Talk About It - Black Rock Mud Co. MudPot

My skin has been in serious need of a little extra TLC lately since it's been freaking out. My skin has been especially congested, dehydrated and broken out! Well let me introduce you to my favorite new mask, the MudPot, a 100% organic and mineral-rich illite clay from the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.



Illite clay is the only thing you'll find in each 4-ounce jar of Black Rock Mud Co.'s MudPot, so you never have to worry about harsh chemicals, preservatives, or other unnatural ingredients. The clay is known to condition, revitalize and sooth the skin as well as draw toxins and impurities from the skin. It helps to regenerate cells and purify the skin thanks to the over 50 naturally occurring trace elements (including Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, and Zinc) found within its structure.

I received my jar from Black Rock Mud in mid-December and have been enjoying a weekly facial since then. It's a gentle enough mask that you can use it on spots more often than once a week if you desire but I've found that once a week works well for my skin. Upon washing the mud off my skin, my face always looks fresh, healthy, and has a lovely glow to it. It also really helps any blemishes that I may have.



It is a bit on the pricey side at $59 but I do think it's worth it! It has a nice, rich consistency that spreads and no detectable odor whatsoever (and you know I have the nose of a bloodhound!). It comes in a simple yet attractive recyclable jar which is packaged in an awesome box that is embedded with wildflower seeds that you can plant in your garden!



My skin always looks and feels amazing after I apply and rinse off my MudPot facial and if you're in the market for a new treat for you face I highly suggest this one. You can visit their website to learn more or purchase your very own MudPot.

(FTC : This product was provided to me by the company free of charge for review consideration. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Simple Blemish Busting Mask

I don't know about you but acne really bums me out. I've been lucky for the majority of my life and had clear skin but now that I'm in my mid-twenties my skin has been having some serious hormonal acne problems. I have always known about the benefits of using tea tree oil to combat blemishes but I'm just now beginning to experiment.

Even though the recipe I am sharing with you today is super simple, it's an awesome treat for your skin. If you're seeing spots this mask will become your new best friend! The following two ingredients combine to create an antibacterial and antiseptic yet hydrating facial mask.



What you need:
1 tablespoon of honey
3-5 drops of tea tree oil (start with the minimal amount and then you can adjust according to your personal preferences)
Once you mix the tea tree oil into the honey just apply evenly on clean skin and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water. If you want to cover your neck and chest you can double the recipe.

You can use this mask several times a week as desired and it should keep pesky pimples at bay. However, this isn't a miracle mask and it won't completely heal your skin. In fact, any product promising miracles probably will let you down. This mask will help brighten, refresh, and minimize red and angry blemishes. Remember to spot test before using in case your sensitive to the oil.

DIY Bronze Glow

Do you have an event coming up that you want to look golden, glowy, and glamorous for? Or maybe you just want to perk up your pale skin with a little color. Instead of using harsh self-tanning products or going out into the sun (or even worse – the tanning beds) try mixing up your very own bronzing powder with simple ingredients you probably have at home.




All you have to do is mix the cocoa powder and cinnamon together until you have the perfect shade for you. Everyone has different skin and different preferences so some of you may want more cocoa in the mix while others may prefer more cinnamon. Once you have the perfect shade, just pour the powder into an old jar or container and apply to your skin where you want a golden glow!

If you want to bronze your body all you need to do it add your powder into enough of your favorite lotion to cover whichever parts of your body you want to bronze. The best part about this is that it's temporary so as soon as you get home from your event you can hop in the shower and rinse the golden glow down the drain. Make sure to let dry completely before putting on any clothes and don't get wet while it's on your skin.

January Sampler Bag GIVEAWAY

Hello there! Are you ready for a Sampler Bag giveaway? The majority of you seem to really enjoy these so I decided it was time for another.

After so many of you complimented the bag from the last giveaway I have another leopard (or cheetah? I'm unsure of my animal prints) printed bag up for grabs. This times it's filled with samples from Jason, Avalon Organics, Nature's Gate, Harvey Prince, C3, Two Leaves and a Bud as well as deluxe sized samples from Out of Africa and Beyond Coastal. I'm also throwing in four full sized items as well from EOS, Verdant, Aromatherapaes, and Zeb Botanical Beauty. 

If you're super sensitive to scents you might want to skip this one because there are many fragranced items in the bag (think perfume, lotion, and soap).



 If you want to be the lucky winner of the newest Beautiful Basics Sampler Bag all you have to do is enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Talk About It - Benjabelle Brush Tree

A couple of weeks ago I received a Benjabelle Brush Tree in the mail and I have to tell you, it just might be the coolest thing EVER! A lot of you have been asking me how to take better care of your brushes and this is a total must have for treating your tools with the respect they deserve. I'm absolutely in love with the Benjabelle Brush Tree and I'm so excited to get to introduce this innovative product to you today!

Benjabelle was born in 2012 at the hands of Ben and Jan of Madison, Wisconsin. Jan wanted something to hang her cosmetic brushes with after cleaning to allow them to dry quickly and take up less space than if they were just laying on the counter. The pair sat down and designed the Brush Tree. Each and every Brush Tree ordered is handmade and assembled by Ben or Jan.

The Brush Tree retails for $34.95 and the shipping is also very reasonable. They even ship worldwide; you can find the rates by clicking here. It comes in three sleek shades including chic black, classic white, and pretty pink.



The Brush Tree itself is easy to assemble, as well as to disband for easy storage, and easy to clean (just wipe down with warm water and a soft cloth). To use the Brush Tree all you have to do is insert brushes from below, allow the brushes to dry, and then pull them through the top when they're finished. It's so simple, yet incredibly brilliant.



The Brush Tree allows brushes to dry upside down, which keeps water from entering the ferrule (if water gets into the ferrule it can cause the glue that holds the fibers together to break down and fall apart; it can also cause mildew problems). The way the brushes hang also allows them to dry to their proper shape. I can't tell you how many times I have laid a brush flat on the counter to dry and come back to a misshapen brush! You can even use it to store your brushes!



The coolest thing about the Brush Tree is that the special slots fit any and every size of brush handle. I have many different brands and types of brushes from short handled, travel sized, long handled, thick and thin, and every brush is able to be hung up to dry. The thinner brushes do hang at an angle but it doesn't effect the way they dry.

To learn more about the Benjabelle Brush Tree, or to purchase one of your own, check out their website by clicking here. You can also visit them on Facebook or Twitter or check out their Brush Tree Intro video on YouTube.
(FTC: This product was so generously provided to me for review consideration by the company. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)