1 Evan Healy Immortale Hydrosoul /
sustainable, locally sourced, most products are vegan
2 RMS Living Luminizer /
formulated with raw, food grade and organic ingredients in their natural state
3 Shiva Rose Balm /
100% toxic free, and without any chemicals
4 Aura Cacia organic rosehip oil /
organic
5 R+Co Dallas Thickening shampoo & conditioner /
vegan, paraben-free, not entirely natural though
6 Amore Pacific cleansing oil /
features Green Tea, Bamboo Sap and Red Ginseng , not entirely natural
I like to consider myself a beauty product junkie, although lately, I feel like I can’t possibly figure everything out. I devour information online and could spend forever at Sephora & Nordstrom browsing skincare lines and makeup, but I don’t buy anything, mostly because it’s much too overwhelming – I just don’t know what to do with all the information and so. much. product. And the prices now… I used to buy more, a lot more, and had tons of product around that I never used, but I did a major purge a year or so ago and have resisted stocking up again.
My priority now is keeping my skincare/beauty routine to a minimum and using more natural, organic, vegan & sustainable products. While I used to stick to Caudalie for my skincare needs, I’m branching out lately, and really love these things I’ve tried:
1 I read about Evan Healy Hydrosouls, needed a new toner so decided to try one of hers. Is a HydroSoul a toner? I’m not exactly sure, but they seem like toners to me. And I’m using it like a toner! I bought the Immortale Hydrosoul this weekend at Whole Foods (they were offering 25% off all skincare) and am very pleased with it. I either spray the HydroSoul directly on my skin, or mix it with my rosehip oil in my fingertips and pat it on (like it illustrates in the pamphlet that came in my HydroSoul box). For daytime, I don’t feel like I need any more moisture if I’m using my Amore Pacific CC cream, and at night I apply the Shiva Rose Glow face balm afterwards.
2 I’ve been using RMS Living Luminizer off and on for years, but now use it more consistently and highly recommend it for subtle glow, and a dewy look.
3 Shiva Rose Glow face balm | I got this a month or so ago at my salon because I’d been curious about Shiva Rose products, and immediately fell in love. My skin is SO dry and this really keeps it hydrated without feeling greasy or weighed down. I use it during the day under my CC cream if my skin feels particularly dry, and/or at night also. Whatever’s left on my fingertips I use on the back of my hands for extra moisture. Heavenly!! Since I’ve been using it, I have noticed a lightening in my skintone and overall subtle glow. Could be just the power of suggestion though! You can never tell with skincare in my opinion…
4 Aura Cacia rosehip oil | I read about the power of rosehip oil recently also, and after using the Shiva Rose balm, I was convinced, but didn’t want to also buy her oil ($$) so I got this organic version at Whole Foods instead. I’ve switched now to this from the argan oil I had been using for years and I do feel like it’s much more hydrating.
5 R+Co Dallas shampoo and conditioner | I’m a little frustrated with my hair lately, since I’m trying to grow it out, so I get samples of product here and there to try. I got a sample of this shampoo and conditioner, and I swear, it gave my hair volume and thickness I never thought possible. I’ve NEVER experienced that with shampoo/conditioner before, I just use whatever I think is good for my hair (right now it’s Fekkai), but I’m a convert now. I know…Dallas…the irony is not lost on me…
6 Amore Pacific Cleansing oil | I got this as a deluxe sample more than a month ago with an order at Sephora and still have another month or so left. I am a huge fan of cleansing oils and this one feels just right, going on and rinsing off. But I’m not convinced it removes all my makeup, and seriously, all I use is Amore Pacific CC cream, if anything, during the day. What gives? Does that mean I should be double-cleansing? And how exactly do I do that? With miceller water after?
What have you tried recently and loved (or not loved!)? Do you have any good sustainable/natural/vegan skincare products you swear by?
I use a combo of buy through Apriori rep products and Whole Foods stuff. Always aiming for non-toxic, organic, sustainable. I am very interested to hear what you say about this. Also, I’m very annoyed that I’ve become allergic/sensitive to the smell of rose oil. The effrontery!
Oh boy, this subject is a passion of mine. I have incorporated sustainable, non-toxic skincare in my routine for about 15 years now. I love rose-hip oil and my daughter’s acne as almost disappeared thanks to it. Here is a link to my morning routine the No More Dirty Looks (a great blog to read btw and not mine) published that mentions what I use – http://nomoredirtylooks.com/2016/02/glorias-morning-skin-and-hair-routine-exposed/
I am always on the hunt for less expensive effective products and just started using some of the Mad Hippie Skincare. Their Vitamin A serum is amazing as is their C. Great price point too and you can find it on sale usually online. RMS is also a staple for me and I think I may love their new Master Mixer a bit more than the Living Luminizer – it’s a bit warmer and rose gold in color.
As far as cleansing goes, I also use oil and love it. I take off my eye make-up with miceller water and then massage Kari Gran’s Cleansing oil on my dry face for about 20 seconds. Then I lay a washrag with warm water over my face and let sit for about a minute and breathe in the lovely oil. It also melts my makeup off my face and I rinse a few times and done. No stripping of oils and clean of make-up. Hope that helps.
this is amazing!! thanks for sharing that gloria 🙂
so, please explain the master mixer to me, do you use it the same way? i just use a little luminizer on my cheekbones, nose, etc…
how do you feel about coconut oil as a cleanser?
i use it to remove stubborn mascara, but that’s it….
oh no!! are you then sensitive to the smell of roses? or just the oil? how does that work??
that makes me sad 🙁
Even the smell of roses, but only some of them. The kind you buy in bulk. It’s really weird. I can’t complain I guess, it happened because my husband sent me so many for Valentine’s Day before we got married:).
I use the mix master exactly the same way as the LL…swiped on the top of my cheek bones, a light dab above my upper lip, and just a touch above my eyebrows. Sometimes I will swipe under the arch of my brows too. It’s more subtle than the LL – more golden than silver. It’s beautiful with buriti bronzer rubbed on the cheek lightly.
Coconut oil is great, but I do not like to use it around my eyes. I wear contacts and do take them out at night, but sometimes feel it gets in my eyes and messes with the clarity the next day. I do not like using oil to take off my eye makeup. I have used it for my face in a pinch, but still prefer a lighter oil or cream cleanser – it emulsifies easier with water and doesn’t leave a thick film. I do use coconut oil in dry areas on my body as well as in my hair – oh and since I am Paleo I eat and cook with it constantly. LOL. Hope that answered your questions. Feel free to hit me with more 🙂
i get coconut oil in my eyes ALL THE TIME. and the same thing happens to me…
what do you use to get eye makeup off? i don’t use difficult mascara for just that reason (i hate for things to be difficult to get off), but i love the josie maran mascara so much, it’s just a real pain to remove…what mascara do you use?
i always cook with coconut oil, my husband started making fun of it. but that’s why i like to use it as much as possible, i buy a huge thing at costco! (it’s amazing for making popcorn)
ok, i’m sure i’ll think of more questions later!! thanks for the mix master rec. my LL needs replacing soon, maybe i’ll try that instead.
So I have used Bobbi Brown Smokey Eyes mascara for a few years and just switched to Two Faced Better Than Sex (great name right?) mascara and it’s great. It scores a 6 on EWG which I can live with. I take it off with the Sephora brand micellare water http://www.sephora.com/triple-action-cleansing-water-P297132 I believe it rates about a 6 as well, but it works for now until I can find something cleaner and not $$$.
I buy the big size too and my youngest daughter is always making lip balms and scrubs with it. I like to put it on the ends of my hair on Sundays and wear it in a big top knot. Really helps smooth the split ends and smells yummy too. I will have to have my husband try it when he makes popcorn, thanks.
The recommended way to double cleanse (via Japan/Korea) is to use oil or cream first then a foaming cleanser. That’s what I do usually. But you can also follow with toner (after rinsing your face with water) and you could probably use micellar water as well, although I usually do micellar water -> cream cleanser -> foaming cleanser. I don’t know why, it might make more sense to do it the other way! I also use the Liz Earle cleansing balm, hot water and a muslin cloth to remove it, and then use toner, essence, moisturizer, but only at night. During the day I don’t use moisturizer, just serum and spf, because my skin is pretty oily and moisturizer clogs everything up.
I’m not crazy about micellar water…tried it and it didn’t do anything for me or cleanse adequately. I’m still interested in the RMS luminizer, but I’m very happy with my Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick in Sunset Pink, so no need to switch. In fact, with my rosy cheeks, I don’t even require blush with it. I’m loving Sunday Riley skincare lately…specifically “Good Genes” for the smoothing properties. It gets rid of blemishes on my finicky skin and I love it! I’ve also tried her “Luna Oil” as a gentler alternative to my beloved Retin-A. I use it at night. Menopausal skin is a whole new game for me! I added “Tidal Enzyme Cream” as a day and night cream. It’s great for combination skin like mine, and water-based. Just bought Glossier’s new lip sheer matte in “Crush” and I love it. It looks like I ate raspberries…in a really messy way. 😉
My husband loves Evan Healy products!
After recently picking up rosacea (that makes it sound like he got it at the market, doesn’t it?), nothing was working to combat it until we got a Face Care Kit from Evan Healy this past Sunday.
In the last 4 days alone, it’s almost entirely under control. (Reintroducing leafy greens into his diet and taking Grape Seed Extract probably helps, too.)
Whoa. Which face care kit did he get? I have mild Rosacea and sensitivity…I think the immortale spray and rose hip oil helps.
Me, too! I’m IN!!!
Kari Grann Lip Whip!!! It makes me happy every time I use it…and my lips didn’t get chapped AT ALL this winter. And Herbivore Botanicals Lapis Oil, which I haven’t used enough to comment on yet.
I just switched to Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter for my daytime moisturizer, and I love it! For my night cream, I use Eco Beauty Good Night, Night Cream from La Fresh Group. It smells a little earthy, but it’s absolutely incredible. I highly recommend both of them!
thanks for the recs cathy! your skin always looks so beautiful …
okay, you guys have got me way curious about kari grann, and she’s offering 15% off on her site…what should i try??
which lip whip do you have? any color recommendations for me?? you know how lip color-averse i am though LOL
i’m going to read more about double cleansing, thanks joanna! amore pacific is a korean brand, and the sample i got include an oil & a foaming cleanser, so maybe I’ll try those together. absolutely when i use the foam cleanser my skin is squeaky clean, but it also feels rather stripped – is that normal??
I use her Cinnamon Lip Whip, which is really no color even tho it’s tinted slightly in pale pink. I’m dying to try “Marsala” or “Radiant.” They are truly “Skincare for your lips”!
These are amazing too. Radiant and Marsala are my favorites. I highly recommend too.