Review: Yes to Cucumbers Calming Facial Mask

 

Who doesn't love a good clay face mask? The weekly pampering of my skin keeps it balanced and glowing while thwarting off those demonic blackheads. Additionally, clay masks help control my oily skin. However, not all clay masks are created equal, and I have run into my share of unpleasant ones (burning and irritating Yes to Tomatoes mask, I'm lookin' at you!). Yes to Cucumbers Calming Facial Mask has been one of the products that I attribute to my skin's improving quality, and I really enjoy and trust the natural Yes to brand as a whole. I love the idea of my face soaking in all of the benefits of veggies, and not having to wonder and worry about the chemicals and preservatives hiding in my skin care products.

Product:
The Yes to Cucumbers Facial Mask is a pale green clay mask that smells exactly like cucumbers. The scent is refreshing, but does not linger on the skin after use. I slather this stuff on after a hot shower when my pores are open and let it dry for about 15 minutes. While on my skin it is cool and relaxing; though, like all clay masks, as it dries it tightens and can feel a little awkward. Once I look like a dried out swamp monster, I rinse it off. My only complaint, and it is a super minor one, it that it takes a bit of elbow grease to rinse this mask off. After the treatment my skin feels refreshed, clean. and slightly tight. I especially like to use this when my skin is cranky and irritated. Over time, I have noticed the size of my pores and the number of blackheads on my nose slowly dwindling. I wouldn't call this a miracle product or a quick fix, but it is a nice staple to add in to your skin care routine.

Packaging:
This is your standard plastic tub. Nothing wrong with it, but for sanitary purposes I prefer squeeze tubes.

Price: 
I pick up a few of these during a Walgreen's sale for less than 5 bucks a pop. Currently, I do not see this item on the Yes to website, but it is one the Target website for $13.49

Overall, this mask is a hit with me. I am not sure I would call it a holy grail, as I am open to trying other natural face masks, but this is the best one I have found so far.

What is your favorite face mask? Do you have any recipes for home-made face masks?

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Posted in Natural Products , Skin Care , Yes to Cucumbers

June Birchbox

The postman bought me my favorite monthly parcel today! I have been eagerly awaiting my June Birchbox after seeing what other bloggers received in theirs. As always, your Birchbox can feature different goodies than the next gal based on your Birchbox profile and sheer luck. After last's months dud, Birchbox is now back in my good graces. Here are the samples that I got:

• Kate Spade Twirl Perfume- Birchbox describes this as a "flirty" scent, which I immediately suspected would be floral. A quick spritz on the wrists verified that Twirl is an incredibly girly floral and slightly fruit scent. It is youthful fragrance, but seeing as I dislike floral scents for myself I will probably pass this off to a friend.
• Oscar Blandi Olio Di Jasmine Hair Serum- I am pretty hooked on my Macadamia Natural Oil Healing  Oil Treatment, so I doubt this will take its place especially since it includes non-natural ingredients. Nonetheless, I'll give this frizz fighting oil a shot.
• Pangea Organics Facial Toner- I was really excited to receive this generous sample in my Birchbox! I have been on the hunt for a great natural toner, and this organic one with Italian green mandarin and sweet lime might be just what I am looking for to balance and refresh my skin. I particularly love that it comes with a misting nozzle so I can spray it on my face. 
• Pangea Organics Facial Cream- I will probably get two uses out of this sample of facial cream, which is infused with Nigerian ginger, lavender, and thyme. I am excited to pair this with the toner and potential discover new additions to my skincare routine.
• Herban Essentials Orange Towelettes- These moistened towelettes are infused with orange oil and sound great for a quick clean up on the go. This doesn't seem like something I would purchase on my own, but I'm happy to throw these into my purse.
• Laura Geller Baked Blush n' Brighten in Honey Dipped- This is definitely the crowning jewel of this month's Birchbox! This full sized blush retails for $29.50, making this Birchbox a steal. Honey Dipped, a very shimmery golden tan with copper veining, looks more like a bronzer than a blush but it is lovely just the same!

What did you get in your June Birchbox?

PS- I just posted my first blog sale. I am looking to find some of my unloved goodies new homes, so go check it out!

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Posted in Birchbox , Herban Essentials , Kate Spade , Laura Geller , Natural Products , Oscar Blandi , Pangea Organics

Review: Yes to Tomatoes Facial Starter Kit

As I gradually transition to natural products, I have been most adamant that my skin care regiment be paraben, preservative, and chemical free. However, as an oily skinned and acne prone lady my face has traditionally responded well to non-natural brands (like Proactiv). As I get older my face has gotten more sensitive so I have been eager for an all natural skin care routine, but nervous about whether natural products would pack the acne and oil fighting punch I need. Yes to Tomatoes Facial Starter Kit was a great way to try out a few new natural skin care products formulated specifically for oily and combination skin. Retailing at $19.99 on the Yes to Carrots site, you save about $10 purchasing the set compared to buying each product individually, and you get a free spa headband to keep your hair out of your face! From the trio of products I discovered a hit, a miss, and a maybe- read on to figure out which one is which!

Facial Wash
I just finished my bottle of this and I do like it, but I am torn over whether or not I will repurchase. The scent certainly is not for everybody. As I mentioned in my review of the Yes to Tomatoes shampoo & conditioner, I really love the scent of the Yes to Tomatoes line. This facial cleaner is slightly fruity and earthy like those products, but is very sweet smelling. I have heard from some people who can't get over the scent of this product, but I quite like it. In terms of performance, I have been pretty impressed. Despite lacking the acne-fighting chemicles of my previous skin care products, it did a nice job of controlling my oil and keeping my skin clear. My face never felt tight and dry when I washed it off, but clean and fresh. My biggest gripe is that it does not foam or lather very well. If I really work it I can get some suds, but it is mostly like massaging a sticky gel into your skin. I prefer liquid cleansers that lather a bit more so I might explore some other brands, but this is overall a nice cleanser.

Facial Hydrating Lotion
How did I live before this lotion?!?! Of the whole set, this is the only definite keeper for me.  This lotion is more of a paste consistency, and does not have as strong of a scent as the cleanser. A small amount of this is all you need, and it soaks into the skin very quickly. No greasy lotion residue here! I can apply my makeup within just a few short minutes of applying this and my sunblock. I wear this only in the morning, as I prefer something a bit thicker at night. This lotion has done a phenomenal job of hydrating and balancing my skin, and I highly recommend it to those with oily and combo skin. I feel like this is the first lotion I have ever used on my face that is truly formulated for my skin's needs.


Facial Mask
This is the dud of the trio in my opinion. I really love clay masks that you let dry on your face, particularly those formulated for oily skin, but this is not something I would consider repurchasing unfortunately. When I applied this mask my face was initially tingly, but this tingle quickly progressed into a hot burning sensation. I stuck it out, hoping that my alarm actually meant that the mask was working. I rinsed off the mask to reveal splotchy, red irritated skin. Ouch! If your skin is not sensitive, you might like this but it was too intense for me. I prefer the Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Face Mask.


Have you tried these products? What did you think of them? Do you have any recommendations for natural skin care products suitable for sensitive yet combo/acne prone skin?

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Posted in Natural Products , Skin Care , Yes to Tomatoes

Review: Yes to Tomatoes Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

My first blog post ever was a Walgreens Haul jam packed with Yes to goodies found in the clearance section. I was able to snag half-priced backups of some of my favorite products, and the lowered price tag allowed me to take a chance on new products such as the Yes to Tomatoes Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner. Let me first say that I do not have a good track record with natural hair care products. I have tried quite a few different brands, including Burt's Bees and others from the Yes to line, and abhorred each and every single one. The shampoos were hard to work into my hair, felt drying and caused dandruff, and didn't do the basic job of getting my hair clean. And the conditioners never detangled my long locks or repaired my damaged ends. I have been really eager to get away from shampoos and conditioners loaded up with detergents and parabens, but I was hesitant to give these a try based on my history with crappy natural hair products. Did this YTT duo stand up to the test, or did I add their names to the list of natural hair product flunkies?

Prouct
While I would not say this is the best shampoo and conditioner I have ever used, they are certainly the best natural shampoo and conditioner I have tried. Unlike the duds I mentioned above, these products actually do their job. The shampoo actually lathers (Thank the goddess! A natural shampoo that lathers!) and gets my hair clean (that is the point, ain't it?). Likewise, the conditioner gets the knots out and does a decent job repairing damage. My hair craves a little more moisture than this can give me, but it isn't anything that a weekly deep conditioning hair treatment can't take care of.  I don't feel like my hair is any more voluminous than before I started using these products, so if you are specifically looking for a great volumizing shampoo and conditioner then these probably aren't your best bet. However, I have naturally wavy hair so the fact that these don't add extra volume doesn't bother me; perhaps these volumize better for people with different hair types. I have heard that some people hate the smell of the Yes to Tomatoes line, but I loooove it- it doesn't immediately strike me as tomato-ish, but is simultaneously fruity and earthly like vine tomatoes. For those who try this on a whim and compare this to their non-natural products, this shampoo and conditioner probably won't seem like anything special. But for those who have a rocky history with natural hair care products, these might pleasantly surprise you!

Packaging
Nothing especially negative or positive to report. Just your standard shampoo and conditioner bottles!


Price
I caught these on a sale at my local Walgreens, but the two products retail as a set on the Yes to website for $15.99. They are more expensive than some other drug-store brand hair care lines, but not unreasonably priced for natural products.


Have you tried the Yes to Tomatoes Shampoo & Conditioner? Have you tried natural hair care products? What is your favorite natural shampoo and conditioner?

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Posted in Hair Care , Natural Products , Yes to Tomatoes

Review: Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel

In my recent ABCs tag, I passingly mentioned that the Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel is an essential start to my morning. In short, I love this product! Here is my full review.

This is one of my favorite Yes to products, and it was love at first application. Even my partner likes it! There are few products that I adore enough to have a backup of tucked away in my drawer, but this one of them.

Product:
The Yes to Cucumebers Soothing Eye Gel is just that-- a gel. A pea sized amount is enough for both eyes, and I apply it with my finder tips to my undereye area, lid, and up to my brow bone each morning after I cleanse and tone my face. It has a mild scent that doesn't bother me, and the formula does not irritate my sensitive skin and eyes.The gel absorbs quickly into my skin and does not leave my feeling sticky like some gel based products. The gel is cooling and gently moisturizes and depuffs my sleepy peepers in the AM. Also, it is fortified with cucumbers and is 99% natural, which I love. I opt for something more moisture intense before bed, but I couldn't imagine using a different eye product in the morning.


Packaging:
The plastic packaging doesn't feel cheap, and the pump doesn't make a mess like some do. It is easy to control the amount of product you get out. No complaints on packaging!

Price: 
My first bottle ran me around $14 at Target, but I picked up my backup (pictured above) at Walgreens for half the price.


Check out this and other Yes to products at their website!

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Posted in Natural Products , Skin Care , Yes to Cucumbers

April Birchbox Review

After two weeks, I have fully experimented with my April Birchbox goodies and can provide a collective review. Overall, I thought this set was pretty darn great so I have decided to keep my subscription and see what Birchbox will bring this month. Here is what I think of the products featured in the April Birchbox:

• Zoya Jules-  I have been rockin' this shade as a pedicure all month. I love Zoya- they have a wide color selection, safe formulas, and super long wear. Jules, an awesome metallic golden taupe, is no exception. Swatches on fingernails to come soon!

•  LAVANILA The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender- As my favorite product in the Birchbox, this product was featured in my April Favorites & Flunkies post. I am definitely picking up a full-sized bottle of this when this runs out. The lotion is in a sanitary squeeze bottle, is all natural, soaks into the skin really quickly while still providing ample moisture, and is a relaxing, soft lavender scent. I associate lavender with sleep so I keep this stashed on my nightstand.

•  Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel- This was just ho-hum for me. I exfoliate religiously with scrubbing cleansers, so I didn't notice a huge difference with this. It has a tart, fruit loop smell which is kind of fun, but the product burned my sensitive skin and left it bright red. Not as fun. Check this out only if you prefer non-scrubbing exfoliates and do not have sensitive skin. This also came with a small, single-use packet of their Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer, which I enjoyed more than the peel, but still not enough to purchase.

•  LIV GRN Eau de Parfum in Earth- I love the idea of a natural fragrance and this one has totally blown me away. If it smells like a flower or a fruit, I typically do not want to spray it on me. Instead, I usually opt for woodsy, spicy masculine or unisex scents. The name Earth makes it seems like it would fit the later category, but it is actually quite feminine. Despite the obvious jasmine notes, I really love this- the flowery scent is balanced by a nice sandalwood undertone that I enjoy. Plus, it drives my partner crazy in the best way possible :) This fragrance made me step out of my comfort zone a bit, but I am glad I did. Though is runs for $60 a bottle, I will be investing in a full-size of this. 

Can't wait to see what come in my May Birchbox!

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Posted in Birchbox , Juice Beauty , LAVANILA , LIV GRN , Natural Products , Zoya

Haul: Zoya Nail Polish Earth Day Exchange

In my first Beautiful Brains post, I gave an update on my adventures with Project 10 Pan and mentioned that I found Zoya's Nail Polish Earth Day Exchange too good to resist. The sale only ended yesterday, and I already received my package! I ordered a few days ago, but regardless that is some superior shipping! Thanks Zoya!

My rainbow of treats, From L to R: Faith, Jancyn, Willow, Creamy, Dove, Casey, Marley, Buffy, Gaia

I snagged 9 delicious looking shades, and I am so overwhelmingly excited just looking at them. Which do I try first?!?! I broke out of my comfort zone and picked up a shade or two that I wouldn't typically go for- Marley, Creamy, and Jancyn were too stunning to deny. And has anyone seen Gaia? Sweet goddess, what a gorgeous shade. It is a soft white with golden shimmer that I can't wait to see on the nail.

Did your package arrive yet? What colors did you order?

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Posted in Haul , Natural Products , Zoya

Haul & Review: Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum & Amazonian Clay12 Hour Blush

For Christmas this year my partner bought me the the Glitz & Glam Beauty in a Box set from Sephora (now discontinued), and in it there were three Tarte products. One was a mini cheek stain, which I found ill suited for my oily prone skin because it left my cheeks feeling tacky. Strike one! Another was a Lock & Roll eyeshadow; while the product isn't half bad, I think the packaging is gimmicky and cumbersome. Strike two! Because Tarte's products are formulated without harmful ingredients like parabens, synthetic fragrances, and GMOs, I wanted desperately to fall in love with the brand, but I was beginning to fear that I hated Tarte. Did Tarte end up striking out? Read on!

Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum

The last product in the set was a deluxe sample of the then unreleased Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum. At first, I though this was strike three. To be honest, the product seriously confused me. I did not have the faintest idea how to use it. I tried it as a highligher on my cheekbones, but it didn't pack the shimmery glow I expected. Instead, it blended in to my natural skin tone. After sitting in my makeup drawer for a few weeks, I did a little research on how other people were using the product and discovered that the Illuminating Serum is to be applied all over the face either alone or mixed with a foundation. Oooooh, so that's how you use it!

On its own the Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum, which comes in only one shade, offers little in the way of coverage. I started mixing into my Revlon ColorStay foundation, and sweet goddess this stuff is awesome! Finally, a home run for Tarte! It gives my Revlon ColorStay, which is a full coverage matte foundation, the luminosity that I have never been able to obtain without turning into an oil slick. In fact, when I add the Illuminating Serum to my foundation, I find that its wear is extended and oil is actually better controlled. I had to pick up a full sized bottle of this product!

The magic, according to Tarte, is in the Amazonian Clay, which the brand touts as a miracle ingredient for all skin types. The claim is that Amazonian Clay helps hydrate dry skin and minimize oil for combination and oily skin, thus providing all users with healthy, radiant skin and longer wearing makeup. While I can't speak for those with dry skin, this product works wonders on my combination/oily complexion. Although the price is pretty steep (I picked my full sized 1.7 ounce tube up at Sephora for $32), a little of this product goes a long way and has dramatically improved the performance of my other make up products.

A dab of the Illuminating Serum (on its own, not mixed with foundation).

The Illuminating Serum blended in (on its own, not fixed with foundation).

Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush

Impressed by the Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum, I was eager to try other Tarte products that contain this magical ingredient. After reading rave reviews on the Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush, I caved and shelled out the 25 bucks on one in the shade Tipsy. Tipsy is an awesome matte coral that I think is really in trend for Spring. It is really pigmented and applied smoothly. Most blushes break down and oxidize easily on me, leaving my blush deeper and splotchier as the day progresses. Not cute. However, this looked the same hours later as it did when I first applied it. This is seriously the best blush I have ever used. Although pricey, I honestly feel like this blush is worth every penny. In fact, I plan on skipping the cheap drugstore buys and investing my money in another shade or two of this blush...after I finish Project 10 Pan, of course!

All products featured were purchased with my own money, and I am in no way affiliated with or being compensated by Tarte. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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Posted in Haul , Natural Products , Tarte

April Birchbox

Hooray! I checked my mail this morning only to find that my first Birchbox had arrived! And what a perfect month to join Birchbox- all of the April selections are natural and I am excited to see if any of these make it on to my new roster of natural products. Having just started Project 10 Pan and already feeling the twinge of shopping withdrawal, my new Birchbox goodies are just the thing to curb my cravings.

The packaging is absolutely lovely- it feels very personalized, like someone thoughtfully wrapped a little parcel just for me. Here is what was tucked inside this month's gift:

Zoya Jules, a stellar soft metallic gold. I love Zoya, and this little baby on it's own is worth $4.

Lavanila The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Lavender. This is a deluxe sample?!? At 2.75oz, this puppy is huge!

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel. Juice Beauty also included a sample of their Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer. Can't wait to try these out.

LIV GRN Earth Eau de Parfum. I hadn't thought about seeking out natural fragrances, so this one is really exciting.

Bloomin Seed Paper. A cute extra.

A generous selection for $10. This budget queen is very pleased.

I plan to test these out for a while, and then do a collective review on all of the products included in this month's Birchbox. Keep an eye out!

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Posted in Birchbox , Natural Products , Zoya

EOS Review: Lip Balm Smooth Sphere in Summer Fruit & Shave Cream in Vanilla Bliss

As I mentioned in my recent Yes to Carrots Haul, I have been making a serious effort to replace my skincare and body products with natural and organic alternatives. Project 10 Pan should help me move through my stock of non-natural products so I can make the full transition. Switching to natural products has not been easy for me: trustworthy natural brands are few and far between (some brands market themselves as green, but actually pack their products with parabens, etc), they tend to carry a higher price tag than non-natural and non-organic lines, and in my experience their products can be pretty hit or miss.

Before I embarked upon Project 10 Pan, I picked up two EOS (Evolution of Smooth) products. So far, I am really pleased with them and I am excited to try more from EOS. In stores I have found limited EOS products and scents, while their website lists many more- hopefully more of their products make it to shelves near me eventually. Here is what I have so far:

EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere in Summer Fruit

First of all, can we talk about the packaging of this lip balm? Too flippin' cute. I can't even handle it. All of my stick lip balms are totally jealous...they with they were as rotund as my EOS. Beyond being adorable, the packaging is smart. The little finger indent on the side makes for easy opening, and the domed balm makes application fun and easy, even in the curved inner corners of my lips. The flavor I have is Summer Fruit. I usually steer clear of fruity flavored lip products for fear of the dreaded fake, cough syrupy taste, but this tastes juicy and not overly sweet. And it is USDA certified organic! I am swooning! The only thing that could make this balm better in my book is if it had SPF in it.

EOS Shave Cream in Vanilla Bliss

A few days after I found and fell in love with the balm, I stumbled across the EOS Shave Cream at my local Target. I am not a fan of the gel-to-foam shaving creams, and lathering up body wash does not provide the moisture my sensitive stems and underarms require. I cannot rave enough about this product- the cream is thick, rich, and incredibly nourishing to my skin. Although I do it out of habit, I do not even feel the need to apply lotion after using this product. The razor burn that frequented my underarms is but a thing of the past. Like the balm, the packaging is great- the pump dispenser makes use in the shower hassle-free. Additionally, this stuff smells amazing- the vanilla is warm and not overpoweringly sugary. Although a rich scent, it is also surprisingly clean.

All products featured were purchased with my own money, and I am in no way affiliated with or being compensated by EOS. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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Posted in Bath/Shower , EOS , Lip Balm , Natural Products

Haul: Yes to Carrots (& lots of other veggies)

While hunting for a Revlon Matte Lipstick I have been coveting (in Smoked Peach) , I stumbled across a much more exciting find today at my local Walgreens. Buried in the clearance section was a treasure trove of deeply discounted Yes to Carrots goodies. A month or two ago I picked up the Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel and it was love at first application. I later bought a couple products off of their website, and have yet to be disappointed. The only thing less than amazing about Yes to Carrots products is the slightly steep price tag.  So needless to say, I was thrilled to discover a vast selection of YTC treats marked down 50% or more. I splurged, and brought home a whole farmer's market worth of skin food, including some shampoo, conditioner, and eye cream, some face lotions, a face mask, make-up removing wipes, and more.

In the past few months I have been making an earnest attempt to switch to mostly or all natural, organic skincare and body products. However, in my experience, it is challenging to find affordable natural products that actually perform as well as those packed with parabens, synthetic dyes, and chemicals. For instance, as much as I want Burt's Bees to be amazing, I haven't actually tried many of their products that I would consider repurchasing. I love the fact that with Yes to Carrots, and their other lines Yes to Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Blueberries, my face is drinking in the benefits of a whole bunch of veggies. While I have yet to try any of the products I purchased today, based on what I have seen from YTC so far, I have high hopes and expectations.

Hopefully there is a similar deal going on at your nearby Walgreens. Keep an eye out for individual product reviews on the items featured here in the near future.

All products were purchased with my own money, and I am not being compensated in any way by YTC.

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Posted in Haul , Natural Products , Yes to Carrots , Yes to Cucumbers , Yes to Tomatoes