Organic Archives - daydreaming beauty

Farmhouse Fresh Organics Collection

April 26, 2017 by daydreamingbeauty 6 Comments

You heard right! Farmhouse Fresh has released an organics collection! There are currently 8 skin care products available, with more coming. I’ve been a long time lover of Farmhouse Fresh, and I’m thrilled to be testing some of the new organic products. I love that they are free from GMOs, synthetic herbicides, and pesticides. They are gentle on skin, yet maintain the luscious scents we know and love FHF for. I’ve been using three products from the new collection.

Big Bare Whipped Shea Butter Polish

uses organic sugar crystals to gently exfoliate leaving skin soft and supple, scented with lemon, bergamot, and licorice.

Sweet Milk Body Lotion

is a lightweight moisturizer with organic shea butter, aloe vera, and sweet almond oil. This lotion has been in constant rotation since trying it. I love the softly sweet gourmand scent of sandalwood and tonka beans.

Island Elixir Hand Cream

is a tropical treat for my dry hands and cuticles, scented with pineapple and coconut. The luxe cream has a soothing blend of organic coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, sweet almond oil, honeysuckle and cocoa butter.

I’ve been particularly sensitive to fragrance lately, which is a total bummer. I haven’t had any headaches or reactions with the new Farmhouse Fresh Organics line, so I’m pleased! I love this brand, and am looking forward to trying some of the other organic range, like the Blushing Agave Body Oil (FHF body oils are the BEST!) and the Sunflower Honey-Butter.
The new organic line is not only GMO and pesticide free, but also does not contain parabens or sulfates. The Organics range is also vegan, with the exception of the Honey-Butter.

You can find Farmhouse Fresh Organics online, on Instagram and Twitter.

Aixallia Organic French Luxury Skin Care

June 20, 2016 by daydreamingbeauty 11 Comments

This post was sponsored by Aixallia as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my honest review.
I’m always interested in trying out skin care products that are natural, organic, and healthier for my body. I feel like it’s harder to create a stand out product that checks all my boxes when it comes to natural skin care. Aixallia is a French organic skin care brand that has recently been brought to my attention. Aixallia products are created with locally harvested organic French Mediterranean botanicals and organic essential oils. Something unique to the brand is they use a proprietary ultra pure water blend to eliminate impurities within the natural product formulas.

Each product contains a blend of gentle, natural botanicals with good for your skin ingredients. I love that Aixallia supports charitywater.org, a non profit organization that brings clean and safe drinking water to developing nations by donating 1% of net profit sales revenue. It’s a win-win! You get clean and effective skin care formulas that are healthy for your skin, and you can feel good about supporting a business that gives back.

I tested out 7 products, and have some favorites to share with you!

The body care products I’ve been using are the Coconut and Calendula Exfoliating Shower Gel, Rose and Almond Hydrating Body Lotion, and Olive and Rose Hydrating Hand Cream. The shower gel has a subtle sweet scent, and lovely texture. It’s extremely gentle on my dry skin, and the coconut powder gives a very gentle exfoliation. It’s not often that my skin feels moisturized after I’ve cleansed, but this Coconut and Calendula formula somehow manages to!

The Rose and Almond lotion is a lightweight and delicately scented lotion that is perfect for Summer. It dries quickly, and leaves my skin soft and lightly scented, without any stickiness. The Olive and Rose Hand Cream is a heavier moisturizer that I prefer to use before bed. My hands and cuticles are constantly dry, but using the smallest dab of this cream is making them softer. Both lotions have a soft botanical scent, and I wouldn’t shy away from them if you aren’t a rose lover. They don’t actually have a typical rose scent.

I’ve been using the Five Plants Emulsifying Makeup Remover to remove my eye makeup. I’m a complete convert to Micellar water. It is hands down the most gentle cleanser I’ve found to remove my eye makeup. It doesn’t sting, and it’s so effective there’s no tugging or harsh wiping at my eyes. It leaves a nice clean feel, without greasiness. The makeup remover has a very soft scent, again botanical based.

Both the Green Tea Protective Day Cream and Lavender Soothing Night Cream were a bit too heavy on my oily skin at the moment. I may be able to use them when the weather isn’t quite so hot. I have been using and enjoying the rich, but extremely gentle formula of the Rose and Argan Revitalizing Eye Cream. It’s super moisturizing, but sinks in quickly leaving a beautiful canvas for applying eye makeup.

My favorites from the Aixallia line are the Coconut and Calendula Exfoliating Shower Gel, Rose and Almond Body Lotion, Olive and Rose Hand Cream, and Makeup Remover.

All Aixallia products are certified ECOCERT.

Natural and organic Aixallia products have been certified by Group Ecocert*, the very first certification body to develop standards for natural and organic cosmetics. Introduced in France in 2003, Ecocert’s cosmetic specifications support the basic principles of environmentally friendly and sustainable resources and manufacturing processes: the absence of GMO, parabens, phenoxyethanol, nanoparticles, silicon, PEG, synthetic perfumes and dyes, animal-derived ingredients (unless naturally produced by them such as honey) and biodegradable or recyclable packaging. Additionally, a minimum of 95% of all plant-based ingredients in the formula must come from organic farming.

If you’d like to try out Aixallia for yourself, use the code Blog20 for 20% off. I’d love to hear what you think of this new brand!

Find Aixallia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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

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+.

Skin Care Sunday – Just Natural hair and skin care favorites

September 28, 2014 by daydreamingbeauty 3 Comments

*sample for review*

Just Natural operates on the belief that nature provides all the ingredients you need to keep your hair and skin beautiful. Each product is made with love using natural, organic and GMO free ingredients. Just Natural products are always cruelty free, do not contain sulfates, alcohol, parabens, gluten, or chemicals. They are also vegan.

Today I am sharing with you my favorites from Just Natural! If you could only pick up one item from them, I’d have to say try the Body Nutritive Serum. I am obsessed with this serum-oil and it’s rose geranium scent. Packed with moisture power houses, like Avocado, Kukui Nut, and Peach Kernel oils, this serum is gentle and soothing for the driest of skins. It comes in an 8oz spray bottle, which you will find is ample for using it freely. My little tip, you can also use this for a bath oil and to smooth the ends of your hair!
The Cuticle and Nail serum is a heavy duty nail oil that will whip problem cuticles into shape. The ingredients in the cuticle oil are: Sea Buckthorn Oil, Jojoba Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Chamomile Essential Oil, Manuka Essential Oil, Carrot Seed Essential Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Natural Vitamin E. This is a heavy oil, so I reserve it for overnight treatment. It also has a fairly pungent herbal aroma, but it’s so luscious that I can deal with that!

I’m also fond of the generously sized tub of Cleansing Conditioner, and the Daily Moisturizing Body Wash. The body wash has skin nurturing oils and orange blossom essential oil, which smells AH-mazing! If you have dry or sensitive skin, this is a must have product! Just Natural has a huge product list, something for everyone! Have you tried anything from Just Natural?

Pure Natural Diva Botanicals Whisper Body Spray

September 25, 2014 by daydreamingbeauty 3 Comments

*sample for honest review*

I’ve raved about Pure Natural Diva Botanicals before. I love their products and philosophy! I recently have been using two organic Pure Natural Diva Whisper body sprays. My sleep scent is Natural, with notes of clary sage, pink grapefruit, Moroccan rose, and soothing ylang ylang. It’s such a soothing and grounding scent. I also love layering Diva Whisper body spray with my Whipped Body butter in the same scent. That’s my go to combo when I want to feel sexy and confident! The notes in Diva are natural musk derived from ambrette, smooth new Caledonian sandalwood, blended together in a luscious vanilla.
Whisper is –

Completely FREE of synthetic scent chemicals – scented exclusively with botanical ingredients.
Free of Hormone altering Phthalates found in conventional scents & body sprays.
Aloe – contains over 75 different nutrients and naturally attracts moisture to the skin
Vegan & Cruelty Free.

ingredients – Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel), Phenoxyethanol, Salix alba (Willow Bark) Extract, Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Essential Oil, Polysorbate 20, EDTA, (May contain sodium bicarbonate and/or citric acid as pH adjusters), blended with your favorite Pure Natural Diva Botanical Fragrance.

Even if you are sensitive to fragrance, I’d recommend you give Pure Natural Diva a try. These natural, organic products are just lovely!

youthH2O Twitter party and giveaway 5/6 1p est

May 6, 2014 by daydreamingbeauty 1 Comment

My youthH2O giveaway ends later today, so if you haven’t entered yet, GO! I’d love to invite you to join myself and some fabulous other bloggers in a youthH2O Twitter party today, Tuesday 5/6 at 1pm est (10am pst). We’ll be talking about all things beauty, wellness, and youthH2O of course! You can find us with the hashtag, youthH2O! Join us for fun and fabulous prizes! See you then! xo Amber

Pure Natural Diva, Elegant Organic and Botanical Perfumes

April 21, 2014 by daydreamingbeauty 40 Comments

Founder of Pure Natural Diva, Tania Ruben has made it her mission to craft a luxurious alternative to chemical fragrances. She offers an elegant organic perfume alternative to lab created fragrances, using only botanical ingredients. PND botanical perfumes are hand crafted in micro batches. Tania relies only on naturally sourced ingredients such as essential oils, absolutes, tinctures and minerals. PND products are perfect for the 30-40% of Americans that are allergic to mainstream scents. The majority are able to enjoy Tania’s perfumes without any adverse reactions.

The Pure Natural Diva Scents

The Pure Natural Diva line of organic perfumes consists of 4 scents, Pure, Natural, Diva, and Elixir.

Pure is sensually uplifting, like sunny day in a mixed field of lemongrass and Lavender. Notes include uplifting cassie, soothing chamomile, lemon, lime and an Egyptian neroli.
Natural is fresh and inviting: Imagine a picnic in a rose-bordered citrus grove. Notes include a hint of clary sage, exalting pink grapefruit, Moroccan rose, and soothing ylang ylang.
Diva is full of soul—sultry and mysterious. Notes include natural musk derived from Ambrette, sinfully smooth New Caledonian Sandalwood, blended together in a lusciously robust Vanilla.
Elixir wakens the senses, like a lingering morning with an ocean view. Notes include aphrodisiacal vanilla, a hint of oakmoss, exquisite osmanthus, married with rejuvenating pink grapefruit and red mandarin.

I love each scent, and think Pure Natural Diva offers a scent for every occasion. My favorites, are Diva which smells deliciously divine, a spicy and rich vanilla scent that feels slightly gourmand. Elixir is somehow soothing and enlightening at the same time. It’s scent is zesty and fresh, juicy and bright. A perfect scent for spring!!

As far as wear time, Diva lasts the longest on my skin, as I am able to smell it all day without a retouch. Elixir and Natural follow, lasting a solid 6 hours. Pure starts out robust, but settles into a soft and barely there calming scent.

Pure, Natural and Diva are available in a 5ml to go spray for $40 or $100 for a 50ml signature bottle. Elixir is $45 for 5ml and $150 for the 50ml bottle. Alternatively, you can purchase sample vials of the four scents for $16.

Pure Natural Diva also offers soap, body and room spray, organic hand and body wash, organic lotion, Whipped organic body butter, bath soak and Polished organic sugar scrub. I have been using the Whipped Body Butter, scented with Diva. I can’t even possibly begin to relate how amazing this coconut oil and shea butter cream is through words. I wish you could smell it! If you love a rich body butter, but don’t like the heaviness, you will LOVE this! It’s lightweight and fast absorbing but it’s a super nourishing cream!

The Whipped Body Butters are available in all four PND scents, and are vegan and cruelty free. A four oz glass jar is $30, with the exception of Elixir being $35. I can’t recommend Pure Natural Diva enough, whether you are looking for a less chemical/toxic scent or if you just love to try fragrances of all kinds. If you are looking for a unique and super special pampering Mother’s Day gift, consider a few goodies from Pure Natural Diva!

You can find Pure Natural Diva online here: PND website
I’d love to hear which scents and products you are most looking forward to trying!
xo Amber

Big Bare Whipped Shea Butter Polish

Sweet Milk Body Lotion

Island Elixir Hand Cream

You can find Farmhouse Fresh Organics online, on Instagram and Twitter.

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My favorites from the Aixallia line are the Coconut and Calendula Exfoliating Shower Gel, Rose and Almond Body Lotion, Olive and Rose Hand Cream, and Makeup Remover.

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