Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Green Product Junkie's Natural Shower Products

THE GREEN PRODUCT JUNKIE'S SHOWER...PRESENTLY

So, I just moved into my new cute place on the East Side of Manhattan.  I've got a gorgeous new shower (modern, just like I like it) and have placed my new products in their place.  I change up what I use all the time, but right now I'm loving my set up.

Here's what I have here and what I'm currently using and loving:

Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner - you can see my review here.  I love the stuff.

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Soap, Body Soap and Shave Gel - if you're like me and love the tingle of peppermint, you're going to fall fast for this.  My review is here.

Sebon Organics Shampoo & Conditioner - I alternate and love this line.  Super healthy ingredients and gives you such pretty hair.  My review is here.  

Ctonics Passion Shampoo - This is not for everyone.  It's super natural and it takes some getting used to.  I happen to like it, but only use it once a month.  It really strengthens your hair.

Acure Organics Brightening Scrub - I just started using this and I think it's excellent.  I'm definitely going to be reviewing facial scrubs soon...this product deserves a post.  I also think it's great for having in the shower.  Pop it open, apply in circular motion and rinse!

Preserve Razor - If you're not using Preserve, I'm not sure if we can be friends ;) .  Preserve is what everyone on the planet should be using.  Their handles are made from recycled yogurt cups...c'mon, what's cooler.  My review is here

SkinnySkinny Eucalyptus Foot Scrub - I will never, ever use another foot scrub.  This is serious and really, really works.  No delicate little beads in this scrub.  Pumice, pumice, pumice.  Love it.  My review is here.

Splurge Skincare Peppermint Body Scrub - LOVE!  Recently wrote a review on this new company.  When I'm feeling like a need to really scrub, I'm reaching for this.  Here's my review.

Yarok Shampoo & Conditioner - I'm at the end of these bottles.  I definitely suggest this to people who have oilier hair.  It's not a super, duper high condition conditioner.  I'm also into scents and this conditioner doesn't match the deliciousness of it's shampoo.  I use it to clean my brushes, too.

Monday, September 24, 2012

The Best Natural & Green Concealers That I've Found

When embarking on my whole chemical-free makeup and skincare "adventure," I knew there were going to be a few items that were going to be difficult to replace.  Mainly, foundation, mascara and concealer.  When I first began, there were plenty of lipstick and mineral blushes out there, but I wasn't sure if anyone was going to be able to really replicate what my favorite foundation and concealer were able to do and still keep out the nasty chemicals.


STUDIO 78's 'OFF WE GO' CONCEALER
Woman, I love this stuff.  I wear it each and everyday and never, ever thought I'd be able to replace my Cle de Peau concealer.  This has excellent covereage, will not dry out your skin, is smooth without being greasy and, in fact, has a sort of powdery feel, but not drying. I can't explain how, but I have to say, they've nailed it...the formulation and texture is perfect. Although it only comes in two shades, for some odd reason, it matches my skin perfectly and I'm thrilled about it.  I'll also use my Jane Iredale Active Light underneath it if I'm super dark.  Get it at NuboNau for  $31.

JANE IREDALE ACTIVE LIGHT CONCEALER
I recently purchased Jane Iredale's Active Light Concealer and find myself reaching for it daily.  This concealer is very light,  so if you've got really dark circles, you might want to use this and then layer with a heavier one.  The reason I say to put this on first is because it's so smooth and leaves such a nice bright glow under the eyes, I think it will compliment your concealer.  It's also incredibly easy to use and the packaging is great for travel.  It's basically a concealer pen that you just brush on.  I haven't used this on it's own yet as I'm in a new apartment and haven't been sleeping so well, but my guess is that it's great for days when you don't have the darkest circles and just want a pretty, bright look. $27

W3LL PEOPLE NARCISSIST FOUNDATION
This foundation also happens to be one of my favorite under eye concealers, too.  W3LL People's Narcissist foundation gives great coverage, has amazing ingredients, lasts a long time AND does not cake.  In fact, it's pretty much the perfect blend of moisturizing without making your makeup run.  So, I use this as my main foundation and can do under eye touchups all in one.  $38

Their ingredients are gorgeous, too:
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil* infused with Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea Complex) Leaf**, Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom)***, Morella Cerifera (Bayberry- wildharvested); Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax)****, Silica, Essential Oils, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil (and) Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), [+/-: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Mica (CI 77019)] *Certified Organic by Stellar, **Certified Organic by QAI, *** Certified Organic by Oregon TILTH, **** Certified Organic by Koster Keunen




RMS BEAUTY "UN" COVERUP
Straight up? I love RMS Beauty.  Their "un" coverup concealer is definitely on the creamier side.  In fact, I always use it quite a bit below where my lower lashes are because I don't want my lower lash mascara to mingle with it.  I use this concealer when I want a pretty, dewy look.  It's great for evening out skin tone, too.  It leaves behind a really fresh, clean and youthful look. The ingredients in this concealer are amazing.  If you haven't discovered the line yet, get on it it.  At $36, it lasts a really long time, too.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

The Green Product Junkie's Medicine Cabinet

THE GREEN PRODUCT JUNKIE'S MEDICINE CABINET


Moving is never fun.  Especially if you live in New York City and are moving from 1,300 sq. feet to about 469 sq feet...yeah, like that.  So, one of my biggest issues was where to fit in all of my natural and organic skin care, makeup and body products.  

I've decided to post a picture.  Now this is just a picture of the medicine cabinet...there's several shelves of my stash (I don't like to be out of anything, clearly).  

Can you recognize any products that you know and love?  I've got my Dr. Hauschka, Pai, Dr. Akalitis, Lotus Wei, Living Nature, Patyka, Sprout Skincare, Acure Organics, Kahina Giving Beauty, Naturopathica, Preserve toothbrush, Intelligent Nutrients, Pangea, Honore des Pres, Tallulah Jane, Rahua, Buddha Nose, DeVita, Skinnyskinny and some things I can't make out!


Would love to hear about what you love, what you think I should try and see your green medicine cabinet!

Excessive? Perhaps, but everyone's got their thing, right?

Saturday, September 8, 2012

The Best Natural Foundations: Organic Glam, Logona & Dr. Hauschka. Light-Weight and Green!

I'm the type of green girl who has two kinds of foundations: medium coverage for times when I've got blemishes and light coverage for when my skin is in good condition and I'm only hoping to even out the tone.    Here are my picks for some of the best natural foundations that give light coverage.  If you do need more coverage, I'm going to suggest you check out my post on my favorite natural/organic foundations.  Now, for the lightweights....

I had heard this recommended by natural makeup artist, Jessa Blades several times in interviews and decided to give it a shot.  This is a super lightweight foundation that does NOT leave your skin cakey or dry it out.  It goes on really smooth and lightly evens out skin.   It almost feels like a very light lotion going on.  Again, if you're looking for major coverage or even medium coverage, this probably won't do it for you.  I recommend this for a good skin day when you just want to even out your skin tone.  $58


LOGONA NATURAL FINISH FOUNDATION
I purchased this from the Nature of Beauty without having heard anything about it.  This is super, super light, but goes on really nicely and doesn't dry out or feel like you're wearing anything.  Similar to Organic Glam, I would have to say that this is probably even lighter.  It has a really nice, clean scent to it and I just love the consistency of it.  This is definitely a "no makeup" look makeup. $24.95



DR. HAUSCHKA TRANSLUCENT FOUNDATION
I was really into this product for a while there, but I found that it's probably much better on oilier skins.  This foundation gives a little more coverage than the above-mentioned foundations, but it's still a light coverage foundation.  It's a bit on the drier side in terms of consistency, so I'm going to suggest that if you're dry, go for Organic Glam or Logona.  If you've got an oiler complexion or just like a drier foundation that's lightweight, try Dr. Hauschka. $36.95




*I purchased all of these products myself.  The above opinions are mine, so take that!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

The Girls of Splurge Skincare Perfect The Body Scrub with, "The Rub"



THE RUB

I fully agree with the founders of Splurge Skincare, Christine Cunningham and Kara Kivi (BTW, I'm loving the alliteration, girls), getting the right body scrub consistency is hard to do.  I've got tons of body scrubs that I've used once and just detested. They're either so oily that you're slipping in the shower and come out feeling like your pores are clogged or the entire container is filled with loose sugar or salt that falls all over the place before you even get down to scrubbin'!

Well, I'm excited to announce that these girls (and very close friends) have nailed it. The Rub has thee perfect consistency.  It's gritty, but not too gritty, is easy to pick up, doesn't disappear when you apply it to wet skin AND it works...exfoliation and hydration city!


The Rub is available in Lemon, Peppermint, Almond and, a soon-to-be-released scent named, "Autumn" which is a delicious blend of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg with a hint of orange...oh, my!  I can't wait to try the other scents...this one is delicious.  I can honestly say that out of all of the body scrubs I've tried, this is my favorite...and I've tried a TON!  $26



LIP BUTTAH


I also tried their Lip Buttah in Lemon.  This is wonderful.  It's so smooth, has excellent green ingredients and also lasts.  I've been wearing it on my lips before bed and wake up and it's still on there, hydrating like it's nobody's business!  The Lip Buttah also comes in Peppermint, Almond and Orange Chocolate. $7


Oh, and by the way, these ladies aren't messing around, their pure and natural ingredients are listed right underneath their products...no greenwashing here!  I love to support small, green businesses who are churning out great product.  I hope you'll give Splurge a shot.