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 - NOW Solutions

Whether you're new to natural beauty or you've been enjoying the spoils of the natural beauty aisles for a while now, you're probably somewhat familiar with NOW Solutions. I was contacted by the company and offered the chance to feature them on Beautiful Basics. NOW Solutions is a family owned company that has been creating and selling cruelty free personal care products made with only pure ingredients since 1968. Their products are high quality, affordable, and accessible! They have a fantastic selection of products you can use to stock your beauty pantry with, like essential oils and carrier oils, or ready to use formulas, like cleansers and moisturizers.

I think the products from their line that stand out most for someone like me, who likes DIY beauty, is what I like to call the beauty pantry staples. These are the products that you can use to produce your own beauty creations that every green goddess needs in her arsenal.



They have so many essential oils, organic and not, to choose from. Peppermint is my absolute all-time favorite essential so I obviously had to try the NOW version and I also selected 3 more of my favorites to test out. I went for the Certified Organic Essential Oils and I'm so pleased with them, with the exception of the Lavender – more on that in a sec. The Peppermint is such a beautiful and true essential oil. I'm in love with it. I'm a migraineur so I'm always appreciative of a good peppermint and this one is pleasant, perfect, and refreshing. The Tea Tree is your typical Tea Tree and the Orange is light and fresh, my Mom's favorite! I'm not really sure why I don't like the Lavender but it smells like artificial lavender to my oversensitive sniffer. Maybe I just don't like Lavender Essential Oil? I've always used another well-known brands essentials oils but these are far superior and I highly recommend them. I also love the bottles and simple but pretty labels.

Next on the agenda is the rest of the DIY lineup including a humectant, carrier oils, and clay. You can mix and match these oils to your hearts content to come up with the perfect ration for you and your skin type. I've been experimenting with Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, and Organic Argan Oil. All of NOW's oils that I just mentioned, with the exception of the Organic Argan Oil which comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper, are housed in clear bottles that contains UV light protection. They are all expeller-pressed and Hexane free.



Each oil has wonderful hydrating properties and can be used for different things. I love to add a few drops of Castor Oil to my hair conditioner and I love to use the Coconut Oil as a base for scrub recipes while the Almond and Argan Oils make great skin moisturizers. I think the Avocado Oil is my favorite because it's so rich and deeply hydrating which is perfect for us dry skinned gals.



Vegetable Glycerin is a must have humectant that helps bind water to the skin and is great to add into almost any DIY beauty recipe. You can add a few drops it to your shampoo, conditioner, facial moisturizer, or serum for an extra boost of hydration. The Moroccan Red Clay Powder has become one of my favorite go to products for an easy mask that is gentle on my sensitive skin but helps purify, brighten, and make my skin look better. I love the stuff! It's messy but that's part of the fun. I simply mix some of the powder with water, adding honey sometimes for an extra something special, and apply the paste to my skin and let dry. I can feel it tightening my pores as it dries but it's not one of those masks that hurts or feels really uncomfortable. My skin loves it and I love the result once I rinse it off.

Now let's move on to my thoughts on their personal care products that I've been testing out.



I've been alternating between the Vitamin C & Oryza Sativa Gentle Scrub and Nature's Microderm when my skin needs a little exfoliation. Both are surprisingly gentle but pack quite the brightening punch. My skin has a tendency to get a bit irritated but these two scrubs are mild and leave my skin looking renewed and healthy without the redness that sometimes goes along with exfoliation.



I was also sent the Vitamin C & Sea Buckthorn Moisturizer for face and the Vitamin C & Sea Buckthorn Lotion for body. I absolutely love the Moisturizer and the way it makes my face feel. It's the perfect day cream and wears beautifully under makeup and doesn't cause any meltdown. The body lotion is nice but nothing special. Both have a very nice scent and leave behind a lovely amount of moisture without feeling tacky, sticky, or greasy.



Finally, let's discuss the Citrus Moisture Shampoo and Citrus Moisture Conditioner. I really like the way these smell, very light and clean. They are both fairly basic but they're nice and leave my hair feeling manageable and soft. The shampoo lathers really well and the conditioner is very moisturizing without being heavy and it never leaves my hair looking limp or greasy.

To learn more about NOW you can visit their website by clicking here. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Soap Cauldron Review

I'm so excited to be able to introduce you to Soap Cauldron, the home of Three Sisters Apothecary and Soapy Tails. I didn't test out their fantastic looking line of products for our furry friends, but I did get to try some awesome and truly delicious smelling body products from Three Sisters Apothecary. I wish there was a smell function on home computers because theses products are luxurious, fragrant, and amazing.

Soap Cauldron is a small natural artisan soap company located in Sonoma County. The owner, Emma Mann, started making soap after her daughter was born extremely prematurely. She started experimenting in her kitchen with plant oils, pure essential oils, and natural botanicals. For over 10 years they have been making natural herbal soaps and remedies that are healthy, gentle, and nurturing in small batches out of pure and natural ingredients. The result is a line of products that I can't wait for you to check out!

I know that a lot of people hate black licorice (I don't get it!) but I adore its scent and flavor. The Black Licorice & Vanilla Bar Soap has become my number one soap of all time. I know I usually go on and on about how much I love unscented products but this beautiful bar of soap smells beyond good. I'm actually at a loss of words to describe how good it smells. I was a bit worried that a Black Licorice scented soap would be masculine but this particular blend with Vanilla is sweet, but not overly sweet. When I use this soap it makes me smile because I enjoy the scent so much.




I also got to test out the California Mission Fig & Honey Bar Soap as well as the Harvest Pumpkin & Cinnamon Soap, whose scents I also really enjoy. These two are also visually lovely. If you want to purchase beautiful, perfectly scented soap for a gift for someone you should seriously check out their line up. The formula of all three soaps is wonderful. They cleanse my skin thoroughly but never leave me feeling dry, tight, or itchy. They actually leave my skin feeling soft and slightly moisturized. I also want to mention that the scents are strong while being used but gently fade afterwards, which is a HUGE plus in my book. I like the scents a lot but I don't want them to linger forever.

As far as extra hydration goes, I also received two tins of Body Butter in California Mission Fig & Honey and Harvest Pumpkin & Cinnamon. As a side note, I seriously need to place an order for a tub of the Black Licorice & Vanilla Body Butter. I love the scent THAT much. With ingredients like Shea Butter, Avocado Butter, Cocoa Butter, and Beeswax the formula leaves my skin feeling incredibly silky and provides moisture that lasts all day long. It's a thick balm so I find it best to apply to the skin directly after stepping out of the bath or shower. It spreads easily when I applied to warm skin.



If you're really interested in the scents of the soap and body butter you can also get a matching lip balm. I received the Harvest Pumpkin & Cinnamon Lip Soother and the Black Licorice & Vanilla Lip Shimmer and I think they are awesome! The formula of these balms is smooth, creamy, and lush. They leave lips feeling nice, although I find they don't last a super long time and need to be reapplied. They taste and smell divine! It's not very strong, but in a good way. The Soother looks slightly shiny but not glossy and the Shimmer has a very minimal shimmery look. They are both made with Grapeseed Oil, Avocado Oil, Beeswax, Shea Butter, and Avocado Oil, just to name a few. The only thing I don't love is the fact that they come in a tin. I'm a bit of a germ freak so I don't like the thought of being out and about and then dipping my finger in so I use them at home.



You can find all of these products, and more in a wide range of scents, on SoapCauldron.com. They are all really beautiful. I seriously love the packaging, the logo, and the wonderful scents and formulas. Also, all of the products are really generously sized and affordable. I don't think you can go wrong with purchasing anything that strikes your fancy from them.

Talk About Skin Care - Natralia

It's that cold time of year again when our skin needs a lot of extra help to be healthy and hydrated and I have become totally obsessed with Australian based Natralia and their line of moisturizing products. I was fortunate enough to try out several of their body care products and have really enjoyed them all, as have the other members of my family.

My entire family is particularly in love with their Dry Skin Lotion; in fact, a second bottle has been purchased and we will be picking up a third very soon. I'm pleased to say that it is my new all-time favorite lotion. I think I've told you all how picky I am when it comes to body lotion and this one meets and exceeds all of my requirements.



I am very dry, scaly, and itchy and once I smooth this lotion across my skin these problems are immediately fixed! This product is a miracle in a bottle and makes my skin feel so healthy and good! I'm so thankful for the fact that it works so hard to get rid of the itch because I can't stand it! It is not greasy, sticky, heavy, tacky, or heavily scented. It absorbs super quickly but leaves a very light protective layer behind. It leaves me feeling hydrated all day and all night and I can't say enough good things about this stuff!

My only real issue with this lotion is the bottle and the pump. Once the lotion starts migrating towards the bottom of the bottle the pump seems to stop dispensing the lotion. This, however, is a problem easily solved by taking off the pump and pouring directly into the hand from the bottle, which isn't that big of an issue.



As for the Dry Skin Wash – I don't love it and I don't hate it. I feel like it is fairly average as far as body washes go. I don't notice a huge difference in the dryness or itchiness of my skin after using it but it does get me clean so it still gets thumbs up from me!



Finally, on to the Heel Balm – this product has become one of my Moms absolute favorite products of all time. She might not want me to tell you this but her feet are always dryer than the Sahara Desert; however, this lotion has really helped her heal! She applies it every night and I have seen a hugely enormous change in the texture of her heels and toes. Natralia hit it out of the park with another miracle in a bottle with this one!

You can learn more about Natralia and their products by visiting their website by clicking here.

Talk About It - Sage Stone Botanicals

When I was contacted by Alyson of Sage Stone Botanicals to test her products and possibly review them I became very excited for a number of different reasons. Sage Stone Botanicals is a small company based out of Eugene, Oregon (one of my favorite cities that I visit often!) that began as a hobby and is now a full-fledged business. Using only natural ingredients, Alyson has created a line of products that includes hand crèmes, liquid hand soap, bath and shower gel, lotion, lip balm and even bug spray and citronella lotion.


Alyson was so generous and sent me several different products to try, all of which I really like! She sent me a few different 2 oz lotions in Unscented, Jasmine, and Milk and Honey. Sage Stone's lotion is formulated with Certified Organic ingredients such as Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Almond Oil, Shea Butter, and Cocoa Butter, to name a few. The formula is smooth, non-greasy, quick to absorb, and hydrating. The scents are lovely, clean, and fresh. You know how much I love my unscented lotions but I also really love the scent of the Milk and Honey. The Jasmine is also really nice. My Mom stole it since she loves florals and this one smells exactly like its namesake!

The next product I really need to share with you is the Citronella Lotion. I was a bit skeptical about it but this stuff is seriously amazing! My family and I went to a mosquito-infested area for a picnic (sounds nice, right?) and ended up with no bites after slathering our skin with this lotion. My Dad is almost always outdoors and he usually gets eaten alive by mosquitoes but his insect problem is no longer an issue thanks to this lotion. He absolutely loves it and he's pretty picky about what he'll use on his skin. I also want to mention that this doesn't smell bad. It smells like citronella, but it's not gross or heavy. This product is now a must have in my home.

The final product I got to try is the Lavender Bath and Shower Gel, which is made of Distilled Water, Certified Organic Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, and Jojoba Oil as well as Lavender Essential Oil and Potassium Hydroxide. The scent is lovely since it's a real lavender fragrance and the formula is moisturizing. It gets quite a bit of lather, which I love, and it does a wonderful job of cleansing skin without stripping it.

Check out Sage Stone Botanicals online to learn more about their products, find where you can purchase products if you're also in Oregon, or purchase online.

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!

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.

Talk About It - Lanikai Bath and Body

Beauty products from the gorgeous, tropical islands of Hawaii are deliciously fragrant and appealing as evidenced by my experience with the products of Lanikai Bath and Body. With close to 100 different products in 18 floral and fruity scents there is bound to be something to please everyone. I was fortunate enough to be able to try their creamy, moisturizing lotion and their enticing, softening body washes in several of their popular scents. They are a treat for your nose, your mind, and your skin.

Lanikai's bath and body products are handmade and contain only pure and natural botanically based ingredients. Their products are also cruelty free and eco-friendly. Their shop is on the island of Oahu in a town called Kailua (on the other side of the island from Waikiki and Honolulu). If you can't make it to the island to try out their products you can always order online!

Like I mentioned before, I got to try out their All Natural Tropical Lotion in several scents and their body wash in coordinating scents. They offer their lotions and body washes in two sizes, 8.5 oz and 2.2 oz. The scents I received were Plumeria, Tahitian Gardenia, Pikake, and my personal favorite, Orchid Vanilla. Each and every fragrance is very true to life, which is very impressive.

Their lotion formula includes ingredients like Aloe Vera Juice, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sea Kelp, Kukui Nut Oil, and Papaya Fruit, among many others. Lanikai's body lotion is amazing! It is so smooth, creamy and it's very moisturizing. It helps to improve the texture and health of my skin every time I use it. The smell stays with you all day, but not in an overpowering sort of way. It lingers but it's light so you occasionally get a whiff of a scent that transports you to the tropical getaway of your dreams.

Their body wash has an all-star lineup as well with Sea Kelp, Chamomile, Cucumber, Calendula, Lavender, White Tea, Arnica, Extracts of Papaya, Echinacea, Green Tea, Awapuhi, Pineapple, in addition to many different oils and vitamins. This body wash has such a silky and smooth formula. It creates such a luxurious lather. I have used this as a normal body wash, shaving gel, and bubble bath (although the bubbles don't last long) and I can't get enough. The scent is strong but doesn't last. It rinses clean and doesn't strip my skin.

Their products envelop your senses and create a mini-vacation in your bathroom while invigorating, refreshing, and softening your skin. Lanikai gets my stamp of approval and I highly suggest you check them out. Their prices are really good and their products are beautifully crafted and perfect for all skin types.



(FTC: These products were 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.)

Talk About It - Splurge Skincare

I've never mentioned that I have a deep affection for teachers (my mom is one) and you already know that I adore natural beauty products so it's only natural that I'm in love with Splurge Skincare! Splurge is a natural skincare line created by two friends who are both teachers in Massachusetts. Their line consists of three types of products including a body scrub (or The Rub), Lip Buttah, and limited edition Sugarcubes.

The idea to start Splurge sprung from a Christmas gift – a homemade body scrub. Both women are self professed beauty junkies who wanted to create their own line of products that were effective and free of harmful toxins and chemicals. They taught during the day and researched, experimented, and tested after work and on the weekends before they finally created a product they could be proud of. They came up with the name Splurge because they believe in pampering yourself on a daily basis.


A lot of companies offer body scrubs of some sort but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I have never tried one as amazing as The Rub. This scrub, which is sugar based, has a very unique texture and consistency. It's fluffy and light but moisturizing and exfoliating. It almost feels like a mousse to me in the jar but it's solid and granular. I don't even know how to describe the amazing-ness of this product!

Christine and Kara, the women behind the brand, were so generous and sent me two jars of this – one in almond and the other in peppermint. It is also available in lemon. My Mother promptly stole the almond version (she always helps me test and review the good products) and I kept the peppermint for myself. Both of us absolutely adore this scrub. Both smell delicious and leave my skin feeling so smooth and fresh. The scrub is neither too rich nor oily or too light. It imparts the perfect amount of moisture, leaving skin feeling healthy and looking glowy. It leaves a light and yummy scent behind on my skin and I can't get enough!

They also sent me a Lip Buttah in Lemon. I love lip balms of all kinds and this one feels really nice on the lips and imparts long lasting moisture but I'm not a big fan of this particular lemon scent. The formula really is lovely though. It's not greasy, sticky, or too heavy; it's just right!

I love Splurge and I highly recommend that you check them out. Even celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Drew Barrymore, Alicia Silverstone, Orlando Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Hartnett, Ellen Degeneres and many more are getting in on the Splurge movement. Splurge products are being included in the Earth Day in Hollywood gift bags.

If you want to pamper yourself or learn more visit Splurge online.

Bath Butter

Dry skin can be a real bummer and hot baths can be a major source of scales and flakes even though bathing in the winter is a must for most of us. In order to combat the negative side effects taking a bath can cause it's important to add a moisturizing agent into the water. There are many companies who sell a lotion or a butter for the bath, but today I'm going to teach you how to make your very own bath butter at a fraction of the price.




What you need:
½ cup of cocoa butter
¼ cup of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil
(Optional – A few drops of the essential oil of your choice)
The first step is to melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a double boiler (which is a special pan that can easily be substituted with a glass bowl in a large pot of boiling water). Once the solids are melted and in liquid form it's time to remove from the heat and add the jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil and the scent you choose. Stir it to combine the ingredients for about 5 minutes or until it starts to cool. You can then pour the mixture into a jar or other container and leave on the counter undisturbed to finish cooling.

Once it's set up you can spoon it out and drop it into your warm bath water. It will melt and moisturize your skin while you soak. You'll want to keep your container somewhere cool and dark so it doesn't melt. You can also use this as a body butter if you desire by massaging it into damp, warm skin and allowing it to melt.

Gift idea – pour it into molds (once it's dry you can remove it and wrap it in cellophane) or gift tins and make small individual bath melts.

DIY Body Butter

Butter for your body is a wonderful treat for your skin all year round. Moisturizing is essential and body butter is lavish and perfect for fighting the inevitable dry winter flakes. There are a million companies who make and sell body butter, some natural and some not. Why buy it when you can make your own? Today I'm sharing an incredibly simple recipe for making your very own body butter.


What you need:
¼ cup of cocoa or shea butter
2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
2 teaspoons of jojoba oil or grape seed oil (which is my new favorite!)
1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil
If you want a fragrant body butter you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or extract. I prefer my body butter without any added scent though.

You'll want to take all of the oils first of all and melt them together on a very low temperature setting. If you melt them too quickly the heat will change their properties so low and slow wins this race. Once melted together, remove from the heat and mix in the aloe vera gel. Pour your mixture into a jar or container and use when your skin needs a little pampering. Keep in mind that it can harden in cold and melt in heat so store accordingly.

Cranberry Body Scrub

Fall and winter are the perfect seasons to utilize fresh cranberries, but this recipe features frozen ones which you can find almost anywhere at any time of year. Cranberries are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants which help protect our bodies and skin from free radicals. Cranberries make a wonderful base for beauty products like this body scrub.

What you need:
1/2 cup of frozen cranberries
1/4 cup of oil (coconut, olive, jojoba, grapeseed, whatever you want!)
1/4 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of oatmeal or oat powder (you need this to be fine so you can put regular oatmeal in a coffee grinder or food processor. If you would like thicker oatmeal you can just leave it and it will get ground a little bit in the first step.)

Put all of your ingredients into a food processor, and turn it on for 30 seconds. That's it! Your body scrub is ready to be applied – you'll want to apply to damp skin and massage in gentle circular motions. This recipe should make enough for your whole body to be scrubbed once. Keep in mind that this can get messy, so I recommend doing it in the tub or shower (with the water off). Once you are done rinse off and don't forget to moisturize after stepping out to lock in your new hydration and radiance.

Talk About It - J.R. Watkins

Hi beautiful! Today's Talk About It is a long overdue review of an awesome, affordable, and accessible company you may or may not be familiar with. J.R. Watkins has been around for over 140 years (the company was founded in 1868) and they create and sell personal and home care products in addition to remedies for common ailments and cooking supplements like spices, oils, seasonings, sauce mixes, and extracts. Everything they produce is made with the highest quality natural ingredients.

J.R. Watkins was the very first natural apothecary and product maker. He pioneered the natural lifestyle that is gaining popularity in America today. The company started when J.R. created his original product, Natural Pain Relieving Liniment, in his kitchen, which he sold door to door in Minnesota. Mr. Watkins was far ahead of his time and extremely innovative. He even offered the very first money back guarantee. Now the company has grown to have a catalogue of around 400 products, all created using the same standards that Watkins strived for.

The company's line of personal care products is made up of natural and eco-friendly ingredients that come from renewable and sustainable sources. You'll never find any of the scary stuff like parabens, sulfates, phthalates or the rest of the bad beauty product additives in their offerings. They are even certified by the Natural Products Association. The packaging of their products is recyclable and they never test their formulations on our furry friends.

I love their spices (I have many in my cupboard) and cleaning solutions but today is all about their personal care products. I was so fortunate to be able to try several things and there is not a single product that I dislike in the bunch. First up is the Sugar and Shea Body Scrub in Coconut Milk and Honey – it smells so delicious! This 100% natural formula leaves my body feeling hydrated, supple, and radiant by buffing all of my dead skin cells off while conditioning the skin. I love using it in the shower. It's gentle yet effective and I just adore it. I feel as though I can't stop touching my arms and legs after exfoliating with this yummy scrub.



After exfoliating I have a compulsion to moisturize to really lock in my new found hydration and their Hand and Body Lotion in Vanilla is just perfect. I use it daily, not just after exfoliating, because it's extraordinarily moisturizing while being neither too thick nor too thin. It's the perfect consistency and it leaves me feeling comfortable in my own skin. The vanilla scent is divine - it smells like a tasty cupcake covered in butter cream!



Speaking of cupcakes they make a wonderful Shea Butter Hand Cream that comes in several scents. I got to try out the Lemon Cream (which smells like a lemon cake!) and Mango. Their hand cream formula is rich and thick! It works hard to moisturize and refresh dry hands. It's also wonderful for the feet. The scents of both are great, but they do linger for hours and are very strong so if you're sensitive to smells you might want to skip these.



Another product that I use (almost) nightly is the Lavender Body Oil. I add a little to my warm, nightly bath and soak. My skin absorbs all of the oil and the scent helps me get ready for bed. Lavender is my signal that it's time to settle down and relax. It's a very simple, straight-forward yet fabulous product. A little goes a very long way! You can use body oil in a multitude of ways but I like using it in the tub.



Last but certainly not least are the lip products I got to try. I received two of their Lip Tints in Strike-A-Rose and Stardust. I like these a lot! They're minty, hydrating, shimmery, and tinted. Strike-A-Rose is a fairly pigmented, cool pink and Stardust is a really pretty champagne/clear shimmer. I've gotten more use out of the rose shade but I like both. They go on smoothly and last a long time on the lips too. They have very finely milled shimmer so it doesn't look like you've piled a bunch of glitter on your pout.


The other lip products I tried came in a set called the Lil' Lip Combo Pack. This set came in a little plastic, zippered pouch stuffed with 4 balms - two Weatherproofing Lip Balms in Raspberry and the Natural Beeswax Lip Balm in both stick and tin form. The Weatherproofing Lip Balm is yummy smelling. It's also perfect for the harsh winter months because it forms a moisturizer barrier against the elements. It's not sticky or too thick. It's a great balm but so is their Natural Beeswax version. The Natural Beeswax Lip Balm is packed full of refreshing peppermint scent and flavor. It's also got tons of beneficial ingredients to keep lips soft, full, and hydrated. It definitely helps chase away the chap.

You can check out and purchase these and other great J.R. Watkins products on their website by clicking here. I know they sell their products at my local Fred Meyer and Rite-Aid so check in stores near you to find out if they're available locally. You can even join their Clear Conscious Club to discover members only benefits like discounts, news, tips and advice, and exclusive updates.

(FTC: These products were 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.)

Superstar Face and Body Mask

Hi there, beauty! In the past I've shared a lot of things that I love (and shared why I love them so much) and today's DIY Beauty Recipe is made up of 3 of those things on my love list. Yogurt, Honey, and Pumpkin have all had entire weeks dedicated to their uses and why they are beneficial for skin but today I'm combining all 3 to make a super face and body mask.

What you need:

3 tablespoons of puréed pumpkin
3 tablespoons of honey
1/4 cup of yogurt
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until smooth and combined. Steaming your face before applying the mask is a good idea but not necessary. Apply the mask evenly to your face, and even your body if you want (it's great for chests and backs). Let the mask sit for anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Don't forget to moisturize afterwards! Your skin should look luminous and rejuvenated.

Talk About It - Waxelene

Beauties, I'm madly and passionately in love with a superb product called Waxelene. Never in my life have I been more impressed with a beauty product, and that is saying a lot. Waxelene is a petroleum jelly substitute (cute play on the name, right?) that I'm literally obsessed with.

In the past I always had to have a jar of Vaseline handy, but upon reading the label and embarking upon my green journey I have retired the petroleum jelly from being a staple. This is where Waxelene comes in handy – it works for everything you would use the other stuff for but it's 100% natural with only organic soybean oil, beeswax, vitamin e oil, and organic rosemary oil.


Waxelene was born out of experience in resource conservation and organic foods, as well as a life-long commitment to health and the environment in addition to a desire to be more sustainable every day. The company uses only recyclable glass jars, natural and organic ingredients, and energy efficient practices. They believe in simple, natural and organic ingredients that are beneficial. Waxelene is completely eco-friendly, biodegradable, and cruelty free.

My addiction to this stuff is completely justified by how amazing it is. You can use this product for so many different reasons – I can't even begin to cover the entire list. I especially love this on my lips, and I cover them each and every night with it before bed. I wake up with the most supple and smooth looking lips that feel soft and healthy. You can also use this for moisturizing feet, body, hands, cuticles, face, eye lashes, and anywhere else you need a little moisturize. It's not at all greasy and it's even water and sweat resistant.

Anyone and everyone can benefit from this product in some way; if you are a Mommy, this would make an excellent baby balm for diaper rash or irritation and if you're an outdoorsy type of person you can use this to protect your skin from wind and sun burn. Beauty junkies can even use this on cheekbones to add a dewy highlighted look and on lids for a glow, which is something I have been doing often. It even functions as a makeup remover!

Here is a neat little beauty trick - If you want to turn a mineral shadow or old crumbled cosmetic into a cream makeup, all you need to do is mix the powder with a little Waxelene. When you combine the two you'll have a brand new cream eye shadow, blush, or gloss.

I highly suggest you check Waxelene out for yourself. You won't be sorry! The Beauty Editor of Lucky Magazine even loves this stuff as well as celebrity makeup artists. The 2 oz jar only costs $6.99 so it's a worthwhile and affordable investment. You can purchase Waxelene online here  or you can find a retail location near you by clicking here.

Pumpkin Body Moisturizer

Since we've talked about how skin can get dry and flaky when the seasons change from warm to frigid, I figured we should talk DIY Pumpkin Moisturizing Body Treatment. In addition to being delicious when baked in a pie, pumpkin is really beneficial for your skin! It's got tons of enzymes and antioxidants that nourish skin and help get rid of dead skin cells.

What you need:
½ cup of pumpkin puree
½ cup of coconut oil (for moisturizing)
½ teaspoon of cinnamon (this acts as an anti-bacterial)

Take all of the ingredients and mix together until smooth in a jar or an old body butter or lotion container. I always keep old packaging so I can make and store new beauty products in them. Apply the mixture to clean skin and massage to work in. Let the treatment sit for at least 10 minutes then rinse with warm water and pat dry.

If you have any mixture left it should last for about 3-5 days before you need to toss it.

This will leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and hydrated with the added benefit of smelling like a delicious pumpkin treat.

Enjoy!

Easy Pumpkin Pie Bath Salts

Lately I have been completely obsessed with any and every thing pumpkin spice scented or flavored. I start my day off with a homemade pumpkin spice coffee drink, work with my pumpkin spice candle lit near my desk, and snack on pumpkin spice bagels. When I said obsessed I really mean addicted. This week we'll be discussing pumpkin beauty recipes and tomorrow and Thursday I even have a Talk About It on a company who makes and sells a pumpkin mask that I adore (as well as many other phenomenal products).




This recipe makes a great holiday gift for someone you love, a friend, or even as a special treat for yourself. It's such a simple recipe but it smells delicious and you can package it in cute little glass bottles or jars that you decorate.

What you need:
1 cup of Epsom salts
½ cup of baking soda
1 teaspoon-1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice (depends on your personal tastes)

Combine all of the ingredients together and use a funnel to pour the bath salts into your bottle or jar. Run as much as you desire under running water, soak, and relax.