I've been tagged! Natural skincare tips from the green product junkie...

Welcome to my world.  Here's two of my medicine cabinet shelves...recognize anything?

Tag, you're it!

I've been tagged by Mary from PureMakeup Blog!  So, it's my turn to answer a few questions she has lined up.  Let me get to 'em!  Thanks.

Describe your skincare routine in five words.  Natural, ever-changing, pure, nourishing and effective.

What's your skin type?  I tend to be on the dry side.

What's your favorite skincare product?  This is incredibly difficult because it changes all of the time.  Whenever I get something new to test that is magnificent, it becomes the new favorite. I would have to say a staple is Kahina's Argan Oil, and I'm also really enjoying La Bella Figura's Organic Barbary Fig Renewal Serum these days...the smell is so fruity and it hydrates perfectly.

Top blemish zapper?  I'm fortunate in that I don't break out that often since I began using all-natural skincare and makeup.  If I do, or if I feel like I'm clogged, I'll quickly do an Osmia Organics' Detoxifying Mask...cleans, exfoliates and brightens the skin all in one mask.  I love.

Face Wipes - yay or nay?  Nay.  They're wasteful.  A cotton cloth that you can wash over and over again seems more eco-friendly to me. 

High-end skincare or high-end makeup?  Tough one...I would have to say skincare.  But anything that you put on your skin must be non-toxic...high-end or not.  Skincare brand Acure Organics is very affordable.  

What's the most unusual skincare product you've tried?  Well, it's not that unusual in that it's an exfoliator, but it's definitely an unconventional way of exfoliating...O.R.G.'s Organic Mineral Peel for Face.  You just spray it on and then rub it off after a few seconds.  It's very cool to see what peels off of your face.

You're in a pharmacy and you can only pick one item, what would it be?  Do they sell coconut oil?  If not, let's see...gosh, I think I just leave!  Really.

What are your Top Skincare Tips?

1. Please don't use a lipstick or lip balm with toxic ingredients.  You'll be ingesting chemicals.  Find a great lipstick you love from a natural brand.  I love RMS Beauty, Ilia Beauty, Revolution Organics...and the list goes on.
2. Use a natural sunblock everyday on your face and body parts that will be exposed.
3. Wash your face every night, but not in the morning.  In the morning, just moisturize.  I love GingerChi for cleansing.
4. Exfoliate once or twice a week.  I'm loving using Acure Organics exfoliator.
5. Put a mask on every once in a while...great for the skin.  If you don't have one, plain yogurt on the face is brightening and refreshing.
6. Find a face oil or serum that you love.  Trust me on this.  Oils are awesome.
7. Always use an eye serum or an eye cream.  I love Odacité.
8. Don't use toxic skincare or makeup.  The new green lines are far, far superior to anything you can buy that has chemicals in it.
9. Hang out with people who make you laugh and think you're great.  My skin always looks better when I'm happy!

Oh, and I tag life in blush and The Green Beauty Bunny!

The Best Green Beauty Products That I Purchase Over and Over Again

THE GREEN STAPLES

I love trying new products (but detest samples - am I the only one?) and recently found a post by Naturalla Beauty where she posted about products that she buys over and over again. I've finally gotten around to posting mine...and this is only a few of them.

1.  RMS BEAUTY LIVING LUMINIZER, UN-COVERUP & LIP SHINES

I think the only reason I haven't re-bought everything is that I still have lots of product, but what I buy often is the Un-Coverup, Living Luminizer and Sublime Lip Shine.  I'll forever love this line.

2.   DR. HAUSCHKA PLUM/WHITE LINER DUO

*Note:  This might be a discontinued color...bummer!  I wear plum/white duo pencil each and every day.  I find that black can be a little too harsh and the purple on this pencil looks pretty and is easy to work with.  The white is gorgeous for inside the corner of the eye.  I'm on my third so far.

3.  W3LL PEOPLE FOUNDATION
I really love this foundation and I suggest you give it a whirl.  I've written a more detailed review on it, but it's non-drying, gives great coverage and has pure ingredients.

4.  KJAER WEIS CLOUD NINE EYESHADOW
Just your basic, great base eyeshadow.  Neutral in color, and I love it.  I also love the packaging.  If you haven't held one of these little gems, you're missing out.

5.  VAPOUR ORGANIC BEAUTY STRATUS SKIN PERFECTOR
This is my primer.  Whenever I am performing or going somewhere where my makeup needs to stay on just a bit more, this is my go-to product.  Sets a nice foundation for your makeup.

6.  STUDIO 78 FOUNDATION
This is going to be a "buy it again before it runs out."  I really love this foundation.  Again, a detailed review is on this blog.

7.  REVOLUTION ORGANICS LIP GLOSS IN TRUTH
I love the smell of this shea butter gloss...it might not be everyone's favorite scent, but it just screams "natural" to me.  This goes on super smooth and the color is a sheer-ish hot pink that still packs a punch.  You can re-apply this all day.

8.  ZUZU COSMETICS LIP GLOSS IN COSMOPOLITAN
This is a Summer pick!  I love this pink gloss that's got a pretty, and slight iridescent sheen about it.  I buy these several at a time as I use them up very quickly.  

9.  COULEUR CARAMEL MASCARA
Excellent mascara for the upper lids.  I don't wear on my lower lids because I find I smudge, but on the upper, you're getting a perfect lash.  I also LOVE the smell...a clean baby powder scent.  I know, mascara doesn't need to smell great, but I love taking a sniff!

10.  JANE IREDALE  JUST KISSED IN FOREVER PINK 

I have bought this too many times to count.  Imagine a lip stain that gives you a gorgeous pink pout, doesn't dry out your lips and won't change colors on you.  This hydrates and is so easy to apply.  It's a big, big favorite of mine.

11.  DEVITA SOLAR FACE MOISTURIZER SPF 30
*Update:  I believe they changed the formula...not sure how it is now as it is different.  This face cream feels light like a lotion, leaves no residue and feels nothing like it's got an SPF.  I usually detest sunblock as it breaks me out, feels heavy, etc.  This is awesome.  It's my everyday moisturizer over my Kahina Argan Oil.  I also use their Solar body cream in the summer.  

12.  ZUZU MASCARA
This is a favorite of several Green Bloggers, it seems.  There is NO smudging here.  It's actually the perfect mascara.  Often I like a little more drama on my upper lashes, so I'll use this on the lower, knowing there's no chance of flaking or smudging.

13.  JANE IREDALE ACTIVE LIGHT CONCEALER
I love, love the Active Light Concealer.  It brightens up the eye area and the color matches perfectly.  I usually put this on first and if I need more coverage, put RMS on top or Studio 78's (which I should have added to this...their concealer is a big keeper!)

Let me know what you've tried and loved.

*I have purchased all of these products myself & all opinions are my own!

New Natural Makeup I'm Hooked On...RMS Beauty, Revolution Organics, Jane Iredale & Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty

These are some random natural makeup items that I'm loving right now:

RMS BEAUTY LIP2CHEEK IN MODEST

I think I own pretty much everything that RMS Beauty makes, unless it's a color that completely won't go with my skin tone.  But even then, trust me, I'm tempted in a major way.  My latest purchase has been Lip2Cheek in Modest.

It was sold out for a while, but I finally got it! This is a berry pink  (as you can see from the swatch here).  The reason I love this, as with all of the RMS products, is that it really becomes a part of the skin and doesn't look like you're wearing blush.  It just looks like your cheeks have a rosy glow...as nature intended.   I don't use this on my lips because I really like a glossier look, but I would definitely wear it if I had some clear gloss to throw on top.  The ingredients are pure and it will last forever.  $36

REVOLUTION ORGANICS LIP GLOSS IN TRUTH

For some reason, it took a while for me t purchase a Revolution Organics' lip gloss, but now I'm all in.  Truth is a hot pink (second from left), but it's not too bright and It's perfect for daytime.   It gives you that hot pink look, but it's still sorta sheer and not sticky.   I also love the consistency it's super smooth and stays on.  The smell?  I love it, but some people may not.  You see, the ingredients are super pure and I think I'm smelling the shea butter, which is a scent that I really like.  Since I've gone natural, I don't like synthetic fragrance in my products.  In fact, I can't stand it in cleaning products or anything for that matter.  So, I really love this gloss and have a stash in case I run out.  $26

JANE IREDALE PURELASH LASH CONDITIONER & EYE GLOSS

Some things you just love.  Jane Iredale's PureLash Conditioner is one of them.  It's a lash conditioner and extender that you apply before you put on your mascara and I just love it.  I think that it really makes the lashes look fuller and thicker.  I wish I had more to say about it, but I don't.  It's not something you'll desperately need, but I love using it! $16.50 

While we're on Jane Iredale, I also love their Eye Gloss.  It goes on shiny and moist, but quickly dries and still stays shiny and pretty.  I have it in Grey Silk and it's such a pretty metallic grey.  It's an excellent highlighter, too, if you just want a little shine.  $15.50

ALICIA SILVERSTONE FOR JUICE BEAUTY PURELY KISSABLE LIP COLOR

I'm really, really into pink lipsticks and glosses.  I mean, I have a bin of them and I alternate all of the time.  I saw this on a website and was immediately draw to it's pretty pink.  It just came in the mail and I love it!  The color is just thee perfect pink and this photo is a great representation of it.  It goes on so smooth, the ingredients are clean and it smells heavenly.  From what I understand, this is the only color it comes in...lucky me.  I'm so used to everything being in nude or brown.  This is gorgeous for Spring.  I have a feeling that this is going to be in heavy, heavy rotation starting tomorrow!   Get it here for $16