Josie Maran Argan Summer Hydrating Skin Savers

June 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment

I get a ton of stuff from companies to try out almost every day so it’s understandable that something rarely blows me away, but this Josie Maran kit is one of the more impressive things I’ve tried in a while. I can see why she has built her entire line around her iconic Argan Oil, it’s really that good.  It softens my skin and makes it so glowy and healthy looking. I’m using the light argan oil with her Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 over it during the day. It’s the weirdest thing how the oil affects your skin, but it  has been nothing short of a miracle as far as I’m concerned. I’m normal/combo in the summer and the light oil is the right amount of hydration- anything more would be too heavy. I was half expecting to break out for some reason, but all of it has been so well received by my skin. I don’t know how and I can’t really articulate why, but my skin just looks a lot better when I use it.

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Argan Oil Light

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SPF 47

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Argan Color Stick

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They also sent me her Argan Self Tanning Cream which I was hoarding for over a year when I couldn’t find it any longer in stores. It’s one of the very best self tanners I’ve ever used hands down. I just slap it on like using a regular lotion giving no thought to rubbing it in evenly and it comes out perfect every time. It doesn’t give a super dark tan which I like because the color is more believable that way. I’m still not seeing it online so I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in Sephora, I’m hoping it’s just sold out.

Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Cheeks, Josie Maran, Self-Tanner, Serums, Sunscreen

Pharmaca

June 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment

I’m so obsessed with Pharmaca that I used to drive an hour to go to Colorado’s (then) only store which was in Boulder. I’d stock up on skincare, sunscreen, vitamins, and protein powders then wander around exploring and learning all I could about natural based formulations and how they worked on the skin from the helpful team who work there. Ever since one opened near me (next to Trader Joe’s!!) in Greenwood Village last month, I’ve already been 3 times. If you like a more natural spin on skincare, you won’t find a bigger selection anywhere else, and their vitamin prices are hard to beat as is the help you get from their staff who always point me to what I need.

This location has an especially large beauty section that spans about half the store. Today I bought an Apricot Kernel Oil that was on sale for $4, Schmidt’s natural deodorant because the packaging was so cool even though I’ve never heard of it before, these supplements that they recommended to me last time for Mike which he claims have taken away his daily pains from running for the first time in years, and the whole reason I was went in the first place- Supergoop! They carry my all time favorite sunscreen! I got the SPF 40 Mineral one today (THIS one) which I have setting out by the garage door so I can always rub some on the girls and myself before our impromptu walks outside we have throughout the day. My melasma has reemerged and I need to get serious about wearing sunscreen at all times if I really want it to go away.

If you’re here in Denver, check this one out or click HERE to see if there’s a Pharmaca near you!

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Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Stuff I Buy

Andalou Naturals Chia + Omega Radiant Skin Polish

May 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment

There was a time BC (before children) when I’d on occasion wander around the skincare aisles of Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage while I was grocery shopping. I’d look, smell, test, and spray every bottle that caught my eye. It’s these natural, organic, off the beaten path lines that I’ll first browse when it comes to my own skincare whenever I’m out of something. I’ve seen this Andalou line a million times but never bought anything until I saw this Skin Polish which is usually a term for a finer grain scrub versus a traditional exfoliant with larger beads or bits of grit.

Here’s what I love- the finely ground chia seeds are in a rich cleansing aloe base so it feels like a microdermabrasion and it quickly buffs away dry skin and dullness which leaves my skin noticably softer and brighter. I love the natural ingredients like jojoba, flax, vitamins, and walnut powder and the exclusion of GMO’s, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, Sulfates, Synthetic Colors, Dyes, Fragrances, Triclosan, PEG, MEA, TEA, DEA, or Paraben Preservatives which goes for every product they offer.

Online it sells for $15, but I got it for $10. Based on this scrub alone I’m excited to try more- like their BB Cream from their 1000 Roses line, and this Beta Hydroxy cream for pigmentation and skin healing.

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Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Acne, Anti-Aging, Cleansers, Drugstore Finds, Dry Skin, Exfoliants, Found in Select Stores, Found Online, Oily Skin, Stuff I Buy

My Self Tanning Nightmare Using Neutrogena Build A Tan

May 7, 2014 by Leave a Comment

After running low on my Supergoop self tanner, I grabbed a bottle of Neutrogena Build A Tan at Target last week to keep my fake tan flowing. I’ve read good things about it and it’s a gradual formula- what could go wrong?

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Well, this.

Here’s a pic of my leg showing what it did after just one use. I applied it exactly the same way I do with every self tanner I’ve ever used and even though I’ll get some minor streaking from time to time (as we all do..) this is a first. I was wishing I had one of those Bronze Buffers to erase the streaking because there was no way I could wear anything showing my legs until it was gone. Luckily the formula washed right off (another not so great thing) so there wasn’t a hint of color left behind.

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So while I was at Vitamin Cottage today I remembered how much I loved this Nature’s Gate Glow Lotion when the company sent me some to review years ago. I slapped some on after my shower and I’m already golden bronzed. I bought the one for medium skin tones to get a deeper color versus the one for light skin. No streaks, no scent, and it’s a natural formula.

Natures Gate

All self tanners are not created equal. Do some digging before you waste money on one that streaks, stinks, or just doesn’t work.

Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Self-Tanner, Stuff I Buy, Tips and Tricks, What Not to Buy

tarte Maracuja Bronzing Serum

April 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment

This serum is flat out amazing. Revolutionary. A must-have gradual self tanner to achieve the most convincing  tanned look for your face. Below is me before and after just one application. I used a few drops before bed in place of my usual skincare and I woke up with subtle but noticeable color. Maracuja Bronzing Serum is a light oil that absorbs right away and leaves no scent behind,  it’s also streak-free (and has been every time I’ve used it since) and didn’t leave any color behind on my white pillowcase. It’s a self-tanning serum disguised as skincare that’s so gentle you can use it nightly. It didn’t break out my sensitive skin and the color becomes more rich with each application but not overly bronzed or unnatural. It really is amazing stuff.

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I will of course review other self-tanning products for the face in the future, but this is the one I will continue to buy and tell all my friends to do the same.

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Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Best Of, Found at Sephora, Self-Tanner, Serums, Tarte

Don’t Buy This Cleanser: Burt’s Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

March 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment

I’m typically a Burt’s Bees fan which is why I grabbed this cleanser recently when I realized I was out of my Sebu bar I’ve been using in the shower. Bad move. It’s one of the worst I’ve ever tried. It’s not listed on the front label but it has some sort of menthol or peppermint in it that’s so strong it burned my eyes without even using it directly on them. Combine that with its lard-like texture that’s hard to break down and does nothing to cleanse the skin and it’s just a total disaster. I wish there was something redeeming about it but I think it’s just a waste of $8.

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Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Burt's Bees, Cleansers, Drugstore Finds, What Not to Buy
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