If you’re going to go ahead and call yourself magic, you’d better have the goods to back it up. Dr. Bronner’s has GOT the goods and their Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap IS magic. In fact, this soap has been single-handedly responsible for waking me up in the morning ever since this stellar gal introduced me to it 9 years ago. While my husband would never call Morning Pam magical, he would tell you that it does take an act of magic to get my lazy butt out of bed in the morning. Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap is, was, and probably always will be that act of magic.
Sadly, sometimes some things are just so good that you take them for granted. This is the only reason I can think of that I haven’t written this post yet. I didn’t think it needed to be said. I kind of thought everyone already knew? On the off chance that you don’t already know how wonderful this stuff is, or you aren’t aware of all the crazy things you can do with it, let me enlighten you:
- It’s organic, fair trade certified, and free from all the nasties.
- It’s peppermint.
- You know it’s good when demand is high enough for sales of a bottle in THIS SIZE!
- It has it’s own movie.
- It’s peppermint.
- It’s made entirely of saponified oils, so you know it’s pure, safe for the earth, and for your skin. It won’t dry your skin out like other harsh detergents, so it’s suitable for year round use.
- You can use it as shampoo. Britanie does!
- You can use it to clean your makeup brushes. I do! (Though the milder scents are best for this.)
- You can use it to make hippie deodorant. Mother Nature’s Maid does!
- You can use it as toothpaste. I actually tried this on a couple of desperate days recently and it was far from the punishment I anticipated. My mouth was minty fresh. (Hint: It’s because of the peppermint…)
- Suds. Suds. Suds. (Peppermint ones!!!)
- It’s easy to find. Most grocery stores carry it, in the hippie aisle of course.
- Do I need to mention the peppermint thing again?
Check out those suds!! I’ve even used Dr. Bronner’s for a quick nail soak to soften my cuticles. Now that I think of it, this would make an AMAZING summer foot soak. See? Once you get started, you just can’t stop.
There are so many weird and wonderful things about this product and this crazy, quirky, saving-the-world-one-bottle-of-soap-at-a-time company that I can’t even list them all here. I just needed to make sure that YOU were aware that it’s out there.
Have you tried it? What do YOU use Dr. Bronner’s for? Let me know in the comments!
Get on my hippie level right now. I’m so blissfully dry and fresh at this moment, that even if it only lasts a week, it will be worth it. #summerhippiepits Oops, I mean #greenbeauty
We’ve all felt the sting of broken promises in the beauty world. We purchase products over and over based on lofty suggestions that they will change our lives, make us look younger, feel better, maybe finally be that one product that changes our skin. Usually, we are disappointed. This time, I was not!
I’ve mentioned my sad under-eye history on the blog before but here’s a quick synopsis: In my early twenties I developed facial Syringomas. They are benign, but unsightly white lumps that form under the eyes and on the tops of the cheeks. Having them removed by a plastic surgeon was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, I only wish I knew to do it sooner. Removing them was not a big deal, but the skin under my eyes lost elasticity in the process so that any puffiness draws unwanted attention to that area. I’ve tried so many creams and serums over the years, and almost all of them made things worse or did nothing at all. I’m telling you this so that you understand - I choose my eye products very carefully.
The product:
When Kahina sent me their Eye Serum to try, I was hopeful, but cautious. I’ve loved everything else from the brand, but I’ve had my little heart broken more than once and I wasn’t going take those hard-learned beauty lessons for granted. I’m nothing if not thorough, and I’ve been using this serum for almost three months! I can tell you this about Kahina: They ain’t lyin’. In fact, the product claims they list on their website, tell this story the best:
- Increase lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness: YES. Yup. Enthusiastic head nod.
- Increase microcirculation to minimize dark circles: TRUE STORY! Even during allergy season, the darkness under my eyes has reduced and I’ve changed up my concealer because of it.
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: This also happened! It now takes an hour of non-stop laughter to see the lines that once seemed so prominent.
- Restore collagen and improve elasticity: The denouement. The best part. The reason you will never not see this on my bathroom countertop. That stiff area where the healed scars dulled expressions of laughter, is becoming soft again. I’m thrilled.
How I use it:
I use the Kahina Eye Serum both in the morning before makeup and at night before bed. Just a tiny amount, as shown, is enough to generously treat both eyes. I apply a half-pea sized amount onto one middle finger, tap some onto the opposite finger and apply gently to both eyes at once in a circular motion. I like to tap the product in, and gently massage the eye area moving inwards towards the center of my face. Any excess is applied to my lips to keep them soft and smooth.
What I love most is that Kahina’s serum doesn’t bring any of the unwanted plumping that so many other creams and serums have plagued me with. In fact, I see a slight but immediate tightening when I use it, so I love to apply it 15 minutes before my makeup.
Another benefit in choosing Kahina, is the length of time the products last. I need so little of this serum to cover the entire eye area. Even using it twice a day for a few months has barely brought me to the halfway mark of the bottle. If this serum lasts up to six months, at $72, that’s $12 a month to win my biggest beauty battle. Someone give me a pen. Where do I sign?
You can read more about Kahina, see a full list of ingredients, and purchase their products on their website.
In closing, here is a photo I might never have shown you before: Me & my new under-eyes! (I’m also wearing RMS Beauty’s Solar on the eyes and Ilia Beauty’s Bang Bang on the lips.)
This product was provided to me for my consideration, without obligation or further compensation. All thoughts are my own.
I have it on good authority that this mascara is the bomb dot com. It’s Fake Out! from the Physician’s Formula Organic Wear line. Thanks @iluvjesse444 & @bunnylemay for the allergy friendly, beach friendly tip! #makeup #mascara #greenbeauty
I can’t tell you how many times a Goodebox post prompted a Canadian reader to express their disappointment that they didn’t have a natural subscription service available to them. Seriously. Almost. Every. Time. I was starting to feel really guilty flaunting my wares. It turns out I’ve got a lot of Canadian readers *waves hi to Canada* and that was a lot of guilt for this beauty blogger to deal with! When one single country is responsible for so many awesome natural brands and shops, I had to wonder why the heck there were no boxes available to them?
Well, wonder no more. Though they are based in the US, True Beauty Box saw one of my posts, made it known that they are available in Canada (as well as Europe and Australia) and offered to send me a box to review - which brings us to the awesome box you see here.
The Box:
The True Beauty Box is a monthly subscription service from Love True Natural that sends full size products in a gorgeous box featuring brands such as Lavera, Benecos, True Natural, as well as Green People and Ilike. While the number of brands TBB features is not as broad as some subscriptions, the product lines are extensive enough to keep you interested. And, because they send full sizes, it’s a fantastic way to build up your natural makeup and skincare collection.
Check out the True Beauty Box website and FAQ page to learn more about the different subscription levels, shipping info, and anything else you need to know before taking the plunge. They also have an excellent quiz feature that helps you pick the best level and type for you to ensure you get the products you’ll want the most.
The Products:
If all of that wasn’t enough to convince you, let’s take a look inside May’s “Flirt” box:
- Benecos Natural Liquid Liner ($14.99) You already know of my love for the mascara, but I’m convinced that my love for the liner will be of equal ardor. If you were worried about finding a natural way to get that perfect cat eye, worry no more. This is it.
- Benecos Natural Eyeshadow ($19) Lovely, highly pigmented and long lasting shadows in quad form, Benecos nails it again.
- Benecos Natural Lip Gloss in Rose ($12.99) I liked the feel of this gloss, but as I’ve mentioned before, pale colors do not work for my already pale freckled lips. This one, while perfectly nice, is probably going to end up in my sister’s makeup bag. (You’re welcome, D.)
- True Natural Just Plain Naked Soap ($6.50) Clean and simple.
- True Natural Rose Day & Night Creams (sample sizes). I love rose anything really, and this complimentary pair of creams was a treat to try out.
The Flirt box (pictured), is available at $30 a month. Considering you are receiving over $53 in full-sized products, that’s a pretty great deal!
Have you signed up for the True Beauty Box? Tell us about your experience!
The May True Beauty Box was provided to me for my consideration, without obligation or further compensation.
Summer is here, and Summer has always meant a million freckles.
I didn’t exactly hate my freckles growing up, I just noticed that my siblings and I had lots of them, and no one else really did. My freckles made me different, and when you’re a teenager, no matter how independent you think you are, the last thing you want to be is different.
Determined to set things right one day, I decided to whip up a DIY anti-freckle potion. For the life of me, I can’t remember what incredibly irresponsible publication it came from, but the recipe went something like this: Hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, and sun exposure. While the adult esthetician recognizes a recipe for disaster when she sees one, the teenage version of me did not.
Luckily, Mom stepped in just in time and no serious damage was done. Respecting my stubborn nature, she redirected my DIY urges into a natural hair lightening recipe instead, all the while giving me an “embrace who you are, your freckles are beautiful” speech.
I remember feeling slightly relieved, like I was just waiting for someone to tell me that freckles were OK. Since then, me and freckles? We’re cool. I can skip the bronzer, and sometimes even foundation. Freckles are like an all natural skin camouflage and, in my not-at-all-humble opinion, I think they give a youthful glow at every age.
Now, as for the gray hairs I see popping up? We haven’t made friends yet. In fact, I’m thinking about trying that summer hair lightening recipe out again. I guess some things never change…
What’s your favorite Summer potion? Let me know in the comments!
Image: ABC. Evangeline Lilly as Kate Austen of ABC’s Lost.
I grew up in Florida, so nothing says summer and sunshine like fresh citrus scents, and this month’s Goodebox is filled with them!
The Goodes:
- pHresh Deodorant in Tropical Blossom. You know I enjoy a
bad good hippie deodorant experiment, so you can rest assured I’ll report back on this one. It’s in that stick format we all love, and it smells great. However, we all know by now that that’s not enough for a gold star. Give me a couple of weeks, and I’ll let you know if it actually works.
- Inika Brow Pencil in Brunette Beauty. I was so excited to see something from Inika in my box this month! I’ve heard great things about this brand and I am eyebrow obsessed. Unfortunately, despite my light brown hair, I am the proud owner of a pair of raven black eyebrows. Finding the right eyebrow pencil for them is an ongoing journey. I’ll give this a try, but it looks like it’s going to be too warm for me.
- Suntegrity Moisturizing Face Sunscreen. You had me at Suntegrity.
- KYI Argan Oil Serum with Vitamin C.
- Holly Beth Organics Lemon Lime Shea Butter Cream. This is a marked improvement to last month’s scented butter!
- Lotus Moon Hibiscus Flower Hydrating Lotion. Hibiscus and responsible packaging? Yes, please!
That’s it! I think this is going to be my last Goodebox post, would that make you sad? Glad?
Don’t forget if you aren’t a Goodebox subscriber, you aren’t just missing out on great product discoveries, you’re also missing out on some amazing coupons! I can’t share them here, but what are you waiting for? Sign up already!
Hey, I love your blog! I had a question about andalou naturals bb cream. I had bought a bb by Boscia which unfortunately has made me break out!! It's majorly pore clogging even though it looks superb on, light coverage. Usually boscia makes great products. Oh well- Do you think andalou coverage holds up for a day of activity like biking to work, etc? I'm curious to try it.
Asked by
finger-print
Thanks @finger-print, that means a lot! :)
Though I have never tried the Boscia BB Cream myself, I did take a look at the ingredients. Everyone is different, so it’s hard to decipher what causes a break out. More often than not our diet, water intake, and lifestyle choices cause more breakouts than anything we put on our skin.
With that said, there are some ingredients in the Boscia that could be causing irritation. Ingredients like PEG’s and glycols can be irritating to those with sensitive skin. Also, it looks like there is a significant amount of silicone in this formula. While that in itself isn’t toxic, if you are getting sweaty on that bike ride into work, it could be trapping the toxins your skin wants to sweat out. So, if you do stick with the Boscia make sure you’re cleansing thoroughly with an appropriate cleanser and consider applying it after a post-ride cleanse. If that’s not an option, be diligent about cleansing when you can!
As far as the Andalou Naturals Beauty Balm goes, I am a huge fan and have not had any breakouts. A quick ingredients comparison suggests this would be much better at allowing your skin to breath. The coverage is light, but my skin is healthy enough that it offers the perfect amount for me. Also, it lasts ALL DAY LONG, even as it’s getting hotter out. I would definitely recommend making it the next BB you try! Good luck, I hope this helps!
Natural Deodorant Review: Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’ with Pit Putty from Bumble & Bee Organics
This is going to sound crazy, but I just love this deodorant. Despite the fact that it doesn’t work. At least, it doesn’t work anywhere near as well as my Soapwalla. I know, I don’t make any sense, right? As my sister in law stated quite succinctly, this is a great Winter deodorant. Does that help?
A couple of months ago I stumbled upon a not-so-local hippie store and was stoked to find this in the wild, along with some other products I never expected to see. I sniffed this one out first and immediately put it in my basket. Now, mind you, I wore it for a week and loved it, it worked great. But like clockwork, or more importantly, like so many other failed hippie-deo’s, it just stopped working one day.
To be fair, this flipped to non-working status late in the afternoon on the first hot day of the year whilst I was sitting in the sun. Hence, the Winter deodorant theory. If I had it with me and reapplied would it have made a difference? Probably. But now that it’s finally warm, I am not feeling brave enough to find out.
Perhaps it’s the fresh geranium lime scent that distracts me from admitting to myself that it’s sub-par in the efficacy department? Or perhaps it’s that the gentle, powdery formula comes in stick form? Because, let’s face it, despite how much I love my Soapwalla cream, some days I just wish I could swipe and go like we did in the olden days. Or, maybe it’s the ridiculous cartoony packaging that I fell in love with, despite my design school education?
No. More than likely, it’s the delightful-in-spite-of-itself combination of all of the above along with an attachment to that feeling you get from an unexpected discovery. Whatever it is, I’m not going to tell you not to try it. Pit Putty and I still see each other in the evenings, and come Winter I suspect we’ll be fast friends again.
You can check out the full list of ingredients or try out the Geranium Lime Pit Putty (2.5 oz, $9.85) for yourself via the Bumble & Bee Organics website.
I want to know what’s keeping you stink-free and glowing! What’s in your Summer arsenal this year?
Natural Skincare Review:
Roots Rose Radish
Carrot Rose Face Cream
If the adorable packaging and aesthetic of this brand wasn’t enough to push me over the edge into “in love” territory, the delightfully subtle scent and cake-batter consistency of this face cream did the trick. I became secretly convinced that I could pop this jar in an easy bake oven and a carrot rose cupcake would come out. It’s just that lovely. More importantly, it was a perfect fit for my dry to combination skin.
I’m not sure which gave the more significant contribution to the glow I got with this cream: the absolute olfactory glee it brought me, or the luscious blend of grape seed oil, aloe vera, coconut and carrot seed oils. Either way, if you are looking for an enviable dewy glow this summer, try this cream. I noticed the first few times I used it that my complexion was more unified and vibrant, perhaps due to the stimulating properties of the carrot seed oil.
This cream was also great for balancing out my combination skin. I used it in the morning after cleansing and allowed up to 15 minutes to absorb into my skin before applying makeup. After a week of use, my skin was so happy that I didn’t need to wear foundation. While I love my collection of natural makeup, if I can rock a naked face with confidence, I am a happy gal.
The Roots Rose Radish line was created by herbalist Christian Toscano. Her philosophy and considerations in formulating her line are as impressive as they are thoughtful, you can read more about her and her line here. You can also see a complete list of ingredients or purchase the cream (2 oz, $40) on the Roots Rose Radish website.
Lastly, a note on caring for this product:
This is a fabulous cream, but as with any natural product you have to be very mindful of how you store it. In my excitement to share this cream with you, I decided to use it in my first YouTube video. While the window I shoot in front of is great for videos, it’s not so great for storing natural products. I unintentionally left this poor defenseless cream on the table in front of a window that gets much hotter than I ever realized. It spoiled. I was devastated, but not surprised. Though I’m kicking myself for my mistake, I can only be grateful that this happened when it was almost empty.
While I do prefer it when natural companies use light-fast containers or airless tubes instead of jars, I don’t know that any of those defenses would have saved it from what I unknowingly put it through. In fact, one of my Weleda body oil samples suffered the same fate.
I felt I had to include this because I always want to be honest about my experiences, but I also want to stress that this was entirely avoidable. So, I’m using this sad story as a reminder to care for your precious natural products properly! If you try this cream, and I hope you do, make sure you use a sterile applicator to remove it from the jar and store it in a cool, dry place away from, ahem, sunlight.
Have you ever tried anything from Roots Rose Radish? I’m torn between buying another jar of this cream for summer or trying something new from them. What have you tried and loved? Let me know in the comments!
This product was provided to me for my consideration, without obligation. I received no other compensation for reviewing the product, I’m here to provide my honest thoughts and experiences with you!
