Snow Day Beauty featuring Honeybee Gardens

On my eyes: I'm wearing the Pressed Eye Shadow Singles in Nirvana on my inner corners and under my brows, Mojave in the crease, Cameo all over the lid, and Ninja Kitty in the center of my lids.

On my cheeks: Breathless Complexion Perfecting Maracuja Pressed Blush and Ninja Kitty on the tops of my cheekbones and on the top of the apples of my cheeks.

On my lips: Irresistible Lip Liner in Island Spice all over the lips with a lip balm on the top.

The top shadows are Nirvana (matte white) on the left and Cameo (matte warm pale rose). The bottom shadows are Mojave (matte light earthy brown) on the left and Ninja Kitty (pale pink with light shimmer) on the right.

And now for the most exciting news of the day... Honeybee Gardens is having a 50% off Flash Sale today so click here to go to their website to check out their products and go shopping. Which ones are you purchasing? Let me know in the comments!

(FTC: I'm an ambassador for Honeybee Gardens and these products were sent to me for free by the company. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Skin Care - MyChelle Dermaceuticals Perfect C PRO Speed Peel

I’m a big time lover and a firm believer in at home beauty treatments whether it’s a mask, scrub, or peel. I love them all and I’ve recently fallen, and hard, for the Perfect C PRO Speed Peel from MyChelle Dermaceuticals.

This weighty glass jar comes full of a potent and powerful facial peel with 10% L-Ascorbic Acid. You leave this baby on for only a minute and rinse off to discover brighter, fresher, healthier looking skin that looks like you just came from a procedure at your dermatologist's office.

I was initially a little scared of this peel because it sounds a bit intense, but I haven’t experienced any burning, tingling (even though it’s normal if you do), irritation or ill effects of any sort besides turning a bit red directly afterward. I use this peel once a week in the evening and I’ve been so impressed with the noticeable, quickly achieved results. My skin absolutely adores this product and I love using it. My skin looks incredible, seriously! It also feels so smooth and soft. It makes my skin look radiant and youthful. Not that I’m not young at 29, but you know what I mean.

Oh, and it smells incredible. It smells so fresh and juicy and fruity. It actually reminds me of something but I can’t think of what it is. Whatever it reminds me of, though, is a bright and happy smell and I adore it.

All MyChelle Dermaceutical products are vegetarian, Cruelty-free, and free from scary and toxic ingredients. You’ll never find any Phthalates, Parabens, Sulfates, Ureas, Artificial Fragrances and/or  Colors, Petroleum, GMOs, or Gluten in any of their formulas so they are totally safe for anyone looking for products to help them achieve great skin. You can learn more about MyChelle and their products by visiting their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Cosmetics - Kari Gran Suji Red Lip Whip and Lip Buff Duo

Kari Gran is one of my absolute favorite eco-luxe beauty lines and I always get so excited when they release a new Lip Whip! In addition to launching a brand new gorgeously tinted Lip Whip, they also created and unveiled an exfoliating lip scrub called Lip Buff. Whether you’re already a fan of the supremely rich and dreamy formula, or if you have yet to try Kari Gran products, you’re going to love these two new violet-jar housed beauties!

Suji Red Lip Whip came to life with the help of Suji (pronounced Soo-jee), the youngest daughter of Lisa Strain (co-founder of the company). When Suji was 11 she fell hard for the drama of a beautiful red lip and now, at age 23, she helped create this lovely shade. This particular red is a perfect shade. It’s not too bright or too blue. It can be worn as a more sheer wash of color or built up to be quite dramatic. It’s a totally fun and flirty color while still be totally classic and glamorous. It’s minty, glossy, although not too shiny, and absolutely lovely. As with every Lip Whip in the range this pretty and pigmented potted balm packs a punch of color while soothing and hydrating even the driest of lips.

Like I said, it’s a gorgeous shade and I absolutely adore the way it looks once on but I do have to say that I don’t find it to be the easiest on-the-go lip color. Like most red lip colors, you have to be quite precise and it requires a bit more maintenance than other shades. However, it’s totally worth it!

I was quite surprised the first time I used it with how opaque it can be. I definitely recommend sitting in front a mirror and using a lip brush and keeping some cotton buds handy. Once it’s on it lasts really nicely.

Okay, now let’s talk about the Lip Buff. This little jar is thick, rich and does a nice job of gently polishing the lips. It’s not the most intense lip exfoliator I’ve ever used but it’s a perfect primer to keep your lips looking and feeling soft and lush before applying lip color. You can also use it to remove lip color at the end of the day. The formula feels just like a regular Naked Lip Whip but with added organic sugar and organic chamomile powder. It’s so gentle and doesn’t bother my highly irritable lips but still leaves them feeling fresh and soft. 

You can buy Suji Red and Lip Buff individually or as part of a duo that also comes with a lip brush (I didn’t receive the brush but it looks really nice!) for $37 ($47 value) through December 31st. You can visit the Kari Gran website by clicking here to learn more about the brand or their other products. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

(FTC: These products were sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Skin Care - derma e Purifying

I have normal to dry skin (more dry than normal) that is pretty sensitive. I’m almost 30 so my skin is aging and I’m having to worry more about preventing wrinkles than treating pimples but my skin does still get congested and I get a hormonal spot or two here and there. When I recently received a box of purifying products from derma e I was worried that they wouldn’t be gentle enough for my delicate skin but it turns out that two of them have made it in to my regular beauty routine.



First up is the Purifying Daily Detox Scrub, which I’ve been using a couple of times a week. This mild, not at all harsh, scrub gently buffs away dry skin, micro-pollutants and impurities and also happens to be loaded with minerals, antioxidants and natural toxin fighters that help keep skin looking fresh and radiant. This inky charcoal black scrub feels quite cooling thanks to the Menthol in the formula but doesn’t cause me any irritation. I actually like to use this first and then go in with my normal cleanser afterward. It leaves me soft and glowing.



I have also been enjoying the Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask. I’ve been using this mask, and scrub combo, to purify and decongest my skin once or twice a week. I’ve noticed softer, smoother, clearer skin every single time I’ve used this product and I’ve been so pleased with the results. The really cool thing about this product is that you apply to your skin like you would a normal mask and after it dries you can use a little water to turn it into a scrub for an even deeper, more thorough, cleanse and pore purifying session.

My only issue with this little gem of a product is the fact that it comes in a relatively small tube, 1.7 ounces, and I find that I need to use quite a bit of product to cover my face and neck evenly. It’s worth it, though!

To learn more about derma e and their products you can visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Talk About Cosmetics - Sheer Miracle

Hello Beautiful, I hope you’re in the mood to talk makeup today because I’ve got so many good things to share with you! Have you heard of Sheer Miracle? Their mineral makeup is really great and I’ve been fully enjoying and absolutely loving some of their products!

If you’re looking for simple but super high-quality natural (and even organic) cosmetics that are easy to use and highly effective without fillers, preservatives, or any harsh ingredients you’ll probably want to check out Sheer Miracle. This line is made up of products that are suitable for every single makeup lover out there, even those with the most sensitive of skin. Oh, and of course they are also cruelty-free!



As someone who struggles with dark undereye circles and heavy baggage thanks to my illnesses (I’m talking to you, MS!) I’m also so grateful to find a product that actually brightens up the darkness and makes me look well-rested, wide awake, and not as sick as I actually am. If you’re anything like I am then you will also love the Wide Awake Dark Circle Concealer! I’ve tried a lot of pink, peach, salmon, and/or orange concealers meant to brighten up the undereye are but have never found one to be this effective. I love the ultra easy to blend formula that disappears into my skin, doesn’t crease or fade throughout the day, and keeps me looking bright-eyed. I use it to highlight some other areas on my face, Can you tell I’m in love?

I mean, seriously! Check out the difference in the photo above. The photo on the left shows Wide Awake applied on half on my face while the other side is bare. The photo on the right shows a finished face.




I’ve also been using the Medium Light Netural SPF 30 Mineral Foundation. This buildable but natural looking powder foundation is so easy to use and never looks cakey or too heavy. It’s truly a multitasking wonder and can be sheered out for a light coverage, applied for full coverage, used as concealer, or even used to add some more coverage on top of a tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation. I selected a shade that is a teensy bit too dark for me but I can still make it work. It's made with only titanium dioxide, mica, iron oxides, and ultramarine blue so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin. It comes in a 9-gram jar, with a twisting top lock to keep things clean, and feels very nearly undetectable on the skin.




Euphoria Blush is the perfect peachy pink shade with shimmer that looks very similar to a not so nontoxic, but very popular, blush from a mainstream brand with a naughty name. It’s such a gorgeous shade and the formula is lovely! It looks a little too over the top shimmery in the jar but blends out to be a beautiful and highly flattering healthy glowing flush of color on the cheeks.



Maybe I should have started with telling you about the Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which plumps up and hydrates the skin making your face the perfect base for makeup. It’s a lovely primer and a beautiful hydrating serum.



I’ve also been using generous sample sizes of the Extreme Closeup HD Mineral Finishing Powder, Hide the red Green Cream Concealer, Green Loose Mineral Color Correcting Concealer/Primer and Mineral Bronzer. The Finishing Powder is silky beyond belief! It does a wonderful job of setting, smoothing, and perfecting. Both green concealers are nice and the bronzer is a really lovely shade.



To learn more about Sheer Miracle you can visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

(FTC: These products were sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About It - Green People

I can’t even try to tell you how excited I was when I checked my e-mail one morning and found a message from the Social Media Executive for Green People. I’ve heard a lot about the brand from friends and bloggers from across the pond, and even received several questions about the brand from some of you, but had never tried their products myself.

As I was browsing their website I became even more excited about Green People when I discovered they have an entire range of Neutral Scent Free products for people who, like me, are super sensitive to any type of fragrance. Don’t worry if you do like your products to smell, though, because they have so many different lines! They have so many products I know that each and every one of you could find something, or many things, to fall head over heels for.

Green People is a natural and organic skin care company based in the UK. The brand has been around since 1997 but launched last year in the states. Green People was born out of a Mother’s need to protect her sensitive baby’s skin and grew from there. Their products are vegan and vegetarian friendly as well as cruelty-free. You’ll never spot anything toxic, harsh or artificial on any of their products’ ingredients lists.

I picked out several of their products to try out and I’m so thrilled to be able to share my thoughts with you all. Of course, everything I picked comes from the Neutral Scent-Free line but I feel really good about recommending the brand as a whole.



Let’s first talk about the Neutral Scent Free Shampoo and Conditioner, which I was probably the most eager to try since I’m always on the lookout for gentle hair products that will clean my hair while nourishing my finicky scalp. This duo does just that and also leaves my long, fine strands looking smooth and feeling soft but strong. You need only a small amount of the shampoo and you get a ton of silky, rich lather. The conditioner is on the thinner side but does a great job of hydrating without weighing my hair down. I can even use it on my scalp without any irritation or build-up, which doesn’t always happen with conditioner. Oh, and my tresses look totally shiny and sleek after using this power pair!



Another product I’m always on the hunt for is a mild hand wash that won’t upset the eczema I have on my hands and cause it to flare up and Green People created one that cleanses without drying or causing any irritation. I’ve been exclusively using their Neutral Scent Free Hand Wash and absolutely loving it. It has zero smell and doesn’t bother the skin on my hands at all. I love the packaging, too. All Green People products are packaged simply yet elegantly. I love leaving this soap out on my counter!



I’ve also been testing out the Neutral Scent Free Hand and Body Cream which is ultra rich and beneficial for dry skin. The formula is so rich and wonderful but this isn’t my favorite product of the line. For some reason, this product reacts with my pH in a weird way and ends up smelling odd on me, even though it has no scent. I really like to use this on my feet, though! Slathering some of this on and then putting on a thick pair of socks right out of the shower has been a wonderful treat for my dry feet. I also happen to love the airless pump bottle. It makes getting the right amount of product really easy!



The final Neutral Scent Free product I’ve been using is the Eye Cream. This soothing cream comes in a little lip balm style tube that is easy to use and the formula inside is so smooth and lightweight. It’s hydrating but not heavy! It can be used night or day for smoother, softer skin under your eyes.



And finally, if you’re already thinking about what gifts you want to wrap and put under your tree or stuff in some stockings this Christmas (or anytime, really!) you should check out their limited edition gift sets, like this SOOTHE Facial Trio Set. They have many different sets but this one features three scent free facial products (cleanser, serum, and moisturizer) in a travel-friendly and testable 30ml size.



They also have a range of makeup, which doesn’t seem to be available in the US but I really hope these products do make it stateside one day because they look incredible!

You can learn more about Green People and their product offerings by visiting either their US website or UK website, depending on where you are located. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

(FTC: These products were sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About It - Thesis Beauty

If you’re familiar with the world of green beauty you’ve probably seen or heard of Thesis before. This range of healthy bath, body, and skincare products is thoughtfully formulated, perfectly packaged, and ready to please even the biggest purist you know. The range is entirely vegan and certified cruelty-free. You’ll never find any toxic or harmful ingredients thrown into a single one of their products, and instead will be delighted to know that they use safe, healthy, and premium ingredients to make their products as luxurious, nourishing and gentle as possible.

I was lucky enough to get the chance to try several of their products and I’m more than delighted with each of them.



First up is the Strawberry Dessert Facial Mask and it’s berry skin-boosting magic. First thing first, this finely milled powder smells absolutely edible and delicious. It’s got a sweet strawberry scent that is really wonderful. If you’ve ever eaten freeze dried strawberries you’ll know what the scent is like. Organic USA-grown Strawberries, Kaolin Clay, Moroccan Rhassoul Clay, Australian Pink Clay, Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Corn Starch and Organic Sunflower Lecithin combine to create a gentle, soothing, brightening, and cleansing mask that leaves skin feeling baby soft and looking radiant. It’s also easy to use. Simply mix the powder with water to create a paste and apply to your clean, damp skin. It’s not irritating or sensitizing in the least and works for all skin types.



I’ve also been using their Unscented Shower Gel. I know a lot of you like your products to have a scent - but you know me, I like to keep it fragrance-free - so you’ll be happy to know they also have a Lavender, Lemongrass, and Patchouli version of this rich and moisturizing body wash. The unscented version has a slight, hardly noticeable rosemary scent to it. It lathers well and leaves my sensitive skin feeling clean and hydrated. It’s super gentle and incredibly nourishing. Oh, and a little bit goes a really long way!



Let’s move on to the Himalayan Bath Salt Royal Gems, which are incredible. These untreated pink pieces of salt come directly from the Himalayan Mountains and contain over 80 essential minerals. They have no scent and come in the most beautiful glass container. There are few things more satisfying than a salty soak in the tub and these and absolutely divine. These also come in other scents!

I love these so much that I got bought my Mom the Dead Sea Bath Salt in Lavender Fields for her birthday stocking. Yes, we do birthday stockings! They're our favorite part of Christmas so my Dad created a birthday stocking that we all get to open first thing on our special day.

With their beautiful, apothecary-like packaging Thesis products would make a fantastic gift for yourself or for someone you know and love. Remember, the holidays are right around the corner.

To learn more about the company you can click here to visit their website. You can also find Thesis on Facebook and Twitter.

(FTC: These products were sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

DIY Beauty - Lip Scrub + Mask

It’s that time of year, again, when lips are often drier than dry and there are few things less sexy than dry, chapped, irritated lips. So, let’s talk about treating our lips with a spa day perfect for your pout.

Let’s start with my absolute favorite and most used DIY beauty recipe, a super simple lip scrub made with ingredients you’re bound to have in your pantry. All you need is honey, olive oil, and brown sugar. There are no exact measurements for this so just combine the sugar, honey, and oil until you get a thick paste like consistency.

Once your scrub is the perfect texture you want to apply the mixture to slightly damp lips and massage with small, circular motions. I like to remove with a warm, wet cloth because the fibers also help provide a little exfoliating action.

Once your lips are sufficiently smooth and flake free you can apply more honey directly to your lips. Honey is kind of a magical, mystical beauty ingredient and does so much good for stressed or dehydrated skin (or lips, in this case). Massage the honey on your lips for a few minutes and then wipe off. You can also use honey and yogurt mixed together for an even richer experience.

Then apply your favorite lip balm, or pure coconut oil, to lock in the moisture on your now baby soft lips!

Let me know in the comments section if you have a favorite lip balm or DIY trick for making sure your lips are smooth and healthy.

Talk About Cosmetics - Honeybee Gardens Fall Favorites

I’m super duper proud to be a Honeybee Gardens Ambassador for good reason, their products are absolutely loveable. They make some of the most wonderful pressed eyeshadows I have ever used and their lipsticks are wearable and nourishing while coming in an array of easy to wear shades that can amp up any look. Oh, and their blushes? They’re great, too! In fact, I really do love every single thing I have tried from the brand.

They also happen to be totally cruelty-free and are even certified by PETA. Honeybee Gardens uses only nontoxic and healthy natural ingredients in each of their products; in fact, all of their products have been reviewed by the Environmental Working Group and have a score of 2 or lower.

Today I want to share this look I created using some of their products. I think it’s a perfect daily look for fall and I know I’ll be rocking it lots in the coming weeks.

I started with Mojave, a perfect (but hard to photograph) neutral light-toned brown shade that makes the perfect transition shade, in my crease. I then applied Cairo, a slightly shimmery and super gorgeous plummy brown shade, to my entire mobile lid. I made sure to blend the edges really well so it didn’t look at all harsh. I packed on a little more of this shade to the outer half of my lid for more pop and then used Coco Loco, which is a rich matte chocolate brown, on the outer edge and as a liner.

Left to Right: Mojave, Coco Loco, and Cairo

Their shadows are perfect, seriously. The texture is incredible and so easy to work with. I get absolutely no fallout from any of these shades and love each them all. Mojave has become a go-to shade that I use with any look in my crease. Cairo really makes my eyes pop and I love the way they look when I’m wearing it. And Coco Loco is a perfect essential shadow for any makeup collection. 

I used Seduction Truly Natural Lipstick on my lips, which is a lovely neutral rosy toned matte lipstick that is one of those perfect “My Lips But Better” kind of shades. It’s a bit deeper in tone than my actual lips and I love the effect. It’s a very wearable, and comfortable, shade to wear. 

I also have a tiny pop of the Complexion Perfecting Maracuja Pressed Blush in Breathless on my cheeks. I reviewed this blush here. I love a pink pop of color on the cheeks in the colder months.

Check out Honeybee Gardens' website by clicking here. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also check out the Brand Ambassadors page by clicking here.

I also want to know what kind of shades you go for in the fall so leave me a comment below telling me your favorites.

(FTC: I paid for the three eyeshadows with my own money. The blush and lipstick were sent to me by the company. I am not being compensated for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Talk About It - The Soil & The Sea

All of life depends on nature, what grows from the ground and springs from the sea, and that understanding is where New York based brand, The Soil & The Sea, came up with the inspiration for their line of simple, but luxurious products. The company strongly believes in “farms and beaches, not pharmaceuticals, and in maximum effectiveness with minimal ingredients.” This line is divine and luxurious while still being pure and simple. Oh, and this brand is Leaping Bunny Certified and their products are made in the US, with wholesome and healthy ingredients.

I’ve been having so much fun exploring and testing out some of their products and I think many of you will really enjoy the brand and their offerings so without further ado let’s jump into talking about the products I was lucky enough to get to try.

First up, I’d like to introduce you to the entire roster of The Soil & The Sea’s Lip Balm team. I’ve been testing all six of these flat little tubes of lip moisturizing goodness and have found that the formula is really great across the board. They’re a thicker balm that goes on smoothly and provides long lasting hydration. With five clear and scented balms and one tinted there is bound to be a flavor that every single person can fall in love with. The varieties are Acai Berry, Aloe and Green Tea, Citrus, Coconut, Eucalyptus Mint, and Crimson (tinted). Crimson is a gorgeous, easy-to-wear shade of shimmery red with a sweet peppermint scent that looks so pretty on the lips! As far as the non-tinted balms go I think I’d have to say that Eucalyptus Mint is my favorite because I’m a such for anything fresh and minty while my Mom is a huge fan of the Acai Berry. All of them are equally lovely, though!

The Costa Rica Coffee Peppermint Bar Soap is awesome! If you love soap, coffee, and peppermint like I do you’ll probably want to head over to their website and put this exfoliating bar in to your cart right away. It doesn’t smell too strong or overpowering but does have a lovely scent of coffee and the refreshing scent of peppermint. I think of this as a body scrub in bar form because it’s quite scrubby but the formula is still pretty gentle thanks to ingredients like organic coconut, sunflower, shea butter, and kukui nut oil. It does a great job making skin feel clean and fresh. It’s also a fairly big sized bar of soap, which is a nice bonus.

Still talking about body cleansers, I’ve also been using the Lavender Grapefruit and Coconut Sea Mineral Body Washes. They do a great job of lathering, rinsing clean and leaving skin feeling fresh, balanced, and super soft. Both are formulated with nourishing organic ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, sesame seed oil, jojoba seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and dead sea salt. I love the scents of lavender and grapefruit when combined but I’m really in love with the Coconut Sea Mineral Body Wash. I’ll be buying a bigger bottle soon because I love it so much!

The Lavender Grapefruit Body Lotion is also quite lovely thanks to its fresh and calming fragrance. It leaves skin feeling silky soft and also lightly scented.

 Finally, I’ve got two candles to talk about The Soil and Sea Candles. If you’re familiar with my blog you’ll probably be quite surprised to hear how much I enjoy both of these little glass jars of wick and wax. Soil is a bit darker and richer with a scent of vetiver, sweet wood, dry earth while Sea is lighter and a bit more fresh with notes of beach grass, marine sand, and saltwater. Sea is undoubtedly my favorite of the two and reminds me of summer and being by the ocean. These would make beautiful gifts!

As a final note, the packaging of these products is so simple but so chic. I love it!

If you’d like to learn more about the brand and their line of products you can visit their website by clicking here. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

(FTC: These products were sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Skin Care - Wonder Butter

Simple is almost always better and there are few things more simple than an ultra luxe body butter made with only 3 ingredients that make you wonder how it can possibly be so rich, hydrating, and softening. That’s where Just Three Wonder Butter comes into the picture. This deeply nourishing product made with Organic Cold Pressed Cocoa Butter, Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, and Pure Vitamin E is vegan, cruelty-free and is totally safe, pure and nontoxic.

It was originally created to help heal burns but it has so many uses and it can be used on any part of your body and on any one of your family members, young, old or four-legged. It smells delicious, like a tasty chocolate treat, and leaves behind long-lasting moisture. For under $15 you get a hefty 8 ounces of product and a little goes a very long way so you’re getting an awesome value.

You can click here to see some of the usage suggestions from the company, but my favorite ways to use this delectable body butter are as a lip balm and a hand/foot cream. My entire family enjoys using this thick balm as an easy way to help relieve and revive dry skin. I’ve even used this on my sweet pup, Cooper, who has some major skin issues and it’s helped relieve his itchiness big time.

To learn more about this little jar of goodness you can visit their website by clicking here. You can also find the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Skin Care - Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub

I’ve been experimenting with several different Derma E products and I want to talk to you today about my absolute favorite from the brand, which also happens to be one of my must have skin care products of all time. 

The Microdermabrasion Scrub is a genius little miracle in a nice glass jar and makes my skin look and feel totally renewed. Even my Mom, who has really sensitive skin and rosacea, loves this stuff!

Made with ingredients like an exclusive crystal blend including Dead Sea Salt and Volcanic Sand this perfectly formulated scrubs buffs away dead skin and leaves skin looking fresh, clear, and smooth. It also leaves my skin feeling unbelievably soft and supple. It’s a powerhouse that gets the job done, but is also gentle and easy to use.

I like to massage this pampering and perfecting scrub into my skin twice a week and it has made such a beautiful difference in the tone, texture and clarity of my skin. It helps clear up any congestion and cleans out my pores while getting rid of any dry patches I may have. My skin seems to glow, so much more than usual, afterwards and I love it when my skin is glowy!

It has deliciously bright citrus scent that is uplifting and invigorating, that is absolutely lovely.

This little gem is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten free, and GMO-free so it’s totally safe and healthy to use. It provides you with instant and noticeable results so what’s not to love? If you’re interested in learning more about this scrub you can click here. To learn more about the brand and their other products you can click here.

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About It - Soulstice Nail Colour

I absolutely love getting to share healthier nail polish brands with you all. So many of you have expressed how much you love shiny, colorful nails but commercial nail polishes are packed with super scary ingredients. Thankfully there are companies like Soulstice Spa who has a roster of gorgeous vegan, non-toxic, 5-FREE, and cruelty-free polishes that are made in the USA.

I’ve talked about Soulstice in the past (here, here, and here) but they just launched some beautiful brand new beauties all inspired by towns in Northern California. The whole collection is so stunning and I think you’ll all really love the selection.

I received six of their latest shades:

Belvedere – Described as Deep Sea Blue

Bolinas – Described as Seaside Rose

Inverness ­– Described as Forest Green-Gray

Marshall – Described as Chocolate Shine

Olema – Described as Seashell

Point Reyes – There is no description of this shade on the website but I would call it a pretty, creamy peachy tan shade.

Each and every one of these polishes goes on so smoothly and evenly. Soulstice has such a great formula and I love how simple it is to get the type of coverage you want in one or two swipes. The bottle shape is easy to hold and the brush is easy to use. The formula lasts well on the nails and is easy to remove when you’re ready to take it off and try another color. 

Other colors that have caught my eye: San Rafael, Kenwood, Stinson Beach and Fairfax. 

Each glass bottle comes with .43 fl oz of polish and comes in at $12.

To learn more about Soulstice or to check out their shade selection you can visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

(FTC: These products were sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Cosmetics - Honeybee Gardens Complexion Perfecting Blush

I’ve talked about Honeybee Gardens a few times on Beautiful Basics in the past but they’re such an awesome, affordable, and ethical healthy brand with an all-star lineup of pure and healthy products that I just have to talk about them again and again. Besides, you beautiful gals and guys seem to be really interested in their products and the brand in general, so today let’s talk about their Complexion Perfecting Blush, shall we? Let’s me just start of by telling you how excited I was when I heard that Honeybee Gardens was launching a pressed blush! SO excited. Like, really excited!

I’m a big time blush lover! Blush is one of my favorite makeup products and therefore I like to think of myself as a blush and cheek product connoisseur. Because my illness often leaves me looking a little pale and lifeless I totally believe in the power of blush and using a good swipe or two to make myself look better than I feel. Since I’m so blush obsessed and in “need” of a good blush because of my health problems I like to think that I’m a bit of an expert and therefore I can be quite critical sometimes, and I cannot find a single thing I don’t like about this little beauty. Honeybee Gardens brought their A Game and did not disappoint with this product.

With 5 stunning shades suited for all skin tones this blush is formulated to be silky smooth and complexion perfecting. This formula is a magical makeup wonder! It’s highly pigmented but easy to blend and magically becomes one with the skin giving your face the perfect natural flush that looks seamless, flawless and totally healthy. 

I have the shade Breathless, described as a pale warm pink, and it looks like my perfect natural flush but better. It’s highly pigmented but easy to blend and magically becomes one with the skin giving your face the perfect natural flush that looks flawless and totally healthy. 

This formula is a magical makeup wonder! The texture is seriously dreamy! I have dry skin and powder products can sometimes go on patchy or chalky but this one glides on and feels so silky and so soft it’s like velvet, or something even softer than velvet. It goes on and instantly melts into the skin and ends up being totally seamless. It doesn’t even look like you’re wearing blush, but rather than you have a healthy glow to your skin.

With 5 stunning shades suited for all skin tones this blush is formulated to be silky smooth and complexion perfecting. You can wear each shade sheer or build it up to your desired shade strength. The formula makes for an easy to customize blush that wears all day and doesn’t fade away so you don’t end up with strange patches of color on your face.

Oh, and you get 8.5 grams of product for $13.99 so it’s as affordable as it is gorgeous. As with all Honeybee Gardens products it’s gluten-free, vegan, cruelty-free and made without parabens, petroleum-based oils, alcohol, talc, fillers, fragrances, preservatives or chemical dyes. This blush is made with only healthy ingredients and is even enriched with Maracuja, which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help even out your skins tone and texture.

You can learn more about Honeybee Gardens and their products by visiting their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)