skincare

TESTED | Natural Deodorant That Really Works

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This is not a sponsored post. I received no compensation.  

I have been testing out natural deodorants for years now and have found very few that work for me, whether it’s a matter of staying fresh all day or a scent that I like enough to repurchase. I feel like every month I am either testing out a new natural deodorant or I am simply going au naturale. Until now because I have finally found a deodorant that I want to buy in bulk. 
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Ursa Major is a Vermont based company who is creating amazing natural skincare products that are free of nasty chemicals. Their products are 98-100% natural, they use organic ingredients when possible and their products are gluten free and cruelty free. They also make the best natural deodorant I have ever tried. 

Ursa Major’s Hoppin’ Fresh is pretty new to the natural deodorant scene. It’s honestly the first natural deodorant that I get really excited to wear because I know it’s going to work. It even claims 24-hour protection and let me tell you, I believe it. I have worn this all day including a gym workout and it has left me feeling (and smelling) fresh without having to reapply. 

The deodorant is filled with ingredients including eucalyptus, hops and kaolin clay that help to protect against odor causing bacteria. A bit of aloe is added to help sooth sensitive skin as well and I personally think it helps counteract the baking soda because I haven’t found the urge to itch my pits at all and often natural deodorants with baking soda have me scratching all day.

Now the scent is the only thing that I think might be a little more of a hit or miss for people. I personally really love the fresh, herby smell of eucalyptus, ginger, rosemary, grapefruit, chamomile and lemon but and I find that it doesn’t stick around or negatively interact with other scents that I might choose to wear. However I would love to see Ursa Major come out with more scents that work just as well as their Hoppin’ Fresh Natural Deodorant. 

Overall I’m over the moon and I just can’t stop talking about this deodorant to friends, family and other gym goers. I am thrilled to finally find an amazing natural deodorant to share with you. My natural deodorant investigation isn’t over yet because I know there are still a bunch I have never tried before but I can guarantee I’ll have a Hoppin’ Fresh on hand at all times.

Do you use natural deodorant? Why or why not? What is your favorite natural deodorant?

*I occasionally receive products for sample.  I am choosing to share this product with you because I truly love it. 

 

[Natural Skincare] Luxe de Mer Hot and Cold Clay Mask

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luxe de mer

Luxe de Mer is a natural and organic skincare line who’s tagline is “skincare with no secrets”. I was drawn to their beautiful packaging, dedication to chemical free skincare and a curiosity to how well they really work. I tried a few of their cleansers, a toner, a facial oil and my absolute favorite their Hot and Cold Clay Mask. 

It wasn’t until a few months ago that I really got into using face masks but now I am obsessed and try to do at least one per week. Lately I just keep reaching for the Luxe de Mer Hot and Cold Clay Mask. 

The clay for this mask is so finely milled and mixed that it takes just a few drops of water to make a beautiful mask. This mask helps to minimize pores, brighten your skin and has anti-aging properties. I love the way my skin feels after I remove the mask, smooth and refreshed. 

Sadly my face won’t be enjoying this mask for a while because I just finished my bottle. I plan to purchase a new one soon but I’m trying to use up a few products right now and will have to wait until I finish up a few other face masks. 

What are you favorite face masks? How often do you take time to use one? 

Disclaimer: Luxe de Mer sent me a few samples of their products to try. I was not obligated to post and I received no compensation for this post. 

Natural No Makeup Look | Featuring Mineral Fusion, W3LL PEOPLE, Everyday Mineral, Pacifica

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Natural Makeup-header

One of my goals this year has been to do things for myself that make me feel good and one of those things is taking a few minutes and I mean just a few to do my makeup. I don’t feel like I have to wear makeup and most days I don’t but when I do I feel confident, put together and ready to take the world on. It’s crazy that just a little bit of light makeup can do all that but really it does. 

Today was one of those days that I decided that makeup was necessary because I had a blogger networking event to attend. I wanted to feel confident and pretty and put together but I also didn’t want to be too done up so I went for a fairly natural look. Keep reading to see what I used to create this look but first I’ll scare you with my naked face – BTW this is fair warning! 

Natural Makeup- Before

BOO! Did I scare you? Sorry! See below for my after photo.

Natural Makeup-after

A little less scary right?Natural Makeup-makeup

What I used to get this look (FYI I am no beauty guru):

  • Mineral Fusion Mattifying Primer*: This step is completely optional but I have been trying out this Mineral Fusion Primer lately. I decided to go with the mattifying primer with Summer in mind because I have combination skin and Summer is when my oily skin likes to make it’s appearance. I am still on the fence as to whether I like this primer or not but I’m going to give it a few more tries before I say yay or nay. I have to say it did seem to be helping in keeping my makeup looking nice today though.
  • W3LL PEOPLE Narcissist Foundation Stick:  I lusted after this foundation for months before finally taking a plunge to buy this foundation because it’s on the pricy side. I’ll be honest the fact that I was able to get a Groupon to my local Pharamaca that made it half price really sealed the deal. Anyways I LOVE this foundation and definitely will repurchase in the future. The coverage is generally light to medium with the ability to build up easily. Of course today I was going for natural so I just did a light layer.  
  • Everyday Minerals Eye Shadows*: I chose to go with She’s True, a pure white, across my entire lid and up to the brow bone. I went back in with She’s Artistic, a golden sunshine yellow, on just my lid. I finished of the outer corner with She’s Laughter, a light charcoal brown, and I brought that into the crease for a little added depth. Don’t you love the names of these shadows? These colors made for a really nice natural eye look – perfect for my event. 
  • Under Eye Concealer: After wiping away the fallout from my mineral eye shadow I used a bit of under eye concealer. Right now I am using an old one from Physician’s Formula that I have had for far too long and probably shouldn’t be using anymore but I don’t have anything else and mama’s got dark circles for days. I am on the search for a really great natural one so any suggestions would be appreciated.
  • Mineral Fusion Setting Powder*: I dusted a bit of this setting powder all over my face and gently under the eyes. 
  • W3LL People Bio Brightener Stick: I put a bit of this on the corner of my eye to brighten it up, a little on my brow bone and on the tops of my check bones. I actually didn’t like this highlighter when I initially received it in a BirchBox months ago but I have grown to love it. This tiny pot has been going strong for months now and I use it to highlight the high points on my face. I like that it gives a little bit of a glisten without being over the top. Once this little pot is gone I’ll buy the full size because I like it that much. 
  • Pacifica Stellar Gaze Mascara in Supernova*: I finished the eyes off with a little big of mascara. I’ll be honest this is my favorite mascara but I have it so I am using it up. It’s okay for a few hours but I find the brush to be too fat and there is a bit of fall out after a few hours. I am curious how the water-resistant formula is – if you’ve tried it let me know in the comments below. 
  • Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tints*: For my blush I dabbed on this lip tint to add just a light bit of color on my cheeks and then I also used it on my lips to give them just a little color. 
  • My Makeup Brushes: I purchased my Everyday Minerals Makeup brushes from iHerb.com** and I absolutely love them. The other brushes I used were the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush** and the Real Techniques Blush Brush** and I bought them on Amazon – both are great brushes.

Natural Makeup-look

As I navigate my way through skincare and makeup I am attempting to follow a natural route or at least most of the time natural and always vegan/cruelty free. I have to say it’s been a bit of a learning curve because natural makeup, especially mineral eye shadow can be a little bit of a challenge to work with versus conventional makeup. That being said I have found a few products that I have really been loving and honestly a few I like but am still searching for new and better products. While I realize that beauty/skincare is a new topic for my blog it’s something I am very interested in and I want to share my journey with you. I hope you enjoyed this post and will enjoy future posts. 

What is your go to easy “no makeup” makeup look? Or do you prefer to go all out?

New to iHerb? Use coupon code SST123** for up to $10.00 off your first order.

Disclaimer: This post contains no sponsored content. Occasionally I am sent products for review but they will only be featured if I truly like them and use them regularly. If these appear in a post they will be marked above with a “*”. Everything else has been paid for by me! Affiliate links will  be marked above with “**”.

My Quick Night Skincare Routine + Pacifica Giveaway

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quick night routine

Skincare has become really important to me over the past eight months and while I’d like to say that I am religious about doing an extensive night routine the truth is most nights I am rushing to get my face cleaned so that I can hop into bed and hopefully get a few hours of sleep. So unless I am wearing a full face of makeup or I have the forethought to do my full skincare routine hours before bedtime this is my current nighttime skincare routine. night routine pacifica

First I start with one of these facial towelettes from Pacifica. I use the Essential Makeup Removing* wipes (you can find these at Ulta) for those days when maybe I put on a little bit of tinted moisturizer and mascara but nothing else. I primarily use the Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes which I have been buying for months now at Target (side note there is 5% of Pacifica items with the cartwheel app right now until 5/16/15- not sponsored just noticed when I was flipping through the app the other day.)  Both of these wipes are super gentle and easily take off the day.  I also love the coconut smell they both have. 

Next I go in with eye cream, serum and nighttime moisturizer. The Palmetto Derma eye cream I got as a deluxe sample in one of my Goodebox’s and I have simply been using it because I have it. I like it fine but it honestly hasn’t ‘wowed’ me so I won’t be repurchasing it at $44+ so when I run out I’ll be adding in a new eye cream – any recommendations? nightroutineskin

After that I go in with my Lotus Wei Quiet Mind Serum* and I put this all over the face, down my neck and behind my ears. This serum smells of geranium, lemon and coriander and combined make a super relaxing sent. This serum (there is also an elixir, mist, and perfume) is a balancing serum made of flower essence. It is suppose to dissolve a busy mind, mental chatter, restless sleep, physical tension (especially neck & shoulders) and over-analyzing. I have been using it regularly for about a month now and I have been feeling more relaxed at bedtime and more rested despite Alder’s need to be nursed all night. 

Lastly it is time to hydrate with my Weleda Iris Hydrating Night Cream**. I have combination skin (this cream is good for dry to combo skin) so this has been working well for me especially as the seasons change and my skin tends to get a bit drier. I love how easily is sinks into the skin and it leaves my skin soft. That being said as the seasons change and we get closer to summer my skin ends to get more on the oily side so I’ll probably be swapping this night cream out in a few weeks for a more combo to oily skin formula.  

So that’s it! This is my Quick Night Skincare Routine which usually takes me all of three minutes to do. What does your nighttime skincare routine look like when you just can’t be bothered to do a full cleanse?

Giveaway

pacificabox

Now on to the giveaway! I have a fun box filled with Pacifica makeup and skincare items for you. I will be mailing this out myself so I am limiting this giveaway to US residents as it will be sent UPS. The giveaway will be open until 4/30/15. 

pacifica giveaway box
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This post contains no sponsored content. Occasionally I am sent products for review but they will only be featured if I truly like them and use them regularly. If these appear in a post they will be marked above with a “*”. Everything else has been paid for by me! Affiliate links will  be marked above with “**”.