I the last couple of years I have received so many emails asking about recommendations for skincare products that are healthy for the body and the environment– that I have kept my ear to the ground in an effort to introduce you to excellent quality healthy alternatives to their mainstream, chemical-laden counterparts. One of my recent discoveries is All Good by Elemental Herbs, and their products are so good that I had to share them with you.
All Good by Elemental Herbs offers a collection of all-natural skincare products made from plant-based ingredients. From chemical-free zinc sunscreens and sore muscle recovery spray to silky smooth lip balms, lotions and coconut oils, All Good supports an active, healthy lifestyle with their organically grown formulas.
As consumers wise up to chemical-laden beauty and grooming products, I wanted to introduce you to California-based All Good by Elemental Herbs, makers of safe and pure skincare products. With their farm and offices located in Morro Bay, CA, All Good takes a minimalist approach to producing plant-based, effective skincare and sunscreens that soothe, protect, restore and heal. Highlighted here are a few products and reasons to take a look at this environmental and social responsible company.
All Good Beauty Products
• Made with organic & sustainably sourced ingredients
• 100% GMO & petroleum Free
• Hypo-Allergenic
• Gluten Free
• Vegan / Vegetarian
• Only tested on humans
All Good Sunscreens
• Chemical free & coral reef safe
• Non-Nano
• PABA Free
• Paraben Free
• Rated #1 by the Environmental Working Group
• UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum Protection
All Good for the Planet
• Member of 1% for the Planet
• Biodegradable packaging
• Certified B Corporation
All Good Organic Coconut Oil Skin Food in Lavender ($14.99 for 7.5 oz. from All Good): Coconut Oil is one of the best multitasking natural and nourishing products in my skincare arsenal. I use a small amount on my hair and scalp, and on my whole body. You simple warm a small amount between the palms of your hands and it immediately– then simply massage it into your skin or hair. The lavender scent is delectable and calming, and it is neither cloying, nor overpowering. However, if you have an aversion to lavender, then they have it available in Lemongrass as well.
Benefits & Uses:
• Deep moisturizing for skin and hair
• Safe for babies
• Oil pulling to draw out toxins in the body
• So all-natural that it can be eaten
• Lemongrass & Lavender scents come from pure, certified organic essential oils
According to All Good,
Dig in, warm your palms together and rub All Good Skin Food all over for instant deep moisturizing organic skincare after a shower, during a massage, or just as a baby is out of the bath. Coconut oil liquefies at 78º F, so expect variation in this product. If you like it solid, stick it in the fridge. On warmer days, when it turns into a true “oil”, give it a shake (with the cap on TIGHTLY) before use. When it solidifies, you’ll see peaks and valleys on the surface. No matter the texture or consistency, it’s all good!
All Good Organic Body Lotion in Lemongrass ($15.99 for 6 oz. from All Good): This thick lotion has the consistency of a body butter or body cream, but it is fast absorbing and leaves behind no greasy or sticky residue. It delivers serious long-lasting moisture, and leaves skin silky soft, supple and radiant. The Lemongrass scent is absolutely delectable, and it lingers for about an hour before fading away.
Benefits & Uses:
• Deep moisturizing
• Safe for babies and everyday use
• Thick consistency, but not sticky
• Lemongrass & Lavender scents come from pure, certified organic essential oils
According to All Good,
All Good Body Lotion repairs your dry skin for a natural, youthful, non- greasy feel with rejuvenating organic botanical ingredients. We’ve taken care to produce the most soothing organic lotion possible with nature’s safest and most potent organic ingredients and medicinal plants. Don’t forget to drink water for overall hydration and feed that big beautiful organ all the best, all good stuff.
All Good Lips Original Lip Balm SPF 15 ($3.50 for 4.25g from All Good): I am something of a lip balm fanatic, and tend to use them throughout the day when I need a little moisture, but also tend to use them as bases for lipstick and lip gloss as well. I really like using lip balms with some SPF since shiny lipsticks and glosses tend to attract the sun, and therefore added protection is imperative. All Good Lips Original Lip Balm SPF 15 leaves lips super moisturized, soft and smooth, and the SPF gives added environmental protection. It has the lovely flavor and scent that is a fusion of the Lavender and the other organic Essential Oils, and it offers a refreshing light tingle when first applied.
According to All Good,
Whether you need a little hydration or a lot of protection, our lip balms is formulated to keep your lips soft and smooth with the most natural, safest ingredients. All SPF flavors are oxybenzone free.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 2% (Non-nanoparticle). Additional Ingredients: Organic Calendula*, Organic Comfrey*, Organic Lavender*, Organic Plantain* and Organic Yarrow* Infused in Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil* with Organic Beeswax*, Organic Essential Oils* and Non-GMO Vitamin E. *Certified Organic by USDA/NOP.
All Good Goop Handcrafted Healing Balm ($8.99 for 1 oz. & $13.99 for 2oz. from All Good): Everyone needs a few multipurpose natural remedies in their medicine cabinet. All Good Goop Handcrafted Healing Balm is useful for so many skin conditions, and I tested it on dry irritated skin and chapped lips and was seriously impressed by the results. It quickly healed my chapped skin and lips, and left my traumatized skin soft and moisturized. It has a light lavender scent that is neither cloying, nor in the least bit overpowering.
Benefits and Uses:
• Cuts, Scrapes, Abrasions
• Minor Burns, Sunburn
• Insect Bites, Stings, Dry and Irritated Skin
• Chapped Lips
• Diaper Rash
• Blisters
• Cracked or Calloused Hands
• Scars... and much more
According to All Good,
Our first product ever to hit store shelves, we named this healing balm All Good Goop when we realized how amazing it is for everything! Its organic skincare formula mixes essential oils with medicinal plants to make it strong enough for a climber's raw knuckles and gentle enough for a baby's bottom.
Ingredients: Organic Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive Fruit Oil)*, Pure Cera Alba (Beeswax), Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula)*, Organic Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey)*, Organic Plantago Lanceta (Plantain)*, Organic Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender)*, Organic Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow)*, Non-GMO Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender Essential Oil). *Certified Organic by USDA/NOP Standards.
Overall Assessment: If you are looking for safe and healthy skincare products that are good for the skin and easy on the wallet– then you should really consider trying All Good products!
During the colder months of the year, I tend to spend a lot more time nourishing and hydrating my hair since the winter weather really wreaks havoc on dry hair, but it also dries out hair that isn't dry to begin with. I am forever on the lookout for haircare products that restore and repair stressed tresses, and I have discovered a few more worthy of mention.
Nth Degree is an affordable, yet ultra-luxurious, haircare brand that makes exquisite shampoos, conditioners, hair masks and serums to, "restore your hair and bring back its natural glow...."
According to Nth Degree,
Made from helichrysum and grapeseed, this exotic blend harness the power of helichrysum extract to dramatically transform your hair into supple lusciousness.
Until recently, helichrysum was an ingredient only seen in skincare products due to its costliness, but now, they are part of Nth Degree’s True Repair Collection in order to penetrate the hair shaft to strengthen, moisturize and restore shine. The final look is radiant, silky and tame— hair to the highest power.
Available at Ulta stores nationwide, "the potent concoctions that Nth Degree has developed and created will delicately cleanse, condition, repair, shine and finish hair, transforming it into radiant, resilient, silky perfection."
About Nth Degree:
Since its inception in Sydney, Australia, Nth Degree quickly gained a reputation for immediate transformations that turn the wildest hair into cool hairstyles- affordably. Nth Degree hair- care products are crafted with the world’s most effective natural ingredients, professional tools calibrated to deliver gorgeous, glossy salon style each and every time … to the Nth Degree.
As I was writing this review, I discovered that Nth Degree products are currently on sale at Ulta, and the Buy One, Get One Free makes these already affordable products a really amazing value.
I have to preface this review by stating that all four of these Nth Degree True Repair products have a delectable smell that is a slightly spicy variant of the Grape Seed Oil, but I did notice that it faded very quickly, and once my hair dried I was no longer aware of its aroma.
Nth Degree True Repair Shampoo ($12.00 for 13.5 oz. from Ulta): This is an ultra-gentle and thoroughly non-stripping shampoo that is gentle enough for daily use. It is moisturizing without leaving hair feeling weighed down, and it is perfectly formulate to accommodate the needs of moisture-starved dry and/or chemically treated hair. While I do not wash my hair every day, I definitely could without worrying that it would dry or strip my hair.
According to Nth Degree,
Nth Degree True Repair Shampoo cleanses without stripping hair of natural oils. Helichrysum extract delivers serious moisture to every strand, while keratin proteins ensure smooth cuticles and ends.. For normal, damaged, chemically treated hair.
Directions: Apply liberally to wet hair and induce lather. Gently squeeze shampoo from roots to end without scrubbing to eliminate tangles. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Repeat steps. Recommended for use with Ultra-Smooth Helichrysum Conditioner.
Nth Degree True Repair Conditioner ($12.00 for 13.5 oz. from Ulta): This conditioner is ultra nourishing and hydrating, and it's so emollient that it detangles hair and effectively fights frizz and fly-aways. Hair is left soft, supple, manageable and with a gorgeous shine.
According to Nth Degree,
Nth Degree True Repair Helichrysum & Grape seed Conditioner gets to work delivering serious moisture to every strand, while keratin proteins ensure smooth cuticles and ends for normal, damaged, chemically treated hair.
Directions: Apply liberally to wet hair, coating strands from root to tip. Leave on hair for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Recommended for use with Ultra-Smooth Helichrysum Shampoo.
Nth Degree True Repair Hair Mask ($14.00 for 6.8 oz. from Ulta): If you love hair masks that deeply condition and nourish the hair, then you really must give this one a try. I was so surprised by the extent to which this gem of a deep conditioner left my hair soft, smooth, hydrated, manageable and shiny. This may not seem like a tremendous feat, but when you have dry, naturally curly that is periodically color-treated, then you know that this is no small accomplishment!
According to Nth Degree,
True Repair Hair Mask by Nth Degree has a superior blend of Argan and grape seed oils that rapidly reforms damaged hair by infusing rich moisture and restorative vitamins to deep condition hair. This hair mask is enhanced with grape seed and frankincense oils. For normal, unruly and chemically treated hair.
Directions: Use liberally on clean, wet, detangled hair. For fine or oily types, apply to body of hair, avoiding roots or scalp. For thick or dry types, apply all over. Leave on hair for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Recommended for usage with the Ultra-Smooth Argan Oil & Keratin Collection.
Nth Degree True Repair Hair Serum ($14.00 for 3.4 oz. from Ulta): I use hair serums all of the time, and the more natural the ingredients the better. Most commercial versions have more silicone than natural oils, but Nth Degree does the opposite, and I really see and feel the difference in my hair. Their hair serum adds far more moisture than the average silicone-based serums, and in that regard this offers great styling without sacrificing moisture. It is very lightweight in texture, and a little goes a very long way. I use it on damp or dry hair, and the results are immediate.
According to Nth Degree,
Nth Degree True Repair Serum with natural extracts provide rich moisture to seal cuticles and smooths split ends. For normal, damaged, chemically treated hair.
Directions: Shake well before use. Apply moderately to damp or dry hair, gently massaging from root to tip. Do not rinse. Style as desired. Recommended for usage with the Ultra-Smooth Helichrysum Collection.
Overall Assessment: If you haven't heard of Nth Degree, then I highly recommend trying this affordable and luxurious line that delivers real results affordably!
Christa from Perilously Pale has an obsession for more than just makeup. Her other guilty pleasure is her budding handbag collection. Her love of colour isn't reserved just for her beauty products.
The cold winter weather naturally invites the use of heavier and richer moisturizers, and Savannah Bee has a wide selection of richly moisturizing products from which to choose. Their body Butter, lotion, body washe and lip balms offer wonderful moisture and a lovely tactile experience.
Savannah Bee Royal Jelly in Tupelo Honey is an utterly delicious smelling and ultra emollient body butter that delivers serious moisture to dry and parched skin. It can be used all over the body, or used as a spot treatment for dry patches that need extra care. It leaves skin soft, supple and ultra hydrated all day long, but during the winter months you may want to reapply it as needed. I have been leaving this on my nightstand and using every single day, and am officially obsessed with it. It doesn't hurt that my once winter dry hands and cuticles are now super soft, supple and hydrated.
According to Savannah Bee, Fresh and Pure Tupelo Honey Formula - New fresh tupelo blossom fragrance with soft hints of vanilla and lemon is added to our signature super rich formulation that combines royal jelly and other hive treasures as well as skin-quenching butters and essential oils. Tupelo honey is the cornerstone of the Savannah Bee Company and now we bring our signature Tupelo honey scent to our best-selling Royal Jelly Body Butter! The best time to apply Savannah Bee Royal Jelly Body Butter is just after your daily shower to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated all day. Use all over, or only on problem patches, such as elbows and knees. Royal Jelly Body Butter's nutrient rich and protective formula is skin care that is truly fit for a queen!
Take your daily shower or bath with Savannah Bee Honey Body Wash that will naturally exfoliate your skin and is the perfect addition to this skin care ritual. After you've finished, pat your body dry with a clean towel. Do not rub or dry yourself completely; always leave a little moisture on your skin to help with absorption. Scoop out Savannah Bee Royal Jelly Body Butter with your hand and apply directly to your skin. Use a circular motion, massaging with light pressure, focusing the pressure on the palms of your hands using firm strokes, until the body butter is fully absorbed. Savannah Bee Royal Jelly Body Butter melts right into your skin, absorbs quickly and is excellent for smoothing out rough, dry spots. Pay particular attention to your feet, hands, elbows and knees, areas that tend to get particularly dry or calloused. If your skin is extra dry, you can apply a second layer of body butter on these problem areas for the best results. Apply Savannah Bee Royal Jelly Body Butter just before bedtime to help soften the skin on your hands and the back of your feet. Apply a layer of body butter, then cover up with cotton socks or gloves. Apply liberally in the winter. Body butters are particularly valuable in dry winter weather and in a heated home to provide a protective layer against the wind, cold and dry heat.
Attributes of select ingredients:
Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Pecan Oil and Orange Peel Wax for additional skin hydration.
Honey is a natural humectant, pulls moisture from air and feeds the skin.
Royal Jelly includes lipids, amino acids and proteins which help smooth and brighten the skin and improve elasticity.
Beeswax includes a softening agent that creates a protective shield against the elements.
Propolis includes vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, Biotin, High Bioflavonoids, promotes smoother skin.
Royal Jelly Body Butter for Sensitive Skin is specially formulated with chamomile, myrrh, and lemon zest. Chamomile is known for its cooling effects when used topically on damaged or irritated skin.
The Savannah Bee Majesty Gift Set is a wonderful way to try a few of their very popular products, and they are travel-perfect! This set includes their Body Wash, Body Lotion and lip balm. I have the Tupelo Honey Gift Set, and the scent is utterly delectable.
Savannah Bee Body Wash is gentle on the skin and it exfoliates dead skin cells without irritation, and it leaves the skin silky smooth. Tip: I also like to use it for shaving!
Savannah Bee Honey Body Lotion is lightweight, fast absorbing, and ultra-hydrating. Savannah Bee makes their lotions in a variety of delectable scents that will leave you deliriously happy.
Savannah Bee Lip Balms offer the perfect remedy to chapped winter lips. They are exceedingly moisturizing and nourishing, and heal even the most chapped lips very quickly.
Available in the following flavors:
Classic Flavors: Tupelo Honey, Earl Gray, Mint Julep, and Wild Blackberry
Southern Flavors: Peach, Sweet Tea, and Key Lime Pie
According to Savannah Bee,
Royally Majestic, this honeybee inspired gift set includes a luxurious and skin moisturizing honey body lotion (travel size), a cleansing and skin revitalizing honey body wash (travel size), and a superrich lip moisturizing lip balm all in a beautiful “Majesty Travel Bag.” All natural with amazing ingredients from the honeybee hive make this a gift set to BEE treasured. Savannah Bee offers all-natural, paraben and petroleum free products that are never tested on animals.
Savannah Bee Company Beeswax Natural Lip Balm goes on smooth and silky, softened with the oils of coconut, olive, cocoa, and hemp seed. Never greasy, never chalky, it absorbs and protects with the soothing benefit of organic beeswax. In addition to beeswax, Savannah Bee Lip Balm also contains softening honey, pure propolis, and nourishing royal jelly. Savannah Bee Lip Balm brings you the very best ingredients from the hive!
Overall Assessment: If you are experiencing dry skin and chapped lips this winter, and you are looking for a few new ultra-nourishing moisturizers, then Savannah Bee has a wonderful assortment of products that will delight your senses and deliver deep hydration to your parched skin and lips.
I tend to like to purge things before the new year begins, and toward the end of 2015 I decided to donate piles of things that we were no longer using, and throw out things that were broken (and beyond repair). I like to start the new year off without feeling burdened by things that just take up space without ever being used. When it came to skincare products, I rounded up a pile of nearly used up products and decided to keep them in sight on my counter so that I would finish them up and recycle their bottles and jars early in the year. I actually found that method so effective that I am now making this a practice– otherwise things get forgotten about and lost in the back of the cabinet as new products find their way into my life.
Here is what I used up in January:
1) Relogy Dual Action Treatment Foam (Reviewed here): This cleanser lived in my shower for quite a long while, and I used it whenever I had pesky monthly breakouts. I found that it was remarkably effective at eradicating breakouts without drying out my skin. I really like that it is 95% natural, and that it is a gentle non-stripping foam.
Dual-action Treatment Foam. (It’s bubbly for a reason, not just ‘cause it’s fun.) 95% Natural, Relogy’s Treatment Foam uses the power of oxygenated bubbles to penetrate deep into your pores to start clearing acne immediately. This step also makes your skin look and feel softer, smoother and healthier. Use it as a cleanser with rinsing, or just apply and let it dry!
Ingredients: Salicylic Acid (from white willow bark - a multifunctional ingredient that addresses many of the systemic causes of blemishes) 0.5%, Benzalkonium Chloride 0.2% (gentle anti-bacterial often used in eye drops), Water, Sodium Laurel Sulfate (skin cleansing agent/soap derived from palm or coconut oils), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (derived from coconut oil - helps remove dirt and oil from the skin), Decyl Glycoside (derived from corn starch and coconut - helps remove dirt and oil from the skin), Sorbitol (derived from corn syrup - used to prevent moisture loss), Propylene Glycol (organic compound used as a stabilizer, delivery system and skin conditioning agent), Panthenol (a derivative of vitamin B5 used for moisturizing), PEG-75 (skin lubricant made from plant lanolin - used for moisturizing), Meadowfoam Flower Oil (extract from meadowfoam flower for moisture and anti-aging), Tetrasodium EDTA (preservative), Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot Orange) Extract (natural anti-septic to promote healing).
2) Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Body Lotion (Reviewed here): I really love this lotion, and have been purchasing it for years. It is filled with healthy ingredients, is easy on the wallet, and is widely available. I tend to pick mine up from Whole Foods when I am grocery shopping, but periodically find it on sale online. It leaves skin nourished, moisturized and very soft. I cut open the bottle and scraped out every last drop, and will definitely be purchasing another bottle soon.
An exquisitely light, natural body lotion packed with rich botanical emollients to soothe and soften skin while providing 100% daily hydration.* Alba Botanica Very Emollient™Body Lotion blends aloe vera, green tea and chamomile extracts plus antioxidants to help nourish and replenish skin on contact. Perfect for use in massage. This rich lotion absorbs quickly so it feels light enough to use all day, every day.
3) Kiwi Glow Daily Skin Moisturizer Oil in Earth (Reviewed here): I love using body oils, and during the colder months I layer them under heavy creams or body butters to keep my skin super soft and moisturized. I really like Kiwi Glow oils, and promptly opened a fresh new bottle as soon as I finished this one.
This divine oil has hints of frankincense, patchouli and vanilla. Very earthy, very relaxing. Honestly! We only use simple, natural ingredients to create our daily skin oil. Pure, organic, cold-pressed sesame, known for its healing properties and skin benefits, is the foundation of this luxurious, lightweight oil. Did you know you consume four pounds of damaging toxins through your pores every year? Its why Kiwi Glow contains antioxidants that remove these harmful contagions, leaving your skin luminous and hydrated. Kiwi Glow also has an abundance of nourishing vitamins- A, E and B complex - to rejuvenate your skin naturally form smoother, healthier looking skin. Kiwi Glow is non greasy, absorbs easily and a little goes a long way.
4) Caress Adore Forever Body Wash (Reviewed here): This bright floral is offset by a slightly tangy berry top note that is warmed by the Amber, Honey and Vanilla. It is rich, yet light and airy. It is a lovely scent that fills the shower with its lovely aroma. It has a rich foam that cleans the skin without stripping it, and I it is emollient enough that I used it for shaving as well.
Caress presents a fine fragrance breakthrough with the world's first body wash with Fragrance Release Pearls. A touch-activated technology that releases a burst of perfume every time you touch your skin, all day long. New Caress Love Forever, an irresistible feminine fragrance with floral musk and sparkling pink roses laced in amber.
Revitalize your skin with Rituals Himalaya Wisdom Detox Scrub Salt - a deep cleansing, ultra-softening and cooling body scrub. It combines the ancient Ayurvedic ingredient Holy Basil for its calming properties with Fresh Mint to revitalize your body. Directions: Massage Rituals Himalaya Wisdom Deep Cleansing Scrub Salt into dampened skin. Rinse off with warm water in the shower or bath.
6) eSalon HEART LOCK IT Color Safe Shampoo(Reviewed here): This is such a gentle shampoo that is specifically formulated to prevent color-treated hair from fading. It is non-stripping, and was very kind to my color-treated curly hair.
Heart Lock It Color Safe Shampoo gently cleanses color-treated hair without using harsh ingredients that cause color to fade. This nourishing blend of proteins and amino acids deeply moisturizes and strengthens all hair types, leaving you with beautiful results.
Sulfate-free to extend the life of your hair color
7) eSalon LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY Color Safe Conditioner (Reviewed here): This conditioner is super moisturizing, and effectively detangles hair and controls frizz. It's pretty hard to find a conditioner that makes my naturally curly hair shiny, but this one actually does.
Love Unconditionally Color Safe Conditioner adds moisture and shine to color-treated hair. Packed with beneficial amino acids and proteins, this advanced formula is designed to strengthen and soften all hair types, but is gentle enough to protect color from fading. Use it daily to condition and detangle color-treated hair.
Nourishes hair cuticle to seal in color
Sulfate-free to extend the life of your hair color
Helps prevent damage and breakage from chemical treatments
8) Terax Hydrate Color Locking Leave-In Conditioner (Reviewed here): I seldom use up a product before I review it, but by the time that I reviewed this I had about two sprays left. I absolutely love this stuff, and will definitely be buying a bottle soon. This leave my hair soft, frizz-free and manageable.
Terax Hydrate is a leave in moisturizing conditioner designed to close the cuticle after washing and treatment to seal in color and lock in moisture. Their exclusive blend of botanical extracts featuring sage, chamomile, fennel, hops and yarrow provide superior moisture benefits. Sunflower seed extract helps to preserve and extend the life of your color treatment. Use with either of Terax's Crema rinse out conditioners to pH balance the hair.
Marc Anthony Hydrating Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Conditioner, extra hydrating formula instantly smoothes frizz and repairs split ends and breakage while creating soft, luxurious, supple hair. Coconut Oil and Shea Butter restore, protect and revive shine. Biotin deeply penetrates to fortify, nourish and supercharge healthier, faster growth. Hair is left healthy and frizz free. Color safe.
10) ProfilePRO Custom Scent Jasmine Lola's Shampoo: I really liked this shampoo based upon my limited experience with it, but sample sizes of shampoo or conditioner generally don't provide enough product to really see how my hair will respond to them over a longer period of time.
11) Aesop Classic Shampoo: I really liked this shampoo, and found it gentle and non-stripping, but once again I wasn't able to test it long enough to determine whether it was a good fit for my hair.
Aesop Black Label hair collection includes shampoos and conditioners scented with natural botanicals and enriched with proteins. The line is specially designed to address the unique needs of your scalp and hair without stripping hair of its natural protective oil.
Aesop Classic Shampoo is a balanced, gentle formula that lets you thoroughly cleanse your hair and scalp without stripping natural oils. Designed for frequent use, Classic Shampoo is perfect for all hair types.
12) TATCHA Radiant Deep Brightening Serum (Reviewed here): This lovely serum hydrates and brightens the skin, and gives it an overall evenness in tone. I absolutely love this serum.
A hydrating, brightening serum powered by time-tested Asian botanicals to bring color clarity and radiance to the skin. Contains licorice root, jujuba, scutellaria and silk extracts as well as squalane and HADASEI-3 Bioactive Complex, a proprietary blend of rice bran, green tea and red algae extract.
Formulated without mineral oil, synthetic color, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, PEGs, PPGs, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates. Ideal for combination skin.
13) StriVectin-SD Instant Scrub: I found this sample sitting in my sample drawer, and didn't even realize that I had it. I'm not sure what I expected, but it was so gentle, soothing and calming that I was able to use it everyday without irritating my skin. I would definitely purchase a full size tube.
StriVectin-SD Scrub is an exfoliating scrub that cleanses and instantly retexturizes skin. Key ingredients provide exfoliation, while calming and soothing the skin, priming it for maximum absorption of StriVectin treatment products. Removes surface impurities and dry skin cells to promote greater luminosity, smoothing of rough areas and improvements in skin texture and tone. See results in your mirror immediately and over time.
14) Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum: I had about 5 sample vials of Black Orchid, and thought that I wouldn't like it on my skin, but every single time I wear it I find myself repeatedly sniffing my wrist and feeling happy. I also get so many compliments when I wear it that I finally caved and purchased a full size bottle.
The custom grown (and über rare) TOM FORD BLACK ORCHID is the show-stopping note in this incredibly luxurious scent. Sultry woods and rich fruit accords help to bring out the skin's natural perfume, and the jet-black, art-deco inspired bottle adds to the fragrance's overall glamour.
Notes: Black Truffle, Black Orchid, Black Plum, Noir Gourmand Accord, Patchouli.
15) Goldfaden MD Doctor's Scrub: I have used several sample packets of this exfoliant, and really like it a lot. I need a few more tries to decide whether I want to buy it.
Dr. Goldfaden's coveted exfoliator contains powerful ruby crystals that provide immediate cell renewal by polishing away dead surface cells, leaving brighter, clearer and younger-looking skin. Daily use improves the appearance of fine lines, reduces pore size, and leaves you with a healthy, radiant complexion. Created by renowned dermatologist Gary Goldfaden M.D., this naturally conscience range forgoes chemical ingredients in favour of antioxidants and active plant-based complexes that offer the most effective results.
I am still in the process of testing the two latest TATCHA releases, and my in-depth reviews are forthcoming, but I thought that I would share my first impressions as well as the official details of each of the two products. The first is an ultra-concentrated gel-like facial serum, and the second is a firming eye serum– both are from the LUMINOUS line, and they promise to leave skin beautifully hydrated, lifted, luminous, and they diminish the appearance of fine lines. So far, I am exceedingly impressed by the results, and of course they are a true joy to use. There is something about TATCHA products, with their luxurious and elegant textures, that makes one slow down and savor the ritual of pampering and caring for the skin. I am delighted to be using these two products, and will report back in greater detail soon.
TATCHA LUMINOUS Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate is a gel-serum that leaves skin remarkably hydrated and radiant, and it reduces the appearance of fine lines. When one awakens, skin looks radiant and rejuvenated. A unique, hydrating gel-like serum concentrate to visibly replenish and diminish the look of fine lines, revealing a youthful glow in one use. This ultra-concentrated formula of hydrating Okinawa Red Algae, ginseng, squalane, wild thyme, and sweet marjoram botanical extracts visibly improves skin clarity, texture, and tone for overall renewed radiance overnight. Formulated with Tatcha's proprietary, anti-aging Hadasei-3 Bioactive Complex. All skin types. Non-comedogenic. Non-irritating. Non-sensitizing. Dermatologist tested. Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane (Olive Origin), Cyclopentasiloxane, Triethylhexanoin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Thymus Serpillum Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate (Licorice), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Sericin (Silk Extract), Inositol (Rice Extract), Glyceryl Stearatese, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Ppg-5-ceteth-10 Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sorbitan Stearate, Trideceth-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Peg-240/hdi Copolymer Bis-decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Butylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Fragrance (Natural), Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol. Formulated without: Parabens, mineral oils, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates.
TATCHA LUMINOUS Firming Eye Serum is a lovely eye serum that immediately reduces puffiness, delivers superb hydration, visibly diminishes that appearance of fine lines, and leaves skin soft and smooth.
This weightless serum of Okinawa Red Algae, Honeysuckle Leaf and Caffeine offers instantly-visible firming, reduced puffiness, and plumping hydration to diminish fine lines. A cooling ceramic applicator and fine dust of 23-karat gold brighten and diminish shadows under the eyes without adding shimmer. All skin types. Non-comedogenic. Non-irritating. Non-sensitizing. Dermatologist tested. Ophthalmologist tested. Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Peg-400, Squalane (Olive Origin), Sericin (Silk Extract), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Leaf Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate (Licorice), Caffeine, Royal Jelly Extract, Thymus Serpillum Extract, Gold, Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Inositol (Rice Extract), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Natto Gum, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta, Sorbitan Stearate, Dimethicone, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Carbomer, Mica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol.
In case you haven't yet heard the news, TATCHA has created an ultra luxurious new sunscreen that is already being touted as a game changer. TATCHA SILKEN Pore Perfecting Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 boasts a lightweight and nourishing formula that doubles as a primer to extend the wear of your makeup while protecting your skin.
According to TATCHA,
Inspired by the geisha's iconic makeup, we created this invisible, lightweight sunscreen to perfect and protect skin, making it an elegant, everyday essential. Provides broad spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Non-greasy formula tightens pores, perfect as a primer for makeup.
One seldom speaks in terms of elegance when discussing the anatomy of a sunscreen, but TATCHA has the innate ability to make exceedingly elegant products in even the most seemingly mundane categories such as sunscreens.
TATCHA SILKEN Pore Perfecting Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 is a thick cream housed in a beautiful blue squeeze tube. A light squeeze dispenses the perfect amount of sunscreen without any waste.
The sunscreen itself defies expectations in that its thick texture suggests that it might require a great deal of effort to work into the skin, and that there will invariably be a white residue that will prove to be incompatible with makeup. Yet, TATCHA was able to create the most luxurious silky-smooth sunscreen that melts into the skin as soon as it meets the warmth of the body, and it transforms from an opaque cream into one that is completely invisible. Additionally, there is no greasy residue left to contend with– that so often alters the consistency of your makeup. It neither feels, nor smells like a sunscreen, but instead behaves more like an ultra-luxe nourishing hydrating cream.
Furthermore, in addition to providing broad spectrum SPF 35 protection, it also serves as a remarkably effective makeup primer that diminishes the appearance of enlarged pores.
For all skin-types. Non-comedogenic. Does not contain mineral oil, aminobenzoic acid, homosalate, oxybenzone or octinoxate.
Formulated without: Mineral Oil, Synthetic Colors, Synthetic Fragrances, Sulfate Detergents, Parabens, PEGs, PPGs, Urea, DEA, TEA or Phthalates.
Overall Assessment: This thoughtfully produced and ultra-luxurious sunscreen is a definite game-changer. Once you try it, you won't ever want to be without it. Be advised that your other sunscreens and primers will suffer from neglect once you begin using TATCHA SILKEN Pore Perfecting Sunscreen. An unmitigated A+!
Have you tried TATCHA SILKEN Pore Perfecting Sunscreen? If so, what are your thoughts?
If you find that your skin is prone to dehydration, then adding topical Hyaluronic Acid into your beauty routine is a great solution for thirsty skin. It is an astonishingly effective humectant that attracts and retains water molecules from the environment and it rehydrates the surface of the skin swiftly. As you might recall, I suggested thinking about adding Hyaluronic Acid into your skincare routine in my Top 20 Beauty Resolutions to Live by in 2016 because the benefits are immediate and pronounced. Recently I tested Mira-Skin Hyaluronic Serum, and have been so impressed by the results that I continued using it long after my initial testing period ended.
Mira-Skin Hyaluronic Serum is described as, "a unique combination of high-quality, short chain hyaluronic acid, which promotes regeneration and supplies your skin furthermore with the following valuable nutrients and antioxidants for ultimate hydration."
Mira-Skin Hyaluronic Serum is a lightweight gel that sinks into the skin immediately leaving behind no residue whatsoever. Skin immediately feels comfortably hydrated, and the hyaluronic acid plumps fine lines and improves the overall texture of the skin. It leaves skin soft, supple, lifted, glowing and deeply moisturized. It has has the faint scent of roses, from the Rosa Damascena Distillate, but it fades as soon as it is absorbed into the skin.
Claims:
Provides Deep Hydration
Provides continuous moisture
Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Improves elasticity
Gives fullness & restores youthful contours, for younger and smoother skin
Directions: Apply the Mira-Skin Hyaluronic Serum daily after cleansing skin (in the morning and in the evening). After it has absorbed, apply your favorite facial skin care product.
Mira-Skin Hyaluronic Serum does not contain: chemical preservatives, dyes, parabens, silicones, mineral oils or animal products. Mira-Skin Hyaluronic Serum is not tested on animals Select ingredients and their attributes:
Collagen (Hydrolyzed Collagen): improve skin toning and supports regeneration. Microcrystalline Silver: has antibacterial properties for soothing and anti-inflammatory results. MSM (Methyl-Sulfonic-Methane): is a natural sulfur substance, which plays an important role in building healthy skin, hair, nail cells. Vitamin E: is a powerful antioxidant that decreases skin roughness, facial lines and wrinkles. Omega 3: helps keep your skin hydrated and prevents it from drying and flaking. Vitamin A: repairs skin damage due to sunburn and natural aging. CoQ10 (aka. ubiquinone): plays an important role in making your skin look younger by creating collagen and elastin for firmer skin. Frankincense: intensifies skin regeneration and reduces skin irritations. It also has a soothing effect on overly dry and flaking skin. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHAs): exfoliates and increases blood flow to the skin, to help to minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
