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.)