review // 100% Pure Cosmetics - Part 2

This week has been kind to me.  With so many days off, I have finally been able to catch up on the laundry, cleaning and organizing that got away from me during the rush before Christmas.  I have also had time to finish the second installment of my 100% Pure review...if you missed it, you can read read Part 1 here. 

 

Part 2 and 3 of the review will cover the second bunch of products I purchased from them...a month or so after the first order..making it a couple of months ago.  Actually, the reason that I ordered was due to the fact that they were having a customer appreciation special.  If I remember correctly, when you spent $35 or more, you would receive a free gift...which was actually more like 7 free gifts.  Win.

After perusing the website a bit (honestly it was probably more like an hour), I decided I really wanted to try their Hydrating Body Wash and the Softest Hands Kit... which happened to total just over $35.  :)

I chose the PINK GRAPEFRUIT HYDRATING BODY WASH since it sounded bright and invigorating... perfect for a morning shower.  Again, just as with the other 100% Pure products I have tried, the body wash is also all natural.  There are no harsh detergents, synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances or any other toxins that can strip, irritate or dehydrate skin.  Since it doesn't contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (inexpensive foaming agents created through chemical processes) or any other forms of the two, keep in mind that it won't suds up like a regular body wash.  These chemicals are known irritants to people with skin sensitivities... i.e. me, so I try and avoid them whenever possible, along with these other chemicals.  

Anyhow, back to the review.  It comes out as a foam, which makes it very light on the skin. I dispense 8-10 pumps on a damp loofah poof and work it in.  Usually, this is enough to cover my whole body, as long as I keep it out of the shower stream.  It seems like a lot of product to use, but I've been using it regularly for about two months and I am only 1/4 through it.  It smells fantastic, just like cutting open a ripe grapefruit.  I feel clean afterward, but not squeaky, just refreshed.  Since I have pretty dry skin, it's not really moisturizing enough, so I do have to put lotion on after my showers, but it definitely doesn't dry out my skin any further.  It sort of neutralizes it.  At $15, it is a bit pricier than other body washes, but for me it is worth it for something all natural.  I think next time I may try the Eucalyptus or Meyer Lemon.

The SOFTEST HANDS KIT is a great way to try out several scents from their body care line.  The kit comes with 2 oz versions of the following hand creams:

• Virgin Coconut • French Lavender • Honey Almond • Vanilla Bean •

By far, the Coconut is my FAVORITE. It smells like a tropical paradise. I like to keep this one in my purse when I need some extra moisture on the go.  My second favorite is the French Lavender, which really smells like fields of the stuff.  I like to apply this one before bed, it's very soothing and helps relax me off to sleep.  I'll be honest I'm not too crazy about the Vanilla Bean...it smells more like vanilla cupcake than true vanilla.  It's a little too sweet smelling for my liking, but I use it one my legs after I shower sometimes.  That way I get the benefits, but can't really smell it.  And finally, the Honey Almond... well, I have only used it once and can tell you that was one time too many.  It smells exactly like Amaretto, of which I have never been a fan. But if you like this flavoring, you will most likely enjoy this hand cream as well.  As for me, I'll be giving it away.  

Overall, the handcreams have a rich and creamy consistency and they soak into the skin pretty well.  There is a slight hint left on your hands after application but it finishes soaking in after a few minutes. I feel like they really do help heal and restore the health of my skin, especially when I apply before sleeping, and the fragrances lasts for several hours (I wonder if the body creams would last longer?).  Since this was a kit, each 2 oz tube was about $5.50. Apparently these are the only hand creams they offer, so next time I think I will go with the 8 oz Body Creams in Coconut or the Cocoa Kona Coffee.  These are $15 each.. but at least I would use the whole thing.. unfortunately, not quite so with the Softest Hands Kit.

 If you've enjoyed the first two reviews, here is the third and final (and most awesome b/c it was all free!) part to my 100% Pure Reviews.

Thanks for reading and if you've tried any of these products yourself, please feel free to let us know what your experience was!

 

I was not, in any way, paid for this review, by 100% Pure or any other affiliate. 

I purchased every product myself and decided to share to help others find a bit of direction in their own natural beauty journey.

HOLIDAY JOY & almond joy chocolate bark

Merry Christmas!!

from here

After a nice dinner and making one more batch of Almond Joy Chocolate Bark for tomorrow, Brian and I, and the pups, are about to settle on the sofa to watch yet another Christmas-y movie tonight (Last night...Elf!).  Obviously, I will have my cup of green tea and Brian will inevitably steal several bits of the bark... this is our contentment. 

Tomorrow morning we will pack up the pups and the presents and head over to my parents' house, to eat a traditional breakfast spread that includes biscuits and eggs, and exchange gifts. Then we all will head up to my Aunt and Uncle's for an Italian Christmas dinner with my dad's extended family... Although it used to be at my grandparent's, the get-together is a more than 27 year tradition.  I ♥ it.  :)

Wishing you abounding holiday joy and good times with the ones you love!

modern gift ideas...

During my weekly website browse (I like to e-visit my favorite stores to check out new items or their clearance section..for any items I just had to have last time, but didn't because it was too much and I didn't really NEED it), I came across the cutest grouping of gift ideas from West Elm.  

Now, it's probably too late to get any of these as gifts for Christmas, unless you have one close (as I, unfortunately, do not), but I thought I'd share anyway because these would still make an excellent birthday or New Year's party hostess gift.  Or a "your name here, you've been an awesome person, so you deserve something nice," gift to yourself.  I mean, who doesn't like those??

There are waaaaay more here, but I chose a few of my favorites to highlight below. 

Happy browsing!

Champagne Bucket

Baggu Bag Collection

Agate Coasters

Olive Wood Paddle Board

Favorite Throw

Cast Metal Jewelry Tree

Glass Knot Paperweight

Tala Storage Canister Set

Charity Mugs  

This is one gift that keep giving... 

West elm donates 50% of the purchase price from the sale 

of each mug to the organization represented

review // 100% Pure Cosmetics - Part 1

Since I have already shared my current natural skincare regimen with you, I figured I should start sharing the natural makeup products that I have tried and am still using today.  

I don't know about you, but for me, trying new products is scary.  I can't tell you how many rashes and breakout I've had resulting from the use of a new cosmetic.  Honestly, my skin is so sensitive that I sometimes have not-so-great reactions to some natural products too.  Although, it's usually from ones with tons and tons of botanicals or heavy oils.

There are A LOT of products, that I've already tried, that I want to share with you.  And I definitely will over the next few months.  But today I'm going to start with a company that I have fallen in LOVE with. In fact, most of my makeup routine is filled with their products.  

That company is 100% Pure. This Cali-based company claims to be "the most healthy, the most pure line of skin & body products in the world." Their makeup is colored from the antioxidant rich pigments of fruits & vegetables, which is like health food for skin. Their products (skincare and makeup) contain absolutely no synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, chemical preservatives or any other toxins.  

Sounds totally made up, right?!  Well, luckily it's not.  

With one look at any of their product's ingredient lists, you'll see that they really are made of 100% natural ingredients, some are even organic.

 At first, I was still pretty skeptical since I couldn't sample or try out any of the line (they do not have any local stores and only limited skincare products at Ulta).  I mean, it's great that they only use natural ingredients, but do the products really work and look as good as mainstream makeup??  

Well, since they had such great reviews and an easy return policy, I decided to throw caution to the wind and find out.  

I started by purchasing a few things from their website during their Labor Day special.  Their LUMINOUS FACE PRIMER was 50% off, so I bought that, and if I spent $50, I could get free shipping... so I bought their FRUIT PIGMENTED TINTED MOISTURIZER, FRUIT PIGMENTED MASCARA, and ORGANIC COFFEE BEAN CAFFEINE EYE CREAM, as well.  These were all things I was interested in anyway, so score for me!  :)

Let's start with the ORGANIC COFFEE BEAN CAFFEINE EYE CREAM.

 It. Smells. Like. Coffee.  No joke.  Just like a Cup O' Joe.  

I guess that's because it has coffee in the ingredients.  Not only that, but this little booger actually works!  It includes potent anti-aging vitamins, antioxidants, and nourishing rose-hip oil to make the eye area look more awake and more youthful.  Because I have such thin, dry, sensitive eye area skin, I have teeny crows feet beginning to appear (hello late twenties!) on the lower corners of my eyes.  Since using this (Sept 2012), I have noticed a clear diminishing of the lines and my eye ares is generally more moisturized... my concealer used to flake off halfway through the day, but no more with this.  This eye cream has a nice creamy texture as well, but when applied soaks right in, leaving no weird residue or film.  Perfect for under makeup.  I use about this much at night, all over my eye area, after cleansing and moisturizer, and a bit less in the morning after moisturizing, just under my eye.

   

 On to the LUMINOUS FACE PRIMER.  

 

This silky primer has a nice consistency, not too think.  It has light reflective pigments in it, like mica, that help diffuse the look of lines and wrinkles and make skin brighter, healthier and glowing. It is also "infused with red wine resveratrol, vitamins and antioxidants to shield from free radical damage."

Just keep in mind that it is silicone free, so it won't fill in pores like other primers with silicone do.  I don't mind that so much, since I have started trying other methods to nix large-looking pores (that's another post!).  I apply a little less primer than the above photo all over my face, after the eye cream has soaked in, and let it soak in for a few more minutes.  I find that my natural makeup lasts much longer when I have this underneath.  I also think it makes the makeup look better on my skin, since it nourishes my skin and creates a smooth and ready base.  Sometimes, I only apply the primer on my "good skin days" and I'm good to go.

Next, is the FRUIT PIGMENTED TINTED MOISTURIZER

Partially Rubbed in / Rubbed in

This tinted moisturizer (TM) is a bit thicker than any other I've used.  It's sort of between foundation and moisturizer, in consistency.  Even though it's thicker, it still blends and soaks into my skin quite nicely.  After I let it sit on my skin for a minute or two, to adjust, it looks like second skin...notice the picture above.  I have quite a bit of freckles on my face, and since I also have them on my body, I don't like makeup that covers them up.  I don't want to cover everything, just enhance what I like (my freckles) and subtly conceal what I don't (my ruddiness).  I'm Irish...so apparently with my peaches and cream complexion...peaches can become strawberries pretty easily.  I actually use a green tinted correcting mineral powder over this TM to help (another post, for another day), but this TM seems to help even it out as well.  

Remember, it has a translucent finish, so don't expect it to act like a foundation.  It will not cover everything.  100% Pure actually has a line of foundations for that.  I use the color White Peach, which is a nice light to medium shade and has slight warm undertones. Overall, this is one of the best tinted moisturizers I have used, in terms of coverage, color and lasting power (a good 12 hours), plus it's all natural!  I apply the amount above after the Luminous Primer, and let it soak in for a few minutes before adding anything else.  UPDATE: The only negative I have found is that I cannot see how much product is left in the dispenser...when will I know to buy more??
UPDATE JAN 2014: It now comes in a clear dispenser so I can see when I'm getting low, yay!

And finally, the FRUIT PIGMENTED MASCARA.

 

I actually wanted the Black Tea color, but it was out-of-stock, so I ended up picking the Blackberry color, a shimmery black plum shade.  I'm glad I did, because it not only adds a bit of subtle color (can't really see in pictures), but it smells awesome!  Seriously, when I first got it, I couldn't stop smelling it... and I made everyone else around me smell it too!  What can I say, I like to share.  :)  

 Anyhow, all of the mascaras have conditioning ProVitamin B5, Vitamin E, Oat and Wheat protein to condition lashes and make then healthier. This is a nice lengthening mascara, but it's not big on making voluminous lashes. It doesn't handle many coats very well.  I don't mind this, since I use it as an everyday mascara and when I want big bold lashes I use my Maybelline Great Lash (I know, it's not natural).  But since that is an infrequent look for me, I tell myself it's okay to use it sporadically.  ;)  

The Fruit Pigmented Mascara stays on all day, but I did start to notice after a few weeks that it flaked a little right after application. No biggie, I just added a few drops of jojoba oil in the tube and PRESTO, no more flakes.  I really liked this mascara overall, and I think I'll try the Dark Chocolate next time!

I hope you've enjoyed this review and learned a little something new.  Check out Part 2, where I cover some of their body care.  And look out for Part 3, coming soon, on eye shadows, blushes and lip gloss!

I was not, in any way, paid for this review, by 100% Pure or any other affiliate. 

I purchased every product myself and decided to share to help others find a bit of direction in their own natural beauty journey.

current obsession // Home Office & Craft Rooms

from here

from here

  

from here

from here

   

from here



from here



Lately, I've really been daydreaming of a wonderful work space. 

A place where my creative juices can freely flow. 

Fortunately, our current apartment came already equipped with a dedicated work space.  UNfortunately, it's a formica built-in desk in a hallway nook only about 5 ft wide with a door to each side, where there is no natural lighting, and no storage. 

Ready to get creative??  I didn't think so.

It's still functional, just lacking appeal. Since we've been here I've added a desk lamp, cork wall squares, desk accessories and a shelf with artwork and nick-nacks, but I think it's always good to continually seek new inspiration and change things up.  I just may steal a few ideas from above...

These spaces are just lovely.  What makes them wonderful to me is the bright natural lighting from windows with outdoor views, ample workspace (sans the closet office, which still looks mighty functional!), designed organization, beautiful colors and personal bits of inspiration.  I think I could get some work done in any one of them.

If you're looking for a bit of privacy as well, check out this outdoor shed turned office!  So cute, right!?

from here

 Someday, when I get a house, I'll have a workspace like one of these...*SIGH*. Until then you can check out my growing Home Office LOVE board on pinterest for more great spaces.  Thanks for indulging with me!

tidings & tags...

 It's official.

I am done with all of my Christmas shopping and crafting... and I've got to be honest, it feels pretty GOOD.   Since I had to work today, and also Monday through Saturday this week, I was kind of nervous that I wouldn't get it all done.  I set out yesterday morning at 8:30am with only five more people to get gifts for.  Granted, I pretty much already knew what I was getting them, but I finished 10 minutes to 1 o'clock.  A miracle, I know.  Behold the powers of my organizing and list making (thank you mom).

Anyhow, I just have to finish a bit more wrapping, but that's it.

Speaking of, I really wanted to do some created wrapping this year... like burlap and ribbon or craft paper and handmade bows, BUUUT I'm just a bit too busy for that.  Maybe next year.  

I did, however, use some super cute printable tags from Domestifluff, (pictured below) on all of my gifts.  The best part...they are free!  They look especially cute on my crafted gifts -- that I'll be sharing in a post after Christmas.  

Even though I choose these, I found so many other great ones...check them out!!

Like these, from Lovely Design.  I really like how she shows how to use them.  

(There's my craft paper and bows!)

 

And take a look at these cuties from Cake. and The Tomkat Studio.  For the love of polkadots!

I think I might save these from Jones Design Company for next year... they have this classy black, white and green set, and a pretty red and icy blue one.

And last but, definitely, not least, these adorable and fun mustache gift tags from Delightful Design Ideas.  I know some ladies that would LOVE these on their gifts this year!

Happy tagging!