EDIT: If you’re in the US, use CODE TRYPURE25 for 25% off your 1st purchase

100 Percent Pure is a cult favorite for organic beauty newcomers and mavens alike. True to their name, their products are 100% pure and made with healthy organic ingredients. This is one of the first brands I discovered when I was switching to organic and they impressed me and continue to impress me today.

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Hair coloring is one of the last things I have switched to cleaner alternatives for and I’m not sure highlighting is something I can ever give up. If you color your hair or are interested in coloring your hair, Naturigin is an award-winning safer alternative with organic ingredients and fewer chemicals. A Danish brand that’s committed to excellence, Naturigin is 100% SLS-free, Ammonia-free, Parabens-free and contains lemon peel extract, orange peel essential oil, shea tree butter extract, aloe leaf extract, grapeseed oil and Jojoba oil.

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florapothecarie is a line of vegan bath & body products made of 100% natural, organic & fair trade ingredients. The founder Sami Jo Jensen in Connecticut handcrafts these products herself in small batches, and without any artificial colorants, fragrances, parabens, preservatives, or other toxic chemicals. I tried a variety of the line’s most popular products and really enjoyed & recommend this line.

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This is my first blog post on a subscription box and also my first time being a “brand ambassador” for one. A big thank you to all those who entered my giveaway for this box a while back! I’m a bit late with this review but here goes…

Goodbeing is a discovery box with 4-5 trial size products delivered monthly to your door featuring

Healthy beauty products
Non-toxic cosmetics
Natural wellness
Sustainable, toxin-free living goods.

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Lausanne is a gorgeous Swiss city just 45 minutes away from Geneva, known for being a university town and home to the International Olympics Committee headquarters. It’s also a peaceful lakeside city with stunning views of the Alps. It was overcast while I was there so I couldn’t see the views in their full glory, but it was still glorious nonetheless.

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Because I love travelling so much and am blessed with the opportunity to do so quite often working in Europe, I decided to also blog about it, Nature is a kind of organic beauty right?

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It’s especially important to switch to a nontoxic, natural/organic deodorant because the armpit area more readily absorbs than other parts of the body. Conventional deodorants contain ingredients linked to breast cancer, birth defects, and organ toxicity (aluminum, parabens, phthalates to name a few), and even before I learned about all this I always had this looming feeling that my deodorant was harmful and would often opt to not even use it and risk being stinky. Recently I’ve been using Green Tidings deodorant, which I even took with me on my trip to Malta, and have only good things to say about it. This is a completely nontoxic, organic, vegan deodorant made right in Southern California.

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FITGLOW BEAUTY is one of my all-time favorite organic makeup brands. With each product you are guaranteed to experience high-quality organic ingredients, amazing performance, and beautiful pigment. If you’re looking for an organic brand that measures up to and even outshines conventional makeup brands, FITGLOW BEAUTY is IT.

Vita-Active Foundation

Update: Years later this is my all-time favorite foundation. If you don’t need heavy coverage this is a dream and has whipped lightweight texture unlike any other. It’s not only working to nourish and improve the health of your skin but provides a decent amount of coverage that lasts.

I received a sample of the revolutionary Vita-Acitve foundation, which is basically skincare you can use as a foundation. It’s 98% Organic, 95% Whole Food Based and contains Vitamin C, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid,Seaweed Brighteners and Beta-Carotene to increase collagen production and boost skins ability to diminish spots, freckles, hyper-pigmentation, sun damage plus improve elasticity. It has the most impressive list of ingredints I’ve seen in a foundation. I normally don’t like wearing foundation because I feel it’s too heavy for my skin and I don’t like the obviously made up look, but this foundation is very light and provides great coverage for me. It has a light and silky consistency and leaves a dewy finish. It dries very quickly so i have to be sure to rub it in quickly and it doesn’t fade throughout the day. SHOP

Ingredients

Aloe Leaf Juice, Lavender Hydrosol, Rose Hydrosol, Castor Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Sunflower Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate (Olivem®1000), Jojoba Seed Oil, Carrot Essential Oil, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Wakame Bioferment, Caprylic /Capric Triglyceride (Derived from Coconut), Cetyl Alcohol, Virgin Organic Coconut Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sea Buckthorn, Cetyl Alcohol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Zinc Oxide (CI77974), Iron Oxides (CI77492, CI77491), Ultramarines (CI77007), Argan Oil

 

 

Vita Active Serum

Let me just start by saying this is definitely a pricey product but it’s an investment if you’re looking for clinical style results and need something super powerful. If I could afford it, I would honestly use this serum on a long term consistent basis to prevent and fight aging. It:

Improves skin clarity, reduces freckles, uneven skin, and sun damage
Provides long-acting full spectrum antioxidant protection
Reduces signs of premature aging
Improves skin tone and smoothness

I used this product over one summer and it kept my skin smooth, clear, even-toned and radiant and also stopped further sun damage that usually occurs over a summer in the sun. I have also heard accounts of this product working to clear up more serious skin issues that others have had. It has a deep orange tint and a light gel-serum like texture that absorbs quickly. Serums are the product type you want to invest in most as these are the only product type in your regimen that has molecules small enough to penetrate deep into your pores.

Ingredients

Herbal Infusion*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera)*, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide (Botanical Hyaluronic Acid), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Alpha Arbutin (Bearberry), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Lactobacillus/Portulaca (Purslane Bioferment) Oleracea Ferment ExtractUndaria Pinnatifida Cell Culture Extract (Wakame Bioferment), Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract (Astaxanthin), Citrus Clementia hort. ext. Tan (Clementine Essential Oil), (2s)-2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid, Wildcrafted Prunus Virginiana (Wild Cherry), Tanacetum Annuum Linnaeus (Blue Tansy), Curcuma Longa (Turmeric)*, Wildcrafted Hydrangea Arborescens (Hydrangea), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice)*, Sucrose Stearate,Preservative, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin

Vita Rich Creme

 Again, if budget is not a concern when it comes to buying a moisturizer this Vita Rich Creme is superb in terms of ingredients, texture and efficacy. Rich in over 150 phytonutrients, vitamins, and cherry brightening comple, Rare Grass Extracts increase intercellular osmosis, retaining water long term deeply in the skin and plumping cells. You’ll find that many of Fitglow’s products including their makeup are about “plumping” the cells which I absolutely love because I feel that all other skin issues aside, plump skin is the key to looking youthful. This is a very rich creme with a smooth silky texture and fruity scent similar to their Vita Youth Oil. It will leave your skin feeling SUPER moisturized and soft.

Improves skin hydration and elasticity
Provides potent environmental protection from free-radical damage
Improves skin health and reduces inflammation
Improves skin tone and smoothness

Ingredients

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera)*, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide (Botanical Hyaluronic Acid ), Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate (Olive Source), Simmondsia Chinensis ( Jojoba Oil)*, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip Oil), Borago Officinalis (Borage Oil), Argania Spinosa (Argan Oil), Coenzyme Q10 Leucidal Aloe (Aloe Plant Preservative), Imperata Cylindrica Extract (Congon Grass), Retinol Liposome, Acerola Bioferment (Cherry) Rubus Idaeus Extract (Raspberry )**. Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract (Plum)*. * Certified Organic Ingredients ** Organic Supercritical CO2 Extracts

Lip Serum

Fitglow goes above and beyond just creating an organic lip gloss with beautifu color and clean ingredients but one scientifically formulated to improve lip cell structure and plump. Yes, this lip serum actually plumps my lips! I thought it was crazy at first but I definitely notice a difference. The Bliss shade is my absolute favorite, it’s just so stunning and natural looking but Gospel is their bestseller.

Ingredients

This is a safer natural alternative to traditional retinol products and requires just a few drops a night.  Active oils are combined with plant stem cells and retinol to leave skin plump and glowing.  I would say it is a light to medium oil that smells fruity and takes a while to absorb. Since I only used it at night this was fine for me. I wasn’t a fan of its fruity scent as I prefer a more calming scent before I go to sleep. Pictured is the old bottle – now there’s a new version with 30% more oil content than this one.

Vita Youth Oil

Improves skin elasticity and radiance
Reduces the look of lines and skin damage
Provides potent environmental protection from free radical damage
Improves skin health and regeneration of healthy cells

Ingredients

Orchis Mascula Extract (Orchid Oil)*, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil (Star Flower Oil)* , Rosa Canina Fruit Extract Rose Hip Seed Oil)* Squalane (Squalane From Olives)* , Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) *Seed Oil & Malus Domestica Fruit Stem Cell Extract & Argania Spinosa Sprout Stem Cell Extract (Apple & Argan Stem Cell Extract )* Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride & Phospholipids & Retinol (Retinol liposome ), Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract (Elderberry)*, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract Cucumber) ** Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract (Plum)**, Rosa Damascena Extract (Rose) ** *certified organic ingredients ** Organic Supercritical CO2 Extracts

Mineral Eyeshadow

The 3-in-1 eyeshadow compact in SUNGLOW has got 3 shades I use nearly everyday. I even use the middle shade as a brow filler occasionally. The shades are richly pigmented and longlasting with a slight amount of shimmer. The darkest brown shade is more a warm brown than a cool one. This compact is super convenient as all 3 shades are side by side and the shades are just beautiful. SHOP

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With a range of lip balms, skincare and bodycare products, Treat Beauty uses active natural and organic ingredients that nourish your skin in delicious ways. Their famous jumbo lip balms which are 3x the size of normal lip balms are made with USDA Certified Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Beeswax, Organic Flavors, and Vitamin E. The formula is highly nourishing and the consistency is smooth and sturdy without the greasiness you find in other natural lip balms. They also smell like dessert with organic flavors called Confetti Cake, Marshmallow Cream, Sugar Cookie, Coconut Cream and more. Because the circumference of these lip balms are so large, application is super quick and easy. If you were obsessed with Lip Smackers when you were a kid, the Treat ilp balms are the perfect altnernative to indulge in.

For Earth month Treat Beauty is donating 30% of proceeds to Friends of Trees.

Want to get your hands on their delicious organic lip balms and help Mother Earth?
Code OBL20 saves you 20% off any purchase
OBL40 saves you 40% off purchases of $120 (excludes gift sets)

AntoninB is a new Parisian brand creating professional salon-quality and ECO-CERT certified Organic Haircare products. Paris being the home of the best hair salons and hairdressers in the world, I knew AntoninB’s products would embody luxury and quality. They currently have 2 products, the Desert Ceramide Hair Serum and the Intense Honey Butter which is an organic texturizing balm. The versatile product is 100% natural and 82.2% organic and can be used to nourish dry ends, add shine, style hair and as an intense mask. It contains Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vegetable Oils of Castor, Coconut, Wheat Germ., Organic Honey. Organic vegetable glycerin, Organic essential oils of  Ylang-Ylang, Lemon, Lime, Palmarosa, and Bourbon geranium. It smells very similar to their fragrant Desert Ceramide Hair Serum (which I reviewed many months ago on my Instagram here and here). It’s in solid form but melts when you rub it in between your hands. Just a tiny amount as a finishing treatment leaves my hair looking lustrous and smoother. I’ve also used it as a mask before showering by leaving it in my hair 15 minutes and my hair dries looking healthier and smoother. You can sign up to their newsletter for 10% off and they ship worldwide.

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As a lover of luxury, I get particularly excited about luxury organic skincare lines, and today that’s HollyBeth Organics. The brand is the culmination of founder HollyBeth’s 50 years of travels around the world learning about the medicinal properties of plants, essential oils and living an organic lifestyle. Effective formulations, truly 100% Certified Organic ingredients, beautiful packaging, luxurious textures – HollyBeth Organics has it all.

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My hair adapts to whatever product I’m using quickly, meaning that with repeated use I see diminished effects, so I need to switch up the products I use quite often. I have dry hair that’s damaged from overprocessing so I use a mask each time I wash my hair and oil treatments once or twice a week. Lately I’ve been using AHNESTI’s Puriti Shampoo and Conditioner, Captain Blankenship’s Mermaid Hair Oil and EVOLVh UltraRepair Deep Treatment Mask from Folica, an online hair boutique carrying a wide array of natural and organic haircare brands that you can’t find in other organic online stores.

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My hair adapts to whatever product I’m using quickly, meaning that with repeated use I see diminished effects, so I need to switch up the products I use quite often. I have dry hair that’s damaged from overprocessing so I use a mask each time I wash my hair and oil treatments once or twice a week. Lately I’ve been using AHNESTI’s Puriti Shampoo and Conditioner, Captain Blankenship’s Mermaid Hair Oil and EVOLVh UltraRepair Deep Treatment Mask from Folica, an online hair boutique carrying a wide array of natural and organic haircare brands that you can’t find in other organic online stores.

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  Korean women are famous for their perfect glowing skin, so naturally I needed to get this book that dishes their beauty secrets. The Little Book of Skincare: Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin by Charlotte Cho is a light and easy read – I read the entire book in 1.5 hours but it felt more like 20 minutes. It opened my eyes to how skincare isn’t just a daily routine, but a way of life that’s deeply ingrained in Korean culture. If you’re curious about how Korean women take care of their skin, the type of skincare products they use, and the Korean beauty industry this book will give you an inside look. It brings the streets of Seoul and its skin-obsessed culture to life through vivid personal stories and answers everything you have been wondering or been puzzled by about Korean skincare.

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I’m excited to write about PLANT today, because this is a brand on a mission to make organic and nontoxic beauty easily accessible to everyone. They’ve rolled out tentatively in select Targets (call or check one near you) and unlike some other natural beatuy brands that are available at Target, they are truly 100% pure and free of chemicals.

PLANT makes organic, all-botanical skincare and bodycare products that combine aromatherapy and herbalism – think 21st century apothecary. Their fine-tuned formulations are, as you can tell by the labels, created with a goal in mind. Your body listens to the mind so I love how bold and action-minded these product names are. PLANT is also socially responsible and deserves your support as their products are made by adults with physical or mental disabilities in Brooklyn.

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Earthwise Beauty is, as you know from my Instagram, one of my favorite organic skincare brands. I am constantly in awe of Ava, the founder’s, creative blend of carefully selected and sourced ingredients and the passion and thought she puts behind each product. The packaging and product names are fun and quirky, yet the ingredients luxurious and outstanding. Each product is unique and made from unrefined, unprocessed fair-trade ingredients: unrefined botanical oils and butters, traditionally prepared herbs, and therapeutic-grade essential oils and absolutes. Let’s dive right into Earthwise’s newest product.

Affiliate code OBL saves 15% at checkout always.

Catharsis Face Cleanser and Mask

This is an innovative powder form cleanser that can also be used as a mask and its certified organic ingredients are truly impressive:

Aloe barbadensis leaf powder
Neem leaf powder (India)
Spirulina platensis powder
Chlorella vulgaris powder
Orange peel powder

Catharsis is a super fine powder that when mixed with a few drops of water turns into a paste. You spread it all around to swiftly remove makeup, cleanse and detoxify the pores and nourish the skin. I love the versatility of this powder which you can turn into umpteen different kinds of masks by adding your favorite facial oil, oil-based serum or honey or even just by itself and leaving it on for up to 30 minutes. Note that Indian neem leaf is strongly antibacterial/powerful and not meant for continued use over long periods of time. I would suggest using this cleanser in rotation with other cleansers like their Scarborough Fairs Face Wash which I absolutely love or their Marshmallow Suds Cleanser.

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If you love tropical scents and super hydrating body oils, this Coconut Isle Body Oil by Forager Botanicals ticks both boxes. Forager Botanicals is an all-natural fragrance and bodycare brand with a range of perfumes, body oils, lotions and washes. Their products are handcrafted in small batches in Brooklyn NY and are free of color, parabens, sulfates and preservatives. The Coconut Isle Body Oil has me dreaming of summer with its coconuty-fruity scent.

All-Natural Ingredients

Almond, Jojoba and Apricot Oils
Green Coconut and Tropical Fruit notes

The oil is designed to have a subtle and sophisticated scent, not one that overpowers. I find it to be more of a light oil that absorbs quickly.