Showing posts with label Talk About Body Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Talk About Body Care. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Talk About Body Care - Island Deodorant

Don't judge me for what I'm about to tell you, okay? I stopped wearing deodorant.

I found that I, somehow, smelled better and stayed fresher longer when I skipped it than I did when I applied it. I even tested my theory dozens of times and came to the same conclusion each time. I have no clue why this is but so many of you have been e-mailing me about a certain deodorant, wanting my thoughts on it, that I just knew I had to give it a try.

Let's face it Green Beauties, natural deodorant is tough. Finding a healthy, clean, non-toxic deodorant that does everything we want and/or need it to do is like finding a conflict-free diamond in the rough. It's really hard. It can also be frustrating, so I'm here to help make things a bit easier for you.

I've been testing out the Original Stick Deodorant with Probiotics from Island Deodorant. This deodorant is organic, cruelty-free, vegan, paraben free, alcohol-free, aluminum free, gluten free, BPA free, and free from added fragrance or color. This stick deodorant is made with Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Corn Starch, Baking Soda (naturally aluminum-free), Wild Crafted Candelilla Wax, Organic Jojoba Oil, and Shelf Stable Probiotics.


I'm super impressed with this deodorant. It's hands down the absolute best natural deodorant I have ever tried. I've tried a lot. The list is embarrassing and ridiculously long.

I've been sensitive to deodorant formulated with baking soda in the past but this one is somehow incredibly gentle. It hasn't left my underarms bumpy or irritated at all. It's smooth and feels wonderful on the skin. It has almost zero scent so it's not of those "unscented" products that still smells and you guys know how ridiculously sensitive I am. I really like the formula and how easy it is to apply and go.

Since it does have oil it can stain your clothes but a thin layer gets the job done and I haven't had any issues with yellowing or staining. I typically try to avoid deodorant with coconut oil for that reason oil but we're good to go here.

And then let's talk about the addition of probiotics. It's kind of genius. Probiotics are awesome. They're basically good bacteria that work to get rid of bad bacteria. Whether they're in your tummy or in your armpits they go to war to keep you balanced. Again, they're awesome.

I apply a swipe under each arm after my morning shower and I'm good for the entire day and night with no breakthrough stink. I said I'm impressed with this stuff above but it goes beyond impressed. I'm really pleased. It works as well as its toxic counterparts.

If you've never used natural deodorant before be aware if you give this a try you might have a detox period where you will smell awful for a bit while your body gets rid of the toxins and chemicals it has accumulated. Also, this formula is not an antiperspirant so you will still sweat. Don't be bothered by that, though, because contrary to popular opinion sweat is good. Toxins leave our bodies through sweat. If you plug your pores with chemicals that are designed to keep you dry you're not releasing toxins from your body that need to get out of your system. Wet does not mean bad. Smelly isn't great but wet is.

They offer an Original Stick Deodorant, Sensitive Stick Deodorant, and Original Cream Deodorant. As for their other offerings, they recently launched a lip balm and a few moisturizers.

The Organic Cocoa Butter Lip Balm is made with Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Wild Crafted Candelilla Wax, Organic Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E. It's simple but it's beautifully formulated. It's thick and rich. It's also soothing, protective, and hydrating. It lasts a long time once it's on and feels really good. It also smells great since it's made with cocoa butter. It's got that yummy real chocolate scent and taste.


The recently launched body moisturizers are the Organic Body Lotion, Organic Body Cream, and Organic Body Butter. I was sent the Body Cream, which is made only with Unrefined Shea butter, Organic Unrefined Jojoba Oil, and Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil. It is quite heavy and a tiny bit greasy, as can be expected from the ingredients list alone, but it ends up absorbing really well and leaves skin feeling hydrated and softer than soft. It can be used for face and/or body. It can really be used for anything you want. It's been nice for my eczema, on my cuticles, under my eyes, around my mouth, and everywhere else that I struggle with dryness. A little goes a long way!

I can't recommend this deodorant enough, seriously. The entire line is great. To learn more about Island Deodorant you can check out their website by clicking here. You can also find them 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. None of the links above are affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Talk About Kari Gran - Bath Soak & Essential Balm

It’s November, which means the holidays are rapidly approaching. This is my favorite time of the year for a million and one reasons. I love the holiday season so much! And even though I’m more about the memory-making than the material things, one little fun part of this time of year, in my opinion, is all of the incredible beauty launches. There are so many awesome new products being released and wonderfully priced value sets and kits, and it gets me really excited!


And one of the most beautiful sets I’ve seen, maybe ever, comes from Kari Gran and features two brand new products. Bath Soak would be a perfect gift, for yourself or someone you love, because I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy taking some time out of their day to pamper their skin and relax. I mean, I love baths and I love adding something special to the water to make my self-care session even better.


This lovely set comes in the signature Kari Gran jute makeup bag and is tied with a beautiful black satin bow. The products within the bag are gorgeous, as well, because both the Bath Soak Crystals and the Bath Soak Oil come in the classic Kari Gran dark violet MIRON glass that is recyclable but also repurpose-able.


The Bath Soak Crystals are made of Himalayan Pink Salts and Magnesium Flakes (from the Dead Sea), while the Bath Soak Oil is comprised of Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Bulgarian Lavender Oil and Non-GMO Vitamin E from Sunflower. Like the rest of the Kari Gran line, these products are simply formulated but incredibly rich and luxurious.  I adore how they have separated the dry ingredients from the oils because this allows them to stay fresh for a much longer amount of time and allows room for customization.



The suggested ritual is to “add 2 capfuls of Bath Soak crystals followed by 5 dropperfuls (not drops) of Bath Oil under running bath water and enjoy. Customize your experience by varying the amounts of each or using them on their own.”

I’ve been following this suggestion and I am so impressed with this Bath Soak. It makes for an incredible bathing experience and ends up leaving my skin so unbelievably soft and silky when I get out. It does a great job of helping me relax and detox from the day and helps give me a nice, relaxing spa-like atmosphere. The scent is perfect, neither too heavy or too light, and the formula is dreamy.

This set is gorgeous and luxurious and thoughtful. With a lovely presentation, the soothing set of products (that also look gorgeous on any bathroom counter or vanity), and a price of $58, you really can’t go wrong. You can check out the product by clicking here.


I have another newly launched product to briefly mention, as well, and that is their Essential Balm. This thick, eco-luxe balm is their beloved Essential Serum in a much more velvety form. If you’re already a fan of the Essential Serum than this multi-tasking, luxurious, golden-hued balm is for you. You can use it on your face, neck, eye area, décolleté, hands, dry spots on your body and even your lips. The glass jar is impressive and comes with so much product that it will last you a long time since a little goes a long way. This will be perfect to combat any winter-weather skin woes!


If you’re interested in learning more about Kari Gran you can click here to visit their website. Kari Gran is also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Oh! They also recently just commissioned their Third Annual Green Barometer Survey among American Women, which has some really interesting facts about the demand and growth of green beauty. You can check that out by clicking here.

(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.) 

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Talk About Body Care - Mamma Oceania

Raise your hand if you love handmade bar soap that's made with healthy, all-natural ingredients and is never tested on animals? By the way, my hand is in the air, as high up as it can go! If yours is too you'll love what I'm talking about today!



I'd like to introduce you to my new soap love Mamma Oceania, a lovely company created by a beauty product and soap lover from Canada. Anna Mattiuzzo started making soap in 2012 for her own use and also for some of her friends. She began giving them as gifts to her friends and family who in turn asked for her to make more so they could gift them to their friends and family members as well, which is how Mamma Oceania was born.

Mamma Oceania soaps are simple in the best way possible and made with healthy, premium, USDA certified organic Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Canadian Sea Kelp and other ingredients like Banana Extract, Collodial Oatmeal, filtered water, and Sodium Lactate (salt milk). You'll never find anything toxic like dyes, fragrances, or preservatives in these beautifully made bars. Anna has a mission and a strong belief that we need to help create a healthier planet, "Even as a child, I constantly dreamed about harm-free soap, sea-foam, and a cleaner planet for everything that lives – especially mermaids."

Anna contacted me in March and sent me all 8 bars of her wonderful soap to try. I've been using them, and only them, since they arrived. I'm absolutely in love. The 8 different soaps that Anna makes are:
Baby Clean Soap
Chamomile, Banana, Kelp, Oatmeal
Skin Smoothing Soap
Cucumber, Banana, Kelp, Oatmeal
Antioxidant Soap
Guava, Green Tea, Banana, Kelp
Pore Saver Facial Soap
Mango, Banana, Kelp, Oatmeal
Brightening Facial Soap
Pineapple, Banana, Kelp, Oatmeal
Gentle Exfoliating Soap
Pomegranate, Coconut, Kelp, Oatmeal
Skin Nourishing Soap
Rosehip, Banana, Kelp
Moisturizing Soap
Sea Buckthorn, Banana, Kelp



Each bar has a similar almost fragrance free scent. They just smell very light and fresh, like soap should. There is no fruity, floral, or fragrant scent to them making them the perfect soap for anyone who, like me, are sensitive to fragrances (natural or not) and prefers things to not have much of a smell. They are all extremely gentle but do a great job of leaving skin feeling clean and hydrated at the same time. I have super sensitive skin and these bars are incredible. My skin loves them! Each bar is 4 oz and seems to last quite a while, when kept out of direct water.

Picking a single favorite is nearly impossible but I can say that I'm currently using and loving the Gentle Exfoliating Soap and the Pore Saver Facial Soap, which I'm using on my body, while my Mom is using the Moisturizing Soap and really enjoying it. She's a big fan of anything with Sea Buckthorn in it!

To learn more about Mamma Oceania you can visit their website by clicking here. You can also find them on Facebook.