May 2013 Faves!

I skipped out on doing an April faves post because I was finishing up some products and really had nothing exciting or new worth mentioning. This month, however, I have a few honourable mentions.

DIY Clay mask - I do have a post on my mask concoction, however, I've been changing it up a bit. Instead of using toner to mix the clays and honey, I sometimes used (and still use) Raw ACV (apple cider vinegar) and pass on the neem. Either way, I was using this mask at least 3 times a week to help draw out impurities from the heavy, HD and waterproof makeup that we were using in the makeup course I took.

Honey - With all the makeup and washing my face so frequently last month, I loved applying honey every other morning on my face and just leaving it on for 10 - 30 minutes.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil - review here - Such a beautiful, beautiful oil! It smells lovely, feels lovely, hydrates lovely, it's just lovely and I've been really enjoying it.

Bee 23 Hotty Body Balm - review here - I stand by my bees knees comment, it's amazing. I was using the Weleda body oil all over, but decided to use it on the bits that need firming and this balm everywhere else. Moisturizes like a dream!

Weleda Skin Food - review here - I carry this in my bag at all times, in case you couldn't tell by how banged up it looks. Wonderful for dry patches on your body and face. A definite love and must have of mine.

Pure+Simple Face Colour in Glow - review here - Shocking right? Love this blush so, so much. If you follow me on Twitter, then you know mine actually shattered. P+S were kind enough to send me a new one but, I've been using my broken one because there's no way I'm tossing that baby out.

Ilia Lip Conditioner in Arabian Knights - review to come - I do have a review coming, promise! This is the most beautiful and perfect berry shade. I reached for it all of May..well..since I got it really!

Gabriel Brow Pencil in Russet - review to come - This is my first natural brow pencil and it's great. My brows are pretty dark but I hate using a dark brown pencil because I don't want them to appear darker, just fuller. This taupe-ish shade is perfect and so natural looking.

Olie Biologique 004 Hydrating Oil - review to come - I got sent this to try out and while it's basically Argan Oil, which I can't use on my face, it has been amazing in my hair. I apply it on dry hair to smooth away any frizz and keep my ends conditioned. Oh and it smells lovely!

What did you love in May?

The Bees Knees! - Bee 23 Hotty Body Balm Review

I am so excited to share this review with you guys. Back in April, I went to the Green Living Show in Toronto. If you haven't already checked out my haul and experience  posts, you can do so by clicking the words. I came across Michelle's booth, early in my walk around the show, and was instantly intrigued by her and her products.

Michelle Rosetta, creator of Bee 23, started this line out of need. She regularly suffered from headaches and realized it was from her (chemical filled) perfume. In recognizing this, she started doing more research and came to the realization that there are many products out there that are filled with chemical nasties which heavily and negatively impact our body and those around us. Michelle began playing around with ingredients and came up several products, one of which is the Hotty Balm. None of the products contain water, which make the shelf life rather long, they're free of all chemicals, not tested on animals, and proudly made in Canada. Right off the bat, Michelle is vivacious, excited, proud, happy, and all around a beautiful person. She's passionate and proud of her products and with good reason.

Description: Mango Mornings soothes and revives your skin gently with jasmine and lavender, while awakening your inner essence with notes of tangerine. There are no synthetic chemical additives in this all natural product. Let the magic of high quality essential oils, herbs and carrier oils in these creamy body balms caress your skin.

After much deliberation and standing at Michelle's booth like weirdo, my boyfriend helped me decide and actually bought the hotty balm for me. I love the reusable tin, how much product you get, how bright the labels are, and how minimal the packaging is. Eco friendly? I think so. The tin closes tightly which is great for when you're travelling. The balm itself is hard in texture, yet soft enough to scoop with your (clean and dry) fingers. It melts beautifully between your hands and on your body. It easily and quickly absorbs into the skin, resulting in grease free skin. I've been using this on my super dry bits, usually after showering, and it's made them SO soft. I'm sure if I was better at reapplying then I wouldn't have dry bits, but what can ya do? Reapply, I know. When I first saw Mango Mornings, I was expecting the sweet scent of mangoes but my nose quickly acknowledged that there is no scent. A little disappointed? I was too until I thought of all the positives to no scent: 1. I can't get sick of a scent that doesn't exist. 2. It can't offend anyone. 3. Those sensitive to scents can use it. 4. I can use it in combination with a more fragrant body oil. 5. That's all I got right now.  Okay, I shouldn't say that there is no scent because there's an ever so slight sweet jasmine aroma. I typically hate the way jasmine smells on me (it smells like ass in case you were wondering) but, like I said, it's practically unscented. I think this body balm is the bees knees and you should definitely try it out. Would I repurchase? Yes! 

Retails for $19.95 CAN for 6.76 fl.oz. You can purchase it through Bee 23 directly and through these retailers.

Have you ever tried any Bee 23 products? Which looks the most appealing to you?

Ingredients: Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower)Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifer (Grape) Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula Oil), Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Lavendula Officinalis (Lavender), Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Oil, Jasiminum Officinalis (Jasmine)

Figs & Rouge Balm in Cherry & Vanilla Review

Figs & Rouge has a variety of scented balms that come in gorgeous little tins. What compelled me to buy this, besides the taunting display at the Whole Foods check out line, was the scent. I love cherry and love vanilla, thought it would be a match made in balm heaven! I ripped through the packaging and couldn't take a picture, but the container was sealed so there was no way of smelling it before I purchased it. Thinking ahead at the lips balms that I was finishing up, I justified the purchase.

Description: Figs & Rouge Cherry & Vanilla 100% Organic Balm protects skin against dryness. Suitable for all skin types, it's nourishing and soothing. Use on lips, face and body for an intensive and organic moisture boost.
The Good:

• beautiful packaging
• light container which is perfect to toss in your purse
• hydrating
• affordable
• a little goes a long way

The Bad:

• smells nothing like cherry OR vanilla
• gritty in texture
• too greasy for use on (my) face

Verdict: Pure disappointment. Let me start with the smell, it doesn't smell like cherry or vanilla.  I constantly tried to smell the hint of either of those scents but just couldn't. It smells like olive oil and a little like plastic, it's gross. Because of the smell, I can't handle using it on my lips. I've tried using a tiny amount on dry patches (on my face) but it makes those areas greasy and makes my makeup slide off. I DO enjoy using it on my body though. Before bed, I apply it to my knees, elbows, heels and cuticles and wake up with wonderfully hydrated skin. Since it is a balm, I suggest letting it soak into your skin to avoid oil marks on sheets or clothes. This balm is gritty in texture, the grit melts but can be slightly annoying (to me anyway). All in all, not a balm that I would repurchase.

Retails for approx. $5.29 CAN and can be purchased at Whole Foods Market and other health food stores.

Have you tried any of the Figs & Rouge balms? Thoughts?

 

 

Ingredients: helianthus annuus seed oil, butyrospermum parkii fruit butter, cera alba, glycerin, vanilla planifolia fruit extract, citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, prunus ceratus fruit extract,
mentha piperita leaf oil, limoneneº, linaloolº, benzyl benzoateº, benzyl salcylateº, farnesolº, gernaiolº, isoeugenolº, eugenolº, citral*º.
*Certified Organic
º Naturally Occurring Component of Essential Oils