I'm back! (For now) Moe's Apothecary Peppermint Eucalyptus Natural Zinc Cream Deodorant Review9/16/2014 Okay, so I know I have been gone from the blogging world for a while…life has been crazy!!! At work we have been without a Pastry Chef for 10 months now (we finally have one starting in October!!), and we got a puppy (now dog) in January. In a nutshell, we have been a little busy!
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Who knew October would be such a crazy month!! Last week I catered my friend Michelle's baby shower, and it was a hit! It also took up ALL of my time for about two weeks, meaning no time for blog updates :). Check out my Instagram if you would like to see everything I did! (There is a button at the top of this page). This week's blog is all about natural and organic mascaras! These are the 3 mascaras that I have tried thus far, and this is my review for them! The contenders: Kjaer Weis Mascara $38, Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Nautural Origin Jumbo Lash Mascara $9.95, and Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara in Pitch Black $22. Each mascara is at a different price point, which is why I am reviewing them together. I have used each mascara alone, as well as two together. Out of these 3, my favorite is the Josie Maran mascara. Before I used natural mascaras, Diorshow was my favorite for years, and I have been struggling to find one that gives similar results! To date, the Josie Maran mascara was the closest to Diorshow! Kjaer Weis, $38: First up is a current cult classic. Many green beauty bloggers and sites love this mascara! I was very excited to try it because it is mostly organic, but was not very thrilled about the price. This also happens to be the most expensive mascara I have ever purchased! Out of the 3 I am reviewing, this one is my least favorite. The packaging is very sleek and appealing, and the brush is flat and long. Personally, it didn't do much for me. It made my lashes darker, but the more I applied, the more my lashes clumped together. It didn't give much length either. Some swear by it, but I will not be purchasing this mascara again! It is way too pricey for mediocre results. If you are interested in purchasing this mascara, you can find it on their website by clicking the name Kjaer Weis above, OR you can check out the sites I have previously mentioned, Spirit Beauty Lounge and Eco Diva Beauty! (For ingredients listing, click the Kjaer Weis link as well!) Physicians Formula, $9.95: So this mascara you can find at Target, CVS, Walmart, etc. It is easily available in comparison to the other 2. It also happens to be the cheapest! This mascara was my second favorite, and is a great choice for an every day mascara! The packaging is shaped differently, and the brush is fat and oval like many other drugstore mascaras. It does not provide as much volume as I would like, but it does provide more volume than Kjaer Weis. It also separates and lengthens the lashes nicely. A huge perk is that it is 100% Natural, and 70% Organic. This is definitely worth your money! Again, please click the link for specific ingredients! Josie Maran, $22: This is my favorite mascara of the three by a long shot! It claims to be a mascara that provides volume, which is totally true! The price is right around what I used to pay for Diorshow, so I wasn't opposed to purchasing it. One of the many reasons I wanted to try this mascara over many other natural options is that argan oil is one of the ingredients. If you are a first-time reader, please click here and refer to my post about Argan Oil. I LOVE THE STUFF!! On top of that, it is all-natural, recyclable, AND $1.00 of every purchase goes to City of Hope, a leading institution in cancer treatment and education! As for the packaging, it is very simple and cute. The brush is different than any other brush I have ever used. The best way to describe it is a 3D triangle. The brush allows for a great amount of volume, length, and color. It also holds the curl if you use an eyelash curler. With one coat, it is a great daily mascara, with 2+ coats, you get a more dramatic look for evenings or going out! Overall, I am very pleased with this mascara, and will most likely keep purchasing it! I do have more mascaras I would like to try, but for now, I am confident in saying that I have found an awesome natural mascara! Like the other two, please refer to the website for ingredients and to purchase! Well there you have it! Sorry for not blogging weekly! Life gets in the way sometimes :). Stay tuned for some exciting stuff coming up! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, so I'll be sure to post some gobble-worthy blogs!! Happy Halloween too! Here's some stuff I made for the baby shower, and the pumpkin that I carved! All the things that were keeping me from blogging :). Thanks for reading! You guys are awesome! Oh boy, what a week! This blog post has been bouncing around in my brain for the past week, but due to an unexpected trip to the ER last Wednesday, I wasn't able to make it! (I am okay, by the way!) Before I started this blog, and even before I switched to green products, I was a product junkie. To your benefit, nothing has changed :). Today's product reviews include Chagrin Valley Soap Company's Mint Mist deodorant and their Clay Silk Tea Tree Deodorant, as well as the Chlorella and Edelweiss Stem Cell Eye Cream from Acure. Deodorant Reviews: Before I started the Soapwalla Challenge, I had already tried the Mint Mist deodorant when it was called Coconut Mint Mist. I believe it is still the same exact product, but the name and label has changed. Mint Mist Deodorant Ingredients: Organic Virgin Coconut Oil; Organic Jojoba Oil; Organic Cornstarch; Baking Soda; Organic Beeswax. Organic essential oils: Peppermint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Spearmint, Lime and Tea Tree. Now alone, this deodorant doesn't really do it for me. I love the mint scent, but I had to re-apply it multiple times a day due to smelling like a dirty hippie, and it didn't really help at all with sweating. BUT, because I got a rash from Soapwalla, I decided to order it again, along with the Clay Silk Deodorant. Clay Silk Deodorant Ingredients: Organic Virgin Coconut Oil; Organic Jojoba Oil; Bentonite Clay; Organic Unrefined Beeswax; Organic Cocoa Butter; Organic Arrowroot Powder; Organic Tea Tree Oil; Organic Rosemary Oil Extract. I also tried the Clay deodorant alone, and basically had the same results as the Mint Mist. Bummer right? WRONG. I got the brilliant idea to mix the two together. HELLO results! It doesn't work just AS well as Soapwalla, but it DOES work when you mix both! Now, you are probably asking yourself "Why the heck would I buy two deodorants when I can buy one?". Great question, but since I got a horrible rash from Soapwalla, I wanted to find something that worked just as well. Here are some pros & cons of these two deodorants: Pros:
Clearly the pros outweigh the cons, and overall I am happy with these deodorants! I did stumble across a natural deodorant from an online store with probiotics that has rave reviews that I would like to test out. But, for now, I'd say the Soapwalla (and alternatives) Challenge is over for the time being! Yay :). Now for Acure's Eye Cream: This is the first product from Acure that I have tried. I'm actually going to pick up a few more of their other products at Sprouts this week, since they are 25% off for this ad week. Thumbs up to that! Ingredients: Organic Acai, Organic Blackberry, Organic Rosehips, Organic Pomegranate, Organic Calendula officinalis, Organic Chamomile, Fair Trade Certified Organic Rooibos, Organic Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Fair Trade Certified Organic Theobromo Cocoa (Cocoa seed) Butter, Organic Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) Oil, Organic Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, Glyceryl Stearate SE (vegetable derived), vegetable glycerin, Organic Helianthus annus (Sunflower) Oil, Infusion of Organic Calendula in Fair Trade Certified Olea Europea (Olive) Oil, Organic Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Chlorella Growth Factor) extract, Leontopodium Alpinum (Edelweiss) Stem Cell, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Organic Argania spinosa (Argan) Oil, Glucono Delta Lactone (fermented sugar), 100% natural vitamin E, Organic Oenthera biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Potassium sorbate (food grade preservative). Before I tried this cream, I had been using Devita's Eye Cream for a year. Why did I switch? Well, for one thing they were out of it the three times I tried to get it at Sprouts, and I didn't feel like ordering it online. The other reason was that I realized it had Retinol in it, which isn't exactly good for you. So, Acure was staring me in the face at Sprouts, and I went out on a limb to try it! I'm actually quite pleased that I did! I have been using the cream for about two weeks now, and alongside using my Mun Skin's Nighttime serum (which I am absolutely in love and OBSESSED with), I have definitely seen results! The skin around my eyes is a lot smoother, and instantly less puffier when applied. The area also feels more awake when applied as well. As for dark circles, I'm not sure if it is the mixture of this cream and the Mun oil, but mine are looking less noticeable too! Overall, I like the cream. It is a great daytime cream for under your makeup. I'm not sure that I will fully switch to it from Devita, as I may try some other creams first before I stick to a new cream for a while. That being said, I am going to promote Mun Skin's No. 1 Aknari Nighttime Dream Youth Serum again!! So many people have been commenting on my skin since I started using it, and I even got one of my good friends Lorraine addicted to it as well! Some days I honestly feel like I don't need to wear any makeup because of it! Not to mention it has sold out at 3 different online retailers since I first blogged about it. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not :D! Reader Awareness: If you are starting to wonder what exactly is in all of your products, PLEASE check out www.ewg.org/skindeep. There are over 76,000 products in their database. They list every ingredient, and give it a ranking of how toxic it is. You might be surprised as to what you put on your skin! (Make the switch to green products!!) Their main site also has a ton of great information about green living too! Check it out!! Coming up this month: I am currently working on/researching a gluten-free pumpkin chocolate chip bread recipe! I have an awesome recipe with gluten that I made last year, so I am trying to convert it! Next product review will be comparing natural and organic mascaras! I just ordered another brand, so I will be testing them out in the coming weeks! Happy Fall everyone!! I just decorated, and am so happy I purchased cinnamon scented pine cones. Ahhhmazing! I am also helping out with/making all the food and goodies for my friend Michelle's baby shower, so I will post anything that is gluten-free! Keep on reading, and spread the word if you enjoy it!! Thanks! Holy moly, this week has been busy at work! I have been meaning to post this review for the last couple of days, so here it is! I first tried this with a sample from Green Grab Bag, and liked it so much, I selected it for the 2nd box that I ordered. With that 2nd sample, I ended up loving it, so I decided to buy it straight from The Gnarly Whale Etsy Site. They have different scents, but I stayed with the Thai Coconut because it smells amazing! The ingredients are all-natural and vegan, and include water, mediterranean sea salt, aloe vera gel, coconut oil, grapefruit seed extract, and essential oils and/or fragrance. How To Use This Product: Spray onto your damp hair. I tend to scrunch my hair after doing this, then wrap my hair up like I am going to put it into a bun, and spray my hair again. Then I actually put my hair into a bun for about 10 minutes to let the spray soak in, take it out, and scrunch my hair again. Once my hair dries, I have nice beach waves that last all day and have the scent of a tropical oasis! Totally love this product, and the 8 oz bottle is only $12. I got mine on sale, so watch their site for sales! They also have various shampoos, lip balms, body sprays, and detanglers to chose from. Soapwalla Challenge Update: Day 5 So, I am a little sad and disappointed to say that I have stopped using the Soapwalla Deodorant due to developing a rash under my arms. I got to day 4 with awesome results, staying mostly dry and fully stink-free. This morning I woke up with a painful rash, and did some research online only to find that many users have had this same problem. The creator of the deodorant says it could be due to separation and settling of ingredients, which is highly possible because I had to mix my deodorant when it came in the mail. I don't have really sensitive skin, and only recently have I started developing minor allergies to things like touching strawberries. I have also used a cream deodorant that is almost identical ingredient wise, and never had an issue. SO, for the time being I am going to stop using it to let my underarms not be so angry, but I will re-try the product after mixing it thoroughly. I was extremely disappointed that this happened, but apparently I am not alone with developing a rash! I still recommend this product, because it is all-natural and really does work. I'm hoping that when I re-try it will be fully successful. If not, my search will keep going! Hope everyone has a great Labor Day Weekend! I get to spend mine with my Dad's whole family for my Grandma's 85th Birthday! Stay tuned for more product reviews and healthy lifestyle blogs! I plan on purchasing the full-sized No. 1 Aknari Night Serum by Mun Skin, and I have a couple of different samples I am testing out currently! Also, in honor of my Dad FINALLY deciding to stop drinking soda, I will be posting about the benefits of a soda-free lifestyle, as well as why it is so bad for you! I want to thank everyone who has been reading my blog! In just a week, I've had over 200 individuals look at it, which is exciting to me! Keep on reading :)! I hope I can educate and/or help people and pass on great products with my blog! Ciao! Before you are shied away from the title of natural deodorant, hear me out! I was skeptical at first too, and for the most part still am. I am not a girl that "glistens in the sun after a long work out". I sweat, and I sweat a lot (thank you to my Dad for that one -_-). Which also means I don't smell like flowers 24/7, even if my boyfriend would like to think so :). Heck, I work in a freaking kitchen that gets really hot, and I run around that kitchen about 7 miles a day. So... when I first heard about this thing called natural deodorant, I laughed at it and all the smelly hippies that use it. And for the most part, I was right. I have tried many different ones from Tom's, Alba, Desert Essence, to a similar Chagrin Valley Soap Company cream deodorant paste like Soapwalla. I was really pulling for that one since I loved the peppermint smell and it was all organic! But unfortunately, it didn't work. I kept reading about and seeing Soapwalla Deodorant Cream on many green sites, blogs, and online storefronts, saying it is the best natural deodorant ever! If that many people think it is awesome, I thought I should give it a try. So I broke down and ordered it from Spirit Beauty Lounge to try out this awesomeness (It is $14 at Spirit). And the Soapwalla Challenge was born! Today was Day 1 of the challenge. I'm not going to lie, I was a little skeptical if it could take on my kitchen madness. Not only did I not smell after work, I was dry all day. Holy moly! Didn't see that one coming! I'm not exactly in love with the scent, which is mostly lavender to my nose, but it is all-natural and kept me dry! It seems as though all the hype is for a reason. Hopefully in the future they will have scent variations. I'm going to keep using this deodorant cream for the next week and see if I have found a permanent switch, or if my search will keep going. More challenge updates to come! Keep your pits stink and moisture-free the natural way! Ciao! Okay, so to the left is a photo I took this afternoon of my skin. The left is without makeup, the right is with. Honestly, my skin has not been this clear in basically forever! I was actually a little inspired by it to start this blog today, so here I am! I thought I should share just exactly what I use on my face that made it so clear! Onto my daily skincare routine...Some products I have been using a lot longer than others, but I suppose that doesn't really matter. AM Routine: First I wash my face with Desert Essence Thouroughly Clean Face Wash, which has Tea Tree Oil in it. Then I use Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick on any problem areas on my face, back, or chest. Okay, this stuff is AWESOME. It is a roller ball, which helps keep bacteria away from blemishes. Basically, if you put this stuff on, your blemishes of any kind will be smaller very soon! Desert Essence is reasonably priced too! The face wash is about $7, and the blemish stick is no more than $9. Both are all-natural of course :). After that comes Devita Revitalizing Eye Lift Cream. I actually use this cream all over my face, but not in globs. You can find the cream for less than retail on various websites, but even at Sprouts, it is only about $23. The reason I love this cream is that it isn't heavy or oily. It is light, and absorbs fast! I have seen a difference in fine lines around my eyes since using this for the past year. I'm a big fan! Okay, lastly I use Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+. I am just going to go ahead and say this now, I LOVE DEVITA!!! I have tried many of their products, and love every single one of them! Just like the eye cream, this sunblock is not oily whatsoever, absorbs quickly, and a little goes a long way! It is $26, but it lasts a few months for me. Now for the makeup products! I really didn't have a hard time justifying spending more on natural green makeup, because I used to spend that much on products anyways (oops). Also, I really don't wear much makeup since I live at the beach and work in a kitchen, so it is kind of pointless! But I do use the basics! Makeup Products: I'm still not 100% on this concealer (no pun intended), but I am happy with it for now, 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Concealer in White Peach. It covers up blemishes and dark circles. My only problem with it, that most won't have, is that when I am at work running around sweating in a hotel kitchen, it starts to look cakey. Other than that, I like it! I haven't tried too much from 100% Pure, but I love their philosophy, and that everything is plant based and for the most part, organic. It runs for $16, but you can get a sample either on their site, or on http://www.bewellstaywell.com. Now for one of my FAVORITE products that I have ever purchased...I got this as a sample first, and as soon as I finished it, I bought the full-sized product. Alima Pure Color Balancing Powder in Buttercup. My cheeks in particular tend to always be red regardless of if I am overheated or not. I have used various green and yellow creams to tone it down, but never a natural one. This. Powder. Rocks. It isn't overkill coverage, and you could basically wear it alone. It does what it says it does, it balances your complexion. This one is $20 for 5 g, which doesn't seem like a lot, but mine still seems almost full. The next product goes back to my favorite brand, Devita. I use Devita Absolute Mineral Base Powder in Waterford #1 (Yes, I am that white). What I love about all these natural products and sites, is that they let you buy samples! I got a sample of this guy first too, and loved it! The coverage is great, it has natural sunblock, aloe, and other awesome ingredients in it, and my container is more than half-full still, and I purchased it in May. This is one of the most expensive products I buy, priced at $40, but I absolutely love it! Man, I need to stop being so PUNny ;). I am still testing out various natural blushes, but for now I am back and forth with two different shades from Alima Pure. Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Mineral Blush in Freja and Guava. I got these two shades, as well as Leigh, as samples a couple months ago. I am still using the samples! That's how much they give you. Anyways, both Freja and Guava are a coral color. I was trying to match Nars Orgasm, because that was my favorite blush ever! Freja is more toned town, where Guava has way more shimmer. I thought I liked Freja better, but I'm finding that Guava goes better with my skin tone. Anyways, a sample is only $1.50, where as the full-sized is $20. Another Alima product that I am using, (also a sample), is their Satin Matte Eyeshadow in Java. I actually use this as a subtle eyeliner, getting my angled liner brush damp, and dipping it in the loose powder. It really gives my eyes a good pop! I'll most likely purchase the full-size when I run out. Okay, lastly I have been using Physicians Formula Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Jumbo Lash Mascara. This mascara isn't half bad! I'm kind of a mascara snob, and Diorshow has always been my favorite. Finding a natural mascara has been extremely difficult for me! This one works well though, but not for dramatic eyes. It works for everyday eyes. I did just purchase the Kjaer Weis mascara online, so I will be trying that out and blogging about it soon! Lastly, my PM routine is very similar to the day. PM Routine: I use all the same products as AM, minus the sunblock. I sometimes also use Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads if I feel gross after work running around. And lately, I have been using my sample of Mun Skin No. 1 Aknari Nighttime Dream Youth Serum. HOLY FREAKIN' MOLY, I have fallen in love with an oil. I have only used this for four days at night, and my skin is already brighter and clearer. Unfortunately, the little bottle costs $95. I got a sample from GreenGrabBag.com, which actually has a discount code currently for Mun. I'm seriously considering purchasing that little bottle of goodness, only because I have never seen a product work so fast on my skin! It is made from prickly pear oil, argan oil, and rose oil. Most of which are organic. All three have known anti-aging properties, and it smells wonderfully like roses. It absorbs into your skin nicely, and does not feel oily or heavy AT ALL! I'm telling you, this stuff is the oil of the Gods. I might just have to suck it up and buy it! Before I used that oil, I was using a small dab of Organic Coconut Oil. I love that stuff! I'll have an entire post dedicated to Coconut Oil soon :D. Just a disclaimer: I know it seems like I spend a LOT on products, which I do, but I was spending probably 3-4x more struggling to find products that were chemical filled and really bad for you beforehand. I have used every drug store brand, and even many many high end brands, and nothing fully worked. I tried expensive supplements, I even went to the dermatologist, who wanted to put me on Accutane straight away. If you really want clear skin, you have to change your routine, and your diet! Not only to my products account for my clear skin, I eat a TON of organic fruits and veggies, and pretty much only drink water and teas, with the occasional coffee. If you give the effort, you will see the difference inside and out! |
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I am Chelsea, a 26 year old pastry cook living in San Diego with my boyfriend, and border collie pup. I try to live as green as possible, but my main focus has been green and organic skincare. Archives
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