Naturalla Beauty

People always talk about their skin suffering when they are sick, but it's not something I've ever experienced until this past week when I was laid up with a stomach virus.  Aside from feeling sick, I was barely able to manage basic skincare - or really anything much more than lying in bed - and my skin definitely started to show it.  It became simultaneously dull, congested and dehydrated.  Not a great combo!  Once I started to feel better, getting my skin back in shape was one of the first things I did!  Here's what I used...



SkinnySkinny The Cleanser + Root Science Face Scrub*
I've been using SkinnySkinny's cleanser for close to two months now and I really like it.  It's extremely gentle, but still leaves my skin feeling very clean, and it also works amazingly well as a base for the Root Science Face Scrub, which I received in September's Petit Vour box.  Mixed with just water, the scrub is a little too harsh for my face, but the SkinnySkinny cleanser helps it glide across the skin a little more softly, and the pair has become my favorite, most-used exfoliant of late.  These were were the first things I reached for to get my skin back to normal and they worked great for both exfoliating away dry patches and kicking dullness to the curb.

Terra Tribe Green & White Detox Facial Dry Mask*
While I was sick, I received a lovely package from Indie Beauty Shop, a Canadian online store specializing in natural products made by smaller, independent companies, and this face mask sounded perfect for revitalizing my post-virus skin.  It contains a mix of kaolin and green clay, as well as green tea extract and white willow bark.  The two clays detoxify your skin and absorb excess oils, while the green tea extract delivers antioxidants and the white willow bark - which contains salicin, the natural precurser of salicylic acid - gently exfoliates and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.  I've only used the mask the one time so far, but I was impressed.  My skin was left looking clearer, brighter, and overall healthier.

The Honest Co. Organic Healing Balm*
Another lovely side effect of this stomach bug was being left with some of the driest, most chapped lips ever.  Regular lip balms weren't cutting it, so I decided to try The Honest Co.'s Organic Healing Balm.  (I got a mini size of the balm in the company's Discovery Kit - which you can still get for free here.)  The ingredients list is superb, packed with moisturizing organic sunflower, olive, tamanu, and coconut oils, as well as organic beeswax, shea butter, and calendula extract, and it's a great multipurpose ointment to have on hand.  It smells sort of earthy and natural and the tamanu scent is definitely noticeable - though not overly strong - so it's probably not something I'd use on my lips except under extreme circumstances like this, but it worked great and quickly whipped my ailing lips back into shape.

The Bottom Line
Being sick sucks, but at least there are great skincare products to help bring your skin back to normal!  These four really came through for me this week, and they're also products I'm happily incorporating into my regular routine.  
Do you have superhero products you reach for when your skin is not at its best?

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

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



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

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

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

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



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

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

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