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.





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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.

Simple Sea Salt Solution for Troubled Skin

Have you ever been fortunate enough to spend some quality time at a beach, enjoying the sunshine and salt water? If you have you may have noticed that the salty ocean water helps to clear up skin and makes it look radiant and fresh. Nothing does the body, or the soul, better than a relaxing beach getaway but if you're like me you're stuck in a cold, gray part of the world with no coastline in sight. I do have one of the largest lakes in North America nearby, but it's currently frozen and full of algae.

Anyway, the point is, you can make your own salt water treatment at home if you're not lucky enough to be able to take a dip in the sea! Please be warned, this is not for those of you with dry skin!

All you need is some finely ground pure sea salt and some warm purified water! Combine the two and let sit until the salt is completely dissolved. I'm not going to give you exact measurements for this recipe because it all comes down to your personal tastes. You can use more or less salt depending on how oily/blemished your skin is. You can put it in a spray bottle if you would like to spritz your face and body or you can just apply it with a cotton pad.

I use this as a toner on my face, neck, chest, and back as needed. I also like soaking a washcloth in hot salt water and applying the cloth directly to my problem area(s). Remember to rinse the solution off though, because leaving it on too long will cause dryness. It's a nice little relaxing treat that helps purify the skin!

Try it out! It's incredibly cheap and easy and is an excellent spot zapper. You can also use it as a spot treatment if you're worried about drying your skin out too much. Enjoy!

This is what the closest ocean to me looks like. Not quite tropical and warm enough to dive in, but still pretty! We go there often just to enjoy nature. What about you? Do you live near the ocean or frequent the beach?

Talk About It - February 2014 Petit Vour (+closed GIVEAWAY!)

Petit Vour is a monthly service that provides subscribers with deluxe and full sized vegan and cruelty free beauty products delivered directly to their mailbox each month. Upon receiving and opening each Petit Vour (named after the small, beautifully decorated dessert called "petit four", although the F in four has been replaced with a V for vegan) box you will discover new furry friend friendly products (like the alliteration?) – because really, why should Fluffy have to suffer for beauty? In addition to being able to test out fun new products you will also receive exclusive discounts that you can use to purchase your favorites in full-size.

If you're curious about 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. Those of you in Canada or other parts of the world also have the option to purchase a monthly plan that you can cancel at any time! Keep in mind though, yours are a little bit more expensive at $23 CAD a month and $30 International.

I first reviewed Petit Vour back in November, and if you want to read that post you can click here, but today I'll be sharing my thoughts on the February box! AND If you read through this entire blog post you will find the opportunity to enter to win your very own Petit Vour Box!



Okay, let's put the business stuff aside and move on to what you're really curious about – the goods inside the pretty pink box! This box is all about love and the card that came in the box reads, "Love is in the hare… The best of beauty without the broken hearts". Cute, no?

This month's box featured:

Everyday Minerals Sunlight Corrector

(I'm definielty most excited about this! It's awesome)

Everyday Minerals Tinted Lip Butter

(I received the shade Fairly Mauve)

OFRA Pressed Blush

(I received this in the color Charm)

AMALA Purifying Cleanser, Moisturizer, and Mask

(2 sample packets of each)

R.L. Linden & Co. Ms. Tilly Rosalie's Beauty Tea

If you want to win your very own Petit Vour box just use the Rafflecopter form below. It may take a moment or two to load. Also, if you leave a comment and it doesn't show up don't worry because I can see it. Don't forget to give this post a like and good luck!

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The Just Kissed Giveaway

In honor of Valentine's Day (although it is my least favorite holiday) I decided it was time to post the perfect giveaway! If you want to enter to win a brand new tube of the Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain by Jane Iredale just use the Rafflecopter form below. It may take a moment or two to load. Also, don't worry if your comment doesn't show up right away. I can see it!

Don't forget to give this post a "like" and good luck!

(FTC : I purchased this with my own money. I am not being compensated for hosting this giveaway.)

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Natural Joy Beauty Review and Giveaway!!!

On Earth Day of 2008 Utah based Natural Joy Beauty launched online and is now a one-stop internet destination for carefully selected cruelty free beauty and personal care products made with only the healthiest ingredients. With so many greenwashed and falsely labeled products out there Joy puts a lot of thought and research into each product she sells. You can feel confident that when shopping at Natural Joy Beauty you won't be purchasing any products made with toxic ingredients like parabens, petroleum, synthetic fragrances or colors, triclosan, or formaldehyde, just to name a few.

Before being contacted by Joy to possibly do a review I had never browsed Natural Joy Beauty but I'm so glad to have been introduced to the web store and the wide variety of goods she offers. I discovered a ton of products and brands I had never tried before, let alone heard of.

I was generously offered the chance to pick out two products for review, the first being the Creamy Mineral Face Concealer by PRIIA Cosmetics. I selected the color Neutral Ivory and it couldn't have been a more perfect match! This natural, vegan, and gluten free concealer applies seamlessly and wears extremely well throughout the day. Unlike a lot of other concealers made with natural ingredients this one seems to stick to the skin a little longer due to its slightly drier texture. Don't let that scare you though because it's not too dry to be applied to my dehydrated undereye area. I like using this to even out my skin tone and then setting it with a light dusting of mineral powder. On a side note, it smells great – slightly sweet with a touch of cinnamon!



This concealer is made with the following ingredients:
Jojoba Seed Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Candelilla Wax, Rice Bran Oil, Mica, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Boron Nitride, Silica, Allantoin, ProVitamin B5, Bisabolol, Iron Oxides. May Contain: Chromium Oxide Green, Ultramarine Blue.



The other product I selected was the Peppermint Earthpaste, a truly natural toothpaste that many other green beauty bloggers seem to obsess over. I had heard so many good things about this stuff that I just had to try it for myself! Made with only Purified Water, Food Grade Redmond Clay, Xylitol, Peppermint Essential Oil, Menthol, Redmond Sea Salt and Tea Tree Oil it is unlike any other toothpaste I have ever tried. I can't say that I love the taste (it tastes a lot like earth and clay) but it gets teeth superbly clean. My teeth feel like I have just come from the dentist after using this stuff! Earthpaste also comes in Cinnamon, Wintergreen, Lemon Twist, and Spearmint.

Natural Joy Beauty has so many different products that you have to check it out for yourself! You can also try a lot of the products for sale in sample size for a fraction of the price before making the decision to purchase the full version.

You can save 15% off storewide now - 3/15/14 with promo code: BB15.

To enter to win a $20 gift code to Natural Joy Beauty, simply use the Rafflecopter form below. It may take a moment or two to load. This giveaway is only open to those in the US. Also, don't worry if your comment doesn't show up right away. I can see it! Good luck!

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(FTC: I was kindly sent these products for review by Natural Joy Beauty and given the opportunity to do a gift code giveaway for free. I am not being compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)