2015 Birthday to Birthday Giveaway (CLOSED)

March 15 is a very important day in my life. March 15th, 2011 is the day that I started Beautiful Basics. I know you're probably thinking something like, "Beauty Blogging isn't a very big deal so it shouldn't be such an important anniversary", but for me it was a huge deal.

When I was 22 I became seriously ill. In 2009, my entire life changed and I couldn't do anything about it. The person I was before was not the person I was capable of being any longer. I couldn't work or do much of anything and it was really devastating. Being 22 and being sick is incredibly difficult. Let's be real, being sick at any age is really hard but at 22 I had so many goals and plans for my life that were all thrown out the window.

I started to feel lost and hopeless and like I was useless because I couldn't work. I thought about volunteering, but it's hard to make any commitments when you're ill, so I thought about taking up a hobby. What did I enjoy? I thought about it and I realized that I loved to read beauty blogs and watch beauty videos on YouTube. I wasn't (and I'm still not) ready to put myself out there on camera but I have always loved to write so I came up with the concept of Beautiful Basics. The blog originally began as an outlet for my favorite beauty tips and some reviews but took on a life of its own when I began researching green living and eco beauty.

Today, 4 years later, I'm still sick. In fact, I'm worse than I was back then but my attitude and outlook have changed a lot. I'm no longer lost or down about my situation. Life is whatever we choose to make of it and I'm choosing to live a happy life. Beautiful Basics gave me something to do and focus on and gave me hope. Blogging and keeping up with Beautiful Basics is a part of me now and it's something I enjoy doing, very much. In honor of my 4th blogiversary I want to do a giveaway for all of you wonderful people who keep me blogging. Thank you for that, by the way. Your likes, comments, questions, suggestions, and recommendations make this all worth it.

And since my birthday is April 10th (I'll be 28… where does time go?) I want to do a double giveaway that lasts from my blogiversary to my birthday. How does that sound?



There will be 2 winners. The first randomly selected winner will be able to choose which prize they would like. The other bag will go to the second winner. This giveaway is open to everyone worldwide. To enter simply use the Rafflecopter form below. You can choose to do as many or as few options as you would like. All entries will be verified! Give this post a "like" and good luck!

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Lip Lovers Series - Acure Lip Lushes

Acure Organics is a massively popular green brand for a reason. They consistently deliver products that are highly effective, clean, and fun to use at a really affordable price point. I've tried a lot of their products over the years since I first went green and the majority of them have been big time hits in my book and I'd like to introduce you all to their Lip Lushes if you haven't already tried them out.



Like I said earlier in the week in my Favorite Lipsticks post I'm more of a lipstick than lip gloss kind of girl. Gloss is pretty hard for me to fall in love with. I don't like sticky gooey stuff but Acure has created a gloss that has an extreme amount of shine without that gross tacky feeling that some glosses have. I'm wildly impressed with their entire range of Lip Lushes which is comprised of 5 pigmented shades that range from sheer to surprisingly opaque. These aren't your average glosses.

The formula of these glosses is moisturizing and feels silky smooth on the lips. It also smells absolutely delicious! I love the scent so much. It is sweet and slightly fruity. The applicator is easy to use and apply. And… the names are beyond cute - Birthday Suit, Shmexy, No Strings, Date Worthy, and DAAANG! Awesome names, right?

Without further ado I'm going to let the swatches speak for themselves. Stunning, no?



Birthday Suit is essentially a clear gloss with a slight nude tint with no shimmer.
Shmexy is a sheer light pink without shimmer.
No Strings is a great rosy pink with a slight touch of shimmer.
Date Worthy is a really richly pigmented peachy, rosy, nude shade that is super opaque.
DAAANG! Is a shimmery plum berry shade.

I think I would have to say my favorites are Shmexy and Date Worthy, although they all deserve special recognition. Each individual gloss is special and unique. My Mom snagged Birthday Suit and No Strings for herself and she's been wearing them nonstop. There is definitely a shade for everyone. Which one would do you like most?

(FTC: These Lip Lushes were generously provided to me by the company for review purposes. I am not being compensated for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Lip Lovers Series - Lipstick and Tinted Lip Balm

Who here loves lipstick? I do! I do!

Lipstick is my preferred method of applying color to my lips. It's funny because my Mom is a gloss kind of gal but I find something transformative and super special about lipstick. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate gloss (I'll even be sharing a review of 5 gorgeous glosses later this week) but I don't love it nearly as much I love a good tube of lipstick.

Today I'm opening up my makeup stash and pulling out some of my current favorite lippies to share with you. I hope to make this an annual (or maybe seasonal) series if you all like it. Also, please remember that I have super sensitive lips that are easily irritated and none of the following products bother me in the least bit.




Ilia makes gorgeous, stunning, amazing, and unique lip products. They have a superb selection of shades, finishes, and formulas that come in sleek and sophisticated metal tubes. Shell Shock, a Tinted Lip Conditioner, is number 1 on my favorites list. My sweet and thoughtful Mother knew I had this beauty on my wish list and ordered it for me as a surprise. Surprised I was and in love I quickly fell! I think I might even call Shell Shock my signature lip shade. It is a lovely sheer, but buildable, coral pink that brightens up my face and makes me look healthy and awake. We went on a couple of vacations last summer and this is all I packed with me lip wise. It is appropriate for any situation and goes with every makeup look. It applies and wears perfectly. It leaves my lips soft and hydrated.

I talked about Arabian Knights and Nobodys Baby years ago. You can check out that review by clicking here.

Another gift from my Mom (and Dad!) is the Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick Duo in Date and Fig. First of all, I love the size of this little guy. It's perfect! The colors are great and the formula is exceptional. These particular shades are pretty similar and end up being the perfect MLBB (My Lips But Better) shades for me. They are very long lasting as well! I'm happy to have it! They have several different versions too with some brights and reds but I'm really loving the nude selections in this duo.

I had been eyeing Pacifica's Devocean Lipsticks for quite a while before I settled on Tenderness. I don't know what it is about this color but my lips look huge and full when I wear it. I hate the description I'm about to use but I can't find another way to say it – this lipstick makes my lips look juicy! It's great! Love the tube and the formula. This lipstick definitely makes me curious about the others in the line.

Another Mom gift is the Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint in Sugared Fig that she stuffed in my stocking this past Christmas. I remember receiving one of Pacifica's jumbo tints in a Goodebox years ago and I really didn't like it so I was pleasantly surprised when I ended up loving this one. It doesn't provide a lot of color but it does give a nice little tint to the lips and it smells and tastes excellent. It's perfect for girls on the go because it's effortless and easy to use. I'm actually planning on doing an entire post about Pacifica and the products I've tried from them so keep an eye out for that if you're interested.

I did a whole review of the Noyah lipsticks not too long ago so I'm not going to talk about this next lipstick in depth. You can check out that review by clicking here. Anyway, Deeply in Mauve surprised me by becoming my favorite of the range. It's a beautiful shade that suits me. It's not a fuss free shade since it's on the darker side but if you have some time to dedicate to applying it you won't regret it. I think this color would look great on so many different skin tones.

My final favorite is Hannah PureMoist Lipstick by Jane Iredale. The Jane Iredale website decribes this shade as a creamy matte brown plum but it ends up being a pretty brick color on me. It is very wearable and works day to day or for evenings as well. It has a gorgeous smooth and velvety formula that makes lips look and feel soft. I also love the rose gold packaging!



I want to know what your favorites are so please feel free to comment on the Facebook page and share what you love with me!

(FTC: Some of these were gifts from my beautiful Mother and some of these were prizes that I won from giveaways. The Noyah lipstick was given to me as a PR sample by the company. I am not being compensated for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and honest, as always.

Beautiful Baking - Organic Scones

Can I make a confession? I can't cook. Well, I can… because I believe that everyone can do anything if they try hard enough but I don't like cooking. In fact,I kind of hate it. It's not fun and I never like anything I make. I think food tastes a lot better when someone else cooks it for you. Am I alone here? Anyway, despite my aversion to cooking, I find that I really enjoy baking. It's so fun to mess around with different recipes and create something, that is hopefully super yummy, for my loved ones.


Scones have become my "thing". I love baking scones! I don't know exactly why I love it so much but it's a ton of fun for me and I really love experimenting with making different flavors of scones.

I know that Beautiful Basics is a beauty blog but I love scones so much and a lot of you expressed interest in the recipe when I shared a photo a while back so I hope you won't mind too much that I'm posting about food.

I have found that when it comes to baking recipes are pretty much just suggestions. You can make substitutions or add other ingredients and create something unique. Baking is a fun process of trial and error. The following is my base recipe for scones and then I had things, by eye, to create different flavors. The photos in this post are of Blueberry and Plain scones but I have also made chocolate chip (the favorite of my family) and Peanut Butter. Feel free to add anything you want to your mix! Also, I use all organic ingredients but you can feel free to use whatever you prefer.

Preheat your oven to 425 and then get your dough ready! You will need:
2 ½ cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar – you can add less or more depending on your tastes and the final flavor you're going for. I go for ¼ cup when using chocolate chips or other sweet ingredients.
¾ cup milk
8 tablespoons of cold cut up butter - I actually use 4 tablespoons of real butter and 4 tablespoons of Earth Balance and it works beautifully. I have found that using only Earth Balance doesn't work as well but if you're a vegan feel free to substitute for the butter

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt before adding the butter. Let the butter incorporate and then add your sugar. Once those ingredients are mixed add your milk. If you're making plain scones you're done but if you're not then this is the point where you will add your other ingredients – berries, chocolate chips, etc. You'll know when the mixture is ready because it becomes a sticky but packed dough ball. At this point you can cut up your dough and stick it on a cookie sheet. I like to form a ball and flatten the bottom on my cutting board. I then take a pizza cutter and cut the dough like a pie. You can make your scones as large or as small as you would like.

Bake your scones until they are a lovely shade of golden brown. This can take anywhere from 10-15 minutes. Take them out of the oven and let them cool on racks. Now you're done and you should have a tasty batch of scones. Enjoy!

Talk About It - SpaRitual

I don't know about you but I think there is something really whimsical and magical about sparkle and glitter. Anything that glints and gleams is sure to catch my eye and if you're the same way then you'll want to keep reading because I've got three fabulous glittering, shimmering nail polishes from SpaRitual to talk about.

Let's start with some basic facts about the company and their products, shall we? SpaRitual polishes are vegan and formulated without DBP, toulene, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin. The coolest part about these polishes (other than how gorgeous they are!) is the fact that they don't feel awkward and rough on the nail. Some glitters have a tendency to feel share and snag on fabric but not these ones. They can be applied in a thin layer to add a little something extra to an already painted nail or built up to be more opaque.

Snow Globe is a Glitter Top Effect and is a lovely iridescent mix of gold shimmer and white glitter chunks. It would look gorgeous on top of any shade and add a fun snowy look to any polish.

Beyond Love is my absolute favorite. It's so eye-catching! It's a polish made up of chunky pink glitter. I actually think that Beyond Love works well on its own if it's built up. I used 3 coats and didn't need anything underneath, although you can always apply it in a thin layer over another polish to get a multi-faceted effect.

Home is a combination of teal, silver, and gold glitter pieces. I think it would look fantastic with a multitude of different polishes – gold, teal, white, silver! Every time I look at it I think Mardi Gras. I'm not really sure why that is but it's a beautiful glitter that would work all year round.

Now, this next polish isn't a glitter but it by now you've probably noticed that Pantone's Color of the Year, Marsala, is everywhere. Marsala is described as a naturally robust and earthy wine red shade. It's the hottest hue on the planet right now and if you're on the hunt for the perfect must-have nail lacquer you might want to check out SpaRitual's Fall in Love. It's the perfect shimmery shade that is the right mix of red and brown. It's a classic and wearable color that will flatter so many different skin tones.


These polishes are healthy, stunning, and fun to use and wear! Do you have your eye on any of these or any other SpaRitual polishes?

Valentine's Day Giveaway (CLOSED)

I just realized that I had a couple of things set aside that I wanted to give away to one of you in honor of Valentine's Day. I didn't get it posted in time for the winner to receive their prize on or before Valentine's Day and I hope you don't mind too much. Prizes are fun no matter what, right? So, here is the giveaway! What's up for grabs? A copy of Sweet Debbie's Organic Treats cookbook and a bottle of Badger's Sweet Orange with Lemon and Spearmint Aromatherapy Massage Oil.



Want to win? Just use the Rafflecopter form below. It may take a moment or two to load. All entries will be verified. I included a lot of different ways to enter but please know you can do as many or as few options as you like. The giveaway is open worldwide. Give this post a like and good luck!

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14 of 2014

Happy New Year-I just realized this is my first post of 2015. To celebrate the new year, I decided to talk about my 14 favorite products of 2014. First of all, I want to talk about how difficult it was for me to write this post. I don't like picking "favorite" products because I'm picky and finicky and sometimes I change my opinion from one moment to the next. When it came to choosing 14 favorites I wanted to make sure they were products that I had used for a long time and products that I really, really loved. There were a lot of products that I wanted to include that I hadn't been using for very long so they were not added to the list. With that huge disclaimer out of the way, let's get started!



John Masters Organics Zinc and Sage Shampoo with Conditioner
I have gone through 3 bottles of this stuff and I don't plan on quitting using it any time soon. Using multiple bottles of shampoo is a really big deal for me. I hardly ever fall in love with any hair product but this one is absolutely worth it. It smells delicious, sort of like vanilla and butterscotch, and leaves my hair looking and feeling fantastic. Check out my full review by clicking here.

Desert Essence Fragrance Free Conditioner
Let's be real, this conditioner is very plain and simple but I really love it. I actually don't have much to say about this because it's a no frills kind of product but it gets the job done, is really affordable, and doesn't bother my sensitive nose. I've actually lost track of how many tubes I've purchased but I can safely say I've replenished this product at least 6 times.

Three Sisters Apothecary Black Licorice Vanilla Soap
I received a bar of this soap, as well as other products from the brand, for review purposes but I fell so hard for this stuff that I ended up ordering 2 more. With 2 bars down and 1 remaining I feel confident enough to say that I will be ordering another 2, maybe even 3, bars very soon. My skin loves this soap and so does my nose. I know black licorice is a love it or leave it kind of thing so this won't be for everyone but the formula of soap definitely is. It does a fantastic job cleansing while leaving skin feeling super soft and smooth. It lathers well and rinses clean. It's incredible! Here is the link to my full review.

Seventh Generation Free and Clean Unscented Hand Soap
Is it super weird to include hand soap on this list? Well, regardless of the answer, it's a definite favorite. It's the only hand soap I use! It's truly fragrance free and is very gentle on my hands. I deviated from this soap once and my hands were not happy with the change so I will continue to repurchase. I also love their new packaging!

Weleda Salt Toothpaste
This toothpaste is a little pricey but it has really helped keep my teeth and gums healthy. It leaves my teeth feeling incredibly clean and my breath smelling fresh for a long time. It takes a little getting used to since it doesn't foam and it tastes quite salty (obviously) but I have purchased multiple tubes of this and I will continue to use it.

MoistStic
I went through 4 tubes of this lip balm in 2014. I'm no longer using this but not because I stopped loving it. I'm just experimenting with other products right now. Here is the link to my full review.

100% Pure Nourishing Carrot Facial Scrub
I'm going to make a bold statement and say that this is one of my Holy Grail facial products. I have dryish, sensitive skin and this stuff is so gentle and nourishing (as the name suggests). My skin really loves this! I'm on my second tube and will definitely repurchase when I run out.



Natralia Dry Skin Lotion
This is another kind of boring, no-frills product but it's a staple in my house. Every member of my family uses this lotion on a daily basis. We all have a bottle in our rooms and we purchase more the second we run out. It has no scent, which is exactly how I like my lotions, and does an impeccable job of proving long lasting moisture and relieving itchiness while feeling lightweight and non-greasy on this skin. My only complaint is the bottle and pump. The pump stops working properly when the bottle is half full. Click here to check out my full review.

Niora Naturals Alpha Clear Cleanser
This was my cleanser of choice during the warmer months. It helped clear up my skin and left me looking glowing and smooth. I'm not longer using it because my skin needs extra hydration thanks to the cold right now but I have a feeling I'll be going back to it. You can check out my full Niora Naturals review here.

Ilia Shell Shock Tinted Lip Conditioner
My Mom sweetly surprised me with this because it had been on my wish list for a long time and I fell in love right away! The formula is fantastic and the color is perfect! It's such a subtle but gorgeous shade that brightens up my face and makes me look healthy and awake. I wore it almost every day in the summer and I'll be going back to it once it gets sunny around here again.

ZuZu Luxe Cream Brow Pencil
I use the shade Russet and I am so in love with this pencil. I'm not completely sure why it's called a Cream Brown Pencil because it seems to be quite dry in formula but I really like it. It also happens to be the perfect color for me. It's super easy to use and it looks natural once applied. It also lasts all day! It's my perfect brow product!

Pacifica Dreamlit Illuminating Under Eye Brightner
I use the shade Dreamlight and it does a fantastic job of hiding my dark circles. It makes me look bright eyed and bushy tailed… well, maybe not bushy tailed because what does that even mean? It has a luxuriously silky texture that blends seamlessly into the skin and provides luminous coverage. I love the doe foot applicator and every single thing about this product.

Jane Iredale Corrective Colors
I have been planning on doing a full review of this product for a long time so I don't want to say too much about it right now but I love it. I have stopped using cream or liquid foundation for the most part and stick to using concealer to provide an even base before applying mineral foundation. I really love this palette. I really love mixing the beige and yellow tones together to even out my skin. The only shade I don't get much use out of is the lilac shade.

Alima Pure Sombra Contour Powder
Contouring is one of my absolute favorite parts of doing my makeup. I know a lot of you have expressed that contouring is something you want to try but are a bit nervous about so I suggest you check out this powder! It is such an easy to use product and leaves cheeks looking chiseled and defined. The color is buildable, blendable, and absolutely lovely.

Another disclaimer, I had a thing for a lot of products in 2014, so just because it wasn't included on this list doesn't mean I didn't love it. It's really hard for me to make lists like this!

Now I want to know what your favorites from 2014 were! Please share!

(FTC: Some of these products were provided to me free of charge for review consideration while others were purchased by me. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Talk About Body Care - Route One Pumpkins

I meant to get this review up a few weeks ago but a lot of life things have gotten in the way, which also means I'll be taking a few weeks off to get everything sorted (and to enjoy the holidays), before I jump back into writing but I promise I will have a lot of new DIY posts and fun things to share in the new year. I will also be posting on the Facebook page.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand – today I'm sharing my thoughts on Route One Pumpkins. I got to try out some of their products and I think you will really like their line of natural handcrafted soap and skin care products that are made with Organic Sugar Pie Pumpkin Seed Oil and other pure and healthy ingredients. You will never find parabens, phthalates, soy, gluten, nut oils, petroleum based ingredients or anything artificial in their products. They also believe in sourcing their ingredients locally. They are located in Half Moon Bay, Ca and their pumpkins come from Tunitas Creek Family Farm, just South of Half Moon Bay.



In addition to being clean their products are also Leaping Bunny Certified and they even have an English Setter named Finnegan (Fun Fact: I have a cat named Finnegan) and an Irish Red and White Setter named Madeleine on their "staff". How cute is that?



Their soaps are ph-balanced and made with sunflower and pumpkin seed oils as well as avocado, shea butter, organic jojoba, and meadowfoam seed. I got to take the Bee's Knees Bar Soap for a test drive… err, a test shower? Hmm, that didn't work but hopefully you get what I'm trying to say. This particular bar of soap is made with locally and responsibly harvested beeswax and honey as well as blue chamomile. If you have been around Beautiful Basics for a while now you know how obsessed with honey I am, but if you're new around here just trust me when I say I'm crazy for all beauty things related to bees. This soap has a slightly sweet and floral scent. It lathers well, rinses beautifully, and leaves skin feeling lovely. It's perfect for sensitive skin!



I also got to try the Coastal Lavender Crème and Ultra Sensitive Hand and Body Crème; each of these comes in an adorable 4 oz tin with a gorgeous label. The Ultra Sensitive Body Butter is made with shea butter, avocado infused with calendula, cocoa butter, and beeswax. This one has a little sweet orange oil so it has a very light fragrance. The Coastal Lavender is made with organic coconut, shea butter, avocado oil, cocoa butter, pumpkin seed oil and beeswax. It has a wonderful and true lavender scent. They provide intense hydration and work best when applied to skin directly after a bath or shower. It locks in moisture and keeps skin looking and feeling wonderful. I like to use the Sensitive one during the day on my hands and chest in particular and love the Lavender at night before bed. I really enjoy them!

To learn more about Route One Pumpkins or their lineup of products you can very their website by clicking here.

Talk About Subscription Boxes - Yuzen Winter and Holiday Boxes

I think Subscription Boxes, like Yuzen, make a fantastic gift for any special event you can think of. Birthday? Check. Anniversary? Of course. Just because? Perfect! Christmas? Yes, please! And you might be thinking, "It's probably too late to order a box for Christmas," but you would be wrong. To ensure it arrives by Christmas Eve you just need to get your order in by the 19th.

I first reviewed Yuzen (If you're curious about the name of the box, Yuzen is a beautiful Japanese paper, also known as Chiyogami, and is included in each box) back in July 2012, but I was recently sent their Winter Box and their One Time Holiday Box to review on Beautiful Basics. Both boxes are awesome and I'm excited to get to talk about them today. Included in each box, besides the gorgeous paper, are natural and/or organic and eco-friendly products that are good for your skin, body, home and peace of mind.



Before we get into the contents of the boxes let's talk business. You can purchase a subscription to Yuzen for yourself or as a gift for $33 a box, with a box arriving at your home every season. You can also purchase a single gift box, like the Holiday Box, for $33. The price includes shipping.



Let's talk about the Winter Box (which is for Nov-Jan) first since it is part of the regular subscription. I wasn't as impressed with this box as I was with Holiday Box but my Mom really loved a lot of the items in this one! So, what did I find when I opened the box?

Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub

This is my favorite item included in this box. I have tried a lot of Acure Organics products but never this scrub. I had heard a lot of good things and I'm so glad I got to try it because it's really, really great!

Cowgirl Extreme C Serum

Essence of Vali Sleep

JJ's Sweets Chocolate-Covered Cocomels with Sea Salt

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Cream

SALUS Shower Bombs in Eucalyptus and Lemongrass

Zents Mandarin Soap 

This soap was what my Mom was most excited about. She loves the scent!

As for the single Holiday Box – I loved it and everything in it! This might be my favorite box that I have ever received because I liked every single item that was included.

Acure Brightening Facial ScrubLike I mentioned above, this scrub is great and I love the size!

SpaRitual Cuti-Coctail Pen & Pusher 

My cuticles have been an absolute mess and this has come in handy! I really like the formula and the applicator.

Eminence Wild Plum Eye CreamI seriously love Eminence and this eye cream is fantastic. It smells great and it actually makes a huge difference in my under eye area.

Kneipp Balancing Lavender Herbal BathI have always wanted to try Kneipp so I was so happy to see this in the box! It's seriously great!

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Ultimate Lash and Brow SerumI haven't used this yet, but I will and I'll let you know what I think.

Sencha Naturals Pink Dragonfruit MintsThese are yummy!

Sranrom Urban Wellness Calm Down Hand CreamThis leaves hands feeling ridiculously soft and hydrated while smelling really nice. It actually smells a lot like Tazo Zen Tea.

If you would like to read more about the products and why Yuzen selected them you can click here. You can also visit their website to learn more about Yuzen or to purchase a subscription or individual box.

Even Hunter likes Yuzen!

Talk About Cosmetics - Noyah Lipstick

I'm not sure whether it's the fact that a swipe on the lips can change your entire look, or they way it can make you feel more put together, or whatever it may be but I really love lipstick. There is something really special and magical about finding the perfect tube of lipstick that compliments your skin tone and makes you feel great!

Like I said, I really love lipstick and right now I'm really loving Noyah and their stunning lipsticks. With 5 awesome shades of all-natural and kosher lipstick everyone can find the perfect shade to suit them and their tastes. With ingredients like Castor Oil, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, and Vitamin E the lipsticks have a smooth formula that applies like a dream.



I was recently sent all 5 lipsticks and I'm absolutely thrilled that I'm able to tell you all about them. They're amazing! The shades are Empire Red (a true red), Apricot Swirl (a light apricot), Valentine Pink (a soft pink), Hazelnut Cream (a rose), and Deeply in Mauve (a rich mauve). The shades are all creamy, semi-matte shades with the exception of Hazelnut Cream, which has a slight frost to it.



Like I said above, they apply seamlessly and flawlessly. They also wear extremely well throughout the day. I haven't worn them for more than a few hours at a time but they last really nicely! I have found that they can be applied and blended out with a finger for a more sheer look, applied in a single layer for a wash of opaque color, or built up to look more rich and vibrant. Color wise, I originally thought that I was going to love Empire Red the most (it's a gorgeous color but I don't think I can pull it off!) but I was pleasantly surprised by Deeply in Mauve and Valentine Pink. These 2 shades have become my absolute favorites and I have been wearing Deeply in Mauve quite a lot when I go out. It's a little bit vampy while still being classic and easy to wear.



I'm not completely sold on the packaging of these lipsticks but I can deal with it since the lipsticks themselves are so wonderful. I just think it feels a little bit like cheap plastic, but like I said – I can deal. As far as the smell and taste goes there is nothing really to mention on this front since there is only an extremely faint scent that I can't quite place my finger on and no taste.

If I was a teacher and these lipsticks were my students they would be at the top of their class. Where did that weird teaching reference come from? Not quite sure, but what I'm trying to get at is these rock my socks off and I highly recommend them. They would make fabulous stocking stuffers or gifts for the holidays too!

Stuffed Stockings Giveaway (CLOSED)

I love everything about Christmas. The music, decorations, time with family, cookies, and of course the gifts given and received. I can't forget to mention my love for stockings though. There is something really magical about stocking stuffers. I can't explain it but my love for them is deep and rooted in me by my Mother. My Dad likes stockings (although he calls them "socks") but my Mom and I are absolutely crazy for them!

I love giving things away to you Beauties so it only seemed appropriate to make a prize pack (or two!) full of items perfect for stuffing stockings, whether it is for your own (I promise I won't judge you if you want to keep them for yourself!) or someone else's "sock". One is a makeup and skin products and the other is body and pampering products. The first randomly selected winner will get to pick the set he or she wants and the other winner will receive the remaining set.


This giveaway is open worldwide. To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter form below. By the way, I know the changes in Rafflecopter are kind of iffy so if you encounter any problems feel free to e-mail me or contact me about it. There is only one required entry, all others are optional and you can do as many or as few as you like but keep in mind that the more entries you have the more chances you have to win. Give this post a like and get your entries in! Good luck!




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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.