People who know me might not realize that I am a makeup junkie as I keep my look pretty minimal and natural. But step into my bathroom and start opening drawers, and you’ll find the evidence of my habit. Nowadays you’ll discover natural makeup there, but in the past I have worn many, many brands, including drug store finds and high end department store splurges so I know what works, for me at least. At times I hanker for a cosmetics shopping excursion to Nordstrom’s, because let’s be honest, going to Whole Foods to play at the Dr. Hauschka display isn’t quite the same. Lucky for you Bay Area readers who can have the best of both worlds at the 100% Pure Boutique.

Even though going to the 100% Pure Boutique in Berkeley might not be as sexy as a trip to the Chanel counter, I did find it equally as enticing.  The shop is light-filled and friendly and all of the make-up is displayed in the back, my danger zone! Their makeup is on par with anything I have ever used, with one salient difference, their ingredients are 100% pure and natural. And there’s no greenwashing here. 100% Pure does not use synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, or harsh detergents. Additionally, all of their products are biodegradable, vegan, and cruelty free. Susie Wang, the founder of 100% Pure, has a statement on their website regarding their charitable giving which is concentrated on improving the lives of needy animals.

After my visit this past December, I walked out of their boutique with a gel eyeliner in Shimmery Chocolate (see pic at left, it’s the one at the bottom). Their gel eyeliners come in a glass pot with a black cap, similar to Bobbi Brown’s. But unlike Bobbi Brown’s eyeliner (or Stila for that matter), 100% Pure’s is much easier to apply.

It goes on smoothly and does not smudge. It’s also easier to build the color so I can control the intensity with greater ease than others I have tried and it does not take repeated attempts at washing your eyeliner brush to get it clean. (I simply wipe it off with a tissue and it’s good to go). Shimmery Chocolate is a beautiful deep brown with subtle shimmer. I have since acquired Blackberry and Silver Star and both are just as pretty as Shimmery Chocolate. Blackberry is a gorgeous deep purple that gives a more dramatic eye and Silver Star is a charcoal gray with a silvery luminosity that is buildable like Shimmery Chocolate, making it effortless to play with your look.

I am also in love with 100% Pure’s pressed eyeshadows. Their colors are mostly neutrals, tastefully shimmery and have a smooth and creamy texture. I only have personal experience with the three that I own, Vanilla Sugar, St. Tropez and Cocoa Plum. Vanilla Sugar is perfect for a fleshy champagne wash. Anything more than that, and it tends to get a little chalky. But a once over with Vanilla Sugar lasted the day which is impressive as my lids make everything crease! St. Tropez is a taupey bronze that is beautiful on the lower lash line for a flash of subtle color. And Cocoa Plum is the eyeshadow I have been waiting for, an easy to wear and easy to apply, deep burgundy-chocolate. In the above photo (it’s on the right) Cocoa Plum appears more plummy than it actually is, it definitely leans more cocoa. Cocoa Plum is practically a dupe for Stila’s Twig which I love but have always found hard to manage. Cocoa Plum, like the Shimmery Chocolate eyeliner, is very versatile and easily layered. These three colors make my brown eyes stand out with a natural, cocoa glow.

Whatever look you are going for, I cannot recommend 100% Pure’s Mascara highly enough. Their Black Tea is especially exceptional. It gives length like no other mascara I have used. Dr. Haushka’s Volume Mascara gives a little more volume, but if you apply a few coats, you’ll have amazingly dark, long, full lashes. They have improved upon their brush which grips the lashes snugly and doesn’t make a mess when putting the wand in the tube or taking it out. The tube itself is silver with a white floral design that is both elegant and playful. It’s pictured above in my first photo.

100% Pure is carried at some Bath and Body Works, which is fun for testing and checking everything out. But if you want to go for it and order from their website, they have a 30 day return policy. And rest assured, opening up a box of 100% Pure goodies is as pleasurable as an afternoon at Nords.

100% Pure gel eyeliners are $18, pressed eyeshadows are $15 and full-size mascaras are $21. I got my goods from their website and boutique.

Posted by ~Trish. Photos are my own.

I‘m finding almond to be a seasonless comfort fragrance. As long as the scent is not too powdery, a hint of fresh almond can feel refreshing in the summer, and on a winter night it’s equally soothing and cozy. My most recent almond discovery has been Dr. Bronner’s Almond Liquid Soap, probably the biggest bargain I’ve written about yet! A tiny squirt on my shower scrunchie brings forth glorious suds and a delicious almond aroma. The scent is pure almond. There’s no hint of cherry, no powder or added vanilla, and it’s luscious. The 16 oz. bottle I purchased is going to last me many months. I also put a 50:50 ratio of the Almond Liquid Soap to water in my foam dispenser at the sink, which gives me another opportunity to enjoy its lovely almond lather.

Another gorgeous straight-up almond scent comes from 100% Pure. Their Honey Almond Body Scrub andBody Cream are must-haves for any self-respecting almond lover. Organic apricot oil, organic rosehip oil, and vitamin E give the body scrub a base of moisturizers that are so hydrating, no further moisturizing is needed once you’re out of the shower. As you smooth the scrub over your skin, the exfoliating granules dissolve without rinsing, and your skin is left with the perfect amount of oil. If you gently pat yourself dry and then rub the oil and any remaining water into your skin, you’ll feel thoroughly moisturized. As for the scent, it’s softer than Dr. Bronner’s, but it’s not a fussy almond fragrance despite the long list of fruit and herbal extracts labeled on the jar.

I adore 100% Pure’s Honey Almond Body Cream so much that it’s become a staple. To be honest, it was this cream that turned me into a crazed almond addict. About two years ago, I purchased my first bottle of 100% Pure’s Body Cream, and chose this one because its scent didn’t last as long as the others’ and I typically prefer that my lotions don’t compete with my perfume. But over time, the almond scent lured me in and I began to crave it, wishing the scent would last longer into the day. Where do you think this has lead me? You guessed it, the search for the perfect almond perfume.

I have come awfully close to finding it in Sexy Angelic by Honoré des Prés. I reviewed it this past summer around the time this line of organic perfumes launched. The big complaint with most of the Honoré des Prés perfumes is that they are far too ephemeral, and I agree. Sexy Angelic is short-lived and I remarked in my review that its lasting power was in the 1-2 hour range and that if I were to become the owner of a full bottle I’d be spraying it with wanton abandon before getting dressed. I’d like to amend my statement. I am now the owner of a full bottle (thanks to the November discount Beautyhabit.comwas running), and I have found it far more effective to spray Sexy Angelic with wanton abandon while clothed. Winter clothes to be more precise. Turtlenecks and scarves hold the scent much better than skin and allow me to smell the licorice and honey coated almonds until midday.

And where I found Sexy Angelic revitalizing and fresh this past summer, I am finding it tender and sweet this winter. It’s got a light touch, and in this season where things seem to be overdone and overblown, it’s delightful to be subtly nuzzled and caressed. Sexy Angelic is a gourmand with licorice (from angelica seeds) and almond featured prominently in the notes. Yet, Olivia Giacobetti, creator of Sexy Angelic, has rendered this fragrance with a subtle hand. She offers a lighthearted, yet cozy and sophisticated gourmand fragrance to those of us seeking respite from the onslaught of ordinary confections.

Please note: The above products are all-natural and do not contain artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, or parabens.

Dr. Bronner’s Almond Liquid Soap $8.50 for 16 oz at SaffronRouge.com

100% Pure Honey Almond Scrub $22 for 13 oz jar at SkinBotanica.com

100% Pure Honey Almond Body Cream $14 for 8 oz bottle at SkinBotanica.com

Sexy Angelic $145 for 1.7oz at Beautyhabit.com

Posted by ~Trish

Almonds by blackleafstudio at etsy.com