Talk About Subscription Boxes - December 2017 Goodbeing

Okay, ladies and gents, this is it! This is the very last Beautiful Basics post of 2017. I’ve shared 40 different posts this year, a little less than last year but I blame that on recent health developments. I can’t believe how quickly the year has gone by. Can you? I think I say this every year. I guess we all do, though. Where exactly does time go? And, speaking of time flying by, today we’re talking about the December Goodbeing box, even though it seems like I just posted about November yesterday!

Let’s get the breakdown out of the way for those of you who may be unfamiliar with Goodbeing, a monthly beauty and/or lifestyle box that focuses on natural and cruelty-free products. You can sign up for the month to month plan or purchase a 6-month subscription (this option allows you to save a little bit of money). From there, you can choose either the Standard plan or the Mini plan. With the Mini Goodbeing, you’ll receive 2 items per month, either 2 travel size or a full size plus a deluxe sample. This plan has an average value of $15-$20 but will vary month to month. The Standard plan has an average monthly value of $40-$50 and comes with 4-5 items per month in a mix of sizes that can be full size or deluxe sample sized. And, as an extra (awesome) perk you get to choose 1 or 2 items yourself each month. You can truly customize your Goodbeing experience to make it what you want it to be. Click here to check out the different plan options.

This month I received: Elate Cosmetics Liquid EyeLine in Joy (full-size), Brazilian Brown Sugar with Cocoa Butter Body Polish, Jivi Moisturizer with Sun Protection in Cucumber Sage (full-size), Jivi Exfoliating Face Wash in Eucalyptus Mint, Fred + Far Greeting Card and Trillion Pin (full-size), as well as a WooBamboo Standard Adult Soft Toothbrush (full-size).

I went a little outside of my comfort zone this month by selecting the Elate Cosmetics Gold Liquid Eyeliner. I don’t really wear eyeliner and if I do I certainly don’t wear liquid, but this looked so beautiful online that I couldn’t pass it up. It looks like liquid gold. It looked that way online but it actually looks that way in person, too. Who can say no to rocking a little liquid gold on their eyes, especially at this time of year? I picked it out with the intention of using it on my inner corners for a little pop of glam, or using it all over the lid for a little something extra. So, I’m not going to use it for its intended purpose (are you kidding? Me? Trying to use a liquid liner with my tremor?) but I’m certainly going to use it as often as possible.  It doesn’t smudge or flake away! The tube is also lovely.

The second item I selected in from Pangea Organics. This brand is one that my Mom absolutely loves so I just had to go for the Brazilian Brown Sugar with Brown Sugar Body Scrub for her. Remember how I said, last month, that I love picking one item for me and one for her? I love sharing the Goodbeing goodies! I tried it first, though, because how could I pass on this? You get 2 ounces of this scrub in a substantial, weighty tub and it smells divine. It’s also a pleasure to use! It is exfoliating and softening, all that you could ever want in a body scrub.

I’ve never actually heard of Jivi before so it’s awesome to be introduced to a new brand. The company itself sounds incredible because for every bottle purchased they donate a meal through food banks across the country to a person in need in your community. And, their products are so natural that they’re edible! I won’t use the Exfoliating Face Wash in Eucalyptus Mint, even though it sounds nice, but the Moisturizer with Sun Protection in Cucumber Sage intrigues me. One of my resolutions for this past year was to finish products completely before opening a new one, because as a beauty blogger I sometimes have multiples on the go at any given moment and some things end up going bad, so I won’t try this one until I’m done with the current moisturizer I’m using but I’ll let you know how it goes. It has great ingredients and it smells nice from what I can tell without opening it.

I love WooBamboo toothbrushes. I worked with them earlier this year and did many giveaways, so I think a lot of you are now fans, too, from what you’ve told me!

Fred + Far is all about self-love and commitment to yourself and the last two items I received are from there. The Trillion pin is all about shining bright, like the diamond you are while the All of You, That’s What I love Greeting Card is a great reminder for someone you love, or even yourself. You can mail it out or keep it on the fridge. I really love the design.

Altogether, my box came to a total of at least $50. I say at least because I didn’t receive a card for the Jivi products so I’m not sure how much the face wash sample is worth.

If you’re interested in signing up, you can click here to do so. With plans starting at $9.95 you’re bound to find an option that works for you whether you’re wanting to try out the beauty box or the lifestyle box. The box ships within the US but also to Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and the UK. A subscription would also make a great gift for any beauty lover in your life.

You can also find Goodbeing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

And if you’re already a member I would love to know what you received so be sure to leave a comment below.

(FTC: This box was sent to me for free for review purposes. I am not being compensated for this post. Although, if you sign up with my link I can get a longer subscription for free + boxes to give away to my readers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Cosmetics - Naked Truth Beauty

No matter the time of year I’m all about creamy products that make my dry skin look healthy, flushed and as glowy as possible. But, especially at this time of year, I like looking like I just came inside from spending an hour or two outside in the snow caroling and building snowmen. I live where it’s very cold and snows quite a lot so I’m not disillusioned into believing there’s anything attractive about a windblown and snow cold face. I don’t know about you, but I turn red and blue and purple and it isn’t cute, but I know how to fake it using cream products.

There is something seriously wonderful about a cream blush and highlighter pairing that makes you look like you’re radiating light from the inside out and that’s what Naked Truth Beauty does. They’ve been helping me fake looking snow-kissed and radiant while still looking natural and effortless. They also make it easy with their multi-use, hydrating and worry-free products.

Naked Truth Beauty is committed to socially responsible beauty, products that are good for our bodies, communities, and environment. They believe we should all have access to safe and sustainable products, so their entire line is made by hand by in small batches using simple but high-quality ingredients that come from Mother Nature herself. They also package their healthy, cruelty-free and non-toxic products in recyclable, compostable and/or biodegradable packaging (including their stickers and mailers) that are made from recycled material.

I received two goodies to try out and I’ve absolutely been loving them. I’ve had them for quite a while now but with being in the hospital and being sick for so long they kind of took a backseat. That is not, however, an indicator of their worth or value because they are truly excellent. I’m still unable to wear makeup most days but when I can I definitely reach for these two.

I got to try out the Beam Highlighter in Arwen and Promise Me, Rose Lip + Cheek. In addition to the Beam Highlighters and Lip + Cheek sticks, they also have an assortment of Lid colors. As a side note, all of the products have the cutest names, like As If, you have seen Clueless, right? And Wednesdays, it’s a hot pink color. Get the Mean Girls reference? And of course, there’s the one I picked. I was most attracted to the shade of Promise Me, Rose but Titanic is actually my favorite movie OF ALL TIME. I have seen Titanic an embarrassing number of times. Like upwards of 50. My family moved one summer and I didn’t know anyone where we moved (from California to Florida) so I just watched it on VHS every single day that summer. I can quote it almost verbatim.

Okay, sorry about going off about Titanic. Let’s talk about the products, shall we?

Arwen is an iridescent white-light highlighter that makes me shine in the most beautiful way possible. These very light icy kinds of highlighters always get my heart aflutter and this one is particularly special. It packs a really pretty punch but doesn’t look like I just painted on a ton of chunks of glitter or anything, like some other highlighters can do. It just makes me look healthy and I’m all about that healthy glow. It’s absolutely stunning. 

Promise Me, Rose is the prettiest rosy pink shade that is so soft and feminine. It’s gorgeous! This is one of those must-have go-to kinds of colors to have any makeup collection. I believe this color would suit anyone because it can be worn very sheer or built-up for more wow. It looks great on lips and/or cheeks and I really enjoy wearing it on both.

They are so beautifully formulated that they blend seamlessly into the skin. They don’t feel heavy or sticky at all and seem to just be a part of my skincare regimen. That’s how good they feel when they are on! They’re made with organic ingredients like Shea Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Beeswax and Vitamin E (to name a few) so they feel so rich and creamy. I usually like to apply a cream and then a powder for lasting power but these last well without needing to be set. They are a bit firm when you first go to apply so you need to warm the product up first and then apply as you wish.

As you can tell from the photos, big scarves and messy top knots are the perfect finishing touches to any winter look.

You can learn more about Naked Truth Beauty and check out their entire product lineup by visiting their website. You can also find the brand on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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