December 2013 Empties - Beauty Edition + A Love Note

As this will be the last post of the year, I thought I'd get a little sentimental and sappy. Thank you so much for all of your love and support this year. The comments left on my blog, love notes through email, and interactions on social media encourages and motivates me to continue blogging and strive to make this blog better. With that said, I wish you a very Happy New Year filled with love, laughter, health and wealth.
Sap time over.
Ah, I love ending off the year having finished so many full sized beauty products. This will be my last post until the new year and what better way to end 2013 than with an empties beauty edition post?!
Jumping right in!

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk - review here - What a fantastic cleanser. I don't think I realized how much I enjoyed it until I finished it up. It smelled great, cleansed well (after already removing makeup), and was very affordable. My only beef is that the pump stopped working when there was about 1/4 of the product left. Was super fun trying to use up the rest...it wasn't fun at all, that was sarcasm. Would repurchase though. Andalou Naturals Illuminating Toner - review here - Love! Already repurchased. Pretty Triple Rose Floral Water - review here - These are my favourite floral waters ever. I didn't love the rose scent, since I'm not a rose fan but it worked well as a morning "cleanse". Repurchased in Chamomile.

George's Aloe - no review - This product has been a favourite of many green bloggers for months. I didn't do a full review because there's no point. I used it in masks and as I would a toner or floral water. It was nice and the price point was fantastic, but it won't be a repurchase.

Weleda Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash - review here - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. This was the ultimate multitasking product for me. It worked as a shampoo, body wash and AMAZING hand wash. I will repurchase for sure!

REN Glycol Lactice Radiance Renewal Mask - review here - My heart broke a little when I finished this baby up. It was such a beautiful mask that produced results and even though it contains phenoxyethanol, I would repurchased if the price was right. 

*Odacite Hydration Masque Sample - review here - I tried and wanted to love this mask, however, it just didn't do what I expected it to do...like hydrate.

*Delizioso Skin Care Dead Sea Mud Mask - review here - This actually dried out before I could finish it, so I added a little bit of water and used what I could before it grew a furry family. There are other mud/clay masks that I prefer though. Won't repurchase.

Badger Balm Cocoa Butter Lip Balm in Mint - review here - One of my fave lip balms. I hate how cocoa butter lip balms change texture in extreme weather, which is what happened with this one. I've already used up 2 and have another left. Will likely repurchase at some point.

Ladybug Jane Sweet Strawberry Lip Balm - review here - Ugh, the taste of this balm is delicious and it's vegan! Will definitely repurchase.

Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Solid Perfume - review here - I've had this for months and months, it's lovely! Worked as a perfume, brow wax, etc. Will repurchase at some point.

*aroma M Camellia Body/Bath Oil - review here - This body oil is lovely, except for the scent. It's a little too floral and mature for my liking but, the oil itself absorbs and moisturizes beautifully. Won't purchase the full size.

Deep Steep Hand Wash in Honeydew Spearmint - review here - Great scent, great ingredients, not great for my dry hands in the cold months. Would repurchase in the Summer.

*Corpa Flora Beaute Divine Cleansing Oil - review here - Gorgeous cleansing oil that lasted me a very long time. Removed makeup without irritating or breaking out my skin. I'm using something else now and will likely purchase the full size in the future.

Konjac Sponge Company - no review - I tried so hard to write a review on this sponge but, whenever I sat down I just couldn't type anything. It's a lovely sponge that works to remove makeup and cleanse the skin with or without cleanser. I still prefer my Sephora pad though. Won't be repurchasing.

That's it for my last post of the year! Are you ending off 2013 with a lighter bathroom? Let me know what you finished off this month.

*PR SAMPLES

Deep Steep Foaming Hand Wash Review

Another Deep Steep Product? Yaaaa...blame Sarah.

Honeydew Spearmint is empty...I forgot to take a picture before I used it!

Description: As instant foam gently cleanses your hands, Organic extracts leave skin feeling soft and smooth. The natural formulation effectively cleanses but won’t dry out skin. With Deep Steep's Foaming Hand Wash, you will enjoy washing your hands.
Certified by the 'Cruelty Free Bunny' * No Parabens * No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate * No Mineral Oil* No Artificial Fragrances * No Chemical Preservatives* Gluten Free * Not Tested On Animals * Vegan

I wish that you all had smell-o-screen (or something like that), so that you could smell these hand soaps. The Honeydew Spearmint was one I didn't think I'd like and it turned out to be my favourite. It's sweet, like honeydew of course, but the spearmint really adds a little delightful kick. The combo is absolutely divine! Passion Fruit Guava is like a tropical paradise and just plain delicious. I find that the scent lingers on the hands, which is a real treat. The pump bottle work perfectly from start to finish, which isn't always the case with pumps. That being said, I went through a bottle rather quickly. I'm the only one who used it and yet it still got used up within a month. I also found it a little drying however, to be fair, I wash my hands frequently at work and my hands are already dry. These are very lovely hand soaps with fab ingredients and wide variety of delicious scents, but I need something creamier for the colder months. I highly recommend and would repurchase in the summer. Also, if you could get your hands on refill bottles it would be more cost effective especially if you use it up as quickly as I did. 

Retails from $4.99 to $8 CAN. Can be purchased through Deep Steep, Big Carrot, Marshalls/Winners/Home Sense, and any of their other retailers world-wide. Available in Lavender Chamomile, Tangerine Melon, Rosemary Mint, Honeydew Spearmint, Grapefruit Bergamot, Passion Fruit Guava, and Brown Sugar Vanilla.

What scent do you think you'd like most? Ingredients Honeydew Spearmint: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Infusion of Organic Herbs; Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Coco Glucoside, Glycerin, Rice Protein, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Natural, Citric Acid
Ingredients Passion Fruit Guava: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Passiflora Laurifolia (Passion) Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava (Guava) Fruit Extract, Coco Glucoside, Aroma (Organic and Wildcrafted Aroma Blend), Glycerin, Rice Protein, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Natural, Citric Acid.

December 2013 Empties - Food Edition

It's the last month of the year, felt like being Captain Obvious, and time for empties! I decided to split my empties into skin care and food because I've used up quite a bit of stuff this month. Come January 2014, I won't be including food items in empties posts anymore. Rather, I'll be dedicating one post a week (not sure what day yet) to food such as specific ingredients, recipes, tea, etc. 

Pukka Tea in Relax - This is now one of my favourite teas in the Pukka range. Chamomile, fennel and marshmallow root are all fantastic for soothing and aiding in digestion (which I need help with). It tasted really good and my tummy loved it. Will be repurchasing as soon as I find it in stores again.

Pukka Tea in Harmonise - I've already gone through a box and wasn't a fan of the taste, so imagine my surprise when I realized I picked it up again (meant to try Love). Won't be repurchasing.

Pukka Three Green - I love the mild and slightly sweet taste of this Three Green and have already repurchased.

Kumsi Tea in Boost & Be Cool - These two individual packs were given to me by Monique from Anise Apothecary. Boost is a blend of mate and green tea with cinnamon, ginger and cardamom. I love the scent as it reminds me of Ground Soap Backbone but, hate the taste. Be Cool, on the other hand, is delicious. It's a mild peppermint and liquorice blend that's so soothing from first to last sip. It reminds me a lot of the Cleanse tea from Pukka. Will the picking up other flavours of the single use packs to try.

Precision All Natural Rice Protein in Vanilla - I like to add protein powder to smoothies and certain foods. I prefer vegan protein and am having the hardest time finding something that actually tastes alright. My attempt at hemp and split pea proteins have failed, so I thought why not try rice?! Yah....it was pretty stale tasting. What I love about this particular brand is that it's 100% organic sprouted brown rice and it's free of soy, gluten, corn and dairy. My journey for a decent tasting protein powder continues. I'm open to suggestions!

Love Crunch Dark Chocolate Macaroon - Damn this stuff was so delicious! It tasted exactly like the name suggests...NOM NOM NOM! While it contains soy, it's non GMO verified and fair trade. I liked eating this as a snack, when I was craving something sweet, or mixed with yogurt. I also have the Dark Chocolate and Red Berries and it's equally as delicious. Will likely repurchase at some point.

Flora Udo's Choice Ultimate Digestive Enzyme - Picked these up after hearing people rave about how much it's helped their digestion and bloating. I already take probiotics and find they work well for me. These just didn't help, in fact they made my stomach hurt. Won't be repurchasing.

I'd love to hear what sort of food items you've finished and get suggestions on things to try. Let me know below!

Ilia Bang Bang Lip Conditioner Review

Ilia is a very well loved brand within the green beauty community and rightfully so. They have a variety of wonderful makeup products but, their lipsticks and conditioners were the first stand outs. With several trendy shades available in a moisturizing base, you can't go wrong with their pout loving products. A few months back, I reviewed their Tinted Lip Conditioners in Shell Shock and Arabian Knights (which remains my favourite), and today I wanted to do a quick review of Bang Bang as it's their best seller!

Description: sheer, romantic red. 

This lip conditioner is the same as the others, moisturizing and chock full of wonderful ingredients like jojoba oil and cocoa butter. That being said, I do find that if I wear Bang Bang on its own for a few hours it collects in the inner rim of my lips and needs to be wiped off. Inner rim? Sounds so gross, sorry. If I use a lip gloss over top or lip balm underneath, it wears much better. Sheer, romantic red is the perfect description for this shade, however it can be slightly built up for a little more oomph and your natural lip colour will dictate the intensity of the colour. I love that it can be worn during the day or at night, to work or a party, and basically anywhere in between. It looks good with just about anything and most makeup looks AND is definitely an easy red to wear regardless of your level of boldness. While I love Bang Bang, I still prefer Arabian Knights and wish that I had picked up Femme Fatale instead. Either way, totally worth checking out.

Retails for approx. $24 CAN/USD. Can be purchased from Ilia, Fresh Faced, Eco Diva and many other e/retailers across the world.

What are your favourite Ilia products and shades?

L to R: one swipe, two swipes, bunch of swipes!

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed Oil*, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Sesamum Indicum (Seasame) Seed Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Tocopheryl Acetate (Natural Vitamin E), Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) Seed Extract, Grape (Vitis Vinifera) Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dixoide, Iron Oxide (CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491), Red 7 CI15850, Red 28 CI45410, Yellow 5 CI19140. *Certified Organic Ingredients. Ingrédients Certifiés Biologiques.

Deep Steep Daily Repairing Shampoo Review

Yet another Deep Steep product! I recently reviewed their body wash and loved it, so I decided to try their shampoo. Not to be repetitive but, my hair is fine and I have dermatitis on my scalp. Therefore, my experience will likely be different than yours with most shampoos.

Description: This advanced sulfate-free formula reinforces hair and prevents future breakage with Rice and Organic Quinoa Protein Complex, while Vitamin B5 penetrates leaving hair noticeably more radiant and resilient with each use.

I'm going to start off by saying that the packaging is absolutely horrible, just horrible! Upside down bottles are great for thick textured products like conditioners, moisturizers, butters, etc. This shampoo, however, is pretty much water. I always end up using too much because it comes flowing out like Niagara Falls. I'm being dramatic again, aren't I? Just tellin ya like it is! Aside from that, the shampoo itself is great. It lathers well, doesn't irritate my dermatitis too much, leaves my hair squeaky clean yet still easy to comb through without the use of a conditioner, and I can go 2 to 3 days without my fine hair looking greasy. The scent is very salon-like and lingers until the next wash. I don't mind it but, I think it could be too much for some. Not sure my hair has become more "radiant and resilient" nor do I find there's less breakage, however, it cleans my hair well. Would I recommend? Yes, it's worth trying. Would I repurchase? Only if they changed the packaging.

Retails for approx. $12.95 USD for 10 oz/295 ml. I purchased mine from Marshalls for $9.99 CAN. Can be purchased through Deep Steep and to find a retailers near you, click here. There are 4 different shampoos to choose from: Daily Repairing, Nourishing Volume, Weightless Moisture, and Glossy Smoothing.

Have you ever tried any of the Deep Steep Shampoo? If not, which would you like to try?

Ingredients: Aqua, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Organic Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Organic Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Organic Echinacea Angustifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Lauryl Lactyl Lactate, Organic Quinoa Protein, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-4-Caprate, Lactic Acid, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Coco-Caprylate, Caprylic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Sodium Polyaspartate, Diheptyl Succinate (and) Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Aroma, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum.

SBT Seabuckthorn Seed Oil vs. Fruit Oil

I've expressed my love for sea buckthorn oil many times on this blog. Today, I wanted to compare SBT Seabuckthorn's *Seed Oil and Fruit Oil to help you decide which would be a better addition to your routine. SBT is a Canadian company who grows their own sea buckthorn plants and turns them into a variety of amazing products. It's all done in Canada! Makes me so proud I tell ya. Now for the comparison...  

SEED OIL VS FRUIT OIL

        

SBT Seabuckthorn seed oil is a golden yellow colour which can either be taken internally or applied topically. It contains over 70% omega 3 and 6, in a 1:1 ratio, which helps to reduce inflammation, moisturize the skin, lower cholesterol, increase heart health, repair damaged cells and much more. It also contains vitamin e and carotenoids. Carotenoids are important because our body can convert some of it into vitamin A. Vitamin A is a super antioxidant that can help fight off certain types of cancer and heart disease while boosting your immune system. This has a very mild scent and absorbs beautifully into the skin.  

SBT Seabuckthorn Fruit oil is a bright orange colour that can definitely stain the skin and clothing. I must admit, when I first used this I looked like an oompa loompa or tan mom....
This oil contains up to 35% omega 7. Omega 7?? You read correctly friends. Omega 7 has been shown to help with cell regeneration (think sun damage, scars, and age), moisturize the skin, manage diabetes and help with weight control. Like the seed oil, it's rich in vitamin e and carotenoids. In addition to all that, it contains phytosterols (cholesterol lowering) and polar lipids (I should know this as an aesthetician but I don't). This has a very strong scent, that lingers just a bit, and takes a little longer to absorb.

SBT Seabuckthorn Seed Oil (left) & Fruit Oil (right)

So basically, both are amazing! I like to mix them together with a little tamanu oil and apply it in the morning. I find that the mixture has helped with acne, scarring from acne, sun damage, and overall skin health. Whether you choose to incorporate one or both into your skin care routine, keep in mind that you can also take them internally for several of the health benefits mentions above. What I especially love, is that they're high in PLANT BASED omegas making them perfect for vegans and vegetarians alike. Most daily omega capsules are gelatin based (aka animal based). Of course you can take straight fish oil, but I appreciate that these don't make me gag.   Available in 3 sizes; 10 ml, 30 ml, and 50 ml. Can be purchased through SBT, Well.ca, and many health food stores. To find a retailer nearest you, contact them via email or phone, or Twitter. Which have you or will you be adding to your daily skin care regime or smoothie?   *Seed oil was sent to me, fruit oil was purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own.

Ladybug Jane Lip Balm in Sweet Strawberry Review

Ladybug Jane is a company I discovered when I was shopping at Nature's Emporium. Jane, creator and owner, was actually doing demos and drew me in immediately. She drew in the right person because I'm a total lip balm junkie!

Image courtesy of  Ladybug Jane

                                                           Ladybug Jane was created by Jane May Graves (scientist, actress, and model) and the character came from a dream that she had when her mom was diagnosed with stage 4 Cancer. This diagnosis led her on a mission to discover that there are an array of toxic chemicals in personal care products and cosmetics. With her little girl love of Lip Smackers (don't act like you didn't love em!), she set out to find a natural and vegan alternative. Since she couldn't find one, she created one! By the way, Jane’s mom healed from her stage 4 Cancer by using natural medicine and wheatgrass.

                          

Description: Ladybug Jane formulated the first ever Plant based Healing Balms. A truly delicious way to moisturize and nourish your lips the chemical free way. Our Sweet Strawberry lip balm is the perfect hint of strawberry flavor loaded with antioxidants.

Certified VEGAN * Nut + Beeswax Free * Non-toxic * No Dyes or Artificial Colors * 100% Natural Flavors (No Phthalates) * Made In The USA * ECO Friendly Packaging * No Testing On Animals * Contains No Nasty Preservatives * Sweetened with Organic Stevia * No Hydrogenated Oils - All Oils are USDA Certified Organic * No GMO Ingredients * No Petroleum or Mineral Oils Gluten Free

NOM, NOM, NOM I WANT TO EAT IT!!! It legit smells like sweet strawberries and I can't get enough of it. The packaging is super cute; the different colours, polka dots, lady bug character, etc. It's definitely packaged more towards children and teens but, that shouldn't stop you from picking one up and licking your lips every time you wear it. This lip balm is clear and leaves a beautiful sheen on the lips, it's super moisturizing and I love that the texture hasn't changed. I find with beeswax or cocoa butter lip balms, extremes in temperatures impact the texture of it. Anyone else experience that? This one just remains super creamy so far. Now, some people may have a problem with the natural flavour used in this product and to that I say, live a little! Just joking..kinda. I was concerned too until Jane informed me that it's the same flavouring that's used in candy. I'm still a bit on the fence BUTTTTT, all of the other ingredients are spectacular. My childhood memories of lip balm revolve around Lip Smackers and with flavours like Sweet Strawberry, Vanilla Cupcake, Rich Chocolate, and Bursting Berry, this is wonderful natural alternative. I would highly recommend and totally repurchase!

Retails for under $5 CAN and $3.99 USD. Can be purchased through Ladybug Jane and Nature's Emporium. For other retailers, you can contact Ladybug Jane and they will assist you.

Did you grow up using Lip Smackers? What was your favourite flavour?

Ingredients: Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Coco butter,Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Organic Evening Primrose Oil, Organic Aloe Leaf Extract, Organic Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, Vitamin E, 100% Natural Flavor, Organic Stevia

Fresh Faced Sample Haul Review

A couple of weeks ago, I ordered some samples from Fresh Faced. I've pretty much finished most of the skin and hair ones, and figured it's about time that I give you my impressions on each of them. In no particular order....

One Love Organics Vitamin E Eye Balm: I was hoping that this balm would hydrate my dry under eyes, but instead I found it didn't do much. It felt as though it just sat on my skin, never sinking in. Won't be purchasing the full size.

One Love Organics Vitamin B Active Moisture Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover: I only had enough to use 2, maybe 3, times and fell in love. It smells like pineapple, first of all. Aside from the tropical scent, it removes makeup like a dream! I don't need to double cleanse or even use a wash cloth. My boyfriend bought me the full size for Christmas. Will do a full review in the new year.

S.W. Basics Cream: AH-mazing! I was worried it would clog my pores and break me out, but it hasn't. I only apply it on dry patches, like under my eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead, and it's worked wonders at eliminating them. I've already purchased the full size.

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo: This was a disappointing sample, I didn't even have enough for one wash. It smells nice, that's all I got for you.

MVO Everyday Coverage in Light (left) & Medium (right)

MVO Everyday Coverage in Light (left) & Medium (right)

MVO Everyday Coverage in Light & Medium: Another disappointing sample, mainly because the product leaked all over the inside of the lid making it very difficult to get enough product out to actually use. From what I have tried, it provides light coverage and evens the tone fairly well. With Mary's suggestion, I mixed whatever I could with my Sappho foundation and really loved the combo. Light seems to be a better match for me, however, I like the glow that medium gives. Once I use up the sunscreens that I currently have, I might pick up this one.

#8 Creamy Dusty Rose (top) & #3 Berry Aubergine (bottom)

W3LL People Universality Multi-Use Colour Stick in #3 Berry Aubergine (luminous) and #8 Creamy Dusty Rose (matte): I've already fallen in love with #7 Creamy Peony and the formula of this product, and wanted to try more. When I first saw the shades in person, I thought I would end up loving #8..I don't. It's a beautiful pink, on the melon side, but I just don't like how it looks on me. #3, on the other hand, is surprisingly beautiful on! It's definitely an aubergine shade that can be sheered out or built up. I even like using it on my lids, although it does crease. Both wear well, all day, on the cheeks. Will likely purchase the full size of #7 at some point.

L to R: Ilia Lipstick in Femme Fatale and Lip Conditioner in Crimson & Clover

Ilia Lipstick in Femme Fatale and Lip Conditioner in Crimson & Clover: I love Ilia and my all time fave is the lip conditioner in Arabian Knights. Femme Fatale is a beautiful true red that can be sheered out for daily wear or intensified if you're going out at night or feeling cheeky during the day. I won't lie, I wish I had picked it up instead of Bang Bang. Crimson & Clover is a super bright, pigmented orangey red. I think it's more on the red side than orange when compared to Wild Child, correct me if I'm wrong. It's absolutely beautiful, but it's not a shade I feel comfortable wearing often. It's definitely the most pigmented and long wearing lip conditioner, of Ilia's that I've tried, because it acts like a stain. Will pick up Femme Fatale once I use up Bang Bang.

There are more swatches below, should you want to take a look. I think it's great that Fresh Faced offers samples but, be cautious of which samples you choose because some of them are totally not worth it (for example shampoo).

L to R: Light, medium, #3, and #8

L to R: Light, medium, #3, and #8 

L to R: Ilia Lipstick in Femme Fatale and Lip Conditioner in Crimson & Clover

Deep Steep Body Wash Review

It's true, I've jumped on the Deep Steep bandwagon thanks to Sarah. I've been seeing Deep Steep in my local Winners, Home Sense and Marshalls at reasonable prices, so naturally I've been picking up whatever I can need. Their wide range of products and scents, as well as great ingredients list, make it a brand worth checking out. But, did this body wash live up to my expectations?

Description: Deep Steep’s Body Wash offers a rich, moisturizing lather that gently and effectively cleanses your skin. Shea and Cocoa Butters hydrate and restore skin’s elasticity while antioxidant Vitamins E and B5 combine with powerful Organic plant extracts to moisturize & tone.
Certified by the 'Cruelty Free Bunny' * No Parabens * No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate * No Mineral Oil * No Artificial Fragrances * No Chemical Preservatives * Gluten Free * Not Tested On Animals * Vegan

Heck yes it did! The scent is lovely, citrus with a hint of sweetness, and never overpowering. That being said, the scent doesn't linger on your body for long which is either a good or bad thing depending on preference. I really love the packaging, it's beautiful. Each scent has a different colour and the clear bottle lets me know when it's time to restock. Even though it's a gel consistency, it hasn't dried out or irritated my skin at all. The lather is so luxurious on a loofa, even with just a tiny amount of product, it foams up to satisfy that sudsy craving we all enjoy. Without a loofa, as you'll see below, it's more of a creamy lather. It makes for a great shave gel too! I mean really, do we need a different product to shave with just because it says, "for shaving"? I think not! There's nothing negative to be said about this body wash. I would highly recommend and totally repurchase.

Retails for $6.99 to $11.99 CAN for 8 oz/237 ml. Can be purchased at Winner, Marshalls, Home Sense, Big Carrot, Deep Steep and any of their other retailers.

What's your favourite Deep Steep product and/or scent?

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Infusion of Organic Herbs; Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Coco Glucoside, Aroma (Organic and Wildcrafted Aroma Blend), Glycerin (Vegan), Caprylic Acid (Coconut Fatty Acid), Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Natural, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Organic Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid.

12 Days of Clean Beauty Giveaway via Jacqueline Parker Makeup

Hello lovelies! Jacqueline Parker, from Jacqueline Parker Makeup, is going to be having a huge giveaway starting tomorrow (Monday, December 9th). You can follow the giveaway by going here and, from my understanding, it's open internationally. Please click here to read all the rules of the giveaway before entering. 
Also, to find out even more about the giveaway and increase your chances of winning, follow Jacqueline on Instagram (@jacquelinemakeup) and Twitter (@JacqMakeupArt).
Good luck!

 

I am in no way affiliated with Jacqueline or any of the sponsoring companies, she asked if I could help spread the word and I was more than happy to :)

Aubrey Men's Stock Natural Dry Deodorant Review

Finding a natural deodorant that works is really hard. Before I went to Jamaica, I had a bad reaction to a baking soda deo and knew I had to pick up something else for my trip. What better time to test it out than in a hot and humid climate right?

Description: Natural herbal extracts keep you fresh-smelling all day without harsh ingredients or preservatives.

I wouldn't say that it keeps me "fresh-smelling all day". I definitely need to reapply, whether in Jamaica or not, because I'm a stinky person. The scent is amazing though! Pine has never been a favourite of mine but, somehow Aubrey makes it work. It's strong, masculine, and lingers throughout the entire day; something to be aware of before you decide to try it. For someone who isn't stinky, like me, this would be a fantastic deodorant. It also doesn't leave any marks or residue on clothing and dries quickly. The ingredients list is short and fantastic. Despite the first ingredient being alcohol denat, it's never irritated my underarms or dried them out. That's probably because all of the other ingredients have soothing and healing properties, like calendula and arnica. My only negative is the sprayer on the bottle, it acts up from time to time. All in all, a stellar product and very likely one I'll continue to repurchase.

Retails for approx. $9.99 CAN for 4 oz. Can be purchased through Aubrey, Whole Foods, and select retailers.

INGREDIENTS INCI: Alcohol denat., hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, arnica montana (arnica) extract, calamine, tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), calendula officinalis (calendula) oil, pinus sylvestris (pine) oil.

Anise Apothecary in Burlington

Anise Apothecary is an adorable little shop located in downtown Burlington. I have been following them on Twitter for a little while now and wanting to visit them every since. Finally, my schedule allowed me to make my way to Burlington and meet Monique (owner). I can't even tell you how excited I was to a. be in Burlington (love this city), b. meet Monique (so sweet, beautiful, and knowledgeable), and c. see the shop (cutest shop ever!). The front entrance immediately invited me in and the homey feel, plus everything else inside, made me never want to leave. They carry all sorts of brands like Graydon, Olie Biologique, One Love Organics, Zoe Organics, Rahua, Antipodes, PurelyGreat, Nyl, Sappho, On a Branch Soaps, and the list goes on and on. They also carry local raw honey, vitamins, chocolate, herbs, olive oil, tea, and much more. Considering the variety of products carried, it was really well organized and laid out. 
I thought it would be fun to share some pictures from my "trip" to Anise Apothecary, enjoy :)

In love yet? No? You will be..

Look at all that tea!! Monique had some Rooibos Vanilla ready to sip on, it was delicious.

Seriously, look at this place! If you're not in love yet, then something is wrong with you!

Delicious, raw, local honey! Nom, nom, nom!

I actually missed the stand that had Antipodes, Rahua, Organic Matter and some other stuff on it..damn..sorry guys. Anise Apothecary carries so many different local and worldwide brands, at so many different price points, that you're bound to find something for yourself and others. Whether you live in the area or not, it's a shop worth visiting. WARNING: You'll feel like a kid in a candy store and want to buy one of everything!

A special thank you to Monique for taking time out of her day to share information about the shop, products, and herself with both my boyfriend and I.