natural beauty: Pür Minerals Wine Exfoliating Mask

with its "from farm to jar" trademark, Pür Minerals Wine Exfoliating Mask is absolutely lovely. it truly looks, feels and smells {yum} like it was mixed right before being poured into its jar.

this good-for-skin exfoliator contains antioxidants, alpha-hydroxy acids and gently buffs away rough spots with peach seeds and other fruit ingredients {including papaya, grapes and kiwi seed extracts}, to help give skin a more youthful, smooth and glowy look. 

i was quite impressed with this beauty after just one use {always a fabulous indicator of how well something works, considering i'm always testing different products} and can understand why it's such a high-rated product!

it's recommended to be used 2-3 times a week, and while this is called a mask, the directions don't specify that you leave the product on your face. just rub a small amount onto wet skin to exfoliate, rinse with warm water, then follow with moisturizer ~ my skin loves it!

if you're craving a luxurious, natural treatment {it's also cruelty, paraben and gluten-free, btw}, the Pür Minerals Wine Exfoliating Mask might be something you might want to check out for yourself.

discover all the details at purminerals.com

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

beauty review: Juara Skincare faves

Juara recently sent me a few of their products and, naturally, i wanted to share some of my thoughts about them with you. the fabulous Kerri Russell had some of the products used on her skin to prep it for a red carpet event, and like many people, i loved the results ~ what a surprise when the products showed up on my doorstep!

Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner
this toner-serum fusion is a fabulous product ~ it really makes my skin look and feel so beautiful. i first tried this toner in 2009, and in my review i said it was "the most moisturizing toner i have ever used." fast-forward 5 years, i still think it's still a fabulous gem. to quote myself: "this toner is unique in that it provides hydration and moisture without oil, while also soothing and leaving my skin feeling amazingly soft! if your skin needs hydration, this is perfect. if you are looking for a toner with calming benefits, this one will work for you too." it's definitely a gorgeously beneficial step in my skincare routine.

an oil-free gel-cream, the Sweet Black Tea & Ginger Mattefying Moisturizer combines radiance-boosting, anti-aging benefits thanks to antioxidant-rich sweet black tea. this beauty is infused with vitamin B, hydrating hyaluronic acid as well as purifying ginger and cinnamon to nourish and keep skin in gorgeous condition. i love how the formula glides on smoothly, absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling moisturized with a soft, matte finish.

Juara Sweet Black Tea Eye Crème is quite luxurious, i must say. the silky texture feels amazing to apply morning and night. it's kept the area around my eyes so hydrated. the combination of  kombucha {fermented black tea}, avocado butter, rice bran oil and candlenut oil all work together to nourish, refresh, treat and keep my eyes looking youthful.

are you a fan of Juara products? what are your faves? visit juaraskincare.com for more info and to find a retailer near you.

products featured sent to me by the brand; pics taken by me :)

expert tips for using coconut oil

if your skin is struggling to recover from the cold, miserable winter {or dry, practically rainless "winter"}, no worries…you’re definitely not alone. there is hope, of course, found in an all-natural resource: 

coconut oil!

and it's not only great for skin, but hair, nails…well, actually every part of your body, from head to toe…

Josie Feria, director of operations at Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau Miami Beach recently shared her suggestions on how to utilize this hot beauty multitasker, and the best part? you can find it as close as the grocery store.

take a look at Josie’s tips below and your skin will be back in gorgeous shape in no time...

intensive treatment for dry hair work into wet hair, cover with a shower cap and leave on for up to 30 minutes; rinse and shampoo as usual.*

stimulate hair growth by massaging a bit into your scalp*

to fight frizz use a small amount in your hair for instant control.*

use as makeup remover on your face:, including eyes and use in place of lip balm to treat lips.

massage into cuticles to eliminate dryness and stimulate nail growth

as a body moisturizer, use as you would a normal body lotion for overall treatment, focusing especially on dry elbows.*

 mix with sea or rock salt and exfoliate {mix with sugar for sensitive skin} for a skin-pampering treat.

apply to skin daily to prevent stretch marks and avoid scarring during pregnancy

 apply to skin affected by poison ivy, oak or sumac to soothe irritated skin

rub on feet to hydrate and condition skin; fights athlete's foot and low level fungus.



tell me: do you use coconut oil? if so, how do you incorporate it into your daily routine?; if not, are you going to try any of these ideas for yourself?

many thanks to Josie for sharing such fabulous tips to help us get our most gorgeous skin. here's to the  beautiful spring/summer season ahead!

*ways i've used coconut oil {and i also sometimes cook with it} :)

WWD: Kiehl’s to Launch Açaí Organic Skin Care Line

Kiehl's is set to launch its first ever organic skin care collection, reports Women's Wear Daily. the four-item line up contains the brazilian açaí berry, because of its "superior antioxidant properties," says Chris Salgardo, president of Kiehl's USA. this superberry is also known for combating environmental aggressors and stimulating the skin's natural renewal process. the products are due out in mid-September and will be available at over 250 specialty stores in the u.s.,including 33 free standing Kiehl's stores.

while many people assume Kiehl’s products are 100 percent organic, this line is the brand’s first organic skin care line. "since our inception, we have always been known for our service and for creating efficacious products," said Salgardo, noting that everyone asks for "green" products, but still demand high performance. "we heard that our customers wanted organics, that they wanted paraben-free, that they wanted natural— and they wanted to focus on the first signs of aging. we went to the lab to do all that. the result: our new Açaí line."

continue reading the article here

xo

Beauty Girl TV: Simplictiy Bath and Body Sugar Body Scrub

Simplicity Bath and Body Sugar Body Scrub has become my favorite scrub of the moment! the pink grapefruit scent is a great pick me up, especially on mornings i am feeling sluggish.

watch the video for more info about this product-- hope you enjoy!




xo

green beauty: RAWSkincare Ambiaty Concetrated Serum

RAW Natural Beauty is a line of green products specializing in purely natural, high-performance products. each product is carefully formulated from innovative plant complexes grown in regions across the world that offer multiple skin-enhancing benefits. their RAWSkincare line produces one of my favorite serums--Ambiaty Concentrated Serum.

Ambiaty Concentrated Serum is a serum that not only that targets lines and deep wrinkles, but it helps prevent further skin aging by supporting healthy collagen production. infused with natural botanicals, it has a smooth, silky texture that always leaves me loving the way my skin not only looks, but feels. antioxidants help protect my skin from free radical damage and premature aging (woo-hoo!), and my keeps skin looking healthy and fabulously radiant.

visit rawnaturalbeauty.com to discover more about this luxurious line of green beauty products.

xo

FOTD: All-Natural Makeup

i like to mix-and-match my natural makeup with my not-so-natural makeup, but it is quite rare that i wear an entire face of natural makeup.


so what do you think?

foundation: The Body Shop's Nature's Minerals in shade 06

blush: TBS Nature's Minerals in Warm Copper and Mineral Essence Anywhere Face Color in Glow

eyeshadows: TBS Natural's Minerals in Radiant Graphite (on lids) and Mineral Essence shadow (on brow bone) in Mocha

eyeliners: Cargo Plant Love in Dark Brown and Black

lips: Mineral Essence lipstick in Rum Runner and L'Oreal Bare Naturale Gentle Lip Conditioner in Soft Mauve...



the only not-natural product i used was my mascara which was Maybelline's XXL Extensions.

xo

A Natural Exfoliating Cleanser

natural products will never go out of style, and Kiss My Face is a great brand to turn to when you are looking for them. below is one product you may be interesting in trying:

TotalBeauty.com content:

Kiss My Face Start Up Exfoliating Face Wash

Guest review by TotalBeauty.com editor Kristen Oldham-Giordani

The zesty lemon-lime-scented wash gently removes dead skin (and makeup) with natural fruit acids. See review

xo

hair therapy: Product

Product is the actual name of this great "green" styling aid i have been using that is designed for all hair types and lengths. i think it is a quite unique and memorable name considering all of the other hair products on the market, don't you?

made from all-natural ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera and vitamin E, Product is hand-crafted in extremely small batches (packaged in 1.5oz jars) to ensure quality control. when you rub the paste-like formula between your hands, it melts and glides smoothly over the hair. i love the fact that it's not greasy and it coats my hair, leaving it feeling soft and looking healthy!

if you love "green" products, you're going to love this one! in addition to only containing five ingredients--the other two being beeswax and tangerine oil-- Product protects from harmful UV rays, the packaging is 100% recyclable and is free of parabens, sulfates and petrochemicals.


discover Product at thenameisproduct.com

xo

organic body care: Giovanni Cosmetics Hydrate Body Lotion

i have found an all natural, good for you (and the senses) body lotion!

Giovanni Cosmetics was started after Arthur Giovanni himself had found success as a leading hair stylist and top salon owner in Beverly Hills, CA. each Giovanni Organic Body Care formula contains a blend of exotic organic oils, ripe-harvested from renewable plants at the peak of their freshness. the oils are cold pressed and refrigerated immediately to ensure maximum purity. their body care line contains 100% vegetarian ingredients and does no animal testing. (Giovanni's line also includes Magnetic hair care and Four Elements Organic hair care products)

i am such a sucker for a good body lotion. i love feeling soft, and occasionally, i'll apply a scented body lotion. it's great for days that are laid back and relaxed (although i rarely get any of those), or i don't want to wear any "formal" perfume.

Giovanni Hydrate Body Lotion in Grapefruit Sky is heavenly...i can't get enough of it. the way it makes my skin feel (not sticky or greasy), the scent (a fruity citrus), and the fact that's natural are all fabulous things. what's even better is now i don't have to worry about harmful ingredients and fillers.

available in 6 scents – Grapefruit Sky, Hazelnut Vanilla, Lavender Vanilla Snow, Raspberry Winter, Bamboo Birch and Cucumber Song. 8.5 oz. (250ml) bottles are $9.95 each. (i found mine at Target)

ingredients for Grapefruit Sky:
certified organic *citrus grandis (grapefruit), *citrus aurantium dulcis (valencia orange), *citrus medica limonum (lemon peel) *echinacea angustifolia (coneflower), **olea europaea (olive leaf) and punica granatum (pomegranite) extracts (aqueous), stearic acid, vegetable glycerin, cetyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, **aloe barbadensis (aloe vera), pronus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, *carthamus tinctorius (safflower), simmondsia chinenasis (jojoba) seed oil, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), dimethicone, polysorbate 60, carbomer, hydroxymethylglycinate, essential oil fragrance.

xo


*Certified by Quality Assurance International
**Certified by Quality Certification Services

being green

Kermit the Frog once said, "it's no easy being green". well, in this moment, more than ever, it is very easy to be green. (of course, i know he wasn't talking about the environment, but i needed an intro...)

many cosmetic companies have taking the bull by the horns, so to speak, and have reformulated products to be healthier for us as consumers. and there are companies who have always been about natural ingredients, never backing away from the belief that product don't need to be loaded with chemicals to work.

The Body Shop was founded in the UK in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick, and now has over 2,100 stores in 55 countries, with a range of over 1,200 products, all animal cruelty free, and many with fairly traded natural ingredients.

As the name would imply, Juice Beauty prefers to do things the natural way. using certified organic ingredients in their paraben-, fragrance-, and petroleum-free formulas; this line is a trailblazer in a category that's gaining serious momentum—organic beauty. Juice Beauty gets your skin glowing while leaving you with peace of mind.

Carol's Daughter was founded in a kitchen in Brooklyn, New York. creator Lisa Price's homemade concoctions have become staples on the shelves of celebrity bathrooms. now thirteen years later, Price continues to deliver down home treatments to enhance your life and well being by providing the sweetest and most luxurious products, all made from the heart - naturally.

LAVANILA can undoubtedly be considered a fragrance revolution. breaking beauty boundaries with the world's premier healthy fragrance, LAVANILA is the first to fuse luxury fragrance with natural science. their sensual vanilla blends captivate the senses and nurture the skin thanks to an infusion with everything that's good for you and a healthy dose of pure essential oils, active botanicals, and antioxidants.

pamper your strands with Phyto. greek for 'derived from plants,' the brand merges active plant botanicals with modern science for wholesome formulas that travel to the root (literally) of the problem to snap hair back to its healthiest condition. packed in 100 percent recyclable containers, these products bring eco-friendly hair care to a shower near you.


with all these brands, and many more, available to us, we can be confident that natural beauty isn't hard to achieve.

xo