All posts filed under: Product reviews

Overall experiences with individual beauty products. Each item has been carefully and thoughtfully selected based on my specific skincare needs, personal beauty routine, and ingredients list. NO AFFILIATION at the current time.

Dr. Alkaitis | Organic Enzyme Exfoliating Mask

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A gentle and effective anti-aging treatment that brightens and resurfaces skin cells, while supplying essential phyto-nutrients, antioxidants, and minerals to the skin. Made with an Enzyme Exfoliating Complex including Bromelain (pineapple), Papain (papaya), and Cellulase among other enzymes. When I started scraping the bottom of my  Yuli Pure Treatment Mask I began to search for a new one that was comparable. I wanted it to contain wholesome ingredients, treat, exfoliate, and come in powder form. With so many brands and masks to choose from I narrowed it down to Dr. Alkaitis and, in the end, chose the Enzyme Exfoliating Mask. $60 for 1.25 oz When I received my order from Spirit’s Beauty Lounge, I was initially amazed with 1) the size and 2) the light weight. For 1.25 ounces of powder you receive a generous amount. I suppose the reason is largely due to the texture and density. The powder is finely milled, soft, and airy like flour or talc powder. So it might not feel like you’re getting a lot of product but you are. There is enough in the jar to last you at …

Tata Harper | Replenishing Nutrient Complex

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Lightweight facial oil serum to improve skin’s glow, texture, and hydration. Tata Harper has built quite the reputation in the Green Beauty market as one of the leading luxury skincare brands. Rightfully so, as they have completely won me over with some of their products that I’ve had the pleasure of trying here and here. As I was nearing the end of my last serum, I found a (relatively) low priced TH serum that seemed perfect for the day time. $45 for 10ml The pocket-sized roll-on is what caught my attention the most. I really love the small size for the simple fact that it’s extremely portable. You’ll have no issues passing through TSA with this wee bitty thing! The roller ball is also a great feature because it helps to control how much oil you use when applying directly on your face. I’m not really a germaphobe but I prefer to apply a few rows on my hand to press it onto my face. It has an undeniable rose scent because of the first ingredient, rosehip …

Sumbody | Save Me, Honey Shower Mask

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Skin clearning. Purifying. Calming. Last year when I went on a weekend getaway to the San Francisco Bay Area, I stumbled upon a natural skincare store and purchased these toner pads. I was also on the lookout for a new mask since I was almost finished with my Tata Harper Exfoliating Mask. I noticed a jar labeled honey shower mask. I was intrigued. So I asked the store clerk exactly how it worked. She explained that it could be used as a mask or face scrub while you’re in the shower. Seems simple enough, right?  $29.95 large jar (4 oz) Upon opening the jar, you’re immediately hit with a peculiar scent thanks to the third ingredient, apple cider vinegar. The first ingredient, honey, gives the mask it’s runny consistency. Spread throughout the mask are sea salt granules to give you some exfoliation. However, they are rather sharp edged granules that may sting a little. Due to the obsidian clay and other grainy ingredients there is settling. But that can easily be fixed by mixing the ingredients again until …

Lina Hanson | Global Body Serum

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I believe using pure and natural ingredients derived from the earth will help your skin get the nutrients it needs to look its best. Thus, I made it my goal to source the most pure, anti‐aging essential oils in the world. Years ago I was one those half-witted people who thought that the answer to clear skin was to stay away from oils. I couldn’t have been more wrong. For over a year now I’ve been using oils on my face and have been completely loving it. Oils like this one have actually helped clear my face of existing acne scars. So now it was time to give the same attention to the rest of my body. $64 for 100 ml The violet MIRON glass bottle is truly great for those traveling abroad because it’s a very sturdy container. Lina also chose the perfect size as it meets the TSA liquid restrictions of 3.4 fluid ounces. The oil has a light yellow tint, feels non-greasy, and sinks easily into the skin. The vanilla scent is complimented with …

Sodashi | Eye and Lip Cleanser with Chamomile

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This gentle cleansing cream removes eye make-up and lipstick and contains plant extracts to nourish and strengthen eye lashes. Last year when I won a Sodashi Instagram giveaway, I received a clay face cleanser and and an eye/lip cleanser. I’ve used liquid eye makeup removers, natural oils but a cream eye makeup remover was completely new to me. I immediately looked through the website to find out more about this unique product. I was a bit hesitant because I thought it would irritate my eyes but today I’m here to confess my love for this product! Sodashi packaging is nothing short of classic. They house their effective products in beautiful violet miron bottles to block all visible spectrum light with the exception of the violet range and infra red. This helps tremendously with protecting the quality and efficacy of ingredients. To my relief, it’s quite sturdy as demonstrated with a few accidental knocks off the bathroom sink. With only 50 mL (1.7 fl oz) of cleanser, the bottle is rather small which makes it perfect …

Sumbody | Wipe Anew Face Pads

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On my last trip to the Bay Area I was walking past a store window with handmade soaps and body butters on display. Being the curious little product junkie that I am, I walked inside and started perusing. To my delight they had a large array of skincare, body care, and makeup products all locally made with all natural ingredients. When I came across the face pads from their Early Prevention line flashbacks to Noxzema pads immediately came to mind. A toner in a pad form? I had to learn more from the store clerk. I asked her, “Are these like Noxzema pads and pick up any left over dirt from cleansing?”. She replied, “No…think of them more like putting back all the good stuff your cleanser took off.” Hhmm…interesting, right? The packaging is your standard plastic with a screw-on lid. When initially opened it is sealed for freshness with a covering you must remove before using. The pads are pretty standard too. I want to say they’re 100% cotton but I cannot confirm nor deny that. …

Odacité | Beautiful Day Moisturizer

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When I was finished with my beloved Tata Harper moisturizer I didn’t know what to choose next. I went on the internet search for a moisturizer that looked like it had a light consistency. However, I was seeing many clean brands with balms or creams that were too heavy for my taste. I don’t recall how I stumbled upon Embody Beauty but that’s where I was introduced to Odacité, a Southern California brand. With a moisturizer suitably called Beautiful Day, I knew I had to try that next. $75 ( 2 oz / 60 mL ) When I received the moisturizer I was immediately in love with the packaging. My love for sleek black packaging is only rivaled by my love for clean white packaging. The white inner tube compartment is encased in clear plastic. Very clean and sophisticated looking. The pump dispenses just enough to cover the whole face. I’ve really loved having it this summer as my skin tends to lean towards combo/dry. It gives me just enough moisture without clogging pores. The lotion has …

Quarterly Co. | #NDL10 featuring Marie Veronique Organics

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Holá, green beauties! I’ll be honest – I’ve been back home for some time now but was fully distracted with the FIFA World Cup. Sorry! Now that we are officially through the second quarter of the year, next month the third Quarterly box will be shipping out. I’ve had 3 months now to test out box #10 and for the first time since joining I actually finished all the products! When I opened the box my eyes lit up because it contained items from clinically-proven brand Marie Veronique Organics. I’ve heard and read so many great reviews and was eager to give these products a try. We picked a trio of truly special products from Marie Veronique Organics’ Pacific line. They have clinical trials to back up their anti-aginng claims- which is great because those claims are awesome. MVO Pacific Mist | retail price $40.00 Nicolle from No More Dirty Looks was an early adopter on this one. She pointed out a few months ago that green tea is the first and third ingredient in …