Odacité Pure Elements: Pa + G (Papaya Geranium)

Odacité is a FRESH, high end, and quality skin care line created by Valérie Grandury. I've reviewed her 10 day treatement kit last year, and while I wasn't overly impressed it didn't stop me from wanting to try out the Pure Elements collection. Saska and Monique, of Anise Apothecary, both convinced me to give one of the serums a go. With sun damage and acne scarring on my face, I decided to purchase the papaya geranium serum for hyperpigmentation.

The Pure Elements collection offers 18 ultra-targeted skin remedies, for remarkable results in minimal time.

Each Serum Concentrate is born of the alliance of ancient medicinal plant knowledge with the research and clinical studies of modern science, to create powerful skin boosters.

Each drop is a concentrated dose of vitamins, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, which are all essential in skin regeneration as well as detoxification.

Formulated for perfect skin compatibility and deep absorption, wether your skin is mature, sensitive, devitalized or fighting pimples , there is a perfect formula for you.

Super concentrated, 2-3 drops - morning and night - mixed in your dose of moisturizer is all it takes!

You can read more about the Pure Elements range here.

Description:

• Multi-active rejuvenating serum that helps to reduce brown spots while preventing the apparition of wrinkles and further pigmentation.

• Papaya seed oil is rich in fruit enzymes that help to fade brown spots and dissolve dead skin cells, unveiling a fresh and more even-toned glow.

• Geranium oil combines with Lemon oil, further encouraging wrinkle reduction and more evened-out skin tone.

• In aromatherapy, Geranium oil is known to have a harmonizing effect on the mind & body, helping to avoid emotional roller coasters.

I know that Odacité's packaging is fairly simple, but it's so chic. The dark glass bottle ensures that the product isn't tainted by UV rays and really preserves the oil. The idea behind the serum, as you've read above, is to be able to mix the concentrated formula with your daily moisturizer (cream or oil). The dropper on this bottle allows you to experiment with different ratios to find the perfect combination. I absolutely love mixing two drops of this serum with just about any oil or cream, at night, a few times a week. I find that it has really helped with hyperpigmentation and leaves my skin glowing. It smells of geranium but isn't at all overpowering, and while it does linger, it fades in intensity. Since I only use it a few times a week, the one bottle has lasted me several months. I'd definitely recommend this serum for brightening the skin, it works a million times better than LBF and costed a fraction of the price.

Retails for $37 USD/$38 CDN for 5 ml. With 18 different treatments, you're bound to find one for your skin.

All Pure Elements concentrates can be purchased through Odacité, Anise Apothecary, and these other retailers.

Which serum concentrate appeals to you most or which have you already tried?

Ingredients (INCI): Highest-grade cold-pressed certified virgin Papaya (Carica papaya) oil, Certified organic Geranium, Lemon (Pelargonium graveolens, Citrus limon) essential oils, Certified GMO-free Vitamin E (Tocopherols) oil.

May/June/July 2014 Faves!

I have been big time slacking on these favourite posts, but i've managed to narrow it down to the items that have stood out to me most over the last three months. All of these have been well loved, as you might notice if you've already seen my empties.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear CC Cream in Light - Sometimes I adore this CC cream, other times I don't. For the most part though, it has been a favourite. It provides medium to full coverage while leaving a dewy finish. On really hot days, it needs to be set with a powder or it makes me look greasy. The colour matches me well, but oxidizes quite a bit. Overall, great introduction to CC creams for me (it was the first one that I've tried/used).

Sappho Liquid Foundation in Leisha - review here - This is a long time favourite of mine. It provides beautiful coverage without ever feeling heavy/cakey. It's like a better second skin.

FitGlow Lipgloss in Nude - I purchased this from Anise Apothecary a couple of months ago and have fallen more and more in love. It's a mauve-ish nude shade that looks great over any lipstick or over my natural lips. It's a slightly sticky formula, but that makes it last even longer. It's also super moisturizing.

*Earthlabs Raw Mascara - Anise Apothecary gave me this mascara to try and I'm so glad they did. It's awesome! No clumps, flaking, smudging, transferring, or burning. Lasts all day long, even on super hot and humid days.

*Queen of the Hive Peppermint Lip Balm - This stuff works incredibly well, tastes great, and I love it. The only thing that I don't like is that when it gets hard, it tugs at the lips a bit.

Wedderspoon Manuka Honey - Do I really need to explain this favourite? It's a holy grail skin care item for me. I use it to mix clay masks and on it's own, just works wonders for my skin.

*Pai Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream - I've been using this as a hand cream and it instantly soothes the ezcema on my hands. It's been a friggen dream come true and I may even like it more than the actual hand cream. I also use it on my legs as they can get super itchy and dry.

*evie Lovingly Pure Toning Rose Water - review here - I am obsessed. I love the smell, how it works, the bottle, the misting top, just the whole thing. It's so expensive that I'm still debating on whether or not to splurge. I guess if I love it this much I really should eh?

Odacite (Pa + G) Papaya and Geranium Pure Elements - These serums are a game changer. They're meant to be mixed with other oils/serums/face creams. I've seen great results, in terms of brightening, with this particular one.

Badger Balm Joint Rub - If you've ever been looking for a natural rub for sore muscles and joints, may I introduce you to this miracle worker. As someone who's constantly hunched over (I know, I know. Pull those shoulders back!), bending, standing, sitting, for long periods of time, my body needs a good rub every now and then. This has gotten me through some long days at work, days I wouldn't have made it through otherwise. Never discontinue this item Badger!

Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile with Lavender Tea - This tea...this tea tastes incredible AND puts me right to sleep! A must try if your mind goes into overdrive at night :). Hope you enjoyed! Let me know what you've been loving. *PR SAMPLE

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

Odacité 10 Day Treatment Set Review

I've heard about and been following Odacité on Twitter for a while now. I was thrilled when they asked if I wanted to try their *10 Day Treatment Set, obviously I said yes. An aesthetician contacted me with several questions to determine my skin type, conditions, and needs and then picked one of the three sets that best fit.

Set for combination skin

Odacité is a FRESH, high end and quality skin care line created by Valérie Grandury. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided to completely "detox" her life and focus on the healing properties that nature has to offer. She took on a raw food diet and the motto, "It all lies in the freshness of the raw ingredients," which she also applied to her skin care line. Valérie only sources the best organic ingredients and ensures they are used within a certain amount of time to reap the full benefits of each one (See Freshiency Date). An age-defying line that has been loved and accepted by many.

Description: Time to treat your skin. Odacite designed a kit specially for combination skin including 7 products enough for 10 days. All products are freshly made with certified organic ingredients. It includes a cleanser + 2 facial sponges, one toner, one day moisturizer, one night serum, an exfoliant, one hydrating mask and an eye cream. Retails for $29 USD.

Rejuvenating Cleanser: Organic plant extracts, fresh Aloe Vera, cold-pressed oils and floral water make this gentle water-soluble creme cleanser a completely pure healing product. Gentle Coco Glucoside removes surface impuritieswithout disturbing the skin's delicate moisture and oil balance. Tamanu oil from the rainforest of Madagascar aids in the elimination of waste material and toxins from the capillaries. 

Retails for $40 USD for 120 ml/4 oz. Click here for full ingredient list.

This cleanser left my skin feeling super soft and glowy. I also loved that there was no real scent to it, making it ideal for those who are easily offended/irritated. Since it's a milky consistency, I felt like I needed to use a lot more cleanser than usual. It definitely didn't remove makeup all that well either. This would be a great morning or second cleanse, and great for those who don't wear makeup.

Divine Rose & Neroli Balancing Toner Mist: Quickly & effectively balance skin, minimizes the appearance of pores & revitalize overall complexion. Skin instantly feels fresher, looks clearer and radiates a healthy glow. Rose water is known for its sebum-balancing properties. Fresh aloe vera juice keeps skin moist and heals skin from environmental aggressors. Aspen bark extracts work as a potent astringent, helping to minimize pores. 

Retails for $45 USD for 120 ml/4 oz. Click here for full ingredient list.

I saw rose and was automatically turned off but, the scent is so mild and enjoyable! This toner left my skin soft, supple, and balanced. Nothing else to say about it...:)

Jojoba Beads Exfoliant: Remove dead skin & encourage cell renewal. After one application, experience soft & healthier skin. Jojoba Beads are made from 100% pure, natural Jojoba wax, which have no sharp edges. They are superior to other exfoliating agents because they do not leave micro-lacerations. These microscopic cuts could result in premature wrinkles and provide an entrance for bacteria into the skin's surface. GLUTEN FREE. 
Retails for $45 USD for 50 ml/1.7 oz. Click here for full ingredient list.

I should really stop judging products before trying them. I expected this to not exfoliate well, mainly because I prefer chemical exfoliants and find jojoba beads too gentle sometimes. Boy was I wrong! This exfoliant is gentle but extremely effective. It gave me a fantastic exfoliation without irritating it, leaving my skin soft and radiant. Love, love, love!

Deep Hydration Mask: Bring instant rejuvenation to your skin. After just one application see younger, healthier & hydrated skin. Organic Olive and Jojoba oils replace the moisture and elasticity lost due to environment damage. Organic Calendula stimulates microcirculation. Potent antioxidants of natural Vitamin E and organic tea extracts fight free radicals. Natural anti-inflammatory agents of lavender soothe. Hyaluronic Acid plumps fine lines & wrinkles. GLUTEN FREE. 

Retails for $50 USD for 50 ml/1.7 oz. Click here for full ingredient list.

I had really high hopes for this mask and ended up being disappointed. There was a lot of separation between the cream and oils in this mask, even after shaking, and felt like I was rubbing oily wax on my face. I know, I know my explanations are great. Anyway, it just didn't leave my skin as hydrated as I would have liked and left a weird residue. I still have some left though, so I'll update you in an empties.

Beautiful Day Moisturizer:  Healthy, glowing skin that lasts all day. Contains a blend of fresh, organic ingredients that target environmental aggressors to protect and restore softness and elasticity. Pure organic virgin coconut oil boosts skin hydration by locking in moisture. Organic Aloe heals and hydrates. Organic tea extracts act as powerful antioxidants to reverse signs of aging. Organic Jojoba Oil strengthens the skin’s natural moisturizing system. MSM stimulates collagen synthesis, DMAE visibly firms the skin. Long-term use has been clinically proven to greatly decrease the appearance of loose and sagging skin. GLUTEN FREE.
Retails for $75 USD for 60 ml/ 2 oz. Click here for full ingredient list.

When my skin cooperated and had no dry patches, this moisturizer was enough. However, on days when I felt dry or had any dry patches, I definitely needed to use an oil first. It soaks into the skin quickly, never leaving it looking or feeling greasy. Great base for makeup.

Night Time Antioxidants Repair Serum: Skin is deeply nourished & replenished. High concentrations of fresh and clinically proven anti-aging ingredients fight free radical damage toreverse signs of aging while you sleep. Maximizes skin’s natural night repair cycle by allowing you skin to breath. High levels of Tocopherol (natural vitamin E) promotes healing. MSM stimulates collagen synthesis. Hyaluronic Acid plumps fine lines and wrinkles. GLUTEN FREE.

Retails for $120 USD for 60 ml/2 oz. Click here for full ingredient list.

This was my favourite product of the set. It hydrated, plumped, restored, nourished and anything else good that you can think of. My skin loved it and it really did make a difference in the moisture level of my skin. Sometimes I would even use it during the day if my skin was REALLY dry (for whatever reason), and it transformed it.

Ultra Effective Eye Cream: Significantly reduces the depth of wrinkles. Formulated with organic blue green algae tostimulate cell vitality and the renewal of the firming tissues. Organic pomegranate extract contains powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals and help tocounter the aging effects of overexposure to the sun. Tocopherol restores youthful elasticity. Hyaluronic Acid plumps fine lines and wrinkles. GLUTEN FREE.

Retails for $95 USD for 30 ml/.5 oz. Click here for full ingredient list.

This was a fantastic eye cream, it really performed. A little goes a long way and it left my under eyes feeling hydrated and worked well under concealer. As it got colder, I didn't find it was enough for my dry eyes..which hurt my heart.

Conclusion: I love that this line doesn't contain any harsh or strong fragrances/essential oils, for several reasons. Obviously with sample sized products it's hard to notice any anti-aging benefits (softened lines, faded marks, etc) because they only last for a short period of time. None of these products broke me out or irritated my skin and I really loved the toner, exfoliant and night serum. Sadly, it's a line that's currently out of my budget and therefore I will not be picking up full sizes. I highly recommend the set if you're interested in seeing how they react with your skin prior to purchasing full sizes or just to try them in general.

You can purchase the set through Odacité or any of their retailers.

Have you ever tried this brand?

*Product provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own.