Enough With Singing About That Girl Who's On Fire...Let's Sing About That Girl Who's On A Budget!

Christian Schloe's "Portrait of A Heart."   I love this with such a passion.

So, we've all heard that song that Alicia Keys sings about that girl who's on fire, right?  Well, to be honest,  I'm infinitely more interested in that girl who's on a budget since she's the person I'm getting emails from all the time asking me how to do this "green" thing when she's strapped for cash.  Enjoy reading about affordable clean skincare, you girl on a budget!

The green beauty industry is amazing on many fronts, but what's really cool about it is the amount of companies that are making high-quality, toxin-free product that is also completely affordable.

THE BRANDS

Napa Organics
Great for:  Body and face oils, scrubs, toner, and lotions
Price range: $12 - $32

Organic California Almond Oil $16

So, you're a budget, huh? Well, I'm recommending you try Napa Organics' Plum Kernel Oil as it can be used all over the face, under the eyes, on hair and even as a body oil. What makes this oil wonderful? The scent of cherries and almonds is off the charts! And, it has only one ingredient, 100% pure California Plum Kernel Oil.  I have super dry skin and found this to be on the lighter side, so if you like an oil, but you're not very dry, this will be awesome for you.  At $32, this pure oil is a steal and is going to last you quite some time. My other recommendation from Napa Organics is their Organic Almond Oil for $16.  I've been using this as a body oil and I absolutely love the purity of it, how it blends so well and how quickly it absorbs.  Oh, and don't forget their Prune & Walnut Face Scrub for $12...this is a big size that will last forever! Read more about my take on Napa Organics here.   

Japanese Konjac Sponge

Great for: natural face and body sponges

The Amazing Green Tea Konjac Sponge $11

Price range: $10.50 - $11.50

I love these!  If you're not in the market for buying an exfoliator and cleanser and you're the low-maintenance type, having one of these around will be a complete dream for you.  Slightly alkaline, these sponges break down dirt and oils. I keep one hanging in my shower and use it to gently exfoliate my face and body.  I like to clean my face with a cleanser to remove all my makeup, but love giving it a light massage with my Japanese Konjac Sponge to seal the deal.  I also love how it feels on the body. These will last 4-6 weeks...even longer if you don't use it daily.

Acure Organics' Brightening Face Scrub

Acure Organics
Great for:  All skincare and haircare
Price Range: $4 - $25

Most likely, many of you have heard of Acure Organics before.  You are probably also aware of how totally inexpensive their line has always been.  In fact, when someone gives me the, "Well, it's too expensive to buy natural skincare and I don't know where to get it."  I quickly send them over to Whole Foods for some Acure.  I find the majority of their prices hover between $15-$25. The standouts for me? Their skin smoothing Brightening Facial Scrub for $14.99 and their Mandarin Orange Body Cream for $9.99 as it's a great hydrator and so easy to use when I don't have time to let a body oil absorb.

Organic Coconut Oil

Great for: makeup removal, face/body moisturizer, in scrubs, hair conditioning treatment and on and on...

Price range: $10-$15 depending on size

Coconut oil is my jam.  It's my makeup remover, body moisturizer, a huge ingredient in my homemade body scrub (turbinado sugar & coconut oil) my deep conditioning hair treatment and something I put in my smoothie every morning. Nutiva is my favorite brand mostly because I find it smells the most of coconut and I love that.  Other organic brands are just as great though, so find what you like.  $11

My Winter Picks: Part The Second - Ilia Beauty, Sellwood Soap, Studio 78 Paris, Splurge Skincare, Meow Meow Tweet.

Ilia Beauty's Arabian Nights - Okay, I might be a little late for this party, but you can't blame me.  I really did think that this lipstick was going to be super dark and I just can't wear those rich berry colors for some reason.  I recently saw this on green blogger, Kasey at an event recently and was shocked at how sheer and pretty it looked, so I quickly bought it and loved it.   This gives a layer-able berry/pink stain-like tint to the lips.  If you want a bolder lip, just apply more.    $24

Studio 78 Paris' Tea Time Shadow - I feel like I haven't really purchased anything fun this season in terms of eye color.  I'm a huge fan of purples/plums so I fell hard for Tea Time by Studio 78 Paris. This color is really unique.  It's like a brownish/plum/aubergine pressed shadow and it's perfect for making a less harsh smokey eye.  I also think it's perfect for Fall/Winter with a berry lip.  They've also got other gorgeous colors and I'm eyeing the gray.  Oh, and there's a mirror on the top of the shadow case, too.  $31

Splurge Skincare's The Rub  - Splurge's latest body scrub is in a Holiday scent called Winter and I was certain it was going to smell like cinnamon spice or Evergreen.  Instead, this fantastic body scrub smells like...snow!  Looking at the ingredients there's some vanilla absolute and lavender, so I'm guessing that's the scent, but to me, it smells like snow...fresh and pretty.  This pure sugar scrub is the perfect mix of ingredients that both hydrates and exfoliates the skin, leaving you soft and  moisturized.  The ingredients are super pure, too.  $26  

Meow Meow Tweet Walnut Oat Exfoliant -  Ah, the name, the look, the mission...all perfect.  This "small batch natural apothecary" is located in Brooklyn, NY and they use nothing but plant-based and food grade ingredients.  Products are housed in glass containers with biodegradable labels (you know how this excites me, right?) so I was really eager to test out some of MMT's line.  I've got many favorites which you'll hear about in upcoming posts, but I think their Walnut Oat Face Exfoliant is great for Winter skin.  This exfoliant is gentle, gentle, gentle, you'll get nothing rough here.  It smells like a delicious bowl of oatmeal and is just as comforting.  Wanna talk natural?  How do you like these ingredients?  Oats, chamomile flowers, black walnut hull and kelp.  That's it, that's the whole ingredients list.  My stars!  $18

Sellwood Soap's Coconut, Shea Butter & Beeswax Hand Balm - I'm a big, big fan of Sellwood Soap Co. Everything I've tried from chemist Rachael Gruen's Portland-based company has been primo! I've had this hand balm on my desk and apply it throughout the day because my desk is near a huge window and my fingers are freezing and dry.  With only three ingredients, you can't get purer than this.  I love how silky (yes, it's silky) it feels and how it absorbs so fast.  And, at only $8 for a glass jar that will totally last you throughout the winter, it's a magnificent deal.  

*Some of these products I was kindly given to review, others I purchased myself.  Opinions are my own.

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!

Why You Can Buy Everything You Need From All-Natural Sellwood Soap Co...

Uhm...what's going on in Portland?

I'm not sure, but we're two for two with Portland-made lines that were recently sent to me.

First Schmidt's Deodorant and now Sellwood Soaps!  It's not very often that I fall in love with an entire line.  It's happened, but very infrequently.  With minimal to no packaging (big plus), excellent, and I mean, excellent homemade products that are ridiculously affordable, Rachael Gruen's line is a must for those of you who want to buy all your skincare from one place.

COCONUT & SHEA LOTION BARS

Coconut & Shea Lotion Bars

"We're gonna need a bigger mold!"  

I loved this lil guy!  I've already asked Rachael to figure out how to make these bigger & she's working on finding a bigger mold!   What are they?  These are just little bars of moisture that you rub all over your body, hands, wherever. They work wonderfully, aren't greasy AND there's no real packaging,  just some wax paper and a little box to recycle.  My skin was super hydrated and I found it so easy to apply post-shower that I was bummed when it ran out.  Coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax are just some of the stellar ingredients.  Big fan.  $6.75 1 oz.

The Handmade Soap
I received the Vetiver Rose Soap, but she's got lots of scents: Citrus, Lavender Oatmeal, Complexion Soap and specialized soaps for acne-prone skin, one for your hair, for your pooch and even for laundry. I'm a total sucker for a handmade bar of soap (and a sweater knitted for me...anyone knit?) This soap is so moisturizing, smells wonderful and feels so smooth on the skin that I'm kind of feeling bad for the soap I made myself as it sits in the shower in defeat. "The Winner takes it all..." $6.50

Vetiver & Orange Facial Scrub

THE FACIAL OIL

This was a quick favorite.  Filled with sugar and amazing oils such as sunflower, rose hip, orange, rosemary and vetiver this scrub is WONDERFUL.  Can you please trust me on this?  The reason I love it so much is the fact that it totally exfoliates, but the oils from the scrub stay on your skin so there's absolutely no need to apply moisturizer after.  It smells so great and for $12, it's a no-brainer.  

The Facial Oil
Okay, no excuses.  For all of you out there who want to try a facial oil, but have found quality ones to be too expensive, here you go.  This oil, containing ingredients like rose hip, argan, avocado, olive oil and tamamu oil is fantastic.  It's hydrating, absorbs quick and gets the job done.  It's also $22 for a good-sized bottle.  

The Lip Balm
Even the lip balm nails it.  It's smooth, hydrating and I love these ingredients:  Olive oil, beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter.  $6 for a tin that will last you quite some time.

*I received these products to test.  All opinions are mine!


Giveaway is closed. 


1.  "Like" Sellwood Soap's FB Page   AND...

2. Either below in the comments or on my Facebook page, tell me what makes you so gosh-darn lovable!

This contest ended Friday, August 2, 2013 at 12 noon. 

My Summer 2013 Natural Loves: Dr. Woods, SkinnySkinny, Sellwood Soap & Earth Tu Face & More!

I'm super fortunate that my best friends have rented a summer home on the beach, yet again. Because I have lots and lots of natural products, I have to scale down and just bring the essentials.  This is what I find I've been taking with me the last few weekends:  

1.  RMS Beauty Lip Shine in Sublime  It's a perfect pink with a hot pink pop to it.  I don't even need a mirror...just dip my finger and dot on my lips.  I even wrote a post on it here! $20

2.  John Masters Haircare Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner   After a week in Turks & Caicos with new highlights, salt water and heavy sunshine, I realized that this is a great conditioner as my hair was in perfect condition when I got back.  I don't use this everyday, but at least twice a week when I've been at the beach or in the sun.  Hydrates your hair, but doesn't weigh it down...big plus, yes?  $22


3.  SkinnySkinny Rosemary Mint Organic Foot Scrub    This is a nightly routine for me in the summer:  Unlike most foot scrubs (I've tried 'em all) this has got lots and lots of pumice and isn't greasy.  You'll have hydrated, soft feet post scrub.  Need more details, read here!  $26


4.  Dr. Woods Pure Peppermint Castile Soap  This is great for it's many uses!  After you use most body washes you generally need to apply moisturizer.  Not true with Dr.  Woods.  This leaves your skin so hydrated and soft, there's no need for anything after.  I'm a convert.  I even purchased a large bottle for my dad because he's got dry skin and I don't see him using moisturizer anytime soon.  Can also be used as a shampoo, for face and more. $8.50

5.  Jane Iredale's Lip & Cheek Stain in Forever Pink   This stain is a must-have.   If you want a pink tint at the beach without looking made up, you're going to want to go for Forever Pink Lip Stain.  It's not sticky, it hydrates, looks so pretty and can be used on the cheeks as well.  $25


6.  Sellwood Soap Vetiver & Orange Facial Scrub In a word, it's awesome!  I was just introduced to this company (full review to follow soon) and find myself thinking each time I use it, "This line is so perfect, you need nothing else."  This homemade scrub will exfoliate and leave your skin moisturized with it's sunflower and rose hip see oils.  Oh, and when I got some on my lips, I tasted the sugar...bonus! $12

7.  Earth Tu Face Palma Rosa & Aloe Face Cleanser  I love this company.  You need so little of this super smooth hydrating face wash.  It's so easy to use and has stellar ingredients: Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E...and the list goes on.  Made by two herbalists in California, these are the kinds of businesses we want to be supporting!  8 oz. $48 (travel size $28)

8.  Solar Recover Spray hydrator full of essential oils! I use this year 'round, but most often in the summer.  It's great post-sun and pre-moisturizer.  I even use it in my hair and on my face if I forget my toner.  I've gotten a ton of people hooked on this.  A must!  $13

9.  DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer  I don't go anywhere without this.  I've got both the face and body moisturizers and until you try them, you just won't understand how these are just like regular moisturizing lotions...nothing spf-y about them!  Read more here. $25 (but if you search, you can get it for less)