Who Knew I'd Fall In Love with An Oil Cleanser...or Ginger? I'm Constantly Reaching For GingerChi Since I First Tried It! Wanna win it?

GINGERCHI'S PURIFYING OIL CLEANSER $28

Hmm...how can I start this review?  The reason why I'm not sure is because I so love this handmade cleanser and really want to get the point across that it is very different from anything else I've ever used.  

With many cleansers I have to follow up with a toner because I'm just not trusting the cleanser to get rid of all of my makeup. With GingerChi's Purifiying Oil Cleanser, I take a little, massage it into my skin to loosen up makeup and impurities (eyes included) and then hold a warm washcloth over my face for a minute and then wipe it off. After using the cleanser, my skin is so soft, clean and because it's an oil cleanser (which I'm starting to think is thee best thing ever) it's super hydrated.  This oil cleanser really makes a lot of sense.  

WHY GINGER?
In a nutshell, GingerChi uses ginger for its healing properties, unlike many companies that use a ginger fragrance simply for scent.  Two of the many benefits of ginger include:

• Slowing the aging process as it's rich in antioxidants which prevent and repair damage from free radicals.
• Enhances skin tone as ginger boosts the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid

The scent is light and citrusy and the ingredients are awesome:  Camellia oil, coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E and essential oils of fresh ginger, grapefruit and lavender.

GINGERCHI'S REJUVENATING GINSENG TONER $36

Beyond how it makes the skin feel, the smell of GingerChi's Rejuvenating Ginseng Toner is absolutely heavenly.  It smells like a light ginger tea with lemon. I adore.  Using this is an absolute pleasure for many reasons, but mainly because it's so refreshing, tones the face and is so pure. This is wonderful to freshen up during the day.

The ingredients sealed the deal for me, too:  Rose water, melissa water, ginseng tincture, aloe vera concentrate, Siberian ginseng, NFF moisturizer, sea silk, eco preservative, essential oil of fresh ginger.

Who do I think could benefit from GingerChi's cleanser and toner?  Uhm...everyone?  I just think that there's so many cleansers out there that are stripping the skin as opposed to adding hydration while cleansing.  So, if you're looking for an effective, handmade skincare line that is effective and smells wonderful, I say, you've arrived.  

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

The winners are:  Laura Brubaker, Sarah Weber, Lauren Pollicino. Congrats!

GingerChi has generously offered three (3) sets of their:

• .5 fl oz Face Cleanser
• .5 fl oz Face Toner
• .125 fl oz Face Serum
• 1 organic muslin face cloth
• Small muslin bag.  

I'm so excited for you to try it!

Seventh Generation's Boosts: A Natural Face Oil That's Truly Affordable & Works. Wanna Win it?

Who knew?  Seventh Generation's Boosts

Like many of us, I was pretty shocked when I heard that Seventh Generation (of whom I am a big fan) was coming out with a line of natural face oils.  I purchase all of their paper products and detergent (my fav is the eco-packaging on this one) but never thought of them as a beauty brand...until now.

I received the Hydrating Boost to try and have to say, it's really effective AND super, super affordable.  I mean, this is the kind of thing that you could comfortably recommend to someone who says (to be read in a whiny voice)  "But I need something I can buy in a drugstore aaaaand it can't be expensive!"  Well, with a price of $13.99 and stellar ingredients, it's not going to get better than this.  

I used this for a week and I have to say that my skin was soft, hydrated, the oil absorbed really quickly and the scent was nice.  So, if you're looking for a natural face oil, don't want to spend too much, I'll say go with one of the Boosts.  They come in: Hydrating, Revitalizing, Soothing, Clearing, Firming and Protecting.

These are the ingredients for the Hydrating Boosts:  

Prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, passiflora edulis (passionflower) seed oil, oryza sativa (rice) bran oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, euterpe oleracea (acai) fruit oil, orbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil, anthemis nobilis (chamomile) flower oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, vanilla planifolia bean extract, and rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract.  

Big kudos to Seventh Generation for bringing a green beauty product into the drugstore arena. This is a great sign that natural products and ingredients are picking up steam and becoming more accessible to everyone.

This giveaway is closed.

Become my fan on Facebook & tell me in the comments here or on FB page:

1.  What oil you would love to try

2.  Why you think that you, above everyone else, deserves to win this and remember to keep 'em funny!

A Perfect Natural Deodorant That Smells Like Lime, Lavender, Ylang-Ylang. Schmidt's Natural Deodorants Review!

SCHMIDT'S NATURAL DEODORANTS

It seems as though everyone who is interested in using toxic-free products is in the market for a natural deodorant that actually works and works well.  Because everyone's body chemistry is different, it's honestly just a matter of trial and error.  What works perfectly for you, might make your friend smell like she's been doing aerobics.   In leather.   In Death Valley.   All day long.  

When Mia of Schmidt's Natural Deodorant contacted me, I was really interested because their products looked very cool, simple and modern.  I was also drawn to the number of scents they had, but being that I have hyperhydrosis and my temperature gauge is a little off, I know that many deodorants don't work for me.  But because I know how much we'd all love to find the Holy Grail of deodorants, I was willing to take one for the team.  ;)

SO HOW EFFECTIVE WAS IT?

Well, very.  I wore this for several days in a row in 90 degree heat in NYC.  I also wore it to my Pilates class yesterday (a Pilates class where the owner has an issue with turning on the A/C, apparently) and many walking trips across town.  I detected nothing unpleasant.  And, after coming home and cooling down, there still was nothing there.  Very cool.

Now, one of the main ingredients in this deodorant is baking soda.  Some people have issues with baking soda, many do not.  I've used other deodorants with baking soda that have irritated my skin.  Schmidt's did not.  In fact, it felt great going on...not grainy like others.  One thing is that my body chemistry turns body powders and baking soda yellow on white fabrics.  It comes out in the wash, but I chose to only wear darks while testing since I know that about my body.

THE SCENTS!

I love the fact that this brand has so many scents.  I've listed them below with a few words that I would use to describe them:

Ylang-Ylang + Calendula: calming, pretty, can't stop sniffing this, fresh

Cedarwood + Juniper:  slightly woodsy, relaxing, gorgeous

Bergamot + Lime: bright citrus, very limey, perfect for summer, clean

Lavender + Sage:  pretty, light, subtle floral/lavender

Fragrance-Free:  natural

HOW IS IT USED?

The deodorant is a solid cream and comes with a little spatula to remove the product, but you can also use your fingers.  Granted, some people like having their deodorant in a container that they can just swipe across their pits, but honestly, this is a natural product and I didn't mind it at all.  In fact, I'm thrilled to know that it's toxic-free and that the glass container can be re-used when you're finished.  You only have to apply a pea-sized amount, which also makes the $8 price a steal.