I am so excited to announce this contest. I think it is going to be so much fun and I’m anxious to see what comes out of it.

Beautiful Basics is pleased to announce the first annual Summer Guest Blogger Contest. All summer long, starting today (May 17) and ending August 17, Beautiful Basics readers are encouraged to submit a natural beauty recipe, tip, trick, or review to BeautifulBasics@charter.net any time during the span of the contest.

Entries will be posted as received. Submissions may be edited if need be, although the content and voice of the article will not be changed at all. You may submit up to 3 entries. The only stipulation is that the post must be centered on either natural ingredients or natural beauty products.

The guest post with the most “likes” by the end of the contest will be the winner and will be notified on August 18th. The winner will receive a skin care package that includes: a cleanser, scrub, moisturizer, treatment and toner from Mineral Fusion (prize comes from me and has nothing to do with the company) worth $85.

Good luck Beauties! I can't wait to see your entries!

It’s no secret that I love beauty products and recipes that include honey and other bee ingredients. Medicine Mama’s Apothecary is company who features healthy skin creams made using pure bee and other healthy, organic ingredients. I was sent their latest offering, The Bee Magic Wand, last month to test out and review and have been enjoying it since it arrived.

The Bee Magic Wand is an all in one natural lip and face balm in a convenient .5 oz twist up stick. The ingredient list is short and includes olive oil, avocado oil, beeswax, and Medicine Mama’s Proprietary Honey and Propolis Blend. These 4 ingredients blend together to create a rich, hydrating, healing and softening balm that performs many different tasks. 

Since honey and propolis are purifying, antibacterial, and antimicrobial and the beeswax is an anti-inflammatory while the oils are moisturizing and protective you can use this balm anywhere on your body! You can use it as a daily or nightly moisturizer (or both!), a lip balm, on your cuticles, for bites, burns, rashes, scars, or sun burns, to moisturize your lashes or under eye area, to tame unruly brows, and anything else you can dream up! I especially love this for my face and eye area!

It doesn’t really have an odor, other than the faint scent of olive oil. It goes on heavy and makes your skin look a bit shiny but is absorbed by the skin almost immediately leaving lovely, healthy looking skin behind. It is very gentle and nonirritating while also very effective. It banishes any dry spots and makes my skin glow! 

If you’re interested in picking up your very own Bee Magic Wand you’ll be happy to learn that it sells for $12.95 so it’s very affordable. You can order online or check their retailer list to find it locally. 

(FTC: This product was so generously provided to me for review consideration by the PR company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

I’m one of those girls who washes her hair every day even though I know it’s better for your follicles to skip a day in between. I try it once in a while but for the most part I partake in a daily hair cleansing ritual but lately my hair has been really dry so I decided to experiment with making my own DIY shampoo with hydrating properties. I whipped up a batch of homemade olive oil shampoo lat week and I really like it.

What you need:
A small bottle
½ cup of liquid castile soap (I’m using Dr. Bronner’s Baby-Mild)
2 tablespoons aloe vera extract (I picked up aloe vera juice that you can drink)
1 teaspoon of olive oil

You can also add essential oils or herbs if you want but I wanted to keep mine as simple as possible.

All you need to do is mix your ingredients together by shaking the bottle. Once it's mixed properly it will appear creamy and opaque. Shake before each use. It lathers surprisingly well! Castile is a really gentle cleanser than helps get dirt, oil and other gunk out of your hair and off of your scalp while the aloe vera and olive oil will help infuse moisture to your strands.

This shampoo leaves my hair so shiny and healthy looking! Since oil makes it hard to condition I condition first and then shampoo. My hair looks great! I’m going to continue using this until my bottle is empty and then I'll post an update for you. Let me know if you try it out too!

I received the April Goodebox I told you I won from their Facebook page on Friday and it's everything I could have hoped for. Some monthly delivery boxes can let you down in some way but I've been fortunate enough to receive 2 boxes and both blew my mind, in a good way!

If you missed my review of the March Goodebox or need a refresher course let's cover the basics really quickly - for only $16 a month you will receive 6 or more trial sized healthy and natural beauty products shipped directly to your door (or mailbox) around the 15th or 20th of each month! In addition to receiving products to test out, members of Goodebox also receive exclusive discounts and the chance to win free full sized products.

Some monthly boxes are generic and filled with one size fits all products but Goodebox decided to tailor boxes to each members specific needs and concerns. When you sign up you get to fill out a profile detailing your favorite shades of makeup, skin type and tone, and your concerns in addition to several other topics like whether you're a vegan or not. Never again, for example, will you receive a cleanser for oily skin when your have dry skin.

When you're a beauty blogger finding new and exciting brands and products can prove to be difficult, especially in the natural sector, but this month I received products I had never tried before from a few companies I had never heard of. Once again Goodebox did not disappoint.

Let's get to the contents of my box, shall we?

I received two 0.17 oz of Weleda Iris Day Cream and Iris Night Cream. I have both heard of and tried Weleda products before but never these two. They do smell quite strong (which is a problem I have with a lot of Weleda's offerings) but they do smell nice.

Next was the cutest little travel size of True Natural Sunscreen Active Sunscreen SPF 40. I was so excited to get this in my box! I'm sun sensitive so I like to keep sunscreen on hand at all times and this is the perfect purse-sized tube. I haven't tried it yet but I love natural sunscreen so I'm sure I'll love this one!

I love lip products so I was happy to see a full sized Devine Lip Shimmer in the box. I received Champagne and absolutely love it. I have a full review of Devine Lip Shimmers coming in the next few weeks so keep an eye out for that.

I had never heard of Linda Kammins before but I received 3 of her products to test out. The first is her Lavender Daily Shine Shampoo which is a concentrated shampoo so they also included a separate bottle to mix it with water in. Also in the box was her Peppermint Daily Shine Rinse, which smells SO good! The final Linda Kammins product is her Tea Tonic Rinse, a sachet of tea with a bottle to mix in.

The last product in my April Goodebox was a body butter from Get Creamed Body in their Pink Citrus Paradise scent. I'm in love with this body cream. I'm super scentsitive but this smells fantastic. It's a light, fresh, pink grapefruit scent that is not too overpowering or overwhelming. It's also incredibly luscious and hydrating. It makes my skin feel so silky soft and healthy that I'm planning on ordering myself a tub.

8 great products to try for only $16? I'm all for Goodebox and can't wait to sign up for more. Unfortunately I missed the deadline to receive the May box but if you're interested in signing up for the June box you need to do so before May 30th. Let me know if you sign up too!

Let’s continue with the strawberry trend from the other day with a recipe for a strawberry body scrub that is delectable and perfect for pampering yourself or a loved one with. It’s so simple and easy to make and use.

What you need:
10 big, ripe strawberries
2 tablespoons of your favorite skin friendly oil (I really like olive and grape seed for body scrubs)
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of brown sugar


Blend the strawberries and oil together to make a liquid but keep in mind that it’s okay if there are still some chunks of berry left. It doesn’t need to be totally liquefied. Pour into a bowl and add the sea salt and brown sugar. I really love to use both sea salt and brown sugar when making a scrub because the different sized granules are really effective at sloughing off dead skin cells.

I always use scrubs on damp skin, but everyone is different. I especially love this one for my hands and feet but it works great on arms and legs too. If you have any of your mixture left you can store it in an airtight container for about a week.

Have a great weekend!

My favorite nail polish brand Soulstice Spa recently released four gorgeous new shades in honor of spring and I was lucky enough to receive two of them to try and review. If you read my review from a couple of months ago about Soulstice you probably remember how much I love these nail varnishes!

Soulstice Nail Colour is 100% Vegan, cruelty free, non-toxic, 3-free (doesn’t contain toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate), and made in the United States. The company also donates a portion of all proceeds to non-profit social and environmental organizations. They have a wide variety of colors so there is undauntedly something for everyone, including the on trend new releases.

All of their polishes are named after cities around the globe and the newbies are no exception. The two I didn’t receive (but I think I’m going to purchase) are called Kauai, a rich berry pink with gold shimmer, and St. Tropez, a shimmery nude. The two I received are Cape Cod and Harbour Island.

Cape Cod is described as “a delicate pearlescent blue-grey” and I agree! It’s absolutely gorgeous and totally reminds me of Cape Cod (even though I’ve never been there) and sailing. It’s a perfect shade for spring and summer. Blue is one of my favorite colors but I tend to avoid it for my digits because I actually have blue and/or purple extremities (a side effect of my illness) but this doesn’t make my feet and hands look dead, which is a huge plus!

Harbour Island is stunning. It’s described as “pink sands; a sugary pastel”. It’s a super shimmer sheer shade of peachy pink and it’s very feminine and flattering. As far as glittery polishes go it’s one of my new favorites. It is very reminiscent of something sweet and sugary like cotton candy and I really love it. It looks wonderful indoors or out and shimmers and shines beautifully in the sun.

If you’re interested in checking out Soulstice for yourself you can visit them online. Each polish retails for $8 or you can purchase a pack of five for $30. You can also find them on Facebook.

(FTC: These products were so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Strawberries are superheroes when it comes to nourishing skin and fighting acne. They also happen to be one of my favorite fruits (actually, one of my favorite foods in general!). I took my first steps for a ripe, red strawberry and now in addition to eating them regularly, I use them to supplement my skin care routine. Strawberries are in season and perfect for the picking right now so it’s a terrific time to share a berry great facial mask.

Since strawberries have a natural type of salicylic acid in them they are perfect for those of you with oily or acne prone skin, but they’re also beneficial for normal skin. They help soften, exfoliate, and brighten the skin. You can use them on their own or you can mix up a batch of the following facial mask:

What you need:
½ cup of fresh strawberries (this is around 3-5 berries)
1 tablespoon of plain yogurt (I like Greek yogurt for my skin)
2 teaspoons of honey

You can either use a blender to mix the ingredients with a fork to mash them. You should end up with a consistency similar to a smoothie. Apply on your clean face and let your skin soak up the nutrients for 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

A few weeks ago my Mom sent me a link to Goodebox’s website so I could check it out. Upon reading about the company, I immediately sent them an e-mail asking if I could review their service. It turns out Goodebox is one of the coolest monthly delivery services out there and I couldn’t be any more excited about them and their offering. For only $16 a month you have the ability to receive 6 or more trial sized healthy and natural beauty products delivered directly to your door (or mailbox)! This service is perfect for us Green Goddesses who love to try new products to add to our beauty arsenal.

If you’re a regular around this part of the World Wide Web you know how much I love monthly delivery services and today I’m pleased to be able to share my thoughts on Goodebox. Samples not enough for you? In addition to receiving products to test out members of Goodebox also receive exclusive discounts and the chance to win free full sized products.

I received the March Goodebox (funny enough, I actually won an April Goodebox from the company’s Facebook page so I’ll be able to review that for you once it arrives in case you need to see more!) for review and I was so excited to open it once it arrived. I was not at all disappointed. This box was packed full of awesome goodies that I was just thrilled to be able to try including:

Alima Pure Luminous Blush in Freja and Bronzer in Belize –I love and adore Alima Pure so I was so excited to be able to try these particular shades. Freja is a gorgeous medium warm pink color with subtle shimmer. It looks very natural but gives the skin a gorgeous glowing effect. The shimmer is very fine so it is not too over the top. Belize is a shimmery, medium bronze shade perfect for getting a sun kissed look.

Travel Size of Bear Naked Wipes from Josie Maran – I have always wanted to try these wipes so I was ecstatic when I opened the box and discovered them. It’s the cutest package ever and the wipes themselves are great! They are very moist (which is something I look for in cleansing wipes!), have a very light and fresh scent, and do a great job at getting makeup off. There are 8 wipes in the travel-sized package worth $6.

Stark Skincare Grapefruit Cleanse + Hydrate Balm - I had never tried Stark Skincare before receiving these samples but I’m definitely impressed. I haven’t used the Cleanse + Hydrate Balm very much but I really like it. It smells lovely and works really well as a multitasking product for cleansing and moisturizing. I have a similar product from One Love, so I know I’ll love it.

Stark Skincare Green Tea Detox Clay Mask - The Mask from Stark is also really great. It’s a powder that you can add tea, water, or even fruit juice to. It dries quickly and tightens.

Clairvoyant Beauty De-puffing Cucumber & Cranberry Eye Gel – Clairvoyant is another company I’ve been interested in but had never tried before. I think this eye gel is fantastic and it’s full size (.50 oz) so I’ll be able to continue using it for quite a while. My eyes have a tendency to get irritated by some eye treatments but this one really refreshes and cools my eyes. It’s great for day or night use and really helps shrink my puffy bags. It also smells delicious! This product alone is worth $32, which far exceeds the cost of the Goodebox.

Clairvoyant Beauty Rosehip Oil & Hibiscus Facial Serum – I have a hypersensitive sense of smell and this smells so strongly of flowers that I couldn’t use it. However; My Mom has been using it and really enjoys it!

If you’re worried about receiving products that don’t suit your skin tone or type you have no need to worry. Goodebox offers personalized boxes designed to suit particular concerns or needs. When you sign up for the service you fill out a profile that details your age, skin and hair type, and personal preferences. You even have the option of receiving only Vegan products. Finally, a subscription service that keeps you Vegans in mind!

You can learn more or sign up for your own Goodebox by visiting their website. I know I’m going to sign up for the next months box so I can continue receiving awesome samples. It’s more than worth the $16 monthly fee in my opinion. What about you? Does Goodebox pique your interest?

Remember last month when I told you how much I like handbags? Well, today I have another handbag review from the coolest company and I'm so excited to be able to share it with you!

The founder and designer of the company is Venezuela born Leonor Mendoza. She now lives in Brooklyn and works with 12 other eco-minded people who make up Engage Green. Engage Green is a company who believes in using sustainable and recyclable materials to create functional and fashionable handbags, totes, wristlets, backpacks, and other types of bags. Their designs are created using recycled paper and plastic as well as sustainable organic cotton, cork and hemp. They believe in using sustainable materials to conserve resources, minimize waste, and protect the environment.

Their brand has the cutest logo that is featured on all of their bags. The story behind their logo that they share on their website is amazing and admirable: "Our story began with our concern about Global Warming, about our Planet. . . and about Team Work. . . We thought about the Penguin, whose natural environment was melting away. We thought about the Chicken, whose natural environment was being flooded by the glaciers that were getting smaller. A penguin and a chicken -- two birds living in very different environments, both dealing with the consequences of climate changes. It is a metaphor of our times -- a penguin from the glaciers and a chicken from the land. Even though they cannot fly, they can ride and team together toward a common project, to help Stop Global Warming. . . to ENGAGE GREEN!!!- This is what our logo represents".

I was sent their Large Spanish Mosaic Tote Bag in Orange and I couldn't be any happier. The bag is made out of recycled plastic which comes from used water bottles. Approximately 18 16 oz water bottles are used to make 1 yard of their fabric. How cool is that?0 Now to describe the bag - The first thing I noticed about this bag was how well it is crafted! It's so sturdy and durable. Its attractive carrying handles are strong and functional while adding a nice contrast and detail to the bag. The straps are also extremely comfortable to carry on the shoulder.

It's more of a burnt orange color, so it will be perfect for all 4 seasons. The Spanish Mosaic pattern is fun and funky while still being chic. The bag is almost a neutral color with a touch of brown, black, and blue. It's large enough to hold whatever one may need to tote around and even my laptop fits in it. It has a convenient organizer and a zipper side pouch so everything has a perfect place.

Engage Green is a great company with a strong message and a powerful mission. They even support numerous charities and non-profits like The Nature Conservancy, American Red Cross, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society just to name a few. Please see their website to learn more about their brand and products. You can also purchase your favorites online.

(FTC: This tote was so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Does your skin need a little brightening, revitalizing, or exfoliating? Well, you have come to the right place if it does, because I have the perfect healthy, do-it-yourself facial recipe today! I love all three of the ingredients used in this recipe on their own and in a million other combinations but this one is at the top of my favorites list.

What you need:
2 tablespoons of finely ground oatmeal (you can either buy oat powder or use a coffee grinder to mill your own regular oatmeal)
1 tablespoon of honey
2 tablespoons of cream or milk (you can use what you have but the higher the fat content the better)

Mix your ingredients together until smooth and apply to your freshly cleansed skin. Once it’s applied, you can massage your skin in small, gentle circles to let the oatmeal act as a scrub and then let your mixture sit on your skin for 15 minutes before rinsing off. The oatmeal and cream will act as exfoliants while the honey imparts moisture and antibacterial properties. Once the mask if off you skin should be softer, brighter, and cleaner.

This season every girl will be able to sparkle and shine with a little help from SpaRitual’s Limited Edition Gold Collection. For dazzling digits you can apply a couple of coats of one of six polishes from their Gold Collection. Each of the polishes in this collection is infused with real 24K gold particles! If you’re a lover of golden or metallic shades then prepare to be wowed!

SpaRitual polishes are all DBP, Toulene, and Formaldehyde free which makes them a safer and healthier option that traditional lacquers. They are also Vegan and cruelty free! Their formulas are naturally colored and free of synthetic dyes. They use ingredients from around the world like wild plant essences. The bottle itself is chic and comes with their patented Plum Cap which makes opening easier. This collection is topped with a limited edition golden colored cap.

Each shade is very easy to apply, wears incredibly well and looks great on fingers and toes. The only problem I had with these polishes is the fact that the gold shimmer was a bit hard to remove. Some gold particles remained behind after the removal process, but it was a lot easier to remove than tricky glitter polish. All in all I really like the formula and quality of SpaRitual.

There are six shades with golden shimmer in this collection so there is a shade that will suit every skin tone. The colors are aptly named as well. 

First up is Gilded Age, which is a golden pink. I have a feeling this will be the most popular shade of this entire set because rose gold is wildly popular these days. I love this color! I actually wore it on my 25th Birthday and got a ton of compliments on it. It suits my fair skin and adds a touch of color without being too much. It’s definitely one of my favorites!

My next favorite is Rusted Lux. I actually think this in my number one from this collection. It’s seriously breathtaking! Rusted Lux is a red gold shimmer that turns out looking a bit like fire. It’s so pretty! I wore this to go see The Hunger Games because it reminded me of Katniss, and her Girl on Fire costume. I’ve also worn this on my toes and love the way it looks.

Alchemy is a really nice a white golden shimmer shade. It can be built up to opacity or it can be worn on the sheer side. I think this would even work as a sort of topcoat to add golden shimmer to any nail polish. It’s very pretty!

Copper for summer with a tan sounds perfect to me, which is where Conduit comes into play. It’s a copper shimmer shade that is really interesting. It’s part copper and part gold so it’s perfectly metallic. This will be a summer favorite!

Electrum is the most interesting polish in the Gold Collection and I think you will either love it or hate it. It’s a golden green color and it’s so pretty! It won’t work on all skin tones but it’s definitely worth checking out. I like this one a lot!

Aurum is a pure gold shade. It’s a very deep yellow gold and while I love the color I’m not sure if it will love me back. 

Gold is a precious metal and now you will have access to it at the tip of your fingers for $12 a bottle. You can visit them online to learn more or purchase polish or you can use their locator to find SpaRitual near you. Do you like this collection? Which one is your favorite?

(FTC: These products were so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Bananas are staples in most homes, and my family members could be considered connoisseurs of the healthful, yellow fruit since we go through bunches of bananas. I love to eat bananas and never feel guilty about doing so because they are packed full of potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, and tons of vitamins. Since they are so good for your insides, I decided to do a little research and discovered that they are really good for your outsides as well. 

If you want to keep it simple, just mash up half of a banana until smooth and apply the mush directly to your cleansed face. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off. When it’s time to rinse your skin will feel a bit tight. Bananas are really soothing and good for irritated or inflamed skin. Using a banana on your face will help soften, smooth, and refresh.

You can use the other half of the banana as a conditioning treatment for your hair. 

If you have some left over from your facial, apply a generous amount to your under eye area and let sit for 20 minutes. The high potassium content in the super fruit will help get rid of dark circle, puffiness, and fine lines.

Wait - Don’t toss the peel just yet! Despite the fact that it sounds a bit gross and the peel feels really slimy and weird rubbing the inside of banana peel directly on your skin will also make the skin feel really soft and hydrated. Doing this often has also been known to reduce acne. I think this would be perfect for sunburned skin as well since it’s so cooling and soothing. 

Let me know how you feel about using bananas for beauty and if you have any other banana beauty tips!

Hi Beauties, I have an announcement to make. Get ready for it... I have a new absolute favorite facial mask from a company whose cleanser I also love. Scientific Organics from cosmeceutical skincare line emerginC offers eight organic and naturally based products for a healthy complexion. The most interesting feature of Scientific Organics products is the addition of Kombucha, a fermented tea known for it's healing properties, as well as healthy plant and marine extracts. 

I absolutely loved their Kombucha Cleanser which I reviewed a couple of months ago so I jumped at the chance to try their Phytocell Detox Mask. I'm completely in love with this detoxifying mask and am ecstatic to get to share my thoughts with you! Before you let the $50 price tag alarm you, trust me when I tell you that it is worth every penny.

The Phytocell Detox Mask is a French green clay mask with ingredients like aloe, grapefruit peel oil, red algae, sweet almond oil, sea starwort oil, vitamins e, c, and a, white and green tea, grape stem cells, kombucha, spirulina, and many other beneficial elements. Scientific Organics uses only natural ingredients with at least 70% being organic. They never add synthetic fragrances or colors and they never test on animals or use animal ingredients. 

Let's talk about vanity first. The mask comes in a gorgeously simple green glass jar that is recyclable and chic enough to keep on display. The company fills the jar with a very generous 1.76 fluid ounces. 

The mask itself is a very pale green color that feels more like a thick cream or moisturizer than a detoxifying facial mask. It coats the skin very easily and feels amazingly soft and smooth upon application. It smells a bit like citrus but it's very light and clean. It does have a hint of an odd underlying smell but it's not at all offensive or unbearable. A little of this mask goes a very long way. It is not drying at all, and even imparts a level of hydration into my skin that I just don't get with other masks. 

This mask promises to "draw out impurities, nourish, brighten, soothe and improve tone and texture" and I agree with what it says. This mask leaves me in awe every single time I use it. I apply it to just cleansed skin and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before removing it and I can't believe how my skin looks and feels after rinsing. The first time I used it, I had a couple of blemishes that were instantly reduced in size and severity. My skin tone is more even, the texture of my skin is silky and my skin looks better overall after using. 

The only bad thing I can say about this product is that I can't stop touching my skin after I use it, and I try my hardest to keep my hands off of my face. But is that really a negative? I think not! 

Something I love about the company is that with every Scientific Organics purchase, emerginC plants a tree using Plant-It 2020. Plant-It 2020 is such an awesome non-profit foundation that you should check out at www.plantit2020.org. You can find my new Holy Grail facial online where you can learn more or purchase Scientific Organics products to try for yourself. 

(FTC: This product was so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

A lot of people love to eat citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits but before you toss the peel you might want to read on. Did you know that using orange peels on your skin helps to reduce excess oil and unwanted shine? Orange peels absorb sebum from the pores in your skin and also helps get rid of dry skin and flakes. It helps the skin look cleaner, brighter, and less oily. Once you have eaten the delicious meat of the orange, hold on to the peel and rub the white part directly onto your skin. 

Grapefruit also has amazing and beneficial skin properties. If you have an extra grapefruit lying around your fruit basket you can cut it in half and stick your elbows into the fruit. You can also use your leftover breakfast grapefruit. The citric acid helps to lighten dark skin, exfoliate, and smooth. If you want an easier solution you can just rub the inside of the peel onto your elbows, knees, or feet.

Beauty products from the gorgeous, tropical islands of Hawaii are deliciously fragrant and appealing as evidenced by my experience with the products of Lanikai Bath and Body. With close to 100 different products in 18 floral and fruity scents there is bound to be something to please everyone. I was fortunate enough to be able to try their creamy, moisturizing lotion and their enticing, softening body washes in several of their popular scents. They are a treat for your nose, your mind, and your skin. 

Lanikai's bath and body products are handmade and contain only pure and natural botanically based ingredients. Their products are also cruelty free and eco-friendly. Their shop is on the island of Oahu in a town called Kailua (on the other side of the island from Waikiki and Honolulu). If you can't make it to the island to try out their products you can always order online! 

Like I mentioned before, I got to try out their All Natural Tropical Lotion in several scents and their body wash in coordinating scents. They offer their lotions and body washes in two sizes, 8.5 oz and 2.2 oz. The scents I received were Plumeria, Tahitian Gardenia, Pikake, and my personal favorite, Orchid Vanilla. Each and every fragrance is very true to life, which is very impressive.

Their lotion formula includes ingredients like Aloe Vera Juice, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sea Kelp, Kukui Nut Oil, and Papaya Fruit, among many others. Lanikai's body lotion is amazing! It is so smooth, creamy and it's very moisturizing. It helps to improve the texture and health of my skin every time I use it. The smell stays with you all day, but not in an overpowering sort of way. It lingers but it's light so you occasionally get a whiff of a scent that transports you to the tropical getaway of your dreams.

Their body wash has an all-star lineup as well with Sea Kelp, Chamomile, Cucumber, Calendula, Lavender, White Tea, Arnica, Extracts of Papaya, Echinacea, Green Tea, Awapuhi, Pineapple, in addition to many different oils and vitamins. This body wash has such a silky and smooth formula. It creates such a luxurious lather. I have used this as a normal body wash, shaving gel, and bubble bath (although the bubbles don't last long) and I can't get enough. The scent is strong but doesn't last. It rinses clean and doesn't strip my skin.

Their products envelop your senses and create a mini-vacation in your bathroom while invigorating, refreshing, and softening your skin. Lanikai gets my stamp of approval and I highly suggest you check them out. Their prices are really good and their products are beautifully crafted and perfect for all skin types.

(FTC: These products were so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

A lot of the recipes that I share with you contain several different ingredients that work together but some things work extremely well on their own. I have already shared a lot of these stand-alone beauty warriors, like honey, lemon juice, milk, avocado, and oatmeal, but there are a lot we have yet to cover. Today’s post is all about a one-ingredient wonder perfect for blemishes that Vampires might want to skip. 

If you’re oily or acne-prone and not sensitive to smells you can use a clove of garlic to get rid of bumps and blemishes. Garlic is like nature’s antibiotic. It is naturally antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral which makes it a perfect skin savior. If you have a pimple all you need to do is cut a clove of garlic in half and rub it directly onto the spot. Rinse off after 5 minutes. Don’t use more than once a day. 

If you don’t like the sound of rubbing pure garlic on your face you can always make a toner by boiling a cup of water and a smashed clove of garlic together. Let it cool and pour it into a small bottle. You can use this after cleansing to help clear your skin.

Be careful though, because garlic can cause irritation for those of you with sensitive skin because of the Sulfuric acid. Make sure to do a patch test before applying garlic as a treatment.

Easter has always been one of my absolute favorite holidays. I just can't hide my love for chicks, bunnies, candy, egg hunts, and baskets full of fun. It also doesn't hurt that Easter is always right around my birthday (this year it's only 2 days before my 25th). Ever since I can remember I have adored this holiday, and so does the rest of my family. We go all out with each others Easter baskets but lets face it, a candy only basket can get a little boring which is where EOS, or Evolution of Smooth, products come into the picture.

You all know of my deep love and affection for all things lip balm and EOS lips balms are definitely on my list of favorites. Their colorful packaging, safe and natural ingredients, and delicious flavors make them the perfect Easter basket stuffers! They even look like little colorful eggs, which couldn't be any more perfect. Let me say though, EOS Lip Balms make appropriate gifts all year round and I use mine constantly.

Evolution of Smooth offers their Lip Sphere in 6 mouth-watering flavors like Sweet Mint, Summer Fruit, Strawberry Sorbet, Medicated Tangerine, Honeysuckle Honeydew, and Lemon Drop SPF 15. Not only are they totally yummy, they are also 100% natural, hydrating, and gluten-free. Their luxuoriously smooth recipe includes olive oil, beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, sunflower oil, blueberry and peach fruit extracts, and more healthy ingredients. They are Certified Organic and don't have any scary parabens, phthalates, or petrolatum.

I have tried all six flavors and choosing a favorite is just way too difficult! I love them all in different ways! I would say though that I have been reaching for the Medicated Tangerine the most lately because my lips have been very irritated. I didn’t really like the initial smell or flavor of the Tangerine but I love the way it feels once applied to my lips. The flavor goes away quickly and leaves my lips feeling cool and so much better. I really love the smell and taste of the Strawberry Sorbet, it's so sweet and candy-like. I also really love the Summer Fruit, Sweet Mint, and Honeysuckle Honeydew. I like the Lemon Drop too but it's not my favorite (which is funny because I normally gravitate towards lemon scented products) although I think it will come in handy during the summer since it has SPF.

All six varieties leave lips feeling soft and hydrated. They apply evenly and go on extremely smoothly. They provide lips with much needed moisture and are very affordable and easy to find. These Lip Spheres are also really easy to find in your handbag (losing lip balm in bags happens to other people too, right?) because of their large size and unique shape.

Another product that EOS offers that would make a fabulous addition to any gift basket is their Every Day Hand Lotion, which comes in original, berry blossom, and cucumber. I got to try the original and was impressed with the moisturizing qualities of the formula. It is 97% natural, designed for all skin types and packed full of antioxidants and vitamins and is very long lasting. Like the Lip Spheres this package is very handbag or desk friendly.

To learn more you can visit EOS online or you can find a retailer near you by using the locator feature.

(FTC: These products were so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Natural toothpaste can be a bit tricky to commit to but once I made the switch I never looked back. The only thing I felt that I was missing was a little whitening action, but whitening products are so awful for your body and the environment. Luckily I found Dentisse Natural Reflection Toothpaste, which features only safe, healthy, and natural ingredients to clean and refresh your mouth.

The star of this formulation is kaolin clay, which helps clean, polish, and whiten teeth the natural way. Other ingredients found in this toothpaste are bentonite clay, natural peppermint oil, sorbitol, vegetable glycerin, in addition to several others. This formula took 10 years to develop and perfect and doesn’t include preservatives, animal ingredients, or artificial flavors or colors.

Their website states that “Your teeth will be noticeably brighter and smoother, your breath will be fresher, and your smile will take on a new radiance with just two weeks of faithful use”. The clay really helps buff, clean, and smooth teeth. I've been using this product for a few months now and I can’t get over the wonderfully clean feeling this toothpaste gives. It lasts too, unlike some other toothpastes I have tried which leave my mouth feeling dirty a mere hour or two later. It leaves them looking super bright and shiny as well, which I just love!

As for the taste, I think it’s really earthy which is probably because of the clay. I don’t love the flavor but I don’t hate it either. It’s minty and earthy tasting at the same time. It is very refreshing though and helps kill those yucky bad breath germs. I’ve noticed it helps my breath stay fresher for much longer than traditional toothpaste without irritating my lips or gums (you know how sensitive I am!). It is a bit expensive, but safe alternatives are always worth the price tag in my opinion.

If you’re looking for an effective, natural toothpaste then Dentisse is worth checking out. My entire family loves this stuff! You can learn more and purchase Dentisse products online.

(FTC: This product was so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest. Image of product from dentisse.com.)

A common misconception about skin care that people with oily skin have is that since their skin is oily they don’t need to moisturize. That thought could not be any further from the truth. Everyone regardless of skin type needs to moisturize. Oily skin is often oily because of a deep-seated need for hydration – oily skin is often actually very dehydrated skin that is overcompensating by creating excess sebum.

It’s important to find the right moisturizer for your own skin type – which in your case oily gals is a light, water-soluble moisturizer so here is a super simple light lotion recipe that would be perfect for daytime use.

What you need :
1 ounce of Aloe Vera gel
2 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin
1 teaspoon of melted beeswax (you can skip this if you’re a Vegan)
½ teaspoon of jojoba oil

Add all of the ingredients together and stir them until the beeswax starts to cool which will take about 5 minutes. Put the mixture into a jar or a bottle and voila! You have you very own facial lotion that is perfect for combating the “greasies”. This will last for about 3 weeks.

Sometimes being a beauty blogger means sharing personal details that might be a bit embarrassing to announce on the internet; which brings me to my next point – I’ve always had problems with my underarms. What does that mean exactly? Well, I’ve always had to use clinical strength deodorant because I sweat like a man, especially when it’s warm outside. However; deodorant is one of the scariest and most unhealthy personal care products out there. Switching to natural deodorant was a challenge for me though because of my underarm troubles but I finally found one that works!

Naturally Fresh offers several types of natural deodorant including solid crystals, roll on and spray mist liquid crystals (as well as lip balm, which I reviewed a few weeks ago). I’ve been using the fragrance free deodorant crystal Roll-On (they also offer scented versions in ocean breeze, tropical breeze, lavender, and papaya fusion) for a few months now and I’m pleasantly surprised with how well it works. This is perfect for anyone with sensitivities to fragrance, chemicals or traditional deodorants, which by the way, did you know that 10% of the population can’t use commercial deodorants?

Allergists, Dermatologists, and Oncologists all recommend Naturally Fresh and I do too! I have to be honest though, I don’t know how well this will work for me when I’m spending my days in the summer sun but I do love it right now. It doesn’t leave stains or marks on clothing, which is a dream come true! Be warned, there was about a 2 week span of time when I didn’t smell very good, but I blame that on my body purging all of the chemicals that I had been applying to my pits for years. The smell is gone now though.

I love the roll on version; it applies easily and lasts all day. I also got to try the spray mist but I didn’t like the feeling of spraying my underarms. It worked just as well though but I just couldn’t get over the feeling. Their products are paraben, propylene glycol, aluminum chlorohydrate, and phthalate free as well as hypoallergenic and cruelty free. All the deodorant is made up of is purified water and pharmaceutical grade mineral salts, which helps to kill and stop odor causing bacteria in its tracks.

The best part about this naturally awesome deodorant is the fact that you can find it at Wal-Mart for under $3 so not only is it effective, it’s also affordable and easily accessible. You can also find Naturally Fresh products at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Whole Foods, and other online retailers and health food stores. To learn more you can check out http://www.natfreshdeo.com.

I really adore Alima Pure and their wonderful mineral makeup and I’m head over heels for their newest limited edition collection entitled Let Them Eat Cake. This collection is comprised of four incredibly unique and wearable shades based on sweet treats we all love to eat. I’m more of a salty girl but I do like to indulge myself in sweets sometimes, especially those designed to enliven the eyes and add a touch of glamour to any look.

I have reviewed two other Alima Pure collections prior to this one and I really loved both but I have to say this is my favorite one yet! I’m a neutral kind of gal but I try to avoid boring neutrals. If you’re like me in that regard then this is the set for you! The collection is made up of 4 cake inspired shades that are all zero calorie, guilt free, and 100% natural (as are all Alima Pure products).

First up is Angel Food, which is a golden honey shade with very fine shimmer to it. This shadow would work well as an all over color or even a highlight shade. Next is Strawberry Shortcake, a pale pink with fine shimmer and larger gold shimmer. This color is gorgeously sparkly and looks great on inner corners. Red Velvet, the stand out of the collection in my opinion, is the most amazing medium brown shade that has a red undertone and touch of shimmer. I love red-based browns and this is the best one that I have ever come across. It makes a lovely contour shade. Last but not least is the shade Devil’s Food, a deep, dark brown shimmery shadow which is great for lining or adding to the outer corners for a sultry effect.

As with the other collections I have tried, these 4 shadows are very pigmented, easy to work with, and long lasting. A little goes a very long way with these products and I absolutely think Alima Pure is worth a look. You can apply these shadows dry for a more subtle look or wet for more drama.

This collection is worth every penny and I have a feeling this collection won’t last long so hurry to checkout if you’re interested. The set comes in Alima Pure’s signature chocolate bag for only $32. $2 from each sale of this collection will be donated to the Global Fund for Women.

(FTC: Alima Pure so generously provided me with deluxe samples for review consideration. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thought and opinions, as always, and my own and honest.)

Even since I was a little girl I have been a lover and defender of animals and their rights. Now that I’m older I still consider myself an animal activist and I don’t think there is anything worse than animal testing. I make it a point to use only cruelty free beauty products and never support any company who tests their products on my furry friends.

Although I’m not a Vegan, I do make a conscious effort to use Vegan beauty products, with the exception of beeswax, but many animal by-products are disguised with scientific terms. Reading ingredient lists can be a bit tricky, especially if you aren’t used to it, so I decided to continue with my Beauty Dictionary series. This edition is all about animal by-products that you should avoid if you don’t want to slather your body with animal fat or urine.

Imidazolidinyl Urea – a commonly used preservative in cosmetics and other beauty products and is excreted from animal urine. It releases formaldehyde in products and is believed to cause a lot of damage to the liver and gastrointestinal system. It can also be called Uric Acid. It can be found in shampoo, deodorant, mouthwashes, hair dye, hand creams and lotions, moisturizer, and makeup.

Carmine – also known as Carminic Acid is a colored pigment made out of a crushed cochineal (which is a bug). It has been said that 70,000 beetles have to be crushed to make a single pound of red dye. It is used in cosmetics, shampoo, and food. Plant alternatives: Beet juice

Collagen – widely used in anti-aging products like serums and creams. It is a fibrous protein found in animal tissue. Plant alternatives: Soy protien and almond oil

Gelatin – commonly used in cosmetics, facial masks, and shampoos as well as candy and other food. It acts as a thickner and is a protein that comes from boiling skin, bones, tendons and ligaments in water. Plant alternatives: carrageen, seaweed, fruit pectin, dextrins, locust bean gum, cotton gum, and silica gel.

Keratin – this ingredient is very popular in hair products and treatments and is protein from ground up horns, hooves, feathers and animal hair. Plant alternatives: almond oil, soy protein, and amla oil.

Stearic Acid – used in many cosmetics, soaps, creams and lotions, deodorants, shampoos, shaving creams, hairspray, lubricants, and many other personal care and home products. Stearic acid is fat from domestic and farm animals (including cats, dogs, cows, sheep, and pigs). It most commonly comes from pigs but can also come from animals who have been euthanized in animal shelters. Keep an eye out for any ingredient that starts with “stear”. Plant alternatives: vegetable and fruit fats

Squalene – this is oil from shark livers and it can be found in many different cosmetics, moisturizers, and hair products. Plant alternatives: olive oil

If you’re using natural products chances are if one of these ingredients is listed then it’s probably a plant alternative, but I know not all of you are green so just keep an eye out. It’s really important to know what you’re putting onto your skin and into your blood stream.

I have had a problem for the last 10 years – handbags. Yes, that’s right. I have a handbag fetish. I used to have somewhere between 20 and 30 handbags but have since narrowed it down to about 5. One of my prerequisites for choosing the right bag is that is has to be Vegan and completely animal friendly. I don’t want to run around town carrying a dead cow on my shoulder (gross visual!), which is where my latest find, Twisted Orchid, comes into play.

Twisted Orchid is a one-stop shop for those who love accessories but don’t want to spend a lot of money keeping up with the up-to-the-minute trends. They offer really well made handbags from the brand Mad Style and accessories at a really affordable price. They even offer free shipping, which is the icing on the cake!

I got to pick a purse to try and honestly I was a bit shocked when it arrived at how big and heavy it was. I chose the Black Day Candy ($66) bag and with the spirit of full disclosure, I really did not like it for the first week that it was in my possession. I picked it up again a few days later though and tried styling it with several different outfits and I ended up liking it a lot more than I had originally. It’s actually the bag I have been carrying consistently for the past week.

I will say that even with the slight hiccup in the beginning of our relationship, I was completely impressed with the quality of the bag. I would say it’s comparable to a designer bag in the fact that it is amazingly well made. It feels lovely to the touch and I believe it will hold up extremely well for a very long time. You know how sometimes you purchase a trendy bag and it doesn’t last for more than a season? This is not one of those times.

The Black Candy Day Bag that I received has so much space and will hold, neatly may I add, whatever you carry around. It will be absolutely perfect for fall and winter, because I wear more black in the colder months. In the sunny months I prefer small, colorful bags because I don’t carry much with me then. When it’s cold I carry everything but the kitchen sink in my bag with me.

Twisted Orchid has something for everyone, and one of you will get to pick out your very own bag (up to $75) to carry around all over town. They even have handbags made out of seashells and recycled paper. Cool, huh?

If you want to win your very own bag from Twisted Orchid you must (leave a comment below for each):

• Like Twisted Orchid on Facebook and comment on their page telling them something like “Beautiful Basics sent me” or “Thank you for the giveaway on Beautiful Basics” or something to that effect.
• Like Beautiful Basics on Facebook
• Extra Entry - Tell me what bag you would pick if you win 
• Extra Entry - Follow Twisted Orchid on Twitter
• Extra Entry - Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter
• Extra Entry - Like this post

This giveaway is only open to those of you living in the Continental US. A winner will be picked using random.org on the 1^st of April at noon PST. The winner will be announced on my Facebook page and will have 72 hours to respond with their shipping information.

I also have a coupon code to share with all of you. For 20% off any purchase you can use the code "TWISTED" during checkout.

(FTC: These products were so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thought and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Pimples are pesky and stubborn annoyances in our lives that seem to pop up at the worst times possible. If you have an irritating spot that you want to decrease in size, severity, and redness then I’ve got the perfect facial mask for you with a combination of minerals, potassium, alpha hydroxy acid, and honey which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

What you need:
½ ripe banana
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Mash the banana and work the ingredients together until you have a paste-like consistency. Apply evenly to your skin and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before rinsing off. This mask should greatly reduce the severity of any active breakout you have and leave your skin feeling clean and revitalized. You can do this once or twice a week depending on your personal preference. It will also help to decrease oil.

I don’t recommend using this mask on extremely sensitive skin, only because lemon juice is an acid and super sensitive skin should never go near acid of any type. With that being said, I do tend to have skin that has sensitivities and I have never had a problem with lemon juice. Always remember to spot test a new beauty product, treatment, or recipe on your inner arm so you can test for allergies.