Consonant Healthy Skin Care Swap

It's that time of the year again folks, Consonant is doing their Healthy Skin Care Swap! This is a fantastic opportunity to swap your 'dirty' products for clean ones, all while getting to try out Consonant at 50% off. The swap is only on from June 15th to June 22nd and valid on face wash, face cream, and eye cream.
Don't miss out, follow the guide below or click here (for a list of stores that are participating) and get swapping!

Organic Bath Co. Body Scrub Review

I must admit, I've never been much of a body scrub person. There's something about having to wash my tub afterwards that just doesn't appeal to me, however, I do enjoy how they feel and the therapeutic benefits (via essential oils) that some provide. When I came across Organic Bath Co. on Twitter, I couldn't resist wanting to try them. It was their story and how they give back that really sealed the deal for me though.

We started Organic Bath Co. with the idea that taking care of yourself is tantamount to taking care of others and the planet we all inhabit. What if high quality, natural skin products were not only luxurious in formula, but generous in principle?

We believe that it is still possible to start a company from the ground up. To nurture it, and the people who work for us. To educate about good-for-skin ingredients. To celebrate whimsy while delivering luxury. And above all, to give back to those in need. For every purchase made, Organic Bath Co. will donate to 1% for the Planet and other charitable organizations.

We at Organic Bath Co. pledge to provide you with ingredients you can feel good about using. After all, your skin is the largest organ you have! We'll care for it, and the planet, with green, organic and Fair Trade Certified-ingredients that will lift your spirits and soften your rough patches. And we'll help those in need while we're at it. How's that for multi-tasking?

Journey with us as we continue to feel good, smell good and do good!

-Organic Bath Co.

Read more about Organic Bath Co. and which charitable organizations they support by clicking here.

Gianne, Founder and Creator, reached out and was kind enough to send me *Java Jolt, *Stress Less, and *Zesty Mornings to try out and I'm so glad that she did. They are all incredible and the only difference, really, is scent. Well, and Java Jolt clearly has coffee in it.

*Java Jolt Description: Hey, we get it. Mornings can be tough (especially after a celebratory night.) Sometimes you need a little more than coffee in your cup before you’re ready to say Hello, world! That’s why we created Java Jolt. Made from 100% organic, Fair Trade Certified Sugar & Coffee, this super moisturizing scrub features our super-special blend of almond, apricot and sunflower oils, plus coffee and mint to enliven your senses. It exfoliates while it hydrates, removing dirt and dead skin, while the organic oils leave you softer than silk and ready to conquer the world. 

Honestly, I haven't used this one open yet. All I can tell you is that it smells lovely and I love the baby jar. I assume that this would make an amazing cellulite busting scrub and really wake you up in the morning.

*Stress less Description: We know how it feels to be pushed to the limit. Short on time. More frazzled than dazzled. That’s why we created Stress Less. This luxurious, 100% organic sugar scrub is made from Fair Trade Certified Sugar and a shhhh-don’t-tell blend of incredibly moisturizing almond, apricot, sunflower and calming lavender oils. It exfoliates while it hydrates, removing dirt and dead skin, while the soothing organic oils leave you softer than silk and feeling oh-so-OMMMMMMM. 

  

This is definitely not my most favourite lavender scent. I guess the way it's mixing with the other ingredients makes it smell a bit off, not bad or rancid...just, off. The scrub itself is sooooooo nice! It's not too abrasive or oily and, it leaves my skin super soft and moisturized. I especially love using this one on my hands regularly.

*Zesty Mornings Description: We don’t believe in alarm clocks. We believe in up-and-at-‘em, wakey wakey, start-the-day-off-with-a- bang! kind of mornings. That’s why we created Zesty Morning. This luxurious, 100% organic sugar scrub is made from Fair Trade Certified Sugar and a super-secret blend of incredibly moisturizing almond, apricot, sunflower and citrus oils. It exfoliates while it hydrates, removing dirt and dead skin, while the soothing organic oils leave you softer than silk and ready to face the day.

I wasn't expecting to receive this scent, it was a surprise. A lovely surprise! It smells amazing, like fresh and juicy citrus fruits. Yep, fresh and juicy citrus fruits. Out of the three, this is my favourite scent. It works as well as Stress Less and I love using this scent on lazy mornings, in the shower.

All of Organic Bath Co.'s body scrubs come in plastic containers that are fairly easy to travel with and won't shatter if you drop them in your shower. While they do leave an oily residue on the bottom of my tub and sink, they are in no way oily on the body. I hate when scrubs leave me feeling greasy and gross, know what I mean? I love that these aren't abrasive, yet they are so effective at removing any dead skin and leaving my skin suuuuuper soft. After using these for a couple of months now, I can say that they last a very, very long time. I also enjoy the fact that there are several scent options available (including unscented) and that the scents are in no way overpowering or linger for long. So whether you like a little, a lot, or no scent at all, Organic Bath Co. will not disappoint.

Retails for $27 USD for 11.2 oz. Can be purchased through Organic Bath Co. or these retailers. 

Scents available: Java Jolt, Stress Less, Zesty Mornings, Naked, SubLIME, and RefreshMint.

 Which scent would you love to try most?

*Product provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Java Jolt Ingredients: Fair Trade Certified™ Sucrose (Sugar)*, Fair Trade Certified™ Coffee*, Prunus Amygdatus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil*, Essential Oil Fragrance*. *Certified Organic Ingredient
Stress Less Ingredients: Fair Trade Certified™ Sucrose (Sugar)*, Prunus Amygdatus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot Kernel) Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil*, Essential Oil Fragrance*. *Certified Organic Ingredient
Zesty Mornings Ingredients: Fair Trade Certified™ Sucrose (Sugar)*, Prunus Amygdatus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot Kernel) Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil*, Essential Oil Fragrance*. *Certified Organic Ingredient

Brand Focus: nyl

Earlier this year, I reviewed nyl's delicious and lovely Gentle Sugar Body Polish. Carol, Founder, contacted me shortly after and asked if there was anything else from the range that I'd like to try. How could I resist? Based on Monique's recommendation, from Anise Apothecary, I decided to try out the *Whipped Hand & Body Lotion and *Body Balm. What I love about this brand is the simplicity of their ingredients, their name really says it all.  

Description: A rich creamy all-over moisturizer. Meadowfoam seed oil is the star of this lotion, chosen for its amazing moisturizing and rejuvenating capabilities. When applied to the skin, it forms a moisture barrier and will assist in preventing moisture loss. It's a non-comedogenic oil which means it won't clog your pores, has a non-greasy feel and your skin will drink it up. Retails for $34 USD for 4 fl oz or $6 USD for 1 fl oz.


This whipped goodness is incredible! It is so creamy, fluffy, smooth, and moisturizing without ever feeling greasy. I've been reaching for this quite often because not only does it apply and work beautifully after a shower, it also works whenever. Okay, that sounded weird. Obviously it works whenever but, oils and balms tend to apply and work even better when your skin is slightly damp. Know what I mean? This just works..whenever! Must be the fact that it contains water and isn't solely oil based. It hasn't irritated or broken my skin out. In fact, it's actually soothing after any kind of hair removal. While the glass jar is really nice and eco friendly, it's also heavy (aka not travel friendly). The scent is light and fresh, I can't imagine even those sensitive to scents would be bothered by it. This is another winning product in my books!

                     

Look at how fluffy it is!!

Description: A silky balm created to soothe cracked dry hands in the winter & soften heels for sandal season. Meadowfoam seed oil is blended with healing kokum butter, tamanu oil and calendula extract to soothe and soften problem areas. Retails for $30 USD for 2 fl oz.

This balm...this balm, this balm, this balm. It was a winner before I even tried it solely on the fact that it contains both tamanu and calendula (sensitive skin dream team). The scent is tamanu but not really. You guys know me and describing scents, I'll give up now. It feels so lovely and soothing on my cuticles, eczema, and dry patches on my body and face. Whenever I apply this at night, I wake up with super soft skin regardless of where I've applied it. The jar is actually really small, so regardless of whether it's plastic or glass, it's perfect for tossing in your purse or carry on.

Well nyl, you can do no wrong! I am, yet again, extremely impressed with the products that I've tried. In fact, I didn't expect to like the body lotion. Why? Because it was still brutally cold out when I received it and assumed that it wouldn't actually hydrate my skin dry skin. It proved me wrong! 

Products can be purchased through nyl, Anise Apothecary, or you can contact nyl to find a retailer nearest you.

Whether you've already fallen in love with nyl or looking to try them, now's the time to stock up! Carol has graciously provided a **20% off coupon code for all of my lovely readers. It'll only be live for a month, so hop on over to www.nylskincare.com and pick up some amazing goodies. 

Coupon code: EcoCBDiva20%Off.

What will you be picking up?

*Products provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own.  **I'm in no way making money or anything else from the use of this coupon code. Only valid for one month. Only valid on www.nylskincare.com
Whipped Hand & Body Lotion Ingredients: Purified Water, Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Organic Candelilla Wax, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Vitamin E Oil, Organic Essential Oils, Grapefruit Seed Extract Body Balm Ingredients: Organic Kokum Butter, Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Organic Tamanu Oil, Candelilla Wax, Organic Calendula Extract, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Vitamin E Oil, Organic Essential Oils

Blog Birthday Giveaway! [CLOSED]

Hello lovelies! In May, my little blog turned 2 years old. Go ahead, take a moment to sing Happy Birthday....     Thank you, thank you :). With work keeping me busy, I wasn't able to do this giveaway last month even though I really wanted to thank you guys. Thank you all for your support, love, and encouragement. Whether you just read my blog, comment, send me emails, Tweet me, or whatever, I appreciate it so very much.   On that note, my blog will be very quite for the next few months. Not only have I lost some of my blogging mojo, but work is insanely busy this time of year (I ain't complaining!). There will still be posts, just not as frequently and I'll still be active on Twitter and Instagram :).'   GIVEAWAY TIME
If you follow me on Instagram, then you may have already seen a picture of what I said was one of two giveaway prizes. I changed my mind and decided to mix up the prizes to give them a lovely variety of products. I may also throw in some additional items that you won't know about until you open the box. How to enter:

• Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and/or Bloglovin (let me know in the comments section which social media platform(s) you follow me on and your name on those platform(s))
• Let me know, in the comments section, what you have planned for the summer OR what your fondest memory of summer is
• Only leave one comment with all of the above information please :)

 What you'll win:

Prize #1:

• Lyck Bodycare Body Butter in Pink Lemonade
• Lyck Bodycare Lip Butter in Candied Orange
• Evie Miracle oil (basically rosehip and rose otto oil)
• One Love Organics Brand New Day Scrub + Mask
• Sappho Pressed Shadow in Craving Cocoa (see swatches here)

Prize #2:

• Lyck Bodycare Body Butter in Exotic Kiss
• Pure + Simple Pressed Blush in Soleil (see swatches here)
• Physicians Formula Organic Wear CC Mascara (this came in a duo pack. I took a tube for myself and kept one for you guys. It has never been used but will ship without a box)
• Myra Aso 100% Pure Marula Oil
• Lyck Bodycare Glossy Box (mini)
• S.W. Basics Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
• Sephora Silicone Exfoliating Pad

Official Rules:

All entrants must be 18 years of age (or older) or have permission of their legal guardian, as I will need your mailing address. Contest will end at 11:59 pm EST on June 23rd, 2014. Winners will be chosen at random and announced here. Winners will have 48 hours to email me at ecochicbeautydiva@gmail.com. If one or both winners do not claim their giveaway prize within 48 hours, another will be chosen. Giveaway is open internationally. Void where prohibited by law.

*WINNERS ARE: Avigayil & Lauren. Thank you to all who participated and for all your kind words. There will be more giveaways in the future. LOVE YOU GUYS!

May 2014 Empties!

Oh boy have I finished up a good chunk of my stash this month. I apologize now for a couple of the dark pictures, I took them late at night in order to be able to toss this stuff out for garbage day. Anyway, let's get to it!

Alaffia Neem & Shea Butter Scalp Recovery Shampoo - This shampoo worked brilliantly in the colder months. I tend to have seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp, all year round, with dandruff on top of that in the winter. This helped clear up my scalp immediately and then stopped working. Will give it another go next winter.

Shoosha Baby Calm Baby Massage Oil - review here - This was a fantastic cleansing oil (for face) and moisturizing body oil, however, I hated that the bottle cap always leaked. Definitely not travel friendly and just plain annoying. Still, it was lovely and I would repurchase.

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk - review here - Ignore the fact that the picture shows that this bottle is not completely empty, it is now. Loved and still love this cleanser so much. The scent was beautiful, it made my skin so soft and helped calm any redness that I had going on on my face. My only issue is that the pump stopped working (again!) at about the point displayed in the picture. Will 100% repurchase this cleanser, once I use up some of the others that I have in rotation.

Andalou Naturals Lavender Shea Hand Cream - I purchased this when the contact dermatitis on my hands, now confirmed ezcema, cleared up with hopes that it would keep my hands clear. Sadly, it irritated my eczema and so I ended up using it as a body lotion. It smells beautifully of lavender and moisturizes well but, I will likely not repurchase.

Aubrey Men's Stock Pine Deodorant - review here - Despite the spray apparatus constantly not functioning properly and the bottle randomly leaking, this worked great for me in the stink department. It is strongly fragranced and contains alcohol, however, it also contains calming ingredients like calendula and arnica. Would definitely repurchase.

Living Libations Neem Enamelizer Toothpaste - review here - Holy moly batman, this toothpaste made my teeth glow. Who knew teeth could glow? I guess anyone who's been using this toothpaste. The flavour isn't my favourite, neem *gags*, but it worked incredible well and I noticed a positive change in my teeth. I've picked up a different toothpaste in their range and see myself repurchasing this one again.

Living Libations Sea Buckthorn Shampoo - review here - Sea Buckthorn is one of my favourite oils, so naturally I had high hopes for this shampoo. It left my hair feeling oily and my scalp itchy. The scent was delicious and I enjoyed using it as a body wash though. Will not repurchase.

SBT Seabuckthorn Fruit Oil - review here - Speaking of sea buckthorn oil....This staining and oompa loompa orange oil was used diluted with other facial oils and in smoothies. As a supplement, it was great. As a skin care oil, it was also great but I much prefer the seed oil. Will not repurchase.

Osmia Spot Treatment - This worked as amazingly well as everyone said it would. I loved how little the bottle was, perfect for tossing in my bag, and smelled really nice. Will likely repurchase.

The Body Deli Blueberry Resurfacing Cleanser - review here - Ahh, this cleanser was a lovely weekly treatment for my face. It smelled incredible and worked well to chemically exfoliate my skin. The tiny bottle lasted me about 5 months, money well spent. Haven't decided whether I will repurchase or go for the scrub in the same family.

Tamanu Oil - review here - Love, love, love. Won't rave about it or say too much besides the fact that I will be repurchasing.

Batty's Bath Skin Support Serum - I didn't do a full review of this brand because I didn't find that it actually did anything for my skin. Couldn't think of what to say besides, "it didn't work". Recently, the owner told me that it takes several months for this serum to work because it treats internally instead of externally. Either way, I had hoped to see some sort of positive change. Won't be repurchasing.

*Blissoma Clay Renewal Treatment - review here - Oh sad, sad day. I heard my heart break when I finally scooped up the last bit of this amazing product. What can I say? It worked so well at fighting blackheads, acne, scars, and just keeping my skin suppppper soft. Shipping to Canada is a little high, so hopefully I can pick up another jar during a sale.

Batch Naturals Multipurpose Cream - review here - This cream was well loved by my elbows, knees, and especially feet. Towards the end it did start smelling weird, so I had to toss it. May repurchase once I use up all the other balms and creams that I have.

Province Apothecary Detoxifying + Clarifying Clay Mask (sample) - PA is a very lush Canadian brand with a beautiful collection of products, this mask being one. Aside from the smell of the Canadian Algae, which I couldn't stand, it worked really well at pulling impurities to the surface allowing me to extract them better. Yes, I squeeze my own face sometimes. Won't be purchasing the full size. 100% Pure Burdock & Neem Healthy Scalp Shampoo (sample) - While I'm not looking to stray from my beloved OM shampoo, I need a weekly clarifying treatment that doesn't involve me having to make it. Since it is a small sample, I haven't fully formed an opinion on it. I have a couple more to use, perhaps next empties I'll have more to say about it. Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Lovely (sample) - This shade is very similar to my well loved W3ll People Universalist #7 Creamy Peony, however, the texture is much smoother and leaves a gorgeous sheen on the skin. Now that I know that I love the formula, I may need to pick up Blossoming...or...all of them? W3ll People Universalist #1 Creamy Pink (sample) - This is a total dupe for Nars Orgasm, without the chunky glitter fall out, and is stunning! Not sure I love it enough to pick up the full size but I enjoyed using this sample up. The All Natural Face Diva Stix in Milk - Tossing this out because I never use it.  Phew, done. That's what I've used up this month. Let me know below what you've gone through in May.