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.

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.

Talk About Skin Care - SeabuckWonders

You have probably heard a lot about Sea Buckthorn as an ingredient in personal care products, and with good reason. Sea Buckthorn is a superfruit that is packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids and Omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9. This means it's good for you, really good, inside and out. SeabuckWonders has been making products from sea buckthorn oils from the Tibetan Plateau since 1994. Their line of products is USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified as well as vegan, dairy and gluten free and Leaping Bunny Certified, meaning they are cruelty free.



I think the Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion is absolutely fantastic. The lotion comes in a tube and the lotion is the perfect consistency to easily squeeze out the desired amount. I keep it on the nightstand next to my bed and I really love the simple design and functionality of the packaging. The lotion itself has a very slight and gentle citrus scent and goes on smoothly and effortlessly to leave skin feeling ridiculously soft and silky. It is very rich but not even a little bit greasy. I especially love applying to my skin at night because I wake up with hydrated and healthy skin in the morning.



The Sea Buckthorn Exfoliating Facial Cleanser is a gentle cleanser with jojoba beads that cleanses and refreshes the complexion. It seems like a fairly basic facial cleanser with the added benefit of exfoliating beads. I don't use it every single time I wash because I don't like to over exfoliate but I do tend to use it most mornings so the citrus scent is refreshing and invigorating. It leaves my skin looking visibly brighter and more radiant, which is awesome!



I always follow the Exfoliating Facial Cleanser with a healthy dose of the Sea Buckthorn Facial Cream. It is a fairly thick facial cream that is easily absorbed and leaves my face feeling soft, supple, and healthy. It calms my sometimes unfriendly skin and I really, really love this stuff! I also really love the airless packaging. It dispenses the perfect amount of moisturizer every single time! It feels quite nice once it dries and doesn't leave my face feeling sticky or overloaded at all. It leaves my skin feeling comfortable for a really long time. It also doesn't look at all shiny and instead leaves my skin feeling semi-matte but still glowing. I'm not really sure how I can look both matte and glowing at the same time but I'm really digging the results! Did I just say digging? I wish I had a bigger bottle!



Please remember that I might love things that you don't and you might fall head over heels for something that I didn't like very much. With that being said, I love serums but I'm just not a fan of the Sea Buckthorn Deep Hydrating Serum. I've tried it on its own after cleansing and before applying moisturizer and I even mixed it in with the cream but I really don't like the texture, and I can't move past it. It's sticky, and I mean it's REALLY sticky. Beyond sticky. Besides being sticky it doesn't do much for my skin at all and leaves me feeling sort of itchy and dry.



So, all in all, SeabuckWonders and their line of products are great with 3 out of 4 being a hit at Beautiful Basics. You can learn more about the company and their product line by visiting their website. You can also check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

Talk About Skin Care - Sel Terre Spa Collection Review

I'm a big fan of all things natural and all things created in my beautiful home state of Oregon so Sel Terre and their line of pure, handcrafted products are a big homerun for my beauty routine. Their products, made in Eugene – a city I frequent often thanks to family who live there, are simple and affordable while still being luxurious. You won't find any toxic or unhealthy ingredients in their cruelty free and earth friendly products so they're perfect for anyone looking for safe products.




The Spa Collection retails for $50 and is comprised of the Deep Cleansing Emulsion, Balm Riche, Bar of Soap of Choice, and a Facial Masque of Choice. I received the Dead Sea Clay & Irish Moss Seaweed Facial Masque and Red Alaea Salt & Rose Kaolin Clay Soap.




Oil cleansing is not something new to me but I know that a lot of you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with it but the Pecan & Peach Kernel Deep Cleansing Emulsion is so smooth and absolutely dreamy to use. I use 2-3 pumps, rub my hands together, and massage the oil onto my dry face. It quickly, and seemingly magically, removes every last trace of makeup and rinses off completely. It doesn't sting my eyes or leave a film behind. It makes my complexion glow and leaves my skin smooth and hydrated. When it first arrived the plastic packaging was hot and smelled terrible but the oil itself doesn't have much of a scent. My only complaint would be that I wish it came in a glass bottle, but then again, I always wish things were packaged in glass.




The Red Alaea Salt & Rose Kaolin Clay Soap is gorgeous, gentle, and rich. My sensitive sniffer can't pick up a discernable scent from this bar of soap, which is always a plus for me. It's great for cleansing the body but also works well on the face. It leaves my skin feeling so soft, and not at all stripped or dry. I also really like to use it for shaving!




The Balm Riche, made of Mangosteen Butter and Peach Kernel Oil, as well as other natural and hydrating oils, is an intensely powerful moisturizer that can be used on any part of the body. I really love it as a lip balm, eye cream, cuticle and hand moisturizer, and on my chest at night. I don't love the smell but it gets the job done.




The Dead Sea Clay & Irish Moss Seaweed Facial Masque is not a product that has made my Love List, but only due to its odor. My family and I went to the beach once where a lot of seaweed had washed up on the shore and began to decompose. The smell of this mask takes me right back to that beach every single time I unscrew the lid. But before I go on please remember that my nose is akin to that of a bloodhound and I am easily offended; also, the smell of this mask makes total sense since it is made with Seaweed. I have used this mask several times, trying my best to ignore the smell, and the results are fantastic. It's a gentle mask that is easy to apply and rinse off. It makes my skin look supple, glowing from the inside out, and ridiculously soft. My Mom compliments my skin each time I use this mask so I'll continue using it, hating the smell, and loving what it does to my skin.

To learn more about Sel Terre or their products you can visit their website by clicking here.

Talk About Skin Care - Natralia

It's that cold time of year again when our skin needs a lot of extra help to be healthy and hydrated and I have become totally obsessed with Australian based Natralia and their line of moisturizing products. I was fortunate enough to try out several of their body care products and have really enjoyed them all, as have the other members of my family.

My entire family is particularly in love with their Dry Skin Lotion; in fact, a second bottle has been purchased and we will be picking up a third very soon. I'm pleased to say that it is my new all-time favorite lotion. I think I've told you all how picky I am when it comes to body lotion and this one meets and exceeds all of my requirements.



I am very dry, scaly, and itchy and once I smooth this lotion across my skin these problems are immediately fixed! This product is a miracle in a bottle and makes my skin feel so healthy and good! I'm so thankful for the fact that it works so hard to get rid of the itch because I can't stand it! It is not greasy, sticky, heavy, tacky, or heavily scented. It absorbs super quickly but leaves a very light protective layer behind. It leaves me feeling hydrated all day and all night and I can't say enough good things about this stuff!

My only real issue with this lotion is the bottle and the pump. Once the lotion starts migrating towards the bottom of the bottle the pump seems to stop dispensing the lotion. This, however, is a problem easily solved by taking off the pump and pouring directly into the hand from the bottle, which isn't that big of an issue.



As for the Dry Skin Wash – I don't love it and I don't hate it. I feel like it is fairly average as far as body washes go. I don't notice a huge difference in the dryness or itchiness of my skin after using it but it does get me clean so it still gets thumbs up from me!



Finally, on to the Heel Balm – this product has become one of my Moms absolute favorite products of all time. She might not want me to tell you this but her feet are always dryer than the Sahara Desert; however, this lotion has really helped her heal! She applies it every night and I have seen a hugely enormous change in the texture of her heels and toes. Natralia hit it out of the park with another miracle in a bottle with this one!

You can learn more about Natralia and their products by visiting their website by clicking here.

Talk About Hair & Body - Acure Organics

Happy Friday Beautiful! Thanks for stopping by for Part 2 of my Acure Organics review. If you missed the first part, you can click here. Today is all about hair and body products so let's get started!

Up first on the agenda, a duo of hair care products designed to plump up fine and limp strands of hair to give intense volume. I was sent the Pure Mint + Echinacea Stem Cell Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner. Overall, I like this pair but it's not what I would have picked for myself. While I do have fine hair my strands are typically very dry, as is my scalp. This shampoo seems to be very drying if used too often and the conditioner doesn't help impart enough moisture into my hair for daily use. I definitely recommend alternating use of this line with something more hydrating. I'm curious about their Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell line, which sounds like it would do the job.



I do, however, like using this shampoo and conditioner duo once or twice a week to clarify and revitalize my hair. I also like using it if I have an important event or big day ahead of me. It cleanses well and really does make my hair look much more full and voluminous. I'm not the biggest fan of the scent as it is a bit medicinal but it's not terrible or unbearable. These hair products also seem to help my style last longer and keep my roots from getting greasy very quickly.



The final two products in my review are both body care related. The Sensitive Unscented Body Wash, which is formulated with CoQ10 and Argan Stem Cells, is a rich and creamy moisturizing body wash. It is very soothing and intensely hydrating. I'm more of a soap kind of girl but I do like this, especially for shaving. It rinses cleanly and leaves skin feeling soft.



Their Unscented Cocoa Butter + CoQ10 Ultra Hydrating Body Lotion is my new absolute favorite daily lotion. I'm obsessed! It's so light yet deeply hydrating. My skin drinks this lotion up and feels completely healthy and moisturized after application. It has no scent at all, which is a must for my daily body lotion. I'm so picky when it comes to lotions because I hate that heavy, tacky feeling some moisturizers leave on the skin but this one is not heavy or greasy at all! I can't say enough good things about this lotion but I will say that I will always have a bottle handy because it's that awesome!

This wraps up my thoughts on the Acure Organics products I have been fortunate enough to test out. Have a great weekend!

Talk About It - Booda Organics

I want to share my newest obsession with you today, which just so happens to be a little tin of magical goodness called Booda Butter. Booda Butter is a 100% pure and natural multitasking moisturizer that can be used from head to toe; in fact, you can even check out the 50 ways the company suggests you can use this product by clicking here.

 Booda Butter is made with only a handful of healthy and organic ingredients. The all-star ingredient lineup is made up of Organic Shea Butter, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, and Organic Olive Oil. The company promises to only use pure, organic, and vegan ingredients and never include any toxic chemicals or yucky preservatives. All of their products are cruelty free and handmade in the USA.



Booda Organics' Booda Butter has become an absolute staple in my daily routine. I use it for moisturizing my body after I get out the shower, hydrating my hands and cuticles, as an eye cream, on dry patches on my face, as a lip balm, and even to tame flyaways but I'm still in the process of discovering additional ways to use this delicious smelling solid yet soft butter.

It starts off as a solid but melts as it gets warmed up between your fingers. It is not scented with any type of fragrance but it does naturally smell of cocoa butter. It smells delicious and feels amazing on the skin. It is very thick and nourishing but is not sticky or heavy. It provides long lasting hydration that leaves skin feeling soft and healthy.

Speaking of long lasting hydration, the company also makes a Booda Butter Naked Lip Balm, which is formulated with Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Olive Oil and Candelilla Wax. It is truly unscented, flavor-free, moisture infusing, and gentle on my ultra sensitive lips.



I'm such a big fan of Booda Organics and their wonderful line of products. I even adore the packaging. I give them 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend you check them out. To learn more about the company you can visit their website by clicking here.

The Booda Butter comes in two sizes, a 2.3 oz tin and an 8.4 oz BPA-free jar. The Naked Lip Butter comes in a flat .15 oz tube. You can purchase online by clicking here or locate where you can purchase near you by clicking here.

(FTC : These products were provided to me by the company free of charge for review consideration. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Talk About It - Beecology (+ closed GIVEAWAY)

I feel like I haven't done a skin or hair care review in quite a while so I decided that today was the perfect day to share my thoughts and opinions on the products of Beecology. They sent me quite a few products as well as some extra lip balms, which means that if you read through to the bottom of this post there just might be a little giveaway!

If you know me personally or have been following my blog for a while then you already know of my passion for honey. I think honey is a precious beauty resource so I love anything and everything honey based, which is why I was so intrigued by Beecology and their line of products. Beccology not only produces and sells a line of natural products made with honey, beeswax, and other healthy ingredients; they also give back through their charity, Sweetyear.org.

I first became interested in the company after reading about their Natural Honey and Botanical Sulfate-Free Shampoo and All-Natural Hair Conditioner. While I really like the shampoo, I wasn't as big a fan of the conditioner.



First of all, the shampoo smells so yummy! It's slightly sweet, slightly citrus-y, and slightly herbal, which combine to make a delicious smelling shampoo. It's formula is gentle and effective while providing the hair with brilliant shine and extra softness. The conditioner isn't necessarily bad, it just has a weird after scent that I don't like. I think it reacted strangely with my pH (which happens to me a lot). The conditioner seemed to moisturize my hair well enough but I couldn't get past the smell. My mother loves both products though.



My favorite Beecology product is their Hand and Body Cream, which I got to try in both the Original Honey formula as well as the Cucumber and Green Tea version. Both versions work exactly the same and the formula is so luxurious and rich. It's a very thick cream that is easily absorbed into the skin leaving it feeling hydrated and healthy, never greasy. This formula is perfect for this time of year! My skin has been a little dry due to the cold weather and this hand and body cream soothes my itchy skin. The original scent is a light, clean scent while the Cucumber and Green Tea version smells very fresh and like real cucumbers.



If your skin is feeling a little dull and needs refreshing then look no further than the Natural Honey and Peppermint Body Wash. This body wash leaves my skin tingling in a good way. It smells great, cleans well, and invigorates the skin with each use. It's great for morning use and has become one of my favorites!



I was also sent 4 bars of their soap to try out and review, although I have only used 3 of them. The one I haven't tried is the My Big Fat Greek Yogurt and Honey Soap, which has a juniper scent to it and I'm not a big fan so I'll be talking about the other 3, which are the Honey Oatmeal Morning Peppermint Soap (perfect for perking up skin), Honey Lavender Soap (which makes the perfect bedtime bar of soap), and the Dead Sea Mud Soap (deep cleansing while moisturizing). All 3 bars of soap have proven to be really effective, are lovely to use, and smell great!



The final Beecology product I got to take for a test drive is their Buzz Balm Peppermint Lip Balm. This balm is made with Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Shea Butter, Aloe Butter, Cupuaçu Butter, Olive Oil, Peppermint Oil, Acai Butter, Eucalyptus Oil, Clove Oil, and Tea Tree Oil. It's hydrating, soothing, and protective. It does smell a bit strong due to the oils but it's not offensive, only medicinal. I was experiencing very chapped and dehydrated lips before testing this balm and it really helped heal and protect my lips.

I was sent several extra lip balms so 5 of you will get the chance to win a Buzz Balm of your own! Check out the Rafflecopter below to enter to win.

To learn more about Beecology and their products, or to order some of your own you can click here to be taken to their website.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Talk About It - Sage Stone Botanicals

When I was contacted by Alyson of Sage Stone Botanicals to test her products and possibly review them I became very excited for a number of different reasons. Sage Stone Botanicals is a small company based out of Eugene, Oregon (one of my favorite cities that I visit often!) that began as a hobby and is now a full-fledged business. Using only natural ingredients, Alyson has created a line of products that includes hand crèmes, liquid hand soap, bath and shower gel, lotion, lip balm and even bug spray and citronella lotion.


Alyson was so generous and sent me several different products to try, all of which I really like! She sent me a few different 2 oz lotions in Unscented, Jasmine, and Milk and Honey. Sage Stone's lotion is formulated with Certified Organic ingredients such as Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Almond Oil, Shea Butter, and Cocoa Butter, to name a few. The formula is smooth, non-greasy, quick to absorb, and hydrating. The scents are lovely, clean, and fresh. You know how much I love my unscented lotions but I also really love the scent of the Milk and Honey. The Jasmine is also really nice. My Mom stole it since she loves florals and this one smells exactly like its namesake!

The next product I really need to share with you is the Citronella Lotion. I was a bit skeptical about it but this stuff is seriously amazing! My family and I went to a mosquito-infested area for a picnic (sounds nice, right?) and ended up with no bites after slathering our skin with this lotion. My Dad is almost always outdoors and he usually gets eaten alive by mosquitoes but his insect problem is no longer an issue thanks to this lotion. He absolutely loves it and he's pretty picky about what he'll use on his skin. I also want to mention that this doesn't smell bad. It smells like citronella, but it's not gross or heavy. This product is now a must have in my home.

The final product I got to try is the Lavender Bath and Shower Gel, which is made of Distilled Water, Certified Organic Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, and Jojoba Oil as well as Lavender Essential Oil and Potassium Hydroxide. The scent is lovely since it's a real lavender fragrance and the formula is moisturizing. It gets quite a bit of lather, which I love, and it does a wonderful job of cleansing skin without stripping it.

Check out Sage Stone Botanicals online to learn more about their products, find where you can purchase products if you're also in Oregon, or purchase online.

Talk About It - Bayberry Naturals

A few weeks ago, I asked those of you who are fans of my Facebook page what type of product you are most picky about. At that time I shared that I am rarely satisfied with shampoo but I forgot to mention my search for the perfect daily body lotion. I have the hardest time finding a good lotion and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I hate that greasy, heavy feeling that some lotions give the skin but I also can't stand super thin and watery formulas either. There is a middle ground that very few companies have mastered but Bayberry Naturals is one of them.

My quest for the perfect body lotion ended when I tried Bayberry Naturals' Sensitive Skin Hand & Body Lotion. I've been using this lotion on my entire body every single day since it arrived. I apply it right after I get out of the shower while my skin is still slightly moist and my skin has never been softer. This is a very long lasting moisturizer that doesn't irritate my sensitive skin or my even more sensitive sense of smell. I wake up the next morning with skin that still feels soft and hydrated. I tend to have some flakes on my legs but they have been MIA since using this.


Like all Bayberry Naturals products it is sulfate, paraben, phthalate, artificial fragrance and dye free as well as cruelty free. The formula is comprised of organic aloe, organic coconut oil, kosher vegetable glycerin, grapeseed oil, roman chamomile essential oil, as well as a few other ingredients. It is 89% organic and 100% vegan. The lotion is packaged in a simple 8.7 fl oz bottle.

In addition to the Sensitive Skin Hand & Body Lotion, I have also really been enjoying their Shea Buttercream which is an incredibly rich and nourishing cream. It is literally the consistency of a thick buttercream frosting and it is to die for! It is made up of over 20% Organic Shea Butter so it is extremely emollient and perfect for extra dry skin. It helps soothe any itchiness, dryness or irritation. I use it on my hands and feet before going to bed every night and I have even used it on my face. When used on my face it really helped battle the dehydration my skin was experiencing.


This particular Buttercream does not contain any essential oils so those of us with the most sensitive skin can use it without any worry although it can be used on any skin type. It is 70% organic and 100% vegan. Some of its ingredients are organic aloe, organic shea butter, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, meadowfoam seed oil, and neem oil. It comes in a jar with 2 oz of product. A little goes a very long way.

 The final product I have been using from Bayberry Naturals is their Peppermint Bar Soap. This bar soap is made using organic oils, essential oils, organic wheat grass, organic barley grass, organic alfalfa, organic parsley, and rosemary extract. It is a truly unique peppermint bar soap. It smells fresh and clean. It is very gentle and doesn't dry out the skin while cleansing it.


I was so kindly sent these 3 truly phenomenal products from Bayberry Naturals and I am so excited that I was able to share them with you. I love the products I tried and I can only imagine how great the rest of their products are. To learn more about the company or purchase the products mentioned above you can visit their website.

Talk About It - Lanikai Bath and Body

Beauty products from the gorgeous, tropical islands of Hawaii are deliciously fragrant and appealing as evidenced by my experience with the products of Lanikai Bath and Body. With close to 100 different products in 18 floral and fruity scents there is bound to be something to please everyone. I was fortunate enough to be able to try their creamy, moisturizing lotion and their enticing, softening body washes in several of their popular scents. They are a treat for your nose, your mind, and your skin.

Lanikai's bath and body products are handmade and contain only pure and natural botanically based ingredients. Their products are also cruelty free and eco-friendly. Their shop is on the island of Oahu in a town called Kailua (on the other side of the island from Waikiki and Honolulu). If you can't make it to the island to try out their products you can always order online!

Like I mentioned before, I got to try out their All Natural Tropical Lotion in several scents and their body wash in coordinating scents. They offer their lotions and body washes in two sizes, 8.5 oz and 2.2 oz. The scents I received were Plumeria, Tahitian Gardenia, Pikake, and my personal favorite, Orchid Vanilla. Each and every fragrance is very true to life, which is very impressive.

Their lotion formula includes ingredients like Aloe Vera Juice, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sea Kelp, Kukui Nut Oil, and Papaya Fruit, among many others. Lanikai's body lotion is amazing! It is so smooth, creamy and it's very moisturizing. It helps to improve the texture and health of my skin every time I use it. The smell stays with you all day, but not in an overpowering sort of way. It lingers but it's light so you occasionally get a whiff of a scent that transports you to the tropical getaway of your dreams.

Their body wash has an all-star lineup as well with Sea Kelp, Chamomile, Cucumber, Calendula, Lavender, White Tea, Arnica, Extracts of Papaya, Echinacea, Green Tea, Awapuhi, Pineapple, in addition to many different oils and vitamins. This body wash has such a silky and smooth formula. It creates such a luxurious lather. I have used this as a normal body wash, shaving gel, and bubble bath (although the bubbles don't last long) and I can't get enough. The scent is strong but doesn't last. It rinses clean and doesn't strip my skin.

Their products envelop your senses and create a mini-vacation in your bathroom while invigorating, refreshing, and softening your skin. Lanikai gets my stamp of approval and I highly suggest you check them out. Their prices are really good and their products are beautifully crafted and perfect for all skin types.



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

DIY Body Butter

Butter for your body is a wonderful treat for your skin all year round. Moisturizing is essential and body butter is lavish and perfect for fighting the inevitable dry winter flakes. There are a million companies who make and sell body butter, some natural and some not. Why buy it when you can make your own? Today I'm sharing an incredibly simple recipe for making your very own body butter.


What you need:
¼ cup of cocoa or shea butter
2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
2 teaspoons of jojoba oil or grape seed oil (which is my new favorite!)
1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil
If you want a fragrant body butter you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or extract. I prefer my body butter without any added scent though.

You'll want to take all of the oils first of all and melt them together on a very low temperature setting. If you melt them too quickly the heat will change their properties so low and slow wins this race. Once melted together, remove from the heat and mix in the aloe vera gel. Pour your mixture into a jar or container and use when your skin needs a little pampering. Keep in mind that it can harden in cold and melt in heat so store accordingly.

Pumpkin Body Moisturizer

Since we've talked about how skin can get dry and flaky when the seasons change from warm to frigid, I figured we should talk DIY Pumpkin Moisturizing Body Treatment. In addition to being delicious when baked in a pie, pumpkin is really beneficial for your skin! It's got tons of enzymes and antioxidants that nourish skin and help get rid of dead skin cells.

What you need:
½ cup of pumpkin puree
½ cup of coconut oil (for moisturizing)
½ teaspoon of cinnamon (this acts as an anti-bacterial)

Take all of the ingredients and mix together until smooth in a jar or an old body butter or lotion container. I always keep old packaging so I can make and store new beauty products in them. Apply the mixture to clean skin and massage to work in. Let the treatment sit for at least 10 minutes then rinse with warm water and pat dry.

If you have any mixture left it should last for about 3-5 days before you need to toss it.

This will leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and hydrated with the added benefit of smelling like a delicious pumpkin treat.

Enjoy!