Category Archives: Natural Makeup

Josie Maran Argan Beautiful Eyes

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I was given the opportunity to test a few Josie Maran products recently, and felt mixed about it at first. I’m always up for trying something new, but I’d been turned off by what I had perceived as “greenwashing” on the JM Cosmetics website. I won’t bet money on this, but a couple years ago, I remember reading words like “100% natural” and “petrochemical-free.” Yet, when I delved into the ingredients, I found several that seemed synthetic and most likely petrol-derived.

If you’re a regular reader here, or have read my “about” page, you know that I am not a purist and have a mix of all natural beauty products in my collection, as well as those that do contain synthetics. What I don’t like though, is when a company sells you on the notion that they are 100% natural, yet upon closer inspection, you find you’ve been mislead. That’s how I felt about Josie Maran Cosmetics.

I don’t know if I’ve loosened up, or if her website has changed, but something’s different. Gone is the promotion of her line as exclusively “all natural,” “green,” or “organic.” This feels more honest, allowing me to embrace what she’s got going on with her company which includes eco-friendly packaging, charitable giving and a website that lists all product ingredients.

To be clear, the overwhelming majority of her line contains ingredients that are naturally derived and none of them contain phthalates or parabens. Organic argan oil, sourced from women’s cooperatives in Morocco, is used in every product which not only helps those women to support themselves and their families, but also to protect the argan forests through responsible harvesting practices and reforestation projects. You can read more about the Josie Maran “Giving Back” philosophy at her website.

Today I’m going to focus on the Beautiful Eyes Palette in Beautiful Smoke. Upon first opening the compact, I was admittedly a bit disappointed as cool grays are not my favorite. I definitely prefer warmer colors, but was happy to give it a try nevertheless.

The texture of these shadows is a little hard, so I was concerned about application. Turns out, the pigment adheres nicely to the brush with just a few swipes over the eyeshadows. The two lightest colors are too frosty for my liking, but I had a fun time playing with different looks that I ultimately found flattering, just not for frequent use. The dark shimmery gray color (lower left pan in the photo below) is really lovely on the lid, and when smudged out, the charcoal eyeliner (in the center) completes the smoky-eye.

The brown on the lower right might seem like the odd ball of the palette, but it blends in nicely when applied as an eyeliner and to the upper lid, close to the lash line. I wore the brown color today as an eyeliner on its own, and was impressed that at least 75% of it remained intact after a full day which included over an hour of rigorous tennis.

Below are two shots of me messing around with my camera, pretending to be a beauty blogger. I hope the last one isn’t too laughably amateurish. I’ve reluctantly included it since it shows off the shimmer quite accurately. I’m also wearing one coat of Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara in Aubergine, Korres powder blush in 16 Pink , and Ilia Beauty lipstick in Arabian Nights.

Visit Best Things in Beauty for a review of the Argan Beautiful Eyes Palette in Beautiful Nudes.

Josie Maran Argan Beautiful Eyes is available at JosieMaranCosmetics.com for $36. Mine was sent to me by the PR people for Josie Maran. Opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

All photos were taken by me and are mine. If you ask nicely, I’ll let you use them :-)

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Holiday Gift Guide

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It was difficult to edit my gift picks as I want everything I reviewed this past year and would love to give them all as gifts. In any event, here it is, an attempt that hopefully covers reasonable price points and varying tastes to aid in your gifting pleasure.

Roxana Illuminated Perfume Hedera Helix: Wouldn’t you love to receive the lovely compacts pictured above? I certainly would as they’re filled with Roxana Villa’s newest fragrance, Hedera Helix, an olfactory ode to ivy. Not surprisingly, this perfume is a leafy green chypre that has a dense and addicting note of oakmoss as its foundation. Both incarnations of Hedera Helix, solid and liquid, are a complex blend of nearly forty different essences, but I prefer the solid’s focus on the effervescent top notes of clementine, orange blossom, and grapefruit. (The liquid is much more resinous and inky and also very beautiful). The heart is full of warm beeswax and woods and the drydown is dappled with sweet rose and jasmine petals. I find this progression from chypre green to pale pink to be quite compelling and all together lovely. The mini compact is $30 for approximately 1.5 gm. If you live in the Portland, OR area, you can test Roxana’s perfumes at Spring Creek Store.

Red Flower Sweet Alyssum: Sweet Alyssum is Red Flower’s latest perfume offering which evokes the burgeoning blossoms of spring. And what better time to have your spirits lifted by iris, violet, honey and hay than in the middle of winter’s darkness? It’s a scent to daydream by. Plan that escape to a sundrenched shore, or imagine the color of that first blooming violet, heralding the new garden season. Whatever the dream, Sweet Alyssum will make it brighter. Sweet Alyssum is $138 for 1.0 oz, exclusively at Garnet Hill.

Alima Nourishing Lip Balm: Speaking of dreams, I can’t go to bed without putting lip balm on my lips. And I know I’m not the only balm addict out there. I bet you’re one yourself, or you know one pretty well. Alima’s Nourishing Lip Balm will satisfy even the pickiest guy or gal with its minty scent and smooth texture. Natural is sans color, perfect for bedtime or over lipstick, but I also adore Fig, a shimmering bronzy-plum that’s perfect for everyday wear. $7 per tube at Saffron Rouge.

Ilia Beauty Blossom Lady: I reviewed Ilia’s lipsticks in September and told you all how much I loved Blossom Lady. Well, I am still loving it. So much so that I need to get myself another tube. I also need to pick up a couple extras to give to friends since it’s such a flattering color. I just can’t think of a complexion this would not brighten up! More pictures and gushing are here.  $24 at Beautyhabit.com

For Strange Women Decadence and Debauchery: For Strange Women is a perfumery that I newly found this year and have been enjoying a great deal. I have a few favorites- Moss & Ivy, November, and Horse to be specific- but Decadence and Debauchery ranks high up there and strikes me as the one most people would be drawn to. It has a little bit of everything from tobacco to violet to vanilla and it’s all whipped up into one richly decadent perfume. $40 for 1/4oz bottle of perfume oil on etsy.

Aftelier Perfumes Pear Fir and Coffee Body Oil: Mandy Aftel of Aftelier Perfumes always has something new up her sleeve whether its creating Chef’s Essences®, perfumed teas, or candles. This time, she has caught me by surprise with her newest Body Oil & Hair Elixir; Pear Fir and Coffee. That’s quite a trio of scents! When I first applied the oil on my skin I thought, “Huh, that really is pear, fir and coffee.” After twenty minutes more I thought, “Wow! That still is pear, fir and coffee and I’m liking it!” Somehow these seemingly disparate notes- seemingly to me being a fragrance sniffer rather than a fragrance creator- work in concert to not only harmonize with each other but also allow each other room to shine as individual notes. This oil would be perfect for the perfumista in your life that is open to new olfactory experiences. $40 for 3.5 oz pump bottle at Aftelier.com.

Chanel No 19 Poudre: I will admit, unabashedly, that I have fallen hard for Chanel No 19 Poudre. I know it hasn’t gotten rave reviews from other perfume bloggers as it’s been deemed as a watered down version of the original, and not terribly inspired. Well, I disagree as Poudre makes me swoon with delight. The opening is a tender and sheer rendering of galbanum unlike the original which is much too cold and sharp for my taste. The iris glistens and remains steadfast throughout Poudre’s evolution, but is at its finest when it melds into the tonka-sandalwood base which is delectable! $85 for 1.7oz at Nordstrom.com.

DSH Vanille Botanique: Another new fragrance launch that has garnered a lot of praise, is Prada Candy. I like it well enough, but I’m not feeling the love quite so strongly. I much prefer DSH Perfumes Vanille Botanique which also starts off with smooth caramel but with a boozy twist. I find Vanille Botanique to satisfy the same type of craving as Candy, but in a more interesting manner. It might not be the “benzoin overload” the Prada PR claim Candy to be, but Vanille Botanique is a lush cloak of tonka, balsams and yes, benzoin. And even though I just sang praises for Chanel Poudre, when given the chance, I would rather spend my dollars on, and give my loved ones a gift from an indie perfumer. $130 for 30ml at indiescents.com.

Happy Shopping! ~Trish

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Morning Routine

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As much as I enjoy trying new products, nothing beats having reliable favorites that are also a pleasure to use. The above are products that I come back to time and time again, and right now, each one is being used in my morning routine.

After many attempts at finding the perfect facial cleansing oil, I finally settled on Laventine’s just over two years ago. Its high quality, natural ingredients, subtle but lovely aroma, and exceptional efficacy made it the clear winner. I use it every morning when only a gentle cleansing is needed and oftentimes at night to wash away makeup prior to a foaming cleanser. Laventine allows for a wonderful facial massage which aids in its purifying action. I remember reading a post over at IndiePerfumes that delved into the benefits of Ayurvedic facial massage. I’ve never done the full massage described in that post, but I do a mini one quite often which is relaxing and restorative.

After cleansing with the oil, I pat my face with a towel very gently so my skin still feels hydrated from rinsing. I then warm up a large pea-sized amount of Dr. Hauschka Quince Day Cream in my hands and apply it all over my face, making sure it’s most liberally applied under my eyes. I mentioned this moisturizer in my “favorites list” last spring, and still feel the same way. Even though it feels lightweight, it hydrates like a cream and its effects last all day.

It’s now time to swirl my EcoTools Bamboo Finishing Kabuki around the pan of my Jane Iredale PurePressed Base and then spritz it with some evanhealy Rose Geranium Hydrosol which imparts a slightly dewy finish to the mineral powder. Applying the powder with the EcoTools Kabuki is unbelievably soft and gives moderate coverage since its fibers are not too dense. This makes it really easy to blend, and also build coverage if you prefer more. A few other pluses about this brush are its price point ($7), it doesn’t shed, and it holds up well after cleaning.

As for the PurePressed base, I can’t say enough good things about that either. It has an SPF of 20, a very natural look and does an excellent job at covering up “spots” -say it with a British accent like Lisa Eldridge- as well as dark circles. That’s why I concentrate the Quince Day Cream under my eyes as I apply a good amount of PurePressed Base atop my often visible dark circles with the EcoTools kabuki. In the photo, you’ll see a smaller brush below the kabuki, and that’s my Giorgio Armani Blender Brush. I adore its shape, soft bristles and its ability to blend foundation in hard to reach areas, like the eyes.

After all that, which just takes a couple minutes, the variety begins. It might be simply an eyeliner, mascara and lip balm day, or possibly more with eyeshadow, blush and lipstick added. Either way, I’m set for the day.

Visit The Non Blonde for a full review of the Giorgio Armani Blender Brush.

Laventine Facial Cleansing Oil $24.95 for 8oz
Dr Hauschka Quince Day Cream $35.95 for 1oz
Jane Iredale PurePressed Base $52 for refillable compact. (My first lasted 2 years! Worth the money)
evanhealy Rose Geranium Hydrosol $23.50 for 4oz.
Giorgio Armani Blender Brush $48

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Alima Friends and Fans Sale!

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I love so many things from Alima, but here’s what would be first on my list if I didn’t have them already.
-Satin Matte Blush in Tulip and Mimosa
-Satin Finishing Powder in Hanae
-#35 Eye Detail Brush
-Nourishing Lip Balm in Natural

Here are some links to Scent Hive reviews on Alima:
Organic Lip Balm
Natural Peach Blushes (Mimosa)
General review of Alima’s foundation, finishing powder, blush, eyeshadow, etc!

And the fine print regarding the promotion.
*Offer does not apply to previous purchases. Discount is not applied to shipping and handling costs. Offer valid from Friday, November 11, 2011 through Thursday, November 17, 2011 10:00pm PST. Discount is applied at checkout with code BFF20. Offer not valid on phone orders. Cannot be combined with any other promotion or redeemed for cash. Limit one promotional code per order. Details of offer are subject to change.

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More Ilia lippie pics

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I visited Alder & Co. on Tuesday after having lunch next door at Gruner with my dear friend Susan who was happy to pop in with me to check out the Ilia lipstick line that I reviewed last week. I am smitten with the wearable pinkness of Blossom Lady, but was eager to test Bang Bang, their red offering. Once I applied its sheer ruby loveliness on my lips, I knew it would be going home with me.

When you look at my mediocre photos below- I tried my iPhone best- you’ll see that Bang Bang looks kind of brick reddish, but it’s not. It really is a true jewel toned red whose sheerness gives a flattering shimmer that’s day or night appropriate.

Susan picked up Shell Shock which is similar to Blossom Lady but with more warmth from its peach tone which is perfect for her fair skin and strawberry blonde hair. Like me, she also fell for Lady Blossom which I think is her favorite as well.

                                       Shell Shock above, Bang Bang below.

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Ilia Beauty. My latest lipstick love.

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If you read my “about” page, you’ll discover that I am not a total purist when it comes to being green. My preference is to use only all natural products, especially perfumes and body products, but you’ll find a few mainstream bottles and tubes scattered about my house nevertheless. Lipsticks in particular are a weakness because even though I have found a few naturals that I really like, they haven’t yet moved into the love category. Like how I love my Chanel Rouge Coco Shines- I’ve got more than a couple of those- or my Hourglass Femme Rouge in Fresco.

When I first read about Ilia Beauty over at Grace’s blog, LondonMakeupGirl, I had a feeling their natural lipsticks would be impressive. Ilia’s lipsticks are packed with sesame oil, jojoba oil, beeswax and pomegranate seed oil and I was eager to find out if they feel as good on the lips as they should given those nourishing ingredients. Now that I have worn these lipsticks for myself over several weeks, I can tell you they feel great and look amazing.

Sheer, balmy lipsticks with a subtle shine are my favorites, and Ilia’s fall right into that category. They are not a gloss/lipstick hybrid, but rather a lipstick that feels like a balm with a lovely slip that’s not waxy or sticky. These lipsticks not only feel nourishing, they are nourishing.

The colors I tried were Blossom Lady and Arabian Nights, both very wearable and flattering. Blossom Lady is the lighter pink color, which against my olive skin tone reads as a bubblegum pink. It’s almost nude in tone but not quite since it is sheer, allowing for your natural lip color to add depth. I usually go for pinks that are warmer and rosier, but Blossom Lady is just so pretty. It brightens up my face on those mornings when I haven’t had enough sleep.Arabian Nights is also very sheer, more so than you might think from just looking at it in the tube. But take a peek below and you’ll see that when swatched, it’s not densely pigmented. It’s buildable if you want a richer color, but if you prefer a sheer berry lip you’ll get that with just a couple swipes.
As far as the ingredients, they are over 99% all natural and 85% organic. While perusing online reviews, I found this comment from the founder of Ilia at No More Dirty Looks regarding the use of synthetic color

The 3 synthetic colours listed are minimally used with percentages as low as 0.1% of the total formula. The majority of the shades are a combination of these with “natural dyes”, or iron oxides. Ironically, natural dyes or iron oxides dyes that come from the earth as minerals are full of metals…which our bodies are really good at absorbing and holding onto forever. It was a big decision to use a combination of the two in order to achieve more contemporary shades and provide options. There are many organic cosmetics brands that choose not to disclose the use of mild synthetic colours, yet most will have them if there is a brighter colour involved. Sharing this information was important to me, as to be completely transparent with nothing to hide. As an extra note, there is no Carmine in any of ILIA’s shades, which was a morale decision. The one colour that is completely natural with natural dye is the nude “Nobody’s Baby”. Hope this of help to you, and could write forever about what I have learned in regards to sourcing the ingredients for this one product, yet I do know where each ingredients comes from, right down to its source. If you have any other questions please let me know. Cheers! Sasha // Founder ILIA Beauty

I appreciate the transparency that Sasha provides just as much as I adore her lipsticks. I want to add that they last for hours and the recycled aluminum tubes are surprisingly elegant and close with that high end snap we makeup junkies love.
Who’s that crazy kid?

Ilia lipsticks are $24.95 at IliaBeauty.com

Disclosure: Samples were sent to me for consideration by Ilia Beauty. Opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Lisa Eldridge’s Natural Makeup Tutorial

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I was making my daily visit to The Non Blonde today and learned about Lisa Eldridge, a well-known makeup artist with a fabulous blog that includes very informative video tutorials. I was immediately intrigued by Ms. Eldridge as she looks like a cross between Parker Posey and Mary Louise Parker, has a soothing voice, and a no-nonsense approach to makeup. When I stumbled across her organic and natural makeup tutorial, I knew I had to share it with all of you.

She features one of my favorite blushes, Dr. Hauschka Rouge Powder Duo and also introduced me to some new products I am now anxious to try, namely Lavera’s Natural Liquid Foundation, Korres Wild Rose Compact Powder and Dr. Hauschka’s Lavender Dreams Balancing Teint Powder. Sadly the Dr. Hauschka powder looks like it’s not available in the US which makes me want it even more!

I hope you find this honest and candid tutorial as helpful as I did.

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Kjaer Weis. Luxurious, all natural makeup.

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Danish-born New York makeup artist, Kirsten Kjaer Weis, has created a line of makeup that very successfully merges the worlds of design and green beauty. These sleek and weighty compacts won a 2011 Wallpaper design award for best new grooming product while also achieving certified organic status from the CCPB, Italy’s organic certification agency. The compacts are refillable, and the packaging of both the compacts and the refills are recyclable. When you purchase your first Kjaer Weis product, it’s filled with the color of your choice and it will indeed feel like a substantial investment. This is a high-end luxury item to be sure.

 

Take a deep breath if you clicked on the above link, let the sticker shock wear off, and read on because Kjaer Weis products perform beautifully. At least the ones I tested certainly did. I started with Cloud Nine which would have a happy home in any champagne eyeshadow collection. This one is unique as it’s cream in color but leans pink with a subtle golden iridescent sheen. It’s in no way over-the-top and I love wearing it as a wash over the entire eyelid. For those of you who like to highlight the brow bone, I can’t think of a lovelier color. (See Adventures in Makeup for a fabulous example). As for performance, the consistency is silky and creamy, blends effortlessly, and creases very minimally without a primer.

 

I also tried the Lip Tint in Passionate, and even though I love Cloud Nine, if I were pressed to choose between the two, I’d go with the Lip Tint. Passionate is everything I want from a lip color. It’s rosy and warm, a very “my lips but better” shade that feels really good on my lips. Since it’s a tint, it has a much thinner consistency than a gloss and isn’t quite as thick as a balm. I’d say it feels and wears closest to a sheer lipstick, but it doesn’t give a shiny finish, more of a satiny one. I prefer to apply the tint with a lipbrush which intensifies the pigment more so than using your fingertip. The color lasts for several hours but honestly, I do so more frequently than that since it’s a pleasure to reapply. It’s a beautiful design that holds an excellent product, and it’s all natural to boot. I can’t ask for much more.

 

See below for my pics of Kjaer Weis Cloud Nine and Passionate. Click here if you would like to read The Non Blonde’s review of Passionate that she posted today as well. She’s also crazy for Kjaer Weis taupe eyeshadow, Wisdom.

 

Kjaer Weis Eyeshadows and Lip Tints are $44 and $48 for a filled compact, and $20 and $22 for the refills alone. Available online at SpaceNK

 

Disclosure: Samples were sent to me for consideration by Kjaer Weis. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Alima Organic Nourishing Lipbalm. Reformulated.

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From left to right: Fig, Holly Berry, Sweet Pea, Mango, Cranberry, Natural, Rhubarb, Acai.

 

I’ve reviewed Alima more than any other natural makeup line, simply because I love everything they do. Their blushes and eyeshadows are richly pigmented and gorgeous, their foundations provide luminous coverage, and their brushes are top-notch. And now that Alima has revamped their lipbalms, I can honestly say I love them too.

 

The previous lipbalms were perfectly fine, but they were a little thin and frankly the packaging was nothing special. Both issues have been addressed in Alima’s Organic Nourishing Lipbalm as the texture is thicker like a balm should be, and the packaging has been upgraded to reflect thier overall aesthetic. The tube is sleek and slim which makes application easier than before and I love its sweet yet elegant Alima design. All of the ingredients are organic, save for the mineral pigments, and features the antioxidant action of pomegranate seed and white tea extracts.

 

I mentioned that the new formula is a bit thicker and more balm-like than its predecessor. While this is true, Alima’s balms are by no means super thick or waxy. The texture is silky and feels very sheer but hydrating. I consider them a balm/stain hybrid as they provide excellent pigmentation, without a glossy effect. Therefore, if I want a satiny finish, I leave it as is. If I want more shine, then a lipgloss on top does the trick.

 

While I haven’t seen all of the colors in person, Fig remains my favorite color. Its unique mix of warm and cool seems to be appropriate for almost any occasion. Fig’s cool tones come from its plummy bronze base while a subtle coppery shimmer gives it a warmth that makes it wearable for olive-toned gals like myself. Holly Berry which is described as a sheer natural red is on my must-try list, and why not? For $7 a pop, these balms are an affordable all natural luxury.

 

Alima Organic Nourishing Lipbalm is available at Saffron Rouge.

Ingredients: Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Castor Seed Oil, Organic Shea Butter Fruit, Organic Beeswax, Organic Safflower Seed Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic White Tea Extract, Organic Cocoa Seed Butter, Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic Peppermint Essential Oil, Organic Pomegranate Extract, Tocopherol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide.

 

Disclosure: Samples were sent to me for consideration by Alima. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Alima Spring Eyeshadow Collection

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On a cold and overcast day like today, I could have spent hours perusing the Alima website. It’s easy to navigate, the product photos and overall design are aesthetically pleasing, and you’d be hard pressed to find another cosmetics line with such a gorgeous variety of colors. Deciding what to drop in your shopping bag might be the only difficult task when you visit Alima, and I find myself discovering another blush I want to try each time I take a peek.

 

Needless to say, I’m a fan. But when I was sent the new spring eyeshadow collection, Welcome to the Rainforest, I wasn’t sure I’d find the colors all that wearable. Two of them are bright and light colors that I usually don’t go for, and all of them are rather sparkly, so they sat on my bathroom counter for a couple weeks before I decided to actually play with them.

 

Alima does a fantastic job of describing their colors, so there’s no need for me to change their verbiage: Jaguar is a slinky, golden-brown shimmer, Macaw is a light shimmering teal, Kapok is a deep, dark brown sparkle and Bromeliad is a sparkling light green. It was Macaw and Bromeliad that gave me trepidation with their easter-egg likeness. There was, and still is, no way I was going to use them all over my eyelids and then go near the door. But turns out, they both make absolutely stunning eyeliners. I used my favorite brush for lining, Alima’s #35 Eye Detail Brush, and came away with a surprisingly subtle flash of green from Bromeliad and a darker than expected pop of shiny teal from Macaw. Probably not my quick-run-to Trader-Joe’s-look, but definitely perfect for a night out or enjoying a special lunch on a day off.

 

Jaguar and Kapok being earthier colors are more in my comfort zone and create a lively take on the smoky brown eye. As a wash, Jaguar is a peachy light brown that sparkles with shimmers, not chunks. Nevertheless, it shimmers enough so I’ll be saving Jaguar for evenings. When paired with Kapok as an eyeliner on the lower lid and smudged out on the top, you get a warmish-brown smoked eye that will look even more amazing with a summer tan and a sundress.

 

Jaguar on top left, Macaw on top right, Kapok on lower left, Bromeliad on bottom right.

Jaguar on tippy top, Kapok on mid-top, Macaw on mid-bottom, Bromeliad on very bottom.

 

With every purchase of the limited edition Welcome to the Rainforest collection, $2 will be donated to the Rainforest Action Network. Alima is 100% natural mineral makeup and is cruelty free. Please read more about their safety and standards.

Welcome to the Rainforest is available at Alima for $30.

 

Posted by ~Trish

Photos except for top pic (from Alima) taken by ~Trish

 

Disclosure: Samples were sent to me for consideration by Alima. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Hourglass Aura Lip and Cheek Stains

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The words lip, cheek and stain don’t normally go together with easy, to, and use, but they certainly do in this case. Hourglass Cosmetics has impressed me yet again, with gorgeous colors, ease of use, sophisticated packaging as well as their lack of parabens, phthalates and fragrance. (If you’re looking to avoid petrol-based ingredients in your products, you’ll want to skip this review).

The newly released Aura Lip and Cheek Stains won me over even before I applied them on my lips and cheeks. Both have a twist and click dispenser that allows control over how much product you want to apply. Some of you may know this isn’t always the case with the twist and click mechanism. Stila’s lip glazes are a perfect example of a “clicking pen” type dispenser that gives you all or nothing. The Hourglass stains on the other hand distribute a tiny amount or a liberal amount, with lots of wiggle room in between so it’s easy to get exactly what you want.

When it comes to blush, control is especially important as it’s difficult to undo too much blush. Two clicks gives me just the right amount of color and I love its soft sponge applicator that you can touch directly to your cheeks. My preferred technique is one that Hourglass recommends: blot the sponge onto the apples of your cheeks and then blend towards your temples. I like to do the blending part with my finger tips. The water based formula smooths over the skin like silk, and doesn’t set immediately so there’s plenty of time for blending. I have been testing the Aura Cheek Stain in Flush, which is described as a sheer red in the Hourglass literature, but Sephora calls it “berry pink” which I find to be more accurate. As the name indicates, it gives a pretty and very natural flush to the cheeks that works well for a low maintenance look.

The Hourglass Aura Lip Stain is just as impressive as the Cheek Stain, and is by far the easiest-to-use lip stain I have encountered. Again, its twist and click mechanism is simple to control and the flocked applicator feels really nice on the lips. I confess that I need a mirror to apply this stain, but once it’s on, it lasts for hours and hours and layers beautifully for a more saturated lip. Its finish is semi-matte but since it’s water based, it doesn’t provide much hydration. I didn’t find it drying per se, but I do like a subtle glossiness and feel to my lips, so a gentle swipe of Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick gives me the perfect pout.

I also tried Flush in the Aura Lip Stain, and like the Cheek Stain, I found it to be more pink than red. Of course skin tone and lip pigment create variation, and for your reference I have light to medium olive toned skin (MAC NC30) and moderately pigmented lips. On me, Flush is a neutral medium pink that has a bit of a chameleon quality. In bright light it leans a bit cool, but outdoors it becomes warmer and more natural. Regardless of the lighting, Flush is always flattering and brightens up my face which is saying a lot after many months of overcast skies!

Aura Lip Stain in Flush on top, Cheek Stain in Flush on bottom


Hourglass Aura Lip and Cheek Stains are $45 and $26 respectively. Available at Barney’s, Sephora and HourglassCosmetics.com


Posted by ~Trish

Photos by ~Trish (except the first, stock photo)

Disclosure: Samples were sent to me for consideration by Hourglass PR. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Sophisticated eyes by Edward Bess

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Today’s review is a bit of a departure for Scent Hive. My blog usually focuses on natural or nearly natural fragrances and beauty products, but not today. Actually, I can’t speak to the ingredients in the products I am about to rave about, as I have not even read the labels! Nor do I want to. That’s right, we’re having out first “ignorance-is-bliss” post.

It all began in the beauty department of Bergdorf Goodman. Over ten years ago, I lived in Manhattan, but never ventured into BG’s hallowed halls of retail until this past Novemeber when I had a midtown meet-up with Gaia of The Non Blonde and Jessica of Now Smell This. The moment we stepped off the escalator and into BG’s lower level of beauty, everything was shiny and golden, with no clocks or windows to interfere with notions of time or reality. This casino-esque bastion of cosmetics and perfume beheld many things I was interested in, but was not necessarily planning to buy. Yet, once I approached the Edward Bess counter and Mr. Bess himself began applying makeup on my face, I was a goner.

Edward Bess, Gaia, me, Jessica

Mr. Bess’s good looks, charm and exceptional line of cosmetics made it virtually impossible for me not to succumb to several purchases, especially when it came to his eyeshadows. You’re not going to find kaleidoscope colors or glittery chunks at the Edward Bess counter which is fine by me as I have always been partial to subtly shimmery neutrals. At first glance the eyeshadows look lovely in the display case, but I didn’t think I would be tempted by them. It wasn’t until the colors were swept across my lids that I realized how pretty they really are.

Ultra Luminous Eyeshadow in Nude (left) Intimate (middle) and Dusk (right)

Intimate and Dusk both lean taupey, Intimate being a neutral beige and Dusk is cooler and can look slightly gray or khaki depending on the light. Their application is creamy smooth and very easy to blend and build color as you like. While I was duly impressed with the understated sophistication and uniqueness of Intimate and Dusk, I was thoroughly amazed that they lasted an entire day with no creasing and without a primer. That’s a first for me. I am so glad I snatched up Nude as well since it’s staying power as a sumptuous champagne wash is unparalleled.


Eyeshadow Trio in Soft Smoke and the Luxury Eye Brush

I felt pretty confident I would love the three individual eyeshadows I chose, but went out on a limb when I also chose the trio in Soft Smoke. I can manage a fairly decent smoky brown eye, but my smoky charcoal attempts have been disastrous. But after Edward used this trio on my eyes, I had to give it a go as I loved the subtly smoldering look he achieved. Because his shadows are so finely milled and of such high quality, I managed to get (almost) the same look Edward gave me that day in Bergdorf Goodman and I’ve done so several times. I must also mention that his Luxury Eye Brush makes blending and smoking out darker colors a cinch, even with eyeshadows of lesser quality.


Defining Eyeliner in Deep Black

The Defining Eyeliner in Deep Black finishes off the smoky eye perfectly, and I love that it’s retractable so no sharpening is needed. It goes on smoothly without any tugging or pulling, and even though it doesn’t last the entire day like the eyeshadows, it provides several hours of intense pigment.


So there you have it, I love my Edward Bess purchases and fully recommend every one of them. Sometimes being green means buying the best that’s out there, so you end up buying less in the long run.


Edward Bess is currently available at Bergdorf Goodman in NY or at his website, EdwardBess.com. Eyeshadows $30, Eyeshadow Trio $60, Eyeliner $29, Eye Brush $40.


Want more of Edward?

Intimate and Dusk Eyeshadows at Cafe Makeup

Luxury Eye Brush Review at The Non Blonde

Soft Smoke Trio at Cafe Makeup

Nude Eyeshadow at Beauty Look Book


Posted by ~Trish

Photos by ~Trish

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Gorgeous Skin and Glossy Lips with Vapour Organic Beauty

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I have a lot of love for Vapour Organic Beauty. Their original Atmosphere Foundation turned me into a stick foundation believer as it is so easy to use, travel with and gives my skin a natural, even tone. I also found it on par, if not better than other foundations with silicones, parabens, and a long list of synthetic chemicals I stammer through when reading aloud. By contrast, Vapour Organic Beauty’s ingredient list reads like a botany text as their products are 100% natural and have a high percentage of organic ingredients.


Camellia Seed Oil, the first ingredient in their new Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation, is rich in anti-oxidants including Vitamin E, essential fatty acids and non-essential fatty acids including oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid. It provides the Soft Focus Foundation with a silky hydration for the skin and gives a healthy and radiant “satin” finish which is neither matte nor overly dewy. While I do love Vapour’s stick foundation, I have become partial to this new liquid foundation. I like the creamy texture and find it faster and easier to apply than the stick. My typical regimen is to apply it over evanhealy’s Rosehip Treatment Facial Serum in Rose after cleansing. Most days I prefer the light coverage of a tinted moisturizer, so I blend one pump of the Soft Focus Foundation with one pump of evanhealy’s Light Moisture Replenishing Fluid. After warming the mix in my palms, I apply it on my face just as I would a moisturizer. The coverage is smooth, even and radiant. If you like medium to full coverage, you will achieve that by using Soft Focus Foundation over your moisturizer. My skin tone is light to medium olive and looks best with yellow leaning foundations rather than pink so I chose S120, the same color as I have in their stick foundation. My first look at the liquid on my skin had me questioning if I chose correctly as it seemed kind of pink, but once on my face, it was a perfect match.

S120 Soft Focus Foundation top, S930 Skin Perfector bottom not blended

S120 Soft Focus Foundation top, S930 Skin Perfector bottom both blended


Vapour also came out with a liquid version of their stick Skin Perfector, and in my opinion, the liquid is a huge improvement. I found the stick to be drying, especially in cold winter months. Like the liquid foundation, the liquid Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector has Camellia Seed Oil as its base, so with that comes a soothing moisture for your skin. On its own, the Skin Perfector is a subtle highlighter. When used underneath your foundation, it’s an excellent primer as I noted my makeup (blush in particular) lasted a whole day at work, no touch-ups needed. I ordered the more golden toned S903 for my skin, and again, it’s a terrific match.


Elixir Gloss in Twinkle

With my order came a free gift, the Elixir Lip Gloss in Twinkle. To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes as I have been disappointed in their “lipsticks” which feel like tinted balms without much staying power. Thankfully, I am thoroughly impressed with my Twinkle GWP! The gloss is nourishing and smooth with just enough texture to make it last, but without any gummy or tacky consistency. I love the color Twinkle, as it’s a neutral baby pink that has enough pigment to get it out of the “nude” realm. I find it useful to wear over lipstick that needs some toning down, and I also reach for it when I want a soothing salve for my dry lips. And I love, love, love that it’s all natural, with 70% of its ingredients being organic.

I also love that Vapour Organic Beauty is available at one of my favorite online shops, SpiritBeautyLounge. Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation is $48 for 1.14oz, Stratus Instant Skin Perfector $44 for 1.14 oz, Elixir Lip Gloss $20. Click here for info on SpiritBeautyLounge’s recent promotion through Friday December 17th, 2010.


Posted by ~Trish

All photos by ~Trish

Disclosure: A sample of Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation was sent to me for consideration by SpiritBeautyLounge. I loved it so much, I bought a bottle and a Skin Perfector myself. The Elixir Gloss was a GWP. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Lovely Lippies from Hourglass Cosmetics

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I’ve professed my love for Hourglass on Scent Hive before, so when I was offered the chance to test their new lipstick line, Rouge Femme, and check out the new packaging of their Extreme Sheen lipgloss, you know my answer was a resounding, “Yes! I’d love to!” Happily, both lippies have lived up to the excellent Hourglass performance that I have grown accustomed to, namely with the Visionaire eyeshadow duos and the Prodigy lipgloss.

My biggest love goes to the Femme Rouge lipstick. It ranks right up there with my favorite natural lipsticks, Dr. Hauschka and NVEY Eco, and has pulled ahead of Chanel’s Rouge Coco, my favored mainstream luxury lipstick. Femme Rouge wears like a dream. Its application is smooth and effortless, and affords excellent pigmentation without feeling heavy or drying. Femme Rouge, as well the entire Hourglass line, is rich with mineral pigments that give a saturated color so it lasts through a morning cup of tea and doesn’t require a touch up until after you’ve eaten lunch.

I was given Fresco to try, which is a perfect match for my light-medium olive skintone. The swatch is deceiving on the Hourglass website as it is not nearly as brown as their picture suggest (please see my swatch below). On me, Fresco is a rosy warm pink with only the subtlest hint of brown. It gives more coverage than a sheer lipstick, but certainly feels like one since it’s so light and soft, and bestows a subtle shine on the lips. Fresco gives a huge payoff in prettiness for such a low maintenance lipstick. It’s ideal for your handbag since application requires no mirror and no lipliner, two things you might not have nearby when you’re on the go.

In general, lipgloss satisfies similar needs for quick and easy application. Extreme Sheen in Lush is no different. I’m not sure it’s the same story for all of the Extreme Sheen colors as a few of them look quite intense (Siren for example) and might need fine tuning when swiping on your lips. Lush though, is as effortless as Fresco, but it’s a gloss so the experience is different.

First, let’s discuss the new packaging of the Extreme Sheen glosses. I am unfamiliar with the old packaging, so I cannot compare the two, but the revamped tube is gorgeous and feels luxurious in your hand. It has an elongated oblong shape that’s sleek and appeals to the sucker that I am for an elegant design.

As for the color of Lush, it leans nude with strong peach tones and a little pink. A light lip color isn’t flattering on me unless I’ve got a killer tan going on and this time of year, that’s not happening. But for lighter skinned gals, or those of you who love nudes with a little color, give Lush a go. As for the texture, it’s thick without being goopy or tacky and lasts for several hours. I do however prefer the Hourglass Prodigy formula which is a bit thinner but just as pigmented, and it’s unscented. Extreme Sheen glosses have a fairly strong vanilla fragrance which tends to be a deal breaker for me. If the Prodigy formula were in the Extreme Sheen tube, I’d be in lipgloss heaven.

Like all Hourglass cosmetics, both the Femme Rouge lipstick and Extreme Sheen lipgloss are paraben, sulfate, synthetic-dye, and phthalate free, they are not however, 100% natural.

Hourglass is available at Sephora, Sephora.com and Barney’s, $30 for the lipstick and $28 for the gloss. For a fabulous stocking stuffer idea, check out the gift set below.

Extreme Sheen Set is $45 for three minis in Child, Siren and Ignite.


Posted by ~Trish

Photos by ~Trish, except for the obvious stock photos from Hourglass.

Disclosure: Samples were sent to me for consideration by the Hourglass PR company. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Getting Dramatic. Natural lipstick reviews continue.

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On left: Dr. Hauschka Lipstick in Mezzaforte (04) On right: NVEY Eco #356

Last Friday I wrote about my burgeoning love for lipstick. Yet, and this is just my opinion, to fully embrace the lipstick-love one needs a couple high drama colors on hand. For me, that means busting out of my “warm brownish pink realm” and into the red zone.

Finding a red lipstick that compliments your skin tone is quite a challenge. Those of you who have gone on the perfect-red-lipstick-hunt already know this. If the red has too much orange it can leave you looking clownish and if it’s got too much purple or blue, it can wash you out faster than pulling an all-nighter. The key is finding a red that has subtle nuances of warm or cool tones that essentially looks neutral on your lips.

Since I have warm/olive skin, lippies that lean warm with orange or brown are best for me. (If you have cool skin with pinkish or reddish undertones, red lipstick with blue or pink are best). Dr. Hauschka Lipstick in Mezzaforte has a warmth that is spot on. It’s a deep orange-red with a hint of copper which steers it away from over-the-top drama. There’s no shimmer, and it’s not matte or glossy, just creamy perfection that I now expect from Dr. Hauschka. As I mentioned in the last post, Dr. H’s lipsticks have the same formula as their lip care stick which provides excellent hydration and feels soothing.

NVEY Eco also makes fabulously pigmented lipsticks, but unlike Dr. H lipsticks, they do necessitate a dab of balm for added moisture. Of course that’s just my preference and I know many of you would be thoroughly pleased with its ample hydration from ingredients like organic castor oil, jojoba oil, beeswax and vitamin E. My red color pick from NVEY Eco is #356, a brownish ruby color with a subtle shimmer. I do need to be careful not to apply too much of #356, as its rich brown-leaning tone creates a garish look on me if applied with a heavy hand. Luckily, one swipe gives light to medium coverage, no blotting necessary. On my lips, #356 is a stunning berry that I have been enjoying on evenings out.

My favorite look with both of these red lipsticks is a nude blush (Alima Bisque), lots of mascara (Dr. Hauschka and Gabriel are my current faves) and a touch of champagne eyeshadow (NARS All About Eve or Alima Jacquard from their “Perfectly Tailored” collection for fall). Dr. Hauschka’s Lipliner in 02 works well with both Mezzaforte and #356. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite red lipsticks and what you like to pair it with.

My swatches left to right: NVEY Eco #356, Dr. Hauschka’s Mezzaforte (04), Dr. Hauschka’s Lipliner (02)

Dr. Hauschka Lipstick in Mezzaforte is  $22.90 at Saffron Rouge. NVEY Eco is $27.95 and is available at SaffronRouge.com and SkinBotanica.com. All items in this review were purchased by me.

Posted by ~Trish

Photos by ~Trish

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I’m growing up. Lipstick is now in my purse.

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I’m knocking on wood as I write this, but I think my sons have made a successful transition into school this year. The older one transferred to a new school which is always a little scary (probably more so for me than him) and my little guy had his first day of kindergarten. Both responses were “great” when asked how their days went yesterday and while I haven’t enjoyed a full exhale yet, I do feel like I can finally sit down to write about some pleasurable frivolities, like lipstick.

There seems to be two camps of lippie-wearers, lipgloss people and lipstick people. Since I was 10 years old I have had both feet firmly planted on the lipgloss side. In the spirit of being a good sport, I have made attempts at the more glamorous feel of lipstick, yet I must confess they were feeble. But something has recently changed in my adulthood- I finally feel grown up now that I have two kids in school- and I have made a shift. One foot still resides in the lipgloss camp, but I’ve got my other one firmly planted in the lipstick zone.

From the left: Dr. Haushcka Lipstick in Dolce (09), Primitive Corsica, NVEY Eco 362

I have been a devout fan of Dr. Hauschka’s lip care stick for a couple years as its smooth and soothing texture is beyond compare. When a sales associate at Whole Foods informed me that the Dr. H lipsticks have the same formula in their base, I was sold. I picked my favorite of the bunch, a warm pink, and was good to go. Dolce (09) is a nude to medium pink that leans brownish-bronze with a hint of shimmering peach. It’s highly pigmented, smoothes on effortlessly and feels great on the lips. Unlike the majority of lipsticks, Dr. H’s are very moisturizing making gloss or balm unnecessary to increase its hydration. In fact, the Dr. H lipsticks feel like a pigmented version of their lip care stick. My only gripe is I wish this lipstick were available in more colors.


Another lovely all-natural lippie is made by Primitive, a cosmetic line you’ve probably passed a hundred times at your local health food store. I know that’s exactly what I had done. But with my newfound desire to become a lipstick gal, I got one. Aside from the vanilla scent- I do not like my makeup scented- this lippie is darn near perfect. Corsica rides the line between red and pink with enough brown to keep the color neutral and day/work appropriate. You can see in the above picture (Corsica is in the middle) that it’s on the warmish side, but neutral enough to look good on most skintones. In contrast to Dr. Hauschka’s lipstick, Primitive’s feels drier, but nothing that a little swipe of balm over the top can’t fix. Most Whole Foods carry the Primitive lipstick line, so give them a try and let me know if the vanilla scent is a deal breaker for you.


Luckily, NVEY Eco’s lipsticks are unscented and gorgeous! Their No. 362 is probably one of the prettiest lip colors I have ever come across. In the above photo, No. 362 is on the right and the photo is quite true to the color. It’s a vibrant warm pink that takes it up a notch from my usual “your lips but better” colors.  While it gives me a shot of bright color that I normally don’t go for, I feel really comfortable wearing it. NVEY Eco’s lipsticks are as pigmented as Dr. Hauschka’s but not as hydrating. I find a swipe of my lip care stick necessary, but it’s worth it for such a gorgeous color and it lasts several hours before a touch-up is needed.


Check back in a few days as this post will continue. I will feature two more Dr. H and NVEY Eco colors that are usually outside my comfort zone.

My swatches.  From the left: Dr. Hauschka Dolce (09), Primitive Corsica, NVEY Eco No. 362

All of the above lipsticks are 100% natural. Dr. Hauschka Lip Stick ($22.90) is available at Saffron Rouge. Primitive ($16) is available at Whole Foods. NVEY Eco ($27.95) is available at saffronrouge.com and skinbotanica.com. All items in this review were purchased by me.

Posted by ~Trish

Photos by ~Trish

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Alima Fall Collection: Perfectly Tailored

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Alima is one my favorite all natural makeup lines, and definitely my most-used mineral makeup line. Their blush and/or foundation are used by me on a near daily basis, and I adore their brushes, #35 for eyeliner and #17 for blush to be specific. As for eyeshadows, their quality and beautiful colors allow for endless hours of experimenting in front of the mirror. Did any of you watch Mad Men on Sunday night? Peggy’s got it right IMO, we do love the ritual!


For fall, Alima presents us with the Perfectly Tailored Collection, adding more lovely shades to the mix. Two of the colors, Velvet and Jacquard are “almost matte” while Brocade is a true matte, and Tulle is super shimmery. Here’s the color breakdown from the website with my commentary in italics:

“Velvet is a lush, smoky purple with a hint of shimmer.” This description is dead-on. Velvet is a dramatic eyeliner with a very subtle shimmer that is noticeable when the light hits your eyes. Beautiful!

“Tulle a super-sheer wash of golden shimmer, beautiful worn as a wash over other colors.” Another spot-on description. Tulle is buildable for a high, golden shine, but I prefer it with a light application on the upper-lash line for a warm glimmer.

“Brocade is a completely matte medium grey.” I agree that in the pot Brocade is gray, but on my skin it pulls blue. This is my least favorite color as its cool tone does nothing for my olive complexion other than wash me out.

“Jacquard is a pale cream with the softest touch of shimmer.” True again, but what this description does not mention is that it goes on skintone-sheer, like the nude/champagne duo, NARS All About Eve. It’s not an exact match as Jacquard is lighter, but the effect is the same.  A question you’ll see frequently on the beauty boards is, “who makes an affordable dupe of All About Eve?” Well, here it is and it’s all natural to boot.

My Swatches


left to right: Velvet, Tulle, Brocade, Jacquard


Perfectly Tailored Collection is $25, with $2 going to the Global Fund for Women, at AlimaPure.com

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: Samples were sent to me for consideration by Alima. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Orglamix. Stunning natural mineral eyeshadows.

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Orglamix is an etsy shop filled with all natural mineral makeup. I’m pretty set when it comes to mineral powder and blushes, but I couldn’t resist the saturated kaleidoscope of their eyeshadow color range. I’m not crazy adventurous when it comes to vivid colors, so you’ll see that I didn’t veer too far from my usual brown palette, but nevertheless, the colors I chose are unique and stunning.


Let’s start with Teak, a color that falls into my modus operandi. It’s a soft cocoa brown with a touch of pink and golden shimmer that looks really rich on the lower lash line when paired with a chocolate brown eyeliner. It adds a subtle flash of sparkle to an otherwise neutral look. Perfect for day and work.



Cranberry on the otherhand is not a color I would bust out during the workweek. It’s a bold violet eyeshadow that leans red and is less brown and more purple on me than what is pictured at right (from the website). But it is undeniably beautiful and I love it for evening on my lower and upper lashlines with a black kohl liner.


Freesia is another purple eyeshadow, but it plays with blue tones rather than the reddish-brown of Cranberry. This lovely lavenderish eyeshadow gives a hologram effect when used as a wash as the cool tones frolic with the warm shimmers. When applied as a wash over the entire eyelid, it’s very pretty and unique, but in my world, best suited for evening. When I have experimented with Freesia during the day, I’ve found that a light application around on the upper and lower lash lines give a hint of color while still being work appropriate as it’s very easy to blend out.


Staying with the purple theme, Fig was another beauty that caught my eye. Fig is not so much purple but rather a brownish plum that is nicely complemented by Teak. As usual, I wear Fig as an eyeliner on the upper and lower lashlines, a look entirely suited for day wear and work.


Aside from offering fabulous colors, Orglamix eyeshadows last the day, have flexible coverage, easy blendabilty and a smooth application. I also love that Orglamix products are free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petro-chemicals and phthalates. The above photos are from the Orglamix website and the swatches below were taken by me in natural light.


From left to right: Teak, Cranberry, Freesia, Fig

Teak, Cranberry, Freesia and Fig are available at the Orglamix etsy site. $4.99 for a 8gm pot of loose mineral eyeshadow with a sifter top.

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: Samples of Orglamix eyeshadows were sent to me for consideration by the company. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Organic Wear 100% Natural Eye Makeup Remover

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I took a detour into the makeup section of my local mega-store the other day, looking for the Physician’s Formula Organic Wear display. I wasn’t on the hunt for anything in particular, just wanted to see if there was anything that would pique my interest. The bright orange coupons touting $3 off any Organic Wear purchase certainly caught my eye, and I proceeded to look in earnest.


I have already tried the Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara and Eyeliner, and wasn’t wowed by either, so I knew I’d pass those up. The blushes and bronzers looked OK, but I wasn’t feeling ready to commit. A quick scan of the lowest shelf yielded the score I was after, all natural eye makeup remover. And $3 off the already reasonable price of $6.95 made the deal more than done.


So how did my  bargain pan out? Terrifically! Mind you, I don’t have outrageous expectations of an eye makeup remover, only two simple requirements. It must take off makeup easily, and not sting my eyes. Organic Wear’s Eye Makeup Remover was a success on both counts. It also felt good on my skin thanks to cucumber extract and has a nice, mild lavender scent.


Upshot: Highly recommend and I’ll buy it again. Added bonus: Recyclable container.


Ingredients:  WATER, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT WATER*, GLYCERIN, LEUCONSTOC/RADISH ROOT FERMENT FILTRATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE*, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT*, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) SEED EXTRACT, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) OIL*, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) LEAF EXTRACT*. * PRODUCED FROM ORGANIC FARMING


Organic Wear 100% Natural Eye Makeup Remover is available at drug stores nationwide. $6.95 for 4 oz.


Posted by ~Trish

All Natural Deodorant Creams: Florere & Soapwalla

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My Florere Cream Deodorant samples sat in my stash drawer for a couple years before I started using them a few months ago. I’ll admit I was not drawn to the idea of applying a cream deodorant with my fingers: add to that a dose of skepticism, and you’ve got my (unfounded) reasons for the samples remaining untouched for so long.

It wasn’t until I read a glowing review of Soapwalla’s Deodorant Cream over at Fig+Sage, that I thought to myself, “I know I’ve got a cream deodorant somewhere around here!” Luckily, I found my Florere samples quickly and started using them immediately. Cynthia, the owner of Florere was nice enough to send me a fresh jar as I wanted to be sure of the smell and consistency for my review since my older samples were well, old. My new jar of cream’s gentle lavender scent is a tad stronger than the older samples, but there is no difference in efficacy between the two, attesting to the longevity of Florere’s product. Soapwalla’s cream also smells of lavender with added peppermint and tea tree oils that are subtle and nicely blended.

Both deodorant creams are exceptional. Aside from the subtle variation on scent, there is no difference in terms of performance. They are both easy to apply, leave absolutely no whiteness on the skin, and hold up in all heated situations. I’ve worn both to dance class, on the treadmill, gardening in the sun, at work, etc. They’ve held up to every deodorant challenge I could muster. As a huge plus, neither cream deodorant interferes with my fragrances.

I continue to use my Dr. Hauschka Deodorant as the convenience of rolling on my deodorant comes in handy when in a rush to get out the door. Florere does have a solid stick option which I have not tried, but I’m sure it works just as well as the cream since it has the same ingredients save for added palm tree wax. But let me say this, the few extra moments it takes to use a cream deodorant is worth it, thanks to Soapwalla and Florere.

Florere Cream Deodorant ingredient list: Soothing unrefined Shea butter, sodium bicarbonate (Naturally occurring earth mineral deodorizer), cocoa butter, coconut oil. Essential oils of lavender and clary sage. Tincture of lemon balm, lavender flowers and ecologically wildharvested benzoin.

A 1.6 oz jar is $8.50 at Florere.com

You can get a dollar off your Florere order, good for the month of June 2010. Just enter “ScentHiveJune” in the “Special Instructions To Merchant” during their checkout. (The dollar will be credited back to your account after you check out.)

Soapwalla Cream Deodorant ingredient list: Organic jojoba, rice bran, and rosehip seed oils; shea and/or mango and/or mowrah butter; a combination of all-natural and gluten-free vegetable clays and powders; aluminum-free sodium bicarbonate; organic vegan kosher glycerin; a combination of essential oils including organic lavender, peppermint and tea tree oils.

A 2 oz jar is $10 on etsy

You can receive a 10% discount for your readers with the following code: SCENT10 (put it in the comments section on the Etsy purchase page, and you’ll be refunded the 10% right away). Good through July 15, 2010.

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: Samples from Florere and Soapwalla were provided for this review. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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