Talk About It - Alima Pure Foundation Selector Tool

Any makeup wearer knows how difficult choosing the perfect foundation can be. Shopping for the right match can seem like an impossible task and Alima Pure understands that with mineral foundation in 61 shades it can be hard to narrow it down. They have created a new Foundation Selector Tool, which allows you to find your perfect color. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions and they suggest the shades that are right for you.

After completing the short survey it will bring you to your foundation suggestions, which you can then purchase for $20. You will receive a signature Alima Pure Makeup Bag with 4 to 5 samples of foundation, a coordinating blush sample, and a cruelty-free baby kabuki brush. You will also get a $10 off coupon for their Basic Face Kit that will come in handy when you find the right shade for your skin.


I'm light and peachy with a subtle yellow undertone (don't worry if you're not sure what undertone your skin has because they walk you through the process) so the system picked Beige 2, Beige 3, Olive 0, Olive 1, and Olive 1.5 for me. I received all of the foundations except for Olive 1.5, a finishing powder in Keikio, and a Satin Matte Blush in the shade Bisque, which is described as a soft, earthy pink. I would never have picked these shades for myself but I'm so surprised with how well they work! They actually all look nice on my skin but the Beige 2 blends perfectly into my skin and disappears so I feel like it is the one for me; although it's summer and my skin color is constantly changing despite my use of SPF so maybe in a month or so I'll have to move up to one of the other shades.


All of Alima Pure's products are cruelty free and 100% natural. The Satin Matte foundation applies so easily and feels wonderful and smooth on the skin. Some mineral makeup makes my skin itch but not this one! It wears well and really helps give my skin an even, healthy, and natural look to it.

The bag that the set comes in is absolutely adorable and well made as is the brush. I am completely impressed with the brush! It's so soft and distributes product evenly. The only thing that I'm not completely satisfied with is the blush. It's a lovely color and it is very natural and effortless looking but it's not the type of blush I would normally go for. It does look nice on my skin though but I just prefer a brighter blush.

If you have ever felt too intimidated by their large selection of foundation shades then this tool was made for you! Alima Pure could not have made the process any easier and I'm excited to say that I have met my match. Now it is your turn! Good luck!

Body Mask

It is finally getting warm here, which means it is time for shorts, swimsuits, and tank tops. After a winter of being covered up it is time to get my skin ready to see the sun! This moisturizing mask is perfect for hydrating and rejuvenating dry skin all over the body. It also feels great after getting sunburned.


What you need: 1 ripe avocado
2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (Greek or full fat works even better!)
1 tablespoon of cocoa butter
1 teaspoon of baking soda

Mix all of the ingredients together by either mashing them with a fork or pureeing them in a blender or food processor. Apply this mask to your legs, arms, back, chest, and/or anywhere else you need a little TLC. You can apply this on your face as well but it may be too heavy for many skin types because of the cocoa butter. I always recommend doing treatments like this in the bathtub since they can be messy. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.

Once you are finished, your skin should feel like new! Enjoy your silky smooth skin!

Nature's Beauty Secrets Book Giveaway

Nature's Beauty Secrets by Dawn Gallagher is an absolute must have for any Green Goddess and one of you will be receiving your very own copy of this fantastic book!

If you would like to enter to win you must: 
-Like Nature's Beauty Secrets on Facebook
-Like Beautiful Basics on Facebook
Leave a comment on the Beautiful Basics Facebook page telling me you liked both Facebook pages.



Giveaway open only to US. Must be 18 years or older, or have parental permission. Giveaway will run for 3 weeks. The winner will be chosen on Monday July 2nd at 12 Noon PST. The winner will be announced on the Beautiful Basics Facebook page. The winner will have 72 hours to contact me with their shipping information.

Beauty Book Review - Nature's Beauty Secrets

I have dreamed of being a writer since I was a very young girl so I have a natural affinity for the written word. I love books and I love to read. I always have an eye out for natural beauty books and had yet to find one that I absolutely loved until I stumbled upon Nature's Beauty Secrets written by Dawn Gallagher. This book sounded right up my alley so I emailed Dawn who kindly offered to send me a copy and also gave me the opportunity for one of you to win your own copy, (we'll talk more about the giveaway toward the end of this post).


When I received the book, I was pleasantly surprised. Never had I seen such a visually stunning book that is also full of helpful information and natural beauty recipes. It is a fantastic resource for creating your own products or at home spa experience. It also acts as a travel guide to wonderful spas around the world.

Dawn Gallagher is not only an author, (of this book as well as another called Naturally Beautiful: Earth's Secrets and Recipes for Skin, Body, and Spirit), and a natural beauty lover; she also happens to be a fashion model who has been on the cover of more than 300 magazines as well as a television host. Her work in the industry has allowed her to travel the world and learn about the culture, beauty secrets and treatments of many different regions. Visiting local spas during her travels led her to think about beauty in a more holistic way and while not everyone can travel to exotic places, they can prepare the simple natural beauty recipes in this book.

In Nature's Beauty Secrets, you will find dozens of easy to follow, all-natural beauty recipes based on treatments found in spas across the globe in places like Bali, Thailand, Tanzania, India, Spain, and Sri Lanka just to name a few. There are countless wonderful recipes featured in this book that are simple and easily made using many common ingredients found in your kitchen or pantry. There are recipes for the skin, hair, nails, and body. In addition to recipes, she included information on how to care for your skin from the inside out, nutrition tips, proper skin care techniques, and tons of other helpful information.

I have tried a handful of the recipes (including the Fresh-As-A-Peach Moisturizer, Banana-Cucumber Delight Mask, Chocolate Honey Body Mask, and several others), and enjoyed them all. Dawn is absolutely gorgeous so I have no qualms following her beauty advice. I can't wait to work my way through each and every recipe in this book and I know my Mom and I are going to have a ton of fun trying them all.

Talk About It - Bayberry Naturals

A few weeks ago, I asked those of you who are fans of my Facebook page what type of product you are most picky about. At that time I shared that I am rarely satisfied with shampoo but I forgot to mention my search for the perfect daily body lotion. I have the hardest time finding a good lotion and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I hate that greasy, heavy feeling that some lotions give the skin but I also can't stand super thin and watery formulas either. There is a middle ground that very few companies have mastered but Bayberry Naturals is one of them.

My quest for the perfect body lotion ended when I tried Bayberry Naturals' Sensitive Skin Hand & Body Lotion. I've been using this lotion on my entire body every single day since it arrived. I apply it right after I get out of the shower while my skin is still slightly moist and my skin has never been softer. This is a very long lasting moisturizer that doesn't irritate my sensitive skin or my even more sensitive sense of smell. I wake up the next morning with skin that still feels soft and hydrated. I tend to have some flakes on my legs but they have been MIA since using this.


Like all Bayberry Naturals products it is sulfate, paraben, phthalate, artificial fragrance and dye free as well as cruelty free. The formula is comprised of organic aloe, organic coconut oil, kosher vegetable glycerin, grapeseed oil, roman chamomile essential oil, as well as a few other ingredients. It is 89% organic and 100% vegan. The lotion is packaged in a simple 8.7 fl oz bottle.

In addition to the Sensitive Skin Hand & Body Lotion, I have also really been enjoying their Shea Buttercream which is an incredibly rich and nourishing cream. It is literally the consistency of a thick buttercream frosting and it is to die for! It is made up of over 20% Organic Shea Butter so it is extremely emollient and perfect for extra dry skin. It helps soothe any itchiness, dryness or irritation. I use it on my hands and feet before going to bed every night and I have even used it on my face. When used on my face it really helped battle the dehydration my skin was experiencing.


This particular Buttercream does not contain any essential oils so those of us with the most sensitive skin can use it without any worry although it can be used on any skin type. It is 70% organic and 100% vegan. Some of its ingredients are organic aloe, organic shea butter, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, meadowfoam seed oil, and neem oil. It comes in a jar with 2 oz of product. A little goes a very long way.

 The final product I have been using from Bayberry Naturals is their Peppermint Bar Soap. This bar soap is made using organic oils, essential oils, organic wheat grass, organic barley grass, organic alfalfa, organic parsley, and rosemary extract. It is a truly unique peppermint bar soap. It smells fresh and clean. It is very gentle and doesn't dry out the skin while cleansing it.


I was so kindly sent these 3 truly phenomenal products from Bayberry Naturals and I am so excited that I was able to share them with you. I love the products I tried and I can only imagine how great the rest of their products are. To learn more about the company or purchase the products mentioned above you can visit their website.

Carrot Juice Facial

I absolutely love carrot juice. It is delicious and rich in nutrients, vitamin c, and antioxidants. Everything that makes carrot juice a healthful drink also makes it a wonderful natural beauty recipe ingredient. The skin craves the vitamins found in carrots and the vitamin c helps skin produce collagen and makes skin appear younger and more supple. Adding honey and baking soda to carrot juice will form a thin paste perfect for applying as a facial mask to plump up the skin, hydrate and brighten.



What you need: 1 tablespoon of honey
½ teaspoon carrot juice (you can make your own or buy an organic version)
¼ teaspoon of baking soda (you can use more of less depending on the consistency you would like your mask to be)

Mix the ingredients together making sure to blend them well. Once the mixture is ready to be applied gently massage over the face and neck. You should always apply masks and treatments on clean, dry skin. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

Milky Bath Time Soak

Taking a bath might seem more like a fall and winter time treat but nothing soothes a soul or sun kissed skin like a tub full of warm water and skin softening ingredients. This bath time recipe is perfect for any time of the year regardless of sunshine or snow. Milk is a wonder of the natural world and when it comes to skin care nothing is more luxurious or easy to use. Since it is rich in lactic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy, it is exfoliating and moisturizing which leads to clean, clear, smooth skin.

In combination with the Epsom salts this recipe creates a detoxifying effect. The baking soda helps neutralize the Epsom salts and the lavender makes it perfect for a before bedtime soak.

 What you need:
1 cup of powdered milk
½ cup of Epsom salts
1 tablespoon of baking soda
Optional - Lavender essential oil (a few drops will do)

Combine all of the ingredients and add to a tub full of warm water. Lay back, relax, and enjoy your "me time". Once you're finished bathing, make sure to lock in your new found moisture with your favorite body lotion or oil.