Naturalla Beauty

• Kusmi Tea Wellness Gift Set (includes Boost, Be Cool, Detox, Love, and Euphoria)
• Skin Essence Organics Nourish Serum
• Weleda Skin Food (mini)
• Portland Bee Balm - Unscented + Oregon Mint Lip Balms
• EvanHealy HydroSouls - Immortelle + Rose Geranium (minis)

The giveaway will be open internationally and the only requirement to enter is that you follow me in some way.  Enter as many or as few ways as you'd like using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Happy New Year!  2014 was a challenging year for me.  The first half was spent feeling trapped in a job I wasn't happy at, only to be laid off - for unrelated reasons - from said job during the summer.  Since then, things have been pretty scattered.  I've done a few temp positions, but I'm not really sure what I want to be doing career-wise, which makes it difficult to know what jobs to even apply for.  So, for 2015, I'm hoping for less stress and more clarity (and security) on the work front.  I hope the new year brings you what you're looking for as well.   

Now, how about some empties?



Desert Essence Jojoba Oil
Jojoba is a very handy oil to have on hand.  I use it on both my face and body, to remove makeup, and in face masks and other DIYs.  I don't think I used this particular bottle up quickly enough though, as the very bottom started to smell a little funky.  It didn't seem off or rancid, but it developed a noticeable scent, where the first 7/8 of the bottle was basically unscented.  
Repurchase? Yes, but not right away.

Skin Essence Organics Nourish Moisturizer   [Review]
Nourish was my first face oil love, and I'm still a fan.  It's hydrating but not heavy, and includes my beloved hazelnut oil, along with a bunch of other great oils like rosehip and jojoba.  I really liked this smaller 10 ml bottle too, as the larger 30 ml size has gone off on me before I could use the entire thing up.    
Repurchase? Yes, after I've used up a few other face oils.

Acure Argan + Argan Stem Cell Conditioner   [Review]
I don't even know how many tubes of this conditioner I've gone through, but it's still one of my favorites.  I like the almond scent, plus it moisturizes my curls really well without leaving them feeling heavy, coated, or weighed down.  
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Hush & Dotti Original Cleansing Balm (sample)  [Review]
As cleansing balms go, I quite enjoyed this one.  It removed makeup easily and wasn't waxy, so it wiped away very cleanly.  I also liked the spicy eucalyptus/clove scent and even used it as a moisturizing balm on extra dry patches a couple times.  I generally prefer oils or cream cleansers over balm cleansers though.
Repurchase? Probably not.

Green Beaver Boreal Body Lotion (sample)
I really like these samples for toting around in my bag.  The tiny tube is about the size of a lip gloss, so they fit in even the smallest of purses.  The lotion itself is nice too - hydrating, very lightly scented, and great as a hand cream - although I've yet to be inspired to pick up the full size tube.
Repurchase? Maybe.

Epic Blend More Moisture Unflavored Lip Balm*   [Review]
I discovered Epic Blend's lip balms this past year, and they quickly became some of my favorites.  All their formulas are great, but if I had to pick, the More Moisture line is probably my favorite.  And I especially like the Unflavored one - it smells slightly sweet but very neutral, and it has none of that yucky oil taste that some unflavored lip balms have.
Repurchase? Yes, I definitely will.

Nürish Organics Best Scrub Ever*   [Review]
Loved this!  The scrub has a soft cream base, but it exfoliates very thoroughly with microdermabrasion crystals.  It's a pretty intense exfoliation, so I wouldn't recommend using it over active breakouts or more than once or twice a week.  
Repurchase? Yes, but not immediately.

And that's a wrap!  Not too many empties in December, but that's just how some months go.  

I'm also doing Tamara of Rainbow Feet's Green Survivor Challenge this month, so if you enjoy seeing empties, you should follow me on Instagram.  The idea of the challenge is similar to a no-buy, only rather than a set amount of time, we aren't allowing ourselves to buy any beauty products until we use up 2 makeup, 3 skincare, and 5 body items.  I've got a couple things nearing the bottom already, so I'm pretty confident I can manage it! 

I think I've finally figured out this empties thing.  Focus on one product at a time.  Sounds pretty common sense, right?  If you're rotating between five cleansers, it's going to take you a good, long while to finish any.  On the other hand, if you're using just one, you'll get to the bottom a heck of a lot quicker.  Sure, I've known it for a while, but I've never seen it in action quite as blatantly as this past month.  Let's talk about what I finished up in June...


Repurchase? Probably not.  There are other shampoos and conditioners I like more.

Boo Bamboo Exfoliating Body Wash*   [Review]
This is a nice body wash with a light berry scent and the perfect amount of grittiness for an exfoliating product of this type.  Not enough grit to class it as a full-on scrub, but enough that I knew it was there and could tell it was doing something.
Repurchase? Maybe.  The ingredients aren't quite as natural as I'd like, but I'd consider it.

Acure Mint + Echinacea Stem Cell Shampoo and Conditioner 
My mom ran out of her regular shampoo and conditioner and ended up finishing these off while I was using all that Weleda, but I'm including them anyways, since I'd say I used at least 7/8 of both before starting on Weleda's challenge.  My mom was a fan, and I liked them too, just not as much as Acure's Argan + Argan Stem Cell variety.  The shampoos seem pretty comparable - other than scent - but the mint conditioner is lighter and not as hydrating as the argan.
Repurchase? Doubtful.  I've re-ordered the Argan set to replace these.

Beautiful Curls Curl Reviving Tonic   [Review]
This is a great product.  I use it on days when I don't wash my hair and it does just what the name suggests: revives my second day, slept on curls.  I've already started on a new bottle.
Repurchase? Yes.

Skin Essence Organics Facial in a Jar   [Review]
Facial in a Jar is one of those powder products that does double duty as either a scrub or a mask.  Initially, I just used it as a mask, but this past month, I really enjoyed mixing it with my Shea Terra Argan Oil & Acacia Honey Cleanser to make a scrub.  Some of the powder + a pump of the Shea Terra cleanser = honey scrubby goodness.
Repurchase? Probably not.  I might try to DIY my own version at some point in the future though.

Blissoma Bright Eye Vitalizing Nutrient Serum
The ingredients in this eye serum are pretty amazing, but unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be and I ended up with sore, puffy, swollen eyes within a couple days of starting to use it.  Extra sad, because before the reaction, my under eye area was looking pretty phenomenal.  Bright is packed with antioxidants and nutrients and I remember reading somewhere that you could use it on any areas that had experienced sun damage, so for the sake of using it up, I started applying it on my shoulders, decollete, and the backs of my hands.  I wouldn't buy it just for that, but I did notice an improvement in the health and appearance of those areas while I was using it.
Repurchase? No.

Priti NYC Nail Polish Remover Wipe   [Review]
I wasn't going to include these wipes anymore until I finished up the whole set, but after last month's disappointment with them, I wanted to include one more to make sure you guys knew that they're still fabulous.  Glitter polishes are a struggle, but for everything else, these are a great option.
Repurchase? Maybe.  I still think I want to try the liquid remover next.

Young Living Lavender and Frankincense Essential Oils
Both of these are staples for me.  Lavender is basically good for everything, and frankincense has a whole host of uses too.  I use both of them on blemishes, and I like mixing a couple drops of frankincense into my clay masks as well.  I always stress the importance of research when it comes to essential oils, since purity, method of extraction, and processing are all very important when it comes to the final product you're buying.  I'm confident in the quality of Young Living's oils and will continue to buy them.
Repurchase? Yes, I've already cracked open new bottles of both.

Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap in Peppermint and Citrus Orange (samples)
I've got a big, open bottle of the unscented Dr. Bronner's, but I didn't see the point of hanging on to samples anymore, so I used these this month instead.  Dr. Bronner's has a million uses, but what I use it for most often is washing my makeup brushes.
Repurchase? Yes, but I'll probably stick with the unscented one.

Nuka Candy Cane Soap
I had a different Nuka soap in my last empties post, but in case you missed it, Nuka is a local, Ontario soap company that's sold in bulk at my Whole Foods.  Candy Cane was a seasonal scent I picked up around the holidays, but I didn't end up using it until this month, since I found these soaps too drying on my hands in the winter.  Now that it's warmer, I like them and the Candy Cane scent was nice enough, if nothing especially spectacular.
Repurchase? Sure.  I have a lot of soap at the moment, but I'd at least give these soaps a browse the next time I'm at Whole Foods.

Silk Naturals Vegan Kisser Slicker in Shine
I think the Vegan Kisser Slickers, are my favorite formula of Silk Naturals lip products.  Shine doesn't seem to be available anymore, but it was their untinted one.  It gives a slight glossy look to the lips, but I bought it specifically to use as a lip balm, since the formula is very hydrating.  It worked great, but the Vegan Kisser Slickers are pretty soft to begin with, and Shine, without any pigments, is even more so - almost a jelly-like consistency - so the tube got used up really quickly.
Repurchase? Not sure.

Hurraw! Coffee Bean Lip Balm   [Review]
I like Hurraw!'s lip balms.  They sink into your lips and feel like they're really nourishing them.  Coffee Bean is a sweet coffee scent that's not so much straight up coffee beans as it is something like a Frappuccino.  I liked it, but Hurraw! has so many choices that I tend to pick a new flavour every time I buy one.
Repurchase? Yes, but probably in a different flavour.

Picture by Good for Me, Good for You

There's something so nice about supporting local companies, so when I saw Hephzibah of Good for Me, Good for You and Karen of In My Humble Opinion's #InMyBackyard posts, I knew I had to join in.  The idea is to feature companies that are local to you or "in your backyard".  

Happily, Toronto's green beauty scene has been growing by leaps and bounds recently and new lines seem to be popping up all over the place.  Obviously I can't mention them all, so I've narrowed it down to six of my favorites.
Nürish Organics

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Nürish's line was designed to provide effective skincare that enhances the body's own healing mechanisms.  Ingredients are, of course, natural and also mainly organic.  As of now, I've used four of Nürish's eight products and I can tell you they really work.  I first fell hard for Best Scrub Ever (which really is one of the best scrubs I've ever used) and Daily Glow was unbeatable through the polar vortex weather this winter (plus, check out the packed ingredients list on this baby! )

Skin Essence Organics

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Skin Essence's product line is a little more basic, but still very effective.  The standouts for me are definitely the serums - great blends, and again, the ingredients are predominantly organic.  In particular, I think I'll always have a soft spot for Nourish - which I fully credit with turning me into a face oil lover - and Facial in a Jar is one of those great, versatile products that works as both a mask and scrub.

Pretty

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My skin always responds best to simpler products, which is why I love Pretty's philosophy that "less is more" when it comes to skincare.  You won't find any mile-long ingredients lists here, but not to worry, Pretty's products still include plenty of powerful ingredients.  The Pure Radiance Day Cream continues to impress me - it's works beautifully as both a moisturizer and makeup primer - and if you're curious about powder cleansers, the Black Tea and Raw Cocoa Facial Cleansing Grains are also worth a look.

Graydon: Clinical Luxury by Nature

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Graydon focuses on creating pure, plant-based products that are just as effective and luxurious as those from a mainstream luxury brand.  The company also makes a point of sourcing organic, Canadian ingredients whenever possible.  So far, I've only tried the Face Food Mineral Mist, but The Cleanser and The Putty are firmly on my wishlist and are sure to make their way home with me one of these days.

Ella's Botanicals

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Moving into body care, Ella's has a great lineup of soaps, balms, and lotions.  I've enjoyed a lot of the line, though my tops picks would be the super gentle Skin Soother Bar and deliciously-scented Lemon Meringue Lotion.  There are also rumblings that a face line is in the works.

Pure + Simple

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Pure + Simple has their own extensive line of skincare, haircare, body care, and makeup and also has three spa locations to accommodate all your green beauty treatment needs.  I'm a fan of the Eye Brightening Cream (I did end up buying the full size after my review) and the multi-use Face Colors, which, depending on color, work equally well as blush, bronzer, and eyeshadow.

I'd love to know what companies are local to you.  If you do (or have already done) an #InMyBackyard post, feel free to link it in the comments below!

There's no getting around it: I'm pretty picky about scents.  There are a lot of times that I find myself loving everything about a product EXCEPT how it smells.  Inspired by that, plus the "Best of 2013" lists that are popping up everywhere, I want to talk about some products that I think smell amazing.  And, while the scents may be what got these products featured in today's post, the best part is that every single one of them is also fantastic beyond just how they smell!



Deep Steep Candy Mint Foot Cream
A combination of refreshing peppermint and sweet cocoa butter have this cream smelling like delicious candy canes.  It's rich but rubs in easily, so although it's marketed as a foot cream, I find it equally good on my hands.  

Ella's Botanicals Lemon Meringue Hydrating Lotion
Another dessert-y scent, Ella's Lemon Meringue Lotion blends together lemon and vanilla and smells like delicious lemon cake.  It's also completely non-greasy and moisturizes like a dream.

Young Living Stress Away
I can't imagine doing a list of smells without including some kind of essential oil.  Stress Away is a blend of vanilla, lime, copaiba, cedarwood, ocotea, and lavender that smells pretty phenomenal.  It's sweet but also a little woodsy from the cedarwood and is great for destressing and relaxation.  

Kahina Giving Beauty Facial Cleanser   [Full Review]
I've raved about this cleanser several times now, but I'm not sure I've fully expressed just how much I love the scent!  It's a hard one to describe - soft, sweet and a little floral, but also fresh and kind of herbal.  The main scent notes are neroli and blue tansy.  

Skin Essence Organics Chocolate Mandarin Hand & Body Balm
Made with cocoa butter, mandarin, and sweet orange, Skin Essence's balm smells exactly like a Terry's Chocolate Orange.  It's also intensely hydrating and great for sealing in moisture.  It can be a little greasy when you first apply it, so it's great for right before bed, when you can let it soak in and work its magic without having to immediately touch a million and one things.

Nourish Organic Almond Vanilla Body Wash   [Full Review]
Nourish's body washes are creamy and quite moisturizing and the almond vanilla scent is so yummy!  It's sweet but not sickly and makes me feel like I'm washing myself with cake batter.

KYI Lavender Chamomile Sweet Almond Softening Oil   [Full Review]
KYI's Softening Oils are fantastic body oils and the lavender chamomile scent is hard to top.  I mostly smell chamomile, with just a hint of lavender.  It's soft, relaxing and soothing - especially perfect at night.

Lina Hanson Global Body Serum   [Full Review]
Another citrus and vanilla scent - although this time it's yuzu, grapefruit, and vanilla - Lina's Global Body Serum smells like the grown up version of Ella's lotion. It's still decadent, but less of a foodie scent.  The serum is also packed with oils that heal and nourish the skin and is one of the quickest absorbing body oils I've used, making it a great time saver too!

Weleda Sea Buckthorn
I've mentioned multiple times how much I adore Weleda's Sea Buckthorn products.  The scent is bright, fresh and citrusy, and always reminds me of The Body Shop's Satsuma, which I loved as a teen.  (Keep in mind that I haven't actually smelled Satsuma in years, so I could be completely wrong about the resemblance.)  I like the whole line, but my top picks are the body wash and hand cream.  


Somewhat ironically, compiling this list ended up being kind of eyeopening for me.  Before this, if you were to ask me what kinds of scents I gravitate towards, I'd have been quick to identify fresh, citrusy, or minty ones.  So, it surprised me how many of my favorite smells are pretty sweet.  Nothing too sugary or candy-like, but sweet nonetheless.  Funny how that turned out!

What kinds of scents do you enjoy most?  Any standouts?




Contains affiliate links

With Christmas less than a week away, I'm sure I'm not the only one still scrambling to find gifts for the last couple people on my list.  With that in mind, I put together a small grouping of green beauty picks for fellow last minute gift hunters.  Given the limited time frame, I've only included things that should be pretty easy to track down...



1. Konjac Sponges
These little sponges make washing your face fun!  The ones I'm currently using are by Dr. Sponge, who makes several different options, so there's bound to be one to suit almost any recipient.  I will say, if you're in Toronto, apparently konjac sponges have yet to fully hit.  I called multiple stores last week and most people that I spoke to hadn't even heard of them before!

2. Lippy Girl Vegocentric Lipstick
If you're buying for a beauty lover, you really can't go wrong with lipstick!  Lippy Girl's are vegan and organic and come in a great range of colors.

3. Weleda Hand Cream Gift Sets
Weleda is pretty widely available and their hand creams are some of the best.  Plus, these gift sets are just too cute!  Choose between cult favorite Skin Food (amazing for those extra dry spots) or Pomegranate or Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream.  The sets also include a mini body lotion and a $2 off coupon, good on your next purchase of Weleda body care.

4. Skin Essence Organics Serums
I really think there's nothing better than face oils for keeping skin hydrated through the winter months and Skin Essence makes some lovely blends.  Super effective and at a price point that won't break the bank, these serums would make an excellent gift for any skincare lover on your list!

5. Nourish Organic Body Wash
I picked up Nourish's body wash in a couple new-to-me scents during their Black Friday sale and it's really rekindled my love of the brand.  These USDA certified body washes are luxurious and creamy and are something I keep coming back to.  (They also do matching body lotions and butters if you feel so inclined.)

6. rareEarth Candles
I'm generally not a big candle person, but rareEarth's are pretty stunning.  Not only are they made with a blend of GMO-free plant and beeswaxes and scented using only essential oils, they're also colored by hand with only mineral pigments.  I found them at my Whole Foods, but they're also available online.

7. Local Handmade Soap
There's something really lovely about using old-fashioned handmade soap, particularly when you can find some that's made locally.  Ground Soap (pictured above) is a great choice if you're in Ontario!  

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?
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I've always liked face masks, but it isn't until the last couple months that I've gotten into the habit of consistently incorporating them into my skincare routine.  Now I'm a bit obsessed!  Masks are a great way to maintain your skin and when you find a good match, the results can be pretty astonishing.  A fairly new addition to my mask rotation is Skin Essence Organic's Facial in a Jar, which is a unique combination of marshmallow root, jasmine flowers, green tea extract, corn meal and kaolin clay that simultaneously deep cleans the pores and nourishes the skin.

It's a dry powder that, with the addition of water, transforms into a slightly gelatinous, gritty paste.  You then have the choice to either use it as a face scrub, or leave it on as a mask and reap the full benefits of all the powerful ingredients.  I generally leave it on for about 10 minutes and then do a gentle exfoliation as I wash it off.   While it's on, the mask feels very cooling (lovely during the summer months!) and after I wash it off, my skin is left feeling refreshed and incredibly soft.  Marshmallow root and allantoin are known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, and Facial in a Jar is also good for taking down redness and soothing mild skin irritations.  

I think it would be a great mask for drier and more sensitive skin types, as while it effectively draws dirt and oil out of your pores, it's much gentler than a straight clay mask.  It also provides a dose of antioxidants, vitamins and  minerals from the other ingredients.  The corn meal is decently gritty though, so those with more sensitive skin will likely want to be careful not to over-exfoliate when removing the mask.  

I will say that I'm not crazy about how Facial in a Jar smells.  If I had to describe the scent, I'd say it smells herbal and sort of doughy...almost yeasty.  It's not terrible, just not especially appealing to me as is, so I happily cover up the smell by mixing in a couple drops of either an essential oil or Skin Essence's Nourish serum.  I also like to mix in some extra clay to up the intensity of the mask and make sure every last bit of gunk is sucked out of my pores. 

Facial in a Jar, dry

Facial in a Jar, mixed with water

The Bottom Line
Facial in a Jar is a great option for anyone looking for a soothing, nourishing mask that also exfoliates and deep cleans your pores.  I love how gentle it is and also how incredibly easy it is to customize the mask to suit how my skin feels on a given day!

What are your favorite face masks?

Where to Buy: $34.99 from Skin Essence Organics (100 ml.)  There is also a smaller, 50 ml size, but it doesn't seem to be available on the Skin Essence website.

Ingredients: Marshmallow Root Powder*, Jasmine Flowers*, Oats*, Green Tea Extract*, Corn Meal*, White Kaolin Clay*, Stevia Leaf Powder*, Allantoin 
*Certified Organic

Disclosure: I received this product for free, but I was under no obligation to write about it.