Category Archives: Found Online

Own Sun Care

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Our usual stop for vitamins in Pharmaca over the weekend in Boulder, CO yielded a purchase that I’m now officially obsessed with. We were looking for a new sunscreen for Mike which is always a task because he wants something light to wear daily (easy enough), but it also has to hold up and not drip into his eyes when he’s running (the challenging part.) We’ve been through plenty of options and were on a good winning streak with Supergoop for a few years but it was time for a change. I knew a little about Own; mostly how their founder and CEO was also the founding CEO at Method (the natural cleaning products) and had now engineered a fantastic natural skincare line that’s getting some great reviews. Now saying that Own’s Invisible Face and Body Block SPF 30 is unlike any sunscreen you’ve ever tried isn’t an overstatement. Its smooth, whipped texture reminds me of cake batter and its ability to disappear right into the skin leaving only the slightest amount of moisture behind is remarkable for a sunscreen or any type of skin moisturizer. It’s a safe formulation of 20% zinc that’s invisible on the skin with antioxidants like raspberry, cranberry, and carrot seed oils. It feels, blends, and smells like a body moisturizer you’d be happy to wear every day. It’s seriously revolutionary.

Our After Sun Repair ($12) and Invisible Face and Body Block SPF 30 ($17)

A look at the sunscreen’s texture. Dreamy whipped magic.

Of course the After Sun Repair lotion is amazing too. It smells so fresh and clean and can be used to soothe the face or body after sun exposure, or just for an everyday treatment.

They’re mostly sold online (I can’t find a listing of retailers on their site) and are apparently becoming quickly known for their better-than-Proactiv acne line and powerfully effective anti-aging offerings. They’re also U.S.A made and sourced keeping a close eye on their partner’s sustainability practices. What’s not to love?

Check out Own right HERE

Sunburn Relief from Liz Earle Botanical Aftersun Gel

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It’s true that sun and wind burned skin needs some extra TLC, but I’m not sure the thick green glop most brands label as ‘aloe’ serve as the best solution. Aloe isn’t actually bright green either, it’s yellowish so that beautiful green shade is actually dyes so looks as we think it should. Instead of pumping dyes into your skin, go for something that’s designed to soothe chapped, overexposed skin.

Of course I’m loving Liz Earle‘s Sun Shade Botanical Aftersun Gel, mostly because I love everything from Liz Earle. It’s still one of the best lines I’ve used to date. She uses organic aloe, to soothe and comfort the skin along with lavender, vitamin e, and glycerin to provide hydration and protection. It took the sting and redness out of my hubby’s bad burn a few weeks ago – but he only agreed to using it because it wasn’t sticky or greasy and didn’t have an scent to it.

If you’ve also been a little lazy in your SPF application, check out this gel and next time don’t forget the sunscreen.

Vapour Organic Beauty and Their Total Rip-Off Samples

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Picture it, Mike and I are pulling away from the house the other night when we intercept the mail, it was the usual stack of letters mixed in with my sample package from Vapour I’d been so excited to try. I had Mike open it right away while I drove because I couldn’t wait to check it out. When I saw what I paid $20 for, I got really quiet and started writing this post in my head. I was steamed. How could Vapour possibly charge $15 ($5 for shipping, we’ll get to that) for these dinky samples when a company like Alima Pure has such a kick-ass sampling program? ($1.50 for a cup of minerals that lasts over a month btw). If you’re not truly committed to people trying out your line via samples, why even bother?

You can see that two of the samples were barely usable specks, smaller than a finger nail and sitting in packaging it doesn’t come close to filling and bouncing around a box that can house about 20 of these orders (I hate waste like this and would expect more efficiency from an organic-based company). With my tiny samples all stacked up along the corner of the box you can see how completely wasteful it is to ship it this way (it could easily fit inside a small padded envelope), but then they of course wouldn’t be able to stick you with the $5 ‘shipping fee.’

Click to enlarge, wish I could do the same with the actual samples..

I’ll still give the products a shot, I’m hoping there’s enough of it to use it for a few days and really get a feel for how they perform. Stay tuned for a review and sample at your own risk.

RMS Beauty: Pure, Organic Cosmetics

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RMS Beauty is a concise, elegant, effective line of color developed by 20 year Makeup Artist veteran Rose-Marie Swift. She wanted to create a chemical-free makeup line using raw, organic, mineral-rich, food-grade ingredients to help heal the skin with Makeup Artist-approved results. The verdict? Kit-worthy basics that rev up the skin in a wonderfully natural way.

Un-cover Up:

It’s the only thing you need for dark circle-canceling coverage around the eyes, red blemish banishing, and overall skin-improving. I liked its creamy, easy to blend nature – it’s best suited for those who favor a tinted moisturizer, mineral foundation, or wear concealer alone. Dab it on and blend it only into the areas where your skin needs a little oomph.

lip2cheek:

lip2cheek is a pot of beautiful color that’s one of the first dual-purpose lip and cheek creams to actually flatter both. More sheer than dense, these luminous shades enhance the skin giving it a pretty flush of color.

I wasn’t sent their Living Luminizer, but it’s a best-seller – a glow-invoking cream without glitter or weight that gives skin a healthy glow. Based on what I’ve used from the line so far, it’s worth a buy.

 

 

 

Check em out online at RMS Beauty

Alima Pure Mineral Makeup

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Using 4 or fewer ingredients for most of their formulations, Alima Pure is an incredibly clean mineral makeup.  (Check out their safety scores from CosmeticsDatabase.com) I was so enchanted by their equally clean website that I scooped up a ton of $1.50 sample jars. I love when companies sample, it just says to me that they’re confident in their products and know you’ll come back for more. And I will…

Foundations etc: They offer dozens of colors to ensure a perfect match. It’s not a heavy formula but it’s certainly buildable, especially when you use it with their Primer Powder (great to block shine), and buff a Finishing Powder over top. I’ve also been using the Lavender Color Balancing Powder on my forehead and upper cheek area for some added brightness. It sounds like a lot to put on, but it really works together and never gets heavy or cakey. I like to spray a little Avene Thermal Spring Water over top and press it into the skin with a Beauty Blender for a natural, undetectable finish in any light.

Balancing Primer Powder in Light, Concealer in Beige, Satin Matte Foundation in Beige2, Color Balancing Powder in Buttercup, Color Balancing Powder in Lavender

Cheeks: I’m in love with their Bronzer, it isn’t the slightest bit shimmery and it’s a perfect warm shade. I wanted more from the Luminous Shimmer Powder though, it’s just okay – the shimmer isn’t special enough to move me to a purchase because it’s so slight and flakes away.

Satin Matte Blush in Bisque, Luminous Shimmer Powder in Luna, Bronzer in Mauna Loa

Eyeliner: You can’t see it well from my photo, but the black is deep. Use it wet for a liner, or dry to smoke out any look. Illusion is a pretty shade, I like it best for a shadow. If you like a rich, pigment-dense look from your shadows, use a liner as a shadow or choose colors slightly deeper than you normally would.

Satin Matte Eyeliner in Black, Luminous Shimmer Eyeliner in Illusion

Eyeshadows: I found the finish of the Pearluster and Shimmer shadows to be almost identical, and using them wet gives a more intense metallic gleam. Stick with their matte formula if you have more mature lids, it isn’t totally flat and its lack of sheen won’t settle into lines or extenuate dryness. As with any shadow, I’d recommend using a primer first so the powders have something to cling to. I liked their color selection and formula. I wish I’d chosen some brighter shades though, why do I always do neutrals?

Satin Matte Eyeshadow Chocolat, Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow Tigereye, Pearluster Eyeshadow Taupe, Pearluster Eyeshadow Grace

Eyeshadow Swatches: Same order as above. Matte, Shimmer, Pearluster, Pearluster.

Satin Matte Eyeshadow Chocolat, Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow Tigereye, Pearluster Eyeshadow Taupe, Pearluster Eyeshadow Grace

Sample Jar Sizing: You could get a few months out of the sample jars since just a small amount does the trick.

If you’re looking for a reasonably priced color line with safe ingredients, Alima is as pure as it gets. Check out their site and wrangle up a few samples of whatever strikes your fancy, $1.50 is a heck of a deal.

Alima Pure

The Legendary 88 Palette

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Leave it to an 18 year old to school me on makeup. I could give lectures on just about everything you see at Sephora but when it comes to the well kept secrets lurking online, I’m clueless. My girl Jacqueline is a young makeup diva who knows well the ins and outs of cheap makeup that’s fun and stays put, so I asked her about the legendary 88 palette I’ve come across a few times. If you Google it you’ll see that many companies carry it and offer it up and varying prices. THIS one is being offered on Amazon for $22, BH Cosmetics sells these 88′s for around $16, but Costal Scents is where I bought this original 88 palette for $19. She told me to get it there in spite of the awful site which looks like the first website ever constructed. She assured me it was fine so I went for it and Costal Scents delivered my palette in 3 days, no problems. I’d order from them again.

I didn’t expect much from the palette honestly, I thought I’d use the brighter shades for an occasional pop of color but not much more. I used them on myself first on their own with no other powder shadows and always using a primer first (of course). Their color payoff is rich, laydown easy, and blending seamless. They aren’t chalky or heavy looking because you don’t need to use a lot to get the look you want. The color stayed strong all day without fading or creasing – I’m impressed. I trusted them enough to use them for 2 photo shoots this past week and found that they didn’t budge after many hours of hot lighting. They’re that good.

If you want some new, fun colors on the cheap, or if you’re a Makeup Artist who needs some variety without breaking the bank, this palette is your new BFF.

click to enlarge