by Tara Mackey | Around the World, Beauty, Blogroll, Discounts, Green Beauty, Product Reviews, Skincare
My hunt for natural perfume has come to a screeching halt, because I’ve found my holy grail natural scents, and I’m totally obsessed with them!
Christy Organics comes in three gorgeous scents, formulated with jojoba oil base and essential oils that mix with your body chemistry to create a unique scent that changes over time and is absolutely yours. The Founder, Christina, comes from three generations of herbalists and natural medical practioners! And she looks like it! See if you can tell her apart from her daughter in this rare – and adorable – personal photo she posted recently on instagram! I mean, really, who is the teenager?! If only we were all so lucky! 🙂
These perfumes are made in small batches with 100% natural (and vegan!) ingredients, like Rose Geranium, Francinsence, Clove and Patchoulli. They smell slightly different on everybody (I tested this on some friends!), which is one of my favorite things about Christy Organics!
I’ve been carrying them with me everywhere for an extra boost of aromatherapy and added natural perfume. I apply some under my nose and to the ends of my hair for extra whiffs throughout the day! I love these golden beauties, and start by applying them to my wrists, neck and behind my ears. So far, Abundance is my favorite, with Satisfaction coming in a close second.
Abundance is a sexy, warm, spicy, earthy scent that’s both woodsy and uplifting. Pink grapefruit, rose geranium and frankincense make this alluring fragrance exotic and great for date nights.
Satisfaction is a comforting, refreshing, smoky scent with notes of Vanilla and Nutmeg. Great for every day, work parties, or even as a gift for your man, I find Satisfaction to be a real treat for the senses.
The gorgeous Urbane can’t be understated! I use this before bed for a mystical, sleepy feeling that’s completely luxurious! Helychrysum, French lavender and sandalwood make this a great scent for the inner gypsy or hippie in us all. It reeks of warm, comforting lavender tea with a natural floral undertone.
Get 15% off your order all month long with coupon code ORGANICLIFE at checkout!
It’s so important to go natural with your perfumes, as our body absorbs over 75% of what we put onto it! Christy Organics is a great way to get there!
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Green Beauty, Product Reviews, Skincare
When I had a chance to try some new, unreleased products from Saint Francis Organics a few weeks back, I was thrilled. Saint Francis Organics manufactures USDA and NSF organic personal care and cleaning products. Choosing a product certified by NSF lets you know the company complies with strict standards and procedures imposed by NSF. From extensive product testing and material analyses to unannounced plant inspections, every aspect of a product’s development is thoroughly evaluated before it can earn NSF certification. It requires a minimum of 70% organic content and contain no harsh synthetic chemicals and is harshly restrictive to synthetic chemicals. NSF certification also requires companies to state the exact percentage of organic content based on the requirements of the standard.
St. Francis Organics Lemon Shampoo: I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve used lemon scented anything in my hair, as it’s not normally the smell I gravitate towards. When it wasn’t my first soap berry shampoo experience, I was completely blown away by the lather from such a small amount of product used. My hair is extremely untamable and normally requires using quite a bit of product from the shampoo and conditioner department to keep it clean and managable. Not only did this lemon scent actually smell incredible, it truly did the job – removing hairspray and late night face mask clumps (tell me I’m not the only person this happens to!) and getting my hair nice and clean.
Ingredients
- *Organic Green Tea
- Decyl Glucoside
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Hickory Bark Extract
- * Organic Soap Berry
- Panthenol (Vitamin B-5)
- * Organic Cucumber Fruit Extract
- *Organic Avocado Fruit Extract
- * Organic Mango Fruit Extract
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
- Citric Acid
* Certified Organic
Citrus Lime
Peppermint/Vanilla Body Wash: If we’re gonna go with favorites in this line, this Peppermint-Vanilla body wash (and it’s subsequent friend, Peppermint/Vanilla lotion) would be up there for me. This smells just like Christmas – and took me home, baking cookies with my family, opening presents under the tree – during my shower experience. I couldn’t get enough of it, which is great because it seems to last forever! I only needed a small dollop in a wash cloth and I was good to go! It got me squeaky clean with no leftover odors and the smell is pure candy.
Ingredients
- *Organic Green Tea
- *Organic Coconut Oil
- *Organic Olive Oil
- *Organic Shea Butter
- *Organic Jojoba Seed Oil
- *Organic Sunflower Seed Oil
- *Organic Cocoa Seed Butter
- Vegetable Glycerin
- *Organic Avocado
- *Organic Mango
- *Organic Cucumber
- *Organic Lavender oil
- *Organic Bergamot oil
- *Organic Orange oil
- Vitamin E
- Guar Gum
- Citric Acid
Peppermint Vanilla
*Organic Vanilla
Peppermint/Vanilla Body Lotion: Same “smells totally incredible” deal, except on your skin and super hydrating. Chemical and synthetic fragrance FREE, this nourishing body lotion will envelop your senses with a long-lasting, intoxicating, good-for-you scent. It’s aloe based with incredibly moisturizing oils, so it provides a skin-loving texture that is absorbent and also deeply penetrating.
Ingredients:
- *Organic Aloe Vera Gel
- *Organic SDA Lavender Alcohol
- *Organic Olive Oil
- *Organic Safflower Seed Oil
- *Organic Shea Butter
- *Organic Sunflower Seed Oil
- *Organic Cocoa Seed Butter
- Vegetable Glycerin
- *Organic Jojoba Seed Oil
- *Organic Evening Primrose Oil
- *Organic Green Tea
- *Organic Cucumber
- *Organic Avocado
- *Organic Mango
- Carrageenan
- *Essential Oil
* Certified Organic
Peppermint Vanilla
- *Organic Peppermint Oil
- *Organic Vanilla
St. Francis Organics Lavender Hand Soap: I am always looking for better, natural alternatives to washing my hands in this house! This sample was a little bit of a pain without a pump (you either have to open the bottle before and pour some on before the water starts or do the whole thing when your hands are already wet). Sample size aside, this old fashioned, castile-based liquid soap works incredibly well and I’m looking forward to replacing my soap-by-the-sink options with a full size version of this sensual Lavender scented hand soap. It’s packed with nourishing teas, butters, oils and soaps, and I am a sucker for this relaxing scent. It truly gets your hands clean with no mess, fuss or concerns about them now being covered in cancer causing chemicals once they’re finally “clean”.
Ingredients
- *Organic Green Tea
- *Organic Coconut Oil
- *Organic Olive Oil
- *Organic Shea Butter
- *Organic Jojoba Seed Oil
- *Organic Sunflower Seed Oil
- Vegetable Glycerin
- *Organic Cucumber
- *Organic Avocado
- *Organic Mango
- Vitamin E
- Guar Gum
- Citric Acid
Lavender Blend
- *Organic Lavender Oil
- *Organic Bergamot Oil
- *Organic Orange Oil
Want to learn more, purchase, or help out this amazing company? St. Francis Organics have created an IndieGoGo campaign where you can help them launch these incredible new NSF certified products.
Click here to learn more.
IndieGogo Campaign Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuP68voyNjE&feature=youtu.be
Find out more about St. Frances Organics here:
https://www.pinterest.com/jeanandavis/
https://twitter.com/saintfrancisorg
http://www.linkedin.com/company/saint-francis-organics
https://www.facebook.com/SaintFrancisOrganics
Saint Francis Organics products are used in spas, salons and resorts such as Sundance, Sundance, UT, Four Seasons Vail, Vail, CO, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Durango, CO, Hotel Park City, Park City, UT, The Lotus Downtown, Hattiesburg, MS, Hilton New Orleans Riverside, New Orleans, LA, Hotel Boulderado, Boulder, CO, Grand Steamboat Resort, Steamboat Springs, CO, Gateway Canyons, Gateway, CO, Spa Costa del Sur, Las Vegas, NV, Le Panache Salon and Spa, Lafayette, CO, The Pelican Club, New Orleans, LA, Urban Sanctuary, Athens, GA and Integrate Mind Body Fitness, Salida, CO.
by Tara Mackey | Around the World, Beauty, Fashion, Green Beauty, Green Makeup, Modeling, My Organic Life, Product Reviews, Skincare, Travel
“We designed our makeup collection with the same high standards as our beloved skincare line: featuring superlative ingredients that heal, soothe and reveal radiance from deep within… Each piece of makeup in our collection is boosted with beneficial vitamins, minerals, rich omegas and breathable waxes that do not clog pores. Our makeup is advanced, vibrant and buildable. In other words, game-changing. We believe your skin deserves better. It always has.”
-Victoria Fantauzzi and Karen King, Co-founders, La Bella Figura Beauty
Aren’t those the words about makeup you’ve been waiting to hear your entire life? That is – a makeup that works to improve your complexion. One that truly nourishes while it provides coverage. A makeup line that says what it does, and performs. Unreal, right? I’m dreaming. Pinch me. Where am I?
Turns out, I’m in New Orleans. It’s my first official green beauty campaign, and it’s 6 a.m. Victoria Fantauzzi, the Co-Founder of La Bella Figura, is dabbing this organic, golden hued, creamy beauty on my cheeks as she explains the ingredients.
“No beeswax, no coconut oil, nothing irritating for the skin.”
As a big fan of beeswax and coconut oil in most of my beauty products, I’m impressed by that philosophy in makeup. Certain makeup ingredients don’t agree with a lot of women, myself included. While my body loves coconut oil, my “face skin” can’t stand it. There are some brands I can only use for photoshoots and have to immediately take off. I’m impressed by her confidence and frankly, by her ingredient list. Barbary Fig Seed Oil? Rose Flower? Arnica? Lavender? White Clay? This is in your makeup?!
She dabs a few on my cheeks, stands back, and says, ” Oh! It looks GREAT on you!”
I catch her big, beautiful smile. Are you sure I’m not dreaming?!
This miracle line – practically untried by the time I found myself in the French Quarter sitting in Victoria’s makeup chair – has promised to nourish and even improve my skin! Not only am I excited for this photoshoot, I’m kind of excited for the rest of my life!!
- My Previous Experience With Makeup On Photoshoots…
… is horrendous. If I show up with clean, clear skin, you better believe it’ll be a clogged mess by the end of the day. A makeup artist puts it on at 8 a.m. and you’re still wearing it (fake lashes and all!) at 8 p.m. You’re sweaty, less than beautiful, one heels is broken and you could use a long, luxurious nap (and a big, luxurious cocktail). The worst part? Despite the scrub scrub scrub routine that night, most of the time, you end up with break outs somewhere. And sometimes, it’s on your neck or ears or somewhere you’re not used to wearing makeup! But trust me: those pores be clogged.
I’ve had a few experiences with people telling me they “make their own makeup.” Right sister. So do I…
I don’t care if your skincare product sells for $115 per .33/oz (LBF’s does, btw). I don’t care if everything I’ve tried from your line has literally changed my life (in LBF’s case, it has). I don’t care if every.other.thing.you.make I am in love with (in LBF’s case, I am.) Don’t tell me you know how to “make makeup” that helps my skin. Not MY skin! My skin is unruly! My skin is a mess!! My skin is–wait. What?!
My skin is GLOWING! No streaks? No hassle with coverage?! A few dabs that really roll with the punches (of your face!) and you look like a dewey, glowing Frida reincarnation?! (okay… maybe not always that last part. Still!)
And, 9 hours later, in Louisianna heat … No.Clogged.Pores?!?!
You know what that means: No Breakouts!
This. Line. Is. A. MIRACLE.
We used La Bella Figura’s Golden Corrective Highlighter in Brazilian Denise, Radiant Creme Blush in Just Jenna, Hydrating Lip Colour in Lissette La Coquette and Soothing Creme Eyeshadow in Damn Elvia and I cannot tell you how much this highlighter, lip color, blush, and shadow will change your makeup experience. Whether you’re planning on wearing your makeup for long hours of work, short little get together’s, or every day coverage, it’s perfect! Who doesn’t want a makeup that makes their skin better as they wear it?!
Not only did it improve my skin – it looked BETTER on me as the day progressed. My normal experience with reapplication is disastrous! With La Bella Figura’s makeup, my skin actually looked healthier as the day went on – something you can clearly see in our photos! It added depth and dimension to my face without looking like it was “covering anything up” (my biggest pet peeve with makeup!) And it stayed on – tried and true – for hours and hours! Most of the time my skin drinks up makeup like it’s water, so the long-lasting effect proved especially impressive for me.
And, after 2 days of use, I didn’t even need any makeup on day 3. My skin was calm, clear and glowing.
La Bella Figura has actually created a makeup that truly strives to make you feel beautiful and nourished. It moisturizes, improves, protects and radiates through your skin! And it shows!
The Golden Corrective Highlighter debuted this week at a crazy affordable $38 – and sold out in mere hours! But you can get yours at the La Bella Figura created A Night For Green Beauty, where they will be debuting the entire line that was used in this photoshoot! If you’re in LA (or have any way to make it to LA) for this event, 22 niche green beauty brands will be there, releasing all kinds of new goodies for you to try! I can’t wait to see you there!
Want to try Brazilian Denise? LBF’s having an Instagram contest! Hashtag “#ANFGB” & be entered to win one of your own before they officially sell! It’s that simple!
To Complete The Look: We also used Haut Cosmetics HDD Cream in Very Agave, Studio 78 Paris Concealor in Moonlight, Vapour eyeliner, Habit Cosmetic nail polish in Voodoo, and LBF’s Travel Therapy and Jardin De Fleurs.
Photographer Extraordinaire was played by Johan Salvador, who is New Orleans based and an incredibly talented man.
Makeup and Styling by Victoria Fantauzzi, cause what can’t this woman do?!
Love & Light
ૐ
Find me on…
YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM |FACEBOOK | PINTEREST| TUMBLR
Disclaimer: This is a completely unsponsored post. I believe 100% in what La Bella Figura is doing for the beauty community and I was happy to share my experience. I hope that – non toxic beauty lover or makeup lover alike – you take a sincere look into their brand style and awareness about authentic, organic, fair trade and nourishing ingredients being in your makeup without costing you an arm and a leg. This is truly revolutionary and I could not be more proud of these two beautiful women or more honored to be a part of what they are doing for the Self Nurturer in all of us. Be Well. <3
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Green Beauty, My Organic Life, My Photography, Product Reviews, Skincare
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Continuing my self-love, self-affirmation trend, I want to bring you my favorite way to practice self love: Baths with Ritual!
In 2007, Ritual Bath was born out of Lauren Durr’s love for aromatherapy, herbs and oils. Made right here in Los Angeles, each product is hand crafted and designed around an Affirmation. This one? Love.
She says, “I began combining those loves to enhance my daily rituals. Soaks in saltwater when my hometown gulf waters were too far to heal me, oils to sooth a headache, and clays mixed with all sorts of herbs for detoxifying masks. Whenever I needed to ground or relax these are the things I always gravitate to. They have always worked well for me, I felt I could create a product I loved and loved doing while being home for my family”
Step 1:
First thing’s first! Before you begin to run your bath, it’s time to break out the Ritual Bath face mask for powerful acne and blemish fighting while you wait! Just combine a scoop of this incredible chocolate scented clay-like cocoa mask with a few drops of water, apply with a makeup brush or fingertips and watch it go to work on blackheads and face gunk! It’s made with powdered milk and rose oil to clear skin.
Step 2:
Run the bath, adding Ritual Bath Love Body Wash. This intoxicating blend of body wash will create bubbles for your bath as it warms up! I love the way that this smells – hints of rose and jasmine greet you with every open! Added to a bath, this makes your whole bathroom smell like someone dropped off a few bouquets of roses. You can also use it the way it was meant to be used: to wash yourself. 😉
Step 3:
As the bath runs, it’s time to toss in your Ritual Bath’s Milk Bath. Made with Powdered Milk, Rose Petals & Salt, this beautifully scented blend will make your bath a lovely milky white and leave skin soft and supple! I got 3 uses out of it so far, and it’s the most self-loving, decadent feeling to soak in.
Step 4:
Ahhh, the Love Scrub! Rose, Jasmine and hints of herbal oils with a beautiful Affirmation: I am a beautiful person. I love and approve of myself. 🙂 I love reading it every time as I use this quite liberally once I’ve dipped my body into the milk bath! It exfoliates so well and leaves my hands and feet and legs SO, so incredibly soft! It’s a true delight to use!
Step 5:
After you’ve had your awesome self-love soak, your body will be thirsty! Luckily, Ritual Bath makes an incredible body butter that smells just like all the others: roses, jasmine, hints of Vanilla, shea and olive oil butter make up this amazing concoction! I just love it. Leaves my hands, legs and body smooth and hydrated!
Step 6:
Don’t forget your lips! Ritual Bath makes an incredibly hydrating and beautiful, organic Love lip balm! Give your lips some Love with this balm! Fair warning: it’s super addicting, and my lips are in Love!
Do you have any Self Love Rituals? Have you tried anything from Ritual Bath?
*These products have been generously gifted to me for the purpose of review. With deep appreciation, I give my fully informed and honest opinion always.
Love & Light
ૐ
Find me on…
YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM |FACEBOOK | PINTEREST| TUMBLR
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Green Beauty, My Organic Life, My Photography, Product Reviews, Skincare
In 2009, Bella Torres made her first batch of Ninon Night Cream out of organic, unrefined ingredients. Just 5 short years later, Velvet Botanicals has everything from lip balm to moisture sealers to healing balm – and yes – even more of that magic Ninon Night Cream, made in small batches with lots of love & care!
This popular all-natural cream is called Ninon, after Ninon de l’Enclos who was a French philosopher and courtesan. It was said that at the age of 90, her skin was as smooth as when she was 20. In the 1700s, her attendant published the recipe for her night cream. Bella has made as minimal changes to the recipe as possible. Velvet Botanicals uses a vegan wax (and not spermaceti), and Meadowfoam oil instead of lard. Meadowfoam oil is high in Omega-3, and works excellently in smoothing wrinkles, and moisturizing dry and weathered skin. In addition, it is comprised of 98% fatty acids.
I only need to use a dime size amount of this on my face at night, and it works little miracles! I love how soft and luxurious this cream is- and practically unscented! I wake up to skin that is nourished, hydrated, and softened. It’s targeted some wrinkles and under eye bags that were being very stubborn! A small sample of this will last me for months and the results are incredible!
In order to lock in the Ninon Cream – or any other – this moisture sealer is going to be your go-to! It contains no synthetic perfumes or chemicals. After showering I apply the moisture sealer, then I apply my body lotion. Velvet Botanicals says that this may make your skin hydrated up to 4 times more, which I completely believe. It definitely keeps my skin hydrated longer! It leaves skin soft, luxurious and amazing to the touch. I can’t get enough of it – it’s jammed packed with incredible oils! It’s made with All Natural, Fair Trade, Vegan Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Essential Oils, Sunflower oil, Apricot Kernal oil, Meadowfoam oil, Avocado oil, & Jojoba oil.
Made with Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil, Meadowfoam Oil, Kokum Butter, Aloe Vera, Lavender, Geranium, Palmarosa, Vegan Vegetable Wax, this Calendula Lotion Bar is simply awesome! Just apply it just like you would use a regular bar of soap; but don’t wash it off. To apply, just rub the lotion bar over your clean skin, and the bar will deeply nourish. You can apply it to rough/dry hands, knees, feet, elbows, arms, legs, or use it as a total body moisturizer like I do! It’s helpful for healing scars, calloused hands or for anyone who gardens or works outdoors! It leaves my hands so incredibly soft and moisturized!
This stuff is a steal for $10! Talk about fixing callouses & dry skin – this balm is the bomb! I had a bruise on the side of my leg from accidentally hitting it in the shower, and this healing balm got to work and took care of it in 4 days! I use this on my body after yoga or doing stretches where my muscles are sore. Virgin Coconut oil, soothing Lavender, and healing Aloe Vera gel make up this little powerhouse and I absolutely love it! Recommend it to anyone who is prone to bruising or accidental self injury like I am 😉 or any of my musician friends who need some healing for their hands!
Made with Candelilla Wax, Shea Butter, Almond Oil & essential oils for flavoring, I am addicted to this lip balm! When I use it, I don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals, parabens, or animal cruelty having anything to do with it! For less than $3, this is a steal! It’s incredibly moisturizing, leaves lips hydrated and soft, and smells SO good I want to eat it!
Have You Tried Anything From Velvet Botanicals?
*These products have been generously gifted to me for the purpose of review. With deep appreciation, I give my fully informed and honest opinion always.
Love & Light
ૐ
Find me on…
YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM |FACEBOOK | PINTEREST| TUMBLR
by Tara Mackey | Beauty, Blogroll, Green Beauty, Green Makeup, Modeling, My Organic Life, My Photography, Product Reviews, Skincare
With Valentine’s Day approaching in 3 days, it’s time to break out the little black dresses & super sexy lips & eyes!
With these green beauty options, you can create a sexy, bold look completely safely and worry-free!
Skin Prep:
- Gressa Purifying Oil
- Logona Day Cream
Face:
- RMS Beauty Uncover Up 11
- Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB7 Cream
- Christopher Drummond Finale Finish Powder
Eyes:
- Red Apple Lipstick in Reddy Or Not
- Logona USA Mascara – Top Lashes
- Genfiore Mascara – Bottom Lashes
- Logona USA Liquid Eyeliner
Cheeks:
- Red Apple Lipstick in Reddy Or Not
Lips:
- Red Apple Lipstick in Reddy Or Not
Brows:
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Palette in Beauty Express
I got a small sample of Reddy Or Not by Red Apple Lipstick! These Vegan, Gluten Free, Non-Toxic lipsticks are incredible, and I even added some to my cheeks and eyelids for extra pop! Reddy Or Not is a bold, bright, red hot pink that was inspired by the amaranth plant’s bright flowers! It goes on a light fuscia color but applied more heavily, blooms into a full and sexy red! Perfect to wear out for Valentine’s Day or as a gift for a loved one this holiday! 🙂
Love & Light
ૐ
Find me on…
YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM |FACEBOOK | PINTEREST| TUMBLR
