Naturalla Beauty

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

I don't know about you, but for me, one of the dangerous things about reading beauty blogs and hearing about so many fantastic-sounding products is that it can make me want to spend spend spend.  Instead of just giving in to this, I try mull things over by keeping lists of things that catch my eye.  That way, I can come back to them in a bit and see what I actually want to buy and what was more of just a fleeting whim.

I thought it might be fun to share a few things that are currently on my makeup wishlist. 






Andalou Naturals All in One Beauty Balm 
(Sheer Tint with SPF 30)
BB Creams are all the rage these days, and while I've come across a couple others from more natural brands, Andalou's is the first I've found with an ingredient list I'd be comfortable using.  This promises to renew and brighten the skin while providing sheer coverage and SPF 30 sun protection.  Priced at only $19.95, it's pretty affordable too!











Vapour Organic Beauty Illusionist Concealer and Elixir Plumping Lip Gloss
Vapour is one of those brands that I've heard amazing things about for years and yet somehow I've never managed to try.  Generally I'm really happy with how my Silk Naturals Sleep in a Jar performs, but there are days when I'd like a little more coverage, which is where this concealer would come in.  As for the lip gloss, I don't think I've ever used a plumping gloss before and I'm intrigued.  Not gonna lie, most of Vapour's line is pretty tempting!








Mineral Fusion Bronzer/Highlighter in Luster
I don't see Mineral Fusion's products talked about much, but I played around with their eyeshadows the last time I was at Whole Foods and I was happily surprised - they're smooth, creamy and nicely pigmented.  Unfortunately, on closer ingredient examination, the eyeshadows contain phenoxyethanol, which I prefer to avoid, so I've switched my fixation to this gorgeous bronzer/highlighter duo, which,  delightfully, is phenoxyethanol free.







   




Sheswai Nail Laquer
I've been all about browsing nail polishes lately, and these two from Sheswai have perked my interest.  Fersure is a deeper red, perfect for fall, and Stoned is a beautiful pebble gray/mauvey nude shade.  Both are colours I could see myself reaching for a good deal.











What products have caught your eye lately?  And am I the only one who keeps lists of things to potentially buy at a later date?  I'd love to know if you do this too!