The Green Product Junkie: August 2012

The always green & gorgeous Figwittage suggested that I write a blog on my daily green skincare routine. Being that I love nothing more than to yap about green products, I'm excited to do so and hope she'll let me in on her routine, as well...I'm a sucker to hear about a new product that I've never tried before.

Please note: my routine might seem a little excessive and nuts to some of you, but you have to understand that this is my "thing." I've always loved skincare and makeup, but when I got into the green thing...well, things just got a lot more fun and made a lot more sense. Having a medicine cabinet filled with elixirs is heaven to me.

THE MORNING SKINCARE:

Wake up, grab my Preserve Toothbrush made from recycled yogurt cups and brush with my Eco-Dent Tooth Powder.

Since I don't wash my face in the morning (to keep my natural face oils) I go straight to spraying either my Kahina Toner or Sanre Rosy Fresh Toner on my face. *

I then apply Kahina Argan Oil (best stuff on Earth) and apply that all over my face. If you haven't tried this oil, I suggest you do so right away. I've got everyone I know hooked on it.

I wait for that to absorb into the skin and apply my DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30.

Then I'll grab for my eye cream. I'm loving Naturopathica's Vitamin K Brightening Eye Serum.

*Sometimes I'll do a mask in the morning. I have several favorites, but it's usually either a FAGE yogurt mask (just get the one with the most fat and apply) or the Pangea Japanese Matcha Tea Mask.

THE EVENING SKINCARE:

Grab my SW Basics Cleanser (only 3 ingredients...and AWESOME). If my skin is acting up, I'll follow up with my SW Basics Toner. Honestly, though, my skin rarely acts up since I began using organic/natural products a few years ago.

Rinse off the cleanser, grab one of my toners and apply my Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Fruit & Seed Blend Oil or my Kahina Argan Oil. I usually like to alternate these oils at night.

At night I like a heavier eye cream so I use Holly Beth's Natural Luxury Eye Cream.

Body Moisturizers: Post-shower, I will often apply my Patyka Precious Woods Body Oil or my Acure Organics Mandarin Orange & Mango Body Cream if I'm in a rush. Oh, and before applying these, I spray myself head to toe with Solar Recover's Save Your Skin. It's basically just a bunch of hydrating essential oils that help spread the oils and/or body cream. I love it!

THE MAKEUP ROUTINE

Naturally, this varies. If I'm going to the beach, I'm not doing all of this. If I'm going to be performing on stage, I do more of this. This routine is probably my day to day one, give or take a step and I vacillate between pinks and/or coral-pinks. I'm fair with blue eyes, so I know what works and what doesn't

For primer, I'm putting on my Vapour Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector. I then take my Eco-Tools foundation brush and apply my W3ll People Narcissist Foundation - a definite favorite. I don't apply a lot, just down the center of my face and spread outwards. I love it.

I use Couleur Caramel mascara on the top lashes, Zuzu mascara on the bottom (it doesn't smudge at all and is pretty light...using it on the top doesn't give me enough oomph!

My eyeliner of choice is Dr. Hauschka's Eyeliner Duo 04 in Plum/White. I don't really use the white ever, but the plum is gorgeous when you smudge. The shadow I usually use is Lunar from RMS Beauty or Cloud Nine from Kjaer Weis.

My blush these days has been either Revolution Organics in Blushed or RMS Beauty Lip 2 Cheek in Smile.

For lips? Well, I'm obsessed with lipsticks and glosses so it's ever-changing. My staples would be RMS Beauty in Sublime, Jane Iredale's Forever Pink Lip Stain, Ilia Beauty's Shell Shocked (a very strange and retro pinkish coral that I wasn't sure about in the beginning, but coupled with Smile blush from RMS...GORG!) and many others. I generally reach for the pink, though.

No matter what, I'm using my RMS Beauty Living Luminizer on my cheeks, little down the center of the nose and a little in the corner of the inside eye...beautiful!

Oh, there's so much more, but I don't want anyone sending me for a straight jacket fitting.

THE ORGANIC SHAVING GEL

I'm a huge fan of peppermint and love nothing more than smelling it in my shower. Enter Dr. Bronner's Shave Gel and Classic Liquid Soap.

I'm not sure what you're using to shave, but I have to tell you that nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to be more natural, work better and smell better than their shave gel. It's a little daunting when it comes out of the container because it's dark brown, but you know what? I'm not really 'buying' stuff that's hot pink or lime green, either. This just makes more sense. It's organic and has amazing ingredients, so the fact that it's brown makes A LOT of sense.

This gel leaves your skin so soft, it's so easy to lather and it smells so delicious. Oh, and if you're not a peppermint fan, no worries, it also comes in Peppermint, Tea Tree, Lavender, Lemongrass Lime and Unscented. $8.99

THE CLASSIC LIQUID SOAP

Another item I adore from Dr. Bronner (everything is excellent, mind you) is their Classic Liquid Soap.

The ingredients are so natural and it hydrates, cleans and has so many uses. Again, I'm a fan of the peppermint...I love that tingly feeling it has on the skin and the smell is so invigorating. The liquid soap also comes in Rose, Almond, Citrus, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Baby-Mild (Unscented), and Lavender. I highly recommend getting into the Dr. Bronner line. $10.50