When I asked you Beauties what you wanted to see on the blog a large number of you asked me for my thoughts on Acure Organics and their line of products. I contacted the company and I received a box of goodies that I have been testing out for about a month now. Acure Organics is an amazing family owned and operated company who believes in providing high quality fair trade, natural and certified organic personal care products. They never test on animals or include parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances or colors, or any other harmful ingredients. Their products are also really affordable!

Without further ado, here is part one of my Acure review and my thoughts on the skin care products they sent me.

As you may know, I have normal to dry skin that is fairly sensitive. I also have a very sensitive nose when it comes to fragrance so I have really been enjoying the fragrance free Sensitive Facial Cleanser Argan Oil + Probiotic. It is a fairly thick and creamy cleanser that hydrates and plumps up the skin to leave it looking healthy. This cleanser is perfect for my skin! It is extremely gentle so I can use it daily, or even twice a day. I really love how it leaves my face feeling soft and clean without irritating or stripping my skin. This has officially earned a spot on my top 5 facial cleansers list. I really like it because it’s so simple, yet effective! If you’re curious about the ingredients you can click here, where you can also learn more about the product.

I have also been testing out the Balancing Rose + Red Tea Facial Toner. Although this particular toner is marketed towards those with combo to oily skin I really like it and would say that it would be suitable for all skin types. It does a fantastic job of keeping my skin balanced and smooth, as well as helping my moisturizer absorb better. I use this in the morning and it seems to soothe any redness I may have and help perfect and balance my skin. I also really love the glass bottle and the fact that it comes with a spray top. This is a very refreshing toner with a gorgeous slightly rosy scent to it.

Next up is the Argan Stem Cell + CFG Cell Stimulating Facial Mask, which both my Mom and I have tried several times. As a beauty blogger I have tried dozens upon dozens of facial masks but have yet to come across a mask like this one. It seems fairly average upon first application, but once the mask is dry and the time has come to rinse off it becomes foamy. I’ve never used a foamy mask and I like it a lot! It’s extremely gentle so even my Mom (who has highly reactive skin) can use it! There is no tight, uncomfortable sensation that goes along with this mask and is instead very refreshing and even a bit cooling. We have both noticed cleaner, brighter, softer, more hydrated skin after using this mask. Like the toner, it also seems to help with any redness.

The final facial product I’ve been playing around with from Acure Organics is their Marula Oil, which can also be included in the hair and body categories as well. I’m a big fan of oils so I was really excited to try this one out. Acure’s Marula Oil is 100% pure, wildcrafted without pesticides, cold pressed and unrefined. It has a slight scent but it is not offensive at all. I’ve been using it a lot since it arrived and I really like it overall. I do have to say that it is not moisturizing enough on its own as facial oil, but I have found that it works extremely well over a moisturizing lotion or cream. I love the results that layering this oil with other products gives me. I love the dropper applicator as well!

That sums up my Acure Organics facial care review. You can check out my thoughts on the body and hair products I’ve been experimenting with by clicking here.

I have been fortunate enough to try out a few products from EmerginC’s organic line, Scientific Organics, and have loved each and every one of them with a passion. I have been so impressed with this product line and would go as far to say that this is definitely one of my absolute favorite brands. Their products are superb, no joke! I actually have their Phytocell Cream and In Lips We Trust Super Antioxidant Lip Balm on my ultimate beauty wish list! 

Today let’s talk about their Spirulina Toner. This toner is extremely gentle and seems to really help balance and nourish my skin. I use it immediately after cleansing in the evening by applying to a cotton pad and gently wiping all over my face. It instantly makes my skin feel a lot softer and more even in texture. It appears to leave my skin looking brighter as well. 

It also does a good job of leaving my skin feeling clean and hydrated, unlike some toners that leave behind a film while stripping the skin. While my skin is still damp from the toner I apply my night cream and it seems to really help my skin absorb the moisturizer. My skin is left feeling very balanced! 

This toner has a very light scent, that is similar to the other Scientific Organics’ products I’ve used, and I really enjoy it. It is a very clean, fresh, slightly citrus-y scent which is in no way offensive or overpowering. Some of the ingredients that make up this power tonic are Kombucha, Grape Stem Cells, Algae Extract, Spirulina, Green and White Tea, Aloe Vera, and Red Algae but you can find a complete list of ingredients by clicking here. 

You can learn more about the Spirulina Toner by clicking here. You can click here to learn more about the company and/or purchase their products. They also have a Facebook page you can check out.

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

Since March 1st I’ve been experimenting and playing around with a new type of facial peel from O.R.G. Skincare called Organic Mineral Peel. An international team of dermatologists, aestheticians, and skincare experts created this Organic Mineral Peel to instantly remove dry skin and renew the complexion. It was formulated to be incredibly gentle and nonabrasive so anyone can use it to brighten and smooth his or her skin.

The ingredient list is so simple and features only healthy and natural ingredients like Vitamins A and B1, Omega 3, Grapefruit Seed, Jojoba Seed, Aloe Vera, Licorice Root Extract, and Milk Thistle. These combine to create a unique skin perfecting solution unlike anything else I have tried before.

This Mineral Peel comes in the form of a spray that you spritz directly onto a dry face (or body), let sit for 5 to 7 seconds, and then massage your skin using small circular motions with your fingertips or washcloth. You will start to notice small pills (like a sweater would have) forming on your skin from the dead skin cells being removed. Once you are finished rinse with warm water and follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

I’ve been doing this twice a week, however I especially love doing it before an event or something that I want to look my best for. I’ve found that if I go through this process before I get ready my skin looks great and my makeup applies flawlessly. It also makes my skin appear brighter and more even in tone and texture. If I have any dull skin or dry patches they simply vanish after using the Organic Mineral Peel, and my skin is left feeling so soft! It also seems to help blemishes heal more quickly!

Although I have been testing out the Face version of the Organic Mineral Peel I have found that I can use this on my back to help prevent breakouts. It has made a huge difference in the clarity and texture of the skin on my back and I’m so happy with it!

You can learn more about O.R.G. Skincare by clicking here to be taken to their website. You can also learn more about their Organic Mineral Peel or purchase your own bottle by clicking here. You can also check out the video tutorial on YouTube.

(FTC: This product was provided to me free of charge to possibly review. I am not being compensated for this review. All thoughts, as always, are my own and honest.)

My skin has been struggling to stay clear in the past few months but in March I added a new product by Adventuress to my skin care routine that my skin has absolutely been loving. The Vividly Restorative Skin Purifier has made a huge difference in the clarity of my skin and I’m hooked, even though I didn’t like it very much at first.

The reason I didn’t like it very much in the beginning was due to the fact that it didn’t seem to work well with the moisturizer I was using at the time. This serum isn’t moisturizing enough on it’s own for my normal to dry skin so I’ve found that applying it onto a clean face, letting it dry completely, and following up with a facial oil is perfect for me. 

When used daily this serum is extremely effective at keeping my pores unclogged and my skin unblemished. If I do get a pimple it seems to go away a lot more quickly with the use of this product. It also seems to help with the tone and brightness of my skin as well. This product also claims to firm the skin, although I can’t say that I’ve noticed my skin becoming any tighter with use.

There is no added fragrance although it does have a very faint, and nonirritating, natural citrus smell that goes away as soon as the serum dries. It retails for $35 and you get 1.0 FL OZ in each bottle. It doesn’t have fancy packaging, by any means, but it gets the job done and the bottle has an airless dispenser, which helps keep contaminants out.

The ingredients are: Water, Willow Bark Extract, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Witch Hazel, Bilberry Extract, Sugar Cane Extract, Sugar Maple Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Lemon Extract, Caprylyl Glycol and Phenoxyethanol , Xantham gum, and Olive Leaf Extract.

To learn more about the company you can click here to visit their website. You can also learn more about, or purchase, this product by clicking here.

I’ve been testing out the Bright Skin Cleanser by Eminence Organic Skin Care and I have to say that I’m fairly impressed. The company has been making organic skin care since 1958 and I can see why they have earned so many awards and accolades in the past 55 years. My skin was going through a dry spell and was patchy and flaky when I started using this cleanser and noticed an immediate different in the texture of my skin. I was totally surprised by how soft my skin felt after using it for the first time. 

It’s light green in color and has a very smooth and creamy consistency. It also comes in a huge (8.4 fl oz) bottle that will last a very long time. It sells for $38 but you get a lot of product for the money.

It’s extremely gentle and refreshing. This cleanser is moisturizing, but not heavy and rinses clean without stripping the skin or leaving a residue behind. I have normal to dry skin and my Mom has combination skin and we both really like this cleanser. I can’t say that I have noticed a change in any dark spots or age spots, which is a technicality because I don’t actually have any, so I can’t comment on how well it fades discoloration. I can, however, comment on the fact that my skin appears to glow after using it.

The only negative thing I can say is that is has a very strong scent. It’s not an awful scent, but it is very potent and lingers for hours after cleansing. It reminds me of Irish Spring soap for whatever reason.

I was also sent the Bamboo Firming Fluid, although the smell was too much for me, so I had to pass it on to my Mom who has been using it since it arrived. Here are her thoughts: “Although the smell is strong at first, it does dissipate in a short time. It hydrates well and is an excellent natural Retinol alternative. It firms and I believe I have seen a difference in my skin after using this product. My skin is becoming much more “mature” than I would like it to be but at 45 I guess that is to be expected.”

To learn more about the company you can visit their website by clicking here. You can find Eminence in a spa near you by using this locator. You can also purchase the products online at Dermstore.com. 

I want to share my newest obsession with you today, which just so happens to be a little tin of magical goodness called Booda Butter. Booda Butter is a 100% pure and natural multitasking moisturizer that can be used from head to toe; in fact, you can even check out the 50 ways the company suggests you can use this product by clicking here. 

 Booda Butter is made with only a handful of healthy and organic ingredients. The all-star ingredient lineup is made up of Organic Shea Butter, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, and Organic Olive Oil. The company promises to only use pure, organic, and vegan ingredients and never include any toxic chemicals or yucky preservatives. All of their products are cruelty free and handmade in the USA. 

Booda Organics’ Booda Butter has become an absolute staple in my daily routine. I use it for moisturizing my body after I get out the shower, hydrating my hands and cuticles, as an eye cream, on dry patches on my face, as a lip balm, and even to tame flyaways but I’m still in the process of discovering additional ways to use this delicious smelling solid yet soft butter.

It starts off as a solid but melts as it gets warmed up between your fingers. It is not scented with any type of fragrance but it does naturally smell of cocoa butter. It smells delicious and feels amazing on the skin. It is very thick and nourishing but is not sticky or heavy. It provides long lasting hydration that leaves skin feeling soft and healthy.

Speaking of long lasting hydration, the company also makes a Booda Butter Naked Lip Balm, which is formulated with Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Olive Oil and Candelilla Wax. It is truly unscented, flavor-free, moisture infusing, and gentle on my ultra sensitive lips. 

I’m such a big fan of Booda Organics and their wonderful line of products. I even adore the packaging. I give them 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend you check them out. To learn more about the company you can visit their website by clicking here.

The Booda Butter comes in two sizes, a 2.3 oz tin and an 8.4 oz BPA-free jar. The Naked Lip Butter comes in a flat .15 oz tube. You can purchase online by clicking here or locate where you can purchase near you by clicking here.

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

My skin has been in serious need of a little extra TLC lately since it’s been freaking out. My skin has been especially congested, dehydrated and broken out! Well let me introduce you to my favorite new mask, the MudPot, a 100% organic and mineral-rich illite clay from the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.

Illite clay is the only thing you’ll find in each 4-ounce jar of Black Rock Mud Co.’s MudPot, so you never have to worry about harsh chemicals, preservatives, or other unnatural ingredients. The clay is known to condition, revitalize and sooth the skin as well as draw toxins and impurities from the skin. It helps to regenerate cells and purify the skin thanks to the over 50 naturally occurring trace elements (including Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, and Zinc) found within its structure.

I received my jar from Black Rock Mud in mid-December and have been enjoying a weekly facial since then. It’s a gentle enough mask that you can use it on spots more often than once a week if you desire but I’ve found that once a week works well for my skin. Upon washing the mud off my skin, my face always looks fresh, healthy, and has a lovely glow to it. It also really helps any blemishes that I may have.

It is a bit on the pricey side at $59 but I do think it’s worth it! It has a nice, rich consistency that spreads and no detectable odor whatsoever (and you know I have the nose of a bloodhound!). It comes in a simple yet attractive recyclable jar which is packaged in an awesome box that is embedded with wildflower seeds that you can plant in your garden!

My skin always looks and feels amazing after I apply and rinse off my MudPot facial and if you’re in the market for a new treat for you face I highly suggest this one. You can visit their website to learn more or purchase your very own MudPot.

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

Many natural and/or organic beauty products are priced a little higher than traditional products so I’m always on the lookout for healthy, affordable products that I can try out and share with you. One of you actually asked me if I had ever tried Nourish products so I hopped online, checked out their website, and was happy to see reasonably priced bath and body products formulated with healthy ingredients.

Nourish was originally founded over a decade ago and became the first beauty company to ever work with the United States Department of Agriculture which led to the launch of the world’s first USDA-certified organic skincare collection in 2003. All Nourish products are not only natural and organic, but also made in the US and are cruelty and gluten free. Many of their products are also vegan. All of the packaging they use is made with at least 25% post-consumer recycled content and is recyclable.

Their product line is comprised of Organic Body Butter, Organic Body Lotion, Organic Body Wash, Organic Deodorant, Organic Hand Wash, and an Exfoliating Body Polish. These formulas come in several scents like Almond Vanilla, Fresh Fig, Lavender Mint, Wild Berries, and Pure Unscented.

I selected the Pure Unscented Body Lotion and Wild Berries Body Wash to try out. Before I get into the actual formulations I want to quickly mention how lovely the packaging is. I absolutely love the pretty images on the bottles!

Okay, first up is the Pure Unscented Organic Body Lotion. If you have been with me for a while then you know how I’m always looking for good unscented lotions. While this lotion is not my ultimate favorite or Holy Grail unscented lotion I do like it. It’s a thin formula so I feel like it would be the perfect summer moisturizer, although it does work as a light day lotion during the winter. My skin is extra dry right now so it’s not as thick or as heavy as I would like it to be for my arms and legs but I’m enjoying it on my hands since I can’t stand thick, sticky creams on my hands. It does have a bit of a fragrance but it’s nothing obtrusive or offensive, just light and a bit herbal. The only truly negative thing I have to say about this lotion is that upon application is has a heavy alcohol scent. It goes away once the lotion sinks in but it throws me off a bit. Overall, it’s a nice, light lotion that comes in an 8 fl oz tube for $9.99.
 

The Wild Berries Organic Body Wash is very, very lightly scented with natural berry fragrance from strawberries, currants, and raspberries. If you like heavily perfumed body wash then you might want to skip this one, but I love how light the smell is. With ingredients like Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Sunflower and Seasame Seed Oils, Coconut Milk and Vitamin E the formula is very hydrating. It comes in a very generous 10 fl oz bottle and rings in at $9.99.

You can learn more about the company and their products by visiting their website. You can also check them out on Facebook!

I feel like I haven’t done a skin or hair care review in quite a while so I decided that today was the perfect day to share my thoughts and opinions on the products of Beecology. They sent me quite a few products as well as some extra lip balms, which means that if you read through to the bottom of this post there just might be a little giveaway!

If you know me personally or have been following my blog for a while then you already know of my passion for honey. I think honey is a precious beauty resource so I love anything and everything honey based, which is why I was so intrigued by Beecology and their line of products. Beccology not only produces and sells a line of natural products made with honey, beeswax, and other healthy ingredients; they also give back through their charity, Sweetyear.org.

I first became interested in the company after reading about their Natural Honey and Botanical Sulfate-Free Shampoo and All-Natural Hair Conditioner. While I really like the shampoo, I wasn’t as big a fan of the conditioner. 

First of all, the shampoo smells so yummy! It’s slightly sweet, slightly citrus-y, and slightly herbal, which combine to make a delicious smelling shampoo. It’s formula is gentle and effective while providing the hair with brilliant shine and extra softness. The conditioner isn’t necessarily bad, it just has a weird after scent that I don’t like. I think it reacted strangely with my pH (which happens to me a lot). The conditioner seemed to moisturize my hair well enough but I couldn’t get past the smell. My mother loves both products though.

My favorite Beecology product is their Hand and Body Cream, which I got to try in both the Original Honey formula as well as the Cucumber and Green Tea version. Both versions work exactly the same and the formula is so luxurious and rich. It’s a very thick cream that is easily absorbed into the skin leaving it feeling hydrated and healthy, never greasy. This formula is perfect for this time of year! My skin has been a little dry due to the cold weather and this hand and body cream soothes my itchy skin. The original scent is a light, clean scent while the Cucumber and Green Tea version smells very fresh and like real cucumbers.

If your skin is feeling a little dull and needs refreshing then look no further than the Natural Honey and Peppermint Body Wash. This body wash leaves my skin tingling in a good way. It smells great, cleans well, and invigorates the skin with each use. It’s great for morning use and has become one of my favorites!

I was also sent 4 bars of their soap to try out and review, although I have only used 3 of them. The one I haven’t tried is the My Big Fat Greek Yogurt and Honey Soap, which has a juniper scent to it and I’m not a big fan so I’ll be talking about the other 3, which are the Honey Oatmeal Morning Peppermint Soap (perfect for perking up skin), Honey Lavender Soap (which makes the perfect bedtime bar of soap), and the Dead Sea Mud Soap (deep cleansing while moisturizing). All 3 bars of soap have proven to be really effective, are lovely to use, and smell great!

The final Beecology product I got to take for a test drive is their Buzz Balm Peppermint Lip Balm. This balm is made with Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Shea Butter, Aloe Butter, Cupuaçu Butter, Olive Oil, Peppermint Oil, Acai Butter, Eucalyptus Oil, Clove Oil, and Tea Tree Oil. It’s hydrating, soothing, and protective. It does smell a bit strong due to the oils but it’s not offensive, only medicinal. I was experiencing very chapped and dehydrated lips before testing this balm and it really helped heal and protect my lips.

I was sent several extra lip balms so 5 of you will get the chance to win a Buzz Balm of your own! Check out the Rafflecopter below to enter to win.

To learn more about Beecology and their products, or to order some of your own you can click here to be taken to their website.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

When I was contacted by Alyson of Sage Stone Botanicals to test her products and possibly review them I became very excited for a number of different reasons. Sage Stone Botanicals is a small company based out of Eugene, Oregon (one of my favorite cities that I visit often!) that began as a hobby and is now a full-fledged business. Using only natural ingredients, Alyson has created a line of products that includes hand crèmes, liquid hand soap, bath and shower gel, lotion, lip balm and even bug spray and citronella lotion.

Alyson was so generous and sent me several different products to try, all of which I really like! She sent me a few different 2 oz lotions in Unscented, Jasmine, and Milk and Honey. Sage Stone’s lotion is formulated with Certified Organic ingredients such as Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Almond Oil, Shea Butter, and Cocoa Butter, to name a few. The formula is smooth, non-greasy, quick to absorb, and hydrating. The scents are lovely, clean, and fresh. You know how much I love my unscented lotions but I also really love the scent of the Milk and Honey. The Jasmine is also really nice. My Mom stole it since she loves florals and this one smells exactly like its namesake!

The next product I really need to share with you is the Citronella Lotion. I was a bit skeptical about it but this stuff is seriously amazing! My family and I went to a mosquito-infested area for a picnic (sounds nice, right?) and ended up with no bites after slathering our skin with this lotion. My Dad is almost always outdoors and he usually gets eaten alive by mosquitoes but his insect problem is no longer an issue thanks to this lotion. He absolutely loves it and he’s pretty picky about what he’ll use on his skin. I also want to mention that this doesn’t smell bad. It smells like citronella, but it’s not gross or heavy. This product is now a must have in my home.

The final product I got to try is the Lavender Bath and Shower Gel, which is made of Distilled Water, Certified Organic Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, and Jojoba Oil as well as Lavender Essential Oil and Potassium Hydroxide. The scent is lovely since it’s a real lavender fragrance and the formula is moisturizing. It gets quite a bit of lather, which I love, and it does a wonderful job of cleansing skin without stripping it.

Check out Sage Stone Botanicals online to learn more about their products, find where you can purchase products if you’re also in Oregon, or purchase online.

Today we are talking lip balm, which is one of my absolute favorite topics. I have said it before and will say it time and time again, the truth is I’m obsessed with lip balms. However deep my love for lip balms runs, I’m very picky. I consider myself to be a connoisseur of lip balm and love trying new ones. I recently got to pick and try several Eco Lips lip balms and have found love with all four of them. None of them irritate my super sensitive lips, are handcrafted in the USA (Cedar Rapids, Iowa to be exact), and are cruelty free, eco-friendly and made with certified organic ingredients.

The first one I tried (and one of you will actually get to win your own tube of) is the Eco Lips Gold USDA Certified Organic Lip Balm. This lip balm is Fair Trade Certified, unflavored, unscented, and highly moisturizing. Its ingredient list is made up of Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Baobab Oil, Fair Trade Certified Organic Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, Organic Rosemary Extract, and Organic Calendula Extract. It’s a simple lip balm but it’s incredibly long lasting and hydrating. My lips adore this balm and anybody and everybody would feel the same way. This lip balm (and the one that is up for giveaway) came with an Eco-Clip, which is a handy recycled aluminum carabiner.

Up next is the Ecotints lip balm I selected. I chose Plush Red, which is a gorgeous sheer red shade that suits me and my coloring. It has a very slight vanilla scent and flavor. It is very moisturizing and provides such a lovely buildable color. I absolutely love tinted lip balms and have decided that this one is my new favorite. I want to purchase the other shades too because this tinted lip balm is excellent and worth picking up in every color. It is very natural looking and smoothing. It’s ingredient list is comprised of Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Castor Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Vanilla, Organic Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Iron Oxides, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, and Candelilla Wax.

I was really excited when I came across a lip balm created in mirror image of my favorite juice by Honest Kids. Despite that fact that I’m 25 years old, I still really love the Berry Berry Good Lemonade juice pouches and couldn’t pass up the Honest Kids Berry Berry Good Lemonade Lip Balm. Made up of Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Berry Flavor, Organic Lemon Flavor, Organic Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, and Organic Calendula Flower Extract it is 100% edible. It smells and tastes just like the juice I love so much. It’s seriously yummy!

The final lip balm I chose to take for a test drive is the ONE WORLD Relax Calming Lip Balm in Lavender Lemon. This lip balm is made with Fair Trade Cocoa Butter and Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Grapeseed Oil, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Vitamin E, Organic Essential Oils of Lemon, Lavender, and Sweet Orange. It comes in an oversized tube coming in at .25 ounces. It smells so good, although it doesn’t have much of a flavor. It’s hydrating, soothing, and the lavender helps keep you relaxed. The combination of real lavender, lemon, and vanilla is a winner!

To learn more about the company and their products please click here to be taken to their website.

To win your very own Eco Lips Gold Lip Balm with an Eco Clip click HERE.

Toward the end of April I received a package of goodies from Dixie Bits, a company developed by a woman named Dixie Lincoln-Nichols, who developed a love for beauty at the age of 6 after watching her Grandmother extract coconut oil in an iron pot on her stove top one day in Trinidad to use for moisturizing her skin. After re-creating her Grandmother’s lotion for a friend, years later, who had complained of dry skin, word quickly spread that Dixie had some amazing skin care remedies up her sleeve. In June of 2011, Dixie turned her passion into a company with a goal of creating green, gorgeous, and eco-friendly products.

When using Dixie’s products you don’t need to worry about parabens, artificial colors or fragrances, sulfates or phthalates since each and every Dixie Bits product is free from toxic and harmful additives and instead formulated with natural or plant based ingredients. They package all of their products in recyclable containers and the bags and ribbons they use have been made from sustainable materials. They also never test on animals, which is a must have for any product I will use.

I got to try out their two lotions as well as two of their fairly new soy candles and I love three out of the four products I got to try. I’ll talk about the “miss” of the bunch after I rave about the other products.

I was so happy to find both of their scented lotions in the package that was on my doorstep. Whippa Peel, orange and vanilla, and Rave in Beauty, papaya, both smell so delicious and scrumptious a person could definitely be tempted to eat it by the spoonful. While it is made of healthy ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, macadamia oil, aloe, and ginseng root, among other ingredients, it’s better suited for topical use. The formulation of the lotion is very moisturizing without being heavy or sticky, and long lasting. The scent lasts all day long as does the hydrating properties. I consistently receive compliments about my fragrance while wearing both versions of Dixie’s lotion. My favorite is the Rave in Beauty, but Whippa Peel comes in a very, very close second. My Dad loves Whippa Peel, and compares the scent to a cupcake.

Moving on to the Lychee & Red Tea pure soy candle, one word comes to mind – AMAZING! I love, love, love this candle. The scent is so light, refreshing, and cheerful. It is a very invigorating scent and I can’t get enough. I also love how this candle burns. It is the most even burning candle I have come across in my 25 years on this planet. The simple glass jar is gorgeous and stylish. I’m only halfway through this candle and I’ve had it for months and months now. I cannot recommend this candle enough. It rings it at just under $30 but it’s totally worth it!

 The only Dixie Bits product I couldn’t stand is the Grapefruit and Vanilla soy candle. It absolutely stinks (to me, anyway!). I lit it once and had to quickly blow it out because the scent offended me so much. I’m not the biggest fan of citrus scents anyway but this was horrible. You know how sensitive I am anyway, so maybe it was just me (well, my Dad hated it as well). Strangely enough, my Mom likes it.

If you’re in the market for a fabulous new soy candle or some yummy smelling lotion you can find and purchase Dixie Bits online.

As a beauty blogger, I get to try a lot of products that I never would have otherwise. I don’t necessarily believe that a product has to cost a lot of money to work but I do get really excited when I get to test out a luxury product that I would never splurge on for myself. Being ill like I am means I have limited funds so dropping $150 on a brightening serum is out of the question, but I truly believe in investing in the health of you skin so if you have some extra money lying around, I highly recommend checking out Tatcha and their line of fabulous products.

Tatcha is a Japanese skin care company with products created after discovering a 200-year-old manuscript detailing the daily routines of geishas. “Having heard that many of the world’s greatest beauty secrets originated with geisha, we explored scientific journals, unearthed historical archives and studied the ageless beauty rituals of the iconic geisha to shed light on a highly evolved approach to beauty.”

Using ingredients like green tea, Okinawa red algae, and rice bran, Tatcha has formulated several products that the geishas of old would be proud to use. In addition to being made with time tested and healthy ingredients all Tatcha products are free of mineral oils, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, PEGs, PPGs, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates.

I have been using several of Tatcha’s products for a little over a month now and I cannot even begin to express how much I love this line. I even got my Mom hooked – she purchased a jar of the Classic Rice Enzyme Powder the day after trying out one of my samples. My skin has looked and felt so amazing, I can’t even explain! My skin looks radiant, even, clear, and healthier than ever before. My pores are somehow almost non-existent now!

The company so kindly sent me The Tatcha Sampler Set and a full sized bottle of their Deep Brightening Serum. The Tatcha Sampler Set comes with 6 trial-sized essentials (including 3 packets of each POLISHED Rice Enzyme Powder for a total of 9, 0.5oz PURE Camellia One Step Cleansing Oil, 0.5oz RADIANT Deep Brightening Serum, and a 0.3oz SUPPLE Moisture Rich Silk Cream) and a full sized pack of Original Japanese Beauty Papers.

The Camellia One Step Cleansing Oil is the first step in the Ritual. It’s a very light cleansing oil that I only use when I have makeup on since it removes makeup so easily. It’s extremely hydrating and nourishing and cleanses without making skin feel tight, dry, or uncomfortable.

Next up is the exfoliating step. The Rice Enzyme Powders can be also be used as a daily cleanser if you’re not wearing any makeup. This comes in 3 different formulations, Gentle, Classic, and Deep. It is a powder that turns into a cream once water is added. I love the Classic variety but I would have to say that the Gentle is my favorite. My skin cannot tolerate the Deep version. This product leaves skin feeling clean and super soft.

My favorite product from Tatcha is their Deep Brightening Serum. I use this every night, and most days. One pump is enough to cover my entire face. I look forward to applying this serum and have noticed a change in my skin already! Like I mentioned above, this serum retails for $150 but I’m not kidding when I say it is completely worth it. It feels incredibly light on the skin but also hydrates. It’s ingredients list is comprised of Squalane, Rice Germ Oil, Rice Extract, Silk Protein, Algae Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin (Soy Derivative), and Green Tea Leaf Extract. This is one of my new Holy Grail products!

I always follow the serum with Tatcha’s Moisture Rich Silk Cream, which is a great moisturizing cream for all skin types. It provides heavy moisture while sinking into the skin quickly. It continues to hydrate the skin all day or night and makes skin feel silky while doing it. It works alone or under makeup. A little of this cream goes a very long way.

The final Tatcha product I got to take for a test drive is their Original Aburatorigami beauty papers. These are all-natural, powder and fragrance free leaflets that absorb excess oil without ruining your makeup. I have been using blotting papers since I was 13 but I have never experienced any like these. Tatcha’s Original Aburatorigami papers have two ingredients - 100% abaca leaf and gold flake. Gold flake! How cool is that? These absorb more oil than any other blotting sheet I have ever tried and leave my skin looking fresh!

I’m so in love with all of these products and have nothing negative to say other than the fact that my skin can’t handle the Deep Rice Enzyme Powder. Other than that, this line is a real winner and I can’t recommend it more whole-heartedly. The company also has outstanding customer service and simply elegant packaging. To learn about the company, products, or to shop visit Tatcha online or on Facebook.

It’s another homerun for EmerginC’s Scientific Organics. The company knocked it out of the park (again!) with their Eyelight Cream. I have been using this cream for a little over a month now and have seen such a remarkable change in my under eye area. My Mom actually looked at me the other day and said, “Your eyes look so bright and nice. What eye cream are you using?”

I have experimented with a lot of different eye creams but I feel confident saying that this one is my absolute favorite. This cream is made with ingredients like Aloe Leaf Juice, Shea Butter, Olive Derived Squalene, Glycerin, Olive Oil, Grape Extract, Vitamins E and A, Apple Extract, Cupauca Butter, Rosehip Seed Oil, Brazil Nut Seed Oil, and Evening Primrose Oil, just to name a few. It also has several active ingredients like Asthaxanthin (a natural antioxidant that is even more powerful than Vitamins C and E), Aquacell (which is a blend of watermelon rind and lentil) and Derm SRC (a bamboo and pea extract).

It is a very thick cream that glides easily across the skin. It absorbs quickly so it doesn’t look or feel greasy or oily. It is extremely hydrating, nourishing, and illuminating. I’m 25 and I have started to see some fine lines but this cream plumps up my skin so it looks smooth and line free. It has decreased the severity of my dark circles and puffiness. I am seriously amazed at how bright my eyes look when I use this. I have noticed that it has even improved my tone and texture when not wearing it.

I apply it twice daily, both morning and night, and can’t wait to apply it every day as part of my routine. It feels so luxurious and lovely! Not only is the product wonderful the packaging is also chic. The Eyelight Cream comes in a 15 ml green, glass jar with a white lid. The cream itself is a thick, white cream with a very slight, clean scent to it.

Scientific Organic’s Eyelight Cream is fantastic and highly recommend by me. It retails for $65. I have now tried 3 of their products and have absolutely loved each and every one of them. I even love the fact that for every Scientific Organics retail-sized product sold EmerginC will plant a tree. How cool is that? 100% natural products created by a company who gives back to the environment by planting trees!

Please visit this website to learn more about the company or product. You can also purchase this product online on their website or SkinStore.com.

Argan Oil comes from the nuts of the Argan Tree, which can only be found in select areas of Morocco. Moroccan women, and even men, have been using Argan Oil for beauty, medicinal, and nutritive purposes for generations and it has recently been made available across the globe. Argan Oil has been gaining popularity in the US for a few years now, and with good reason - The oil has double the amount of Vitamin E that olive oil has, a high level of essential fatty acids, Vitamin A, and antioxidants.

Argan Oil is considered to be a miracle for skin and hair. It can be used to help balance and clear oily and acne prone skin, moisturize and nourish dry skin, heal scars, repair skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, and slow down the aging process. I especially love using Argan Oil as a facial moisturizer after doing a mask, scrub, or peel since it is so nourishing. I feel like it helps my skin regenerate and leaves it looking and feeling healthy. It also works great on dehydrated skin, cuticles, and rough feet.

When it comes to hair there are many more uses for Argan Oil. It easily penetrates hair to nourish, hydrate, and improve condition. It helps to prevent breakage since it strengthens and improves elasticity. I really like using Argan Oil as a leave in conditioner (I apply it to my ends while my hair is still damp). Doing this has really helped keep my ends from becoming damaged or split. I also love using it as a pre-cleanse scalp treatment and to tame flyaways when my hair is acting up. I don’t color my hair but it is really useful for bringing health back to the hair of those who do.

Some Argan Oils can be a bit pricey but Zinn Beauty offers a certified pure and organic bottle for only $29.99. I really love the fact that it is handmade in Morocco! It comes in an absolutely gorgeous 2 FL OZ bottle, with a cute little tassel, that will last a very long time. A little bit of “liquid gold” goes a very long way. The oil itself is a clear, light golden color. It has a very slight, inoffensive scent that disappears upon application. You can purchase this Argan Oil online as well as at ULTA, Duane Reade and Ricky's.

I know many people get nervous at the thought of using oil to moisturize their skin and/or hair but trust me when I say there is nothing to worry about! Argan oil in particular is incredibly light, quick to absorb, and long lasting. It doesn’t leave skin or hair looking greasy or dirty; in fact it’s just the opposite. Try it out and let me know what you think!

(FTC: The Argan Oil I mentioned 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.)

To say that Argan Oil is anything less than amazing would be utterly wrong since I have a total and complete obsession with this skin miracle. Argan Oil comes from a tree that can only be found in Morocco and is often referred to as “liquid gold”. It is rich in vital antioxidants and has twice as much Vitamin E as olive oil so it is a wonderful skin care solution. It helps heal skin conditions, moisturize and balance dry and oily complexions, slow down the aging process, and can be used from head to toe.

Argan Oil has been used by Moroccan men and women for centuries but is now accessible worldwide. Zinn Beauty has created an affordable line of Argan infused products. I got to try out the entire Zinn Beauty Collection and have really enjoyed using the line which includes a facial cleanser and cream, body milk, and 100% Moroccan Argan Oil. All Zinn products are formulated without preservatives, artificial colors, sulfates, animal extracts, and parabens. In addition to leaving toxic ingredients out of their products they are cruelty free. Zinn Argan Oil is hand made in Morocco and is certified pure and organic.

The Velvet Cleansing Milk is a great moisturizing cleanser with ingredients like Sunflower Seed oil, Argan Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil, Beeswax and Tea Tree Oil, just to name a few. All Zinn products have been formulated to work for all skin types but I’m not sure I would like it if I had oily skin. It is very rich and hydrating so I like using this at night. It actually feels a bit heavy on the skin but not in a greasy sense and it does not clog my pores. It makes my skin really clean without stripping it. It leaves my skin looking glowing and dewy. I like this cleanser a lot now but I think I’ll love it once winter hits and my skin needs some TLC. It smells a bit earthy because of the tea tree and also a bit like oranges. Overall it’s a really nice cleanser that anyone with normal to dry skin will enjoy!

Zinn’s Revitalizing Ant-Aging Cream is not my favorite. It feels really great on the skin but the scent is a little bit too strong for me and it lingers so I can’t use it (you know how sensitive I am to smells). It is rich but not heavy so you can use it day and night. It works under makeup or on it’s own. My Mom likes this cream so she has been using it. I think I would have liked using this if not for the strong scent.

The Smooth Body Milk is absolutely fantastic! To start with, this lotion smells really great (sort of like Flinstones Vitamins – which is a good thing in my opinion.)! It is a milky cream that absorbs quickly and easily leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated. It is not greasy in the slightest bit and has a matte finish. It doesn’t feel heavy so it is perfect for all over use. The moisture this lotion imparts is long lasting and incredibly soothing. It is packed full of essential oils, antioxidants, fatty acids and Vitamin E so its healthy and nourishing. You won’t believe how soft your skin feels after using this Body Milk! My whole family loves this and since it comes in a large, 6.8 FL OZ, tube it will last for quite some time.

The Zinn Collection is definitely worth checking out. If you’re interested in learning more about the company or the products mentioned you can visit them online by clicking here. In addition to being able to purchase online, you can find these products at ULTA, Duane Reade and Ricky's. Tomorrow I’ll be discussing the benefits and uses of Argan Oil as well as reviewing the Zinn 100% Moroccan Argan Oil so I will see you then!

(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.)

You, my beautiful readers, know how much I love skin care. I am always switching up my skin care routine so I can try new products to share my thoughts with you. For a little over a month now I have been using a set of products that were created by a team of chemists, biologists and dermatologists with a passion for health and wellness from all over the world. These scientists have developed 3 products, which have been created using only natural and wholesome ingredients that are safe for all skin types and haven’t been tested on animals.

My favorite product from Exhale is their Natural Gentle Cleanser. I absolutely love this cleanser! As the name suggests it is very gentle. It has 6 simple ingredients (Purified Water, Sodium Olivate, Glycerin, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Eiobotrya Japonica Extract and Seaweed Extract) and is extremely gentle, as the name suggests. It smells lovely and makes the skin feel really clean without being squeaky clean (which is not a good thing!) or tight. After rinsing off, the skin feels soft, hydrated, and balanced. It’s also brightening and helps promote cell regeneration.

My next most used Exhale product is the Apple Stem Cell Cloud Cream. It’s a nice daily moisturizer with ingredients like Jojoba Seed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture, and Hyaluronic Acid just to name a few. I really like using this moisturizer during the day and under makeup although I prefer a heavier cream for nighttime use. It is an off-white gel-cream consistency that doesn’t really have a smell. It leaves my skin feeling really soft and smooth. It plumps up my skin and lends it a really nice glow. The Apple Stem Cell Cloud Cream feels very light on the skin and absorbs quickly.

The final product is their Organic Sun Protection SPF 30 (which features ingredients like Aloe Leaf Extract, Green Tea Extract, Sunflower Oil, Castor Oil, and White Birch Oil in addition to others). Titanium Dioxide is what gives the creams its SPF 30. I would have preferred Zinc Oxide but this cream gets the job done. While it’s not my favorite product of the bunch, it does have good qualities - It’s hydrating and it also works really well as a primer under makeup so it acts as a 3 in 1. It is a very thick pinkish cream that takes a little work to spread across the skin. It also takes a few minutes for the skin to absorb but once it does it protects the skin by creating a barrier. I took this to Phoenix with me and I didn’t get a burn whatsoever (on my face or neck anyway).

Overall I really enjoy this line of products and recommend that you check them out, especially the cleanser! If you are interested in purchasing any of the products mentioned or learning more about the company their products you can visit their website or Facebook page.

(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 few weeks ago, I asked those of you who are fans of my Facebook page what type of product you are most picky about. At that time I shared that I am rarely satisfied with shampoo but I forgot to mention my search for the perfect daily body lotion. I have the hardest time finding a good lotion and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I hate that greasy, heavy feeling that some lotions give the skin but I also can’t stand super thin and watery formulas either. There is a middle ground that very few companies have mastered but Bayberry Naturals is one of them. 

My quest for the perfect body lotion ended when I tried Bayberry Naturals' Sensitive Skin Hand & Body Lotion. I've been using this lotion on my entire body every single day since it arrived. I apply it right after I get out of the shower while my skin is still slightly moist and my skin has never been softer. This is a very long lasting moisturizer that doesn't irritate my sensitive skin or my even more sensitive sense of smell. I wake up the next morning with skin that still feels soft and hydrated. I tend to have some flakes on my legs but they have been MIA since using this.

Like all Bayberry Naturals products it is sulfate, paraben, phthalate, artificial fragrance and dye free as well as cruelty free. The formula is comprised of organic aloe, organic coconut oil, kosher vegetable glycerin, grapeseed oil, roman chamomile essential oil, as well as a few other ingredients. It is 89% organic and 100% vegan. The lotion is packaged in a simple 8.7 fl oz bottle. 

In addition to the Sensitive Skin Hand & Body Lotion, I have also really been enjoying their Shea Buttercream which is an incredibly rich and nourishing cream. It is literally the consistency of a thick buttercream frosting and it is to die for! It is made up of over 20% Organic Shea Butter so it is extremely emollient and perfect for extra dry skin. It helps soothe any itchiness, dryness or irritation. I use it on my hands and feet before going to bed every night and I have even used it on my face. When used on my face it really helped battle the dehydration my skin was experiencing.

This particular Buttercream does not contain any essential oils so those of us with the most sensitive skin can use it without any worry although it can be used on any skin type. It is 70% organic and 100% vegan. Some of its ingredients are organic aloe, organic shea butter, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, meadowfoam seed oil, and neem oil. It comes in a jar with 2 oz of product. A little goes a very long way.

 The final product I have been using from Bayberry Naturals is their Peppermint Bar Soap. This bar soap is made using organic oils, essential oils, organic wheat grass, organic barley grass, organic alfalfa, organic parsley, and rosemary extract. It is a truly unique peppermint bar soap. It smells fresh and clean. It is very gentle and doesn't dry out the skin while cleansing it.

I was so kindly sent these 3 truly phenomenal products from Bayberry Naturals and I am so excited that I was able to share them with you. I love the products I tried and I can only imagine how great the rest of their products are. To learn more about the company or purchase the products mentioned above you can visit their website.

I feel like this can go without saying, since I have said it an innumerable amount of times in past blog posts, but I love anything and everything made with honey and other bee ingredients. BeeAlive is a family-owned business located in Valley Cottage, New York that specializes in premium products like Royal Jelly and dietary supplements. This past spring, the company launched a new all-natural and handcrafted skin care line called BeeAlive Spa Essentials which is comprised of a cleanser and 2 crèmes that I will be reviewing for you today.

Their Foaming Honey Cleanser is the perfect daily facial cleanser. It's gentle yet effective enough to thoroughly cleanse all skin types. It is very hydrating and nourishing although it doesn't leave skin feeling heavy or oily. It doesn't leave my skin feeling tight either. It even leaves my skin looking brighter and more radiant. It comes in a 6 fl oz bottle with a pump so it is easy to use twice daily. All it takes is one pump to create enough foam to clean the entire face and neck. Its ingredient list is comprised of only 8 ingredients - aloe leaf juice, distilled water, honey, cocamidopropyl betaine (which is derived from coconut), aloe leaf extract, apple cider vinegar, lavender oil, geranium oil, and green tea leaf extract. The only thing I don't like about this cleanser is the scent of geranium. For whatever reason I hate the smell of geranium in any product, but since it also has lavender it is tolerable.

The first of the 2 crèmes is the Delicate Royal Jelly Crème. This formula was created for normal to oily skin. It was also designed to counteract the visible signs of aging. It is lighter than the other formulation, which I'll get to next, so it is perfect for daytime use and it works wonderfully under a full face of makeup. It provides a very light level of moisture but most days it is plenty. This crème includes ingredients like aloe leaf juice, lavender flower distillate, sunflower seed oil (that has been infused with calendula, chamomile, oat straw, nettle and raspberry leaf), apricot kernel oil, royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, honey, elderberry and other skin beneficial ingredients. There are some days though when my skin is a little dehydrated and needs a heavier crème to combat the dryness which is where their other moisturizer comes into play.

For normal to dry skin the Enriching Royal Jelly Crème will be the perfect match. It also works well as a nighttime crème which is my favorite use for this formula. This creme is very rich and provides the skin with an intense level of hydration without being too thick or sticky feeling. This is my favorite out of the 2 because I prefer heavier formulas. This is a lovely creme and will delight even the driest skin out there. I even occasionally use this in addition to the Delicate version on my really dry patches and they work nicely together. This formulation includes many of the same ingredients at the Delicate Royal Jelly Crème but also features shea oil, rhodiola and rose hip extract. Both come in a very nice glass bottle.

To learn more about the company or the products mentioned please visit their website.

(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.)

It’s no secret that I love beauty products and recipes that include honey and other bee ingredients. Medicine Mama’s Apothecary is a 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.)

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.)

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.)

I’ve never mentioned that I have a deep affection for teachers (my mom is one) and you already know that I adore natural beauty products so it’s only natural that I’m in love with Splurge Skincare! Splurge is a natural skincare line created by two friends who are both teachers in Massachusetts. Their line consists of three types of products including a body scrub (or The Rub), Lip Buttah, and limited edition Sugarcubes.

The idea to start Splurge sprung from a Christmas gift – a homemade body scrub. Both women are self professed beauty junkies who wanted to create their own line of products that were effective and free of harmful toxins and chemicals. They taught during the day and researched, experimented, and tested after work and on the weekends before they finally created a product they could be proud of. They came up with the name Splurge because they believe in pampering yourself on a daily basis.

A lot of companies offer body scrubs of some sort but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I have never tried one as amazing as The Rub. This scrub, which is sugar based, has a very unique texture and consistency. It’s fluffy and light but moisturizing and exfoliating. It almost feels like a mousse to me in the jar but it’s solid and granular. I don’t even know how to describe the amazing-ness of this product!

Christine and Kara, the women behind the brand, were so generous and sent me two jars of this – one in almond and the other in peppermint. It is also available in lemon. My Mother promptly stole the almond version (she always helps me test and review the good products) and I kept the peppermint for myself. Both of us absolutely adore this scrub. Both smell delicious and leave my skin feeling so smooth and fresh. The scrub is neither too rich nor oily or too light. It imparts the perfect amount of moisture, leaving skin feeling healthy and looking glowy. It leaves a light and yummy scent behind on my skin and I can’t get enough!

They also sent me a Lip Buttah in Lemon. I love lip balms of all kinds and this one feels really nice on the lips and imparts long lasting moisture but I’m not a big fan of this particular lemon scent. The formula really is lovely though. It’s not greasy, sticky, or too heavy; it’s just right!

I love Splurge and I highly recommend that you check them out. Even celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Drew Barrymore, Alicia Silverstone, Orlando Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Hartnett, Ellen Degeneres and many more are getting in on the Splurge movement. Splurge products are being included in the Earth Day in Hollywood gift bags. If you want to pamper yourself or learn more visit Splurge online.

At the beginning of this yucky, frigid, and snowy season my skin was not happy about the lack of warmth and sunshine. It was dry, flaky, and irritable. Luckily for me, I found Pomega5’s Healing Cream, an intense cream designed specifically for dry, damaged, and problematic skin. Despite its hefty price tag, ($85 for 1.7 oz) it’s a lifesaver for chapped winter skin. I think it will even be great for sun-scorched skin in the summer, since it is very healing.

This cream is perfect for dry, sensitive skin because it’s extremely nourishing and gentle at the same time. Once applied to the skin, it forms a protective barrier trapping much needed moisture inside and keeping free radicals, dirt, pollution and germs out. It’s like wearing a suit of armor on your face. I think it is great for both day (it works really well under makeup and acts like a primer) and night, although I think it is especially excellent at repairing skin while the body is at rest. It also happens to smell really delicious.

It is formulated with a ton of good for your skin ingredients like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, calendula, carrot seed oil, aloe vera, shea butter, pomegranate seed oil, grape seed oil, vitamin e, and numerous other healthy oils and natural ingredients. All of these great things combine to make a super skin cream that heals and protects, which is why it is aptly named Healing Cream. It is deeply moisturizing but doesn’t feel heavy, greasy, or sticky.

It comes in an airless pump so the product stays fresh and germ free. Keep in mind that it is very rich it might not be the best for oily skinned guys and gals. Pomega5 makes a Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer that would probably be better-suited for oily skin.

It’s been wonderful on my sensitive face as well as my irritable back. I have been applying a thin layer of this cream onto my back after getting out of the shower every day to help heal and make my skin feel less itchy and sore (my illness has created some skin issues back there).

If you’re interested in learning more about this product or other Pomega5 products you can find them online at www.pomega5.com.

I’m so lucky to have found the perfect winter hand treatment and now I’m here to share it with you. Before the company so kindly sent me these products to try, my hands were looking more like old, cracked, dried out leather than healthy looking 24 year old mitts. I live in a very cold and harsh climate during the winter and my hands are always the ones who pay the price.

(seed) body care was started by a husband and wife team who discovered the dangers lurking in everyday products while trying to start a family. Detoxing their household and personal care routines meant getting rid of anything with questionable chemicals listed in the ingredients. As many of you know, the road to a greener and healthier life can often times be confusing, so they embarked on a journey to find new brands, some of which they liked and others they did not. Using his love for wine they started developing a line of products made with natural byproducts of the winemaking process. (seed) was born after a microbiologist confirmed the benefits of grape seeds.

(seed) Therapeutic Hand Scrub and Healthy Hand Cream have made a huge difference in the health of my hands and they are 100% natural and highly effective. In fact, I’ve never found a better scrub or cream for my skin. Their products are all paraben, gluten, dairy, phthalate, and cruelty free. They also never use artificial colors or fragrance, which means their products are completely safe and healthy. Their Therapeutic Hand Scrub is a superb gentle exfoliator that helps get rid of dead skin cells while prepping the skin for hydration. Since the scrub has Grape seed oil and Shea butter it also helps condition the skin. It also contains coconut oil, apricot seed powder, grape seed powder, safflower oil, aloe vera, soybean oil, and pink grapefruit. The grapefruit gives it a very light, inoffensive citrus scent. You can use this scrub on wet or dry skin, but I prefer to use it on damp hands. It leaves hands feeling softer and smoother while looking brighter right away. It never irritates skin and is the perfect first step in maintaining healthy hands. I use this twice a week.

(seed) Healthy Hand Cream has an amazing ingredient list featuring Grape seed oil, vitamin E, Sunflower seed oil, Jojoba oil, Shea butter, coconut oil and other natural ingredients. They are high in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. I’m very picky when it comes to lotions and creams and this cream intensely moisturizes without feeling greasy, it’s truly wonderful. My skin drinks it in almost instantly and lasts for hours and hours. I especially love to put it on at bedtime because I wake up with soft, younger looking hands. It’s very soothing and makes my hands feel instantaneously better and keeps them nourished all day. I have the Simply Fragrance Free version but they also offer this formula in Invigorating Citrus and Relaxing Lavender. A small amount of this hand cream goes a very long way.

(seed) products can be found at Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Wegmans, Hannaford, Drugstore.com, Kinney Drugs and http://seed.alice.com. You can learn more online at http://seedbodycare.com.

(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.)