Naturalla Beauty

Oil cleansers are one of my favorite products to DIY because they're just so darn easy to make!  I concocted this particular blend about two months ago and after whipping up a new batch this morning, it seemed like a good time to share the recipe here.  

Almond oil makes up the bulk of the cleansing oil, chosen because it's supremely gentle and nourishing, and wonderful for sensitive and reactive skin.  Castor oil is an oil cleansing classic that's fantastic for balancing oil production and really deeply penetrating into the pores and removing any debris or build up.  Rosehip oil adds an extra boost of vitamins and antioxidants and is excellent for evening out skin tone and fading scars.  

Chamomile and lavender essential oils give the cleansing oil a beautiful and relaxing scent, perfect for winding down at the end of the day.  Both are also fantastic all-round skin oils and, again, great for sensitive skin.  Carrot seed oil is an anti-aging superstar with strong regenerative properties.  [As always, I'd stress that you make sure you're using high quality, unadulterated essential oils -- I have an old post covering some of the most important things to look out for HERE.]



I use cleansing oils to remove my makeup and as a first cleanse, and that's exactly how I use this one.  You could absolutely use it by itself to.  It's a non-emulsifying oil, so whether or not you use a second cleanser, you'll need some kind of face cloth or sponge to properly wipe the oil off your skin.  

You'll Need:
2 oz. Almond Oil
1/2 oz. Castor Oil
1/4 oz. Rosehip Seed Oil
6 drops Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
6 drops Lavender Essential Oil
3 drops Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Combine all ingredients in a (preferably glass) jar and shake gently to combine.

To Use: Massage oil onto a dry face and softly work into skin for 1-2 minutes.  Gently wipe oil off with a warm damp washcloth, konjac sponge, or face wipe.  Follow with another cleanser if desired.

I've been using green and natural products for most of my adult life, but there are still moments when a new discovery truly makes me sit up and take notice.  That WOW feeling is the inspiration for this post, wherein I want to highlight greener options that you may or may not have heard of before -- both in the beauty realm and beyond.  Today's picks combine three things I never thought I'd pair together: birth control, hair dryers, and air freshener.


Low-EMF Hair Dryers
All electronic devices emit electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) when plugged in and in an increasingly electronic world, there's little doubt that most of us are constantly being bombarded with some level of this low-grade radiation.  According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there's no clear evidence to show whether or not EMF exposure increases cancer risk or other health problems, but, since the strength of electromagnetic fields fade with distance from the source, they recommend limiting time spent around a source and increasing the distance from a source to reduce exposure.  Obviously increasing the distance from your hair dryer is not a feasible option when drying your hair, but you can opt for a low-EMF model that emits significantly less radiation.  Interestingly, it's not crunchy companies leading the charge on this one either, but rather pro brands like Chi, that promise both less EMF's and faster hair drying times.  

ContraGel Green Gel
Birth control methods are classified as medical devices in North America, so bringing new and greener options to the market is often much more difficult and cost prohibitive than with other kinds of products.  It's an area where I really think healthier options are often lacking, but that's a whole other topic of conversation.  

Let's talk about barrier contraceptives for a minute.  For those looking for hormone free birth control, barrier methods like the diaphragm are often touted as one of the best choices.  However, many of these methods are not fully effective unless used in combination with spermicide or contraceptive gel.  And -- I'm sure you know where I'm going here -- the ingredients in conventional spermicides are far from ideal.  Regular use of Nonoxynol 9, the primary chemical used in spermicides, is linked to irritation, rashes, and even an increased risk of contracting HIV.  Crazy, right?  Not to mention all the other gross filler ingredients and preservatives in there.  ContraGel, on the other hand, has only five natural ingredients and relies on lactic acid to immobilize sperm.  It's also condom-compatible, vegan, cruelty-free, and free of dairy and gluten.  

[[Note: Like spermicide, ContraGel does not protect against STDs/STIs.  It's also not recommended as your sole method to prevent pregnancy, but if you're someone using (or looking to use) spermicides or a diaphragm, it's a great healthy replacement to look into.]]

Plug-In Air Fresheners
Essential oils and naturally scented candles are great home fragrance options, but I've met several people -- usually those newly transitioning to natural products -- looking for an easy one-to-one swap for something like a Glade Plugin.  And I finally stumbled onto one the other day!  Aura Cacia's Electric Aromatherapy Air Freshener is an essential oil air freshener that functions the same as conventional plug-ins, just with much cleaner ingredients.  You purchase the Electric Air Freshener itself the first time and then you can just buy the replacement refills from that point on.    

Of course, if you've already got the essential oils, a plug-in Scent Ball or Room Diffuser is an even better option that allows you to fully customize your scents!




Have you made any great green + natural discoveries lately?

I've been diligent about writing monthly empties posts for the last couple years, but I've recently fallen out of the habit and have yet to post a single one in 2016!  Needless to say, that's left me with a whole bunch of products to talk about, so I'm going to split this into two posts.  Today, I'll cover the hair and body products, and the second part will include all the skincare and makeup empties.  I've also opted not to include samples -- with a couple makeup exceptions in Part 2 -- as I already posted mini-reviews of most of them while doing a sample challenge on Instagram.  


Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby-Mild Castile Soap
Dr. Bronner's is one of the most talked about products in the green community and for good reason. This soap has a million and one uses and is basically just a great item to keep on hand.  I mostly use it for cleaning purposes -- makeup brushes, laundry, and more -- but it's also great as a body wash or hand soap.  I like the Unscented best, since it can be used as is or easily scented yourself with essential oils.  Repurchase? Definitely!

Aura Cacia Sweet Almond + Blueberry Seed Oil
This is a great oil!  Judging by the price, I'm sure it's somewhere around 90% almond oil, but the blueberry seed oil, however minimal, still manages to lend a delicate blueberry scent, and also offers additional antioxidant benefits.  It's a great multipurpose blend that I used for a variety of things: as a makeup remover, oil cleanser, body oil, and even hair oil.  My one gripe is that I can't stand Aura Cacia's bottles -- the squeeze mechanism always dispenses either too little or too much -- but it's simple enough to decant into another bottle, which is what I ended up doing here.  Repurchase? Yes.

Intelligent Nutrients Organic Styling Gel
Intelligent Nutrients is one of my favorite hair care brands and the Styling Gel is a nice product.  I like the minty scent and it has great hold, though it can leave hair feeling crunchy if you use a lot of product.  For that reason alone, I prefer my old standby, Kinky-Curly's Spiral Spritz, for day-to-day light-hold styling, but the Styling Gel is great for when you need a bit more hold.  Repurchase? Maybe.

Nourish Organic Fresh Fig Hand Wash
I love Nourish products and the hand wash is no exception.  Fresh Fig is a great sweet and fruity scent and the hand washes are creamy and moisturizing.  Unfortunately, Nourish recently discontinued them, but I really think the body washes are, if not exactly the same, very comparable.  I'll probably hang onto this bottle and refill it with those in the future.  Repurchase? Not possible.

Young Living Thieves Foaming Hand Soap
I like this hand soap for the kitchen.  It smells fresh and YL's Thieves blend contains a lot of purifying essential oils, so it's great to use while you're cooking.  The one negative is that I do find it can dry out your hands when used repeatedly within a shorter time frame.  Repurchase? Maybe.



Earthpaste Peppermint Toothpaste
I've gone through many a tube of Earthpaste and I keep going back to it for the simple fact that it's the most accessible glycerin-free toothpaste I've found.  I prefer the Wintergreen, but the Peppermint is fine too.  Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Acure Moroccan Argan + Argan Oil Shampoo
I've used this shampoo for years and have repurchased numerous bottles, but I think this may well be my last. I'm not sure whether my scalp has changed, or if it's just gotten too used to this product after such a long time, but I started having issues with buildup a couple months ago and eventually traced them back to this.  I used to love it, but it just doesn't get my scalp clean anymore.  The last quarter or so of the bottle was finished off as a laundry soap.  Repurchase? It's unlikely.

Rocky Mountain Soap Apricot Hand Cream
Rocky Mountain's hand creams are loaded with nourishing oils and rich butters, but they still manage to absorb really nicely, without any kind of greasy residue.  Sadly, the apricot scent was less of a hit than the actual hand cream formula.  It smelled great in the tube, but quickly turned both sickly sweet and slightly sour as soon as it touched my skin.  Repurchase? Yes, but not in this scent.

Andalou Naturals Lime Blossom Shea Butter + Coconut Water Hand Cream
Again, a great hand cream formula, but not my favorite scent.  I don't find Andalou's hand creams ultra-nourishing, but they're great to reach for throughout the day, when you might not have time to wait for a richer cream to sink in.  I think this particular one would be a big hit for fans of coconutty and tropical scents, but, personally, I prefer the Clementine.  Repurchase? Yes, but probably not in this scent.

The Parkdale Butter Co. Peppermint Lip Butter
I received this lip butter in an event goody bag in the fall and although it had a beautiful chocolate mint scent, I wasn't a fan of it for its intended purpose.  Made with just four organic ingredients -- shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and peppermint extract -- and no waxes, the texture was closer to a whipped shea butter than a traditional lip balm.  On the lips, it melted away very quickly and didn't seem to really do much, but I did like it as a body butter.  There are other Parkdale Butter products I like more, but I wouldn't recommend this particular one unless you're looking for a purse-friendly body butter.  Repurchase? No.

Acure Ultra-Hydrating Body Lotion
I've made it pretty clear that I'm not a fan of this lotion in its current iteration.  I'd love Acure to return to the old formula, but as it stands now, the lotion is a lot thinner and waterier than I like and does a truly sub par job of keeping my skin moisturized.  Repurchase? No.

Stay tuned for Part 2 later this week for all my skincare and makeup empties!

Not a ton of empties this month, but nearly everything is something I've either already repurchased or something I anticipate buying again in the not too distant future.  Here's what's headed to the bin this time around:



Suki Concentrated Balancing Toner (now the Concentrated Clarifying Toner)
I like the signature, lemony scent that most of Suki's line has, and the Balancing Toner was no exception.  It had a good, even spray and felt light and non-sticky going on - perfect for summer.  The trial size only lasted me about two weeks, but even in that short time, I noticed my pores looked cleaner and less visible.
Repurchase? Yes.

Vice1960 Facial Oil*   [Review]
Vice1960 was one of my favorite discoveries of this year and I particularly enjoyed this oil.  It's a gorgeous blend that includes hazelnut, radish, meadowfoam, and jojoba oils, and it consistently left my skin hydrated, glowy, and very clear.  The company is going to be launching five (!) new oils soon too, which is super exciting.   
Repurchase? Yes.

Aura Cacia Organic Argan Oil   [Review]
Argan was the first oil I really fell for and it's a still a staple in my haircare routine.  I use it on the ends  of my hair and also sometimes on my face too.  Aura Cacia's organic argan oil is affordable and the quality is generally great.  I've gone through multiple bottles without issue, but this particular one smelled strangely minty, even though it's labelled as 100% argan oil.  
Repurchase? Possibly.  I ordered Acure's argan oil this time, but I'd likely buy Aura Cacia's again too. I'm hesitant to order it online though, after the peppermint scent of this bottle.

Pure + Simple Eye Brightening Cream   [Review]
I wasn't completely sold on this eye cream when I wrote my original review, but I ended up picking up a full size jar anyways and slowly came to love it.  It doesn't do a lot for puffiness, but it's amazing on dark circles.  It's also gentle and very moisturizing without being heavy.
Repurchase? Yes.

Pretty Pure Radiance Day Cream   [Review]
I've enjoyed many of Pretty's products, but I think the Pure Radiance Cream is my favorite to date.  It's a rich cream, but it sinks in quickly and never leaves my face greasy or shiny, no matter how generously I slather it on.  It has a soft, neutral scent and is also the best base I've found for applying makeup.  It won't get rid of pores or fine lines like a silicone-based primer, but it does soften both, plus I think my makeup lasts better on top of this than anything else I've tried.
Repurchase? Definitely.

Peppy Galore Diva Face Moisturizer (sample)
I liked everything about this moisturizer except the vanilla scent.  Because of the smell, I actually ended up using most of my sample as a body moisturizer.  Peppy Galore has recently shut down, so I'm just as happy this didn't turn out to be a perfect product for me.
Repurchase? No.

Balm Balm Hibiscus Face Mask (sample)
Balm Balm's Hibiscus mask is a simple formulation made of just brown rice powder, hibisicus flowers, and rose geranium essential oil.  I think it'd be great for super sensitive skin that might not be able to tolerate other masks, but personally, I found it was so gentle that it didn't really do much at all.  The second time I used it, I boosted it with some green clay and I enjoyed the combination a lot more than I did this mask by itself.
Repurchase? Probably not.

EvanHealy Blue Rosehip Treatment Serum (sample)
I like EvanHealy's Rosehip serums, but in terms of what they do for my skin, I don't notice any difference compared to using a much less expensive, plain rosehip seed oil.  The Blue Serum is my favorite of the two though, purely because of the chamomile/lavender scent.  
Repurchase? No.

ZuzuLuxe The Mascara in Onyx   [Review]
Another tube bites the dust!  No matter how many other mascaras I try, I always come back to Zuzu.  It's gentle and doesn't irritate my eyes, plus it doesn't smudge or flake on me at all.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

And that was it for August.  I'm happy to use things up, as always, but I'm a little sad to see some of these products go!

Just a few things used up this month, but it's nice to give some empties the toss nonetheless!  Here's what I finished up in June:

Spring is finally in the air and I wanted to share a few products I've been loving lately...

Brianna from iluvjesse444 had the great idea of doing a green beauty collaboration highlighting our favourite products that we'd happily repurchase.  As much as I love testing new products out, there are quite a few favorites that I stay loyal to as well.  These are products that I use regularly - things I either can't imagine being without or things that I'll stray from temporarily before inevitably returning to.  I had a hard time choosing, but I finally narrowed it down to these fifteen.  A lot of these I've done full reviews on, so if that's the case, it'll be linked down below, should you be looking for more information. 



1. Yarok Feed Your Roots Mousse   [Review]
I might have a lot of hair products in rotation, but on a day-to-day basis, I'm really pretty basic.  Shampoo, conditioner, and this mousse to style with. Basically, it hits every single one of my bucket points for a styling product.  It defines my curls and gives a light hold without leaving any crunchy or sticky feeling, and though it smells great, the smell doesn't linger on my hair.  I've actually just purchased the full size of this after finishing up the mini, travel size I'd originally bought.

2. Balm Balm Fragrance Free Multi Purpose Lip Balm   [Review]
Not only is this a great lip balm, but it really is multi-purpose as the name suggests.  It has a soft balm consistency that melts on contact with your skin and I've used it on my lips, random dry patches, all over my face, and even as a makeup remover.  Not surprisingly my tube is starting to run low, but I'll definitely be buying another when I run out! 

3. Bare Minerals 100% Natural Lipstick in Bavarian Creme   [Review]
I doubt I ever would have tried these lipsticks if I hadn't had a Sephora credit note to spend, but thankfully I did!  They're a little on the pricier side at $15USD/$19CAD, but I do think they're worth it.  In particular, I love Bavarian Creme, which is an amazing pinky-mauve.  It's that perfect "my lips but better" color on me.

4. Loose Mineral Eye Shadows
Although I can appreciate the convenience of pressed shadows, I really do love my loose shadows.  Pigmentation is generally not something you need to worry about with loose shadows and I really don't find them that much more difficult to work with.  Since I probably could have made a list of just the 15 eye shadows I would repurchase, this is kind of a cheat item.  Pictured here are a few of my top picks from Shiro Cosmetics, The Chequered Lily Apothecary, and Persephone Minerals (which is no longer around, unfortunately.)

5. Aura Cacia Organic Argan Oil   [Review]
Considering all the hype, I actually waited quite a while to try argan oil, but once I did, I was hooked!  I use it on my hair after every shower and occasionally on my face too, if it's feeling dry.  I also used it in the homemade body oil I made to combat winter dryness.  I haven't tried a ton of brands, but I really like Aura Cacia's oil and I'm fairly certain it's the one I'll be repurchasing once I use up my current bottle.  It's great quality, affordable, and I prefer the pump top to a dropper or other dispenser.

6. Lucy Minerals Lucy Light Finishing Powder   [Review]
I know I've talked a lot about Lucy Minerals' foundation, but I don't think I've given enough love to their finishing powder.  I originally bought it to use in combination with their foundation, but recently, I've also been using it as a setting powder for a few other foundations.  It looks peach in the jar, but it goes on translucent, so it doesn't add any extra coverage or make you look cakey.  It just sets your foundation, extends wear time, and slightly blurs any imperfections or fine lines, making them less apparent.

7. Silk Naturals Sleep in a Jar in Light Peach   [Review]
I use this under my eyes, pretty much every single day, whether I'm wearing a full face of makeup or not.  I'm one of those people who always has some degree of dark circles to conceal and this does a fantastic job brightening the whole under eye area.  I've been using it for nearly two years now and I've only just recently started on my second jar, so it's a product where a little bit really does go a long way!  On a slightly related note, I've also just recently discovered what I think is the dream team of undereye concealers: Vapour Illusionist Concealer + Sleep in a Jar.  More on that another time!

8. Silk Naturals Lip Products   [Review]
Silk Naturals is also one of my favorite companies for lip products.  The majority of them are under $5 and the quality really is top notch.  I wouldn't repurchase every single colour I have, but there are at least a good 5-6 shades that I wouldn't want to be without.  Pictured here are Shrieking Violet Liquid Lip Gloss and Dame Buttercream Lip Glaze (which seems to be discontinued, rats!)  I've accumulated several more than I what I had when I wrote the original review - let me know if you'd be interested in seeing an updated collection post.

9. Young Living Moisturizers   [Review]
Young Living's moisturizers have been favorites of mine for years now and I've repurchased them multiple times.  The Boswellia Wrinkle Cream used to be my top pick, but this winter, I really loved the Sandalwood Moisture Cream, so I'm not sure which one I prefer anymore.  Both of them are on the expensive side, but I haven't found another moisturizer I like as much as these two.

10. George's Always Active Aloe Spray Mister   [Review]
This is another fantastic multi-use product!  I first bought it to use as a makeup setting spray, and while it works great for that, it's also become a much loved step in my daily skincare routine.  I use it morning and night, in between my toner and moisturizer.  It's great for adding an extra kick of hydration that gets sealed in when you apply moisturizer on top.  I also love using it before applying any facial oils, since it helps them rub in a little easier, much the same way that applying body oils to damp skin does.  If that's not enough, I've also used it in my hair and it's great for skin irritations and burns too! 

11. Faerie Organic Forty Winks Eye Primer   [Review]
This is a fairly new discovery for me, but it's something I already can't see myself being without!  With Forty Winks, my eye makeup doesn't budge for a good 14 hours.  It also has super clean ingredients and is seriously the best eye shadow primer I've ever used.  

12. Lip Liners
When I hear people complain that natural lip colors/glosses/tints don't last long enough, I always point them to lip liners.  On their own, they aren't the most hydrating of lip products, but for times when I really want my lip colour to last, I always opt for filling in my entire lip with a lip pencil and then applying lip balm or a sheer gloss on top.  I especially love this technique for bolder lip colours, since you don't have to worry about them sliding around on your lips.  Pictured here are are Zuzu Luxe in Fraise and LUVU Beauty in Classic Red.

13. Zuzu Luxe Mascara in Onyx 
I hope you aren't sick of hearing me talk about this mascara!  It's a true black colour, thickens nicely, is decently buildable, lasts all day, doesn't smudge or flake, and doesn't irritate my eyes.  I've probably repurchased it ten or more times.  

14. Badger Balm Cocoa Butter Lip Balm in Creamy Cocoa
Along with the Balm Balm, this Badger lip balm is what I used to keep my lips hydrated through this cold winter.  It's creamy, super hydrating, and thick enough that it lasts a nice while on your lips too.  The Creamy Cocoa one has no added essential oils or fragrance, which lets the amazing cocoa butter smell shine through.  Love it!

15. Humphrey's Witch Hazel Astringent
This is another product I can't see myself being without.  Recently, I've been using it to mix up a homemade witch hazel and glycerin toner, but even when I wasn't using it on a daily basis, I still enjoyed using it as an occasional treatment.  Witch hazel is phenomenal for keeping your pores clean and there are also tons of other uses for it.  My favorite brand is Humprey's, which is literally just witch hazel extract in a small amount of alcohol.  I've actually just bought a new jumbo size bottle of this stuff!


So, those are my top choices for products I'd repurchase!  Do any of these make your repurchase list too? 

Also, make sure you  check out the list of other green beauties participating in the collab by clicking here!

I've been trying out a bunch of new hair products over the last few months and since my skincare routine was so well received, I figured I'd do a similar post on my current haircare routine!  My hair falls somewhere between wavy and curly and is prone to frizz pretty much all year round.  I've also had issues with hair falling out the last several years, strictly in the fall (apparently losing more hair that time of year is pretty common!), so I also look for products that strengthen hair and encourage hair growth.  


"Everyday" Shampoo/Conditioner: Acure Organics Moroccan Argan + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo/Conditioner
I don't actually wash my hair everyday - more like every two or three days - but when I do, these are generally what I use.  When I first reviewed them, I said they were too moisturizing for me for regular use, but with more testing, I discovered they work fantastically, as long as I scale back on how much conditioner I use.  The shampoo itself is pretty hydrating, so my hair really only needs a tiny bit of the conditioner.  Used this way, my curls get enough moisture without being weighed down and my scalp doesn't end up feeling greasy either.


"Treatment" Shampoo/Conditioner: Intelligent Nutrients PureLuxe Shampoo/Conditioner
I'm a big fan of Intelligent Nutrients, but their shampoos and conditioners cost a bit more than I want to spend on products that get used up so quickly.  Luckily my hair responds better to only using these occasionally anyways!  The PureLuxe line was formulated for color-treated, damaged, and dry hair and is intensely moisturizing.  I use them once every couple weeks (or more often if my hair starts to feel dry) and they leave my hair feeling extra soft and healthy. 





Hair Oil: Aura Cacia Organic Argan Oil
After I wash my hair, while it's still damp, I take one pump of Aura Cacia's argan oil and distribute it mainly on the ends, but working it up the hair a little too.  I've noticed a big difference in the health of my hair since I started using this regularly, and it also works to control frizz.  In fact, as long as it's fairly dry outside, I can get away with just using argan oil, without any other hair products, and my hair will stay virtually frizz-free all day long.







 
Hair Mousse: Yarok Feed Your Roots Mousse
This is a pretty new product in my routine, but it's become a fast favourite!  After washing my hair and using the argan oil, most days I'll scrunch my hair with this mousse and let it air dry.  It defines my curls and keeps them in place throughout the day, but doesn't leave them feeling crunchy or sticky.  I'll also use it on second-day hair if my curls need perking up.





Hair Gel: Intelligent Nutrients Organic Styling Gel
This is a more occasional product for me.  It's what I use on days when I want a little more hold than what the Yarok provides.  It's a good all purpose gel and it smells lovely and fresh too, like a mix of peppermint and spearmint - the scent reminds me of gum, but in a good way!






Shine Spray: Intelligent Nutrients Organic Hair Shine
This is what I reach for on those occasional times when I straighten my hair.  I don't notice a big difference on curly hair, but when my hair is straight, it does a great job controlling any flyaways and leaves my hair with a beautiful, healthy shine.  It's oil-based, so you only want to use a little or else it will take you past shiny and straight to looking greasy.  On an only slightly related note, one of the lovely things about Intelligent Nutrients is that they periodically ask for testers for new products and give out samples before they are released, in exchange for feedback.  And I'm not talking about just to bloggers either - they'll post on Facebook and Twitter for all their fans/followers.  That's how I was introduced to this product, and since I don't use it all that often, I'm actually still working through the generous sample they provided! 


Hair Mask: DIY Egg/Yogurt Mask
This mask literally takes less than five minutes to mix up the recipe and another five to ten to apply it, but the combination of working (almost) full time and job hunting for something new means that I've been skipping it more often than not lately.  Ideally I like to use this once every 2-3 weeks and I really need to get back in the habit of doing so.  Seriously, my hair never looks as healthy as the first few days after I use it.


I feel like I'm pretty low maintenance about my hair, so it's funny how many products ended up in this post!  On a day-to-day basis, I just use the Acure shampoo and conditioner, argan oil, and Yarok mousse and I really don't spend much time doing my hair.  Everything else is stuff I use much more irregularly, though they're all things I enjoy on occasion and that I'm glad to have in my cupboard.  I've definitely been on a bit of a haircare kick lately, so I'd love to know: what are your favorite hair products?