noya Giveaway!!

If you missed my post on noya and their fabulous lip balms (and gloss!) you should probably head over and check it out by clicking here. If you did read it and my review got you excited (which many of you expressed to me that you were!) then you're going to be thrilled with the latest giveaway! That's right, the company generously allowed me to give away 2 lip balms to 2 winners! How awesome is that!?!


2 of you will be winning 2 lip balms of your choice. All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. 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 Lip Care - noya

I feel like I'm on a roll when it comes to discovering awesome (new to me) lip balms that don't irritate my ridiculously sensitive and persnickety pout and I'm having so much fun sharing them with you! Today I would like to introduce you to noya and their collection of all-natural lip balms that are simply made with only 4-6 ingredients and are highly effective, cruelty-free and certified kosher.



Noya offers a Classic, unscented balm as well as 3 other varieties – Cherry, Spearmint, and Vanilla. If you know me at all you know that I almost always go for plain, unscented balms and I do really love this one but I also, surprisingly, love the other flavors as well. The Vanilla in particular is delicious and reminiscent of a tasty cupcake or a bowl full of frosting, and I can't deny that I love baked goods and their scent. My Mom has become partial to the Spearmint while the Cherry balm has found a home with a friend.



Side note - These lip balms would make great little gifts since they come in really adorable boxes. They are also nicely priced at $3.99 each.



If you're curious about the ingredients list the Classic Balm is made with Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Organic Stevia. While this balm is not suitable for those of you who are vegan it is appropriate for anyone looking for a moisturizing, soothing, and long-lasting lip balm. This formula has a nice medium glide, meaning it goes on easily, locks in hydrating, and lasts on the lips. It is perfect alone or under a colored lip product of your choosing.

Speaking of colored lip products, I was also sent the Summertime Peach lipgloss. This gloss coats the lips with a lovely sheer and shimmery nudey peach color and feels and wears more like a balm than a typical gloss. I don't find the color to be very buildable, and instead provides a natural looking wash of color. It's not super shiny but I personally don't like the look of overly glossy looking lips on myself. I tend to reach for lipstick more often than gloss but this one feels great and looks nice. It's not sticky or goopy and my hair doesn't seem to naturally gravitate towards it and get stuck in it. It has no discernable scent or taste. Also, the packaging is quite lovely.



The company also has 3 other shades of Lipgloss as well as 4 lipsticks (one of which has especially caught my eye, hello Apricot Swirl!). Overall, I'm a huge fan! You can learn more about the company and their product offerings by clicking here to visit their website. You can purchase noya online here or you can find a reatiler near you by clicking here.

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 Lip Care - Yu-Be

I am extremely picky and somewhat snobby about the lip balms I use. You can call me a lip balm connoisseur if you would like because I like what I like and I know what works. There have been many lip balms that I have hated, some I have liked but only two that I have loved. I have raved about my favorite lip balm many times over the past couple of years on Beautiful Basics, but today I'm excited to share my thoughts on Yu-Be, the first lip balm to even compare to my beloved Moist Stic. For the record, I can't pick which one I love more because they're different so just know that this is a part of my top two.

If you're new to Beautiful Basics or unfamiliar with my blog and the tales of my irritable lips here is a very quick background: My lips are extremely sensitive; beyond sensitive. Most lip products irritate my lips so when I find one that I like enough to share on my blog please know that it is extremely gentle unless otherwise noted. I get these weird rashes when I try new products that my lips don't like. They become painfully inflamed, red, and start to peel and flake. It typically takes a while for them to heal. I'm not sure what causes my lips to go haywire but it happens fairly regularly. As a beauty blogger I am constantly trying new products but I am always very apprehensive to try new lip stuff. I always get very excited to discover a product that doesn't bother my sensitive lips and I become very loyal to it.



Meet Yu-Be, an all-natural lip balm from Japan made of Soybean Oil, Beeswax, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Camphor, Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Stevia, and Rosemary Extract. This formula was created by pharmacist Yoshikiyo Nowatari in 1957 and has been a favorite and bestseller in Japan for over 57 years.

Days before this lip balm arrived I had a reaction to some lipsticks I was testing out. My lips were raw, dehydrated, and inflamed. I can't say that I was excited to try out another lip product but I thought that the camphor in the Yu-Be could only help my uncomfortable lips. I was right! My lips were completely healed after only using this balm for two nights in a row.

The formula is fantastic – It's undeniably healing as well as being soothing, hydrating, and protective without being greasy, heavy, or tacky. It doesn't taste or smell very good but it's so therapeutic that I don't care very much. It's very medicinal and therefore does a great job of healing. It lasts an extraordinarily long time on the lips. I apply a generous coating to my lips at bedtime and wake up with quite a bit of moisture left.

If you're interested in Yu-Be you can learn more by visiting their website. Youu can locate a retailer near you by clicking here.

(FTC: This product was provided to me free of charge for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

April 2014 Petit Vour Box

I'm a big fan of Petit Vour (you can check out my reviews here and here) and when I went to check my mailbox yesterday I found a surprise box awaiting my discovery! Before I tell you about the box let me say thank you to Madeline, the founder of Petit Vour, for sending me this awesome box – I love it!

If you're unfamiliar with this particular subscription box here are a few important details you should know: Petit Vour is a cruelty free monthly beauty box that provides subscribers with deluxe sized, and sometimes even full sized, beauty products that are eco and animal friendly. Inside each box you will find luxury cosmetics, skin care, hair and body products, fragrance, and more that are free from animal products, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, sulfates, and all scary stuff that often lurks in personal care products while being totally ethical.

Clean, luxurious, and ethical –what's better than that? If you're interested in purchasing a subscription for yourself or a friend there are several plans to choose from including a month-to-month plan that costs $15, a 3-month plan with a price tag of $45, or the $90 6-month subscription. This box ships internationally so those of you in Canada or other parts of the world can receive your very own Petit Vour box! You can check out plans and pricing by clicking here.



At this point you're probably wondering about the box itself, right? Well, I won't keep it from you any longer because the April box was amazing and blew my mind, in a good way of course. The theme of this months box was Boheme Beauty and is described as unconditional, feminine and pure. This box features 1 full sized product and 3 generously sized samples.



So, what's inside:

Lily Lolo Eye Shadow Quad in Smokey Rose
This alone has a value of $32, if you're doing the math that is more than double what the cost of the box is, and it's seriously gorgeous! I have been wanting to try Lily Lolo products and this quad is fantastic. The shadows appear to be on the sheer side, which is the type of shadow I prefer, so they are perfect for me! It comes with a shimmery white, a pinky shade, taupe, and a dark matte brown and they're all so lovely!



Harvey Prince Yogini Fragrance
It is described as a "fragrance that calms the mind, soothes the soul, and frees the spirit. Sandalwood purifies, grapefruit elevates, and Egyptian Myrrh adds a touch of sensuality and serenity.



Kimberly Parry Organics Creamy Cleanser
I love trying new cleansers and this one is a coconut argan cleanser that is high in sea minerals and vitamins and comes in a very generous 15 ml glass bottle. The full size retails for $79.



Jane Scrivner Un Conditional Oil
This is a skin conditioning oil made with organic Argan Oil and Frankincence Essential Oils. It is for all skin conditions like eczema and rosacea.



Do any of these items catch your eye?

If you're interested in learning more about Petit Vour you can visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

(FTC: This box was generously provided to me by the company for free. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Talk About It - Schmidt's Deodorant

In September of last year I was sent a box of stench stopping all natural, vegan, and cruelty free deodorants from a company called Schmidt's. I tested the deodorants out a couple of times but wasn't very impressed until I picked up the jar again in March. I have been using the Bergamot + Lime version religiously every single day and I don't really know why I didn't really like Schmidt's Natural Deodorant on the first go around but I'm a huge fan now!



Schmidt's creamy deodorant comes in many different scents besides my beloved Bergamot + Lime (which smells so fresh and summery; I would love to have it in the form of a body fragrance as well) like Cedarwood + Juniper, Ylang-Ylang + Calendula, Lavender + Sage and Fragrance Free. I don't really enjoy all of the scents because my sniffer is quite sensitive but I highly recommend the Fragrance Free and Bergamot + Lime.

I have a serious love/hate relationship with natural deodorant. I hate the thought of chemicals being applied to my underarms but nothing I had tried previously had kept me stink free for long enough. One important thing to take note of is that this deodorant (and any natural deodorant for that matter) will not keep you dry. There is no such thing as a natural anti-perspirant and if you think about it why would you want to stop the sweat that helps remove toxins from your body anyway? With that said, this doesn't keep you as dry as you might be used to but I personally don't mind. I think it does a pretty great job and it keeps me smelling great all day and night without having to reapply!



The form of application isn't ideal and is quite possibly the reason I didn't like it originally. You have to scoop some out with your fingers (or a little spatula) and massage it into your underarms. The cream is thick so it takes a few minutes to warm up and spread evenly on the skin. It's not the end of the world though and since the formula is excellent it's worth it.

One last thought - the company is based in my home state of Oregon, which is awesome!

You can purchase Schmidt's Natural Deodorant online or by locating a retailer near you.

Talk About Cosmetics - Honeybee Gardens Pressed Mineral Eye Shadow

Honeybee Gardens is a company dedicated to bringing high quality, healthy, and non-toxic cosmetics to its customers with a wallet friendly price tag. I reviewed their Truly Natural Mascara way back in October of 2011 and am now bringing you my thoughts on their Pressed Mineral Eye Shadow.



I'm a huge fan of mineral makeup but often struggle, like many of you have told me you do, with the mess that loose powders can make but Honeybee Gardens has released an entire range of pressed shadows that help eliminate the fallout. I have seriously fallen in love with the 3 shades I have been testing and highly recommend them!



I received the shades Porcelain (a matte light pink), Canterbury (a matte light dusty taupe leaning on the side of mauve), and Daredevil (a pretty plum shade of purple). These shadows are super soft and buttery without being powdery or difficult to work with. They provide a rich color payoff and blend flawlessly. They are long wearing, even without a primer, and don't seem to crease easily. These are definitely right up at the top of the list of my favorite eye shadows!

They are vegan, gluten free, cruelty free and score a 1 on the EWG Skin Deep Database. They are also eco friendly since they come only in pan form being shipped in a paper sleeve, meaning they don't come in a clunky plastic package. This means you either have to purchase a reusable palette from the company or something like a Z Palette. Another point I need to make is that these shadows are completely affordable at only $8.99 each!



I'll be using these shadows in upcoming "Get the Green Look" posts soon so keep an eye out!

Talk About It - Badger Headache Soother

When I opened my Christmas Stocking this year I discovered a little tin full of soothing wonder that I have been loving the past few months and I thought it was time to share it with you. My Mom picked up the Badger Headache Soother for me at Ulta as stocking filler because she knows how often I am struck down with headaches and/or migraines.

I have been a migraine sufferer all of my life, or at least all of my life since I was about 16, and while this salve doesn't magically make the pain in my head vanish it does provide some much appreciated relief.

It's certified Organic ingredients list is comprised of: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax, Castor Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, Menthol, Essential Oils of Peppermint, Eucalyptus Oil, Mandarin, Sandalwood, as well as Calendula and Rosehip.

It has such a lovely, happy, uplifting scent and I absolutely adore it. It is not too strong or overpowering and you all know how ridiculously scent sensitive I am. I like to massage it onto my temples, forehead, neck, and chest whenever I feel pain or even when I'm a bit down. I particularly like to apply this before hopping in the tub to soak because the combination of the bath and the Headache Soother make a huge difference in the way I feel. I even like to just open the lid and sniff sometimes, just because it makes me happy.

It provides a relaxing and cooling sensation wherever it is applied that feels fantastic. It doesn't burn or last long but the initial feeling is really nice and light. It's also nicely moisturizing without being pore clogging. It is a bit greasy but I like it, and I like to use it as a hand salve as well. A little goes a long way in whatever capacity it is being used so the tin should last quite a while!

I love this so much that I'm totally interested in checking out more Badger products. Do you have any Badger recommendations?

Beauty Cabinet and Makeup Storage

If you're interested in how I store my makeup then you have come to the right place. I'm not going to go into great detail because I just want to share the creative way I jazzed up some ugly plastic storage containers.



Take note, this took some time. I measured the inside face of the drawers (one of which is a Sterilite mini 3 drawer and the other is a mini 5 drawer both picked up at my local Fred Meyer, or Kroger as it is called in other parts of the country) with my tiny tape measure, picked out some super cute scrapbooking paper, and got to work cutting. The paper I chose is a light blue/turquoise color with pretty glitter in it and it was a bit hard to cut and then it was a pain because it didn't want to stay in the drawers so I had to tape it inside. I just used plain white paper on the sides. I lined the inside of the drawers with a waffle textured shelf liner to keep products from slipping and sliding.



I have each drawer organized by category and arranged in the order I would use the products. I don't think I'm going to go inside the drawers. Maybe we'll save that for another day if anyone is interested. This diagram will show you where I store things:



My Dad, who is so talented and creative, made me the brush holder. It's made of wood. He spray painted the white parts and then glued my chosen paper to the sides. I have it filled with brown rice (although white would work the same way) to keep my brushes standing up.



I can't tell you how to make it because I'm not handy like my Dad but I did make my Mom one by taking a wide mouthed vase she loves and filling it with rice. You can really get creative with brush holders. You can use anything! Mason jars, vases, bowls, tins, boxes, whatever you think is pretty that can hold your brush collection! The possibilities are endless.

How do you store your makeup and your brushes? Do you love your setup? Share a photo with me on Facebook. I'm nosy and would love to see!

Talk About Lip Care - MoistStic Natural Lip Protection

I don't think I have ever really used up a lip balm in its entirety before I met MoistStic. I am actually on my 5th tube of this stuff, which is rare for me, and have even purchased some for members of my family. I'm not sure what exactly it is about this little magical tube of goodness but it is, without a doubt, my favorite lip balm of all time and I have tried many.

There's honestly not a lot to say about it but I figured I had to shine a spotlight on it and give it its own post on the blog because I love it so much. It is made with Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Lanolin, Peppermint Oil, Vitamin E, and Tea Tree Oil. I hate the thought of applying sheep grease (lanolin) to my lips but this formula works wonders for me. Even though it is not vegan it is cruelty free.

It smells very fresh thanks to the peppermint and tea tree and tingles slightly upon application. I use it in the day sometimes but I apply it every single night, without fail, before going to bed and I wake up every morning with soft and healthy lips. It is very long lasting and protective. It creates a barrier to the elements and goes on incredibly smooth while doing an amazing job healing. It doesn't taste great but I try not to eat my lip balm anyway so who cares?

I buy mine at my local health food store, and it's cheap, but you can also find it online. I found it in stock on Drugstore.com.

(FTC: I purchased this lip balm, many times, with my own money. I am not being compensated for this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Birthday to Birthday Giveaway!!!!!!

On March 15th Beautiful Basics turns 3 and on April 10th I am turning 27. To celebrate both of my very special days I want to give you all the chance to win some fun prizes!

Between the two dates above you can enter to win 1 of 3 awesome prizes using the Rafflecopter form below. It may take a moment or two to load. Open Internationally. The first winner selected will be able to pick which prize they want. The second will be able to choose out of the other two prizes and the third winner will receive the remaining prize. All entries will be verified.





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hydration is Key

I'm writing something a little bit different today since it's not technically about beauty although it is a huge factor in any beauty routine. I'm talking water. That's right, water. Water is vital for healthy skin. I'm a strong believer that the more water you drink the better your skin will look. I'm a waterholic and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I drink SO much water and by so much I mean at the very minimum I drink at least half my weight in ounces of water every single day although I aim for a gallon. Being hydrated makes me feel so much better in general and I can instantly see a difference in my skin when I haven't had enough.

I drink out of glasses but drinking from my Life Factory bottles is my most beloved and revered way of satiating my need and desire for water. I have two, a 22 ounce with a classic cap that I won a couple of years ago in a blog giveaway that I entered and the other is the 16 ounce with a flip top that I received as a gift this year for Christmas. I'm even planning on putting a smaller size bottle, maybe the 12-ounce with a flip cap, on the wish list for my birthday, which is coming up in April.

You may be thinking to yourself, "Self, what exactly are these Life Factory bottles she is talking about?" They're amazing, that's what. No, I'm not being paid to write this review, nor does the company even know about me and my water addiction or my little beauty blog. They are essentially just glass bottles with a silicone sleeve and a lid or cap, but they are eco-friendly and life changing. I fill mine up over and over again and take them everywhere with me. They're dishwasher friendly and durable!

I used to drink out of plastic water bottles (which contain cancer causing BPA and are super bad for the environment) but have switched completely to Life Factory. I refill my bottles several times every day so I'm being cost effective and doing my part to save the planet. Did you know that the US, alone, consumes 1500 plastic water bottles per second and 80% of those bottles end up in landfills even though there are recycling programs? Plastic is not biodegradable so those bottles just sit in landfills and take up space all while leaching chemicals into the Earth! Drinking tap water is a million (maybe not a million but I did read once that it is about 1000) times cheaper than drinking bottled water.

I could go on and on but you get the point. Plastic water bottles are bad for our bodies and bad for the Earth so why not make the switch to glass? I'm obsessed with my Life Factory bottles. They even have baby bottles and kid sized bottles! If you're interested you can check out their website.