Organic Makeup: Tutorials and why to make the switch!

Organic Makeup?

Yes Please! For those of us living an Organic Lifestyle we avoid toxins, gmo’s and synthetics at all cost! For us ladies, when it comes to makeup, we usually just try our best to find products that will do the least amount of damage.  For a very long time I used the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to find out just how toxic my beauty products were. With this I could see just how toxic the makeup I was using was. Lots of conventional makeup contains ingredients that actually age your skin, which is no good. After finding this new Makeup brand, I am hooked and won’t be using anything else, want to know why?

This makeup is made of only the good stuff. The ingredients in this makeup are actually beneficial to your skin! The ingredients are so pure you could eat them, no joke! Read below to find out what is in everything!

Face Powder

When you open this face powder you can smell the ginger in it! That’s a good sign that the product is made up of REAL ingredients. The elements used to create this face powder also have some added health benefits such as making you skin softer, hydrating the skin, and even contains elements that naturally have an anti-aging effect on the skin.

Tricks with the face powders from Olga's: While the medium face powder is not labeled bronzer, if you are fair skinned like myself, that’s exactly what you can use for it! The Translucent can also act as a mineral veil, to lock in your look once you've completed, or use it to brighten under the eyes. 

Ingredients: Arrowroot Flour*, Cacao Powder*, Cinnamon*, Nutmeg*, Bentonite Clay, Ginger*, Lavender Essential Oil*, and a proprietary blend of Non GMO Vitamin(s) and USDA Organic Oils. (VEGAN) *USDA Certified Organic Ingredient.

Benefits of Ingredients

• Arrowroot Flour: Makes skin silkier and smoother by enabling it to absorb moisture. Rich source of Folates and Vitamins A and C.

• Cacao: Includes vitamins C and Magnesium that protect the skin and keep it hydrated.

• Cinnamon: The anti-bacterial properties enhance and fight skin dryness.

• Nutmeg: A natural astringent which provides relief with skin blemishes and acne.

• Ginger: Contains around 40 antioxidant compounds that protect against aging.

• Bentonite Clay: Causes accelerated healing and nourishment to the skin.

Lip Tint

These are my favorite products! It’s like organic lip balm that colors your lips! When you apply the tint, you’ll feel the refreshing effect of peppermint essential oil. They come in six amazing shades, there’s one for every occasion in your life. I think using organic lip products is extra important because if it's on your lips, there is a good chance that you might end up ingesting some of it throughout the day. Or if you are kissing someone, they might end up with the residue in their mouth. Best be safe and just stick to the nontoxic stuff! 

Ingredients: Cocoa Butter*, Shea Butter*, Coconut Oil*, Candelilla Wax, Mica,
Peppermint Essential Oil*. *USDA Certified Organic Ingredient

Benefits of Ingredients

• Shea Butter: Stimulates the production of collagen that prevents premature wrinkles and facial lines.

• Coconut Oil: Great skin moisturizer and natural sun screen.

• Cocoa Butter: Is a natural moisturizer that provides deep hydration, perfect for chapped lips.

• Candelilla Wax: Acts as a barrier to prevent moisture loss, great vegan alternative to beeswax.

• Peppermint Essential Oil: Easily absorbed into the body, has antimicrobial properties that help freshen breath in addition to providing a cooling effect on your lips.

Mineral Eye Shadow

Ok, so I don’t even want to limit these powders by calling them eye shadows because you can use a few of the shades to give yourself great highlights on your cheek, nose, and upper lip. You can check out the videos below to see how I do it. These powders are really great for a variety of looks. Anything from a night out on the town, to a casual lunch date. And again, there are no harsh chemicals in these powders.

Ingredients: Arrowroot Flour*, Mica, Magnesium Sterate, Silica.

Blush

Again, with the blush we have a product that is free from nano particles, parabens, Bismuth Oxychloride, talc, synthetic dyes, fillers, fragrance and preservatives. The ingredients for the blush are the same as the eye shadow. This blush goes on very bold, but when you blend it correctly it looks perfectly natural. 

All ingredient infomration found at Olga's Organics website.

I’ve created a few little video tutorials if you’d like to see how I use this brand for different looks. I love brands like Olga’s Organics because they give us more options in our daily routine. If you’re looking to really start living toxin free, I’d suggest switching up your makeup routine and add an organic element. 

Stay Beautiful lovelies,

~Nikki 

How I Use My CBD Oil

Today we get to talk about CBD! 

The wonderful thing about CBD Hemp Oil is that more people are finding ways to use it uniquely! It’s best known for relieving pain and anxiety. CBD oil has been used with pets, kids, and even us adults. I use CBD oil in two ways.

The first reason is pretty normal, I use it for joint pain relief. I get knee pain every now and then, so when I wake up in the morning I take about three fourths of a dropper and squirt it under my tongue. I let it sit there for about a minute and chase it down with some water. I suggest to take CBD oil away from food just so it can absorb into the body better.

The second way I like to use the oil is actually as a face serum! The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil can make a world of difference when applied to the skin. I use a few drops on my face in the morning before I apply lotion and sunscreen. CBD also has antibacterial properties which can help fight the development of acne, so if you are experiencing breakouts, this could help!

The CBD oil I’ve been using lately is made with MCT oil so you get a double whammy of goodness! MCT oil is great for brain function, hormone balance, and so much more! The MCT oil also makes the CBD oil much lighter than some other brands I have tried. Often times I come across CBD oils that are a very dark green, the one I’ve been using lately is super light and feels amazing on my skin. CBD Bio Naturals is the amazing brand I've been using lately. They sent me some to try, and now I'm hooked! 

Stay Healthy,

Nikki 

The Holistic Path of Your Beauty

Alors, Ça Pousse? (ACP) In English it translates to "So that’s growing?" It’s the name of a French skin care line that has truly unique products completely derived from the Earth. I first found them on Instagram and was super intrigued by the way they describe their ingredients. They use solar created Flower Elixirs in their products.  The goal of this process is to harvest the “vibratory message” of the plant, this will echo our emotions and inner well-being.   

Their concept: Vibratory cosmetics for body and mind in an eco-design.

Their philosophy: Harmony with Nature and the cycles of the Moon.

The concept and philosophy speak to my inner hippie moonchild. The balms also last much longer that other creams you would normally buy, while being the most unique holistic products I’ve ever encountered. They don’t use any preservatives and provide consumers with a concentrated botanical formula because there is no water in the balms.  

Baume Gomme

Eraser Balm

This balm is a Cleanser, exfoliating, and makeup remover. It acts as a gently soft scrub for your face.  It illuminates the complexion thanks to hemp particles and harmonizes the spirit by the power of its elixirs.  Botanical and vibratory alchemy of 9 garden plants. Here I’ve listed the benefits from their website.

Benefits of synergy:

Hemp Paste: Anti-aging, regenerating, revitalizing thanks to its essential fatty acids. Calming, it has a soothing action. Highly emollient, it reduces water loss and protects the skin from dehydration. Penetrating quickly without greasy film. In the form of a paste, the skin benefits from the soft particles coming from the seed coat, for a light and very gentle scrub of the skin.

Sunflower Oil: Nourishing, softening, softening. Sip of vitamin E: powerful antioxidant action that protects the youth of the epidermis. An exceptional linoleic acid content, this polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega 6) plays a crucial role in the hydration of the skin, the fight against aggression (UV, pollution ...).

Hazelnut Oil: Rich in oleic acid (omega 9), it is very nourishing for the skin, makes it more supple and softer. It is a so-called "dry" oil, it penetrates deeply and does not leave a greasy film. On oily skin, it regulates the secretion of sebum, and performs a good action in terms of healing.

Honey: Softening and moisturizing thanks to its 80% of sugars, it facilitates the fixing of water particles. It is known to be highly nourishing and healing thanks to its formula full of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, trace elements ... and its antioxidant content allow a fight against aging. Its antibacterial action makes it an ally of choice in the cleansing formula.

Activated Charcoal: A powerful detoxifier, it captures the toxins that accumulate on the skin, suitable for the skin of smokers, stressed, acne. Purifying, it cleanses the skin and adsorbs bacteria and other pollutants. It has been used for centuries to filter, purify air, water internally and externally.

Rosemary: Powerful antioxidant, it acts at the cosmetic level as an anti-aging agent. Anti-inflammatory properties have also been highlighted. Its antimicrobial actions make it an ally of choice in this cleansing formula. And of course, its inimitable smell of warmth and sweetness brings a delicious touch to our senses.

Saponaira: A wild or cultivated plant, it is called the soap herb because, thanks to its saponin content, it foams in water. It was then used to wash clothes, lace, etc. In cosmetics, its roots and leaves are appreciated and recognized as purifying and toning. The saponaira is treasure for naturally cleansing products.

Yarrow: Wild or cultivated plant, the yarrow is the great companion of the female world. In a cosmetic we will mainly retain its astringent and antiseptic properties: it promotes the cleansing of the skin. It is healing and hemostatic, an example would be for micro-cuts. And its anti-inflammatory action gives it an effectiveness to soothe irritated skin.

Wild Apple Tree: cleanses and purifies, self-acceptance. Beautiful night: we change, we can move to the expression of the true, the beautiful self, in harmony. Agrimony: we remove the mask of the day, we get reconnects to its soul, the self. Beeswax: increases the protective power of the balm (film-forming) Propolis: rare and precious substance produced by bees, antiseptic, healing, softening and antioxidant (protects against aging)

How to use: Wet your face and apply the Baume Gomme to your finger tips and rub onto face in circular motion. Rinse with a towel soaked with your favorite flower water.

Ingredients: Hemp paste, sunflower oil, hazelnut oil, honey, beeswax, biodynamic grape alcohol, activated charcoal, spring water, propolis and extracts (floral elixirs and other sweet extractions) of rosemary, saponaire, yarrow, wild apple tree, night beauty, agrimony.

Baume de Terre

Earth Balm

I am in love with this face vibratory mask! This mask doesn’t harden and when you wash it off it leaves your skin feeling extra soft! I’ve used it a few different ways. The first time I used it I followed the suggested direction to apply the mask, leave it on for a few minutes and rinse. I than, used it as an overnight mask, leaving it on while I slept and when I woke up and rinsed it I noticed my skin was glowing! I had a pimple that had recently scabbed over and they were barely noticeable after this mask.  Concentrated with calendula, mauve, comfrey and clay, it gives back power. Its floral extracts of vine, brunelle, boxwood, elderberry, St. John's wort, nettle, lavender, chamomile and walnut make it an ally of the regeneration and the embellishment. This is a face mask with elixirs of luxurious flowers, highly regenerating and refreshing. This concentrate benefits from the active and vibratory extracts of 13 plants.

Benefits of synergy:

Green Clay: naturally rich in various minerals: silica, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt, manganese ... It is soothing, healing, soothing, purifying    

Mauve: Since ancient times, this flower symbolizes sweetness. It is a mucilage plant, making it a soothing, softening and emollient ally. Antioxidant, it helps fight against the harmful action of free radicals and helps prevent skin aging.

Comfrey: a blessing! Long known to regenerate skin cells and strengthen tissue elasticity

Calendula: a powerful antioxidant, it protects against premature aging of the skin and it promotes the regeneration of skin tissue. Softening and softening, it brings softness and elasticity to the skin. It is ideal for fragile, dry and delicate skin.

Roman Chamomile: powerful anti-inflammatory, soothing the itch, healing, decongest the skin

True Lavender (also called fine or officinal): Calming, sedative and antidepressant, true lavender is also recognized for its healing powers and as a treasure that allows skin regeneration.

The vine: soothes tensions

Walnut: protection, adaptation to the environment

The Brunelle: adaptation, vital force

Black Elderberry: a magic tree, close to men, its elixir is regenerating, purifying and stimulating

Boxwood: strength and adaptation to the environment, vitality

How to use: This is great to use in both morning and day, especially in times of stress and fatigue.

Ingredients: sunflower and hemp oils, green clay, extracts (floral elixirs and other sweet extracts) of wild mallow, comfrey, calendula, true lavender, Roman chamomile, vine, nettle, St. John's Wort, walnut, brunelle, elderberry, boxwood, beeswax, propolis.

Baume Énergie

Energy Balm

This is a regenerating body balm to give you a feeling of vitality. Great for an energizing massage or to be used daily as a harmonizing moisturizer.  

The Energy Balm is a vibratory concentrate with floral elixirs for the body. Rich in peppermint, it wakes up all your sleeping senses, stimulates your cells, and nourishes your skin. The 10 extracts of wild plants, and cultivated, form an alliance at the service of your deep vitality.

The balm has extracts and elixirs of vine, laurel, wild cherry, wild garlic, bramble, nasturtium, dandelion, peppermint, peach and comfrey that stimulates our forces and vital energies. 

I highly suggest checking them out! While their site isn't in English, you don't need to know French to place an order. Their checkout is super simple, and you can always use google translate to get all he facts! Check them out on Instagram! 

Stay Beautiful,

Nikki 

Unique Alternative Perfumes

Beautifully Crafted Perfumes with Integrity  

Greetings everyone,

I will admit I have never been a perfume wearer. Why? Because conventional perfume is crafted with all sort of skin irritants and always just smell fake to me. However, I've always had an interest in perfume, especially after seeing the movie Perfume, HA! (Which I highly suggest you watch if you haven’t, go ahead and click the image to watch it now!)

For years, I’ve used Essential Oils as a perfume.  Which has its pros and cons. However, I came across a brand that creates fragrance that complies with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to make sure all of their ingredients are responsibly sourced! Because they work with IUCN they do choose to use safe synthetics over botanicals when harvesting the ingredient could actually harm the environment or species in anyway.

If you couldn't guess it, this brand is cruelty-free, which is why they choose to use synthetics sometimes over natural ingredients that are sometimes derived form animals.  Crafting perfumes that have a low impact on the environment and your skin is amazing! This brand also does something that is very rare for perfume brands to do. They actually disclose ALL of their ingredients to the public. They even disclose whether or not it is of botanical origin or if it has been created safely as a synthetic. They list the entire name of each safe synthetic which gives you the power to look up the ingredients in your product and make an informed choice for yourself on whether or not you’d like it on your skin. Most companies will simply list all of the ingredients under one type of “fragrance”. Leaving the consumer unaware of what they are actually putting on your skin. The FDA really doesn’t regulate this market, so finding an honest company such as this, is great! This company is PHLUR.

PHLUR is a brand that is built on true transparency to their consumers, a rare trait in this world of cosmetics and skincare. They understand the importance of giving the consumer the power to make knowledgeable choices in what they are purchasing.  PHLUR is free of BHT, which is one nasty chemical you don’t want on your skin, it’s also a very common ingredient in beauty products.

A Healthier Choice 

PHLUR is free of parabens, phthalates and other potential skin irritants. They deliberately use an opaque bottle because it protects your fragrance from light damage and allows them to skip potentially hazardous chemicals and stabilizers. They also use environmentally friendly packaging! How great?!?

PHLUR wanted me to get a feel for their scents so they sent me a sample kit, where I was able to pick out 3 scents! Let me also add these were hefty samples, giving me plenty of opportunities to test them out and find the perfect one! Here is my review of the samples:

MOAB

This scent is very pleasant. Perfect for fall because of its spicy qualities. This fragrance works perfectly for all genders. I personally loved it. It’s bold yet calming at the same time. It was as if wearing a beanie and t-shirt on a perfect autumn day. This one gets my vote on favorite scent.

SIANO

One word: SWEET. AT first I wasn’t sure about this fragrance, after being someone who avoided perfumes for most of her life, it was a little abrasive. However, the scent really does evolve as the day progresses. In my opinion I think it is slightly more feminine than the MOAB, but who am I to say, it all comes down to personal preference!

HANAMI

Elegant! If I were going out on a really fancy date, this would be my choice. At first I thought this scent was a bit more masculine, but the second time I sprayed it, I fell in love. Not sure if it was something on a subconscious level or what, but the second time I used it, I felt it was perfect for females.  

Something I loved about all of these scents is that as the day progresses, they start to blend into your own scent and create a scent unique to you. I especially noticed this with HANAMI.

GOOD NEWS

You can get your own sample kit! They even have a fragrance specialist that will speak with you about each perfume via Facebook messenger to help you go through each one. You can try 3 scents of your choice for only $18! You can even get free shipping from their site! You can also save $10 on any order right now by clicking here to get an exclusive code! 

Take care folks,

Nikki