Live Botanical Skincare Review: Fleur de Terre Calming Serum and Skin Repair Balm

When I first came across Live Botanical's skincare and body care on Instagram, the first thing that grabbed my eye was their amazingly creative and stunningly beautiful packaging. The botanical artwork on each bottle, jar, and tin was simply stunning. When I traveled onto their page and took a closer look, I was floored by the quality of their formulations and the very careful selection of ingredients in each of their products. Once I placed my order, I reached out to the company founder Carolyn to share my excitement at finding her brand. She was so helpful and added samples other things to try to my order. After using up the ENTIRE Fleur de Terre sample bottle, I knew that I was hooked.

Fleur de Terre Calming Serum

$42

PROS:

I have been using this serum day and night for the past 4 straight weeks and have noticed a calm, less red, and smoother complexion. I feel that it has really helped strengthen my skin against daily pollutants that would generally cause me to get flushing, blushing, stinging, burning, itching, and prickly sensations. For those of use that truly fit the definition of "SENSITIVE SKIN", this light weight, golden oil has truly been a gift. I've also experienced much less of the eczema patches I was experiencing on my temples and near my neck during the winter months; however, that could also be in relation to the weather. The scent is incredibly pleasant and I love that I can very easily layer this over more treatment based serums and oils for extra hydration and suppleness.

CONS:

I have no cons with this oil serum. Perhaps the scent is a bit strong? Honestly, I do love herbal scents in my products though and this would be such a nit picky thing for me to call out haha.

FIRST IMPRESSION:

With how happy my skin has been upon first using this serum to today (nearly four weeks later), my first impression is that I would highly recommend the Fleur de Terre Calming  Serum to everyone struggling to find affordable facial care for sensitive skin prone to redness and irritation. I am so beyond thrilled that I have found something that works so well for me during the harsh Winter to Spring transition. 

INGREDIENTS:

Calendula* infused Apricot Kernal* oil, Camellia Seed* oil, Pumpkin Seed* oil, Chia Seed* oil, Meadowfoam Seed* oil, Jojoba* oil and essential oils of Clary Sage*, Chamomile*, Helichrysum*, Rose Geranium*, Rose and Lavender*

*These products shown were all purchased by me personally and I was not compensated for my honest review.

1

100% Pure Bamboo Blur Tinted Moisturizer Swatches and Review

Being someone that has always appreciated medium to full coverage, I have generally steered clear of tinted moisturizers. As my skin has improved over the years, however, I find myself reaching for BB creams, CC creams, and tinted moisturizers as an option for daily wear. When I learned that 100% Pure was going to be launching a new tinted moisturizer using pore diffusing bamboo silica, there was definitely a little bit of a happy dance going on in my head. With normal/combination skin, I was already using and loving the Bamboo Blur Powder from 100% Pure to set my makeup and keep my forehead and nose shine at bay during the day. Could this new formula live up to the hype of the powder? Keep reading to find out!

Bamboo Blur Tinted Moisturizer 

$45 

Purchase here

Available in 6 Shades:

Creme- Fair/Light Complexion Neutral Undertones

White Peach- Light Complexions Warm Undertones

Sand- Light Complexions Neutral Undertones

Peach Bisque- Medium Complexions Neutral Undertones

Golden Peach- Medium/Tan Complexions Warm Undertones

Toffee- Tan Complexions Neutral Undertones

PROS:

I really liked the coverage aspect of this tinted moisturizer. Unlike many that go on sheer and do little to correct redness and uneven tone, this formula seems to provide a much more build-able coverage that effectively camouflaged the redness I get near my chin and nose. The formula also set surprisingly quickly and dried to an almost semi-matte finish which was really nice. Usually, I find that my normal BB and CC creams leave a slightly dewy finish that doesn't always work well in my combo areas. Wearing this throughout the day definitely felt comfortable and I felt no tightness or itchiness (which I typically do with most foundations on my super sensitive skin). 

CONS:

Despite really liking this formula, there were a couple things that I wish could have been improved upon slightly. With the amount of bamboo silica in the formula, you have to work extremely quickly to blend the product on to the skin. I also wish that there was some slightly warmer shades to choose from as I felt completely in between White Peach and Peach Bisque. During the day I noticed some separation between my skin and the product; however, that is fairly typical for me with most foundations and tinted 

moisturizers.

Bamboo Blur Tinted Moisturizer in White Peach and Peach Bisque

FIRST IMPRESSION:

Overall, as a tinted moisturizer I did really like the Bamboo Blur formula. I think it's a great option for lightweight coverage during the warm summer months. I think it can also be a great transition for girls that are used to heavy foundation formulas that was to ease into something lighter and more breathable. For those with oilier or combination skin types, this can definitely work to your advantage. Compared to 100% Pure's typical plastic packaging and bottles, I was ecstatic to see a heavy bottom glass bottle! The pump on this product also seems like a much higher quality than the other packaging options. For those having issues with application, I found that if I applied this over a facial oil and used a damp makeup blender I got the best results. 

INGREDIETNS:

• Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice*, Rose Hydrosol, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado Seed) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Extracts of Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit, Camellia Sinensis (Organic White Tea) Leaf*, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Bean), Lycium Chinense (Goji Berry) Fruit and Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit/Leaf/Stem, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Extracts of Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla Wax), Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Turmeric Root Extract, Bamboo Silica, May contain Iron Oxides , *Certified Organic
• 
  

*I was sent product for my honest review. I did not receive payment for my review and the opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

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Wabi-Sabi Botanicals Budhi Sacha Inchi Eye Nectar

Who doesn't want smooth, youthful, and bright under eyes? Wabi-Sabi Botanicals has come to my rescue with their gorgeous red-orange Budhi Eye Nectar and given me some of the best results I've seen from an eye serum. Continue reading for the full details!

Budhi Sacha Inchi Eye Nectar
Purchase Here.  
Retail: $52

• Vegetarian 
• Vegan
• 93% Organic
• Cruelty Free

PROS:

I really liked the lightweight dry-oil texture of this eye serum. I was able to use one drop for both eyes and press the remainder onto my neck. Within in couple of days of daily use, I noticed a noticeable smoothing of the skin under my eyes so it is definitely moisturizing. When I massaged this serum under my eyes in the morning, I was pleased to get a nice well-rested look. I cannot say that it was a dramatic de-puffing, but it was a certainly noticeable effect. It has a very deep coffee scent, which I happen to love; however, if you are not a coffee fan you may not be able to handle the roasted aroma. Ive been having so many eye problems lately thanks to over use of contacts and I felt completely comfortable using this product near my eyes. I found no irritation, rashes, or eye issues in the slightest.

CONS:

It's going to sound ridiculous, but the deep orange tint of this oil is probably what strikes me the most strange. It is absolutely gorgeous in the bottle, however, some of the reddish-orange tint does show up on the skin. After a while you no longer notice it, but I'm sure those with fair to light skin tones will be a bit shocked with the tinge of red. I also feel as though I still prefer eye creams and balms to eye oils. It can be a bit difficult to apply concealer shortly after this oil and I need to make sure that it has absorbed really well into the skin.

FIRST IMPRESSION:

Over the course of the three to four weeks that I was regularly using the Budhi Sacha Inchi Eye Nectar, I truly did notice a pleasant change in the skin under my eyes. Everything seemed smoother and more firm. My little fine lines were much less noticeable and some of the dry patches from my eczema were basically invisible. The care that went into blending this formula and the results I saw, make me believe that this serum is an excellent option for those who are just starting to see tiny fine lines or are noticing the very beginning of slackening skin.

Ingredients:

Peruvian Sacha Inchi Oil*, Seabuckthorn Fruit Supercritical CO2*, Evening Primrose Oil*, Coffee Fruit Oil*, Olive Squalane*, Guava Seed Oil*,  Prickly Pear Seed Oil**, Non-GMO Mixed Tocopherols, Cacao Bean Absolute**, Tonka Bean Absolute*

*Certified Organic Ingredient **Wildcrafted ***Ethically Grown/Sourced

Ingredient Breakdown:

• Sacha Inchi Oil- With an impressive concentration of Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Omega 6 Fatty Acids this lightweight oil provides excellent hydrating, barrier enhancing, and anit-inflammatory beneftis. Also present in the oil of the Sach Inchi seed are large amounts of anti-aging and skin regenerating Vitamin A and potent hydrating and anti-aging antioxidant Vitamin E.
• Seabuckthorn Fruit Oil- The oil contains fruit acids similar to AHA’s to help improve hydration. It is a rich source of vitamin c and beta carotene, and helps to support natural collagen production in the skin, promote healthy cell turnover, and improve radiance. 
• Evening Primrose Oil- Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that help to reinforce skin’s natural barrier function, soothe and calm sensitive skin, soften fine lines, and improve texture. Contains Gamma-Linoleic Acid and Omega-6 fatty acids which make it excellent for it's anti-inflammatory benefits and ability to aid in the management of inflammatory conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.  
• Coffee Fruit Oil- A potent source of polyphenols and ferulic acid antioxidants, can help strengthen skin’s defenses against environmental stressors, and minimize the visible signs of aging. The natural caffeine content can help to visibily tone and brighten skin. 
• Olive Squalane- Similar in structure to skin's natural sebum, this highly refined, olive derived, fast-absorbing oil provides balancing moisturization and antioxidant protection to skin.
• Guava Seed Oil- High in Omega 6 Linoleic Acid, guava is an excellent moisturizing oil to help soothe acne and improve the moisture barrier of the skin. It's lightweight texture absorbs quickly and can help to minizimze the visible appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars with it's natural regenerating Vitamin A and collagen boosting Vitamin C content.
• Prickly Pear Seed Oil- Prickly Pear or Barberry Fig Seed Oil contains the highest concentration of Vitamin E of any carrier oil available. Vitamin E is one of the most effective regenerating and anti-aging antioxidants for dry and mature skin types. With a high concentraion of Omega 6 Linoleic Acid, prickly pear seed oil is lightweight and easily abosorbed by the skin. It is an excellent emollient and can help to improve moisture retention in even the most dehydrated skin. 
• Mixed Tocopherols- Antioxidants to help extend the shelf life of oils
• Cacao Bean Absolute and Tonka Bean Absolute- natural fragrance absolutes

*I purchased this product myself and was not paid for my review. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own :).

1

Lily Lolo Laid Bare Valentine's Look for Day- Bright Lip and Soft Eyes

Hi Beauties! For round two of my Lily Lolo Laid Bare Valentine's Day Series I wanted to focus on a softer day-appropriate look with a vibrant yet wearable pop of color on the lips. I used the new Liquid to Matte Lipstick in the shade ZINROSE from Fairy Girl Cosmetics. I've been so happy with this liquid lipsticks as an alternative to the very popular conventional liquid lipsticks you see all over Instagram and in makeup stores. For a full review, EWG Ingredient Breakdown, and swatches of the new Liquid to Matte Lipsticks, please click here! These formulas are transfer-proof, meaning that you can spend all day with your sweetie and not have to worry about leaving kiss marks on them. You can sip champagne without a care in the world, but be careful with oily foods! The oil based formulas can separate a bit when they come into contact with natural oils; however, this is also a plus for removal because a simple cleansing oil will COMPLETELY remove your lipstick with no staining!

Products Used:

• Lily Lolo- Laid Bare Eyeshadow Palette
• Fairy Girl Cosmetics- Liquid to Matte Lipstick in Zinrose
• Rituel de Fille- Ash and Amber Eye Soot in Sigil
• 100% Pure- 2nd Skin Foundation in Sand and Peach Bisque
• RMS Beauty- Uncoverup in shade 22
• 100% Pure- Bamboo Blur Powder
• Lily Lolo- Pressed Bronzer in Honolulu
• 100% Pure- Blush in Chiffon
• 100% Pure- Luminating Crème in Starlight
• EcoBrow- Penelope Brow Pomade
• Ere Perez- Sweet Almond Oil Natural Mascara
• 100% Pure- Long Lasting Creamy Liner in Cacao

For the eyes, I first applied a base of the Rituel de Fille Ash and Amber Eye Soot in Sigil. This makes a perfect base for shimmery and metallic shadows. Over my entire lid I swept the light, metallic shade AU NATURAL from the Lily Lolo Laid Bare Palette. In the crease, I used a dome shaped fluffy crease brush to blend the coppery gold shade LADY GODIVA down to the top of the lid. In the outer corner of my eye, I used a smaller buffing brush to apply a bit of the medium toned SHY AWAY shade to add just a little more dimension. Because I wanted to keep the eyes softer and warm, I used just a bit of the Long Lasting Creamy Liner from 100% Pure in Cacao smudged along the upper and lower lashline. I finished off the eyes with a few coats of the Ere Perez Sweet Almond Oil Natural Mascara.

To define my brows I used the Ecobrow pomade in the shade Penelope to give my brows a slightly stronger definition. For looks where I primarily emphasize lashes and lip colors, I know I can always trust Ecobrow to help my sparse, wimpy brows look more naturally full. For foundation I mixed two shades of 2nd Skin Foundation from 100% Pure in Sand and Peach Bisque. This foundation gives me a slightly more dewy glow thanks to the high amount of olive squalane, that mimics natural sebum and helps to plump and smooth dehydrated skin! Rather than go heavy on contour, I opted for the Lily Lolo Pressed Bronzer in Honolulu to provide just enough warmth. It is never too ruddy, red, or orange.

Chiffon Blush from 100% Pure is a really pretty baby pink shade with some subtle coral notes. It's bright enough to be really cheerful, but isn't too overwhelming on the skin. On the bridge of my nose and at the tops of my cheek bones, I blended with my finger tips some Luminating Crème in Starlight. This liquid gold highlighter is great for when you want your skin to look at bit more dimensional and dewy. I know I've raved about these formulas a million times, but they are just so flattering and easy to use! For my slightly shiny, tzone spots I dusted just a bit of Bamboo Blur Powder from 100% Pure with a big fluffy brush. Lastly I carefully outlined my lips with Fairy Girl's Zinrose and then filled in my entire lip area from outer corners to center. Within the first 30 seconds, I try to avoid rubbing my lips together to give the formula some time to dry in an even layer.

Happy Valentine's Everyone! I hope you get to spend it with the one(s) you love the most!

<3 Sam

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Fairy Girl Cosmetics Liquid to Matte Lipsticks Review

Fairy Girl Cosmetics is an amazing Vegan and Cruelty-Free beauty brand that offers an incredible selection of non-toxic and safe lip products! I first fell in love with the company when I purchased 3 shades of their Mineral Stick Lipsticks. The formulas were so creamy and long wearing that when I saw their new Liquid to Matte Collection, I knew I had to try them out ASAP.

Prior to making my switch to green beauty, I was one of those Sephora VIB Rogue Girls that had every Urban Decay Palette and a literal hoard of Liquid Lipsticks from Anastasia, Kat Von D, Stila, and NYX. After making my switch over to healthier, green, and eco-friendly options, I was probably the most sad to part with my Soft Matte Lip Creams! Replicating a long-wearing, featherweight, matte lip shade with safe ingredients is incredibly difficult I'm sure. Due to their commitment to protecting our bodies and the bodies of our animals friends, Fairy Girl has created the most incredible option for those of us wanting a little more glam with our green makeup looks!

Formulated with FDA approved colorants and free of Carmine (tiny crushed red beetles) and beeswax, Fairy Girl's lip colors are Leaping Bunny and Peta Certified and 100% Vegan.

Pros:

• Silky, smooth, lightweight texture
• Easy to apply
• Dries quickly to a completely matte finish
• No heavy fragrance
• Very long lasting
• Doesn't dry out lips
• Wide variety of shades and finishes
• Amazing Price Point at $15!

Cons:

• Can cling slightly to dry spots on lips
• Would love to see some swatches on website!

First Impression:

I have honestly been so impressed with these Liquid Lipsticks. When I went through and actually did the research necessary to check out their ingredients (as a lot were ones I didn't recognize off the top of my head), I was so impressed with their attention and care to detail when formulating these gems. Applying these lippies reminds me so much of when I would apply my NXY Soft Matte Lip Creams; however, I feel totally responsible that I am not applying toxic ingredients onto the surface of my lips. They go on very silky with tons of saturation and dry to touchable, transfer proof matte finishes. I can't wait to try some more shades in the future!

Ingredients:
Isododecane, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone crosspolymer, trimethylsiloxysilicate, polymethylsilsesquioxane, pomegranate (punica granatum) sterols, disteardimonium hectorite, synthetic wax, silica dimethyl silylate, silica, kaolin, tapioca starch, octyldodecanol, propylene carbonate, trihydroxystearin, wild crafted hawaiian kukui nut (aleurites moluccana) oil, organic jojoba (simmondsia chinensis) oil, coconut fruit (cocos nucifera) extract, flavor/aroma. may contain: mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxide (CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491), red 30 lake (CI 73360), red 7 lake (CI 15850:1), blue 1 lake (CI 42090), red 27 lake (CI 45410).

• Isododecane- EWG RATING: 1
• Solvent in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution or an emollient with low viscosity that provides lightweight spread-ability.
• Cyclopentasiloxane- EWG RATING: 3
• A silicone derivative that helps with spread-ability, skin conditioning, a silky feeling on skin, water repellent benefits, and a temporary smoothing and plumping benefit.
• Dimethicone Crosspolymer- EWG RATING: 1
• A silicone derivative that helps to stabilize product and a thickener for formulas.
• Trimethylsiloxysilicate- EWG RATING: 1
• A skin conditioning agent that can aid in soft skin adhesion for longer wear.
• Polymethylsilsesquioxane- EWG RATING: 1
• A film forming silicone ingredient that helps to create a lubricated, smooth, silky feel with water repellent abilities.
• Pomegranate Sterols- EWG RATING: 1
• Sterols are separated from cold pressed pomegranate oil and used to increase barrier protection of the skin, replace other occlusive emollients like lanolin and petrolatum, and provide antioxidant benefits.
• Disteardimonium Hectorite- EWG RATING: 1
• A modified organic mineral (magnesium silicate) derived from vegetable sources that is used to thicken oil-based products and stabilize emulsions.
• Synthetic Wax- EWG RATING: 1
• A binding ingredient that assists with emulsion stabilizing as an alternative to beeswax.
• Silica Dimethyl Silylate- EWG RATING: 1
• A silica derivative that helps to increase viscosity, thickens products while providing moisturizing benefits, helps to increase long wear, and works as an anti-caking agent.
• Octyldodecanol- EWG RATING: 1
• Used often in lip products to act as an emollient and emulsifier due to it's lubricating and moisturizing properties.
• Propylene Carbonate- EWG RATING: 1
• A liquid that acts a solvent for solutions and used in personal care products as a film-forming agent.
• Trihydroxystearin- EWG RATING: 1
• A mixture of vegetable glycerin and fatty acids that is used as a thickening agent and emollient in beauty and skincare products.

<3

Sam

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Lily Lolo Laid Bare Valentine's Look for Night- Sultry, Smokey Liner

Hi Beauties! I wanted to create a couple Valentine's Day looks to showcase two easy ways to get two totally different makeup looks from the same eye palette. The Lily Lolo Laid Bare Eyeshadow Palette is a gorgeous mix of matte and metallic warm neutrals. They range from soft coppers, rose golds, soft pinks, and even some darker brown/black shades. Lily Lolo takes such care in crafting their vegan beauty products and these shadows are creamy, blendable, and very pigmented! Click here for a full review and swatches of the Laid Bare Palette!

Products Used:

• Lily Lolo- Laid Bare
• Rituel De Fille- Ash and Amber Eye Soot in Sigil
• 100% Pure- Long Lasting Creamy Liner in Blackest Black
• 100% Pure- 2nd Skin Concealer in White Peach
• Gressa Skin- Minimalist Foundation in 3.0
• Lily Lolo- Contour Duo Palette
• 100% Pure- Pretty Naked Blush
• Ere Perez- Almond Oil Mascara
• 100% Pure- Long Last Brows in Soft Brown
• Fairy Girl Cosmetics- Liquid to Matte Lipstick in Bliss 

For this smokey look I first used the Ash and Amber Eye Soot in Sigil as a base. These cream shadows come in such beautiful shades and really last all day long. They're one of the best green beauty alternatives to a conventional eye primer that I've tried to date. Sigil is a soft peachy pink with shimmer gold/silver shimmer. It layers really pretty under soft metallic shades! I started by applying the shade SKINNY DIP to the crease as a transition shade and blended softly with a dome crease brush. I then used a flat shader brush to apply a generous amount of EXPOSED onto my lid. With a fluffy, clean crease brush I took some time blending where the lid and crease meet to soften the harshness of the line. I then went in with a little bit of SHY AWAY on the outer crease air to give a little more definition. With 100% Pure's Long Lasting Creamy Liner in Blackest Black, I smudged a thick line along the outer half of my upper and lower lash lines. With a flat smudging brush, I softly blended the top pencil liner into a smudgey cat eye. On the lower lid I used a tiny bit of SHY AWAY to blend out back liner. I would normally tight line my eyes with a look like this; however, I've had a couple issues with recurring eye inflammation so I've tried to steer clear of it :).

For my skin I used my go-to Gressa Skin Minimalist Foundation in Shade 3.0. It covers all of my crazy redness perfectly without settling into my pores, looking heavy or cakey, or feeling too thick. To fill in my brows I decided to go for a softer, cool shade so I used 100% Pure's Long Last Brows in Soft Brown. The ashy tone of this brow pomade makes it a little bit more subtle and I definitely prefer to use it when I have heavier eye looks. Makes things feel a bit more balanced! Under my eyes I applied the 2nd Skin Concealer from 100% Pure in an upside down triangle shape and blended it out with a damp beauty blender. To contour, I used the Lily Lolo Contour Palette (so user friendly, it's pretty ridiculous!) on the hollows of my cheeks and on the sides of my face. The highlight in that same palette is great to apply on the high points of the cheek bones, down the bridge of the nose, and just a tad on the forehead and chin.

To warm up my face just a bit, I swept a small amount of the 100% Pure Pretty Naked Blush just on the apples of my cheeks. Any setting I needed to do, like under the eyes and in the tzone, I swiped a little Bamboo Blur Powder from 100% Pure with a big fluffy brush. To finish everything off, I used the Fairy Girl Liquid to Matte Lipstick in Bliss which is a really pretty soft brown shade with gold shimmer! I've always had a hard time finding flattering nude lip shades and this color is so warm and flattering on my golden undertones, I'm so happy to have found it. As soon as I write up a blog on the incredible Fairy Girl Liquid to Matte Lipsticks, I will link it to this look

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Lily Lolo Laid Bare Eye Shadow Palette Review

 Lily Lolo's Laid Bare Palette $34.00, is one of my favorite every day shadow palettes. The warm, metallic, neutral shades are so complimentary on my light, golden undertones that I can literally use every single shade in this palette without having to figure out what to do with some of them haha. STARK NAKED, AU NATURAL, AND SKINNY DIP make gorgeous lid shades and are the lightest shades in the palette. SHY AWAY, LADY GODIVA, and BIRTHDAY suite are perfect medium tones to define the crease area. EXHIBITIONIST and EXPOSED are so multi-purpose they can be smudged along the lash line as liner or used to darken up the deep-v area. They also make killer lid shades for smokey eyes! This palette is one of the best clean beauty swaps for the Naked 1 and 2 Palettes from Urban Decay! You can virtually recreate any look with health conscious and safe ingredients. 

Shade Descriptions from LilyLolo.us

• Stark Naked- Matte, nude pinky beige
• Au Naturel- Shimmer, pink nude
• Skinny Dip- Shimmer, golden beige
• Shy Away- Shimmer, smoky taupe
• Lady Godiva- Shimmer, rich gold
• Birthday Suit- Matte, grey brown
• Exhibitionist- Matte, olive brown
• Exposed- Demi-matte, charcoal

Ingredients:
MICA, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) KERNEL OIL, PUNICA GRANATUM (POMEGRANATE) SEED OIL, LEPTOSPERMUM SCOPARIUM (MANUKA) OIL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, ERYNGIUM MARITIMUM CALLUS CULTURE FILTRATE, TOCOPHEROL (VIT E FROM SOY), HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL, MAY CONTAIN [+/- SILICA, TIN OXIDE, CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), CI 77491 (IRON OXIDE), CI 77492 (IRON OXIDE), CI 77499 (IRON OXIDE), CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET), CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE), CI 77288 (CHROMIUM OXIDE)]

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Musely: Green Beauty At Your Fingertips

Musely is a local Bay Area company that is committed to providing beauty, health, and wellness tips alongside a market place of natural and organic products! During the summer last year I made a couple of quick tip videos about some of my favorite products in their market place and  recently had a chance to meet with the awesome Musely team to discuss their vision of sharing healthy tips and products via their app. Currently, they have a mix of conventional, natural, and USDA organic items in their store and from what it sounds like will be looking to expand to more green beauty brands in the future!

Musely negotiates prices with many brands to provide us with some great savings, and everything ships directly from the brand to ensure you're getting the fresh, genuine product you expect. They also offer a very impressive sample box option that is unique to the majority of sample boxes currently available. For $7 you can personally select 5 samples that you would like to try and get the full size version of any of your sample picks for 20% off within 20 days. No subscription required! 

              

The App also combines a really interesting social aspect that allows you to add your friends from Facebook, share likes, tips, and products. You can comment on other users' questions and read tips and tricks from actual people that have purchased the product you're looking to purchase. When you create your custom profile, you can organize and view all of the tips and products that you've shared. Points or "seeds" can be earned for product reviews, tips, shares, and dollars spent! These seeds can be redeemed for gift cards in the Musely store much like many other marketplaces. You can follow your favorite muses and they can also follow you to ensure you never miss out on exciting brand news or new products.

Some of the Green Beauty brands available on Musely include:

- Han Cosmetics

- Urb Apothecary

- Uma Oils

- Battington Lashes

- Waxlene

- Balance Guru

- Yuni Beauty

- Juara Skincare

- Linne'

- Evelyn Iona Cosmetics

-Baobab

- S/HE

- Lyeska

*All Photos Courtesy of the Musely App,

2

Sneak Peek: 100% Pure Gemmed Luminizer Moonstone Glow and Rose Gold

A day or two after I received the Blood Orange Cleansing Balm, another package in the mail came and housed two products that I almost did a little dance over when I read their boxes. 100% Pure has some of the most beautiful liquid highlighters ( the Luminating Creme in Northering Lights is a particular favorite of mine) and to see that they expanded their range of powdered highlighters is extremely exciting! What makes these particular luminizers so special is the fact that they are formulated with actual powdered gemstones! These natural minerals catch and reflect light in such a beautifully elegant way that you don't get the flashy, glittery, disco ball effect that some highlighters can leave on the skin. They remind me of the highlight version of the Gemmed Lip Glosses (my favorite shade is Crystal).

Gemmed Luminizer in Moonstone Glow and Rose Gold 
Launching February 21, 2017

• Vegan
• Cruelty-Free
• Gluten-Free

Ingredients:

(Moonstone Glow and Rose Gold have the same ingredients)

Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Silica, Persea Gratissima OIl (Avocado Butter), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Extracts of Punica Granatum (Pomegranate), Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit (Cranberry), Fragaria Vesca Fruit (Strawberry), Rubus Idaeus Fruit (Raspberry), Prunus Serotina Fruit (Cherry), Prunus Armeniaca Fruit (Apricot), Prunus Persica Fruit (Peach) and Vitis Vinifera Fruit (Cabernet Grapes) and Matricaria Chamomilla Leaf (Chamomile), Punca Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Lycium Chinese Fruit (Goji Berry) Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Mica (Natural Shimmery Mineral), Labradorite (Natural Mineral Stone), Moonstone (Natural Mineral Stone), Australian Opal (Natural Mineral Stone), Pyrite (Natural Mineral Stone), Sunstone (Natural Mineral Stone), May Contain Iron Oxides.

Description and Use:

"100% Pure's Gemmed Lumnizer reveals glowing & luminous skin with light reflecting gemstones. Colored from antioxidant-rich fruit pigments, rather than harmful synthetic dyes."

"Apply luminizer with 100% Pure Cruelty Free Blush Brush on the highest points of the cheeks, bridge of the nose, and anywhere else you want to glow!"

Packaging:

These highlighters come in the same pink aluminum compacts that all 100% Pure Face Powders come in. I'm not the craziest about this aluminum containers for a couple of reasons. These delicate powders are some times not very well protected in the packaging and I've seen my fair share of broken compacts. The outer box is also not quite as heavy duty as the previous rounded cardboard outer packaging. In general, I also try to limit my exposure to aluminum; however, since only the powdered product touches my skin I'm not totally opposed to aluminium packaging. 

First Impression:

When I first opened up these two luminizers, I was really shocked at how different the shades were! I'm used to seeing highlight powders that are fairly similar and light. Moonstone Glow is a lovely ethereal soft pink shade with flecks of silver and opalescent lavender. Because of all the different shades of light in Moonstone Glow, I can see it being really flattering on a huge variety of undertones. Rose Gold is a very unique and different shade that I am so excited to start using in the summer. It's a stunning coppery, gold, warm highlight that will completely flatter warmer, more golden, or darker complexions. It reminds me vaguely of a powder form of the All Over Glow in Lightly Sunkissed. 

The texture of the luminizer is a bit less creamy than I was expecting and there seems to be a little bit of fall out when you swatch from the pan. I'm sure that the natural stone pigments are a bit larger than most traditional pigments, but I like the idea so much of natural stone minerals in my cosmetics that I'm okay with a more powdery highlight. It does take a while to blend and build up coverage, but I'm very curious to try this formula with a damp brush or beauty blender for more glam strobbing. 

Which new Gemmed Luminizer speaks to you?!

<3 Sam

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Sneak Peek: 100% Pure Blood Orange Cleansing Balm

Who doesn't squeal a little bit inside when they come home to package sitting in the mail? Every time I see that beautiful soft pink envelope from 100% Pure, I CANNOT wait to rip open the bubble-wrap material and get to the goodies inside. This week I was so fortunate to receive one of Pure's newest to-launch products to try out and share my thoughts! 

Blood Orange Cleansing Balm
Launching February 21, 2017

• Vegetarian (Not Vegan)
• Gluten-Free
• Cruelty-Free

Ingredients:
Persea Gratissima (Organic Avocado) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Organic Coconut) Oil, Olea Europaea (Organic Olive) Leaf Oil, Olea Europaea (Organic Olive) Oil, Cera Alba (Organic Beeswax), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Blood Orange Essential Oil) Fruit, Polyglyceryl- 3 Palmitate (Derived from Coconut)

Avocado Oil- Rich in Omega 9 Oleic Acid , Omega 3, Vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. Helps to smooth, soften, and moisturize skin. Can be very beneficial for eczema-prone, dry, and aging skin by calming inflammation and boosting collagen synthesis.
Coconut Oil- As a rich source of the antioxidant Vitamin E, coconut oil helps to minimize visible sings of aging on the skin while moisturizing and soothing inflammatory conditions like eczema and psoriasis. The main fatty acids that comprise coconut oil are lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid are anti-fungal and can help to minimize skin irritations. Some people can have sensitivities to coconut oil and can experience breakouts. Make sure you patch test products with a heavy coconut oil content to make sure your skin agrees with it!
Olive Leaf Oil- Olive Leaf extract has marked anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits that can help to soothe skin irritation, reduce redness, improve circulation, improve visible signs of aging, and improve dehydrated skin. 
Olive Oil- Olive oil is rich in skin hydrating fatty acids like Omega 9 Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid , and Omega 6 Linoleic Acid. It also boasts a very high ORAC rating for antioxidant benefits to help protect skin from environmental damage and minimize the appearance of visible aging.
Beeswax- Beeswax is a natural humectant and emollient that helps to draw in moisture and create a protective barrier on the skin.  
Blood Orange- Naturally a rich source of anitioxidants Vitamin C, anthocyanins, and polyphenols blood orange essential oil can help to revitalize dull, lifeless skin and provide anti-aging benefits.
Polyglyceryl-3 Palmitate- Derived from Palmitic Acid, this ingredient acts as an emulsifying agent in oil-in-water emulsions. (In this formula it acts as a surfactant that helps the oil remove easier once water is introduced and is a safe alternative to sulfates and other foaming agents)

Description and Use:

"This delicious cleanser gently and effectively dissolves makeup.. It purifies while it deeply nourishes and moisturizes your skin. Detoxifying blood orange refreshes while the organic oils of avocado, coconut, and olive intensely soften and leave skin glowing."

"Warm up cleansing balm between fingertips and massage gently onto skin. Wipe away excess balm with a warm damp cloth or konjac sponge and rinse with warm water."

Packaging:

The balm comes in a very sleek and minimalist lightweight jar. I actually appreciate how light and travel friendly the packaging is compared to some other 100% Pure Products. There is a clean-seal plastic lift up lid to protect the product in it's box. My only wish is that the product came with a small plastic scoop to avoid contamination from finger tips. A spatula would also help water from getting into the jar which can be problematic without any preservatives in the formula (which I'm definitely grateful for, just make sure you ladies are careful! Water can cause bacteria, mold and fungus to grow in oil based scrubs, creams, and balms that do not contain preservatives).


First Impression:

Before. (with some very sloppy "running errands" makeup haha.)

Can we just talk about the scent for a moment...HEAVENLY! I'm not usually one to prefer heavily scented products and typically avoid overly fragranced products; however, the naturally citrus aroma that kisses your nose when you open this jar is just lovely. 

Aside from the scent, the texture is very rich and creamy. It's definitely something new for me as I typically use cleansing oils, but I think my dry skin may be able to handle it during these cold winter days.

After. My skin looks so much brighter and more hydrated.

You definitely have to use a warm, wet washcloth to remove the cleansing balm. It did a pretty impressive job at dissolving my mascara, brow pomade, liquid foundation, and concealer! My eyes didn't feel to irritated afterwards which can sometimes happen with other cleansing oils/balms. My skin definitely felt soft and hydrated afterwards. I think that as long as a use a foaming cleanser as a second cleanse during the warmer months, this product will actually work really well for me. 

I've noticed over the years, I'm starting to struggle less with breakouts and more with clogged pores/congestion and eczema. The nourishing and anti-inflammatory oils in this cleanser are all geared towards softening and calming the skin. While I start to incorporate this into my routine, I'm definitely excited to see what improvements occur in my dry, irritated eczema patches.

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