Green People OY Natural Roll On Deodorant

Why was I looking for a deodorant if I can easily produce it at home? Well I'm always looking for new ideas, new recipes, we never stop learning, right? That's why I decided to give a chance to this roll on deodorant. What is the result? 

Em? Ehm, what a mEss!

Everyone involved in the beauty industry knows that the famous Youtube make up guru Michelle Phan came out with her own brand, EM, under L'Oréal's wing. The huge Company behind EM has been creating an empire in the cosmetics' industry, obtaining the leadership in this field. But what did L'Oréal think when they decided to invest in Michelle Phan's own brand? 

Natural Beauty Wishlist (^-^)

Everyone in the natural cosmetics environs is talking about Antipodes, a New Zealand organic brand, but I personally have never taken the risk to purchase something. 
Why am I talking about taking risks? Simply because it's a pretty expensive brand. It is very appealing, its products have high ratings on the web, but I still consider these cosmetics to be exaggeratedly high priced. For these reason, Grapeseed Butter Cleanser is on my wishlist of the products that call my attention but I probably won't ever get. 
Let's just take a look at the ingredients: 

Olea europaea (olive oil), butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), cera alba (beeswax), phormium tenax (harakeke) oil, cocos nucifera (coconut oil), oenothera biennis (evening primrose oil), aqua, silica, lavandula officinalis (lavender) oil, theobroma cocao (cocoa) butter, vitis viniferia (grapeseed) extract, tocopherol, matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract, hibiscus sabdarifa (hibiscus) flower extract, fragrance 

Skin's bad reaction to moisturizers: causes!

Has your skin ever reacted badly to moisturizers? Which ones could be the causes? Here I'll share with you my thoughts and my experience. 
In my childhood I often suffered from dermatitis, without really knowing the real causes. As I said many times my skin is a touchy child, 'she' is incredibly reactive to whatever I try to give 'her'. That's why lately I have been increasingly cutting down my skincare routine, to understand which ingredients could be the 'enemies' of my skin. I think the first step should be having a skin's allergies test, to know if there are evident allergy factors. In my case I have a slight reaction to Kathon CG (Isothiazolinone) which is a widely used preservative in cosmetics, almost never displayed in the INCI list, because of the tiny amount used in products. This is an awful discover because I theoretically should avoid nearly every commercial cosmetic, to make sure I don't get in contact with it. Despite of this allergy, I don't think this ingredient is the only one that makes my skin react badly. 

Here is a list of the potential comedogenic/irritating ingredients found in most cosmetics (if you want a complete list click here): 

- Paraffin and silicons (in my case they have been among the principal causes of breakouts even if they are not necessarily classified as bad comedogenic ingredients) 
- Shea butter and vegetal butters in general (when I use creams with a big quantity of shea butter on my face/body skin, I get covered by tiny pimples)  
- Almond oil (I personally can't use it even as a make up remover because the next day I'll be covered by tiny underskin pimples)
- Emulsifiers (it took a while to realize that they are often the cause of my face skin's reactions. But being sensitive to emulsifiers means that you are not able to use any kind of moisturizers, because they necessarily contain them to bind hydro and lipo ingredients together. Right now I am in a phase of skin detoxication, I am not using moisturizers, I just apply on my face my homemade superfasteasy lotion:) 
- Preservatives (since they have to be added in every product, you should monitor if there is any correlation between one of them and your reactions)
- All that you already know causes you allergies (for example I am allergic to pineapple and kiwi, so it wouldn't be even a good idea to apply them on my skin) 

What I've learnt in these years is that often dermatologists don't really know how to deal with breakouts problems since it is considered one of the more marginal skin issues, indeed I have never got a real support or useful advices by them. This is one of the reasons why I started to study by my own cosmetic ingredients and formulation in order to create my own beauty allies. 
Last but not least, one of the greatest discoveries I made is: 

'The less you apply on your skin, the better she will be'

Love, 

Kali  

Natural Beauty Wishlist (^-^)

This month's pick is something that just came out and hit my attention! 
Yes, Nevecosmetics lately has been making deliciously good quality products and this time added also an extremely appealing look...Wow very nice job! 
For those wondering, I'm talking about the super new brush set, for these days only at almost half a price! 
The set includes 12 synthetic (obviously) brushes plus a faux-leather brush roll. 
As you can see they are so colored, so funny and they really look professional with high quality bristles. 
If you are trying to build a good quality basic set this is a wonderful choice, so go for it! If you already have tons of brushes, then just try to focus on what you really need and which ones are worth for your needs, don't buy things just because they look cute! ;) 
Regarding the cost, I think the sale price (79€) is fair for what you are getting, since you are paying 6/7 euros each brush, I think this is a pretty good deal. What about buying them at the retail price (143€)? I've never  spent all that money on brushes, so I don't think I would this time! 
All this monoloque means that I've got 5 days (ending of the offer) to decide if making this cute-candiful present to myself or let it go! :) 

Who knows what my crazy head will decide this time! 

Kali   

EccoVerde Haul!

 

Some days ago I received this supercute pack from EccoVerde. I'm always satisfied with the speed they send orders and the care that they show in packing your stuff, I love them :) 

Here is a list of what I purchased: 

- Paul Penders Herbal Citrus Fruit Exfoliant 

- Lily Lolo Natural Lip Stick in Intense Crush 

- Badger Cuticle Care Balm 

- Benecos Natural Compact Powder in Sand 

- Benecos Natural Eyeliner in Brown 

- Benecos Natural Lipliner in Pink 

  

I've already tried them, but I need more time to make a complete review on each of these products. If you are interested in knowing my opinion on one of them in particular, just let me know! 

Moreover they kindly sent to me three samples of Martina Gebhardt creams, a brand that has never appealed me so much because of the formulas of its products, but well who knows, I will certainly try them :) 

 

Have a wonderful day! 

Kali 

 

Badger Vs Burt's Bees

Who will win today's cosmetic competition? Smart Striped Bees or the sweet hairy Badger?  :) 
Since they are meant to be similar products, I thought it would have been interesting to know which one I'd recommend. 

Without any doubt they are both good balms since they feature only natural ingredients. Moreover they both have a pleasant refreshing feeling thanks to the add of peppermint oil. 

Burt's Bees beeswax lip balm  4.25g  
Badger cocoa butter lip balm  7g

Burt's Bees' one gives a real cooling tingle to your lips, that's a real pleasure! But when it comes to ingredients, I don't fully share the choice of some of them. Firstly I don't think lanolin was so essential, even if it is well known for its protective and emollient properties, let's say I don't like the fact of "exploiting sheeps' sebaceous glands" in order to moisturize my lips -.-' 

Badger's cocoa butter lip balm formulation is impeccable since it has only 

fine ingredients. Comparing it to Burt's Bees one, this gives a more subtle refreshing sensation but it feels more moisturizing on the lips. Besides the packaging is sooo  cute!  :)  
The key to understand their 
different effect on the lips is in the analysis of the first ingredients: Burt poured in his balm a base of beeswax (which main aim is protection) with a medium oil (coconut) and a light one (sunflower), therefore here you have the reason why it feels so light and doesn't nourish that much your lips; the lil Badger instead prepared a base of a butter (cocoa), beeswax and two heavy oils (olive and castor ones)...that's why this fat stick donates immediate relief and moisture to your dry lips. 

In the end, if I had to recommend one, I'd choose the Badger Cocoa butter lip balm because it deserves it, although none of them does miracles with my winter deeply chapped lips :/ 

Kali 

Neve Cosmetics High Coverage Foundation

In 2011 I found my favorite mineral foundation, I was so satisfied with it. Then something bad happened... The All Natural Face stopped shipping to my country, hence I had to find a substitute and I tried Neve Cosmetics' one. I was immediately impressed by the high coverage it had, surely higher than TANF's one. The finish is pretty natural too, just make sure to exfoliate your face regularly in order to avoid ugly dry 'flakes'. 
The only downside about this foundation is the limited selection of shades, there are only 8 to choose from, so you'll probably have to make mixes in order to find your perfect one.
I chose the Light Warm one, it's a lil' bit too light, so I just have to add a tiny amount of Medium Warm to get the almost perfect match. 
You'll find futher infos in here. 

 

Cheers :) 

Kali  

Natural Beauty Wishlist (^-^)

Lately I've discovered a british paradise for natural cosmetics' lovers... Naturisimo! There are a wide range of cruelty free products, you could just lose yourself really :) 
Among all the brands I felt very curious about Vapour Organic Beauty, a serious company which claims to be a high performance range of pure organic cosmetics made from 70% certified organic ingredients and 30% mineral pigments and vitamins. This brand uses no synthetic chemicals, no petroleum ingredients and above all IT'S NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS. 
I actually would like to try their Skin Perfector, which is some kind of primer supposed to brighten the complexion and even out the skin tone. 

It has an interesting formula based on lightweight vegetal oils and minerals, would it be effective in my opinion? Certainly it shows to be a high quality product, my only doubt is about its 'oiliness', maybe it could be too greasy on the skin but I've seen that on the list of ingredients, Silica is in third place, so it will probably cunningly dry the whole formula... I gotta try it out anyway to give a most precise opinion! 
Apparently the only downside about this product is the crazy price: 47£ for 30g! 
(-_-') Oh Jesus... 

Kali   

  

Yves Rocher Sexy Pulp Lash Plumping Mascara

This mascara is by far one of the best ones I've ever tried. It has a really nice lash lenghtening effect (not so plumping actually), it is dramatic but at the same time it hasn't got that fake lashes effect. 
The formula is a little bit dry and it has a nice almond scent. I can't stand the applicator because it is so big that makes it difficult to apply.  
I've got it in the blue shade which results in a dark indigo when applied. Another good thing about this mascara is that it doesn't damage my lashes as many others do, a very big point in favour of this one!  :) 

  

If you request it, I'll take a picture of it applied to my lashes, just let me know!  

Kali   

Lavera Trend Sensitiv Mineral Compact Powder

Lavera Compact Powder is a fully mineral and natural setting powder that gives a flawless complexion. There are two shades available: Cool Ivory, which is really rosey, so if you don't have pink undertones, just avoid it! 
Warm Beige is a warm abricot shade, ideal for everyone from light to deep skintones. I chose this one, despite of being afraid of having an Oompa Loompa kinda effect, no worries! It is pretty transparent so your skin won't get any sort of color. 

Here we go with the ingredients: 

 Mica, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Magnesium Stearate, Magnesium Silicate, Silica, Tricaprylin, (),Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*,Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract*, Tocopherol, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Vegatable Oil (Olus Oil), Water (Aqua), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract*, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract*, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract*, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract*, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Alcohol*, Fragrance (Parfum)**, Limonene**, Geraniol**, Linalool**, Citronellol**, Citral**, [+/-Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Silver Oxide] 

Mica will leave that nice glowy finish (it is a matte powder anyway), silica will absorb any excess oil. I really appreciate the presence of all those vegetal oils and butter which help protect, soothe and moisturize the skin; they've also added vitamin A and E, plus some pretty vegetal extract, I adore this 'made with love' formula :) All I can say about it is that it works, it leaves your skin matte with a subtle natural glow and really helps hiding pores (I can't say anything about fine lines by now!) 

Kali  

Pukka Ayurveda Nourishing Brightener

This is a 100% organic face scrub, made following Ayurveda's principles. It has been conceived for normal to oily skin and has detoxifying and replenishing properties. 
I purchased it on Naturisimo for 13£. 
Let's go directly to the analysis of the ingredients' list: 

Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Almond) Seed Powder*, Vaccinum myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract*, Emblica officinalis (Amla) Fruit Powder*, Asparagusracemosus (Shatavari) Root Powder*, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Root Powder*, Rubia cordifolia (Manjishtha) Root Powder*, Hydrocotyle asiatica (Gotu kola) LeafPowder*, Azadirachta indica (Neem) Leaf Powder*, Athrospira platensis (Spirulina)Powder*, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) Root Powder*. 

As you can see this is a blend of dried herbs, seeds and fruits formulated to help achieving a radiant complexion. 

It contains almond seed powder (simply an exfoliating agent), bilberry extract (rich in vitamin C, it is also tonic and astringent), licorice (illuminates and gives radiance to the skin), turmeric (anti-inflammatory properties), spirulina (stimulates the formation of collagen and elastin) and various ayurvedic plants extracts that together detoxify your skin cells, lifting up your complexion! 

Is is definetely a well-formulated scrub, I love the blend of natural extracts they made and the fact that it is in a dry form so that everytime you use it, you can be free to add it to your mask, cleanser or simply to a few drops of water if you are in a hurry! What I don't like about it? It is not finely milled enough in my opinion, but I easily 'solved the issue' by putting it a few second in a coffee grinder :)  

Kali  

Christmas Grrreen Gift Ideas! (Part 2)

Today's episode will be focused on one of my favorite online stores, Aroma-zone, a French paradise for people who love preparing their own beauty stuff at home! 

Diffuseur Brumisateur ZEN 
A simply beautiful gift, it creates a cold steam while changing color and diffusing scents, wondeful wonderful! Will someone give it to me?! (^_^)  

Box Soins complets visage, corps et cheveux 
A luxurious complete box with everything you need to prepare homemade cosmetics from head to toes :) 
You'll learn the basics of cosmetic formulation while having fun, then you'll enjoy the products that YOU made with YOUR OWN hands, such a satisfaction!  

Bon Cadeau Atelier 
You could get to your lover a gift card to attend cosmetic classes directly in aroma-zone's  laboratories, such an amazing 'coup de coeur'! 

[unfortunately the flight to Paris is not included in the price, but it would be such a great further gift to have a trip to 'La ville Lumière', don't you think?!]  (: 

Kali  

Christmas Grrreen Gift Ideas! (Part1)

Are you desperately looking for a gift for your Eco-friend? I'll try to give you some ideas I found around the web!  :) 
Today I'll focus on ecco-verde.com, a very nice german online store offering a variety of natural cosmetic products by cruelty free brands. 
Let's get started! 

Farfalla Festive Gemstone Oil collection 
A Christmassy box containing 7 of Farfalla's oil blends, 
a pretty gift for mums and grandmas (yea and mothers-in-law too!) 

Crazy Rumors Brew Spice Collection 
A super pretty and original box containing 4 lip balms with unusual funny flavors (Apple Spice, Peppermint Lemongrass, Spiced Chai, Orange Bergamot). I love the name of the brand and the packaging! You could also dare get it for your boyfriend ;)   

Badger Damascus Rose Face&Body Beauty Package 
This would be the perfect gift for my mum (and probably yours!) since I consider the rose as the projection of the beauty of a mature woman who has given everything for growing her children. You'll get a jar of Rose Beauty Balm, a bottle of Rose Face Oil and one of Rose Body Oil, so lovely! 

Inika Face in a Box 
I chose this set because it's complete and that magnificent powder brush looks so amazing ;) 

Kali 

Ombraluce duo contouring minerale

Ombraluce by Nevecosmetics è un duo per creare un contouring definito del vostro viso, sfruttando le proprietà di assorbimento e rifrazione della luce. 
Il kit è composto da due jar, ognuna contiene 4 g di prodotto ed il loro costo complessivo è di 17.90 €. A prima vista Ombraluce Shadow (la polvere per creare le ombre appunto!) potrebbe intimidire anche le donzelle con la pelle mediterranea, ma è estremamente sfumabile tanto che va benissimo anche per le pelli chiare. In linea di massima lo sconsiglierei solo alle carnagioni chiarissime con sottotono rosa (per intenderci, alle tipiche inglesi o alle ragazze coi capelli rossi).  

Ombraluce Light è un illuminante bellissimo, discreto ma allo stesso tempo consente di evidenziare sapientemente i rilievi del nostro viso. 

A mio parere è uno dei prodotti di Nevecosmetics con una resa superprofessionale che non hanno nulla da invidiare alle marche più blasonate. L'unica pecca (per il mio pragmatismo accanito) è il fatto che siano presentati in polvere libera, ma io ho tempestivamente ovviato al problema compattandoli... molto più pratico e funzionale :)  

Bravi Bravi Vi meritate un bell'8 per questo kit! 

Kali 

DIY: Dry Shampoo

One of the best selling dry shampoo is Klorane's, they say it works but... is it worth spending more than 15$ for it? 
Here you can have a look at the ingredients: 

Butane, Propane, Isobutane, Oryza Sativa(Rice), Starch(Oryza Sativa), SD Alcohol 39-C(Alcohol Denat), Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Avena Sativa(Oat), Kernel Oil(Avena Sativa), CYclodextrin, Cyclomethicone, fragance(Parfum), Isopropyl Myristate Slicia. 

As you can see there are only two active ingredients, oat and rice starch, nothing more. So why don't you take a couple of minutes to prepare your own personalized dry shampoo?? It is lazysafe I promess ;) 

Here below I'm gonna share a simple and effective formula: 
- iris powder 1/2 
- cornstarch 1/2 
- essential oil of your choice (a few drops)  

Mix it all properly, possibly in a coffee grinder and put it in a nice pot with puff! (Always close it well and don't leave it in the bathroom, because of the humidity) 


Kali 

Suti's Rejuvenate Organic Face Oil

Lovely blend of natural oils! Suti has created a marvelous product using just a few natural ingredients, simple and effective...It's great as a daily moisturizer (mixed with aloe vera gel), it isn't greasy at all, even suitable for oily skin types, don't be skeptical, just try it! I wanna show you the INCI so that you can create it at home, avoiding to spend 28£ for 30ml ;) 

Rosa Rubiginosa (Rosehip) Seed Oil*, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil*, Argania (Argan) Spinosa Kernel Oil*, Limonene**, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil*, Tocopherol, Santalum Austrocalendonicum (Sandalwood), Olibanum (Frankincense)*, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Extract*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil*, Linalool**, Geraniol**, Citral**  

Let's analyze its formula: 

- Rosehip Seed Oil: cicatrizing and powerful anti aging 

- Evening Primerose Oil: regenerating and anti wrinkle effect 

- Argan Oil: deeply nourishes and regenerates the skin 

- Tangerine Peel Oil: used mainly for its pleasantly pungent fragrance and calming effect 

- Tocopherol: Vitamin E, powerful antioxidant 

- Sandalwood: anti-inflammatory effect 

- Frankincense: cicatrizing 

- Bitter Orange Flower Oil: anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect 

- Jojoba Seed Oil: calming and soothing 

- Carrot Seed Extract: cicatrizing and illuminating 

- Rosemary Leaf Oil: powerful antioxidant. 

Congratulations Suti, I'll give you a 9 for this orangey gold blend of goodness! 

Kali

Acque Profumate by Fitocose

Le acque profumate di Fitocose sono una miscela di acqua, gel di aloe e fragranza naturale, sono semplicemente deliziose e soprattutto adatte a persone allergiche e sensibili ad alcool e profumi sintetici. Grazie all'aloe, se spruzzate sulla pelle, la lasciano morbida e delicatamente profumata. Mi sembra d'obbligo sottolineare che si tratta di acque profumate, quindi se siete abituati ai profumi sintetici persistenti 'che lasciano la scia', queste vi deluderanno. D'altro canto devo ammettere che per essere acque profumate hanno una buona durata, diciamo che sicuramente ve le sentirete addosso per qualche ora :) 
Inoltre la bottiglietta spray è graziosissima ed il costo è piuttosto basso (5,82€ per 50ml). 
Ho provato le profumazioni alla Rosa Nera e al Calicanto. La prima è una fragranza elegante, calda, sensuale, avvolgente, di classe, adatta a donne mature, diciamo non il solito visto e rivisto (o meglio odorato e riodorato) profumo alla rosa. 
La seconda è una fragranza più maschile, sportiva, frizzante, più adatta alla stagione calda. 

Ancora una volta, grazie Fitocose per l'ennesimo buon prodotto che avete creato! 


Kali 

Sophyto Essentials Collection

This Collection is meant to balance skin's PH while offering anti-aging benefits. 
What do I think about the effects on my skin of these products in general? I'm not so convinced about this set, mainly because of its price: 31.85£ on Naturisimo. My note for this collection is 6 but let's take a look at the single items.  
- Purifying silken cleanser: I don't find it purifying at all but it's a perfect make up remover! To be followed by a real cleanser to remove the oil excess and residues. NOTE: 7 
- Dual action exfoliating treatment: this is a fruit acids based exfoliator, perfect for quite sensitive skins because it removes dead cells without scrubbing. The only downside is that it has water consistency so it's difficult to deal with! NOTE: 7 
- PH optimizing restorative toner: this is an average natural toner, nothing more nothing less. What I didn't like about it actually was the useless presence of Alcohol so my NOTE is 6 
- Anti aging antioxidant serum: in my opinion this is a 'no-no!' product, this is not  a serum, this is water with alcohol and some good vegetal extracts, maybe it could be effective used regularly but it's too expensive considering the ingredients it contains. NOTE: 5 
- Balancing daily moisturizer: this is an average light moisturizer ideal for combination to oily skin types, I recommend it if you haven't found a nice natural moisturizer yet. NOTE: 6. 

I'm sorry for my disappointment, but I expect much from a medium-end brand like Sophyto. However I'd definetely buy the Exfoliating Treatment again because it's a really lovely product. 

Love, 
Kali 

Crema contorno occhi by Fitocose

A mio parere uno dei must haves di Fitocose è la crema contorno occhi alla rosa rubiginosa, un'emulsione corposa ed estremamente nutriente. Non posso esprimermi sul potere antirughe, ma posso dire con piacere che distende la pelle della zona perioculare, donando un aspetto più fresco e riposato al viso. 
Ha una base di acqua ed aloe (effetto calmante ed antinfiammatorio) in cui sono stati sapientemente miscelati il burro di karitè (il tipico ingrediente nutriente), lo squalane (attivo derivato dall'olio di oliva, con effetto emolliente e ristrutturante), l'olio di rosa rubiginosa (attivo antirughe per eccellenza) e il G-orizanolo (derivato dal riso, aumenta il naturale fattore di protezione UVA epidermico).  
La consiglio a qualsiasi tipo di contorno occhi come trattamento notturno, mentre come crema contorno occhi diurna solo alle pelli mature e disidratate. 

Per ulteriori informazioni 

Kali ;)  

P.S: l'unica pecca è che 30ml sono una quantità enorme per riuscire a finirla in 4 mesi, quindi dividetela con le amiche per evitare che si irrancidisca prima che possiate terminarla!