Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Toners! Who Doesn't Just Love A Great Natural Toner? Sanre Organic Skinfood, Herbal Grace Creations, GingerChi, & Dr. Alkaitis Trump!


I am a huge fan of toners.  I love using them to take off any residual makeup left after cleansing,  to hydrate before applying my moisturizer, to set my makeup and I also keep a few on my desk to hydrate throughout the day.  

I buy this toner in bulk.  Seriously.   I am never without it and it's my go-to on a daily basis for many years now.   Why do I love thee?  Well, it's so moisturizing that I never even contemplate applying a moisturizer without spraying it beforehand. Check out the ingredients and tell me they aren't beautiful!  I love the fact that there's so many essential oils in here.  $25.99  (Sign up for their emails because they have great sales...and often!)
Ingredients:  Organic Rose Hydrosol, Organic Witch Hazel Hydrosol, Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Organic Rose Absolute Essential Oil, Organic Rose Essential Oil, Organic Green Tea Extract, Organic Chamomile Essential Oil, Organic Calendula Oil, Organic Arnica Essential Oil, Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil.   Certified Vegan.



I'm a firm believer in the power of Apple Cider Vinegar.  Sure, it doesn't smell like unicorn breath, but nothing balances the skin quite like it and honestly, you'll get used to it, especially after you see the wonders it does for your skin.    I usually make my own, but it pales in comparison to this one.  The process by which Queen of Hungary's Facial Toner is made is pretty intense and I love the added ingredients of lemon balm leaf, calendula flowers, sage and more.  This is how it's created: "The toner is made by solar-infusing organic herbs in raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar for a three-week period. This enables the therapeutic properties of the herbs to extract.  After three weeks, the herbs are strained and pure rose water is added in equal proportion to the vinegar solution."  Yeah, this toner has got mine beat by A LOT!  I recommend this for those with problem skin, those in need of a good cleansing and those who wish to tone their skin.  $16. 

Ingredients:  Organic raw apple cider vinegar, Rose water, Organic lemon balm leaf, Organic chamomile flowers, Organic red rose petals, Organic calendula flowers, Organic comfrey leaf, Organic lemon peel, Organic rosemary leaf, Organic rubbed sage

I absolutely love this toner and even suggested to GingerChi that they should be working on a natural fragrance based on it...I know it sounds strange, but it's that gorgeous. Anyway, this is such a wonderful toner that I dread finishing it.  The scent is perfection, as are the ingredients.  This toner is great for balancing the skin, hydrating and leaving it feeling refreshed and clean.  If you love a clean, fresh, ginger/citrus scent, you'll love using this.  To read a full review of GingerChi's products, click here.  $36
Ingredients:  Rose Water, Melissa Water, Ginseng Tincture*, Aloe Vera Concentrate*, Siberian Ginseng, NFF Moisturizer, Sea Silk, Eco Preservative, Essential Oil of Fresh Ginger. *Organic
DR. ALKAITIS Organic Herbal Toner
Ah, this is the good stuff.  My skin always feels super, super clean after using this.  The reason I love it? First off, the ingredients are perfect.  With a base of Aloe Vera, I find it to be a tad thicker than other toners and I love that.  This is a super effective and multi-functional product as it's a toner, astringent (that will NEVER dry out the skin) balances the skin and is also anti-inflammatory.  This can also be used as an after-sun tonic.  It's so cooling and refreshing.  I love it.  $55
Ingredients:  Into a base of organic Aloe Vera gel*, Witch Hazel and organic grain alcohol* (from the fermentation of organically grown grains), the following organic and wild-crafted herbs are blended: Greater Nettle*, Wild Chamomile flowers**, Myrrh**, European Elder blossoms*, Marsh Mallow*, French Lavender flowers*, Curacao Orange*, Benzoin**, Rosemary*, Wild Fennel** and Balm Mint*. Grapefruit* and Lemon* extracts. Sea Oak**, Atlantic Kelp** and Pearl Moss**. Also added are natural vitamin B and vitamin C complexes and 100% pure Essential Oils. * - Signifies certified organically grown. ** - Signifies ethically wild-crafted

Some of these products were purchased, some were generously given to me for review.  All opinions are my own.  I hope you find something you love here!

Monday, January 20, 2014

Products I'm Loving Right Now: Moody Sisters' Coffee Body Butter & Polish, Juice Beauty's Stem Cellular Cleanser, R.L. Linden & Co.'s Beautifying Mist & Osmia Organics' Active Gel Toner


Whatta job!  I'm so fortunate in that I receive lots of amazing products to try out.  There's been so many stellar ones of late that I wanted to share what I'm absolutely loving lately. 

Moody Sister's Coffee Body Butter & Body Polish - I'm not a coffee drinker, but I absolutely LOVE the smell of it.  So when Jess & Whitney of Moody Sisters contacted me about trying out some of their products, I was really excited to give their Coffee Body Polish and Coffee Body Butter a shot.  The gorgeous scent of coffee in a warm shower is positively perfect.  The body polish is loaded with chunky Demerara sugar, coffee-infused oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, shea butter, ground coffee and essential oils.  It leaves my skin exfoliated and really, really soft. The Coffee Body Butter smells dee-vine and is so hydrating, I find myself really excited to use it. I'm really loving these and highly suggesting them if you love affordable skincare, soft skin and the scent of coffee in your shower...ahhh.  Body Polish $7.50   Body Butter  $8.95

Juice Beauty's Stem Cellular Cleansing OilLately I've been super into oil cleansers and I would most-definitely purchase this one.  Why do I love oil cleansers so much?  Because not only does it feel great when it's applied, but it also leaves the skin super moisturized, soft and gives it a really thorough cleaning if used the proper way.  How did I use it?  Well, I applied the Stem Cellular Cleansing Oil to dry skin, massaged it around, then added some water and wiped it off with a damp cloth (I prefer a warmer cloth).  Makeup practically melts away and your skin will just feel so smooth. This cleanser is recommended for all skin types and especially for dry or aging skin.  $32
Ingredients:  Helianthus annuus (organic sunflower seed oil)*, caprylic/capric triglyceride, polysorbate 80, vitis vinifera (organic grapeseed oil)*, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (Vitamin C), tocopherol (Vitamin E), organic juices of pyrus malus (organic apple juice)*, citrus medica limonum (organic lemon juice)*, malus domestica (apple buds), vitis vinifera (grape buds) & citrus limonum (lemon bark), litsea cubeba (may chang) and cinnamomum camphora (ho wood) pure essential oils.*Certified organic ingredient

R.L. Linden & Co Thousand Petal Beautifying Mist -  I'm a huge fan of toners and was just completely taken with R. L. Linden & Co.'s Thousand Petal Beautifying Mist.  The smell is absolutely heaven, as are the ingredients.   This is a definite purchase for me in the future.  I have the small sample and every time I spray it, I'm in awe of how gorgeous it feels and smells.  This toner's scent will make you happy.  Yes, happy.   Take a look at the gorgeous ingredients.  $48
Ingredients: Spring Water; Hydrosols of Neroli, Honeysuckle (Wildcrafted) and Rose; Extracts of Rose and Calendula; Jojoba Oil; Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils of Neroli, Jasmine and Bulgarian Rose; Flower Essences of Pretty Face, Morning Glory, Hibiscus and Crab Apple

Osmia Organics' Active Gel Toner -  I've been intrigued by this product ever since I first heard about it.  Anything that gives extra hydration, balances pH levels and helps to reduce redness and irritation on the skin is a winner in my book.  From the OO site: "Active Gel Toner provides an extra layer of soothing moisture, with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help maintain intracellular water in the skin cells.  White tea, calendula, and aloe comfort the skin, while oat beta glucan acts to smooth and maintain softness."  Osmia's Active Gel Toner is a truly unique product in that it is to be applied after washing and before your moisturizer or face oil.  This smooth gel toner feels great on the skin and is an amazing addition to my routine.  I do not want to run out!  $58
Ingredients:  Aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, glycerin*, camellia sinensis (white tea) extract*, calendula officinalis extract*, selaginella lepidophylla (rose of jericho) extract, lactobacillus/oat ferment extract filtrate, niacinamide (vitamin B3), [oryza sativa (rice) extract & water & centella asiatic a extract]*, [gluconolactone (and) sodium benzoate], lactobacillus ferment, sclerotium rolfsii gum, hyaluronic acid, proprietary blend of organic and wild-harvested essential oils.  82% organic

*I was kindly given these products for review.  All opinions are my own, gosh darn it!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Gorgeous Rose: The Modern & Cool New Rose Scent by Lurk Perfumes, Mun, Osmia Organics and NYL Skincare


Why does rose get such a bad rap?  Well, it shouldn't when we're talking about natural skincare and fragrance.  A real, beautiful rose scent is absolutely gorgeous, a synthetic one?  Not so much.  I've compiled my favorite rose products and hope you'll try them out because ahhh, they smell wonderful!

Lurk Perfumes - I recently wrote about Lurk here.  After writing the review, I became so obsessed with several of the fragrances that I just had to have 'em.  So, I ordered two of the ones that I found myself reaching for most throughout the day, RSW005.  This sandalwood/rose scent is so lovely, it's probably the prettiest perfume I've ever smelled.  Just to be clear, natural perfumes don't last as long as synthetic ones, so you'll be re-applying often.  Honestly, I use Lurk just for myself.  I put a bit on the tip of my nose and walk throughout NYC like I'm in an English rose garden.   Check out Lurk here. $55

Mun - Mun No. Aknari has been getting a lot of buzz lately and it's all well-deserved as this eye and face serum is both effective and heavenly.  Other than the fact that it hydrates perfectly, it smells amazing; a powdery rose that's so modern and pretty.  This serum is 100% organic and contains only three ingredients: Prickly Pear Seed, Argan Oil and Rose Essential Oil.  To read my full review of Mun, please visit here.  Get 10% off now using code:  TGPJMUN $95

Osmia Organics - No one (other than maybe Laurie from 312 Beauty) was more excited about Osmia's new Linden Rose Hand Cream coming out than I was.  I'm always so impressed with how professional, yet completely handmade, all of the products from Osmia are.  Linden Rose Hand Cream is what I would define as the perfect consistency.  It's of medium thickness, dries quickly and leaves your hands really hydrated without that greasy feel (I know you know what I'm talking about). With pure ingredients like aloe barbadensis leaf juice, shea butter and sweet almond oil, you know you're in good hands (ugh..bad pun).  $24

NYL Skincare - NYL's vegan cleanser smells just like a rose.  It's so pretty and light, a true pleasure to cleanse with.  So pure, this formula contains only organic rosewater, organic vegetable glycerin and organic castile soap.  This would be wonderful for super sensitive skin types.  The consistency is water-like and it's very gentle.  I like to use this in the shower with my Japanese Konjac Sponge.   To read my full review of NYL (Know Your Ingredients) visit here.  $28

*All of these products were sent to me for review.  All opinions are my own!