Naturalla Beauty

Today, for the final part of my gift guide, I want to feature some of my favorite luxury buys of this season.  I've labelled this part $50 and up, but several of these are a good bit more expensive than that.  Save these for the people you really, really like...



Forager Botanicals Natural Perfume Rollerball Collection ($88)
This limited edition gift set comes with rollerballs of all four of Forager's natural eau de parfum signature scents: Nectar, Bloom, Island Lei and Woodland.  These scents - which usually sell for $38 each - are all handcrafted, vegan, and free of harmful synthetics, colors, parabens, sulfates, and preservatives.  You guys know I'm not a big perfume gal myself, but out of all the natural perfumes I've sniffed, Forager's Woodland would definitely be one of my top picks.

Lina Hanson Global Body Serum / Global Face Serum ($63 / $85)
When it comes to creating beautiful oil blends, Lina Hanson is one of the best.  The Global Body Serum is deeply nourishing with avocado, argan and brazil nut oils (and many more!) and it smells like a deliciously grown up, sophisticated creamsicle.  I haven't tried the Global Face Serum yet, but with baobab, argan, marula and more, it sounds pretty dreamy too.  Lina's products also support fair trade and sustainable harvesting and many of the key ingredients are produced by women's cooperatives and farmers worldwide. 

Kahina Giving Beauty Antioxidant Face Mask ($62)
The Antioxidant Mask is a gorgeous mask made with rhassoul clay, Kahina's signature argan oil, aloe, pomegranate seed extract and more, it's the perfect treat for anyone who enjoys a good pamper night.  The mask is full of antioxidants, trace minerals and essential fatty acids and is both excellent at drawing out impurities and gentle enough for sensitive skin.  

Sigma Best of Sigma Brush Set ($97)
I only have one Sigma brush - the F80 Flat Top Kabuki - but it's definitely one of the best brushes I own.  This kit comes with the F80, plus six of Sigma's other top selling brushes and would make an excellent gift for anyone looking to upgrade their makeup brushes or just to add a few more good ones to their collection. 

Studio 78 Here Comes Santa Claus Gift Set ($140)
Studio 78 is a French luxury makeup line that's gaining popularity in North America.  The kit comes with the company's liquid foundation, a pressed eyeshadow, a loose eyeshadow and a liquid lipstick.  It's just about everything you need for a smokier, nighttime look, plus you get a pretty evening bag to go with it.

SkinnySkinny Luminous You Gift Set ($114)
SkinnySkinny's cleanser is a pretty new favorite of mine, which has, of course, left me eager to try more products from their line.  Along with The Cleanser, the kit comes with the Organic Exfoliating Face Scrub, Organic Daily Moisture, and your choice of one of the company's three Organic Toners.  It looks like a fab way to see what the line has to offer - you're basically getting a complete skincare routine in a box!

Suki Personal Faves Kit ($71)
I really like Suki's products, but I remember initially feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of products they have to offer.  This kit solves that.  It contains four full size products that are Suki Kramer's - Suki's founder, president, and formulator's - personal favorites from the line.  Her picks?  The Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser, Ultra Protect Body Balm, Ultra Protect Eye Balm and 4-Swipe Lip Care.  

One Love Organics Tropical Getaway Kit ($129)
The Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Collection has gotten a lot of hype this year, and no product more so than the Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil.  I - along with seemingly everyone else who's tried it - fell hard for this emulsifying oil that effortlessly whisks away every last trace of makeup, all the while making your bathroom smell like a tropical island.  The Tropical Getaway Kit also includes the Vitamin C Body Oil, which has the same gorgeous scent, and a new addition to the line: the Vitamin C Body Polish.  The Body Polish won't be available outside of the kit until the spring.

That about wraps it up!  I hope you found these gift guides helpful if you're still hunting for gifts and an enjoyable read even if you're not!  If you haven't seen the earlier two parts yet, you can find them here and here.
 

Latest empties post ever?  Pretty much.  I had this almost completely drafted and ready to go Monday and then got hit with what I thought was food poisoning, but later realized - when the rest of my house came down with it a couple days later - was some kind of nasty stomach virus.  Either way, it meant I wasn't able to get this up until now.  So, somewhat belated, here's what I finished up during October:



The Honest Co. Honest Wipes*
Technically these are diaper wipes, but not having anyone in diapers, I used them to remove makeup instead.  I can't speak to how well they work for diapering, but they were only so-so on my face.
Repurchase? No.

KYI Unscented Argan Oil Serum with Vitamin C*   [Review]
I really like how minimal the ingredients in KYI's products are, and this serum is no exception.  Made of just argan oil and vitamin C, it's a great oil for hydrating and brightening the skin.  The serum uses tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, an oil soluble form of vitamin C that's much more stable than the more frequently used ascorbic acid, so you don't have to worry about the vitamin C breaking down or degrading the formula.  Initially I used this as a face serum, but after setting it aside for a few months, I ended up using the second half of the bottle as a body oil.  
Repurchase? Not right away.

Kahina Giving Beauty Facial Cleanser   [Review]
I've raved about Kahina's cleanser many times, but it really is one of my all time favorite cleansers.  It's gentle, creamy without being overly heavy, and the 200 ml bottle lasts ages!  It also removes makeup - even toughies like mascara and eyeliner - and thanks to blue tansy and neroli essential oils, smells pretty darn amazing.  I would (and frequently do!) recommend this cleanser for almost anyone.  
Repurchase? Yes!

Acure Argan + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo   [Review]
Another favorite of mine, this shampoo is one of the best I've found for my curly hair.  I've gone through multiple bottles before and just recommitted to a giant 24 oz. bottle of the stuff.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Earthpaste Lemon Twist Toothpaste   [Review]
This fall marks two years of using Earthpaste, but this was my first tube of the Lemon Twist flavor.  I enjoyed it while I was using it, but since switching back to one of the mint ones, I realize the lemon doesn't leave your mouth as fresh as the other flavors.
Repurchase? Yes, but probably not this flavor.

Scentuals Goat Milk Mint Soap*   [Review]
I've really enjoyed using this soap.  It lathers well, smells great, and doesn't dry out my hands.  It's also lasted me longer than any other bar soap I can recall!  Seriously, I've been using this same bar of soap since the summer and I've still got a small sliver hanging on in my soap dish.  Yes, I generally only use bar soaps on my hands, but that's still significantly longer than other soaps last me.  
Repurchase? Probably not.  I prefer to buy palm oil free options.

Frangipani Regenerating Flower Cream*   [Review]
A nice cream made from a nourishing base of rosewater, almond oil, rosehip seed oil, and beeswax.  I didn't love the floral scent and I found it a little too rich for my face, but I did enjoy using it on my hands and legs, especially before bed.  
Repurchase? Probably not.  

Pollen & Wax Lapiz Facial Toner   [Review]
It's really hard for me to find a toner that blows me away and sadly, this one just didn't do it.  I ended up repurposing it as a spray deodorant for days when I'd shaved.  My Weleda deodorant, which contains alcohol, can sting quite a bit after shaving, but Lapiz's gentle blend of aloe, calendula, lavender, and chamomile was soothing and did a pretty decent job keeping odors away as well.
Repurchase? No.

Zuzu Luxe Onyx Mascara   [Review]
I can't even count how many tubes of this mascara I've gone through over the years.  It may not be the most dramatic mascara out there, but it doesn't irritate my eyes and once it's on, it doesn't go anywhere, which makes it the one I always come back to.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Hurraw! Mint Lip Balm   [Review]
If you like tingly peppermint lip balms, Hurraw!'s mint balm is for you.  It's not my favorite for winter - both because of the cooling peppermint tingle and Hurraw!'s thinner formula - but I can see myself possibly buying it again in the spring/summer.
Repurchase? Maybe.

Epic Blend Hemp Mint Lip Balm   [Review]
In case you couldn't tell that I like mint lip balms, I managed to finish two in the same month!  Epic Blend's balm packs a seriously minty punch, but, unlike the Hurraw!, it doesn't make your mouth feel cold or tingly.  Epic Blend balms give a lot of moisture and also have that perfect balance where they protect your lips, but don't feel waxy or heavy.   I'm a big fan!
Repurchase? Yes, definitely.



Kaia Juicy Bamboo Cleansing Cloth 
I like how convenient the individually wrapped cloths are for carrying in your purse, but there are other wipes I like more.    
Repurchase? Probably not.

Dr. Bronner's Spearmint Peppermint Shikakai Soap (sample)
From other reviews I'd read, I didn't have very high expectations for this soap, but I ended up really liking it.  It didn't dry out my skin and the Spearmint Peppermint scent was nice and fresh.
Repurchase? Maybe.

Suki Creamy Foaming Cleanser (samples)   [Review]
I have a tendency to hoard samples, so even though I knew I liked this cleanser, I'd been resisting using these samples.  I think calling this a foaming cleanser is a bit of an exaggeration, but it does lather slightly.  I like it, but I'm not sure I like it enough to commit to a full sized bottle.  
Repurchase? Probably not.

Suki Pure Facial Moisture - Balancing (samples)   [Review]
Another victim of sample hoarding.  I'd previously found the Balancing Oil very helpful for "time of the month" skin, so I'd tucked these away in case of a skin emergency.  When I finally pulled them out, my skin was not at its best, but not at its worst either.  These samples gave me about a week's worth of oil, but sadly, I just didn't find the results anywhere near as spectacular this time around.  
Repurchase? Not sure.

Weleda Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash (samples)
I liked this, but I'd probably be more likely to buy one of Weleda's creamy body washes over this, since I like a few of those scents a lot more than the Calendula.  
Repurchase? No.

I've used Pure + Simple's Eye Brightening Cream for most of the last year, but when it ran out in August, I decided to dig out all my eye product samples and give them a whirl before replacing it. 

Here's what I had hanging around my stash and brief opinions on each:



Weleda Pomegranate Firming Eye Cream
I liked how lightweight this was during the hotter weather.  It gives a slight tightening feeling as it goes on, but it didn't do much of anything for my dark circles or puffiness.  Smelled fruity but not overpoweringly so.

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Eye Cream
Still pretty light, but a little heavier than the Pomegranate, this was definitely my favorite of the two Weleda eye creams.  Again, I didn't notice drastic results, but it helped a little with puffiness and was great under makeup.  The scent was also mild and completely non-offensive, even for a non-rose lover like me.

Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Serum
I love other Kahina products, but this one just didn't do it for me.  I didn't notice any difference in my eye area, and I wasn't impressed with the slight tacky film that the serum leaves behind after it dries.  Layering another cream on top gets rid of the tackiness, but I'm still not completely sold.

Consonant Ultra Moisturizing + Ultra Firming Organic Eye Creams
I'm grouping these together because, honestly, I didn't notice a big difference between the two.  They're both thick, rich, unscented creams that work really well for puffyness.  If puffy eyes are your main concern, they're fabulous - they work better in that regard than anything else I've tried - but they didn't do much for dark circles.  I also find them a little too heavy for mornings, if I don't have time to wait before applying makeup.

Young Living Wolfberry Eye Cream (not pictured)
When my mom heard I was testing eye creams, she gave me a sample of her eye cream to try too.  I used to use this as a teenager, and I do notice it makes my dark circles a little bit lighter.  It's good at night, but like the Consonant, I don't love it in the morning, since it needs that little extra time to soak in before I can comfortably apply concealer on top.

The Bottom Line
My under eye area is probably my biggest skin concern these days, so I can be a bit fussy with eye products.  I know you can't always adequately judge something like this from just using a sample, but nonetheless, none of these sold me enough that I'll be buying the full size.  I'm still on the fence about what I want to use.  I really like the Pure + Simple, but after almost a year, I'm up for using something different....

What are your favorite eye products?  I'm totally open to recommendations!

I love a good mask.  The results can be pretty astonishing and, unlike other skincare products, you can generally determine if something is working or not after a single use.  Really, I can't think of a better product to try in sample form.  

My skin is generally pretty easy - if a little sensitive - but I do have some visible pores, so what I look for in a mask is something that will keep those looking squeaky clean without causing any irritation.  Enhanced brightness and glow is always welcome too.  With that in mind, here are my first impressions of six masks that have been kicking around my sample pile.



Stark Green Tea Detox Clay Mask
I got this - and the next two - from Fresh Faced's sample program.  I really love the idea of this mask - green and rhassoul clays detox the skin and remove impurities, while green tea provides a boost of antioxidants, apple extract (rich in AHA) exfoliates, and lime extract brightens.  In practice, I didn't notice anything more than I would with plain ol' green clay, so I likely will not be buying the full size.

Kahina Giving Beauty Antioxidant Mask
With my big love for Kahina's Cleanser, I had high hopes for this mask, and happily, it delivered.  A blend of light florals, peppermint and eucalyptus smells fresh and lovely, and the consistency is pretty perfect too - like rich, decadent frosting.  It didn't dry super hard or tight, but it still did an excellent job cleaning out my pores, and also left my skin looking glowy and feeling extra soft.  At $62, I'm not rushing out to buy it, but it would be a great product to splurge on one day.

May Lindstrom The Problem Solver
Made with raw cacao, bamboo charcoal, soil nutrients, salts, and warming spices, The Problem Solver is a bit of a cult favorite.  It's a powder that, with water, foams up into a light mousse and makes for a pretty intense treatment.  May recommends leaving the mask on for 45 minutes (or until fully dry), but I only made it to about the 12 minute mark before my face felt uncomfortably hot (using just a small sample, the mask was pretty well dry at this point too.)  My skin was red and flushed when I washed it off, but it settled down within just a few minutes, leaving behind only clear pores and soft skin.  I'm not sure this was the best mask for my sensitive skin, so I won't be investing the $90 (!!) just yet, but I'd be tempted to try a second sample at some point in the future.

Balm Balm Hibiscus Face Mask
Balm Balm's mask is a three ingredient blend of brown rice flour, ground hibiscus, and rose geranium essential oil that's supposed to gently draw out impurities while deep cleansing and exfoliating the skin.  I won't be buying this one as, quite frankly, I didn't notice much of an effect - good or bad - from using it.  

Sibu Sea Buckthorn Purifying Mask
Surprisingly soothing and gentle for something called a purifying mask.  It was calming and reduced redness while at the same time leaving my pores looking pretty good.  There are a couple ingredients I'm not too crazy about - SD alcohol and glycerin are pretty high up on the list - but my skin seemed to like it, so I would, potentially, consider buying it in the future.  

Pretty Ginger & Cypress Soothing Beauty Mud
Pretty is great for simple creations that deliver, and this mask is no different.  Two kinds of clay combine with aloe, green tea extract, and essential oils to make a gentle, but effective treatment.  I'm curious to try the Brightening Mud next, but I might come back to this one at some point.

Have you used any of these?  What are your "must try" mask favorites?

Happy 2014!  Starting off the year by getting rid of old garbage seems pretty fitting, so here are my final empties for 2013:



Kahina Giving Beauty Facial Cleanser*   [Review]
I love this cleanser so much! It gets my face clean without any irritation, leaves my skin feeling great, and smells incredible to boot!  Total win in my book.   The mini was kindly sent to me, but I was quick to restock with the full size as soon as it ran out.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion
Two cleanser loves in the same month!  I started using Weleda's Cleansing Lotion when my skin was acting up over the summer and even though it's pretty well back to normal now, the cleanser has stayed a part of my regular rotation.  This is my second tube of the stuff, and while I don't think I'll be buying another immediately, I'll likely rebuy it at some point in the future.  With only six or seven ingredients, it's a great product for sensitive skin or anyone looking for a good, gentle, no frills cleanser.  
Repurchase? Yes, just not right away.

Earth Mama Angel Baby Non-Scents Shampoo & Baby Wash   [Review]
I've gone through a few of these body washes and while the actual product is great, I haven't loved any of the scents I've tried.  I thought I'd circumvent the issue by buying the Non-Scents (unscented) and adding my own essential oils, but that didn't work as well as I'd hoped either.  Without any scent, this wash has a decently strong smell from the base ingredients, and it ended up overpowering any essential oils I mixed in.  
Repurchase? Maybe.  I haven't tried the Orange Vanilla yet, so I may give that one a try before I write these off entirely.  

Acure Unscented Cocoa Butter + CoQ10 Body Lotion   [Review]
I've gone through a few different lotions this year, but Acure's is the one I keep coming back to.  It rubs in without a lot of effort, but it also hydrates very well, so you aren't left sacrificing hydration for ease of absorption.  It's also free of emulsifying wax, which you'll notice pops up in a lot of lotion ingredient lists.
Repurchase? Definitely!  This has become a staple in my routine.

Intelligent Nutrients Destress Express Dry Skin Therapy
One of the great things about Intelligent Nutrients is that they regularly give out samples of new products before they're released, asking only for honest feedback in return (follow them on Twitter to catch the next time they do this.)  The unmarked tube in my photo is, I believe, an earlier incarnation of the Destress Express Dry Skin Therapy.  It's seriously magic on dry feet, especially in the winter.  The price ($29 for 3.75 oz) and my current stash of products are the only things holding me back from immediately restocking.  Intelligent Nutrients products are also not the easiest to get my hands on here.
Repurchase? Possibly.

Zuzu Luxe The Mascara in Onyx   [Review]
I don't even bother trying new mascaras very often anymore since I inevitably end up coming back to this one.  The two main selling points for me?  It never irritates my eyes and once it's on,  it doesn't budge (until you take it off that is - removing it is not a problem either.)
Repurchase? Yes!  I have many times before, and I just stocked up on a couple more tubes in December.

Madre Bees Organic Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
I've been getting one of the Madre Bees (now Sierra Bees) lip balms free in every iherb order for the last several months and I was especially excited to try the cocoa butter one.  Badger's Creamy Cocoa Cocoa Butter Lip Balm is one of my all-time favorites, but sadly the Madre Bees didn't come close to the high standard set by that one.  It's a lot lighter in consistency than Badger's and the cocoa butter smell seemed a little fake (even though it isn't.)
Repurchase? Madre/Sierra Bees lip balms, yes.  The cocoa butter one, probably not.





* Indicates press sample.  Post contains affiliate links.

I've developed quite a fondness for creamy cleansers of late, and one that rushed right to the top of the list is from Kahina Giving Beauty.  If you aren't already familiar with it, Kahina's line is based around organic, ethically sourced argan oil and all of its products combine high concentrations of the nourishing, anti-oxidant rich oil, along with other high quality, effective natural ingredients.  As the name suggests, Kahina's ethos also incorporates giving back and 25% of the company's profits are donated to causes that improve the lives of the Berber women who harvest and extract the argan oil used in the company's products.  These women's signatures also grace Kahina's sophisticated packaging.  

A couple months ago, Clementine Fields' co-founder, Ingrid Doucet, very generously sent me a couple products to try out and I'm ecstatic she chose to include Kahina's Facial Cleanser.  The cleanser contains aloe vera and argan oil to help keep skin hydrated, willow bark to gently eliminate toxins and impurities, and papaya enzymes to brighten and lightly exfoliate.  The ingredients combine together beautifully to create a creamy cleanser that I'd wager is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.  It has a milky consistency that just glides across your face, but it isn't so thin that you risk losing it all down the drain.  

I usually prefer to remove any makeup first with an oil, but in a pinch, Kahina's cleanser does the trick, even on stubborn mascara or eyeliner.  The cleanser is scented with neroli and blue tansy, also known for their anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, and it's not a stretch to say that it smells incredible. It's a light, fresh and slightly sweet scent that somehow manages to be both simultaneously relaxing and refreshing.




The Bottom Line
Kahina's Facial Cleanser is an excellent product that thoroughly cleanses without drying or stripping the skin.  It's a gorgeous cleanser that I think would work for a variety of skin types.  I've been sadly scraping the dregs of my bottle this week, but happily Clementine Fields came through, again, with a well-timed flash sale that I rushed to take advantage of: 

For the rest of today, get 15% off all Kahina products, as well as Zoe Organics and Ursa Major for Men.  

Where to Buy: $56 from Clementine Fields (currently on sale!), Kahina Giving Beauty

Ingredients: aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice*, aqua, argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil*, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, glycerin*, leuconostoc (radish) root ferment filtrate, cocoglucoside, coconut alcohol, carica papaya (papaya) fruit extract*, glyceryl oleate, salix nigra (willow) bark extract, lauryl glucoside, vanillosmopsis erythropappa (bisabolol) wood oil, sclerotium gum, citrus aurantium (neroli) flower oil*, chamomila recutita (matricaria) flower extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract*, tanacetum annuum (blue tansy) flower oil*, hydrogenated lecithin, p-anisic acid, PCA, xantham gum 
*Ingredient from Organic Farming 



Disclosure: Product provided for review.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review in return for free product, nor was I compensated for this post.  All opinions are my own.

With so many amazing products out there, it can sometimes be nice to try a sample before committing to a full-size.  That's why I was so excited to realize that Fresh Faced has started selling samples!  (Or maybe they've always sold them and I just never noticed?)  While doing some late night gift shopping, I decided to pick up a few tiny goodies for myself as well.


Here's what I chose:
Kahina Antioxidant Mask
May Lindstrom The Problem Solver 
May Lindstrom The Clean Dirt
Stark Green Tea Mask
Yarok Styling Whip
One Love Organics Vitamin B Cleansing Oil
One Love Organics Vitamin E Eye Balm
One Love Organics Morning Glory Brightening Complexion Booster
One Love Organics Supercritical Chia Oil
Ilia Lipstick in In My Room
Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Nobody's Baby
Vapour Lipstick in Possess

Fresh Faced also generously threw in a few extra samples (not pictured):
Rahua Shampoo & Conditioner
Kahina Eye Serum
Kahina FEZ Body Serum

A lot of new-to-me brands in this pile and I'm excited to get to try everything out.  I've been really into face masks lately, so it'll be fun to test out a couple new ones.  I'm also extra stoked to try the Kahina samples, as I've already fallen hard for their cleanser (more on that very soon!)  

Have you used any of these products?  Do you like samples or are you more of a straight-to-the-full-size kind of person?