Naturalla Beauty

Apoterra Skincare Neroli Clarifying Toner

Tuesday I covered all the body and hair products I've used up in the last three months, but I've still got skincare and makeup to discuss today.  There's a lot to talk about, so I'll try to keep it short, but if there's anything you'd like more information on, I'm happy to answer in the comments!



Holiskin Chamomile ACV Facial Toner*
Holiskin really emphasizes simple formulas made from high quality ingredients, and this toner, a blend of Roman chamomile hydrosol and raw organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar is exactly that.  Apple cider vinegar toners are a bit much for my skin every day, but I enjoyed using this a couple times a week.  Repurchase? Maybe.  I'm on a homemade toner kick at present.

Province Apothecary Invigorating + Balancing Toner with Rose & Geranium

Andalou Naturals Probiotic + C Renewal Cream // Purple Carrot + C Luminous Night Cream
Andalou Naturals makes great basic and affordable moisturizers and these two, both part of the brightening line, are my favorites to date.  The Probiotic + C Renewal Cream is lightweight and absorbs super quickly, while the Purple Carrot + C Night Cream is significantly richer, but still not heavy.  The Night Cream truly did have me waking up the next morning with more luminous skin, but its grape juice-like scent took a little getting used to.  Repurchase? Yes.  I've still got mini tubes of both of these, but I would rebuy one or both in the future.  

Face Wipes
I'm not a fan of using face wipes on the daily for environmental reasons, but sometimes needs will.  The drain in my bathroom sink has been having issues the last few months (clearly it's all glamour, all the time here!) and since it does better without a lot of oils or makeup going down, I'm reluctantly using wipes for the time being.  I still use a separate oil cleanser/makeup remover to make sure everything comes off, but instead of using a washcloth, I wipe it all away with a disposable wipe.  Then, I follow up with water and a second cleanser as usual.  

Both the Kaia Juicy Bamboo Natural Facial Cleansing Cloths and the Boo Bamboo Skin Balancing Makeup Remover Wipes are made of bamboo, which from everything I've read biodegrades within a few months, so there's that at least.  The Kaia cloths smell better and feel a little more luxurious, plus I love the fully closeable container, but they're also more expensive and sting my eyes.  Otherwise, the two are fairly comparable - both remove makeup decently well, don't irritate my skin, and are Canadian-owned companies.  Repurchase? Boo Bamboo, yes.  These are probably my favorite wipes and, as a bonus, I can usually find them discounted at Winners.  Kaia, I'm not sure.  

Young Living Lavender, Peppermint + Frankincense Essential Oils
MLM's get a lot of flack in the green community, but I've only had positive experiences with Young Living and will continue to purchase from them.  Whatever your thoughts on the business model, my bottom line has always been quality and I believe YL sells some of the highest quality oils available.

I use all three of these on a regular basis.  Lavender and frankincense are two of my favorites for just about any skin concern, and I also use lavender for headaches, de-stressing, and relaxation.  Peppermint is great for digestive upsets, congestion, muscle pain, and again, headaches.  Repurchase? Yes.  These are staples for me and I've already replaced all three.

Lip Balms
Finishing lip balms is never an issue for me!  I loved the Rachel's Plan Bee Peppermint Lip Balm, which Rachel kindly sent me when I mentioned I was having issues keeping my lips protected in the cold weather this winter.  It strikes that perfect balance between a healing balm that treats any damage already there and a more occlusive, protective formula that blankets your lips in such a way as to prevent further chapping.  

The Sierra Bees Tamanu & Tea Tree Lip Balm tasted awful - like straight up tea tree oil - but I did get used to it, and I have no complaints in terms of how it worked.  The Sierra Bees lip balms are generally a great formula and, taste aside, if you're someone who deals with cold sores, I think this is a great option as both tamanu and tea tree oils are great preventatives.  I don't personally get cold sores, so I'll likely stick to the other, yummier flavors in future.  

I like Epic Blend's lip balms a lot too, although the Pineapple- Mint* is not my favorite from them.  Part of the vegan line, it's a little thinner and more slippery than the company's other two formulas, and although the pineapple and mint pairing worked, it wasn't a flavor I'd necessarily rush back to.
Repurchase? Rachel's Plan Bee, definitely!  Both the Sierra Bees and Epic Blend I'd buy again in different flavors.  



Tinted Lip Balms
I've been making an effort to use more colored lip products and have managed to finish off several tinted balms as a result!  Ellovi's Tinted Lip Butter came in a Petit Vour box a while back.  It has the same great formula as their original lip butter and gives a nice subtle red color to the lips, courtesy of an alkanet root infusion.  

Brija Cosmetics' Jelly Balms are a moisturizing, softer lip formula, so they get used up pretty quickly, but I enjoyed this one while it lasted.  Sparkles, a shimmery peach, was a limited edition color with added cocoa butter, and I'm not sure if it was the slightly different formula or the more subtle/nude color, but it worked a lot better than, Yvonne, the other Jelly Balm I have, which tends to go on a little patchy.  

The Yes to Carrots Colorbalms are long discontinued, but I do like them.  Peachy Keen was a pretty orange/peach, but Soft Plum leaned a little more brown than I like one me, so I used it mainly when I was at home.  I finished Peachy Keen completely, but started getting a slight reaction from Soft Plum and gave up on it with about a third still left.  
Repurchase? Yes to the Ellovi.  Neither this particular Brija color or the Yes to Carrots are sold anymore.

Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara
This was a good mascara! It was very black, provided good volume, and didn't give me any problems with irritation, smudging, or flaking.  I don't have anything negative to say about it, but at the same time there are other mascaras I like more.  Repurchase? Probably not.

Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Finishing Powder
I got this as a freebie from Lauren Brooke a long time ago and I loved it!  The tiniest bit did a great job diffusing fine lines and never left skin looking dry or makeup cakey.  Repurchase? Maybe.  I'm using a different finishing powder now, but I'd definitely consider buying this again in the future.

Silk Naturals Tchotchke Sheer Blush
I love the Silk Naturals blushes!  Tchotchke was a pretty nude-pink, but it had a bit too much shimmer for me.  Some days it was okay, and others, my cheeks had a slightly metallic sheen that I wasn't crazy about.  Repurchase? Not this particular shade.

Eye Shadow Samples
My loose eye shadow stash is ridiculous, so I'm still actively trying to work through some colors.  Thing is, even samples tend to last 10-20 uses, so it's taking a bit of time!  I love Cheeky Cosmetics eye shadows, and all three shades - Moroccan Sunset, Sugarplum, and Mauvelous - were beautiful.   The other three, from Pollen Cosmetics, Persephone Minerals, and Sassy Minerals, were also great, but none of the three companies are in business anymore from what I can tell.  Repurchase? No, but only because I have still have so many eye shadows!  I'd come back to Cheeky Cosmetics when I do need more.

One of the things I first set out to do with this blog was to show that great healthy products can be found at any price point.  Higher end brands are wonderful and I'd want to say otherwise, but I hear from so many people that they can't switch to natural/non-toxic products because of the financial cost involved, something that I rarely think is actually true.  

Yes, natural products cost more, but they don't have to cost a lot more.  

With that in mind, I decided to do a spin on the $20 Makeup Challenge that used to be so popular on Youtube.  If you aren't familiar with it, it basically involves shopping for a full face of makeup for under $20.  For the green version, I've upped the budget to $40, which I think is reasonable.  It's high enough to make the whole thing possible, but low enough that it's still a challenge staying under budget.  

I also didn't go shopping just for the sake of the challenge and instead opted to use things I already had.  These are tried and true products for the most part, not items I picked up just for the challenge or because of their inexpensive price tag.  



It all came together pretty well as a simple, everyday kind of look.  Not actually all that different from what I'd wear on an average day, pulling from my entire makeup stash. 



And, now for the price breakdown of everything I used.  To make things extra difficult, I limited myself to full and mini sizes - no samples - but those are, of course, another great way to try things on the cheap. 

Honeybee Gardens Pressed Mineral Powder in Geisha $9.34
Alba Fast Fix for Undereye Circles $4.79
ELF Mineral Eye Brightener $1.99
Brija Cosmetics Blush in Regulation Hottie $5.50
Shiro Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Housewife and Homunculus ($3.50 x 2) $7.00
Physician's Formula Organic Wear CC Curl + Care Mascara (after mail-in rebate) $5.99
Silk Naturals Kisser Slicker in Berry Crush $4.50

TOTAL: $39.11

My budget ran out without an eye primer, so I ran a smidge of the Fast Fix for Undereye Circles across my lids instead, which actually worked surprisingly well at keeping everything in place all day.  I slightly missed having an inner corner highlight and some kind of brow product, but I still think it worked out well, all said.  My only other issue was the CC Mascara, which I'm not a fan of, but Physician's Formula has other Organic Wear mascaras that are the same price and much better.  

I've tagged a few people on instagram, but I'd love to see anyone + everyone join in and share the love for affordable green beauty!  If you do participate, make sure to leave a link in the comments so I can check it out.  

Tomorrow marks the official start of fall, so it seems appropriate to wrap up summer today with a favorites post.  These are the standout products I've especially enjoyed using over the last few months.  As many of you know, I've been focused on using the products I already have this year, rather than mindlessly buy-buy-buying, so while there are a couple new things here, most are products I've written about before, although not super recently. 



Gabriel Cosmetics Vibrant Pink Blush*
I used to be terrified of wearing too much blush and looking like a clown, but I've gradually worked up to being comfortable with brighter and more pigmented blushes.  Vibrant Pink is a matte cool hot pink and I loved it this summer.  It gives the prettiest pop of pink without looking overdone.  The Gabriel blushes are quite pigmented -  so a light hand is key - but they're blendable and easy to work with, even if you're fair skinned like me.  

Balanced Guru Calming Masque
I've raved about this mask several times before and it really is a consistent favorite of mine.  Made with a blend of detoxifying bentonite clay and sea kelp, soothing calendula, marshmallow root, echinacea, and aloe vera, and nutrient dense rosehip, sea buckthorn fruit, and gingko, it strikes a perfect balance between drawing out impurities and nourishing the skin with healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.  The mask is actually quite detoxifying, but it comes as a powder, which allows you to easily tailor the liquid(s) you mix in to best suit your skin.  I like to use water, in combination with a few drops of a face oil to prevent the mask from drying as firmly as it does with water alone.  I also often mix in a drop or two of carrot seed or frankincense essential oil as an extra anti-aging boost.  My skin is always left looking visibly clearer and brighter after using the Calming Masque and I feel like it's something I'll always keep stocked on my skincare shelf.  

Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash*
I really enjoy a lathering cleanser, but my skin can't tolerate how drying some of them are.  Happily there are products like the Fantastic Face Wash, which foams up nicely, rinses easily, and doesn't leave my skin feeling at all dry.  I first used it about six months ago but gradually drifted onto new things, as we do, only to rediscover it mid-August and fall head over heels all over again.  The scent is an invigorating unisex blend of spearmint and evergreen trees that's lovely and refreshing without being over the top.  The cleanser offers gentle exfoliation from sugar cane and fruit extracts, and a slight tingly sensation from the mint leaves skin feeling extra clean, though never dry or stripped.  

Pacifica Red Red Wine
I first saw this nail polish color in a Youtube video last fall and immediately set my sights on it.  It's taken me until the summer to actually get my hands on it, as even though a nearby health food store stocks the Pacifica polishes, they've been sold out of Red Red Wine every time I've been in.  The color is pretty much just what the name suggests: a classic dark red/wine color with a creme finish.  I wore it in the summer, but it's really a more traditionally fall/winter shade, so I don't foresee putting it away anytime soon.  The Pacifica polishes are 7-free and vegan, with a great, long-wearing formula.  

Brija Cosmetics You Know Who Highlighter
I used to prefer a matte complexion, but these days I really think glowing, luminous skin is the way to go.  To me, it just looks fresher, healthier, and more natural.  That said, I have some larger pores on my nose and cheeks and I've struggled to find a highlighter that provides the radiance I'm looking for without emphasizing or drawing extra attention to them.  But, I think I've finally found it in You Know Who, which gives a beautiful ethereal glow without any piecey shimmer or glitter.  It's a light, white/cream shade, but it doesn't look chalky or frosty on the skin.  It's also versatile in that it can be worn lightly for a subtle everyday look or built up to a more serious gleam for a dramatic highlight.  

Ora's Amazing Herbal All Purpose Salve*
This salve is great for lots of things, but my favorite use is on bug bites.  It works like nothing else on both swelling and itching.  We've got a good number of spruce trees in the backyard and plenty of mosquitos as a result, so whenever I'm out there with the dog, there's a decent chance of bites.  Just last week, I managed to get a bite right in the middle of my forehead, which, being in such an obvious spot, of course swelled up huge and looked like a goose egg.  I used the salve twice that night and it worked like a charm.  The formula has a grapeseed and coconut oil base and is packed with anti-inflammatory herbs like calendula, comfrey, chickweed, plantain, burdock, thyme, and St. John's wort.  It visibly starts to take down swollen bug bites within minutes of application, and within a couple hours, even the biggest bites are nearly gone.  With summer winding down, bug bites aren't as big of an issue, but I know I'll still keep this guy handy for its multitude of other uses.  It works well on other skin irritations and soothes everything from cuts and scrapes to pimples, chapped lips, dry cuticles, and rashes.  

Hope you had a fabulous summer and are looking forward to fall!

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already seen that I placed an order with Brija Cosmetics during their two year anniversary sale.  Started by natural/nontoxic Youtuber Brianna (iluvjesse444), Brija Cosmetics makes natural mineral makeup that's vegan and cruelty free, as well as free of gluten and synthetic dyes and additives.  I received my order almost two months ago, so I've had lots of time to try these things out and am overdue to give you my thoughts on them!


Mean Girls Blush Collection
Despite not actually being a big fan of Mean Girls, the launch of this collection in the spring was what convinced me I needed to finally place an order with Brija.  I bought mini jars of three of the six shades in the collection and all three are lovely.  The colors are vibrant and pigmented - but not overly so to the point where they're hard to work with - blend easily, and have just the right amount of shimmer.  

Regulation Hottie is my favorite of out of everything I purchased.  A beautiful neutral pink, it's that effortless blush that you never have to think about because it goes perfectly with everything.  

Beware of Plastics looks very orange both in the pot and when swatched, but it has pink tones that become visible on the cheeks, turning it into more of a bright coral.  Especially gorgeous for summer!

Jungle Madness is the only color I'm a little disappointed with.  I wanted it to be a more vibrant version of Silk Naturals Abstract blush, one of my all-time favorite blushes, but on me, the magenta/purple tones aren't very noticeable and it leans mostly pink.  Still a pretty color, just not quite what I'd been hoping for.  



You Know Who Highlighter
You Know Who is gorgeous.  Part of Brija's Harry Potter collection, it has a pale cream/white base with multicolored sparks throughout, but no chunky glitter.  I was happily surprised by how wearable this is.  It's buildable, so a light dusting lends a beautiful natural glow and luminosity to the skin, while a more generous application works for a more intense highlight or strobing.  Either way, it looks beautiful and doesn't settle into or enhance pores, which is often my problem with highlighters.  It also works great as an inner corner highlight.

Jelly Balms
The Jelly Balms are described as having a smooth, silky lip balm-like feel and sheer color, which, as a tinted lip balm lover, sounded right up my alley. 



Yvonne is a sheer purple.  It looks dark and intimidating in the tube, but it applies as a sheer plum that's very easy to wear.  It's pigmented enough that I wouldn't be comfortable swiping it on blind, without a mirror, but it's nowhere close to full opacity.  

Sprinkles was a limited edition gift with purchase during the sale, but I hope Brianna will consider adding it to the permanent line.  It's a beautiful, barely there peach shade with gold shimmer.  Sprinkles also has added cocoa butter - which isn't in the permanent collection Jelly Balms - so it smells delicious, although I think I slightly prefer the feel of Yvonne on the lips over this one.  

(Top to Bottom) Sprinkles, Yvonne, You Know Who, Jungle Madness, Beware of Plastics, Regulation Hottie

I also picked up a couple samples (Hoola Hoop bronzer and Bachelor Watson eye shadow) and got a couple others free in my order, but I haven't used them much yet, so I'll have to update on those later.  

Have you tried Brija Cosmetics?