Category Archives: Natural Makeup

Pick a Bunch of Natural Peach Blushes

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clockwise from top: Alima Satin Matte Blush in Mimosa, NVEY Eco 953, Dr. Hauschka Rouge Powder 01, Everyday Minerals Rhapsody in Peach

 

I’ve always had a preference for pink blushes. Pink is one of my favorite colors and when it comes to blushes, they’re hard for me to resist. This spring, I decided to branch out into the world of peach blushes, and have found four fabulous ones to choose from.

 

An easy place to start was in the soft peachy pink realm so I chose Alima Pure Satin Matte Blush in Mimosa, which means there is no shimmer but yet it imparts a subtle glow. Mimosa is slightly warm, on the apricot side of peach, but has enough neutral pink to create a soft, pretty flush that never leans orange. NVEY Eco’s #953 looks slightly lighter in the pan than Mimosa, but it gives the identical effect. The only difference between the two is that Mimosa is a loose powder blush and #953 is a pressed pan blush. I love both of them equally, but do reach for NVEY Eco more frequently since the pan is so convenient. (It also costs twice as much as Alima’s blush). Since Mimosa and #953 are my go to blushes when I want a natural, healthy look, I highly recommend them both.

 

The deeper peach blushes I tried were Dr. Hauschka’s (01) Warm Terracotta and Everyday Minerals’ Rhapsody in Peach. Warm Terracotta is the perfect name for Dr. Hauschka’s blush as it’s a matte, burnished apricot with a hint of brown. It is highly pigmented, therefore I only apply it with a skunk brush. With a light touch, Warm Terracotta brightens your cheeks with a warm peachy color that would move into bronzer territory if it had a bit more brown in it. Rhapsody in Peach is not a terracotta color, but rather a bright pinky peach with fine gold shimmer. It differs from Mimosa not only because is has a shimmery quality, but mostly because it is a much deeper color and would not be suitable for light skin tones. Again, I use this with a light hand and achieve a peach flush that is more intense than either Mimosa or NVEY’s #953 but still looks natural.

 

Left: Everday Minerals Rhapsody in Peach.   Right: Alima Mimosa

All of these blushes are 100% natural and contain no petrochemicals, phthalates or parabens.

-Alima Pure Satin Matte Blush in Mimosa is available at Saffron Rouge, $16.95 for a 5gm jar.

-NVEY Eco #953 blush is available at SaffronRouge.com for $28.95

-Dr. Hauschka Rouge Powder in Warm Terracotta is available at SaffronRouge.comfor $29.95

-Everyday Minerals Rhapsody in Peach is available at EverdayMinerals.com in their On The Reef Collection for $34

 

Posted by ~Trish

Photos by ~Trish

 

Disclosure: All of the blushes are from my own collection, except for Rhapsody in Peach which was sent to me by Everyday Minerals. The opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Hourglass Mineral Primer & Bronzer Duo in Sunset

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I‘ve never been a primer gal, and rarely use bronzers. My reasons are skepticism about primers and laziness in adding another step to my routine with a bronzer. Until I started reading Gaia’s blog, The Non-Blonde, primers seemed to be another way to spend money on an unnecessary product. Not so according to Gaia, it’s a must. So when I was offered the chance to try Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, I did so with Gaia’s advice in mind.


You can read in my previous review of Hourglass Cosmetics, how fond I am of their eyeshadows, as well as their luxurious packaging. And although Hourglass does use petroleum products, they are free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes (they use mineral pigments) and phthalates. Just as a side note here, I consider Hourglass to be in a similar ingredient category as lines like Korres and Tarte that advertise themselves as “natural” beauty lines. In my opinion they are engaging in a bit of greenwashing with those claims. Hourglass on the other hand does not promote itself as a “green” or “natural” company like the others, and they shouldn’t. I appreciate that.

Let’s veer back to the topic at hand, the Hourglass Mineral Primer. I tested this primer on many occasions under both mineral powders and liquid foundations. I loved it under liquid makeup, tinted moisturizers specifically, but not as much under powder. When I applied the primer under mineral powders, it gave my skin a matte finish that bordered on chalky. I tend towards dry skin which probably heightened the matte look. For someone with oilier skin, I imagine this would work perfectly.

I had a completely different experience when I wore Hourglass Mineral Primer under 100% Pure’s Tinted Moisturizer, Dr. Hauschka Toned Day Cream, and a mixture of the two. Using this primer gave my TMs a more polished finish and helped my makeup stay fresh all day, without an overly matte look. Hourglass Mineral Primer is easy to apply as is has such a silky slip, no doubt in part to silicones so those of you who are sensitive, beware. The pump dispenser is convenient, hygenic, and only one pump is needed to cover my entire face. And not only did it help my TM last throughout the day, and give me an SPF 15 protection, my blush held its pigment longer as well.


Speaking of blush, the Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset includes a gorgeous pink blush alongside its medium toned bronzer. The blush is a warm pink, bordering on coral which initially had me concerned. Coral cheeks are not the look I usually go for. But on my skin, it is pure pink prettiness. Imagine your cheeks after playing some tennis in the sun; a little flushed mixed with a little color from the sun. The bronzer is even warmer than the blush, but also gives a healthy, sunkissed glow without any orange fake-and-bake residual color.


Like the Mineral Primer, both colors in the Sunset Bronzer Duo go on smoothly and effortlessly. It’s creamy to the touch and dries to a semi-matte finish, but not so quickly as to not have ample time to blend and layer. Even without the primer, this pair of sunny colors stays on for hours if not the whole day.

Check out the review on Makeup and Beauty Blog. Karen has posted some terrific pics of the Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset. And at StyleCaster, there’s a review of Hourglass mascara.


Hourglass Mineral Primer is available at Sephora for $52, 1 oz and the llume Crème-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset is $40 also at Sephora. Hourglass is also available at Barney’s.

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: Hourglass PR sent me samples of both products. The opinons in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.


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Alima: My all natural makeup haul

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I finally went for it. I got all the things on the Alima website that I have been lusting after for months. Thankfully Alima is a very affordable line, and that’s refreshing when most all natural beauty brands can cost a small fortune. The following are photos of the haulage. I have to admit, a second haul came soon after and I’ll be reporting on those items a little later.

Here’s a peek at the nicely wrapped bundle of goodies.

First glimpse inside the beauty that awaits!

Here are the pretty colors and Alima’s extraordinarily soft Buff Brush. It’s a sweet little thing that you can use for blush, highlighters and foundation. I like it for blending purposes as it’s quite dense which gives a heavier application. As for applying blush, I only use this with the sheerest of colors, but that’s my “natural look” preference. The short handle is easy to use and its softness is luxurious!

Below is Sugar Rose, one of Alima’s Luminous Shimmer Blushes. The color is a very neutral pink, in that it leans neither warm nor cool. While this blush is finely milled, it is shimmery and I need to be careful in not applying too much since the coveted “glow” can turn to dreaded disco ball effect real fast. But in small amounts, over a warm pink blush, it’s really, really pretty. The sheen of Alima’s Luminous Shimmer Blushes are better suited to evening for this gal, but on someone more fair and daring than I, Sugar Rose would look gorgeous any time of day. (Note that the true color of Sugar Rose is between the close-up below and the group shot above).

Alima’s color range of eyeshadows is extensive and drool-worthy. I had such a hard time deciding on just two colors. There’s really no rhyme or reason why I chose Paparrazi and Navy, but I’m glad I did. Paparazzi and Navy are listed as “Rich Warm Brown” and “Deep Smoky Blue,” respectively, on the Alima website. I fully concur with the first description, but not so much on the second. Paparazzi is exactly that; rich, warm and brown. It is gorgeous as an eyeliner, and dark enough that I will only use it as such. (I just don’t have the patience or skills to use darker colors in the crease of my lids). Navy is a stunner, but I would not call it “smoky” or “navy”. It is a deep color, but it doesn’t have charcoal-gray tones and it’s not navy blue. It’s a dark shimmering royal blue. This too looks fantastic as an eyeliner, especially smudged a bit on the outer edge of the upper lid.

The six sample pots you see below are Satin Matte Foundations, Satin Finishing Powders, and the green-hued one at the lower right-hand corner is a Color Balancing Powder that helps decrease redness. It’s called Pistachio, and despite my skepticism about its efficacy, I found that it works. I’ve been using a concealer brush to apply it around my nose under Alima’s Satin Matte Foundation and have been pleased with the results.

Figuring out how best to use the foundations has taken time and effort. First, I needed to get the color right, which I have determined is a 50:50 combo of Warm 3 and Golden 3 for my light to medium olive skin. If you visit the Alima website, you will see detailed information on how to find the right color for you. I also had to check out Alima’s “How to use Mineral Foundation” page for some help when things started to get somewhat chalky. To begin with, I needed to use the right brush. After some trial and error MAC’s #187 was perfect. It’s a “stippling” or “skunk” brush that allows a light application and smooth blending. I also discovered that I was using way too much powder. Less is more in this case. Finally, it helps tremendously to spritz a little hydrosol on the powdered brush before you apply it to your face. At least this is the routine that is working for me. And I am so glad I stuck it out because the finish is natural and luminous, and provides light to medium coverage when used the way I have just described.

The Luminous  Finishing Powder samples were thrown into my cart on a whim. I never use finishing powders,  but I loved the names, Keiko and Hanae. I also read great reviews on MUA, so I spent an extra $2 to get samples. It was money well spent. Both work for my skin tone as they flawlessly meld into the skin. On their own, they give light coverage and a subtle radiance. Over foundation, the Luminous Finishing Powders bestow a polished look and set your makeup for the day. I highly recommend giving these a try.

And finally, here’s a shot of the gift with purchase Baby Kabuki brush and samples I got with my order. Inside the little pot is Alima’s Lip Balm in Fig. It’s a bronzy, sheer red that I loved so much, I got a full size in my next order.

Alima is available at Alimapure.com. Please see links within the post for pricing information.

Posted by ~Trish

Photos by ~Trish

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EcoTools Brush Set

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Cruelty-free, bamboo handles, *ferrules made from recycled aluminum, and a case made of cotton and hemp. EcoTools just might make the ideal green brush set. But the real question is: How do they perform?

Exceptionally well! The Blush Brush is so soft and fluffy that it feels like a beauty treatment just swiping it across your cheeks. I prefer to use it for lighter pigmented blushes as darker ones can go on a bit heavy handed unless you’re careful, and I always seem to be in rush. The Eyeliner Brush is also a standout as it works well for both gel eyeliners and mineral shadows. The Eye Shading Brush (just left of the eyeliner brush in the middle) is nice, but it’s on the stiff side which makes it better for cream rather than powder shadows. I love using it with my RMS Beauty cream shadow in Seduce. It doesn’t pick up a lot of color which is fine by me as I tend towards a natural look when I do wear eyeshadow. The Concealer Brush (to the right of the eyeliner brush) is soft, dense and perfectly tapered for the job. And what can I say about the Lash & Brow Grooming Brush? I’m not a expert on brows, so it seems as good as any other.

For $12.99, this set is a terrific buy, and I highly recommend it. It’s available at Nature of Beauty, and word on the street is Target carries the set as well.

* Ferrules are the metal part that keeps the brush intact, I just learned that myself.

Posted by ~Trish

Photos by ~Trish

Read on for more makeup brush Beauty Tips

Disclosure: Nature of Beauty sent me the set for review. The opinons in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Pretty in Pink Natural Blushes

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At this time of year, we’re all feeling a little pasty aren’t we? I guess I should qualify that and say here in the Northwest we certainly are. I’ve got an extra pallor at the moment as I am recovering from an unexpected surgery last week. All is well, but I will be counting on the above blushes to do their job by giving me a pop of pretty springtime pink.


My newest pink blush is Dr. Hauschka Rouge Powder Duo. When I first opened it, I fell for its sheer prettiness. I love the two-toned pan and the embossed floral design. The product is large enough to pick up one of the colors with your brush, or swirl over both to blend. The lighter pink is very subtle and perfect for a hint of color. The warm rose gives a deeper color, and both have more peachiness than the above photograph. Rouge Powder Duo is somewhere between the swatches to the left and the above group shot. This duo is matte and provides a natural flush, especially when applied with a “skunk brush”. I use the one from Lancome that I have had for years. Eco Tools includes one in their set if you prefer a greener option.


NVEY ECO #955 blush is a warm baby pink that is similar to the blended color from the Dr. Hauschka Rouge Duo. #955 might be your preferred choice if you like a subtle shimmer in your blush. NVEY Eco uses jojoba oil as their blush binder, so it goes on smoothly and creamy and never looks dry or chalky. Again, it’s difficult to get the exact color from a photograph, so imagine #955 somewhere between the close-up at the right and the group shot above.


Everyday Minerals has so many pink blushes that it’s hard to decide which one to pick. I have a few them including Walkie Talkie, Nick Nack and Soft Touch. But Apple is the one that escapes from my blush drawer most frequently because its warm, reddish pink color is really flattering on my light-medium olive skin (MAC NC30 for reference). I always use my skunk brush when dusting Apple on my cheeks because it is intensely pigmented. A little bit goes a long way and my full-sized pot will last me forever. And for $8, it’s an incredible bargain. Like the Dr. Hauschka and NVEY Eco blushes, Everyday Minerals blush is all natural, cruelty free, and highly recommended for adding beautiful, pure color to these last days of winter.


Everyday Minerals Blush is available for $8 at the Everyday Minerals Website.

Nvey Eco Organic Powder Blush is available for $29 at Saffron Rouge.com 

Dr. Hauschka Rouge Powder Duo is available for $29.95 at SaffronRouge.com

Posted by~Trish

“Group Shot”  and Nvey Eco close-up are my photographs. The other two are stock, manufacturer photos.

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Hourglass Cosmetics. Hard to resist.

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The above picture was taken just days ago at La Perla’s Fall 2010 Collection Preview. The makeup looks for the show were created by Hourglass makeup artist Michael Pierce and this one is the “Classic Look”. The model is wearing eyeshadow from the Visionaire Duo, Gypsy. I have Gypsy and adore its neutral look with a tasteful amount of shimmer and incredible pigmentation.

But I am getting ahead of myself here. I need to properly introduce this line, and explain my weakness for all things Hourglass. Hourglass Cosmetics was founded by Carisa Janes who used to work for Urban Decay in marketing and development. She moved on to become the creator of Body & Soul Cosmetics before staring Hourglass in 2003.

Their products are not all natural, but are made with mineral pigments rather than synthetic ones, and they are free of parabens and fragrance. Typically I would walk right past a cosmetics line that wasn’t 100% natural because I have found so many that I love and don’t need to supplement with anything else. That was until I saw the gorgeous colors and packaging of Hourglass.

Do you know people who rarely eat meat, but every now and then succumb to bacon? Well, Hourglass is my bacon. Maybe more of a turkey bacon, but a damn good bacon at that. My binge started with the aforementioned Gypsy Duo.

The darker color on the right is a cross between cocoa and bronze and I love it as an eyeliner. It also looks beautiful on the outer edge of the top lashline, with the lighter champagne color on the inner edge. With a light hand it gives a natural look for the day, and with a heavier application (and lots of mascara) it works beautifully for evening.

After my fabulous experience with Gypsy, I had to get another. Exhibition, above, was my next purchase and is just as lovely as Gypsy but more dramatic. It’s darker than the photo suggests as the color on the right is a deep burgundy-violet and the left is more of a taupey lavender. This duo is so intensely pigmented, that it has taken me some work to feel comfortable applying Exhibition. But once I did, a sexy, smoky, violet eye was my reward.


The latest temptation from Hourglass is their Prodigy Lipgloss. As you can see from the picture, it’s not your typical skinny tubed lippie. It has the shape of a tiny flip-phone and fits perfectly in your palm or small handbag. I have Hypnotic, a warm berry pink with a little shimmer. The texture is smooth and tenacious without being goopy (which was something I never liked about Chanel’s Glossimers). Hypnotic’s color lasts for several hours and feels moisturizing on the lips. The only sticking point is the cap. It’s difficult to get on without squeezing the product, but I’ve figured out my technique of holding the gloss on the sides instead, even though it is a bit cumbersome.


Hopefully you natural makeup junkies can understand my total lack of willpower as I tried to deny myself the bewitching Hourglass Cosmetics. We all need a little “bacon” to keep us from getting too self-righteous, right? (I also have the palette on the left, Vol. 6 Cashmere, it’s as awesome as you think it is). But come back soon for more reviews of all-natural makeup. I have found some amazing products!



Hourglass is available at Sephora, Barney’s, Hourglass Cosmetics and Dermstore.com. The Visionaire Duos are $38, Palettes are $58 and Prodigy Lipglosses are $26.

And for more Beauty Tips, check out Stylecaster.com!


Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: The above products were purchased by me, except for the Prodigy Lipgloss which was provided by Hourglass PR. The opinons in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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Hemp Organics Lip Tint: Impulse Buy Gone Good

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Lip color, whether it’s in gloss, stick or tint form, makes me most happy when I can apply it without a mirror. Happiness is also achieved when I can do two things at once, like make my lips look better while protecting them from the sun. I didn’t realize Hemp Organics would be the giver of such good cheer in my life when I impulsively grabbed two lip tints and tossed them in my grocery basket a couple months ago. Oh, and did I mention they are $5.99 each?


First, let’s check out the ingredient list: Organic jojoba oil, organic hemp oil, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, organic olive oil, castor oil, vitamin E, mica, iron oxides, titanium dioxide. (Vegan lip tint colors, those without carmine are: Terra, Amber, Earth and Kiss).


Three cheers for such a short ingredient list on a makeup item, one where you actually recognize every word! Titanium Dioxide might not be entirely familiar to everyone, but it is a natural, physical sunblock that provides Hemp Organic Lip Tints with their SPF of 15.


I bought Berry and Wine as I am partial to neutral reds and I get the most use out of Berry. Berry is a true rosy red, not too pink or brown that requires no mirror to get the application right. Wine is a richer red and actually works as an evening color. The lip tints make your lips slightly glossy and glide on like an ultra-smooth Chap Stick. They are unscented, feel really nourishing and are tiny little things so they fit nicely in a small purse or pocket.



Hemp Organics Lip Tints are available at most health food stores and VashonOrganics (whose color descriptions aren’t very accurate, IMO).

Posted by ~Trish

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Revolution Organics: Gorgeous Glosses, Beautiful Blushes

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Finding a 100% natural lip gloss is more challenging than you might think. Many companies call themselves “green,” natural,” and “organic” but you’ll still find synthetic chemicals, dyes and petroleum products in their ingredient lists. Not so with Revolution Organics. They’re the real deal. Not only does their lipgloss not contain synthetics, chemicals, parabens, petrochemicals or artificial ingredients, at least 85% of the ingredients are certified organic.

There are 5 shades to choose from, and I have tested three of them. I bought “Integrity” (the one in the middle) at least six months ago and am due for a new tube as I wear it almost daily. It’s a lovely “your lips but better” (YLBB) rosy shade with the slightest suggestion of warm shimmer. The consistency is perfect as far as I’m concerned. It’s got a little bit of that thick texture you want from a gloss so that it clings and lasts on your lips, but it never becomes goopy or overly sticky. It glides on effortlessly, feels incredibly nourishing and has absolutely no scent. “Vibe” (on the far right) is also a YLBB gloss, but is a brownish peachy color that got a little swallowed up by the pigment of my lips. I prefer “Integrity,” but would love to see “Vibe” on someone with a lighter complexion.

Finally, “Truth,” (second from the left) the brightest and darkest of the three creates a stunning sheer-fuchsia lip. It looks much darker in the tube than on your lips, but compared to “Integrity” and “Vibe” it is more pigmented and also has a more noticeable sparkle. Since I am so inclined to love pink, “Truth’s” hot-pink cuteness is hard to pass-up.

If it wasn’t enough to nail it in the lipgloss arena, Revolution Organics also has put out a mighty fine blush. They call it a Beauty Balm since it can also be used on the lips, or anywhere you choose to put it on your face. As pictured above, the colors from left to right are: “Blushed”, “Sunkissed” and “Bronzed”. “Blushed” is like the stick version of the “Truth” gloss, a bright hot pink that is beautiful, but admittedly a little intimidating for me to put on my cheeks. I applied it very lightly with my fingertips which gave me that “just in from the cold look” and was very flattering on my olive toned skin. Any more than a light tapping and blending, and I would have swiftly moved into clown territory. On the lips, “Blushed” is gorgeous. I don’t normally go for such intensely bright pinks on my lips, but it’s easy to control “Blushed’s” color when applied with your fingertips. And when you swipe a little “Truth” lipgloss on top, it’s a knock-out!

“Sunkissed” is a peach blush that has both brown and pink in it, creating a very natural look. I applied the stick directly to my skin, and then blended with my fingers. I did the same with “Bronzed” which is a brown toned bronzer…no orange to be found in there! I loved the warm, subtle glow it created. All of the Beauty Balms create a dewy look and feel very moisturizing. Like the lipglosses, the Beauty Balms have no scent, are 100% natural and are made with 85% certified organic ingredients.

I was also able to sample the All-Over Skin Creme, Lip Balm, and All-Over Body Balm. The Skin Creme is wonderful. It has a lovely citrus smell, moisturizes effectively and comes in a tube that fits easily into your handbag. I’m heading to San Francisco this weekend, and it’s coming with me! The Lip Balm didn’t impress me as much. The texture was too thin, and frankly, my holy grail is Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick and that’s hard to compete with. On the other hand, I did really like the All-Over Body Balm as a lip balm. Not quite as much as my Dr. H, but almost, and that’s saying a lot.

 

 

 

Freedom Lipgloss $25.95 at SaffronRouge.com

Freedom Glow Beauty Balm $33.95 at SaffronRouge.com

All Over Skin Creme $32.95 at SaffronRouge.com

Lip Balm $23.95 at SaffronRouge.com

All Over Body Balm $27.95 at SaffronRouge.com

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: Samples from the company’s PR agency were provided for this review. The opinons in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

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A review of natural mascaras.

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For well over a year now, I’ve been using Dr. Hauschka Mascara and Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara. Occasionally I venture into new territory and try other brands, only to come back to my beloved Dr. H. I reviewed Physicians Formula’s Organic Wear Mascara here, and at the time was pretty impressed with it save for its funny smell. Ultimately I couldn’t get past that and never ended up wanting to put it on my lashes.

Real Purity’s Mascara was another one I experimented with as it receives many positive reviews on other green blogs and has the simplest ingredient list I have seen: purified water, beeswax, glycerin, candelilia wax, cellulose, pure plant extracts (sage and ivy), and iron oxide. The price point is reasonable as well, $12.99 a tube as compared to over $25 for both Dr. H’s. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as impressed with Real Purity as some of my fellow bloggers. It took at least 2-3 coats to notice that I had on any mascara, and even then, the results were minimal (or very natural depending on your taste). Having said that, there are many people who have not been able to tolerate mascara of any kind until discovering Real Purity, so thank goodness this option is available as it does create darker lashes and comes in black, brown, and navy.

Tarte’s Lash Hugger, which is touted as their “natural” mascara, was also another one I bought. I have natural in quotes because some of the ingredients are questionable, most notably, phenoxyethanol. The gals over at Fig & Sage and Marta at TruthInAging looked closely at this ubiquitous synthetic presevative and have rightly questioned its use in products labeled “natural”. If someone is educated about the other chemicals in Lash Hugger like cyclopentasiloxane, triethanolamine, aminomethyl propanediol, and chlorophenesin, I’d love to know if they are truly natural. (Google searches didn’t lead to much definitive info). Until I know for sure, I won’t be buying another tube even though I did like this mascara’s ability to thicken and separate my lashes.

Which brings me to Dr. Hauschka Mascara, a great one for a natural look. It gets your lashes dark and glossy, and gives an amped up version of your own lashes with one or two coats. It also makes them longer, and fuller with more. And since it doesn’t clump, adding layers is a cinch. One warning, it does take a minute for the mascara to dry, so no vigorous batting of the eyes immediately after applying! But this is the only negative, aside from the price tag, that I can report. I love the blue color option, and have taken a liking to it as of late. The color pictured at the right shows a real royal color, but on my lashes it’s more of a navy and creates a deep blue tinge that is appropriate for work and daytime errands.

Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara in black is my personal favorite. Pearl Anthracite and Aubergine are the other colors I have tried, Pearl Anthracite ranking as my least favorite. It’s nice enough, but unlike the Black and Aubergine, Pearl Anthracite didn’t go on as smoothly and seemed to clump easily. I don’t know if it was just the tube I got, or if it’s the formula of the mineral pigment, but it was not as impressive as the others, especially the Black. The Black Volume Mascara is very smooth, glossy, and easy to apply. I love its ability to create full lush lashes with one coat, and then a really dramatic look with two to four. I wear Dr. H’s Volume Mascara almost everyday. The Aubergine gives a subtle flash of burgundy on my lashes, but it’s not that noticeable. I think black is the best bet as it’s the richest, most lustrous of the colors I have tried.


Posted by ~Trish

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Vapour Organic Beauty. Truly Pure Mineral Makeup.

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I’ll admit I didn’t know what to expect when I first used Vapour Organic’s Atmosphere Luminous Foundation. I’ve used many loose mineral powder and pressed mineral powder foundations, but Vapour Organic’s is a stick foundation and I had never used a stick foundation, mineral or otherwise. I’m rather partial to my Jane Iredale PurePressed Mineral Foundation, but I went into this review with an open mind and found Vapour Organic’s Luminous Foundation to be their stand-out product.

My skintone is light to medium olive (MAC NC30 for you MUA types), so they sent me shade 120 (light to medium) which was a perfect match. My biggest problem with foundations is they love to turn pink on me. I’m assuming shade 120 has a touch of yellow in it as the foundation not only avoided the dreaded pink hue, it actually quieted down areas of pinkish irritation. The texture of the stick foundation was surprisingly smooth, and glided across my skin with the use of my normal moisturizing routine underneath (either Kahina’s Facial Lotion or Dr. Hauschka’s Quince Day Cream). Using my fingertips, I was able to blend the foundation smoothly and effortlessly.

The Luminous Foundation provides light to medium coverage depending on how much you apply, and gives a wonderful luminosity with what I would consider a matte finish. It’s not dewy like so many other tinted moisturizers and foundations, which I do like, but this is a great option for those who might prefer a different look. It’s also a terrific choice if you have oily skin but still want a luminous quality to your makeup.

And for the record, I’m officially a stick foundation convert! How easy is it to travel with, and carry this little stick in your bag?

The Stratus Instant Skin Perfector comes in the same size stick as the foundation, and according to the Vapour Organic Beauty website, it’s to be used under the Luminous Foundation. Well, I never used it like that. In the colder months, my skins gets pretty parched, and that combination would have been too drying. Instead, I used the Skin Perfector on its own as a luminzer and found it to be very similar in texture and finish to the Luminous Foundation, minus the pigment. In my opinion, it would make a fabulous, very subtle luminizer (no sparkles!) for someone who leans oily or who wants a matte finish rather than a dewy finish. (According to Teri Bly over at FeelGoodStyle.com, she loved the Skin Perfector underneath the Luminous Foundation as a primer).

Their not-so-subtle illuminating stick is the Trick Stick. I tested the color Luster, a pale lilac with a silvery shimmer. And while it’s very pretty, I found it too sparkley for daytime. It would be fun for the browbone or high on the cheekbones for a festive night out, but the Trick Stick is not going to get much play from this mother of two. On the otherhand, I love that Vapour Organic Beauty has the Trick Stick in their line-up as the younger crowd that’s aware of the importance of green beauty will probably love this.

Aside from the Luminous Foundation, the other product that will get much use from this gal is the Aura Multi Use Blushin Spark. If you look at the swatch on the website, you’ll see Spark as a pale peach color. Look at the picture of color of the stick in the tube, it’s far more accurate. Spark a bright peachy pink, with a barely perceptible golden shimmer that blends smoothly over the Vapour Organic Luminous Foundation. It has a nice slip on the skin and a sheer application, but the color builds evenly if you want more intensity. The Multi Use Blush can be used as a lip color, and Spark makes for a sweet nude/pink color on my pigmented lips. I always feel the need to add a little Dr. Hausckha Lip Care Stick for some extra shine, but then I’m a lipgloss girl at heart.

The details on Vapour Organic Beauty are impressive. Everything I have reviewed here has at least 70% organic ingredients and everything in their line is 100% natural. The organic ingredients include sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, frankincense, fruit oils and lotus flowers. The other 30% are either wild-crafted botanicals or are mineral pigments that do not have an organic certification. In addition, Vapour Organic’s products are manufactured using wind power and its packaging is either recylable or made from recycled content. I’m loving the beauty and efficacy of their products, and their dedication to being green.

Atmosphere Luminous Foundation $38

Stratus Instant Skin Perfector $44

Trick Stick $18

Aura Multi Use Blush $28

Vapour Organic Beauty is available at their website

Posted by ~Trish

Disclosure: Samples from the company’s PR agency were provided for this review. The opinons in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.

 

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rms beauty: Creamy Mineral Makeup

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Pure, all-natural, unadulterated, mineral makeup. That’s what celebrity makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift is offering with her rms beauty line. This means the ingredients are all in their natural state and have not been processed in any way. On the rms philosophy page of their website, you can read in greater detail about this, but suffice to say, their ingredients are food grade quality and organic, with all of their nutrients intact.

Over the past several weeks I have tried three rms products, the living luminizer, cream eyeshadow, and lip2cheek. I placed my rms order with SpiritBeautyLounge after I saw their Tweet for 20% off (which they frequently offer) and am pleased to report that not only did I discover a fabulous new makeup line, but a new favorite online store. SpiritBeautyLounge provided me fast shipping, terrific samples and amazing customer service. (This was all before they knew I was a blogger, BTW).

RMS Living LuminizerLiving luminizer is so easy to apply it’s ridiculous. I love the frosted glass pots, and the surface of the luminizer is so smooth and creamy, your finger glides effortlessly over the top of the product and it blends right into your skin. The effect is glowy and dewy without any garish glitter. Under a very bright light, some slight sparkles are noticeable, but I had to have a hand mirror right up to my face to see that effect. Muse, one of the lip2cheek colors, is also a breeze to apply.RMS Muse But rather than a blush, I’d consider this a highlighter like living luminizer, and I certainly wouldn’t apply this light color on my lips. It’s on the beigey side and even more neutral than living luminizer, it’s dewy and luminizing as well, but gives less of a sheen. An appropriate analogy would be: Living Luminizer is to Nars Albatross as Muse is to Becca Hyawatha. Does that help anyone? Both rms products are gorgeous and natural, but if you want a really natural highlighter, pick Muse.

RMS SeduceI bought one full-sized eyeshadow, Seduce, and received one eyeshadow sample, Magnetic. Seduce is described as a “sensuous earth brown”, and Magnetic as a “taupe silver with a hint of mauve”. Those are pretty accurate. Seduce has an earth tone for its base, and there’s some taupeness to it as well but it’s not super mauvey. And wow! Is it ever gorgeous! I couldn’t have picked a better color for myself. I have brown hair with some highlights, brown eyes and an olive complexion, but I think Seduce would be flattering on most complexions. It’s got a flash of silver when the light hits it just right which creates a brightness that lightens up the face. I have been using this as an eyeliner, as I typically do with most of my eyeshadows. I take my eyeliner brush, run it over the surface and apply it directly to my lashline. It’s so easy. No fussing with powder, no need to add water…no mess. I’ve also used Seduce on my lids which creates a sheer wash of color that’s pretty and easy to apply. It does crease, which happens with any shadow I use, but if I only use it on the first half of my lid I avoid the crease factor. This look works since the color is sheer, but can be intensified with more applications. Magnetic is far more metallic but also makes for a beautiful liner. Yet it’s simply not appropriate for day, at least not in my world. I’ll be saving my Magnetic sample for holiday parties.

RMS IllusiveAside from Muse, the lip2cheek colors have taken a little bit more work to get used to, but not too much. Bottom line, your skin needs to be very well hydrated before you apply your lip2cheek color and I don’t recommend applying it over powder. (I happen to like the look of cream blush under a light dusting of powder, but that’s up to you). My favorite color of the bunch was a sample of Illusive that I received with my order. It’s a neutral brownish rose (not too warm, not too cool) that gives your cheeks a healthy flush and easily doubles as a beautiful lip color. I prefer a glossy look so I dabbed a bit of Dr. Hausckha’s Lip Care Stick to achieve a subtle shine, and voilà! naturally glowing cheeks and rosy lips from one product. I purchased Modest, “a warm/pink salmon with a very subtle golden shimmer” according to SpiritBeautyLounge, and they pretty much nailed that description (although in real life the product is much brighter than pictured on their website). Don’t let the shimmer part keep you away if you’re thinking glitter, the shimmer is barely perceptible and gives more of a subtle glow.I prefer to wear Modest as a cheek color only, as it is too light and “corally” on my pigmented lips. The final lip2cheek sample I received was Smile, a pinker version of Modest, and the only product in the rms beauty line that contains a tiny amount of synthetic ingredient. (You can read about it in the disclaimer on their website). Smile, like Modest, was too light to wear as a lip color, but on the cheeks, both created a healthy look of good eating, hydration, and a brisk walk around the block.

As a make-up junkie who has used almost every brand you can name, I am duly impressed with rms beauty. I love their color selection, the feel of the products, the packaging, and most of all, the fact that they have gone above and beyond most other “natural” cosmetic companies in keeping their ingredients pure. Again, there are a couple of caveats: your skin must have a moisturizer on it before you apply the lip2cheek color and my expectations of the eyeshadow might be different from yours… I am using it and loving it as an eyeliner.

rms beauty can be found at SpiritBeautyLounge and NatureofBeauty. $36 for lip2cheek and cream eyeshadows. $38 for Living Luminizer.

Posted by ~Trish

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Josie Maran Plumping Lipgloss and Eye Liner

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My Josie Maran Earth Day Essentials Kit arrived last week and overall I am very pleased with every item. It’s a great buy, and I recommend getting it if you’re interested in Josie Maran’s line of paraben-free, phthalate-free, cosmetics. I’ll review all of the products in the kit, but will start with the Plumping Lip Gloss and Eye Liner for today.

I consider myself a minimalist when it comes to makeup. I’ll use tinted moisturizer on certain days or possibly some pressed mineral powder if I feel the need, (Jane Iredale’s is my favorite). But I rarely go without a little eyeliner and lipgloss, so that’s why I’m starting with these two.

Josie Maran’s Eye Liner in black is not for the faint of heart. It performs like a heavy duty kohl liner and is blacker than black. When I first put it on I felt like I should light up a clove cigarette, turn on The Cure and dance myself back to the year 1985. But since I’m not likely to do that, at least not the clove cigarette part, I’ll tell you that I very lightly applied the liner to my waterline, and then smudged it. I loved the effect. It gave a really subtle, smoky look, but was acceptable for a daytime Trader Joe’s run. This could easily be glamed up for the evening with a heavier hand.

In my HAIR post I said that I quit all non-green products “cold turkey” save for my hair products. I have to confess that was a bit for dramatic effect. I did wait until many of my products ran out before I replaced them, as there is no sense in wasting things. I still have a few last vestiges of non-green products that I am still waiting to use up, and one is my Shu Uemura Drawing Pencil in Khaki. Man, how I love that non-green thing. It’s the best eyeliner I have ever used. It ranks a 10 out of 10. But it’s made with petrochemicals and parabens, and I’ve been wondering what I’m going to do when it finally runs out. Thankfully, Josie Maran’s is a 9 out of 10 (I docked 1 point for the time it takes to smudge) and I’m hoping her brown liner is a 10 out of 10.

I am also duly impressed with her Plumping Lip Gloss. Not for its supposed plumping action which I could care less about and saw no signs of, but because it’s a great looking, moisturizing gloss. I felt a slight tingling sensation when I applied it, but it was short lived and I was only aware of it when I was thinking about it for this review. The Earth Day Essentials Kit comes with Daring, a sheer peachy pink imbued with subtle shimmer that does not require a mirror for application. Yay for “your lips but better” glosses! The gloss goes on smoothly with a brush-tipped wand that does not seem to be at risk for splaying out like an old broom as the Bobbi Brown ones do. (You Bobbi Brown fans know what I’m talking about). And this may be a pro or con for some, depending on if you care if your gloss tastes or smells, but Josie Maran’s gloss has a sweet fruity taste and a mild vanilla scent that lasts about five minutes.

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NVEY ECO Organics Amour Rose Lipgloss

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On rainy days with a lack of agenda, I often find myself clicking through old photos on my macbook to kill time and relive precious moments from the past, blah blah blah.  The problem becomes that, when looking back at photos of myself, I tend to be highly critical, and overly eager to jump into the frame immediately and begin damage control.  For your information the euphemistic illusion of damage control equates to an extensive self-loathing session that leads to exhaustion and frustration in the overall appearance of my face; and the utter un-preparedness in the candid that captures all my secrets. Let the nit picking begin. I usually kick things off with the disastrous amount of shine lighting my T-zone up as if I were staring at a disco ball during a solar eclipse. Next I proceed to shed a few tears over my androgynous bone structure that leaves me with no cheekbones to speak of. As I continue to marinate in the self deprecating depression-filled session with self, I decide to lead up to the climactic finale. Yes, with none other than the lips…or lack thereof in most of my photo ops, unfortunately.  Out of everything mentioned above, I would have to say that “lip presence” is a make or break phenomenon when it comes to the successes and failures of snapshots in time, caught forever on film.

For me, when a lack of lip color is the apparent problem in my overall appearance and general state of mind, I find that it hovers over my psyche like a cloud of doom from the cosmetic underworld of darkness. With that said, if I could list the top 10 most important factors of my balanced day, lip color on my yapper would rank right up there with the big boys.  It takes my whole person from drab to fab in one swift swipe of the tube and a few delicate strokes of a brush…pucker up and be changed.  As you can imagine, lipstick and lipgloss are a huge part of my everyday existence.

When picking a lipstick/gloss I usually try to consider at least three factors: texture, color, and wearability.  When preparing for this review…I would deliberately think in these terms on a daily basis while sporting NVEY’s Organic Lip Lustre in Amour Rose all over town. I am a fairly tough sell when it comes to trying new things out on my lips. I have established a norm of color fusion for my everyday look, which consists of a liner, about 4 different lipsticks, and maybe a gloss or two depending on the weather, my mood, etc.  Surprisingly enough, NVEY did not disappoint my lips and exceeded my expectations with fervent success.

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I enjoyed the application process mostly due to the silky nature of the substance, and also the soft applicator wand.  Sometimes with lipgloss you have to take the applicator tip and press it down on your lip hard enough to get a liberal amount of gloss to pop out onto your lips just so that you are able to work with it and spread it around enough to make a noticeable statement. Do you hate that as much as I do?  Needless to say, this was not the case with the NVEY applicator. I had more than enough to work with after just one coat.  The gloss was usually used in an icing on the cake type of scenario, where I would apply a finishing coat of gloss to my already lipsticked lips. The texture of the lip gloss added instant surface area, clandestinely drizzling into each crack and crease in the folds of my puckered pout, birthing an evolution of multi-dimentional wearability. The traction formed by this combustion of consistencies was pure magic. And the funniest part? How quiet the whole process was. NVEY Organic Lip Lustre is a silent warrior, a timid yet bold superforce with which to be reckoned. With a muted shade oozing vivid pigment and fiery chroma, Amour Rose became the be all end all gateway to hue harmony.  I must have tried it with over 10 different lipsticks and each time it gave my lips new life. I felt like I was in the chemistry lab every morning in my bathroom. I would sit and watch the lustre conservatively merge with the lipstick creating an explosive partnership on my pout for me to enjoy all day. The muted pink with hints of mauve, was sheer enough to pull off the whole  ”I’m not trying thing,” but substantial enough to make a presentable, polished statement.

I would recommend this product for the young and the old, the shy and the bold. And remember, next time you take a walk down memory lane and realize that you have no lips to speak of in any of the photos…think of me and capitalize on my words. A woman’s lips dressed in variations of colors, degrees, and textures have the ability to speak poetic justice to the masses. But if bare and alone, they can go unnoticed and forgotten. A missed opportunity to be avoided at all costs.

Posted by ~Katie: Katie is a guest contributor for Scent Hive. She spends her time traveling, writing, and obsessing about the latest trends in the fashion and cosmetic industries. Her favorite pastime is honing her knack for popular trend cosmetics. When Katie needs to pay the bills she writes, blogs, and freelances as a make-up artist. She is also an adventure seeker around her home of the Pacific Northwest.

NVEY ECO Organics Lip Lustre is certified organic and made without parabens, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes. petro-chemicals, or phthalates. It is available at Sephora and Saffronrouge.

Also please note that Amour Rouge is a brighter pink than the picture shows above right.

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Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara

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Finding a good buy in the green world of beauty can be a challenge, so when I read about Physicians Formula’s Organic Wear Mascara I was anxious to try it. The price point is decent at $9.95, although admittedly on the high end for a drug store product. But a steal compared to my current favorite, Dr. Haushcka mascara that has a hefty price tag of $25.95. Physicians Formula is running a rebate on the Organic Wear Mascara, so if you are willing to shell out the money up-front, it is essentially a free trial.

The details of this green mascara are impressive for a mass-market drugstore cosmetic.  According to the website, there are no parabens or synthetic presevatives in any of the Organic Wear products. The mascara is certified by ECOCERT (not all of the products in this line are) and I reviewed all of the ingredients and none of them are petroleum based. I have sent an email to Physicians Formula which will hopefully confirm this for the entire line.

For those of you accustomed to the more sophisticated packaging of let’s say, a Chanel or Dior mascara tube, be ready for a campy, not-so-sexy presentation of a beige tube with a metallic green leaf on top. Hopefully this is easy to get over, because the product is actually quite good. I’m not gonna lie and say Organic Wear will give you the same lashes that Chanel’s Inimitable does. (I still use that when a night out calls for it). But the department store equivalent would be Clinique’s Natural Glossy which I used on a daily basis for years until I decided to clean up and go green. I have since switched to Dr. Hauschka’s mascara, but am always on the look-out for something better or at least as good and less expensive. Organic Wear’s is definitely as good as Dr. Hauschka’s and is definitely cheaper!

As for its performance, it darkens the lashes, makes them fuller, and lengthens moderately. It gives a natural, everyday look. Unfortunately, Organic Wear Mascara has a slightly sour, waxy smell. The first time I used it, the smell lingered for most of the day. The second time I used a lighter application and the smell was fainter. This could end up being a deal breaker for me as I am very sensitive to smell in products that I use on my face. I either need them to be unscented, have it dissipate quickly, or I need to love the scent.

Regardless, I think this is a great product and if you are willing to fill out the rebate form, give it a try. If you do, leave a comment and let us all know what you think! Or let us know what “green” mascaras you have tried and leave your feedback.

UPDATE: May 15, 2009. I just got my rebate check yesterday for those of you curious about how long that would take. Looks like 3 months exactly.

posted by ~Trish

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