Review Shea Terra Organics African Lemongrass Black Soap Elixir

African Lemongrass Black Soap Elixir $20.00 for 8 oz

According to the back of the bottle "African black soap has long been used to remedy acne, blemishes, dark spots, razor bumps, and even to reduce fine lines."

I don't have any fine lines (yet) so I can't say if it would really improve those, but this really does help with blemishes.

As I've mentioned before I have dry/combination skin so I get dry patches, but also blemishes. Because my skin is dry to begin with, this does dry out my skin further. 

The woman from Shea Terra that I had spoken to also has dry skin, and she recommends using this every other day or every two days.

If you have dry skin like us then that would be your best bet!

If you have acne or oily skin then you could use this daily.

This has a gel like consistency, and a lovely lemon scent.

For more information on this brand or their products visit http://www.sheaterraorganics.com/

Overall, I would recommend this product especially for those with oily skin. 

(Products provided for consideration.)

Review SanRe Organic Skinfood

Siesta Sunset Avocado & Sea-buckthron Cream $31.00 for 1.1 oz

I think this cream would benefit mature or dry skin the most. 

I found it a little too rich for my dry-combination skin. However, I will admit to being heavy handed when it comes to moisturizer because my skin does get very dry, especially after washing my face.

The texture is cream to oil, and the scent is quite herbal. 

The color is yellow even when applied. Mind you it's not opaque, but it does have a tint so this would concern me a little if I was wearing light colored clothing.

Argan Aura Face & Neck Serum $34.99 for 1 oz

I prefer this to the Siesta Sunset. It's easier to apply, and seems to work better with my skin type.

I'd recommend using no more than one pump of this for your entire face as it is an oil, and can take a while to sink in to skin.

This also has a slight yellow tint, but not as much as the Siesta Sunset.

Eye Candy Anti-Aging Formula $33.99 for 0.5 oz

This is similar in texture, and color to Siesta Sunset.

So far I like this eye cream. I can't speak to any results yet, but when/if I see results I'll post an update!

Supple Sunshine SPF 30 $29.99 for 1.1 oz 

(Sample size pictured)

I really like this sunscreen. It doesn't leave a white cast on my skin, and it doesn't make my skin feel greasy or goop-y!

I would use this over a moisturizer if you have dry skin as it's not very moisturizing.

I've saved my favorite for last!

Chocolate Lips Lip Moisturizer $3.99 for 0.2 oz

Smells yummy! Just like chocolate.

Feels thin on the lips, but still very moisturizing. 

It's brown in the tube, but applies clear.

For more information on this brand or their products visit http://www.sanreorganic.com/

Overall, I'd recommend the sunscreen, lip balm, argan aura (if you like face oils.)

(Products provided for consideration.)

Review/Swatch Andalou Naturals Grapefruit +C Exfoliating Peel

Grapefruit +C Exfoliating Peel $14.95

It's a gel consistency (as shown above.) It smells exactly like fresh grapefruit! 

The first time I used this I left it on for 10 minutes (as recommended.) I found that overall it exfoliated okay, but I still had a few patches of skin that needed sloughing off further (pardon the visual) so I applied it again this time leaving it on for about 15-20 minutes.

I would suggest giving this method a try if you're in need of a deep exfoliation. 

The result was fabulous, and the next morning my skin was glowing!

Besides the fact that it is a gel, and has no exfoliating beads, this exfoliator is also different because it contains fruit stem cells which provide many benefits. 

For more information on this brand or their products visit http://andalou.com/index.php/ you can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, or sign up for their mailing list.

Overall I would definitely recommend this product! Especially if you're obsessed with grapefruit scented products like me.


(Product provided for consideration.)

Review/Swatches Living Nature (Cosmetics)

Lipsticks in Laughter & Summer Rain $26.00 each

Left Laughter & right Summer Rain

Top swatch Laughter, bottom swatch Summer Rain.

I love the formulation. They're smooth, and creamy! Both have good pigment though, I wouldn't call them full coverage. 

They're like a lip balm, lipstick, and gloss all in one! These are some of my new favorite lipsticks.

Lip Pencil in Laughter $20.00

I can't say I've tried a ton of lip pencils, but I can say I like this one.

It has a dry formula, but when applied I don't find it to make dry patches on lips stand out, and it seems to last well. 

I would recommend using this over a thin layer of lip balm or topping it off with a gloss just to add some moisture.

Eye Pencil in Smoulder $20.00

I wasn't crazy about the formula. It's quite dry which makes it tedious to apply.

As for wear time it held up ok. At the end of the day it had worn off somewhat, and it's definitely not smudge-proof.

A little disappointing because I love the color!

Thickening Mascara in Blackened Brown $29.00

Unfortunately this mascara didn't work for my lashes. It weighed down my lashes, flaked, and wasn't buildable. 

I already have fairly thick lashes so I think this is the type of mascara that would work better for people with thin lashes as it does thicken.

Concealers in Light & Medium $30.00 each

Top swatch Medium, bottom swatch Light.

This has become my new everyday concealer! It sits better on my skin than any other concealer I own.

The texture is surprisingly thin, but still provides medium coverage. 

I have terribly dark, purple-toned under eye circles, and while this doesn't cover them 100% it definitely improves their appearance, and is buildable.

I'm usually a light to light-medium in concealers, and both of these shades worked well with my skin tone.

Gentle Makeup Remover $23.00 for 100ml

The directions on the back say to "Apply to warm damp cotton pad and gently wipe away all traces of makeup."

I tried this method, but It didn't work as well I had hoped so I also tried using it on a dry cotton pad, and that worked much better!

This isn't an oil based makeup remover so it's not as effective at breaking down makeup right away, but with a little effort it does work to remove makeup.

I really dislike my eyelids feeling oily so I'd still prefer this over any oily makeup remover.

I will note that the scent reminds me slightly of fertilizer, but it's not overly strong or obnoxious.

Overall, I'd recommend the lipsticks, lip pencil, concealers, and possibly the makeup remover.

(Products provided for consideration.)

Review Squid Balm

Squid Squeak Solid Shampoo Bar in Tangerine (light formula) 4 oz for $7.00

I really wanted to love this shampoo bar, but unfortunately it just didn't work for my hair.

It's recommend to use this followed by an apple cider/water mixture, and then followed by conditioner. I did so, but I found my hair just didn't have much body, and was quite piece-y though shiny. 

I think this is the kind of product that would work better for very dry or curly hair.

Squid Silk Sold Conditioner Bar in Unscented 1 oz for $7.00

Again, this just didn't really work for me. I think it was too rich for my hair. If you have dry hair this might be worth a try!

It can also be used for shaving, and it works well for that!

Lemon Drop Exfoliator Avocado Oil Soap 5 oz for $8.00

I really like this soap!

It lathers well, has lots of exfoliating particles, and doesn't dry out skin.

Gentle Oil Cleanser for Normal Skin 1 oz for $4.00

I can't really give the best review on this one as I'm not a fan of oil products. I don't like the feeling of oil on my skin. I suppose it's something you have to get used to.

This left behind an oily residue on my face which later absorbed. It's fairly good at breaking down makeup.

Squid Balm Solid Lotion Bar in Ruby Grapefruit 1 oz for $12.00

This smells delicious! 

This is quite waxy & thick so I prefer to apply a generous layer before bed. It absorbs before I get up, and leaves my skin soft.

For more information on this brand or their products visit http://www.squidbalm.com/

Overall, I'd recommend the Lemon Drop Soap, and Solid Lotion.

(Products provided for consideration.)

Review/Swatches Votre Vu

SnapDragon Beauty Beverage 30 fl. oz for $26.00 (2 pack) OR $18.20 with brand ambassador. 

I drank 8oz of this daily for 4 days in a row, and I can't say I noticed any difference or felt any different, but it tastes pretty good, and smells amazing.

I will say that results will vary person to person.

 I already have a fairly healthy diet being vegetarian, and consuming fruits & vegetables daily. If you're not one to usually eat fruits then you're probably more likely to notice a difference.

Bébé Duette Luxe Lips, Luxe Lips Framboise & Hand Creme 2-Pack $39.50 OR $27.65 with brand ambassador.

Top swatch clear, bottom swatch tinted.

I think this is a really cool concept! A hand cream, and lip balm AND mirror in one? Yes!

The hand cream smells deliciously sweet, and is moisturizing without being too heavy. It is the kind of product you will need to reapply if you have quite dry hands.

The lip balms are nice. The clear seems to have a thicker, less glossy texture, and the tinted  one is thinner, and glossy. They're both fairly moisturizing, and light with no notable taste or scent.

For more information on this brand or their products visit http://www.votrevu.com/corporate/public?page=/jsp/home.jsp

Overall, I'd recommend the hand creams.

(Products provided for consideration.)

Review Skin Free

Starting with my favorite product of the two I have.

Antibacterial Foaming Soap in Pink Grapefruit 240ml for $6.99

I love this soap! I know love may be a strange word to use when talking about hand soap.. but this stuff is great! It smells nice, and isn't drying. I really like that it's foam instead of  traditional liquid soap.

This can be used without water (similar to hand sanitizer.) I've only used it with water because I'm paranoid about having left over soap on my hands. 

It has only natural ingredients so I'm sure if you wanted to use it without water you'd be fine.

Acai Scrub for Sparkling Skin 6oz for $17.99

This did an okay job at exfoliating, but my skin was still left dry after. 

I get the feeling this would work much better for someone with oily or normal skin. I have dry/combination skin for reference.

The smell of this reminds me of dry cat food, but I don't find it particularly bothersome. 

For more information on this brand or their products visit http://skinfree.net/

Overall, I'd recommend the hand soap, and possibly the scrub if you have normal/oily skin.

(Products provided for consideration.)

Review/Swatch Trillium Organics

I was sent a few products from Trillium Organics to try. Below are my thoughts on the products.

Starting with the OG Body Body Polish in the Calming Lavender Geranium scent $7.98 for 4oz

I don't like this body scrub. For me it didn't do the best job of exfoliating, and it left a thick layer of oil behind. Yes, the oil did eventually absorb into my skin after a few hours, but I just didn't like the feeling. The oil separates from salt so you will need to mix it back together every time you use it.

OG Baby Really Fragrance Free Gentle Soap $5.98 for 1fl oz

I don't have a baby so I couldn't tell you how it works on baby skin, but I did try it for a few things. 

1. Washing makeup brushes. It got them clean, but left behind a little oil so I wouldn't use this for that purpose again. 

2. As a facial cleanser. Didn't work well for that purpose as my skin was left dry. 

3. As a body wash. My favorite use for this product! It seemed to clean the skin well without making it dry. 

This is fragrance free to the extent that it has no added scent, but it still does smell like the ingredients.. a smell I'm not crazy about.

OG Soul Perfume in the scent Love $17.98 for .33fl oz OR buy 2 get 1 free

 I really like this perfume!

Because it's in roller ball form it's very convenient to use, and perfect to throw in your purse. 

It leaked slightly in the shipping process, for that reason I would suggest keeping it in a separate plastic baggie if you want to keep it in your purse, just in case.

To me it just smells like roses & vanilla. Yummy combination!

For more information on this brand or their products visit http://trilliumorganics.com/

Overall I'd recommend the perfume, and gentle soap.


(Products provided for consideration.)