Talk About It - The Soil & The Sea

All of life depends on nature, what grows from the ground and springs from the sea, and that understanding is where New York based brand, The Soil & The Sea, came up with the inspiration for their line of simple, but luxurious products. The company strongly believes in “farms and beaches, not pharmaceuticals, and in maximum effectiveness with minimal ingredients.” This line is divine and luxurious while still being pure and simple. Oh, and this brand is Leaping Bunny Certified and their products are made in the US, with wholesome and healthy ingredients.

I’ve been having so much fun exploring and testing out some of their products and I think many of you will really enjoy the brand and their offerings so without further ado let’s jump into talking about the products I was lucky enough to get to try.

First up, I’d like to introduce you to the entire roster of The Soil & The Sea’s Lip Balm team. I’ve been testing all six of these flat little tubes of lip moisturizing goodness and have found that the formula is really great across the board. They’re a thicker balm that goes on smoothly and provides long lasting hydration. With five clear and scented balms and one tinted there is bound to be a flavor that every single person can fall in love with. The varieties are Acai Berry, Aloe and Green Tea, Citrus, Coconut, Eucalyptus Mint, and Crimson (tinted). Crimson is a gorgeous, easy-to-wear shade of shimmery red with a sweet peppermint scent that looks so pretty on the lips! As far as the non-tinted balms go I think I’d have to say that Eucalyptus Mint is my favorite because I’m a such for anything fresh and minty while my Mom is a huge fan of the Acai Berry. All of them are equally lovely, though!

The Costa Rica Coffee Peppermint Bar Soap is awesome! If you love soap, coffee, and peppermint like I do you’ll probably want to head over to their website and put this exfoliating bar in to your cart right away. It doesn’t smell too strong or overpowering but does have a lovely scent of coffee and the refreshing scent of peppermint. I think of this as a body scrub in bar form because it’s quite scrubby but the formula is still pretty gentle thanks to ingredients like organic coconut, sunflower, shea butter, and kukui nut oil. It does a great job making skin feel clean and fresh. It’s also a fairly big sized bar of soap, which is a nice bonus.

Still talking about body cleansers, I’ve also been using the Lavender Grapefruit and Coconut Sea Mineral Body Washes. They do a great job of lathering, rinsing clean and leaving skin feeling fresh, balanced, and super soft. Both are formulated with nourishing organic ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, sesame seed oil, jojoba seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and dead sea salt. I love the scents of lavender and grapefruit when combined but I’m really in love with the Coconut Sea Mineral Body Wash. I’ll be buying a bigger bottle soon because I love it so much!

The Lavender Grapefruit Body Lotion is also quite lovely thanks to its fresh and calming fragrance. It leaves skin feeling silky soft and also lightly scented.

 Finally, I’ve got two candles to talk about The Soil and Sea Candles. If you’re familiar with my blog you’ll probably be quite surprised to hear how much I enjoy both of these little glass jars of wick and wax. Soil is a bit darker and richer with a scent of vetiver, sweet wood, dry earth while Sea is lighter and a bit more fresh with notes of beach grass, marine sand, and saltwater. Sea is undoubtedly my favorite of the two and reminds me of summer and being by the ocean. These would make beautiful gifts!

As a final note, the packaging of these products is so simple but so chic. I love it!

If you’d like to learn more about the brand and their line of products you can visit their website by clicking here. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

(FTC: These products were sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Skin Care - Wonder Butter

Simple is almost always better and there are few things more simple than an ultra luxe body butter made with only 3 ingredients that make you wonder how it can possibly be so rich, hydrating, and softening. That’s where Just Three Wonder Butter comes into the picture. This deeply nourishing product made with Organic Cold Pressed Cocoa Butter, Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, and Pure Vitamin E is vegan, cruelty-free and is totally safe, pure and nontoxic.

It was originally created to help heal burns but it has so many uses and it can be used on any part of your body and on any one of your family members, young, old or four-legged. It smells delicious, like a tasty chocolate treat, and leaves behind long-lasting moisture. For under $15 you get a hefty 8 ounces of product and a little goes a very long way so you’re getting an awesome value.

You can click here to see some of the usage suggestions from the company, but my favorite ways to use this delectable body butter are as a lip balm and a hand/foot cream. My entire family enjoys using this thick balm as an easy way to help relieve and revive dry skin. I’ve even used this on my sweet pup, Cooper, who has some major skin issues and it’s helped relieve his itchiness big time.

To learn more about this little jar of goodness you can visit their website by clicking here. You can also find the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Skin Care - Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub

I’ve been experimenting with several different Derma E products and I want to talk to you today about my absolute favorite from the brand, which also happens to be one of my must have skin care products of all time. 

The Microdermabrasion Scrub is a genius little miracle in a nice glass jar and makes my skin look and feel totally renewed. Even my Mom, who has really sensitive skin and rosacea, loves this stuff!

Made with ingredients like an exclusive crystal blend including Dead Sea Salt and Volcanic Sand this perfectly formulated scrubs buffs away dead skin and leaves skin looking fresh, clear, and smooth. It also leaves my skin feeling unbelievably soft and supple. It’s a powerhouse that gets the job done, but is also gentle and easy to use.

I like to massage this pampering and perfecting scrub into my skin twice a week and it has made such a beautiful difference in the tone, texture and clarity of my skin. It helps clear up any congestion and cleans out my pores while getting rid of any dry patches I may have. My skin seems to glow, so much more than usual, afterwards and I love it when my skin is glowy!

It has deliciously bright citrus scent that is uplifting and invigorating, that is absolutely lovely.

This little gem is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten free, and GMO-free so it’s totally safe and healthy to use. It provides you with instant and noticeable results so what’s not to love? If you’re interested in learning more about this scrub you can click here. To learn more about the brand and their other products you can click here.

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About It - Soulstice Nail Colour

I absolutely love getting to share healthier nail polish brands with you all. So many of you have expressed how much you love shiny, colorful nails but commercial nail polishes are packed with super scary ingredients. Thankfully there are companies like Soulstice Spa who has a roster of gorgeous vegan, non-toxic, 5-FREE, and cruelty-free polishes that are made in the USA.

I’ve talked about Soulstice in the past (here, here, and here) but they just launched some beautiful brand new beauties all inspired by towns in Northern California. The whole collection is so stunning and I think you’ll all really love the selection.

I received six of their latest shades:

Belvedere – Described as Deep Sea Blue

Bolinas – Described as Seaside Rose

Inverness ­– Described as Forest Green-Gray

Marshall – Described as Chocolate Shine

Olema – Described as Seashell

Point Reyes – There is no description of this shade on the website but I would call it a pretty, creamy peachy tan shade.

Each and every one of these polishes goes on so smoothly and evenly. Soulstice has such a great formula and I love how simple it is to get the type of coverage you want in one or two swipes. The bottle shape is easy to hold and the brush is easy to use. The formula lasts well on the nails and is easy to remove when you’re ready to take it off and try another color. 

Other colors that have caught my eye: San Rafael, Kenwood, Stinson Beach and Fairfax. 

Each glass bottle comes with .43 fl oz of polish and comes in at $12.

To learn more about Soulstice or to check out their shade selection you can visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

(FTC: These products were sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Talk About Cosmetics - Honeybee Gardens Complexion Perfecting Blush

I’ve talked about Honeybee Gardens a few times on Beautiful Basics in the past but they’re such an awesome, affordable, and ethical healthy brand with an all-star lineup of pure and healthy products that I just have to talk about them again and again. Besides, you beautiful gals and guys seem to be really interested in their products and the brand in general, so today let’s talk about their Complexion Perfecting Blush, shall we? Let’s me just start of by telling you how excited I was when I heard that Honeybee Gardens was launching a pressed blush! SO excited. Like, really excited!

I’m a big time blush lover! Blush is one of my favorite makeup products and therefore I like to think of myself as a blush and cheek product connoisseur. Because my illness often leaves me looking a little pale and lifeless I totally believe in the power of blush and using a good swipe or two to make myself look better than I feel. Since I’m so blush obsessed and in “need” of a good blush because of my health problems I like to think that I’m a bit of an expert and therefore I can be quite critical sometimes, and I cannot find a single thing I don’t like about this little beauty. Honeybee Gardens brought their A Game and did not disappoint with this product.

With 5 stunning shades suited for all skin tones this blush is formulated to be silky smooth and complexion perfecting. This formula is a magical makeup wonder! It’s highly pigmented but easy to blend and magically becomes one with the skin giving your face the perfect natural flush that looks seamless, flawless and totally healthy. 

I have the shade Breathless, described as a pale warm pink, and it looks like my perfect natural flush but better. It’s highly pigmented but easy to blend and magically becomes one with the skin giving your face the perfect natural flush that looks flawless and totally healthy. 

This formula is a magical makeup wonder! The texture is seriously dreamy! I have dry skin and powder products can sometimes go on patchy or chalky but this one glides on and feels so silky and so soft it’s like velvet, or something even softer than velvet. It goes on and instantly melts into the skin and ends up being totally seamless. It doesn’t even look like you’re wearing blush, but rather than you have a healthy glow to your skin.

With 5 stunning shades suited for all skin tones this blush is formulated to be silky smooth and complexion perfecting. You can wear each shade sheer or build it up to your desired shade strength. The formula makes for an easy to customize blush that wears all day and doesn’t fade away so you don’t end up with strange patches of color on your face.

Oh, and you get 8.5 grams of product for $13.99 so it’s as affordable as it is gorgeous. As with all Honeybee Gardens products it’s gluten-free, vegan, cruelty-free and made without parabens, petroleum-based oils, alcohol, talc, fillers, fragrances, preservatives or chemical dyes. This blush is made with only healthy ingredients and is even enriched with Maracuja, which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help even out your skins tone and texture.

You can learn more about Honeybee Gardens and their products by visiting their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Quick Review - Davids Premium Natural Toothpaste

Toothpaste is something we all use but isn’t particularly luxurious or special, or is it? Meet David’s Premium Natural Toothpaste, a really lavish yet simple toothpaste made in the US (with ingredients sourced from America) formulated with healthy, nontoxic ingredients that help remove plaque, whiten teeth, and freshen breath. 

This deliciously fresh and minty toothpaste comes in a beautiful metal tube inside a lovely box that also includes an awesome and super handy metal tube key. The key helps you get every last drop out so none is wasted. The packaging alone deserves an A++++.

The toothpaste, however, also deserves a gold star. This formula leaves my teeth feeling superbly clean, cleaner than any commercial toothpaste or other natural paste I’ve tried, and also makes my breath so fresh. Oh, and my teeth look a little bit whiter as well!

I’m going to leave this review pretty short because other than telling you how awesome I think this product is I don’t have much else to say about it. If you’re struggling to find a healthier toothpaste than you might want to check out David’s, because I bet you’ll really love it! You can learn more about the brand by visiting their website by clicking here. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

COOLA Mineral Face SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the great outdoors, whether I’m out in my backyard floating around my pool or hiking to check out some of the beautiful falls that my beloved home state of Oregon has to offer, or hanging out around the lake, and with summer officially here it’s time to be extra careful when it comes to sun exposure.

I’ve recently discovered the super popular brand COOLA and fallen hard for their Mineral Face SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint. This beautifully formulated facial SPF is silky smooth, antioxidant-infused, and lightly tinted so you’re not left with any white cast whatsoever. It has a really unique texture that feels light and almost whipped. It feels wonderfully hydrating but does an amazing job of mattifying the skin and leaving nothing behind but a smooth and diffused complexion. I like it by itself but have also found that it makes the best primer! And when I say the best primer, I mean that I’ve ever tried. It makes my makeup go on seamlessly and also helps it to last much longer.

I’ve never gotten sunburned with this natural BB cream on my face and make sure to massage some on anytime I know I’m going to be outdoors. The ingredients list of many sunscreens is a pretty scary sight to behold but never fear with COOLA because this product protects your skin with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide and also nourishes skin with ingredients like Organic Shea Butter, Organic Cucumber Extract, Organic Linseed, Rose Hip and Evening Primrose Oils, just to name a few. This cruelty free product is formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, gluten, or nano-sized particles. It also happens to be reef- and recycle-friendly.

Oh, and if you’re sensitive to scent like I am you can rest assure that this dreamy little tube has zero fragrance so it’s pretty much perfect! Whether you have dry skin, a super oily complexion, or fall somewhere between the two I think this formula will be perfect for you. It’s gentle, but does an excellent job of protecting the skin from harmful and aging UVA and UVB rays while also soothing and smoothing. Plus, this particular product is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

All COOLA products are made in the US with up to 97% certified organic ingredients. You can learn more about the company and their products by visiting their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

(FTC: This product was sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

June Goodbeing Review and Giveaway

Raise your hand if you love the idea of receiving a box of surprise beauty products that are eco-friendly and nontoxic in your mailbox every month! Just FYI, my hand is up in the air, and I’m betting many of you are in the same boat. If you’re a fan of trying new beauty and personal care products, and if you’re here reading this right now the chance of you being a beauty lovin’ lady is pretty high, you’ll love Goodbeing!

If you already know how this subscription box works you can skip this paragraph, but if you’re not already familiar with Goodbeing here’s a quick breakdown – Goodbeing is a customizable subscription service with several different plans to choose from. You can purchase a subscription or a single box for yourself or as a gift for someone else. Depending on which plan you purchase you can pay as little as $18 for a subscription or $21 per box if you would prefer to pay as you go. Each month you will receive 4-5 trial-sized (and sometimes even full sized) products that have been selected for you based on your member profile. You get to tell Goodbeing exactly what you like and dislike in the in depth survey you are asked to fill out when you sign up. You can specify scents you like and dislike, particular shades of cosmetics you’re interested in, and what your skin is like.

If you want to check out my past reviews you can do so by clicking on the month you want to read about – December, January,February, March, April, and May.

Without further ado let’s talk about the June box! 

These are the products I received:
DeVita Lip Science Lip Plumper (Full Size - $27.95)
MyChelle Sun Shield Clear Stick SPF 50 (Full Size - $12)
St. Tropica Ultimate Hair Mask (1 packet - $5)
Derma E Hydrating Night Creme (.5oz - $10)
EO Products Hand Sanitizer Wipes in Lavender (3 Sachets - $1.75)

My favorites from this particular box are definitely the MyChelle Sun Shield Clear Stick SPF 50, which came at the perfect time to take to the lake and camping, and the St. Tropica Ultimate Hair Mask, which was used immediately and made my hair feel really luxe and healthy. With a value of over $55 this box is definitely worth the $18 (or less) price tag.

Are you subscribed? What did you get in your box?

If you’re not and you’re interested in signing up for your own subscription you can use this link to get a free bonus item in your first box.

If you love the look of the June box you can enter to win one for yourself by using the Rafflecopter form below. You can do as many or as few of the options as you would like. This giveaway is open only to those of you in the US. All entries will be verified. Good luck!

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Adventure Awaits Giveaway

Lately, I’ve recently been really interested in mountaineering (or reading about epic Everest, Lhotse, K2 and Annapurna ascents, anyway) and the idea of seeing the world. Since summer is the perfect time to explore I put together this little adventure themed bag to give away to one of you.

I found this bracelet on Etsy and I couldn’t pass it up. The second I saw it I knew I needed to get one to give away so the star of this bag is this aluminum cuff with one of my favorite quotes on it.

Also included, an Unscented Portland Bee Balm, Mint Portland Bee Balm, perfectly portlance foil samples from John Masters Organics and Briogeo, and 3 EO Hand Sanitizer Wipes in Lavender.

This giveaway is open to all of you, regardless of location in the world. There is only one required entry and after that you can do as many or as few of the entry options as you would like. All entries will be verified. Good luck!

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Talk About Skin Care - Earth Science Maximum Hydration Hyaluronic Acid Serum

As I’m getting older my skin is getting more and more dry. It’s also somehow dehydrated even though I drink plenty of water and then some. I’m also pretty sensitive, my skin and nose both. About a month ago, I stumbled across the Earth Science Maximum Hydration Hyaluranic Acid Serum on the iHerb website and immediately added it to my cart and checked out. Two days later (iHerb has incredible shipping) I added it to my daily routine, using it after cleansing and before moisturizing in the morning and the evenings, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a product change my skin so much and so noticeably.

My skin is so much better and I’m so thankful for this little glass bottle full of magical serum that hydrates, plumps, and soothes my finicky skin. I have been receiving so many compliments about my skin since I started using this, and I’m comfortable enough to say that this product is now an absolute staple, a total must-have, in my routine now and I won’t let my bottle run out before ordering another because I can’t stand the thought of being without it.

I have seen such a difference in my skin. It is now balanced and hydrated. I don’t have any dry bits or any spots of irritation. It makes my skin look and feel so incredibly healthy. I’ve skipped it once or twice since it arrived and I won’t be making that mistake again. I’ve seriously been so impressed with this product and the effect it has on my skin. It’s not heavy or sticky, but it doesn’t feel like water either. It feels a bit like a gel that sinks in immediately and provides the skin with much needed moisture. It doesn’t clog my pores or cause me to get greasy later on in the day. It works perfectly under my moisturizer and works under makeup as well.

It doesn’t have a fragrance, but there is an extremely light and fresh scent that is hardly detectable. It’s vegan and cruelty-free. I also love the bottle and the dropper.

Here are the ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chamomile Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Algae Extract, Sodium PCA, Phenoxyethanol, and Ethylhexylglycerin.

Like I mentioned above I purchased mine on iHerb.com and if you want to give it a try you can click here. You can also use the code ZJL956 to get $5 off your first purchase (no minimum) from iHerb.

Talk About Cosmetics - Kosås Cosmetics (Part 2!)

In February I was lucky enough to get to try Kosås Cosmetics and when I shared my review (here) I told how in love with the line I was. Well, flash forward to today and I’m even more smitten with this beautiful range thanks to their four recently launched additions to the collection. Kosås  Cosmetics now has an all-star roster of eight easy to wear and ultra flattering lipsticks.

These eight MVLs (most valuable lipsticks) are made in small, handmade batches in Los Angeles, and are cruelty free and beautifully formulated to be creamy, yet weightless as well as hydrating, long-wearing and pretty much perfect; I mean these are seriously dreamy. I couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect lipstick if I tried with all my might. Bonus, they smell (and taste) really nice!

My ridiculously sensitive and reactive lips are left nourished and feeling really moisturized. Each one of these magic little lip bullets feels like a really luxurious lip balm with a gorgeous color that will suit anyone and everyone. These are not your typical lipsticks and are very low maintenance, easy to apply and wear, and each shade does something really wonderful; somehow each shade is really wearable and looks great once applied. Each shade perks up my complexion and makes me look and feel perfectly put together without feeling like I’m over the top.

Stardust is described as a sheer neutral nude with pink and brown undertones with a hydrated finish. This is the perfect warm weather nude shade and I’ve been wearing it a lot with bronze tones for the perfect sun kissed look. This might be my perfect pinky nude shade and it has become my daily go-to! I’m not sure if this one or Rosewater is my ultimate favorite. It amps up my natural lips and makes them look plump and really healthy. Love it!

Thrillest is described as a full-coverage and semi-matte playful poppy red with a bright orange lean. This shade is so much fun! It’s perfect for summer because it’s vibrant, warm, and totally eye-catching. It’s a lot brighter than it appears on first glance and makes me look so perky and alive! I do like to sort of sheer it out a bit, though, since the color is so opaque.

Royal is described as a full-coverage and semi-matte warm, modern purple. The thought of purple on my lips has always scared me a bit and I thought I wouldn’t really like Royal very much. This shade, however, surprised me. It is a beautiful shade that looks sort of like a purple mauve once applied and I really like it!

Electra is described as a full-coverage and semi-matte luscious rasberry red with cool neutral undertones. This one is a boldly bright but wearable that looks super fun and flirty. I like to apply a thin layer of this particular lipstick and then blend it out with my finger for a softer stain-like look.

I am nothing short of impressed and head over heels in love with Kosås Cosmetics and all eight of their stunning shades. I reach for one of these square black tubes of luscious lipstick more than any other product and I can’t recommend them enough to you. I can promise you that you’ll love them just as much as I do, because there’s nothing in the formula or the shade range that isn’t lovable.

You can learn more about the brand by visiting their website. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

(FTC: These products were sent to me for free for review consideration. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

May Goodbeing Review + GIVEAWAY

So…. I’m not really in love with my May Goodbeing box. I know, sad. It’s okay, though, because it’s bound to happen at some point in time, right? Not every single person receiving a subscription box will be totally happy with it, but there is always the potential for the next box to be incredible.

I said this last month, too, but I’m not really sure how this box was customized based on my preferences. I can’t handle any smell and every single item, with the exception of the mascara (which I love!), has a pretty strong scent.

If you’re unfamiliar with Goodbeing here’s a quick breakdown – Goodbeing is a customizable subscription service with several different plans to choose from. You can purchase a subscription or a single box for yourself or as a gift for someone else. Depending on which plan you purchase you can pay as little as $18 for a subscription or $21 per box if you would prefer to pay as you go. Each month you will receive 4-5 trial-sized (and sometimes even full sized) products that have been selected for you based on your member profile. You get to tell Goodbeing exactly what you like and dislike in the in depth survey you are asked to fill out when you sign up. You can specify scents you like and dislike, particular shades of cosmetics you’re interested in, and what your skin is like.

You can also check out my past Goodbeing reviews by clicking on the month – December, January, February, March, and April.

This month I received:

Pacifica Dream Big Mascara

Province Apothecary Replenishing + Enhancing Eye Serum

Board & Batten Regenerating Steam - Herbal Facial with Vitamin E Serum

Green & Gorgeous Organics Lavender Dry Shampoo

Moondani Naturals Breath Spray

Pacifica actually sent me their Dream Big Mascara a couple of months ago (check out my review by clicking here) and it’s become my absolute favorite. This magical tube of mascara, alone, retails for $16. You have to try it for yourself. It’s good stuff!

As for everything else, it’s a no go for me. The Breath Spray will be going to my Dad. I can’t try anything else but that means each of these items will be going towards the next natural beauty bag giveaway that I host so it’s a win for you guys!

I’m going to try to fix my profile to hopefully get things I can fall in love with next month. 

If you're interested in signing up for Goodbeing you can click here to receive a free bonus item in your first box! If you want the chance to win a Goodbeing box use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Open only to those of you in the US. All entries will be verified. Good luck!

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