Dr Hauschka Makeup Palette in Cool Breeze

Posted by:  Jordan

I recently had a much-needed massage at Area Yoga and Spa on Smith Street in Brooklyn, and as I was paying for the treatment, I noticed a 50% off table.  To my delight this beautiful makeup palette from Dr. Hauschka was among the sale goodies!  It retails for $50 but I got it for just $25!! (If you live in Brooklyn, you might call the store to see if they still have them on sale…this was about 3 weeks ago that I bought it.)  Isn’t it fun for Spring?  It also comes in Warm Breeze (more warm-toned colors) but I thought the turquoise just added a punch of color that would look nice in small doses.  I love using the top color (a shimmery champagne color) on my lid and the darker brown in the crease.  The eyeliner that comes with the palette is Aqua so I use that as a liner and then, using a wet eyeliner brush dipped in the turquoise shadow, I trace over the liner, which adds just a bit more of the gorgeous aqua color at the lash line.  You can also use the turquoise shadow as a sheer wash all over the lid, which looks nice with just a charcoal liner and black mascara.  The lip colors are both very neutral and wearable.  My only complaint is that they both have shimmer in them, and I wish one of them was shimmer and one not.  But I do like both of the colors and the texture is creamy and easy to apply with the included brush.

Today I am packing for our annual escape-the-winter-trip to Puerto Rico and this palette is definitely coming along.  The only other makeup I’m bringing is a mascara, my Marie Veronique tinted moisturizer with SPF, and my Vapour Multi-Use blush in” Spark”.  Makes packing a bit easier!

Quick Fixes and Multi-Taskers: Essentials for a New Mom

Posted by:  Jordan

Apologies for the lack of posts…the end of 2011 has been hectic with a new baby, so not only have I had less time to blog, but I’ve also unfortunately had less time to test out new beauty products.  My daughter is currently napping on my husband’s chest, so I’m taking the gift of a few quiet minutes to updates you guys on a few of my favorite products that I haven’t yet had a chance to report on.

As a new mom, spare time for myself is a luxury.  So any product that is a multi-tasker is a huge plus.  Multi-tasking is what Skin and Bones excels at.  Skin and Bones is a company that sells only two products–a cleanser and a moisturizer–and handy products they are.  The 100% natural and vegan cleanser is a face and body cleanser with just a touch of exfoliating black jojoba beads, so this one product can replace your face cleanser, body cleanser, and exfoliator.  Think of this cleanser as a really glamorous alternative to Dr. Bronner’s.  Note:  Like Dr. Bronner’s, I don’t recommend this product as a shampoo replacement (even though Skin & Bones doesn’t advertise it as a shampoo on their website, I wanted to give it a try for test purposes).  It’s not terrible, and it would do in a pinch, but it left my fine hair too heavy and greasy looking.  However, on the night I tested this cleanser as a shampoo, my husband commented–out of the blue, not knowing I had tested out a new “shampoo”– that my hair looked nice and had a lot of body (I didn’t even know he knew that hair could have “body”).  He doesn’t normally seem to notice things like when I haven’t washed my hair in 3 days, so to have him comment on it said something.  So there you go!  To each his own.

The other Skin and Bones product is their 100% organic all-purpose moisturizing oil.  This oil can be used as a body/face/cuticle/hair moisturizer, a massage oil, an invigorating scalp oil, stretch mark preventer…the list goes on and on.  Really, you can use it on anything that ails you!  The scent of both products is pleasingly unisex and woodsy, so they’re great for the whole family (as long as you’re not against woodsy, spicy scents).  Both of these items are perfect for travel since they replace so many products.  They even sell a TSA-approved travel size of the moisturizer on their website.  For an extra skin-exfoliating boost, just grab a sugar packet from the hotel coffee nook and add it to a handful of the oil to create a perfect travel-friendly exfoliator.

Another product that I’m enjoying in my new-mom beauty routine is a quick 5 minute exfoliating facial mask from Naturopathica.  The Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel is a speedy way to brighten and smooth my sleep-deprived skin.  The cherry scent is just like fresh squeezed cherry juice, and nothing like the artificial cherry scent you know from your childhood “red flavored” popsicles.  Thanks to the lactic acid, wine extract, and salicylic acid, after just 5 minutes of having this mask on my skin (something even I can find time to do a couple of times  a week–I like to put it on in the evening while brushing my teeth), my face more resembles my baby’s super-soft skin, and less like my calloused heels.  Though it’s quick-working, it’s super gentle and doesn’t make my sensitive skin red at all.

Hope everyone has a happy new year.  Here’s to a naturally beautiful 2012!

Cyber Monday!

Posted by: Emily

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We have just returned from our travels, and as I write this, my daughter is sleeping peacefully, exhausted from a weekend full of cousins, dogs, trains, and other things that almost-6-month-olds love to look at.

Holidays with kids are truly wonderful and magical– I love seeing everything through their eyes– but a few things are different: 1. There’s no sleeping in, 2. Dinner happens either much earlier or much later than it used to, and 3. (at least in our case) there was no way we were facing the crowds on Black Friday!

I do kind of miss the fun of the busiest shopping day of the year (although these days, I’m much more interested in Small Business Saturday). Regardless, we did not do any shopping this weekend. So I’m extra excited for Cyber Monday, where I can practice rampant consumerism from the safety of my own home while my daughter naps nearby!

Here are a few Cyber Monday deals we think you’ll love, as readers of PJR!

• First, our beloved Vapour Organic Beauty is offering 30% off EVERYTHING! See details below:

If you want, like I do, to buy absolutely everything on their site and are looking for inspiration to narrow it down, may I direct you to a poem I wrote a while back, singing the praises of Siren Shimmer Lipstick (and since then, they’ve improved their formula– it’s even better!!).

• Our newest favorite brand, Marie Veronique Organics, is offering 25% off EVERYTHING all day Monday (code is cybermonday for 25% off), which is so incredible– we’re told it’s their biggest sale of the year, so stock up NOW! I am completely, hopelessly obsessed with the Moisturizing Face Screen. I really don’t like to go a day without wearing it now. I know it has amazing sun protection, and it’s winter now, and maybe I don’t need so much protection, but I just LOVE how it makes my skin look!

• I have been using John Masters Organics products exclusively on my hair for over 6 months and I am so incredibly happy with the shampoos, conditioners, pomade, gel, texturizer, and everything I have tried from this line. They are offering 25% off EVERYTHING as well– I plan to stock up!! And since Jordan has been raving about the Rose Foaming Facial Wash, I might have to try it, too!

• Juice Beauty has some web specials you should check out if you’re a fan of the brand as I am. I like the Holiday Value Kits they’re offering, too. Lots of bargains!  promo code: 40for40

• Here’s a brand I had never heard of before, MyChelle,  but Jordan is a fan, so I might have to check it out:

• I keep finding more and more amazing deals– too many to write about each individually here, but here are a few more lines we love:

1. Earth Mama Angel Baby: 30% off your order using SaveGreen
2. Bella Lucce: spend $40 and you’ll automatically be prompted to get a free bonus product plus enter code “shopsmall” for 15% off the order
3. Naturopathica: Enjoy 30% off your order. Simply enter the code CYBERMONDAY at checkout

• And last but not at all least, I know it’s not exactly a beauty product, but it is definitely Organic: my absolute favorite brand of baby clothes, Kate Quinn Organics, is offering 40% off EVERYTHING!!! This is HUGE– these clothes and accessories for babies and kids are absolutely flawless. They are the best. If you have a kid or know a kid or know someone with a kid, spread the word and check out their site! I promise you will not be disappointed. (I’m taking a leap here that if you like your beauty products free of chemicals, you might also feel that way about clothing!)

Happy Shopping!

If you know any great Cyber Monday deals you want to share with other PJR readers, please post below in the comments!

So Thankful

Posted by:  Jordan

You may have noticed a lull in posting on my part recently.  There’s also been a severe lull in sleeping in our household for the past 3 weeks.  But the reason for both is an excellent one since we welcomed our daughter–and the newest product junkie–to our family!  Harlyn Annabelle was born on October 30th and our lives have been forever changed.  I am beyond thankful that we get to be her parents.

Our precious girl loves her Weleda Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash during bath time

Other things I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving:

doTerra lavender essential oil - My cousin gave me this pure essential oil, along with a bottle of fractionated coconut oil, as a baby gift.  She advised me of all the ways the lavender oil can benefit baby (one drop of essential oil per 2 Tablespoons of fractionated coconut oil to dilute it for use on a baby; no need to dilute for adults).  This oil is supposed to help with fussiness, skin rashes, fever, earache, and most importantly, diaper rash.  Our little girl already had her first case of diaper rash and after only a few days of using the diluted lavender oil on her sensitive skin, it has nearly cleared up!  She also loves when I use a little bit as a massage oil during an infant massage.

Tinted lip balm from Naked Eye Beauty - Emily and I received a sample of this amazing tinted lip balm from the line’s creator, Jen, last week.  All week I’ve kept the balm on my bathroom sink and look forward to putting it on my lips.  It is far and away the best tinted balm I’ve ever tried (sorry, Burt’s Bees, this blows  you out of the water!)  The rosy pinkish-red color is perfection–it brightens my face without screaming, “I just applied lipstick in order to make myself look less sleep deprived”.  The consistency and smoothness make you want to constantly reapply it, even though the color miraculously lasts a surprisingly long time for a tinted balm.  And my favorite part, other than the universally flattering color, is the scent.  Jen uses rose and passionfruit flavoring and it’s reminiscent of a scent used in the lobby of a super-luxe tropical resort.  Though the price isn’t super-luxe: only $6 for this little bit of happiness.  Better yet, for the months of November and December all products in the Naked Eye Beauty line are 15% off by using code NEB15OFF.  I want to try everything from this vegan all-natural skincare line, sold exclusively on Etsy.  Guaranteed, I’ll be stocking up on these lip balms so I’m never without them ever again (also available in a coral color, which I’ve yet to try, but will definitely be ordering soon!).  The lip balm doubles as a cream blush, which works great as a multi-tasker–essential in a new-mom makeup arsenal!  Update:  I ordered the coral color and I think I might love it as much, if not more, than the rose!!!  It’s equally flattering as the rose color but just a little less bright, more toned down.  Love both of them!

Hope everyone has a happy, healthy, and blessed Thanksgiving!

Zuzu Luxe Mascara

Posted by:  Jordan

I had been wanting to try Zuzu Luxe Mascara for a long time, ever since one of our readers recommended it to us.  So when I was placing a big order on Amazon for baby necessities, I added this little $16 treat to my basket.  If you’ve been following our natural cosmetics search, you know that we’ve had a really tough time finding a natural mascara that we love as much as our old conventional ones.  And unfortunately the same goes for this mascara.  It’s not bad at all–but it’s nothing to shout from the rooftops about either.

The ingredients are very clean, which I appreciate, and the formula is super-gentle so it’s great for people with sensitive eyes.  And like the company promises, the mascara resists most smudging (I do occasionally find myself having to do a little q-tip cleanup under the eye after a few hours but it wipes off your skin very easily, thereby avoiding raccoon eyes.  Or worse, when you’re trying to clean up the raccoon eye thing you end up with red, irritated eyes from tugging at the skin…none of those problems exist with this mascara, thankfully).  However, the mascara doesn’t do much for me beyond that.  It’s a very natural look; certainly not the mascara you’d want if you’re trying to get a thick, dramatic look for your lashes.  You definitely need to add a few coats to make this mascara show up on your lashes.  Natural is fine for me most days, but sometimes by the end of the day I look at myself and try to remember if I even put any makeup on that morning or not.  That’s how natural it is!

Zuzu Luxe is a brand of Gabriel Cosmetics.  I do love the company’s philosophy and how they got started.  The CEO and Founder, Gabriel DeSantino, became interested in natural cosmetics as a child, after watching his grandmother create healing, homeopathic products utilizing ingredients from the sea near her home in Mexico. After years of research he founded Gabriel Cosmetics. You can buy all products online on their website (free shipping if you spend over $100), on Amazon (as I did), or at Whole Foods.  I would love to try more of their cosmetics in the future so I can report back on more products from this 100% natural, cruelty-free line…let us know if you have tried any other products from this company and can recommend anything!

Sale Alert: Juice Beauty, Today Only 2-5pm EST/11-2 PST

Posted by:  Jordan

I just received this email about a 3 hour sale on Juice Beauty’s website today from 2-5pm EST. Spend $50 and get a FREE full-size Organic Facial Rejuvenating Mask worth $32!  Plus, if you spend $50 you get free shipping.  Use promo code: LUNCH

If you haven’t tried Juice Beauty products, they’re truly fabulous, and this is a great opportunity to try some new products.  Need an idea of where to start?  Emily and I both liked the Organics to Clear Skin Kit when we were battling breakouts.

Happy shopping!

It’s a sign

Posted by: Emily

 

Just a little fun for you, and it’s kind of product-related Here are 2 signs I saw this weekend posted in beauty salons in Brooklyn.

The first I’ve actually seen in multiple salon/beauty product store windows now. It must be a new campaign.

“I have challenged skin, but I’m still a woman.”

[Please forgive the blurry photo-- it was cold and my daughter was falling asleep in the stroller so I had to keep moving!]

This cracked me up primarily because it reminded me of the now all-too-close-to-home slogan for SNL’s Mom Jeans parody, “I’m not a woman anymore, I’m a mom!”

I don’t think I even understand the connection here– who would think that challenged skin would make you any less of a woman? I mean, I get it, but I think it’s a funny/weird way of conveying the sentiment.

This one I saw on Saturday at the place where I go to get my eyebrows threaded. It made me laugh out loud.

6th line of text: “Please add $5 for Callous Treatement.”

[Apologies again for terrible photography. I can't even blame my daughter's nap schedule for this one-- she wasn't with me. I was just trying to take this picture surreptitiously as I was paying. The ladies who run the salon were looking at me like I was crazy because I was laughing hysterically. So I didn't want to make a big show out of taking a well-framed or focused picture. But you get the idea!]

This might be my favorite sign, ever. Hope it makes you giggle, too! 

Dry Skin Quick Fix: Milk & Honey Cleanser

Posted by:  Jordan

Be it the weather change or just some more end-of-pregnancy hormonal changes, my skin has been extra dry the past week.  I decided to swap my morning cleansing routine with a simple homemade milk and honey cleanser.  I just combined a small spoonful of honey with a couple tablespoons of milk in a bowl and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the honey to dissolve into the milk.  Then soak a cotton square in the milk & honey mixture and apply to your face.  I like to leave it on my skin for a couple minutes while I brush my teeth and then splash clean with cool water.  I was amazed at how quickly my skin became rehydrated.  The lactic acid in the milk also helped to gently exfoliate the little dry flakes away.  After a few days of this simple, cheap home remedy my skin is feeling extra smooth and hydrated.

If your skin is feeling in need of a moisturizing & exfoliating treat, give this a try and let us know if you have as much success as I did!

Winner of the Marie Veronique Organics Giveaway!

 

Congratulations to our winner, whose comment was chosen on random.org.  Our winner is…Heglaé!!  Please email us your address (US or Canada shipping address only, please!) and we’ll pass it along to MVO who will send out your products.  I know you’ll love them as much as we do!

Thanks to everyone who entered this contest!

Last chance to enter a fabulous giveaway!

Posted by: Emily

Today is the last day to enter our fabulous Marie Veronique Organics Giveaway (click here for all the details and Jordan’s review!).

I just had to chime in with my enthusiastic seconding of Jordan’s endorsement of MVO products. I am also a huge fan. Case in point:

I just returned from a wonderful family vacation to South Carolina. In the south, it’s still summer– it was in the 80′s, sunny, and breezy every day! We spent a lot of time on the beach, which was heavenly.

My husband and I kept our daughter all wrapped up since sunscreen use for infants under 6 months is controversial (and messy!), but the rest of us were exposed to the sun most of the time.

It's hard to see, but the baby's there under all the blankets and a hat, in the Ergo carrier, protected from the sun!

Most of my family members used Badger Sunscreen on their faces, and while I love how Badger is safe, effective, green, etc., I have to admit, it leaves a white tint to everyone’s skin, and collects in any creases so you get white stripes on your neck sometimes! While they all looked a little like Casper, I used the samples generously sent to us by Marie Veronique Organics on my face (I alternated between Everyday Sheer Coverage and Moisturizing Face Screen, both in Medium) and as a result, I felt very glam!

It doesn’t run or sweat off (I even wore it jogging!) and it evened out my skin tone. It doesn’t transfer either, which I especially appreciate with a new baby– I don’t want to get makeup or sunscreen on her!

On the beach, after the sun set, when we didn't need to be quite as covered from the sun, but it got a little chilly!

I am a big fan, and I encourage you to enter the giveaway! (See Jordan’s post here for all the details of how to enter!)