Shea Terra Tamanu Oil Review

I love me some oil! I have raved about coconut oil, which is still amazing and I love it, but wanted to play around with other oils as well.  You don't know what's going to give you the best results unless you play a little. Oil party anyone?

Description: Shea Terra Organics' 100% Pure Tamanu Oil from Madagascar has nothing added and nothing taken away so you get maximum anti-acne, anti-aging, and anti-bacterial benefits. Shea Terra Organics' 100% Pure Tamanu Oil is flown in from a Madagascar forest saving project. The oil continues to work more effectively against bacterial and fungal infections than many anti-biotics. It has an amazing ability to help promote the formation of new tissue which makes it perfect for those suffering from acne, rashes, sunburn, insect bites and eczema, not to mention as a daily standby for razor nicks to speed healing and avoid scarring as well as anti-aging.

The Good:

• wonderfully hydrating
• reduces acne
• multi use product
• quickly heals any cuts or burns
• great amount of product
• dark coloured bottle preserves the oil
• doesn't stain clothing or sheets even though it is a yellow coloured oil

The Bad:

• smells awful
• not a fan of the dropper. A pump would be less messy and easier to control the amount. 

Verdict:  I have been using this for the last month or so and have seen great results. I first began using it morning and night but now I just use it as a night serum and wake up with less acne, redness and my skin is radiant. If only I could stop touching my damn face now! Ugh, I have a problem which involves me constantly touching my face for no reason which then spreads bacteria which then causes acne.  You'd think I'd better right? I do, I just have a problem!  I also use it on any cuts or burns that I get and it works like a dream! The smell does linger and it is quite strong, beware lol. I absolutely hate the dropper and wish I had the option of a pump.  Online they show it as having a pump but Healthy Planet only had droppers. This oil is pretty thick so it gets all around the dropper instead of just in it and makes a mess on the bottle and releases too much oil.  You only need 2 - 3 drops for your entire face, neck and chest. I really like this oil and would definitely repurchase. I would only repurchase Shea Terra's version if the bottle came with a pump, otherwise I'd find a different one.

 

Retails for approx. $24 CAN for a 2 oz bottle.  Can be purchased in store at Healthy Planet or online at Shea Terra.

Have you heard of or tried Tamanu Oil?

Ingredients: 100% Pure tamanu oil

Shea Terra Bourbon Vanilla Whipped Shea Butter Review

I love Shea Terra, I just love them. Love, love, love!  I haven't been disappointed with any of their products, that I mentioned in my haul, thus far and that really excites me. It's getting chilly in Canada and Jack Frost will soon be nipping at my nose. Someone should tell Jack Frost that's just rude, you don't nip at someone's nose! Cold = dry skin, and my skin is beginning to get pretty dry.  I needed a very hydrating body cream/butter to get me through these freezing days and am thrilled that I picked up this Whipped Shea Butter from Shea Terra.

Description: Nothing protects skin or makes it look more beautiful than pure shea butter. Wild harvested from the dry, African savannah, this natural, sustainable butter offers hours of moisturizing, healing relief. The high concentration of shea butter used in Shea Terra Organics Ultimate Moisturizing Body Creme softens skin while reducing rashes, scaling, stretch marks, and a multitude of other skin conditions. Combined with real Bourbon vanilla, our Ultimate Moisturizing Body Creme is a premium source for healthy, beautiful and younger looking skin.

Yummmmmmmm vanilla! I love all things vanilla and coconut, whether separate or mixed together.  This whipped shea butter is just delicious without being sickening sweet.  The scent is so light once applied to the skin and although it doesn't linger all day, I love it. This creamy goodness is incredibly hydrating and massages into the skin with ease. It keeps my skin moisturized all day long, no dry patches! A little goes a long way and therefore, I think it's definitely worth the price.  I would have preferred a pump instead of the glass jar, but I know it's a bit impossible because of how thick it is.  The jar is super heavy and not practical to travel with unless suitcase weight is not an issue.

The Rooibos & Berries Whipper is just as lovely as the Bourbon Vanilla in terms of hydration BUT (big but) it's absolutely not worth the price for the amount that you get. It's almost a third of the price for a crumb of the amount.  I'm being dramatic, but not really lol.  It's totally not worth it and I love minis.  The scent is not what I expected but luckily it doesn't linger.  It's a weird sweet and not as berry-like as I was hoping it would be. I keep this little jar in my purse to use on my dry hands.

I love this whipped shea butter, highly recommend and would definitely repurchase the larger jar! I really want to try Mango, White Chocolate, Gingered Pumpkin and Bananas and Baobos.

Retails for approx. $18.99 for 9oz/255ml or $6.99 for 1oz/29ml.  They can be purchased in store at Healthy Planet or online at Shea Terra.

Both sizes come in the following scents:

Bourbon Vanilla

Rooibos Berries

Menthe cardamom

White Chocolate

Marula

Gingered Pumpkin

Cape Lavender

Pink Guavas and Pomegranates

Bananas and Baobos

Cape Chamomile

Frankincense Meditation

Mango

Which scent would you like to try most?

Ingredients Bourbon Vanilla: 99.7% natural. Pure spring water (no recycled water), USDA certified organic shea butter (butyrospermum parkii), natural emulsifying wax NF, vanilla extracts (vanilla planifolia), naturally based preservative (glucono delta-lactone, sodium benzoate)

Ingredients Rooibos & Berries: 99.7% naturals. Pure spring water (no recycled water), USDA certified organic shea butter (butyrospermum parkii), natural emulsifying wax NF, certified organic rooibos tea, natural berry extract, naturally based preservative (glucono delta-lactone, sodium benzoate), less than 0.1% natural fruit/vegetable coloring (natural coloring fades over time)

Shea Terra African Black Soap Bar Review

This is another black soap item that I picked up in my Shea Terra haul a few weeks back. I bought this with hopes that it would help clear up the little acne that I have on my chest, shoulders and back as well as lighten any acne scars I have in those areas.

Description: 100% Natural. Genuine African black soap for smooth, blemish free skin. Ancient formula naturally breaks down dead skin revealing firmer, younger looking skin beneath.

It smells exactly the same as the Rose Hips Black Soap Face Wash which doesn't tell you much except that it's masculine. It tingles when applied to any break outs, I felt it mostly on my chest. I didn't really find that this worked at getting rid of any acne but it did work really well to exfoliate. It's not a smooth textured soap, it's almost like a light sand paper. Not gritty where it feels like you have sand particles all over the place, but the soap itself feels like sand paper when you rub it on your body which creates a deep exfoliation. I did use this soap daily when I first got it, but realized that it wasn't helping with what I initially bought it for and decided to use it as an exfoliation bar instead.  I use it a few times a week and really love how soft it makes my skin. Also, using it daily made my skin dry out a bit. It lathers up quite nicely considering there's no SLS in it and I didn't use it on my sensitive bits, if you catch my drift lol. I haven't noticed my skin looking firmer or anything so I can't vouch for that claim. It is black soap and therefore rubs off on my skin as brownish/black soap but doesn't stain my skin nor my white shower at all. I don't think that I would repurchase this specific soap again, however, I would like to try one of Shea Terra's other bar soaps.

Retails for approx. $8.99 and can be purchase through Shea Terra or in stores at Healthy Planet.

What's your take on black soap for cleansing your body?

Ingredients:  USDA certified organic virgin coconut cream oil, African black soap (cocoa pod ash, plaintain peel ash, palm kernel oil, camwood), 24% USDA certified organic shea butter, certified organic, extra virgin olive oil, spring water, sodium hydroxide.

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Face Wash and Mask Review

That title is a mouthful eh? My skin has been going through hell lately with all of the products that I have been using, so I thought why not add another product to the mix? lol.  I have my moments. I read what it's supposed to do for your skin as well as rave reviews online and couldn't help but try it out.

Description: Based on an ancient African formula, using REAL African Black Soap, this wash works like microdermabrasion to get rid of dead skin, even skin tone, firm skin and fight acne. Look younger in just minutes of use. South African Rose Hips Oil calms skin and works wonders on maturing skin.

I have to start off with the packaging, I love it.  I love the label really, it's super pretty.  The product comes in a dark glass bottle which isn't travel friendly, but I don't mind pumping some into a travel container. I like the pump because it allows me to dispense as much or as little product as I want.  I can't really explain the scent of this product, it's sort of  masculine, but I like it.  It's not a strong scent and it doesn't linger, so if scent is an issue, it should be fine. 

The first time that I used this product I rubbed it all over my face, left it on for 5 minutes and rinsed.  My skin was instantly brighter, softer and a bit red. It tingles when applied, especially if you have any acne at all, those areas tingle more.  It removes face makeup really well , however, I don't and haven't tried using it on my eyes.  I do notice that my skin is brighter and some of my acne scars seem to be fading but since this is such a powerful product, my skin is getting a bit dried out. That being said, I have started using this as a mask 2 - 3 times a week instead of a face wash and I love it even more.  I would repurchase and do recommend giving it a try if you can get your hands on it.

Retails for approx $18.99 for 4 oz and can be purchase through Shea Terra or in stores at Healthy Planet.

Have you tried this Shea Terra black soap face wash or any other black soap?

 

Ingredients: deionized water, Yoruban black soap (cocoa pod ash, plaintain peel ash, palm kernel oil, camwood bark), certified organic shea butter, certified organic coconut oil, potassium hydroxide (electrocuted salts- what makes oil into soap), certified organic rose hips oil, rose hips fruit, aloe ferox, rooibos tea, kigellia africana, certified organic marshmallow root, licorice root

Shea Terra Organics Haul!

I vaguely remember hearing about Shea Terra months back and honestly couldn't remember them until I came across their products at a local health food store, Healthy Planet.  I went home and started looking at their website, as well as reading reviews on all of their products.  I knew I had to pick up a few things to try! 

Just wanted to give you guys a little background on Shea Terra before telling you what I picked up.  Shea Terra Organics was founded by Tammie Umbel.  Tammie looks to source the wonderful ingredients in her products by helping preserve wildlife habitats and being the backbone of economic sustainability for many families across Africa.  She does that by working with cooperatives and conservation groups.  It's great to know that these products are great for us and the environment.

I picked up the Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Facial Cleanser, African Black Soap Bar and Tamanu Oil from Healthy Planet and ordered the Burbon Vanilla Whipped Shea Butter and Rooibos & Berries Mini Whipped Shea Butter from Shea Terra.  I am loving all of these products!  I have been using the black soap items for about 2 weeks now.  I received the whipped shea butters a couple of days ago and will say that I didn't expect the mini to be so small.  That was the only piss off for me and I say piss off because I was pretty upset when I opened the box and realized I (my boyfriend) paid like $8 CAN for this tiny little pot of lotion.  I suggest that you pick a scent you think you might like and just get it because the scent isn't as strong once applied on the skin and dies out throughout the day.  Aside from over charging for the mini, I'm pretty happy with my purchases and will do a review soon!

Have you tried Shea Terra before?

Purchased this after I did this post