Reveal Beautiful Skin with Sweet Leaf Bath Co. Adzuki Bean Rice Bran Face Polish

It's been a long while since I've used a new face scrub and boy was I excited to received this little gem in the mail. To be honest, it's been sitting around for a few months for two reasons. 1. I wanted to finish my old scrub first and 2. I was super intimidated by it being a powder. I never had much luck with dry exfoliants. I just can't seem to find the proper water to powder ratio, know what I mean? After a couple of months of playing with this face polish, I can finally write a review! Wait, are those angels singing? Guess I'm not the only one excited about this.

Sweet Leaf Bath Company is Canadian *jumps for joy* company that was started, in 2007, by Rose Creamer & Stacey Guymer. Sweet Leaf was started with the "desire to create something that was pure and nourishing, something that was good not only for your skin, but for the planet as well." 
Their products are "handcrafted in small batches using pure, organic and fair trade certified ingredients. Hand blended with pure essential oils to soothe or uplift, preserved using natural methods, sustaining the nourishing and therapeutic properties of the oils." They are also licensed by TransFair Canada which means they're making a difference through the ingredients that they use and you're making a difference by purchasing them. Sounds fantastic doesn't it? It does.

Description: This gentle face polish is chock full of vitamins, anti-oxidants, and anti-aging properties. It will hydrate and nourish and leave you with a brighter complexion and a radiant glow.

Round 1: Splashed face with water and rubbed 1/4 tsp of powder in my hands (as stated above). Maybe my face is just excessively large but, 1/4 tsp is virtually crumbs from my morning toast. Tried this a couple of times, gave up, and set it aside.

Round 2: Pre-mixed 1/4 tsp of powder with water in a tiny bowl. Failed yet again, still not enough.

Round 3: Pre-mixed more (didn't measure this time) powder with water. Whyyyyy is this not working?!?!

Round 4: Fourth times a charm? I owe many thanks to Trisha, from Stuff I Love Blog, for her honey mask idea. Genius! Why didn't I think of that? Definitely an "ah-ha" and "durhh" moment all at the same time. I have been using this face polish with honey ever since. I use about 1/2 to 3/4 of a tsp of face polish, 1/4 tsp of honey, and a couple of drops of water. I don't always leave it on as a mask, sometimes I just use it to adhere to my face and gently rub for a few minutes before washing off. 

This face polish leaves my skin soft, glowing, revitalized, and cleansed. I love that I get the benefits of the ingredients that make up this scrub and the benefits of the honey. My skin is sensitive and I haven't experienced any negative side effects such as burning, irritation, etc. It's the perfect amount of "scrub" without leaving my face raw or as if I didn't exfoliate at all. Aside from my personal struggles with powdered exfoliants, which really shouldn't impact this review, I have a tiny issue with the smell. It's chock full of amazing ingredients and no where does it say that it smells like deliciousness, but dang the stale peanut and grass aroma is strong. At first, the drama queen in me wasn't sure I could handle it. It got better and I'm over it for the most part, just wanted to throw out a tiny disclaimer for all you scent sensitive individuals. On a positive note, this container is going to last forever! I do really enjoy using this exfoliant as part of my skin care routine and highly recommend. 

Retails for $16.95 CAN for 4 oz. Can be purchased through Sweet Leaf Bath  or these other retailers across Canada.

Have you ever tried any Sweet Leaf Bath products? What's your take on powdered exfoliants?

*This is a PR sample, sent for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

July 2013 Empties!

Ahh empties, the time of the month where I can finally throw away all of my trash and begin a new collection of garbage (literally). Without further ado, here's my trash for the month!

Dr. Bronner's Shikakai Lavender Soap - review here - Lovely hand soap and lovely scent, lasted forever, but irritated my small patch of eczema on my hands. Won't be repurchasing.

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap in Unscented/Baby - review here - I really love this liquid soap because of it's multi use ability. The unscented was purchased to use as a body wash and it was great, however, I really love the peppermint and eucalyptus scents much more. Will repurchase, just not in unscented.

All Things Herbal Naturally Irish Soap in Dublin Mint - no review -  I received this in my March Seasons Box and while I loved the refreshing mint scent, I hated how slimy and slippery it felt in the shower *cringes*.

Naked Organix Tamanu Bar - review here - I went through this bar very quickly but loved how it helped keep my chest, back and shoulder breakouts at bay. Will definitely repurchase once I use up some other soap.

Coconut Oil - no review - Don't worry, I removed that little chunk at the bottom there. I adore coconut oil and have been eating it more than I have been using it for skin care. I will be repurchasing!

White (Kaolin) Clay - no review - I love white clay for my sensitive skin and generally mix it with green for a super detoxifying face mask. Will be repurchasing.

Earthpaste Lemon Twist Toothpaste - review here -  I had the peppermint flavour in my last empties, but I had actually finished it up at the beginning of June. So really, these tubes last me about 2 months. Redmond actually sent me all of the flavours, except peppermint because I purchased that myself, to try. This works just as well as the peppermint, but I hate the flavour. I'm such a boring person and just love the traditional mint/wintergreen/peppermint/anything minty toothpaste over any other flavours. This would be ideal for adventurous people, lemon lovers and kids because it literally tastes like lemon meringue. For the record, I don't like lemon meringue pie...fully aware that I suck :P.

Dr. Alkaitis Nourishing Treatment Oil - review here - I've grown to love this oil more and more. The smell is so intoxicating and I LOVE applying it after a shower. It's beyond luxurious and really keeps my skin soft. It's super expensive but I think I might treat myself one of these days.

Dr. Alkaitis Purifying Facial Cleanser - review here - Hated this cleanser. It irritated my skin and, in an attempt to not throw it out, I used it to wash my feet. Will not be purchasing.

New Roots Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil - review here - Love sea buckthorn oil, hated the bottle that the New Roots one came in because it wouldn't close properly. The bottle above is a bottle that I purchased to put it in. I've been sent SBT Seabuckthorn Seed Oil and am now using that. Won't repurchase New Roots.

One Love Organics Easy Does it, Morning Glory & Brand New Day -  Review here - Really enjoyed this set and would consider purchasing the cleanser and Morning Glory serum since they work super well together.

Elabloom Facial Oil Sample - no review - This was a tiny sample, only had enough for a few days. It, sadly, contains Argan oil which gives me little red bumps all over my face. Won't be purchasing the full size.

Badger Balm Cocoa Butter Lip Balm in Mocha - review here - This balm took me forever to finish up! I'm officially sick of the scent but love how well it works at hydrating my lips. I have two other flavours on the go right now. One thing I have noticed, about cocoa butter lip balms in general, is that they get rough when they're in hot/cold temperatures. I guess the melting and cooling affects the texture, which sucks.

Simply Natural Chamilla Lip Balm - review here - Really didn't enjoy this balm due to the scent and it's ineffectiveness at keeping my lips hydrated. Won't be purchasing.

Cheeky Cosmetics Blush Samples in Cheeky & Flirt - review here - I found these to be a little too bright and sparkly for my liking. Won't be purchasing full sizes.

Tarte Eye Primer Sample - no review - Adored this eye primer because it actually worked at making my shadows more vibrant and last. I'm considering a full size even though it's not all that natural.

MegaFood Blood Builder Supplement - no review -  I have low iron, not super low but still low, and must take a supplement. I love that this is a whole food source which means it's easily absorbed by the body. It also doesn't constipate me. On top of containing iron, it also contains vitamin C, B12 and folate. Has it helped my iron levels? I'll let you know after I get blood work done. I've already repurchased in the meantime.

Tossing Out

Pure+Simple Oily/Impure Sunscreen - review here - I can't stand this stuff. I applied it on my body, before heading to the pool, and I literally looked like Casper. I didn't burn, but I also didn't get a tan. Throwing it out!

Inika Foundation in Beige Sample - this is too dark and fragrance for me. Even with a tan, it just doesn't match. Even if it did, the scent is such a turn off. Tossing.

Jane Iredale Disappear Concealer - review here - I used up most of this and I'm pretty sure there's only a little left, but it's just not working for me. It rubs off and creates, what looks like, dry patches. In the bin it goes!

Phew, done. Before starting new products, I really like to finish up samples or things that are already open. I try not to throw out or waste product unless absolutely necessary (ex. can't make it work at all or not suitable for anyone I know).

What have you finished up this month?

xo