Talk About It - Alima Pure "Let Them Eat Cake" Collection

I really adore Alima Pure and their wonderful mineral makeup and I'm head over heels for their newest limited edition collection entitled Let Them Eat Cake. This collection is comprised of four incredibly unique and wearable shades based on sweet treats we all love to eat. I'm more of a salty girl but I do like to indulge myself in sweets sometimes, especially those designed to enliven the eyes and add a touch of glamour to any look.

I have reviewed two other Alima Pure collections prior to this one and I really loved both but I have to say this is my favorite one yet! I'm a neutral kind of gal but I try to avoid boring neutrals. If you're like me in that regard then this is the set for you! The collection is made up of 4 cake inspired shades that are all zero calorie, guilt free, and 100% natural (as are all Alima Pure products).



First up is Angel Food, which is a golden honey shade with very fine shimmer to it. This shadow would work well as an all over color or even a highlight shade.

Next is Strawberry Shortcake, a pale pink with fine shimmer and larger gold shimmer. This color is gorgeously sparkly and looks great on inner corners.

Red Velvet, the stand out of the collection in my opinion, is the most amazing medium brown shade that has a red undertone and touch of shimmer. I love red-based browns and this is the best one that I have ever come across. It makes a lovely contour shade.

Last but not least is the shade Devil's Food, a deep, dark brown shimmery shadow which is great for lining or adding to the outer corners for a sultry effect.

As with the other collections I have tried, these 4 shadows are very pigmented, easy to work with, and long lasting. A little goes a very long way with these products and I absolutely think Alima Pure is worth a look. You can apply these shadows dry for a more subtle look or wet for more drama.

This collection is worth every penny and I have a feeling this collection won't last long so hurry to checkout if you're interested. The set comes in Alima Pure's signature chocolate bag for only $32. $2 from each sale of this collection will be donated to the Global Fund for Women.



(FTC: Alima Pure so generously provided me with deluxe samples for review consideration. I am not being compensated to write this review. All thought and opinions, as always, and my own and honest.)

The Masked Avenger

Pimples are pesky and stubborn annoyances in our lives that seem to pop up at the worst times possible. If you have an irritating spot that you want to decrease in size, severity, and redness then I've got the perfect facial mask for you with a combination of minerals, potassium, alpha hydroxy acid, and honey which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.




What you need:
½ ripe banana
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Mash the banana and work the ingredients together until you have a paste-like consistency. Apply evenly to your skin and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before rinsing off. This mask should greatly reduce the severity of any active breakout you have and leave your skin feeling clean and revitalized. You can do this once or twice a week depending on your personal preference. It will also help to decrease oil.

I don't recommend using this mask on extremely sensitive skin, only because lemon juice is an acid and super sensitive skin should never go near acid of any type. With that being said, I do tend to have skin that has sensitivities and I have never had a problem with lemon juice. Always remember to spot test a new beauty product, treatment, or recipe on your inner arm so you can test for allergies.

Talk About It - Splurge Skincare

I've never mentioned that I have a deep affection for teachers (my mom is one) and you already know that I adore natural beauty products so it's only natural that I'm in love with Splurge Skincare! Splurge is a natural skincare line created by two friends who are both teachers in Massachusetts. Their line consists of three types of products including a body scrub (or The Rub), Lip Buttah, and limited edition Sugarcubes.

The idea to start Splurge sprung from a Christmas gift – a homemade body scrub. Both women are self professed beauty junkies who wanted to create their own line of products that were effective and free of harmful toxins and chemicals. They taught during the day and researched, experimented, and tested after work and on the weekends before they finally created a product they could be proud of. They came up with the name Splurge because they believe in pampering yourself on a daily basis.


A lot of companies offer body scrubs of some sort but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I have never tried one as amazing as The Rub. This scrub, which is sugar based, has a very unique texture and consistency. It's fluffy and light but moisturizing and exfoliating. It almost feels like a mousse to me in the jar but it's solid and granular. I don't even know how to describe the amazing-ness of this product!

Christine and Kara, the women behind the brand, were so generous and sent me two jars of this – one in almond and the other in peppermint. It is also available in lemon. My Mother promptly stole the almond version (she always helps me test and review the good products) and I kept the peppermint for myself. Both of us absolutely adore this scrub. Both smell delicious and leave my skin feeling so smooth and fresh. The scrub is neither too rich nor oily or too light. It imparts the perfect amount of moisture, leaving skin feeling healthy and looking glowy. It leaves a light and yummy scent behind on my skin and I can't get enough!

They also sent me a Lip Buttah in Lemon. I love lip balms of all kinds and this one feels really nice on the lips and imparts long lasting moisture but I'm not a big fan of this particular lemon scent. The formula really is lovely though. It's not greasy, sticky, or too heavy; it's just right!

I love Splurge and I highly recommend that you check them out. Even celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Drew Barrymore, Alicia Silverstone, Orlando Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Hartnett, Ellen Degeneres and many more are getting in on the Splurge movement. Splurge products are being included in the Earth Day in Hollywood gift bags.

If you want to pamper yourself or learn more visit Splurge online.

Talk About It - Soulstice Nail Colour

I'm back with another glorious nail polish review, starring Soulstice Nail Colour. This nail polish is 100% Vegan, cruelty free, non-toxic, 3-free (doesn't contain toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate), and made in the United States. The company also donates a portion of all proceeds to non-profit social and environmental organizations. In addition to all of the great things I just mentioned this polish comes in 30 different shades so there will be something for everyone!

I got to try two of their lovely nail polish shades and I absolutely adore both of them. I didn't get to choose my shades but I was so pleasantly surprised when the packaged arrived! I couldn't have picked two better polish colors. All of their polishes are named after large cities across the globe, and I received London and Venice.

Both are gorgeous but I would say the London is my favorite. They describe it as a vibrant, modern rose and I think that is the perfect description. It works great on both fingers and toes and is appropriate for any time or event. It is stunning! It almost acts like a neutral but it's got a touch of glamour and a multi-faceted personality.

Venice is described as a rich gold, and that it is! It looks just like liquid gold. I can't wait to wear this all summer long because I know it will look amazing with a tan. My photos do these polishes absolutely no justice.



The wear and application of Soulstice Nail Colour is phenomenal. Both shades I have glide onto the nail with little effort and last for days without chipping. I'm deeply impressed with these polishes and can't wait to check out more!

The company, Soulstice Spa, also sells body care and accessories.

(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 thought and opinions, as always, are my own and honest.)

Stand Your Grounds

Keeping your used coffee grounds to apply to your skin might sound a little bit disgusting but trust me when I tell you that one woman's trash is another woman's exfoliating and rejuvenating treasure. The caffeine in coffee is a super skin tightening agent and also helps perk up tired skin. There are many ways you can use coffee grounds for beauty and we'll be talking about a few of them today.

The simplest way to use used grounds is to apply them directly to your skin without any other additives. You want to only use cool grounds, because you don't want to burn your skin. You can simple grab a handful and work over your skin in small circular movements. This will slough off dead skin cells and perk up the skin.

If you want a more moisturizing exfoliant you can add oil, like olive oil, to the grounds and apply to your skin in the small circular movements. If that's not enough exfoliation you can even throw in some brown or white sugar or even salt. Adding salt to the scrub will add a detoxifying effect. I have only ever used coffee grounds as a body scrub but I have often read about people using it on their faces as well.

Coffee also acts as an antibacterial and will help to minimize sagging and puffiness. It will tighten your skin temporarily, so this scrub is especially great before a first date or a special event. It also helps minimize redness.

You can even make a face mask using coffee grounds by mixing them with yogurt or honey. Coffee is also widely used as a treatment for puffy, tired eyes. Wrap a small amount of grounds in a paper towel or tissue and get it slightly damp before placing over your eyes for about 20 minutes. It will decrease dark circle and heavy baggage. If you have darker hair you can add coffee grounds to your shampoo to help get rid of build-up, increase shine, and add a little tint.

Tub Full of Tea

I like to indulge myself, and one way I spoil myself is by taking a bath every night before hopping under the sheets to sleep. There is nothing more relaxing and soothing than a warm bath, besides a warm bath filled with skin nurturing goodness that is. This super simple recipe for bath tea uses only 3 ingredients that are perfect for pampering your skin.




What you need:
Green tea (if you have loose green tea you'll want to use about 2 tablespoons, and if you're using bagged tea you'll need the contents of 2 bags)
1 cup of oatmeal
½ cup powdered milk

Combine the ingredients together and toss them into a food processor to create a fine powder so you don't make a mess of your tub. Once you have a powder you're set to fill the tub and steep your tub tea. If you're still worried about plugging your drain or making a big mess you can put your mixture into a little mesh bag, muslin, or even use cheesecloth to make your own little tea bag.

Green tea is full of antioxidants that help skin by protecting against free radicals and inflammation. Green tea works hard to prevent aging and has also been linked to protecting skin for cancer. Oatmeal is great for soothing itchy skin and powdered milk works to exfoliate and hydrate. It's great for any time of the year – summer when your skin is dehydrated or burnt and winter when your skin is itchy and scaly.

Soak in the tub for as long as you like and when you get out your skin will be so silky soft and smooth that you'll want to make this a nightly ritual!

Talk About It - Pomega5 Healing Cream

At the beginning of this yucky, frigid, and snowy season my skin was not happy about the lack of warmth and sunshine. It was dry, flaky, and irritable. Luckily for me, I found Pomega5's Healing Cream, an intense cream designed specifically for dry, damaged, and problematic skin. Despite its hefty price tag, ($85 for 1.7 oz) it's a lifesaver for chapped winter skin. I think it will even be great for sun-scorched skin in the summer, since it is very healing.


This cream is perfect for dry, sensitive skin because it's extremely nourishing and gentle at the same time. Once applied to the skin, it forms a protective barrier trapping much needed moisture inside and keeping free radicals, dirt, pollution and germs out. It's like wearing a suit of armor on your face. I think it is great for both day (it works really well under makeup and acts like a primer) and night, although I think it is especially excellent at repairing skin while the body is at rest. It also happens to smell really delicious.

It is formulated with a ton of good for your skin ingredients like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, calendula, carrot seed oil, aloe vera, shea butter, pomegranate seed oil, grape seed oil, vitamin e, and numerous other healthy oils and natural ingredients. All of these great things combine to make a super skin cream that heals and protects, which is why it is aptly named Healing Cream. It is deeply moisturizing but doesn't feel heavy, greasy, or sticky.

It comes in an airless pump so the product stays fresh and germ free. Keep in mind that it is very rich it might not be the best for oily skinned guys and gals. Pomega5 makes a Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer that would probably be better-suited for oily skin.

It's been wonderful on my sensitive face as well as my irritable back. I have been applying a thin layer of this cream onto my back after getting out of the shower every day to help heal and make my skin feel less itchy and sore (my illness has created some skin issues back there).

If you're interested in learning more about this product or other Pomega5 products you can find them online at www.pomega5.com.

Winter Balm

Winter can be harsh on the skin depending on the climate in your region. It's especially cold and dry where I live in Southern Oregon. We usually have a lot of snow in the colder seasons but this year it's been really dry and particularly rough on my skin, and especially on my lips.

I'm obsessed with lip balms, creams and treatments but sometimes commercial products just don't get the job done. If you're having a hard time with dry, flaky lips then try this DIY recipe.




What you need:
1 tablespoon of beeswax
5 tablespoons of your favorite skin friendly oil (I like olive and jojoba for lips)
1 teaspoon of liquid vegetable glycerin
(Optional – a few drops of essential oil (I like peppermint best) for scent and flavor or honey for extra healing properties.)

The first step involves using a double boiler (a bowl placed in a pan filled with hot water) to melt the beeswax and the oil together. Once it's combined and fully liquid remove from the heat and add the glycerin and essential oil if you so desire. Make sure to blend all of the ingredients thoroughly and evenly.

Once it's all mixed it is time to pour the liquid balm into a container like a small jar or tin. I buy small plastic twist top jars at Wal-Mart in the travel beauty section – they cost .97 cents for 2. Be careful not to spill the mixture because it's still hot and can burn you. Let it sit until it's completely cool and solid.

I hope this helps revive and rejuvenate your tired winter lips!

Lip Lovin' Scrub

Towards the beginning of my blog I posted a lip scrub recipe (Luxurious Lip Scrub) which proved to be very popular. I'm back today with another lip scrub recipe and I hope you enjoy it just as much as the last! This scrub has the same basic base as the last but has powdered milk which aids in exfoliation due to the lactic acid it contains. Oatmeal is the final ingredient and is a gentle yet effective sloughing agent. After using this scrub your lips will feel healthy and look super soft and supple.

 What you need:

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 teaspoon of honey

½ tablespoon of powdered milk

1 tablespoon of oatmeal

Mix all of the ingredients together into a bowl and apply to lips using your fingers. Massage the mixture on to your lips for at least 30 seconds and let it sit for a couple of minutes. This mixture is highly moisturizing while also exfoliating. Leaving this on your lips after massaging will ensure that your lips drink in extra moisture. Rinse off and apply a rich lip balm to lock in your new found hydration.

Bath Butter

Dry skin can be a real bummer and hot baths can be a major source of scales and flakes even though bathing in the winter is a must for most of us. In order to combat the negative side effects taking a bath can cause it's important to add a moisturizing agent into the water. There are many companies who sell a lotion or a butter for the bath, but today I'm going to teach you how to make your very own bath butter at a fraction of the price.




What you need:
½ cup of cocoa butter
¼ cup of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil
(Optional – A few drops of the essential oil of your choice)
The first step is to melt the cocoa butter and coconut oil in a double boiler (which is a special pan that can easily be substituted with a glass bowl in a large pot of boiling water). Once the solids are melted and in liquid form it's time to remove from the heat and add the jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil and the scent you choose. Stir it to combine the ingredients for about 5 minutes or until it starts to cool. You can then pour the mixture into a jar or other container and leave on the counter undisturbed to finish cooling.

Once it's set up you can spoon it out and drop it into your warm bath water. It will melt and moisturize your skin while you soak. You'll want to keep your container somewhere cool and dark so it doesn't melt. You can also use this as a body butter if you desire by massaging it into damp, warm skin and allowing it to melt.

Gift idea – pour it into molds (once it's dry you can remove it and wrap it in cellophane) or gift tins and make small individual bath melts.

Basic Brushes

If you wear makeup having the proper tools can make all the difference in the way you wear and apply your cosmetics. Makeup brushes are really important things to have at your fingertips but there are a lot of options out there. One of my readers (and good friend!) asked me what kinds of brushes she should have so I decided to do this brush guide. This is just my opinion on what basic brushes a girl should have. Keep in mind there are a lot of different brush sizes, brands, bristles, shapes and handles out there. The one thing I always look out for is cruelty free brushes.



Okay, let's get started. If you wear liquid foundation, cream foundation, or tinted moisturizer investing in a standard foundation brush is a good idea. It's a lot less messy than using your fingers and provides a more opaque base. If you want a sheerer look, you can dampen the brush first. I find foundation brushes a lot easier to use than sponges although all foundations are different so some may work better with fingers or other application tools. There are a lot of different foundation brushes but I really enjoy the standard, slightly pointed brush.

A big fluffy powder brush is essential for applying setting powder. I tend to think that the fluffier the better for powder as it will provide a lighter, more natural type of finish than a more dense brush would. It's also great for giving your face a very light dusting of bronzer to perk up the skin a bit.

For mineral or powder foundation, I like to use a more dense brush. It picks up more product so it provides more coverage. My favorite is not very large, and the bristles aren't packed as tightly as others but it is much more dense than the fluffy brush I mentioned. It's perfect for evening out the complexion.

If you like to have a slight flush on your cheeks then having a smaller blush brush is a great idea. I have various blush brushes but my favorite is a smaller slightly tapered blush brush. It's great for giving the right amount of color each time and it is easier to put the color right where I want.

Another brush I reach for daily is my angled blush brush. I use this brush for applying my contour (or darker, matte bronzer) to the hollows of my cheekbones. You can also use this brush to apply blush or highlighter (although I like to use a spare eyeshadow blending brush for my highlight).



Speaking of an eyeshadow blending brush – this may be the most important brush you can own if you wear eye shadow. Blending is your best friend! Nobody wants harsh, unnatural shadow swept across their lids. You can also use a fluffy blending brush to apply a wash of color all over the lid or to apply highlighter.

Next up is a flat eyeshadow brush. These brushes are used for applying shadow to the lid or packing on color. They pick up more color and lay down the shadow in a more precise way than the blending brush does.

The last must have eyeshadow brush is an angled brush. Angled brushes are used for applying shadow, cream, or gel to the upper or lower lash line. You can also use this brush to fill in your brows.

What is your favorite type or brand of brush?

Intensely Moisturizing Eye Treatment

I had a reader request for another eye cream/gel/serum recipe so here I am to share this amazing recipe with you today! If you have dry under eyes or are concerned with fine lines and wrinkles this will be perfect for you. In my opinion everyone should moisturize the skin under their eyes regardless of their age because the eyes are usually the first area to show signs of aging. Prevention is key!



What you need:
2 teaspoons of avocado oil
4 to 5 drops of jojoba oil
2 drops of carrot seed oil
2 vitamin e capsules

All you need to do to make this amazing eye serum is blend all of the oils together in a small container and apply directly to the under eyes. The oils are a bit heavy and give off of a shiny look so it's best to apply this only at night before bed. I really like to apply this while my skin is still a bit damp because I feel like it really locks the moisture in. Keep in mind you only need a very small amount per eye. These ingredients are very concentrated so a little goes a long way.