My Take On Intelligent Nutrients Plant Stem Cell Renewal Complex (Whew...mouthful)

Yes, I get it, it's expensive.  Who are you telling?
  
Intelligent Nutrients Plant Stem Cell Science Renewal Complex was one of those products that I had to contemplate purchasing for a while because of the steep price.  $130 for four ampoules, $55 each if you're buying them separately.   The size?  1.62 fl oz / 48 ml.  

So, how do I like it?  Well, I really like it.  I actually love it!  I'll tell you what it does and it's been consistent.  I really, really notice that it plumps up the skin.  If I put this on before bed (and it smells delicious) my skin definitely has a fuller, plumper look to it.  

It goes on like a water and you only need a little bit to spread across your whole face.  Now, they tell you that one ampoule should last you 7-10 days, but it usually lasts longer for me.  I have no idea how it works, but I will say that it does work.  My skin is softer, firmer and has a plumper look to it post-use.

If any of you have tried it, I'd love to hear your take on it!   

From their website:

Intelligent Nutrients® Plant Stem Cell Skin Science Renewal Complex—All Over Treatment is for general treatment of larger skin surface areas such as face, neck and décolleté. It contains 4 treatment vials. Each vial is designed to last approximately 7-10 days.

Intelligent Nutrients® Advanced Plant Stem Cell Skin Science Renewal Complex features a proprietary blend of edelweiss, coneflower and pennywort formulated at the highest potency for maximum efficacy, harnessing the power of plant stem cell antioxidants. Their innate preventative qualities perfectly position them to help fight the visible signs of aging, at any age. This advanced skin science reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, helps reduce redness and other skin discolorations—plus firms, lifts, smooth and softens while increasing collagen synthesis.

*I purchased this myself and all opinions are my own!

Kahina's Brightening Serum REALLY Works!

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I'm a HUGE fan of Kahina Giving Beauty.  Their products are of the finest quality, they use recycled and recyclable packaging (these products look gorgeous in your bathroom, as well), they donate 25% of their profits to the Berber women who harvest their Argan Oil and the list goes on.  

Currently, I'm using their super-hydrating toner, their Argan Oil, eye cream and now...Brightening Serum.  I'm Irish-American, so I have the tendency to get a lot of freckles.  I don't mind them, but I am minding these new guys called "sun spots" that have been presenting themselves as of late. With one on my cheek and one on the tip of my nose (I know, right?) I got really excited when I saw that Kahina had created a Brightening Serum.

Now, they recommend that you use this serum for four-six weeks to see more even-toned skin, but I have to say that I've been using it for just under 3 weeks and I am totally seeing results. Both of my sun spots have faded dramatically AND, as a bonus, my skin is super, super soft.  I mean really soft.  

I would say the consistency is a milky, delicious-smelling serum that is not at all greasy.  In fact, it's like a thin lotion that absorbs instantly.  

I've been using this both morning and evening before my Argan Oil.  I apply the Brightening Serum and then wait until I'm about to either go to bed or put makeup on before I apply my oil...just to give the serum time to work its magic!

From Kahina's site:

Increase luminosity and refine skin tone and texture with this organic-certified treatment complex. A blend of rare white lily, Japanese wakame seaweed, and powerful antioxidants in argan oil, maritime pine, and green tea will:

• Visibly reduce discoloration, hyper-pigmentation, post-acne spots and dark marks in four to six weeks

• • Boost radiance and even skin tone
• • Prevent future discoloration by inhibiting melanin production
• • Protect against environmental exposure
• • Support skin’s natural defense system
• • Fight free radicals that contribute to further signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles
• A lightweight, easily absorbed serum with a fresh, natural scent.  $72

**I purchased this myself and all opinions are my own.

Natural Lip Balms For People Who LOVE Balms!

I spend an incredible amount of time at my desk writing songs, writing blog posts and managing my band.  As I sit here, I have a draw full of lip balms that I apply throughout the day.  I've always need to have something on my lips and since no one is around, lipstick/gloss aren't really necessary.  Today I applied Splurge Skincare's Lemon Lip Buttah about 5 times and each time I thought about what a stellar product it is, how delicious it smells and how awesome it's texture is and then I thought, "Wow, I should be writing a post on the best balms!"   

SPLURGE SKINCARE LEMON LIP BUTTAH

Wow.  Just wow.  The smell of Splurge Skincare's Lemon Lip Buttah is just amazing.  Why hasn't everyone thought to do a lip balm in lemon?  As you can see from the picture to the right, the shape of their balms are oval, making it so much fun to apply.  Beyond that, it really, really feels great on and works!  Oh, and by the way, I just heard that they've come out with TINTED Lip Buttahs in three colors, so if you're a girl who loves to get yer tint on, check them out here.

Their ingredients are clean and wonderful, too:
Babassu oil (orbignya oleifera), organic cocoa butter (theobroma cacao), beeswax (cera alba), sweet almond oil (prunus amygdalus dulcis), organic castor oil (ricinus communis), litsea cubeba essential oil, bitter almond essential oil (prunus amygdalus amara - prussic acid free), vitamin E (tocopherol)

SKINNYSKINNY BARE & NAKED LIP BALM

I'm a BIG fan of skinnyskinny.  I've done a lot of write-ups about their products since I started this blog.

One of my favorites (next to their Foot Scrub) is their Bare & Naked Lip Balm.  Now, I've got all of their balms, but for some reason, there's something about this unscented balm that has a scent that I love...something that's all-natural in there just smells so comforting.  They also have Clover Honey Citrus and Tea Tree & Mint.  For $6, I would just say get yourself all three to try and let me know what you're loving.

Ingredients: beeswax*, avocado oil*, cocoa butter*, virgin coconut oil*, calendula-infused extra-virgin olive oil*, honey*. *certified organic ingredients

**I was just going to post about another one of my favorites, but after looking it up online, found that it contained Benzyl Benzoate, making it no longer a favorite.  Although the jury is still out on some of these ingredients, I'm not taking any chances by recommending them to my readers who are trying to stay clean and green.  Enjoy the brands posted, for they will offer only the best for your precious lips and health!

Best Natural Face Exfoliators from Acure Organics and Simply Divine Botanicals

I'm a firm believer in exfoliating your face. Now, I'm not going to say how many times a week you should exfoliate, as I am certain that that's something only you (or your esthetician) can determine since everyone has a different situation going on with their skin.  Naturally, if you're prone to redness and breakouts, you're not going to exacerbate the problem by scrubbing it.  Me?  I usually exfoliate between once or twice a week. These are two of my favorite natural exfoliators for the face.

Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub

There's a few reasons why I really love this scrub.  It's a GREAT product to have in your shower because it's so easy to use.  I love, love, love the tube.  If you're the type that loves tiny little beads to exfoliate your skin, you'll love this.  It comes out of the tube a dark, dark green and foams up once you start scrubbing your skin.  You need so little of it and the ingredients are excellent.   This really brightens the skin, is so gentle that it won't dry you out and it's super affordable at $14.99.

Simply Divine Botanicals' Peel Me a Papaya Enzymatic Exfoliant

The big guns.  Okay, you know those times when you just feel like you need a really, really good scrubbing of that face of yours?  Say you've been staying at someone's place or on vacation and haven't had time to take care of your skin?  Well, this is thee perfect exfoliator for that.  I would say that I use this every other week.  Very grainy and super effective, this powder face exfoliator also doubles as a mask.  In fact, that's how I use it.  The ingredients are excellent and work even better when you massage over damp skin and leave on your face for about two minutes.    Your skin will be so, so soft.  Look at these ingredients!  They are gorgeous:  
Unconditional Love and Gratitude, White Kaolin Clay, Dehydrated Coconut Milk, Dehydrated Organic Green Papaya, Organic Oat Bran, Rice Bran, Organic Cornmeal, and Organic powdered Roses, Lavender, Calendula, and Chamomile.  $19.95


*I purchased both of these products myself & the opinions are my own, gosh darn it!

Natural Face Moisturizers for Winter: S.W. Basics, Kahina Giving Beauty & Pai

S.W. BASICS  It's still Spring-like here in NYC, but I still feel like there's a bit of a chill in the evenings and that means it's time to start using moisturizers with a little more kick in them.  This year I'm trying S.W. Basics' Cream and, once again, these guys knock it out of the park. With only three ingredients: shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil, this balm-like cream is so pure, it really moisturizes your skin, yet doesn't clog. My skin is baby smooth and I've been putting it on before makeup with excellent results.  All their products are handmade in Brooklyn and their packaging is excellent.   This is a big jar as far as moisturizers go and you need so little. $34  Oh, and for the coming cold weather, I also recommend their lip balm!  

KAHINA GIVING BEAUTY  What can be said about Kahina Giving Beauty's Argan Oil that hasn't been said a thousand times?  If you're looking for a hydrating face oil (year 'round), this is the one to buy.  It's the real deal and I use it daily.  This oil is so pure you can also use it to hydrate your hair, nails (it's really great to rub on your cuticles and hands before bed - you wake up with such smooth and hydrated skin) and, of course, your face. My friend tried my Kahina this past summer and is now so hooked. He has me order and have it shipped to his workplace, "Get me the large and quick!"  Liquid gold.   30 ML: $36  100 ML: $82    473 ML: $200

PAI  This is another moisturizer that isn't just for the colder months, but if you don't use creams in the Summer and want to take it up a notch, this is for you. Pai's Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream ($44) is definitely thicker than a lotion, but doesn't feel heavy.  Beyond the fact that it smells absolutely DELISH (I'm a huge fan of the smell of chamomile) this hydrates, goes on smooth and comes in a super easy pump.  So many of their creams are excellent, but this is the one that I use and love.   If you are in the market for a heavier cream, try their Macadamia & Rose BioRejuvenate Moisturizer. Everything is organic and awesome, trust me.  $47

Shannon Reed Soy Candles - Smell SO Amazing, Packaged in Recycled Glass & All Natural!

One thing that I really love about writing posts on green businesses is learning their back story. When I decided to write a post on Shannon Reed's essential oil candles and read the "Our Story" section on her website, I really connected with her experiences with synthetic fragrance - be it in her home cleaning products or scented candles.

After finding out from a doctor that she was allergic to fragrance, Shannon decided to do some investigating and found out that companies are not required to tell you what is actually in their fragrance since many times it's considered a trade "secret".  Many of the compounds to create the fragrance are linked to asthma, reproductive disorders and more.  So, Shannon decided to start creating her own line of soy candles with essential oils and botanical extracts...and they smell like PERFECTION.

I have her Laid Back candle which is a mix of Lavender and Benzoin.  The ingredients?  Simple and natural: lavender essential oil, benzoin essential oil, soy wax and a cotton wick.     It smells absolutely fantastic.  $34

I also am on my second Feisty candle which is a blend of cinnamon, orange, clove, mint, cardamom & vanilla.  This candle is excellent for Fall/Winter and smells heavenly.  Ingredients: Vanilla Absolute, Sweet Orange Essential Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, Cinnamon Essential Oil, Clove Bud Essential Oil, Cardamom Essential Oil, Soy Wax, Cotton Wick

I'd also like to say that all their containers are made from recycled glass, the packaging is  made from recycled paper using soy ink and they're made in the USA!

This is definitely the kind of company that I love to support.  Not only are they concerned about making excellent products, but they're concerned about our health and the environment.   If you're looking for a gorgeously green candle, please give Shannon Reed a try.  They're definitely my favorite.

*Initially, I had purchased these candles myself.  Opinions are my own.

Great Natural Makeup Removers: Inika, S.W. Basics & Good Ole Coconut Oil

The good news is that companies are coming out with some great makeup removers to take off all that natural makeup that you girls are sporting now.  I've got three of my favorites here - one creamy, one oily and one that can be either oily or kinda creamy depending on the temperature (sounds intriguing, right?)

INIKA EYE MAKEUP REMOVER

Inika Eye Makeup Remover is creamy, it smells great and if you're the kind of girl who loves a a less oily feel, this is for you.  I find it takes off everything with ease.  Now granted, waterproof mascara is a little tough, but there's not too many removers that are able to get off waterproof in one swipe, anyway.  This remover works perfectly and I recommend it highly.  It's currently in my cabinet and I would definitely repurchase.  $34

S.W. BASICS EYE MAKEUP REMOVER

I was never one for oily makeup removers in the past.  I couldn't stand the burn they left on my skin (most likely from all the perfumes and chemicals) and the fact that you could never apply makeup after using them because everything would run down your face from the residue it left.  But that was before I went natural in my makeup and tried S.W. Basics' makeup remover.  This oil is spectacular.  Yep,  spectacular.   With just three organic ingredients, there's just no way you could go wrong.  I apply a little to a cotton ball and swipe it across my lids.  It doesn't leave any greasy feeling, just a clean, moisturized eye. I understand that you can use this all over, but I just use it on my eyes & I love it.  $14

ORGANIC COCONUT OIL

I must admit that I use coconut oil for pretty much everything these days.  I use it in my morning smoothie, I use it as a body moisturizer and as a makeup remover.  Coconut oil definitely removes all of my makeup, I just feel like it can sometimes be a bit too much for my skin, so using it on my eyes is one thing, but all over my face can break me out.  Everyone is different, though and I suggest you give it a try.  I also recommend only applying a small amount to a cotton ball so you don't get it in your eyes...it's not harmful, just uncomfortable.    When I do use coconut oil to remove all of my face makeup, I follow up with a toner like S.W. Basics' toner.  The coconut oil leaves the skin smooth and hydrated. $9

*I've purchased all of these products myself.  All opinions are my own.

The Green Product Junkie's Natural Shower Products

THE GREEN PRODUCT JUNKIE'S SHOWER...PRESENTLY

So, I just moved into my new cute place on the East Side of Manhattan.  I've got a gorgeous new shower (modern, just like I like it) and have placed my new products in their place.  I change up what I use all the time, but right now I'm loving my set up.

Here's what I have here and what I'm currently using and loving:

Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner - you can see my review here.  I love the stuff.

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Soap, Body Soap and Shave Gel - if you're like me and love the tingle of peppermint, you're going to fall fast for this.  My review is here.

Sebon Organics Shampoo & Conditioner - I alternate and love this line.  Super healthy ingredients and gives you such pretty hair.  My review is here.  

Ctonics Passion Shampoo - This is not for everyone.  It's super natural and it takes some getting used to.  I happen to like it, but only use it once a month.  It really strengthens your hair.

Acure Organics Brightening Scrub - I just started using this and I think it's excellent.  I'm definitely going to be reviewing facial scrubs soon...this product deserves a post.  I also think it's great for having in the shower.  Pop it open, apply in circular motion and rinse!

Preserve Razor - If you're not using Preserve, I'm not sure if we can be friends ;) .  Preserve is what everyone on the planet should be using.  Their handles are made from recycled yogurt cups...c'mon, what's cooler.  My review is here. 

SkinnySkinny Eucalyptus Foot Scrub - I will never, ever use another foot scrub.  This is serious and really, really works.  No delicate little beads in this scrub.  Pumice, pumice, pumice.  Love it.  My review is here.

Splurge Skincare Peppermint Body Scrub - LOVE!  Recently wrote a review on this new company.  When I'm feeling like a need to really scrub, I'm reaching for this.  Here's my review.

Yarok Shampoo & Conditioner - I'm at the end of these bottles.  I definitely suggest this to people who have oilier hair.  It's not a super, duper high condition conditioner.  I'm also into scents and this conditioner doesn't match the deliciousness of it's shampoo.  I use it to clean my brushes, too.

The Best Natural & Green Concealers That I've Found

When embarking on my whole chemical-free makeup and skincare "adventure," I knew there were going to be a few items that were going to be difficult to replace.  Mainly, foundation, mascara and concealer.  When I first began, there were plenty of lipstick and mineral blushes out there, but I wasn't sure if anyone was going to be able to really replicate what my favorite foundation and concealer were able to do and still keep out the nasty chemicals.

STUDIO 78's 'OFF WE GO' CONCEALER

Woman, I love this stuff.  I wear it each and everyday and never, ever thought I'd be able to replace my Cle de Peau concealer.  This has excellent covereage, will not dry out your skin, is smooth without being greasy and, in fact, has a sort of powdery feel, but not drying. I can't explain how, but I have to say, they've nailed it...the formulation and texture is perfect. Although it only comes in two shades, for some odd reason, it matches my skin perfectly and I'm thrilled about it.  I'll also use my Jane Iredale Active Light underneath it if I'm super dark.  Get it at NuboNau for  $31.

JANE IREDALE ACTIVE LIGHT CONCEALER

I recently purchased Jane Iredale's Active Light Concealer and find myself reaching for it daily.  This concealer is very light,  so if you've got really dark circles, you might want to use this and then layer with a heavier one.  The reason I say to put this on first is because it's so smooth and leaves such a nice bright glow under the eyes, I think it will compliment your concealer.  It's also incredibly easy to use and the packaging is great for travel.  It's basically a concealer pen that you just brush on.  I haven't used this on it's own yet as I'm in a new apartment and haven't been sleeping so well, but my guess is that it's great for days when you don't have the darkest circles and just want a pretty, bright look. $27

W3LL PEOPLE NARCISSIST FOUNDATION

This foundation also happens to be one of my favorite under eye concealers, too.  W3LL People's Narcissist foundation gives great coverage, has amazing ingredients, lasts a long time AND does not cake.  In fact, it's pretty much the perfect blend of moisturizing without making your makeup run.  So, I use this as my main foundation and can do under eye touchups all in one.  $38

Their ingredients are gorgeous, too:

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil* infused with Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea Complex) Leaf**, Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom)***, Morella Cerifera (Bayberry- wildharvested); Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax)****, Silica, Essential Oils, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil (and) Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), [+/-: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Mica (CI 77019)] *Certified Organic by Stellar, **Certified Organic by QAI, *** Certified Organic by Oregon TILTH, **** Certified Organic by Koster Keunen

RMS BEAUTY "UN" COVERUP

Straight up? I love RMS Beauty.  Their "un" coverup concealer is definitely on the creamier side.  In fact, I always use it quite a bit below where my lower lashes are because I don't want my lower lash mascara to mingle with it.  I use this concealer when I want a pretty, dewy look.  It's great for evening out skin tone, too.  It leaves behind a really fresh, clean and youthful look. The ingredients in this concealer are amazing.  If you haven't discovered the line yet, get on it it.  At $36, it lasts a really long time, too.