Naturalla Beauty

I first reviewed Ellovi back in 2016, and I've been a big fan of their butters ever since.  Ellovi embodies simple elegance -- beautifully packaged, sophisticated formulas handmade from just six ethically-sourced natural ingredients.  The company recently did some rejigging of both the butter formulas and their packaging, and sent me a few of the new versions to try out.

Spoiler: they're just as luscious, moisturizing, and creamy as the originals.  Keep reading for all the details!

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.

Who says you need a long and complicated ingredient list to make a gorgeous product?  Certainly not Ellovi, a brand that embodies simple elegance with body and lip butters made of just six ethically sourced and wild harvested ingredients.  Ellovi products are vegan and cruelty-free, made in California, and free of water, preservatives, and fillers.

Ellovi's butters aren't new to me, but I've been trying out two new-to-me varieties:  the Blossom Butter* and Mint Chocolate Lip Butter*.  Keep reading for more on these two, plus stay tuned till the end to enter for a chance to try them yourself!  



Chamomile Blossom Butter
Chamomile and citrus are two of my favorite scents, so picking this butter was a no-brainer.  Delicately scented with mandarin and Italian chamomile essential oils, it's a beautiful floral and fruity mix that's perfect for this time of year.  There's also an underlying sweetness that comes through from the coconut oil.

The other three ingredients (in case you were keeping count!) are mango seed oil, shea butter, and non-GMO corn starch.  All this goodness blends together to create a rich body butter that's extremely nourishing to the skin, but not greasy.  Mango seed oil often gives products an amazing dry oil feel and I do find Blossom absorbs a little better and leaves a slightly drier finish on the skin compared to Ellovi's Original Butter - without mango seed oil - which I've used previously.  It's no less hydrating than the original, but, because it absorbs so well, it's a product I'm happy to slather all over my body, whereas I often find myself reserving richer butters like this for just extra dry spots like feet and elbows.  

The butter is beautifully packaged in a heavy glass jar and, because it's so rich and concentrated, a little bit really does go a long way.  

Mint Chocolate Lip Butter
With similar ingredients, it should come as no surprise that Ellovi's lip butters are just as fabulous as the body butters!  The Mint Chocolate, specifically, is a blend of mango seed oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, cocoa oil, and peppermint.  Without any waxes, it's a little softer than many other lip balm formulas, but extremely smooth and buttery.  

The Mint Chocolate scent, reminiscent of mint chocolate chip ice cream and After Eight bars, is just delicious.   It's sweet and yummy, but in a very "real" way -- not at all fake or candy-like.  The mint gives just the slightest tingle to the lips when first applied, and the balm does a great job keeping my lips feeling soft and smooth all day long. 

Giveaway
Ellovi is generously offering up this same pair for one of you to try!  Follow the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm not one for professional pedicures, but I do enjoy taking a little extra time to do my own, at home version.  I don't think we appreciate just how much of a beating our feet take until sandal season is upon us, but those tootsies definitely deserve some TLC too!  I've gotten into a bit of a routine with my feet pampering products recently, so I thought I'd share those with you, as well as a new nail polish find that's perfect for summer.  


Priti NYC Soy Nail Polish Remover
Switching from conventional nail polish remover is a challenge, but Priti makes it a little easier.  Along with the toxins, you can say goodbye to dried out nails and that horrible acetone smell.  The Soy Nail Polish Remover actually leaves your nails feeling moisturized and cared for, and rather than smelling like chemical solvents, it has a subtle lemongrass scent.   (There's also an unscented version available.)  And, yes, it actually works too.  You'll want to allow a little extra time for glitter polishes, but everything else comes off pretty darn easily.

Rachel's Plan Bee Body Polish*
I love a good DIY scrub, but there's something extra special about the Rachel's Plan Bee Body Polishes.  Aside from smelling great - this one is the company's signature vanilla/citrus scent - they also have the most perfect consistency.  There's no separating, and with ingredients like shea butter and Moroccan lava clay, the texture is buttery rather than oily, like you find with a lot of other scrubs.  The sugar crystals are gentle enough for your entire body, but with a little extra buffing, they easily take on rough, seasoned feet too. 

Ellovi Mint Chocolate Butter
I've been savoring this small sample that came in a Petit Vour box several months back and happily a small amount goes a long way with this product, so it's still hanging on.  With only six ingredients - macadamia oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, non-GMO corn starch, and peppermint essential oil - Ellovi Butter is a smooth, rich moisturizer that actually has the consistency of soft butter.  It's an intense moisturizer that melts into the skin beautifully and is perfect for feet or other extra dry spots, though you could, of course, use it on the rest of your body too.  I also can't get enough of the Mint Chocolate scent.  It's reminiscent of Thin Mints or mint chocolate chip ice cream: minty and chocolatey, but not overly sweet or cloying.  

Sheswai Lacquer in Good Vibes
Early this spring, I got a random yearning for a particular shade of yellow nail polish - something bright (but not neon) and with a cream finish - and ever since then, I've been on the hunt for what's turned out to be a surprisingly illusive shade.  So, when I spotted Good Vibes on sale from Clementine Fields, I quickly snagged a bottle.  I will say, while the color is on point, the formula isn't the best.  This is the only Sheswai polish I've used, so I don't know if it's the individual color or the entire line, but Good Vibes needs a little more work than your average nail polish.  I wasn't at all impressed the first time I wore it, but after redoing my nails, I've realized the key is multiple thin coats and plenty of drying time in between.  It's certainly a fussier polish, as yellow polishes tend to be, but the color really is beautiful for this time of year.

Pacifica 7 Free Gloss Top & Base Coat
I bought this a couple months ago and I have nothing bad to say about it.  It's great as a base coat to prevent staining and also as a top coat, lending a great, glossy finish.  And, it also works well to smooth out rougher glitter polishes and dries pretty quickly too.  I'll definitely be trying more Pacifica polishes in the future!

The nail polishes may change, but the rest of the products stay pretty constant.  What are your mani/pedi essentials?

Je T'aime Petit Vour is a great name for February's box*, both because February is the month  we make a point to celebrate love and because it really is true, I love these boxes!  The name Petit Vour is a play on petit four and is defined on this month's insert as "a small and temptingly luxurious cruelty-free product inspired by a love for animals and the finer things."  Sounds about right to me.  Everything included in the Petit Vour boxes is vegan and cruelty-free and the items featured are predominantly natural products from higher end, luxury brands.  From a natural/non-toxic perspective, I think my ingredients standards are stricter than most, but in the nine boxes I've received, there have only been a couple products I wasn't comfortable using.  I do get sent these for free, but I always give my honest first impressions and opinions on the boxes and the products included.

Let's get on to what you're really here for - February's box, which was a good one.  Here's what was included:



Balanced Guru Scrub Me Body Scrub (Sample Value ±$3)
I love Balanced Guru, so I knew this product would be a win as soon as I pulled it out of the box.  With a base of coffee and raw sugar, Scrub Me is a body scrub, but it can also be (gently!) used on the face.  The texture is a little drier than I'm used to, but I used it on my hands today and it works great.  It smells delicious too, like a mix of fresh ground coffee and spearmint.

My Daughter Fragrances Always Loved (Sample Value ±$2)
I think the only thing I'd change about Petit Vour would be an option to opt out of perfume samples.  I'm just not a perfume person, so they don't get used.  That said, I like that My Daughter Fragrances are free of parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrance and I've heard good things about them.  I'm sure I can easily find someone to pass this on to.

Ellovi Mint Chocolate Body Butter (Sample Value ±$4)
I love the Ellovi Tinted Lip Butter that came in September's Petit Vour box and the Body Butter is divine as well.  It feels silky and melts into the skin beautifully, plus it smells incredible: just like Thin Mints or mint chocolate chip ice cream.  I foresee a serious obsession with this scent in my future!

Lily Lolo Vegan Mascara ($20)
Petit Vour revealed that the Lily Lolo mascara would be featured in an upcoming box, so I already knew this was coming.  Good natural mascara is hard to find - and good vegan natural mascara is that much harder I'm sure - and I really love this one.  I just threw out my previous tube (reviewed here) so I'm very happy to have another.  This mascara really excels in terms of volume and, in that regard, it's miles above every other natural mascara I've tried.  It smudges a tiny bit towards the end of the day, but nothing terrible, and it has never irritated my sensitive eyes.



The Bottom Line
This is one of my favorite boxes I've received from Petit Vour, so doing the math on it, I was actually a little surprised.  At $29, it's worth more than what you pay, but it's also one of the lower value boxes I've received.  I stumbled onto some of JenLuvsReviews' subscription box reviews recently and she always makes a point to differentiate between actual monetary value (what an item sells for) and personal value (what you would pay or an item) and I think that's key.  Personally, I'll pay $20 for a good natural mascara like the Lily Lolo, which means everything else in the box is just icing.  So, the fact that I also love both the Ellovi butter and the Balanced Guru scrub makes this a pretty stellar box in my mind.

Petit Vour boxes retail for $15 (US) / $23 (Canada) and individual products can also be purchased in the Petit Vour shop.  

What's your favorite subscription box service?  What do you think of the February Petit Vour box?

Another month, another fantastic Petit Vour box!  September's box was again curated with vegan blogger, Tashina from Logical Harmony and I think it's the best box I've gotten yet!  I know, I've said that before, but seriously guys, these boxes just keep getting better.  This month's theme was Beauty & The Box* and focused on introducing indulgent new favorites to enjoy as we move into fall.  

There were a few different options for this box, but here's what I received in mine:



Root Science Face Scrub (Sample Value ±$16)
Root Science is a new brand for me, but a quick look at their website was all it took to get me interested.  Products are concentrated - made without water or fillers - and contain only high quality, potent, healing, natural ingredients.  There were a few different products sent out in this month's box, but as soon as unboxings started showing up in my Instagram feed, I knew this scrub was what I most wanted to try.  It didn't even make it 24 hours before I was slapping this on my face!  Made of baking soda, clay, almond meal, and soothing herbs, it's an exfoliating powder that gently buffs without stripping or drying your skin.  The 1.5 ounce sample is also a really decent size, considering you only use 1/2-1 teaspoon per use.  

Lily Lolo Vanilla Shimmer Mineral Eye Shadow ($12)
I have a Lily Lolo highlighter that I love, but I haven't used their eye shadows before, so I'm eager to give this one a try.  Vanilla Shimmer is a cream colour that I'd imagine is universally flattering on just about anyone.   Light, shimmery neutrals are my default eye look, so I'm betting I'll get a lot of use out of this one.

Ellovi Tinted Lip Butter ($5)
I've heard tons of good things about Ellovi, and based off the lip butter, I'd wager it's all well deserved.  Made of only six ingredients - and no waxes - the lip butter is incredibly smooth and creamy and just melts into your lips like - if you'll excuse the pun - butter.  It smells faintly like coconut oil and leaves behind a subtle red tint, courtesy of Mediterranean alkanet root.    

Yarok Feed Your Ends Leave-In Conditioner ($13.20)
I've previously used a mini of this leave-in conditioner and I've had it in the back of my mind to buy it again, so I'm stoked to receive it in this box.  As a leave-in, it conditions your hair without leaving it greasy or weighed down, and it smells lovely - sweet, lemony and never overpowering.  I don't use much heat on my hair, but you can also use Feed Your Ends as a heat protectant before heat styling.  



The Bottom Line
This month had a great mix of skincare, haircare, and makep, and I'm really happy with everything that was included!  I got one product I already know I love, two I've wanted to try, and one I'd never heard of but am super impressed with after even just one use.  

From a purely numbers point of view, Petit Vour's boxes are always worth the cost too.  This month's box rings in at roughly $46.  

Petit Vour boxes retail for $15 (US) / $23 (Canada) / $30 (International) and individual products can also be bought in the Petit Vour shop.