Rocky Mountain Soap Vanilla Mint Hand Cream
I loved Rocky Mountain Soap's hand cream when I first used it in 2015, but the new Vanilla Mint scent that launched mid-2016 fully cemented my adoration. The hand cream hits that perfect balance of richness and quick absorption and is loaded with nourishing plant oils, shea butter, antioxidants, and other emollients. The Vanilla Mint scent is both fresh and sweet, and it's a lighter scent, so while it smells wonderful as you apply it, it doesn't fragrance the entire room or smack you over the head all day long.
Sola Skincare Balancing Face Oil [Review]
I've tried a lot of oils over the years and Sola's Balancing Face Oil, which incorporates traditional Chinese herbs, brings a little something extra to the table. The blend includes some of my favorite hydrating and healing oils -- argan, tamanu, and jojoba, to name just a few -- alongside Chinese herbs that reduce inflammation and improve circulation. It works incredibly well at targeting not only obvious acne and breakouts, but also more subtle skin congestion and clogged pores. It's a beautiful product and one I'd recommend to anyone struggling with these kinds of skin issues.
Kari Gran Lip Whips
I go through phases with more full-on lipstick, but the reality is that, for everyday, I prefer more sheer lip colors and glosses. Kari Gran's Lip Whips offer exactly that -- sheer, glossy color -- and they feel like a hydrating treatment for your lips. Potted lip products aren't usually my favorite, but these are worth it. They're comfortable and easy to wear, and come in an ever-growing range of beautiful shades.
Holiskin Sensitive Skin Facial Cleanser [Review]
Oil cleansers are my favorite way to remove makeup and Holiskin's super affordable Sensitive Skin Cleanser is one of the best I've used at any price point. The simple but thoughtful ingredients list includes organic apricot kernel, camellia, meadowfoam, and castor seed oils, as well as vitamin E and chamomile and lavender essential oils, and it's a real gem of a product. It smells awesome, glides over the skin easily, and effortlessly removes every last trace of makeup. It doesn't sting around the eyes and wipes away easily with a washcloth or face wipe.
Batty's Bath Whipped Cream Foundation [Review]
My skin usually reacts to cream and liquid foundations when worn for more than a day or two in a row, but the Whipped Cream Foundation from Batty's Bath, formulated especially for acne and rosacea-prone skin, is the one exception. The ingredients are free of often problematic coconut oil and the Whipped Cream Foundation offers medium/buildable coverage with a unique cream-to-almost-powder finish. It feels lightweight on the skin, isn't drying at all, and sets to a pretty and natural looking semi-matte finish. It also doubles as a concealer -- I especially love using it to cover up dark circles.
Argillaceous Naturals Detox Facial Masque [Review]
I tried two masks from Argillaceous Naturals last year and I was not expecting to fall nearly as hard as I did for the Detox Facial Masque. On first glance, the ingredients read like many other detox masks, but performance-wise, it stands apart. In addition to detox mask classics like clay and activated charcoal, the formula also includes colloidal oatmeal to soothe and citric acid to gently resurface the skin. The citric acid also balances the extreme alkalinity of the clay, which means the mask can work without negatively impacting the skin's natural acid mantle and barrier function. The Detox Masque is particularly awesome for clearing blackheads and clogged pores and it never leaves the skin feeling raw or stripped. For me, someone without very oily or problematic skin, I like it best as an occasional refresher once or twice a month, but depending on your skin, you could definitely incorporate it more often.
Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tint
Along with the Kari Gran, the Sheer Moisture Lip Tints from Mineral Fusion are my other favorite tinted lip product. They come in a fun crayon form and again provide sheer color with a balmy, nourishing feel. Glisten, a warm caramelly-nude, is my absolute favorite from the range, but all the shades are pretty.
Duckish Body Butter [Review]
Some of you will remember that I was a little heartbroken when Nourish discontinued their Body Butter about a year ago, but I've got to say, Duckish's Body Butter, which I've since replaced it with, is even better. An emollient blend of shea butter and plant oils, the Body Butter is phenomenal on dry and irritated skin. It's super rich and is the kind of product I reserve for those extra dry spots like feet and elbows as opposed to all over (although Duckish's Lotion Sticks, which go on like solid oils, are fantastic for everywhere!) I've even used the Body Butter as an intense lip treatment this winter and it worked great in that capacity too.
What were your biggest green beauty standouts in 2016?
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lovely picks! I really love Kari Gran lip whips, too, but I haven't tried anything else you listed! Guess I need to change that lol. thanks for sharing xx
ReplyDeleteThanks! I tried to pick products that were a little under the radar this year -- happy you found some new things to check out :)
DeleteI've really been wanting to try Batty's Bath products and that foundation has especially caught my eye. That Argillaceous Naturals Detox Facial Masque sounds really wonderful, too! Great favorites list!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Obviously I love them both -- I don't think you could go wrong with either :)
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