Organic Makeup Girl

Nail polish is one of my favorite things. I love wearing it, putting it on, and looking at it (both on me and on others!). I love it on my fingers but also on my toes and I think it looks so pretty in the bottle. It is easy to travel with, can make an outfit pop, and is a reflection of personality.

I was really disappointed when I discovered how harmful conventional nail polish brands are (on the cosmetic database – http://organicmakeupgirl.com/cosmetic-consumers-read-me/). Some of my favorite brands that I have been wearing for years (like Essie) suddenly seemed off-limits and dangerous. Nail polish lost its appeal to me because I felt so guilty wearing it.

A little bit of research led me to Zoya. This brand really enables me to enjoy nail polish again! Zoya nail polish is free of formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl pthalate and camphor. The polish is also vegan-friendly. I like the fact that my nails can look pretty without compromising my health. :)

Zoya has an incredible range of colors to select from – each shade has an intensity rating (of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most opaque). In addition, each color has a color description, and information on the color family it belongs to, the finish (cream, frost or metallic), and tone (warm or cool). Zoya makes it really easy to find colors that work well with your skin (check out this youtube video on how to find the right color for your skin tone:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHPecpNYehc).

Right now, I am loving Zoya Elodie and Zoya Erin. I recently purchased Zoya Audrina, Zoya Sabrina and Zoya Kali (I am waiting for them to come in the mail!).

I get my Zoya nail polish at zoya.com, where each bottle is $7 (+shipping and handling). This is an awesome brand and I highly recommend purchasing their nail polish! :)

x0 Katie

Renpure again?!? Okay so this is not my first post about Renpure Organics. I have been a huge fan of this company & their products for a while, if you are interested in what I have said in the past check out these: http://organicmakeupgirl.com/review-renpure-organics/ & http://organicmakeupgirl.com/review-renpure-organics-volumizing-conditioner/.

Today I am going to talk about Renpure Organics Amazing Miracle Deep Penetrating Reconstructor. This product is a great deep conditioner! To use it: apply it after shampooing, wait (3-5 minutes) & rinse. The best part about Miracle Deep: it can be used daily! Many deep conditioners are too heavy to use daily but not this one. It is a great pick for co-washing because it is free of sulfates, parabens, colors & dyes, which is awesome. Additionally, the product is made with organic extracts. It is safe on color-treated hair as well.

In terms of consistency, the product is pretty thick. It smells awesome. Also, the conditioner was not tested on animals (it was actually tested on the family that produces it!) and it is made in the USA, which is awesome.

I bought my Renpure Miracle deep at Harmon’s (and there is actually a try it free rebate attached!) — give it a try if you are looking for a healthy deep conditioning option.

Katie x0

I have decided to start 2011 off with a new skincare routine/regimen. This was a pretty big decision for me! I am trying to finish up all the products I currently own in the next 2.5 weeks. It will feel good to start fresh & I would encourage others to try my strategy out too if it sounds like something you might be interested in.

As a side note, I just wanted to say that I have been most faithful to Burt’s Bees and Neutrogena over the years but have tried so many (including: Cetaphil, Aveeno, Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Noxzema, Biore, Korres, Murad, Kiss My Face, Burt’s,  Alba, The Body Shop, Etc.) The brand that I am turning to for my 2011 skincare is Philosophy. There is so much buzz about this brand — I want to experience what it is all about! Oprah named Hope in a Jar one of her 25 favorite things of 2010. I purchased the kit pictured below at Sephora, it is called the Philosophy Makeup Optional Skin kit.

My expectations for the products within are really high! The kit comes with Purity face cleanser, Hope in a Jar moisturizer, 3 face peels, a serum and a cream for the eyes/lips. I am so excited to try out these products! The skin regimen will commence with the new year & I will review the products shortly thereafter.

My hopes for the new skincare regimen: less breakouts, diminish acne scars, some overall firming, and pretty skin that is makeup optional. I will let you know how it goes – join me if you like! :)

x0 Katie

Everything about this palette makes me happy. The packaging aesthetically pleasing and functional, the products within are awesome, and it is portable. Urban Decay palette are fabulous! I received this as a gift and loved it!  [Rating: 4.5/5]

The NYC theme of the package is trendy, bright & cute. It also feels like it is made well so it should hold up for a long time.

The top opens up to display a pop-up NYC scene, with the Brooklyn Bridge, a yellow taxi, the Empire State Building, etc. In the back of the scene is a great mirror. Lights are scattered about to display the awesome image.

Inside the palette, there are 16 Urban Decay eyeshadows. As you know from a previous post (http://organicmakeupgirl.com/review-urban-decay-stardust-eyeshadow/) I love Urban Decay eye products. This palette contains Perversion, Uzi, Loaded, Kush, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Last Call, Rockstar, Money, Haight, Maui Wowie (personal favorite), Smog, Bordello, Radium, Snatch, Suspect, and Psychedelic Sister. In addition, there are two 24/7 Glide On eye pencils and one mini primer tube of Primer Potion (*This is the one downside – I wish it had a full-size tube of primer potion because there is definitely not enough of it in a mini tube for this palette!).

I LOVE this palette! It is limited edition and at $54.00 a great buy! You definitely get what you pay for: great colors, awesome quality makeup & cute packaging.

x0 Katie

Stila Custom Color Blush

(1.5/5)

As soon as I saw this Stila blush I needed it. A blush that suits every skintone? Impossible!!! At $20.00 I thought it was pricey but decided it was worth it. And now I will warn you: do not make the same mistake I did! Save your $20.00!

This blush is disappointing and unflattering. I have used it on several different skintones and types of skin to see if my expectations held true and they did. I do not find the product to be universally flattering. The color does not seem to be custom! In fact, even when I apply the blush alone there is little variance in the pink hue.

The product creates a bright pink, matte finish. It is possible to blend out the color but it still seems very vibrant and flat. It is quite expensive for the amount of product you actually get. I have no received any compliments on it and subsequently, try to avoid using it. Lastly, in my opinion this blush does not look natural which makes it easy to pass up when I have the option of using other blush products!

Skip Stila Custom Color Blush – I regret buying it! http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product_detail.asp?pmid=786

x0 Katie

(4.5/5)

I LOVE this eyeshadow! At $20.00 a piece it seems expensive but it is so incredibly worth it!

Initially, I encountered the Stardust eyeshadow when I received a sample with a Sephora.com purchase. I really liked the way it looked alone on my eyelid. The sample included two colors – Retrograde and Space Cowboy. Although I liked both of the eyeshadows, I selected Retrograde to purchase because it is a gorgeous shade of purple with an intense iridescent sparkle.

There are so many great features about this product:

• Super sparkly! Your glitterly lids will not go unnoticed!
• Very little fallout -the sparkle adheres effectively to the eyelid which is such a great aspect of the eyeshadow
• Nicely packaged! It is classy, edgy and fun to pop open.
• The color lasts without creasing – to keep it on extra long apply Urban Decay Primer Potion prior to your application of the eyeshadow (Urban Decay Primer Potion is a cult classic + favorite, and yet another fabulous eye product from Urban Decay!)
• It is moderately accessible – Sephora, Urbandecay.com, Ulta, etc.
• The Eyeshadow comes in a nice range of colors – all contain iridescent sparkle
• It is wearable! Perfect for nighttime, the weekend but can also be worn for work
• A little bit of eyeshadow provides a lot of color & sparkle so it is definitely worth investing in! :)

I have been enjoying applying Stardust Eyeshadow in Retrograde on top of my Maybelline Eye Studio Color Gleam Cream Eyeshadow in Pedal to the Metal (the silver metallic color works best).  Here are some ideas for wearing Retrograde Stardust Eyeshadow:

• Apply it alone on the eyelids for a subtle wash of color and a great glittery effect
• Apply it on top of Primer Potion or cream eyeshadow – this will help to make the color pop & make your eyeshadow last longer
• Use it to create a purple smokey eye
• Do a neutral look on the lid and use Retrograde to line your eyes
• Wet your brush before you apply it all over your lids to create a sexy sense of drama (*personal favorite*)

I adored the Retrograde Stardust Eyeshadow so much that I had to purchase another color – I bought Diamond Dog last week. So far, I am loving that as well! I would definitely give the other shades a try as well!

x0 Katie

Philosophy Under the Mistletoe Lip Shine Set

(3.5/5)

This set is a pretty great deal in terms of price, 4 lip glosses for $20. At $5/lip gloss, the  price is comparable to Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush lip glosses. If you purchased a single Philosophy lip gloss it would cost $10 so you are pretty much paying half price! Okay, enough about the cost!

I think the packaging is adorable & perfect for Christmas! I love the red sparkle, gold ribbon, and the theme of kissing!

This would make a great gift because of the varied shades of gloss. Each shade would look great on any skin color. These can also be mixed together to create a unique color or you can layer them on top of lipstick or lipliner. The lip glosses each have a fabulous holiday themed name: Peppermint Bark, Candy Cane, Pink Frosted Cookie and Have a Cherry Christmas.

Each gloss has a flavor that perfectly suits its name! :) My favorite is Candy Cane – it is minty and perfect for winter!

Peppermint Bark and Have a Cherry Christmas have a red tint and shimmer, Candy Cane is a classic clear gloss and Pink Frosted Cookie is a gorgeous light pink with an awesome shimmer.

[From left to right: Peppermint Bark, Candy Cane, Pink Frosted Cookie, Have a Cherry Christmas]

I am already enjoying this set! It is a good pick for Christmas & the holiday season, very festive, functional & fun!

x0 Katie

(4/5)

Exfoliation is too often associated with summer, spray tans and sand. Exfoliating can make your skin feel luxurious, even when it is cool outside! Tree Hut sugar body scrub is an amazing, accessible scrub that is used to exfoliate the skin. The main ingredient in this product is sugar and the scratchy substance is a fabulous exfoliator. The prodcut smells sweet and has an incredibly thick consistency which makes it easy to work with. To use Tree Hut sugar body scrub: scoop some into your palm, rub in circular motions on your body, and rinse. Follow up with a moisturizer to complete the  treat for your skin! :)

Exfoliating the skin will improve the overall appearance of it. Keep in mind, it is unnecessary to exfoliate every single day but it is beneficial to do it 1-2 times per week. Avoid exfoliating by the skin surrounding your eyes – it is too sensitive and will not respond favorably.

I have purchased Tree Hut Sugar Scrub repeatedly throughout the summer and now into the fall…it is a shower staple that everyone should try! There are no parabens in this product, and it is formulated with organic shea butter and brazilian nut oil.I use about 1 tub/month but at less than $6, it is a luxury that anyone can afford. And of course, I got it at Harmon’s.

x0

Katie

IT’S TIME TO PRIME!

This will be the start of a short series of primer reviews, that will, at least for the purposes of this blog be referred to as, time to prime! [:

About 4 months ago I made my first primer purchase. It was a sample size and came as part of a Korres kit. I had never really cared about priming my face and would often use a moisturizer, Burt’s Bees Radiance Day Lotion with SPF (not my favorite day moisturizer but I have yet to find something better) or I would skip moisturizing altogether and jump to foundation.

My experience with primer has led me to believe, firmly, that primer is the most influential step in makeup application. Consequently, I have purchased 5+ primers in the past few months and I am ready to give a comprehensive review on each one. There is no reason for skipping this step! There are primers out there that will work for you and on your skin and it is just a matter of being patient, educated about them, and finding the right one. And not to worry, I can help you do just that!

So, this review will focus on the primer that kicked off my primer-loving persona, Korres Face Primer, and also the most beneficial techniques of application for this type of product.

(4.5/5)

I use this product by placing a dab on my forehead, each cheek, chin & temples. Then, I press it into my skin quickly and wait for it to be absorbed. It contains vitamin E and honestly feels quite luxurious to apply! The moisture in this product makes it a multitasker – there is no need to moisturize ahead of time or prior to your (primer) application with this particular primer.Thankfully, you will not experience an unpleasant oily sheen a couple hours after you apply it either!

After the product is absorbed into the skin, move onto foundation or a tinted moisturizer if you would like, to set up a base for the rest of your products. I enjoy everything – foundation, powder, blush, & bronzer – but in incredibly modest amounts. The natural look is a favorite of mine, especially for day to day makeup application.

Korres is natural product, silicone free and made in Switzerland. It smells great, and is clear. I enjoy using it alone or with the Korres tinted moisturizer. I have used this primer in conjunction with several other types of foundations & products – from drugstore to department store and have found that it consistently performs well and impresses me!

The benefits of primer:

-great complexion (even if you select to skip other products altogether)

-longer lasting makeup

-less creasing

-less traveling (of liquid foundations, cream blushers & bronzers, etc.)

-save money in the long run (you will inevitably use less makeup because you will require less touching up and less makeup altogether to achieve a flawless finish)

-formulas with SPF offer added protection from the sun (which hopefully provides for less wrinkles and a reduced cancer risk)

Get a primer. And check back for a review of the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer soon!

x0,

Katie

Co-washing. What an unattractive name for a pleasant process! To put it simply, co-washing is washing your hair with conditioner. Typical shampoos contain chemicals that are harmful to your scalp and overall health. Approximately 60% of what you put on your skin (scalp, etc.) is absorbed by your body. When you shampoo, you are exposing yourself to chemicals. Most shampoos contain elements like petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates, artificial colors and fragrances.

Why do you put yourself at risk for health issues and other unfavorable outcomes by using shampoo? Well, I like to think that it is because you have been conditioned (hah, no pun intended) to think that you NEED shampoo to make your hair clean. False! The lather that your shampoo creates is not solely responsible for cleaning your hair. You actually help the cleansing process along by massaging your scalp and rubbing your hair between your fingers. So when you replace your shampoo with a conditioner, preferably an organic one, you will be making a great choice.

So the concept is simple and it is likely something that you will be able to experience for free. Start off co-washing by swearing off shampoo, at least give it a week or so. Use your current conditioner in the shower to wash your hair. Make sure you use the conditioner in the same way that you would a shampoo – massage it around your scalp and rinse it well. Follow up with more of the same conditioner. Let the product sit for a few minutes while you do whatever else you must while you are in the shower. Rinse with cool water and enjoy!

I love co-washing. I think you will too!

xo Katie

p.s. Renpure conditioners work really well with co-washing. : )