JAVA Skincare Review

While sipping coffee at her husband's coffee shop 
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Stephanie Additon learned about the many benefits of coffee and that these benefits could be infused into skincare. JAVA Skincare combines the antioxidant properties of green coffee with the therapeutic benefits of essential oils to formulate these incredible products. They only use the highest quality organic green coffee and pure essential oils and other natural oils. 

Products

The JAVA Skincare lineup includes bodywash, body serum,body scrub and a hand soap. They come in a set for 69.95, but you can also purchase each item individually. 

Body Wash- Oh, how I love this body wash! It has a great consistency as it's not going to slip through your fingers too quickly and it also has a great amount of lather, which I also really enjoy. A little goes a long way.  Surprisingly, this does not smell like coffee, it has almond scent to it. I like the scent, but would prefer a coffee scent in this! 

$14 for a 12oz. Bottle. 

Body Serum - This luxurious serum combines green coffee infused Argan oil with botanical extract to hydrate your skin, going deeper into the layers of the skin than a typical moisturizer due to it's unique molecular structure. The scent is orange blossom, which I really love. It moisturizes incredibly well, but it's not greasy like you might think an oil/serum would be.  Although a little bit does go a long way, I wish it came in a bigger bottle. It leaves your skin silky soft all day!  $36 for 4oz. 

Bar Soap - First of all, I do want to mention that I am not a huge fan of bar soap. It tends to melt too quickly and most of them are drying.  This soap doesn't melt quickly at all and is incredibly moisturizing! It contains coffee grounds to exfoliate the skin. 4.25oz. for $9. 

Body Scrub - In my opinion, this scrub is the winner of this brand! It contains green coffe infused organic Argan Oil & artisan roasted coffee blended with organic raw Sugar, sweet almond, rosemary and Vitamin e to exfoliate. It has just the right amount of "scrubbiness" to it to be really effective, but not irritate sensitive skin, the right amount of oil to be moisturizing, but won't leave you feeling greasy or leave a greasy film in your tub. This smells just like coffee, which I absolutely LOVE! $28 for 8oz. 

According to JAVA Skincare, their green coffee infused products will: 

Super-Hydrate the skin
Slow the appearance of aging
Protect from free radicals
Eliminate environmental toxins
Rejuvenate healthy cells
Restore elasticity
Even skin tone
Reduce fine lines
Reduce inflammation
Brightens and softens skin
Restore a youthful glow

While I'm not totally sure of all the benefits since I've only been using them for a a few months, my skin is definitely softer, smoother, younger looking/feeling and in generally better health. I don't have any cellulite so I can't make any judgement on that, but what I can tell you is that you NEED to try these products!!  They are amazing! You can find them at www.javaskincare.com and also various retailers in the R.I. area. I'm lucky being in MA, I'm not far from Rhode Island at all! Stephanie Addition, I might have to come visit someday and try a cup (or two) of 

that coffee that inspired your incredible products! 

*These products were sent for review and as always all opinions are honest and my own. 

 

Organic Beauty Junkie Indigogo Campaign

Hi Everyone! I wanted to tell you about an Indigogo crowdfunding campaign I've started. As many of you know, I've started making my own natural/organic skincare. I recently opened an Etsy Shop with a few products. I want to expand my business, AND help others. I have a physical disability and have faced many barriers, especially regarding employment. Because of my experiences, I want more than anything, to help others. So, although I am a one woman show right now, I want to be able to hire other people with disabilities to work for me. In order to do that, I need to expand my business, which requires money! I started the Indigogo campaign to raise some of the initial funds it will take to accomplish these goals. If you are willing and able to contribute, thanks SO much, you are awesome! If you don't have the funds, I totally understand, if you could just let your friends and family know about it or anyone else you might think of I would be so grateful! Nobody has to donate a lot, if a bunch of people would just donate a a small amount, that would be great...it all adds up! Thanks so much  and I hope you will support me in this and I look forward to sharing my progress as I go along! If you have any questions, please feel free to find me on any of my social media platforms or email me at maryannmakeup@gmail.com

Maryann Gallagher

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/organic-skincare-and-social-change

Red Apple Lipstick The Lash Project Review & Giveaway

I'm not going to go into great detail about this company, as I've done a review of their amazing products before. Now, if you read my first review of Red Apple Lipstick you know that they make incredible lipstick and eyeshadow. I'm SO excited to tell you about their brand new mascara! It's called The Lash Project and it is incredible and so much more than just a mascara. I'm not sure about you, but for me, finding a new, healthy, effective mascara was the most difficult product to find when I made the decision to go green with my makeup and personal care. I've been disappointed with my lack of options...until now! The Lash Project promises to take care of the most common and most frustrating issues women face when using mascara. This mascara will NOT clump, cause lashes to fall out, give you itchy/irritated eyesflake off, give you short, stubby lashes,smudge,give you that spidery look. The Lash Project WILL stay on ALL DAY but come off easily,lengthen your lashes, volumize your lashes, curl your lashes, condition your lashes so they'll be able to grow healthy and strong 

& last you up to 6 months. Most mascaras are sitting on the shelf for months before you even buy it so experts say to throw it out after 3 months. RAL is made in small batches and shipped right out to you! It might sound too good to be true, but it isn't! This mascara is incredible. Although you only need two coats, I decided to be "adventurous" and try 5 coats just to see if it would clump....It didn't!! Not only did I wear 5 coats, I slept in it the following night. I didn't mean to (I'm not really recommending you do the same) but I wanted to let you know that I did, and it didn't smudge at all! Pretty, awesome, right? Not to mention, I didn't wake up with red, irritated eyes. I've fallen asleep with mascara on in the past, and I always woke up with red, irritated eyes! Not only is the formula great, I love the sleek black (BPA free) tube it comes in. The Lash Project is gluten free, soy free, allergen free, dairy free, paraben free, cruelty free, plasticizer free, vegan, and made in the USA. 

Okay.....here's the difficult part. First go back and read all the awesome things about this mascara I outlined above. Done?? Read it again, it will make what I'm going to tell you next easier to understand! So, the price is $42! I know, I know! I'll be honest, my jaw kind of dropped when I first saw the price. I did some research and realized that most lash conditioning products cost between $30 and $135 for JUST the lash conditioner. You're getting so much more than that for the $42. I couldn't find any long wearing, non-toxic, lash curling mascara AND lash conditioner in one. So, not only is it a revolutionary product, it's basically a bargain! Red Apple Lipstick, you've done it again!! Oh, and did I mention they have a VIP program that you can join to get monthly discounts so you'll never have to pay full price? They also have a 6 MONTH, no questions asked return policy. If you don't like it, you can exchange it for something else or return it for a full refund! RAL has generously offered to provide 1 tube of The Lash Project and a lipstick to one of my lucky readers. Enter the giveaway using Rafflecopter below. In addition, I have a discount code for my readers to receive 22% off orders of $50 or more during The Lash Project launch week (July 31st-August 7th) . Enter the code OBJ for your discount on the RAL website.*disclaimer This product was sent to me for my honest review. I am a Red Apple Lipstick Affiliate. What this means is that if you click on the banner at the bottom of the page and make a purchase, I make a small commission. The money I earn allows me to continue my blogging and provide even more fun, exciting opportunities for my readers. Thanks in advance, and as always, I will always give you an honest opinion of the products I choose to review. I would never, ever join an affiliate program unless I was 100% happy with their products, the ingredients they use and the company overall.

Ava Anderson Nontoxic Review

Background

Ava Anderson Nontoxic was started by a bright, young, 14 year old girl named Ava Anderson in 2009. The company uses a direct-selling model in which you find a local Ava Anderson Nontoxic representative who sells the products to you. I am from MA, so I contacted a local rep in my area named Jeanne-Marie Parker. She was lovely and sent me a ton of trial sized samples to try for this review. I chose a few of my favorites to share with you! 

Shower Gel

This is probably my favorite of a the products I tried. It is a simple, basic body wash with clean ingredients. It lathers a bit, but not a lot, it's creamy and not too thick and not thin or runny. It left my skin feeling clean and it smelled great. It had a lemon-lime scent which I loved, it wasn't at at overpowering, just the right amount, I'd say. The price is a good value at $16.95 for 16oz. 

Sunscreen SPF 30

I realize that it's fall right now and  thinking about sunscreen. However, I think people should wear it year round. I have very pale skin and a family history of skin cancer, so sunscreen is a must for me. I really like this one. It's not greasy, not TOO white....although I recommend waiting a few minutes to absorb. It lasts a long time, and can be used for the face and body. The only small drawback is that you have to knead the tube before you squeeze it out so it doesn't apply lumpy. It's s a small price to pay given the value and quality of this sunscreen! A little goes a long way! It comes in a 2.9oz. tube for $15.95

BB Cream

First off, I'm not typically a fan of BB creams. They're almost always too dark for my pale skintone. This one comes in a four shades, and the lightest one is perfect for me. It provides nice, sheer coverage and a finish that's neither matte nor dewy. It's great if you don't like the feeling of makeup on your face and if you like sheer coverage. I typically like full coverage makeup, however, it would be awesome for a casual weekend look. It definitely gives you a "your skin but better" look. It's $18.95 for 2oz. which is an incredible price considering most mainstream, chemical laden BB creams are double the price for half the amount of product. 

Moisturizer SPF 15

This is a great basic moisturizer. It works great for my combination, acne-prone skin, and I think it would be good for most skin types. It did not cause any redness or irritation, which I do sometimes get with moisturizers. It absorbs quickly and gave me baby soft skin. At $20.95 for 1.5oz , I'd say it's a great deal! 

I would definitely suggest that you try some Ava Anderson Non-Toxic products! You can go to directly from Jeanne-Marie by going to www.avaandersonnonontoxic.com and search by name- just type in Jeanne-Marie Parker and choose Massachusetts as the state and you'll be brought directly to her site. You don't have to be local to purchase from her, so please send her some love! You can of course purchase directly from the site or purchase locally, but it would be AWESOME for you to purchase from Jeanne-Marie because she's awesome and she sent me all tons of samples so I could do this review! 

Azure Naturals Ultimate Hyaluronic Anti Aging Serum Review

Background

Azure Naurals is a company that provides skincare products that are all natural, vegan, and cruelty free. They are 

made mostly of botanical ingredients and essential oils instead of harsh chemicals and are designed to be high performance and work as well as mainstream products that contain harmful chemicals. 

The Product

Azure Naturals Ultimate Hyalauronic Acid Serum is made to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration. I have been using it for a few weeks now and I definitely notice a reduction in my fine lines. I don't have any major wrinkles yet, so I can't evaluate if it would help with deeper wrinkles. I have lots of discoloration and I don't see much of a difference in my dark spots yet, but that could be because I need to use it longer. Sometimes discoloration can take several months before a difference can be observed with any product. The serum has no noticeable smell to it and it absorbs very quickly making it an ideal product to use under makeup and for women who are always on the go. The product comes in a 1oz. bottle for 19.95 and a 2oz. bottle for 34.95. 

Ingredients

The product contains vitamin C, Hyalauronic acid and lots of other good ingredients. It does however, contain carrageenan. Carageeenan, although a natural ingredient, derived from red seaweed, is linked to inflammation and other health problems. 

Azure Naturals can be found at www.azurenaturals.com 

*this product was sent for review,all opinions are my own.

3 Month Anniversary Favorites

Three months ago today, I decided to start my blog.  I have always loved anything and everything related to beauty. Since the age of 8 or so I was always "borrowing" makeup from my mom. About a year ago, I started learning about how whatever you put on your skin is absorbed by your body and that there are basically no laws regarding  what ingredients cosmetics companies can and can not put into their products. In addition, I learned about the many horrible chemicals that were in my lipstick, my foundation, etc. I learned that my makeup could be causing cancer,  and my perfume could be causing neurological disorders  I new that I needed to find products that were healthy but I didn't know where to start. Thank goodness for social media! I looked at blogs, websites of various non-profit organizations, etc. through my own journey of switching over to healthy, non-toxic products, I realized that I wanted to connect with like-minded individuals who I could share my experience with regarding what I've learned and what I've struggled with in terms of finding the best possible non-toxic products. So, I decided to start a blog. I didn't know exactly where to start, but I consulted with some of my absolute favorite bloggers as well as owners of companies I loved and trusted to provide the best products I could find!  I would be remiss not recognize a few people who have helped me SO much during the last three months.

Sarita Coren, Peace on the Skin & Peace Within

www.ediblefacial.com

I can't pinpoint exactly when or how I came across Sarita's blog, I believe it may have been through Twitter. I started off asking her a few questions about suggestions for various green beauty products, even before I started my blog. I admired her knowledge and ability to connect with people and when I decided to do my blog, she was one of the first people I reached out to for guidance. Sarita has helped me so much along the way and given me so much encouragement and advice. Despite being a busy mom of 5 kids, and a writer/blogger herself she has always made time to help me and give me advice when I need it! Another thing about Sarita is that she is a very caring/giving person and willing to help pretty much anyone! She is beloved in the entire green blogger community. Sarita, you are one of my favorite people who I've never met! Thank you!

Sarah Piccinini- Owner, Salty Cosmetics

www.saltycosmetics.com

I first "met" Sarah when I placed an order on her website after I had gotten an eyeshadow in a "sample box program" I subscribed to. Salty Cosmetics was one of the very first brands that I found that not only had high quality products, but were made with non-toxic ingredients. I fell in love with this company right away and have placed lots of orders including their custom blend products, which required going back and forth with Sarah to make sure the color is exactly what I wanted. Through this, I got to know Sarah and she has been an incredibly good friend and given me TONS of advice. She is a makeup artist and esthetician and has shared so much of her talent with me. Sarah, I am so grateful I have gotten to know you! Thanks so much for all of your support and thank you for making such awesome makeup! 

Cindy Bokma, author, blogger, www.hellodollface.com

Cindy has been one of my favorite bloggers for awhile now. She offers honest, reliable reviews on her blog.I know that if Cindy loves something, I will too! She is always willing to give support and advice when I need it! Thank you so much Cindy! I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to learn from you! You are such a beautiful and talented person.

Now I would like to share with you, the items/brands that I have reviewed that have become my absolute favorite so far. I've already reviewed them so read the reviews to get all the details, but these brands have products that exceed my expectations by far in terms of quality, performance, ingredients and customer service. They have become staples in my beauty routine. 

1. Salty Cosmetics

2. Red Apple Lipstick

3. Suntegrity Face Sunscreen & Primer

4. Earthling Supply Company- All the Oils

Thanks to everyone who has supported me and followed my blog. Your support means the world to me!I hope you continue on this journey with me and contact me on any of my social media accounts or comment here and let me know if you have any questions! 

Maryann

Earthling Supply Company Review

Background

The Earthling Supply Company was started by friends and "lifelong product junkies" Kat, a "yogi" and "amateur astrologer" and Ruth, a Reiki Master, aromatherapist and massage therapist, in Rochester, New York. When they couldn't find natural products to solve their skin problems, including acne, psoriasis and dry skin they decided to take it upon themselves to create their own products from scratch using healthy, effective ingredients that you can pronounce. After trying these homemade products on themselves, they shared them with friends and family who encouraged them to make these products for others.  Thus, Earthling Supply Company was born. Their products are all natural, using locally-sourced, organic products when possible, cruelty-free (tested on willing inhabitants of planet Earth, not animals), paraben free, sulfate free and handmade in small batches and with reusable, ecofriendly packaging! I love the little mason jars!! 

The Products

All the Oils- is a blend of oils including hemp seed, jojoba, apricot kernel, sweet almond, and grapeseed. In addition it has rosemary, eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils. It's great for anti-aging and acne. I can attest to that as my persistent adult acne has diminished greatly since I began using it. It is going to become a staple in my acne-fighting arsenal! I've also noticed that it doesn't dry out my skin like most acne treatments do, it actually moisturizes, without feeling greasy! As stated on their Etsy page, do not use this product near the eyes!

Lip Balm- the lip balm is made from mango butter, hemp seed oil, coconut oil and vitamin e. They are flavored with pure extracts and essential oils. They sent me the Coffee Flavor! Kat, Ruth, are you psychics, too because I LOVE coffee!! 😄 So glad you sent me that flavor! The scent is delicious, not overpowering for those who may be sensitive. I'd love more of it since I love it so much!! This lip balm is incredibly creamy and moisturizing. There are a lot of natural lip balms out there and I have to tell you that this is definitely among my favorites. 

Tropical Coconut & Shea Skin Butter- This rich, creamy, whipped body butter contains, coconut oil, shea butter, lemon and lime essential oils, lime extract and aloe vera. This is a great body butter. It is rich, but rubs in well and isn't greasy. It leaves my skin so soft and silky. In addition, it really soothed the dry skin I have from a sunburn I got at the beach last weekend! I love the citrus scent....again not overpowering, and I'd love the scent to be even stronger since it's SO good! 

Lavender Sea Salt Aromatherapy Body Scrub- This scrub contains grapeseed, jojoba, and olive oils to moisturize the skin while sea salt scrubs away dry flaky skin and callouses. The lavender essential oil provides a relaxing aroma! This scrub is a must-have for summer! 

Baby Serum- This product, although made to moisturize and soothe baby's delicate skin, it's great for adults, too! I frequently get dermatitis on my body and this seemed to moisturize and soothe it very well! Baby Serum contains almond, apricot and avocado oils as well as a touch of lavender essential oil. It can also be used as a massage oil.

These products are incredibly affordable as they are all under $15 for the sizes shown in the pictures. 

You can find the products on Etsy. 

Customer Service- Although I did not purchase from this company, I have contacted them several times regarding the review and they are super nice and super helpful! I'm pretty sure that when I purchase full sizes of these products, I won't have any problems. 

Another amazing thing that I love about this company? They give to charity! A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Women Helping Girls, a Rochester, NY non-profit which offers mentoring and empowerment to girls grade 6-12 in the city school district. "By giving to future generations of ladies, we hope to contribute to a harmonious flow of female affluence in our community."

How awesome is that? Go buy some Earthling Supply Company products right now!!!!! I know I'm going to! 

*samples sent for review, as always opinions are my own. 

*pictures above are full-sized products , samples came in ecofriendly glass vials. The lip balm they sent me was full size. 😄

Vapour Organic Beauty illusionist Concealer

Background

Vapour Organic Beauty was created by 3 beauty industry experts and cosmetics manufacturers Krysia Boinis Kristine Keheley and Eric Sakas who is the former President of Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, after  they became aware of the many chemicals in mainstream cosmetics and skincare products. Based on the fact that "up to 80% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your body" they developed products without harsh chemicals. They company is USDA Certified Organic, 100% natural, and made with 70% certified organic ingredients, and 30% minerals and vitamins. They are gluten free, paraben free and contain no toxic chemicals. They are also cruelty free.  In addition, they are a signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. They have a full line of cosmetics including foundations, concealers, cream blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, lip gloss,  highlighters and skincare. 

The Product

The concealer I bought is #015 which is a pale neutral shade that suits my skintone well. It comes in a stick form and applies well right from the tube, but could also be applied with a brush. It goes on smooth on my face and under eye area. It provides a very light coverage with a luminous coverage. Although I like the luminous finish, I found that it did not cover my dark undereye circles enough and it also creased in the fine lines under my eyes. It did however, cover some redness on my face and other minor imperfections. On days when my skin isn't broken out and I've had adequate sleep, I think it works okay for me, however, I generally prefer concealers with more coverage. The other thing I noticed is that it has a very strong herbal/medicinal smell which I did not like . Although it is a high quality product with healthy ingredients given the light coverage, and high price tag ($24) I will not repurchase. I would however, recommend it to anyone who needs a light coverage concealer with a luminous finish. 

Customer Service

Vapour Organic Beauty accepts returns within 30 days. In addition, they offer sample sets so you can find the correct shade of foundation, concealer, blush, etc. Shipping is free for regular orders over $75 and sample kits ship for $2.50. 

Vapour Organic Beauty can be found at 

www.vapourbeauty.com

Suntegrity Skincare Face Sunscreen and Primer Review

     I want to preface this review by saying that I am not the most tech savvy person and setting up my blog to look the way I want it to has been a challenge for me. I have been slowly making changes and yesterday I had trouble adding some social media buttons. So instead of getting frustrated about it, I left some of it as is and I am hoping someone can help me figure it out! I always try to find the humor in difficult situations, and this was no different. Long story, but the bottom line is that there's an extra social media button in a very strange place. I tried numerous times to remove it, but I was unsucessful. It reminded me of the "Where's Waldo" books. Anyone remember those? Like,  where's the social media button?! Get it? No? Okay, well maybe you could at least tell me how to get rid of it so it doesn't look so goofy? :-) Oh, and if you're on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. please follow me?!  On to the review.....




Background

Suntegrity Skincare was developed by Tricia Trimble who lost her mom to melanoma. Tricia became a strong advocate for wearing sunscreen due to her mom's experience, but soon became aware of the toxic ingredients in most sunscreens and decided to develop her own non-toxic, mineral based line of suncare products.   They have products for both the face and body and also have supplements. Suntegrity Skincare is non-toxic, cruelty-free, vegan, paraben free, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, synthetic dyes, sulfates, paba, titanium dioxide, nano-particles, and chemical UV absorbers. It has an SPF of 30.  The company is also a signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. In addition, the Suntegrity Face Sunscreen and Primer is a 2013 Allure Magazine Best of Beauty Award winner.


The Product

The sunscreen comes in a 1.7oz. pump container for $45.  A little goes a VERY long way, I only needed about half a pump for my whole face. The first time I used way too much! It goes on almost completely clear, a TINY bit white at first but blends incredibly well. It goes on amazingly underneath my foundation. I have been looking for a sunscreen that could easily go under make up and not make it look gross. This product is it! It functions equally well as a primer as it does as a sunscreen which actually surprised me. It does not make my face feel oily nor does it emphasize my pores or redness on my face. It has become a holy grail product for me in a very short time. I will not be without it for the foreseeable future. If I HAD to pick something I dislike about it, it would be the packaging. I can't tell how much is in there, so I  won't be able to tell when I'm running low. 


Customer Service  I bought this through OpenSky , so I have no experience with this company. However, I can tell you that you can return products for any reason within 14 days of purchase if you purchase directly through Suntegrity Skincare. You can also purchase samples of some of the products if you don't want to commit to purchasing the full size.

You can find Suntegrity Skincare at www.suntegrityskincare.com

S.W. Basics of Brooklyn Review

Background

S.W. Basics was developed by nutritionist and personal trainer, Adina Grigore. She wanted to find skincare that would be suitable for her sensitive skin. Having been in the wellness industry since 2007, she knew she needed to adopt a minimalist approach using few natural and organic ingredients and leave out the many toxic ingredients that are in the majority of skincare products today. Each S.W. Basics product contains only 5 ingredients or less. They use ingredients that are natural, organic, fair trade, vegan (except for 1 lip balm) and cruelty free.

The Product

The S.W. Basics Best Sellers Mini Kit contains 4 1oz. glass containers of of some of their best selling products. They include, Cleanser, Toner, Makeup Remover and Cream. 

The cleanser is a thin, clear liquid that is meant to be wiped all over the face with a cotton ball or pad and rinsed off with water. It actually reminded me more of a toner in the way you apply it. I actually removed it from my face the same way, using a cotton pad soaked in water. I felt that this cleanser which contains organic rosewater, organic vegetable glycerine and tea tree oil was great for a light cleaning. It left my face feeling clean and fresh, but was not enough to remove a makeup. It has a light floral and tea tree oil scent.

The toner is excellent for my combination, acne-prone skin. It made my face feel less oily, yet did not strip my face of essential moisture. Although I really liked this product, I felt that I used it up very quickly and the 1oz. bottle was only enough to use it for a little over a week or so before I ran out. Otherwise, I was really impressed with it. It contains water, organic raw apple cider vinegar, witch hazel and essential oils of clary sage and sandalwood. It has a faint scent of apple cider vinegar and something pleasant that I can't quite place.

The cream is a somewhat thick moisturizer that can be used for the face and body. I that it worked great for me in the winter on my face and body and during the rest of the year on my body. A little goes a very long way and it melts right into the skin leaving it soft and silky. I also used it on my cuticles. I really thought it might break me out for some reason, but it did not. It contains fair trade shea butter, organic coconut oil,  organic olive oil. 

The makeup remover, is a thick, oil based product that easily takes off any makeup including waterproof mascara. A little goes a long way, but I found it spreads better when using my fingers instead of a cotton pad like I would typically use for removing my makeup. I have extremely sensitive eyes and many makeup removers sting my eyes. This did not sting my eyes and kept the eye area  lightly moisturized. 

This set retails for $45 for 4 1oz. glass bottles in a plastic pouch. I feel like this very expensive for travel sized products. However, considering the quality of the ingredients, I think they are worth the splurge. 

Customer Service

Customer service is awesome. Actually, go to their website and read their FAQ's page. What I got from it is that they want you to be happy with their products.....and they apparently have a comedian on staff! It's the funniest FAQ's page I've ever read! You'll see what I mean if you take a look! 

You can find S.W. Basics at 

http://www.swbasicsofbk.com

Acure Organics Chlorella & Edelweiss Stem Cell Eye Cream Review

Background

Acure Organics was founded by Kristy & Jon Guerra. They specialize in products that are paraben free, sulfate free, phthalate free, synthetic fragrance free, and cruelty free. Their products are made from fair trade ingredients that are natural and organic. Some are USDA certified organic, some are not.  Many of their products including this eye cream are also gluten free. They have a large range of products for the face and body. They have high quality ingredients in their products and they are extremely affordable in my opinion. 

The Product

Acure Organics Chlorella & Edelweiss Stem Cell Eye Cream is designed to moisturize the skin around the eye area as well as alleviate puffiness, fine lines and dark circles. I have been using it for over a month and I have found that this product helps in all those ways for me. I have suffered from dark circles for years as a result of allergies and lack of sleep and I found this eye cream to be really effective for dark circles, but as with most products, it takes time to see results. In addition, I saw a marked improvement in puffiness! I don't think I realized my eyes were so puffy until I started using this! It's major allergy season for me so I'm so glad I decided to try it in the spring! It's very moisturizing and I love putting it under my makeup because it soaks in fairly quickly and my makeup seems to go on smoother! The only major thing I found was that I did not see a huge improvement in fine lines. Maybe it's because I have only been using it for about a month. I may do an update on this either on the blog or on social media, so please stay tuned. I do feel that for the price, $18.99 for a whole 1 oz. tube, it works extremely well

Ingredients

I think the ingredients are great. However, some of the ingredients are USDA certified organic and some are not. I have to be honest with you here. I'm not totally familiar with all the rules and regulations regarding USDA certification, so there could be a good reason for this. I started a green beauty blog not only to educate and share what it have learned with others but also to learn from others. I will definitely look into this and share my findings with you all at some point. Please feel free to contact me if you want to share anything about this! One of the things I'm really enjoying about blogging is connecting with people who share the same passion for green beauty! 

Customer Service

I actually purchased this at my local Whole Foods. They have amazing customer service!  I looked on the Acure Organics website and they offer free shipping on all orders which I LOVE! They offer returns/exchanges within 7 days for unopened/unused products. 

Please check out Acure Organics at : 

www.acureorganics.com

You can find stores that carry Acure Organics on their website.

Moody Sisters Natural Skincare Review

 Background

Moody Sisters Natural Skincare was created by two sisters, Jess Piestrup & Whitney Acheson from Cashmere, WA. They couldn't find safe, natural skincare for their "moody" skin so they did some research and figured out how to to take care of their skin using natural ingredients like essential oils and other healthy ingredients. They created their own natural skincare and made it into a family business. They create the products in their home & often recruit their kids to help out too! How awesome is that? In addition to their skincare, they have a blog where they share lots of helpful info including tips on living a eco-friendly lifestyle and great diy projects. You can even sign up for their email newsletter and get a free travel sized product! Their products are all-natural, and with lots of organic ingredients and some are also vegan. They are cruelty-free. 

The Products

I purchased their 3 piece "Try Me First" set from OpenSky for $24.95 for 3 1oz. travel-sized products. It includes their Foaming Face Wash, Lightweight Moisturizer & Face & Body Cream. 

The Foaming Face Wash - is a light foaming cleanser that is great for balancing my combination, acne-prone skin. It's gentle and effective at removing most of my makeup and did not irritate my skin. It can also be used as a hand wash! 

The Lightweight Moisturizer - is in a liquid form and provides a exactly what the name states, lightweight moisture, which is especially great for my skin since I am dry on the cheeks, but oily in the t-zone. It helped to balance my "moody" skin  extremely well and didn't cause any acne nor did it aggravate the acne I already had. 

The Face & Body Cream is a whipped type of cream that is heavier than the Lightweight Moisturizer. It was too heavy for my face personally. I think it might work well for me in the winter. It isn't extremely thick and I think it would be fine for many skintypes. It actually worked great as a body moisturizer for me. Another thing I really liked about it was the smell. It has a slightly minty scent to it. It was fresh, but not overpowering. 

 

I also purchased their Daily Facial Toner in the full size on the Moody Sisters website. It comes in a 4oz. bottle for 14.95. It contains apple cider vinegar and witch hazel and it is incredible! It's just a toner, I didn't think it would make a huge difference. It did! It removed the small amount of makeup that the cleanser left behind and softened and balanced my skin. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the packaging. I wish it came in a spray bottle, but it's ok I can deal with it as is!

Customer Service

Customer service is great, shipping is $4.95 for any order in the US that is under 10lbs. which is a great price. They offer full refunds on unopened, unused products and offer exchanges or credits on opened products. 

Check them out!

Website - www.moodysistersskincare.com 

Facebook www.facebook.com/moodysisters skincare 

Twitter- @moodysisters

Instagram- @moodysisters

YouTube - www.youtube.com/moodysistersskincare 

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/moodysisters

OpenSky - www.opensky.com/moodysisters 

* I purchased these products myself and as always all opinions are my own. 

Faerie Organic 40 Winks Eye Primer Review

   

 

Background

Faerie Organic was started in 2007 by makeup artist Erin Mincks. After losing both of her parents to cancer, she decided she wanted to live a more healthy, natural lifestyle. She learned about the many chemicals that were in mainstream cosmetics & skincare and felt that there needed to be other options. So, she developed Faerie Organic and decided to use wild crafted herbs and food-grade ingredients instead of chemicals. They have loose mineral based foundation, concealer, blush, etc. they also have skincare. They are all natural and cruelty-free. 

The Product

This eye primer is the best natural eye primer I have found so far. It goes on mostly clear (slightly whitish) on my fair skin. You don't notice the color after eyeshadow is applied. It comes in a clear plastic pot with a silver lid plastic lid.  It retails for $14 for .05oz. I've been using it for a couple of months now, comparing it against both natural & non natural primers and so far, this wins for the natural ones I've tried. This keeps my eye makeup on for a good 6-8 hours without any fading or creasing. Also, I have crepy eyelids, probably due to allergies & rubbing my eyes. This primer creates a smooth surface so there is little to no creasing, which does not happen easily for me! Overall, I really like this primer. My only issue (really tiny issue) is that I would like for it to be tinted so it would even out my skintone on my eyelids. However, I love how it keeps my eye makeup on all day, so I'm willing to overlook that. 

Ingredients

The ingredients are good. I've heard mixed things about titanium dioxide. It has been shown to cause cancer in some animals in some studies. I'm still on the fence about it and will still use products containing titanium dioxide until I hear of more conclusive evidence and that the testing includes humans!

Customer Service

Customer service was good. I had no problems. They do not accept returns unless your items arrive damaged, but they do offer sample sets so you can try before you buy!

Check out Faerie Organic on their website,

www.faerieorganic.com

On Facebook-

www.facebook.com/faerieorganic

On Twitter-

@faerieorganic

On Instagram-

www.instagram.com/faerieorganic 

* I bought this item myself and my opinion is my own. 

Osmia Organics Review

Background 

Osmia Organics was started in 2010 by Sarah Villafranco, MD, an Emergency Medicine physician. After practicing as a physician for almost 10 years, she realized she needed a change. After she took a soap making class with a friend, she decided she loved it and wanted to start her own company that used healthy, natural and organic ingredients instead of all the chemicals found in so many products. Thus, Osmia (meaning sense of smell) Organics was born. They have a wide range of products for the face and body and a huge focus is put on aromatherapy. All of the products I tried have some type of natural scent! The products are natural, organic, and and they are a cruelty-free company!

The Products

The company sent me a beautiful  package of sample sized products to meet the needs of my combination, acne-prone skin including a facial cleansing bar, a acne spot treatment, and face serum. Also included were samples of a bar soap for the body and body oil.

Black Clay Facial Soap- $22 for 2.25oz. Contains  ingredients like Australian Black Clay, and Dead Sea mud. It cleanses and tones. Ideal for combination and acne prone skin like mine! Made my skin softer & smoother! 

Facial Callibration Serum-  $50 for 0.5oz. This serum contains a few different plant-based oils and is designed for combination skin to balance the skin and regulate sebum production. My face definitely felt softer, smoother and less oily in my t-zone after two weeks of use. I am slightly sensitive to smells and the scent of this product was a TINY bit strong for me but I could get used to it if it keeps my t-zone less oily! 

Spot Treatment- $20 for 0.16oz. After only 2 weeks of use, this will be added to my list of holy grail products! This product is just as the name says, a "spot treatment" for acne. It is a blend of a few different essential oils. A little goes a LONG way and it is not meant for all over the face. I've suffered from acne since middle school and nothing has worked so well for me thus far. It doesn't dry me out, yet it made a very large pimple almost disappear within the two weeks of using it once daily. Miraculous! 

Milky Rose Soap- $12 for 5.5oz bar  I'm typically not a huge fan of bar soaps, so I don't have a lot to compare it with, however, it smelled great, cleans without drying,  is made from organic ingredients and it's pink, so that for me is a plus! 😄 

Flower Body Oil- $24 for 2oz. $70 for 7.5oz w/pump.  Made from organic rose geranium essential oil, organic linden blossom oil, and zdravets, this body oil is awesome! Smells like flowers (obviously) 😄 and is SUPER moisturizing and leaves a light, dewy sheen on the skin. It is meant to be put on wet skin as it helps w/absorption and you'll use less product!

Customer Service- I've never purchased from  company before, but they were very kind and helpful to me as a blogger. They have a 14 day return policy for damaged/defective items and do not accept returns for any other reasons according to their website. While I wish they had a better policy I am not sure why you would want to return any of their products! I think it's worth the risk! 

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Check them out!

Website- www.osmiaorganics.com

Facebook-www.facebook.com/osmia organics 

Twitter- @OsmiaOrganics

Pinterest- @OsmiaOrganics

Red Apple Lipstick Review

Background 

Red Apple Lipstick (RAL) was created in 2007 by Jay Adam Harper. He started this company after learning of all the horrible chemicals that most cosmetics contain. In addition to making incredible makeup, Jay, and his wife Andrea are dedicated to teaching people about the different ingredients that are in typical makeup and how many of those ingredients are harmful to our bodies. They originally just started with making lipsticks, but have since created eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipgloss, lip liner and they are coming out with a new mascara very soon! RAL is gluten free, paraben free, soy free, nut/tree nut free and non-toxic. 

The Makeup

RAL was kind enough to send me two products for the review. I chose a lipstick called Push Pop and an eyeshadow called Sugar and Spice. The lipsticks come in 4.5 ounce sleek, sturdy black tubes for $23.50 each. The eyeshadows come in 1.5 gram pans for 18.75. You buy them in a pan and you can purchase a compact or zpalette separately. 

 

Push Pop is a beautiful, bright (but not too bright) gorgeous orange shade with a slight metallic finish. It's a perfect color if you want to try one of the hottest colors of the season. You can wear one layer to make it look more natural or add a few to be more bold! 

Sugar and Spice is a matte, rusty brown shade. It looks like cinnamon to me. It's gorgeous by itself, but would look great with tons of the other RAL eyeshadows. In my opinion, it would look great on a variety of skintones. I think it will be a year round staple color for me! 

L-R Push Pop & Sugar & Spice

RAL also sent me a sample of a lipstick called Hibiskiss.  Hibiskiss is a vibrant raspberry shade. It's a bit too bright for my taste. However, I'm sure many people would love it because the color is lovely! Now when I say sample, I don't mean 1-2 or even 3 uses. They will last you SO long, probably weeks! The samples are $3.50 each and you can make a sample set which comes with a sample of their lip balm called Rallye Balm.

Hibiskiss

RAL lipstick is creamy, long lasting, and incredible! It's a bit pricey, but totally worth it! RAL eyeshadow is long wearing and awesome! You can wear it sheer or full coverage, wet or dry.  They eyeshadow has great pigment and long lasting. They have awesome colors to choose from. RAL is definitely a company that everyone should try as the quality of their products is impeccable! With all the colors to choose from deciding which colors to buy could be incredibly difficult. Luckily the have excellent pictures of the makeup on women with different skintones for you to compare as well as spot on color descriptions.

Customer Service

The RAL customer service is great! If you have a question or concern they will get back to in most cases within 24 hours. They are very knowledgeable and will do their best to make you 100% satisfied with your purchase. They want so much for you to be satisfied with your purchase that they allow you to return your purchase for a full refund or exchange for 6 MONTHS for any reason! Who does that?!?! RAL does! In addition to their great customer service, they also have a VIP Club where you get a discount code every month if you are on their email list. With that discount code, you receive a 20% discount off your purchase. As long as you remain on the list, you will get that discount code every month. In addition, you will be first to hear about new products and be able to take advantage of sales not open to the general public. Shipping on orders over $25 is free.

 

 

 

Check out RAL! Ashley Teague, their Social Media Manager has awesome YouTube tutorials btw!

 

Website- www.redapplelipstick.com

 

Facebook- www.facebook.com/redapplelipstick

 Twitter - @redapplelipstic

Instagram- @redapplegirls

 Youtube- www.youtube.com/redapplelipstick                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                  

 

* These products were sent to me for review. All opinions are my own.

 

S.A.L.T.Y. Cosmetics Review

I am SO excited to do my very first product review on S.A.L.T.Y. Cosmetics ! It's been a favorite of mine for awhile now and I want everyone to know about this amazing brand!

Background

Sarah Piccinini started this company 4 years ago with her friends from cosmetology school. They learned all about the dangerous chemicals that are in many cosmetics brands and decided that they did not want any harmful chemicals in their products, so they made their own hand blended mineral makeup. They started with eyeshadows, but have since developed blush, lipstick, highlighters, Glam Glitters and foundation.  They also make custom blend products, so you can get any shade you desire! 

The Makeup

I had just ordered some eyeshadows from S.A.L.T.Y. when I decided to start my blog so for this review I'm going to focus on the eyeshadows. 

They come in a 1.25 gram jar for $8.97 which is an excellent price, especially given the clean ingredients and overall quality of the products! With over 200 colors to choose from you'll definitely be able to find colors you will love!

And I LOVE the pink labels with the names of the eyeshadows and the ingredients listed on the back! 

The 6 colors I bought are:

Night Cap- Gray base with an iridescent, reflective apricot sheen that reflects pink & purple.

After Hours- Vibrant, gray based aqua with lots of sheen.

Entrepreneur-A "moody & striking" gray based eyeshadow with green and pink/silver iridescence.  

Wall Street-Matte based gray with a golden sheen.

Passion-Vibrant purple with hints of pink flecks.

Night Train- Gray based green with iridescence.

These eyeshadows are super blendable, go on like butter & have great pigment. You can wear them sheer with a layer or two or you can wear them with a few layers for more color. Although I usually wear an eyeshadow primer underneath, these are extremely long wearing and you most certainly can go without one and they will stay on for hours! The colors are unique and they are suitable for many different skintones......if you don't find the perfect color for you, Sarah will custom blend one (or a bunch) for you to your exact specifications!

Here are swatches of them: L-R Night Cap, After Hours, Entrepreneur, Wall Street, Passion & Night Train.  

Customer Service

I always appreciate good customer service so I have to mention that Salty Cosmetics has incredible customer service! You can always reach them at saltycosmetics@gmail.com as well as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  They always include generous samples with your order- not the kind that gives you 1-2 uses but MANY uses which I  love! Samples are available for purchase on the website as well!



I hope  you enjoyed this review and that you'll check out S.A.LT.Y. Cosmetics because they are incredible! I will be reviewing more of their products soon, so stay tuned! Please check them out at http://www.saltycosmetics.com

On Instagram : @saltycosmetics

Facebook www.facebook.com/saltycosmetics 

Welcome!

Hi! my name is Maryann and I have been obsessed with anything beauty related for years. In the last year or so I've learned about the many harmful chemicals that are in most products and have since gone green. I am interested in reviewing products that are natural, organic, fair-trade and cruelty-free. If your brand fits into any of these categories and would like me to do a review, please email me at maryannmakeup@gmail.com Thanks!