something a little different. Starting today, #GivingTuesday, we are kicking off our #SantaandMrsCause initiative by donating lots of Lip Whip in its original black glass packaging to deserving folks, who could use a little love. We've sent whips to organizations such as Lipstick Angels, a nonprofit organization that...

Just like our customer reviews, the comments from Kari Gran HQ below are entirely unedited.  “I’m grateful that eight years ago, Lisa persuaded me to take this “hobby” of mine to the world. I’d still be making lip whips and potions in my home kitchen without her support and vision of what Kari Gran could become. Kari Gran, Co-Founder “I am grateful for the little wins I see around me. I am grateful for the young women who are taking the plunge into politics. I am also very grateful that I bought big-girl panties for my old incontinent dog, Maggie...

Thanksgiving is here, and with it comes with lots of gratitude and even more food than normal. And while we here at KG like to encourage healthful eating for best complexion results, Thanksgiving is one day we say throw caution to the wind. Do we want whip cream with that pumpkin pie? Oh yes, we do. However, the day should not be a total food guilt trip, so we went off in search of the silver lining. We found that many of the ingredients and foods we eat on Thanksgiving have powerful skin-loving properties, so chew on that as you...

Even when winter skies are cloudy or grey, Seattle sparkles with light during the holiday season. Here are some ideas for a very merry visit. Let’s start with the venerable Pike Place Market – a beloved Seattle institution since 1907. Fresh produce, home of the famous “flying fish” vendors, flowers, specialty products galore. It was the first location of Beecher's Handmade Cheese. Market parking available at garages located just below the market; elevators take you straight to market level. Nearby you'll be able to check out Smith Tower Observatory. Historical and stately, this landmark tower in Pioneer Square was built in 1914,...

Our famous Halloween icon also packs a powerful punch when it comes to nutrients, making it a winner for your skin. Here are four ways to take advantages of pumpkin properties – like alpha hydroxy acid and Vitamins A, C and E – to help your skin glow, no candle required. DrinkPumpkin Seed MilkSoak 1 cup seeds in water overnight. Hang in mesh bag to dry. Blend with 4 cups water in Vitamix. Strain into jar and squeeze milk through pulp. Keeps in fridge for 5 days. SnackRoasted Pumpkin SeedsWash raw seeds. Boil seeds in salted water for 10 minutes...

Foundation obviously plays a key role in any makeup routine because, well, it’s the foundation all else is layered upon. However, one of the more difficult things to do is select the right shade for your skin tone, as women are often overwhelmed by walls of 50 shades and beyond. At Kari Gran, we simplify it. Not only do we have a short list of ingredients that comprise our Mineral Foundation, but we also offer just 8 shades. Our experience shows this small curated spectrum still ensures a perfect fit for most, while not overwhelming anyone. Our foundation shades are simply...

Remember the days of 3 network TV channels?  Feels like ancient history compared to what’s available today:  hundreds of tv channels, subscription services that make binge-watching entire seasons of a show so easy, e-readers, blogs and now… podcasts.  I’ll admit, I was a little late to the podcast party - now it seems everyone and their sister has one.  Who has time to listen to them all?  Probably no one, which is why it’s handy to have guides to help navigate your way to find the ones that spark your interest. Here’s a brief list of some of our favorites: ...

Ever heard of sea buckthorn?  Sounds a bit like a spooky plant that grows deep underwater, or a dark potion out of a Harry Potter book, doesn’t it?  Well, read on, because Sea Buckthorn is having a moment. I first discovered sea buckthorn at Expo West way back in 2011, just as I was developing my formula for our Essential Serum.  Its eye-popping orange berries lured me in and when I discovered it was grown in Nordic countries, I was even more captivated (being a good Scandinavian girl and all).  I learned that Sea buckthorn is actually a spiky, hard-to-harvest...