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Afro-Cuban jazz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Afro-Cuban jazz is a variety of Latin jazz, which was started by Dr. Obdulio Morales in 1930s Cuba. Other well-known variant of Latin jazz is Brazilian jazz. Afro-Cuban jazz was played in the U.S. directly after the bebop period, while Brazilian jazz became more popular in the 1960s and 1970s.
Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz includes rhythmic components from the genres of salsa, merengue, songo, son, mambo, and cha cha cha.
Although jazz had long had what Jelly Roll Morton called the Spanish Tinge through the interchange of musicians from Havana and New Orleans during the late 19th and early 20th century, it never actually used the Afro-Cuban rhythmic components or percussion instruments. A good example of this style would be the song 'Caravan' by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol.
True Afro-Cuban started with the meeting of arranger Mario Bauzá and Dizzy Gillespie in the late 1940s in the Cab Calloway orchestra. In due course Gillespie formed his own big band to try to broaden the appeal of bebop. He asked Bauzá to introduce him to 'one of those tom-tom [sic] players (meaning a conga player).' Bauzá introduced Gillespie to the legendary Cuban conguero Luciano 'Chano' Pozo. It was in the Gillespie band that Chano Pozo wrote the song 'Manteca' that is considered the first piece of true Afro Cuban jazz.
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Novaurora Organic Skin Care's FAQs
The skin is the body's largest organ. The lungs breathe, and so does the skin. The breathing skin provides an exit for toxins and chemicals. Lotions and salves that occlude this exit may initially soften the skin, but actually inhibit the overall health of the individual, besides weighing down the skin and causing it to sag and age. Nutrients applied to the skin that improve the skin's health may have a positive effect on the whole body.
Below is a list of FAQ Topics. Click on a word from the topic list and it will bring you to our answer section.
Q: Why should I be concerned with cosmetics ingredients that have been approved by the FDA?
A: Over the past decade we have heard much about medications that should not be used in combination with other medications. Individually they may not be harmful, but taken together they may be toxic. This is known as synergistic toxicity. Because of the increasing numbers of toxins and pollutants in soil, air, water, textiles, foods, fragrances, dyes, building materials, etc., more and more people are experiencing allergies or sensitivities of all kinds. No one knows the potentially harmful effects of combining various foreign substances in our environment, and the FDA relies on the cosmetics industry to police itself. - top -
Q: I've heard there are no good cosmetics preservatives. Why do you use them?
A: We tried not preserving our products, but they are loaded with fresh botanical ingredients, and frankly, they started to smell bad pretty fast. We know some people who make homemade cosmetics from fresh ingredients and keep them in the refrigerator, and we actually considered becoming the first refrigerated skincare line. Instead, we decided to use Germall Plus, the preservative that has the most admirable record for skin sensitivity. We use the absolutely smallest amount necessary to pass the laboratory preservative challenge tests, less than one-half of one percent. The parabens found in most other cosmetics are very effective preservatives, but many people have reactions to them and they have been indicated in breast cancer, so we don't use them. - top -
Q: What is diazolidinyl urea, what is it derived from, and does it turn to formaldehyde?
A: Diazolidinyl urea is the primary ingredient in Germall Plus, our chosen preservative. It is derived from plants. It is a formaldehyde donor, but NOT formaldehyde in the gaseous state. Only formaldehyde gas has been linked to breast or other cancers. Diazolidinyl urea is considered safe even at high ambient temperatures, and has been extensively evaluated by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board. It is considered safe for both leave-on and rinse-off products. It has tested to be non-irritating at solutions over ten times higher than we use in our products. Nonetheless, there is a statistically significant number of people (1 in about 1000) whose skin may be irritated by this preservative. If your skin turns red and stings, discontinue use immediately and request a refund or pass the product on to a friend who doesn't share this sensitivity. There will be no lasting negative effect on the skin. - top -
Q: Parabens are in almost all cosmetics. What are they, and why do you not use them?
Parabens are the most frequently used cosmetic preservative. You may see them as methylparaben, propylparaben, etc. We have chosen not to use them because they are strongly suspected to be linked with breast cancer. Recommended reading: "State of the Evidence," the 2004 report from the Breast Cancer Fund. - top -
Q: Why is Novaurora Repairing & Toning Lotion so different from my usual toner?
A: Your toner probably contains alcohol, witch hazel, or any number of other ingredients we've chosen to avoid because, although they tighten the skin and may make it feel refreshed, they also dry it out and ultimately make it think it needs to produce more oil to come back into balance. Our Repairing and Toning Lotion with aloe vera and beta-glucan works from the inside out to stimulate the skin to balance itself. It doesn't just tone, it really repairs: it's great for acne or blemishes, it encourages production of collagen and elastin, and it is the best ever repair for sunburn. Besides all that, it feels soooo good on the skin. Right away you will feel a tingling, alive sensation that lasts for hours, making you feel refreshed and ready to face the world. One of our clients tells us she takes some to work with her to use midday when she starts to drag, because it makes her feel more alert and energized. - top -
Q: Why do you use simple, unadorned packaging for your luscious products?
A: There are several reasons we have chosen our packaging. First of all, we believe the clean, simple packaging is an outer reflection of the purity of the products inside. Another important reason is that we have a philosophical aversion to spending more on the packaging than on the ingredients, which many high-end cosmetics do. We also use biodegradable bottles, without excess outer packaging that serves no purpose and adds more to landfills. We believe our discriminating customers will appreciate what's inside. - top -
Q: These products feel very different on my skin. What makes them so different?
A: There are no other products like them for purity and scientific formulation to keep you looking beautifully young. What you feel is how healthy skin is supposed to feel when it's well nourished, has good oxygen flow, and can breathe in and out freely. You may, however be accustomed to the more creamy, slippery feel of standard commercial cosmetics. They use ingredients that do not add to the skin's overall health, and in many cases are potentially harmful, to create this standard look and feel. Our customers tell us that once they get used to the Novaurora difference, they appreciate and prefer it. - top -
Q: What is your suggested beauty regimen with these products?
A: Our clients tell us they get the best results from using all three face care products morning and night. First thing in the morning and just before bed, they wash their faces with the Soap-Free Cleanser, then apply the Repairing & Toning Lotion and Rejuvenating Face Cream as follows:
1. You may simply cleanse with the cleanser by splashing your face with warm (NOT hot and NOT cold) water, then squeezing a dollup of cleanser onto clean, wet hands, rubbing them together to get a lather, and applying to the face, rubbing gently in upward circular motions. If you want to exfoliate, apply what's on your hands to your face while it's dry. This will help to get rid of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Then splash rinse and pat dry. It's best not to rub hard, as this will stimulate oil production or break blood vessels at the surface. Don't worry about getting this in your eyes; it won't sting, and it's gentle and effective for removing eye makeup.
2. Already you'll notice your skin is tingling and feels refreshed. Just wait for what's to come! Now squeeze a pea-sized amount of Repairing & Toning Lotion onto your hand and apply it all over your face. You may need another pea-sized drop to complete this, but not much more. Notice how clean and wonderful your skin feels; it tingles and feels tight but soft, like it did when you were much younger. If you have oily skin, you may want to stop here, but even oily skin and acne can benefit from the protection the third step gives you.
3. Now take a small amount of Rejuvenating Face Cream and smooth it all over the face and neck. Experiment with how much you need to use. Oily skin may need just a drop, or just once a day. Severely dry or damaged skin may need larger amounts more often until it returns to a healthy balance. For most of our clients, the Face Cream is their favorite step, because it makes their skin feel like silk-smooth, soft and supple, with rough spots evened out. And then within a few days they notice how good their skin color has become. Their cheeks are pinker and their skin looks wholesome and bright. (Unlike products with AHA or heavy doses of retinol, Novaurora body-friendly skin care never burns or irritates.) - top -
Q: What is MSM and how does the Weekend Warrior Balm work?
A: "MSM is a water soluble compound found in all living things, a nutrient our bodies require but often lack . . . This natural mineral, essential to good health, can greatly reduce the pain of arthritis and other chronically painful conditions . . ." (see Deborah Mitchell, MSM, The Natural Pain Relief Remedy.) It's a sulfur compound that works a lot the way sitting in sulfur hot springs works on sore muscles and joints. It's completely safe, whether taken internally or applied topically, even in very high doses. We have added it along with beta-glucan and Ayterion Agua™ to aloe vera gel to create non-greasy pain relief that works wonders on sore muscles, bruises, joints, strains and neck- and backache. As far as we know, ours is the only MSM remedy that doesn't contain mineral oil or petrolatum. Through a proprietary process we have been able to include 17% MSM, higher than what you'll find in other remedies. Once you've used this, you'll want to always have it on hand for those occasional aches and pains, or for chronic conditions.
Because our research shows that Weekend Warrior Balm is effective on about 80% of people, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee. - top -
Q: I've heard that cosmetics ingredients are being cited as a source of air pollution. Is this true?
A: Not just air pollution, but water pollution, too. The LA Times has said that consumer products, including cosmetics, pump 100 tons of pollutants daily into southern California's air, second only to auto emissions. These pollutants come not just from the propellants in sprays and aerosols, but also from flurocarbons, ethanol, butane, acetone, phenols and xylene. Here's how it works: These chemicals evaporate, and when the sun shines they combine with other pollutants to form ozone, a primary component of smog that can cause headaches, chest pain and loss of lung function. This happens outdoors and indoors, which can severely compromise the air quality in our homes and offices.
There is a class of chemicals called PPCPs (pharmaceutical and personal care products) that until recently have received relatively little attention as potential environmental pollutants. PPCPs comprise all drugs (prescription and over-the-counter), diagnostic agents (e.g., X-ray contrast media), nutraceuticals, and other chemicals, including fragrances, sunscreen agents, and skin anti-aging preparations. Below we mention the effect of phthalates on sperm count in lab animals. When phthalates get into rivers and lakes, they affect the reproduction of aquatic species; calcium channel blockers and antiepileptic drugs can dramatically inhibit sperm activity in certain aquatic organisms; musk fragrances are known to bioaccumulate. Profound effects on spawning and other behaviors of shellfish occur with antidepressant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). How do these things get into our rivers and streams? Our wastewater treatment plants are not currently removing them from effluent before releasing it downstream, because regulations have not required it. Now you know one more reason why we are so picky about our ingredients: we don't want to pollute or encourage pollution of the human body or the earth. - top -
Q: What are some of the cosmetics ingredients that may have negative effects?
A: Among the substances common to many cosmetics and skin care products that may cause negative reactions in persons with environmental sensitivities and allergies, or have long term negative effects, are sodium laurel sulfate, propylene glycol, PEG (polyethylene glycol), carbomer and carbopol, preservatives with parabens, and triethanolamine (TEA), to name a few. Also to be avoided are perfumes, especially because they are preserved with phthalates, which have been shown to cause significantly lower sperm counts in laboratory animals. Phthalates do not appear on ingredients lists, but they are an ingredient in almost all perfumes. Often labels will merely say "fragrance." You can rightly assume that these are synthetics that have been preserved with phthalates, and should be avoided. - top -
Q: What percent of Novaurora's products' ingredients are organically grown?
A: Novaurora products contain the following percentages by weight of organically grown ingredients:
Hand & Body Lotion, 89%
Jojoba Oil, 100%
Rejuvenating Face Cream, 84%
Repairing and Toning Lotion, 88%
Soap-Free Cleanser, 62%
Weekend Warrior Balm with MSM, 75%
Our aloe vera gel, Active Aloe™ from Aloe Corp, has been grown organically, without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and in April 2004 the fields were certified organic. - top -
Q: How do toxins applied to the skin affect a person's overall health?
A: The skin is the body's largest organ. The lungs breathe, and so does the skin. Patches applied to the skin are used to deliver prescription drugs into the body, and nicotine patches have become common in helping people quit smoking. In the same way, toxins in cosmetics or lotions applied to the skin are carried into the body and may negatively affect a person's health, especially over the long term or in combination with indoor and outdoor pollutants. Research has shown that 60% of what we put on our skin makes its way into the bloodstream. - top -
Q: Should I use sunblock or cosmetics that contain sunblock?
A: We feel the best sunblock for the face is a good hat. There is a growing concern that the usual sunblocks inhibit the production of epidermal growth factor (EGF), which is essential to healthy skin in general, and especially to skin exposed to sun, wind and environmental pollutants. Beta glucan in skin preparations can protect the skin from the development of sun-related conditions such as melanoma, by activating the Langerhans cells, the resident macrophages of the skin, encouraging the skin to heal itself. Shea butter, an ingredient in Novaurora Rejuvenating Skin Cream, also has sun-blocking properties. We strongly advise our clients to avoid exposure to the sun, but have chosen to exclude traditional sunblocks from our products. We make no claims of SPF levels. If you should get a sunburn, be sure to shower right away to remove dirt, salt, and sunscreen, then apply Novaurora Repairing & Toning Lotion liberally every few hours until it feels better. - top -
Q: Why do your products not contain the usual sunscreens?
A: To quote "State of the Evidence," the 2004 report from the Breast Cancer Fund: "Growing concern about ultraviolet (UV) radiation and the risk of skin cancer has led to widespread use of sunscreens, which are also added to cosmetics. Research has found that some chemicals in these products not only are estrogenic but also lipophilic. Studies show they are accumulating in wildlife and humans. Swiss researchers who tested six frequently used UV screens found that five showed estrogenic activity in breast cancer cells and three showed estrogenic activity in laboratory animals." Novaurora products provide an excellent choice for people who prefer not to use the usual sunscreens.
We invite you to read an article from The Green Guide on newest research into the safety of sunscreen ingredients. - top -
Q: What are the benefits of beta-glucan?
A: Beta-glucan, a polysaccharide derived from the cell walls of yeast and composed of glucose molecules, activates macrophages, the foundation cells of the immune cascade. Activated macrophages are crucial in the body's ability to heal wounds and produce the ground substances of normal tissue. They produce epidermal growth factor (EGF), which increases the production of collagen and elastin, thus improving the skin's appearance and erasing fine lines and wrinkles. Beta-glucan has been shown through clinical trials to be effective in treating a variety of infections, whether bacterial, fungal, or viral in origin. Taken internally, beta-glucan has been shown to be a beneficial addition to various traditional cancer treatments. For more information see "Polysaccharides in Skin Care," by P.W.A. Mansell. - top -
Q: I see shea butter in many high-end face creams. How does it benefit the skin?
A: Shea butter, from the nut of an oak-like tree of the African savannah, improves the skin's color and texture, combats skin thinning, and visibly diminishes wrinkles from photoaging due to prolonged sun exposure. In clinical studies, shea butter has demonstrated "regenerating properties that target it towards photoaging prevention." It is non-greasy, stimulates blood circulation, and protects and softens the skin. Shea butter has sunscreening properties. - top -
Q: Do you use animal-derived ingredients or do animal testing?
A: No. Novaurora products are cruelty-free. We use plant-derived (botanical) ingredients and never test on animals. We do know of a dog who ate an entire jar of Rejuvenating Face Cream, with no ill effects. We call that our Lab test. - top -
Q: What is sodium PCA?
A: Sodium PCA or NaPCA functions in human skin as a humectant, a substance that attracts water. Without enough NaPCA in the skin, the moisture level will drop and skin will dry out. Without enough moisture, nutrients cannot be properly delivered to the skin cells. NaPCA is the most powerful, non-toxic humectant known, and the most important humectant in the skin. - top -
Q: What is Ayterion Agua™?
A: Living water produced by Perfect Science AD, Inc., Ayterion Agua™ works synergistically to magnify many-fold the healing and immune-stimulating properties of aloe vera, beta-glucan and antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. Perfect Science AD, Inc. is currently conducting studies to verify the anecdotal evidence of healing properties of Ayterion Agua™. - top -
Q: How and why do you make a cleanser that is soap-free?
A: Liquid soaps generally contain SLS and/or SLES (sodium laurel or sodium laureth sulfate), foaming agents used in most shampoos, cleansers and toothpastes that has been shown to be irritating and have long-term negative effects on the body. Instead, Novaurora Soap-Free Cleanser contains decyl glucoside, a nonionic surfactant that provides excellent foaming characteristics and is exceptionally mild to skin and eyes. It is made from corn, is water soluble and biodegradable. - top -
Q: Are Novaurora products suitable for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)?
A: We believe the Soap-Free Cleanser and Repairing & Toning Lotion are excellent for people who suffer from Multiple Chemical Sensitivies, or MCS. They contain none of the usual chemical sensitizers, such as SLS, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), carbopol or other carbomers, dyes, or fragrances. They do have smallest possible amounts of the gentlest preservative available (Germall Plus, or diazolidinyl urea + iodopropynyl butylcarbamate). The other Novaurora products are very pure, as well. However, they contain small amounts of essential oils, which may not be suitable for sufferers of MCS. If you are sensitive to some essential oils but not others, please send us an email listing those you do not tolerate, and we will be happy to tell you if they are in our proprietary essential oil blends. - top -
All Novaurora products contain organically grown aloe barbadensis Miller, otherwise known as aloe vera. You should not use Novaurora products, if you are among the small number of people allergic to aloe vera.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you have specific questions not answered in this FAQ, please email us at mail@auroranova.com.
Also, be sure to visit Our Ingredients page and our Organic E-Store for further descriptions on our products. Thank you for your interest in Novaurora Organic Skin Care.
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