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Holiskin Holistic Natural Organic Skin Care + giveaway

February 17, 2015 by daydreamingbeauty 21 Comments

*press sample*
I’m going to get all crunchy on you guys for a few. I always love to incorporate natural products into my beauty routine. I was excited when Holiskin contacted me to try a few items recently! Holiskin hand crafts holistic, organic, non synthetic and cruelty free skin care products here in the US.

I chose to test the Citrus Passion Body Oil, Chamomile ACV Toner and Intensive Repair Acne Scar Treatment. The Citrus Passion Body Oil is AH-mazing. Seriously, you have to try this. My dry skin loves it. Apply post bath or shower, when your skin is still damp. It smells like a grown up version of an orange creamsicle. YUM. Oh, it also has good for your skin ingredients like jojoba, grapeseed, apricot kernel and rice bran oils. It’s packed with vitamins and essential fatty acids, and it’s all natural. The oil is $20 for 2oz.

I was excited to try out the Chamomile Apple Cider Vinegar toner spray when I read the description on Holiskin:

Roman chamomile hydrosol is a strong anti-inflammatory. It makes a wonderful toner and is helpful for oily or acne prone skin. It possesses sedative properties. It calm the nerves and is the ideal hydrosol for inclusion in formulations for depression, stress, anxiety and insomnia.

If you haven’t heard about using Apple Cider Vinegar as a facial toner before, then you may be confused right now and have some questions and concerns.

Does it smell like vinegar? Yes a little, but the vinegar smell will disappear after 2-3 minutes and the benefits will stay much much longer.

What are the benefits of organic Apple Cider Vinegar?
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is well known for its vast internal uses, but is also extremely therapeutic when used externally. It helps to maintain healthy skin and hair by restoring a healthy pH level. It soothes sunburn, cleanses and disinfects wounds, helps to heal bruises, helps with itchy scalp, dandruff and soothes aches and pains. It can help soothe itchy, irritated skin and help dissolve excess fatty deposits near the surface of the skin.

It does smell herbal, but not just straight up vinegar, and it does dissipate quickly. I found this to be too drying on my skin in it’s current winter state. I have no doubt I will get along with this in the humid summer months. I think it would be great for reactive oily skin that needs some calming. A 2oz spray bottle is $15.

I also tried the Intensive Repair Acne Scar Treatment, which is unlike any acne treatment I’ve tried to date. Check out the link, to see the full description of how and why it works. I will just tell you that if you have a pimple that is a painful cyst, this will shrink it. I use it at night on anything that’s angry and active, and by morning, the pimple is less of a beast. I haven’t used it long enough to report on the lightening of any scarring. It smells a bit strong at first, very herbal. But it works, so you’ll get used to it! 😉 It’s magic ingredients include: Camelina sativa oil, Tamanu seed oil and a few other things. Do not use this if you have a nut allergy, but Holiskin can make you a custom non nut formula. (Aren’t they awesome?!) The acne serum is $27 for 1/2 oz. You need only the tiniest dab so this will last you for a while. I know you want to try the Acne Scar treatment, so my Holiskin friends are giving one away! Please enter the Rafflecopter below. US only, and I do check the entries. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find Holiskin online: Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

joeScrub natural, vegan coffee scrub

January 15, 2015 by daydreamingbeauty Leave a Comment

*sample provided for honest review*If you’re not a fan of an oily scrub, and like the smell of coffee this may well be a product you’ll love! This handmade vegan scrub has all the benefits of a typical scrub, exfoliation, increasing circulation and moisturizing. joeSCRUB is made with fair trade organic coffee grinds, organic cacao, himalayan pink salt, brown sugar, coconut, grapeseed, almond and jasmine oils. The scrub has a dry texture, yet it left my skin feeling very smooth and moisturized.
joeSCRUB is packaged in a foil pouch, similiar to coffee beans. I thought that was a great packaging idea! A pouch of scrub is $16, and you can get free shipping on joeSCRUB! The coffee scent lingers on your skin after rinsing (which I love!), and layers really well with some of my favorite body butters from The Body Shop. Try Choco-Mania, Coconut, Shea Butter, Almond or Cocoa Butter.

Have you tried a coffee body scrub before? Check out joeSCRUB online: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

InstaNatural – organic, natural skin and hair care

January 5, 2015 by daydreamingbeauty 7 Comments

*products courtesy of BrandBacker and InstaNatural*
I truly believe that you can have a wonderful product, but if you have terrible customer service, your business is not long lived. There’s a reason you are going to see a lot more of InstaNatural in the beauty and skin care blog world. Their natural and organic formulas are top notch, and priced very reasonably. Aside from the great products, InstaNatural’s customer service is just the best in the biz. I couldn’t be more delighted to review several products and share with you!
My first introduction to InstaNatural was their eye serum and gel. This combination has been a welcome addition to my skin care routine. The serum is orange in color and is applied under the gel. The duo packs a range of good for your skin ingredients. It not only moisturizes well, but it tightens my under eye area. I had no irritation or sensitivity issues.
notable ingredients:
+ Vitamin C
+ Plant Stem Cells
+ Astaxanthin
+ Kojic Acid
+ Passionflower
+ Caffeine
+ Hyaluronic Acid
+ Niacinamide
+ Matrixyl 3000
I have only been using InstaNatural’s Retinol Moisturizer and serum for about 2 weeks. I honestly don’t think that’s long enough to comment on the efficacy. What I can tell you is that I love the feel of the serum and moisturizer. They don’t irritate or dry out my skin, so I’m hopeful this will be a good combination! Here’s some info from InstaNatural on the Retinol formula. The Retinol Moisturizer contains a robust formula of handpicked ingredients designed to transform older, damaged skin into a healthier and youthful appearance. Retinol is a powerful antioxidant derived from Vitamin A, one of the strongest and most trusted ingredients for anti-aging skin care. Once absorbed, Retinol is converted into Retinoic Acid, which starts working to help restore skin and diminish the appearance of sun damage and signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, hyperpigmentation, rough texture, and more. Vitamin C – another powerful antioxidant – works synergistically to aid in this process of battling early signs of aging, as well as repairing existing damage to promote healthier skin. This intensive moisturizing cream is the perfect addition to your regimen to restore and renew firmness, elasticity and thickness of the skin for a flawless and radiant complexion.
Key Ingredients:
+ 2.5% Retinol
+ Vitamin C
+ Hyaluronic Acid
+ Jojoba Oil
+ Shea Butter
+ Green Tea
InstaNatural’s Age-Defying Retinol Serum contains a proprietary blend of antioxidants and nutrients that nourishes your skin while helping it to look younger and healthier. The serum contains Retinol (Vitamin A), which is an antioxidant that protects against free-radical damage that causes your skin to look and feel older. It is highly effective in reversing the appearance of sun damage and signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation and rough texture. Vitamin C works synergistically to aid in this process of repairing and restoring damaged skin, while also stimulating new healthy skin to appear. Meanwhile, Hyaluronic Acid traps moisture in the skin to prevent further loss so you can enjoy a younger looking appearance with firmer, plumper skin.
Key Ingredients:
+ 2.5% Retinol
+ 20% Vitamin C
+ 10% Hyaluronic Acid
+ Plant & Fruit Acids
InstaNatural’s Argan Oil Hair Mask is a deep conditioning treatment that I’ve been obsessed with this winter. It smells like a sugary orange creamsicle, and leaves my dry color treated hair soft and without frizz. This intensive blend full of organic ingredients also serves to strengthen hair to defend against heat damage and other external aggressors.
Active Ingredients:
+ Argan Oil
+ Amino Acid Complex
+ Coconut Oil
+ Shea Butter
+ Vitamin B5
InstaNatural’s Vitamin C serum isn’t a run of the mill serum. (I know they are everywhere these days!) Think of this serum as the Rolls Royce of VC serums. Check out the ingredients:
20% Vitamin C
Hyaluronic Acid
Ferulic Acid
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Argan Oil
Rosehip Oil
Plant Stem Cells
Pomegranate

I also have a large bottle of argan oil that I use for just about everything (hair, skin, cuticles…) and I am SO glad someone finally put it in a container with a pump. I’m clumsy, and I have knocked my fair share of slippery beauty products over before!
I can’t speak highly enough of this wonderful brand, as I’m sure you can tell! I am looking forward to trying other products from them!

Find InstaNatural online here and on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Soap and Paper Factory Holiday Gift Ideas

December 10, 2014 by daydreamingbeauty Leave a Comment

*samples for consideration*

If you want a unique handmade natural gift for the beauty lover in your life, look no further than Soap and Paper Factory this holiday! Soap and Paper Factory is a New York based company, creating all natural beautifully scented handmade home and beauty products. Their lovely packaging, from the paper to the glass candle jars are recyclable and meant to be re purposed.

Soap and Paper Factory makes soy candles and other home scenting products, perfume, hand cream, soap, bubble bath and more. The fact that these beautiful gifts are already wrapped and ready for gifting, make them perfect for the holidays! i have a few items from the Holiday Collection that I can’t recommend highly enough. The 1oz shea hand creams are perfect for stocking stuffers, gifts for your children’s teacher, office gift parties etc. At $10 per tube, you are giving a luxurious and pampering unique gift that most anyone will be delighted to receive. I’ve been enjoying the Creamy Peppermint (peppermint, vanilla and bourbon scented) and Winter Vanilla (vanilla, sandalwood and bourbon) scents. The Shea Butter Hand Creams are free of parabens, phthalates, and petroleum, and filled with high quality shea butter.
My Frosted Pine Shea Butter soap is so richly scented that I have it (still wrapped) in my guest bathroom as a decoration. It scents up the whole room with the perfect Christmas scent. The shea butter soaps are 6.75oz for $12. The full line of soaps are hand stirred and made in small batches, packed with moisturizing shea butter.
Have you tried anything from Soap and Paper Factory?

MONAT Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive

November 19, 2014 by daydreamingbeauty Leave a Comment

*sample for review via iFabbo*

MONAT Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive is comprised of the best oils from around the world. Abyssinian oil is the base of this miracle hair and scalp treatment. Here’s some information from the MONAT website, which explains what each oil does and why it’s so beneficial to skin and hair!

Abyssinian: The Key ingredient in Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive. From the crambe abyssinica plant native to central Africa, it’s a rare and unique combination of fatty acids prized for their ability to do everything from mimic the effects of silicon for unbeatable shine; lubricate the hair deep into the follicle; and protect and coat each strand.

Baobab: The renowned baobab trees have grown for centuries in the arid climates of India and Africa, and its exotic oil from the tree’s seeds are rich in antioxidant-rich palmitic acid and Vitamin F.

Buriti: The fruit of Africa’s Moriche palm – known as the Tree of Life – is one of the world’s richest sources of beta-carotene, which moisturizes and nourishes.

Camelia: Also known as tea-seed oil, it’s ultra-hydrating oil responsibly harvested from China that cleans the scalp and pampered dry stands thanks to its abundance of Vitamin E and polyphenols.

Carrot Seed: Specially sourced from the mountains of Switzerland, it’s rich in Vitamin A to condition the scalp, plus Alpha Linolenic Acid for anti-inflammatory protection.

Monoi: Selectively sourced from the warm tropics of Tahiti, it’s a restorative oil rich in Omega 3 and fatty acids to heal damage and promote growth from the root.

Meadowfoam: This oil is sourced right from the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Named for its flowers’ resemblance to white foam on the ocean, meadowfoam oil is another outstanding source of Omega 9 fatty acids for shine and sheen.

Moringa: Ancient Egyptians prized Moringa Oil for its nourishing properties, thanks to antioxidants and Vitamin E, which help combat skin fatigue, plus clean and purify the scalp.

The use of natural botanical ingredients is becoming more and more popular. MONAT stands out from the crowd by including 11 of the most beneficial natural ingredients, that behave like your body’s natural oils. Included in this blend are vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, beta-carotene, omega-6 fatty acids, nutrients and amino acids, which are beneficial for all skin and hair types. The proprietary blend of oils will help reduce oxidative stress and hair thinning. Your scalp will be reenergized and reduce any inflammation you may have. I definitely noticed how smooth and voluminous MONAT Rejuveniqe leaves my stressed hair! I’ve been using this as a pre wash treatment, post wash hair protectant/smoother, and since you can also use this oil on your skin, I’ve been using it on my cuticles faithfully every night for a month!

It’s a very nourishing oil for skin, and my formerly dry cuticles are looking much healthier. I find I need less of this oil that some other thinner hair/skin oils. Rejuveniqe is quite concentrated. It has a refreshing citrus scent that I love. The packaging deserves merit as well, with it’s dropper and tight seal. I always appreciate well thought out packaging that doesn’t let light or air in to disrupt the natural balance of the ingredients.

MONAT Rejuveniqe does not contain any parabens, DEA/MEA, salt, sulfates, artificial colors, PEG or chemical fragrance. It’s also cruelty free. It’s a splurge at $99, but this bottle will most likely last you for quite a while. Is Rejuveniqe a beauty oil that you’d try?

Teadora Nourishing Lip Butter leaves your lips looking good, and your heart feeling good!

November 1, 2014 by daydreamingbeauty 15 Comments

*sample provided for honest review*

Oh, Teadora, how many ways do I love you….good for my skin natural ingredients, delicious scents and textures, your philanthropic philosophies, what’s not to LOVE?!

Teadora believes in sustainable agriculture, and is committed to rainforest conservation. Their Good For You, Good For Earth movement supports efforts to stop rainforest deforestation in Brazil. Teadora uses only raw, organic ingredients from the Amazon which are sustainably harvested.
I have been using Teadora Rainforest at Dusk lip butter for a couple of weeks. This Rainforest Restoration Elixir contains buriti, brazil nut, andoriba, maracujá (Passion Fruit), açaí oils, cupuaçu, murumuru, mango butters plus carnaúba Wax. It has a delectable berry chocolate flavor they call Açaí-Açu. The lip butter is $15 for a .5oz jar, which will seemingly last for ages, even for this obsessive lip butter-aholic!

The Rainforest at Dusk Lip Butter has a lightweight, non sticky texture that lasts on my perpetually dry lips. I’ve been using it throughout the day, but most importantly at night. I always make sure it’s the last thing I put on my lips before I go to bed.
Teadora also offers Bath & Body Oils, Shampoo and Conditioner, Body Polish, Body Butter and Cream, Body Cleanser, Beauty Bars and Exfoliating Bars. All items come in the Dusk scent that I’ve tried, and also the Rainforest at Dawn scent which smells of exotic flowers and juicy black currants. I am definitely planning on trying some other products from Teadora, and I can’t wait to sniff the Rainforest at Dawn scent!
Have you tried anything from Teadora yet? They offer free shipping on all orders over $50, and even have travel sizes to test out.
Find Teadora online: Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Teadora Loves Animals! Katniss found a “toy” for her!

Darshana Natural Hair Oil

October 25, 2014 by daydreamingbeauty 3 Comments

*sample for review*

Darshana is a natural Indian hair oil, the creation of a husband and wife team who were inspired to create this restoring treatment after their travels to India. Darshana boasts Ayurvedic ingredients, rich with anti oxidants, vitamins, and omega oils to moisturize and smooth your locks. This oil is ideal for all hair types, and can be used as a pre wash treatment, post wash smoothing oil and heat protectant, and to tame any flyaways. This oil has become important in my hair care routine, to combat dryness and frizziness. I’ve also been using my Darshana as a cuticle oil. I love that it’s a multi purpose oil, for use on hair or skin. It’s not a greasy, or heavy oil, and it sinks in quickly. It also has an amazing scent, like freshly squeezed oranges!

Here’s the ingredients in Darshana:

organic sunflower seed oil – rich in omega 6&9, moisturizes and conditions hair
coconut oil – contains vitamin E & omegas for soft healthy hair
olive oil – rich in omega 3 for smooth, frizz free hair
apricot kernel oil – vitamins A, B & E and omega 6&9 to nourish and moisturize
vitamin E – antioxidant to repair dry, damaged hair
Indian gooseberry – vitamin C to promote hair health
Fenugreek Seed – conditions hair
castor oil – locks in moisture and adds softness and shine
acacia extract – detangles, strengthens and conditions
henna extract – protects hair color
linseed extract – soothes, moisturizes, adds radiance to hair and skin
Chinese hibiscus extract – antioxidant, softens and promotes thicker hair
water hyssop extract – provides nourishment and vitality
Indian pennywort extract – rich in vitamin C and stimulates hair follicles
saw palmetto extract – gives the appearance of thicker hair
red clover extract – improves strength of hair
orange and grapefruit peel oil – aromatic essential oils for fragrance
Does NOT contain: mineral oil, parabens, silicones, sulfates, artificial fragrance, petroleum, artificial color and not tested on animals!
Darshana is available in a 6oz bottle for $38 or 2oz for $18. There is currently a BOGO sale on the 2oz bottle.
Find Darshana on Facebook and Instagram.

DIY Beauty – Coffee Coconut Scrub

September 29, 2014 by daydreamingbeauty 11 Comments

Did you know that today is National Coffee Day? I thought we could celebrate by drinking copious amounts of coffee, and doing some DIY Beauty! I love diy body scrubs, for so many reasons! They are so easy to make, and customize for your skin concerns. I made this coffee coconut scrub for a pre manicure hand and nail scrub, but coffee scrubs are supposed to be great for circulation, cellulite and varicose veins. This is a very messy scrub, but it will leave your hands super soft and moisturized!

For my Coffee Coconut Scrub, I used the following:
1 tsp Tate & Lyle organic raw turbinado sugar
1 tsp Trader Joe’s organic virgin coconut oil (softened)
1 Tbsp Starbucks espresso grounds

The beauty of this recipe is that you don’t need to follow these directions exactly! Like a scrubbier texture? Use more sugar, or more coffee grounds! You can use any kind of coffee, I just used a fine ground espresso for this. I love coconut oil, but you can use any kind of oil that you like. You could also add salt instead of sugar if you prefer, or maybe a dash of pure vanilla extract. It looks hideous, but I promise it smells awesome!

This is enough to do a pre mani/pedi scrub. I prefer to make my scrub fresh each time, so that I can change up the recipe! Do you have any favorite DIY beauty recipes? How will you be celebrating National Coffee Day? Be sure to head over to Laura’s blog HERE for some fun Coffee Posts throughout the day!

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