Naturalla Beauty

Opaque lip colors are great, but day to day, I'm much more of a tinted balm or gloss girl.  I've been fully embracing sheer color this spring with a few new-to-me lip products...


Marin Bee Lip Repair*
The Marin Bee Lip Repair has the least color of today's bunch.  The box describes it as "high gloss hydration," and I think that's very fitting.  Made with castor seed oil, olive oil, honey, and shea and cocoa butters, the Lip Repair is a nourishing lip treatment with a subtle tint and glossy finish.  It feels great and does a fantastic job keeping my lips soft and moisturized.  I like using it as an overnight treatment too!

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm (Sweet Violet)
I'm super late to the game on these tinted balms, but I picked one up last month in support of Burt's Bees finally pulling out of China (and therefore regaining their cruelty-free status).  It's a basic lip balm -- protective and moisturizing, but nothing to write home about on that front -- but what I really like are the creamy, glossy colors.  There's no shimmer in these, just soft, buildable tints.  Sweet Violet is a beautiful plummy-pink that can be worn sheer or layered up for a surprising amount of color payoff.  



Inika Certified Organic Lip Tint (Candy)*
Inika's Lip Tint has quickly become one of my everyday go-to's.  Candy is a shimmery light pink and looks to be the most subtle color in the range.  It's shimmery, but not to the point of looking frosty, and basically just gives the lips a pretty, polished-looking sheen.  The tint is creamy and buttery and despite the shimmer in this particular shade, it doesn't feel at all gritty on the lips.   To create the Lip Tints, Inika took their popular lip balm formula and just added mineral pigments for color, so this is another one that can absolutely stand in for your favorite regular lip balm.   They've also got an energizing peppermint scent that I really like.  Easy to wear and ultra-nourishing, they're definitely a new favorite!

Mineral Fusion Lipstick Butter (Honeysuckle)
Mineral Fusion's Sheer Moisture Lip Tints are one of my all-time favorite lip products, but the packaging -- specifically the lids, which have an annoying tendency to pop off -- means they mostly sit on my desk at home, so I was hoping the Lipstick Butters would be a similar, more purse friendly option.  Honeysuckle, a peachy-pink tint with some shimmer, is a pretty color, but alas, I can't get past how it smells.  To my nose, it has a fake honey, slightly sickly scent, and unfortunately it's one that lingers and is noticeable for at least a couple hours.  The lipstick butter itself seems great -- more pigmented than the Sheer Moisture Lip Tints but less so than Mineral Fusion's regular lipstick line -- but I almost always find myself wiping it off after just a few minutes because of the scent.

(L to R) Marin Bee Lip Repair, Inika Candy Lip Tint, Burt's Bees Sweet Violet Tinted Lip Balm, Jane Iredale Forever Pink Lip & Cheek Stain, Mineral Fusion Honeysuckle Lipstick Butter)

Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain (Forever Pink)
The Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain is one of those products that starts out a translucent pink in the tube (and on a first swipe), but transforms into a more noticeable color with the warmth of your skin.  Jane Iredale claims that the shade adjusts to your own chemistry and skin tone, which is always a little gimmicky, but it's true that the final color of the Lip & Cheek Stain varies a good bit on different people.  I've seen it look like a soft, neutral pink on some, but on my lips it's a noticeable pop of bright pink.  The arm swatch is much more indicative of how the color shows up on my cheeks -- it's much more vibrant on my lips.  As a cheek color, it gives a soft dewy flush, but it's pretty subtle, so while I think it's a fairly universal product for the lips, I'm not sure how well it would work as a cheek stain on darker skin tones.

If you watch out for synthetic dyes, be aware that the Lip & Cheek Stain does contain lake dyes, however, like all Jane Iredale products, they're naturally-derived and bonded to a calcium substrate instead of the traditional petroleum-derived variety.  

(L to R) Marin Bee Lip Repair, Inika Candy Lip Tint, Burt's Bees Sweet Violet Tinted Lip Balm, Jane Iredale Forever Pink Lip & Cheek Stain, Mineral Fusion Honeysuckle Lipstick Butter)

The Bottom Line
If you're in the market for sheer lip products, I hope one (or more) of these will spark your interest!  With the exception of the Mineral Fusion, which I suggest smelling in person before you commit, they're all pretty universal and suited to just about anyone.  For bolder -- though still sheer/buildable -- color, I'd suggest the Burt's Bees and Jane Iredale, and for ultra-dry or chapped lips, the Inika and Marin Bee would be your best bet.  

What are your favorite tinted balms and sheer lip colors?

Ideally this post would have gone up a few days ago, but better late than never, right?  I'm fortunate to have tried lots of fantastic products in 2016, but for the purposes of this post, I'm highlighting just the very top -- the best of the best.  These are the 8 products that, out of everything I used, truly stood out to me the most over the course of the last year.  I'm pretty sure I've mentioned all these items at least once, but if I've done a more in depth review, I'll make sure to link it below, in case you'd like more information.



Rocky Mountain Soap Vanilla Mint Hand Cream
I loved Rocky Mountain Soap's hand cream when I first used it in 2015, but the new Vanilla Mint scent that launched mid-2016 fully cemented my adoration.  The hand cream hits that perfect balance of richness and quick absorption and is loaded with nourishing plant oils, shea butter, antioxidants, and other emollients.  The Vanilla Mint scent is both fresh and sweet, and it's a lighter scent, so while it smells wonderful as you apply it, it doesn't fragrance the entire room or smack you over the head all day long.

Sola Skincare Balancing Face Oil   [Review]
I've tried a lot of oils over the years and Sola's Balancing Face Oil, which incorporates traditional Chinese herbs, brings a little something extra to the table.  The blend includes some of my favorite hydrating and healing oils -- argan, tamanu, and jojoba, to name just a few -- alongside Chinese herbs that reduce inflammation and improve circulation.  It works incredibly well at targeting not only obvious acne and breakouts, but also more subtle skin congestion and clogged pores.  It's a beautiful product and one I'd recommend to anyone struggling with these kinds of skin issues.



Kari Gran Lip Whips
I go through phases with more full-on lipstick, but the reality is that, for everyday, I prefer more sheer lip colors and glosses.  Kari Gran's Lip Whips offer exactly that -- sheer, glossy color -- and they feel like a hydrating treatment for your lips.  Potted lip products aren't usually my favorite, but these are worth it.  They're comfortable and easy to wear, and come in an ever-growing range of beautiful shades.

Holiskin Sensitive Skin Facial Cleanser   [Review]
Oil cleansers are my favorite way to remove makeup and Holiskin's super affordable Sensitive Skin Cleanser is one of the best I've used at any price point.  The simple but thoughtful ingredients list includes organic apricot kernel, camellia, meadowfoam, and castor seed oils, as well as vitamin E and chamomile and lavender essential oils, and it's a real gem of a product.  It smells awesome, glides over the skin easily, and effortlessly removes every last trace of makeup.  It doesn't sting around the eyes and wipes away easily with a washcloth or face wipe.

Batty's Bath Whipped Cream Foundation   [Review]
My skin usually reacts to cream and liquid foundations when worn for more than a day or two in a row, but the Whipped Cream Foundation from Batty's Bath, formulated especially for acne and rosacea-prone skin, is the one exception.  The ingredients are free of often problematic coconut oil and the Whipped Cream Foundation offers medium/buildable coverage with a unique cream-to-almost-powder finish.  It feels lightweight on the skin, isn't drying at all, and sets to a pretty and natural looking semi-matte finish.  It also doubles as a concealer -- I especially love using it to cover up dark circles.

Argillaceous Naturals Detox Facial Masque   [Review]
I tried two masks from Argillaceous Naturals last year and I was not expecting to fall nearly as hard as I did for the Detox Facial Masque.  On first glance, the ingredients read like many other detox masks, but performance-wise, it stands apart.  In addition to detox mask classics like clay and activated charcoal, the formula also includes colloidal oatmeal to soothe and citric acid to gently resurface the skin.  The citric acid also balances the extreme alkalinity of the clay, which means the mask can work without negatively impacting the skin's natural acid mantle and barrier function.  The Detox Masque is particularly awesome for clearing blackheads and clogged pores and it never leaves the skin feeling raw or stripped.  For me, someone without very oily or problematic skin, I like it best as an occasional refresher once or twice a month, but depending on your skin, you could definitely incorporate it more often.



Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tint
Along with the Kari Gran, the Sheer Moisture Lip Tints from Mineral Fusion are my other favorite tinted lip product.  They come in a fun crayon form and again provide sheer color with a balmy, nourishing feel.  Glisten, a warm caramelly-nude, is my absolute favorite from the range, but all the shades are pretty.

Duckish Body Butter   [Review]
Some of you will remember that I was a little heartbroken when Nourish discontinued their Body Butter about a year ago, but I've got to say, Duckish's Body Butter, which I've since replaced it with, is even better.  An emollient blend of shea butter and plant oils, the Body Butter is phenomenal on dry and irritated skin.  It's super rich and is the kind of product I reserve for those extra dry spots like feet and elbows as opposed to all over (although Duckish's Lotion Sticks, which go on like solid oils, are fantastic for everywhere!)  I've even used the Body Butter as an intense lip treatment this winter and it worked great in that capacity too.  

What were your biggest green beauty standouts in 2016?

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?

I love a good luxury product, but I dislike the assumption that green beauty has to cost a lot.  Fact is, with a constantly expanding market, today there are great healthy options available at any price point.  With that in mind, today's post features some of my very favorite inexpensive picks.  These are all items I've bought more than once and are products I'll continue to purchase in the future.  Prices might run slightly over $10 depending where you shop, but all items should be very affordable anywhere.



Kiss My Face Moisture Shave
I've tried a lot of natural shaving products over the last few years and I always go back to Kiss My Face's Moisture Shave.  It's not a foaming product, but with a light lotiony consistency, it spreads easily, provides good slip for a razor, and leaves skin feeling soft and supple.  My favorite is the Key Lime for its zesty citrus scent that's fresh and not at all overpowering.  

Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tint
I've raved about these crayons several times before and they're still one of my very favorite lip products.  For me, they're the perfect combination of color and comfort -- sheer tints in a moisturizing, balmy base.  My absolute favorite is Glisten (warm caramelly nude), but I also love Glow (bright pink) and Shimmer (coral with a subtle sparkle).

Nourish Organic Body Wash
Nourish has a horrible habit of discontinuing my favorite scents, but I still constantly rebuy the body wash in whatever scents I can find.  As with all Nourish products, the body wash is made with top notch ingredients and is USDA certified organic.  It has a creamy, pearly consistency and a castile soap base and is really unlike any other body wash I've used.  Particularly if you have dry skin or are in search of something a little gentler and more moisturizing than your average shower gel, I highly recommend checking these out!

Humphrey's Organic Witch Hazel
If you're looking for an affordable toner, I highly recommend making your own with witch hazel.  Witch hazel, if you aren't already familiar with it, is excellent for balancing oil production and cleaning and refining pores, and can easily be infused with herbs and blended with essential oils and other ingredients.  This one, from Humphrey's, is a witch hazel astringent with 14% organic alcohol, but I prefer that to a lot of the preservatives found in alcohol-free witch hazels.  

Silk Naturals Sheer Blushes
I love a lot of Silk Naturals products, but the blushes just might be my very favorite.  The Sheer formula offers buildable color that's easy to work with and blend, so you never end up with accidental clown cheeks.  My longtime favorites are Lovelace (a dupe for Nars Deepthroat), Abstract, and Tchotchke, but with a huge color selection, there are so many great options!  Some shades do contain dyes, so if, like me, that's something you avoid, make sure you read the individual ingredient listings.  

Andalou Naturals Argan & Sweet Orange Shampoo + Conditioner
I discovered these earlier this year and I'm already working on my second bottles of both!  Of all the natural shampoos and conditioners I've used, this duo has probably the closest feel to conventional products.  The shampoo lathers easily and rinses clean, and the conditioner moisturizes without leaving any kind of residue behind.  Together, they leave my hair soft and bouncy with great curl definition, and while I wasn't sure about the sweet, candy orange scent in my hair at first, I've actually grown to really love it.  

Crazy Rumors Lip Balm
I have a few favorite lip balm brands, but I think Crazy Rumors is the one I've repurchased the most.  Not every flavor has been a complete success for me, but I love the actual balm formula, and I enjoy having so many different flavors to choose from.  My top picks?  Raspberry Sherbet and Plum Apricot.  

Acure Argan Oil
Argan oil is a great multitasking oil packed with vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants.  I buy it specifically to use in the ends of my hair, but without fail, it always also ends up on my face and body.  There's significant quality variation amongst different argan oils on the market, and I think Acure's oil is one of the best at an inexpensive price point.  

Deep Steep Foaming Hand Wash
With an ever-growing assortment of scents, Deep Steep makes a great healthy Bath & Bodyworks alternative.  Personally, I can't always deal with strongly scented lotions and creams, but I can (and do!) get behind the foaming hand washes.  They have great ingredients, clean well, don't dry out your hands, and smell fantastic.  They're also super affordable (even the double size refills bottles are under $10!), and because they foam, a bottle of soap goes a lot further than you might expect.  Keep an eye out for seasonal scents at Winners and TJ Maxx.

What are your favorite inexpensive green beauty finds?

For my actual birthday today, I've teamed up with one of my favorite online stores, iHerb, for my final giveaway of the month.  iHerb is an online retailer selling all kinds of healthy products: supplements, food, cosmetics, household supplies, and more!   Basically they sell the same kinds of things you'd find in a health food store, but at a substantially lower cost.

I've been ordering from iHerb since 2011 (I even documented very first order here) and I've always had a great experience.  From a Canadian viewpoint, I get access to brands that we don't have here, as well as lower prices on the ones we do.  Even with the exchange and the Canadian dollar doing so poorly, most things still work out to lower, or at least comparable, prices to what I'd pay locally.  iHerb lets you check out in Canadian dollars (or other currencies) and they've also recently added a new DHL shipping option that collects tax on Canadian orders, so you don't have to worry about being charged tax or fees at the door.  I also received this most recent order in 1 day with the new DHL shipping, which is crazy impressive!

Customer service is also great.  I haven't had any major issues in the more than 30 orders (!!) I've placed, but any problems have always been taken care of easily and appropriately. iHerb also has a simple rewards program if you want to refer friends, as well as new loyalty credits that reward everyone with 10% of all purchases back in store credit.

Clearly I've done my share of shopping with iHerb on my own dime , so when they offered to sponsor this post, I was excited to work with a company I already think highly of AND to have the chance to give two of you a chance to try iHerb for yourselves (more on that later!)  All opinions are, as always, fully my own.

Keep reading for a peek at my latest iHerb order and first impressions on the things I picked up.  

Stick around until the end to enter the giveaway, or if you don't want to wait, use my referral code ITI429 for $5 off your first order now!


Andalou Naturals Chia + Omega Radiant Skin Polish + Blemish Vanishing Gel
The Chia + Omega Skin Polish was featured as one of my Top 15 of 2015 and is a firm favorite of mine.  This will be my third tube of the scrub, which offers a perfect balance between gentleness and thorough exfoliation.

The Blemish Vanishing Gel is a salicylic acid spot treatment.  I didn't actually pick this up for pimples, but instead for use on a single millia-like blemish that I've had on my cheek for a few months now.  Nothing else has worked on it, and after seeing multiple recommendations for salicylic acid, I thought I'd give it a try.  Usually a higher content than the 2% in this spot treatment is recommended, but I haven't seen any higher ones with clean ingredients, so I thought, since salicylic acid hasn't touched my skin in more than 10 years, the lower percentage MIGHT still do the trick.  And it has, sort of.  The bump got noticeably smaller within the first couple days using the Vanishing Gel, but it hasn't gone away completely yet.  The Blemish Gel also works great on regular breakouts/pimples.  

Both products also came with free minis of other Andalou products.  I received the Purple Carrot + C Luminous Night Cream, which I've actually been using for the past few months, and the new to me Kombucha Enzyme Exfoliating Peel, which I'm excited to try.  I love when Andalou includes freebies like this!

DeVita Revitalizing Eye Lift Creme
I was debating between DeVita's Eye Creme and Eye Serum, but this review on kimberlyloc.com pushed me over the edge on the creme.  In addition to the affordable price point, what intrigued me about both eye products was the inclusion of Vitamin K, a circulation booster that can be very effective on dark circles.  The Eye Creme is a rich cream that also includes hyaluronic acid, shea butter, oat beta glucan, and Tetrapeptide-3.  I've been using it for almost two weeks now and I can't say I've noticed much difference beyond moisturization, but I'm hopeful for more visible results with longer use.

Pacifica Camellia Blushious Coconut & Rose Infused Cheek Color
I've had my eye on these Pacifica blushes ever since they launched a few months ago, and I finally picked up Camellia, a light pink/peach with slight gold sparkle.  I really like it!  The Blushious blushes are described as sheer mineral cheek colors, and as the description suggests, Camellia isn't highly pigmented.  It's a pretty color, but I do find I need to layer quite a bit on even my fair skin, so I doubt this color would show up very well on deeper skin tones.

Mineral Fusion Ruby Lipstick
After falling in love with Mineral Fusion's Sheer Moisture Lip Tints last year, I thought I'd try one of their regular lipsticks.  Happily, it's been an all around hit as well!  The copper tube is beautiful, the formula is great, and I love the color I chose as well.  Ruby is basically my perfect red: a bit deeper than a classic red, with very slight berry tones.  It's a gorgeous shade that reminds me a lot of the much spendier Aux Rouge Lip Boost from Gressa, only a hair darker and housed in a traditional lipstick bullet.

Emani Plush Hydrating Lip Color
My love for sheer lip colors is no secret, so when I spotted Emani's Hydrating Lip Colors, I thought they'd be right up my alley.  After looking at swatches, I chose Plush, a medium/bright pink.  The formula is sheer but buildable and although it's not extremely hydrating, it feels comfortable on the lips.  My only issue is that the lipstick has a sweet, almost vanilla-like scent and there's nothing in the ingredients list to account for that smell.  I've contacted Emani for more information, but I haven't heard back so far.

Everyday Minerals Sugared Mauve Tinted Lip Butter
The Tinted Lip Butter in Nearly Nude is one of my favorite everyday lip products, so I decided to pick up another color.  The formula on these is wonderful and Sugared Mauve is a pretty, sheer mauvey-nude - very wearable and also great for everyday!



Hurraw! Sun Balm
Sun Balm is my favorite SPF lip balm and it's a product I'm happy to have it back in my life.  SPF 15 from non-nano uncoated zinc oxide and no real whitecast make this a fantastic product to keep in your sun protection arsenal.  It also smells yummy - like a vanilla-orange creamsicle.  The Sun Balm has a thicker/creamier formula than the regular Hurraw! balms and I prefer both the feel and how it lasts considerably longer on the lips.

Blum Naturals Oil Absorbing Facial Tissues
I feel like you should be able to just pick up blotting tissues at the drugstore, but it's amazing how many additional ingredients sneak into those things!  The Blum Oil Absorbing Tissues are basic powderless blotting papers and they work well at removing oil/shine without disturbing makeup.  They're a staple in my purse.

Mineral Fusion Northern Lights Mini Nail Polish Kit
Mineral Fusion nail polishes are 5-free and one of my favorite formulas.  If I could buy all my nail polishes as minis, I totally would, which is also why I love these kits so much.  The Northern Lights Kit, specifically, was a 2015 holiday release and includes Coal Mine (black with silver shimmer), Cascade (shimmery silver), and Blue Nile (metallic dark teal).  I can't wait to use these!

I'm excited to give away two $50 shopping sprees to iHerb!  Follow the Rafflecopter widget, below, to enter.  

The giveaway is open to anywhere iHerb ships.  Winner must have an iHerb account (or register with iHerb) to claim the prize.  Shipping will be taken care of by iHerb, but the winners, if outside the US, are responsible for any additional taxes/duties/brokerage fees levied to them by their Customs Agency and/or Postal Service.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

As 2015 draws to a close, I've been thinking back on the evolution of Naturalla Beauty.  What first started as the occasional and pretty random product musings of a bored uni student has grown into much more and I'm so grateful to everyone that's been along for the ride!  Thank YOU for reading, commenting and supporting my blog over the years.  I love sharing this crazy thing called green beauty and I can't wait to see what 2016 brings.

I was fortunate to try MANY wonderful products throughout the past year, so narrowing it down to just these 15 took some serious pondering!  These are the things that really stood out to me - products I used for a significant portion of the year and things I see myself continuing to use for the foreseeable future.  In cases where I've previously talked about a product in more detail or done a full review, I'll link that as well, in case you're looking for more info.
SKINCARE
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash   [Review]
I didn't realize how much I missed foaming cleansers until I tried Ursa Major's Fantastic Face Wash early this year.  It offers the lather and clean feeling of a traditional gel/foaming cleanser, but it won't leave your face feeling dry or tight.  A great option for both men and women, and it smells awesome too!

Andalou Naturals Chia + Omega Radiant Skin Polish
I've felt a little like Golidlocks trying scrub after scrub over the years, but this one checks all my boxes.  With a creamy base and just the right amount of grit, it does a great job exfoliating without irritating my sometimes fussy skin.  My second tube is on its last legs and I already know I'll be picking up a third very soon.

Balanced Guru Calming Masque   [Review]
Not an unknown product to longtime readers, the Calming Masque remains a firm favorite on my skincare shelf.  Contrary to what the name suggests, it isn't actually a product I'd recommend for ultra-sensitive skin, but I think it's fantastic for just about everyone else.  This mask offers a wonderful intermediate between a detoxifying clay mask and a nourishing treatment and is packed with soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like calendula, marshmallow root, and aloe vera.

Crazy Rumors Lip Balms
I have mixed feelings about some of the individual Crazy Rumors flavors - which I've talked about many times before - but what I am fully decided on is that I love their actual lip balm formula.  Vegan and ultra-buttery, it does a wonderful job keeping lips healthy, plump, and protected all year round.  My two favorite flavors (so far!) are the Plum & Peppermint and the Leaping Bunny Plum Apricot.

Young Living Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense is my go-to essential oil for any skin woes.  It has strong regenerative properties, which explains why it's included in so many anti-aging skincare formulas, but it's also astringent, making it great for acne or clogged pores.  Most often, I mix a drop or two into a face mask or use it as a spot treatment on blemishes and breakouts, but I've also used it in homemade toners and body oils.  It's also, of course, wonderful for a whole host of non-skin related things too!  As always, I'd stress the importance of using high quality, unadulterated oils.  

BODY/HAIR
The Honest Co. Conditioning Detangler   [Review]
With a good conditioner, my hair isn't overly tangly, but with a subpar one, it's knot city!  I tried a number of new hair products this past year and the Conditioning Detangler became a hero product when other stuff just didn't cut it.  A few spritzes lets hair be combed through easily, plus it tames flyaways and doesn't leave hair greasy or weighed down.

Blissoma Scentless Stick Deodorant   [Review]
I've been using another deodorant the last few weeks that's quickly added itself to my top deodorant shelf alongside this one (more on that in the new year!) but Blissoma's deodorant stick was my favorite for much of 2015.  This unassuming stick has no scent of its own but still does a phenomenal job disguising odor.  It does contain baking soda, but less than most formulas, and tempered with lots of skin soothing ingredients to minimize the likelihood of irritation.  I haven't had any problems with it and I've heard the same from several other people who also struggle with other baking soda deodorants.

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo + Conditioner   [Review]
I used this duo briefly a few years ago, but I fell back in love with it this year. The shampoo has a creamy consistency and lathers up into plenty of bubbles and the conditioner does a great job hydrating hair without weighing it down.  Both smell minty and lovely and are also packed with tons of good-for-your-hair botanicals. 

Nourish Organic Body Washes
With several great scents and a luxurious creamy formula, Nourish's body washes have been one of my favorites for years.  They produce a light lather - more if you use a loofah - and won't dry out or irritate your skin.

MAKEUP
Studio 78 Off We Go Concealer   [Review]
I've said time and time again that under eye concealer has been the product I've struggled most with in the green beauty realm, so finding Off We Go, a concealer specifically designed for covering up dark circles, was a joy.  This highly pigmented product has a unique cream-to-powder finish that stays put and wears really well throughout the day.  The color range is somewhat lacking, but if you have light to medium skin, I recommend giving it a try.

Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tints   [Review]
The Sheer Moisture Lip Tints are pretty much my perfect everyday lip product.  Under $10, sheer but buildable color + a great formula that keeps lips comfortable and hydrated.  The only downside is that the lids have a tendency to pop off, so be careful when toting them around with you!

Bare Minerals Frame & Define Brow Styler   [Review]
I like full brows, but I want them to look natural and not overly filled in.  The lighter shade of the Frame & Define Styler is a perfect color match for my brows, so it does just that.  I also like that it wears all day without budging and that it's a twist up pencil that doesn't need sharpening.

Silk Naturals Lovelace Sheer Blush
Lovelace, which is sold as a dupe for Nars Deep Throat, was probably my most worn blush of 2015.  It looks a little orange in the pot, but on the cheeks, it just gives a beautiful peachy flush that goes with everything.  Silk Naturals' sheer blush formula is hard to overdo and great for blush-shy beauties, but it's also very buildable if you like a little more punch to your cheek color.

Pacifica Natural Eye Pencils   [Review]
These pencils are seriously awesome.  They're pigmented and glide on easily, and while they can be smudged initially, they don't move around once set.  My two favorites are Jet, a super dark and rich black, and Bare, a nude that's great for lining the waterline.  There are only four shades currently, but I'm hoping for more colors in the new year.

What products did you love this year?  Wishing you all the best for a happy and healthy 2016.

Can you believe it's less than four weeks to Christmas?  If you didn't get all your shopping done this past weekend, I've still got a few gift guides coming up with ideas.  This week, I'm looking at green beauty stocking stuffers.  These are smaller items - in both size and price - and make great gifts whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukkah, or any other winter holiday.


Badger Balm Ornaments
Badger comes out with these ornaments every year and they make fantastic gifts!  Each ornament contains a mini 0.75 oz. tin of one of Badger's most popular USDA certified organic balms.  Pictured above are the Aromatic Chest Rub and Sore Muscle Rub, but ornaments are also available for the Original Badger Balm and Sleep Balm. 

Province Apothecary Essential Oil Incense
I discovered these at last week's Mindful Beauty Pop Up, where I also had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Province Apothecary's owner/creator Julie, and I think they're brilliant!  Charcoal incense sticks are hand-infused with wild crafted essential oils to create gorgeous incense without synthetic fragrance or other toxic chemicals.  My favorite is the warm, spicy citrus scent of the Sweet Orange and Bay, a limited edition scent for the holidays, but really, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the four scents.

Balance Me Heavenly Hands Duo
Winter and dry skin often go together, which is why hand creams make such great gifts this time of year.  I haven't tried a ton from UK brand Balance Me, but what I have used has been really nice.  The Heavenly Hands Duo comes with smaller 1 oz sizes of the company's popular Rose Otto and Super Moisturizing Hand Creams, all wrapped up in a box that looks to be the perfect size and shape for stuffing in those stockings!

Young Living Lip Balm Gift Set
Young Living's balms are one of my favorite lip balm formulas and the holiday kit sets you up with all four flavors in one go, plus a reusable bag.  My favorite is the ultra-moisturizing lavender, but I also love the seasonal Vanillamint, which is only available in these sets.  

Zoya Dream Box Holiday Sets
Zoya polishes are 5 free and available in every color of the rainbow.  The Dream Box Holiday Sets include three polishes in a Zoya branded black box, with the option to choose from several pre-selected sets or create your own.  Alternately, even just a single nail polish or two would make a great gift!

EcoLips Lip Scrubs
When lip balm alone isn't cutting it, a good lip scrub can be a real hero product.  Available in Mint, Vanilla Bean, and Brown Sugar flavors, EcoLips' scrubs use fair trade sugar and minimal ingredients, and are USDA certified organic and fully edible. 

Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tint Trio
The Sheer Moisture Lip Tints were one of my favorite makeup discoveries this entire year and the trio is a great way to try three popular shades from the line.  As the name suggests, these lippies offer moisture and a sheer wash of color, though some shades can be built up to a decent opacity.  The trio includes Glisten, a gorgeous nude and my favorite in the range, Adorn, a pretty plum, and Blush, a soft purple. 

Buff Her Mini Scrub Kit
Buff Her's scrubs are gentle powder exfoliators handcrafted from natural and organic food ingredients.  The company's motto is "Feed Your Freakin' Face," and with varieties like Oatmeal Blueberry Cookie and Sweet Potato Pie, you can do just that!  There are two Mini Scrub Kits available, each containing mini sizes of four different scrubs. 

Have you been keeping up with my weekly gift guides?  Catch up on the rest HERE.