Talk About Cosmetics - Pacifica Dream Big Mascara

How old were you when you first started wearing mascara? I think I was 12 or 13, and I haven’t stopped wearing it since then. Mascara is one of those life-changing products that you can’t ever quit using. Okay, maybe life changing is a bit strong but it is eye opening, seriously, and does a great job of making us look wide awake.

Did you know that mascara dates all the way back to approximately 4000 BC? Ancient Egyptians lined their eyes, covered their lashes, and coated their brows with a mixture of kohl, water, dung, and honey. Mascara was used throughout the centuries and in 1917 the first commercial mascara was created and put on the market. It was a not so healthy combination of petroleum and black coal dust. These days there a hundreds (maybe even thousands) of different mascara formulations available and luckily for green gals (and guys) like us every day more natural options are popping up and gaining popularity.

Because, let’s be real, who wants to coat their lashes in poo or toxic chemicals? I certainly don’t and neither do the lovely folks at Pacifica who have recently launched a brand new mascara guaranteed to give lashes length and volume without harming our bodies, being tested on our furry friends, or causing damage to our beautiful planet. As always, Pacifica products are vegan and cruelty free as well as free from any toxic or harmful ingredients.

The Dream Big Lash Extending 7 in 1 Mascara makes a lot of claims, but it backs them up. This mascara promises to lengthen lashes, lift and separate, volumize, condition, provide rich color, feed your lashes with a built in lash serum, and comes with a really cool 2 in 1 brush. You get a long lengthening brush that turns into a shorter more dense brush with just a simple twist of the base of the wand. This plastic bristled brush can be used one way or the other depending on the look you’re going for but can also be combined. The box suggests applying your first layer of product with the long side, letting it dry, then twisting the wand and applying a second coat with the shorter brush. You can then layer from there as you wish.

Length brush

Volume Brush

 I’ve been using this mascara, and only this mascara, and I’m really impressed. I have been applying as the box suggests and applying several layers. This formula leaves my lashes looking natural but plumped up, long, and richly pigmented. It never clumps and never flakes. It also doesn’t irritate my eyes and is easy to remove at the end of the day, which is important to me. It doesn’t drag my lashes down or leave them looking limp and tired.

Top photo: No mascara
Middle photo: Length mascara on left side only, none on right
Bottom photot: Both steps on both eyes

I have tried the other formulas Pacifica offers and I like them, but I love the way Dream Big makes my lashes look. I can’t attest to the lash serum factor of this mascara yet, but I can tell you that my lashes feel soft and extremely healthy.

Have you tried any of Pacifica’s mascaras? What do you think about the really cool brush that Dream Big has? Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

(FTC: This mascara was provided to me for free by the company for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Talk About Cosmetics - Antonym Cosmetics

So many of you have asked me to review Antonym Cosmetics and your wish is my desire so, here is a run down on some of their products. If you haven't heard of Antonym Cosmetics yet here is what you need to know: They are an eco-friendly cosmetics company combining technology and natural ingredients to create luxurious and healthy products that are Ecocert Certified and cruelty free. The range is made up of premium quality eye shadows, lipstick pencils, mascara, eye pencils, baked foundations and baked blushes as well as a complete collection of 20 vegan makeup brushes.

First thing is first, the packaging is amazing and ecosexy. Have you ever seen such lovely products? I don't think I have and luckily the actual products inside the pretty packaging are pretty awesome too, so this brand is a big time winner in my book.

The Baked Blush in Rose is the newest addition to the Antonym roster and it's my new favorite blush, hands down. I have been using this blush and only this blush since it arrived. There is something so magical about this blush. It's the perfect combination of brown and pink. It's been great for these warmer weather months but I think it will also transition beautifully into the colder seasons. It gives me a natural flush that adds a vibrant and healthy look to my skin. I always feel pretty when I'm wearing it. It's a flirty shade that never looks over the top and goes with any and all eye looks and lip combinations. The formula is buttery, rich, and weightless so it never looks flaky or powdery. It seems to melt into the skin and looks absolutely stunning and fresh. It lasts throughout the day and doesn't tend to fade. I also think you're getting a lot of product for your money so it's definitely worth the $36 price tag. It's perfect! I can't recommend this beautiful blush enough.


I've also been playing with the Lipstick Pencil in Pinkish. These chummy pencils are always great purse lippies because they're easy to apply. This one is a really pretty neutral shimmery pink. The color is fun and feminine! I'm impressed with the staying power! It lasts a very long time on my lips. I don't find it very hydrating but it's also not drying or irritating on my ridiculously sensitive lips.

I was also sent the Lip Brush #15 but I haven't really gotten a lot of use of it. I love the handle but I find that I do a better job of applying lip color with the actual product so I don't tend to reach for this brush often.

The final thing I got to experiment with is the Lola Lash Mascara. I really love the wand, which is curved and I also love how black the formula is. It provides my lashes with a natural but defined look and seems to do an excellent job conditioning lashes. It's a great daily mascara but I do find that I get some smudging throughout the day. It's very gentle and doesn't irritate my eyes at all.

Have you tried any of their products or do you have your eye on any? I'm coveting their Baked Foundation in Light and the Noisette Eye Shadow Quattro as well as their full range of blushes. If you couldn't tell, I really love their blush!

To learn more about Antonym Cosmetics and their product offerings you can visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Talk About It - Alima Pure ( + CLOSED GIVEAWAY!)

I am a huge fan of Portland based natural beauty superstar, Alima Pure, and their line of lovely cosmetics. I seriously adore the brand and their vast selection of cruelty free, high quality, and eco-friendly mineral makeup. A few weeks ago I posted a Wish List Wednesday on the Beautiful Basics Facebook page featuring the Sombra Contour Powder and many of you e-mailed me asking me to review it which prompted me to write to the company. The founder of the company, Kate O'Brien, generously sent me the Contour Powder and a couple of other products I'll get to shortly.



I'm a firm believer in the power of contouring. It's actually my favorite part of applying makeup and it's something I always, always do. I have always used my favorite bronzer to shape my face but have often found that the color is unconvincing. Don't get me wrong, bronzing is another favorite step in my makeup routine but it tends to work better as a way to warm up the face rather than sculpt it. Alima Pure's Sombra Contour Powder has become my absolute favorite, must have makeup product.



Sombra is a dusty tan color, with no red or orange in it at all, that is very pigmented but easy to blend. It's also buildable so it's extremely versatile. It's incredibly natural looking and helps define bone structure. I apply this powder to the hollows of my cheekbones, the crease of my eyelids, and the sides of my nose to create definition and slim out my face. It mimics natural shadows and adds so much depth to my face. I don't think I will ever be without this wonderful powder.


I have also been experimenting with the Natural Definition Mascara in Black, another product that many of you have asked me about. I have very sensitive eyes and mascara can be a huge irritant for me but this formula is awesome! It goes on smoothly, wears well throughout the day, feels soft instead of crispy, and provides natural looking length and definition. I would say this works as well as any traditional mascara without the harsh and scary ingredients.


I have always been curious about Alima Pure's Lip Tints so I was excited to see that I had been sent one! I received the shade Holly Berry, which if you're a regular reader you probably know is right up my color alley. This particular shade is described as Spiced Rose and on me equates to a "My Lips but Better" color. It is surprisingly pigmented which makes me curious about the rest of the lineup! The formula is wonderfully moisturizing and gentle on my sensitive lips. It smells (and tastes a little) like a delicious, organic chocolate bar and lasts quite a long time!



I have nothing but good things to say about these products, and Alima Pure as a whole, and hopefully the lucky reader who wins the giveaway with fall in love with this trio as much as I have. If you want the chance to win these products, as well as the cute pink Alima Pure makeup bag, all you have to do is use the Rafflecopter form below. It may take a moment or two to load. Don't forget to "like" this post. All entries will be verified. Giveaway open only to US readers. Good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Talk About It - Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Mascara

If you ask women who wear cosmetics to pick their one absolute makeup must have chances are at least half of them would answer mascara. Would you?

Mascara dates all the way back to approximately 4000 BC when Ancient Egyptians lined their eyes, covered their lashes, and coated their eyebrows with a mixture of kohl, water, dung and honey. They used bone and ivory to apply the kohl mixture. The eyes were considered to be the windows to the soul so they used it to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. Men and women alike wore mascara.

Mascara was used throughout the centuries (women experimented with their own mascara concoctions at home) but it wasn't until 1917 that the first mascara was born.

The founder of Maybelline, Eugene Rimmel, created and marketed a formula that was made of petroleum and black coal dust. Luckily for us, mascara and cosmetics as a whole have come a very long way in the past 94 years.

These days there are tons of options, and the world of green and natural mascara is constantly expanding. One of the best natural mascaras I have found and used is from a company called Honeybee Gardens. Their Truly Natural Mascara is truly amazing.



Honeybee Gardens was started in 2005 and they never test on animals, package their products in recyclable materials, and use the highest quality natural and organic ingredients they can. They strive to, "Create pure, all-natural bath and body care products made from only the finest organic ingredients, offer them at a reasonable price, and treat every customer like a friend."

I love their mascara. It doesn't clump, flake, or irritate my eyes. It's extremely lightweight which is a must have for me. I've noticed that some natural mascaras feel heavy, thick and uncomfortable on my lashes but this one keeps them looking and feeling soft and weightless.

This mascara makes my eyelashes look longer, more voluminous and separated. I don't ever have a problem with my curl not holding so I can't attest to curl hold-ability. It is not waterproof, but that makes me happy because I'm not a fan of waterproof mascara formulations. It is water-resistant and safe for contact wearers. I find that it doesn't smudge throughout the day or travel. The brush is a pretty standard brush with regular bristles, but the formula is incredible.

The price could not get any better. It's only $10.99, which is comparable to drugstore mascara prices. It comes in 3 different shades – black magic, espresso (black/brown), and chocolate truffle (brown). This 100% natural mascara is fantastic and you can find it online by clicking here.

(FTC: The company so generously provided this mascara to me for review consideration. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Talk About Cosmetics - Real Purity Cosmetics

I hope you had a great weekend, beauty. I know I did! Every day the sun is shining and I'm breathing is a good day. I'm easy to please in most cases, except when it comes to cosmetics. I'm pretty picky when it comes to the products that I use to enhance my natural features. I'm pleased to introduce you to a wonderful cosmetic line that meets all of my expectations, plus some!

Real Purity is a company that creates and sells skin care, cosmetics, and hair products using only the finest natural ingredients. They don't use any chemicals or synthetic ingredients in their products because they have a firm commitment to making products that do not harm people, animals, or the environment. Their products are organic and formulated by naturopathic doctors, biochemists, nutritionists, herbalists, natural estheticians and other people who really know their stuff.

I absolutely love what Real Purity is all about. Their mission is a noble one and I commend them for being dedicated to taking care of the environment and helping others. They put people before profit and plan to stay that way. I love everything this company stands for. They have a wonderful mission, superb products and they're really nice people too! The VP personally called me to tell me more about Real Purity, and sounded so passionate about the company that his Grandmother Virginia started.

I got to try out so many products and I don't think I can pick a favorite so I'll start with the order I apply my makeup. First up is the Health Glow Foundation. Since our skin absorbs 60% of what is put on it, I have always been a firm believer in using the best, high-end foundations that I can. Real Purity has created a foundation that has a very limited ingredient list – 5 total! It's simple, so it's healthy yet effective. It's more of a light to medium coverage but I don't need much coverage. You fuller coverage girls won't love this as much as I do, but it's a worth a try for everyone else. It even outs my skin tone and makes my skin look great. The color Light Beige is perfect for me, and it blends right into my skin. It's easy to spread onto my face and it's not too matte or too dewy. It's really nice!



Next is the Disguise System concealer, and I have the color light. This product features 11 ingredients. I could not believe how big this product is. The say numerous times on their website that their products are never nano-sized and it's true! I was shocked. I love this concealer, a lot! It's perfect for blemishes and under eye circles. It makes my skin look naturally flawless, as opposed to other concealers that leave me looking like I'm wearing a mask! I can't say enough good things about this. Oh, and it smells good to me, like cucumbers.

I don't know if I've shared with you all that I've recently become a total and complete blush junkie. I used to just use bronzer, and that was it, but now I'm realizing that blush is the perfect topping for any look. The Real Purity blushes are so great! I have the color Shrimp, which looks intimidating in the pan but turns into a really gorgeous, almost natural looking flush when applied to the cheeks. It's beautiful, smooth, and long-wearing. I need to collect more of these! They even have cream blushes which are on my wish list now. They have gorgeous colors, and there is something for everyone!



Next up is the Holistic Formula Mascara. I have it in Black/Brown and I think I lied before because this is actually my favorite product out of the bunch. I'm extra picky with mascara, but I'm madly in love with this one. I dare say that it's even my Holy Grail mascara, no joke! It makes my lashes look defined, long, and dark but it keeps them soft, which is something I've never experienced with any other mascara before. I can't use any other mascara now because they just feel so heavy and make my lashes uncomfortable. I can almost swear that my lashes look and feel healthier too. This has only 8 ingredients, and it's a magical combination, because this mascara is incredible.

The last product I got to try is something that sounded perfect for me, since I'm ill. The product I'm talking about is the hypo-allergenic Healing Lotion. It is meant to soothe aches, pains, and sore joints and muscles which it does! It smells a bit medicinal but the scent quickly dissipates after application. It leaves my skin feeling cool and more relaxed. I really like this lotion. It's not meant to be moisturizing, so it's not beneficial in that sense but it really does help get rid of aches!



If you're in the market for organic, all-natural cosmetics, skincare, or hair products go explore Real Purity at www.realpurity.com. I put my stamp of approval on their products and I know that you'll like them too! Everything I've tried from them has been added into my regular beauty routine and will continue to have a spot in the lineup from now on. In fact, I'm planning on checking out some other products very soon. Have fun shopping and let me know if you pick up anything from their store, and what you think of their products.

(FTC: Real Purity was so kind and generous - they provided me with these products at no charge so I could try and possibly review them. I am not being paid to write this review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.)