Naturalla Beauty

In addition to the Hydrating Cream Cleanser, I've also been trying out Amala's Brightening Toning Essence over the last several weeks.  Toner is often an underrated step, but it's one that I've found can make a big difference to your skin.  Formulated with narcissus, algae extract from Norwegian kelp, and seven alpine herbs, Amala's toner is packed with active ingredients to balance the skin's pH and refresh and revive dull skin, while simultaneously improving and brightening uneven skin tone.  Narcissus and algae extract have been shown to slow down melanin production, helping to prevent future dark spots, while the seven alpine herbs (mallow, peppermint, cowslip, lady's mantle, veronica, yarrow, and melissa) work together to diminish the appearance of any dark spots or discoloration that you may already have.  

The toning essence comes in a pretty glass spray bottle, giving you the option to either spray it onto a cotton pad or directly onto your face.  It has a subtle scent of rosewater, but it's light enough that, even with my usual aversion towards florals, I'm not bothered in the slightest.  With glycerin as the second ingredient,  I was initially concerned my face would be left feeling sticky, but that isn't the case at all.  The toner is very light in texture and leaves my skin feeling refreshed, smooth, and ready for the next step in my routine.  

The brightening effect is immediate and my skin is visibly more radiant throughout the day.  I have a few dark spots left over from old acne breakouts and I've also noticed they are slightly lighter since incorporating the toner into my routine.  I imagine you could further boost its efficacy, in this regard, by using it in combination with other products from Amala's Brightening line. The Intensive Brightening Mask, Advanced Brightening Emulsion and Brightening Corrective Concentrate all use similar herbs and active ingredients, in what I would expect to be more concentrated formulations.  

Where to Buy: $56 from Spirit Beauty Lounge/Amala

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Water*, Zinc PCA, Alcohol*, Narcissus Tazetta Extract*, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum (Brown Alga) Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract*, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract*, Primula Veris (Cowslip) Extract*, Alchemilla Vulgaris (Lady's Mantle) Extract*, Veronica Officinalis (Heath Speedwell) Extract*, Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) Leaf Extract*, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract*, Hydrolyzed Wheat Flour, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract*,  Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ribes Rubrum (Currant) Juice*, Buddleja Davidii (Summer Lilac) Extract*, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract*, Xanthan Gum, Fragrance (Parfum), Rosa Damascena Flower Oil*, Helichrysum Italicum Extract*, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool   (*Ingredient Produced By Organic Farming)


Disclosure: Product provided for 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.  Post contains affiliate links.

Sometime in the last couple of years, my skin has gone from being more normal to oily to normal to dry.  It's a change I can embrace fully when it comes to not getting shiny throughout the day, but it has also meant adapting to a different cleansing routine.  Soaps and foaming cleansers that once left my skin feeling fine, now often leave my face feeling overly tight and dry.  I've definitely gained a greater appreciation for gentle, creamy cleansers!

Enter Amala's Hydrating Cream Cleanser from stage right...
  

Amala is a German skincare company that's been on my radar for quite a while.  The entire line is certified organic by NATRUE and the company prides itself on cutting no corners when it comes to the quality and purity of ingredients.  This focus definitely comes through with the Hydrating Cream Cleanser.

Amala's Hydrating collection is intended to replenish and sustain skin's moisture levels.  The entire line is rich in jasmine, renowned for its nourishing, smoothing and antioxidant benefits and the cleanser also contains white clay and papaya, which gently exfoliate to remove impurities and dead skin cells, whilst the jasmine and other ingredients hydrate and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier.

The cleanser has a rich, lotion-like texture and does not foam at all.  Instead, it glides across your face, gentling removing any dirt or face makeup.  It's a little less effective on mascara and eye liner, though it can be done if you don't mind a little extra rubbing around the eyes.  Personally, I prefer to pre-cleanse with an oil to remove any makeup, and follow with Amala's cleanser to deep clean my skin.




After rinsing the cleanser off, my face is left feeling smooth, soft, and hydrated.  My skin never feels irritated and I've experienced much less dryness heading into winter than in previous years.  In fact, smell is the only area where this product falls short for me.  Jasmine is not a favorite scent of mine and at times the cleanser smells overly sweet and cloying.  It's not enough to prevent me from using it and enjoying all the other benefits the cleanser has to offer, but it would likely deter me from repurchasing in the future.  

The Bottom Line
Amala's Hydrating Cream Cleanser is excellent for dry or sensitive skin, and I think it would also be great for almost anyone during the colder autumn/winter months.  Plus, if you're a jasmine lover, I really don't think you can go wrong here!  

In terms of price, Amala is definitely a luxury brand, but the ingredients and quality speak for themselves.  In fact, once you factor in the amount of product you receive, the price point is not unreasonable. $70 is a lot to spend on a cleanser, no doubt, but the cost-per-ounce of the larger, 8.1 ounce bottle, is only slightly higher than that of my previous favorite cleanser, Weleda's Soothing Almond Cleansing Lotion.  It will also last you quite a long time!  If you've got the money and enjoy high quality skincare, Amala is definitely a brand worth looking into.

Where to Buy: $48 from Spirit Beauty Lounge, $48/$70 from Amala

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Kaolin, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract*, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Water*, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Xanthan Gum, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Magnesium Stearate, Tocopherol, Silver Sulfate, Fragrance (Parfum)+, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil*, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Bud Oil*, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract*, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Extract*, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract*, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract*, Alcohol*, Eugenol+, Limonene+, Linalool+ *Ingredient produced by organic farming




Disclosure: Product provided for 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.  Post contains affiliate links.

I think I've finally come to accept that no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to finish more than six or eight items in a given month.  Not sure how some of you do it!  October's empties are mainly items I've repurchased (which doesn't help the current size of my skincare stash), but I'm happy to get through these all the same! 



Sukin Revitalizing Facial Scrub   [Review]
There are so many things I loved about this scrub - the price point, the smell, how gently it exfoliates - but the phenoxyethanol in it is a dealbreaker for me.  As preservatives go, I don't think phenoxyethanol is the worst out there, but it's one I generally avoid (I made a rare exception this time for the scrub!)
Repurchase? No, not unless Sukin reformulates without the phenoxyethanol.

Young Living Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil
Most of you probably already know how great eucalyptus is for respiratory problems, but it also has a whole host of other uses.  I don't get a lot of pimples anymore, but when I do, this is what I use, in combination with frankincense essential oil.  As spot treatments go, it's a little untraditional, but the duo works very well at reducing redness and taking down any blemishes. 
Repurchase? Absolutely.

Humphrey's Witch Hazel Astringent   [Review]
I've gone through several bottles of Humphrey's witch hazel making my DIY Witch Hazel and Glycerin Toner and it's still my witch hazel of choice, since it works well and is super affordable.  The astringent does contain alcohol (only a small percentage), but it has no preservatives.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Pure + Simple Eye Brightening Cream (sample)   [Review]
This is a fabulous eye cream that's both gentle and amazingly effective on any darkness around and under the eyes.  Sadly, it works less well on puffiness.  When I wrote my initial review, I wasn't planning to buy the full size, but I did end up picking it up a few weeks after my sample ran out.  It really is the best I've found for dark circles, and I've had decent results on the puffiness front by managing other factors (stress, sleep, allergies, etc.)  
Repurchase? Yes.

Acure Moroccan Argan + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo   [Review]
I've talked about this shampoo many times before, so I won't say too much.  It's the best I've found for my curly hair and used with the matching conditioner, it get my hair clean and moisturizes it just enough, without leaving it feeling heavy or weighed down.  
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Intelligent Nutrients Organic Styling Gel   [Review]
I'm pretty low-maintenance when it comes to hair styling, but I like to use some kind of product to minimize frizz and help define my curls.  I go back and forth between Intelligent Nutrients' gel and Yarok's Feed Your Roots, but the gel has been getting more love recently.  It has a little more hold (still without being crunchy) and worked very well during the warmer months.  Ideally I'd like to find something a little less expensive, since I feel like I went through this pretty quickly, but I've purchased another travel size for the time being.
Repurchase? Yes, I already have.

Earthpaste Cinnamon Toothpaste   [Review]
Another repeat purchase!  I've been using Earthpaste for almost a year now and I'm still loving it.  The cinnamon leaves your breath a little less fresh than the peppermint or wintergreen flavors, but it still works just as well in every other way.
Repurchase? Yes, but probably not in this flavor.

And that's all for October!  We'll have to see how things go in November, but I will say that I'm already working hard to finish up a couple specific products.  What did you use up last month?  

It's no secret that I've become slightly obsessed with face masks recently.  There's just something lovely and luxurious about taking the time to pamper, treat, and nourish your skin, and any awesome skin results that come afterwards are just icing on the cake!  Clay masks are some of my favorites, but if left on too long, they can sometimes leave my face feeling tight, stripped, or sensitive.  Which is why I'm so happy to have discovered EvanHealy's French Rose Clay.  A simple blend of pink kaolin and Moroccan rhassoul clays, it's remarkably effective but also very gentle and never leaves my skin in any distress.

The powdered clay is extremely soft and velvety.  It's more finely milled than most clays I've encountered, which produces a slightly thinner consistency of mask.  I usually like to mix in a couple drops each of jojoba and frankincense oils, and then just enough water to hold it all together.  The mask feels cool and refreshing as you apply it and it's amazing at sucking all the gunk and oil out of your pores.  In fact, one of the gross-but-awesome things about EvanHealy's mask is that you can actually see the stuff that is being pulled out of your pores as the clay absorbs it, so there's no question as to whether or not it's doing something.

After washing the mask off, my skin feels soft, clean, and refreshed.  My pores look clear, any blackheads are gone, and I don't experience any redness or dry skin.  I still follow up with an oil and/or moisturizer, but that's as a regular part of my routine, not because I'm feeling a desperate need to infuse as much moisture back into my skin as possible.

The Bottom Line
If you're looking for an effective clay mask that's suitable for all skin types (even sensitive!), I don't think you can do any better than EvanHealy's French Rose Clay.  It's excellent at decongesting the skin and great for keeping pores clean and skin looking vibrant.  Even my Mom - who is usually pretty low maintenance with her skincare - is a recent convert.  The results speak for themselves and she's a fan now too!

Where to Buy: $21.95 from EvanHealy

What are your favorite masks?

A couple weeks ago, Wantable reached out to me and asked if I'd be interested in reviewing their makeup box.  In case you aren't familiar, Wantable is one of the many subscription box services that have popped up in the last few years, but unlike most of its counterparts, Wantable boxes include full-size products instead of just samples.  

There are three box choices - makeup, accessories (jewelry), and intimates (socks, lingerie, etc.)  A subscription will run you $36 per month, or you can buy a single box for $40.  Once you choose your box, you fill out a quiz with your loves, likes and dislikes.  The makeup quiz is pretty thorough and goes through both your product and color preferences.  Wantable guarantees that you'll never receive something you've marked as a dislike.  

Before I go any further, I just want to make it perfectly clear that Wantable is a mainstream subscription service and makes no claims of being natural or green.  I was curious if it would be possible to tailor a box to the more green or naturally inclined consumer, so when I filled out my quiz, I tried to skew the results towards beauty tools (makeup brushes, etc.), nail polish, and loose powder products, figuring that those would be the things I'd have the best chance of actually using.  

Here's what I received in my box:



The two Japonesque brushes are lovely and very soft.  Everything else in the box, however, will be getting passed on to someone else, since, based on ingredients alone, these are not items I will use.  

So, can you successfully customize or tailor a box?  Somewhat.  When filling out Wantable's quiz, I marked tools as a "love" and I received two brushes in my box.  That said, the description of the October box specifically highlights Pomegranate Nail Lacquer, which I didn't receive, even though nail polish was the only other item I marked as a love when filling out the Wantable quiz.  I think it's safe to say that the quiz does have some effect on what you receive, but it isn't the be all and end all.    

Overall, I think Wantable's Makeup Box is great value, just not so much so for someone like me with specific ingredient preferences.  My box was worth $91.50, much more than the $36 cost, and if the ingredients had been okay, I think I would have enjoyed trying all the products.   As it stands, I'm very happy to have the two brushes.  Brushes aren't something I usually invest much money in, so these Japoneque ones are a nice treat!




What do you think of subscription boxes?  Have you tried Wantable? 




Disclosure: Box provided for 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.