Cocoa Facial

Chocolate is becoming a hot commodity in the spa and beauty industry, especially in the form of facials and body treatments, however these sweet treats for your skin can get a little pricey. Instead of forking over your hard-earned cash each time you want to pamper your skin with cocoa, try making your own mask at home for a fraction of the cost.

What you need:
1 tablespoon of pure organic cocoa powder
1 tablespoon of kaolin clay
1 tablespoon of honey
½ tablespoon of cream
Mix your dry ingredients in a bowl together before adding the honey and cream. Stir the mixture until it is fully combined and smooth, then apply the mask to clean skin. You want to apply the mask evenly so your entire face is covered. Leave the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Make sure to apply your favorite moisturizer after any mask, scrub or treatment.

The ingredients in the mask act to brighten, exfoliate, purify, and soften the skin. When your finished your skin should feel fresh, clean, and rejuvenated. Enjoy!

Talk About It - Scientific Organics Eyelight Cream

It's another homerun for EmerginC's Scientific Organics. The company knocked it out of the park (again!) with their Eyelight Cream. I have been using this cream for a little over a month now and have seen such a remarkable change in my under eye area. My Mom actually looked at me the other day and said, "Your eyes look so bright and nice. What eye cream are you using?"


I have experimented with a lot of different eye creams but I feel confident saying that this one is my absolute favorite. This cream is made with ingredients like Aloe Leaf Juice, Shea Butter, Olive Derived Squalene, Glycerin, Olive Oil, Grape Extract, Vitamins E and A, Apple Extract, Cupauca Butter, Rosehip Seed Oil, Brazil Nut Seed Oil, and Evening Primrose Oil, just to name a few. It also has several active ingredients like Asthaxanthin (a natural antioxidant that is even more powerful than Vitamins C and E), Aquacell (which is a blend of watermelon rind and lentil) and Derm SRC (a bamboo and pea extract).

It is a very thick cream that glides easily across the skin. It absorbs quickly so it doesn't look or feel greasy or oily. It is extremely hydrating, nourishing, and illuminating. I'm 25 and I have started to see some fine lines but this cream plumps up my skin so it looks smooth and line free. It has decreased the severity of my dark circles and puffiness. I am seriously amazed at how bright my eyes look when I use this. I have noticed that it has even improved my tone and texture when not wearing it.

I apply it twice daily, both morning and night, and can't wait to apply it every day as part of my routine. It feels so luxurious and lovely! Not only is the product wonderful the packaging is also chic. The Eyelight Cream comes in a 15 ml green, glass jar with a white lid. The cream itself is a thick, white cream with a very slight, clean scent to it.

Scientific Organic's Eyelight Cream is fantastic and highly recommend by me. It retails for $65. I have now tried 3 of their products and have absolutely loved each and every one of them. I even love the fact that for every Scientific Organics retail-sized product sold EmerginC will plant a tree. How cool is that? 100% natural products created by a company who gives back to the environment by planting trees!

Please visit this website to learn more about the company or product. You can also purchase this product online on their website or SkinStore.com.

Lip Licking Lip Balm

Today, we are talking chocolate. Whether you are a fan of milk, white or dark you'll really love this simple, DIY lip balm recipe.


What you need: 1 teaspoon of cocoa butter
½ teaspoon of coconut oil
1-3 Chocolate chips or 1 square of a chocolate bar (you can use any type of chocolate you want)
A few drops of Vitamin E Oil
Optional: A couple drops of vanilla or peppermint oil

Melt the coconut oil and cocoa butter together slowly over a double boiler and then add the chocolate and Vitamin E. Add the essential oil at this point if you would like. Mix everything together and pour into an old lip balm tin or container. Pop into the freezer until it sets. Feel free to apply as often as you like. Keep in mind that the chocolate will add a slight tint to your lips.

Talk About It - July 2012 Yuzen Box

Ted and Jen, husband and wife have created a new kind of monthly subscription service; a service dedicated to reconnecting with the quiet, peaceful and wise place inside of each and every one of us. Yuzen (which gets it's name from Chiyogami, a Japanese paper that is included in each month's box) is all about natural and/or organic and eco-friendly products that are good for your skin, body, home and peace of mind.

 Even though this one costs a little bit more than other subscription boxes, ringing in it at $26 a month, the contents of each Yuzen box is valued at $60 or more. Many of the featured products inside Yuzen boxes are deluxe sample sized or full-sized and are carefully chosen after being evaluated for a number of different qualities. The Yuzen website states, "We evaluate its performance, experience the benefits first hand, and then we share our favorites. The selected companies are the highest of quality, transparent in mission, and beautiful."


 July's box was filled with an assortment of wonderful goodies for the home, complexion, and taste buds, with a value of $79, including products from Primavera, Lotus Wei, Himala Salt, PeopleTowels, Kopali Organics, and Teatulia.


Primavera's Revitalizing Facial Scrub is the product I was most excited to discover upon opening my Yuzen Box. This product is full sized and retails for $28. It's a really gentle yet effective exfoliating cleanser. It leaves skin feeling so silky, smooth, and clean without stripping or damaging the skin. It's completely natural, pure and healthy!

From Lotus Wei were three glass vials of their mists in Infinite Love Mist, Quiet Mind Mist, and Joy Juice Mist. Joy Juice is absolutely divine and hands down my favorite although all three are nice.

Also included was a 1.8 oz shaker of HimalaSalt Himalayan Pink Salt, which I have tried before. I'm a salty kind of girl and I really like this one. I had run out of it so I'm glad to have more!

PeopleTowels are a really great eco-friendly company that created an alternative to paper towels. I had heard of this company before but after receiving one of their towels in my Yuzen box I'm even more interested. They use lightweight fabric and eco-friendly dyes while encouraging people to create less waste. They are a very cool company with a really cool product.

Like I mentioned, I have more of a "salt-tooth" than a sweet-tooth but I do like dark chocolate so I was intrigued by the Kopali Organics Dark Chocolate Covered Mulberries. I had never had a Mulberry before so I wasn't sure what to expect but these are so yummy! My entire family likes these and I can't wait to get my hands on more.

The final products included in this month's Yuzen Box were a couple of bags of tea from Teatulia in Organic Lemongrass Herbal Infusion Tea and Organic White Tea. I really dislike lemongrass so I'm not going to try that one but I do love white tea so I'm excited to test that one out.

If you're interested in learning more about the company you can visit their website. You can also order your own Yuzen box by clicking here. Overall, Yuzen is an innovative and eco friendly company offering a sampling of a wide variety of products. It is well worth a second look. Visit them on their website or Facebook today!

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

Argan Oil Benefits and Zinn Review

Argan Oil comes from the nuts of the Argan Tree, which can only be found in select areas of Morocco. Moroccan women, and even men, have been using Argan Oil for beauty, medicinal, and nutritive purposes for generations and it has recently been made available across the globe. Argan Oil has been gaining popularity in the US for a few years now, and with good reason - The oil has double the amount of Vitamin E that olive oil has, a high level of essential fatty acids, Vitamin A, and antioxidants.

Argan Oil is considered to be a miracle for skin and hair. It can be used to help balance and clear oily and acne prone skin, moisturize and nourish dry skin, heal scars, repair skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, and slow down the aging process. I especially love using Argan Oil as a facial moisturizer after doing a mask, scrub, or peel since it is so nourishing. I feel like it helps my skin regenerate and leaves it looking and feeling healthy. It also works great on dehydrated skin, cuticles, and rough feet.

When it comes to hair there are many more uses for Argan Oil. It easily penetrates hair to nourish, hydrate, and improve condition. It helps to prevent breakage since it strengthens and improves elasticity. I really like using Argan Oil as a leave in conditioner (I apply it to my ends while my hair is still damp). Doing this has really helped keep my ends from becoming damaged or split. I also love using it as a pre-cleanse scalp treatment and to tame flyaways when my hair is acting up. I don't color my hair but it is really useful for bringing health back to the hair of those who do.


Some Argan Oils can be a bit pricey but Zinn Beauty offers a certified pure and organic bottle for only $29.99. I really love the fact that it is handmade in Morocco! It comes in an absolutely gorgeous 2 FL OZ bottle, with a cute little tassel, that will last a very long time. A little bit of "liquid gold" goes a very long way. The oil itself is a clear, light golden color. It has a very slight, inoffensive scent that disappears upon application. You can purchase this Argan Oil online as well as at ULTA, Duane Reade and Ricky's.

I know many people get nervous at the thought of using oil to moisturize their skin and/or hair but trust me when I say there is nothing to worry about! Argan oil in particular is incredibly light, quick to absorb, and long lasting. It doesn't leave skin or hair looking greasy or dirty; in fact it's just the opposite. Try it out and let me know what you think!

(FTC: The Argan Oil I mentioned was 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.)

Summer of Beauty Giveaway

Summer is my favorite season so to celebrate the warm weather and gorgeous sunshine I'm pleased to announce the Beautiful Basics Summer of Beauty Giveaway! The winner of this giveaway will receive a prize package with beauty goodies perfect for summer that total $95! US ONLY but I do have an INTL giveaway coming soon!

The prizes are:
Verdant Homemade Natural Soap in Tropics ($5)
Mineral Fusion Skin Renewing Facial Scrub ($13)
Mineral Fusion Mineral SPF 40 Facial Moisturizer ($20)
Mineral Fusion Mineral SPF 30 Brush on Sun Defense ($20)
Yarok Feed Your Sunshine Hair Serum ($26)
Mad Gabs Juicy Mango Wildly Natural Lip Butter ($3.50)
Delizioso Skincare Passion Fruit Body Cream ($6)

Enter by clicking HERE

Summer Strawberry Scrub

One of my favorite things about summer is the fact that good, ripe fruit is so abundant. I consider myself to be a fruit-itarian. I could totally live on nothing but fruit if it was healthy to do so. I have especially been enjoying strawberries lately and I'm actually eating some as I type this. Sadly, I picked up a bad bushel of berries the other day and rather than tossing them I decided to play around with them and see what I could come up with beauty wise.

My Mom suggested we experiment by making some sort of foot scrub since both of our tootsies have not been looking or feeling very soft or lady-like lately. Sandal season often comes with rough, dry, cracked heels and toes so to remedy this we whipped up a batch of this berry scrub, which we also used on our hands.

What you need:
A handful of strawberries (we used about 10 of them for both of us, but depending on the size of your berries you may need more or less)
2 tablespoons of Grapeseed oil (or other skin friendly oil)
1 tablespoons of sea salt
1 tablespoon of raw sugar

Mash the berries with a fork, food processor, or hand blender and then mix the ingredients together in a small bowl forming a paste. Massage the paste onto your skin and gently massage in small, circular motions. I apply onto dry skin but if you would like a gentler exfoliation you can apply the mix onto damp skin. When finished rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Don't forget to lock in your new silky, smooth skin with your favorite body lotion, cream, or butter!


Oh, and be warned that this is a very messy recipe so I advise you to do this only in your tub, shower, or sink for easy cleanup. It smells really good and makes skin feel great so it is fully worth it! Enjoy!

Don't forget to enter my Summer of Beauty giveaway for a chance to win a prize package worth $95 by clicking HERE.

Talk About It - Alima Pure Foundation Selector Tool

Any makeup wearer knows how difficult choosing the perfect foundation can be. Shopping for the right match can seem like an impossible task and Alima Pure understands that with mineral foundation in 61 shades it can be hard to narrow it down. They have created a new Foundation Selector Tool, which allows you to find your perfect color. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions and they suggest the shades that are right for you.

After completing the short survey it will bring you to your foundation suggestions, which you can then purchase for $20. You will receive a signature Alima Pure Makeup Bag with 4 to 5 samples of foundation, a coordinating blush sample, and a cruelty-free baby kabuki brush. You will also get a $10 off coupon for their Basic Face Kit that will come in handy when you find the right shade for your skin.


I'm light and peachy with a subtle yellow undertone (don't worry if you're not sure what undertone your skin has because they walk you through the process) so the system picked Beige 2, Beige 3, Olive 0, Olive 1, and Olive 1.5 for me. I received all of the foundations except for Olive 1.5, a finishing powder in Keikio, and a Satin Matte Blush in the shade Bisque, which is described as a soft, earthy pink. I would never have picked these shades for myself but I'm so surprised with how well they work! They actually all look nice on my skin but the Beige 2 blends perfectly into my skin and disappears so I feel like it is the one for me; although it's summer and my skin color is constantly changing despite my use of SPF so maybe in a month or so I'll have to move up to one of the other shades.


All of Alima Pure's products are cruelty free and 100% natural. The Satin Matte foundation applies so easily and feels wonderful and smooth on the skin. Some mineral makeup makes my skin itch but not this one! It wears well and really helps give my skin an even, healthy, and natural look to it.

The bag that the set comes in is absolutely adorable and well made as is the brush. I am completely impressed with the brush! It's so soft and distributes product evenly. The only thing that I'm not completely satisfied with is the blush. It's a lovely color and it is very natural and effortless looking but it's not the type of blush I would normally go for. It does look nice on my skin though but I just prefer a brighter blush.

If you have ever felt too intimidated by their large selection of foundation shades then this tool was made for you! Alima Pure could not have made the process any easier and I'm excited to say that I have met my match. Now it is your turn! Good luck!

Body Mask

It is finally getting warm here, which means it is time for shorts, swimsuits, and tank tops. After a winter of being covered up it is time to get my skin ready to see the sun! This moisturizing mask is perfect for hydrating and rejuvenating dry skin all over the body. It also feels great after getting sunburned.


What you need: 1 ripe avocado
2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (Greek or full fat works even better!)
1 tablespoon of cocoa butter
1 teaspoon of baking soda

Mix all of the ingredients together by either mashing them with a fork or pureeing them in a blender or food processor. Apply this mask to your legs, arms, back, chest, and/or anywhere else you need a little TLC. You can apply this on your face as well but it may be too heavy for many skin types because of the cocoa butter. I always recommend doing treatments like this in the bathtub since they can be messy. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.

Once you are finished, your skin should feel like new! Enjoy your silky smooth skin!

Nature's Beauty Secrets Book Giveaway

Nature's Beauty Secrets by Dawn Gallagher is an absolute must have for any Green Goddess and one of you will be receiving your very own copy of this fantastic book!

If you would like to enter to win you must: 
-Like Nature's Beauty Secrets on Facebook
-Like Beautiful Basics on Facebook
Leave a comment on the Beautiful Basics Facebook page telling me you liked both Facebook pages.



Giveaway open only to US. Must be 18 years or older, or have parental permission. Giveaway will run for 3 weeks. The winner will be chosen on Monday July 2nd at 12 Noon PST. The winner will be announced on the Beautiful Basics Facebook page. The winner will have 72 hours to contact me with their shipping information.

Beauty Book Review - Nature's Beauty Secrets

I have dreamed of being a writer since I was a very young girl so I have a natural affinity for the written word. I love books and I love to read. I always have an eye out for natural beauty books and had yet to find one that I absolutely loved until I stumbled upon Nature's Beauty Secrets written by Dawn Gallagher. This book sounded right up my alley so I emailed Dawn who kindly offered to send me a copy and also gave me the opportunity for one of you to win your own copy, (we'll talk more about the giveaway toward the end of this post).


When I received the book, I was pleasantly surprised. Never had I seen such a visually stunning book that is also full of helpful information and natural beauty recipes. It is a fantastic resource for creating your own products or at home spa experience. It also acts as a travel guide to wonderful spas around the world.

Dawn Gallagher is not only an author, (of this book as well as another called Naturally Beautiful: Earth's Secrets and Recipes for Skin, Body, and Spirit), and a natural beauty lover; she also happens to be a fashion model who has been on the cover of more than 300 magazines as well as a television host. Her work in the industry has allowed her to travel the world and learn about the culture, beauty secrets and treatments of many different regions. Visiting local spas during her travels led her to think about beauty in a more holistic way and while not everyone can travel to exotic places, they can prepare the simple natural beauty recipes in this book.

In Nature's Beauty Secrets, you will find dozens of easy to follow, all-natural beauty recipes based on treatments found in spas across the globe in places like Bali, Thailand, Tanzania, India, Spain, and Sri Lanka just to name a few. There are countless wonderful recipes featured in this book that are simple and easily made using many common ingredients found in your kitchen or pantry. There are recipes for the skin, hair, nails, and body. In addition to recipes, she included information on how to care for your skin from the inside out, nutrition tips, proper skin care techniques, and tons of other helpful information.

I have tried a handful of the recipes (including the Fresh-As-A-Peach Moisturizer, Banana-Cucumber Delight Mask, Chocolate Honey Body Mask, and several others), and enjoyed them all. Dawn is absolutely gorgeous so I have no qualms following her beauty advice. I can't wait to work my way through each and every recipe in this book and I know my Mom and I are going to have a ton of fun trying them all.

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.