Product Review of Skincando Luxe: The Miracle Cream, Eye Balm and Brew Lip Balm that I Can’t Seem to Keep to Myself

I have fully accepted the fact that I sound like a Skincando info-mercial. Even before interviewing Sara Damelio earlier this month, I was firm believer in the multi-purpose Combat Ready Balm. My entire family has used it to treat everything from eczema to dry skin to minor cuts. I always keep a jar on hand for life’s little emergencies. It is a heavy balm-like cream made with apricot kernel oil, beeswax, clove, black spruce oil and more.

Recently though, I was fortunate enough to be able to test out the Skincando Luxe line of products. The line is comprised of the Brew Lip Balm, the Eye Balm, and my favorite of the trio: the Miracle Cream. As always, all of the products are made in small, handmade batches. I like to think of them as my little “made to order just for me” luxuries.

Review with Swatches: Bite Beauty High Pigment Matte Pencil in Zinfandel and Syrah

If I have not yet mentioned this, now would be a good time to let you know that I have a bit of a love affair with lip products. Send me to a desert island and I’d be hard pressed to pick just one lippie companion.You can just imagine my dismay when I realized that my beloved lipsticks and glosses were full of things that belong nowhere near my mouth. Toxic metals on my pucker? No thanks. Lucky for all of us green beauty lovers, natural lipstick has come a long way from the chalky pastes and limited color selections of days gone by.

Bite Beauty is a natural lip care company that aims to make products that perform like the pros and are “healthy enough to eat”.

Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Serum Review: Some Serious Serum

Kahina Giving Beauty is a luxury organic skincare brand that literally gives back. They donate  a percentage of their profits to programs that support the women working to extract the key ingredient of the line: argan oil. Not only does the company have a strong sense of social responsibility, but they are deeply committed to providing quality organic skincare that is as effective as it is pure. My experience with their Eye Serum has been a real testament to this commitment.

Abel Organics Vintage ’13 Eau de Parfum

When Frances Shoemack set out to create her own 100% organic natural perfume, she ended up with a unisex fragrance that is (in her words), “not for every man or woman”. And it’s true: with only 2000 bottles made, it will not be for “everyone”. Exclusivity aside, the scent is rather unique. Top notes include clove bud oil, bergamot oil and black pepper oil, but the scent is quite complex and reactive to your body chemistry. On my skin, the clove was coming through quite powerfully. Once it dried down after about 15-20 minutes, I enjoyed the warmth and spiciness of the blend. Don’t ask me why, but it seemed to evoke warm Christmas memories, making me crave cinnamon treats and a cozy fireplace. I was hesitant to re-apply though as my husband did not seem too in love with the clove smell (he has used a fair amount of clove oil to treat toothaches and has developed an aversion to it). For €115, a bottle encased in a beautiful handmade reclaimed oak case can be yours. Unfortunately, for US buyers, it will only be available online.

Pros: Changes with your body chemistry, unique, gorgeous bottle, 100% organic

Cons: Not long lasting (though this is the case with most natural perfumes), depending on skin chemistry the scent could be too “clove-y”

Have you tried Abel’s Vintage ’13? What did you think? We would love to hear from you.

Brand Spotlight and Review: Odacité, As Fresh as it Gets

I have a tremendous amount of respect for the creator of the skincare brand Odacité. After a battle with breast cancer, Valérie Grandury detoxified her entire life. She realized that not only did most skincare products contain harmful chemicals, but that even the products tagged as natural had no expiration dates, meaning the antioxidant value of the product would be severely compromised. What’s a girl to do in such a situation? Well, if you’re Valérie, you go back to school to study plants, become a health and wellness coach and start blending your own skincare products using natural active ingredients.  

Natural Deo’s Knockout Battle, Round 2: pHresh vs. Weleda Wild Rose

Our Natural Deodorant Battle continues with victor pHresh deodorant in Sugar Mint taking on Weleda’s Wild Rose deodorant. Just to recap, pHresh dominated Round 1 against Tom of Maine’s. Will Weleda now edge out the defending champ for the title of Best Clean Deodorant?

Review of a Best-seller: Korres’ Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizing & Brightening Cream

What is it about the Greeks that make them so fabulous? The Olympics? Hercules? Amazing olive oil? Korres? May-be!

The brainchild of a greek couple, Korres set out “to develop innovative and clinically effective skincare products based on natural active ingredients; to promote natural ingredients research in relation to skin biochemistry; and to project the unique Greek flora benefits through [their] cooperations with local farmers, and the production of [their] brand-own high value organic extracts”. And so they did.

SkinFare Lotion Sticks: My Skin Savior + a Discount for you!

Every summer, I seem to get this odd rash on the lower half of my legs. I don’t know what it really is, but what I do know is that it drives me to the nuthouse. I try my best not to scratch, but inevitably do, and am forced to apply cortisone cream just so that I don’t scratch it so much it spreads. Very bad, I know, but I’ve tried every natural remedy out there.

Goodebox October 2013: A Farewell to my Goodebox

For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of receiving a Goodebox in the mail, let me introduce you to your newest obsession. Goodebox is a subscription service where you receive a little package of expertly curated beauty potions and lotions at the beginning of every month.

Natural Deo’s Knockout Battle, Round 1: Tom’s of Maine vs. pHresh

The ever elusive effective and natural deodorant. How I have searched for you. Money has been spent, scents have been tested, and ingredients have been scrutinized. I have been trying to find a deodorant that did not contain the following:

• Aluminium: This is the ingredient that acts as the anti-antiperspirant, meaning it stops you from sweating. There are also a number of studies that link aluminium absorption to a higher risk of certain cancers and of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Propylene Glycols: PGs, a form of mineral oil, are used to adsorb water, and are found in many “natural” deodorants.  Repeated exposure can affect your brain, liver and kidneys… Not. Cute.

To my surprise, quite a few products fit the bill in terms of eliminating these toxic elements. The question remains however as to whether these natural alternatives to your beloved Secret Deodorant can battle stink when it matters most.