Naturalla Beauty

2016 hasn't been my most productive year blogging, but there's still been no shortage of trying new products!  It's been a bit of a mixed bag recently -- not everything has been the hugest hit -- but I think it's equally important to share the "just okay" products as the ones I fall head over heels for.  Today's batch includes a mix of skincare, body care, and nail products.


Rocky Mountain Soap Vanilla Mint Hand Cream
Vanilla Mint is one of my favorite scents from Rocky Mountain Soap, so when I noticed they added a hand cream to the Vanilla Mint lineup, I knew I had to try it.  I reviewed the Apricot Hand Cream last year and while I loved the cream itself, I had minor issues with the scent, which had a tendency to turn a little funny on my skin.  I happily don't have any problems with the Vanilla Mint and this cream has become a favorite hand moisturizer.  Just like the Apricot, the Vanilla Mint Hand Cream is rich and emollient, but also soaks into the skin quickly without leaving behind any greasy film or residue.  My cuticles got super dry when temperatures first dropped here last month and the hand cream had them healthy and back to normal within a couple days. 

Oro de Sonora Organic Jojoba Oil*
I've used jojoba oil on and off for years, but I usually just buy whatever brand is on sale at the time on iHerb or Vitacost.  Using the Oro de Sonora these last several months has really cemented for me how significant quality differences can be between different brands of oils.  Oro de Sonora's jojoba oil is coming directly from experienced jojoba growers in southwest Arizona where jojoba oil is the only thing they produce.  It's certified organic and expeller pressed, as well as filtered and rested to eliminate any impurities.

The oil itself seems richer and more alive than other jojoba oils I've used.  It's not richer in the sense of being a heavier oil, but it seems like it delivers more intense nourishment to the skin.  It also has a more noticeable scent -- though nothing offensive or overly strong -- which has me rethinking just how much processing other, virtually scentless jojoba oils go through.  Jojoba oil is super versatile and because it's very similar to the natural sebum produced by our skin, it's suitable for all skin types.  I like using it for both oil cleansing/makeup removal and as a gentle moisturizer, and the Oro de Sonora oil works great for both purposes.

Meow Meow Tweet Grapefruit Baking Soda Free Deodorant
This deodorant is a cult favorite in the green beauty sphere, and while it works well for odor protection, I'm not blown away.  My main gripe is that the deodorant repeatedly separated during the summer, despite never leaving my air conditioned house.  I tried to remix it at the time, but I must not have done a very good job as once I got about halfway down the jar, the texture became a lot more solid.  I mixed in some extra oil -- the Oro de Sonora jojoba actually -- and while it smoothed it out somewhat, the texture is still not as nice as the first part of the jar.  The deodorant also has a tendency to leave significant white marks on black and dark clothing, which is a big pet peeve for me.  It undoubtedly does keep you smelling good, but, overall, I think there are better options out there, including Meow Meow Tweet's baking soda version, which I liked a lot a couple years ago.

Mineral Fusion Gel Top Coat + Nail Polish Remover
The Gel Top Coat was recommended by a couple people on Instagram and I've been really happy with it.   It has a decently large brush and a thicker consistency -- but not in a gloopy way -- that easily applies a thick layer of topcoat onto the nails.  It dries to a lovely glossy, glass-like finish and I do think it helps keep polishes on longer.

The Nail Polish Remover, on the other hand, has me less impressed.  It removes polish okay, -- though not as easily as the Priti NYC remover I was using previously -- but it also tends to smear the color onto the skin all around the nail while doing so.  The scent -- some kind of floral mixed with a typical remover smell -- isn't horribly offensive, but again, it's not as pleasant as the Priti.

The remover also gives me this strange cold feeling, almost as if I'm rubbing ice cubes on my nails.  I've never experienced it before, although a quick google search taught me that it's apparently not all that uncommon with nail polish removers.  I don't wear a ton of nail polish and will certainly use the bottle up now that I have it, but next time I'll either try something new or go back to Priti.



Have you used any of these products?

Last week I wrote about armpit detox and shared tips and tricks for making the switch to natural deodorant, and today I want to continue on the same topic by sharing some specific product recommendations.  I've tried a lot of natural deodorants over the years and these are my absolute favorites.  I'm not one to fuss with reapplying deodorant multiple times a day and all of these work to keep me smelling fresh all day long.  

BAKING SODA OR NO BAKING SODA?
If you ask me, the first - and perhaps most important - consideration when choosing a natural deodorant is whether or not it contains baking soda.  Baking soda is one of the most effective natural odor fighters out there, but because it's so alkaline, in contrast to the slightly acidic pH of our skin, it can cause reactions and irritation for a lot of people.   

For that reason, I've divided this list into baking soda deodorants, baking soda-free deodorants, and what I like to call baking soda light deodorants.



BAKING SODA LIGHT DEODORANTS
Of the three categories, this is my personal favorite.  These deodorants DO contain baking soda, obviously, but in lower amounts than a standard baking soda formula, and in combination with other ingredients that balance out the baking soda and reduce the likelihood of irritation.  Even if you're sensitive to traditional baking soda formulas, these may work for you.

Ursa Major Hoppin' Fresh - Hoppin' Fresh has the most similar feel/consistency to a conventional product of any natural deodorant I've used.  The stick is very smooth and solid, and the deodorant, which applies clear, feels almost gel-like.  Along with baking soda, Hoppin' Fresh also contains hops extract, plant enzymes, and essential oils to fight odor, and aloe vera and shea butter to cushion and protect delicate skin.  

Blissoma Scentless Stick Deodorant - According to Blissoma, the Scentless Stick contains half the baking soda of your average baking soda deodorant, plus it's balanced out with soothing and nourishing ingredients like zinc oxide, mango seed butter, and sunflower and coconut oils.  Clay, arrowroot powder, and diatomaceous earth also absorb sweat and help fight odor.  

BAKING SODA DEODORANTS
Baking soda formulas are great for odor protection, plus they tend to have the simplest and most basic ingredient lists of the three categories.  

Botanical Babe Deodorant Cream - With a base of organic shea butter and coconut oil, Botanical Babe's deodorant has a great creamy, buttery consistency that rubs into the skin without much effort.  The baking soda is buffered with arrowroot powder for a formula that feels soft and gentle on the skin.  Grapefruit, lemon, sweet orange, and juniper essential oils also help fight odor and give the deodorant a light and fresh citrus scent.

DIY Cream Deodorant - A few years back, the only deodorant I used was my own homemade cream, and while it wasn't an overly luxurious product, it definitely did the trick.  DIY deodorants are inexpensive, easy to make, and with tons of recipes out there, you can inevitably find one that will suit your needs.  The super simple, no-heat recipe I used can be found HERE.

BAKING SODA-FREE DEODORANTS
If you know you're intolerant to baking soda in deodorant, these are the ones for you!  While still effective, with gentle formulas that rely on other odor fighters, the chance of irritation is much lower.  

Weleda Spray Deodorant - The Spray Deodorants are basically just water, alcohol, and essential oils, but for whatever reason, they work better than any homemade spray I've been able to concoct myself.  Alcohol helps the spray dry quickly and works to kill bacteria, while essential oils provide a nice light scent.   The sprays work great both alone and in combination with other products, and I love the tiny travel sizes for on the go too!

Nourish Organic Fresh & Dry Deodorant - The Fresh & Dry deodorant is a moisturizing formula with very similar ingredients to those of a body butter, though it also includes organic corn starch to absorb moisture and plant enzymes to actively digest the bacteria that causes body odor.  The formula is probably the most gentle on the list, but I wouldn't consider its odor protection the strongest.  Your mileage may vary, but for me, this deodorant works great alone in the colder months, but I need to layer it with another product - like the Weleda Spray - during the summer.

Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream - The Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream is scented with grapefruit, bergamot, sweet orange, and lemon essential oils and gets its odor fighting properties from magnesium hydroxide.  Similar to baking soda, this food grade magnesium is an alkaline mineral that works by creating an inhospitable environment for odor-causing bacteria.  Despite its alkalinity, magnesium is not typically irritating to the skin.

Are you sensitive to baking soda?  What are your favorite natural deodorants?  

Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo
I bought this when I was having issues with buildup and an oily scalp and alternated between it and another non-clarifying shampoo.  The combination worked well without over-stripping or drying out my hair.  I figured out a few months ago that my scalp problems were more likely a mild case of seborrheic dermatitis, rather than just oilyness, and started treating that internally with oregano oil, and since then, my scalp issues have stopped, so I don't have any need for a clarifying shampoo anymore.  
Repurchase? For the time being, no.

Rachel's Plan Bee Original Body Polish*   [Review]
I've raved about the Rachel's Plan Bee body polishes several times now, so I won't go into too much detail here. These are one of my favorite scrubs.  The texture is perfect, they don't separate, and they're highly moisturizing, but not overly greasy or oily.
Repurchase? Yes.  There are a couple different scents I want to try in the future.

Meow Meow Tweet Grapefruit Mint Soap
I have problems with some bar soaps drying out my hands in the winter and unfortunately this was one of them.  The soap smelled nice and has worked great during the summer, but I had to put it away in the colder months when my hands became dry and cracked.
Repurchase?  Probably not.

Desert Essence Italian Lemon Hand and Body Lotion
I really enjoyed this lotion.  It was scented with only essential oils and had a much milder fragrance than most Desert Essence products.  My big nitpick is with the packaging.  The label started wearing off early and quickly began shedding blue flakes.  In and of itself, not terrible, but the flakes would magnetize and stick to anywhere I applied lotion, which became a big nuisance.  
Repurchase? Maybe.  The lotion itself was great, but I'm not sure I want to deal with the hassle of the label again.

Nourish Organic Wild Berries Body Wash
I featured this in my most recent favorites post, which is a pretty good hint about how I feel about this product.  Nourish's body washes are a longtime favorite of mine and the berry scent is really lovely.  It's sweet and fruity but also has an herbal/fresh note that keeps it from being overly saccharine or sickly.  
Repurchase? Yes.



Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Oil*   [Review]
This is a great multi-purpose oil to have on hand.  Made with just almond and plum kernel oils, it has a light marzipan-y scent and is very soothing and gentle on the skin.  I liked it a lot as both a regular face oil and to remove eye makeup, and I even used the last inch or so of the bottle as an allover body oil.  I'm actually very tempted to buy it again specifically to use on my body, as it left me with the softest skin ever.
Repurchase? Maybe.

Weleda Rosemary Conditioning Hair Oil*   [Review]
I mostly used this oil as a leave-in on my ends, but I also used it as a pre-shower treatment a couple times too.  Honestly, my hair is easygoing when it comes to oils, so I don't notice a huge difference between different ones, but this one worked well.  It smelled like rosemary and did a good job taming minor frizz and flyaway hairs. 
Repurchase? I'm not sure

Acure Marula Oil
I'm a little conflicted on this marula oil.  I loved it at first, but partway through the bottle, it stopped agreeing with me.  It stopped absorbing into my skin at all and would just sit on top and feel greasy.  I used the last half as a body oil and while it was fine in that capacity, it wasn't anything spectacular.
Repurchase? Probably not.

Yarok Feed Your Ends Leave-In Conditioner
I used another mini Feed Your Ends a couple years ago, and while the first one didn't impress me all that much, I really loved it this time around.  On my hair, it feels very lightweight and non-greasy and I also enjoy Yarok's signature lemon scent.  I used the spray mainly as a refresher on dry second-day hair, but it's also marketed as a heat protectant.  
Repurchase? Yes.  I have a couple other hair products to use up first, but I think this will be my next purchase after those.



Triumph & Disaster Old Fashioned Shave Cream (samples)
Triumph & Disaster is marketed as a men's line, but the Shave Cream certainly works for women too.  With a lotiony consistency and a great cushiony feel, it worked really well and, though definitely more of a masculine scent, I thought it smelled great too.  That said, as much as I enjoyed it, as someone who doesn't even buy shave cream half the time - that's what failed conditioners are for! - I can't see myself spending the extra money on a higher end shave cream.  tl;dr: Great product, but a little pricey for what it is.
Repurchase? I doubt it.  

Weleda White Mallow and Calendula Face Creams (samples)
I've used samples of both of these creams before, and they're okay.  The White Mallow contains coconut oil, which doesn't tend to agree with my face, and I don't love the scent of Weleda's Calendula line, so I actually used these sachets on my body, not my face.
Repurchase? No.

Studio 78 Off We Go Concealer in At Dawn (01) (sample)
I'm going to do a full review of this concealer once I get around to ordering the full size, so I'll save the details for that post.  Needless to say, I like it.  It's a much-talked about product amongst green bloggers, but I'd say it's worth the hype.
Repurchase? Yes, I plan to very soon.

Ilia Vivid Concealer in Cassava (C1) (sample)
The concealer itself was okay - light to medium coverage and nothing extraordinary - but what tipped this product over for me was the smell.  I don't even know what it smelled like, but it was fairly strong and I was not a fan.  I know I swatched this in The Detox Market a few months ago and I don't remember noticing a smell then, so I'm wondering if this sample just went off or something.
Repurchase? Definitely not.

Mineral Foundation Samples
I've been working through an accumulation of mineral foundation samples the last couple months.  I ran out of ones that actually matched me, so this batch is a mix of ones that, by themselves, did not, but I was able to mix and tinker between the lot to make them work.  Lucy Minerals is still the biggest standout for me and unmatched by any other mineral foundation I've tried in terms of both coverage and lasting power.  I also like Urban Minerals a lot and The All Natural Face foundation is okay too, though pretty light coverage.  As I've said before, I'm not a big fan of the Alima Pure foundation, which I find disappears off my face by halfway through the day.
Repurchase? I'm leaning towards going back to Lucy Minerals when I next need foundation, but I'd also consider purchasing Urban Minerals.

Real Purity Desert Rose Blush (sample)
Desert Rose is a very pigmented matte mauvey-rose shade.  I liked it, but it needed extra care and blending to not look ridiculous and clown-like on my fair skin.  I enjoyed using the sample, but considering the number of blushes I have and the little bit of extra work this one required, I'm not sure I liked it enough for a full size purchase.
Repurchase? Probably not.

Total Products Used Up in July
Skincare: 2  (Lip Balms: 0)
Bodycare: 4
Haircare:  3
Makeup: 0
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 5
Makeup Samples: 7

Total Products Used Up in 2015
Skincare: 23 (Lip Balms: 7)
Bodycare: 28
Haircare:  9
Makeup: 9
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 54 
Makeup Samples: 19

It's time for more empties!  These are the products I finished up during the month of May:



Badger Seabuckthorn Face Cleansing Oil*   [Review]
This is a great cleansing oil, although because it contains menthol, I didn't find it comfortable to use around the eyes.  The oil easily removed every speck of makeup, and I liked the fresh feeling the menthol left on the rest of my face.  I've read reviews from people who has no issues, so depending how sensitive you are, it might be fine around the eyes.
Repurchase? Maybe.  I'd probably opt for one of the menthol-free varieties before buying this particular one again.

Nonie of Beverly Hills AHA! Skin Tonic*   [Review]
The Skin Tonic ended up being my favorite product from Nonie of Beverly Hills.  Contrary to the name, it's not an exfoliating toner with AHA's, but rather a gentle witch hazel-based tonic.  My skin does well with witch hazel and I noticed my pores looked smaller and more refined while I was using this.  Even the scent - which I described in my original review as lemon/celery - grew on me by the end of the bottle.
Repurchase? I'm definitely considering it.

Honest Co. Shampoo & Body Wash   [Review]
The Honest Co.'s Sweet Orange Vanilla scent is common across several products in the line, but it smells slightly different in each one and the Shampoo & Body Wash is by far my favorite.  It's a perfect, fruity, juicy creamsicle scent.  The product itself is great too, but what keeps me coming back is the scent.  I don't generally use it as a shampoo, but it works in a pinch.
Repurchase? Yes!  I still have one more bottle, but I could see myself buying more after I finish that one.

Nourish Organic Lemon Thyme Moisturizing Cream Body Wash
Nourish's Body Washes are some of my favorites, but I didn't much care for this particular scent.  It smelled very herbal and almost medicinal.  I ended up going a little heavy handed in the shower in order to get through it quicker.
Repurchase? Yes, but not this particular scent.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream
I think this would be a good eye cream for someone without a lot of problems in the eye area, but I need something that targets both dark circles and puffiness and it didn't cut it.  It moisturizes well and makes a good, lightweight base for makeup, but I didn't notice any real difference beyond that.
Repurchase? Very unlikely.

Andalou Naturals Chia + Omega Radiant Skin Polish
I love scrubs, but usually as soon as I finish one up, I'm ready to move on to something new.  Not at all the case with this one!  It has the perfect amount of grit to effectively slough off dead skin, housed in a gentle, creamy base.  It's part of Andalou's Brightening line, and I really did notice my skin looked extra bright and healthy on days when I used this product.  It also never left my skin red or irritated and it smelled like peach pie!  I can see myself coming back to this scrub again and again.    
Repurchase? Definitely!  I have a couple other scrubs I'd like to use up first, but I'm already missing this one!

Curelle Build-Up Remover
Customers used to rave about this product when I worked at the health food store, but it made zero difference on my hair.  The directions say to work it into wet hair, add your regular shampoo, and then rinse both out together.  Maybe it works better on chlorine or mineral build up - which is what it was originally designed for - but it does nothing for product build up or even regular scalp oils.  It did, however, still manage to dry out the lengths of my hair.
Repurchase? No.

Balanced Guru Scrub Me (sample)
I pretty much love everything I've tried from Balanced Guru and this scrub was no exception.  Made with a mix of coffee and raw sugar, it gives a thorough exfoliation, but doesn't feel harsh on the skin.  The texture was a lot drier than most other scrubs I've used, so it washes away cleaner and doesn't leave much of a moisturizing film behind on the skin.  I always moisturize post-shower anyways, so that was fine, and I loved that it didn't muck up the bathtub like a lot of oilier scrubs.  The scent is also lovely: a mix of fresh coffee and spearmint.
Repurchase? I make my own scrubs most of the time, but maybe one day.

Meow Meow Tweet Lavender Deodorant Cream
As long as you aren't overly sensitive to baking soda, this is a great deodorant.  With a softer consistency than many other cream deodorants, it's easy to apply and I found the odor protection lasted all day long.  The baking soda did cause some irritation if I used it too many days in a row, but nowhere near as bad as I've experienced from other deodorants. 
Repurchase? Probably not.  Since finishing this, I've found another baking soda deodorant I like more (more on that soon!) and I'm still curious to try Meow Meow Tweet's Baking Soda Free version too.  

Sante Nail Polish Remover   [Review]
This was a never-ending bottle of nail polish remover!  I bought it over two years ago and aside from a brief dalliance with Priti NYC's remover wipes, this is all I've used in that time.  It works well on cream formulas, but any amount of glitter - or sometimes even a metallic finish - will have you scrubbing your nails for ages to get the polish off.  Aside from its efficacy, my main issue was with how the remover smelled.  Sante advertises an orange scent, but all I smelled was a mix of chemicals and sour milk.  Which wouldn't be so terrible if it didn't linger.  I had to store the bottle triple-bagged just so I wouldn't smell it in the room and any cotton balls I used had to immediately be taken out to the trash.  
Repurchase? No!  I bought Priti's remover way back in November - when I first thought this was going to run out - and I'm happy to finally move on to that.

Urban Minerals Light Mode & Real Vitality Mineral Foundation* (samples)   [Review]
I really like the Urban Minerals foundation, which is made locally here in Toronto.  It has great coverage, wears well throughout the day, and comes in a good range of shades.  The price point is a little higher than some other mineral foundations, but with ingredients like nettle, aloe, chamomile, calendula, marshmallow, sea buckthorn, and white willow bark, it also offers some potential skincare benefits.  Missus Multicultural - which I used up a long time ago - was the best color for my skin, but Light Mode and Real Vitality were both okay matches as well.  
Repurchase? Maybe.  I'm trying to work through all my foundation samples before buying anything new.

Crazy Rumors Leaping Bunny Plum Apricot Lip Balm
Crazy Rumors are one of my favorite lip balm formulas, but I do find the tubes don't last as long as other lip balms.  All Crazy Rumors balms are vegan, cruelty-free, and Leaping Bunny approved and proceeds from this particular flavor go to the Leaping Bunny Program.  It bugs me a little that Crazy Rumors charges $0.50 more to account for the charity donation rather than just donating their own, regular profits, but the Plum Apricot is nice and fruity and I enjoyed using it.
Repurchase? Yes!

The All Natural Face Wedding Day Glow (sample)
I used this as a setting powder but I wasn't crazy about it.  I didn't notice much of a glow and it didn't do much to blur fine lines or imperfections, which is what I mainly look for in a product like this.   
Repurchase? No.

Young Living Sacred Frankincense Essential Oil
So expensive, but so good!  Frankincense has a multitude of uses and can be helpful for skin issues, pain, endocrine and hormone balancing, and mood boosting.  
Repurchase? Yes! I'm currently using regular frankincense, but I would buy this one again in the future.

Physician's Formula 100% Natural Origin Lash Boosting Mascara
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this mascara.  When I first opened it, I hated it.  It smeared all over my glasses and never seemed to set, but once the tube dried out a little, it worked much better.  Then, when it got even drier towards the end of the tube, it started smearing again.  It never irritated my eyes and I really liked how it performed in the middle period, but I only got about a month of decent wear.  
Repurchase? Maybe.  I only paid $3 at Winners and if I found it again at that price point, I would give it another try.  I probably wouldn't pay much more.  

Logona Natural Look Mascara
I won this in an Instagram giveaway, otherwise it's not a product I think I ever would have been drawn to.  One of the biggest failings of natural mascaras is that they look too natural, so I'm kind of baffled that anyone would purposely set out to design a product like this, which is the most subtle mascara I've ever used.  It tints the lashes, but doesn't add anything in terms of length or volume.  It also has a strong floral/rose scent that I'd notice on application and removal, as well as periodically throughout the day.
Repurchase? No.



Moisturizer Samples
Kind of a mixed bag.  My favorite of the bunch was the Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer, although I wasn't crazy about how grassy it smelled.  The Lavera Calendula and Ginger Mattifying Balancing Cream, on the other end of the spectrum, had a sweet and delicious marshmallow scent, but the cream itself was unimpressive.  I've used samples of the Suki Balancing Day Lotion before and while I imagine it would be a nice product for oilier skin, it's just too light for my needs.  I didn't like the Melvita Nectar Bright Brightening Cream, which just never seemed to absorb fully - to the point that I could see white cream coming off when I washed my face the next morning.  The AromaCrystal Morning Dew Moisturizer and Lavera Mint and Burdock Pore Refining Moisturizing Fluid were both okay, but not anything I would go out of my way to use again.  
Repurchase? The Juice Beauty, maybe.  Probably not any of the others.  

Total Products Used Up in May
Skincare: 5 (Lip Balms: 1 )
Bodycare: 5
Haircare:  1
Makeup: 2
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 7
Makeup Samples: 3

Total Products Used Up in 2015
Skincare: 18 (Lip Balms: 6)
Bodycare: 20
Haircare:  5
Makeup: 9
Skin/Body/Hair Samples: 36 
Makeup Samples: 11

I've never been very consistent about writing favorites posts, but I really want to do better this year.  I'm not going to promise weekly or even monthly favorites, but I hope to do a favorites post at least every two or three months.   Starting today!  Keep reading for a look at some of the things I'm currently loving...



Andalou Naturals Brightening All-in-One Beauty Balm
I included Andalou's BB Cream in a wishlist post when it first launched, but when reviews and swatch photos started cropping up, I mentally scratched it off for being way too dark and orange for my fair skin.  When I got my hands on it two years later in a goodie bag from a Goodness Me! blogger event, I almost passed it on unopened, but thankfully my curiosity got the better of me.


As you can see, the color is legitimately pretty orange and not remotely close to my skin tone.  (Mere technicalities!)  I'm not sure how, but a thin layer somehow manages to blend in and actually work on my ultra pale, middle-of-winter skin.  I end up looking tanned - but not orange - with super glowy, fresh skin.  Coverage is very minimal, although it does even out some discoloration.  The finish is also a little dewier than I prefer, so I like to lightly dust over it with a powder, which takes down the dewiness, adds a little extra coverage, and helps the color look a little more seamless and natural.  

The other incredible thing about this product is its effect on pores.  Conventional makeup usually relies on silicones to manufacture a barrier that gives the appearance of poreless skin, but somehow, this silicone-free option also manages to minimize the look of pores and lends them a similar filled in appearance.  AND, it's not just a temporary, makeup thing - my naked pores actually look smaller and more refined after a few days of using this product.  When I stop using it, they gradually go back to normal, and then when I use it again, they become noticeably smaller within a few days.  Pretty impressive!

Crazy Rumors Plum & Peppermint Lip Balm
I like the formula of Crazy Rumors lip balms, but the individual flavors are very hit or miss for me.  Plum & Peppermint is a total hit!  It's super fruity and brings back memories of BonneBell Lip Smackers, although it doesn't smell fake the way those do.  To my nose, there's a hint of peppermint, but the predominant scent is definitely the plum.  I've been alternating between this and the Rocky Mountain lip balm I wrote about earlier this week, and my lips have stayed super soft and protected despite how cold it's been.  

Meow Meow Tweet Lavender Deodorant Cream
You may recall my attempt to make Schmidt's deodorant work for me, and while this time playing kitchen chemist did eliminate the burning and rashes, I ended up with twice as much of a deodorant that I still don't crazy love.  I've been putting off buying any new deodorant until I work through all that, but when Meow Meow Tweet's Lavender Deodorant Cream came in the December Petit Vour box, I decided it was okay to take a break from my never-ending Schmidt's to try it out.  The formula is very creamy but dry on your skin, which I love.  I find most cream deodorants tend to be either hard or oily, so I really appreciate how soft the Meow Meow Tweet Formula is without feeling greasy on the skin or leaving oil stains on your clothes.  The company's Baking Soda Free deodorant has gotten a lot of love recently, so I think that will be my next purchase (months down the road when I finish the Schmidt's!) but the baking soda in this original formula also hasn't caused any irritation for me.  

Young Living Oregano Essential Oil
I've blogged about my difficulties getting rid of build up on my scalp and reviewed several clarifying hair products over the years, but when I came across this blog post on It's An Itchy Little World, it hit me that maybe what was going on wasn't product build up, but rather a very minor case of seborrheic dermatitis.  Jennifer's post has a lot more information, but in very short summary, seborrheic dermatitis is a yeast overgrowth in the body that causes increased oil production.  I've successfully managed my scalp by using a homemade Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse a couple times per month, but once this new information presented itself, I wanted to try to eliminate the cause - systemic yeast overgrowth - as opposed just treating the symptom.  

I was already taking probiotics and I decided to incorporate oregano essential oil in addition.  Oregano is most well-known for immune-boosting, but it's also has anti-fungal properties that are effective on yeast and candida.  I started out with 5 drops of oregano in a veggie capsule twice daily, but gradually increased the dose to 12 drops twice daily.  A lot of the oregano oils you buy are diluted, but Young Living's is not, so I diluted it myself with olive oil, since straight oregano can burn your stomach.  The results have actually been pretty amazing!  I noticed within the first couple days that my skin looked better, and that's only gotten more true as time has gone on.  It's taken longer to see results on my scalp and I've just recently started to notice a real difference after 2-3 months of taking the oregano.

I've also read that seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp is quite similar to cradle cap, and when I was talking about this with my mom, she mentioned that I was born with a bad case of cradle cap.  It's fascinating how these kinds of things connect!  Also interesting is how this experience has made me more aware of other factors that were affecting my scalp.  I eat a very clean diet for the most part, but during these three months, there was a night I had Swiss Chalet and another time I went out for cheap thai food and both times I noticed a flare up on my scalp by the next day, which I'm attributing to these more processed, sugary foods that were probably also full of chemicals and preservatives.  

I'm not a medical professional or attempting to give any sort of medical advice, just sharing what has worked for me.  Before purchasing any oregano oil to take internally, please make sure you're buying a high quality oil by reading my 3 Things You Should Know Before Buying Essential Oils.  

BareMinerals The Perfect Storm Ready Eyeshadow 2.0
BareMinerals is what I consider a somewhat natural brand, but I feel comfortable with the ingredients in most of their powder products.  I placed a Sephora order a few weeks ago - my first Sephora purchase in nearly three years according to their records - and got this eye shadow duo as a free gift with purchase.  I've wanted to try the Ready Eyeshadows for a while, and while I wasn't super excited about the colors in the duo to start with, but I ended up loving both of them!  Cumulus is a satin white that sheers out into the perfect brow bone highlight and Tempest is a great taupey grey that works beautifully in the crease with virtually any eye look.  The duo isn't something I see myself using much by itself, but both shades are incredibly useful and I'm very happy to have them.  The shadows are soft, smooth and pigmented and I'm impressed all around.  

I can't find The Perfect Storm duo for sale anywhere, but as of today, you can still get it free with a $30 Sephora order and the code "READY" 


What have you been loving lately?

With Christmas just a couple days away, apparently even the post office has kicked it into high gear.  I was very happily surprised when the mailman turned up with the latest Petit Vour box on a Sunday!  December's box, Merry & Bright*, was co-curated with Sunny of Vegan Beauty Review and is packed full of goodies to get you through the holiday season, and back into the everyday.    

Check out what was included this month:



Meow Meow Tweet Lavender Deodorant Cream  ($8)
Deodorant is such a tricky one, so I'm always excited to be able to test out new ones without a huge investment.  I've heard really good things about Meow Meow Tweet's too, so I'm looking forward to this.  I'll update you all once I've given it a good trial.

Trust Fund Beauty Just Call My Lawyer Nail Lacquer ($16)
I'm not sure how I feel about Trust Fund Beauty's branding (polishes intended to "bring out the inner rich bitch in everyone, no matter what your financial situation"), but their bottles are cute and the nail lacquers are 5-free.  The company describes Just Call My Lawyer as a "dark brown with a hint of red," though it looks to me more like a straight up deep red/burgundy/oxblood metallic.  I love dark polishes, so this color looks perfect.  

Everyday Minerals All Smiles Matte Blush (Sample Value ±$5)
Everyday Minerals is a company that everyone speaks highly of, but I've never actually tried anything from them.  All Smiles is a lovely peachy-pink/coral blush.  It's matte, but it doesn't have any of that dreaded chalky look or feel.  Peachy blushes are my favorite and I don't have many mattes, so again, this is a great fit for me.

Blissoma Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex (Sample Value ±$13)
I've used a few products from Blissoma in the past and I think they're a great company.  Pure is an unscented moisturizer that's specifically designed for sensitive skin and picky complexions.  The dropper bottle doesn't seem like the best packaging for this - I can't seem to get the dropper to pick up any product - but I'm excited to try it nonetheless.  The 0.5 ounce sample is a great size too!



The Bottom Line
Petit Vour is certainly ending the year with a bang!  I love that this box included both brands I'm familiar with and new-to-me companies, and I'm genuinely excited to use all four of these items.  

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

Something you might not know about me?  Whether I'm on a spending ban or not, I'm pretty much always keeping a product wishlist.  Sure, the specifics change, but there's pretty well always something I'm eyeing on the horizon.  I've even dedicated an entire pinterest board to the subject!  

Here's what's topped my list through this month without shopping....


Stark Skincare
I've had my eye on Stark pretty much since they first launched, so it's kind of crazy that I still haven't tried anything from the line!   The new Neroli Midnight Oil sounds incredible and just might be the product that makes me take that plunge.  Among other great oils, it features evening primrose, camellia (green tea) seed, oat, raspberry, and pomegranate seed oils, as well as cocoa and mango butters.  Sounds pretty dreamy, no?

I've also got a slight obsession with argan oil, so the Argan Lip Treatment sounds pretty perfect to me.  I'm loving the simple luxury of a lip balm made only with argan oil, cocoa butter, candelila wax, vitamin E, and essential oils.

Saje Natural Wellness
Saje is a Canadian company that sells a whole host of products - everything from skincare and bodycare to essential oils and natural health products.  I've got my eye on the Sunshine Smoothie Exfoliating Tamarind Body Scrub, which combines exotic tamarind with apricot seed powder, shea butter and sweet almond, jojoba, and safflower oils.  The King & I Body Wash sounds pretty amazing too: lemongrass, lime, frankincense, bergamot, ginger, and grapefruit essential oils housed in a castile soap base made from coconut, olive, and jojoba oils. 

Genfiore Cosmetics
Genfiore is a pretty new company that I first stumbled across on Twitter.  The whole range looks gorgeous, but I've particularly got my eye on the pressed bronzers and eye shadows.  I get so excited to see natural companies making pressed makeup products and these look fantastic.  They're made with buriti fruit oil and herbal extracts and don't contain any of the usual silicones or other nasties.  

Hand Cream
Polar Vortex temperatures have wreaked havoc on my hands over the last couple weeks, which has left me searching for the Goldilocks of handcreams: something that nourishes like a balm but rubs in well and won't leave my hands too greasy.  The current contenders: John Masters Organics Cacao & Cupuacu Hand & Body Butter and Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Hand Cream. 

Have you tried any of these?  What's on your wishlist right now?



Disclosure: Contains affiliate links.