Naturalla Beauty

I've already written about how much I love Bare Minerals' Bavarian Cream Lipcolor and it's still one of my favourite lipsticks.  I recently picked up another shade, on Ebay of all places.  I've never purchased cosmetics on Ebay before (or since, for that matter), but as long as you're buying new products from reputable sellers, I don't see any problem with it.  You can certainly find some good deals!  These lipsticks retail for $15 ($19 here in Canada) and I managed to get this one, brand new and sealed, for only $4!


Product Description
Some things are just naturally decadent — like our creamy, long-lasting lipcolors, which are made from only the best all-natural ingredients. That means no artificial dyes, preservatives or irritants whatsoever. Instead, our nourishing blend combines pure bareMinerals, exotic oils, natural waxes and conditioning plant extracts. Think of it as healthy nutrition for your lips.

Ingredients
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Barium Sulfate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Silica, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Carmine (CI 75470)

My Thoughts 
In terms of formula and how this feels on the lips, it's very comparable to Bavarian Cream.  It's smooth, slightly waxy, and highly pigmented.  It doesn't dry out your lips and the colour also lasts a long time.  The main difference between the two is that while Bavarian Cream has a creamy/satin finish, Bellini is more of a frost.  It's not so frosty as to be unwearable, but the shimmer is definitely visible.  I also find that Bellini settles into my lip lines a lot more than Bavarian Cream and generally looks heavier on my lips too. I don't know if this is indicative of all the frosts in the line or if it's just Bellini, but there you have it!

FOTD

  

 Face
> Honeybee Gardens Pressed Mineral Foundation in Geisha
> Silk Naturals Sleep in a Jar in Light Peach

Eyes
> Detrivore Cosmetics Eye Shadow Primer
> Shiro Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Baker's Boy
> Madd Style Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Secret Sinner
> Zuzu Luxe Mascara in Onyx 

Lips
> Bare Minerals 100% Natural Lipcolor in Bellini
  
Similar Shades
For an extra treat, I've got an embarassing confession for you.  Apparently peachy/pinks are shades I feel the need to purchase repeatedly.  Turns out, I already had several other lip products that are similar to Bellini, and to make matters worse, these aren't even shades I reach for all that often!

(L to R) Bare Minerals Bellini, Honeybee Gardens Innocent Lip Gloss, Zuzu Luxe Sazerac Lipstick, Silk Naturals Berry Crush Kisser Slicker

See what I mean?  Sure, none of them are exact dupes of one another and Bellini is darker and more opaque than the other three, but on the lips, they're all pretty alike.  Yikes!  On the bright side, now that I know, at least I can stop buying such similar colours!

The Bottom Line
In future, I think I'll stick to the less shimmery colours in this line, but that's just a personal colour preference.  I love that a big brand, mainstream company like Bare Minerals is making healthy lipstick without any chemical dyes, and while they aren't the cheapest lipsticks out there, the quality is good and they're pretty readily available.  Assuming you find a colour you like, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. 

Now I'm curious, are any of you guilty of buying duplicate colours or am I the only one? 

In my 10+ years of removing hair, I've always been mainly a shaver.  I've dabbled with wax strips, but I'd never used hot wax before.  So, when I was recently given the chance to try out BodyHonee's at home wax kit, I was excited, if a little nervous.  There was a little trial and error involved, but all things considered, I think it went really well!  

The main thing that sets BodyHonee apart from other waxes is it's ingredients.  Traditional waxes often contain mineral oil and a host of other chemicals, but BodyHonee has only three simple ingredients: sugar, lemon, and salt.  


Product Description
BodyHonee is an all natural hair removal wax that provides salon style results that are perfect for both men and women.  Our product has been formulated with only 3 natural ingredients to leave your skin looking and feeling silky smooth and beautiful, without any harmful chemicals.  BodyHonee removes hair down to the roots, leaving your skin silky smooth and free of regrowth for up to 8-12 weeks.  New hair growth will also appear thinner than ever before.

Price
$14.99 for Hair Removal Kit (8.8 oz/250 grams wax, 10 9x3" waxing strips, 2 wooden spatulas)



Instructions
1. Place uncovered jar in water filled pan or electric warmer.  Heat until wax softens to a honey like consistency (about 30 seconds in microwave)
2.Using spatula, slowly apply a very thin layer to clean, dry skin in the direction of hair growth.  If the skin is moist, apply a thin layer of talcum powder.
3. Immediately place strip over wax.  Using the palm of your hand, firmly smooth over the strip 3-4 times in direction of hair growth.  
4. Holding skin taut with one hand, quickly pull off cloth with the other hand in the opposite direction of hair growth, as parallel to the skin as possible.
5. Wipe clean with water.




My Thoughts
Funny as it's going to sound, the most difficult part of the whole process was actually heating up the wax.  I don't have a microwave and I was a little concerned about accidentally melting the jar, so I first tried to warm it up by sitting the jar in a bowl of hot tap water.  This method kind of worked - it didn't melt all the wax, but it melted the outside edges enough that they were useable.  That said, if, like me, you don't have a microwave or an electric warmer, I'd recommend using a kind of double boiler method instead.  By sitting the container of wax in a bowl over a pot of simmering water, you can heat the entire jar through, which, as you might expect, makes the product that much easier to work with!

Once the wax was warmed up, the actual hair removal was very easy.  I followed the instructions, as above, although I used a cornstarch-based powder instead of the recommended talcum.  The wax worked perfectly on leg hair and I didn't have to go over any areas.  I was slightly less successful on my underarms and did need to go over them a few times, but I think that was only because my hair there was a bit too short for the wax to properly grip. 

Cleanup was incredibly easy.  When I've used traditional waxes, they tend to require even more chemicals to remove any wax that may be stuck to your skin, but BodyHonee is water soluble, so it can be wiped away with just water.  As an added bonus, the cloth strips are also reusable.  After I was finished, I just rinsed them off, left them to dry, and they were good as new.

In terms of pain, I think some pain or discomfort is to be expected, since you are ripping hair out at the root, but it wasn't unbearable and it didn't last.  I also didn't experience any irritation from the process.  My skin was a little red immediately after waxing, but nothing that lasted longer than twenty or so minutes.  
 
The Bottom Line
If you're considering waxing at home, I would definitely recommend BodyHonee.  The ingredients can't be beat and it's easy to use, even if, like me, you're new to hot wax.  It's also very cost effective - not only do you get a ton of wax, but the cloth strips are reusable too!


Disclaimer: Product provided for my honest review.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review in return for free product, nor was I compensated for this post.  All opinions are my own.

I've already written about how much I love using straight argan oil on my hair, and now I want to talk about a new shampoo I've been trying out.  Acure Organics started out making skincare products, but they've quickly branched out into body and haircare as well.  What remains consistent across all their lines is fantastic ingredients and affordable pricing.  A few months ago, I won $50 to spend at iherb, courtesy of the extremely generous Vivi of Eco Beauty Secrets, and Acure's shampoo and conditioner was the first thing I knew I wanted to choose!  I decided on the Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Moisture Repairing shampoo and conditioner, since they are recommended for dry, damaged, and curly hair.
 

Product Description
Provides lasting moisture to even the most dry and damaged hair leaving it soft, manageable and ready to rock. Organic Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cells, CoQ10, and Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil--high in Omega 7, make up our patent-pending Triple Moisture System. Pumpkin Seed Oil --high in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, adds shine. Hair repair with serious flair. Safe for color treated hair.   Locks in moisture, repairs damage, strengthens follicles, and vacuums your house. Okay, maybe it doesn’t vacuum your house. But it does repair your hair!  

Ingredients
Shampoo: Organic Euterpe oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Rooibos, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate (from Coconut), 100% Naturally-derived Betaine (from Sugar Beets), Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (from Coconut + Amino Acids), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate (from Coconut + Amino Acids), Cocoglucosides Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Sugar Conditioner), Sodium Levulinate (from Corn), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Guar gum conditioner), Potassium Sorbate (food grade preservative), Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Organic Fair-Trade Certified™ Olea Europea (Olive) Oil, D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (vitamin E), Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) seed oil, Organic Curcubita pepo (Pumpkin) seed oil, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Argania spinosa (Argan) Stem Cells,  glycerophosphoinositol lysine (from sunflower), Almond Extract, Cinnamomum aromaticum (Cassia Bark) Oil 

Conditioner: Organic Euterpe oleracea (Acai) Berry, Organic Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry), Organic Rosa canina (Rosehips), Organic Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Rooibos, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearylkonium Chloride, Vegetable Glycerin, Glucono Delta Lactone (fermented sugar), Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside (from corn and glucose), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (guar gum conditioner), Glyceryl Stearate (vegetable-derived), L-Arginine (amino acid), Organic Fair Trade Certified™ Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Sorbitan Olivate (from olives + sugar), Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Cellulose (plant derived), D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (vitamin. E), Lactic Acid (vegetable derived),  Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) seed oil, Organic Curcubita pepo (Pumpkin) seed oil, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Argania spinosa (Argan) Stem Cells,  glycerophosphoinositol lysine (from sunflower), Prunus dulcis (Almond) Extract, Cinnamomum aromaticum (Cassia Bark) Oil

Price
$10.99 for 12 ounces from Acure Organics.   $9.49 from iherb. 

My Thoughts
I really like this shampoo and conditioner.  The shampoo lathers up very well and the conditioner is rich and creamy.  They both rinse out easily and don't leave any residue or buildup on my scalp.  And, they certainly live up to Acure's promise of being moisturizing!  In fact, I find them just a little too heavy to use every single time I wash my hair.  My hair looks fantastic for the first two or three consecutive washes, but on continued use, it starts getting weighed down.  Instead, I've been mixing it up with my old standby, Organic Excellence.  Rotating between the two leaves my hair soft and shiny and gives it the perfect amount of moisture without overdoing things.

My one initial concern about these products was how they were going to smell.  I chose the Argan + Argan Stem Cell based on hair type, since it's recommended for curly hair.  It's scented mainly with almond extract and almond scents don't tend to be favorites of mine.  That said, the smell is fine.  I wouldn't say I love it, but it's not offensive and it's also not incredibly strong.  I can smell it while my hair is still wet, but once it dries, the smell is pretty much gone. 

The Bottom Line
I would recommend both these products, especially if you have dry or damaged hair.  Even if you don't, I think they'd work well as occasional, treatment-type products.  Next time, I think I'll try their Lemongrass line, which is recommended for all hair types, as I'm curious if I could use that one more regularly with better results.  Either way, I can definitely see myself keeping Acure's shampoo and conditioner in my shower for a long time to come!

ETA: Please check out my updated review on these after longer use too.

A few months ago I was lucky enough to win Honeybee Garden's Pressed Mineral Foundation from the lovely Britanie of Beauty By Britanie.  Before that, I'd called off the great foundation hunt about a year ago after discovering Lucy Minerals Lucy Light Foundation.  Don't get me wrong, I still love my Lucy Minerals, but I'm excited to have found another great foundation to add to the mix!




Product Description
- Talc free, paraben free, fragrance free, oil free
- Evens out skin tone leaving a natural, silky finish
- with soothing vitamin E and gentle botanical extracts to calm skin
- adjustable even coverage; never heavy or cakey
- can be worn over foundation or directly on bare skin for a radiant finish
- refines complexion and reduces shine
- use with our eco-friendly compact and help save the planet
- use with cotton puff or kabuki brush to customize your finish

Ingredients
Mica, Kaolin, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Magnesium Carbonate, Zinc Stearate, Boron Nitride, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499)

Price
$9.99 for the powder, $11.99 for the compact/puff.  Less on discount sites like iherb and Vitacost.

My Thoughts
I already love Honeybee Gardens' lipsticks (reviewed here and here) and they haven't let me down with this powder either!  Like the company claims, it's very buildable.  I've been applying it with a flat top kabuki, which gives a nice medium coverage.  It does a fantastic job evening out skintone and leaves my face matte, but with the slightest glow.  You can also build it up more with a second layer or go for lighter coverage with a fluffier brush.  However you choose, it's very natural looking and looks like your skin, only better.  It doesn't feel heavy on my face and it doesn't look at all cakey or powdery.  In terms of shine, I would mention that it doesn't keep me shine free all day long.  Nothing that can't be fixed with a quick blot and touch up, but around the six or seven hour mark, I can see some shine start to peek through on my forehead and nose. 

Recently, all I've been wearing day-to-day is this powder and a little concealer.  Without the need for extended buffing, it's that little bit quicker to apply than a loose mineral foundation and it's also a lot easier to bring along for touch ups.  Do keep in mind that, unlike most pressed powders, it doesn't contain any silicones, so it's a little more delicate.  Mine arrived with the edges slightly crumbled, presumably from being knocked around in the mail, but I haven't noticed it breaking or crumbling any more from regular use.

Honeybee Gardens only makes five shades and I opted for Geisha, the lightest, which is a great match for my skin.  Unfortunately the small shade range means there are no dark shades or extremely light ones.  This is a great product and I really hope Honeybee Gardens will expand the colour range so more people can enjoy it!

The Bottom Line
I've already made a visible dip in my compact and I definitely see myself repurchasing this powder when I run out.  I love how natural it looks and how quick and easy it is to apply.  It's a versatile product that can be worn by itself, as foundation, or used as a finishing powder over another foundation.  I'm also a fan of the packaging, where you just buy the compact once and then you repurchase only the foundation - making an already affordable product even less costly and better for the environment too! 

I'm back today with my fall empties.  I'm liking this new way of spacing these posts, since I really don't accumulate enough empties to do a post every month.  My last empties post was back in September and here's what I've finished up since:


Earth Mama Angel Baby Ginger Grapefruit Hand and Body Wash
I was pretty lukewarm on this in my initial review, but it grew on me.  The smell was still not a favourite, but I ended up liking the actual body wash formula.  I'd consider repurchasing it in another scent.

Young Living Lavender Hand & Body Lotion
Great lotion.  It smells pretty much like straight lavender oil, so if that's a scent you enjoy, you'll love it.  Thick and moisturizing, a little really does go a long way.  This bottle lasted me ages!  If you use too much, it can be a bit difficult to rub in.

Young Living Valor Bar Soap
Although technically a hand or body soap, this is what I use to wash my face every morning and night.  I was getting cystic acne breakouts a few years ago and this, along with a couple other products, helped clear up my face.  I already have a new one and will continue to repurchase it as needed. 

Bubble & Bee Organic Face Cream (sample)
This cream was a little too rich for my face and it didn't absorb as quickly as I would have liked, but I did find a couple alternate uses for it.  It's great as a cuticle cream and I also enjoyed using it on any extra dry areas, like my elbows or the bottoms of my feet.  And, if that wasn't enough, it makes a great lip moisturizer too! 

Cheeky Cosmetics Sugar 'n' Spice Lip Gloss (sample)
I got this as a free sample in one of my orders, although I do have a couple other colours of these glosses in full size too.  I really like them - they're moisturizing, fairly opaque, and the complete opposite of sticky.  Sugar 'n' Spice is a beautiful shimmery bronzey pink.  It's actually the exact kind of lip colour I usually avoid, both because of the browny/bronzey tones and the potential for frostiness, but somehow it works anyways.  I rediscovered the sample in November and wore it pretty much every day until it was used up.  I'm tempted to order the full size since I have nothing else like it in my collection, but I'm holding off for the time being.

Zuzu Luxe Onyx Mascara
I've raved about this mascara so many times!  For more info, I'll just refer you to either my summer empties post or my initial review.

Silk Naturals Gleaming Vegan Kisser Slicker
It's no secret that I love Silk Naturals' lip products and I think the Vegan Kisser Slicker formula is my new favorite.  It's super hydrating, feels great on the lips, and has a yummy, genuine vanilla scent.  Gleaming is a sheer gold sparkle, without a lot of actual colour, so it looks fantastic layered on top of other lip colours.  That said, I used this up mainly wearing it at home, in place of a lip balm.   I'm definitely going to have to order some clear, untinted ones for that very purpose.


And that's that!  What have you used up over the past few months?