FOUND! FRESCA: An AWESOME Natural Deodorant That Really Works...Finally!

FRESCA NATURAL DEODORANT IN VALLEY ROSE

Wow.  Somehow, after years and years of searching, I feel that I've finally found a fantastic natural deodorant that actually really works.  This coming from a girl who is always hot and often perspiring.

Yes, I have something called hyperhydrosis, which, in a nutshell, means that my internal temperature gauge is off.  Whereas you can probably leave a room that's a good temperature and go into a slightly warmer one without getting all heated up, I can't.  I'll immediately start perspiring.  So, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone as to why I've been on the search for a super hard-working, natural deodorant for so long.  As many of you know, finding one that works is near to impossible.

So, a few weeks ago I saw a review of Fresca Natural Deodorant.  I had never heard of the brand and quickly went about trying to learn more about the line.  The founder, Elda Kingston is an incredibly warm woman who has truly created a fantastic line of deodorants.  I've been using the Valley Rose scent this week and I've been through a lot:  a full day of helping my friend move into a new store in NYC, a serious Pilates class, several meetings where I'm pitching a TV show and several fast-paced trips from the East Village to the West Village in the heat...I still smell like roses.  I am shocked.  

The line, which is probably why I hadn't heard of it, is located in Australia.  Now, initially I thought this might be a problem for many readers until I saw that shipping is free with the purchase of three of these deodorants which are $15 each.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

"The active ingredient that makes Fresca Natural deodorants work so well is the inclusion of a special aerated salt (nahcolite or sodium bicarbonate). This special salt creates a non-acidic environment in which bacteria cannot thrive, and is the reason that you do not smell any body odour. It will allow your body to cool itself the way nature intended and does not block your pores." 

SCENTS  

Citrus Fresh

Jaisara (jasmine & ylang ylang)

Ocean (clean and crisp)

Unscented

Valley Rose (if you like rose...you'll love)

Wild Lavender

Wooden Spice (sandalwood, cedar wood)

INGREDIENTS

Let's talk ingredients...from their site:

"Fresca Natural deodorant is hand-made from food grade ingredients of purified water, vegetable gum and an aerated salt (sodium bicarbonate base mineral salt) which is then blended with the highest quality essential oils. 

It is body friendly and contains NO aluminium, NO alcohol, NO parabens, NO synthetics, NO nasty chemicals, NO artificial fragrances or preservatives.

Our products are vegan friendly and contain NO PALM OIL.  Fresca Natural deodorants are 100% ALL NATURAL."

So, if any of you are struggling to find a working natural deodorant, I hope you'll try out Fresca. If it worked for me, I can only imagine how it'll work for someone who doesn't have any big issues with perspiration.  Oh, and Fresca is the winner for Best Natural Deodorant 2012 from Nature & Health Natural Beauty Awards...pretty cool, eh?

*I was sent this to test.  All opinions are my own.

NYL Skincare: 100% Vegan and Gluten-Free Skincare That Are MAGNIFICENT!

nyl's starter kit

I'm always happy when a natural/organic/vegan brand contacts me about their products and I look at the ingredient list and packaging and absolutely love it.  So was the story when the Founder of nyl skincare (pronounced nil, as in "nothing") Carol Sondesky reached out to me.  I loved the simplicity of the ingredients, the fact that it's all handmade (at this time) and the simple and clean look of their brand.

I was sent their Starter Kit ($45) which includes:

Whipped Hand & Body Lotion, Organic, 2 fl oz
Velvet Transformative Serum, 1/4 fl oz
Gentle Sugar Body Polish, Organic, 2 fl oz
Organic Rosewater Face Wash, Organic, 2 fl oz 

Whipped Hand & Body Lotion $34
Since I just got back from a short trip and my hands (as we all know when you return from a trip) looked and felt awful, I scrubbed my nails and then applied nyl's Whipped Hand & Body Lotion to my hands before bed.  That would be the test for me...how my hands looked and felt in the morning. They were great - hydrated and soft, but what really impressed me was how super-fast this cream absorbs.  I'm not a fan of creams that feel sticky or slick after you apply.  This is a whipped hand cream that works, feels great and has a very, very light, clean scent.  


Velvet Transformative Serum $60
Usually I'm not a fan of trying new facial oils/ serums as I feel that I already have my favorites (yeah, I'm a face oil snob), but I wanted to try the whole nyl Starter Kit.  This face oil is excellent AND probably the fastest-absorbing oil I've ever used.  If you're one of those people who don't like the feel of oil after applying it, this is for you.  My skin feel super soft (like velvet), hydrated and clear after using it.  And, with these ingredients, you're getting the best of the best:  

Organic Grape Seed Oil, Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil
 Acai Oil
 Organic Argan Oil
, Blackberry Seed Oil
, Blueberry Seed Oil
 Carrot Seed Oil
, Organic Cranberry Seed Oil
,Marula Oil
, Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil
, Organic Rosehip Seed Oil
, Vegetable Squalene, Vitamin E, Organic Watermelon Seed Oil, Essential Oils

Gentle Sugar Body Polish $34
You know when body polishes have lots of oil that leave you feeling really greasy like you need another shower?  You know when you're slipping in the shower because the container is 1/2 full of an oily mix?  Yeah, well, not here.  This body polish smooths and hydrates and is very easy to use.  Scoop up the gorgeously gold sugar and scrub away.  Love it.  My skin felt really, really soft post-use.


Organic Rosewater Face Wash $28
I would recommend this face wash to those of you with really sensitive skin who want something super pure to cleanse with.  I would also recommend it to those of you who don't like a creamy or overly foamy cleanser.  This a very pure, simple cleanser that would never irritate your skin.  To get an idea of how pure it is, check out the ingredients:

Organic Rosewater, Organic Vegetable Glycerine, Organic Castile Soap 
(Contains: water, organic coconut oil. sunflower oil, castor oil, citric acid, and rosemary extract)

With vegan, gluten-free, organic ingredients that are as effective as they are pretty to look at, I think nyl skincare is going to be one of the big brands in this industry...quote me!


*As mentioned, I was sent the Starter Kit for review.  All opinions are my own.

LOVE! SustainU Clothing Made From 100% Recycled Materials AND made in the USA! Free Tee for your Green Pals!

SUSTAINU'S SUPER SOFT TEE

"Using recycled over conventional cotton saves around 712 gallons of water per shirt."

SUSTAINU CLOTHING

Long before I became interested in natural beauty products (there just weren't that many out there only a few short years ago) I was interested in environmental issues: recycling, composting, bringing my own bags, the works.  It just made perfect sense to me and I worked hard at trying to live as "clean" a life as I could here in New York City.  That also included buying items made from recycled plastic bottles.  

Now, on this site, I'm usually reviewing skincare and makeup and some green cleaning products, but when SustainU contacted me, I was very intrigued.  Clothing made from 50% recycled cotton scraps and 50% recycled polyester from plastic bottles?  Uhm...yes.  Definitely yes.  

My t-shirt came in the mail and I have to say that this is some super-soft cotton.  This is not one of those t-shirts that you get for being part of the neighborhood softball team...stiff and boxy.  This is a modern, cool, t-shirt with a great cut that would give American Apparel a run for their money. But of course, what I love best is what it's made of and that it's made in the United States by the hard working people of North and South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.  As Trey Dunham of SustainU wrote, "These regions are making a comeback after decades of outsourcing that saw 65% of the industry (over 1 million jobs) eliminated."  C'mon, what's cooler than this?  This is the kind of company we should be patronizing!

BUY A SHIRT & GET A FREE T-SHIRT FOR YOUR FRIEND WITH THEIR WEAR 1 SHARE 1 PROGRAM

"SustainU looks to use generosity as a way to spread the message of environmental and social sustainability."

Online customers can receive a free 100% recycled T-shirt to give to a friend with each SustainU purchase.  Awesome way to get the word out!     Get all the information here.

So, in a nutshell, what's so great about what SustainU is doing?

• Uses 100% recycled cotton scraps and post-consumer polyester waste materials bound for a landfill
• One shirt saves: 712 gal of water, 1/2 gal of petroleum, 12kg CO2 and 3oz. Agrochemicals
• Made in the USA & bringing jobs back!
• Only clothing company making 100% recycled clothing entirely in the USA.
• They make custom tees, too so companies, bands and that neighborhood softball team with the tacky tees can take it up a notch!

*I was sent this t-shirt for review.   All opinions are my own and I think this company rocks.

My Favorite Green & Natural Products: The All Stars!

So my last post was all about my my repurchases, but there's so many products that I just can't live without and I buy over and over.

Rahua Shampoo & Conditioner - I have lots of hair and I just find that this really cleans, hydrates and doesn't leave my hair feeling weighed down or oily like lots of natural shampoos usually do.  I always have a stash of these.

Intelligent Nutrients Plant Stem Cell Renewal Complex -  This really, really plumps up the skin, if only temporarily.  Just spot treat the areas where you need it.  I like to put this on before bed.  It smells great, too.  Full review here.  

The People's Pharmacy Milk of Magnesia Deodorant - I checked this out with my homeopathic doctor and she agreed that it's awesome.  This is the only thing that has ever worked for me.  It creates an environment where the bacteria that make you stink can't live!  It's not going to stop you from sweating, but it will stop the stink AND no staining!

Sanre Rosy Fresh Toner - By far, one of my absolute favorites.  Currently, I have about 4 of them in my stash.  The ingredients are stellar and it really hydrates.  Great, great toner and super natural!

Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub - A fairly new favorite, I love keeping this in the shower.  Lots and lots of tiny beads exfoliate your face in this seaweed-colored scrub.  Your skin will feel really, really soft and it's just so handy in the shower.

Kahina Organic Beauty's Toner - This toner really, really hydrates the skin and is a real treat.  I love everything that this company makes.  If you haven't tried it yet, go do!

Talllulah Jane's Halona Body Oil - If you like the smell of citrus, you'll love this body oil.  It smells great, slides on perfectly and dries in good time.  It also comes in a beautiful glass bottle that you'll love having in your bathroom.  Super natural ingredients, too.

Naturopathica's Vitamin K Eye Cream - I have several friends hooked on this melon-smelling eye cream.  I love it;  it brightens, smells great and it works!  

Honore des Pres Love Coconut - My favorite natural perfume.  In fact, I just bought another from Spirit Beauty Lounge about an hour ago.  It's perfect for summer and the smell of coconut is rich and subtle....nothing 80s here.

DeVita Solar SPF 30 Face Cream- I added this to my last post and this one...must really like it. Does not feel like an SPF at all.  Feels like a smooth lotion and I adore it.

SkinnySkinny Rosemary Mint Foot Scrub - This really works...especially if you're going to be running around in flip flops all summer long and like the look of clean, hydrated feet.  A super scrub, your feet will be smooooooth.  Trust me.

O.R.G. Skincare's Face Exfoliator - Please check my recent blog post on this innovative product.  I find that if I'm heading out for a special night, this gives me a smooth foundation.  It's also very cool how it works...check out my review for the details.

SW Basics Moisturizer - Use before bed and wake up without any redness and soft skin.  I love this line with their 3 ingredients - olive oil, coconut oil and shea butter.  Ahhh...

SW Basics Toner - This balances the pH in your skin, hydrates and cleans up everything!  It's a staple for me.

SW Basics Cleanser - Natural ingredients, cleans, hydrates and so easy to use.  This is what they mean when they say "clean and green."

Kahina Living Beauty Argan Oil - You will need no other oil for your skin.  This is argan oil in its purest and most natural state.  A bonus is that the bottle looks gorgeous.  I've written plenty of posts about this product...click around!