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A beauty blog featuring DIY recipes, tips & tricks as well as natural & organic beauty product reviews.

Who writes Beautiful Basics?

 Hi Beautiful! My name is Kassie and I’m a 26 year old from a small town in Oregon. I have a passion for all things beauty, being green, and writing which is why I started Beautiful Basics. In this blog you will find my experiences with natural and organic beauty products from skin care to makeup to hair care and even perfume as well as DIY beauty recipes and other odds and ends.

I’m not an expert or a professional but I have learned a lot about beauty and skin care by experimenting and teaching myself. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoy!

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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Talk About It - Soulstice Nail Colour

It’s officially fall which means Soulstice Spa has launched 4 new nail colours named after cities around the world like Napa (a classic red with golden undertones), Nevis (a bright green), and St. Barts (liquid teal). I got to try one of the new shades, as well as one of the older ones.

If you missed my previous reviews of their polishes (which you can read here & here) or are unfamiliar with Soulstice, I would like to take this moment to introduce you to my absolute favorite nail polish. Soulstice Nail Colour is 100% Vegan, cruelty free, non-toxic, 3-free (meaning it does not contain toluene, formaldehyde, or dibutyl phthalate), gluten free and made in the United States. The company also donates a portion of all proceeds to non-profit social and environmental organizations.

In addition to all of the amazing things I mentioned above, the formula of each and every Soulstice polish I have tried is nothing short of amazing. These polishes are easy to work with and apply, long wearing, and totally gorgeous. I seriously cannot say enough good things about Soulstice and their phenomenal nail varnishes.

The new shade I got to test out is called Santa Monica. At first glance Santa Monica just looks like a pretty light purple shade but upon closer inspection it is a soft lavender shade with tons of fun pearlescent sparkle. It’s absolutely gorgeous and has so much personality to it. I love the fact that the shimmer can appear purple, pink, blue or white at any given second but sadly it didn’t turn out in the photos I took.

(Right - Indoor Light with 2 coats. Left - Natural Light with 2 coats.)

The other shade I got to play with is Cassis, which is my new go-to shade for fall. Cassis is a gorgeous blackberry shade with a very subtle metallic silver shimmer. I really need to learn how to take better nail polish photos because Cassis is so much prettier in person!

I adore everything about Soulstice Nail Colours and highly recommend you check them out. They have so many gorgeous shades and such a wonderful formula. On my to-buy list are Napa, Monterey, and Kyoto. What colors do you have on your wish list?

Filed in: Talk About It
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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Talk About It - Karma Organic Spa Nail Polish

Flashback to October of 2007 and Karma Organic Spa was one of the first organic spas to open in New Jersey. The spa itself is an organic haven featuring furniture made out of recycled materials, carbonized bamboo flooring and non-toxic paint. Their own brand of products (which includes hand and foot lotion, exfoliating scrub, essential oils, nail polish and nail polish remover) is also non-toxic and eco-friendly.

Karma Organic Spa offers a wide variety of Karma Hues that are all 3-free, meaning they do not contain the harmful and toxic chemicals toluene, formaldehyde and DBP. I got to test drive 5 gorgeous shades which I’ll be reviewing for you today. All of the shades I tested applied similarly and were fairly consistent. The formula is a bit thick but evens out nicely after two coats. The consistency and application reminds me a lot of Essie but unlike Essie, Karma Organic Spa is cruelty free.


 The first one I tried is French White, which is an opaque white. I have been looking for a good white polish and I really like this one. It takes 2 to 3 coats to build up to complete opacity.

Next up is May Blossoms, an opalescent sheer baby pink shade. It is also buildable so it can be more or less sheer. I think this is a very subtle nail polish with a little something special hidden within it’s finely milled shimmer. It is very pretty and appropriate for any occasion.


Skyline Sunset is my favorite of the 5! It’s unlike any other shade I have and looks fantastic with my skin tone. I would describe it as a creamy, bright, true medium pink reminiscent of something Barbie would wear on her nails. I’m currently rocking this color on my toes and will return to it many, many times throughout the summer. The only thing I feel I should point out about this particular polish is that it dries down a bit darker than it appears in the bottle.

If you love berry shades then you will adore the medium cool berry polish called Springtime Bouquet. This one is my Mom’s favorite. She looks better than I do in blue-based polishes so this one is perfect for her.

The last polish I got to try is Summer Nights, which is perfectly named. It’s a hot coral color that leans more on the orange side of the spectrum. It reminds me of a sunset, especially the ones that I used to see when I lived in Florida. It’s gorgeous and perfect for the hotter months.

As you can see I chose polishes from the pink family but they have so many different colors so they will probably have something you’ll absolutely love. Check them out online if you would like to view their other shades or purchase a bottle of your own.

(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.)

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Thursday, March 15, 2012

Talk About It - Soulstice Nail Colour

I’m back with another glorious nail polish review, starring Soulstice Nail Colour. This nail polish 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. In addition to all of the great things I just mentioned this polish comes in 30 different shades so there will be something for everyone!

I got to try two of their lovely nail polish shades and I absolutely adore both of them. I didn’t get to choose my shades but I was so pleasantly surprised when the packaged arrived! I couldn’t have picked two better polish colors. All of their polishes are named after large cities across the globe, and I received London and Venice.

Both are gorgeous but I would say the London is my favorite. They describe it as a vibrant, modern rose and I think that is the perfect description. It works great on both fingers and toes and is appropriate for any time or event. It is stunning! It almost acts like a neutral but it’s got a touch of glamour and a multi-faceted personality. Venice is described as a rich gold, and that it is! It looks just like liquid gold. I can’t wait to wear this all summer long because I know it will look amazing with a tan. My photos do these polishes absolutely no justice. 

The wear and application of Soulstice Nail Colour is phenomenal. Both shades I have glide onto the nail with little effort and last for days without chipping. I’m deeply impressed with these polishes and can’t wait to check out more!

The company, Soulstice Spa, also sells body care and accessories.

 

(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.)

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Talk About It (Christmas Idea) - Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish

I love anything that shimmers and shines as well as anything glitzy and glamorous – I have a feeling that I’m not alone so today is all about Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish!

Let me start off by saying that there is no such thing as 100% natural nail polish, only smarter and safer formulations. Dr.’s Remedy is a safe and enriched nail polish that was created by two doctors who are both board certified podiatrists who care about their patients and the products they use. Both Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel are skilled surgeons who realized the top concern with their patients is brittle and discolored nails that is often associated with the harsh chemicals that can be found in commercial nail polish.

Dr. Cirlincione’s wife was pregnant and was advised against using hair dye, eating certain foods, and being exposed to harsh chemicals. This warning led the doctor to do some research on chemicals and toxins. Along with Dr. Spielfogel they created Dr.’s Remedy, which is 3 Free (formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP – which can cause some serious damage to ones health) and enriched with good for you ingredients like tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract, and wheat protein.

These enrichments help promote healthier and stronger nails and also provide anti-fungal properties so it won’t cause any damage. Their nail polish come in a wide variety of gorgeous shades and is safe enough for anyone and everyone; including those who are extremely sensitive to traditional nail polish or chemicals in general.

I got so lucky because I got to try out their new seasonal collection Jolly and Joy. The collection is made up of 5 amazingly lovely and flattering festive shades perfect for the holiday season, and beyond.

ESSENTIAL Emerald is one of my favorite nail polishes, ever! I don’t have anything like this shade and I just love the way it looks on my nails. It compliments my skin tone and applies like a dream. It wears well and I had no problem with chipping, although I only wore it for 2 days. This is such a gorgeous color that I can’t get enough of! They describe it as “a take on the classic tree-and-plant-inspired gem of a shade, with delicate glimmer and unparalleled amounts of glamour”.

RESOLUTION Red Glitter is my other favorite from the collection. This polish applies so well and looks great on the nails! The only drawback to this polish is the fact that glitter polishes are really difficult to remove, but everything else about this is perfect! It adds the perfect amount of glitter to the fingers without being too over the top. I feel like this polish would be appropriate for any situation because it’s almost a nude pinkish-red color. They describe it as “a red meets copper spin that’s sequin-look-alike laden with high shine and sparkle.

REVIVE Ruby Red is the most perfect red color that I’ve ever seen. It’s absolutely perfect for fall and winter, and I think it would make a wonderful statement on the toes. It’s deep yet feminine and pretty. It is described as “a shimmer-infused Wizard of Oz-inspired shade of crimson.

SERENE Silver Glitter is so special and unique. It changes color in different lights and makes the nails look fancy, sort of like a perfectly pretty disco ball. It wasn’t the best with my skin tone but that won’t keep me from rocking it because it’s so interesting! It’s described as “a seasonal sizzler like no other: shine, chic, totally unique in the metallic scene.”

PASSION Purple is last, but not least. It’s “a bombshell-boysenberry with subtle silver meshed throughout”. It’s not my favorite for fingernails but I have high hopes for how amazing it will look on my toes. This is my Mom’s favorite of the collection though and it looks amazing on her. For whatever reason I had the hardest time applying this one. Don’t get me wrong – it was still easy, just not as smooth as the others.

These nail polishes are fabulous, right? They’re a little expensive at $17 each but I think they are totally worth it. I’ve never seen such lovely shades before. If you were only going to get one I would highly recommend either Resolution Red or Essential Emerald.

You should check them out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Remedynails or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/remedynails. If you're interested in owning these for yourself Dr.s’ Remedy is sold exclusively at www.remedynails.com or by calling 877-323-NAIL.

While you're here don't forget to check out and enter my 2 giveaways - just check out the giveaways tab!

(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.)

Filed in: Talk About It
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Monday, May 23, 2011

Lingering nail color? No problem!

I know I’ve posted a lot about the power of lemons in the past, and today’s post is no stranger to the yellow citrus fruit that I love so much! In the Spring and Summer I never go bare – nail wise that is. I always have to have a bright, fun color on my toes and fingers. If you’re like me, you may notice that sometimes bright, or even dark nail polishes can stain the surface of the nail and leave a not so pretty mess behind.

Well, lemons are the easy fix for stains. All you have to do is cut a lemon in half and stick your nails in it for 5 minutes. This trick will help brighten your nails instantly, leaving you with a stain free natural nail! Easy, huh? Now you can feel free to experiment with stubborn colors this upcoming season!

Filed in: nail care
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Feet feeling a little rough?

When my feet are feeling more like alligator skin, than feet, I whip up a batch of my favorite foot scrub ever! It helps my feet look and feel their best.

All you need is:

  • Olive Oil
  • Brown Sugar
  • Sea Salt

 

I don’t have specific measurements for you because I just make it by feel. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you make up your own. You don’t want it to be too thick, or too runny. You also want more brown sugar than sea salt.

Rub onto your damp feet and massage for as long as you’d like. It feels lovely, albeit a bit tickly for those with sensitive feet, like myself. When you rinse, you’ll have the smoothest feet you have ever had. I guarantee it!

Filed in: nail care
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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Vinegar+nails=magnificent manicure/perfect pedicure

Love the look of painted finger nails, but hate when they chip so quickly? Here’s a simple trick to help your nail polish look better longer – just dip your clean, naked fingernails (or rub a saturated cotton pad on toes) into vinegar. You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, whichever you have in your pantry. The vinegar removes oils from the surface of your nails, which means that your polish will stick to your fingernail.

This will help your manicure last much longer!

Filed in: nail care
Tagged with: manicure, pedicure, vinegar